Actus secundus. Scoena prima.

Pher.

TIs true Graphin[…], now the time drawes nye
Wherin the holy Priest with hallowed right,
The happy long desired knot shall tie,
Pheroras and Graphina to vnite:
How oft haue I with lifted hands implor'd
This blessed houre, till now implord in vaine,
Which hath my wished libertie restor'd,
And made my subiect selfe my owne againe.
Thy loue faire Mayd vpon mine eye doth sit,
Whose nature hot doth dry the moysture all,
Which were in nature, and in reason fit
For my monachall Brothers death to fall:
Had Herod liu'd, he would haue pluckt my hand
From faire Graphinas Palme perforce: and tide
The same in hatefull and despised band,
For I had had a Baby to my Bride:
Scarce can her Infant tongue with easie voice
Her name distinguish to anothers eare:
Yet had he liu'd, his power, and not my choise
Had made me solembly the contract sweare.
Haue I not cause in such a change to ioy?
What? though she be my Neece, a Princesse borne:
Neere bloods without respect: high birth a toy.
Since Loue can teach blood and kindreds scorne.
What booted it that he did raise my head,
To be his Realmes Copartner, Kingdomes mate,
Withall, he kept Graphina from my bed,
More wisht by me then thrice Iudeas state.
Oh, could not he be skilfull Iudge in loue,
That doted so vpon his Mariams face?
He, for his passion, Doris did remoue.
I needed not a lawfull Wife displace,
It could not be but he had power to iudge,
But he that neuer grudg'd a Kingdomes share,
This well knowne happinesse to me did grudge:
And ment to be therein without compare.
Else had I bene his equall in loues hoast,
For though the Diadem on Mariams head
Corrupt the vulgar iudgements, I will boast
Graphina: brow's as white, her cheekes as red.
Why speaks thou not faire creature? moue thy tongue,
For Silence is a signe of discontent:
It were to both our loues too great a wrong
If now this hower do find thee sadly bent.

Graph.

Mistake me not my Lord, too oft haue I
Desir'd this time to come with winged feete,
To be inwrapt with griefe when tis too nie,
You know my wishes euer yours did meete:
If I be silent, tis no more but feare
That I should say too little when I speake:
But since you will my imperfections beare,
In spight of doubt I will my silence breake:
Yet might amazement tie my mouing tongue,
But that I know before Pheroras minde,
I haue admired your affection long:
And cannot yet therein a reason finde.
Your hand hath li[…]ted me from lowest state,
To highest eminencie wondrous grace,
And me your hand-maid haue you made your mate,
Though all but you alone doe count me base.
You haue preserued me pure at my request,
Though you so weake a vassaile might constraine
To yeeld to your high will, then last not best
In my respect a Princesse you disdaine,
Then need not all these fauours studie craue,
To be requited by a simple maide:
And studie still you know must silence haue,
Then be my cause for silence iustly waide,
But studie cannot boote nor I requite,
Except your lowly hand-maides steadfast loue
And fast obedience may your mind delight,
I will not promise more then I can proue.

Phero.

That studie needs not let Graphina smile,
And I desire no greater recompence:
I cannot vaunt me in a glorious stile,
Nor shew my loue in far-fetcht eloquence:
But this beleeue me, neuer Herods heart
Hath held his Prince-borne beautie famed wife
In neerer place then thou faire virgin art,
To him that holds the glory of his life.
Should Herods body leaue the Sepulcher,
And entertaine the seuer'd ghost againe:
He should not be my nuptiall hinderer,
Except he hindred it with dying paine.
Come faire Graphina, let vs goe in state,
This wish-indeered time to celebrate.