Act IV

SCENE I.—The Apartment of Evadne in the Palace.

Enter MELANTIUS, EVADNE, and Ladies.

Mel. Save you!

Evad. Save you, sweet brother!

Mel. In my blunt eye, methinks, you look, Evadne—

Evad. Come, you will make me blush.

Mel. I would, Evadne;
I shall displease my ends else.

Evad. You shall, if you commend me; I am bashful.
Come, sir, how do I look?

Mel. I would not have your women hear me
Break into commendation of you; ’tis not seemly.

Evad. Go, wait in the gallery.—Now speak.

[Exeunt Ladies.

Mel. I’ll lock the door first.

Evad. Why?

Mel. I will not have your gilded things, that dance
In visitation with their Milan skins,
Choke up my business.

Evad. You are strangely disposed, sir.

Mel. Good madam, not to make you merry.

Evad. No; if you praise me it will make me sad.

Mel. Such a sad commendation I have for you.

Evad. Brother, the court hath made you witty,
And learn to riddle.

Mel. I praise the court for’t: Has it learnt you nothing?

Evad. Me?

Mel. Ay, Evadne; thou art young and handsome,
A lady of a sweet complexion,
And such a flowing carriage, that it cannot
Chuse but inflame a kingdom.

Evad. Gentle brother!

Mel. ’Tis yet in thy repentance, foolish woman,
To make me gentle.

Evad. How is this?

Mel. ’Tis base;
And I could blush, at these years, thorough all
My honour’d scars, to come to such a parley.

Evad. I understand you not.

Mel. You dare not, fool!
They, that commit thy faults, fly the remembrance.

Evad. My faults, sir! I would have you know, I care not
If they were written here, here in my forehead.