Chapter 6

_King_. _Melantius_, I do credit this from him, How slight so e're you mak't.

_Mel_. 'Tis strange you should.

_Cal_. 'Tis strange he should believe an old mans word, That never lied in his life.

_Mel_. I talk not to thee; Shall the wild words of this distempered man, Frantick with age and sorrow, make a breach Betwixt your Majesty and me? 'twas wrong To hearken to him; but to credit him As much, at least, as I have power to bear. But pardon me, whilst I speak only truth, I may commend my self--I have bestow'd My careless blood with you, and should be loth To think an action that would make me lose That, and my thanks too: when I was a boy, I thrust my self into my Countries cause, And did a deed that pluckt five years from time, And stil'd me man then: And for you my King, Your subjects all have fed by vertue of my arm. This sword of mine hath plow'd the ground, And reapt the fruit in peace; And your self have liv'd at home in ease: So terrible I grew, that without swords My name hath fetcht you conquest, and my heart And limbs are still the same; my will is great To do you service: let me not be paid With such a strange distrust.

_King_. _Melantius_, I held it great injustice to believe Thine Enemy, and did not; if I did, I do not, let that satisfie: what struck With sadness all? More Wine!

_Cal_. A few fine words have overthrown my truth: Ah th'art a Villain.

_Mel_. Why thou wert better let me have the Fort, Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever;

[_Aside_.

There shall no credit lie upon thy words; Think better and deliver it.

_Cal_. My Liege, he's at me now agen to do it; speak, Deny it if thou canst; examine him Whilst he's hot, for he'l cool agen, he will forswear it.

_King_. This is lunacy I hope, _Melantius_.

_Mel_. He hath lost himself Much since his Daughter mist the happiness My Sister gain'd; and though he call me Foe, I pity him.

_Cal_. Pity! a pox upon you.

_King_. Mark his disordered words, and at the Mask.

_Mel_. _Diagoras_ knows he raged, and rail'd at me, And cal'd a Lady Whore, so innocent She understood him not; but it becomes Both you and me too, to forgive distraction, Pardon him as I do.

_Cal_. I'le not speak for thee, for all thy cunning, if you will be safe chop off his head, for there was never known so impudent a Rascal.

_King_. Some that love him, get him to bed: Why, pity should not let age make it self contemptible; we must be all old, have him away.

_Mel. Calianax_, the King believes you; come, you shall go Home, and rest; you ha' done well; you'l give it up When I have us'd you thus a moneth I hope.

_Cal_. Now, now, 'tis plain Sir, he does move me still; He sayes he knows I'le give him up the Fort, When he has us'd me thus a moneth: I am mad, Am I not still?

_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha!

_Cal_. I shall be mad indeed, if you do thus; Why would you trust a sturdy fellow there (That has no vertue in him, all's in his sword) Before me? do but take his weapons from him, And he's an Ass, and I am a very fool, Both with him, and without him, as you use me.

_Omnes_. Ha, ha, ha!

_King_. 'Tis well _Calianax_; but if you use This once again, I shall intreat some other To see your Offices be well discharg'd. Be merry Gentlemen, it grows somewhat late. _Amintor_, thou wouldest be abed again.

_Amin_. Yes Sir.

_King_. And you _Evadne_; let me take thee in my arms, _Melantius_, and believe thou art as thou deservest to be, my friend still, and for ever. Good _Calianax_, Sleep soundly, it will bring thee to thy self.

[_Exeunt omnes. Manent Mel_. and _Cal_.

_Cal_. Sleep soundly! I sleep soundly now I hope, I could not be thus else. How dar'st thou stay Alone with me, knowing how thou hast used me?

_Mel_. You cannot blast me with your tongue, And that's the strongest part you have about you.

_Cal_. I do look for some great punishment for this, For I begin to forget all my hate, And tak't unkindly that mine enemy Should use me so extraordinarily scurvily.

_Mel_. I shall melt too, if you begin to take Unkindnesses: I never meant you hurt.

_Cal_. Thou'lt anger me again; thou wretched rogue, Meant me no hurt! disgrace me with the King; Lose all my Offices! this is no hurt, Is it? I prethee what dost thou call hurt?

_Mel_. To poyson men because they love me not; To call the credit of mens Wives in question; To murder children betwixt me and land; this is all hurt.

_Cal_. All this thou think'st is sport; For mine is worse: but use thy will with me; For betwixt grief and anger I could cry.

_Mel_. Be wise then, and be safe; thou may'st revenge.

_Cal_. I o'th' King? I would revenge of thee.

_Mel_. That you must plot your self.

_Cal_. I am a fine plotter.

_Mel_. The short is, I will hold thee with the King In this perplexity, till peevishness And thy disgrace have laid thee in thy grave: But if thou wilt deliver up the Fort, I'le take thy trembling body in my arms, And bear thee over dangers; thou shalt hold thy wonted state.

_Cal_. If I should tell the King, can'st thou deny't again?

_Mel_. Try and believe.

_Cal_. Nay then, thou can'st bring any thing about: Thou shalt have the Fort.

_Mel_. Why well, here let our hate be buried, and This hand shall right us both; give me thy aged breast to compass.

_Cal_. Nay, I do not love thee yet: I cannot well endure to look on thee: And if I thought it were a courtesie, Thou should'st not have it: but I am disgrac'd; My Offices are to be ta'ne away; And if I did but hold this Fort a day, I do believe the King would take it from me, And give it thee, things are so strangely carried; Nere thank me for't; but yet the King shall know There was some such thing in't I told him of; And that I was an honest man.

_Mel_. Hee'l buy that knowledge very dearly.

[_Enter Diphilus_.

What news with thee?

_Diph_. This were a night indeed to do it in; The King hath sent for her.

_Mel_. She shall perform it then; go _Diphilus_, And take from this good man, my worthy friend, The Fort; he'l give it thee.

_Diph_. Ha' you got that?

_Cal_. Art thou of the same breed? canst thou deny This to the King too?

_Diph_. With a confidence as great as his.

_Cal_. Faith, like enough.

_Mel_. Away, and use him kindly.

_Cal_. Touch not me, I hate the whole strain: if thou follow me a great way off, I'le give thee up the Fort; and hang your selves.

_Mel_. Be gone.

_Diph_. He's finely wrought.

[_Exeunt Cal. Diph_.

_Mel_. This is a night in spite of Astronomers To do the deed in; I will wash the stain That rests upon our House, off with his blood.

_Enter Amintor_.

_Amin_. _Melantius_, now assist me if thou beest That which thou say'st, assist me: I have lost All my distempers, and have found a rage so pleasing; help me.

_Mel_. Who can see him thus, And not swear vengeance? what's the matter friend?

_Amin_. Out with thy sword; and hand in hand with me Rush to the Chamber of this hated King, And sink him with the weight of all his sins to hell for ever.

_Mel_. 'Twere a rash attempt, Not to be done with safety: let your reason Plot your revenge, and not your passion.

_Amint_. If thou refusest me in these extreams, Thou art no friend: he sent for her to me; By Heaven to me; my self; and I must tell ye I love her as a stranger; there is worth In that vile woman, worthy things, _Melantius_; And she repents. I'le do't my self alone, Though I be slain. Farewell.

_Mel_. He'l overthrow my whole design with madness: _Amintor_, think what thou doest; I dare as much as valour; But 'tis the King, the King, the King, _Amintor_, With whom thou fightest; I know he's honest,

[_Aside_.

And this will work with him.

_Amint_. I cannot tell What thou hast said; but thou hast charm'd my sword Out of my hand, and left me shaking here defenceless.

_Mel_. I will take it up for thee.

_Amint_. What a wild beast is uncollected man! The thing that we call Honour, bears us all Headlong unto sin, and yet it self is nothing.

_Mel_. Alas, how variable are thy thoughts!

_Amint_. Just like my fortunes: I was run to that I purpos'd to have chid thee for. Some Plot I did distrust thou hadst against the King By that old fellows carriage: but take heed, There is not the least limb growing to a King, But carries thunder in it.

_Mel_. I have none against him.

_Amint_. Why, come then, and still remember we may not think revenge.

_Mel_. I will remember.

_Actus Quintus_.

_Enter_ Evadne _and a_ Gentleman.

_Evad_. Sir, is the King abed?

_Gent_. Madam, an hour ago.

_Evad_. Give me the key then, and let none be near; 'Tis the Kings pleasure.

_Gent_. I understand you Madam, would 'twere mine. I must not wish good rest unto your Ladiship.

_Evad_. You talk, you talk.

_Gent_. 'Tis all I dare do, Madam; but the King will wake, and then.

_Evad_. Saving your imagination, pray good night Sir.

_Gent_. A good night be it then, and a long one Madam; I am gone.

_Evad_. The night grows horrible, and all about me Like my black purpose: O the Conscience [_King abed_.

Of a lost Virgin; whither wilt thou pull me? To what things dismal, as the depth of Hell, Wilt thou provoke me? Let no [woman] dare From this hour be disloyal: if her heart Be flesh, if she have blood, and can fear, 'tis a daring Above that desperate fool that left his peace, And went to Sea to fight: 'tis so many sins An age cannot prevent 'em: and so great, The gods want mercy for: yet I must through 'em. I have begun a slaughter on my honour, And I must end it there: he sleeps, good heavens! Why give you peace to this untemperate beast That hath so long transgressed you? I must kill him, And I will do't bravely: the meer joy Tells me I merit in it: yet I must not Thus tamely do it as he sleeps: that were To rock him to another world: my vengeance Shall take him waking, and then lay before him The number of his wrongs and punishments. I'le shake his sins like furies, till I waken His evil Angel, his sick Conscience: And then I'le strike him dead: King, by your leave:

[_Ties his armes to the bed_.

I dare not trust your strength: your Grace and I Must grapple upon even terms no more: So, if he rail me not from my resolution, I shall be strong enough. My Lord the King, my Lord; he sleeps As if he meant to wake no more, my Lord; Is he not dead already? Sir, my Lord.

_King_. Who's that?

_Evad_. O you sleep soundly Sir!

_King_. My dear _Evadne_, I have been dreaming of thee; come to bed.

_Evad_. I am come at length Sir, but how welcome?

_King_. What pretty new device is this _Evadne_? What do you tie me to you by my love? This is a quaint one: Come my dear and kiss me; I'le be thy _Mars_ to bed my Queen of Love: Let us be caught together, that the Gods may see, And envy our embraces.

_Evad_. Stay Sir, stay, You are too hot, and I have brought you Physick To temper your high veins.

_King_. Prethee to bed then; let me take it warm, There you shall know the state of my body better.

_Evad_. I know you have a surfeited foul body, And you must bleed.

_King_. Bleed!

_Evad_. I, you shall bleed: lie still, and if the Devil, Your lust will give you leave, repent: this steel Comes to redeem the honour that you stole, King, my fair name, which nothing but thy death Can answer to the world.

_King_. How's this _Evadne_?

_Evad_. I am not she: nor bear I in this breast So much cold Spirit to be call'd a Woman: I am a Tyger: I am any thing That knows not pity: stir not, if thou dost, I'le take thee unprepar'd; thy fears upon thee, That make thy sins look double, and so send thee (By my revenge I will) to look those torments Prepar'd for such black souls.

_King_. Thou dost not mean this: 'tis impossible: Thou art too sweet and gentle.

_Evad_. No, I am not: I am as foul as thou art, and can number As many such hells here: I was once fair, Once I was lovely, not a blowing Rose More chastly sweet, till tho[u], thou, thou, foul Canker, (Stir not) didst poyson me: I was a world of vertue, Till your curst Court and you (hell bless you for't) With your temptations on temptations Made me give up mine honour; for which (King) I am come to kill thee.

_King_. No.

_Evad_. I am.

_King_. Thou art not. I prethee speak not these things; thou art gentle, And wert not meant thus rugged.

_Evad_. Peace and hear me. Stir nothing but your tongue, and that for mercy To those above us; by whose lights I vow, Those blessed fires that shot to see our sin, If thy hot soul had substance with thy blood, I would kill that too, which being past my steel, My tongue shall teach: Thou art a shameless Villain, A thing out of the overchange of Nature; Sent like a thick cloud to disperse a plague Upon weak catching women; such a tyrant That for his Lust would sell away his Subjects, I, all his heaven hereafter.

_King_. Hear _Evadne_, Thou soul of sweetness! hear, I am thy King.

_Evad_. Thou art my shame; lie still, there's none about you, Within your cries; all promises of safety Are but deluding dreams: thus, thus, thou foul man, Thus I begin my vengeance.

[_Stabs him_.

_King_. Hold _Evadne_! I do command thee hold.

_Evad_. I do not mean Sir, To part so fairly with you; we must change More of these love-tricks yet.

_King_. What bloody villain Provok't thee to this murther?

_Evad_. Thou, thou monster.

_King_. Oh!

_Evad_. Thou kept'st me brave at Court, and Whor'd me; Then married me to a young noble Gentleman; And Whor'd me still.

_King_. _Evadne_, pity me.

_Evad_. Hell take me then; this for my Lord _Amintor_; This for my noble brother: and this stroke For the most wrong'd of women.

[_Kills him_.

_King_. Oh! I die.

_Evad_. Die all our faults together; I forgive thee.

[_Exit_.

_Enter two of the Bed-Chamber_.

1. Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects it, and will be angry.

2. 'Tis a fine wench, we'I have a snap at her one of these nights as she goes from him.

1. Content: how quickly he had done with her! I see Kings can do no more that way than other mortal people.

2. How fast he is! I cannot hear him breathe.

1. Either the Tapers give a feeble light, or he looks very pale.

2. And so he does, pray Heaven he be well. Let's look: Alas! he's stiffe, wounded and dead: Treason, Treason!

1. Run forth and call.

[_Exit Gent_.

2. Treason, Treason!

1. This will be laid on us: who can believe A Woman could do this?

_Enter_ Cleon _and_ Lisippus.

_Cleon_. How now, where's the Traytor?

1. Fled, fled away; but there her woful act lies still.

_Cle_. Her act! a Woman!

_Lis_. Where's the body?

1. There.

_Lis_. Farewel thou worthy man; there were two bonds That tyed our loves, a Brother and a King; The least of which might fetch a flood of tears: But such the misery of greatness is, They have no time to mourn; then pardon me. Sirs, which way went she?

[_Enter Strato_.

_Strat_. Never follow her, For she alas! was but the instrument. News is now brought in, that _Melantius_ Has got the Fort, and stands upon the wall; And with a loud voice calls those few that pass At this dead time of night, delivering The innocent of this act.

_Lis_. Gentlemen, I am your King.

_Strat_. We do acknowledge it.

_Lis_. I would I were not: follow all; for this must have a sudden stop.

[_Exeunt_

_Enter_ Melant. Diph. _and_ Cal. _on the wall_.

_Mel_. If the dull people can believe I am arm'd, Be constant _Diphilus_; now we have time, Either to bring our banisht honours home, Or create new ones in our ends.

_Diph_. I fear not; My spirit lies not that way. Courage _Calianax_.

_Cal_. Would I had any, you should quickly know it.

_Mel_. Speak to the people; thou art eloquent.

_Cal_. 'Tis a fine eloquence to come to the gallows; You were born to be my end; the Devil take you. Now must I hang for company; 'tis strange I should be old, and neither wise nor valiant.

_Enter_ Lisip. Diag. Cleon, Strat. Guard.

_Lisip_. See where he stands as boldly confident, As if he had his full command about him.

_Strat_. He looks as if he had the bet[t]er cause; Sir, Under your gracious pardon let me speak it; Though he be mighty-spirited and forward To all great things; to all things of that danger Worse men shake at the telling of; yet certainly I do believe him noble, and this action Rather pull'd on than sought; his mind was ever As worthy as his hand.

_Lis_. 'Tis my fear too; Heaven forgive all: summon him Lord _Cleon_.

_Cleon_. Ho from the walls there.

_Mel_. Worthy _Cleon_, welcome; We could have wisht you here Lord; you are honest.

_Cal_. Well, thou art as flattering a knave, though I dare not tell you so.

[_Aside_.

_Lis_. _Melantius_!

_Mel_. Sir.

_Lis_. I am sorry that we meet thus; our old love Never requir'd such distance; pray Heaven You have not left your self, and sought this safety More out of fear than honour; you have lost A noble Master, which your faith _Melantius_, Some think might have preserv'd; yet you know best.

_Cal_. When time was I was mad; some that dares Fight I hope will pay this Rascal.

_Mel_. Royal young man, whose tears look lovely on thee; Had they been shed for a deserving one, They had been lasting monuments. Thy Brother, Whil'st he was good, I call'd him King, and serv'd him With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour; Pul'd people from the farthest Sun to seek him; And by his friendship, I was then his souldier; But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me, And brand my noble actions with his lust, (That never cur'd dishonour of my Sister, Base stain of Whore; and which is worse, The joy to make it still so) like my self; Thus have I flung him off with my allegiance, And stand here mine own justice to revenge What I have suffered in him; and this old man Wrong'd almost to lunacy.

_Cal_. Who I? you'd draw me in: I have had no wrong, I do disclaim ye all.