 | The Brothers |  |
1
ACT I.
Enter Francisco, Jacinta, Felisarda.Francisco.
I take my leave Jacinta, and cannot wish you
More happiness than you possess.
Jacin.
You must
Dissemble, or it is within your wishes
To make your self, Francisco, mine, which would be
A fair addition to me, in my faith
Of that most noble love you have profest.
Fran.
When you but dare to own me, I am past
The fear of any destiny that can
Enter Don Carlos and Servant
Divide us—but your Father. Your own virtue
Be still your guard. I do not like this watch
Upon our meeting, pretty Felisarda.
Exit
Car.
Tel Signior Francisco I would speak with him
I do not like his frequent visites: though
His birth and generous parts deserve to march
With men of honorable name, I am
Without ambition to sacrifise
My daughter to his pension for life.
Enter Francisco
Fran.
Your pleasure sir?
Car.
Hath hitherto Francisco
Been to affect you in the list of those
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Fra.
I hope no forfeit made
By me, hath lost that good opinion
You plac'd upon me.
Car.
I cannot tell
How you may be transported with desires
Above my thoughts t'allow, I would not have
My silence, and the free access y'have had
To my house, (which still is open to wise guests,)
Betray me, or my Daughter to the mirth
And talk of men i'th' Plassa, My estate
Doth walk upon sound Feet, and though I make
No exception to your blood, or person, sir,
The portion I have fixt upon Jacinta,
Beside the wealth her liberall Aunt bequeath'd her,
Is more than your thin Younger brother's fortune
Should lay a siege, or hope to. I am plain.
Fr.
And something passionate (if I understand you)
Without a cause. I am a gentleman,
With as much sense of honor, as the proudest
Don that doth ride on's foot cloth, and can drop
Gold to the numerous minutes of his age
And let me not be lost for want of that,
Deserves not to be nam'd to fill the ballance
Against true honour—let me tell you sir,
Virtue and blood are weigh'd against themselves,
You cannot know the price of these, when either
Scale is not poiz'd with things of the same nature
Car.
Y'are very right, and therefore I do weigh
My Daughters wealth against your fortunes sir,
I take it they are things in the same specie,
And find it easie to distinguish, yours
Can hold small competition, and by
A consequence that Fathers use t'inferre,
As little hope to equall in affections.
Sir I must tell you I esteem Jacinta
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Whose Birth will intrest him so much in that
Full fortune which your Father now is Lord of,
Your expectations may prompt you look
Without much curiositie for a Bride,
Fran.
I shall believe thy soul is made of Atomes,
That placeth so much happiness in Dust.
aside
Sir, I can quit your Jealousie, my thoughts
Levell beneath your Daughter, and shall be
Happie if you consent I may devote
My applications to Felisarda, your Neece.
Car.
Is it my Neece? I ask your pardon.
Nay then be welcome, and t'encourage you,
Although her Father a poor Gentleman
My brother, by the malice of the sea
And winds, have lost what might have rank'd him even
With some that ride upon their reverend mules,
I'l find a portion for her, if you strike
Affectionate heartes, and joy to call you Nephew.
Pray be not angry, that I take a care
To place my own, where I may see it answerd
With State, as well as Family.
Fran.
You shew
A provident Father. I shall not then
B' indanger'd to your scruple, if I address
My services to her, whose humble fortune,
In the relation to your blood, and nobleness,
Is wealth enough to me?
Car.
I wish it prosper.
Fra.
You have much honor'd me.
Exit,
Car.
That scruple's vanish'd.
These are considerings, with which Parents must
Timely prevent the folly, and the fall
Of Children, apt to lose themselves in shadowes
And gaudy apparitions.
Enter Servant.
Ser.
Your Son
4
Car.
I hope
Philosophy hath by this time tam'd his wildness,
I have been carefull not to feed his riots.
Hee's welcome; my next studie is to choose
A wife for him,
Servant,
With him a Gentleman.
That seems of noble quality.
Enter Luys and Alberto.
Luys.
Your blessing,
Next which 'tvvil be a happiness, if you
Embrace this noble Gentleman Don, Alberto,
To whose affection I have been engag'd.
Alber.
Our studies grew together, and our loves.
Car.
You do an honour to us.
Lu.
If he thrive
Upon his fair intents sir to my Sister,
Whose character he ha's took delight to hear
From me sometimes, it will enlarge our honor.
Car.
He has improved in language—his estate?
Lu.
Six thousand ducats sir per Annum clear
In his possession, beside
The legacie of a Granam when she dyes
That ha's outliv'd 6. cats within their family.
Car.
This tasts again of the old humor, hee's
Not setled yet.
Lu.
Your pardon sir, I cannot
With any patience think of an old woman,
They are agues to my nature, she that lives
To three score is a witch, and fit for fuell
By the Civill law. I hope my mother's well.
Sir I beseech you, be not you mistaken,
I am not what I was, I'm strangely alter'd
From the wild garbe, and can discourse most gravely
Of any thing but old and toothless women.
Do not you think it fit, she should be burn'd sir,
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Consume to dust, and no more left for covering
Than is kept up in one continued Cobweb,
Through which the birds may see her when she creeps
Under a spiders canopie; what think you?
Speak your own conscience.
Car.
A young wife will cure
This angry heat of blood. You are most welcome,
Command my house, and if you can affect
My Daughter, for whose love (as my Son here
Prepares me) you took this paines, I shall
Make equall propositions. I knew
Your Father well, Don Roderigo, who
Gave up his life with honor 'gainst the Moores.
Once more y' are welcome: Son Luys shew
The way to your Sister, and bid her entertain
Your friend with all the love her modesty,
And my commands may prompt her to.
Alber.
You much oblige my services.
Lu.
Remember Don
Conditions, if my Sister and you join
Your coppiholds, I have a life must be
Maintain'd till the old man dye, hang his pension,
Two' not keep me in salads. I'le conduct you.
Exe. Alb. & Luys.
Car.
I like his person well, and his calm gesture
Speakes for his other composition.
The estate is competent, my Daughter is
Obedient, which rich Parents call a blessing,
Whose wisdom is to advance their name, and fortunes.
Enter Don Ramyres
My Son is all my studie now.
My noble Don Ramyres, you look cheerfull.
Ramy.
'Tis a good omen, I ha' buisnese w'ee
Such as cannot despair your entertaiment;
You have a Daughter.
Car.
I would you had one;
6
And by his mariage be most proud to call
Your Daughter mine.
Ramy.
You are next a Prophet, Signior,
And but the Sexes differ, speak my thoughts;
Tis harmony on both sides; to be short
For let our gravities not waste time, and breath
In our affaires, give the Young leave to court
And spin out dayes in amorous circumstance;
My Son Fernando, I need not call him Heir,
His birth concludes it, I would commend
To fair Jacinta: 't can be no dishonour
To your Family to mix with mine.
Car.
Tis an addition
Will add a luster rather to our blood.
Ramy.
Tis my affection to you Daughter, which confirm'd
My observation of her virtue, makes
Me with this tye between 'em; I may safely
Expect you will assure a portion that
His Fortunes will deserve, who must enjoy
What I possess, unless you disaffect
His person, or decline his education,
Which hath not spar'd my coffers to advance him
In the best form of Gentleman.
Car.
I want
Abilities of tongue to answer this
Your freedome, and the bounty of your nature,
Towards my Daughter, and so far am from
Exception to Fernando, there's no Cavalliero
In Spain I wish to thrive so well in her opinion.
Ramy.
Twill be his encouragement,
If he entrench upon no'others interest,
I mean not to except, how well he can
Deserve her nobly from a Rivall, if
Her heart be not contracted, this were to
Engage'em both to loss of Peace, and Honor,
7
Car.
You argue nobly,
She is yet Mistris of her thoughts, and free,
While her Obedience doth keep in trust
Her heart; till I direct it, which shall be
To love, and choose your Son to live within it.
Have I said home?
Ramy.
You have. When they have met
We may conclude the Doury, and confirm
Our mutuall assurances, till then farewel.
Exit.
Car.
I like this well; Ramyres has
A fortune for a Grande. Don Alberto
Must now excuse me, if my vote preferre
Fernando, whom my Daughter must accept
Or forfeit me. The new guest is not warm
In his access, and sha'not feel with what
Soft art, and subtle wayes, I steer her passion;
Yet were Alberto's state ten Maravides
Above Ramyre's, I should place him first.
Fame is an empty noise, Virtue a word
There's not a Jew will lend two Ducate; on.
He is return'd, I must prepare Jacinta.
Exit.
Enter Ramyres and Fernando.
Fer.
I hope my past life hath not sir so ill
Deserv'd, you should be jealous of my duty
When you command, although in things of this
High nature, man being nothing more concern'd,
Next the divine considerations,
Than in the choyce of her that must divide
The joyes and sufferings of his life, a Son
May modestly insist upon the privilege
That Love by his great charter hath conferr'd
On every heart, not to be forc'd, yet I
Freely resign my will, and what men call
Affection, to that object you present me.
Ramyr.
Apply your self then to Don Carlo's daughter
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Full treatie with her Father, who expects
Your visit.
Fer.
Young, fair, rich, and virtuous,
Four excellencies seldom met in one;
She cannot sure want servants, that commands
Under so many titles. I could wish,
(So much I have ambition to be thought
Obedient sir,) she were but one of those.
Ramy.
She is all, and one.
Fer.
My duty were not less
If I forgave my self a happiness
To perfect your commands; sir, I am ready,
To try my fortune.
Ramy.
There is no fear of thy repulse, and when
Thou dost confirm her gain'd to thy affection,
My greatest act, and care of life is over.
Go on and prosper.
Exit
Fer.
He is passionate,
And like the fury of the winds, more loud
By opposition; such a providence
May be mine one day when I am a Father,
And he for whose advance my cares are meant,
Like me, may with a fair and formall shew
Disguise his thoughts too, yet I am to blame,
For my affection to a dream, a thing
With which my eyes only converst, to hazard
A Fathers love, and the rich peace it brings;
Enter Francisco.
I'l uncreate the face I dote upon
And be my self, or—what? my brother?
Now Francisco, you met my father?
Fran.
Yes, and he
Lookes as some newes had much exalted him.
You are not so merry in the face, what Is't?
Ferd.
Nothing.
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You held no controversies with him?
Ferd.
no.
Fran.
I cannot guess he was angry by his smiles;
How did you part?
Ferd.
exceding kindly.
Fran.
What changes your complexion?
Ferd.
Th'art deceived.
Pre'the' how do men look that are in love?
Fran.
Why? as they did before; what alteration
Have you observ'd in me?
Ferd.
You have then a Mistris,
And thrive upon her favours; but thou art
My brother, I'l deliver thee a secret,
I was at St. Sebastians last Sunday
At Vespers.
Fran.
Is it a secret that you went to church?
You need not blush to tell your ghostly Father.
Ferd.
I pre'thee leave thy impertinence; there I saw
So sweet a face, so harmless, so intent
Upon her prayers, it frosted my devotion
To gaze on her, till by degrees I took
Her fair Idea through my covetous eye,
Into my heart, and know not how to ease
It since of the impression.
Fran.
So, proceed.
Fer.
Her eye did seem to labour with a tear,
Which suddenly took birth, but overweigh'd
With it's own swelling, drop'd upon her bosome,
Which by reflexion of her light, appear'd
As nature meant her sorrrw for an ornament;
After her looks grew chearfull, and I saw
A smile shoot gracefull upward from her eyes,
As if they had gain'd a victory o'r grief,
And with it many beames twisted themselves,
Upon whose golden threads the Angells walk
To and again from heaven.
Fran.
I do beleeve
By all these metaphors, you are in love;
I see you have a fancie, but proceed,
10
Ferd.
I have told thee all.
Fran.
This is indeed a vision; you have
But seen her all this while, if I may counsell you
You should proceed, her face is nothing when
You have perus'd the rest.
Ferd.
Tis dangerous.
Fran.
You must excuse me Brother,
There can be no hurt in a handsome woman,
For if her face delight so much, what will
The enjoying of so sweet a pile of beauty?
Ferd.
Thou hast infus'd a confidence, I will
Embrace this counsell, you shall with me Brother,
And see how I behave my self, the Lady
Is not far off.
Fran.
With all my heart, I'e pawn
My life you shall enjoy her; what is she
Of flesh, and blood, that will deny, when she
Is fairly courted? may I know the name
Of this lov'd Mrs? you may clear your thoughts,
I dare have no design to wrong your love.
Ferd.
What think you Brother of the fair Jacinta?
Fran.
Don Carlo's Daughter?
Ferd.
To that happy coast
I now am sayling; we lose time, clap on
More wings thou feather'd God; thou hast put fire
Francisco into my drooping thoughts, and as
They had already bargaind with the wind,
They are aloft, and chide loves lazie motion.
Fran.
A word before you fly; but is Jacinta
Your Mistris then?
Ferd.
The beautifull Jacinta.
Dost think I sha'not prosper? what is she
Of flesh and blood, that can deny, when she
Is fairly courted? add to this my happiness,
That shee's the Mistris, whom, from all her sex
My Father hath made choice of for my courtship;
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And 'twas his last command, I should address
My present visit to her.
Fran.
Very well;
If this be truth, you need not trouble wings
To overtake this Lady, to my knowledge
(I'm serious now) she has bestowd her heart
Vpon a friend, who has already fortified
Himself against the world, that would oppose
His title to't.
Ferd.
From what intelligence
Have you gaind this? her Father knows it not.
Come, these are but subtle pretences scattered
By some, who cunningly thus hope to make
Themselves a victory, by cutting off
More fruitfull expectations, this must
Not disingage me, prithee walk.
Fran.
I can produce my Author, here, Fernando.
And with my blood defend that interest
She gave me, with intent I should preserve it.
Ferd.
How, is she yours Francisco?
Fran.
Mine, if hearts
Have power to make assurance.
Ferd.
Tis some happiness
I have no stranger to oppose, whose high
And stubborn soul would not release this treasure
But make me force it through his blood. Francisco
And Fernando are two rillets from one Spring,
I will not doubt he will resigne, to make
Me fortunate; or should his will be cold
And some close thoughts suggest I had no privilege
By Eldest birth, but came a slie Intruder
Upon his right of love, there is a tye
Of Nature and Obedience to a Father
Will make him give this blessing from his bosom,
And strip his amorous soul of all his wealth
That may Invest my wishes.
12
I read not this
In any of the reverend Casuists;
No inequality being in our blood
The law of nature meant we should be equal;
It was first tyranny, then partiall custome,
Made you more capable of Land. Would you
Be lord of us, because you are first born,
And make our souls your tenants too? when I've
Nam'd you my Elder brother, I exclude
All servitude; Justice that makes me love you
Carries an equall law to both;
Nay I can love you more if I consider you
(Without the chain of blood) a freind, than all
The bonds of nature can enforce me to;
In both relations give me leave to love you
As much as man, but not resign my Mistris.
You ascend higher, and perswade by what
Obedience is owing to a Father,
They give us life, a good Son keepes it for him,
And every drop bled in their cause, a glory;
I can acknowledge this, and sacrifise
Life, Fortunes, a poor recompence to lose
(Were they all multipli'd) to shew my duty;
But these are things may be resign'd, a Mistris
Is not a wealth in ballance with the world,
But much above the poize of all it's happiness,
And equall with our honor, riveted
Into our soul, it leaves her not, when death
Hath shook this body off, but flies with it
More swift, to love it in the other world.
Ferd.
You are very passionate.
Fran.
I am very just,
And you shall find it brother e'r you twine
With my Jacinta, mine, if vowes may give
Possession of each other's soul.
Ferd.
No more
13
Do entertain a treason to divide you;
But I, to satisfie my Father, must
Present my self, and trust me, will so manage
My love to her, as thou shalt have no cause
To Interpret me a rivall. O Francisco
Our loves are of a kindred, for mine is
Devote to Felisarda, to her Cosen
Poor Felisarda.
Fran.
Theodoros Daughter?
Ferd.
We never yet chang'd language, nor doth she
Imagin with what thoughts I honour her;
But here is the distraction, thou canst not
Expect more opposition from Don Carlos,
Than I must from my Father, if he knew
Where I have plac'd my heart.
Fran.
Let us assist
Each other then, till time, and some kind starres
Mature our love.
Ferd.
Let Fathers look at wealth, tis all their Saint:
Hearts are freeborn, and love knows no constraint.
Exeunt.
| The Brothers | |