 | The Revengeful Queen |  |
ACT II.
Scene continues.[Enter Almachild.]
Alma.
Well, I shall see most of my Mistresses here to day; they'll all
come to this Entertainment. I am the most indifferent to
Angellina, because that is a dull, Matrimonial Love; yet I must marry her,
since she will be very rich, and her Fortune will enable me to debauch other
Women. For Cleanthe, my Court Mistress, I think her pretty secure, notwithstanding
her affected Coyness. But I must use dispatch with Flora, or
that Old, Treacherous Father of hers will spoil my Design: If I could but meet
her singly now, I have got that here will tempt her;
[Shewing a Jewel.
Ha! yonder she comes: Now Bribes and Dissimulation be my Friends.
[Enter Flora.]
Flo.
Ah, my Lord! I know not how you entertain'd my Father, but he
came home in a strange Humour; he says you only design to ruine me, and
vows this shall be my last day of liberty.
Alma.
Then let us use it with the best advantage. Gratifie me to day in
my Pleasures, and to morrow I will you, with your Freedom. You shall not
For most Children obey their Parents, as Most Statesmen do their Monarchs,
only out of Interest.
Flo.
Oh, I abhorr the very Name of Interest! I wou'd no more pay Obedience,
than I would give my Love, for so base a Reason.
Alma.
Yield to my Embraces, I'll not ask the reason; and will neither
suspect your Love, nor—
Flo.
Nor value it; 'twill soon be contemned: therefore mention it no
more, I will not so much as hear of it.
Alma.
How, Madam!
Flo.
I confess I made some return to your Love, while I thought you would
have been my Husband; but since you deny that, I must all Favours.
Alma.
Then I am not to hope for—
Flo.
Any thing but what I can lawfully grant. Oh, Heaven! that ever I
should hear an unlawful, dishonourable Passion professed to me.
Alma.
Very fine: And you are resolved to recall your Love, tho' you have
confessed it; and will not yield, tho' you promis'd it.
Flo.
I know not what I have said; I made those Promises inconsiderately,
and therefore they are not binding.
Alma.
'Tis very well, Madam: Your Servant; I have no more to say. I
shall quickly find out a Mistress who will make me a more grateful Return to
my Services; and who will gladly accept this Jewel, design'd for you.
Flo.
How's this! Nay then I must alter my Carriage.
[Aside.
Not the Riches of the Earth should procure a kind Look: were all the Jewels
of the East, were an Empire proffer'd me, I could contemn them all. But
alas! who can be insensible to your Love? You have won my Heart, and I
fear will make me grant too much.
Alma.
You cannot give too much to Love, to Truth like mine.
Flo.
I confess you have given me great Demonstrations of them.
Alma.
They are but Trifles, to what I design you after—
Flo.
Ay, but shou'd you forsake me after—and shou'd expose me to
Infamy and Want. We Women run mighty Hazards, when our Reputation
must depend on our Lovers Discretion, and our Support, on his Generosity.
Alma.
I have not opportunity now to make a Settlement: however,
this shall be yours, and but retire a moment into my Apartment here.
Flo.
Nay, not for that neither. But why so hasty?
Alma.
I fear we may be interrupted again; and there comes old Avaro,
I would not have him see you here.
Flo.
Nor I, for the World.
I have not promis'd that I will comply;
But to conceal my self, I'll thither fly.
[She runs off.
Alma.
In vain you fly from me, in vain you hide;
I may be sure to find, since Love's my Guide.
[He follows her.
[Enter Avaro, Angellina, Clefi.]
Ava.
Well, Daughter, to please you, I have brought you to Court; and
to secure you, I am come along with you: where you will meet a great many
of Love, than they are of Money, the Devil may have their Custom for me.
Angel.
Yet you'd have me marry a Courtier, who is—
Ava.
No Debtor. You shall not have one, who only makes the Court his
Sanctuary; one who mortgages his Estate to every crediting Banker, and his
Heart to every handsom Women.
Angel.
Had Almachild as little Wealth, as he has Truth, you'd dislike him
as much as I.
Ava.
If you get his Person and Estate in possession, no matter for his
Truth. But I know for whom you dislike him. 'Tis true, were Almachild's
Dependance wholly on the Court, as Desiderio's is on the Army, I should value
neither: But you shall no more have one who lives by his Sword, than one
who lives upon Court-Promises, nay, than one who lives by his Wits.
Angel.
Marry a Coward!
Ava.
He'll live the longer. A Pox o' those fighting Madmen; there's some
hopes of recovering one's Money from a peaceable, quiet, passive Man: But
a Soldier, forsooth, runs into your Debt, and then into the Army; there
gets an unlucky Blow, which chops off his Head, and cancels his Bonds; and
has no way of getting out of our Books, but by getting out of the World.
Cle.
Ay, Do, Father, make her marry Almachild, and then the less Portion
will serve.
Ava.
Clefi says true, therefore dispose your self to it.
Angel.
You will not force my Inclinations.
Ava.
Force my Inclinations. Why there's it now: A pretty Excuse for
Disobedience. Death! that we should beget their Persons, and cannot their
Inclinations. Pray, from whence had you any Inclinations? I declare them
illegitimate, and will your Person, if you obey not my Will.
Cle.
Nay, if Money will not bribe her, she's not your Daughter, and I
disown her to be my Sister; and yet 'tis very advantageous to have a Handsom
Sister. See what it has got me this Morning:
[Shewing a Purse.
All this did Almachild give me, only to speak in his behalf. I wonder when your
Hero will make me such a Present: Perhaps, after the next Battle, he'll send
you a Load of shatter'd Legs and Arms, and broken Skulls; tho' one would
think they were crackt before they went to sight, or else they wou'd ne'er be
so mad to go.
Angel.
He scorns as much to give, as take a Bribe; his Worth and Honour
plead for him.
Cle.
His Worth and Honour! Ha, ha, ha: Where do they lie? in his
Sword, or in his ghastly Scars? Better he could prove his Honour by the
depth of his Pocket, than by the depth of his Wounds. His Honour is more
likely to send him hand somly out of the World, than maintain you so in it.
And I'll justifie, that tho' there were a Standing Army, this Purse has more
Honour, and more Worth in it; and shall procure much more Respect, than
all the Swords in the Army.
Ava.
'Tis a powerful Purse indeed; let me see, and a very weighty one too.
This is it that makes the Fool pass for a Wit; the Ugly, handsom; Cowards,
Friends treacherous, and Lovers false; makes Guardians betray their Charge,
and Parents and Children rob each other. I will not rob thee, Boy; but
since it is so dangerous a thing, I must secure you from its Effects, by keeping
it my self.
[Puts it in his Pocket.
Cle.
Why, what do you mean? why sure you won't take it from me, will
you? Was the Devil in me, to shew it him!
[Aside.
Ava.
Take it: no, no; I'll only put it to Use for you, that's all.
Cle.
Ay, but look you, Sir; if it makes Parents rob their Children,
Adad, it may make Children quarrel with their Parents.
Ava.
Why Sirrah, why you Villain, you Unnatural Rogue, what you
won't Murder me, ha!
Cle.
No, no, I am no Killing Man; but I wou'd not be cheated of my Money.
Ava.
How cheated! What Sirrah, dare you call me Cheat? here's an Impudent
Varlet. Hark ye, Angellina, now I think better of it, I do not care
for forcing your Inclinations. Tho' Desiderio has not so great an Estate as
Almachild, yet he is in great Favour with the King, and has good Employments;
and if I settle all my Fortune upon you, you may live pretty Comfortably.
Angel.
I make a freer Confession to you, than ever I have to him, by
owning I shou'd think my self happy in him, with your Consent.
Cle.
Hey brave! here's like to be fine doings.
[Aside.
Why sure, Sir, you are not in earnest, are you? tho' you are no Courtier,
yet by coming here, I hope you will be influenced so far, as not to mind
what you say. You will not be so singular as to keep your word at Court?
Ava.
Keep it; yes, so firmly, that no Entreaties, no Persuasions, no Submission
shall ever alter it.
Angel.
Heav'n continue him in that resolution.
[Aside.
Ava.
How much such another Purse may mollifie me, I can't tell.
Angel.
So I find 'tis who bids most, will have me. Hard Fate of Children!
to be not only cruelly debarr'd, perhaps a worthy Choice, but in Obedience
forced to throw themselves away on some inglorious Wretch.
[Aside.
Ava.
Let me see, who are those? a whole Cluster of my Debtors: here I
have their Names.
[Pulling out a long Roll.
Why, what a numerous Catalogue of gawdy, empty things, have I got here!
I'll accost them; what a Pox tho' a Man may not Arrest, he may civilly Dunn
in Court. D'ye hear Clefi, do not leave your Sister; and remember, I have
hinted to you, how I may be pacified.
[Exit.
Cle.
Ay, ay, I am likely to obey you indeed, when you take my Money
from me. What will you give me now, and I'll leave you to your own
Management.
Angel.
You may stay, if you please, I have no private Business.
Cle.
No, I'll be gone however to look out Almachild, acquaint him with
your being here, and get somewhat for my Intelligence.
[Exit.
Enter Desiderio.
Desid.
Angellina here and alone! I am almost as much surprized as pleas'd,
to find you at Court.
'Tis the Novelty of it, may do both.
Desid.
Always indifferent. Whate're satisfaction I may receive by your
Sight, I am not likely to have much from your Words.
Angel.
Suppose you had, you'd hardly stop there; they wou'd encourage
you to ask for something more, and I will never give such a Proof of Love,
as Disobedience.
Desid.
I fear you pay this great Obedience, not only out of Duty to a Father's
Will, but out of dislike to me.
Angel.
You have no reason to imagine that. But you cannot wonder if I
am cautious in the disposal of my Heart; for when e're I give it, it shall be
for ever. I can no more love twice, than die twice.
Desid.
Be not cruel too; let Pity to the Torments I endure, let Gratitude
to so sincere a Flame prevail.
Angel.
Gratitude, whoever loves may plead the same; am I oblig'd to
love, because I am belov'd? were that a Plea, you had put in yours too late.
Desid.
I confess, I have no Right, no Merit to offer but my Truth.
Angel.
That too is a general Pretence; how shall I distinguish it from Affectation.
Desid.
I never cou'd dissemble. I cou'd no more affect, than I can conceal
my Love. But if I can love with so much Zeal, when my Breast is fill'd
with as much Despair, as yours is with Indifference; how shou'd I love, how
doat, how be transported, wou'd you afford me some Return!
Angel.
Then you wou'd triumph in my weakness; and scorn to keep your
Conquest o'er my Heart, tho' you wou'd take Pride to win it.
Desid.
The Pride of winning it, wou'd not be so great, as the Pleasure of
preserving it, to a grateful, generous Mind.
Angel.
All Arguments are as weak where we dislike, as our Defences are,
where we love. I am unwilling to avow either; an Indifference to you, or
a Regard for my self, silences me.
Desid.
Either is Unkind, I dare not say Unjust: But since you do not declare
a Hatred, may I not hope.
Angel.
To bid you hope, were to declare I love; Yet something may be
granted to so much seeming Truth. I do not bid you hope, nor wou'd you
shou'd despair. But see the Court begins to fill. I am so much a Stranger,
I shall want a Guide to the Presence Chamber.
Desid.
May not I be honour'd with the Employment.
Angel.
Since my Father has not stay'd to be my Guardian, I may be allow'd
to chuse one.
[Exeunt.
Enter Flora, Almachild following her.
Flo.
Oh, I shall never have the Confidence to look my Friends in the Face
again! you have ruin'd me, and all the World will see it in me.
Alma.
Fear not; keep but your own, Counsel, and yuo are safe; betray
not your self by your Words, and none will discover it in your Face.
Flo.
I can never appear Innocent there, while I have so much Guilt in
my Breast.
Alma.
You'll find no such great difficulty in dissembling.
I shall do it so awkerdly, so faintly, that the Cheat will be obvious to all.
Alma.
Rather, have a Care of over acting; for Women render their Virtue
suspected, as Men do their Courage, when they pretend to it, too much.
Flo.
No, 'tis you alone have Power to preserve me from the Censure of the
World, and distracting Thoughts.
Alma.
Pho, Pow, she begins to grow troublesome now; how shall I get
rid of her.
[Aside.
Flo.
And will not Love prevail with you to do that for me, when it has
made me grant so much?
Alma.
What wou'd she be at now?
[Aside.
Any thing, my Dear, to satisfie you.
Pish! this is so nauseous.
[Aside.
Flo.
Then you may easily do that, only by marrying me.
Alma.
O fye, my Dear! that you shou'd expect that after Possession, when I
refus'd it before.
Flo.
But I am more sensible now, that it is necessary to preserve my Reputation.
Alma.
A Husband, indeed, is a pretty necessary Instrument to botch up a
Reputation; and under that Disguise, Women are allow'd to take many Liberties.
But never let that Man be a Repairer of your Honor, who has rob'd
you of it; you'll lose a fond Lover, and only gain a jealous Husband.
Flo.
But I must never expect one, if you refuse it.
Alma.
Yes, yes; there are Fools enough designed by Nature for that Employment.
See, the Queen moves this Way to the Presence-Chamber, there
is one follows her, Clefi, Avaro's Son, who is as we cou'd wish; he's rich,
and I have an Ascendant over him; what think you of him?
Flo.
Can he be acceptable to my Arms after you, or can I be to yours
after him?
Alma.
Ay, ay, we shall relish each other the better. Come retire awhile,
and leave him to my Management.
Flo.
You know you can perswade me to any thing.
This is the Fate which over Women rules,
We yield to Men of Wit, then catch at Fools.
[Exit.
Alma.
If I can work him to it now, I think I shall behave my self like a
Man of Honor and Prudence, to provide a rich foolish Husband for a cast
Mistress.
Enter Rosamund, follow'd by Cleanthe, Clefi, and Attendants.
Rosa.
Go tell the King, that I attend him here.
Why should dull Custom thus impose on us
Slavish, uneasie Duty to a Man?
He has a Mind to revel, and rejoice—
That on this day he won some Victory;
That he has butcher'd Crowds of harmless Men;
Triumphs in Blood and Ruin, and I must join,
Must listen to his Vanity and Boasts,
Seem pleas'd and flatter him.
Are you, my Lord, too fond of Pageantry?
[Seeing Almachild.
You who inhabit sure come not to look;
Monarchs grow cheap, by being often seen.
Alma.
Monarchs, for being so, we must admire;
But when they are adorn'd with such a Form,
When so much Beauty's join'd to Majesty,
We wou'd for ever gaze, and still be pleas'd.
Rosa.
Monarchs and Women are us'd to flatt'ry;
Nor can our Vanity distinguish Truth:
Nay, tho' we know we're flatter'd, we are pleas'd.
Alma.
Your Crown not more exceeds a Peasant's State,
Than your Triumphant Beauty the whole Sex.
The most admir'd She, when you're in View,
Like Pebbles plac'd by shining Diamonds seem.
Enter Alboino, Guards, and Attendants.
Alb.
What means that secret Conference with Him!
By Heav'n she smiles upon the worthless Wretch,
And now he bows, and seems to give her Thanks
That Starting and Confusion fit thee now;
Going up to her.
Well mayest thou blush to be so entertain'd.
Hast thou cull'd out the Man I most despise,
To grace him with thy Smiles, and private Talk?
But I disdain to be disturb'd by him;
Jealousie wou'd but disgrace my self.
Shall I, whose Actions have exceeded Faith,
And by my Deeds am rank'd in Honor's Form
With Alexander, or the first Cæsar?
Shall I, who oft have triumph'd over Kings,
And been the Theme of Envy and of Praise?
Shall I, seem jealous of a reptile Slave?
Rosa.
I started at your Frowns, not at my Words;
I must confess I'm pleas'd with his Discourse,
You were the Subject, he was praising you,
Not Men; nay, not gods cou'd be more extoll'd.
What cou'd I else have list'ned too from Him?
What but your Praises cou'd oblige a Smile?
Alb.
I want not Praises, my Fame's establish'd.
But yet, if that were all, excuse my Thoughts.
Now move we forward to our Room of State,
Where Wine and Musick, Pleasures shall create.
There we'll enjoy the soft Delights of Peace,
And all Domestick private Jars shall cease.
[Exeunt Omnes, Præter Almachild & Clefi.
Alma.
Clefi, A word; Have you persuaded your Father to let your Sister
come here to day?
I have; and came to find you out, and acquaint you, she is already here.
Alma.
I am oblig'd to you, and you shall find me grateful.
Cle.
Well, I am a faithful Sollicitor; I have said more fine, moving things
to her, on your account, than ever I could say to any Woman, for my self;
and the truth on't is, I believe, shou'd prevail sooner for you, than for my self.
Alma.
That's only because you think it not worth your while: Women
are Trifles beneath your Consideration.
Cle.
Why that's true too; Ha, ha, ha! I do contemn them indeed: tho'
if I could find one, who had Wit enough to value me as I deserve, I should not
be ungrateful. But I hate to speak witty things to a Fool. I reserve my self,
till I meet with a Person of equal Endowments.
Alma.
Then you should be always silent.
Cle.
And that is the reason the Women think me dull: Now I am a Person
the farthest from that in the World; for how can any one be accounted dull,
Who is always laughing and talking?
Alma.
It may be they are angry, you intrench so much on their Privileges.
Cle.
Ay, they are envious of me, without doubt, because I say so many more
witty things than they: And therefore let me break ne'er so many Jests, they
do not so much as smile; nay, though I give them an Example they won't,
and shew them when they shou'd, by laughing my self, and treading on their
toes, nay, if I repeat it fifty times, they ne'er mind it.
Alma.
I perceive the Fool is acquainted with Women of Sense.
[Aside.
Cle.
So that since I cannot bridle my Native Heat so much, as to be altogether
silent, I suit my Discourse to their Capacities, and can now talk a whole
day together, and yet not say one word to the purpose.
Alma.
That's no great Constraint:
[Aside.
However, all Women are not insensible of your Merits. I know a Lady of
most surprising Beauty, who as far excels Men in Wit, as her own Sex in
Vertue; I have heard her say such kind, such tender things; with so much
Passion, yet with so much Modesty—
Cle.
What, of me? Ha!
Ala.
I ought not divulge a Lady's Secrets: but—you are my Friend, and
her, I honour; and it may be a kindness to both, to acquaint you with her
Thoughts.
Cle.
Ay, Come, Prithee do, out of pity to the Lady. Adad, I'm strangely
pleas'd at this.
Alma.
She says you have so much Grandeur in your Countenance, one
wou'd judge you born a Monarch; yet you have so much Sweetness there, and
of so delicate a Complexion, you might be suspected to be a disguised Woman.
S'Death, can he be such a Fool to believe this?
[Aside.
Cle.
I am amazed, I am transported, I am confounded, I am extasy'd,
I am, I am—
Alma.
That you are of an easie Shape; graceful and free in all your Motions;
that—
Cle.
Hold, Hold; I cannot contain my Joy; I am convinced she loves me;
there can be no doubt of it; nay, I have been told such things before now;
been forced to reward them so highly.
Alma.
This is a Lady of Quality.
Cle.
Lady of Quality. Adad all the difference between Ladies of Quality
and other Women, is, that they set a greater Price upon their Favors; and
by their Titles, often make false Jewels pass for true ones. But who is this
enamour'd Lady, for amongst her other good Qualities, you have forgot the
chief, is she very wealthy? what is her Name?
Alma.
I am oblig'd to name her now, to justifie her; it is the chast, the
beauteous Flora, Odoacre's Daughter.
Cle.
Hum—Odoacre's Daughter. I was afraid, indeed, it was one, who
admir'd my Money, as well as my Person.
Alma.
Oh! you wrong the Lady. I must confess, the World frowns a
little on her Father; but his Fortune is not contemptible: and Flora, by
her good management, has gather'd considerable Riches, and has Jewels
inestimable (to my Cost I'm sure).
[Aside.
Cle.
Say you so; But how shall I be assured of this?
Alma.
Dare you take my Word?
Cle.
Ay, ay, your Word is sufficient.
Alma.
Then you have it, that she is very Wealthy. I saw her pass but this
Way now, follow her and make your Addresses; she cannot resist one so
accomplisht as your self.
Cle.
Nay, if it be so, I'll marry her instantly; and if I do once set about
it, there is no Woman can resist me, tho' I say it. Tho' may be I shall find
it difficult to persuade her to marry me at first sight.
Alma.
Try; I'll accompany and assist you. If she seems coy, I'll own I
have discover'd her Love.
Cle.
Ah my dear Lord! how shall I be able to requite this Favour!
I, on her Wealth and Virtue may depend;
Since I'm assur'd of both by such a Friend.
[Exeunt.
| The Revengeful Queen | |