The Maids Tragedy

Excerpt

THE

MAIDS TRAGEDY.

Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Persons Represented in the Play.

King.

Lysippus, brother to the King.

Amintor, a Noble Gentleman.

Evadne, Wife to Amintor.

        Malantius}
        Diphilius} Brothers to Evadne.

Aspatia, troth-plight wife to Amnitor.

        Calianax, an old humorous Lord, and
                  Father to Aspatia.

        Cleon}
        Strato} Gentlemen.

Diagoras, a Servant.

        Antiphila}
        Olympias} waiting Gentlewomen to Aspatia.

Dula, a Lady.

        Night}
        Cynthia}
        Neptune}
        Eolus} Maskers.

* * * * *

Actus primus. Scena prima.

Enter Cleon, Strato, Lysippus, Diphilus.

Cleon. The rest are making ready Sir.

Strat. So let them, there's time enough.

Diph. You are the brother to the King, my Lord, we'll take your word.

Lys. Strato, thou hast some skill in Poetry, What thinkst thou of a Mask? will it be well?

Strat. As well as Mask can be.

Lys. As Mask can be?

Strat. Yes, they must commend their King, and speak in praise of the Assembly, bless the Bride and Bridegroom, in person of some God; th'are tyed to rules of flattery.

Cle. See, good my Lord, who is return'd!

Lys. Noble Melantius!

[Enter Melantius.

The Land by me welcomes thy vertues home to Rhodes, thou that with blood abroad buyest us our peace; the breath of King is like the breath of Gods; My brother wisht thee here, and thou art here; he will be too kind, and weary thee with often welcomes; but the time doth give thee a welcome above this or all the worlds.

Mel. My Lord, my thanks; but these scratcht limbs of mine have spoke my love and truth unto my friends, more than my tongue ere could: my mind's the same it ever was to you; where I find worth, I love the keeper, till he let it go, And then I follow it.

Diph. Hail worthy brother!
                 He that rejoyces not at your return
                 In safety, is mine enemy for ever.

Mel. I thank thee Diphilus: but thou art faulty;
                  I sent for thee to exercise thine armes
                 With me at Patria: thou cam'st not Diphilus: 'Twas
                  ill.

Diph. My noble brother, my excuse
                 Is my King's strict command, which you my Lord
                 Can witness with me.

Lys. 'Tis true Melantius,
                 He might not come till the solemnity
                 Of this great match were past.

Diph. Have you heard of it?

Mel. Yes, I have given cause to those that
                 Envy my deeds abroad, to call me gamesome;
                  I have no other business here at Rhodes.

Lys. We have a Mask to night,
                  And you must tread a Soldiers measure.

Mel. These soft and silken wars are not for me;
                  The Musick must be shrill, and all confus'd,
                  That stirs my blood, and then I dance with armes:
                  But is Amintor Wed...?