University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

—A Street in Naples;—the front of Olivia's House, R. H. D. F.
Enter Ludovico and Vicentio, L. H.
Lud.
There is Olivia's house!

Vic.
Thou hast resolved me.
I thank thee for thy counsel, and at once
(Crosses to R. H.)
Speed to its dreadful performance.
(He raps R. H. D. F.)
Enter a Servant, R. H. D. F.
'Bides the lady Olivia in her home?

Serv.
She does, my lord.

[Exit, R. H. D. F.
Vic.
Farewell, Ludovico! thou seest, my friend,
For such I ever hold thee, that I pass
The stream of destiny. Thou sayest, Ludovico,
'Tis necessary for my fame.

Lud.
No less.—
By marrying Olivia you disperse
The noises that abroad did sully you,
Of having given consent to play the cloak
To the king's dalliance.

Vic.
Oh, speak of it
No more, Ludovico—farewell, my friend,
I will obey your counsels.— [Exit into Olivia's house.


Lud.
Fare you well,
My passionate, obsequious instrument,
Whom now I scorn so much, I scarcely let thee
Reach to the dignity of being hated.

Enter the King, L. H. disguised.
King.
My faithful servant, my Ludovico!

Lud.
My prince! I did not hope to meet you here!
What, in this masqued attire, has made you veil
The dazzling brightness of your royalty,
And led you from your palace?

King.
I have ta'en
Concealment's wonted habit, to escape
The hundred eyes of curiosity,
And, wearied with the rotatory course
Of dull unchanging pleasure, sought for thee.
Shall she be mine, Ludovico?

Lud.
My liege,
I marvel not at the impatient throb
Of restless expectation in your heart.
And know, my liege, that not in vain I toil,
To waft you to her bosom, for Vicentio
Renounces her for ever! and but moved
By my wise counsels, hath already prayed
The fair Olivia's hand.

King.
How, my Ludovico,
Didst thou accomplish it?

Lud.
I turned to use
The passion of Olivia; while Evadne traced
A letter to Vicentio, suddenly
The news of his expected coming reached
Her panting breast, and in the rush of joy,
Unfinished on her table did she leave
The page of amorous wishes, which the care
Of unperceived Olivia, haply seized,
And bore unto my hand.—Vicentio's name
Was drowned in hurried vocatives of love,
As thus—“My lord—my life—my soul,”—the which
I made advantage of, and did persuade him
'Twas written to your highness,—and with lights
Caught from the very torch of truest love,
I fired the furies' brands—

King.
My faithful friend!

Lud.
Then with your picture did Olivia work
Suspicion into frenzy—when he came
From your Evadne's house, I threw myself,
As if by fortune, in his path:—I urged
His heated passions to my purposes,
And bade him ask Olivia's hand, to prove
How much he scorned her falsehood.—Even now
He makes his suit, for there Olivia dwells,
And as you came, he entered.

King.
But wherein
Will this promote the crowning of my love?

Lud.
I said Colonna's self should be the first
To lead you to her arms—

King.
Thou didst, Ludovico,
The which perform'd, I'll give thee half my realm.

(Crosses to R. H.)
Lud.
(Aside.)
You shall give all!

King.
Accomplish this, my friend,
Thou art my great Apollo!

Lud.
No, my liege,
You shall be Jove, and in her arms to-night,
Will taste more joys than the Olympian did
In golden showers in Danaë's yielding heart—

King.
Ludovico, thou art as dear to me
As the rich circle of my royalty.
Farewell, Ludovico, I shall expect
Some speedy tidings from thee—fare thee well!
To-night, Ludovico.

[Exit, R. H.
Lud.
To-night, you perish!
Colonna's dagger shall let out your blood,
And lance your wanton, and high-swelling veins.—
That I should stoop to such an infamy!
Evadne here!
Enter Evadne, L. H.
Not for the king, but for myself I mean,
A feast fit for the gods!

Evad.
(With some agitation.)
My Lord Ludovico—

Lud.
The beautiful Evadne!
What would the brightest maid of Italy
Of her poor servant?

Evad.
Sir, may I entreat
Your knowledge where the Count Vicentio
'Bides at this present instant? I have been informed
He 'companied you here.

Lud.
It grieves me sore
He hath done you so much wrong.

Evad.
What may you mean?

Lud.
'Tis talked of in the whispering gallery,
Where envy holds her court:
Who would have thought Vicentio's heart was like
A play-thing stuck with Cupid's lightest plumes
Thus to be tossed from one heart to another?
Or rather, who had thought that you were made
For such abandonment?

Evad.
I scarce can guess—

Lud.
I did not mean to touch so nice a wound.
If you desire to learn where now he 'bides,
I can inform you.

Evad.
Where, Ludovico?

Lud.
Yonder, Evadne, in Olivia's house.

Evad.
Olivia's house? what would he there?

Lud.
You know
Vicentio and Olivia are to-day—

Evad.
My lord?

Lud.
Are to be married—

Evad.
Married, my lord?
Vicentio and Olivia to be married?—

Lud.
I am sorry that it moves you thus—Evadne;
Had I been used as that ingrate, be sure
I ne'er had proved like him—I would not thus
Have flung thee like a poppy from my heart,
A drowsy sleep-provoking flower:—Evadne,
I had not thus deserted you!

[Exit, R. H.
Evad.
Vicentio,
Olivia and Vicentio to be married?
I heard it—yes—I am sure I did—Vicentio!
Olivia to be married!—and Evadne,
Whose heart was made of adoration—
Vicentio in her house? there—underneath
That woman's roof—behind the door that looks
To shut me out from hope.—I will myself—
(Advancing, then checking herself.)
I do not dare to do it—but he could not—
He could not use me thus—he could not.—Ha!

Enter Vicentio, from Olivia's house, R. H. D. F.
Vic.
Evadne here?

Evad.
Would I had been born blind,
Not to behold the fatal evidence
Of my abandonment!—Am I condemned
Even by the ocular proof, to be made sure
That I'm a wretch for ever!—

Vic.
(Advances R. H.)
Does she come
To bate me with reproaches? or does she dare
To think that she can angle me again
To the vile pool wherein she meant to catch me?
I'll pass her with the bitterness of scorn,
Nor seem to know her present to my sight.
(Crosses to L. H. and passes Evadne.)
Now I am at least revenged.

(Going, L. H.)
Evad.
My lord, I pray you—
My lord, I dare entreat—Vicentio—

Vic.
Who calls upon Vicentio? Was it you?
What would you with him, for I bear the name.

Evad.
Sir, I—

Vic.
Go on.—I'll taunt her to the quick.— (Aside.)


Evad.
My lord, I—

Vic.
I pray you speak—I cannot guess
By such wild broken phrase what you would have
Of one who knows you not.

Evad.
Not know me?

Vic.
No—
Let me look in your face—there is indeed
Some faint resemblance to a countenance
Once much familiar to Vicentio's eyes,
But 'tis a shadowy one;—she that I speak of
Was full of virtues as the milky way
Upon a frozen night is thick with stars.
She was as pure as an untasted fountain,
Fresh as an April blossom, kind as love,
And good as infants giving charity!—
Such was Evadne:—fare you well!

Evad.
My lord,
Is't true what I've heard?—

Vic.
What have you heard?

Evad.
Speak—are you to be married—let me hear it—
Thank heav'n I've strength to hear it.

Vic.
I scarce guess
What interest you find in one that deems
Himself a stranger to you.

Evad.
Sir—

Vic.
But if
You are indeed solicitous to learn
Aught that imports me, learn that I to-day
Have asked the fair Olivia's hand, in place of one—

Evad.
You have bedewed with tears, and that henceforth
Will feel no lack of tears, though they may fall
From other eyes than yours.—So then, Vicentio,
Fame did not wrong you.—You are to be married?—

Vic.
To one within whose heart as pure a fire
As in the shrine of Vesta long has burned.
Not the coarse flame of a corrupted heart,
To every worship dedicate alike,
A false perfidious seeming.—

Evad.
I implore you
To spare your accusations.—I am come—

Vic.
Doubtless, to vindicate yourself.—

Evad.
Oh, no!—
An angel now would vainly plead my cause
Within Vincentio's heart—therefore, my lord,
I have no intent to interrupt the rite
That makes that lady yours; but I am come
Thus breathless as you see me—would to heav'n
I could be tearless too!—you will think, perhaps,
That 'gainst the trembling fearfulness I sin,
That best becomes a woman, and that most
Becomes a sad abandoned one.—

Vic.
Evadne—
Evadne, you deceive yourself.

Evad.
I knew
I should encounter this—
But I will endure it—nay, more, my lord,
Hear all the vengeance I intend.—

Vic.
Go on.—

Evad.
May you be happy with that happier maid
That never could have loved you more than I do,
But may deserve you better!—May your days,
Like a long stormless summer, glide away,
And peace and trust be with you!—
And when at last you close your gentle lives,
Blameless as they were blessed, may you fall
Into the grave as softly, as the leaves
Of two sweet roses on an autumn eve,
Beneath the soft sighs of the western wind,
Drop to the earth together!—for myself—
I will but pray— (Sobbing.)
—I will but pray, my lord.

Vic.
(Aside.)
I must begone, else she may soon regain
A mastery o'er my nature.

Evad.
Oh, Vicentio,
I see that I am doomed a trouble to you.
I shall not long be so.
There's but one trouble I shall ever give
To any one again. I will but pray
The maker of the lonely beds of peace
To open one of his deep hollow ones,
Where misery goes to sleep, and let me in;—
If ever you chance to pass beside my grave,
I am sure you'll not refuse a little sigh,
And if my friend, (I still will call her so)
My friend, Olivia, chide you, pr'ythee tell her
Not to be jealous of me in my grave.

Vic.
The picture! in your bosom—near your heart—
There on the very swellings of your breast,
The very shrine of chastity, you raised
A foul and cursed idol!

Evad.
You did not give me time—no—not a moment
To think what villainy was wrought, to make me
So hateful to your eyes.—It is too late,
You are Olivia's, I have no claim to you—
You have renounced me—

Vic.
Come, confess—confess—

Evad.
What then should I confess? that you, that heaven,
That all the world seem to conspire against me,
And that I am accursed.—But let me hold—
I waste me in the selfishness of woe,
While life perchance is periled.—Oh, Vicentio,
Prithee avoid Colonna's sight!

Vic.
Evadne?—
You do not think to frighten me with his name?

Evad.
Vicentio, do not take away from me
All that I've left to love in all the world!
Avoid Colonna's sight to-day.—Vicentio,
Only to-day avoid him,—I will find
Some way to reconcile him to my fate—
I'll lay the blame upon my hapless head!—
Only to-day, Vicentio.

Enter Colonna, R. H. S. E.
Col.
(R. H.)
Ha! my sister!
Where is thy dignity? Where is the pride
Meet for Colonna's sister?—hence!—My lord—

Vic.
(L. H.)
What would you, sir?

Col.
Your life:—you are briefly answered.
Look here, sir.—To this lady you preferred
Your despicable love! Long did you woo,
And when at last by constant adoration,
Her sigh revealed that you were heard, you gained
Her brother's cold assent.—Well then—no more—
For I've no patience to repeat by cause
The wrong that thou hast done her. It has reached
Colonna's ear that you have abandoned her—
It rings thro' Naples, my good lord—now, mark me—
I am her brother—

Vic.
Well—

Evad.
(In centre.)
Forbear! forbear!
I have no injury you should resent
In such a fearful fashion.—I—my brother—
I am sure I never uttered a complaint
Heaved with one sigh, nor shed a single tear.
Look at me, good Colonna!—now, Colonna
Can you discern a sorrow in my face?
I do not weep—I do not—look upon me—
Why I can smile, Colonna.
(Bursts into tears.)
Oh! my brother!—

Col.
You weep, Evadne! but I'll mix your tears
With a false villain's blood.—If you have left
A sense of aught that's noble in you still—

Vic.
My lord, you do mistake, if you have hope
Vicentio's name was e'er designed to be
The cloak of such vile purpose—

Col.
How? explain—
I understand you not.

Evad.
Forbear, Colonna;
Before your face, and in the face of heaven,
I do resign him;—I forgive him,
And may heaven follow my example too!

Col.
But I will not, Evadne.—I shall deal
In briefest phrase with you.—Is't true, my lord,
You have abandoned her?

Vic.
Is't true, my lord,
That to the king—

Col.
The king?

Vic.
And could you think
That I am to be made an instrument
For such a foul advancement? do you think
That I would turn my name into a cloak?—

Evad.
Colonna, my dear brother. Oh, Vicentio!
My love, my life, my—pardon me, my lord,
I had forgot—I have no right to use
Words that were once familiar to my lips:
But, for heaven's sake, I do implore you here—

Col.
Sir, you said something, if I heard aright,
Touching the king;—explain yourself.

Vic.
I will!
I will not wed his mistress!

Evad.
(With reproach.)
Oh, Vicentio!

Col.
Whom mean you, sir?

Vic.
Look there!

Col.
Evadne! ha?

Vic.
Evadne!

Col.
(Crosses to centre, and strikes him with his glove.)
Here's my answer! follow me!
Beyond the city's gates, I shall expect you.

[Exit, L. H.
Evad.
(Clinging to Vicentio, who has his sword drawn, and kneeling to him.)
You shall not stir!

Vic.
If from his heart I poured
A sea of blood, it would not now content me.
Insolent villain! dost thou stay me back?
Away! unloose me!

Evad.
Olivia, hear me—listen to my cry—
It is thy husband's life that now I plead for;
Save, oh, save him!

Vic.
Then must I fling thee from me.—Now I am free,
And swift as lightning on the whirlwind's wings,
I rush to my revenge!

[Exit, L. H.
Evad.
(Who has fallen upon her knees in her struggle with Vicentio.)
Oh! my poor heart!
Choak not, thou struggling spirit, in my breast,
Hear me, Olivia!—Olivia, hear me!

Enter Olivia from her house, M. D.
Oliv.
(R. H.)
Is't Evadne calls
Like one that with a frantic energy
In fire cries out for life?

Evad.
(L. H.)
I cry for life—
Vicentio's life—Colonna's life—Olivia,
I beg thee to preserve him!

Oliv.
Whom dost talk of?

Evad.
You have power o'er him that I no more possess,
Had he e'er loved me as he loves thee now,
I had been stronger when around his neck
I flung me to preserve him.—Oh, my friend!
Colonna, maddened at my miseries,
And I confess that I am miserable,
Hath vowed a horrid vengeance, and even now
He smote Vicentio!

Oliv.
Heaven!

Evad.
I prithee, look not
Misdoubtingly upon me—
Hast thou not wings to save him?

Oliv.
Thou art avenged, Evadne!—To himself
I dare not own it—but to thee reveal
The vileness I have practised.

Evad.
Speak!

Oliv.
In the wild rapturous tremor of thy joy,
I seized advantage of Vicentio's coming,
And placed within thine unsuspecting hand—

Evad.
That horrid image that appeared to fill
My bosom with perdition, and did make me
Unto myself so horrible—'twas you—
It was my friend Olivia!

Oliv.
I myself,
Will to the king, and bid him send his power
To interpose between them—thou, Evadne,
Wilt speak my guilt.

[Exit, R. H.
Evad.
Oh, my Vicentio!
I fly to save and comfort you!

[Exit, L. H.