University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

Enter General Columbo, Hernando, two Colonels, Alphonso, two Captains, and other Officers, As at a Councell of War.
Columbo.
I see no face in all this Councell, that
Hath one pale fear upon't though we arriv'd not
So timely to secure the Town, which gives
Our enemy such triumph.

1 Colo.
'Twas betraid

Alp.
The wealth of that one City
Will make the enemy glorious.

1 Colo.
They dare not plunder it.

Alp.
They give fair quarter yet,
They only seal up mens Estates, and keep
Possession for the Cities use, they take up
No wares without security, and he
Whose single credit will not pass, puts in
Two leane comrades, upon whose bonds tis not
Religion to deny 'em.

Colu.
To repair this
With honour Gentlemen?

Her.
My opinion is
To expect a while.

Colu.
Your reason?

Her.
Till their own
Surfet betray 'em, for their Souldier
Bred up with coarse and common bread, will shew
Such appetites on the rich cates they find,
They will spare our swords a victory, when their own
Riot and Luxury destroys 'em.

1 Colo.
That
Will shew our patience too like a fear.
With favour of his excellence I think,
The spoil of Cities takes not off the courage,
But doubles it on Souldiers; besides,
While we have tameness to expect, the noise
Of their success and plenty will encrease
Their Army.

Her.
'Tis considerable, we do not
Exceed in Foot or Horse, our Muster not
'Bove sixteen thousand both; and the Infantry
Raw, and not disciplin'd to act.

Alp.
Their hearts,
But with a brave thought of their Countries honour,
Will teach 'em how to fight, had they not seen
A Sword; but we decline our own too much,
The men are forward in their arms, and take
The use with Avarice of Fame.

[They rise and talk privately.
Colu.
Colonell.
I do suspect you are a coward.

Her.
Sir.

Colu.
Or else a traytor, take your choice, no more,
I calld you to a Councell Sir, of war,
Yet keep your place.

Her.
I have worn other names.

Colu.
Deserve 'em, such
Another were enough to unsoul an Army;
Ignobly talk of patience till they drink
And reel to death? we came to fight and force 'em
To mend their pace; thou hast no honour in thee,
Not enough noble blood to make a blush
For thy tame Eloquence.

Her.
My Lord, I know
My duty to a Generall, yet there are
Some that have known me here; Sir, I desire
To quit my regiment.

Colu.
You shall have licence. Ink and paper.—

Enter with Paper and Standish.
1 Col.
The General's displeas'd.

2 Colo.
How is't Hernando?

Her.
The Generall has found out employment for me,
He is writing Letters back.

Al Cap.
To his Mistress.

Her.
Pray do not trouble me, yet prethee speak,
And flatter not thy friend, dost think I dare
Not draw my sword, and use it, when cause
With honour calls to action?

Al. Colo.
With the most valiant man alive.

Her.
You'l do me some displeasure in your loves,
Pray to your places.

Colu.
So,
Bear those Letters to the King,
It speaks my resolution before
Another Sun decline to charge the enemy.

Her.
A pretty Court way
Of di missing an Officer, I obey; success
Attend your Counsells.

Exit.
Colu.
If here be any dare not look on danger,
And meet it like a man with scorn of death,
I beg his absence, and a cowards fear
Consume him to a ghost.

1 Colo.
None such here.

Colu.
Or if in all your Regiments you find
One man that does not ask to bleed with honour,
Give him a double pay to leave the Army;
Ther's service to be done, will call the spirits
And aid of Men.

1 Colo.
You give us all new flame.

Colu.
I am confirm'd, and you must lose no time;
The Souldier that was took last night, to me
Discover'd their whole strength, and that we have
A party in the town; the River that
Opens the City to the West unguarded;
We must this night use art and resolutions,
We cannot fall ingloriously.

1 Capt.
That voice is every mans.

Enter Souldier, and Secretary With a Letter.
Colu.
What now?

Soul.
Letters.

Colu.
Whence?

Soul.
From the Dutchess.

Colu.
They are welcome;
Meet at my Tent again this evening; yet stay,
Some Wine—The Dutchess health—
See it go round.

Sec.
It wo'not please his Excellence.

1 Colo.
The Dutchess health.

2 Cap.
To me! more wine.

Sec.
The Clouds are gathering, and his eys shoot fire;
Observe what thunder follows.

2 Cap.
The Generall has but ill news, I suspect
The Dutchess sick, or else the King.

1 Cap.
May be the Cardinal.

2 Cap.
His soul has long been look'd for.

Colu.
She dares not be so insolent! it is
The Dutchess hand; how am I shrunk in Fame
To be thus plaid withall? she writes, and counsels,
Under my hand to send her back a free
Resigne of all my interest to her person,
Promise, or love; that ther's no other way
With safety of my honour to revisit her.
The woman is possest with some bold Devil,
And wants an exorcism; or I am grown
A cheap, dull, phlegmatick fool, a Post that's carv'd
I'th' common street, and holding out my forehead
To every scurrill wit to pin disgrace
And libells on't; did you bring this to me Sir?
My thanks shall warm your heart.

[Draws a Pistoll.
Sec.
Hold, hold, my Lord.
I know not what provokes this tempest, but
Her Grace ne'r shew'd more freedom from a storm
When I receiv'd this paper; if you have
A will to do an execution,
Your looks without that engin, Sir, may serve.
I did not like the employment.

Colu.
Ha, had she
No symptome in her eye, or face, of anger
When she gave this in charge?

Sec.
Serene, as I
Have seen the morning rise upon the spring,
No trouble in her breath, but such a wind
As came to kiss and fan the smiling flowers.

Colu.
No Poetry.

Sec.
By all the truth in prose,
By honesty, and your own honour Sir,
I never saw her look more calm, and gentle.

Colu.
I am too passionate, you must forgive me;
I have found it out, the Dutchess loves me dearly,
She exprest a trouble in her when I took
My leave, and chid me with a sullen ey;
'Tis a device to hasten my return;
Love has a thousand arts; I'l answer it,
Beyond her expectation, and put
Her soul to a noble test; your patience Gentlemen;
The Kings health will deserve a sacrifice of Wine.

Sec.
I am glad to see this change, and thank my wit
For my redemption.

1 Col.
Sir. The Souldiers curse on him loves not our Master.

2 Col.
And they curse loud enough to be heard.

2 Cap.
Their curse has the nature of Gunpowder.

Sec.
They do not pray with half the noise.

1 Col.
Our Generall is not well mixt,
He has too great a portion of fire.

2 Col.
His Mistris cool him, her complexion
Carries some phlegm, when they two meet in bed?

2 Cap.
A third may follow.

1 Cap.
'Tis much pity.
The young Duke liv'd not to take the virgin off.

1 Col.
'Twas the Kings act to match two Rabbet suckers.

2 Col.
A common trick of State,
The little great man marries, travells then
Till both grow up; and dies when he should do
The feat; these things are still unlucky
On the male side.

Colv.
This to the Dutchess fair hand.

Sec.
She will think
Time hath no wing, till I return.

Colu.
Gentlemen,
Now each man to his quarter, and encourage
The Souldier; I shall take a pride to know
Your diligence, when I visit all your
Severall commands.

Omnes.
We shall expect,

2 Col.
And move by your directions.

Colu.
Y'are all noble.

Exeunt.
Enter Cardinal, Dutchess, Placentia.
Card.
I shall perform a visit dayly, Madam,
In th'absence of my Nephew, and be happy
If you accept my care.

Dut.
You have honour'd me,
And if your entertainment have not been
Worthy your Graces person, 'tis because
Nothing can reach it in my power; but where
There is no want of zeal, other defect
Is only a fault to exercise your mercy.

Card.
You are bounteous in all; I take my leave;
My fair Neece, shortly, when Columbo has
Purchas'd more honours to prefer his name,
And value to your noble thoughts; mean time
Be confident you have a friend, whose Office,
And favour with the King, shall be effectuall
To serve your Grace.

Dut.
Your own good deeds reward you,
Till mine rise equall to deserve their benefit.
Exit Cardinal.
Leave me a while.
Exit Placen.
Do not I walk upon the teeth of serpents;
And, as I had a charm against their poyson,
Play with their stings, the Cardinal is subtle?
Whom tis not wisdom to incense, till I
Hear to what destinie Columbo leaves me;
May be the greatness of his soul will scorn
To own what comes with murmur, If he can
Interpret me so happily; art come?

Enter Secretary with a Letter.
Sec.
His Excellence salutes your Grace.

Dut.
Thou hast
A malencholy brow; how did he take my Letter?

Sec.
As he would take a blow, with so much sense
Of anger, his whole soul boild in his face,
And such prodigious flame in both his eys
As they'd been th'only seat of fire; and at
Each look a Salamander leaping forth,
Not able to endure the Furnace.

Dut.
Ha! thou dost
Describe him with some horror.

Sec.
Soon as he
Had read again, and understood your meaning,
His rage had shot me with a pistoll, had not
I us'd some soft, and penitentiall language,
To charm the Bullet.

Dut.
Wait at some more distance;
My soul doth bath it self in a cold dew;
Imagin, I am opening of a Tomb,
Thus I throw off the Marble to discover,
What antick posture death presents in this
Pale monument to fright me—
Reads.
Ha? my heart that call'd my blood and spirits, to
Defend it from the invasion of my fears,
Must keep a guard about it still, lest this
Strange and too mighty joy crush it to nothing.
Antonio.

Sec.
Madam.

Dut.
Bid my Steward give thee
Two thousand Ducates; art sure I am awake?

Sec.
I shall be able to resolve you, Madam,
When he has paid the money.

Dut.
Columbo now is noble.
Exit. Dut.

Sec.
This is better than I expected, if my Lady be
Not mad, and live to justifie her bounty.

Exit.
Enter King, Alvarez, Hernando, Lords.
King.
The War is left to him. but we must have
You reconcil'd, if that be all your difference.
His rage flows like a torrent, when he meets
With opposition, leave to wrastle with him,
And his hot blood retreats into a calm,
And then he chides his passion; you shall back
With letters from us.

Her.
Your Commands, are not
To be disputed.

Kin.
Alvarez.

1 Lo.
Lose not
Your self by cool submission, he will find
His error, and the want of such a Souldier.

2 Lo.
Have you seen the Cardinal?

Her.
Not yet.

1 Lo.
He wants no plot—

Her.
The King I must obey;
But let the purple Gownman place his engins
I'th' dark that wounds me.

2 Lo.
Be assur'd
Of what we can to friend you, and the King
Cannot forget your service.

Her.
I am sorry
For that poor Gentleman.

Alvar.
I must confess, Sir,
The Dutchess has been pleas'd to think me worthy
Her favours, and in that degree of honour,
That has oblig'd my life to make the best
Return of service, which is not, with bold
Affiance in her love, to interpose
Against her happiness, and your election;
I love so much her honour, I have quitted
All my desires, yet would not shrink to bleed
Out my warm stock of life, so the last drop
Might benefit her wishes.

Ki.
I shall find
A compensation for this act, Alvarez,
It hath much pleased us.

Enter Dutchess with a Letter, Gentleman Vsher.
Dut.
Sir, you are the King,
And in that sacred title it were sin
To doubt a justice, all that does concern
My essence in this world, and a great part
Of the other bliss, lives in you breath.

Ki.
What intends the Dutchess?

Dut.
That will instruct you, Sir, Columbo has
Upon some better choice, or discontent,
Set my poor soul at freedom.

Ki.
Tis his character—
Reads.
This is strange.

Dut.
Now do an act to make
Your Chronicle belov'd and read for ever.

Ki.
Express your self.

Dut.
Since by Divine infusion,
For tis no art could force the Generall to
This Change, second this justice and bestow
The heart you would have given from me, by
Your strict commands to love Columbo, where
'Twas meant by heaven, and let your breath return
Whom you divorc'd, Alvarez, mine.

Lords.
This is but justice, Sir.

Ki.
It was decreed above,
And since Columbo has releas'd his interest
Which we had wrought him, not without some force
Upon your will I give you your own wishes,
Receive your own Alvarez, when you please
To celebrate your Nuptial, I invite
My self your guest.

Dut.
Eternall blessings Crown you.

Omnes.
And every joy your Mariage

[Exit King, who meets the Cardinal, they confer.
Alvar.
I know not whether I shall wonder most
Or joy to meet this happiness.

Dut.
Now the King hath planted us
Methinks we grow already, and twist our loving souls
Above the wrath of thunder to divide us.

Alv.
Ha? The Cardinal
Has met the King, I do not like this conference;
He looks with anger this way, I expect
A tempest.

Dut.
Take no notice of his presence,
Leave me to meet, and answer it, if the King
Be firm in's Royall word, I fear no lightning;
Expect me in the Garden.

Alv.
I obey,
But fear a shipwrack on the coast.

Exit.
Card.
Madam.

Dut.
My Lord.

Car.
The King speaks of a Letter that has brought
A riddle in't.

Dut.
Tis easy to interpret.

Car.
From my Nephew? may I deserve the favour?

Dut.
He looks as though his eys would fire the paper.
They are a pair of Burning glasses, and
His envious blood doth give'em flame.

Car.
What lethargy could thus unspirit him?
I am all wonder; do not believe Madam,
But that Columbo's love is yet more Sacred,
To honour, and your self, than thus to forfeit
What I have heard him call the glorious wreath
To all his merits, given him by the King,
From whom he took you with more pride than ever
He came from victory; his kisses hang
Yet panting on your lips, and he but now
Exchang'd religious farewell to return,
But with more triumph to be yours.

Dut.
My Lord,
You do believe your Nephews hand was not
Surpriz'd or strain'd to this?

Car.
Strange arts and windings in the world, most dark,
And subtill progresses; who brought this Letter?

Dut.
I enquir'd not his name, I thought it not
Considerable to take such narrow knowledge.

Car.
Desert, and honour urg'd it here, nor can
I blame you to be angry, yet his person
Oblig'd, you should have given a nobler pause,
Before you made your faith and change so violent
From his known worth, I into the arms of one,
How ever fashioned to your amorous wish,
Not equall to his cheapest fame, with all
The gloss of blood and merit.

Dut.
This comparison,
My good Lord Cardinal, I cannot think,
Flows from an even justice, it betrayes
You partiall where your blood runs.

Car.
I fear Madam,
Your own takes two much licence, and will soon,
Fall to the censure of unruly tongues;
Because Alvarez has a softer cheek,
Can like a woman trim his wanton hair,
Spend half a day with looking in the glass
To find a posture to present himself,
And bring more effeminacy than man,
Or honour to your bed; must he supplant him?
Take heed, the common murmur when it catches
The sent of a lost Fame—

Dut.
My Fame Lord Cardinal?
It stands upon an innocence as clear
As the devotions you pay to heaven,
I shall not urge my Lord your soft indulgence
At my next shrift.

Car.
You are a fine Court Lady.

Dut.
And you should be a reverend Churchman.

Car.
One, that if you have not thrown off modesty.
Would counsell you to leave Alvarez.

Dut.
Cause you dare do worse
Than Mariage, must not I be admitted what
The Church and Law allowes me?

Car.
Insolent? then you dare marry him?

Dut.
Dare? Let your contracted flame and malice, with
Columbo's rage higher than that, meet us
When we approach the holy place, clasp'd hand
In hand, wee'l break through all your force and fix
Our sacred vows together there.

Car.
I knew
When with as chast a brow, you promis'd fair
To another; you are no dissembling Lady.

Dut.
Would all your actions had no falser lights
About 'em.

Car.
Ha?

Dut.
The people would not talk and curse so loud.

Car.
I'l have you chid into a blush for this.

Dut.
Begin at home great man, ther's cause enough,
You turn the wrong end of the perspective
Upon your crimes, to drive them to a far,
And lesser sight, but let your eys look right
What giants would your pride and surfeit seem?
How gross your avarice, eating up whole families?
How vast are your corruptions and abuse
Of the Kings ear? at which you hang a pendent,
Not to adorn, but ulcerate, while the honest
Nobility, like pictures in the Arras,
Serve only for Court-Ornament; if they speak,
'Tis when you set their tongues, which you wind up,
Like clocks to strike at the just hour you please;
Leave, leave, my Lord, these usurpations,
And be what you were meant a man to cure,
Not let in Agues to Religion;
Look on the Churches wounds.

Car.
You dare presume
In your rude spleen to me, to abuse the Church?

Dut.
Alas you give false aym, my Lord, 'tis your
Ambition and Scarlet Sins that rob
Her Altar of the glory, and leave wounds
Upon her brow; which fetches grief, and paleness,
Into her cheeks; Making her troubled bosome
Pant with her groanes, and shroud her holy blushes
Within your reverend purples.

Car.
Will you now take breath?

Dut.
In hope, my Lord, you will behold your self.
In a true glass, and see those injust acts
That so deform you, and by timely cure,
Prevent a shame before the short hard men
Do croud and call for justice. I take leave.

Exit.
Car.
This woman has a spirit, that may rise
To tame the Devils, ther's no dealing with
Her angry tongue, 'tis action and revenge
Must calm her fury; were Columbo here,
I could resolve, but Letters shall be sent
To th'Army which may wake him into sense
Of his rash folly, or direct his spirit
Some way to snatch his honour from this flame,
All great men know, The soul of life is fame.

Exit.