And foreign plots, thou hast some powers to raise,
Which to prevent thy banishment we revoke,
Confine thee to thy house nearest the court,

And place a guard about thee. Lord Memphonius,
See it effected.

Mem. With best care, my

Lord.

Govi. Confine me? here's my liberty in mine arms, I wish no better to bring me content,

Lovers' best freedom is imprisonment.

[exeunt Lady and Govianus.

Tyr. Methinks the day e'en darkens at her absence,
I stand as in a shade, when a great cloud
Muffles the sun, whose beauties shinę far off

On tow'rs and mountains, but I keep the vallies,

The place that is last serv'd.

Helv. My Lord!

[Tyrant and Helvetius converse apart.

Tyr. Your reason, sir ?

Helv. Your Grace is mild to all but your own bosom ; They should have both been sent to several prisons,

And not committed to each other's arms;

There's a hot durance, he'll ne'er wish more freedom.

Tyr. Tis true, let 'em be both forc'd back! [to the Officers. Stay! we command you.

Thou talk'st not like a statesman; had my wrath
Took hold of such extremity at first,

They'd liv'd suspectful still, warn'd by their fears,
When now, that liberty makes them more secure,
I'll take them at my pleasure; it gives thee
Freer access to play the father for us,
And ply her to our will.

Nay, more to vex his soul, give command straight
They be divided into several rooms,

Where he may only have a sight of her

To his mind's torment, but his arms and lips

Lock'd up, like felons, from her.

Helv. Now you win me,

I like that cruelty passing well, my Lord.
Tyr. Give order with all speed.
Helv. Though I be old,

I need no spur, my Lord,-Honour pricks me.
I do beseech your majesty, look cheerful,
You shall not want content, if it be lock'd

In

any blood of mine; the key's your own,

You shall command the wards.

Tyr. Say's thou so, sir?

I were ungrateful then, should I see thee

Want

power, that provides content for me.

SCENE II.

[exeunt.

Enter L. ANSELMUS, the deposed King's Brother, with his Friend,

VOTARIUS.

Vol. Pray, sir, confine your thoughts and excuse me, Methinks the depos'd king, your brother's sorrow,

Should find you business enough.

Ans. How, Votarius!

Sorrow for him? weak ignorance talks not like thee,

Why he was never happier.

Vot. Pray prove that, sir.

Ans. He's lost the kingdom, but his mind's restor❜d;

Which is the larger empire? pr'ythee tell me.
Dominions have their limits, the whole earth
Is but a prisoner, nor the sea, her jailor,
That with a silver hoop locks in her body;

They're fellow prisoners, though the sea looks bigger,
Because it is in office-and pride swells him;
But the unbounded kingdom of the mind

Is as unlimitable as heav'n, that glorious court of spirits.
Sir, if thou lov'st me, turn thine eye to me,
And look not after him that needs thee not:
My brother's well attended, peace and pleasure
Are never from his sight; he has his mistress,
She brought those servants and bestow'd them on him;
But who brings mine?

Vot. Had you not both long since

By a kind, worthy lady, your chaste wife?

Ans. That's it that I take pains with thee to be sure of. What true report can I send to my soul

Of that I know not,—we must only think
Our ladies are good people, and so live with 'em :
A fine security for them; our own thoughts
Make the best fools of us; next to them our wives.
But say she's all chaste, yet, is that her goodness?
What labour is't for woman to keep constant,
That's never tried or tempted? Where's her fight?
The war's within her breast, her honest anger
Against the impudence of flesh and hell:
So let me know the lady of my rest,
Or I shall never sleep well; give not me

The thing that is thought good, but what's approv'd so :

So wise men choose.-O what a lazy virtue

Is chastity in a woman, if no sin

Should lay temptation to't!-pr'ythee set to her, And bring my peace along with thee.

Vot. You put to me

A business that will do my words more shame
Then ever they got honour among women.
Lascivious courtings among sinful mistresses
Come ever seasonable, please best-
But let the boldest ruffian touch the ear
Of modest ladies with adulterous sounds,
Their very looks confound him, and force grace
Into that cheek where impudence sets her seal;
That work is never undertook with courage,
That makes his master blush.-However, sir!
What profit can return to you by knowing
That which you do already, with more toil?
Must a man necds, in having a rich diamond,
Put it between a hammer and an anvil,
And not believing the true worth and value,
Break it in pieces to find out the goodness,
And in the finding lose it? good sir! think on't,
Nor does it taste of wit to try their strengths
That are created sickly, nor of manhood.
We ought not to put blocks in women's ways,
For some too often fall upon plain ground.
Let me dissuade you, sir!

Ans. Have I a friend?

And has my love so little interest in him,

That I must trust some stranger with my heart,

And go to seek him out?

Vot. Nay, hark you, sir!

I am so jealous of your weaknesses,

That rather than you should lie prostituted

Before a stranger's triumph, I would venture
A whole hour's shaming for you.

Ans. Be worth thy word then.

Enter WIFE.

Yonder she comes,-I'll have an ear to you both;

I love to have such things at the first hand. [aside and exit.
Vot. I'll put him off with somewhat; guile in this
Falls in with honest dealing; O who would move

Adultery to yon face! so rude a sin

May not come near the meekness of her eye;

My client's cause looks so dishonestly,

I'll ne'er be seen to plead in't.

Wife. What, Votarius!

Vot. Good morrow, virtuous madam.

Wife. Was my Lord

Seen lately here?

Vot. He's newly walk'd forth, lady.

Wife. How was he attended.

Vot. 'Faith I think with none, madam.

[aside.

Wife. That sorrow for the king his brother's fortune Prevails too much with him, and leads him strangely From company and delight.

Vot. How she's beguil❜d in him!

There's no such natural touch, search all his bosom. [aside. That grief's too bold with him, indeed, sweet madam,

And draws him from the pleasure of his time,