University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

Scene 1.

Enter Don Manuel and Teresa in the street.
Man.
A meer mischievous Plot, without all doubt;
Would any come to force a Woman out?
He could not do it but by her consent,
No! no! I'll ne'r believe her innocent.

Ter.
Are you sure 'twas Don Fenise? Think agen—

Man.
Poh! think; I know him from a Thousand men.

Ter.
You may mistake.

Man.
Mistake!—pray is it day if the Sun shine?
That Question's less impertinent than thine.

Enter Mingo.
Mingo.
I've rack'd my Brains, and yet no way can find
To act a close Revenge, Mischief be kind!
And help me at a pinch—
[Aside.
Oh this dull Head, this barren Scull of mine!
Will nothing come? no Project? no Design?
Ha! what are these?—

Man.
Yes you are; foolish and impertinent—

Ter.
Ingrateful Rascal! I was not impertinent,
When I help'd thee to my Masters wealth,
And to two pretty little Girls, without one stroke of thy
Own labour; Heaven knows, and I have found
To my sorrow, it will be long enough before thou
Wilt see one little, little Child, of thy own getting.

Man.
No, nor thou wert not impertinent, when thou
Didst most inhumanely murther honest Sanchez.

Ter.
Out thou Villain! was it not for thy sake?
Thy hands too were as deep in as mine,
Heaven knows I meant no harm.
Ingrateful! dost upbraid me with my good will?
I'll be reveng'd though I dye for't—
Thy Cheats and Villanies I will confess,
Thy punishment, will make my pain seem less.

Man.
Poh! you take Jesting so unkindly—You know
Honey that I love you, And if my life onely
Were to be lost, it should go rather than I
Would see thee troubl'd thus: But—
It grieves my heart to think of losing thee.

Ter.
Ay, ay, these are your old wheedling Tricks.—

Man.
One can't praise you for your Contrivance,
Or your Courage, but y'are so angry—
Pry'thee my Dearest! forgive me—I love
The very ground you tread on, And had rather see
Thee than my own heart-blood—Come you shall be kind

Ter.
My poor dear Rogue! I will forgive thee!
I will be kind, don't trouble thy self.
[She weeps, and kisses him.
What shall we do about Don Fenise Dear!

Man.
That bus'ness must not be disputed here;
Let's hasten home, least some observing Eye
Should ruine us, Nay pry'thee no Reply—
I'll serve thee Honey with my dearest blood.

Ter.
My dear, dear Don! I'll dye to do thee good.
[Exit Teresa.

Man.
I mean no less; in ev'ry foolish strife,
She threatens me to take away my life;
When she's dispatch'd aside, I shall be free
And then, my coy Alcinda! I'm for thee—
With more then common madness—he's possest,
That layes up secrets in a female Brest.
[Exit Manuel.

Mingo.
Thanks! Satan thanks!—
These bloody Murthers, Cheats, and Villanies,
And something more that undiscover'd lies,
Are Riddles very dark, and intricate;
Teach me the rest, and I'll adore thee Fate!
What I've already heard, commands a share
For secresie, as great as their parts are:
But I am injur'd, since he's wicked grown,
For I resolv'd to be a Rogue alone.
Some way their bus'ness shall my own advance,
I'll follow them, and leave the rest to chance.
At least their Crimes will teach me to invent,
A Rogue in mischief is in's Element.
[Exit Mingo.

Scene 2.

Don Manuel's House.
Enter Rosella, Alcinda, and Leonella.
Alc.
What Visage wears my Fate? what have they done?
The noise was very loud, Is Fenise gone?
Safely got off or no? Why don't you speak?
Should he be kill'd, my sullen heart would break.

Leon.
He's safely gone, but all I fear is known—

Alc.
Sure I heard their Swords; had he no wounds?

Leon.
None—

Alc.
Henceforth we never meet.

Rosel.
Did acts of Love,
I'th' Sphere of Justice as of Power move,
Asharp repentance wou'd succeed your Fact;
And you would suffer what you late did Act.
Some worthless object, on your self would throw
That cruel scorn, you did to Fenise show.

Alc.
Justice is blind, and grown so modish too,
Like other Females, bribes must make her do:
Her Sword, Self-interest and Passion swayes,
But Love and beauty ev'ry thing obeyes.

Rosel.
She runs the common fate of all our Sex,
Whom natures too imperious Law, subjects
To her great Master-peice, victorious man:
And you Alcinda! know, you'r beauty can
Command so large a pow'r ore any heart,
As will oppose Astræa's weaker part.

Alc.
Beauty, the Toy you talk of, I disown:
To my dull sense it still had been unknown,
If to your self I had a stranger been;
Where all those charming Vanities are seen,
Those rare Chymæra's, flatt'ring Poets place
In the description of a beautious face;
Those that want faith, the fair Rosella view;
All Lovers write is verify'd in you.

Rosel.
Each wandring glance you make, a heart your prize,
By the Magnetick Vertue of your Eyes;
The am'rous Gallants here their service pay,
You are their Saint, and at your feet they pray.

Leon.
The longest day would seem a midnights dream,
While they continue on this pleasing theam.
Is not one Minute to Don Fenise due?

Rosel.
Once more I must that hopeless suit renew.

Alc.
Desist Rosella! from a Sute so vain—
The Earth may move, before we meet again.

Ros.
So brave a choice your Reason may approve.

Alc.
Reason was ne'r the messenger of Love.

Ros.
Think, think Alcinda! you may Love too late—

Alc.
My humor's fix'd above the pow'r of Fate.

Leon.
Madam!
My zeal to serve you, shews my troubl'd mind,
To see you flie the Blessings Heav'n design'd;
O! could you think the joyes, that do attend
A marry'd life, this humor soon would end.
Think what entrancing pleasure 'tis, to hold
Your Lover in your arms, and sweetly fold
With close embraces, and more lovely Twines,
Than clasping Ivy, or the winding Vines.
This idle peevish thing call'd Modesty,
Is Womans most invet'rate Enemy:
Lay it aside, none but our selves are here,
Blushes are vain when none but Women hear.
Sleep with a Man! what joy the thought of't brings,
This is no World to refuse good things.
There needs no words, Your Eyes speak your intent,
A Womans silence shews her full consent.

Alc.
Perpetual silence seize thee! I admire
What leprous Dæmon does thy Soul inspire.

Ros.
Base!—I know not what to call her, sure
Nature wants Definitions so impure.

[Exeunt Alcinda and Rosella.
Leon.
Truth seldom is accepted when 'tis plain;
But hang't! I'll soon retrieve their love again.

Enter Don Manuel and Teresa, and Mingo after, observing them.
Ter.
If you consent, we yet may lose our Fears,
And with their Bodies, cloyster up our Cares,
Send them to th'Nunnery, and let's pretend
Zeal to Religion is our onely end.
Let them drop Beads—

Man.
From thence what can arise?

Ter.
In their Concealment all our safety-lies.

Man.
Can that contribute ought to hide our Crimes?

Ter.
Yes, very much these Superstitious times;
'Twill gain their highest praise, who can depaint
Mischief so fair, it may deceive a Saint.
In this quick-sighted Age that we live in,
Religion is the safest Veil for Sin.
While they do breathe an unconfined Air,
Our Ruines imminent, Objects so fair
Endure the search of many prying Eyes;
You know what Dangers may from thence arise.

Man.
I like thy counsel well—but—

Ter.
But!—but what?
Vengeance pursues us, yet his blood seems hot
And reeking for Revenge, methinks I hear
The wind cry Murther in my guilty Ear—

Man.
Dear Duck! enough, th'art wise; it shall be so—
Rosella to the Nunnery shall go,
That will secure us, though Alcinda stay,
On her side there's no danger in delay.

Ter.
Steal to your ruine; do!—let both be gone;
Why should one go, or t'other stay alone?

Man.
Nay no great matter, but 'tis chargeable;
Truth is, I love Alcinda yet too well.

[Aside.
Ter.
What should this mean? the charge will be but small—
Better lose part, than give account for all.

Man.
Let's in and think upon't—

Exeunt Manuel and Teresa.
Leon.
What can this be?
Vengeance and Blood, this is too hard for me—
Some monstrous mischief, though 'tis close as Night,
Time will reveal it, That brings all to light.
Exit Leonella.

Mingo.
Strange! above wonder strange! and falls so right
As if the gods themselves lov'd deeds of Night.
To bring me there, just at that minute too;
I'll talk no more, but study what to do.
In vain you strive to prop your falling State,
Your Lives are mine, this Tongue commands your Fate.
Sure that was Leonilla stai'd behind—
My quondam Mistriss; I'll soon make her kind.
What sights are here?

Enter Alcinda and Leonella, Rosella following them.
Alc.
Receive no answer, nor no message hear.

Ros.
Examine ore your heart, she shall not go:
You too much malice with your power show.

Alc.
Are you unkind? then who can be believ'd?
I had commanded had my Father liv'd.
[Exit Alcinda weeping.

Ros.
Go, serve her will, 'tis strange, a gallant man
Should love so truly, and so long in vain;
Dearly I love him, yet I know not why,
I'm ne'r so happy as when he is nigh.
Yet, for a husband if I make my choice,
His Interest will never win my voice.
And yet I love him still—ha! to what end?
Were it not virtuous I should hate my friend;
Love is as yet a stranger in my brest.
I will not like a Tyrant treat a guest:
Yet, to secure my heart from a surprize,
I'll set a guard of Virtue in my Eyes,
And while my Love to Virtue does submit,
I will believe it fair, and welcome it.
And love him still—

Enter Alcinda.
Alc.
Will you my Rival grow?

Ros.
Ne'r did a Sister love a Brother so.

Alc.
You shall not love him, nor shall he love you,
His Vows have made him mine, sure Vows are true.

Ros.
You slight his Vows, his Courtship disapprove;
This Jealousie shews the excess of Love—
[Aside.
Because You hate him must I do so too?

Alc.
Fool not your self, I love him more than you:
You love! this News shall to your Father's ear—

Ros.
Pray Heav'n your flame does not too late appear;
On you Alcinda! he has fix'd his Love
Too constantly to suffer a Remove.
Disperse your jealous frowns, I have my end,
When He your Husband is, and you my friend.
May you enjoy him still, and happy be,
Above the fears of Infelicity.

Alc.
Take him you, if you please, for I know none
So fond to dye for him—
Exit Alcinda.

Ros.
So coyly gone?
What sickly Fancies do this Maid possess?
She seems to hate, yet loves to an excess.
Ah Fenise! from my heart I pity thee—
[Exit Rosella.

Mingo.
Both are exactly fair in ev'ry part;
A virtuous flame seems to assault my heart,
And prompts me to be good; bids me declare
All I have heard; But they are both too fair—
Ha! if things fall right, One may be my own;
So Innocent!—I dare not stay alone—
My better Genius tempts me to be just,
'Twill gain their Favours, and oblige their Trust:
Death! I am ruin'd by a longer stay—
The Maid I'll follow now, she went this way.
[Exit Mingo.

Scene 3.

Fenise's House.
Enter Don Fenise alone.
Fen.
When giddy Fortune ceases to be coy,
The storms we past, increase our present joy.
But when her various Front grows black again,
That very joy adds to succeeding pain.
This day I have convers'd with each extream,
Despair is fix'd, hope vanish'd like a dream.
Ah Alcinda! why should I think on her,
On that ungrateful, cruel murtherer?
'Tis she.
That values not my constancy, nor Me—
Dispises all my Vows; yet could she prove
More cruel than her self, still I must love.

Enter Larasco fearfully, and shuts the dore after him.
Fen.
What means this saucy haste? what makes you run?

Lar.
O Sir! Sir! you are ruin'd! lost! undone!
Fly Sir! fly, the,—O—O—Of—Off—Officer—

Fen.
What Officer? pry'thee ask leave of fear
To tell the Cause—

Lar.
Oh Sir! they are at the dore—
That I had been but fairly kill'd before!
Now we shall be Hang'd; both, both Hang'd, I know't,
Methinks I feel the Slip about my Throat—
Good honest Dun! don't strain the Rope so hard—
O let a little time to pray be spar'd!—

Fen.
Villain! what ayles the fellow?—

Lar.
Dear Christian friends!
If you'll avoid such base, such shameful ends,
Beware of Wenching, and Ill company;
Wenching! 'tis Wenching brings me here to dye.
Curse on such folly—pry'thee let me pray;
One little minute!—Oh! he drives away—

Fen.
Nay if y'are going to take my blessing too—
This fear has made him mad; what wouldst thou do
Speak! where hast thou been!—

Lar.
Mercy good my Lord!
I ne'r had Courage to behold a Sword.

Fen.
Recall your sense, and tell me what you mean.

Lar.
Ah Sir! I ne'r shall have my Sense agen.
The dreadfull roaring Officers, without
Are sent to seize you, Look you all about.

Fen.
To seize me! for what?—

Lar.
They'l tell you if you stay—
Have you forgot the Man you kill'd to day?

Fen.
Is the man dead?—

Lar.
I! I! Sir! dead's a stone—
A happy, happy man, his Cares are done.

[Exeunt Fenise and Larasco.
Enter Alonzo.
Alon.
What am I like, the Servants fly me so?
I am resolv'd to find him e'r I go—
Don Fenise! Don Fenise!
[Exit Alonzo.

Enter Fenise and Larasco.
Lar.
Hark how they Roar!—
Pray Sir be gone before they force the dore.

Fen.
Rascal! go you, tell the Officious slaves,
Those that do enter here, do seek their graves.
I never fear'd thee death! thy fiercest brow
Cou'd ne'r disturb me; but th'art lovely now.
With greedy armes, such as glad Bridegrooms wear,
When full enjoyments drown their wooing fear,
I'll meet my Destiny, and hug my fate:
[Fenise. draws.
To end our Cares death alwayes comes too late.
Now will her scorn, now will my Love have end—
[A noise within, Alonzo forces the dore, and enters with his Sword drawn.
Here here's Fenise!

Alon.
Is't thus you meet your Friend?

Fen.
With my Alonzo, thus I will contend.
Fate I despise, and Love I will forget;
In spight of both I may be happy yet.
Welcome dear Friend!—

Alon.
But can my Fenise be
Still constant to that friendship vow'd to me?
Has not some nobler Object stole that part,
Alonzo once possest in Fenise heart?

Fen.
No more of this; Alonzo wrongs me much,
To think my Vows, or friendship can be such.
But I may justly think your kindness lost,
That would not let me meet you on the Coast.

Alon.
I suffer'd stricter penance than was due,
For that which injur'd me much more than you.
When tedious absence had endear'd your sight,
And rais'd Impatience to the utmost height:
Yet then, then did I for admittance wait;
And now, you chide me 'cause I come so late.
When spight of Locks and Dores I made my way,
You interpos'd your Sword to make me stay.
I thought it some Inchanted House; for here
One Servant flies, another hides him there:
Scarce could I reach one with my doubting eyes,
But like some false deluding shade he flies;
At last I turn'd, and saw the armed Rout
Begin to march—

Lar.
'Twas time to look about.

Fen.
This way I made, how I got off you saw;
Unveil these Mysteries, what made you draw?

Alon.
Come Sir! I will inform you all within;
Discourse so sad, will soon enough begin.
Oh my Alonzo! That my whole Estate
Could call this Morning back; but 'tis too late.

[Exeunt Fenise, Alonzo and Larasco.
Enter Mingo and Leonella in the Street.
Min.
My Dear! this very Morning did my feet
Salute this ground; where all my wishes meet,
Finding my lovely Leonella here:
More beautiful than when I last did see her—

Leon.
Your old dissembling Tricks—

Min.
By th'light I see,
My love is dead to all the World, but thee.
Had spiteful Death extinguish'd thy dear light,
I had pursu'd thee to eternal Night.

Leon.
O fie on you men! for y'are all false—

Min.
Look here, though men are false, Angels are true.
[Gives her Mony.
These, and some hundreds more are kept for you;
Pry'thee be mollify'd, Love made me trace
Ten thousand miles, to see thy pretty face.

Leon.
Since here we parted not, this can't be true.

Min.
That you liv'd here, by meer instinct I knew;
Divided wormes their parts will reunite,
Although the loving creatures have no sight.
But Nature did in me much stronger prove,
Assisted by my reason, and my Love.
Within thy breast I left my better part,
And now my body comes to find my heart.
Speak my dear Oracle! pronounce my Fate!

Leon.
Well, I'll consider on't—

Min.
Where shall I wait
To hear my Sentence? I'll attend thee home—

Leon.
O by no means; You must not thither come:
Our House to Men will no admittance give.

Min.
See thee I must, or else I cannot live—

Leon.
A Small disturbance we this morning made,
Has made my Master jealous of his shade.
Man, and Male-kind so mortally he hates,
His Malice doth extend to Dogs and Cats:
My Ladies Lapdog, and the Cat were found
Contriving of a Rape, and both were drown'd.
A Massacre's design'd against the Mice—

Min.
No way to cheat this Tyrant?—no device!

Leon.
No;—Yes there is, if you can counterfeit
An Eunuch handsomely, 'twill do the feat.
For some such property he'll entertain,
To guard his dore; lest men should come again—

Min.
An Eunuch! all your Sex will loath my sight,
More than She-Papists do a Lenten night.
And treat me, as the angry Welchmen prey
On Puppets, that affront Saint David's day:
Yet, I'll about it strait, that thou may'st see,
I dare do any thing to purchase thee.
Lend me one kiss, nay fie! hold up thy head:
I'll pay thee Interest when we meet a Bed.
[Exit Mingo.

Leon.
Fie! fie! I hate you now—I must be coy,
Though he's sharp set, too easie Love will cloy:
Men are so Femaliz'd, so idle grown,
They court the Coy, and slight what may be won.
[Exit Leonella.