es' reign,
That you can want in mine?

_Phil_. You yourself clear me, madam. Had I sought
More power, this marriage sure was not the way.
But, when your safety was in question,
When all your people were unsatisfied,
Desired a king,--nay more, designed the man,--
It was my duty then,--

_Queen_. Let me be judge of my own safety.
I am a woman;
But danger from my subjects cannot fright me.

_Phil_. But Lysimantes, madam, is a person,--

_Queen_. I cannot love.
Shall I,--I, who was born a sovereign queen,
Be barred of that, which God and nature gives
The meanest slave, a freedom in my love?--
Leave me, good Philocles, to my own thoughts;
When next I need your counsel, I'll send for you.

_Phil_. I'm most unhappy in your high displeasure;
But, since I must not speak, madam, be pleased
To peruse this, and therein read my care.

[_He plucks out a paper, and presents it to her; but drops, unknown
to him, a picture. Exit_ PHI.

_Queen_. [_reads_.] A catalogue of such persons,--
What's this he has let fall, Asteria?
[_Spies the box_.

_Ast_. Your majesty?--

_Queen_. Take that up; it fell from Philocles.

[_She takes it up, looks on it, and smiles_.

_Queen_. How now, what makes you merry?

_Ast_. A small discovery I have made, madam.

_Queen_. Of what?

_Ast_. Since first your majesty graced Philocles,
I have not heard him named for any mistress,
But now this picture has convinced me.

_Queen_. Ha! let me see it.--
[_Snatches it from her_.
Candiope, prince Lysimantes' sister!

_Ast_. Your favour, madam, may encourage him,--
And yet he loves in a high place for him:
A princess of the blood; and, what is more,
Beyond comparison the fairest lady
Our isle can boast.

_Queen_. How!--she the fairest
Beyond comparison!--'Tis false! you flatter her;
She is not fair.

_Ast_. I humbly beg forgiveness on my knees,
If I offended you:--But next yours, madam,
Which all must yield to.

_Queen_. I pretend to none.

_Ast_. She passes for a beauty.

_Queen_. Ay, she may pass:--But why do I speak of her?--
Dear Asteria, lead me, I am not well o' the sudden.
[_She faints_.

_Ast_. Who's near there?--help the queen!

[_The guards are coming_.

_Queen_. Bid them away: 'Twas but a qualm,
And 'tis already going.

_Ast_. Dear madam, what's the matter?
You are of late so altered, I scarce know you.
You were gay humoured, and you now are pensive;
Once calm, and now unquiet:--
Pardon my boldness, that I