Amin. Therefore I call it back from thee; for I know
Thy blood so high, that thou wilt stir in this,
And shame me to posterity.
Take to thy weapon!

Mel. Hear thy friend, that bears
More years than thou.

Amin. I will not hear! but draw,
Or I—

Mel. Amintor!

Amin. Draw then; for I am full as resolute
As fame and honour can inforce me be!
I cannot linger. Draw!

Mel. I do. But is not
My share of credit equal with thine,
If I do stir?

Amin. No; for it will be call’d
Honour in thee to spill thy sister’s blood,
If she her birth abuse; and, on the king,
A brave revenge: But on me, that have walk’d
With patience in it, it will fix the name
Of fearful cuckold. Oh, that word! Be quick.

Mel. Then join with me.

Amin. I dare not do a sin, or else I would.
Be speedy.

Mel. Then dare not fight with me; for that’s a sin.—
His grief distracts him.—Call thy thoughts again,
And to thyself pronounce the name of friend,
And see what that will work. I will not fight.

Amin. You must.

Mel. I will be kill’d first. Though my passions
Offer’d the like to you, ’tis not this earth
Shall buy my reason to it. Think awhile,
For you are (I must weep when I speak that)
Almost besides yourself.

Amin. Oh, my soft temper!
So many sweet words from thy sister’s mouth,
I am afraid, would make me take her
To embrace, and pardon her. I am mad indeed,
And know not what I do. Yet, have a care
Of me in what thou dost.

Mel. Why, thinks my friend
I will forget his honour? or, to save
The bravery of our house, will lose his fame,
And fear to touch the throne of majesty?

Amin. A curse will follow that; but rather live
And suffer with me.

Mel. I’ll do what worth shall bid me, and no more.

Amin. Faith, I am sick, and desperately I hope;
Yet, leaning thus, I feel a kind of ease.

Mel. Come, take again your mirth about you.

Amin. I shall never do’t.

Mel. I warrant you; look up; we’ll walk together;
Put thine arm here; all shall be well again.

Amin. Thy love (oh, wretched!) ay, thy love, Melantius!
Why, I have nothing else.

Mel. Be merry then.

[Exeunt.