University of Virginia Library

Scene the First.

P. Parma, Granvel, Egmont & Raymond.
P. Par.
My Lord, your last Night's melancholy lodging
Inspired, I trust some seasonable reflexions,
And duly humbled your too lofty spirit.
I see the Marks of an ingenuous shame,
And gratulate repentance in your looks:
When last we met, embolden'd by despair
You scorn'd my mercy, revil'd my Faith;
Superior to the insults of the guilty,
I looked with pity on your hopeless state;
'Twas decency, discretion You offended,
Nor anger'd me, but as You harm'd yourself.

Raym.
If warm by nature and incensed with wrongs
My tongue with too much licence spoke my feelings

Pr. Parm.
Attempt not an excuse; 'twas not for this
I summon'd You again, nor that I needed
More ample confirmation of your guilt
But to convince You that your boasted cause
Of Liberty is but Rebellion's mask;
That all the mighty wrongs you trumpet forth
Are baits to catch the Rabble, that You rail
Against oppressions which no man can feel,
And cry down tyrany which has no being
But what You give it.

Raym.
Tempt me not so far,
But take my life; 'tis all You can demand

P. Parma
No, I would punish You with my forgiveness
And triumph o'er You with your own example.

Granvel
For Heav'n's sake what intend You?

Egm.
To preserve him
And disappoint thy savage thirst of blood.

Gran.
It cannot be—the State demands his life.

Egm.
A Christian Prelate, and object to Mercy?

Gran.
If such offenses are let loose amongst us
Farewell to Law to Justice & to Empire!

P. Parm.
Fear not, my lord, the law shall be obey'd
That perfect Law, which renders Good for Ill.

Egm.
Mark this Lord Cardinal, You have Your answer

P. Parm.
Hear then the mild Conditions of my Mercy:
Renounce the faction of Rebellious Orange;
Swear absolute Allegiance to the State,
And join the Banners of your rightful Prince.

Ray.
Hah!

P. Parma
Do You hesitate?

Raym.
Is this the price
That I must pay for Life?

P. Parma.
These are the terms
That Justice & the general good exact:
Slight compensation for a Monarch's wrongs
This temporal attonement made, my Lord,
You still stand open to the Church's censure
(Where You my Lord may Judge) in that You abett
The Heresy of Luther, with whose Doctrines
You and your faction grossly are infected

Gra.
Your Highness breathes a truly Christian Zeal.
Yes, Sir, Your privat haunts have been discovered
Dark as You are, You're seen—And doubt it not,
Rome has convenient methods in resource
At once to chasten & confute your Folly.

Egm.
Yes the dire force of those infernal engines
Which Rome triumphant o're the suffering World,
Madly employs to combat Truth and Reason
Too well we know; and curst be your invention!

Granvil
Impious, Reviler, Peace!

P. Parm.
Madman, No more,

Ray.
Come take my life, and with it my disdain,
Death cannot be so hateful as thy presence
(To Granvil
O my lov'd friend, receive my last embrace;
Come & behold me triumph at my Death;
See, how contentedly thy friend can lay
Life's burden down & smile upon the Rack

P. Par.
Go get ye hence brave but unhappy Men
Away & never let me see you more,
For you my Lord who will not let me save you
Death is your doom; Heaven fit you to receive it.
My Tears are all you've left me to bestow.

Raymond.
Your Patience for a moment—Gracious Powers,
Who guidst the movements of this warring World
Aid the illustrious Fabrick of our Freedom
And with my blood cement the lasting Pile!

Exeunt Parm. Gra. & Raym.