The Maids Tragedy Part 19

_Amin_. _Melantius_, now a.s.sist me if thou beest That which thou say'st, a.s.sist 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 h.e.l.l for ever.

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

_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 h.e.l.l, 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 G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds 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 l.u.s.t 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 h.e.l.ls 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 (h.e.l.l bless you for't) With your temptations on temptations Made me give up mine honour; for which (King) I am come to kill thee.