Beaumont & Fletcher's Works Volume 6 (of 10): The Queen of Corinth -- Bonduca -- The Knight of the Burning Pestle -- Loves Pilgrimage -- The Double Marriage (Beaumont & Fletcher's Works Series)

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Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.
Era. The General is returned then?
Nean. With much honour.
Sos. And peace concluded with the Prince of Argos?
Nean. To the Queens wishes: the conditions sign'd
So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage
Of Corinth, and the good of all her Subjects;
That though Leonidas our brave General
Ever came home a fair and great example,
He never yet return'd, or with less loss
Or more deserved honour.
Era. Have you not heard
The motives to this general good?
Nean. The main one
Was admiration first in young Agenor,
(For by that name we know the Prince of Argos)
Of our Leonidas wisdom and his valour,
Which though an enemy, first in him bred wonder;
That liking, Love succeeded that, which was
Followed by a desire to be a friend
Upon what terms soever to such goodness;
They had an enterview; and that their friendship
Might with our peace be ratified, 'twas concluded,
Agenor yielding up all such strong places
As he held in our territories, should receive
(With a sufficient Dower, paid by the Queen)
The fair Merion[e] for his wife.
Era. But how
Approves the Queen of this? since we well know
Nor was her Highness ignorant, that her Son
The Prince Theanor made love to this Lady,
And in the noblest way.
Nean. Which she allowed of,
And I have heard from some familiar with
Her nearest secrets, she so deeply priz'd her
Being from an Infant train'd up in her service,
(Or to speak better, rather her own Creature)
She once did say, That if the Prince should steal
A Marriage without her leave, or knowledge,
With this Merione, with a little suit
She should grant both their pardons: whereas now
To shew her self for sooth a Spartan Lady,
And that 'tis in her power, now it concerns
The common good, not alone to subdue
Her own affections, but command her Sons;
She has not only forc'd him with rough threats
To leave his Mistriss, but compell'd him when
Agen[or] made his entrance into Corinth
To wait upon his Rival.
Sos. Can it be
The Prince should sit down with this wrong?
Nean. I know not,
I am sure I should not.
Era. Trust me nor I,
A Mother is a name, but put in ballance
With a young Wench 'tis nothing; where did you leave him?
Nean. Near Vesta's Temple, for there he dismiss'd me,
And full of troubled thoughts, calling for Crates:
He went with him, but whither, or to what purpose
I am a stranger.

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