 | The Passionate Lover, First Part |  |
Act. 2.
Scæn. 1.
Enter Clarimant.Clar.
O fool! for ever thou hast forfeited thy bliss,
She never will endure to hear thee speak,
Or look upon her more. What falshood
Must she think me guilty of? I am so sensible
Of my offence, that though she would admit me,
I durst never see her more: How poor a value then
Bears life!
Enter Agenor with a Picture.
Brother!
Clar.
Ha!
Age.
How strangely you are alter'd!
Clar.
You do not erre sir, I was not wont to be thus sad.
Age.
Nor do I hope you will continue long so;
Your grief may prove infectious, pray shake it off,
You shall not else keep company with my Clorinda.
Clar.
I never will, sir.
Age.
How, brother?
Clar.
This sadness will not leave me.
Age.
Come, by all our interests I conjure you
Speak freely what troubles you.
Clar.
Then sir, in short, you have undone me.
Age.
I! dearest brother.
Clar.
Yes, you: Did you not enjoin
That I should make in publike address to your Mistress,
By which received opinion you might be freer
In your love?
20
Had you engaged me in the like,
I should with joy have done it.
Clar.
My care was such to do it to the life,
That I am really become what I did personate;
Are not you then the cause that I am miserable?
Age.
What do I hear! can there be truth in this
If it be so, speak it again.
Cla.
'Tis that I never must deny,
I love her more then I do life.
Age.
Or faith, or honour, do you not?
Cla.
Sure I believe nothing with her can stand in competion long.
Yet I will never see her more.
Age.
It is not fit you should. What do I feel
Can the meer name of Rival trouble me?
Yes, with the addition that he is my brother.
But whither am I falling? Assist me Reason,
Let me but weigh my Mistresses unequal'd beauty
And her greater merit, and that must prove
Both his excuse, and my assurance.
Cla.
I fear, sir, you are angry; Not that I value
Any danger, but that I would not have you so unjust
Age.
Trust me I am not, brother,
I will admit you as a friendly Rival:
Make her inconstant once, and I shall gladly quit her.
Cla.
Had you so mean a thought of her or me,
It were an injury I could not suffer.
Age.
Come, come, upon my life I have not.
Some business, brother, of the highest importance
Commands me from you, perhaps from Court ere long.
And that I may assure you of my love and trust,
Carry from me this Picture to my dearest Mistress.
Clar.
Sir, I beseech you pardon me; I would not see her
When I may avoid it; there's too much danger
In the object.
21
Remember she's your Brothers Mistress, that will protect you.
Cla.
I never did forget, pray send it by some other.
[Offers the Picture back.]
Age.
I shall believe you do indeed intend to wooe
My mistress from me, since you refuse to appear to her
My friend and messenger.
Cla.
Sir, I will do it; but henceforth never misdoubt
The strengths you hold upon me; for I in it
Do break a resolution equal to a vow.
Age.
Farewell.
Exit.
Clar.
How hard a fate is mine! to what cross actions
Doth our passions move? I flie from what I wish;
Yet to assist anothers flame, I grant what
To my own I had denied. Oh no, it is not thus;
For every action rightly weighed, it will be found,
Our own advantage is the proper center
Where all lines meet: For if I truly apprehended
A discontent from seeing her, I should not sure
Have yielded to the inforcement of my brother.
No, 'tis with me as with those men who are
My nature strongly tempted to some lust,
Teas'd in the sin, yet grant no guilt,
Only alleadging for excuse, They must.
Exit.
Enter Cleon and Selina:
Cle.
Sweet Selina, it is not now that I shall need
To make a declaration of my love,
You long have known the engagement of my heart.
Sel.
My Lord, my obligations are so great,
That you may justly claim the utmost of my power
Toward the accomplishment of your desires.
Cle.
I have been too unthankful to so true a friend;
22
Of fortunes with me; in the mean time wear this
To keep me in thy memory.
Sel.
It needs not sir, I have already too many testimonies
Of your favor, to forget.
Cle.
When was Prince Clarimant with thy Lady
Sel.
When was he not? I fear, sir, her affection
To him is so rooted, that it will grow for ever.
Yet I have used those arts you taught me,
And some female practises of mine, but all in vain.
But sir, despair not, since as yet you never
Did make known your love to her; and were she
My mind, she soon would make a difference
Betwixt a boy, a child, and such a man as you.
Cle.
Friendship doth blind thee, more then love does me:
The frost I wear upon my locks, will keep
My fire from kindling in her breast;
Whilst equal youth and beauty in the Prince
Gives nourishment unto a mutual flame.
Sel.
I hope it will—
[Aside]
Cle.
Yet prethee say that I would speak with her
And have a care none overhear our conference.
Sel.
My Lord, I shall endeavour it; she's now in the garden.
Exit. Sel
Cle.
It is not love alone unto the Princess person.
I know I cannot be so faithless to my own designs,
No, 'tis her interest to the Crown engages me
As much as does her beauty or her wit:
And yet she holds by those, when I do see,
Or hear her speak, great power upon me.
But I must watch my flame, no spark let fall
That may give any light of my affection to her,
In a third person I must try her,
Since she's of humane race, a woman to her mother
Whether from her be not derived some seeds
23
Inconstancie; which if I find, I'll nourish them,
And in their growth my hopes; but if I see
Such powerful charm no alteration move,
She claims my adoration, cures my love.
[Enter Clorinda, Selina.]
She comes, be firm my resolution,
The splendor of her eyes is powerful; already
My designs meet with confusion: Love gives the lye
To my ambition, triumphs o're my discretion,
And tels me that a Crown's an aiery nothing
Compared with the possessing of her personal
Beauty: what wonders will the magick of
Her tongue perform?
Clo.
What means this?
Cle.
'Tis best I should at once profess my love,
And in her scorn receive a glorious death—
Stay, let me be a King first; and then to offer
Up my self to my great Deity,
Brings no dishonor to her shrine.
Clo.
My Lord, did you not desire to speak with me?
Cle.
Madam, I did; and the affair is of such weight,
That though I had consulted with my self before,
I durst not utter it without a second thought,
And none but your dear self to hear it.
Clo.
Leave us.
Exit Selina:
Cle.
Madam, amongst those many whom your perfections
Have devoted to your service, though not so happy
As with others to express my zeal,
There's none, without exception I dare speak it,
Would sooner undertake, or hazard more to serve you.
This if you can believe, I dare enlarge my self:
If not, I must be satisfied with this expression.
24
My Lord, if I be not mistaken, you are a friend
To those whom all know I do value highly; that,
Were I ignorant of your own worth,
Is argument enough for my esteem and trust.
Cle.
I here do call the Gods to witness,
That all my study, all my friendship tends to your advantage:
Nor is the Prince at all considerable to me,
But as he is your servant; but for your sake
I wish he were the the Monarch of the world.
For, how so much perfection can be ordain'd
To bless a Subjects bed, comes not within
The compass of my faith; and Prince Clarimant
Is never like to be a King.
Clo.
To what tends this?
Cle.
But had your love been plac'd upon his brother
As his is upon you, ere long your beauties
Might have found their proper foil, a Crown,
To set them off as a bright constellation, there
All eyes might look on you with wonder
And delight; but in a Subjects name, your glories
Are obscured.
Clo.
Either the Prince, as being his friend,
Hath made discovery to him of our loves,
Or he hath found cause to suspect.
Cle.
Madam, I see what I have spoke, begets your trouble.
Clo.
I must confess it, sir; can it do less,
When I shall hear a person of your merit,
A friend as you profess, perswading me
To quit my faith for the vain expectation
Of a Crown.
Cle.
Madam, the Crown will soon be his, as certain
As he loves you, and both as certain as I live.
Clo.
It is impossible that Prince Agenor he should love,
And never speak his passion.
25
No more then it was in me.
Clo.
How sir, in you?
Cle.
Madam, I will confess a secret to you,
I burn with a more zealous consuming fire
Then ever yet was kindled in a mortals breast;
Have often seen my Mistress, spoke to her,
Had opportunities alone, as now with you:
Yet such was my respect to her, I never durst
Express my passion: Then, Madam, from the purity
Of my affection, judge of the Prince,
And reward his sufferings.
Clo.
I must try him; Can this be possible?
Cle.
Jove strike me with his thunder,
If what I now have said, be not a truth:
Clo.
My Lord, if it be thus, I shall at least find pitty
For his sufferings: my best of wishes too
For your success in love.
Cle.
Would you be pleas'd, when I shall let you know
Her name, to be my advocate? I cannot doubt
My happiness.
Clo.
Sure he means me.—Alas, my Lord, what you desire
I should perform for any worthy person,
Much more for you, since what I shall perswade
Must tend for certain to her happiness.
Cle.
Can I ask more? she courts me to discover.
Enter Selina.
Divinest Lady,
The Prince your servant desires admittance.
Cle.
Hell take him! Madam, be pleas'd to grant me
The honor of your hand as an assurance
Of your promis'd favor:
Clo.
If you believe I have the power to serve you
In your love, name but the time and person,
I am ready to assist you, were it this minute.
26
I should too much presume upon your favor
The Prince your servant being so near attending.
Clo.
Do not mistake sir, he may stay.
Cle.
Why am I fearful? dare I believe my self so happy,
That you would miss the Prince's company a minute
To pleasure me?
Clo.
Yes by my life, two minutes; nor is't in me
Meer curiosity to know the loves of others,
But that I hold my self obliged no longer
To be ignorant of one whose worth and beauty
Hath the force to ad your conquest to Lov's triumph
Yours who have been still observed victorious
In the subduing every other passion.
To force an inclination, is an act of power,
Where every common beauty can subdue the amorous.
Cle.
Not to have yielded homage here, had been a flat
Rebellion, since all hearts are a tribute due
To her perfections; which justice will inforce you
To confess, when you know how much she doth
Resemble you.
Clo.
'Tis plain he loves, rather would have me think so,
My Lord, your last words give me cause to doubt,
Not so much your attaining, as the over-value
Of the purchase; and that I may not have a less esteem
Of you, I must confess I do not wish to know her now.
Enter Selina and Clarimant.
Sel.
Madam, the Prince!
Cle.
How shall I understand this dark Enigma?
Hope, or despair? 'tis time must cleer it.
Sir, I presume to have that interest in you,
You will not be offended at your stay.
27
Clar.
So kind,
Madam, to me who have no other merit
But obedience, how can there be an injury?
Clo.
In this unjust acknowledgment, much modesty appears:
How winning must your words and actions be,
When they are accompanied with truth?
Clar.
That only must be truth with me,
Which you are pleas'd to have so; I will not own
A faculty that prompts me to a contradiction:
Yet never could I yield to my own praise,
But as I am dignified in being your creature.
Clo.
In being so absolutely mine, you make me richer
In my own esteem, then all additions which the world
Can yield besides.
Cle.
This Lady can dissemble; but with whom she does so,
I am yet to learn. It is not fit I should disturb
This harmony; the God of love is hovering
Not far off, delighted with the musick
Of these melting accents: For I, a profest opposite
To all his sweetness, have forfeited my manners by my stay.
Clor.
Not so, my Lord; the excess of kindness
I have shewed Prince Clarimant,
Must clear all suspition in this Lord,
If he had any, that I love Agenor.
Cle.
Sir, be happy in this Princess to my wish,
Which hath a latitude as great as you can
Think. Your Father by my means (if I may boast
A service to my Princely friend) highly approves
The match.—
All happiness attend you both.
Exit.
28
How fortune mocks me!
Clo.
Struck with a sudden sadness, sir! Selina,
Call for my servants, I'll go to Court,
Ex. Sel.
Have you any service to command me, sir?
Clar:
Madam, I see you fain would change the Scene:
How soon are you weary of his company,
To whom just now you did profess so much?
Clo.
Not weary, sir, but yet I hope
That you have not forgot to whom
All those professions were intended.
Clar.
Yet they were spoke to me, the words accompanied
With proper accents, your eyes, to speak Loves language;
And here before Lord Cleon with more perswasive
Eloquence then ever.
Clo:
'Tis true, it makes me almost blush to think
How much I courted you: Heaven knows
I could not for the world have spoke
Or lookt so on your brother; the reason was,
I feared that Cleon did suspect whom I did
Love indeed.
Clar.
And you to cozen him, used me so overkindly,
At first I doubt not but you laid the plot
Of thus disguising your affection.
Clo.
You speak as if you did repent the obligation
You have laid upon your brother and my self.
Clar.
Do you esteem it one?
Clo.
A great one, sir, believe.
Clar.
Heaven knows I not repent it then;
But can you think that when you look and speak
With passion, whoever hears must not be moved,
And in despight of duty wish
Though dare not hope, that he were the object
Of that passion:
Clo.
Oh misery!
29
How could I then, to whom they were addrest,
Having withall a sympathie of blood,
But find joy as a brother, at first no more,
Which warranted for just, at last that pleasure
Ere I was aware betrayed to me a deeper
And more peculiar sense of happiness in you.
Clo.
Add not that vanity unto your falshood,
To hope from me a common estimation after this.
Clar.
Add not injustice to your cruelty,
To hate where you should pitty: The injunction
Did proceed from you, you are the first
And the immediate cause that I am miserable:
Which makes me often doubt, since it proceeds from you,
Whether it be a crime or no. When I shall find it
Such, you shall not need to frown or threaten
Punishment by hating me, once confident you do,
Without a cause I know you cannot;
I will inflict more, then happily you will wish
I should.
Clo.
The Judge and the accused so neer allied,
As we are to our selves, no crime is great enough
For punishment.
Clar.
Madam, you much mistake; I cannot be the Judge,
That am am the Plaintiff: for who does, at least justly
Can complain of injury but I? How is my love,
Since a requital is not in my wish, a wrong
To you or to my brother?
Clo.
No! why did you by complaining
Make me know your passion?
Clar.
Now you have named my guilt,
Alas I find I have too much approved that law
Which says, no man is bound to be his own accuser.
You are the proper Judge, truth speaks in you,
30
I am your faithful Executioner.
Clo.
Then—
Clar.
Stay, first receive this Picture of my happy Brother,
Sent from himself, the occasion of your trouble,
Now, I speak not this in my excuse,
To raise your pitty up against your justice;
For I at last was pleas'd in the imployment.
Nay, now profess to you and all the world,
Whilst I have life, I shall adore you.
Clo.
And must I sentence you then,
Like to a desperate person that hath done
Some wickedness so great, for which the happiness
Of sorrow is denied.
Clar.
You must for what concerns my loving you.
Clo.
Then hear a sentence proper to the guilt:
Your eyes and tongue, which did betray your vertue,
Must never meet in me their objects more.
Clar.
Misery! never to look or speak to you,
Is that my doom?
Clo.
It is justly inflicted.
Clar.
I not dispute; but shall it never be revok'd?
Clo.
It is from me inviolate by all the Gods;
You may to morrow break it, and I look you should.
Clar.
I must confess, what ere I do resolve,
'Tis not unlike I should.
Clo.
I thought no less.
[She offers to go]
Clar.
But Madam, I will never see to morrow,
Death is more welcom then to disobey you.
Clo.
Hold sir.
Clar.
How long?
Clo.
Sure you are not in earnest.
31
Not in earnest! death could have brought no pain
Like this; I see I did so well dissemble once,
That I am thought to do so still.
This is an injury so great, it frees me
From disobedience.
Offers his sword agen upon himself:
Clo.
Oh hold, as you doe love me.
Clar.
As you do hate me, let me die.
Clo.
No, you mistake,
Or would by death frustrate your punishment.
If you were dead, no longer should remain
The sense of your offence, or my just hatred
For it: Live to be sorry, that way expiate
Your guilt, I do not say your punishment.
But if you kill yourself on this occasion,
Making me accessary to your murder,
I call the Gods to witness I will revenge it
By making you like guilty of your Brothers death,
For I will never see him more: how horrid
Should I look drest in a scarlet robe
Dyed in your blood.
Clar.
All these are trifles, whilst your (just)
Yet most hard sentence rests upon me,
Never to see you more.
Clo.
Would vertue could permit to make your noble sufferings less:
Your love might be received, and yet your person
Never gain access.
[Exeunt.]
Clar.
O cruel pitty!
32
Cle.
reads.
Meet me with all the forces you can
Raise, at Lassent on the frontiers of Germany; the
Imployment you then shall know.
—As I could wish.
[Enter Old King.]
You Powers, why should I be thought a person
Capable of his temptation? but there's no help,
He that hath lost his own vertue, may well expect
To make another false. The Rocks, whose constancie
Denies an entrance to the beating waves,
Though they want motion, yet in their firmness
Seem to take revenge by casting the attempting
Billows with disperst drops upon the movers
Face: So though all motion be denied
Against the person of the Prince, from reverence
To the Father, yet here I may revenge
My injuries, and manifest the vanity of his design
In this dispersion.
[Tears the Letter]
O. K.
Hold, hold, why do you tear the paper?
[He takes up some.]
Cle.
What do you mean sir? 'twas but a trivial Note,
Howe'r the impertinencie of the Sender
Moved me.
O. K.
A trivial Note! can thy faith stile that so,
Wherein my safety is concern'd?
Cle.
How sir, your safety!
O. K.
Come, come, dissemble not; we will be both reveng'd.
Cle.
Reveng'd, on whom?
O. K.
On my false Son: No more I say,
For know, your tenderness hath trencht upon your faith,
I must know every circumstance,
Dare nott hide it from me.
33
Remember, sir, he is your son, your heir,
A Prince in whom your peoples hopes and joyes are fixt:
Lay these close to your heart to move your pitty;
And then what my unhappy memory contains
Of what was writ.
O. K.
Nay, if a Councellor suspect his memory,
His Princes safety at the stake, 'tis fit he trust
His own care, I'll gather these.
Gathers the papers.
Cle.
Your pardon, Royal sir; you shall know every
Circumstance: but sir, remember still
How dear your son is to your people,
Lose not their love by cruelty to him.
O. K.
Not dearer sure to them then you.
Cle.
Nay, then this be my witness of the contrary—
So, read, till it kill all nature in thee,
And corrupt thy brain,
Such loss to him must prove my greatest gain.
Exeunt.
| The Passionate Lover, First Part | |