_Ast_. And yet not sound. His ignorance of your true thoughts Excuses this; you did seem cruel, madam. _Queen_. But much of kindness still mixed with it. Who could mistake so grossly, not to know A Cupid frowning, when he draws his bow? _Ast_. He's going now to smart for his offence. _Queen_. Should he, without my leave, depart from hence? _Ast_. No matter; since you hate him, let him go. _Queen_. But I my hate by my revenge will show: Besides, his head's a forfeit to the state. _Ast_. When you take that, I will believe you hate. Let him possess, and then he'll soon repent; And so his crime will prove his punishment. _Queen_. He may repent; but he will first possess. _Ast_. O, madam, now your hatred you confess: If his possessing her your rage does move, 'Tis jealousy, the avarice of love. _Queen_. No more, Asteria. Seek Lysimantes out, bid him set his guards Through all the court and city. Prevent their marriage first; then stop their flight. Some fitting punishments I will ordain, But speak not you of Philocles again: 'Tis bold to search, and dangerous to find, Too much of heaven's, or of a prince's mind. [_Queen descends, and exit_. _As the Queen has done speaking,_ FLAVIA _is going hastily over the stage;_ ASTERIA _sees her_. _Ast_. Flavia, Flavia, whither so fast? _Fla_. Did you call, Asteria? _Ast_. The queen has business with Prince Lysimantes; Speak to any gentleman in the court, to fetch him. [_Exit_ ASTERIA _from above_. _Fla_. I suspect somewhat, but I'll watch you close; Prince Lysimantes has not chose in me The worst spy of the court-- Celadon! what makes he here? _Enter_ CELADON, OLINDA, _and_ SABINA; _they walk over the stage together, he seeming to court them_. _Olind_. Nay, sweet Celadon-- _Sab_. Nay, dear Celadon. _Fla_. O ho! I see his business now; 'tis with Melissa's two daughters: Look, look, how he peeps about, to see if the coast be clear; like an hawk that will not plume, if she be looked on. [_Exeunt_ CEL. OLIND. _and_ SAB. So--at last he has trussed his quarry. _Enter_ FLORIMEL. _Flo_. Did you see Celadon this way? _Fla_. If you had not asked the question, I should have thought you had come from watching him; he's just gone off with Melissa's daughters. _Flo_. Melissa's daughters! he did not court 'em, I hope? _Fla_. So busily, he lost no time: While he was teaching the one a tune, he was kissing the other's hand. _Flo_. O fine gentleman! _Fla_. And they so greedy of him! did you never see two fishes about a bait, tugging it this way and t'other way? for my part, I looked at least he should have lost a leg or arm i'the service.--Nay, never vex yourself, but e'en resolve to break with him. _Flo_. No, no, 'tis not come to that yet; I'll correct him first, and then hope the best from time.