University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

Bucarius and Roderigo, Meet.
Buc.
Oportunely are we met, my Faithful
Roderigo, for I have Deeds in Agitation.
That want a Subtil Head, a Heart resolv'd
And Hand like thine to help Accomplish.

Rod.
Long have ye talk'd of Mischief rail'd on the
Vice-roy, Breath'd nought but Grievances, and
Swore redress; but whilst I find ye drag the
Proud Appamia's Chains, whilest thus ye
Haunt the Palace of that Disdainful, fair Glory,
And Interest, tho' they call aloud' I fear will hardly
Wake ye from the Lethergy of Love.

Buc.
If now I shake not off the Effeminate Slavery.
Boys shall Proclame my Folly's, and hout me
From the Society of Men; yet never till this
Moment had I such Grounds to hope Possession
Of Appamia her Wealth, and full Revenge on my
Honours Rival, and my Love the Curst Emilius.

Rod.
I cannot reach ye.

Buc.
All shall be Unravell'd, there's secret Marriges.
My Instrument, there's Room for Plots that shall
Destroy the growing greatness of the Vice-roy's Race.

Rod.
Appamia Married!

Buc.
No; She wou'd have been, my friend was first
In Love which sure's the greatest Curse, and Shame
Of Woman-kind. Emelius the Object of her Fancy,
Who having baulk'd her Eager Wishes she meditates.
Revenge on his fair Choice, and I am to be the Fool
Employ'd.

Rod.
How found you this?

Buc.
Her every word and look inform'd me, but having
Wrung each useful Circumstance from her
Distracted fury, I'le Counter-plot her purposes
And sure Destruction shall o'retake 'em all.
Come with me, and I'le unfold what I design,
Disguises must be had, much thought, and Caution
Us'd, ha! She follows, and in htr Face the Stamp of
Heav'n wears, but I know her Soul deceitful,
And will not trust my Eyes to Gaze.

Enter Appamia and Zelide.
App.
Not gone, my Lord, who have you there?

Buc.
One that will Assist in your Commands.

App.
Be Expeditious, and be careful, If the Reward
Inspires ye.

Buc.
The Task's too easie—I would have play'd
With Danger; for such a glorious Prize,
Courted Hazards; where Life hung by a Hair:
And whatso're is fancied Dreadful had oppos'd me!

App.
Zelide shall still inform ye, how we move—
Industrious, and Faithful is the Indian Slave—
In her you may rely—Haste, Noble Sir, as I have
Directed—Let your first business be to keep
Emilius from returning Instantly.

Buc.
He moves this Day as I contrive, and you
Appoint, to Morrow is his own farewell;
Remember Princess what you have promis'd,

[Exeunt.
Zel.
Can then Spain's Beauty, Nay I may add
The world's, receive this Rough General,
For her Lord, the Son of Fortune, only whose
Sword is his Inheritance, whilst Princes,
Lords of Provinces Sigh to be her Slaves.

App.
That's a Thought the least disturbs me—
No Zelide, we shall never live to be his Bride.

Zel.
How Madam!

App.
Dye before; and so discharge our promise—
Harke thee, Zelide, thou art skill'd in
Baleful Drugs, the greatest Foes to Humane kind—
One deadly drop by thee prepar'd, and mingl'd
With the stream of Life (the Blood) will Spoil
The Noblest Frame of Nature, Poyson each
Azure Channel; let down the useful Springs,
Stop the beating Pulses, and all the curious Movements
Till the Machine Drops into it's Original Clay,
To be reviv'd no more.

Zel.
Oh Princess! Merciful Heav'n keep you,
From thoughts like these!

App.
Why dost tremble? you said you were a
Princess Born; and that thy Swarthy Veins
Carry'd the Royal Blood of those, who heretofore,
Were Lords of Mexico! It must be false;
Thou hast a Plebian Soul; else, thou hadst
Us'd that skill, which I Implore: and died,
E're been my Slave.

Zel.
It was your gentle Usuage which reconcil'd me first
To Life; and then to the Love of you:
Which if I have fail'd in—

App.
No; thou hast not; nor you shan'not—
If you refuse me: with this drawn Dagger
I'le give my Rival present Death—Then
Our Laws will Doom me to severest Wracks,
And publick Shame upon a Scaffold End me.

Zel.
Oh my Lov'd Mistriss!

App.
Why is it such a pain to Live, and sin to Dye
If Bucarius fails, Lovisa's not remov'd, and
Then this Night they meet, and long succeeding
Joyful Days and Nights attend 'em, prepare
My Slave a Draught, prepare for her, or me
Both caenot must not Live.

Zel.
Have peace, you shall be obey'd.

App.
I thank thee, faithful Creature, now to the
Alcove lead—I must Tinge Lovisa's Sweets;
If her mind is undisturb'd, I am but half
Reveng'd—She must be Rouz'd; Alarm'd with
Doubts, and Fears set her Desponding Heart in
Tortures like to mine—Create her Woes,
May Equal my Despair.

[Exeunt.
SCENE Drawn.
Lovisa Sleeping on a Couch.
Enter Appamia, and Zelsde.
App.
There wrapt in Innocence, and Peace She lies,
No Dreadful Dreams, warn her of approaching
Fate, Calm Sleep, Cordial to the Wretched, for ever
Fled from me seems fond to eang upon those
Beauteous Lids, Baths and Wanton's in her
Eyes, and Revels on her Lips in Charming Smiles

Zel.
Can you Commend, and not yet pity?

App.
'Tis Emilius no doubt, is the pleasing Image
Of her Dreams—She sees him at her Feet
Hears his soft Vows, and Darts him back
Ten Thousand Joys—

Zel.
Madam, She Wakes!

Lov.
What gone agen; ye Airy Fantam!
Why have ye forsook me? Why are my longing
Eye-lids stretch'd in vain, for him, whom
Sleeping I beheld!

App.
I told ye so—Forgive my over-care—
Such Charge Emilius gave; such Charms
Have you: That much I Covet to be near you.

Lov.
This is Excess of Noble Charity to a poor
Stranger; and your humble Handmaid—
But is there yet no news from my Dear Lord?

App.
None—I doubt my fair Friend, you'l be
Too fond; expect more: Complaisance,
More Kinnness, than our Spanish Nobles
Pay to Wives.

Lov.
To Wives! Why Madam, is there a Dearer Name?

App.
Bless me! Nurtur'd in the Court of Frauce, and Ask
That Question—I thought your Gallantry had been
Our Example—I assure ye, there's scarce a Man
Of Quality here, but wou'd think himself despis'd,
Deform'd, or most abominably Scandaliz'd,
If publick Fame took no notice that he had
A Mistress—At all our old Customary Feasts,
There's not a Don, tho' Marry'd to the Charming'st Bride,
On Earth, but wears some other Lady's Colours;
Leaving his Wife so to be Honour'd by her Hero,
If she has any: But by the Husband She's
Certainly neglected.

Lov.
Oh my Emilius! How far art thou from
Once resembling such a Waverer!

App.
I'm glad to hear it—France has strangely
Alter'd him! In this Court he was the very
Minion of the Ladies
Addrest to all each blooming Beauty
Shar'd his Heart, tho' none possest it wholly
With an Air of Universal Kindness apply'd to All;
But these were the Triffling Hours of Youth: Now
He seems fix'd indeed.

Lov.
The Character is so indifferent from the Brave
Emilius, that were it not for strongest
Proofs: I shou'd think you did not know the Man.

App.
Oh! He's a Dissembler; take my word for't,
But he may make the better Husband.

Lov.
If I could think, the Lord, my Heart has Chose,
For whom I have forsook all that the World
Calls Comforts, thus Inclin'd: I'de Dye to
Rid me of the Dismal Apprehensions,—
Oh Madam! Forgive me, if I say 'tis unkind!

App.
What?

Lov.
To tell me this—If it be true, I'me undone!
Think on my Condition—Suppose you had left
This Delightful Palace; the Place where you are
Known, and Honor'd; fled with some Dear Man,
To Distant Climes—Consider, how t'would shock ye,
But to fear this trusted only Friend shou'd prove
Unconstant, Faithless, as the Seas you Past! Such
Is my Fate, if he forsakes me, for whom Iv'e
All forsaken—Despair, and Death's my Portion!
Oh Emilius! Cruel! Unkind! Return, and
Chear me, e're it be too late!

App.
Accuse him not; nor grieve at what's deliver'd
As a Friendly Caution—But why doth he Loiter now?
He said he would not see the Vice-roy; and tho' he hold
His Sister, near his Heart: Methinks, if he fulfill'd
His parting Words, his Visit shou'd be shorter.

Lov.
I know not what to think—My Soul so long
Has held him true; with such a Faith
Believ'd his Promises: that it will be wondrous hard
To Judge him False; but harder much to find him so.

App.
Be wise, and you are happy—All yet is in your Power,
Untasted Sweets; Virgins Favours; Beauty, like yours
Wou'd Urge the greatest Rambler to play the Saint,
With Perjur'd Breath; kindle such lovely Fires, and
Venture his Immortal Hopes, for your Embraces—
I say not this of our Emilius—But such Men there are.

Lov.
Oh!

App.
When next you see him; which must be suddainly, if
His Friends have sway'd him, or Adellaida, by
The Description of some fam'd Beauty in her prime,
Renew'd his old Amours: You'l find it in his
Alter'd Carriage; he'l be reserv'd, disturb'd,
Spite of Dissembled Fondness—mark him
Nicely, and you may discover—

Lov.
Oh all ye Powers! is this my Task! must
My plain honest Heart, that's full of Love,
Of Faith, and true Obedience, be wrack'd with
Jealous Pangs; still on the Watch, to find out the
Tricks, and Turnings of Deceitful Men: No, rather
Than endure, the Killing Pain; the little abject
Office: I'le rip it up; and led out
Love, and Life together.

App.
No, my Lovisa (give me leave to call you mine)
We will live in highest Pleasure; Live, if you can,
Learn like me, to Despair, and slight the Betraying Race
I, who have seen 'em Cringing at my Feet; been
Surrounded with eager Eyes, and bended Knees,
Stopt my Ears at the bewitching Charmers—
The false Guilding of their Love wou'd not down
With me—I saw Interest Lurking underneath:
And scap'd Destruction.

Lov.
Alas! What have you scap'd? You are yet within the
Very bloom of Beauty; Love has not yet sent the Hero
He designs your Conquerour; had you met with one
Like my Emilius, graceful in his Person; by
Nature fram'd to be the Darling Joy of Woman-kind;
Who, when he tells the Story of his Love, wou'd make
The Coldest Virgin's Bosome Heave; her Heart to Pant:
And Eyes run o're, as mine do now!

App.
[aside.]
Oh scalding Drops; they set my Heart on Fire.

Lov.
But when he sees the listning Maid Incline
To the soft passion, his Sighs Inspire: How his Eyes
Will talk; how he will tremble; How Infect
With the Convulsive Joy! How Swear! How Weep!
Oh 'tis too much for Words, 'tis Rapture all!

App.
[aside.]
Torture, worse than Death! Vengeance! Before my Face
She noth possess him! She dies, my Zelide, by all my
Wrongs She dies.

Lov.
And did I believe all this, Innocent and Credulous;
The Eager Transports of a first Amour: the
Noble Vows of Simpathising Souls, which
God-like, and untainted Truth possest: Did I
Forego my Awful Duty, loose the Dear Blessings
Of my Indulgent Parents, fly from my Tender
Mother, whose Arms Nurs'd my Infant Weakness
Up to this Ingratitude, whose kind Eyes never
View'd me but with Smiling pleasure—which
Now perhaps, are Streaming for my Fault;
Or Closing with Pangs, greater than those
I gave her at my Ill-fated Birth!

Zel.
Oh! who can here words like these, and keep their
Temper! not Conquer'd India, Groaning under
Her Tyrannic-Masters, shows a greater Wretch!

App.
Madam! what mean your most immoderate Griefs
Upon a bare Suggestion—Fie, Fie!
'Tis most unreasonable!

Lov.
Your Pardon—For I must have leave to Rave,
Can I but think of sharing my Emilius's Love, or
Loosing the Idea, my Soul had Fram'd of Deathless
Constancy; of endless Kindness; can my working
Fancy behold this dismal wrack of all my Quiet,
And not run Mad!

App.
Mad! For what? Oh, were but as free from
Love as I! Banish the thought that wou'd disturb ye!

Love.
Never, Never; till I'm Convinc'd, my Fears are Vain!

App.
—Zelide,
Prepare the Banquet, I commanded—let the Italian
Eunuch Sing; and softest Musick turn her Griefs,
Till this Prince beloved, this dearest Man return:
And bring Peace, and Comfort to her mind.

Lov.
Oh Heavn's! Banquets, and Musick! am I
Fit for either!

App.
Unkind is your Refusal of what my Care provided.

Love.
I must Obey; with all these Swelling Griefs I consent
To your desires, because you say 'tis kindly meant.
So Wretches, who despair, when Death's in View;
Do Pleasures Taste; and seem delighted too.
Feign'd Smiles conceal the faltering Smart;
Gay in their Looks: whilst Tempests rend the Heart

[Exit
Scene Draws.
Discovers Brisac, and Adellaida, sitting on a Couch
A SONG.
After the SONG.
Bris.
Crown'd with dear Consenting Love, Listening
To the Musick of thy Voice willingly wou'd I
Forget the busie World; with thee Supinely pass
My Softer Hours on this Lov'd Bosome Wrack'd
With delight, confess the bliss, my Adellaida,
Created with Golden Slumbers Charm'd and
Waking still to bless the Beauteous Cause, Crown'd
With Happy Days, and Happier Nights, which
Feasted every Sense with Love, and still renew'd
Desires, that will never, never Fade.

Adel.
If, my Brisac, one Corner of the Globe were yours,
Or mine, I think we might Command a
Lasting Happiness: But when both, tho' born
To wealth, and Noblest Honours, are dependant on a
Rigid Parents Will: what shall we hope,
But lasting Woe?

Bris.
Rather Eternal Joy! Is this the Language, Hymen
Requires, upon our Nuptial Day? No, No.
Kisses, Embraces are his Due—Words soft as as thy
Frame; and Looks that Melt in kindly Shower's.

Amid.
Madam, the Lord Lorenza comes this way!

Adel.
Ha! My Fathers Favourite! Call my Women!
Oh my Brisac! how awkard is the Sound of Love
Pronounc'd by those we hate—Not but that
Lorenza's Nicely brave; and Justly Qualifi'd
For his inherent Greatness—But if there be
A Fate below: Sure 'tis shown in that
Which Guides Affection.

Enter Lorenza.
Lor.
Thro' all the Rooms of State, and Antichambers
Have I pass'd: where the Dumb Gazers
In Expectation stand, like Statutes, or the
Sensless Pictures over 'em. No Life is seen
In Court, whilst you Fair Princess Retire
To Recesses, that are forbidden the Admiring World.

Adel.
Methinks the Vice-roy's side is proper'st
For the Gallant Man; where in this Iron Age
He will not fail to hear of Seiges, Battles,
And all the Glorious business of the Brave.

Lor.
Yet there's a Lord, like me, seems to build
His Hapiness in Beauty.

Bris.
Does that Displease ye?

Lor.
Don Lopez, I shall find a place and time
To tell you whether it does, or no.

Bris.
Soon as you will—I'm ready.

Adel.
[aside.]
Oh my poor heart!—My Lords!
Chose ye my Apartments for your Broils?
Hence I Command ye both—you Don Lopez,
Return Apamia Word, I'le wait upon her—
And for you, my Lord, I shou'd be glad to know
What business brought you hither?

Lor.
Oh Words, and Looks cold enough to Confirm Despair.
—But my Happy Rival shall not Triumph (for such
I know he is) here will I be reveng'd, or Fall!
Turn thou Invader of all the Joys, my Youth
Had promis'd; for, upon this spot of Earth
Will I dispute for Adellaida: tho' her Presence
Make the Chamber Sacred!

Bris.
Here woud'st thou Fight for Adellaida,
To have the Womens Cries Alarm all the Palace:
Be parted, 'ere my Arm cou'd reach thee—Boy.

Lor.
Thou art a secret undermining Traytor.

Bris.
Ha!

Adel.
Don Lopez, my Lord have I no power?
I charge thee go; or else plunge both your
Swords into my Bosome—go I charge ye—
And leave me with Lorenza!

Bris.
Farewel! The time was most unfit:
And I repent my rashness.

[Exit.
Adel.
So, My Lord was this well done!

Lor.
Oh Madam! ask the Mad-man a Reason
For his last Extravagance! Ask Sinners
In Dispair, why they Curse Heav'n, when
They shou'd Pray? Your Beauteous Eyes
Have ruin'd me! they have darted Fires,
Which tho' they set me in Extramest Burnings:
Yet the reflected Heat warms not the smallest Particle of you!

Adel.
Lorenza; tell me freely, is it your self
You Love, or me?

Lor.
Oh Cruel Question! Command one Hand
To Cut the other off;
Take this Weapon—Stab me o're, and or'e with
Wounds tho' but in wanton Sport of Tyranny,
See if I'de Complain!

Adel.
If this be true, if you cou'd suffer this, sure you
Can suffer less; and for a Gift so Noble, as
My everlasting Friendship, bear the Wrack
Of disappointed Love.

Lor.
I guess your meaning—how quick it runs
Thro' my Distracted Brain! 'tis got alrendy
To my Heart, and pulls the Bursting Strings—
Your Father comes—But, Oh! I find no
Advocate will do!

Adel.
Stop him Lorenza.
Divert his Wrath, for much I fear, He
Has heard of this disorder: Perform my first
Desires; and let me be oblig'd.

Lor.
Tho' Death is mingled with these sweet Words,
And surely will follow: yet much I'm pleas'd to hear 'em.

Adel.
No; you shall Live renown'd, and long; if my
Prayers prevail: But meet my Father, and appease him.

Lor.
Will you forgive me then this Roughness; this most
Unmanly Violence, my passion Caus'd?

Adel.
I will.

Lor.
But will you ever see me more?

Adel.
Yes; Instantly: and tell you all my Fate.

Lor.
Oh thanks; tho' 'tis my undoing, whilst I hear
You speak: I shall dye Contented.

[Exit.
Adel.
This young Noble-man, is Honest Just, and Brave;
I must Confide in him; else his Love will
Set him full at my Brisac; or draw my
Father's Hatred on my Husband.
What a Name is that! How much is he Dearer
Than all Mankind! If I forget my Duty
Forgive me Heav'n.
'Tis Love Nature's first, and great decree
Preserver of the World and Conquerer of me.

[Exit.
Enter Bucarius.
Buc.
So, this Disguise will do; Appamia doubtly
Arm'd for our Destruction, Resistless Beauty
Dwells in her Cœlestial Form, but Oh! Hell has
Been at Work within; There Subtilty, Revenge,
And violent Passions Reign, yet she shall be
O're reach'd and yield to my Embraces; or
Bear the Odium of the Bloody Crime which
I'le Contrive; Heist Roderigo.

Enter Roderigo.
Rod.
The same.

Buc.
Well! How, and How.

Rod.
Exactly as your heart desires—Emilius passing
From the Palace back to Appamia was seiz'd,
His name demanded, which he denying, was, a Spy clapt up;
And there Remains, till you think fit I shou'd release him:
And as you Order'd, give the Paper.

Buc.
Within an Hour let it be done—Comes
Don Lopez, as I directed?

Rod.
He follows; I told him a Stranger waited
For him, in this private Grove.

Buc.
Excellent! away, be careful Roderigo, since
Ruine, or Glory, waits such bold Attempts—
Fly—I hear him.—

[Exit Rod.
Enter Brisac.
Bris.
By my full hopes of dear expected Bliss,
This Quarrel most Ominous. If
'Tis Lorenza waits me here, shou'd Death
Or Conquest be my Fate; What Troubles
Must I heap on thee, my poor kind Adellaida!
Ha! Who have we here!—Wou'd you,
Sir, ought with me?

Buc.
If you are the Count Brisac.—

Bris.
Brisac! How came you by that Name?

Buc.
My Eyes Inform me you are the the Man.

Bris.
Trust me Friend, I cannot recollect where
They Learn that Knowledge; for till this
Moment, surely mine did ne're Encounter 'em.

Buc.
Yes; often: Tho' not heedfully, my time indeed was spent
From Court, where, you resided, but my Noble
Injur'd Friend—I'me sure, you'l own—

Brisac.
What Friend? Lead me out of this amaze!

Buc.
The Earl of d Anglesack.

Bris.
And what of him?

Buc.
Have you not a Sister too—Lovisa Nam'd?

Bris.
Yes. Pleasing is the Remembrance; her Beauty
And her Fame stood fair, when I left France;
I dare Answer for her, She has not lost the
Virtuous Character.

Buc.
Beauty, indeed, she still retains—But, Oh!—
The more Inestimable Jem, Bright Honor—!
Which sullied once, or lost, like the flying Hours,
Can never, never be retriev'd!

Bris.
Whither do thy Speeches lead; for I am yet i'th' Dark?

Buc.
Observe, that Earl I mention'd, Espous'd your Sister

Bris.
I do believe it; for my Father writ, 'twas so Design'd,

Buc.
Oh fatal Nuptials! Oh unhappy Marriage
Wretch'd d' Englesack! Oh my dearest Friend!

Bris.
What mean these Exclamations! Who
Has wrong'd your Friend, and mine?

Buc.
Lovisa.

Bris.
No.

Buc.
If deserting his Bed, and him, when scarse the
Hymenial Tapers were burnt out, e're the
Fresh Beauties of the Spring, by Virgins strow'd,
Were wither'd: If this base: Then basely
Has Lovisa done.

Bris.
With whom? Or what: Or how? Let me
By degrees, to a just Fury rise!

Buc.
Of him she has blindly chose, I can give
But small Account—Some Idle Debauchee,
Who caught her with a Foppish Face;
A Guady Coat; such a despicable Triffle.—

Bris.
Patience, ye boiling Viens! Back to your
Fountains; and carry cooling Patience!—
Where are these Adulterers? Speak, thou
Upstart Fiend; send to Wrack my quiet!

Buc.
Behold this wound, given by the Villain who is
In Sardinia hid—I have track'd him hither,
Your Father, and the Earl, come on; but Spite
Of this disabl'd Arm, I'le make Vengeance sure,
E're the dishonor's blaz'd abroad.

Bris.
Thou make Vengeance sure! Thou prevent the
Dishonour of my Family! By Hell, I shall
Believe all that thou hast said a Curst invented Lye:
Unless you show me Lovisa in Sardinia.

Buc.
I'le do't; if you'l Engage to keep your temper;
And after bring you, where I am to meet the
Traytor. I knew not of your being here: nor when
I saw you, had I made an Application, but that
My over-eager Zeal for poor d' Englesack threw me on,
On his Honors Ravisher just at our Landing,
Where the Ships Crew, prompted by the Triumphant
Villain, whom I suppose a Native here disarm'd
And broke my Limbs.

Bris.
Prodigious! All Monstrous, and uninteligible!

Buc.
I am sorry I can with so much Ease convince ye
Who wou'd serve a Friend so earnestly, and be
Thus suspected it was my violent Friendship
Made me out-do their Search, and find away to pass
In the same Ship, with the false Fugitives; tho' 'twas
Too late to stop 'em—Follow me, I will Inform you
Of every little Circumstance; and to Confirm 'em true.
Show you Lovisa in the wanton Reveller's Arms.

Bris.
Do this, and be for ever—

Buc.
What?

Bris.