University of Virginia Library

SCENE the Castle.
Enter Duke of Clarence, and Malavill.
Clar.
Here did I expect—oh what I did not expect
Even all the happiness my heart is fond off.
Cruel disappointment; yet 'tis but just;
When man gives up his Noble Charter, his Reason,
And is passions Slave, he shou'd be used so:
Oh, Malavill, cou'dst thou believe such falshhood
Were in Womankind,

Mal.
Most easily, my Lord, 'tis the common practice,
Had she proved true, that had been the wonder.

Clar.
Is't possible.
Isabella was my first and only Love
Pure were my flames, and my desires unfeign'd
Her returns I thought full of artless Innocence,
When in her Charming eyes I first read kindness,
If I catch'd a dear relenting glance,
How modestly she wou'd decline 'em;
Her lovely face cover'd with Virmilion blushes:
Nay, the tears wou'd follow. Cou'd this all be deceit?
Cou'd she weep and vow and look, such things—
And yet dissemble still.

Mal.
'Tis natural to the Sex.

Clar.
And is that dear false hand given to Thyrrold?
His plighted Wife! Racks, Wheels, and Gibbets,
Sword and fire, can their torments equal
That curst thought; yet when I reflect on this
Unexampled Treachery, methinks 'tis strange
The story most improbable, 'tis but some few hours
A go that fair one gave me all the tendrest
Marks of love and kindest promises; what cou'd
Tempt her to draw me on so far?

Mal.
I like not this.

[Aside.
Clar.
But then how shou'd Thyrrold know of our
Intended flight, unless thou hast proved
The smooth fac'd Villain, and betray'd me.

Mal.
If you mistrust me, use your Sword,
Wound me not with your unkind suspicions:
Tardy Duke of Gloucester, I shall be ruin'd.

[Aside.
Clar.
I know not what to think, but shou'd I find
Thou hast wronged me in the tendrest part,
The blessing of my Life, my Love, my Isabella,
I cannot name her but my heart will rise:
Oh, cruel Charmer think not to 'scape my Vengeance,
For tho' the King shou'd Guard thee, through
His heart I'd reach at thine, seize thee
Like a loosen'd Fury, and shake thee into Atoms.

Thyrrold above.
Thyr.
What mad man's this, that raves beneath our Walls.

Clar.
Traytor, come down and see.

Thyr.
I wou'd, but for commands which I have sworn to obey.

Clar.
What commands shifting Coward?

Thyr.
Fair Isabella has hung about my neck,
Used such prevailing arts of fondness,
Beg'd with such a grace, and so much power,
That I have forgiven both her and you.

Clar.
Ye raging Fires, eat, eat my heart; burn inwards,
But burst not forth, I wo'not answer like a Woman,
With my Tongue alone, but Thyrrold, he assur'd
I shall find thee: yes, hadst thou Gyants
For thy Guard, wert thou hem'd with Devils
I'd Grapple with thee, and sink thee too:
Remember that, and tremble.

Thyr.
If I tremble it must be with delight,
To Isabella's Bed I am going, the Priest
Has made us one, there the soft, the melter,
The expecting fair one lies, think you on that,
And mangle thy own flesh.
In distraction thy wretched bosom tear,
Reflect upon my joys, and then despair.
[Exit Thyrrold.

Clar.
Curses, curses! Oh Malavill, in thy bosom
Hide me, for if I look that way my eyes will burst.

Enter three or four Villains.
1 Vill.
Yonder he stands, we may seize his Sword
E'er he perceive us.

[Snatches his Sword from him.
Clar.
Villains what mean ye?
Malavill, give me thy Sword, and get behind me.

Mal.
No, I'll defend your life.

1 Vill.
Fool, thou canst not save thy own.

(stabs him, he falls.
Mal.
Oh pardon me noble Sir you are betray'd and so
Am I, the Lady Isabella is—

[dies.
Clar.
What, go on, speak but that word, that syllable either
False or True, and I'll forgive thee all; 'tis lost in death.

1 Vill.
You must with us.

Clar.
Slaves, do you know to whom you speak?

1 Vill.
Our orders are to force you, if you resist.

Clar.
Unhand me, Dogs, I am the Duke of Clarence.

1 Vill.
No matter who you are, you are our Prisoner now.

Clar.
Slaves, Villains, Murderers.

[Exit forc'd off.