Chapter XCVII: Act IV: Scene I.3378

_Enter_ MELANTIUS, EVADNE, _and_ Ladies.

_Mel._ Save you!

_Evad._ Save you, sweet brother.

_Mel._ In my blunt eye, methinks, you look, Evadne—

_Evad._ Come, you would make me blush.

_Mel._ I would, Evadne;
I shall displease my ends else.

_Evad._ You shall, if you
Commend me; I am bashful. Come, sir, how do 5
I look?

_Mel._ I would not have your women hear me
Break into commendation of you; ’t is not
Seemly.

_Evad._ Go wait me in the gallery. _Exeunt_ Ladies.
Now speak.

_Mel._ I ’ll lock the door first.

_Evad._ Why?

_Mel._ I will not have your gilded things, that dance 10
In visitation with their Milan skins,[3379]
Choke up my business.

_Evad._ You are strangely dispos’d, sir.

_Mel._ Good madam, not to make you merry.

_Evad._ No; if you praise me, it will make me sad.

_Mel._ Such a sad commendation I have for you.

_Evad._ Brother, 16
The court hath made you witty, and learn to riddle.

_Mel._ I praise the court for ’t: has it learn’d you nothing?

_Evad._ Me!

_Mel._ Ay, Evadne; thou art young and handsome,
A lady of a sweet complexion, 20
And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot
Choose but inflame a kingdom.

_Evad._ Gentle brother!

_Mel._ ’T is yet in thy repentance, foolish woman,
To make me gentle.

_Evad._ How is this?

_Mel._ ’T is base; 24
And I could blush, at these years, through all
My honour’d scars, to come to such a parley.

_Evad._ I understand you not.

_Mel._ You dare not, fool!
They that commit thy faults fly the remembrance.

_Evad._ My faults, sir! I would have you know, I care not 29
If they were written here, here in my forehead.

_Mel._ Thy body is too little for the story;
The lusts of which would fill another woman,
Though[3380] she had twins within her.

_Evad._ This is saucy:
Look you intrude no more! There ’s your way.

_Mel._ Thou art my way, and I will tread upon thee, 35
Till I find truth out.

_Evad._ What truth is that you look for?

_Mel._ Thy long-lost honour. Would the gods had set me
Rather to grapple with the plague, or stand
One of their loudest bolts! Come, tell me quickly,
Do it without enforcement, and take heed 40
You swell me not above my temper.

_Evad._ How, sir!
Where got you this report?

_Mel._ Where there was people,
In every place.

_Evad._ They and the seconds of it
Are base people: believe them not, they lied. 44

_Mel._ Do not play with mine anger; do not, wretch! [_Seizes her._]
I come to know that desperate fool that drew thee
From thy fair life. Be wise, and lay him open.

_Evad._ Unhand me, and learn manners! Such another
Forgetfulness forfeits your life.

_Mel._ Quench me this mighty humour, and then tell me 50
Whose whore you are; for you are one, I know it.
Let all mine honours perish but I’ll find him
Though he lie lock’d up in thy blood! Be sudden;
There is no facing it; and be not flattered.
The burnt air, when the Dog[3381] reigns, is not fouler 55
Than thy contagious name, till thy repentance
(If the gods grant thee any) purge thy sickness.

_Evad._ Begone! you are my brother; that’s your safety.

_Mel._ I’ll be a wolf first. ’T is, to be thy brother,
An infamy below the sin of coward. 60
I am as far from being part of thee
As thou art from thy virtue. Seek a kindred
’Mongst sensual beasts, and make a goat thy brother;
A goat is cooler. Will you tell me yet?

_Evad._ If you stay here and rail thus, I shall tell you 65
I’ll ha’ you whipt! Get you to your command,
And there preach to your sentinels, and tell them
What a brave man you are: I shall laugh at you.

_Mel._ You’re grown a glorious whore! Where be your fighters? 69
What mortal fool durst raise thee to this daring,
And I alive! By my just sword, he’d safer
Bestrid a billow when the angry North
Ploughs up the sea, or made Heaven’s fire his foe!
Work me no higher. Will you discover yet?

_Evad._ The fellow’s mad. Sleep, and speak sense. 75

_Mel._ Force my swol’n heart no further; I would save thee.
Your great maintainers are not here, they dare not.
Would they were all, and armed! I would speak loud;
Here’s one should thunder to ’em! Will you tell me?—
Thou hast no hope to scape. He that dares most, 80
And damns away his soul to do thee service,
Will sooner snatch meat from a hungry lion
Than come to rescue thee. Thou hast death about thee;—
Has undone thine honour, poison’d thy virtue,
And, of a lovely rose, left thee a canker.[3382] 85

_Evad._ Let me consider.

_Mel._ Do, whose child thou wert,
Whose honour thou hast murdered, whose grave opened,
And so pull’d on the gods that in their justice
They must restore him flesh again and life, 89
And raise his dry bones to revenge this scandal.

_Evad._ The gods are not of my mind; they had better
Let ’em lie sweet still in the earth; they’ll stink here.

_Mel._ Do you raise mirth out of my easiness?
Forsake me, then, all weaknesses of nature, [_Draws his sword._]
That make men women! Speak, you whore, speak truth, 95
Or, by the dear soul of thy sleeping father,
This sword shall be thy lover! Tell, or I’ll kill thee;
And, when thou hast told all, thou wilt deserve it.

_Evad._ You will not murder me?

_Mel._ No; ’t is a justice, and a noble one, 100
To put the light out of such base offenders.

_Evad._ Help!

_Mel._ By thy foul self, no human help shall help thee,
If thou criest! When I have kill’d thee, as I
Have vow’d to do, if thou confess not, naked 105
As thou hast left thine honour will I leave thee,
That on thy branded flesh the world may read
Thy black shame and my justice. Wilt thou bend yet?

_Evad._ Yes.

_Mel._ Up, and begin your story. 110

_Evad._ Oh, I am miserable!

_Mel._ ’T is true, thou art. Speak truth still.

_Evad._ I have offended: noble sir, forgive me!

_Mel._ With what secure slave?

_Evad._ Do not ask me, sir;
Mine own remembrance is a misery 115
Too mighty for me.

_Mel._ Do not fall back again;
My sword’s unsheathed yet.

_Evad._ What shall I do?

_Mel._ Be true, and make your fault less.

_Evad._ I dare not tell.

_Mel._ Tell, or I’ll be this day a-killing thee.

_Evad._ Will you forgive me, then? 120

_Mel._ Stay; I must ask mine honour first.
I have too much foolish nature in me: speak.

_Evad._ Is there none else here?

_Mel._ None but a fearful[3383] conscience; that’s too many.
Who is ’t?

_Evad._ Oh, hear me gently! It was the King.

_Mel._ No more. My worthy father’s and my services 126
Are liberally rewarded! King, I thank thee!
For all my dangers and my wounds thou hast paid me
In my own metal: these are soldiers’ thanks!—
How long have you liv’d thus, Evadne?

_Evad._ Too long. 130

_Mel._ Too late you find it. Can you be sorry?[3384]

_Evad._ Would I were half as blameless!

_Mel._ Evadne, thou wilt to thy trade again.

_Evad._ First to my grave.

_Mel._ Would gods thou hadst been so blest!
Dost thou not hate this King now? Prithee, hate him: 135
Couldst thou not curse him? I command thee, curse him;
Curse till the gods hear, and deliver him
To thy just wishes. Yet I fear, Evadne,
You had rather play your game out.

_Evad._ No, I feel
Too many sad confusions here, to let in 140
Any loose flame hereafter.

_Mel._ Dost thou not feel, ’mongst all those, one brave anger,
That breaks out nobly, and directs thine arm
To kill this base King?

_Evad._ All the gods forbid it!

_Mel._ No, all the gods require it; 145
They are dishonoured in him.

_Evad._ ’Tis too fearful.

_Mel._ You’re valiant in his bed, and bold enough
To be a stale whore, and have your madam’s name
Discourse for grooms and pages: and hereafter,
When his cool majesty hath laid you by, 150
To be at pension with some needy sir
For meat and coarser clothes; thus far you know
No fear. Come, you shall kill him.

_Evad._ Good sir!

_Mel._ An ’t were to kiss him dead, thou ’dst smother him:
Be wise, and kill him. Canst thou live, and know 155
What noble minds shall make thee, see thyself
Found out with every finger, made the shame
Of all successions, and in this great ruin
Thy brother and thy noble husband broken?
Thou shalt not live thus. Kneel, and swear to help me, 160
When I shall call thee to it; or, by all
Holy in Heaven and earth, thou shalt not live
To breathe a full hour longer; not a thought!
Come ’t is a righteous oath. Give me thy hands,
And, both to Heaven held up, swear, by that wealth 165
This lustful thief stole from thee, when I say it,
To let his foul soul out.

_Evad._ Here I swear it; [_Kneels._]
And, all you spirits of abused ladies,
Help me in this performance!

_Mel._ [_raising her._] Enough. This must be known to none 170
But you and I, Evadne; not to your lord,
Though he be wise and noble, and a fellow
Dares step as far into a worthy action
As the most daring, ay, as far as justice.
Ask me not why. Farewell. _Exit._ 175

_Evad._ Would I could say so to my black disgrace!
Oh, where have I been all this time? How friended,
That I should lose myself thus desperately.
And none for pity show me how I wand’red?
There is not in the compass of the light 180
A more unhappy creature: sure, I am monstrous;
For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,
Would dare[3385] a woman. Oh, my loaden soul,
Be not so cruel to me; choke not up
The way to my repentance!
_Enter_ AMINTOR.
Oh, my lord! 185

_Amin._ How now?

_Evad._ My much abused lord! [_Kneels._]

_Amin._ This cannot be!

_Evad._ I do not kneel to live; I dare not hope it;
The wrongs I did are greater. Look upon me,
Though I appear with all my faults.

_Amin._ Stand up.
This is a new way to beget more sorrow; 190
Heaven knows I have too many. Do not mock me:
Though I am tame, and bred up with my wrongs,
Which are my foster-brothers, I may leap,
Like a hand-wolf,[3386] into my natural-wildness, 194
And do an outrage. Prithee, do not mock me.

_Evad._ My whole life is so leprous, it infects
All my repentance. I would buy your pardon,
Though at the highest set,[3387] even with my life:
That slight contrition, that’s no sacrifice 199
For what I have committed.

_Amin._ Sure, I dazzle;
There cannot be a faith in that foul woman,
That knows no god more mighty than her mischiefs.
Thou dost still worse, still number on thy faults,
To press my poor heart thus. Can I believe
There ’s any seed of virtue in that woman 205
Left to shoot up, that dares go on in sin
Known, and so known as thine is? Oh, Evadne!
Would there were any safety in thy sex,
That I might put a thousand sorrows off,
And credit thy repentance! but I must not. 210
Thou hast brought me to that dull calamity,
To that strange misbelief of all the world
And all things that are in it, that I fear
I shall fall like a tree, and find my grave,
Only rememb’ring that I grieve.

_Evad._ My lord, 215
Give me your griefs: you are an innocent,
A soul as white as Heaven; let not my sins
Perish your noble youth. I do not fall here
To shadow by dissembling with my tears,
(As all say women can,) or to make less 220
What my hot will hath done, which Heaven and you
Know to be tougher than the hand of time
Can cut from man’s remembrance; no, I do not;
I do appear the same, the same Evadne,
Drest in the shames I liv’d in, the same monster. 225
But these are names of honour to what I am;
I do present myself the foulest creature,
Most poisonous, dangerous, and despis’d of men,
Lerna[3388] e’er bred or Nilus. I am hell, 229
Till you, my dear lord, shoot your light into me,
The beams of your forgiveness; I am soul-sick,
And wither with the fear of one condemn’d,
Till I have got your pardon.

_Amin._ Rise, Evadne.
Those heavenly powers that put this good into thee
Grant a continuance of it! I forgive thee: 235
Make thyself worthy of it; and take heed,
Take heed, Evadne, this be serious.
Mock not the powers above, that can and dare
Give thee a great example of their justice
To all ensuing ages,[3389] if thou play’st 240
With thy repentance, the best sacrifice.

_Evad._ I have done nothing good to win belief,
My life hath been so faithless. All the creatures,
Made for Heaven’s honours, have their ends, and good ones
All but the cozening crocodiles, false women.
They reign here like those plagues, those killing sores, 246
Men pray against; and when they die, like tales
Ill told and unbeliev’d, they pass away,
And go to dust forgotten. But, my lord,
Those short days I shall number to my rest 250
(As many must not see me) shall, though too late,
Though in my evening, yet perceive a will,
Since I can do no good, because a woman,
Reach constantly at something that is near it:
I will redeem one minute of my age, 255
Or, like another Niobe, I ’ll weep,
Till I am water.

_Amin._ I am now dissolved:
My frozen soul melts. May each sin thou hast,
Find a new mercy! Rise; I am at peace.
Hadst thou been thus, thus excellently good, 260
Before that devil-king tempted thy frailty,
Sure thou hadst made a star. Give me thy hand:
From this time I will know thee; and, as far
As honour gives me leave, be thy Amintor.
When we meet next, I will salute thee fairly, 265
And pray the gods to give thee happy days:
My charity shall go along with thee,
Though my embraces must be far from thee.
I should ha’ kill’d thee, but this sweet repentance
Locks up my vengeance: for which thus I kiss thee— 270
The last kiss we must take: and would to Heaven
The holy priest that gave our hands together
Had given us equal virtues! Go, Evadne;
The gods thus part our bodies. Have a care
My honour falls no farther: I am well, then.

_Evad._ All the dear joys here, and above hereafter, 276
Crown thy fair soul! Thus I take leave, my lord;
And never shall you see the foul Evadne,
Till she have tried all honoured means, that may
Set her in rest and wash her stains away. _Exeunt_ [_severally_]. 280

[SCENE II.][3390]

_A Banquet spread. Enter_ KING _and_ CALIANAX. _Hautboys play within._

_King._ I cannot tell how I should credit this
From you, that are his enemy.

_Cal._ I am sure
He said it to me; and I ’ll justify it
What way he dares oppose—but with my sword.

_King._ But did he break, without all circumstance,
To you, his foe, that he would have the fort, 6
To kill me, and then scape?

_Cal._ If he deny it,
I ’ll make him blush.

_King._ It sounds incredibly.

_Cal._ Ay, so does every thing I say of late.

_King._ Not so, Calianax.

_Cal._ Yes, I should sit 10
Mute, whilst a rogue with strong arms cuts your throat.

_King._ Well, I will try him; and, if this be true,
I ’ll pawn my life I ’ll find it; if ’t be false,
And that you clothe your hate in such a lie,
You shall hereafter dote in your own house, 15
Not in the court.

_Cal._ Why, if it be a lie.
Mine ears are false, for I ’ll be sworn I heard it.
Old men are good for nothing; you were best
Put me to death for hearing, and free him
For meaning it. You would ha’ trusted me 20
Once, but the time is altered.

_King._ And will still,
Where I may do with justice to the world.
You have no witness.

_Cal._ Yes, myself.

_King._ No more,
I mean, there were that heard it.

_Cal._ How? no more!
Would you have more? Why, am not I enough 25
To hang a thousand rogues?

_King._ But so you may
Hang honest men too, if you please.

_Cal._ I may!
’T is like I will do so: there are a hundred
Will swear it for a need too, if I say it——

_King._ Such witnesses we need not.

_Cal._ And ’t is hard 30
If my word cannot hang a boisterous knave.

_King._ Enough.—Where ’s Strato?

_Enter_ STRATO.

_Strato._ Sir?

_King._ Why, where ’s all the company? Call Amintor in;
Evadne. Where ’s my brother, and Melantius?
Bid him come too; and Diphilus. Call all 35
That are without there. _Exit_ STRATO.
If he should desire
The combat of you, ’t is not in the power
Of all our laws to hinder it, unless
We mean to quit ’em.

_Cal._ Why, if you do think
’T is fit an old man and a councillor 40
To fight for what he says, then you may grant it.

_Enter_ AMINTOR, EVADNE, MELANTIUS, DIPHILUS, LYSIPPUS, CLEON, STRATO, _and_ DIAGORAS.

_King._ Come, sirs!—Amintor, thou art yet a bridegroom,
And I will use thee so; thou shalt sit down.—
Evadne, sit;—and you, Amintor, too;
This banquet is for you, sir.—Who has brought 45
A merry tale about him, to raise laughter
Amongst our wine? Why, Strato, where art thou?
Thou wilt chop out with them unseasonably,
When I desire ’em not.

_Stra._ ’T is my ill luck, sir, so to spend them, then. 50

_King._ Reach me a bowl of wine.—Melantius, thou
Art sad.

_Mel._ I should be, sir, the merriest here,
But I ha’ ne’er a story of mine own
Worth telling at this time.

_King._ Give me the wine.— 55
Melantius, I am now considering
How easy ’t were for any man we trust
To poison one of us in such a bowl.

_Mel._ I think it were not hard, sir, for a knave.

_Cal._ [_Aside._] Such as you are. 60

_King._ I’ faith, ’t were easy. It becomes us well
To get plain-dealing men about ourselves;
Such as you all are here.—Amintor, to thee;
And to thy fair Evadne. [_Drinks._]

_Mel._ [_Aside._] Have you thought
Of this, Calianax?

_Cal._ Yes, marry, have I. 65

_Mel._ And what ’s your resolution?

_Cal._ You shall have it,—
[_Aside._] Soundly, I warrant you.

_King._ Reach to Amintor, Strato.

_Amin._ Here, my love;
[_Drinks and then hands the cup to_ EVADNE.]
This wine will do thee wrong, for it will set
Blushes upon thy cheeks; and, till thou dost 70
A fault, ’t were pity.

_King._ Yet I wonder much
[At] the strange desperation of these men,
That dare attempt such acts here in our state:
He could not scape that did it.

_Mel._ Were he known,
Unpossible.

_King._ It would be known, Melantius. 75

_Mel._ It ought to be. If he got then away,
He must wear all our lives upon his sword:
He need not fly the island; he must leave
No one alive.

_King._ No; I should think no man
Could kill me, and scape clear, but that old man. 80

_Cal._ But I! Heaven bless me! I! should I, my liege?

_King._ I do not think thou wouldst; but yet thou mightst,
For thou hast in thy hands the means to scape,
By keeping of the fort.—He has, Melantius,
And he has kept it well.

_Mel._ From cobwebs, sir, 85
’T is clean swept; I can find no other art
In keeping of it now. ’T was ne’er besieg’d
Since he commanded.

_Cal._ I shall be sure
Of your good word; but I have kept it safe
From such as you.

_Mel._ Keep your ill temper in: 90
I speak no malice; had my brother kept it,
I should ha’ said as much.

_King._ You are not merry.
Brother, drink wine. Sit you all still:—(_Aside._) Calianax,
I cannot trust this. I have thrown out words,
That would have fetcht warm blood upon the cheeks 95
Of guilty men, and he is never mov’d;
He knows no such thing.

_Cal._ Impudence may scape,
When feeble virtue is accus’d.

_King._ ’A must,
If he were guilty, feel an alteration
At this our whisper, whilst we point at him:
You see he does not.

_Cal._ Let him hang himself; 101
What care I what he does? This he did say.

_King._ Melantius, you can easily conceive
What I have meant; for men that are in fault
Can subtly apprehend when others aim 105
At what they do amiss: but I forgive
Freely before this man,—Heaven do so too!
I will not touch thee, so much as with shame
Of telling it. Let it be so no more.

_Cal._ Why, this is very fine!

_Mel._ I cannot tell 110
What ’t is you mean; but I am apt enough
Rudely to thrust into an ignorant fault.
But let me know it. Happily[3391] ’t is nought
But misconstruction; and, where I am clear,
I will not take forgiveness of the gods, 115
Much less of you.

_King._ Nay, if you stand so stiff,
I shall call back my mercy.

_Mel._ I want smoothness
To thank a man for pardoning of a crime
I never knew.

_King._ Not to instruct your knowledge, but to show you 120
My ears are every where; you meant to kill me,
And get the fort to scape.

_Mel._ Pardon me, sir;
My bluntness will be pardoned. You preserve
A race of idle people here about you,
Facers[3392] and talkers, to defame the worth 125
Of those that do things worthy. The man that uttered this
Had perisht without food, be ’t who it will,
But for this arm, that fenc’d him from the foe;
And if I thought you gave a faith to this,
The plainness of my nature would speak more.
Give me a pardon (for you ought to do ’t) 131
To kill him that spake this.

_Cal._ [_Aside._] Ay, that will be
The end of all; then I am fairly paid
For all my care and service.

_Mel._ That old man,
Who calls me enemy, and of whom I 135
(Though I will never match my hate so low)
Have no good thought, would yet, I think, excuse me,
And swear he thought me wrong’d in this.

_Cal._ Who, I?
Thou shameless fellow! didst thou not speak to me
Of it thyself?

_Mel._ Oh, then it came from him! 140

_Cal._ From me! who should it come from but from me?

_Mel._ Nay, I believe your malice is enough;
But I have lost my anger.—Sir, I hope
You are well satisfied.

_King._ Lysippus, cheer
Amintor and his lady.—There ’s no sound 145
Comes from you; I will come and do ’t myself.

_Amin._ [_Aside._] You have done already, sir, for me, I thank you.

_King._ Melantius, I do credit this from him,
How slight soe’er you make ’t.

_Mel._ ’T is strange you should.

_Cal._ ’T is strange ’a should believe an old man’s word 150
That never lied in ’s life!

_Mel._ I talk not to thee.—
Shall the wild words of this distempered man,
Frantic with age and sorrow, make a breach
Betwixt your majesty and me? ’T was wrong
To hearken to him; but to credit him, 155
As much at least as I have power to bear,
But pardon me—whilst I speak only truth,
I may commend myself—I have bestow’d
My careless blood with you, and should be loth
To think an action that would make me lose 160
That and my thanks too. When I was a boy,
I thrust myself into my country’s cause,
And did a deed that pluckt five years from time,
And styl’d me man then. And for you, my King,
Your subjects all have fed by virtue of 165
My arm. This sword of mine hath plough’d the ground,
And reapt the fruit in peace;
And you yourself have liv’d at home in ease.
So terrible I grew, that without swords,
My name hath fetcht you conquest: and my heart 170
And limbs are still the same; my will as great
To do you service. Let me not be paid
With such a strange distrust.

_King._ Melantius,
I held it great injustice to believe
Thine enemy, and did not; if I did, 175
I do not; let that satisfy.—What, struck
With sadness all? More wine!

_Cal._ A few fine words
Have overthrown my truth. Ah, thou ’rt a villain!

_Mel._ (_Aside._) Why, thou wert better let me have the fort:
Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever; 180
There shall no credit lie upon thy words.
Think better, and deliver it.

_Cal._ My liege,
He ’s at me now again to do it.—Speak;
Deny it, if thou canst.—Examine him
Whilst he is hot; for, if he cool again, 185
He will forswear it.

_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! 190

_Mel._ Mark his disordered words: and at the masque
Diagoras knows he rag’d and rail’d at me,
And call’d a lady “whore,” so innocent
She understood him not. But it becomes
Both you and me too to forgive distraction: 195
Pardon him, as I do.

_Cal._ I ’ll 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 200
Age make itself contemptible; we must be
All old. Have him away.

_Mel._ [_Aside._] Calianax,
The king believes you; come, you shall go home,
And rest; you ha’ done well. You ’ll give it up,
When I have us’d you thus a month, I hope. 205

_Cal._ Now, now, ’t is plain, sir; he does move me still.
He says, he knows I ’ll give him up the fort.
When he has us’d me thus a month. I am mad,
Am I not, still?

_All._ Ha, ha, ha!

_Cal._ I shall be mad indeed, if you do thus.
Why should you trust a sturdy fellow there 211
(That has no virtue in him, all ’s in his sword)
Before me? Do but take his weapons from him,
And he ’s an ass; and I am a very fool,
Both with ’em[3393] and without ’em,[3393] as you use me. 215

_All._ Ha, ha, ha!

_King._ ’T is well, Calianax: but if you use
This once again, I shall entreat some other
To see your offices be well discharg’d.—
Be merry, gentlemen.—It grows somewhat late.— 220
Amintor, thou wouldst be a-bed again.

_Amin._ Yes, sir.

_King._ And you, Evadne.—Let me take
Thee in my arms, Melantius, and believe
Thou art, as thou deserv’st to be, my friend
Still and for ever.—Good Calianax, 225
Sleep soundly; it will bring thee to thyself.
_Exeunt all except_ MELANTIUS _and_ CALIANAX.

_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 us’d me?

_Mel._ You cannot blast me with your tongue, and that ’s 230
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 take ’t unkindly that mine enemy
Should use me so extraordinarily scurvily. 235

_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, 240
Is it? I prithee, what dost thou call hurt?

_Mel._ To poison men, because they love me not;
To call the credit of men’s wives in question;
To murder children betwixt me and land; 244
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._ Ay, o’ the King: I would revenge of thee.

_Mel._ That you must plot yourself.

_Cal._ I ’m a fine plotter.

_Mel._ The short is, I will hold thee with the King 251
In this perplexity, till peevishness
And thy disgrace have laid thee in thy grave.
But if thou wilt deliver up the fort,
I ’ll take thy trembling body in my arms, 255
And bear thee over dangers. Thou shalt hold
Thy wonted state.

_Cal._ If I should tell the King,
Canst thou deny ’t again?

_Mel._ Try, and believe.

_Cal._ Nay, then, thou canst bring any thing about.
Melantius, thou shalt have the fort.

_Mel._ Why, well.
Here let our hate be buried; and this hand 261
Shall right us both. Give me thy aged breast
To compass.

_Cal._ Nay, I do not love thee yet;
I cannot well endure to look on thee;
And if I thought it were a courtesy, 265
Thou shouldst not have it. But I am disgrac’d;
My offices are to be ta’en 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. 270
Ne’er 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._ He ’ll buy
That knowledge very dearly.
_Re-enter_ DIPHILUS.
Diphilus,
What news with thee?

_Diph._ This were a night indeed
To do it in: the King hath sent for her. 276

_Mel._ She shall perform it then.—Go, Diphilus,
And take from this good man, my worthy friend,
The fort; he ’ll give it thee.

_Diph._ Ha’ you got that?

_Cal._ Art thou of the same breed? Canst thou deny 280
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.[3394] If thou follow me
A great way off, I ’ll give thee up the fort; 285
And hang yourselves.

_Mel._ Begone.

_Diph._ He ’s finely wrought.
_Exeunt_ CALIANAX _and_ DIPHILUS.

_Mel._ This is a night, spite of astronomers,[3395]
To do the deed in. I will wash the stain
That rests upon our house off with his blood.

_Re-enter_ AMINTOR.

_Amin._ Melantius, now assist me: if thou be’st 290
That which thou say’st, assist me. I have lost
All my distempers, and have found a rage
So pleasing! Help me.

_Mel._ [_Aside._] 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, 295
Rush to the chamber of this hated King,
And sink him with the weight of all his sins
To hell for ever.

_Mel._ ’T were a rash attempt,
Not to be done with safety. Let your reason
Plot your revenge, and not your passion. 300

_Amin._ If thou refusest me in these extremes,
Thou art no friend. He sent for her to me;
By Heaven, to me, myself! and, I must tell you,
I love her as a stranger: there is worth
In that vile woman, worthy things, Melantius;
And she repents. I ’ll do ’t myself alone, 306
Though I be slain. Farewell.

_Mel._ [_Aside._] He ’ll overthrow
My whole design with madness.—Amintor,
Think what thou dost: I dare as much as valour;
But ’t is the King, the King, the King, Amintor, 310
With whom thou fightest! (_Aside._)—I know he is honest,[3396]
And this will work with him.

_Amin._ 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. 315

_Amin._ What a wild beast is uncollected[3397] man!
The thing that we call honour bears us all
Headlong unto sin, and yet itself is nothing.

_Mel._ Alas, how variable are thy thoughts!

_Amin._ Just like my fortunes. I was run to that 320
I purpos’d to have chid thee for. Some plot,
I did distrust, thou hadst against the King,
By that old fellow’s carriage. But take heed;
There ’s not the least limb growing to a King
But carries thunder in ’t.

_Mel._ I have none 325
Against him.

_Amin._ Why, come, then; and still remember
We may not think revenge.

_Mel._ I will remember. _Exeunt._