University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Violenzia's Room in the Palace.
Enter Violenzia alone.
Vio.
Cornelius is gone ere I can see him.
I met the old Malgodin there; his eyes
Did frighten me. Enter Page.

Well, boy, what fresh grief now?

Page.
Madam, the prince asks leave to speak with you.

Vio.
Who's that?

Page.
The King's young brother.

Vio.
The King's again!
Tell him, I dare not, cannot if I dare,
Deny him entrance. Did it stand with me,
I have no dearer wish than privacy.

[Exit Page.
Enter Haveloc.
Hav.
Pardon me that I break upon your quiet,
In spite of your dissuasion; but a matter
Lies in my hand that touches you so nearly,
And I have such scant chance of speech with you,
That I will rather brook to be called rude
Than do you wrong by courtesy.

Vio.
Alas, sir,
It is the fashion of your brother's court
To do us wrong by courtesy.

Hav.
Do you know me?

Vio.
By report, for one that holds the secondrank here
With dignity unblemished, and whose young years
Ne'er showed the bud of vice yet. But report
Lies mostly; and when gods drop from their height,
We think no mortals steadfast.

Hav.
I am grieved
If any act of mine have lodged distrust
Where now I seek belief.

Vio.
There's no such act, sir.
Yet here's a letter, penned to break the heart
Of childlike confidence.

Hav.
Believe me thus far,
I honour you; and trust me when I tell you
There's danger near you.

Vio.
He who came to tell me
There was no danger, would bring fresher news:
Tell me I breathe.

Hav.
I say it's imminent.
Put by these false suspicions, and be bold
Rather to leap at safety, though in the dark,
Than chain yourself to ill. The King, my brother,
Plans something that by his brow should seem unusual.
He swears to break that virtue which you hold
(And which hold ever!); and that hell-souled wretch,
Malgodin, drives him past all bar of pity.
I bid you fly!

Vio.
Whither? and when? and how?

Hav.
Whither, you best know. When, when best you may.
On you the doors are fast; but this my ring
Will open all that's locked.

Vio.
An hour ago,
If you had given me this, I would have blessed you,
And called you my deliverer.

Hav.
And now?

Vio.
Oh, now, the open way I so much longed for
Leads nowhere. Oh no! no! I dare not see him,
For being moved he might be terrible.
Before I loved, I feared him.

Hav.
Go to your brothers.

Vio.
Alas! why, if my Ethel could believe
The miserable stories that are vented,
What will a brother's quick suspicious ear
Not give a welcome to! No, well I knew
To them I must not flee. But I believed
There was one place of refuge in the world—
One arm, pressed in whose loving sanctuary,
I might defy the malice of a King,
And passionate brothers' rage; and one true heart,
Upon whose roof malignant slanders would
Beat impotent.

Hav.
Felborg believes you false?

Vio.
Ah! woe the day that I must say he does.
Whither, then, can I flee?

Hav.
He is not noble!

Vio.
How, sir!

Hav.
I say that it discredits him,
Upon mere rumour to believe you false.

Vio.
Well?

Hav.
I'll visit him, and make your peace with him.

Vio.
No, pardon me; I'll have no go-betweens.
I'll write to him, and as I hear from him
Perhaps go to him.

Hav.
Cornelius will carry it.

Vio.
Cornelius is gone.

Hav.
Well, let me have it;
I'll see it well delivered. To your Ethel
I promised to assist you in your needs;
Indeed they are come now. Therefore be careful,
And scruple not to use me. I am honest.
Longer I dare not stay; therefore, good night.

Vio.
Good night, my lord, and for your courtesy
Take my best thanks.
[Exit Haveloc.
I'll cut this babbling tongue out!
Must I complain to every silken boy
That gives soft words; and speak so of my Ethel
That he shall dare to say he is not noble?
Shame on my shrewishness! Come, I'll be patient,
And write to him. A little biding time,
And I dare swear all will be well again.

[Exit.