Chapter 4

_Amint_. Worse and worse! Thou that dar'st talk unto thy Husband thus, Profess thy self a Whore; and more than so, Resolve to be so still; it is my fate To bear and bow beneath a thousand griefs, To keep that little credit with the World. But there were wise ones too, you might have ta'ne another.

_King_. No; for I believe thee honest, as thou wert valiant.

_Amint_. All the happiness Bestow'd upon me, turns into disgrace; Gods take your honesty again, for I Am loaden with it; good my Lord the King, be private in it.

_King_. Thou may'st live _Amintor_, Free as thy King, if thou wilt wink at this, And be a means that we may meet in secret.

_Amint_. A Baud! hold my breast, a bitter curse Seize me, if I forget not all respects That are Religious, on another word Sounded like that, and through a Sea of sins Will wade to my revenge, though I should call Pains here, and after life upon my soul.

_King_. Well I am resolute you lay not with her, And so leave you.

[_Exit King_.

_Evad_. You must be prating, and see what follows.

_Amint_. Prethee vex me not. Leave me, I am afraid some sudden start Will pull a murther on me.

_Evad_. I am gone; I love my life well.

[_Exit Evadne_.

_Amint_. I hate mine as much. This 'tis to break a troth; I should be glad If all this tide of grief would make me mad.

[_Exit_.

_Enter Melantius_.

_Mel_. I'le know the cause of all _Amintors_ griefs, Or friendship shall be idle.

[_Enter Calianax_.

_Cal_. O _Melantius_, my Daughter will die.

_Mel_. Trust me, I am sorry; would thou hadst ta'ne her room.

_Cal_. Thou art a slave, a cut-throat slave, a bloody treacherous slave.

_Melan_. Take heed old man, thou wilt be heard to rave, And lose thine Offices.

_Cal_. I am valiant grown At all these years, and thou art but a slave.

_Mel_. Leave, some company will come, and I respect Thy years, not thee so much, that I could wish To laugh at thee alone.

_Cal_. I'le spoil your mirth, I mean to fight with thee; There lie my Cloak, this was my Fathers Sword, And he durst fight; are you prepar'd?

_Mel_. Why? wilt thou doat thy self out of thy life? Hence get thee to bed, have careful looking to, and eat warm things, and trouble not me: my head is full of thoughts more weighty than thy life or death can be.

_Cal_. You have a name in War, when you stand safe Amongst a multitude; but I will try What you dare do unto a weak old man In single fight; you'l ground I fear: Come draw.

_Mel_. I will not draw, unless thou pul'st thy death Upon thee with a stroke; there's no one blow That thou canst give, hath strength enough to kill me. Tempt me not so far then; the power of earth Shall not redeem thee.

_Cal_. I must let him alone, He's stout and able; and to say the truth, However I may set a face, and talk, I am not valiant: when I was a youth, I kept my credit with a testie trick I had, Amongst cowards, but durst never fight.

_Mel_. I will not promise to preserve your life if you do stay.

_Cal_. I would give half my Land that I durst fight with that proud man a little: if I had men to hold, I would beat him, till he ask me mercy.

_Mel_. Sir, will you be gone?

_Cal_. I dare not stay, but I will go home, and beat my servants all over for this.

[_Exit Calianax_.

_Mel_. This old fellow haunts me, But the distracted carriage of mine _Amintor_ Takes deeply on me, I will find the cause; I fear his Conscience cries, he wrong'd _Aspatia_.

_Enter Amintor_.

_Amint_. Mens eyes are not so subtil to perceive My inward misery; I bear my grief Hid from the World; how art thou wretched then? For ought I know, all Husbands are like me; And every one I talk with of his Wife, Is but a well dissembler of his woes As I am; would I knew it, for the rareness afflicts me now.

_Mel_. _Amintor_, We have not enjoy'd our friendship of late, for we were wont to charge our souls in talk.

_Amint_. _Melantius_, I can tell thee a good jest of _Strato_ and a Lady the last day.

_Mel_. How wast?

_Amint_. Why such an odd one.

_Mel_. I have long'd to speak with you, not of an idle jest that's forc'd, but of matter you are bound to utter to me.

_Amint_. What is that my friend?

_Mel_. I have observ'd, your words fall from your tongue Wildly; and all your carriage, Like one that strove to shew his merry mood, When he were ill dispos'd: you were not wont To put such scorn into your speech, or wear Upon your face ridiculous jollity: Some sadness sits here, which your cunning would Cover o're with smiles, and 'twill not be. What is it?

_Amint_. A sadness here! what cause Can fate provide for me, to make me so? Am I not lov'd through all this Isle? the King Rains greatness on me: have I not received A Lady to my bed, that in her eye Keeps mounting fire, and on her tender cheeks Inevitable colour, in her heart A prison for all vertue? are not you, Which is above all joyes, my constant friend? What sadness can I have? no, I am light, And feel the courses of my blood more warm And stirring than they were; faith marry too, And you will feel so unexprest a joy In chast embraces, that you will indeed appear another.

_Mel_. You may shape, _Amintor_, Causes to cozen the whole world withal, And your self too; but 'tis not like a friend, To hide your soul from me; 'tis not your nature To be thus idle; I have seen you stand As you were blasted; midst of all your mirth, Call thrice aloud, and then start, feigning joy So coldly: World! what do I here? a friend Is nothing, Heaven! I would ha' told that man My secret sins; I'le search an unknown Land, And there plant friendship, all is withered here; Come with a complement, I would have fought, Or told my friend he ly'd, ere sooth'd him so; Out of my bosom.

_Amint_. But there is nothing.

_Mel_. Worse and worse; farewel; From this time have acquaintance, but no friend.

_Amint_. _Melantius_, stay, you shall know what that is.

_Mel_. See how you play'd with friendship; be advis'd How you give cause unto your self to say, You ha'lost a friend.

_Amint_. Forgive what I have done; For I am so ore-gone with injuries Unheard of, that I lose consideration Of what I ought to do--oh--oh.

_Mel_. Do not weep; what is't? May I once but know the man Hath turn'd my friend thus?

_Amint_. I had spoke at first, but that.

_Mel_. But what?

_Amint_. I held it most unfit For you to know; faith do not know it yet.

_Mel_. Thou seest my love, that will keep company With thee in tears; hide nothing then from me; For when I know the cause of thy distemper, With mine own armour I'le adorn my self, My resolution, and cut through thy foes, Unto thy quiet, till I place thy heart As peaceable as spotless innocence. What is it?

_Amint_. Why, 'tis this--it is too big To get out, let my tears make way a while.

_Mel_. Punish me strangely heaven, if he escape Of life or fame, that brought this youth to this.

_Amint_. Your Sister.

_Mel_. Well said.

_Amint_. You'l wish't unknown, when you have heard it.

_Mel_. No.

_Amint_. Is much to blame, And to the King has given her honour up, And lives in Whoredom with him.

_Mel_. How, this! Thou art run mad with injury indeed, Thou couldst not utter this else; speak again, For I forgive it freely; tell thy griefs.

_Amint_. She's wanton; I am loth to say a Whore, Though it be true.

_Mel_. Speak yet again, before mine anger grow Up beyond throwing down; what are thy griefs?

_Amint_. By all our friendship, these.

_Mel_. What? am I tame? After mine actions, shall the name of friend Blot all our family, and strike the brand Of Whore upon my Sister unreveng'd? My shaking flesh be thou a Witness for me, With what unwillingness I go to scourge This Rayler, whom my folly hath call'd Friend; I will not take thee basely; thy sword Hangs near thy hand, draw it, that I may whip Thy rashness to repentance; draw thy sword.

_Amint_. Not on thee, did thine anger swell as high As the wild surges; thou shouldst do me ease Here, and Eternally, if thy noble hand Would cut me from my sorrows.

_Mel_. This is base and fearful! they that use to utter lyes, Provide not blows, but words to qualifie The men they wrong'd; thou hast a guilty cause.

_Amint_. Thou pleasest me; for so much more like this, Will raise my anger up above my griefs, Which is a passion easier to be born, And I shall then be happy.

_Mel_. Take then more to raise thine anger. 'Tis meer Cowardize makes thee not draw; and I will leave thee dead However; but if thou art so much prest With guilt and fear, as not to dare to fight, I'le make thy memory loath'd, and fix a scandal Upon thy name for ever.

_Amint_. Then I draw, As justly as our Magistrates their Swords, To cut offenders off; I knew before 'Twould grate your ears; but it was base in you To urge a weighty secret from your friend, And then rage at it; I shall be at ease If I be kill'd; and if you fall by me, I shall not long out-live you.

_Mel_. Stay a while. The name of friend is more than family, Or all the world besides; I was a fool. Thou searching humane nature, that didst wake To do me wrong, thou art inquisitive, And thrusts me upon questions that will take My sleep away; would I had died ere known This sad dishonour; pardon me my friend; If thou wilt strike, here is a faithful heart, Pierce it, for I will never heave my hand To thine; behold the power thou hast in me! I do believe my Sister is a Whore, A Leprous one, put up thy sword young man.

_Amint_. How should I bear it then, she being so? I fear my friend that you will lose me shortly; And I shall do a foul action my self Through these disgraces.

_Mel_. Better half the Land Were buried quick together; no, _Amintor_, Thou shalt have ease: O this Adulterous King That drew her to't! where got he the spirit To wrong me so?

_Amint_. What is it then to me, If it be wrong to you!

_Mel_. Why, not so much: the credit of our house Is thrown away; But from his Iron Den I'le waken death, And hurle him on this King; my honesty Shall steel my sword, and on its horrid point I'le wear my cause, that shall amaze the eyes Of this proud man, and be too glittering For him to look on.

_Amint_. I have quite undone my fame.

_Mel_. Dry up thy watry eyes, And cast a manly look upon my face; For nothing is so wild as I thy friend Till I have freed thee; still this swelling breast; I go thus from thee, and will never cease My vengeance, till I find my heart at peace.

_Amint_. It must not be so; stay, mine eyes would tell How loth I am to this; but love and tears Leave me a while, for I have hazarded All this world calls happy; thou hast wrought A secret from me under name of Friend, Which Art could ne're have found, nor torture wrung From out my bosom; give it me agen, For I will find it, wheresoe're it lies Hid in the mortal'st part; invent a way to give it back.

_Mel_. Why, would you have it back? I will to death pursue him with revenge.

_Amint_. Therefore I call it back from thee; for I know Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this, and shame me To posterity: take to thy Weapon.

_Mel_. Hear thy friend, that bears more years than thou.

_Amint_. I will not hear: but draw, or I----

_Mel_. _Amintor_.

_Amint_. Draw then, for I am full as resolute As fame and honour can inforce me be; I cannot linger, draw.

_Mel_. I do--but is not My share of credit equal with thine if I do stir?

_Amint_. No; for it will be cal'd Honour in thee to spill thy Sisters blood, If she her birth abuse, and on the King A brave revenge: but on me that have walkt With patience in it, it will fix the name Of fearful Cuckold--O that word! be quick.

_Mel_. Then joyn with me.

_Amint_. I dare not do a sin, or else I would: be speedy.

_Mel_. Then dare not fight with me, for that's a sin. His grief distracts him; call thy thoughts agen, And to thy self pronounce the name of friend, And see what that will work; I will not fight.

_Amint_. You must.

_Mel_. I will be kill'd first, though my passions Offred the like to you; 'tis not this earth Shall buy my reason to it; think a while, For you are (I must weep when I speak that) Almost besides your self.

_Amint_. Oh my soft temper! So many sweet words from thy Sisters mouth, I am afraid would make me take her To embrace, and pardon her. I am mad indeed, And know not what I do; yet have a care Of me in what thou doest.

_Mel_. Why thinks my friend I will forget his honour, or to save The bravery of our house, will lose his fame, And fear to touch the Throne of Majesty?

_Amint_. A curse will follow that, but rather live And suffer with me.

_Mel_. I will do what worth shall bid me, and no more.

_Amint_. Faith I am sick, and desperately I hope, Yet leaning thus, I feel a kind of ease.

_Mel_. Come take agen your mirth about you.

_Amint_. I shall never do't.

_Mel_. I warrant you, look up, wee'l walk together, Put thine arm here, all shall be well agen.

_Amint_. Thy Love, O wretched, I thy Love, _Melantius_; why, I have nothing else.

_Mel_. Be merry then.

[_Exeunt. Enter Melantius agen_.

_Mel_. This worthy young man may do violence Upon himself, but I have cherisht him To my best power, and sent him smiling from me To counterfeit again; Sword hold thine edge, My heart will never fail me: _Diphilus_, Thou com'st as sent.

[_Enter Diphilus_.

_Diph_. Yonder has been such laughing.

_Mel_. Betwixt whom?

_Diph_. Why, our Sister and the King, I thought their spleens would break, They laught us all out of the room.

_Mel_. They must weep, _Diphilus_.

_Diph_. Must they?

_Mel_. They must: thou art my Brother, and if I did believe Thou hadst a base thought, I would rip it out, Lie where it durst.

_Diph_. You should not, I would first mangle my self and find it.

_Mel_. That was spoke according to our strain; come Joyn thy hands to mine, And swear a firmness to what project I shall lay before thee.

_Diph_. You do wrong us both; People hereafter shall not say there past A bond more than our loves, to tie our lives And deaths together.

_Mel_. It is as nobly said as I would wish; Anon I'le tell you wonders; we are wrong'd.

_Diph_. But I will tell you now, wee'l right our selves.

_Mel_. Stay not, prepare the armour in my house; And what friends you can draw unto our side, Not knowing of the cause, make ready too; Haste _Diphilus_, the time requires it, haste.

[_Exit Diphilus_.

I hope my cause is just, I know my blood Tells me it is, and I will credit it: To take revenge, and lose my self withal, Were idle; and to scape impossible, Without I had the fort, which misery Remaining in the hands of my old enemy _Calianax_, but I must have it, see

[_Enter Calianax_.

Where he comes shaking by me: good my Lord, Forget your spleen to me, I never wrong'd you, But would have peace with every man.

_Cal_. 'Tis well; If I durst fight, your tongue would lie at quiet.

_Mel_. Y'are touchie without all cause.

_Cal_. Do, mock me.

_Mel_. By mine honour I speak truth.

_Cal_. Honour? where is't?

_Mel_. See what starts you make into your hatred to my love and freedom to you.-- I come with resolution to obtain a suit of you.

_Cal_. A suit of me! 'tis very like it should be granted, Sir.

_Mel_. Nay, go not hence; 'Tis this; you have the keeping of the Fort, And I would wish you by the love you ought To bear unto me, to deliver it into my hands.

_Cal_. I am in hope that thou art mad, to talk to me thus.

_Mel_. But there is a reason to move you to it. I would kill the King that wrong'd you and your daughter.

_Cal_. Out Traytor!

_Mel_. Nay but stay; I cannot scape, the deed once done, Without I have this fort.

_Cal_. And should I help thee? now thy treacherous mind betrays it self.

_Mel_. Come, delay me not; Give me a sudden answer, or already Thy last is spoke; refuse not offered love, When it comes clad in secrets.

_Cal_. If I say I will not, he will kill me, I do see't writ In his looks; and should I say I will, he'l run and tell the King: I do not shun your friendship dear _Melantius_, But this cause is weighty, give me but an hour to think.

_Mel_. Take it--I know this goes unto the King, But I am arm'd. [_Ex. Melant_.

_Cal_. Me thinks I feel my self But twenty now agen; this fighting fool Wants Policy; I shall revenge my Girl, And make her red again; I pray, my legs Will last that pace that I will carry them, I shall want breath before I find the King.

_Actus Quartus_.

_Enter_ Melantius, Evadne, _and a_ Lady.

_Mel_. Save you.

_Evad_. Save you sweet Brother.

_Mel_. In my blunt eye methinks you look _Evadne_.

_Evad_. Come, you would make me blush.

_Mel_. I would _Evadne_, I shall displease my ends else.

_Evad_. You shall if you command me; I am bashful; Come Sir, how do I look?

_Mel_. I would not have your women hear me Break into commendation of you, 'tis not seemly.

_Evad_. Go wait me in the Gallery--now speak.

_Mel_. I'le lock the door first.

[_Exeunt Ladies_.

_Evad_. Why?

_Mel_. I will not have your guilded things that dance in visitation with their Millan skins choke up my business.

_Evad_. You are strangely dispos'd Sir.

_Mel_. Good Madam, not to make you merry.

_Evad_. No, if you praise me, 'twill make me sad.

_Mel_. Such a sad commendation I have for you.

_Evad_. Brother, the Court hath made you witty, And learn to riddle.

_Mel_. I praise the Court for't; has it learned you nothing?

_Evad_. Me?

_Mel_. I _Evadne_, thou art young and handsom, A Lady of a sweet complexion, And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot Chuse but inflame a Kingdom.

_Evad_. Gentle Brother!

_Mel_. 'Tis yet in thy remembrance, foolish woman, To make me gentle.

_Evad_. How is this?

_Mel_. 'Tis base, And I could blush at these years, through all My honour'd scars, to come to such a parly.

_Evad_. I understand you not.

_Mel_. You dare not, Fool; They that commit thy faults, fly the remembrance.

_Evad_. My faults, Sir! I would have you know I care not If they were written here, here in my forehead.

_Mel_. Thy body is too little for the story, The lusts of which would fill another woman, Though she had Twins within her.

_Evad_. This is saucy; Look you intrude no more, there lies your way.

_Mel_. Thou art my way, and I will tread upon thee, Till I find truth out.

_Evad_. What truth is that you look for?