 | The Brothers |  |
ACT III.
Enter Ramyres, Fernando.Ramy.
How, no success? where lies the opposition?
Don Carlos equall with my self profest
His free desires, and to dispose his Daughter
To meet thee with all loving entertainments.
What can she argue to thy birth, or person,
Attended with so plentifull a fortune?
I must believe thy courtship dull and faulty:
When I was at thy years and spring of blood
I wound my self like air among the Ladies,
Commanding every bosom, and could dwell
Upon their lips like their own breath, their eyes
Doubled their Beams on me, and she that was
Of hardest composition, whom no love
Could soften, when I came with charm of language,
Her Frost would strait dissolve, and from her eyes
Her heart came weeping forth to woo me take it.
Ferd.
Yet you that did with a Magnetick Chain
Attract so many, could possess but one;
I came not to Don Carlos house with cold
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That would have melted any heart but hers,
Bound up with ribs of treble Ice against me,
By which I found there is another fate
That governs love, against whose secret doom
In vain is eloquence or force.
Ra.
So Obstinate?
Ferd.
Nothing that I could say
In my own cause, could make her tongue or looks
Promise an expectation to thrive
By any after service, this disdain
I did resent, as it became my honor,
And now confirm'd against her pride, have thought
Of somthing, that with your consent, may tame
Her scorn, or punish it to her repentance.
Ra.
Name it.
Ferd.
She has a Kinswoman lives with her,
Felisarda Daughter to Signior Teodoro,
A trade fall'n Merchant, Brother to Don Carlos,
This Felis. that now lives on the charity of her Uncle,
Half servant, half companion to Iacinta,
And fair, I would pretend to love, observe me sir,
And in their presence court her as my Mistris;
Me thinks I see already how Iacinta
Doth fret and frown.
Ra.
I like it well.
Ferd.
To see her Cosen so prefer'd, it is
The nature sir of women to be vext
When they know any of their servants court
Another, and that love they thought not worth
Their own reward, will sting 'em to the soul,
When ti's translated where it meets with love,
And this will either break her stubborn heart,
Or humble her.
Ra.
But what if this pretence,
By such degrees convay away your heart,
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Retrive your passion from the last, or say
Felisarda should believe you, and give up
Her heart to your possession, when you
Are by your first desires invited back,
What cure for Felisardas wound, if you
Affect her not? although I like that part
Of your revenge, I would not have my Son
Carry the hated brand of cruelty,
Or hear Fernando broke a Ladies heart;
But live upon his clear, and honest truth,
And if Jacinta have not valued him,
Find his own estimation in some other
By fair and noble Courtship; Virtue is
Above the gaudy shine of Gold; and if
My Son love where his honor cannot suffer,
The want of Dower, I can forgive.
Ferd.
You now, read exc'lent charity, and like a Father,
It is the harmony I would hear, I chide
My fears that did suspect you would prefer
Wealth in a Bride; there is no beauty, or estate, compar'd
To that resulteth from the soul; I dare
Now ope this narrow Closet, and present
The name I love above the World, it is
Sir Felisarda, equall in her blood,
Within whose vertuous poverty
More Treasures are containd, than in those veins
Of earth, which opend by our slaves, do bleed
Such floods of Gold into the lap of Spain.
Pardon my long concealment of her name,
Twas sin against your virtue, and once more
Speak in that blessed Language, I may hope
To call this Virgin mine.
Ra.
How long have you
Been taken with this female holiness?
Ferd.
Before Jacinta was propounded, this
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Ra.
Thou hast discoverd thy destruction, foolish Boy.
Was this your policy to be reveng'd
Upon Jacinta, whom my providence
Elected to preserve our name and family,
To dote upon a Begger? thou hast flung
A fire into my brain; either resolve
To perfect my commands, and throwing off
That crifle thou hast prais'd, prefer Jacinta
To the best seat within thy hart, and marry her
Or live a stranger to me, and divested
Of all those rights, which nature, and thy Birth
Have flatter'd thee with hope to find; expect not
Alive, the slipend of a Groom to feed thee,
Nor dead, the naked charity of a shroud
To hide thee from the Worms.
Ferd.
O sir, call back
That murdering sentence, it were sin to let
This passion dwell upon you, nor would Heaven,
Whose eyes survey our frailty, suffer
So wild a rage possesse you.
Ra.
Tis within thy own obedience to divert it.
Ferd.
When you have heard what I can say more,
You will chide your fierce command.
Ra.
What Riddles this?
Ferd.
Jacinta is already made anothers, and my force
Upon her vowes, can be no less than sacrilege.
Ra.
This is some new pretence.
Ferd.
Sir, not to wast your patience, she hath given
Her self by holy contract to Francisco.
Ra.
Thy younger Brother?
Ferd.
This I know will calm
Your fury, and those eyes that threatend lightning
With smiles applaud Franciscos fate, and praise
My disobedience.
Ra.
Franciscos Mistris?
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His wife confirm'd by vows, & change of hearts,
I had it from themselves, when either strove
Whose circumstance should credit most their story,
Her tear or his conclusive groan, to seal
Their mariage, but both were equall sir,
What curse had I deserv'd, that should divorce
This Innocent pair of lovers?
Ra.
All this talk
Which foolish thou interpret'st thy defence,
Hath but inlarg'd thy folly, and that act
Which in Francisco I commend, upbraides
Thy own degenerate baseness: shall thy brother
Who carries all his portion in his blood
Look high, and carefull of his honor aim
At fortunes, and with confidence atchieve
His glorious end, and shall his Elder brother
Ingag'd by nearest tye to advance his name,
Lye beating in the common tract of guls,
And sacrifice his birth and expectations
To a cozening face, and poverty? instead
Of adding mon'ments, that to the world
Should be his living Chronicle, to bury
His own, and all the antique honors (he
Ne'r sweat for, but were cast into his blood)
Within a dunghill? thou hast forfeited
Thy birthright, which Francisco shall inherit,
Nor shall the loss of my Estate be all
Thy punishment; hear and believe with horror,
If thou renounce not her that hath bewitch'd
Thy heart, Felisarda, and by such a choice
I shall affect, redeem this scandall nobly,
Fernando from this minute I pronounce
Heir to his Fathers curse; be wise or perish.
Exit. Ra.
Ferd.
Why does not all the stock of thunder fall?
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Or the fierce winds from their close Caves, let loose,
Now shake me into Atoms?
Fran.
Fy noble Brother, what can so deject
Your Masculine thoughts? is this don like Fernando!
Whose resolute soul so late was arm'd to fight
With all the miseries of man, and triumph
With patience of a Martyr? I observ'd
My Father late come from you.
Ferd.
Yes Francisco,
He hath left his curse upon me.
Fran.
How?
Ferd.
His curse, dost comprehend what that word caryes
Shot from a Fathers angry breath? unless
I tear poor Felisarda from my heart,
He hath pronounc'd me heir to all his curses.
Does this fright thee Francisco? thou hast cause
To dance in soul for this, tis only I
Must lose, and mourn, thou shalt have all, I am
Degraded from my birth, while he affects
Thy forward youth, and only calls thee Son,
Son of his active spirit, and applauds
Thy progress with Jacinta, in whose smiles
Thou maist see all thy wishes waiting for thee,
Whilst poor Fernando for her sake must stand
An excommunicate from every blessing,
A thing that dare not give my self a name,
But flung into the Worlds necessities,
Untill in time with wonder of my wants
I turn a ragged statue, on whose forehead
Each clown may carve his motto.
Fran.
Will it call
His blessing back if you can quit your love
To Felisarda? she is now a stranger
To her Unkles house, I met one of his servants
Who told me on some Jealous apprehension,
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Ferd.
He could not be so barbarous.
Fran.
You know her Fathers Poverty.
Ferd.
And her Wealth of Virtue.
Fran.
It is worth your Counsell,
To examin what you may preserve, if wisely
You could perswade your heart to love some nother—
Ferd.
What was't Francisco said?
Fran.
Whose equall Birth,
And Virtues, may invite a noble change.
Ferd.
Do not you love Jacinta?
Fran.
Most religiously.
Ferd.
If you can but contrive your hearts at distance,
And in contempt of honor, and your faith
Sacred to Heaven, and love, disclaim your Mistris,
I may be happy yet, what say? I know
Jacinta's Wise, and when she understands
How much it will advance, her charity—
Fra.
Our case is not the same with your's good brother;
Wee have been long acquainted, to contract
Affections, if I understand, your loves
Are young, and had no time for growth.
Ferd.
Do not wound me.
Tis false, by Love it self thou hast deserv'd
I should forget thee now; dost thou consider
Love, (that doth make all harmony in our soul,
And seated in that noblest place of life,
The heart) with things that are the slaves of time,
And that like common seedes, thrown into Earth,
It must have leisure to corrupt, and after
Much expectation, rise to name and vigor.
Love is not like the child that grows, and gets
By slow degrees perfection, but created
Like the first man, at full strength the first minute,
It makes a noble choice, and gains from time
To be call'd only constant, not increas'd.
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Noble as they, I shall suspect thy love
To me else; prethee leave me.
Fran.
I'l obey,
And study how to serve you.
Exit.
Enter Felisarda.
Ferd.
Ha, tis Felisarda.
Felis.
Turnd out like one that had been false, where shall
Poor Felisarda wander? were it not
To ask a Fathers blessing, I would visit
Some Wilderness, e'r thus present my self
His burden and his sorrow.
Enter Pedro.
Ped.
Had you no relation to Jacinta pretty one?
Felis.
I was her servant.
Ped.
Come, you shall be my Mistris; they have us'd
Thee scurvily, I will provide thee a lodging.
Felis.
I shall not use your bounty sir for that.
Ped.
Thou art a hansom Dona, here's a Pistolet,
Meet me i'th' evening, wot?
Felis.
Where, and for what?
Ped.
The where, at thy own choice, the what, thy honor.
Felis.
You are not noble.
Ped.
Don Pedro will Embrace thy buxom body.
Ferd.
You must unhand this Virgin.
Felis.
For goodness Sir,
Add not your anger to my sufferings.
Unhappy Felisarda.
Ped.
Is she a friend of yours Signior?
Ferd.
She is not for your sinfull knowledge Don.
Ped.
Baser los manos, adios Signiora. Diabolo!
My blood is high and hot, unless I marry timely,
I must seek out a Female Julip.
Exit.
Felis.
Don Carlo's fear of you was my first error,
But I accept my banishment, and shall
Humble my self to my poor Fathers Fortune;
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With such a walking misery.
Ferd.
Thy Unkle
Hath plaid the Tyrant with thee, but lose not
Thy vertuous courage; how our stories meet
And challenge kindred in affliction!
Oh Felisarda! I do suffer too,
And for thy sake, thou shalt know more; til I
Salute thee at thy Fathers house, preserve
Good thoughts of thy Fernando, and accept
This litle Gold, no bribe against thy honor.
Felis.
My best return must be, my Prayers.
Exit.
Ferd.
Farewell.
Tis not impossible my Father may
Retract his cruelty, and by time, and some
Discreet wayes yet be wrought to like, what now
His passion wo'not let him see, her virtue.
How many Seas are met to wrastle here?
Exit.
Enter Jacinta and Alberto.
Iac.
I love you sir so well, that I could wish
You were a Witch;
Alb.
A Witch, your reason Lady?
Ja.
Then twere within the circle of your art
By some device to rid me of Don Pedro,
Or if you could by any spell but get
My Father disaffect him—
Alber.
A Witch? thats a way about, I were best cut his
Throat a little.
Jac
You're much beholding to my Brother sir,
He still commends you; such an Advocate
Deserves his fee.
Alb.
Unles my cause succeed
He has been feed too much; your Brother, Lady,
Preserves a noble friendship; if I were sure
You would be mine Jacinta, I could tarry
Till your Father dye.
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But how can you procure
Don Pedro to have patience so long,
Whom my Father pleads for and prefers?
Alber.
There, ther's the mischief, I must poison him;
One Fig sends him to Erebus, tis in
Your power and wit to spin out time, I may
Invent a means for his conveyance. Ha!
Enter Carlos, Estefania, Luys.
Ia.
The Lady Estefania.
Car.
Welcome again,
This is an honour to us, where's Iacinta?
Salute this noble Lady. Ha, Luys,
Hast thou prevail'd already?
Luys.
I'm i'th' way you see,
She has not been observ'd they say to walk
So freely with some men that boast more favour.
Enter Pedro.
Ped.
What makes the Lady Estefania here?
I like not their converse, this day is ominous.
Exit.
Car.
Was't not the Count Don Pedro that retird?
What object here displeas'd him?
Alber.
Ha, ha, didst see the Don?
Car.
Preserve your mirth—I must be satisfied.
Exit.
Luys.
I'l lay a thousand Ducats that my costive
Don has been tampering with my VViddow, I
Observ'd (when I by chance let fall discourse)
How much he was an amorous servant to
Iacinta, she chang'd her colour and did make
Such business how my Sister did affect him,
That I may guess, though I make use on't, otherwise
To the old man, to keep the pulses of
His Purse in play, she came to examin chiefly
How matters here proceeded; well, if she love him—
Alber.
Shee is thy Mistris.
Luys.
My Mistris? yes, but any man shall mary her.
Alb.
How?
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She is a Widdovv, Don, consider that,
Has buried one was thought a Hercules,
Two cubits taller, and a man that cut
Three Inches deeper in the say, than I, consider that too,
She may be cock a tvventy, nay for ought
I know she is Immortall.
Alb.
What dost with her?
Luys.
Faith nothing yet,
And have but little hope, I think shee's honest.
Alb.
Do's she love thee?
Luys.
At her ovvn perill, vv'are not come to articles;
There is no vvit in vviving, give me a vvhore;
But that I ovv thee money, thou shouldst never
Marry my Sister neither?
Alb.
Not Jacinta?
Luys.
No, nor any other simpering piece of honesty,
If I might counsell thee, while any wench
Were extant, and the stewes inhabited;
Is't fit, a Freeborn Gentleman should be chain'd
Tenant for life to one? Hang mariage shackles,
Ty the Tovvn Buls to'th' stake, vve must have concubins.
Jac.
Don Pedro was too blame, and trust me Madam
He shall find nothing here t'advance his triumph.
Estef.
You are Virtuous Jacinta; I presum'd
When I should land my sufferings on your knowledge,
You vvould excuse my unexpected visit.
Jac.
My Brother has been Just in the relation
Hovv he pursues my love, but I shall be
Happy to serve your Justice, and must tell
The noble Estefania, my heart,
By all that love can teach to bind a faith,
Is plac'd vvhere it shall never injure vvhat
Your mutuall vovvs contracted; I smile not
With mine ovvn eyes upon him, 'tis my Fathers
Severe command to love him, but this story
Cleer'd to my Father would secure us both.
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If any faith or service in me can
Deserve this goodness, cheerfully employ it.
Jac.
I will be confident to use your Virtue.
Enter Carlos.
Estef.
I will refuse no office.
Jac.
My Father comes most aptly.
Alb.
Ha, ha, ha, have pitty on my spleen,
I shall crack a rib else, ha, ha, ha.
Car.
You are very mery, Don Alberto; Son,
You may be of the counsell too, this house
Is mine I take it, I advise you would
Frequent it less.
Alb.
How Sir?
Car.
I do not like your visits,
And to remove the cause, my Daughter is
Already sir dispos'd, to one above
Your birth and fortune, so fare-you-well.
You understand, now laugh and pick your teeth.
Daughter—
Alb.
Did you hear this Luys?
Luys.
I, the old man raves.
Alber.
Must not frequent his house.
Luys.
Would 'twere in a flame, so his mony and I
Were out on't.
Alb.
But thy Sister—
Luys.
Would be refin'd i'th' fire, let her burn too.
Alb.
My friend, if I have not Jacinta,
There are certain sums of money—
Luys.
I am not of your mind Don, the sums are most uncertain.
Come, you did laugh too loud, my Father is
A Stoick, but despair not; go to your lodging,
I'l see thee anon, and either bring thee money
Or else some reasons why I do not bring it,
We won't go to Law, I'l pawn the widdow
Rather than thou shalt want; go say thy prayers,
And shew thy teeth no more, till I come to thee.
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Exit Alber.
Car.
Wee have agreed Jacinta,
And he to morrow privately
Will at the Church expect thee; tis an age
Till I salute the Bride to this great Don,
Whose thoughts are wing'd t'enjoy thee, and resolve
No more delay, prepare to meet this Honor.
Luys.
To morrow? this must be crost.
Car.
My next ambition Madam will be perfect.
To call you by some nearer name, my Son—
Est.
Is a most noble Gentleman, I know not
Where lives so clear a merit.
Luys.
Oh sweet Madam.
Car.
Jacinta.
Luys.
I have a sute to you.
Est.
To me?
Luys.
Only that you would not dote too much upon me,
A gentle easie sober pace in love
Goes far, and is much better than a gallop; if you please
We may hold one another in hand, and love
This seaven yeares, without sealing and delivering.
Est.
Withall my heart.
Luys.
You'l do me a pleasure Madam.
Est.
You instruct well.
Luys.
This Courtship is not common.
Est.
I confess it.
Car.
Son Luys.
Luys.
Sir.
Car.
Let her not cool.
Luys.
And she do,
I know the way to heat her again.
Est.
I will not yet reveal my abuse Iacinta,
And if you please to favor a design,
I have a plot may serve to both our happiness.
Jac.
I'l obey.
There is a trembling in my heart.
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You must not leave us yet Madam.
Est.
You may command me.
Luys.
My Don so rampart, ther's somthing in this pannier
Shall spoil your match to morow; Don Alberto,
When I disclose, shall worship me: be drunk,
Cancell arreers, and beg to lend more money.
Exe:
| The Brothers | |