University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

Scene continues.
Enter Longinus, Aistolfus, Desiderio.
Aist.
Hmd we to your Army design'd to fly,
We have convinc'd you how secure 'twou'd be.
But we intend not to prolong the War,
Let Alboine's Murderers be punish'd,
And of his Crown dispose as you think fit.

Desid.
Our zealous duty to our dead Master
Is not more concern'd in't, than your Glory.
To protect such Wretches, approves their Crimes;
Think how they'll be abhorr'd by honest men;
How black they'll seem to all posterity;
And wou'd you with such Miscreants be rank'd?

Long.
I'm not byass'd by the gainful Treason,
Nor so much blinded by Rosamund's Face;
As to approve or justifie the Deed.
But since they've thrown themselves on me for aid,
It were meanly done, shou'd I desert them.

Aist.
Heaven winks at Crimes for reasons it best knows.
And by a long forbearance oft seems pleas'd,
Nor with injustice must we tax the Gods
Tho Vice thrives, and Virtue is afflicted,
Unsearchable, yet just, are their Decrees.
But Man is judg'd by outward, present acts,
Our Fame is irrecoverably lost,
Shou'd we seem vitious, for a real Good;
W' are branded with Hypocrisie at least.

Long.
Then let the Guilt be wholly Almachild's,
Let him be punish'd, and excuse the Queen.
Perhaps to remove th'Odium from her self,
I may prevail with her, to give Consent,

Desid.
Impartial Justice will pardon neither,
Shall he suffer for the Murder only,
And shall she escape who urg'd him to't?
There can be no sufficient Tortures found
To rack the impious, sacrilegious slave
Who durst imbrue his Hands in Royal blood.
But she had a double Tye of Duty,
And sacred each, her Husband, and her King.

Aist.
And one she ow'd her Life and Freedom to,
When he had conquer'd by a lawful War
Her Fathers Kingdom, he shar'd it with her,
And from a Captive rais'd her to a Crown.

Long.
That matchless beauty, which mov'd Alboino,
Now strongly pleads in her behalf with me.
VVho ever looks on her must be her slave.
'Twere arrogance in me to censure her;
Whate're she does I cannot think a fault,
The Property of Vice by her is chang'd;
She stamps a beauteous form on all her acts,
And makes destructive Mischief pleasing seem.

Aist.
So Men
Do fatally in Calentures mistake,
And for firm Ground the liquid Waters take.
For tho she's varnish'd o're with what men Beauty call,
Yet look within you'll find her black as Hell.
No Syrens voice has more enticing Charms,
Nor gives more certain Rush than her Face.

Long.
Be not so violent in your Revenge,
Let Almachild first fall your Sacrifice.
Have Charity for her, as she's Woman,
And give her leisure to repent her faults.

Aist.
'Twere rather Charity in killing her,
Let her not live to taste such Misery,
T'endure the Tortures of such fierce Despair,
As must gnaw her Soul, when she sees her Crimes.

Long.
Reason and Justice strengthen all you say.
I'll strive to conquer this impetuous God,
That wou'd controul my Honor, and corrupt my Sense.
An hour hence expect me in that Room,
Where one at least shall fall your Sacrifice.

Exit.
Enter Avaro, Clefi, Angellina,
Ava.
Oh my Lord, luckily encounter'd, I have often
Forbore Court, to avoid you, now I am come purposely
To find you. But my Rage at present overcomes my
Intended Kindness, Do you see that sheepish Rogue there,
Look on him, do you not perceive what he has done?

Cle.
Nay, the truth on't is, I must confess that—

Ava.
Confess, no, no, you need not, you need not confess;
Whoever looks on you may see it. Come, come hither
I'll refer it now to all this company, if without
Thy Confession, they wou'd not know thee, by that
Miserable, simple, mortify'd Countenance, to be
Marry'd.

Aist.
Come Sir, let us mediate in his behalf: Pray be
Pacify'd; if he is marry'd, I'll undertake he is
Sufficiently wretched, without your anger.

Ava.
Why he has marry'd a Beggar; would you have
An hungry man fill'd without Victuals, wou'd you have
Me pacify'd without Money; he may be fill'd with
Wind indeed, and I with Rage, but never satisfy'd.

Cle.
I did not think but—

Ava.
Few in thy condition ever thought; nor did I when
I begot thee. No, I dare swear thou didst not think;
Why I can see that too in thy countenance; truly thou
Hast a very foretelling Face. Come, I'll read thy
Destiny in it. First, there's Matrimony; no, first
There's Cuckoldom, for thou were't a Cuckold before
Thou were't marry'd; next there's Poverty, next
Repentance, next Despair, then Death and the Devil.

Cle.
Lord, Lord, you are so cholerick, you won't hear a
Body speak. I would no more have marry'd her, than
You would, if I had not been perswaded she was
Rich, and I thought that so good an excuse, that you
Would even be pleas'd with me, for my disobedience.

Ava.
If she had been so, I had never enquir'd how she
Became so: but do you think I will pardon you,
Since you were deceiv'd. Go, begon out of my sight,
Try how Matrimony and Poverty will agree. Go, see,
Now you are poor, whether people will mistake your
Laughing for good humour, and your much talking for
Wit.

Aist.
A little of your kindness will make 'em happy,
And agreeable to each other: for fools are generally
Fonder of each other, than wits.

Ava.
Ah, my Lord, I know you speak only out of good
Nature; but I believe 'twill please you more to
Bestow my Daughter on Desiderio. What say you, Sir,
Will you pardon all my former denials, if I now give
You my consent?

Desi.
Most readily; I could pardon thee hadst thou been
One of Alboino's Murderers, to purchase her
But tho I am so desirous to have her mine, I would
Not owe it wholly to her obedience; rather let Love
Prevail with her, let her give one proof of that, she
Has many of Duty to you.

Ang.
I have already confess'd my Love to my Father, tho
Perhaps I never should to you, without his consent.
Believe not my Love to be the less, or that I shall make
The worse Wife for my Obedience. For who pays it
Not to a Parent, never will to a Husband.

Desid.
Be mine at any rate, I must be happy.

Ava.
Well, take her, take her, and with her you shall have
All my Wealth; but then you must stay till I am
Dead, I cannot for the blood of me part with it,
And live.

Desi.
I never requir'd that, nor do I want it to encrease
My happiness. And you, Sir, [To Clefi.]
tho
You have not been my friend, yet since you are
Angellina's Brother, I will provide for you.

Cle.
Ah, ten thousand thanks upon my knees; well I am not the
First man has rais'd his fortunes by a handsom Sister.

Aist.
Well, Desiderio, I have had patience thus long,
To see your happiness confirm'd.
And now Alboino's blood calls for Vengeance.
I will delay no longer my Revenge.
If Longinus consents not, I'll force him.
But be not vain, because she says she loves.
Believe me friend, 'tis owing all to fate,
'Tis not for Merit that we love or hate.

Exeunt.
Enter Rosamund, Longinus, Odoacre. Longinus speaks entering. (aside.)
Long.
All my designs are baffled by her eyes;
I am so much her Beauty's slave,
So aw'd, I dare not have the man destroy'd
Upon whose ruin depends my happiness;
For fear it should offend, and raise a frown.

Rosa.
Is then Alboino so much lamented?
Could such invet'rate cruelty and pride,
Gain him a lasting popular applause?

Odo.
When Monarchs fall by an untimely death,
The people colour commonly their faults;
Their virtues then are only nam'd and prais'd.
Cruelty is call'd impartial Justice,
And pride, a noble carriage fit for regal state.

Long.
He tells you true.
Never was man so pittied and belov'd.
The people mourn his loss in lowder cries,
Than Soldiers Io's for their victories.
Their loss of liberty and life they slight,
His death alone engrosses all their Grief.

Rosa.
Let the unthinking Rabble bellow on,
I scorn their censures, they're ne're in th'right.
They hate one day what they'll adore the next.
Colour the most abominable wrong
With Liberty's deceitful specious name,
And you may gain them to what ill you please.

Odo.
That way I try'd, almost to my ruin.
The Mob attended calmly my discourse,
While I harrangu'd in praise of Liberty;
But when I said, by Alboino's death 'twas purchas'd,
Had I pronounc'd their deaths, they had rag'd less;
Down with him, flea him, burn him, was the cry;
And then they hurl'd against me Stones, Forks, Staves,
And all the Rabbles instruments of War.
And had the Guards not quickly interpos'd,
I soon had been devour'd by their rage.

Long.
Nor can I awe them to more mild resolves,
Than punishing the murderers with death,
So they call them.

Rosa.
What, am I not secure
By my own Guards, and by the Roman power?
In my own Palace shall I dread the crowd?
I slight the weak many headed Monster,
Nay Life I scorn rather than owe it them.

Long.
They're of themselves giddy and impotent,
Yet they are oft employ'd, as great Mens Tools,
Who work their ends by their impetuous Force,
Secure and secret they encrease the Flame,
And loo them on to desperate mischief.

Odoa.
Their number gives them courage to attempt.
They rashly enterprize what they resolve,
Before they've leisure to reflect on fear.
Nor from their fury can you long be safe
But by deliv'ring to them Almachild;
Which may divert their charge of guilt from you.

Rosa.
'Tis thou shou'dst be deliver'd to their Rage,
Who prompt'st me thus, to such ingratitude.
Wou'd'st have me so unworthily desert
The Man, whose act obedience was to me?

Long.
I must advise the same, but I am mov'd
To wish his Death, by those inticing Eyes,
I burst with Envy at the joys he reaps,
And yet those awful Eyes secure secure his Life;
Did I not dread their Frowns, his Rivals Sword
Shou'd soon remove the bar to all my hopes.

Odoa.
And yet 'tis strange, that such Victorious Eyes
So us'd to Conquests and preserve them too;
Shou'd be so suddainly contemn'd by him.
That such refreshing charming Sweets shou'd cloy
The stupid Animal in one short Hour.

Rosa.
Take heed, mock not me, nor vilify him.
My anger will prove as dangerous to you,
As my enrag'd jealousy wou'd to him.

Odoa.
He was my Friend, and still he shou'd be so,
Had I not seen his perfidy to you.
And proof of that within this Hour I had,
If sighs and vows to others may be Proofs,
And if embraces and appointments are.

Rosa.
'Tis only Pride with hinders jealousy;
Meanly we think of others, of our selves too well
But proceed.

(aside.
Odoa.
A Vail conceal'd the Lady he admir'd,
But in this Room I overheard the Intrigue.
He prest her hands, and on it swore his truth;
My Life! he cry'd, in an Hour I'll return,
I'll but pay the Queen a formal Visit,
And haste to thee, my Soul; here take this Key
And wait so long in my apartment there.

Rosa.
I disdain to show how much I'm enrag'd,
I'll keep my fury collected within,
Till at once I pour it all on him.
(aside.
Perhaps she still is there, force open the door,
I'll see this powerful Beauty.

Odoa.
Best stay, I'll knock and counterfeit his Voice,
My Love! my dear! here is your Almachild.

(knocking at the door.
She speaks as she opens the Door, and runs to him.
Flo.
Where hast thou been loit'ring so long, my Life?

Seeing them, she pretends to shriek and run back.
Odoa.
[holding her.]
Nay Madam, do not believe you shall retreat
We've discover'd the amour, and must your Face.

Rosa.
Approach nearer thou presumptuous Fool,
Unvail thy self, that I may see that Face
Which dare admit his Love, whose Heart's my due.

Flo.
Where shall I fly, who will protect me now?
What can I hope from an offended Queen?
And Death I dread from an enrag'd Father:

[lifting up her Vail.
Odoa.
Damnation, what do I see! my Daughter!
On unworthy, infamous Prostitute!
Have I thus labour'd to prove him Villain
But to publish my Families disgrace,
But with my Sword I'll wipe the stain out, thus—

Long.
[holding him.]
Hold, moderate your Passion, pity her,
And shew more respect in the Queen's presence.

Rosa.
Dost thou pretend to rage? 'tis I that ought:
What's scandal or disgrace, to jealousy?
But furious words are Cowards Resentments,
And weak Womens, who cannot right themselves.
Monarchs in acts not words shou'd shew their Wrath.
And by one blow thus I procure Revenge.

(going to stab her.)
Flo.
[kneeling.]
Ah do not kill me! and I'll confess all.

Odoa.
Confess! interpose or we are ruin'd.

(to Longinus.
Rosa.
Confess! dost thou think that will excuse thee.
Dost believe I'll listen, till thou repeatst
The Arts he us'd, the Vows he made to win thee;
That will encrease my painful Rage too much,
Delay thy death, and my Revenge too long.

Long.
Give me leave to interceed for her Life;
Forgive her for her faithful Fathers sake;
Tho now he'd joyn with you in your Revenge,
Nature will soon move him to pardon her,
And wish to have her stain'd, rather than Dead.

Rosa.
To his services let her own her Life;
But, hence, I can no longer bear her Sight.
Why, this exceeds Alboino's Crime! I burst with rage.
Tho 'tis not that I love the fickle wretch,
For Wives are jealous, tho they do not love.

Odoa.
I beg I may obtain one favour more,
That I may punish him, for both our wrongs.
Then if I may advise, take Longinus,
A worthier choice, and which secures your Crown.

Rosa.
Merits like his may hope for any thing.
But I'll please my self in the Traytors Death.
Ha! behold he comes to his appointment!
How every circumstance agrees!
Retire, and leave his Punishment to me.
[Exeunt Longinus and Odoacre.
Now let me play the Woman to deceive:

Enter Almachild Pensive.
Alm.
Was it a dream? have Dreams such wondrous power?
Vast Prerogative of Sleep,
Thus to insult our thoughts when w'are awake.
Other Men sleep, and so forget their Pain,
But one Hours sleep robs me for ever of my rest,
The Murder was as great, the Sin as great before;
Yet was I easy in my Mind, calm and at peace.
Do Sense and Judgment clearer work in Sleep?
Business and noyse diverted them before;
Sleep has awak'ned them to my eternal Plague.

Rosa.
What mean those Sighs, har'd Looks, and heavy Gate.

(aside.)
Alm.
Oh my Rosamund! I have been seeking you,
To try to ease my Griefs b' imparting them:
For oh! I bear a load within my Breast
Enough to sink me to the lowest Hell.
But I'm so filled, so choak'd with black dispair,
I well may burst, but have not breath to speak.

Rosa.
What can this mean? sure 'tis to colour his design.
(aside.
Alike we should relate our joys and griefs,
'Twill improve the one, and lessen t'others.
As Winds imprison'd in the Earths Caverne,
Then rage and storm with greatest Violenc
And seem to shake the basis of the World,
But when they've forc'd a Vent, they quickly waste.
So sorrow stifl'd in our breasts racks most.
But why dost thou complain of Griefs and Pain,
Cannot a Crown and Queen compleat thy Joys?

Alm.
Are you to ask the Cause of my despair?
You who compell'd me to the cruel deed.
Art thou so hardned in impenitence,
Or dost thou only ignorance affect?
Think on Alboino, my murder'd Master.
Think on thy wrong'd Husband, think on our King,
And then be happy; doest not startle thee?
Do's not despair and horror seize thy Soul?

Rosa.
Nay then 'tis time to kill the Tender Fool,
And end his idle superstitious Fears,
Else such disquiet Thoughts he'll raise in me.

(aside.)
Alm.
Confess the gnawing fortunes of thy Mind,
And with severest words accuse thy self,
That I may have a clearer Idea
Of my Sin, fill me with raging despair
Till it distracts my distemper'd senses.
Oh wretched State! oh tormenting Crime! When I
From Madness only can expect a Cure.

Rosa.
Some melancholy dream has rais'd these thoughts.
Thou seest I am quiet and undisturb'd,
Nor can repent what Justice mov'd me to.

Alm.
See where the Royal, sacred Ghost appears,
(starting.)
See where he stand, and bodes me certain Hell.
And look this cursed Hand is stain'd with Blood.

Rosa.
You but create this anguish to your self,
There's no such thing, these are idle fancies.

Alma.
My Conscience sees him plain; and tho he's gone,
His dreadful Image is fixt ever here.
Break, burst my Heart, why shou'dst thou thus endure
Such cruel Torments, as admit no Cure?
From time it self, thou canst not hope for ease,
No action past, none to come can please.
Friendless without, distraction all within,
Obdurate made, as Punnishment for Sin.

Rosa.
These sad thoughts, Musick and Love shall banish,
Retire with me to my Alcove, and try their Force.

Alm.
Lead on, and dispose of me as you please,
But much I fear, there can no Art be found
To heal my Minds envenom'd desperate Wound.

Exeunt.

SONG.

After the Song is ended, the Scene draws and discovers Rosamund and Almachild sitting, she with a Cup in her hand.
Rosa.
Here's what will end his care; 'tis a Poison
Of such force, three drops destroys him in a moment.
aside.
Still you appear disturb'd, my Almachild;
Have my tender Embraces no effect?
Shall all my Arts and Love be try'd in vain,
Will nought dispel your melancholy thoughts?

Alma.
Nothing can ease me while my Mem'ry lasts.
Music heightens and improves our passions;
It encreases, but never changes them.
The pleasant it transports with Mirth and Joy,
But fills the sad with a more fierce Despair.

Rosa.
If Love and Music can't prevail, try this.
Here I've prepar'd a Cordial for my Love.

Alma.
Wine for the present may allay our Griefs,
But they'll return, and rack with double Force.
Howe're give it me, I'd leave nought untry'd.
(He takes the Bowl and Drinks.
A Cordial is it? 'tis strangely nauseous.
I cannot force my Stomach, to receive
One drop more—what means this sudden coldness
Near my Heart, and this swimming in my Head?

Rosa.
I find it begins to work already,
Half he has drank, will send him strait to Hell.

(aside.
Alm.
Now 'tis plain, by all my fears 'tis Poyson,
But she shall not triumph in my Death too.
(aside.
Here my Rosamund, I find its Virtues
To be so excellent, that you must pledge me.

Rosa.
I need it not, I have my health intire.

Alm.
Oh thou bloody Monster! worse than Woman!
How have I deserv'd this barbarity.
Thy refusal, as well as my Torments,
Discovers thy baseness. But I'll not fall alone,
Here drink this, while I have strength to force thee.

Rosa.
Help! Murder! help! where are my Guards? Murder!

Alm.
Thy resistance is vain, here take thy choice,
Drink or I'll strike this Dagger to thy Heart.
Nay delay not one Moment, if thou dost—

[offering to stab her.
Rosa.
Hold, give it me, Death looks less dreadful here.

She drinks, and then Enter Longinus, Aistolfus, Desiderio, Odoacre, Guards.
Alma.
So, now let them come to her assistance.
I dye pleas'd, since time was for this deed giv'n,
And by this Justice I may merit Heav'n.

Dies.
Long.
What does this mean?
Whence proceeds his Death and your fainting Looks?

Rosa.
Ah! you are come too late, he has forc'd me
To share the Poison, I prepar'd for him.
Odoacre there! then dread thy Fate next.
Justice has overtaken the Murder
I contriv'd, and will soon thy Treachery.
T'Enemies your Country you betray'd,
While I a Plot to kill Alboino laid.
No Art can thee from divine Justice guard.
And I in Death and Hell shall meet Reward.

(Dies.)
Desid.
Were't thou the Villain, who betray'd the Town,
Thus Traytor I'll fulfil her Prophecy.

(They fight.
Long.
Hold, part them.

(Odoacre falls.
Odoa.
I have deserv'd this end, and shou'd rejoyce.
I've liv'd long in misery, my Conscience
Plagu'd me so much, I cou'd no more bear Life.
My Fate is just and kind, I'll not complain,
And Death may end, but can't encrease my Pain.

(Dies.
Long.
I will not blame what Justice bid thee do,
Nor for interest will protect Villains.
(to Desiderio.
But her I must lament, not all her Crimes,
Not death can deprive her of her beauty.

[looking on Rosamund.
Aist.
Be pleas'd, and thankful for Heaven's Justice,
Which has wisely freed you from the Love,
Which would else have sully'd all your Renown.

Long.
Time may perswade me to mind your advice.
But that I may pay the Regard that's due
To the noble Alboino's Memory;
Wear the Crown, which he bequeath'd you; and be
Assur'd, Justinus will confirm the gift.
But only promise to remain his friend,
And quit all pretensions to Verona.

Aist.
I'll readily agree to any terms,
So I may preserve Longinus friendship.
The greatest businss of my life is o're,
Alboino's death is now fully reveng'd.
Yet for his fall, grief still my breast distends,
Crowns cannot recompence the loss of Friends.

Exeunt Omnes.