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The hearts of beasts to spare thy innocence.
Bel. Alas, my lord, my life is not a thing
Worthy your noble thoughts! 'tis not a life,

'Tis but a piece of childhood thrown away. 15

Should I outlive you, I should then outlive
Virtue and honour; and when that day comes,
If ever I shall close these eyes but once,
May I live spotted for my perjury,
And waste by time to nothing! 20

Are. And I (the woful'st maid that ever lived,
Forced with my hands to bring my lord to death)
Do by the honour of a virgin swear
To tell no hours beyond it!

Phi. Make me not hated so. 25

Are. Come from this prison all joyful to our deaths!
Phi. People will tear me, when they find you true

To such a wretch as I; I shall die loathed.
Enjoy your kingdoms peaceably, whilst I

For ever sleep forgotten with my faults: 30

Every just servant, every maid in love,
Will have a piece of me, if you be true.
Are. My dear lord, say not so.
Bel. A piece of you!

He was not born of woman that can cut it
And look on.

Phi. Take me in tears betwixt you, 35

For my heart will break with shame and sorrow.
Are. Why, 'tis well.
Bel. Lament no more.
Phi. Why, what would you have done,

If you had wrong'd me basely, and had found

Your life no price compared to mine? for love, sirs, 40

Deal with me truly.

____________________
16 then] om. Q1.
16 you] om. Q6, F.
17 comes] come Q1.
18 shall] should F.
20 by time] by limbs Q2, Dyce. my limbs Q3 to Web.
21 lived,] was, Q2 to Dyce; the F. makes the speech a little more colloquial
by reading--as ever was, for that ever was.
24 beyond] behind Q1.
31 servant] i. e. lover. Bullen. maiden Q1.
33 dear lord] dearest Q1.
34, 35 He . . . look on] one line Q. F.
34 woman] women Q2 to Web.
38 Why] om. Q2 to Web.
40, 41 Your . . . truly] The first quarto has--
My life two whit compared to yours far love,
Sirs, deal with me truly.
40 sirs] Cf. IV. iii. 54.

-218-

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Publication Information: Book Title: The Maid's Tragedy; Philaster; A King and No King; The Scornful Lady; The Custom of the Country. Contributors: Francis Beaumont - author, John Fletcher - author. Publisher: George Bell and Sons & A. H. Bullen. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1904. Page Number: 218.
    
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