 | The Magic Picture |  |
SCENE V.
Enter EUGENIUS and BAPTISTA.BAPTISTA.
I'm glad you're so convinc'd, for she is true,
Or art and Nature both are leagued against us.
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Fool that I was to doubt—I know she's constant,
And in my loving ne'er look'd so fair.
[Looks at the picture.
In short, Baptista, I've a vision seen
This morning, makes it plain; I never was
In such security as at this instant.
As soon as the Queen appears
Observe th' encounter.
Enter HONORIA, EUBULUS, LADISLAUS, FERDINAND, and Attendant behind.
BAPTISTA.
She is already
Enter'd the lists.
EUGENIUS.
And I prepar'd to meet her.
BAPTISTA.
I know my duty.
[Going.
HONORIA.
Not so; you may stay now
As a witness of our contract.
BAPTISTA.
I obey
In all things, Madam.
HONORIA.
Where's that reverence
Or rather superstitious adoration
Which, captive-like, to my triumphant beauty
You paid last night? No humble knee! nor sign
Of vassal duty? then you freely swore
Your certain loss of life, in the King's anger,
Was far too mean a price to buy my favor;
And, that false glow-worm fire of constancy
To your wife, extinguish'd by a brighter light
Shot from our eyes.
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I do remember.
I once saw such a woman.
HONORIA.
Ha!
EUGENIUS.
And then
She did appear a most magnificent Queen;
And what's more, virtuous, tho' somewhat shaded
With pride and self opinion.
EUBULUS.
Call you this courtship?
EUGENIUS.
And she was happy in a royal husband,
Whom envy could not tax, unless it were
For his too much indulgence to her humour.
EUBULUS.
Pray, Sir, observe that touch, 'tis to the purpose.
EUGENIUS.
You yet retain
Some part of her angelic form, but when
Envy to the beauty of another woman
(One she had never seen but in this picture)
Had spread infection thro' her veins.
HONORIA.
I like not this!
[Aside.
EUGENIUS.
Desire in all th' enticements it could steal
From majesty, however disguis'd, had took
Sure footing in the kingdom of her heart,
Once the throne of chastity—how in a moment
All that was gracious, great, and glorious,
Like seeming shadows wanting real substance,
Vanish'd.
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How his reasoning works upon me.
EUGENIUS.
Retire into yourself, fair Queen;
There, your own breast is strongly nerv'd by virtue,
Be but as you were; and there is no office
So low to which a man may stoop,
But I will gladly bow to.
But as you play and juggle with a stranger,
Varying your shapes like Thetis, tho' beauties,
Such as are by poet's raptures painted,
Were all in you united, you would pass
Pity'd, perhaps, but not by one regarded!
HONORIA.
I'm disenchanted;
And ever, from this moment, shall despise
The flatterers who've deceiv'd me.
LADISLAUS.
I'm charm'd
With what I've seen and heard!
[They come forward.
HONORIA.
How have I wander'd
Out of the track of honour; and mislead
By the o'erweening pride and flattery
Of fawning sycophants,
Could never meet till now a passenger
That in his charity would
Stay me in my precipice to ruin.
How ill (when you know all)
Have I return'd your goodness to me,
The horror in my thoughts oft turns me marble;
What can I do to shew my deep contrition?
[Kneels to the King.
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Pray you rise.
HONORIA.
Never, till you have forgiv'n and receiv'd
Unto your love and favour, a chang'd woman:
My state and pride turn'd to humility,
Henceforth shall wait on your commands.
LADISLAUS.
All is forgot, and this fair change shall prove
A second and a happier union to us!
HONORIA.
Why did you make me rise, my loving Lord,
Till with a free confession of a crime,
Unknown as yet to you, I ask'd a suit!
LADISLAUS.
Whate'er it be, my lips do thus confirm it.
[Kisses her hand.
HONORIA.
Know then, in envy of this good man's wife,
I did suborn those ready courtly slaves,
Ubaldo and Ricardo, to corrupt her.
EUBULUS.
I marvell'd if the mischief were all out.
HONORIA.
How far I have prevail'd, I'm ignorant:
But my request, good Sir, in fine, is this,
That you, for th' honour of this gallant knight,
Would let us travel thither, the journey
Being but short, to call them home.
LADISLAUS.
This hour
We will put on.
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I, if you please, your royal harbinger.
[Exit.
EUGENIUS.
And I your faithful follower.
LADISLAUS.
I thank you:
Let me infold you in my arms; your service
'Gainst the Turk, compar'd with this, weighs nothing.
EUGENIUS.
I am still your humble soldier.
LADISLAUS.
My true friend.
FERDINAND.
And so you're bound to hold him.
EUBULUS.
Such a plant,
Imported to your kingdom, and here grafted,
Wou'd yield more fruit than all the idle weeds
That suck up your reign of favour.
LADISLAUS.
In my will
I'll not be wanting:—prepare for our journey.
Hence to the winds all doubts and jealous fears,
For now Honoria like herself appears!
[Exeunt.
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