 | Beauty in Distress |  |
ACT V.
Enter Placentia, Fabiano.Pla.
Oh haste, let's fly, my Lord!—Ricardo's Threats,
His busie gloomy Looks, his odd Expressions,
That Lady's wrongs, her Rage, and all things here,
Must have convinc'd you, 'tis unsafe to stay.
Fa.
But oh my Captain?
Pla.
The danger cannot reach him.
Enter three Bravoes, who surprize Fab. take his Sword, throw it by, and bind him.
Fa.
Ha! Villains! by whose orders am I seiz'd?
1 Bra.
By Don Ricardo's hedesigns no hurt:
As for you, Madam, you must now deliver
Your Money, Plate, and Jewels; else we've orders
To take 'em all by force.
Pla.
Assist me then, Despair!
(aside.)
If there's no Remedy, go with me yonder;
To them
You'll find much more than e're your hearts cou'd wish:
1 Bra.
Search ev'ry where, while I attend Ricardo.
Exit.
Two of the Bravoes run to the place pointed to 'em by Placentia, she steps out after 'em, locks a door, and re-enters immediately.
Pla.
By happy Chance I've lockt the Villains in,
While eagerly they rush'd to seize their Prey—
I must unbind you, but I tremble so,
I scarce have pow'r to do it.
[She begins to unbind him.
Enter Ricardo hastily, with a Dagger in his hand.
Ri.
Hold!
Pla. and Fa.
Hah!
Ri.
Attempt to free him, and he dyes.
Fa.
Thus Robbers steal our wealth, then leave us bound.
Ri.
You're robb'd of nothing since she'd be a Nun;
Neither shall you be left, but go with us.
Fa.
She shall not go.
Pla.
Villain, I will not go;
And rather wou'd be wedded to the Plague.
Ri.
Oh! how that blush of Rage, that sullen Grace,
45
That soft Emotion, and that wild of Beauty
Fire my hot blood! It mantles, bubbles, boyls!
My full Veins swell, and the revulsive Red
Whirls flushing o're my face. Oh I'm all transport!
I must, I will be blest, The coy Plancentia,
Since she'll not be my Wife, shall be my Mistress.
Come, quickly yield! for I'll this very moment.
Secure my bliss, lest my design shou'd fail.
Fa.
If thou'rt a man, unbind and kill me first.
Ri.
Rave on, and like the damn'd now feel a hell,
To see me seize the Heav'n of love by force.
Pla.
Oh save me, heav'n! Ricardo, think of heav'n.
Fa.
Hold! Is the man lost in the lustful Brute?
Thou lookst a man, then bear thee now like one,
Ri.
So I intend—Come, with me, or I'll force you.
Pulls Pla. while Fabiano is striving privately to unbind himself.
Pla.
Can fruit while immature indulge the Taste?
Oh! stay! do not prophane th'unyielding Tree;
Kind usage and necessity at last
May ripen crabbed hate to gen'rous Love.
Ri.
I scorn the fruit which of itself do's fall,
I love a pleasure I must struggle for.
Pla.
Your appetite's deprav'd, your Love distemper'd.
Ri.
If 'tis deprav'd, and t'other a disease,
Then, sweet or sowr, the Physick must be taken;
Besides, Resistance will enhaunce the blessing
Insatiate in the Riot of my Joys,
I'll bribe, or teach, or force you to be pleas'd.
I'll grasp the trembling, panting, struggling Maid,
Grac'd with variety of new disorder;
Her dress, her tresses loose, and in her face
Roses, and Lillies in alternate chase.
I'll see her beg, and beg, to be deny'd,
With heaving breasts, soft looks, short balmy Sighs,
Kind broken words, and trickling pearly Tears,
While my proud Rival by, sees, rages, and despairs.
Fa.
Racks, Wheels, and Fires, must I be still restrain'd!
(striving to unbind his legs.
Ri.
Comply!
Pla.
I must not.
Ri.
Marry me then.
Pla.
Hope.
Ri.
I hate long Sieges—'Tis Soldier-like to Storm.
46
But not to storm weak woman! Oh! forbear!
(kneels.
Ri.
I'll stab thee then.
[In a threatning posture, then suddenly embraces her:
Pla.
I'll thank you.
Ri.
When 'tis done—thou charming stubborn Folly.
Thou Foe to thy own Pleasure—what still foolish?—
Sure I can grapple with you.
Pla.
Oh Heav'n! Crush, crush us both with Thunder! oh! my Lord!
Fa.
Curst Sight! Death to my Eyes! Hell to my Soul!
I cannot bear it
Blast, Thunder, striek, burn, tear me or my bands!—
Ha!—Now, Fate, I half forgive thee—
Rises, having freed his Legs, comes up to Ricardo.
Turn, Monster!
Ri.
Away! fly instant Fate! 'tis in my hand.
“Thou mayst more safely tempt the greedy Lyon,
“When with contracted Paws he grumbles o're his prey.
Be gone! I never threaten twice.
Villain, stab, or desist.
Pushes Ric. roughly. Offers to stab him. Pla. steps between.
Ri.
Fond, rash fool, take thy wish!
Fa.
Hah! What means Placentia?
Pla.
To rob you of that blow; I want it most.
Fa.
Restraint, your danger, check, distract, unman me—
Oh! my Placentia! Oh Ricardo spare her!
Pla.
Oh! my Fabiano Oh Ricardo, spare him!
Ri.
Too long I've trifl'd—stand out of Death's way.
Pla.
No, strike, strike thro my Heart! still thus I'll stand,
Between the dear unhappy Man and Fate.
Ri.
The dearer he's, the sooner he shall dye.
Pla.
Oh! take the wealth I now was leaving! kill me!
“Alas my Death will mend my wretched state,
“And I, instead of burying my self living
“Within the lonesom Walls of some poor Cloysters,
“Will lye more quiet in the silent Grave,
“Forgot among the solitary Tombs.
But on my knees, which fear has scarce left able
To bear my Trembling body, by your Love,
By the remaining Tears of this sad day,
By your best hopes, and by your future safety,
Let me adjure you, spare him, spare my honour,
Nor act a Crime you'd wish undone too late.
Fa.
Down Stubborn Heart! bend knees!
Placentia kneels.
A Goddess kneels; but see a greater wonder,
Ricardo! see thy Rival at thy Feet!
Not to beg life! ah no! I wish to dye;
Spare her! oh spare her! Let my blood attone.
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Something I feel like Pity; but I'll hide it—
(aside.)
Or yield, or wed me now, or both shall dye.
To Pla. who holds him by the arm.
Let go your hold—
Pla.
Oh do not drag me thus!
Fa.
Bound as I am, I'll strive to snatch thy Dagger.
Fa. with both his hands seizes Ricardo's Dagger. They struggle. Ri. falls. She gets his Sword, and points it to his breast.
Ri.
Hah!
Pla.
“Now, Villain, tremble! Stir, and thou dy'st.
Ri.
“Oh do not kill me—I'm not fit to dye—
Pla.
“Nor ever wilt; therefore unfit to live:
“What shou'dst thou fear, thou'rt all a Devil already.
“Thy lowest fall can be but into Hell.
Ri.
“Oh, that's uncharitable!
Pla.
“Then that's like thee:
“Infection's busie where you breathe! Dye—
Pla. offers to kill Ri.
Fa. hinders her.
Fa.
“Hold, dear Placentia, let me interpose:
“I'll shield him, but to punish him my self.
Pla.
“No, his Sword must let out his tainted blood.
Ri.
“Let not blood stain your Innocence.
Pla.
“A Monster's blood ne'r stains the hand that sheds it.
Ri.
“Can a Virgin do this?
Pla.
“A Virgin wrong'd can more.
Ri.
“'Tis not her office to be cruel.
Pla.
“But 'tis ev'ry one's office to do justice.
Ri.
“Oh! you are pious, and you must forgive:
Pla.
“Now you can preach that pity you deny'd.
Ri.
“Oh! 'twas excess of Love that urg'd my Crime.
Pla.
“Thou never hadst that goodness as to love.
Dye, Virtue strikes, not I.
Fa.
Hold, Madam, free my hands; I'll kill him then.
Pla.
Why venture twice your life against a Villain?
Fa.
What can I have to lose, when you are lost?
Ri.
aside.
I hate this lingring—Thus I'll scape or dye.
Starts up suddenly, and runs out.
Pla.
Ha! now he's scap'd, and 'tis our turn to fear.
Fa.
I'll fly for help, unbind me.
Enter Morella, Melinda, and two of their women.
Morel.
We've heard a dismal noise—Fabiano bound!
Pla.
'Tis now no time to talk; secure that door.
They bar the doors on the side where Ri. came out.
Theft, Rape and Murder are at hand—
Some of you, ring the Bell, it may bring help.
48
Fa.
Quick, call the Captain: now his wound is bound,
Tho lame, he may assist.
Exit Serv.
Ri.
without.
Open the door.
Fa.
No, not to Thieves and Ravishers.
Ri.
without.
We'll break 'em open then.
(Knocks and wretches without.
Morel.
Heaven send us succour first.
Pla.
I fear it much.
The Bell is rung.
Enter Captain, supporting himself on a stick.
Fa.
Why, then I can but dye for you, Placentia.
Cap.
Talk not of dying, Sir, but of defence.
Let's keep close by the passage,
There we shall better make our party good.
The door it burst open, the Women shriek.
Enter Ricardo, Bravoes, Sailors and Lieutenant.
Ri.
Fall on!
Ri. and the Bravoes fight, Fa. and the Capt. who give way by degrees, till the Lieutenant finding his Capt. there, falls on the Bravoes, and with the help of the Sailors disarms them and Ricardo.
Lieu.
Our Captain's here! fall on the Rogues.
Cap.
My men are here, beyond my expectation.
Ri.
Betray'd by cursed Pyrates!
Cap.
Lieutenant, what's the matter?
Lieu.
Our Brigantine, Sir, was o're-pow'r'd by Villains;
So many of our men being on shore.
They came upon us so at unawares,
There was no other help but joyning with them.
I told them I was a revolted Pyrate,
Who would be glad of such good company;
And thus, since that, I've trac'd them in their mischiefs,
Being resolv'd to seize 'em, when my men
Were got together, as they are now.
Fa.
Where is the Moor?
Lieu.
We cannot find him yet.
Fa.
Bind all the Villains, and confine Ricardo.
Enter Don Vincentio undisguis'd, with Attendants.
Vin.
Forbear, presumptuous Lord!
Fa.
How! Don Vincentio living!
Mel. and Mar.
Hah! 'tis my Brother's Ghost!
Ri.
Risen from the Grave;
Vin.
Why d'you all shun me? But perhaps you ought.
Yet, tho much chang'd, I am Vincentio still.
Pla.
Alive! oh grant it heav'n.
Vin.
You've been impos'd upon, I find.
49
Oh my dear Brother, how I mourn'd for you!
[Runs to embrace him.
Pla.
“Come I'll believe he lives, tho 'twere a Dream,
“That I may know one joyful Moment more.
[The Ladies and Ri. run to embrace him, he makes 'em sign to forbear.
Vin.
Spare Compliments! It is your love I'd have;
When I am sure of that, the rest is needless.
Ri.
My Lord, your Ear a moment.
(Ri. whispers Vin.)
Vinc.
I find, there have been strange disorders here.
Placentia, as for you, I hear you're grown
An absolute disposer of your self.
Pla.
Ah can your Soul more than your face be chang'd!
You did not use to meet our joys this way.
Oh! my best Lord! upon my knees I beg
That Calumny may not possess your Soul!
Vin.
(aside.)
How am I chang'd indeed; I can stand by,
And see Placentia kneel. Oh! jealousy,
Thou hast perverted all my noble nature:
Thou drov'st out flatt'ring hope when most secure,
And all my Gen'rous passions follow'd it.
Fa.
Do's it become Placentia thus to kneel, my Lord?
Vin.
If you dislike her low Condition, raise her!
Fa.
So, I can, Sir, and to as high a pitch
As yours, tho mounted thus in all its pride.
Vin.
My Lord, you've in my absence stoln a Jewel
(To F. aside
I priz'd above my life, my very being.
Restore it me again on your Sword's point;
And by the Grove where I kill'd rash Don John.
Fa.
to him.]
I'll meet you; say no more—Rise, noble Maid.
Pla.
No, I will grow to Earth, except my Lord
Turns merciful again, and hears me speak!
Vin.
aside.
Hopes of Revenge have beat out jealousy,
And I'm my self again—Ah lovely Maid,
To what but Heav'n shou'd so much Beauty kneel?
Oh! I was mad, Placentia! quickly rise,
Or I shall sink into the Earth for shame:
His words made no impression on my Mind.
Ri.
My Lord, pray keep your Temper, nor suspect me;
For I have proofs, I wish the Moor were here!
He first betray'd their ill designs to me.
Vin.
Why then, ye equal judges, hear him speak!
I am the Moor—do you start, base Traducer?
But thou'rt below my Thoughts? 'Tis you, Placentia,
I now must chide.
50
“Why will you thus shut out your lovely self
“From all the World? I prize no other Wealth,
“And wou'd you, wou'd you steal your self from him
“Who without you must dye? for oh Placentia,
“None can divide the Body from the Soul.
“Yet make that Body live.
Pla.
“Alas! Vows firm as fate for ever part us.
Vin.
“Yet stay, That I may see you shine at Court.
Pla.
“Ah no! my Lord, vertue shines best in Cloysters.
Vin.
“But oh! if you're resolv'd to live recluse,
“And make your fond Vincentio miserable,
“Why must another offer you to Heav'n?
Pla.
“You shall dispose of me,
My Lord, my heart
Is by a secret charm bound to Fabiano,
But yet, its Duty must be wholly yours.
Vin.
Oh! break that cursed charm, or else deny
All thoughts that prompt a friendship or respect.
Respect was welcome from you, when I thought
None had a stronger Tye upon your Soul.
But that respect, is now below contempt.
Pla.
Oh! tho I love him—
Vin.
Oh! unspeak those words.
Ten thousand Vipers stung me at the sound;
Ten thousand thoughts, all wild, all black, all dismal,
Work my mad Brain. Oh, say you love him not.
You weep—you are dump—you will not? Cruel Maid!
Teach me, yet Pow'rs to move her—Oh I wou'd invoke
Men, Angels, Friends, to wrest him from her heart:
But 'twill be vain: how long have I not su'd?
Hours, Days, Months, Years, are past; yet still she's Marble.
I'll dye then—yes; but first my Rival shall.
I'm ripe for ruin, like some batter'd wall,
But haughty Foe, I'll crush thee with my fall.
Fa.
Kill me, I'll thank you; for I'm hopeless too.
But live, my Lord, and think me not your foe.
Nothing but barbarous wrong done to Placentia
Cou'd make me draw my Sword against my friend.
Vin.
Must I be wicked e're I can be eas'd?
Take, take your friendship back. Oh why am I thus curst.
My Brother a base wretch, my Friend my Rival,
And what's yet worse, a Rival lov'd! Oh Tortures!
But what most racks my Soul, this very evening
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From such a hope, in full career to bliss,
Thus to be hurried down a precipice
To dash on deep despair! It kills my reason,
Confounds my Brains, my Heart, and tears my very Soul.
Flings himself on the ground.
Pla.
Compose his mind, good Heav'n!
Morel.
Rise, my dear Brother.
Mel.
Oh why will you lye thus?
Vin.
Oh why indeed indeed! my sword, my sword shou'd end me and my pain.
[rises and draws his Sword.
Fa.
Hold! are you mad?
[Takes his Sword from him, and others hold him.
Let Reason end 'em, and preserve your Life.
Vin.
Away; Life's my worst foe, and you the next;
Think not t'impose it on me. Reason's self,
Nay Patience, says my ills are past her cure.
Oh hardship! I'm ev'n deny'd the priviledge of dying.
Then hear, thou heav'n! why sleeps thy thunder? end me!
Delay not thus my wisht for Dissolution.
Oh rid me of Intolerable Life.
Fa.
Forgive your Friends, and live my Lord.
Vin.
My Friends! wou'd you be thought my Friend?
Fa.
Yes, from my Soul.
Vin.
Then dare be such, and rid me now of Life.
Fa.
Wou'd that be like a Friend? Reflect, my Lord:
Exert your Soul, and bear like your great self.
Vin.
Will you not kill me then?
Fa.
Were ev'ry door to ease shut up but Death,
Unwillingly I wou'd.
Vin.
There is no other.
Fa.
Then I must be cruelly kind.
(draws his Sword.)
Pla.
My Lord—
Fa.
Madam forbear? Let one friend ease another.
Vin.
Well said?
Come take your Sword my Friend, and lay its point close to my Breast?
(Fa. gives him back his Sword.
That when I do you the same hated Office,
We both may fall at once.
Vin.
What, both! forbid it friendship!
I dare not buy my ease at your Life's Cost.
Fa.
See, whither passion hurried you, my Lord!
Were wilful Death an ease, shou'd you deny it him
That gives it you? for I too am most wretched.
But Life's the Gift of Heav'n, and we must wait
52
Vin.
Oh! you have touch'd my Soul! Come to my Arms!
I'm reconcil'd to wretchedness, to Life,
Nay, ev'n to you: Tho Rivals we'll agree:
Let's all three joyn as partners in affliction.
Till heav'n be mov'd, while nature mourns to find
Three hearts so wretched, yet so truly kind.
Enter Zemet.
Zem.
My Ld, Don Ferdinand, with guards was forcing Entrance,
But, hearing you're return'd, wou'd only kiss your hand.
Fa.
My Lord conceal me, lest I be detain'd.
Vin.
to Fab.
Retire into that Room. Go bring him in.
(To Zem.
[Exit. Fa. and Zemet severally.
Enter Don Ferdinand, with Zemet with him.
Fer.
Welcome, my Lord, to Portugal, that mourn'd
The brave Vincentio's loss! The King himself
Has worn a noble sorrow for your Death;
And doubtless will rejoyce, to see you contradict
That most unwelcome news.
Vin.
I must employ my Friends, my Lord, for a new pardon,
'Twas I that caus'd the Rumour to be spread;
But 'twas to save a Brother.
Fer.
He's no Brother.
Vin.
My Lord, he's but an ill one, I confess:
Yet, nature still will work.
Fer.
I'll say no more, till I have got your promise, of one thing.
Vin.
Name it, my Lord; a gift that you can ask
Must needs be too well plac'd to be deny'd.
Fer.
I had a Son, and hope once more to have him,
If this fair Lady will restore him to me,
Once I despis'd her, but admire her now.
I ask her for his Wife, my Lord, that's all.
Vin.
All!—ask me my Lord, to rip my breast my self,
And give you thence my heart. Ask any thing,
Rather than ask Placentia for your Son.
She must be mine, or no man's in the World.
Fer.
My Lord, she is your Sister.
Vin.
Hah! my Sister.
Ri.
aside.]
Nay then 'tis time to fly: These perjur'd Monks,
Tho he's not dead have made the secret known.
Fer.
Lay hold on him!—
(going is stopt by the Lieutenant.)
Enter the 2 Monks.
This Villain, shall no longer be your plague.
1. Monk.
No, he's a peasants Son, and she your Sister.
Vin.
Can Heav'n and Earth conspire to make me wretched?
53
Sister brings in't eternal separation.
Fathers, you shou'd be Messengers of joy.
1. Monk.
I hope, My Lord, we shall, if you'll but hear.
Vin.
Let me hear any thing but Sister from you.
That fatal sound will murther me at once;
I dare not understand you.
But since I'm doom'd to hear some dreadful story;
'Tis fit I shou'd possess my Soul with Thoughts
Of the most dismal kind!—I need not study.
Placentia Loves another—That's enough.
Alas! what Racks, what tortures can be worse!
Now tell the rest—yet on the Ground I'll lye
Lest I drop down, when she is prov'd my Sister.'
There, wretched Lover, measure out thy Grave.
[Throws, him on the ground.
Now strike the blow that must cut off all hopes.
1. Monk.
Read that, my Lord! It is a declaration
Under his Parents hands.
Gives Vinc. a paper.
Vin.
This is enough—Placentia is my Sister. Oh! my heart!
Turn, turn thy self about, that I may ask
Why this was done?
1 Monk.
My Lord, you've heard your sickly Infancy
Gave but a doubtful promise of your Life.
This made your Father wish another Son.
But Daughters still deceiv'd him. Now your Mother
Then big with Child, had heard him rashly say,
If that too prov'd a Daughter, he should wish
She never had been his.
This made such an impression on her mind,
That to preserve his Love, he being absent,
Seeing it prov'd a Girl, she chang'd the Child.
This fault her youth committed, and her age repented.
So she with us deposited this Trust,
To be reveal'd, if you dy'd without Issue.
If not, to be kept secret. But just heav'n
Has brought the secret out before its time.
Yet with no breach of trust on our side neither,
Since we believ'd you dead, when we reveal'd it.
Vin.
Have I not patience, fathers, thus to hear
Such killing news, yet lye here without raving?
But I'll do something too.
[starts up and Exit. Monks and Servant: after him.
Pla.
Look to my Lord!
Fer.
Alas! he's much disturb'd—As for these Villains,
To dungeons with them. But for this mock-Lord—
54
Then Cloath him as befits his state and Birth.
[Ex. Saylors, Bravoes and Ricardo.
That thus my Lord may see him dragg'd to prison.
Morel.
Oh Sister; 'tis more joy to find you thus,
Than 'tis to lose that wretch.
Pla.
This doubles the delight I took in Friendship,
But my Love for you was so great before, it cannot now encrease.
Re-enter Ricardo, in an old Gown with Attendants.
Ri.
Now, Fortune, Nature,
I owe you nothing but a wretched Being.
Take back the thankless gift, and then we're even,
“Nor rack my Soul with dread of endless Flames.
There's Hell enough on Earth in guilty minds.
“To lose at once the heav'n of Love and Greatness,
“Then be condemn'd to Life, or dye a branded Villain!
“Curst Thought! a branded Villain. Ha! I feel
“A warmth new to my heart, thaw the hard lump,
“And shake my shudd'ring frame.
Oh my past Life, thou mak'st me doubt the future.
Alas, I dare not hope I may repent.
Laura! Oh run, for pities sake! she is poyson'd.
Get Antidotes! But tell her not, I did it.
Fer.
Run, help the Lady.
(Exit Servant.)
Ri.
Oh! lead me from her Sight, to Chains and Galleys,
To toyl, to shame, to want, to pinching cold,
To scorching heat, to stripes, to worse Remorse,
And ever-new variety of Woes.
All, all these pains are slight, to those I bear,
Struggling for hope with horror and despair.
Laura in the passage.]
Stay! Poys'ner Fiend,! take this and this.
(Exit Ricardo bloody, Guarded by the Lieutenant, &c.
Ser.
Hold, Madam.
Pla.
More horrors yet! oh let's avoid that Sight.
Ex. Pla. with Fer. Morel. and Mel.
Enter Laura and Richardo. She holds a Dagger in her hand, and drops it as she struggles with the Servants.
Lau.
Why do you hold me? let me end that Monster!
Ri.
Strike, injur'd Goodness; strike again; I'll thank you.
“Compleat the work of Death, that moves too slow.
“But oh! first hear me, take some Antidote.
Lau.
Must I be held, and punisht with his sight?
“Free me, or take him hence, for horror shakes me
“Ev'n at the thoughts that he's of humane form.
55
he kneels)
Oh stay; look on the most undone of Creatures,
A Devil in guilt, but a repenting Devil.
Oh! cou'd but heav'n and you forgive.
Lau.
Avant—Devils can't repent, nor be forgiven.
Ri.
But ev'n the worst of Men, thus prostrate trembling,
Not daring to look up, near death, will sigh to heav'n.
“Oh! you're so much its likeness,
“Sure its best attribute, Divine forgiveness
“May yet be show'r'd ev'n on a wretch like me.
“A Wretch, more, more than a wretch, there's not a name
“That can express my miserable state.
Lau.
Let go my Robes.
Ri.
Oh never, never,
The drowning wretch cannot forego his hold;
That lost, I sink for ever.
Lau.
“I'd sink with thee, that thou might'st sink yet lower.
“Think on my wrongs, thou Fiend, thy breach of Vows,
“Ingratitude, that ev'n thy Sex must startle,
“Poyson thy kind return for all my wealth,
“For all my Love, and what cries most for Vengeance,
“Those poor young Orphans! Oh my ruin'd Children.
Ri.
Oh! take some Antidote!
Lau.
No, I wou'd dye: what shou'd I live for now?
see behind me nothing left in Life
I ut misery, terrible misery.
Ri.
Oh Laura—
Lau.
Wil't thou still plague me? Dye, and let me dye.
Ri.
“Oh! had you heard me, but an hour ago,
“We might have liv'd. Alas you little know
“What's now divulg'd; I'm not Vincentio's Brother.
Death to a wretch like me has lost its horror;
Death shou'd have snatch'd me in my fancy'd greatness;
But now my base original, my Crimes,
My shame call for severer punishments.
The Rack shou'd stretch my Limbs, and show me death in view,
Then pull the blessing back, that I might long be tortur'd.
Then let me starve with those poor helpless Orphans,
Whom I have robb'd of the support their dying Father left.
Lau.
“Oh now thou'st touch'd my Soul,
“And laid my Crimes as well as thine in view.
“I, I, was left entrusted with the Care.
“How shall I meet my Husbands shade? methinks
“I see his angry Ghost! he frowns—oh hide me.
56
“But oh! my Children, how can you forgive me?—
“Yet once more let mee see 'em—stay; I dare not,—
“Oh dismal fate; a dying mother dreads to see her Children.
Ri.
“Oh not to you, to me they owe their Ruin;
“On me, on me alone shou'd Vengeance fall.
“Add to my torments, heav'n, so they have ease.
“Oh! tho' she curst me still, tho' she ne're knew
“'Twas for their good I strove to wed Placentia,
I'd bear an age of Hell to mend your fates.
Lau.
Amazement! his guilt lessens. Can it be?
He pities me, pities my Children too.
Take back thy pity, take it back, Ricardo.
It gains so much upon my easy heart
That I shall wrong my self, and give thee mine.
Ri.
Pity'd! am I then pity'd? oh! thou goodness,
If thou can'st pity, sure thou can'st forgive,—
But oh the poyson! That must wake Heav'ns Vengeance,
And seal the ears of mercy;
Lau.
'Twas Charity to kill me; but thy falshood
Was a worse poyson to my doating heart—
Yet we've all faults. Alas, we all want mercy—
We must forgive,—heav'n pardon thee, and me!
Ri.
What do I hear?
Lau.
But fly! my Children's sight may force forgiveness back.
Ri.
Is that forgiveness? see, I bleed apace.
Oh pardon, e're I dye.
Lau.
Oh! I've a vice of mercy in me.
Ri.
Let me Embrace your Knees, breath out my Soul.
[Embraces her knees.
Enter Children.
Lau.
My Children! off, away.
[pushes him away.
Ri.
I dare not see 'em, and I cannot leave her!
throws himself in his Face.
Lau.
“Away, you dear fond wretches. Why d' you cling?
“I've ruin'd you; but oh! I'm ruin'd worse.
“Poor Innocents, they little know their misery,
“I feel it double for them, wretched Mother.
Oh had my Woes fall'n only on my self,
I'd think 'em gentle, but this worse affliction
Intail'd on you, poor helpless guiltless Orphans,
It turns my Brains, distracts me—'Tis too much.
Oh dreadful change! oh vanity of life!
57
[She falls, and then she sees the Dagger by her and takes it up privately.
Can wish her dearest Children—ha! the Dagger.
Do's not Fate hint by this, I ought to ease 'em?
Must they be left, to want? to beg? to starve?
I'll do't; but oh what Arm can hurt such sweetness?
I cannot strike—I cannot bear their Looks—
But must they live to curse me, shame their name,
And dye perhaps an ignominions Death?
No, I must strike—
1. Child.
Pray, mother, don't look so, indeed it frights me.
Oh pray ben't angry! oh I'll hug and kiss you.
Lau.
Away, we're ruin'd, and we ought to dye.
1. Child.
Oh my dear Mother, live; We'll beg for you.
Lau.
Beg! cou'd you Beg?
1. Child.
Yes, for our dearest mother.
Lau.
Oh this disarms me. Live, my dearest Children—
Live and be happier, you instruct your Mother,
(She throws away the Dagger and embraces her Children.
And I too ought to Live—If there be means—but oh the poyson
It works, hah! it shoots Hell into my Blood!
I am all wound. My head; my breast! I burn!
Heart, I cleave my sides! Brains, burst my skull! help! help!
Oh gently, gently!—
(They offer to help her.
Ri.
“Oh horror! Curse thy sufferings off on me,
“Thou martyr'd Goodness—hurl your Bolts, you Powers!
“Grind, grind me into dust,
“And on each atom double all her pains.
“So Laura's eas'd, Ricardo will not murmur!
Lau.
Oh! give me ease! where's Death?
The Coward dares not come, affrighted at my torments.
My Breath's a fire. Help! Water, Ice! Heav'n, pity me.
Give me some of the cold my Children are to suffer.
Lieut.
Take hence these innocents, too much they move.
Lau.
Oh pity them—I call'd on Death, and lo, he's come at last.
But oh the thoughts of them, makes me now welcome him
With that sad heaviness that sinks despairing Sinners.
Oh Heav'n!—Oh my Children!—
(Dyes.
Wom.
She's dead, she's dead.
Ri.
“Hah! and do I still live?
“Be dry my Eyes, and you, my Wounds, weep faster.
“Oh let me look, and sigh my last at once.
Oh killing sight when shall I overtake thee,
58
'Tis not for guilt like mine to mount with thee:
I feel my self in Hell, and mercy's self
Can never stoop so low.
“Fain wou'd I pray—ha! a Grim Vision frights me.
“Oh heav'n! oh save me! hah! a hand is stretcht
“To raise me up to heav'n, let me get hold—
“But oh! dark vapours rise between—I cannot see it.
Re-enter Ferdinand, and a Servant.
No News yet of Vincentio?—Oh most dismal sight!
Fer.
Remove that Scene of Grief—force off that wretch.
Ri.
Oh you shall never part us—No, I will, I will
Be joyn'd with her at least in Death!—Oh Laura! Laura.
(Laura is carried off, Ricardo follows, holding by the garments, but is forced off, faints, falls and is carried off.
Fer.
A doleful Scene! but where's my Lord Vincentio.
I dread some greater mischief from his Stay.
Enter Zemet.
Zem.
Run, find Placentia? Don Vincentio's coming,
A Conqu'ror o're his noble self at last.
(Exit Servant
He brings my Lord Fabiano to be blest.
Fer.
My Son!
Enter Vincentio and Fabiano at one Door. Placentia, Morella, and Melinda at the other.
Vin.
Love's sacrific'd at last to Reason, Take her,
She's yours, my Lord.
Fa.
Oh 'tis too much at once—oh rapture—oh Placentia.
Pla.
Oh my lov'd Lord!—
[He embraces her.
Fa.
My Life! my Soul! oh I am lost in Bliss, and suffer with delight.
Thou kind omnipotence, forgive my doubts,
I thought thou con'dst not thus have blest a mortal—
My Lord, my Father!
[kneels to his Father.
Fer.
Oh my dear Son, be blest, and let my tears
Now speak my Joy as once they did my Grief.
Vin.
Thus Providence has wrought my desperate cure.
Oh! you, no more my Mistress nor my Rival,
Live happy. Long be crown'd
With blessings which no single state can give.
My heart has fed so long on hopleless Love
That it wou'd surfeit, shou'd it feed on other.
Glory shall be my Darling Mistress now.
Off then, soft frenzy! let me rouze my Soul.
In martial Fields let Fame possess it whole:
While all who know, whence sprung these dangers here,
Learn from small Crimes great mischiefs to beware.
Ex. Omnes.
FINIS.
| Beauty in Distress | |