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The Maides Tragedy 1st Quarto Edition (1619)
Signatures: A2 B-L4; 42 Leaves Unnumbered.
Full Text Version

Act One          Act Two          Act Three          Act Four          Act Five

Note on the Text

Performance Record in Chambers ES

Stationer's Record
28° April 1619

Mr. Higgenbotham Mr Constable.   Entred for their copie vnder the handes of Sr George Buck and both the wardens A Play Called The maids tragedy                               vjd

The Maides Tragedy.

A S   I T   H A T H   B E E N E
diuers times Acted at the Blacke-friers by
The KINGS Maiesties Seruants.

Title Page

L O N D O N

Printed for Francis Constable and are to be sold
at the white Lyon ouer against the great North
doore of Pauls Church.     1619.

Ornamen 1
S P E A K E R S.
K I N G.
L Y S I P P V S brother to the King.
A M I N T O R.
E V A D N E, wife to A M I N T O R.
M E L A N T I V S
D I P H I L V S		 brothers to E V A D N E.
A S P A T I A troth-plight wife to A M I N T O R.
C A L L I A N A X an old humorous Lord, and father to
       A S P A T I A.
C L E O N
S T R A T O		 Gentlemen.
D I A G O R A S a seruant.
A N T I P H I L A
O L I M P I A S 		waiting Gentlewomen to A S P A T I A.
D V L A a Lady.
N I G H T
C I N T H I A
N E P T V N E
E O L V S 		Maskers.

Ornament 2

 

Ornament 3

The Maydes Tragedy.

Actus. I. Scæn. I.

Enter C L E O N, S T R A T O, L I S I P P V S, D I P H I L V S.

C L E O N. The rest are making ready sir,
L Y S. So let them, theres time enough.
D I P H. You are the brother to the King my
Lord, wee'le take your word.
L I S. Strato thou hast some skill in poetrie,
What think'st thou of a maske, will it be well?
S T R. As well as masks can be. 
L I S. As masks can be.                                     [10]
S T R A. Yes, they must commend, and speake in praise of
the assembly, blesse the Bride and groome, in person of
some god, there tied to rules of flatterie.
C L E. See good my Lord who is return'd.
L I S. Noble Melantius,                          Enter Melantius
the land by me welcomes thy vertues home, thou that with
blowes abroad bringst vs our peace at home, the breath
of Kings is like the breath of gods, my brother wisht thee
here, and thou art here, he will be kinde; and wearie thee
with often welcome, but the time doth giue thee a wel-        [20]
come, aboue his, or all the world.
M E L. My Lord, my thankes, but these scratcht limbes
of mine, haue spoke my loue and truth vnto my friends,
more then my tongue ere could, my mind's the same it e-

[Signature B, end page 1, catchword: uer]
uer was to you; where I finde worth
I loue the keeper, till he let it goe,
And then I follow it.
D I P H. Haile worthy brother,
He that reioyces not at your returne
In safetie, is mine enemy for euer.                       [30]
M E L. I thanke thee Diphilus: but thou art faultie,
I sent for thee to exercise thine armes
With me at Patria, thou camst not Diphilus:
Twas ill.
D I P H. My noble brother my excuse
Is my Kings straight command, which you my Lord
Can witnesse with me.
L I S. Tis most true Melantius,
He might not come till the solemnities
Of this great match were past.                   [40]
D I P H. Haue you heard of it.
M E L. Yes, and haue giuen cause to those, that here
Enuy my deedes abroad, to call me gamesome,
I haue no other busines here at Rhodes.
L I S. We haue a maske to night,
And you must tread a souldiers measure.
M E L. These soft and silken warres are not for me,
The musicke must be shrill and all confus'd
That stirs my blood, and then I daunce,
But is Amintor wed?            [50]
D I P H. This day?
M E L. All ioyes vpon him, for he is my friend,
Wonder not that I call a man so young;
His worth is great, valiant he is,
And one that neuer thinkes his life his owne,
If his friend neede it, when he was a boy,
As oft as I return'd (as without boast)
I brought home conquest, he would gaze vpon me,
And view me round, to finde in what one limbe
The vertue lay to doe those things he heard,                    [60]
Then would he wish to see my sword, and feele
[Signature [B1v], end page 2, catchword: The]
The quicknesse of the edge, and in his hand
Weighes it, he oft would make me smile at this;
His youth did promise much, and his ripe yeares
Will see it all perform'd.                     Enter Aspatia passing
Hail Maide and Wife.                              with attendance.
Thou faire Aspatia, may the holy knot,
That thou hast tied to day, last till the hand
Of age vndoe't, mayst thou bring a race
Vnto Amintor, that may fill the world                   [70]
Successiuely with souldiers.
A S P. My hard fortunes
Deserue not scorne, for I was neuer proud
When they were good.                      Exit Aspatia.
M E L. Howes this.
L I S. You are mistaken sir, she is not married.
M E L. You said Amintor was.
D I P H. Tis true, but
M E L. Pardon me, I did receiue
Letters at Patria from my Amintor                                 [80]
That he should marie her.
D I P H. And so it stood,
In all opinion long, but your arriuall
Made me imagine you had heard the change.
M E L. Who has he taken then?
L I S. A Ladie sir,
That beares the light aboue her, and strikes dead
With flashes of her eye, the fair Euadne
Your vertuous sister.
M E L. Peace of heart betwixt them,                                           [90]
But this is strange.
L I S. The King my brother did it
To honour you, and these solemnities
Are at his charge.
M E L. Tis royall like himselfe,
But I am sad, my speech beares so infortunate a sound
To beautifull Aspatia, there is rage
Hid in her fathers breast Calianax,
[Signature B 2, end page 3, catchword: Bent]

Bent long against me and 'a should not thinke,
Could I but call it backe, that I would take                             [100]
Such base reuenges as to scorne the state
Of his neglected daughter.
L I S. O t'were pittie, for this Lady sir,
Sits discontented with her watrie eyes bent on the earth,
In vnfrequented woods are her delight,
Where when she sees a bancke stucke full of flowers,
Then she will sit, and sigh, and tell
Her seruants, what a prittie place it were
To burie louers in, and make her maides
Pluck'em, and strow them ouer her like a corse,           [110]
She carries with her an infectious griefe,
That strikes all her beholders, she will sing
The mournfulst things that euer eare hath heard,
And swound, and sing againe, and when the rest
Of your young Ladyes in their wanton blood,
Tell mirthfull tales in course that fils the roome
With laughter, she will with so sad a looke
Bring forth a storie of the silent death
Of some forsaken virgin, which her griefe
Will put in such a phrase, that ere she end                [120]
Shee'le send them weeping one by one away.
M E L. She has a brother vnder my command
Like her, a face as womanish as hers,
But with a spirit that hath much outgrowne
The number of his yeares.                       Enter Amintor.
C L E. My Lord the Bridegroome.
M E L. I might run fiercely, not more hastily
Vpon my foe, I loue thee well Amintor,
My mouth is much too narrow for my heart,
I ioy to looke vpon those eyes of thine,                    [130]
Thou art my friend, but my disordred speech
Cuts off my loue.
A M I N. Thou art Melantius,
All loue is spoke in that, a sacrifice
To thanke the gods, Melantius is return'd

[Signature [B2v], end page 4, catchword: In]
In safty, victory sits on his sword
As she was wont, may she build there, and dwell,
And may thy armour be as it hath beene,
Onely thy valour and thine innocence,
What endlesse treasures would our enemies giue,                              [140]
That I might hold thee still thus. 
M E L. I am poore in words, but credit me young man
Thy mother could do no more but weep, for ioy to see thee
After long absence, all the wounds I haue,
Fetcht not so much away, nor all the cries
Of widdowed mothers: But this is peace
And that was warre.
A M I N T. Pardon thon holy god
Of marriage bed, and frowne not, I am for'st
In answere of such noble teares as these,                             [150]
To weepe vpon my wedding day.
M E L. I feare thou art growne too cruell, for I heare
A Lady mournes for thee, men say to death,
Forsaken of thee, on what tearmes I know not.
A M I N T. She had my promise, but the King forbad it,
And made me make this worthy change, thy sister
Accompanied with graces about her,
With whom I long to loose my lusty youth,
And grow olde in her armes.
M E L. Be prosperous.                                                    [160]
A M I N T. My Lord the maskers rage for you.
L I S. We are gone,
Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.
                    Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.
A M I N T. Weele all attend you, we shall trouble you
With our solemnities.
M E L. Not so Amintor.
But if you laugh at my rude carriage
In sports, il'e doe as much for you in warre
When you come thither, but I haue a mistresse               [170]
To bring to your delights, rough though I am,
I haue a mistresse and she has a heart
[Signature B3, end page 5, catchword: She]

She saies, but trust me, it is stone, no better,
There is no place that I can challenge gentlemen,
But you stand still, and here my way lies.           Exeunt.

[1.2]             Enter Calianax, and Diagoras.
C A L. Diagoras looke to the dores better for shame, you
let in all the world, and anon the King will be angry with
me, why very well said, by Ioue the King wil haue the show
i'th the Court;                                                          [180]
D I A G. Why doe you sweare so my Lord,
You know heele haue it here.
C A L. By this light if he be wise, he will not.
D I A G. And if he will not be wise, you are forsworne.
C A L. One must sweat out his heart with swearing, & get
Thankes on no side, ile be gone, looke too't who will.
D I A G. My Lord I shall neuer keepe them out,
Your lookes will terrifie them.
C A L. My lookes terrifie them, you coxcomely asse, ile be
iudge by all the company, whether thou hast not a worse       [190]
face then I.
D I A G. I meane because they know you, and your office.
C A L. Office, I would I could put it off, I am sure I sweat
quite through in my office, I might haue made room at my
daughters wedding, they ha neere kild her amongst them.
But now I must doe seruice for him that hath forsaken her,
serue that will.                                             Exit Calianax,
 D I A G. Hee's so humerous since his daughter was forsa-
ken? hark, hark, whose, there,           codes, codes,
What now?              within                 Knock within            [200]
M E L. Open the dore.
D I A G. Who i'st.
M E L. Melantius.
D I A G. I hope your Lord-ship brings no troope, for if
you doe, I must returne them.                 Enter Melantius
M E L. None but this Lady sir.                   and a Lady.
D I A G. The Ladies are all plac'd aboue, saue those that
come in the Kings troope, the best of Rhodes sit there,

[Signature [B3v], end page 6, catchword: there]
there is no roome.
M E L. I thanke you sir, when I haue seene you placed ma-     [210]
dam, I must attend the King, but the maske done, ile waite
on you againe.                     Exit Melantius Lady other dore.
D I A G. Stand backe there, roome for my Lord Melanti-
us, pray beare back, this is no place for such youthes and
their truls, let the dores shut agen, no; do your heads itch,
ile scratch them, so now thrust and hang, againe, who i'st
now, I cannot blame my Lord Calianax for giuing way,
would he were here, he would run raging amongst them,
and breake a dozen heads in the twinckling of an eye,
what's the newes now?                     within                         [220]
 I pray you can you helpe mee to the speech of the maister
Cooke?
D I A G. If I open the dore ile cooke some of your calues
heads. Peace rogues? -- againe, -- who i'st?
M E L. Melantius?         within             Enter Calianax.
C A L. Let him not in.
D I A G. O my Lord a must, make roome there for my
Lord, is your Lady plast.                      Enter Melantius.
 M E L. Yes sir, I thanke you, my Lord Calianax; well met,
Your causelesse hate to me I hope is buried.                     [230]
C A L. Yes I doe seruice for your sister here,
That brings my owne poore child to timelesse death,
She loues your friend Amintor, such another false hearted
Lord as you.
M E L. You doe me wrong,
A most vnmanly one, and I am slow
In taking vengeance, be well aduis'd.
C A L. It may be so, who plac'd the Lady there.
M E L. I did.
C A L. My Lord she must not sit there.                          [240]
M E L. Why?
C A L. The place is kept for women of more worth.
M E L. More worth than she, it misbecomes your age,
And place to be so womanish, forbeare,
What you haue spoke I am content to think
[Signature [B4], end page 7, catchword: The]

The palsey shooke your tongue to.
C A L. Tis well if I stand here to place mens wenches.
M E L. I shall quite forget this place, thy age, my safety,
and through all cut that poore sickly weeke thou hast to
liue, away from thee.                                                  [250]
C A L. Nay I know you can fight for your whore.
M E L. Bate me the King, and be of flesh and blood
A lies that sayes it, thy mother at fifteene
Was black and sinfull to her.
D I A G. Good my Lord.                                         (man,
M E L. Some god pluck threescore yeares from that fond
That I may kill him, and not staine mine honor,
It is the curse of souldiers that in peace,
They shall be braued by such ignoble men,
As (if the land were troubled,) would with teares      [260]
And knees beg succor from 'em, would the blood
(That sea of blood) that I haue lost in fight,
Were running in thy veines, that it might make thee
Apt to say lesse, and able to maintaine,
Shouldst thou say more,---This Rhodes I see is nought
But a place priuiledg'd to doe men wrong.
C A L. I, you may talke your pleasure.               Enter Amintor.
A M I N T. What vilde wrong
Has sturd my worthy friend, who is as slow
To fight with words as he is quick of hands,              [270]
C A L. That heape of age, which I should reuerence,
If it were temperate, but testie yeares
Are most contemptible.
A M I N T. Good sir forbeare.
C A L. There is iust such another as your selfe.
A M I N T. He will wrong you, or me, or any man,
And talke as if he had no life to loose
Since this our match: the King is come in,
I would not for more wealth then I enioy
He should perceiue you raging, he did heare             [280]
You were at difference now, which hastned him.
C A L. Make roome there.
                                    Hoboyes play within

[Signature [B4v], end page 8, catchword: Enter]

          Enter King Euadne, Aspatia, Lords and Ladies.
Melantius thou art welcome, and my loue
Is with me still; but this is not a place
To brable in, Calianax, ioyne hands.
C A L. He shall not haue mine hand.
K I N G. This is no time
To force you too't I doe loue you both,                   [290]
Calianax you looke well to your office,
And you Melantius are welcome home,
Begin the maske.
M E L. Sister I ioy to see you, and your choyce,
You lookt with my eies when you tooke that man,
Be happy in him.                                    Recorders
 E V A D. O my deerest brother,
Your presence is more ioyfull then this day,

                                Maske.
                           Night rises in mists.               [300]
N I G. Our raigne is now, for in the quenching sea
The Sun is drownd, and with him fell the day,
Bright Cinthia heare my voyce, I am the night
For whom thou bearst about, thy borrowed light,
Appeare, no longer thy pale visage shrowde,
But strike thy siluer hornes quite through a cloud,
And send a beame vpon my swarthie face,
By which I may discouer all the place
And persons that haue many longing eies,
Are come to waite on our solemnities.      Enter Cinthia.        [310]
How dull and black am I, can I not finde
This beautie without thee, am I so blinde,
Me thinks they shew like to those easterne streaks,
That warne vs hence before the morning breaks,
Back my pale seruant, for these eies know how,
To shoote farre more and quicker rayes then thou.
C I N T H. Great Queen they be a troop for whom a lone,
One of my clearest moones I haue put on,

[Signature C, end page 9, catchword: A]

A troope that lookes as if thy selfe and I,
Had pluckt our reines in, and our whips laid by                     [320]
To gaze vpon those, that appeare
Brighter then we.
N I G H. Then let vs keepe 'em here,
And neuer more our chariots driue away,
But hold our places and out-shine the day.           (speak,
C I N T H. Great Queen of shaddowes you are pleasd to
Of more then may be done, we may not breake
The gods decrees, but when our time is come,
Must driue away and giue the day our roome.
N I G H, Then shine at full pale Queen, & by that power,   [330]
Produce a birth to fill this happy houre,
Of Nimphes and shepheards, and let their songs discouer,
Easie and sweete who is a happy louer,
Or if thou w'oot thine own Endimion
From the sweet flowrie banck he lies vpon,
On Latmus brow thy pale beames drawne away,
And of his long night let him make thy day.               (mine,
C I N. Thou dreamst darke power, that faire boy was not
Nor went I downe to kisse him, ease and winde
Haue bred these bold tales, poets when they rage              [340]
Turnes gods to men, and make an houre an age,
But I will giue a greater state and glory,
And raise to time a nobler memory
Of what these louers are, rise, rise, I say,
Thou power of deepes, thy surges laid away,
Neptune great King of waters, and by me
Be proud to be commanded.                            Neptune rises.
N E P. Cinthia see,
Thy word hath force me hither, let me know
Why I ascend.                                                                  [350]
C I N T H. Doth this maiestick show
Giue thee no knowledge yet.
N E P. Yes, now I see,
Something entended Cinthia worthy thee,
Go on, ile be a helper.

[Signature [C1v], end page 10, catchword: C I N T H.]

C I N T H. Hie thee then,
And charge the winde goe from his rockie den,
Let loose his subiects, onely Boreas
Too foule for our intensions as he was,
Still keepe him fast chain'd, we must haue none here          [360]
But veranll blasts, and gentle winds appeare,
Such as blow flowers, and through the glad bowes sing,
Many soft welcome to the lusty spring.
Bid them draw neere to haue thy watrie race
Led on in couples, we are pleas'd to grace
This noble night each in their richest things,
Your owne deepes or the broken vessels brings,
Be prodigall and I shall be as kinde,
And shine at full vpon you.
N E P. See the winde                  Enter Eolus out of a Rock.     [370]
Commanding Eolus.
E O L. Great Neptune.
N E P T. He.
E O L. What is thy will.
N E P T. We doe command thee free,
Fanonius and thy milder winds to waite
Vpon our Cinthia, but tie Boreas straight,
Hee's rebellious.
E O L. I shall doe it.
N E P T. Doe maister of the flould, and all below                      [380]
Thy full command has taken
E O L. O! the Maine
Neptune.
N E P T. Here.
E O L. Boreas has broke his chaine,
And strugling with the rest has got away.
N E P T. Let him alone ile take him vp at sea,
I will not be long thence, goe once againe
And bid the other call out of the Maine,
Blew Proteus, and the rest, charge them put on                      [390]
Their greatest pearles and the most sparkling stone
The beaten rock breeds, till this night is done,

[Signature C 2, end page 11, catchword: By]
By me a so lemne honor to the Moone,
Flie like a full saile.
E O L. I am gone.
C I N T H. Darke night,
Strike a full seilence, doe a thorow right
To this great Chorus, that our musique may
Touch high as heauen; and make the East breake day
At mid-night.                                          Musique.                [400]

Song.
Cinthia to thy power and thee
we obey,
Ioy to this great company
and no day,
Come to steale this night away
Till the rites of loue are ended,
And the lusty Bridegroome say,
Welcome light of all befriended.
Pace out you waterie powers below,   
let your feete
Like the gallies when they row
euen beate.
Let your vnknowne measures set
To the still winds, tell to all,
That gods are come immortall great,
To honour this great Nuptuall.

The Measure.

second Song.
Hold back thy houres old night till we haue done,  
The day will come too soone,
Young Maydes will curse thee if thou steal'st away,
And leau'st their losses open to the day,
Stay, Stay, and hide
the blushes of the Bride.
Stay gentle night and with thy darkenesse couer.
the kisses of her louer.
Stay and confound her teares and her loud cryings,

 

 

 

 


               

 

 

 

 

 

 
[Signature [C2v], end page 12, catchword: Her]
Her weake denials vowes and often dyings,
Stay and hide all,
but help not if she call.
Maskers daunce, Neptune leads it
  
E O L. Ho Neptune.
N E P. Eolus.
E O L. The sea goes hie,
Boreas has rais'd a storme, goe and apply
Thy trident, else I prophesie ere day,
Many a tall ship will be cast away,
desend with all the gods, and all their powre
To strike a calme.                                                     [440]
C I N T H. We thanke you for this houre,
My fauour to you all to gratulate
So great a seruice done at my desire,
Ye shall haue many floods fuller and higher
Then you haue wisht for, and no eb shall dare,
To let the day see where your dwellings are.
Now back vnto your gouernments in hast,
Least your proud waters should swell aboae the wast,
And win vpon the Iland.                            Exeunt Maskers
 N E P T. We obey.                                               Descend     [450]
C I N. Hold vp thy head dead night seest thou not day,
The East begins to lighten I must downe
And giue my brother place.
N I G H T. Oh I could frowne
To see the day, the day that flings his light
Vpon my kingdome, and contems olde night,
Let him goe on, and flame, I hope to see
Another wild fire in his axletree,
And all fall drencht, but I forget, speake Queene,
The day growes on, I dare no more be seene.                    [460]
C I N. Once heaue thy drowsie head agen and see
A greater light a greater Maiestie
Betweene our sect and vs, lash vp thy teame
The day breaks here, and yon sun flaring streame
Shot from the south, say which way wilt thou goe.
[Signature C 3, end page 13, catchword: N I G H T.]

N I G H T. Ile vanish into mists.                                   Exeunt.
C I N T H. Adew.
K I N G. Take light their Ladyes, get the Bride to bed,
We will not see you laid, good night Amintor,
Weele ease you of that tedious ceremony,                      [470]
Were it my case I should thinke time runne slow
If thou beest noble youth, get me a boy
That may defend my Kingdomes from my foes.
A M I N T. All happinesse to you.
K I N G. Good night Melantius.                          Exeunt.

                           Actus Secundus.
Enter E V A D N E, A S P A T I A, D V L A, and other Ladyes.
D V L. Madame shall we vndresse you for this fight,
The wars are nak't that you must make to night.
E V A D. You are merry Dula.                                    [480]
D V L. I should be far merrier Madame, if it were with me
As it is with you.
E V A D. Howes that?                                   (you doe.
D V L. That I might goe to bed with him with credit that
E V A D. Why how now wench.
D V L. Come Ladyes, will you helpe.
E V A D. I am soone vndone.
D V L. And as soone done,
Good store of clothes will trouble you at both.
E V A D. Art thou drunke Dula.                            [490]
D V L. Why heres none but we.
E V A D. Thou thinkst belike there is no modesty
When we are alone.
D V L. I by my troth, you hit my thoughts right.
E V A D. You prick me Madame.
1. L A D. Tis against my will.
D V L. Anon you must indure more and lie still,
Tis best to practise.
E V A D. Sure this wench is mad.
D V L. No faith, this is a trick that I haue had                [500]

[Signature [C3v], end page 14, catchword: Since]

Since I was foureteene.
E V A D. Tis time to leaue it.
D V L. Nay now ile keepe it till the trick leaue me,
A dozen wanton words put in your head,
Will make you liuelier in your husbands bed.
E V A D. Nay faith then take it.
D V L. Take it Madame, where,
We all will take it I hope that are here.
E V A D. Nay then ile giue you ore.
D V L. So will I make.                                              [510]
The ablest man in Rhodes or his heart ake.
E V A D. Wilt lie in my place to night.
D V L. Ile hold your cards against any two I know.
E V A D. What wilt thou doe.
D V L. Madame weele doo't and make'm leaue play too.
E V A D. Aspatia take her part.
D V L. I will refuse it,
She will pluck downe aside, she does not vse it.
E V A D. Doe I prethee.
D V L. You will finde the play                                [520]
Quickly, because your head lies well that way.
E V A D. I thanke thee Dula, would thou couldst instill
Some of thy mirth into Aspatia,
Nothing but sad thoughts in her brest doe dwell,
Me thinkes a meane betwixt you would doe well.
D V L. She is in loue, hang me if I were so,
But I could run my Countrey I loue too,
To doe those things that people in loue doe.
A S P. It were a timelesse smile should proue my cheeke,
It were a fitter houre for me to laugh,                    [530]
When at the Alter the religious Priest,
Were passifying the offended powers,
With sacrifice, then now, this should haue beene
My right, and all your hands haue bin imployd,
In giuing me a spotlesse offering
To young Amintors bed, as we are now
For you pardon Euadne, would my worth

[Signature [C4], end page 15, catchword: Were]
Were great as yours, or that the King or he
Or both thought so, perhaps he found me worthlesse,
But till he did so, in these eares of mine,                    [540]
These credulons eares, he powred the sweetest words
That art or loue could frame, if he were false
Pardon it heauen, and if I did want
Vertue, you safely may forgiue that too,
For I haue lost none that I had from you.
E V A D. Nay leaue this sad talke Madame.
A S P. Would I could, then I should leaue the cause.
E V A D. Loe if you haue not spoild all Dulas mirth.
A S P. Thou thinkst thy heart hard, but if thou beest caught
remember me; thou shalt perceiue a fire                [550]
shot suddenly vnto thee.
D V L. Thats not so good, let'em shoot any thing
but fire, I feare'm not.
A S P. Well wench thou must be taken.
E V A D. Ladies good night, Ile doe the rest my selfe.
D V L. Nay let your Lord doe some.
A S P. Madame good night, may all the mariage ioyes
That longing maides imagine in their beds
Proue so vnto you, may not discontent
Grow twixt your loue and you, but if there doe,    [560]
Enquire of me and I will guide your mone,
And teach you an artificiall way to grieue,
To keepe your sorrow waking, loue your Lord
No worse then I, but if you loue so well,
Alas you may displease him, so did I,
This is the last time you shall looke on me:
Ladies farewell, as soone as I am dead,
Come all and watch one night about my hearse.
Bring each a mournefull storie and a teare,
To offer at it when I goe to earth;                       [570]
With flattering Iuy claspe my coffin round,
Write on my brow my fortune, let my beere
Be borne by Virgins that shall sing by course,
The truth of maides, and periuries of men.
[Signature [C4v], end page 16, catchword: E V A D. ]

E V A D. Alas I pittie thee.                          Exit Euadne.
 O M N E S.Madame good night.
1. L A D. Come weele let in the Bridegroome.
D V L. Where's my Lord?
1. L A D. Here take this light.                Enter Amintor.
D V L. Heele finde her in the darke.                       [580]
1. L A D. Your Ladye's scarce a bed, you must helpe her.
A S P. Goe and be happy in your Ladyes loue,
May all the wrongs that you haue done to me,
Be vtterly forgotten in my death,
Ile trouble you no more, yet I will take
A parting kisse, and will not be denied,
You'le come my Lord and see the virgins weepe,
When I am laid in earth; though you your selfe
Can know no pittie, thus I winde my selfe
Into this willow garland, and am prouder               [590]
That I was once your loue, (though now refus'd)
Then to haue had another true to me.
So with my praiers I leaue you, and must trie
Some yet vnpractis'd way to grieue and die.
D V L. Come Ladies will you goe.               Exit Aspatia.
1. L A D. Good night my Lord.
A M I N. Much happinesse vnto you all.          Exe: Ladies.
I did that Lady wrong, me thinkes I feele
A griefe shoot suddenly through all my veines,
Mine eyes raine, this is strange at such a time,         [600]
It was the King first mou'd me too't, but he
Has not my will in keeping, -- why did I
perplex my selfe thus; something whispers me,
Goe not to bed, my guilt is not so great
as mine owne consciencee, too sencible
Would make me thinke, I onely breake a promise,
And twas the King inforst me, timerous flesh,
Why shakst thou so, away my idle feares,       Enter Euadne
Yonder is she, the lnster of whose eie,
Can blot away the sad remembrance               [610]
Of all these things: -- oh my Euadne spare

[Signature D, end page 17, catchword: That]
That tender body, let it not take cold,
The vapors of the night shall not fall here,
To bed my loue, Hymen will punish vs,
For being slack performers of his rights,
Camst thou to call me.
E V A D. No?
A M I N T. Come, come, my loue,
And let vs loose our selues to one another,
Why art thou vp so long.                               [620]
E V A D. I am not well.
A M I N T. To bed, then let me winde thee in these armes,
Till I haue banisht sicknesse.
E V A D. Good my Lord I cannot sleepe.
A M I N. Euadne weele watch, I meane no sleeping.
E V A D. Ile not goe to bed.
A M I N. I prethee doe.
E V A D. I will not for the world.
A M I N. Why my deere loue.
E V A D. Why? I haue sworne I will not.      [630]
A M I N. Sworne!              E V A D. I?
A M I N. How? sworne Euadne.
E V A D. Yes, sworne Amintor, and will sweare againe.
If you will wish to heare me.
A M I N. To whom haue you sworne this.
E V A D. If I should name him the matter were not great.
A M I N. Come, this is but the coynesse of a bride.
E V A D. The coynesse of a bride.
A M I N. How pretilie that frowne becomes thee.
E V A D. Doe you like it so.                      [640]
A M I N. Thou canst not dresse thy face in such a looke,
But I shall like it.
E V A D. What looke will like you best.
A M I N. Why doe you aske.
E V A D. That I may shew you one lesse pleasing to you,
A M I N. Howes that.
E V A D. That I may shew you one lesse pleasing to you.
A M I N. I prethee put thy iests in milder lookes,
[Signature [D1v], end page 18, catchword: It]
It shewes as thou wert angry.
E V A D. So perhaps I am indeede.                 [650]
A M I N. Why, who has done thee wrong,
Name me the man, and by thy selfe sweete loue,
Thy yet vnconquered selfe, I will reuenge it.
E V A D. Now I shall trie thy truth, if thou doest love me.
Thou waighst not any thing compar'd to me,
Life, hononr, ioyes eternall, all delights
The world can yeeld, are light as aire
To a true louer when his Lady frownes,
And bids him do this, wilt thou kill this man,
Sweare my Amintor, and ile kisse the sun            [660]
Of thy lips.
A M I N. I wonnot swear sweet loue, till I know the cause.
E V A D. I wood thou wouldst,
Why, it is thou that wrongst me, I hate thee,
Thou should'st haue kild thy selfe.
A M I N. If I should know that, I should quickly kill
The man you hated.
E V A D. Know it, and doo't.
A M I N. Oh no, what looke so ere thou should'st put on,
To trie my faith, I cannot thinke thee false;             [670]
I cannot finde one blemish in thy face
Where falsehood should abide, leaue, and to bed,
If you haue sworne to any of the virgins
That were your olde companions to preserue
Your maidenhead a night, it may be done
Without this meanes.
E V A D, A Maidenhead Amintor at my yeares.
A M I N. Sure she raues. this cannot be,
Her naturall temper, shall I call thy maides,
Either thy healthfull sleepe hath left thee long,        [680]
Or else some feauer rages in thy blood.
E V A D. Neither of these, what thinke you I am mad,
Because I speake the truth.
A M I N. Is this the truth, wil you not lie with me to night.
E V A D. You talke as if you thought I would hereafter.
[Signature D 2, end page 19, catchword: A M I N. ]

A M I N. Hereafter, yes I doe.
E V D. You are deceiu'd, put off amazement & with pati-
What I shall vtter, for the Oracle                    (ence mark,
Knowes nothing truer, tis not for a night
Or two that I forbeare your bed, but euer.               [690]
A M I N. I dreame, -- awake Amintor.
E V A D. You heare right,
I sooner will finde out the beds of Snakes,
And with my youthfull blood warme their cold flesh,
Letting them curle themselues about my limbes,
then sleepe one night with thee; this is not faind,
Nor sounds it like the kisses of a bride.
A M I N. Is flesh so earthly to endure all this,
Are these the ioyes of mariage, Hymen keepe
This story (that will make succeeding youth             [700]
Neglect thy ceremonies) from all eares.
Let it not rise vp for thy shame and mine
To after ages, we will scorne thy lawes,
If thou no better blesse them, touch the heart
Of her whom thou hast sent me, or the world
Shall know this, not an altar then will smoake
In praise of thee, we will adopt vs sonnes,
Then vertue shall inherit and not blood,
If we doe lust, we'le take the next we meet;
Seruing our selues as other creatures doe,            [710]
And never take note of the female more,
Nor of her issue: I doe rage in vaine,
She cannot iest; Oh pardon me my loue,
So deare the thoughts are which I hold of thee,
That I must breake forth; satisfie my feare,
It is a paine beyond the paine of death,
To be in doubt; confirme it with an oath,
If this be true.
E V A D. Doe you inuent the forme,
Let there be in it all the binding wordes               [720]
Diuels and coniurers can put together,
And I will take it, I haue sworne before,

[Signature [D2v], end page 20, catchword: And]

And here by all things holy doe againe,
Neuer to be acquainted with thy bed,
Is your doubt ouer now.
A M I N. I know too much, would I had doubted still,
Was euer such a mariage night as this:
You powers aboue, if you did euer meane
Man should be vs'd thus, you haue thought a way
How he may beare himselfe, and saue his honour:          [730]
Instant me with it, for to my dull eyes
There is no meane, no moderate course to runne,
I must liue scorn'd or be a murderer:
Is there a third, why is this night so calme,
Why does not heauen speake in thundet to vs,
And drowne their voyce.
E V A D. This rage will doe no good.
A M I N. Euadne, heare me, thou hast tane an oath,
But such a rash one, that to keepe it were
Worse then to sweare it, call it backe to thee,             [740]
Such vowes as that neuer ascend the heauen,
A teare or two will wash it quite away,
Haue mercy on my youth, my hopefull youth,
If thou be pittifull, for without boast
This land was proud of me, what Lady was there
That men eald faire, and vertuous in this Isle
That would haue shund my loue, it is in thee
To make me hold this worth -- Oh we vaine men
That trust all our reputation
To rest vpon the weake and yeelding hand               [750]
Of feeble woman, but thou art not stone,
Thy flesh is soft, and in thine eyes doe dwell
The spirit of loue, thy heart cannot be hard,
Come leade me from the bottome of dispaire,
To all the ioyes thou hast, I know thou wilt,
And make me carefull least the sudden change
Ore-come my spirits.
E V A D. When I call back this oath, the paines of hell
inuiron me.

[Signature D 3, end page 21, catchword: A M I N. ]
A M I N. I sleepe and am too temporate, come to bed,                [760]
Or by those haires which if thou hast a soule; like to thy
Were threads for Kings to weare                        ( locks,
About their armes.
E V A D. Why so perhaps they are.
A M I N. Ile dragge thee to my bed, and make thy tongue
Vndoe this wicked oath, or on thy flesh
Ile print a thousand wounds to let out life.
E V A D. I feare thee not, doe what thou darst to me,
Euery ill sounding word, or threatning looke
Thou shewest to me, will be reueng'd at full.                            [770]
A M I N. It will not sure Euadne.
E V A D. Doe not you hazard that.
A M I N. Ha ye your Champions.
E V A D. Alas Amintor thinkst thou I forbeare
To sleepe with thee, because I haue put on
A maidens strictnesse, looke vpon these cheekes,
And thou shalt finde the hot and rising blood
Vnapt for such a vow, no, in this heart
There dwels as much desire, and as much will,
To put that wished act, as euer yet                                     [780]
Was knowne to woman, and they haue been showne
Both, but it was the folly of thy youth,
To thinke this beauty, to what land soe're
It shall be cald, shall stoope to any second,
I doe enioy the best, and in that height
Have sworne to stand or die, you guesse the man.
A M I N. No, let me know the man that wrongs me so,
That I may cut his body into motes,
And scatter it before the Northen winde.
E V A D. You dare not strike him.                                [790]
A M I N. Doe not wrong me so,
Yes, if his body were a poysonous plant,
That it were death to touch, I haue a soule
Will throw me on him.
E V A D. Why tis the King.
A M I N. The King.
[Signature [D3v], end page 22, catchword: E V A D. ]

E V A D. What will you doe now?
A M I N. It is not the King.
E V A D. What did he make this match for dull Amintor.
A M I N. Oh thou hast nam'd a word that wipes away       [800]
All thoughts reuengefull, in that sacred word,
The King, there lies a terror, what fraile man
Dares lift his hand against it, let the Gods
Speake to him when they please, till when let vs
Suffer, and waite.
E V A D. Why should you fill your selfe so full of heate,
And haste so to my bed, I am no virgin.
A M I N. What Diuell hath put it in thy fancy then
To mary mee.
E V A D. Alas, I must haue one                                      [810]
To father children, and to beare the name
Of husband to me, that my sinne may be
More honorable.
A M I N. What strange thing am I?
A miserable one, one that my selfe
Am sory for.
A M I N. Why shew it then in this,
If thou hast pittie, though thy loue be none,
Kill me, and all true louers that shall loue
In after ages crost in their desires,                               [820]
Shall blesse thy memorie, and call thee good,
Because such mercy in thy breast was found,
To rid a lingring wretch.
E V A D. I must haue one
To fill thy roome againe if thou wert dead,
Else by this night I could, I pitty thee.
A M I N. These strange and sudden iniuries haue falen
So thick vpon me, that I lose all sense
Of what they are, me thinkes I am not wrong'd,
Nor is it ought, if from the censuring world                [830]
I can but hide it---reputation
Thou art a word, no more, but thou hast showne
An impudence so high, that to the world

[Signature [D4], end page 23, catchword: I]
I feare thou wilt betray or shame thy selfe.
E V A D. To couer shame, I tooke thee neuer feare,
That I would blaze my selfe.
A M I N. Nor let the King
Know I conceiue he wrongs me, then mine honour
Will thrust me into action, that my flesh
Could beare with patience, and it is some ease                 [840]
To me in these extreames, that I know this
Before I toucht thee, else had all the sinnes
Of mankinde stood betwixt me and the King,
I had gone through, e'ne to his hart and thine
I haue left one desire, tis not his crowne
Shall buy me to thy bed, now I resolue
He has dishonour'd thee, giue me thy hand,
Be carefull of thy credit, and sinne close
Tis all I wish, vpon thy chamber floure
Ile rest to night, that morning visiters                                [850]
May thinke we did as married people vse,
And prethee smile vpon me when they come,
And seeme to toy as if thou hadst beene pleas'd
With what I did.
E V A D. Feare not, I will doe this.
A M I N. Come let vs practise, and as wantonly
As euer longing bride and bridegroome met,
Lets laugh and enter here.
E V A D. I am content.
A M I N. Downe all the swellings of my troubled heart,         [860]
When we walke thus intwind let all eyes see,
If euer louers better did agree.                                           Exit.
[2.2]      Enter Aspatia, Antiphila, Olympias.
A S P. Away you are not, force it no further,
Good, good, how well you looke, such a full colour
Young bashfull brides put on, sure you are new maried.
A N T.Yes Madame to your griefe.
A S P. Alas poore wentches
Goe learne to loue first, learne to lose your selues,
Learne to be flattered, and beleeue and blesse                       [870]
[Signature [D4v], end page 24, catchword: The]
The double tongue that did it,
Did you ere loue yet wenches, speake Olimpas,
Thou hast a metled temper, fit for stamp.
O L M.Neuer.
A S P. Nor you Antiphila.     A N T.Nor I.
A S P. Then my good girles be more then women wise,
At least, be more then I was, come lets be sad my girles,
That downe cast of thine eye Olimpias,
Showes a faind sorrow; marke Antiphila,
Iust such another was the Nymph Oenes,                                 [880]
When Paris brought home Hellen, now a teare,
And then thou art a peece expressing furie,
The Carthage Queene when from a cold Sea rock,
Full with her sorrow, she tyed fast her eyes,
To the faire Troian ships, and hauing lost them,
Iust as thine does, downe stole a teare! Antiphila,
What would this wench doe if she were Aspatia,
Here she would stand, till some more, pittying god
Turnd her to Marble, tis enough my wench,
Show me the peece of needle worke you wrought.                   [890]
A N T.Of Ariadne Madame?
A S P. Yes that peece,
This should be Theseus, has a cousening face,
You ment him for a man.
A N T.He was so Madame.
A S P. Why then tis well enough, neuer looke back,
You haue a full winde, and a false heart Theseus,
Does not the story say, his Keele was split,
Or his masts spent, or some kind rock or other
Met with his vessell.                                                               [900]
A N T.Not as I remember.
A S P. It should ha been so, could the Gods know this,
And none of all their number raise a storme,
But they are all as ill, this false smile was exprest well,
Iust such another caught me, you shall not goe so
Antiphila, in this place worke a quick-sand,
And ouer it a shallow smiling water,
[Signature E, end page 25, catchword: And]
And ouer it a shallow smiling water,
And his ship plowing it, and then a feare,
Doe that feare brauely wench.                                         [910]
O L I M.Twill wrong the storie.
A S P. Twill make the story, wrong'd by wanton Poets,
Liue long and be beleeu'd, but wheres the Lady.
A N T.There Madame.
A S P. Fie, you haue mist it there Antipila,
You are much mistaken wench:
These colours are not dull and pale enough,
To show a soule so full of miserie
As this poore Ladies was, doe it by me,
Doe it againe, by me the lost Aspatia,                        [920]
And you will find all true but the wilde Iland,
Suppose I stand vpon the Sea, breach now
Mine armes thus, and mine haire blowne with the wind,
Wilde as the place she was in, let all about me
Be teares of my story, doe my face,
If thou hadst euer feeling of a sorrow,
Thus, thus, Antiphila make me looke good girle
Like sorrowes mount, and the trees about me
Let them be dry and leauelesse, let the rocks
Groane with contiunall surges, and behind me           [930]
Make all a desolation, see, see wenches,
A miserable life of this poore picture.
O L I M.Deare Madame.
A S P. I haue done, sit downe, and let vs
Vpon that point fixe all our eyes, that point there;
Make a dumbe silence till you feele a sudden sadnesse
Giue vs new soules.                                    Enter Calainax.
C A L. The King may doe this, and he may not doe it,
My childe is wrongd, disgrac'd, well, how now huswiues,
What at your ease, is this a time to sit still, vp you young             [940]
Lazie whores, vp or ile swenge you.
O L I M.Nay good my Lord.
C A L. You'l lie downe shortly, in and whine there,
What are you growne so rustie you want heares,
[Signature [E1v], end page 26, catchword: We]
We shall haue some of the Court boyes heat you shortly.
A N T.Good my Lord be not angry, we doe nothing
But what my Ladies pleasure is, we are thus in griefe,
She is forsaken.
C A L. Theres a rogue too,
A slie dissembling slaue, well? get you in,                              [950]
Ile haue about with that boy, tis hie time
Now to be valiant, I confesse my youth
Was neuer prone that way,
A Court stale, well I must be valiant,
And beate some dozen of these whelps, and theres
Another of 'em, a trim cheating souldier,
Ile maule that raschall, has out-brau'd me twice,
But now I thanke the Gods I am valiant,
Goe, get you in, ile take a course with all.            Exeunt om.

                     Actus Tertius.                                  [960]
           Enter C L E O N, S T R A T O, D I P H I L V S.
C L E. Your sister is not vp yet.
D I P H. Our brides must take their mornings rest,
The night is troublesome.
S T R A. But not tedious.                                   (night.
D I P H. What ods, hee has not my sisters maiden-head to
S T R A. None, its ods against any bridegrome liuing, he
nere gets it while he liues.
D I P H. Y'are merry with my sister, you'le please to al-
low me the same freedome with your mother.                    [970]
S T R A. Shees at your seruice.
D I P H. Then shees merry enough of herselfe, shee needs
no tickling, knock at the dore.
S T R A. We shall interrupt them.
D I P H. No matter they haue the yeare before them,
good morrow sister, spare your selfe to day, the night
will come againe.                                      Enter Amintor.
A M I N. Whose there my brother, I am no readier yet,
your sister is but now vp.
D I P H. You looke as you had lost your eyes to night, I        [980]

[Signature E 2, end page 27, catchword: thinke]
thinke you ha not slept.
A M I N. Ifaith I did not.
D I P H. You haue done better then.
A M I N. We haue ventured for a boy, when hee is twelue,
a shall command against the foes of Rhodes,
shall we be merry.
S T R A. You cannot, you want sleepe,
A M I N. Tis true, but she
As if she had drunke Lethe, or had made
Euen with heauen, did fetch so still a sleepe,                     aside.   &