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28 with whom she dares To talk, and not be jealous.

King.How do you like Amintor?

Evad.As I did, sir.

King.How is that?

Evad.As one that, to fulfil your will and pleasure, I have given leave to call me wife and love.

King.I see there is no lasting faith in sin; They, that break word with heaven, will break again With all the world, and so dost thou with me.

Evad.How, sir?

King.This subtle woman's ignorance Will not excuse you thou hast taken oaths, So great, methought, they did not well become A woman's mouth, that thou wouldst ne'er enjoy A man but me.

Evad.I never did swear so; You do me wrong.

King.Day and night have heard it.

Evad.I swore indeed, that I would never love A man of lower place; but, if your fortune Should throw you from this height, I bade you trust I would forsake you, and would bend to him That won your throne: I love with my ambition, Not with my eyes. But, if I ever yet Touch'd any other, leprosy light here Upon my face; which for your royalty I would not stain!

King.Why, thou dissemblest, and it is in me to punish thee.

Evad.Why, 'tis in me Then not to love you, which will more afflict Your body than your punishment can mine.

King.But thou hast let Amintor lie with thee.

Evad.I have not.

King.Impudence! he says himself so.

Evad.He lies.

King.He does not.

Evad.By this light he does, Strangely and basely! and I'll prove it so. I did not shun him for a night; but told him, I would never close with him.

King.Speak lower; 'tis false.

Evad.I am no man To answer with a blow; or, if I were, You are the king! But urge me not; 'tis most true.

King.Do not I know the uncontrolled thoughts That youth brings with him, when his blood is high With expectation, and desire of that He long hath waited for? Is not his spirit, Though he be temperate, of a valiant strain As this our age hath known? What could he do, If such a sudden speech had met his blood, But ruin thee for ever, if he had not kill'd thee? He could not bear it thus. He is as we, Or any other wrong'd man.

Evad.It is dissembling. King.