University of Virginia Library

ACT the Fourth.

SCENE the Castle.
Enter Duke of Clarence, and Malavill.
Clar.
Here did I expect—oh what I did not expect
Even all the happiness my heart is fond off.
Cruel disappointment; yet 'tis but just;
When man gives up his Noble Charter, his Reason,
And is passions Slave, he shou'd be used so:
Oh, Malavill, cou'dst thou believe such falshhood
Were in Womankind,

Mal.
Most easily, my Lord, 'tis the common practice,
Had she proved true, that had been the wonder.

Clar.
Is't possible.
Isabella was my first and only Love
Pure were my flames, and my desires unfeign'd
Her returns I thought full of artless Innocence,
When in her Charming eyes I first read kindness,
If I catch'd a dear relenting glance,
How modestly she wou'd decline 'em;
Her lovely face cover'd with Virmilion blushes:
Nay, the tears wou'd follow. Cou'd this all be deceit?
Cou'd she weep and vow and look, such things—
And yet dissemble still.

Mal.
'Tis natural to the Sex.

Clar.
And is that dear false hand given to Thyrrold?
His plighted Wife! Racks, Wheels, and Gibbets,
Sword and fire, can their torments equal
That curst thought; yet when I reflect on this
Unexampled Treachery, methinks 'tis strange
The story most improbable, 'tis but some few hours
A go that fair one gave me all the tendrest
Marks of love and kindest promises; what cou'd
Tempt her to draw me on so far?

Mal.
I like not this.

[Aside.
Clar.
But then how shou'd Thyrrold know of our
Intended flight, unless thou hast proved
The smooth fac'd Villain, and betray'd me.

Mal.
If you mistrust me, use your Sword,
Wound me not with your unkind suspicions:
Tardy Duke of Gloucester, I shall be ruin'd.

[Aside.
Clar.
I know not what to think, but shou'd I find
Thou hast wronged me in the tendrest part,
The blessing of my Life, my Love, my Isabella,
I cannot name her but my heart will rise:
Oh, cruel Charmer think not to 'scape my Vengeance,
For tho' the King shou'd Guard thee, through
His heart I'd reach at thine, seize thee
Like a loosen'd Fury, and shake thee into Atoms.

Thyrrold above.
Thyr.
What mad man's this, that raves beneath our Walls.

Clar.
Traytor, come down and see.

Thyr.
I wou'd, but for commands which I have sworn to obey.

Clar.
What commands shifting Coward?

Thyr.
Fair Isabella has hung about my neck,
Used such prevailing arts of fondness,
Beg'd with such a grace, and so much power,
That I have forgiven both her and you.

Clar.
Ye raging Fires, eat, eat my heart; burn inwards,
But burst not forth, I wo'not answer like a Woman,
With my Tongue alone, but Thyrrold, he assur'd
I shall find thee: yes, hadst thou Gyants
For thy Guard, wert thou hem'd with Devils
I'd Grapple with thee, and sink thee too:
Remember that, and tremble.

Thyr.
If I tremble it must be with delight,
To Isabella's Bed I am going, the Priest
Has made us one, there the soft, the melter,
The expecting fair one lies, think you on that,
And mangle thy own flesh.
In distraction thy wretched bosom tear,
Reflect upon my joys, and then despair.
[Exit Thyrrold.

Clar.
Curses, curses! Oh Malavill, in thy bosom
Hide me, for if I look that way my eyes will burst.

Enter three or four Villains.
1 Vill.
Yonder he stands, we may seize his Sword
E'er he perceive us.

[Snatches his Sword from him.
Clar.
Villains what mean ye?
Malavill, give me thy Sword, and get behind me.

Mal.
No, I'll defend your life.

1 Vill.
Fool, thou canst not save thy own.

(stabs him, he falls.
Mal.
Oh pardon me noble Sir you are betray'd and so
Am I, the Lady Isabella is—

[dies.
Clar.
What, go on, speak but that word, that syllable either
False or True, and I'll forgive thee all; 'tis lost in death.

1 Vill.
You must with us.

Clar.
Slaves, do you know to whom you speak?

1 Vill.
Our orders are to force you, if you resist.

Clar.
Unhand me, Dogs, I am the Duke of Clarence.

1 Vill.
No matter who you are, you are our Prisoner now.

Clar.
Slaves, Villains, Murderers.

[Exit forc'd off.
SCENE the inside of the Castle. A Toylet.
Enter Isabella, and Esperanza.
Isa.
Methinks I tread these Royal Rooms, as bodies
Summon'd to the Grave, take their last melancholy
Rounds, and sadly traverse o'er and o'er the places that
They best have loved; Oh love are all that bend beneath
Thy weight, oppress'd like me? no, 'tis impossible.
Then humane kind wou'd throw thy bondage off,
But alas, thy crowds of Votaries are Rovers all,
Play with desire, catch'd at the eyes, and changed
Without a pang; 'tis not, my Clarence, so with us,
The link of Souls has fixt our meeting Passions,
I hope beyond the power of Fate to break;
By yon lifted tapers Show the Queen is coming,
Be gone, my Esperanza, get our disguises ready,
And wait me at the outer Court.

Esper.
Madam, I will.

Isa.
See where they come, Tudor and the Queen,
Arm in arm they walk; Love takes up
[Exit Es.
Every thought and every wish:
Nor cou'd those Majestick eyes of Catharine
Express more pleasure, more satisfaction,
When she beheld a Thousand ready slaves,
Who watch'd each motion and fled to execute
E'er she cou'd speak her will; this proves
Possessing the dear object that's beloved,
Superiour to ambition, a sublimer Joy,
And Clarence, shall not thou and I, be thus happy?
Yes, if in France they give us but an humble
Vineyard joyn'd with a lovely Cottage, there won't
Thou meet me with such desiring eyes, there
Shall I forget the bustle of the great, and in thy
Faithfull arms taste balmy slumbers, which the
Busie Statesman, and the fair false one
Never knows.
Enter Queen Catharine, Owen Tudor in a Night gown, Ladies of Honour.
She comes! Oh let me gaze eagerly, as the
Transported Tudor, for Heaven only knows, when I
Shall behold that dear, that lovely form again.

Tud.
Haste, ye officious Virgins! haste
Off with all these useless shining Ornaments, give her to
My longings: Oh, fairest Catharine, leave to thy
Wanton Sex the care of dress, let them use Art
And Skill, labour hard to make a little Conquest.
Thy eyes will do the work alone, the Indian sweets,
And Aromatick Gums be theirs, thy rosie breath,
Out vie's 'em all.

Cat.
Oh, how long is it since my ears have drank such
Accents, I cannot chide thy flatteries, cause 'tis
Loves excess? A Chair their for my Lord.

(Sits down.
Tud.
No, here at thy feet, grasping thy knees a happiness
For which I've courted every Power, which day and
Night has heard me beg of thee; at length
Relenting Heavens—

Cat.
Does Heaven relent, my Tudor! Oh no, that
Hope's too full of blessings; if Heaven were reconciled,
Then we shou'd meet to part no more.

Tud.
Why have ye damp'd my rising Joys with the
Detested thought of parting; ye all righteous
Powers, if we must part again, if my fond Eyes
Must be snatched from what they dote on, and
Condemn'd to view objects which they hate,
Grant, grant this milder doom, close 'em in the night
Of death, least returning back to my despair, I
Curse that Providence I wou'd revere.

Cat.
Hard Fate of greatness, as if it were the Foe
And opposite to love, rarely descends, but brings a train
Of mischiefs.

Tud.
Yet, 'tis a glorious ruin thus to hover o'er my
Queen, to breath my Vows upon her Sacred bosom,
Tho' this breath were now my last, is happier far
Than to have lived a long insipid Age with some
Ignoble Fair One: taste of such Seraphick bliss; is
Worth the exchange of Nestor's years.

Cat.
This is too much, my Tador, that soft maid just in the bloom
Of Beauty might excuse a Lover's talking so, I
Must not hear extravagance like this.

Isa.
aside.]
The dreadfull hour approaches, uninterrupted time
Has measur'd half its minutes and oh my Coward
Heart beats faster than the warning Clocks.

Tud.
Ye all are triflers,
And not consider the impaciency of my desires, nor the
Cruel Fate, which bounds my wishes and will bring my
Foe the morning e'er I have whisper'd half the story
Of my Love.

Cat.
Fie, my Lord, my Isabella help me here! ha thy
Hands are cold upon me, thou tremblest too, see.
Tudor, see, my beauteous charge looks pale?
Speak! what ails my choicest care.

Isa.
Something cold and shuddering, like what
We apprehend of death has seized me, permit
Me, Madam, to retire, I shall soon recover, but if I
Do not, if I die or ought that's worse befall,
Upon my knees I beg a kind remembrace.

Cat.
Alas, she is much disorder'd, lead her in; with richest
Cordials revive her sinking spirits, and bring me
Instant word.

Isa.
Oh love! oh fate! Oh Queen belov'd; which shall I
Follow? direct me, Heaven.
[Exit Isa. led off.

Cat.
Her words disjoynted are, yet sure there's
meaning in 'em.

Tud.
No more, my Queen, than what the story
Of her love allows.

Cat.
Forgive my superstition, if I say I think it ominous;
My Isabella sickens when my Joys are fullest in
Seeing you again.

Tud.
I have all my heart can wish, without a further
Thought. My Heaven is here.

Cat.
Ha! methinks I see a bloody hand that parts
Our meeting arms; it points towards thee, and seems to
Rain a shower of blood upon us. Turn towards me,
Thou fatal Fantom; on this devoted head, let the
Dreadfull omen fall, but spare! oh spare my Tudor!

Tud.
My Queen, my Love, my Life, do with me what you will,
From the highest Turret hurl me down: stab your
Adorer, rather than let me hear you talk as if
Depriv'd of reason.

Cat.
Did you not see nothing then! Oh what was it! of what,
Was the sad Idea made! that got between my eyes and your
Lov'd form?

Tud.
Hide thy fears within these faithfull arms, which long to
Clasp thee; turn thy bright eyes into my heart:
Oh! that you cou'd, there, wou'd you behold your own
Loved Image, sitting Triumphant o'er every thought,
And ruler of each wish.

Cat.
Still do I tremble and feel a terror o'er my spirits, to which
I cannot give a name. Prithee do not Judge unkindly
Of my weakness.

Tud.
No, I must bless your tender care, but sure were your
Breast as full of Love as mine, there cou'd not be a
Room for any other passion.

Enter Esperanza.
Esp.
Murder! murder! I'm pursu'd by Men or Monsters
Of the night, which from the Vault arise, and
Follow me with fury.

Cat.
Then we are lost, this door's too weak resistance.

(Fastens the door.
Tud.
Surpriz'd, unarm'd! Oh for a Sword.

Cat.
Step, my dearest Lord, into this Closet, whilst I
Meet these bold Invaders, there may be power in
Injur'd Majesty, to stop their Insolence.

Tud.
What, must I be hid like a midnight thief, or
Pale Adulterer; no, no, my Queen? rather let me plant
My naked breast against this pass, and die defending it.

(A noise.
Cat.
They come. I conjure thee, Tudor,
By honour, by love, by whatever thou holdest dear,
By my desires, which still were sacred, enter here.

Tud.
I will obey, tho' I am convinc'd, 'tis not evading my
Fate, but receiving the death they bring, a baser
Way, as if I fear'd it.

(Exit into the Closet.
A noise without.
Glou.
Break down the door.
We must have entrance.

Cat.
Help there! ring the alarm Bell: I am beset.
It must be Villains, some robbers of the Camp for
Plunder, who, notwithstanding the General's grant for
Peace, disturb my rest, and fright me to destraction,
Ring out the Alarm Bell: Thyrrold, where are ye?

Glou.
(without.)
We are your Friends,
The King is here, open the door,
Else we shall break it; if you talk of Peace, give
Not cause for Violation; Thyrrold is with us, and all
That he commands.

Cat.
Then opposition is in vain?

Enter Edward, Duke of Gloucester, Sir James Thyrrold and Officers.
Cat.
Ha! is this the Courage the Plantagenets pretend to,
Making War on Women, attacking a defenceless Queen
Whom their own promises, if they were binding,
Had secur'd?

Edw.
You first broke the Articles by sending succors
To your Son, and by harbouring Traytors proclaim'd.

Cat.
Sure till you enter'd, these Walls held none,
Unless 'twere he which trembles there behind.

(Pointing to Thyrrold.
Edw.
He has done his duty:
Catharine, in vain you dress your face in frowns,
Those imperious looks are unregarded now, there
Was a time: yes, shame to my weakness, there was
A time when half that rigour cou'd have struck
Me groveling to the Earth, like one fell'd by the
Almighty Thunderer, crawling in dust, unable to
Resist, but thanks to my kinder Stars, 'tis past: the
Giddy Wheel has gone its round, and terror on this
Brow alone's to be observ'd: Brother, proceed you
In the search,

Cat.
He shall not dare, by my great Henry's Soul, whose
Little finger wou'd have tumbled your aspirings
Down, and crusht ye into nothing, he shall not dare.

Glou.
What has the Lyon cast his Skin? is Tudor
Cramm'd shaking in some close corner, and left the Queen to
Brave us? Come, fellow Soldiers, we'll seek this
Lurking Rebel, drag him from the hole, whither
His fears have led him, and take his forfeit
Head, for coming where all our Laws deny'd him.

Enter Tudor.
Tud.
No, be thine the fears as thine's the guilt, as
Thine's the name of Rebell, this honest loyal
Heart defies thy malice.

Cat.
Away, away, my Tudor: hold, cruel Gloucester
Hold?

Enter Isabella.
Isa.
Stand off! and let me pass, what mischief's acting
Here; has Clarence done this, and am I the cause?

Glou.
Ha, another Fury! take her, Thyrrold, to thy dispose,
She's wholly given—you know the rest; leave not a
Rival room to hope, least this opportunity proves
Thy last.

Isa.
Touch me not, Monster. What have I done? if I
Am guilty, let the injur'd Queen punish me, let her
Spurn me, trample on me, print me with a
Thousand wounds, I'll not complain.

Thyr.
You shall have no reason, Madam, but you
Must retire, 'tis the command of him, who now
Is master here.

Isa.
I will not, Sir; oh save me, Royal Madam, from
The cruel hands of these inhumane Men.

Glou.
Force her hence, we other business have than to
Mind her foolish fears.

Isa.
Help heav'n, if the Queen denies, help thou my
Weakness? help! Oh help!

(Exit forc'd off, with Thyr.
Cat.
Alas, distracted wretch, but
Why name I her, when all my life holds dear is
On the brink of ruin?

Tud.
Speak, Edward, what is my doom, dauntless, I
Expect it, I wou'd have met thee fairly in the field, body to
Body, arm'd with Sword and Justice, but I suppose
You lik'd not that, therefore now what you please.

Edw.
Audacious Tudor, thou threaten! condemn'd for
Thy Ambition, thy haughty love is adjudged a Treason
Capital, even that Puny King Henry, whom thou
Pretendest to serve, he had courage to Sentence thee:
Seize him, Captain, Command his head be strucken
Off, and fixt upon the Castle Wall.

Cat.
Thro' this bosom, whosoe'er comes on: am I not
Daughter of France and England's Queen? have I no
Power? where are my Guards? Alas, I had forgot, I've
None.

Tud.
Disturb not thus the quiet of thy Soul, my everlasting
Charmer? Thy sorrows rack me more than all their
Rage: Come, whither am I to be led.

Cat.
Oh, Tudor! glory, disdain, and pomp are mine
No more, yet thou art mine, thou art yet alive, and for
That precious life I will renounce the former; yes,
Edward, I read the sullen pride that fills thy eyes,
And gathers on thy brow. Glut thee this way, behold
That Queen, who shook thee with a nod fall thus,
Thy suppliant.

[kneels.
Edw.
And at this sight, may Heaven and Earth be
Witness, oh Gloucester! well hast thou fulfil'd thy word.
Not all the Crowns ambition covets, England and
France, the noblest Diadems, can please like this:
Thus did I kneel, and thus was I repuls'd; and oh fair
Queen, if I have lost my Soul for want of pity,
His life is poor amends.

Cat.
Sure there is something in thee like the mixture
Of a God and Devil.
I cannot beg, my heart's above it:
Yet spare him Edward, for thy future fame.

Tud.
Oh torture, not to be endur'd, my life ask'd
Of him, him whose life I did command.

Edw.
Ha!

Cat.
Oh stop, bend to hard necessity, thy words have
Given him new rage, canst thou behold these
Low submissions for thy sake, and frustrate all their
Power?

Glou.
You do indeed submit below your Character
To save your wanton choise, the Idol of your Lust.

Tud.
Villain, I'll tear out that Blasphemous tongue,
That has prophan'd a Chastity
Thy Mother never knew.

[Flies at Gloucester.
Glou.
I always go prepar'd for such a hug, lie there
Presuming wretch.

(Stabs him, Tud. falls.
Cat.
Wither the arm, that arm that gave the blow:
Curst be my Female weakness too that cou'd not save him.
Oh fatal aim, speak to me once again.

(sinks upon Tud.
Edw.
Look to the Queen?
Gloucester, thou hast done as men in power wou'd wish,
A cruel necessary act without the bidding,
Yet help me, Brother, for thou I find art steady,
And tenderness struggles with revenge: Oh, the
Uncertainty of humane passion, for Catharine I
Wou'd once have died, yet now have given her
Sorrows severer much than death.

Cat.
Ha! who have we here, my Tudor bleeding,
These bubling wounds are none of thine,
If they are, give 'em to me, I feel 'em at my heart.

Tud.
My paradise on earth, farewell: Have patience,
Live for their dear sakes I leave behind,
My Children? Oh farewell?

(dies.
Cat.
No, we won't part so soon,
On these pale lips, I will for ever, ever lie.

Edw.
The sight stupifies my senses:
Let's to the field, there in the clank of Swords
I will forget this private murder,
For sure it cannot bear a better name.

Glou.
Yes, as I shall order it, when the day is ours,
Which is now undoubted, his death breaks their Forces,
Missing their Leader, his Troops dismaid prove useless,
After Conquest it shall be given out,
That he was taken and beheaded: Victory
And Success will stop the mouth of unnecessary truth,
And leave the following Age in doubt.

Edw.
Captain, let the Trumpets sound,
Wake every Soldier with the voice of Battle,
For as the Sun must rise in blood, so shall
His evening be, and he shall shine no more,
Till he beholds no Rival in the British Throne:
Gloucester, dispose of Tudor as you please,
But to the Queen offer no violence.
Oh Catharine! Oh fatal Beauty, what ruins
Thy Love has made.
(Exit Edw.

Cat.
Ha, who said that if I am curst in Love,
I'll try to thrive in hate, to thrive in curses;
Curst be Edward? Curst be all his Race, let 'em,
Prometheus like, have their own bowels torn,
For they have prey'd upon my heart.

Glou.
Have comfort, Madam.

Cat.
Comfort! yes, from thy bloody hand I wou'd
Receive it? Daggers, Sword, and Poyson, are the only
Comforts thou canst give or I desire. Henry
And Tudor both the rich prizes now of death,
Then why am I spared: come on thou Murderer,
Strike this swelling bosom, and let me mount to
My Immortal Heroes; see where my Tudor rises
On a Fleecy Cloud, all Crown'd with
Radiant light: Oh take me with thee! he ascends
A pace, I cannot reach him, I'll tear this Clog
Of flesh off: bear me, ye Whirlwinds near him.
Vain delusive joy, cold and bleeding at my feet,
The dear one lies. Oh, my sick brain!

Glou.
Sleep will give you ease: Here, Soldiers, carry
This body to the outer Court, from his dead trunk
Severe his head; think it not cruelty,
For he feels no further pain.

Cat.
Ha! must he not be buried then, but mangled
More, yes he shall, I'll hide him, I'll scrape the Earth up
But I'll find a Grave; Receive him common Parent,
Receive him at my call.

Glou.
Divide her from his Body.

Cat.
No, never! never! hear me, Gloucester!
I will help thy invention, mend thy bloody purpose:
Cut off my living limbs, mingle 'em with his,
Throw upon us molten Lead, and Seas of liquid fires,
But divide us now no more.

Glou.
Haste, ye sluggards,
[Drag Tudor out, the Queen falls at the door.
Gently raise the Queen,
And in some other apartment let her be confin'd.
This was a shock indeed; but this o'ercome
Points out lost Henry's succeeding doom.