The Maids Tragedy.

by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

Persons Represented in the Play.

King.

Lysippus, _brother to the King_.

Amintor, _a n.o.ble 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 a.s.sembly, bless the Bride and Bridegroom, in person of some G.o.d; th'are tyed to rules of flattery.

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

_Lys_. n.o.ble _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 G.o.ds; 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 n.o.ble 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?

_Diph_. This day.

_Mel_. All joyes upon him, for he is my friend: Wonder not that I call a man so young my friend, His worth is great; valiant he is, and temperate, And one that never thinks his life his own, If his friend need it: when he was a boy, As oft as I return'd (as without boast) I brought home conquest, he would gaze upon me, And view me round, to find in what one limb The vertue lay to do those things he heard: Then would he wish to see my Sword, and feel The quickness of the edge, and in his hand Weigh it; he oft would make me smile at this; His youth did promise much, and his ripe years Will see it all perform'd.

[_Enter Aspatia, pa.s.sing by_.

_Melan_. Hail Maid and Wife!

Thou fair _Aspatia_, may the holy knot That thou hast tyed to day, last till the hand Of age undo't; may'st thou bring a race Unto _Amintor_ that may fill the world Successively with Souldiers.

_Asp_. My hard fortunes Deserve not scorn; for I was never proud When they were good.

[_Exit Aspatia_.

_Mel_. How's this?

_Lys_. You are mistaken, for she is not married.

_Mel_. You said _Amintor_ was.

_Diph_. 'Tis true; but