 | The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery |  |
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Act V.
Scene I.
Biron, Nurse following him.Bir.
I know enough; th'important question
Of Life or Death, fearful to be resolv'd,
Is clear'd to me: I see where it must end;
And need enquire no more—Pray let me have
Pen, Ink, and Paper, I must write a while,
And then I'll try to rest—to rest! for ever.
[Exit Nurse.
Poor Isabella! Now I know the cause,
The cause of thy distress, and cannot wonder
That it has turn'd thy Brain. If I look back
Upon thy loss, it will distract me too.
O, any Curse but this might be remov'd!
But 'twas the rancorous Malignity
Of all ill Stars combin'd, of Heaven, and Fate,
To put it quite out of their Mercies reach,
To speak Peace to us; if they cou'd repent,
They cannot help us now. Alas! I rave:
Why do I tax the Stars, or Heaven, or Fate?
They are all innocent of driving us
Into Despair; they have not urg'd my Doom.
My Father, and my Brother are my Fates,
That drive me to my ruine. They knew well
I was alive: Too well they knew how dear
My Isabella—O my Wife no more!
How dear her love was to me—Yet they stood,
With a malicious silent joy, stood by,
And saw her give up all my happiness,
The treasure of her Beauty to another:
Stood by, and saw her Married to another.
O Cruel Father! and Unnatural Brother?
Shall I not tell you that you have undone me?
I have but to accuse you of my wrongs,
And then to fall forgotten.—Sleep, or Death,
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Either is welcome; but the hand of Death
Works always sure, and best can close my Eyes.
[Exit Biron.
Enter Nurse, and Sampson.
Nurse.
Here's strange things towards, Sampson:
What will be the end of 'em, do you think?
Samp.
Nay, marry Nurse, I can't see so far; but the Law
I believe, is on Biron, the first Husband's side.
Nurse.
Yes; No Question, he has the Law on his side.
Samp.
For I have heard, the Law says, a Woman must be
a Widow, all out Seven Years, before she can Marry again,
according to Law.
Nurse.
Ay, so it does; and our Lady has not been a Widow
altogether Seven Years.
Samp.
Why then, Nurse, mark my words, and say I told
you so: The Man must have his Mare again, and all will do
well.
Nurse.
But if our new Master Villeroy comes back again.—
Samp.
Why, if he does, he is not the first Man, that has
had his Wife taken from him.
Nurse.
For fear of the worst, will you go to the old Count,
desire him to come as soon as he can, there may be mischief,
and he is able to prevent it.
Samp.
Now you say something, now I take you, Nurse,
that will do well indeed: Mischief should be prevented; a
little thing will make a quarrel, when there's a Woman in the
way. I'll about it instantly.—
[Exeunt.
Scene drawn, shews Biron asleep on a Couch. Isabella comes in to him.
Isa.
Asleep so soon! O happy! happy thou!
Who thus can'st sleep: I never shall sleep more.
If then to sleep be to be happy, he
Who sleeps the longest, is the happiest;
Death is the longest sleep. O! have a care,
Mischief will thrive apace. Never wake more;
[To Biron.
If thou didst ever love thy Isabella,
To Morrow must be Doomsday to thy peace.
—The sight of him disarms ev'n Death it self.
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Gives just such hopes; and Pleasure grows again
With looking on him—Let me look my last—
But is a look enough for parting Love!
Sure I may take a Kiss—where am I going!
Help, help me, Villeroy!—Mountains, and Seas
Divide your loves, never to meet my Shame.
[Throws her self on the Floor; after a short pause, she raises her self upon her Elbow.
What will this Battle of the Brain do with me!
This little Ball, this ravag'd Province, long
Cannot maintain—The Globe of Earth wants room,
And food for such a War—I find I'm going—
Famine, Plagues, and Flames,
Wide waste and desolation, do your work
Upon the World, and then devour your selves.
—The Scene shifts fast,— [She rises]
and now 'tis better with me.
Conflicting Passions have at last unhing'd
The great Machine; the Soul it self seems chang'd:
O, 'tis a happy revolution here!
The reas'ning faculties are all depos'd,
Judgment, and Understanding, Common sense,
Driv'n out; as Traytors to the publick Peace.
Now I'm reveng'd upon my memory,
Her seat dug up, where all the Images
Of a long mispent Life, were rising still,
To glare a sad reflexion of my crimes,
And stab a Conscience through 'em. You are safe
You Monitors of Mischief! What a change!
Better and better still! This is the infant state
Of Innocence, before the birth of care.
My thoughts are smooth as the Elysian Plains
Without a rub: The drowzy falling streams
Invite me to their Slumbers.
Would I were landed there—
[Sinks into a Chair.
What Noise was that! A knocking at the Gate!
It may be Villeroy!—No matter who.
Bir.
Come, Isabella, come—
[Biron in a dream.
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Hark, I am call'd.
Bir.
You stay too long from me.
Isa.
A Mans Voice! in my Bed! how came he there?
[rises.
Nothing but villany in this bad World;
Coveting Neighbours Goods, or Neighbours Wives;
Cuckolds, or Cuckold-makers every where;
Here's Physick for your Fever;
[Draws a Dagger and goes backward to the Coach.
Breathing a Vein is the old remedy.
Why, at this rate, 'tis impossible for an
Honest Man to keep his Wife to himself;
The trade must thrive they say.
If Husbands go to Heaven,
Where do they go, that send 'em?—This to try.
[Just going to stab him, he rises, she knows him.
What do I see!
[Shrieks.
Bir.
My Isabella! arm'd!
Isa.
Against my Husbands life!
Who, but the Wretch, most reprobate to grace,
Despair e're hardned for damnation,
Cou'd think of such a deed! Murder my Husband!
Bir.
Thou didst not think it.
Isa.
Madness has brought me to the Gates of Hell,
And here has left me. O the frightful change
Of my distractions! or is this interval
Of reason, but to aggravate my woes;
To drive the horror back with greater force,
Upon my Soul, and fix me mad for ever?
Bir.
Why dost thou fly me so?
Isa.
I cannot bear his sight; distraction, come,
Possess me all, and take me to thy self;
Shake off thy chains, and hasten to my aid;
Thou art my only cure—like other Friends,
He wonnot come to my necessities;
Then I must go to find the Tyrant out;
Which is the nearest way?—
[Running out.
Bir.
Poor Isabella, she's not in a condition,
To give me any comfort, if she cou'd;
Lost to her self; as quickly I shall be
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From any hand but hers; she never cou'd
Deserve to be the Executioner,
To take my Life; nor I to fall by her.
[Enter Nurse.
Nurse.
Sir, there's some body at the Door, must needs
Speak with you; he won't tell his Name.
Bir.
I come to him—
[Exit Nurse.
'Tis Bellford I suppose; he little knows
Of what has hapned here; I wanted him,
And must employ his friendship—
[Exit.
Scene changes to the Street.
Carlos enters with three Ruffians.
Car.
A younger Brother! I was one too long,
Not to prevent my being so again—
We must be suddain—Younger Brothers are
But lawful Bastards of another Name,
Thrust out of their Nobility of Birth,
And Family, and tainted into Trades.
Shall I be one of 'em? bow, and retire.
To make more room, for the unwieldly Heir
To play the fool in? No.
But how shall I prevent it! Biron comes,
To take possession of my Fathers love;
Wou'd that were all; there is a birth-right too
That he will seize—besides, if Biron lives
He will unfold some practices, which I
Cannot well answer—therefore he shall dye;
This night must be disposed of: I have means
That will not fail my purpose—Here he comes;
Be sure you murder him.
[Biron enters, they set upon him.
Bir.
Ha! Am I beset? I live but to revenge me.
[They surround him fighting, Villeroy enters with two Servants, they rescue him, Carlos and his Party run, Biron very much wounded, one of Villeroy's Servants strugling on the ground with one of the Ruffians.
Vil.
How are you, Sir? mortally hurt I fear;
Take care, and lead him in.
[Biron led in by a Servant.
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Here's one of 'em.
[Villeroy and Servant secure him.
Vil.
O 'Tis very well; I'le make you an example.
[They lead him in.
Scene changes to the inside of the House.
Enter Isabella.
Isa.
Murder my Husband! O! I must not dare
To think of living on; my desperate hand
In a mad rage, may offer it again;
Stab any where, but there. Here's room enough
In my own Breast, to act the fury in,
The proper Scene of mischief. Villeroy comes;
Villeroy, and Biron come: O! hide me from 'em—
They rack, they tear; let 'em carve out my limbs,
Divide my body to their equal claims:
My Soul is only Biron's; that is free,
And thus I strike for him, and liberty.
[Going to stab her self, Villeroy runs in, and prevents her, by taking the Dagger from her.
Vil.
Angels defend, and save thee!
Attempt thy pretious Life! the treasury
Of Natures sweets! life of my little World!
Lay violent hands upon thy innocent self!
Isa.
Swear I am innocent, and I'le believe you.
What wou'd you have with me? pray let me go.
—Are you there, Sir? You are the very Man,
Have done all this—You wou'd have made
Me believe, you married me; but the Fool
Was wiser I thank you; 'tis not all Gospel
You Men preach upon that subject.
Vil.
Dost thou not know me?
Isa.
O, yes, very well.
[Staring on him.
You are the Widows Comforter, that Marries
Any Woman, when her Husband's out of the way.
But I'le never, never take your word again.
Vil.
I am thy loving Husband.
Isa.
I have none; no Husband—
[Weeping.
Never had but one, and he Dy'd at Candy:
Did he not? I'm sure you told me so; you,
Or some body, with just, just such a lying look,
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Vil.
He did my Life!
Isa.
But swear it, quickly-swear,
[Biron enters bloody, and leaning upon his Sword.
Before that screaming Evidence appears,
In bloody proof against me—
[She seeing Biron swoons into a Chair, Vil. helps her.
Vil.
Help there, Nurse, where are you?
Ha! I am distracted too!
[Going to call for help sees Biron.
Biron alive!
Bir.
The only wretch on Earth, that must not live.
Vil.
Biron, or Villeroy must not, that's Decreed.
Bir.
You've sav'd me from the hands of Murderers:
Wou'd you had not, for Life's my greatest plague:
And then of all the World, you are the Man
I wou'd not be oblig'd to—Isabella!
I came to fall before thee: I had dy'd
Happy, not to have found your Villeroy here.
A long farewel, and a last parting Kiss.
[Kisses her.
Vil.
A Kiss! Confusion! It must be your last.
[Draws.
Bir.
I know it must—here I give up that Death
You but delay'd. Since what is past has been
The work of Fate, thus we must finish it.
Thrust home be sure—.
[Falls down.
Vil.
Alas! he faints! Some help there.
Bir.
This Letter is my last, last Dying care;
Give it my Father—
[Dyes.
Vil.
He's gone: Let what will be the consequence,
I'll give it him. I have involv'd my self,
And wou'd be clear'd; that must be thought on now.
My care of her is lost in wild amaze.
[Going to Isa.
Are you all Dead within there? Where, where are you.
[Exit.
Isabella comes to her self.
Isa.
Where have I been! methinks I stand upon
The brink of Life, ready to shoot the Gulph,
That lies between me and the Realms of Rest;
But still detain'd, I cannot pass the Streight:
Deny'd to live, and yet I must not Dye.
Doom'd to come back, like a complaining Ghost,
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[Throws her self by Birons body.
My Body, Soul, and Life. A little Dust
To cover our cold Limbs in the dark Grave,
Then, then we shall sleep safe and sound together.
Enter Villeroy with Servants.
Vil.
Poor wretch! Upon the Ground! She's not her self,
Remove her from the Body.
[Servants going to raise her.
Isa.
Never, never:
You have Divorc'd us once, but shall no more.
Help, help me Biron; Ha! Bloody and Dead!
O Murder, Murder! You have done this Deed!
Vengeance! and Murder! Bury us together;
Do any thing but part us.
Vil.
Gently, gently raise her—
She must be forc'd away.
[She drags the Body after her, they get her into their Arms, and carry her off.
Isa.
O, they tear me! Cut off my Hands,
Let me leave something with him,
They'll clasp him fast—
O cruel, cruel Men!
This you must answer one Day.
Vil.
Good Nurse, take care of her:
[Nurse follows her.
Send for all helps: All, all that I am worth,
Shall cheaply buy her Peace of Mind again.
Besure you do
[To a Servant.
Just as I order'd you. The Storm grows loud,
[Knocking at the Door.
I am prepar'd for it; now let them in.
Enter Count Baldwin, Carlos, Bellford, Frederick, with Servants.
C. Bald.
O do I live to this Unhappy day!
Where is my wretched Son?
Car.
Where is my Brother?
[They see, and gather about the Body.
Vil.
I hope in Heaven.
Car.
Can'st thou pity him,
Wish him in Heaven? When thou hast done a Deed,
That must for ever cut thee from the hopes
Of ever coming there.
Vil.
I do not blame you.
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For his untimely Death—
Car.
Untimely Death indeed!
Vil.
But yet you must not say, I was the cause.
Car.
Not you the cause! why, who shou'd Murder him?
We do not ask you to accuse your self:
But I must say that you have Murder'd him:
And will say nothing else, till Justice draws
Upon our side, at the loud call of Blood,
To execute so foul a Murderer.
Bell.
Poor Biron! Is this thy welcom home?
Fred.
Rise, Sir, there is a comfort in Revenge,
Which yet is left you.
[To C. Baldwin.
Car.
Take the Body hence.
[Biron carry'd off.
C. Bald.
What cou'd provoke you?
Vil.
Nothing could provoke me
To a base Murder; which, I find, you think
Me guilty of: I know my Innocence:
My Servants too can Witness, that I drew
My Sword in his Defence, to Rescue him.
Bell.
Let the Servants be call'd.
Fred.
Let's hear what they can say.
Car.
What they can say! Why, what shou'd Servants say!
They're his Accomplices, his Instruments,
And won not charge themselves. If they cou'd do
A Murder for his Service; they can lye,
Lye nimbly; and swear hard to bring him off.
You say, you drew your Sword in his Defence:
Who were his Enemies? Did he need Defence?
Had he wrong'd any one? Cou'd he have a cause
To apprehend a danger but from you?
And yet you Rescu'd him! No, no, he came
Unseasonably, (that was all his Crime)
Unluckily to interrupt your sport:
You were new Marry'd, Marry'd to his Wife;
And therefore you, and she, and all of you,
(For all of you I must believe concern'd)
Combin'd to Murder him out of the way.
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If it be so.
Car.
It can be only so.
Fred.
Indeed it has a Face.
Car.
As black as Hell.
C. Bald.
The Law will do me Justice: Send for the Magistrate.
Car.
I'll go my self for him—
[Exit.
Vil.
These strong Presumptions, I must own indeed,
Are violent against me; but I have
A Witness, and on this side Heav'n too.
Fred.
What cries are those?
[The Scene opens, shows Pedro on a Rack.
Vil.
Open that Door:
Here's one can tell you all.
Ped.
All, all: Take me but from the Rack I'll confess all.
I can hold out no longer.
Vil.
You, and your Accomplices design'd
To Murder Biron? Speak.
Ped.
We did.
Vil.
Did you engage upon your private wrongs,
Or were employ'd?
Ped.
He never did us wrong.
Vil.
You were set on then.
Ped.
O! we were set on.
Vil.
What do you know of me?
Ped.
Nothing, nothing:
You sav'd his Life; and have discovered me.
Vil.
Take him down.
C. Bald.
Hold.
Vil.
He has acquitted me.
If you wou'd be resolv'd of any thing,
He stands upon his answer.
C. Bald.
Who set you on to act this horrid Deed?
Ped.
Kill me outright; let all the guilt be mine.
C. Bald.
I'll know the Villain; give me quick his Name,
Or I will tear it from thy bleeding Heart.
Pull hard, Rack, Torture him—
Ped.
O! I confess.
C. Bald.
Do then.
Ped.
It was my Master, Carlos, your own Son.
C. Bald.
O Monstrous! Monstrous! most Unnatural!
Fred.
Did he employ you to Murder his own Brother?
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He did, and he was with us when 'twas done.
C. Bald.
If this be true, which is impossible,
It is but Just upon me: Birons wrongs
Must be reveng'd; and I the cause of all.
Fred.
VVhat will you do with him?
C. Bald.
Now take him down:
[Pedro taken from the Rack.
I know too much.
Vil.
I had forgot: Your wretched, dying Son,
Gave me this Letter for you.
[Gives it to Baldwin.
I dare deliver it: If it speaks of me,
I pray to have it read.
C. Bald.
You know the hand.
Bell.
I know 'tis Biron's hand.
C. Bald.
Pray Read it.
[Bellford reads the Letter.
SIR, I find I am come home only to lay my Death at your Door: I
am now going out of the World, but cannot forgive you, nor my
Brother Carlos, for not hindring my poor Wife Isabella, from
Marrying with Villeroy, when you both knew, from so many
Letters, that I was alive.—
BIRON.
Vil.
How! Did you know it then?
C. Bald.
Amazement! all.
[Carlos enters with Officers.
O, Carlos! are you come? Your Brother here, here in a
wretched Letter, lays his Death on you, and me: Have you
done any thing to hasten his sad end?
Car.
Bless me, Sir, I do anything? who, I!
C. Bald.
He talks of Letters that were sent to us:
I never heard of any: Did you know he was alive?
Car.
Alive! Heav'n knows, not I.
C. Bald.
Had you no News of him, from a Report,
Or Letter never?
Car.
Never, never, I.
Bell.
That's strange indeed: I know he often writ
To lay before you the condition
[To Baldwin.
Of his hard Slavery: And more I know,
That he had several Answers of his Letters:
He said they came from you; you are his Brother.
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Never from me.
Bell.
That will appear.
The Letters I believe are still about him;
For some of 'em I saw but yesterday.
C. Bald.
What did those answers say?
Bell.
I cannot speak to the particulars;
But I remember well, the Sum of 'em
Was much the same, and all agreed,
That there was nothing to be hop'd from you;
That 'twas your barbarous resolution,
To let him perish there.
C. Bald.
O Carlos! Carlos! hadst thou been a Brother.
Car.
This is a plot upon me; I never knew
He was in slavery, or was alive,
Or heard of him, before this fatal hour.
Bell.
There, Sir, I must confront you.
He sent you a Letter, to my knowledge, last night;
And you sent him word you wou'd come to him:
I fear you came too soon.
C. Bald.
'Tis all too plain.
Bring out that Wretch before him.
[Pedro produc'd.
Car.
Ha! Pedro there! then I am caught indeed.
Bell.
You start at sight of him,
He has confest the bloody deed.
Car.
Well then, he has confest,
And I must answer it.
Bell.
Is there no more?
Car.
Why, what you have more? I know the worst,
And I expect it.
C. Bald.
Why hast thou done all this?
Car.
Why that, that which damns most Men, has ruin'd me,
The making of my fortune. Biron stood
Between me, and your favour; while he liv'd,
I had not that; hardly was thought a Son;
And not at all a-kin to your Estate.
I could not bear a younger Brothers lot,
To live depending, upon curtesie.
Had you provided for me like a Father,
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C. Bald.
'Tis too true,
I never lov'd thee, as I shou'd have done;
It was my Sin, and I am punish'd for't.
O! never may distinction rise again
In Families: let Parents be the same
To all their Children; common in their Care,
And in their Love of 'em: I am unhappy
For loving one too well.
Vil.
You knew your Brother liv'd; why did you take
Such pains to Marry me to Isabella?
Car.
I had my Reasons for't—
Fred.
More than I thought you had.
Car.
But one was this;
I knew my Brother lov'd his Wife so well,
That if he ever shou'd come home again,
He cou'd not long out-live the loss of her.
Bell.
If you rely'd on that, why did you kill him?
Car.
To make all sure. Now you are answer'd all.
Where must I go? I'm tir'd of your Questions.
C. Bald.
I leave the Judge to tell thee what thou art;
A Father cannot find a Name for thee.
But Parricide is highest treason sure.
To sacred Natures laws; and must be so,
So sentenc'd in thy Crimes. Take him away—
The violent remedy is found at last,
That drives thee out, thou poyson of my Blood,
Infected long, and only foul in thee.
[Carlos lead off.
Grant me, sweet Heaven, thy patience, to go through
The torment of my cure—Here, here begins
The Operation—alas! she's mad.
[Isabella enters distracted, held by her Women, her Hair disheavel'd, her little Son running in before, being afraid of her.
Vil.
My Isabella! poor unhappy Wretch!
What can I say to her?
Isa.
Nothing, nothing, 'tis a babling VVolrd,
I'le hear no more on't. VVhen does the Court sit?
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You look like one of the pale Judges here,
Minos, or Radamanth, or Æacus,
I have heard of you.
I have a Cause to try, an honest one;
Will you not hear it? Then I must appeal
To the bright Throne, call down the Heavenly powers,
To Witness how you use me.
Wom.
Help, help, we cannot hold her.
Vil.
You but enrage her more.
C. Bald.
Pray give her way, she'l hurt no body.
Isa.
What have you done with him? He was here but now;
I saw him here. Oh Biron, Biron! where,
Where have they hid thee from me? He is gone—
But here's a little flaming Cherubin—
Child.
O save me, save me!
[Running to Baldwin.
Isa.
The Mercury of Heaven, with Silver VVings,
Impt for the flight, to overtake his Ghost,
And bring him back again.
Child.
I fear she'l kill me.
C. Bald.
She wonnot hurt thee.
[She flings away.
Isa.
VVill nothing do! I did not hope to find
Justice on Earth; 'tis not in Heaven neither.
Biron has watch'd his opportunity.
Softly; He steals it from the sleeping Gods,
And sends it thus,
[Stabs her self.
Now, now I laugh at you, defie you all,
You Tyrants, Murderers.
Vil.
Call. call for help: O Heaven! This was too much.
C. Bald.
O! Thou most injur'd Innocence! Yet live,
Live but to VVitness for me to the VVorld,
How much I do repent me of the wrongs,
Th'unnatural wrongs, which I have heap'd on thee,
And have pull'd down this Judgment on us all.
Vil.
O speak, speak but a word of comfort to me.
C. Bald.
If the most tender Fathers care, and love
Of thee, and thy poor Child can make amends;
O yet look up, and Live.
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VVhere is that little wretch?
[They raise her.
I dye in Peace to leave him to your care.
I have a wretched Mothers Legacy,
A dying Kiss, pray let me give it him,
My blessing; that, that's all I have to leave thee.
O may thy Fathers Virtues live in thee:
And all his wrongs be buried in my Grave.
The VVaves and VVinds will dash, and Tempests roar;
But Wrecks are toss'd at last upon the Shore.
[Dies.
Vil.
She's gone, and all my Joys of Life with her.
Where are your Officers of Justice now?
Seize, bind me, drag me to the Bloody Bar,
Accuse, condemn me; Let the Sentence reach
My hated Life, no matter how it comes,
I'll think it just, and thank you as it falls.
Self Murder is deny'd me: Else how soon
Could I be past the pain of my remembrance!
But I must live, grow Gray with lingring Grief,
To dye at last in telling this sad Tale.
C. Bald.
Poor Wretched Orphan of most wretched Parents!
Scaping the Storm, thou'rt thrown upon a Rock,
To perish there; the very Rocks would melt;
Soften their Nature sure to foster thee:
I find it by my self. My Flinty Heart,
That Barren Rock, on which thy Father starv'd,
Opens its springs of Nourishment to thee:
There's not a Vein but shall run Milk for thee.
O had I pardon'd my poor Birons fault!
His first, his only fault, this had not been.
To erring Youth there's some compassion due;
But while with rigour you their crimes pursue,
What's their misfortune, is a crime in you.
Hence learn offending Children to forgive:
Leave punishment to Heav'n, 'tis Heav'ns Prerogative.
| The Fatal Marriage : or, the Innocent Adultery | |