Evad. The night grows horrible; and all a

bout me

Like my black purpose. Oh, the conscience
Of a lost virgin! whither wilt thou pull me?
To what things, dismal as the depth of hell,
Wilt thou provoke me? Let no woman dare
From this hour be disloyal, if her heart be flesh,
If she have blood, and can fear: 'Tis a daring
Above that desperate fool's, that left his peace,
And went to sea to fight. 'Tis so many sins,
An age cannot repent 'em; and so great,
The gods want mercy for! Yet, I must through'em.
I have begun a slaughter on my honour,
And I must end it there.-He sleeps.
Heav'ns!

Good

Why give you peace to this untemperate beast, That hath so long transgress'd you? I must kill him,

And I will do it bravely: The mere joy
Tells me, I merit in it. Yet, I must not
Thus tamely do it, as he sleeps; that were
To rock him to another world: My vengeance
Shall take him waking, and then lay before him
The number of his wrongs and punishments.
I'll shake his sins like furies, till I waken
His evil angel, his sick conscience,
And then I'll strike him dead. King, by your
leave, [Ties his arms to the Bed.

I dare not trust your strength. Your grace and I
Must grapple upon even terms no more.
So: If he rail me not from my resolution,
I shall be strong enough.-My lord the king!
My lord!-He sleeps, as if he meant to wake
No more.-My lord!-Is he not dead already?
Sir! My lord!

King. Who's that?

Evad. Oh, you sleep soundly, sir!
King. My dear Evadne,

I have been dreaming of thee. Come to bed. Evad. I am come at length, sir; but how welcome?

King. What pretty new device is this, Evadne? What, do you tie me to you? By my love, This is a quaint one. Come, my dear, and kiss me; I'll be thy Mars; to bed, my queen of love; Let us be caught together, that the gods May see, and envy our embraces.

Evad. Stay, sir, stay;

You are too hot, and I have brought you physic To temper your high veins.

King. Prithee, to bed then; let me take it

Evad. I am not she; nor bear I in this breast So much cold spirit to be called a woman. I am a tyger; I am any thing

That knows not pity. Stir not! If thou dost, I'll take thee unprepared; thy fears upon thee, That make thy sins look double; and so send thee (By my revenge, I will) to look those torments, Prepared for such black souls.

King. Thou dost not mean this; 'tis impossible:

Thou art too sweet and gentle.

Evad. No, I am not.

I am as foul as thou art, and can number
As many such hells here. I was once fair,
Once I was lovely; not a blowing rose
More chastely sweet, till thou, thou, thou foul
canker,

(Stir not) didst poison me. I was a world of virtue,

Till

your

With

curst court and you (hell bless you for't!) your temptations on temptations, Made me give up mine honour; for which, king, I'm come to kill thee.

King. No!

Evad. I am.

King. Thou art not!

I prithee speak not these things: Thou are gentle, And wert not meant thus rugged.

Evad. Peace, and hear me.

Stir nothing but your tongue, and that for mercy
To those above us; by whose lights I vow,
Those blessed fires, that shot to see our sin,
If thy hot soul had substance with thy blood,
I would kill that too; which, being past my steel,
My tongue shall reach. Thou art a shameless
villain !

A thing out of the overcharge of nature;
Sent, like a thick cloud, to disperse a plague
Upon weak catching women! such a tyrant,
That for his lust would sell away his subjects;
Ay, all his heav'n hereafter!

King. Hear, Evadne,

Thou soul of sweetness, hear! I am thy king.
Evad. Thou art my shame! Lie still, there's
none about you,
Within your cries: All promises of safety
Are but deluding dreams. Thus, thus, thou foul

Evad. I do not mean, sir,
To part so fairly with you; we must change
More of these love-tricks yet.

King. What bloody villain
Provok'd thee to this murder?
Evad. Thou, thou monster.
King. Oh!

Evad. Thou kept'st me brave at court, and whor'dst me, king;

Then married me to a young noble gentleman, And whor'dst me still.

King. Evadae, pity me.

Evad. Hell take me then! This for my lord
Amintor!

This for my noble brother! and this stroke
For the most wrong'd of women! [Kills him.
King. Oh! I die.

Evad. Die all our faults together! I forgive
thee.
[Erit.

Enter two of the Bedchamber.

1. Come, now she's gone, let's enter; the king Expects it, and will be angry.

2. 'Tis a fine wench! we'll have a snap at her One of these nights as she goes from him.

1. Content! How quickly he had done with her. I see kings can do no more that way than other mortal people.

2. How fast he is! I cannot hear him breathe. 1. Either the tapers give a feeble light,

Or he looks very pale.

2. And so he does;

Pray heaven he be well; let's look.

Alas!

He's stiff, wounded and dead! Treason, treason!

1. Run forth and call.

2. Treason, treason!

1. This will be laid on us:

Who can believe a woman could do this?

Enter CLEON and LYSIPPUS.

Cleon. How now! Where's the traitor?

Cal. 'Tis a fine eloquence to come to the gallows! You were born to be my end. The devil take you!

Now must I hang for company. 'Tis strange,
I should be old, and neither wise nor valiant.
Enter LYSIPPUS, DIAGORAS, CLEON, STRATO,
and Guard.

Lys. See where he stands, as boldly confident, As if he had his full command about him.

Stra. He looks as if he had the better cause, sir;
Under your gracious pardon, let me speak it!
Though he be mighty spirited, and forward
To all great things; to all things of that danger
Worse men shake at the telling of; yet, cer-
tainly,

I do believe him noble; and this action
Rather pull'd on, than sought: His mind was

ever

As worthy as his hand.

Lys. 'Tis my fear, too.

1. Fled, fled away; but there her woeful act lies

still.

Cleon. Her act! a woman!

Lys. Where's the body?

1. There.

Lys. Farewell, thou worthy man! There were two bonds,

That tied our loves, a brother and a king;
The least of which might fetch a flood of tears:
But such the misery of greatness is,
They have no time to mourn; then pardon me!
Sirs, which way went she?

Enter STRATO.

Stra. Never follow her;

For she, alas! was but the instrument.
News is now brought in that Melantius
Has got the fort, and stands upon the wall;
And with a loud voice calls those few, that pass
At this dead time of night, delivering
The innocence of this act.

Lys. Gentlemen, I am your king.
Stra, We do acknowledge it.

Lys. I would I were not! Follow, all; for this
Must have a sudden stop.
[Exeunt.
Enter MELANTIUS, DIPHILUS, and CALIANAX,

on the walls.

Mel. Worthy Cleon, welcome.

We could have wish'd you here, lord: You are

honest.

With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour,

Pull'd people from the farthest sun to seek him,
And beg his friendship. I was then his soldier.
But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me,
And brand my noble actions with his lust
(That never-cur'd dishonour of my sister,
Base stain of whore! and, which is worse,
The joy to make it still so), like myself,
Thus I have flung him off with my allegiance;
And stand here mine own justice, to revenge
What I have suffer'd in him; and this old man,
Wronged almost to lunacy.

Cal. Who I?

You would draw me in. I have had no wrong, I do disclaim ye all.

Mel. The short is this:

'Tis no ambition to lift up myself

Urgeth me thus; I do desire again
To be a subject, so I may be free.

If not, I know my strength, and will unbuild
This goodly town. Be speedy, and be wise,
In a reply.

Stra. Be sudden, sir, to tie

All up again: What's done is past recall,

And past you to revenge; and there are thousands,

That wait for such a troubled hour as this.
Throw him the blank.

Lys. Melantius, write in that

Thy choice: My seal is at it.

Mel. It was our honours drew us to this act, Not gain; and we will only work our pardons. Cat. Put my name in too.

Diph. You disclaim'd us all

But now, Calianax.

Cal. That is all one;

I'll not be hang'd hereafter by a trick:

I'll have it in.

Mel. You shall, you shall.

Come to the back gate, and we'll call you king, And give you up the fort.

Lys. Away, away.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter ASPATIA, in man's apparel. Asp. This is my fatal hour. Heav'n may forgive My rash attempt, that causelessly hath laid Griefs on me, that will never let me rest; And put a woman's heart into my breast. It is more honour for you, that I die; For she, that can endure the misery, That I have on me, and be patient too, May live and laugh at all that you can do. God save you, sir;

Enter Servant.

Ser. And you, sir. What's your business? Asp. With you, sir, now; to do me the fair office To help me to your lord.

Ser. What, would you serve him?

Asp. I'll do him any service; but, to haste, For my affairs are earnest, I desire To speak with him.

Ser. Sir, because you're in such haste, I would be loth delay you any longer: You cannot. Asp. It shall become you, though, to tell your

lord.

Unto the wrong'd Amintor! Let me kiss
That hand of thine, in honour that I bear
Unto the wrong'd Aspatia. Here I stand,
That did it: 'Would he could not! Gentle youth,
Leave me; for there is something in thy looks,
That calls my sins, in a most hideous form,
Into my mind; and I have grief enough
Without thy help.

Asp. I would I could with credit.
Since I was twelve years old, I had not seen
My sister till this hour; I now arriv'd:
She sent for me to see her marriage;
A woeful one! But they, that are above,
Have ends in every thing. She us'd few words;
But yet enough to make me understand
The baseness of the injuries you did her.
That little training I have had, is war:
I may behave myself rudely in peace;

I would not, though. I shall not need to tell you,.
am but young, and would be loth to lose
Honour, that is not easily gain'd again.
Fairly I mean to deal: The age is strict
For single combats; and we shall be stopp'd,
If it be published. If y
you like your sword,

Use it if mine appear a better to you,
Change; for the ground is this, and this the time
To end our difference.

Amin. Charitable youth,

Lest I were cozen'd; and be sure to fight,
Ere I returned.

Amin. That must not be with me.
For her I'll die directly; but against her
Will never hazard it.

Asp. You must be urg'd.

I do not deal uncivilly with those,
That dare to fight; but such a one as you
Must be us'd thus.
[She strikes him.
Amin. I prithee, youth, take heed.
Thy sister is a thing to me so much
Above mine honour, that I can endure

All this. Good gods! a blow I can endure!
But stay not, lest thou draw a timeless death
Upon thyself.

Asp. Thou art some prating fellow;
One, that hath studied out a trick to talk,
And move soft-hearted people; to be kick'd
[She kicks him.

Thus, to be kick'd!-Why should he be so slow In giving me my death?

Amin. A man can bear

[Aside.

No more, and keep his flesh.

Forgive me then!

[They fight.

I would endure yet, if I could. Now shew
The spirit thou pretend'st, and understand,
Thou hast no hour to live.-
What dost thou mean?

Thou canst not fight: The blows thou mak'st at me
Are quite besides; and those, I offer at thee,
Thou spread'st thine arms, and tak'st upon thy
breast,

Alas, defenceless!

Asp. I have got enough,

And my desire. There is no place so fit
For me to die as here.

Enter EVADNE, her hands bloody, with a knife.

Evad. Amintor, I am loaden with events,
That fly to make thee happy. I have joys,
That in a moment can call back thy wrongs,
And settle thee in thy free state again.
It is Evadne still, that follows thee,
But not her mischiefs.

Amin. Thou canst not fool me to believe again; But thou hast looks and things so full of news, That I am stay'd.

Evad. Noble Amintor, put off thy amaze, Let thine eyes loose, and speak: Am I not fair? Looks not Evadne beauteous, with these rites now? Were those hours half so lovely in thine eyes, When our hands met before the holy man? I was too foul within to look fair then : Since I knew ill, I was not free till now.

Amin. There is presage of some important thing About thee, which, it seems, thy tongue hath lost. Thy hands are bloody, and thou hast a knife!

Evad. In this consists thy happiness and mine. Joy to Amintor! for the king is dead.

Amin. Those have most pow'r to hurt us, that
we love;

We lay our sleeping lives within their arms!
Why, thou hast raised up mischief to his height,
And found one, to out-name thy other faults.
Thou hast no intermission of thy sins,
But all thy life is a continued ill.

Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature.
Joy to Amintor! Thou hast touch'd a life,
The very name of which had pow'r to chain
Up all my rage, and calm my wildest wrongs.

Evad. "Tis done; and since I could not find a way
To meet thy love so clear as through his life,
I cannot now repent it.

Amin. Couldst thou procure the gods to speak
to me,

To bid me love this woman, and forgive,
I think I should fall out with them. Behold,
Here lies a youth, whose wounds bleed in my
breast,

Sent by his violent fate, to fetch his death
From my slow hand: And, to augment my woe,
You now are present, stain'd with a king's blood,
Violently shed. This keeps night here,

And throws an unknown wilderness about me.
Asp. Oh, oh, oh!

Amin. No more; pursue me not.

Evad. Forgive me then, and take me to thy bed. We may not part.

Amin. Forbear! Be wise, and let my rage Go this way.

Evad. 'Tis you, that I would stay, not it. Amin. Take heed; it will return with me. Evad. If it must be, I shall not fear to meet it: Take me home.

Amin. Thou monster of cruelty, forbear! Evad. For heaven's sake, look more calm: Thine eyes are sharper than thou canst make thy sword.

Amin. Away, away!

Thy knees are more to me than violence.

I'm worse than sick to see knees follow me,
For that I must not grant. For heaven's sake, stand.
Evad. Receive me, then.

Amin. I dare not stay thy language:

In midst of all my anger and my grief,
Thou dost awake something that troubles me,
And says, 'I lov'd thee once.' I dare not stay;
There is no end of woman's reasoning.

[Leaves her.

Evad. Amintor, thou shalt love me now again : Go; I am calm. Farewell, and peace for ever! Evadne, whom thou hat'st, will die for thee. [Kills herself.

Amin. I have a little human nature yet, That's left for thee, that bids me stay thy hand. [Returns.

Evad. Thy hand was welcome, but it came too late.

Oh, I am lost! the heavy sleep makes haste.

[She dies.

Asp. Oh, oh, oh! Amin. This earth of mine doth tremble, and I feel A stark affrighted motion in my blood: My soul grows weary of her house, and I All over am a trouble to myself. There is some hidden pow'r in these dead things, That calls my flesh unto 'em : I am cold: Be resolute, and bear 'em company.

There's something, yet, which I am loth to leave. There's man enough in me to meet the fears,