 | The Fair Favorite |  |
107
ACT V.
SCENE I.
Enter Thorello, Saladine, Gartha, and one Lady.Thorello.
W'have a Coach (Ladies) at the Palace Gate
If you dare trust the treasure of your Beauties
T'our charge, we'll visit Oramont i'th' Fort.
Salad.
Some o'th' good natur'd Statesmen
Accuse the King for sending's pardon, and
Think 'twas ill advis'd to disappoint the
People, when they were all met for nothing,
But to see him suffer.
Thor.
'Faith since they came in courtesie
To see't, Oramont had been a right Cavalier,
Had he refus'd the pardon, and strait dy'd
To prevent them from losing their labor.
Gar.
Lord! How they love to see a proper
Man suffer? And when their wives come home,
Each tells her husband he was like him:
For he behav'd himself with such a
Courtly courage at the Block.
Salad.
As he had been his own neat executioner,
And put of's head with the same ceremony,
As others do their Hats, right alamode.
Thor.
Your Cavalier doth handsomely
Indeed; but 'tis not fit course fellows should
Arrive at such a publick grace, and for no other
Merit, but fighting o'duels.
1 Lady.
The King, I hope, will let them
Fight it out, and not permit the Laws should do
'Em th'honor to take notice of their quarrels.
Salad.
When Ladies take the pains to dress
Themselves to see, and grace an executed
Gallant, were it handsome a poor quarrelling
Rascal should strait perk up in's place,
Perhaps he'll die stoutly; but how? in base
Old cloaths, foul linnen, and's face unshav'd,
Is that a sight for Ladies.
Enter Aleran and third Lady.
Thor.
Look there comes Aleran, and with
Him your revolted Mistress.
3 Lady.
That Gartha, Signior's strangely
Impudent, she's playing in the Sun, whil'st her
Poor Lady is weeping wet under a cloud.
Aler.
Pray advise her (Madam) she'll take it kindly.
3 Lady.
How dost good Wench? Introth
Thou look'st so temptingly, that I could e'en
Kiss thee. The very corner of thine eye stoln
Out of a Close-hood, would burn as much
I think, as a Sun beam, contracted in a Glass.
Gar.
I protest (Madam) I am meerly
Your Ladiships Glass, and reflect your looks,
Those are rare Pendants; I dare say a present;
Some travell'd lover's fool'd into a gift.
3 Lady.
Prethee, who told thee of it?
Thou hear'st all; but I mean to change 'em.
Ustalfo says they wear slight Emrauds now in
Venice, and being set transparant, they shew well—
1 Lady.
W'are taking Coach to visit
Oramont; has your Ladiship the leisure
T'humble your self with so much charity?
3 Lady.
You do me honor in your
Invitation, I shall make the number more
Unworthy by th'poor addition of my self.
—Gartha! This Alari's a very fool; why
Dost thou keep her company?
Gar.
I keep her (Madam) for intelligence,
She's well acquainted with all the Court
Matrons, that have the skill to drive out
Marriages, and make the parties meet, she can
Procure a Catalogue of all the rich young heirs.
3 Lady.
Sweet, Madam, whether do you
Go? Pray stand and talk with us—
1 Lady.
Your Ladiships servant!
3 Lady.
We shall have tedious conversation
With those wits; they'll nothing but discourse
Together of fine hard things, and ne'er
Mind us—
Aler.
I bring a business for you Gentlemen,
Would we were rid of our impertinent charge.
Thor.
Widows are not so troublesome to
Their young husbands, when they relieve them
With good council, instead of money; the
Curse is, that they are chaste too. A very saucy
Vertue in them; considering they cannot
Make up our pleasure with handsomness.
3 Lady.
Come Signiors! Shall we take Coach?
Thor.
Your pardon Ladies!—Nay, I beseech you.
Saladine, you still usurp my place. Strive to lead 'em.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter King, Radegond, Phylenio.
King.
False, and unlucky are you all!
Pretend great wisdom, till y'attain to dignity,
And place, then strait supply't with empty
Forms, austere, and rigid looks; by which
Your age (made dreadful, with that power
High office brings) begets you an unjust
Esteem; or, if you have the skill to give safe
Counsels to your King; when's judgment
Is distress'd, y'are so unfortunate, I
Ne'er can feel their use.
Radeg.
Sir, you mistake that power, which
Onely we derive from yours. You never did
Include in our Commission such a vaste
Authority, to alter, or to govern love.
Phyle.
How should we rule Eumena (Sir)
Whom you (depos'd by th'cruel tyranny of
108
Prescribe to you, and with th'advice of reason
Too, we dare not whilst your anger lasts.
King.
A curse
Upon your mannerly o'er-civil fears!
But you suspect it is not safe to speak,
(The Statesman's cowardise) more dangerous
To Kings intrench'd within their Thrones,
Then are the dastard thoughts of Sentinels,
That watch near Sconces and Redoubts;
Who still afraid to give th'alarm (least being
Heard, they should be first surpris'd) endanger
Armies by that silence, when, like you, they
Basely practise to secure themselves.
Radeg.
'Tis better to be silent, Sir, then give
Advice, that may bring us ruine,
And give you no ease.
Phyle.
All thriving Arts, Kings are
Content to own; but when good counsels
Not succeed, their Ministers possess the blame.
King.
I thank your noble wisdom much,
Y'are kindly natur'd in your Providence.
With wholsome policy you are content
To share the better Fame, and juster wealth
Of my Prerogative, but not the envy that
Misfortune joyns to it.
Radeg.
If your distemper, Sir, will needs
Constrain us to reveal th'opinion we would
Hide, let our obedience then excuse all that
Our judgment wants. We think you ne'er can
Have a free possession of Eumena's love,
Unless your Queen consent to a divorce.
Phyle.
Nor is this such a hopeless remedy
As doth consist in wishes, more then in
A probable effect; for she hath so design'd
Her love and life to your dispose, that she'll
Undo her self, by giving what you ask.
King.
'Tis well, y'have ta'en a worthy care
Both of my quiet, and my fame! Make haste
In your address unto the Queen; let her be
Told I am prepar'd to visit her?—These are
Exeunt Radegond, Phylenio.
The righteous State-Physitians that attend
On sickly Kings, prescribing unto us,
As Nature to the hungry disease of Tygers,
And of Wolves; when to preserve their lives,
They feed on all the weak submitting herd.
But how accurs'd would subjects be, were we
Not born with far more vertue, then w'are taught?
I'll make my Function lov'd, and rather die,
Then ow my life to such a remedy.
Exit.
Enter Oramont and Queen.
Queen.
Was holy Fryer Albert here to day,
Your Sisters Confessor?
Ora.
Madam, be hath
In just obedience to your kind command,
Unlock'd my friers secret brest, and laid
It open to mine eyes, shew'd me her heart,
Until my jealousie receiv'd a strong
And certain cure; but though I have out-liv'd
My doubts, my modesty (I hope) will not
Permit me to survive my shame.
Queen.
In giving you
(By her unweari'd intercession) life,
She onely hath engag'd your gratitude:
But rev'rend Albert, by revealing all
Those truths, the priviledge of's function
Makes him know, hath much oblig'd your faith.
Ora.
I am confirm'd!
And though the peoples malice to her in
Their talk, by general consent
Made me so credulous; though my nice care
(Still watchful to preserve a sisters honor)
And my most dutious love of you, apt to
Resent your wrongs, and then believing you
Declar'd her chaste, more in your gentleness,
Then your belief, though these apparant Pleas
(Together urg'd) might prove me capable
Of some excuse; yet I am loth to own
Them least my guilt made less, I should be
Thought t'avoid that punishment, which I've
Resolv'd upon my self.
Queen.
Beware, such resolutions, Sir, are ill.
Ora.
Your Justice (Madam) would conceive them fit,
Could you with my vex'd thoughts, peruse
Those wrongs which I not onely did commit
'Gainst her, but 'gainst the King, and my
Renowned friend, dead Amadore; and when
I name him dead, I hardly can forbear that
Fury to my self, by which I rashly ruin'd him.
Queen.
To be the unauthoriz'd Author of
Your own strict punishment, would to your
Crimes such foulness add, as never could be
Wash'd away, with all the tears of penitence.
Be govern'd by your better thoughts, and strait
Prepare to follow me, you'll perfect a
Design, to which I am importun'd by
The secret suit of Aleran.
Ora.
I must not disobey you (Madam)
Though I shall but make an ill exchange of
This lov'd darkness, for that light I am
Asham'd to see.
Queen.
My own distresses are so great,
That I conceive them hopeless now of cure,
But I will try to lessen yours.
Ora.
Her vertue is as restless as the Sun,
Still moving, and yet never tir'd; and like
His purer Beams, it comforts every thing.
Exeunt.
Enter Aleran, Thorello, Saladine.
Thor.
The Ladies are sullenly retir'd
Into their Closets, there to meditate
And study the perfection of new tires.
Salad.
They took it ill, that Oramont was
So reserv'd, as to refuse their visit.
Aler.
Gallants, y'are here invited to the
Funeral of Amadore.
109
Had not your summons been too hasty, Sir,
W'had put ourselves to th'charge of Blacks,
For the solemnity; but we have borrowed all
The sorrow we could get abroad which added
To our own will shew as doleful as long cloaks.
Aler.
Well, you are high in my esteem,
And you shall both confess't; that very secret
Which this morn I whisper'd to the Queen,
Shall now be yours, The party is alive.
Sal.
How! Amadore alive!
Thor.
This mirth is scarce becoming Aleran.
Aler.
It shall be when you find it truth,
Attend and reverence this tongue of mine
That hath contain'd it self so silently
These two days.
Thor.
Dost thou grow serious.
Aler.
It was my luck t'arrive where those
Great spirits fought, and just when Oramont
Had left the field, in fear that he had kill'd
His friend, there I beheld the conquer'd
Amadore grasping his Mother Earth,
And senceless with the loss of Blood; whilst
Straight by the discovery of a few, a tide
Of people rushing in, they carry'd him
For dead unto my Garden-house that stood
Upon the River side, it being luckily
The next adjacent dwelling to that place.
Sal.
I hope this will proceed from wonder into joy.
Aler.
Your hope, Sir, will be satisfied,
For with this violence of motion, I
Discover'd life, and by some skilful help
Retriev'd his wandring sences, till he got
The power to speak; but they were words
Of rage, most strangely vex'd: As soon as he
Had strength to know that he was overcome,
And when with all religious force we had
Perswaded him not to disdain his cure,
There being no impediment, but loss of blood,
He was a while content, but did enjoyn
Me to conceal his strange return to life.
Thor.
What might that imposition mean?
Aler.
I cannot guess, unless in melancholly
Sence of that disgrace, he did resolve
Perpetually to hide himself from men.
Thor.
If Oramont had miss'd his pardon,
You would have been so good natur'd
(Aleran) t'have mock'd the Law, by shewing
Amadore alive.
Aler.
Introth, I think, I should, nor will
I more obey his fond injunction now.
Enter Amadore in a night Gown.
For he'll relapse again for want of company;
Look there, this shady walk contents him much.
Thor.
It will be happy news for Oramont.
Sal.
'Tis like ere this, h'has heard it from the Queen.
Amad.
Sir, you have fail'd my trust.
Aler.
What I have done, my care and
Reason will excuse; for such a solitude as this
Would nourish your disease.
These (Sir) whom I presume to make your
Visitants, are my choice friends, that hold
Your vertue and your honor in a high regard.
Amad.
Though I'm concern'd i'th' injury,
Yet you have most abus'd these Gentlemen:
Why have you made the valiant lose their
Time so much to visit me, that by the falsness
Of my courage was subdu'd, when I was
Grac'd with such a noble Cause.
Thor.
This was your Fortunes weakness (Sir) not yours.
Sal.
And you would grow unjust unto your
Self, to own the error of your fate.
Amad.
Fortune and Fate are meerly names,
For were they real pow'rs, they'ld not indure,
That fools should prove them guilty of our ills.
Sal.
Your passion makes you subject to mistake.
Amad.
'Tis a sad truth, and no mistake of
Rage, if every Star were guilty of those crimes,
Of which so sev'rally they've been accus'd
By th'long continu'd race of Erring men,
They would have lost their hurtful influence
Ere this, for the supream just power would
Then neglect them.
Enter Oramont, Aleran steps to whisper him.
Ora.
Sir, Heaven will soon reward your
Noble care, those joys you would deliver me,
The Queen already hath reveal'd.
Aler.
'Twere fit you should delay your
Visit Sir, I fear 'twill much distemper him!
Ora.
Trust my discretion, and dismiss your Friends.
Exeunt all but Oramont and Amadore.
Amad.
My enemy! If I had any sence
Of shame, I should believe it now as much
Immodesty to live, as it was base
Before to be subdu'd.
Ora.
Renowned Amadore!
Whom, if not my merit, yet my intire
Affection must call friend. Know, not by me,
But by unlucky destiny, thou wert
Subdu'd; so destiny became your enemy
Not Oramont.
Amad.
A second curse is come upon me,
Ere the first is gone! Wilt thou deprive me
Of revenge, by courteous false denials of
Thy act; expose me to repair my honor
On a high mysterious power, that we onely
Know by words, let me be hidden in a Grave!
Ora.
These sad complaints become you not.
Amad.
Why do you scorn me Sir? And
When my honor's lost, so vainly shift me off,
Thus to repair't upon immortal things?
Why am I fool'd, by telling me, I'm overcome
By some strange influence above? For in
Disdain, you'ld bid me go and fight with
Heaven now.
110
Your valor, Sir, is misinform'd, and
Your opinion weakly nice, to think the
Conquer'd lose their honor with their swords,
The noble sons of Pompey kept their honor
When they lost the spacious World, and will
Continue still as dear to Fame, as lucky Cesar
That prevail'd; they gain'd by being overcome.
For those that die, get instant immortality,
Whilst victors that survive retard'd that
Happiness which early dying, doth with
Greater safety meet, because with fewer crimes.
Amad.
You come to tell me, that I should have dy'd
Ora.
Your anger still perverts my words.
Amad.
These are but vain sophistick toys,
If thou art real Oramont, and hast some touch
Of pitty left, Deprive me not of that
Renown, which such a noble cause might gain
Me, if 'twere manag'd with a prosperous arm.
Ora.
I understand not, what you would command.
Amad.
Be kind and gentle, as thou ever
Wert, and fight with me again.
Ora.
Not for the wealth of both the Ladies,
Or all the treasure that the Sea doth hide!
I am reclaim'd, and with true inward grief,
Repent my jealous thoughts.
Amad.
What will become of me?
My honor's lost, and now I want a cause
That justly might suffice me to redeem't?
Be courteous yet! Could it be ever said
Of Amadore, that he deny'd one, whom
He stil'd his friend, th'imployment of his
Sword, when's reputation was distress'd,
The cause will yet stand good enough,
Since I'm not bound so quickly to believe
Your jealousies, are by your penitence absolv'd.
Ora.
You make a wonderful request!
Retire a while within! Till I can secretly
Provide to satisfie your will.
Amad.
All Blessings, but this victory be thine.
Exeunt severally.
Enter Oramont and Eumena.
Ora.
To say (Eumena) that my jealousie
Sprung from my Love, and Rumor give
It growth, were such fond circumstance,
As both the Queen, and your Grave Confessor
Already have confuted with severe
Rebukes: Thy causless suff'rings have rais'd
Thee to the dignity of Saints: Thus low
I bow for my offence, which (since so great)
If thou forgiv'st, it would be stil'd thy miracle,
But that such wondrous mercy is the most
Familiar custom of thy vertue.
Eume.
I must receive thee Oramont with
Tears, although thy happy news of Amadore's
Return to life, might well command my joys
T'appear in a less doubtful shape.
Ora.
You have been told the temper of
His soul; restore him by the soft
Perswasions of your love. Where are you Sir?
Enter Amadore.
Amad.
Eumena too! Is the great hope of
Our brave Fierce encounter turn'd to this!
Cruel and false! Dost thou present the object
To my view, that will revert mine eyes, until
They look upon my inward, hidden shame?
Eume.
Y'are too suspitious (valiant
Amadore) of the condition of your Fame,
Which since so precious unto all, you ne'er
Can lose what others with such care preserve.
My cause was dignifi'd in your attempt; and
Though the noblest humane enterprise is still
Uncertain of success; yet brave attempts
Get th'estimation of most prosp'rous deeds.
Amad.
All that is good, the ill within me,
Straight inverts to contrary effects; that which
Would render life to Plants and Stones, doth
Strike me dead; for I shall now be kil'd,
Even with the musick of her voice.
Eume.
Make me not still unhappy.
Amad.
No Lady, I would have you keep
Your kind compassion for a nobler use, then
Thus to waste it upon me, though I did want
The vigor to defend the justice of your cause,
And could not be victorious then; yet you
Shall find I can subdue my greatest hopes,
Even those that aim'd at you.
Exit.
Ora.
Eumena, follow him! unless thy love
Can for immediate rescue, force a passage to
His heart, he straight will ruine it.
Eume.
O, what a change is here! You
That before set guards upon my modesty,
Now think it fit the wooer should be
Courted by the woo'd.
Exeunt.
Enter King, Queen, Radegond, Phylenio, and Attendants.
King.
Proclaim a lasting joy to all that love,
Or are belov'd! Send 'em a bounteous share
Of mine, I have enough to furnish either sex.
I am so light that I could tread on growing
Flowers, and never bend their stalks.
Queen.
My joy is such, that till this hour
I never felt the like! And therefore Sir, you
Needs must guess it is deriv'd from yours.
King.
Thy constant Vertue hath so
Vanquish'd me, that all my rash Rebellious
Flames grow pale and sickly now. Near ev'ry
Beam thine eyes most carelesly do shed
Tapers before the Sun at Noon, look
Not so alter'd and eclips'd.
Queen.
Who is it, that will doubt
The care of Heaven? Or think th'immortal
Pow'rs are slow, because they take the
Priviledge to chuse their own time, when they
Will send their blessings down.
King.
Call all the Court, that they may
Celebrate this miracle of love! And call
Eumena too, that she may know how much
Her wishes, and her Prayers for the Queen
111
They were devout, they have so well prevail'd.
Enter Thorello, Saladine, Aleran.
Radeg.
Look Sir! Your joys are soon dispers'd.
Phyle.
Your voice is kingly too; for 'tis
As soon obey'd, as it is heard.
King.
Do homage to your Queen;
Not as she shares the titles of my Crown,
But the Prerogatives of Love, whose
Everlasting Throne is in my Brest.
Aler.
Our gladness shall appear in Triumphs, Sir!
Sal.
Such as the envious too shall come to
See, delighted with the glory, though they
Want the Vertue to affect the Cause.
Enter Oramont, Amadore, Eumena.
Thor.
This Cupid's a strange fantastick Young Monsieur.
King.
What Magick show is this? Brave
Amadore alive again?
Queen.
W'have kept a story for you Sir,
That will contribute to your wonder and your
Joy; reserve it for the triumphs of this night.
Eume.
Sir, to prolong a precious life, that
Hath been sav'd by miracle, I was constrain'd
A little to dispence with bashfulness,
And woo a valiant lover to woo me.
King.
Were not my heart resolv'd Eumena
To be still delighted here, where justly I
Am taught to pay a mighty debt, long due
For true affection, and her patient loyalty,
I should hear this as a sad Tragick tale;
But now, my kinder wish fall on you both.
Eume.
The strange continuance of your
Vertuous love, my prayers and obedience,
Shall requite, at first I durst not welcome it,
More then with civil kindness and regard,
Since there was no proportion 'tween my
Fortunes and a King; but when it grew to
Passionate excess, the Piety of your fair
Queen, made me forbear t'usurp her interst.
King.
'Twas fit thy goodness should receive
Rewards from thy own choice. Now Oramont,
Your causless jealousie will cease, and yours
(Brave rival) I am sure will ne'er begin.
Ora.
Let me receive your pardon, Sir,
In a forgetfulness of my fond crime.
Amad.
I'll beg it for him, Sir, as fervently
As I emplore your favors on my self.
Your sister shall be taught to chide you
Oramont, though I'll no more lament your
Victory, since I have gain'd my honors
Hope in her.
Queen.
Be not dejected Oramont, your care
Of me I shall requite; there's no choice,
Your noble love can make in Italy, but I
Will woo her to become your Bride.
Ora.
Madam, the War must be my Mistress
Now, a long hard pennance I'll endure,
Till I can expiate my sins of jealousie.
King.
Lead on (my Lords) that we may
Straight prepare to celebrate Eumena's
Nuptial Rites, mine now will be
But happily renew'd
This day, succeeding Lovers shall prefer
To be the cheif in Loves new Kalender.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
| The Fair Favorite | |