ARI. Believe me, Prince, I have no relish for all this idle nonsense, so welcome to too many women, I wish to be a mother, because I am one, and it would be in vain to wish to be otherwise. This title has nothing that wounds me, since I received it by my own consent. It is a weakness in our sex, from which, thank heaven! I am free, and I do not trouble myself about those grand discussions concerning ages about which there is so much folly. Let us resume what we were saying. Is it possible that until now you have been unable to discover my daughter's feelings? IPH. They are a secret to me. TIM. And to me an impenetrable mystery. ARI. She may be prevented by modesty from explaining herself either to you or to me. Let us make use of another to try and discover what she feels. Sostratus, take this message upon yourself for me, and oblige these princes by skilfully trying to discover towards which of the two my daughter's feeling are inclined. SOS. Madam, you have a great many people in your court who are better qualified than I for such a delicate mission, and I feel little fit to do what you ask of me. ARI. Your merit, Sostratus, is not confined to the business of war only. You have brain, tact, and skill, and my daughter greatly esteems you. SOS. Another better than I, Madam.... ARI. No, no, in vain you excuse yourself. SOS. Since it is your wish, Madam, I must obey; but I assure you that there is not one person in the whole of your court who would be less qualified for such a commission than myself. ARI. You are too modest, and you will always acquit yourself well in whatever is entrusted to you. Sound my daughter gently on her feelings, and remind her that she must be early at the wood of Diana. SCENE III.--IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, SOSTRATUS, CLITIDAS. IPH. (_to_ SOSTRATUS). I assure you that I rejoice to see you held in such esteem by the princess. TIM. (_to_ SOSTRATUS). I assure you that I am delighted that the choice should have fallen on you. IPH. You have it now in your power to serve your friends. TIM. You will be able to do good service to those you esteem. IPH. I do not commend my interests to you. TIM. I do not ask you to speak for me. SOS. My Lords, all this is useless. I should be wrong to exceed my orders, and you will excuse me if I speak for neither. IPH. I leave it to you to do as you please. TIM. Do exactly as you think best. SCENE IV.--IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, CLITIDAS. IPH. (_aside to_ CLITIDAS). Well, Clitidas, remember that he is one of my friends. I hope he will still forward my interests with the princess against those of my rival. CLI. (_aside to_ IPHICRATES). You may trust me. There is a great difference between you and him. He is a fine prince, indeed, to dispute it with you. IPH. (_aside to_ CLITIDAS). I will not forget such a service. SCENE V.--TIMOCLES, CLITIDAS. TIM. My rival pays his court to Clitidas; but Clitidas knows that he has promised to help me in my love against him.