_Mel_. Enough; this must be known to none But you and I _Evadne_; not to your Lord, Though he be wise and noble, and a fellow Dares step as far into a worthy action, As the most daring, I as far as Justice. Ask me not why. Farewell. [_Exit Mel_. _Evad_. Would I could say so to my black disgrace. Oh where have I been all this time! how friended, That I should lose my self thus desperately, And none for pity shew me how I wandred? There is not in the compass of the light A more unhappy creature: sure I am monstrous, For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs, Would dare a woman. O my loaden soul, Be not so cruel to me, choak not up [_Enter Amintor_. The way to my repentance. O my Lord. _Amin_. How now? _Evad_. My much abused Lord! [_Kneels_. _Amin_. This cannot be. _Evad_. I do not kneel to live, I dare not hope it; The wrongs I did are greater; look upon me Though I appear with all my faults. _Amin_. Stand up. This is no new way to beget more sorrow; Heaven knows I have too many; do not mock me; Though I am tame and bred up with my wrongs, Which are my foster-brothers, I may leap Like a hand-wolf into my natural wilderness, And do an out-rage: pray thee do not mock me. _Evad_. My whole life is so leprous, it infects All my repentance: I would buy your pardon Though at the highest set, even with my life: That slight contrition, that's no sacrifice For what I have committed. _Amin_. Sure I dazle: There cannot be a faith in that foul woman That knows no God more mighty than her mischiefs: Thou dost still worst, still number on thy faults, To press my poor heart thus. Can I believe There's any seed of Vertue in that woman Left to shoot up, that dares go on in sin Known, and so known as thine is, O _Evadne_! Would there were any safety in thy sex, That I might put a thousand sorrows off, And credit thy repentance: but I must not; Thou hast brought me to the dull calamity, To that strange misbelief of all the world, And all things that are in it, that I fear I shall fall like a tree, and find my grave, Only remembring that I grieve.