Part 22 (1/2)
_Asp_. When you know me, my Lord, you needs must guess My business! and I am not hard to know; For till the change of War mark'd this smooth face With these few blemishes people would call me My Sisters Picture, and her mine; in short, I am the brother to the wrong'd _Aspatia_.
_Amint_. The wrong'd _Aspatia_! would thou wert so too Unto the wrong'd _Amintor_; let me kiss That hand of thine in honour that I bear Unto the wrong'd _Aspatia_: here I stand That did it; would he could not; gentle youth Leave me, for there is something in thy looks That calls my sins in a most hideous form Into my mind; and I have grief enough Without thy help.
_Asp_. I would I could with credit: Since I was twelve years old I had not seen My Sister till this hour; I now arriv'd; She sent for me to see her Marriage, A woful one: but they that are above, Have ends in every thing; she us'd few words, But yet enough to make me understand The baseness of the injury you did her.
That little training I have had is War; I may behave my self rudely in Peace; I would not though; I shall not need to tell you I am but young; and you would be loth to lose Honour that is not easily gain'd again.
Fairly I mean to deal; the age is strict For single combats, and we shall be stopt If it be publish't: if you like your sword, Use it; if mine appear a better to you, Change; for the ground is this, and this the time To end our difference.
_Amint_. Charitable youth, If thou be'st such, think not I will maintain So strange a wrong; and for thy Sisters sake, Know that I could not think that desperate thing I durst not do; yet to enjoy this world I would not see her; for beholding thee, I am I know not what; if I have ought That may content thee, take it and be gone; For death is not so terrible as thou; Thine eyes shoot guilt into me.
_Asp_. Thus she swore Thou would'st behave thy self, and give me words That would fetch tears into mine eyes, and so Thou dost indeed; but yet she bade me watch, Lest I were cousen'd, and be sure to fight ere I return'd.
_Amint_. That must not be with me; For her I'le die directly, but against her will never hazard it.
_Asp_. You must be urg'd; I do not deal uncivilly with those that Dare to fight; but such a one as you Must be us'd thus.
[_She strikes him_.
_Amint_. Prethee youth take heed; Thy Sister is a thing to me so much Above mine honour, that I can endu[r]e All this; good G.o.ds--a blow I can endure; But stay not, lest thou draw a timely death upon thy self.
_Asp_. Thou art some prating fellow, One that hath studyed out a trick to talk And move soft-hearted people; to be kickt,
[_She kicks him_.
Thus to be kickt--why should he be so slow [_Aside_.
In giving me my death?
_Amint_. A man can bear No more and keep his flesh; forgive me then; I would endure yet if I could; now shew The spirit thou pretendest, and understand Thou hast no honour to live:
[_They fight_.
What dost thou mean? thou canst not fight: The blows thou mak'st at me are quite besides; And those I offer at thee, thou spread'st thine arms, And tak'st upon thy breast, Alas! defenceless.
_Asp_. I have got enough, And my desire; there's no place so fit for me to die as here.
_Enter_ Evadne.
_Evad_. _Amintor_; I am loaden with events That flie to make thee happy; I have joyes
[_Her hands b.l.o.o.d.y with a knife_.
That in a moment can call back thy wrongs, And settle thee in thy free state again; It is _Evadne_ still that follows thee, but not her mischiefs.
_Amint_. Thou canst not fool me to believe agen; But thou hast looks and things so full of news that I am staid.
_Evad_. n.o.ble _Amintor_, put off thy amaze; Let thine eyes loose, and speak, am I not fair?
Looks not _Evadne_ beauteous with these rites now?
Were those hours half so lovely in thine eyes, When our hands met before the holy man?
I was too foul within to look fair then; Since I knew ill, I was not free till now.
_Amint_. There is presage of some important thing About thee, which it seems thy tongue hath lost: Thy hands are b.l.o.o.d.y, and thou hast a knife.