University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE, a Room of State, the King and Leonora seated on a Throne, attended by Antenor, Lorenzo, Learchus, Cardono, Agonistus, &c.
Embassadors at a Distance.
KING.
My Lords, I've in this Presence, chose to hear
What 'tis the Duke of Tuscany demands;
Proceed, and let us know your Message.

Emb.
Our Royal Master, much renown'd in Arms,
(Witness the many Conquests he has gain'd,
Tho' Victory of late declar'd for you)
Charg'd us to say, Success is not infur'd;
You cannot bribe the fickle Goddess; stay,
She will not long forsake his vet'ran Bands,
Choice harden'd Troops, unus'd to fly the Field:
But yet to cultivate a Friendship with you,
So firm and strict, it may to Ages last;
Yet, even now, whilst ready Warriors wait,
He offers Peace.

King.
On what Conditions does your Master send?

Emb.
Conditions, Sir! he did not term 'em so,
But Supplication to your Royal Will,
That this fair Princess, beauteous Leonora,
Would, with your Leave, receive him for her Husband.

Lor.
Ha!

Emb.
And join the long disputed Lands, in Peace,
To these of Lombardy.

Ant.
I see Lorenzo gathers up his Brows;
This Proposal stings him to the Soul.

[Aside.
King.
Had he been Conqueror, thus he might have ask'd;
But tell your Duke I have not yet forgotten
His great Injustice to the Duke of Milan.
He took th'Advantage of the Turkish War,
When all my Force was bent against the Infidels,
To chace my Uncle from his Dukedom forth,
And set a bold Usurper in his Stead.
These twenty Years he has an Exile been,
He, and one only Son; nor know we where,
Or to what Country, if alive, they're driven;
By which my Daughter is become the Heir
Of this my Kingdom; yet I'll not force her Will,
But leave it free; and therefore she shall answer ye.

Lor.
A thousand Blessings follow that Indulgence.

[Aside.
Leon.
Since I've my Royal Father's Leave to speak,
I tell you, Sirs, that your Request is bold.
Your sinking Master, half subdu'd, demands
Our populous Kingdom to recruit his own,
And I must be the Passport to convey it.
There's more Ambition in his Eyes, than Love;
'Tis for my Dowry, not for me he sues.
Tell him I scorn his Offer, with his Crown;
And when (tho' long avert it, gracious Heaven)
This happy Kingdom shall devolve on me,
I will defend it with my utmost Strength,
To this small Tract of Earth, whereon I stand,
E'er give a Nation to a vanquish'd Foe.
He should have been the Monarch of the World;
His conqu'ring Legions drawn around our Walls;
His batt'ring Cannon playing on the Town,
And dreadful Famine raging thro' the Streets;
Our trembling Maids and Matrons drown'd in Tears,
E'er this Way made Proposals for a Peace.

Lor.
The Musick of the Spheres dwell in her Voice,
And everlasting Love upon her Tongue.

[Aside.
Emb.
Is this the Answer we must carry back?
And does your Majesty approve this Scorn?

King.
I do; so tell your Duke from me.

Emb.
Then once again prepare for Battel, Sir;
You'll find our Master strong enough to cope ye,
And make you well repent this haughty Port.

King.
Let him come on again, we'll vanquish him;
Go, bring your boasted Squadrons to the Field;
I've not a Man but glows with eager Courage,
To meet, and chase them o're the bloody Plain.

Emb.
Your boasted Valour frights us not, great Sir,
But spurs us to the Field.
[Ex. Embassadors.

King.
Now let me embrace my brave Defenders;
Lorenzo, thou art welcome to my Arms;
Nature in thee has shown a Prodigy;
In War thour't fierce, in Peace the Child of Softness;
One wou'd imagine Envy's self might spare thee.

Lor.
The mighty Favours which you heap upon me,
My Royall Master, fill my Soul with Gratitude.

King.
But wherefore keeps Learchus from our Presence;
Is there not Room in Hearts of mighty Kings
To hold the Worth of all deserving Men?

Lear.
I attend your Majesty.

King.
Come near, Learchus, thou hast serv'd me well,
And tho' of late thou hast not fought my Battels,
For secret Reasons from thy Charge remov'd,
I Love thee still; and to confirm I do,
I make thee Governor of the Citadel
And Royal Fort.

Lear.
My Life shall answer for th'important Trust:
Will Antimora come?

[to Agonistus.
Ago.
She answer'd me, in Tears, she would.

[aside to him.
Ant.
The King seems greatly pleas'd, and wisely hides
The Purpose he intends—short are your Joys.
Ye false ones!

[aside.
Leon.
The Kings, my Lord, is lavish in your Praise;
But where should grateful Monarchs cast their Smiles,
If not on Heroes that have serv'd them truly?

Lor.
I plead no Merit for my Service, Madam;
I owe my Prince's Bounty this Applause.
If I see thee not this Night, my Laurels fade,
And certain Death e'er Morning will o'ertake me.

[aside to Leonora.
Leon.
We are observ'd, the Passage shall be open.

Ant.
By their Eyes I know the Appointment's made;
That Whisper told the Hour—Did they but know
How very fatal I shall make their Meeting,
Their Inclination would grow cool upon't.
It joys my Soul, to think I shall undo them.

King.
Meet me here some Moments hence, Antenor;
And now let all withdraw but Leonora.
[Exeunt.
Daughter, methinks this Day you're doubly mine;
Your Words contain'd what e're my Heart could wish;
In thee alone I treasure all my Hopes,
And have in thee forgot thy Mother's Loss.
And well, I think, thou wilt deserve this Fondness:
Say, wilt thou not; my Child? surely thou wilt,
And ne'er be justly cast from out my Breast.

Leon.
Alas! what means my Father? why this Caution?

King.
You have this Day disdain'd a Sovereign Prince;
Let no mean Choice disgrace so just a Pride,
And sully all thy Virgin Fame at once;
But, like my Child, like thee, apparent Heir
Of our fair Lombardy, support thy Grandeur.

Leon.
My Heart beats fast at the Alarm of Fear.

[aside.
King.
I do remember thou hast often told me,
Thy Heart burnt only with the Fire of Greatness,
And Love no Converse held within thy Bosom;
And that my Glory fill'd each Thought of thine,
And bore thee up to Empire.

Leon.
Wherein have I betray'd more Weakness, Sir?
And why am I accus'd of Disobedience?

King.
Do I accuse thee, Leonora? No:
I warn thee only of degenerate Love.
Cou'd I accuse, I should not argue thus;
Thou know'st my Temper is compos'd of Fire,
Tho', like the Steel, when unprovok'd, 'tis cool;
But if the Flint of Disobedience strikes,
Fierce Sparks fly out, and threaten Ruin round.

Leon.
Do not I guard the Actions of my Life
With all that dutious Care which you directed?
Do I not wait my Royal Father's Will,
Deny Access to all the shining Court?
Except in publick, and by your Command,
I never see the Heroes of our Age.

King.
Pray Heaven it prove so.

[aside.
Leon.
Within the Bower, by your self asign'd,
Do I not pass my Time amongst my Maids,
Nor once appear, but when you call me forth?

King.
All this I know, at least I think I know it.

Leon.
Think! grant, Heav'n, I'm not betray'd!

[aside.
King.
But do not trust to secret Management;
For Kings have many Eyes, and watchful all,
As those bright Lamps of Heav'n, that wake forever;
They can, tho' all the Curtains of the Night
Be drawn, and solemn Darkness reigns around,
Discover every Action of their Court.

Leon.
'Tis so! and we are certainly undone.
I cannot guess what 'tis my Father means,
Or what the Purport of your Words intend.
If any Villain has traduc'd my Fame,
And render'd me suspected to your Majesty,
Give me to know my vile Accuser strait,
And let the Wretch confront me instantly.

King.
If thou art innocent, as I hope thou art,
Then thou hast nought to fear.

Leon.
If I am innocent! oh my throbing Heart
Flutters and leaps, as it would force my Breast,
And must portend some Mischief.
[aside.
Enter Antenor.
Ha! now I no longer am concern'd to know
Who has created all these Doubts within you;
For here, here comes the subtile working Mole,
That heaves your Breast, and breaks the Plain of Nature,
Purely for Mischief, and his own Revenge;
That you refus'd his Son, still galls his Soul;
The Viper seem'd but to have lost his Sting,
'Till he had wound himself into your Bosom,
Where he at once might strike your tend'rest Part.

Ante.
Alas! what have I done, my gracious Princess?

Leon.
Go on, vile Politician, I defy thee;
Spread all thy Nets, and magnify Suspicion,
'Till it appears great as thy own Villainy,
In a most hideous, most gigantick Form,
To fright the World from thy Society;
From thy own Bowels spin the pois'nous Thread,
That may entangle Innocence and Honour:
My spotless Fame shall break thy Cobweb-Arts;
My Virtue all thy treacherous Plots confound,
And, like a Bolt of Thunder, strike thee to the Ground.
Exit Leonora.

Ante.
I soon shall calm this guilty Rage.
Has then my Royal Lord inform'd the Princess
Of his Suspicion, that she's thus provok'd
Against the humblest Servant of his Will,
And threatens to destroy me?

King.
If what thou hast declar'd, be honest Truth,
Thou can'st not fear, thou hast a King thy Guard;
But take thou Heed, be careful in the Proof;
Thou seest she does defy thee.

Ante.
Her Passion shows her Guiltiness the more;
It is the Nature of the Sex to do it:
They think to screen their Faults with empty Clamour,
And stop our just Resentments with their Noise;
But if your Majesty discover'd ought
That may instruct her to prevent our Purpose,
Then I must fall a Sacrifice indeed.

King.
Thou'rt safe from that; proceed, and say,
Hast thou learnt more since last I saw thee?

Ante.
This Night I know they meet; I've plac'd a Spy,
Who is to give me Notice when they're met;
And then—

King.
Then they shall part for ever.

Ante.
Please you to walk towards the Laurel-Grove,
Where I have order'd this old Spy to meet us.

King.
Thy Words but add fresh Fuel to my Flame.
Lead on, and let me view at once my Shame,
And with his Blood wash off th'inglorious Stain.

[Exeunt.
Enter Learchus meeting Antimora in Tears.
Lear.
Why dost thou dress those beauteous Eyes in Tears?
Why does thy Bosom thus with Sorrows heave?
Where are the Gates of soft consenting Love,
To breath new Life, and wake my dying Hopes?

Anti.
Alas! Learchus, Fate's become our Foe,
And now the fatal Warrant's issu'd forth
To blast our Loves, and part our meeting Souls;
Else, why should such a faithful Pair as we,
So often be obstructed in our Happiness?

Lear.
Oh! much I fear; my Father spoke too true.
[aside.
What means my Love? has there some new Misfortune
Sprung up to intercept our promis'd Joy?

Anti.
Is not thy Father fond of Wealth and Power,
And deaf to all thy tender Sighs of Love?
His cruel Nature never will forgive,
Nor will my Brother bear to hear his Name;
But what is worse, far worse than that, this Day
He has commanded me to love his Friend;
And, Spight of all Objections I can make,
He grows, like Fate, inexorable.

Lear.
Oh! Antimora! Love's become enrag'd
At thy too tedious, thy too long Delay,
And this Way takes to mar our promis'd Joys,
And thus revenge the Breach of his Command,
For disobeying his first eldest Law.
Why throw we not this Tyrant, Duty, off,
And from bless'd Hymen's Torch light up that Flame,
Which only can expire with our Lives?
To humble Plains let us from Courts retire,
Serene and quiet as the first kind Pair,
Before Ambition taught the Way to Sin.

Ant.
Nay, even there our cruel Foes would find us out;
And, Time, perhaps, might change thy Nature too,
When thou should'st find thy Father's Hate incline
To banish thee for ever from his Breast.
Then thou would'st turn thy Eyes upon his Face,
And scornfully disdain what now allures thee,
And to some Rival, fairer in thy Eyes,
Sacrifice thy Antimora.

Lear.
Why dost thou seek for Words to wound my Soul?
Is there, throughout this spacious Globe of Earth,
Another Woman I would change thee for?

Ant.
Oh! thou dost flatter me, alas, in vain;
We were not born to make each other happy.

Lear.
Art thou not Proof against thy Brother, then?
Say! must I be supplanted by Cardono?

Ant.
Witness these streaming Eyes, with Sorrow full;
This faithful Heart, which pants to ev'ry Fear;
No other He shall e'er possess this Breast:
No, my Learchus, thou art Lord of me;
My Vows to thee, Death, only Death, shall break.

Lear.
Oh Transport!

Anti.
If I have wish'd or had one Moment's Care,
Or any Hope, but once to be thy Wife,
Deprive me, Heaven, of all your Blessings here;
Let endless Wailings and eternal Shame
Surround and blast my Fame and me for ever.

Lear.
Oh! Words to heal, and charm Despair away,
And Vows as faithful as a dying Saint;
But these, my Love, do but increase my Pain:
To know thee true, and not to know thee mine,
Is plunging me at once in greater Misery.
Oh! say, thou secret Ruler of my Fate,
Why am I kept thus ling'ring on the Rack?
If, by your hard Decrees, I am to lose
This beauteous Pattern of your wond'rous Skill,
This lovely, faithful Partner of my Heart,
In Mercy double all your Store of Curses,
Then hurl them down on this devoted Head,
And at one Stroke dispatch me.

Anti.
Cease to offend those awful Powers, from whom
We only can expect to find Redress:
With Patience wait for me, as I for thee;
Some lucky Minute may perhaps appear
To bless our Hopes, and consummate our Vows.
Oh! were our House's Quarrel but compos'd,
We then might be most happy.

Lear.
I could curse all that keep those Feuds awake,
Did not my Duty hush me into Silence.

Anti.
Be calm, my Love, and trust my Virgin Vows;
Trust thy own Heart, and our united Souls;
Time and our Constancy, shall conquer all.
From Age to Age, by ev'ry faithful Pair,
The Story of our Passion shall be told,
And Lovers quote it, to express their own by.
But prithee go, lest Envy should betray us:
Soon as the Princess to her Privacy
(As 'tis her Custom every Day) retires,
I'll meet thee here again.

Lear.
Wilt thou, my Love, my dearest Antimora?
Angels protect and guard my lovely Maid;
Still bless her Days with circling downy Joys,
And crown with balmy Slumbers all her Nights;
Dress all her Dreams with tenderest Thoughts of me,
And let 'em whisper to her faithful Heart
How much Learchus loves her.

Anti.
May gracious Heaven upon thy Head show'r down
All those choice Blessings thou hast begg'd for me;
May Joys attend thee, lasting as thy Flame,
Great as thy Worth, and glorious as thy Virtues.

Lear.
Oh! matchless Excellence!
One kind Embrace, one fragrant Kiss bestow!
Oh! Joy supream! Oh perfect Bliss below!
Oh, Antimora, should I more receive,
Should Fortune give me all thou hast to give,
My Strength wou'd fail, and I want Power to live.

[Exeunt.