John Fletcher - The Maids Tragedy

Evad . Nay, leave this sad talk Madam.

Asp . Would I could, then should I leave the cause.

Evad . See if you have not spoil'd all Dulas mirth.

Dul . That's not so good, let'm shoot any thing but fire, I fear'm not.

Asp . Well wench, thou mayst be taken.

Evad . Ladies good night, I'le do the rest my self.

Dul . Nay, let your Lord do some.

Asp . Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal Yew.

Evad . That's one of your sad songs Madam.

Asp . Believe me, 'tis a very pretty one.

Evad . How is it Madam?

Asp_. Lay a Garland on my Hearse of the dismal yew;
Maidens, Willow branches bear; say I died true:
My Love was false, but I was firm from my hour of birth;
Upon my buried body lay lightly gentle earth_.

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 Hearse;
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.

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.

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.

Yonder she is, the lustre 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.

Evad . I am not well.

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 . 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?

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

Amint . I prethee put thy jests in milder looks. It shews as thou wert angry.

Evad . So perhaps I am indeed.

Amint . Why, who has done thee wrong?
Name me the man, and by thy self I swear,
Thy yet unconquer'd self, I will revenge thee.

Evad . Now I shall try thy truth; if thou dost love me,
Thou weigh'st not any thing compar'd with me;
Life, Honour, joyes Eternal, all Delights
This world can yield, or hopeful people feign,
Or in the life to come, are light as Air
To a true Lover when his Lady frowns,
And bids him do this: wilt thou kill this man?
Swear my Amintor , and I'le kiss the sin off from
thy lips.