University of Virginia Library

Act the Fifth.

Cælia Discover'd in Bed, Flora by her.
Cæl.
Sure 'twas a real Pistol-shot that wak'd me,
Yet from a Dream so terrible, it did it,
That I had rather never sleep again,
Then hazzard such another. I thought I saw
Lye dead by me,
My Lord Antonio, Don Gerardo, Jasper,
The Nurse, Francisco, and the Young Sebastian,
With Pedro, and thy self; this dreadful sight,
Or else the Pistols noise, I spoke of, wak'd me,
And made me cry help, help, which frighted thee.

Flor.
Why truly, Madam, it was a dreadful Dream,
And I as much was frighted at your call,
Yet, for my own part, I did hear no Pistol.

Cæl.
It may be then, it only was my fancy,
For truly all my Dream seems still to me
So like a truth, that I can scarce distinguish
Whether I then did wake, or now am sleeping;
And but I see these things, and thee so plain,
I should conclude my Dream did still continue.

Flor.
Pray Heav'n divert all mischief from the house,
For I have heard it said by Learned Men,
Nay, and Religious too, that Dreams like these,
That stick so fast upon our fancies waking,
Are guided by a power that's more then Chance,
And alwayes are portents of something like them:
I'm sure, for my own part, do what I can,
That Dream I had will not yet leave my head,
Which makes me think Jasper designs me mischief.

Cæl.
Flora, you go too far, Dreams are but shadows
Reflected from some Acts the day preceeding,
As ours are now; for from those Accidents
Of my Lords taking Jasper, the Dream you told,
And Don Gerardo's naming of Francisco,
Mine now is formed: Thus they but succeed
Things past, and not prognostick things to come.

Flor.
Pray Heav'ns these do not do't, but I'm afraid

Enter Nurse, frighted with Eugenia's Ghost.
Nurse.
Stand off, stand off, what makes you follow me?
I'm sure I did not kill you, if you're dead,
Or if you be not, why are you so pale?—
So, so—she's gone—but what made me come hither.

Cæl.
What, do you study wayes to fright me, Nurse?
It is no proper time to play your tricks.
What makes you up at such a time of Night?
Look, how she stands amaz'd, and doth not answer;
Think you I take a pleasure to be frighted?
That you persist in't still?

Flor.
What, is the Woman mad, or would be thought so?
What makes you stand and stare thus?

Nurse.
Did you see no Body?

Cæl.
Who should we see but an Old doting fool,
That turn'd a Child again, would Act like one,
And can't find a proper time for't neither.

Flor.
What make you up so late, Nurse?

Nurse.
What's that to you? It may be I sat up
To make my Lady merry with this Jest,
But now, forsooth, I'm grown too Old to please her.
You are her favourite—what, come again?
O, do not stare so at me!

[Shreeks.]
[Exit.
Cæl.
There's something more in this then barely play!
How the Old Woman star'd? sure she's run mad!
For shame, or sorrow Jasper goes away.
Prethee follow her.

Flor.
Since you will have me, Madam, I will do't,
Though I dare scarcely venture.

[Exit.
Cæl.
The greatest Object pity hath, is Age,
When it returns to Childishness again,
As this Old Woman doth; and though we say,
That Age is Honourable, we only mean,
When Gravity and Wisdom are its marks,
And not gray hairs, and froward peevishness,
As ten for one, are known by to be Old,
And though we see this true, yet we would all
Prolong our time to that decrepid state,
When nothing but contempt can wait upon us;
How strangely sin dastards our very Reason,
Making that guide us to desire known ills
Rather then Joys, that promis'd we deserve not;
For the best Men through sense of guilt do fear
To change for unseen Joys their troubles here.

[Exit.
Enter Nurse.
Nurse.
If this Ghost follow still, 'twill make me mad;
For sure it is a Ghost it looks so pale;
Ay, and Eugenia's Ghost, I'm sure it is;
But who should kill her? May be Don Francisco!
Oh, there it is again—It's not my fault—
Oh, do not follow me then: What shall I do?
See there again, she points unto her Breasts—
It's gone again, I fear 'twill make me mad—
I'le go to Prayers: But I forget my bus'ness,
My Lord will come, and I must let him in,
And shew him what I promis'd, or he'l kill me.
Enter Flora.
What, come again! Oh, Heav'ns! I'le stop my Eyes.

Flor.
Nurse, are you mad?

Nurse.
No, you would make me so! But I defie thee—
Be gone, thou Spirit, i'th' name of Heav'n, be gone.

Flor.
Who should be gone?

Nurse.
Thou! for thou'rt the Devil. Come not near me.

Flor.
My Lady sent me to you—

Nurse.
No, no, she did not, for she lov'd me always,
And would not send the Devil thus to fright me.

Flor.
I am no Devil, Nurse, look upon me, I'm Flora.

Nurse.
Ay, where's the Spirit then I saw just now?

Flor.
There was no worser Spirit then my self.

Nurse.
No; 'pray Minx, what makes you follow me?
I'le set you back again i'th' Devils Name,
Come you to spy my Actions.

Flor.
No, Nurse, my Lady sent me, don't be angry,
She was afraid that you were running mad.

Nurse.
I, mad, it may be so; now I am Old
I must be mad, forsooth; but time has been,
There's ne're a Servant durst have laught at me,
Nor I'le not take it now, no that I won't,
I'le tear your Eyes out first.

She runs after Flora, who still is too quick for her.
Flor.
Nay, softly, Nurse; so, so; ay, there!

Nurse.
Where where? I see it now, It's strangely pale!
O, do not fright me so; it's gone again.
And now I shall have time to follow you;
Nay, now I'le tear thy Eyes out.

As Flora runs away, she falls, Nurse gets upon her
Flor.
Oh, Nurse, Nurse! have mercy on me,
Do not scratch me so.

Nurse.
I'le be thy Death, there's nothing shall preserve you.
Ah—are you there again! The Devil, the Devil.

[Exit.
Flor.
'Twas well for me her madness work't again,
And made her take a whim to run away,
She would have kill'd me else, do what I could;
I'le stay no longer, lest she come again.
I'd not be in her fingers as I was
For all I'm worth.

[Exit.
Enter Captain, Watch, and Servant.
Capt.
When I consider every Circumstance
Of what you tell, and what I know my self,
I must conclude, I ought not to defer
To search Antonio's House: if he's from home,
As you pretend he is: It makes me think
There is some strange Intrigue design'd by him.
For why should he turn back, as you relate,
And then obscure himself in such a House?
Besides, he told me, he was strait for Home,
And yet it seems he was not, as you say.

Serv.
It's truth, upon my Life, he was not there
At past the hour of Nine.

Watch.
Who comes there!
Enter the little Devil, and runs and skulkes.
Captain, the Devil, the Devil!
See where he stands?

Capt.
O' my Conscience! The Witches little Familiar again!
If you're afraid, let me come, I'm us'd to
These sort of Devils ! Come, come, uncase,
It sputters like a Cat, Captain to him.
Uncase, young Gamester, what slippery pranck
Are you about now? Don't you remember your
Last escape, Sirrah?

Devil.
Pray Master don't whip me, I'le tell all.

Capt.
Out with it then; where's the Old Witch, your Mistress?

Devil.
Alas, Captain, she was kill'd to Night when
You brought in the Watch to search our House.

Capt.
Kill'd, by whom?

Devil.
I know not that, but we were putting a cheat
Upon a Lord there, by contrivance of his Man,
And when you knockt, we ran to our lurking holes
To hide us, but when the Coast was clear, we came
Out, and seeking for my Mistress, found her dead in one
Of the holes, thrust through her Body with a Dagger in
Three places.

Capt.
What cheat was that you put upon the Lord?

Dev.
We Acted like Devils, and in a Song made him
Believe his Wife did Cuckold him.

Capt.
This was Antonio, whom I met there, Sir.

Devil.
Ay, that's his Name, a mighty furious Man,
He said, he'd kill e'm all before 'twas day.
He made me quake to hear him; I hope now,
Captain, you will let me go.

Capt.
No, no, you Rogue! If he has done more mischief
You shall be hang'd, except you find your Fellows
That joyn'd i'th' cheat with you to make him Jealous.

Devil.
I'le bring you presently to them, and shew you all
Their holes; they did but send me out to watch when
The Coast was clear!

Capt.
Who, say you, set you on to this design?

Devil.
An ill-look'd Rogue, his Man, the Witches Nephew;
I think they call him Jasper.

Capt.
Well, take the Boy, and call some of your Fellows,
And there surprize them all I'le not defer
My searching to prevent the mischief
That Don Antonio further may design,
For I believe he had a hand in this
Was done i'th' Garden, however the mistake
Did happen to begin between the Dead.

Serv.
Come, Sir, make haste, for I begin to fear
Some Tragedy is Acted in the House,
For Don Antonio's Rage is alwayes quick,
And they have toucht the string will stretch it highest.

Capt.
Come then, let's hasten back.

[Whistling behind the Stage.
Enter Nurse.
Nurse.
Ay, that's his whistle, and I must obey't.
Why Pedro, Pedro! What, are'you dead asleep?
Pedro, I say.

Pedro.
within.
Who calls?

Nurse.
Pedro, rise quickly, my Lady Cælia wants you.

Ped.
What can she want me for at such a time?

Nurse.
I know not, but Flora came, and said you must
Come quickly, I think, to Ride to my Lord.

Ped.
I come, but I'le have a care of your Tricks, Nurse.

Nurse.
What tricks? What do you
Enter Pedro in a Night-Gown, with his sword in's hand.
Do with your Sword?

Ped.
Why, Nurse, you may have malice, and malice
May seek mischief, which because you are no Witch,
And cannot come through a Key-hole to compass,
For ought I know, you call me out to do it—ha!
What whistle's that?

[Whistle.
Nurse.
What whistle! Are you mad! Go to my Lady.

Ped.
Still I suspect you.

[Exeunt.
Enter Nurse, with Antonio and Jasper.
Anto.
Are they together, Nurse?

Nurse.
Yes, my Lord, the more's my sorrow!

Anto.
Nay then, I see the Devils did speak truth;
Francisco, their kind Couzen, Whor'd them both,
By Heav'ns they took their turns, I see it plain!
O that I could invent some horrid Death,
And had but time to execute it on them;
But since I cannot, plain stabbing will do well,
The less they've here, the more they'l find in Hell.

Nurse.
I hope you will not kill your Lady, Sir!

Anto.
Not kill her! But I must.

Nurse.
What have I done? Oh, oh.

[Cryes out oh, oh.
Anto.
Hold, stop your mouth, I'le stop it for you else;
They'l hear her, and escape!
Come, Jasper, are you ready?

Jasp.
Yes, my Lord, I follow.

[Exeunt.
Nurse.
What have I done, one Murder on another?
I see 'twas he that kill'd Eugenia, now,
By's naming Don Francisco; oh, that Jasper—
Oh, the Ghost again—what shall I do?

[Exit.
Cælia in Bed, and Flora all Bloody.
Cæl.
I'm sorry that I sent thee, since she's mad,
But would 'twas day, that I might get her lookt to.

Flor.
I'm sure she has scratch't my face sufficiently.

Cæl.
'Tis well it was no worse.

[Pedro knocks.
Flor.
Alas! she'l come again!

Ped.
Flora, Flora.

[He knocks.
Flor.
Who's that, Pedro! What's the matter with you?

Ped.
Nurse call'd, and said my Lady would speak with me.

Cæl.
Bid him come in.

Flor.
My Lady bids you enter.

[Enter Pedro.
Cæl.
Pedro, the Nurse is mad, I did not call you,
You see how she has scratcht poor Flora's Face,
She came just now shreeking and staring hither;
If you could lock her up into some Room,
It would do well.

A noise, Exiturus, he fights, and Enters with Antonio, whom when he sees, he lets fall his point, and is kill'd. Jasper runs Flora through.
Ped.
I hear her coming up.
Thieves, Madam, Thieves!
Oh Heav'ns, it is my Lord!

Anto.
Damn'd Letcher, so it is!
What, does your Courage fail you—
There, take that—
Runs him through.
And boast in Hell that Don Antonio's Sword
Did thee the Honour to send thee thither.

Flor.
O Heav'ns! My fears were true, the Rogue has kill'd me.

Anto.
Now Monster of thy Sex, see this, and tell me.
[Falls & dyes.
What are the effects you do expect from it?

Cæl.
Death, that's less terrible then is your Anger,
Which I perceive by it's effects already,
Upon that Innocent Man cannot stay there.

Anto.
Are your concerns for him, when they should be
Employ'd to Heav'n for mercy to your Soul?
Nay, then Hell take it's Quarry; this for Don Lewis,
This for Don Francisco; and take this last
For thy insatiate Lust with that damn'd Hind.

Cæl.
This killing me, my Lord, is very cruel;
Since I ne're sinn'd in thought against your Honour.
This, as I do expect Eternal Rest,
Is such a Truth, that I can dye in it.

Anto.
O Hell and Furies! This Womans impudence exceeds you all.
See there a Dog just wreeking from thy Bed,
Hot with the Labour you have put him to:
And yet in thought you did not wrong my Honour.

Cæl.
From my Bed, my Lord! You are abus'd;
That fellow was not here full half a minute,
E're your self enter'd! Oh, I can no more—
Heav'n and the World grant Pardon for my Blood.
For truth it self bears witness; I dare say
That more I sorrow for your guilt then Death.

Anto.
If this be true, tell me as thou art dying,
What made him here at such a time o' Night?

Cæl.
I cannot tell more, then that the Nurse did send him;
And she's run mad with guilt, or shame, or both!
Oh, I can say no more—the Room turns Round;
My Lord, farewell—Heav'n pardon you all Blood,
As I forgive you mine—oh, oh,—

[Dyes.
Anto.
Her Death both staggers, and amazes me!
Are these Dead too?

Ped.
Not yet, my Lord, I am not.
Your Sword hath left me some small time for Prayers,
And it had need; for I believe few Souls
Can be assur'd to find their way to heav'n
Without more warning to begin their Journey.
But yet I do not find much cause for doubt.

Anto.
Nay, if thou'st hopes, by that I do conjure thee
Tell me, what brought thee hither?

Ped.
The Nurses madness;
She call'd me from my Bed, and told me, Flora
Was sent to bid me come unto my Lady,
Which though I scarce believ'd, yet I did do't.

Anto.
Why did you say it was her madness did it?

Ped.
My Lady said she was so, for she came
Not long before shreeking into this Chamber,
So as you enter'd I was going down
To lock her up till morning in some Room:
This, as I hope for heav'n, my Lord, is true.

Anto.
Then 'tis as true, that I must never hope for it.
For I have kill'd a VVife of such obedience—
But hold, I'le pump the Nurse—who set her on
To tell me this.

[Enter Nurse frighted.
Nurse.
O! whether will you drive me!
Be gone, be gone!

Anto.
Here, here she comes, I'le make her tell me all.

Jasp.
But I'le prevent the story if I can.—

Jasper Runs Nurse through but is staid by Antonio.
Anto.
What, does the Villain mean to kill her yet?

Jasp.
Does she not deserve it? To invent such lyes,
And do such mischiefs with them.

Nurse.
O thou damn'd Rogue! 'Twas thou that made me do't.

Jasp.
You lying Witch, be damn'd—

[Offers at her again.
Anto.
Forbear, you Rogue, I'le do as much for you else.
Speak, why you did it?

Nurse.
My Lord, he threaten'd me, and made me do't;
And taught me to call Pedro when you knockt.

Ped.
Look to your self, my Lord, he'l kill you else.

Jasper runs Anto. behind.
Jasp.
This way is only left—hell take your Tongue.

Anto.
Ah, thou hast kill'd me; yet I have strength enough
To send thy Soul to hell.

They fight. A noise without. Jasper is mortally wounded.
Jasp.
'Tis done, I am catch' at last in my
Own Trap. Oh, I deserve my Death for want
Of fore-sight, to let him Live & spye upon my Actions.
I should have serv'd you thus, and thus,
[Runs Pedro through as he lyes, and Nurse.
And thus—and you too thus.

[Pedro and Nurse Dye.
Ped.
Oh, O, O!

Anto.
Infernal Monster! how his malice lasts.
Within.
This way's the noise.

Enter Captain, watch, and Servant.
Cap.
What horrid sight is this? VVe come too late.

Anto.
Too late indeed, except you'd come to save
The best of VVives that there lyes murder'd
By my accursed hand.

Capt.
VVhat, Cælia dead too! What made you do't, my Lord?

Jasp.
Alas! he cannot tell, the Jealous fool
Was but an Instrument in my Revenge;
'Tis only I can tell you why she dy'd.
But yet I would not give that satisfaction,
Did I not fear my Name would be forgotten,
Except this Tale of my Revenge was known;
In which I shall live famous.—

Serv.
O thou Dogg! Dost glory in the mischeifs thou hast done?

Jasp.
I, and have reason; name the man that ever
Did in one Day contrive so many Murders,
And make 'em all Successful.

Capt.
But what should move thee to this Villainy?

Jasp.
For that you will not wonder.
I am Jasper De Monsalvo, Heir to that Estate
This Lord doth now possess.

Anto.
Ah Heav'ns! some of that desperate Bandity
Did once attempt my life.

Jasp.
Yes truly—

Anto.
Poor Cælia, 'tis no wonder thy mind did boad
Great misciefs from this Fellow, being Son of
One did still contrive to kill me, for what the
King after just forfeiture for mighty services
Had given my Father.

Jasp.
O Revenge!
Thy sweetness takes away the taste of Death.
But you'l lose my story; which in short is this:
That Lady lov'd me not, and therefore I
Made her Lord Jealous, took him to a Witch,
And there I fool'd him finely: Till the Jade,
Who was my Aunt indeed, at your approach
Would have discover'd all; which I prevented,
And stopt her Mouth with this: Then I contriv'd
To kill Eugenia, knowing she would meet
Francisco in the Garden; that I did
Because she call'd me Villain, and refus'd
To lent me Whore her too, as did her Couzen;
And more, I knew the simple Lord I serv'd
When he had Murder'd her, as I should make him,
Would thank my Care, and well reward it too:
Nay, I'd have him do't for his own safety,
That still the Murder might be thought Francisco's;
You know the rest i'th' Garden. I taught besides
That damn'd Old Hagg, whose fear has made me thus,
To put this trick on Pedro: I bid her call him
When she should hear us whistle, then in haste,
And all undrest send him to Cælia's Chamber,
Whilst we, let in, might meet him coming thence,
Thinking the Cuckold's Rage would murder all,
And never hear 'em speak; but there I fail'd,
Their dying words betray'd me, that's the worst,
Or I had liv'd to glory in their Deaths;
But this my Comfort is, he'l not survive me,
I have done his bus'ness too before I dye.

Serv.
Was er'e so Impudent a Villain seen?

Capt.
I'le try to stop his wounds, that so
I may keep him for Execution.

Jasp.
Stand off, by Hell,
He that comes near me finds his Death with this!
Think you I'm grown so tame to dye by Law;
No, no, I'le not endure a formal Tryal,
To be upbraided with those things I think
Deserve a Trophy rather then Contempt,
Which since I know will follow, here's my Bail,
This will deliver any Man from Jayl.
Let Cowards dye by hanging; such as I
As we live bravely, thus dare bravely dye.

Stabs himself.
Capt.
He has done well; no Excutioner
Could have been found so bad as his own hand,
And Hell will give him what he wants on Earth:
And yet, my Lord, it troubles me for you,
Since my Place binds me to secure your Person,
To answer Law for all your Rage has done.

Anto.
Shame almost stops my mouth; yet, Captain, know
My wound won't give me time for that misfortune;
Stay but a little, let me fix my Eyes
On what lies here, for that alone would give me
A sudden Death, had I no other hurt.
I dare not hope for Heav'n, having done
So black a Murder on such Innocence,
And yet I do believe her Charity
As it did dying, still doth beg that Pardon
Might from above be granted to my soul,
Which if I miss, as I have cause to fear,
Then sure I shall be turn'd into a Devil
For ever to Torment his Cursed soul
That led me to these mischiefs.
'Twould be some ease, if Heaven but granted that,
But I begin to faint! Oh, Blessed Soul
Dart forth one Beam of Light, to guide the way,
Or I shall always wander in the dark.
Night seizes me already: yet from hence
In spight of death my soul shall take her flight,
Go where I will, I thus set out a right.

[Dyes.
Serv.
Hes dead—

Capt.
By dying so, at least he's thus far happy,
That he Escapes the Punishments of Tryal,
And the Exemplar death must have attended
Which to a man so Jealous of his Fame
As he was, would have been a Hell on Earth.
Your Duty to your Lord will keep you safe,
Yet you must to the Vice-Roy go with me
To be a Witness there of what hath happn'd,
The story else will seem Incredible.

Serv.
I am ready, Sir, for all you shall Command.

Capt.
Oh Jealousie, thou sickness of great souls,
To what a Rage didst thou transport this Lord?
For had his Wife been false it was not good
By Murd'ring her to drown himself in Blood;
For Lust may be Excus'd since flesh is frail,
But Murder on the Soul does guilt Entail.