Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: John Lyly
Editor: David Bevington
Peer Reviewed

Galathea (Modern)

[Enter] Neptune alone.
Neptune
This day is the solemn sacrifice at this tree, wherein the fairest virgin 830(were not the inhabitants faithless) should be offered unto me. But so over-careful are fathers to their children that they forget the safety of their country, and, fearing to become unnatural, become unreasonable. Their sleights may blear men; deceive me they cannot. I will be here at the hour, and show as great cruelty as they have done craft, and well shall they know that Neptune should have been entreated, not cozened.
Exit.