 | The Revolution of Sweden |  |
SCENE The Viceroy's Palace.
Enter the Viceroy and Beron.
Vice.
Oh curst misfortune, unexpected change!
Has this Gustavus been Confederate
With Infernals! That we shou'd ne'r be warn'd
Of ought in Treaty betwixt him and Lubeck,
Till we're block'd up, their Fleet within our Port,
That we shou'd find our selves close Pris'ners in
A City, which at worst we doubted not
Of Pow'r to leave at Pleasure!
Ber.
That Pow'r you have,
Gustavus offers you, and the Arch-Bishop,
The Liberty of passing safe to Denmark.
Vice.
Oh Beron, on what Terms! I must give up
My Pris'ners, release Constantia, whom but now
I thought securely mine, and Oh what Pleasures
Fill'd my imagination! What Hope—
What might I not have hop'd from her Resentment,
In absence of her Lord—now all is lost,
All is despair, for ever I must lose her!
Ber.
My Lord, there are in Denmark, many Ladies
As worthy your Affection.
Vice.
She shall not be releas'd, I'll force her hence.
Ber.
Impossible, you'll be your self detain'd,
'Till she's releas'd.
Vice.
Then be it so, I'll stay.
Ber.
Have not such desp'rate thoughts, my Lord,
The Citizens wou'd quickly force her from you,
Gustavus threatens them with Fire and Sword,
Unless the Pris'ners are return'd in safety;
Th'Arch-Bishop too has Pow'r to give her up,
And doubtless will, his Liberty depending upon hers.
Vice.
Cruel necessity!
Enter Arch-Bishop, Fredage and Courtiers.
Arch.
What Consultation now?
'Tis Fated that the Fortune of Gustavus
Shou'd be superior, and dispose of ours.
Why are the Pris'ners he demands, detain'd?
Vice.
I thought your Grace wou'd not have suffer'd him
To Triumph in their Safety.
Arch.
Rather than our Destruction.
Oh that we cou'd recall, or have retarded
But one Day, t'ave scap'd this Destiny!
Not to have held our Lives, and Liberty,
On the precarious pleasure of this Boy.
Vice.
When 'tis too late to think of safety,
'Tis time to take Revenge.
Arch.
My Lord I cou'd retort your words as aptly,
But we have now no Pow'r; the City wou'd
Prevent such mad Revenge, and turn it on our selves,
T'appease Gustavus. Inequitable Stairs!
Have I a Soul fitted to such a Fortune?
Why was I made impatient of subjection?
Why had I not a servile, groveling Spirit,
That cou'd have fawn'd, cring'd, and been transported,
With a smile of Favour? I might have then
Been happy in this change, Gustavus wou'd
Have Pardon'd, and receiv'd me into Grace,
Despicable Thought! I'll perish rather.
My Lord, let's instantly depart, release
Your Pris'ners, e'er Gustavus is admitted;
We must not stay to see his hated Triumph,
Confess his Power, be willing, double Slaves.
Vice.
Well, what's inevitable must be suffer'd;
Arch.
'Twere madness to reject our offer'd Freedom,
By which alone we've means to be his Plague,
Still to disturb his Peace, and make our Vengeance
Lasting, as his Fortune!
Vice.
Go, Beron.
See the Pris'ners conducted to the Gates.
Enter Constantia and Maria.
Ha! Support me in this Tryal Beron,
I shall revoke my Grant, and to Mankind
Betray my weakness!
Ber.
My Lord, consider
You'll in vain attempt detaining her,
And only run your self on certain Ruin.
Vice.
It must be so.
Const.
My Lords, I'm told we're Prisoners no longer.
Arch.
Ay, you may now insult—But tell Gustavus
We yet have Pow'r of Vengeance—Tho' you Triumph,
His Mother, and his Sister, still are ours.
Const.
Alas, I have a dearer part engag'd
Among ye, to divide my Soul, my Fate,
And turn my wretched Triumph on my self!
I came not to insult, but to Petition.
Vice.
Can we have ought to Grant?
Const.
That I may with my Woman be permitted
To depart, before the other Pris'ners
Demanded by Gustavus, are deliver'd.
Ber.
Mind that, my Lord, consent to her Request,
It may be advantagious to our purpose.
[Aside to the Viceroy.
Vice.
Since you must go—the manner as you please,
My Guard shall set you safe without the Gates.
But Oh, Constantia, think on the Slave you leave
At least with Pity, nor curse me for the faults your self have caus'd.
Const.
I am not us'd to Curse, and now alas,
Baseness and Guilt are grown so universal,
Were all just imprecations heard, Mankind
Might be destroy'd. The worst I dare implore
Against ye now is this—Be all the Ills ye purpose
Disappointed, and all the past forgiv'n!
[Ex. Const. and Maria.
Vice.
Why do I let her go! Death were less painful!
Ber.
This is the only moment you will think so,
Support this Pang, and you've no more to struggle with.
Fred.
So please your Excellence, I might attend
Constantia to the Camp.
Vice.
Fredage, 'tis true, thou'rt with the rest demanded
By Gustavus, but woud'st thou run our Fortune,
We'll inform him thou stay'st a willing Pris'ner with us.
Ber.
My Lord He'll be of better use among
The Enemies, whilst unsuspected; none
More fit to be employ'd in our design
To make a breach 'twixt Arwide, and Gustavus;
I've giv'n him the Paper sign'd by Arwide,
And have engag'd him to assist our purpose.
Vice.
'Tis well, his Service shall not want Reward,
But lose no time, Fredage.
Fred.
I'll do my best, my Lord, but in my Judgment,
Discovering Arwide's Treaty with your Excellence,
Will rather Prejudice than serve your Cause.
Ber.
Nephew, be satisfy'd we know our Int'rest,
You shall have my Instructions.
Vice.
Obey your Uncle.
You may return with Arwide to the Camp.
I wait your Grace.
Arch.
Think not ye loyal Swedes,
[To the Attendants.
That we discharge ye of Fidelity,
And Duty to your King; we've left our Orders
To defend the City, and shortly shall return
With Aid from Denmark; mean while remember,
I charge it on your Consciences, to keep
Your due Allegiance to King Christiern; and do engage
He will not less reward his faithful Subjects,
Than punish the Perfidious.
[All the Attendants bow.
Ber.
My Lord, if I shou'd seem revolted to
The Rebels, be assur'd 'tis with design
Of more effectual Service to the King.
Fred.
Oh miserable Fate! to be so near ally'd
To such a Traytor!
Vice.
I know thee, Beron,
Nor can doubt thy try'd Fidelity.
Whilst you conduct the Pris'ners—We'll to the Port.
Enter Arwide.
Arw.
My Lord, I may now claim Constantia from you,
Howe'er before refus'd the Privilege to see her.
Vice.
We'd cause to fear she'd influence you against
Your own Intentions, of leaving her an Hostage.
Arw.
That Reason's ceas'd—Yet tho' our Treaty's null'd,
My Lord Archbishop, I doubt not that Gustavus
Will resign your City Upsal, on condition
That you no more disturb your Countries Peace:
We have no End but to restore our Laws,
And ancient Rights; And to accept a Share
Of Liberty, is the sole Terms requir'd
For our Alliance.
Arch.
I despise th'Alliance,
To be, like thee, a Subject to my Equal;
No, if e'er I submit to a Superior,
It shall be one whom Nature gave Dominion.
Let thy mean-spirited associate Slaves,
Worship an Idol of their own creating;
Boast of a Pageant Freedom, I disdain
Where those obey who've equal Right to reign.
[Ex. Arch. Vice. cum suis.
Arw.
Sweden may boast her Freedom now, deliver'd
From that ambitious, proud, tyrannick Spirit.
Beron, we'll not detain the Viceroy longer, I wait Const. to depart this instant.
Ber.
My Lord, she's gone before, e'er this she's with Gustavus.
Arw.
Gone! wherefore gone without me? what means this Care,
To part me from my Wife?
Ber.
'Twas at her own Request, most earnestly
She beg'd to be alone remitted to Gustavus.
Arw.
Ha! unkind, unjust, Constantia! Is it Revenge
For my design of leaving her? How much unlike
Is this Caprice, to what I've wont to find her?
Fred.
My Lord, 'tis fit we hasten to the Camp.
Ber.
I attend your Lordship.
Arw.
Lead on, I'm most impatient,
She Triumphs in each Moment of my stay,
And I my just Reproach too long delay.
[Exeunt omnes.
Enter the Viceroy and Beron.
Vice.
Oh curst misfortune, unexpected change!
Has this Gustavus been Confederate
With Infernals! That we shou'd ne'r be warn'd
Of ought in Treaty betwixt him and Lubeck,
Till we're block'd up, their Fleet within our Port,
That we shou'd find our selves close Pris'ners in
A City, which at worst we doubted not
Of Pow'r to leave at Pleasure!
Ber.
That Pow'r you have,
Gustavus offers you, and the Arch-Bishop,
The Liberty of passing safe to Denmark.
Vice.
Oh Beron, on what Terms! I must give up
My Pris'ners, release Constantia, whom but now
I thought securely mine, and Oh what Pleasures
Fill'd my imagination! What Hope—
What might I not have hop'd from her Resentment,
In absence of her Lord—now all is lost,
All is despair, for ever I must lose her!
Ber.
My Lord, there are in Denmark, many Ladies
As worthy your Affection.
Vice.
She shall not be releas'd, I'll force her hence.
Ber.
Impossible, you'll be your self detain'd,
'Till she's releas'd.
Vice.
Then be it so, I'll stay.
Ber.
Have not such desp'rate thoughts, my Lord,
The Citizens wou'd quickly force her from you,
47
Unless the Pris'ners are return'd in safety;
Th'Arch-Bishop too has Pow'r to give her up,
And doubtless will, his Liberty depending upon hers.
Vice.
Cruel necessity!
Enter Arch-Bishop, Fredage and Courtiers.
Arch.
What Consultation now?
'Tis Fated that the Fortune of Gustavus
Shou'd be superior, and dispose of ours.
Why are the Pris'ners he demands, detain'd?
Vice.
I thought your Grace wou'd not have suffer'd him
To Triumph in their Safety.
Arch.
Rather than our Destruction.
Oh that we cou'd recall, or have retarded
But one Day, t'ave scap'd this Destiny!
Not to have held our Lives, and Liberty,
On the precarious pleasure of this Boy.
Vice.
When 'tis too late to think of safety,
'Tis time to take Revenge.
Arch.
My Lord I cou'd retort your words as aptly,
But we have now no Pow'r; the City wou'd
Prevent such mad Revenge, and turn it on our selves,
T'appease Gustavus. Inequitable Stairs!
Have I a Soul fitted to such a Fortune?
Why was I made impatient of subjection?
Why had I not a servile, groveling Spirit,
That cou'd have fawn'd, cring'd, and been transported,
With a smile of Favour? I might have then
Been happy in this change, Gustavus wou'd
Have Pardon'd, and receiv'd me into Grace,
Despicable Thought! I'll perish rather.
My Lord, let's instantly depart, release
Your Pris'ners, e'er Gustavus is admitted;
We must not stay to see his hated Triumph,
Confess his Power, be willing, double Slaves.
Vice.
Well, what's inevitable must be suffer'd;
Arch.
'Twere madness to reject our offer'd Freedom,
By which alone we've means to be his Plague,
Still to disturb his Peace, and make our Vengeance
Lasting, as his Fortune!
Vice.
Go, Beron.
See the Pris'ners conducted to the Gates.
Enter Constantia and Maria.
Ha! Support me in this Tryal Beron,
48
Betray my weakness!
Ber.
My Lord, consider
You'll in vain attempt detaining her,
And only run your self on certain Ruin.
Vice.
It must be so.
Const.
My Lords, I'm told we're Prisoners no longer.
Arch.
Ay, you may now insult—But tell Gustavus
We yet have Pow'r of Vengeance—Tho' you Triumph,
His Mother, and his Sister, still are ours.
Const.
Alas, I have a dearer part engag'd
Among ye, to divide my Soul, my Fate,
And turn my wretched Triumph on my self!
I came not to insult, but to Petition.
Vice.
Can we have ought to Grant?
Const.
That I may with my Woman be permitted
To depart, before the other Pris'ners
Demanded by Gustavus, are deliver'd.
Ber.
Mind that, my Lord, consent to her Request,
It may be advantagious to our purpose.
[Aside to the Viceroy.
Vice.
Since you must go—the manner as you please,
My Guard shall set you safe without the Gates.
But Oh, Constantia, think on the Slave you leave
At least with Pity, nor curse me for the faults your self have caus'd.
Const.
I am not us'd to Curse, and now alas,
Baseness and Guilt are grown so universal,
Were all just imprecations heard, Mankind
Might be destroy'd. The worst I dare implore
Against ye now is this—Be all the Ills ye purpose
Disappointed, and all the past forgiv'n!
[Ex. Const. and Maria.
Vice.
Why do I let her go! Death were less painful!
Ber.
This is the only moment you will think so,
Support this Pang, and you've no more to struggle with.
Fred.
So please your Excellence, I might attend
Constantia to the Camp.
Vice.
Fredage, 'tis true, thou'rt with the rest demanded
By Gustavus, but woud'st thou run our Fortune,
We'll inform him thou stay'st a willing Pris'ner with us.
Ber.
My Lord He'll be of better use among
The Enemies, whilst unsuspected; none
More fit to be employ'd in our design
To make a breach 'twixt Arwide, and Gustavus;
I've giv'n him the Paper sign'd by Arwide,
And have engag'd him to assist our purpose.
49
'Tis well, his Service shall not want Reward,
But lose no time, Fredage.
Fred.
I'll do my best, my Lord, but in my Judgment,
Discovering Arwide's Treaty with your Excellence,
Will rather Prejudice than serve your Cause.
Ber.
Nephew, be satisfy'd we know our Int'rest,
You shall have my Instructions.
Vice.
Obey your Uncle.
You may return with Arwide to the Camp.
I wait your Grace.
Arch.
Think not ye loyal Swedes,
[To the Attendants.
That we discharge ye of Fidelity,
And Duty to your King; we've left our Orders
To defend the City, and shortly shall return
With Aid from Denmark; mean while remember,
I charge it on your Consciences, to keep
Your due Allegiance to King Christiern; and do engage
He will not less reward his faithful Subjects,
Than punish the Perfidious.
[All the Attendants bow.
Ber.
My Lord, if I shou'd seem revolted to
The Rebels, be assur'd 'tis with design
Of more effectual Service to the King.
Fred.
Oh miserable Fate! to be so near ally'd
To such a Traytor!
Vice.
I know thee, Beron,
Nor can doubt thy try'd Fidelity.
Whilst you conduct the Pris'ners—We'll to the Port.
Enter Arwide.
Arw.
My Lord, I may now claim Constantia from you,
Howe'er before refus'd the Privilege to see her.
Vice.
We'd cause to fear she'd influence you against
Your own Intentions, of leaving her an Hostage.
Arw.
That Reason's ceas'd—Yet tho' our Treaty's null'd,
My Lord Archbishop, I doubt not that Gustavus
Will resign your City Upsal, on condition
That you no more disturb your Countries Peace:
We have no End but to restore our Laws,
And ancient Rights; And to accept a Share
Of Liberty, is the sole Terms requir'd
For our Alliance.
Arch.
I despise th'Alliance,
To be, like thee, a Subject to my Equal;
No, if e'er I submit to a Superior,
It shall be one whom Nature gave Dominion.
50
Worship an Idol of their own creating;
Boast of a Pageant Freedom, I disdain
Where those obey who've equal Right to reign.
[Ex. Arch. Vice. cum suis.
Arw.
Sweden may boast her Freedom now, deliver'd
From that ambitious, proud, tyrannick Spirit.
Beron, we'll not detain the Viceroy longer, I wait Const. to depart this instant.
Ber.
My Lord, she's gone before, e'er this she's with Gustavus.
Arw.
Gone! wherefore gone without me? what means this Care,
To part me from my Wife?
Ber.
'Twas at her own Request, most earnestly
She beg'd to be alone remitted to Gustavus.
Arw.
Ha! unkind, unjust, Constantia! Is it Revenge
For my design of leaving her? How much unlike
Is this Caprice, to what I've wont to find her?
Fred.
My Lord, 'tis fit we hasten to the Camp.
Ber.
I attend your Lordship.
Arw.
Lead on, I'm most impatient,
She Triumphs in each Moment of my stay,
And I my just Reproach too long delay.
[Exeunt omnes.
| The Revolution of Sweden | |