 | The Doubtfull Heir |  |
ACT. III.
Enter Rodriguez, Ernesto.Ernest.
Though I believ'd her passionate, and like
A Sea, tempestuous in her anger, I
Never thought she would marry him.
Rodri.
She's the Queen,
But with what honor she could quit the Prince,
Who (without treason) did deserve her too,
Comes not within my reach.
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If you consider
He has been valiant for her to great purpose,
And brought a prisoner home, to mount his Gennet:
It was a pretty service.
Rod.
How does he bear it.
Ernest.
He's here you may enquire it.
Enter Leonario (with Letters) and a Servant.
Leon.
Be swift and faithful, Arragon bleeds here,
Nothing but War can right my cause and honor.
Serv.
Expect an army great as your own thoughts
To cut the way to your revenge.
Exit.
Leon.
My Lords Rodriguez and Ernesto.
Ambo.
Your Graces servants.
Leon.
A man may take the benefit of this Garden,
Without a Court offence, you have had the day
Of triumph, and the Queen already teeming,
To bless the Kingdom with an Heir; and yet
You see I walk like a poor Neighbor Prince,
And have my heart still.
Rod.
I am glad you bear it so.
Leon.
Nor have I a meaning
To run my self into despair, or strangle
My better hopes, out of pure melancholy,
I praise the influence of my Stars; there is
A fire in Cupids Quiver, that will scorch
Through armor; and what's womans flesh and blood
To make resistance, though I did not dance
Upon the marriage night, I wish'd her joyes
I'th' morning.
Ernest.
Her heart shew'd she was pleas'd
With what she had done; she was as active as
The air before she went to Bed.
Rod.
But I
Observ'd a declination in the King,
And as the night approach'd which should have more
Inlarg'd his mirth, he grew more melancholy.
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Strange! And such a Bride that took him from
So great a loss, to place him in her bosom;
But he was mark'd for the Queens thoughts, and I
By destiny to bring this pair of Pidgeons
Together. I expect no more reward,
The Willow Garland Crowns me, but the Prince
Is here still.
Ernest.
Your highness hath a noble temper.
Rod.
How ere he seem to cover it, his soul
Hath a deep apprehension of the affront.
Let's leave him, our discourse may be displeasing.
We are servants to your Grace.
Exeunt Lords.
Leon.
Y'have honor'd me.
Think I am tame still? let the inconstant Queen
Secure her thoughts, and glory in my silence;
This heart is laboring a revenge.
Enter Captain.
Captain, what news? the Court is merry still?
Cap.
Not altogether so merry as it was hop'd for.
Leon.
Can there be an eclipse already?
Cap.
I have not read the Almanack for this year,
But by my Court Astronomie, I finde
Our Sun and Moon are in no Conjunction;
They take their fit by turns, the King was cold
And full of flegm last night, and they that wait
Neer both, report the Queen this morning look'd
As she had wept.
Leon.
O, tears of joy.
Cap.
Of anger rather, if you saw her sullenness.
She frowns on every man, she turn'd away
One of her servants but this morning for
Presenting her with Verses, that did praise
The King, and wish her fruitful. Her own Page
Was whipt for saying the King lay with the Queen
And might for ought he knew, get her with childe ere morning.
Leon.
Thou art humorous.
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And so are they.
Leon.
This begins well; and what
Do people talk abroad of me, and my
Affront?
Cap.
Why, they say they are sorry for you,
Especially the women.
Leon.
Thou art pleasant.
Cap.
Some that are cheif in counsel, privately
Suspect it but a trick of State; and that
You had discover'd underhand the Queen
Was not—
Leon.
Leave this mirth; let me indear thy care
For my intelligence at Court; I must
Not off so tamely; and expect me here,
After a small dispatch, I have more to impart.
Exit.
Cap.
Your humble creature still Sir. 'Las poor Gent'
Were I as capable to be entertain'd now, in revenge
I would mount all the Madams in the Court,
There should be nothing like a woman in't,
But I would touz and tumble: Who are these?
Enter two Citizens.
1. Cit.
Save you Sir.
Cap.
It may be so.
2. Cit.
Pray Sir take no offence, we have been enquiring
About the Court for two Gentlemen.
Cap.
And cannot your four eies see two Gentlemen
I'th' Court?
1. Cit.
Excuse us Sir, we have seen many, you
May guess we have relation to the Citie Sir,
And would be glad to meet two of our old acquaintances,
A brace of our Tribe,
We hear, translated first out of the Citie,
To be Sons o'th' Sword, are since turn'd Courtiers.
Pray d'ye know 'em?
Enter Lieutenant and Violinda.
Cap.
Yes children of the Gown, but their imployment
Wo not give 'em leave to attend such vulgar conference,
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Like a Haberdasher, that's one of the Maids of Honor,
The Weisel loves a Hens-Nest, and I have setled
This perswasion, That no woman can hold out,
Now he is sworn a servant extraordinary.
1. Cit.
Sir do you know us?
Lieut.
No.
2. Cit.
We were your neighbors, and of the same trade.
Cap.
They'l make him sweat; how the Rogue glotes upon 'em.
1. Cit.
We were of your acquaintance, when you sold Garters.
Lieut.
Go hang your selves.
2 Cit.
And Statute-lace.
Viol.
What are these?
Lieut.
Poor men that had some losses late by fire,
And would become my Clients to procure
Some Letters Patents to beg by; alas, they are half distracted.
1. Cit.
He's proud—I have a parcel of Periwigs
Please you, for old acquaintance, put 'em off for me,
Among some friends of yours at Court, whose skulls
Are but thinly furnish'd; the hair is of a
Gentlewomans spinning.
Cap.
I could love this Citizen, and ow him any money
For his confident abusing him.
Exit Violinda.
He has brib'd her absence with some Ring or Bracelet,
Least she should taste the discovery now.
1. Cit.
Methinks you need not be so proud.
Lieut.
I would have you to know that I am an extraordinary—
Cap.
Proud Coxcomb.
Lieut.
Servant to the Queen. What I was,
I am willing to forget;
What you are, is apparant, I defie the
Dunghil I came from, and it is scandalum
Magnatum to be so saucy.
Exit.
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I will not leave your worship so.
Exit.
Cap.
What will this Rascal do with himself?
Here comes the other Fool to make up the Gemini.
Enter Antient with two Petitions.
Ant.
Hum, I will not know him—Let me see—
The humble Petition of—
2. Cit.
Save you Master—
Ant.
Prethee fellow do not trouble me—
Humbly praying—The Queen shall sign it.
Let me see this other—
Cap.
Who the devil will bring him a Petition,
This Whelp has discovered him, and now would
Pretend himself most busily employ'd
About Petitions to the Queen.
Ant.
Hum, shall daily pray for—Hum.
Cap.
More wit and money a your side; for your
Extraordinary place will not hold out.
2. Cit.
Sir I have a sute to you.
Ant.
Is it Embroidered Sattin Sir, or Scarlet?
Yet if your business do hold weight and consequence,
I may deserve to wear your thankfulness
In Tissue or cloth of Bodkin; Ermines are for Princes.
2. Cit.
Alas my Suite is not worth your wearing.
Ant.
Good faith Sir you must excuse me, at this time
My attendance is expected at the Counsel, come
To my Chamber by five a clock in the morning
Four days hence, and you shall be sure to finde
Me—
Cap.
A sleep.
2. Cit.
But do you not know me?
Ant.
Hum. Yes, I have seen your phisnomy, were you
Never in a conspicuous place, called the Pillorie.
2. Cit.
How, the Pillory?
Cap.
A skirmish, and it be thy will.
2. Cit.
If it were not in the Court Garden,
I would beat out thy brains.
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Take heed, for I am an extraordinary—
2. Citpeaker.
Ratcatcher.
Cap.
You may beat out his brains here as securely Sir,
As if you met him i'th' market; Marry if you do
Not kill him outright, it is but the loss
Of your hand.
2. Cit.
I would it were but the loss of my left hand
To beat one of thy eyes out—Are you an Ancient?
Ant.
Thank you for that, so I might deserve
To be beaten. I am an extraordinary Sir.
Cap.
And deserves to be beaten accordingly.
You may kick him without danger.
2. Cit.
May I?
Enter 1. Citizen kicking the Lieutenant.
Cap.
Look, your friend will shew you a president'
He is acquainted with the Court latitude.
1. Cit.
This is no striking.
Lieut.
I know it is not.
Cap.
They are subtle knaves, and know the Law.
Lieut.
A pox upon 'em, I feel it.
Ant.
At their peril say I, these poor things
Do not believe that we are extraordinary men,
I shall know you another time, I shall.
Cap.
If you had known him now it had been better
For your hanches. Well, I ha' not done with
These whelps yet, till they are undone.
I shall never be sufficiently revenged for their affront
At Court. The Prince commanded me to
Expect his return here, I'l not leave
Enter Rosania.
The Garden. Who's this?
Rosa.
Is perjury no sin? or can Heaven be
So busie or a sleep? Such crimes of men
Pass with impunity? Let this wake your anger:
This; Ferdinand is married, all his vows
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And hurried on the wings of some rude Wind,
Whose pride was to deflour the Spring; Oh Ferdinand,
Couldst thou, whilst yet thy breath was warm with love,
With love of me, call back thy faith, and tear
Thy Heart from mine to plant it in her Bosom?
Capt.
How's this?
Rosa.
What though she be a Queen? could any thirst
Of present title flatter thy Soul from me?
I that left all for thee, and would have calld
Death for thy cause a triumph, now must live
The scorn of my own thoughts, despis'd by thee.
Capt.
Here's a new business; this obscures me quaintly.
Enter Leandro.
Lean.
The King commands you not to leave the Garden.
He espied you from the Gallerie Window, and
Would have you here attend him.
Rosa.
Sir, may I
Without offence, ask if the King be merry?
Leand.
We are scarce yet acquainted with his nature,
But we observe no Jubilie in his eyes,
Nor is the Queen so pleasant as our hopes
Did promise after Marriage.
Rosa.
Pray excuse this boldness.
Leand.
You'l expect his pleasure here?
Exit.
Rosa.
'Tis my ambition once more to see,
And speak with him, and if his language break not
Enter Queen, Leandro.
My Heart, I'l take my leave—the Queen.
Leand.
He is a Servant to whom the King
Was pleas'd to shew affection, when he had
No expectation of your Royall favour.
Que.
I do remember, I observ'd him once
Use more than common passion to this servant,
And if we may build any confidence
Upon a fair aspect, he may deserve it.
34
With melancholy, something tels my spirit
I am too tame; have I advanc'd a thing
Without a name to perch on the same Cloud
With me, and for his sake slighted a Prince,
My Honour, and his Faith, transported with
My folly and his charms of tongue and person?
And dares he pay me with neglect and coldness?
Oh my vext soul! but he shall find I have
A sense of my dishonour; and yet open
Wayes become triviall and poor revengers,
I will doe something that shall sting him to
Repentance; my Lord you now may leave us.
Ex. Leandro.
Sir of what Country are you?
Rosa.
Of Valentia.
Que.
Your name?
Rosa.
Tiberio.
My Parents not ignoble, yet too hasty
I'th' apprehension of Prince Ferdinand;
His Fortune (if I may yet call him so)
Gave me to be his page, I must confess
My diligence thriv'd so well since I came to him,
That he did value me above his servant.
Que.
Yet I've not seen you wait since we were married.
Rosa.
It was no want of dutie Madam, I
Had late some wrastling with a Feaver, that
Compeld me to my Chamber, and disabled me
For fit attendance.
Que.
Why dost weep?
Rosa.
I Madam?
Que.
I see the tears.
Rosa.
They are not sorrow then to see my Master
Possest of so much happiness in your love,
And I am confident, his soul so full
Of Honour and regard to your great virtues
Will seal him worth your gracious favours Madam,
35
Que.
I'l not blame him now
For loving thee; and so much hath thy faith
And innocence prevail'd, thou sha't translate
Thy service, and be mine, he shall consent.
Ros.
I am to both most humble.
Que.
Prethee tell me,
Making so much of thee, he do's impart
Sometimes the secrets of his bosom to thee.
Tell me what fault he has, for thou know'st all.
Rosa.
'Las Madam I know none,
Or if I did, it ill became the trust
And dutie of a servant to reveal 'em
Que.
Thou wer't his bed-fellow?
Ros.
Gracious Madam—
Que.
Do's he not wanton in the night, and talk
Of Mistresses.
Ros.
By truth not to me Madam.
Que.
Dissemble not
I know he has a Mistress.
Rosa.
If love were ever so unkind to him—
Que.
Unkind? why I'st a sin to love? I shall
Suspect thy Youth has not been free, thy looks
Betray some seeds of Love.
Rosa.
By all that's good
I never was in love but with my Master.
Capt.
Good.
Que.
He is not worth it.
Rosa.
Madam.
Que.
Be wise, and govern well thy hopes. I'l help
Thee to a Mistress; th'ast no Mistress yet?
Rosa.
But you self Madam.
Que.
It shall be no other.
Thy Master is ingratefull.
Ros.
Goodness aid him.
Que.
And wisdom thee, thou art a pretty youth,
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Be faithfull and obey.
Rosa.
In all things Madam
That shall become your creature.
Que.
'Tis not safe
To play with a Queens favours, you shall wait
Neer us, forget thy Master, and be happy.
Exit.
Ros.
What clue can guide me in this Labyrinth?
I would when I had lost Ferdinands Heart
I had lost my understanding. She returns.
Enter Queen.
Que.
The King is comming this way; now be free,
Thou sha't have reason afterwards to bless
Thy fate, this cannot chose but vex him.
The Queen is pleasant with Ros.
Enter Ferdinand.
Fer.
The Queen so pleasant? she has lost her sullenness,
Playes with his Hair, and smiles.
Ros.
Madam, the King
Observes us.
Ferd.
Stroaks his cheek too, she does want
A Ganimede; my poor Rosania
Art thou the path she walks on to revenge,
All is not well within her Heart, but mine
Sinks with the heavy pressure—she is gone.
Exit Queen.
The Queen does grace you much Tiberio,
Those favours are not common.
Rosa.
She is pleas'd
For your sake Sir to cast some smile upon me;
I know 'twas your request she should be kind,
To keep my Heart a live.
Ferd.
Th'art not discover'd.
Ros.
Did not you discourse
My story to her?
Ferd.
I?
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Take heed, yet this
Will adde but a thin Feather to the scale
Of my misfortune, she knows all, and in
The pittie of my sufferings sayes you are
Not worth my love, and calls you most ingratefull
Ferd.
We are both lost, till now there was some hope
How to repair thy sorrow.
Rosa.
Do not mock me;
'Tis a worse tyranny than to kill, to laugh
At what you have made wretched, 'tis as possible
To call past ages back.
Ferd.
Take heed Rosania,
And be not Judge of what thou know'st not, dearest.
Rosa.
I know too much.
Ferd.
That I am Married.
Rosa.
Ther's no truth in Man.
Ferd.
You are too rash; for there is truth in me,
In Ferdinand, though in thy thoughts held black
And staind prodigiously with breach of faith,
I have not broke my vow, do not compell me
By thy unbelief to do a Sin I hate
As much as I love thee.
Rosa.
Have you a Soul?
Ferd.
Yes, and thy Eye shall read it, be but calm,
That Soul, thou once didst love, white with his first
Simplicity and faith; I wo'not urge
In my excuse the beautie of the Queen
Enough to melt a Scythian into love,
But call to mind my dear Rosania,
And do but put upon thee Ferdinand
So late forgotten by his Stars, a prisoner,
Slav'd like a villain at the bar, expecting
At every breath his sentence, nay admit
Rosania, the best part of his Soul
Stood like a weeping fountain to take leave
Of what she never must salute agen:
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And save Rosania, wouldst thou scorn the breath
Of mercy, that did Court thee from the Lips
Of a great Queen? couldst thou love Rosania,
If thou wert Ferdinand to lose thy self?
Whom she would follow in a stream of tears,
And when she had made an iland of thy tomb,
Striving to swim to thee, she could not choose,
But drown her self in her own waves. I prethee
Take reason to thee, and when th'ast consider'd—
Rosa.
Perswade me I am not Rosania,
And I will say 'tis virtue and that yet
Your heart may grow with mine; is not the Queen
Possest of that which should have been my title,
A Wife to Ferdinand?
Ferd.
'Tis confest the world
Doth think it so, I did consent to ceremony.
Ros.
Call you injoying of the Queen but ceremony?
Ferd.
Pause there, and if thou hast but so much charity
To think I dare not blaspheme Heaven, I'l call
That, and the Angels boldly to my witness,
The Queen's to me a stranger yet.
Ros.
A miracle.
Ferd.
Retain but love, as thou preserv'st thy sweetness,
And that will teach thee to believe that Ferdinand,
How ere saluted King is still thy subject,
And though her Husband, in my faith to thee
The Marriage-Bed hath still our Virgin sheets;
A Brother might embrace a Sister, with
The heat I brought; that this is truth, the power
And name I have, shall only serve to make
Our flight secure into another Kingdom,
And when I part with these new shining glories,
Thy faith will be confirm'd, and thou acknowledge
I ventur'd much to keep my Heart thy servant.
Ros.
I know not what to say; is not the Queen
Displeas'd?
39
She is, but cunningly disguiseth
Her passion to the World; but I forgot
What must inlarge my fears of her revenge
If thou be known Rosania.
Ros.
Lose that fear,
I am still safe, and now I see the cause
Makes her repent her favours, and thy greatness;
Forgive me Ferdinand, and yet I know not,
All is not well ther's poyson in this Balsom
Prepar'd for thee.
Ferd.
From whom?
Ros.
Rosania.
Ferd.
When she shall but consent to have me dye,
She shall not trouble poyson to send off
My despis'd life, my soul in just obedience
To her command will take a cheerfull flight
In hope to serve her in the other World.
Ros.
You shall know more hereafter, and let this
Secure your thoughts, she yet beleeves me what
This shape presents, but without wise prevention,
I fear I shall not live too long conceal'd;
I dare not say her honour is a bleeding,
But a Queen thus distasted may not find
That Ice within her bloud; we are interrupted.
Enter Rodriguez.
Rodri.
Your pardon Sir; 'tis the Queens pleasure
This Gentleman attend her in the Gallery.
Ferd.
He shall wait her commands—
Ex. Rodri.
I know not what to counsell, 'tis not safe
Sweet to neglect her, yet my fears of some
Ill fate, are round about me like a mist,
And dark my understanding; let a kiss
And silence teach our souls some new discourse.
Capt.
Why here's a volume of Intelligence
40
But seek him out immediatly; disguises?
King by your leave, I shall untruss your Mistress.
Ex.
Rosa.
I know not what I feel, nor what to fear,
If love e'r meant a Tragedie; 'tis here.
Ferd.
If we ne'r meet agen, one more salute
Shall fortifie our lives by joyning breath,
Nor shall our last hard fate deny us this,
To change our faithfull Souls at our last kiss.
Exeunt severally.
| The Doubtfull Heir | |