The maids Tragedy.  
AS IT HATH BEEN divers times Acted at the Blackfriars by the king's majesties Servants.  
 
LONDON Printed for Richard Higgenbotham and are to be sold at the Angel in Paul's Churchyard. 1619.   

SPEAKERS.  

KING.  
LYSIPPUS brother to the King.  
AMINTOR.  
EVADNE, wife to AMINTOR.  
MELANTIUS brothers to EVADNE.  
Diphilus' brothers to EVADNE.  
Aspasia troth-plight wife to AMINTOR.  
CALLIANAX an old humorous Lord, and father to Aspasia.  
CARON Gentlemen.  
STRATO Gentlemen.  
DIAGOR As a servant.  
ANTIPHILA waiting Gentlewomen to Aspasia.  
OLIMPIAS waiting Gentlewomen to Aspasia.  
DULA a Lady.  
NIGHT Maskers.  
CINTHIA Maskers.  
NEPTUNE Maskers.  
Aeolus Maskers.    

The Maids Tragedy.  

Actus. I. Scaen. I.  Enter CLEON, STRATO, LISIPPVS, DIPHILUS. CLEON. 
The rest are making ready sir,  LYS. 
So let them, there's time enough.  DIPH. 
You are brother to the King my Lord, we'll take your word.  LIS. 
Strato thou hast some skill in poetry,  
What think'st thou of a mask, will it be well?  STR. 
As well as masks can be.  LIS. 
As masks can be.  STRA. 
Yes, they must commend, and speak in praise of the assembly, bless the Bride and groom, in person of some god, there tied to rules of flattery.  CLE. 
See good my Lord who is returned.  LIS. 
Noble Melantius, Enter Melantius the land by me welcomes thy virtues home, thou that with blows abroad bringst us our peace at home, the breath of Kings is like the breath of gods, my brother wished thee here, and thou art here, he will be kind; and weary thee with often welcome, but the time doth give thee a welcome, above his, or all the world.  MEL. 
My Lord, my thanks, but these scratched 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 rejoices 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 arms  
With me at Patria, thou camest not Diphilus:  
'twas ill.  DIPH. 
My noble brother my excuse  
Is my king's straight command, which you my Lord  
Can witness with me.  LIS. 
'tis most true Melantius,  
He might not come till the solemnities  
Of this great match were passed.  DIPH. 
Have you heard of it.  MEL. 
Yes, and have given cause to those, that here  
Envy my deeds abroad, to call me gamesome,  
I have no other business here at Rhodes.  LIS. 
We have a mask tonight,  
And you must tread a soldiers measure.  MEL. 
These soft and silken wars are not for me,  
The music must be shrill and all confused  
That stirs my blood, and then I dance,  
But is Amintor wed?  DIPH. 
This day?  MEL. 
All joys upon him, for he is my friend,  
Wonder not that I call a man so young;  
His worth is great, valiant he is,  
And one that never thinks his life his own,  
If his friend need it, when he was a boy,  
As oft as I returned (as without boast)  
I brought home conquest, he would gaze upon me,  
And view me round, to find in what one limb  
The virtue 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  
Weighs it, he oft would make me smile at this;  
His youth did promise much, and his ripe years  
Will see it all performed. Enter Aspatia passing with attendance.  
Hail Maid and Wife.  
Thou fair Aspasia, may the holy knot,  
That thou hast tied today, last till the hand  
Of age undo't, mayst thou bring a race  
Unto Amintor, that may fill the world  
Successively with soldiers.  ASP. 
My hard fortunes  
Deserve not scorn, for I was never proud  
When they were good. Exit Aspatia.  MEL. 
how's this.  LIS. 
You are mistaken sir, 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 mary her.  DIPH. 
And so it stood,  
In all opinion long, but your arrival  
Made me imagine you had heard the change.  MEL. 
Who has he taken then?  LIS. 
A Lady sir,  
That bears the light above her, and strikes dead  
With flashes of her eye, the fair Euadne  
Your virtuous sister.  MEL. 
Peace of heart betwixt them,  
But this is strange.  LIS. 
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 infortunate a sound  
To beautiful Aspasia, there is rage  
Hid in her father's breast Calianax,  
Bent long against me and 'a should not think,  
Could I but call it back, that I would take  
Such base revenges as to scorn the state  
Of his neglected daughter.  LIS. 
O 'twere pity, for this Lady sir,  
Sits discontented with her watery eyes bent on the ear  
In unfrequented woods are her delight,  
Where when she sees a bank stuck full of flowers,  
Than she will sit, and sigh, and tell  
Her servants, what a pretty place it were  
To bury lovers in, and make her maids  
Pluck'em, and strew them over her like a corpse,  
She carries with her an infectious grief,  
That strikes all her beholders, she will sing  
The Mournfulst things that ever ear hath heard,  
And swoon, and sing again, and when the rest  
Of your young Ladies in their wanton blood,  
Tell mirthful tales in course that fills 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'll 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 outgrown  
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 disordered speech  
Cuts off my love.  AMIN. 
Thou art Melantius,  
All love is spoke in that, a sacrifice  
To thank the gods, Melantius is returned  
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 thine innocence,  
What endless treasures would our enemies give,  
That I might hold thee still thus.  MEL. 
I am poor in words, but credit me young man  
Thy mother could do no more but weep, for joy to see thee  
After long absence, all the wounds I have,  
Fetched not so much away, nor all the cries  
Of widowed mothers: But this is peace  
And that was war.  AMINT. 
Pardon thou holy god  
Of marriage bed, and frown not, I am forced  
In answer of such noble tears as these,  
To weep upon my wedding day.  MEL. 
I fear thou art grown too cruel, for I hear  
A Lady mourns for thee, men say to death,  
forsaken of thee, on what terms I know not.  AMINT. 
She had my promise, but the King forbade it,  
And made me make this worthy change, thy sister  
Accompanied with graces about her,  
With whom I long to lose my lusty youth,  
And grow old in her arms.  MEL. 
Be prosperous.  AMINT. 
My Lord the masker's rage for you.  LIS. 
We are gone,  
Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.  Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Steat, Diphilus. AMINT. 
we'll all attend you, we shall trouble you  
With our solemnities.  MEL. 
Not so Amintor.  
But if you laugh at my rude carriage  
In sports, i'll do as much for you in war  
When you come thither, but I have a mistress  
To bring to your delights, rough though I am,  
I have a mistress and she has a heart  
She says, but trust me, it is stone, no better,  
There is no place that I can challenge gentlemen,  
But you stand still, and here my way lies. Exeunt.  Enter Calianax, and Diagoras. CAL. 
Diagoras look to the doors better for shame, you let in all the world, and anon the King will be angry with me, why very well said, by jove the King will have the show o'th' the Court;  DIAG. 
Why do you swear so my Lord,  
You know he'll 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 must sweat out his heart with swearing, & get  
Thanks on no side, i'll be gone, look to't who will.  DIAG. 
My Lord I shall never keep them out,  
Your looks will terrify them.  CAL. 
My looks terrify them, you coxcombly ass, I'll be judge 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 in my office, I might have made room at my daughter's wedding, they ha' near killed her amongst them. But now I must do service for him that hath forsaken her, serve that will. Exit Calianax,  DIAG. 
he's so humorous since his daughter was forsaken? hark, hark, whose's there, codes, codes, What now? within Knock within  MEL. 
Open the door.  DIAG. 
Who is't.  MEL. 
Melantius.  DIAG. 
I hope your Lordship brings no troup, for if you do, I must return them. Enter Melantius and a Lady.  MEL. 
None but this Lady sir.  DIAG. 
The Ladies are all placed above, save those that come in the king's troup, the best of Rhodes sit there, there is no room.  MEL. 
I thank you sir, when I have seen you placed madam, I must attend the King, but the mask done, i'll wait on you again. Exit Melantius' Lady other door.  DIAG. 
Stand back there, room for my Lord Melantius, pray bear back, this is no place for such youths and their trulls, let the doors shut again, no; do your heads itch, i'll scratch them, so now thrust and hang, again, who is't now, I cannot blame my Lord Calianax for giving way, would he were here, he would run raging amongst them, and break a dozen heads in the twinkling of an eye, what's the news now? within I pray you can you help me to the speech of the master Cook?  DIAG. 
If I open the door i'll cook some of your calves heads. Peace rogues?— again,— who is't?  MEL. 
Melantius? within Enter Calianax.  CAL. 
Let him not in.  DIAG. 
O my Lord a must, make room there for my Lord, is your Lady placed. Enter Melantius.  MEL. 
Yes sir, I thank you, my Lord Calianax, well met,  
Your causeless hate to me I hope is buried.  CAL. 
Yes I do service for your sister here,  
That brings mine 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, be well advised.  CAL. 
It may be so, who placed the Lady there.  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 misbecomes your age,  
And place to be so womanish, forbear,  
What you have spoke I am content to think  
The palsy shook your tongue to.  CAL. 
'tis well if I stand here to place men's wenches.  MEL. 
I shall quite 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 me the King, and be of flesh and blood  
'a lies that says 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 soldiers that in peace,  
They shall be braved by such ignoble men,  
As (if the land were troubled,) would with tears  
And knees beg succour from 'em, would the 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, and able to maintain,  
Shouldst thou say more,— This Rhodes I see is nought  
But a place privileged to do men wrong.  CAL. 
ay, you may talk your pleasure. Enter Amintor.  AMINT. 
What wild wrong  
Has stirred my worthy friend, who is as slow  
To fight with words as he is quick of hands,  CAL. 
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 yourself.  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 come in,  
I would not for more wealth than I enjoy  
He should perceive you raging, he did hear  
You were at difference now, which hastened him.  CAL. 
Make room there.  hautboys play within Enter King Euadne, Aspatia, Lords and Ladies. 
Melantius thou art welcome, and thy love  
Is with me still; but this is not a place  
To brabble in, Calianax, join hands.  CAL. 
He shall not have mine 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 looked 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,  

Mask.  Night rises in mists. NIG. 
Our reign is now, for in the quenching sea  
The Sun is drowned, 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 shroud,  
But strike thy silver horns quite through a cloud,  
And send a beam upon my swarthy face,  
By which I may discover all the place  
And persons that have many longing eyes,  
Are come to wait on our solemnities. Enter Cinthia.  
How dull and black am I, can I not find  
This beauty without thee, am I so blind,  
methinks they show 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 rays than thou.  CINTH. 
Great Queen they be a troop for whom alone,  
One of my clearest moons I have put on,  
A troup that looks as if thyself and I,  
Had plucked our reins in, and our whips laid by  
To gaze upon those, that appear  
Brighter than we.  NIGH. 
Then let us keep 'em here,  
And never more our chariots drive away,  
But hold our places and outshine the day.  CINTH. 
Great Queen of shadows you are pleased 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.  NIGH. 
Then shine at full pale Queen, & by that power,  
Produce a birth to fill this happy hour,  
Of nymphs and shepherds, and let their songs discover,  
Easy and sweet who is a happy lover,  
Or if thou wilt thine own Endymion  
From the sweet flowery bank he lies upon,  
On Latmus' brow thy pale beams drawn away,  
And of his long night let him make thy day.  CIN. 
Thou dreamest dark power, that fair boy was not mine,  
Not went I down to kiss him, ease and wind,  
Have bred these bold tales, poets when they rage  
Turns gods to men, and make an hour an age,  
But I will give a greater state and glory,  
And raise to time a nobler 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 force me hither, let me know  
Why I ascend.  CINTH. 
Doth this majestic show  
Give thee no knowledge yet.  NEP. 
Yes, now I see,  
Something intended Cinthia worthy thee,  
Go on, i'll be a helper.  CINTH. 
Hie thee then,  
And charge the wind go from his rocky den,  
Let lose his subjects, only Boreas  
Too foul for our intentions as he was,  
Still keep him fast chained, we must have none here  
But vernal blasts and gentle winds appear,  
Such as blow flowers, and through the glad bows sing,  
Many soft welcome to the lusty spring.  
Bid them draw near to have thy watery race  
Led on in couples, we are pleased to grace  
This noble night each in their richest things,  
Your own deeps or the broken vessels brings,  
Be prodigal and I shall be as kind,  
And shine at full upon you.  NEP. 
See the wind Enter Eolus out of a Rock.  
Commanding Aeolus.  EOL. 
Great Neptune.  NEPT. 
He.  EOL. 
What is thy will.  NEPT. 
We do command thee free,  
Favonius and thy milder winds to wait  
Upon our Cinthia, but tie Boreas straight,  
he's rebellious.  EOL. 
I shall do it.  NEPT. 
Do master of the flould, and all below  
Thy full command has taken  EOL. 
O! the Main  
Neptune.  NEPT. 
Here.  EOL. 
Boreas has broke his chain,  
And struggling with the rest has got away.  NEPT. 
Let him alone i'll take him up at sea,  
I will not be long thence, go hence again  
And bid the other call out of the Main,  
blue Proteus, and the rest, charge them put on  
Their greatest pearls and the most sparkling stone  
The beaten rock breeds, till this night is done,  
By me a solemn honour to the Moon,  
Fly like a full sail.  EOL. 
I am gone.  CINTH. 
Dark night  
Strike a full silence, do a thorough right  
To this great Chorus, that our music may  
Touch high as heaven, and make the East break day  
At midnight. Music  

Song.  
Cinthia to thy power and thee  
we obey,  
joy to this great company  
and no day,  
Come to steal this night away  
Till the rights of love are ended,  
And the lusty Bridegroom say,  
Welcome light of all befriended.  
Pace out you watery powers below,  
let your feet  
Like the galleys 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 old night till we have done,  
The day will come too soon,  
Young Maids will curse thee if thou stealest away,  
And leav'st their losses 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 loud cryings,  
Her weak denials vows and often dyings,  
Stay and hide all,  
but help not if she call.   Maskers dance, Neptune leads it EOL. 
Ho Neptune.  NEP. 
Aeolus.  EOL. 
The sea goes high,  
Boreas has raised a storm, go and apply  
Thy trident, else I prophesy ere day,  
Many a tall ship will be cast away,  
descend with all the gods, and all their power  
To strike a calm.  CINTH. 
We thank you for this hour,  
My favour to you all to gratulate  
So great a service done at my desire,  
Ye shall have many floods fuller and higher  
Than you have wished for, and no ebb shall dare,  
To let the day see where your dwellings are.  
Now back unto your governments in haste,  
lest your proud waters should swell above the waste,  
And win upon the Island. Exeunt Maskers Descend.  NEPT. 
We obey.  CIN. 
Hold up thy head dead night seest thou not day,  
The East begins to lighten I must down  
And give my brother place.  NIGHT. 
Oh I could frown  
To see the day, the day that flings his light  
Upon my kingdom, and contemns old night,  
Let him go on, and flame, I hope to see  
Another wild fire in his axle-tree,  
And all fall drenched, but I forget, speak Queen,  
The day grows on, I dare no more be seen.  CIN. 
Once heave thy drowsy head again and see  
A greater light a greater Majesty  
Between our sect and us, lash up thy team  
The day breaks here, and yond sun flaring stream  
Shot from the south, say which way wilt thou go.  NIGHT. 
I'll vanish into mists. Exeunt.  CINTH. 
Adieu.  KING. 
Take light their Ladies, get the Bride to bed,  
We will not see you laid, good night Amintor,  
we'll ease you of that tedious ceremony,  
Were it my case I should think time run slow  
If thou be'st noble youth, get me a boy  
That may defend my Kingdoms from my foes.  AMINT. 
All happiness to you.  KING. 
Good night Melantius. Exeunt.    

Actus Secundus.  Enter EVADNE, ASPATIA, DULA, and other Ladies. DVL. 
madam shall we undress you for this fight,  
The wars are naked that you must make tonight.  EVAD. 
You are merry Dula.  DVL. 
I should be far merrier madam, if it were with me  
As it is with you.  EVAD. 
how's that?  DVL. 
That I might go to bed with him with credit that you do.  EVAD. 
Why how now wench.  DVL. 
Come Ladies, will you help.  EVAD. 
I am soon undone.  DVL. 
And as soon done,  
Good store of clothes will trouble you at both.  EVAD. 
Art thou drunk Dula.  DVL. 
Why here's none but we.  EVAD. 
Thou thinkst belike there is no modesty  
When we're alone.  DVL. 
I by my troth, you hit my thoughts right.  EVAD. 
You prick me madam.  1. LAD. 
'tis against my will.  DVL. 
Anon you must endure more and lie still,  
'tis best to practise.  EVAD. 
Sure this wench is mad.  DVL. 
No faith, this is a trick that I have had  
Since I was fourteen.  EVAD. 
'tis time to leave it.  DVL. 
Nay now i'll keep it till the trick leave me,  
A dozen wanton words put in your head,  
Will make you livelier in your husband's bed.  EVAD. 
Nay faith then take it.  DVL. 
Take it madam, where,  
We all will take it I hope that are here.  EVAD. 
Nay then i'll give you over.  DVL. 
So will I make  
The ablest man in Rhodes or his heart ache.  EVAD. 
Wilt lie in my place tonight.  DVL. 
I'll hold your cards against any two I know.  EVAD. 
What wilt thou do.  DVL. 
madam we'll do't and make ''em leave play too.  EVAD. 
Aspasia take her part.  DVL. 
I will refuse it,  
She will pluck down aside, she does not use it.  EVAD. 
do I prithee.  DVL. 
You will find the play  
Quickly, because your head lies well that way.  EVAD. 
I thank thee Dula, would thou couldst instill  
Some of thy mirth into Aspasia,  
Nothing but sad thoughts in her breast do dwell,  
methinks a mean betwixt you would do well.  DVL. 
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 right, and all your hands have been employed,  
In giving me a spotless offering  
To young Amintor's bed, as we are now,  
For you pardon Euadne, 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 powered the sweetest words  
That art or love could frame, if he were false  
Pardon it heaven, and if I did want  
Virtue, you safely may forgive that too,  
For I have lost none that I had from you.  EVAD. 
Nay leave this sad talk madam.  ASP. 
Would I could, than I should leave the cause.  EVAD. 
Lo if you have not spoiled all Dula's mirth.  ASP. 
Thou thinkst thy heart hard, but if thou be'st caught remember me; thou shalt perceive a fire shot suddenly unto thee.  DVL. 
That's not so good, let'em shoot any thing but sire, and I fear'em not.  ASP. 
Well wench thou must be taken.  EVAD. 
Lady's good night, I'll do the rest myself.  DVL. 
Nay let your Lord do some.  ASP. 
madam good night, may all the marriage joys  
That longing maids imagine in their beds  
Prove so unto you, may not discontent  
Grow twixt your love and you, but if there do,  
inquire of me and I will guide your moan,  
And 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 farewell, 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 ivy clasp my coffin round,  
Write on my brow my fortune, let my beer  
Be borne by Virgins that shall sing by course,  
The truth of maids, and perjuries of men.  EVAD. 
Alas I pity thee. Exit Euadne.  OMNES. 
madam good night.  1. LAD. 
Come we'll let in the Bridegroom.  DVL. 
Where's my Lord?  1. LAD. 
Here take this light, Enter Amintor.  DVL. 
he'll find her in the dark.  1. LAD. 
Your lady's scarce a-bed, 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'll trouble you no more, yet I will take  
A parting kiss, and will not be denied,  
You'll come my Lord and see the virgins weep,  
When I am laid in earth; though you yourself  
Can know no pity, thus I wind myself  
Into this willow garland, and am prouder  
That I was once your love, (though now refused)  
Then to have had another true to me.  
So with prayers I leave you, and must try  
Some yet unpractised way to grieve and die,  DVL. 
Come Ladies will you go. Exit Aspatia.  1. LAD. 
Good night my Lord.  AMIN. 
Much happiness unto you all. Exe: Ladies.  
I did that Lady wrong, methinks I feel  
A grief shoot suddenly through all my veins,  
Mine eyes rain, this is strange at such a time,  
It was the King first moved me to't, but he  
Has not my will in keeping,— why did I  
perplex myself 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 break a promise,  
And 'twas the King enforced me, timorous flesh,  
Why shak'st thou so, away my idle fears, Enter Euadne  
Yonder is she, the luster of whose eye,  
Can blot away the sad remembrance  
Of all these things:— oh my Euadne spare  
That tender body, let it not take cold,  
The vapours of the night shall not fall here,  
To bed my love, Hymen will punish us,  
For being slack performers of his rights,  
camest thou to call me.  EVAD. 
No?  AMINT. 
Come, come, my love,  
And let us lose ourselves 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 banished sickness.  EVAD. 
Good my Lord I cannot sleep.  AMIN. 
Euadne we'll watch, I mean no sleeping.  EVAD. 
I'll not go to bed.  AMIN. 
I prithee 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?  AMIN. 
How? Sworn Euadne.  EVAD. 
Yes, sworn Amintor, and will swear again.  
If you will wish to hear me.  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 will like you best.  AMIN. 
Why do you ask.  EVAD. 
That I may show you one less pleasing to you,  AMIN. 
how's that.  EVAD. 
That I may show you one less pleasing to you.  AMIN. 
I prithee put thy jests in milder looks,  
It shows as thou wert angry.  EVAD. 
So perhaps I am indeed.  AMIN. 
Why, who has done thee wrong,  
Name me the man, and by thyself sweet love,  
Thy yet unconquered self, I will revenge it.  EVAD. 
Now I shall try thy truth, if thou dost love me.  
Thou weigh'st not any thing compared to me,  
Life, honour, joys eternal, all delights  
The world can yield, 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'll kiss the sun  
Of thy lips.  AMIN. 
I wonot swear sweet love, till I know the cause.  EVAD. 
I wood thou wouldst,  
Why, it is thou that wrong'st me, I hate thee,  
Thou shouldst have killed thyself.  AMIN. 
If I should know that, I should quickly kill  
The man you hated.  EVAD. 
Know it, and do't.  AMIN. 
Oh no, what look soe'er thou shouldst put on,  
To try my faith, I cannot 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.  AMIN. 
Sure she raves, this cannot be,  
Her 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 of these, what think you I am mad,  
Because I speak the truth.  AMIN. 
Is this the truth, will you not lie with me tonight.  EVAD. 
You talk as if you thought I would hereafter.  AMIN. 
Hereafter, yes I do.  EVD. 
You are deceived, put off amazement & with patience mark,  
What I shall utter, for the Oracle  
Knows nothing truer 'tis not for a night  
Or two that I forbear your bed, but ever.  AMIN. 
I dream,— awake Amintor.  EVAD. 
You hear right,  
I sooner would find out the beds of Snakes,  
And with my youthful blood warm their cold flesh,  
Letting them curl themselves about my limbs,  
then sleep one night with thee; this is not feigned,  
Nor sounds it like the kisses of a bride.  AMIN. 
Is flesh so earthly to endure all this,  
Are these the joys 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 whom thou hast sent me, or the world  
Shall know this, not an altar then will smoke  
In praise of thee, we will adopt us sons,  
Than virtue shall inherit and not blood,  
If we do lust, we'll take the next we meet;  
Serving ourselves as other creatures do,  
And never take note of the female more,  
Nor of her issue: I do rage in vain,  
She cannot jest; Oh pardon me my love,  
So dear the thoughts are which I hold of thee,  
That I must break forth; satisfy my fear,  
It is a pain beyond the pain 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.  AMIN. 
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 used thus, you have thought a way  
How he may bear himself, and save his honour:  
Instant me with it, for to my dull eyes  
There is no mean, no moderate course to run,  
I must live scorned 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 their voice.  EVAD. 
This rage will do no good.  AMIN. 
Euadne, hear me, thou hast ta'en 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 that 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 called fair, and virtuous in this Isle  
That would have shunned my love, it is in thee  
To make me hold this worth— Oh we vain men  
That trust all our reputation  
To rest upon the weak and yielding hand  
Of feeble woman, but thou art not stone,  
Thy flesh is soft, and in thine eyes do dwell  
The spirit of love, thy heart cannot be hard,  
Come lead me from the bottom of despair,  
To all the joys thou hast, I know thou wilt.  
And make me careful lest the sudden change  
o'ercome my spirits.  EVAD. 
When I call back this oath, the pains of hell environ 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.  AMIN. 
I'll drag thee to my bed, and make thy tongue  
Undo this wicked oath, or on thy flesh  
I'll print a thousand wounds to let out life.  EVAD. 
I fear thee not, do what thou darest to me,  
Every ill sounding word, or threatening look  
Thou showest to me, will be revenged at full.  AMIN. 
It will not sure Euadne.  EVAD. 
Do not you hazard that.  AMIN. 
ha' ye your Champions.  EVAD. 
Alas Amintor thinkst thou I forbear  
To sleep with thee, because I have put on  
A maiden's strictness, look upon these cheeks,  
And thou shalt find the hot and rising blood  
Unapt for such a vow, no, in this heart  
There dwells as much desire, and as much will,  
To put that wished act, 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'er  
It shall be called, shall stoop to any second,  
I do enjoy the best, and in that height  
Have sworn to stand or die, you guess the man.  AMIN. 
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.  AMIN. 
Do not wrong me so,  
Yes, if his body were a poisonous plant,  
That it were death to touch, I have a soul  
Will throw me on him.  EVAD. 
Why 'tis the King.  AMIN. 
The King.  EVAD. 
What will you do now?  AMIN. 
It is not the King.  EVAD. 
What did he make this match for dull Amintor.  AMIN. 
Oh thou hast named a word that wipes away  
All thoughts revengeful, in that sacred word,  
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 when let us  
Suffer, and wait.  EVAD. 
Why should you fill yourself so full of heat,  
And haste so to my bed, I am no virgin.  AMIN. 
What Devil hath 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.  AMIN. 
What strange thing am I?  
A miserable one, one that myself  
Am sorry for.  AMIN. 
Why show it then in this,  
If thou hast pity, though thy love be none,  
Kill me, and all true lovers that shall love  
In after ages crossed in their desires,  
Shall bless thy memory, and call thee good,  
Because such mercy in thy breast was found,  
To rid a lingering wretch.  EVAD. 
I must have one  
To fill thy room again if thou wert dead,  
Else by this night I could, I pity thee.  AMIN. 
These strange and sudden injuries have fallen  
So thick upon me, that I lose all sense  
Of what they are, methinks I am not wronged,  
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 thyself.  EVAD. 
To cover shame, I took thee never fear,  
That I would blaze myself.  AMIN. 
Nor let the King  
Know I conceive he wrongs me, than mine honour  
Will thrust me into action, that my flesh  
Could bear with patience, and it is some ease  
To me in these extremes, that I know this  
Before I touched thee, else had all the sins  
Of mankind stood betwixt me and the King,  
I had gone through, e'en to his heart and thine  
I have left one desire, 'tis not his crown  
Shall buy me to thy bed, now I resolve  
He has dishonoured thee, give me thy hand,  
Be careful of thy credit, and sin close  
'tis all I wish, upon thy chamber flower  
I'll rest tonight, that morning visitors  
May think we did as married people use,  
And prithee smile upon me when they come,  
And seem to toy as if thou hadst been pleased  
With what I did.  EVAD. 
Fear not, I will do this.  AMIN. 
Come let us practise, and as wanton  
As ever longing bride and bridegroom met,  
Let's laugh and enter here.  EVAD. 
I am content.  
Down all the swellings of my troubled heart,  
When we walk thus entwined let all eyes see,  
If ever lovers better did agree. Exit.  Enter Aspatia, Antiphila, Olimpias. ASP. 
Away you are not, force it no further,  
Good, good, 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 yourselves,  
Learn to be flattered, and believe and bless  
The double tongue that did it,  
Did you ere love yet wenches, speak Olimpas,  
Thou hast a mettled temper, fit for stamp.  OLM. 
Never.  ASP. 
Nor you Antiphila.  ANT. 
Near I.  ASP. 
Then my good girls be more than women wise  
At least, be more than I was, come let's be sad my girls,  
That down cast of thine eye Olimpias,  
Shows a feigned sorrow; mark Antiphila,  
Just such another was the Nymph Oenone's,  
When Paris brought home Helen, now a tear,  
And than thou art a piece expressing fury,  
The Carthage Queen when from a cold Sea rock,  
Full with her sorrow, she tied fast her eyes,  
To the fair Trojan ships, having lost them,  
Just as thine does, down stole a tear! Antiphila,  
What would this wench do if she were Aspasia,  
Here she would stand, till some more, pitying god  
Turned her to Marble, 'tis enough my wench,  
Show me the piece of needle work you wrought.  ANT. 
Of Ariadne madam?  ASP. 
Yes that piece,  
This should be Theseus, has a cozening face,  
You meant him for a man.  ANT. 
He was so madam.  ASP. 
Why then 'tis well enough, never look black,  
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 none of all their number raise a storm,  
But they are all as ill, this false smile was expressed well,  
Just such another caught me, you shall not go so  
Antiphila, in this place work a quicksand,  
And over it a shallow smiling water,  
And over it a shallow smiling water,  
And his ship ploughing it, and then a fear,  
Do that fear bravely wench.  OLIM. 
'twill wrong the story.  ASP. 
'twill make the story, wronged by wanton Poets,  
Live long and be believed, but where's the Lady.  ANT. 
There madam.  ASP. 
Fie, you have missed it there Antipila,  
You are much mistaken wench:  
These colours are not dull and pale enough,  
To show a soul so full of misery  
As this poor Ladies was, do it by me,  
Do it again, by me the lost Aspasia,  
And you will find all true but the wild Island,  
Suppose I stand upon the Sea, breach now  
Mine arms thus, and mine hair blown with the wind,  
Wild as the place she was in, let all about me  
Be tears of my story, do my face,  
If thou hadst ever feeling of a sorrow,  
Thus, thus, Antiphila make me look good girl  
Like sorrows mount, 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, see, see wenches,  
A miserable life of this poor picture.  OLIM. 
Dear madam.  ASP. 
I have done, sit down, and let us  
Upon that point fix all our eyes, that point there;  
Make a dumb 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 wronged, disgraced, well, how now housewives,  
What at your ease, is this a time to sit still, up you young  
Lazy whores, up or i'll swinge you.  OLIM. 
Nay good my Lord.  CAL. 
You'll lie down shortly, in and whine there,  
What are you grown so rusty you want heats,  
We shall have some of the Court boys heat you shortly.  ANT. 
Good my Lord be not angry, we do nothing  
But what my Lady's pleasure is, we are thus in grief,  
She is forsaken..  CAL. 
There's a rogue too,  
A sly dissembling slave, well? get you in,  
I'll have about with that boy, 'tis high time  
Now to be valiant, I confess my youth  
Was never prone that way,  
A Court stale, well I must be valiant,  
And beat some dozen of these whelps, and there's  
Another of'em, a trim cheating soldier,  
I'll maul that rascal, has outbraved me twice,  
But now I thank the Gods I am valiant,  
Go, get you in, i'll take a course with all. Exeunt omnes.   

Actus Tertius.  Enter CLEON, STRATO, DIPHILUS. CLE. 
Your sister is not up yet.  DIPH. 
Our brides must take their morning's rest,  
The night is troublesome.  STRA. 
But not tedious,  DIPH. 
What odds, he has not my sister's maidenhead tonight.  STRA. 
None, its odds against any bridegroom living, he near gets it while he lives.  DIPH. 
You're merry with my sister, you'll please to allow me the same freedom with your mother.  STRA. 
she's at your service.  DIPH. 
Then she's merry enough of herself, 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 yourself today, the night will come again. Enter Amintor.  AMIN. 
whose's there my brother, I am no readier yet, your sister is but now up.  DIPH. 
You look as you had lost your eyes tonight, I think you ha' not slept.  AMIN. 
i'faith I did not.  DIPH. 
You have done better then.  AMIN. 
We have ventured for a boy, when he is twelve, 'a shall command against the foes of Rhodes, shall we be merry.  STRA. 
You cannot, you want sleep,  AMIN. 
'tis true, but she  
As if she had drunk Lethe, or had made  
Even with heaven, did fetch so still a sleep, aside.  
So sweet and sound.  DIP. 
What's that?  AMIN. 
Your sister frets this morning, and doth turn her eyes upon me, as people on the headsman, she does chafe, and kiss and chafe, and clap my cheeks, she's in another world.  DIP. 
Then I had lost, I was about to lay, you had not got her maiden head tonight.  AMIN. 
Ha, does he not mock me, you'd lost indeed I do not bungle.  CLEO. 
You do deserve her.  AMIN. 
I laid my lips to hers, and that wild breach  
That was so rude and rough to me, last night  
Was sweet as April, i'll 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.  AMIN. 
Dear Melantius,  
Let me behold thee, is it possible.  MEL. 
What sudden gaze is this.  AMIN. 
'tis wondrous 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.  AMIN. 
I wonder much Melantius.  
To see those noble looks that make more think,  
How virtuous thou art, and on this sudden  
'tis strange to me, thou shouldst have worth and honour,  
Or not be base and false, and treacherous,  
And every ill.  MEL. 
Say, stay my friend,  
I fear this sound will not become our loves, no more embrace me.  AMIN. 
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 changed,  
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 call his billows up,  
And shoot 'em at the Sun, destroying all  
'a carries on him, Oh how near am I  
To utter my sick thoughts. aside.  MEL. 
Why, my friend, should I be so by nature?  AMIN. 
I have wed thy sister, who hath virtuous thoughts enough for one whole family, and it is strange,  
That you should feel no want.  MEL. 
Believe me this is compliment too cunning for me.  DIP. 
What should I be then by the course of nature,  
They having both robbed me of so much virtue.  STRA. 
Oh call the bride my Lord Amintor, that we may see her blush, and turn her eyes down, it is the pretiiest sport.  AMIN. 
Euadne.  EVAD. 
My Lord. Within.  AMIN. 
Come forth my love,  
Your brothers do attend to wish you joy.  EVAD. 
I am not ready yet.  AMIN. 
Enough, enough,  EVAD. 
They'll mock me.  AMIN. 
Faith thou shalt come in. Enter Euadne.  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. 
Why what have I done?  STRA. 
My Lord Amintor swears you are no maid now.  EVAD. 
Push.  STRA. 
i'faith he does.  EVAD. 
I knew I should be mocked.  DIPH. 
With a truth.  EVAD. 
If 'twere to do again, in faith I would not marry.  AMIN. 
Nor I by heaven.  DIP. 
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 you're spoiled.  MEL. 
Amintor.  AMIN. 
Ha.  MEL. 
Thou art sad.  AMIN. 
Who I, I thank you for that, shall Diphilus thou and I sing a catch.  MEL. 
How?  AMIN. 
Prithee let's.  MEL. 
Nay that's too much the other way,  AMIN. 
I am so heightened with my happiness, how dost thou love, kiss me.  EVAD. 
I cannot love you, you tell tales of me.  AMIN. 
Nothing but what becomes us, Gentlemen  
Would you had all such wives, and all the world,  
That I might be no wonder, you're all sad,  
What do you envy me, I walk methinks  
On water, and near sink I am so light.  MEL. 
'tis well you are so.  AMIN. 
Well? can you be other when she looks thus,  
Is there no music there, let's dance.  MEL. 
Why? this is strange.  AMIN. 
I do not know myself, yet I could wish my joy were less.  DIPH. 
I'll marry if it will make one thus  EVAD. 
Amintor, hark. Aside  AMIN. 
What says my love I must obey.  EVAD. 
You do it scurvily, 'twill be perceived.  CLE. 
My Lord the King is here. Enter King & Lisip:  AMIN. 
Where.  STRA. 
And his brother.  KING. 
Good morrow all.  
Amintor joy on joy fall thick upon thee,  
But madam you are altered since I saw you,  
I must salute you, you are now another's,  
How liked you your night's rest.  EVAD. 
Ill sir.  AMIN. 
Indeed she took but little.  LIS. 
You'll let her take more, etc. thank her too shortly.  KING. 
Amintor wert thou truly honest till thou wert married.  AMIN. 
Yes sir.  KING. 
Tell me how then shows the sport to you.  AMIN. 
Why well?  KING. 
What did you do.  AMIN. 
no more nor less than other couples use,  
You know what 'tis, it has but a course name.  KING. 
But prithee I should think by her black eye  
And her red cheek, she should be quick and stirring  
In this same business; ha?  AMIN. 
I cannot tell I near tried other sir, but I perceive  
She is as quick as you delivered.  KING. 
Well you'll trust me then Amintor,  
To choose a wife for you again.  AMIN. 
No never sir.  KING. 
Why? like you this so ill.  AMIN. 
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 do hope we shall draw out,  
A long contented life together here,  
And die both full of grey 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. Aside  KING. 
I do not like this; all forbear the room  
But you Amintor and your Lady, I have some speech that may  
Concern your after living well,  AMIN. 
'a will not tell me that he lies with her, if he do,  
For it is apt to thrust this arm of mine to acts unlawful.  KING. 
You will suffer me to talk with her Amintor,  
And not have jealous pangs.  AMIN, 
Sir, I dare trust my wife,  
When 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 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 subtle woman's ignorance  
Will not excuse you, thou hast taken oaths  
So great, that methought they did misbecome  
A woman's mouth, that thou wouldst near 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 my eyes, but if I ever yet  
Touched any other, Leprosy 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 hannot.  KING. 
Impudence, he says himself so.  EVAD. 
A lies.  KING. 
'a does not.  EVAD. 
By this light he does, strangely and basely, and  
I'll prove it so, I did not only shun him for a night,  
But told him I would never close with him.  KING. 
Speak lower, 'tis false.  EVAD. 
I am no man to answer with a blow,  
Or if I were, you are the King, but urge not, 'tis most true.  KING. 
Do not I know the uncontrolled thoughts,  
That youth brings with him, when his blood is high,  
With expectation and desire 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 ruin thee for ever, if he had not killed thee  
He could not bear it thus, he is as we  
Or any other wronged man.  EVAD. 
This is dissembling,  
Amintor, thou hast an ingenious look,  
And shouldst be virtuous, it amazeth me  
That thou shouldst make such base malicious lies.  AMIN. 
What my dear wife.  EVAD. 
Dear wife, I do despise thee,  
Why nothing can be baser than to sow  
Dissension amongst lovers,  AMIN. 
lovers? who.  EVAD. 
The King and I.  AMIN. 
Oh God.  EVAD. 
Who should live long and love without distaste,  
Were it not for such pick-thanks as thyself,  
Did you lie with me, swear now, and be punished in hell  
For this.  AMIN. 
The faithless sin I made  
To fair Aspatia, is not yet revenged,  
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,  
You're 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 lies.  AMIN. 
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 satisfy,  
Unless I show how nobly I have freed myself.  KING. 
Draw not thy sword, thou know'st I cannot fear  
A subjects hand, but thou shalt feel the weight  
Of this if thou dost rage.  AMIN. 
The wait of that,  
If you have any worth, for heavens sake think  
I fear not swords, for as you are mere 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 murder 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 sword  
Touch holy things, but why? I know not what  
I have to say, why did you choose out me  
To make thus wretched, there are thousands  
Easy to work on, and of state enough  
Within the Land.  EVAD. 
I would not have a fool, it were no credit for me.  AMINT. 
Worse and worse,  
Thou that darest talk unto thy husband thus,  
Profess thyself a whore, and more than so,  
resolve to be so still, is it my fault,  
To bear and bow beneath a thousand griefs,  
To keep that little credit with the world,  
But there were wise ones to, you might have ta'en another.  KIN. 
No, for I believe thee honest, as thou wert valiant.  AMIN. 
All the happiness  
Bestowed 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 mayst live Amintor,  
Free as thy King, if thou wilt wink at this,  
And be a means that we may meet in secret,  AMIN. 
A bawd, hold, hold my breast, a bitter curse  
Cease me, if I forget not all respects  
That are religious, on another word  
Seconded like that, and through a Sea of sins  
Will wade to my revenge, though I should call  
Plagues here, and after life, upon my soul.  KING. 
Well, I am resolute, you lay with her,  
And so I leave you. Exit King.  EVAD. 
You must needs be prating, and see what follows.  AMIN. 
Prithee vex me not,  
Leave me, I am afraid some sudden start  
Will pull a murder on me.  EVAD. 
I am gone, I love my life well. Exit Euadne.  AMIN. 
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'll know the cause of all Amintor's 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'en her part.  CAL. 
Thou art a slave, a cutthroat slave, a bloody—  MEL. 
Take heed old man, thou wilt be heard to rave,  
And lose thine office.  CAL. 
I am valiant grown,  
At all these years, and thou art but a slave.  MEL. 
Some company will come, and I respect  
Thy years, not thee so much, that I could wish  
To laugh at thee alone.  CAL. 
I'll spoil your mirth, I mean to fight with thee,  
There lie my cloak, this was my father's sword,  
And he durst fight, are you prepared?  MEL. 
Why? wilt thou dote thyself 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, where you stand safe  
Amongst a multitude, but I will try,  
What you dare do unto a weak old man,  
In single fight you'll give ground I fear,  
Come draw.  MEL. 
I will not draw, unless thou pull'st thy death  
Upon thee with a stroke, there's no one blow  
That thou canst give haste strength enough can 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 testy trick,  
I had 'mongst 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 him, I would beat him, till he asked me mercy.  MEL. 
Sir will you begone?  CAL. 
I dare not stay, but I will 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 wronged Aspasia.  Enter Amintor. AMIN. 
Man's eyes are not subtle to perceive  
My inward misery, I bear my grief  
Hid from the world, how art thou wretched then,  
For aught 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 enjoyed our friendship of late, for we were wont to charge our souls in talk.  AMIN. 
Melantius, I can tell the a good jest of Strato, and a Lady the last day.  MEL. 
How was't;  AMIN. 
Why such an odd one.  MEL. 
I have longed to speak with you, not of an idle jest that's forced, but of matter you are bound to utter to me.  AMIN. 
What is that my friend?  MEL. 
I have observed your words fall from your tongue  
Wildly, and all your carriage  
Like one that strives to show his merry mood,  
When he were ill disposed, you were not wont  
To put such scorn into your speech— yow wear  
Upon your face ridiculous jollity,  
Some sadness sits here, which your tongue would  
Cover over with smiles, and 'twill not be,  
What is it?  AMIN. 
A sadness here, what cause  
Can Fate provide for me to make me so,  
Am I not loved 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  
Immutable colour, in her heart  
A prison for all virtue, are not you,  
Which is above all joys, 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 unexpressed a joy  
In chaste embraces, that you will indeed  
Appear another.  MEL. 
You may shape Amintor  
Causes to cozen the whole world withal,  
And yourself too, and '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 hear, a friend  
Is nothing, heaven I would ha' told that man  
My secret sins, I'll search an unknown land,  
And there plant friendship, all is withered here,  
Come with a complement, I would have fought,  
Or told my friends 'a lied, ere soothed him so;  
Out of my bosom.  AMIN. 
But there is nothing.  MEL. 
Worse and worse, farewell;  
From this time have acquaintance, but no friend.  AMIN. 
Melantius, stay, you shall know what that is.  MEL. 
See how you plead with friendship, be advised  
How you give cause unto yourself to say,  
You ha' lost a friend.  AMIN. 
Forgive what I ha' done,  
For I am so o'ergone with miseries,  
Unheard of, that I lose consideration  
Of what I ought to do,— oh— oh.  MEL. 
Do not weep, what be't?  
May I once but know the man  
Hath turned my friend thus.  AMIN. 
I had spoke at first, but that,  MEL. 
But what?  AMIN. 
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 old armour i'll adorn myself,  
My resolution, and cut through thy foes  
Unto thy quiet, till I place thy heart  
As peaceable as spotless innocence.  
What is it?  AMIN. 
Why 'tis this,— it is too big  
To get out, let my tears make way awhile.  MEL. 
Punish me strangely heaven, if he scape  
Of life or fame, that brought this youth to this.  AMIN. 
Your sister.  MEL. 
Well said.  AMIN. 
You'll wished unknown when you have heard it.  MEL. 
No.  AMIN. 
Is much to blame,  
And to the King has given her honour up,  
And lives in whoredom with him.  MEL. 
How's this?  
Thou art run mad with injury indeed,  
Thou couldst not utter this, else speak again,  
For I forgive it freely, tell thy griefs.  AMIN. 
she's wanton, I am loath to say a whore,  
Though it be true.  MEL. 
Speak yet again, before mine anger grow  
Up beyond throwing down, what are thy griefs?  AMIN. 
By all our friendship, these.  MEL. 
What, am I sane,  
After mine actions, shall the name of friend  
Blot all our family, and stick the brand  
Of whore upon my sister unrevenged  
My shaking flesh be thou a witness for me,  
With what unwillingness I go to scourge  
This railer, whom my folly hath called 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.  AMIN. 
Not on thee, did thine anger go as high  
As troubled waters, 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 lies,  
Provide not blows, but words to qualify  
The men they wronged, thou hast a guilty cause.  AMIN. 
Thou pleasest me, for so much more like this,  
Will raise my anger up above my griefs,  
Which is a passion easier to be known,  
And I shall then be blessed.  MEL. 
Take then more, to raise thine anger, 'tis mere  
Cowardice makes thee not draw, & I will leave thee dead  
however, but if thou art so much priest,  
With guilt and fear, as not to dare to fight,  
I'll make thy memory loathed, and fix a farewell  
Upon thy name for ever.  AMIN. 
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 killed, 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 beside; I was a fool,  
Thou searching human nature, that didst make  
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 act on myself  
Through these disgraces.  MEL. 
Better half the land  
Were buried quick together, no Amintor,  
Thou shalt have ease of this adulterous King  
That drew her to't, where got he the spirit  
To wrong me so.  AMIN. 
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'll waken death,  
And hurl him on this King, my honesty  
shall steel my sword, and on my horrid point  
I'll wear my cause, that shall amaze the eyes  
Of this proud man, and be to glittering  
For him to look on.  AMIN. 
I have quite undone my fame.  MEL. 
Dry up thy watery 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 thy heart at peace.  AMIN. 
It must not be so, stay, mine eyes would tell  
How loath I am to this, but love and tears  
Leave me a while, for I have hazarded  
All that this world calls happy, thou hast wrought  
A secret from me under name of friend,  
Which art could near have found, nor torture wrong  
From out this bosom, give it me again,  
For I will find it wheresoe'er it lies  
Hid in the mortalest part, invent a way  
To give it back.  MEL. 
Why? would you have it back,  
I will to death pursue him with revenge.  AMIN. 
Therefore I call it from thee, for I know  
Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this, take to thy weapon  MEL. 
Hear thy friend that bears more years than thou.  AMIN. 
I will not hear, but draw, or I—  MEL. 
Amintor?  AMIN. 
Draw then, for I am full as resolute  
As fame, and honour can enforce me,  
I cannot linger, draw?  MEL. 
I do,— but is not  
My share of credit equal with thine  
If I do stir.  AMIN. 
No? for it will be called  
Honour in thee to spill thy sister's blood,  
If she her birth abuse, and on the King  
A brave revenge, but on me that have walked  
With patience in it, it will fix the name  
Of fearful cuckold,— O that word,  
Be quick.  MEL. 
Then join with me.  AMIN. 
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 again,  
And to thyself pronounce the name of friend,  
And see what that will work, I will not fight.  AMIN. 
You must?  MEL. 
I will be killed first, though my passions  
Offered the like to you, 'tis not this earth  
Shall by my reason to it, think awhile  
For you are, (I must weep when I speak it,)  
All most beside yourself.  AMIN. 
Oh my soft temper,  
So many sweet words from thy sister's mouth,  
I am afraid would make me take her,  
To embrace and pardon her, I am mad indeed,  
And know not what I do, but have a care  
Of me in what thou dost.  MEL. 
Why thinks my friend I will forget his honour, or to save  
The bravery of your house, will lose his fame  
And fear to touch the throne of Majesty.  AMIN. 
A curse will follow that, but rather live  
And suffer with me.  MEL. 
I will do what worth shall bid me.  AMIN. 
Faith I am sick, and desperately I hope,  
Yet leaning thus I feel a kind of ease.  MEL. 
Come take again your mirth about you.  AMIN. 
I shall never do't.  MEL. 
I warrant you, look up, we'll walk together,  
Put thine arm here, all shall be well again.  AMIN. 
Thy love, o wretched, I thy love Melantius, why I  
Have nothing else. Exeunt.  MEL. 
Be merry then. Enter Melantius again.  MEL. 
This worthy young man may do violence  
Upon himself, but I have cherished him  
As well as I could, and sent him smiling from me  
To counterfeit again, sword hold thine edge,  
My heart will never fail me? Diphilus,  
Thou comest 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 laughed us all out of the room.  MEL. 
They must weep Diphilus.  DIPH. 
Must they?  MEL. 
They must? thou art my brother, & 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 myself & find it.  MEL. 
That was spoke according to our strain, come join thy hands,  
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'll tell you wonders, we are wronged.  DIPH. 
But I will tell you now, we'll right ourselves.  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,  
Hast Diph: 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 myself 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 wronged you,  
But would have peace with every man.  CAL. 
'tis well?  
If I durst fight, your tongue would lie at quiet.  MEL. 
You're touchy without all cause.  CAL. 
Do? mock me.  MEL. 
By mine honour I speak truth.  CAL. 
Honour? where be't.  MEL. 
See what starts you make into your idle hatred.  
I am 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 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 wronged you and your daughter.  CAL. 
Out traitor.  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 itself.  MEL. 
Come delay me not,  
Give me a sudden answer, already,  
The last is spoke, refuse my 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'll 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 armed. Exit Melantius.  CAL. 
methinks I feel myself  
But twenty now again, 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. 
God save you.  EVAD. 
Save you sweet brother,  MEL. 
In my blunt eye methinks you look Euadne.  EVAD. 
Come, you would make, me blush.  MEL. 
I would Euadne, 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 a commendations of you, it is not seemly.  EVAD. 
Go wait me in the gallery,— now speak.  MEL. 
I'll lock your doors first. Exit ladies  EVAD. 
Why?  MEL. 
I will not have your guilded things that dance  
In visitation with their Milan skins  
Choke up my business.  EVAD. 
You are strangely disposed sir.  MEL. 
Good madam, not to make you merry.  EVAD. 
No, if you praise me 'twill make me sad.  MEL. 
Such a sad commendations I have for you.  EVAD. 
Brother, the Court has made you witty,  
And learn to riddle.  MEL. 
I praise the Court for't, has learned you nothing.  EVAD. 
Me?  MEL. 
I Euadne, thou art young and handsome,  
A Lady of a sweet complexion,  
And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot  
Choose but inflame a Kingdom.  EVAD. 
Gentle brother.  MEL. 
'tis yet in thy repentance, foolish woman,  
To make me gentle.  EVAD. 
How is this.  MEL. 
'tis base,  
And I could blush at these years, through all  
My honoured scars: to come to such a parley.  EVAD. 
I understand ye 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's 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  
Rather to grapple with the plague, or stand  
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'll lie.  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'll find him,  
Though he lie locked up in thy blood, come tell me,  
There is no facing it, and be not flattered,  
The burnt air when the dog rains, is not fouler  
Than thy contagious name, till thy repentance,  
If the gods grant thee any, purge thy sickness.  EVAD. 
begone, you are my brother that's your safety.  MEL. 
I'll be a wolf first, 'tis to be thy brother  
An infamy below the sin of coward,  
I am as far from being part of thee,  
As thou art from thy virtue, seek a kindred  
'mongst sensual beasts, and make a goat thy father,  
A goat is cooler, will you tell me yet.  EVAD. 
If you stay here and rail thus, I shall tell you,  
I'll ha' you whipped, 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. 
You're grown a glorious whore, where be your  
Fighters, what mortal fool durst raise thee to this daring,  
And I alive, by my just sword, he'd Safer  
Bestride a billow when the angry North  
Ploughs up the sea, or made heavens fire his foe,  
Work me no hire, will you discovery yet.  EVAD. 
The fellows 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.  EVAD. 
Let me consider.  MEL. 
Do, whose child thou wert,  
Whose honour thou hast murdered, whose grave opened,  
And so pulled on the gods, that in their justice  
They must restore him flesh again and life,  
And raise his dry bones to revenge this scandal.  EVAD. 
The gods are not of my mind, they had better  
Let'em lie sweet still in the earth, they'll 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'll 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 killed thee, as I have  
Vowed 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?  Euad. 
Yes.  Mel. 
Up and begin your story.  Euad. 
Oh I am miserable.  Mel. 
'tis true, thou art, speak truth still.  Euad. 
I have offended, noble Sir forgive me.  Mel. 
With what secure slave?  Euad. 
Do not ask me Sir,  
Mine own remembrance is a misery  
Too mighty for me.  Mel. 
Do not fall back again, my sword's unsheathed yet.  Euad. 
What shall I do?  Mel. 
Be true, and make your fault less.  Euad. 
I dare not tell.  Mel. 
Tell, or i'll be this day a killing thee.  Euad. 
Will you forgive me then?  Mel. 
Stay I must ask mine honour first, I have too much foolish nature in me, speak.  Euad. 
Is there no more here?  Mel. 
None but a fearful conscience, that's too many.  
Who be't?  Euad. 
The King.  Mel. 
My worthy fathers 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 soldiers thanks.  
How long have you lived thus Euadne?  Euad. 
Too long, too late I find it.  Mel. 
Can you be very sorry?  Euad. 
Would I were half as blameless.  Mel. 
Woman thou wilt not to thy trade again.  Euad. 
First to my grave.  Mel. 
Would gods thou hadst been so blessed.  
Dost thou not hate this King now? prithee hate him.  
Has sunk thy fair soul, I command thee curse him,  
Curse till the gods hear and deliver him  
To thy just wishes, yet I fear Euadne  
You had rather play your game out.  Euad. 
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?  Euad. 
All the gods forbid it.  Mel. 
No all the gods require it, they are dishonoured in him.  Euad. 
'tis too fearful.  Mel. 
You're valiant in his bed, and bold enough  
To be a stale whore, and have your madam's name,  
Discourse for grooms and pages, and hereafter  
When his cool Majesty hath laid you by  
To be at pension with some needy Sir  
For meat and courser clothes, thus far you had no fear.  
Come you shall kill him.  Euad. 
Good Sir.  Mel. 
And 'twere to kiss him dead, thou'dst smother him.  
Be wise and kill him, canst thou live and know  
What noble minds shall make thee see thyself,  
Found out with every finger, made the shame  
Of all successions, and in this thy ruin  
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 foul 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.  Euad. 
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 Euadne, not to your Lord,  
Though he be wise and noble, and a fellow  
Dare step as far into a worthy action,  
As the most daring, I as far as justice.  
Ask me not why. Farewell. Exit Mel.  Euad. 
Would I could say so to my black disgrace,  
Gods where have I been all this time; how friended,  
That I should lose myself thus desperately,  
And none for pity show me how I wandered.  
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, choke not up Enter Amintor.  
The way to my repentance. O my Lord.  Amint. 
How now?  Euad. 
My much abused Lord. Kneel.  Amint. 
This cannot be.  Euad. 
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.  Amint. 
Stand up.  
This is a new way to beget more sorrows,  
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 wildness,  
And do an outrage, prithee do not mock me.  Euad. 
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 sleight contrition, that; no sacrifice  
For what I have committed.  Amint 
Sure I dazzle.  
There cannot be A faith in that foul woman  
That knows no God more mighty than her mischiefs,  
Thou dost still worse, still number on thy faults,  
To press my poor heart thus. Can I believe  
There's any seed of virtue in that woman  
Left to shoot up, that dares go in sin  
Known and so known as thine is, O Euadne,  
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 that 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 remembering that I grieve.  Euad. 
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  
Shall cut from man's remembrance, no I do not,  
I do appear the same, the same Euadne,  
Dressed in the shames I lived in, the same monster.  
But these are names of honour to what I am,  
I do present myself the foulest creature,  
Most poisonous, dangerous, and despised of men  
Lerna ere 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 condemned,  
Till I have got your pardon.  Amint. 
Rise Euadne.  
Those heavenly powers that put this good into thee  
Grant a continuance of it, I forgive thee  
Make thyself worthy of it, and take heed  
Take heed Euadne 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 play'st  
With thy repentance, the best sacrifice.  Euad. 
I have done nothing good to get belief,  
My life hath been so faithless, all the Creatures  
Made for heavens honours have their ends, and good ones  
All but the cozening Crocodiles false women.  
They reign here like those plagues, those killing sores  
Men pray against, and when they die; like tales  
Ill told, and unbelieved they pass away,  
And go to dust forgotten: But my Lord  
Those short days 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 something that is near it,  
I will redeem one minute of my age,  
Or like another Niobe I'll weep  
Till I am water.  Amint. 
I am 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 days,  
My Charity shall go along with thee  
Though my embraces must be far from thee,  
I should ha' killed 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 virtues, go Euadne  
The gods thus part our bodies, have a care  
My honour falls no further, I am well then.  Euad. 
All the dear joys here, and above hereafter  
Crown thy fair soul, thus I take leave my Lord,  
And never shall you see the foul Euadne  
Till she have tried all honoured means that may  
Set her in rest, and wash her stains away. Exeunt.  hautboys play within. Banquet. Enter King, Calianax. K. 
I cannot tell how I should credit this  
From you that are his enemy.  Call. 
I am sure he said it to me, and i'll justify 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 scape.  Call. 
If he deny it, i'll make him blush.  King. 
It sounds incredibly.  Call. 
I so does every thing I say of late.  King. 
Not so Callianax.  Call. 
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'll pawn my life i'll find it, if't be false  
And that you clothe your hate in such a lie  
You shall hereafter dote, in your own house,  
Not in the Court.  Call. 
Why if it be a lie  
Mine ears are false, for I 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 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.  Call. 
Yes myself.  King. 
No more I mean there were that heard it.  Call. 
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.  Call. 
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.  Call. 
And 'tis hard if my word cannot hang a boisterous knave.  King. 
Enough, where's Strato.  Strat. 
Sir Enter Strat.  King. 
Why where's all the Company? call Amintor in  
Euadne, where's my brother, and Melantius,  
Bid him come too, and Diphilus, call all Exit Strat.  
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.  Call. 
Why if you do think  
'tis fit an old man, and a Counsellor  
To fight for what he says, than you may grant it.  Enter Amintor, Euadne, Melant. Diph. Lysip. Cle. Stra. King. 
Come sirs, Amintor thou art yet a Bridegroom,  
And I will use thee so, thou shalt sit down,  
Euadne sit, and you Amintor too  
This banquet is for you sir, who has brought  
A merry tale about him, to raise laughter  
Amongst our wine, why Strato where art thou  
Thou wilt chopped out with them unseasonably  
When I desire 'em not.  Strat. 
'tis my ill luck Sir, so to spend them then.  King. 
Reach me a bowl of wine, Melantius thou art sad.  Mel. 
I should be Sir the merriest here,  
But I ha' near a story of mine own  
worth telling at this time.  King. 
Give me the wine.  
Melantius I am now considering  
How easy 'twere for any man we trust  
To poison one of us in such a bowl.  Mel. 
I think it were not hard Sir, for a Knave.  Cal. 
Such as you are.  King. 
i'faith 'twere easy, it becomes us well  
To get plain dealing men about ourselves,  
Such as you all are here, Amintor to thee  
And to thy fair Euadne.  Mel. 
Have you thought of this Callianax.  Cal. 
Yes marry have I.  Mel. 
And what's your resolution?  Cal. 
Ye shall have it soundly I warrant you.  King. 
Reach to Amintor, Strato.  Amint. 
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 scape 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.  Call. 
But I? heaven bless me, ay, should I my liege?  King. 
I do not think thou wouldst but yet thou mightst,  
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 near besieged  
Since he commanded.  Call. 
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, Callianax Aside  
I cannot trust thus, I have thrown out words,  
That would have fetched warm blood upon the cheeks  
Of guilty men, and he is never moved,  
He knows no such thing.  Call. 
Impudence may scape, when feeble virtue is accused.  King. 
A must if he were guilty feel an alteration  
At this our whisper, whilst we point at him,  
You see he does not.  Call. 
Let him hang himself,  
What care I what he does, this he did say.  King. 
Melant. you can easily conceive  
What I have meant, for men that are in faults  
Can subtly apprehend when others aim  
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.  Call. 
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 show you my ears are everywhere, 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,  
Facers, and talkers to defame the world  
Of those that do things worthy, the man that uttered this  
Had perished without food, be't who it will,  
But for this arm that fenced 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 spoke this.  Call. 
I that will be the end of all,  
Than I am fairly paid for all my care and service.  Mel. 
That old man, who calls my 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 wronged in this.  Call. 
Who I, thou shameless Fellow that hast spoke to me  
Of it thyself.  Mel. 
O then it came from him.  Call. 
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. 
Licip: cheer Amintor and his Lady, there's no sound  
Comes from you, I will come and do't myself.  Amint. 
You have done all ready Sir for me I thank you.  King. 
Melantius I do credit this from him,  
How sleight soe'er you make't.  Mel. 
'tis strange you should.  Call. 
'tis strange 'a should believe an old man's word,  
That never lied in's life.  Mel. 
I talk not to thee.  
Shall the wild words of this distempered man;  
Frantic 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 myself— I have bestowed  
My careless blood with you, and should be loath  
To think an action that would make me lose  
That, and my thanks too: when I was a boy  
I thrust myself into my country's cause,  
And did a deed, that plucked five years from time  
And styled me man then, and for you my king  
Your Subjects all have fed by virtue of my arm,  
And you yourself have lived at home in ease,  
So terrible I grew that without swords  
My name hath fetched you conquest, and my heart  
And limbs are still the same, my will as 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, if I did,  
I do not, let that satisfy, what struck  
With sadness all? more wine.  Call. 
A few fine words have overthrown my truth, a thouart a Villain.  Mel. 
Why, thou wert better let me have the fort,  
Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever,  
There shall no credit lie upon thy words,  
Think better and deliver it.  Call. 
My liege, he's at me now again to do it, speak  
Deny it if thou canst, examine him  
Whilst he is hot, for if he cool again,  
He will forswear it.  King. 
This is lunacy I hope, Melantius.  Mel. 
He hath lost himself  
Much since his daughter missed the happiness  
My sister gained, and though he call me Foe,  
I pity him.  Call. 
A pity a pox upon you.  Mel. 
Mark his disordered words, and at the Mask  Mel. 
Diagoras knows he raged, and railed at me,  
And called a Lady Whore so innocent  
She understood him not, but it becomes  
Both you and me to forgive distraction,  
Pardon him as I do.  Call. 
I'll 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 itself contemptible, we must be all old, have him away.  Mel. 
Callianax the King believes you, come, you shall go home, and rest, you ha' done well, you'll give it up When I have used you thus a month, I hope.  Cal. 
Now, now, 'tis plain Sir, he does move me still,  
He says he knows i'll give him up the fort  
When he has used me thus a month, I am mad  
Am I not still?  Omnes. 
Ha ha ha.  Cal. 
I shall be mad indeed if you do thus,  
Why should you trust a sturdy fellow there,  
(That has no virtue 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. 
Too well, Cal: but if you use  
This once again I shall entreat some other  
To see your offices be well discharged.  
Be merry Gentlemen it grows somewhat late,  
Amintor thou wouldst be a-bed again.  Amint. 
Yes Sir.  King. 
And you Euadne let me take thee in my arm, Melantius thou art as thou deservest to be, my friend,  
Still, and for ever good Call:  
Sleep soundly, it will bring thee to thyself.  Exeunt omnes. Manent Mel. & Cal. Call. 
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 ye.  Call. 
Dost not thou look for some great punishment for this? I feel  
myself begin to forget all my hate,  
And take't unkindly that mine enemy  
Should use me so extremely scurvily.  Mel. 
I shall meet too, if you begin to take  
Unkindness, I never meant you hurt.  Call. 
Thou'lt anger me again; thou wretched rogue,  
Meant me no wrong! disgrace me with the King,  
Lose all my offices, this is no hurt  
Is it, I prithee what dost thou call hurt?  Mel. 
To poison men because they love me not,  
To call the credit of men's wives in question,  
To murder children, betwixt me and Land,  
This I call hurt.  Call. 
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 mayst revenge.  Call. 
I o'th' the King, I would revenge of thee.  Mel. 
That you must plot yourself.  Call. 
I am a fine plotter.  Mel. 
The short is, I will hold thee with the King  
In this perplexity till peevishness  
And his disgrace have laid thee in thy grave.  
But if thou wilt deliver up the fort,  
I'll take thy trembling body in my arms,  
And bear thee over dangers, thou shalt hold  
Thy wonted state.  Call. 
If I should tell the King, canst thou deny't again?  Mel. 
Try and believe.  Call. 
Nay then thou canst bring any thing about,  
Melantius, 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.  Call. 
Nay I do not love thee yet,  
I cannot well endure to look on thee,  
And if I thought it were a courtesy,  
Thou shouldst not have it, but I am disgraced,  
My offices are to be ta'en 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,  
near 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. 
he'll buy that knowledge very dearly: Diph.  
What news with thee? Ent. Diphilus.  Diph. 
This were a night indeed to do it in,  
The King hath sent for her.  Mel. 
She shall perform it then, go Diph.  
And take from this good man my worthy friend  
The fort, he'll give it thee.  Diph. 
ha' you got that?  Call. 
Art thou of the same breed? canst thou deny  
This to the King too?  Diph. 
With a confidence as great as his.  Call. 
Faith like enough.  Mel. 
Away and use him kindly.  Call. 
Touch not me, I hate the whole strain, if thou follow me a great way off, I'll give thee up the fort, and hang yourselves.  Mel. 
Be gone.  Diph. 
he's finely wrought. Exeunt Call. Diph.  Mel. 
This is a night spite of Astronomers  
To do the deed in, I will wash the stain  
That rests upon our house, off with his blood. Ent. Amint.  Amint. 
Melantius now assist me if thou be'st  
That which thou sayst, 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?  Amint. 
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 extremes,  
Thou art no friend, he sent for her to me,  
By heaven to me, myself, and I must tell ye  
I love her as a stranger, there is worth  
In that vild woman, worthy things Melantius,  
And she repents, I'll do't myself alone,  
Though I be slain, farewell.  Mel. 
he'll overthrow my whole design with madness, Amintor.  
Think what thou dost, 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 charmed 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 itself is nothing.  Mel. 
Alas how variable are thy thoughts?  Amint. 
just like my fortunes, I was run to that,  
I purposed to have chid thee for some plot  
I did distrust thou hadst against the King  
By that old fellows carriage, but take heed,  
There's not the least limb growing to a King  
But carries thunder in't.  Mel. 
I have none against him.  Amint. 
Why come then, and still remember we may not think revenge.  Mel. 
I will remember. Exeunt.   

Actus 5.  Enter Euadne and a Gentleman. EVad. 
Sir is the King a-bed?  Gent. 
Madam an hour ago.  Euad. 
Give me the key then, and Sir let none be near.  
'tis the king's pleasure.  Gent. 
I understand you Madam, would 'twere mine,  
I must not wish good rest unto your Ladyship.  Euad. 
You talk, you talk.  Gent. 
'tis all I dare do Madam, but the King will wake, and then methinks.  Euad. 
Saving your imagination, pray good night Sir.  Gent. 
A good night be it then, and a long one Madam, I am gone. Exit.  Euad. 
The night grows horrible, and all about me  
Like my black purpose, O the conscience K. a-bed.  
Of a lost virtue, 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 madness  
Above that desperate man's that left his peace,  
And went to sea to fight, 'tis so many sins,  
An age cannot repent '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, 'a sleeps, oh God,  
Why give you peace to this untemperate beast,  
That has so far transgressed you? I must kill him,  
And I will do't bravely: the mere joy  
Confirms me that I merit, yet I must not  
Thus tamely do it as he sleeps, that were  
To rake him to another world, my vengeance  
Shall seize him waking, and then say before him  
The number of his wrongs and punishments.  
I'll shape his sins like furies till I waken  
His evil Angel, his sick conscience,  
And then I strike him dead. King by your leave, Ties his arms 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,  
As I believe I shall not, I shall fit him.  
My Lord the King, my Lord, 'a sleeps  
As if he meant to wake no more, my Lord,  
Is he not dead already? Sir, my Lord.  King. 
whose's that?  Euad. 
O you sleep soundly Sir.  King. 
My dear Euadne,  
I have been dreaming of thee, come to bed.  Euad. 
I am come at length Sir, but how welcome?  King. 
What pretty new device is this Euadne?  
What, do you tie me to you by my love?  
This is a quaint one: come my dear and kiss me,  
I'll be thy Mars, to bed my Queen of love,  
Let us be caught together, that the gods may look,  
And envy our embraces.  Euad. 
Stay Sir, stay,  
You are too hot, and I have brought you physic,  
To temper your high veins.  King. 
Prithee to bed then, let me take it warm,  
Here thou shalt know the state of my body better.  Euad. 
I know you have a surfeited foul body,  
And you must bleed.  King. 
Bleed!  Euad. 
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 Euadne?  Euad. 
I am not she, nor bear I in this breast  
So much cold spirit to be called a woman,  
I am a Tiger, I am any thing  
That knows not pity, stir not, if thou dost,  
I'll take thee unprepared, thy fears upon thee,  
That make thy sins look double, and so send thee  
(By my revenge I will) to look those torments  
Prepared for such black souls.  King. 
Thou dost not mean this, 'tis impossible,  
Thou art too sweet and gentle.  Euad. 
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 chastened sweet, till thou, thou, thou foul canker,  
(Stir not) didst poison me, I was a world of virtue,  
Till your cursed 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.  Euad. 
I am.  King. 
Thou art not.  
I prithee speak not these things, thou art gentle,  
And wert not meant thus rugged.  Euad. 
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 reach: Thou art a shameless villain,  
A thing out of the overcharge 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 Euadne,  
Thou soul of sweetness, hear, I am thy King.  Euad. 
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.  King. 
Hold Euadne,  
I do command thee, hold.  Euad. 
I do not mean Sir  
To part so fairly with you, we must change  
More of these love-tricks yet.  King. 
What bloody villainy  
Provoked thee to this murder?  Euad. 
Thou, thou monster. Stabs him.  King. 
Oh.  Euad. 
Thou keptst me brave at Court, and whored me, King,  
Then married me to a young noble Gentleman,  
And whored me still.  King. 
Euadne, pity me.  Euad. 
Hell take me then, this for my Lord Amintor,  
This for my noble brother, and this stroke  
For the most wronged of women. Kills him.  King. 
Oh I die.  Euad. 
Die all our faults together, I forgive thee. Exeunt.  Enter two of the Bedchamber. 1. 
Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects it, and will be angry.  2. 
'tis a fine wench, we'll 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 then other mortal people.  2. 
How fast he is! I cannot hear him breath.  1. 
Either the tapers give a feeble light, or he looks very pale.  2. 
Let's look: Alas, he's stiff, wounded and dead.  
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 Lysippus. Cle. 
How now? where's the traitor?  1. 
Fled, fled away, but there her woeful act  
Lies still.  Cle. 
Her act! a woman!  Lys. 
Where's the body?  1. 
There.  Lys. 
Farewell thou worthy man, there were two bonds  
That tied 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 to those few that pass  
At this dead time of night, delivering  
The innocence of this act.  Lys 
Gentlemen, I am your King.  Strat. 
We do acknowledge it.  Lys. 
I would I were not: follow all, for this must have a sudden stop. Exeunt.  Ent. Melant. Diph. Calli on the walls. Mel. 
If the dull people can believe I am armed,  
Be constant Diph. now we have time,  
Either to bring our banished honour's home,  
Or to create new ones in our ends.  Diph. 
I fear not,  
My spirit lies not that way. Courage Callianax.  Call. 
Would I had any, you should quickly know it.  Mel. 
Speak to the people, thou art eloquent.  Call. 
'tis a fine eloquence to come to the gallows,  
You were borne 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 Lysip. Diagoras. Cleon. Strato. Guard. Lys. 
See where he stands as boldly confident,  
As if he had his full command about him.  Strat. 
He looks as if he had the better 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 certain  
I do believe him noble, and this action  
Rather pulled on then sought, his mind was ever  
As worthy as his hand.  Lys. 
'tis my fear too,  
Heaven forgive all: summon him Lord Cleon.  Cle. 
Ho from the walls there.  Mel. 
Worthy Cleon welcome,  
We could ha' wished you here Lord, you are honest.  Call. 
Well thou art as flattering a knave, though I dare not tell thee so. Aside.  Lys. 
Melantius.  Mel. 
Sir.  Lys. 
I am sorry that we meet thus, our old love  
Never required such distance, pray to heaven  
You have not left yourself, and sought this safety  
More out of fear then honour, you have lost  
A noble master, which your faith, Melantius,  
I'm sure might have preserved.  Melant. 
Royal young man, those tears look lovely on thee,  
Had they been shed for a deserving one,  
They had been lasting monuments: Thy brother,  
Whilst he was good, I called him King, and served him,  
With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour,  
Pulled people from the farthest sun to seek him,  
And beg his friendship, I was then his soldier,  
But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me,  
And brand my noble actions with his lust,  
(That never-cured dishonour of my sister,  
Base stain of whore, and which is worse,  
The joy to make it still so, like myself)  
Thus I have flung him off with my allegiance,  
And stand here mine own justice for revenge,  
What I have suffered in him, and this old man  
Wronged almost to lunacy.  Call. 
Who I? You would draw me in, I have had no wrong,  
I do disclaim ye all.  Mel. 
The short is this,  
'tis no ambition to lift up myself  
Urgeth me thus, I do desire again  
To be a subject, so I may be free;  
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 up again, what's done is past recall,  
And past you to revenge, and there are thousands  
That wait for such a troubled hour as this.  
Throw him the blank.  Lys. 
Melantius, write in that thy choice,  
My seal is at it.  Mel. 
It was our honours drew us to this act,  
No gain, and we will only work our pardons.  Call. 
Put my name in too.  Diph. 
You disclaimed us all but now Callianax.  Call. 
That's all one,  
I'll not be hanged hereafter by a trick,  
I'll have it in.  Mel. 
You shall, you shall:  
Come to the back gate, and we'll call the King,  
And give you up the Fort.  Lys. 
Away, away. Exeunt omnes.  Enter Aspatia. in man's apparel. Aspat. 
This is my fatal hour, heaven may forgive  
My rash attempt that causelessly hath laid  
Griefs on me that will never let me rest,  
And put a woman's heart into my breast,  
It is more honour for you that I do,  
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?  Aspat. 
With you Sir now, to do me the fair office  
To help me to your Lord.  Ser. 
What would you serve him?  Aspat. 
I'll 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 loath to delay you longer: you cannot.  Aspat. 
It shall become you though to tell your Lord.  Ser. 
Sir he will speak with nobody, but in particular, I have in charge about no weighty matters.  Aspat. 
This is most strange: art thou gold proof? there's for thee, help me to him.  Ser. 
Pray be not angry Sir, I'll do my best. Exit.  Aspat. 
How stubbornly this fellow answered me!  
There is a vild dishonest trick in man,  
More than in women: all the men I meet  
Appear thus to me, are harsh and rude,  
And have a subtlety in every thing,  
Which love could never know; but we fond women  
Harbour the easiest and the smoothest thoughts,  
And think all shall go so, it is unjust  
That men and women should be matched together.  Amint. 
Where is he? Enter Amintor and his man.  Ser. 
There my Lord.  Amint. 
What would you Sir?  Aspat. 
Please it your Lordship to command your man  
Out of the room, I shall deliver things  
Worthy your hearing.  Amint. 
Leave us.  Aspat. 
O that that shape should bury falsehood in it. Aside.  Amint. 
Now your will Sir.  Aspat. 
When you know me, my Lord, you needs must guess  
My business, and I am not hard to know.  
For till the chance of war marked this smooth face  
With these few blemishes, people would call me  
My sister's picture, and her mine: in short,  
I am the brother to the wronged Aspasia.  Amint. 
The wronged Aspatia, would thou wert so too  
Unto the wronged Amintor, let me kiss  
That hand of thine in honour that I bear  
Unto the wronged Aspasia, 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 odious form  
Into my mind, and I have grief enough  
Without thy help.  Aspat. 
I would I could with credit.  
Since I was twelve years old I had not seen  
My sister till this hour, I now arrived,  
She sent for me to see her marriage,  
A woeful one, but they that are above  
Have ends in every thing, she used few words,  
But yet enough to make me understand  
The baseness of the injuries you did her,  
That little training I have had, is war,  
I may behave myself rudely in peace,  
I would not though, I shall not need to tell you  
I am but young, and would be loath to lose  
Honour that is not easily gained again,  
Fairly I mean to deal, the age is strict  
For single combats, and we shall be stopped  
If it be published, 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 sister's 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 aught  
That may content thee, take it, and be gone,  
For death is not so terrible as thou,  
Thine eyes shoot guilt into me.  Aspat. 
Thus she swore,  
Thou wouldst behave thyself and give me words  
That would fetch tears into my eyes, and so  
Thou dost indeed, but yet she bade me watch,  
lest I were cozened, and be sure to fight  
Ere I returned.  Amint. 
That must not be with me,  
For her i'll die directly, but against her  
Will never hazard it.  Aspat. 
You must be urged, I do not deal uncivilly with those that dare to fight, but such a one as you  
Must be used thus. She strikes him.  Amint. 
I prithee youth take heed,  
Thy sister is a thing to me so much  
Above mine honour, that I can endure  
All this, good gods— a blow I can endure,  
But stay not, lest thou draw a timeless death  
Upon thyself.  Aspat. 
Thou art some prating Fellow,  
One that has studied out a trick to talk  
And move soft hearted people; to be kicked She kicks him aside.  
Thus to be kicked— why should he be so slow  
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 show  
The spirit thou pretendest, and understand  
Thou hast no hour to live, what dost thou mean, they fight  
Thou canst not fight, the blows thou mak'st at me  
Are quite beside, and those I offer at thee  
Thou spread'st thine arms, and tak'st upon thine breast  
Alas defenseless.  Aspat. 
I have got enough,  
And my desire, there is no place so fit  
For me to die as here. Ent. Euadne.  Euad. 
Amintor I am loaden with events  
That fly to make thee happy, I have joys  
That in a moment can call back thy wrongs  
And settle thee in thy free state again,  
It is Euadne still that follows thee  
But not her mischiefs.  Amint. 
Thou canst not fool me to believe again,  
But thou hast books and things so full of news  
That I am stalled.  Euad. 
Noble Amintor put off thy amaze,  
Let thine eyes loose, and speak, am I not fair,  
Looks not Evad. 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.  Euad. 
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 raised up mischief to his height  
And found one, to out-name thy other faults,  
Thou hast no intermission of thy sins,  
But all thy life is a continued ill,  
Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature  
joy to Amintor, thou hast touched a life  
The very name of which had power to chain  
Up all my rage, and tame my wildest wrongs.  Euad. 
'tis done, and since I could not find away  
To meet thy love so clear, as through his life  
I cannot now repent it.  Amint. 
couldst 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 breast,  
Sent by his violent Fate to fetch his death  
From my slow hand, this keeps night here  
And throws an unknown Wilderness about me.  Aspat. 
Oh oh oh.  Amint. 
No more pursue me not.  Euad. 
Forgive me then and take me to thy bed,  
We may not part.  Amint. 
Forbear be wise, and let my rage go this way.  Euad. 
'tis you that I would stay, not it.  Amint. 
Take heed it will return with me.  Euad. 
If it must be I shall not fear to meet it,  
Take me home.  Amint. 
Thou Monster of cruelty, forbear.  Euad. 
For heavens sake look more calm,  
Thine eyes are crueler, than thou canst make thy sword.  Amint. 
Away, away thy knees are more to me then violence,  
I am worse than sick to see knees follow me,  
For that I must not grant, for God's sake stand,  Euad. 
Receive me then.  Amint. 
I dare not stay, thy language,  
In midst of all my anger, and my grief,  
Thou dost awake some thing that troubles me,  
And says I loved thee once, I dare not stay,  
There is no end of woman's reasoning. leaves her.  Euad. 
Amintor thou shalt love me now again,  
Go I am calm, farewell, And peace for ever.  
Euadne whom thou hat'st will die for thee. Kills herself.  Amint. 
I have a little human nature yet  
That's lest for thee, that bids me stay thy hand. Returns.  Euad. 
Thy hand was welcome but it came too late,  
Oh I am lost the heavy sleep makes haste.  Aspat. 
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 myself,  
There is some hidden power in these dead things  
That calls myself unto'em, I am cold,  
Be resolute, and bear'em company,  
There's something yet which I am loath 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 Aspasia did stands up,  
I have not such another fault to answer,  
Though she may justly arm herself 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.  Aspat. 
Was it a dream? There stands Amintor still,  
Or I dream still.  Amint. 
How dost thou? speak, receive my love & help:  
Thy blood climbs up to his old place again,  
There's hope of thy recovery.  Aspat. 
Did you not name Aspasia?  Amint. 
I did.  Aspat. 
And talked of tears and sorrow unto her.  Amint. 
'tis true, and till these happy signs in thee  
Stayed my course, it was thither I was going.  Aspat. 
Thou 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 Aspasia yet.  Amint. 
Dare my soul ever look abroad again?  Aspat. 
I shall sure 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.  Aspat. 
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, wouldst thou have loved me then?  Amint. 
Alas, all that I ams not worth a hair  
From thee.  Aspat. 
Give me thine hand, mine eyes grow up & down,  
And cannot find thee, I am wondrous sick.  
Have I thy hand, Amintor?  Amint. 
Thou greatest blessing of the world, thou hast.  Aspat. 
I do believe thee better than my sense,  
Oh I must go, farewell.  Amint. 
She sounds: Aspasia. Help, for God's sake: water,  
Such as may chain life ever to this frame.  
Aspasia, speak: what no help? yet I fool,  
I'll chafe her temples, yet there nothing stirs.  
Some hidden power tell her Amintor calls,  
And let her answer me: Aspasia speak.  
I have heard, if there be any life, but bow  
The body thus, and it will show itself.  
Oh she is gone, I will not leave her yet.  
Since out of justice we must challenge nothing,  
I'll call it mercy if you'll pity me,  
You heavenly powers, and lend forth some few years  
The blessed soul to this fair seat again.  
No comfort comes, the gods defy me too.  
I'll bow the body once again: Aspasia.  
The soul is fled for ever, and I wrong  
myself, 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 entering. Oh God, help, help.  Enter Lysip. Melant. Call. Diph. Strato. Lys. 
Where's Amintor?  Strat. 
O there, there.  Lys. 
How strange is this?  Call. 
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 again.  Diph. 
Oh brother here lies your sister slain,  
You lose yourself in sorrow there.  Mel. 
Why Dip. 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 Aspasia,  
My last is said, let me give up my soul  
Into thy bosom.  Call. 
What's that, what's that Aspasia?  Mel. 
I never did repent the greatness of heart till now,  
It will not burst at need.  Call. 
My daughter, dead here too, and you have all fine new tricks to grieve, but I near knew any but direct crying.  Mel. 
I am a Prattler, but no more.  Diph. 
Hold Brother.  Lisip. 
Stop him.  Diph. 
Fie how unmanly was this offer in you,  
Does this become our strain.  Call. 
I know not what the matter is, but I am  
Grown very kind, and am friends with you all now  
You have given me that among you will kill me  
Quickly, but I'll go home and live as long as I can. Exit.  Mel. 
His spirit is but poor, that can be kept.  
From death for want of weapons,  
Is not my hands a weapon sharp 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.  Lisip. 
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  
Unlooked for sudden deaths from God are sent,  
But cursed is he that is their instrument.   
FINIS.