Page:The maid's tragedy (IA maidstragedy00beau 0).pdf/70

58 God save you, sir!

Ser.And you, sir. What's your business?

Asp.With you, sir, now; to do me the fair office To help me to your lord.

Ser.What, would you serve him?

Asp.I'll do him any service; but to haste, For my affairs are earnest, I desire To speak with him.

Ser.Sir, because you're in such haste, I would be loth Delay you any longer: You cannot.

Asp.It shall become you, though, to tell your lord.

Ser.Sir, he will speak with nobody; but, in particular, I have in charge, about no weighty matters.

Asp.This is most strange. Art thou gold-proof? There's for thee; help me to him.

Ser.Pray be not angry, sir. I'll do my best.

Asp.How stubbornly this fellow answered me! There is a vile dishonest trick in man, More than in woman: All the men I meet Appear thus to me, are all harsh and rude; And have a subtilty in everything, Which love could never know. But we fond women Harbour the easiest and the smoothest thoughts, And think, all shall go so! It is unjust, That men and women should be match'd together. Enter AMINTOR and his Man.

Amin.Where is he?

Ser.There, my lord.

Amin.What would you, sir?

Asp.Please it your lordship to command your man Out of the room, I shall deliver things Worthy your hearing.

Amin.Leave us.

Asp.O that that shape should bury falsehood in it

Amin.Now your Will, Sir.

Asp.When you know me, my lord, you needs must guess My business; and I am not hard to know; For till the chance of war mark'd this smooth face With these few blemishes, people would call me My sister's picture, and her mine. In short, I am the brother to the wrong'd Aspatia.

Amin.The wrong'd Aspatia: 'Would thou wert so too Unto the wrong'd Amintor! Let me kiss That hand of thine, in honour that I bear Unto the wrong'd Aspatia: Here I stand That did it; wou'd he could not; gentle Youth, Leave me, for there is something in thy looks That calls my Sins in a most hideous Form Into