 | The Revolution of Sweden |  |
Scene II.
Gustavus's Camp.Enter Constantia and Maria guarded.
Const.
to the Guard.
My Friends, you're now acquitted of your Charge,
We're here secure—Inform the General
Of my arrival; say, if he so please
I'd wait on him—Alas, what am I doing?
[Ex. Guard.
Mar.
Madam, may I have liberty to ask,
With what Intent you're come without your Lord?
Const.
I cannot tell thee, know not yet what I intend,
Therefore I did not, cou'd not, see my Lord,
'Till I determin'd. Oh Arwide, Arwide,
On what a Tryal hast thou set my Virtue!
Thus to divide my Duty to my Country, and my Husband.
At what an easie Rate we keep our Virtue,
When it has no Affection to contest with,
But when oppos'd, how weak are our Resolves,
Or were they firm, how difficult it is
To judge aright, on what we shou'd resolve;
So liable are all things to receive a Colour
From those Passions, through which our Reason views 'em;
I fear 'tis that, the soft Reflection of my Love,
That wou'd perswade, I ought not to reveal
My Husband's Guilt.
51
No Law, Divine or Human,
Has oblig'd a Wife to be th'accuser of her Husband.
Const.
'Tis not perhaps exacted; but cou'd I answer
To my Conscience, my Country, or the sole
Equitable Judge, and Framer of the whole,
That to conceal the Treachery of one,
I suffer'd the Destruction of a Nation?
Is there a tye so Sacred to be held
In competition with the Publick Safety?
And yet—Oh! can my Heart consent t'expose
My Arwide, to the Mercy of an injur'd Enemy?
He comes, Gustavus comes, and I am still irresolute.
Oh! thou who know'st the combat of my Thoughts,
Direct them to preserve in this sad Exigence,
Both what I owe my Husband, and my Country.
Enter Gustavus, with Attendants.
Gust.
Forgive me if my Joy in meeting you
Is half suspended, till I'm assur'd
Your Lord is safe; how comes it you are free,
If he's detain'd? What Ransom do they ask,
Beyond our Offer?
Const.
My Lord, he's not a Prisoner.
Gust.
Then wherefore is he separate from Constantia,
Why are you sent without him?
Const.
Oh I cannot speak it!
Gust.
Ha! does my Friend yet live?
Const.
Arwide is living.
Gust.
Why, is he not with you? why this disorder?
Const.
He'll soon be here, and I shou'd first impart
To you alone, a Secret of most high,
Most sad Importance.
Gust.
Retire within my Call.
(To the Attend. who go out.
You have alarm'd me strangely, what misfortune,
Whilst Arwide's safe, and free, can move you thus?
Const.
I know not what to say.—Thus, kneeling first,
I must implore your Pardon for a Criminal,
Whom, for the Publick Safety, I'm forc'd t'accuse.
Gust.
Of what Offence?
Const.
A most detested Treason,
Against your Person, and his Countries Liberty.
Gust.
Can such a Wretch be worthy your Concern?
Madam, you must not kneel.
Const.
I will not rise,
Nor can proceed, till I've your sacred Promise
52
Gust.
'Tis granted, be assur'd, whom you Protect is safe.
Who is this Traytor, that his Life's so much your Care?
Const.
Alass, he's one too near ally'd to me!
And still, I fear, when you shall know his Guilt,
You will revoke your Grant.
Gust.
What has he done?
Const.
He'as bound himself in a most solemn Treaty,
To betray the Kingdom to the Danes,
Deliver them the Places in his Trust,
And join his Force with theirs, against your Party.
Gust.
He must be one in Pow'r; once more I give
My Word his Life is safe; nor shall he suffer ought,
Beyond what's needful to prevent his Mischiefs;
For which, 'tis necessary you shou'd name him.
Const.
I know it, I must Name him, and with amazement
You will hear, it is—Oh spare me this!
My Tears speak for me,—guess whom it must be,
That I, in all this Agony, accuse!
Gust.
I cannot, dare not think,—Oh ease my Doubts!
Const.
And must I, must I live, to say—'tis Arwide!
Gust.
Impossible! who has traduc'd him to you?
On what Appearances have they obtain'd
Your Credit, against his well known Virtue?
Const.
Oh that it were so! that the Guilt were mine,
Of a too rash, injurious, Accusation!
But alass, too surely is it true!
Nor cou'd I have believ'd, nor durst have mention'd it,
On less assurance than his own Confession.
Gust.
Did he confess it, to your self confess it?
Const.
Till then, tho' I had seen the shameful Treaty
Sign'd with his Character, I doubted—nay,
Scarce did I doubt, so certainly I thought it
A base Forgery, till he confirm'd it;
Pleaded in excuse, th'Extremities
To which we were reduc'd, and wou'd, but I
Abhorr'd to hear, have urg'd th'Advantages.
Gust.
What Advantages?
Const.
The Government of his subjected Country,
Under the King of Denmark, for which I was
In infamous Exchange, giv'n to the present Vice-roy.
Gust.
Most amazing! were not the Grief and Virtue
Of Constantia, too faithful Witnesses,
I shou'd pronounce this were not possible;
Nor is't in Nature for so try'd a Virtue
53
The Apprehension of approaching Death,
Perhaps induc'd him to profess a Treason
That was not in his purpose to perform.
Tho' ev'n that were so unworthy him,
So distant from that artless, that sedate,
Intrepid Constancy, of which he wore
The Semblance; cou'd he be guilty of such Weakness,
What Judgment can be made of what he were not capable,
By what he seem'd?
Const.
Give it no farther Credit, than to guard
Against the Consequence, if he were guilty;
Let Sweden be secur'd from e'er returning
To the Tyrant's Pow'r, and think your Friend
Still Innocent—My Heart will joyn with you,
Ev'n now it wou'd perswade me, Arwide is,
He must be, what so oft we've prov'd him, Honourable,
Brave, and Honest.
Gust.
Thus far we owe to such experienc'd Virtue,
And to the Sacred Name of Friend, once born,
To judge the past with Candour, and impartially
Observe his future Actions, nor condemn him
Of a determin'd Treason, till we've discover'd
If he holds Correspondence with the Danes,
Or those among the Swedes who're their Adherents.
This with all Diligence and Caution we must learn,
And carefully conceal his Guilt, for shou'd
It reach the Senate, his Life were much in danger.
Const.
To you, my Lord, your Wisdom, and your Goodness,
All now is trusted; I, alas, have finish'd
My unhappy Part, nor is there ought for me,
But in Retirement from the World, to spend my days
In Prayers for his Repentance, and my Countries Safety.
Gust.
The World has better use of such Heroick
Virtue; Nor cou'd you answer your Retreat
To what you owe your Husband, or to Justice;
Who wou'd observe him with such tender Care,
Or judge so favourably his Proceedings?
Nor mingle Malice, nor with too rash a Zeal,
Conclude against him.
Const.
Alas, my Lord, wou'd it not ill become
A Wife, to live in a dissembled Kindness
With her Husband, whilst, in reality,
A secret Spy, a treacherous Enemy?
54
No fond Dissimulation will be needful,
Nor ev'n can I so far disguise my Soul,
To meet him with my usual Tenderness;
He may—He will perceive us both estrang'd,
The Cause alone conceal, I wou'd not he shou'd know
Of what Particulars I am inform'd,
Or that you have accus'd him.—For the rest
Let me remind you, none in judging Arwide,
Cou'd be at once so tender of his Honour,
And zealous for the Publick, as Constantia,
Therefore you ought to stay.
Const.
You, my Lord, direct me,
For in this sad Conjuncture, my Affections,
My Reason, my Resolves, are Doubtful all,
Nor know I what I wou'd, or what I ought.
Gust.
So please you to retire, some shall attend you
To the Tent prepar'd for your Reception;
It were not fit your Lord shou'd meet you here,
Nor can we yet determine on our Conduct,
In this surprizing, most unhappy Exigence,
My Fortune ever knew.
Const.
What is it then to me! Oh who can judge the Pangs
I feel, in combating my tend'rest Affection,
To sacrifice it for my Countries good;
A dearer Victim than my Heart's best Blood!
[Ex. led by Gust. who re-enters with Erici and Attendants.
Gust.
The Wast and Miseries of Civil War now ceas'd,
All are return'd to the first State of Nature,
When, uncontrol'd, each had the savage Liberty
Of living without Head, or Laws, or Order,
A Freedom worse than Slavery, the Seed
Of everlasting Broils, where all by turns
Oppress, and are oppress'd—'Tis our next Care
That an Administrator be elected,
Under whose just Authority our Laws
May be restor'd, and the divided Nation
Secur'd from a Revolt; for which let instantly
The Estates be summon'd in my Name t'assemble.
Erici.
Who is so fit to form this shapeless Anarchy,
T'unite the jarring Members, and become
Our common Head—What Hand, what Heart, wou'd not submit
To our Deliverer, The Great Gustavus?
Gust.
Forbear th'injurious Mention. Have I with hopes
Of Liberty, incited my suffering Country-men
To undergo th'inevitable Miseries
55
An Arbitrary Pow'r, and shall I
With more unjust, and treacherous Usurpation,
Invest my self with the same lawless Title?
Detested Treason! Be it your charge to have
The States Assembled, in them is the sole Right
To chuse a Head, whose Legal Pow'r all ought,
All must submit to; I'll give the first example,
Proclaim that I'll this Day attend the Senate.
[Exit Erici
Enter Arwide, Beron and Fredage, with Guards.
Gust.
Arwide! Alas, how ill my Heart's prepar'd
For the Encounter!
Arw.
Again to see Gustavus, is the Joy
Of one awak'd from Death, to a new Life
Amidst his Friends above; or little less
My transport, in this more unhop'd for Meeting.
Gust,
Most sure, my Lord, I did not think, when last
We parted, to have met you thus—Fredage,
Most welcome, I much fear'd for thee, and know not how,
E'er scarce the Battle was begun, we lost thee.
Fred.
My Lord, 'twas my ill Fortune to advance
Too far among your Enemies.
Arw.
Account not for ill Fortune, that we were destin'd
To have a more peculiar share, and larger debt
Of Gratitude, for that Deliverance, which with us,
The Nation owes in common, to Gustavus.
Gust.
That Divine Pow'r to whom we owe it, still
Defend us, nor permit among us, flatt'ring
Undetected Traytors, to ruin his great work!
My Lord, I see Beron is with you, comes he
To congratulate our wish'd Success?
Arw.
He says, my Lord, that he rejoyces truly
In his Country's Freedom, and much repents
His past designs against it; on which Profession,
I engag'd the Int'rest I once had in you,
To obtain his Pardon.
Gust.
My Lord, you need not doubt your Pow'r with me
T'obliterate any Crime against my self,
Or ev'n my Country when repented of;
Tho' you must own the Treachery of Beron's
Purpose, under the disguise of Friendship,
Much aggravates the Guilt.
Ber.
Alas, my Lord,
I was but carry'd with the Current of the Nation,
Which seem'd too strong, to be oppos'd with safety.
56
Then since the Tide is turn'd, we may expect,
You'll fall in with it—Be it so, nor ask
We more of any Swede, but to consult
His Safety, and true Int'rest; on those terms
Remember we receive you—And you, my Lord,
That 'tis at your Request I give him Credit.
Arw.
I answer not for his Sincerity.
Ber.
Let me be judg'd upon my future Conduct.
Arw.
That was the utmost purpose of my promise.
Ber.
Fredage, a word—
Arw.
Somewhat there is unusual in this Treatment,
Yet wou'd I not lightly suspect him chang'd.
Ber.
Doubtless, Constantia has accus'd her Lord,
[Apart to Fredage
Gustavus's Behaviour speaks it plain;
That's half our work effected,—follow me,
We must compleat this mischief.
Fred.
What can I think
Of Beron's Project, 'tis too sure he means
No Favour to Gustavus, yet this seems
A real Service both to him and Sweden.
I must try to fathom the design.
[Ex. Fred. after Beron.
Arw.
Is't thus Gustavus welcomes a lost Friend!
I came in all the tenderness of Friendship,
To meet your Arms, and open you my Heart;
But on my first approach, with looks estrang'd,
With cold reservedness in your words, and action,
You check'd my forward Love, and damp'd my Joy.
Why do you view me thus with doubtful Eyes,
As one you scarce had known, or long forgot?
Gust.
No, Arwide, I have not forgot thy Form,
Nor all that dearness which has pass'd between us,
But I wou'd look into thy inmost Soul,
To know thee there.
Arw.
Sure there is not another
That wears his thoughts so open, undisguis'd, and artless,
You know me, ev'n as I do my self.
Gust.
Scarce do we know our selves—when last we parted,
I thought my Heart incapable of any deeper
Sorrow;—And you perhaps did not believe
When you Abandon'd me, your Country, and
Expos'd your Life, to be Constantia's Ransom,
That you shou'd e'er repent, or change the purpose
Of your rash Surrender.
Arw.
What means my Friend?
57
Of my Surrender?
Gust.
I am, my Lord, too well.
Arw.
Then wherefore urge you as a Change in me,
What was Necessity?
Gust.
Oh did I think Arwide cou'd be by any strait
Induc'd to act a mean, dissembling, shameful Part!
For worse I wou'd not call it.
Arw.
My Lord!
Gust.
Nay do not seem a Stranger to my meaning,
Lest I conclude you hardned, and resolv'd
To perpetrate a Guilt, which I still hope
You but in shew comply'd with: Wou'd you confess
Your Weakness, I can give much Allowance
To human Frailty; and I find what is abated
In your Worth, my Affection wou'd supply.
Arw.
Ill does this Treatment speak Affection—What wou'd you
I confess? Wherefore these dark Reproaches,
Unworthy of our Friendship?—Had I ought
Against Gustavus, I'd tax him plainly,
Confront him with my Witness, or to be justify'd,
Or forc'd to own, I did not causeless break
The sacred Tye; were it so held by you,
So you'd proceed.
Gust.
Had Arwide held our Friendship half so sacred,
He had not been in Treaty with the Danes.
Arw.
Is that a Crime against it?—You treated with 'em too.
Gust.
I did for Arwide's and Constantia's Freedom,
Who else, it seems, must have been left in Hostage.
Arw.
Ha! Has Constantia been complaining then!
Was it for this, she hasted e'er I came,
To tell her Tale, and set a Friend to chide me?
Gust.
Then you are Conscious she with Justice might
Accuse you, wherefore else suspect you her?
Well you're assur'd Constantia wou'd not wrong you.
Arw.
I know not what she wou'd, in the Caprice
Has newly seiz'd her;—But since my Wife has dealt
Thus with me, I disdain to justifie my self
Upon that Point.—Let it suffice I had
A Husband's Right to leave, or to dispose her
As I pleas'd—Is this, my Lord, the Sum
Of what I am accus'd?
Gust.
No, be assur'd, my Lord, I know the whole
58
Arw.
Then force it on my understanding, speak plain,
As Honest Men, who've Reason on their side,
Are us'd to speak.
Gust.
Yes, when they have to deal
With Honest Men; for close designing Traytors,
To warn 'em that their Purpose is detected,
And set 'em on their Guard, is better than they merit.
Arw.
Ha Traytor! This is vile, Gustavus,
Fairly own you have at any Rate determin'd
To break our Friendship, and want a just Pretence;
I shall not importune you with my Affection,
Or Complaints, Time, and this Usage, will
Efface you from my Heart, and from this moment
I disclaim the Name of Friend for ever.
Gust.
Beware of that, perhaps 'tis the sole Title
By which you hold your Life.
Arw.
My Life!—I will not hold it on so weak a Tenure,
If thou hast Right to take it, do thy worst,
Again I quit thee of that empty Title;
Do rip this Heart, and rid it of the only Fault
'Tis conscious of, too dear a Love, for an injurious,
An ungrateful Man.
Gust.
Oh Arwide! Wou'dst thou yet confess thy Weakness,
My Heart is open to receive thee yet,
And cou'd forgive thee all.
Arw.
I've nothing to confess, and scorn your feign'd Forgiveness.
Gust.
Then thus we part—Be witness to thy self,
I've done all that I ow'd to our past Friendship;
Thou'rt warn'd, beware, run not thy self on Ruin;
My Country's Safety must be my next Care,
And Oh believe 'tis with a bleeding Heart,
I'm driv'n to my harsh, unhappy Part.
[Ex. Gust. cum suis.
Arw.
To what am I now fall'n! my Spirits that
Bore up against the Storm of undeserv'd
Reproaches, fail, and leave me sinking in
The Calm of Grief—I cou'd ev'n weep the Change
Of two so Dear, as were Gustavus and
Constantia to my Soul; whilst they were kind,
My Countries Slavery allay'd my Happiness,
Now when I hop'd to be compleatly Bless'd,
They're lost, and all the poor sad Comfort left me,
That I am now, the only miserable VVretch in Sweden.
[Exit.
| The Revolution of Sweden | |