The Maids Tragedy Part 10

_King_. What did you do?

_Amint_. No more nor less than other couples use; You know what 'tis; it has but a course name.

_King_. But prethee, I should think by her black eye, And her red cheek, she should be quick and stirring In this same business, ha?

_Amint_. I cannot tell, I ne're try'd other Sir, but I perceive She is as quick as you delivered.

_King_. Well, you'l trust me then _Amintor_, To choose a Wife for you agen?

_Amint_. No never Sir.

_King_. Why? like you this so ill?

_Amint_. So well I like her.

For this I bow my knee in thanks to you, And unto Heaven will pay my grateful tribute Hourly, and to hope we shall draw out A long contented life together here, And die both full of gray hairs in one day; For which the thanks is yours; but if the powers That rule us, please to call her first away, Without pride spoke, this World holds not a Wife Worthy to take her room.

_King_. I do not like this; all forbear the room But you _Amintor_ and your Lady. I have some speech with You, that may concern your after living well.

_Amint_. He will not tell me that he lies with her: if he do, Something Heavenly stay my heart, for I shall be apt To thrust this arm of mine to acts unlawful.

_King_. You will suffer me to talk with her _Amintor_, And not have a jealous pang!

_Amint_. Sir, I dare trust my Wife With whom she dares to talk, and not be jealous.

_King_. How do you like _Amintor_?

_Evad_. As I did Sir.

_King_. How's that!

_Evad_. As one that to fulfil your will and pleasure, I have given leave to call me Wife and Love.

_King_. I see there is no lasting Faith in Sin; They that break word with Heaven, will break again With all the World, and so dost thou with me.

_Evad_. How Sir?

_King_. This subtile Womans ignorance Will not excuse you; thou hast taken Oaths So great, methought they did not well become A Womans mouth, that thou wouldst ne're enjoy A man but me.

_Evad_. I never did swear so; you do me wrong.

_King_. Day and night have heard it.

_Evad_. I swore indeed that I would never love A man of lower place; but if your fortune Should throw you from this height, I bade you trust I would forsake you, and would bend to him That won your Throne; I love with my ambition, Not with mine eyes; but if I ever yet Toucht any other, Leprosie light here Upon my face, which for your Royalty I would not stain.

_King_. Why thou dissemblest, and it is in me to punish thee.

_Evad_. Why, it is in me then not to love you, which will More afflict your body, than your punishment can mine.

_King_. But thou hast let _Amintor_ lie with thee.

_Evad_. I ha'not.

_King_. Impudence! he saies himself so.

_Evad_. He lyes.

_King_. He does not.

_Evad_. By this light he does, strangely and basely, and I'le prove it so; I did not shun him for a night, But told him I would never close with him.

_King_. Speak lower, 'tis false.

_Evad_. I'm no man to answer with a blow; Or if I were, you are the King; but urge me not, 'tis most true.

_King_. Do not I know the uncontrouled thoughts That youth brings with him, when his bloud is high With expectation and desires of that He long hath waited for? is not his spirit, Though he be temperate, of a valiant strain, As this our age hath known? what could he do, If such a sudden speech had met his blood, But ruine thee for ever? if he had not kill'd thee, He could not bear it thus; he is as we, Or any other wrong'd man.

_Evad_. It is dissembling.

_King_. Take him; farewel; henceforth I am thy foe; And what disgraces I can blot thee, look for.

_Evad_. Stay Sir; _Amintor_, you shall hear, _Amintor_.

_Amint_. What my Love?

_Evad_. _Amintor_, thou hast an ingenious look, And shouldst be vertuous; it amazeth me, That thou canst make such base malicious lyes.

_Amint_. What my dear Wife?

_Evad_. Dear Wife! I do despise thee; Why, nothing can be baser, than to sow Dissention amongst Lovers.

_Amint_. Lovers! who?

_Evad_. The King and me.

_Amint_. O Heaven!

_Evad_. Who should live long, and love without distaste, Were it not for such pickthanks as thy self!

Did you lie with me? swear now, and be punisht in h.e.l.l For this.

_Amint_. The faithless Sin I made To fair _Aspatia_, is not yet reveng'd, It follows me; I will not lose a word To this wild Woman; but to you my King, The anguish of my soul thrusts out this truth, Y'are a Tyrant; and not so much to wrong An honest man thus, as to take a pride In talking with him of it.

_Evad_. Now Sir, see how loud this fellow lyed.

_Amint_. You that can know to wrong, should know how Men must right themselves: what punishment is due From me to him that shall abuse my bed!

It is not death; nor can that satisfie, Unless I send your lives through all the Land, To shew how n.o.bly I have freed my self.

_King_. Draw not thy Sword, thou knowest I cannot fear A subjects hand; but thou shalt feel the weight of this If thou dost rage.

_Amint_. The weight of that?

If you have any worth, for Heavens sake think I fear not Swords; for as you are meer man, I dare as easily kill you for this deed, As you dare think to do it; but there is Divinity about you, that strikes dead My rising pa.s.sions, as you are my King, I fall before you, and present my Sword To cut mine own flesh, if it be your will.