 | The Twins |  |
Act. 5.
Scen. 1.
Enter Charmia in her night gown, with a prayer Book and a Taper, boults the door and sits down.Char.
How long each hour is, where the expectation is not so soon
answer'd as we desire, 'tis like a tedious winter without fire; it freezes
up a lover; but I'm none: If I did truly love, I should not lust: I aske
thy pardon Heaven, I know thou hearst me; Husband, I ask thine too,
thou hearst me not; I must wrong both, yet know not how to help it,
unlesse my penitence may expiate my fault committed; I have no power
afore hand to keep it off: if it be so with other women, as tis with
me, they'l eat the meat they long for, though death be in the sauce:
how have my cheeks, my brests, my hands been bath'd with springing
tears from these poor eyes, since wretched soul I hatch'd this lustful
egge of Incest in my brest, and for this act which I do tremble at, if I did
think my life would not produce some worthy work to recompence the
ill, I'de rather die then do it: but what talk I? now I am so much intress'd
then turning back agen. When a white garment has got one foul spot,
it were all one to us, if it had more, one washing cleanses it, if it have ten
lesse cannot do it, if it have but one, my thought of being evil, makes
me bad, 'twas a long time before I had that spot, but having it, I stain'd
me with the deed too, and one repentance cleanseth thought and act,
which ile begin, ere I begin my sin.
She reads, & Exit.
Enter Lurco and Jovio.
Lur.
I prithee Jovio, watch a little while at the stair foot, and see who
goes up and who comes down, and tell me, I shall make thee laugh anon.
Jov.
Prithee what's the matter?
Lur.
Thou shalt anow anon.
Jov.
Wilt make me laugh?
Lur.
If't don't, it is your fault. 'Twill make me laugh I'm sure, if all
hit right.
Jov.
Well, i'le go watch.
Lur.
Do, do, I long to know what the issue o'nt wil be: how like a
fair Colossus I shall stand, when they shall all lye scatter'd on the ground,
me thinks it would shew bravely on the stage, I'de have it personated to
the life, and I the chief spectator on the Theatre.
Enter Jovio.
Jov.
Lurco, Lurco.
Lur.
Who hast thou seen?
Jov.
Yonders the chamber maid, goe up stairs, and the Monkey has
broke his chain, and is run after her as fast as he can drive.
Lur.
Hell take you and your Monkeyes.
Jov.
How now Lurco, have I this for my labour? goe and wait your
self.
Lur.
Nay, prithee be not angry, if thou seest any man go that way
tell me.
Jov.
Well, i'le go gape about me once more for you.
Exit
Lur.
Nothing now troubles me, but that I fear I shall have too much
sport for my money, no matter; I have so good a stomack to the meat
that I can take no surfeit by revenge; let me be full of blood, that when
I die the world may say I had a plurisie.
Enter Jovio.
Jov.
May a Boy passe for a Man?
Lur.
Did'st see a Boy? some Page, or Messenger, I smell the plot
out.
Jov.
The Scullian boy is gone up with a basket of coales.
Lur.
I hunt for no such base game: goe agen:
Exit Jov.
'Twont come off handsomly yet: I, here's my sport.
Ent. Grat. in Ful. clothes.
Grat.
Haste and vexation me in a sweat
Lurco fetches in Jovio.
Lur.
Who's that Jovio?
Jov.
It's my Lord Fulvio.
Lur.
Keep close a little.
Grat.
If she prove false she dies, as for my brother I ha' made sure
work with him—This Key and Lanthorn brings me through the vault,
the private way unto the bed-Chamber. I must make haste, each minute
of my time's as precious as that wherein the Malefactor's sav'd
whom death had e'n devour'd: my head is cram'd with jealousies and
fears.
Jov.
Is that the way?
Lur.
Would you have thought it Jovio? say where's my Lord? Ile be
be no bawd not I.
Jov.
Nor I, why no body could give him the Key but shee her
selfe.
Lur.
True: is my Lord i'th house?
Jov.
Why you know hee's gone to Lord Fidelio.
Lur.
Get me a horse Jovio, dark as it is, Ile thither presently.
Lur.
I prit?ee do.
Exit Jovio.
Lur.
I thought what it would come to: I told him so, a few fair
words would make him beleeve any thing; I should ha' scru'd him up a
little higher, but if I now can bring him in the nick to catch 'em both, I
shall be had in credit, in monstrous Credit.
Exit.
Enter Gratiano and Charmia.
Grat.
Come Sister, what? you blush, as when Aurora leaves her old
Titans bed; unscrue that brow within whose every wrinkle there does
lurke an age of sorrow; look not discontented when y'are most pleas'd:
how now? nothing but weep? this is not summer weather: Come how
like you a quick Italian in your bed? how like you my blood within
you; i'st not sprightly blood, active and full of fire? I know my Brother
has dul'd the edg of his? it does not please you.
Cha.
O Brother!
Grat.
Nay, nay, if you begin so once, you'l spoyl the sport on't; I
must ha' you talk merrily, and a little bawdy too; fie, hide your face,
and none but you and I here, wee'l to bed agen.
Char.
Fie fie, I grant I have been loosely wicked, bad, very bad;
it does not follow therefore, I should continue so: and for this act, I
now doe wish as much it were undone as I did wish to have it done before.
Why, I finde no addition of pleasure in your blood, more then
is in Gratiano's. Would I had never wrong'd him; I was before worth
which spoyls the sale of it.
Grat.
Why d'ee say so, y'are not a jot the worse for wearing: faith
i'le come agen at night.
Char.
No, see you do'nt: for trust me you'l not find that Charmia
here, you found last night: she will be honest then, though now she's
but—O conscience, conscience! if this be satisfaction of lust; let
me dye twice, ere I desire that once, if once the world knew this, I shal
become the Poets ond Historians blotting paper to dash their pens on,
when they are too full: thus then I beg of you, you will not publish
my shame unto the world; what can you say, Indeed you cannot say
that you have conquer'd when I did beg to yeild my selfe unto you: only
my long desire of innovation, has made me old in sinne, and full of
shame: this only benefit I finde in change, to hate the thought of
change for ever: go to your chamber and pray; farewel.
Grat.
Farewel, so pensive! I ha' been too rash, I fear: yet once
more will I try: if she consent, she dies; and yet there is no honour
lost in man and wifes going to bed together. 'Tis more then she knows,
or then she desires, if she consent agen, 'tis good to try before we trust:
if when agen I come, her lust prevailes, this hand her blood shall spill,
they're worse then bad who'ar good against their will.
Enter Clarinda, and Alphonso following of her.
Alph.
Are you not angry that I follow you?
Clar.
No, I am best when in your company, for then I think on my
dear; dear Alphonso.
Alph.
Thou breakst my heart, and yet I dare not tell thee so.
Enter Charmia and Julietta.
Juliet.
Pray Mother, why are you so sad adayes? Carolo was my
sweet heart, and not yours, and yet am I as merry as a cricket;
Char.
Alass poor girle; thou hast small cause to be merry considering
how Carolo did love thee.
Juliet.
Yes faith, he lov'd me well that would run away from me for
fear of a dead man: Cozen Clarinda how dost thou do?
Cla.
Well.
Julietta.
Faith a pretty humour, thou Epitome of the abridgement
of a short Catechisme that answerst every question
with a Monosyllable. But doest thou heare; my most Laconicke
brevitie, thou art very much beholding to Alphonso,
oft to see you: Ile warrant now you shan't see him till doomes day,
and then will he look very strangely on thee, as if he did not know thee:
Wilt thou love him?
Clar.
I.
Jul.
Why, thou fool? I do, and go after him.
Char.
Sweet girl don't speak so much, 'twill do thee hurt.
Juliet.
Who speaks the first word for an even wager.
Cha.
Come on girl, Ile lay ten crowns you speak the first.
Enter Gratiano and Jovio.
Grat.
How does my girl?
Juliet.
Mum.
Grat.
New alterations, not one word now? O my most virtuous
Sister, a word with you in private: how do you now?
Char.
O never worse.
Grat.
I see you are not pleas'd yet, Ile come again at night.
Char.
Y'have come too much, would I were poor, poor as the homely
Milk-maid, so I were chast, and had not known a change. How fond
was I to satisfie my lust, which being sat'ed loaths me. Pray don't come,
I know you mean it not what e'r you say; I know you speak on't but to
draw fresh tears from me, that I was such a fool! If you be victor,
all you can say's this, y' have taken a weak passion'd woman captive
more by her imbecillity then your strength.
Grat.
Well Sister, I am sorry I have gone further then my commission
by you granted; I wish I had not gone according to it in any thing; but
here, here lurks a sin, that like the Fox the Spartean boy had stoln, being
hid reveales it self, by eating to my very heart and entrails. O my
Incest! it was to please you that I did commit it, I never tempted
you.
Char.
I must confess it; and this is it that aggravates my crime, that
I could not be wicked but with company; your sin does more afflict
me then mine own.
Grat.
I cast her down too much ere further tryal: This publique sorrow
ill befits a sin so closely acted: Leave, weep in your chamber:
nay weep when you'r a bed, 'twas there you sinn'd, not in this
place.
Grat.
Ile take your counsel, Brother: Who's this?
Enter Corb.
Grat.
O, a fellow come to invite us to the sports in Pales wood.
Alph.
I must slip hence for fear this fellow know me.
Grat.
Sister, till by and by farewel.
All Lords and Knights, and gallant wights,
upon your horses prancing:
You Ladies gay, this present day
vouchsafe to see our dancing.
In Pales wood 'twill do you good
to see our deckt Palaces;
Our best clothes on, and deckt upon
with Ribonds and Bridelaces.
And all our youth, to speak the truth
will bravely trip and cut it.
My sweet-heart Dowze, that pretty blouz,
she will most nimbly foot it.
If pleas'd you be our sports to see,
your welcome shall be double:
And this is all that say I shall,
for fear I should you trouble.
Char.
Stay honest friend, there's something for thy pains, and thank
thy Masters for their yearly loves, we shall be glad to see your harmless
sports.
Corb.
If you have done, I home must run
in all hast to my Master,
Else when I come, he'l kick my bumb
for coming home no faster.
Exit Corbo.
Char.
Let's in, though I'm not well I would not miss these honest
sports.
Juliet.
Nor I for ten Crowns Mother.
Cha.
I confess I ha' lost.
Jov.
O Madam, what would you give for Carolo agen?
Juliet.
He's not worthy a rush to run away from me; he thought belike
I'd follow him; no I scorn it. Come sirrah follow me.
Exe.
Enter Charmia as in her chamber.
Char.
Here let me freely mourn for my offence, and if I thought that
I might expiate my fault with tears and that I should live ever, I'd ever
weep. My too much injur'd Lord, how shall I look on him when he
comes home? I would give millions for an honest face, but I'm all
Strumpet; how now?
Enter Gratiano.
Grat.
What alwaies weeping? I am come to comfort you.
Char.
If so y'ar welcome; you need not then have stoln this private
way: this is an honest work, and not an Incest.
Grat.
Come, come, you harp too much upon that string, I'm come to
pleasure you agen.
Is this comfort? go to your chamber, brother, and repent what
you have done, and do not sin afresh.
Grat.
Sister, I vow again I must enjoy you.
Char.
By heaven you shan't while I'm alive: 'tis the least sinne o'th
two.
[Draws her knife.
Grat.
Hold dearest Charmia; see I am Gratiano.
Char.
You Gratiano?
Grat.
I am by heaven.
Cha.
A perjur'd man in swearing so; if you be he, Ile give you a good
reason why you should never lye with me agen: I have abus'd thy bed
with thy own brother: Nay, what may make you loath me ten times
more, I was the tempter, I solicited, and vow'd my death in case he did
deny: If you be Gratiano you will kill me, and will not let such an incestuous
strumpet be partner in your state: Honour won't let you: I
know by this you are not Gratiano: Where's all your rage? this calmness
of your spirit fits not an injur'd husband: Were you he, you
would not let me live to beg for death but with a wing'd revenge would
cut me off.
Grat.
You are too quick, death is the end of torment; Ile have a torture
of continuance to punish Incest; to which death compar'd shall
seem a curtesie and not a torment; death shall but be an Epilogue to
the Tragedy Ile act in you.
Cha.
O now me-thinks you are my much wrong'd Lord; you look
and speak like him like on that had been wrong'd beyond sufferance:
Deal with me as you please.
Grat.
My lustfull Brother durst boldly tell me, he would lye with you
and do me a curtesie, but in conclusion, rage and revenge set a new
point and edge upon my Rapier, and I kild the Monky.
Char:
And for my sin my brother Fulvio's slain, would I had perisht
when I thought of it, he had liv'd good, I dy'd less full of sin.
Grat.
Nay more, to aggravate your misery, my Brother never lay
with you, 'twas I (when I had stript him, put on his clothes) that lay
with you.
Cha.
Then I am free, my Lord, from wronging you, unless it were in
intention: And say a man intend to kill another, and miss his aym, can
the Law hang that man?
Grat.
Your argument is built upon the air; for say you should intend
to kill this man, and missing of your aim murder another, yet think you
have hit right, this merits death no less than t'oher would: This is your
case; you thought you had ly'n with my Brother Fulvio, but lay with
Cha.
I see my sin more fully now then ever.
Enter Julietta:
Juliet.
Where are you mother? here's a Letter for you: Uncle, how
doe you?
Char.
Prithee girle be gone, leave me a little while—'Tis my
Lords hand; 'tis sent from my Lord Fidelio's: Is this well Brother?
When with the Lyons skin you can't prevail, you put the Foxes on to
cosen me: and you are Gratiano in Fulvio's clothes, I wish you
were.
Grat.
Indeed I am the same; this Letter was forg'd by me, it was my
plot; but he, alass is dead: yet after all, if now you'l be obedient and
yeeld to me, Ile pardon you.
Char.
Ile not beleeve a sillable: fine tricks! are you my husband for
all this: How cunningly you'd satisfie your lust on me, for all this evident
proof I have that you are Fulvio, and that my Lord is now at
Lord Fidelio's.
Grat.
Think you so still: be confident Ile not solicite you to lye
with you again, unless you'l yeeld I am your husband: if you'l see the
sports Ile go with you, and if you'l call me brother Ile answer to't
Char.
Ile never call you otherwise.
Exeunt.
A Curtain drawn, and Carolo discovered a sleep in a chair.
Enter Julio with a sword.
Jul.
A sleep? 'tis strange! I never knew him rest since he came to
me till now: I must be speedy; there's something bids me kill Laberio,
because he is a murderer.
Car.
'Tis true I kill'd Alphonso.
[Car. talks in his sleep.
Jul.
What Alphonso was't?
Car.
My Uncle Celio's son.
Jul.
Ha! what do I hear? 'Tis he: nay then thou
Julio draws the
sword & knows it
dyest: doe my eyes dazel? up, up agen; thou never
shalt be stain'd by my hand in a cowardly action: Ye Gods be ye
the avengers of my cause: Howe'r I live, whither soe'r I fly, we cannot
ever lock out misery,
Exit Julio and Carolo awakes.
Car.
Sure I ha' been asleep, thanks gracious heaven for this harmonious
influence of rest: The sports begun, I hear the merry Swaines
are dancing round, and skipping on the plains:
My nimble feet clog'd with a leaden.
Ex. Car.
Lur.
He's not at Lord Fidelio's, they saw him not, and home he is
not come; he's kild I hope.
[Enter Alph.]
Signior Petrarcha, is my Lord among you.
Alph.
Why no, you know he's gone to Lord Fideli's.
Lur.
So, so, 'tis as I say: but Signior, Signior, me-thinks you'r very
gracious with Clarinda: cannot you not catch her up and marry her,
you would deserve her better then Alphonso, he was the veryest slave as
ever liv'd.
Alph.
O villain.
Lur.
For lust a stews for maladies an Hospital, he'd ne'r speak truth,
nor would he tell a lye.
Alph.
How?
Lur.
Not without an path to back it with; and I may tell you, for
I think you love me, had he not left the world so as he did, I would ha
sent him backing.
Alph.
Would you so?
Lur.
I by this hand.
Alph.
A villain unparallel'd!
Lur.
Come, come, stick close to her, and Ile assist you.
Alph.
I thank you, I must go tend upon Clarinda.
Lur.
Farewel—fools face.
My Lord, you could never have had such an opportunity in your life agen;
in troth I'm very glad on't; you spoke with him before he went?
Grat.
I, I.
Lur.
I knew you could make him beleeve any thing
he could not ha' been away in a better time, though you had hir'd his
absence: all this pastime, and every thing so pleasant: y'ar a happy man.
Grat.
And you a villain.
[aside.
They want you yonder Lurco to dance among them.
Lur.
O I'm going to 'em.
Exit.
Enter Julio, Charmia, Julietta, Clarinda, and Alphonso.
Julio.
The sports are coming this way, pray rest here.
Cha.
We thank you father.
Exit Julio.
A dance, which ended, Julio enters with two swords and gives one to Carolo.
Jul.
This was the dance we did invite you to, to see me be reveng'd on
a young murderer.
Car.
Will you betray me Father?
Jul.
Yes thou viper.
Car.
Then since 'tis determin'd I must sight, know if I dye, that I will
dye conceal'd: you shall not know his name I kill'd, nor mine.
Grat.
'Tis very strange! pray Sir explain the cause of this.
That he has been a murderer, you have his own confession, but
whom he slew, that I must tell you.
Car.
Ha!
Jul.
Do'st start you? Know that thy very sleep's a Traytor to
thee: old as I am, the cause will give me strength to whip thee down to
hell: your punishment was but deferr'd, not pardon'd: This is Carolo
the murderer of Alphonso.
Car.
O hell.
Omnes.
Carol!
Lur.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, I did not look for this.
Juliet.
My dearest love!
Car.
Can I deserve this title from she whom I have wrong'd so? No
Julietta, Ile freely yeeld my breast unto that stroak which will be both
a punishment of my fact, and a blessing ending all my misery.
Juliet.
It comes through me when e'r it comes.
Julio.
Remove her.
Grat.
Pray stay.
Jul.
I claim the priviledge of the woods, which Millains Duke cannot
deprive us of. I challenge him to combat.
Lur.
While they fight Ile scape away.
Car.
Seize on that monster of men; if I must fall I will not fall alone.
Char.
What? Lurco? he has been alwaies an honest fellow.
Grat.
Say no more, Madam, it is hard to prove. What mean you,
sirs? what will he stick to say whose life is desperate.
Lur.
Pray what Countrie's this where grandest Malefactors may be
Judges. Unhand me, he's no competent accuser to accuse a man.
Alph.
Ile justifie what he has said: hold him fast.
Lur.
Will you Petrarcha? I never gave you cause.
Alph.
Now what's Alphonso? the veryest monster that the world e'r
knew.
Lur.
Toad, toad, I can spit poyson as well as thou: Attach Lord
Fulvio, and the Lady Charmia
Char.
Your tongue has wrought our overthrow.
Grat.
Be patient, run not into outrageous terms 'tis bootless.
Lur.
They have committed Incest; and to compass it Fulvio kill'd
his brother Gratiano.
Julio.
O horrid, horrid act: more misery!
Juliet.
Hoy day, hoy day.
Clar.
Eternal stain unto our family.
Know now by my means Alphonso was slain, by my means Carolo
was made the instrument, and I doe hope to see you perish for't.
Mark me, to see you, while I stand by and laugh: By my means, Madam
Charmia was bewitcht with that unheard of passion of Lust, and by my
means Lord Fulvio was train'd to the presence of enraged Gratiano; so
by means did Gratiano fall, and by my means you both must suffer death
at your return to Millan: must you not? and by my means Julietta
and Clarinda are both unwoman'd, made two wretched creatures:
This has no sense, and that no understanding; all this by me; and this
I glory in, and one thing more that you shall never know: there's onely
one thing grieves me.
Julio.
What is that Monster?
Lur.
That I can live to doe no more nor worse.
Julio.
O horrid villain! who was your abettors?
Lur.
You shall never know.
Julio.
Tortures shall force you tell.
Lur.
You lye gray coat, you lye,
Haunted with spirits, get thee to hell agen, I'm coming to thee, with
three or four of your friends.
Ful.
What ailes he?
Grat.
There stands the author of all the misery that e'r befell our families.
Ful.
Happiness is hard to find, that which we have let's pale it in
within this three twine ring.
Char.
You must exclude me first, my much wrong'd Lord, whose
arms I oft have lept with joy (but now must keep this distance or a further)
I ha' wrong'd thee too much: this is the comfort I must present
you with at your return from Lord Fidelio's; I ha' wrong'd your bed
with your own brother.
Ful.
No, take comfort, sister, you ne'r injur'd me, nor are you false
unto your husbands bed, for evermore enjoy what you desir'd, an unstain'd
honour.
Grat.
Sav'd by a faithful brother.
Cha.
You amaze me; but since both say so, I with joy beleeve ye.
Grat.
Suppress all wonder, know my Charmia, thy chastity's unblemisht
yet for fact; you yet ne'r lay with any man but me; and for desire
and lust I pardon it, it is the general disease of Italy not thine: I
was enraged against my brother, when he first told me it, made him
draw his sword, ran at him with intent to murder him, but by my earnestness
I did receive a harmless foyl; for being then disarm'd, and at
the event where of I shall with joy remember.
They whisper, and point to Car. & Jul.
Come then within this happy ring with me.
Lur:
O shallow fruitless villain; whip me good fiends that have no
better learnt my lesson: hell on my slender brains: Charmia still chast,
a Gratiano living, and all friends too, 'tis to me a plague insufferable.
Ful.
You cannot bar him of his priviledge, 'tis fair means must prevail
if any thing.
Julio
Prepare thee Carolo.
Ful.
Pray hear me speak.
Jul.
Or hold your peace, or get you from our liberties, Are you prepar'd?
Alph.
Yet tell me, good old Father, what interest e'r had you in Alphonso
to hazard life for him?
Julio.
My hate of Murderers arms me.
Alph.
Then Ile draw my sword since he must fight, pray let him fight
with me, and let me plead this injur'd Ladies wrongs.
Cla:
You shall not fight, if you do Ile fight too.
Alph.
O Sir, look, look on the much wrong'd Clarinda, her light
mirth turn'd to deep dy'd melancholy, and this by you.
Car.
Pray let me e'r I dye obtain your pardon.
Cla.
I.
Car:
I thank you for't.
Alph.
My joy won't let me lye hid any longer: I am resolv'd: know
Carolo I am no peasant that challenge thee, but thy dear friend Alphonso.
Omnes:
Alphonso!
Julio.
Ha! Alphonso live!
Alph.
He does.
Car.
My Cosen.
Lur.
Has hell forsook me too: will nothing cotten?
Jul:
Lord Gratiano and Fulvio, you have Rhetorick, kneel with me
to Carolo: Thou hadst been kild when thou wast last asleep, but that my
sword that ne'r was basely stain'd was honourably merciful, and sav'd
thee; then in that sleep thou toldst me all that story: But now I had no
ill intent against thee, all my aym was that I might from thy hand receive
my death, and follow poor Alphonso: here should have been my
ward, when you had struck: but which, which is Alphonso?
Alph:
I am Father.
Iul:
Thou speakest more truly then thou art aware; does none here
Alph:
My Father!
Car.
Uncle!
Grat:
My Cosen Celio! unexpected joy, when dead are rais'd, and
banisht are repeal'd.
Lur:
O torture, torture, hold I will confess what e'r I did: Frederico
had a hand in't.
Omnes:
Frederico?
Lur.
Yes:—I know you'l kill me now.
Iul:
Lets cosen the Politian once more; if all agree with me lets pardon
him, and conquer hate with love since all proves well.
Omnes:
We all submit to you.
Iulio:
Your life's your own.
Lur:
Can it be so: O unexpected mercy! my heart weeps for my sins,
and here I swear never to practice ought but what is good towards your
Families.
Cha.
Come then, let's in: now I shall ne'r start more,
She's honest that did think she was a Whore.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Twins | |