Dula. Nay, let your lord do some. Asp. Lay a garland on my hearse, Evad. That's one of your sad songs, madam. SONG. Asp. Lay a garland on my hearse, Maidens, willow branches bear; My love was false, but I was firm Evad. Fie on't, madam! the words are so strange, they are able to make one dream of hobgoblins. I could never have the power: Sing that, Dula. Dula. I could never have the pow'r To love one above an hour, But my heart would prompt mine eye You'll come, my lord, and see the virgins weep, Dula. Come, ladies, will you go? [Exit. [Exeunt Ladies. I did that lady wrong: Methinks, I feel Her grief shoot suddenly through all my veins. Mine eyes run: This is strange at such a time. It was the king first mov'd me to't; but he Has not my will in keeping. Why do I Perplex myself thus? Something whispers me, As my own conscience, too sensible, 'Go not to bed.' My guilt is not so great Would make me think: I only brake a promise, And 'twas the king that forced me. Tim'rous flesh, Why shak'st thou so? Away, my idle fears! Enter EVADNE. Yonder she is, the lustre of whose eye Or, if not, give me all that I shall see at last. Can blot away the sad remembrance Evad. So, leave me now. Dula. Nay, we must see you laid. Asp. Madam, good night. May all the marriage joys That longing maids imagine in their beds, To keep your sorrow waking. Love your lord Evad. Alas, I pity thee. [Exit EVAD. 1 Lady. Come, we'll let in the bridegroom. Dula. Where's my lord? Enter AMINTOR. 1 Lady. Here, take this light. 1 Lady. Your lady's scarce abed yet; you must help her. Asp. Go, and be happy in your lady's love. May all the wrongs, that you have done to me, Be utterly forgotten in my death! I'll trouble you no more; yet I will take A parting kiss, and will not be deny'd. Of all these things. Oh, my Evadne, spare Evad. No. But I shall like it. Evad. What look likes you best? Amin. Why do you ask? Letting them curl themselves about my limbs, Evad That I may shew you one less pleasing Than sleep one night with thee. This is not to you. Amin. How's that? Thou weigh'st not any thing compar'd with me: And bids him do this. Wilt thou kill this man? Off from thy lips. Amin, I will not swear, sweet love, Till I do know the cause. Evad. I would, thou would'st. Why, it is thou, that wrong'st me; I hate thee; Amin. If I should know that, I should quickly The man you hated. Evad. Know it then, and do't. Amin. Oh, no; what look soe'er thou shalt put on To try my faith, I shall not think thee false: I cannot find one blemish in thy face, feigned, Nor sounds it like the coyness of a bride. Amin. Is flesh so earthly to endure all this? In praise of thee; we will adopt us sons; I do rage in vain ; She can but jest. O, pardon me, my love! Evad. Do you invent the form: Amin. I know too much. 'Would I had doubt. Where falsehood should abide. Leave, and to Was ever such a marriage night as this! bed. Ye pow'rs above, if you did ever mean Of feeble woman! But thou art not stone; Ecad. When I call back this oath, Amin. I sleep, and am too temperate! Come Or by those hairs, which, if thou hadst a soul Evad. Why, so, perhaps, they are. Amin. What devil put it in thy fancy, then, To marry me? Evad. Alas, I must have one To father children, and to bear the name Amin. What a strange thing am I! Amin. Why, shew it then in this : Amin. I'll drag thee to my bed, and make thy To rid a ling'ring wretch. tongue Undo this wicked oath, or on thy flesh Ev'ry ill-sounding word, or threat'ning look, Evad. Alas, Amintor, think'st thou I forbear Both. But it was the folly of thy youth Have sworn to stand or die: You guess the man. Evad. I must have one To fill thy room again, if thou wert dead; So thick upon me, that I lose all sense Erad. To cover shame, I took thee; never fear Amin. Nor let the king Know I conceive he wrongs me; then mine ho nour Will thrust me into action, though my flesh Evad. Fear not; I will do this. Amin. Come, let us practise; and, as wantonly Evad. I am content. Ant. Yes, madam, to your grief. Go learn to love first; learn to lose yourselves; Such as spake truth, and died in't; and, like me, Did you ne'er love yet, wenches? Speak, Olympias: Thou hast an easy temper, fit for stamp. Asp. Nor you, Antiphila? Ant. Nor I. Asp. Then, my good girls, be more than wo men, wise: At least, be more than I was; and be sure phila, Anti What would this wench do, if she were Aspatia? This should be Theseus; h'as a cozening face: Ant. He was so, madam. Asp. Why, then, 'tis well enough. Never look back; You have a full wind, and a false heart, Theseus! Ant. Not as I remember. Asp. It should have been so. Could the gods know this, And not, of all their number, raise a storm? And his ship ploughing it; and then a Fear: Do that Fear to the life, wench. Ant. It will wrong the story. Asp. 'Twill make the story, wrong'd by wanton poets, Live long, and be believ'd. But where's the lady? Ant. There, madam. Asp. Fie! you have miss'd it here, Antiphila; You are much mistaken, wench: These colours are not dull and pale enough wind, Wild as that desart; and let all about me Let them be dry and leafless; let the rocks Asp. I have done. Sit down; and let us Upon that point fix all our eyes; that point there. Make a dull silence, till you feel a sudden sadness Give us new souls. What, are you grown so resty you want heats? We shall have some of the court-boys heat you shortly. Ant. My lord, we do no more than we are charg'd. It is the lady's pleasure we be thus in grief: Cal. There's a rogue too; A young dissembling slave! Well, get you in! And beat some dozen of these whelps; I will! dier; I'll maul that rascal; h’as out-braved me twice; Excunt. ACT III. Enter CLEON, STRATO, and DIPHILUS. Cleo. Your sister is not up yet. Diph. Oh, brides must take their morning's rest; the night is troublesome. Stra. But not tedious. Diph. What odds, he has not my sister's maidenhead to-night? Stra. No; it's odds against any bridegroom living, he ne'er gets it while he lives. Diph. You're merry with my sister; you'll please to allow me the same freedom with your mother. Stra. She's at your service. Diph. Then, she's merry enough of herself; she needs no tickling. Knock at the door. Stra. We shall interrupt them. Diph. No matter; they have the year before them. Good morrow, sister! spare yourself today; the night will come again. Enter AMINTOR. Amin. Who's there? my brother! I'm no readier yet. Your sister is but now up. Diph. You look as you had lost your eyes to.night: I think you have not slept. Amin. I'faith I have not. Diph. You have done better, then. Amin. We ventur'd for a boy: When he is twelve, He shall command against the foes of Rhodes. Shall we be merry? Stra. You cannot; you want sleep. Amin. "Tis true.-But she, As if she had drank Lethe, or had made Even with Heav'n, did fetch so still a sleep, Diph. What's that? Amin. Your sister frets [Aside. This morning; and does turn her eyes upon me, As people on their headsman. She does chafe, And kiss, and chafe again, and clap my cheeks: She's in another world. Diph. Then I had lost: I was about to lay You had not got her maidenhead to-night. Amin. Ha! he does not mock me?-you had lost indeed. Amin. Dear Melantius! Mel. Why does thine eye desire so strict view Of that it knows so well? There's nothing here, That is not thine. Amin. I wonder much, Melantius, To see those noble looks, that make me think Or not be base, and false, and treacherous, Mel. Stay, stay, my friend; I fear this sound will not become our loves. Amin. Oh, mistake me not: I know thee to be full of all those deeds, [Aside. Mel. But why, my friend, should I be so by nature? Amin. I've wed thy sister, who hath virtuous thoughts Enough for one whole family; and it is strange That you should feel no want. Mel. Believe me, this compliment's too cunning for me. Diph. What should I be then, by the course of nature, They having both robb'd me of so much virtue? Stra. Oh, call the bride, my lord Amintor, That we may see her blush, and turn her eyes down: "Tis the prettiest sport! Amin. Evadne! Evad. [Within.] My lord! Your brothers do attend to wish you joy Amin. Enough, enough. Evad. They'll mock me. Amin. Faith, thou shalt come in. Enter EVADNE. Mel. Good-morrow, sister! He that under stands Whom you have wed, need not to wish you joy; |