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.