Re-enter Thersames, leading Aglaura
Ther. Here, sir.[Gives her and goes out
Agl. What means the prince, my lord?
Zir. Madam,120
His wiser fear has taught him to disguise
His love, and make it look a little rude at parting.
Affairs, that do concern all that you hope
From happiness, this night force him away;
And, lest you should have tempted him to stay,—125
Which he did doubt you would, and would prevail—
He left you thus: he does desire by me
You would this night lodge in the little tower,
Which is in my command: the reasons why
Himself will shortly tell you.130
Agl. 'Tis strange, but I am all obedience.[Exeunt
ACT II
Scene I
Enter Thersames and Iolas
Iol. I told him so, sir; urg'd 'twas no common knot,
That to the tying of it two powerful princes,
Virtue and Love, were join'd, and that a greater
Than these two was now engaged in't, Religion.
But 'twould not do; the cork of passion5
Buoy'd up all reason so, that what was said
Swam but o' th' top of th' ear, ne'er reach'd the heart.
Ther. Is there no way for kings to show their power,
But in their subjects' wrongs?—no subject neither,
But his own son?10
Iol. Right, sir!
No quarry for his lust to gorge on, but
On what you fairly had flown at and taken?
Well, wer't not the king, or wer't indeed not you,
That have such hopes, and such a crown to venture—15
And yet, 'tis but a woman.
Ther. How? that but
Again, and thou art more injurious
Than he, and wou'lt provoke me sooner!
