Classic Poem

act. I. Sce. 4

To Them Atos .

My Lords, what thinke you
Of this new King? what doth he do? what is he? Hyd .
Hee's one that knowes, and dares preserve his own
Honour, and others too; a man as free
From wronging any, as himselfe: he beares
A Kingdome in his looke; a kingdome that
Consists of Beauty, seasoned with Discretion.
His Graces are virile, and comely too:
Grave, and severe delights so tempering
The softnesse of his other pleasures, that
A settled full content doth thence arise,
And wholly take up the beholders thoughts. Arie .
Why then hee'le turne the Scene; we did expect
Something that would have saved us the labour
Of reading Play-bookes, and Love-stories. Oron .
See,
How you're mistaken Madam: he doth carry
All things with such a State, and yet so free
From an insulting Pride, that you'd conceive
Judgement and power put into the Scales,
And neither overpoysing, whiles he shewes
Rather that he can rule, then that he will. Mas .
Th' afflicted ne're want prayses. O how false
Doth th' Eye of pity see! the only way
To make the Foule seeme gratious, is to be
Within the ken of death; he that e're while
Would have beene thought a Monster, being now
Condemn'd to die, is thought an Hero. Mand .
Truly,
I thinke you have not yet beene neare your death. Mas .
I've beene but seldome with your Ladyship. Atos .
Away, let's goe and view againe; he promiseth
Something that is not sport: If he doe well.
And keepe his vertues up untill his fall,
I'le pay a good wish to him as hee's going,
And a faire mention of him when he's gone.