University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

Enter Eva, Regan, and Catholicus.
Reg.
It is with Joy, I tell my dearest Eva,
King Dermond lives, and with immortal Fame,
This glorious Day, has Crown'd him with a Laurel,
Flourishing and Green, points out the Heroe;
And after Ages will repeat his Name.

Enter Strongbow, Dermond and Guards.
Der.
With weary'd Arms I have pursu'd my Foes.
And look'd for Rotherick, in the thickest Crowd,
That most inhuman Murderer of my Son:
Come to my Arms my dearest, dearest Daughter,
The Comfort, and the Blessing of my Life;
With Tears I've heard your mournful Tragedy:
Cathliocus I thank you for her Life;
Regan, my faithful Councellour and Friend,
With open Arms and Joy, I do receive you.
The noble Earl of Chepstow next, deserves
My lowly humble Thanks, and loudest Praise,
To reward his Courage, I'm too Poor,
To shew my Gratitude, I'll give him all
I hold most dear, my sweetest darling Daughter;
Eva come here and let me joyn your Hands,
Where I'm sure with Joy you'll joyn your Heart;
Take her my faithful Friend and Allie,
And with her, take my Crown, and take my Kingdom.

Strong.
Dermond, your Crown and Scepter I despise,
But your Daughter, is a Jewel I adore.

Eva.
My Lord, my Father, sure will give me leave
To think, on what I am going to do;
'Twere fit I spend some Time in Church Affairs,
And give my Thanks for Blessings I have received,
And make my Peace with good Catholicus,
And so perform the solemn Vows I made
Through all my Sorrow and Adversity.

Der.
'Twere fit a decent Time were given you
To make you worthy of so great a Prize.

Strong.
Her shining Beauty, captivates my Heart,
And 'tis with eager Love, I wish her mine.

Der.
Regan, how willingly I would reward you,
My Heart alone can tell, I doat upon you,
And would give you all, a Monarch has to give.

Reg.
My faithfull Services 'tis time to plead;
No, curse my Fate! I pleaded them too late;
You were profuse and lavish of your Store,
And gave away to Strongbow all you had;
And for your favourite Friends, left nought but Words.

Der.
What says my Regan! have I nothing left?
Then is my sacred Friendship reckon'd Nothing,
My regal Power, nor all my Titles,
My Grants of Rebell Lands, nor all my Places
Reckon'd Nothing! To hear the Man say this
Who may command them all, 'tis wondrous strange.

Eva.
Your Majesty must pardon Regan's Talk,
Rotherick's Tyranny has turn'd our Senses;
The barbarous Murder of my Brother,
His unheard of Cruelties to us all,
And most inhuman Usage of his Daughter;
Might pierce the soundest Brain, and cause Distraction.
(Aside)
Regan for Shame, command your Temper better,
Your warm Discourses may bring Ruin to us,
But cannot change our Doom; rely on me.

Strong.
Dermond, the Number of the Prisoners taken
Are numerous, and should proud Rotherick Rally,
And bring his Forces to another Charge;
We shall repent us that we let them live;
'Tis my Advice, they all be put to Death.

Eva.
(Aside)
Cruel, barbarous, inhumane Monster!
(to him)
And would you have them all, to suffer Death?
In cool Blood, must they be butcher'd thus?

Strong.
The Discipline of War, has so decree'd;
This may seem Cruel, to the tender Eva,
But Souldiers are inur'd to War and Blood;
We only shew Compassion to our selves,
And to prolong our Lives, take theirs away.

Catho.
(Aside)
I as a Prisoner must suffer Death;
Heaven forbid! I am not fit to die.
(to them)
If Dermond gives a Prisoner leave to Speak,
The Resolution of the Earl of Chepstow,
May be a present Plea for your Security,
But may prove fatal to your future Peace;
The Country are inrag'd, and would throw off
The Yoke, the heavy Yoke, of Rotherick's Sway,
And are inclin'd, as we the Clergy know,
To choose the King of Leinster for their Prince,
And one and all would cry, long live King Dermond.
But should you put to Death their Fathers, Sons,
Their Brothers and their Kins-Folks, it must not be,
It will inrage, and bring Destruction on,
Whilst calmer Means, may win them all to Peace.

Der.
Catholicus, you've spoke my Sentiments;
But if the Earl of Chepstow will agree
To call a Council, I'll propose it there,
And what is Reason must be all our Guides.

Strong.
My own Opinion is to me strong Reason;
Notwithstanding which, I will give Ear to you.

Der.
Mean Time, 'twere fit our Daughter take some Rest
The Nuptials we'll defer a Day or two;
And follow now the Business of the State'
Settle that, and then let us give way to Joy;
Regan attend my Daughter to my Tent,
And let soft Slumbers, calm her heavy Mind.

Strong.
A Day or two, to me in love's an Age;
Dermond, I cannot brook so long Delay.

Der.
Be it to Morrow then, will that Suffice?

Strong.
Suppose it were to Night, what hinders it?

Eva.
What may hinder it an Age, my Consent;
Know you not? that it is necessary.

Strong.
I know fair Princess, that you should be consulted.
But I am rough, plain Speech'd, and made for War,
No fawning, cringing, bowing ogling Lover,
That can swear, and lie, and call you Goddess;
I am honest, and your Father knows full well,
When all his Friends and Subjects did forsake him;
I joyn'd him; with a warlike Troop of Men;
Who, swift as Lightning, sent his Foes to Death,
And through the thickest Battle I rush'd on,
To save your Father, when oppress'd by Numbers,
When sprawling on the Ground his Horse lay dead:
I rais'd him on my Steed, and fought on Foot,
Nay, to animate my Troops, I sacrificed
My only Son, a Youth who run away
With Cowardice opprest, I show'd my Men,
What punishment a Fault like that deserved;
For with my Sword, I cut him through the Waste:
I could say more then this—

Der.
Indeed you could—
And I for ever; must acknowledge you
My Friend, my great Supporter, and my Father.

Strong.
What say you fairest Lady, will this do,
Can you think, I've worth enough to merit you?

Eva.
I am a poor Forlorn, and abject Creature,
Far unworthy, of your great Heroick Soul;
My heavy Heart, oppress'd with Woe,
Can give no Entrance to a Lover yet:
Perhaps, when I've consulted all your Charms,
And study'd o're, your great and wondrous Acts:
Then may be, the proper Season we should Wed,
Till when, I beg to call the Time my own.

Reg.
'Twere fit I lead the Princess to your Tent.

Der.
Her Eyes look heavy, lead her to Repose.

Eva.
Lead me to my Grave, there lyes my true Repose.

Exeunt Eva and Regan.
Strong.
Dermond, me thought her Air was Insolent,
With scorn she look'd, as if she did despise me,
Take heed, she plays not False, my passions strong;
If she is so ungreatfull to her Father,
As to deny, to give her self away
To one, who is so much her Fathers Friend.
Now by my Soul, I did not think of this!
Curse on her Female pride, why who am I?
No doating Fool, that sues and whines for Love:
I call her to my Arms, as by Agreement made,
We have sign'd and seal'd and you gave her to me.
All Articles by Generals made, are Sacred;
And were the petty Girl, a-kin to me,
She should not dare, to put it off one Moment.
Dermond go follow her, and let her know
How dangerous it is, to disoblige me:
Should I draw off my Forces from your Camp,
Rotherick has Men enough, to crush you all,
Go tell her this, and tell her I'm Enraged,
Say 'tis Love, or what you else can think on.

Der.
Far be it from me, or my Daughter either;
To disoblige, so kind so good a Friend:
It shan't be long before she doth Consent.

Exit.
Catho.
(Aside)
'Twere fit I pay Obeysance to this Earl,
I find he has a Soul, and will command.
(To him)
Most Noble General, perhaps I could
Declare the cause of all the Princess's Coolness;
And tell you such a Secret, would surprize you.

Strong.
Whoever does, a generous Deed to me,
Shall find his friendly Actions well rewarded:
Prelate speak out, and tell me what you know,
About this Female Toy, that has inraged me.

Catho.
My Noble Earl she is a Toy indeed,
And such a one as you may well despise;
And give a most convincing Reason for't,
She has ingag'd, and gave her Heart away,
To that Ill-looking Man, you Regan call.

Strong.
Ha! what say'st thou, gave her Heart away to him?
And give to him, what she denied to me:
My Tide of Passion swells, and rages high,
Such an affront, no mortal Man can bear.
Know's she my Birth, knows she my glorious Acts?
And will she, does she, dares she, thus despise me.

Catho.
I over heard them both, confess their Passions;
They love express'd, in a Romantick Manner,
They sigh'd and said they'd die for one another.

Strong.
They did so! and by Heavens so they shall:
I'm thirsting for Revenge, I'll drink the Draught,
And Dermond shall not live, or Regan dies.

Catho.
I beg my Lord, you will not let them know,
You got the mighty Secret out of me.

Strong.
Of whom are you afraid, if I protect you?

Catho.
My Lord, you know they say, I am their Prisoner.

Strong.
Go too, I know that what they say is False,
I as the Victor, do command the Field,
The Tents the Spoils, the Prisoners, all are mine,
And when I design to speak the word, you're free;
Besides, I would not prosecute the Church.
My War is not to People of your Cloth,
I do expect you all, should Pray for me;
And in return, I will protect your Lives,
Your Fortunes, Livings, and your Sacred Houses:
I come not to destroy, but give you Liberty,
And bring this barbarous Nation, to such Laws
As will draw Peace and plenty to your Country.

Catho.
The blessing of the Roman Church protect you for't;
I'll send to my Cathedral, and we'll sing
Te Deum for your glorious Victory:
The Clergy in their Pulpits, shall declare
That you have all the Right you would have;
We'll found it, on what Principle you please.

Strong.
The right of Conquest, is the Right I own.

Catho.
Then they shall preach up that, and in such Terms
That were you Beaten, they should say you conquer'd;
'Tis good to have the Roman Churchmen on your Side,
We can Preach up Peace, or raise Rebellion.
Observe that Prince, sits easiest on his Throne,
Who strives to make the Clergy all his one.

Strong.
Prelate, 'tis true, your Maxims are most Wise,
And when my raging Breast, sinks down to Calm,
I will make them all my constant Practice;
Till when, 'twere fit I do exert my Power,
About this foolish Girl, that gives me Pain,
That is, she raises Scorn; and galls Ambition,

Catho.
Before you go about to use Revenge,
'Twere well, you shou'd o'rehear the Lovers talk,
Which will convince you, what I say is true;
When if you were at once to charge them with it,
They would deny, and lay the Fault on me.

Srong.
You reason well, I'll follow your Advice,
And should this Regan once declare his Love,
'Twere fit he dies; or my Resentment sinks;
My strong ambitious Passion, flies above,
And Scorns within a middle Sphere to move.
And it shall be a true recorded Story,
No Rival in my Love, nor in my Glory.

Exeunt.
Enter Regan, and Eva.
Eva.
It is impossible to stem the Tide,
Or think, or hope to take a Flight from hence.

Reg.
I have a faithful Friend, who would conceal us.

Eva.
They'd search the Country round, and bring us here,
And you for serving me, might suffer Death;
For Stongbow then, would come to know your Love.

Reg.
And do you think that I would keep it Secret?
No, were he posted at his Armies Head,
I'd tell him I deserved you more than he.

Eva.
This Violence, might prove fatal to our Love,
But mine's a Chain of Woe, which I must bear.

Reg.
And yet I would consult your Peace of Mind,
Nay give you up, and die to make you Happy.

Enter Dermond.
Der.
Eva, from the Earl of Chepstow, I am sent,
To tell you, he demands you as his Wife,
You know what obligations I have to him,
And how my future Peace depends upon him,
Comply with me, and give to him your Heart.

Eva.
Cruel Father! could you sell my Happiness?
Sacrifice your Daughter to the Thing on Earth,
The vilest Thing, she most could Scorn and Hate:
It must not, may not be: I cant comply
To mingle Soul's with one who is a Stranger;
Command me Sir to Death, I'll go with Joy.
But cannot live to wed the Man I hate.

Der.
Will not my Happyness, my Subject's Peace,
My Kingdom's Welfare, and your Country's good,
Weigh nothing with your harden'd Heart? go too,
Thou disobedient Girl no more my Child:
I thought to have bless'd thee, prais'd thee, lov'd thee,
But instead of this, I now must curse thee.

Reg.
The Gods forbid, my Royal Master should do so,
On me, 'tis all your Curses you must pour,
On me; you must call Heaven's vengeance down;
I am the Cause of all your Tears and Woe.
The Princess in her young and tender Years,
Gave leave for me, to talk to her of Love,
And I presuming on my Services,
Doubted not, of your Consent, when time should serve,
I often did resolve, to tell you this,
But you were still involv'd in heavy Troubles,
And not prepar'd to hear an amorous Story.

Der.
Perdition seize us all! then you are Wed;
Thou Friend, thou Villain! I can hear no more.
Exit.

Eva.
Regan, go call him back and undeceive him,

Reg.
Undeceive him! how is it possible?
Then are you not by solemn Contract mine?

Eva.
The Contract is, I'm not to wed another,
But am not therefore, strictly tyed to you:
I'll end my Days in a Religious House,
And then my Father's Blessing will remain,
And I protected from the Earl of Chepstow,
May silently fit down; and die in Peace.

Reg.
Then is your Love so wavering, so inconstant?
That you can leave me, give me up with Ease.

Eva.
Regan, when we part I dread the Agonies,
I fear my Love, outweighs my Resolution.

Reg.
Come to my Arms, and then I'm sure it will.

Enter Catholicus Speaking to Strongbow.
Catho.
You see their Intimacy, wait a while,
That by their Words, you may discover more.

Strong.
Curse on their circling Joys, I'll kill them both.

Catho.
No blood-shed good my Lord, keep back I pray.
(Strongbow goes back.)
Peace attend you both, you happy happy Pair:
I pleaded with the Earl of Chepstow for you,
Knowing that your Love has long been growing;
But he Impatient as the Wind, resolves
To make you his, or die in the Attempt.

Reg.
Then let him die, thinks he, I'll quit my Right;
Is there an inequality in Birth?
Or does his wondrous Merit darken mine?
That makes him thus pretend, to Lord it o're us,
My Royal Master, willing to Recover;
Rebellious Subjects to their true Allegiance,
Hired this Noisey Lord, and all his Knights,
To serve him in the War, and they assume
A Power, a Command, as if they conquer'd,
And we, and all the Country were their Slaves.

Enter Strongbow and Guards.
Strong.
Curse on his Tongue, I'll hear no more, Guards seize him.

Catho.
Mercy on us! I fear we are betrayed.

(The Guards goes to seize Regan, he draws and opposes them)
Reg.
Stand off you Wretches, send your gallant Earl,
To meet the greatest Foe he has on Earth.

2 Guard.
Deliver up your Sword, or you must Die.

Reg.
Thy Life shall answer, I will keep my Sword.

2 Guard.
Why then have at thy Heart, thou hast it there.

Eva.
Help, Traytors! Treason, they will murder Regan.

Reg.
Eva, it is done, and now you are releas'd
From all the Vows and Contracts you have made.

Strong.
You Sir, how came you to exceed my Orders?

2 Guard.
He oppos'd, I did it in my own defence.

Reg.
You did your Duty, and I thank you for it:
Eva be happy, think of me no more.
(Dies.

Eva.
Talk not of happiness to me, I go
Where both of us shall never fear, nor meet with Trouble.

(She offers to stab her self, Strongbow takes the Dagger from her.)
Strong.
Heavens forbid, my Princess you must Live.

Enter 3d Guard.
3 Guard.
The King of Leinster, sent me with all speed,
To let you know, that Rotherick is joyn'd
With fresh Supplys, and has engag'd the Van:
He begs you'd march the Archers, and the Horse.

Strong.
Give Orders for their March, I'll head them soon;
(Exit Guard.
Dry up those watry Eyes, my dearest Princess,
I fight your Father's cause to set you free;
Whilst I remain a Slave, a Woman's slave:
Catholicus, to your Care I do commit,
This best, this sweetest Treasure of my Soul.

Catho.
Hard by adjoyning, is a Monastry;
The Lady Abbess of it is my Sister:
I'll leave her to her Care, whilst I go pray,
The Saints, to Guard you through the Battle.

Strong.
Your Prayers and Care shall be rewarded,
Take up the Body, give it Funeral Rites.

Catho.
I'll take Care to lodge it in the Monastry.

Strong.
Do so, if I had Time I'd shed a Tear,
In hopes 'twould please my Princess; fare you well.

(The Guards take off the Body.)
(Exit.
Eva.
Lead me to this pious Sanctuary,
And let my Soul shake off all worldly Cares;
Except the hearing of my Father's Safety.

Catho.
We'll go, where you shall meet no more misfortunes.

(Exeunt.
(Noise of Warlike Instruments.)
Enter Rotherick with his Sword Drawn.
Rothe.
Curse on my Coward Troops, they all give Way;
These hellish Strangers, drive down all before them:
Could I meet Dermond, or this Earl of Chepstow,
At the full Value I would sell my Life,
And dying, drag their Souls to follow me.

Enter Catholicus and Eva.
Catho.
The troops Crow'd this way, there's no Safety there.

Rothe.
(Espyes them.)
Ha! my Darling Eva, thou'rt a prize indeed;
Two Battles I would lose, to gain this Foe,
My good Catholicus come here my Friend.

Catho.
With Tears of Joy my Leige.

Rothe.
—Villian thou lyest.
(kills him.
And with those words, I'll send thy Soul to Hell.

Catho.
Quite through, you've pierced my Heart and I must die,
There's all my worldly Glory thrown away;
I've lost a Cardinal's Cap, so fare you well.
(Dies.

Rothe.
So perish all those Ministers of State;
Who are unfaithful to their Sovereigns:
Now my dearest Eva, thou'rt all my own,
My Love and my Revenge, I'll quench on thee:
(He halls her.)
Nay struggle not, for 'tis all in vain, I'm resolved.

Eva.
Enter Dermond.

Der.
Monster, turn thy cursed Face, and meet thy Doom;
I have been seeking thee through all the Field,
I will repeat thy Crimes, and punish thee.

Rothe.
I know them all, I'll make thee use few Words,
My Sword shall speak for me, and I'll revenge:
(They fight Dermond falls.)
It was in just that part, I kill'd your Son.

Eva.
Help help, he hath kill'd my Father, Dermonds kill'd!

Rothe.
Cease your Clamour, you Fly to be Pursued;
You see the Fates have now decreed you mine:
How often must I win you as my Prize?

Der.
Rotherick, perhaps the Earl of Chepstow
Will revenge my Death, spare my Daughters Virtue,
Farewell thou most unhappy Child, Death comes!
(Dies.

Eva.
Oh! my Father, can you hear those dying words,
And not relent, and suffer me to die?

Rothe.
You were the cause of all this Devastation,
You with your haughty Pride, refus'd my Love;
And so your Brother, and your Father died:
But now I think I've conquer'd all your Race,
And without interruption, shall enjoy you.

Enter Strongbow and Guards.
Eva.
The Earl of Chepstow comes to set me free,
And he is now the only Friend I've left;
Turn this way Sir, and see a wretch'd Maid,
See here, the Cruel Tyrant Rotherick:
Behold the bloody Executioner,
Of my Brother, Father, and Catholicus.

Strong.
My charming Princess! I'll revenge your Cause,
I've saved your Country, and would gain your Love,
Yeild Tyrant quickly, to my Mercy yieild;
I've vanquish'd all thy Troops; throw up thy Sword.

Roth.
If thou art Valiant, as thou has given out,
Come here, and meet me with a single Arm;
I know thy Troops can overpower me.
And such their number is that I must fall;
But if you're Noble, let us meet in Death,
And let me fell my Life, and Kingdom well.

Strong.
Guards, secure the Princess, and if I should die,
Proclaim her Queen of Leinster, and obey her:
It is with Joy my fairest I proceed,
To Vindicate your Right, and so revenge
The Death of all those Souls, this Wretch has murder'd.
As he's a King, this Honour he shall have,
The Earl of Chepstow, push'd him to his Grave.

(Rotherick and Strongbow Fight.)
Eva.
My Heart grows pityfull, and I must Pray
The Saints, to favour Strongbow's Cause and mine.

Strong.
Well have you Fought, but Death at Last's your Fate;
None ever conquer'd yet, the Earl of Chepstow.

Rothe.
Thou hast o're power'd me, and I must Die;
Grant me but one Request, I'll die in Peace:
Fetch hither to my Hand, that foolish Girl,
That I may Squeeze, and crush her in my Arms,
To Death, I hate her, and I hate my self,
And you, and all the World where am I going?
(Dies.

Eva.
Lead me, from his Loathsome hatefull Body:
For tho I know he's dead, I tremble still,
You are the protector of my Honour,
In what, or how, am I to reward you?

Strong.
Much more then this, I'd do to gain my Eva;
Comply with my Request, and Crown my Love,
Be a Parent to your sinking People.
Obey your Father, own your self my Wife;
And let us to this Isle, give lasting Peace.

Eva.
My heart is swell'd, and so opprest with Grief,
'Tis pain and Anguish when I utter Words;
I beg you would command my Fathers Army,
Rule and govern well his Kingdom curb his Foes,
And give his poor, and wretched Subjects ease;
Whilst I, in one continued Life of Prayer,
Send up my Pious thoughts, to Heaven for you.

Strong.
(Aside)
Her grief may waste away,
'Tis time to mind the business of the Field
Take up the Bodies, whilst I lead the Princess,
To the pious Abbess of yon Monastry,
Where she may, in silent Grief, her losses mourn,
And shed a Tear, on each deserving Urn:
'Till time, wear off the gloomy Face of Woe,
And brings to mind, I kill'd her greatest Foe:
With Love you Gods, possess the charming Fair,
That she may raise her Lover, from Despair.