 | Agnes de Castro |  |
SCENE. I.
Enter Elvira, and Bianca with a Paper in her Hand.Elvira.
This was a lucky accident, Bianca;
It will be noble Mischief.
Bianca.
I long to know the issue.
Elv.
It must be good: That Poison Jealousie
Destroys the strongest Bonds of Blood, or Friendship:
Constantia cannot think the Prince loves Agnes,
But she must hate, and treat her as a Rival;
Or cou'd she be so tame to keep her here,
Distrust, and coldness, Rival-ship will breed,
Which Agnes is too haughty to endure,
And though not sent, will soon return to Spain.
Bianca.
That will be pleasing news to all the Ladies,
Who envy her the Princesses Affection.
Elv.
Was it not an Affront to all the Court,
To bring her here as in defiance to us;
As if she thought none of us worth her Love,
Not one in Portugal for her Converse.
Bianca.
Their being bred from Infancy together,
Might make it difficult to separate;
And then their near Relation.
Elv.
A Princess, must have none;
She came to wear the Crown of Portugal,
And then, shou'd have renounc'd all other Claims:
She 'as now, new Friends, new Country, new Relations,
And shou'd forget the Old; not be a Spaniard here.
Bianca.
These lines will make her wish she had forgot 'em.
Methinks I pity her.
2
All that can contribute to Plague the Prince
Is grateful to my Thoughts: I know his temper;
The Princesses regrets will most torment him;
And then to lose his Mistress; shall I see
The faithless Traytor, who abandon'd me,
Punish'd in the same kind, Lose her he Loves:
That, that's the pleasing part.
Bianca.
Not all you e're Contriv'd, or Wish'd to happen,
Cou'd more effectually have punish'd both:
Fortune indeed has laid a brave Foundation,
Whereon to Build, what Hate can make you aim at.
Elv.
But I must raise the Structure, and I'll do't,
With so much Care, with so much Artful Strength,
Not all their force and cunning shall destroy it:
Revenge is Justice, Born in Noble Souls;
'Twas some mean Spirited Fool that first taught Patience,
Weak Cowardice, that Preach'd up dull Forgiveness,
And call'd the lasie Impotence, a Virtue.
Bianca.
'Tis Vice to leave such Injuries unpunish'd;
'Twould make all Men be Faithless as the Prince,
If Women bore their Wrongs without return.
Elv.
Ye Gods! Was I a Trifle to be plaid with,
Fit but to entertain his leisure hours;
But I've recall'd the Heart he Fool'd away;
And now 'tis fill'd with Fury and Revenge,
He'll find Elvira can do more, more, than amuse him.
Bianca.
Madam, What method in this great design
Will your just Anger take?
Elv.
Bianca; I have found thee Faithful,
And may have need of thee.
Bianca.
Madam, Did not my Inclination tie me,
Your Bounty has engag'd me to your Service.
Elv.
Be confident of what I can do for you;
I know Antonio fain wou'd Marry you,
But that his Friends oppose it.
I'll make your Fortune fit for such a Match,
Which Love, or your Ambition, makes you Covet.
Bianca.
Let your Commands be ne'er so hazardous,
I will not fail t'Obey you.
Elv.
I can't resolve on what I have to do,
Till I shall know the Princesses Resentments:
She's wishing with impatience for your coming,
Fond of discov'ring what she'll grieve to find;
Be sure seem not to know what's in the Paper.
Bianca.
By no means, Madam.
Elv.
I'll to my Brother;
And tell him of the Prince's Love to Agnes:
I know his boundless Rage and Jealousie
3
That must be fatal to the Prince, or Agnes;
For bating his fond Passion to that Maid,
His ev'ry Thought bespeaks him of my Blood.
Bianca.
His Favour with the King may be of use,
The Kingdom's rul'd by Don Alvaro's Will.
Elv.
His Power indeed is almost absolute,
And if he be my Brother, he'll improve it;
But I delay;
I'll strike with Fortune whilst she's in the Humour;
She shall not have the time to change her Mind,
Follow her close, and she'll be always kind;
Too proud to wait, sh' as ever shun'd the Wise,
They pause so long, that to the thoughtless Fools she flies.
(Ex. severally.
| Agnes de Castro | |