_King._ O heart! O Heaven! but stay, Named I not Heaven? I did, and at the word (Methought I saw't) the azure fabric stirred. Oh, for my queen and son the saints prepare; But I'll pursue and overtake them there; Whirl, stop the sun, arrest his charioteer; I'll ride in that: away! pull, pull him down! Oh, how I'll hurl the wild-fire as I run! Now, now I mount-- [_Runs off raving._ _Don John._ Look to the king. See of this fair one, too, strict care be had. [_Pointing to_ HENRIETTA. Despair, how vast a triumph hast thou made! No more in love's enervate charms I'll lie; Shaking off softness, to the camp I'll fly, Where thirst of fame the active hero warms; And what I've lost in peace, regain in arms. [_Exeunt._ [Illustration] [Illustration: EPILOGUE] Spoken by a Girl. Now what d'ye think my message hither means? Yonder's the poet sick behind the scenes: He told me there was pity in my face, And therefore sent me here to make his peace. Let me for once persuade ye to be kind; For he has promised me to stand my friend; And if this time I can your kindness move, He'll write for me, he swears by all above, When I am big enough to be in love. Now won't you be good-natured, ye fine men? Indeed I'll grow as fast as e'er I can, And try if to his promise he'll be true. Think on't; when that time comes, you do not know But I may grow in love with some of you; Or, at the worst, I'm certain I shall see Amongst you those who'll swear they're so with me. But now, if by my suit you'll not be won,-- You know what your unkindness oft has done,-- I'll e'en forsake the play-house, and turn nun.[14] [Illustration] [Illustration] FOOTNOTES: [14] This alludes to the retirement of Mrs. Reeves, or, as she was usually termed, Madam Reeves, a very beautiful and accomplished actress, between whom and Dryden there was supposed to be rather too close an intimacy. She withdrew from the stage to a cloister.--_Thornton._ _THE ORPHAN_; _OR_, _THE UNHAPPY MARRIAGE_. Qui pelago credit, magno se foenore tollit; Qui pugnas et castra petit, præcingitur auro; Vilis adulator picto jacet ebrius ostro, Et qui sollicitat nuptas, ad præmia peccat: Sola pruinosis horret facundia pannis Atque inopi lingua desertas invocat Artes.-- PETRON. ARB. SATYRIC., Cap. 83.[15] [Illustration] [Illustration]