 | The Island-Princess |  |
34
SCENE II.
Enter Governour, Quisara, and Panura.Gov.
Bless you my royal Daughter,
And in you bless this Island, Heav'n.
Quis.
Panura,
What thinkest thou of this Man?
Pan.
Sure he's a wise man,
And a religious; he tells us things have happen'd
So many years ago almost forgotten,
As readily as if they were come this hour.
Quis.
Do's he not meet with your sharp Tongue?
Pan.
He tells me, Madam,
Marriage and mouldy Cheese will make me tamer.
Gov.
Lady, I would talk with you.
Quis.
Do, reverend Sir.
Gov.
And for your good, for that, that must concern you,
And give ear wisely to me.
Quis.
I shall, Father.
Gov.
You are a Princess of that excellence,
Sweetness and grace, that Angel-like fair feature;
Nay, do not blush, I do not flatter you,
Nor do I dote in telling this; I am amazed, Lady,
And as I think the Gods bestowed these on ye,
The Gods that love ye.
Quis.
I confess their bounty.
Gov.
Apply it then to their use, to their honour,
To them and to their service give this sweetness,
They have an instant great use of your goodness;
You are a Saint esteemed here for your beauty;
And many a longing heart—
Quis.
I seek no fealty,
Nor will I blemish that Heaven hath seal'd on me,
I know my worth. Indeed the Portugals
I have at those commands, and their last Services;
Nay, even their lives; so much I think my Power,
That what I shall enjoyn—
Gov.
Use it discreetly,
For I perceive ye understand me rightly,
For here the Gods regard your help, and suddenly;
35
Stick in our sides like Razors, wound Religion,
Draw deep, they wound till the life-blood follows,
Our Gods they spurn at, and their worships scorn,
A mighty hand they bear upon our Government,
These are the men your miracle must work on,
Your Heavenly form either to root them out,
Which as you may endeavour, will be easie,
Remember whose great cause you have to execute,
To nip their memory, that may not spring more,
Or fairly bring 'em home to our Devotions,
Which will be blessed, and for which you Sainted,
But cannot be, and they go, let me buzzle.
Quis.
Go up with me,
Where we'll converse more privately;
I'll shew you shortly, how I hold their Temper,
And in what chain their Souls.
Gov.
Keep fast that, hold still,
And either bring that chain, and those bound in it,
And link it to our Gods, and their fair Worships,
Or Daughter, pinch their hearts a pieces with it,
I'll wait upon your Grace.
Quis.
Come, reverend Father,
Wait you below.
[Ex. Quis. and Gov.
Pan.
If this Prophet were a young thing,
I should suspect him now, he cleaves so close to her,
These holy Coats are long, and hide iniquities.
Quis.
Away, away Fool, a poor wretch.
Pan.
These poor ones,
Warm but their Stomach once—
Quis.
Come in, thou art foolish.
[Ex. Quis. and Pan.
Enter Armusia, Emanuel, and Pymero.
Arm.
I am sorry, Sir, my Fortune is so stubborn,
To court my Sword against my Country-man;
I love my Nation well, and where I find
A Portugal of noble Name and Virtue,
I am his humble Servant, Signiour Pymero,
36
You are both fair Gentlemen, in my opinion,
And I protest I had rather use my Sword
In your defences, than against your safeties;
'Tis methinks, a strange dearth of Enemies,
When we seek Foes amongst our selves.
Em.
You are injured,
And ye must make the best on't now, and readiest—
Arm.
You see I am ready in the place, and Arm'd
To his desire that call'd me.
Pym.
Ye speak worthily,
And I could wish ye had met on Terms more friendly,
But it cannot now be so.
[Enter Ruidias.
Em.
Turn, Sir, and see.
Pym.
I have kept my word with ye, Uncle,
The Gentleman's ready.
Enter Governour and Quisara above.
Arm.
Ye are welcome.
Rui.
Bid those Fools welcome that affect your courtesie,
I come not to use Complements, ye have wrong'd me,
And ye shall feel, proud man, 'ere I part from ye,
The effects of that, if Fortune do not fool me,
Thy life is mine, and no hope shall redeem it.
Arm.
That's a proud word,
More than your Faith can justifie.
Quis.
Sure they will fight.
Rui.
She's there, I am happy.
Gov.
Let 'em alone, let 'em kill one another,
These are the main posts, if they fall, the buildings
Will tumble quickly.
Quis.
How temperate, Armusia?
No more, be quiet yet.
[Gov. offers to speak.
Arm.
I am not bloody,
Nor do feel such mortal malice in me,
But since we cannot both enjoy the Princess,
I am resolved to fight.
Rui.
Fight home, Armusia.
37
Arm.
Do you make all advantages?
Rui.
All ways unto thy life, I will not spare thee,
Nor look not for thy mercy.
Arm.
I am arm'd then.
Rui.
Stand still I charge ye, Nephew, as ye honour me.
Arm.
And good Emanuel—not—
Pym.
Ye speak fitly,
For we had not stood idle else.
Gov.
I am sorry for't.
Em.
But since you will have it so—
Rui.
Come, Sir.
Arm.
I wait ye.
Pym.
I marry, this looks handsomly,
This is warm work.
Gov.
Both fall, an't be thy will.
[Ruidias fall's.
Pym.
My Uncle dead?
Em.
Stand still, my Sword in—
Arm.
Now brave Ruidias,
Now where's your Confidence, your Prayers? quickly
Your own spite has condemned ye.
Quis.
Hold! Armusia.
Arm.
Most happy Lady.
Quis.
Hold, and let him rise,
Spare him for me.
Arm.
A long life may he enjoy, Lady.
Gov.
What have you done? 'tis better they had all perish'd.
Quis.
Peace, Father, I work for the best; Armusia, meet me
In the Temple, an hour hence.
[Ex. Quis. and Gov.
Arm.
I shall, Madam.
Pym.
Now as I live, a Gentleman, at all Inches,
So brave a mingled temper, saw I never.
Arm.
Why are you sad, Sir? how would this have griev'd ye,
If you had fallen under a profest Enemy?
Under one had taken vantage of your shame too?
Pray you be at peace, I am so far from wronging,
Or glorying in the pride of such Victory,
That I desire to serve you; pray' be cheerful.
Pym.
D'ye hear this, Sir? Why do you hold your head down?
38
To have a Slip i'the Field no mortal Sin.
Arm.
It may be,
You think my Tongue may be your Enemy,
And though restrain'd sometimes out of a Bravery,
May take a privilege to dishonour you.
Believe me, Sir, so much I hate that freedom,
That in a strangers Mouth, 'twill prove an injury,
And I shall right you in't
[Exit.
Rui.
Let me Curse Fortune yet—
Nephew, your Arm.
[Exeunt.
| The Island-Princess | |