man

so too

That wait for such a troubled hour as this. Amin. What would you, sir?
Throw bim the blank.

Asp. Please it your lordship to command your
Lu Melantius, write in that
Thy choice: My seal is at it.

Out of the room, I shall deliver things,
Vel. It was our honours drew us to this act, Worthy your hearing.
Not gain; and we will only work our pardons. Amin. Leave us.

[Erit servant. Cal. Pat my name in too.

Asp. Oh, that that shape Dipk. You disclaim'd us all

Should bury falsehood in it!

[Aside. But now, Calianas.

Amin. Now your will, sir. Cal. That is all one;

Asp. When you know me, my lord, you needs I'll not be hanged hereafter by a trick :

must guess I'll have it in.

My business, and I am not hard to know; Mel. You shall, you shall.

For till the chance of war marked this smooth Come to the back gate, and we'll call you king,

face And give you up the fort:

With these few blemishes, people would call me Lys. Away, away.

[Ereunt omnes. My sister's picture, and her mine. In short,

I am the brother to the wronged Aspatia.
Enter ASPATIA, in man's apparel.

Amin, The wronged Aspatia! 'Would thou wert
Asp. This is my fatal hour. Heaven may forgive Unto the wronged Amintor! Let me kiss
Me rash attempt, that causelessly hath laid
Griets on me, that will never let me rest;

That hand of thine, in honour that I bear And put a woman's heart into my breast.

Unto the wronged Aspatia. Here I stand, It is more honour for you, that I die;

That did it: 'Would he could not ! Gentle youth, For she, that can endure the misery,

Leave me; for there is something in thy looks, That I have on me, and be patient too,

That calls my sins, in a most hideous form, May live and laugh at all that you can do,

Into my mind; and I have grief enough God save you, sir!

Without thy help.

Asp. I would I could with credit.
Enter Scrvant.

Since I was twelve years old, I had not seen

My sister, till this hour; I now arrived : Ser. And you, sir. What's your business?

She sent for me to see her marriage; Asp. With you, sir, now; to do me the fair office

A woeful one! But they, that are above, To help me to your lord.

Have ends in every thing. She used few words; Ser. What, would you serve him?

But yet enough to make me understand Asp. I'll do him any service; but, to haste,

The baseness of the injuries you did her. For my affairs are earnest, I desire

That little training, I have had, is war: To speak with him.

I may behave myself rudely in peace; ser. Sir, because you're in such haste, I would I would not, though. I shall not need to tell you, be loth delay you any longer : You cannot.

I am but young, and would be loth to lose Asp. It shall become you, though, to tell your Honour, that is not easily gained again.

lord. Ser. Sir, he will speak with nobody; but, in For single combats; and we shall be stopped,

Fairly I mean to deal: 'The age is strict particular, I have in charge, about no weighty If it be published. If you like your swor patters.

Use it; íf mine appear a better to you,
Asp. This is most strange. Art thou gold proof? Change; for the ground is this, and this the time,
There's for thee; help me to him.

To end our difference.
Ser. Pray be not angry, sir. I'll do my best. Amin. Charitable youth,

[Erit.

(If thou be'st such) think not I will maintain Asp. How stubbornly this fellow answered me! So strange a wrong: And, for thy sister's sake, There is a vile dishoncst trick in inan,

Know, that I could not think that desperate thing, More than in women: All the men I meet

I durst not do; yet, to enjoy this world, Appear thus to me, are all harsh and rude;

I would not see her; for, beholding thee, And have a subtilty in every thing,

I am I know not what. If I have aught, Which love could never know. But we fond wo

That may content thee, take it, and be gone;

For death is not so terrible as thou. Harbour the easiest and the smoothest thoughts,

Thine eyes shoot guilt into me. And think, all shall go so! It is unjust,

Asp. Thus, she swore, That men and women should be matched together. Thou wouldst behave thyself; and give me words, Enter AMINTOR and his man.

That would fetch tears into my eyes; and so

Thou dost, indeed. But yet she bade me watch, Amin. Where is he?

Lest I were cozened; and be sure to fight, Ser. There, my lord.

Ere I returned.

men

Go this way

Amin. That must not be with me.

But all thy life is a continued ill.
For her I'll die directly; but against her Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature.
Will never hazard it.

Joy to Amintor! Thou hast touched a life,
Asp. You must be urged.

The very name of which had power to chain I do not deal uncivilly with those,

Up all my rage, and calm my wildest wrongs. That dare to fight; but such a one as you

Evad. 'Tis done; and since I could not find a way Must be used thus.

[She strikes him. To meet thy love so clear as through his life, Amin. I prithee, youth, take heed.

I cannot now repent it. Thy sister is a thing to me so much

Amin. Couldst thou procure the gods to speak Above mine honour, that I can endure

to me, All this. Good gods! a blow I can endure ! To bid me love this woman, and forgive, But stay not, lest thou draw a timeless death I think I should fall out with them. Behold, Upon thyself.

Here lies a youth, whose wounds bleed in my Asp. l'hou art some prating fellow;

breast, One, that hath studied out a trick to talk, Sent by his violent fate, to fetch his death And move soft-hearted people; to be kick'd From my slow hand: And, to augment my woe,

[She kicks him. You now are present, stained with a king's blood, Thus, to be kickd ?Why should he be so slow Violently shed. This keeps night here, In giving me my death?

[Aside. And throws an unknown wilderness about me. Amin. A man can bcar

Asp. Oh, oh, oh! No more, and keep his flesh. Forgive me, then! Amin. No more; pursue me not. I would endure yet, if I could. Now shew Evad. Forgive me then, and take me to thy bed The spirit thou pretend'st, and understand, We may not part. Thou hast no hour to live. [They fight. Amin. Forbear! Be wise, and let my rage What dost thou mean? Thou canst not fight: The blows thou mak’st at me Evad. 'Tis you, that I would stay, not it. Are quite besides; and those, I offer at thee, Amin. Take heed; it will return with me. Thou spread'st thine arms, and tak’st upon thy Evad. If it must be, I shall not fear to meet it: breast,

Take me home. Alas, defenceless!

Amin. Thou monster of cruelty, forbear! Asp. I have got enough,

Evad. For heaven's sake, look more calm : And my desire. There is no place so fit Thine eyes are sharper than thou canst make thy For me to die as here.

sword.

Amin. Away, away! Enter Evadne, her hands bloody, with a knife.

Thy knees are more to me than violence, Evad. Amintor, I am loaden with events, I'm worse than sick to see knees follow me, That fly to make thee happy. I have joys, For that I must not grant. For heaven's sake, stand. That in a moment can call back thy wrongs, Evad. Receive me, then. And settle thee in thy free state again.

Amin. I dare not stay thy language : It is Evadne still, that follows thee,

In midst of all my anger and my grief, But not her mischiefs.

Thou dost awake something, that troubles me, Amin. Thou canst not fool me to believe again; And says, ' I loved thee once. I dare not stay; But thou hast looks and things so full of news, There is no end of woman's reasoning. That I am stayed.

Leaves her: Evad. Noble Amintor, put off thy amaze, Evad. Amintor, thou shalt love me now again Let thine eyes loose, and speak : Am I not fair? Go; I am calm. Farewell, and peace for ever! Looks not Évadne beauteous, with these rites now? Evadne, whom thou hat'st, will die for thee. Were those hours half so lovely in thine eyes,

(Kills herself When our hands met before the holy man?

Amin. I have a little human nature yet, I was too foul within to look fair then:

That's left for thee, that bids me stay thy hand. Since I knew ill, I was not free till now.

Returns. Amin. There is presage of some important thing Evad. Thy hand was welcome, but it came too About thee, which, it seems, thy tongue hath lost

. late. Thy lands are bloody, and thou hast a knife! Oh, I am lost! the heavy sleep makes haste. Evad. In this consists thy happiness and mine.

[She dies. Joy to Amintor! for the king is dead.

Asp. Oh, oh, oh! Amin. Those have most power to hurt us, that Amin. This earth of mine doth tremble, and I we love;

feel
We lay our sleeping lives within their arms! A stark affrighted motion in my blood :
Why, thou hast raised up Mischief to his height, My soul grows weary of her house, and I
And found one, to out-name thy other faults. All over am a trouble to myself.
Thou hast no intermission of thy sins,

There is some hidden power in these dead things,

still;

with me,

That calls my flesh unto them: I am cold: I've heard, if there be any life, but bow
Be resolute, and bear thein company.

The body thus, and it will shew itself.
There's something, yet, which I am loth to leave. Oh, she is gone! I will not leave her yet.
There's man enough in me to meet the fears, Since out of justice we must challenge nothing,
That death can bring; and yet, 'would it were I'll call it mercy, if you'll pity me,
done!

Ye heavenly powers! and lend, for some few years, I can find nothing in the whole discourse

The blessed soul to this fair seat again. Of death, I durst not meet the boldest way; No comfort comes; the gods deny me too! Yet till, betwixt the reason and the act,

I'll bow the body once again. Aspatia! The wrong I to Aspatia did stands up :

The soul is fled for ever; and I wrong I have not such another fault to answer.

Myself, so long to lose her company. Though she may justly arm herself with scorn Must I talk now? Here's to be with thee, love! And hate of me, my soul will part less troubled,

[Kills himself When I have paid to her in tears my sorrow, I will not leave this act unsatisfied,

Enter Servant. If all that's left in me can answer it.

Sero. This is a great grace to my lord, to have Asp. Was it a dream? There stands Amintor

the new king come to him: I must tell him he Or I dream still.

is entering. Oh, heaven! Help, help! Amin. How dost thou? Speak; receive my love Enter LYSIPPUS, Melantius,Calianax,Cleox, and help

DIPhilus, and STRATO.
Thy blood climbs up to his old place again :
There's hope of thy recovery.

Lys. Where's Amintor?
Asp. Did you not name Aspatia?

Serv. Oh, there, there. min. I did.

Lys. How strange is this ! Asp. And talked of tears and sorrow unto her? Cal. What should we do here? Asun. Tis true; and 'till these happy signs in Mel. These deaths are such acquainted things

thee Did stay my course, 'twas thither I was going. That yet my heart dissolves not. May I stand Asp. Thou’rt there already, and these wounds Stiff here for ever! Eyes, call up your tears ! are hers:

This is Amintor : Heart! he was my friend; Those threats, I brought with me, sought not re- Melt; now it flows. Amintor, give a word venge ;

To call me to thee.
But came to fetch this blessing from thy hand. Amin. Oh!
I am Aspatia yet.

Mel. Melantius calls his friend Amintor. Oh, Aan. Dare my soul ever look abroad again? thy arms

Asp. I shall surely live, Amintor; I am well: Are kinder to me than thy tongue! Speak, speak! A kind of healthful joy wanders within me.

Amin. What? Amin. The world wants lives to excuse thy loss! Mel. That little word was worth all the sounds, Come, let me bear thee to some place of help. That ever I shall hear again.

Asp. Amintor, thou must stay; I must rest here; Diph, Oh, brother! My strength begins to disobey my will

.

Here lies your sister slain; you lose yourself How dost thou, my best soul? I would fain live In sorrow there. Now, if I could : Wouldst thou have loved me, Mel Why, Diphilus, it is then?

A thing to laugh at, in respect of this : Amin. Alas!

Here was my sister, father, brother, son:
All that I am's not worth a hair from thee. All that I had ! Speak once again : What youth
Asp. Give me thy hand; my hands grope up Lies slain there by thee?
and down,

Amin. 'Tis Aspatia.
And cannot find thee: I am wondrous sick : My last is said. Let me give up my soul
Have I thy hand, Amintor?

Into thy bosom.

[Dies. Amin. Thou greatest blessing of the world, Cal. What's that? what's that? Aspatia! thou hast,

Mel. I never did
Asp. I do believe thee better than my sense. Repent the greatness of my heart till now :
Oh! I must go. Farewell!

[Dies. It will not burst at need. Amin. She swoons! Aspatia! Help? for Cal. My daughter dead here too! And you heaven's sake, water !

have all fine new tricks to grieve; but I never Such as may chain life ever to this frame. knew any but direct crying. Aspatia, speak! What, no help yet? I fool! Mel. I am a prattler; but no more. Il chafe her temples: Yet there's nothing stirs :

Offers to kill himself Some hidden power tell her, Amintor calls, Diph. Hold, brother. And let her answer me! Aspatia, speak !

Lys. Stop him.

To stop my breath ? or, if you tie down those, Diph. Fie! how unmanly was this offer in you; I vow, Amintor, I will never eat, Does this become our strain ?

Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that, Cal. I know not what the matter is, but I am That may preserve life! This I swear to keep. grown very kind, and am friends with you. You Lys. Look to him tho', and bear those bodies in. have given me that among you, will kill me quick- May this a fair example be to me, ly; but I'll go home, and live as long as I can. To rule with temper: For, on lustful kings,

Mel. His spirit is but poor, that can be kept Unlooked-for, sudden deaths from heaven are sent; From death for want of weapons.

But curst is he, that is their instrument. Is not my hand a weapon sharp enough

(Ereunt omnes.

PHILASTER;

OR

LOVE LIES A-BLEEDING.

BY

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.

cess.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
MEN

WOMEN.
KING

ARETHUSA, the king's daughter. PEILASTER, heir to the crown.

Galatea, a wise modest lady, attending the prinPARAMOND, prince of Spain. Dios, e lord.

Megra, a lascivious lady. CLERENOST, }noble gentlemen, his associates.

An old wanton lady, or crone, attending the prinTIRASILINE, Ar old captain.

Another lady attending the princess. Fide citizens.

EUPHrasia, daughter of Dion, but disguised like A country fellow

a page, and called Bellario. Tuo woodmen. The king's guard and train.

Scene,--Sicily.

cess.

ACT I. Enter Diox, CLAREMONT. and THRASILINE.

Dion. Sir, it is, without controversy, so meant. Cle. Here's nor lords nor ladies!

But 'twill be a troublesome labour for him to Dion. Credit me, gentlemen, I wonder at it enjoy both these kingdoms with safety, the right They received strict charge from the king to at- heir to one of them living, and living so vir tend here. Besides, it was boldly published, that tuously; especially, the people admiring the Do officer should forbid any gentlemen, that de- bravery of his mind, and lamenting his injuries. sire to attend and hear.

Cle. Who? Philaster? Cle. Can you guess the cause ?

Dion. Yes; Whose father, we all know, was Din. Sir, it is plain, about the Spanish prince, by our late king of Calabria unrighteously deposed that's come to marry our kingdoin's heir, and be from his fruitful Sicily. Myself drew some blood Our sovereign.

in those wars, which I would give my hand to be Thra. Many, that will seem to know much, washed from. say,

she looks not on him like a maid in love. Cle. Sir, my ignorance in state policy will not Dion. Oh, sir, the multitude (that seldom know let me know, why, Philaster being heir to one of any thing but their own opinions) speak that, these kingdoms, the king should suffer him to walk they would have; but the prince, before his own abroad with such free liberty. approach, received so many confident messages Dion. Sir, it seems your nature is more confrom the state, that I think she's resolved to be stant than to enquire after state news. But the ruled.

king, of late, made a hazard of both the kingdoms, Cle. Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy of Sicily and his own, with offering but to imprison both these kingdoms of Sicily and Calabria. Philaster. At which the city was in arms, not to