 | Fatal Friendship |  |
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
The Scene opens, Felicia, alone, Gramont enters to her.Gram.
I waited long, my Love, to find you free,
And had almost despair'd of seeing you.
Fel.
A Sight you cou'd have been most willingly
Dispenc'd from.
Gram.
Why dost thou say so? 'Tis unkind; thou know'st
I ever thought the Hours I pass'd with thee,
The happiest of my Life!
Fel.
Perhaps you did,
Perhaps you lov'd me once.
Gram.
And do not still!
Fel.
O Gramont, wou'd you had never said you lov'd,
Or I had ne'er believ'd you.
Gram.
Not Love! If I have any good in me,
'Tis the sincere Affection which I bear thee:
What means my Dear?
Fel.
Have I not been a fond, a faithful Wife?
Gram.
Not Malice can deny it.
Fel.
Why am I then forsaken for another?
Gram.
Forsaken!
Fel.
You who a thousand times
Have sworn, our Marriage was the weakest Bond
That held you to me: You to break 'em all.
Gram.
Ha!
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Or tho' you had not lov'd me, cou'd you do
So base a thing?
Gram.
O don't upbraid me; that thou know'st my Shame,
Is Punishment enough.
Fel.
Cou'd you be false to me that doted on you?
Ungrateful Man! How can I live without him!
Gram.
Thou break'st my Heart.
Fel.
You have broke my Heart, and may I not complain?
Unkind Gramont!
Gram.
O turn thy Eyes away,
For their Reproaches sting me to the quick.
Fel.
Nay, then I'll fix 'em till your Heart relent
With Pity, for the Miseries you've caus'd:
Look on me, look upon your wretched Wife!
Gram.
A Wretch like me shou'd be excluded ever
From the blest Vision! I dare not look on thee.
Fel.
Then tell me, if I e'er deserv'd your Love,
What have I done to lose it?
Gram.
Lose it! If I had not lov'd thee tenderly,
I had not been a Villain.
Fel.
For love of me?
Gram.
For thee? t'avert the Miseries
Which threatned thee, and our unhappy Infant,
I sacrific'd my Honour.
Fel.
What Miseries wou'd not I share with you,
Rather than share your self with any other!
I wou'd have starv'd first, or have beg'd you Food,
T'ave kept you mine: But now you are Lamira's.
Gram.
I am unworthy to be thine, Felicia:
All I can ask thee now, is to forgive me.
Fel.
Alas, what's my Forgiveness! My Brother and Lamira
Will pursue you: She does not love like me.
Fel.
No matter; their Resentment I can bear,
But not Felicia's. See, thy wretched Husband
Kneels at thy Feet, to beg Compassion of thee;
Intreats thee, when he falls beneath his Griefs,
Or by thy Brother's Vengeance, to bestow
Some Pity on him; think, remember still
'Twas love of thee made him unworthy of thee—
But if she can forgive, she must be good;
And then must hate me too, despise, contemn me. O Curse!
Let me grow here, become one Piece with Earth,
Lost to my self, all Eyes, and all Remembrance.
Fel.
O I can't bear to see you thus; O rise!
What wou'd you have me to do for you?
Gram.
For me! Use me like what I am, a Dog,
Fit to be spurn'd, kick'd from you like a Curr.
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Don't distract your self.
Gram.
What, outlive my Honesty, and not be mad!
Lose thy Esteem, lose my Felicia's Heart,
Deserve to lose 'em too, and not be mad!
Fel.
O Gramont!
If you had lov'd but half so faithfully
As your Felicia does, she had not lost you.
Gram.
Thou did'st; but now you cannot, must not love me.
Fel.
O I never knew till now how much I love you!
Be what you will, or use me how you will,
You've fix'd your self so firmly to my Heart,
I can't divide it from you:
'Tis full; 'tis breaking now with Fears for you.
Gram.
Thou dear Example of Fidelity,
[Rising.
What dost thou fear? Come to my Arms, and tell me.
Fel.
O sly to mine, and then I can fear nothing;
Ill hold thee here, and Fate shall never reach thee.
Gram.
Not if thou lov'st me. O I see thou do'st;
And circled thus, I'm happy once again.
Fel.
How have you swore no other e'er shou'd thus embrace you!
Gram.
I swear again, none ever did, or shall.
Fel.
Tell me not that. Last Night—think on last Night.
Gram.
Base as I was last Night, I cou'd not break that Vow.
Fel.
O Gramont! do not deceive me more;
Lamira boasts the wondrous Love you shew'd.
Gram.
To her? If it were Love not once to touch her,
Or ev'n approach her Bed:—By Heav'n I did it not.
Fel.
I will believe you.
Gram.
Thou may'st, my Love. I think thou do'st forgive me too.
O let me keep thee then for ever thus!
For whilst I am possest of so much Goodness,
I shall believe I'm honest. Am I not, Felicia?
No, thou know'st I am not:
Why dost thou touch me then? Fly, fly away,
Or thou art lost; not Innocence can save thee.
Fel.
Alas, what mean you?
Gram.
'Tis dangerous to be near me:
If Fate shou'd now be hurling Vengeance on me,
Might it not strike thee too?
Fel.
Heav'n avert it ever: I would fain
Hope all may yet be well.
Gram.
Well! Canst thou redeem my Honour, clear my Fame?
I shall be pointed at; a noted Villain,
Where can I fly from the reproaching Sight
Of all that once esteem'd me? Or how endure it,
When the very Thought strikes such Confusion?
Better I might have born the worst of Miseries
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That begs, or toils for Bread, but can support,
And does not truck his Honesty for Fortune:
Thou, Coward, durst not. Now how wil'st thou bear
The Infamy thy Baseness loads thee with?
Fel.
Alas, 'tis I have caus'd your Infamy;
My inconsiderate Passion has expos'd you.
What Madness mov'd me to reveal the fatal Secret!
Was that a Remedy! what could I intend,
What Consequence expect, but your Destruction!
O I can ne'er enough revenge it on my self,
Nor you enough reproach me!
Gram.
Thou'rt not to blame.
Fel.
Indeed I am; it was my Duty as your Wife,
Whate'er I suffer'd not to have accus'd you:
And as I lov'd, I shou'd have had no thought
Of my own Misery, whilst you were happy.
Gram.
How can'st thou speak so kindly to a Man
That has undone thee! Thou do'st not sure look forward
On thy Ruine, or thou cou'dst ne'er forgive me:
Nay, by Heav'ns, it stains thy Virtue as I am now,
To use me with such Tenderness.
Fel.
Wou'd you not have me love you?
Gram.
It is not for thy Honour to shew Affection
For one thou must despise: I will not let thee
Wrong thy self so much, but leave thee to reflect;
And thou wilt meet me next, as I deserve,
With Coldness, Anger, and Disdain.
Fel.
Impossible—You are not going thus!
Gram.
I shou'd, and thou shou'dst not retain me.
Fel.
I wou'd retain thee ever.
Gram.
O Felicia!—
Yet I will go—Look not so killing soft;
Think on thy Honour; think I am a Villain;
Learn to despise me; struggle with thy Heart;
Strive thy ill-plac'd Affection to remove,
As I now tear my self from all I love.
[Ex. Gram.
Fel.
Is it a Fault to love him? If it be,
In punishing impute his Crime to me;
I'll pay for both a double Penalty,
However cruel Heaven intends his Share,
Beyond what Life, all, all that Love can bear.
[Ex. Fel.
Scene Lamira's House. Lamira and Marian.
Lam.
When will these strugling Passions cease to rage,
Anger and Love, Pity and Jealousie!
36
They rend my Soul among 'em.
Mar.
Neither must now have any share in it.
Since, Madam, you're resolv'd to leave the World,
Heav'n claims your Heart entire.
Lam.
Yes, Marian; I have vow'd my self to Heav'n,
The safe Retreat from Fears and vain Desires.
But something must be done to satisfie
The discontent of my disorder'd Thoughts,
That no unruly one may there disturb me.
Mar.
The Place will be your Sanctuary from 'em,
A holy Cloister, Gates, shuts with the World
All human Passions and Reflections out.
Lam.
What, can I there
Think tamely on my Injuries,
And be pleas'd the Villain 'scap'd unpunish'd?
Mar.
Do you imagine, Madam, then Bellgard
Will not revenge you?
Lam.
Ha, Bellgard!
Good Heav'n forbid; his way wou'd be too fatal;
Not clear my spotted Honour,
But stain it worse with Blood: A wicked Justice
To punish his, by a more horrid Crime.
I dread to think it! Bellgard is violent,
And may do sudden Mischief, if not hinder'd.
Mar.
Felicia may perhaps have Power to calm
Her Brother's fierce Resentments; she's mild enough,
Soon to forgive, and plead for him that wrong'd her.
Lam.
Felicia plead! Felicia save his Life!
And he be her Reward blest in each other!
O what a torturing Thought! Can I endure it!
Nor Love nor Honour can.
Mar.
You're neither pleas'd that he shou'd die, or live:
What way wou'd you dispose him?
Lam.
Rather to death than her. But there is yet
Something I wou'd be at, I know not how,
Scarce what. Ha, is't Gramont!
[Enter Gramont.
Com'st thou t'insult o'er one whom thou hast ruin'd?
Or think'st thou yet thy Baseness undiscover'd?
Gram.
Not to conceal, but to confess my Crime;
Not to insult, but to implore forgiveness,
I thus approach you.
Lam.
How dar'st thou hope I can forgive such Wrongs?
Gram.
Unless your Goodness, Madam, I must own
My Hopes has no Foundation:
I've nought to plead but what must more incense you,
If I say Castalio's Sufferings mov'd me,
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Or if I urge Felicia's dearer interest,
Th'excuse can but enflame your hatred to me.
Lam.
Is it then so? Let me hear thee speak
Thy self a Villain, Is she your Wife?
Gra.
To her Misfortune, and my Shame, she is.
Fool, not to think her happiness enough;
Whilst she was mine, how cou'd I fear to want it?
Lam.
Tortures and Death! What brutal Insolence!
Gramont, it seems you came not to incite
My Pity, but my Vengeance.
Gra.
Neither, Madam;
I am too guilty to deserve your Pity,
And need not urge Revenge, since you can have
No greater than I mean to give you soon;
I only beg your anger may'nt survive me,
Or curse pursue me farther than the Grave.
Lam.
Is is to hinder that you take such pains
To let me know to whom I owe my ruine,
That I may turn my Curses on Felicia?
Gra.
Heav'n forbid! She's Innocent, and wrong'd
As much as you.
Lam.
What are her wrongs? How offer'd to be nam'd with mine?
No, Traytor, thou may'st know mine are unequall'd,
When even thy Baseness cou'd not make 'em greater.
Gra.
Madam, I think I had the power to wrong you more,
Which my not using may I hope, in part
Attone, for what I did.
Lam.
I know 'twas nor respect for me, nor Honour
Stopp'd thee in thy course of Mischief;
Thy Inclination lagg'd e're 'twas compleat,
Or thy firm Villany wou'd ne'er have fail'd thee.
Gra.
Can there be such stupidity in Nature,
To be insensible to so much Beauty?
Lam.
Ay, now thou hast it; Fawn, and Flatter well;
Daub o'er my Injuries with soothing words,
And make me take 'em all for Obligations;
Say how you Love; say with how much regret
You sacrific'd your wishes; Is it not thus?
Have not my Charms done wondrous execution?
Gra.
Had not Felicia first—
Lam.
No more; thou will'st not suffer me one moment
To forget that hated name, lest thou
Should'st be alone the Object of my rage;
But fear not, she shall share it.
Gram.
O rather double it on me.
Lam.
Fond, doting Fool,
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The near and surest way to thy Destruction,
And I will strike where I may wound thee deepest,
Add all the Fury of a slighted Rival,
To the calm justice of Revenge on thee.
Gram.
Madam, I find whatever I can say,
But more foments your Anger, therefore leave you,
I go to satisfie your just resentment
But if my Death's too little to appease it,
Rather than punish others for my crime,
Still hate me, let your rage without controul,
Load me with Curses, till they sink my Soul.
[Exit Gramont.
Lam.
Perdition seize it; Despair
And all the Racks I feel revenge me on thee;
No fears, no tenderness, but for Felicia;
Is this the way t'appease my just resentment,
To tell me 'twas for love of her he wrong'd me.
There's then no other way to punish him
But by the loss of her. They must be parted—
[Enter Castalio.
Did I not order none shou'd be admitted?
Mar.
I did not hear you, Madam.
Lam.
No matter, you might have thought it was not proper.
Cast.
With all the awe of one that fears t'offend,
And knows not whether he offends or not,
I pay this Duty, impatient, and yet more
In dread to know my fate
From her that's Mistress of it.
Lam.
Unseasonable importunity!
My Lord, I cannot think this meant to me,
I have no power, alas, not of my own,
Much less another's fate.
Cast.
Your fate is Heav'ns care, and, Oh that mine
Were yours as much, as it as much is in your power.
Lam.
You know not what you wish; but let it end,
'Tis a Discourse I'm not dispos'd to hear;
And if, my Lord, you value my repose,
You'll not pursue it further.
Cast.
Then I am doom'd, Doom'd to Despair for ever,
Since but to hear of Love from me offends you.
Lam.
From you, or any other, I hate the Name,
And fly from all that wear a Form of kindness,
For 'tis in that alone Men can deceive.
Cast.
'Tis oft indeed put on for a Disguise,
Yet must be worn by those who wou'd be known
For what they really are.
Lam.
There's no Reality, no Truth in Man,
But where it most appears, and seems least feign'd;
'Tis there the Master-piece of Villain lies.
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You speak as if some one whom you had trusted
Had deceiv'd you.
Lam.
Yes, I have been deceiv'd.
Cast.
Who durst attempt it?
Lam.
One in whom you, and all Mankind have been
Deceiv'd; O Traitor! Who cou'd have suspected
That modest shew of Honesty and Honour,
Exquisite, Finish'd, O ingrateful Villain!
Cast.
The thought disorders you, it must be sure
Somewhat of weight, that can transport you thus.
Lam.
I had forgot my self—
'Tis true, I have some cause to be disturb'd,
But pardon me that I so ill acquit my self
Of the respect I owe you, thus to expose it.
Cast.
Madam I'll take my leave if I constrain you,
But wish you could esteem me worth your trust,
As one by whom all your concerns are held,
More than in equal ballance with his own.
Lam.
What use of Friendship, Trust, or to complain
Of Injuries for which there's no redress?
Cast.
There's then Revenge.
Lam.
But that you cannot give.
Cast.
I think I shall not boast to say, there's no one.
In your Cause shall dare beyond me.
Speak who the Traitor is that has abus'd you;
And if to do you Justice
There be an Obstable, or Danger I refuse
T'encounter, let me be branded for a Coward
Lam.
There is an Obstacle has greater force
Than any Danger can, 'tis one you love,
Whom if I nam'd you wou'd not credit me;
One you esteem your Friend, your nearest Friend.
Cast.
My Friend! Who durst usurp that sacred name,
And injure me where I'm most sensible;
This gives me double right to seek revenge:
You must not, will not now conceal him from me.
Lam.
E're long the publick Rumour will inform you,
This curst adventure will be blaz'd among 'em;
I shall be made the common Theme and Mirth,
My Honour lie at every whisperers mercy,
That's pleas'd to pass his censure on my conduct.
Cast.
Permit me then to ask it from your self,
That if I hear rash tongues too bold with it,
I may with more assurance vindicate you.
Lam.
'Tis the most strange unhappy Story, so full
Of Baseness, heightned with all the aggravations
Of vilest Treachery and Ingratitude,
40
I hazarded my Ruine, all for him,
O'er-rul'd by a destructive Passion, nay 'twas Madness,
The blot of Life, and stain of all my glory.
Cast.
Was he belov'd, and yet cou'd injure you!
How? In what Nature? 'Twas impossible
For one so blest, not to return affection.
Lam.
Wou'd that were all his crime, but he has basely
Deceiv'd, Abus'd, wrong'd me in such a Nature,—
I cannot speak it—Conscious of my folly,
For I have been as weak, as he perfidious,
Press me no further to declare my shame.
Cast.
Then name the Traytor to me, and I will tear
The Secret from his Heart, with Life extort it.
Lam.
A Villain's Life's too mean a Sacrifice;
No, let me think—Somewhat I had design'd
Of lasting torment suited to his Crime—
That first I'll try; but if without success,
May use your Friendship,
Till when, I beg you will enquire no further.
Cast.
Madam I must obey, and will no longer
Trouble you in this Disorder, but when you are pleas'd
To let me know the Man you have been deceiv'd in,
You shall have proof
My Soul disdains all Friendship with a Traytor.
[Exit Castalio.
Lam.
Yes, thou shalt live, to see thy self abandon'd,
And taste with me the Pangs of hopeless Love.
That one who cou'd be guilty of this Baseness,
Shou'd know to love with such Fidelity!
O what a Happiness to possess that Heart,
So fond, so true! Cou'd it have first been mine!
What full delights has not Felicia known?
Eternal woes succeed 'em; be they remember'd
But to encrease the Curse of Deprivation,
The stings of Shame, and causless Jelousie
Sharpen the Pains of everlasting absence
That I decree 'em; Bellgard must be advis'd with,
And won, if I have any power with him,
To set his Rage the Bounds I have giv'n mine,
I'd not be cruel, nor too tamely bear;
Both the Extreams are shun'd in this Design,
And therefore 'tis but just to hope success;
What can Revenge, Honour, and Love, have less?
[Exit.
| Fatal Friendship | |