_King._ No more of that, I know thou art not one. Call Lognac hither straight, and St Malin; Bid Larchant find some unsuspected means, To keep guards doubled at the council-door, That none pass in or out, but those I call: The rest I'll think on further; so farewell. _Gril._ Heaven bless your majesty! Though I'll not kill him for you, I'll defend you when he's killed: For the honest part of the job let me alone[19]. [_Exeunt severally._ SCENE II.--SCENE _opens, and discovers Men and Women at a Banquet,_ MALICORN _standing by._ _Mal._ This is the solemn annual feast I keep, As this day twelve year, on this very hour, I signed the contract for my soul with hell. I bartered it for honours, wealth, and pleasure, Three things which mortal men do covet most; And 'faith, I over-sold it to the fiend: What, one-and-twenty years, nine yet to come! How can a soul be worth so much to devils? O how I hug myself, to out-wit these fools of hell! And yet a sudden damp, I know not why, Has seized my spirits, and, like a heavy weight, Hangs on their active springs. I want a song To rouse me; my blood freezes.--Music there. A SONG BETWIXT A SHEPHERD AND SHEPHERDESS. Shepherdess. _Tell me, Thyrsis, tell your anguish, Why you sigh, and why you languish; When the nymph whom you adore, Grants the blessing Of possessing, What can love and I do more?_ Shepherd. _Think it's love beyond all measure, Makes me faint away with pleasure; Strength of cordial may destroy. And the blessing Of possessing, Kills me with excess of joy._ Shepherdess. _Thyrsis, how can I believe you! But confess, and I'll forgive you; Men are false, and so are you, Never nature Framed a creature To enjoy, and yet be true._ Shepherd. _Mine's a flame beyond expiring, Still possessing, still desiring, Fit for love's imperial crown; Ever shining, And refining, Still the more 'tis melted down._ Chorus together. _Mine's a flame beyond expiring. Still possessing, still desiring, Fit for love's imperial crown; Ever shining, And refining, Still the more 'tis melted down._ _After a Song and Dance, loud knocking at the Door,_ _Enter a Servant._ _Mal._ What noise is that? _Serv._ An ill-looked surly man, With a hoarse voice, says he must speak with you. _Mal._ Tell him I dedicate this day to pleasure. I neither have, nor will have, business with him. [_Exit_ SERV. What, louder yet? what saucy slave is this? [_Knock louder._ _Re-enter Servant._ _Serv._ He says you have, and must have, business with him. Come out, or he'll come in, and spoil your mirth. _Mal._ I will not.