Be courtier for thy sake.

_Gycia._ Ah, sir, you jest.
The ways of courts we know not, but I bid thee
Good welcome to our city, and I prithee
Command whatever service our poor Cherson
Can give whilst thou art here. (_To_ MEGACLES) Pray you, my lord,
Accompany his Highness and our household
To the apartments which our serving men
Have now prepared. They are but poor, I know,
For one who lives the stately life of kings;
But such as our poor means can reach they are.

_Meg._ My lady, I have lived long time in courts,
But never, in the palaces of Rome,
Have I seen beauty such as yours, or grace
More worthy of a crown. (_To_ MELISSA) To you, my lady,
I bow with most respectful homage. Surely
The goddess Here has not left the earth
While you are here, I humbly take my leave
For the present of your Highness with a thousand
Obeisances, and to your gracious father
Humbly I bend the knee. My Lord Asander,
I do attend your Highness.

_Mel._ What a man!
What noble manners! What a polished air!
How poor to such a courtier our rude Court
And humble manners show!

_Asan._ Good Megacles,
Get me to my chamber--quick, ere I o'erpass
All reasonable limits. I am sped;
I am myself no more.

_Lama._ Farewell awhile.
We will welcome you at supper.

[_Exeunt all but_ LAMACHUS _and_ GYCIA.

_Lama._ Well, my daughter,
What think you of this hot-brained youth? I' faith,
I like his soldier's bluntness, and he seemed
To be a little startled, as I thought,
By something which he saw when thou didst come.
Perchance it was the charm of one who came
Among thy ladies took him.

_Gycia._ Nay, my father,
I think not so indeed.

_Lama._ Ah! well, I am old,
And age forgets. But this I tell thee, daughter:
If in my youth I had seen a young man's gaze
Grow troubled, and he should start, and his cheek pale,
A young girl drawing near, I had almost thought
Him suddenly in love.

_Gycia._ Oh, nay indeed!
Who should be favoured thus? There is no woman
In our poor Cherson worthy that his gaze
Might rest on her a moment.

_Lama._ Ah, my girl,
Is it thus with thee? They say that love is blind,
And thou art blind, therefore it may be, Gycia,
That thou too art in love. Tell me how it is.
Co