They fell then to Questions and Commands; to cross Purposes: _I think a
Thought, what is it like?_ &c. In all which, his _Would-be_ Majesty took
the Opportunity of shewing the Excellency of his Parts, as, How fit he
was to govern! How dextrous at mining and countermining! and, How he
could reconcile the most contrary and distant Thoughts! The Musick, at
last, good as it was, grew troublesome and too loud; which made him
dismiss them: And then he began to this effect, addressing himself to
_Philibella_: Madam, had Fortune been just, and were it possible that
the World should be govern’d and influenc’d by two Suns, undoubtedly we
had all been Subjects to you, from this Night’s Chance, as well as to
that Lady, who indeed alone can equal you in the Empire of Beauty, which
yet you share with her Majesty here present, who only could dispute it
with you, and is only superior to you in Title. My Wife is infinitely
oblig’d to your Majesty, (interrupted Sir _Philip_) who in my Opinion,
has greater Charms, and more than both of them together. You ought to
think so, Sir _Philip_ (returned the new dubb’d King) however you should
not liberally have express’d your self, in Opposition and Derogation to
Majesty:--Let me tell you ’tis a saucy Boldness that thus has loos’d
your Tongue!--What think you, young Kinsman and Counsellor? (said he to
_Goodland_.) With all Respect due to your sacred Title, (return’d
_Valentene_, rising and bowing) Sir _Philip_ spoke as became a truly
affectionate Husband; and it had been Presumption in him, unpardonable,
to have seem’d to prefer her Majesty, or that other sweet Lady, in his
Thoughts, since your Majesty has been pleas’d to say so much and so
particularly of their Merits: ’Twould appear as if he durst lift up his
Eyes, with Thoughts too near the Heaven you only would enjoy. And only
can deserve, you should have added, (said _King_, no longer _Would-be_.)
How! may it please your Majesty (cry’d _Friendly_) both my Nieces! tho’
you deserve ten thousand more, and better, would your Majesty enjoy them
both? Are they then both your Nieces? (asked Chance’s King). Yes, both,
Sir (return’d the Knight,) her Majesty’s the eldest, and in that Fortune
has shewn some Justice. So she has (reply’d the titular Monarch): My Lot
is fair (pursu’d he) tho’ I can be bless’d but with one.
_Let Majesty with Majesty be join’d,
To get and leave a Race of Kings behind._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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