University of Virginia Library

Act. 3.

Scæn. 1.

Enter King, Agenor.
Age.
Is there no news? what is become of this rude Prince?

K.
You need not seek for him; his wounds and his disgrace
Are punishment enough.

Age.
My reason now does tell me so; but had my brothers
Wounds prov'd mortal, no corner of the earth
Should hide him from my revenge.

K.
I cannot chuse but grieve the sad accident;
Yet know I am oblig'd in honor, he coming
To my rescue with such a powerful Flees,
To look with less severity upon his fault:
Besides, which happily you know not,
I gave him leave to be a suiter to my daughter.

Age.
His punishment would be so great to see Clorinda,
As herself whom he would then have wounded
As his rival, that I confess I wish him here.
Besides, those of his Fleet, or he scaping to
That, may do some sudden mischief.

K.
He cannot be so base, your fears are needless.

Exeunt:
Enter Clorinda and Austela.
Clo.
Madam, in modesty I could no longer
Wear the habit of a man, once known a woman:
But humbly I beseech you on my knees,
As you respect the honor of our sex,
When you return, to licence my departure
From the Court; since misery and discontent
Dwels here, though I were circled in
With all those honors you or the King can grant.

Aust.
I must confess I am made happy by your misery,
And therefore hold my self oblig'd to study always
For your satisfaction. But know, besides this tye,
I have so great opinion of your merit,
Hold it so far to exceed mine, that I am confident
The Gods reserve for you a greater blessing then Agenor,
A person tainted in his faith.

Clo.
Although your own, I must not suffer
Such an undervalue of the King, whose worth is such,
So far exceeding all, that it admits of an allay.
Here it was not so, rather addition;
A change produc'd by such perfection,
Is not to be esteem'd inconstancie, but wisdom:

Au.
It is not now, rather hereafter that I shall return
This argument upon your self: Now let us go do
What charity enjoins.

Clo.
That and my duty forces me to attend you.

Exeunt.
Enter Clarimant and Clindor.
Clind.
How is it with your Highness?

Clar.
O too well, Clindor: my outward wounds
Heal much too fast, since these within do fester.

Clind.
Well sir, you little know what service I may do you.

Clar.
I know thou hast and wilt be careful of my health.

Cli.
But sir, I mean that I can serve you in your love.

Clar.
O Clindor, speak no more; thou troublest me.

Clind.
Will it trouble you to let you know Clorinda's here?

Clar.
Here! where?

Clind.
Not in this room, but in this Country, nay in this Court.

Clar.
Alas I know it, and so by this does all men.

Clind.
But do they know Selina's here in habit of a man?

Clar.
Yes, yes.

Clind.
But yet they do not know she is in love with me,
Most desperately too.

Clar.
Nor dost thou know it, fool, she does abuse thee.

Enter two Surgeons.
Clind.
She dares not; by this light I will beat her.—
The Surgeons, sir, are come to dress you.

Clar.
Must I be drest?

Enter Austela, Clorinda, and Olinda.
Clind.
The Queen your sister! Clorinda, as I live, sir.

Clar.
O fool, thou lyest; it is impossible—Can it be she?

Au.
Brother, how is with you now?

Clar.
So well, that I could kiss that sword that made these
Wounds; for I by them receive a benefit
Which I durst never hope.

Au.
Come, I must dress your wounds; no common hand
Is fit to touch you. I know this Lady will apply
One plaister, since for her sake you did receive
These wounds.

Clo.
Led by your example, I am compell'd to follow.

Clar.
You Gods, what happiness is this! may they be long
A healing, if still this application will continue.

Au.
Pray not against your self, heaven is offended,
Granting your request, I fear; for if I not mistake,
They bleed afresh. Fair Clorinda,
These drops express his passion, and your power.

Clo.
I grieve for both, and know no remedy so good
As a perpetual absence.

Clar.
Know dear Clorinda, it was a thankful heart
That sent those few drops forth to kiss your hand
For so great favours: your cruel resolution
Sends them back, their errand scarce perform'd:
For see, I bleed no more; but know withall
'Tis the destruction of the fountain; the coldness
Of despair must quickly freeze all motion:

Au.
I owe a reverence to that blood upon this hand;
O let me kiss it as a most sacred relique
Of the truest Lover the sex did ever boast.
That spot, Clorinda, you may wipe away,
Offers to weep.
But never shall the memory of him
Whom you thus cruelly do murder
By disdain.

Clo.
Madam, free from that guilt, I cannot apprehend
A punishment. The Gods are just; they be my witness
If I had happiness to give, I should prefer
This Prince before my self; But I am such a peece
Of earth, so sunk beneath all joys,
That should I yield what he can ask,
Yet I must lie like lead upon his heart.

Au.
Yet for the present, sure,
It is fit you speak comfort to him.

Clo.
Comfort from me! 'tis contradiction
To my being, who am made up of misery.

Au.
Pray come near, and speak to him.

Clo.
I am so careful, that I would not hurt him.

Au.
Brother, be confident her rigor cannot last,
I shall perswade her to relent.

Clar.
O Madam, you mistake; she only hath the beauties,
And not the weaknesses usually depending on her sex:
Her resolutions have their ground from reason ever,
And know no change till it command.
How can she then esteem the less deserving brother
Worthy her love, when he that most deserved
Foully betraid her? Life could only prove
No curse, if I might be assur'd she would
Forgive the injury she suffers by the trouble
Of my love; to hope her pitty of my torments,
Is much above my faith.

Clo.
Madam, too long we have disturb'd the Prince;
Our absence would be more conducing to his health.

Au.
There is a care his merits methinks should command
Over your gratitude: which that you not apply,
Too late you may repent.

Clo.
I so much wish his health and happiness,
That I will ever pray that he may never find
Disquiet thought, and to my prayers likewise add
My latest counsel: Forget Clorinda, and make her happy.

Clar.
Forget Clorinda, and make her happy!
How can I understand this cruel sentence?

Au.
Waste not your spirits, sir; I think I understand her,
And it shall not be long ere I procure her
To explain herself.

Clar.
You are the comfort of my love, and life.

Exeunt.
Enter Prince Cleon.
Pr.
What do I owe my stars that did direct me
To this place, where I find safety for my person,
Cure for my wounds, and such a friend who chalks me
Out a way to all I can desire on earth!

Cle.
Follow my counsel, and be constant in it,
You are the master of your wish

Pr.
Constant! can there be other ends propos'd
Powerful to change me? Revenge for my disgrace;
And the possession of that Kingdom I aim'd at
In Austela, now to prove mine with one I more esteem,
The fair Olinda. But how when this is done,
I ever can requite your pains?

Cle.
It pays it self; and to secure you more
Of my intention and performance,
Know I am not the man I have appeared,
But one whom both revenge and love does likewise
Animate.—
[Enter Druid.]
My Instrument returns:
When we have heard what's his intelligence,
I will lay my self more fully open,
And we'll conclude how to pursue what we design.
What is thy news, good?

Druid.
As you could wish.

Cle.
We'll hear't within.

Exeunt.
Enter Clorinda and Selina:
Clo.
A man so holy and so knowing, sayst thou,
That can give comforts to all griefs,
Call back the peace that is fled from any mind?

Sel.
Certainly, Madam, the spirit of the Gods
Dwels in him, or rather he is a God descended
To the earth to comfort the distressed world:
I am confident, had you but once discours'd with him,
You would not be thus sad.

Clo.
O fool! the Gods themselves have not a cure for me
But death: If he their substitute would give me that,
Then I would visit him most gladly. Prethee leave me.

Sel.
Well Madam, I grieve you have not faith
To trust my words. My words! nay, all the City
Speaks him wonderful for sanctity and knowledg.

Clo:
Well, perhaps I will see him: Prethee now leave me.

Sel.
Alas Madam, I cannot, whilst you are thus sad.

Clo.
I am not so, thou but deceivest thy self;
Or if I be, company makes me worse.

Sel.
Madam, since I must, yet still my duty
Presses you to receive this comfort.

Clo.
Well, be gone, I will think on it.
Ex. Selina.
Why do I trifle time out thus, when every hour
I feel a torment more then death can be?
Besides, if I were gone; from the impossibility
To enjoy me, Prince Clarimants affection
Might abate; and yet when I consider,
His love appears none of those sickly passions
Which time can triumph over, since I believe it such,
Where is my gratitude to see him languish?
Nay, to see him die? die of those wounds
That he for me received? I never can forget
His blood fresh streaming from his wounds
At my approach; that faithful witness of his joy,
More worthy of belief, then if a thousand tongues
Or pens should be imployed: I find my self
More wretched now then ever, fitter to die;
For if I live, I to my own shall add
His sufferings too: And yet methinks that should be
Pleasing: To grieve for him, is to discharge
Part of that debt I owe; I would not be ungrateful:
Live then Clorinda, till thou find'st some way
To make him happy. No, it is impossible,
Since I cannot be so; yet I may seem content,
And by that seeming give him real blessing:
And see, fortune presents an object that confirms my hopes
It may be done, at least I will endeavour.

Enter Olinda.
Olind.
Dearest Clorinda! not less dear, because a woman;
For such perfections in a man I solely could not
Have possest, my own defects barring that happiness:
But as a woman sure, none can pretend
With greater merit to your favour;
All my wants supplied by my firm love,
Which cannot know another object then your fair self.

Clo.
I must esteem my self most happy
In the continuance of your love,
Rather your friendship; for all affection
Is from us proper to the better sex.

Olind.
Which sure is ours, you being a woman.

Clo.
Your sister will not grant you that,
Whose example you ought to follow, in acknowledging
Love and superiority due to the men,
Especially such men as the King Agenor
And his more worthy brother Clarimant.

Olind.
These words of Clarimant, if heard,
Would cause a general joy through all the Court:
But he himself must know his happiness by degrees,
Lest the excess again disturb his health;
Since your last visit he is miraculously recover'd.

Clo.
You attribute to me what is more justly due
Unto the King and Queen's, nay your sweet conversation.
Methinks you four would be most aptly join'd;
Two brothers and two sisters, whose perfections
All the world cannot equal.

Olind.
Dear Clorinda, I must not understand you;
Or if I do, you have a mean opinion
Of my Judgment, less of my Constancie,
Which did but now profess my heart for ever only yours:

Clo.
I take for granted that your heart is mine,
Which I express in that I would dispose it,
And so I would do my own, if I had any:
But know that what I once do give, I never reassume;
Or if I had a heart, could that be worthy Clarimant
Another had despised?

Olind.
What now you speak to me, expresses your respect to him,
And so must not displease; for I confess
His merits are so great, that in his happiness
All that love vertue must be sharers:
But I beseech you do not entertain a thought
That you can breed a change in him or me.
Dear Clorinda, your vertue and your beauty
Is the object of our Loves; such a conformity
As may arise from that, betwixt Prince Clarimant
And me, is only fit.

Clo.
I for my part do ask no more, but that your lines
Of love do meet in me: But reason in him,
Friendship in you may give me power in time
To tie a happy knot; this hope the Gods inspire me with.

Olind.
Take heed, they needs must be offended with you
For a hope that is so unjust.

Clo.
Dare you refer your self unto their sentence?

Olind.
I dare do any thing that you think fit;
But this I know you cannot.

Clo.
Heaven knows that I desire it.

Olind.
But do not hope it, when two wills oppose you.

Clo.
Yet when the Gods shall give their sentence,
Your will and Clarimant's, if all your vows be true,
Must then submit to mine.

Olind.
Should we grant our obedience, how have the Gods,
Or can they unto us declare their will?

Clo.
That great Deity that did infuse
A reasonable soul into us mortals,
Inthron'd that Reason as a King to govern
All our actions. But beyond this I am inform'd,
Nor is it possible but you must know it,
That here without the City in a sacred Grove,
There lives a man so pious, and so knowing
The will of heaven, that all men in distress
Or doubt repair to him, and find a happy issue
Of their troubles.

Olind.
It is most true, his fame is great:
If curiosity do move you to go visit him,
I gladly will attend you; but since I have resisted
What you commanded, dear Clorinda,
No mortal man must change me.

Clo.
I love this firmness in you; the fitter you
Will prove hereafter for Clarimants affection.
In hearts of wax, Love easily impressions make,
But those of diamonds hardly new forms take.

Exeunt.
Enter Agenor and Clindor.
Age.
Clindor, I make no doubt your joy is not the least
To see your Master thus recover'd of his wounds.

Clind.
Faith sir, his outward wounds are pretty well;
But there's a foolish shaft sticks in his heart.
The little Archer should be whipt for shooting Soldiers,
What has he to do with us?

Age.
He aims still at the noblest marks.

Clind.
But those, sir, that are wise, wear privy coats,
And then his darts prove but burbolts, and drop down
At our feet: And is not that, sir, better then by our whining
Or in verse or prose, make these she-gossips think themselves
Our Deities, who by creation rather are our slaves.

Age.
I see thou art an enemy to Love.

Clind.
Just as to Idleness: why are we not in arms?
Methinks there is now a brave occasion.

Age.
How? we have no enemies.

Clind.
Let's make some then: But sir, you have a cause
Of just revenge against that base Prince which hurt your Brother:
Let's fall upon his Country, they say a rich one,
And he no doubt lies here obscured to do some mischief:
At least let us seise upon his ships here in the road.

Age.
It were dishonorable:
He came to the assistance of the King my father,
And for his sake I rather do desire his friendship,
However he appears not to receive it.

Clind.
That shews his hatred; he may be in his Country
Raising forces to invade your Kingdom in your absence:
Prevent him sir, and seise on his; it is a shame, sir,
To lie here hugging a wife, wasting your best of youth
On poor delights.

Age.
Thou knowst not what it is to be rich in pleasure.

Clind.
Yes, to have mony purchas'd by my sword.

Age.
Is it not as well to have it without blows?

Clind.
Not by the half: If your Majesty should give me now
A thousand crowns, in the mind I am in,
I swear I scarce would give you thanks for it.

Age.
Well Clindor, I had such an intention; but since I see
It will be no more acceptable, it shall be reserv'd for some other.

Clind.
Your Majesty, if you please, may lend me such a sum:
At the first City taken by assault, I shall pay it.

Age.
The war is so distant from my thoughts,
So long I cannot spare it.

Clind.
Nay, as you please sir, I am full.

Age.
Able to lend me, are you not? I am a stranger here,
And may need gold.

Clind.
Make haste, sir, back to Burgonia, your credit's good there:
And to say truth, I wonder why you stay so long;
Your subjects will believe you have forgot them,
Your fathers death, sir, left things much unsetled.

Age.
Clindor, I thank you for your care; 'tis worth my thought,
And shall be worth to you the thousand crowns we spake of,
Nor shall you pay so much as thanks to me:
Only be careful of my brother; he is full of melancholy,
For which I know no better cure then your company.

Clind.
He shall not stir a foot without me:
But this same foolish Love does trouble us; A little Bout, sir,
In the field, War, war would cure us all.

Exeunt.
Enter Clarimant and Clorinda.
Clar.
Divine Clorinda! how quickly is my joy
To see you here, lost by the cruelty of your commands!
All your neglect was just; but now to bid me
Cease to love you, nay to impose a new affection,
It is such a studied tyrannie, that I in this particular
To Gods and men may justifie my disobedience
To Clorinda.

Clo.
I must not hope that any argument
That I have used can be of equal force
With her perfections; if they want power,
'Tis vain to plead it further: but henceforth
Be assured I never shall impose any command
Upon you, nor will I ever see you more,
If with convenience I may avoid you.

Clar.
Stay, you cannot think it is possible
I should obey you.

Clo.
I think you will not rather; so fare you well.

Clar.
O stay! was ever man so wretched?
May I not be allowed some time to try
If I can be unconstant?

Clo.
Yes.

Clar.
How long?

Clo.
Two or three days.

Clar.
Oh! years, years will not do it, sure not an age,
I cannot suffer such a thought: To pierce my heart
Is much more easie; O give me leave to do that
Rather; then you shall see your character
So deeply printed there, that not Clorinda's self
Can ere deface it, not by this injury,
Although the greatest that ever yet was offer'd
To a faithful love.

Clo.
Tears from those manly eyes! it is not fit I urge it more:
But know withall it is impiety in you
To hope I ever can be yours:
For though no contract past betwixt me
And the King your brother, I hold my self
Unfit to be anothers wife; my vows of being
Ever his, are sure in heaven recorded.
Think seriously of this; but withall be assured
That person does not live to whom I hold
My self so much obliged as to Prince Clarimant:
The Gods grant you much peace,
Nay greater happiness then they permit me to bestow.
Exit Clo.

Clar.
Thunder and musick in one voice; despair and joy!
Yet reason bids me hope from her last word:
The heart that pitties once, may love afford.

Exit.
Enter Clorinda, Selina.
Clo.
Selina, I am now resolved to see this
Holy man; and if he be what you relate,
Hereafter I shall credit you. Prince Clarimant
And fair Olinda too will go along:
Let it be order'd so, if possible,
That none take notice of our going.

Sel.
That may with much ease be effected: Some houres
As in the morning he wholly dedicates
To his devotions, and does admit of none to visit him:
But persons of your quality are not obliged to any rule.

Clo.
It fals out happily; be ready then to guide us.

Sel.
Madam, I shall not fail; and if you find him not above
What you expect, for ever banish me your favor.

Exeunt.
Enter King, Austela.
K.
Austela, I much wonder why this
Unhappy Prince appears not.

Au.
Doubtless, sir, he is shipt; the sense of his disgrace
Will hinder him for ever appearing in this Court.

K.
Why should you think so? his action was not such
As you would make it; although Clorinda
Were a woman, he knew it not, but as a rival
In your sisters love did wound her.

Au.
That is true, sir; it is not that which I alleadg
In his disgrace, but that he with such odds
Could not defend himself from Clarimant.

K.
It was his misfortune, and not want of courage,
Nor can I think that he consented
To that assistance which his servants gave:
However I must value him a friend,
For such he shewed himself in my distress;
Nor shall he suffer in my Kingdom, if it lie
In my power to serve him.

Au.
I am not, sir, to counsel you: but for my part
The little knowledg I had of him, does make me wish
Never to see my sister married to him;
And I am confident, if not inforc'd,
She never will receive him for a husband.

K.
It is not come to that: I rather fear
His wounds were mortal; and should he thus be lost
And no accompt given of his life or death,
It might be prejudicial to my honor,
All neighbour Princes would avoid my Court for ever.

Au.
It were no loss, if they were all like him.

K.
Daughter, I find you are so partial for your
Husbands brother, that you forget my interest quite:

Au.
I cannot be so severed by a husband,
As to forget a loving father: My sisters good
Obliges to speak thus much, for whom
I must believe Prince Clarimant would prove
A nobler husband then this Prince
You so much seem to favour.

K.
It is true; but his affection's setled on Clorinda sure,
Never to be altered.

Au.
You know not, sir, what time may do;
Clorinda's self labours to make Prince Clarimant
Change his affection to my sister: For her,
She vows never to marry, as having lost Agenor
Whom she loved. This I both gather by mine
Own observance, and likewise know it from my sister,
To whom Clorinda hath in part exprest as much.

K:
Things standing so, I must confess, if honor
And my word engag'd permit, I quickly should consent.

Au.
You would have reason. I know Agenor
So much loves his brother, that he might be perswaded
After your death to live here, and leave the government
Of Burgonia to Clarimant.

K.
It were a high point of state, could it be so,
And we should aptly pay the care we owe
Unto this Kingdom. That State is much more happy
Where the Prince himself remains.
Then howsoever govern'd by a Substitute.

Au.
Add to this, what happiness it were for me
To live here in that Kingdom, which I
By your favour brought my husband.

K.
My dear Austela, I rejoice in thy instruction:
My daughter and my Tutor, to thy cleer
Judgment I leave the managing of this affair.

Exeunt.
Enter Cleon and Druid.
Dru.
Will you not let them see my art?

Cle.
No, no, it were loss of time.

Pr.
On peril of your lives keep close, till you be call'd.

Enter Prince and Sailors.
Cle.
Speak not of calling;
As soon as you perceive them once entred
This thicket, break forth and seise them:
If any men come in their company,
Unless they yield, kill them; whilst we convey
Away the Ladies to the ship. Where lies the Boat?
Who guides to that?

Sail.
Fast by here in a Creek.

Pr.
But why should I not we rather let them come
Unto his Cell? then we might better seise them.

Cle.
Oh by no means! he must remain here still
In the same reputation, untill by poison
Or some other way the King Agenor be dispatcht;
And then come to receive a Dukedom
For thy recompence,—or else a halter.

Dru.
Doubt not, I will deserve it.

Pr.
My mind misgives me that they will not come.

Cle.
Oh fear it not; both love and curiosity.
Advance their steps, either of which
Hath power to make young people run:
The boy that brings them, hath his interest too.
I judge it near the time.
[Ent. Sailor]
I see them coming.

Cle.
Stand close.

Enter Selina, Clorinda, Clarimant, Olinda, Clindor.
Sel.
Madam, it is but a little farther
Within the Wood.

Clind.
Whilst they enquire for Oracles,
I'll talk with you: It is a notable witty rogue—
The place methinks invites:

[Ent. Sailors]
Clar.
Traitors!

Clo.
Help, help, you Gods!

Pr.
Make good 'gainst them.

Cle.
Lose no time.

[Ex. Pr. Cle. Clor. Olind.]
Enter Clarimant and Clindor.
Clar.
O Clindor, that we had wings!

In the fight Sailors are kill'd.
Exeunt.