EUME. Must my entire and lasting innocence Be still rewarded with a curse, and from A noble brother too, whose jealousy Can ne'er be cur'd, but by my vow'd Perpetual absence from the Court, which is A remedy that will destroy the King. Enter AMADORE. AMAD. This is her chamber, sure! I watch'd with heed If the Queen and Oramont in their return Took not their straight immediate hence. way from I'll make the door secure to hinder all accessEUME. What are you, sir, that rudely press to so Reserv'd a place ? AMAD. With wise intent did Oramont detain Me still from seeing her. She looks as she Were made to conquer or betray. EUME. Why do you gaze with such amazement, sir? Come you t'admire, or scornfully to kill What you behold? AMAD. T'instruct you who I am, Know, I am proud to call my self the friend EUME. Was't he that sent you hither? AMAD. No, lady! by my own contrivance, I come resolv'd, through all the dangers death Can minister, to find you here; friendship Hath given my resolution strength to meet Even that which overcame the valiant King, Your beauty's force. EUME. Discover quickly your intents! Ere fear distracts my understanding so, That I shall suffer, and not know the cause. AMAD. Your brother thinks your youth defil'd, which breeds Such a distemper in his breast, that now EUME. Stay Whither would you lead me, sir? I dare Not trust my self to furious men : To me you are a stranger, and may feign That guards this place, an army call'd To your defence cannot secure your life. AMAD. Danger's a vain, unbody'd blast; let it Prevail with infants often frighted in Their sleep; with judges grown effeminate In their warm furs; who think most fearfully Of death, because 'tis terrible to those Whom they condemn; with priests, who at Their frequent visits find the sickly in Despair, that hourly see the guilty die, And, by uncertain faith, derive at last Their fears unto themselves. To such As these preach danger, but to me it is The music of the drum, ordain'd to fright Cowards, but gives the valiant appetite. EUME. Is there no help, but what with unprepar'd Devotion, rudely I must call from Heaven? AMAD. Delay me not in hope of a surprize, But strait put on this borrow'd shape, and then With silence follow me, or on thy heart My sword shall spoil the figure of the King. [Draws his sword. EUME. Did I believe that dying is the worst AMAD. Have you the vanity to be believ'd EUME. Sir, if you think I borrow virtue for EUME. I cannot think of any willing crime, AMAD. Yet study more; perhaps I have EUME. 'Tis you are guilty, sir, and may suspect The confidence you brought, not what you Find in me; besides my innocence, I have Willing enough to die. Begin that work You thought you could so quickly finish with your sword. AMAD. Thou but pretendst this virtuous bold ness to Beguile my wrath. Receive the just reward EUME. What interrupts you now, why are you slow To execute what you did promise with such eager haste ? AMAD. Then she is clear! and I am lost, betray'd! And by the easiness of friendship wrought Basely to place suspicions on a saint. Upon my knee, I beg you, by Your hasty pardon, would prevent that curse, [Knocking at the door. EUME. Hide, hide your self, if you desire to live! Ferchance it is the King. AMAD. He comes most timely, then; for had I power I would command him here. If life will satisfy th' arrears of guilt, Take it, who e'er thou art, for I will let Thee in! Enter KING. [Opens the door. KING. This, mistress, is a pretty needless safety, D'you guard your door with bolts ? Amadore! That gave to Oramont his ransom, with Such brave munificence. Hah! EUME. Was he the author of my brother's liberty? Then I shall more lament his loss. KING. How, sir! Your sword naked, as 'twere drawn For violent designs! If treacherously It aims at me, thou shalt have cause to praise I dare resist a traitor's force. AMAD. Had I not wrong'd that lady, sir, with most Unworthy doubts, then free from guilt I Should have boldness to encounter all assaults, Though num'rously address'd; but as I am My weapon to your hand. Revenge her cause, [Kneels, and gives his sword. EUME. How strangely he becomes this penitence! O sir, believe him not! distraction makes Him own a crime which he did ne'er commit. KING. Eumena, he is safe! thou shouldst not think I'll vanquish him that overcomes himself; Of the laws; for ev'ry circumstance denotes AMAD. If your strict laws could punish me with death, For saucily infringing thus the peace And secret quiet of your Court, I then Would cheerfully commend the doom. EUME. For my sake, pity, sir, his madness 'gainst Himself! Shall he that made my brother free to my sense. AMAD. My vile subjection grows more hideous [King takes Eumena aside. KING. Those little forms that bring authority Regardful awe, and keep it great, should still Be sullen and severe. 'Tis not with Kings, Eumena, as with lesser men, that may In gentle courtesy forgive; for if The Lord of Laws should compliment With crimes, the law it self that makes him safe No more regard than as 'tis eloquently writ |