The Maids Tragedy Part 5

Dula_. I could never have the power To love one above an hour, But my heart would prompt mine eye On some other man to flie;_ Venus, _fix mine eyes fast, Or if not, give me all that I shall see at last_.

_Evad_. So, leave me now.

_Dula_. Nay, we must see you laid.

_Asp_. Madam good night, may all the marriage joys That longing Maids imagine in their beds, Prove so unto you; may no discontent Grow 'twixt your Love and you; but if there do, Enquire of me, and I will guide your moan, Teach you an artificial way to grieve, To keep your sorrow waking; love your Lord No worse than I; but if you love so well, Alas, you may displease him, so did I.

This is the last time you shall look on me: Ladies farewel; as soon as I am dead, Come all and watch one night about my Hea.r.s.e; Bring each a mournful story and a tear To offer at it when I go to earth: With flattering Ivie clasp my Coffin round, Write on my brow my fortune, let my Bier Be born by Virgins that shall sing by course The truth of maids and perjuries of men.

_Evad_. Alas, I pity thee.

[_Exit Evadne_.

_Omnes_. Madam, goodnight.

_1 Lady_. Come, we'l let in the Bridegroom.

_Dul_. Where's my Lord?

_1 Lady_. Here take this light.

[_Enter Amintor_.

_Dul_. You'l find her in the dark.

_1 Lady_. Your Lady's scarce a bed yet, you must help her.

_Asp_. Go and be happy in your Ladies love; May all the wrongs that you have done to me, Be utterly forgotten in my death.

I'le trouble you no more, yet I will take A parting kiss, and will not be denied.

You'l come my Lord, and see the Virgins weep When I am laid in earth, though you your self Can know no pity: thus I wind my self Into this willow Garland, and am prouder That I was once your Love (though now refus'd) Than to have had another true to me.

So with my prayers I leave you, and must try Some yet unpractis'd way to grieve and die.

_Dul_. Come Ladies, will you go?

_[Exit Aspatia_.

_Om_. Goodnight my Lord.

_Amin_. Much happiness unto you all.

_[Exeunt Ladies_.

I did that Lady wrong; methinks I feel Her grief shoot suddenly through all my veins; Mine eyes run; this is strange at such a time.

It was the King first mov'd me to't, but he Has not my will in keeping--why do I Perplex my self thus? something whispers me, Go not to bed; my guilt is not so great As mine own conscience (too sensible) Would make me think; I only brake a promise, And 'twas the King that forc't me: timorous flesh, Why shak'st thou so? away my idle fears.

[_Enter Evadne_.

Yonder she is, the l.u.s.tre of whose eye Can blot away the sad remembrance Of all these things: Oh my _Evadne_, spare That tender body, let it not take cold, The vapours of the night will not fall here.

To bed my Love; _Hymen_ will punish us For being slack performers of his rites.

Cam'st thou to call me?

_Evad_. No.

_Amin_. Come, come my Love, And let us lose our selves to one another.

Why art thou up so long?

_Evad_. I am not well.

_Amint_. To bed then let me wind thee in these arms, Till I have banisht sickness.

_Evad_. Good my Lord, I cannot sleep.

_Amin_. _Evadne_, we'l watch, I mean no sleeping.

_Evad_. I'le not go to bed.

_Amin_. I prethee do.

_Evad_. I will not for the world.

_Amin_. Why my dear Love?

_Evad_. Why? I have sworn I will not.

_Amin_. Sworn!

_Evad_. I.

_Amint_. How? Sworn _Evadne_?

_Evad_. Yes, Sworn _Amintor_, and will swear again If you will wish to hear me.

0 _Amin_. To whom have you Sworn this?

_Evad_. If I should name him, the matter were not great.

_Amin_. Come, this is but the coyness of a Bride.

_Evad_. The coyness of a Bride?

_Amin_. How prettily that frown becomes thee!

_Evad_. Do you like it so?

_Amin_. Thou canst not dress thy face in such a look But I shall like it.

_Evad_. What look likes you best?

_Amin_. Why do you ask?

_Evad_. That I may shew you one less pleasing to you.

_Amin_. How's that?