Page:The maid's tragedy (IA maidstragedy00beau 0).pdf/18

6 Cuts off my love.

Amin.Thou art Melantius; All Love is spoke in that, a Sacrifice To thank the gods, Melantius is return'd In Safety; Victory sits on his Sword As she was wont; may she build there and dwell, And may thy Armour be as it hath been, Only thy Valour and thy Innocence. What endless Treasures would our Enemies give, That I might hold thee still thus!

Mel.I am but poor in words; but credit me, young Man, Thy mother could no more but weep, for joy to see thee After long absence; all the Wounds I have Fetch not so much away, nor all the Cries Of widowed Mothers: but this is Peace; And what was War?

Amin.Pardon, thou holy God Of Marriage-bed, and frown not, I am forc'd, In answer of such noble Tears as those, To weep upon my Wedding-day.

Mel.I fear thou art grown too sick; for I hear A Lady mourns for thee; Men say, to Death, Forsaken of thee, on what Terms I know not.

Amin.She had my Promise; but the King forbade it, And made me make this worthy Change, thy Sister, Accompanied with Graces above her; With whom I long to lose my lusty Youth, And grow old in her Arms.

Mel.Be prosperous!

Mess.My Lord, the Maskers rage for you.

Lyss.We are gone. Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.

Amin.We'll all attend you, we shall trouble you With our solemnities.

Mel.Not so, Amintor. But if you laugh at my rude carriage In Peace, I'll do as much for you in War, When you come thither: yet I have a Mistress To bring to your Delights; rough though I am, I have a Mistress, and she has a Heart, She says, but trust me, it is Stone, no better, There is no place that I can challenge in't. But you stand still, and here my Way lies.

Cal.Diagoras, look to the Doors better for shame, you let in all the World, and anon the King will rail at me; why very well said, by Jove the King will have the Show i' th' Court.

Diag.Why do you swear so, my Lord? You know, he'll have it here.

Cal.By this Light if he be wise he will not. Diag.