THE SOPHY. 161

With kisses and sweet smiles, to welcome homeMy victories, though bought with sweat and blood,And long expected.

Princess. Pardon,Sir;

’Tis with our fouls

As with our eyes, that after a long darknessAredazled at the approach of sudden light:

When i’ th’ midst of fears we are surpriz’dWith unexpected happiness : the firstDegrees of joy are meer astonishment.

And’twas so lately in a dreadful dreamI saw my Lord so near destruction,

Deprived of his eyes, a wretched captive;

Then Ihriek’t my self awake, then slept againAnd dream’t the same; my ill presaging fancySuggesting still ’twas true.

Prince. Then I forgive thy sadness, since lovecaus’d it,

For love is full of fears; and sear the shadowOf danger, like the shadow of our bodies,

Is greater then, when that which is the causeIs farthest off.

Princess. But still there’s somethingThat checks my joys,

Nor can I yet distinguish

Which is an apparition, this, or that.

Prince. An apparition ?

At night I shall resolve that doubt, and makeThy dreams more pleasing. [Exeunt.

Enter Haly æWMirvan,

Mir. The time has been, my Lord,

When I was no such stranger to your thoughts.