 | Arden of Feversham |  |
48
ACT V.
SCENE I.
Arden's house.Alicia
alone.
What have I heard! Is this the house of Arden!
O! that the power which has so often sav'd him,
Wou'd send his guardian angel to him now,
To whisper in his ear his present danger!
Fly, Arden, fly, avoid this fatal roof,
Where murder lurks, and certain death awaits thee:
Wander—no matter where—Turn but from hence,
Thou canst not miss thy way.—The house is theirs.—
I am suspected—Michael guards the door—
And ev'n Maria's absent. Bloody Mosby,
These are the fruits of thy detested lust.
But hark, the fiends approach.—Green had humanity,
[Enter Green, Black Will, Shakebag, Michael.]
Cou'd I prevail on him!—O sir—
[Talks apart with Green.
B. Will.
What a fair house! rich furniture!
what piles of massy plate! And then yon iron
chest. Good plunder, comrade.
Shake.
And madam Arden there—A prize worth
them all to me.
B. Will.
And shall that fawning, whiteliver'd
coward, Mosby, enjoy all these?
Shake.
No doubt he wou'd, were we the fools
he thinks us.
Gr.
Had he as many lives as drops of blood,
I'd have them all.—
[To Alicia.
Alic.
But for one single night—
Gr.
I'd not defer his fate a single hour,
Tho' I were sure myself to die the next.
So, peace, irresolute woman—and be thankful
For thy own life.
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—O mercy, mercy—
Gr.
Yes,
Such mercy as the nursing lioness,
When drain'd of moisture by her eager young,
Shews to the prey that first encounters her.
B. Will.
Who talks of mercy, when I am here?
Gr.
She wou'd prevent us; but our steady courage
Laughs at her coward arts.
[Knocking gently at the gate.
Why, Michael.
Mich.
—Sir!
Gr.
Thou bloodless coward, what dost tremble at?
Dost thou not hear a knocking at the gate?
[Exit Michael.
Mosby, no doubt. How like a sly adulterer,
Who steals at midnight, and with caution gives
Th'appointed signal to his neighbour's wife.
B. Will.
Which is the place where we're to be
conceal'd?
Gr.
This inner room.
B. Will.
'Tis well.—The word is, Now I
take you.
[Knocking louder than before.
Gr.
Ay, there's authority. That speaks the master.
He seems in hast: 'Twere pity he shou'd wait,
Now we're so well prepar'd for his reception.
[Green, Black Will, and Shakebag, go into the inner room.
Alicia remains alone.
Alic.
Now whither are they gone?—The door's unbar'd.
I hear the sound of feet. Shou'd it be Arden,
And Mosby with him—I can't bear the doubt,
Nor wou'd I be resolv'd. Be hush'd my fears,
'Tis Mosby, and alone. [Enter Mosby.]
Sir; hear me, Mosby.
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Madam, is this a time?
Alic.
—I will be heard,
And mark me, when I swear, never hereafter,
By look, word, act—
Mos.
Be damn'd—your husband—
Alic.
Ha!—
[She screams.
Enter Arden and Michael.
Ard.
Am I a monster, that I fright thee thus?
[To Michael.
Say, what has happen'd since I left the house?
Thou look'st, Alicia, as if wild amazement
Had chang'd thee to the image of herself.
Alic.
Is Frankland with you?
Ard.
No.
Alic.
Nor Fowl, nor Bradshaw?
Ard.
Neither, but both expected.—
Alic.
Merciful heav'n!
Ard.
I meant to dedicate this happy night
To mirth and joy, and thy returning love.
[She sighs.
Make me not sad, Alicia: For my sake
Let discontent be banish'd from your brow,
And welcome Arden's friends with laughing eyes.
Amongst the first let Mosby be enroll'd—
Alic.
The villain!
Ard.
Nay, I am too well convinc'd
Of Mosby's friendship, and Alicia's love,
Ever to wrong them more by weak suspicions.
I've been indeed to blame, but I will make thee
A large amends, Alicia.—Look upon him,
As on the man that gave your husband's life.
Alic.
Wou'd take my husband's life!—I'll tell him all,
And cast this load of horror from my soul:
Yet, 'tis a dreadful hazard. Both must die.
A fearful thought! Franklin may come, or Bradshaw—
O let me not precipitate his fate!
[Aside.
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I see my presence is offensive there.
[Going.
Ard.
Alicia! No—She has no will but mine.
Mos.
It is not fit she shou'd:—and yet—perhaps—
'Twere better, sir—Permit me to retire.
Ard.
No more—Our friendship publickly avow'd
Will clear her injur'd virtue to the world.
Mos.
Something there is in that—
Ard.
It is a debt
I owe to both your fames, and pay it freely.
Mos.
For her sake then, not for my own.
Alic.
[Aside.]
—O damn'd dissembler.
Ard.
Come, take your seat; this shall not save your money.
Bring us the Tables, Michael—
[They sit and play.
Alic.
[Aside.]
—O just heaven!
Wilt thou not interpose?—How dread this pause!
Ten thousand terrors crowd the narrow space.
Ard.
Your thoughts are absent, Mosby.
B. Will.
Blood! why don't Mosby give the word?
Mich.
Give back, the game's against him.
Alic.
Fly, Franklin! fly, to save thy Arden's life.
Murder herself, that chases him in view,
Beholding me starts back, and for a moment
Suspends her thirst of blood.
[Apart.
Ard.
Come, give it up; I told you I shou'd win.
[Rises.
Mos.
No, I see an advantage; move again.
Ard.
There.
Mos.
Now I take you.
[Black Will throws a scarf over Arden's head, in order to strangle him; but Arden disengages himself, wrests a dagger from Shakebag, and stands on his defence, 'till Mosby getting behind and seizing his arm, the rest assassinate him.]
Alic.
O pow'r omnipotent! make strong his arm,
Give him to conquer. Ha! my prayers are curses,
52
Ard.
Inhospitable villain!
Alic.
O! he dies.
Ard.
O hold your bloody—Mosby too! Nay then
[Falling.
I yield me to my fate.—Is this, Alicia,
This the return for my unequal love?
Alic.
Or death, or madness, wou'd be mercies now,
Therefore beyond my hopes.
Ard.
O Mosby, Michael, Green,
Why have you drawn my blood upon your souls?
Mos.
Behold her there, to whom I was betroth'd,
And ask no further—
Gr.
Think on thy abbey-lands
From injur'd Green.
Ard.
You now are your own judges,
But we shall meet again where right and truth—
Who—who are these? But I forgive you all.
Thy hand, Alicia—
Alic.
I'll not give it thee.
Ard.
O wretched woman! have they kill'd thee too?
A deadly paleness, agony, and horror
On thy sad visage sit. My soul hangs on thee,
And tho' departing—just departing—loves thee;
Is loth to leave, unreconcil'd to thee,
This useless mangled tenement of clay.
Dismiss her pleas'd, and say thou'rt innocent.
Alic.
All hell contains not such a guilty wretch.
Ard.
Then welcome death! tho' in the shape of murder.
How have I doated to idolatry!
Vain, foolish wretch, and thoughtless of hereafter,
Nor hop'd, nor wish'd a heaven beyond her love.—
Now, unprepar'd, I perish by her hate.
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Tho' blacker, and more guilty than the fiends,
My soul is white from this accursed deed.
O Arden! hear me—
Ard.
Full of doubts I come,
O thou Supreme, to seek thy awful presence.
My soul is on the wing. I own thy justice.
Prevent me with thy mercy.
[Dies.
Alic.
Turn not from me:
Behold me, pity me, survey my sorrows.
I who despis'd the duty of a wife,
Will be thy slave.—Spit on me, spurn me, sir,
I'll love thee still.—O couldst thou court my scorn,
And now abhor me, when I love thee more,
If possible, than e'er thou lov'dst Alicia.
Mos.
Mad fool, he's dead, and hears thee not.
Alic.
—'Tis false—
He smiles upon me, and applauds my vengeance.
[Snatches a dagger, and strikes at Mosby.—A knocking at the gate.
Mos.
Damnation!—
B. Will.
'Sdeath! we shall leave our work unfinish'd,
and be betray'd at last.—Let's hide the
body.
Mos.
Force her away.
Alic.
Inhuman bloody villains!
[She swoons, as she is forc'd from the body.
Enter Maria.
Mar.
Mosby here!—
My sliding feet, as they move trembling forwards,
Are drench'd in blood. O may I only fancy
That Arden there lies murder'd—
Mos.
How fares Alicia?—
Alic.
As the howling damn'd: and thou my hell—
Mar.
Unhappy brother!
If thou hast done this deed, hope not to 'scape:
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That she may pardon and reform the guilty,
Wou'd change her nature at a sight like this.
Enter Michael.
Mich.
The guests are come—the servants all return'd.
Mos.
Alicia, be thyself; and mask thy heart
[Mosby lifts up Alicia.
From ev'ry prying eye with courteous smiles.
Alic.
Thou canst not think me mean enough to live.
Mos.
You wou'd not choose an ignominious death?
Alic.
That's all I dread—Might but the silent grave,
When it receives me to its dark abode,
Hide, with my dust, my shame!—O might that be,
And Arden's death reveng'd.—'Tis my sole prayer.
If not, may awful justice have her course.
[Exit Alicia.
Mos.
Sister! Our lives are thine—
Mar.
Tho' Mosby has shook off humanity, I can't be his accuser.
[Exit Maria.
Mos.
Follow them, Green, and watch Alicia's conduct.
Gr.
I will, but cannot answer for my own.
O Arden! Arden! cou'd we change conditions!
[Exit Green.
B. Will.
Why, what a crew of cowards!
In the same moment murdering and repenting.
Mos.
Give me the ring that is on Arden's finger.
Shake.
There. Will you have his purse too?
Mos.
No, keep that.
B. Will.
Thanks for our own: we shou'd have kept the ring,
Were it not too remarkable.
But how must we dispose of the body?
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Convey it thro' the garden, to the field
Behind the abbey-wall: Michael will shew the way.
The night is dark and cloudy—yet take heed—
The house is full of company.
B. Will.
Sir, if you doubt our conducts, do't
yourself.
Mos.
Nay, gentlemen—
Shake.
Pretend to direct us!
Mos.
For your own sakes—Arden will soon be mist.
Shake.
We know our business, sir.
Mos.
I doubt it not.
There's your reward. The horses both are saddled,
And ready for your flight.
B. Will.
Use them yourself:
I hope we're as safe as you.
Mos.
Why, gentlemen—Arden, I us'd thee worse.
[Aside.
B. Will.
We shall take care however for our
own sakes.
Mos.
'Tis very well—I hope we all are friends.
So—softly—softly—Michael, not that door—
[Michael going out at the wrong door.
So—make what speed you can: I'll wait you there.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
A hall in Arden's house.Mosby
alone.
They must pass undescry'd: gardens and fields
Are dreary deserts now. Night-fowls and beasts of prey
Avoid the pinching rigour of the season,
Nor leave their shelter at a time like this.
And yet this night, this ling'ring winter night,
Hung with a weight of clouds that stops her course,
Contracts new horrors, and a deeper black,
From this damn'd deed.—Mosby, thou hast thy wish.
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Dangers without, on every side suspicion;
Within, my starting conscience mark such wounds,
As hell can equal, only murderers feel.
[A pause.
This, this the end of all my flatt'ring hopes!
O! happiest was I in my humble state:
Tho' I lay down in want, I slept in peace:
My daily toil begat my night's repose,
My night's repose made day-light pleasing to me.
But now I've climb'd the top-bough of the tree,
And sought to build my nest among the clouds:
The gentlest gales of summer shake my bed,
And dreams of murder harrow up my soul.
But hark!—Not yet:—'Tis dreadful being alone.
This awful silence, that unbroken reigns
Thro' earth and air, awakes attention more,
Than thunder bursting from ten thousand clouds:
S'death!—'tis but Michael—Say—
Enter Michael.
Mich.
Dead Arden lies
Behind the abbey—'tis a dismal sight!
It snow'd a pace while we dispos'd the body.
Mos.
And not as you return'd?
Mich.
No, sir—
Mos.
That's much—
Shou'd you be question'd as to Arden's death,
You'll not confess?
Mich.
No, so Maria's mine.
Mos.
She's thine, if all a brother can—
Mich.
What's if?
I bought her dear, at hazard of my soul,
And force shall make her mine.—
Mos.
Why, how now, coward!
Enter Maria.
Mar.
The guests refuse to take their seats without you.
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Thy presence may appease—
Mos.
Increase it rather.
Mar.
Michael, your absence too has been observ'd.
Mos.
Say we are coming.
[Exit Maria.
Mich.
One thing I'd forgot.
[Returning.
Soon as the company have left the house,
The ruffians will return.
Mos.
What wou'd the villains?
Mich.
They mutter'd threats and curses,
And seem'd not satisfied with their reward.
[Exit Michael.
Mos.
Let them take all. Ambition, av'rice, lust,
That drove me on to murder, now forsake me.
O Arden! if thy discontented ghost
Still hovers here to see thy blood reveng'd,
View, view the anguish of this guilty breast,
And be appeas'd.
[Exit.
SCENE III.
A room in Arden's house.A table spread for supper.
Green, Bradshaw, Adam Fowl, Alicia, Maria, &c.
Brad.
Madam, be comforted.
A. Fowl.
Some accident, or business unforeseen, detains him thus.
Brad.
I doubt not of his safety.
Alic.
I thank you, gentlemen; I know you lov'd
My Arden well, and kindly speak your wishes.
Enter Mosby.
Mos.
I am asham'd I've made you wait: be seated.
Gr.
Madam, first take your place.
Alic.
Make me not mad—
To me henceforth all places are alike.
[Sits.
Mos.
Come, since we want the master of the house,
I'll take his seat for once.
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Dares he do this?
[Aside.
Mos.
I'm much afflicted that he stays so late;
The times are perilous.
Gr.
And he has enemies.
Tho' no man, sure, did e'er deserve them less.
Mos.
This day he was assaulted in the street.
Gr.
You sav'd him then.
Mos.
Wou'd I were with him now!
Mar.
She starts, her looks are wild. [Aside.]
—
How fare you, madam?
Alic.
I'm lost in admiration of your brother.
Mar.
I fear her more than ever. [Aside]
—
Madam, be merry.
Mos.
Michael, some wine. Health and long life to Arden.
[Drinks.
Alic.
The good you wish, and have procur'd for Arden,
[Rising.
Light on thyself.
Mar.
For heaven's sake!—
Alic.
Give me way.
[Comes forward.
Let them dispatch, and send me to my husband:
[All rise.
Eve liv'd too long with falshood and deceit.
[Knocking at the gate.
A. Fowl.
What noise is that?
[Exit Michael.
Brad.
Pray heaven, that all be right.
Mos.
Bar all the doors.
Enter Michael.
Mich.
We are discover'd, sir.
[To Mosby.
The mayor with officers, and men in arms.
Enter Mayor, &c.
Mayor.
Go you with these, and do as I directed.
[Exeunt officers and others.
I'm sorry that the duty of my office
Demands a visit so unseasonable.
Mos.
Your worship doubtless were a welcome guest
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Mayor.
I have received a warrant from the council
To apprehend two most notorious ruffians;
And information being made on oath,
That they were seen to enter here to-night,
I'm come to search.
Gr.
I'm glad it is no worse.
[Aside.
Mos.
And can you think that Arden entertains
Villains like those you speak of? Were he here,
You'd not be thank'd for this officiousness.
Mayor.
I know my duty, sir, and that respect,
So justly due to our good neighbour's worth.—
But where is Arden?
Alic.
Heavens! where indeed!
Mar.
Alicia, for my sake—
[Aside.
Alic.
If I were silent,
Each precious drop of murder'd Arden's blood
Wou'd find a tongue, and cry to heaven for vengeance.
Mayor.
What says the lady?
Mos.
Oh! sir, heed her not:
Her husband has not been at home to-night,
And her misboding sorrow for his absence,
Has almost made her frantic.
Mayor.
Scarce an hour,
Since I beheld him enter here with you.
Mos.
The darkness of the night deceiv'd you, sir:
It was a stranger, since departed hence.
Mayor.
That's most surprising. No man knows better.
Frank.
[without]
Within there—ho—bar up your gates with care,
And set a watch—Let not a man go by—
Franklin and others enter with lights—
And ev'ry tongue, that gave not its consent
60
To heaven and earth for justice. Honest Arden,
My friend—is murder'd.
Mayor.
Murder'd!
Gr.
How?
Mos.
By whom?
Frank.
How shall I utter what my eyes have seen!
Horrid with many a gaping wound he lies
Behind the abbey, a sad spectacle!
O vengeance! vengeance!
Mayor.
Justly art thou moved.
Passion is reason in a cause like this.
Frank.
Eternal Providence, to whose bright eye
Darkness itself is as the noon-day blaze,
Who brings the midnight murd'rer and his deeds
To light and shame, has in their own security
Found these.
Mayor.
Here seize them all—this instant:
[Alicia faints.
Look to the lady. This may be but feign'd.
Your charge but goes a long with my suspicions.
Brad.
And mine.
A. Fowl.
And mine.
Frank.
First hear me, and then judge,
Whether on slight presumptions I accuse them.
These honest men, (neighbours and townsmen all)
Conducted me, dropping with grief and fear,
To where the body lay;—with them I took these notes,
Not to be trusted to the faithless memory.
“Huge clots of blood and some of Arden's hair
“May still be seen upon the garden-wall;
“Many such rushes as these floors are strew'd with,
“Stick to his shoes and garments: and the prints
61
“From the stark body to the very door.”
These are presumptions he was murder'd here,
And that th'assassins having borne his corse
Into the fields, hither return'd again.
Mos.
Are these your proofs?
Gr.
These are but circumstances,
And only prove thy malice.
Frank.
—And this scarf,
Known to be Arden's, in the court was found,
All blood.—
Mayor.
Search 'em.—
Mich.
I thought I'd thrown it down the well.
[Aside.
Mayor.
—[To an officer]
Enter that room, and search the lady there;
We may perhaps discover more.
[Officer goes out and re-enters, in the mean time another officer searches Mosby and Green.]
1st Officer.
On Arden's wife I found this letter.
2d Officer.
And I this ring on Mosby.
Mayor.
—Righteous heaven!
Well may'st thou hang thy head, detested villain:
This very day did Arden wear this ring,
I saw it on his hand.—
Mos.
I freely yield me to my fate
Enter another officer.
Officer.
We've seiz'd two men behind some stacks
of wood.
Mayor.
Well, bring 'em in.—
[Black Will and Shakebag brought in.
They answer the description:
But let them wait 'till I have done with these.
Heavens! what a scene of villany is here!
[Having read the letter.
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Since we're sure to die, tho' I cou'd
wish 'twere in better company, (for I hate that
fawning rascal, Mosby,) I'll tell the truth for once.
He has been long engaged in an affair with Arden's
wife there, but fearing a discovery, and hoping to
get into his estate, hired us to hide him.—That's all.
Mayor.
And you the horrid deed perform'd?
Shake.
We did, with his assistance, and Green's
and Michael's.
Mayor.
This letter proves Alicia, from the first,
Was made acquainted with your black design.
B. Will.
I know nothing of that: but if she
was, she repented of it afterwards. So, I think,
you call that a change of mind.
Mayor.
That may avail her at the bar of heav'n,
But is no plea at our's. [Alicia brought in.]
Bear them to prison;
Load them with irons, make them feel their guilt,
And groan away their miserable hours,
Till sentence of the law shall call them forth
To publick execution.—
Alic.
I adore
Th'unerring hand of justice; and with silence
Had yielded to my fate, but for this maid,
Who, as my soul dreads justice on her crimes,
Knew not, or e'er consented to this deed.
Mayor.
But did she not consent to keep it secret?
Mos.
To save a brother, and most wretched friend.—
Mayor.
She has undone herself—Behold how innocence
May suffer in bad fellowship.—And Bradshaw,
My honest neighbour Bradshaw too—I read it
With grief and wonder.—
Brad.
Madam, I appeal
To you; as you are shortly to appear
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Say, had I knowledge, or—
Alic.
You brought the letter,
But well I hope, you knew not the contents.
Mayor.
Hence with them all, 'till time and farther light
Shall clear these mysteries.
A. Fowl.
If I'm condemn'd,
My blood be on his head that gives the sentence.
I'm not accus'd, and only ask for justice.
Frank.
You shall have justice all, and rig'rous justice.
So shall the growth of such enormous crimes,
By their dread fate be check'd in future times.
Of Avarice, Mosby a dread instance prove,
And poor Alicia of unlawful Love.
| Arden of Feversham | |