 | Alphonso : King of Naples |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Enter King, Ferdinand, Oswell, Guards, and Attendants.King.
Gone! 'tis impossible they should escape.
Osw.
We've searcht o'er all the Court, but 'twas in vain,
Cesario and Urania in the Night
Fled from the Palace, but which way they took,
Not all our care can learn.
Ferd.
Curses pursue him.
Some Whirlwind snatch him up, and on the back
Of his Rough Wings, transport the wandering Ravisher,
And Drop his Cursed Head into the Sea;
Or land him in some cold, remote, wild Desart;
There to inhabit amongst Brutes and Savages,
O'th' two the Innocenter Beasts of Prey.
King.
My Lord, it is not Rage can help us now,
But e'er they are fled too far make swift pursuit,
Leave not a Corner of my Realm unsearcht:
Prepare me Men and Horse immediately:
I'll after 'em my self.
Ferd.
Most Royal Sir.
See at your Feet, an Injur'd Prince thus kneels,
And begs that trust may be repos'd in him.
King.
Thy Suit is granted; Haste, delay not then,
Bring him alive or dead, I care not which.
O that I cou'd Command a flash of Lightning;
Or usurp one minute the Prerogative of Death.
That I might shoot ruin as sudden on 'em,
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There is no danger now like our delay.
[Ex. King, Attendants.
[Ex. Omn.
Scene, A Wood.
Enter Cesario, and Urania disguised.
Cesa.
Come, my Souls Joy, let not such painted griefs
Press down thy Spirits, the darkness but presents
Shadows of fear; for it is that secures us
From dangerous pursuit.
Ura.
Wou'd it were day.
My apprehension is so full of horrour,
I think each sound the airs light motion makes,
To be my Father threatning our ruins,
With all the storm of his impending Vengeance.
Cesa.
Fear not that thunder blast, whose Bolts too far to reach us,
Wrapt in the Arms of Night that favours Lovers,
We hitherto have scaped his eager search.
Ura.
But when will it be day, the light has comfort,
Our first of useful sences being lost,
The rest are less delighted.
Cesa.
The early Cock
Has sung his Summons to the day's approach:
'Twill instantly appear, why starts my Love?
Ura.
Heard you no sound?
Cesa.
Sound!
Ura.
Some amazing sound.
Pray listen.
Cesa.
'Tis thy fear suggests
Illusive fancies. Under Loves protection
We may presume of safety, but retire,
And under yon kind Tree repose a while.
[Ex.
Enter four Banditti.
1. Band.
Well, my dear Comrades of the Pad, prithee how
Long have we, Brother Rogues, hung in a knot together?
19
Hung together! hum, I don't like that word hanging;
But if you mean, how long we have fairly robb'd together—
1 Band.
Robb'd; pox, that's as bad as t'other;
Give it a genteeler Name for shame, since we,
Four Noble Captains, Sons of Thunder,
And Brothers of Mercury, have been planted
In the Post of Honour, and given the Words of Command,
Stand, and deliver.
2 Band.
I, this is something like.
3 Band.
'Tis, let me see, some five Summers,
And almost as many Winters.
1 Band.
And in all that time, I have been musing
And hammering to find out, whether the Mystery of Thieving
Be an Art, or a Science.
3 Band.
Oh fie, fie, a Science! most certain, and a Liberal
Science too; for the People give all, and we take all.
Omnes.
Ay, Ay; A Liberal Science, A Liberal Science.
1 Band.
But come, Less Prattle, and more Business;
For if these Eves-Droppers of mine have not damnably deceived me,
Here must be Game abroad: I'm certain,
I heard talking hard by, and if the Devil does not play booty,
We shall have a Prize quickly.
3 Band.
Say you so? hush then, and sculk.
[They retire to the side of the Stage.
Re-enter Cesario and Urania.
Uran.
Sure, my Cesario, this is more than Fancy!
Did you not hear some talk?
Cesar.
These must be Robbers:
No matter; I've a Sword ne'er fail'd me yet;
Though I'd not stain it with the Blood of Villains.
2 Band.
I think, I have you, Sir.
[Lays hold on Ces. left Arm.
Cesar.
Thy Death thou hast;
[Cesario Runs him through.
But there's yet more to do e'er I am ta'en.
They fight off, Band. give way.
Uran.
My Lord, Cesario, whither do you run?
Come back, and shun, by flight, the Villains Swords:
He's lost, he's lost! what will become of me!
Whither, Oh! whither? which way shall I take!
[Ex. confusedly, at the wrong Door.
Re-enter Cesario bloody, his Sword drawn.
Cesar.
Urania! my Love, my Life, where art thou?
My Soul! speak to me, 'tis Cesario calls.
20
And wanders in the dark to find me out.
Oh! I could rave; but see, the Day appears.
Blest Lamp of Heaven, lead, lead me to Urania;
With thy kind rising Beams guide me once more
To those dear Eyes, thy Sister-Twins of Light,
Or shrowd me, Gods, in Everlasting Night.
[Ex. Ces.
Scene changes to another Part of the Wood.
Enter Urania.
Uran.
The Day begins to break, and trembling Light,
As if affrighted with this Night's Disaster,
Steals through the farthest Air, and by degrees
Salutes my weary Longings; yet 'tis welcome,
Though it betray me to the worst of Fate
Love and Desire e'er suffer'd: Oh Cesario!
Thy wisht for Presence wou'd have checkt these Passions,
And shot Delight through all the Mists of Sadness:
But thou art lost; and all my Joys are fled;
Ne'er to return without thee.
Enter First and Third Banditti.
1 Band.
Have we found you!
Seize her, Fabrichio, our Companion's Blood,
Shed by your Hero, you shall now atone for.
Drag her along, and tye her to yon' Tree,
Where we, by turns, will quench our furious Appetites.
Uran.
Kill me; Oh! kill me; rather let me dye
Than live to see the Jewel that adorns
The Souls of vertuous Virgins ravisht from me!
Do not add Sin to Sin, and, at a Price
That ruines me, and not enriches you,
Purchase Damnation: Do not, do not do't.
Sheath here your Swords, and my departing Soul,
Like your good Angel, shall sollicite Heaven
To dash out your Offences. See, here's Gold and Jewels;
Take all, nay, had I more you should command,
But do not stain my Vertue.
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Ay, this is something;
I love a Lass that pays well for her Pleasure.
Come, let's stop her Mouth, I long till we're aboard her.
Uran.
Help, Murder, Murder, a Rape.
[Ex. Band. dragging Uran.
Enter Cesario.
Cesar.
For ever gone, yet I am still alive!
Unpitying Gods, why have you snatcht her from me?
Uran.
within.
Help, Help, a Rape!
3 Band.
Stop her Mouth.
Cesar.
Ha! do I dream, or was't Urania's Voice?
Uran.
within.
Help, Murder, a Rape!
Cesar.
Help! to that Fair distrest quick let me fly:
Not a departing Soul wou'd mount with half the Wings
To reach his Heaven, as I to rescue mine.
[Ex. hastily.
The Scene draws, and discovers Urania ty'd to a Tree by the Hair, the Banditti's on each side of her.
Uran.
Yet, yet, be merciful and take my Life:
Oh barbarous Men; how can you be thus cruel?
3 Band.
Barbarous d'ye call us? nay if this be cruel
We'll try a kinder way of Love to please you.
Uran.
Dear Sir, if ever Vertue, Mercy, Pity dwelt in your noble Breast!
1 Band.
If ever Passion, and warm Desire
Dwelt in my boyling Veins, I love thee.
Uran.
Is this Love?
1 Band.
No, but though this be not,
We'll shew thee what it is before we part.
Enter Cesario with his Sword drawn, he drives 'em off.
Cesar.
Dogs, Blood-hounds, Cannibals; Death! do you fly?
Your Crimes so heavy, and your Heels so light.
Stay, Satyrs, stay, you vanishing Furies, stay,
And take your dear Damnation e'er you go.
[Unbinds Uran.
Uran.
My kind Cesario, this is double Joy,
To be preserv'd, and hold thee in my Arms.
Cesar.
Yes, in thy Arms thy blest Cesario lives;
Thy dear, thy soft, thy charming, and I hope
Thy unpolluted Arms, for say, my Soul,
Art thou unspotted still? as (if there be
Those Guardian-Gods that succour Vertue) sure
22
To rifle this dear Casket of Divinity.
Uran.
I am yet spotless, thank your happy self,
My lovely Champion, whose delivering Hand
Has freed my darling Honour.
Cesar.
I believe thee,
For thou'rt all Truth, the Innocence on that Face
Says thou art chaste, the guilty cannot speak
So heavenly as thou dost.
Enter Tachmas in the Habit of a Hermet.
Tach.
What mournful Pair is this, whose very Looks
Inform me they are loaden with Misfortunes?
Ha! 'tis Cesario, by my Wrongs, my Brother!
Oh Alphonzo! Oh thou most barbarous King!
By Heaven, I find more Gratitude 'mong Beasts,
Than ever dwelt within the Court of Naples.
The Blessings of the Day upon you both.
Uran.
We thank you, Reverend Father; and if Pity
E'er dwelt within your Breast, Ah, shew it now!
Shew it to us, the most unhappy Pair,
That e'er were punisht by offended Heaven.
Tach.
Who e'er you are, you look indeed most wretched;
And Charity obliges me to help you.
Under yon' Mountain, in the Earths deep Hollow,
I have a Cell; please you to walk that way;
What Comforts that can yield you shall command.
Ces.
Eternal Blessings crown you, for this Goodness:
Come, my dear Saint, let's to this Hermet's Cell,
And take that Refuge his poor Mansion yields;
None can fear Danger where Religion shields.
[Ex. Omnes.
The Scene changes to the Palace.
Enter King attended.
King.
No Tydings yet! no News from Ferdinand!
Curses and Plagues pursue this pair of Monsters,
Sink, sink 'em in a Whirlpool of Confusion.
If they are fled by Land, gape, gape thou Earth,
And take into thy Womb the stinging Vipers:
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Blow Winds, and raise an Everlasting storm,
Till you have laid 'em in a Wat'ry Grave.
Attend.
My Liege, they may be found.
King.
They may, they shall.
Not the deep Center of the Earth shall hide 'em.
Nay, were they guarded by a Band of Furies,
And kept secure in the Infernal Court,
I wou'd my self Assault the Brazen Gates,
And in dispight of Hell compleat my Vengeance.
Attend.
Do not torment your self, great Sir, with passion,
All care imaginable's ta'ne to find 'em.
Prince Ferdinand himself is in pursuit,
And no disguise can hide 'em from his sight.
King.
Disguise! by Heaven had I but follow'd 'em,
Not all the shapes of Proteus should secure 'em.
Argus with all his hundred watchful Eyes,
Had been but blind to my discovering Vengeance;
And when I'd got the Fugitives in my Power,
I'd use the Infamous abandon'd Miscreants,
The profligated Vagrants with less Mercy
Than she has done my Peace, or he her Honour.
Oh like a Faulcon I'd the Quaries seize,
And grind and tear their Souls out by degrees.
[Ex. Omn.
Scene changes to the Hermets Cell.
Enter Cesario and Urania.
Cesa.
My Dear Urania, Miracle of Women.
Was ever Love so great, so true as thine;
Claspt in thy snowy Arms, I find more bliss,
Than Scepter'd Pride, and Crown'd ambition taste,
In all their gust of Power, and wreaths of Gold.
But my sweet Excellence, I've been unkind.
Ura.
Unkind!
Cesa.
Unkind, my Angel,
To take such Beauty, born a Kingdoms Heir,
Light of my World, and Treasure of my Soul,
Nurst up in all the softnesses of Courts,
And poorly strip thee to these homely Weeds,
24
Ura.
Whilst thou art with me, they are Palaces,
For the Reception of an Eastern Monarch,
Abandon Crowns and Courts for Woods and Caves:
And is that all, can thy Urania do
No greater Miracle for Love than this?
True Love shou'd quit the World, to grov'ling Minds
Resign that worthless Toy, the gewgaw Globe,
And leave the bandied Ball for Fools to play with.
Cesa.
Mirrour of Goodness, thou art all Divine;
The Trojan Youth whose dazled Eyes survey'd
Three Tempting, Courting Goddesses at once,
Did not behold thy worth.
Enter Tachmas.
Tac.
How fares my Son?
What are you still opprest with Melancholy?
Come, you're to blame, for though your Cheer be mean,
Your Company a wretched poor old Man,
Here is Content, and sure in that alone
Lies all the happiness Man can desire.
Cesa.
Most Reverend Sir, you shew such wondrous goodness,
We never shall have Power to recompense,
But oh forgive us if our weighty griefs,
Too heavy to be born, pull down this sadness.
Tac.
Alas, Cesario!
Cesa.
Ha! thou knowst me sure.
Tac.
As thou didst once, thy wretched Brother Tachmas.
[Discovers himself.
Cesa.
By Heaven and Earth, by all that we call sacred,
'Tis he; my Brother. Oh let me thus Clasp thee,
Crush thee into my heart, my dearest Tachmas.
Methinks I hold half Heaven when I embrace thee.
See my Urania: now if thou shed'st tears,
Let 'em be tears of Joy to see my Brother,
Banisht from Naples by thy Cruel Father,
For killing his base, cringing, fawning Favourite.
Ura.
I Joy to see the Brother of Cesario, though in affliction.
Oh my dearest Lord.
Cesa.
How does my Love? Methinks I see
A sickly fading on thy lovely Cheeks,
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As thou wou'dst sink beneath the weight thou bear'st.
Ura.
Indeed, Cesario, I am wondrous faint,
My weary'd Limbs, and my long sleepless Eyes,
The Nights keen Blasts, and all my frights and fears,
Have press'd a little rudely on my health;
And this too tender Frame bends down before 'em.
Cesa.
And all this for Cesario, Curst Cesario,
The Impious Fatal Cause of all thy Sufferings,
The Atlas Load of thy o'er-burthening woes.
Ura.
Oh hold, this is too much to hear and live,
Shake not your Peace for me, that shock will sink me;
For I can bear all Sorrows, but Cesario's.
Tac.
Dear, Faithful Pair.
Were all Hearts join'd like these, the Erring World
Would shake her guilt off, with her blushing shame,
And the revolving Age of gold return.
Cesa.
My Friend and Brother, my Beloved, kind Tachmas,
This fainting sweetness wants thy helping care.
Your Roots and Water are not for her diet,
Is there no way to purchase other food?
Tac.
Hard by there is a little Neighbouring Village,
Where we may be supplied with necessaries.
Cesa.
Droop not, fair Flower, since we may yet find Peace.
Though now we're like the first unhappy pair,
Cast from that Paradise where once we were,
Like Fugitives banisht our native home,
And destin'd through unpeopled Worlds to roam:
Yet we may hope a smiling Morn more fair,
For sure, (to banish all unjust dispair)
Such truth as thine is Heavens peculiar care.
[Ex omnes.
The End of the Third Act.
| Alphonso : King of Naples | |