University of Virginia Library

The Last ACT.

Enter Battista.
The Scene a Hall.
Bat.

With much ado I've overtaken the Chariot, and I'm so out
of breath I cannot speak; ha, stop't her, by that Belcony!
this is our Lodging, it is, and see the persons coming out of the house
with a light, where do they go, I'le watch 'um.


Ex.
Enter Paulina, and Joanna.
Paul.

Oh! I am faint with running, and the fright; where's Alexey?


Jo.

He stay'd behind to guard us, but see he hath been here before us.


Enter Alexey.
Al.

Oh! Madam, the Duke is newly alighted at the door, and on
some news I know not what it is; He's gone straight to the Palace.


Paul.

Heavens! what should it be?


Ale.

They talk the Queen is gone into a Cloyster, some say to
marry.


Paul.

Oh! what comes into my head? Joanna slip to my Chamber,
and get a Feather and a better Perriwig, and follow the Duke with all
the speed you can.


Jo.

I run, I run.


Ex.
Enter Demetrius.
Dem.

'Twas here they came; this was the house I'm sure: ho, ho, the
house!


Enter Landlord beating his Servant.
Dem.

Ha! my Landlord, what, am I at home?


Land.

You Rogue, you Dog, I'le kill you Sirrah, Ile murder you;
would not you tell me this before.


Ser.

Murder, murder.



49

Dem.

Hold, come along with me quickly, shew me all your rooms,
here's a Princess lodges here.


Land.

Don't tell me o'Princesses? the Rogue hath undone me.


Dem.

Sirrah, come along, or I'le send your Soul before me.


Land.

Sirrah, hold your prating, I've lost more then thee and all thy
generation are worth; I've lost five thousand Crowns, and I'le stop it
out of his wages, I'le not pay one of 'um a farthing. But what will
that do? that's some fifty Dollars; what's that to five thousand Crowns?
undone, undone.


Dem.

Dog, I'le set fire on's house.


Land.

Will you so Sirrah? a brave amends for my loss; but Sirrah, I'le
keep you fast enough for that, go quickly boy, run and fetch a Constable.


Dem.

A Constable, Rascal.


draws
Land.

Murder, murder; ho! there Sirrah, come back again, I shall
be kil'd: you bloudy Rogue, will you murder me?


Ser.

Good Sir, don't kill my Master.


holds Dem.
Land.

Hold him whil'st I go run and fetch a Constable and secure his
Cloakbag, and then I must to the Palace after this base cheating Duke. I've
a pack of brave Lodgers; here's one young blade, that I'm much mistaken
if he or his man be n't a Whore; and the Duke's run away and paid
me no Rent; and this vapouring Jack would kill me, and then set fire
on my house; brave doings, is't not? but I'le feage you all.


Ex.
Dem.

What Duke's that?


Ser.

The Duke o'Curland's an't please you Sir.


Dem.

Curland, where, where, quickly slave.


Ser.

I chanc't to spy him, and came and told my Master, and for this
he would ha' kill'd me.


Dem.

Where I say, Villain?


Ser.

Sir, he is just gone to the Palace; a young Gentleman that lodges
here brought a Courtier that told him the Queen was to be married to
night, and they are all run to the Palace together.


Dem.

I'le make one o'the company, his soul shall dance Levaltoes in
the Aire at the Queens wedding.


Ex.
Ser.

VVell, I was a fool he did not let this Gentleman kill my Master,
or fire his house, I would he had,—teach him to belabour me for my good
will.


Ex.
Enter Ladislaus, Paulina, Joanna drest like a Courtier, Alexey, Theodore, at a distance—Battista.
The Scene a Palace to the Street.
Bat.
So, I have overtaken 'um,
aside
And here's some great mysterious thing in hand,
The Duke hath some design about the Crown.

Lad.
Knock at the Gate Theodore.

The.

Indeed my Lord, this Courtier is mistaken; all say positively


50

the Queen's resolv'd t'resign the Crown, and go into a Cloyster, and
that she spends this night among her Priests, and women in devotion to
prepare for it; and now all the Lords of the Council are gone in to disswade
her.


Lad.

Knock when I bid you.


Paul.

Come good my Lord, do not expose your self to so much danger;
the Gentleman's misinform'd.


Jo.

Perhaps so Sir, I only told you what my sister, who is a Maid of
Honour to the Queen, told me.


Theo.

Your Sister!


Lad.

My Lord, let it be true or false, I am resolv'd to be conceal'd no
longer:

Thus to the sinful world revenge divine,
aside
Moves gently on with paces slow as mine;
And Heaven stands behind the Clouds awhile,
And let's deluded man himself beguile;
And seems as if his Law he did not own,
But with brave scorn to let the World alone,
Till man grown impudent, begins to play
His Villanies in open Scenes of day;
Then strikes, strikes home, and then his arm doth fall
With such a weight, one blow may serve for all:
Thus my revenge I do a while retain,
That when I strike, I may not strike in vain.
Why dost not knock, Theodore?

Theo.

I do my Lord, and none will answer within, ho there,
open the Gate!


Porter
within

What would you have there? here can none come in.


Lad.

Give the fellow forty crowns.


Theo.

Here are persons o'great quality, you shall have forty crowns
to open the Gate.


Porter
within.

Bear back there, Guard keep off the crowd.


People
within.

Oh pray Mr. Porter.


Paul.

I dread th'event, I wish I had not done this.


Ex.
The.

Take notice Sir, if any mischief befalls my Lord, you and your
Dukes lives shall answer for it.


to Jo.
Ex. Theo.
Jo.

Do you threaten Sir—Alexey.


Ale.

I hear the slave, let him have a care I don't cut his throat, and
his Masters the worthy Duke.


Ex. Jo. Alex.
Bat.

I'le after you all to see the meaning o'this.


Ex.
Enter Landlord. The Scene continued.
Land.

Now I warrant shall I ha' much ado to get into the Gate after
this cheating Knave the Duke, I must speak 'um fair; Porter: honest


51

old Crony, friend and fellow Souldier in the Wars o'Bacohus, open the
door, my drunken Bulley.


Porter
within

What saucy fellow's that? get you from the Gate, Sirrah, or
the Guard shall lay you by the heels.


Land.

Oh, the Rogue, he pretends not to know me, he knows me
well enough; why honest Bulley Cerberus, Corporal-turnkey, Squire o'
the house, 'Nointer o'Page-bums, Engineer General o'double Locks,
Spring-locks, Pad-locks, and Mouse-traps, open the Placket o'the house,
call'd the Wicket, and let's in boy. Dost not remember the Council o'
Trent, and Pope Paul the third.


Porter
within.

Prating Rascal! you've a mind to be laid by th'heels.


Land.

Oth'cunning Rascal! he thinks I ha' company with me now,
he's as cunning! but here comes my slaves; what ha' you set fire on
my house yet?


Enter Demetrius.
Dem.

How now, the Gate barr'd? open the door here.


Land.

Nay, if I can't get in, I believe you'l hardly get in, for all your
brave Cloakbag.


Dem.

Open the door, or I'le set fire on't.


Porter
within

De'e threaten Sirrah! Guard, out quickly, here's a Traytour
threatens to fire the Palace Gate.


Guard

Bear back there, let's come out;


People
within.

Oh, you crowd me.


Land.

So, so, you have done finely, we shall have our brains knock't
out; come, come, a spell quickly afore they come, I know the Rogues as
well as if I were in the bottom of their bellies; come half a Doller
or so—


Dem.

Open the door fellow, thou shalt have fifty Dollars.


Porter
within

If I do let you in, you ca'nt get into the Presence—the
Guard-rooms are all crowded; I let in a Gentleman just
now, and he stands in the crow'd still.


Land.

The Rogue begins to be plyable.


Dem.

Open the door I say, here's thy money.


Porter
within.

Bear back there, keep off the crowds.


Ex. Dem.
Land.

Now you can bear back with a pox to you, now you hear o'
money; well, I see this money will make every thing bear back, and
flie open.


Ex.
One
within.
Ah Mr. Porter, we'l give a Rix-Dollar, betwixt four of us.

Porter
within.
A Rope between four of you.


52

Enter Juliana, Hypolita, Emilia, Francisca, Colimsky, Sharnofsky, and a Priest.
The Scene a Room in the Palace; a Table with the Crown, Scepter, and Regalia at one end, and Beads, and Books at the other.
Col.
Well Madam, since we must despair t'obtain,
VVe'l cease those pray'rs, which we thus make in vain;
For to our sorrow we confess it true,
This Kingdom hath not glory 'enough for you.
In those Celestial Crowns you'l only find
Exalted glories equal to your mind:
VVe only beg you'l help the shrinking Throne,
And save ten thousand souls besides your own:
For, Madam, whatsoe're your Priests pretend,
You may by Crowns, to Crowns ascend:
And Cells on Earth, will Cells in heaven find,
Large Crowns for mighty bounties are design'd.

Shar.
And Madam, I but one thing will implore,
That when you address your self to the Sacred Altarr
You'l please to recollect upon what score,
You at those Altars have stood once before.
VVhen Vows with Vows, Altars with Altars jars,
It seems to breed in heaven a civil warr;
It is not for the Duke I intercede,
I now in the behalf of Honour plead:
Though to the sacred Church I freely bow,
No doubt they can absolve you from your Vow;
Yet with the reverence to their power is due,
Methinks I would have Honour do it too:
In other worlds Devotion may have bliss,
I'me sure 'tis Honour that must save in this;
And generous Honour passes doom on none,
Till first their crimes are clearer than the Sun.

Jul.
My Lords, on either side I've heard your pleas,
And very much resent your kindnesses:
But now my souls employ'd on things above,
Concerns of Empire, and much more of love.
As for the Duke I cannot censur'd be,
I quit not him, but he renounces me;
Nor for the Throne, I found it in distress,
And mildly leave it in the calmes of peace:
And now eternally I bid adieu
To Love, and Empire, to the Duke and you:

53

And here my Lords, I do your Crown restore,
And now retreat to what I was before.

Confessor.
Great Victory; you Saints above make room,
A mighty Spirit doth in tryumph come.

Col.
Hold Madam, e're you fall so great a weight,
And break in pieces our disjoynted State;
Rather then we will rush again once more
In the wild Chaos we were in before;
'Tis voted by us all, that you alone
Shall fix some person in our shaking Throne.
We swear Allegiance t'whomsoe're you chuse,
Yea, and the death of him that shall refuse:
'Tis all our votes.

Om.
All, all.

Jul.

The trust is high, and great, and needs many solemn thoughts,
and you must give me some time to pause.


Confess.
Madam, the better to compose your mind,
And fortifie your soul in these last conflicts
With earthly glory; please to rest a while,
We'l use the devout Ars of holy Church.

The Queen seats her self in a Thone; the Ladies stand in order on her right hand, and the Lords on her left, whil'st a Chorus of voices sing.
The Song.
How nobly heaven doth receive
what 're a pious mind
Is in Devotion pleas'd to give,
as if he Crowns resign'd;
The sacred Vaults with joy resound.
The Altars all with Roses Crownd,
And the poor Saint in tryumph brought
To offer up one holy thought.
And if to that such honour's due,
What glorie's wait, (great Queen) for you!
Chorus.
And if to, &c.

If heaven thinks an humble bow
to him devoutly meant,
Then we whole Hecatombes bestow
in one devout intent:
When Queens lay youth and glory by,
To seek out Crowns of chastity:

54

Some brighter Stars must sure compound,
The Wreath wherewith her head is Crown'd:
For more then common Honour's due
To Royal Saints, Great Queen, like you:
Chorus.
For more, &c,

Then blest be all my storms of love,
(though they discourteous were)
That on our peaceful shore hath drove
a Saint, so Great, so Fair:
Now let the Boy with all his train
of griefs, go weeping back again;
Whil'st you set Sail before the wind,
And leave this floating world behind.
Till spooning gently on, and fair,
You turn an Angel unaware.
Chorus.
Till spooning, &c.


Confes.
Now that your royal soul is flown oft
Upon the wings of Divine Harmony;
We'l keep it there by holy representation,
First of the vanishing glories of the world,
Its splendid entrances, its shady Exits.

Enter Two Queens followed by two Ghosts, they pass slowly over the Stage.
Soft Musick.
Confes.
Saw you those Royal Shadows pass the round
With all the charms of Power and beauty Crownd:
VVould not the glory which they did display,
Make the world think none are so blest as they?
Alas, had they but look'd on either side,
They might have seen what would have damp't their pride:
Two pining Spirits that wer'e once as fair,
Shewing with sighs where they must all repair:
Such are th'unseen shadows that attend
All earthly glory, and in those they end.
Now the next thing that we shall represent,
Is chast Devotion, recluse Piety,
It's humble entrances, its glorious Exits.

Enter two Nuns clad in white, follow'd by two Angels Crown'd, They pass as the former.
Confes.
Saw you those Virgins pass in holy state?
Observe how Angels on their Triumphs wait:

55

Their Souls are as their Beauties fair and bright;
Their thoughts are as their garments pure and white:
Their dreams are Visions, and their breath is Pray'r;
They'r fasted into Spirits thin as Aire:
Nor can you them from holy Angels know,
Since these are Nuns above, and they below.
And now you in a solemn dance shall see,
How all these move to Divine Harmony;
Confus'dly mixt each in their several States,
VValking around the changes of their Fates;
The world is a great dance in which we find
The good and bad have various turns assign'd;
But when th'have ended the great Masquerade,
One goes to glory, to'ther to a Shade.

They all dance.
Colim.
VVhat tumults that?

Enter a Gentleman
2 Gentle.

My Lords, here is a person of unknown quality desires admission;
by's habit we conjecture 'tis the same that fought to day ith'head of all
our Troops, and sav'd the Count and Princess in the field.


Osso.
He's highly welcome; let him have admission.

Enter Ladislaus disguis'd, followed by Paulina, Joanna, Alexey, Theodore, at a distance, Battista, all the Lords bow to Lad.
Lad.
It seems the Bridal Masque is done.

aside
Bat.
So, I ha' crowded in among the rest,
aside
To see th'event of this mysterious business.

Jul.

I have considerd on't, my Lord Sharnofsky, heaven and your
own merits design you for the Crown.


She takes the Crown off the Table, and presents it to Shar. who seems to refuse it, and the Lords to constrain him.
Lad.
Ye Powers!

aside
The.
VVhat Tragedies will here be streight?

aside
Paul.
She's false indeed.

aside
Shar.
Great Madam.

seems to refuse
Lords.
Kneel, and receive the Crown.

Shar. kneels
Lad.
Ha! is it so?
aside
Then now I see, I have not been deceiv'd,
Sharnofsky, as thy glory, so thy fate,
Is very near, and thus succesful villany;
Heaven let's it to the top of glory come,
Then (draws) thus strikes it dead with unexpected doom.

Sharnofsky draw, there's one obstruction more lies in your way to all your
glories; the Duke o'Curlands Sword.


Om.
The Duke of Curland!

Lad. draws and discovers.

56

Jul.
Ye Powers! the Duke! I faint Hypolit,,
Emilia hold me?

swoons in her womans arms
Hyp.
Help the Princess.

Shar.
The Duke of Curlands Sword; and can that Sword
Be set against my breast? for what is this?

Lad.
That shall afford us talk in th'other world.

Shar.
I fall.

Shar. falls: The Guards call Treason, and run at the Duke: Colimsky interposes.
Col.

Hold Villains! 'tis the Duke your General? what cursed Devil
poyson'd the Dukes soul with jealousie of his brave friend?


Theo.
What fatal work is here?

Paul.
Oh heavens! Joanna, what have we done?

Bat.
What should this Tragical confusion mean?

Jul.
What Vision have I seen? where am I?
Am I awake? or is't a Martial dream?
See, the Count bleeding? who hath done this deed?

Lad.
And dost thou then lament him to my face?
Oh thou Apostate shame of Royal blood;
Is this thy gratitude for all the Martyrdoms
I've suffered for thy love? 'Tis I have done it and done it
To revenge my injur'd love.—And I but just should be,
Now I have punish'd him, to punish thee;
But that, alas, 'twould be so poor a deed,
My very Sword would scorn to make thee bleed;
And if my passion should the thing request,
'Twould turn in rage against his Masters breast.
No, I shall leave thee to a higher doom,
And now go waite thy lover to his Tombe.

Jul.

Ha! doth he go? and leave me thus in scorn,
(proffers to go
Guards, stop the Traytors! Ile revenge my honour, and the Counts
blood; in the interim, carry him out, and use your utmost skill and care
about him


Col.

Madam, he breathes, and whilst there's life, there's hope, Guards
stop the Duke.


They carry out Shar.
The.
She'l kill the Duke; but I'le not long survive him.

Jul.
Curland, thou dyest; but first thou must explain
The Mysteries of this thy proud disdain;
Say then, what Fury did thee hither send,
To wound my honour, and destroy thy friend;
For none in Poland hath this treason wrought,
Nor dare they wound my honour with a thought,

Lad.
None dare, 'twere Sacriledge to make it bleed,
None but your valiant self dare do the deed;
And you are grown to that insulting height;
You scorn the modest whispers of the night:
Trumpets must speak, and Banners must display,
And to your Lovers arms you fight your way.

Jul.
This is distraction.


57

Col.
His Russian bondage hath mislaid his reason.

Jul.
He's mad.
I once to punish him had an intent,
And now I pity him, and those thoughts repent:
And yet it may be those distractions are
Only th'effect of pride, and wild despair:
The sinner finds he's damn'd, and prayes in vain,
And now by blasphemy would case his pain.

Lad.
Yes, as a man damn'd by a false Religion,
When he finds all his piety in vain,
Doth curse his gods, and wish he had liv'd profane;
So all my merits lost, I now repent,
That I have been so fondly innocent,
That I in Muscovy so vain should prove,
In seeking Crowns and Armies for thy love;
And cruelly my heart refus'd to give,
To one who wanted it, that she might live.

Jul.
What then it seems thy killing eyes have there
Done many murders too, as well as here;
And what If I thy tryumphs should disgrace,
And in a grave should hide thy conquering face,
Where Ladies hearts it might no more surprize,
Nor women be in danger of thine eyes?
Sharnofsky's blood forbids to let thee live:
Yes, Curland thou shalt dye, it shall be seen
In this one glorious act, I am a Queen;
And let thy Soveraign title plead thy cause,
Let Poland talk of priviledge, or Laws,
In this great doom I uncontroul'd will be,
And trample on the State, their Laws, and thee:
And let the glory of thy Fate contain,
And summe up all the glory of my reign.
Guards, kill the Duke; hold, but kill him so,
That he may live within an hour or two:
aside
Methinks I now a little weakness find,
And my heart tells me, I would feign be kind:
Fool that I am; I weeping melt away
Even all the Crowns, and Tryumphs of the day:
The Conquerour doth quit the field and fly,
Whil'st the proud captive stands insulting by;
That ever I should play so weak a part,
To be entic't thus to resign my heart?
A heart, design'd for things so far above
The petty troubles and concerns of love:
Yet now led captive, can so prostrate be,
To worship him, who ought to worship me:

58

But for these follies I'le my self dethrone,
Forgive his sins, but will chastise my own:
Lead to the Chappel; I'le to night—

Con.

Hold Madam, your soul's disorder'd, it must be calm'd with penitence
and prayer, before you can be fit.


Jul.
I cannot help it, I am but woman.

weeps
Lad.
Ha! and have I wrong'd her?
What cursed charm hath lead me in this maze?
Surely I have been abus'd, young Duke of Novogrod,
to Paul
Have you not told me lies? I fear you have,
And done it to revenge your friend the Prince.

Bat.
Hark, he calls my Princess Duke of Novogrod.

aside
Jo.
Discover to him—

Al.
Madam, undisguize; and let the Duke affront you if he dares.

Paul.
Yes Sir, I've led you in this maze of jealousie;
And done it to revenge my injur'd honour.

discovers
Om.
A woman!

Jul.
A woman!

Paul.
Yes, and a Princess Madam,
Great as your self by birth, greater in misfortunes,
The daughter of the mighty Czar of Muscovy,
Become a wandring Pilgrim, hidden lies
In the poor Hermitage of this disguize;
By Curlands treachery, now brought so low,
I even am asham'd my self to know.

weeps
Bat.
Now I perceive the Mystery.

aside.
Lad.
The Princess Paulina.

Paul.
And dar'st thou mention then Paulina's name,
And proudly stand without remorse or shame?
Because in war thou hast a captive been,
Wilt thou in spite, thy victories begin
On Vertue, on Religion, Love, and me,
And hate my name, because I pitied thee?
VVhen all the world forsook thee, I alone
Bestow'd thy life, and made thy chains my own,
Yea more, so fondly I betray'd my flame,
At thy petition, I thy wife became.
When Crowns lay at my feet, I married thee,
Who hadst no Armies, Crowns, nor liberty;
Yet promis'd one, but meant in that above,
A Crown of Martyrdom, for injur'd love.
Yet after all, (perfidious man;) to fly
And leave me in thy Chains condemn'd to die?
And when I found thee, basely to disclaim
Thou hadst relation to Paulina's name?

59

Know Duke, I do abhor thee, and to day,
This Hand, this Steel, had ta'ne thy life away,
But that some power did the blow withstand,
And when I proffer'd, did withhold my hand;
But my revenge now alters its design,
The death it aim'd at thee, now shall be mine,
Not that I dye, because I grieve to part,
But thus to punish my rebellious heart.

Jo., Al.
Oh, she hath hurt her self; Oh, Madam; Madam:

Offers to skill her self, but Jo. Al. snatch the Dagger.
Paul.
What means this cruelty? oh, let me die:

Bat.
I now perceive the maze in which they wander;
Oh, I have been too slow in my discovery.

Jul.
And have I wept and bled for this?

Lad.
What cursed Fantome did abuse my shape?
As ever, heaven, thou'st regard to truth
Or innocence, now by thy thunder shew
If it was I, that wrong'd this Lady so.

Jo.
Oh horrid, horrid!

Al.
Oh immortal Powers! and can you suffer this?

Jul.
Prodigy!

Con.
Oh! Madam, rule your haughty passions,
There is a Ring of Angels made about you,
To see how you'l come off in this great combat.

Jul.
And let 'um make a Ring—they to themselves
The pleasure of revenge would not deny,
Were they but flesh and blood as well as I.

Bat.
I must reveal in time, before more mischief ensues.—
Royal Madam—

Jul.
Ha? what art thou?

Bat.
I'm one, whom if you please
Can in one word rectifie all mistakes.
'Tis a deceitful marriage then breeds this
Confusion; the Princess was not married
To the Duke, but to my Prince Demetrius,
to Jul.
He who to day was (Madam!) in your Tent
Condemn'd to die—

Lad.
My innocence is clear'd by Miracle.

Paul.
Is Prince Demetrius here? and did he abuse me so?

Bat.
Madam, he ventur'd on so grand an enterprise,
Partly t'allay the torment of his love,
And partly for revenge upon your Father,
Who having promis'd you, as a reward to him,
For taking the Duke prisoner, slighted his Royal word,
Upon the news of the King o'Polands death,

60

And proffers you to the Duke, with a great army,
Only in hopes to make you Queen o'Poland;
The Duke indeed did nobly slight the proffers.

Jul.
So Count Sharnofsky said.
VVhat have I done to wound that gallant man?

Bat.
My fiery Prince resenting the affront,
As proudly as the Emperour did his,
'Twixt rage and love, did by a wile entice you
Unto the Castle where the Duke was pris'ner,
Pretending danger, penitence and love,
And (if you if you remember) married you in the dark,
Because he would not trust (as he pretended)
The Priest himself with such a dangerous secret.

Om.
Amazement!

Bat.
And e're you could discover the mistake,
You fled away in a fright, and ere you went,
Brib'd the Cipier for the Dukes liberty;
Then he in innocence forsaking you,
And you as innocent in pursuing him,
Occasion'd this unhappiness.

Col.

Heavens, 'twas this the Cardinal took advanage on to breed all
this disorder.


Om.

Now all's come to light.


Paul.

How have I been abus'd? unhappy I, born to misfortunes.


Bat.

See, my Prince is here!


Enter Demetius and Landlord strugling with the Guard.
Lad.

I think my Landlord, the Prince perhaps was the other strang
lodg'd in the same house: petty humour of fortune!


Land.
Come honest Cardinal Bembo, dost thou not remember
(to the Guard
I made thee a Cardinal at the Councel o'Trent,
Hast thou forgot Pope Pauls great Toe, boy?

Dem.
Slave, shall I stay here all night?

Guard.
Well what would you see? all's done.

Land.

Nay, I told you Id'e get you in, if any body could; the Rogues
all know me as well as a beggar knows his Clap-dish.


Dem.
Curland, have I found thee? 'tis not thy friends,
draws
Nor the Queens Guards that shall protect thee.

But.
Hold Sir, all's well.

holds Dem.
Dem.
Not till Curland or I fall.

Land.

Why, what a mad fellow's this? draw in the presence; why
Sirrah, do you know where you are, you malapert lad you? I shall be
hang'd for bringing in a quarrelsome Jackanapes, if I had known, I would
ha'kept him at home, I warrant him.


Bat.

O! hold, and turn your eyes on that sad object that there lies
weeping, bleeding for your crimes.


Dem.

My Princess, I'm in a trance; oh bloody Vision! what cursed
hand hath done this wretched deed?



61

Paul.
'Tis you have done it, oh Demetrius,
How have you injur'd me? what horrid dangers
And miseries have you expos'd me to?

Land.
This young man hath been in a scuffle, I see.

Paul.
I'de lost my life under my Fathers anger,
Had it not been for this good Count Alexey,
Who had the charge of me, and help't me away;
And now in passion I have chas'd the Duke,
Thinking him guilty of forsaking me
His lawful Wife, and made him kill his friend,
Injure his Princess; and had fallen himself
By my revenge, this Steel had pierc't his breast;
But heaven to whom his innocence was known,
Thus made me turn the blow against my own.

Land.
What's the meaning of all this blind story?

Dem.
And have I injur'd thus the Duke, and you?
What miseries, what torments are my due?
First by some slave, or Villain, let me dye,
And when I'm dead, then stab my memory.
By my own hand, or your's, to dye, would be
A death too brave for such a Fiend as me:
And when I'm buried, to my Grave repair,
And throw in scorn my ashes in the air:
But lest you prove unjust, and pardon all
My horrid crimes, thus at your feet I fall.

(profers to fall an his sword, and is prevented by Ladisl. Paul. Bat.
Land.

What art mad? wilt thou kill thy self, sweetheart? bless me,
he makes my heart ake; take the sword from him, fie upon't, who lets
such young fools ha'swords, that don't know how to use 'um?


Paul.

Hold Prince Demetrius! live, your wife Paulina doth beg it of
you.


Land.

Your wife Paulina; what, I warrant this young man is that
young mans wife; why sure my house was inchanted to day, lodg'd
Princes, and Dukes, like Mummers and Masqueraders; and Women and
Wenches in mens cloathes, and Cloakbags, and scufflings, and they kill
one another and they'r alive again, and this, and that, and I know not
what; here's work indeed.


Dem.

And can you pardon me my kindest Princess?


Paul.

Yes, my dear Demetrius, I have charity enough to pardon you,
and vertue enough to love you.


Dem.
Blessed minute; I shall dye with happiness.

Al.
And I with joy.

Al. weeps
Dem.
Now generous Ladislaus, can you forgive me?

Lad.
My Princely friend.

Land.
I,—hug,—but you'r but a couple o'Knaves both on you

Paul.
Great Madam, may not we embrace, as well as our dear Lords?


62

Jul.
Yes Madam, and perhaps with an affection as generous as theirs

Om.
Celestial sight!

Col.
The Charm that rais'd this 'o tempest confusion
Is now undone, the horrid Spectre's vanisht;
All ends in friendship, let it end in glory;
Love now is Crown'd, let honour be so too;
Let's place the Crown upon the head of him
Who in a thousand fields hath purchas'd it.

Land.

With all my heart truly, though I must tell you, you'r none of
th'honestest to run away and pay me no rent.


aside
Col.
Great Duke, it is decree'd you are our King,
And you our Queen.

to Jul.
Om.
Long live Ladislaus King of Poland, and Duke of Curland.

Om.
Long live Juliana Queen of Poland, and Dutchess of Curland.

Lad., Jul.
My Lords, we thank you all for this great honour,
And shall endeavour still to make this Crown
Rather the Kingdoms glory than our own.

Land.

Your humble servant; no body questions it; well now an't please
your Majesty—


Lad.

Go, I forgive thee.


Land.

Forgive me; thank you heartily: I come to dun him for money,
and he cries he forgives me; right Courtier I'faith; but if you forgive
me, I won't forgive you: in the first place, for cheating me of five thousand
Crowns, but that I'le take no notice of (aside)
Why Sir, for my
Rent, and several other courtesies, as procuring, conniving, angling for
Trouts; no courtesie in this age; come, come Sir, a feeling, a feeling, and
I'le take no notice, otherwise my tongue doth naturally hang so loose,
—but nothing is better for it than a little Aurum Potabile.


Lad.

This fellow is strangely impertinent.


Land.

Besides, do I deserve nothing for my honesty for concealing
you? I knew you well enough.


Lad.

I doubt Landlord, if you had, my head had not stuck fast upon
my shoulders.


Land.

It may be Sir, if I had been put to a great straight indeed, I
might have borrowed a little money upon your Nose, or so—


Lad.

Rid me Theodore of this fellow, and give him a hundred Dollars.


Land.

Thank your Majesty.


Enter one of the Guard who whispers Colimsky.
Col.

Sir, the Grand Marshal and the other Lords desire to have admission
to your Majesty t'implore your Grace and pardon.


to the King.
Lad.
Bring them in.

Enter Guard with Ossolinsky, Cassonofsky, and Lubomirsky as prisoners.
Osso., Casso.
Heaven Crown your Majesty with a long and happy
Reign.

Jul.
Oh my good Lords; what ha' you chang'd your tunes?

63

But you poor men sung but the Card'nals Notes:
My Lord, forgive 'um. Thou malicious Count
to Casso.
That wouldst have murder'd me in my Tent to day
And mixt my blood with my great Fathers ashes,
Know slave, some of my Guards shou'd strike thee dead,
But that thy very baseness saves thy head.
Who merits my revenge and hate, must prove
As brave and great, as he who gains my love.
I pardon thee, retire out of my sight—
And now go home, repent thy crimes and see
If heaven will be generous like me.

Lad.

My Lords, you have your pardons; your Lives and Fortunes
we shall not touch, your Offices and Governments we must bestow on
men of better maxims: Count Colimsky, the Batton of Grand Marshal
we confer on you: Their Governments and Palatinates we shall consider
of.


Paul.

I'le beg a command of the King for you, good Count Alexey.


Alex.

No Madam, I'le serve none but your Highness; let me but live in
your favour, 'tis all the glory I am ambitious of.


Casso.

Now will I go home and hang one half of my Slaves, starve the
other; kick my wife out o'doors, be drunk nine and fifty hours together,
breed a mutiny at home, and a Rebellion in the Kingdom; and
at last loose my head for my pains, and there's an end of good Count
Cassonofsky.


Lad.

Now let us all go visit my brave friend.


Enter a Gentleman
Gentle.

Great Sir, I now came from him, his wound is search't, and is
found not so dangerous as first was fear'd; at his return to sense, he seem'd
amaz'd, as having lost all memory, how he came wounded so, nor was he
concern'd, but only enquir'd about the Queens health.


Lad.
Brave friend!

Jul.
The Count was ever generous.

Om.
Lights for the King and Queen.

Lad.
Thus do our Fortunes lead us blindly on,
And to be happy we are first undone;
And thus the mighty storms have all combin'd,
To cast thee on the shore which I design'd.
And now I'm blest with happiness above,
My own ambition with a Crown and Love.

FINIS.