University of Virginia Library

Act the Fourth.

Cælia on a Couch, Flora by her.
Cæl.
Flora , I cannot sleep, for all my thoughts
Infected with my griefs, flye up and down,
Collecting only things to keep me waking.

Flo.
I'le not stir from you, Madam, all this Night.

Cæl.
Flora, thy diligence deserves Reward,
And I'le not long be backward for to thank thee.
But prethee sing that Song I love so well,
That harmony, perhaps, will Charm my cares,
And give my senses Rest.

The Song.
Flor.
sings.

Flora.
She's faln asleep, may none but happy Dreams
Possess her Fancy.

[The Scene shuts.
Enter Antonio and Jasper in the Garden.
Anto.
Your confidence in this doth much amaze me.

Jasp.
Sir, still I'le pawn my Life, that what I said,
Appears e're long a truth Infallible,
And your own Eyes will bear me witness of it.

Anto.
Well, pitch upon a private stand for us,
That you know most convenient.
[Ex. Jasp.
Strange it is,
If this should prove a falshood after this;
I've threaten'd him with Death upon the failer,
Yet still he has persisted to affirm it,
Besides, I climb'd the Garden Wall before him,
And that way gave him time for his escape,
If he'd design to make it: These Circumstances
Do half perswade 'tis true. Oh, apprehension!
So terrible the consequence appears,
It makes my brain turn round, and Night seem darker.
The Moon begins to drown her self in Clouds,
Leaving a duskish horror every where,
My sickly fancy makes the Garden seem
Like those benighted Groves in Pluto's Kingdoms,
Which Poets fancy that the damn'd inhabit.

Jasp.
My Lord, my Lord.

[Enter Jasper.
Anto.
What now?

Jasp.
The Garden Door just opens, step this way, lest
You be seen.

[They stand close.
Enter Francisco and Sebastian.
Fran.
'Tis hardly late enough, we'l stay a little,
For I perceive no light i'th' usual Window.

Sebast,
But are you confident Antonio's absent?

Fran.
I'm told for certain that he went from home
To see Don John Valasco, who is sick.

Sebast.
Nay, then with safety we may walk a turn,
Though I confess, do what I can, my fears
Surmount my Reason and perswades there's danger.

Fran.
A hundred times I've past it in as much,
Yet then with confidence you slighted all;
Prethee forbear to urge them any more;
I'm half turn'd Coward with your fears already.

Sebast.
Let's take a turn then further from the House,
And by some other talk divert our thoughts.

[Exeunt.
Anto.
Jasper, I find thy Informations true,
Thus far at least; these are my Wife's kind Couzens.
Hell rid e'm from the World.

Jasp.
A hundred times they had been here before
In as much danger: Mark you that, my Lord?

Anto.
I, and in Soul retorted back the Lye,
For they in all their Lives ne're knew a danger
Equal to that they're near: Heark! how the Owl
Summons their Souls to take a flight with her,
Where they shall be Eternally benighted:
Now I again believe it was a Witch;
For here me-thinks I see a thousand Devils
Waiting in the Air with fire-forks in their hands,
Just as our City Serjeants wait with Maces,
To toss their Souls to their Eternal Prison;
Look there, that flash of Lightning does confirm it.
Nay, do but stay a little, you shall have all.
All, all; not a Soul of e'm shall escape this Night.
No, no, 'twill spoil good Company to part them.
But hold, a Light appears, draw back to cover.

[Exeunt.
Enter Francisco and Sebastian.
Sebast.
The Light is there, make haste and give the sign.

Francisco strikes a Key upon his Sword; Eugenia appears above in Cælia's Gown.
Eug.
Who's there, Francisco?

Fran.
The same, and would desire your Company below.

Eug.
This distance fits us better! Oh, Francisco,
Had we but alwayes kept it, I had been
A spotless Off'ring to my Bridal Bed,
But now must cloud my Marriage Joys with shame,
And fear of what will follow.

Fran.
Pray descend, this distance is not safe,
The Family may chance o're hear our words.

Eug.
I've more cause, should I come down,
You would attempt my strength, and Argument
To violate my Vows, as first you did
My Virgin-Honour.

Fran.
No, upon my Life, do but descend,
And may the Heav'ns pour all their Vengeance on me
If I do attempt you with a sillable
To break your Resolution.

Eug.
Is any with you?

Fran.
Yes, my Friend, Sebastian.

Eug.
Let him speak, then.

Sebast.
Madam, upon my Life, I will secure you,
And glory I have so much cause to do it.

Eug.
Your Virtue I rely on for my safety.

She takes the Light from above.
Enter Antonio and Jasper.
Anto.
I cannot hear their words, yet I'm sure
It's Cælia's there, her Habit tells me that.
Let's draw a little nearer.

Sebast.
Look there, Francisco, are not those two Men
Are creeping there?

Fran.
'Tis so, let's slip aside.

[Ex. Fran. and Sebastian.
Enter Eugenia below.
Eug.
Where are you, Couzen Francisco? Are you there?

Anto.
I, here, here, perfidious Woman.

[Stabs her, she falls.
Eug.
Oh, Francisco, 'tis an inhuman deed,
[Ex. Ant. Jasp.
To kill me thus, 'cause I would sin no longer,
But thou hast kept thy word, and took thy leave.
As I must now, of all the World, and thee—oh, oh—

Enter Gerardo and Servant.
Ger.
Pray Heav'n I be'n't too late, the Garden door
So open makes me wonder: Heard you no groans?

Serv.
I think I did, my Lord; heark, Sir again.

Eug.
Oh, oh; I fain would live a little longer,
If but to ask forgiveness of Gerardo,
My Soul will scarce reach Heav'n without his Pardon.

Ger.
Who's that wou'd go to Heav'n, and wants my Pardon?
Take it, what e're thou art, and mayst thou be
Happy in Death, what e're thou didst design.

Eug.
Is that Gerardo's Voyce? Sure loss of Blood
Doth make my fancy Idle: Is't Gerardo?

Ger.
Thou greatest Blessing of my Soul, it is.

Eug.
No, no, my Lord, you will abhor my Name,
When I shall tell the story made me thus.

Ger.
Heav'n knows I sooner should abhor my Life:
But tell me the Author of this horrid mischief,
That I may flye as quick to my Revenge,
As these sad thoughts do seize upon thy Soul.

Eug.
When you shall hear my story, your Revenge
Will, as I fear, vent against me in Curses.

Ger.
Were thy Crimes great as theirs that left thee thus
By all thy Virgin hopes I would not Curse thee.

Eug.
My Lord, that's it you are deceiv'd in.

Ger.
Nay, now thou rav'st—help me to bend her body
Her loss of Blood will keep her story from me;
And I shall Live i'th' dark, and ne're Revenge her.

Eug.
Alas, my Lord, my Couzen, base Francisco,
Being let in by my accursed Nurse,
Came to my bed, and there by force and strength obtain'd
His hated ends.

Ger.
Oh, damn'd Villain, he shall not long survive
To boast of it.

Eug.
Had I staid there, and not consented further,
I should have needed pity, and not pardon.

Ger.
Tell all the rest, for this is so surprizing,
I'd fain perswade my self it was a Dream.

Eug.
After this Fatal loss, a shame succeeded,
Shame that produc'd fear; infus'd by threats
Urg'd both by him and her, wherein they said,
If I refus'd to grant that willingly,
Which he at first did force, they would declare
The Action to the World, so to disgrace me.

Ger.
O that old wrinkl'd Hag! that she should plot this.

Eug.
What will not wicked Age effect for Gold?
But they at last made fear or'e-come my Vertue,
And I by that made all their guilt my own,
Meeting him here still when he did appoint.

Ger.
Well, this confest, how came you by these Wounds?

Eug.
My Lord, Francisco did entreat my Company
This Night; when as I enter'd,
Without a word, but here, perfidious Woman,
He stab'd me in the Breast, and left me thus.

Ger.
Hadst thou been dead, and Angels told the story,
I should have thought, in Envy of thy worth,
They had invented it, and ne're believ'd it.

Eug.
I have no breath to tell you; oh, my Lord,
I do forget, they still are in the Garden—
Have a care of—

[Dyes.
Ger.
Have a care of what? Oh, speak, Eugenia, speak.
She's gone, she's gone; and could not tell her mind:
What is't I must have a care on! O some Angel
That waits to shew her Soul the way to Heav'n,
Come back and tell me, what it was she meant:
Was it her Reputation she took care of?
No, no, that cannot be, had it been that,
She might have kept the story to her self:
And then been Canoniz'd: Was it of me
She did express her care? If so, 'twas needless;
For he that lets me Live to kill Francisco,
Though he does so by me, when that is done,
Shall have my thanks and Prayers i'th' other World;
But stay, they're in the Garden, I'le go look e'm,
“For if Revenge so just I do delay,
“I shall deserve Heav'ns Vengeance for the stay.

[Exeunt.
Enter Francisco and Sebastian.
Fran.
Who should they be I wonder talk'd so long?

Sebast.
Sure, when she found us not, she would retire.

Fran.
No doubt on't; yet I am not satisfy'd what two
Those were, and why they staid so long.
Could your Ear reach to understand their words?

Sebast.
No, not a syllable more then a humming noise.

Fran.
Nor mine; but now they're gone, let's walk that way,
'Twill be the best to miss them.

Sebast.
Content.

[Exeunt.
Enter Don Gerardo and Servant.
Ger.
It is in vain to look e'm if they hide,
The Garden's large; besides perhaps they're gone;
We'l to the Body.

Serv.
You're by it now, my Lord.

Ger.
This Accident amazes me so much,
I go I know not where.

Enter Francisco and Sebastian.
Serv.
See there, my Lord, two Men.

Fran.
W'are pretty near the Window, there's no Light.

Ger.
Have at thy heart, Francisco,
[Ger. and Servant draw.
This Token from Eugenia.

Fran.
Nay, then, at thine: Be whom thou wilt, that Name
Tells me thou'rt no Friend.

They Fight, the Servant shoots Sebastian just as Francisco runs Gerardo through, which pursuing, Servant kills him too.
Sebast.
Courage, Sebastian's by thee.
My fears are come about, for I am kill'd;
Francisco, fare thee well.

[Dyes.]
Fran.
'Tis double Death to see my Friend dye thus.
Was't not enough, you Fates, to take my Life,
But I must guilty be of murd'ring him.

Serv.
My Lord, how do you?

Ger.
Making what haste I can to meet Eugenia.

Serv.
O me! Unfortunate!

Ger.
Bewail me not; Death is a pleasure to me,
Since I can see Francisco lye there by me;
But ask him e're I dye,
What made him kill Eugenia?

Fran.
What, is Eugenia Dead?

Ger.
Why seems it strange to thee, who basely hast
First Rob'd her of her Honour, then of Life.

Fran.
Gerardo, it was cruelty to kill her, being as
Yet she had not done thee wrong, and dying,
I rejoyce I have Reveng'd her

Ger.
Francisco, sure thy Crimes have made thee Devil,
Or thou would'st ne're transfer thy Treachery
By murd'ring her, and place it thus on me.

Fran.
May I reach Heav'n as I'm Innocent
Of any Death but yours: Which if a guilt
Forgive me Heav'n and you as—

[Dyes.
Serv.
He's dead, my Lord.

Ger.
With such a Lye in s mouth;
O Heavenly Angels lead me not his way,
For he must alwayes walk i'th' paths of falshood;
Remove me nearer to Eugenia's Body;
My Spirits faint apace, and I must follow:
One word, and then farewell;
I have no time for to Reward thy care:
Here, take this Ring, and give it to my Brother,
He left it with me when he went to Travel;
Tell him I still preserv'd it for his sake,
A faithful pledge of our United Friendship.
Bid him, that by this Token he believes
Three words I left within my Cabinet
Concerning thee this Evening: He will do it,
And use thee as a Friend, as I have done.

Serv.
I'le bear the Ring, but not the Message, Sir;
I ne're will seek for Friends when you are gone.

Ger.
I do conjure thee do it: Tell our story too
As true as is thy self: But have a care,
Wound not Eugenia's Fame more then must needs.
Francisco's and Eugenia's dying words
Will make it strangely dark, as 'tis to me,
But I must leave it so!
Give me thy hand, commend me to Antonio;
Alas! I had forgot him, pray Heav'n his story
Produce no further mischief; tell Cælia nothing
Befor't be day: Bus'ness comes thronging on me,
But I faint—make but one Grave, and lay us
In it thus—Farewell.

[Dyes.
Serv.
Now dyes the justest Man the Earth contains,
And I would do so too, but that I know
Self-murderers ne're must keep him Company;
I'le set the Bodies up against the Wall,
And call the Watch; what if they say I'm guilty,
And make my Life to answer all these Deaths:
Why, let e'm do't, for Death would now be well
Since to survive his loss to me's a Hell.

[Exit.
Enter Antonio and Jasper.
Jasp.
Come, come, my Lord, the coast is quiet now.

Anto.
I hope that Pistol sav'd our swords a labour.

Jasp.
I'm sure they could not leave the Garden yet,
But we must needs have seem e'm.

Anto.
Nay, I'm sure they did not pass the Garden door,
For if they had, we should have stopt their Journey.

Jasp.
I think I heard a talking up this way,
After the Pistol made us leave our Post.

Anto.
Though I did leave the Door, yet still my Eye
Was bent that way, and I saw none to pass.
But stay, where's Cælia's Body?

Jasp.
See, my Lord,
There is a Man doth hold her in his Arms.

Anto.
It is Francisco sure! Have at his heart.
Runs at Gerardo.
How's this, not stir! Nay, then he's dead
Already—the Moon deceives me, or it is Gerardo.
Oh Heav'n's! It is my Friend, dead, dead, and stiff,
And my accursed hand hath Wounded him.
This is not Cælia neither, but Eugenia in her Gown!
What strange mistakes are these?

Jasp.
But who are here?

Anto.
What, more!
By Heav'ns Francisco and his Friend Sebastian!
Both dead too! Death has had a Feast to Night.
Do not we Dream? As for this Womans Death,
Surely her Fathers Soul did guide my hand
To strike the blow, since needs she must betray
Her Honour to Francisco, in these meetings!
But oh, my Sword hath pierc'd my Friend Gerardo.
What Fatal Accident mixt his Blood with theirs.
But stay, there's Light appears, slip into the Grotto.

[Exeunt.
Enter Servant, Captain, and Watch, with two Torches.
Serv.
Here is the dismal place I told you of,
And here the Bodies.

Capt.
A fight most terrible in time of Peace!
But did Francisco still deny her Death?

Serv.
To his last moment;
He did confess he had abus'd her,
But would have plac'd her Death upon my Lord.
And seem'd as much to wonder we deny'd it.
As we that he did so.

Capt.
What said Sebastian?

Serv.
He scarce did speak a word after I shot him.

Capt.
Had we not best to knock, and call Antonio?

Serv.
He's not at Home.

Capt.
Yes, but I'm sure he is.

Serv.
He was not late at Night, for I was there.

Capt.
That's strange, for just at shutting in o'th' Evening
I met him at a House that stands i'th' Suburbs,
Saying, he would go Home.
I think however we had best to knock.

Serv.
My dying Lord made it his last desire,
That Cælia might not be disturb'd this Night.

Capt.
Well, take the Bodies up, and keep e'm safe,
You shall to the Vice-Roy's presently with me,
I scarce perform my trust, if I detain
The knowledge of so strange an Accident
A moment from his Ears, whose Wisdom will
Direct in this, which far exceeds my skill.

[Exeunt.
Enter Antonio and Jasper.
Jasp.
You see, my Lord, that I was in the right,
I only said, it was my Ladies Gown,
But never did affirm it was her Person.

Anto.
And I am glad it is not: Now, if Nurse
Fails too in her discovery, I am safe;
For if we keep our Councel, all these Deaths
Lye pat amongst themselves, and there's not one,
Except Gerardo, that I'd wish alive;
He was my friend, and it looks Ominous,
That I should Wound him so, though after Death:
Jasper, thy diligence shan't want Reward,
But that must follow: Come, let's away.

[Exit.
Jasp.
My Reward follows! I believe it does;
'Faith, my good Lord, be sure it be a good one,
Or be content to hang for Company;
Now hap what will, I'le rid him with this murther;
Till I do make him spend's Estate to Bribe me:
“I was his Slave before for fear; but now
“I'le make him mine, since I this secret know.

Exit.