University of Virginia Library

The first Scene

Enter Symphrona and Francina.
Symphro.
Ah Heavens! what change is this! why weep you so,
Sweet Madam! the occasion let me know;
Speak quickly then; you kill me with delay;
My apprehension, will no longer stay.
There's something 'bout my Lord, I'le lay my life,
Which causes in your spirits, this same strife.
Say? is he kill'd? or is he drown'd at Sea?
Or will he not, no longer faithful be?
O how I bleed! and how my soul's in pain!
The reason of these tears, from you to gain.

Fran.
VVhy do I live? or why have I the pow'r,
To keep this frame, together for an how'r?
VVere it not better, I were in my Tomb,
Then live, and thus unfortunate become?
No doubt it were, if Death woo'd be so kind,
To take me hence, to ease my troubled mind.

Sym.
Good Madam out with it, what e're it be,
Me of a thousand, thousand doubts to free.
Be't what it will, to speak it do not fear,
For I am ready, and prepar'd to hear.

Fran.
You know not what you say, in saying so,
Unless the thing, you certainly did know.
Can you be prepared of a friend,
To hear the story, of his fatal end?

Sym.
To be prepar'd to hear it, is no sin,
So that no pleasure I do take therein.
But what mischance, may't be I cannot hear,
VVithout offence, unto my chaster ear?
Dear Madam, let me know it, though I die,
And be partaker, with the Destiny.

Fran.
Then to be brief, and make you understand,
VVhat I have heard, from one that by did stand,
VVho had not then, escapt this news to tell,
Had he not known, to swim exactly well.
My brother had no sooner put to Sea,
VVith hope, and joy, to visit you, and me,
But presently was spy'd, not far to lurk,
A man of war, belonging to the Turk,
Which made t'wards him, with all their might and main,
Not doubting quickly, but their prey to gain.
The Captain of his Ship, who as I'me told,
VVas Sea-man good enough, and very bold,
Thought it more sure, them striving to out-sail,
Then rashly hope, by fighting to prevail:
His Vessel being small, and so ill mann'd,
It 'gainst the other, coo'd not likely stand,
And thereupon, commanded all his men,
To stand unto their tackling, stoutly then:
And made all haste they coo'd, to get away,
If that the wind, their wishes woo'd obey.
VVhich did for half a day, hold very good,
They still escaping, though they were pursu'd.
At last, the wind whose humour is to change,
Became so the sudden calm, a thing not strange:
VVhich hindred them, they coo'd not farther go,
They in the reach, still being of their foe.
VVho then were fain to try, to do by force,
That which they coo'd no longer, by a course:
But all to little purpose, on my word,
For they their Vessel, quickly laid aboard.
Helas! I have not strength to speak the rest,
VVherefore dear Madam, I leave it to be gest.

Sym.
Ah Heavens! why have you broke my sweet repose?
Falls in a swound.
I in this world, have nothing more to lose.
I've lost my all, and more I do not crave,
Since that my Dearest, Dear's, become a slave.

Fran.
Sweet Madam be of chear, and grieve not thus,
Your sighs, and tears, cannot help him, nor us.

Sym.
O give me leave, I pray now at the least,
To grieve for that, which cannot be exprest.
Had he been kill'd, or drown'd, or had grim Death
VVhich spareth none, by sickness seiz'd his breath:
It woo'd have been more welcome, to my ear,
Then that which from you, Madam, I do hear.
For then I might have been, extreamly sure,
More pain, and torment, he coo'd not endure.
But now I know he lives and lives in pain,
VVithout all hopes, his freedom for to gain.
Good Gods! how can I chuse, but sigh and grieve,
To have no pow'r, my Lord for to relieve.

Fran.
I cannot blame you Madam, rather must,
Commend these tears, and say your sighs are just.
Yet were he dead, you lesser hope woo'd have,
Since none e're yet, did ever quit the grave.
You cannot tell, he may so happy be,
As by some means, procure his liberty.

Sym.
It is not likely, since the Turk lets go,
No man for love, or money, you do know.
And he will not commit, a crime so foul,
As for his freedom, give away his soul.
Ah Heavens! coo'd but my life his ransom be,
How with it I woo'd part, most willingly!

Exeunt.