_Orb_. A brother's life upon your love relics, Since I do homage to Cydaria's eyes: How can her father to my hopes be kind, If in your heart he no example find? _Alm_. To save your life I'll suffer any thing, Yet I'll not flatter this tempestuous king; But work his stubborn soul a nobler way, And, if he love, I'll force him to obey. I take this garland, not as given by you, [_To MONT_. But as my merit and my beauty's due. As for the crown, that you, my slave, possess, To share it with you would but make me less. _Enter_ GUYOMAR _hastily_. _Odm_. My brother Guyomar! methinks I spy Haste in his steps, and wonder in his eye. _Mont_. I sent thee to the frontiers; quickly tell The cause of thy return; are all things well? _Guy_. I went, in order, sir, to your command, To view the utmost limits of the land: To that sea-shore where no more world is found, But foaming billows breaking on the ground; Where, for a while, my eyes no object met, But distant skies, that in the ocean set; And low-hung clouds, that dipt themselves in rain, To shake their fleeces on the earth again. At last, as far as I could cast my eyes Upon the sea, somewhat, methought, did rise, Like blueish mists, which, still appearing more, Took dreadful shapes, and moved towards the shore. _Mont_. What forms did these new wonders represent? _Guy_. More strange than what your wonder can invent. The object, I could first distinctly view, Was tall straight trees, which on the waters flew; Wings on their sides, instead of leaves, did grow, Which gathered all the breath the winds could blow: And at their roots grew floating palaces, Whose outblowed bellies cut the yielding seas. _Mont_. What divine monsters, O ye gods, were these, That float in air, and fly upon the seas! Came they alive, or dead, upon the shore? _Guy_. Alas, they lived too sure; I heard them roar. All turned their sides, and to each other spoke; I saw their words break out in fire and smoke. Sure 'tis their voice, that thunders from on high, Or these the younger brothers of the sky. Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty flight; No mortal courage can support the fright. _High Pr_. Old prophecies foretel our fall at hand, When bearded men in floating castles land. I fear it is of dire portent. _Mont_. Go see What it foreshows, and what the gods decree. Meantime proceed we to what rites remain.-- Odmar, of all this presence does contain, Give her your wreath, whom you esteem most fair. _Odm_. Above the rest I judge one beauty rare, And may that beauty prove as kind to me, [_He gives_ ALIBECH _the wreath_. As I am sure fair Alibech is she. _Mont_. You, Guyomar, must next perform your part. _Guy_. I want a garland, but I'll give a heart: My brother's pardon I must first implore, Since I with him fair Alibech adore. _Odm_. That all should Alibech adore, 'tis true; But some respect is to my birthright due. My claim to her by eldership I prove. _Guy_. Age is a plea in empire, not in love.