HOR. Dangers of war and pleasures of our love. LOR. Dangers of death, but pleasures none at all! BEL. Let dangers go; thy war shall be with me, But such a war as breaks no bond of peace. Speak thou fair words, I'll cross them with fair words; Send thou sweet looks, I'll meet them with sweet looks; Write loving lines, I'll answer loving lines; Give me a kiss, I'll countercheck thy kiss: Be this our warring peace, or peaceful war. HOR. But, gracious madame, then appoint the field Where trial of this war shall first be made. BAL. Ambitious villain, how his boldness grows! BEL. Then be thy father's pleasant bow'r the field,-- Where first we vow'd a mutual amity. The court were dangerous; that place is safe. Our hour shall be when Vesper 'gins to rise, That summons home distressful travelers. There none shall hear us but the harmless birds: Haply the gentle nightingale Shall carroll us asleep ere we be ware, And, singing with the prickle at her breast, Tell our delight and mirthful dalliance. Till then, each hour will seem a year and more. HOR. But, honey-sweet and honourable love, Return we now into your father's sight; Dang'rous suspicion waits on our delight. LOR. Aye, danger mix'd with jealous despite Shall send thy soul into eternal night! Exeunt. [ACT II. SCENE 3.] [The Spanish court.] Enter the KING OF SPAIN, PORTINGAL AMBASSADOR, DON CIPRIAN, &c. KING. Brother of Castille, to the prince's love What says your daughter Bel-imperia? CIP. Although she coy it, as becomes her kind, And yet dissemble that she loves the prince, I doubt not, aye, but she will stoop in time; And, were she froward,--which she will not be,-- Yet herein shall she follow my advice, Which is to love him or forgo my love. KING. Then, lord ambassador of Portingal, Advise thy king to make this marriage up For strengthening of our late-confirmed league; I know no better means to make us friends. Her dowry shall be large and liberal; Besides that she is daughter and half heir Unto our brother here, Don Ciprian, And shall enjoy the moiety of his land, I'll grace her marriage with an uncle's gift, And this is it: in case the match go forward, The tribute which you pay shall be releas'd; And, if by Balthazar she have a son, He shall enjoy the kingdom after us. AMBASS. I'll make the motion to my sovereign liege, And work it if my counsel may prevail. KING. Do so, my lord; and, if he give consent, I hope his presence here will honour us In celebration of the nuptial day,-- And let himself determine of the time. AMBASS. Wilt please your Grace command me ought beside? KING. Commend me to the king; and so, farewell! But where's Prince Balthazar, to take his leave?