 | Fatal Friendship |  |
SCENE I.
Enter Bellgard and Felicia.Bell.
Felicia , You are young, and full of hopes,
Unknowing how the World will disappoint 'em,
But I have seen such strange unlook'd for Chances,
Such fatal blasts to blooming expectations,
As teaches me judiciously to fear,
And cautiously advise; Can I remember
Our Noble Family in dazling Splendors,
As Rich, as Ancient, made the mark of Envy,
Now (by an Enemies successful Faction
Maliciously unjust) without regard,
Reduc'd so low, that I (the only left,
To keep our name from falling with our Fortune)
Have but sufficient means, with thrifty care,
Just to preserve you, and your infant Sisters,
From asking help at charitable Hands,
Can I consider this,
And not use all a Brothers interest in you
To move you to imbrace a happy offer,
To place you sure in that exalted rank
Which both by Birth, and Merit is your due.
Feli.
You have so dear an interest in my Heart,
That tho' you had not all Authority,
Yet ever where I cou'd Controul my self,
You still shou'd govern me; but oh my Brother,
There is a strong reluctance in my Soul,
Which to my self deny's me my consent,
For this unequal match.
2
'Tis true the Count Roquelaure has not the Charms of Youth,
But then consider he's without their faults;
I've weigh'd it for you with a Brothers Love,
and find the youthful ballance far the lighter;
Marriage requires a steddy, ripen'd vertue,
Judgement to chuse, solidity to fix,
Prudence to govern, all by experience perfected.
Feli.
'Tis not the Counts grave years makes me abhor the Match,
But some more secret cause, yet to my self unknown,
Bell.
Sister I fear you know the cause too well,
He's Father to Cramont; Ha? that conscious blush
Confesses I have guess'd it,
A shameful Witness of your Childish passion;
Is it not time throw away the Toy's
You cry'd for when a Girl?
Fel.
Forgive me an involuntary fault,
Love took possession of my infant Heart,
Grew up with me a dear, familiar Guest,
And now refuses to remove his Seat.
Bell.
Reason must dispossess him.
Fel.
Cou'd reason tell me I had plac'd my Love
On a vile Object; half the work were done,
But you have own'd he merits all your friendship,
Nay, 'twas your fondness for him, first rais'd mine,
And all that can be offer'd now against him,
Amounts to this, that he's a younger Brother,
Whose fortune is injurious to his Worth.
Bell.
Cou'd yours repair the wrong his fortune does him,
I wou'd with joy bestow you to your wishes,
But am too fond, too tender of you both,
To give consent that you shou'd Starve together;
For shame Felicia, let not passion sway you
Thus to your ruine,
I have till now giv'n way to all your folly,
In hopes that time, and absence wou'd destroy it.
Nor ever press'd you to a second choice
These full two years since first I knew your Loves,
And made Gramont, forbear to visit you,
But must no longer thus indulge your weakness.
Fel.
If for two years I have forborn to see him,
Is not that sacrifice sufficient from a Sister?
Must I be made the next to one I hate?
You cannot be so cruel, do but defer it,
Who know's the turns of fortune?
You have seen you say a fatal one in ours,
Why may not those who now are at the lowest,
By some more happy chance, be rais'd as high?
3
There's not a ground to hope for young Gramont,
He meant to raise his fortune as a Soldier,
And might have reach'd the Noblest height in War,
Had not that fatal quarrel, in which he kill'd
The Generals only Son, soon stop'd his Progress,
In whose revengeful Father, he will find
An Enemy, as powerful at Court,
As in the Army.
Fel.
'Twas well he 'scap'd with Life.
Bell.
For the security of the Surviver,
They wou'd not fight in France;
And yet the General at his return
By Arbitrary Law, condemn'd, and wou'd have shot him,
Had not his Noble Friend the brave Castalio
Charg'd on his guard, freed him and kept the fight
Till he escap'd in safety.
Fel.
For which may he or never need, or always find a Friend.
[Aside.
Bell.
You see the desperate State of his affairs,
Therefore be Wise, and Tempt not your ill Fate;
Either resolve to marry Count Roquelaure;
Or share a beggars Fortune with his Son.
Fel.
Why wou'd you force me to a wretched choice?
You have been hitherto a Parent to me,
How am I grown so burthensome a charge;
That you wou'd cast me from you, tho' to ruine?
Bell.
I wou'd prevent your ruine and my own;
And if you'd have me still a Parent to you,
I shall expect th'obedience of a Daughter,
Or else by Heav'n, I'll turn you to your Lover.
[Exit Bellgard.
Fel.
Then I must Perish with him; Alass my Brother
Thou little think'st to what thou dost perswade me;
My Husbands Father? O my Barbarous Stars!
For sure Love cou'd not shoot so cross a Dart:
What's to be done? shou'd I confess our Marriage?
O no his fiery Temper cou'd not brook it!
And how wou'd my Gramont's harsh Father use him.
[Enter Gramont.
Oh he is sent by Heav'n to my relief!
My dear Gramont!
Gra.
My dearest Wife, what sadness hangs upon thee?
Am I not welcome to those weeping Eyes?
Fel.
More than the light; but they have cause to weep
For you, and me, and for our helpless infant;
My Brother has been pleading for your Father,
Threatens if I refuse to Marry him,
To throw me as a stranger from his Care.
Gar.
My poor Felicia, what thou bearest for me?
How shall I recompence thy suffering virtue?
4
When Hymen drew the knot!
Fel.
Do you repent that knot?
Gra.
By Heav'n, my Love, I cannot.
Fel.
Then I am happy.
Gra.
Nothing is so that's plac'd within my fate,
A Wretch but born to scatter Miseries,
On all whom Love brings near enough to reach 'em.
Fel.
Have you receiv'd no News yet of our Child?
Gra.
None for this full three Weeks, which much concerns me;
But I have sent a Messenger express
To learn its health, who will return this day.
Fel.
Heav'n guard the tender Babe.
Gra.
Oh my Heart bleeds for that dear part of me,
Now I am Lost to all my hopes of Fortune,
Precariously depending on my Father,
How may it expos'd to wants, and Cares,
Farewel, my Dear, I must not stay with thee,
To morrow we will give some hours to Love,
Where shall I see you?
Fel.
Here if you please, my Brother will be early out.
Gra.
I will not fail.
Fel.
Let it be early then you bring me joy,
And I have need of it.
Gra.
Impatient wishes
Eager as in our first soft stealths of Love,
Will keep me waking till the Long'd for hour.
Fel.
But how my dearest durst you venture now?
Gra.
I met your Brother going to Lamira's,
And took the advantage just to steal a Look,
And beg the dear appointment for to morrow,
He expects me there, where he imagines I design
To make Addresses, being a Young, Rich, Widow,
But thou art all the Treasure I can covet.
Fel.
My Life, you'll not forget to morrow Early.
Gra.
Can I forget my only Happiness?
[Exeunt several ways.
| Fatal Friendship | |