University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Discovers Alberto and Antonio.
Alb.
Nay, thou shalt see't before thou dost revenge it,
In such a case, thy self should be the witness,
She knows not what has past to night between us,
Nor should she, if thou could'st contain thy rage;
And that Antonio you shall promise me;
To morrow place thy self behind the Arras,
And from thy eyes thy own misfortunes know.
—What will not disobliged passion do?

[Aside.
Ant.
I'le hide my anger in a seeming calm,
And what I have to do, consult the while,
And mask my vengeance underneath a smile.
[Ex. Antonio.

Page.
My Lord, there is without a Lady
Desires to speak with you.

Alb.
Who is't?

Page.
I know not, Sir, she's veild.

Enter Ismena weeping.
Alb.
Conduct her in.

Ism.
Oh Alberto, Isabella has undone us all!

Alb.
She weeps, and looks as innocent!
—What mean you false dissembling Clarina?
What, have you borrow'd from deceit new Charms?
And think'st to fool me to a new belief.

Ism.
How Sir, can you too be unkind?
Nay then 'tis time to dye;
Alas, there wanted but your credit
To this mistake, to make me truely miserable.

Alb.
What credit? what mistake? oh undeceive me,
For I have done thee injuries past forgiveness,—
If thou be'st truly innocent.

Ism.
Isabella, under pretence of courting me
For Lorenzo, on whom she has designs to
Make a Husband;
Has given him freedoms will undo my honour,
If not prevented soon.

Alb.
May I credit this? and that it was not by thy
Command she did it.

Ism.
Be witness Heaven, my innocence in this,
Which if you will believe, I'me safe again.

Alb.
I do believe thee, but thou art not safe.
Here, take this Poyniard, and revenge thy wrongs,
Wrongs which I dare not beg a pardon for.

[He gives her a Dagger.
Ism.
Why, Sir, what have you done? have you
Deceiv'd me, and do you not indeed Love me?

Alb.
Oh Clarina! do not ask that question,
Too much of that has made me ruine thee;
It made me jealous, drunk with jealousie,
And then I did unravel all my secrets.

Ism.
What secrets, Sir? you have then seen Antonio.

Alb.
Yes.

Ism.
Hah—Now Wit if ere thou didst possess
[Aside.
A Woman; assist her at her need.
—Well Sir, rise and tell me, all;

Alb.
I will not rise till you have pardon'd me,
Or punisht my misfortune.

Ism.
Be what it will I do forgive it thee.

Alb.
Antonio Madam knows my happiness,
For in my rage I told him that you lov'd me;
—What shall I do?

Ism.
I cannot blame you though it were unkind.

Alb.
This I could help, but I have promis'd him,
That he shall be a witness of this truth;
What say you Madam do I not merit death?
Oh speak and let me know my doom what ere it be?

Ism.
Make good your word.

Alb.
What mean you?

Ism.
What you have promis'd him, perform as you intended.

Alb.
What then?

Ism.
Then come as you design'd to visit me.

Alb.
But let me know what 'tis you mean to do,
That I may Act accordingly.

Ism.
No. Answer me to every question ask'd,
And I perhaps may set all straight again;
'Tis now late, and I must not be missing,
But if you love me, be no more Jealous of me.
—Farewel.

Alb.
Must I be Ignorant then of your design?

Ism.
Yes, Alberto.
And you shall see what Love will make a Woman do.

[He leads her out.
Alb.
Now am I caught again, inconstant Nature.
—Would she had less of Beauty or of Wit,
Or that Antonio did but less deserve her;
—Or that she were not married,
Or I'de less Virtue, for 'tis that which aws me,
That tender sense of nothing:
And makes the other Reasons seem as Bugbears,
—I Love Clarina more than he can do;
And yet this Virtue doth oppose that Love,
Tells me there lurks a treason there
Against Antonio's and Clarina's Virtue;
—'Tis but too true indeed, and I'm not safe,
Whilst I conceal the Criminal within
—I must reveal it, for whilst I hide the Traytor
I seem to Love the Treason to,
—I will resign it then, since 'tis less blame,
To perish by my pain, then live with shame.

[Exit.