 | The Mistakes, or, The False Report |  |
ACT II.
SCENE I.
The Parade.Enter Ricardo with Soldiers.
Ric.
Come on Gentlemen you have your instructions and your reward,
twenty Florins a man.
1. Soul.
We have, and 'tis enough for this same small piece of villany:
Why Sir, we Souldiers, for half so much wou'd kill our Fathers
and Brothers, and after that Ravish our Mothers and Sisters.
2. Soul.
Ay, ay Sir, Ravishing's nothing with us, 'tis our dayly practise.
1. Soul.
Why I'le you Sir, and o' my conscience 'tis true—
2. Soul.
Conscience fellow Souldier, Zounds what hast thou to do
with conscience?
1. Soul.
Who I? why nothing; the Devill I think was in me for having
such an unlucky thought. How a plague came I to think of Conscience,
that never had any such thing in all my life?
2. Soul.
Zounds how I shou'd know, that know not what it means.
1. Soul.
Well; certainly I am the unfortunate'st Dog in the world—
but Sir, as I was saying,
Ay Sir, pray go on.
1. Soul.
For twenty more, we wou'd cut your Honours throat, tho'
we are so much oblig'd to you for your bounty already.
Ric.
How!
1. Sol.
If your Honour shou'd hire us, and pay us well for our pains.
Ric.
Very likely, that I'de hire you to cut my own throat.
2. Sol.
An you did, you'd not be the first by twenty, that have done it.
Ric.
Come no more fooling.
1. Sol.
Fooling! why I tell you Sir, 'tis our trade, we cannot live
but by murder and cutting of throats: for look you Sir, the blood we
drink, and it makes us fat; the hearts we broil, and eat with Salt and
Vinegar, and 'tis wholesome food, Sir: as for the rest o'th body, if it be
young and tender we make Venison of it, and present it to our friends
and Benefactoas, such as your worship, but if tuff and old we give it to
Dogs, 'tis not worth our care or preservation.
Ric.
You say true but now to our business: when he comes, retire if
you can, so as to o'rehear us; but if not, I hope those same unknown
things call'd Consciences, that can digest murder so well, as without making
wry faces at it, won't baulk a little perjury, especially when
there's twenty good hard round pieces of Gold to help it down.
2. Sol.
Never fear it Sir, 'tis another limb of our Trade; alass we
shou'd halt without it: why Sir we every day practice it for Widdows,
who out of tender care for their Children will Sequester some of their
Mannors to themselves, lest too much plenty shou'd Dabauch 'em.
3. Sol.
And for such grave Statesmen as your Worships honour, when
they have a Suit in Law depending, or any Friend at Court whom they
wou'd give a good Character of to the Goverment.
Ric.
These are fit instruments, as Hell cou'd send me,
And tho' he tamely yeilds himself a Prisoner
Yet shall these Hell-hounds still outswear him,
And baffle Justice with their Impudence:
Nor will the Vice-Roy now be backward to believe 'em,
Since rage has blinded him beyond his reason.
1. Sol.
Sir, Sir, I hear some body coming, I believe 'tis our prey:
Now is my Appetite as sharp as my Sword to be at him.
Ric.
Retire then and observe the Instructions I gave you.
1. Sol.
We'le divide the spoil Boys, shan't we?
Omnes.
Ay, ay, Agreed: but come let's go.
[Exeunt.
Ric.
Now Nemesis assist your Votary.
[stands at a distance.
Enter Alberto.
Alb.
The hour is past, and yet he is not come,
As if in Justice he allow'd me time
Yet why ye Cruel Powers!
Why have you doom'd me to Revenge,
The Quarrell of my Love upon my Friend?
Was't not enough to hear Miranda false,
(To find a spot in that Meridian Sun,
That Silver-Swan, who once like Leda's twins
Brusht the smooth surface of the azurd Sky
And glid along in gaudy Majesty,
Above the Common Glory of the Starrs:)
To see her quencht, quencht in an Asphalites,
And sprout up to the World an Ethiop?
(Oh 'tis a thought that grates upon my heart,
And screws the jarring string untill they crack.
But that my Friend, my Friend should plunge her in,
And be the Tempter of this fall'n Angell,
'Tis Hell, Damnation, and Eternal horror!
Ric.
What a rare poyson is this Jealousy?
That's workt, and almost scorch'd him into tinder
Apt to be fir'd with the least spark of passion.
Alb.
Durst any other snatch her from my Arms?
How wou'd I hug the Stinging Viper,
Till I crusht out his Poyson with his life,
And smile to see his panting Soul
Dance on my bloudy point its way to hell.
Ric.
Now is the Time—My Lord!
[comes forward.
Alb.
Ha! What makes this Court-worm here, This Parasite,
Volume of words, and shadow of a Man?
[aside.
Perhaps he has heard me sighing out my griefs.
Ric.
I have my Lord, and they concern me much;
And urge me to declare it to your face,
Antonio and you must never fight.
Alb.
Must never fight? who dares oppose our fighting?
As well they might resist an Angry wind,
Or stop the Current of an Impetuous tide:
Not all the roaring of Carybdis Gulf
Shall hush the Clamour of my loud revenge;
Nor Mists engender'd by the Queen of Love,
Shall hide her Darling Hero from my Sword.
Ric.
To what excess of bravery you're rais'd,
And spurn your Absent Foe like worthless dirt:
But once more I must tell you Angry Lord,
Antonio and you must ne're engage.
Alb.
'Tis false; Dally no longer with my fury,
Where is the Man dares combat with my Anger?
Ric.
What if the Vice-Roys Orders shou'd controul it?
Alb.
I laugh at 'em.—
What has State-Interest to do with me,
When both my Love and Honour are at Stake?
Ric.
What if the Fair Miranda should command it?
Alb.
The fair Miranda! O thou hast hit the vein,
But call not back the Charmer to my mind.
Whom I've in vain attempted to forget.
Ric.
Then still you love her?
Alb.
Witness all ye Powers!
How much I love that dear Abandon'd Saint!
And with what joy I'de dye to give her ease;
But cannot yield Antonio to her Arms:
Still the tough Mettal of my heart holds out,
And braves the weak efforts of my Ambiguous will.
Ric.
Now then's the time to throw off all disguise.
Know then, I dare, and will prevent your fighting.
Alb.
No more, be gone, wake not my sleeping rage,
To tread so poor an Insect into Clay.
Ric.
That Insect dares your rage Proud Love-sick Lord.
Alb.
Thou art not worth my Anger: But mark me Statesman,
If thy Tongue breath a Syllable of this,
Or dares prophane the business of my Love
I'le rivet it for ever to its roof:
By heaven I'le bath my Vengeance in thy bloud,
And send thee Herauld of this horrid News
To ope the Crackling Gates of Pluto's Realm
And wait Antonio's Coming.
Ric.
Insolent!
Know'st thou what I am?
Alb.
A Statesman, and by consequence a Villain;
A Common Prostitute to every bribe,
Who Traffiques Justice for all damning Gold.
Ric.
I've blood as pure as thine runs through my veins:
Nay more, I am a Lover, and thy Rivall.
Alb.
My Rivall! Can any Generous passion enter there,
That Impregnable Garrison of Vice?
Or darst thou think to Violate my Love,
And offer up thy spurious Flames with mine?
As for Antonio, he indeed is worthy of her,
Fair as the day, and the first dawn of Light,
Before polluted with the Shades of Night,
Ric.
Your praise of him inflames but me the more:
'Tis I alone deserve her best, and will wear her:
I will possess her, riflle all her sweets,
Whilst you gaze on, despair, and cursing, Dye.
Alb.
Ha! sayst thou? but this arm shall bar thy way
And send to keep company with Ghosts:
There may'st thou revell with some Proserpine,
But never think of fair Miranda more:
Draw, if thy trembling hand can hold thy sword:
[Draws.
Ric.
It can, and fix it in thy heart Alberto—
[Draws.
Alb.
Come no more words, but prove it by thy deeds,
That side o'th field is more convenient,
Shaded with trees, and undisturb'd with noise,
Thither let's repair, but make haste Ricardo,
Lest thou recover from this fit of Valour by delay.
Ric.
On then, and let the Conquerour boast,
I think I am secure.
[Exeunt.
[aside.
Enter Soldiers.
1. Sol.
Hark ye Comrades, why the Devill shou'd we betray this gallant
man (who is our fellow Soldier,) for the pleasure of a cowardly Statesman,
who is of a profession, that is our greatest Enemy, and still plotting
for Peace, and to hinder our glorious rapines abroad, that they may
have the spoil of all at home.
3. Sol.
Alas poor Pedro, and art thou troubled with a qualm of conscience?
1. Sol.
No faith boy, I'de have you to know that I am a Soldier, and
scorn any such baseness; but why shou'd not we commit this small peice
of perjury for a brave fellow that loves us, rather then for a Coward
that hates us?
2. Sol.
Ay! but Pedro we have his money, and it wou'd be ingratitude.
3. Sol.
Ingratitude! what's that?
1. Sol.
Why a sort of current coin at Court Boys, that runs like
quick-silver from one to another: for look ye, don't we dayly see
what a crowd of Cringers press there every day, gaping like so many
Jack-Daws for preferment, and commonly such as have spent three
parts of their Patrimony in presenting, treating, and bribing this Lord
or that Squire, this Coxcomb or t'other Fool, and at last for amends, get
only a large sum of bare promises and shallow hopes (quite as shallow as
his Lordships little-witty quilted noddle:) therefore I'le have nothing
to do with it, but leave you all to the Devill to be advis'd.
3. Sol.
By Saint Iago he speaks sense in that; and I scorn to be backward
2. Sol.
I am half converted and of thy opinion too: but my safety
sticks with me, for this same Lord Alberto is on the other hand too
Virtuous, and overcharg'd Virtue, you know, is as ugly as when she
has nothing but skin and bones on her back.
3. Sol.
Right: and therefore he'd thank us for saving of him, but hang
us for betraying the other.
1. Sol.
Hum! and i'gad that may be: for faith tho' I love him very
well, yet I love my self better; therefore to conclude let us kill 'em both,
and then we shall shake hands and part with a merry heart, and a good
conscience.
2. Sol.
No, no, the best way is to seize and apprehend 'em both for duelling,
then shall we enjoy our prize by Law, & perhaps be rewarded by the
Government for our great Care and circumspection for settling and Securing
the affairs of the Nation.
3. Sol.
Well! thou hast a rare head-piece, a rare head-peice i'faith: I
shall live to see thee one of these days on the very pinicle of preferment,
for ahy Policy.
1. Sol.
What dost mean, the Gallows?
3. Sol.
Witty Dog, the Gallows! why faith as thou sayst, the gallows
is a pinacle from whence many a weather-cock has been whirl'd off, and
with as handsome a farewell as your protesting Courtier gives his humble
Servant, that is never to see him more
2. Sol.
Well, well, I've policy enough for a Souldier, and I care for
no more.
1. Sol.
Ay, ay, and so we have all: but see they're met, and coming
this way.
2. Sol.
The Soldier drives the Cowardly Statesman lightning before
him.
Enter Ricardo driven in by Alberto.
1. Sol.
O' Miracle! A Courtier and loose blood in fight: but let's to
our work.
[They seize and disarm 'em.
Alb.
Ha! betray'd! unband me Slaves.
1. Sol.
Slave us no Slaves, Sir, we've sav'd your life, and you must
get your liberty as well as you can.
Ric.
Come, since he's seiz'd return my Sword again,
That I may drein from out his heart his dearest blood
To fill my ebbing Veins: Come let me go.
2. Sol.
Ha! ha! ha! what can the roaring Lion do when he has lost
his Claws and Teeh, but roar? Good noble Squire of the Court you must
hire Soldiers to murder a Soldier, and see what comes on't, I thank you
we've earn'd our money cheaper a great deal.
What mean the treacherous Dogs?
3. Sol.
Mean, why we mean to secure you both: you for bribing us
to murder, and him for not bribing us.
Alb.
Thus heaven can save the Innocent,
'Gainst all assaults, and make the worst of men
The instrument of good. But false Antonio,
False man, thus to conspire against my life,
When thou hast rob'd me of my Love, else how
Shou'd he have known it and prepar'd the means
For execution: Come Gentlemen, lead the way,
The way to Death, the end of all my greifs.
1. Sol.
Our business is to lead you back to prison, since we have given
you a reprieve and are taking you from the place of execution.
Alb.
Wou'd you wou'd lead me to some Labrinth,
Where I might loose my piercing woes for ever,
And wander from my self,
[Exit Alberto with two Soldiers.
Ric.
Ten thousand plagues go with thee.
Did blood affright you Slaves, your dayly food
In peace and war? But come, unhand me now.
2. Sol.
Ha, ha, ha! you think we're in jest, no faith Sir, you'l not
find it so: indeed I cou'd be Jocose enough sometimes, with such a friend
as you are, but that there lags behind (in such a case) hanging in good
earnest.
Ric.
Hell and furies! they deride me too:
O' that I were a Basilisk for their sakes!
Yet think ungratefull Villains of the Gold.
3. Sol.
Prithee talk not to us of gold, when our lives are in danger:
The Law runs thus, he that sees a duell, and does not call for help, or
seize the Combatants, is equally guilty of the breach of the Law, and
under the same penalty, as he that actually engages.
Ric.
Does not your Conscience sting you for your ingratitude?
2. Sol.
Conscience! we've got some Court Opium of you to lull that
asleep.
Ric.
Impudent Slaves!
Gods must I then behold my great designs,
Unravell'd by so base and common hands?
But this defeat shall heighten my Revenge:
I'le call each fiend to harbour in my breast,
And prompt me to the wittyest Acts of horror:
Nay, I'le pursue him dead, and haunt his Ghost;
And tho' I'm sunk ten thousand fathoms deep,
Yet I'le be Ætna still, and spout up Flames,
Shall set the Heavens on fire about his Ears,
And with the mighty ruin ease my Cares.
[Exeunt Omnes
Enter Vice-Roy, Antonio, Guards and Attendants.
V. R.
Antonio, saw you your friend to day Alberto?
Ant.
My Lord I did not, and it much concerns me,
That he should absent himself so long.
V. R.
Nor did you meet my friend honest Ricardo?
Ant.
Honest Ricardo, and but plain Alberto!
Sir, you surprize me.
Vi. R.
I shall surprize you, Sir,
To tell you, he that is your friend, must cease
To be your friend, or I commence your Enemy.
Ant.
Forbid it heaven!
V. R.
Grant it propitious heaven, thou shoud'st have said.
Woud'st thou defile the ermine of thy Soul,
And mix with such a canker'd poisonous Beast?
Even birds of prey peck at their Dearest Mates,
When false to them, and common with another.
Ant.
Oh hold! my blood chills at these injurious words
And cools the warmth which circles round my heart
My friend corrupted! no it cannot be,
Alberto's white, purer then driven snow;
The very emblem of Man's infant Nature;
And clear as opening heaven.
V. R.
And yet as black as Hell:
False to his King, his Country, and to me;
But what is more, false to love and thee.
Ant.
Impossible! It cannot be!
V. R.
You'l not believe me then?
Ant.
Pardon me Sir, if that I say I cannot;
For sure my friend can never prove Disloyall,
False to his King, his Country, or to Love:
When Gods cease to be Gods, and heaven is heaven no more,
Then will I cease to adore those Gods for ever;
But oh they're still immortall and unchang'd,
So is our friendship kindled by their influence;
Promethean heat did light it from above,
And none but heaven can e're put out the fire.
But Sir, your words imply the knowledge of something
Which for Alberto's sake I'de beg to share in.
V. R.
No ripping up of Circumstances, Sir,
Dispell those Clowds, which thus hang o're your brow,
And now prepare to meet your coming Joy:
To morrows light shall give your long'd for Bride
Unto your arms, and tye you fast for ever:
You muse, I did not expect this from a Lover!
Ant.
My Love and Friendship are so near akin
That one being hurt, the other feels the smart,
And eccho's to it's grief—
Just like a well-tun'd Lute's harmonious strings,
One being broke, makes all the rest to Jarr.
V. R.
'Tis a fond Eccho of a troubl'd brain
And false as wandring Meteors in the night;
If for your friendship you'l be false to Love,
Your guilt will equal to Alberto's prove;
He but a lower friendship does decline,
But you'd Almighty Love for him resigne.
Ant.
How can I hope to have my Love secure,
When it's twin-brother friendship wants a Cure:
Besides my happiness depends on his,
Since his consent must consummate my bliss.
V. R.
Let his consent give place unto my will
She's in my power and I will keep her still.
Ant.
This Sir, wou'd too severe appear in you,
To hold by force what is anothers due.
V. R.
Alberto's due you mean; young man 'tis thine
Thy due, nor is it his consent but mine
Must rule my Daughter.
Ant.
Ha! your Daughter Sir!
V. R.
My Daughter? Yes; I know you think it strange,
And wonder at this unexpected change,
But I have found that you deserve her best
And 'tis Antonio she must now possess;
I'le fetch her to you strait.
[Exit Vice-Roy.
Ant.
Guard me ye Powers!
Did he not say, or did I dream he said?
That my friends Mistriss shou'd be mine? Oh horror!
Weep heart at such a horid thought, weep blood,
And drown the Demon in the crimson flood;
Watch friendship, guard the fortress of my Soul,
And all this crowding heap of Ill's controul:
Fly fond ambition to thy stormy Cell,
Or rather sink into thy native Hell.
Avaunt ye mushroom glories of the earth,
Leave me t'injoy my Mistriss and my Friend,
And let me never, never these offend.
Enter Vice-Roy and Miranda.
Mir.
By all your hopes, Great Sir,
By my dear mothers Ghost, I do conjure you,
Revoke this cruell Sentence.
V. R.
Come no more:
There's Fate in every sillable I speak,
And if you prize Alberto's life, receive him
As one who shortly must commaud you.
Ant.
Stand firm my friendship 'gainst the mighty shock.
[aside
Mir.
I know you do but try my constancy,
You'd curse me from your blood were I disloyall,
And false to him, tho' he's unkind to me.
How did you trembling stand, all struck with horror,
To think he shou'd forget his Vows to me,
And shou'd I coppy him?
V. R.
You plead in vain,
His doom stands fixt, unless you repeal it;
I have no time to argue, think, and resolve:
Here's the reward of your long smother'd flames,
And fortune gives you an hour unask'd,
What you scarce dar'd to wish for untill now.
I leave her here, to clear the rest.
[Exit with Guards & Attendants.
Ant.
What mean these prodigies? but see she weeps;
Perhaps she thinks to thaw my nature by her tears,
[aside.
And wash away my Virtue with the dew
Mir.
Assist me all ye Powers that favour Love.
[aside.
My noble Lord.
Ant.
O strike me with some leprosy kind heaven,
Blot even natures genuine image out,
That I may be a monster to her eyes.
Mir.
This musing gives a Vent unto my hopes,
Perhaps his friendship Struggles still for life,
And with some aid may yet recover breath.
[aside.
That you are Generous, the World can witness,
Your bravery the haughty French do mourn,
And Naples sav'd, proclaims Antonio's Valour.
Ant.
Oh tempting Charmer!
Mir.
But there are virtues, which befit a Court,
And found much softer then the rugged stile of war.
The Polisher of yet unfinish'd Nature,
Which separates and refines the dross of man,
And brings the golden Age upon the Soul:
And friendship bears such sympathy with Love,
You cannot have the one without the other:
Once you did own a friend, and Love him too;
Once your twin-Souls did kindly mix together,
Your hearts beat time, and measur'd every thought;
You squar'd your actions to each other's will,
And each desire did center in his friend.
Ant.
We did, we do, and hope we ever shall:
There is Divinity in all you say?
But yet there still remains a harsh conclusion,
Why wou'd you then seek to destroy that friendship
To cancell all the Sacred bonds, and stain
Your Virgin-beauties with so foul a Crime?
Mir.
Ha! what does he mean?
Ant.
Think Madam, oh think:
Think of Alberto's worth, his constant Love,
How ill he merits from Miranda this:
But if you've cruelly resolv'd his death,
Let not Antonio be his murderer:
How wou'd the damn'd in Hell be ague-struck,
And double all their pains by contraries?
How wou'd they hate the abhor'd light,
And think the dismall shades the happier place
Where all such monstrous villany they shun,
But still repent for what on earth they've done?
Mir.
Be witness heaven how Innocent am I,
And oh reflect Antonio on your guilt.
You've argu'd justly in your own defence,
Why shou'd you then betray so brave a friend,
And draw such vengeance on your guilty head?
But oh too late, as well I might call back
Times fleeting sand, or bid the labouring Sun
Turn retrogade in its diurnall Course;
For he is gone, for ever lost to me.
Yet think not that I'le quench thy impurer flames,
I'le sooner seek a Satyr of the Woods,
Embrace a Leopard, mix with ravenous Wolves,
For they're more clear, and more relenting far:
But oh! Death is the wellcom'st guest to me,
To embrace a shrowd, and kiss the weeping Marble,
So turn like Niobe into a Stone.
Ant.
Instruct me heaven what means this show of rage:
Madam you load me with a Crime unknown,
And still forestall what I wou'd say to you;
But let these fruitless accusations cease,
And tell me how I have betray'd Alberto.
Mir.
Hast thou not?—
Ant.
What? Speak—
Mir.
But here I'me lost again,
My Father charg'd me not to clear the truth
And Tyrant duty compells me to obey.
Enter Maria.
What means that ghastly look; Maria speak:
Dost thou bring ought of comfort or despair?
Mar.
I'le speak the truth, howe're it fatall prove:
Just now arriv'd some Soldiers to your father,
Who say, they've seiz'd Alberto and Ricardo
For Duelling.
Mir.
What, and Imprison'd too?
Mar.
Worse Madam, your enrag'd Father swears
His life is forfeit, and it shall be paid,
Yet now has sent to bring Ricardo to him.
Mir.
Oh Tyrant Father! greater Tyrant thou,
[to Ant.
Who Triumphs thus, over two bleeding hearts,
Which both expire by thy Treachery.
Ant.
I'me at a loss for words to express my wonder;
Madam, I'me husht, and will accuse no more
Since I'me confirm'd you love Alberto still,
But still unkindly you maintain your charge 'gainst me,
Fill me with blackest Ideas of a Crime
I loath to name. But I must tell you, Madam,
The fair Astella's Image is rooted here,
And not to be defac'd by all your Charms,
Nor think your Fathers grant, or vain Ambition
Can ever blast my love, and make me change.
Mir.
Too late this forc'd Repentance comes from you
Since Death's his Doom, and not to be repeal'd.
Ant.
I will make reparation, tho' not guilty;
Such reparation Madam, will convince you,
That friendship's dearer to this breast, then life.
Mir.
What can'st thou do to counterveil his death?
I'le save him tho' I perish in th'attempt:
I'le ransome from him his unjust confinement,
Or leave my life to appease your jealousy.
Mir.
This will be noble, and may clear my doubts,
Go, and success attend your brave endeavours.
Away, and give me life or death; since my weak thread
Depends on his, and drops when he's cut off.
[Exit Mir. & Mar.
Ant.
Alberto thus confin'd? It shall not be;
I'le snatch him from the very jaws of Death,
And shield him from the stroke of angry fate.
[Going.
Enter Astella.
Ast.
Turn thee Antonio, turn Ambitious youth.
Ant.
My dear Astella here? O my fair Saint
This is a day of wonders, mighty wonders,
Such as must Separate a while my Soul,
And force me to thy Brother, and my friend.
Ast.
Wonders indeed, that such a Votary
As you shou'd turn Apostate unto Love,
And pay your vows unto another Saint.
Ant.
Ha my Astella! this is still more strange,
In what perplexity am I involv'd?
I think the Planets tread in mistick rounds,
And all the Stars are hatching fatall riddles.
Ast.
In vain you'd seek a shroud to hide your guilt,
Loves jealous eyes with ease can pierce your Soul,
And mak't transparent as a Cristall mirror.
Ant.
What a gross fate has heaven allotted me,
To make me ignorantly thus a Villain,
A Villain to my Mistriss and my friend,
Yet cannot learn my Crime to either?
Ast.
Yet my Antonio, why shou'd you prefer
The barren and uncertain joys ambition yields,
Before Loves calmer and more solid sweets?
How have you call'd yon shining Orbs to witness
The purer flame which circl'd in your breast,
And swore the fixed Stars shou'd change their sphere,
E're you forgot Astella for another.
Ant.
Was ever love in such a maze as mine,
That all her softness cannot melt my nature?
The rugged figure of Alberto's prison
[aside.
Has rac'd out for a while the impressions of my love.
Credit me Madam, I can never change:
Nor from this sullen temper fondly gather,
I Love no more, but anger clouds my Love.
Ast.
Heaven knows and you what cloud eclipses it,
But I'le repine no longer at your choice,
Nor think I'm wretched, whilest Antonio's happy
But let me beg you to defer your joys
Till I am wither'd by a milder grief,
And languish by a gentle death from you.
Ant.
This kindness from her, wounds me but the deeper,
Since I want power to make a fit return:
By heaven my heart is yours, as it was ever
But I must pay a duty to my friend,
Which done I will return, and doubly blest,
Whilst he shall give your hand, but you the rest.
[Exit.
Ast.
This ill-tun'd Joy's but a forc'd harmony,
These words are all but Mandrakes notes to me:
Yes my Antonio, thou art false, inconstant,
As the leaf that's blown with every winde:
I read it in his eyes, yet cannot chide,
It were not rigor shou'd I blame the false one,
And vent the sorrows of an injur'd Love
But oh I cannot be so much a Woman!
Ye Powers that form'd this peice of Misery
Why made ye me so soft, and him so cruell?
Yet er'e I will proceed some means I'le try,
Which if they fail, there still remains to dye.
Thus I'le redeem the credit of my Sex,
For when my fatall Story shall be told,
Succeeding times shall change their harsh decree,
And with united Voices all agree,
That Man's the Emblem of Inconstancy.
[Exit.
| The Mistakes, or, The False Report | |