 | The Cardinall |  |
1
ACT I.
Enter two Lords (at one door) Secretary (at the other.)1 Lord.
Who is that?
2 Lo.
The Dutchess Secretary.
1 Lo.
Signior.
Secr.
Your Lordships Servant.
1 Lo.
How does her Grace since she left her mourning
For the young Duke Mendoza, whose timeless death
At Sea, left her a Virgin and a Widdow?
2 Lo.
Shee's now inclining to a second Bride,
When is the day of mighty mariage
To our great Cardinals Nephew, Don Columbo?
Secr.
When they agree; they wo'not steal to Church,
I guess the ceremonies will be loud, and publick.
Your Lordships will excuse me.
Exit.
1 Lo.
When they agree? alas poor Lady, she
Dotes not upon Columbo, when she thinks
Of the young Count D'Alvarez, divorc'd from her
By the Kings power.
2 Lo.
And Counsell of the Cardinal to advance
His Nephew to the Dutchess bed; 'tis not well.
1 Lo.
Take heed, the Cardinal holds intelligence
2
2 Lo.
Death on his purple pride,
He governs all, and yet, Columbo is
A gallant Gentleman.
1 Lo.
The darling of the War, whom Victory
Hath often courted; a man of daring
And mostexalted spirit, pride in him
Dwels like an ornament, where so much honour
Secures his praise.
2 Lo.
This is no argument
He should usurp, and wear Alvarez title
To the fair Dutchess, men of coarser blood
Would not so tamely give this treasure up.
1 Lo.
Although Columbos name is great in war,
Whose glorious art and practice is above
The greatness of Alvarez, yet he cannot
Want soul, in whom alone survives the virtue
Of many noble Ancestors, being the last
Of his great family
2 Lo.
'Tis not safe, you'l say, to wrastle with the King.
1 Lo.
More danger if the Cardinal be displeas'd,
Who sits at helm of State; Count D'Alvarez
Is wiser to obey the stream, than by
Insisting on his privilege to her love,
Put both their fates upon a storm.
2 Lo.
If Wisdom, not inborn Fear make him compose,
I like it; how does the Dutchess bear herself?
1 Lo.
She moves by the rapture of another wheel
That must be obey'd; like some sad passenger,
That looks upon the coast his wishes fly to,
But is transported by an adverse wind, sometimes
A churlish Pilot.
2 Lo.
She has a sweet and noble nature.
1 Lo.
That commends Alvarez, Hymen cannot tie
A knot of two more equall hearts and blood.
3
2 Lo.
Alphonso?
Alph.
My good Lord.
1 Lo.
What great affair
Hath brought you from the confines?
Alp.
Such as will
Be worth your counsells, when the King hath read
My Letters from the Governour; the Arragonians,
Violating their confederate oath and league,
Are now in arms; they have not yet marcht towards us,
But 'tis not safe to expect if we may timely
Prevent Invasion
2 Lo.
Dare they be so insolent?
1 Lo.
This storm I did foresee.
2 Lo.
What have they, but the sweetness of the King,
To make a crime?
1 Lo.
But how appears the Cardinal
At this news?
Alp.
Not pale, although
He knows they have no cause to think him innocent,
As by whose Counsell they were once surpriz'd.
1 Lo.
There is more
Than all our present art can fathome in
This story, and I fear I may conclude,
This flame has breath at home to cherish it;
Ther's treason in some hearts, whose faces are
Smooth to the State.
Alp.
My Lords, I take my leave.
2 Lo.
Your friends good Captain.
Exeunt.
Enter Dutchess, Valeria, Celinda.
Val.
Sweet Madam be less thoughtfull, this obedience
To passion, will destroy the noblest frame
Of beauty that this Kingdom ever boasted.
Cel.
This sadness might become your other habit,
And ceremonious black for him that died;
4
The joys that wait upon the Court, your birth,
And a new Hymen that is coming towards you,
Invite a change.
Dut.
Ladies, I thank you both,
I pray excuse a little melancholy
That is behind, my year of mourning hath not
So cleer'd my account with sorrow, but there may
Some dark thoughts stay, with sad reflections,
Upon my heart for him I lost; even this
New dress, and smiling garment, meant to shew
A peace concluded twixt my grief and me,
Is but a sad remembrance: but I resolve
To entertain more pleasing thoughts, and if
You wish me heartily to smile, you must
Not mention grief, not in advice to leave it;
Such Counsells open but afresh the wounds
Ye would close up; and keep alive the cause,
Whose bleeding you would cure; lets talk of something
That may delight; you two are read in all
The Histories of our Court; tell me Valeria,
Who has thy vote for the most handsome man?
Thus I must counterfeit a peace, when all
Within me is at mutiny.
Val.
I have examin'd
All that are Candidates for the praise of Ladies.
But find—may I speak boldly to your Grace?
And will you not return it in your mirth,
To make me blush?
Dut.
No, no; speak freely.
Val.
I wo' not rack your patience Madam, but
Were I a Princess, I should think Count D'Alvarez
Had sweetness to deserve me from the world.
Dut.
Alvarez! shee's a spy upon my heart.
Val.
Hee's young, and active and compos'd most sweetly.
Dut.
I have seen a face more tempting.
5
It had then
Too much of woman in't, his eys speak movingly
Which may excuse his voice, and lead away
All female pride his captive; His hair Black,
Which naturally falling into curl's—
Dut.
Prethee no more, thou art in love with him.
The man in your esteem Celinda now?
Cel.
Alvarez is (I must confess) a Gentleman
Of handsome composition, but with
His mind (the greater excellence) I think
Another may delight a Lady more,
If man be well considered, that's Columbo,
Now, Madam, voted to be yours.
Dut.
My Torment!
Val.
She affects him not.
Cel.
He has person, and a bravely beyond
All men that I observe.
Val.
He is a Souldier,
A rough-hewn man, and may shew well at distance;
His talk will fright a Lady; War, and grim-
Fac'd-honor are his Mistrisses; he raves
To hear a Lute; Love meant him not his Priest.
Again your pardon Madam; we may talk,
But you have art to choose and crown affection.
Dut.
What is it to be born above these Ladies
And want their freedom? they are not constrain'd,
Nor slav'd by their own greatness, or the Kings;
But let their free hearts look abroad, and choose
By their own eys to love; I must repair
My poor afflicted bosome, and assume
The privilege I was born with; which now prompts me
To tell the King he hath no power nor art
To steer a Lovers Soul.
Enter Secretary.
What says Count D'Alvares?
6
Madam hee'l attend you.
Dut.
Wait you as I directed, when he comes
Acquaint me privately.
Sec.
Madam, I have news,
'Tis now arriv'd the Court, we shall have wars.
Dut.
I find an Army here of killing thoughts.
Sec.
The King has chosen Don Columbo General,
Who is immediately to take his leave.
Dut.
What flood is let into my heart! how far
Is he to go?
Sec.
To Arragon.
Dut.
That's well
At first, he should not want a pilgrimage
To the unknown World, if my thoughts might convey him.
Sec.
Tis not impossible he may go thither.
Dut.
How?
Sec.
To the unknown other World, he goes to fight,
That's in his way, such stories are in nature.
Dut.
Conceal this news.
Sec.
He wo'not be long absent;
The affair will make him swift to kiss your Graces hand.
Dut.
He cannot flie
With too much wing to take his leave; I must
Be admitted to your conference; ye have
Enlarg'd my spirits, they shall droop no more.
Cel.
We are happy, if we may advance one thought
To your Graces pleasure.
Val.
Your ey before was in eclipse, these smiles
Become you Madam.
Dut.
I have not skill to contain my self.
Enter Placentia.
Pla.
The Cardinals Nephew, Madam, Don Columbo.
Dut.
Already? attend him.
Ex. Plac.
Val.
Shall we take our leave?
Dut.
He shall not know Valeria how you prais'd him.
7
If He did, Madam, I should have the confidence
To tell him my free thoughts.
Enter Columbo.
Dut.
My Lord, while I'm in study to requite
The Favour you ha' done me, you increase
My debt to such a sum, still by a new honouring
Your servant, I despair of my own freedom.
Cel.
Madam, he kisseth your white hand, that must
Not surfet in this happiness—and Ladies,
I take your smiles for my encouragement:
I have not long to practise these Court tacticks.
Cel.
He has been taught to kiss.
Dut.
Ther's something, Sir,
Upon your brow I did not read before.
Col.
Does the Character please you Madam?
Dut.
More,
Because it speaks you cheerfull.
Col.
'Tis for such
Access of honour, as must make Columbo
Worth all your love; the King is pleas'd to think
Me fit to lead his Army.
Dut.
How, an Army?
Col.
We must not use the Priest, till I bring home
Another triumph, that now staies for me
To reap it in the purple field of glory.
Dut.
But do you mean to leave me, and expose
Your self to the devouring war? no enemy
Should Divide us; the King is not so cruell.
Col.
The King is honourable, and this grace
More answers my ambition, than his gift
Of thee, and all thy beauty, which I can
Love, as becomes thy Souldier, and fight
She weeps.
To come agen, a conqueror of thee;
Then I must chide this fondnesse.
Enter Secretary.
Sec.
Madam, the King, and my Lord Cardinal.
8
King.
Madam, I come to call a Servant from you,
And strengthen his excuse; the publick cause
Will plead for your consent; at his return
Your mariage shall receive triumphant ceremonies;
Till then you must dispence.
Card.
She appears sad
To part with him, I like it fairly Nephew.
Val.
Is not the General a gallant man?
What Lady would deny him a small courtesie?
Cel.
Thou hast converted me, and I begin
To wish it were no sin.
Val.
Leave that to narrow Consciences.
Cel.
You are pleasant.
Val.
But he would please one better. Do such men
Lie with their Pages?
Cel.
Would'st thou make a shift?
Val.
He is going to a bloody business;
'Tis pity he should dye without some heir;
That Lady were hard-hearted now that would
Not help posterity, for the meer good
O'th' King and Common-wealth.
Cel.
Thou art wild, we may be observ'd.
Dut.
Your will must guide me, happiness and conquest
Be ever waiting on his sword.
Col.
Farewell.
Ex. K. Col. Card Lo.
Dut.
Pray give leave to examine a few thoughts;
Expect me in the Garden.
Ladies
We attend.
Ex. Ladies.
Dut.
This is above all expectation happy;
Forgive me virtue that I have dissembled,
And witness with me, I have not a thought
To tempt or to betray him, but secure
The promise I first made to love and honour.
9
Sec.
The Count D'Alvarez Madam.
Dut.
Admit him,
And let none enterrupt us; how shall I
Behave my looks? the guilt of my neglect,
Which had no seal from hence, will call up blood
To write upon my cheeks the shame and story
In some red Letter.
Enter D'Alvarez.
D'Alv.
Madam, I present
One that was glad to obey your Grace, and come
To know what your commands are.
Dut.
Where I once
Did promise love, a love that had the Power
And office of a Priest to chain my heart
To yours, it were injustice to command.
D'Alv.
But I can look upon you Madam, as
Becomes a servant, with as much humility,
(In tenderness of your honor and great fortune,)
Give up, when you call back your bounty, all that
Was mine, as I had pride to think them favours.
Dut.
Hath love taught thee no more assurance in
Our mutuall vows, thou canst suspect it possible,
I should revoke a promise made to heaven
And thee so soon? this must arise from some
Distrust of thy own Faith.
D'Alv.
Your Graces pardon
To speak with freedom, I am not so old
In cunning to betray, nor young in time
Not to see when, and where I am at loss,
And how to bear my fortune, and my wounds,
Which if I look for health must still bleed inward,
(A hard and desperate condition;)
I am not ignorant your birth and greatness,
10
And jealousie, which to remove, his power
Hath chosen a fit object for your beauty
To shine upon, Columbo his great fvavorite;
I am a man, on whom but late the King
Has pleas'd to cast a beam, which was not meant
To make me proud, but wisely to direct,
And light me to my safety. Oh, Dear Madam!
I will not call more witness of my love
(If you will let me still give it that name)
Than this, that I dare make my self a loser,
And to your will give all my blessings up;
Preserve your greatness and forget a trifle,
That shall at best when you have drawn me up,
But hang about you like a cloud, and dim
The glories you are born to.
Dut.
Misery
Of birth and state! that I could shift into
A meaner blood, or find some art to purge
That part which makes my veins unequall; yet
Those nice distinctions have no place in us,
Ther's but a shadow difference, a title,
Thy stock partakes as much of noble sap
As that which feeds the root of Kings, and he
That writes a Lord, hath all the essence of
Nobility.
D'Alv.
'Tis not a name that makes
Our separation, the Kings displeasure
Hangs a portent to fright us, and the matter
That feeds this exhalation is the Cardinals
Plot to advance his Nephew; then Columbo,
A man made up for some prodigious Act,
Is fit to be considered; in all three
There is no character you fix upon
But has a form of ruine to us both.
Dut.
Then you do look on these with fear.
11
With eys
That should think tears a duty to lament
Your least unkind fate; but my youth dares boldly
Meet all the tyranny o'th' stars, whose black
Malevolence but shoot my single tragedy;
You are above the value of many worlds
Peopled with such as I am.
Dut.
What if Columbo
Engag'd to war, in his hot thirst of honor,
Find out the Way to death?
D'Alv.
Tis possible.
Dut.
Or say, no matter by what art or motive
He gives his title up, and leave me to
My own Election?
D'Alv.
If I then be happy
To have a name within your thought, there can
Be nothing left to crown me with New blessing;
But I dream thus of heaven, and wake to find
My amorous soul a mockery; when the Priest
Shall tie you to another, and the joys
Of mariage leave no thought at leasure to
Look back upon Alvarez, that must wither
For loss of you, yet then I cannot lose
So much of what I was, once in your favour,
But in a sigh pray still you may live happy.
Exit.
Dut.
My Heart is in a mist, some good star smile
Upon my resolution, and direct
Two lovers in their chast embrace to meet;
Columbo's bed contains my winding sheet.
Exit.
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