University of Virginia Library

Scea. 4a.

Enter L. Gouernor, Jsabella, [Antonio,] Florida, Francisca: Abberzanes, Gaspero, Hermio:
Js.
My Lord, J haue given you nothing but the truth
of a most plaine, and Jnocent intent,
My wrongs being so apparant, in this Woman
(a Crature that robbs Wedlock of all Comfort,
Where ere she fastens). J could doe no lesse
but seeke meanes privatly to shame his Folly:
No farther reachd my Mallice, and it glads me
that none but my base Jniurer is found
to be my falce Accusor.

Gou
this is strange
that he should give the wrongs, yet seeke Revenge.
But (Sirha) you; you are accusd here doubly,
first by your Lady, for a falce Jntelligence
that causd her Absence, which much hurts her Name,
though her Jntents were blameles: Next by this woman
for an Adulterous designe, and Plott
practisd betweene you to entrap her Honor,
whilst she, for her hire, should enioy her Husband.
your Answeare

Seb.
part of this is truth (my Lord)
to which J'am guilty, in a rash Jntent,
but cleere in Act; and She most cleere in both;
not sanctitie more spotles.

Her.
oh my Lord

Gou.
what newes breakes there?

Her.
of strange distruction:
Here stands the Lady, that within this howre
was made a Widow.

Gou.
how?

Her.
Your Neice, (my Lord.)
a fearefull vnexpected Accident
brought death, to meet his fury: for my Lord
entring Fernando's house, like a raisd Tempest
(wc h nothing heedes but its owne violent rage)
blinded with wrath, and Jelouzie, (which scorne guides)
from a falce Trap-dore, fell into a depth
exceeds a Temples height: Which takes into it
part of the doongeon, that falls threescore Faddom
vnder the Castle.

Gou.
oh you Seede of Lust
Wrongs, and Revenges wrongfull, with what Terror s
you doe present yourselues to Wretched man,
when his soule least expects you?

Js.
J forgive him
all his wrongs now, and signe it with my pitty

Flo.
oh my sweet Seruant.

Gou
looke to yond light Mistris

Gasp.
she's in a Swowne (my Lord)

Gou.
Convey her hence,
Jt is a sight would greive a modest eie
to see a Strumpetts-soule sinck into Passion,
for him that was the Husband of an other:
Yet all this cleeres not you?

Seb.
thancks to heaven
that J am now of age to cleere myself then.

Gou.
Sebastian?

Seb.
the same, much wrongd: (Sir)

Jsa.
am J certaine
of what mine eie takes ioy to looke vpon?

Seb.
your service cannot alter me from knowledge.
J am your Servant ever.

Gou.
wellcom to life (Sir)
Gasper, thou swor'st his death.

Gas.

J did indeed (my Lord)
and haue byn since well paid for't: one for-sworne mouth
hath gott me two, or three more here.

Seb.
J was dead (Sir)
both to my Joies, and all mens vnderstanding
till this my howre of life: for 'twas my fortune
to make the first of my Returne to Vrbin
a witnes to that Marriage: since which time
J haue walkd beneath myself, and all my Comforts,
like one on Earth, whose Joyes are laid aboue.
and though it had byn offence small in me
to enioy mine owne, J left her pure, and free.

Gou.
the greater, and more sacred is thy Blessing,
for where Heavens Bountie, holly ground-work finds
'tis like a Sea, encompassing chast Minds

—Enter Duchess.
Hermio.
The Duchesse Comes my Lord.

Gou.
be you then all Wittnesses
of an Jntent most horrid

Duch.
one poore night
ever Almachildes now:
better his meaner fortunes wept then or s,
that tooke the true height of a Princesse Spirit
to Match vnto their Greatnes: such lifes as his
were onely made to breake the force of Fate
ere it came at vs, and receive the Venom.
'tis but a vsuall frendship for a Mistris
to loose some forty yeares life, in hopefull time
and hazard an eternall soule for ever.
as yong as he has don, and more desert-full.

Gou.
Madam.

Duch.
my Lord.

Gou.
this is the howre, that J'haue so long desird
the Tumult's full appeazd: Now may we both
exchange Embraces, with a fortunate Arme
and practise to make love knotts, thus.

—Duke is discouerd
Duch.
my Lord?

Gou.
thus lustfull woman: and bold Murdresse thus.
Blessed Powres, to make my loyaltie, and Truth so happy
Looke thee, thou shame of Greatnes: Stayne of Honor,
behold thy work, and weep before thy death
if thou bee'st blessd wt h sorrow, and a Conscience
Which is a Guift from heaven, and seldom knocks
at any Murdrers brest, with sounds of Comfort
See, this thy Worthie, and vnequalld Peice
a faire encouragement for an other Husband.

Duch.
bestow me vpon death Sir, J am guilty
and of a Cruelty aboue my Cause,
his Jniury was too-low, for my Revenge
performes a Justice, that may light all others
to Noble Actions: life is hatefull to me,
beholding my dead Lord; Make vs an one
in death, whom Marriage made one, of two Living,
till cursed fury parted vs: My Lord
J covet to be like him.

Gou-
No, my Sword
shall neuer stayne the virgin-brightnes on't
with blood of an Adultresse.

Duch.
there my Lord,
J dare my Accusor, and defy the world
Death, shame, and Torment, Blood, J am guilty of
but not Adultery: not the breach of Honor.

Gou.
No: Come forth Almachildes

—Enter Almachildes
Duch.
Almachildes?
hath Time brought him about to save himself
by my distruction? J am iustly doombd

Gou.
doe you know this woman?

Al.
J haue knowne her better Sir, then at this time

Gou.
but she defies you there.

Al.
that's the com̄on trick of them all.

Duch.
Nay since J am touchd so neere: before my death then
Jn right of Honors Jnocence, J am bold
to call heaven, and my Woman here to Witnes.
—Enter Amoretta
My Lord, let her speak truth, or may she perish.

Am.
Then Sir, by all the hopes of a Maids Comfort
either in faithfull service, or blessd Marriage
the Woman that his blinded folly knew
was onely a hirde-Strumpet: a Professor
of Lust, and Jmpudence: Which here is ready
to approve what J haue spoken.

Al.
A com̄on Strumpet?
this Comes of Scarffes: J'll neuer more weare
an Habberdashers shop before nine eies agen.

Gou.
my Sword is prowd, thou art lightend of that syn,
dye then a Murdresse onely:

Duke
Live a Duchesse
better then ever loud; embracd, and honord.

Duch.
my Lord?

Duke.
Nay, since in honor thou canst iustly rise
vanish all wrongs: thy former Practise dies
J thanck thee Almachildes for my life
this Lord, for Truth, and Heaven for such a Wife,
Who, though her Jntent synd, yet she makes amends
With Greif, and Honor. (Vertues noblest Ends)
What greiv'd you then, shall neuer more offend you,
Your Father's Skull, with honor wee'll Jnter
and give the Peace, due to the Sepulcher;
And in all Times, may this Daie euer proue
a Daie of Triumph, Joie, and honest Loue

—Exeunt.