 | The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery |  |
SCENE I.
Enter Villeroy and Carlos.Carl.
The Part I act in your Interest, goes against
The grain of my good Nature and Conscience:
But since 'tis necessary to your Service;
And will be my Sister's advantage in the end
I'm better reconcil'd to't.
Vil.
My Interest!
O never think I can intend to raise
An Interest from Isabella's wrongs.
Your Father may have interested ends,
In her undoing: but my heart has none.
Her Happiness must be my Interest,
And that I wou'd restore.
Carl.
Why so I mean.
These hardships that my Father lays upon her,
I'm sorry for; and wish I cou'd prevent:
But he will have his way. Since there was nothing to be
hop'd from her prosperity, the change of her Fortune may
alter the condition of her thoughts, and make at last for
you.
Vil.
She is above her Fortune.
Carl.
Try her agen. Women commonly love according
to the circumstances they are in.
Vil.
Common VVomen may.
Carl.
Since you are not accessary to the Injustice, you may
be perswaded to take the advantage of other Peoples
Crimes.
Vil.
I must despise all those advantages,
That indirectly can advance my love.
No, tho' I live but in the hopes of her;
And languish for th'enjoyment of those hopes.
Of what I wish, than have the Blessing mine,
From any reason, but consenting Love.
O! let me never have it to remember;
I cou'd betray her, coldly to comply:
When a clear, generous choice bestows her on me,
I know to value the unequal'd Gift:
I wou'd not have it, but to value it.
Carl.
Take your own way: remember,
What I offer'd, came from a Friend.
Vil.
I understand it so. I'le serve her for her self,
Without the thought of a Reward.
[Exit.
Car.
Agree that point between you.
If you marry her any way, you do my business.
Enter Frederick and Jaqueline to him.
Fred.
Well, all goes well, I hope.
Carl.
As I cou'd wish. I can't stay with you: I must
be near, if occasion be, to lend a helping hand: When
this Marriage is over, I design to come in for a snack of
Fernando's Family.
[Exit.
Fred.
The more the merrier, his VVife says.
I hope to dispose of the Daughter my self.
Jaq.
You Men of Intrigue are commonly lookt upon to
be the idle part of Mankind, that have nothing to do: now
I am of a contrary Opinion—
Fred.
Why so, Jaqueline?
Jaq.
Because a right good Whoremaster is never at the
end of his business.
Enter Fabian in a Fryar's Habit.
Fred.
How! Fabian turn'd Fryar!
Fab.
As you see, Frederick; you will all come to a serious
sense of your Sins, one time or other, as I have
done. I have had a good Father, and I have been an
to make him what satisfaction I can, for my past faults,
I have taken this Habit, with an intention to pray for
him—
Fred.
Why thou art not mad, Fabian?
Fab.
Not mad of a Monastery, I assure you. I am never
the nearer being a Saint, for putting on the Habit of
Piety: the Profession and the practice of it are two things
in the Schools; and wise Men distinguish 'em into several
Interests. In short, I have told our honest Abbot the whole
History of my Father's Jealousie, Covetousness, and Hardheartedness
to his VVife and Children: He, good Man,
making it a point of Conscience to contribute as much as
he can to a Work of Charity, has giv'n me leave to put
on this Habit, for the carrying on the method of his
Cure.
Fred.
But what do you propose by this?
Fab.
Why, I propose that every body shall be the better
for it, but my Father. For, upon the credit of this
my Reformation, believing, from my Cloathing, that I
shall have no more occasion for the Transitory things of
this VVorld, his Pocket will plead for me, and the old
Fellow take me into favour agen.
Fred.
That's something indeed.
Fab.
Then, in the first place, if you miscarry to Night
in your design upon my Sister, I shall be able to deliver
a Letter, and bring it about another time.
Fred.
Very well.
Fab.
Secondly, I intend to put the means honestly into
my Mother's hands, to make my Father a Cuckold, if
she pleases.
Jaq.
These are very good reasons indeed, Sir.
Fab.
Besides these advantages to the Publick, I have a
private reason of my own, to be reveng'd upon the Person
of the old Gentleman. I must not discover too much
of my contrivance, for fear of lessening the pleasure in
bringing it about—
when there's no danger: I think that's pretty
near your Character, Jaqueline.
Jaq.
O, Sir, you do me too much Honour.
Fab.
Can't you spare him a little?
Fred.
Not well to Night: to Morrow—
Fab.
Will do my business. I have one part of my
Farce, the Fryars will scruple a little: Jaqueline must act
that: The whole Fraternity are concern'd in my Plot, I
assure you.
Jaq.
I'm glad to hear that, Sir; I love a Plot where
the Clergy's concern'd: They will always be sure of the
Benefit, without the danger of the beating: I am mainly of
their Principles.
Fab.
I am something in haste at present:
To Morrow you shall know more.
[Exeunt.
| The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery | |