_Cleom._ Come after us, Pantheus, And bring my boy Cleonidas along. I'll shew his youth this base luxurious court, Just as in sober Sparta we expose Our drunken Helots; only with design To wean our children from the vice of wine. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.--_The Apartment of_ CASSANDRA. _Enter King_ PTOLEMY, SOSIBIUS, _with papers, after him_. _Ptol._ No more of business. _Sosib._ Sir, the council waits you. _Ptol._ Council! What's that? a pack of bearded slaves, Grave faces, saucy tongues, and knavish hearts, That never speak one word, but self's at bottom; The scavengers that sweep state nuisances, And are themselves the greatest--I'll no council. _Sosib._ Remember, you appointed them this day. _Ptol._ I had forgot 'twas my Cassandra's birth-day. _Sosib._ Your brother Magas grows more dangerous daily, And has the soldiers' hearts. _Ptol._ I'll cut him off. _Sosib._ Not so soon done as said. The Spartan king Was summoned for advice, and waits without. _Ptol._ His business is to wait. _Sosib._ Be pleased to sign these papers; they are all Of great concern. _Ptol._ My pleasure is of more.-- How could I curse my name of Ptolemy! For 'tis so long, it asks an hour to write it. By Heaven, I'll change it into Jove or Mars, Or any other civil monosyllable, That will not tire my hand. _Sosib._ These are for common good. [_Shewing papers._ _Ptol._ I am glad of that; Those shall be sure to wait. _Sosib._ Orders to pay the soldiers, ripe for mutiny; They may revolt. _Ptol._ To whom? _Sosib._ The man you fear,-- Your brother Magas. _Ptol._ That's indeed the danger. Give me the physic; let me swallow quick.-- There's Ptolemy for that: Now, not one more, For every minute I expect Cassandra To call me to the music. If she should find me at this rare employment, Of signing out her treasures! _Sosib._ The rest are only grants to her you love, And places for her friends. _Ptol._ I'll sign them all, were every one a province. Thou know'st her humour, not to brook denial; And then a quarrel on her birth-day too Would be of ill presage. [_Signs more papers._ _Enter_ CASSANDRA _and Women_. _Cas._ I heard you waited; but you'll pardon me, I was no sooner dressed. _Ptol._ Thus I begin my homage to the day [_Kisses her hand._ That brought me forth a mistress; and am proud To be your foremost slave. _Cas._ Our little entertainment waits; not worth A longer ceremony; please to grace it? _The Scene opens, and discovers_ CASSANDRA'S _Apartment. Musicians and Dancers._ PTOLEMY _leads in_ CASSANDRA; SOSIBIUS _follows--They sit. Towards the end of the song and dance, enter_ CLEOMENES _and_ CLEANTHES _on one side of the stage, where they stand_. SONG.