 | The Court Secret |  |
ACT. II.
Enter King and Roderigo.Ki.
Dares he be so insolent allready? we
Shall humble him.
Ro.
He durst affront me Sir;
And when I urg'd the folly of his pride,
Tell me, he knew himself, and on what strength
He must depend; words of a dangerous consequence.
Ki.
My Son hath been too forward.
Ro.
He affects him strangely.
Ki.
Whose undertaking must not bind beyond
The rule of our own greatness.
16
Your Son is full
Of honourable thoughts, but being young,
May meet with subtle natures, whose oblique
And partial ends want no dissembled forms
Of duty to betray him. This Piracquo
In his experience of the world, hath art,
And can from every accident extract
A cunning use of time, and dispositions;
And 'tis not to be doubted but the man
Practiz'd in storms, and rapine (by which he
Hath drawn a wealth above your treasury)
May find a minute apt for his revenge
Upon your justice—
He that is a Pirate
In the first act of spoyl he makes, doth open
His conscience at sea, and throws the key
Into the waves.
Ki.
He hath acquir'd a mighty wealth.
Ro.
But who can number their undoings and wet eys
That have been rob'd? how many lives and fortunes
Of your own subjects have increas'd the pile
Of his estate and cruelty? think o'that:
And if you can bring nearer thoughts, and look
Upon your self, your present sums are lean,
Compar'd to what did swell your treasury;
Your customs are less numerous for his thefts,
And your great debts and charge upon your crown,
Are call'd upon, but drouzy with their weight,
They make no answer to the kingdoms clamour.
Some King, to whom the waves had sent a wrack
So great upon his shore, would both secure,
And call the timely benefit, a providence.
Ki.
'Tis not too late.
Ro.
Wise Princes that have law & strength about 'em,
Must take all forfeits; he that is too tame
In Soveraignty, makes treason his own judge,
17
Ki.
Let him be sent for streight.
Ro.
To hear him plead?
What Traytor did want reasons of defence?
Command him safe first, see his wealth seal'd up
Against the confiscation; Kings must act,
And not dispute their maxims; I could much
Amaze you, Sir, with other argument
To prove Piracquo's insolence; his son
(And 'tis to be believ'd, in things of consequence
Their counsels often meet) Don Manuel,
Hath been ambitious to court Maria,
Your daughter, Sir.
Ki.
Unsufferable impudence!
Ro.
Antonio too suspects him, and what honor
You can maintain with the Prince, & what danger
It may produce; if this resented, and
Proclam'd, beget a War upon your country—
For Treaties are the immunities of Kings,
Subjects adulterate the Prince's coyn,
Not without high injustice, but he that
Doth play the wanton with his royal promise,
Defaceth his own stamp, and teacheth, by
His violation, others not to trust him.
Enter Antonio and Manuel fighting. Enter Lords.
Ki.
Treason!
Man.
Be fearless, Sir, I am provok'd
Beyond the sufferings of a Gentleman.
Ro.
Where is the guard? no mischief the result
Of such a skirmish?
Ma.
I was not made for servitude, nor must I
Have patience, when the greatest man is in Spain,
Whose title cannot challenge my subjection,
Throws infamy upon me.
18
Do the Kings
Of Spain allow this sawcy privilege
Against a Prince.
Ki.
Not we: To prison with him.
You shall be judge your self, and set the punishment
Upon his insolent act; away with him.
Man.
Not hear me? this is tyranny.
Ro.
Away, d'ee make a cypher of the King?
Manuel guarded off.
Ki.
May we
Entreat to know the circumstance?
An.
I must
Acknowledge, Sir, I had suspicion
Of some attempts by him against my honor,
Which made me first provoke him.
Ki.
Dare he hope
To keep a thought unpunished?
Enter Piracquo.
Pi.
Sir, I met
My Son by your command lead prisoner hence,
It will not unbecome your royall justice,
To let me know his crime, I am no father
To any sin he dares commit against
Your Laws, or person.
Ki.
You came in good time.
Another guard for him.
Pi.
A guard? for what?
Ki.
You shall know that hereafter.
An.
I shall beseech, my cause against Don Manuel
May not involve his innocence; my Lord
Piracquo is full of honor.
1.
The Duke's gone.
2.
Nay he is right, at the wrong end of a cause still.
An.
If they be crimes against your state, I am not
To prescribe your Justice, Sir.
Ki.
Away with him.
19
An.
To me? I have seen this character.
Enter Carlo, Piracquo, Guard.
Car.
Return him at my peril, Sir.
Lord 2.
What do you think of my Lord Piracquo?
Lord 1.
I think he's gone to prison; yet I think
He's here agen, if that be he; for we are
Not sure of any thing at Court. Now, my Lord—
Pi.
Do any of you know, my Lords, wherefore
I am under guard?
1.
Not we.
Pi.
I could not satisfie the Prince's question.
2.
Your sons offence was an affront to th'Prince
Antonio.
Pi.
That was not well; 'twas
Some high provocation made him lose his temper.
1.
They were at it with their swords.
Pi.
No hurt, I hope?
2.
The Prince's feather discompos'd, or so.
Pi.
This was not my fault, Gentlemen.
Car.
Proclame to th'world I'm not your son, take off
Mine and your peoples expectation,
And then 'tis no dishonor; for to be
Believed the Prince at the same time, and one
That dares betray a Gentleman from's Sanctuary,
To be a sacrifice at home, are things
Of inconsistent nature, and destructive.
Charge him with new committed crimes, since I
Gave him my word and honour to secure him,
And there he stands, without an Altar to
Protect him; but far be it from the King,
To make it a new treason to be rich;
It will be thought your avarice to his wealth,
And read in story to your shame for ever,
20
1.
The Prince
Solicites hard; the King inclines.
Ca.
I know
This doth not, Sir, proceed from your own soul,
But some malignant nature, that hath drop'd,
And would infect your ear with wicked counsell;
'Twas some malicious enemy to me,
And to your fame (as well as Don Piracquo
His life and fortune) hath conspir'd to make
Me less than Prince, and you unfit to be
A King, when once men catch at your inconstancie.
For I must pray you to remember, Sir,
I had your royall promise to confirm
My undertaking for his facts at sea,
And give me leave to say, Sir, this dishonorable
Retreat will stagger all your people faith:
A King to break his sacred word, will teach
The great men to be safe without your service;
Who will beleeve your smiles are snares to catch
Their fortunes; and when once the crowd takes sent
Of this, you leave your self no oath to swear by.
2.
The Prince bestirs himself bravely in your cause.
Pi.
I may do something to reward it, one day.
Sir, shall I speak? not in my own defence;
For since I came to Spain, I have not been
Guilty in thought of any breach of duty;
Nor for my son, if youth or ignorance
Have made him erre, my humble knees beseech
My cause may take no royall beam from him,
That now is pleas'd to be my Advocate,
Your son; in whom there's such an active heat
Of honor, better all my blood was scatter'd
Than you should frown upon him. But I know
If I had payd the Duke your brother, Sir,
But fifteen thousand Ducats—
21
Ha? what then?
Pi.
I had bought my peace, and been commended by
His Grace to your full pardon.
1.
Boldly urg'd.
Ca.
Was it his act?
Ki.
We restore thee,
Piracquo, to thy self, and us; and let
Our largest pardon for all past offences
Be ready for our signature; my brother,
I'll promise reconcil'd too: Carlo, thou
Hast but confirm'd our hope, nor did we purpose
This other than a tryal of thy temper,
Thy gratitude, and jealousie of thy honor:
Preserve them still thus, Carlo, nothing wants
To fix our Kingdoms joy, but the compleating
Thy mariage with the Princess Isabella,
Which shall be done by Proxy, when Antonio
Hath made his courtship perfect with thy Sister.
Who saw the Duke Mendoza? send for him;
He doth too much absent himself.
Exe. Manet Carlo.
Car.
By Proxy?
The Duke Mendoza's counsell is too busie
To advance that, and Clara is grown cold,
Or seems so, in her cunning to provoke
My flame; but I must teach her how to meet it.
My father may be wrought to a consent
When things are done; forgive me, Isabella,
My first thoughts cannot on thy beauty wait,
I am not master of my love, or fate.
Exit.
Enter Pedro.
Pe.
Things are not now so desperate, whilst my Lord
Piracquo keeps possession; but if I were
Worthy to advise his Lordship, he should not lose
Much time to settle things, secrets do burn—
22
His grace; now for a fit of jealousie—
I'll be here—
Men.
He's troublesome in my eye, and yet I cannot
Endure him from my sight.
Pe.
That's I.
Me.
Methinks he hath every day a more discovering look,
There's Scaffolds in his face; I shall prevent him,
And send him far enough, with the next Fleet
He goes, the Sea may roar, and crack the Cabbins,
Or he may meet the Calenture; I have heard
Of Hericanoes that have torn up Mountains,
One boysterous enough would strike his Ship
Clean through, a'tother side to the Antipodes,
And that would cure me; all my Art must be
To win him to the Voyage, and not stir
His jealousie; the Knave is apprehensive.
Pe.
Are you good at that?
Exit.
Me.
I doe not like his business with Piracquo,
'Tis for no good, I'll break their correspondence;
Piracquo has been honourable, yet
I doe not much confide in him—he's here;
Enter Pedro.
Come hither Pedro.
Re.
Your Graces Pleasure?
Me.
What consult
Have you with Don Piracquo?
Pe.
Please your Grace,
He hath been fishing, some or other have
Infus'd a scruple, I'll engage my life:
But though he be my Kinsman, and a Lord
I honour, and from whom I have receiv'd
The promise of a Fortune, and a great one,
Yet, I have said little—
23
Hast said any thing?
Pe.
How could I choose Sir? he did squeez me subtly,
But I was wise, and faithfull to your trust,
He knows no more than I, or you—
Me.
Ha?
Pe.
Wou'd wish him Sir, let me alone to be cautious.
Me.
Th'art honest Pedro, and I have been studying
How to encourage and reward thy service,
And I have thought of a preferment for thee.
Pe.
Your Grace was ever bountifull.
Me.
A place
Of honour and command.
Pe.
That will do well Sir;
And shal I come in as your Churchmen do?
No first-fruits to be paid twice in a year,
No buying of a Jewell at the rate
Of fifteen hundred times the value Sir?
Me.
Remove that care.
Pe.
That care is well remov'd.
Me.
I have consider'd, that to live at home
My Servant, is to dark thy abilities,
That will abroad shine, and doe services
Worth Spain's acknowledgement.
Pe.
Abroad? why, must I travell?
Me.
By any means.
Pe.
Whither, an't please your Grace?
Me.
But to the Indies.
Pe.
No farther? Columbus did it in 7 years,
And less.
Me.
In the next Fleet thou shalt have an imployment
Shall speak my care of thee, and interest
With his Catholick Majestie; he shall deny
Me hard, but I'll prevail to make thee of
His Councill there, and the State Secretary.
Pe.
This is a mighty honour.
Me.
We may hold
24
The King shall knight thee too of Calatrava;
How will it joy my heart to write to thee,
Al Signor illustrissimo Don Pedro.
Enter Gentleman.
Gent.
Sir, the King hath sent for you?
Me.
For me?
Pe.
Yes, Sir, I could have told your Grace
His Majesty commanded your attendance.
Me.
For what?
Pe.
I know not that, but I suspect
There hath been some intelligence, however
Go, Sir, it may do worse, and argue guilt,
To be commanded twice.
Me.
Intelligence?
It will be worth my safety to confess.
Pe.
By no means, Sir, that simplicity
Would rather become me.
Me.
Why? wo't thou confess?
Pe.
Not, unless you begin; go Sir, an't be
But to prepare his Majesty, for me
To wear the order of the Caletrava;
You have put me, Sir, into the gang of going
This Indian voyage.
Me.
Well, I must to the King.
Pe.
Shall I attend you?
Me.
Yes—no—do what thou wilt; yet now I think on't
'Twill be as well to go—yet do not neither.
Pe.
Be chearfull, Sir, why doth your head shake so?
Me.
My head?
Pe.
It trembles like the Needle of a Sun-dial, d'ee not feel it?
Me.
Ha? yes 'tis here; but do not breath upon me;
I feel the very wind of thy words blow it
To and agen like a Weather-cock; but I must go.
Pe.
I will prepare my self for this voyage.
25
Me.
I would thou wert shipt—
Pe.
And sunk.
It shall go hard but I'll requite your Lordship.
Exe.
Enter Clara and Servant.
Cla.
A prisoner saist?
Ser.
'Tis a confirm'd report.
Cla.
I fear Prince Carlo's jealousie is cause
Of this; poor Manuel, it will not be
Safe, or seem honorable for me to visit him:
But since I cannot suffer with him, he
Ex. Ser.
Shall hear I dare confine my self to sorrow.
Enter Servant.
Ser.
Madam, the Princess
Maria is coming up the stairs.
Cla.
I must dissemble now my grief, and meet her, yet
I may intreat her Graces mediation
To the King for his enlarge.
Enter Maria.
Ma.
Let us be private.
If e'r thou lov'dst me, Clara, now express it.
Cla.
I have an humble sute to your Highness, which
In hope to prosper, will direct my faith,
And services to what you can prescribe me.
Speak your commands.
Ma.
Don Manuel stands committed by the King,
And I would have thy counsell, how I should
Best work his liberty.
Cla.
That, Madam, is
All my petition to your Grace.
Ma.
I know my least desire let fall to th'Prince
Antonio, were enough to engage, and make him
The Orator to effect it, but in honor
26
To advance his Rival's liberty.
Cla.
Rivall, Madam?
Ma.
For I must tell thee, Clara, and with it
Give up the secret of my soul, I love
Don Manuel, I fear, better than my self.
Cla.
You do not mock me, I hope, Madam?
Ma.
No,
By all that Ladies once in love do pray for,
By him thou lov'st, who e'r he be, and this
Kiss (that I rather wish on Manuel's lip,
Would modesty and honor give it privilege
And durst entrust thy faith to carry it to him,
In my experience of thy virtue, Clara)
I speak no fable.
Cla.
It becomes my truth
To answer yours, though not so cheerfully;
I should not much repent, to carry, Madam,
Your kiss to Manuel, but I fear, I should
Forget who sent it. If you have a plot
To raise mirth from my weakness, when you know
How much my heart is his, I yeeld my self
Your triumph, Madam, but the glories of
Your blood, and title are not price enough
To buy him from my thoughts, could you invest
My name with their possession.
Ma.
Doth she love him?
I have destroy'd my own hope then; alass
Poor Clara, I must pitty thee, and for that
Love that hath been between us, I'll apply
To cure thy wound; for mine is not so desperate,
Though I bleed inwards, I confess, since he,
Whom I esteem best, suffers for Maria.
Cla.
Suffer for you? pray Madam, clear this mystery.
Ma.
It is poor Manuel's fortune to affect
Me with a passion great; as mine, and love,
27
And can obey no law, but what it likes,
Impatient that Antonio lov'd me too,
Made him forget the Prince, and gave the affront,
For which he suffers in the Kings displeasure.
Cla.
No repetition of this story, Madam,
Lest you destroy all my belief in virtue;
It cannot be, you may as soon perswade
That snow, the innocent fleece of heaven, that's born
Upon the fleet wings of some sportive wind,
Is Ethiop's wooll, as call this truth.
Ma.
This will be rudeness, Clara, if you do not
Convince, and with more reason, and with temper.
And 'tis no little wonder, that when I
Have fairly thus disclos'd my thoughts of Manuel,
You should retain a murmuring thought, and dare
Pretend rivality with me.
Cla.
The law
You gave to love, that stoopes to no prerogative
Of birth, or name (mine only a degree
Beneath your own) will answer your disdain,
And justifie my passion; and if reason
And temper (which in vain you think are lost
In me) be assign'd judges, I dare more
Than say I love, I can deserve him—
Ma.
Better?
Fate bring it to a tryall.
Cla.
So just are my affections, I dare make
A Saint my judge.
Ma.
That Judge you make, is not
A friend to so much pride.
Cla.
You are but my accuser, Madam.
Ma.
This affront I must
Remember, Clara, and find time to teach
You know me better.
Cla.
Madam, as you are
28
Your hand, and pay all duties that become me,
Or your command; but if you think by being
Great, I must own no passion, but in what
Degree you are pleas'd to fix it, nor compare
My soul born with its freedome to affection,
With yours, because one shaft hath wounded both,
I rise my own defender.
Ma.
Thy own ruine
For this presumption.
Cla.
I'll not bribe your mercy,
When you can love as I doe, we may both
Deserve him equally: Oh Manuell!
Ex. Maria.
Though I defend thy honour to the Princess,
Yet he hath scatter'd seeds of jealousie
About my heart, if this ground fertile prove,
I wo'not curse his faith, but my own love.
Exit.
Manuell in Prison.
Man.
Why should we murmur to be circumscrib'd,
As if it were a new thing to wear fetters?
When the whole World was meant but to confine us;
Wherein who walks from one Clime to another,
Hath but a greater freedome of the Prison;
Our Soul was the first Captive, born to inherit
But her own Chains, nor can it be discharg'd
Till Nature tire with its own weight, and then
We are but more undone to be at liberty.
Enter Carlo.
The Prince, he brings a storm, I see it rising
As Seamen doe, the wind far off.
Car.
Don Manuell,
Man.
You have nam'd a suffering man, but one that holds
His life and death at such an even rate,
No matter which is first employ'd, with honour.
29
Car.
Your Cause would droop to trust to that, my love
Willing to justifie the choyce it made
In thee, hath pleaded better, and prevail'd
With me to bring thee counsell to redeem
Thy self becomingly.
Ma.
Your goodness flows still,
'Twas not the Prince that frown'd.
Ca.
Submit your self to Prince Antonio.
Man.
Submit my self?
Ca.
Ask him forgiveness.
Man.
I must be guilty first of an offence,
Ere my tongue be so base, and ask a pardon.
Ca.
Then I must chide you Manuell; deny
This triviall satisfaction? your crime
Will upon second thoughts be much enlarg'd,
Nor will the Prince be ever thought to merit
His birth and name, unless he kill thee for't,
'Tis an affront of so supreme a nature.
Man.
Hath it no name Sir?
Car.
Dost not shake to ask it?
Are you Sir a fit Rivall for the Prince?
Abstract that she's my Sister, which consider'd,
Carries so vast a guilt against the Kings,
Mine, and Maria's honour, all thy bloud
Mixt with repentance cannot purge; you are
Instructed Sir.
Man.
Not yet, to know my self
Conscious of any action should contract
The Prince's brow, or yours, much less deserve
The horrid name of guilt against the Kings,
Yours, and Maria's honour.
Car.
Did not you Sir court my Sister?
Man.
Never Sir.
Car.
Doe not you love her?
Man.
Heaven in that word includes all that we owe
30
But with a greater distance, than she is
From me remov'd by birth; and if her smile
Meant the reward of my attendance, Sir,
At any time have met with false observers,
Their tongues, and no audacious thought of mine,
Or application, are in fault; I have,
Beside the lesson of my birth, been taught
A piety from your favours, Sir, to know
My self their creature, and with humble thoughts
To shew my gratitude, not proudly assume
(Could she descend) a Courtship to Maria,
Who by the King, & every good mans vote,
Is meant a sacred pledge to Portugal,
To chain two kingdoms.
Car.
If this, Manuel,
Be truth—
Man.
Without condition of my liberty,
Or dread of what Antonio shall attempt
In his revenge, my soul dare wth ith an oath
Confirm it at the Altar.
Car.
This doth please me.
Possess thy first place in my friendship, Manuel;
Antonio shall embrace thee too, his ear
And mine have been abus'd.
Man.
There was
A providence upon our Swords, that meant
Less fatall than his passion shew'd, when we
Last met, against whose weapon threatning me first,
The safety of my fame, more than my life,
Call'd up my just defence.
Car.
I do beleeve thee;
To what a loss of virtue, and of blood
Credulity engageth? this shall be
No more thy dwelling; Prince Antonio
Shall for thy honor make it his own act,
31
Hath made his Courtship vain, and will I fear,
Not presently admit thy innocence
Into his quiet faith, but I'll convince him.
Man.
If he but knew my heart, he should not need
Much argument; no man can love with honour,
And let his thoughts divide upon two Mistrisses.
I have contracted love—
Car.
With whom? may Time,
When this World fails, and Nature grows decrepit;
Present it to Eternity.
Man.
This prayer opens my heart, and all the wealth within it,
Commands me draw the Curtain from her name,
That you may read my Clara,
And I shall beseech your Graces smile—
Car.
Your Clara? what
The Duke Mendoza's Daughter?
Man.
You have nam'd her.
Car.
No, I am i'th' dark still, speak agen,
Or rather say, thou hast mistook, it is
Some other Clara, and not the Lady
I understand.
Man.
Life cannot bribe me with another wealth,
Or death with all his horrours make me desert
That name.
Car.
What a strange Sea-breach has
This little storm of breath made here allready?
I was taking pains to unconcern the jealousie
Of Antonio, and find him my own Rivall;
Thou hadst been kinder to have lov'd Maria
My Sister, though Antonio had sworn
Thy death, and the Kings anger with my own
Had met thee like a torrent, than presum'd
This interest in Clara.
Man.
I see no
Such mighty danger in't.
32
I'll tell thee, Manuel,
Thou hast invaded all my joys, I love her.
Man.
Honor forbid it, Sir.
Car.
Honor's a dream,
And a cold everlasting sleep must chain
My soul up; for if once it wake, and know
What thou hast torn from't, it will vex it self
Into a flame, and turn thee into ashes.
Ma.
Never til now unhappy, with my weight
I see my self now bearing down before me,
A rotten part of some prodigious mountain
Into the sea, with which I shall soon mingle.
Ca.
Collect thy self betimes, and give her back
Unsullied with thy clame, release thy own,
And with her, every thought as much a virgin
As her soul was, when first I courted her,
Or thou art lost—
Man.
With greater justice, Sir,
Command to uncreate my self, as call
My faith or heart agen.
Ca.
How?
Man.
Sir, my life,
The cement that doth hold this frame together,
You have power to melt, or but command my exile,
And I may live far off, and be forgotten
By all, but Clara; but to ask that back,
Which with the full consent of heaven I gave her
(And in exchange receiv'd her equall vow)
I dare not, or if I had will, to be
So false to honour, 'tis within my heart
So rivetted, I may with as much innocence
Commit a rape, or murder, as attempt it.
Ca.
You have no doubt a valour too, that dare
Love with so fierce a resolution.
Man.
When I am master of my sword, I dare
Not draw it against you; but he that lives
33
Himself unmade that would divorce us.
Car.
Leave me, leave me—
Ex Man.
How many lones are shaken with one tempest?
And if one suffer, ruin'd all? I know
The faith he bears me, and the reverence
He gives my blood, will never be provok'd
To fight against my person; but I must not
By tameness give my self a publike wound;
He shall be master of his sword and freedom,
And then let fate determine; Clara must
Be mine, or make a Bridegroom of his dust.
Exit.
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