 | The Cardinall |  |
ACT III.
Enter Valeria, Celinda.Valeria.
I did not think Celinda when I prais'd
Alvarez to the Dutchess, that things thus
Would come about, what does your Ladiship
Think of Columbo now? it staggers all
The Court, he should forsake his Mistress, I
Am lost with wonder yet.
Celind.
'Tis very strange
Without a spel; but ther's a fate in love,
I like him ne'r the worse.
Enter two Lords.
1 Lo.
Nothing but mariages, and triumph now.
Val.
What new access of joy, makes you, my Lord,
So pleasant?
1 Lo.
Ther's a Packet come to Court
Columbo hath given the enemy a great,
And glorious defeat, and is already
Preparing to march home.
Cel.
He thriv'd the better for my prayers.
2 Lo.
You have been his great admirer, Madam.
1 Lo.
The King longs to see him.
Val.
This news exalts the Cardinal.
Enter Cardinal.
1 Lo.
He's here,
He appears with discontent, the Mariage
With Count D'Alvarez hath a bitter tast,
And not worn off his palat; but let us leave him.
Ladies.
We'l to the Dutchess.
Exeunt. manet Car.
Card.
He has not woon so much upon the Arragon
As he has lost at home, and his neglect
Of what my studies had contriv'd to adde
More luster to our Family by the access
Of the great Dutchess fortune, cools his triumph,
And makes me wild.
Enter Hernando.
Her.
My good Lord Cardinal.
Car.
You made complaint to th'King about your General.
Her.
Not a complaint my Lord, I did but satisfie
Some questions o'the Kings.
Car.
You see he thrives
Without your personal valour, or advice,
Most grave and learned in the wars.
Her.
My Lord,
I Envy not his fortune.
Car.
'Tis above
Your Malice, and your noise not worth his anger,
'Tis barking gainst the moon.
Her.
More temper would
Car.
The Military thing would shew some spleen;
I'l blow an Army of such Wasps about
The world; go look your sting you left i'th' Camp, Sir.
Enter King, and Lords.
Her.
The King.
Exit.
This may be one day counted for.
K.
All things conspire my Lord to make you fortunate,
Your Nephews glory—
Car.
'Twas your cause and justice
Made him victorious, had he been so valiant
At home, he had had another conquest to
Invite and bid her welcome to new wars.
K.
You must be reconcil'd to providence, my Lord;
I heard you had a controvercy with
The Dutchess, I will have you friends.
Car.
I am not Angry.
K.
For my sake then you shall be pleas'd,
And with me grace the Mariage;
A Churchman must shew Charity, and shine
With first example, she's a woman.
Car.
You shall prescribe in all things; Sir, you cannot
Accuse my love, if I still wish my Nephew
Had been so happy to be constant to
Your own, and my election; yet my brain
Cannot reach how this comes about; I know
My Nephew lov'd her with a near affection.
Enter Hernando.
K.
He'l give you fair account at his return.
Colonel, your Letters may be spar'd, the General
Has finish'd, and is coming home.
Her.
I am glad on't, sir; my good Lord Cardinal
'Tis not impossible but some man provok'd,
May have a precious mind to cut your throat.
You shall command me Noble Colonel;
I know you wo'not fail to be at th'wedding.
Her.
'Tis not Columbo that is maried Sir.
Car.
Go teach the postures of the Pike and Musket,
Then dril your Mirmidons into a ditch,
Where sterve, and stink in pickle, you shall find
Me reasonable, you see the King expects me.
Her.
So does the Devill; some desperate hand
May help you on your journey.
Exeunt.
Enter Secretary and Servants.
Sec.
Here this, I this will fit your part: you shall wear the
Slashes because you are a Souldier; here's for the blue
mute.
1
This doublet will never fit me, Pox ont', are these
Breeches good enough for a Prince too? Pedro playes
but a Lord, and he has two laces more in a seam.
Sec.
You must consider Pedro is a foolish Lord, he may
wear what lace he please.
2
Does my beard fit my cloathes well Gentlemen?
Sec.
Pox o'your beard.
3
That will fright away the hair.
1
This fellow plays but a mute, & he is so troublesome,
and talks.
3
Mr. Secretary might have let Iaques play the soldier,
He has a black patch already.
2
By your favour Mr. Secretary, I was ask'd who writ
this play for us.
Sec.
For us? why art thou any more than a blew mute?
2
And by my troth, I said, I thought it was all your own.
Sec.
Away you Coxcomb.
4
Do'st think he has no more wit then to write a Comedy?
my Ladies Chaplain made the Play, though he is
content for the honour and trouble of the business, to
be seen in't.
Did any body see my head Gentlemen 'twas here but
now? I shall have never a head to play my part in.
Sec.
Is thy head gone? 'tis well thy part was not in't,
Look, look about, has not Iaques it?
4
I his head? two'not come on upon my shoulders.
Sec.
Make hast Gentlemen I'l see whether the King has
sup'd; Look every man to his wardrop and his part.
Exit.
2
Is he gone? in my mind a masque had been fitter
for a mariage.
4
Why mute? there was no time for't, and the scenes
Are troublesome.
2
Half a score Deal tack'd together in the clouds,
what's that? a Throne to come down and dance; all the
properties have been paid forty times over, and are in
the Court stock, but the Secretary must have a play to
shew his wit.
4
Did not I tell thee twas the Chaplains? hold your
tongue Mute.
1
Under the Rose and would this cloth of Silver doublet
might never come off agen, if there be any more plot
then you see in the back of my hand.
2
You talk of a plot, I'l not give this for the best Poets
plot in the world and if it be not well carryed.
4
Well said Mute.
3
Ha, ha; Pedro since he put on his doublet, has repeated
but three lines, and he has broke five butt ons.
2
I know not but by this false beard, and here's hair enough
to hang a reasonable honest man, I do not remember
to say a strong line indeed in the whole Comedy;
but when the Chambermaid kisses the Captain.
3
Excellent mute.
5
They have almost sup'd, and I cannot find my head
yet.
4
play in thine own.
5
Thank you for that, so I may have it made a property,
if I have not a head found me, let Mr. Secretary play
my part himself without it.
Enter Secretary.
Sec.
Are you all ready my Masters? the King is coming
through the Gallery, are the women drest?
1
Rogero wants a head.
Sec.
Here with a pox to you, take mine, you a player?
You a puppy-dog is the Musick ready?
Enter Gentleman-Vsher.
Gent.
Gentlemen, it is my Ladies pleasure that you
expect till she call for you, there are a company of Cavaliers
in gallant Equipage newly alighted, have offer'd
to present their Revels in honour of this Hymen; and 'tis
her Graces command, that you be silent till their Entertainment
be over.
1
Gentlemen?
2
Affronted?
5
Mr. Secretary, ther's your head again; a man's a
man; have I broken my sleep to study fifteen lines for
an Ambassador, and after that a Constable, and is it
come to this?
Sec.
Patience Gentlemen, be not so hot, tis but defer'd,
and the play may do well enough cold.
4
If it be not presented, the Chaplain will have the
greatest loss, he loses his wits.
Hoboies.
Sec.
This Musick speaks the King upon entrance; retire,
retire, and grumble not.
Exeunt.
Alv.
With me!
[They Embrace and whisper.
K.
Do you know the Masquers Madam?
Dut.
Not I Sir.
Car.
Ther's one, but that my Nephew is abroad,
And has more soul than thus to Jyg upon
Their Hymenrall night, I should suspect
'Twere he.
[The Masquers lead in Alvarez.
Dut.
Wher's my Lord D'Alvarez?
[Recorders.
K.
Call in the Bridegroom.
Enter Columbo, four Masquers, bring in Alvarez dead, in one of their habits, and having laid him down, Exeunt.
Dut.
What Mistery is this?
Car.
We want the Bridegroom still.
K.
Where is Alvarez
[Columbo points to the body, they unvizard it, & find Alvar. bleeding.
Dut.
Oh 'tis my Lord hee's murder'd.
K.
Who durst commit this horrid act?
Col.
I Sir.
K.
Columbo? ha!
Col.
Yes; Columbo that dares stay
To justifie that act.
Her.
Most barbarous.
Dut.
Oh my dearest Lord!
K.
Our guard seize on them all, this sight doth shake
All that is man within me; poor Alvarez
Is this thy wedding day?
Enter Guard.
Dut.
If you do think there is a heaven or pains,
To punish such black crimes i'th' other world,
As shall become this great assasinate,
You will take off our faith else, and if here
Such innocence must bleed, and you look on,
Poor men that call you Gods on earth, will doubt
To obey your Laws, nay practise to be Devils,
As fearing if such monstrous sins go on
The Saints will not be safe in Heaven.
K.
You shall,
You shall have justice.
Car.
Now to come off were brave.
Enter Servant.
Ser.
The Masquers, Sir, are fled, their horse prepar'd
At gate expected to receive 'em, where
They quickly mounted, coming so like friends
None could suspect their hast, which is secur'd
By advantage of the night.
Col.
I answer for 'em all, 'tis stake enough
For many lives, but if that poniard
Had voice, it would convince they were but all
Spectators of my act; and now if you
Will give your judgments leave, though at the first
Face of this object your cool bloods were frighted,
I can excuse this deed and call it Justice;
An act, your honours, and your office Sir,
Is bound to build a Law upon, for others
To Imitate; I have but took his life,
And punish'd her with mercy, who had both
Conspir'd to kill the soul of all my fame
Read there,—and read an injury as deep
In my dishonour, as the the Devill knew
A Woman had capacity or malice
To execute read there, how you were cozen'd Sir,
Your power affronted, and my faith, her smiles
A jugling witchcraft to betray and make
My love her horse to stalk withall, and catch
Her curled Minion.
Is it possible
The Dutchess could dissemble so, and forfeit
Her modesty with you, and to us all?
Yet I must pity her; my Nephew has
Been too severe, though this affront would call
A dying man from prayers, and turn him Tiger,
There being nothing dearer than our fame,
Which, If a common man, whose blood has no
Ingredient of honour, labour to
Preserve, a Souldier (by his nearest tye
To glory) is above all others, bound
To vindicate; and yet it might have been less bloody.
Her.
Charitable Devill!
K.
Reads.
I Pray, my Lord, release under your hand,
what you dare challenge in my love or person, as a just forfeit
to my self, this act will speak you honorable to my
thoughts, and when you have conquered thus your self, you
may proceed to many victories, and after, with safety of your
fame visit again
The lost Rosaura.
Col.
Flatter'd with great opinion of her faith,
And my desert of her (with thought that she
Who seem'd to weep and chide my easie will
To part with her, could not be guilty of
A treason, or Apostacy so soon,
But rather meant this a device to make
Me expedite the affairs of War) I sent
That paper, which her wickedness not justice,
Applied (what I meant tryall) her divorce;
I lov'd her so, I dare call heaven to witness
I knew not whether I lov'd most; while she,
With him, whose crimson penitence I provok'd,
Conspir'd my everlasting infamy;
Examine but the circumstance.
'Tis clear,
This Match was made at home before she sent
That cunning writ, in hope to take him off,
As knowing his impatient Soul would scorn
To own a blessing came on crutches to him;
It was not well to raise his expectation,
(Had you, Sir, no affront) to ruine him
With so much scandall and contempt.
K.
We have
Too plentifull a circumstance to accuse
You Madam, as the cause of your own sorrows,
But not without an accessary, more
Than young Alvarez.
Car.
Any other instrument?
K.
Yes I am guilty, with her self, and Don
Columbo, though our acts look'd severall waies,
That thought a lover might so soon be ransom'd;
And did exceed the office of a King
To exercise dominion over hearts,
That owe to the prerogative of heaven
Their choice, or Separation; you must therefore,
When you do kneel for Justice, and Revenge,
Madam, consider me a laterall agent
In poor Alvarez Tragedy.
1 Lo.
It was your love to Don Columbo Sir.
Her.
So, so; the King is charm'd; do you observe,
How to acquit Columbo, he would draw
Himself into the plot; Heaven, is this Justice?
Car.
Your Judgment is divine in this.
K.
And yet,
Columbo cannot be secure, and we
Just in his pardon, that durst make so great,
And insolent a breach of Law and Duty.
2. Lo.
Ha, Will he turn agen?
K.
And should we leave
This guilt of blood to Heaven, which cries, and strikes,
Yet here is more to charge Columbo, than
Alvarez blood, and bids me punish it,
Or be no King.
Her.
'Tis come about my Lords.
K.
And If I should forgive
His timeless death, I cannot the offence,
That with such boldness struck at me. Has my
Indulgence to your merits which are great
Made me so cheap, your rage could meet no time
Nor place for your revenge, but where my eys
Must be affrighted, and affronted with
The bloody execution? This contempt
Of Majesty transcends my power to pardon,
And you shall feel my anger Sir.
Her.
Thou shalt have one short prayer more for that.
Col.
Have I i'th' progress of my life
No actions to plead me up deserving,
Against this ceremony?
Car.
Contain your self.
Col.
I must be dumb then; where is honour?
And gratitude of Kings, when they forget
Whose hand secur'd their greatness? take my head off,
Examine then which of your silken Lords,
As I have done, will throw himself on dangers;
Like to a floting Iland move in blood;
And where your great defence calls him to stand
A Bullwark, upon his bold brest to take
In death, that you may live: but Souldiers are
Your valiant fools, whom when your own securities
Are bleeding you can cherish, but when once
Your state and nerves are knit, not thinking when
To use their surgery again, you cast
Them off, and let them hang in dusty armories,
Or make it death to ask for pay.
K.
No more,
In ballance with Alvarez death, which while
Our mercy was to Iudge, had been your safety;
But the affront to us, made greater by
This boldness to upbraid our royall bounty,
Shall tame or make you nothing.
Lor.
Excellent.
Her.
The Cardinal is not pleas'd.
Car.
Humble your self
To th'King.
Col.
And beg my life? let cowards do't
That dare not dy, I'l rather have no head
Than owe it to his Charity.
K.
To th'Castle with him.
Madam, I leave you to your grief, and what
The King can recompence to your tears, or honor
Of your dead Lord, expect.
Dut.
This shews like Iustice.
Exeunt.
| The Cardinall | |