 | The Brothers |  |
Act V.
Enter Carlos, Pedro.Pe.
Your daughter does not use me well Don Carlos.
Car.
I know not what to think,
56
Ped.
Not yet appear? they might,
And they had crept like Tortoyses, Ariv'd
Before this time.
Car.
There is some strange disaster.
Ped.
The Coach orethrown, and both their lives
Endanger'd, can but excuse 'm.
Enter Alsimira.
Oh my Lord, Don Carlos.
Ped.
The Tragick voice of women stricks mine eare.
Car.
Alsimira?
Ped.
Madam.
Car.
Where is our Daughter?
Alsi.
My fear almost distracts me, she is gone,
Stoln, ravish'd from me.
Ped.
Ha.
Alsi.
An armed Troop
In Visards forc'd her from my coach; and heaven
Knows where they have hurried the poor Jacinta.
Car.
A troop of armed Devils.
Ped.
Let them be
A legion, they are all damn'd.
Al.
Nay they were men and mortall sure.
Ped.
I w'on'ot leave one soul amongst them all.
Car.
Mine is in torment.
I'th' hope and height of my ambition
To be thus cros'd! how scap'd you?
Alsi.
Alas I was not young enough, I offer'd
My self to bear her company, and suffer
As much as she did, but one boysterous fellow
With a starch'd voice, and a worse vizard, took me
Just here above my Sciatica, and quoited me
Into the coach agen upon my head,
I had a larum in't for half an hour,
And so I scap'd with life.
Ped.
Did they use her with any rigor?
Alsi.
To say truth they were gentle enough to her.
57
That mollifies, and they may live.
Car.
Hell overtake 'em, lets return, they had better
Committed incest, than this rape.
Ped.
They had better ravish'd Proserpine before
Don Lucifer's own face. I am all fury.
Exeunt.
Enter Alberto and Estefania.
Alb.
Pardon my dear Jacinta, It was love
That threw me on this act, I had no patience
To see thee forc'd into a mariage
By a covetous Father, whose devotion
Is only Wealth and Title; I esteem
No danger, if at last the fair Jacinta
Smile and allow this duty; let not silence
Deprive me longer of thy voice, whose every
Accent will please, though it pronounce my sentence;
There's death in this Eclipss too, sweet dismiss
Thy ungentle veil, and let thy eyes make bright
This melancholy air, that droops and dies
For want of thy restoring beams.
Est.
Now sir,
What think you of your Mistris?
Al.
You are the Lady Estefania I take it.
Est.
Yes, you did take me from the coach Alberto
But by a consequence I find, you thought
Jacinta in your power, I could have told you,
Had you discover'd sooner what you were,
Where to have found your Mistris, but shee's now
Above your hope, and by the priest ere this
Made wife to Don Francisco.
Alb.
To Don Pedro?
Est.
It was not sir impossible that I
(Had not your violence prevented me)
(By a plot between Jacinta and my self,
To take her place and person in the coach)
Had by this time been married to Count Pedro,
Whom I have power and Justice sir to challenge
58
Al.
Have I so long
Ly'n beating at the bush, and is the bird
Fled to Francisco?
Est.
I should shew I had
A passion sir, and sense of this captivity,
But that I find 'twas error, and not will
Lead you to this; and your own loss now made
Irreparable, helpes to tye up my anger.
Al.
Madam, I must confess a wrong, and dare
Submit to let your anger punish me,
For I despise my self, now I have lost
My expectation, and if you please
To think I had no malice in this act
To you, You can propose no satisfaction
I shall esteem a penance to repair you,
As far as my poor life, if you'l direct it.
Est.
'Tis nobly promis'd sir. You shall redeem
In my thoughts what is past, if you be pleas'd
To make my stay no longer here; I have
No desperate aim to make Don Pedro yet
Know how to right me, or make publick what
Should bind his honor to perform.
Al.
Was not Luys Madam entertain'd your Servant?
Est.
I shall make known the story if you walk
But to Don Carlos House.
Al.
You shall command me.
Exeunt.
Enter Carlos, Alsimira, and Servant.
Car.
No newes yet of Jacinta?
Al.
None.
Car.
He must
Not live in Spain, nor in the World, if my
Revenge can overtake him, that has stoln
My Daughter; could you not by voice or habit
Guess at the ravisher? Ye are traitors all.
Alsi.
Now I consider better, I suspect
Alberto one of the conspiracie,
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Car.
Ha! Alberto?
Alsi.
And how he might engage some Ruffians
To cross Don Pedro.
Car.
'Twas he, where's Luys?
I do not like his absence, thei'r both guilty;
My own blood turnd a rebell? send for the Alcaides,
They shall both trot like theeves to the Corrigidor.
Where is Count Pedro?
Alsi.
Gon in search of his lost Mistris.
Car.
When all things were ripe,
The very Priest prepar'd to seal our Ioyes,
A work my brain did labour for, and sweat
With hope to see accomplish'd, undermin'd?
And in a Minute all blown up?
Alsi.
Have patience
She may be found agen.
Car.
But how my Lord
May be inclin'd to accept her foil'd, or wounded
Enter Luys drunk.
In fame—
Alsi.
Luys is here.
Car.
Borachio, here's a spectacle! more affliction?
Where is your Sister, whats become of Jacinta?
Lu.
My Sister and Jacinta are gone together.
I know all the business.
Alsi.
Where is she?
Lu.
She is very well, I know not where she is.
But Don Alberto is an honest Gentleman,
And has by this time done the feat.
Car.
Confusion—
Lu.
You think you had all the wit, it was my plot.
You may thank heaven that you are old, & ugly,
to Alsi.
You had been no Mother of this World. But sir,
I have some newes would be deliver'd privately.
Mother of mine, avant.
Car.
Th'art not my Son.
Was ever man so miserable? away
Thou spunge; get him to sleep,
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I dare not medle with him.
Exit.
Lu.
In sobriety a word.
Car.
Where is Alberto?
Lu.
Where every honest man should be a bed, with my Sister,
Old man, I ha'consider'd o'the former mater we talk'd on
And would do things like a dutiful son, but I find that a
Wife is not altogether so convenient for me as a—
Car.
Will none deliver me?
Lu.
They are somewhat slug,
Now I have found out an excellent tumbler,
That can do the Somerset, please you to be acquainted
with her, and give me your opinion, She shall play
with all the stews in Christendome, for all you are
worth, if I live, and yet she is but 17 there's a periwinkle,
I had a Gemini, before I went to travell, And
I am bound in conscience, if you think fit, to see her
well Provided for—
Car.
With whips, i'l have her skin flead off.
Lu.
Her skin flead off? dost thou know mortal man
What thou hast said? I tel the Don, nothing can come neer
Her in the shape of an Officer, she is a very Basilisk & wil
Kill em with her eyes 3 score yards point blank, but you
May talk, & do your pleasure with her, for I came a
Purpose to bring her to your lodging, if you love me,
Do but see her, it shall cost you nothing, you shall
Be my friend, hang money?
Car.
Thus will my state consume, vexation!
What shall I do? when you have slept, Luys
I'l tell you more, attend him to his Chamber
And make his Door fast.
Luys.
You vvill consider on't, upon those terms, I wil go
Sleep at vvinckling.
Exit.
Car.
And wo' not all this take away my senses?
My Son is lost too, this is all a curse
For my ambition and my Avarice.
Enter Alsimira and a servant with a Letter.
Als.
News Don Carlos from our Daughter.
Car.
Ha, a Letter! 'tis Iacintas hand.
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Know'st where she is?
Ser.
Yes Madam, and her resolution
Carl. reads.
To attend her Father, with my Master Don Francisco
If Don Carlos please to admit 'em, the matters done.
Alsi.
What matter?
Ser.
They are as fast as any Priest can make em.
Car.
Wife to Francisco, now his Fathers heir?
That's some allay, if it be true, she writes,
Don Pedro was contracted to Estefania, who supplied
Her person in the Coach—twas not Jacinta was ravish'd
Then, Don Pedro was not noble, after he had made faith,
To intangle my Iacinta. Hum, say they shall
Be welcome.
Ser.
They are present sir.
Enter Francisco and Iacinta.
Car.
I am nor yet collected, but if this
Paper be justified, I receive you both.
Peruse those wonders Alsimira.
Iacin.
Sir, though by the tye of nature you may challenge
All duty, this is done so like a Father
It exceeds all your care.
Fran.
Let this confirme,
I bring a fortune not to be despis'd,
But were I Master of the World, I should
At price of all my wealth, think this a treasure
Purchac'd too cheap.
Car.
My blessing and my prayers, I'm new created,
And bow to that great providence; all Joy
Spread through your soules; this is not much amiss.
Fran.
But what's become of Madam Estefania
That took Iacintas place?
Alsi.
Forc'd from the Coach
By Don Alberto, thinking her my Daughter
Iacin.
That part of our plot fail'd, but my intents
Were fair, and to assist this injur'd Ladie
Ser.
Don Pedro sir.
Enter Servant.
Car.
You shall for some few minutes.
62
He may be violent, leave me to moderate.
Fra.
I shall obey you sir.
Exit.
Enter Pedro.
Fed.
Was ever man of my great birth and fortune
Affronted thus? I am become the talk
Of every Picaro and Ladron, I challenge
A reparation of my honor; where's
Jacinta? tis a plot, a bace contrivement
To make my name ridiculous, the subject
Of every scurrill language.
Car.
My Lord with pardon
Of your Altesa, y'are not Injur'd here,
Unless I have been faulty in too much
Observance, and desires to serve your person,
With almost sacrifice of my Daughter.
Ped.
Ha! too much to me?
Car.
I would you had remembred
How much your Honor was engag'd before,
By Contract to another, when you mock'd,
The Innocent Jacinta, now not mine.
Ped.
Who hath traduc'd my fame, or mention'd me
With that dishonour? I disclaim all Contracts.
The unconfin'd Aire's not more free, than I
To all the World, except your beauteous Daughter.
Car.
Do you know the Lady Estefania?
Ped.
Dares she make saucie claim? my breath dissolves it
If every Lady whom we grace with our
Converse should challenge men of my Nobility—
Car.
I wish my Lord you could evade it, for
The honor of my Family; if your conscience
Or Art can nullifie that Ladies sinterest
I am resolv'd—my Son Luys shall
Aside,
Then marry With that Widdow, I have no other
Ambition.
Ped.
You are wise, and I
63
Enter Alberto, Estefania with a Letter.
From any promise to that sullen Madam.
Ha! tis Jacinta, and she wears the Jewell
I did present, conspicuously; I ask
No reason for thy absence, let me chain.
My darling in this amorous curl, tis happiness
Enough to repossess thee, not the policie
And power of Hell shall separate us agen.
Este.
It is but Justice sir.
Ped.
Ha! Estefania.
Alb.
Do you know her sir?
Este.
Do you know this character?
Ped.
Conspiracy.
Est.
When this is read Don Carlos
You will imagine he has wrong'd your Daughter.
Car.
Is this your hand Count Pedro?
Ped.
Mine—tis counterfeit
Upon my honor, and I thus dissolve
Thy insolent claim.
Este.
Nothing can bind I see
A false heart
Car.
This must give you freedom Madam,
If you release his hasty vow.
Este.
Faith cannot
Be compeld sir.
Ped.
These are all Impostures;
I take my self into my self.
Alb.
What shall become of her my noble Count?
Ped.
I pitty her
But cannot cure her wound, and if you be
Her friend, advise her to contain her passions,
And wisely love one that can entertain it.
Alb.
You hear this Madam?
Este.
And can smile upon
His violated fath.
Car.
Now for Luys,
To strike in with the Widdow.
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Hee's asleep.
Car.
Ile wake and quicken him.
Exit.
Este.
Hadst thou bin worth my love, I should have held
Thee worth my anger shadow, of a Lord.
Thy greatness I despise, and think thee now
Too poor for my revenge, and freely give
Thee back thy barren promises, and when
I read in story, one that has been perjur'd,
I'l write Don Pedro in the place of him
That brok his faith, and thank my fate t'have mist thee.
Alb.
If you please Madam, while he is i'th' humor
Of being base, I'l make him gather up
These paper reliques, which he shall make him self
Up into rolls, and having swallowed 'em
For Pills, thank you, his Physick was so gentle.
Este.
It will be too much time & breath lost on him.
Alber.
It will become me Madam to attend you.
Exit Este.
Ped.
So, she is taken off' and my path free
To Carlos Daughter.
Enter Carlos and Luys.
Luys.
Contracted to Don Pedro? say.
Car.
She was, where is Estefania?
Ped.
Gone with Alberto; proud to wait upon
The Lady I neglected.
Car.
Follow 'em Luys?
I do not like he should insinuate
Now she is free, and his hopes desperat in
Jacintas love.
Luys.
How long have I slept sir?
Car.
Thou dost dream still, persue the Widdow now
Or never look at such a fortune.
Luys.
Is she gone with Alberto? what if I say,
I have lain with her, and that shee's with child by me?
Car.
That would stain both your fames; away and welcom
When thou return'st, and she confirm'd.
Luys.
Ile confirm her, or confound somebody,
65
I'l talk with him first, will you justefie,
The Widdovv is a Widdovv still, and sweet
For all your Contract, that you have not been
My rivall as they say after the flesh,
And that you did not knovv I had a mind,
Or not a mind, to do the deed of Matrimony?
Ped.
Not I upon my honor.
Luys.
You are vvitness—novv to Alberto.
Car.
Manage the business temperatly.
Luys.
Let me alone to be temperate, if I do not cosen
Some body, let me never drink Sack agen.
(Exit.
Car.
What think you of Jacinta now my Lord?
Ped.
As on the Saint I pay my chief devotions.
Enter Fernando.
Fer.
I come to seek one, that I late call'd Brother,
But he hath forfeted that Name, and Justice
Weary of such a prodigy in nature
Hath arm'd me thus in her revenge, Don Carlos,
Obscure him not, no darkness can protect him,
My sword shall forrage every room like lightning,
No Cave but it shall visit, and through ribs
Of steel compell my passage to his heart,
Although I meet him in his Mistris Armes,
The lovers Sanctuary, I dare force Francisco,
And vvith my Sword cut the Embrace that chains him,
Rather then he shall glory in my ruines,
And revell out, those honors, vvith her, he
Took from my blood.
Enter Francisco with a Parchment.
Fra.
It shall not need Fernando.
Ped.
Hum, here is like to be a bloody business,
I'l not disturb 'em.
Exit.
Car.
As you are Brothers, by your Fathers dust
That should sleep quiet in his Urne, by her
Dear name that gave you life, that novv prayes for you,
66
Fra.
VVhat demands Fernando?
Fer.
My inheritance wrought from me
By thy slie creeping to supplant my birth,
And cheat our Fathers easie soul, unworthily
Betraying to his anger for thy lust
Of wealth, the love and promise of two hearts,
Poor Felisarda and Fernando now
Wither at soul, and rob'd by thee of that
Should cherish virtue, like to rifled Pilgrims
Met on the way, and having told their story,
And drop'd their even teares for both their loss,
Wander from one another.
Fra.
Tis not sure
Fernando, but his pasion (that obeys not
The counsel of his reason) would accuse me,
And if my Father now, since spirits lose not
Intelligence, but more active when they have
Shook off their chains of flesh, would leave his dwelling,
And visit this course orbe agen: my Innocence
Should dare the appeal, and make Fernando see
His empty accusations.
Fer.
He that thrives
By wicked art, has confidence to dress
His action with simplicity, and shapes
To cheat our credulous natures, tis my wonder
Thou durst do so much injury Francisco
As must provoke my Justice, to revenge,
Yet wear no Sword.
Fra.
I need no guard, I know
Thou darst not kill me.
Fer.
Dare I not?
Fra.
And name thy cause, tis thy suspition not Francisco
Hath wrought thee high and passionate, to assure it,
If you dare violate, I dare possess you
Withall my title to your Land.
Car.
How is that?
67
A fair Estate, and wrong my Daughter sir?
Fra.
Let him receive it at his perill.
Fer.
Ha!
Fra.
It was my Fathers act, not mine, he trembled
To hear his curse alive, what horror will
His conscience feel, when he shall spurn his dust,
And call the reverend shade from his blest seat,
To this bad World again, to walk and fright him?
Car.
I am abus'd
Fer.
Can this be more than dream?
Fra.
Sir you may cancell it, but think withall
How you can answer him that's dead, when he
Shall charge your timorous soul for this contempt
To nature and Religion, to break
His last bequest, and breath, that seal'd your blessings?
Car.
These are fine fancies.
Fer.
Here, and may it prosper,
Where my good Father meant it, I'm orecome.
Forgive me, and enjoy it, I may find
Some Earth that is not thine, where I may dy
And take up a dark Chamber, love Jacinta,
And while I seek out where to be forgotten
Live happy, and devide the spring between you,
Enter Ramires, Felisarda, and Teodoro, a loof.
Fra.
So, so, all's well agen.
Ram.
Fernando stay.
Fer.
Ha, my Father and Felisarda?
Car.
Don Ramyres and my Neece?
Fer.
Are they both dead?
[Fer. Kneels.
I dare kneel too, they do converse. Don Carlos!
Do not you know that shape? 'tis wondrous like
Your Neece.
Car.
And that your Father, ha!
Fer.
How long hath Felisarda been a sad
Companion to the shades? I did not think
To find thee in this pale society,
Of ghosts so soon.
Felisar.
I am alive Fernando,
68
Fra.
You may believe it sir, I was o'th' counsell.
Fer.
It is a joy will tempt me, wish to live
Here, without more ambition to change
For blessings of the other World; and is
My Father willing that wee both should live?
Car.
Men thought you dead.
Ramir.
It lay within the knowledge of Francisco and some few
By this device to advance my younger Son
To a Mariage with Jacinta sir, and try
Fernando's Piety and his Mistris Vertue,
Which I have found worth him, and my acceptance,
With her I give thee what thy birth did challenge.
Receive thy Felisarda.
Fer.
'Tis a joy,
So flowing, it drowns all my faculties,
My soul will not contain I fear, but lose
And leave me in this extasie.
Car.
I am cheated.
Ra.
Not so, what dower you add above that fortune,
Descends upon her by your Sisters Legacie
Francisco shall deserve, with a proportion
Enter Francisco and Jacinta.
Out of my state; live, and be happy both,
You shall not want a Father in my care.
Our children thus increas'd Don Carlos, 'tis
Our shame if we neglect 'em; Teodoro
You now may call me Brother.
Thes.
I'm honor'd.
Car.
Well, take my blessing too, love her Francisco.
My bounty is to come, and if my Son
But finish with his Mistris—hee's return'd,
Enter Luys.
Where is the Widdow?
Lu.
Sure enough.
Car.
And Don Alberto.
Lu.
I ha made him sure too, I ha pepper'd him.
Car.
How?
Lu.
In your ear, I ha cut his throat, do none persue me?
69
I hope thou hast not kil'd him? ha!
Lu.
You hope to late, I could not help it, you said
He was my Rivall.
Car.
Not to loud.
Lu.
Where, where shall I obscure me, the Alcaides
Will be here presently, and search for me.
I left him giving up the ghost, at a cranny
I made into his side, through which a man
Might see into his midriff.
Car.
Art thou desperate?
Lu.
Beside one window that did look into his lungs,
From whence his wind came strong enough,
In six hours sail to dispatch a Carrack to the straightes.
Car.
I'm mad.
Lu.
I should neglect my life, but 'twould not sound well
With your honor that Don Carlos Son was hang'd,
Or put into the Gallies; are they not come yet?
Car.
I am undone, there is no safety here,
Make fast those doors, and by the Postern gate
Thou maist escape, take the best Horse, away.
Lu.
I shall want money sir.
Car.
Come follow me?
This accident I fear will quite distract me.
Lu.
You must dispatch me quickly sir, there is
No staying to tell the money, gee't me in lump,
I'l count it afterwards, good sir make hast.
Exit. Lu. & Car.
Ra.
Something hath hapned that doth fresh
Perplex him.
Fra.
Where is Don Pedro?
Enter Pedro.
Fer.
Hee's here.
Ped.
The storm is over sure, I hear no noise,
Toledos are asleep, Jacinta? have
I found my love?
Fran.
Here 'twas lost indeed,
I must allow no such Familiarity
With my Wife.
Ped.
How? married?
Ja.
'Tis most true my Lord.
Ped.
You have not us'd me thus?
70
It had been Impious to divorce your heart
From Estefania; My good Lord, wee know
Your Lordship is religious in your promises.
Ped.
I defy all Estefanias, Lady you are civill.
To Felis.
Fer.
It will become my care so to preserve her
My Honorable Count.
Ped.
Honorable?
It appeares not by these contempts.
Ramyr.
Your Lordship cannot want a Female Furniture.
Enter Alberto and Estefania.
Ped.
I must have some body now I'm prepar'd, my blood
Will take it ill, would I had Estefania;
Shee's here, Madam I hope you have
A better faith than to believe I was in Earnest,
Don Pedro is only at your service.
Este.
'Tis too late sir, this Gent. is witness,
Of your surrender, and is now possest
Of all that's mine.
Al.
It was your Noble bounty,
For which I cannot study a return
More apt than to resign to your good Lordship,
My Interest in Jacinta, give you joy Count.
Such a rich Widdow serves my turn.
Ped.
So so,
If I consider well this is but Justice.
Enter Carlos.
Car.
Ha, are not you Don Alberto: fetch back Luys.
Al.
The very same sir, and this Lady is my Wife,
Please you salute her.
Enter Luys.
Luys.
Sir for the credit of your wisdom talk not,
The man you see's alive and married too,
With my consent, alas I ow'd him mony,
That Widdow has paid all, I must be honest,
I had no heart to leave you so unsatisfied,
These sums must go for other debts,
71
When they are timely paid sir, then let run
With their long Teeth to bite your state hereafter,
And if when I am free you dare but trust me—
Car.
Was ever Father cheated thus, come hither,
How darst thou be so impudent?
Lu.
I cannot help it sir, unless you dye
Or give me better means, I shall make bold
With these devices, you are my Father sir,
And I am bound—
Car.
To cosen me?
Lu.
All must be mine, and if
I pay my self a little before the day,
You shall be no loser when you come to reckon,
This sha'not make a breach twixt you and I,
They are honest men I ow this money too,
When I am cleer prescribe me any method
And rank me like your son, I will deserve
You shall forget my wildness, and acknowledge me
A convert without blemish to your family.
Rami.
I must be Intercessor.
Jacin.
And we all.
Car.
I'l think upon't.
Ped.
Since I cannot have Jacinta, I desire
I may have her Brother.
Lu.
Not in marriage.
Fed.
I like his wit, his spirit, and his humor,
Do not you love a wench?
Lu.
Yes sir.
Ped.
Thou sha't never want.
Lu.
Wenches?
Ped.
Wee'l live together, and, if thy Father
Be not bountifull, thou shalt command my fortune.
Lu.
You speak nobly.
Ped.
Ladies, I ask your pardon
Unless you hold me desperate, disdaine not
That I may this day wait upon your triumph,
And to each Bride offer some guift to expiate
My folly and offence.
72
You are too bountifull.
Car.
Y'are all my guests to day.
Rami.
I beg your next
Remove may place the Scen of Joy with me,
My house shall be much honor'd, lead the way
With Verse and Wine let Poets crown this day.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Brothers | |