The Maids Tragedy Part 18

_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 Wh.o.r.e, 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 st.u.r.dy 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 a.s.s, 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 compa.s.s.

_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_.