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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:20 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:20 -0700 |
| commit | 6a7eb3f341851275b2f8852988603163f1c3b9ce (patch) | |
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| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10847-0.txt b/10847-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2fb4fa6 --- /dev/null +++ b/10847-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5284 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10847 *** + + THE + + MAIDS TRAGEDY. + + Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + + + + Persons Represented in the Play. + + King. + + Lysippus, _brother to the King_. + + Amintor, _a Noble Gentleman_. + + Evadne, _Wife to_ Amintor. + + Malantius} + Diphilius} _Brothers to_ Evadne. + + Aspatia, _troth-plight wife to_ Amnitor. + + Calianax, _an old humorous Lord, and + Father to_ Aspatia. + + Cleon} + Strato} _Gentlemen_. + + Diagoras, _a Servant_. + + Antiphila} + Olympias} _waiting Gentlewomen to_ Aspatia. + + Dula, _a Lady_. + + Night} + Cynthia} + Neptune} + Eolus} _Maskers_. + + * * * * * + + + + _Actus primus. Scena prima_. + + + Enter _Cleon, Strato, Lysippus, Diphilus_. + +_Cleon_. The rest are making ready Sir. + +_Strat_. So let them, there's time enough. + +_Diph_. You are the brother to the King, my Lord, + we'll take your word. + +_Lys_. _Strato_, thou hast some skill in Poetry, What + thinkst thou of a Mask? will it be well? + +_Strat_. As well as Mask can be. + +_Lys_. As Mask can be? + +_Strat_. Yes, they must commend their King, and speak + in praise of the Assembly, bless the Bride and + Bridegroom, in person of some God; th'are tyed + to rules of flattery. + +_Cle_. See, good my Lord, who is return'd! + +_Lys_. Noble _Melantius_! + + [_Enter Melantius_. + + The Land by me welcomes thy vertues home to _Rhodes_, + thou that with blood abroad buyest us our peace; the + breath of King is like the breath of Gods; My brother + wisht thee here, and thou art here; he will be too kind, + and weary thee with often welcomes; but the time doth + give thee a welcome above this or all the worlds. + +_Mel_. My Lord, my thanks; but these scratcht limbs of mine have + spoke my love and truth unto my friends, more than my + tongue ere could: my mind's the same it ever was to you; + where I find worth, I love the keeper, till he let it go, + And then I follow it. + +_Diph_. Hail worthy brother! + He that rejoyces not at your return + In safety, is mine enemy for ever. + +_Mel_. I thank thee _Diphilus_: but thou art faulty; + I sent for thee to exercise thine armes + With me at _Patria_: thou cam'st not _Diphilus_: 'Twas + ill. + +_Diph_. My noble brother, my excuse + Is my King's strict command, which you my Lord + Can witness with me. + +_Lys_. 'Tis true _Melantius_, + He might not come till the solemnity + Of this great match were past. + +_Diph_. Have you heard of it? + +_Mel_. Yes, I have given cause to those that + Envy my deeds abroad, to call me gamesome; + I have no other business here at _Rhodes_. + +_Lys_. We have a Mask to night, + And you must tread a Soldiers measure. + +_Mel_. These soft and silken wars are not for me; + The Musick must be shrill, and all confus'd, + That stirs my blood, and then I dance with armes: + But is _Amintor_ Wed? + +_Diph_. This day. +_Mel_. All joyes upon him, for he is my friend: + Wonder not that I call a man so young my friend, + His worth is great; valiant he is, and temperate, + And one that never thinks his life his own, + If his friend need it: when he was a boy, + As oft as I return'd (as without boast) + I brought home conquest, he would gaze upon me, + And view me round, to find in what one limb + The vertue lay to do those things he heard: + Then would he wish to see my Sword, and feel + The quickness of the edge, and in his hand + Weigh it; he oft would make me smile at this; + His youth did promise much, and his ripe years + Will see it all perform'd. + + [_Enter Aspatia, passing by_. + +_Melan_. Hail Maid and Wife! + Thou fair _Aspatia_, may the holy knot + That thou hast tyed to day, last till the hand + Of age undo't; may'st thou bring a race + Unto _Amintor_ that may fill the world + Successively with Souldiers. + +_Asp_. My hard fortunes + Deserve not scorn; for I was never proud + When they were good. + + [_Exit Aspatia_. + +_Mel_. How's this? + +_Lys_. You are mistaken, for she is not married. + +_Mel_. You said _Amintor_ was. + +_Diph_. 'Tis true; but + +_Mel_. Pardon me, I did receive + Letters at _Patria_, from my _Amintor_, + That he should marry her. + +_Diph_. And so it stood, + In all opinion long; but your arrival + Made me imagine you had heard the change. + +_Mel_. Who hath he taken then? + +_Lys_. A Lady Sir, + That bears the light above her, and strikes dead + With flashes of her eye; the fair _Evadne_ your + vertuous Sister. + +_Mel_. Peace of heart betwixt them: but this is strange. + +_Lys_. The King my brother did it + To honour you; and these solemnities + Are at his charge. + +_Mel_. 'Tis Royal, like himself; + But I am sad, my speech bears so unfortunate a sound + To beautiful _Aspatia_; there is rage + Hid in her fathers breast; _Calianax_ + Bent long against me, and he should not think, + If I could call it back, that I would take + So base revenges, as to scorn the state + Of his neglected daughter: holds he still his greatness + with the King? + +_Lys_. Yes; but this Lady + Walks discontented, with her watry eyes + Bent on the earth: the unfrequented woods + Are her delight; and when she sees a bank + Stuck full of flowers, she with a sigh will tell + Her servants what a pretty place it were + To bury lovers in, and make her maids + Pluck'em, and strow her over like a Corse. + She carries with her an infectious grief + That strikes all her beholders, she will sing + The mournful'st things that ever ear hath heard, + And sigh, and sing again, and when the rest + Of our young Ladies in their wanton blood, + Tell mirthful tales in course that fill the room + With laughter, she will with so sad a look + Bring forth a story of the silent death + Of some forsaken Virgin, which her grief + Will put in such a phrase, that ere she end, + She'l send them weeping one by one away. + +_Mel_. She has a brother under my command + Like her, a face as womanish as hers, + But with a spirit that hath much out-grown + The number of his years. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Cle_. My Lord the Bridegroom! + +_Mel_. I might run fiercely, not more hastily + Upon my foe: I love thee well _Amintor_, + My mouth is much too narrow for my heart; + I joy to look upon those eyes of thine; + Thou art my friend, but my disorder'd speech cuts off + my love. + +_Amin_. Thou art _Melantius_; + All love is spoke in that, a sacrifice + To thank the gods, _Melantius_ is return'd + In safety; victory sits on his sword + As she was wont; may she build there and dwell, + And may thy Armour be as it hath been, + Only thy valour and thy innocence. + What endless treasures would our enemies give, + That I might hold thee still thus! + +_Mel_. I am but poor in words, but credit me young man, + Thy Mother could no more but weep, for joy to see thee + After long absence; all the wounds I have, + Fetch not so much away, nor all the cryes + Of Widowed Mothers: but this is peace; + And what was War? + +_Amin_. Pardon thou holy God + Of Marriage bed, and frown not, I am forc't + In answer of such noble tears as those, + To weep upon my Wedding day. + +_Mel_. I fear thou art grown too sick; for I hear + A Lady mourns for thee, men say to death, + Forsaken of thee, on what terms I know not. + +_Amin_. She had my promise, but the King forbad it, + And made me make this worthy change, thy Sister + Accompanied with graces above her, + With whom I long to lose my lusty youth, + And grow old in her arms. + +_Mel_. Be prosperous. + + [_Enter Messenger_. + +_Messen_. My Lord, the Maskers rage for you. + +_Lys_. We are gone. _Cleon, Strata, Diphilus_. + +_Amin_. Wee'l all attend you, we shall trouble you + With our solemnities. + +_Mel_. Not so _Amintor_. + But if you laugh at my rude carriage + In peace, I'le do as much for you in War + When you come thither: yet I have a Mistress + To bring to your delights; rough though I am, + I have a Mistress, and she has a heart, + She saies, but trust me, it is stone, no better, + There is no place that I can challenge in't. + But you stand still, and here my way lies. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter Calianax with Diagoras_. + +_Cal_. _Diagoras_, look to the doors better for shame, you let + in all the world, and anon the King will rail at me; why + very well said, by _Jove_ the King will have the show + i'th' Court. + +_Diag_. Why do you swear so my Lord? + You know he'l have it here. + +_Cal_. By this light if he be wise he will not. + +_Diag_. And if he will not be wise, you are forsworn. + +_Cal_. One may wear his heart out with swearing, and get + thanks on no side, I'le be gone, look to't who will. + +_Diag_. My Lord, I will never keep them out. + Pray stay, your looks will terrifie them. + +_Cal_. My looks terrifie them, you Coxcombly Ass you! + I'le be judg'd by all the company whether thou hast not a + worse face than I-- + +_Diag_. I mean, because they know you and your Office. + +_Cal_. Office! I would I could put it off, I am sure I sweat + quite through my Office, I might have made room at my + Daughters Wedding, they had near kill'd her among them. + And now I must do service for him that hath forsaken her; + serve that will. + [_Exit Calianax_. + +_Diag_. He's so humourous since his daughter was forsaken: + hark, hark, there, there, so, so, codes, codes. + What now? + [_Within. knock within_. + +_Mel_. Open the door. + +_Diag_. Who's there? + +_Mel_. _Melantius_. + +_Diag_. I hope your Lordship brings no troop with you, + for if you do, I must return them. + [_Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. None but this Lady Sir. + [_And a Lady_. + +_Diag_. The Ladies are all plac'd above, save those that + come in the Kings Troop, the best of _Rhodes_ sit there, + and there's room. + +_Mel_. I thank you Sir: when I have seen you plac'd + Madam, I must attend the King; but the Mask done, I'le + wait on you again. + +_Diag_. Stand back there, room for my Lord _Melantius_, pray bear + back, this is no place for such youths and their Truls, + let the doors shut agen; I, do your heads itch? I'le + scratch them for you: so now thrust and hang: again, + who is't now? I cannot blame my Lord _Calianax_ for + going away; would he were here, he would run raging + among them, and break a dozen wiser heads than his + own in the twinkling of an eye: what's the news now? + + [_Within_. + + I pray can you help me to the speech of the Master Cook? + +_Diag_. If I open the door I'le cook some of your Calvesheads. + Peace Rogues.--again,--who is't? + +_Mel_. _Melantius within. Enter Calianax to Melantius_. + +_Cal_. Let him not in. + +_Diag_. O my Lord I must; make room there for my + Lord; is your Lady plac't? + +_Mel_. Yes Sir, I thank you my Lord _Calianax_: well met, + Your causless hate to me I hope is buried. + + _Cal_. Yes, I do service for your Sister here, + That brings my own poor Child to timeless death; + She loves your friend _Amintor_, such another + false-hearted Lord as you. + +_Mel_. You do me wrong, + A most unmanly one, and I am slow + In taking vengeance, but be well advis'd. + +_Cal_. It may be so: who placed the Lady there so near + the presence of the King? + +_Mel_. I did. + +_Cal_. My Lord she must not sit there. + +_Mel_. Why? + +_Cal_. The place is kept for women of more worth. +_Mel_. More worth than she? it mis-becomes your Age + And place to be thus womanish; forbear; + What you have spoke, I am content to think + The Palsey shook your tongue to. + +_Cal_. Why 'tis well if I stand here to place mens wenches. + +_Mel_. I shall forget this place, thy Age, my safety, and + through all, cut that poor sickly week thou hast to + live, away from thee. + +_Cal_. Nay, I know you can fight for your Whore. + +_Mel_. Bate the King, and be he flesh and blood, + He lyes that saies it, thy mother at fifteen + Was black and sinful to her. + +_Diag_. Good my Lord! + +_Mel_. Some god pluck threescore years from that fond man, + That I may kill him, and not stain mine honour; + It is the curse of Souldiers, that in peace + They shall be brain'd by such ignoble men, + As (if the Land were troubled) would with tears + And knees beg succour from 'em: would that blood + (That sea of blood) that I have lost in fight, + Were running in thy veins, that it might make thee + Apt to say less, or able to maintain, + Shouldst thou say more,--This _Rhodes_ I see is nought + But a place priviledg'd to do men wrong. + +_Cal_. I, you may say your pleasure. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. What vilde injury + Has stirr'd my worthy friend, who is as slow + To fight with words, as he is quick of hand? + +_Mel_. That heap of age which I should reverence + If it were temperate: but testy years + Are most contemptible. + +_Amint_. Good Sir forbear. + +_Cal_. There is just such another as your self. + +_Amint_. He will wrong you, or me, or any man, + And talk as if he had no life to lose + Since this our match: the King is coming in, + I would not for more wealth than I enjoy, + He should perceive you raging, he did hear + You were at difference now, which hastned him. + +_Cal_. Make room there. + + _Hoboyes play within_. + + _Enter King, Evadne, Aspatia, Lords and Ladies_. + +_King_. _Melantius_, thou art welcome, and my love + Is with thee still; but this is not a place + To brabble in; _Calianax_, joyn hands. + +_Cal_. He shall not have my hand. + +_King_. This is no time + To force you to't, I do love you both: + _Calianax_, you look well to your Office; + And you _Melantius_ are welcome home; begin the Mask. + +_Mel_. Sister, I joy to see you, and your choice, + You lookt with my eyes when you took that man; + Be happy in him. + + [_Recorders_. + +_Evad_. O my dearest brother! + Your presence is more joyful than this day can be unto + me. + + _The Mask_. + + _Night rises in mists_. + +_Nigh_. Our raign is come; for in the raging Sea + The Sun is drown'd, and with him fell the day: + Bright _Cinthia_ hear my voice, I am the Night + For whom thou bear'st about thy borrowed light; + Appear, no longer thy pale visage shrowd, + But strike thy silver horn through a cloud, + And send a beam upon my swarthy face, + By which I may discover all the place + And persons, and how many longing eyes + Are come to wait on our solemnities. + + [_Enter Cinthia_. + + How dull and black am I! I could not find + This beauty without thee, I am so blind; + Methinks they shew like to those Eastern streaks + That warn us hence before the morning breaks; + Back my pale servant, for these eyes know how + To shoot far more and quicker rayes than thou. + +_Cinth_. Great Queen, they be a Troop for whom alone + One of my clearest moons I have put on; + A Troop that looks as if thy self and I + Had pluckt our rains in, and our whips laid by + To gaze upon these Mortals, that appear + Brighter than we. + + _Night_. Then let us keep 'em here, + And never more our Chariots drive away, + But hold our places, and out-shine the day. + + _Cinth_. Great Queen of shadows, you are + pleas'd to speak + Of more than may be done; we may not break + The gods decrees, but when our time is come, + Must drive away and give the day our room. + Yet whil'st our raign lasts, let us stretch our power + To give our servants one contented hour, + With such unwonted solemn grace and state, + As may for ever after force them hate + Our brothers glorious beams, and wish the night + Crown'd with a thousand stars, and our cold light: + For almost all the world their service bend + To _Phoebus_ and in vain my light I lend, + Gaz'd on unto my setting from my rise + Almost of none, but of unquiet eyes. + +_Nigh_. Then shine at full, fair Queen, and by thy power + Produce a birth to crown this happy hour; + Of Nymphs and Shepherds let their songs discover, + Easie and sweet, who is a happy Lover; + Or if thou woot, then call thine own _Endymion_ + From the sweet flowry bed he lies upon, + On _Latmus_ top, thy pale beams drawn away, + And of this long night let him make a day. + +_Cinth_. Thou dream'st dark Queen, that fair boy was not mine, + Nor went I down to kiss him; ease and wine + Have bred these bold tales; Poets when they rage, + Turn gods to men, and make an hour an age; + But I will give a greater state and glory, + And raise to time a noble memory + Of what these Lovers are; rise, rise, I say, + Thou power of deeps, thy surges laid away, + _Neptune_ great King of waters, and by me + Be proud to be commanded. + + [Neptune rises. + +_Nep_. _Cinthia_, see, + Thy word hath fetcht me hither, let me know why I + ascend. + +_Cinth_. Doth this majestick show + Give thee no knowledge yet? + +_Nep_. Yes, now I see. + Something intended _(Cinthia)_ worthy thee; + Go on, I'le be a helper. + +_Cinth_. Hie thee then, + And charge the wind flie from his Rockie Den. + Let loose thy subjects, only _Boreas_ + Too foul for our intention as he was; + Still keep him fast chain'd; we must have none here + But vernal blasts, and gentle winds appear, + Such as blow flowers, and through the glad Boughs sing + Many soft welcomes to the lusty spring. + These are our musick: next, thy watry race + Bring on in couples; we are pleas'd to grace + This noble night, each in their richest things + Your own deeps or the broken vessel brings; + Be prodigal, and I shall be as kind, + And shine at full upon you. + +_Nep_. Ho the wind + Commanding _Eolus!_ + + [Enter Eolus out of a Rock. + +_Eol_. Great _Neptune!_ + +_Nep_. He. + +_Eol_. What is thy will? + +_Nep_. We do command thee free + _Favonius_ and thy milder winds to wait + Upon our _Cinthia_, but tye _Boreas_ straight; + He's too rebellious. + +_Eol_. I shall do it. + +_Nep_. Do, great master of the flood, and all below, + Thy full command has taken. + +_Eol_. Ho! the main; + _Neptune_. + +_Nep_. Here. + +_Eol_. _Boreas_ has broke his chain, + And struggling with the rest, has got away. + +_Nep_. Let him alone, I'le take him up at sea; + He will not long be thence; go once again + And call out of the bottoms of the Main, + Blew _Proteus_, and the rest; charge them put on + Their greatest pearls, and the most sparkling stone + The bearing Rock breeds, till this night is done + By me a solemn honour to the Moon; + Flie like a full sail. + +_Eol_. I am gone. + +_Cin_. Dark night, + Strike a full silence, do a thorow right + To this great _Chorus_, that our Musick may + Touch high as heaven, and make the East break day + At mid-[n]ight. + + [_Musick_. + +SONG. + Cinthia _to thy power, and them we obey. + Joy to this great company, and no day + Come to steal this night away, + Till the rites of love are ended, + And the lusty Bridegroom say, + Welcome light of all befriended. + Pace out you watry powers below, let your feet + Like the Gallies when they row, even beat_. + _Let your unknown measures set + To the still winds, tell to all + That Gods are come immortal great, + To honour this great Nuptial_. + +The Measure. Second Song. + + + _Hold back thy hours dark night, till we have done, + The day will come too soon; + Young Maids will curse thee if thou steal'st away, + And leav'st their blushes open to the day. + Stay, stay, and hide the blushes of the Bride. + Stay gentle night, and with thy darkness cover + The kisses of her Lover. + Stay, and confound her tears, and her shrill cryings, + Her weak denials, vows, and often dyings; + Stay and hide all, but help not though she + call_. + +_Nep_. Great Queen of us and Heaven, + Hear what I bring to make this hour a full one, + If not her measure. + +_Cinth_. Speak Seas King. + +_Nep_. Thy tunes my _Amphitrite_ joyes to have, + When they will dance upon the rising wave, + And court me as the sails, my _Trytons_ play + Musick to lead a storm, I'le lead the way. + +Song. Measure. + + _To bed, to bed; come Hymen, lead the Bride, + And lay her by her Husbands side: + Bring in the Virgins every one + That grieve to lie alone: + That they may kiss while they may say, a maid, + To morrow 'twill be other, kist and said: + _Hesperus_ be long a shining, + Whilst these Lovers are a twining_. + +_Eol_. Ho! _Neptune!_ + +_Nept_. _Eolus!_ + +_Eol_. The Seas go hie, + _Boreas_ hath rais'd a storm; go and applie + Thy trident, else I prophesie, ere day + Many a tall ship will be cast away: + Descend with all the Gods, and all their power to + strike a cal[m]. + +_Cin_. A thanks to every one, and to gratulate + So great a service done at my desire, + Ye shall have many floods fuller and higher + Than you have wisht for; no Ebb shall dare + To let the day see where your dwellings are: + Now back unto your Government in haste, + Lest your proud charge should swell above the waste, + And win upon the Island. + +_Nep_. We obey. + + [_Neptune descends, and the Sea-gods_. + +_Cinth_. Hold up thy head dead night; seest thou not day? + The East begins to lighten, I must down + And give my brother place. + +_Nigh_. Oh! I could frown + To see the day, the day that flings his light + Upon my Kingdoms, and contemns old Night; + Let him go on and flame, I hope to see + Another wild-fire in his Axletree; + And all false drencht; but I forgot, speak Queen. + The day grows on I must no more be seen. + +_Cin_. Heave up thy drowsie head agen, and see + A greater light, a greater Majestie, + Between our sect and us; whip up thy team; + The day breaks here, and you some flashing stream + Shot from the South; say, which way wilt thou go? + +_Nigh_. I'le vanish into mists. + [_Exeunt_. + +_Cin_. I into day. _[Finis Mask_. + +_King_. Take lights there Ladies, get the Bride to bed; + We will not see you laid, good night _Amintor,_ + We'l ease you of that tedious ceremony; + Were it [my] case, I should think time run slow. + If thou beest noble, youth, get me a boy, + That may defend my Kingdom from my foes. + +_Amin_. All happiness to you. + +_King_. Good night _Melantius_. + [_Exeunt_. + + + + _Actus Secundus_. + + _Enter_ Evadne, Aspatia, Dula, _and other Ladies_. + +_Dul_. Madam, shall we undress you for this fight? + The Wars are nak'd that you must make to night. + +_Evad_. You are very merry _Dula_. + +_Dul_. I should be far merrier Madam, if it were with me + as it is with you. + +_Eva_. Why how now wench? + +_Dul_. Come Ladies will you help? + +_Eva_. I am soon undone. + +_Dul_. And as soon done: + Good store of Cloaths will trouble you at both. + +_Evad_. Art thou drunk _Dula_? + +_Dul_. Why here's none but we. + +_Evad_. Thou think'st belike, there is no modesty + When we are alone. + +_Dul_. I by my troth you hit my thoughts aright. + +_Evad_. You prick me Lady. + +_Dul_. 'Tis against my will, + Anon you must endure more, and lie still. + You're best to practise. + +_Evad_. Sure this wench is mad. + +_Dul_. No faith, this is a trick that I have had + Since I was fourteen. + +_Evad_. 'Tis high time to leave it. + +_Dul_. Nay, now I'le keep it till the trick leave me; + A dozen wanton words put in your head, + Will make you lively in your Husbands bed. + +_Evad_. Nay faith, then take it. + +_Dul_. Take it Madam, where? + We all I hope will take it that are here. + +_Evad_. Nay then I'le give you o're. + +_Dul_. So will I make + The ablest man in _Rhodes_, or his heart to ake. + +_Evad_. Wilt take my place to night? + +_Dul_. I'le hold your Cards against any two I know. + +_Evad_. What wilt thou do? + +_Dul_. Madam, we'l do't, and make'm leave play too. + +_Evad_. _Aspatia_, take her part. + +_Dul_. I will refuse it. + She will pluck down a side, she does not use it. + +_Evad_. Why, do. + +_Dul_. You will find the play + Quickly, because your head lies well that way. + +_Evad_. I thank thee _Dula_, would thou could'st instill + Some of thy mirth into _Aspatia_: + Nothing but sad thoughts in her breast do dwell, + Methinks a mean betwixt you would do well. + +_Dul_. She is in love, hang me if I were so, + But I could run my Country, I love too + To do those things that people in love do. + +_Asp_. It were a timeless smile should prove my cheek, + It were a fitter hour for me to laugh, + When at the Altar the Religious Priest + Were pacifying the offended powers + With sacrifice, than now, this should have been + My night, and all your hands have been imployed + In giving me a spotless offering + To young _Amintors_ bed, as we are now + For you: pardon _Evadne_, would my worth + Were great as yours, or that the King, or he, + Or both thought so, perhaps he found me worthless, + But till he did so, in these ears of mine, + (These credulous ears) he pour'd the sweetest words + That Art or Love could frame; if he were false, + Pardon it heaven, and if I did want + Vertue, you safely may forgive that too, + For I have left none that I had from you. + +_Evad_. Nay, leave this sad talk Madam. + +_Asp_. Would I could, then should I leave the cause. + +_Evad_. See if you have not spoil'd all _Dulas_ mirth. + +_Asp_. Thou think'st thy heart hard, but if thou beest + caught, remember me; thou shalt perceive a fire shot + suddenly into thee. + +_Dul_. That's not so good, let'm shoot any thing but fire, I + fear'm not. + +_Asp_. Well wench, thou mayst be taken. + +_Evad_. Ladies good night, I'le do the rest my self. + +_Dul_. Nay, let your Lord do some. + +_Asp_. Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal Yew. + +_Evad_. That's one of your sad songs Madam. + +_Asp_. Believe me, 'tis a very pretty one. + +_Evad_. How is it Madam? + + SONG. + +Asp_. Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal yew; + Maidens, Willow branches bear; say I died true: + My Love was false, but I was firm from my hour of birth; + Upon my buried body lay lightly gentle earth_. + +_Evad_. Fie on't Madam, the words are so strange, they + are able to make one Dream of Hobgoblins; _I could never + have the power_, Sing that _Dula_. + +Dula_. I could never have the power + To love one above an hour, + But my heart would prompt mine eye + On some other man to flie;_ + Venus, _fix mine eyes fast, + Or if not, give me all that I shall see at last_. + +_Evad_. So, leave me now. + +_Dula_. Nay, we must see you laid. + +_Asp_. Madam good night, may all the marriage joys + That longing Maids imagine in their beds, + Prove so unto you; may no discontent + Grow 'twixt your Love and you; but if there do, + Enquire of me, and I will guide your moan, + Teach you an artificial way to grieve, + To keep your sorrow waking; love your Lord + No worse than I; but if you love so well, + Alas, you may displease him, so did I. + This is the last time you shall look on me: + Ladies farewel; as soon as I am dead, + Come all and watch one night about my Hearse; + Bring each a mournful story and a tear + To offer at it when I go to earth: + With flattering Ivie clasp my Coffin round, + Write on my brow my fortune, let my Bier + Be born by Virgins that shall sing by course + The truth of maids and perjuries of men. + +_Evad_. Alas, I pity thee. + [_Exit Evadne_. + +_Omnes_. Madam, goodnight. + +_1 Lady_. Come, we'l let in the Bridegroom. + +_Dul_. Where's my Lord? + +_1 Lady_. Here take this light. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Dul_. You'l find her in the dark. + +_1 Lady_. Your Lady's scarce a bed yet, you must help her. + +_Asp_. Go and be happy in your Ladies love; + May all the wrongs that you have done to me, + Be utterly forgotten in my death. + I'le trouble you no more, yet I will take + A parting kiss, and will not be denied. + You'l come my Lord, and see the Virgins weep + When I am laid in earth, though you your self + Can know no pity: thus I wind my self + Into this willow Garland, and am prouder + That I was once your Love (though now refus'd) + Than to have had another true to me. + So with my prayers I leave you, and must try + Some yet unpractis'd way to grieve and die. + +_Dul_. Come Ladies, will you go? + _[Exit Aspatia_. + +_Om_. Goodnight my Lord. + +_Amin_. Much happiness unto you all. + + _[Exeunt Ladies_. + + I did that Lady wrong; methinks I feel + Her grief shoot suddenly through all my veins; + Mine eyes run; this is strange at such a time. + It was the King first mov'd me to't, but he + Has not my will in keeping--why do I + Perplex my self thus? something whispers me, + Go not to bed; my guilt is not so great + As mine own conscience (too sensible) + Would make me think; I only brake a promise, + And 'twas the King that forc't me: timorous flesh, + Why shak'st thou so? away my idle fears. + + [_Enter Evadne_. + + Yonder she is, the lustre of whose eye + Can blot away the sad remembrance + Of all these things: Oh my _Evadne_, spare + That tender body, let it not take cold, + The vapours of the night will not fall here. + To bed my Love; _Hymen_ will punish us + For being slack performers of his rites. + Cam'st thou to call me? + +_Evad_. No. + +_Amin_. Come, come my Love, + And let us lose our selves to one another. + Why art thou up so long? + +_Evad_. I am not well. + +_Amint_. To bed then let me wind thee in these arms, + Till I have banisht sickness. + +_Evad_. Good my Lord, I cannot sleep. + +_Amin_. _Evadne_, we'l watch, I mean no sleeping. + +_Evad_. I'le not go to bed. + +_Amin_. I prethee do. + +_Evad_. I will not for the world. + +_Amin_. Why my dear Love? + +_Evad_. Why? I have sworn I will not. + +_Amin_. Sworn! + +_Evad_. I. + +_Amint_. How? Sworn _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. Yes, Sworn _Amintor_, and will swear again + If you will wish to hear me. +0 +_Amin_. To whom have you Sworn this? + +_Evad_. If I should name him, the matter were not great. + +_Amin_. Come, this is but the coyness of a Bride. + +_Evad_. The coyness of a Bride? + +_Amin_. How prettily that frown becomes thee! + +_Evad_. Do you like it so? + +_Amin_. Thou canst not dress thy face in such a look + But I shall like it. + +_Evad_. What look likes you best? + +_Amin_. Why do you ask? + +_Evad_. That I may shew you one less pleasing to you. + +_Amin_. How's that? + +_Evad_. That I may shew you one less pleasing to you. + +_Amint_. I prethee put thy jests in milder looks. + It shews as thou wert angry. + +_Evad_. So perhaps I am indeed. + +_Amint_. Why, who has done thee wrong? + Name me the man, and by thy self I swear, + Thy yet unconquer'd self, I will revenge thee. + +_Evad_. Now I shall try thy truth; if thou dost love me, + Thou weigh'st not any thing compar'd with me; + Life, Honour, joyes Eternal, all Delights + This world can yield, or hopeful people feign, + Or in the life to come, are light as Air + To a true Lover when his Lady frowns, + And bids him do this: wilt thou kill this man? + Swear my _Amintor_, and I'le kiss the sin off from + thy lips. + +_Amin_. I will not swear sweet Love, + Till I do know the cause. + +_Evad_. I would thou wouldst; + Why, it is thou that wrongest me, I hate thee, + Thou shouldst have kill'd thy self. + +_Amint_. If I should know that, I should quickly kill + The man you hated. + +_Evad_. Know it then, and do't. + +_Amint_. Oh no, what look soe're thou shalt put on, + To try my faith, I shall not think thee false; + I cannot find one blemish in thy face, + Where falsehood should abide: leave and to bed; + If you have sworn to any of the Virgins + That were your old companions, to preserve + Your Maidenhead a night, it may be done without this + means. + +_Evad_. A Maidenhead _Amintor_ at my years? + +_Amint_. Sure she raves, this cannot be + Thy natural temper; shall I call thy maids? + Either thy healthful sleep hath left thee long, + Or else some Fever rages in thy blood. + +_Evad_. Neither _Amintor_; think you I am mad, + Because I speak the truth? + +_Amint_. Will you not lie with me to night? + +_Evad_. To night? you talk as if I would hereafter. + +_Amint_. Hereafter? yes, I do. + +_Evad_. You are deceiv'd, put off amazement, and with patience mark + What I shall utter, for the Oracle + Knows nothing truer, 'tis not for a night + Or two that I forbear thy bed, but for ever. + +_Amint_. I dream,--awake _Amintor_! + +_Evad_. You hear right, + I sooner will find out the beds of Snakes, + And with my youthful blood warm their cold flesh, + Letting them curle themselves about my Limbs, + Than sleep one night with thee; this is not feign'd, + Nor sounds it like the coyness of a Bride. + +_Amin_. Is flesh so earthly to endure all this? + Are these the joyes of Marriage? _Hymen_ keep + This story (that will make succeeding youth + Neglect thy Ceremonies) from all ears. + Let it not rise up for thy shame and mine + To after ages; we will scorn thy Laws, + If thou no better bless them; touch the heart + Of her that thou hast sent me, or the world + Shall know there's not an Altar that will smoak + In praise of thee; we will adopt us Sons; + Then vertue shall inherit, and not blood: + If we do lust, we'l take the next we meet, + Serving our selves as other Creatures do, + And never take note of the Female more, + Nor of her issue. I do rage in vain, + She can but jest; Oh! pardon me my Love; + So dear the thoughts are that I hold of thee, + That I must break forth; satisfie my fear: + It is a pain beyond the hand of death, + To be in doubt; confirm it with an Oath, if this be true. + +_Evad_. Do you invent the form: + Let there be in it all the binding words + Devils and Conjurers can put together, + And I will take it; I have sworn before, + And here by all things holy do again, + Never to be acquainted with thy bed. + Is your doubt over now? + +_Amint_. I know too much, would I had doubted still; + Was ever such a marriage night as this! + You powers above, if you did ever mean + Man should be us'd thus, you have thought a way + How he may bear himself, and save his honour: + Instruct me in it; for to my dull eyes + There is no mean, no moderate course to run, + I must live scorn'd, or be a murderer: + Is there a third? why is this night so calm? + Why does not Heaven speak in Thunder to us, + And drown her voice? + +_Evad_. This rage will do no good. + +_Amint_. _Evadne_, hear me, thou hast ta'ne an Oath, + But such a rash one, that to keep it, were + Worse than to swear it; call it back to thee; + Such vows as those never ascend the Heaven; + A tear or two will wash it quite away: + Have mercy on my youth, my hopeful youth, + If thou be pitiful, for (without boast) + This Land was proud of me: what Lady was there + That men call'd fair and vertuous in this Isle, + That would have shun'd my love? It is in thee + To make me hold this worth--Oh! we vain men + That trust out all our reputation, + To rest upon the weak and yielding hand + Of feeble Women! but thou art not stone; + Thy flesh is soft, and in thine eyes doth dwell + The spirit of Love, thy heart cannot be hard. + Come lead me from the bottom of despair, + To all the joyes thou hast; I know thou wilt; + And make me careful, lest the sudden change + O're-come my spirits. + +_Evad_. When I call back this Oath, the pains of hell inviron me. + +_Amin_. I sleep, and am too temperate; come to bed, or by + Those hairs, which if thou hast a soul like to thy locks, + Were threads for Kings to wear about their arms. + +_Evad_. Why so perhaps they are. + +_Amint_. I'le drag thee to my bed, and make thy tongue + Undo this wicked Oath, or on thy flesh + I'le print a thousand wounds to let out life. + +_Evad_. I fear thee not, do what thou dar'st to me; + Every ill-sounding word, or threatning look + Thou shew'st to me, will be reveng'd at full. + +_Amint_. It will not sure _Evadne_. + +_Evad_. Do not you hazard that. + +_Amint_. Ha'ye your Champions? + +_Evad_. Alas _Amintor_, thinkst thou I forbear + To sleep with thee, because I have put on + A maidens strictness? look upon these cheeks, + And thou shalt find the hot and rising blood + Unapt for such a vow; no, in this heart + There dwels as much desire, and as much will + To put that wisht act in practice, as ever yet + Was known to woman, and they have been shown + Both; but it was the folly of thy youth, + To think this beauty (to what Land soe're + It shall be call'd) shall stoop to any second. + I do enjoy the best, and in that height + Have sworn to stand or die: you guess the man. + +_Amint_. No, let me know the man that wrongs me so, + That I may cut his body into motes, + And scatter it before the Northern wind. + +_Evad_. You dare not strike him. + +_Amint_. Do not wrong me so; + Yes, if his body were a poysonous plant, + That it were death to touch, I have a soul + Will throw me on him. + +_Evad_. Why 'tis the King. + +_Amint_. The King! + +_Evad_. What will you do now? + +_Amint_. 'Tis not the King. + +_Evad_. What, did he make this match for dull _Amintor_? + +_Amint_. Oh! thou hast nam'd a word that wipes away + All thoughts revengeful: in that sacred name, + The King, there lies a terror: what frail man + Dares lift his hand against it? let the Gods + Speak to him when they please; + Till then let us suffer and wait. + +_Evad_. Why should you fill your self so full of heat, + And haste so to my bed? I am no Virgin. + +_Amint_. What Devil put it in thy fancy then + To marry me? + +_Evad_. Alas, I must have one + To Father Children, and to bear the name + Of Husband to me, that my sin may be more honourable. + +_Amint_. What a strange thing am I! + +_Evad_. A miserable one; one that my self am sorry for. + +_Amint_. Why shew it then in this, + If thou hast pity, though thy love be none, + Kill me, and all true Lovers that shall live + In after ages crost in their desires, + Shall bless thy memory, and call thee good, + Because such mercy in thy heart was found, + To rid a lingring Wretch. + +_Evad_. I must have one + To fill thy room again, if thou wert dead, + Else by this night I would: I pity thee. + +_Amint_. These strange and sudden injuries have faln + So thick upon me, that I lose all sense + Of what they are: methinks I am not wrong'd, + Nor is it ought, if from the censuring World + I can but hide it--Reputation, + Thou art a word, no more; but thou hast shown + An impudence so high, that to the World + I fear thou wilt betray or shame thy self. + +_Evad_. To cover shame I took thee, never fear + That I would blaze my self. + +_Amint_. Nor let the King + Know I conceive he wrongs me, then mine honour + Will thrust me into action, that my flesh + Could bear with patience; and it is some ease + To me in these extreams, that I knew this + Before I toucht thee; else had all the sins + Of mankind stood betwixt me and the King, + I had gone through 'em to his heart and thine. + I have lost one desire, 'tis not his crown + Shall buy me to thy bed: now I resolve + He has dishonour'd thee; give me thy hand, + Be careful of thy credit, and sin close, + 'Tis all I wish; upon thy Chamber-floore + I'le rest to night, that morning visiters + May think we did as married people use. + And prethee smile upon me when they come, + And seem to toy, as if thou hadst been pleas'd + With what we did. + +_Evad_. Fear not, I will do this. + +_Amint_. Come let us practise, and as wantonly + As ever loving Bride and Bridegroom met, + Lets laugh and enter here. + +_Evad_. I am content. + +_Amint_. Down all the swellings of my troubled heart. + When we walk thus intwin'd, let all eyes see + If ever Lovers better did agree. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter_ Aspatia, Antiphila _and_ Olympias. + +_Asp_. Away, you are not sad, force it no further; + Good Gods, how well you look! such a full colour + Young bashful Brides put on: sure you are new married. + +_Ant_. Yes Madam, to your grief. + +_Asp_. Alas! poor Wenches. + Go learn to love first, learn to lose your selves, + Learn to be flattered, and believe, and bless + The double tongue that did it; + Make a Faith out of the miracles of Ancient Lovers. + Did you ne're love yet Wenches? speak _Olympias_, + Such as speak truth and dy'd in't, + And like me believe all faithful, and be miserable; + Thou hast an easie temper, fit for stamp. + +_Olymp_. Never. + +_Asp_. Nor you _Antiphila_? + +_Ant_. Nor I. + +_Asp_. Then my good Girles, be more than Women, wise. + At least be more than I was; and be sure you credit any + thing the light gives light to, before a man; rather + believe the Sea weeps for the ruin'd Merchant when he + roars; rather the wind courts but the pregnant sails + when the strong cordage cracks; rather the Sun comes + but to kiss the Fruit in wealthy Autumn, when all falls + blasted; if you needs must love (forc'd by ill fate) + take to your maiden bosoms two dead cold aspicks, + and of them make Lovers, they cannot flatter nor + forswear; one kiss makes a long peace for all; but + man, Oh that beast man! + Come lets be sad my Girles; + That down cast of thine eye, _Olympias_, + Shews a fine sorrow; mark _Antiphila_, + Just such another was the Nymph _Oenone_, + When _Paris_ brought home _Helen_: now a tear, + And then thou art a piece expressing fully + The _Carthage_ Queen, when from a cold Sea Rock, + Full with her sorrow, she tyed fast her eyes + To the fair _Trojan_ ships, and having lost them, + Just as thine eyes do, down stole a tear, _Antiphila_; + What would this Wench do, if she were _Aspatia_? + Here she would stand, till some more pitying God + Turn'd her to Marble: 'tis enough my Wench; + Shew me the piece of Needle-work you wrought. + +_Ant_. Of _Ariadne_, Madam? + +_Asp_. Yes that piece. + This should be _Theseus_, h'as a cousening face, + You meant him for a man. + +_Ant_. He was so Madam. + +_Asp_. Why then 'tis well enough, never look back, + You have a full wind, and a false heart _Theseus_; + Does not the story say, his Keel was split, + Or his Masts spent, or some kind rock or other + Met with his Vessel? + +_Ant_. Not as I remember. + +_Asp_. It should ha' been so; could the Gods know this, + And not of all their number raise a storm? + But they are all as ill. This false smile was well + exprest; + Just such another caught me; you shall not go + so _Antiphila_, + In this place work a quick-sand, + And over it a shallow smiling Water. + And his ship ploughing it, and then a fear. + Do that fear to the life Wench. + +_Ant_. 'Twill wrong the story. + + _Asp_. 'Twill make the story wrong'd by wanton Poets + Live long and be believ'd; but where's the Lady? + +_Ant_. There Madam. + +_Asp_. Fie, you have mist it here _Antiphila_, + You are much mistaken Wench; + These colours are not dull and pale enough, + To shew a soul so full of misery + As this sad Ladies was; do it by me, + Do it again by me the lost _Aspatia_, + And you shall find all true but the wild Island; + I stand upon the Sea breach now, and think + Mine arms thus, and mine hair blown with the wind, + Wild as that desart, and let all about me + Tell that I am forsaken, do my face + + (If thou hadst ever feeling of a sorrow) + Thus, thus, _Antiphila_ strive to make me look + Like sorrows monument; and the trees about me, + Let them be dry and leaveless; let the Rocks + Groan with continual surges, and behind me + Make all a desolation; look, look Wenches, + A miserable life of this poor Picture. + +_Olym_. Dear Madam! + + _Asp_. I have done, sit down, and let us + Upon that point fix all our eyes, that point there; + Make a dull silence till you feel a sudden sadness + Give us new souls. + [_Enter Calianax_. + + _Cal_. The King may do this, and he may not do it; + My child is wrong'd, disgrac'd: well, how now Huswives? + What at your ease? is this a time to sit still? up you + young + Lazie Whores, up or I'le sweng you. + + _Olym_. Nay, good my Lord. + +_Cal_. You'l lie down shortly, get you in and work; + What are you grown so resty? you want ears, + We shall have some of the Court boys do that Office. + +_Ant_. My Lord we do no more than we are charg'd: + It is the Ladies pleasure we be thus in grief; + She is forsaken. + + _Cal_. There's a Rogue too, + A young dissembling slave; well, get you in, + I'le have a bout with that boy; 'tis high time + Now to be valiant; I confess my youth + Was never prone that way: what, made an Ass? + A Court stale? well I will be valiant, + And beat some dozen of these Whelps; I will; and there's + Another of 'em, a trim cheating souldier, + I'le maul that Rascal, h'as out-brav'd me twice; + But now I thank the Gods I am valiant; + Go, get you in, I'le take a course with all. + + [_Exeunt Omnes_. + + + + _Actus Tertius_. + + + _Enter_ Cleon, Strato, Diphilus. + +_Cle_. Your sister is not up yet. + +_Diph_. Oh, Brides must take their mornings rest, + The night is troublesome. + +_Stra_. But not tedious. + +_Diph_. What odds, he has not my Sisters maiden-head to + night? + +_Stra_. No, it's odds against any Bridegroom living, he + ne're gets it while he lives. + +_Diph_. Y'are merry with my Sister, you'l please to allow + me the same freedom with your Mother. + +_Stra_. She's at your service. + +_Diph_. Then she's merry enough of her self, she needs + no tickling; knock at the door. + +_Stra_. We shall interrupt them. + +_Diph_. No matter, they have the year before them. + Good morrow Sister; spare your self to day, the night + will come again. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Who's there, my Brother? I am no readier yet, + your Sister is but now up. + +_Diph_. You look as you had lost your eyes to night; I + think you ha' not slept. + +_Amint_. I faith I have not. + +_Diph_. You have done better then. + +_Amint_. We ventured for a Boy; when he is Twelve, + He shall command against the foes of _Rhodes_. + +_Stra_. You cannot, you want sleep. + [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. 'Tis true; but she + As if she had drunk _Lethe_, or had made + Even with Heaven, did fetch so still a sleep, + So sweet and sound. + +_Diph_. What's that? + +_Amint_. Your Sister frets this morning, and does turn her + eyes upon me, as people on their headsman; she does + chafe, and kiss, and chafe again, and clap my cheeks; + she's in another world. + +_Diph_. Then I had lost; I was about to lay, you had not + got her Maiden-head to night. + +_Amint_. Ha! he does not mock me; y'ad lost indeed; + I do not use to bungle. + +_Cleo_. You do deserve her. + +_Amint_. I laid my lips to hers, and [t]hat wild breath + That was rude and rough to me, last night + + [_Aside. + + Was sweet as _April_; I'le be guilty too, + If these be the effects. + + [_Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. Good day _Amintor_, for to me the name + Of Brother is too distant; we are friends, + And that is nearer. + +_Amint_. Dear _Melantius_! + Let me behold thee; is it possible? + +_Mel_. What sudden gaze is this? + +_Amint_. 'Tis wonderous strange. + + _Mel_. Why does thine eye desire so strict a view + Of that it knows so well? + There's nothing here that is not thine. + + _Amint_. I wonder much _Melantius_, + To see those noble looks that make me think + How vertuous thou art; and on the sudden + 'Tis strange to me, thou shouldst have worth and honour, + Or not be base, and false, and treacherous, + And every ill. But-- + + _Mel_. Stay, stay my Friend, + I fear this sound will not become our loves; no more, + embrace me. + +_Amint_. Oh mistake me not; + I know thee to be full of all those deeds + That we frail men call good: but by the course + Of nature thou shouldst be as quickly chang'd + As are the winds, dissembling as the Sea, + That now wears brows as smooth as Virgins be, + Tempting the Merchant to invade his face, + And in an hour calls his billows up, + And shoots 'em at the Sun, destroying all + He carries on him. O how near am I + + [_Aside_. + + To utter my sick thoughts! + +_Mel_. But why, my Friend, should I be so by Nature? + + _Amin_. I have wed thy Sister, who hath vertuous thoughts + Enough for one whole family, and it is strange + That you should feel no want. + +_Mel_. Believe me, this complement's too cunning for me. + + _Diph_. What should I be then by the course of nature, + They having both robb'd me of so much vertue? + +_Strat_. O call the Bride, my Lord _Amintor_, that we may + see her blush, and turn her eyes down; it is the + prettiest sport. + +_Amin_. _Evadne_! + +_Evad_. My Lord! + [_Within_. + +_Amint_. Come forth my Love, + Your Brothers do attend to wish you joy. + +_Evad_. I am not ready yet. + +_Amint_. Enough, enough. + + _Evad_. They'l mock me. + +_Amint_. Faith thou shalt come in. + + [_Enter Evadne_. + +_Mel_. Good morrow Sister; he that understands + Whom you have wed, need not to wish you joy. + You have enough, take heed you be not proud. + +_Diph_. O Sister, what have you done! + + _Evad_. I done! why, what have I done? + +_Strat_. My Lord _Amintor_ swears you are no Maid now. + +_Evad_. Push! + +_Strat_. I faith he does. + +_Evad_. I knew I should be mockt. + +_Diph_. With a truth. + +_Evad_. If 'twere to do again, in faith I would not marry. + +_Amint_. Not I by Heaven. + [_Aside_. + + _Diph_. Sister, Dula swears she heard you cry two rooms off. + +_Evad_. Fie how you talk! + +_Diph_. Let's see you walk. + +_Evad_. By my troth y'are spoil'd. + +_Mel_. _Amintor_! + +_Amint_. Ha! + +_Mel_. Thou art sad. + +_Amint_. Who I? I thank you for that, shall _Diphilus_, + thou and I sing a catch? + +_Mel_. How! + +_Amint_. Prethee let's. + +_Mel_. Nay, that's too much the other way. + +_Amint_. I am so lightned with my happiness: how dost + thou Love? kiss me. + +_Evad_. I cannot love you, you tell tales of me. + +_Amint_. Nothing but what becomes us: Gentlemen, + Would you had all such Wives, and all the world, + That I might be no wonder; y'are all sad; + What, do you envie me? I walk methinks + On water, and ne're sink, I am so light. + +_Mel_. 'Tis well you are so. + +_Amint_. Well? how can I be other, when she looks thus? + Is there no musick there? let's dance. + +_Mel_. Why? this is strange, _Amintor_! + + _Amint_. I do not know my self; + Yet I could wish my joy were less. + +_Diph_. I'le marry too, if it will make one thus. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, hark. [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. What says my Love? I must obey. + +_Evad_. You do it scurvily, 'twill be perceiv'd. + +_Cle_. My Lord the King is here. + + [_Enter King and Lysi_. + +_Amint_. Where? + +_Stra_. And his Brother. + +_King_. Good morrow all. + _Amintor,_ joy on, joy fall thick upon thee! + And Madam, you are alter'd since I saw you, + I must salute you; you are now anothers; + How lik't you your nights rest? + +_Evad_. Ill Sir. + +_Amint_. I! 'deed she took but little. + +_Lys_. You'l let her take more, and thank her too shortly. + +_King_. _Amintor_, wert thou truly honest + Till thou wert Married? + +_Amint_. Yes Sir. + +_King_. Tell me then, how shews the sport unto thee? + +_Amint_. Why well. + +_King_. What did you do? + +_Amint_. No more nor less than other couples use; + You know what 'tis; it has but a course name. + +_King_. But prethee, I should think by her black eye, + And her red cheek, she should be quick and stirring + In this same business, ha? + +_Amint_. I cannot tell, I ne're try'd other Sir, but I perceive + She is as quick as you delivered. + +_King_. Well, you'l trust me then _Amintor_, + To choose a Wife for you agen? + +_Amint_. No never Sir. + +_King_. Why? like you this so ill? + +_Amint_. So well I like her. + For this I bow my knee in thanks to you, + And unto Heaven will pay my grateful tribute + Hourly, and to hope we shall draw out + A long contented life together here, + And die both full of gray hairs in one day; + For which the thanks is yours; but if the powers + That rule us, please to call her first away, + Without pride spoke, this World holds not a Wife + Worthy to take her room. + +_King_. I do not like this; all forbear the room + But you _Amintor_ and your Lady. I have some speech with + You, that may concern your after living well. + _Amint_. He will not tell me that he lies with her: if + he do, + Something Heavenly stay my heart, for I shall be apt + To thrust this arm of mine to acts unlawful. + +_King_. You will suffer me to talk with her _Amintor_, + And not have a jealous pang! + +_Amint_. Sir, I dare trust my Wife + With whom she dares to talk, and not be jealous. + +_King_. How do you like _Amintor_? + +_Evad_. As I did Sir. + +_King_. How's that! + +_Evad_. As one that to fulfil your will and pleasure, + I have given leave to call me Wife and Love. + +_King_. I see there is no lasting Faith in Sin; + They that break word with Heaven, will break again + With all the World, and so dost thou with me. + +_Evad_. How Sir? + +_King_. This subtile Womans ignorance + Will not excuse you; thou hast taken Oaths + So great, methought they did not well become + A Womans mouth, that thou wouldst ne're enjoy + A man but me. + +_Evad_. I never did swear so; you do me wrong. + +_King_. Day and night have heard it. + +_Evad_. I swore indeed that I would never love + A man of lower place; but if your fortune + Should throw you from this height, I bade you trust + I would forsake you, and would bend to him + That won your Throne; I love with my ambition, + Not with mine eyes; but if I ever yet + Toucht any other, Leprosie light here + Upon my face, which for your Royalty I would not stain. + +_King_. Why thou dissemblest, and it is in me to punish thee. + +_Evad_. Why, it is in me then not to love you, which will + More afflict your body, than your punishment can mine. + +_King_. But thou hast let _Amintor_ lie with thee. + +_Evad_. I ha'not. + +_King_. Impudence! he saies himself so. + +_Evad_. He lyes. + +_King_. He does not. + +_Evad_. By this light he does, strangely and basely, and + I'le prove it so; I did not shun him for a night, + But told him I would never close with him. + + _King_. Speak lower, 'tis false. + +_Evad_. I'm no man to answer with a blow; + Or if I were, you are the King; but urge me not, 'tis + most true. + +_King_. Do not I know the uncontrouled thoughts + That youth brings with him, when his bloud is high + With expectation and desires of that + He long hath waited for? is not his spirit, + Though he be temperate, of a valiant strain, + As this our age hath known? what could he do, + If such a sudden speech had met his blood, + But ruine thee for ever? if he had not kill'd thee, + He could not bear it thus; he is as we, + Or any other wrong'd man. + +_Evad_. It is dissembling. + +_King_. Take him; farewel; henceforth I am thy foe; + And what disgraces I can blot thee, look for. + +_Evad_. Stay Sir; _Amintor_, you shall hear, _Amintor_. + +_Amint_. What my Love? + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, thou hast an ingenious look, + And shouldst be vertuous; it amazeth me, + That thou canst make such base malicious lyes. + +_Amint_. What my dear Wife? + +_Evad_. Dear Wife! I do despise thee; + Why, nothing can be baser, than to sow + Dissention amongst Lovers. + +_Amint_. Lovers! who? + +_Evad_. The King and me. + +_Amint_. O Heaven! + +_Evad_. Who should live long, and love without distaste, + Were it not for such pickthanks as thy self! + Did you lie with me? swear now, and be punisht in hell + For this. + +_Amint_. The faithless Sin I made + To fair _Aspatia_, is not yet reveng'd, + It follows me; I will not lose a word + To this wild Woman; but to you my King, + The anguish of my soul thrusts out this truth, + Y'are a Tyrant; and not so much to wrong + An honest man thus, as to take a pride + In talking with him of it. + +_Evad_. Now Sir, see how loud this fellow lyed. + +_Amint_. You that can know to wrong, should know how + Men must right themselves: what punishment is due + From me to him that shall abuse my bed! + It is not death; nor can that satisfie, + Unless I send your lives through all the Land, + To shew how nobly I have freed my self. + +_King_. Draw not thy Sword, thou knowest I cannot fear + A subjects hand; but thou shalt feel the weight of this + If thou dost rage. + +_Amint_. The weight of that? + If you have any worth, for Heavens sake think + I fear not Swords; for as you are meer man, + I dare as easily kill you for this deed, + As you dare think to do it; but there is + Divinity about you, that strikes dead + My rising passions, as you are my King, + I fall before you, and present my Sword + To cut mine own flesh, if it be your will. + Alas! I am nothing but a multitude + Of walking griefs; yet should I murther you, + I might before the world take the excuse + Of madness: for compare my injuries, + And they will well appear too sad a weight + For reason to endure; but fall I first + Amongst my sorrows, ere my treacherous hand + Touch holy things: but why? I know not what + I have to say; why did you choose out me + To make thus wretched? there were thousand fools + Easie to work on, and of state enough within the Island. + +_Evad_. I would not have a fool, it were no credit for me. + +_Amint_. Worse and worse! + Thou that dar'st talk unto thy Husband thus, + Profess thy self a Whore; and more than so, + Resolve to be so still; it is my fate + To bear and bow beneath a thousand griefs, + To keep that little credit with the World. + But there were wise ones too, you might have ta'ne + another. + +_King_. No; for I believe thee honest, as thou wert valiant. + +_Amint_. All the happiness + Bestow'd upon me, turns into disgrace; + Gods take your honesty again, for I + Am loaden with it; good my Lord the King, be private + in it. + +_King_. Thou may'st live _Amintor_, + Free as thy King, if thou wilt wink at this, + And be a means that we may meet in secret. + +_Amint_. A Baud! hold my breast, a bitter curse + Seize me, if I forget not all respects + That are Religious, on another word + Sounded like that, and through a Sea of sins + Will wade to my revenge, though I should call + Pains here, and after life upon my soul. + +_King_. Well I am resolute you lay not with her, + And so leave you. + + [_Exit King_. + +_Evad_. You must be prating, and see what follows. + +_Amint_. Prethee vex me not. + Leave me, I am afraid some sudden start + Will pull a murther on me. + +_Evad_. I am gone; I love my life well. + + [_Exit Evadne_. + +_Amint_. I hate mine as much. + This 'tis to break a troth; I should be glad + If all this tide of grief would make me mad. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. I'le know the cause of all _Amintors_ griefs, + Or friendship shall be idle. + + [_Enter Calianax_. + +_Cal_. O _Melantius_, my Daughter will die. + +_Mel_. Trust me, I am sorry; would thou hadst ta'ne her room. + +_Cal_. Thou art a slave, a cut-throat slave, a bloody treacherous + slave. + +_Melan_. Take heed old man, thou wilt be heard to rave, + And lose thine Offices. + +_Cal_. I am valiant grown + At all these years, and thou art but a slave. + +_Mel_. Leave, some company will come, and I respect + Thy years, not thee so much, that I could wish + To laugh at thee alone. + +_Cal_. I'le spoil your mirth, I mean to fight with thee; + There lie my Cloak, this was my Fathers Sword, + And he durst fight; are you prepar'd? + +_Mel_. Why? wilt thou doat thy self out of thy life? + Hence get thee to bed, have careful looking to, and eat + warm things, and trouble not me: my head is full of + thoughts more weighty than thy life or death can be. + +_Cal_. You have a name in War, when you stand safe + Amongst a multitude; but I will try + What you dare do unto a weak old man + In single fight; you'l ground I fear: Come draw. + +_Mel_. I will not draw, unless thou pul'st thy death + Upon thee with a stroke; there's no one blow + That thou canst give, hath strength enough to kill me. + Tempt me not so far then; the power of earth + Shall not redeem thee. + +_Cal_. I must let him alone, + He's stout and able; and to say the truth, + However I may set a face, and talk, + I am not valiant: when I was a youth, + I kept my credit with a testie trick I had, + Amongst cowards, but durst never fight. + +_Mel_. I will not promise to preserve your life if you do stay. + +_Cal_. I would give half my Land that I durst fight with + that proud man a little: if I had men to hold, I would + beat him, till he ask me mercy. + +_Mel_. Sir, will you be gone? + +_Cal_. I dare not stay, but I will go home, and beat my + servants all over for this. + + [_Exit Calianax_. + +_Mel_. This old fellow haunts me, + But the distracted carriage of mine _Amintor_ + Takes deeply on me, I will find the cause; + I fear his Conscience cries, he wrong'd _Aspatia_. + + _Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Mens eyes are not so subtil to perceive + My inward misery; I bear my grief + Hid from the World; how art thou wretched then? + For ought I know, all Husbands are like me; + And every one I talk with of his Wife, + Is but a well dissembler of his woes + As I am; would I knew it, for the rareness afflicts me + now. + +_Mel_. _Amintor_, We have not enjoy'd our friendship of late, + for we were wont to charge our souls in talk. + +_Amint_. _Melantius_, I can tell thee a good jest of _Strato_ and + a Lady the last day. + +_Mel_. How wast? + +_Amint_. Why such an odd one. + +_Mel_. I have long'd to speak with you, not of an idle jest + that's forc'd, but of matter you are bound to utter + to me. + +_Amint_. What is that my friend? + +_Mel_. I have observ'd, your words fall from your tongue + Wildly; and all your carriage, + Like one that strove to shew his merry mood, + When he were ill dispos'd: you were not wont + To put such scorn into your speech, or wear + Upon your face ridiculous jollity: + Some sadness sits here, which your cunning would + Cover o're with smiles, and 'twill not be. What is it? + +_Amint_. A sadness here! what cause + Can fate provide for me, to make me so? + Am I not lov'd through all this Isle? the King + Rains greatness on me: have I not received + A Lady to my bed, that in her eye + Keeps mounting fire, and on her tender cheeks + Inevitable colour, in her heart + A prison for all vertue? are not you, + Which is above all joyes, my constant friend? + What sadness can I have? no, I am light, + And feel the courses of my blood more warm + And stirring than they were; faith marry too, + And you will feel so unexprest a joy + In chast embraces, that you will indeed appear another. + +_Mel_. You may shape, _Amintor_, + Causes to cozen the whole world withal, + And your self too; but 'tis not like a friend, + To hide your soul from me; 'tis not your nature + To be thus idle; I have seen you stand + As you were blasted; midst of all your mirth, + Call thrice aloud, and then start, feigning joy + So coldly: World! what do I here? a friend + Is nothing, Heaven! I would ha' told that man + My secret sins; I'le search an unknown Land, + And there plant friendship, all is withered here; + Come with a complement, I would have fought, + Or told my friend he ly'd, ere sooth'd him so; + Out of my bosom. + +_Amint_. But there is nothing. + +_Mel_. Worse and worse; farewel; + From this time have acquaintance, but no friend. + +_Amint_. _Melantius_, stay, you shall know what that is. + +_Mel_. See how you play'd with friendship; be advis'd + How you give cause unto your self to say, You ha'lost + a friend. + +_Amint_. Forgive what I have done; + For I am so ore-gone with injuries + Unheard of, that I lose consideration + Of what I ought to do--oh--oh. + +_Mel_. Do not weep; what is't? + May I once but know the man + Hath turn'd my friend thus? + +_Amint_. I had spoke at first, but that. + +_Mel_. But what? + +_Amint_. I held it most unfit + For you to know; faith do not know it yet. + +_Mel_. Thou seest my love, that will keep company + With thee in tears; hide nothing then from me; + For when I know the cause of thy distemper, + With mine own armour I'le adorn my self, + My resolution, and cut through thy foes, + Unto thy quiet, till I place thy heart + As peaceable as spotless innocence. What is it? + +_Amint_. Why, 'tis this--it is too big + To get out, let my tears make way a while. + +_Mel_. Punish me strangely heaven, if he escape + Of life or fame, that brought this youth to this. + +_Amint_. Your Sister. + +_Mel_. Well said. + +_Amint_. You'l wish't unknown, when you have heard it. + +_Mel_. No. + +_Amint_. Is much to blame, + And to the King has given her honour up, + And lives in Whoredom with him. + +_Mel_. How, this! + Thou art run mad with injury indeed, + Thou couldst not utter this else; speak again, + For I forgive it freely; tell thy griefs. + +_Amint_. She's wanton; I am loth to say a Whore, + Though it be true. + +_Mel_. Speak yet again, before mine anger grow + Up beyond throwing down; what are thy griefs? + +_Amint_. By all our friendship, these. + +_Mel_. What? am I tame? + After mine actions, shall the name of friend + Blot all our family, and strike the brand + Of Whore upon my Sister unreveng'd? + My shaking flesh be thou a Witness for me, + With what unwillingness I go to scourge + This Rayler, whom my folly hath call'd Friend; + I will not take thee basely; thy sword + Hangs near thy hand, draw it, that I may whip + Thy rashness to repentance; draw thy sword. + +_Amint_. Not on thee, did thine anger swell as high + As the wild surges; thou shouldst do me ease + Here, and Eternally, if thy noble hand + Would cut me from my sorrows. + +_Mel_. This is base and fearful! they that use to utter lyes, + Provide not blows, but words to qualifie + The men they wrong'd; thou hast a guilty cause. + +_Amint_. Thou pleasest me; for so much more like this, + Will raise my anger up above my griefs, + Which is a passion easier to be born, + And I shall then be happy. + +_Mel_. Take then more to raise thine anger. 'Tis meer + Cowardize makes thee not draw; and I will leave thee + dead + However; but if thou art so much prest + With guilt and fear, as not to dare to fight, + I'le make thy memory loath'd, and fix a scandal + Upon thy name for ever. + +_Amint_. Then I draw, + As justly as our Magistrates their Swords, + To cut offenders off; I knew before + 'Twould grate your ears; but it was base in you + To urge a weighty secret from your friend, + And then rage at it; I shall be at ease + If I be kill'd; and if you fall by me, + I shall not long out-live you. + +_Mel_. Stay a while. + The name of friend is more than family, + Or all the world besides; I was a fool. + Thou searching humane nature, that didst wake + To do me wrong, thou art inquisitive, + And thrusts me upon questions that will take + My sleep away; would I had died ere known + This sad dishonour; pardon me my friend; + If thou wilt strike, here is a faithful heart, + Pierce it, for I will never heave my hand + To thine; behold the power thou hast in me! + I do believe my Sister is a Whore, + A Leprous one, put up thy sword young man. + +_Amint_. How should I bear it then, she being so? + I fear my friend that you will lose me shortly; + And I shall do a foul action my self + Through these disgraces. + +_Mel_. Better half the Land + Were buried quick together; no, _Amintor_, + Thou shalt have ease: O this Adulterous King + That drew her to't! where got he the spirit + To wrong me so? + +_Amint_. What is it then to me, + If it be wrong to you! + +_Mel_. Why, not so much: the credit of our house + Is thrown away; + But from his Iron Den I'le waken death, + And hurle him on this King; my honesty + Shall steel my sword, and on its horrid point + I'le wear my cause, that shall amaze the eyes + Of this proud man, and be too glittering + For him to look on. + +_Amint_. I have quite undone my fame. + +_Mel_. Dry up thy watry eyes, + And cast a manly look upon my face; + For nothing is so wild as I thy friend + Till I have freed thee; still this swelling breast; + I go thus from thee, and will never cease + My vengeance, till I find my heart at peace. + +_Amint_. It must not be so; stay, mine eyes would tell + How loth I am to this; but love and tears + Leave me a while, for I have hazarded + All this world calls happy; thou hast wrought + A secret from me under name of Friend, + Which Art could ne're have found, nor torture wrung + From out my bosom; give it me agen, + For I will find it, wheresoe're it lies + Hid in the mortal'st part; invent a way to give it back. + +_Mel_. Why, would you have it back? + I will to death pursue him with revenge. + +_Amint_. Therefore I call it back from thee; for I know + Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this, and + shame me + To posterity: take to thy Weapon. + +_Mel_. Hear thy friend, that bears more years than thou. + +_Amint_. I will not hear: but draw, or I---- + +_Mel_. _Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Draw then, for I am full as resolute + As fame and honour can inforce me be; + I cannot linger, draw. + +_Mel_. I do--but is not + My share of credit equal with thine if I do stir? + +_Amint_. No; for it will be cal'd + Honour in thee to spill thy Sisters blood, + If she her birth abuse, and on the King + A brave revenge: but on me that have walkt + With patience in it, it will fix the name + Of fearful Cuckold--O that word! be quick. + +_Mel_. Then joyn with me. + +_Amint_. I dare not do a sin, or else I would: be speedy. + +_Mel_. Then dare not fight with me, for that's a sin. + His grief distracts him; call thy thoughts agen, + And to thy self pronounce the name of friend, + And see what that will work; I will not fight. + +_Amint_. You must. + +_Mel_. I will be kill'd first, though my passions + Offred the like to you; 'tis not this earth + Shall buy my reason to it; think a while, + For you are (I must weep when I speak that) + Almost besides your self. + +_Amint_. Oh my soft temper! + So many sweet words from thy Sisters mouth, + I am afraid would make me take her + To embrace, and pardon her. I am mad indeed, + And know not what I do; yet have a care + Of me in what thou doest. + +_Mel_. Why thinks my friend I will forget his honour, or to save + The bravery of our house, will lose his fame, + And fear to touch the Throne of Majesty? + +_Amint_. A curse will follow that, but rather live + And suffer with me. + +_Mel_. I will do what worth shall bid me, and no more. + +_Amint_. Faith I am sick, and desperately I hope, + Yet leaning thus, I feel a kind of ease. + +_Mel_. Come take agen your mirth about you. + +_Amint_. I shall never do't. + +_Mel_. I warrant you, look up, wee'l walk together, + Put thine arm here, all shall be well agen. + +_Amint_. Thy Love, O wretched, I thy Love, _Melantius_; + why, I have nothing else. + +_Mel_. Be merry then. + + [_Exeunt. Enter Melantius agen_. + +_Mel_. This worthy young man may do violence + Upon himself, but I have cherisht him + To my best power, and sent him smiling from me + To counterfeit again; Sword hold thine edge, + My heart will never fail me: _Diphilus_, + Thou com'st as sent. + + [_Enter Diphilus_. + +_Diph_. Yonder has been such laughing. + +_Mel_. Betwixt whom? + +_Diph_. Why, our Sister and the King, + I thought their spleens would break, + They laught us all out of the room. + +_Mel_. They must weep, _Diphilus_. + +_Diph_. Must they? + +_Mel_. They must: thou art my Brother, and if I did believe + Thou hadst a base thought, I would rip it out, + Lie where it durst. + +_Diph_. You should not, I would first mangle my self and find it. + +_Mel_. That was spoke according to our strain; come + Joyn thy hands to mine, + And swear a firmness to what project I shall lay + before thee. + +_Diph_. You do wrong us both; + People hereafter shall not say there past + A bond more than our loves, to tie our lives + And deaths together. + +_Mel_. It is as nobly said as I would wish; + Anon I'le tell you wonders; we are wrong'd. + +_Diph_. But I will tell you now, wee'l right our selves. + +_Mel_. Stay not, prepare the armour in my house; + And what friends you can draw unto our side, + Not knowing of the cause, make ready too; + Haste _Diphilus_, the time requires it, haste. + + [_Exit Diphilus_. + + I hope my cause is just, I know my blood + Tells me it is, and I will credit it: + To take revenge, and lose my self withal, + Were idle; and to scape impossible, + Without I had the fort, which misery + Remaining in the hands of my old enemy + _Calianax_, but I must have it, see + + [_Enter Calianax_. + + Where he comes shaking by me: good my Lord, + Forget your spleen to me, I never wrong'd you, + But would have peace with every man. + +_Cal_. 'Tis well; + If I durst fight, your tongue would lie at quiet. + +_Mel_. Y'are touchie without all cause. + +_Cal_. Do, mock me. + +_Mel_. By mine honour I speak truth. + +_Cal_. Honour? where is't? + +_Mel_. See what starts you make into your hatred to my + love and freedom to you.-- + I come with resolution to obtain a suit of you. + +_Cal_. A suit of me! 'tis very like it should be granted, Sir. + +_Mel_. Nay, go not hence; + 'Tis this; you have the keeping of the Fort, + And I would wish you by the love you ought + To bear unto me, to deliver it into my hands. + +_Cal_. I am in hope that thou art mad, to talk to me thus. + +_Mel_. But there is a reason to move you to it. I would + kill the King that wrong'd you and your daughter. + +_Cal_. Out Traytor! + +_Mel_. Nay but stay; I cannot scape, the deed once done, + Without I have this fort. + +_Cal_. And should I help thee? now thy treacherous mind + betrays it self. + +_Mel_. Come, delay me not; + Give me a sudden answer, or already + Thy last is spoke; refuse not offered love, + When it comes clad in secrets. + +_Cal_. If I say I will not, he will kill me, I do see't writ + In his looks; and should I say I will, he'l run + and tell the + King: I do not shun your friendship + dear _Melantius_, + But this cause is weighty, give me but an hour + to think. + +_Mel_. Take it--I know this goes unto the King, + But I am arm'd. + [_Ex. Melant_. + +_Cal_. Me thinks I feel my self + But twenty now agen; this fighting fool + Wants Policy; I shall revenge my Girl, + And make her red again; I pray, my legs + Will last that pace that I will carry them, + I shall want breath before I find the King. + + + + _Actus Quartus_. + + + _Enter_ Melantius, Evadne, _and a_ Lady. + +_Mel_. Save you. + +_Evad_. Save you sweet Brother. + +_Mel_. In my blunt eye methinks you look _Evadne_. + +_Evad_. Come, you would make me blush. + +_Mel_. I would _Evadne_, I shall displease my ends else. + +_Evad_. You shall if you command me; I am bashful; + Come Sir, how do I look? + +_Mel_. I would not have your women hear me + Break into commendation of you, 'tis not seemly. + +_Evad_. Go wait me in the Gallery--now speak. + +_Mel_. I'le lock the door first. + + [_Exeunt Ladies_. + +_Evad_. Why? + +_Mel_. I will not have your guilded things that dance in + visitation with their Millan skins choke up my business. + +_Evad_. You are strangely dispos'd Sir. + +_Mel_. Good Madam, not to make you merry. + +_Evad_. No, if you praise me, 'twill make me sad. + +_Mel_. Such a sad commendation I have for you. + +_Evad_. Brother, the Court hath made you witty, + And learn to riddle. + +_Mel_. I praise the Court for't; has it learned you nothing? + +_Evad_. Me? + +_Mel_. I _Evadne_, thou art young and handsom, + A Lady of a sweet complexion, + And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot + Chuse but inflame a Kingdom. + +_Evad_. Gentle Brother! + +_Mel_. 'Tis yet in thy remembrance, foolish woman, + To make me gentle. + +_Evad_. How is this? + +_Mel_. 'Tis base, + And I could blush at these years, through all + My honour'd scars, to come to such a parly. + +_Evad_. I understand you not. + +_Mel_. You dare not, Fool; + They that commit thy faults, fly the remembrance. + +_Evad_. My faults, Sir! I would have you know I care not + If they were written here, here in my forehead. + +_Mel_. Thy body is too little for the story, + The lusts of which would fill another woman, + Though she had Twins within her. + +_Evad_. This is saucy; + Look you intrude no more, there lies your way. + +_Mel_. Thou art my way, and I will tread upon thee, + Till I find truth out. + +_Evad_. What truth is that you look for? + +_Mel_. Thy long-lost honour: would the Gods had set me + One of their loudest bolts; come tell me quickly, + Do it without enforcement, and take heed + You swell me not above my temper. + +_Evad_. How Sir? where got you this report? + +_Mel_. Where there was people in every place. + +_Evad_. They and the seconds of it are base people; + Believe them not, they lyed. + +_Mel_. Do not play with mine anger, do not Wretch, + I come to know that desperate Fool that drew thee + From thy fair life; be wise, and lay him open. + +_Evad_. Unhand me, and learn manners, such another + Forgetfulness forfeits your life. + +_Mel_. Quench me this mighty humour, and then tell me + Whose Whore you are, for you are one, I know it. + Let all mine honours perish but I'le find him, + Though he lie lockt up in thy blood; be sudden; + There is no facing it, and be not flattered; + The burnt air, when the _Dog_ raigns, is not fouler + Than thy contagious name, till thy repentance + (If the Gods grant thee any) purge thy sickness. + +_Evad_. Be gone, you are my Brother, that's your safety. + +_Mel_. I'le be a Wolf first; 'tis to be thy Brother + An infamy below the sin of a Coward: + I am as far from being part of thee, + As thou art from thy vertue: seek a kindred + Mongst sensual beasts, and make a Goat thy Brother, + A Goat is cooler; will you tell me yet? + +_Evad_. If you stay here and rail thus, I shall tell you, + I'le ha' you whipt; get you to your command, + And there preach to your Sentinels, + And tell them what a brave man you are; I shall laugh + at you. + +_Mel_. Y'are grown a glorious Whore; where be your + Fighters? what mortal Fool durst raise thee to this + daring, + And I alive? by my just Sword, h'ad safer + Bestride a Billow when the angry North + Plows up the Sea, or made Heavens fire his food; + Work me no higher; will you discover yet? + +_Evad_. The Fellow's mad, sleep and speak sense. + +_Mel_. Force my swollen heart no further; I would save + thee; your great maintainers are not here, they dare + not, would they were all, and armed, I would speak + loud; here's one should thunder to 'em: will you tell + me? thou hast no hope to scape; he that dares most, + and damns away his soul to do thee service, will + sooner fetch meat from a hungry Lion, than come to + rescue thee; thou hast death about thee: h'as + undone thine honour, poyson'd thy vertue, and of a + lovely rose, left thee a canker. + +_Evad_. Let me consider. + +_Mel_. Do, whose child thou wert, + Whose honour thou hast murdered, whose grave open'd, + And so pull'd on the Gods, that in their justice + They must restore him flesh again and life, + And raise his dry bones to revenge his scandal. + +_Evad_. The gods are not of my mind; they had better + let 'em lie sweet still in the earth; they'l stink here. + + +_Mel_. Do you raise mirth out of my easiness? + Forsake me then all weaknesses of Nature, + That make men women: Speak you whore, speak truth, + Or by the dear soul of thy sleeping Father, + This sword shall be thy lover: tell, or I'le kill thee: + And when thou hast told all, thou wilt deserve it. + +_Evad_. You will not murder me! + +_Mel_. No, 'tis a justice, and a noble one, + To put the light out of such base offenders. + +_Evad_. Help! + +_Mel_. By thy foul self, no humane help shall help thee, + If thou criest: when I have kill'd thee, as I have + Vow'd to do, if thou confess not, naked as thou hast + left + Thine honour, will I leave thee, + That on thy branded flesh the world may read + Thy black shame, and my justice; wilt thou bend yet? + +_Evad_. Yes. + +_Mel_. Up and begin your story. + +_Evad_. Oh I am miserable. + +_Mel_. 'Tis true, thou art, speak truth still. + +_Evad_. I have offended, noble Sir: forgive me. + +_Mel_. With what secure slave? + +_Evad_. Do not ask me Sir. + Mine own remembrance is a misery too mightie for me. + +_Mel_. Do not fall back again; my sword's unsheath'd yet. + +_Evad_. What shall I do? + +_Mel_. Be true, and make your fault less. + +_Evad_. I dare not tell. + + _Mel_. Tell, or I'le be this day a killing thee. + +_Evad_. Will you forgive me then? + +_Mel_. Stay, I must ask mine honour first, I have too much + foolish nature in me; speak. + +_Evad_. Is there none else here? + +_Mel_. None but a fearful conscience, that's too many. Who is't? + +_Evad_. O hear me gently; it was the King. + +_Mel_. No more. My worthy father's and my services + Are liberally rewarded! King, I thank thee, + For all my dangers and my wounds, thou hast paid me + In my own metal: These are Souldiers thanks. + How long have you liv'd thus _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. Too long. + +_Mel_. Too late you find it: can you be sorry? + +_Evad_. Would I were half as blameless. + +_Mel_. _Evadne_, thou wilt to thy trade again. + +_Evad_. First to my grave. + +_Mel_. Would gods th'hadst been so blest: + Dost thou not hate this King now? prethee hate him: + Couldst thou not curse him? I command thee curse him, + Curse till the gods hear, and deliver him + To thy just wishes: yet I fear _Evadne_; + You had rather play your game out. + +_Evad_. No, I feel + Too many sad confusions here to let in any loose flame + hereafter. + +_Mel_. Dost thou not feel amongst all those one brave anger + That breaks out nobly, and directs thine arm to kill + this base King? + +_Evad_. All the gods forbid it. + +_Mel_. No, all the gods require it, they are dishonoured in him. + +_Evad_. 'Tis too fearful. + +_Mel_. Y'are valiant in his bed, and bold enough + To be a stale whore, and have your Madams name + Discourse for Grooms and Pages, and hereafter + When his cool Majestie hath laid you by, + To be at pension with some needy Sir + For meat and courser clothes, thus far you know no fear. + Come, you shall kill him. + +_Evad_. Good Sir! + +_Mel_. And 'twere to kiss him dead, thou'd smother him; + Be wise and kill him: Canst thou live and know + What noble minds shall make thee see thy self + Found out with every finger, made the shame + Of all successions, and in this great ruine + Thy brother and thy noble husband broken? + Thou shalt not live thus; kneel and swear to help me + When I shall call thee to it, or by all + Holy in heaven and earth, thou shalt not live + To breath a full hour longer, not a thought: + Come 'tis a righteous oath; give me thy hand, + And both to heaven held up, swear by that wealth + This lustful thief stole from thee, when I say it, + To let his foul soul out. + +_Evad_. Here I swear it, + And all you spirits of abused Ladies + Help me in this performance. + +_Mel_. Enough; this must be known to none + But you and I _Evadne_; not to your Lord, + Though he be wise and noble, and a fellow + Dares step as far into a worthy action, + As the most daring, I as far as Justice. + Ask me not why. Farewell. + + [_Exit Mel_. + +_Evad_. Would I could say so to my black disgrace. + Oh where have I been all this time! how friended, + That I should lose my self thus desperately, + And none for pity shew me how I wandred? + There is not in the compass of the light + A more unhappy creature: sure I am monstrous, + For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs, + Would dare a woman. O my loaden soul, + Be not so cruel to me, choak not up + + [_Enter Amintor_. + + The way to my repentance. O my Lord. + +_Amin_. How now? + +_Evad_. My much abused Lord! + [_Kneels_. + +_Amin_. This cannot be. + +_Evad_. I do not kneel to live, I dare not hope it; + The wrongs I did are greater; look upon me + Though I appear with all my faults. + +_Amin_. Stand up. + This is no new way to beget more sorrow; + Heaven knows I have too many; do not mock me; + Though I am tame and bred up with my wrongs, + Which are my foster-brothers, I may leap + Like a hand-wolf into my natural wilderness, + And do an out-rage: pray thee do not mock me. + +_Evad_. My whole life is so leprous, it infects + All my repentance: I would buy your pardon + Though at the highest set, even with my life: + That slight contrition, that's no sacrifice + For what I have committed. + +_Amin_. Sure I dazle: + There cannot be a faith in that foul woman + That knows no God more mighty than her mischiefs: + Thou dost still worst, still number on thy faults, + To press my poor heart thus. Can I believe + There's any seed of Vertue in that woman + Left to shoot up, that dares go on in sin + Known, and so known as thine is, O _Evadne_! + Would there were any safety in thy sex, + That I might put a thousand sorrows off, + And credit thy repentance: but I must not; + Thou hast brought me to the dull calamity, + To that strange misbelief of all the world, + And all things that are in it, that I fear + I shall fall like a tree, and find my grave, + Only remembring that I grieve. + +_Evad_. My Lord, + Give me your griefs: you are an innocent, + A soul as white as heaven: let not my sins + Perish your noble youth: I do not fall here + To shadow by dissembling with my tears, + As all say women can, or to make less + What my hot will hath done, which heaven and you + Knows to be tougher than the hand of time + Can cut from mans remembrance; no I do not; + I do appear the same, the same _Evadne_, + Drest in the shames I liv'd in, the same monster. + But these are names of honour, to what I am; + I do present my self the foulest creature, + Most poysonous, dangerous, and despis'd of men, + _Lerna_ e're bred, or _Nilus_; I am hell, + Till you, my dear Lord, shoot your light into me, + The beams of your forgiveness: I am soul-sick, + And [wither] with the fear of one condemn'd, + Till I have got your pardon. + +_Amin_. Rise _Evadne_, + Those heavenly powers that put this good into thee, + Grant a continuance of it: I forgive thee; + Make thy self worthy of it, and take heed, + Take heed _Evadne_ this be serious; + Mock not the powers above, that can and dare + Give thee a great example of their justice + To all ensuing eyes, if thou plai'st + With thy repentance, the best sacrifice. + +_Evad_. I have done nothing good to win belief, + My life hath been so faithless; all the creatures + Made for heavens honours have their ends, and good ones, + All but the cousening _Crocodiles_, false women; + They reign here like those plagues, those killing sores + Men pray against; and when they die, like tales + Ill told, and unbeliev'd, they pass away, + And go to dust forgotten: But my Lord, + Those short dayes I shall number to my rest, + (As many must not see me) shall though too late, + Though in my evening, yet perceive a will, + Since I can do no good because a woman, + Reach constantly at some thing that is near it; + I will redeem one minute of my age, + Or like another _Niobe_ I'le weep till I am water. + +_Amin_. I am now dissolved: + My frozen soul melts: may each sin thou hast, + Find a new mercy: Rise, I am at peace: + Hadst thou been thus, thus excellently good, + Before that devil King tempted thy frailty, + Sure thou hadst made a star: give me thy hand; + From this time I will know thee, and as far + As honour gives me leave, be thy _Amintor_: + When we meet next, I will salute thee fairly, + And pray the gods to give thee happy dayes: + My charity shall go along with thee, + Though my embraces must be far from thee. + I should ha' kill'd thee, but this sweet repentance + Locks up my vengeance, for which thus I kiss thee, + The last kiss we must take; and would to heaven + The holy Priest that gave our hands together, + Had given us equal Vertues: go _Evadne_, + The gods thus part our bodies, have a care + My honour falls no farther, I am well then. + +_Evad_. All the dear joyes here, and above hereafter + Crown thy fair soul: thus I take leave my Lord, + And never shall you see the foul _Evadne_ + Till sh'ave tryed all honoured means that may + Set her in rest, and wash her stains away. + + [_Exeunt_. + + _Banquet. Enter King, Calianax. Hoboyes play within_. + +_King_. I cannot tell how I should credit this + From you that are his enemy. + +_Cal_. I am sure he said it to me, and I'le justifie it + What way he dares oppose, but with my sword. + +_King_. But did he break without all circumstance + To you his foe, that he would have the Fort + To kill me, and then escape? + +_Cal_. If he deny it, I'le make him blush. + +_King_. It sounds incredibly. + +_Cal_. I, so does every thing I say of late. + +_King_. Not so _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. Yes, I should sit + Mute, whilst a Rogue with strong arms cuts your throat. + +_King_. Well, I will try him, and if this be true + I'le pawn my life I'le find it; if't be false, + And that you clothe your hate in such a lie, + You shall hereafter doat in your own house, not in the + Court. + +_Cal_. Why if it be a lie, + Mine ears are false; for I'le be sworn I heard it: + Old men are good for nothing; you were best + Put me to death for hearing, and free him + For meaning of it; you would ha' trusted me + Once, but the time is altered. + +_King_. And will still where I may do with justice to the world; + You have no witness. + +_Cal_. Yes, my self. + +_King_. No more I mean there were that heard it. + + _Cal_. How no more? would you have more? why am + Not I enough to hang a thousand Rogues? + +_King_. But so you may hang honest men too if you please. + +_Cal_. I may, 'tis like I will do so; there are a hundred will + swear it for a need too, if I say it. + +_King_. Such witnesses we need not. + +_Cal_. And 'tis hard if my Word cannot hang a boysterous knave. + +_King_. Enough; where's _Strato_? + +_Stra_. Sir! + + _Enter Strato_. + +_King_. Why where's all the company? call _Amintor_ in. + _Evadne_, where's my Brother, and _Melantius_? + Bid him come too, and _Diphilus_; call all + + [_Exit Strato_. + + That are without there: if he should desire + The combat of you, 'tis not in the power + Of all our Laws to hinder it, unless we mean to + quit 'em. + +_Cal_. Why if you do think + 'Tis fit an old Man and a Counsellor, + To fight for what he sayes, then you may grant it. + + _Enter Amin. Evad. Mel. Diph. [Lisip.] Cle. Stra. Diag_. + +_King_. Come Sirs, _Amintor_ thou art yet a Bridegroom, + And I will use thee so: thou shalt sit down; + _Evadne_ sit, and you _Amintor_ too; + This Banquet is for you, sir: Who has brought + A merry Tale about him, to raise a laughter + Amongst our wine? why _Strato_, where art thou? + Thou wilt chop out with them unseasonably + When I desire 'em not. + +_Strato_. 'Tis my ill luck Sir, so to spend them then. + +_King_. Reach me a boul of wine: _Melantlius_, thou art sad. + +_Amin_. I should be Sir the merriest here, + But I ha' ne're a story of mine own + Worth telling at this time. + +_King_. Give me the Wine. + _Melantius_, I am now considering + How easie 'twere for any man we trust + To poyson one of us in such a boul. + +_Mel_. I think it were not hard Sir, for a Knave. + +_Cal_. Such as you are. + +_King_. I' faith 'twere easie, it becomes us well + To get plain dealing men about our selves, + Such as you all are here: _Amintor_, to thee + And to thy fair _Evadne_. + +_Mel_. Have you thought of this _Calianax_? + + [_Aside_. + +_Cal_. Yes marry have I. + +_Mel_. And what's your resolution? + +_Cal_. Ye shall have it soundly? + +_King_. Reach to _Amintor_, _Strato_. + +_Amin_. Here my love, + This Wine will do thee wrong, for it will set + Blushes upon thy cheeks, and till thou dost a + fault, 'twere pity. + +_King_. Yet I wonder much + Of the strange desperation of these men, + That dare attempt such acts here in our State; + He could not escape that did it. + +_Mel_. Were he known, unpossible. + +_King_. It would be known, _Melantius_. + +_Mel_. It ought to be, if he got then away + He must wear all our lives upon his sword, + He need not fly the Island, he must leave no one alive. + +_King_. No, I should think no man + Could kill me and scape clear, but that old man. + +_Cal_. But I! heaven bless me: I, should I my Liege? + +_King_. I do not think thou wouldst, but yet thou might'st, + For thou hast in thy hands the means to scape, + By keeping of the Fort; he has, _Melantius_, and he has + kept it well. + +_Mel_. From cobwebs Sir, + 'Tis clean swept: I can find no other Art + In keeping of it now, 'twas ne're besieg'd since he + commanded. + +_Cal_. I shall be sure of your good word, + But I have kept it safe from such as you. + +_Mel_. Keep your ill temper in, + I speak no malice; had my brother kept it I should ha' + said as much. + +_King_. You are not merry, brother; drink wine, + Sit you all still! _Calianax_, [_Aside_. + I cannot trust thus: I have thrown out words + That would have fetcht warm blood upon the cheeks + Of guilty men, and he is never mov'd, he knows + no such thing. + +_Cal_. Impudence may scape, when feeble vertue is accus'd. + +_King_. He must, if he were guilty, feel an alteration + At this our whisper, whilst we point at him, + You see he does not. + +_Cal_. Let him hang himself, + What care I what he does; this he did say. + +_King_. _Melantius_, you cannot easily conceive + What I have meant; for men that are in fault + Can subtly apprehend when others aime + At what they do amiss; but I forgive + Freely before this man; heaven do so too: + I will not touch thee so much as with shame + Of telling it, let it be so no more. + +_Cal_. Why this is very fine. + +_Mel_. I cannot tell + What 'tis you mean, but I am apt enough + Rudely to thrust into ignorant fault, + But let me know it; happily 'tis nought + But misconstruction, and where I am clear + I will not take forgiveness of the gods, much less + of you. + +_King_. Nay if you stand so stiff, I shall call back my mercy. + +_Mel_. I want smoothness + To thank a man for pardoning of a crime I never knew. + +_King_. Not to instruct your knowledge, but to shew you + my ears are every where, you meant to kill me, and get + the Fort to scape. + +_Mel_. Pardon me Sir; my bluntness will be pardoned: + You preserve + A race of idle people here about you, + Eaters, and talkers, to defame the worth + Of those that do things worthy; the man that uttered + this + Had perisht without food, be't who it will, + But for this arm that fenc't him from the foe. + And if I thought you gave a faith to this, + The plainness of my nature would speak more; + Give me a pardon (for you ought to do't) + To kill him that spake this. + +_Cal_. I, that will be the end of all, + Then I am fairly paid for all my care and service. + +_Mel_. That old man who calls me enemy, and of whom I + (Though I will never match my hate so low) + Have no good thought, would yet I think excuse me, + And swear he thought me wrong'd in this. + +_Cal_. Who I, thou shameless fellow! didst thou not speak + to me of it thy self? + +_Mel_. O then it came from him. + +_Cal_. From me! who should it come from but from me? + +_Mel_. Nay, I believe your malice is enough, + But I ha' lost my anger. Sir, I hope you are well + satisfied. + +_King_. _Lisip_. Chear _Amintor_ and his Lady; there's no sound + Comes from you; I will come and do't my self. + +_Amin_. You have done already Sir for me, I thank you. + +_King_. _Melantius_, I do credit this from him, + How slight so e're you mak't. + +_Mel_. 'Tis strange you should. + +_Cal_. 'Tis strange he should believe an old mans word, + That never lied in his life. + +_Mel_. I talk not to thee; + Shall the wild words of this distempered man, + Frantick with age and sorrow, make a breach + Betwixt your Majesty and me? 'twas wrong + To hearken to him; but to credit him + As much, at least, as I have power to bear. + But pardon me, whilst I speak only truth, + I may commend my self--I have bestow'd + My careless blood with you, and should be loth + To think an action that would make me lose + That, and my thanks too: when I was a boy, + I thrust my self into my Countries cause, + And did a deed that pluckt five years from time, + And stil'd me man then: And for you my King, + Your subjects all have fed by vertue of my arm. + This sword of mine hath plow'd the ground, + And reapt the fruit in peace; + And your self have liv'd at home in ease: + So terrible I grew, that without swords + My name hath fetcht you conquest, and my heart + And limbs are still the same; my will is great + To do you service: let me not be paid + With such a strange distrust. + +_King_. _Melantius_, I held it great injustice to believe + Thine Enemy, and did not; if I did, + I do not, let that satisfie: what struck + With sadness all? More Wine! + +_Cal_. A few fine words have overthrown my truth: + Ah th'art a Villain. + +_Mel_. Why thou wert better let me have the Fort, + Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever; + + [_Aside_. + + There shall no credit lie upon thy words; + Think better and deliver it. + +_Cal_. My Liege, he's at me now agen to do it; speak, + Deny it if thou canst; examine him + Whilst he's hot, for he'l cool agen, he will + forswear it. + +_King_. This is lunacy I hope, _Melantius_. + +_Mel_. He hath lost himself + Much since his Daughter mist the happiness + My Sister gain'd; and though he call me Foe, I pity + him. + +_Cal_. Pity! a pox upon you. + +_King_. Mark his disordered words, and at the Mask. + +_Mel_. _Diagoras_ knows he raged, and rail'd at me, + And cal'd a Lady Whore, so innocent + She understood him not; but it becomes + Both you and me too, to forgive distraction, + Pardon him as I do. + +_Cal_. I'le not speak for thee, for all thy cunning, if you + will be safe chop off his head, for there was never + known so impudent a Rascal. + +_King_. Some that love him, get him to bed: Why, pity + should not let age make it self contemptible; we must + be all old, have him away. + +_Mel. Calianax_, the King believes you; come, you shall go + Home, and rest; you ha' done well; you'l give it up + When I have us'd you thus a moneth I hope. + +_Cal_. Now, now, 'tis plain Sir, he does move me still; + He sayes he knows I'le give him up the Fort, + When he has us'd me thus a moneth: I am mad, + Am I not still? + +_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha! + +_Cal_. I shall be mad indeed, if you do thus; + Why would you trust a sturdy fellow there + (That has no vertue in him, all's in his sword) + Before me? do but take his weapons from him, + And he's an Ass, and I am a very fool, + Both with him, and without him, as you use me. + +_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha! + +_King_. 'Tis well _Calianax_; but if you use + This once again, I shall intreat some other + To see your Offices be well discharg'd. + Be merry Gentlemen, it grows somewhat late. + _Amintor_, thou wouldest be abed again. + +_Amin_. Yes Sir. + +_King_. And you _Evadne_; let me take thee in my arms, + _Melantius_, and believe thou art as thou deservest to + be, my friend still, and for ever. Good _Calianax_, + Sleep soundly, it will bring thee to thy self. + + [_Exeunt omnes. Manent Mel_. and _Cal_. + +_Cal_. Sleep soundly! I sleep soundly now I hope, + I could not be thus else. How dar'st thou stay + Alone with me, knowing how thou hast used me? + +_Mel_. You cannot blast me with your tongue, + And that's the strongest part you have about you. + +_Cal_. I do look for some great punishment for this, + For I begin to forget all my hate, + And tak't unkindly that mine enemy + Should use me so extraordinarily scurvily. + +_Mel_. I shall melt too, if you begin to take + Unkindnesses: I never meant you hurt. + +_Cal_. Thou'lt anger me again; thou wretched rogue, + Meant me no hurt! disgrace me with the King; + Lose all my Offices! this is no hurt, + Is it? I prethee what dost thou call hurt? + +_Mel_. To poyson men because they love me not; + To call the credit of mens Wives in question; + To murder children betwixt me and land; this is + all hurt. + +_Cal_. All this thou think'st is sport; + For mine is worse: but use thy will with me; + For betwixt grief and anger I could cry. + +_Mel_. Be wise then, and be safe; thou may'st revenge. + +_Cal_. I o'th' King? I would revenge of thee. + +_Mel_. That you must plot your self. + +_Cal_. I am a fine plotter. + +_Mel_. The short is, I will hold thee with the King + In this perplexity, till peevishness + And thy disgrace have laid thee in thy grave: + But if thou wilt deliver up the Fort, + I'le take thy trembling body in my arms, + And bear thee over dangers; thou shalt hold thy wonted + state. + +_Cal_. If I should tell the King, can'st thou deny't again? + +_Mel_. Try and believe. + +_Cal_. Nay then, thou can'st bring any thing about: + Thou shalt have the Fort. + +_Mel_. Why well, here let our hate be buried, and + This hand shall right us both; give me thy aged breast + to compass. + +_Cal_. Nay, I do not love thee yet: + I cannot well endure to look on thee: + And if I thought it were a courtesie, + Thou should'st not have it: but I am disgrac'd; + My Offices are to be ta'ne away; + And if I did but hold this Fort a day, + I do believe the King would take it from me, + And give it thee, things are so strangely carried; + Nere thank me for't; but yet the King shall know + There was some such thing in't I told him of; + And that I was an honest man. + +_Mel_. Hee'l buy that knowledge very dearly. + + [_Enter Diphilus_. + + What news with thee? + +_Diph_. This were a night indeed to do it in; + The King hath sent for her. + +_Mel_. She shall perform it then; go _Diphilus_, + And take from this good man, my worthy friend, + The Fort; he'l give it thee. + +_Diph_. Ha' you got that? + +_Cal_. Art thou of the same breed? canst thou deny + This to the King too? + +_Diph_. With a confidence as great as his. + +_Cal_. Faith, like enough. + +_Mel_. Away, and use him kindly. + +_Cal_. Touch not me, I hate the whole strain: if thou + follow me a great way off, I'le give thee up the + Fort; and hang your selves. + +_Mel_. Be gone. + +_Diph_. He's finely wrought. + + [_Exeunt Cal. Diph_. + +_Mel_. This is a night in spite of Astronomers + To do the deed in; I will wash the stain + That rests upon our House, off with his blood. + + _Enter Amintor_. + +_Amin_. _Melantius_, now assist me if thou beest + That which thou say'st, assist me: I have lost + All my distempers, and have found a rage so pleasing; + help me. + +_Mel_. Who can see him thus, + And not swear vengeance? what's the matter friend? + +_Amin_. Out with thy sword; and hand in hand with me + Rush to the Chamber of this hated King, + And sink him with the weight of all his sins to hell + for ever. + +_Mel_. 'Twere a rash attempt, + Not to be done with safety: let your reason + Plot your revenge, and not your passion. + +_Amint_. If thou refusest me in these extreams, + Thou art no friend: he sent for her to me; + By Heaven to me; my self; and I must tell ye + I love her as a stranger; there is worth + In that vile woman, worthy things, _Melantius_; + And she repents. I'le do't my self alone, + Though I be slain. Farewell. + +_Mel_. He'l overthrow my whole design with madness: + _Amintor_, think what thou doest; I dare as much as + valour; + But 'tis the King, the King, the King, _Amintor_, + With whom thou fightest; I know he's honest, + + [_Aside_. + + And this will work with him. + +_Amint_. I cannot tell + What thou hast said; but thou hast charm'd my sword + Out of my hand, and left me shaking here defenceless. + +_Mel_. I will take it up for thee. + +_Amint_. What a wild beast is uncollected man! + The thing that we call Honour, bears us all + Headlong unto sin, and yet it self is nothing. + +_Mel_. Alas, how variable are thy thoughts! + +_Amint_. Just like my fortunes: I was run to that + I purpos'd to have chid thee for. + Some Plot I did distrust thou hadst against the King + By that old fellows carriage: but take heed, + There is not the least limb growing to a King, + But carries thunder in it. + +_Mel_. I have none against him. + +_Amint_. Why, come then, and still remember we may + not think revenge. + +_Mel_. I will remember. + + + + _Actus Quintus_. + + + _Enter_ Evadne _and a_ Gentleman. + +_Evad_. Sir, is the King abed? + +_Gent_. Madam, an hour ago. + +_Evad_. Give me the key then, and let none be near; + 'Tis the Kings pleasure. + +_Gent_. I understand you Madam, would 'twere mine. + I must not wish good rest unto your Ladiship. + +_Evad_. You talk, you talk. + +_Gent_. 'Tis all I dare do, Madam; but the King will wake, + and then. + +_Evad_. Saving your imagination, pray good night Sir. + +_Gent_. A good night be it then, and a long one Madam; + I am gone. + +_Evad_. The night grows horrible, and all about me + Like my black purpose: O the Conscience + [_King abed_. + + Of a lost Virgin; whither wilt thou pull me? + To what things dismal, as the depth of Hell, + Wilt thou provoke me? Let no [woman] dare + From this hour be disloyal: if her heart + Be flesh, if she have blood, and can fear, 'tis a daring + Above that desperate fool that left his peace, + And went to Sea to fight: 'tis so many sins + An age cannot prevent 'em: and so great, + The gods want mercy for: yet I must through 'em. + I have begun a slaughter on my honour, + And I must end it there: he sleeps, good heavens! + Why give you peace to this untemperate beast + That hath so long transgressed you? I must kill him, + And I will do't bravely: the meer joy + Tells me I merit in it: yet I must not + Thus tamely do it as he sleeps: that were + To rock him to another world: my vengeance + Shall take him waking, and then lay before him + The number of his wrongs and punishments. + I'le shake his sins like furies, till I waken + His evil Angel, his sick Conscience: + And then I'le strike him dead: King, by your leave: + + [_Ties his armes to the bed_. + + I dare not trust your strength: your Grace and I + Must grapple upon even terms no more: + So, if he rail me not from my resolution, + I shall be strong enough. + My Lord the King, my Lord; he sleeps + As if he meant to wake no more, my Lord; + Is he not dead already? Sir, my Lord. + +_King_. Who's that? + +_Evad_. O you sleep soundly Sir! + +_King_. My dear _Evadne_, + I have been dreaming of thee; come to bed. + +_Evad_. I am come at length Sir, but how welcome? + +_King_. What pretty new device is this _Evadne_? + What do you tie me to you by my love? + This is a quaint one: Come my dear and kiss me; + I'le be thy _Mars_ to bed my Queen of Love: + Let us be caught together, that the Gods may see, + And envy our embraces. + +_Evad_. Stay Sir, stay, + You are too hot, and I have brought you Physick + To temper your high veins. + +_King_. Prethee to bed then; let me take it warm, + There you shall know the state of my body better. + +_Evad_. I know you have a surfeited foul body, + And you must bleed. + +_King_. Bleed! + +_Evad_. I, you shall bleed: lie still, and if the Devil, + Your lust will give you leave, repent: this steel + Comes to redeem the honour that you stole, + King, my fair name, which nothing but thy death + Can answer to the world. + +_King_. How's this _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. I am not she: nor bear I in this breast + So much cold Spirit to be call'd a Woman: + I am a Tyger: I am any thing + That knows not pity: stir not, if thou dost, + I'le take thee unprepar'd; thy fears upon thee, + That make thy sins look double, and so send thee + (By my revenge I will) to look those torments + Prepar'd for such black souls. + +_King_. Thou dost not mean this: 'tis impossible: + Thou art too sweet and gentle. + +_Evad_. No, I am not: + I am as foul as thou art, and can number + As many such hells here: I was once fair, + Once I was lovely, not a blowing Rose + More chastly sweet, till tho[u], thou, thou, foul + Canker, + (Stir not) didst poyson me: I was a world of vertue, + Till your curst Court and you (hell bless you for't) + With your temptations on temptations + Made me give up mine honour; for which (King) + I am come to kill thee. + +_King_. No. + +_Evad_. I am. + +_King_. Thou art not. + I prethee speak not these things; thou art gentle, + And wert not meant thus rugged. + +_Evad_. Peace and hear me. + Stir nothing but your tongue, and that for mercy + To those above us; by whose lights I vow, + Those blessed fires that shot to see our sin, + If thy hot soul had substance with thy blood, + I would kill that too, which being past my steel, + My tongue shall teach: Thou art a shameless Villain, + A thing out of the overchange of Nature; + Sent like a thick cloud to disperse a plague + Upon weak catching women; such a tyrant + That for his Lust would sell away his Subjects, + I, all his heaven hereafter. + +_King_. Hear _Evadne_, + Thou soul of sweetness! hear, I am thy King. + +_Evad_. Thou art my shame; lie still, there's none about you, + Within your cries; all promises of safety + Are but deluding dreams: thus, thus, thou foul man, + Thus I begin my vengeance. + + [_Stabs him_. + +_King_. Hold _Evadne_! + I do command thee hold. + +_Evad_. I do not mean Sir, + To part so fairly with you; we must change + More of these love-tricks yet. + +_King_. What bloody villain + Provok't thee to this murther? + +_Evad_. Thou, thou monster. + +_King_. Oh! + +_Evad_. Thou kept'st me brave at Court, and Whor'd me; + Then married me to a young noble Gentleman; + And Whor'd me still. + +_King_. _Evadne_, pity me. + +_Evad_. Hell take me then; this for my Lord _Amintor_; + This for my noble brother: and this stroke + For the most wrong'd of women. + + [_Kills him_. + +_King_. Oh! I die. + +_Evad_. Die all our faults together; I forgive thee. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter two of the Bed-Chamber_. + +1. Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects + it, and will be angry. + +2. 'Tis a fine wench, we'I have a snap at her one of these + nights as she goes from him. + +1. Content: how quickly he had done with her! I see + Kings can do no more that way than other mortal people. + +2. How fast he is! I cannot hear him breathe. + +1. Either the Tapers give a feeble light, or he looks very + pale. + +2. And so he does, pray Heaven he be well. + Let's look: Alas! he's stiffe, wounded and dead: + Treason, Treason! + +1. Run forth and call. + + [_Exit Gent_. + +2. Treason, Treason! + +1. This will be laid on us: who can believe + A Woman could do this? + + _Enter_ Cleon _and_ Lisippus. + +_Cleon_. How now, where's the Traytor? + +1. Fled, fled away; but there her woful act lies still. + +_Cle_. Her act! a Woman! + +_Lis_. Where's the body? + +1. There. + +_Lis_. Farewel thou worthy man; there were two bonds + That tyed our loves, a Brother and a King; + The least of which might fetch a flood of tears: + But such the misery of greatness is, + They have no time to mourn; then pardon me. + Sirs, which way went she? + + [_Enter Strato_. + +_Strat_. Never follow her, + For she alas! was but the instrument. + News is now brought in, that _Melantius_ + Has got the Fort, and stands upon the wall; + And with a loud voice calls those few that pass + At this dead time of night, delivering + The innocent of this act. + +_Lis_. Gentlemen, I am your King. + +_Strat_. We do acknowledge it. + +_Lis_. I would I were not: follow all; for this must have + a sudden stop. + + [_Exeunt_ + + _Enter_ Melant. Diph. _and_ Cal. _on the wall_. + +_Mel_. If the dull people can believe I am arm'd, + Be constant _Diphilus_; now we have time, + Either to bring our banisht honours home, + Or create new ones in our ends. + +_Diph_. I fear not; + My spirit lies not that way. Courage _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. Would I had any, you should quickly know it. + +_Mel_. Speak to the people; thou art eloquent. + +_Cal_. 'Tis a fine eloquence to come to the gallows; + You were born to be my end; the Devil take you. + Now must I hang for company; 'tis strange + I should be old, and neither wise nor valiant. + + _Enter_ Lisip. Diag. Cleon, Strat. Guard. + +_Lisip_. See where he stands as boldly confident, + As if he had his full command about him. + +_Strat_. He looks as if he had the bet[t]er cause; Sir, + Under your gracious pardon let me speak it; + Though he be mighty-spirited and forward + To all great things; to all things of that danger + Worse men shake at the telling of; yet certainly + I do believe him noble, and this action + Rather pull'd on than sought; his mind was ever + As worthy as his hand. + +_Lis_. 'Tis my fear too; + Heaven forgive all: summon him Lord _Cleon_. + +_Cleon_. Ho from the walls there. + +_Mel_. Worthy _Cleon_, welcome; + We could have wisht you here Lord; you are honest. + +_Cal_. Well, thou art as flattering a knave, though I dare + not tell you so. + + [_Aside_. + +_Lis_. _Melantius_! + +_Mel_. Sir. + +_Lis_. I am sorry that we meet thus; our old love + Never requir'd such distance; pray Heaven + You have not left your self, and sought this safety + More out of fear than honour; you have lost + A noble Master, which your faith _Melantius_, + Some think might have preserv'd; yet you know best. + +_Cal_. When time was I was mad; some that dares + Fight I hope will pay this Rascal. + +_Mel_. Royal young man, whose tears look lovely on thee; + Had they been shed for a deserving one, + They had been lasting monuments. Thy Brother, + Whil'st he was good, I call'd him King, and serv'd him + With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour; + Pul'd people from the farthest Sun to seek him; + And by his friendship, I was then his souldier; + But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me, + And brand my noble actions with his lust, + (That never cur'd dishonour of my Sister, + Base stain of Whore; and which is worse, + The joy to make it still so) like my self; + Thus have I flung him off with my allegiance, + And stand here mine own justice to revenge + What I have suffered in him; and this old man + Wrong'd almost to lunacy. + +_Cal_. Who I? you'd draw me in: I have had no wrong, + I do disclaim ye all. + +_Mel_. The short is this; + 'Tis no ambition to lift up my self, + Urgeth me thus; I do desire again + To be a subject, so I may be freed; + If not, I know my strength, and will unbuild + This goodly Town; be speedy, and be wise, in a reply. + +_Strat_. Be sudden Sir to tie + All again; what's done is past recal, + And past you to revenge; and there are thousands + That wait for such a troubled hour as this; + Throw him the blank. + +_Lis_. _Melantius_, write in that thy choice, + My Seal is at it. + +_Mel_. It was our honour drew us to this act, + Not gain; and we will only work our pardon. + +_Cal_. Put my name in too. + +_Diph_. You disclaim'd us but now, _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. That's all one; + I'le not be hanged hereafter by a trick; + I'le have it in. + +_Mel_. You shall, you shall; + Come to the back gate, and we'l call you King, + And give you up the Fort. + +_Lis_. Away, away. + + [_Exeunt Omnes_. + + _Enter_ Aspatia _in mans apparel_. + +_Asp_. This is my fatal hour; heaven may forgive + My rash attempt, that causelesly hath laid + Griefs on me that will never let me rest: + And put a Womans heart into my brest; + It is more honour for you that I die; + For she that can endure the misery + That I have on me, and be patient too, + May live, and laugh at all that you can do. + God save you Sir. + [_Enter Servant_. + +_Ser_. And you Sir; what's your business? + +_Asp_. With you Sir now, to do me the Office + To help me to you[r] Lord. + +_Ser_. What, would you serve him? + +_Asp_. I'le do him any service; but to haste, + For my affairs are earnest, I desire to speak with + him. + +_Ser_. Sir, because you are in such haste, I would be loth + delay you any longer: you cannot. + +_Asp_. It shall become you tho' to tell your Lord. + +_Ser_. Sir, he will speak with no body. + +_Asp_. This is most strange: art thou gold proof? there's + for thee; help me to him. + +_Ser_. Pray be not angry Sir, I'le do my best. + + [_Exit_. + +_Asp_. How stubbornly this fellow answer'd me! + There is a vile dishonest trick in man, + More than in women: all the men I meet + Appear thus to me, are harsh and rude, + And have a subtilty in every thing, + Which love could never know; but we fond women + Harbor the easiest and smoothest thoughts, + And think all shall go so; it is unjust + That men and women should be matcht together. + + _Enter_ Amintor _and his man_. + +_Amint_. Where is he! + +_Ser_. There my Lord. + +_Amint_. What would you Sir? + +_Asp_. Please it your Lordship to command your man + Out of the room; shall deliver things + Worthy your hearing. + +_Amint_. Leave us. + +_Asp_. O that that shape should bury falshood in it. + + [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. Now your will Sir. + +_Asp_. When you know me, my Lord, you needs must guess + My business! and I am not hard to know; + For till the change of War mark'd this smooth face + With these few blemishes people would call me + My Sisters Picture, and her mine; in short, + I am the brother to the wrong'd _Aspatia_. + +_Amint_. The wrong'd _Aspatia_! would thou wert so too + Unto the wrong'd _Amintor_; let me kiss + That hand of thine in honour that I bear + Unto the wrong'd _Aspatia_: here I stand + That did it; would he could not; gentle youth + Leave me, for there is something in thy looks + That calls my sins in a most hideous form + Into my mind; and I have grief enough + Without thy help. + +_Asp_. I would I could with credit: + Since I was twelve years old I had not seen + My Sister till this hour; I now arriv'd; + She sent for me to see her Marriage, + A woful one: but they that are above, + Have ends in every thing; she us'd few words, + But yet enough to make me understand + The baseness of the injury you did her. + That little training I have had is War; + I may behave my self rudely in Peace; + I would not though; I shall not need to tell you + I am but young; and you would be loth to lose + Honour that is not easily gain'd again. + Fairly I mean to deal; the age is strict + For single combats, and we shall be stopt + If it be publish't: if you like your sword, + Use it; if mine appear a better to you, + Change; for the ground is this, and this the time + To end our difference. + +_Amint_. Charitable youth, + If thou be'st such, think not I will maintain + So strange a wrong; and for thy Sisters sake, + Know that I could not think that desperate thing + I durst not do; yet to enjoy this world + I would not see her; for beholding thee, + I am I know not what; if I have ought + That may content thee, take it and be gone; + For death is not so terrible as thou; + Thine eyes shoot guilt into me. + +_Asp_. Thus she swore + Thou would'st behave thy self, and give me words + That would fetch tears into mine eyes, and so + Thou dost indeed; but yet she bade me watch, + Lest I were cousen'd, and be sure to fight ere I + return'd. + +_Amint_. That must not be with me; + For her I'le die directly, but against her will never + hazard it. + +_Asp_. You must be urg'd; I do not deal uncivilly with those that + Dare to fight; but such a one as you + Must be us'd thus. + + [_She strikes him_. + +_Amint_. Prethee youth take heed; + Thy Sister is a thing to me so much + Above mine honour, that I can endu[r]e + All this; good gods--a blow I can endure; + But stay not, lest thou draw a timely death upon thy + self. + +_Asp_. Thou art some prating fellow, + One that hath studyed out a trick to talk + And move soft-hearted people; to be kickt, + + [_She kicks him_. + + Thus to be kickt--why should he be so slow + [_Aside_. + In giving me my death? + +_Amint_. A man can bear + No more and keep his flesh; forgive me then; + I would endure yet if I could; now shew + The spirit thou pretendest, and understand + Thou hast no honour to live: + + [_They fight_. + + What dost thou mean? thou canst not fight: + The blows thou mak'st at me are quite besides; + And those I offer at thee, thou spread'st thine arms, + And tak'st upon thy breast, Alas! defenceless. + +_Asp_. I have got enough, + And my desire; there's no place so fit for me to die + as here. + + _Enter_ Evadne. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_; I am loaden with events + That flie to make thee happy; I have joyes + + [_Her hands bloody with a knife_. + + That in a moment can call back thy wrongs, + And settle thee in thy free state again; + It is _Evadne_ still that follows thee, but not her + mischiefs. + +_Amint_. Thou canst not fool me to believe agen; + But thou hast looks and things so full of news that + I am staid. + +_Evad_. Noble _Amintor_, put off thy amaze; + Let thine eyes loose, and speak, am I not fair? + Looks not _Evadne_ beauteous with these rites now? + Were those hours half so lovely in thine eyes, + When our hands met before the holy man? + I was too foul within to look fair then; + Since I knew ill, I was not free till now. + +_Amint_. There is presage of some important thing + About thee, which it seems thy tongue hath lost: + Thy hands are bloody, and thou hast a knife. + +_Evad_. In this consists thy happiness and mine; + Joy to _Amintor_, for the King is dead. + +_Amint_. Those have most power to hurt us that we love, + We lay our sleeping lives within their arms. + Why, thou hast rais'd up mischief to this height, + And found out one to out-name thy other faults; + Thou hast no intermission of thy sins, + But all thy life is a continual ill; + Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature. + Joy to _Amintor_! thou hast toucht a life, + The very name of which had power to chain + Up all my rage, and calm my wildest wrongs. + +_Evad_. 'Tis done; and since I could not find a way + To meet thy love so clear, as through his life, + I cannot now repent it. + +_Amint_. Could'st thou procure the Gods to speak to me, + To bid me love this woman, and forgive, + I think I should fall out with them; behold + Here lies a youth whose wounds bleed in my brest, + Sent by his violent Fate to fetch his death + From my slow hand: and to augment my woe, + You now are present stain'd with a Kings blood + Violently shed: this keeps night here, + And throws an unknown wilderness about me. + +_Asp_. Oh, oh, oh! + +_Amint_. No more, pursue me not. + +_Evad_. Forgive me then, and take me to thy bed. + We may not part. + +_Amint_. Forbear, be wise, and let my rage go this way. + +_Evad_. 'Tis you that I would stay, not it. + +_Amint_. Take heed, it will return with me. + +_Evad_. If it must be, I shall not fear to meet it; take me home. + +_Amint_. Thou monster of cruelty, forbear. + +_Evad_. For heavens sake look more calm; + Thine eyes are sharper than thou canst make thy sword. + +_Amint_. Away, away, thy knees are more to me than violence. + I am worse than sick to see knees follow me + For that I must not grant; for heavens sake stand. + +_Evad_. Receive me then._Amint_. I dare not stay thy language; + In midst of all my anger and my grief, + Thou dost awake something that troubles me, + And sayes I lov'd thee once; I dare not stay; + There is no end of womens reasoning. + + [_Leaves her_. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, thou shalt love me once again; + Go, I am calm; farewell; and peace for ever. + _Evadne_ whom thou hat'st will die for thee. + + [_Kills her self_. + +_Amint_. I have a little humane nature yet + That's left for thee, that bids me stay thy hand. + [_Returns_. + +_Evad_. Thy hand was welcome, but came too late; + Oh I am lost! the heavy sleep makes haste. + + [_She dies_. + +_Asp_. Oh, oh, oh! + +_Amint_. This earth of mine doth tremble, and I feel + A stark affrighted motion in my blood; + My soul grows weary of her house, and I + All over am a trouble to my self; + There is some hidden power in these dead things + That calls my flesh into'em; I am cold; + Be resolute, and bear'em company: + There's something yet which I am loth to leave. + There's man enough in me to meet the fears + That death can bring, and yet would it were done; + I can find nothing in the whole discourse + Of death, I durst not meet the boldest way; + Yet still betwixt the reason and the act, + The wrong I to _Aspatia_ did stands up, + I have not such a fault to answer, + Though she may justly arm with scorn + And hate of me, my soul will part less troubled, + When I have paid to her in tears my sorrow: + I will not leave this act unsatisfied, + If all that's left in me can answer it. + +_Asp_. Was it a dream? there stands _Amintor_ still: + Or I dream still. + +_Amint_. How dost thou? speak, receive my love, and help: + Thy blood climbs up to his old place again: + There's hope of thy recovery. + +_Asp_. Did you not name _Aspatia_? + +_Amint_. I did. + +_Asp_. And talkt of tears and sorrow unto her? + +_Amint_. 'Tis true, and till these happy signs in thee + Did stay my course, 'twas thither I was going. + +_Asp_. Th'art there already, and these wounds are hers: + Those threats I brought with me, sought not revenge, + But came to fetch this blessing from thy hand, + I am _Aspatia_ yet. + +_Amint_. Dare my soul ever look abroad agen? + +_Asp_. I shall live _Amintor_; I am well: + A kind of healthful joy wanders within me. + +_Amint_. The world wants lines to excuse thy loss: + Come let me bear thee to some place of help. + +_Asp_. _Amintor_ thou must stay, I must rest here, + My strength begins to disobey my will. + How dost thou my best soul? I would fain live, + Now if I could: would'st thou have loved me then? + +_Amint_. Alas! all that I am's not worth a hair from thee. + +_Asp_. Give me thy hand, mine hands grope up and down, + And cannot find thee; I am wondrous sick: + Have I thy hand _Amintor_? +_Amint_. Thou greatest blessing of the world, thou hast. + +_Asp_. I do believe thee better than my sense. + Oh! I must go, farewell. + +_Amint_. She swounds: _Aspatia_ help, for Heavens sake water; + Such as may chain life for ever to this frame. + _Aspatia_, speak: what no help? yet I fool, + I'le chafe her temples, yet there's nothing stirs; + Some hidden Power tell her that _Amintor_ calls, + And let her answer me: _Aspatia_, speak. + I have heard, if there be life, but bow + The body thus, and it will shew it self. + Oh she is gone! I will not leave her yet. + Since out of justice we must challenge nothing; + I'le call it mercy if you'l pity me, + You heavenly powers, and lend for some few years, + The blessed soul to this fair seat agen. + No comfort comes, the gods deny me too. + I'le bow the body once agen: _Aspatia_! + The soul is fled for ever, and I wrong + My self, so long to lose her company. + Must I talk now? Here's to be with thee love. + + [_Kills himself_. + + _Enter_ Servant. + +_Ser_. This is a great grace to my Lord, to have the new + King come to him; I must tell him, he is entring. + O Heaven help, help; + + _Enter_ Lysip. Melant. Cal. Cleon, Diph. Strato. + +_Lys_. Where's _Amintor_? + +_Strat_. O there, there. + +_Lys_. How strange is this! + +_Cal_. What should we do here? + +_Mel_. These deaths are such acquainted things with me, + That yet my heart dissolves not. May I stand + Stiff here for ever; eyes, call up your tears; + This is _Amintor_: heart he was my friend; + Melt, now it flows; _Amintor_, give a word + To call me to thee. + +_Amint_. Oh! + +_Mel_. _Melantius_ calls his friend _Amintor_; Oh thy arms + Are kinder to me than thy tongue; + Speak, speak. + +_Amint_. What? + +_Mel_. That little word was worth all the sounds + That ever I shall hear agen. + +_Diph_. O brother! here lies your Sister slain; + You lose your self in sorrow there. + +_Mel_. Why _Diphilus_, it is + A thing to laugh at in respect of this; + Here was my Sister, Father, Brother, Son; + All that I had; speak once again; + What youth lies slain there by thee? + +_Amint_. 'Tis _Aspatia_. + My senses fade, let me give up my soul + Into thy bosom. + +_Cal. What's that? what's that? _Aspatia_! + +_Mel_. I never did repent the greatness of my heart till now; + It will not burst at need. + +_Cal_. My daughter dead here too! and you have all fine new + tricks to grieve; but I ne're knew any but direct + crying. + +_Mel_. I am a pratler, but no more. + +_Diph_. Hold Brother. + +_Lysip_. Stop him. + +_Diph_. Fie; how unmanly was this offer in you! + Does this become our strain? + +_Cal_. I know not what the mat[t]er is, but I am + Grown very kind, and am friends with you; + You have given me that among you will kill me + Quickly; but I'le go home, and live as long as I can. + +_Mel_. His spirit is but poor that can be kept + From death for want of weapons. + Is not my hand a weapon good enough + To stop my breath? or if you tie down those, + I vow _Amintor_ I will never eat, + Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that + That may preserve life; this I swear to keep. + +_Lysip_. Look to him tho', and bear those bodies in. + May this a fair example be to me, + To rule with temper: for on lustful Kings + Unlookt for sudden deaths from heaven are sent! + But curst is he that is their instrument. + + + +%THE MAIDS TRAGEDY%. + +The editions prior to the Folio of 1679 are as follows: + +(%A%) The Maides Tragedy. | As it hath beene | divers times Acted +at the Blacke-friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | London | +Printed for Francis Constable and are to be sold | at the white Lyon +over against the great North | doore of Pauls Church. 1619. + +(%B%) The Maids Tragedie. | As it hath beene | divers times Acted at +the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Newly perused, +augmented, and inlarged, This second Impression. | London, | Printed +for Francis Constable, and are | to be sold at the White Lion in | +Pauls Church-yard. 1622. + +(%C%) The Maids Tragedie | As it hath beene | divers times Acted at +the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher Gentlemen. | The third +Impression, Revised and Refined. | London, | Printed by A.M. for +Richard Hawkins, and are to bee | sold at his Shop in Chancery-Lane +neere | Serjeants-Inne. 1630. + +(%D%) The Maides Tragedie: | as it hath beene | divers times Acted +at the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher | Gentlemen. | The fourth +Impression, Revised and Refined. | Printed by E.G. for Henry +Shepherd, and are to be sold at the | signe of the Bible in Chancery +lane. 1638. + +(%E%) The Maids Tragedie. | As it hath beene | Divers times Acted at +the Black-| Friers, by the Kings | Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and | John Fletcher Gentlemen. | The fifth +Impression, Revised and Refined. | London Printed by E.P. for +William Leake, and are to be sold at his | shop in Chancery-lane, +neare the Rowles. 1641. + +(%F%) The | Maids Tragedy, | as it hath been divers times Acted at +the Black-| Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants: | written +by Francis Beaumont and | John Fletcher, Gentlemen. | The sixth +Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly by the Original. | London +Printed for William Leake, at the Crown in Fleet-street, be | tween +the two Temple Gates. 1650. + +(%G%) The Maids Tragedy, | as it hath been divers times | Acted | at +the Black-Friers, | by the | Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, | and John Fletcher, Gentlemen. | The sixth +Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly | by the Original. | +London, | Printed in the Year 1661. + +In the following notes each of these quartos is referred to by the +capital letter prefixed to it in the above list. A--F contain a +wood-cut representing Amintor stabbing Aspatia. + + +p. I, l. 3. A--G] Speakers. l. 6. A and B _omit_] a Noble + Gentleman. +C after the list of Speakers _adds_ the following verses, repeated + with variations of spelling in D--G] + + +_The Stationers Censure_. + + Good Wine requires no Bush, they say, + And I, No Prologue such a Play: + The Makers therefore did forbeare + To have that Grace prefixed here. + But cease here (Censure) least the Buyer + Hold thee in this a vaine Supplyer. + My office is to set it forth + When Fame applauds it's reall worth. + + +l.26. A possibly correctly gives this speech to Lysippus. l.27. A] + You are brother. l. 30. B, C and D _omit_] thou. ll. 31 and + 32. A and B] masks. +l. 33. A _omits_] their King. l. 34. A] groome. l. 38. A _omits_] + to Rhodes. +l. 39. A] blowes abroad bringst us our peace at home. + +p. 2, +l. 1. A _omits_] too. +l. 2. A] welcome. A--E] above his or. +l. 3. A] world. +l. 16. A] straight. +l. 18. A] most true. +l. 19. A] solemnities. +l. 22. A] Yes, and have given cause to those, that here. +l. 29. A _omits_] with armes. +l. 33. A _omits_] my friend. +l. 34. A _omits_] and temperate. + +p. 3, +l. 3. A] weighes. +l. 5. A] Enter Aspatia passing with attendance. +ll. 14 and 15. Printed as one line in G and the Folio. The _Exit + Aspatia_ has been printed in the text at the end of Aspatia's + speech, as in A--F. + +l. 16. A] You are mistaken sir, she is not married. A full-stop has been + substituted for a comma at the end of the line here, and elsewhere + in similar cases. +l. 21. G _omits_] he. +l. 25. A] has. +l. 27. B] about. +l. 28. G _omits_] the fair. +l. 37. A] 'a should not thinke. +l. 38. A] Could I but call it backe. +l. 39. A] such base revenges. +l. 40. A _omits_] holds he still his greatness with the King. + +p. 4, +l. 1. A] O t'were pittie for this Lady sir. +l. 2. A] sits. +l. 3. A] in unfrequented woods. +l. 4. A] where when. +l. 5. A] flowers, Then she will sit, and sigh, and tell. +l. 8. A] and strow them over her like a corse. +l. 12. A] And swound, and sing againe. +l. 13. A] your young. +l. 14. A] fils. +l. 27. G _omits_] much. +l. 36. A, B and C] thine innocence. +l. 39. A, B and C] I am poore in words. +l. 40. A] could do no more but weep. G] could no more weep. + +p. 5, +l. 2. A--G] fetcht. +l. 4. A and B] that. +l. 7. A] these. +l. 9. A] too cruell. B] too fickle. +l. 14. A and B] about. +l. 18. A _omits_ this line, and gives the following speech to Amintor. +l. 20. A _adds_] Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Strato, Diphilus. +l. 25. A] In sports, il'e. +l. 26. A and B] But I have. +l. 30. A] challenge gentlemen. A and B _omit_] in't. +l. 32. A] and Diagoras. +l. 34. A] will be angry with me. + +p. 6, +l. 1. A] One must sweat out his heart with. B--G] One may swear his + heart out. +l. 3. A and B] I shall never. +l. 4. A _omits_] Pray stay. +l. 5. A] you coxcomely asse, ile be. +l. 6. A and B] judge. +l. 10. A] through in my office. +l. 11. A--D] they ha. +l. 12. A] But now. +l. 15. A] hark, hark, whose there, codes, codes. +l. 18. A] Who is't. +l. 20. A _omits_] with you. +l. 25. A] there is no room. +l. 28. A _adds_] Exit Melantius Lady other dore. +l. 31. A] let the dores shut agen, no; do your heads itch. [The reader + will note that here, and elsewhere in the + text, 'I' frequently = 'Ay.'] +l. 32. A _omits_] for you. +l. 33. A] giving way. +l. 35. A] a dozen heads in the twinckling. +l. 37. A--G] I pray you can you. +l. 40. A _omits_] to Melantius. + +p. 7, +l. 2. A--G] a must. +l. 3. A _adds_] Enter Melantius. +l. 7. A and B] mine. +l. 12. A _omits_] but. +l. 13. A _omits_] so near the presence of the King. +l. 18. G] a woman. +l. 20. A] so womanish. +l. 23. A _omits_] Why. +l. 24. A] quite forget. +l. 28. A] Bate me the King, and be of flesh and blood. +l. 29. A--G] A lies. +l. 32. D and E] pluckt. +l. 35. A and B] braved. C--G] bran'd. +l. 37. A] the blood. +l. 40. A] and able. + +p. 8, +l. 3. A] talke your pleasure. +l. 4. A] What vilde wrong. +l. 6. A] hands. +l. 21. A] thy love. +l. 22. A] with me. +l. 24. A--D] mine hand. +l. 33. A _omits_] can be unto me. +l. 34. A _omits_] The. +l. 36. A] Our raigne is now, for in the quenching sea. + +p. 9, +l. 4. A--D] hornes quite through. + E] horne quite through. +l. 7. A] persons that have many longing eies. +l. 9. A] can I not finde. +l. 10. A] am I so blinde. +l. 12. F and G] break. +l. 18. A and B] reines. +l. 19. A] upon those, that appeare. +l. 23. B] keepe our places. +l. 26. G _omits_] but. +ll. 28--37. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 38. A] that power. +l. 39. A] to fill this happy houre. +l. 40. A] and let. + +p. 10, l. 1. A _omits_] then call. +l. 3. A] flowrie banck. +l. 4. A] _Latmus_ brow. +l. 5. A] thy day. B] this day. +l. 6. A] darke power. +l. 7. A] and winde. +l. 9. A] Turnes. +l. 11. A] nobler. +l. 17. A] hath force me hither. +l. 24. A and B] goe from. +l. 25. A] his subjects. +l. 26. A and B] intentions. +l. 31. A] Bid them draw neere to have thy watrie race. +l. 32. A] Led on in couples, we are pleas'd to grace. +l. 34. A] vessels. +l. 37. A] See the winde. + B] Oh, the wind. + +p. 11, +l. 5. A _omits_] too. +l. 7. A _omits_] great. +l. 8. G] commands. +l. 15. A] I will not be long thence, goe hence againe. +l. 16. A] And bid the other call out of the Maine. +l. 19. A--D] The beaten. + E] beating. +l. 27. Folio _misprints_] mid-might. +l. 29. A and B] and thee. +l. 34. A and G] rights. + +p. 12, +l. 6. A] old night. +l. 8. C] cause thee. +l. 9. A] their losses. +l. 14. A] loud cryings. +l. 17. A] if she call. After this song A _adds_] Maskers + daunce, _Neptune_ leads it. +ll. 18--34. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 37. A--D] The sea goes hie. + +p. 13, +l. 1. A] has raised. +l. 4. Folio] call. +l. 5. A] We thanke you for this houre, | My favour to you all to + gratulate. +l. 7. G] may floods. +l. 8. A] and no eb shall dare. +l. 10. A] governments. +l. 11. A] proud waters should. +l. 13. In place of stage-direction A _reads_] _Exeunt Maskers_. Descend. +l. 21. A] Kingdome. +l. 22. A--D] all fall drencht ... forget. +l. 23. A] I dare no more. +l. 24. A] Once heave thy drowsie head agen and see. +l. 26. A] lash. +l. 27. A--E] and yon. + A] sun flaring stream. + B--E] same flashing streame. +l. 30. A] _Cinth_. Adew. A _omits_] Finis Mask. +l. 31. A] light their. +l. 34. Folio _misprints_] may case. +l. 36. A and B] Kingdomes. + +p. 14, +l. 5. A _omits_] very. After +l. 7 A _adds_] Evad. Howes that? Dul. That I might goe to bed with him + with credit that you doe. +l. 18. A] Madame. +l. 19. In A these four words are given to '1. Lad.' +l. 21. A] Tis best. +l. 25. A _omits_] high. +l. 28. A, B and C] livelier. +l. 31. A] We all will take it I hope that are here. +l. 34. A--E _omit_] to. +l. 35. A] Wilt lie in my place. + +p. 15, +l. 3. A] Doe I prethee. +l. 13. G] timely. +l. 18. A] My right, +l. 29. A--D] lost none. +l. 31. A and B] I should. +l. 32. A] Loe if you have not. +l. 35. A] unto. +l. 36. A] and I. +l. 38. A] must be. + +p. 16, +ll. 1--20. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 10. C] Fie out. +l. 23. A] may not discontent. +l. 26. A and B] And teach you. +l. 30. G] should look. + +p. 17, +l. 6. A] Heele finde. +l. 7. A _omits_] yet. +l. 19. A and B _omit_] my. +l. 22. A gives this line to 'I. Lad.' +l. 25. A] A griefe. +l. 26. A] mine eyes raine. +l. 28. A] why did I. +l. 32. A] breake. +l. 33. A] the King inforst me. +l. 35. A] is she. +l. 39. A] shall. +p. 18, +l. 1. A] rights. +l. 30. A] look will like. +l. 39. A] and by thy selfe sweete love. +l. 40. A] revenge it. + +p. 19, +l. 2. A] to me. +ll. 4, 5. A] The world can yeeld, are light as aire. +l. 8. A] the sun of thy lips. +l. 9. A, B and C] wonnot. +l. 10. A _omits_] do. +l. 12. A and B] wrongst. +l. 16. A _omits_] then. +l. 17. A] should'st. +l. 18. A] cannot. +l. 26. A] Her natural temper. +l. 29. A] Neither of these, what thinke you I am mad. +l. 31. A] Is this the Truth, wil you not lie with me to night. +l. 32. A _omits_] To night. + A] You talke as if you thought I would hereafter. +l. 37. A] your bed. A, B and C _omit_] for. +l. 40. A] would. + +p. 20, +l. 4. A] the kisses of a bride. +l. 13. A] Shall know this, not an altar then will smoake. +l. 20. A] She cannot jest. +l. 23. A] the paine of death. +l. 37. A] Instant me with it. +l. 40. G] the Night. + +p. 21, +l. 2. A] their voyce. +l. 7. A] as that. +l. 12. G] man. +l. 15. A and B _omit_] out. +l. 17. A--D] woman. +l. 18. A and B] doe dwell. + +p. 22, +l. 4. A _omits_] in practice. +l. 22. A] It is not. +l. 25. A] sacred word. +l. 32. A and B] hath put. +l. 37. A and G _omit_] a. +l. 38. A _omits_] Evad. + +p. 23, +l. 1. A] shall love. +l. 4. A] in thy breast. +l. 8. A] could. +l. 23. A, B and C] know. +l. 26. A] e'ne to his heart. +l. 27. A] I have left. +l. 36. A] I did. +l. 39. A] longing. + +p. 24, +l. 2. A _omits_] Amint. +l. 6. A _omits_] sad. +l. 7. A] Good good. +l. 14. A _omits_ this line. +l. 15. A] Did you ere. +ll. 16 and 17. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 18. A] a mettled temper. +l. 21. A] Nere I. +ll. 23--31. These lines from 'and be sure' to the end of l. 31 are + omitted in A. +l. 24. B] gives life. +l. 34. A] faind sorrow. +l. 35. A] Oenes. B, C and E] Aenones. +l. 37. A] expressing furie. + +p. 25, +l. 1. A _omits_] and. +l. 2. A and B] Just as thine does. + C] Just as thine eyes does. +l. 12. A] looke black. +l. 19. A] None of all. +l. 20. A] exprest well. +l. 23. A repeats this line. +l. 25. A] Doe that feare bravely wench. +l. 27. A full-stop at end of line has been taken away. +l. 30. A] there. +l. 34. A] poore Ladies. +l. 37. For this line A _reads_] Suppose I stand upon Sea, breach now. +l. 39. A] Wilde as the place she was in, let all about me. +l. 40. A] Be teares of my story, doe my face. + +p. 26, l. 2. A] thus make me looke good girle. +l. 3. A] sorrowes mount. +l. 6. A] see, see wenches. +l. 11. A and B] a dumbe silence. +l. 18. A] You'l lie downe shortly, in and whine there. +l. 19. A] rustie. B, C and + D] reasty. A and B] want heates. C, D and E] heares. +l. 20. A] We shall have some of the Court boyes heat you shortly. +ll. 21 and 22. A] Good my Lord be not angry, we doe nothing | But what + my Ladies pleasure is, we are thus in griefe. +l. 25. A] A slie dissembling slave. +l. 28. A _omits_] what, made an Ass. +l. 29. A] must be. + +p. 27, l. 4. A] Our brides. +l. 9. A] None, its ods. +l. 24. A] I faith I did not. +l. 26. A] We have ventured. +l. 27. A--G] A shall command. After 'Rhodes' A--D _add_] Shall + we be merry. +l. 28. A prints 'Aside' at the end of +l. 31, B--E at the end of l. 29. +l. 34. A] doth. +l. 35. A] the headsman. +l. 36. A _omits_] again. + +p. 28, l. 1. A] does hee not mocke mee. +l. 2. A _omits_] use to. +l. 4. A] that wilde breach. C--G and Folio] what wild breath. +l. 5. A--G] was so rude. A _omits_] Aside. +l. 20. A] this sudden. +l. 23. A _omits_] But. + +l. 24. A] Say, stay my friend. +l. 34. A] shoot. +l. 35. A--G] A carries. +l. 37. A _omits_] But. + +p. 29, +l. 1. A--D] This is complement. + E] Beleeve me, this complement too cunning for me. +l. 4. G] that she may. +l. 18. A _omits_] I done. +l. 25. A--D] Nor I. + A _omits_] Aside. +l. 38. A] heighned. + +p. 30, +l. 7. A] Well? can you be other. +l. 9. A _omits_] Amintor. +l. 12. A _omits_] too. +l. 25. A, B and C] indeed. +l. 30. A] how then shewes the sport to you. + +p. 31, +l. 7. A--G] do hope. +l. 13. A _adds_] Aside. +ll. 15 and 16. A _omits_] with you. +l. 17. A--G] A will not tell. +ll. 18 and 19. For these lines A _reads_] For it is apt to thrust + this arme of mine to acts unlawfull. +l. 21. A] have jealous pangs. +l. 23. A] When she dares. +l. 27. A _omits_] will and. +l. 35. A and B] great, that me thought. + A and B] they did misbecome. + +p. 32, +l. 5. A--G] my. +l. 6. G] Touch. +ll. 14 and 15. A--G read 'A' for 'He.' +l. 17. A--D] not onely shun. +l. 20. A--D] I am. + E] I no man. +l. 21. A _omits_] me. +l. 24. A--G] desire. +l. 32. A] This is dissembling. +ll. 33--36. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 34. B--D] thee with, look. +l. 39. A] shouldst. + +p. 33, +l. 5. A] The King and I. +l. 6. A and B] Oh God. +l. 7. G] Who shall. +l. 19. A] lies. +ll. 24 and 25. In place of these lines A _reads_] Unless I show + how nobly I have freed my selfe. +l. 26. G] thou cannot fear. + +p. 34, +l. 4. A] treacherous sword. +l.7. A] there are. + A--F] thousands. + A _omits_] fools. +l. 8. A] the Land. +l. 13. A] my fault. +l. 25. A--G] hold, hold. +l. 28. A] Seconded like that. +l. 30. A] Plagues here. +l. 31. A _omits_] not. +l. 32. A--D] And so I leave you. +l. 33. A, B and C] You must needs be prating. + +P. 35 +l. 5. A] her part. +l. 6. A _omits_] treacherous slave. +l. 9. A] office. +l. 12. A _omits_] Leave. +l. 22. A--D] where you. +l. 25. A--D] you'l give ground. +l. 28. A] hast strength. +l. 36. A] I had mongst cowards, but durst never fight. +l. 39. A--D] hold him. +l. 40. A] askt. + +p. 36, +l. 2. A _omits_] go home, and. +l. 9. A] Mans eyes. + A _omits_] so. +l. 27. A] strives. +l. 29. A] yow weare. +l. 31. A] your tongue. + +p. 37, +l. 1. A] Immutable colour. +l. 11. A] and tis not like. +l. 18. G _omits_] an. +l. 21. A--G] a lied. +l. 27. A] See how you plead. +l. 29. A, B and C] what I ha done. +l. 30. A] with miseries. + +p. 38, +l. 3. A and B] mine old armour. +l. 9. A--E] scape. +l. 18. A--D] How's this. +l. 27. A] tane. +l. 29. A] and stick. +ll. 37 and 38. A and B] goe as high As troubled waters. + +p. 39, +l. 6. A] to be knowne. +l. 7. A] be blessed. +l. 12. A] fix a farewell. +l. 25. A] didst make. +l. 37. A--G] foule act on my selfe. + +p. 40, +l. 1. A] ease of. +l. 10. A and B] my horrid point. +l. 20. A] thy heart. +l. 24. A--E] all that this world. +l. 27. A] this bosome. +l. 32. A] I call it fro[m] thee. +l. 33. A _omits_] and shame me To posterity. +l. 39. A omits] be. + +p. 41, +l. 19. A] speake it. +l. 25. A] but have a care. +l. 28. A] your house. +l. 32. A _omits_] and no more. + +p. 42, +l. 4. A and B] As well as I could, and sent him. +l. 20. A _omits_] to mine. +p. 43, +l. 9. G] See what starrs you make. + A] your idle hatred. + A _omits_] to my love and freedom to you. +l. 11. A] I am come. +l. 17. A--E _omit_] that. +l. 26. A _omits_] or. +l. 27. A] The last is spoke, refuse my offerd love. + +p. 44, +l. 11. A--E] commendations. +l. 13. A] your dores. +l. 20. A--E] commendations. +l. 21. A--E] has made. +l. 23. A _omits_] it _after_ has. +l. 30. A and B] thy repentance. +l. 36. A and B] I understand ye not. + +p. 45, +l. 1. G] ye know. +l. 5. D] wins within her. +l. 7. A and B] theres your way. +l. 11. After this line A--G _add_] Rather to grapple with +the plague, or stand. +l. 18. A] theile lie. +l. 27. A] Though he lie lockt up in thy blood, come tell me. +l. 34. A--E _omit_] a. +l. 37. A] thy father. + +p. 46, +l. 7. A] his foe. +l. 13. The conclusion of this speech from 'thou hast no hope' is + omitted in A. +l. 15. B] snatch meat. +l. 17. B--G] has undone. +l. 23. F _omits_ this line. +l. 24. A--E] this scandall. +l. 27. C--G] raise much out. +l. 32. G] thou will deserve it. + +p. 47, +l. 19. A] Is there no more here. +l. 21. A _omits_] O hear me gently; it was. +l. 22. A _omits_] no more. +ll. 27 and 28. A] _Evad_. Too long, too late I finde it. + _Mel_. Can you be very sorry. +l. 30. A] Woman thou wilt not to thy trade againe. +l. 32. A, B and G] thou hadst. +l. 34. A] Has sunk thy faire soule, I command thee curse him. + +p. 48, +l. 10. A] you had no feare. + B and C] you knew no feare. +l. 13. A--E] thoudst. +l. 37. A and B] Gods where have I beene. + +p. 49, +l. 13. A] This is a new way to beget more sorrows. +l. 17. A--E] naturall wildnesse. +l. 22. A and B] that; no sacrifice. + C and D] thats; no sacrifice. +l. 35. A--E] that dull calamity. + +p. 50, +l. 8. A] Shall cut. +l. 17. Folio _misprints_ whither. + F and G] whether. +l. 28. A] get beleife. +l. 38. G] I will. + +p. 51, +l. 3. A omits] now. +l. 6. G] been thus excellently good. +l. 25. A, B and C] she have. +l. 34. A--D] scape. + +p. 52, +l. 7. A] I besworne. +l. 10. A--D _omit_] of. + A--G] a trusted. +l. 35. C--G and Folio _misprint_] _Lipsi_. + A _omits_] _Diag_. + +p. 53, +l. 1. F] raise laughter. +l. 7. A] _Mel_. +l. 12. G] to trust. +l. 23. A--D] Ye shall have it soundly I warrant you. +l. 31. A--F] scape. + +p. 54, +l. 16. A--G] A must. +l. 21. A--D] can easily. +l. 22. A] faults. + +p. 55, +l. 4. A] Facers, and talkers to defame the world. +l. 18. A] Who I, thou shamelesse Fellow that hast spoke to me + of it thy Selfe. +l. 25. E, F and G] Come from you. +l. 29. F gives this speech to Calianax and the next +two to Melantius. +l. 30. A, B and C] a should. +l. 31. A, B and C] in's life. + +p. 56, +ll. 7 and 8. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 9. A--G] you your selfe. +l. 12. A--E] will as great. +l. 16. A _omits_] not. +l. 21. G _omits_] better. +l. 22. A _omits_] _Aside_. +l. 24. G] belive it. +l. 27. A--D] Whilst he is hot, for if hee coole agen. + E] Whilst he hot, for he coole agen. +l. 33. A and B] A pittie. +l. 34. A and B] _Mel_. Marke his disordered words, and at the +Maske. +l. 38. A and B _omit_] too. + +p. 57, +l. 8. F] When I has. +l. 15. A, B and C] Why should. +l. 16. D and E] him, alas in his sword. +l. 21. A] Too well. + G] 'Tis we. +l. 28. A _omits_] and believe. +ll. 37 and 38. A] Dost not thou looke for some great + punishment for this? I feele | My selfe beginne to forget + all my hate. +l. 40. A] so extremely. + + +p. 58, +l. 1. A] I shall meet. +l. 2. A] Unkindnesse. +l. 4. A] no wrong. +l. 9. A and B] this I call hurt. +l. 19. A] his disgrace. +l. 26. A] _Melantius_, thou shall have the fort. +l. 40. A--G add at the end of the line] _Diph_. + +p. 59, +l. 19. A--D _omit_] in. +l. 34. G] refused. +l. 38. A and B] vild. + +p. 60, +l. 11. G _omits_] up. +l. 20. A--E] Theres not. +l. 21. A--E] in 't. +l. 23. Folio] Why? The sign has been changed to a comma + here and elsewhere in similar cases. +l. 25. A and B _add_] _Exeunt_. +l. 36. A] and then me thinkes. + +p. 61, +l. 2. A and B _add_] _Exit_. +l. 5. A] lost virtue. +l. 7. F, G and Folio] no man dare. +l. 9. A] tis a madnesse. +l. 10. A] that desperate mans. + B and C] fooles. +l. 12. A] repent 'em. +l. 15. A--G] a sleepes. + A] a sleepes, oh God. +l. 17. A] That has so farre transgrest you. +l. 18. G _omits_] And. +l. 19. A] Confirmes me that I merit. +l. 21. A] To rake him. +l. 22. A] Shall seaze him. +l. 23. G] punishment. +l. 24. A and B] Ile shape. +l. 26. A] I strike. +l. 30. In place of this line A _reads_] As I beleeve I shall not, I + shall fit him. +l. 31. A--G] a sleepes. + +p. 62, +l. 3. A] may looke. +l. 5. F] Say Sir, stay. +l. 9. A] Here thou shalt. + B and C] thou shalt. + D] you shalt. +l. 18. A] How _Evadne_? +l. 33. Folio] thou. + +p. 63, +l. 10. A--E] reach. +l. 11. A--E] overcharge. +l. 15. D] is heaven. +l. 16. F] Here Evadne. +l. 21. A. _omits_] _Stabs him_. +l. 29. A _adds_] _Stabs him_. +l. 31. A--E add at end of line] King. + In F and G the word 'king' is printed by mistake and + wrongly spaced at the end of the following line. + +p. 64, +l. 10. A omits this line. +l. 12. A. _omits one_] Treason. +l. 35. A--E] innocence. + +p. 65, +l. 1. F _omits_] and. +l. 5. A and B] Or to create. +l. 17. Folio] beter. +l. 21. A] certaine. +l. 29. A--E] We could a wisht. +l. 31. A--G] thee. +l. 35. A] pray to heaven. +l. 37. E] then of honor. +l. 39. In place of this line A _reads_] I'm sure might have + preserved. + +p. 66, +ll. 1 and 2. A omits these lines. +l. 3. A and B] those tears. +l. 9. A] And begge. + B and C] buy. +l. 15. A--E] I have. +l. 16. A] for revenge. +1. 19. A--G] you wud. +l. 24. A--D] free. +l. 28. A--E] All up againe. +l. 34. A--E] honours. +l. 35. A--E] No gaine. + A--D] pardons. +l. 37. A--D] us all but. + +p. 67, +l. 2. A] call the King. +l. 9. G _omits_] a. +l. 10. A] that I doe. +l. 16. A--E] the faire office. +l. 17. Folio] you. +l. 21. A and B] loth to delay. +l. 22. A--D _omit_] any. +l. 24. A] Sir he will speake with no body, but in particular, I + have in charge about no waightie matters. +l. 29. A, B and C] vild. +l. 30. G] woman. +l. 34, A--E] and the smoothest. + +p. 68, +l. 7. G] O that shape. +l. 11. A--E] chance of warre. + D and E] marke. +l. 21. A] odious. +l. 31. A--E] injuries. +l. 35. A--E] and would be loth. + +p. 69, +l. 23. A--E] I prethee. +l. 25. Folio] endute. +l. 27. A--E] timelesse. +l. 29. A--G] has. +l. 37. A--D] No houre to live. + +p. 70, +l. 3. A--D] there is no place. +l. 4. B--F print as one stage-direction] Enter Evadne. Her + hands bloudy with a knife. A _omits_] Her hands bloody + with a knife. +l. 11. A] staid. +l. 26. A--E] his height. + + +l. 27. A--E] found one. +l. 29. A--D] continued. +l. 33. A] tame my wildest wrongs. + +p. 71, +ll. 3--5. A omits the words from 'and' to 'shed.' +l. 17. A] crueller. +l. 20. A and B] for Gods sake. +l. 26. A--F] womans. +l. 27. A--D] me now againe. +l. 32. A--E] but it came. +l. 40. A] my selfe unto 'em. + E] unto. + +p. 72, +l. 9. A--E] such another fault. +l. 10. A--E] arme her selfe with scorne. +l. 24. A and B] Staid my course, it was. +l. 25. A and B] Thou art. +l. 29. A and B] I shall sure live. + C and D] I shall surely live. +l. 38. A, B and C] thine hand. + A] mine eyes grow up and downe. + +p. 73, +l. 4. A and B] for Gods sake. +l. 5. A--E _omit_] for. +l. 7. A, B and C] there nothing stirs. +l. 8. A--E _omit_] that. +l. 10. A--D] be any life. +l. 15. A and B] lend forth some. +l. 24. A and B] Oh God. +l. 26. A _omits_] Cleon. + +p. 74, +l. 13. A and B] My last is said, let me give up my soule. +l. 16. A _omits_] my. +l. 25. Folio] mater. +l. 26. A] with you all now. +l. 28. A _adds_] _Exit_. +l. 31. A--E] hands. A, B and C] sharpe enough. +l. 39. A and B] from God. + + A--G _add_] Finis. + + + +THE MAIDS TRAGEDY. VERSE AND PROSE +VARIATIONS[1]. + + +p. 1, +ll. 29 and 30. A, C, D and E] 2 ll. _Poetrie, well_. + +p. 2, +ll. 7 and 8. A--E] 3 ll. _worth, goe, it_. +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _Diphilus, ill_. + +p. 3, +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _Evadne, sister_. +l. 29. A--E] 2 ll. _them, strange_. + +p. 4, +ll. 1--5. A and B] 5 ll. _walkes_, [A _sir_, see note to +p. 4 _ante_] _earth, delight, flowers, tell_. +l. 29. A--E] _speech, love_. + +p. 5, +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _gone, Diphilus_. + +p. 8, +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _home, maske_. + +p. 10, +l. 17. A--E] 2 ll. _know, ascend_. + +p. 13, +l. 4. A--E] 2 ll. _powre, calme_. + +p. 15, +ll. 33--35 A] 3 ll. _caught, fire, thee_. +ll. 34 and 35. B--E] 2 ll. _fire, thee_. +ll. 36 and 37. A--E] 2 ll. _thing, not_. + +p. 19, +l. 8. A--E] 2 ll. _sin, lips_. +ll. 9 and 10. A] 1 line. +l. 23. A--E] 2 ll. _done, meanes_. + +p. 20, +l. 24. A--E] 2 ll. _oath, true_. +ll. 30 and 31. F and G] 1 line. + +p. 21, +ll. 1 and 2. F and G] 1 line. +l. 24. A--D] 2 ll. _hell, me_. +ll. 25--27. A and D] 4 ll. _bed, locks, weare, armes_. + +p. 22, +ll. 28 and 29. A--E] 2 ll. _us, waite_. + F and G] 1 line. +l. 36. A--E] 2 ll. _be, honourable_. +l. 38. A--E] 2 ll. _self, for_. + +p. 25, +ll. 21 and 22. A] 2 11. _so, quick-sand_. + +p. 28, +ll. 16 and 17. A--E] 2 ll. _here, thine_. + F and G] 1 line. + +[Footnote 1: In these notes the words printed in italics are +the last words of the lines indicated in the various texts.] + + +p. 30, +ll. 10 and 11. A--G] 1 line. +ll. 27 and 28. A--G] 1 line. + +p. 31, +ll. 15 and 16. A] 2 ll. _may, well_. + +p. 32, +l. 7. A--E] 2 ll. _royaltie, stain_. +l. 8. A--E] 2 ll. _me, thee_. + +p. 33, +ll. 27 and 28. A] 2 ll. _weight, rage_. +ll. 38 and 39. A and B] 2 ll. _of, you_. + +p. 34, +l. 8. A] 2 ll. _enough, Land_. + B--E] 2 ll. _enough, Island_. +l. 21. A--E] 2 ll. _King, it_. +ll. 20 and 21. G] 2 ll. _for, it_. + +p. 35, +l. 25. A---E] 2 ll. _feare, draw_. +ll. 35 and 36. A] 2 ll. _tricke, fight_. + +p. 36, +l. 15. A--E] 2 ll. _rarenesse, now_. +l. 32. A--E] 2 ll. _be, it_. + +p. 37, +l. 8. A--E] _indeed, another_. +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _say, friend_. + +p. 38, +l. 6. A--E] 2 ll. _innocence, it_. + +p. 39, +l. 1. A--E] 2 ll. _base, lies_. + +p. 40, +l. 29. A--E] 2 ll. _way, backe_. + +p. 41, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _thine, stir_. +l. 8. A] 2 ll. _word, quick_. +ll. 39 and 40. A] 2 ll. _why I, else_. + B--G] 2 ll. _why, else_. + +p. 42, +ll. 19--21. A] 3 ll. _hands, I, thee_. +l. 21. B--E] 2 ll. _I, thee_. + +p. 43, +l. 11. A--E] 2 ll. _sute, you_. +l. 16. A--E] 2 ll. _it, hands_. + +p. 44, +ll. 15 and 16. A--E] 3 ll. _daunce, skins, businesse_. + +p. 47, +l. 10. A--E] _miserie, me_. +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _many, ist_. +l. 39. A--E] _in, hereafter_. + +p. 48, +l. 1. A--E] 2 ll. _arme, King_. + +p. 51, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _weepe, water_. + +p. 52, +l. 5. A--E] 2 ll. _house, Court_. +l. 31. A--E] 2 ll. _unlesse, 'em_. + +p. 53, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _dost, pitty_. +l. 36. A--E] 2 ll. _leave, alive_. + +p. 54, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _Melantius, well_. +l. 5. A--E] 2 ll. _besieg'd, commanded_. +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _it, much_. +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _mov'd, thing_. +l. 34. A--E] 2 ll. _gods, you_. +l. 37. A--E] 2 ll. _crime, knew_. + +p. 55, +l. 23. A--E] 2 ll. _hope, satisfied_. + +p. 56, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _agen, it_. +ll. 31 and 32. A--E] 2 ll. _Foe, him_. + +p. 57, +ll. 35 and 36. A] 3 ll. _thats, strongest, ye_. + +p. 58, +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _Land, hurt_. +l. 22. A--E] 2 ll. _hold, state_. +l. 28. A--G] 2 ll. _brest, compasse_. + +p. 59, +l. 25. A--E] 2 ll. _rage, me_. +l. 30. A--E] 2 ll. _sins, ever_. + +p. 60, +l. 10. A--E] 2 ll. _here, defencelesse_. +ll. 17 and 18. A] 2 ll. _plot, King_. +ll. 35 and 36. B--D] 2 ll. _will, then_. + +p. 64, +l. 19. A--E] 2 ll. _act, still_. + +p. 67, +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _desire, him_. + +p. 69, +l. 17. A--E] 2 ll. _fight, returnd_. +l. 19. A--E] 2 ll. _against her, it_. +ll. 20 and 21. A--E] 2 ll. _with, you_. +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _death, selfe_. +ll. 37--40 and p. 70, l. 1. A] 5 ll. _meane, me, thee, + brest, defencelesse_. + +p. 70, +l. 3. A--E] 2 ll. _fit, here_. +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _thee, mischiefes_. +l. 11. A--E] 2 ll. _newes, staid_ (A _stald_). + +p. 71, +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _it, home_. + +p. 72, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _hand, yet_. +l. 37. A--E] 2 ll. _haire, thee_. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Maids Tragedy +by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10847 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6008c39 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10847 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10847) diff --git a/old/10847.txt b/old/10847.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16ab1e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10847.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5706 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Maids Tragedy, by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Maids Tragedy + +Author: Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + +Release Date: January 28, 2004 [EBook #10847] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAIDS TRAGEDY *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jayam Subramanian and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + + THE + + MAIDS TRAGEDY. + + Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + + + + Persons Represented in the Play. + + King. + + Lysippus, _brother to the King_. + + Amintor, _a Noble Gentleman_. + + Evadne, _Wife to_ Amintor. + + Malantius} + Diphilius} _Brothers to_ Evadne. + + Aspatia, _troth-plight wife to_ Amnitor. + + Calianax, _an old humorous Lord, and + Father to_ Aspatia. + + Cleon} + Strato} _Gentlemen_. + + Diagoras, _a Servant_. + + Antiphila} + Olympias} _waiting Gentlewomen to_ Aspatia. + + Dula, _a Lady_. + + Night} + Cynthia} + Neptune} + Eolus} _Maskers_. + + * * * * * + + + + _Actus primus. Scena prima_. + + + Enter _Cleon, Strato, Lysippus, Diphilus_. + +_Cleon_. The rest are making ready Sir. + +_Strat_. So let them, there's time enough. + +_Diph_. You are the brother to the King, my Lord, + we'll take your word. + +_Lys_. _Strato_, thou hast some skill in Poetry, What + thinkst thou of a Mask? will it be well? + +_Strat_. As well as Mask can be. + +_Lys_. As Mask can be? + +_Strat_. Yes, they must commend their King, and speak + in praise of the Assembly, bless the Bride and + Bridegroom, in person of some God; th'are tyed + to rules of flattery. + +_Cle_. See, good my Lord, who is return'd! + +_Lys_. Noble _Melantius_! + + [_Enter Melantius_. + + The Land by me welcomes thy vertues home to _Rhodes_, + thou that with blood abroad buyest us our peace; the + breath of King is like the breath of Gods; My brother + wisht thee here, and thou art here; he will be too kind, + and weary thee with often welcomes; but the time doth + give thee a welcome above this or all the worlds. + +_Mel_. My Lord, my thanks; but these scratcht limbs of mine have + spoke my love and truth unto my friends, more than my + tongue ere could: my mind's the same it ever was to you; + where I find worth, I love the keeper, till he let it go, + And then I follow it. + +_Diph_. Hail worthy brother! + He that rejoyces not at your return + In safety, is mine enemy for ever. + +_Mel_. I thank thee _Diphilus_: but thou art faulty; + I sent for thee to exercise thine armes + With me at _Patria_: thou cam'st not _Diphilus_: 'Twas + ill. + +_Diph_. My noble brother, my excuse + Is my King's strict command, which you my Lord + Can witness with me. + +_Lys_. 'Tis true _Melantius_, + He might not come till the solemnity + Of this great match were past. + +_Diph_. Have you heard of it? + +_Mel_. Yes, I have given cause to those that + Envy my deeds abroad, to call me gamesome; + I have no other business here at _Rhodes_. + +_Lys_. We have a Mask to night, + And you must tread a Soldiers measure. + +_Mel_. These soft and silken wars are not for me; + The Musick must be shrill, and all confus'd, + That stirs my blood, and then I dance with armes: + But is _Amintor_ Wed? + +_Diph_. This day. +_Mel_. All joyes upon him, for he is my friend: + Wonder not that I call a man so young my friend, + His worth is great; valiant he is, and temperate, + And one that never thinks his life his own, + If his friend need it: when he was a boy, + As oft as I return'd (as without boast) + I brought home conquest, he would gaze upon me, + And view me round, to find in what one limb + The vertue lay to do those things he heard: + Then would he wish to see my Sword, and feel + The quickness of the edge, and in his hand + Weigh it; he oft would make me smile at this; + His youth did promise much, and his ripe years + Will see it all perform'd. + + [_Enter Aspatia, passing by_. + +_Melan_. Hail Maid and Wife! + Thou fair _Aspatia_, may the holy knot + That thou hast tyed to day, last till the hand + Of age undo't; may'st thou bring a race + Unto _Amintor_ that may fill the world + Successively with Souldiers. + +_Asp_. My hard fortunes + Deserve not scorn; for I was never proud + When they were good. + + [_Exit Aspatia_. + +_Mel_. How's this? + +_Lys_. You are mistaken, for she is not married. + +_Mel_. You said _Amintor_ was. + +_Diph_. 'Tis true; but + +_Mel_. Pardon me, I did receive + Letters at _Patria_, from my _Amintor_, + That he should marry her. + +_Diph_. And so it stood, + In all opinion long; but your arrival + Made me imagine you had heard the change. + +_Mel_. Who hath he taken then? + +_Lys_. A Lady Sir, + That bears the light above her, and strikes dead + With flashes of her eye; the fair _Evadne_ your + vertuous Sister. + +_Mel_. Peace of heart betwixt them: but this is strange. + +_Lys_. The King my brother did it + To honour you; and these solemnities + Are at his charge. + +_Mel_. 'Tis Royal, like himself; + But I am sad, my speech bears so unfortunate a sound + To beautiful _Aspatia_; there is rage + Hid in her fathers breast; _Calianax_ + Bent long against me, and he should not think, + If I could call it back, that I would take + So base revenges, as to scorn the state + Of his neglected daughter: holds he still his greatness + with the King? + +_Lys_. Yes; but this Lady + Walks discontented, with her watry eyes + Bent on the earth: the unfrequented woods + Are her delight; and when she sees a bank + Stuck full of flowers, she with a sigh will tell + Her servants what a pretty place it were + To bury lovers in, and make her maids + Pluck'em, and strow her over like a Corse. + She carries with her an infectious grief + That strikes all her beholders, she will sing + The mournful'st things that ever ear hath heard, + And sigh, and sing again, and when the rest + Of our young Ladies in their wanton blood, + Tell mirthful tales in course that fill the room + With laughter, she will with so sad a look + Bring forth a story of the silent death + Of some forsaken Virgin, which her grief + Will put in such a phrase, that ere she end, + She'l send them weeping one by one away. + +_Mel_. She has a brother under my command + Like her, a face as womanish as hers, + But with a spirit that hath much out-grown + The number of his years. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Cle_. My Lord the Bridegroom! + +_Mel_. I might run fiercely, not more hastily + Upon my foe: I love thee well _Amintor_, + My mouth is much too narrow for my heart; + I joy to look upon those eyes of thine; + Thou art my friend, but my disorder'd speech cuts off + my love. + +_Amin_. Thou art _Melantius_; + All love is spoke in that, a sacrifice + To thank the gods, _Melantius_ is return'd + In safety; victory sits on his sword + As she was wont; may she build there and dwell, + And may thy Armour be as it hath been, + Only thy valour and thy innocence. + What endless treasures would our enemies give, + That I might hold thee still thus! + +_Mel_. I am but poor in words, but credit me young man, + Thy Mother could no more but weep, for joy to see thee + After long absence; all the wounds I have, + Fetch not so much away, nor all the cryes + Of Widowed Mothers: but this is peace; + And what was War? + +_Amin_. Pardon thou holy God + Of Marriage bed, and frown not, I am forc't + In answer of such noble tears as those, + To weep upon my Wedding day. + +_Mel_. I fear thou art grown too sick; for I hear + A Lady mourns for thee, men say to death, + Forsaken of thee, on what terms I know not. + +_Amin_. She had my promise, but the King forbad it, + And made me make this worthy change, thy Sister + Accompanied with graces above her, + With whom I long to lose my lusty youth, + And grow old in her arms. + +_Mel_. Be prosperous. + + [_Enter Messenger_. + +_Messen_. My Lord, the Maskers rage for you. + +_Lys_. We are gone. _Cleon, Strata, Diphilus_. + +_Amin_. Wee'l all attend you, we shall trouble you + With our solemnities. + +_Mel_. Not so _Amintor_. + But if you laugh at my rude carriage + In peace, I'le do as much for you in War + When you come thither: yet I have a Mistress + To bring to your delights; rough though I am, + I have a Mistress, and she has a heart, + She saies, but trust me, it is stone, no better, + There is no place that I can challenge in't. + But you stand still, and here my way lies. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter Calianax with Diagoras_. + +_Cal_. _Diagoras_, look to the doors better for shame, you let + in all the world, and anon the King will rail at me; why + very well said, by _Jove_ the King will have the show + i'th' Court. + +_Diag_. Why do you swear so my Lord? + You know he'l have it here. + +_Cal_. By this light if he be wise he will not. + +_Diag_. And if he will not be wise, you are forsworn. + +_Cal_. One may wear his heart out with swearing, and get + thanks on no side, I'le be gone, look to't who will. + +_Diag_. My Lord, I will never keep them out. + Pray stay, your looks will terrifie them. + +_Cal_. My looks terrifie them, you Coxcombly Ass you! + I'le be judg'd by all the company whether thou hast not a + worse face than I-- + +_Diag_. I mean, because they know you and your Office. + +_Cal_. Office! I would I could put it off, I am sure I sweat + quite through my Office, I might have made room at my + Daughters Wedding, they had near kill'd her among them. + And now I must do service for him that hath forsaken her; + serve that will. + [_Exit Calianax_. + +_Diag_. He's so humourous since his daughter was forsaken: + hark, hark, there, there, so, so, codes, codes. + What now? + [_Within. knock within_. + +_Mel_. Open the door. + +_Diag_. Who's there? + +_Mel_. _Melantius_. + +_Diag_. I hope your Lordship brings no troop with you, + for if you do, I must return them. + [_Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. None but this Lady Sir. + [_And a Lady_. + +_Diag_. The Ladies are all plac'd above, save those that + come in the Kings Troop, the best of _Rhodes_ sit there, + and there's room. + +_Mel_. I thank you Sir: when I have seen you plac'd + Madam, I must attend the King; but the Mask done, I'le + wait on you again. + +_Diag_. Stand back there, room for my Lord _Melantius_, pray bear + back, this is no place for such youths and their Truls, + let the doors shut agen; I, do your heads itch? I'le + scratch them for you: so now thrust and hang: again, + who is't now? I cannot blame my Lord _Calianax_ for + going away; would he were here, he would run raging + among them, and break a dozen wiser heads than his + own in the twinkling of an eye: what's the news now? + + [_Within_. + + I pray can you help me to the speech of the Master Cook? + +_Diag_. If I open the door I'le cook some of your Calvesheads. + Peace Rogues.--again,--who is't? + +_Mel_. _Melantius within. Enter Calianax to Melantius_. + +_Cal_. Let him not in. + +_Diag_. O my Lord I must; make room there for my + Lord; is your Lady plac't? + +_Mel_. Yes Sir, I thank you my Lord _Calianax_: well met, + Your causless hate to me I hope is buried. + + _Cal_. Yes, I do service for your Sister here, + That brings my own poor Child to timeless death; + She loves your friend _Amintor_, such another + false-hearted Lord as you. + +_Mel_. You do me wrong, + A most unmanly one, and I am slow + In taking vengeance, but be well advis'd. + +_Cal_. It may be so: who placed the Lady there so near + the presence of the King? + +_Mel_. I did. + +_Cal_. My Lord she must not sit there. + +_Mel_. Why? + +_Cal_. The place is kept for women of more worth. +_Mel_. More worth than she? it mis-becomes your Age + And place to be thus womanish; forbear; + What you have spoke, I am content to think + The Palsey shook your tongue to. + +_Cal_. Why 'tis well if I stand here to place mens wenches. + +_Mel_. I shall forget this place, thy Age, my safety, and + through all, cut that poor sickly week thou hast to + live, away from thee. + +_Cal_. Nay, I know you can fight for your Whore. + +_Mel_. Bate the King, and be he flesh and blood, + He lyes that saies it, thy mother at fifteen + Was black and sinful to her. + +_Diag_. Good my Lord! + +_Mel_. Some god pluck threescore years from that fond man, + That I may kill him, and not stain mine honour; + It is the curse of Souldiers, that in peace + They shall be brain'd by such ignoble men, + As (if the Land were troubled) would with tears + And knees beg succour from 'em: would that blood + (That sea of blood) that I have lost in fight, + Were running in thy veins, that it might make thee + Apt to say less, or able to maintain, + Shouldst thou say more,--This _Rhodes_ I see is nought + But a place priviledg'd to do men wrong. + +_Cal_. I, you may say your pleasure. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. What vilde injury + Has stirr'd my worthy friend, who is as slow + To fight with words, as he is quick of hand? + +_Mel_. That heap of age which I should reverence + If it were temperate: but testy years + Are most contemptible. + +_Amint_. Good Sir forbear. + +_Cal_. There is just such another as your self. + +_Amint_. He will wrong you, or me, or any man, + And talk as if he had no life to lose + Since this our match: the King is coming in, + I would not for more wealth than I enjoy, + He should perceive you raging, he did hear + You were at difference now, which hastned him. + +_Cal_. Make room there. + + _Hoboyes play within_. + + _Enter King, Evadne, Aspatia, Lords and Ladies_. + +_King_. _Melantius_, thou art welcome, and my love + Is with thee still; but this is not a place + To brabble in; _Calianax_, joyn hands. + +_Cal_. He shall not have my hand. + +_King_. This is no time + To force you to't, I do love you both: + _Calianax_, you look well to your Office; + And you _Melantius_ are welcome home; begin the Mask. + +_Mel_. Sister, I joy to see you, and your choice, + You lookt with my eyes when you took that man; + Be happy in him. + + [_Recorders_. + +_Evad_. O my dearest brother! + Your presence is more joyful than this day can be unto + me. + + _The Mask_. + + _Night rises in mists_. + +_Nigh_. Our raign is come; for in the raging Sea + The Sun is drown'd, and with him fell the day: + Bright _Cinthia_ hear my voice, I am the Night + For whom thou bear'st about thy borrowed light; + Appear, no longer thy pale visage shrowd, + But strike thy silver horn through a cloud, + And send a beam upon my swarthy face, + By which I may discover all the place + And persons, and how many longing eyes + Are come to wait on our solemnities. + + [_Enter Cinthia_. + + How dull and black am I! I could not find + This beauty without thee, I am so blind; + Methinks they shew like to those Eastern streaks + That warn us hence before the morning breaks; + Back my pale servant, for these eyes know how + To shoot far more and quicker rayes than thou. + +_Cinth_. Great Queen, they be a Troop for whom alone + One of my clearest moons I have put on; + A Troop that looks as if thy self and I + Had pluckt our rains in, and our whips laid by + To gaze upon these Mortals, that appear + Brighter than we. + + _Night_. Then let us keep 'em here, + And never more our Chariots drive away, + But hold our places, and out-shine the day. + + _Cinth_. Great Queen of shadows, you are + pleas'd to speak + Of more than may be done; we may not break + The gods decrees, but when our time is come, + Must drive away and give the day our room. + Yet whil'st our raign lasts, let us stretch our power + To give our servants one contented hour, + With such unwonted solemn grace and state, + As may for ever after force them hate + Our brothers glorious beams, and wish the night + Crown'd with a thousand stars, and our cold light: + For almost all the world their service bend + To _Phoebus_ and in vain my light I lend, + Gaz'd on unto my setting from my rise + Almost of none, but of unquiet eyes. + +_Nigh_. Then shine at full, fair Queen, and by thy power + Produce a birth to crown this happy hour; + Of Nymphs and Shepherds let their songs discover, + Easie and sweet, who is a happy Lover; + Or if thou woot, then call thine own _Endymion_ + From the sweet flowry bed he lies upon, + On _Latmus_ top, thy pale beams drawn away, + And of this long night let him make a day. + +_Cinth_. Thou dream'st dark Queen, that fair boy was not mine, + Nor went I down to kiss him; ease and wine + Have bred these bold tales; Poets when they rage, + Turn gods to men, and make an hour an age; + But I will give a greater state and glory, + And raise to time a noble memory + Of what these Lovers are; rise, rise, I say, + Thou power of deeps, thy surges laid away, + _Neptune_ great King of waters, and by me + Be proud to be commanded. + + [Neptune rises. + +_Nep_. _Cinthia_, see, + Thy word hath fetcht me hither, let me know why I + ascend. + +_Cinth_. Doth this majestick show + Give thee no knowledge yet? + +_Nep_. Yes, now I see. + Something intended _(Cinthia)_ worthy thee; + Go on, I'le be a helper. + +_Cinth_. Hie thee then, + And charge the wind flie from his Rockie Den. + Let loose thy subjects, only _Boreas_ + Too foul for our intention as he was; + Still keep him fast chain'd; we must have none here + But vernal blasts, and gentle winds appear, + Such as blow flowers, and through the glad Boughs sing + Many soft welcomes to the lusty spring. + These are our musick: next, thy watry race + Bring on in couples; we are pleas'd to grace + This noble night, each in their richest things + Your own deeps or the broken vessel brings; + Be prodigal, and I shall be as kind, + And shine at full upon you. + +_Nep_. Ho the wind + Commanding _Eolus!_ + + [Enter Eolus out of a Rock. + +_Eol_. Great _Neptune!_ + +_Nep_. He. + +_Eol_. What is thy will? + +_Nep_. We do command thee free + _Favonius_ and thy milder winds to wait + Upon our _Cinthia_, but tye _Boreas_ straight; + He's too rebellious. + +_Eol_. I shall do it. + +_Nep_. Do, great master of the flood, and all below, + Thy full command has taken. + +_Eol_. Ho! the main; + _Neptune_. + +_Nep_. Here. + +_Eol_. _Boreas_ has broke his chain, + And struggling with the rest, has got away. + +_Nep_. Let him alone, I'le take him up at sea; + He will not long be thence; go once again + And call out of the bottoms of the Main, + Blew _Proteus_, and the rest; charge them put on + Their greatest pearls, and the most sparkling stone + The bearing Rock breeds, till this night is done + By me a solemn honour to the Moon; + Flie like a full sail. + +_Eol_. I am gone. + +_Cin_. Dark night, + Strike a full silence, do a thorow right + To this great _Chorus_, that our Musick may + Touch high as heaven, and make the East break day + At mid-[n]ight. + + [_Musick_. + +SONG. + Cinthia _to thy power, and them we obey. + Joy to this great company, and no day + Come to steal this night away, + Till the rites of love are ended, + And the lusty Bridegroom say, + Welcome light of all befriended. + Pace out you watry powers below, let your feet + Like the Gallies when they row, even beat_. + _Let your unknown measures set + To the still winds, tell to all + That Gods are come immortal great, + To honour this great Nuptial_. + +The Measure. Second Song. + + + _Hold back thy hours dark night, till we have done, + The day will come too soon; + Young Maids will curse thee if thou steal'st away, + And leav'st their blushes open to the day. + Stay, stay, and hide the blushes of the Bride. + Stay gentle night, and with thy darkness cover + The kisses of her Lover. + Stay, and confound her tears, and her shrill cryings, + Her weak denials, vows, and often dyings; + Stay and hide all, but help not though she + call_. + +_Nep_. Great Queen of us and Heaven, + Hear what I bring to make this hour a full one, + If not her measure. + +_Cinth_. Speak Seas King. + +_Nep_. Thy tunes my _Amphitrite_ joyes to have, + When they will dance upon the rising wave, + And court me as the sails, my _Trytons_ play + Musick to lead a storm, I'le lead the way. + +Song. Measure. + + _To bed, to bed; come Hymen, lead the Bride, + And lay her by her Husbands side: + Bring in the Virgins every one + That grieve to lie alone: + That they may kiss while they may say, a maid, + To morrow 'twill be other, kist and said: + _Hesperus_ be long a shining, + Whilst these Lovers are a twining_. + +_Eol_. Ho! _Neptune!_ + +_Nept_. _Eolus!_ + +_Eol_. The Seas go hie, + _Boreas_ hath rais'd a storm; go and applie + Thy trident, else I prophesie, ere day + Many a tall ship will be cast away: + Descend with all the Gods, and all their power to + strike a cal[m]. + +_Cin_. A thanks to every one, and to gratulate + So great a service done at my desire, + Ye shall have many floods fuller and higher + Than you have wisht for; no Ebb shall dare + To let the day see where your dwellings are: + Now back unto your Government in haste, + Lest your proud charge should swell above the waste, + And win upon the Island. + +_Nep_. We obey. + + [_Neptune descends, and the Sea-gods_. + +_Cinth_. Hold up thy head dead night; seest thou not day? + The East begins to lighten, I must down + And give my brother place. + +_Nigh_. Oh! I could frown + To see the day, the day that flings his light + Upon my Kingdoms, and contemns old Night; + Let him go on and flame, I hope to see + Another wild-fire in his Axletree; + And all false drencht; but I forgot, speak Queen. + The day grows on I must no more be seen. + +_Cin_. Heave up thy drowsie head agen, and see + A greater light, a greater Majestie, + Between our sect and us; whip up thy team; + The day breaks here, and you some flashing stream + Shot from the South; say, which way wilt thou go? + +_Nigh_. I'le vanish into mists. + [_Exeunt_. + +_Cin_. I into day. _[Finis Mask_. + +_King_. Take lights there Ladies, get the Bride to bed; + We will not see you laid, good night _Amintor,_ + We'l ease you of that tedious ceremony; + Were it [my] case, I should think time run slow. + If thou beest noble, youth, get me a boy, + That may defend my Kingdom from my foes. + +_Amin_. All happiness to you. + +_King_. Good night _Melantius_. + [_Exeunt_. + + + + _Actus Secundus_. + + _Enter_ Evadne, Aspatia, Dula, _and other Ladies_. + +_Dul_. Madam, shall we undress you for this fight? + The Wars are nak'd that you must make to night. + +_Evad_. You are very merry _Dula_. + +_Dul_. I should be far merrier Madam, if it were with me + as it is with you. + +_Eva_. Why how now wench? + +_Dul_. Come Ladies will you help? + +_Eva_. I am soon undone. + +_Dul_. And as soon done: + Good store of Cloaths will trouble you at both. + +_Evad_. Art thou drunk _Dula_? + +_Dul_. Why here's none but we. + +_Evad_. Thou think'st belike, there is no modesty + When we are alone. + +_Dul_. I by my troth you hit my thoughts aright. + +_Evad_. You prick me Lady. + +_Dul_. 'Tis against my will, + Anon you must endure more, and lie still. + You're best to practise. + +_Evad_. Sure this wench is mad. + +_Dul_. No faith, this is a trick that I have had + Since I was fourteen. + +_Evad_. 'Tis high time to leave it. + +_Dul_. Nay, now I'le keep it till the trick leave me; + A dozen wanton words put in your head, + Will make you lively in your Husbands bed. + +_Evad_. Nay faith, then take it. + +_Dul_. Take it Madam, where? + We all I hope will take it that are here. + +_Evad_. Nay then I'le give you o're. + +_Dul_. So will I make + The ablest man in _Rhodes_, or his heart to ake. + +_Evad_. Wilt take my place to night? + +_Dul_. I'le hold your Cards against any two I know. + +_Evad_. What wilt thou do? + +_Dul_. Madam, we'l do't, and make'm leave play too. + +_Evad_. _Aspatia_, take her part. + +_Dul_. I will refuse it. + She will pluck down a side, she does not use it. + +_Evad_. Why, do. + +_Dul_. You will find the play + Quickly, because your head lies well that way. + +_Evad_. I thank thee _Dula_, would thou could'st instill + Some of thy mirth into _Aspatia_: + Nothing but sad thoughts in her breast do dwell, + Methinks a mean betwixt you would do well. + +_Dul_. She is in love, hang me if I were so, + But I could run my Country, I love too + To do those things that people in love do. + +_Asp_. It were a timeless smile should prove my cheek, + It were a fitter hour for me to laugh, + When at the Altar the Religious Priest + Were pacifying the offended powers + With sacrifice, than now, this should have been + My night, and all your hands have been imployed + In giving me a spotless offering + To young _Amintors_ bed, as we are now + For you: pardon _Evadne_, would my worth + Were great as yours, or that the King, or he, + Or both thought so, perhaps he found me worthless, + But till he did so, in these ears of mine, + (These credulous ears) he pour'd the sweetest words + That Art or Love could frame; if he were false, + Pardon it heaven, and if I did want + Vertue, you safely may forgive that too, + For I have left none that I had from you. + +_Evad_. Nay, leave this sad talk Madam. + +_Asp_. Would I could, then should I leave the cause. + +_Evad_. See if you have not spoil'd all _Dulas_ mirth. + +_Asp_. Thou think'st thy heart hard, but if thou beest + caught, remember me; thou shalt perceive a fire shot + suddenly into thee. + +_Dul_. That's not so good, let'm shoot any thing but fire, I + fear'm not. + +_Asp_. Well wench, thou mayst be taken. + +_Evad_. Ladies good night, I'le do the rest my self. + +_Dul_. Nay, let your Lord do some. + +_Asp_. Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal Yew. + +_Evad_. That's one of your sad songs Madam. + +_Asp_. Believe me, 'tis a very pretty one. + +_Evad_. How is it Madam? + + SONG. + +Asp_. Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal yew; + Maidens, Willow branches bear; say I died true: + My Love was false, but I was firm from my hour of birth; + Upon my buried body lay lightly gentle earth_. + +_Evad_. Fie on't Madam, the words are so strange, they + are able to make one Dream of Hobgoblins; _I could never + have the power_, Sing that _Dula_. + +Dula_. I could never have the power + To love one above an hour, + But my heart would prompt mine eye + On some other man to flie;_ + Venus, _fix mine eyes fast, + Or if not, give me all that I shall see at last_. + +_Evad_. So, leave me now. + +_Dula_. Nay, we must see you laid. + +_Asp_. Madam good night, may all the marriage joys + That longing Maids imagine in their beds, + Prove so unto you; may no discontent + Grow 'twixt your Love and you; but if there do, + Enquire of me, and I will guide your moan, + Teach you an artificial way to grieve, + To keep your sorrow waking; love your Lord + No worse than I; but if you love so well, + Alas, you may displease him, so did I. + This is the last time you shall look on me: + Ladies farewel; as soon as I am dead, + Come all and watch one night about my Hearse; + Bring each a mournful story and a tear + To offer at it when I go to earth: + With flattering Ivie clasp my Coffin round, + Write on my brow my fortune, let my Bier + Be born by Virgins that shall sing by course + The truth of maids and perjuries of men. + +_Evad_. Alas, I pity thee. + [_Exit Evadne_. + +_Omnes_. Madam, goodnight. + +_1 Lady_. Come, we'l let in the Bridegroom. + +_Dul_. Where's my Lord? + +_1 Lady_. Here take this light. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Dul_. You'l find her in the dark. + +_1 Lady_. Your Lady's scarce a bed yet, you must help her. + +_Asp_. Go and be happy in your Ladies love; + May all the wrongs that you have done to me, + Be utterly forgotten in my death. + I'le trouble you no more, yet I will take + A parting kiss, and will not be denied. + You'l come my Lord, and see the Virgins weep + When I am laid in earth, though you your self + Can know no pity: thus I wind my self + Into this willow Garland, and am prouder + That I was once your Love (though now refus'd) + Than to have had another true to me. + So with my prayers I leave you, and must try + Some yet unpractis'd way to grieve and die. + +_Dul_. Come Ladies, will you go? + _[Exit Aspatia_. + +_Om_. Goodnight my Lord. + +_Amin_. Much happiness unto you all. + + _[Exeunt Ladies_. + + I did that Lady wrong; methinks I feel + Her grief shoot suddenly through all my veins; + Mine eyes run; this is strange at such a time. + It was the King first mov'd me to't, but he + Has not my will in keeping--why do I + Perplex my self thus? something whispers me, + Go not to bed; my guilt is not so great + As mine own conscience (too sensible) + Would make me think; I only brake a promise, + And 'twas the King that forc't me: timorous flesh, + Why shak'st thou so? away my idle fears. + + [_Enter Evadne_. + + Yonder she is, the lustre of whose eye + Can blot away the sad remembrance + Of all these things: Oh my _Evadne_, spare + That tender body, let it not take cold, + The vapours of the night will not fall here. + To bed my Love; _Hymen_ will punish us + For being slack performers of his rites. + Cam'st thou to call me? + +_Evad_. No. + +_Amin_. Come, come my Love, + And let us lose our selves to one another. + Why art thou up so long? + +_Evad_. I am not well. + +_Amint_. To bed then let me wind thee in these arms, + Till I have banisht sickness. + +_Evad_. Good my Lord, I cannot sleep. + +_Amin_. _Evadne_, we'l watch, I mean no sleeping. + +_Evad_. I'le not go to bed. + +_Amin_. I prethee do. + +_Evad_. I will not for the world. + +_Amin_. Why my dear Love? + +_Evad_. Why? I have sworn I will not. + +_Amin_. Sworn! + +_Evad_. I. + +_Amint_. How? Sworn _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. Yes, Sworn _Amintor_, and will swear again + If you will wish to hear me. +0 +_Amin_. To whom have you Sworn this? + +_Evad_. If I should name him, the matter were not great. + +_Amin_. Come, this is but the coyness of a Bride. + +_Evad_. The coyness of a Bride? + +_Amin_. How prettily that frown becomes thee! + +_Evad_. Do you like it so? + +_Amin_. Thou canst not dress thy face in such a look + But I shall like it. + +_Evad_. What look likes you best? + +_Amin_. Why do you ask? + +_Evad_. That I may shew you one less pleasing to you. + +_Amin_. How's that? + +_Evad_. That I may shew you one less pleasing to you. + +_Amint_. I prethee put thy jests in milder looks. + It shews as thou wert angry. + +_Evad_. So perhaps I am indeed. + +_Amint_. Why, who has done thee wrong? + Name me the man, and by thy self I swear, + Thy yet unconquer'd self, I will revenge thee. + +_Evad_. Now I shall try thy truth; if thou dost love me, + Thou weigh'st not any thing compar'd with me; + Life, Honour, joyes Eternal, all Delights + This world can yield, or hopeful people feign, + Or in the life to come, are light as Air + To a true Lover when his Lady frowns, + And bids him do this: wilt thou kill this man? + Swear my _Amintor_, and I'le kiss the sin off from + thy lips. + +_Amin_. I will not swear sweet Love, + Till I do know the cause. + +_Evad_. I would thou wouldst; + Why, it is thou that wrongest me, I hate thee, + Thou shouldst have kill'd thy self. + +_Amint_. If I should know that, I should quickly kill + The man you hated. + +_Evad_. Know it then, and do't. + +_Amint_. Oh no, what look soe're thou shalt put on, + To try my faith, I shall not think thee false; + I cannot find one blemish in thy face, + Where falsehood should abide: leave and to bed; + If you have sworn to any of the Virgins + That were your old companions, to preserve + Your Maidenhead a night, it may be done without this + means. + +_Evad_. A Maidenhead _Amintor_ at my years? + +_Amint_. Sure she raves, this cannot be + Thy natural temper; shall I call thy maids? + Either thy healthful sleep hath left thee long, + Or else some Fever rages in thy blood. + +_Evad_. Neither _Amintor_; think you I am mad, + Because I speak the truth? + +_Amint_. Will you not lie with me to night? + +_Evad_. To night? you talk as if I would hereafter. + +_Amint_. Hereafter? yes, I do. + +_Evad_. You are deceiv'd, put off amazement, and with patience mark + What I shall utter, for the Oracle + Knows nothing truer, 'tis not for a night + Or two that I forbear thy bed, but for ever. + +_Amint_. I dream,--awake _Amintor_! + +_Evad_. You hear right, + I sooner will find out the beds of Snakes, + And with my youthful blood warm their cold flesh, + Letting them curle themselves about my Limbs, + Than sleep one night with thee; this is not feign'd, + Nor sounds it like the coyness of a Bride. + +_Amin_. Is flesh so earthly to endure all this? + Are these the joyes of Marriage? _Hymen_ keep + This story (that will make succeeding youth + Neglect thy Ceremonies) from all ears. + Let it not rise up for thy shame and mine + To after ages; we will scorn thy Laws, + If thou no better bless them; touch the heart + Of her that thou hast sent me, or the world + Shall know there's not an Altar that will smoak + In praise of thee; we will adopt us Sons; + Then vertue shall inherit, and not blood: + If we do lust, we'l take the next we meet, + Serving our selves as other Creatures do, + And never take note of the Female more, + Nor of her issue. I do rage in vain, + She can but jest; Oh! pardon me my Love; + So dear the thoughts are that I hold of thee, + That I must break forth; satisfie my fear: + It is a pain beyond the hand of death, + To be in doubt; confirm it with an Oath, if this be true. + +_Evad_. Do you invent the form: + Let there be in it all the binding words + Devils and Conjurers can put together, + And I will take it; I have sworn before, + And here by all things holy do again, + Never to be acquainted with thy bed. + Is your doubt over now? + +_Amint_. I know too much, would I had doubted still; + Was ever such a marriage night as this! + You powers above, if you did ever mean + Man should be us'd thus, you have thought a way + How he may bear himself, and save his honour: + Instruct me in it; for to my dull eyes + There is no mean, no moderate course to run, + I must live scorn'd, or be a murderer: + Is there a third? why is this night so calm? + Why does not Heaven speak in Thunder to us, + And drown her voice? + +_Evad_. This rage will do no good. + +_Amint_. _Evadne_, hear me, thou hast ta'ne an Oath, + But such a rash one, that to keep it, were + Worse than to swear it; call it back to thee; + Such vows as those never ascend the Heaven; + A tear or two will wash it quite away: + Have mercy on my youth, my hopeful youth, + If thou be pitiful, for (without boast) + This Land was proud of me: what Lady was there + That men call'd fair and vertuous in this Isle, + That would have shun'd my love? It is in thee + To make me hold this worth--Oh! we vain men + That trust out all our reputation, + To rest upon the weak and yielding hand + Of feeble Women! but thou art not stone; + Thy flesh is soft, and in thine eyes doth dwell + The spirit of Love, thy heart cannot be hard. + Come lead me from the bottom of despair, + To all the joyes thou hast; I know thou wilt; + And make me careful, lest the sudden change + O're-come my spirits. + +_Evad_. When I call back this Oath, the pains of hell inviron me. + +_Amin_. I sleep, and am too temperate; come to bed, or by + Those hairs, which if thou hast a soul like to thy locks, + Were threads for Kings to wear about their arms. + +_Evad_. Why so perhaps they are. + +_Amint_. I'le drag thee to my bed, and make thy tongue + Undo this wicked Oath, or on thy flesh + I'le print a thousand wounds to let out life. + +_Evad_. I fear thee not, do what thou dar'st to me; + Every ill-sounding word, or threatning look + Thou shew'st to me, will be reveng'd at full. + +_Amint_. It will not sure _Evadne_. + +_Evad_. Do not you hazard that. + +_Amint_. Ha'ye your Champions? + +_Evad_. Alas _Amintor_, thinkst thou I forbear + To sleep with thee, because I have put on + A maidens strictness? look upon these cheeks, + And thou shalt find the hot and rising blood + Unapt for such a vow; no, in this heart + There dwels as much desire, and as much will + To put that wisht act in practice, as ever yet + Was known to woman, and they have been shown + Both; but it was the folly of thy youth, + To think this beauty (to what Land soe're + It shall be call'd) shall stoop to any second. + I do enjoy the best, and in that height + Have sworn to stand or die: you guess the man. + +_Amint_. No, let me know the man that wrongs me so, + That I may cut his body into motes, + And scatter it before the Northern wind. + +_Evad_. You dare not strike him. + +_Amint_. Do not wrong me so; + Yes, if his body were a poysonous plant, + That it were death to touch, I have a soul + Will throw me on him. + +_Evad_. Why 'tis the King. + +_Amint_. The King! + +_Evad_. What will you do now? + +_Amint_. 'Tis not the King. + +_Evad_. What, did he make this match for dull _Amintor_? + +_Amint_. Oh! thou hast nam'd a word that wipes away + All thoughts revengeful: in that sacred name, + The King, there lies a terror: what frail man + Dares lift his hand against it? let the Gods + Speak to him when they please; + Till then let us suffer and wait. + +_Evad_. Why should you fill your self so full of heat, + And haste so to my bed? I am no Virgin. + +_Amint_. What Devil put it in thy fancy then + To marry me? + +_Evad_. Alas, I must have one + To Father Children, and to bear the name + Of Husband to me, that my sin may be more honourable. + +_Amint_. What a strange thing am I! + +_Evad_. A miserable one; one that my self am sorry for. + +_Amint_. Why shew it then in this, + If thou hast pity, though thy love be none, + Kill me, and all true Lovers that shall live + In after ages crost in their desires, + Shall bless thy memory, and call thee good, + Because such mercy in thy heart was found, + To rid a lingring Wretch. + +_Evad_. I must have one + To fill thy room again, if thou wert dead, + Else by this night I would: I pity thee. + +_Amint_. These strange and sudden injuries have faln + So thick upon me, that I lose all sense + Of what they are: methinks I am not wrong'd, + Nor is it ought, if from the censuring World + I can but hide it--Reputation, + Thou art a word, no more; but thou hast shown + An impudence so high, that to the World + I fear thou wilt betray or shame thy self. + +_Evad_. To cover shame I took thee, never fear + That I would blaze my self. + +_Amint_. Nor let the King + Know I conceive he wrongs me, then mine honour + Will thrust me into action, that my flesh + Could bear with patience; and it is some ease + To me in these extreams, that I knew this + Before I toucht thee; else had all the sins + Of mankind stood betwixt me and the King, + I had gone through 'em to his heart and thine. + I have lost one desire, 'tis not his crown + Shall buy me to thy bed: now I resolve + He has dishonour'd thee; give me thy hand, + Be careful of thy credit, and sin close, + 'Tis all I wish; upon thy Chamber-floore + I'le rest to night, that morning visiters + May think we did as married people use. + And prethee smile upon me when they come, + And seem to toy, as if thou hadst been pleas'd + With what we did. + +_Evad_. Fear not, I will do this. + +_Amint_. Come let us practise, and as wantonly + As ever loving Bride and Bridegroom met, + Lets laugh and enter here. + +_Evad_. I am content. + +_Amint_. Down all the swellings of my troubled heart. + When we walk thus intwin'd, let all eyes see + If ever Lovers better did agree. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter_ Aspatia, Antiphila _and_ Olympias. + +_Asp_. Away, you are not sad, force it no further; + Good Gods, how well you look! such a full colour + Young bashful Brides put on: sure you are new married. + +_Ant_. Yes Madam, to your grief. + +_Asp_. Alas! poor Wenches. + Go learn to love first, learn to lose your selves, + Learn to be flattered, and believe, and bless + The double tongue that did it; + Make a Faith out of the miracles of Ancient Lovers. + Did you ne're love yet Wenches? speak _Olympias_, + Such as speak truth and dy'd in't, + And like me believe all faithful, and be miserable; + Thou hast an easie temper, fit for stamp. + +_Olymp_. Never. + +_Asp_. Nor you _Antiphila_? + +_Ant_. Nor I. + +_Asp_. Then my good Girles, be more than Women, wise. + At least be more than I was; and be sure you credit any + thing the light gives light to, before a man; rather + believe the Sea weeps for the ruin'd Merchant when he + roars; rather the wind courts but the pregnant sails + when the strong cordage cracks; rather the Sun comes + but to kiss the Fruit in wealthy Autumn, when all falls + blasted; if you needs must love (forc'd by ill fate) + take to your maiden bosoms two dead cold aspicks, + and of them make Lovers, they cannot flatter nor + forswear; one kiss makes a long peace for all; but + man, Oh that beast man! + Come lets be sad my Girles; + That down cast of thine eye, _Olympias_, + Shews a fine sorrow; mark _Antiphila_, + Just such another was the Nymph _Oenone_, + When _Paris_ brought home _Helen_: now a tear, + And then thou art a piece expressing fully + The _Carthage_ Queen, when from a cold Sea Rock, + Full with her sorrow, she tyed fast her eyes + To the fair _Trojan_ ships, and having lost them, + Just as thine eyes do, down stole a tear, _Antiphila_; + What would this Wench do, if she were _Aspatia_? + Here she would stand, till some more pitying God + Turn'd her to Marble: 'tis enough my Wench; + Shew me the piece of Needle-work you wrought. + +_Ant_. Of _Ariadne_, Madam? + +_Asp_. Yes that piece. + This should be _Theseus_, h'as a cousening face, + You meant him for a man. + +_Ant_. He was so Madam. + +_Asp_. Why then 'tis well enough, never look back, + You have a full wind, and a false heart _Theseus_; + Does not the story say, his Keel was split, + Or his Masts spent, or some kind rock or other + Met with his Vessel? + +_Ant_. Not as I remember. + +_Asp_. It should ha' been so; could the Gods know this, + And not of all their number raise a storm? + But they are all as ill. This false smile was well + exprest; + Just such another caught me; you shall not go + so _Antiphila_, + In this place work a quick-sand, + And over it a shallow smiling Water. + And his ship ploughing it, and then a fear. + Do that fear to the life Wench. + +_Ant_. 'Twill wrong the story. + + _Asp_. 'Twill make the story wrong'd by wanton Poets + Live long and be believ'd; but where's the Lady? + +_Ant_. There Madam. + +_Asp_. Fie, you have mist it here _Antiphila_, + You are much mistaken Wench; + These colours are not dull and pale enough, + To shew a soul so full of misery + As this sad Ladies was; do it by me, + Do it again by me the lost _Aspatia_, + And you shall find all true but the wild Island; + I stand upon the Sea breach now, and think + Mine arms thus, and mine hair blown with the wind, + Wild as that desart, and let all about me + Tell that I am forsaken, do my face + + (If thou hadst ever feeling of a sorrow) + Thus, thus, _Antiphila_ strive to make me look + Like sorrows monument; and the trees about me, + Let them be dry and leaveless; let the Rocks + Groan with continual surges, and behind me + Make all a desolation; look, look Wenches, + A miserable life of this poor Picture. + +_Olym_. Dear Madam! + + _Asp_. I have done, sit down, and let us + Upon that point fix all our eyes, that point there; + Make a dull silence till you feel a sudden sadness + Give us new souls. + [_Enter Calianax_. + + _Cal_. The King may do this, and he may not do it; + My child is wrong'd, disgrac'd: well, how now Huswives? + What at your ease? is this a time to sit still? up you + young + Lazie Whores, up or I'le sweng you. + + _Olym_. Nay, good my Lord. + +_Cal_. You'l lie down shortly, get you in and work; + What are you grown so resty? you want ears, + We shall have some of the Court boys do that Office. + +_Ant_. My Lord we do no more than we are charg'd: + It is the Ladies pleasure we be thus in grief; + She is forsaken. + + _Cal_. There's a Rogue too, + A young dissembling slave; well, get you in, + I'le have a bout with that boy; 'tis high time + Now to be valiant; I confess my youth + Was never prone that way: what, made an Ass? + A Court stale? well I will be valiant, + And beat some dozen of these Whelps; I will; and there's + Another of 'em, a trim cheating souldier, + I'le maul that Rascal, h'as out-brav'd me twice; + But now I thank the Gods I am valiant; + Go, get you in, I'le take a course with all. + + [_Exeunt Omnes_. + + + + _Actus Tertius_. + + + _Enter_ Cleon, Strato, Diphilus. + +_Cle_. Your sister is not up yet. + +_Diph_. Oh, Brides must take their mornings rest, + The night is troublesome. + +_Stra_. But not tedious. + +_Diph_. What odds, he has not my Sisters maiden-head to + night? + +_Stra_. No, it's odds against any Bridegroom living, he + ne're gets it while he lives. + +_Diph_. Y'are merry with my Sister, you'l please to allow + me the same freedom with your Mother. + +_Stra_. She's at your service. + +_Diph_. Then she's merry enough of her self, she needs + no tickling; knock at the door. + +_Stra_. We shall interrupt them. + +_Diph_. No matter, they have the year before them. + Good morrow Sister; spare your self to day, the night + will come again. + + [_Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Who's there, my Brother? I am no readier yet, + your Sister is but now up. + +_Diph_. You look as you had lost your eyes to night; I + think you ha' not slept. + +_Amint_. I faith I have not. + +_Diph_. You have done better then. + +_Amint_. We ventured for a Boy; when he is Twelve, + He shall command against the foes of _Rhodes_. + +_Stra_. You cannot, you want sleep. + [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. 'Tis true; but she + As if she had drunk _Lethe_, or had made + Even with Heaven, did fetch so still a sleep, + So sweet and sound. + +_Diph_. What's that? + +_Amint_. Your Sister frets this morning, and does turn her + eyes upon me, as people on their headsman; she does + chafe, and kiss, and chafe again, and clap my cheeks; + she's in another world. + +_Diph_. Then I had lost; I was about to lay, you had not + got her Maiden-head to night. + +_Amint_. Ha! he does not mock me; y'ad lost indeed; + I do not use to bungle. + +_Cleo_. You do deserve her. + +_Amint_. I laid my lips to hers, and [t]hat wild breath + That was rude and rough to me, last night + + [_Aside. + + Was sweet as _April_; I'le be guilty too, + If these be the effects. + + [_Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. Good day _Amintor_, for to me the name + Of Brother is too distant; we are friends, + And that is nearer. + +_Amint_. Dear _Melantius_! + Let me behold thee; is it possible? + +_Mel_. What sudden gaze is this? + +_Amint_. 'Tis wonderous strange. + + _Mel_. Why does thine eye desire so strict a view + Of that it knows so well? + There's nothing here that is not thine. + + _Amint_. I wonder much _Melantius_, + To see those noble looks that make me think + How vertuous thou art; and on the sudden + 'Tis strange to me, thou shouldst have worth and honour, + Or not be base, and false, and treacherous, + And every ill. But-- + + _Mel_. Stay, stay my Friend, + I fear this sound will not become our loves; no more, + embrace me. + +_Amint_. Oh mistake me not; + I know thee to be full of all those deeds + That we frail men call good: but by the course + Of nature thou shouldst be as quickly chang'd + As are the winds, dissembling as the Sea, + That now wears brows as smooth as Virgins be, + Tempting the Merchant to invade his face, + And in an hour calls his billows up, + And shoots 'em at the Sun, destroying all + He carries on him. O how near am I + + [_Aside_. + + To utter my sick thoughts! + +_Mel_. But why, my Friend, should I be so by Nature? + + _Amin_. I have wed thy Sister, who hath vertuous thoughts + Enough for one whole family, and it is strange + That you should feel no want. + +_Mel_. Believe me, this complement's too cunning for me. + + _Diph_. What should I be then by the course of nature, + They having both robb'd me of so much vertue? + +_Strat_. O call the Bride, my Lord _Amintor_, that we may + see her blush, and turn her eyes down; it is the + prettiest sport. + +_Amin_. _Evadne_! + +_Evad_. My Lord! + [_Within_. + +_Amint_. Come forth my Love, + Your Brothers do attend to wish you joy. + +_Evad_. I am not ready yet. + +_Amint_. Enough, enough. + + _Evad_. They'l mock me. + +_Amint_. Faith thou shalt come in. + + [_Enter Evadne_. + +_Mel_. Good morrow Sister; he that understands + Whom you have wed, need not to wish you joy. + You have enough, take heed you be not proud. + +_Diph_. O Sister, what have you done! + + _Evad_. I done! why, what have I done? + +_Strat_. My Lord _Amintor_ swears you are no Maid now. + +_Evad_. Push! + +_Strat_. I faith he does. + +_Evad_. I knew I should be mockt. + +_Diph_. With a truth. + +_Evad_. If 'twere to do again, in faith I would not marry. + +_Amint_. Not I by Heaven. + [_Aside_. + + _Diph_. Sister, Dula swears she heard you cry two rooms off. + +_Evad_. Fie how you talk! + +_Diph_. Let's see you walk. + +_Evad_. By my troth y'are spoil'd. + +_Mel_. _Amintor_! + +_Amint_. Ha! + +_Mel_. Thou art sad. + +_Amint_. Who I? I thank you for that, shall _Diphilus_, + thou and I sing a catch? + +_Mel_. How! + +_Amint_. Prethee let's. + +_Mel_. Nay, that's too much the other way. + +_Amint_. I am so lightned with my happiness: how dost + thou Love? kiss me. + +_Evad_. I cannot love you, you tell tales of me. + +_Amint_. Nothing but what becomes us: Gentlemen, + Would you had all such Wives, and all the world, + That I might be no wonder; y'are all sad; + What, do you envie me? I walk methinks + On water, and ne're sink, I am so light. + +_Mel_. 'Tis well you are so. + +_Amint_. Well? how can I be other, when she looks thus? + Is there no musick there? let's dance. + +_Mel_. Why? this is strange, _Amintor_! + + _Amint_. I do not know my self; + Yet I could wish my joy were less. + +_Diph_. I'le marry too, if it will make one thus. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, hark. [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. What says my Love? I must obey. + +_Evad_. You do it scurvily, 'twill be perceiv'd. + +_Cle_. My Lord the King is here. + + [_Enter King and Lysi_. + +_Amint_. Where? + +_Stra_. And his Brother. + +_King_. Good morrow all. + _Amintor,_ joy on, joy fall thick upon thee! + And Madam, you are alter'd since I saw you, + I must salute you; you are now anothers; + How lik't you your nights rest? + +_Evad_. Ill Sir. + +_Amint_. I! 'deed she took but little. + +_Lys_. You'l let her take more, and thank her too shortly. + +_King_. _Amintor_, wert thou truly honest + Till thou wert Married? + +_Amint_. Yes Sir. + +_King_. Tell me then, how shews the sport unto thee? + +_Amint_. Why well. + +_King_. What did you do? + +_Amint_. No more nor less than other couples use; + You know what 'tis; it has but a course name. + +_King_. But prethee, I should think by her black eye, + And her red cheek, she should be quick and stirring + In this same business, ha? + +_Amint_. I cannot tell, I ne're try'd other Sir, but I perceive + She is as quick as you delivered. + +_King_. Well, you'l trust me then _Amintor_, + To choose a Wife for you agen? + +_Amint_. No never Sir. + +_King_. Why? like you this so ill? + +_Amint_. So well I like her. + For this I bow my knee in thanks to you, + And unto Heaven will pay my grateful tribute + Hourly, and to hope we shall draw out + A long contented life together here, + And die both full of gray hairs in one day; + For which the thanks is yours; but if the powers + That rule us, please to call her first away, + Without pride spoke, this World holds not a Wife + Worthy to take her room. + +_King_. I do not like this; all forbear the room + But you _Amintor_ and your Lady. I have some speech with + You, that may concern your after living well. + _Amint_. He will not tell me that he lies with her: if + he do, + Something Heavenly stay my heart, for I shall be apt + To thrust this arm of mine to acts unlawful. + +_King_. You will suffer me to talk with her _Amintor_, + And not have a jealous pang! + +_Amint_. Sir, I dare trust my Wife + With whom she dares to talk, and not be jealous. + +_King_. How do you like _Amintor_? + +_Evad_. As I did Sir. + +_King_. How's that! + +_Evad_. As one that to fulfil your will and pleasure, + I have given leave to call me Wife and Love. + +_King_. I see there is no lasting Faith in Sin; + They that break word with Heaven, will break again + With all the World, and so dost thou with me. + +_Evad_. How Sir? + +_King_. This subtile Womans ignorance + Will not excuse you; thou hast taken Oaths + So great, methought they did not well become + A Womans mouth, that thou wouldst ne're enjoy + A man but me. + +_Evad_. I never did swear so; you do me wrong. + +_King_. Day and night have heard it. + +_Evad_. I swore indeed that I would never love + A man of lower place; but if your fortune + Should throw you from this height, I bade you trust + I would forsake you, and would bend to him + That won your Throne; I love with my ambition, + Not with mine eyes; but if I ever yet + Toucht any other, Leprosie light here + Upon my face, which for your Royalty I would not stain. + +_King_. Why thou dissemblest, and it is in me to punish thee. + +_Evad_. Why, it is in me then not to love you, which will + More afflict your body, than your punishment can mine. + +_King_. But thou hast let _Amintor_ lie with thee. + +_Evad_. I ha'not. + +_King_. Impudence! he saies himself so. + +_Evad_. He lyes. + +_King_. He does not. + +_Evad_. By this light he does, strangely and basely, and + I'le prove it so; I did not shun him for a night, + But told him I would never close with him. + + _King_. Speak lower, 'tis false. + +_Evad_. I'm no man to answer with a blow; + Or if I were, you are the King; but urge me not, 'tis + most true. + +_King_. Do not I know the uncontrouled thoughts + That youth brings with him, when his bloud is high + With expectation and desires of that + He long hath waited for? is not his spirit, + Though he be temperate, of a valiant strain, + As this our age hath known? what could he do, + If such a sudden speech had met his blood, + But ruine thee for ever? if he had not kill'd thee, + He could not bear it thus; he is as we, + Or any other wrong'd man. + +_Evad_. It is dissembling. + +_King_. Take him; farewel; henceforth I am thy foe; + And what disgraces I can blot thee, look for. + +_Evad_. Stay Sir; _Amintor_, you shall hear, _Amintor_. + +_Amint_. What my Love? + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, thou hast an ingenious look, + And shouldst be vertuous; it amazeth me, + That thou canst make such base malicious lyes. + +_Amint_. What my dear Wife? + +_Evad_. Dear Wife! I do despise thee; + Why, nothing can be baser, than to sow + Dissention amongst Lovers. + +_Amint_. Lovers! who? + +_Evad_. The King and me. + +_Amint_. O Heaven! + +_Evad_. Who should live long, and love without distaste, + Were it not for such pickthanks as thy self! + Did you lie with me? swear now, and be punisht in hell + For this. + +_Amint_. The faithless Sin I made + To fair _Aspatia_, is not yet reveng'd, + It follows me; I will not lose a word + To this wild Woman; but to you my King, + The anguish of my soul thrusts out this truth, + Y'are a Tyrant; and not so much to wrong + An honest man thus, as to take a pride + In talking with him of it. + +_Evad_. Now Sir, see how loud this fellow lyed. + +_Amint_. You that can know to wrong, should know how + Men must right themselves: what punishment is due + From me to him that shall abuse my bed! + It is not death; nor can that satisfie, + Unless I send your lives through all the Land, + To shew how nobly I have freed my self. + +_King_. Draw not thy Sword, thou knowest I cannot fear + A subjects hand; but thou shalt feel the weight of this + If thou dost rage. + +_Amint_. The weight of that? + If you have any worth, for Heavens sake think + I fear not Swords; for as you are meer man, + I dare as easily kill you for this deed, + As you dare think to do it; but there is + Divinity about you, that strikes dead + My rising passions, as you are my King, + I fall before you, and present my Sword + To cut mine own flesh, if it be your will. + Alas! I am nothing but a multitude + Of walking griefs; yet should I murther you, + I might before the world take the excuse + Of madness: for compare my injuries, + And they will well appear too sad a weight + For reason to endure; but fall I first + Amongst my sorrows, ere my treacherous hand + Touch holy things: but why? I know not what + I have to say; why did you choose out me + To make thus wretched? there were thousand fools + Easie to work on, and of state enough within the Island. + +_Evad_. I would not have a fool, it were no credit for me. + +_Amint_. Worse and worse! + Thou that dar'st talk unto thy Husband thus, + Profess thy self a Whore; and more than so, + Resolve to be so still; it is my fate + To bear and bow beneath a thousand griefs, + To keep that little credit with the World. + But there were wise ones too, you might have ta'ne + another. + +_King_. No; for I believe thee honest, as thou wert valiant. + +_Amint_. All the happiness + Bestow'd upon me, turns into disgrace; + Gods take your honesty again, for I + Am loaden with it; good my Lord the King, be private + in it. + +_King_. Thou may'st live _Amintor_, + Free as thy King, if thou wilt wink at this, + And be a means that we may meet in secret. + +_Amint_. A Baud! hold my breast, a bitter curse + Seize me, if I forget not all respects + That are Religious, on another word + Sounded like that, and through a Sea of sins + Will wade to my revenge, though I should call + Pains here, and after life upon my soul. + +_King_. Well I am resolute you lay not with her, + And so leave you. + + [_Exit King_. + +_Evad_. You must be prating, and see what follows. + +_Amint_. Prethee vex me not. + Leave me, I am afraid some sudden start + Will pull a murther on me. + +_Evad_. I am gone; I love my life well. + + [_Exit Evadne_. + +_Amint_. I hate mine as much. + This 'tis to break a troth; I should be glad + If all this tide of grief would make me mad. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter Melantius_. + +_Mel_. I'le know the cause of all _Amintors_ griefs, + Or friendship shall be idle. + + [_Enter Calianax_. + +_Cal_. O _Melantius_, my Daughter will die. + +_Mel_. Trust me, I am sorry; would thou hadst ta'ne her room. + +_Cal_. Thou art a slave, a cut-throat slave, a bloody treacherous + slave. + +_Melan_. Take heed old man, thou wilt be heard to rave, + And lose thine Offices. + +_Cal_. I am valiant grown + At all these years, and thou art but a slave. + +_Mel_. Leave, some company will come, and I respect + Thy years, not thee so much, that I could wish + To laugh at thee alone. + +_Cal_. I'le spoil your mirth, I mean to fight with thee; + There lie my Cloak, this was my Fathers Sword, + And he durst fight; are you prepar'd? + +_Mel_. Why? wilt thou doat thy self out of thy life? + Hence get thee to bed, have careful looking to, and eat + warm things, and trouble not me: my head is full of + thoughts more weighty than thy life or death can be. + +_Cal_. You have a name in War, when you stand safe + Amongst a multitude; but I will try + What you dare do unto a weak old man + In single fight; you'l ground I fear: Come draw. + +_Mel_. I will not draw, unless thou pul'st thy death + Upon thee with a stroke; there's no one blow + That thou canst give, hath strength enough to kill me. + Tempt me not so far then; the power of earth + Shall not redeem thee. + +_Cal_. I must let him alone, + He's stout and able; and to say the truth, + However I may set a face, and talk, + I am not valiant: when I was a youth, + I kept my credit with a testie trick I had, + Amongst cowards, but durst never fight. + +_Mel_. I will not promise to preserve your life if you do stay. + +_Cal_. I would give half my Land that I durst fight with + that proud man a little: if I had men to hold, I would + beat him, till he ask me mercy. + +_Mel_. Sir, will you be gone? + +_Cal_. I dare not stay, but I will go home, and beat my + servants all over for this. + + [_Exit Calianax_. + +_Mel_. This old fellow haunts me, + But the distracted carriage of mine _Amintor_ + Takes deeply on me, I will find the cause; + I fear his Conscience cries, he wrong'd _Aspatia_. + + _Enter Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Mens eyes are not so subtil to perceive + My inward misery; I bear my grief + Hid from the World; how art thou wretched then? + For ought I know, all Husbands are like me; + And every one I talk with of his Wife, + Is but a well dissembler of his woes + As I am; would I knew it, for the rareness afflicts me + now. + +_Mel_. _Amintor_, We have not enjoy'd our friendship of late, + for we were wont to charge our souls in talk. + +_Amint_. _Melantius_, I can tell thee a good jest of _Strato_ and + a Lady the last day. + +_Mel_. How wast? + +_Amint_. Why such an odd one. + +_Mel_. I have long'd to speak with you, not of an idle jest + that's forc'd, but of matter you are bound to utter + to me. + +_Amint_. What is that my friend? + +_Mel_. I have observ'd, your words fall from your tongue + Wildly; and all your carriage, + Like one that strove to shew his merry mood, + When he were ill dispos'd: you were not wont + To put such scorn into your speech, or wear + Upon your face ridiculous jollity: + Some sadness sits here, which your cunning would + Cover o're with smiles, and 'twill not be. What is it? + +_Amint_. A sadness here! what cause + Can fate provide for me, to make me so? + Am I not lov'd through all this Isle? the King + Rains greatness on me: have I not received + A Lady to my bed, that in her eye + Keeps mounting fire, and on her tender cheeks + Inevitable colour, in her heart + A prison for all vertue? are not you, + Which is above all joyes, my constant friend? + What sadness can I have? no, I am light, + And feel the courses of my blood more warm + And stirring than they were; faith marry too, + And you will feel so unexprest a joy + In chast embraces, that you will indeed appear another. + +_Mel_. You may shape, _Amintor_, + Causes to cozen the whole world withal, + And your self too; but 'tis not like a friend, + To hide your soul from me; 'tis not your nature + To be thus idle; I have seen you stand + As you were blasted; midst of all your mirth, + Call thrice aloud, and then start, feigning joy + So coldly: World! what do I here? a friend + Is nothing, Heaven! I would ha' told that man + My secret sins; I'le search an unknown Land, + And there plant friendship, all is withered here; + Come with a complement, I would have fought, + Or told my friend he ly'd, ere sooth'd him so; + Out of my bosom. + +_Amint_. But there is nothing. + +_Mel_. Worse and worse; farewel; + From this time have acquaintance, but no friend. + +_Amint_. _Melantius_, stay, you shall know what that is. + +_Mel_. See how you play'd with friendship; be advis'd + How you give cause unto your self to say, You ha'lost + a friend. + +_Amint_. Forgive what I have done; + For I am so ore-gone with injuries + Unheard of, that I lose consideration + Of what I ought to do--oh--oh. + +_Mel_. Do not weep; what is't? + May I once but know the man + Hath turn'd my friend thus? + +_Amint_. I had spoke at first, but that. + +_Mel_. But what? + +_Amint_. I held it most unfit + For you to know; faith do not know it yet. + +_Mel_. Thou seest my love, that will keep company + With thee in tears; hide nothing then from me; + For when I know the cause of thy distemper, + With mine own armour I'le adorn my self, + My resolution, and cut through thy foes, + Unto thy quiet, till I place thy heart + As peaceable as spotless innocence. What is it? + +_Amint_. Why, 'tis this--it is too big + To get out, let my tears make way a while. + +_Mel_. Punish me strangely heaven, if he escape + Of life or fame, that brought this youth to this. + +_Amint_. Your Sister. + +_Mel_. Well said. + +_Amint_. You'l wish't unknown, when you have heard it. + +_Mel_. No. + +_Amint_. Is much to blame, + And to the King has given her honour up, + And lives in Whoredom with him. + +_Mel_. How, this! + Thou art run mad with injury indeed, + Thou couldst not utter this else; speak again, + For I forgive it freely; tell thy griefs. + +_Amint_. She's wanton; I am loth to say a Whore, + Though it be true. + +_Mel_. Speak yet again, before mine anger grow + Up beyond throwing down; what are thy griefs? + +_Amint_. By all our friendship, these. + +_Mel_. What? am I tame? + After mine actions, shall the name of friend + Blot all our family, and strike the brand + Of Whore upon my Sister unreveng'd? + My shaking flesh be thou a Witness for me, + With what unwillingness I go to scourge + This Rayler, whom my folly hath call'd Friend; + I will not take thee basely; thy sword + Hangs near thy hand, draw it, that I may whip + Thy rashness to repentance; draw thy sword. + +_Amint_. Not on thee, did thine anger swell as high + As the wild surges; thou shouldst do me ease + Here, and Eternally, if thy noble hand + Would cut me from my sorrows. + +_Mel_. This is base and fearful! they that use to utter lyes, + Provide not blows, but words to qualifie + The men they wrong'd; thou hast a guilty cause. + +_Amint_. Thou pleasest me; for so much more like this, + Will raise my anger up above my griefs, + Which is a passion easier to be born, + And I shall then be happy. + +_Mel_. Take then more to raise thine anger. 'Tis meer + Cowardize makes thee not draw; and I will leave thee + dead + However; but if thou art so much prest + With guilt and fear, as not to dare to fight, + I'le make thy memory loath'd, and fix a scandal + Upon thy name for ever. + +_Amint_. Then I draw, + As justly as our Magistrates their Swords, + To cut offenders off; I knew before + 'Twould grate your ears; but it was base in you + To urge a weighty secret from your friend, + And then rage at it; I shall be at ease + If I be kill'd; and if you fall by me, + I shall not long out-live you. + +_Mel_. Stay a while. + The name of friend is more than family, + Or all the world besides; I was a fool. + Thou searching humane nature, that didst wake + To do me wrong, thou art inquisitive, + And thrusts me upon questions that will take + My sleep away; would I had died ere known + This sad dishonour; pardon me my friend; + If thou wilt strike, here is a faithful heart, + Pierce it, for I will never heave my hand + To thine; behold the power thou hast in me! + I do believe my Sister is a Whore, + A Leprous one, put up thy sword young man. + +_Amint_. How should I bear it then, she being so? + I fear my friend that you will lose me shortly; + And I shall do a foul action my self + Through these disgraces. + +_Mel_. Better half the Land + Were buried quick together; no, _Amintor_, + Thou shalt have ease: O this Adulterous King + That drew her to't! where got he the spirit + To wrong me so? + +_Amint_. What is it then to me, + If it be wrong to you! + +_Mel_. Why, not so much: the credit of our house + Is thrown away; + But from his Iron Den I'le waken death, + And hurle him on this King; my honesty + Shall steel my sword, and on its horrid point + I'le wear my cause, that shall amaze the eyes + Of this proud man, and be too glittering + For him to look on. + +_Amint_. I have quite undone my fame. + +_Mel_. Dry up thy watry eyes, + And cast a manly look upon my face; + For nothing is so wild as I thy friend + Till I have freed thee; still this swelling breast; + I go thus from thee, and will never cease + My vengeance, till I find my heart at peace. + +_Amint_. It must not be so; stay, mine eyes would tell + How loth I am to this; but love and tears + Leave me a while, for I have hazarded + All this world calls happy; thou hast wrought + A secret from me under name of Friend, + Which Art could ne're have found, nor torture wrung + From out my bosom; give it me agen, + For I will find it, wheresoe're it lies + Hid in the mortal'st part; invent a way to give it back. + +_Mel_. Why, would you have it back? + I will to death pursue him with revenge. + +_Amint_. Therefore I call it back from thee; for I know + Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this, and + shame me + To posterity: take to thy Weapon. + +_Mel_. Hear thy friend, that bears more years than thou. + +_Amint_. I will not hear: but draw, or I---- + +_Mel_. _Amintor_. + +_Amint_. Draw then, for I am full as resolute + As fame and honour can inforce me be; + I cannot linger, draw. + +_Mel_. I do--but is not + My share of credit equal with thine if I do stir? + +_Amint_. No; for it will be cal'd + Honour in thee to spill thy Sisters blood, + If she her birth abuse, and on the King + A brave revenge: but on me that have walkt + With patience in it, it will fix the name + Of fearful Cuckold--O that word! be quick. + +_Mel_. Then joyn with me. + +_Amint_. I dare not do a sin, or else I would: be speedy. + +_Mel_. Then dare not fight with me, for that's a sin. + His grief distracts him; call thy thoughts agen, + And to thy self pronounce the name of friend, + And see what that will work; I will not fight. + +_Amint_. You must. + +_Mel_. I will be kill'd first, though my passions + Offred the like to you; 'tis not this earth + Shall buy my reason to it; think a while, + For you are (I must weep when I speak that) + Almost besides your self. + +_Amint_. Oh my soft temper! + So many sweet words from thy Sisters mouth, + I am afraid would make me take her + To embrace, and pardon her. I am mad indeed, + And know not what I do; yet have a care + Of me in what thou doest. + +_Mel_. Why thinks my friend I will forget his honour, or to save + The bravery of our house, will lose his fame, + And fear to touch the Throne of Majesty? + +_Amint_. A curse will follow that, but rather live + And suffer with me. + +_Mel_. I will do what worth shall bid me, and no more. + +_Amint_. Faith I am sick, and desperately I hope, + Yet leaning thus, I feel a kind of ease. + +_Mel_. Come take agen your mirth about you. + +_Amint_. I shall never do't. + +_Mel_. I warrant you, look up, wee'l walk together, + Put thine arm here, all shall be well agen. + +_Amint_. Thy Love, O wretched, I thy Love, _Melantius_; + why, I have nothing else. + +_Mel_. Be merry then. + + [_Exeunt. Enter Melantius agen_. + +_Mel_. This worthy young man may do violence + Upon himself, but I have cherisht him + To my best power, and sent him smiling from me + To counterfeit again; Sword hold thine edge, + My heart will never fail me: _Diphilus_, + Thou com'st as sent. + + [_Enter Diphilus_. + +_Diph_. Yonder has been such laughing. + +_Mel_. Betwixt whom? + +_Diph_. Why, our Sister and the King, + I thought their spleens would break, + They laught us all out of the room. + +_Mel_. They must weep, _Diphilus_. + +_Diph_. Must they? + +_Mel_. They must: thou art my Brother, and if I did believe + Thou hadst a base thought, I would rip it out, + Lie where it durst. + +_Diph_. You should not, I would first mangle my self and find it. + +_Mel_. That was spoke according to our strain; come + Joyn thy hands to mine, + And swear a firmness to what project I shall lay + before thee. + +_Diph_. You do wrong us both; + People hereafter shall not say there past + A bond more than our loves, to tie our lives + And deaths together. + +_Mel_. It is as nobly said as I would wish; + Anon I'le tell you wonders; we are wrong'd. + +_Diph_. But I will tell you now, wee'l right our selves. + +_Mel_. Stay not, prepare the armour in my house; + And what friends you can draw unto our side, + Not knowing of the cause, make ready too; + Haste _Diphilus_, the time requires it, haste. + + [_Exit Diphilus_. + + I hope my cause is just, I know my blood + Tells me it is, and I will credit it: + To take revenge, and lose my self withal, + Were idle; and to scape impossible, + Without I had the fort, which misery + Remaining in the hands of my old enemy + _Calianax_, but I must have it, see + + [_Enter Calianax_. + + Where he comes shaking by me: good my Lord, + Forget your spleen to me, I never wrong'd you, + But would have peace with every man. + +_Cal_. 'Tis well; + If I durst fight, your tongue would lie at quiet. + +_Mel_. Y'are touchie without all cause. + +_Cal_. Do, mock me. + +_Mel_. By mine honour I speak truth. + +_Cal_. Honour? where is't? + +_Mel_. See what starts you make into your hatred to my + love and freedom to you.-- + I come with resolution to obtain a suit of you. + +_Cal_. A suit of me! 'tis very like it should be granted, Sir. + +_Mel_. Nay, go not hence; + 'Tis this; you have the keeping of the Fort, + And I would wish you by the love you ought + To bear unto me, to deliver it into my hands. + +_Cal_. I am in hope that thou art mad, to talk to me thus. + +_Mel_. But there is a reason to move you to it. I would + kill the King that wrong'd you and your daughter. + +_Cal_. Out Traytor! + +_Mel_. Nay but stay; I cannot scape, the deed once done, + Without I have this fort. + +_Cal_. And should I help thee? now thy treacherous mind + betrays it self. + +_Mel_. Come, delay me not; + Give me a sudden answer, or already + Thy last is spoke; refuse not offered love, + When it comes clad in secrets. + +_Cal_. If I say I will not, he will kill me, I do see't writ + In his looks; and should I say I will, he'l run + and tell the + King: I do not shun your friendship + dear _Melantius_, + But this cause is weighty, give me but an hour + to think. + +_Mel_. Take it--I know this goes unto the King, + But I am arm'd. + [_Ex. Melant_. + +_Cal_. Me thinks I feel my self + But twenty now agen; this fighting fool + Wants Policy; I shall revenge my Girl, + And make her red again; I pray, my legs + Will last that pace that I will carry them, + I shall want breath before I find the King. + + + + _Actus Quartus_. + + + _Enter_ Melantius, Evadne, _and a_ Lady. + +_Mel_. Save you. + +_Evad_. Save you sweet Brother. + +_Mel_. In my blunt eye methinks you look _Evadne_. + +_Evad_. Come, you would make me blush. + +_Mel_. I would _Evadne_, I shall displease my ends else. + +_Evad_. You shall if you command me; I am bashful; + Come Sir, how do I look? + +_Mel_. I would not have your women hear me + Break into commendation of you, 'tis not seemly. + +_Evad_. Go wait me in the Gallery--now speak. + +_Mel_. I'le lock the door first. + + [_Exeunt Ladies_. + +_Evad_. Why? + +_Mel_. I will not have your guilded things that dance in + visitation with their Millan skins choke up my business. + +_Evad_. You are strangely dispos'd Sir. + +_Mel_. Good Madam, not to make you merry. + +_Evad_. No, if you praise me, 'twill make me sad. + +_Mel_. Such a sad commendation I have for you. + +_Evad_. Brother, the Court hath made you witty, + And learn to riddle. + +_Mel_. I praise the Court for't; has it learned you nothing? + +_Evad_. Me? + +_Mel_. I _Evadne_, thou art young and handsom, + A Lady of a sweet complexion, + And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot + Chuse but inflame a Kingdom. + +_Evad_. Gentle Brother! + +_Mel_. 'Tis yet in thy remembrance, foolish woman, + To make me gentle. + +_Evad_. How is this? + +_Mel_. 'Tis base, + And I could blush at these years, through all + My honour'd scars, to come to such a parly. + +_Evad_. I understand you not. + +_Mel_. You dare not, Fool; + They that commit thy faults, fly the remembrance. + +_Evad_. My faults, Sir! I would have you know I care not + If they were written here, here in my forehead. + +_Mel_. Thy body is too little for the story, + The lusts of which would fill another woman, + Though she had Twins within her. + +_Evad_. This is saucy; + Look you intrude no more, there lies your way. + +_Mel_. Thou art my way, and I will tread upon thee, + Till I find truth out. + +_Evad_. What truth is that you look for? + +_Mel_. Thy long-lost honour: would the Gods had set me + One of their loudest bolts; come tell me quickly, + Do it without enforcement, and take heed + You swell me not above my temper. + +_Evad_. How Sir? where got you this report? + +_Mel_. Where there was people in every place. + +_Evad_. They and the seconds of it are base people; + Believe them not, they lyed. + +_Mel_. Do not play with mine anger, do not Wretch, + I come to know that desperate Fool that drew thee + From thy fair life; be wise, and lay him open. + +_Evad_. Unhand me, and learn manners, such another + Forgetfulness forfeits your life. + +_Mel_. Quench me this mighty humour, and then tell me + Whose Whore you are, for you are one, I know it. + Let all mine honours perish but I'le find him, + Though he lie lockt up in thy blood; be sudden; + There is no facing it, and be not flattered; + The burnt air, when the _Dog_ raigns, is not fouler + Than thy contagious name, till thy repentance + (If the Gods grant thee any) purge thy sickness. + +_Evad_. Be gone, you are my Brother, that's your safety. + +_Mel_. I'le be a Wolf first; 'tis to be thy Brother + An infamy below the sin of a Coward: + I am as far from being part of thee, + As thou art from thy vertue: seek a kindred + Mongst sensual beasts, and make a Goat thy Brother, + A Goat is cooler; will you tell me yet? + +_Evad_. If you stay here and rail thus, I shall tell you, + I'le ha' you whipt; get you to your command, + And there preach to your Sentinels, + And tell them what a brave man you are; I shall laugh + at you. + +_Mel_. Y'are grown a glorious Whore; where be your + Fighters? what mortal Fool durst raise thee to this + daring, + And I alive? by my just Sword, h'ad safer + Bestride a Billow when the angry North + Plows up the Sea, or made Heavens fire his food; + Work me no higher; will you discover yet? + +_Evad_. The Fellow's mad, sleep and speak sense. + +_Mel_. Force my swollen heart no further; I would save + thee; your great maintainers are not here, they dare + not, would they were all, and armed, I would speak + loud; here's one should thunder to 'em: will you tell + me? thou hast no hope to scape; he that dares most, + and damns away his soul to do thee service, will + sooner fetch meat from a hungry Lion, than come to + rescue thee; thou hast death about thee: h'as + undone thine honour, poyson'd thy vertue, and of a + lovely rose, left thee a canker. + +_Evad_. Let me consider. + +_Mel_. Do, whose child thou wert, + Whose honour thou hast murdered, whose grave open'd, + And so pull'd on the Gods, that in their justice + They must restore him flesh again and life, + And raise his dry bones to revenge his scandal. + +_Evad_. The gods are not of my mind; they had better + let 'em lie sweet still in the earth; they'l stink here. + + +_Mel_. Do you raise mirth out of my easiness? + Forsake me then all weaknesses of Nature, + That make men women: Speak you whore, speak truth, + Or by the dear soul of thy sleeping Father, + This sword shall be thy lover: tell, or I'le kill thee: + And when thou hast told all, thou wilt deserve it. + +_Evad_. You will not murder me! + +_Mel_. No, 'tis a justice, and a noble one, + To put the light out of such base offenders. + +_Evad_. Help! + +_Mel_. By thy foul self, no humane help shall help thee, + If thou criest: when I have kill'd thee, as I have + Vow'd to do, if thou confess not, naked as thou hast + left + Thine honour, will I leave thee, + That on thy branded flesh the world may read + Thy black shame, and my justice; wilt thou bend yet? + +_Evad_. Yes. + +_Mel_. Up and begin your story. + +_Evad_. Oh I am miserable. + +_Mel_. 'Tis true, thou art, speak truth still. + +_Evad_. I have offended, noble Sir: forgive me. + +_Mel_. With what secure slave? + +_Evad_. Do not ask me Sir. + Mine own remembrance is a misery too mightie for me. + +_Mel_. Do not fall back again; my sword's unsheath'd yet. + +_Evad_. What shall I do? + +_Mel_. Be true, and make your fault less. + +_Evad_. I dare not tell. + + _Mel_. Tell, or I'le be this day a killing thee. + +_Evad_. Will you forgive me then? + +_Mel_. Stay, I must ask mine honour first, I have too much + foolish nature in me; speak. + +_Evad_. Is there none else here? + +_Mel_. None but a fearful conscience, that's too many. Who is't? + +_Evad_. O hear me gently; it was the King. + +_Mel_. No more. My worthy father's and my services + Are liberally rewarded! King, I thank thee, + For all my dangers and my wounds, thou hast paid me + In my own metal: These are Souldiers thanks. + How long have you liv'd thus _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. Too long. + +_Mel_. Too late you find it: can you be sorry? + +_Evad_. Would I were half as blameless. + +_Mel_. _Evadne_, thou wilt to thy trade again. + +_Evad_. First to my grave. + +_Mel_. Would gods th'hadst been so blest: + Dost thou not hate this King now? prethee hate him: + Couldst thou not curse him? I command thee curse him, + Curse till the gods hear, and deliver him + To thy just wishes: yet I fear _Evadne_; + You had rather play your game out. + +_Evad_. No, I feel + Too many sad confusions here to let in any loose flame + hereafter. + +_Mel_. Dost thou not feel amongst all those one brave anger + That breaks out nobly, and directs thine arm to kill + this base King? + +_Evad_. All the gods forbid it. + +_Mel_. No, all the gods require it, they are dishonoured in him. + +_Evad_. 'Tis too fearful. + +_Mel_. Y'are valiant in his bed, and bold enough + To be a stale whore, and have your Madams name + Discourse for Grooms and Pages, and hereafter + When his cool Majestie hath laid you by, + To be at pension with some needy Sir + For meat and courser clothes, thus far you know no fear. + Come, you shall kill him. + +_Evad_. Good Sir! + +_Mel_. And 'twere to kiss him dead, thou'd smother him; + Be wise and kill him: Canst thou live and know + What noble minds shall make thee see thy self + Found out with every finger, made the shame + Of all successions, and in this great ruine + Thy brother and thy noble husband broken? + Thou shalt not live thus; kneel and swear to help me + When I shall call thee to it, or by all + Holy in heaven and earth, thou shalt not live + To breath a full hour longer, not a thought: + Come 'tis a righteous oath; give me thy hand, + And both to heaven held up, swear by that wealth + This lustful thief stole from thee, when I say it, + To let his foul soul out. + +_Evad_. Here I swear it, + And all you spirits of abused Ladies + Help me in this performance. + +_Mel_. Enough; this must be known to none + But you and I _Evadne_; not to your Lord, + Though he be wise and noble, and a fellow + Dares step as far into a worthy action, + As the most daring, I as far as Justice. + Ask me not why. Farewell. + + [_Exit Mel_. + +_Evad_. Would I could say so to my black disgrace. + Oh where have I been all this time! how friended, + That I should lose my self thus desperately, + And none for pity shew me how I wandred? + There is not in the compass of the light + A more unhappy creature: sure I am monstrous, + For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs, + Would dare a woman. O my loaden soul, + Be not so cruel to me, choak not up + + [_Enter Amintor_. + + The way to my repentance. O my Lord. + +_Amin_. How now? + +_Evad_. My much abused Lord! + [_Kneels_. + +_Amin_. This cannot be. + +_Evad_. I do not kneel to live, I dare not hope it; + The wrongs I did are greater; look upon me + Though I appear with all my faults. + +_Amin_. Stand up. + This is no new way to beget more sorrow; + Heaven knows I have too many; do not mock me; + Though I am tame and bred up with my wrongs, + Which are my foster-brothers, I may leap + Like a hand-wolf into my natural wilderness, + And do an out-rage: pray thee do not mock me. + +_Evad_. My whole life is so leprous, it infects + All my repentance: I would buy your pardon + Though at the highest set, even with my life: + That slight contrition, that's no sacrifice + For what I have committed. + +_Amin_. Sure I dazle: + There cannot be a faith in that foul woman + That knows no God more mighty than her mischiefs: + Thou dost still worst, still number on thy faults, + To press my poor heart thus. Can I believe + There's any seed of Vertue in that woman + Left to shoot up, that dares go on in sin + Known, and so known as thine is, O _Evadne_! + Would there were any safety in thy sex, + That I might put a thousand sorrows off, + And credit thy repentance: but I must not; + Thou hast brought me to the dull calamity, + To that strange misbelief of all the world, + And all things that are in it, that I fear + I shall fall like a tree, and find my grave, + Only remembring that I grieve. + +_Evad_. My Lord, + Give me your griefs: you are an innocent, + A soul as white as heaven: let not my sins + Perish your noble youth: I do not fall here + To shadow by dissembling with my tears, + As all say women can, or to make less + What my hot will hath done, which heaven and you + Knows to be tougher than the hand of time + Can cut from mans remembrance; no I do not; + I do appear the same, the same _Evadne_, + Drest in the shames I liv'd in, the same monster. + But these are names of honour, to what I am; + I do present my self the foulest creature, + Most poysonous, dangerous, and despis'd of men, + _Lerna_ e're bred, or _Nilus_; I am hell, + Till you, my dear Lord, shoot your light into me, + The beams of your forgiveness: I am soul-sick, + And [wither] with the fear of one condemn'd, + Till I have got your pardon. + +_Amin_. Rise _Evadne_, + Those heavenly powers that put this good into thee, + Grant a continuance of it: I forgive thee; + Make thy self worthy of it, and take heed, + Take heed _Evadne_ this be serious; + Mock not the powers above, that can and dare + Give thee a great example of their justice + To all ensuing eyes, if thou plai'st + With thy repentance, the best sacrifice. + +_Evad_. I have done nothing good to win belief, + My life hath been so faithless; all the creatures + Made for heavens honours have their ends, and good ones, + All but the cousening _Crocodiles_, false women; + They reign here like those plagues, those killing sores + Men pray against; and when they die, like tales + Ill told, and unbeliev'd, they pass away, + And go to dust forgotten: But my Lord, + Those short dayes I shall number to my rest, + (As many must not see me) shall though too late, + Though in my evening, yet perceive a will, + Since I can do no good because a woman, + Reach constantly at some thing that is near it; + I will redeem one minute of my age, + Or like another _Niobe_ I'le weep till I am water. + +_Amin_. I am now dissolved: + My frozen soul melts: may each sin thou hast, + Find a new mercy: Rise, I am at peace: + Hadst thou been thus, thus excellently good, + Before that devil King tempted thy frailty, + Sure thou hadst made a star: give me thy hand; + From this time I will know thee, and as far + As honour gives me leave, be thy _Amintor_: + When we meet next, I will salute thee fairly, + And pray the gods to give thee happy dayes: + My charity shall go along with thee, + Though my embraces must be far from thee. + I should ha' kill'd thee, but this sweet repentance + Locks up my vengeance, for which thus I kiss thee, + The last kiss we must take; and would to heaven + The holy Priest that gave our hands together, + Had given us equal Vertues: go _Evadne_, + The gods thus part our bodies, have a care + My honour falls no farther, I am well then. + +_Evad_. All the dear joyes here, and above hereafter + Crown thy fair soul: thus I take leave my Lord, + And never shall you see the foul _Evadne_ + Till sh'ave tryed all honoured means that may + Set her in rest, and wash her stains away. + + [_Exeunt_. + + _Banquet. Enter King, Calianax. Hoboyes play within_. + +_King_. I cannot tell how I should credit this + From you that are his enemy. + +_Cal_. I am sure he said it to me, and I'le justifie it + What way he dares oppose, but with my sword. + +_King_. But did he break without all circumstance + To you his foe, that he would have the Fort + To kill me, and then escape? + +_Cal_. If he deny it, I'le make him blush. + +_King_. It sounds incredibly. + +_Cal_. I, so does every thing I say of late. + +_King_. Not so _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. Yes, I should sit + Mute, whilst a Rogue with strong arms cuts your throat. + +_King_. Well, I will try him, and if this be true + I'le pawn my life I'le find it; if't be false, + And that you clothe your hate in such a lie, + You shall hereafter doat in your own house, not in the + Court. + +_Cal_. Why if it be a lie, + Mine ears are false; for I'le be sworn I heard it: + Old men are good for nothing; you were best + Put me to death for hearing, and free him + For meaning of it; you would ha' trusted me + Once, but the time is altered. + +_King_. And will still where I may do with justice to the world; + You have no witness. + +_Cal_. Yes, my self. + +_King_. No more I mean there were that heard it. + + _Cal_. How no more? would you have more? why am + Not I enough to hang a thousand Rogues? + +_King_. But so you may hang honest men too if you please. + +_Cal_. I may, 'tis like I will do so; there are a hundred will + swear it for a need too, if I say it. + +_King_. Such witnesses we need not. + +_Cal_. And 'tis hard if my Word cannot hang a boysterous knave. + +_King_. Enough; where's _Strato_? + +_Stra_. Sir! + + _Enter Strato_. + +_King_. Why where's all the company? call _Amintor_ in. + _Evadne_, where's my Brother, and _Melantius_? + Bid him come too, and _Diphilus_; call all + + [_Exit Strato_. + + That are without there: if he should desire + The combat of you, 'tis not in the power + Of all our Laws to hinder it, unless we mean to + quit 'em. + +_Cal_. Why if you do think + 'Tis fit an old Man and a Counsellor, + To fight for what he sayes, then you may grant it. + + _Enter Amin. Evad. Mel. Diph. [Lisip.] Cle. Stra. Diag_. + +_King_. Come Sirs, _Amintor_ thou art yet a Bridegroom, + And I will use thee so: thou shalt sit down; + _Evadne_ sit, and you _Amintor_ too; + This Banquet is for you, sir: Who has brought + A merry Tale about him, to raise a laughter + Amongst our wine? why _Strato_, where art thou? + Thou wilt chop out with them unseasonably + When I desire 'em not. + +_Strato_. 'Tis my ill luck Sir, so to spend them then. + +_King_. Reach me a boul of wine: _Melantlius_, thou art sad. + +_Amin_. I should be Sir the merriest here, + But I ha' ne're a story of mine own + Worth telling at this time. + +_King_. Give me the Wine. + _Melantius_, I am now considering + How easie 'twere for any man we trust + To poyson one of us in such a boul. + +_Mel_. I think it were not hard Sir, for a Knave. + +_Cal_. Such as you are. + +_King_. I' faith 'twere easie, it becomes us well + To get plain dealing men about our selves, + Such as you all are here: _Amintor_, to thee + And to thy fair _Evadne_. + +_Mel_. Have you thought of this _Calianax_? + + [_Aside_. + +_Cal_. Yes marry have I. + +_Mel_. And what's your resolution? + +_Cal_. Ye shall have it soundly? + +_King_. Reach to _Amintor_, _Strato_. + +_Amin_. Here my love, + This Wine will do thee wrong, for it will set + Blushes upon thy cheeks, and till thou dost a + fault, 'twere pity. + +_King_. Yet I wonder much + Of the strange desperation of these men, + That dare attempt such acts here in our State; + He could not escape that did it. + +_Mel_. Were he known, unpossible. + +_King_. It would be known, _Melantius_. + +_Mel_. It ought to be, if he got then away + He must wear all our lives upon his sword, + He need not fly the Island, he must leave no one alive. + +_King_. No, I should think no man + Could kill me and scape clear, but that old man. + +_Cal_. But I! heaven bless me: I, should I my Liege? + +_King_. I do not think thou wouldst, but yet thou might'st, + For thou hast in thy hands the means to scape, + By keeping of the Fort; he has, _Melantius_, and he has + kept it well. + +_Mel_. From cobwebs Sir, + 'Tis clean swept: I can find no other Art + In keeping of it now, 'twas ne're besieg'd since he + commanded. + +_Cal_. I shall be sure of your good word, + But I have kept it safe from such as you. + +_Mel_. Keep your ill temper in, + I speak no malice; had my brother kept it I should ha' + said as much. + +_King_. You are not merry, brother; drink wine, + Sit you all still! _Calianax_, [_Aside_. + I cannot trust thus: I have thrown out words + That would have fetcht warm blood upon the cheeks + Of guilty men, and he is never mov'd, he knows + no such thing. + +_Cal_. Impudence may scape, when feeble vertue is accus'd. + +_King_. He must, if he were guilty, feel an alteration + At this our whisper, whilst we point at him, + You see he does not. + +_Cal_. Let him hang himself, + What care I what he does; this he did say. + +_King_. _Melantius_, you cannot easily conceive + What I have meant; for men that are in fault + Can subtly apprehend when others aime + At what they do amiss; but I forgive + Freely before this man; heaven do so too: + I will not touch thee so much as with shame + Of telling it, let it be so no more. + +_Cal_. Why this is very fine. + +_Mel_. I cannot tell + What 'tis you mean, but I am apt enough + Rudely to thrust into ignorant fault, + But let me know it; happily 'tis nought + But misconstruction, and where I am clear + I will not take forgiveness of the gods, much less + of you. + +_King_. Nay if you stand so stiff, I shall call back my mercy. + +_Mel_. I want smoothness + To thank a man for pardoning of a crime I never knew. + +_King_. Not to instruct your knowledge, but to shew you + my ears are every where, you meant to kill me, and get + the Fort to scape. + +_Mel_. Pardon me Sir; my bluntness will be pardoned: + You preserve + A race of idle people here about you, + Eaters, and talkers, to defame the worth + Of those that do things worthy; the man that uttered + this + Had perisht without food, be't who it will, + But for this arm that fenc't him from the foe. + And if I thought you gave a faith to this, + The plainness of my nature would speak more; + Give me a pardon (for you ought to do't) + To kill him that spake this. + +_Cal_. I, that will be the end of all, + Then I am fairly paid for all my care and service. + +_Mel_. That old man who calls me enemy, and of whom I + (Though I will never match my hate so low) + Have no good thought, would yet I think excuse me, + And swear he thought me wrong'd in this. + +_Cal_. Who I, thou shameless fellow! didst thou not speak + to me of it thy self? + +_Mel_. O then it came from him. + +_Cal_. From me! who should it come from but from me? + +_Mel_. Nay, I believe your malice is enough, + But I ha' lost my anger. Sir, I hope you are well + satisfied. + +_King_. _Lisip_. Chear _Amintor_ and his Lady; there's no sound + Comes from you; I will come and do't my self. + +_Amin_. You have done already Sir for me, I thank you. + +_King_. _Melantius_, I do credit this from him, + How slight so e're you mak't. + +_Mel_. 'Tis strange you should. + +_Cal_. 'Tis strange he should believe an old mans word, + That never lied in his life. + +_Mel_. I talk not to thee; + Shall the wild words of this distempered man, + Frantick with age and sorrow, make a breach + Betwixt your Majesty and me? 'twas wrong + To hearken to him; but to credit him + As much, at least, as I have power to bear. + But pardon me, whilst I speak only truth, + I may commend my self--I have bestow'd + My careless blood with you, and should be loth + To think an action that would make me lose + That, and my thanks too: when I was a boy, + I thrust my self into my Countries cause, + And did a deed that pluckt five years from time, + And stil'd me man then: And for you my King, + Your subjects all have fed by vertue of my arm. + This sword of mine hath plow'd the ground, + And reapt the fruit in peace; + And your self have liv'd at home in ease: + So terrible I grew, that without swords + My name hath fetcht you conquest, and my heart + And limbs are still the same; my will is great + To do you service: let me not be paid + With such a strange distrust. + +_King_. _Melantius_, I held it great injustice to believe + Thine Enemy, and did not; if I did, + I do not, let that satisfie: what struck + With sadness all? More Wine! + +_Cal_. A few fine words have overthrown my truth: + Ah th'art a Villain. + +_Mel_. Why thou wert better let me have the Fort, + Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever; + + [_Aside_. + + There shall no credit lie upon thy words; + Think better and deliver it. + +_Cal_. My Liege, he's at me now agen to do it; speak, + Deny it if thou canst; examine him + Whilst he's hot, for he'l cool agen, he will + forswear it. + +_King_. This is lunacy I hope, _Melantius_. + +_Mel_. He hath lost himself + Much since his Daughter mist the happiness + My Sister gain'd; and though he call me Foe, I pity + him. + +_Cal_. Pity! a pox upon you. + +_King_. Mark his disordered words, and at the Mask. + +_Mel_. _Diagoras_ knows he raged, and rail'd at me, + And cal'd a Lady Whore, so innocent + She understood him not; but it becomes + Both you and me too, to forgive distraction, + Pardon him as I do. + +_Cal_. I'le not speak for thee, for all thy cunning, if you + will be safe chop off his head, for there was never + known so impudent a Rascal. + +_King_. Some that love him, get him to bed: Why, pity + should not let age make it self contemptible; we must + be all old, have him away. + +_Mel. Calianax_, the King believes you; come, you shall go + Home, and rest; you ha' done well; you'l give it up + When I have us'd you thus a moneth I hope. + +_Cal_. Now, now, 'tis plain Sir, he does move me still; + He sayes he knows I'le give him up the Fort, + When he has us'd me thus a moneth: I am mad, + Am I not still? + +_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha! + +_Cal_. I shall be mad indeed, if you do thus; + Why would you trust a sturdy fellow there + (That has no vertue in him, all's in his sword) + Before me? do but take his weapons from him, + And he's an Ass, and I am a very fool, + Both with him, and without him, as you use me. + +_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha! + +_King_. 'Tis well _Calianax_; but if you use + This once again, I shall intreat some other + To see your Offices be well discharg'd. + Be merry Gentlemen, it grows somewhat late. + _Amintor_, thou wouldest be abed again. + +_Amin_. Yes Sir. + +_King_. And you _Evadne_; let me take thee in my arms, + _Melantius_, and believe thou art as thou deservest to + be, my friend still, and for ever. Good _Calianax_, + Sleep soundly, it will bring thee to thy self. + + [_Exeunt omnes. Manent Mel_. and _Cal_. + +_Cal_. Sleep soundly! I sleep soundly now I hope, + I could not be thus else. How dar'st thou stay + Alone with me, knowing how thou hast used me? + +_Mel_. You cannot blast me with your tongue, + And that's the strongest part you have about you. + +_Cal_. I do look for some great punishment for this, + For I begin to forget all my hate, + And tak't unkindly that mine enemy + Should use me so extraordinarily scurvily. + +_Mel_. I shall melt too, if you begin to take + Unkindnesses: I never meant you hurt. + +_Cal_. Thou'lt anger me again; thou wretched rogue, + Meant me no hurt! disgrace me with the King; + Lose all my Offices! this is no hurt, + Is it? I prethee what dost thou call hurt? + +_Mel_. To poyson men because they love me not; + To call the credit of mens Wives in question; + To murder children betwixt me and land; this is + all hurt. + +_Cal_. All this thou think'st is sport; + For mine is worse: but use thy will with me; + For betwixt grief and anger I could cry. + +_Mel_. Be wise then, and be safe; thou may'st revenge. + +_Cal_. I o'th' King? I would revenge of thee. + +_Mel_. That you must plot your self. + +_Cal_. I am a fine plotter. + +_Mel_. The short is, I will hold thee with the King + In this perplexity, till peevishness + And thy disgrace have laid thee in thy grave: + But if thou wilt deliver up the Fort, + I'le take thy trembling body in my arms, + And bear thee over dangers; thou shalt hold thy wonted + state. + +_Cal_. If I should tell the King, can'st thou deny't again? + +_Mel_. Try and believe. + +_Cal_. Nay then, thou can'st bring any thing about: + Thou shalt have the Fort. + +_Mel_. Why well, here let our hate be buried, and + This hand shall right us both; give me thy aged breast + to compass. + +_Cal_. Nay, I do not love thee yet: + I cannot well endure to look on thee: + And if I thought it were a courtesie, + Thou should'st not have it: but I am disgrac'd; + My Offices are to be ta'ne away; + And if I did but hold this Fort a day, + I do believe the King would take it from me, + And give it thee, things are so strangely carried; + Nere thank me for't; but yet the King shall know + There was some such thing in't I told him of; + And that I was an honest man. + +_Mel_. Hee'l buy that knowledge very dearly. + + [_Enter Diphilus_. + + What news with thee? + +_Diph_. This were a night indeed to do it in; + The King hath sent for her. + +_Mel_. She shall perform it then; go _Diphilus_, + And take from this good man, my worthy friend, + The Fort; he'l give it thee. + +_Diph_. Ha' you got that? + +_Cal_. Art thou of the same breed? canst thou deny + This to the King too? + +_Diph_. With a confidence as great as his. + +_Cal_. Faith, like enough. + +_Mel_. Away, and use him kindly. + +_Cal_. Touch not me, I hate the whole strain: if thou + follow me a great way off, I'le give thee up the + Fort; and hang your selves. + +_Mel_. Be gone. + +_Diph_. He's finely wrought. + + [_Exeunt Cal. Diph_. + +_Mel_. This is a night in spite of Astronomers + To do the deed in; I will wash the stain + That rests upon our House, off with his blood. + + _Enter Amintor_. + +_Amin_. _Melantius_, now assist me if thou beest + That which thou say'st, assist me: I have lost + All my distempers, and have found a rage so pleasing; + help me. + +_Mel_. Who can see him thus, + And not swear vengeance? what's the matter friend? + +_Amin_. Out with thy sword; and hand in hand with me + Rush to the Chamber of this hated King, + And sink him with the weight of all his sins to hell + for ever. + +_Mel_. 'Twere a rash attempt, + Not to be done with safety: let your reason + Plot your revenge, and not your passion. + +_Amint_. If thou refusest me in these extreams, + Thou art no friend: he sent for her to me; + By Heaven to me; my self; and I must tell ye + I love her as a stranger; there is worth + In that vile woman, worthy things, _Melantius_; + And she repents. I'le do't my self alone, + Though I be slain. Farewell. + +_Mel_. He'l overthrow my whole design with madness: + _Amintor_, think what thou doest; I dare as much as + valour; + But 'tis the King, the King, the King, _Amintor_, + With whom thou fightest; I know he's honest, + + [_Aside_. + + And this will work with him. + +_Amint_. I cannot tell + What thou hast said; but thou hast charm'd my sword + Out of my hand, and left me shaking here defenceless. + +_Mel_. I will take it up for thee. + +_Amint_. What a wild beast is uncollected man! + The thing that we call Honour, bears us all + Headlong unto sin, and yet it self is nothing. + +_Mel_. Alas, how variable are thy thoughts! + +_Amint_. Just like my fortunes: I was run to that + I purpos'd to have chid thee for. + Some Plot I did distrust thou hadst against the King + By that old fellows carriage: but take heed, + There is not the least limb growing to a King, + But carries thunder in it. + +_Mel_. I have none against him. + +_Amint_. Why, come then, and still remember we may + not think revenge. + +_Mel_. I will remember. + + + + _Actus Quintus_. + + + _Enter_ Evadne _and a_ Gentleman. + +_Evad_. Sir, is the King abed? + +_Gent_. Madam, an hour ago. + +_Evad_. Give me the key then, and let none be near; + 'Tis the Kings pleasure. + +_Gent_. I understand you Madam, would 'twere mine. + I must not wish good rest unto your Ladiship. + +_Evad_. You talk, you talk. + +_Gent_. 'Tis all I dare do, Madam; but the King will wake, + and then. + +_Evad_. Saving your imagination, pray good night Sir. + +_Gent_. A good night be it then, and a long one Madam; + I am gone. + +_Evad_. The night grows horrible, and all about me + Like my black purpose: O the Conscience + [_King abed_. + + Of a lost Virgin; whither wilt thou pull me? + To what things dismal, as the depth of Hell, + Wilt thou provoke me? Let no [woman] dare + From this hour be disloyal: if her heart + Be flesh, if she have blood, and can fear, 'tis a daring + Above that desperate fool that left his peace, + And went to Sea to fight: 'tis so many sins + An age cannot prevent 'em: and so great, + The gods want mercy for: yet I must through 'em. + I have begun a slaughter on my honour, + And I must end it there: he sleeps, good heavens! + Why give you peace to this untemperate beast + That hath so long transgressed you? I must kill him, + And I will do't bravely: the meer joy + Tells me I merit in it: yet I must not + Thus tamely do it as he sleeps: that were + To rock him to another world: my vengeance + Shall take him waking, and then lay before him + The number of his wrongs and punishments. + I'le shake his sins like furies, till I waken + His evil Angel, his sick Conscience: + And then I'le strike him dead: King, by your leave: + + [_Ties his armes to the bed_. + + I dare not trust your strength: your Grace and I + Must grapple upon even terms no more: + So, if he rail me not from my resolution, + I shall be strong enough. + My Lord the King, my Lord; he sleeps + As if he meant to wake no more, my Lord; + Is he not dead already? Sir, my Lord. + +_King_. Who's that? + +_Evad_. O you sleep soundly Sir! + +_King_. My dear _Evadne_, + I have been dreaming of thee; come to bed. + +_Evad_. I am come at length Sir, but how welcome? + +_King_. What pretty new device is this _Evadne_? + What do you tie me to you by my love? + This is a quaint one: Come my dear and kiss me; + I'le be thy _Mars_ to bed my Queen of Love: + Let us be caught together, that the Gods may see, + And envy our embraces. + +_Evad_. Stay Sir, stay, + You are too hot, and I have brought you Physick + To temper your high veins. + +_King_. Prethee to bed then; let me take it warm, + There you shall know the state of my body better. + +_Evad_. I know you have a surfeited foul body, + And you must bleed. + +_King_. Bleed! + +_Evad_. I, you shall bleed: lie still, and if the Devil, + Your lust will give you leave, repent: this steel + Comes to redeem the honour that you stole, + King, my fair name, which nothing but thy death + Can answer to the world. + +_King_. How's this _Evadne_? + +_Evad_. I am not she: nor bear I in this breast + So much cold Spirit to be call'd a Woman: + I am a Tyger: I am any thing + That knows not pity: stir not, if thou dost, + I'le take thee unprepar'd; thy fears upon thee, + That make thy sins look double, and so send thee + (By my revenge I will) to look those torments + Prepar'd for such black souls. + +_King_. Thou dost not mean this: 'tis impossible: + Thou art too sweet and gentle. + +_Evad_. No, I am not: + I am as foul as thou art, and can number + As many such hells here: I was once fair, + Once I was lovely, not a blowing Rose + More chastly sweet, till tho[u], thou, thou, foul + Canker, + (Stir not) didst poyson me: I was a world of vertue, + Till your curst Court and you (hell bless you for't) + With your temptations on temptations + Made me give up mine honour; for which (King) + I am come to kill thee. + +_King_. No. + +_Evad_. I am. + +_King_. Thou art not. + I prethee speak not these things; thou art gentle, + And wert not meant thus rugged. + +_Evad_. Peace and hear me. + Stir nothing but your tongue, and that for mercy + To those above us; by whose lights I vow, + Those blessed fires that shot to see our sin, + If thy hot soul had substance with thy blood, + I would kill that too, which being past my steel, + My tongue shall teach: Thou art a shameless Villain, + A thing out of the overchange of Nature; + Sent like a thick cloud to disperse a plague + Upon weak catching women; such a tyrant + That for his Lust would sell away his Subjects, + I, all his heaven hereafter. + +_King_. Hear _Evadne_, + Thou soul of sweetness! hear, I am thy King. + +_Evad_. Thou art my shame; lie still, there's none about you, + Within your cries; all promises of safety + Are but deluding dreams: thus, thus, thou foul man, + Thus I begin my vengeance. + + [_Stabs him_. + +_King_. Hold _Evadne_! + I do command thee hold. + +_Evad_. I do not mean Sir, + To part so fairly with you; we must change + More of these love-tricks yet. + +_King_. What bloody villain + Provok't thee to this murther? + +_Evad_. Thou, thou monster. + +_King_. Oh! + +_Evad_. Thou kept'st me brave at Court, and Whor'd me; + Then married me to a young noble Gentleman; + And Whor'd me still. + +_King_. _Evadne_, pity me. + +_Evad_. Hell take me then; this for my Lord _Amintor_; + This for my noble brother: and this stroke + For the most wrong'd of women. + + [_Kills him_. + +_King_. Oh! I die. + +_Evad_. Die all our faults together; I forgive thee. + + [_Exit_. + + _Enter two of the Bed-Chamber_. + +1. Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects + it, and will be angry. + +2. 'Tis a fine wench, we'I have a snap at her one of these + nights as she goes from him. + +1. Content: how quickly he had done with her! I see + Kings can do no more that way than other mortal people. + +2. How fast he is! I cannot hear him breathe. + +1. Either the Tapers give a feeble light, or he looks very + pale. + +2. And so he does, pray Heaven he be well. + Let's look: Alas! he's stiffe, wounded and dead: + Treason, Treason! + +1. Run forth and call. + + [_Exit Gent_. + +2. Treason, Treason! + +1. This will be laid on us: who can believe + A Woman could do this? + + _Enter_ Cleon _and_ Lisippus. + +_Cleon_. How now, where's the Traytor? + +1. Fled, fled away; but there her woful act lies still. + +_Cle_. Her act! a Woman! + +_Lis_. Where's the body? + +1. There. + +_Lis_. Farewel thou worthy man; there were two bonds + That tyed our loves, a Brother and a King; + The least of which might fetch a flood of tears: + But such the misery of greatness is, + They have no time to mourn; then pardon me. + Sirs, which way went she? + + [_Enter Strato_. + +_Strat_. Never follow her, + For she alas! was but the instrument. + News is now brought in, that _Melantius_ + Has got the Fort, and stands upon the wall; + And with a loud voice calls those few that pass + At this dead time of night, delivering + The innocent of this act. + +_Lis_. Gentlemen, I am your King. + +_Strat_. We do acknowledge it. + +_Lis_. I would I were not: follow all; for this must have + a sudden stop. + + [_Exeunt_ + + _Enter_ Melant. Diph. _and_ Cal. _on the wall_. + +_Mel_. If the dull people can believe I am arm'd, + Be constant _Diphilus_; now we have time, + Either to bring our banisht honours home, + Or create new ones in our ends. + +_Diph_. I fear not; + My spirit lies not that way. Courage _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. Would I had any, you should quickly know it. + +_Mel_. Speak to the people; thou art eloquent. + +_Cal_. 'Tis a fine eloquence to come to the gallows; + You were born to be my end; the Devil take you. + Now must I hang for company; 'tis strange + I should be old, and neither wise nor valiant. + + _Enter_ Lisip. Diag. Cleon, Strat. Guard. + +_Lisip_. See where he stands as boldly confident, + As if he had his full command about him. + +_Strat_. He looks as if he had the bet[t]er cause; Sir, + Under your gracious pardon let me speak it; + Though he be mighty-spirited and forward + To all great things; to all things of that danger + Worse men shake at the telling of; yet certainly + I do believe him noble, and this action + Rather pull'd on than sought; his mind was ever + As worthy as his hand. + +_Lis_. 'Tis my fear too; + Heaven forgive all: summon him Lord _Cleon_. + +_Cleon_. Ho from the walls there. + +_Mel_. Worthy _Cleon_, welcome; + We could have wisht you here Lord; you are honest. + +_Cal_. Well, thou art as flattering a knave, though I dare + not tell you so. + + [_Aside_. + +_Lis_. _Melantius_! + +_Mel_. Sir. + +_Lis_. I am sorry that we meet thus; our old love + Never requir'd such distance; pray Heaven + You have not left your self, and sought this safety + More out of fear than honour; you have lost + A noble Master, which your faith _Melantius_, + Some think might have preserv'd; yet you know best. + +_Cal_. When time was I was mad; some that dares + Fight I hope will pay this Rascal. + +_Mel_. Royal young man, whose tears look lovely on thee; + Had they been shed for a deserving one, + They had been lasting monuments. Thy Brother, + Whil'st he was good, I call'd him King, and serv'd him + With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour; + Pul'd people from the farthest Sun to seek him; + And by his friendship, I was then his souldier; + But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me, + And brand my noble actions with his lust, + (That never cur'd dishonour of my Sister, + Base stain of Whore; and which is worse, + The joy to make it still so) like my self; + Thus have I flung him off with my allegiance, + And stand here mine own justice to revenge + What I have suffered in him; and this old man + Wrong'd almost to lunacy. + +_Cal_. Who I? you'd draw me in: I have had no wrong, + I do disclaim ye all. + +_Mel_. The short is this; + 'Tis no ambition to lift up my self, + Urgeth me thus; I do desire again + To be a subject, so I may be freed; + If not, I know my strength, and will unbuild + This goodly Town; be speedy, and be wise, in a reply. + +_Strat_. Be sudden Sir to tie + All again; what's done is past recal, + And past you to revenge; and there are thousands + That wait for such a troubled hour as this; + Throw him the blank. + +_Lis_. _Melantius_, write in that thy choice, + My Seal is at it. + +_Mel_. It was our honour drew us to this act, + Not gain; and we will only work our pardon. + +_Cal_. Put my name in too. + +_Diph_. You disclaim'd us but now, _Calianax_. + +_Cal_. That's all one; + I'le not be hanged hereafter by a trick; + I'le have it in. + +_Mel_. You shall, you shall; + Come to the back gate, and we'l call you King, + And give you up the Fort. + +_Lis_. Away, away. + + [_Exeunt Omnes_. + + _Enter_ Aspatia _in mans apparel_. + +_Asp_. This is my fatal hour; heaven may forgive + My rash attempt, that causelesly hath laid + Griefs on me that will never let me rest: + And put a Womans heart into my brest; + It is more honour for you that I die; + For she that can endure the misery + That I have on me, and be patient too, + May live, and laugh at all that you can do. + God save you Sir. + [_Enter Servant_. + +_Ser_. And you Sir; what's your business? + +_Asp_. With you Sir now, to do me the Office + To help me to you[r] Lord. + +_Ser_. What, would you serve him? + +_Asp_. I'le do him any service; but to haste, + For my affairs are earnest, I desire to speak with + him. + +_Ser_. Sir, because you are in such haste, I would be loth + delay you any longer: you cannot. + +_Asp_. It shall become you tho' to tell your Lord. + +_Ser_. Sir, he will speak with no body. + +_Asp_. This is most strange: art thou gold proof? there's + for thee; help me to him. + +_Ser_. Pray be not angry Sir, I'le do my best. + + [_Exit_. + +_Asp_. How stubbornly this fellow answer'd me! + There is a vile dishonest trick in man, + More than in women: all the men I meet + Appear thus to me, are harsh and rude, + And have a subtilty in every thing, + Which love could never know; but we fond women + Harbor the easiest and smoothest thoughts, + And think all shall go so; it is unjust + That men and women should be matcht together. + + _Enter_ Amintor _and his man_. + +_Amint_. Where is he! + +_Ser_. There my Lord. + +_Amint_. What would you Sir? + +_Asp_. Please it your Lordship to command your man + Out of the room; shall deliver things + Worthy your hearing. + +_Amint_. Leave us. + +_Asp_. O that that shape should bury falshood in it. + + [_Aside_. + +_Amint_. Now your will Sir. + +_Asp_. When you know me, my Lord, you needs must guess + My business! and I am not hard to know; + For till the change of War mark'd this smooth face + With these few blemishes people would call me + My Sisters Picture, and her mine; in short, + I am the brother to the wrong'd _Aspatia_. + +_Amint_. The wrong'd _Aspatia_! would thou wert so too + Unto the wrong'd _Amintor_; let me kiss + That hand of thine in honour that I bear + Unto the wrong'd _Aspatia_: here I stand + That did it; would he could not; gentle youth + Leave me, for there is something in thy looks + That calls my sins in a most hideous form + Into my mind; and I have grief enough + Without thy help. + +_Asp_. I would I could with credit: + Since I was twelve years old I had not seen + My Sister till this hour; I now arriv'd; + She sent for me to see her Marriage, + A woful one: but they that are above, + Have ends in every thing; she us'd few words, + But yet enough to make me understand + The baseness of the injury you did her. + That little training I have had is War; + I may behave my self rudely in Peace; + I would not though; I shall not need to tell you + I am but young; and you would be loth to lose + Honour that is not easily gain'd again. + Fairly I mean to deal; the age is strict + For single combats, and we shall be stopt + If it be publish't: if you like your sword, + Use it; if mine appear a better to you, + Change; for the ground is this, and this the time + To end our difference. + +_Amint_. Charitable youth, + If thou be'st such, think not I will maintain + So strange a wrong; and for thy Sisters sake, + Know that I could not think that desperate thing + I durst not do; yet to enjoy this world + I would not see her; for beholding thee, + I am I know not what; if I have ought + That may content thee, take it and be gone; + For death is not so terrible as thou; + Thine eyes shoot guilt into me. + +_Asp_. Thus she swore + Thou would'st behave thy self, and give me words + That would fetch tears into mine eyes, and so + Thou dost indeed; but yet she bade me watch, + Lest I were cousen'd, and be sure to fight ere I + return'd. + +_Amint_. That must not be with me; + For her I'le die directly, but against her will never + hazard it. + +_Asp_. You must be urg'd; I do not deal uncivilly with those that + Dare to fight; but such a one as you + Must be us'd thus. + + [_She strikes him_. + +_Amint_. Prethee youth take heed; + Thy Sister is a thing to me so much + Above mine honour, that I can endu[r]e + All this; good gods--a blow I can endure; + But stay not, lest thou draw a timely death upon thy + self. + +_Asp_. Thou art some prating fellow, + One that hath studyed out a trick to talk + And move soft-hearted people; to be kickt, + + [_She kicks him_. + + Thus to be kickt--why should he be so slow + [_Aside_. + In giving me my death? + +_Amint_. A man can bear + No more and keep his flesh; forgive me then; + I would endure yet if I could; now shew + The spirit thou pretendest, and understand + Thou hast no honour to live: + + [_They fight_. + + What dost thou mean? thou canst not fight: + The blows thou mak'st at me are quite besides; + And those I offer at thee, thou spread'st thine arms, + And tak'st upon thy breast, Alas! defenceless. + +_Asp_. I have got enough, + And my desire; there's no place so fit for me to die + as here. + + _Enter_ Evadne. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_; I am loaden with events + That flie to make thee happy; I have joyes + + [_Her hands bloody with a knife_. + + That in a moment can call back thy wrongs, + And settle thee in thy free state again; + It is _Evadne_ still that follows thee, but not her + mischiefs. + +_Amint_. Thou canst not fool me to believe agen; + But thou hast looks and things so full of news that + I am staid. + +_Evad_. Noble _Amintor_, put off thy amaze; + Let thine eyes loose, and speak, am I not fair? + Looks not _Evadne_ beauteous with these rites now? + Were those hours half so lovely in thine eyes, + When our hands met before the holy man? + I was too foul within to look fair then; + Since I knew ill, I was not free till now. + +_Amint_. There is presage of some important thing + About thee, which it seems thy tongue hath lost: + Thy hands are bloody, and thou hast a knife. + +_Evad_. In this consists thy happiness and mine; + Joy to _Amintor_, for the King is dead. + +_Amint_. Those have most power to hurt us that we love, + We lay our sleeping lives within their arms. + Why, thou hast rais'd up mischief to this height, + And found out one to out-name thy other faults; + Thou hast no intermission of thy sins, + But all thy life is a continual ill; + Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature. + Joy to _Amintor_! thou hast toucht a life, + The very name of which had power to chain + Up all my rage, and calm my wildest wrongs. + +_Evad_. 'Tis done; and since I could not find a way + To meet thy love so clear, as through his life, + I cannot now repent it. + +_Amint_. Could'st thou procure the Gods to speak to me, + To bid me love this woman, and forgive, + I think I should fall out with them; behold + Here lies a youth whose wounds bleed in my brest, + Sent by his violent Fate to fetch his death + From my slow hand: and to augment my woe, + You now are present stain'd with a Kings blood + Violently shed: this keeps night here, + And throws an unknown wilderness about me. + +_Asp_. Oh, oh, oh! + +_Amint_. No more, pursue me not. + +_Evad_. Forgive me then, and take me to thy bed. + We may not part. + +_Amint_. Forbear, be wise, and let my rage go this way. + +_Evad_. 'Tis you that I would stay, not it. + +_Amint_. Take heed, it will return with me. + +_Evad_. If it must be, I shall not fear to meet it; take me home. + +_Amint_. Thou monster of cruelty, forbear. + +_Evad_. For heavens sake look more calm; + Thine eyes are sharper than thou canst make thy sword. + +_Amint_. Away, away, thy knees are more to me than violence. + I am worse than sick to see knees follow me + For that I must not grant; for heavens sake stand. + +_Evad_. Receive me then._Amint_. I dare not stay thy language; + In midst of all my anger and my grief, + Thou dost awake something that troubles me, + And sayes I lov'd thee once; I dare not stay; + There is no end of womens reasoning. + + [_Leaves her_. + +_Evad_. _Amintor_, thou shalt love me once again; + Go, I am calm; farewell; and peace for ever. + _Evadne_ whom thou hat'st will die for thee. + + [_Kills her self_. + +_Amint_. I have a little humane nature yet + That's left for thee, that bids me stay thy hand. + [_Returns_. + +_Evad_. Thy hand was welcome, but came too late; + Oh I am lost! the heavy sleep makes haste. + + [_She dies_. + +_Asp_. Oh, oh, oh! + +_Amint_. This earth of mine doth tremble, and I feel + A stark affrighted motion in my blood; + My soul grows weary of her house, and I + All over am a trouble to my self; + There is some hidden power in these dead things + That calls my flesh into'em; I am cold; + Be resolute, and bear'em company: + There's something yet which I am loth to leave. + There's man enough in me to meet the fears + That death can bring, and yet would it were done; + I can find nothing in the whole discourse + Of death, I durst not meet the boldest way; + Yet still betwixt the reason and the act, + The wrong I to _Aspatia_ did stands up, + I have not such a fault to answer, + Though she may justly arm with scorn + And hate of me, my soul will part less troubled, + When I have paid to her in tears my sorrow: + I will not leave this act unsatisfied, + If all that's left in me can answer it. + +_Asp_. Was it a dream? there stands _Amintor_ still: + Or I dream still. + +_Amint_. How dost thou? speak, receive my love, and help: + Thy blood climbs up to his old place again: + There's hope of thy recovery. + +_Asp_. Did you not name _Aspatia_? + +_Amint_. I did. + +_Asp_. And talkt of tears and sorrow unto her? + +_Amint_. 'Tis true, and till these happy signs in thee + Did stay my course, 'twas thither I was going. + +_Asp_. Th'art there already, and these wounds are hers: + Those threats I brought with me, sought not revenge, + But came to fetch this blessing from thy hand, + I am _Aspatia_ yet. + +_Amint_. Dare my soul ever look abroad agen? + +_Asp_. I shall live _Amintor_; I am well: + A kind of healthful joy wanders within me. + +_Amint_. The world wants lines to excuse thy loss: + Come let me bear thee to some place of help. + +_Asp_. _Amintor_ thou must stay, I must rest here, + My strength begins to disobey my will. + How dost thou my best soul? I would fain live, + Now if I could: would'st thou have loved me then? + +_Amint_. Alas! all that I am's not worth a hair from thee. + +_Asp_. Give me thy hand, mine hands grope up and down, + And cannot find thee; I am wondrous sick: + Have I thy hand _Amintor_? +_Amint_. Thou greatest blessing of the world, thou hast. + +_Asp_. I do believe thee better than my sense. + Oh! I must go, farewell. + +_Amint_. She swounds: _Aspatia_ help, for Heavens sake water; + Such as may chain life for ever to this frame. + _Aspatia_, speak: what no help? yet I fool, + I'le chafe her temples, yet there's nothing stirs; + Some hidden Power tell her that _Amintor_ calls, + And let her answer me: _Aspatia_, speak. + I have heard, if there be life, but bow + The body thus, and it will shew it self. + Oh she is gone! I will not leave her yet. + Since out of justice we must challenge nothing; + I'le call it mercy if you'l pity me, + You heavenly powers, and lend for some few years, + The blessed soul to this fair seat agen. + No comfort comes, the gods deny me too. + I'le bow the body once agen: _Aspatia_! + The soul is fled for ever, and I wrong + My self, so long to lose her company. + Must I talk now? Here's to be with thee love. + + [_Kills himself_. + + _Enter_ Servant. + +_Ser_. This is a great grace to my Lord, to have the new + King come to him; I must tell him, he is entring. + O Heaven help, help; + + _Enter_ Lysip. Melant. Cal. Cleon, Diph. Strato. + +_Lys_. Where's _Amintor_? + +_Strat_. O there, there. + +_Lys_. How strange is this! + +_Cal_. What should we do here? + +_Mel_. These deaths are such acquainted things with me, + That yet my heart dissolves not. May I stand + Stiff here for ever; eyes, call up your tears; + This is _Amintor_: heart he was my friend; + Melt, now it flows; _Amintor_, give a word + To call me to thee. + +_Amint_. Oh! + +_Mel_. _Melantius_ calls his friend _Amintor_; Oh thy arms + Are kinder to me than thy tongue; + Speak, speak. + +_Amint_. What? + +_Mel_. That little word was worth all the sounds + That ever I shall hear agen. + +_Diph_. O brother! here lies your Sister slain; + You lose your self in sorrow there. + +_Mel_. Why _Diphilus_, it is + A thing to laugh at in respect of this; + Here was my Sister, Father, Brother, Son; + All that I had; speak once again; + What youth lies slain there by thee? + +_Amint_. 'Tis _Aspatia_. + My senses fade, let me give up my soul + Into thy bosom. + +_Cal. What's that? what's that? _Aspatia_! + +_Mel_. I never did repent the greatness of my heart till now; + It will not burst at need. + +_Cal_. My daughter dead here too! and you have all fine new + tricks to grieve; but I ne're knew any but direct + crying. + +_Mel_. I am a pratler, but no more. + +_Diph_. Hold Brother. + +_Lysip_. Stop him. + +_Diph_. Fie; how unmanly was this offer in you! + Does this become our strain? + +_Cal_. I know not what the mat[t]er is, but I am + Grown very kind, and am friends with you; + You have given me that among you will kill me + Quickly; but I'le go home, and live as long as I can. + +_Mel_. His spirit is but poor that can be kept + From death for want of weapons. + Is not my hand a weapon good enough + To stop my breath? or if you tie down those, + I vow _Amintor_ I will never eat, + Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that + That may preserve life; this I swear to keep. + +_Lysip_. Look to him tho', and bear those bodies in. + May this a fair example be to me, + To rule with temper: for on lustful Kings + Unlookt for sudden deaths from heaven are sent! + But curst is he that is their instrument. + + + +%THE MAIDS TRAGEDY%. + +The editions prior to the Folio of 1679 are as follows: + +(%A%) The Maides Tragedy. | As it hath beene | divers times Acted +at the Blacke-friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | London | +Printed for Francis Constable and are to be sold | at the white Lyon +over against the great North | doore of Pauls Church. 1619. + +(%B%) The Maids Tragedie. | As it hath beene | divers times Acted at +the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Newly perused, +augmented, and inlarged, This second Impression. | London, | Printed +for Francis Constable, and are | to be sold at the White Lion in | +Pauls Church-yard. 1622. + +(%C%) The Maids Tragedie | As it hath beene | divers times Acted at +the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher Gentlemen. | The third +Impression, Revised and Refined. | London, | Printed by A.M. for +Richard Hawkins, and are to bee | sold at his Shop in Chancery-Lane +neere | Serjeants-Inne. 1630. + +(%D%) The Maides Tragedie: | as it hath beene | divers times Acted +at the Black-Friers by | the Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher | Gentlemen. | The fourth +Impression, Revised and Refined. | Printed by E.G. for Henry +Shepherd, and are to be sold at the | signe of the Bible in Chancery +lane. 1638. + +(%E%) The Maids Tragedie. | As it hath beene | Divers times Acted at +the Black-| Friers, by the Kings | Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, and | John Fletcher Gentlemen. | The fifth +Impression, Revised and Refined. | London Printed by E.P. for +William Leake, and are to be sold at his | shop in Chancery-lane, +neare the Rowles. 1641. + +(%F%) The | Maids Tragedy, | as it hath been divers times Acted at +the Black-| Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants: | written +by Francis Beaumont and | John Fletcher, Gentlemen. | The sixth +Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly by the Original. | London +Printed for William Leake, at the Crown in Fleet-street, be | tween +the two Temple Gates. 1650. + +(%G%) The Maids Tragedy, | as it hath been divers times | Acted | at +the Black-Friers, | by the | Kings Majesties Servants. | Written +by Francis Beaumont, | and John Fletcher, Gentlemen. | The sixth +Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly | by the Original. | +London, | Printed in the Year 1661. + +In the following notes each of these quartos is referred to by the +capital letter prefixed to it in the above list. A--F contain a +wood-cut representing Amintor stabbing Aspatia. + + +p. I, l. 3. A--G] Speakers. l. 6. A and B _omit_] a Noble + Gentleman. +C after the list of Speakers _adds_ the following verses, repeated + with variations of spelling in D--G] + + +_The Stationers Censure_. + + Good Wine requires no Bush, they say, + And I, No Prologue such a Play: + The Makers therefore did forbeare + To have that Grace prefixed here. + But cease here (Censure) least the Buyer + Hold thee in this a vaine Supplyer. + My office is to set it forth + When Fame applauds it's reall worth. + + +l.26. A possibly correctly gives this speech to Lysippus. l.27. A] + You are brother. l. 30. B, C and D _omit_] thou. ll. 31 and + 32. A and B] masks. +l. 33. A _omits_] their King. l. 34. A] groome. l. 38. A _omits_] + to Rhodes. +l. 39. A] blowes abroad bringst us our peace at home. + +p. 2, +l. 1. A _omits_] too. +l. 2. A] welcome. A--E] above his or. +l. 3. A] world. +l. 16. A] straight. +l. 18. A] most true. +l. 19. A] solemnities. +l. 22. A] Yes, and have given cause to those, that here. +l. 29. A _omits_] with armes. +l. 33. A _omits_] my friend. +l. 34. A _omits_] and temperate. + +p. 3, +l. 3. A] weighes. +l. 5. A] Enter Aspatia passing with attendance. +ll. 14 and 15. Printed as one line in G and the Folio. The _Exit + Aspatia_ has been printed in the text at the end of Aspatia's + speech, as in A--F. + +l. 16. A] You are mistaken sir, she is not married. A full-stop has been + substituted for a comma at the end of the line here, and elsewhere + in similar cases. +l. 21. G _omits_] he. +l. 25. A] has. +l. 27. B] about. +l. 28. G _omits_] the fair. +l. 37. A] 'a should not thinke. +l. 38. A] Could I but call it backe. +l. 39. A] such base revenges. +l. 40. A _omits_] holds he still his greatness with the King. + +p. 4, +l. 1. A] O t'were pittie for this Lady sir. +l. 2. A] sits. +l. 3. A] in unfrequented woods. +l. 4. A] where when. +l. 5. A] flowers, Then she will sit, and sigh, and tell. +l. 8. A] and strow them over her like a corse. +l. 12. A] And swound, and sing againe. +l. 13. A] your young. +l. 14. A] fils. +l. 27. G _omits_] much. +l. 36. A, B and C] thine innocence. +l. 39. A, B and C] I am poore in words. +l. 40. A] could do no more but weep. G] could no more weep. + +p. 5, +l. 2. A--G] fetcht. +l. 4. A and B] that. +l. 7. A] these. +l. 9. A] too cruell. B] too fickle. +l. 14. A and B] about. +l. 18. A _omits_ this line, and gives the following speech to Amintor. +l. 20. A _adds_] Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Strato, Diphilus. +l. 25. A] In sports, il'e. +l. 26. A and B] But I have. +l. 30. A] challenge gentlemen. A and B _omit_] in't. +l. 32. A] and Diagoras. +l. 34. A] will be angry with me. + +p. 6, +l. 1. A] One must sweat out his heart with. B--G] One may swear his + heart out. +l. 3. A and B] I shall never. +l. 4. A _omits_] Pray stay. +l. 5. A] you coxcomely asse, ile be. +l. 6. A and B] judge. +l. 10. A] through in my office. +l. 11. A--D] they ha. +l. 12. A] But now. +l. 15. A] hark, hark, whose there, codes, codes. +l. 18. A] Who is't. +l. 20. A _omits_] with you. +l. 25. A] there is no room. +l. 28. A _adds_] Exit Melantius Lady other dore. +l. 31. A] let the dores shut agen, no; do your heads itch. [The reader + will note that here, and elsewhere in the + text, 'I' frequently = 'Ay.'] +l. 32. A _omits_] for you. +l. 33. A] giving way. +l. 35. A] a dozen heads in the twinckling. +l. 37. A--G] I pray you can you. +l. 40. A _omits_] to Melantius. + +p. 7, +l. 2. A--G] a must. +l. 3. A _adds_] Enter Melantius. +l. 7. A and B] mine. +l. 12. A _omits_] but. +l. 13. A _omits_] so near the presence of the King. +l. 18. G] a woman. +l. 20. A] so womanish. +l. 23. A _omits_] Why. +l. 24. A] quite forget. +l. 28. A] Bate me the King, and be of flesh and blood. +l. 29. A--G] A lies. +l. 32. D and E] pluckt. +l. 35. A and B] braved. C--G] bran'd. +l. 37. A] the blood. +l. 40. A] and able. + +p. 8, +l. 3. A] talke your pleasure. +l. 4. A] What vilde wrong. +l. 6. A] hands. +l. 21. A] thy love. +l. 22. A] with me. +l. 24. A--D] mine hand. +l. 33. A _omits_] can be unto me. +l. 34. A _omits_] The. +l. 36. A] Our raigne is now, for in the quenching sea. + +p. 9, +l. 4. A--D] hornes quite through. + E] horne quite through. +l. 7. A] persons that have many longing eies. +l. 9. A] can I not finde. +l. 10. A] am I so blinde. +l. 12. F and G] break. +l. 18. A and B] reines. +l. 19. A] upon those, that appeare. +l. 23. B] keepe our places. +l. 26. G _omits_] but. +ll. 28--37. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 38. A] that power. +l. 39. A] to fill this happy houre. +l. 40. A] and let. + +p. 10, l. 1. A _omits_] then call. +l. 3. A] flowrie banck. +l. 4. A] _Latmus_ brow. +l. 5. A] thy day. B] this day. +l. 6. A] darke power. +l. 7. A] and winde. +l. 9. A] Turnes. +l. 11. A] nobler. +l. 17. A] hath force me hither. +l. 24. A and B] goe from. +l. 25. A] his subjects. +l. 26. A and B] intentions. +l. 31. A] Bid them draw neere to have thy watrie race. +l. 32. A] Led on in couples, we are pleas'd to grace. +l. 34. A] vessels. +l. 37. A] See the winde. + B] Oh, the wind. + +p. 11, +l. 5. A _omits_] too. +l. 7. A _omits_] great. +l. 8. G] commands. +l. 15. A] I will not be long thence, goe hence againe. +l. 16. A] And bid the other call out of the Maine. +l. 19. A--D] The beaten. + E] beating. +l. 27. Folio _misprints_] mid-might. +l. 29. A and B] and thee. +l. 34. A and G] rights. + +p. 12, +l. 6. A] old night. +l. 8. C] cause thee. +l. 9. A] their losses. +l. 14. A] loud cryings. +l. 17. A] if she call. After this song A _adds_] Maskers + daunce, _Neptune_ leads it. +ll. 18--34. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 37. A--D] The sea goes hie. + +p. 13, +l. 1. A] has raised. +l. 4. Folio] call. +l. 5. A] We thanke you for this houre, | My favour to you all to + gratulate. +l. 7. G] may floods. +l. 8. A] and no eb shall dare. +l. 10. A] governments. +l. 11. A] proud waters should. +l. 13. In place of stage-direction A _reads_] _Exeunt Maskers_. Descend. +l. 21. A] Kingdome. +l. 22. A--D] all fall drencht ... forget. +l. 23. A] I dare no more. +l. 24. A] Once heave thy drowsie head agen and see. +l. 26. A] lash. +l. 27. A--E] and yon. + A] sun flaring stream. + B--E] same flashing streame. +l. 30. A] _Cinth_. Adew. A _omits_] Finis Mask. +l. 31. A] light their. +l. 34. Folio _misprints_] may case. +l. 36. A and B] Kingdomes. + +p. 14, +l. 5. A _omits_] very. After +l. 7 A _adds_] Evad. Howes that? Dul. That I might goe to bed with him + with credit that you doe. +l. 18. A] Madame. +l. 19. In A these four words are given to '1. Lad.' +l. 21. A] Tis best. +l. 25. A _omits_] high. +l. 28. A, B and C] livelier. +l. 31. A] We all will take it I hope that are here. +l. 34. A--E _omit_] to. +l. 35. A] Wilt lie in my place. + +p. 15, +l. 3. A] Doe I prethee. +l. 13. G] timely. +l. 18. A] My right, +l. 29. A--D] lost none. +l. 31. A and B] I should. +l. 32. A] Loe if you have not. +l. 35. A] unto. +l. 36. A] and I. +l. 38. A] must be. + +p. 16, +ll. 1--20. These lines do not appear in A. +l. 10. C] Fie out. +l. 23. A] may not discontent. +l. 26. A and B] And teach you. +l. 30. G] should look. + +p. 17, +l. 6. A] Heele finde. +l. 7. A _omits_] yet. +l. 19. A and B _omit_] my. +l. 22. A gives this line to 'I. Lad.' +l. 25. A] A griefe. +l. 26. A] mine eyes raine. +l. 28. A] why did I. +l. 32. A] breake. +l. 33. A] the King inforst me. +l. 35. A] is she. +l. 39. A] shall. +p. 18, +l. 1. A] rights. +l. 30. A] look will like. +l. 39. A] and by thy selfe sweete love. +l. 40. A] revenge it. + +p. 19, +l. 2. A] to me. +ll. 4, 5. A] The world can yeeld, are light as aire. +l. 8. A] the sun of thy lips. +l. 9. A, B and C] wonnot. +l. 10. A _omits_] do. +l. 12. A and B] wrongst. +l. 16. A _omits_] then. +l. 17. A] should'st. +l. 18. A] cannot. +l. 26. A] Her natural temper. +l. 29. A] Neither of these, what thinke you I am mad. +l. 31. A] Is this the Truth, wil you not lie with me to night. +l. 32. A _omits_] To night. + A] You talke as if you thought I would hereafter. +l. 37. A] your bed. A, B and C _omit_] for. +l. 40. A] would. + +p. 20, +l. 4. A] the kisses of a bride. +l. 13. A] Shall know this, not an altar then will smoake. +l. 20. A] She cannot jest. +l. 23. A] the paine of death. +l. 37. A] Instant me with it. +l. 40. G] the Night. + +p. 21, +l. 2. A] their voyce. +l. 7. A] as that. +l. 12. G] man. +l. 15. A and B _omit_] out. +l. 17. A--D] woman. +l. 18. A and B] doe dwell. + +p. 22, +l. 4. A _omits_] in practice. +l. 22. A] It is not. +l. 25. A] sacred word. +l. 32. A and B] hath put. +l. 37. A and G _omit_] a. +l. 38. A _omits_] Evad. + +p. 23, +l. 1. A] shall love. +l. 4. A] in thy breast. +l. 8. A] could. +l. 23. A, B and C] know. +l. 26. A] e'ne to his heart. +l. 27. A] I have left. +l. 36. A] I did. +l. 39. A] longing. + +p. 24, +l. 2. A _omits_] Amint. +l. 6. A _omits_] sad. +l. 7. A] Good good. +l. 14. A _omits_ this line. +l. 15. A] Did you ere. +ll. 16 and 17. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 18. A] a mettled temper. +l. 21. A] Nere I. +ll. 23--31. These lines from 'and be sure' to the end of l. 31 are + omitted in A. +l. 24. B] gives life. +l. 34. A] faind sorrow. +l. 35. A] Oenes. B, C and E] Aenones. +l. 37. A] expressing furie. + +p. 25, +l. 1. A _omits_] and. +l. 2. A and B] Just as thine does. + C] Just as thine eyes does. +l. 12. A] looke black. +l. 19. A] None of all. +l. 20. A] exprest well. +l. 23. A repeats this line. +l. 25. A] Doe that feare bravely wench. +l. 27. A full-stop at end of line has been taken away. +l. 30. A] there. +l. 34. A] poore Ladies. +l. 37. For this line A _reads_] Suppose I stand upon Sea, breach now. +l. 39. A] Wilde as the place she was in, let all about me. +l. 40. A] Be teares of my story, doe my face. + +p. 26, l. 2. A] thus make me looke good girle. +l. 3. A] sorrowes mount. +l. 6. A] see, see wenches. +l. 11. A and B] a dumbe silence. +l. 18. A] You'l lie downe shortly, in and whine there. +l. 19. A] rustie. B, C and + D] reasty. A and B] want heates. C, D and E] heares. +l. 20. A] We shall have some of the Court boyes heat you shortly. +ll. 21 and 22. A] Good my Lord be not angry, we doe nothing | But what + my Ladies pleasure is, we are thus in griefe. +l. 25. A] A slie dissembling slave. +l. 28. A _omits_] what, made an Ass. +l. 29. A] must be. + +p. 27, l. 4. A] Our brides. +l. 9. A] None, its ods. +l. 24. A] I faith I did not. +l. 26. A] We have ventured. +l. 27. A--G] A shall command. After 'Rhodes' A--D _add_] Shall + we be merry. +l. 28. A prints 'Aside' at the end of +l. 31, B--E at the end of l. 29. +l. 34. A] doth. +l. 35. A] the headsman. +l. 36. A _omits_] again. + +p. 28, l. 1. A] does hee not mocke mee. +l. 2. A _omits_] use to. +l. 4. A] that wilde breach. C--G and Folio] what wild breath. +l. 5. A--G] was so rude. A _omits_] Aside. +l. 20. A] this sudden. +l. 23. A _omits_] But. + +l. 24. A] Say, stay my friend. +l. 34. A] shoot. +l. 35. A--G] A carries. +l. 37. A _omits_] But. + +p. 29, +l. 1. A--D] This is complement. + E] Beleeve me, this complement too cunning for me. +l. 4. G] that she may. +l. 18. A _omits_] I done. +l. 25. A--D] Nor I. + A _omits_] Aside. +l. 38. A] heighned. + +p. 30, +l. 7. A] Well? can you be other. +l. 9. A _omits_] Amintor. +l. 12. A _omits_] too. +l. 25. A, B and C] indeed. +l. 30. A] how then shewes the sport to you. + +p. 31, +l. 7. A--G] do hope. +l. 13. A _adds_] Aside. +ll. 15 and 16. A _omits_] with you. +l. 17. A--G] A will not tell. +ll. 18 and 19. For these lines A _reads_] For it is apt to thrust + this arme of mine to acts unlawfull. +l. 21. A] have jealous pangs. +l. 23. A] When she dares. +l. 27. A _omits_] will and. +l. 35. A and B] great, that me thought. + A and B] they did misbecome. + +p. 32, +l. 5. A--G] my. +l. 6. G] Touch. +ll. 14 and 15. A--G read 'A' for 'He.' +l. 17. A--D] not onely shun. +l. 20. A--D] I am. + E] I no man. +l. 21. A _omits_] me. +l. 24. A--G] desire. +l. 32. A] This is dissembling. +ll. 33--36. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 34. B--D] thee with, look. +l. 39. A] shouldst. + +p. 33, +l. 5. A] The King and I. +l. 6. A and B] Oh God. +l. 7. G] Who shall. +l. 19. A] lies. +ll. 24 and 25. In place of these lines A _reads_] Unless I show + how nobly I have freed my selfe. +l. 26. G] thou cannot fear. + +p. 34, +l. 4. A] treacherous sword. +l.7. A] there are. + A--F] thousands. + A _omits_] fools. +l. 8. A] the Land. +l. 13. A] my fault. +l. 25. A--G] hold, hold. +l. 28. A] Seconded like that. +l. 30. A] Plagues here. +l. 31. A _omits_] not. +l. 32. A--D] And so I leave you. +l. 33. A, B and C] You must needs be prating. + +P. 35 +l. 5. A] her part. +l. 6. A _omits_] treacherous slave. +l. 9. A] office. +l. 12. A _omits_] Leave. +l. 22. A--D] where you. +l. 25. A--D] you'l give ground. +l. 28. A] hast strength. +l. 36. A] I had mongst cowards, but durst never fight. +l. 39. A--D] hold him. +l. 40. A] askt. + +p. 36, +l. 2. A _omits_] go home, and. +l. 9. A] Mans eyes. + A _omits_] so. +l. 27. A] strives. +l. 29. A] yow weare. +l. 31. A] your tongue. + +p. 37, +l. 1. A] Immutable colour. +l. 11. A] and tis not like. +l. 18. G _omits_] an. +l. 21. A--G] a lied. +l. 27. A] See how you plead. +l. 29. A, B and C] what I ha done. +l. 30. A] with miseries. + +p. 38, +l. 3. A and B] mine old armour. +l. 9. A--E] scape. +l. 18. A--D] How's this. +l. 27. A] tane. +l. 29. A] and stick. +ll. 37 and 38. A and B] goe as high As troubled waters. + +p. 39, +l. 6. A] to be knowne. +l. 7. A] be blessed. +l. 12. A] fix a farewell. +l. 25. A] didst make. +l. 37. A--G] foule act on my selfe. + +p. 40, +l. 1. A] ease of. +l. 10. A and B] my horrid point. +l. 20. A] thy heart. +l. 24. A--E] all that this world. +l. 27. A] this bosome. +l. 32. A] I call it fro[m] thee. +l. 33. A _omits_] and shame me To posterity. +l. 39. A omits] be. + +p. 41, +l. 19. A] speake it. +l. 25. A] but have a care. +l. 28. A] your house. +l. 32. A _omits_] and no more. + +p. 42, +l. 4. A and B] As well as I could, and sent him. +l. 20. A _omits_] to mine. +p. 43, +l. 9. G] See what starrs you make. + A] your idle hatred. + A _omits_] to my love and freedom to you. +l. 11. A] I am come. +l. 17. A--E _omit_] that. +l. 26. A _omits_] or. +l. 27. A] The last is spoke, refuse my offerd love. + +p. 44, +l. 11. A--E] commendations. +l. 13. A] your dores. +l. 20. A--E] commendations. +l. 21. A--E] has made. +l. 23. A _omits_] it _after_ has. +l. 30. A and B] thy repentance. +l. 36. A and B] I understand ye not. + +p. 45, +l. 1. G] ye know. +l. 5. D] wins within her. +l. 7. A and B] theres your way. +l. 11. After this line A--G _add_] Rather to grapple with +the plague, or stand. +l. 18. A] theile lie. +l. 27. A] Though he lie lockt up in thy blood, come tell me. +l. 34. A--E _omit_] a. +l. 37. A] thy father. + +p. 46, +l. 7. A] his foe. +l. 13. The conclusion of this speech from 'thou hast no hope' is + omitted in A. +l. 15. B] snatch meat. +l. 17. B--G] has undone. +l. 23. F _omits_ this line. +l. 24. A--E] this scandall. +l. 27. C--G] raise much out. +l. 32. G] thou will deserve it. + +p. 47, +l. 19. A] Is there no more here. +l. 21. A _omits_] O hear me gently; it was. +l. 22. A _omits_] no more. +ll. 27 and 28. A] _Evad_. Too long, too late I finde it. + _Mel_. Can you be very sorry. +l. 30. A] Woman thou wilt not to thy trade againe. +l. 32. A, B and G] thou hadst. +l. 34. A] Has sunk thy faire soule, I command thee curse him. + +p. 48, +l. 10. A] you had no feare. + B and C] you knew no feare. +l. 13. A--E] thoudst. +l. 37. A and B] Gods where have I beene. + +p. 49, +l. 13. A] This is a new way to beget more sorrows. +l. 17. A--E] naturall wildnesse. +l. 22. A and B] that; no sacrifice. + C and D] thats; no sacrifice. +l. 35. A--E] that dull calamity. + +p. 50, +l. 8. A] Shall cut. +l. 17. Folio _misprints_ whither. + F and G] whether. +l. 28. A] get beleife. +l. 38. G] I will. + +p. 51, +l. 3. A omits] now. +l. 6. G] been thus excellently good. +l. 25. A, B and C] she have. +l. 34. A--D] scape. + +p. 52, +l. 7. A] I besworne. +l. 10. A--D _omit_] of. + A--G] a trusted. +l. 35. C--G and Folio _misprint_] _Lipsi_. + A _omits_] _Diag_. + +p. 53, +l. 1. F] raise laughter. +l. 7. A] _Mel_. +l. 12. G] to trust. +l. 23. A--D] Ye shall have it soundly I warrant you. +l. 31. A--F] scape. + +p. 54, +l. 16. A--G] A must. +l. 21. A--D] can easily. +l. 22. A] faults. + +p. 55, +l. 4. A] Facers, and talkers to defame the world. +l. 18. A] Who I, thou shamelesse Fellow that hast spoke to me + of it thy Selfe. +l. 25. E, F and G] Come from you. +l. 29. F gives this speech to Calianax and the next +two to Melantius. +l. 30. A, B and C] a should. +l. 31. A, B and C] in's life. + +p. 56, +ll. 7 and 8. A _omits_ these lines. +l. 9. A--G] you your selfe. +l. 12. A--E] will as great. +l. 16. A _omits_] not. +l. 21. G _omits_] better. +l. 22. A _omits_] _Aside_. +l. 24. G] belive it. +l. 27. A--D] Whilst he is hot, for if hee coole agen. + E] Whilst he hot, for he coole agen. +l. 33. A and B] A pittie. +l. 34. A and B] _Mel_. Marke his disordered words, and at the +Maske. +l. 38. A and B _omit_] too. + +p. 57, +l. 8. F] When I has. +l. 15. A, B and C] Why should. +l. 16. D and E] him, alas in his sword. +l. 21. A] Too well. + G] 'Tis we. +l. 28. A _omits_] and believe. +ll. 37 and 38. A] Dost not thou looke for some great + punishment for this? I feele | My selfe beginne to forget + all my hate. +l. 40. A] so extremely. + + +p. 58, +l. 1. A] I shall meet. +l. 2. A] Unkindnesse. +l. 4. A] no wrong. +l. 9. A and B] this I call hurt. +l. 19. A] his disgrace. +l. 26. A] _Melantius_, thou shall have the fort. +l. 40. A--G add at the end of the line] _Diph_. + +p. 59, +l. 19. A--D _omit_] in. +l. 34. G] refused. +l. 38. A and B] vild. + +p. 60, +l. 11. G _omits_] up. +l. 20. A--E] Theres not. +l. 21. A--E] in 't. +l. 23. Folio] Why? The sign has been changed to a comma + here and elsewhere in similar cases. +l. 25. A and B _add_] _Exeunt_. +l. 36. A] and then me thinkes. + +p. 61, +l. 2. A and B _add_] _Exit_. +l. 5. A] lost virtue. +l. 7. F, G and Folio] no man dare. +l. 9. A] tis a madnesse. +l. 10. A] that desperate mans. + B and C] fooles. +l. 12. A] repent 'em. +l. 15. A--G] a sleepes. + A] a sleepes, oh God. +l. 17. A] That has so farre transgrest you. +l. 18. G _omits_] And. +l. 19. A] Confirmes me that I merit. +l. 21. A] To rake him. +l. 22. A] Shall seaze him. +l. 23. G] punishment. +l. 24. A and B] Ile shape. +l. 26. A] I strike. +l. 30. In place of this line A _reads_] As I beleeve I shall not, I + shall fit him. +l. 31. A--G] a sleepes. + +p. 62, +l. 3. A] may looke. +l. 5. F] Say Sir, stay. +l. 9. A] Here thou shalt. + B and C] thou shalt. + D] you shalt. +l. 18. A] How _Evadne_? +l. 33. Folio] thou. + +p. 63, +l. 10. A--E] reach. +l. 11. A--E] overcharge. +l. 15. D] is heaven. +l. 16. F] Here Evadne. +l. 21. A. _omits_] _Stabs him_. +l. 29. A _adds_] _Stabs him_. +l. 31. A--E add at end of line] King. + In F and G the word 'king' is printed by mistake and + wrongly spaced at the end of the following line. + +p. 64, +l. 10. A omits this line. +l. 12. A. _omits one_] Treason. +l. 35. A--E] innocence. + +p. 65, +l. 1. F _omits_] and. +l. 5. A and B] Or to create. +l. 17. Folio] beter. +l. 21. A] certaine. +l. 29. A--E] We could a wisht. +l. 31. A--G] thee. +l. 35. A] pray to heaven. +l. 37. E] then of honor. +l. 39. In place of this line A _reads_] I'm sure might have + preserved. + +p. 66, +ll. 1 and 2. A omits these lines. +l. 3. A and B] those tears. +l. 9. A] And begge. + B and C] buy. +l. 15. A--E] I have. +l. 16. A] for revenge. +1. 19. A--G] you wud. +l. 24. A--D] free. +l. 28. A--E] All up againe. +l. 34. A--E] honours. +l. 35. A--E] No gaine. + A--D] pardons. +l. 37. A--D] us all but. + +p. 67, +l. 2. A] call the King. +l. 9. G _omits_] a. +l. 10. A] that I doe. +l. 16. A--E] the faire office. +l. 17. Folio] you. +l. 21. A and B] loth to delay. +l. 22. A--D _omit_] any. +l. 24. A] Sir he will speake with no body, but in particular, I + have in charge about no waightie matters. +l. 29. A, B and C] vild. +l. 30. G] woman. +l. 34, A--E] and the smoothest. + +p. 68, +l. 7. G] O that shape. +l. 11. A--E] chance of warre. + D and E] marke. +l. 21. A] odious. +l. 31. A--E] injuries. +l. 35. A--E] and would be loth. + +p. 69, +l. 23. A--E] I prethee. +l. 25. Folio] endute. +l. 27. A--E] timelesse. +l. 29. A--G] has. +l. 37. A--D] No houre to live. + +p. 70, +l. 3. A--D] there is no place. +l. 4. B--F print as one stage-direction] Enter Evadne. Her + hands bloudy with a knife. A _omits_] Her hands bloody + with a knife. +l. 11. A] staid. +l. 26. A--E] his height. + + +l. 27. A--E] found one. +l. 29. A--D] continued. +l. 33. A] tame my wildest wrongs. + +p. 71, +ll. 3--5. A omits the words from 'and' to 'shed.' +l. 17. A] crueller. +l. 20. A and B] for Gods sake. +l. 26. A--F] womans. +l. 27. A--D] me now againe. +l. 32. A--E] but it came. +l. 40. A] my selfe unto 'em. + E] unto. + +p. 72, +l. 9. A--E] such another fault. +l. 10. A--E] arme her selfe with scorne. +l. 24. A and B] Staid my course, it was. +l. 25. A and B] Thou art. +l. 29. A and B] I shall sure live. + C and D] I shall surely live. +l. 38. A, B and C] thine hand. + A] mine eyes grow up and downe. + +p. 73, +l. 4. A and B] for Gods sake. +l. 5. A--E _omit_] for. +l. 7. A, B and C] there nothing stirs. +l. 8. A--E _omit_] that. +l. 10. A--D] be any life. +l. 15. A and B] lend forth some. +l. 24. A and B] Oh God. +l. 26. A _omits_] Cleon. + +p. 74, +l. 13. A and B] My last is said, let me give up my soule. +l. 16. A _omits_] my. +l. 25. Folio] mater. +l. 26. A] with you all now. +l. 28. A _adds_] _Exit_. +l. 31. A--E] hands. A, B and C] sharpe enough. +l. 39. A and B] from God. + + A--G _add_] Finis. + + + +THE MAIDS TRAGEDY. VERSE AND PROSE +VARIATIONS[1]. + + +p. 1, +ll. 29 and 30. A, C, D and E] 2 ll. _Poetrie, well_. + +p. 2, +ll. 7 and 8. A--E] 3 ll. _worth, goe, it_. +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _Diphilus, ill_. + +p. 3, +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _Evadne, sister_. +l. 29. A--E] 2 ll. _them, strange_. + +p. 4, +ll. 1--5. A and B] 5 ll. _walkes_, [A _sir_, see note to +p. 4 _ante_] _earth, delight, flowers, tell_. +l. 29. A--E] _speech, love_. + +p. 5, +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _gone, Diphilus_. + +p. 8, +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _home, maske_. + +p. 10, +l. 17. A--E] 2 ll. _know, ascend_. + +p. 13, +l. 4. A--E] 2 ll. _powre, calme_. + +p. 15, +ll. 33--35 A] 3 ll. _caught, fire, thee_. +ll. 34 and 35. B--E] 2 ll. _fire, thee_. +ll. 36 and 37. A--E] 2 ll. _thing, not_. + +p. 19, +l. 8. A--E] 2 ll. _sin, lips_. +ll. 9 and 10. A] 1 line. +l. 23. A--E] 2 ll. _done, meanes_. + +p. 20, +l. 24. A--E] 2 ll. _oath, true_. +ll. 30 and 31. F and G] 1 line. + +p. 21, +ll. 1 and 2. F and G] 1 line. +l. 24. A--D] 2 ll. _hell, me_. +ll. 25--27. A and D] 4 ll. _bed, locks, weare, armes_. + +p. 22, +ll. 28 and 29. A--E] 2 ll. _us, waite_. + F and G] 1 line. +l. 36. A--E] 2 ll. _be, honourable_. +l. 38. A--E] 2 ll. _self, for_. + +p. 25, +ll. 21 and 22. A] 2 11. _so, quick-sand_. + +p. 28, +ll. 16 and 17. A--E] 2 ll. _here, thine_. + F and G] 1 line. + +[Footnote 1: In these notes the words printed in italics are +the last words of the lines indicated in the various texts.] + + +p. 30, +ll. 10 and 11. A--G] 1 line. +ll. 27 and 28. A--G] 1 line. + +p. 31, +ll. 15 and 16. A] 2 ll. _may, well_. + +p. 32, +l. 7. A--E] 2 ll. _royaltie, stain_. +l. 8. A--E] 2 ll. _me, thee_. + +p. 33, +ll. 27 and 28. A] 2 ll. _weight, rage_. +ll. 38 and 39. A and B] 2 ll. _of, you_. + +p. 34, +l. 8. A] 2 ll. _enough, Land_. + B--E] 2 ll. _enough, Island_. +l. 21. A--E] 2 ll. _King, it_. +ll. 20 and 21. G] 2 ll. _for, it_. + +p. 35, +l. 25. A---E] 2 ll. _feare, draw_. +ll. 35 and 36. A] 2 ll. _tricke, fight_. + +p. 36, +l. 15. A--E] 2 ll. _rarenesse, now_. +l. 32. A--E] 2 ll. _be, it_. + +p. 37, +l. 8. A--E] _indeed, another_. +l. 28. A--E] 2 ll. _say, friend_. + +p. 38, +l. 6. A--E] 2 ll. _innocence, it_. + +p. 39, +l. 1. A--E] 2 ll. _base, lies_. + +p. 40, +l. 29. A--E] 2 ll. _way, backe_. + +p. 41, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _thine, stir_. +l. 8. A] 2 ll. _word, quick_. +ll. 39 and 40. A] 2 ll. _why I, else_. + B--G] 2 ll. _why, else_. + +p. 42, +ll. 19--21. A] 3 ll. _hands, I, thee_. +l. 21. B--E] 2 ll. _I, thee_. + +p. 43, +l. 11. A--E] 2 ll. _sute, you_. +l. 16. A--E] 2 ll. _it, hands_. + +p. 44, +ll. 15 and 16. A--E] 3 ll. _daunce, skins, businesse_. + +p. 47, +l. 10. A--E] _miserie, me_. +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _many, ist_. +l. 39. A--E] _in, hereafter_. + +p. 48, +l. 1. A--E] 2 ll. _arme, King_. + +p. 51, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _weepe, water_. + +p. 52, +l. 5. A--E] 2 ll. _house, Court_. +l. 31. A--E] 2 ll. _unlesse, 'em_. + +p. 53, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _dost, pitty_. +l. 36. A--E] 2 ll. _leave, alive_. + +p. 54, +l. 2. A--E] 2 ll. _Melantius, well_. +l. 5. A--E] 2 ll. _besieg'd, commanded_. +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _it, much_. +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _mov'd, thing_. +l. 34. A--E] 2 ll. _gods, you_. +l. 37. A--E] 2 ll. _crime, knew_. + +p. 55, +l. 23. A--E] 2 ll. _hope, satisfied_. + +p. 56, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _agen, it_. +ll. 31 and 32. A--E] 2 ll. _Foe, him_. + +p. 57, +ll. 35 and 36. A] 3 ll. _thats, strongest, ye_. + +p. 58, +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _Land, hurt_. +l. 22. A--E] 2 ll. _hold, state_. +l. 28. A--G] 2 ll. _brest, compasse_. + +p. 59, +l. 25. A--E] 2 ll. _rage, me_. +l. 30. A--E] 2 ll. _sins, ever_. + +p. 60, +l. 10. A--E] 2 ll. _here, defencelesse_. +ll. 17 and 18. A] 2 ll. _plot, King_. +ll. 35 and 36. B--D] 2 ll. _will, then_. + +p. 64, +l. 19. A--E] 2 ll. _act, still_. + +p. 67, +l. 20. A--E] 2 ll. _desire, him_. + +p. 69, +l. 17. A--E] 2 ll. _fight, returnd_. +l. 19. A--E] 2 ll. _against her, it_. +ll. 20 and 21. A--E] 2 ll. _with, you_. +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _death, selfe_. +ll. 37--40 and p. 70, l. 1. A] 5 ll. _meane, me, thee, + brest, defencelesse_. + +p. 70, +l. 3. A--E] 2 ll. _fit, here_. +l. 9. A--E] 2 ll. _thee, mischiefes_. +l. 11. A--E] 2 ll. _newes, staid_ (A _stald_). + +p. 71, +l. 14. A--E] 2 ll. _it, home_. + +p. 72, +l. 27. A--E] 2 ll. _hand, yet_. +l. 37. A--E] 2 ll. _haire, thee_. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Maids Tragedy +by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAIDS TRAGEDY *** + +***** This file should be named 10847.txt or 10847.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/8/4/10847/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jayam Subramanian and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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