University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Enter Acasto, Castalio, Polydor, Attendants.
Acast.
To Day has been a Day of Glorious sport.
VVhen you, Castalio, and your Brother left me,
Forth from the Thickets rusht another Boar,
So large, he seem'd the Tyrant of the VVoods
VVith all his dreadful Bristles rais'd up high
They seem'd a Grove of spears upon his Back;
Foaming he came at me, where I was posted,
Best to observe which way hee'd lead the Chace,
VVhetting his huge long Tusks, and gaping wide,
As if he already had me for his prey;
Till brandishing my well poys'd Javelin high,
VVith this cold Executing arm, I struck
The ugly brindled Monster to the heart.

Cast.
The Actions of your life were always wond'rous.

Acast.
No flattery, Boy! an honest man can't live by't,
It is a little sneaking Art, which Knaves
Use to Cajole and soften Fools withall
If thou hast flatt'ry in thy Nature, out with't,
Or send it to a Court, for there 'twill thrive.

Pol.
VVhy there?

Acast.
'Tis next to mony current there,
To be seen daily in as many forms,
As there are sorts of Vanities, and Men;
The superstitious States-man has his sneer,
To smooth a poor man off with that can't bribe him,
The grave dull fellow of small business sooths
The Humorist, and will needs admire his VVit:
VVho without spleen could see a hot-brain'd Atheist
Thanking a surly Doctor for his Sermon,
Or a Grave Councellor meet a smooth young Lord,
Squeeze him by the hand, and praise his good Complexion.

Pol.
Courts are the places where best manners flourish,
VVhere the deserving ought to rise, and Fools
Make show. Why should I vex and chafe my spleen,
To see a gawdy Coxcomb shine, when I
Have seen enough to sooth him in his follies,
And ride him to advantage as I please?—

Acast.
VVho merit ought indeed to rise i'th' world,
But no wise man that's honest should expect.
VVhat man of sense would rack his generous mind,
To practice all the base Formalities
And forms of business, force a grave starch't face,
VVhen he's a very Libertine in's heart?
Seem not to know this or that man in publick,
VVhen privately perhaps they meet together,
And lay the Scene of some brave Fellows Ruin.
Such things are done—

Cast.
Your Lordships wrongs have been
So great that you with Justice may complain;
But suffer, us whose younger minds ne're felt
Fortunes deceits, to Court her as she's fair.
VVere she a Common Mistress, kind to all,
Her worth would cease, and half the world grow idle.

Acast.
Go to, y'are Fools, and know me not, I've learnt
Long since to bear, revenge, or scorn my wrongs,
According to the value of the doer;
You both would fain be great, and to that end
Desire to do things worthy your Ambition;
Go to the Camp, preferments noblest Mart,
VVhere Honour ought to have the fairest play, you'll find,
Corruption, envy, discontent, and Faction,
Almost in every Band: How many men
Have spent their bloud in their dear Countries service,
Yet now pine under want, while selfish slaves,
That ev'n would cut their throats, whom now they fawn on,
Like deadly Locusts eat the Honey up,
Which those industrious Bees so hardly toyl'd for?

Cast.
These precepts suit not with my Active mind,
Methinks I would be busie.

Pol.
So would I,
Not loyter out my life at home, and know
No farther than one prospect gives me leave.

Acast.
Busie your minds then, study Arts and Men:
Learn how to value Merits though in Rags,
And scorn a proud ill-manner'd Knave in Office.

Enter Serina, Monimia, and Maid.
Ser.
My Lord, my Father!

Acast.
Blessings on my Child,
My little Cherub, what hast thou to ask me?

Ser.
I bring you, Sir, most glad and welcome news,
The Young Chamont, whom you've so often wisht for,
Is just arriv'd and entring.

Acast.
By my Soul,
And all my honours, he's most clearly welcome,
Let me receive him like his Fathers Friend.
Enter Chamont.
Welcome thou Relick of the best lov'd man,
VVelcome from all the Turmoiles, and the hazards
Of certain danger, and uncertain Fortune,
VVelcome as happy Tidings after Fears.

Cham.
VVords would but wrong the gratitude I owe you:
Should I begin to speak, my soul's so full,
That I should talk of nothing else all day.

Mon.
My Brother!

Cha.
Oh my Sister! let me hold thee
Long in my Armes, I've not beheld thy Face
These many days, by night I've often seen thee
In gentle Dreams, and satisfied my soul
VVith fancy'd Joy, till morning cares awak'd me.
Another Sister, sure it must be so;
Though I remember well, I had but one:
But I feel something in my heart that prompts,
And tells me she has claim and interest there.

Acast.
Young Souldier, you've not only study'd VVar,
Courtship I see has been your practice too,
And may not prove unwelcome to my Daughter.

Cha.
Is she you Daughter? then my heart told true!
And I'm at least her Brother by Adoption.
For you have made your self to me a Father,
And by that Patent I have leave to love her.

Ser.
Monimia, thou hast told me, men are false,
VVill flatter, feign and make an Art of love.
Is Chamont so? No, sure he's more than man
Something that's near Divine and Truth dwells in him.

Acast.
Thus happy, who would envy pompous pow'r,
The luxury of Courts, or wealth of Cities?
Let there be joy through all the house this day!
In every Room let plenty flow at large,
It is the Birth-day of my Royal Master.
You have not visited the Court, Chamont,
Since your return?

Cha.
I have no business there,
I have not slavish Temperance enough
T'attend a Fav'rites heels, and watch his smiles,
Bear an ill Office done me to my Face,
And thank the Lord that wrong'd me for his favour.

Acast.
This you could do.

[To his Sons.
Cast.
I'd serve my Prince.

Acast.
who'd serve him.

Castal.
I would, my Lord.

Pol.
And I both would.

Acast.
Away,
He needs not any Servants such as you!
Serve him! he merits more than man can do!
He is so good, praise cannot speak his worth;
So merciful, sure he ne're slept in wrath;
So just, that were he but a private man,
He could not do a wrong. How would you serve him?

Cast.
I'd serve him with Fortune here at home,
And serve him with my person in his wars.
Watch for him, fight for him, bleed for him.

Pol.
Dye for him,
As every true born loyal Subject ought.

Acast.
Let me embrace ye both. Now by the souls
Of my brave Ancestoss, I'm truly happy,
For this be ever blest my Marriage-day
Blest be your mothers memory that bore you,
And doubly blest be that auspicious hour,
That gave the birth. Yes, my aspiring Boys,
Ye shall have business when your master wants you,
You cannot serve a nobler. I have serv'd him
In this old body yet the marks remain
Of many wounds. I've with this Tongue proclaim'd
His right even in the face of ranck Rebellion,
And when a foul mouth'd Traytor once prophan'd
His sacred name, with my good Sabir drawn
Ev'n at the head of all his giddy rout
I rusht and Clove the Rebel to the Chine.

Enter Servant.
Ser.
My Lord, the expected Guests are just arriv'd.

Acast.
Go you, and give 'em Welcome and Reception.

Cham.
My Lord, I stand in need of your assistance
In something that concerns my Peace and Honour.

Acast.
Spoke like the Son of that brave man I lov'd;
So freely friendly we converst together.
What e're it be with confidence impart it,
Thou shalt command my Fortune and my Sword.

Cham.
I dare not doubt your Friendship nor your Justice!
Your Bounty shewn to what I hold most dear,
My Orphan sister, must not be forgotten!

Acast.
Prithee, no more of that, it grates my Nature.

Cha.
When our dear Parents dy'd, they dy'd together,
One Fate surpriz'd 'em, and one Grave receiv'd 'em:
My Father with his dying breath bequeath'd
Her to my Love: my Mother as she lay
Languishing by him, call'd me to her side,
Took me in her fainting Arms, wept, and embrac'd me,
Then prest me close, and as she observ'd my Tears,
Kist 'em away, said she, Chamont my Son,
By this and all the Love I ever shew'd thee
Be careful of Monimia, watch her Youth,
Let not her wants betray her to dishonour.
Perhaps kind Heav'n may raise some friend.
[Then sigh'd.
Kist me again; so blest us, and expir'd,
Pardon my grief.

Acast.
It speaks an honest Nature.

Cham.
The Friend Heav'n rais'd was you, you took her up
An Infant to the desart world expos'd,
And prov'd another Parent.

Acast.
I've not wrong'd her.

Cha.
Far be it from my Fears.

Acast.
Then why this Argument?

Cham.
My Lord, my Nature's jealous, and you'l bear it.

Acast.
Go on.

Cha.
Great Spirits bear misfortunes hardly,
Good Offices claim gratitude, and Pride,
Where Pow'r is wanting, will usurp a little,
May make us (rather than be thought behind hand)
Pay over-price.

Acast.
I cannot guess your drift;
Distrust you me?

Cham.
No, but I fear her weakness
May make her pay a debt at any rate:
And to deal freely with your Lordships goodness,
I've heard a story lately much disturbs me.

Acast.
Then first charge her; and if'th' offence be found
Within my reach, tho' it shou'd touch my Nature
In my own Off-spring, by the dear remembrance
Of thy brave Father whom my heart rejoyc'd in,
I'd prosecute it with severest Vengeance.

Cham.
I thank you from my Soul.

Mon.
Alas, my Brother!
What have I done? and why do you abuse me?
My heart quakes in me; in your settled Face
And clouded Brow methinks I see my Fate:
You will not kill me!

Cha.
Prithee, why dost talk so?

Mon.
Look kindly on me then, I cannot bear
Severity; it daunts, and does amaze me;
My heart's so tender, should you charge me roughly,
I should but weep, and answer you with sobbing,
But use me gently like a loving Brother,
And search through all the Secrets of my Soul.

Cha.
Fear nothing, I will shew my self a Brother,
A tender loving and an honest Brother,
Y'ave not forgot our Father!

Mon.
I shall never.

Cha.
Then you'l remember too, he was a man,
That liv'd up to the Standard of his Honour,
And priz'd that Jewel more than Mines of Wealth:
He'd not have done a shameful thing but once,
Though kept in darkness from the World, and hidden,
He could not have forgiven it to himself;
This was the only Portion that he left us;
And I more glory in't than if possest
Of all that ever. Fortune threw on Fools.
'Twas a large Trust, and must be manag'd nicely;
Now if by any chance, Monimia,
You have soyl'd this gem and taken from it's value,
How will y' account with me?

Mon.
I challenge Envy,
Malice, and all the Practices of Hell,
To censure all the Actions of my past
Unhappy life, and taint me if they can!

Cha.
I'll tell thee then; Three Nights ago, as I
Lay musing in my Bed, all darkness round me,
A sudden damp struck to my heart, cold sweat
Dew'd all my Face, and trembling seiz'd my Limbs,
My Bed shook under me, the Curtains started,
And to my tortur'd Fancy there appear'd
The form of Thee thus Beautious as thou art,
Thy garments flowing loose, and in each hand
A wanton Lover, which by turns caress'd thee
With all the freedom of unbounded pleasure:
I snatcht my Sword and in the very Moment
Darted it at the Fantome, strait it left me:
Then rose and call'd for lights, when, O Dire Omen!
If found my weapon had the arras pierc'd,
Just where that famous tale was interwoven,
How th' unhappy Theban slew his Father.

Mon.
And for this cause my Vertue is suspected!
Because in Dreams your Fancy has been ridden,
I must be tortur'd waking!

Cha.
Have a care,
Labour not to be justified too fast,
Hear all, and then let Justice hold the scale;
What follow'd was the Riddle that confounds me;
Through a close Lane as I pursu'd my Journey,
And meditated on the last nights Vision,
I spy'd a wrinckled Hagg, with Age grown double,
Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to her self;
Her eyes with scalding Rhume were gall'd and red;
Cold Palsy shook her head, her hands seem'd wither'd,
And on her crooked shoulders had she wrapt
The tatter'd Remnant of an old stript hanging,
Which serv'd to keep her carkass from the cold,
So there was nothing of a piece about her;
Her lower weeds were all o're coursely patch'd
With diff'rent colour'd Rags, black, red, white, yellow,
And seem'd to speak variety of wretchedness;
I askt her of my way, which she inform'd me;
Then crav'd my Charity, and bad me hasten
To save a Sister: at that word I started.

Mon.
The Common cheat of Beggers every day!
They flock about our doors, pretend to Gifts
Of prophecy, and telling Fools their Fortunes.

Cha,
Oh! but she told me such a Tale, Monimia,
As in it bore great circumstance of truth;
Castalio, and Polydor, my Sister.

Mon.
Hah!

Cha.
What alter'd! does your courage fail you!
Now by my Fathers Soul the Witch was honest;
Answer me, if thou hast not lost to them
Thy Honour at a sordid Game.

Mon.
I Will,
I must; so hardly my Misfortune loads me,
That both have offer'd me their Loves most true.

Cha.
And 'tis as true too, they have both undone Thee.

Mon.
Though they both with earnest Vows
Have prest my heart, if e're in thought I yielded
To any but Castalio!

Cha.
But Castalio!

Mon.
Still will you cross the Line of my Discourse!
Yes, I confess that he has won my Soul
By generous Love and honourable Vows,
Which he this day appointed to compleat,
And make himself by holy Marriage mine.

Cha.
Art thou then spotless? hast thou still preserv'd
Thy Vertue white without a blot untainted.

Mon.
When I'm unchast, may Heaven reject my Prayers!
Or more, to make me wretched, may you know it!

Cha.
Oh then, Monimia, art thou dearer to me,
Than all the Comforts ever yet blest man,
And let not Marriage bait thee to thy Ruin.
Trust not a man; we are by Nature false,
Dissembling, subtle, cruel, and unconstant:
When a Man talks of Love, with caution trust him;
But if he swears, he'l certainly deceive thee;
I charge thee let no more Castalio sooth Thee.
Avoid it as thou wouldst preserve the peace
Of a poor Brother, to whose soul th'art precious.

Mon.
I will!

Cha.
Appear as cold when next you meet, as Great Ones
When Merit begs, then shalt thou see how soon
His heart will cool and all his pains grow easie.

[Ex. Cha.
Mon.
Yes, I will try him, torture him severely:
For, oh Castalio! thou too much hast wrong'd me,
In leaving me to Polydor's ill usage.
He comes, and now for once, oh Love stand Neuter,
Whilst a hard part's perform'd! For I must tempt,
Wound his soft Nature, though my own Heart akes for't.

[Ex.
Enter Castalio.
Cast.
Monimia, Monimia, she's gone:
And seem'd to part with anger in her eyes;
I am a Fool, and she has found my Weakness;
She uses me already like a Slave
Fast bound in chains to be chastis'd at will.
'Twas not well done to trifle with my Brother:
I might have trusted him with all the secret,
Open'd my silly heart and shewn it bare,
But then he loves her too; but not like me,
I am a doating honest Slave, design'd
For Bondage, Marriage bonds, which I've sworn
To wear: It is the onely thing I e're
Hid from his knowledge; and he'l sure forgive
The first Transgression of a wretched Friend
Betray'd to Love and all its little follies.

Enter Polydore, and Page at the door.
Pol.
Here place your self, and watch my Brother throughly:
If he should chance to meet Monimia, make
Just observation of each word and action;
Pass not one circumstance without remark:
Sir, Tis your office, do't and bring me word.

[Ex. Pol.
Enter Monimia.
Cast.
Monimia, My Angel, 'twas not kind
To leave me like a Turtle here alone,
To droop and mourn the absence of my Mate.
When thou art from me every place is desart,
And I, methinks, am Salvage and forlorn,
Thy Presence only 'tis, can make me blest,
Heal my unquiet mind, and tune my Soul.

Mon.
Oh the bewitching Tongues of faithless men!
'Tis thus the false Hyæna makes her moan,
To draw the pitying Traveller to her Den;
Your sex are so, such false dissemblers all,
With sighs and plaints y'entice poor Womens hearts,
And all that pity you, are made your Prey.

Cast.
What means my Love? oh how have I deserv'd
This language from the Soveraign of my Joyes!
Stop, stop those Tears, Monimia, for they fall
Like baneful dew from a distempered sky,
I feel 'em chill me to the very heart.

Mon.
Oh you are false, Castalio, most forlorn,
Attempt no farther to delude my Faith,
My heart is fixt, and you shall shake't no more.

Cast.
Who told you so? What Hell-bred Villain durst
Prophane the Sacred Business of my Love?

Mon.
Your Brother knowing on what terms I'm here,
Th' unhappy Object of your Fathers Charity,
Licentiously discours'd to me of Love,
And durst affront me with his brutal Passion.

Cast.
'Tis I have been to blame, and only I,
False to my Brother and unjust to Thee.
For, oh! he loves Thee too, and this day own'd it,
Taxt me with mine and claim'd aright above me.

Mon.
And was your Love so very tame to shrink,
Or rather than lose him abandon me.

Cast.
I knowing him precipitate and rash,
To calm his heat and to conceal my Happiness,
Seem'd to comply with his unruly will;
Talkt as he talk't, and granted all he ask't;
Left he in Rage might have our Loves betray'd,
And I for ever had Monimia lost.

Mon.
Could you then? did you? can you own it too?
'Twas poorly done, unworthy of your self,
And I can never think you meant me fair.

Cast.
Is this Monimia? surely no! till now
I ever thought her Dove-like, soft, and kind.
Who trusts his Heart with Woman's surely lost:
You were made Fair on purpose to undo us,
Whilst greedily we snatch th' alluring Bait,
And ne're distrust the poyson that it hides.

Mon.
When Love ill plac'd would find a means to break.

Cast.
It never wants pretences nor excuse.

Mon.
Man therefore was a Lord-like Creature made,
Rough as the winds, and as inconstant too:
A lofty Aspect given him for command,
Easily soften'd, when he would betray:
Like conquering Tyrants, you our Breasts invade,
Where you are pleas'd to forrage for a While,
But soon you find new conquests out, and leave
The ravag'd Province ruinate and waste.
If so, Castalio, you have serv'd my heart,
I find that Desolation's settled there,
And I shall ne're recover Peace again.

Cast.
Who can hear this and bear an equal mind!
Since you will drive me from you, I must go;
But, oh Monimia, when th' hast banisht me,
No creeping slave, though tractable and dull,
As artful Woman for her ends would chuse,
Shall ever dote as I have done; for oh!
No Tongue my Pleasure nor my Pain can tell:
'Tis Heav'n to have Thee, and without Thee Hell.

Mon.
Castalio! stay! we must not part. I find
My Rage ebbs out, and Love flows in apace;
These little Quarrels Love must needs forgive,
They rouse up drowsie thoughts, and wake the Soul.
Oh! charm me with the Musick of thy Tongue,
I'm ne're so blest, as when I hear thy Vows,
And listen to the Language of thy Heart.

Cast.
Where am I! surely Paradise is round me!
Sweets planted by the hand of Heaven grow here,
And every sence is full of thy Perfection.
To hear thee speak might calm a mad-mans Frenzy,
Till by attention he forgot his sorrows;
But to behold thy Eyes, th' amazing Beauties,
Might make him rage again with Love as I do.
To touch thee's Heav'n, but to enjoy thee oh!
Thou Natures whole perfection in one piece!
Sure framing thee Heav'n took unusual care,
As its own Beauty it design'd thee Fair;
And form'd thee by the best lov'd Angel there.

[Ex.