 | Injur'd Love : or, The Cruel Husband |  |
ACT II.
SCENE I.
A Grotto, Isabella leaning over a Fountain, Brachiano enters with a surly Deportment, she makes him a low Reverence, and moving forward a second or third time.Bra.
You are in health, I see.
Isa.
And above health to see my Lord well.
Bra.
So: I wonder much
What amourous Whirlwind hurry'd you to Rome?
Isa.
Devotion, my Lord.
Bra.
Devotion!
Is your Soul charg'd with any grievous Sin?
Isa.
'Tis burthen'd with too many, I think:
The oftner that we make up our Accounts,
Our Sleeps will be the sounder.
Bra.
Take your Chamber.
Isa.
Nay, my dear Lord, I must not have you angry—
Does not my Absence from you two whole Months,
Merit one Smile?
Bra.
I smile upon no Females.
If that will dispossess your Jealousy,
I'll swear it too.
16
O my dear Lord, I do not come to chide.
My Jealousy! alas, I am to learn
What that Italian means.
You are as welcome to these longing Arms
[Offers to embrace him.
As I to yours a Virgin.
Bra.
O your Breath!
Out upon Sweet-meats and continual Physick.
[Flings her off.
Isa.
You have for these neglected Cassia,
And early Sweets of the Spring Violet;
They are not yet much wither'd—
My Lord, you should be gentle now; these Frowns
Shew in a Helmet lovely; but not on me—
[Weeps.
Bra.
O Crocodile!
Isa.
Had I, who am the Sufferer,
Been the Offender, this submissive Posture
Might plead a Pardon and prevail—
Behold, my Lord, upon her humble Knees
Your injur'd Wife suing for Reconcilement!
Return to me, and to your self return;
Shake off this sullen Cloud and shine again
The dazling Wonder of the World; return,
If not to me, to Fame, Content, and Quiet.
Bra.
Content and Quiet! 'twas for that I left
My haunted House, and see! the Goblin follows me.
I cry ye mercy; you are Flesh and Blood,
Your Business, Assignation with some Gallant,
That must supply our Discontinuance.
Isa.
Support me Love! this is a stunning Blow,
To stagger Duty, and make Patience start!
I pray, Sir, break my Heart, and in my Death
Turn to your former Pity, tho' not Love.
Bra.
Or was't your Politicks? for you have learnt
To bandy, faction with me and complain
To your Kindred.
Isa.
Never, my dear Lord:
So far from such Remonstrance of my Wrongs,
That, Oh! I strive to hide 'em from my self,
And chide my Memory when it turns Informer.
Bra.
Because your Brother
17
'Twas he first made this Match; Accurst the Priest
That sung the Wedding Mass, and for my Issue—
Isa.
O too too far you have Curst—
Bra.
Your Hand I'le kiss.
This is the last Ceremony of my Love,
Henceforth I'le never Bed with you; be this my Witness,
This Wedding Ring; I'le ne'er more sleep with you—
And this Divorce shall be as duly kept,
As if the Judge had doom'd it; Fare you well,
Our Sleeps are sever'd.
Isa.
Forbid it the sweet Union
Of all things Sacred; why the listning Stars
[A Noise under Ground.
Will start at this! The Stars! Earth groan'd to hear it.
Is it firm Ground we tread—
Or the Convulsion here—
[Laying her Hand at her Breasts.
Bra.
Let not thy Love
Make thee an Unbeliever, this my Vow
Shall never on my Life be disannull'd
By Recantation, let thy Brother Rage
Beyond a Lapland Tempest, or Sea Fight,
My Vow is fix'd.
Isa.
O my Winding Sheet!
For I shall need thee shortly; dear my Lord,
Let me hear once more, what I wou'd not hear; never?
Bra.
Never.
[Lightning and Thunder.
Isa.
Nay then 'twas more than Fancy, Earth did groan,
And answer'd now with Vengeance from above.
O my unkind Lord, may you for this find Mercy,
As I upon my woful Widdow'd Bed
Shall pray for you; that you wou'd turn your Eyes,
If not upon your wretched Wife and Son,
Yet that in time you'd fix 'em upon Heaven;
In time, before the gracious Season's o'er,
And Mercy's Gate shall never open more.
Bra.
Ha!
Isa.
Our Sacred Band dissolv'd, methinks we look
Like the Transgressing Pair from Eden chas'd,
A dreadful Vow fix'd, like the flaming Sword,
18
But here's the Disproportion, Exil'd Eve
Fled with her Consort; I condemn'd Forlorn,
To wander a wide World of Woe alone!
Bra.
Go, Go, Complain to the great Duke your Brother,
And now's your time, He's sailing down the Walk
With his loud Mouth'd Church-Second; Go, ply him
With a Broad Side; he has Bulk to bear it.
Isa.
No my dear Lord, you shall have present Proof,
How I'le work Peace between you—I will make
My self the Author of your cruel Vow;
I have some Cause to do it, you have none!
Bra.
Her self the Author, that's no ill Conitrvance.
Isa.
Conceal it I beseech you for the weale
Of both your Kingdoms, how 'twas you that wrought
This Separation, let the Fault and Blame
Remain with my imagin'd Jealousie.
Bra.
Well, take your Course.
Isa.
To make you Friends, I will to Shades Retire,
(Like an unmatched Turtle there to Mourn)
For your Repose I weigh not the World's Censure,
The World and I have done—yet I cou'd wish
At this last Scene, a crowded Theatre
To gazing Statues with Attention charm'd,
Till rouz'd with more than personated Moans,
[Enter Francisco and Montacelsi.
They rung my Plaudit with a peal of Groans.
Bra.
My Honourable Brother,
Fra.
Honour'd indeed, if on fair terms permitted
To hold your Friendship—Ha? Why Sister! Is this well?
Sister—My Lord—she merits not this Welcome.
Bra.
Welcome said ye? She's given me a sharp Welcome.
Mont.
How pass'd the Interview betwixt you? Was
Your Husband loud?
Fra.
What e'er he was, she's Dumb.
Isa.
What's that Dumb! A Woman Dumb?
And under Provocation—Go Sir,
And preach this Passive Nonsence to your Slaves,
Try how the Charm will work—This is hard Penance
[Aside.
To Insult my kindest Friend, and more than Brother.
19
[To Bra.
Laid out on a Whore's Triumph?
Fra.
Do you hear,
Look upon other Women, with what Patience
They suffer these slight Wrongs.
Isa.
Tell me of Precedents?
Let Politicians, Poets, Pedants,
Physicians, Petty-foggers, follow Precedents;
I'm an Original.
Fra.
Not worth the Copying.
Isa.
O that I were a Man, or now had Power
To execute my Wishes,
I wou'd whip some with Scorpions.
Mont.
What! turn'd Fury?
Isa.
Hold; I'le publish a Decree,
That Ladies look well to their Hearts—Marriage is
A Lottery! Ten Blanks to a Prize; the Bride will turn to Wife,
Queen for a Day, and Slave for all her Life.
Bra.
What can you make of this?
Mont.
I know not, Mystery or Madness.
Isa.
If you'll bind me down to Presidents,
Your Modern are too mean—Let me have Musick,
Banquets and Revels, all the pomp of Pleasure,
T'out-shine Semiramis and Cleopatra—
Fra.
Witchcraft and Sorcery!
Isa.
I pray Sir tell me,
[Aside to Bra.
How like you my Performances?
Bra.
Admirable, and like a topping Actress.
Isa.
The Part's new,
And never to be play'd again.
Mont.
Distraction! Phrensy!
Isa.
Sir, by your reverend Leave,
Church-men shou'd never be Censorious; Phrensy?
You shall have Proofs I am in sober Sadness—
Brother draw near, and you my Lord Cardinal—
Sir, let me borrow of you but one Kiss,
[To Bra. Aside.
Henceforth I'le never Bed with you; be this my Witness,
This Wedding Ring.
Fra.
How?
20
And this Divorce shall be as duly kept,
As if in throng'd Court thousand Ears had heard,
And thousand Lawyers seal'd the Separation.
Bra.
Never more Bed with me!
Isa.
Let not my former Dotage,
Make thee an Unbeliever, this my Vow
Shall never be Repeal'd by Recantation.
Bra.
Support me Love, this is a stunning Blow!
Who waits there fetch the Prince,
Come Sir for pitty's sake—And you, my Lord,
[To Francisco to Mont.
Your Word shou'd carry Authority.
Fra.
I've done—Enjoy your Rashness, keep your Vow,
And take your Chamber.
Isa.
No Sir,
I'le instantly to Padua.
Mont.
To Bedlam.
Fra.
The only Cure is to Indulge her Humour.
Bra.
You see 'tis none of my seeking!
[Enter Giovanni.
Fra.
To have her come
To my Lord Cardinal to beg a Dispensation
Of her rash Vow! O 'twill breed excellent Laughter!
Bra.
O Isabella my perpetual Bride!
What must our Loves before our Life divide?
Had I, who am the Sufferer, been the Offender
What cou'd I more? See on his bended Knee,
The injur'd Husband sues for Reconcilement!
Gio.
Speak Madam, why d'ye Weep?
[Isabella looks by Turns upon her Husband and Child, then Swoons with Passion.
I've seen you Weep before; but these are angry Tears:
If I'm in fault, I come to ask Forgiveness;
Chide me, but tenderly, as you were wont to do,
And so be Friends again!
Bra.
Help, Help all! But all I fear too late!
My Isabella, will you, can you leave me?
Like an unmatched Turtle to retire
And pine in Shades?
Isa.
That was my dear Lord's Voice, and sounded kind,
Where is my Love—Ah! flattering Vision!
So slumbring Prisoners of a Pardon Dream,
21
I was your Bond-slave; but the Contract's cancel'd:
Now free as Air, and wilder than the Wind.
Ha! My poor Boy! O 'tis too much to bear!
[Aside.
Bra.
That's well retriev'd.
Isa.
Have you not heard how Cloud compelling Jove,
With hizzing Bolts the rattling Tempest drove;
But Juno, when she did a Rival see,
Lighten'd and thunder'd twice as loud as He?
Bra.
Rare Counterfeit, how it makes my politick Engins stare, Ha, ha!
Isa.
So the Gulph's shot; the raving Feaver spent,
And I grow sick at Heart!
Now for the parting Pang, one dear last Look;
And yet another last—Down stubborn Woe,
Break suffering Heart, in silent Sorrow break:
Those are the killing Griefs that dare not speak.
[Exit with Giov.
Bra.
You see, my Lord, 'tis possible
For ablest Politicians to mistake;
I was th'Aggressor.
Fra.
Well, Sir, we beg your Pardon, if in Fault.
Mont.
And, Sir, be you advis'd how dangerous 'tis
To insult too soon.
[Officers of the Inquisition Court appear.
Fra.
O, you are welcome:
Is your Court summon'd?
Off.
All in Readiness, the Prisoner's brought to th'Bar.
Mont.
Vittoria apprehended?
Off.
In Custody, my Lord.
Bra.
Ha! Pris'ners, Custody, Vittoria!
The matter Lords? These Ravens never croak
But Mischief's near.
Mont.
The Mischief's come already;
Our drowzy Politicks have watcht, it seems,
While yours was fast—Camillo our Commission'd Kinsman
With other Captains met to pass the last Night
In Sailors Merriment, and drinking Healths,
To their boon Voyage—A long Night for him—
He's dead.
Bra.
What's that to the Lady?
Was she Commission'd too?
22
Nor was your Flamineo,
Yet he was present—If y'are disposed
For further Information—you may grace
The Tryal with your Presence.
Bra.
If 'twas Design, your swift Intelligence
Carries a scurvy Face.
Mont.
Honest Marcello
Sent instant notice for a Guard to come
And seize the Company.
[Ex. Franc. and Mont.
Bra.
The Riddle's out.
Flamineo charg'd as Agent, and Vittoria
As accessary—Be't as 'twill,
Such over-speedy Justice is Injustice:
I will make't my Precedent.
With me th'endang'ring of a Mistress's Life,
Is ample Warrant to dispatch a Wife.
SCENE changes to a Court of Justice shew'd as sitting for Vittoria's Arraignment, six Lieger Ambassadors as Auditors.
Enter Francisco, Montacelsi, with a Chancellor and Register.
Fra.
You have dealt discreetly to obtain the Presence
Of all the Lords Ambassadors, to hear Vittoria's Tryal.
Mont.
'Twas not ill:
For, Sir, you know we have only Circumstances
To charge her with, about her Husband's Death;
Their Approbations therefore to the Proofs,
Will put the better Face on our Proceedings,
To all our Neighbouring States—Think you, Sir,
That Brachiano will be here?
Fra.
O, Sir, 'twere Impudence too palpable.
[Vittoria brought in guarded, Marcello, Flamineo, Zanche, and after them Brachiano enters.
Mont.
Forbear, my Lord, here is no Place assign'd you;
This Business by the Conclave is left wholly
To our Examination.
Bra.
May it thrive with you.
Fra.
A Chair there for his Grace.
Bra.
Forbear your Kindness: an unbidden Guest
[Lays a rich Gown under him.
Brings his own Seat.
23
At your Pleasure, Sir.
Stand to the Table, Lady—Now, Segnior,
Fall to your Plea.
Lawy.
Domine, Judex, Converte Oculos—
Vitt.
What's He?
Mont.
A Lawyer that pleads against you.
Vitt.
Then let him speak his usual Tongue,
I'll make no Answer else.
Mont.
Why, you understand Latin?
Vitt.
I do, Sir, but some o'th' Auditory
Are ign'rant in't.
I will not have my Accusation clouded
With a strange Tongue—All this Assembly
Shall know the worst that you can charge me with.
Mont.
Then since you force me to assume the Charge,
I shall be plainer with you, and paint out
Your Follies in more natural Red and White,
Than that upon your Cheeks.
Vitt.
O you mistake:
You raise a Blood more virtuous, on this Cheek,
Than ever was your Mother's.
Mont.
I must spare you till Proof;
Observe this Person here, my Honourable Lords,
A Woman of a most prodigious Spirit—
Vitt.
My Honourable Lords,
It does not suit a Reverend Cardinal
To play the Lawyer thus.
Mont.
You see, my Lords, what goodly Fruit she seems,
Yet I'll but touch her, and you strait shall see
She'll fall to Soot and Ashes.
Vitt.
Your poisoning Apothecary should do that.
Mont.
Who knows not how, when several Nights together
Her Gates were choakt with Coaches, and her Room
Out-brav'd the Stars with sundry kinds of Lights,
When she did counterfeit a Prince's Court
With musical Banquets and most riotous Revels:
This Curtezan—
Vitt.
Ha! What's that?
Mont.
Shall I expound it to you? What are Harlots?
24
Sweet-meats that rot the Eater; in Man's Nostrils
Poison'd Perfumes: They are couzening Alchymy:
Shipwrecks in calmest Weather—What are Harlots?
They are those flattering Bells have all one Tune
For Weddings and for Funerals—
Vitt.
This Character 'scapes me.
Mont.
You Sorceress? who have extracted
Into your own hot Veins,
From venom'd Beasts and rankest Minerals,
The deadliest Poison—
Fr. Emb.
She has liv'd sumptuously.
Sp. Emb.
True, but the Cardinal's too bitter.
Mont.
You know what's next the Devil; Adultry
First enters, and then Murder.
Fra.
Your unhappy Husband
Is dead.
Vitt.
O, he's a happy Husband!
He now owes Nature nothing.
Fra.
And by a vaulting Engine, an active Plot,
He jumpt into his Grave.
Vit.
What's this to Me?
Mont.
Now mark each Circumstance,
And look upon this Creature was his Wife;
She comes not like a Widow, she comes arm'd
With Scorn and State. Is this a Mourning Habit?
Vitt.
Had I fore-known his Death, as you suggest,
I'd have bespoke my Mourning.
Mont.
O, you are cunning.
Vitt.
You shame your Wit and Judgment
To call that so, which is my just Defence.
Let me appeal then from this Civil Court,
To the uncivil Tartar.
Mont.
See, my Lords, she scandals
Our Proceedings.
Vitt.
Humbly thus,
Thus low to the most Worthy and Respected
[Kneels.
The Lords Embassadors; in Modesty
(Our Sex's Badge) I bow; but am withal
25
That my Defence of force, like Perseus,
Must personate Masculine Virtue—
[Rises.
Find me but Guilty, sever Head and Body,
We'll part good Friends—I scorn to hold my Life
At your's, or any Man's Intreaty.
E. Emb.
She has a brave Spirit.
Vitt.
Terrifie Babes my Lords with painted Goblins;
I'm past such childish Usage—for your Names
Of Harlot, Whore and Murd'ress, they proceed from you,
As if a Man should spit against the Wind,
The filth returns in's Face.
Mon.
Pray satisfie the Court of one short Question,
Who visited you on that fatal Night
Your Husband's Neck was broke?
Bra.
That Question, touches me; I was there
[Rising up.
Mon.
Your Business?
Bra.
I came to Comfort her,
And take some course for setlling her Estate,
Because I knew her Husband was in Debt,
To you my Lord.
Mon.
Who made you Overseer?
Bra.
Charity, my Charity, which should flow
From every Generous and Noble Spirit,
To Orphans and to Widows.
Mon.
Charity! your Lust—
Bra.
Cowardly Dogs bark loudest; Reverend Sir,
I shall talk with you hereafter—do you hear,
The Sword you frame of such an excellent Temper,
I'le sheath in your own Bowels.
[Going out.
Serv.
My Lord your Gown—
Bra.
Thou Lyest; 'twas my Cushion; I scorn to take a Cushion
Out of another's Lodging; let him make Vallance
For's Bed on't, or a Demi-Foot-Cloth
For his most reverend Mule—Montacelsi,
Nemo me impune Lacessit
[Ex Bra.
Mon.
your Champion's gone.
Vitt.
The Woolf may prey the better.
Fra.
My Lord there's strong suspicion of the Murder,
26
I do not think she has a Soul so Black;
Let pass the Charge of Blood, only descend
To matter of Incontinence.
Vitt.
I discern Poyson,
Under your guilded Pills.
Mon.
Now the Dukes gone, I will produce a Letter
Wherein it was Plotted, I pray read it,
I shame to speak the rest?
Vitt.
Grant I was Tempted,
Temptation proves not Guilt.
You read his hot Love to me, but you want
My frosty Answer.
Mon.
Frost in Dog-days.
Vitt.
Sum up my Faults, I pray, and you shall find,
That Beauty, and gay Cloaths, a chearful Heart,
Are all the Crimes that you can charge me with.
Mon.
If a Fury,
Did ever take fair shape behold it's Picture.
Vitt.
You have one Vertue left; you will not flatter me.
Mon.
My Lord Duke sent to you a thousand Duckets
The twelfth of August.
Vitt.
'Twas to keep my Husband your Cousin
From Prison.
Mon.
And you paid Use for it.
Vitt.
Who says so but your Self? If you be my Accuser,
Pray cease to be my Judge; come from the Bench.
Mon.
You were born in Venice, honourably Descended
From the Vitteli, 'twas my Cousin's fate,
(Ill may I name the Hour) to Marry you.
Vitt.
Ha?
Mon.
I yet but draw the Curtain; now to your Picture.
You came from Venice with suspected Fame.
Vitt.
My Lord;
Mon.
Nay hear me,
You shall have time to Talk—My Lord Brachiano's,
Alas! I make but Repetition?
Of what is common and Rialto Talk—
27
The Court has nothing now to charge you with,
Only you must remain upon your Sureties,
For your Appearance.
Fra.
I stand for Marcello,
Fla.
And my Lord Duke for me.
Mon.
For you Vittoria, your insolent Demeanour
Joyn'd to the Circumstances of the Charge,
Takes from you all the fruits of noble Pity,
As you are judg'd an ominous Blazing Star
To Princes, hear your Sentence, you're confin'd
Unto a House of Converts; and your Minion:
Fla.
Who I?
Mon.
The Moor.
Fla.
O! I am a sound Man again.
Vitt.
A House of Converts! What's that?
Mon.
A House of Penitent Whores.
Vitt.
Do the Noblemen in Rome,
Erect it for their Wives?
Fra.
You must have Patience.
Vitt.
I must first have Vengeance.
Mon.
Away with her; take her hence.
Vitt.
A Rape, a Rape—
Mon.
What?
Vitt.
Yes, you have ravish'd Justice,
Forc'd her to do your Pleasure.
Mon.
O she's Distracted!
Vitt.
Dye with those Pills in your perfidious Breast,
Should bring you Health, or while you sit o'th Bench,
Let your own Venom choak you.
Mon.
She's turn'd Fury!
Vitt.
O Woman's poor Revenge,
Which dwells but in the Tongue—I will not Weep,
No; I do scorn to call up one poor Tear
To fawn on your Injustice; bear me hence,
Unto this House of—What's your mitigating Title?
Mon.
Of Converts.
Vitt.
It shall not be a House of Converts,
My Mind shall make it honester to me,
28
Than thy Soul, tho' thou art a Cardinal:
Know this, and let it somewhat raise your Spight
Through Darkness, Di'monds spread the richest Light.
[Exit Vitt. guarded.
The End of the Second Act.
| Injur'd Love : or, The Cruel Husband | |