University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

[Enter Dutchess, Amidea, Florella, Rodrigo.
The Dutchess drups her Glove as she enters, Rodrigo takes it up and kisses it, presents it to her on his knees, she turns away in anger.
Rod.
Madam, your Glove—

Dutch.
Your sawcy service does offend:
Dutchess gives t'other Glove to Amid. who takes that from Rodrigo which she let fall.
Amidea, fetch me another pair,
Oft have I frown'd on your insolence:
Officious Sycophant, if ever more thou dost presume
The Duke shall know—

Enter Duke, Fidalbo giving him a Paper.
Duke.
What, my Alonisia?

Dutch.
Rodrigo has been faulty, but I forgive him;
The solemnity of the day requires it.

Duke.
This is the second year we have solemniz'd
Our Matrimonial Vows,—
This day I took thee from the Great Duke's hand,
By Royal bounty, given for my Bride.
Why dost though sigh?
Whenever I am talking thus to thee,
Thy Bosome heaves, and thy Cheeks change colour.

Dutch.
Oft have I wonder'd that your Breast, my Lord,
Shou'd not partake the same concern with mine:
My mind labours under many doubts.

Duke.
What are they?—for I long to hear:
[Aside.
Vent them in my bosome,
And I will ease thee of thy burden.

Dutch.
Why from my Infancy, was I bred up
In lonely Convents, and from hence remote,
No Friend or Parent e're appearing there
To own me for their Child, or let me know
Who gave me birth;
Or what my Quality may be,

Duke.
'Tis true!

Dutch.
Then brought to Court, by the Great Dukes command,
And e're I cou'd survey the spacious Roof,
Or know what noise of Pomp and Greatness meant,
In this amaze and change of station,
Given for a Bride, my Lord, to you.

Duke.
'Tis strange—
[aside.
I fear'd her mind had wandrings after Court.

[aside.
Dutch.
And stranger yet, why after Marriage
None shou'd reveal my Birth.
If not to me, to you my Lord.—

Duke.
I press'd the Duke to know that Secret once,
But he reply'd, I've given you a rich Gem,
What need you be inquisitive
From which Cabinet I took it,
Or on what Rock engendred.

Dutch.
'Tis very strange—
This was the occasion of my private sighs.

Duke.
And this the reason why I left the Palace,
And am retir'd with thee, my life's whole blessing,
To these my Villa's—but no more:
Is the Musick ready?

Dutch.
What Paper's that?

Duke.
Fidalbo, my Secretary, presents
The Arguments of some Songs he has compos'd
For this Days Entertainment:
I think them not improper—

Dutch.
Let 'em begin.

[Duke and Dutchess seat themselves in Arbors. Attendants on each side.
Enter Singers and Dancers. Shepherds, Shepherdesses, a Court Lady and a Citizens Daughter.
First, An Anniversary Song on the Dukes Wedding.

A Dance.
Court Lady in praise of a Court Life.
Court L.
Give me the gay and splendid Court,
The lofty Roofs adorn'd with Gold,
Where all the Great and Fair resort,
The Noble and the Bold.
There highest Honours are acquir'd,
Kings are Ador'd, and Beauty is Admir'd.
The Court is a Lady's proper sphere,
O let me live for ever there.

Chor.
O let me live, &c.

The Shepherdess against a Court Life.
1st & 2d Shep.
Oh who wou'd be anothers Slave,
That may herself be free;
And pay that Homage she might have,
Or Bondage take for Liberty?

The Citizen in praise of the City.
Cit.
The Court is but show, and vain tittle tattle,
Then give me the City, where in Coaches we rattle;
Tho not quite so nice, nor modishly drest,
We're rich in our Jewels, and wear of the best.
The Courtiers spend all, and ever are needy,
The Citizen gets, yet still he is greedy.
He ne're boggles at Usury, nor at Extortion,
Tho the Father is damn'd, the Child gets a Portion.
Then happy are we, whose Parents are civil,
For blest is the Child whose Father goes to the Devil.
They truly know the pleasures of life;
There's nothing like being a Citizens Wife.

Chor.
We truly know, &c.

Enter at Page.
Page.

Marquis Alfonso alights from his Chariot, and
sends your Grace word he brings Letters from the Great
Duke.

Duke.
All attend him in.

Dut.
My Lord, I'll retire to another Walk.

Duke.
No Alouisia, stay,
And learn the Message of this Embassie.

Dutc.
I obey.

Duke.
Your Virtue does obey, but your Beauty
Rules the Empire of my heart.
Enter Alfonso, Attendants.
What Honor, most noble Marquis, is this
You do my House and me: You find me out
In Solitude, and close Retreat?

Alfon.
I know your Grace receives no Visitors,
Nor Audience gives to Ceremonious Guests;
The Dukes Commands alone have brought me
Here: These Letters will excuse this Interruption.

Duke.
Obedience to Soveraign Power has no restraint:
You're welcome; How fares the Duke?

Alf.
Well, when he did give these Papers to my trust.
He spoke of you with great Indulgence;
Bid him to read, consider, and answer.

Duke.
This is the Noble Alfonso.
[Speaks to the Dutchess
Lately return'd from his long Travels.
Receive him with the favour of your presence,
Whilst I retire, and read the Duke's Commands.

Alf.
Hah!

[Aside, looking at the Dutchess
Dutc.
His Merits and his Honour claim their due,
And all must Tribute pay to such desert.

Alf.
Astonishment!

Dutch.
What surprize!

Duke.
One hour I borrow for retirement:
What these import I long to know.

Exit Duke and Attendants.

SCENE III.

Dutch.
Marquis Alfonso!

Alf.
Dutchess of Radiano—

Dutch.
What do I see?—

Alf.
What do I feel?

Dutch.
I am all wonder—

Alf.
Amazement all.

Dutch.
Marquis!

Alf.
Dutchess!

[Sighs and breathes short
Dutch.
This Walk's too close, the next has free air,
My Lord.

Alf.
I feel a Calenture, and scarce can breathe.

Exit Alf. and Dutchess
Armid.
Come Florella,
The Dutchess gave the sign to attend at distance.

Flor.
Let us take the next Arbour.

[Exeunt.
Rodrigo.
Rod.
Miserable unhappy Rodrigo,
Whose Love must be the Prologue to his Death:
Ah Dutchess, how does this Heaven of Beauty
Plunge and torment me in a Hell of pain.
Oh that I might but snatch one Flower
From the fair Garden of thy fragrant bosom,
I'd quit my hopes of Paradice.
But I'm doom'd to love when hope is gone:
Then love, be silent, despair, and dye:
Yet I will be the shadow to that bright Sun,
I'll keep that Orb of Beauty still in view,
And with a dying glance behold that Heaven,
Which I must ne're possess.
Oh Rodrigo!

Exit.
Enter Alfonso and Dutchess.
Dutc.
Does then that wandring Stranger, who came to visit
Our lonely Convent, prove to be Alfonso?

Alf.
I was the straggler stopt my Journey there.

Dut.
You are the person, whose surprizing presence
First catch'd my eyes, and then engag'd my heart:
My mind till then was fixt on holy objects:
But strait—
As if Inchantment had surpriz'd my sences,
You drew my thoughts from Heaven to Earth,
And I cou'd only gaze and think of you.

Alf.
'Twas I came there to offer up my vows,
And pay devotion at that holy Shrine:
But oh! the sight of you robb'd the dead Saint
Of all the Reverence I came to pay.
The brightest sure in all the Crystal Orb
Cou'd not excel in form
Nor sooner gain a Votary.
But oh the strange amazement I was in!
When after one days absence, my new Saint
Was thence translated to unknown Regions:
How have I wander'd thro the world e're since,
But till this happy hour cou'd never find.

Dutch.
Unhappy hour, and fatal interview.

Alf.
Our hearts were painting with the same desire,
And in our eyes we mingled Souls.
Love does record our vows, and gives me title
To Alouisia's heart.

Dutch.
Not to my honour.

Alf.
To all, love is no niggard.

Dutch.
I am the Duke's.

Alf.
By Marriage; by former vows thou'rt mine.

Dutch.
The Duke—

Alf.
Shall know nothing.

Dutch.
Heaven—

Alf.
Will be silent.

Dutch.
Fear chills my heart.

Alf.
Let Love warm your bosome—

Dutch.
Break off this eager Conference, my Lord,
Left wandring eyes observe our extasies.

Alf.
That Grove of Jessamins will shade our loves.

Dutch.
No: I'll lead you to yon apartment:
There we will both lament our rigid Fate,
Cancel our Vows, and grieve we met so late.

Exeunt.
Enter Rodrigo.
Rod.
Despairing Love I thought the only plague;
But my too curious Eyes have added now
A new tormenter to my breast:—Jealousie:
How free in their discourse; what amorous looks,
And darting glances, flew like Lightning round:
What pauses, and what starts—I grow mad—
I'm enrag'd—go on, pursue—turn Spy,
See till thou ravest, then break thy heart, and dye.

Exit.
Enter Duke, Reading and pausing on the Great Duke's Letter, with another in his hand Seal'd.
Duke
Reads.
Shewing his own Letter.
Enter Rodrigo.

Rod.
With the Dutchess, busie.

Duke.
Busie!

Rod.
Very busie.

Duke.
Busie? Rodrigo!

Rod.
Yes, shut up together in a close apartment:
Not fire or heat are more incorporate.

Duke.
Be plain and brief: or this stops thy Tongue.

Shews a Dagger.
Rod.
They in conjunction: Your Honour in Eclipse.

Duke.
Impossible—

Rod.
Possible—

Duke.
How know ye?

Rod.
These eyes beheld the first onset,
When with eager embraces, hasty kisses,
And trembling limbs, they strove,
As if half famish'd for the Banquet.

Duke.
Which way comes this discovery?

Rod.
Thro a small vacancy in the Partition,
I cou'd survey the Room all round.

Duke.
Look it be true.

Rod.
Wou'd it were false.

Duke.
Thou hast thrown Lightning into my Soul:
Fierce anger flashes in my eyes,
And I shall break like Thunder from a Cloud,
And blast 'em all to Hell.—Lead to the place.

Exeunt.
Re-enter Duke and Rodrigo in another Apartment. Duke pushes at the door.
Duke.
Here, open the door, Alouisia—Dutchess open the door:
Are you so employ'd, you can't hear?
Open, or I'll break it down this minute.

Dutch.
See, my Lord, 'tis open.
[Dutchess opens the door. Rodrigo rushes in, and returns with Alfonso's Sword.
What sudden rage transports your Grace?

Duke.
Let your Guilty Conscience tell you.
Dutchess, where hides the Adulterer?
Where is the Traytor?

Rod.
I have secur'd his Sword.

Duke.
Have an eye to the Dutchess,

[The Duke presses in.
Dutch.
I see no prospect but death before me:
Fear and guilt wing me for flight:
Tho I save no life, I may get time to pray.

Exit Dutchess, Rodrigo following
Enter Duke with a Pistol in his hand, Alfonso flying him.
Duke.
Inhospitable Traytor—

Alf.
O stay your Revengeful hand!

Dukk.
Dye Alfonso!—Base Instrument of Death,
Snaps a Pistol, throws it away; draws his Sword.
Hast thou fail'd me, this will not.

Alf.
Oh! have Compassion.

Duke.
Compassion! Traytor.

Alf.
Your thoughts may err, you may be deceiv'd.
Mis-inform'd—We may be innocent.

Duke.
No—Death is not more certain than thy crime.

Alf.
Give then a life that merits a thousand deaths:
A life that will be greater punishment,
Than death itself: Ah give me time.

Duke.
Live Alfonso;
[After a pause.
I had not well consider'd—the Great Duke—
Live young Lord—my word secures your Life.
Most generous Duke—behold a Traytor at your feet,
Whose Crimes deserve not only death
But a tormenting violent death
But if you are so God-like to forgive.—

Duke.
As your fault is above excuse
'Tis also above punishment.
Revenge wou'd end in death—
And your death would publish my dishonor—
Which yet may be conceal'd—Close then your Lips,
Let not your breath once whisper't to your soul—
No not to Heaven, in Prayer, and Penitence.

Alf.
No records of your wrongs with me remain,
But my repentant thoughts, that bear
My Crimes to Heaven in hopes of pardon there.

Duke.
The Pistol fail'd—
Live then Alfonso—Fate will have it so—
But henceforth shun all opportunities
To see, or by my Dutchess to be seen.
Do not remember that I had a Wife—
Let all her Crimes and all her Charms
Sleep in Eternal silence.

Alf.
Ever, ever—

Duke.
Rise—be compos'd—
Let not your looks betray either guilt or fear.
Be not abrupt in your departure;
But with due marks of ceremony and respect,
Take leave—withdraw—
But still believe your Life to be a dream.
Methinks I do but dream.
And that I've pardon'd you is but a dream.

Alf.
Sir—

Duke.
No more, your absence, and your silence.

Alf.
I go, am silent, and obey.—

Exit.
Enter Rodrigo.
Duke.
Where is the guilty Dutchess?

Rod.
In her private Oratory, at prayers.

Duke.
Good Heaven—
With what Conscience can a Woman pray!
What made you, Rodrigo, so officious?

Rod.
—Zeal for your Honor.

Duke.
Had you been silent I had not known my dishonor.
And not knowing it had still been happy.

Rod.
If silent, I had been a Traytor.

Duke.
The adultery of a Wife not known,
The Husband loses not his peace.

Rod.
You had slept then in polluted Arms.

Duke.
You force a fatal necessity:
Alfonso or my Wife must dye.

Rod.
Honor requires it.

Duke.
With Alouisia I destroy my life.

Rod.
She is disloyal.

Duke.
But I love her.

Rod.
I've done—

Duke.
What thou can'st ne're undo.
Seal up thy Lips, Rodrigo:
What, thy too officious diligence
Brought to thy knowledge,
Hide in the darkest corner of thy heart:
For if one breath should give it vent, thou dyest.

Rod.
Now I have told ye, my Conscience is quiet,
And I am dumb as death it self.

Duke.
Suspend thy thoughts and follow me.
I'll give directions for an Ambuscade:
The Conduct shall be yours.

Rod.
So,—I have paddled in the Water,
And must now wade thro the Stream.

Duke.
How necessary, but how hateful is a Spy.

Exeunt.