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ACT. III.
Enter Gentlemen of Prince Antonio, preparing a Banquet.1.
Prince Carlo's not come yet.
2.
My Lord Piracquo
And his son Manuel are expected too.
1.
I wonder at this hasty reconcilement;
We did imagine it as possible
The two Poles should have met, as they together
Friends at a Banquet.
2.
In my opinion, peace, and wine, and musick,
Are more convenient for the naturall body,
Than swords or guns.
1.
And for the politick too,
If men were but so wise to like, and cherish
Their own estates: If I had all the Plate
In the Indies, I'd not give a silver spoon
To have my head cut off.
2.
Why is not the great Duke Roderigo here?
34
Who, the Kings Evil Genius? he was
Invited, but excus'd himself.
2.
Why, there's
A Statesman, that can side with every faction,
And yet most subtly can untwist himself
When he hath wrought the business up to danger.
He lives within a labyrinth, some think
He deals with the devil, and he looks like one,
With a more Holiday face.
1.
But he hath so behav'd himself,
That no man now dare much confide in him.
They are come.
Enter Antonio, Carlo, Piracquo, Manuel.
An.
Don Manuel, the Prince hath made me know
My error, and your worth.
Ma.
He has too much honor'd me,
And you have reason to command for this
The service of my life.
An.
You are not pleasant, Sir—
My Lord Piracquo.
Pi.
Your Highness humble servant.
Car.
All is not
Reconcil'd here, I but suppress a flame,
To give it vent more dangerous.
An.
A free welcom to all;
Sit, and some wine; this Musick is not
Sprightly enough: To his Majesty of Spain—
Pi.
He that doth pledg the Kings health with a murmur
May his next thirst inflame him to drink poyson.
Car.
The King hath a true servant in Piracquo.
Man.
He that is not, had never sense of honor;
And may he perish all but soul, that dares
Harbour a thought disloyall. To your Highness—
An.
Give me another:
This wine looks cheerful as my heart, to drink
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Car.
My turn
Will come, Sir, to be gratefull.
An.
Here my Lord.
Pi.
May swift time perfect by your sacred Loves,
The happiness of both kingdoms.
Man.
May that day,
That seals your glorious Hymen, Sir, be ever
Holy within our Calendar, and beget
A faith, that all things then begun, may prosper.
An.
I thank thee, Manuel.
Car.
Sir, you may
Believe Don Manuel's language, and his heart
Are twins, they bear one date of time, & sense.
You must now give me leave, Sir, to requite
You in part; A health to the King of Portugal;
Let it move this way, Manuel.
Ma.
It shall
With humble thoughts be entertain'd—you honor me.
Pi.
It is but Justice Manuel; for when Spain
Would not acknowledge, nor allow us being,
Our lives were welcome there, till better stars
Sent him, to whose bounty we ow all that's left us.
Car.
No more o'that my Lord, I am very confident,
In any honorable cause, you dare
Express your faith to me; and for your son,
We two have been companions, I dare say,
Our hearts are toucht by one Magnetick virtue,
And such a sympathy, I cannot wish
What's dearest to me, but he flies t'embrace it.
Ma.
I like not this—
Car.
Manuel, begin a health:
We have had my Sisters and the Kings already,
Name your own Mistris for the next.
Ma.
I should conclude her worthy of remembrance, Sir,
If one were first preferr'd. Will your Grace please
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An.
Come, to me.
Ma.
To the white hand of fairest Isabella.
An.
Would she were
Present to thank you Manuel.
Car.
'Tis an affront, as Clara were his own
Allready; ha! civilitie and honor
Prescribe me patience, dares he insult?
When this hath had the ceremony, Manuel,
'T shall be my office to remember Clara;
I must have time to quit the favour, Sir,
Y'ave done my Mistris; in your ear; though I
Was pleased to reconcile you to the Prince,
And order your enlargement, Clara must
Be mine, or one of us be nothing; you
May think on't yet.
Ma.
I have Sir, and to shew
How much I can obey, and that I have not
Intruded like a thief upon your treasure,
And filcht her heart away, 'tis now within
Her choice agen, if you prevail upon
Her kinder thoughts, I can sit down despis'd.
Car.
Thou art my best friend now. Antonio—
Me-thinks we are not pleasant—if she should
Be a little obstinate, it would become,
And speak the bravery of thy soul, and service,
To use some language for me, wo't thou Manuel?
Thou dost not know the sufferings of my soul
For Clara.
Man.
But I pitty 'em.
Car.
'Tis new balsom
Into my wounds; where is the health, Piracquo?
I feel new spirits dancing in my blood,
The health begun to Clara languisheth,
Why should I want it, Gentlemen?
An.
It was nam'd
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Prince Carlo, you forget.
Car.
To Isabella?
Your Graces pardon, I confess my error,
I forgot her indeed, but could your wishes
Translate that Princess hither, she should be
A witness of my honourable thoughts.
Enter Isabella with Ladies.
(Musick.)
What Magick's this? do any know that face?
Pi.
'Tis very like the Princess Isabella.
Ca.
I would she were a Ghost; Antonio,
Ha you got enchantments?
Is.
You may stay, Sir.
Ca.
I love not to converse with spirits.
Ma.
Sir,
This is no shadow.
Car.
It is to me, Sir.
Meet me at Clara's, or be lost to honour.
Exit.
Is.
It was your Counsell brother, that reserv'd me
For this first entertainment. My good Lord
Piracquo, and Don Manuel, you seem not
So much affrighted, as the Prince.
Pi.
A devill
In such a shape could never fright me, Madam;
But persons of your quality shift not so
Much air without a noise; the motion
Of Princes has much rumor to attend it.
Is.
I chose to come so private, I arriv'd
The City but last evening.
Ma.
You have much
Honour'd Madrid.
Is.
Why, how now brother, are
You frighted too?
An.
Yes, and do sweat at soul,
To see our selves neglected.
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Some are not fortified against a sudden accident;
In my desert, and innocence, I can
Interpret nothing yet in my dishonour,
Since joyes have extasies sometimes, and with
Their rapture may transport our senses from us,
As soon as any other passion.
Besides, I heard him wish me here a witness
Of honourable thoughts, he has but now
Remov'd his person, to acquaint the King,
With greater preparation to receive
A Guest so unexpected.
Pi.
But I like not the Prince's humor, you
Had whisperings Manuel I observ'd.
Man.
I shall
Keep nothing Sir in Clouds from you.
An.
Thou sha't direct me Isabella, wee'l to Court
My Lord Piracquo, Manuel.
Is.
How ere
I put a valiant brow on his neglect,
And seem to make a gloss in his defence,
My soul is sick with fear.
An.
Come Isabella.
Pi.
We both attend your grace.
Exit.
Enter Roderigo.
Ro.
My engins want success, Piracquo is
Restor'd to his full being, and his Son
At large, and reconcil'd by Carlo's act.
My Nephew had been better to have wak'd
A sleeping Dragon, than have crost my aims;
He has rescu'd them, but drawn upon his bosome
As many wounds as policy and my
Revenge can make. I was too tame, to strike
At useless Shrubs, that hinder not my prospect;
My thoughts should have no study but a Kingdome;
It is my Heaven, and this young Cedar spread;
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Betray'd his love to Clara, and the King
That hath made up an Idoll to himself
Of honour, is inflam'd to my own wishes;
I know the Prince will be impatient
To hear his Mistris tost by the Kings anger,
And he may leap into some disobedience,
That may be worth my second charge to sink him;
And then Piracquo, Manuel, and the Kingdome
Shall stoop to my devotion; yet I carry
A smiling brow to all, and please the King,
To think I am reconcil'd.
Enter Carlo.
My Nephew—
Car.
Where is the King?
Ro.
Where I left him displeas'd, and was now coming
To Prince Antonio's Lodgings to acquaint you.
Car.
With what?
Ro.
Have you contracted love with Duke Mendoza's
Daughter, the Lady Clara?
Car.
What officious
Tongue hath been bold to mention her?
Ro.
He has
Had some intelligence, and is almost grown
Wild with the strange resentment, I not knowing
What to object against his passion, thus
Surpriz'd, you may believe apply'd what lenitives
My understanding could collect o'th' sudden,
With confidence, when you came to give account,
The accusation would fall off, and he
Appear too credulous against your honour.
Ca.
It were no treason to Castile, my Lord,
If I confest this mighty fact.
Ro.
'Tis justice
If you doe love her honourably, to avow it.
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Isabella is no Angell.
Ro.
Nor is Clara
Of an extraction to digrace a Prince.
Ca.
Though he be my Father, he did not
Beget my Soul; who's with him?
Ro.
I left the Duke Mendoza.
Ca.
Has he made
Complaint o'me? 'tis well; let me preserve
Good Uncle still your loving thoughts; it is
In vain to move my Father now.
Ro.
There is
A way, if you could but dissemble, Sir,
To set your wishes right, and Letters may
Be so contriv'd to Portugall.
Ca.
The Princess
Is here allready Uncle.
Ro.
Isabella?
Ca.
Now with Antonio, and I am lost.
Ro.
Would thou wert never to be found agen.
Ca.
I must doe something.
Ro.
The Princess thus
Affronted may be worth my own ambition.
Calm thoughts attend you Sir.
Exit.
Enter Mendoza.
Me.
I'm glad I came so well off from the King,
His anger made me tremble, I was jealous
Of more discovery, when he nam'd the Prince:
This Treason is a kind of a quotidian,
It leaves a man no intervall; I durst
Not mention Pedro at all, for fear
The King had skill in Cabala; I'm afraid
There's something in the very name, that may
With a small key be open'd to my danger.
Ca.
You are well met my Lord, doe you know me?
Me.
Know you Sir? yes I know you for—
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For what?
Me.
The Prince, I hope; now I'm betray'd for certain,
Yet if he know it, he will not be so furious.
Car.
Are you so much an enemy to your self,
To tell the King?
Me.
I tell the King? alass
I dare not tell it to my Ghostly Father,
I have more regard to you, and my own life,
My Family's undone by it.
Car.
By what Sir?
Me.
Nay if you know not, I know not neither, Sir;
What doe you mean?
Car.
Am not I worthy in your opinion
Your Daughter Clara's love?
Me.
Oh, is that all?
Car.
But you must dote, and tell the King on't.
Me.
I? I disclaim it, by my life and honour.
Car.
I thought you had lov'd me Sir.
Me.
He is a Traitour
That dares accuse me; now I may speak boldly;
My Bloud and Fortune have a little name
I'th' World, to which make an addition of
My Life, my Daughter Clara too, were these
In ballance against you, they would be light,
And their whole loss repaird, to see you happy:
If this be false, a Whirlwind snatch me Sir,
And let me hang in some prodigious Cloud
'Twixt Earth and Heaven.
Car.
This is a bold expression.
Me.
But I must tell you Sir, for your own sake,
I would not have you love my Daughter Clara,
Were she in beauty, person, and all ornaments,
Fortune and Nature could bestow, more excellent
Than Isabella.
Car.
Why an't please your Wisedome?
Me.
Sir in my love to you, and Isabella,
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Nay for my Daughter's sake, and all my hope
Of after-joyes, and for one other reason
Above all these, which I conceal; yet I
Complain'd not to the King.
Car.
Excluding me,
Your Grace can be content, Don Manuel
Should have your Daughter.
Me.
Rather than your Highness,
I know a reason for't.
Car.
I must so too.
Me.
Your Grace shall pardon me at this time.
Car.
I wo'not Sir.
Me.
If you'l needs have it, I have made a vow
I wo'not ask my Daughter blessing Sir;
If you two meet, and marry, she may live
To be a Queen, and then I'll kneel to her,
Which is not in the Oath of my Allegiance.
Car.
The old man raves.
Exit.
Enter King, Maria.
Me.
The King.
Car.
He shall not see me
Till I know all my fate.
Exit.
Ki.
How doe you like the Prince Antonio?
Ma.
Sir, if you allow me freedome—
Ki.
You enjoy it.
Ma.
His Person, Bloud, and expectations, are
High as the wishes of a Queen, and I
With pious gratitude acknowledge all
My duty, and my prayers a just return
To your great care; but give me Sir your pardon,
If I prefer some thoughts that prompt me to
A better choyce.
Ki.
A better choyce? look back
Upon that character your breath but now
43
Ma.
I confirm it;
But when you hear me humbly beg I may
Perform religious duties Sir to Heaven,
You wil think nature hath a place beneath 'em:
If I could find any consent to marriage,
Antonio would prefer himself the first
To my election: but if you were pleas'd—
Ki.
You would be a Nunn?
Ma.
That hath exprest my wishes.
Ki.
So I should
Affront the Prince: how long Maria has
This fit of your Religion held you? ha!
No more, least I suspect this a pretence
To hide your love plac'd otherwise unfitly,
If I find where your heart is wandring—
Ma.
It knows obedience better, and your name,
Than to choose any path leads not to honour.
Ki.
I must direct it then to love Antonio.
My Children are turn'd rebell.
Ma.
Sir I hope
My offer with your leave, to dedicate
My life to prayer, and Virgin-thoughts, will merit
A better name.
Ki.
Your brother Carlo too
Will find himself at loss, if he collect not
Himself, and make our Royall Promise good
To Isabella; while my studies are
To make the Kingdome firm by our alliance
With Portugall, he courts the Lady Clara.
Ma.
I would she were his Bride, so I had Manuel.
Ki.
And you at the same time, and height of both
The Kingdoms expectations, would take a Cloyster,
Is this to pay obedience to a Father,
Whose cares have kept him wake to make you happy?
Ma.
Goodness forbid, that Carlo or Maria
44
Ki.
This is virtue.
Ma.
He is passionate, and Love that makes all Ladies
Apt and ingenious to contrive, cannot
Inspire or help me with an heart to advance
A little hope.
Ki.
It cannot be! Maria,
We are surpriz'd, the Princess Isabella
Is privately arriv'd, and come to Court:
Where is our Son? all should prepare to meet her.
Exe.
Enter Carlo and Clara.
Car.
You may believe I trifle not.
Cla.
The Princess Isabella come?
Car.
Now if but Clara think I honour her,
And instantly accept what I am willing
In presence of the Priest and Heaven to give her,
The Ceremony waits to make all perfect.
Enter Manuell.
Cla.
I dare not Sir.
Car.
Say but you love, and that will teach you valour;
I bring not onely proof of my own loyalty,
Which if examin'd must invite thy faith,
But thy security, a Release from Manuell;
His soul is on my side, and comes to render
In pity of thy wound, a balm into
Thy breath; be gentle Clara.
Cla.
A Release? of what?
Ma.
Of all, thy Promise hath made mine;
Observe me wisely Clara, and distinguish,
As far as honour will permit, how long,
And with what bleeding thoughts the Prince affects thee;
For I have look'd into his soul, and back
Upon the feeble merits of my self,
And therefore giving thy own Vows agen,
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And to that sweetness thy first bosome had,
Remit thy quiet thoughts.
Car.
Th'art just.
Cla.
Pray give
Me leave to understand this mystery,
To give me back all those assurances
Of Love my Promise made, I'll not dispute
For what unworthiness I am neglected.
Ma.
I dare not be so impious.
Cla.
Then here I take
My liberty again.
Ma.
You have it.
Cla.
Now I with safety of my honor, may
Choose where I please.
Ma.
You may.
Cla.
And you desire it;
You have power I must confess to give me from you
Into my own possession, but no title
Now to direct my heart, then though I meet
My own despair, here I give Clara back,
And with new Vows as strong as my Religion,
And Love can make, contract my self agen
To Death, or Manuell.
Car.
A Conspiracy!
Cla.
I have resign'd no interest in him,
And by new choyce—am not my own agen.
Car.
So, so, it is as possible in our destinies
We should enjoy her both, as live together,
When Clara is thy Bride.
Cla.
That sound was tragicall;
Oh call those fatall words agen, and think
That if with safety of my faith I cannot
Meet your desires allready, you will force
My soul to greater distance, by destroying
What most I love; I know you doe but fright me.
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If I be mark'd for your revenge, I dare not
Think you will stain your honour, to contrive
My death ignobly.
[They whisper.
Cl.
What was that he mention'd?
Sir, by your name and blood I charge you hear me,
By these (your rage compels) a Virgins tears,
I can kneel too, take your revenge on me,
'Tis I that have offended, for your sake
He did return the interest I gave him,
But 'twas not in his power to revoke
Himself made mine, nor darc I quit possession.
Car.
I have but tryed thy virtue, Manuel
And I are friends.
Cl.
That was a heavenly language.
Car.
Our swords shall serve to nobler uses, Clara,
I'll not disturb the progress of your Mariage;
And since I see you're fixt so gloriously,
Proceed to your own Hymen, I'll attend you,
And witness all your holy rites.
Cl.
Blest change!
What prayers and duty can reward his goodness?
Car.
I hope you'll not deny for my past service,
Madam, your smile upon me, which shall be
A triumph after all my wounds receiv'd,
And boast a glory next to be your husband;
For I consider now I am unfit.
Farewell, we may salute. Remember, Manuel,
The time and place.
Exit.
Cla.
What was it the Prince whisper'd?
Ma.
Nothing, Madam,
To fright your cheek to paleness.
Cl.
I do tremble.
Ma.
Were all this reconcilement a disguise,
And that he meant revenge, should time and place
Fit his intents, and I should meet his anger,
At this secure thy peace, his honor will
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Lift up a sword 'gainst him, fate let me dye.
Exeunt.
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