King. But thou hast let Amintor lie with thee. King. Draw not thy sword; thou know'st I canEvad. I have not.

not fear King. Impudence ! he

says
himself so.

A subjects hand; but thou shalt feel the weight Evad. He lies.

Of this, if thou dost rage. King. He does not.

Amin. The weight of that! Evad. By this light he does, strangely and If you have any worth, for heaven's sake, think basely!

I fear not swords; for as you are mere man, And I'll prove it so. I did not shun him I dare as easily kill you for this deed, For a night; but told him, I would never close As you dare think to do it. But there is With him.

Divinity about you, that strikes dead King. Speak lower; 'tis false.

My rising passions: As you are my king, Evad. I am no man

I fall before you, and present my sword To answer with a blow; or, if I were,

To cut mine own flesh, if it be your will. You are the king! But urge me not; it is most true. Alas! I am nothing but a multitude

King. Do not I know the uncontrouled thoughts, of walking griefs ! Yet, should I murder you, That youth brings with him, when his blood is high I might before the world take the excuse With expectation, and desire of that

Of madness : For, compare my injuries, He long hath waited for? Is not his spirit, And they will well appear too sad a weight Though he be temperate, of a valiant strain For reason to endure! But, fall I first As this our age hath known? What could he do, Amongst my sorrows, ere my treacherous hand If such a sudden speech had met his blood, Touch holy tlrings ! But why (I know not what But ruin thee for ever? If he had not killed thee, I have to say) why did you chuse out me He could not bear it thus. He is as we, To make thus wretched? There were thousand Or any other wronged man.

fools Evad. It is dissembling.

Easy to work on, and of state enough,
King. Take him! farewell! henceforth I am thy Within the island.
foe;

Erad. I would not have a fool;
And what disgraces I can blot thee, look for. It were no credit for me.
Evad. Stay, sir !-Amintor!-You shall hear.- Amin. Worse and worse!
Amintor!

Thou, that darest talk unto thy husband thus, Amin. What, my love?

Profess thyself a whore, and, more than so, Evad. Amintor, thou hast an ingenuous look, Resolve to be so still- -It is my fate And should'st be virtuous : It amazeth me, To bear and bow beneath a thousand griefs, That thou canst make such base malicious lies! To keep that little credit with the world! Amin. What, my dear wife?

But there were wise ones too; you might have ta’en Evad. Dear wife! I do despise thee.

Another. Why, nothing can be baser than to sow

King. No; for I believed thee honest, Dissention ainongst lovers.

As thou wert valiant. Amin. Lovers! who?

Amin. All the happiness Evad. The king and me,

Bestowed upon me, turns into disgrace. Amin. 0, Heaven !

Gods, take your honesty again, for I Evad. Who should live long, and love without Am loaden with it! Good my lord the king, distaste,

Be private in it.
Were it not for such pickthanks as thyself! King. Thou may'st live, Amintor,
Did you lie with me? Swear now, and be punished Free as thy king, if thou wilt wink at this,
In hell for this!

And be a means, that we may meet in secret. Amin. The faithless sin I made

Amin. A bawd! Hold, hold, my breast! A bitTo fair Aspatia, is not yet revenged; It follows ine. I will not lose a word

Seize me, if I forget not all respects, To this vile woman : But to you, my king, That are religious, on another word The anguish of my soul thrusts out this truth, Sounded like that; and, through a sea of sins, You are a tyrant !

Will wade to my revenge, though I should call And not so much to wrong an honest man thus, Pains here, and after life, upon my soul ! As to take a pride in talking with him of it. King. Well, I am resolute you lie not with her; Evad. Now, sir, see how loud this fellow lied. And so I leave you.

[Erit King. Amin. You, that can know to wrong, should Evad. You must needs be prating; know how men

And see what follows.
Must right themselves: What punishment is due Amin. Prithee, vex me not!
From me to him, that shall abuse my bed? Leave me! I am afraid some sudden start
Is it not death? Nor can that satisfy,

Will pull a murder on me.
Unless I send your lives through all the land,

Evad. I am gone; To show how riobly I have freed myself.

I love my life well.

[Exit Eradne

a

ter curse

Amin. I hate mine as much.

Enter AMINTOR. This 'tis to break a troth! I should be glad, It all this tide of grief would make me mad. (Exit. Amin. Men's eyes are not so subtle to perceive Enter MELANTIUS.

My inward misery: I bear my grief,

Hid from the world. How art thou wretched, Mel. I'll know the cause of all Amintor's griefs,

then? Or friendship shall be idle.

For aught I know, all husbands are like me; Enter CALIANAX.

And every one, I talk with of his wife, Cal. O Melantius, my daughter will die. Is but a well dissembler of his woes, Mel. Trust me, I am sorry.

As I am. 'Would I knew it; for the rareness 'Would thou hadst ta'en her room !

Afflicts me now. Cal. Thou art a slave,

Mel. Amintor, we have not enjoyed our friendA cut-throat slave, a bloody treacherous slave! ship of late, for we were wont to change our souls in Bel. Take heed, old man! thou wilt be heard talk. to rave,

Amin. Melantius, I can tell thee a good jest And lose thine offices.

of Strato and a lady the last day. Cal. I am valiant grown,

Mel. How was it? At all these years, and thou art but a slave! Amin. Why, such an odd one! Mel. Leave! Some company will come, and I Mel. I have longed to speak with you; not of an respect

idle jest, that's forced, but of matter you are bound Thy years, not thee, so much, that I could wish to utter to me. To laugh at theç alone.

Amin. What is that, my friend? Cal. I'll spoil your mirth! I mean to fight with Mel. I have observed your words thee.

Fall from your tongue wildly; and all your carriage There lie, my cloak! This was my father's sword, Like one, that strove to shew his merry mood, And he durst fight. Are you prepared ? When he were ill disposed; You were not wont

Mel. Why wilt thou doat thyself out of thy life? To put such scorn into your speech, or wear Hence, get thee to bed! have careful looking to, Upon your face ridiculous jollity. And eat warm things, and trouble not me: Some sadness sits here, which your cunning would My head is full of thoughts, more weighty Cover o'er with smiles, and 'twill not be. Than thy life or death can be.

What is it? Cal. You have a name in war, where you stand Amin. A sadness here! what cause sate

Can fate provide for me, to make me so ? Amongst a multitude; but I will try

Am I not loved through all this isle? The king What you dare do unto a weak old man,

Rains greatness on me.

Have I not received In single fight. You will give ground, I fear. A lady to my bed, that in her eye Come, draw.

Keeps mounting fire, and on her tender cheeks Mel. I will not draw, unless thou pull'st thy Immutable colour, in her heart death

A prison for all virtue? Are not you, Upon thee with a stroke. There's no one blow, Which is above all joys, my constant friend? That thou canst give, hath strength enough to kill What sadness can I have No; I am light,

And feel the courses of my blood more warm Tempt me not so far then : The power of carth And stirring than they were. Faith, marry too; Shall not redeem thee.

And you will feel so unexpressed a jov
Cal. I must let hiin alone;

In chaste embraces, that you will indeed
He's stout and able; and, to say the truth, Appear another.
However I may set a face, and talk,

Niel. You may shape, Amintor,
I am not valiant. When I was a youth,

Causes to cozen the whole world withal,
I kept my credit with a testy trick I had, And yourself too; but 'tis not like a friend,
Amongst cowards, but durst never fight.

To hide your soul from me. 'Tis not your nature Mel. I will not promise to preserve your life,

To be thus idle: I have seen you stand, If you do stay.

As you were blasted, 'midst of all your mirth; Cal. I would give half my land,

Call thrice aloud, and then start, feigning joy That I durst fight with that proud man a little. So coldly !-World, what do I here? a friend If I had men to hold him, I would beat him, Is nothing ! Heaven, I would have told that man Till he asked me mercy.

My secret sins ! I'll search an unknown land, Mel. Sir, will you be gone?

And there plant friendship; all is withered here. Cal. I dare not stay; but I'll go home and beat Come with a compliment! I would have fought, My servants all over for this. [Erit Calianar. Or told my friend" he lied,' ere soothed him so. Mel. This old fellow haunts me!

Out of my bosom! But the distracted carriage of my Amintor

Amin. But there is nothingTakes deeply on me! I will find the cause. Mel. Worse and worse! farewell! I fear his conscience cries, he wronged Aspatia. From this time have acquaintance, but no friend.

a

me.

a

cause.

a

Amin. Melantius, stay: You shall know what it is. | Provide not blows, but words, to qualify
Mel. See, how you played with friendship! The men they wronged. Thou hast a guilty

Be advised
How you give cause unto yourself to say,

Amin. Thou pleasest me; for so much more like You have lost a friend.

this Amin. Forgive what I have done;

Will raise my anger up above my griefs, For I am so o'ergone with injuries

(Which is a passion easier to be borne) Unheard of, that I lose consideration

And I shall then be happy. Of what I ought to do. Oh, oh!

Mel. Take then more Mel. Do not weep.

To raise thine anger : 'Tis mere cowardice What is it? May I once but know the man Makes thee not draw; and I will leave thee dead, Hath turned my friend thus !

However. But, if thou art so much pressed Amin. I had spoke at first,

With guilt and fear, as not to dare to fight, But that

I'll make thy memory loathed, and fix a scandal Mel. But what?

Upon thy name for ever. Amin. I held it most unfit

Amin. Then I draw, For you

to know. Faith, do not know it yet. As justly as our magistrates their swords Mel. Thou seest my love, that will keep company to cut offenders off. I knew before, With thee in tears ; hide nothing then from me; / 'Twould grate your ears; but it was base in you For, when I know the cause of thy distemper, To urge a weighty secret from your friend, With mine old arınour I'll adorn myself,

And then rage at it. I shall be at ease, My resolution, and cut through thy foes, If I be killed ; and, if you fall by me, Unto thy quiet; till I place thy heart

I shall not long outlive you. As peaceable as 'spotless innocence.

Mel. Stay awhile.What is it?

The name of friend is more than family, Amin. Why, 'tis this- It is too big Or all the world besides : I was a fool! To get out- -Let iny tears make way awhile. Thou searching human nature, that didst wake

Mel. Punish me strangely, Heaven, if he escape To do me wrong, thou art inquisitive, Of life or fame, that brought this youth to this! And thrust'st me upon questions, that will take Amin. Your sister

My sleep away ! 'Would I had died, ere known Mel. Well said.

This sad dishonour! Pardon me, my friend! Amin. You will wish it unknown,

If thou wilt strike, here is a faithful heart; have heard it,

Pierce it, for I will never heave my hand Mel. No.

To thine. Behold the power thou hast in me! Amin. Is much to blame,

I do believe my sister is a whore, And to the king has given her honour up, A leprous one! Put up thy sword, young inan. And lives in whoredom with him.

Amin. How should I bear it then, she being so? Mel. How is this?

I fear, my friend, that you will lose me shortly; Thou art run mad with injury, indced;

And I shall do a foul act on myself,
Thou couldst not utter this else. Speak again; Through these disgraces.
For I forgive it freely; tell thy griefs.

Mei. Better half the land
Amin. She's wanton: I am loth to say, a whore, Were buried quick together. No, Amintor;
Though it be true.

Thou shalt have ease. Oh, this adulterous king, Mel. Speak yet again, before mine anger grow That drew her to it! Where got he the spirit Up, beyond throwing down: What are thy griefs? | To wrong me so? Amin. By all our friendship, these.

Amin. What is it then to me,
Mel. What, am I tame?

If it be wrong to you?
After mine actions, shall the name of friend Mel. Why, not so much :
Blot all our family, and stick the brand

The credit of our house is thrown away.
Of whore upon my sister, unrevenged?

But from his iron den I'll waken Death,
My shaking flesh, be thou a witness for me, And hurl him on this king! My honesty
With what unwillingness I go to scourge Shall steel my sword; and on its horrid point
This railer, whom my folly hath called friend ! I'll wear my cause, that shall amaze the eyes
I will not take thee basely; thy sword

Of this proud man, and be too glittering
Hangs near thy hand; draw it, that I may whip. For him to look on.
Thy rashness to repentance. Draw thy sword ! Amin. I have quite undone

my

fame.
Amin. Not on thee, did thine anger swell as high Mel. Dry up thy watery eyes,
As the wild surges. Thou shouldst do me ease And cast a manly look upon my face ;
Ilere, and eternally, if thy noble hand

For nothing is so wild as I, thy friend,
Would cut me from my sorrows.

Till I have freed thee. Still this swelling breast! Mel. This is base

I go thus from thee, and will never cease And fearful. They, that use to utter lies, My vengeance, till I find thy heart at peace.

When you

a

Amin. It must not be so. Stay! Mine eyes would Amin. 'Faith, I am sick, and desperately, I hope; tell

Yet, leaning thus, I feel a kind of ease. How loth I am to this ; but, love and tears, Mel. Come, take again your mirth about you. Leave me awhile; for I have hazarded

Amin. I shall never do't.
All that this world calls happy. Thou hast wrought Mel. I warrant you; look up; we'll walk together;
A secret from me, under name of friend, Put thine arm here; all shall be well again.
Which art could ne'er have found, nor torture Amin. Thy love (oh, wretched !) ay, thy love,
wrung

Melantius!
From out my bosom : Give it me again; Why, I have nothing else.
For I will tind it, wheresoe'er it lies,

Mel. Be merry then.

[Ereunt. Hid in the mortal'st part! Invent a way

Enter MELANTIUS again. To give it back.

Mel. This worthy young man may do violence Mel . Why would you have it back?

Upon himself; but I have cherish'd him I will to death pursue him with revenge. Amin. Therefore I call it back from thee; for To counterfeit again. Sword, hold thine edge;

To my best power, and sent him smiling from me,
I know

My heart will never fail me. Diphilus !
Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this, Thou com'st as sent.
And shame me to posterity. Take to thy weapon !

Enter DIPHILUS.
Mel. Hear thy friend, that bears more years
than thou.

Diph. Yonder has been such laughing. Amin. I will not hear! but draw, or I

Mel, Betwixt whom? Jel. Amintor!

Diph. Why, our sister and the king; I thought Amin. Draw then; for I am full as resolute

their spleens would break; they laughed us all

out of the room. As fame and honour can enforce me be! I cannot linger. Draw!

Mel. They must weep, Diphilus. - Mel. I do. But is not

Diph. Must they? My share of credit equal with thine,

Mel. They must. It'í do stir?

Thou art my brother; and if I did believe Amin. No; for it will be called

Thou hadst a base thought, I would rip it out, Honour in thee to spill thy sister's blood,

Lie where it durst. If she her birth abuse; and, on the king,

Diph. You should not; I would first mangle A brave revenge : But on me, that have walked myself, and find it. With patience in it, it will fix the name

Mel. That was spoke according to our strain. Of fearful cuckold, Oh, that word! Be quick.

Come, join thy hands to mine, Mel. Then join with me.

And swear a firmness to what project I Amin. I dare not do a sin, or else I would.

Shall lay before thee. Be speedy.

Diph. You do wrong us both : Mel. Then dare not fight with me; for that's a

People hereafter shall not say, there passed sin.

A bond, more than our loves, to tie our lives His grief distracts him : Call thy thoughts again, and deaths together. And to thyself pronounce the name of friend,

Mel. It is as nobly said as I would wish. And see what that will work. I will not fight.

Anon I'll tell you wonders. We are wronged. Amin. You inust.

Diph. But I will tell you now, we'll right ourMel. I will be killed first. Though my passions

selves. Offered the like to you, 'tis not this earth

Mel. Stay not: Prepare the armour in my house; Shall buy my reason to it. Think awhile,

And what friends you can draw unto our side, For you are (I must weep, when I speak that)

Not knowing of the cause, make ready too. Almost besides yourself.

Haste, Diphilus, the time requires it; haste ! Amin. Oh, my soft temper!

[Erit Diphilus. So many sweet words from thy sister's mouth, I hope my cause is just ; I know my blood I am afraid, would make me take her

Tells me it is; and I will credit it.
To embrace, and pardon her. I am mad, indeed, To take revenge, and lose myself withal,
And know not what I do. Yet, have a care

Were idle; and to escape impossible,
Of me in what thou dost.

Without I had the fort, which (misery!) Mel: Why thinks my friend

Remaining in the hands of my old enemy Iwill forget his honour? or, to save

Calianax -But I must have it. See, The bravery of our house, will lose his fame,

Enter CALIANAX. And fear to touch the throne of majesty ? Where he comes, shaking by me. Good my lord,

Amin. A curse will follow that; but rather live, Forget your spleen to me; I never wronged you, And suffer with me.

But would have peace with every man. 3Iel. I'll do what worth shall bid me, and no Cal. 'Tis well; more.

If I durst fight, your tongue would lic at quiet.

:

Mel. You're touchy without all cause. Without I have this fort.
Cal. Du, mock me.

Cul. And should I help thee?
Mel. By mine honour I speak truth.

Now thy treacherous mind betrays itself. Cal. Honour? where is it?

Mel. Come, delay me not; Mel. See, what starts you make into your Give me a sudden answer, or already hatred, to my love and freedom to you. I come Thy last is spoke! refuse not offered love, with resolution to obtain a suit of you.

When it comes clad in secrets. Cal. A suit of me! 'Tis very like it should be

Cal. If I say granted, sir.

I will not, he will kill me; I do see it
Mel. Nay, go not hence :

Writ in his looks; and should I say I will,
Tis this; you have the keeping of the fort, He'll run and tell the king. I do not shun
And I would wish you, by the love you ought Your friendship, dear Melantius, but this cause
To bear unto me, to deliver it

Is weighty; give me but an hour to think.
Into my
hands.

Mlel. Take it. I know this goes unto the king; Cal. I am in hope thou art mad,

But I am armed.

(Exit Melantius. To talk to me thus.

Cal. Methinks I feel myself Mel. But there is a reason

But twenty now again ! this fighting fool To move you to it: I would kill the king, Wants policy! I shall revenge my girl, That wronged you and your daughter.

And make er red again. I pray, my legs Cal. Out, traitor!

Will last that pace, that I will carry them : Mel. Nay, but stay! I cannot escape, the deed I shall want breath, before I find the king.

once done,

ACT IV.

eye,

1

:

!

This is saucy :

Enter MELANTIUS, Evadne, and a lady. Mel Tis base; Mel. Save you!

And I could blush, at these years, through all Erad. Save you, sweet brother!

*My honoured scars, to come to such a parley. Mcl. In

my
blunt

Evad. I understand you not.
Methinks, you look, Evadne-

Mel. You dare not, fool!
Evad. Come, you would make me blush. They, that commit thy faults, fly the remembrance.
Mel. I would, Evadne : I shall displease my Erad. My faults, sir! I would have you know,
ends else.

I care not,
Evad. You shall, if you

commend me; I am If they were written here, here in my forehead.
bashful.
Come, sir, how do I look?

Look you intrude no more! There lies your way,
Mel. I would not have your women hear me Mel. Thou art my way, and I will tread upon thee,
Break into commendation of you; 'tis not seemly. 'Till I find truth out.
Evad. Go, wait me in the gallery. Now speak. Evad. What truth is that, you look for?

(Exeunt ladies. Mel. Thy long-lost honour. 'Would the gods Mel. I'll lock the door first.

had set me Evad. Why?

Rather to grapple with the plague, or stand
Mel. I will not have your gilded things, that dance One of their loudest bolts! Come, tell me quickly,
In visitation with their Milan skins,

Do it without enforcement, and take heed
Choke up my business.

You swell me not above my temper. Evad. You are strangely disposed, sir.

Evad. How, sir! where got you this report? Mel. Good madam, not to make you merry.

Mel. Where there were people, in every place. Evad. No; if you praise me, it will make me sad. Evad. They and the seconds of it are base people: Mel. Such a sad commendation I have for you. Believe them not, they lied.

Evad. Brother, the court hath made you witty, Mel. Do not play with mire anger, do not, And learn to riddle.

wretch! Mel. I praise the court for it: Has it learnt I come to know that desperate fool, that drew thee you nothing?

From thy fair life: Be wise, and lay him open. Ecad. Me?

Evad. Unhand me, and learn manners : Such Mel. Ay, Evadne; thou art young and handsome,

another A lady of a sweet complexion,

Forgetfulness forfeits

your

life. And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot

Mel. Quench me this mighty humour, and then
Chuse but inflame a kingdom.
Evad. Gentle brother!

Whose whore you are; for you are one, I know it.
Mel. 'Tis yet in thy repentance, foolish woman, Let all mine honours perish, but I'll find him,
To make me gentle.

Though he lie locked up in thy blood! Be sudden;
Evad. How is this?

There is no facing it, and be not flattered !

PE

be

tell me