The Maids Tragedy Part 20

_King_. No.

_Evad_. I am.

_King_. Thou art not.

I prethee speak not these things; thou art gentle, And wert not meant thus rugged.

_Evad_. Peace and hear me.

Stir nothing but your tongue, and that for mercy To those above us; by whose lights I vow, Those blessed fires that shot to see our sin, If thy hot soul had substance with thy blood, I would kill that too, which being past my steel, My tongue shall teach: Thou art a shameless Villain, A thing out of the overchange of Nature; Sent like a thick cloud to disperse a plague Upon weak catching women; such a tyrant That for his l.u.s.t would sell away his Subjects, I, all his heaven hereafter.

_King_. Hear _Evadne_, Thou soul of sweetness! hear, I am thy King.

_Evad_. Thou art my shame; lie still, there's none about you, Within your cries; all promises of safety Are but deluding dreams: thus, thus, thou foul man, Thus I begin my vengeance.

[_Stabs him_.

_King_. Hold _Evadne_!

I do command thee hold.

_Evad_. I do not mean Sir, To part so fairly with you; we must change More of these love-tricks yet.

_King_. What b.l.o.o.d.y villain Provok't thee to this murther?

_Evad_. Thou, thou monster.

_King_. Oh!

_Evad_. Thou kept'st me brave at Court, and Whor'd me; Then married me to a young n.o.ble Gentleman; And Whor'd me still.

_King_. _Evadne_, pity me.

_Evad_. h.e.l.l take me then; this for my Lord _Amintor_; This for my n.o.ble brother: and this stroke For the most wrong'd of women.

[_Kills him_.

_King_. Oh! I die.

_Evad_. Die all our faults together; I forgive thee.

[_Exit_.

_Enter two of the Bed-Chamber_.

1. Come now she's gone, let's enter, the King expects it, and will be angry.

2. 'Tis a fine wench, we'I have a snap at her one of these nights as she goes from him.

1. Content: how quickly he had done with her! I see Kings can do no more that way than other mortal people.

2. How fast he is! I cannot hear him breathe.

1. Either the Tapers give a feeble light, or he looks very pale.

2. And so he does, pray Heaven he be well.

Let's look: Alas! he's stiffe, wounded and dead: Treason, Treason!

1. Run forth and call.

[_Exit Gent_.

2. Treason, Treason!

1. This will be laid on us: who can believe A Woman could do this?

_Enter_ Cleon _and_ Lisippus.

_Cleon_. How now, where's the Traytor?

1. Fled, fled away; but there her woful act lies still.

_Cle_. Her act! a Woman!

_Lis_. Where's the body?

1. There.

_Lis_. Farewel thou worthy man; there were two bonds That tyed our loves, a Brother and a King; The least of which might fetch a flood of tears: But such the misery of greatness is, They have no time to mourn; then pardon me.

Sirs, which way went she?

[_Enter Strato_.

_Strat_. Never follow her, For she alas! was but the instrument.

News is now brought in, that _Melantius_ Has got the Fort, and stands upon the wall; And with a loud voice calls those few that pa.s.s At this dead time of night, delivering The innocent of this act.

_Lis_. Gentlemen, I am your King.

_Strat_. We do acknowledge it.

_Lis_. I would I were not: follow all; for this must have a sudden stop.

[_Exeunt_

_Enter_ Melant. Diph. _and_ Cal. _on the wall_.

_Mel_. If the dull people can believe I am arm'd, Be constant _Diphilus_; now we have time, Either to bring our banisht honours home, Or create new ones in our ends.

_Diph_. I fear not; My spirit lies not that way. Courage _Calianax_.

_Cal_. Would I had any, you should quickly know it.