University of Virginia Library

ACT the Third.

SCENE the First.

Don John of Austria.
The GROVE continues.
D. J.
How vainly would dull Moralists Impose
Limits on Love, whose Nature brooks no Laws:
Love is a God, and like a God should be
Inconstant: with unbounded liberty
Rove as he list—
I find it: for ev'n now I've had a Feast,
Of which a God might Covet for a tast.
Methinks I yet—
See with what soft devotion in her eyes,
The tender Lamb came to the Sacrifice.
Oh how her Charms, surpriz'd me as I lay!
Like too near sweets they took my sence away:
And I ev'n lost the pow'r to reach at Joy.
But those cross withcrafts soon unravell'd were,
And I was lull'd in Trances sweeter far:
As Anchor'd Vessels in Calm Harbours ride,
Rock't on the swellings of the floating Tide.
How wretched then's the man who though alone
He thinks he's blest; yet as Confin'd to one,
Is but at best a pris'ner on a Throne.

To him King Attended. Posa. Gomez.
King.
Ye mighty Powr's! whose substitutes we are,
On whom y'ave layn of Earth the rule and care:
Why all our Toyles do you reward with ill?
And to those Weighty Cares add Greater still?
Or how could I your Dieties enrage,
That bles't my youth, thus to afflict my age!
A Queen and a Son's Incest! dismal Thought!

D. J.
What is't so soon his Majesty has brought
To Gomez.
From the soft Arms of his young Bride?

King.
—Ay true.
Is she not Austria young and Charming too?
Dost thou not think her to a wonder fair?
Tell me.—

D. J.
—By Heav'n more bright than Planets are;
Her Beauties force might ev'n their pow'r Out-do.

King.
Nay she's as false and as unconstant too.
Oh Austria, that a form so outward bright,
Should be within all dark and ugly night.
For she, to whom I'd dedicated all
My Love, that dearest Jewel of my Soul:
Takes from its shrine the pretious Relique down,
T'adorn a little Idol of her Own,
My Son! That Rebel both to Heav'n and me!
Oh the distracting throwes of Jealousie!
But as a drowning wretch just like to sink,
Seeing him that threw him in upon the brink:
At the third plunge layes hold upon his Foe,
And tugs him down into destruction too,
So thou from whom these miseries I've known,
Shall bear me out again, or with me drown.

Seizes roughly on Rui-Gomez.
R. Go.
My Loyalty will teach me how to wait
All the Successes of my Soveraign's fate.
What is't, Great Sir, you wou'd command me!

King.
How!—
—What is't?—I know not what I'd have thee do;
Study revenge for me, 'tis that I want.

D. John.
Alas! what frenzy does your temper haunt!
Revenge! on whom!

King.
On my false Queen and Son.

R. Go.
On them! good heav'n what is't that they have done,
Oh had my tongue been curst e're it had bred
This Jealousie—

[half aside.
King.
—Then cancel what tha'st said.
Did'st thou not tell me, that thou saw'st him stand,
Printing soft vowes, in kisses on her hand:
Whilst in requital she such glances gave,
Would quicken a Dead Lover in his Grave.

R. Go.
I did: and what less could the Queen allow
To him, then you to every vassal show:
Th'affording him that little from Loves store,
Imply'd that she for you reserv'd much more.

King.
Oh doubtless she must have a woundrous store
Of Love, that sells it at a rate so poore.
Now Thoud'st rebate my passion with advise,
And when thou shouldst be active, wouldst be wise,
No, lead me where I may their Incest see.
Do: or by heav'n—do and I'le worship Thee!
Oh how my Passions drive me to and fro!
Under their heavy weight, I yield and bow.
But I'le regather yet my strength, and stand
Brandishing all my Thunder in my hand.

Posa.
And may it be sent forth and where it goes,
Light fatally and heavy on your foes.
But let your Loyal Son, and Consort, bear
No ill, since they of any guiltless are.
Here with my Sword defiance I proclaim,
To that bold Traytor, that dares wrong their fame.

D. J.
I too, dare with my life their Cause make good.

King.
Sure well their Innocence y'ave understood,
That you so prodigal are of your blood.
Or wouldst thou speak me comfort? I would find
'Mongst all my Councellors at least one kind.
Yet any thing like that I must not hear,
(Or so my wrongs I should too tamely bear)
And weakly grow my own fond flatterer.
Posa, withdraw—
[Exit Posa.
My Lords, all this y'have heard.

R. Go.
Yes, I observ'd it Sir, with strict regard.
The Young Lord's Friendship was too great to hide.

King.
Is he then so to my false Son ally'd?
I am environ'd ev'ry way, and all
My Fates unhappy Engines plot my fall,
Like Cæsar in the Senate, thus I stand,
Whilst ruine threaten'd him on ev'ry hand.
From each side he had warning he must dye;
Yet still he brav'd his Fate, and so will I.
To strive for ease would but add more to pain,
As streams that beat against their banks in vain
Retreating swell into a Flood again.
No, I'le do things the World shall quake to hear,
My just revenge so true a stamp shall bear.
As henceforth Heav'n it self shall emulate,
And copy all its vengeance out by that.
All but Rui-Gomez I must have withdrawn,
I've something to discourse with him alone.
[Ex. omnes præter K. & Gomez.
Now Gomez on thy truth depends thy fate,
Thou'st wrought my sence of Wrong to such a height:
Within my breast it will no longer stay,
But grows each minute till it force its way.
I would not find my self at last deceiv'd.

R. Go.
Nor would I 'gainst your reason be believ'd;
Think Sir your Jealousie to be but fear
Of loosing treasures which you hold so dear:
Your Queen and Son may yet be innocent,
I know but what they did, not what they meant.

King.
Meant? what should looks and sighs and pressings mean?
No, no: I need not hear it o're again.
No repetitions—something must be done.
Now there's no ill I know that I would shun.
I'l fly till them I've in their Incest found
Full charg'd with rage and with my vengeance hot,
Like a Granado from a Cannon shot,
Which lights at last upon the Enemies ground,
Then breaking deals destruction all around.

[Ex. King.
R. Go.
So! now his Jealousie is at the Top;
Each little blast will serve to keep it up.
But stay; there's something I've omitted yet,
Posa's my Enemy: and true he's great.
Alas! I'm arm'd 'gainst all that he can do;
For my snare's large enough to hold him too.
Yet, I'le disguise that purpose for a while:
But when he with the rest is caught i'th Toile,
I'le boldly out and wanton in the spoile.

Enter Posa.
Posa.
My Lord Rui-Gomez! and the King not here!
You who so eminent a Favourite are.
In a King's Eye, should ne're be absent thence.

R. Go.
No Sir! 'tis you that by a rising Prince
Are cherish't, and so tread a safer way:
Rich in that bliss the World waits to enjoy.

Posa.
Since what may bless the World we ought to prize,
I wish there were no publick enemies.
No lurking Serpents poyson to dispence,
Nor Wolves to prey on noble Innocence.
No flatterers that with Royal goodness sport,
Those stinking weeds that over-run a Court.

R. Go.
Nay; if good wishes any thing could do;
I have as earnest wishes Sir as you.
That tho' perhaps our King enjoyes the best
Of power, yet may he still be doubly blest.
May he—

Posa.
Nay Gomez you shall ne're out-do me there;
Since for Great Philip's good I wou'd you were
(If possible) more honest then you are.

R. Go.
Why Posa; what defect can you discern?

Posa.
Nay half your mysteries I'm yet to learn:
Tho' this I'l boldly justifie to all,
That you contrive a generous Prince's fall.
[Gom. smiles.
Nay think not by your smiles, and careless port,
To laugh it off: I come not here to sport.
I do not Sir.

R. Go.
Young Lord! what meaning has
This heat?

Posa.
To let you see I know y'are base.

R. Go.
Nay then I pardon ask that I did smile,
By heav'n I thought, y'had jested all this while.
Base!—

Posa.
Yes! more base then impotent or old,
All vertue in thee, like thy blood, runs cold;
Thy rotten putrid Carkass is less full,
Of Rancor and Contagion then thy Soul.
Even now, before the King I saw it plain,
But duty to that Presence aw'd me then;
Yet there I dar'd thy Treason with my Sword,
But still—
Thy Villany talk't all; Courage had not a word.
True thou art old; yet if thou hast a Friend,
To whom thy Cursed Cause thou dar'st commend;
'Gainst him in publick I'le the Innocence
Maintain, of the fair Queen, and injur'd Prince.

R. Go.
Farewel bold Champion—
Learn better how your passions to disguise,
Appear less Cholerick, and be more wise.

[Exit R. Go.
Posa.
How frail is all the glory we design?
Whilst such as these have pow'r to undermine.
Unhappy Prince who might'st have safely stood,
If thou hadst been less great, or not so good.
Why the vile Monster's blood did I not shed,
And all the vengeance draw on my own head?
My honour so, had had this just defence,
That I preserv'd my Patron and my Prince.
Enter Carlos and Queen.
Brave Carlos! ha! he's here! O Sir take heed.
By an unlucky Fate your Love is led;
The King, the King your Father's jealous grown,
Forgetting her, his Queen, or you his Son,
Calls all his vengeance up, against you both.

D. Carl.
Has then the false Rui-Gomez broke his Oath?
And after all, my Innocence betrayd?

Posa.
Yes? all his subtlest snares are for you laid,
The King within this minute will be here,
And you are ruin'd if but seen with her;
Retire my Lord.—

Queen.
How! is he jealous grown!
I thought my Virtue he had better known.
His unjust doubts have soon found out the way,
To make their entry on our Marriage day:
For yet he has not with me known a night;
Perhaps his Tyranny is his delight.
And to such height his Cruelty is grown,
He'd Exercise it on his Queen and Son.
But since my Lord, this time we must obey,
Our Interest; I begg you would not stay.
Not seeing you he may to me be just.

D. Carl.
Should I then leave you, Madam?

Queen.
Yes! you must.

D. Carl.
Not then, when storms against your Virtue rise!
No, since to lose you, wretched Carlos dies,
He'l have the honour of it, in your Cause.
This is the noblest thing that Fate could do,
She thus abates the rigour of her Lawes.
Since 'tis some pleasure but to dye for you.

Queen.
Talk not of death, for that ev'n Cowards dare,
When their base fears compel e'm to despair.
Hope's the far nobler passion of the Mind,
Fortune's a Mistriss that's with Caution kind,
Knows that the constant merit her alone;
They, who though she seem froward, yet court on.

D. Carl.
To wretched minds thus still some comfort gleames,
And Angels ease our griefs though but with dreames;
I have too oft already been deceiv'd,
And the Cheats grown too plain to be believ'd.
You Madam, bid me go.

Looking earnestly at the Queen.
Queen.
You must.

Posa.
You shall;
Alas I love you, would not see you fall:
And yet may find some way t'evade it all.

D. Carl.
Thou Posa ever wert' my truest Friend,
I almost wish thou wert not now so kind;
Thou, of a thing that's lost tak'st too much care;
And you fair Angel too indulgent are.
[To the Queen.
Great my despair; yet still my Love is higher—
Well—in obedience to you I'le retire.
Though during all the Storm I will be nigh,
Where if I see the danger grow too high,
To save yon Madam, I'le come forth and and dye.

Exit D. Carlos.
Enter King and Rui-Gomez.
King.
Who would have guess't that this had ever been?
Seeing Posa and the Queen.
Distraction! where shall my revenge begin?
Why he's the very Bawd to all their sin?
And to disguise it put's on Friendships mask,
But his Dispatch, Rui-Gomez is thy task;
With him pretend some private conference,
And under that disguise seduce him hence;
Then in some place fit for the Deed impart
The bus'ness by a Ponyard to his Heart.

R. G.
'Tis done.

King.
So Madam!—

[Steps to the Queen.
Queen.
—By the fury in your eyes,
I understand you come to tyrannize.
I hear you are already Jealous grown,
And dare suspect my Virtue with your Son.

King.
Oh Woman-kind! thy Myst'ries! who can scan
Too deep for easie weak believing man!
Hold! let me look! indeed y'are wondrous fair,
So on the out-side Sodoms Apples were.
And yet within, when open'd to the view,
Not half so dang'rous, or so foul, as you.

Queen.
Unhappy Wretched Woman that I am,
And you unworthy of a Husband's name?
Do you not blush?—

King.
Yes Madam for your shame.
Blush too my Judgment e're should prove so faint,
To let me chuse a Devil for a Saint.
When first I saw, and lov'd, that tempting eye,
The Fiend within the flame I did not spy;
But still ran on and Cherish't my desires:
For heav'nly Beams mistook Infernal fires.
Such raging fires, as you have since thought fit
Alone my Son, my Son's hot Youth, should meet.
Oh Vengeance, Vengeance!—

Queen.
—Poor Ungen'rous King!
How mean's the Soul from which such thoughts must spring!
Was it for this I did so late submit,
To let you whine and languish at my feet?
When with false Oaths you did my heart beguile,
And proffer'd all your Empire for a smile.
Then, then, my freedom 'twas I did resign,
Though you still swore you would preserve it mine.
And still it shall be so: For from this hour
I vow to hate, and never see you more.
Nay frown not Philip, for you soon shall know
I can resent and rage as well as you.

King.
By Hell her pride's as Raging as her lust:
A Guard there—Seize the Queen—

[Enter Guard.
Enter Carlos and Intercepts the Guard.
D. Carl.
—Hold Sir be Just.
First look on me whom once You call'd your Son.
A Title I was alwaies proud to own.

King.
Good Hea'vn to merit this what have I done?
That he too dares before my sight appear.

D. Carl.
Why Sir, where is the Cause that I should fear?
Bold in my Innocence, I come to know
The reason, why you use this Princess so.

King.
Sure I shall find some way to raise this siege:
He talks as if 'twere for his Priviledge.
Foul ravisher of all my Honour hence:
But stay: Guards with the Queen secure the Prince.
Wherefore in my Revenge should I be slow?
Now in my reach, I'l dash 'em at a Blow.

Enter D. John of Austria; Eboli and Henriett. Garcia.
D. J.
I come Great Sir, with wonder here, to see
Your rage grown up to this Extremity
Against your beauteous Queen, and Loyal Son.
What is't that they to merit Chains have done?
Or is't your own wild Jealousie alone?

King.
Oh Austria thy vain Enquiry Cease,
If thou hast any value for thy peace;
My mighty Wrongs so loud an accent bear;
'Twould make thee miserable but to hear.

D. Carl.
Father, if I may dare to call you so,
Since now I doubt if I'm your Son or no:
As you have seal'd my doom I may Complain.

King.
Will then that Monster dare to speak again?

D. Car.
Yes: dying men should not their thoughts disguise;
And since You take such Joy in Cruelties;
E're of my death the new delight begin,
Be pleas'd to hear how cruel You have been.
Time was that we were smil'd on by our fate,
You not Unjust, nor I unfortunate.
Then, then, I was your Son, and you were glad
To hear my early praise was talk't abroad.
Then Loves dear sweets you to me would display,
Told me where this rich Beauteous Treasure lay,
And how to gain't instructed me the way.
I came, and saw, and lov'd, and blest you for't.
But then when Love had seal'd her to my heart,
You Violently tore her from my side:
And 'cause my Bleeding Wound I could not hide,
But still some pleasure to behold her took;
You now will have my life but for a look.
Wholly forgetting all the pains I bore,
Your heart with envious Jealousie boyles ore,
'Cause I can love no less, and you no more.

Hen.
Alas! how can you hear his soft Complaint,
And not your hardned stubborn heart relent?
Turn Sir, survey that comely awful man,
And to my Pray'rs be cruel if you can.

King.
Away deluder: who taught thee to sue?

Eboli.
Loving the Queen what is't she less can do,
Then lend her aid against the dreadful storm?

King.
Why can the Devil dwell too in that form?
This is their little Engine by the by,
A Scout to watch, and tell when danger's nigh.
Come pretty sinner Thou'lt inform me all,
How, where, and when, nay do not fear—you shall

Hen.
Ah Sir Unkind!—

[Kneels.
King.
—Now hold thy Syrens Tongue.
Who would have thought there were a Witch so young?

D. J.
Can you to suing Beauty stop your Ears?
Hea'vn layes its Thunder by, and gladly hears
Takes up Hen. and makes his address to her.
When Angels are become petitioners.

Eboli.
Ha! what makes Austria so officious there!
That glance seems as it sent his heart to her.

aside to Garcia.
D. Carl.
A Banquet then of blood since you design,
Yet you may satisfie your self with mine.
I love the Queen, I have confest 'tis true:
Proud too to think I love her more than you;
Though she by Heav'n is clear—but I indeed
Have been unjust, and do deserve to bleed.
There were no lawless thoughts that I did want,
Which Love had pow'r to ask, or Beauty grant.
Tho' I ne're yet found hopes to raise 'em on,
For she did still preserve her Honours Throne:
And dash'd the bold aspiring Devil's down.
If to her Cause you do not credit give
Fondly against your happiness you'l strive,
As some loose Heav'n because they won't believe.

Queen.
Whilst Prince, my preservation you design,
Blot not your Virtue to add more to mine.
The clearness of my truth I'd not have shown,
By any other light besides its Own,
No Sir, he through despair all this has said,
And owns Offences which he never made.
Why should you think that I would do you wrong?
Must I needs be Unchast because I'm young?

King.
Unconstant Wav'ring heart why heav'st thou so?
I shiver all, and know not what I do.
I who e're now have Armies led to fight,
Thought War a Sport, and danger a delight:
Whole Winter nights stood under Heav'ns wide roof
Daring my foes: now am not Beauty proof.
Oh turn away those Basilisks thy Eyes,
Th'Infection's fatal, and who sees 'em, dyes.

[Goes away.
Qu.
Oh do not fly me; I have no design
Upon your life, for You may yet save mine.
[Kneels.
Or if at last I must my Breath submit,
Here take it, 'tis an off'ring at your feet.
Will you not look on me my dearest Lord?

King.
Why would'st Thou live!—

Qu.
Yes, if You'l say the Word.

D. Carl.
Oh Heav'n! how Coldly, and unmov'd, he sees
A praying Beauty prostrate on her knees!
Rise Madam—

[Steps to take her up.
King.
—Bold Encroacher touch her not:
Into my breast her glances thick are shot.
Not true?—stay let me see,—By Heav'n Thou art
Looks earnestly on her.
—A false Vile Woman—Oh my foolish heart!
I give thee life—But from this time refrain,
And never come into my sight again:
Be banish't ever.—

Queen.
—This you must not do,
At least till I've convinc't you I am true.
Grant me but so much time, and when that's done,
If you think fit, for ever I'l be gone.

King.
I've all this while been angry but in vain;
She heats me first, then stroaks me tame again.
Oh wert thou true how happy should I be!
Think'st Thou that I have Joy to part with thee?
No, all my Kingdom for the bliss I'd give:
Nay though it were not so but to believe.
Come, for I can't avoid it, Cheat me quite.

Qu.
I would not Sir deceive you if I might,
But if you'l take my Oaths; by all above
'Tis you, and only you that I will love.

King.
Thus as a Mariner that sailes along,
With pleasure hears th'enticing Syrens Song,
Unable quite his strong desires to bound,
Boldly leaps in though certain to be drown'd.
Come to my bosom then; make no delay:
My rage is hush't, and I have room for Joy.

Takes her in his Arms.
Queen.
Agen, you'l think that I unjust will prove?

King.
No Thou art all o're truth, and I all love.
Oh that we might for ever thus remain
In folded Arms, and never part again!

Queen.
Command me any thing, and try your pow'r.

King.
Then from this minute ne're see Carlos more.
Thou slave that dar'st do ill with such a port,
For ever here I banish thee my Court.
Within some Cloyster lead a private life:
That I may love and rule without this strife.
Here Eboli receive her to thy Charge.
The Treasure's pretious, and the trust is large,
Whilst I retiring hence, my self make fit
To wait for Joyes, which are too fierce to meet.

[Exit King.
D. Carl.
My Exile from his presence I can hear
With pleasure; But no more to look on her!
Oh 'tis a dreadful Curse I cannot bear!
No Madam, all his pow'r shall nothing do:
I'l stay, and take my Banishment from you.
Do you Command me, see how far I'l fly.

Qu.
Will Carlos be at last my Enemy?
Consider this submission I have shown;
More to preserve your safety then my own?
Ungratefully you needless waies devise
To loose a life, which I so dearly prize.

D. Carl.
So; now her fortune's made: and I am left
[aside.
Alone, a naked wanderer to shift:
To the Queen.
Madam you might have spar'd the Cruelty;
Blest with your sight I was prepar'd to die:
But now to loose it drives me to despair;
Making me wish to die, and yet not dare.
Well, to some solitary shoar I'l roam,
And never more into your presence come:
Since I already find I'm Troublesome.

[is going.
Qu.
Stay, Sir, Yet stay:—You shall not leave me so.

D. Carl.
Ha!—

Qu.
—I must talk with you before you go.
Oh Carlos how unhappy is our state?
How foul a game was play'd us by our Fate!
Who promis'd fair when we did first Begin,
'Till Envying to see us like to Win:
Straight Fell to Cheat, and threw the false Lot in.
My Vows to You I now remember all.

D. Car.
Oh Madam, I can hear no more.—

[Kneels.
Qu.
—You shall.—
[Kneels too.
For I can't chuse but let you know, that I
If you'l resolve on't Yet will with you die.

D. Car.
Sure nobler gallantry was never known
Good Heav'n! this Blessing is too much for one
No, 'tis enough for me to die alone.
My Father, all my foes I now forgive.

Queen.
Nay Sir by all our Loves I charge You live;
But to what Country, Wheresoe're You go,
Forget not me, for I'l remember You.

D. Carl.
Shall I such Virtue, and such Charms forget?
No, never—

Queen.
—Oh that we had never met.
But in our distant Clymates still been free!
I might have heard of you, and you of me:
So towards happiness more safely mov'd;
And never been thus wretched, Yet have lov'd.
What makes you look so wildly?—why d'you start?

D. Carl.
A faint cold damp is Thick'ning round my heart.

Queen.
What shall we do?—

D. Carl.
—Do any thing but part.
Or stay so long till my poor Soul expires:
In View of all the Glory it admires.

Eboli.
In such a Lover how might I be bles't!
Oh were I of that noble Heart possest,
[aside.
How soft, how easie would I make his bands!
But Madam, You forgot the King's Commands:
To the Queen.
Longer to stay your dangers You'l Renew.

D. Car.
Ah Princess! Lovers pains you never knew;
Or what it is to part as we must do.
Part too for ever!—
After one Minute, never more to stand
Fix't on those Eyes, or pressing this soft hand;
'Twere but enough to feed on, and not starve:
Yet that is more than I did e're deserve.
Though fate to us is niggardly and poor;
That from Eternity can't spare one hour.

Qu.
If it were had, that hour would soon be gone,
And we should wish to draw another on.
No, Rigorous necessity has made
Us both his slaves; and now will be obey'd.
Come let us try the parting blow to bear.
Adieu.—

D. Car.
Farewell.
[Looking at each other.
—I'm fix't and rooted here,
I cannot stir—

Qu.
Shall I the way then show?
Now, hold my heart!—
Goes to the door, then stops, and turns back again.
—Nay Sir, why don't you go?

D. Carl.
Why do you stay?—

Qu.
I won't.—

D. Car.
—You shall a while
[Kneels.
With one look more my Miseries beguile,
That may support my heart 'till you are gone.

Qu.
Oh Eboli thy help or I'm undone!
[Takes hold on Eboli.
Here take it then, and with it too my life.

Leans into Eboli's arms.
D. Car.
My Courage with my Tortures is at strife:
Since my griefs Cowards are, and dare not kill,
I'l try to vanquish, and out-toyl the ill.
Well Madam, now I'm something hardier grown;
Since I at last perceive you must be gone:
To venture the Encounter I'l be bold,
Leads her to the door.
For Cettainly my heart will so long hold.
Farewel—be happy as y'are fair and true.

Qu.
And all Heav'ns kindest Angels wait on You.

[Exit with Eboli.
D. Carl.
Thus long I wander'd in Loves crooked way,
By hope's deluding Meteor, led astray:
For e're I've half the dang'rous desart crost,
The glimm'ring light's gone out, and I am lost.
[Exit D. Carlos.