ALPH. Well, yet I may hap to prove a nobleman.
2D WATCH. A whoremaster or an unthrift! away with him, and let no man catechise him upon pain of my displeasure. [_Exeunt._
EPIRE. Roll on, the chariot-wheels of my dear plots, And bear mine ends to their desired marks. As yet there's not a rub of wit, a gulf of thought, No rocky misconstruction, thorny maze, Or other let of any doubtfulness. As yet thy way is smooth and plain, Like the green ocean in a silent calm. Blessed credulity, thou great God of error, Thou art the strong foundation of huge wrongs, To thee give I my vows and sacrifice; By thy great deity he doth believe Falsehoods, that falsehood's self could not invent, And from that misbelief doth draw a course To overwhelm even virtue, truth, and sanctity. Let him go on, bless'd stars, 'tis meet he fall, Whose blindfold judgment hath no guide at all. But O, these shadows have bewitched long: To threat and not to do doth malice wrong. And see, here comes the queen.
_Enter the_ QUEEN, MARIANA, _and other ladies_.
QUEEN. My lord the duke, your presence and my wish Jump in an even line together: come, We must to cards: I have some crowns I needs must lose to you.
EPIRE. I humbly beseech your highness pardon me: I have important business of the king's, Which doth command mine instant diligence.
MAR. Brother, indeed you shall attend the queen; Another time will serve those state despatches.
EPIRE. Sister, content you, the affairs of state Must give their best attendance on the times; And great occurrents must not lose their minutes.
MAR. Now I'll stand to it, that to be a statesman or a lawyer is to be of the most thankless occupation that ever was derived from human invention.
MAR. Because they bestow all the laborious toil of the mind until they be forty, that they may live imprisoned in a study-chamber till they be fourscore, only for this world's mammon, a great name and riches, which, like a string between a galley-slave's legs, is the only ease of their fetters.[216]
QUEEN. A notable construction of a noble labour: but shall we not have your company, my lord?
EPIRE. My service, madam, but my presence the king hath employed; only, if you please, I will send Prince Philocles to your majesty.