John Fletcher - The Maids Tragedy

Amint . What Devil put it in thy fancy then
To marry me?

Evad . Alas, I must have one
To Father Children, and to bear the name
Of Husband to me, that my sin may be more honourable.

Amint . What a strange thing am I!

Evad . A miserable one; one that my self am sorry for.

Amint . Why shew it then in this,
If thou hast pity, though thy love be none,
Kill me, and all true Lovers that shall live
In after ages crost in their desires,
Shall bless thy memory, and call thee good,
Because such mercy in thy heart was found,
To rid a lingring Wretch.

Evad . I must have one
To fill thy room again, if thou wert dead,
Else by this night I would: I pity thee.

Amint . These strange and sudden injuries have faln
So thick upon me, that I lose all sense
Of what they are: methinks I am not wrong'd,
Nor is it ought, if from the censuring World
I can but hide it—Reputation,
Thou art a word, no more; but thou hast shown
An impudence so high, that to the World
I fear thou wilt betray or shame thy self.

Evad . To cover shame I took thee, never fear
That I would blaze my self.

Amint . Nor let the King
Know I conceive he wrongs me, then mine honour
Will thrust me into action, that my flesh
Could bear with patience; and it is some ease
To me in these extreams, that I knew this
Before I toucht thee; else had all the sins
Of mankind stood betwixt me and the King,
I had gone through 'em to his heart and thine.