University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

Enter the Vice-Roy, Adellaida, Don Lopez, Lorenza.
Vice.
My Adellaida! perfect Image of thy Mother,
Sweet in thy obedience; and of Temper gentle!
Let not thy careful Fathers Precepts be thought
Only the Effects of peevish Age; and thrown
From thy Remembrance like those uneasy
Rules, which unwillingly we hear,
And ne'er design to practise!

Adel.
What have I done to merit this Reflection?
Why am I thought so vile? what mighty
Error have I in my Conduct shown, to make my
Noble Father talk thus! to break the Heart
That's fill'd with Reverence and Love
Towards him, Great as his tender Care
Can in a grateful Brest produce.

Vice.
I accuse thee not my Child, and indeed I
Justly cannot: Thy prudent Youth has out-done
Our Celebrated Matrons, with Joy I have beheld
Your unaffected Care; and trusting to your
Discretion, wav'd the nicer Customs of our Spain,
And given you Liberty to your utmost wishes.

Adel.
Do you repent your kindness, Sir?
Else, why is it mention'd now?

Vice.
No. Yet I will tell thee, Adellaida
Foreboding Dreams Torture
My sick Fancy; my Peace of mind is Shockt
Most unaccountably—thy Brother Emilius,
The other half of my divided Heart,
And thee are the only Treasures Fate can
Wound me in, for I have learnt
So much Philosophy, to quit Honour, and
Wealth freely, as I wou'd my Garments,
Whem my wearied Body longs for rest.

Adel.
Our last Letters left my dearest Brother in perfect Health.

Vice.
True; they did so—
Yet be Cautious my belov'd be Cautions let thy Father's fears
Set thy prudence on the Watch. Hark!
[Horn Winds without.
The Huntsman calls—
I'le try in Sports to drive this Melancholy
Apprehensions off—my Adellaida, Farewell.

Adel.
Much Diversion wait on your Highness.

Don Lopez
aside to Adel.
My Life! Stay but a Moment here:
I'le instantly return,

[Exit.
Adel.
I will—Amida, come hither—
The rest retire—Didst thou not
[Exeunt Women.
The rest retire—Didst thou not
Tremble at my Fathers Speeches?

Ami.
Indeed I was surpriz'd.

Adel.
Oh! He's Divinely good; and the just Powers
Will Reveal my Disobedience; or punish it
With some unforeseen Misfortune—
To boast of Filial Duty, yet break it in
The Highest point—To give my self away,
Without this Dear Indulgent Father's knowledge—
Horrid Impiety! Unpardonable Crime!

Ami.
See the Lov'd Cause; and Cease your vain Lamentings.

Re-enter Brisac.
Adel.
Oh! my Brisac! Why have we been so rash?
Why did we not stay for the Paternal Blessing?
Which wou'd have remov'd this Cloud
Of Sorrows, that sink all hopes of Dawning Comfort.

Bris.
Not Comfort! to me the Hours come Fraught
With Bliss! the very Sound that thou art mine!
That Adellaida's my Bride wou'd Chear me
In a Dungeon! Oh thou Beauteous
Wonder of the Earth! the Musick of whose
Voice alone wou'd charm a Lunatick;
And make the Wrack-stretch'd Slave
Forget his pain, Gazing upon
Thy Eyes Dye pleas'd; and think his Happiness was there!
Then shall we repine, or fear our Future Fate?
When we Command her Richest store;
When the Blessings of Transporting Love is ours?

Adel.
How vain are all the Cautions of our Sex;
How weak the best Resolves of Woman-kind!
What boots it now to boast, my Eyes ne'er gave
A Glance of kindness, or Ears inclin'd to the
Delusive stories of my Numerous Lovers—
I stay'd but till the Fated Spoiler came
Then, at Random, Stak'd my Heart, my Liberty;
Whatever I had priz'd before:
And only sigh'd, when I could give no more!

Bris.
Oh Adellaida! Why dost thou please so well;
That I mistrust the greatness of my Joys; and
Fear, no Mortal must long remain in such
Exalted Happiness—when thus I grasp
Thy Hand, and look upon thy lovely Face,
My Senses in Alarm, Croud and hurry
Altogether; the tumultuous Pleasures
Gather round my Heart; and with my utmost
Reason I can scarce determine, whether
This is real, or some Visionary Bliss.

Adel.
These are a Bridegroom's Extasies.—
But, my Brisac, woo't thou talk
Thus, when, after many Rowling Years,
Thou hast lost that Name; when I have lost
The mighty Charm of being new;
Nay, perhaps, when both our Angry Fathers with Hatred
May pursue us; Drive us among humble
Villagers: Thou an Inhabitant of some Barren
Plain; and I the Mistress only of a little Cell:
Woo't thou then revive me with Love like this?
And make our Low-built Cottage Happier far
Than Palaces, whose Turrets wrap their
Aspiring Tops in Clouds; or Crouded Cities,
Where Ten Thousand lay their Anxious
Heads, and never know such peace as ours!

Bris.
All must be Peace near thee; Joy settles
Round thy Habitation; and Blooming
Pleasures spring at thy Lov'd sight!

Adel.
Oh! Thou dost talk away the Minutes, forgetting
Our Restraint—withdraw, or we shall
Be Observ'd.

Bris.
Not till you have Promis'd—

Adel.
What?

Bris.
To be this Night at our obliging Friends,
The kind Appania's

Adel.
Impossible!

Bris.
Most easy. Command your other Women
To retire; then with the faithful Amidea
When all the Court is still, pass the Long Gallery:
There's no shadow of a Danger.

Adel.
Yet my Heart trembles at this thought?

Bris.
Eager Love shall drive thy Causeless Fears
Away. Appania, Pitifull
And kind, as her soft Sex Inspires,
Prepares the Bridal Bed, Adorn'd with all
The Sweets, that ever Bounteous Nature gave—
But, Oh! What need of Odors, when thou art there?

Amid.
Madam, One of the Pages is just Entring.

Adel.
Be gone my Lord.

Bris.
You will come—

Adel.
I think not.

Bris.
Those Charming Eyes, my better Friends,
Speak kinder things.

Adel.
Then trust to them: and leave me
To Blush alone.

Bris.
A Taste of Bliss,—'tis Sweet, as Health or Liberty:
It glides thro' ev'ry Vein; and Centers at my
Heart; Yet will I try to gain another Hour, else
Shall I hate the flow passing Day, repine at
The All Chearing Sun, and dye with Eager Expectation
Of the Friendly Night, Night Sacred to Lovers Joys
And Covert to the Blushing Bride; for Oh
What place, in Absence can my Spirits chear,
When all my Ravish'd Heart admires is here?

[Exit.
Enter a Page.
Page.
This Note from the Princess Appamia;
Also a Gentleman, who beggs to speak with you
In Private.

Adel.
Reading.

Enter Emilius.
Emil.
Madam—

Adel.
Nay; no Sett Speeches—I know thee—
By all the Blessings of this day, 'Tis he—
He himself, my own, my dear, My lov'd
Emilius—Oh! Brother! what do the
Bounteous Heavens mean by this profuse Addition?

Emil.
Adellaida!

Adel.
I won't stop, nor ask a Reason for thy Disguise,
Or odd appearance; but talk wildly on,
And rest Secur'd I have thee here!

Emil.
My Sister—yet still the Dearer Name's behind—
My Friend! Blood is the Tye of common
Souls; a Sordid Earthly Link—Friendship!
The Noble Workmanship of Heav'n!

Adel.
Art thou return'd thou Wanderer!

Emil.
I am.

Adel.
Yes, Yes; I see thou art, my pleas'd Eyes
Behold thee not Alter'd, nor Estrang'd,
Thy Looks their wonted kindness bear; and I am blest.

Emil.
My Adellaida, I begg thee cease
Help and Assist me with thy utmost Power.

Adel.
Is there a Power in me to serve Emilius!
And am I not Commanded?

Emil.
Without my Fathers License, I have
Ventur'd back—I prithee Sister, choose
Some Auspicious Hour to Reveal it—
Nay go farther yet my Sister; let him
Suppose I am Harden'd grown in Disobedience;
Have made a bold disposal of my self,
Without Consulting him, from whom I had
My Being—Then if his Fury Rise (as much
I fear it will) with all thy winning Sweetness,
(Melting, and soft) Curb the just Tempest—
Plead for thy Brother; as I wou'd do for Adellaida.

Adel.
Oh Sir!

Emil.
Ha! What mean these Ominous Tears?—
'Tis Strange! I cannot mention the Blessing of
My Life; the Business of my Love, to my
Best Friends: but strait I meet the Face
Of Sorrow—Oh Adellaida! Had'st thou
To me committed ought of this Import:
I wou'd not thus have Check'd thy Blooming Hopes!

Adel.
Twins were we in the Womb, and since our Birth
By our Father equally Belov'd; for my poor
Mother dy'd E're we could Taste her kindness—
Both too, I think have trod the Paths of Virtue;
Both aim'd at the rich Standard of all
Generous minds, Immortal Honour—
But if both have fail'd—

Emil.
In what?

Adel.
In Duty, Brother—If Love has Broke
The Holy Ramparts down; and left us Expos'd,
Like the first Pair: Will our Adhering to
Each other Avert the Wrath of Heaven,
And our great Parent?

Emil.
Expos'd the Wrath of Heav'n!—
What hast thou done, my better half?

Adel.
Even that rash thing, I guess you guilty of—
Which I shou'd never have dar'd to own,
Had you not by Example
Taught me boldness—
Than Gordian Knot
Which few Escape, and yet by fewer is easy made
By me is Ty'd, without my Father's knowledge—
I am Married—think thou my Brother,
What an Advocate, you have chose, whose
Every Argument, us'd for you, bears for her self,
The same Validity, and Weight!

Emil.
What strange Game of Fortune's this?
The more I think, the more I am Confus'd.

Adel.
Yet you are a Man; and will, I am sure; look Danger
Boldly in the Face: But I, a Woman, fearful
As a Hind, when the full Cry is up; and all are Bent
Upon the Slaughter—therefore I beg, when the
Discovery's made, you'l be my Protector, and
Prove a Brother; tho by an Angry Father I'm forsaken.

Emil.
Oh Adellaida! To look too far, is wild amaze—
Hush then our Faults, and let us talk no more—
Let us forget this Interview till to morrow—
And if thou hast such a Prospect, as my pleas'd Fancy
Paints: No Suffering can outweigh the Blissful Hours,
'Twixt the Setting, and the Rising Sun.

Adel.
Promise only, that you'l Love my Husband;
That My Father shan'not force,
Your Noble Arm against him, and I am satisfi'd.

Emil.
I do.

Adel.
Nay, but you shall Swear.

Emil.
What wou'dst thou ha' me Swear?

Aeol.
Kneel thus with me, and Swear; that as
I'le prove faithful to your Beauteous Choice
Fulfilling every wish, and word of hers,
So you'l protect, and love the Lord,
That Rules your Sister's Heart.

Emil.
I Sware I will, but why so nice a fear. When I injure him,
Fate Deeper Wound the darling my Soul is fond of—Ha!

Adel.
Why start you Brother?

Emil.
Methinks, as thus we kneel, thus
Strengthning each other in highest
Disobedience: Red hissing Bolts
Are forming to Consume us!

Adel.
Alas Emilius!

Emil.
'Twas a Cross thought—But let all
Be forgot, as these past Moments—Name me not
Nor think of me, till next we meet;
Then Appamia shall direct us. I hear the
Huntsman's Horn; and guess my Father
Is returning—No word of me I beg.

Adel.
My Tongue I will Command—But my thoughts are full of thee,
As thine, I hope, sometimes remember me.

[Exit severally.
Enter Vice-Roy, Lorenza; Attended.
Vice.
The Lowering Heavn's all Sullen as the Fate
I fear, Conspire to Increase this most unwelcome
Load upon my Drooping Spirits! The Day,
Lorenzo, which was as fair at our up-rising,
As Gaudy Nature cou'd put on, is now reverst;
The Sun Wrapt up in Sable Clouds, Seems
To hasten his Delightful Course; and long
To Sett in Darkness!

Lor.
Such are the Joys of Humane kind;
Uncertain, as the Seasons! So Fortune Tempts us
With a Smiling Face; and (in a Moment) Sickness,
Death, or Cruel Disappointment Blasts
Our growing Expectations!

Vice.
True, Lorenza; yet thou complain'st not
By Experience, or the weight of Sorrows:
But like the Common Vogue of the World;
That still Cries out, The Times are hard.
Fate grows blinder; more unjust than ever,
With a Knavish Partial Hand Scatters
Her Favours: Missing none but the Deserving!
This Complaint the present Age always thinks
Is new: When (alass!) their Fore-Fathers
Always said the same.—
But prethee, Lorenza, leave thou such
Affectation—Thy Fortune's large; Thy
Character is good; Noble thy Birth;
And all the Blessings of a prosperous Youth, Attend thee.

Lor.
My Gallant Friend! Venerable Governour!
Say, Rather all the Curses.

Vice.
How!

Lor.
The Wretch that in a Raging Feaver Lies,
Whose parch'd-up Soul Hunts round the Burning
Clay, wherein it is Confin'd, and sighs but for a
Cool retreat: were he Lord of the Universe,
Wou'd he not give it all for Liquid Draughts
Of Quenching Water; Sound his Big Titles,
In his Ears; Disclose his Hoarded Wealth;
Lull him with Enchanting Songs; Surround him
With the Various Pleasures, Luxury in Health,
And Power Invented; wou'd this make him
Happy? No! Like me amidst the hateful
Bustle, He'd beg for Ease, or Death.

Vice.
Folly, and Madness! Thou hast no cause.

Lor.
Not Cause! Is not all the Happiness my Heart
Can guess at, or my mind can Frame, Treasur'd
In Beauteous Adellaida? And doth not the
Disdainful fair still view me with relentless Eyes!
Like the Coy Daphne, Fly my Loath'd pursuit
Shun me, as she wou'd Infection! O must Accurst!
Hated by Adellaida, Why do I Live? Why Drag
This Irksome Being, round a World, where
Nothing else can please!

Vice.
Far from thy Soul be such a thought my Son!
She hates the not; but fearful, unknowing yet
Mankind, will only try thy Faith, e're
She, for Life Surrender.

Lor.
Oh! had I grounds for that kind hope: I'de not
Exchange the Prospect of such Bliss, to be
Spains Monarch, or the United Worlds!

Vice.
Have you not my Approbation? and is she not
The Pattern of Obedience? I own (won by her
Sweetness) I did promise not to force her
Inclinations; but I know she wou'd as
Soon forgoe her Honour, as Contradict my will

Lor.
That Don Lopez, the lately arriv'd Kinsman
Of your fair Charge—Oh forgive my Jealousy?

Vice.
Nothing but her Friendship to Appamia.
At the return of my belov'd Emilius, I hope
To fix that Lady, and all her Fortunes, in my Family,
Direct me heav'n, but in the Disposal of those two choice blessings
Thou hast given (my Children) and what e're Probations is thought
Fit beside, shall be receiv'd without a Murmer!

Lor.
Auspicious be the Moment, that we offer up
Our Prayers! Grant me good Heav'n, my Love!
I ask no more.

Vic.
Search, my Lorenza; find this darling Mistriss out;
Fall at her Feet; and Breath thy faithful Vows:
I'le follow; and my persuasions add: This kind Force
Will Storm her gentle Breast; and touch that
Heart, which seems Impenitrable.

Lor.
Oh Love! Thou charming little God, dwell in my Eyes,
And hang upon my Tongue, with Honey-dropping
Eloquence! Steal through her Ears; and thrill into her Heart.
Till She at lash th'Almighty Rapture know:
To please her self; and ease her Lover's Woe!

[Exeunt.
Enter Apamia and Zelide.
App.
Remember Zelide, each particular
We'ave from Lovisa Learn't.

Zel.
Fear not Madam; my Memory shall be
A faithful Register to serve you.

App.
Easie, and plain her Words—
An honest Freedom ran through her Narration.—
And am I Doom'd to Ruine this Artless Innocence?

Zel.
Blest be these Reflections! Cherish these thoughts;
Continue Madam, as free from Guilt
As is Lovisa.

App.
But shall she then possess Emlius?
Shall these Cursed Eyes behold the Hateful
Object of their meeting Loves! See the Gay
Years Circle round with flowing Pleasure?
Whilst I despair! No, rather gape wipe, thou Earth
And swallow them or me—to bear us all
The Burden is too great!

Zel.
Still I am your Slave; and 'tis my fear for you;
For your dear Safety only, make me wish
You'd move no farther.

App.
Yes; I will on; and give 'em back the Wracks,
I feel—Sure 'tis but Justice—
The Earl d Englesac; he was the Man,
Her Father chose for whom the Nuptuals were prepar'd,

Zel.
Right Madam.

Enter Page.
Pag.
The Lord Bucarius waits your Pleasure

App.
Admit him, yet stay, come back, Zelide
Whither am I going, can I decree Emilius Death
And Live? Yes; for he's Dead to me already—
But can I dehold the noblest Form, Nature
In all her Workings, e're produc'd; or,
Joyning Art rendred Exquisite, a cold Lump
Of Clay: The Immortal Soul Hunted by
Violence, from her lovely Dwelling.

Zel.
Think well Madam; for after Death,
Repentance is too late!

App.
What is't that Staggers my Resolves—
Avaunt thou soft, Intruding Pity!
Let my wild Fancy view their Scenes of
Mutual Love; and Fire my just Revenge!
Ha! Methinks I see their glowing Lips;
Which thurst to meet their close Embraces;
Where their beating Hearts keep time;
Their Arms are Revetted together!
Part 'em ye Powers; part 'em! Set Seas, Olimpick Hills
And all the Lumber of the Earth between 'em!—Oh!

Zel.
Dear Madam Cease!

App.
I will be Calm, as the still Waters; when scarce
A Breath of Wind Curles the falling Waves—
Husht like a sleeping Serpent underneath
A Bed of Flowers.—But when those
Happy Loves think to trace the Steps of
Everlasting Joy. Tempests, and Whirlwinds,
Stings of Adders shall surround 'em!
Now let him come Oh what Earth-quakes shake
This little Frame, wou'd it were once Destroy'd
Emilius, and Lovisa then
Might Live in Peace.

Zel.
Look up my Princess disquiet be their Portion,
Since they have made it yours.

App.
He comes my Woes must be dissembled, and my
Looks be Cheerful.
Enter Bucarius.
—My Lord, did you not wonder at my Summons?

Buc.
I was pleasingly surpriz'd; as Dying Men with a
Reprive; or Tortur'd Minds with suddain Ease
So Joyful, and so unexpected was the mighty Favour.

App.
Your repeated Services I long heve weigh'd
Your continual Application, in whatever
Related to my welfare; nor is your Constant Vows
Of Love forgot—And if I seem'd to slight those
Assiduities: It was but the utmost Tryal of your Faith.

Buc.
Oh Sounds Celestial! Words Transcendent, as
Thy Charms! What can my Goddess mean?

App.
Leave Extasies, to a more fitting Season—and if
You dare assist, and free me from an Usurpation
Which I hate: My self, with all the vast
Revenues I command, is thine, without another Article.

Buc.
For one kind look, I wou'd have forfeited my Life;
But Brib'd so high: Methinks I shou'd do more than Dye.

App.
You know the Vice-roy has Long been Ruler here;
And to his false Care my mistaken Father
Left unhappy me.

Buc.
Which prov'd his Blessing. The Court of Spain
Is slow in their Supplies; and when the Vice-roy
First appear'd, the Island was in an Uproar;
Soldiers unpaid; and therefore Mutinous;
All Form of Government neglected—He
Empty'd your full Coffers, to stop their
Craving Mouths; and with the Wealth of your
Great Ancestors bought a lasting Peace.

App.
Yet, tho' I put up this; Remit the mighty Debts,
Which he can never pay: Still wou'd he
Retain a Tyranny upon my Will; still
Guide my Actions, and dispose of all my Fortunes.

Buc.
By your Injuries, and my Immortal Love, he shan'not!
I'le Pistol him to Morrow, on the Castle Walk!

App.
And so be lost your self! For he stands High, in
Popular Opinion; the thoughtless Vulgar hallow him applause,
Because he's fam'd for Hospitality, surfeits their
Censure Appitites, and drowns their Souls
In Riot;
But wou'd you be directed by an injur'd Woman,
His Measures shou'd all be broke, his growing
Expectations Blasted,

Buc.
Instruct. Command me Madam, I Listen to perform.

App.
This Day such Wonders has produc'd, that you'l
Scarce Credit my Relation; Emilius is return'd,
Emilius, whom even since my Childhood I own
To have Honour'd with my Friendship, trusting
It seems to that when in France he had seduc'd
A Lady from her Husband brings her to me to be
Protected; I Swear the Conscious Blushes almost burst
My Cheeks, if I reflect on the Vile Office he did design
Me; Shall I connive at their Amours, my Roof shelter
Their Impious Loves, help me Bucarius, help to Curse 'em.

Buc.
Swift Vengeance overtake him: Emilius in Sardinia.
My Emulator still in the bright Source of Glory. Disappointment
Cross his Delightful purposes; Heart-rending Plagues
For ever rest upon him.

App.
Not upon him, but the false wanton I'de punish; your
Sex is by custom privileg'd to Injuries like these, your
Honours scarce tainted, call a Venial Crime, but
In a Wife 'tis sure unpardonable.

Buc.
What is it, Madam, you desire of me?

App.
To have this Woman in a Monastry Clapt up, or
Instantly sent back to France. I'de have her Brother
Told her Baseness, to have her given up to his Revenge,
I know not what I'de have, for whilst she stays, the
Sight of her, and of her Crimes will make me Mad.

Buc.
[aside.]
Ha! I suspect, but I will search it throughly.
Who is her Brother?

App.
Alas! I had forgot to tell you, this Emilius too I wish
Secur'd, till She is past the power of ever seeing
Him again, he is Disguis'd and may be Seiz'd on
Some pretence.

Buc.
Explain your Intentions to me, Madam.

App.
The Room's too publick for our Conference,
In my Closet, you shall be inform'd.

Buc.
And if I stop at ought that you Command,
Or not Destroy whom ever you have Doom'd;
May this blest Moment of your kindness
Prove a Dream; and may I wake again to the
Despair' in which the Dawning Day beheld me.

App.

[Exit.