University of Virginia Library

SCEN. VII.

Scene, A Garden belonging to my Lord Bevill's House.
Enter Beaufort and Graciana.
Beauf.
Madam, what you have told so much must move
All that have sence of Honour or of Love,
That for my Rival I cou'd shed a Tear,
If grief had any pow'r when you are near.

Grac.
Leave this discourse; your Mistress you neglect,
And to your Rival all your thoughts direct.

Enter Bruce and Lovis, and stand undiscover'd.
Beauf.
Forgive me, dear Graciana, I have been
By my compassion sooth'd into a sin.
The holiest man that to the Altar bows
With wand'ring thoughts too often stains his Vows.

Bruce.
Graciana, you are alter'd much, I find;
[Surprising her by the hand.
Sine I was here y'ave learn'd how to be kind.
The god of Love, which subt'ly let you sway,
Has stoln your heart, and taught it to obey.

Grac.
Heav'ns! what strange surprise is this!

Bruce.
Hither I'm come to make my lawful claim;
You are my Mistress, and must own my flame.

Beau.
Forbear, bold man, and do not tempt thy fate;
[Taking her by the other hand.
Thou hast no right, her Love does right create:
Thy Claim must to my Title here give place;
'Tis not who loves, but whom she's pleas'd to grace.

Grac.
Hear me but speak; Bruce, you divide my care;
Though not my Love, you my Compassion share;
My heart does double duty; it does mourn
For you brave Bruce; for you brave Beaufort burn.

Bruce.
Your pity but destroys; if you wou'd save,
It is your Love, Graciana, I must have.

Beauf.
Her Love is mine, she did it now declare;
Name it no more, but vanish and despair.

Bruce.
Death, do you think to conjure me away!
I am no Devil that am forc'd t'obey:
If y'are so good at that, here are such charms
[Laying his hand on his Sword.
Can fright y'into the circle of her arms.

Beauf.
Here is a Sword more fit for my defence;
This is not courage, Bruce, but insolence.
[Grac. takes Beauf. in her arms.
Graciana, let me go, my heart wants room.

Grac.
My arms till now were ne're thought troublesom.

Bruce.
Beaufort, I hope y'ave courage to appear,
Where sacred Sanctuary is not near.
I'le leave you now within that happy state
Which does provoke my fury and my hate.

[Ex. Bru. and Lov.
Grac.
You must not meet him in the field, to prove
A doubtful Combate for my certain Love.
Beside, your heart is mine; will you expose
The heart you gave me to its raging foes?
Those men want Honour who stake that at play
Which to their Friends their kindness gave away.

Beauf.
Graciana, why did you confine me so
Within your arms? you shou'd have let me go:
We soon had finish'd this our hot debate,
Which now must wait a longer time on Fate.

Grac.
None, in combustions blame such sa desire
To save their pretious Goods from raging fire.
Banish this passion now, my Lord, and prove
Your anger cannot overcloud your Love.

Beauf.
Your glorious presence can this rage controul,
And make a calm in my tempestuous soul;
But yet there must be time; the Sun does bear
A while with the fierce tempests of the Air,
Before he make those stormy conflicts cease,
And with his conquering beams proclaims a Peace.

[Exeunt.