 | The False Friend, Or, the Fate of Disobedience |  |
1
ACT I.
SCENE I.
A Hall.Enter Emilius, Lovisa, Servants.
Emil.
Safely we'ave reach't Sardinia's Shore
Thou tender, Beauteous kindest Charmer
For which, Bless'd be the Bounteous Powers:
Blest be every Auspicious Star!
But, Oh! What Blessings shall I pour on thee,
Source of my Days! My Life! My Lovisa!
On this pleasing Subject my charm'd Tongue wou'd for ever dwell,
And wish my Eyes cou'd yet speak more,
To Express thy wondrous Kindness,
My Almighty Love!
Lov.
Oh! My Emilius!
Emil.
Ha! A Sigh! Thy lovely Eyes shining faintly!
What means This cruel Alteration!
Not fiercest Storms, when the Mad Waves
Danc'd highest, and, in their surly Sport,
2
No; Thou wert Calm as Innocence: Calm
As Eastern Groves, and with a Smile wou'd Cry:
Fear not; I can Dye with my Emilius!
And now we Ride Securely in the Haven,
What rude Gust dares disturb that Halcyon Bosome,
Where I have Horded all my precious
Stock of Peace, and built my Rest for eve.
Lov.
Is it nothing then, to break the strongest Ties;
Ties which even Barbarians hold most Sacred:
Forsake Parents, Family, my Native Land:
Nay worse; leave my Fame at Random:
For the malicious World to Censure; whose
Vile Breath scarce spares the brightest Virtue?
How will it blacken my Errors! Is this
Not worth a Sigh! No; Emilius he is mine;
And he out-weighs 'em all!
Emil.
Come to my Heart thou Darling softness
In thy own Mansion Reign. Oh! What
Transporting Pleasures does't thou give,
The earnest of Love's rich Feast, which I, the Happy
I, shall now receive.
Lov.
Alas!
Emil.
Nay! If thou break'st the Chain, my pleas'd
Imagination forms, I shall suspect thy Love;
For I appeal to Thee, with all my Foes (thy
Coldest Guards about thee) if, to a Tittle I
Have not obey'd thy hard Conditions: When
In France, I snatch'd thee from thy Destin'd
Bridegroom? 'Tis true; we were so close persu'd,
We scarce had time to Tye the Sacred Knot our selves:
I just cou'd call thee Wise, my Charming Bride!
You Injoyn'd, and I obey'd, tho' my Heart
Rowl'd in Fire, I beheld thee like an Anchorite,
But now the cruel Task is o're, and I will Seize thee,
Lock thee in these fond Arms; Warm thee
With my Sighs; and fill thee with the Fury of my Love.
Lov.
Hear me Emilius—tho' unwillingly
I wake thee from thy Dreams of Bliss.
3
And to whom, but thee, shou'd I disclose 'em?
Therefore I must be heard.
Emil.
What, wou'd my Angel say? Or why
Do ye repeat the Injunction to be heard?
Did I e're fly the Musick of thy Tongue,
Or listen to it, with less respect:
Than what we pay to Oracles Divine?
Lov.
You have brought me to Sardinia,
Where Your Father's Lord—You are his
Eldest, and his only Hopes—In the Spanish Court,
He no doubt, has chose some Princess,
To prop his Name from Sinking, and Bless
Your Genial Bed: What will then
Become of me!
Emil.
My Love!
Lov.
I have no Witness of my Noble Birth
[Pointing to her Woman.
But that poor helpless Wretch—
Nay, shou'd there be Enquiry made,
My angry Father, for my Disobedience
May disown me—If they by Threats,
Or Prayers, Draw you too on their side:
Then I shall be left Expos'd in this
Inhospitable Isle; perhaps wounded
With opprobrious Names; Call'd a
Wandring loose One; a wanton Mistress;
Save me Emilius, from that Thought—
Save me quick: It tears my Heart asunder!
Emil.
Why dost thou Wound me with thy grondless
Fears—thy most unkind Suspicions?
Yet, if there's power in Words, thou sha't be
Satisfi'd—Hear ye Just Avengers!
Hear this kneeling Imprecation—
If e're my Heart incline to any other Beauty—
If to the last ruddy drop, that Animates this Frame
I not protect thee, my dearest Part my Wife—
If I am not proud to own, and honour thee in All
Prospirities, or worst Extremities: Let me
Live the most detested of my Race—
4
Lov.
Hold my Dear Lord!
Emil.
No! Upon this Theme I will Exceed; and yet
Not talk too much—Winds bear my Words—
And Treasure 'em amongst their blewest Plagues,
And dash 'em back upon this Perjur'd Head:
When I, in thought, Forsake her!
Lov.
No more! I will, I will believe thee!—
Emilius has said it: And Truth it self
Will sooner Change then he!
Emil.
to a Servant.
I attend her here—
[Enter a Servant, and whispers Emilius.
—The Lady (my Blessing to
Whose Protection I shall Commit thee,
Till I've wrought my Father to a Consent.
Lov.
Is she good, and kind, Emilius?
Emil.
She was my Mother's valu'd Care; left
By her Parents young: Ever bred
With my Sister, and my self.
Large are her Possessions in both the Indies and in Spain,
Yet all Matches she refuses, and in my Father's Court
Exhausts her vast Revenues. What e're Requests to him I made,
By her they were convey'd; by her obtain'd.—She comes,
Retire a Moment, whilst I relate the Story of our Loves.
Lov.
Which shou'd she disapprove—
Emil.
Impossible, she will be pleas'd, indeed she will
[Leads her out and returns.
All shall be well.
Enter Appamia, and Zelide.
App.
Emilius! Cou'd you think our Joys
For your return wou'd, by Surprize,
Receive addition: That you gave
No warning o'the Blessing.
Emil.
Oh my best Friend; most Excellent
Of Women! Friendship was Languid
Till you receiv'd the Sacred Fire, and rais'd it
To those Heights, Natures almighty Master
First Ordain'd: Before designing Fraud,
And little Arts were us'd!
App.
On any Theme you speak well, Emilius.
Tho' I'de hear nothing, but what relates to your self.
5
How much I am oblig'd, it is Impossible
To say; Yet like honest Debtors, I'de reckon up
The mighty Summ, e're I run further in the Score.
App.
Hold, Emilius, I conjure thee hold!
The pleasure of serving you, Rewards
My utmost Care.
Emil.
Oh! You are All Goodness; and her Fears
Were Vain.
App.
[starting.]
Her! What Her?
Emil.
Nay Start not, Madam;—To the
Noble Stock of Friendship I have only added
A little tender Branch; which Nourish'd under you
Shall kindly pay you back with Faith, and Love
Like mine.
App.
What can Emilius mean?
Emil.
In France, it was my Fate to see a Lady,
Of whose Beauty I shall forbear to speak,
Because your Eyes will be the Judge—It is
Enough, to say, she caught my Heart
In Everlasting Chains.—In the Gallantry,
The French Court allows, I found daily means
To tell my fair Saint, the Victory her Charms
Had won; and she at Length, Listen'd with
A Relenting Ear; drew me from the Terrors.
Of Despair; for mine was no Common
Wandring Fire, which Time, or Absence, or
Some other Beauty might have Cur'd: There
Was no Medium in the firceness of my Love:
I must be the most wretched of
Mankind, or the Happiest.
App.
Oh Emilius! Were these the Studies.
Thou wert sent to Learn? Is thy
Father's Care, and my incessant Kindness
Thus repay'd?
Emil.
Confusion to my Hopes! Appamia Weeps!
My Friend, and my Protectress Weeps!
At her Emilius's Joys!
App.
No!—Pray Sir proceed—Zelede—
Thy Arm—I am, Sick o'th suddain!
Emil.
Madam!—
6
Nay, I beseech you Sir, go on—Is
Your Choice of Noble Birth.
Emil.
As any France can boast of.
App.
Why was your Father, then not made
Acquainted? Why, in that Point alone,
Were your Letters sent to me? Still silent.
Emil.
I did design it all; when from Lovisa's Mouth
I knew my Fate; but, Oh! Just as with
Down-cast Eyes, a blushing Face, trembling Hand,
Her soft Breath stole through the Rosie Doors
In broken Accents; Words half kind, and half
Conceal'd: Just as my Ravish'd Heart
Receiv'd the Blessing, and warm Extasies
Took place of Chilling Fears: When
Every Thought, and every Wish, and
Every Look was Love:—
App.
[aside.]
Good Heav'n! How eagerly he talks!
Emil.
Even in this perfect State of Bliss,
Her cruel Father was Bartering my
Inestimable Fair: Bargain'd with a
Neighbouring Lord, for Dirt, and Acres;
Sold my Goddess like a Common Nothing
Of the Sex; that World of Beauty, for which
My aching Heart had paid a faithful Slavery,
Must be thrown into the sordid Arms of One
Who Gaz'd not on her Eyes, but on the Gold!
App.
Hast to the Issue; you dwell too long
Upon Description.
Emil.
In fine, the Marriage Day was Set, but
I resol'v'd upon the Bridegroom's Death,
Or to receive my own—when my
Kind dear One, helpt by her Confident,
Escap'd; Gave me her self; with the
Rich Prize I fled; found a good Priest,
Who made us One; and here as fully
Trusting you: I've brought her my Virgin
Bride—Receive her Madam, as the
[Enter Lovisa.
Heart of your Emilius: For every Injury
That's offer'd her, I shall feel it there.
7
Like that, she shall be Cherish'd; and find
No other Usuage, then the Heart of Emilius.
From me deserves.
Lov.
If, Madam, you have never felt Love's Power,
I from your Prudence must expect severest
Censures for my Rashness.
App.
Emilius has a bewitching Tongue
His Person too, I think may Justifie
A Lady's Fondness.
Emil.
Your Kindness makes ye Partial—See,
How I trust That Kindness, when I
Deliver up to you this Rich Gift of Fate.
Lov.
You talk, as if you were to leave me long,
Tell us rather the Method—what's your porpose?
Emil.
I'le to my Father's Palace, which adjoyns, and
Learn how to proceed; begging my best Friend,
My dear Appamia this Day, to Conceal my
Blessing from prying Eyes; from any
Gazers, but in whom she dares confide,
At Night I will return.
App.
Your Sister will prove your Advocate;
She loves you, and has great Power
O'er your Father's Will; you ask not,
After her—But one in Love,
Like you, must be forgiven, if;
His Relations, and Friends are all forgot.
Lov.
Wrong not your Friend, most Charming
Of your Sex; for many pleasing Hour,
Have I heard Emilius recount your Virtues,
And the fair Adellaida's: Nor Madam,
Look on worthless me, with disdainful Eyes:
Since I hope not many Leagues from hence,
I have a Noble Brother.
App.
In Sardinia?
Lov.
In the Court of Spain: Count Brisac.
App.
The Count Brisac.
Lov.
Do ye know him Madam?
App.
No; I have heard of him; and slightly
Saw him, when he met Their Majesty's
In their last Progress.
8
I never saw him; but have from Fame,
A Generous Character; and hope, when
We do meet, it will be like Brothers.
App.
No doubt on't; but if I might Advise—
Emil.
Call it Command.
App.
You shou'd not too suddainly Declare your Marriage;
If this Lady can Brook a short Retirement:
I'le Manage it for the good of both.
Lov.
Oh! I cou'd live in Caves, or unfrequented Desarts:
So I now and then, might see Emilius!
App.
Every Minute, 'tis but a Gallery parts us
From the Pallace; his Duty paid to the Vice-roy,
What hinders but he in few Hours, may return:
His Familiarity here will be easily Excus'd.
Emil.
Bless'd be the Breath that leads me on to Bliss:
The dear Indulgent Guide to what my Heart desires—
E're a Balmy Slumber has half refresh't
My Love, I'le fly to wake thee with my Kisses.
Lov.
Oh! Do not think Sleep, or Rest will close
These watry Eyes, or ease this Throbbing Heart,
Till I behold thy Face agen!
App.
Emilius, I am considering farther—
Suppose you pass'd this Day Disguis'd;
Or to your Sister only made a Discovery;
Then she, and I might break the Matter
To my Lord, and hear how he resents it
E're he knows the bottom.
Emil.
With all my Heart; that way I shall spare
The welcomes of Crouding Friends, which
Wou'd, at this time detain me from my Wishes
My long Absence, and unexpected Arrival
Has pass'd me hitherto unknown.
App.
Stay not with Adellaida to tell your Story,
Only learn Intelligence, and leave me to Explain ye.
Emil.
I will.—One look—one Smile, and I am gone.
[to Lovisa.
Lov.
Forgive my Fears!
Emil.
Which shall be short, as my Return is Swift—From thee
With heavy Foot-steps unwillingly I move
But I shall fly to meet agen my Love.
[Exit.
9
Zelide, Conduct this Fair Traveller to
My Alcove: Repose, I am sure, is requisite,
After your Fatigues.
Lov.
I will retire; not to Sleep,
But my dear Emilius, think on thee:
When our Thoughts please, Solitude's Felicity.
[Exit Lovisa, Zelide,
App.
When our Thoughts please, Solitude's Felicity!
O ye Just Powers! Is this proportion'd Right!
Must hers Transport; whilst mine, like
Hurricans, scatter the labouring Brain, that
Forms 'em, into a Thousand painful Atoms?
I'le ha' no more on't; but fold my Arms, and
Fix my Eyes; and stupifie the rowling Torments
Till I am senseless grown: A Statue,
Stiff, and Motionless!
Re-enter Zelide.
Zel.
How d'ye, Madam?
App.
Well; my Eyes are Dry, and Heart is still.
Zel.
I am glad you bear it so.
App.
Why, Faithful Creature, why dost weep?
Have I lost ought? Can I complain?
It seems, he did not know I lov'd.
Zel.
True Madam.
App.
Oh! Falser, Baser, than his whole
Dissembling Race—He knew it well,
And brought his Minion here, to Brave me
With his Scorne—I must prepare the Bridal
Bed; with Leaves of Roses Deck the downy
Pillows! Oh! Barbarity.
Zel.
Return it Madam; Disdain, the Disdainer;
To his Father's Pallace; send the Fugitive;
And think of him no more. Is there.
A Grandee, even near the Throne, but Courts
Your Favour? If this ill-plac'd Love has got too near
Your Heart, go to the charming Western Climes, and
Reign a Princess there, as the vast Donation of your
Parents left ye'—you mind not Madam, what I say!
App.
Indeed I do not. Am I ugly, Zelide; very ugly?
10
Not Michael Angelo could Paint a finer Face.
App.
Foul, as thy Flattery! Yet I believe thou
Art faithful; tho' I like it not Express'd this way—
What cou'd he think my Letters meant; or
What the Mighty Summs, by me Remitted, to
Keep their Grandeur up?
Zel.
He thought not on ye Madam; his
Eyes were taken up with a fair Fool,
That never had oblig'd him.
App.
Ha!—I begin to wake—
What was't, but slighted Love, made Medea
Prove a Fury? doubtless her Breast was,
Once as soft, as Fond, as Innocent as mine;
As free from black Revenge, or Dire Mischiefs—
Rise ye Furies! Instead of Tresses, Deck me
With your Curling Snakes!—For
I will sting 'em all to Death!
Zel.
Here are hundreds will obey your Orders.
App.
No; it shall be done without a Noise—
How quick is Hell Invok'd! The
Seeds of Ruine grow pregnant, the very Moment
They are Sown!—know'st thou, Zelide,
That Woman (I hate to Name Lovisa)—
He did it with so much Tenderness—
Know'st thou I say, Brisac's her Brother?
And know'st thou too, Brisac Don Lopez?
Zel.
What? That Don Lopez whom Adellaida,
This Morning Marry'd: I know in part the Story:
Dear Madam inform me fully.
App.
Yes. In the late Progress, made with the King
And Queen, wherein the Duke d' Alberquerque,
My Uncle, took Adellaida, and my self, to meet
The Court, there we saw Brisac, Adellaida charm'd him;
I (see how Fate returns it) favour'd their Amours,
And he follow'd to Sardinia, and was Receiv'd as my Relation;
Don Lopez a Man of Quality, in the West-Indies.
Zel.
Why might not his pretentions have been
Allow'd as the Lord Brisac?
11
Oh! 'tis just the Counter-blow of Fate!
Neither of the Fiery Youths had power to stay
The Spanish Grave proceedings; and so
They're both undone—and what am I!
Zel.
Happy, and Blest! Fortune's largest Gifts are yours.
App.
No, Zelide, No!—Come near, and I will
Tell thee what a Wretch I am!
Let thy Eye run o're all the miserable things
Thou hast Seen, or Read of: yet let thy Fancy
Make it worse—See
Leprous Beggars Prisoners Ten Fathom Deep,
In New Drain'd Wells; and Ingendring Toads
With all their bloatted Brood crawling o're 'em!
Zel.
Oh Horrid!
App.
Youth Bury'd alive in Strength and Vigour;
Parents by their Rebellious Children Torn;
Yet all this cannot equal mine.
Zel.
Strange Disposition of our Fate!—
The Great, for little Causes, make themselves
Unfortunate.
App.
Is it nothing then, to see another Clasp him?
Oh! I am lost, if I look that way!
Zel.
Throw Emilius from your thoughts, and you
Are Happy.
App.
What after being the lov'd Image there!
Since first they took an Image in—
Forget him—when he Anticipated my
Earlyest Prayers, and was my Evening Theme,
My Mid night Wakings have Remembred him;
Made the joyn to wish his Safety:
And talk'd away the Starry Hours, till thou hast,
Nodding, ask'd, what I said last—weary with
Tormenting thee, have flown from my Bed,
To Trees and Shadows; Breath'd his Name there—
Methought I beheld his goodly Mien, in
Whispering Boughs heard the soft Accents of
His Voice—and Dy'd upon the Sound—Oh!
Zel.
This way, you never will forgett him.
12
'Twas the last Sighs of my Expiring Love;
And from the Death of that I Rise
Another Woman—The gentle Cords,
Twisted by Venus's self, that held my Heart,
Are Broke; and in their Stead, Nemesis has
Writ his Fate in Bloody Characters.
Zel.
In all things I Obey.
App.
I know thou woot, without Enjoyning.
Zel.
Command me then.
App.
Bucarius, our General, (you know) my Lover,
Hates the Vice-roy, and fears the return of brave
Emilius, Mistrusts the Governour shou'd
Supplant him in the Court of Spain, purchase
His Honours for his most deserving Son, this
Will make him Eager to Cross the Noble Youth
In his Designs, it shall be so;—
Warn him hither; He fits my purpose:
Give Adellaida,
From me, Notice to speak with Caution, to her Broher,
And let my Servants be in readiness, shou'd my
Design fail in the deep Scheme I have laid,
I am sure I have my Rival in my Power;
And if she scapes, may I be only wretched—
Observe me Zelide—tho I fear we both must fall.
Zel.
I am Content when you are pleas'd.
App.
O Faithful Slave! India alone can breed thy Fellow!
Zel.
I was a Slave till your goodness rais'd me
To your Bosom, which when Death frights me from
May I be a Slave again!
App.
If now my Native softness I forego;
And Plunge my self in everlasting Woe:
Let none my Black, and Guilty Annals see;
Or if they do: Charge Love; but pity me.
| The False Friend, Or, the Fate of Disobedience | |