University of Virginia Library

ACT. V.

Scene I.

Lerma appears, as in his house, with a Letter in his hand; two men bringing in a Coffer after him, opens a door, and they place it in.
Ler.
Here, set that Treasure in, for they are Reliques
And will preserve their faithful worshipper;
Why, here are mysteries Canonical,
That must not be searcht into by disputes;
'Twas a good purchace too, considering
The deep necessity; or if compar'd
To the vast sums I gave my Instruments
To turn them Feinds, and make my selfe a Devil,
For I am Sainted at a cheaper Rate
Thanks to his Holiness, my pack of Councellors
I have out-gone you all; but to my Letter.
he Reads.

My LORD,

This Coffer holds your wishes, and the full salutes from Rome:
your Money is return'd as promised: I have at Naples here,
met news so fearful, has alter'd all my purposes: I have serv'd you
faithfully, pay it to my memory; you are secure, and I preserv'd from
shame, by a death of my own chusing poyson. So farewell, no more yours,
nor any more

Toledo.

Kind man, that with such pious Charity
Sav'd me the Labour; he knew I honour'd him
And wou'd not have his Life laid to my charge,
But Piously he took it from himself;
Where's such another Churchman?
For Caldroon, by this time he is going after him
I wou'd the Bishop had but taught the slave
His Wise, and charitable way of dying,
But where's Maria? I dare not ask my selfe,
For I, alas, can't tell, and Heaven will not;
Where is its Mercy then? for it ne'r had
Another way to Bless, but by Maria.
Could my prophane and passionate Revenge
Reach but the Hearts and Lips of the Religious;
No Incense evermore shou'd upward fly,
Of Prayer or Praise; I'de stop all Piety
Sing here.
Till they restor'd Maria, to me—harke—
I hear some noise—ha? what's this?

Enter Caldroon, going to Execution, led by two Fryars; a Fryer going before, carrying a Crucifix; after follows others of several Orders, every one with a wax Taper in his hand; they pass round the Stage, singing his Funeral Dierge.
After they go out, Medina enters with a Guard.
Ler.
Oh, are you come? what Tempest now?

Med.
How do you like the sight you saw?

Ler.
What the Pageant? I did not like it.

Med.
I thought so.

Ler.
I was vext to see how the poor slave
Hung down his head, he shou'd have laught at you.

Med.
This heavy spectacle was meant—

Ler.
To frighten me?

Med.
No, to prepare and touch thy Conscience
Before thy Summons which I here pronounce;
Charles Duke of Lerma, the Council do command
In the Kings name, that you appear immediately
To answer Articles prefer'd against you.

Ler.
Philip, Duke of Medina, I dare come.

Med.
Your impudence was never question'd.

Ler.
Nor shall my confidence be shaken by you.
This was no kind Office for a Brother.

Med.
Where I find vertue, there I own Alliance,
But I still persecute ignoble Acts, though
Against him that wou'd be call'd my Brother.

Ler.
Wou'd be call'd?
Take thy disdain'd Alliance back again
I do despise to plead the chance of Nature
To give me Title or pretence to any thing.
And if you are such as you talk, your selfe,
You might more nobly have persu'd those Actions,
That you Count Ill: I always wore a sword,
And do so now.

Med.
I love not to be urg'd to draw my sword
Though that of Justice is much fitter now
To strike at thee, which is so sure and sudden,
That thy pretended Courage is despair.
Yet, now I think on't better, 'tis an Honour
To be thy Executioner.

draws.
Ler.
I did not think yet to have found Medina
A poor malicious Enemy, cou'd you believe
That I have lost my Courage with my Fortunes,
But to take off your mean ignoble scruple,
Know Medina, that at this time, my life
Is as secure as thine, by Heaven it is.
Enter Alcara.
Thou rob'st not greedy Justice of a morsel.

Alca.
What's this? the Guard there, hoa?

Ler.
What, betray'd?

Alca.
How now, my Lord? suffring a Traytor
With a Sword drawn upon you.

Med.
My Lord, you are mistaken.

Alca.
The Council call for you, and are
Just going to Sir, and immediately expect
Your Prisoners Appearance.

Med.
My Lord, I'le follow you.

Alca.
I must not leave him Arm'd.

Med.
Take my Honour, my Lord, there shall be
Nothing done, he is my Brother, and as farr
As Justice gives me leave, I'de use him Nobly.

Alca.
The Guard, my Lord, must wait in sight.

Med.
As you please; but he and I must have
Some words in private.

Alca.
Upon the engagement of your Honour.
Nothing but words shall pass, I leave you.

Exit.
Med.
My Lord, you have it, I'le follow presently.
You see we are prevented.

Ler.
You have dealt Nobly, and I am calme again;
Only, I wou'd beg leave to tell you a little tale
Before you go. There was a man,
Whose Pious Love to Honour, made him forget
Friends and Alliance: such Chymera's
Has brought on Cruelties in your cousen'd mind
That Nature startles at, and the forc't World
Who make advantage on your formal dotage
Condemns you for that ruine which they wish;
And call it cruelty in you to bring it.

Med.
You are a subtle Sophister, and might
Talke a believing Fool from his just ends.

Ler.
Why, Did you never try in all this time
To teach my heart in private, and direct it;
And where you found a wound like a good Chyrurgeon
Search it to cure, and not to kill your Patient.

Med.
Away.

Ler.
The love of vertue reaches not to Ruine
And all will judge your course thus violent
(But such as flatter you for their own ends)
To be your hate to me; not love to vertue.

Med.
I'le hear no more.

Ler.
It's true, perhaps I am my self an Ocean,
And mingled something dangerously by fortune,
And yet but only gently whisper'd to:
I am as calme as Nature undisturb'd
In sleeping Infants; but when loud breaths
Blow me to stormes, I care not then who sinkes,

Med.
I trifle time to hear thee:
The houre of your Appearing's come, make hast,
Or you'le be fetch't by common Officers:
So farewel, I fear you foole your self with hopes.

(Exit.
Ler.
He's gone; he durst not stay to hear me;
He did begin to melt: good natur'd Gentleman.
I love to try Mens tempers to laugh at 'em;
For I shou'd hardly trust a promis'd kindness.
I will not beg, that can command my peace;
He that secures himself well in the end,
Must destroy foes, and never trust a friend.

(Exit.

Scene II.

Enter Medina, D' Alva, Alcara, and Bruchero, ready to sit as in Judgment.
Med.
I hope my Lords I have deserv'd your thanks.

D' Alva.
And all the Nations.

Bru.
Caldroon and Angelo did hardly thank you:
The Ants had pil'd a mighty heap of Treasure.

Alca.
No newes my Lord yet of your Neice?

Med.
Not any.

D' Alva.
She has show'd a vertue in this close retreat
Beyond all Story.

Med.
I do confess I'm glad I was mistaken;
I thought her worse then she has prov'd.

Alca.
The King they say begins to have suspitions
That she's convey'd away by some of us.

Med.
That fancy will be nourisht in his minde
By Lerma's creatures, we must haste the Tryal.

Alca.
All's ready, see the King.
Enter the King.
A Cloud of sadness gathers on his calmness;
He seemes disturb'd.

D' Alva.
Sir.—

King.
What, you wou'd make excuses for the fact,
Or, Wou'd you own it for a Pollitick vertue?

D' Alva.
What fact Sir?

King.
Dare you aske me what? or do you think
I am too young, not grown up to a King?

Alca.
We do beseech your Majesty—

King.
To give you leave to be all Kings, and Tyrants
Of my affections; you ravishers of vertue,
Either restore Maria to the VVorld,
Or all go suddenly, and lose your selves.

Med.
Does your Majesty believe?—

King.
Yes I do, that all great men
Have jealous envies, equal unto Rivalls;
And all the courted beauty is ambition,
Hid under Justice, which, take heed you follow,
And closely too, or ye shall all feele mine:
So you may sit, but I will watch your actions.

(Exit.
D. Alva.
This is unhappy.

Med.
It will be more, unless we now embrace
The opportunity: Come let us sit
And call the VVitnesses.
Enter Izabella.
How now, VVhat's the newes with you?

Iza.
I wou'd speak with the King.

Med.
From whom?

Iza.
Maria.

Med.
VVhat's your business?

Iza.
'Tis onely for his Eares.

Med.
How Izabella, are you grown her servant?

Iza.
I am a Servant to her vertues.

Med.
And so brought a vertuous Message?

Iza.
My Lord, you may say what you please.

Med.
But you must not go; unless you first
Tell me the business—Wher's Maria?

Iza.
I must tell neither.

Med.
Ha, Did not I intrust you?

Iza.
And so does she, and Ile be just to both:
Pray stop me not.

Med.
Sure Izabella you forget your self,
And what I am?

Iza.
But not what I ought to be.

Med.
Go back I say, and tell that counterfeit Maria,
She shall not save her Father, with the loss
Of her own Prince—go—Nay, no help.

Iza.
Then I must speak.

Med.
Put her out, and from henceforth
I do disowne my blood in thee too.

Iza.
This is Cruelty, not Justice.

Med.
Stop her mouth; out with her.

(Puts her out.
D' Alva.
What's the matter my Lord?

Med.
Nothing but a Tale-bearer dispatch't
Away.

Alca.
I have seen her sure.

Med.
It may be so: Come, we trifle time;
Sit my Lords, and call the VVitnesses.

Enter Catalina and Antonio.
Med.
Antonio, you are ready to averr
Your own Confession, made at several time.

Anto.
My Lords I am.

Med.
The Heads of your Confession made out,
The Queens death, and your reward; and how
At last your own death was design'd.

Anto.
All this I am ready at large to testifie
And prove.

Med.
Your Father was a worthy man,
And you were more unfortunate then safe;
Your proofes fair, Catalina,
I know will be as steady as you virtues.
Enter a Messenger:
(The King appears above,
Is Lerma come?

Mess.
He has refus'd to come the common way,
And is descending by the private Lobby.

D' Alva.
That private way is not for Traitors.

Med.
Envy him not my Lords, 'tis the last time
That his proud humor shall be satisfied;
I doe believe he knowes not what he does,
But like a tir'd o're-hunted Deere,
Treads fatal pathes offer'd by chance,
And not design'd by him.
Enter Lerma in a Cardinal Habit.
(They cry Roome.
Harke, he comes—ha—What's this
A Vision?

D' Alva.
A Maske I think, not an Arraignment.

Alca.
He has o're-reacht us all.

Ler.
I see you are amaz'd my worthy Lords,
To find your loves to vertue made so useless,
As not to practice your admir'd Justice:
Perhaps you are so fond of that faire Mistriss,
As that it mingled passion with your actions,
But now you may discharge your manag'd witnesses
That stand prepar'd against the Duke of Lerma,
Lerma the Cardinal cannot here be Try'd:
Be not so dull my Lords, it showes uncharitable,
An envious malice will be thought the Father
Of such a sadness: nothing but ruine please you?

Med.
D'ee come here to Raile?

Ler.
No, to Preach, it is my Office.
I did no sooner touch this Sacred Habit,
But I was fill'd with Notions.

D' Alva.
The Devil helpes thee to 'em.

Ler.
Still so uncharitable?

D' Alva.
Dost thou name any thing that's good?

Ler.
Ha, ha, ha!

Med.
Are you so merry too?

Ler.
Why, VVou'd you have me whine, and beg from you
A thing you never had; and which I need not?
He that seekes safety in a States-mans pitty,
May as well run a Ship upon sharp Rockes,
And hope a Harbour: nay, if you are so dull,
Youle make me laugh again: 'tis not ill sport
To see your cruel aimes thus lost and cozen'd.
Cou'd you believe, I meant to die so tamely,
And quench the thirst of your ambitious envies
With my desired blood?
This Holy Robe tells me, it is my duty,
And I forgive: but sure I may laugh at you.

Med.
Impudence; Stand off. Let us consult.

They whisper.
Ler.
Doe, whistle out your Braines.
The Councill will run mad; they are angry,
I wou'd not take their way to Heaven.
I must Preach Patience to 'em: Now for an Oracle.

Med.
You know 'tis in our power to confine you

Ler.
In that I have as well prevented you:
Here's the Assignment of a Holy Prison
By my own choice, and granted by his Holiness,
In that faire Monastery I Rais'd my self.

Med.
Subtle Devil.

Ler.
I will not longer trouble you my Lords,
But leave you now to prey upon your selves.
He that devoures the rest, in time may be
A monster, more o'regrown then ere I was.
When you are low, and poor, you are all friends,
And in one fair pretence together joyn,
While every one conceales his own design.
It is your Countreys cause untill full grown
In long sought power, then it proves your own.
When youseem good, your Crimes are not the less,
Men have all new Creations by success.
Ambition like a wanton Womans hast,
Invites new slaves, grown weary of the last.
Mankind each others stories do repeat,
And man to man is a succeeding cheat.
So to this fate I leave you, and shall joy,
To see those Crimes you blame, your selves destroy.
May you all sink in fates for me you meant,
And be too dull, your ruines to prevent;
That when you'r lost in this Ambitious toile,
I in my safe retreate may sit and smile.

(Exit.
D' Alva.
Here's a strange change: thankes to his Holiness.

Alca.
We may blush to be thus cozen'd.

Med.
Methinks the greatness of his spirit stird me,
I cou'd almost forgive him.
Enter Maria led by Nunnes, and Izabella. She Discovers.
What, More Masquerades; How Maria?

Mar.
Where, or to whom, shall I now bend
My almost worne out knees? Alass the Deity,
From whom I shou'd hope mercy, is not here:
How short are Kings of gods? they'r every where

(She weepes.
King.
Maria on her knees?
Dare they suffer her to kneele
(Above, and Descends.
To whom I bow?

Mar.
How durst you to a King shut up the way?
Shou'd Saints denie a wretched soul to pray?
Did I your safeties with such care designe
For you to take the life, that gave me mine.

Med.
Her sorrow moves.

D' Alva.
Here Vertue more; rise fair Maria.

Mar.
Speak, must my Father dye? if it be so
We'll both together to my Mother go.

D' Alva.
Fair vertuous Maid, your Father lives.

Enter the King hastily
Med.
Ha! the King.

King.
Maria.
Tell me the wretch, that ravisht thee from me,
That my Revenge, great as his crime may be.

Mar.
When you your Sacred Word to me did give,
My Father by your Mercy still shou'd live,
I stole away that you might be left free
To be as just, as merciful to me:
And durst not else, but unto those above
In Prayers for you, confess my secret Love.

King.
Your Father is preserv'd from danger, free,
And sav'd himself that had been sav'd by me.
He in a Holy Robe is now retir'd,
By danger urg'd, by Heaven I hope inspir'd.

Mar.
What an excess of blessings Heaven can give?
Oh happy Father, that does more then Live!
With joy now to my Sacred Cell I'le go;
I shou'd not weep, but my fond tears will flow.
My Zeal it self has a temptation too,
I scarce shall pray for any thing but you.

King.
If you, in leaving me so cruel prove,
Your Prayers will be as useless as your Love.

Mar.
Time, Sir, alas, will in a little space
An Image drawn but faintly, quite deface.
Love, like a shadow, while youth shines, is shown,
But in old Ages darkness, there is none.

King.
But all pure Love, like glow-worms heatless fires
Lives where it shines, and with that life expires.
Beauty, like Time on Dials, moves so slow
That they who always gaze, can't see it goe.

Mar.
But I must now leave Heaven, Sir, or you.

King.
The choice were easie, were the question true.

Mar.
Is not Heaven then the best felicity?

King.
But you as well may go to Heaven with me.

Mar.
'Tis hard, thorow the world to find the way,
If I talk long, I shall my self betray;
Your Joys I Study, and deny my own;
Shou'd Lerma's Daughter, share your Bed and Throne;
Farewell, Sir, when you think of this, confess,
I lov'd you, far beyond my happiness.

King.
Stay yet, and hear this vow
going out.
Spains empty Throne;
Unless from you shall want succession.

Med.
Now, by my Sisters blessed soul, I share
Between her Vertues, and my Kings Despair;
Maria, stay, you must to Duty bow.

D' Alva.
You sav'd us all, preserve you Nation now.

Alca.
That vertue still may flow from you, their Spring.

Bru.
And make a Nation happy with their King.

Mar.
What shou'd I do?

King.
—Deferre your cruel thought,
Till by my grief you are more pitty taught.

Mar.
This, Sir, is to o'recome the easiest way,
My Forces will all lessen by delay,
Yet, Sir, in this I must submit to you
And Heaven, to teach my heart what's best to do.

King.
Till then—
Let all that Love me, in my troubles joyn,
And let their griefs, Allegiance pay to mine.
Let not a smile upon a face be seen
Till fair Maria yields to be my Queen.