Part 6 (1/2)

_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.

_Amin_. I will not swear sweet Love, Till I do know the cause.

_Evad_. I would thou wouldst; Why, it is thou that wrongest me, I hate thee, Thou shouldst have kill'd thy self.

_Amint_. If I should know that, I should quickly kill The man you hated.

_Evad_. Know it then, and do't.

_Amint_. Oh no, what look soe're thou shalt put on, To try my faith, I shall not think thee false; I cannot find one blemish in thy face, Where falsehood should abide: leave and to bed; If you have sworn to any of the Virgins That were your old companions, to preserve Your Maidenhead a night, it may be done without this means.

_Evad_. A Maidenhead _Amintor_ at my years?

_Amint_. Sure she raves, this cannot be Thy natural temper; shall I call thy maids?

Either thy healthful sleep hath left thee long, Or else some Fever rages in thy blood.

_Evad_. Neither _Amintor_; think you I am mad, Because I speak the truth?

_Amint_. Will you not lie with me to night?

_Evad_. To night? you talk as if I would hereafter.

_Amint_. Hereafter? yes, I do.

_Evad_. You are deceiv'd, put off amazement, and with patience mark What I shall utter, for the Oracle Knows nothing truer, 'tis not for a night Or two that I forbear thy bed, but for ever.

_Amint_. I dream,--awake _Amintor_!

_Evad_. You hear right, I sooner will find out the beds of Snakes, And with my youthful blood warm their cold flesh, Letting them curle themselves about my Limbs, Than sleep one night with thee; this is not feign'd, Nor sounds it like the coyness of a Bride.

_Amin_. Is flesh so earthly to endure all this?

Are these the joyes of Marriage? _Hymen_ keep This story (that will make succeeding youth Neglect thy Ceremonies) from all ears.

Let it not rise up for thy shame and mine To after ages; we will scorn thy Laws, If thou no better bless them; touch the heart Of her that thou hast sent me, or the world Shall know there's not an Altar that will smoak In praise of thee; we will adopt us Sons; Then vertue shall inherit, and not blood: If we do l.u.s.t, we'l take the next we meet, Serving our selves as other Creatures do, And never take note of the Female more, Nor of her issue. I do rage in vain, She can but jest; Oh! pardon me my Love; So dear the thoughts are that I hold of thee, That I must break forth; satisfie my fear: It is a pain beyond the hand of death, To be in doubt; confirm it with an Oath, if this be true.

_Evad_. Do you invent the form: Let there be in it all the binding words Devils and Conjurers can put together, And I will take it; I have sworn before, And here by all things holy do again, Never to be acquainted with thy bed.

Is your doubt over now?