Queen_. Ev'n that confirms me, I have loved amiss;
Since thou canst know I love, and not imagine
It must be Philocles.

_Ast_. My cousin is, indeed, a most deserving person;
Valiant, and wise; handsome, and well-born.

_Queen_. But not of royal blood:
I know his fate, unfit to be a king.
To be his wife, I could forsake my crown; but not my glory:
Yet--would he did not love Candiope;
Would he loved me--but knew not of my love,
Or e'er durst tell me his.

_Ast_. In all this labyrinth,
I find one path, conducting to our quiet.

_Queen_. O tell me quickly then!

_Ast_. Candiope, as princess of the blood,
Without your approbation cannot marry:
First, break his match with her, by virtue of
Your sovereign authority.

_Queen_. I fear, that were to make him hate me,
Or, what's as bad, to let him know, I love him:
Could you not do it of yourself?

_Ast_. I'll not be wanting to my pow'r:
But if your majesty appears not in it,
The love of Philocles will soon surmount
All other difficulties.

_Queen_. Then, as we walk, we'll think what means are best;
Effect but this, and thou shar'st half my breast.
[_Exeunt_.

ACT II.

SCENE I--_The Queens Apartment_.

ASTERIA _alone_.

Nothing thrives that I have plotted;
For I have sounded Philocles, and find
He is too constant to Candiope:
Her too I have assaulted, but in vain,
Objecting want of quality in Philocles.
I'll to the queen, and plainly tell her,
She must make use of her authority
To break the match.

_Enter_ CELADON _looking about him_.

Brother! what make you here
About the queen's apartments?
Which of the ladies are you watching for?

_Cel_. Any of 'em, that will do me the good turn, to make me
soundly in love.

_Ast_. Then I'll bespeak you one, you will be desperately in love
with; Florimel: So soon as the queen heard you were returned, she gave
you her for mistress.

_Cel_. Thank her majesty; but, to confess the truth, my fancy
lies partly another way.

_Ast_. That's strange: Florimel vows you are already in love with
her.

_Cel_. She wrongs me horribly; if ever I saw or spoke with this
Florimel--

_Ast_. Well, take your fortune, I must leave you.

[_Exit_ ASTERIA.

_Enter_ FLORIMEL, _sees him, and is running back_.

_Cel_. Nay, i'faith I am got betwixt you and home; you are my
prisoner, lady bright, till you resolve me one question.

[_She makes signs she is dumb_.]

Pox, I think, she's dumb: what a vengeance dost thou at c