 | The Mistakes, or, The False Report |  |
ACT V.
SCENE I.
Enter Alberto and Lopez.Alb.
Lopez have you perform'd, what you engag'd to do?
For in that riddle is my fate Entangl'd.
Lop.
I have Sir.
Alb.
Thou hast! that word is Musick to my Soul.
Lop.
But first Sir, as a reward, satisfy my inquisitiveness, and inform
me what trick you've got to break thro' Prisons, and shake off your fetters
thus?
Alb.
Know then a wedge of Gold has knock'd 'em off,
A Golden Key has charm'd the Prison doors;
My Jaylor too, whom I assur'd of safety
(To help my escape) has lent me this disguise.
For tho' my Stars have frown'd so long upon me,
I doubt not but they'le smile, and look serene again,
And my Innocence shine in its proper sphere
Whilst Treachery is drag'd unto the Center,
And sink into the Hell from whence it sprung.
Lop.
Well Sir, I have unlockt Bernardo's tongue too, but without a Fee;
in short, he has laid all his Masters damn'd Villany as open to me, as if he had
been Ricardo, and I his Ghostly Father; he has confirm'd your suspitions of
the Note, and moreover his Masters hiring some hackny bloud-hounds;
(whose game is death, and reward Damnation) to murder you.
Alb.
What niggard mixture of Felicity
The angry Gods allow me;
Twice have they snatch'd me from the jaws of death,
Twice have they freed me from a loathsome Dungeon,
That no Corporeal pain might e're obstruct
My relishing the torment of despairing love;
But now a comfortable dawn of hope
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Where is Bernardo, that kind Engeneer
Who has blow'd the Villain up with his own hellish train?
Lop.
Where is he Sir? why I have done with him as spunging Courtiers
do with their Clients, squeez'd all the honey out, and then thrown away
the useless comb, and the Drone that made it:
Alb.
Why dost thou serve thy Master still by halves?
Run and conduct him to me, fly quickly:
Lop.
As quick as lightning; Sir.
[Exit.
Enter Antonio, Florimo following.
Ant.
Let these effeminate Sluces be dam'd up,
It is a grief too light to Solemnize
Murder'd Astella's Funeral Exequies:
A silent tear shall trickle from my heart,
At each remembrance of her bloudy fate,
But if in spite of me you'l play the woman,
Be like the Marble, when the Conquering flames
Dilate its well-knit pores, and drein its moisture,
Spring from an inward Stimulating heat,
Scorching as is the sweat of Heaven, when the air
Is rent asunder, by the warring Clouds.
Alb.
Antonio here! Good heavens how kind you are,
To crown my wishes at their very birth!
[approaching him
Ast.
Take heed Sir, here's some bold Ruffian in disguise:
Ant.
Fear not my boy, my Stars are not so kind.
Alb.
Sir, I wou'd entreat a word with you in private.
Alb. takes him apart & discovers himself.
Ant.
Ha! do I dream, or is the Villain here?
Away my Boy.
Ast.
I cannot leave you here.
Ant.
Away you must, you shall, deny me not.
[Exit Ast.
Alb.
'Twas my desire too that he should leave the place,
For now I've time to tell thee all my fortune,
The various winding of my restless fate.
Ant.
What means the Traitor?
[aside
Alb.
Besides I must enquire,
And you can give me best intelligence;
Why does my Sister thus absent from Court,
And dim its lustre by her close retirement?
Ant.
Hear Heavens this matchless impudence, and blush,
Does not that name like a loud night alarm
Spread a chill horrour thro' thy trembling veins,
And chase thy bloud from out the desert Channels?
Alb.
Good Gods this tune again!
Ant.
Damnation seize thee:
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Look how it yawns like a devouring whirl-pool,
As if it meant to swallow thee alive:
His eyes are burning Glasses, whence proceed
Such sulphurous flames, whose Stench will blast thy senses;
What noisome mists are belcht from his gaping mouth?
His tongue spits floods of Venome, and his reaching tail
Sweeps down whole Mountains: on his Cristed back
So many massy Spheres arise, that you wou'd swear
Whole Armies came to your destruction.
Alb.
I can see nought.
Ant.
It comes Invisible,
Draw and prepare to meet it's fury.
[Draws
Alb.
I fear you rave; what must I fight with shadows?
Ant.
Then to be plain, it lodges here Alberto,
Here is the Den of the Infernal beast,
Which gnaws upon my Bowells, till it finds
Its destin'd Prey; Its name's Revenge.
Alb.
Revenge from you indeed does seem a Monster.
Ant.
Curse on your Cowardly delays, wilt thou draw?
Alb.
Not till I know the cause of this strange fury.
Ant.
I scarce have so much patience as to tell thee:
Thou hadst a Sister, I a mistriss once.
Alb.
And hope I have one yet, why what of her?
Ant.
Ha! has that name no horrour in it yet;
Canst thou remember her without a blush?
Alb.
Yes my Antonio, when I think of her
I have less guilt than I expected;
For if my wronging her's my only fault,
Heavens knows I am innocent.
[Enter Astella.
Ant.
Hell is then Divine
Less Tyranny and horrour harbours there:
If for to kill a Sister be a Virtue
Let me be vicious heaven.
Ast.
What means this passion?
Alb.
Ha! is she dead then? oh my misconstruing Soul!
By what untimely fate?
Ant.
Confusion!
I shall grow mad: give me some temper Gods!
No, No, it cannot be—her murder'd Ghost
Lashes me with her bloudy dabled Tresses
And prompts me to revenge; thus I will take it.
Ast.
O stay your barbarous hand from this black deed,
Which but to speak of wou'd canker the mouth of fame,
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Ant.
Away, or thro' thy heart i'le force a passage.
Ast.
Thro' it then Sir, rip every Artery,
How willingly i'de part with all my blood,
To quench this raging fire in your breast;
By all the powers we serve, you shall not pass
Untill you tell the cause that moves you thus.
Ant.
Insolent feeble thing stand not the blast,
Which dire Revenge is pouring on its prey.
[pressing to go: Ast. holds him
Alb.
No, let him come, for I'me prepar'd to meet him,
Nor will I stir, unless discharg'd by death,
[Draws
Untill I learn the Story of my Sisters fate.
Ast.
His Sisters Fate! what means my Brother?
[Aside
My Noble Lord, give me to know his crime,
And with this arm i'le fnrther your revenge.
Ant.
Oh Florimo! thou dost renew my grief:
Is't not a crime my Boy to kill a Sister
So beauteous, so divine? (oh my sad Soul!)
That heaven has lost the mould it form'd her in,
And grieving at the matchless work it made
In envy cropt her in her early bloom.
Ast.
And is't for this, you've griev'd since first I saw you?
Was't for her you shed so many tears,
And follow now those showers with a storm?
Ant.
Is there not Cause my Boy?
Ast.
Oh my Charm'd Soul?
Keep still that love, unless you'de have me dye.
But follow not this false deluding Fire,
Which draws you to the ruine of your friend:
Your Mistriss is alive, your words have rais'd her,
And look how in my habit she appears.
Ant.
By heaven 'tis she! oh to my arms my Love,
[Embraces her
Yet closer; in this circle let me grow:
Speak once again, speak thou Charmer of my Soul,
Whilst all the Ravish'd Spheres shall cease their noise,
And listen unto thee: Forgive me Heaven,
Who dar'd to call your Bounteous care in question.
But speak; Dear Saint, say what relenting God
Has sav'd thee from those sacrilegious hands
Which sought to ruine so divine a Fabrick.
Ast.
O forbear thus to reproach your friend,
Some Villain has betray'd you to this rage?
I thought you false when so reserv'd to me,
And in this habit came to try my fate;
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Let me cement your seperated friendship,
And gain my pardon, by restoring him.
Ant.
Thy pardon! Oh that word's a dagger to me,
And makes me see the foulness of my crime,
A Crime for which my expiating tears,
Can never merrit pardon from Alberto;
How shall I dare to look on so much goodness,
Which I've prophan'd with my unjust suspitions?
Alb.
Your constancy in love has cancell'd all.
Ant.
Is such Divinity then left on earth,
Shall these unhallow'd arms have leave t'embrace thee?
Alb.
Thus let us quite forget our dire mistakes.
[Embrace.
Ant.
We will;
But I must ne're forgive these credulous ears,
Which listen'd to Ricardo's painted tale;
Oh! such a dismall Scheme of horrour he had drawn
As stifl'd all consideration in me:
So that when e're a start of reason bar'd me,
The black Idea flew before my fancy
And drove the murmuring vanquisht from my breast.
Alb.
But now my friend, since the dire Vision's fled,
Let us away, and Court the Vice-Roys favour;
For by that happy instrument, my man,
I've gain'd a spell to Charm his Spanish rage.
Ant.
I will: but thou my Love retire, and appear
No more my Servant, but the mistriss of my Soul.
Ast.
This habit has befriended me so much,
That 'twere ingratitude to throw it off,
Untill my joys compleat.
Enter Bernardo and Lopez.
Ber.
This was a treacherous trick Lopez, but I'le forgive you, if you'l
make good your promise.—Sir since it must be so, I here stand ready to
witness all that I have said.
Lop.
Ay Sir, the Devill and your Gold will help him out,
[To Alb.
ne're fear it; tho' every word were false:
Alb.
'Tis well: but yet to gain the Vice-Roys credit,
'Tis requisite the Soldiers shou'd be there:
Art thou acquainted with them Bernardo?
Ber.
As well as they are with their Trade of Murder Sir.
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Go find 'em out, and bring 'em to the Pallace.
Now Friend and Sister let us hast to Court,
And with enflam'd desires let's all entreat
The Guardian Powers of innocence above,
To punish Villany and smile on Love.
[Exeunt Alb. Ant. Ast. at one door: Lop. and Ber. at the other.
Enter Vice-Roy, Ricardo, and Atendants. Scene, The Pallace.
Ric.
I beg you Sir, dismiss these needless fears.
V. R.
O' thou'st undone me with thy Loyalty,
Thou like a blasting-winde did'st rove about
To seek a breath of pestilentiall air,
Which having found thou drov'st it not away,
But enviously scatter'd the death around,
And blew the dire contagion into me.
Mendoza's, family is quite extinct,
The only Branch that's left is withering,
And leaves the Sapless Oak to mourn its loss.
Ric.
Not so my Lord, a Virgins tears flow easy
And naturall as tydes; and like to them
They've all their ebbs. Tho' she may mourn awhile,
Time and the grave will banish dead Alberto,
And give admittance to another Lover.
V. R.
But time and she will not be long ally'd,
A Winding-Sheet must be the geniall bed,
A Funerall-Dirge the Hymeneall Song
And greedy Worms the only joyfull guests.
Had'st thou but seen, how when I did approach her
With rowling eyes she wander'd o're my Visage,
And learn't the story e're I was aware,
But when my foolish tongue explain'd my looks,
She stood all Pale and motionless, as is a Marble Statue,
And with a silent glance reproacht my joy,
Strait starting as she were upon the wing,
She snatch'd a Dagger offering at her breast,
Which when our hasty zeal disarm'd her of,
Then came the storm: her golden tresses torn,
Two different elements warr'd in her cheeks
The air that swell'd 'em, and the fire enflam'd 'em,
Whilst the obstinate strings above, congeal'd and wanting vent,
Refus'd a drop to quench the eager flame:
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As is Arabia's gentle eastern breeze,
Which fanns and opens all the balmy sweets,
Now sends out nought but rage 'gainst the heavens,
Mingl'd with curses of her cruell Father,
Strait like the dying Portia she exclaim'd,
Altho' this fails, there are a thousand ways to dye,
Kind Death will lend a dart to them that seek it,
Nor will his arrow suffer a repulse,
How'er vain man thinks he is arm'd against it.
Ric.
Oh! how he stings me with his Eloquence,
His rage the hinge on which my fortune hangs,
Will be quite melted by this foolish mourning.
Aside
My Lord, you'l give me leave to wonder, that
So mild a temper shou'd be thus enrag'd.
V. R.
O' thou'rt a stranger to that fatall passion:
Does not the gentlest Stream when 'tis oppos'd,
Break out into a rappid inundation?
Ric.
But when the Cause is spent it fed upon
'Tis hush't; so may your Daughters sorrow too.
Go to her, and try her Sir; Duty will plead
In my behalf, and since Alberto's dead,
Urge her to accept the man whom you propose.
V. R.
Ha! this to me again? O' ye good Gods!
Is thy ambition swell'd to such a height,
That thou woud'st have my Daughter spite of death?
Is this thy Love? Lust by my Soul! Damn'd burning Lust!
But since your Saucy haste has thus provok'd me,
I'le to that drooping Flower and there enquire,
What anger did refuse to hear before,
And if I finde what I suspect Ricardo
I'le heap such loads of misery upon thee,
Shall crush thy Soul, and sink thee into Hell,
Italian spite, and Spanish Jealosy
Shall twine their Snakes, to lash and torture thee.
[Exit.
Ricardo Solus.
Ric.
Nay then, I'me ruind, and for ever lost.
How sweet is hope to man's aspiring thoughts,
Which makes 'em like Camelions live on air,
And hug their slender plots? But when that's fled,
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Those threats were vain, for I've a fury here
Begins to lash and sting my guilty Soul,
Conscience that blood-hound, which tracks falling Greatness;
Had but my shafts hit right to my desire,
I wou'd have laugh'd even in the face of heaven;
And rais'd in raptures equall to the Gods,
Brav'd all the force of Hell, made Envy gnash,
To see me mounted above its reach.
But now Alberto's death beats an alarm
Unto my guilty Conscience: my affrighted blood retires
And leaves my trembling arms, shaking like tender willows
At the northern wind:
My feet the feeble Basis of this tottering Pyramide,
Cleave close unto the Earth, whilst my erected hair
(Stiffer then bristles on a shooting Porcupine)
Stares in the very face of angry Jove,
As I were thunder-stoork.
Enter Alberto, Antonio, Astella.
Ha! the ill stomack't earth, vomits her dead
To torture me! Am I inviron'd round with Ghosts?
Hide me ye Powers from their amazing looks,
Spread an eternall darkness o're the world
That they may wander still in ignorance,
And never finde me out:
Alb.
What horrid sounds are these?—and from Ricardo?
He takes me for a Ghost; away my friend,
Attone the Vice-Roys anger, whilst I, here
Humour this Villains mistaken penitence.
Ant.
We will, and may success attend you.
[Exeunt Ant. Ast.
Ric.
Will nothing then conceal me?
Alb.
Heaven cannot hide you from my just revenge,
Without the forfeiture of goodness: Murder
That crying Sin, has like a powerfull spell
Summon'd my scarce cold corps from out its Urn
To force an accusation of thy Conscience.
Ric.
Mount, mount my Soul, and with the swiftest winds
Fly to some unknown Land, where the affrighted Sun
Ner'e yet durst enter, nor the astonish'd heavens
Think on a place so horrid:
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Each funerall knell yel'd by a dying Mandrake
Proves still the dirge of an ensuing frailty.
O' my sick Conscience! is there no cure?
No Sanctuary for my poor relenting Soul?
Let me then sink, sink to the Center,
Release those Captive Gyants that now groan
Under the heavy weight of mighty mountains,
And hurl 'em all, all on me, to press me down
Beyond the reach of Register: let me not suffer
Even in their Annalls, but let a sad mortality
Of remembrance seize succeeding times,
That I may fall forgotten by all the world.
Alb.
Is this the way to expiate thy Crime?
Are prophane wishes thy repentance? Oh take heed!
Do not precipitate thy inclining ruine;
Pull not that hovering Justice on thy head,
Lest it shou'd fall no less than fatall on thee.
Ric.
Pardon Blest Form my rash Devotion!
[Kneels.
Entomb Revenge among those Sacred reliques,
And let thy incens'd Ghost sleep in its peacefull Urn:
Draw hence those looks fill'd with such killing horrour,
And every day shall add new trophys to thy mercy.
Alb.
Think'st thou my patient Ghost can rest secure,
Whilst thy Majestick cruelty does trample
Or'e the ruines of My Love and Honour?
And shall no pious envy seek to abate
Thy triumph? Shall wrong'd Innocence lye unreveng'd?
Ric.
Is there no expiation for my offence?
Withdraw thy anger, and i'le renounce my Love,
And yield my title to the fair Miranda;
She shall embalm you with her daily tears
And offer sighs like incense at your Tomb.
Alb.
I dare not trust you.
Ric.
Hear me ye Powers above:
When next I name my Sacrilegious Love,
[kneels.
May I be haunted by thy Murmuring Ghost,
May all the plagues which Crimes like mine deserve,
(Arm'd with a double force) light on my head:
But hast and signe the Warrant of my peace.
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V. R.
Oh to my Arms, Thou Noble Generous Youth,
And look a kind forgiveness to thy Father,
Else I shall faint beneath my load of guilt:
What Floods of Penitential tears can e're
Wash off the stains are printed on my brow,
And drown the memory of thy mighty wrongs?
Alb.
Oh let me pay my humbler duty thus.
[kneels
By heaven my Loyal heart does bow within me,
And I must sink beneath the grave to adore you,
Unless you'l raise me by some kinder words.
V. R.
Wilt thou then rob thee of thy Virtues due?
Thus I will pay it on my trembling knees,
Spite of thy obstinate humility.
[kneeling
Alb.
If you will kneel, kneel to those Guardian Powers
Who've freed you from the toils and Treacherous snares
Of that false Man.
V. R.
O rise, and since thy goodness can forgive me,
Let me put on the Lion once again,
And fix my Justice on that horrid Slave.
Ric.
Then he is living, and I am deceiv'd,
Wheedled to ruine by a trick of Conscience:
I thank ye Gods for your little honesty!
V. R.
Where are my Guards; go take that Traytor hence,
'Tis Justice now, not Tyranny Commands you.
Ric.
Stay till I make my peace with this most wrong'd,
Most innocent, gallant, brave young Man.
[To Alb.
Here let me beg a pardon for my Crimes,
If Gods have power such injuries to forgive;
By all your wrongs I mourn my black designs,
[Kneels.
'Tis worse than hell to think I did attempt
To Murder you—and yet to miss my aim—
[Offers a Pistol at Alberto.
Ant.
Perfidious Dog!
[Ant. prevents him.
V. R.
Away with him,
Or he will say my presence shades his guilt.
Ric.
'Twas basely done: for he is Brave and Noble,
And I a Villain thus to abuse his goodness,
And fool to bar that Love which heaven Cements;
Love is a pure and immateriall being,
Which graspt by such polluted hands as mine
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Why shou'd I then oppose the Stream?
No, let me to some private Cell resort,
Learn to forget the pleasures of the Court,
My guilt and folly be my Grief and sport.
[Exit with Guards.
V. R.
Impious Traytor, who with the self-same breath,
Vows penitence to heaven, revenge to hell.
Enter Maria.
Mar.
Your Daughter Royall Sir,
Desires your Company about some business of importance
Relating to your peace and hers. Alberto here!
Alive! nay then it will not be a barren plot.
[aside.
V. R.
We will attend her instantly.
Alb.
Maria,
How fares my Angell; how does my Life, my Soul?
Mar.
You'l know too soon.
[aside.
Alb.
Ha! not look upon me?
O' my misgiving heart!
V. R.
Fear not my Son,
Only some Clouds are gather'd by your death,
But soon your presence will dry up her tears
And clear her brow:
Lead on, no longer I'le defer your Joys.
[Exeunt V. R. Alb. Ant.
Mar.
O' how I tremble at the dreadfull Scene!
[Ast. and Guards.
But since a beam of light does warm her hopes
And hath dispell'd the Vice-Roys jealous storm,
Fain'd death shall grasp 'em in a pleasing form.
[Exit.
The Scene draws, and discovers Miranda leaning on a Table; A Cup by her. She rises.
Mir.
What's Death, that silly Mortals thus shou'd fear it?
Only a passage to a better Life,
When the imprison'd Soul throws off its fetters,
And flys into immortall Liberty:
Then wellcome Death to Love so pure as mine,
Which shall imprint an Angells stamp upon it,
And free my Soul to meet Alberto in the air.
I come my Love, the thoughts of thee so charm me
That yet methinks I feel no pain at all;
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Like the rich Nectar that preserves the Gods,
And I'me methinks in health: only a pleasing faintness
Glides thro' my fancy with a cold alarm.
Here will I sit, till I can see my Father,
To tell him, fate has granted me a pasport;
Then take the wing and fly to endless bliss.
[Song within.
Enter Vice-Roy, Alberto, Antonio and Astella: Guards and Attendants. Scene the last.
V. R.
Weeping Miranda!
Eternall horror Seize me, if she does not smile too:
So the Sun shines amidst the fiercest showers.
But why my Daughter? speak, for it racks my fancy!
Rise and speak.
Mir.
O' I must never rise,
Till I mount up an Angell into heaven.
Alb.
To heaven! O' my fears!
Wrap me Eternall night:
Are these my promi'st joys?
V. R.
O' rise my Child:
I know it well thou mourn'st Alberto's loss,
But here is magick in this face to cure thee.
[Presents Alb. to her.
Mir.
Alberto! O' ye Powers, then does he Live?
Alb.
He lives, my Fair one: but oh that life's a Curse,
Unless you'l raise that beauteous Map of Heaven,
And say, why dost thou grieve, that he's alive?
Mir.
Have I not cause to grieve and curse my Stars,
Since we must part, for ever part Alberto.
Alb.
For ever part—thou kill'st me with the sound:
Art thou then false? the very thought's a Crime.
Thro' all this mist, I see thy constant flames
Dart their kind beams into my tortur'd breast:
V. R.
Why dost thou talk of parting, when thy Father
Stands here to heal the wounds of injur'd Love?
Here take Alberto, take him to thy arms.
[presents Alb. to her.
Mir.
O Stop that breath of kindness, 'tis Infectious,
And tortures me more then the working poyson.
Alb.
The poyson, ha!
V. R.
What says my Childe?
Mir.
The fatall deed will out
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To drink a poys'nous draught, which working up
Thro' all the pores of Life, shou'd drive the Soul,
And send it panting to the other World.
Forgive me Love—that's all I ask—oh heavens!
Alb.
I'le hear no more—
Where's Providence and all those Sacred Powers
That secure Innocence, are they all asleep?
Or is the frame of Nature quite dissolv'd?
I've heard how at her latest pangs, the World
Will strait roll up into an endless heap:
The Sun be Extinguisht like a Lamp that's spent:
The Moon withdraw its Crescent into Night;
The Stars like pointed Meteors shoot to Chaos:
The Elements shall run to meet each other,
And blindly mix their jarring principles,
And when this beauteous Harmony must dye,
Shall not one Attom of it cease to move?
Yes I'le begin the fatall Sacrifice,
[Is going to the Cup. The V. R. stays him.
And tell the World what's due to so much beauty.
V. R.
Hold, or you heap new loads of guilt upon me:
What must you suffer for my impious rashness?
No let me dye, (the cursed source of all)
The Gods themselves are pleas'd when Great Men fall.
Mir.
Forbear, or you will hurry me away
In a Tempestuous grief. Why Father, why Alberto,
Why shou'd you dye? I charge ye Live,
Or you will torture my departed Ghost,
Which swift as light'ning shall avoid your presence.
By heaven you've rais'd a strugling in my breast,
And peacefull death's become a spectere to me.
Alb.
O do not plead against thy self Miranda:
Why art thou poison'd but to follow me?
Mir.
Because my Father wou'd have forc'd my Will,
But now relenting nature yields to Love,
And he has given you all that's left of me.
Enter Maria.
Mar.
I see it works.
[Aside.
V. R.
That makes not me less Guilty;
Death, Hell, and Vengeance why was I good too late?
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Repented, but alas! their heaven was fled,
And left 'em for reward Despair and Hell:
Then shall I, O black ingratitude! shall I,
For all the smarting wounds which I have made
Return him nought, but cold Miranda's Corse?
A precious Salve to cure a bleeding heart!
Mar.
My plots are ripe, and I will give 'em birth:
[aside.
Great Sir, upon my knees I beg you'l hear me;
If heaven restores, your dying poison'd Daughter,
Will you continue in this resolution,
And give her (as sure you ought) to Brave Alberto?
V. R.
Why dost thou ask that strange untimely question?
Cou'd she be sav'd—but 'tis impossible;
Altho' the Sighs of injur'd Love ascend like incense,
Yet my loud Crimes will drown their softer murmures.
By all their wrongs I'de drein my dearst blood
To quench the raging venome in her breast;
Then with my latest breath bequeath her to Alberto.
Mar.
O' Sir! these generous words
[Pointing to Miranda.
Like Charms shall have the Power to raise the Dead.
Ant.
What a Successive change of wonder's here!
Mar.
Thus I'le apply their Virtue—
Rise Madam.
Mir.
What folly's this?
Mar.
I beg you Madam rise:
Think that Alberto may, or will be yours,
And strait your Pulse will beat as brisk as ever,
The blood shall dance and flourish in your cheeks,
Except what too much grief has drein'd away.
V. R.
Ha! does she Live? speak but that word Maria,
I'le give thee all my treasure:
Alb.
I, the World.
Mar.
She Lives my Lord.
V. R.
O' 'tis enough Maria!
Alb.
It is too much:—thus let me kneel my Saint,
And look and gaze unto Eternity.
V. R.
Not all the transports of your eager Love
Must rob me of the Duty of a Father.
Alb.
I was too blame—Here let us kneel Miranda,
As to a pardoning God, and wait our Doom.
V. R.
You take me for the cruell Father still;
O' rise, and do not cloud this Scene of joy.
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But thus I'le crown your happiness, and my peace:
[Gives her to Alberto.
Alb.
Which thus I Seal.—But kind Maria, say,
How hast thou wrought this Cure? Or do we dream,
Rais'd by a false imaginary Joy?
Mar.
Her fancy'd pain indeed is but a dream,
But thus I clear your fears and doubts, my Lord,
I griev'd, Great Sir, your kindness for Ricardo
Must Sacrifice the affections of a Daughter,
And promist to prepare the Potion for her
(When urg'd by grief to that Extremity:)
But hoping you'de revoke the cruell Sentence,
When fearing the effects by such a loss,
I workt her fancy to believe that Poyson
Which only dull'd the vigour of the Spirits.
Mir.
I was mistaken, but yet so kindly
Id'e wish for ever to be so deceiv'd.
V. R.
Antonio, pardon all the wrongs you've born,
And take my friendship as return in part.
[Embraces him
Ant.
Great Sir, this grace has more than cancell'd all:
But let me beg your Highnesses consent,
To make me happy in this fair Ladies Love.
V. R.
This Lady?
Alb.
Astella Sir, my Sister.
V. R.
You have it Sir; but why in this disguise?
Ant.
Plung'd in the same mistake that threatn'd all,
She came on some designe to try my Love.
Mir.
Sister (for so I must for ever call you)
Pardon my forc'd neglect of you unknown.
Ast.
Your own misfortunes are a sufficient plea.
[Salute.
Clashing of Swords within: Enter Fabio with his Sword drawn.
Fab.
Great Sir, Ricardo breaking from his Prison,
Comes like a Torrent Spite of opposition;
And forcing all the Guards, that bar'd his way,
With a drawn Sword wrested from their hands
Is entring here.—But see he comes.
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V. R.
Infernall Monster! was ever sight like this,
That Villany shou'd make a Coward Valiant?
Can hell breath virtue?—Yes, a brutall one!
But thus I'le meet and crush the monstrous birth.
Ric.
Here Sir, wreak all your fury on this Villain,
Think not i'de offer at your Sacred life,
[throws his Sword to the V. R.
Death I am come to seek, but since your Guards
Have fail'd, and I've the Noblest from your hand,
Strike Sir, for I'me prepar'd.
V. R.
Prepar'd? 'tis false:
When Thousand Crimes like weights press'd down thy Soul;
Yes thou art ready Slave, for hell thou'rt ripe:
Lust and Ambition have rac'd out the Man,
And being a Devil thou long'st to be at home.
Ric.
'Tis true, I'me worse then you can paint me Sir,
Therefore to ask a pardon were to arraign heaven's Justice
And make its Mercy Pandar to my sins.
Why are you slow then to be Heavens Avenger?
V. R.
I will avenge it, but another way,
Guards seize him once again, and mark me all
Your Lives are forfeit for the next escape:
In chains he shall behold Alberto's Nuptials,
That he may swell with envy till he burst.
Ric.
By heaven, not all your Armies here should seize me:
Pardon me Sacred Sir, I say they shou'd not,
Not that I dread to see the happy Nuptials,
For every binding word wou'd ease my Soul;
Yes Sir, I joy more for their happiness,
Than I can grieve for my own sordid baseness;
But to lye lingring in a lazy prison,
Wou'd rob expecting Justice of its prey,
Therefore to satisfy the hovering Sword,
Thus I'me Ricardo's Executioner.
[offers to stabs himself. Alb. interposes, and takes it from him.
Alb.
Hold, and may heaven forgive what's past as I do now.
O Sacred Sir, or if the name of Father
Can plead more strongly, pitty this Penitent,
I read a deep Contrition in his eyes;
Let him not fall a Victim to despair,
When one kind breath can blow away his Crimes,
And cause the horrid Leprosy to vanish.
Ric.
This goodness from you, Noble, Generous Youth,
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For since all hope of pardon's fled away,
Nothing can torture me like this delay.
V. R.
To recompence the wrongs which you've sustain'd,
What is't I wou'd not do? but Son beware,
Take heed how you believe these new-coin'd looks,
And these false sighs, lest they shou'd prove infectious;
For Proteus-like he can take every shape
Scrue himself up into an humble Saint,
To serve his black designs, and if that miss
Strut like a Peacock in his gaudy trim,
And shew all Lucifer; nay, he can make
Even Contradictions meet to gain his ends.
Ric.
Therefore kind Sir, kill me lest I work more mischief.
Alb.
But now that borrow'd habit's quite thrown off,
Stript by the Vulture Conscience of his Plumes.
Kneel, kneel Ricardo, for methinks I see,
A calm of pitty gently chase the Tempest,
And smooth the furrows of his angry brow.
[Both kneel.
Think of the power of Love Great Sir; what heart is proof,
What Virtue is so strong and Adamantine
Which the resistless heat of his Attacques
Cannot melt to Vice?
V. R.
Rise both; Ricardo rise;
For sure such Generosity must awe thee,
And force each start of Envy to retire;
Therefore I pardon you your life, but for your Crimes
Banish you for ever from our Court.
Ric.
Ha! pardon did you say? name it again,
For yet I cannot trust my Credulous ears.
V. R.
You may:
Ric.
O Sir let me devour your feet,
Grow to the Earth in prostrate Adoration,
And end my life in this so happy Transport.
Hence to some gloomy Desert i'le retreat,
Black as my Crimes and my deserved fate
Where no kind Cell, or Neighbouring Lodge is found
But wild Campain, and bare unhospitable ground;
There from my breast vollies of sighs shall rise
Shall thaw th'Avenging Justice of the skies
To mercy; while the pittying Gods shall dain:
To give me back my Innocence again:
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In rigid Pennance, Fasts, and Midnight Prayers;
I'le spend, till heaven and you I can attone,
And merit this forgiveness you have shown.
[Exit Guarded.
Enter Lopez, Bernardo and Soldiers.
1. Sol.
May it please your Highness—
V. R.
What means your Insolence?
1. Sol.
This Importunate fellow, because he help'd me to save that
Lords life, pretends I owe him something;
Now I make your Highness my Judge;
V. R.
I understand you; therefore let each man
Have Twenty Crowns:
Alb.
Lopez, I shall reward you for your care.
Ant.
And you Bernardo may remain with me.
Ber.
I thank you Sir, for I was terribly afraid of my Master.
V. R.
But all their Services had been in vain,
Had not Maria brought this last reprieve,
Which I shall Study how to recompence.
Alb.
Now my Miranda, since the fates are kind,
We may reflect upon our dangers past:
(As a befriended Traveller returns,
And when his Country's grown familiar with him,
His fancy roves o're all the dismall Scene,
The roling Seas, the fearfull beasts of prey,
And all the Terrours that beset his way,
Whilst every horrour swells his trembling joy,
And still renews those pleasures which wou'd cioy:)
Then for a Monument we'le Erect this Rule,
And fix it on the Portall of Loves School;
Few Lovers can be always in the Right,
Mistakes and Quarrells heighten their Delight.
FINIS.
| The Mistakes, or, The False Report | |