University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

Scene 1.

Enter Larasco alone in Fenis's House.
Lar.
Malicious Rogues lie close, lurk any where;
Men may be kill'd, yet see no danger near.
Would all like wiser Schoolmen fight with words,
I could be Valiant; but I hate these Swords—
I can eat like a Lyon; and for Drink,
Bacchus himself should never make me shrink.
These are rare parts, the Virtues in request,
What pity 'tis I cannot reach the rest?
O had I but the heart, to thunder out
A Roaring Oath, look big, and stare about:
Cry Damm'ee! with a Grace; then stamp, and frown,
I were the most accomplish'd Blade in Town.
(A silent Noise methinks invades my Ear)
Enter Leonella.
Old Tormenter! I'll be reveng'd on her—
Dreadful Toledo! forth, thou trusty Blade,
That o're the Head and Ears in blood canst wade.
Come out! here's food to fill thy hungry Maw—
I'll kill thee Villain! if thou wilt not draw.
Draw thou Son of a Whore!

Leon.
Good Signior hold!

Lar.
Signior thy Sister, thou paltry sneaking Scold—
O I could swinge you now, I tell you that—
What now you Sir? ha! what would you be at?
Coward! I could eat thee—

Leon.
Brave Sir! you fight
Prodigiously, and kill as oft as smite.

Lar.
Mortal! Thou say'st the Truth, come buss me now—

Leon.
Stay Sir! You hold your Sword I know not how,
I could instruct you in a better way.

Lar.
Do't; I command thee—

[He gives her his Sword.
Leon.
Then I must obey—
Rascal! I'll teach you how to fight, I will,
[She beats him.
Draw on your Friends? Sirrah I charge you kneel.

Lar.
Ah Madam Captain! my first Fault forgive—

Leon.
Ne'r draw Toledo more as long's you live:
Next, I command thee that thou never fight,
But with our Sex—

Lar.
That too shall be at Night.

Leon.
Lest you are kick'd to Men give no affront;

Lar.
Ah! you are merciful! indeed I wo'nt.

Leon.
Thy word shall serve—

[Gives him his Sword.
Lar.
Your Wars I'd fain be at—
I know already how to manage that.
Vollies of sighs must first approach the Town,
To clear the brow of the defendant frown;
Kisses for Cannons, but my shot should fall
Thicker than cannon bullets 'gainst your Wall.
The sturdy batt'ring Ram should charge her home,
While her faint No's-supply the absent drum.
The breach once made, e'r I attacque the fort,
I would dismantl't, and peruse my sport:
And, if no modeish fireworks do remain,
I'll pitch my standard, and fall on again—

Leon.
But stay rash Sir! suppose that you are beat,
A right stout man takes care for a retreat—

Lar.
For a retreat? O prythee name it not—
I will o'recome;—Or perish on the spot.

Leon.
Poh! where's your Master? cease this idle Talk.

Lar.
He's musing in his melancholly walk:
Let's to the Pantry first, for some relief;
There's heavenly Wine, and mighty glorious Beef.

Leon.
Thy heart lies in thy guts, Sirrah march on—

Lar.
Love is a Dish I cannot live upon;
Like my Camelion Master feed on looks,
If e'r I do, my guts will curse the Cooks.

[Exeunt Larasco and Leonella.

Scene 2.

Enter Don Fenise and Don Alonzo in a Garden.
Fen.

Alon.
Time may repair
Thy heavy loss, and raise thy drooping fate.

Fen.
Never!—

Alon.
This passion's too effeminate;
A helpless Woman can, like thee, depaint
Impatient sorrow in a weak complaint;
Rayl on Sinister stars, and execrate
The dire effects of her misguided fate.
Such passive Soules teach fate to tyrannize.

Fen.
What is't your active spirit would advise?

Alon.
Despise thy mistriss, and thy Rival kill;
This way to doat will be excuseable.
Do but the difference of passions prove,
You'l find revenge is sweeter far then Love.
Thy more successful Rival must be slain—

Fen.
I have no Rival, but her just disdain.

Alon.
If it be just, you ought not to complain.

Fen.
Were it not so my case were not so sad,
Then hope might live; and pity might be had.

Alon.
If not to thee, where will she give her heart?
The sun ne'r saw a man of more desert.

Fen.
Should thrifty nature spend her precious store.
T'enrich one Heroe, 'till her self grow poor;
She has not worth enough to buy the prise
Of one rich smile, from her resistless Eyes.

Alon.
A gallant Woman! were these fancies true:
But as she's fair, so she is Cruel too.

Fen.
There I'm lost—

Alon.
Yes, to any thing of man,
Or reason thou art lost; recal again
That royal Exile; where wild passions sway,
The Empire of the Soul will soon decay.
So Ships without a knowing Guide are toss'd,
By ev'ry Gust in danger to be lost.
Distraction in thy fancy needs must raign,
Since it is form'd by a distracted Brain.
Reason would tell thee, Nature did design
The female sex slaves to the Masculine;
'Till we are pleas'd to take them into grace,
And bring the rib back to its proper place.

Fen.
But love, the King of passions, wont allow,
His subjects should to reasons Scepter bow.

Alon.
Unreasonable love is Lust; a beast
May with a brutish passion be possest.

Fen.
You say you never lov'd, then how can you
Define a passion which you never knew?

Alon.

Fen.
Your witty malice you in vain have shown;
Your counsel is a senseless dream to me,
Love knows no reason, no Philosophy.

Alon.
Your ruine faces you, yet you run on
Like loseing Gamsters, ev'n when hope is gon.
True friends no close distinction make, one fate
In joy and grief they both participate.
But I am troublesome, unwelcome grown,
You will be happy when you are alone—

[Going out.
Fen.
Stay! stay Alonzo. pr'ythee pardon me;
To pettish age, or young simplicity
We more allow—Loves dotage I confess,
But have not power yet to make it less.

Enter Leonella with a Letter.
Leon.
O my goodness! what a sweet man is here?
A lovely tempting shape!—

[She gives the Letter to Fenise.
Fen.
Is it from her?
Thou bringst a blessing in each Character.

Alon.
What's the decree? does she propose a peace?
Thy looks are sad, pry'thee explain the case.

Fen.

Alonzo reads the Letter.
Alon.
The first part of my promise being past,
You must assist me to perform the last.
When I did yield to go, you did agree,
This day orepast I should be ever free.
That done, which Gratitude oblig'd me to,
I'll to my self be just, as well's to you.
You must forget me, never see me more:
'Tis fit you keep, what you so freely swore.

Alcinda.

Alon.
Before we number many flying houres,
This blustring March shall melt in April showres.
Hear me—

[Fenise and Alonzo whisper.
Leon.
Oh that I were a Lady for his sake!
A man made up in wax—

Alon.
How Sir not take?
Then I doat too; come, worse it cannot be;
Laugh heartily, and leave the rest to me.

Fen.
O I cannot—

Alon.
What will you still be mad?
You cannot win her by your looking sad.

Fen.
Well, I submit, but if your project fail—

Alon.
Assure thy self that nothing can prevail.

Fen.
Never see me more!—ha ha he!
How imperiously these Ladies write?
Must forget me!—ha ha he!

Alon.
Bravely done, by this light.
Yet leaves thy choice as free as heretofore,
'Tis fit you keep what you so freely swore.

Fen.
Go tell the Toy you came from, I'm above
The power of her malice or her love.

Leon.
Alack alack good Gentleman! these fits
Of Love, have put him quite beside his wits.
He is become insensible of's pain.

Fen.

Leon.
If I return this message Sir! I'll add
That when you spoke it, you were raving mad.

Fen.
Woman! I'm calm and serious, say from me
That light and darkness sooner may agree,
Than we two meet—Oh what do I intend!
I shall undo my self to please my friend.

Alon.
No flinching now, I'll warrant thee she's thine.
Read her Note agen.

Fen.
This is very fine!
[Reads.
Pray let no more enticeing Notes be brought,
'Tis loss of time to read her idle thought.
Yet, this I will preserve, as slaves made free
Keep that which justifies their libertie.
Oh Alonzo!—

Alon.
No more, 'tis bravely done.
March off—I'll finish what's so well begun
[Exit Fenise.
Go tell your foolish Lady how you sped,
Her snare is broken, and the Bird is fled—

[Exit Leonella.
Enter Don Fenise.
Fen.
One scorching glance, If from her eyes it came,
Would set a frozen Scythian in a flame.

Alon.
How's this? relaps'd agen! can you be free,
Yet hug those Chains that cause your miserie?
Y'are like a poor Idolater, betray'd
To serve that Idol which your self have made.
Think all are beauitful, and 'twill appear,
You love your own fond fancy more then her.
You may as soon forget her if you please—

Fen.
Fancy can be no cure for Loves disease:
We cannot of our selves, or love, or hate,
Love shoots his golden Arrows sure as fate,
Why do I talk!—I may as soon declare
To one born blind, what light and colours are.

Alon.
If y'are so fix'd, you will not be remov'd,
Leave nought untry'd to make your self belov'd.
And, as you hope your wishes think on this,
Don't cringe and Idolize her for a kiss,
But ravish't from her lips, for to entreat
Makes her aversion seemingly more great;
A careless confidence makes Women yeild.
Thus you'l win honour, though you lose the field.

Fen.
Her constant virtue, seats her heart above
The mad attempts you use in looser love.
Nor must we try those idle wayes, to gain
A Sovereigns smiles, that do ore others raign.

Alon.
A Sovereign! why you disown'd her pow'r,
In sending back her dear Embassadour
With so much scorn, as shew'd less love then hate.
Princes with slaves will ne'r capitulate.
Think you to win her now? be not so vain—
You vow'd a passion, and forswor't again;
If, all your love and Courtship would not do,
Now y'are a Rebel 'tis in vain to wooe.

Fen.
Treacherous man! was this thy policy?
Think'st thou to grow, where th'ast supplanted me.
So basely to betray me—ye just pow'rs!
'Tis not my own revenge I act but yours,
Direct my trembling Arme, teach it an art
To search the secret passages of's heart—
Did troops of Devils guard thy perjur'd brest,
(As sure they do) for wert thou not possess't
With hellish hopes, thou couldst not be so base)
Thus would I ruin their abiding place.
Defend thy self—

Alon.
Dear Fenise! hear me, if my blood may give
Ease to thy passion, I'll not wish to live:
Strike boldly here, and kill thy truest friend.

Fen.
Think'st thou, this poor evasion shall defend
Thy life? 'Thas rais'd my rage to such a height,
That now I'll kill thee though thou wilt not fight.
Traytor to friendships and to honours law!
Coward! Alonzo's a Coward! now draw—

Alon.
Your strange distemper does my pity raise,
But not my anger—

Fen.
Ha! what is't he says?
His pity! Heav'ns his pity! that word
Wounds me more sensibly then can thy sword.
Draw! or I'll murther thee, by Heav'n I will!
Though Angells guard thy life—

Alon.
He's madder still—
Hold Sir! I will fight—

Fen.
Then thou art Generous, and I'll destroy
Thy tainted life with so much gallantry,
'Twill be less happiness to live then dye,

Alon.
First hear my Reason, though your own you slight
Nay hear me speak, or else I will not fight.

Fen.
Say on—

Alon.
The Crime you charge me with is Love,
But 'tis the strangest Love that man can own,
To doat upon a Beauty yet unknown:
An object, which ne'r entertain'd my Eyes,
Nor fancy yet,—O sensless jealousies!
Time is not, two houres older grown since fame
First reach'd my Eares with your Alcindas name.
Have you such pow'rful Rhet'rick, to enforce
So strange a passion with your mad discourse?
She never had a thought, nor wish from me,
But what I paid as one concern'd for thee.
Believe thy friend, recal thy wandring sense,
Own thy mistake, and see my Innocence.

Fen.
Ye drouzy stars! how long will yee permit,
That I such gross absurdities commit?
Thou cruel Woman, and more cruel Fate,
Am I the mark of Loves, and Fortunes hate?
Forgive me Sir! and if y'are yet my friend,
Helpe me to give my Love and care an end.
Peirce this rebellious heart, one little thrust
Will pay deaths tribute; then my peaceful dust
Wrapp'd in the cold imbraces of the grave,
Where it can nothing wish, will all things have.
Turn not away—will you be cruel too?
Why should I beg what I my self can do

[Offers to fall on his Sword.
Alon.
Strange madness!—Heavens! what do you intend—

[Alonzo hinders him.
Fen.
To spight my fortune, are not you my friend?

Alon.
I'll seale it with my dearest blood.

Fen.
Then why
Will you oppose my latest remedy?

Alon.
How can death be the end of miserie,
When 'tis the greatest pain of all to dye?

Fen.
O death is short, and after there's no pain;

Alon.
But when we dye we hope to live again,
You rob the gods of their prerogative,
If you should dye when they would have you live.
By acts so desperate, and so injust,
You will renew your sorrows in the dust.
Be yet your self, bravely resolve to slight
The worst effects of Loves, and Fortunes spight.
He rules his stars, though never so unkind,
That bears misfortunes with an equal mind.

Fen.
Ye pow'rs above! pity my sad Estate:
And guide me th'rough this Labyrinth of Fate.

[Exeunt Don Fenise and Alonzo.

Scene 3.

Enter Larasco, with three Neighbours.
Lar.
No quarrels Gentlemen! that's my decree,
For I'm a Tyrant if you anger me:
A Lyon incarnate—for the least word,
I must have satisfaction with the sword.
This Bilboe, simple as it hangs, has sped
Whole dozens in a morning at Madrid.
Heark ye! this bold French boy that made such work
In Flanders, and the huge Venetian Turk.
Both pay a pension to this dreadful Sword—
You know more then the King does; not a Word—

1. Neigh.
O wonderful how strongly is he made?

2. Neigh.
Well we are blest to meet this noble blade.

Lar.
The King imployes so many flatt'ring Spies,
I could not rest but for this base disguise.
You are all true—

All. 3.
I! I! I!—

Lar.
Nay were you base,
Not one of you should live to leave this place.
Would you be Souldiers? men of great command?
Shew but a line from this victorious hand
Though I'm so feirce; sometimes I'm pleasant too,
And fool with mortals, as I dance with you.

The Dance
Lar.
Hold! hold! this boxing may my courage raise,
Which only blood and gapeing wounds alaies.
When the dog Turk was at Lepanto beat,
Who was it think ye gave him that defeat?
The wings were lost, the plain with dead was fill'd,
The Cannon taken and the body reeld,
But never was there so much horrour seen,
As when my single troop of horse fell in.
Th'rough Guns, Swords, fire and blood I led the way,
Ralli'd the flying troops and won the day.
The Turkes like fearful sheep we overcame,
You could not hear the Cannons for my name,
Larasco! Larasco! Victoria!

All.
Larasco! Victoria! Larasco!

Enter Fenise and Alonzo.
Fen.
Sirrah! what saucy noise is this I hear?

[Neighbors run off.
Lar.
Only a little harmeless musick Sir—

Fen.
Haste, haste, Larasco! and prepare my horse;
To your advice I now will have recourse.
Woman farewel! Glory and Fame I'll court;
Alonzo! see her not, the time's too short:
My passion may revive by longer stay.

Alon.
Bravely resolv'd—
When you are ready, I'll soon lead the way
[Exit Fenise.
This murth'ring beauty I must needs survey
What's your bus'ness here?

Enter Sanchez.
San.
Hearing that you wanted a man I came,
To tender my service to you

Alon.
Where hast thou liv'd?

San.
I serv'd a wealthy man in India last:
Signior Don Pedro—

Alon.
De Valiza was't?

San.
The same; I serv'd him 'till his latest breath.

Alon.
Why, he was shiprack'd; how did'st thou 'scape death?

San.
No Sir he did at Sea pay Natures debt—
So good a master, I shall ne'r forget.

Alon.
Canst tell what Port the Vessel made, and where
Those little Ladies are, which he had there.

San.
The ship arriv'd in Spain, I know no more;
I was next day found dead upon the shore:
My sense so long was lost, I ne'r did know
How I came there, or who had us'd me so.

Alon.
[Exit Sanchez.