Mel. This is a night, ’spite of astronomers,
To do the deed in. I will wash the stain,
That rests upon our house, off with his blood.

Enter AMINTOR.

Amin. Melantius, now assist me: If thou be’st
That which thou say’st, assist me. I have lost
All my distempers, and have found a rage
So pleasing! Help me.

Mel. Who can see him thus,
And not swear vengeance?—What’s the matter, friend?

Amin. Out with thy sword; and, hand in hand with me,
Rush to the chamber of this hated king:
And sink him, with the weight of all his sins,
To hell for ever.

Mel. ’Twere a rash attempt,
Not to be done with safety. Let your reason
Plot your revenge, and not your passion.

Amin. If thou refusest me in these extremes,
Thou art no friend: He sent for her to me;
By Heaven, to me, myself! And, I must tell you,
I love her, as a stranger; there is worth
In that vile woman, worthy things, Melantius;
And she repents. I’ll do’t myself alone,
Though I be slain. Farewell.

Mel. He’ll overthrow
My whole design with madness.—Amintor,
Think what thou dost: I dare as much as Valour;
But ’tis the king, the king, the king, Amintor,
With whom thou fightest!—I know he’s honest,
And this will work with him.

[Aside.

Amin. I cannot tell
What thou hast said; but thou hast charm’d my sword
Out of my hand, and left me shaking here,
Defenceless.

Mel. I will take it up for thee.

Amin. What a wild beast is uncollected man!
The thing, that we call honour, bears us all
Headlong to sin, and yet itself is nothing.

Mel. Alas, how variable are thy thoughts!

Amin. Just like my fortunes: I was run to that
I purposed to have chid thee for. Some plot,
I did distrust, thou hadst against the king,
By that old fellow’s carriage. But take heed;
There’s not the least limb growing to a king
But carries thunder in it.

Mel. I have none
Against him.

Amin. Why, come then; and still remember,
We may not think revenge.

Mel. I will remember.

[Exeunt.