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46 But I have ne'er a Story of my own Worth telling at this time.

King.Give me the Wine. Melantius, I am now considering How easie 'twere for any Man we trust To poyson one of us in such a Bowl.

Mel.I think it were not hard Sir, for a Knave.

Cal.Such as you are.

King.I'faith 'twere easie, it becomes us well To get plain dealing men about our selves, Such as you all are here. Amintor, to thee, And to thy fair Evadne.

Mel.Have you thought of this, Calianax?

Cal.Yes marry have I.

Mel.And what's your Resolution?

Cal.You shall have it soundly.

King.Reach to Amintor, Strato.

Amin.Here my Love, This wine will do thee wrong, for it will set Blushes upon thy Cheeks, and 'till thou dost a Fault, 'twere Pity.

King.Yet I wonder much At the strange desperation of these Men, That dare attempt such Acts here in our State; He could not escape that did it.

Mel.Were he known, unpossible.

King.It would be known, Melantius.

Mel.It ought to be, if he got then away He must wear all our Lives upon his Sword, He need not fly the Island, he must leave no one alive.

King.No, I should think no Man Cou'd kill me and scape clear, but that old Man.

Cal.But I! Heav'n bless me: I, should I my Liege?

King.I do not think thou wouldst, but yet thou might'st, For thou hast in thy hands the means to 'scape, By keeping of the fort; he has, Melantius, and he has kept it well.

Mel.From Cobwebs Sir, 'Tis clean swept: I can find no other Art In keeping of it now, 'twas ne'er Besieg'd since he commanded.

Cal.I shall be sure of your good Word, But I have kept it safe from such as you.

Mel.Keep your ill temper in, I speak no Malice; Had my Brother kept it I should ha' said as much.

King.You are not merry, Brother, drink Wine, Sit you all still! Calianax, I cannot trust thus: I have thrown out Words That would have fetcht warm Blood upon the Cheeks Of guilty Men, and he is never mov'd, he knows no such thing. Cal.