Show duty, as mistaken all this while
Between the child and parent. [Kneels.]
Cor. What's this? 56
Your knees to me! to your corrected son!
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, 60
Murd'ring impossibility, to make
What cannot be, slight work.
Vol. Thou art my warrior;
I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
Cor. The noble sister of Publicola, 64
The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle
That's curdied by the frost from purest snow,
And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!
Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, 68
[Pointing to the Child.]
Which by th' interpretation of full time
May show like all yourself.
Cor. The god of soldiers,
With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove 72
To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars
Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,
And saving those that eye thee!
Vol. Your knee, sirrah.
Cor. That's my brave boy! 76
Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself
55 as mistaken: as if the obligation of deference had been misunderstood
57 corrected: yielding to correction, submissive
58 hungry: sterile (?), voracious (?)
59 Fillip: hit against
61 Murd'ring: annulling
62 slight work: a trivial task
66 curdied: congealed
67 dear Valeria; cf. n.
69 by . . . time: when full growth has shown what he is
71 inform: inspire
73 stick: stand conspicuous
74 sea-mark: beacon
flaw: squall of wind
75 eye: take as guide
