 | The Carnival |  |
ACTUS IV.
SCENA I.
Enter Alvaredo.Alv.
It cannot be:
He cannot be so much unjust; I was his friend.
Had he but spoke, he might have had
My full consent; to steal my sister from me;
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[Rings the Bell.
A Servant, To the Door.]
Tell your Master I must needs
Speak with him.
Serv.
Sir, Hee's not at home.
Alv.
Is Signior Felices within?
Serv.
Yes, Sir.
Alv.
Call him.
Serv.
I shall, Sir.
Alv.
If I do finde he was consenting to it
I'le first begin with him.
[Enter Felices.
You'r wellcome, Sir,
Cannot you guess the reason;
Why I visit you thus early?
Fel.
No, truly, Sir,
But I was coming to your house,
That I might farther understand a thing
I do not comprehend as yet.
Alv.
What was it, pray you?
Fel.
My Brother's gone,
And none as yet knows whither,
If he has trusted you with his intentions,
Pray ease me of a care I'me burthened with.
Alv.
'Twas much about such business
That I came hither to learn the truth of you.
Fel.
Concerning what, pray, Sir?
Alv.
Know you any thing of my sister?
Fel.
Not I, upon my Honour.
Alv.
It may be so:
For though I am a Spaniard, yet I would not
Place the fault of one ill man
Upon the whole family.
Fel.
I hope you do not mean my brother,
I must not hear you give him such a title.
Alv.
If I do find he has done done me wrong,
You, and all the world shall hear much more:
Nay, in his blood I'le sign my deep revenge.
Fel.
Were you not friends?
Alv.
'Tis that which makes his fault the greater.
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If he has sin'd against the Sacred Rule
Of honourable friendship,
I'm his Enemy;
But if an Equal difference hath hapned,
I am his Brother, and dare own his cause.
Alv.
To shew you I'll be just,
Even to that Sacred Rule you lately mention'd,
I will not tax him, till I find all certain;
Do you but joyn with me to find the truth,
Which if it do confirm my just suspitions,
And you continue in your late professions,
My anger then will look upon your blood
To be the same as his;
Though there it shall not Rest; But—
Fel.
Pray, Sir, let's understand one another,
You seem to have a cause of just resentment,
But why, as hitherto I'm ignorant of.
Alv.
Sir, I am wrong'd in the Honour of our House,
My sister's gone, lost, convey'd away.
Fel.
By my Brother, Sir?
Alv.
I have reason to think so,
Is he not wanting at the same time?
Fel.
That is no Argument; for I believe
You would not have deny'd them your Consent,
Their qualities are equal, and their fortunes
Hold no great disproportion.
Alv.
That makes me know, if he be gone with her,
He means no fair play to her Honour.
Fel.
Judge not so ill before you know all truths,
Whence went she?
Alv.
From the Count Lorenzo's
In Donna Elvira's Coach.
Fel.
Know of the Coach-man where he set her down.
Alv.
You Counsel well, come wee'll about it strait.
[Exeunt
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Ped.
'Twas well I could escape;
For I can do my Master service here,
Besides, it was not base to run away,
When like a Ram I can return with
Greater force; Rogues I shall have ye
In a Pound by and by; I remember
Your lurking hole, for they brought
In Prisoners so fast they quite forgot me to binde,
And in the dark I slip'd away; But she is
Fast, and I perceiv'd my Poor Master bound
To his good-behaviour; I will not
Acquaint the Justice, that may displease him,
If she be taken with him; I'll first to his
Brother, whom I hope I may trust; and according
To his orders—I long to be at these Rogues again.
[Exit.
Enter Alvaredo, Felices, to Elvira's door.
Alva.
Stay, this is the house, we'll ring.
Serv.
to the door.
Who are ye? who would ye speak with, Gentlemen?
Alv.
With your Lady, friend.
Ser.
Your Name, Sir?
Alv.
Felices.
Ser.
I shall acquaint her, Sir.
[Exit.
Alv.
Sir, I make bold with your Name?
Mine might have caus'd a denial.
Fel.
What you please, Sir.
Enter Elvira, Bianca.
Alv.
I'm sorry, Madam, I must give you this trouble,
But still relying on your goodness,
I'm come to beg a Boon;
Elv.
Of me, Sir? what can it be?
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That you will have your Coach-man sent for
Hither.
Elv.
Most willingly, Sir,
What do's he mean?
[aside.
Bianca send for him,
But, Sir, you sent in by another Name.
Fel.
My obligation, Madam, was the greater,
You would vouchsafe this Honour
Upon so ill a summons.
Elv.
The Brother, Sir, to Don Fernando?
Fel.
I am so, Madam, and your humblest servant.
Enter Coach-man.
Alv.
Madam, with your leave,
I must make bold to question him in private.
Elv.
Most freely, Sir,
Are you acquainted, Sir, with his intentions?
[They walk aside.
What business can he have,
With this my Servant?
Fel.
Madam, I am, but dare not tell the secret,
Without his leave.
Elv.
Where is your Brother, Sir?
How chance he is not with him?
I thought they were inseparable.
Fel.
This business do's concern my Brother.
Elv.
Your Brother? how pray, Sir?
Fel.
Nay, I am in the dark my self.
Elv.
May I not know the business?
Fel.
Any thing that concern'd my self
You might Command; but this—
Alv.
I am fool'd, O that old Hag.
Fel.
Have ye learn'd any thing?
Alv.
No, nothing, pray, Sir, come with me,
Madam, I kiss your hands.
Elv.
Sir, Sir, Pray let me speak with you?
Alv.
Your pardon, Madam, for some moments,
I'll wait on you again.
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Diego, what was it he question'd you about?
Coach.
If I had not carried a Lady home last night;
I answered him truth, I saw none but your Ladiship.
Elv.
A Lady, what Lady?
Coach.
He ask'd me too about one Signior Ferdinando.
Elv.
Ha, a Lady! Don Fernando?
His sister on my life.
[aside.
O thou disloyal man—
Run, Diego run, tell him
I must needs speak with him;
Now presently—
[Exit Coachman.
Come hither, Bianca,
In troth I am not well.
[Exeunt Elv. Bianca.
Enter Sancho, in a ridiculous French Dress; The People and Boys after him.
Sings and Dance's a ridiculous Corant.
Boys.
O Brave Monsieur Kick-hose.
San.
Away, ye Rogues, ta ran ta, ran ta, ta la ran.
Quin.
at the Window.
Sancho, Sancho.
San.
What would ye have?
Quin.
Prythee, slip in here, I must needs speak with thee.
San.
I come, I come.
[Enter Sancho in the house.
1. Boy.
Pox, we have lost the Frenchman.
2. Boy.
Let's stay a little, hee'll come again strait.
1. Boy.
We must hide our selves then.
[Exeunt Boys.
Enter Miranda, Sancho.
Mira.
Nay, Prithee Sancho stay;
She has business,
She'll be ready strait.
San.
I have enough to do to free my self
From the Cannalia; how I shall be troubled
With her!
Mir.
Why, prithee, the more sport the better?
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San.
Come, come, let her make haste then.
Mir.
Look yee, here she is.
Enter Quintagona like a Hollandts woman, upon a Broom.
San.
Nay, you may e'en pull off your Vizard,
Your face will serve for one.
Quin.
Away, you Rogue, I go Incognito.
Enter Boys again whooping.
Mir.
Adieu Nurse, speed yee well; I dare not stay,
The cry grows hot.
San.
Gingle a wimbleton rid on a Mare.
[Exeunt omnes whooping and dancing.
Enter the Thieves with Ferdinando and Beatrice bound; She in Mans Clothes.
1 Thief.
Are the rest all gone?
2 Thief.
All vanish'd.
1 Thief.
Are the two Horses ready?
2 Thief.
I, I, ready, ready.
1 Thief.
Well, Gentlemen, I hope you can't complain,
But we have us'd ye civilly.
Fer.
We cannot; nor would I, if I could, have ye
Punish'd, since ye but took to furnish your
Necessities.
1 Thief.
True, Sir; for we are young men,
Not condemn'd Slaves, as we first told yee;
Something we wanted to make us merry,
And having that, farewel.
Fer.
Nay, one word, Gentlemen; unbind us first,
And on our Honours wee'l not stir till you
Be out of sight.
2 Thief.
Come, Sirs, wee'l trust ye.
[unbinds them.
Fer.
Would yee but leave our Swords
'Twere noble in you; for I would not
Willingly go back to Sevil.
1 Thief.
That you may say ye met with Gentlemen,
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Of sight wee'l drop them; there you may
Take them up at leasure.
Fer.
I thank ye, Gentlemen.
2 Thief.
So much caution you'l give us leave to use:
Farewel, Gentlemen.
[Exeunt Thieves.
Fer.
Which way, fair Youth, do you intend?
Bea.
I'le bear you company to fetch my Sword.
Fer.
Come then, I'le wait upon you.
[Exeunt.
Enter Felices, Alvaredo.
Feli.
What do you mean to do?
Pray, Sir, content your self:
I yet dare swear my Brother is not guilty of this
Thing; in fine, I am resolv'd to find all out,
And then deal like a Gentleman with you.
Alv.
I thank you, Sir:
My old Hag told me she was gone home
In Donna Elvira's Coach;
The Fellow swears he never saw her,
Nor any other woman but his own Lady.
Feli.
I cannot answer any thing to that.
Alv.
knocks.
Who's there within, Quintagona?
Enter Miranda.
Mir.
Sir, she is gone forth.
Alv.
Gone out! whither? O damn'd Bitch!
She's of the Conspiracy.
What, are you at home alone?
Mir.
Yes, Sir.
Alv.
We shall have you gadding too.
Feli.
What, my young Mistress?
No, I dare answer, Sir, for her:
But pray stay you at home;
I'le be with you again suddenly,
And, upon my Honour, learn what truth I can:
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Alv.
It must, for ought I see.
The Curse of this Disgrace, and this my state,
Is, not to know where I should place my hate.
Come Gentlewoman.
[Exeunt Alv. Mir.
Enter Pedro.
Ped.
Sir, Sir, hist, come from that door.
Feli.
Oh Pedro, where is my Brother?
Ped.
In Hucksters hands:
Pray, Sir, take what Servants with you you can;
I'le lead you where you shall find him.
Feli.
Saw'st thou my man?
Ped.
No, Sir, nay pray make haste,
I'le tell you all as I go.
Feli.
What should this mean!
Come, Pedro, which way?
[Exeunt.
Enter Elvira, Coach-man.
Elv.
Why didst thou not bring him with thee, Diego?
Coa.
He promis'd to be here as soon as I.
Elv.
Go wait his coming at the Gate.
[Exit Diego.
How cruel are the Extasies of Love!
With what uneasie Passions do they charm!
For womens Souls they to Convulsions move,
And for one good they cause a thousand harms:
For those that truly love have cruel Fears,
Black Doubts, and heart-afflicting Jealousies.
Men falshood only have; we only tears;
Their Perjury claims Tribute from our Eyes.
Why should it though? Then tears ye come too late;
For never could ye falshood yet reclaim;
Revenge more proper is to argue hate;
Revenge more fit for him that is to blame:
For he had all my Love and all my Wealth;
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Why should he then absent himself by stealth?
Why should I mourn for what he did amiss?
But I will seal my Love in fitter place,
Where more desert does move to my relief;
But first he must revenge my sad disgrace,
And punish him that's Authour of my grief.
Oh, here he is!
[Enter Alvaredo.
Sir, you are welcome:
I hope you will excuse the liberty I take
Of sending for you.
Alv.
Madam, you know your Power over me;
You may command all here.
Elvi.
Pray, Sir, then tell me,
What Lady was that you examin'd my Servant about?
Alv.
I only ask'd if he had carried home
Any other besides your self last night.
Elvi.
But who, pray who wast?
Alv.
No body, Madam,
That can possibly concern your knowledge.
Elvi.
You know not, Sir, what interest
I claim in your affairs.
Alv.
I hope, Madam, though you cannot love me,
My troubles are not matter of mirth to you;
I never did deserve that from you.
Elvi.
I never had so base a thought.
Alv.
Why, 'twas my Sister, Madam.
Elvi.
Who, Donna Beatrice! what of her?
Alv.
She's gone, and none knows whither.
Elvi.
Nor with whom? who do you suspect?
Alv.
A man that was my friend:
I dare not name him;
I would not willingly mistake.
Elvi.
Who can that be?
Not that same Gentleman was here with you?
Alv.
The same; I cannot think on't with patience.
Elvi.
It were too great a trial of your temper
But to perswade you to it:
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Alv.
Nor shall they, whilest I breathe.
Elv.
Now I must tell you,
You were much to blame to be repulst at one
Denial, Sir: May be I may be brought to love.
Alv.
Ha! nay then farewell all grief,
I ne're can feel one having such a joy.
Elv.
But Sir, though I have ever thought
Your honour fair,
Let not this extasie blinde you so far
To make you lose your yet fair reputation:
A man with such a stain
Deserves no Ladies love.
Alv.
Nor will I beg it till I be as white
As your fair virgin thoughts.
Elv.
I now do claim so much an interest
That I would help you in your just revenge.
Alv.
Heavens! how I glorie in your blessings now.
Madam, though on my knees I thank you;
None but my self is wrong'd,
None but my self shall right those ill-plac'd wrongs:
And since my Mistris preaches honour to me,
I'll give him what he not deserves,
A fair and honourable trial
How ill such injuries can be maintain'd.
Elv.
This nobleness makes me enamour'd of your virtues, Sir.
It's true, he not deserves it;
But such a cause is odds enough against him.
Alv.
Madam, I am unfit as yet
To stay with you, and such a stain about me,
Farewell, my fair, and noble Mistris.
[Exit.
Elv.
What have I done!
O! I have been too violent:
Ha! no: he that would break my heart
Deserves my utmost crueltie.
Thou canst not Love, with anger hold debate:
For thou art madness once being turn'd to hate.
[Exit.
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Bea.
Thou art a Villain and a Slave, I know:
Thou hast committed murther on my Brother,
Why shouldst thou steal away by night,
And he not with thee?
Didst thou not say thy name was Ferdinando?
He lov'd thee much,
And would not leave his friend in a Distress.
Fer.
What means the Youth? he's mad:
Your Brother! why, I know not who you mean.
Bea.
No, have you not seen some Features like to these?
I am Alonzo, Brother to Alvaredo,
A Student late at Salamanca;
And I will have account before you go
What is become of him.
Fer.
How strong is Nature, when by hidden means
It works revenge for unknown injuries!
[aside.
Bea.
What answer can you make to this?
Fer.
Nothing: I do deserve to dye,
Though your Brother's well, for ought I know.
Those Eyes have murthered me already.
[aside.
Oh my Beatrice, I do deserve this punishment!
And from a Brother, a Brother too so like thee,
I would not grieve to take it—
But why should he constrain me to a suffering
I of my self am willing to undergo?
He must not, shall not.
Bea.
Thou hast so much of guilt in thy false looks,
That I must sure do well in punishing.
[Ferd. closes with her with his hat, and disarms her.]
Fer.
Look you, Sir, now you are at my mercy.
Bea.
Which I defie; here, Villain, do thy worst.
Fer.
Hadst thou another face I would have kill'd thee
For that word:
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And tempt not one given over to despair.
Beat.
Not tempt thee? yes, I will with all the terms
That can provoke a courage in a Coward.
Fer.
Prithee be gone, I will not fight with thee.
[offers to go out.
Beat.
Stay, perjur'd man;
See what thou hast done:
[She offers to kill her self; he strikes away her sword.
A woman that did love thee, will die for thee.
Fer.
Heaven's, what do I hear!
Fall, fall, some mountain on this head,
To cover it from shame.
Beat.
Thou art more cruel in preventing this,
Then all thy other perjuries;
What did thy poor Beatrice ever do,
To deserve this usage from thee?
Some cruel Tygre, or a Panther bred thee,
Thou never wast nurs'd up with womens milk,
But suck'st the Air of falshood for thy nourishment.
Ha, weep'st thou?
O those dissembling tears,
They're able once again to Cozen me.
Fer.
No, Madam, stop your heart against all mercy,
I do confess they not deserve your pity,
But do not hate my memory,
I am willing to expiate my crime,
Forgive, fair Beatrice, thy dying Martyr.
[Offers to kill himself.
Beat.
Hold, Sir, for the same moment you shall hurt
[She draws a Dagger.
That breast, I'll open mine, and overtake
Ye once more in your flight:
I'll do it.—
Fer.
Why, would ye have me live?
And so unfit to bear the name of man.
Beat.
Those that had so much Love can never be
Without a mercy to forgive all faults.
Fer.
Oh, my fair Beatrice,
[kneels.
Did you but know
How hard my honesty has been Attach't,
You would some reason have to pity,
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For when I found that I had err'd,
I knew my self unfit for you,
And was resolv'd
Never to do another Right.
Beat.
You could not, Sir, whil'st that you did me wrong:
But let this be your penance, tell me true,
It was not then a version made you leave me,
But that your love had been divided.
Fer.
It had so for a moment,
But if this heart do ever more rebel,
Let heaven afflict it with it's greatest curse.
Beat.
Rise, Sir, I will once more believe.
[Enter Felices Servants Running.
Fel.
Ha, Swords drawn! my brother
On his knees! Hold Villain, hold.
Fer.
Ha, brother, hold, for heavens sake, hold,
Send away your Servant's, I have a story for
Your Ear in private: be gone fellow's.
[Exeunt Serv.
Fel.
Oh, I understand ye,
Come, I'll conduct ye both unto the Town;
But, Madam, I'll not part ye, when you're down.
[Exeunt.
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