_Cleo._ Obey me, Or from this minute you are a stranger to me; And do 't without reply. All-seeing sun, Thou witness of my innocence, thus I close Mine eyes against thy comfortable light, 'Till the return of this distrustful man! Now bind them sure;--nay, do 't: [_He binds her eyes with her scarf._] If, uncompell'd, I loose this knot, until the hands that made it Be pleased to untie it, may consuming plagues Fall heavy on me! pray you guide me to your lips. This kiss, when you come back, shall be a virgin To bid you welcome; nay, I have not done yet: I will continue dumb, and, you once gone, No accent shall come from me. Now to my chamber, My tomb, if you miscarry: there I'll spend My hours in silent mourning, and thus much Shall be reported of me to my glory, And you confess it, whether I live or die, My constancy triumphs o'er your jealousy. [_Exeunt._ FOOTNOTES: [105] ------------_nay, Leosthenes, You are welcome too_, &c.] It should be remembered that Archidamus is, with great judgment, represented in the first scene as averse to the marriage of Leosthenes with his daughter.--GIFFORD. [106] _For, now my gown's off, farewell gravity!_] This is said to have been a frequent expression with the great but playful Sir Thomas More, who was never so happy as when he shook off the pomp of office. Fuller tells a similar story of Lord Burleigh.--GIFFORD. [107] _There's a month call'd_ October, &c.] This pleasant old man forgets that he is talking of Sicily, where October is the most delightful month of the year. All our old poets loved and thought only of their country. Whatever region was the subject, England was the real theme: their habits, customs, peculiarities were all derived from thence. This, though it must condemn them as historians, may save them as patriots: and, indeed, it is not much to be regretted that they should overlook manners, with which they were very imperfectly acquainted, in favour of those with which they were hourly conversant--at least it would be ungrateful in us, who profit so much by their minute descriptions, to be offended at their disregard of "the proper _costumi_."--GIFFORD. [108] _Here_,] i. e. _in Syracuse_. [109] Leost. _You were never proved._] The whole of this scene is eminently beautiful; yet I cannot avoid recommending to the reader's particular notice the speech which follows. Its rhythm is so perfect, that it drops on the ear like the sweetest melody.--GIFFORD. [110] _Owe_,] i. e. _own_. [111] _And spoil him of his birthright?_] This is a happy allusion to the history of Jacob and Esau. It is the more so, for being void of all profaneness; to which, indeed, Massinger had no tendency.--GIFFORD. SCENE II.