University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

SCENE, The Prospect of the Mountains continued.
Enter Roderick, Leonora veil'd, Henriquez, Attendants as Mourners.
Rod.
Rest certain, Lady, Nothing shall betide you,
But fair, and noble Usage, Pardon me,
That hitherto a Course of Violence
Has snatch'd you from that Seat of Contemplation
To which you gave your After-Life.

Leon.
Where am I?

Rod.
Not in the Nunnery; never blush, nor tremble;
Your Honour has as fair a Guard, as when
Within a Cloyster. Know then, what is done,
(Which, I presume, you understand not truly,)
Has this Use, to preserve the Life of One
Dying for Love of You: my Brother, and your Friend:
Under which Colour we desir'd to rest
Our Herse one Night within your hallow'd Walls,
Where we surpriz'd you.

Leon.
—Are you that Lord Roderick,
So spoken of for Virtue, and fair Life,
And dare you lose these to be Advocate
For such a Brother, such a sinful Brother,
Such an unfaithful, treacherous, brutal Brother?

Rod.
This is a fearful Charge.—

[Looks at Henriquez.
Leon.
—If you would have me
Think, you still bear Respect for Virtue's Name;
As you would wish, your Daughters, thus distress'd,
Might find a Guard, protect me from Henriquez;
And I am happy.

Rod.
—Come, Sir, make your Answer;
For as I have a Soul, I am asham'd on't.

Henr.
O Leonora, see! thus self-condemn'd,
I throw me at your Feet, and sue for Mercy.
If I have err'd, impute it to my Love;
The Tyrant God that bows us to his Sway,
Rebellious to the Laws of reas'ning Men;
That will not have his Votaries Actions scann'd,
But calls it Justice, when we most obey him.
He but commanded, what your Eyes inspir'd;
Whose sacred Beams, darted into my Soul,
Have purg'd the Mansion from impure Desires,
And kindled in my Heart a Vestal's Flame.

Leon.
Rise, rise, my Lord; this well-dissembled Passion
Has gain'd you nothing but a deeper Hate.
Should I imagine, he can truly love me,
That, like a Villain, murthers my Desires?
Or should I drink that Wine, and think it Cordial,
When I see Poyson in't?

Rod.
—Draw this way, Lady;
I am not perfect in your Story yet;
But see you've had some Wrongs, that want Redress.
Only you must have Patience to go with us
To yon small Lodge, which meets the Sight from hence,
Where your Distress shall find the due Respect:
'Till when, your Griefs shall govern me as much,
As Nearness and Affection to my Brother.
Call my Attendants yours; and use them freely;
For as I am a Gentleman, no Pow'r,
Above your own Will, shall come near your Person.

[As they are going out, Violante enters, and plucks Roderick by the Sleeve; the rest go out.]
Viol.
Your Ear a Moment: Scorn not my tender Youth.

Roder.
Look to the Lady there.—I follow strait.
What ails this Boy? Why dost thou single me?

Viol.
The due Observance of your noble Virtue,
Vow'd to this mourning Virgin, makes me bold
To give it more Employment.

Rod.
—Art not Thou
The surly Shepherd's Boy, that, when I call'd
To know the Way, ran crying by me?

Viol.
Yes, Sir.
And I thank Heav'n and you for helping me.

Rod.
How did I help thee, Boy?

Viol.
I do but seem so, Sir; and am indeed
A Woman; one your Brother once has lov'd;
Or, Heav'n forgive him else, he ly'd extremely.

Rod.
Weep not, good Maid; O this licentious Brother!
But how came you a Wand'rer on these Mountains?

Viol.
That, as we pass, an't please you, I'll discover.
I will assure you, Sir, these barren Mountains
Hold many Wonders of your Brother's making.
Here wanders hapless Julio, worthy Man!
Besides himself with Wrongs—

Rod.
That once again—

Viol.
Sir, I said, Julio.—Sleep weigh'd down his Eyelids,
Oppress'd with Watching, just as you approach'd us.

Rod.
O Brother! We shall sound the Depths of Falshood.
If this be true, no more but guide me to him:
I hope, a fair End will succeed all yet.
If it be He, by your Leave, gentle Brother,
I'll see him serv'd first.—Maid, you have o'erjoy'd me.
Thou shalt have Right too: Make thy fair Appeal
To the good Duke, and doubt not but thy Tears
Shall be repaid with Interest from his Justice.
Lead me to Julio.

[Exeunt.