University of Virginia Library

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.