King. I do not like this.—All forbear the room,
But you, Amintor, and your lady.

[Exeunt all but the King, Amintor, and Evadne.

Amin. [aside.] He will not tell me that he lies with her?
If he do, something heavenly stay my heart,
For I shall be apt to thrust this arm of mine
To acts unlawful!

King. You will suffer me to talk with her,
Amintor, and not have a jealous pang?

Amin. Sir, I dare trust my wife with whom she dares
To talk, and not be jealous.

[Evadne and the King speak apart.

King. How do you like
Amintor?

Evad. As I did, sir.

King. How is that?

Evad. As one that, to fulfil your will and pleasure,
I have given leave to call me wife and love.

King. I see there is no lasting faith in sin;
They, that break word with heaven, will break again
With all the world, and so dost thou with me.

Evad. How, sir?

King. This subtle woman’s ignorance
Will not excuse you: thou hast taken oaths,
So great, methought, they did not well become
A woman’s mouth, that thou wouldst ne’er enjoy
A man but me.

Evad. I never did swear so;
You do me wrong.

King. Day and night have heard it.

Evad. I swore indeed, that I would never love
A man of lower place; but, if your fortune
Should throw you from this height, I bade you trust
I would forsake you, and would bend to him
That won your throne: I love with my ambition,
Not with my eyes. But, if I ever yet
Touch’d any other, leprosy light here
Upon my face; which for your royalty
I would not stain!

King. Why, thou dissemblest, and it is
In me to punish thee.

Evad. Why, ’tis in me,
Then, not to love you, which will more afflict
Your body than your punishment can mine.

King. But thou hast let Amintor lie with thee.

Evad. I have not.

King. Impudence! he says himself so.

Evad. He lies.

King. He does not.

Evad. By this light he does,
Strangely and basely! and I’ll prove it so.
I did not shun him for a night; but told him,
I would never close with him.