BELI. 'Tis bravely spoken: by my crown I swear, I like thy counsel, and will follow it. [Point toward Alphonsus. But hark, Albinius, do'st thou know the man That doth so closely overthwart us stand? ALBI. Not I, my lord, nor never saw him yet. BELI. Then, prithee, go and ask him presently, What countryman he is, and why he comes Into this place? perhaps he is some one, That is sent hither as a secret spy To hear and see in secret what we do. [Albinius and Fabius go toward Alphonsus. ALBI. My friend, what art thou, that so like a spy Dost sneak about Belinus' royal camp? ALPHON. I am a man. FABI. A man! we know the same: ALPHON. Why, say I am a soldier. FABI. Of whose band? ALPHON. Of his that will most wages to me give. FABI. But will you be Content to serve Belinus in his wars? ALPHON. Ay, if he will reward me as I do deserve, And grant whate'er I win, it shall be mine Incontinent. ALBI. Believe me, sir, your service costly is: But stay a while, and I will bring you word What king Belinus says unto the same. [Albinius go towards Belinus.* ? BELI. What news, Albinius, who is that we see ALBI. It is, my lord, a soldier that you see, Who fain would serve your Grace in these your wars, But that I fear his service is too dear. *Belinus] The 4to. "Alphonsus." BELI. Too dear! why so? What doth the soldier crave? ALBI. He craves, my lord, all things that with his He doth obtain, whatever that they be. [sword BELI. Content, my friend: if thou wilt succour me, Whate'er you get, that challenge as thine own; Belinus gives it frankly unto thee, Although it be the crown of Arragon. Come on therefore, and let us hie apace To Naples town, whereas by this, I know, * Our foes have pitch'd their tents against our walls. Enter [i. e. go in] BELINUS, ALBINIUS, FABIUS, ALPHONSUS, with the Soldiers. As soon as they are in, strike up alarum a-while; and then enter VENUS. ACT II. OF THE HISTORY OF ALPHONSUS. VENUS. Thus from the pit of pilgrim's poverty, Alphonsus 'gins by step and step to climb Unto the top of friendly Fortune's wheel. From banish'd state, as you have plainly seen, He is transform'd into a soldier's life, And marcheth in the ensign of the king Of worthy Naples, which Belinus hight; + Not for because that he doth love him so, But that he may revenge him on his foe. Now on the top of lusty barbed steed He mounted is, in glittering armour clad, Seeking about the troops of Arragon, *March on, &c.] These three lines in the 4to. form a part of Belinus' speech. t hight] i. e. is called. For to encounter with his traitorous niece.* Strike up alarum. [Exit. Enter FLAMINIUS at one door, ALPHONSUS at another. They fight; Alphonsus kill Flaminius, and say: ALPHON. Go,† pack thou hence unto the Stygian [lake, And make report unto thy traitorous sire, Yes, be you sure, that ere you 'scape from hence, Will be content by those thy hands to die. * niece] Must be here used for a relation in general, as in another line of the third act of the present play; "Unto Belinus, my most friendly niece." These passages support the reading in Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona ; "An heir and niece allied unto the Duke." Go, &c.] If Shakespeare's commentators had ever seen the present very rare drama, they would have noticed the resemblance between this passage and the following lines in the Third Part of Henry VI. "If any spark of life be yet remaining, Down, down to hell; and say-I sent thee thither." VOL. II. Act v. sc. 6. C ALPHON. Lælius, few words would better thee beEspecially as now the case doth stand; [come; The son and heir to old Carinus, whom But see the just revenge of mighty Jove! When they themselves accompany the ghosts Muse not hereat, for it is true I say, I am Alphonsus whom thou hast misus'd. LOLI. The man whose death I did so oft lament! * [Kneel down. Then pardon me for these uncourteous words, The which I in my rage did utter forth, Prick'd by the duty of a loyal mind; Pardon, Ålphonsus, this my first offence, And let me die if e'er I flight again. ALPHON. Lælius, I fain would pardon this offence, And eke accept thee to my grace again, But that I fear that when I stand in need And want your help, you will your lord betray. How say you, Lælius, may I trust to thee? LELI. Ay, noble lord, by all the gods I vow; For first shall heavens want stars, and foaming seas Want wat'ry drops, before I'll traitor be Unto Alphonsus, whom I honour so. ALPHON. Well then, arise, and for because I'll try * The man whose death, &c.] In the 4to. this line forms part of Alphonsus' speech. If that thy words and deeds be both alike, Which now I hear have turn'd their heels and fled. [Exit. peers ALPHON. Full little think* Belinus and his What thoughts Alphonsus casteth in his mind, For if they did, they would not greatly haste pay the same the which they promis'd me. Enter BELINUS, ALBINIUS, FABIUS, with their Soldiers, marching. To BELI. Like simple sheep, when shepherd absent is Run round about the green and pleasant plains, I never yet could set mine eyes on him. [Albinius spies out Alphonsus, and shews him But see, my lord, whereas the warrior stands, *think] The 4to. "thinks." |