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 shew you 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, Eaters, and talkers, to defame the worth 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't 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) To kill him that spake this.

Cal. I, 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 (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 thy self?

Mel. O then it came from him.

Cal. From me! who should it come from but from me?

Mel. Nay, I believe your malice is enough, But I ha' lost my anger. Sir, I hope you are well satisfied.

King. Lisip. Chear Amintor and his Lady; there's no sound Comes from you; I will come and do't my self.

Amin. You have done already Sir for me, I thank you.

King. Melantius, I do credit this from him, How slight so e're you mak't.

Mel. 'Tis strange you should.

Cal. 'Tis strange he should believe an old mans word, That never lied in his life.

Mel. I talk not to thee; Shall the wild words of this distempered man, Frantick with age and sorrow, make a breach Betwixt your Majesty and me? 'twas wrong To hearken to him; but to credit him As much, at least, as I have power to bear. But pardon me, whilst I speak only truth, I may commend my self—I have bestow'd My careless blood with you, and should be loth To think an action that would make me lose That, and my thanks too: when I was a boy, I thrust my self into my Countries cause, And did a deed that pluckt five years from time, And stil'd me man then: And for you my King, Your subjects all have fed by vertue of my arm. This sword of mine hath plow'd the ground, And reapt the fruit in peace; And your self have liv'd at home in ease: So terrible I grew, that without swords My name hath fetcht you conquest, and my heart And limbs are still the same; my will is 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, I do not, let that satisfie: what struck With sadness all? More Wine!

Cal. A few fine words have overthrown my truth: Ah th'art a Villain.

Mel. Why thou wert better let me have the Fort, Dotard, I will disgrace thee thus for ever;

[Aside.

There shall no credit lie upon thy words; Think better and deliver it.

Cal. My Liege, he's at me now agen to do it; speak, Deny it if thou canst; examine him Whilst he's hot, for he'l cool agen, 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.

King. Mark his disordered words, and at the Mask.

Mel. Diagoras knows he raged, and rail'd at me, And cal'd a Lady Whore, so innocent She understood him not; but it becomes Both you and me too, to forgive distraction, Pardon him as I do.

Cal. I'le 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 age make it self contemptible; we must be all old, have him away.

Mel. Calianax, the King believes you; come, you shall go Home, and rest; you ha' done well; you'l give it up When I have us'd you thus a moneth I hope.

Cal. Now, now, 'tis plain Sir, he does move me still; He sayes he knows I'le give him up the Fort, When he has us'd me thus a moneth: I am mad, Am I not still?

Omnes. Ha, ha, ha!

Cal. I shall be mad indeed, if you do thus; Why would you trust a sturdy fellow there (That has no vertue 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 him, and without him, as you use me.

Omnes. Ha, ha, ha!

King. 'Tis well Calianax; but if you use This once again, I shall intreat some other To see your Offices be well discharg'd. Be merry Gentlemen, it grows somewhat late. Amintor, thou wouldest be abed again.

Amin. Yes Sir.

King. And you Evadne; let me take thee in my arms, Melantius, and believe thou art as thou deservest to be, my friend still, and for ever. Good Calianax, Sleep soundly, it will bring thee to thy self.

[Exeunt omnes. Manent Mel. and Cal.

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 used me?

Mel. You cannot blast me with your tongue, And that's 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 tak't unkindly that mine enemy Should use me so extraordinarily scurvily.

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, Is it? I prethee what dost thou call hurt?

Mel. To poyson men because they love me not; To call the credit of mens Wives in question; To murder children betwixt me and land; 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. I o'th' King? I would revenge of thee.

Mel. That you must plot your self.

Cal. I am a fine plotter.

Mel. The short is, I will hold thee with the King In this perplexity, till peevishness And thy disgrace have laid thee in thy grave: But if thou wilt deliver up the Fort, I'le take thy trembling body in my arms, And bear thee over dangers; thou shalt hold thy wonted state.

Cal. If I should tell the King, can'st thou deny't again?

Mel. Try and believe.

Cal. Nay then, thou can'st bring any thing about: Thou shalt have the Fort.

Mel. Why well, here let our hate be buried, and This hand 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 courtesie, Thou should'st not have it: but I am disgrac'd; My Offices are to be ta'ne 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; Nere 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. Hee'l buy that knowledge very dearly.

[Enter Diphilus.

What news with thee?

Diph. This were a night indeed to do it in; The King hath sent for her.

Mel. She shall perform it then; go Diphilus, And take from this good man, my worthy friend, The Fort; he'l give it thee.

Diph. Ha' you got that?

Cal. Art thou of the same breed? canst thou deny 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: if thou follow me a great way off, I'le give thee up the Fort; and hang your selves.

Mel. Be gone.

Diph. He's finely wrought.

[Exeunt Cal. Diph.

Mel. This is a night in spite of Astronomers To do the deed in; I will wash the stain That rests upon our House, off with his blood.

Enter Amintor.

Amin. Melantius, now assist me if thou beest That which thou say'st, assist me: I have lost All my distempers, and have found a rage so pleasing; help me.

Mel. 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 Rush to the Chamber of this hated King, And sink him with the weight of all his sins to hell for ever.

Mel. 'Twere a rash attempt, Not to be done with safety: let your reason Plot your revenge, and not your passion.

Amint. If thou refusest me in these extreams, Thou art no friend: he sent for her to me; By Heaven to me; my self; and I must tell ye I love her as a stranger; there is worth In that vile woman, worthy things, Melantius; And she repents. I'le do't my self alone, Though I be slain. Farewell.

Mel. He'l overthrow my whole design with madness: Amintor, think what thou doest; I dare as much as valour; But 'tis the King, the King, the King, Amintor, With whom thou fightest; I know he's honest,

[Aside.

And this will work with him.

Amint. 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.

Amint. What a wild beast is uncollected man! The thing that we call Honour, bears us all Headlong unto sin, and yet it self is nothing.

Mel. Alas, how variable are thy thoughts!

Amint. Just like my fortunes: I was run to that I purpos'd to have chid thee for. Some Plot I did distrust thou hadst against the King By that old fellows carriage: but take heed, There is not the least limb growing to a King, But carries thunder in it.

Mel. I have none against him.

Amint. Why, come then, and still remember we may not think revenge.

Mel. I will remember.



Actus Quintus.

Enter Evadne and a Gentleman.

Evad. Sir, is the King abed?

Gent. Madam, an hour ago.

Evad. Give me the key then, and let none be near; 'Tis the Kings pleasure.

Gent. I understand you Madam, would 'twere mine. I must not wish good rest unto your Ladiship.

Evad. You talk, you talk.

Gent. 'Tis all I dare do, Madam; but the King will wake, and then.

Evad. Saving your imagination, pray good night Sir.

Gent. A good night be it then, and a long one Madam; I am gone.

Evad. The night grows horrible, and all about me Like my black purpose: O the Conscience [King abed.

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 that left his peace, And went to Sea to fight: 'tis so many sins An age cannot prevent '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, good heavens! Why give you peace to this untemperate beast That hath so long transgressed you? I must kill him, And I will do't bravely: the meer 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'le shake his sins like furies, till I waken His evil Angel, his sick Conscience: And then I'le strike him dead: King, by your leave:

[Ties his armes 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. O 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'le 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 Physick To temper your high veins.

King. Prethee to bed then; let me take it warm, There you shall know the state of my body better.

Evad. I know you have a surfeited foul body, And you must bleed.

King. Bleed!

Evad. I, you shall bleed: lie still, and if the Devil, Your lust will give you leave, repent: this steel Comes to redeem the honour that you stole, King, my fair name, which nothing but thy death Can answer to the world.

King. How's this Evadne?

Evad. I am not she: nor bear I in this breast So much cold Spirit to be call'd a Woman: I am a Tyger: I am any thing That knows not pity: stir not, if thou dost, I'le take thee unprepar'd; thy fears upon thee, That make thy sins look double, and so send thee (By my revenge I will) to look those torments Prepar'd 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 chastly sweet, till tho[u], thou, thou, foul Canker, (Stir not) didst poyson me: I was a world of vertue, Till your curst Court and you (hell bless you for't) With your temptations on temptations Made me give up mine honour; for which (King) I am come to kill thee.

King. No.

Evad. I am.

King. Thou art not. I prethee speak not these things; thou art 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 teach: Thou art a shameless Villain, A thing out of the overchange 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, I, all his heaven 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 man, Thus I begin my vengeance.

[Stabs him.

King. Hold Evadne! I do command thee hold.

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't thee to this murther?

Evad. Thou, thou monster.

King. Oh!

Evad. Thou kept'st me brave at Court, and Whor'd me; Then married me to a young noble Gentleman; And Whor'd me still.

King. Evadne, 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.

[Exit.

Enter two of the Bed-Chamber.

1. Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects it, and will be angry.

2. 'Tis a fine wench, we'I 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 stiffe, wounded and dead: Treason, Treason!

1. Run forth and call.

[Exit Gent.

2. Treason, Treason!

1. This will be laid on us: who can believe A Woman could do this?

Enter Cleon and Lisippus.

Cleon. How now, where's the Traytor?

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

Cle. Her act! a Woman!

Lis. Where's the body?

1. There.

Lis. Farewel thou worthy man; there were two bonds That tyed 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.

Strat. 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 innocent of this act.

Lis. Gentlemen, I am your King.

Strat. We do acknowledge it.

Lis. I would I were not: follow all; for this must have a sudden stop.

[Exeunt

Enter Melant. Diph. and Cal. on the wall.

Mel. If the dull people can believe I am arm'd, Be constant Diphilus; now we have time, Either to bring our banisht honours home, Or create new ones in our ends.

Diph. I fear not; My spirit lies not that way. Courage Calianax.

Cal. Would I had any, you should quickly know it.

Mel. Speak to the people; thou art eloquent.

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 Lisip. Diag. Cleon, Strat. Guard.

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

Strat. He looks as if he had the bet[t]er 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 certainly I do believe him noble, and this action Rather pull'd on than sought; his mind was ever As worthy as his hand.

Lis. 'Tis my fear too; Heaven forgive all: summon him Lord Cleon.

Cleon. Ho from the walls there.

Mel. Worthy Cleon, welcome; We could have wisht you here Lord; you are honest.

Cal. Well, thou art as flattering a knave, though I dare not tell you so.

[Aside.

Lis. Melantius!

Mel. Sir.

Lis. I am sorry that we meet thus; our old love Never requir'd such distance; pray Heaven You have not left your self, and sought this safety More out of fear than honour; you have lost A noble Master, which your faith Melantius, Some think might have preserv'd; yet you know best.

Cal. When time was I was mad; some that dares Fight I hope will pay this Rascal.

Mel. Royal young man, whose tears look lovely on thee; Had they been shed for a deserving one, They had been lasting monuments. Thy Brother, Whil'st he was good, I call'd him King, and serv'd him With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour; Pul'd people from the farthest Sun to seek him; And by his friendship, I was then his souldier; 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 my self; Thus have I flung him off with my allegiance, And stand here mine own justice to revenge What I have suffered in him; and this old man Wrong'd almost to lunacy.

Cal. Who I? you'd draw me in: I have had no wrong, I do disclaim ye all.

Mel. The short is this; 'Tis no ambition to lift up my self, Urgeth me thus; I do desire again To be a subject, so I may be freed; If not, I know my strength, and will unbuild This goodly Town; be speedy, and be wise, in a reply.

Strat. Be sudden Sir to tie All again; what's done is past recal, And past you to revenge; and there are thousands That wait for such a troubled hour as this; Throw him the blank.

Lis. Melantius, write in that thy choice, My Seal is at it.

Mel. It was our honour drew us to this act, Not gain; and we will only work our pardon.

Cal. Put my name in too.

Diph. You disclaim'd us but now, Calianax.

Cal. That's all one; I'le not be hanged hereafter by a trick; I'le have it in.

Mel. You shall, you shall; Come to the back gate, and we'l call you King, And give you up the Fort.

Lis. Away, away.

[Exeunt Omnes.

Enter Aspatia in mans apparel.

Asp. This is my fatal hour; heaven may forgive My rash attempt, that causelesly hath laid Griefs on me that will never let me rest: And put a Womans heart into my brest; 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 Office To help me to you[r] Lord.

Ser. What, would you serve him?

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

Ser. Sir, because you are in such haste, I would be loth delay you any longer: you cannot.

Asp. It shall become you tho' to tell your Lord.

Ser. Sir, he will speak with no body.

Asp. This is most strange: art thou gold proof? there's for thee; help me to him.

Ser. Pray be not angry Sir, I'le do my best.

[Exit.

Asp. How stubbornly this fellow answer'd me! There is a vile dishonest trick in man, More than in women: all the men I meet Appear thus to me, are harsh and rude, And have a subtilty in every thing, Which love could never know; but we fond women Harbor the easiest and smoothest thoughts, And think all shall go so; it is unjust That men and women should be matcht together.

Enter Amintor and his man.

Amint. Where is he!

Ser. There my Lord.

Amint. What would you Sir?

Asp. Please it your Lordship to command your man Out of the room; shall deliver things Worthy your hearing.

Amint. Leave us.

Asp. O that that shape should bury falshood in it.

[Aside.

Amint. Now your will Sir.

Asp. When you know me, my Lord, you needs must guess My business! and I am not hard to know; For till the change of War mark'd this smooth face With these few blemishes people would call me My Sisters Picture, and her mine; in short, I am the brother to the wrong'd Aspatia.

Amint. The wrong'd Aspatia! would thou wert so too 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 woful 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 injury you did her. That little training I have had is War; I may behave my self rudely in Peace; I would not though; I shall not need to tell you I am but young; and you 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 stopt If it be publish't: if 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.

Amint. Charitable youth, If thou be'st such, think not I will maintain So strange a wrong; and for thy Sisters sake, Know that I could not think that desperate thing I durst not do; yet to enjoy this world I would not see her; for beholding thee, I am I know not what; if I have ought That may content thee, take it and be gone; For death is not so terrible as thou; Thine eyes shoot guilt into me.

Asp. Thus she swore Thou would'st behave thy self, and give me words That would fetch tears into mine eyes, and so Thou dost indeed; but yet she bade me watch, Lest I were cousen'd, and be sure to fight ere I return'd.

Amint. That must not be with me; For her I'le 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.

Amint. Prethee youth take heed; Thy Sister is a thing to me so much Above mine honour, that I can endu[r]e All this; good gods—a blow I can endure; But stay not, lest thou draw a timely death upon thy self.

Asp. Thou art some prating fellow, One that hath studyed out a trick to talk And move soft-hearted people; to be kickt,

[She kicks him.

Thus to be kickt—why should he be so slow [Aside. In giving me my death?

Amint. A man can bear No more and keep his flesh; forgive me then; I would endure yet if I could; now shew The spirit thou pretendest, and understand Thou hast no honour to live:

[They fight.

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's no place so fit for me to die as here.

Enter Evadne.

Evad. Amintor; I am loaden with events That flie to make thee happy; I have joyes

[Her hands bloody with a knife.

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.

Amint. Thou canst not fool me to believe agen; But thou hast looks and things so full of news that I am staid.

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.

Amint. 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.

Amint. Those have most power to hurt us that we love, We lay our sleeping lives within their arms. Why, thou hast rais'd up mischief to this height, And found out one to out-name thy other faults; Thou hast no intermission of thy sins, But all thy life is a continual ill; Black is thy colour now, disease thy nature. Joy to Amintor! thou hast toucht a life, The very name of which had power 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.

Amint. Could'st 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 brest, 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 Kings blood Violently shed: this keeps night here, And throws an unknown wilderness about me.

Asp. Oh, oh, oh!

Amint. No more, pursue me not.

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

Amint. Forbear, be wise, and let my rage go this way.

Evad. 'Tis you that I would stay, not it.

Amint. Take heed, it will return with me.

Evad. If it must be, I shall not fear to meet it; take me home.

Amint. Thou monster of cruelty, forbear.

Evad. For heavens sake look more calm; Thine eyes are sharper than thou canst make thy sword.

Amint. Away, away, thy knees are more to me than violence. I am worse than sick to see knees follow me For that I must not grant; for heavens sake stand.

Evad. Receive me then.Amint. I dare not stay thy language; In midst of all my anger and my grief, Thou dost awake something that troubles me, And sayes I lov'd thee once; I dare not stay; There is no end of womens reasoning.

[Leaves her.

Evad. Amintor, thou shalt love me once again; Go, I am calm; farewell; and peace for ever. Evadne whom thou hat'st will die for thee.

[Kills her self.

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

Evad. Thy hand was welcome, but came too late; Oh I am lost! the heavy sleep makes haste.

[She dies.

Asp. Oh, oh, oh!

Amint. 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 my self; There is some hidden power in these dead things That calls my flesh into'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 That death can bring, and yet would it were done; I can find nothing in the whole discourse Of death, I durst not meet the boldest way; Yet still betwixt the reason and the act, The wrong I to Aspatia did stands up, I have not such a fault to answer, Though she may justly arm with scorn And hate of me, my soul will part less troubled, When I have paid to her in tears my sorrow: I will not leave this act unsatisfied, If all that's left in me can answer it.

Asp. Was it a dream? there stands Amintor still: Or I dream still.

Amint. How dost thou? speak, receive my love, and help: Thy blood climbs up to his old place again: There's hope of thy recovery.

Asp. Did you not name Aspatia?

Amint. I did.

Asp. And talkt of tears and sorrow unto her?

Amint. 'Tis true, and till these happy signs in thee Did stay my course, 'twas thither I was going.

Asp. Th'art there already, and these wounds are hers: Those threats I brought with me, sought not revenge, But came to fetch this blessing from thy hand, I am Aspatia yet.

Amint. Dare my soul ever look abroad agen?

Asp. I shall live Amintor; I am well: A kind of healthful joy wanders within me.

Amint. The world wants lines to excuse thy loss: Come let me bear thee to some place of help.

Asp. Amintor thou must stay, I must rest here, My strength begins to disobey my will. How dost thou my best soul? I would fain live, Now if I could: would'st thou have loved me then?

Amint. Alas! all that I am's not worth a hair from thee.

Asp. Give me thy hand, mine hands grope up and down, And cannot find thee; I am wondrous sick: Have I thy hand Amintor? Amint. Thou greatest blessing of the world, thou hast.

Asp. I do believe thee better than my sense. Oh! I must go, farewell.

Amint. She swounds: Aspatia help, for Heavens sake water; Such as may chain life for ever to this frame. Aspatia, speak: what no help? yet I fool, I'le chafe her temples, yet there's nothing stirs; Some hidden Power tell her that Amintor calls, And let her answer me: Aspatia, speak. I have heard, if there be life, but bow The body thus, and it will shew it self. Oh she is gone! I will not leave her yet. Since out of justice we must challenge nothing; I'le call it mercy if you'l pity me, You heavenly powers, and lend for some few years, The blessed soul to this fair seat agen. No comfort comes, the gods deny me too. I'le bow the body once agen: Aspatia! The soul is fled for ever, and I wrong My self, so long to lose her company. Must I talk now? Here's to be with thee love.

[Kills himself.

Enter Servant.

Ser. This is a great grace to my Lord, to have the new King come to him; I must tell him, he is entring. O Heaven help, help;

Enter Lysip. Melant. Cal. Cleon, Diph. Strato.

Lys. Where's Amintor?

Strat. O there, there.

Lys. How strange is this!

Cal. What should we do here?

Mel. These deaths are such acquainted things with me, That yet my heart dissolves not. May I stand Stiff here for ever; eyes, call up your tears; This is Amintor: heart he was my friend; Melt, now it flows; Amintor, give a word To call me to thee.

Amint. Oh!

Mel. Melantius calls his friend Amintor; Oh thy arms Are kinder to me than thy tongue; Speak, speak.

Amint. What?

Mel. That little word was worth all the sounds That ever I shall hear agen.

Diph. O brother! here lies your Sister slain; You lose your self in sorrow there.

Mel. Why Diphilus, it is A thing to laugh at in respect of this; Here was my Sister, Father, Brother, Son; All that I had; speak once again; What youth lies slain there by thee?

Amint. 'Tis Aspatia. My senses fade, let me give up my soul Into thy bosom.

_Cal. What's that? what's that? _Aspatia_!

Mel. I never did repent the greatness of my heart till now; It will not burst at need.

Cal. My daughter dead here too! and you have all fine new tricks to grieve; but I ne're knew any but direct crying.

Mel. I am a pratler, but no more.

Diph. Hold Brother.

Lysip. Stop him.

Diph. Fie; how unmanly was this offer in you! Does this become our strain?

Cal. I know not what the mat[t]er is, but I am Grown very kind, and am friends with you; You have given me that among you will kill me Quickly; but I'le go home, and live as long as I can.

Mel. His spirit is but poor that can be kept From death for want of weapons. Is not my hand a weapon good enough To stop my breath? or if you tie down those, I vow Amintor I will never eat, Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that That may preserve life; this I swear to keep.

Lysip. Look to him tho', and bear those bodies in. May this a fair example be to me, To rule with temper: for on lustful Kings Unlookt for sudden deaths from heaven are sent! But curst is he that is their instrument.



%THE MAIDS TRAGEDY%.

The editions prior to the Folio of 1679 are as follows:

(%A%) The Maides Tragedy. As it hath beene divers times Acted at the Blacke-friers by the Kings Majesties Servants. London Printed for Francis Constable and are to be sold at the white Lyon over against the great North doore of Pauls Church. 1619.

(%B%) The Maids Tragedie. As it hath beene divers times Acted at the Black-Friers by the Kings Majesties Servants. Newly perused, augmented, and inlarged, This second Impression. London, Printed for Francis Constable, and are to be sold at the White Lion in Pauls Church-yard. 1622.

(%C%) The Maids Tragedie As it hath beene divers times Acted at the Black-Friers by the Kings Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher Gentlemen. The third Impression, Revised and Refined. London, Printed by A.M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to bee sold at his Shop in Chancery-Lane neere Serjeants-Inne. 1630.

(%D%) The Maides Tragedie: as it hath beene divers times Acted at the Black-Friers by the Kings Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher Gentlemen. The fourth Impression, Revised and Refined. Printed by E.G. for Henry Shepherd, and are to be sold at the signe of the Bible in Chancery lane. 1638.

(%E%) The Maids Tragedie. As it hath beene Divers times Acted at the Black- Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher Gentlemen. The fifth Impression, Revised and Refined. London Printed by E.P. for William Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery-lane, neare the Rowles. 1641.

(%F%) The Maids Tragedy, as it hath been divers times Acted at the Black- Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants: written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gentlemen. The sixth Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly by the Original. London Printed for William Leake, at the Crown in Fleet-street, be tween the two Temple Gates. 1650.

(%G%) The Maids Tragedy, as it hath been divers times Acted at the Black-Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher, Gentlemen. The sixth Impression, Revised and Corrected exactly by the Original. London, Printed in the Year 1661.

In the following notes each of these quartos is referred to by the capital letter prefixed to it in the above list. A—F contain a wood-cut representing Amintor stabbing Aspatia.

p. I, l. 3. A—G] Speakers. l. 6. A and B omit] a Noble Gentleman. C after the list of Speakers adds the following verses, repeated with variations of spelling in D—G]

The Stationers Censure.

Good Wine requires no Bush, they say, And I, No Prologue such a Play: The Makers therefore did forbeare To have that Grace prefixed here. But cease here (Censure) least the Buyer Hold thee in this a vaine Supplyer. My office is to set it forth When Fame applauds it's reall worth.

l.26. A possibly correctly gives this speech to Lysippus. l.27. A] You are brother. l. 30. B, C and D omit] thou. ll. 31 and 32. A and B] masks. l. 33. A omits] their King. l. 34. A] groome. l. 38. A omits] to Rhodes. l. 39. A] blowes abroad bringst us our peace at home.

p. 2, l. 1. A omits] too. l. 2. A] welcome. A—E] above his or. l. 3. A] world. l. 16. A] straight. l. 18. A] most true. l. 19. A] solemnities. l. 22. A] Yes, and have given cause to those, that here. l. 29. A omits] with armes. l. 33. A omits] my friend. l. 34. A omits] and temperate.

p. 3, l. 3. A] weighes. l. 5. A] Enter Aspatia passing with attendance. ll. 14 and 15. Printed as one line in G and the Folio. The Exit Aspatia has been printed in the text at the end of Aspatia's speech, as in A—F.

l. 16. A] You are mistaken sir, she is not married. A full-stop has been substituted for a comma at the end of the line here, and elsewhere in similar cases. l. 21. G omits] he. l. 25. A] has. l. 27. B] about. l. 28. G omits] the fair. l. 37. A] 'a should not thinke. l. 38. A] Could I but call it backe. l. 39. A] such base revenges. l. 40. A omits] holds he still his greatness with the King.

p. 4, l. 1. A] O t'were pittie for this Lady sir. l. 2. A] sits. l. 3. A] in unfrequented woods. l. 4. A] where when. l. 5. A] flowers, Then she will sit, and sigh, and tell. l. 8. A] and strow them over her like a corse. l. 12. A] And swound, and sing againe. l. 13. A] your young. l. 14. A] fils. l. 27. G omits] much. l. 36. A, B and C] thine innocence. l. 39. A, B and C] I am poore in words. l. 40. A] could do no more but weep. G] could no more weep.

p. 5, l. 2. A—G] fetcht. l. 4. A and B] that. l. 7. A] these. l. 9. A] too cruell. B] too fickle. l. 14. A and B] about. l. 18. A omits this line, and gives the following speech to Amintor. l. 20. A adds] Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Strato, Diphilus. l. 25. A] In sports, il'e. l. 26. A and B] But I have. l. 30. A] challenge gentlemen. A and B omit] in't. l. 32. A] and Diagoras. l. 34. A] will be angry with me.

p. 6, l. 1. A] One must sweat out his heart with. B—G] One may swear his heart out. l. 3. A and B] I shall never. l. 4. A omits] Pray stay. l. 5. A] you coxcomely asse, ile be. l. 6. A and B] judge. l. 10. A] through in my office. l. 11. A—D] they ha. l. 12. A] But now. l. 15. A] hark, hark, whose there, codes, codes. l. 18. A] Who is't. l. 20. A omits] with you. l. 25. A] there is no room. l. 28. A adds] Exit Melantius Lady other dore. l. 31. A] let the dores shut agen, no; do your heads itch. [The reader will note that here, and elsewhere in the text, 'I' frequently = 'Ay.'] l. 32. A omits] for you. l. 33. A] giving way. l. 35. A] a dozen heads in the twinckling. l. 37. A—G] I pray you can you. l. 40. A omits] to Melantius.

p. 7, l. 2. A—G] a must. l. 3. A adds] Enter Melantius. l. 7. A and B] mine. l. 12. A omits] but. l. 13. A omits] so near the presence of the King. l. 18. G] a woman. l. 20. A] so womanish. l. 23. A omits] Why. l. 24. A] quite forget. l. 28. A] Bate me the King, and be of flesh and blood. l. 29. A—G] A lies. l. 32. D and E] pluckt. l. 35. A and B] braved. C—G] bran'd. l. 37. A] the blood. l. 40. A] and able.

p. 8, l. 3. A] talke your pleasure. l. 4. A] What vilde wrong. l. 6. A] hands. l. 21. A] thy love. l. 22. A] with me. l. 24. A—D] mine hand. l. 33. A omits] can be unto me. l. 34. A omits] The. l. 36. A] Our raigne is now, for in the quenching sea.

p. 9, l. 4. A—D] hornes quite through. E] horne quite through. l. 7. A] persons that have many longing eies. l. 9. A] can I not finde. l. 10. A] am I so blinde. l. 12. F and G] break. l. 18. A and B] reines. l. 19. A] upon those, that appeare. l. 23. B] keepe our places. l. 26. G omits] but. ll. 28—37. These lines do not appear in A. l. 38. A] that power. l. 39. A] to fill this happy houre. l. 40. A] and let.

p. 10, l. 1. A omits] then call. l. 3. A] flowrie banck. l. 4. A] Latmus brow. l. 5. A] thy day. B] this day. l. 6. A] darke power. l. 7. A] and winde. l. 9. A] Turnes. l. 11. A] nobler. l. 17. A] hath force me hither. l. 24. A and B] goe from. l. 25. A] his subjects. l. 26. A and B] intentions. l. 31. A] Bid them draw neere to have thy watrie race. l. 32. A] Led on in couples, we are pleas'd to grace. l. 34. A] vessels. l. 37. A] See the winde. B] Oh, the wind.

p. 11, l. 5. A omits] too. l. 7. A omits] great. l. 8. G] commands. l. 15. A] I will not be long thence, goe hence againe. l. 16. A] And bid the other call out of the Maine. l. 19. A—D] The beaten. E] beating. l. 27. Folio misprints] mid-might. l. 29. A and B] and thee. l. 34. A and G] rights.

p. 12, l. 6. A] old night. l. 8. C] cause thee. l. 9. A] their losses. l. 14. A] loud cryings. l. 17. A] if she call. After this song A adds] Maskers daunce, Neptune leads it. ll. 18—34. These lines do not appear in A. l. 37. A—D] The sea goes hie.

p. 13, l. 1. A] has raised. l. 4. Folio] call. l. 5. A] We thanke you for this houre, My favour to you all to gratulate. l. 7. G] may floods. l. 8. A] and no eb shall dare. l. 10. A] governments. l. 11. A] proud waters should. l. 13. In place of stage-direction A reads] Exeunt Maskers. Descend. l. 21. A] Kingdome. l. 22. A D] all fall drencht ... forget. l. 23. A] I dare no more. l. 24. A] Once heave thy drowsie head agen and see. l. 26. A] lash. l. 27. A E] and yon. A] sun flaring stream. B E] same flashing streame. l. 30. A] Cinth. Adew. A omits] Finis Mask. l. 31. A] light their. l. 34. Folio misprints] may case. l. 36. A and B] Kingdomes.

p. 14, l. 5. A omits] very. After l. 7 A adds] Evad. Howes that? Dul. That I might goe to bed with him with credit that you doe. l. 18. A] Madame. l. 19. In A these four words are given to '1. Lad.' l. 21. A] Tis best. l. 25. A omits] high. l. 28. A, B and C] livelier. l. 31. A] We all will take it I hope that are here. l. 34. A—E omit] to. l. 35. A] Wilt lie in my place.

p. 15, l. 3. A] Doe I prethee. l. 13. G] timely. l. 18. A] My right, l. 29. A—D] lost none. l. 31. A and B] I should. l. 32. A] Loe if you have not. l. 35. A] unto. l. 36. A] and I. l. 38. A] must be.

p. 16, ll. 1—20. These lines do not appear in A. l. 10. C] Fie out. l. 23. A] may not discontent. l. 26. A and B] And teach you. l. 30. G] should look.

p. 17, l. 6. A] Heele finde. l. 7. A omits] yet. l. 19. A and B omit] my. l. 22. A gives this line to 'I. Lad.' l. 25. A] A griefe. l. 26. A] mine eyes raine. l. 28. A] why did I. l. 32. A] breake. l. 33. A] the King inforst me. l. 35. A] is she. l. 39. A] shall. p. 18, l. 1. A] rights. l. 30. A] look will like. l. 39. A] and by thy selfe sweete love. l. 40. A] revenge it.

p. 19, l. 2. A] to me. ll. 4, 5. A] The world can yeeld, are light as aire. l. 8. A] the sun of thy lips. l. 9. A, B and C] wonnot. l. 10. A omits] do. l. 12. A and B] wrongst. l. 16. A omits] then. l. 17. A] should'st. l. 18. A] cannot. l. 26. A] Her natural temper. l. 29. A] Neither of these, what thinke you I am mad. l. 31. A] Is this the Truth, wil you not lie with me to night. l. 32. A omits] To night. A] You talke as if you thought I would hereafter. l. 37. A] your bed. A, B and C omit] for. l. 40. A] would.

p. 20, l. 4. A] the kisses of a bride. l. 13. A] Shall know this, not an altar then will smoake. l. 20. A] She cannot jest. l. 23. A] the paine of death. l. 37. A] Instant me with it. l. 40. G] the Night.

p. 21, l. 2. A] their voyce. l. 7. A] as that. l. 12. G] man. l. 15. A and B omit] out. l. 17. A—D] woman. l. 18. A and B] doe dwell.

p. 22, l. 4. A omits] in practice. l. 22. A] It is not. l. 25. A] sacred word. l. 32. A and B] hath put. l. 37. A and G omit] a. l. 38. A omits] Evad.

p. 23, l. 1. A] shall love. l. 4. A] in thy breast. l. 8. A] could. l. 23. A, B and C] know. l. 26. A] e'ne to his heart. l. 27. A] I have left. l. 36. A] I did. l. 39. A] longing.

p. 24, l. 2. A omits] Amint. l. 6. A omits] sad. l. 7. A] Good good. l. 14. A omits this line. l. 15. A] Did you ere. ll. 16 and 17. A omits these lines. l. 18. A] a mettled temper. l. 21. A] Nere I. ll. 23—31. These lines from 'and be sure' to the end of l. 31 are omitted in A. l. 24. B] gives life. l. 34. A] faind sorrow. l. 35. A] Oenes. B, C and E] Aenones. l. 37. A] expressing furie.

p. 25, l. 1. A omits] and. l. 2. A and B] Just as thine does. C] Just as thine eyes does. l. 12. A] looke black. l. 19. A] None of all. l. 20. A] exprest well. l. 23. A repeats this line. l. 25. A] Doe that feare bravely wench. l. 27. A full-stop at end of line has been taken away. l. 30. A] there. l. 34. A] poore Ladies. l. 37. For this line A reads] Suppose I stand upon Sea, breach now. l. 39. A] Wilde as the place she was in, let all about me. l. 40. A] Be teares of my story, doe my face.

p. 26, l. 2. A] thus make me looke good girle. l. 3. A] sorrowes mount. l. 6. A] see, see wenches. l. 11. A and B] a dumbe silence. l. 18. A] You'l lie downe shortly, in and whine there. l. 19. A] rustie. B, C and D] reasty. A and B] want heates. C, D and E] heares. l. 20. A] We shall have some of the Court boyes heat you shortly. ll. 21 and 22. A] Good my Lord be not angry, we doe nothing But what my Ladies pleasure is, we are thus in griefe. l. 25. A] A slie dissembling slave. l. 28. A omits] what, made an Ass. l. 29. A] must be.

p. 27, l. 4. A] Our brides. l. 9. A] None, its ods. l. 24. A] I faith I did not. l. 26. A] We have ventured. l. 27. A—G] A shall command. After 'Rhodes' A—D add] Shall we be merry. l. 28. A prints 'Aside' at the end of l. 31, B—E at the end of l. 29. l. 34. A] doth. l. 35. A] the headsman. l. 36. A omits] again.

p. 28, l. 1. A] does hee not mocke mee. l. 2. A omits] use to. l. 4. A] that wilde breach. C—G and Folio] what wild breath. l. 5. A—G] was so rude. A omits] Aside. l. 20. A] this sudden. l. 23. A omits] But.

l. 24. A] Say, stay my friend. l. 34. A] shoot. l. 35. A—G] A carries. l. 37. A omits] But.

p. 29, l. 1. A—D] This is complement. E] Beleeve me, this complement too cunning for me. l. 4. G] that she may. l. 18. A omits] I done. l. 25. A—D] Nor I. A omits] Aside. l. 38. A] heighned.

p. 30, l. 7. A] Well? can you be other. l. 9. A omits] Amintor. l. 12. A omits] too. l. 25. A, B and C] indeed. l. 30. A] how then shewes the sport to you.

p. 31, l. 7. A—G] do hope. l. 13. A adds] Aside. ll. 15 and 16. A omits] with you. l. 17. A—G] A will not tell. ll. 18 and 19. For these lines A reads] For it is apt to thrust this arme of mine to acts unlawfull. l. 21. A] have jealous pangs. l. 23. A] When she dares. l. 27. A omits] will and. l. 35. A and B] great, that me thought. A and B] they did misbecome.

p. 32, l. 5. A—G] my. l. 6. G] Touch. ll. 14 and 15. A—G read 'A' for 'He.' l. 17. A—D] not onely shun. l. 20. A—D] I am. E] I no man. l. 21. A omits] me. l. 24. A—G] desire. l. 32. A] This is dissembling. ll. 33—36. A omits these lines. l. 34. B—D] thee with, look. l. 39. A] shouldst.

p. 33, l. 5. A] The King and I. l. 6. A and B] Oh God. l. 7. G] Who shall. l. 19. A] lies. ll. 24 and 25. In place of these lines A reads] Unless I show how nobly I have freed my selfe. l. 26. G] thou cannot fear.

p. 34, l. 4. A] treacherous sword. l.7. A] there are. A—F] thousands. A omits] fools. l. 8. A] the Land. l. 13. A] my fault. l. 25. A—G] hold, hold. l. 28. A] Seconded like that. l. 30. A] Plagues here. l. 31. A omits] not. l. 32. A—D] And so I leave you. l. 33. A, B and C] You must needs be prating.

P. 35 l. 5. A] her part. l. 6. A omits] treacherous slave. l. 9. A] office. l. 12. A omits] Leave. l. 22. A—D] where you. l. 25. A—D] you'l give ground. l. 28. A] hast strength. l. 36. A] I had mongst cowards, but durst never fight. l. 39. A—D] hold him. l. 40. A] askt.

p. 36, l. 2. A omits] go home, and. l. 9. A] Mans eyes. A omits] so. l. 27. A] strives. l. 29. A] yow weare. l. 31. A] your tongue.

p. 37, l. 1. A] Immutable colour. l. 11. A] and tis not like. l. 18. G omits] an. l. 21. A—G] a lied. l. 27. A] See how you plead. l. 29. A, B and C] what I ha done. l. 30. A] with miseries.

p. 38, l. 3. A and B] mine old armour. l. 9. A—E] scape. l. 18. A—D] How's this. l. 27. A] tane. l. 29. A] and stick. ll. 37 and 38. A and B] goe as high As troubled waters.

p. 39, l. 6. A] to be knowne. l. 7. A] be blessed. l. 12. A] fix a farewell. l. 25. A] didst make. l. 37. A—G] foule act on my selfe.

p. 40, l. 1. A] ease of. l. 10. A and B] my horrid point. l. 20. A] thy heart. l. 24. A—E] all that this world. l. 27. A] this bosome. l. 32. A] I call it fro[m] thee. l. 33. A omits] and shame me To posterity. l. 39. A omits] be.

p. 41, l. 19. A] speake it. l. 25. A] but have a care. l. 28. A] your house. l. 32. A omits] and no more.

p. 42, l. 4. A and B] As well as I could, and sent him. l. 20. A omits] to mine. p. 43, l. 9. G] See what starrs you make. A] your idle hatred. A omits] to my love and freedom to you. l. 11. A] I am come. l. 17. A—E omit] that. l. 26. A omits] or. l. 27. A] The last is spoke, refuse my offerd love.

p. 44, l. 11. A—E] commendations. l. 13. A] your dores. l. 20. A—E] commendations. l. 21. A—E] has made. l. 23. A omits] it after has. l. 30. A and B] thy repentance. l. 36. A and B] I understand ye not.

p. 45, l. 1. G] ye know. l. 5. D] wins within her. l. 7. A and B] theres your way. l. 11. After this line A—G add] Rather to grapple with the plague, or stand. l. 18. A] theile lie. l. 27. A] Though he lie lockt up in thy blood, come tell me. l. 34. A—E omit] a. l. 37. A] thy father.

p. 46, l. 7. A] his foe. l. 13. The conclusion of this speech from 'thou hast no hope' is omitted in A. l. 15. B] snatch meat. l. 17. B—G] has undone. l. 23. F omits this line. l. 24. A—E] this scandall. l. 27. C—G] raise much out. l. 32. G] thou will deserve it.

p. 47, l. 19. A] Is there no more here. l. 21. A omits] O hear me gently; it was. l. 22. A omits] no more. ll. 27 and 28. A] Evad. Too long, too late I finde it. Mel. Can you be very sorry. l. 30. A] Woman thou wilt not to thy trade againe. l. 32. A, B and G] thou hadst. l. 34. A] Has sunk thy faire soule, I command thee curse him.

p. 48, l. 10. A] you had no feare. B and C] you knew no feare. l. 13. A—E] thoudst. l. 37. A and B] Gods where have I beene.

p. 49, l. 13. A] This is a new way to beget more sorrows. l. 17. A—E] naturall wildnesse. l. 22. A and B] that; no sacrifice. C and D] thats; no sacrifice. l. 35. A—E] that dull calamity.

p. 50, l. 8. A] Shall cut. l. 17. Folio misprints whither. F and G] whether. l. 28. A] get beleife. l. 38. G] I will.

p. 51, l. 3. A omits] now. l. 6. G] been thus excellently good. l. 25. A, B and C] she have. l. 34. A—D] scape.

p. 52, l. 7. A] I besworne. l. 10. A—D omit] of. A—G] a trusted. l. 35. C—G and Folio misprint] Lipsi. A omits] Diag.

p. 53, l. 1. F] raise laughter. l. 7. A] Mel. l. 12. G] to trust. l. 23. A—D] Ye shall have it soundly I warrant you. l. 31. A—F] scape.

p. 54, l. 16. A—G] A must. l. 21. A—D] can easily. l. 22. A] faults.

p. 55, l. 4. A] Facers, and talkers to defame the world. l. 18. A] Who I, thou shamelesse Fellow that hast spoke to me of it thy Selfe. l. 25. E, F and G] Come from you. l. 29. F gives this speech to Calianax and the next two to Melantius. l. 30. A, B and C] a should. l. 31. A, B and C] in's life.

p. 56, ll. 7 and 8. A omits these lines. l. 9. A—G] you your selfe. l. 12. A—E] will as great. l. 16. A omits] not. l. 21. G omits] better. l. 22. A omits] Aside. l. 24. G] belive it. l. 27. A—D] Whilst he is hot, for if hee coole agen. E] Whilst he hot, for he coole agen. l. 33. A and B] A pittie. l. 34. A and B] Mel. Marke his disordered words, and at the Maske. l. 38. A and B omit] too.

p. 57, l. 8. F] When I has. l. 15. A, B and C] Why should. l. 16. D and E] him, alas in his sword. l. 21. A] Too well. G] 'Tis we. l. 28. A omits] and believe. ll. 37 and 38. A] Dost not thou looke for some great punishment for this? I feele My selfe beginne to forget all my hate. l. 40. A] so extremely.

p. 58, l. 1. A] I shall meet. l. 2. A] Unkindnesse. l. 4. A] no wrong. l. 9. A and B] this I call hurt. l. 19. A] his disgrace. l. 26. A] Melantius, thou shall have the fort. l. 40. A—G add at the end of the line] Diph.

p. 59, l. 19. A—D omit] in. l. 34. G] refused. l. 38. A and B] vild.

p. 60, l. 11. G omits] up. l. 20. A—E] Theres not. l. 21. A—E] in 't. l. 23. Folio] Why? The sign has been changed to a comma here and elsewhere in similar cases. l. 25. A and B add] Exeunt. l. 36. A] and then me thinkes.

p. 61, l. 2. A and B add] Exit. l. 5. A] lost virtue. l. 7. F, G and Folio] no man dare. l. 9. A] tis a madnesse. l. 10. A] that desperate mans. B and C] fooles. l. 12. A] repent 'em. l. 15. A—G] a sleepes. A] a sleepes, oh God. l. 17. A] That has so farre transgrest you. l. 18. G omits] And. l. 19. A] Confirmes me that I merit. l. 21. A] To rake him. l. 22. A] Shall seaze him. l. 23. G] punishment. l. 24. A and B] Ile shape. l. 26. A] I strike. l. 30. In place of this line A reads] As I beleeve I shall not, I shall fit him. l. 31. A—G] a sleepes.

p. 62, l. 3. A] may looke. l. 5. F] Say Sir, stay. l. 9. A] Here thou shalt. B and C] thou shalt. D] you shalt. l. 18. A] How Evadne? l. 33. Folio] thou.

p. 63, l. 10. A—E] reach. l. 11. A—E] overcharge. l. 15. D] is heaven. l. 16. F] Here Evadne. l. 21. A. omits] Stabs him. l. 29. A adds] Stabs him. l. 31. A—E add at end of line] King. In F and G the word 'king' is printed by mistake and wrongly spaced at the end of the following line.

p. 64, l. 10. A omits this line. l. 12. A. omits one] Treason. l. 35. A—E] innocence.

p. 65, l. 1. F omits] and. l. 5. A and B] Or to create. l. 17. Folio] beter. l. 21. A] certaine. l. 29. A—E] We could a wisht. l. 31. A—G] thee. l. 35. A] pray to heaven. l. 37. E] then of honor. l. 39. In place of this line A reads] I'm sure might have preserved.

p. 66, ll. 1 and 2. A omits these lines. l. 3. A and B] those tears. l. 9. A] And begge. B and C] buy. l. 15. A—E] I have. l. 16. A] for revenge. 1. 19. A—G] you wud. l. 24. A—D] free. l. 28. A—E] All up againe. l. 34. A—E] honours. l. 35. A—E] No gaine. A—D] pardons. l. 37. A—D] us all but.

p. 67, l. 2. A] call the King. l. 9. G omits] a. l. 10. A] that I doe. l. 16. A—E] the faire office. l. 17. Folio] you. l. 21. A and B] loth to delay. l. 22. A—D omit] any. l. 24. A] Sir he will speake with no body, but in particular, I have in charge about no waightie matters. l. 29. A, B and C] vild. l. 30. G] woman. l. 34, A—E] and the smoothest.

p. 68, l. 7. G] O that shape. l. 11. A—E] chance of warre. D and E] marke. l. 21. A] odious. l. 31. A—E] injuries. l. 35. A—E] and would be loth.

p. 69, l. 23. A—E] I prethee. l. 25. Folio] endute. l. 27. A—E] timelesse. l. 29. A—G] has. l. 37. A—D] No houre to live.

p. 70, l. 3. A—D] there is no place. l. 4. B—F print as one stage-direction] Enter Evadne. Her hands bloudy with a knife. A omits] Her hands bloody with a knife. l. 11. A] staid. l. 26. A—E] his height.

l. 27. A—E] found one. l. 29. A—D] continued. l. 33. A] tame my wildest wrongs.

p. 71, ll. 3—5. A omits the words from 'and' to 'shed.' l. 17. A] crueller. l. 20. A and B] for Gods sake. l. 26. A—F] womans. l. 27. A—D] me now againe. l. 32. A—E] but it came. l. 40. A] my selfe unto 'em. E] unto.

p. 72, l. 9. A—E] such another fault. l. 10. A—E] arme her selfe with scorne. l. 24. A and B] Staid my course, it was. l. 25. A and B] Thou art. l. 29. A and B] I shall sure live. C and D] I shall surely live. l. 38. A, B and C] thine hand. A] mine eyes grow up and downe.

p. 73, l. 4. A and B] for Gods sake. l. 5. A—E omit] for. l. 7. A, B and C] there nothing stirs. l. 8. A—E omit] that. l. 10. A—D] be any life. l. 15. A and B] lend forth some. l. 24. A and B] Oh God. l. 26. A omits] Cleon.

p. 74, l. 13. A and B] My last is said, let me give up my soule. l. 16. A omits] my. l. 25. Folio] mater. l. 26. A] with you all now. l. 28. A adds] Exit. l. 31. A—E] hands. A, B and C] sharpe enough. l. 39. A and B] from God.

A—G add] Finis.



THE MAIDS TRAGEDY. VERSE AND PROSE VARIATIONS[1].

p. 1, ll. 29 and 30. A, C, D and E] 2 ll. Poetrie, well.

p. 2, ll. 7 and 8. A—E] 3 ll. worth, goe, it. l. 14. A—E] 2 ll. Diphilus, ill.

p. 3, l. 28. A—E] 2 ll. Evadne, sister. l. 29. A—E] 2 ll. them, strange.

p. 4, ll. 1—5. A and B] 5 ll. walkes, [A sir, see note to p. 4 ante] earth, delight, flowers, tell. l. 29. A—E] speech, love.

p. 5, l. 20. A—E] 2 ll. gone, Diphilus.

p. 8, l. 28. A—E] 2 ll. home, maske.

p. 10, l. 17. A—E] 2 ll. know, ascend.

p. 13, l. 4. A—E] 2 ll. powre, calme.

p. 15, ll. 33—35 A] 3 ll. caught, fire, thee. ll. 34 and 35. B—E] 2 ll. fire, thee. ll. 36 and 37. A—E] 2 ll. thing, not.

p. 19, l. 8. A—E] 2 ll. sin, lips. ll. 9 and 10. A] 1 line. l. 23. A—E] 2 ll. done, meanes.

p. 20, l. 24. A—E] 2 ll. oath, true. ll. 30 and 31. F and G] 1 line.

p. 21, ll. 1 and 2. F and G] 1 line. l. 24. A—D] 2 ll. hell, me. ll. 25—27. A and D] 4 ll. bed, locks, weare, armes.

p. 22, ll. 28 and 29. A—E] 2 ll. us, waite. F and G] 1 line. l. 36. A—E] 2 ll. be, honourable. l. 38. A—E] 2 ll. self, for.

p. 25, ll. 21 and 22. A] 2 11. so, quick-sand.

p. 28, ll. 16 and 17. A—E] 2 ll. here, thine. F and G] 1 line.

[Footnote 1: In these notes the words printed in italics are the last words of the lines indicated in the various texts.]

p. 30, ll. 10 and 11. A—G] 1 line. ll. 27 and 28. A—G] 1 line.

p. 31, ll. 15 and 16. A] 2 ll. may, well.

p. 32, l. 7. A—E] 2 ll. royaltie, stain. l. 8. A—E] 2 ll. me, thee.

p. 33, ll. 27 and 28. A] 2 ll. weight, rage. ll. 38 and 39. A and B] 2 ll. of, you.

p. 34, l. 8. A] 2 ll. enough, Land. B—E] 2 ll. enough, Island. l. 21. A—E] 2 ll. King, it. ll. 20 and 21. G] 2 ll. for, it.

p. 35, l. 25. A—-E] 2 ll. feare, draw. ll. 35 and 36. A] 2 ll. tricke, fight.

p. 36, l. 15. A—E] 2 ll. rarenesse, now. l. 32. A—E] 2 ll. be, it.

p. 37, l. 8. A—E] indeed, another. l. 28. A—E] 2 ll. say, friend.

p. 38, l. 6. A—E] 2 ll. innocence, it.

p. 39, l. 1. A—E] 2 ll. base, lies.

p. 40, l. 29. A—E] 2 ll. way, backe.

p. 41, l. 2. A—E] 2 ll. thine, stir. l. 8. A] 2 ll. word, quick. ll. 39 and 40. A] 2 ll. why I, else. B—G] 2 ll. why, else.

p. 42, ll. 19—21. A] 3 ll. hands, I, thee. l. 21. B—E] 2 ll. I, thee.

p. 43, l. 11. A—E] 2 ll. sute, you. l. 16. A—E] 2 ll. it, hands.

p. 44, ll. 15 and 16. A—E] 3 ll. daunce, skins, businesse.

p. 47, l. 10. A—E] miserie, me. l. 20. A—E] 2 ll. many, ist. l. 39. A—E] in, hereafter.

p. 48, l. 1. A—E] 2 ll. arme, King.

p. 51, l. 2. A—E] 2 ll. weepe, water.

p. 52, l. 5. A—E] 2 ll. house, Court. l. 31. A—E] 2 ll. unlesse, 'em.

p. 53, l. 27. A—E] 2 ll. dost, pitty. l. 36. A—E] 2 ll. leave, alive.

p. 54, l. 2. A—E] 2 ll. Melantius, well. l. 5. A—E] 2 ll. besieg'd, commanded. l. 9. A—E] 2 ll. it, much. l. 14. A—E] 2 ll. mov'd, thing. l. 34. A—E] 2 ll. gods, you. l. 37. A—E] 2 ll. crime, knew.

p. 55, l. 23. A—E] 2 ll. hope, satisfied.

p. 56, l. 27. A—E] 2 ll. agen, it. ll. 31 and 32. A—E] 2 ll. Foe, him.

p. 57, ll. 35 and 36. A] 3 ll. thats, strongest, ye.

p. 58, l. 9. A—E] 2 ll. Land, hurt. l. 22. A—E] 2 ll. hold, state. l. 28. A—G] 2 ll. brest, compasse.

p. 59, l. 25. A—E] 2 ll. rage, me. l. 30. A—E] 2 ll. sins, ever.

p. 60, l. 10. A—E] 2 ll. here, defencelesse. ll. 17 and 18. A] 2 ll. plot, King. ll. 35 and 36. B—D] 2 ll. will, then.

p. 64, l. 19. A—E] 2 ll. act, still.

p. 67, l. 20. A—E] 2 ll. desire, him.

p. 69, l. 17. A—E] 2 ll. fight, returnd. l. 19. A—E] 2 ll. against her, it. ll. 20 and 21. A—E] 2 ll. with, you. l. 27. A—E] 2 ll. death, selfe. ll. 37—40 and p. 70, l. 1. A] 5 ll. meane, me, thee, brest, defencelesse.

p. 70, l. 3. A—E] 2 ll. fit, here. l. 9. A—E] 2 ll. thee, mischiefes. l. 11. A—E] 2 ll. newes, staid (A stald).

p. 71, l. 14. A—E] 2 ll. it, home.

p. 72, l. 27. A—E] 2 ll. hand, yet. l. 37. A—E] 2 ll. haire, thee.

THE END