Francis Beaumont
The Maids Tragedy
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.
CleonStratDiphLysStratoStratLysStrat. 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.
CleLysMelantius[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.
DiphMelDiphilusPatriaDiphilusDiphLysMelantiusDiphMelRhodesLysMelAmintorDiphMel[Enter Aspatia, passing by.
MelanAspatiaAmintorAsp[Exit Aspatia.
MelLysMelAmintorDiphMelPatriaAmintorDiphMelLysEvadneMelLysMelAspatiaCalianaxLysMel[Enter Amintor.
CleMelAmintorAminMelantiusMelantiusMelAminMelAminMel[Enter Messenger.
MessenLysCleon, Strata, DiphilusAminMelAmintor[Exit.
Enter Calianax with Diagoras.
Cal. Diagoras, look to the doors better for shame, you let in all the world, and anon the King will rail at me; why very well said, by Jove the King will have the show i'th' Court.
DiagCalDiagCal. One may wear his heart out with swearing, and get thanks on no side, I'le be gone, look to't who will.
DiagCal. My looks terrifie them, you Coxcombly Ass you! I'le be judg'd by all the company whether thou hast not a worse face than I—
DiagCal. Office! I would I could put it off, I am sure I sweat quite through my Office, I might have made room at my Daughters Wedding, they had near kill'd her among them. And now I must do service for him that hath forsaken her; serve that will. [Exit Calianax.
DiagWithin. knock withinMelDiagMelMelantiusDiag[Enter Melantius.
MelAnd a LadyDiagRhodesMelDiag. Stand back there, room for my Lord Melantius, pray bear back, this is no place for such youths and their Truls, let the doors shut agen; I, do your heads itch? I'le scratch them for you: so now thrust and hang: again, who is't now? I cannot blame my Lord Calianax for going away; would he were here, he would run raging among them, and break a dozen wiser heads than his own in the twinkling of an eye: what's the news now?
[Within.
DiagMel. Melantius within. Enter Calianax to Melantius.
CalDiagMelCalianaxCal. Yes, I do service for your Sister here, That brings my own poor Child to timeless death; She loves your friend Amintor, such another false-hearted Lord as you.
Mel. You do me wrong, A most unmanly one, and I am slow In taking vengeance, but be well advis'd.
CalMelCalMelCalMelCalMel. I shall forget this place, thy Age, my safety, and through all, cut that poor sickly week thou hast to live, away from thee.
CalMel. Bate the King, and be he flesh and blood, He lyes that saies it, thy mother at fifteen Was black and sinful to her.
DiagMelRhodesCal[Enter Amintor.
AmintMelAmintCalAmintCalHoboyes play withinEnter King, Evadne, Aspatia, Lords and Ladies.
King. Melantius, thou art welcome, and my love Is with thee still; but this is not a place To brabble in; Calianax, joyn hands.
CalKingCalianaxMelantiusMel[Recorders.
EvadThe MaskNight rises in mistsNighCinthia[Enter Cinthia.
CinthNightCinthPhoebusNighEndymionLatmusCinthNeptune[Neptune rises.
NepCinthiaCinthNep(Cinthia)CinthBoreasNepEolus![Enter Eolus out of a Rock.
EolNeptune!NepEolNep. We do command thee free Favonius and thy milder winds to wait Upon our Cinthia, but tye Boreas straight; He's too rebellious.
EolNepEolNeptuneNepEolBoreasNepProteusEolCinChorus[Musick.
SONG
to thy power, and them we obey. Joy to this great company, and no day Come to steal this night away, Till the rites of love are ended, And the lusty Bridegroom say, Welcome light of all befriended. Pace out you watry powers below, let your feet Like the Gallies when they row, even beatLet your unknown measures set To the still winds, tell to all That Gods are come immortal great, To honour this great NuptialThe Measure. Second Song.
Hold back thy hours dark night, till we have done, The day will come too soon; Young Maids will curse thee if thou steal'st away, And leav'st their blushes open to the day. Stay, stay, and hide the blushes of the Bride. Stay gentle night, and with thy darkness cover The kisses of her Lover. Stay, and confound her tears, and her shrill cryings, Her weak denials, vows, and often dyings; Stay and hide all, but help not though she callNepCinthNepAmphitriteTrytonsSong. Measure.
HesperusEolNeptune!NeptEolus!EolBoreasCinNep[Neptune descends, and the Sea-gods.
CinthNighCinNighExeuntCin[Finis MaskKingAmintor,AminKingMelantiusExeuntActus Secundus
Enter Evadne, Aspatia, Dula, and other Ladies.
DulEvadDulaDulEvaDulEvaDulEvadDulaDulEvadDulEvadDulEvadDulEvadDulEvadDulEvadDulRhodesEvadDulEvadDulEvadAspatiaDulEvadDulEvadDulaAspatiaDulAspAmintorsEvadneEvadAspEvadDulasAsp. Thou think'st thy heart hard, but if thou beest caught, remember me; thou shalt perceive a fire shot suddenly into thee.
DulAspEvadDulAspEvadAspEvadSONG
Evad. Fie on't Madam, the words are so strange, they are able to make one Dream of Hobgoblins; I could never have the power, Sing that Dula.
fix mine eyes fast, Or if not, give me all that I shall see at lastEvadDulaAspEvadExit EvadneOmnes1 LadyDul1 Lady[Enter Amintor.
Dul1 LadyAspDul[Exit AspatiaOmAmin[Exeunt Ladies.
[Enter Evadne.
EvadneHymenEvadAmin. Come, come my Love, And let us lose our selves to one another. Why art thou up so long?
EvadAmint. To bed then let me wind thee in these arms, Till I have banisht sickness.
EvadAminEvadneEvadAminEvadAminEvadAminEvadAmintEvadneEvad. Yes, Sworn Amintor, and will swear again If you will wish to hear me. 0 Amin. To whom have you Sworn this?
EvadAminEvadAminEvadAminEvadAminEvadAminEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintorAminEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintorAmintEvadAmintorAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintAmintorEvadAminHymenEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadneEvadAmin. I sleep, and am too temperate; come to bed, or by Those hairs, which if thou hast a soul like to thy locks, Were threads for Kings to wear about their arms.
EvadAmintEvadAmintEvadneEvadAmintEvadAmintorAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintorAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmintEvadAmint