_Enter_ INOPHILUS.
INO. Who was that with you, sir, just now?
PLAN. An honest fellow certainly, but one I know not.
INO. An honest fellow call you him?
If he have not rogue writ in great letters in's face,
I have no physnomy.[97] Pray, sir, what was
His business to you?
PLAN. A message from Andromana
Who, out of love, desires me not to go to
My father, because something hath put him in
A fume against me.
INO. Did the king send for you?
PLAN. He did so.
INO. But upon her entreaty you forbore to go?
PLAN. What then?
INO. Then you are mad, sir.
And tacitly conspire to your own ruin.
Do, take an enemy's advice, and die, the object
Both of their joy and scorn. Where are
Your senses, sir, or pray, whence springs
This friendship of Andromana's? Alas! you should not
Measure her malice by the smallness of your own.
She has injur'd you, she knows it, sir; and though
At present she enjoys her treachery, she may
Soon fall beside it; Ephorbas is not immortal,
Nor can she promise to herself security,
When you have power to call her ills in question.
Were't nothing else, her safety would make her
To plot your death. I hinder you in talking;
But pray begone, and when you see your father,
Speak boldly to him, or you're gone for ever.
PLAN. I tell thee once again, Inophilus,
Since I have said I would not go
Both heaven and thee shall want a motive
To make me stir one foot. Were danger just
Before me, running with open jaws upon me;
And had my word been giv'n to remain here,
I would be forc'd from life before my place.
INO. Here is a bravery now would make a man
Forswear all gallantry! to fool away
Your life thus in a humour!--
I met the court just now, sir: as full of whispers,
Every man's eyes spoke strong amazement.
My father's sent for, with two other lords,
Eubulus and Anamedes; and the Court-gates are lock'd.
Resolve, sir, and command me something,
Wherein I may have an occasion to serve you.
PLAN. Then I resolve to do as I am caution'd.
Walk in; I'll tell thee more.
[_Exeunt._