 | The Cruel Gift |  |
Enter King and Antenor.
KING.
Inspite of all my Wrongs, my Anger cools;
Nor can I now resolve to let him die;
His Father's Merit, melts me into Pity;
The Lord Alcanor was an honest Statesman,
And you must own Lorenzo well has serv'd me;
Both these plead strongly in a generous Mind.
Anti.
Curse on his Services.
[aside.
What says my Royal Master?
Does not our Laws pronounce it Treason, Sir,
For any Subject who shall dare to wed,
And mingle with your Blood, without your Leave?
King.
Thou should'st not urge this hated Theme, Antenor;
Thou may'st remember 'twas thy own Ambition.
Ante.
I do, with Shame, remember it; yet sure
The Diff'rence of the Guilt is vastly great.
I humbly ask'd, and much repented for it;
He seiz'd the Prize, and never ask'd at all;
And glories in the Theft; nay, braves you too;
Nor once petitions for his Life or Freedom.
King.
The Present will from me be greater then;
Mistake me not, I shall not pardon him;
No, he shall live an Exile, far from hence,
And never see my Leonora more:
That, to a Lover's Punishment enough.
Ante.
Think but on the Consequence of Banishment;
When Nature's Law shall summon you away,
Who then shall wear your Crown, but Leonora?
Think you not then she will recal her Husband?
Yes, sure, she will, and make him Partner with her.
Oh, Royal Sir consult your Subjects Safety;
For sure that Day must fatal be to Lombardy.
What strong Alliance can be form'd by him,
That is not purchas'd with our Laws and Treasure?
King.
Dismiss your Fears, for I'll dissolve the Marriage,
And give her to a Prince that shall defend ye.
[Enter Agonistus.
Agonistus! why such Confusion in thy Looks?
Ago.
O pardon, mighty Sir, the News I bring;
Cardono, by your Signet, was admitted
To pay his Visit to the Lord Lorenzo.
King.
Ha! say'st thou! by my Signet! But go on.
Ago.
Accompany'd by six Men in Livery,
One of which being tall, and well proportion'd,
Lorenzo quickly chang'd his Habit with him.
King.
Ha! and did he escape?
Ante.
Answer the King that Question instantly.
Oh! Vengeance! Vengeance! have I lost thee?
[aside.
Ago.
I know not, Sir, what happen'd since I came;
Cardono seeing him that kept the Door,
Too curiously observe Lorenzo, stabb'd him;
When soon his Shrieks alarm'd your Son, my Lord,
Who call'd the Guards, but not a Man would stir:
Some slept so soundly, that we could not 'wake 'em;
Whilst others swore they'd set the General free.
'Twas thus! when brave Learchus bad me haste
To tell your Majesty, and beg Assistance.
Ante.
Oh monst'rous! unheard of Treachery!
King.
Fly, take our Guards,
And crush this infant Treason in its Birth:
Ex. Ago.
What! durst Cardono cross our Royal Will,
And stir our Soldiers to rebel against us?
Ante.
Well had it been, yes, wond'rous well for Man,
If Nature ne'er had form'd his Female Mate;
Love Poisons oftner than it gives us Joy.
King.
Curse on the fond, deceitful, softning Passion!
How glorious had my Leonora stood,
But for bewitching and destructive Love,
Which chills, and quite enervates all it reaches!
Enter Captain.
How now! what News bringest thou?
Capt.
The dronish Citizens pretend to arm,
And gathering Crowds, fill all the Streets with Noise,
And cry aloud, Death, or Lorenzo's Freedom.
King.
Let them go on! yes, let the Slaves aspire
To seize my Crown, and make Lorenzo King:
But they shall find I was not born to fear;
No, cou'd the Villains animate like Heat,
And ev'ry Breath produce whole Legions arm'd,
My Soul would dart a Fire thro' my Eyes,
That shou'd to Ashes turn the new-born Traytors.
I'll to the City strait, and face these Rebels.
Ante.
Not for the Universe.
Can such a Cause be worthy of your Arms?
No, when base Plebeans offer to rebel,
Whips and Chains should bring them back to Duty;
Whilst Majesty, serenely unconcern'd,
Beholds the Traytor's Fate.
King.
Have I for this with Toil and Care secur'd
Freedom and ev'ry Thing that's dear unto them?
And do th'ingrateful Wretches thus repay me?
But I will teach them what they owe their King,
And sweep the bold Conspirators from Earth.
Ante.
Rebellions in their Infancy are quell'd,
And to Obedience soon reduc'd with Ease;
Lop but the Head, the rest will soon disperse;
The giddy Pop'lace are in Ignorance led,
And all unskill'd in what they undertake;
When once the faithful, loyal Sword is drawn,
They drive, like idle Dust, before the Wind.
Now is your Time to fix your Sway unbounded;
The Godlike Rule, and Right of ev'ry King;
Let all those pop'lar Heads, that cry for Liberty,
Whose Aim has been to curb the Power of Princes,
Be term'd Abettors of Lorenzo's Treason,
And rid you of a factious Crew at once.
King.
Thou prompt'st me well, thou Oracle of Rule;
Mercy ill suits with such a vip'rous Brood.
[Trumpets and a Shout without.
Enter Agonistus.
Welcome; this Shout betokens thou ha'st conquer'd.
Ago.
We have, great Sir;
Lorenzo is secure, his Friends all seiz'd;
His Sister Antimora too we found
Near to the Postern, full of Expectation;
Her Words betray'd her of the Party.
King.
To Prison with them all; thy Message gives
Thy King new Life, my Agonistus.
Ante.
It is not safe for you to spare one Man;
Nay, ev'n the Traytor Sister ought to die:
What, durst a Woman 'midst the Rout appear,
T'inflame the Mob, and countenance Rebellion?
Let her too share her Brother's Fate, great Sir,
And crush at once the vile insidious Race.
King.
Yes, my Inciter to Revenge, she shall;
She shall be punish'd for the heinous Fault;
But we will think of her hereafter.
Ante.
Ha! hereafter.
No, I resolve to make sure Work on't now;
Now, whilst Fortune sets Revenge before me.
[aside.
King.
Haste thou, Antenor, and draw out our Soldiers;
March them with Speed to this rebellious City.
Proclaim all Traytors that you find in Arms;
And those who shall refuse to lay them down,
Discharge the Fury of our Cannon on 'em.
Ante.
Great Sir, I will; but first let me intreat
To have the Pris'oners instantly dispatch'd:
'Tis Policy to let their Deaths be sudden.
Lorenzo dead, Rebellion soon will die.
King.
It shall be done; thou counsell'st well, Antenor;
I've now no more Remorse, Lorenzo dies;
Yes, I will crush this vile infectious Root,
And so prevent the Growth of future Branches.
Haste, Agonistus; with this Signet haste,
And tell Learchus 'tis our instant Pleasure,
That all th'Abettors of Lorenzo's Treason,
Do suffer in the common Road of Justice.
But let not him by Axe or Wheel expire;
My boundless Wrongs do boundless Rage inspire:
But rip his Breast, and to our Daughter bear
His Heart, just panting with a Lover's Fear.
Tell her, from me the much-lov'd Present came;
The Part in which she treasur'd all her Fame:
Bid her to that repeat her guilty Vows;
'Tis all the Comfort that her Crime allows.
[Exit.
Ante.
Bear to our Son these Orders, Agonistus;
Charge him to see them executed strait.
Captain, a Word—
[Exit. Agonistus.
You are no Stranger to my Son's fond Passion
For this vile Trayt'ress, Antimora;
And lest for Love he should betray his Duty,
And save his Minion from the destin'd Stroke,
Haste thou, and say it was the King's Command
The Lady shou'd be Pris'ner kept with thee;
And, when she's in thy Power, dispatch her.
Capt.
It shall be done, my Lord.
[Exit.
Ante.
Oh the exulting Joy of great Revenge!
This Moment gives me more substantial Pleasure,
Than all the Years I in a Court have pass'd.
Now all my noble Ancestors look down,
And aid with Smiles this mighty Undertaking.
'Tis worthy of that Enmity you bore,
That I at once involve the hateful Race,
And crown my Wishes in the Sister's Fall.
How I applaud my self for this brave Deed,
My Foes confounded, and Learchus freed,
From guilty Love, to Empire shall succeed.
[Exit.
KING.
Inspite of all my Wrongs, my Anger cools;
Nor can I now resolve to let him die;
His Father's Merit, melts me into Pity;
The Lord Alcanor was an honest Statesman,
And you must own Lorenzo well has serv'd me;
Both these plead strongly in a generous Mind.
Anti.
Curse on his Services.
[aside.
What says my Royal Master?
Does not our Laws pronounce it Treason, Sir,
For any Subject who shall dare to wed,
And mingle with your Blood, without your Leave?
King.
Thou should'st not urge this hated Theme, Antenor;
Thou may'st remember 'twas thy own Ambition.
Ante.
I do, with Shame, remember it; yet sure
The Diff'rence of the Guilt is vastly great.
I humbly ask'd, and much repented for it;
He seiz'd the Prize, and never ask'd at all;
And glories in the Theft; nay, braves you too;
Nor once petitions for his Life or Freedom.
King.
The Present will from me be greater then;
Mistake me not, I shall not pardon him;
No, he shall live an Exile, far from hence,
And never see my Leonora more:
That, to a Lover's Punishment enough.
Ante.
Think but on the Consequence of Banishment;
43
Who then shall wear your Crown, but Leonora?
Think you not then she will recal her Husband?
Yes, sure, she will, and make him Partner with her.
Oh, Royal Sir consult your Subjects Safety;
For sure that Day must fatal be to Lombardy.
What strong Alliance can be form'd by him,
That is not purchas'd with our Laws and Treasure?
King.
Dismiss your Fears, for I'll dissolve the Marriage,
And give her to a Prince that shall defend ye.
[Enter Agonistus.
Agonistus! why such Confusion in thy Looks?
Ago.
O pardon, mighty Sir, the News I bring;
Cardono, by your Signet, was admitted
To pay his Visit to the Lord Lorenzo.
King.
Ha! say'st thou! by my Signet! But go on.
Ago.
Accompany'd by six Men in Livery,
One of which being tall, and well proportion'd,
Lorenzo quickly chang'd his Habit with him.
King.
Ha! and did he escape?
Ante.
Answer the King that Question instantly.
Oh! Vengeance! Vengeance! have I lost thee?
[aside.
Ago.
I know not, Sir, what happen'd since I came;
Cardono seeing him that kept the Door,
Too curiously observe Lorenzo, stabb'd him;
When soon his Shrieks alarm'd your Son, my Lord,
Who call'd the Guards, but not a Man would stir:
Some slept so soundly, that we could not 'wake 'em;
Whilst others swore they'd set the General free.
'Twas thus! when brave Learchus bad me haste
To tell your Majesty, and beg Assistance.
Ante.
Oh monst'rous! unheard of Treachery!
King.
Fly, take our Guards,
And crush this infant Treason in its Birth:
Ex. Ago.
What! durst Cardono cross our Royal Will,
And stir our Soldiers to rebel against us?
Ante.
Well had it been, yes, wond'rous well for Man,
If Nature ne'er had form'd his Female Mate;
Love Poisons oftner than it gives us Joy.
King.
Curse on the fond, deceitful, softning Passion!
44
But for bewitching and destructive Love,
Which chills, and quite enervates all it reaches!
Enter Captain.
How now! what News bringest thou?
Capt.
The dronish Citizens pretend to arm,
And gathering Crowds, fill all the Streets with Noise,
And cry aloud, Death, or Lorenzo's Freedom.
King.
Let them go on! yes, let the Slaves aspire
To seize my Crown, and make Lorenzo King:
But they shall find I was not born to fear;
No, cou'd the Villains animate like Heat,
And ev'ry Breath produce whole Legions arm'd,
My Soul would dart a Fire thro' my Eyes,
That shou'd to Ashes turn the new-born Traytors.
I'll to the City strait, and face these Rebels.
Ante.
Not for the Universe.
Can such a Cause be worthy of your Arms?
No, when base Plebeans offer to rebel,
Whips and Chains should bring them back to Duty;
Whilst Majesty, serenely unconcern'd,
Beholds the Traytor's Fate.
King.
Have I for this with Toil and Care secur'd
Freedom and ev'ry Thing that's dear unto them?
And do th'ingrateful Wretches thus repay me?
But I will teach them what they owe their King,
And sweep the bold Conspirators from Earth.
Ante.
Rebellions in their Infancy are quell'd,
And to Obedience soon reduc'd with Ease;
Lop but the Head, the rest will soon disperse;
The giddy Pop'lace are in Ignorance led,
And all unskill'd in what they undertake;
When once the faithful, loyal Sword is drawn,
They drive, like idle Dust, before the Wind.
Now is your Time to fix your Sway unbounded;
The Godlike Rule, and Right of ev'ry King;
Let all those pop'lar Heads, that cry for Liberty,
Whose Aim has been to curb the Power of Princes,
Be term'd Abettors of Lorenzo's Treason,
And rid you of a factious Crew at once.
King.
Thou prompt'st me well, thou Oracle of Rule;
45
[Trumpets and a Shout without.
Enter Agonistus.
Welcome; this Shout betokens thou ha'st conquer'd.
Ago.
We have, great Sir;
Lorenzo is secure, his Friends all seiz'd;
His Sister Antimora too we found
Near to the Postern, full of Expectation;
Her Words betray'd her of the Party.
King.
To Prison with them all; thy Message gives
Thy King new Life, my Agonistus.
Ante.
It is not safe for you to spare one Man;
Nay, ev'n the Traytor Sister ought to die:
What, durst a Woman 'midst the Rout appear,
T'inflame the Mob, and countenance Rebellion?
Let her too share her Brother's Fate, great Sir,
And crush at once the vile insidious Race.
King.
Yes, my Inciter to Revenge, she shall;
She shall be punish'd for the heinous Fault;
But we will think of her hereafter.
Ante.
Ha! hereafter.
No, I resolve to make sure Work on't now;
Now, whilst Fortune sets Revenge before me.
[aside.
King.
Haste thou, Antenor, and draw out our Soldiers;
March them with Speed to this rebellious City.
Proclaim all Traytors that you find in Arms;
And those who shall refuse to lay them down,
Discharge the Fury of our Cannon on 'em.
Ante.
Great Sir, I will; but first let me intreat
To have the Pris'oners instantly dispatch'd:
'Tis Policy to let their Deaths be sudden.
Lorenzo dead, Rebellion soon will die.
King.
It shall be done; thou counsell'st well, Antenor;
I've now no more Remorse, Lorenzo dies;
Yes, I will crush this vile infectious Root,
And so prevent the Growth of future Branches.
Haste, Agonistus; with this Signet haste,
And tell Learchus 'tis our instant Pleasure,
That all th'Abettors of Lorenzo's Treason,
Do suffer in the common Road of Justice.
46
My boundless Wrongs do boundless Rage inspire:
But rip his Breast, and to our Daughter bear
His Heart, just panting with a Lover's Fear.
Tell her, from me the much-lov'd Present came;
The Part in which she treasur'd all her Fame:
Bid her to that repeat her guilty Vows;
'Tis all the Comfort that her Crime allows.
[Exit.
Ante.
Bear to our Son these Orders, Agonistus;
Charge him to see them executed strait.
Captain, a Word—
[Exit. Agonistus.
You are no Stranger to my Son's fond Passion
For this vile Trayt'ress, Antimora;
And lest for Love he should betray his Duty,
And save his Minion from the destin'd Stroke,
Haste thou, and say it was the King's Command
The Lady shou'd be Pris'ner kept with thee;
And, when she's in thy Power, dispatch her.
Capt.
It shall be done, my Lord.
[Exit.
Ante.
Oh the exulting Joy of great Revenge!
This Moment gives me more substantial Pleasure,
Than all the Years I in a Court have pass'd.
Now all my noble Ancestors look down,
And aid with Smiles this mighty Undertaking.
'Tis worthy of that Enmity you bore,
That I at once involve the hateful Race,
And crown my Wishes in the Sister's Fall.
How I applaud my self for this brave Deed,
My Foes confounded, and Learchus freed,
From guilty Love, to Empire shall succeed.
[Exit.
| The Cruel Gift | |