 | The Black Prince |  |
THE FOURTH ACT.
The Scene opening, King Edward and Lord Latymer appear in a Garden discoursing.Lat.
Sir, 'tis past doubt, the' Intelligence is true.
King.
What the French King the Princes Rival too!
Lat.
And to so great a Height, as I believe
A period to their Friendship it will give;
For never any yet could soar above
The fierce Resentments of a Rivalls Love.
King.
Friendship between them two can hardly be
Of so much Strength as Nature is in me;
Since Love in me does Nature's Force subdue,
Doubt not in them 'twill Conquer Friendship too;
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For Love of them to breake all other Ties.
Lat.
Is it then just you on the Prince should lay
Commands above his Pow'r, Sir, to obey?
King.
Oh Latymer, I grant I am to Blame,
But 'tis not Love alone does me Inflame;
Glory in that I act does bear a part,
Glory does fire my Mind, as Love my Heart;
Nothing for me seems Worthy to Pursue,
But what my Son Attempting Fail'd to do:
Since he to such an Envied Fame does rise,
Mine will Burn dimme if it Outshine not his.
Lat.
Oh Sir, can you who have such Glory won
Grow Jealous of the Glory of your Son.
King.
He never Glory Lov'd who could Admit
Of any thing which might Outrival it,
From this Resolve nothing can me remove;
Nature must yield to Glory and to Love.
Enter King John and the Prince, who lock the Garden-dore.
Lat.
Sir, I perceive the Prince and the French King,
Something Important does them hither bring,
For they are come alone and lock the gate;
If, Sir, conceal'd a while you here will wait,
Perhaps you'll learn what in their Loves they'll Do.
King.
That's a discourse deserves my list'ning to.
King Edward and Lord Latymer conceal themselves behind the Scene.
King Jo.
'Tis such a Secret as shall clearly show
The perfect Friendship which to you I owe,
Since what to tell my self is scarcely fit
I to your Secresie shall now commit.
Prin.
Though nothing can to me more Pleasure give,
Then Proofs, Sir, of your Frienship to receive,
Yet among Friends there may such Secrets be,
As to disclose them were an Injury;
But you too well the Laws of Friendship know,
And are too Generous to use me so.
King Jo.
That Friend must to himself appear Unjust
Who takes as Injuries the Marks of Trust;
Yet tell me, Sir, what can that Secret be
Which to Reveal would be an Injury.
Prin.
Shoul'd you have brib'd your Guards to set you free,
'Twould be an Injury to tell it me;
For I should be, what ever I should do,
False to my King and Father, or to you.
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Could I corrupt or else his Guards deceive,
I'de not return to France without his leave,
That Generous Usage he to me does show
Secures me here more then his Guards can do,
And though this Bond do Strong enough appear,
Yet a far stronger does Confine me here.
By your great Friendship, Sir, I here am ty'd.
But tell me freely, is there ought beside
Which by a Friend a Secret may be thought,
Which told a Friend, his Friend may think a Fault?
Prin.
Yes, Sir, yet I will mention but one more;
Looking fixedly on the King.
Suppose two Friends one Beauty did Adore;
If he, whose Heart her eyes the last o're came,
Should to his Rival Friend disclose his Flame,
He well might think the Injury was Great.
King.
I hope you do not love Plantagenet?
Prin.
Yes, Sir, I do, and with a Love so High
As it can never Cease until I Die.
King.
Ah, Since you Love her and to that Degree,
Why was your Passion not Reveal'd to me?
Telling you first she does my Conquerour prove,
You make your Friendship Guiltier then my Love.
Prin.
Why should I tell you what you needs must know,
For whosoeuer sees must love her too.
King.
Since such high Pow'r does to her Eyes belong,
Think not in loving her I do you Wrong.
Prin.
To love such Charming Eyes no wrong can be,
But 'tis a Wrong to tell your Love to me.
King
Since all who Look on her she must Subdue,
Is it a wrong to tell you what you knew?
Because you thought your Love was known to me,
You judg'd your Silence was no Injury;
But I, as soon as I her Lover grew,
Judg'd it a Duty, Sir, to Tell it you,
Consider which of us has done the worst.
Prin.
I who first saw her must have lov'd her First,
Therefore my Passion must be known to you.
King.
I hear'd you Lov'd Her, and she Lov'd You too,
But afterwards she did Inconstant prove,
And I believ'd that Wrong had Cur'd your Love.
Prin.
Her Beauties were unworthy my Esteem,
If any thing more Powerful were then Them.
King.
Knowing their Pow'rs, admire not if you see
That Love more strong then Friendship is in me.
Prin.
Yet since I to her Beauties first did bow,
Your Love's a Wrong to me, not mine to you.
King Jo.
Affronts the Ties of Friendship may undo,
Yet you still love her though she injur'd you;
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That her Fair Eyes does Friendships strength exceed;
And she who spight of Wrongs triumphs o're you
Triumphs o're me in spight of Friendship too.
Since she o're you the greatest Pow'r has shewn,
Blaming my Passion you more blame your own;
Our Love in both or neither is amiss,
Yours above wrongs, mine above Friendship is.
But the Success of mine I may dispair,
Since now I know that you my Rival are;
I with Disgrace am cloath'd, but you with Fame,
Which makes me merit Pity more then Blame.
Prin,
How can I, Sir, that Pity give to you,
Which o my own Case is more justly due?
Besides her change for which my Soul does mourn,
Besides my Friend who does my Rival turn,
As high an Ill as both of these I feel.
King.
May you that Secret, Sir, to me Reveal?
To me who though as Rival you may blame,
Yet I your Friend more than your Rival am;
For at this Name I Grieve, at that Rejoyce,
This is th'Effect of Force, but that of Choice.
[Embracing him.
Prin.
Oh I did err, and in a high degree,
Repining that you Rival were to me,
Since 'tis more fit that pain I should abide
Then that her Eyes this Triumph were deny'd;
As both in Love and Friendship I exceed,
So both Disdain in common paths to tread;
Unjust to Her and Love I should appear,
Would I without a Rival conquer her;
King.
This Declaration I unmov'd receive,
Since you to be your Rival give me leave,
But though Plantagenet should prove unkind,
Yet in my Friendship I some ease shall find;
For should the worst of Fortunes be my share,
Your Trophies I should raise in Love as War:
Thus I by Friendships Pow'r shall be supply'd
With what to me my Fate and Love deny'd;
My Friendship for you nothing can impair
Since it stands firm, though you my Rival are;
For I who best her Beauties pow'r do know,
Find your excuse from thence for being so;
And to confirm this Truth, I now will show
That Secret to you, which you ask'd to know.
Prin.
Those conquering Beauties which did us subdue
Have made my Father turn my Rival too.
King
I thought he Lov'd the Fair Alizia.
Prin.
And, Sir, I thought you Lov'd Valeria.
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Our Conquerours Eyes must every Heart reduce,
In my own Fate I find the Kings Excuse.
Prince.
'Tis She alone with the high Pow'r is blest
Of Captivating Freedoms prepossess'd.
King.
She does in the same Fate, such is her Pow'r,
Involve the Conquer'd and the Conquerour.
Prin.
But 'tis not, Sir, at this that I repine,
I know where e're her Beauties please to shine,
They ought to Conquer as their Native Right,
Me by his Rivalship he does not Fright;
For 'tis Her choice alone which can improve
The highest Lover to deserve her Love:
And, Sir, my Flame which brightest shall appear,
Would make it Sin should I a Rival fear;
But that which does my Soul with Grief subdue,
Is his forbidding me to Love her too:
Oh why should the Paternal Right oppose
The nobler Right which Love on her bestows.
King.
Oh Prince your Case is difficult I see,
He should have treated you, as you treat me;
But in the Fatal strait which you are in,
You must against your Love or, Nature sin;
What Resolution think you to pursue?
Prin.
Ah 'tis much easier to Resolve than Do;
For once I thought I could so far Obey,
As silently to Mourn my Life away;
But Love the Monarch Passion of the Soul
That Resolution quickly did controul;
Making me find that her Triumphant Eyes
Are much more pow'rful then all Natures ties:
Yet that no odds of you I may receive
But what my greater Love to me does give,
I let you know on her this night 'Ile wait,
And from her Sentence I'le receive my Fate:
Sir, if you please, you may goe there with me,
And both together learn our Destiny;
I hope, if mine does prove a happy Doom,
My Father by Submission to o'recome;
But if a Fatal Doom she does dispence,
That will Revenge my Disobedience.
King.
Since you allow me, I on you will wait
Of that bright Beauty to receive my Fate,
Though I already cannot but foresee
The certain Ruine that must fall on me:
For she must be Unjust as she is Fair,
If of her Love she makes me not Dispair;
Or if she should me with her Favour bless,
Your Grief for it will Kill my Happiness;
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Prin.
The value of her Love you injure now,
Since whosoe're her Favour does possess
Is past, the relish of unhappiness—
King.
If of her Love such Thoughts I do admit,
My height'ned Friendship is the cause of it;
And, Sir, you are oblig'd by Honours Laws
T'excuse Effects where Friendship is the Cause.
Prin.
Admire not that my Rival I reprove,
For too much Friendship, and too little Love;
But pardon me, since I therein express
I prize her Right above my Happiness.
King.
Ah generous Prince, such Vertues shine in you,
That you in Love as War must all subdue.
Prin.
Since, Sir, together we resolve to go,
And from Plantagenet our Fate to know,
'Tis fit that we no longer should defer
To beg her leave this night to wait on her.
King.
But e're we know the Sentence she will give,
Let us from one another, Sir, receive
A mutual Vow that still we Friends will be.
Prin.
That to our Friendship were an injury;
It is its own Security you know,
And does more strongly bind than any Vow;
Against our Friendship Love in vain contends,
For though we Rivals are, wee'll both be Friends;
Yet give your Friend that pity he does seek,
Who to obey Loves Law must Natures break.
[Exeunt.
King Edward and Lord Latymer.
King.
Never an Act so Insolent was done,
Affronted by my Pris'ner and my Son!
Both know Plantagenet is lov'd by me,
And yet my Rivals both presume to be;
In my Revenging it I'le lose no Time,
Their Sufferings shall be equal to their Crime;
I'le make them feel that 'tis a dangerous thing
To dare to court the Mistress of a King.
Lat.
I beg you, not for their sakes but your own,
Let first this storm of Anger be o'reblown,
'Ere you determine what is fit to do,
Then such Resolves you safely may pursue.
If Patience guide you not, they will esteem,
Your Passion onely, Sir, does punish them.
King.
Delay, in the Affront they cast on me,
Would be not Patience, but Stupidity.
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Consider, I beseech you, Sir, how they
The Pow'r of Love not Reasons Pow'r obey.
Such strange Effects that Passion does produce,
As for all Faults Love is its own Excuse;
Love does our Noblest Faculties controul,
'Tis in effect the Feaver of the Soul.
King.
My Lord, such talk as this I'le not admit,
Share not their Guilt by thus excusing it,
But follow them and let them understand
They now are both confin'd by my command:
This night in which their Love they should have shown,
I am determin'd to declare my own;
Since by their Love my Pow'r they injure so,
I by my Pow'r their Love will punish too.
[Exeunt several wayes.
Plantagenet, Delaware, Cleorin.
The Scene Plantagenets Chamber.
Dela.
Those Fires of Love have still most torturing been,
Which though they highly Burn'd, have Burn'd unseen,
And under those which I discover'd now,
For many years my Conquer'd Heart did bow;
Admire not yet I could so long disguise
From your own Sight the Acting of your Eyes;
For though the Sun on the Earths face but shines,
Yet by his Influence he does ripen Mines;
Your Eyes, which Shine at least as Bright as He,
Perform like him things which you could not see,
But yet this Breast in which your Beauty Shin'd
May boast of Love, purer than Gold Refin'd;
Your Eyes alone perform within may Heart
More then the Sun on Mines though help'd by Art.
As it was just my Love I should display,
So 'tis as just your Will I should Obey;
Which I shall do when you but speak the word,
Though 'twere to pierce my Heart with my own Sword,
And nothing in that Action I shall fear
But to offend your Image which is there.
Plan.
My Lord, I think you from your Sister know
The Friendship which I always had for you,
Yet since your words th'occasion does admit,
I will my self give you a Proof of it:
Though your declaring of your Love for me
Is in it self no little Injury,
Yet for my Friendships sake I'le pardon you,
If you th'Offence will not again pursue.
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Madam, your Justice should this Usage blame,
You cloud your Cruelty with Friendships name,
As Judges to the Tortur'd Respite give,
To lengthen Pain, but not to make them live;
Such Usage yet were for that Servant sit
Who durst Adore you and not tell you it,
Though 'tis some Guilt to say I Die for you,
Yet is that Guilt, Madam, a Duty too:
Ah Madam, sure you ought not to deny
To take the Debt, or bid the Debter die;
Your Sentence is too Heavy or too Light,
You either should me Kill, or Save or, quite.
Plan.
Since by your self, my Lord, I now am told,
Your Love for me is more refin'd than Gold,
I'le put it to a Tryal but so vast,
As never yet that Courted Metal past;
Know then, my Love for which so much you strive
Is not, alas, in my own Pow'r to give:
The Prince of Wales.—
Dela.
In Pity say no more,
Fate never had a Curse like this in store,
Rais'd to the Charming'st Hope of all the World,
Into Despair I now from thence am hurl'd,
You keep that Word to which your self you ty'd,
And Try me more then ever Gold was Try'd;
That Glitterring Earth, when it has pass'd the Fire,
Is the Refiners Wonder and Desire;
But I, having Loves Fiery Tryal past,
Like the Neglected Dross away am cast.
Cleo.
Oh Brother, had not Love your Mind deprav'd,
You'd think you were not Cast away but Sav'd;
The Crime you act she calmly does reform.
Dela.
Ah! such a Calm is worse than any Storm.
Cleo.
How can the Princess more obliging prove,
Than to give Friendship, when she cannot Love.
Dela.
Oh Sister, he who to her Love aspires,
To nothing less can limit his Desires;
Loves Pow'r must always Friendships pow'r outdo,
For Love at once is Love and Friendship too.
Cleo.
You should with Joy what she bestows receive,
She Gives in Friendship all she has to Give,
And to convince you, hers is Great and True,
She the first hour her Secrets Trusts with you.
Dela.
Since to Receive my Love she does deny,
She by her Anger ought to make me Die;
That's the best Proof of Friendship she can give,
And therefore that alone I can receive.
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Who can be won t'outlive the loss of it.
Plan.
What I have yet perform'd can but pretend
To let you see how much I am your Friend.
But that, my Lord, which now I do Design
Shall let you see how much I think you mine;
For by your Councel and Assistance too,
The life of all my Hopes I will pursue.
Admire not Shame thus in my Face prevails,
When I confess I love the Prince of Wales;
For though th'Affront which I from him receiv'd
Does make me blush that after it I liv'd,
Yet I, whether by Weakness or by Fate,
Still Love that Prince whom I ought most to Hate;
And how that Love with Honour to pursue,
Is that in which I ask advice of you;—
Dela. starts.
For he esteems you in such high Degree,
As you the fittest are to give it me.
Dela.
Oh Fate! Oh Love! why do you both agree,
To give such Beauty so much Cruelty?
Is't not enough my Flame is scorn'd by you,
But you would make me help my Rival too?
And my Resentments higher to Inflame,
These Wrongs you do me under Friendships name;
Madam, if this, if this your Friendship be,
Ah give me Proofs then of your Cruelty;
Either bestow on me your Love or Hate
This Tyranny surpasses that of Fate;
Fate onely made me Wretched, but 'tis you
Alas would have me make my self so too.
To Love you is a Confidence so high,
As I for it do not refuse to Die:
But do not let your Doom be so severe
As thus to make me my own Murtherer;
From those Fair Eyes which did my Love create
I beg I may alone receive my Fate.
Plan.
Oh why should you be griev'd to this Degree?
Love, which does govern you, does govern me;
'Tis Love gives Laws to us, not we to it,
And to his boundless Pow'r we must submit;
Since by its Influence of my Love you miss,
I give you that which of next Value is,
And hope by Friendships Kindness to remove
Your Grief for wanting Pow'r to give you Love.
Dela.
Ah Madam, How can you that Friendship prize
Which could destroy the Conquest of your Eyes?
And would against its nature make it prove
A Rivals help, and Mutherer of Love.
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Such Joyes as those 'twould ravish from me now,
Yet think not strange that I deny to you
What I deny'd my Prince and General too;
For your Triumphant Eyes, since his return,
Have made his Fire once quench'd more feircely Burn;
This Fatal Secret he to me confess'd,
And unobey'd made me the like request;
But yet your Cruelty does his Surpass,
He did not know that I his Rival was;
But you who knew it strive to make me do
What known to him Love had not forc'd him to;
Fortune both ways my Torments does advance,
By Friendships Knowledge and its Ignorance.
Plan.
Ah! that Blest Secret which I learn from you
Makes me with Greater Hopes my suit renew;
For 'twere below your Vertue to undo
At once, my Lord, a Friend and Mistress too.
Sure to that man Loves Pow'r was never known
Who valu'd not her Joyes above his own.
Consider, since I lov'd him while I thought
That his Inconstancy did cause his Fault,
If any other Love my Breast can fill,
When from your self I find he loves me still:
Since 'tis my Fate onely the Prince to Love,
Since therefore all your Hopes must fruitless prove,
Assist your Prince and Mistress in distress,
And help that Love which nothing can suppress;
Quenching by such a Gen'rous Act you Flame,
From your Misfortune you'll increase your Fame,
Retire, my Lord, and think on what I said,
I know, when Love does once the Heart invade,
So Pow'rfull is that Passions Influence,
As 'tis not easily remov'd from thence,
But when alone you weigh what's ask'd by me,
Reason and Honour must Victorious be.
Dela.
Oh Madam, though the Trouble be not light
Of being thus commanded from your Sight,
Yet that torments me in a less Degree
Then those Desires which here you lay on me:
Yet e're I go this Sacred Vow receive;
I to Obey you, Madam, will so Strive,
As, If I can, my Flame I will suppress,
And on my Ruine raise your Happiness;
But if I quench not Fires which you create,
Accept the Duty, and deplore the Fate.
[Exit Delaware.
Plan.
Go, my dear Cleorin, and lose no time,
Improve th'Impression I have made on him,
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Shews that on him depends my Destiny.
[Exeunt several wayes.
Enter Guesclin hastily who meets Delaware.
Guesc.
My Lord, I have been seeking you with News
Which will at once Horror and Grief infuse,
My King and your Great Prince are both confin'd.
Dela.
From what Black Coast blows this Tempestuous Wind?
Guesc.
By the Lord Latymer I understand,
They are imprison'd by your Kings command.
Dela.
The cause of it did he not let you know?
Guesc.
'Tis what he could not, or else would not do;
Let us by sev'ral ways imploy our care,
First to discover why they Prisoners are,
That known, we may more hopefully apply
To this Misfortune a quick Remedy.
Dela.
Let's hasten to this Work, for 'twere a Crime
In serving them to lose one moments time.
[Exeunt several wayes.
The Scene is Plantagenets Bed-Chamber.
Plantagenet and Valeria's Brother sitting, and in Discourse.
Val. Bro.
Th'Assurance, Madam, which to me you give
With Joyes above expression I receive;
'Tis you alone those Blessings can extend
Which both my Merit and my Hopes transcend.
Plan.
You in such moving words your Love have shown,
As I in Justice could not less have done;
Some Time and Industry it will require
Fairly to reach that End which we desire,
But leave it to my care if you think fit.
Val. Bro.
She who must make my Fate should govern it;
While 'tis in such fair hands it is secure.
Enter a Lady, hastily.
Lady.
Madam, the King is almost at the door.
They both rise up hastily.
Plan.
The King, Oh strange Misfortune, and so near!
Val. Bro.
What would he think if he should see me here?
'Twill ruin all which we design'd to do.
Lady.
The King does come the way which he should go.
Exit Lady hastily.
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By what dire Planet is he hither led?
A noise within.
I hear him, hide your self within my Bed.
Valeria's Brother hides himself in Plantagenet's Bed; She goes to meet the King.
Enter the King.
King.
Since I enjoy at last this long'd for time,
I hope you will not think it is a Crime?
Madam, If I employ it now to say,
An Adoration to your Eyes I pay:
An Adoration Words would ill express,
For could I tell its Greatness, 'twould be less;
So high a Passion ne're was paid before.
And yet I blush, Madam, that 'tis no more.
Plan.
Do you consider, Sir, what now you say,
Such Vows you should but to Alizia pay;
Sir, you mistake, to her alone they'r meant.
King.
Ah say not I mistake when I repent;
You may believe what I now say is true,
Since of most Love I speak, and speak to you;
To you who have given mine such perfect strength,
As 'tis uncapable of more but length;
That Falshood might Truths piercing sight escape,
It slowly moves, and in a borrow'd shape;
But Truth which onely fears to be unknown,
Moves speedily, and no disguise puts on.
Plan.
'Tis strange this Love should grow so great so soon.
King.
The Dawning of it was a perfect Noon;
For what such Eyes, Madam, as yours create
Must reach Perfection in their first Estate:
Yet since I did Alizia first Adore,
I grant I merit this neglect and more;
But you the name of Tyrannous will win
Revenging a Misfortune as a Sin;
This usage too will an Injustice be,
You Wrong your Eyes while thus you Punish me.
Plan.
Were there nought else 'Ide not be false to her.
King.
Beauty should still a Conquest most prefer.
Plan.
They Tyrants are who to usurp delight.
King.
Who has most Beauty has in Love most right.
Plan.
You wrong your Mistris while my Love you seek,
And I my Friend in hearing what you speak.
King.
To Love another after you are seen,
A greater wrong, Madam, in me had been;
I fully know the great debt which is due,
To your fair Eyes and to your Vertues too;
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A Heart in which no Beauty e're has reign'd;
But mine before had yielded to the Pow'rs
Of conquering Charmes which none excel but yours:
What greater merit can my Passion shew,
Then thus to leave Alizia to love you,
This of its vastness is a proof sublime.
Plan.
Ah what you call your Merit is your Crime,
Since perfect Love in Justice must excel,
Falshood and he together cannot dwell.
King.
That perfect Love is just I grant is true,
And I prove mine is Just in Loving you.
Your Eyes which act the Change you so abhor,
Are my security I'le change no more;
Since to the highest Beauty I pretend,
Blame not if by Degrees I reach that end;
And as my Love that blessing does pursue,
So now I find it onely shines in you.
Enter Alizia and Sevina.
Aliz.
This Duty daily must be paid by me,
And though 'tis late—
She starts back amaz'd seeing the King.
Oh Heaven! what is't I see?
Ah! would these Eyes, rather than see this Sight,
Had been clos'd up by an eternal night.
King.
What is it, Madam, which you thus bemoan?
Aliz.
Can you ask that since you two are alone,
And at an hour, so Guilty as it showes
The Falseness of her Friendship and your Vows!
To me this Sight so vast a Grief does give,
As makes me wish rather to Die than Live.
King.
And, Madam, 'tis some cause of Grief in me
To find in you so strange a Jealousie.
Aliz.
If you who do the Wrong, Sir, can admit
Of Grief; What then must I that Suffer it?
But, Sir, your cause of Grief shall be remov'd,
My Death shall shew you soon how well I lov'd.
[To Plan.]
Go treacherous Woman, False as thou art Fair,
Those Hopes you rais'd on your wrong'd Friends Despair
Shall soon be blasted, for my injur'd Ghost
Shall still pursue you for those Joyes I lost;
Where e're you go, revenge it shall invoke,
And shew you still that Heart your Falshood broke:
You still shall see it or shall hear it groan,
And it shall haunt you in his Bed and Throne.
[She offers to go out.
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Oh go not yet away.
Sev.
At least be pleas'd to hear what she can say.
Aliz.
Whatever she can say I do dispise,
I'le not believe her Words above mine Eyes;
And I have seen so much, as I now fly
To seek out Death my onely Remedy.
Exeunt Alizia and Sevina.
Plan.
So well her height'ned Spirit, Sir, I know,
As what she Threatens she too soon will do;
If by your instant Kindness or my Care
We do not stop th'Effects of her Dispair,
Forgive me if I leave you to attend
The Debts I owe to a Dispairing Friend.
The King stays her.
King.
Oh leave not your Adorer to pursue
One who does hate you, and usurp'd your due;
If to receive my Passion you decline,
Even her Dispair will be less great then mine.
Plan.
Detain me not, She'll die through our delay.
King.
And I shal die should you thus go away.
Plan.
She needs my help.
King.
But does not it implore.
Plan.
Her Case deserves it.
King.
Mine deserves it more.
Plan.
Her Grief does wound me.
King.
So my Love should do.
Plan.
Your Love's her debt.
King.
'Tis onely due to you.
A great skreik within.
Plan.
That Fatal Skreik must cut off our debate,
For my best speed I fear will come too late.
She breaks from the King, and goes out hastily.
King.
She's gone and left me in a deeper Grief
Then her's to whom she flies to give Relief;
She does her Hatred to my Love prefer,
To me she's Cruel, but she's Kind to her:
'Tis Fortune onely or resistless Fate
Which governs all the World in Love and Hate.
The King stands musing a while: Valeria's Brother thinking him gone, comes from behind the Bed; The King lifts up his eyes, sees him, and starts back; Valeria's Brother runs into the Bed again.
King.
A Man, and here, and at this time of night,
How quickly did He vanish from my sight?
45
Though my bad Angel 'twere I'le speak to it.
The King draws his Sword, and goes towards the bed.
Who art thou? and what is it brought thee here?
The King plucks Valeria's Brother out of the Bed, who trembles, but answers not.
His Tongue is ty'd by Guiltiness or Fear;
Prepare for Death, or else resolve my Doubt;
He's silent still, what Ho, who waits without?
Enter two Courtiers running.
Since my Commands thy silence cannot break,
I'le find out Tortures which shall make thee speak.
Seize on this Mute, and with him follow me.
They seize on Valeria's Brother.
Why should the Thrones of Kings so envy'd be.
When such strange Griefs assault me in one hour,
As make my Sorrows greater than my Pow'r.
[Exeunt.
The End of the Fourth Act.
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