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4 He that rejoices not at your Return In Safety, is mine Enemy for ever.

Mel. I thank thee, Diphilus. but thou art faulty; I sent for thee to exercise thine Arms With me at Patria: thou cam'st not, Diphilus; 'Twas ill.

Diph. My noble Brother, my Excuse Is my King's strict Command, which you, my Lord, Can witness with me.

Lys.'Tis true, Melantius, He might not come till the Solemnity Of this great Match was past.

Diph.Have you heard of it?

Mel.Yes, I have given cause to those that Envy my Deeds abroad, to call me gamesome: I have no other Business here at Rhodes.

Lys.We have a Mask to Night, And you must tread a Soldier's measure.

Mel.These soft and silken Wars are not for me: The Musick must be shrill, and all confus'd, That stirs my Blood, and then I dance with Arms: But is Amintor wed?

Diph.This Day.

Mel.All Joys upon him, for he is my Friend: His Worth is great; Valiant he is, and Temperate, And one that never thinks his Life his own, If his Friend need it: When he was a Boy, As oft as I return'd (as without boast I brought home Conquest) he would gaze upon me, And view me round, to find in what one Limb The Virtue lay to do those things he heard: Then would he wish to see my Sword, and feel The quickness of the Edge, and in his Hand Weigh it; he oft would make me smile at this: His Youth did promise much, and his ripe Years Will see it all perform'd.

Mel.Hail Maid and Wife! Thou fair Aspatia, may the holy Knot, That thou hast tyed to day, last till the Hand Of Age undo't; may'st thou bring a Race Unto Amintor, that may fill the World Successively with Soldiers!

Asp.My hard fortunes Deserve not Scorn; for I was never proud When they were good.

Mel.How's this?

Lys.You are mistaken, for she is not Married.

Mel.You said Amintor was.

Diph.'Tis true; but——

Mel.Pardon me, I did receive Letters at Patria from my Amintor, That he should marry her.

Diph.And so it stood, In