 | The Injur'd Lovers : or, the Ambitious Father |  |
52
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A Camp. Several Souldiers appear confusedly.1st. Sould.
A pox o'these peaceable Times, we shall
certainly be starv'd in 'em.
2d. Sould.
A Pox on our Folly for suffering peaceable
Times, have we not the Power in our own hands?
1st. Sould.
For What?
2d. Sould.
Why, to make what time we please:
Mutiny, my dear Doggs.
Corp.
A Plague upon those who let us beat 'em so soon;
neither is there an Officer destroy'd, not so much as a fat
Serjant, or a lean Ensign; no Hint of a Hope for a Vacancy
to any mans Merit.
2d. Sould.
Why look you, Corporal, our nearnest way to
Preferment, (since they will not die in the Field, nor decently
of themselves) is to make Mischief among 'em, and
let 'em destroy one another.
Corp.
Ay, but they won't take our Words for't; Superiours
have found out the Tricks of Inferiors, and have
made an Agreement, tho Truth, not to mind it.
2d. Sould.
But why must we be kept in our own Country?
If we were abroad we might plunder.
Corp.
We steal here, which is all one.
2d. Sould.
No, 'tis not, for we are hang'd for it.
1st. Sould.
Hark, you fellow Souldiers, now cannot I for
my Blood understand why this is our own Country; I'll be
choak'd if there be a man among us has a Foot of Land
in it.
2d. Sould.
No more than he stands upon.
Well, 'tis a brave thing to be an Officer.
1st. Sould.
What because you can march Five Miles on
Horseback?
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No: But to be even with the Government.
Corp.
As how, old Dry-Bobb?
2d. Sould.
Why, as we march'd from our Quarters, we
came through the City to the Camp; and a turbulent Dogg
that was gaping to see us as we past by his Shop, cry'd out,
Ay, there goes the Plague o'th' the Nation: His Wife strait
reply'd, The Comforts, you Block-head.
Corp.
So.
2d. Sould.
The Captain immediately tip'd her the Wink,
And made him a Cuckold before it was dark.
All.
Oh brave Captain!
1st. Sould.
Nay more; She has promis'd on her Honour,
To be reveng'd on her Husband, she'll bring,
All the Females of both Generations,
For the Use of our Regiment.
Corp.
Then the Government's setled again.
2d. Sould.
No; prithee let's Mutiny, for I am damnable
Hungry.
1st. Sould.
Well then let's Mutiny, for my Heart's e'en broke:
We've abundance of Victuals upon the Plain,
But the Devil a bit on the Spit.
Would it not make a man mad, to see a Flock
Of Sheep grazeing at the head of one's Regiment,
Baaing and making Mouths at us, whilst we
Dare not cut their Throats for the Affront.
Corp.
Ay, or to see a Battalion of Oxen march by
In State, and dung at our Tents Mouths, yet must
Not knock 'em down to teach 'em better Manners.
2d. Sould.
I say Mutiny.
All.
Ay, Mutiny, mutiny.
Corp.
Ay, but for what? Pox on't we have our Pay;
If they would but stop our Pay once,
The Devil should not stop our Mouths.
1st. Sould.
Then Corporal we'll Mutiny for our Rights
and Privileges.
2d. Sould.
To kill and take what we like.
1st. Sould.
Ay, and to eat and keep what we kill.
Corp.
Right, here they send us abroad to be knock'd on
the Head,
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2d. Sould.
Else knock us on the head, and starve us at
Home.
1st. Sould.
When there's nothing to do for us abroad.
2d. Sould.
'Twould be a pretty Sight to see us run away,
Like Moses's Lions at the crowing of a Cock.
1st. Sould.
Or lose the Field as the Capitol was sav'd,
By the gagling of a Goose: Ounds I say Mutiny.
Corp.
The Devil take it, this will never serve for an
Occasion; I am not so unreasonable to desire
A just one, if we had any.
Enter Collonel and Two Officers.
But mum! here comes the old furious Collonel
With Two Officers; they'll wonder what a Plague
We all do together: Now will half of us be hang'd,
To confess whether the rest had any Design,
To mutiny or no.
Coll.
These Fellows have some Mischief in their minds;
A fit time this to work 'em to our Purpose;
My old tough Heart melts at my General's Wrongs;
There needs no Oratory in this Tale:
In downright Words I'll tell how he's abus'd;
And downright Blows can only do him Justice.
Why, how now fellow Souldiers?
Corp.
Ud's Death, the old Rogue's in a good Humour.
Coll.
What, wishing for the Wars? You hate to be idle,
When a brave Action calls.
1st. Sould.
And under your Honours Command.
Coll.
My Command! Under the Generals, my
Fellow Souldiers, the brave Rheusanes;
He that first flesh'd your Swords in Conquest,
And march'd you o'er the Ruins of your Foes:
Rheusanes; He, that Father to us all,
Who now, by me, to crown his last of Deeds,
Bequeaths the Grecian Generals Pavillion;
With all that Mass of Riches, his by Lot;
Without one Doyt to any nigh Relation;
But all to you, his stout bred Sons and Heirs.
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Humm.
Coll.
Whil'st he, tho bold as Justice e'er made Man;
Injur'd to that prodigious height he is
Reflecting on his Duty to his Master,
Retires to mourn alone at his Disgrace.
Corp.
How Colonel! The General disgrac'd! that
Must not be; here's an Occasion you Doggs—
Coll.
If after all his Service to his Countrey,
To have a Wife slurr'd on him by his Prince,
Or see his Mistress ravish'd 'fore his Face,
Be a Disgrace, 'tis his.
2d. Sould.
How, ravish my General's Mistress!
1st. Sould.
Who was it Collonel? For we'll make an Eunuch
Of him, and he shall marry her after.
2d. Sould.
And then we'll come in for Snacks.
Corp.
We'll tear him Piece-meal.
Coll.
Away ye giddy-headed Slaves, it was the King.
2d. Sould.
And sure the King may ravish whom he pleases.
Corp.
Hark Rogues! a rare Opportunity;
Did any of you ever see the King?
2d. Sould.
Not I.
1st. Sould.
Nor I.
Corp.
Nor you don't know the King, if you see him?
Omn.
Not we.
Corp.
Then take my word for't Rheusanes is your King.
Omn.
Rheusanes, Rheusanes!
Coll.
Forbear ye Rebels, or I'll hang ye all:
Rheusanes is no Prince, he was indeed your General;
Your much abus'd Commander.
1st. Sould.
I say he's our King, the other Fellow has been Prince,
so long enough.
Corp.
Ay, ay; Therefore, I say, let all who love their
Rheusanes, or their Corporal, draw their Swords.
Omn.
Rheusanes, Rheusanes.
[They all draw.
Enter Ghinotto.
Coll.
They're finely wrought, see here, behold the Father.
Of the unhappy Lady, and your General's Mistress:
Poor Man he weeps.
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Truly he has had a very sad time on't.
Coll.
Do you not know this Face? can fifteen Years,
Such Alteration make? Can you forget
Your Major General?
Corp.
The Noble Ghinotto.
Ghin.
That wretched thing am I.
But why in Arms my old well try'd Acquaintance?
Coll.
Warm'd with my General's Wrongs and yours;
O'my Conscience I think we're grow all Rebels.
Ghin.
Indeed our Wrongs will call for a Revenge,
And justify it any way but that:
But sure the King commands in what he pleases:
Were he my Equal, I'd scorn to shew
This base dishonour'd Head;
Till I had fix'd my Dagger in his Heart,
Deep as the Wound it gave this wretched Arm,
Which came too late to save my Daughter's Honour;
And stop the Hell-bred Fury of his Lust.
Corp.
Look you Fellow Souldiers: This Lord has been
A brave Fellow, has led us out and brought us home,
With Honour, his Son's the General's Friend,
And a kind Officer; therefore for all their Sakes,
I cry Revenge.
Omn.
Revenge, Revenge.
Ghin.
My Son alass;
That precious Comfort of my unhappy Age;
Whom you are pleas'd to call the General's Friend,
The Tyrant has destroy'd.
2d. Sould.
We lose Time, Sir.
[Pulls the Collonel.
Coll.
The General perhaps may be so too:
His Daughter in his Absence forc'd again,
And by Degrees we all may feel his Envy.
Corp.
On, on Sir.
Coll.
Nay more—
2d. Sould.
We'll hear no more.
Coll.
I say the King.
1st. Sould.
Ounds will you lead, Sir.
Coll.
I will, and let us wear our Injuries on our Swords,
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But rather perish in our just Endeavours.
1st. Sould.
Plunder, Sir.
Coll.
Do any thing, the City ever were our Enemies,
Tho we have sav'd their Freedoms and Estates.
2d. Sould.
March then.
Ghin.
Fight as ye all had Daughters to relieve.
Coll.
Or Fight like men condemned for a Reprieve.
Corp.
All Wives, by my Consent, turn out of Doors.
1st. Sould.
Then I am sure the Cits will have no Whores.
[Exeunt hollowing.
SCENE. II.
Enter King and a Gentleman.King.
Dorenalus kill'd by a Mistake i'th' dark, and by Rheusanes?
Gent.
Here in the Gallery, Sir.
King.
Ghinotto fled to th'Army too?
Gent.
Yes, Sir.
King.
Arriv'd there?
Gent.
So writes my Brother, Sir; he has some small Employment
in your Forces, and thought it was his Duty to
inform your Majesty.
King.
Send to him either to seize or else dispatch the
Villain, and I'll preferr him for his Loyalty.
Gent.
I shall, Sir.
King.
Give order too Rheusanes be secur'd;
Let him not stir beyond the Princes's Lodgings:
Confine Ghinotto's Daughter too;
In the Anti-chamber keep her till I come.
Gent.
It shall be done, Sir.
[Exit Gent.
King.
'Tis good to make 'em sure:
Or let the worst my Fears can threaten come;
Let this Ghinotto with the Army march
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The Rebel, if I accept his Daughter for my Bride;
But it must come to that e'er I comply or pardon:
If this man's Brother but dispatches him,
My Jealousy's releas'd.
Enter Oryala.
Oryala in Tears! The Cause which draws this Grief?
Ory.
The fatal Cause I ever fear'd and told you:
Rheusanes Scorn.
King.
Still stubborn?
Ory.
Not only still, but ever will be so;
Upon the Floor he past this tedious Night,
Sighing and mourning o'er Dorenalus;
Whom, his mistaking Arm, he said, destroy'd:
Muttering Revenge; repeating his Deserts,
And cursing the Ingratitude of's Prince.
King.
I do begin to apprehend him now;
And what Dorenalus by chance receiv'd,
I guess, was meant for me.
His Life is, to appease our Laws, requir'd,
Which our Prerogative can spare, if courted;
If not, for want of such Humility
I'll leave him to its rigid Persecution:
I'll humble his Resentments.
Ory.
Oh never, never!
His Woes are swell'd to that prodigious heap,
No Rage can terrify, no Vengeance hurt:
To die is what he sues for; He crav'd, ev'n now,
Some Judgment from the Gods, to separate
His united Sufferings; and finding that they
Did not mind him, swore, they seem'd asham'd,
And could inflict no more.
King.
Her Sorrows trouble me.
[Aside.
Ory.
What Pleasure could you take in such Revenge,
To ruin those who never did you Wrong?
King.
I cannot help my Purposes miscarriage,
But they design'd you well.
Ory.
Oh vain Excuse! you knew he was dispos'd of
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You put me on him as a Security
For your own Lust.
King.
Ha!
Ory.
If your hot Blood provok'd you to that height,
That a poor Virgin's Honour must allay't;
Rheusanes sure sufficient Plague had found,
In loosing her; but likewise to be ti'd
To what he loath'd; how could he bear that Weight?
Now I, like him, wish we had never met
And curse the unequal Usage of our Fate.
King.
She strikes my Conscience strangely.
[Aside.
Ory.
Look back upon the Ruines you have made,
And Curse the Will which has dethron'd your Goodness.
King.
I feel Reflections thronging on my Soul,
And Penitence is crowding for Admittance.
Ory.
What Reparation can you make her Vertue?
Or what Amends my Freedom, which you've sold?
King.
I will make Reparation; forbear Oryala!
And let Discretion act the careful Pilot,
To guide thee through this Tempest of Misfortunes:
Thy Wrongs into my Heart have shot my Sin,
And mark'd it for Destruction: Oh man!
Most liable to Vice, therefore most Beast!
When we desire, the Will runs headlong on,
Despising all Instructions of Forbearance;
But Oh! at last betray'd in the sure Snare;
That Will, that forward Will, which ruin'd us,
Converted by Regret to Thoughts impartial,
Too late considers and condemns it self.
Ory.
Think on some means to mitigate your Crimes,
Or your Soul's lost with your pernicious Life.
King.
Oryala, thy Vertues have prevail'd,
And made me see, with Shame, the want of mine:
But if our future Actions can repair,
What our foregoing Measures have disgrac'd,
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That every one their full Amends shall speak:
Confess,
That I can give no more, nor they can take.
Ory.
Impossible!
King.
Why dost thou court me to be good,
Yet doubt my Power?
Ory.
I fear 'twill not redress; Death, death I know
Must be my Sorrows Cure.
King.
Talk not of Death, we may live happy yet;
Monarchs Repentance never comes too late:
I'll send Rheusanes hither, you work on him,
And I'll contrive to soften Antelina:
But if our Propositions can't succeed,
'Tis I must die, I who have done this Deed;
My Death alone the mischief can remove;
Which wrong'd her Honour, and Rheusanes Love.
[Exit.
Ory.
He thinks his Flattery will beguile my Griefs;
But the Impression is too deeply cut;
I'm sure his Art will never eat it out:
Oh Rheusanes! Thou much belov'd,
And much of Misery, how wretched are our Fates!
Yet 'tis a Comfort to be Innocent:
If I in ought my self can guilty find,
'Tis loving him perversest of his Kind.
Enter Rheusanes.
Rheu.
Is there no End then of my Miseries?
My Heart's too stubborn for my Wrongs to break;
Nor will the King destroy his Enemy:
Oh Dorenalus! if that Saints can hear
The Intercessions of unhappy Mortals,
Implore the Assistance of the higher Powers,
To seal the Warrant of my Liberty.
Ory.
Rheusanes!
Rheu.
What are your Orders, Madam?
Ory.
Say rather my Desires, which entreat
A happy Reconcilement to your Love.
Rheu.
Alass, the King has ravish'd all my Love;
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As to preserve my Life.
Ory.
Hast thou no Pity then?
Rheu.
If your ill us'd Affection can desire
A wretched Share in a disorder'd Heart,
Command my Crimes immediate Punishment;
Let Death reward the merits of my Folly,
Which can despise the Offers of such Goodness,
And till I'm dead I'll bless the noble Mercy.
Ory.
Why? wouldst thou die then?
Rheu.
With as much Joy I would receive my Doom,
As the dishonour'd Antelina:
For since Dorenalus and she are lost,
There are no Plagues my Sufferings can receive,
To match the miseries of a Reprieve.
Ory.
Here then, Rheusanes, feast thy Scorn and Hate;
If thou wilt die, season thy Dagger first,
In the uneasy Bosom of Oryala.
[Offers him a Dagger.
Rheu.
Your cruel Fate, by all those Woes I grieve,
Could wish that Antelina you had been;
Or, that I'd Antelina never seen.
Ory.
Oh! talk not of her; her very Name,
Withers my Hopes, and blasts me with Despair.
Rheu.
All ours you did destroy.
Ory.
I did not, 'twas the King; had I but known
The evil meanings of his Soul, Rheusanes;
Or that my Fondness would have met this Usage,
I never had destroy'd my Peace or yours.
Rheu.
You knew I was engag'd.
Ory.
The more ungrateful and unjust, Rheusanes,
Knowing the merits of my Obligations:
Let my preceding Actions come in view;
The faithful Diligence my Love has us'd,
Particularly to advance your Cause,
Might easily perswade you my Designs
Courted your Inclinations to reward 'em.
Rheu.
I do acknowledge all my Honours yours,
Confess my self your Bounty's Creditor;
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I hop'd in time might cancel all those Bonds.
Ory.
To th'King, but not to me:
Vertues when secret kept are none at all;
Kings know not, but by Favorites, who deserve:
Had not my Love encourag'd your Deserts,
By kind Entreaties to your Prince to try 'em,
Your Name had never conquer'd Antelina;
You had remain'd indifferent to the World.
Rheu.
Would I have liv'd a Stranger to it ever,
Since I want Power to recompence your Goodness.
Ory.
You do not want it.
Rheu.
Oh! I do; my Vows to Antelina bind my Heart;
And tho I never can be happy in her,
I hear her sighing to my Soul, take heed,
This Conference seems a Violation,
And she upbraids my Conscience for the Sufferance;
There is a strugling Contest in my Breast,
Even now betwixt my Love and Gratitude;
Both seize my Heart, and tugg for the Possession,
Let me depart, or it will split between 'em.
Ory.
Give me my Share then.
Rheu.
Divide it with thy Dagger.
Ory.
No, let thy Gratitude but combat for me;
Weigh but my Friendship, and I yet shall conquer.
Rheu.
It will not be; off, or I must be rude.
Ory.
Thus I release thee then, and right my self.
[Stabs her self.
Rheu.
Oh! whither has thy barbarous Honour led thee?
Ory.
To everlasting Freedom; my tedious Lease of Life
Is out, and I shall groan beneath thy Scorn no more.
Rheu.
Why wouldst thou do thus rashly?
Ory.
Why wouldst thou hate so long?
Rheu.
Heaven might have chang'd the purpose of my Soul,
For certainly thy Faith had wondrous merit.
Ory.
Not equal to thy Antelina's tho;
Yet I have got the start of her in Love,
And in Rheusanes cause I perish first.
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Oh Nature! lend a Life to mend this Breach,
And Death shall have a Thousand in its room;
I'll heal it with my own.
[He snatches the Dagger: She holds him.
Ory.
Forbear, I do conjure thee,
By thy Antelina hold thy fatal Arm:
Oh Rheusanes! my Lord, my Life, my Husband
And my Soul.
Rheu.
What would my dear Vexation?
Ory.
When Fate shall Summon thee to leave this Life,
Give order that thy Bones may fleep with mine;
Though we have lived at distance in this World,
I hope we shall be nearer in the next.
Rheu.
Curse on my froward Soul.
Ory.
Oh do not curse thy self my Senses Blessing,
Believe I loved you, I desire no more.
Rheu.
Too sadly you have engaged my Credit.
Ory.
May Heaven be Judge 'twixt me and Antelina,
And give Rheusanes to the best deserving:
Oh! I'm going, the light of Peace is glimmering
On my Soul, and Heaven is in its view; give
Me thy Hand, or thou wilt lose thy Way.
[Dies.
Rheu.
Stay then, Oh stay,
Thou mighty Sufferer, in the cross Paths, which lead
Our giddy Souls to everlasting Joy or Woe:
Stay to direct me; the Soul is out of call,
I'll not be long behind thee; the King, the King,
Who has done all this mischief must give me Death:
For him my Friend was in the dark destroy'd;
By him my Love was barbarously enjoy'd;
By him this worthy Princess was betray'd;
By him my Honours in Disgrace are laid;
By him then let these Debts to Heaven be paid:
For since he only can be tryed by you,
Do Justice, or, like him, you'll want it too.
[Exit Rheusanes.
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SCENE. III.
A Chamber, with a Table set out with Sweet-meats.Enter a Lord, leading in Antelina.
Lord.
Madam, the King will instantly be here;
This small Collation is for you provided.
[Exit Lord.
Ante.
This Banquet seems most luckily provided;
For unsuspected now I can destroy
His Life, who robb'd mine of its Glory:
I swore no opportunity should scape,
In which I might revenge my Virgin's Loss:
In then thou bane of Mortals,
[Pours Poison into a Bowl of Wine.
Thou Enemy to Life, and Friend of Death;
Thy fatal Virtue mix so curiously,
That the most cunning Sense may not distrust thee.
Hark, the Royal Thief approaches.
Enter King and Lord.
King.
Are all things order'd as I gave directions?
Lord.
Your curious Fancy is obey'd in all.
King.
Leave us, let not the Princess
Nor a Soul disturb us.
Lord.
I shall be careful, Sir.
[Exit Lord.
King.
Aside.
The Subtilety o'th' most experienc'd Lovers
Which have subdued the chastest of the kind,
The Eloquence of Cicero affect me;
Thou Mother to the Deity of Love,
Into her Breast convey thy yielding Soul,
And give me Charms to conquer all Resistance.
Ante.
Aside.
Thou Goddess of unspotted Castity;
Thou worthy Patroness of Injur'd Vertue,
Right me on this Imperial Ravisher.
King.
Fair Injury!
[Moves towards her and bows very low.
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How slily does this Devil masque his Falshood:
So look'd the First, when credulous Eve he tempted,
And of her blessed Paradise depriv'd her.
[Aside.
King.
Thou moving Token of thy Prince's Mischief,
Look on me with compassionate Observance;
I groan beneath the Burthen of my Crimes;
Thy Pity only can the Weight remove,
Which Cloggs my Soul, and sinks it to Destruction.
Ante.
I shall have Justice, worrying Flatterer.
King.
By all my Hopes of Quiet, noble too,
Such Justice as shall heal your wounded Honour,
And calm the worst Resentments of your Father:
I'll set thy Vertues in a Sphere so high,
Shall make 'em yet out-shine thy Sexes Pride.
Ante.
As well the Oak may flourish like the Elm,
When Ivy has debas'd its noble Trunk.
King.
When Mortals begg Remission for their Sins
With an unfeigned Desire, Heavens Ear enclines:
Be thou like Heaven to my entreating Prayers,
And let my just Repentance claim some Pity.
Ante.
Thou hast been basely Cruel.
King.
The greater will thy Mercy shew to Pardon;
Do not upbraid me ever, but relent;
[Kneels.
My Sins, which like a Leprosie ran o'er me,
The Tears of Penitence have wash'd away;
Nor can I think my Soul inclin'd to th'Act:
Some Fiend admiring of thee, enter'd me,
And with his Charms forc'd me act his Will.
Ante.
I must seem yielding; to bring him to my Ends
Requires Belief I may be brought to his.
Rise, Sir.
King.
Will you sit down then?
Ante.
I will.
[Sits.
King.
Will you salute this Bowl, or in a
Friendly Draught drown what is past?
Oh bless me with the Sound of thy Forgiveness,
And my sad Soul shall shake its Sorrows off,
And dance to th'joyful Musick of thy Mercy:
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[Gives her the Bowl.
Ante.
Peace to our Wrongs.
[She drinks.
King.
I thirst for it:
[Takes the Bowl and drinks.
May all our Sorrows shrink as this decays.
Ante.
May it wash out thy Sins, I do forgive thee.
King.
Souls banish'd Heaven, could not be better pleas'd
To be call'd back again:
Some Musick there to humour this sweet Softness.
[A Song.
Eat, my Comfort, here's Food delicious,
As the Gods delight in, luscious as Loves desires;
Let's feast and revel till we have wearied Luxury,
And with our Appetites Extravagance made Cræsus poor.
Ante.
Thou wilt be poor anon.
King.
Wilt thou not eat, my Queen?
Ante.
I am not well.
King.
Let us retire, my Life; within are Cordials,
Masters of all Sickness.
Ante.
Make use then of 'em, for thou art mighty ill.
King.
Not Paris was in better Health, when he,
His dear stolen Helen first embrac'd:
I feel my pious Purposes decay,
And I am lost again in vast Desire.
Ante.
Is this thy faithful Sorrow?
King.
Would'st have me weep my self
Like Niobe into a Stone?
I've sigh'd sufficiently for what is past;
Therefore thy Joys must make my Grief amends.
Ante.
Oh Monster!
King.
Throw off this foolish Vertue and be kind;
My Blood boils high.
Ante.
Thy Soul will sink as low.
King.
I'll sink it in thy Arms then.
Ante.
Good Gods!
King.
Could those good Gods transform thee to a Tree,
Like Daphne, when Apollo did pursue her;
Thus should my twisted Arms grow to thee,
Whilst every Branch which sprung from our fair Sides,
Were royal Issues of each others Pleasure.
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Thou bitter Curse on Vertue, thou art poison'd.
King.
This will not save thee.
Ante.
By the Honour thou hast destroy'd, not the Worlds Art,
With thy own Nature, were it strong as Cruel,
Can carry off the Venom in thy Blood.
King.
If I am poison'd then my Time's more precious,
And on thy Bosom shall my Life expire;
So bless'd I'd willingly my Life resign;
In Ecstasies of Bliss I'll upwards climb:
Upon thy Lips I'll leave my parting Soul,
And giddy with my Joys to Darkness rowl.
Enter Lord.
Lord.
To Arms, or fly immediately;
The Army's at your Pallace, bellowing lowd,
Rheusanes is our King; down with the Tyrant:
There's not a Citizen but arms the Cause,
And vows to share their Fortune.
Ante.
I cannot live to see my Wrongs reveng'd;
[She sinks and sits on the Ground.
Fear Tyrant, for Heavens Vengeance
Crouds upon thee.
King.
This message like Qualm comes cross my Blood,
And chills the Heat her Beauties had inspir'd.
Draw up our Guards, lets meet 'em with the utmost
Force we have, and back it with an equal Resolution.
This Cunning shall not save thee, here thou shalt remain,
Till I the worst Event of Fortune know;
And if I find my Crown I must resign,
I will return in spight of all thy Art,
And perish in thy Arms.
Rheusanes and thy Father shall behold it,
Whilst both their Swords shall want the Power to part us;
For as my Wounds successively are made,
As they stab me so will I kiss thee dead.
[Exit.
Ante.
Oh Rheusanes! some unseen Power
Whisper in thy Ear,
How nobly Antelina keeps her Vow:
I feel the Mischief coursing through my Veins,
And like a Town attack'd from every side,
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To parley with the General,
And after some Conditions give it up.
[Shout without.
Enter Rheusanes.
Rheu.
I hear my Name cry'd up by all for King,
And zealous mutiny comes fiercely on;
I long to know my Antelina's Fate,
Whilst doubtful of her Safety I remain:
I cannot die, but hover hereabout,
Like a poor frighted Bird about her Nest,
When she suspects the Danger of her Young.
Ante.
Who's there?
Rheu.
Again upon the Ground;
[Runs to Antelina.
How are my Fears confirm'd?
Ante.
Rheusanes!
Rheu.
The same, but tell me, (Oh my Doubts!)
Why do I find thee thus?
Ante.
A Bed of Honour this, not of Disgrace;
The King no more my Vertue shall destroy,
Nor live to boast the Rape of Antelina.
Rheu.
What dost thou mean?
Ante.
I drank thy Health in the same Draught
The King did his Destruction;
The Thoughts of thee sweeten'd the bitter Cup,
And made the Potion pleasant to my Taste.
Rheu.
Thou art not poison'd?
Ante.
Forgive me if I've rob'd thee of thy Justice;
Jealous of losing it I made it sure,
And gave him what will thorowly revenge us.
Rheu.
The Action troubles me, altho' I cannot live
To see the Event: I wish thy Sufferings may quit
Thy Crimes, for Heaven has great Regard to Princes.
Ante.
And has it none for injured Subjects think you?
Rheu.
Not when they offer to Revenge themselves;
Fir'd by thy Wrongs, and work'd up by thy Father,
I went to end him; But Oh the sad mistake!
I slew thy Brother for him.
Ante.
Hard Usage truly, but 'tis done, and I must wait
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Unhappy Lover!) and prithee, dear Rheusanes, prithee
Befriend the Troubles of thy Wife:
Credit me, wondrous Goodness dwells within her;
And since the King and I are both remov'd,
Reward her tedious Sufferings with thy Love.
Rheu.
Not Three Hours since she perish'd by my Side.
Ante.
Then I expire too late.
Rheu.
Rally thy Spirits Strength, and stay a little;
Oh do not fly so soon!
Drums, Trumpets, and the Noise of a Battle without.
Enter King Mad, with his Sword drawn.
King.
All's lost, no Words on't; let Furies laugh and
Rattle Chains for Joy, I'm coming; Oh how I burn!
The ambitious Boy that set the World on fire,
And perish'd in the Flames his Folly kindled,
Dy'd in a gentle Sweat to what I feel.
Rheu.
Hee's come, Heaven let his Madness find me.
King.
The Toils of Sysiphus, Prometheus's Pains,
And all the Poets Tales of tortur'd Sinners,
Are Fictions to the Punishments I suffer:
I'll sue to Proserpine to quench these Fires,
Her Arms have Power.
Ha Pluto! here come to compel my Love?
Die, Devil, die;
[Runs Rheusanes through.
And I'll be Prince of Hell.
Ante.
Rheusanes, Oh!
[Dies.
Rheu.
I follow thee; bless'd be the Hand that sends me.
King.
Give me some Water there, some Water, Doggs;
Pour down my Throat an hundred thousand Tunns
To cool my boiling Blood; let Winter lay me
In his frozen Lap, and weep Snow on me;
My Heat would melt his Hoard upon the Alps,
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My Feaver would thaw Charity.
[Shout without.
Enter Ghinotto.
Ghin.
He's here.
[Ghin. runs at him, the King drops his Sword as they are strugling.
King.
What art thou?
Ghin.
This shall inform thee.
The K. draws a Dagger and stabs Ghin.
King.
Am I ta'n Prisoner then? O, Treason:
Fly to my Rescue, this I think will free me:
There, there, there.
Enter Collonel with Souldiers.
Coll.
How is it, Sir?
[To Ghinotto.
Ghin.
Why, not well.
[Dies.
Coll.
Oh dismal Spectacle! General, look up;
Oh how he has cross'd our Purpose?
Behold your Collonel, Sir, with such Relief,
As will recover your lost Life and Time.
Rheu.
Do not disturb me.
Coll.
How came this, Sir?
Rheu.
By the Kings hand: This Lady in a Bowl
Of Poison drank to him, and in its rageing Madness
He destroy'd me: Ghinotto is the Cause of all:
I can no more; Heaven forgive it: Hold fast
My Hope, and to the Stars conduct me.
[Dies.
Coll.
Now sets the Sun of Glory; the World
Is darkn'd by thy Lights decay, which ne'er
Will rise to bless this Land again;
Cursed Ambition! what Slaughter hast thou made?
King.
My infected Blood flows swiftly forth, and
Reason now torments me more than Poison.
Coll.
What Mercy can thy Wickedness expect?
King.
Had I but time, I'd tell thee.
[Dies.
Coll.
Oh Death! Oh thou luxurious Thief!
How has thy vicious Appetite been feasted?
Wretched Ghinotto! hadst thou been more just,
This Wrack had never happen'd.
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The Miseries this Land must feel for thee.
The sad Remains of this unhappy Crown,
Have much to do to fix their shaking Throne.
| The Injur'd Lovers : or, the Ambitious Father | |