 | The Perjur'd Husband : or, The Adventures of Venice |  |
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Aurelia's Lodgings.Enter Aurelia, Florella.
Aur.
Oh! how I tremble for my dear Bassino?
Haste, fly Florella, bring me news he lives,
Or else expect to see thy Mistress die.
Flor.
Madam be patient—
Consult your Reputation, and consider
That the least noise you make on this occasion,
Reflects upon your Virtue—
Aur.
Away, away—Talk not of Reputation.
When Lov's in t'other scale—But what can shock my Reputation.
Heaven's my Witness I ne're lodg'd a Thought,
For Count Bassino that could wrong my Virtue.
Perhaps the Gods pursue me with their Hatred,
Because I break my Promise to Alonzo.
But then, why did they not secure me his?
Why must weak mortals be expos'd to Passions,
Which are not in our Power to subdue,
And yet account for what they prompt us to?
But I will think no more—Almighty Love,
Now hear my last Resolve—if angry Heaven
Refus'd to guard my dear Bassino's Life,
Aurelia too shall fall, and leave his Murderer
Accurst for ever—
Enter Alonzo.
Flor.
Oh! Heaven! where will this end?
Aur.
Ha.—
Aside.
The Gods have sent him to decide my Fate.
How now! how dare you meet my angry view?
Or think I'll e're forgive the base affront,
This very day you offer'd to my Fame?
Alon.
Just Heaven refuses not a Penitent,
Therefore I cannot think that fair Aurelia
Oh! Let my Love atone for my rash Deed:
The Count and I are Friends, why should Aurelia be more severe?
Aur.
He lives! blest News!
Aside.
Do then rash Actions speak your Love to me?
Must I in publick bear with your insults
Before I'm yours? what must I then expect
When the strict Ties of Marriage shall confirm
Your jealous Passions?
No, you have taught me to avoid the shelf,
I was just running on—know base Alonzo,
That from this moment I resume my Freedom,
I disingage you from your former Vows,
And will henceforth be Mistress of my self.
Alon.
Ha—
Aside.
This sudden Coldness has another Spring,
Than my rash Carriage—Oh! my jealous Fears,
But I'm resolv'd to trace her winding Thoughts,
And fetch the secret forth—
Madam, I hope you do but try my Love:
I cannot think Aurelia would be false.
Besides, you can't recal what's registred in Heaven.
Aur.
Then stay till we come there—There you'll have witness.
Alon.
Witness!
Oh! Faithless, perjur'd Woman canst thou think,
Upon thy self and bid me call my Witness?
Yes, you are mine—By all the Gods, you are.
And shall there be a Power on this side Heaven,
To stop my Bliss? No—by my Love I swear.
I now can guess at your perfidious meaning,
And tho that cowardly Villain slily thought
To blind me with a Tale his guilt had fram'd,
'Tis plain he is your Minion—yet wants Courage
To own his Treachery.
Aur.
Detracting, Slanderous Villain!
How dare you treat me thus?
Oh! for the look of a fierce Basilisk,
To punish this audacious insolence!
Alon.
Marry thee! No—by Heavens, I had rather
Be rackt to Death—And for thy vile injustice
None shall enjoy thee, while this sword is mine.
Lays hold on his Sword.
Nor shall your Lover scape to serve your lust,
Till he has forc'd a Passage thro this Breast.
Points to his Breast.
Aur.
Oh! My Bassino.
Aside.
Oh! cruel Man! Are not you then contented
Why must your Rage involve the innocent?
Oh! Let me fall your Passion's Sacrifice;
Let my Blood wash the stain you fix on me,
But do not blast your Name with base Revenge.—
Alon.
By Heaven! she dotes on him! Oh! Cunning Woman?
But this Pretence won't serve to save his Life;
I'll not be caught again—No, Syren No:
Bassino dies—Nor will I leave to Fortune
The vengeful stroke, but take a safer way.
Aur.
Oh! Heaven!
Aside.
What words shall I invent to sooth his Rage,
Kneels.
And save my dear Bassino? Oh! Alonzo
My once lov'd Dear, will you not hear me speak?
Oh! I conjure you by our plighted Love's,
Whose purity outshone the Stars above,
Hear me this Time, then use me as you please.
Alon.
Oh! Woman, Woman!
Aur.
If e're Aurelia
So much as in her thoughts did wrong Alonzo
May sudden Death pursue her purjur'd steps:
Heaven forgive
Aside.
The Perjury, since I've no other way
To Save Bassino's Life—
Alon.
Aurelio. rise—
Raising her.
Oh! could I credit this, how happy were Alonzo!
But something tells me that thou art forsworn;
And yet thou seemst as fair as Truth itself:
How is it possible that Guilt can look
With so a divine a Face?
Aur.
Oh kill me instantly: kill me, I beg you, kill me;
Let me not linger out an Age in pain;
For such is every Moment of your Anger;
I cannot bear to to live in your displeasure.
Alon.
By Heaven she's true—
Hence frivolous fears be gone—she's only mine.
Come to my Breast, my bright Aurelia, come.
Embraces her.
To that soft shrine that holds that Sacred image,
Which triumphs o're my soul, and grasps it all.
I knew my boundless Treasure, and the Thought
Of losing thee had rais'd my love to Madness.
But now I'm calm—No more shall that fierce Passion,
Rude Jealousy disturb my peaceful mind.
Do but forgive the Faults my Rage committed,
And you will find our Loves will grow the purer;
Is chas'd away, and Phæbus smiles again.
Aur.
Since both have been to blame, let it suffice,
We both repent, and will offend no more.
Alon.
Oh! never, never.
I'll ne're suspect you more—Only resolve me this—
Aur.
What's it?
Alon.
Why was Bassino
Admitted to your View, and I denied?
Aur.
He came to take his leave, and 'thad been rude.
Not to admit a man of his high Birth
On this occasion; Nor was you denied,
But thro my Woman's Fears of your suspicions.
She thought you would misconstrue the Count's Visit,
As you have really done—I blam'd her for it
Indeed, this is the Truth—I hope Alonzo
Believes me now—
Alon.
Believe Thee! Yes—As willingly as Martyrs
A State of endless Joy.
I will so love my Dear, that all Mankind
Shall look with envy on our mutual bliss.
I'm like a Merchant tost at Sea by storms,
Who his last Course with Pray'ts and Toil performs.
And the rich Cargo safely brought on shore,
He hugs it thus, and vows to part no more.
(embraces her)
Aur.
aside.
So in a flowry Mead a Serpent lurks,
And the unwary Traveller surprizes,
Where he suspects least danger! Cursed Cheat.
Aside.
Oh! that I could disclose the fatal story!
But it must never out—I beg Alonzo,
You'd leave me for a while, and rest secure,
You have my Love—
Alon.
Then the bright Sun in all his circling Turn,
Cannot behold a man more truly happy:
What you command I readily obey.
Farewel, my dear.
Exit Alonzo.
Aur.
Where art thou now, Aurelia?
How wilt thou scape that dreadful Precipice,
On which thou art hurried on by thy fatal Passion?
With conscious horror I deceiv'd Alonzo,
I hate this base Treachery, but 'twas unavoidable:
The truth had been more fatal—
More fatal?—No—For I must never Wed
My dear Bassino whilst Alonzo lives.
Why! dye Aurelia: That's the only way,
To keep thy vows to both—Ha—dye, said I,
But whither then? who knows what Punishment,
Just Heav'n prepares for guilty Souls like mine.
But I must think no more, lest I grow mad with thought.
If there's a Power that guards us here below,
Oh! look with pitying eyes on poor Aurelia:
Appease the Tumults of my anxious Fear,
And load me with no more than I can bear.
Exeunt Aurelia, Florella.
SCENE II.
Lady Pizalta's Lodgings.L. Piz.
Well, Thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies
in Venice give for such a Servant?
Lucy
aside.
Truly, you have reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue
I have manag'd for you—Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship
does me too much honour—But how do you like your new Servant,
Madam?
L. Piz.
Oh! above all men living, Lucy: He has the most bewitching
Conversation I ever met with—Say, is there no way to contrive
a second meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear man again—
The end of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the end of Life to
me: for then must I be coopt up with age: condemn'd to an eternal
coughing, spitting, snoring and ill nature—Then let me make the
best of life—since Hell cannot have a worse plague in store than I
have felt already.
Luc.
Indeed, Madam, I pity you: and wish 'twere in my Power to
free you from this old, wither'd log, but tho that's impossible, yet I may
do you some little services to make life's tedious journey pleasant—Let
me see, I have it—What would you say now, Madam, if I should
contrive a way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?
L. Piz.
That were worth a King's Revenue—Speak, quickly,
how, how, good Lucy?
Luc.
Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my place attend
you.
L. Piz.
Rare contrivance; but my Husband, Lucy?
Luc.
Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in
sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious:
But if he should, I have a way to bring you off—My life on't—
This Plot may be of use to my design, I'll manage it with care.
Aside.
L. Piz.
Oh! The Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing, and
calling me to Bed: and my answering him, I'm coming, Dear: and
Arms of my Ludovico. Certainly there's as much satisfaction in deceiving
a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant: Were it not
grown so common—Each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant
too—and sometimes makes a Journey man of the Apprentice e're his
Indentures be half out—'Tis an unsufferable Fault that Quality can have
no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in paying their debts. Well,
dear Lucy, I admire thy contrivance—About it instantly—
Lucy
aside.
About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee sir?
—I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But,
Madam, what's to be done with your Brocade Night Gown you tore
last night? it can ne're be mended handsomely.
L. Piz.
Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well
as Law—Well Lucy, if you manage this intrigue with care and secresie
the Gown is yours.
Enter Page.
Page.
Madam, my Lord desires to speak with you.
Lucy
Madam, I'll go about your business: Your Ladyship's very humble
servant.
L. Piz.
Tell him I'm coming—
Exit Page.
Now by way of Mortification must I go entertain my old, jealous Husband
Exit Lady Pizalta.
SCENE III.
The Piazza.Enter Ludovico Singing.
Give me but Wine, that Lïquor of Life,
And a Girl that is wholesome and clean,
Two or three Friends, but the Devil a Wife,
And I'd not change state with a King.
Enter Lucy.
Luc.
What singing, Signior! Well, you're a pleasant Gentleman—
Lud.
Ah! My little female Mercury, what message bringst Thou?
Ha—will thy Lady bless me with another sight—Ha—How—
When? where? I am all in a Flame.
Luc.
Come along with me, Sir, I'll help you to an Extinguisher
presently.
Lud.
If Thou meanest thy Lady with all my heart—But I can tell
Thee, she'll rather prove Oyl, than what you speak of—But, say, where
am I to see my lovely Charmer?
Lucy.
In her Chamber—
Lud.
Good! But how the Devil can that be done?
Lucy.
Nay, without the help of a Conjurer, I assure you: if you dare
take me for your Pilot, I'll warrant you success in your Voyage—
I'll set you safe in the Island of Love; 'tis your business to improve the
Soil.
I warrant Thee, Girl; do you but bring me there once, and if
I play not my part, may I never more know the pleasure of an intrigue
Luc.
Which, if I mistake not, is the greatest curse can fall on you—.
Well, you must suffer a small Metamorphosis: What think you of personating
me a little? That is, dressing in my Cloaths, and waiting on
your Mistress in her Bed-chamber—Ha—
Lud.
Egad, I'm afraid I shall make but an awkward Chamber-maid.
I'm undisciplin'd in Dressing a Lady's head—
Lucy.
Oh! Sir, your Commission won't reach so high as the head: I
believe my Lady will excuse little matters: You can undress, I suppose
Lud.
Oh! The best and the quickest of any man in Venice. But a Pox
on't—Canst find no other way?—I, I, I—I like Petticoats in
their proper Places, but I don't care to have my Legs in 'em.
Luc.
And so you resolve against it? Ha—
Lud.
No, not absolutely resolve, Child: But—a—
Lucy.
But what, Sir!
Lud.
Nothing—I will follow thy Directions, what ever comes on't
Now lead the way: For nothing sutes better with my Humour than a
Friend, a Bottle, a new Mistress, and a Convenient Place.
SCENE IV.
Pizalto's Lodgings.Enter Pizalto with a Bond in his Hand.
Piz.
Well—My Wife's a fine Woman, a very fine Woman! But
a Pox she's a Wife still, and this young Jade runs in my head plaguly:
Well—here 'tis under my hand; a Thousand Pistoles—A
great summ for a Maidenhead, as Maidenheads go now a-days—Ah
had I been young now,
But when we old Fools dote, they make us pay.
Enter Lucy.
Oh! are you come! Here, here, Lucy: Here's a Fortune for thee worth
twenty Maidenheads, adod! I have not so much money by me at present,
but there's security.
Gives her the Bond.
Luc.
Your Lordships Bond's sufficient—Well, but that I am satisfied
my Reputation is safe with your Lordship, or twice the summ should
not have prevailed—Go to my Chamber, my Lord, I'll but step and see
if my Lady wants any thing, and I'll be with you instantly.
Piz.
You won't stay, Lucy? Ah Girl, buss thy Ladys Chucky; now
do, now—
Lucy.
Oh! Lord! not here, we shall be discovered.
Piz.
Well, thou art a cunning sinner: make hast, Lucy, dost hear?
Ex. Piz.
Luc.
You're in mighty haste, old Gentleman! but I shall deceive you,
My end is gain'd; I have my Fortune made,
Man has not me, but I have man betray'd.
| The Perjur'd Husband : or, The Adventures of Venice | |