[_Enter_] APELLES [_and_] CAMPASPE.
_Apel._ I have now, Campaspe, almost made an ende.
_Camp._ You told mee, Apelles, you would never end.
_Apel._ Never end my love, for it shal be[935] eternall.
_Camp._ That is, neither to have beginning nor ending.
_Apel._ You are disposed to mistake; I hope you do not mistrust. 5
_Camp._ What will you say, if Alexander perceive your love?
_Apel._ I will say it is no treason to love.
_Camp._ But how if hee will not suffer thee to see my person?
_Apel._ Then will I gaze continually on thy picture.
_Camp._ That will not feede thy heart. 10
_Apel._ Yet shall it fill mine eye. Besides, the sweet thoughts,
the sure hopes, thy protested faith, wil cause me to embrace thy
shadow continually in mine armes, of the which by strong imagination
I will make a substance.
_Camp._ Wel, I must be gone. But this assure your selfe, that I
had rather be in thy shop grinding colours than in Alexander's 15
court following higher fortunes. [_As she crosses the stage_[936]]
Foolish wench, what hast thou done? That, alas, which cannot be
undone; and therefore I feare me undone. But content is such a
life; I care not for aboundance. O Apelles, thy love commeth from
the heart but Alexander's from the mouth! The love of kings is 20
like the blowing of winds, which whistle sometimes gently among
the leaves and straight waies turne the trees up by the rootes;
or fire, which warmeth afarre off, and burneth neere hand; or the
sea, which maketh men hoise their sailes in a flattering calme,
and to cut their mastes in a rough storme. They place affection 25
by times, by policy, by appoyntment. If they frowne, who dares
call them unconstant; if bewray secrets, who will tearme them
untrue; if fall to other loves, who trembles not, if hee call them
unfaithfull? In kings there can bee no love but to queenes; for as
neere must they meete in majestie as they doe in affection. It 30
is requisite to stand aloofe from kings love, Jove, and lightening.
_Exit._
_Apel._[937] Now, Apelles, gather thy wits together. Campaspe is
no lesse wise then faire; thy selfe must be no lesse cunning then
faithfull.[938] It is no small matter to be rivall with Alexander. 35
[_Enter_ PAGE _of_ ALEXANDER.]
_Page._ Apelles, you must come away quickly with the picture
the king thinketh that now you have painted it, you play with it.
_Apel._ If I would play with pictures, I have enough at home.
_Page._ None, perhaps, you like so well.
_Apel._ It may be I have painted none so well. 40
_Page._ I have knowen many fairer faces.
_Apel._ And I many better boyes. _Exeunt._