s birth.--
The tumults of this day, my loyal subjects,
Have settled in my heart a resolution,
Happy for you, and glorious too for me.
First, for my cousin; tho', attempting on my person,
He has incurred the danger of the laws,
I will not punish him.

_Lys_. You bind me ever to my loyalty.

_Queen_. Then that I may oblige you more to it,
I here declare you rightful successor,
And heir immediate to my crown:
This, gentlemen--[_To the deputies_.
I hope will still my subjects' discontents,
When they behold succession firmly settled.

_Dep_. Heaven preserve your majesty!

_Queen_. As for myself, I have resolved
Still to continue as I am, unmarried:
The cares, observances, and all the duties
Which I should pay an husband, I will place
Upon my people; and our mutual love
Shall make a blessing more than conjugal,
And this the states shall ratify.

_Lys_. Heaven bear me witness, that I take no joy
In the succession of a crown,
Which must descend to me so sad a way.

_Queen_. Cousin, no more; my resolution's past
Which fate shall never alter.

_Phil_. Then I am once more happy;
For, since none must possess her, I am pleased
With my own choice, and will desire no more:
For multiplying wishes is a curse.
That keeps the mind still painfully awake.

_Queen_. Celadon.
Your care and loyalty have this day obliged me;
But how to be acknowledging, I know not,
Unless you give the means.

_Cel_. I was in hope your majesty had forgot me; therefore, if
you please, madam, I'll only beg a pardon for having taken up arms
once to-day against you; for I have a foolish kind of conscience,
which I wish many of your subjects had, that will not let me ask a
recompence for my loyalty, when I know I have been a rebel.

_Queen_. Your modesty shall not serve the turn; ask something.

_Cel_. Then I beg, madam, you will command Florimel never to be
friends with me.

_Flo_. Ask again; I grant that without the queen:
But why are you afraid on't?

_Cel_. Because I am sure, as soon as ever you are, you'll marry
me.

_Flo_. Do you fear it?

_Cel_. No, 'twill come with a fear.

_Flo_. If you do, I will not stick with you for an oath.

_Cel_. I require no oath till we come to church: and then after
the priest, I hope; for I find it will be my destiny to marry thee.

_Flo_. If ever I say a word after the black gentleman for thee,
Celadon--

_Cel_. Then, I hope, you'll give me leave to bestow a faithful
heart elsewhere.

_Flo_