The Maids Tragedy

The Maids Tragedy

Project Gutenberg's The Maids Tragedy, by Francis Beaumont and
John Fletcher This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost
and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it
away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License
included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The Maids Tragedy
Author: Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
Release Date: January 28, 2004 [EBook #10847]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
MAIDS TRAGEDY ***

Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jayam Subramanian and PG Distributed
Proofreaders

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?
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, passing 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
Mel. Pardon me, I did receive Letters at Patria, from my Amintor, That
he should marry her.
Diph. And so it stood, In all opinion long; but