 | The Adventures of Five Hours |  |
15
THE SECOND ACT.
THE SCENE, The City of SEVIL.Enter Don Antonio and Sancho in Riding-Cloathes.
San.
Sir, we are arriv'd in very good time.
An.
I did not think it would have been so soon,
By an hour at least, but Lovers ride apace.
Why smile you, Sancho?
San.
Faith at the Novelty of your Amours,
To fall in Love with one, you Scarcely saw,
And marry one, you Never saw; 'tis pretty:
But we poor Mortals have another Method.
An.
Y'are very pleasant; this, Sancho, is the place,
VVhere I charg'd Ernesto to expect me,
VVhom I sent before to my Brother-in-Law;
But with this Order, not to let him know,
That I intended to arrive this Evening:
Surprizes in Love-meetings render Men
More welcome, and have more of Gallantry.
San.
Since you are here, Sir, earlier than you thought;
VVhy might you not go shift you at the Post-house?
And be back here, before Ernesto come,
Howe're, 'tis better, that he wait for you,
Than you for him i'th' open Street.
An.
'Tis well thought on; come, let's to the Post-house.
[Exeunt.
Enter Don Octavio, and Diego.
Oct.
Come, Diego, 'tis time to quit our Lurking-holes,
And to begin our Chase.
Die.
Of what, Sir? Bats, or Owls, now the Sun's set?
Call you this making of Love? me-thinks, 'tis
More like making of VVar; marching all night
In Arms, as if we design'd to Beat up
The Enemies Quarters.
Oct.
VVhy would'st not thou venture as much for Flora?
Die.
No in good faith; I shall venture enough
If e'r I Marry her; I'l run no hazard,
(By my good-will) before-hand.
Oct.
That's from your Fear, not Prudence, Diego.
Die.
Sir, you may call it what you please, but I
16
A more Valiant Man, than I, whilst Danger
Does keep its Distance; but when sawcily
It presses on, then (I confess) 'tis true,
I have a certain Tenderness for Life,
That checks my Ardor, and enclines my Prudence
Timely to withdraw.
Oct.
Your Style is wondrous civil to your self;
How you Soften that harsh word, call'd Cowardice;
But the Danger is not always evident,
VVhen you are pleas'd, my Friend, to Run away.
Die.
It may be so, Sir, not to Vulgar eyes;
But I have such a peircing sight, that can
Discover Perils out of others Ken;
VVhich, they not seeing soon enough to Shun,
Are forc'd t'Encounter; and then their strugling
Is, by th'unwarie world, taken for Courage.
Oct.
You have more Light, Diego, I see, than Heat;
But I'l allow your VVit and Honesty
To come to Composition for your want
Of Courage; though it be a Quality
I may have use of; but we lose our time.
VVas ever Lover's Fate so rude as mine?
Condemn'd to Darkness, forc'd to hide my Head,
As well as Love? and to do me a Spight,
Fortune has Contradictions reconcil'd,
I am at once a Prisoner, and Exil'd.
Enter Antonio and Sancho.
Ant.
Me-thinks, Ernesto should not tarry long,
If not already come; Sancho, how call you
The Street there just before us? where you see
You Gentleman with his Cloak o're his face;
I have quite lost the memory of this place.
San.
I am as much to seek, as you, Sir.
Ant.
Let us go to him, Sancho, and enquire;
He has a notable good Meen; me-thinks,
I ne'r saw an Air more like Octavio's.
Oct.
Unless my eyes do very much deceive me,
'Tis Don Antonio; if it be he, Diego,
Octavio lets fall his Cloak from before his face.
There is no danger in his knowing us;
He ever was my faithful friend; 'Tis he.
Ant.
You injure me, Octavio, to be so long
A knowing one, who is so intirely yours.
They emrabce.
Oct.
Your presence, here, noble Antonio, was
So unexpected, that I hardly durst
Believe my eyes; VVhen came you to this Town?
Ant.
I am just now arriv'd
17
I joy to see you here, but should have thought
It likelier to have heard of you at Court,
Pursuing there the Recompences due
To your transcendent Merit.
Ant.
That is no place for men of my Moralitie.
I have been taught, Octavio, to Deserve,
But not to Seek Reward; that does prophane
The Dignity of Virtue; if Princes
For their own Interests will not advance
Deserving Subjects, they must raise Themselves
By a brave Contempt of Fortune.
Oct.
I'm glad to find in you some Seeds yet left
Of th'Antient Virtue; may they Fruit produce
Fit to Illustrate, and Instruct the Age.
Let me once more embrace you, Sir, Welcome,
Brave Leader.
Ant.
Oh, you must spare your Servants, Sir.
Oct.
He has not liv'd i'th' reach of publick Fame,
Who has not heard your noble Character;
This is my house, be pleas'd, Sir, to go in,
And make it yours; though truly at the present
I am in a very ill condition
To receive the Honor of such a Guest;
Having by an unlucky accident,
Been forc'd of late to keep my self conceal'd.
Ant.
I humbly thank you, Sir, but cannot yet
Receive that favour, for I here must stay
Expecting the Return of one, I sent
Before to town to my Brother-in-Law.
Oct.
Have you a Brother-in-law in Sevil?
You surprize me much.
An.
It is most true, Octavio, I come hither
A Marri'd man, as far as friends can make me.
Oct.
Since it imports you not to miss your Servant,
Let us stay here without, untill he come;
And then go in, and rest your self a while.
But how go our publick Affairs in Flanders?
Ant.
I left our Armies in a better state,
Than formerly.
Oct.
And our brave Vellada (I suppose) in great
Reputation.
Ant.
The Honor of our Country, and the Terror
Of others; Fortune consulted Reason,
When she bestow'd such Favours upon him.
Oct.
They say he did Wonders at the Relief
Of Juliers.
Ant.
It was indeed a famous Action.
Oct.
You'l much oblige me, if whilst you expect
18
Some few particulars of your own Actions;
Fame speaks Loudly of them, but not Distinctly.
Ant.
“Fame, like Water, bears up the Lighter things,
“And lets the Weighty sink; I am not us'd
To speak in the First person; but if needs
You'l have a story to fill up the time,
I'l tell you an Adventure of mine own,
Where you'l find Love so intermixt with Arms,
That (I am confident) 'twill raise your wonder,
How being prepossess'd with such a Passion,
I should (upon Prudential motives onely)
Be ingag'd (as now you find me) to Marry
A Lady whom I never saw.
Oct.
The Person, and the Subject, Sir, do challenge
My best attention.
After a little pause.
Ant.
The following Evening to that glorious Day,
Wherein our great Vellada gain'd such Fame,
Against the cautelous Nassaw; some Horse
Were sent from th'Armie, under my command
To cover the Limbourg Frontiers, expos'd
To th'Enemies Inroads; scarce setled there,
I receiv'd intelligence, that a Party
Of theirs (about two hundred Horse) were come
That very Evening to a neighbouring Village,
Intending there to lodge; I instantly
Cause Sound to Horse, and march to their Surprize
So luckilie, that by the break of day
Their Quarters were on fire.
Oct.
You had been taught, Sir, by our wise General,
That Diligence in Execution is
Even above Fortune, Mistris of Success.
Ant.
They made but faint resistance; some were slain,
Some perish'd in the flames, others escap'd,
Giving th'Alarm in Quarters more remote
To their Companions drown'd in Sleep and Wine;
Who, at the Out-cry, and the Trumpets sound,
Me-thinks I fancie starting from their Beds,
As pale and wan, as from their Dormitories
Those the last Trump shall rouze; differing in this,
That they awake to Live, but these to Die.
Oct.
How Unsafe it is to be Secure!
Ant.
Finding no more resistance, I made haste
To a lofty Structure, which I conceiv'd
To be the likeliest Quarter for their Chief;
Led thither by desire to rescue both;
Him, from the Soldier's rage; That, from the Fire.
Oct.
A care most worthy of a gallant Leader.
19
But think, Octavio, how I was surpriz'd,
When, on the floor of a Pavillion,
Belonging to the Garden of that House,
I found a Woman of a Matchless Form,
Extended all along.
Oct.
I easily can divine how such a Heart,
As harbours in the brave Antonio's breast,
May suffer at so Sad a Spectacle.
Ant.
At the first sight I did believe her Dead;
Yet, in that state so Awful she appear'd,
That I approach'd her with as much Respect,
As if the Soul had animated still
That Body, which, though Dead, scarce Mortal seem'd.
But as the Sun from our Horizon gone,
His Beams do leave a Tincture on the Skies,
Which shews it was not long since he withdrew;
So in her lovely face there still appear'd
Some scatter'd streaks of those Vermillion Beams,
Which us'd t'irradiate that bright Firmament.
Thus did I find that distress'd Miracle,
Able to Wound a Heart, as if alive,
Uncapable to Cure it, as if dead.
Oct.
I no more doubt your Pitty, than your Wonder.
Ant.
My Admiration did suspend my Aid,
Till Passion join'd to Pitty, made me bold;
I kneel'd, and took her in my arms, then bow'd
Her body gently forward; with which motion,
A Sigh stole from her; O th'ravishing sound!
Which being a Symptom of remaining life,
Made me forget it was a sign of Grief.
At length she faintly opens her bright eyes;
So breaks the Day; and so do all the Creatures
Rejoice, as I did, at the new born Light:
But as the Indians, who adore the Sun,
Are scorch'd by's Beams, ere Half his Race be Run;
So I, who did adore her Rising Eyes,
Found my self Wounded by those Deities.
Oct.
How you have rais'd my Expectation!
Pray release me quickly.
Ant.
From her fair hand a bloody Poniard fell,
Which she held fast during her Trance, as if
Sh'ad onely needed Arms whilst she did Sleep,
And trusted to her Eyes when she did Wake.
What I said to her, being a production
Of meer Extasie, I remember not;
She made me no Reply, yet I discern'd
In a Serener Air of her pale face,
Some Lines of Satisfaction mix'd with Fear.
20
Such looks in Silence have an Eloquence.
But pray go on.
Ant.
Rais'd from the ground, and to her self return'd,
I stept a fitting distance back; as well
To gaze upon that lovely Apparition,
As to express Respect; when at that instant
The Trumpets sound a Charge; my Soldiers crie,
Where is our Leader? where's Antonio?
My Love a while disputed with my Honor,
But that the longer setled Power o'r-came,
And fear of Future danger to her Person
Made me then seek the Present for my self;
I came up to my Troops, left in Reserve,
As they were ready to receive a Charge
From divers Squadrons of fresh Horse, who being
Quarter'd in Neighbouring Villages, had taken
Hotly th'Alarm, and came (though then too late)
In succour of their friends; Honor and Love
Had so inflam'd my heart, that I advanc'd
Beyond the Rules of Conduct, and receiv'd
So many wounds, that I with faintness fell.
Oct.
How can this Story end!
Ant.
My Soldiers beat th'Enemy, and brought me off,
Where Surgeons quickly cur'd my Outward Wounds,
But the remembrance of that Heroine,
My Inward Hurts kept bleeding still afresh;
Till by the business of the War constrain'd
To attend my Charge i'th' Army, my despair
Of ever finding her, concurring with
The powerful perswasions of Vellada,
I was at length even forc'd to an Engagement
Of Marriage with a Lady of this City,
Rich, Noble, and, as they say, Beautiful.
And so you have me here, come to Consummate
Those Nuptial Rites, to which my Interest,
And th'Importunity of Friends advice,
O're-rule my judgment, though against my heart.
Oct.
A wonderful Adventure! but pray, Sir,
May I not take the liberty to ask you,
Who may this noble Lady be, to whom
The Fates have destin'd so much Happiness?
Ant.
I have no Reserves for you, 'tis the Sister
Of—
Enter Ernesto, and Octavio retires hastily, and covers his face with his Cloak.
Antonio holding to Octavio.
It is my Servant, Sir.
21
Step to Antonio, Diego, and desire him
To send him off.
Ant.
I will immediately; Well, Ernesto,
Diego goes to Antonio, and whispers.
What good news? speak freely.
Ern.
Sir, as you charg'd me, I told your Brother-in-Law,
I thought you hardly could be there this night;
He kisses your hands, and bad me tell you,
That he expects your coming with impatience;
He charg'd me to present you with this Letter;
Th'other is from your beauteous Bride, a person
The most accomplish'd that I ever saw.
My being yours gave me the privilege
Of a Domestick, in the free admission
To see her in her Chamber-dress, without
A Veil, either to cover Faults, or hide
Perfections.
Ant.
Tell me truly, is she so very handsom?
Ern.
Handsomer far in my opinion, Sir,
Than all the Bruxels Beauties, which you call
The Finish'd Pieces; but I'l say no more;
Let your own Eyes inform you; here's a Key
Of the Apartment, that's made ready for you;
A Lower Quarter, very nobly furnish'd,
That opens on St. Vincent's Street.
Ant.
Give it me; and go you to the Post-house,
And take care that my things be brought from thence.
[Exit Ernesto.
Octavio, will you go along with me,
And be a Witness of my first Address?
Oct.
Sir, you choose in me an Ill Companion
For Nuptial Joys, or any Happiness;
One, whose Misfortunes to such sad Extremes
Are heightned, that the very Mentioning
Of Happy hours serves onely to Imbitter
The memory of my Lost Joys.
Ant.
So deep a sense of your Misfortunes, Sir,
Is prejudicial to your Self and Friends.
Enter Flora in haste.
Flo.
Where's your Master, Diego?
Die.
There's some Ill towards, when this Bird appears.
Aside.
Do you not see him? y'have liv'd too long a Maid.
Flo.
I have something to say to you in private, Sir,
Goes to Octavio.
That requires haste.
Oct.
What new Accident brings you hither, Flora?
Flo.
These Tablets will inform you, Sir, Farewell.
She draws Octavio aside, and puts up her Veil.
Die.
Will you not stay for an Answer Damsel?
Flo.
'Tis a Command, not a Question Diego.
22
Short, and Sweet, Flora.
Oct.
Good Flora stay a Minute; I much fear
It is some new Misfortune.
Die.
Nay, Sir, you may be sure 'tis some Disaster,
Else it would ne'r have come so Easily,
And so Unsought for.
Bowing to Antonio.
Oct.
Will you allow me for a Moment, Sir,
To step into my House, and read a Letter.
Ant.
I'l attend you in, and wait your leisure.
[Exeunt all but Diego.
Die.
These little black Books do more Devils raise,
Than all the Figures of the Conjurers.
What can this be? I have not seen this Damsel
With so busie a face; but here she comes
Already, 'twas a quick dispatch.
Enter Flora, and seems to go away in haste.
Die.
A Word, Flora, or a kind Glance at least,
What? grown cruel? Diego no body w'you?
Flo.
This is no time for fooling.
Die.
Nay, if you be so serious, fare you well;
Yet I'l perform the Honor of our Street,
And bring you to the end on't.
Flo.
I shall be well holp up with such a Squire;
If now some wandring Knight should chance t'assault you,
To bear away your Damsel, what would you do?
Die.
I'd use no other Weapon but a Torch;
I'd put aside your Veil, show him your face,
That, I suppose, would guard us both.
Flo.
Why, d'you think it would fright him, Diego?
Die.
Oh no, 'twould charm him, Flora.
Flo.
Well, such as 'tis, I'l venture it without
Engaging your known Valour.
Die.
Faith you may so;
The face, dear Flora, defends all below.
Flo.
Away, you Fool; Good-night to you.
[Exit Flora.
Enter Octavio and Antonio.
Oct.
(aside ... )
What may this be? O my Malignant Fate!
The Warning's short, yet she must be Obey'd;
The hour draws near; I must go seek a Friend;
Her words seem to imply need of a Second;
'Twere barbarous to engage Antonio
Newly arriv'd, and come on such an Errand. ( ... aside)
Noble Antonio, my confusion's great
To tell you thus abruptly, I must leave you;
Th'occasion's indispensable.
23
I must not quit you, Sir, I know too well
The Laws of Honor, to desert you now:
When I my friend in such disorder see,
And all the Marks that he is call'd to Danger,
To leave him then—
Oct.
It is a Summons from a Lady, Sir,
Whom I have lov'd with Passion and Success;
To meet her in her Garden presently:
All is propitious on her part and mine;
But she's so Guarded by a Tyrant Brother,
So Jealous naturally, and so Incens'd
By that new Accident I told you of,
Which makes me a close Prisoner all the day;
That to perswade you there no Danger is
In this Adventure, were to abuse you;
But even for that reason I am bound
Not to consent to the Imbarking you
In an occasion that's so opposite
To what you come for; Antonio, We must
As well to Friends as to our Selves be just.
Ant.
He ought not to pretend to Friendships name,
Who reckons not Himself and Friend the same.
Oct.
Friendship with Justice must not disagree,
That were to break the Virtue's Harmony.
Ant.
Who in his Friends Distresses takes no part,
His Friendship's onely in his Tongue, not Heart.
Oct.
You from a life of Perils hither come
To find a Nuptial Bed, not seek a Tomb.
Ant.
My Friend ingag'd, it never must be said,
Antonio left him so to go to Bed.
Oct.
Y are marri'd, and expose what's not your own.
Ant.
Wedded to Honor, that must yield to none.
Oct.
I find, Antonio, you must still subdue.
Ant.
I ow my Triumph to my Cause, not You.
Come, we lose time, your Mistris must not stay.
Oct.
Who's so accompani'd, needs not fear his way.
[Exeunt.
| The Adventures of Five Hours | |