Page:The maid's tragedy (IA maidstragedy00beau 0).pdf/31

19 To be in doubt: Confirm it with an oath, If this be true.

Evad.Do you invent the form: Let there be in it all the binding words Devils and conjurers can put together, And I will take it. I have sworn before, And here, by all things holy, do again, Never to be acquainted with thy bed. Is your doubt over now?

Amin.I know too much. Would I had doubted still! Was ever such a marriage night as this! Ye powers above, if you did ever mean Man should be used thus, you have thought a way How he may bear himself, and save his honour. Instruct me in it; for to my dull eyes There is no mean, no moderate course to run: I must live scorn'd, or be a murderer. Is there a third? Why is this night so calm? Why does not Heaven speak in thunder to us, And drown her voice?

Evad.This rage will do no good.

Amin.Evadne, hear me: Thou hast ta'en an oath, But such a rash one, that, to keep it, were Worse than to swear it: Call it back to thee; Such vows as those never ascend the Heaven; A tear or two will wash it quite away. Have mercy on my youth, my hopeful youth, If thou be pitiful; for, without boast, This land was proud of me. What lady was there, That men call'd fair and virtuous in this isle, That would have shunn'd my love? It is in thee To make me hold this worth. Oh! we vain men, That trust out all our reputation, To rest upon the weak and yielding hand Of feeble woman! But thou art not stone; Thy flesh is soft, and in thine eyes doth dwell The spirit of love; thy heart cannot be hard. Come, lead me from the bottom of despair, To all the joys thou hast; I know thou wilt; And make me careful, lest the sudden change O'ercome my spirits.

Evad.When I call back this oath, The pains of hell environ me!

Amin.I sleep, and am too temperate! Come to bed! Or by those hairs, which, if thou hadst a soul Like to thy locks, were threads for kings to wear About their arms——

Evad.Why, so, perhaps, they are.

Amin.I'll drag thee to my bed, and make thy tongue Undo