_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 your arrival Made me imagine you had heard the change. _Mel_. Who hath he taken then? _Lys_. A Lady Sir, That bears the light above her, and strikes dead With flashes of her eye; the fair _Evadne_ your vertuous Sister. _Mel_. Peace of heart betwixt them: but this is strange. _Lys_. The King my brother did it To honour you; and these solemnities Are at his charge.