University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Elvira
solus.
The Lot is cast, for Agnes, or Elvira,
If my good Genius watch not for me now,
Let it forever sleep, in dull Neglect;
My All depends on this important Project,
Curst if it fail, how bless'd if it succeed!
To see her Banish'd from Constantia's Heart,
The Prince's Presence, and my Brother's reach;
Fate sure will grudge so vast a sum of Joy,
Afraid to lose the dearest part of Pow'r,
And see me Happy, past a change to woe.
Enter Alvaro with a Train of Courtiers.
Brother, I must congratulate your Fortune,
This Days new Acquisitions to your Greatness,
The Royal Tokens of our Monarch's Favour,
Spreads through the Court, an universal Joy;
Your Friends are proud, to see you rais'd so High,
And Envy pleas'd, that you can rise no Higher:
You'll give me leave to bear a Sisters part.

Alvaro.
I have intended you a greater Share;
These Honours are our Instruments of Vengeance;
I never can forget your Injuries,
For which Iv'e long born Hatred to the Prince.
The World remembers still those warm Addresses,
Which rais'd the Malice of the Envious Fair,
And made you lift your Hopes to Royalty,
Now turn'd to worse than Hate, a cold Neglect;
What can they think, but that he whor'd my Sister?

Elvira.
And what of us, to bear the Infamy,
The shame of Scoffs, forsaken Maids receive?

Alvaro.
I waited but for Opportunity,
To take a lasting, deep, and full Revenge;
His Love presents us with the wish'd Occasion;
By that, by Agnes, we must punish him.

Elvira.
There spoke a God; that Thought was more than Human:
Oh! my dear Brother, there you hit the Point;
I hate her more, yet more, than I hate him,
Not for his Love alone, but for Constantia's;
With mine you will redress the Kingdoms Grievance:
We're all alike neglected for this Stranger,
The Princess thinks her Thoughts, sees with her Eyes,
She governs ev'n her Smiles, her smallest Favours;
The Spanish Fugitive, is Sovereign here.

Alvaro.
Fear not, she shall be soon but what I will;
Some Ceremonies past, I'le visit her,
And if my Glories has not mov'd her Heart,
By Heav'n, this Day, I'll force her to the Hymen.

Elvira.
The Hymen! that's indeed a brave Revenge!
Revenge upon our Selves.
To make her equal Partner in those Glories,
To place her in a Rank above your Sister,
And nearer to the Prince, is that Revenge?

Alvaro.
You take the Prospect wrong; turn off your Eyes,
From your unjust Aversion to Agnesia,
And fix 'em on the Wrongs the Prince has done us.
You see not how we shall torment his Soul,
By this New Obstacle to his Desires.

Elvira.
I see not the New Obstacle indeed,
None in her Husband, more than in his Wife;
Nor do you see, what now Constantia knows,
And all the Court will know, to your Reproach;
She loves the Prince, she entertains his Love,
The secret Correspondence is discover'd:
And you—

Alvaro.
Oh then we're sure to be reveng'd of both.

Elvira.
Your Passion makes all seem to it's Advantage;
But well I know, what e're our Sex pretend,
A Rape is less injurious in their Thoughts,
Than Slights from one who once was call'd their Subject.
Ten newly-vanquish'd Slaves wont countervail one Captive lost.
That shews it possible to break their Chains,
Which Womans Pride can't bear to have believ'd.
None take by Violence, but what they value;
Forsaking her, proclaims a Disesteem,
And that offends the Womans Spirit most
Trust me, for by experience I may speak.

Alvaro.
Ay Sister, but you lov'd the Slave you lost.

Elvira.
Then learn of one who lov'd as well as you,
To scorn, where you are scorn'd.

Alvaro.
You scorn, because that's all you have in Pow'r:
Cou'd you enjoy by Force the Man you lov'd,
You'd think that best Revenge.

Elvira.
Dote on then, let her triumph o're your Weakness,
Prevent her being banish'd by the Princess,
And fix her here to satiate her love,
Where the pleas'd Lovers ev'ry Day may meet,
And glance their Amourous Wishes to each other,
Their Souls enjoy in publick through their Eyes,
And in some stoll'n Hours (which Love will find
For all the care of watchful Jealousie)
We may be made the Subject of their Mirth.
When she has told her Arts to cheat the Husband,
He'll tell her, of the Sisters foolish Passion,
How credulous she was, and how deceiv'd.
You think that best Revenge.

Alvaro.
By all the Pow'rs of Hell,
I'll rather stab 'em both, than suffer it.

Elvira.
Think better of their Prudence, than t'imagine
They'll give you any subject for Suspicion;
No, you must like the rest of injur'd Husbands,
Alone be ignorant of your own Shame,
Whilst the least Curious, the most unconcern'd,
May point you out a Cloak to their Amours.

Alvaro.
Think better of my Prudence, than t'imagine
I'll give 'em the least Opportunity.
Trust me, to guard her strictly, when she's mine.
[Exit. Alvaro.

Elvira.
Trust me, to hinder her from being thine.
Alvaro's Wife!
Fortune can't favour her Ambition more;
And what cou'd love do more to serve the Prince,
Than fixing her in Portugal for ever,
Where they may sigh, gaze, talk, and—Oh what not?
That Thought has rais'd a Tempest in my Soul,
Not to be calm'd whilst hated Agnes lives.

Enter Bianca.
Bianca.
Madam, that serious Air ill suits your Fate;
Fortune this Day begins to change her Side;
Asham'd of favouring Fools, and Knaves so long,
To make some recompence she courts you now.
Does so obligingly assist your Wish,
It may regain the Honour she has lost;
And for her Blindness past, this Choice attones.

Elvira.
Fortune bestows her Gifts without Distinction,
She ne're considers, either Fools, or Wise,
But follows a Caprice, a love to Change:
The fawning Jilt ne're smiles but to deceive,
And but deludes me here with vain Success,
Whilst I'm defeated in my greatest Hopes;
In kindness she pretends to wound my Foes,
But basely turns my Weapons on my self.

Bianca.
Defend me Heav'n! you're not betray'd I hope!

Elvira.
'Tis worse, to see a Plot so well design'd,
Secret as Fates Decrees, yet unavailing.

Bianca.
Dear Madam, How have you been misinform'd?
The Princess bears it as we might expect,
Th'effect of her Displeasure's yet uncertain,
But we may hope the best.

Elvira.
It is not her I fear,
My Brothers Fondness gives me Apprehensions,
Which at my Souls expence I wou'd shake off.
But the Particulars of your Success!
You have not told me yet your grounds of Hope.

Bianca.
I sought you for that end.
When I'd receiv'd the Letter from your Hand,
I hasted to the Garden, where I found
The Princess leaning on her Rivals Neck;
They mingled Kisses with the tend'rest Words,
As if their Rivalship had made 'em dear;
Nor did she meet her Lord with greater Kindness:
As soon as he appear'd, Agnes desir'd
Permission to retire, which she obtain'd:
Th'occasion fairly offer'd, I observ'd,
And waited only, till the Prince had ended
His last Endearments, which were short, but kind.
Then I approach'd, the Paper in my Hand;
And to my Wish, she ask'd me what I held;
I told her 'twas a Letter Agnes dropp'd,
Just when she left her Highness;
I'll give it her th'unwary Princess said.
And took it with an Air so unconcern'd,
As plainly shew'd she fear'd not what she found,
And that a friendly Freedom made her read it,
No Spark of jealous Curiosity.

Elvira.
Dull, senseless peice of Earth! and then she smil'd,
As pleas'd her Friend took pity of her love,
Or wept for Grief that she disturb'd their Joys,
Say, How did it affect her?

Bianca.
She neither wept, nor smil'd, but as surpriz'd,
A Momentary Red o'respread her Face;
Soon as that disappear'd, she only sigh'd,
And read it twice with all her nat'ral Temper;
Then, with a Voice, and Aspect won'drous mild,
She gave Command that all, without exception,
Shou'd be deny'd admittance to her Chamber;
Agnes came often there, but was refus'd,
Which seiz'd her with so violent a Grief,
As shew'd her love surpass'd the Princesses,
Or that her Moderation was far less.

Elvira.
The Princess is a singular Example
Of Apathy, which Stoicks preach'd in vain;
For Nature's Laws were still more strong than theirs:
But sure Constantia's of another Kind,
Not made of the same Elements with us,
Or Nature, forming her, forgot the Fire.
Oh! cou'd I but infufe with that cold Mass,
Th'excessive part of Spirit which boils o're,
And burns within, with more than needful Force,
'Twou'd heat her to a generous active Rage,
Which soon wou'd free her from that Curse, a Rival.
I wou'd for such a Change, compound with Heav'n,
For all the Blessings meant to be my Lot:
But Miracles like that, are only wrought to ruine me.
My Brother is transform'd for my Destruction;
That noble Pride is lost, that haughty Soul,
Which look'd on all below it with Disdain,
Is now subjected to a Womans Scorn:
I met him going to that Sorceress,
Joyful to lay new Honours at her Feet,
And be again despis'd. Spight of her Slights,
He swears he'll marry her by Force if she refuse.
Gods! must she have all Hearts which I wou'd claim!
Why were our jarring Fates so nearly set?
One Heart can never long contain two Things,
So incompatible as Agnes and Elvira.
No, nor the World; or She, or I, must leave it.

Bianca.
Will not her Banishment suffice?

Elvira.
Her Banishment! What to my Brothers Arms?
Poor spirited Alvaro's grown so mean,
He'd take her from the Prince's Bed, to his;
Hell and Confusion! Must she be his Wife?

Bianca.
Rather than hope to be in time the Prince's.

Elvira.
Both's Death to me, and both must be prevented.

Bianca.
Have you consider'd, Madam, your Design,
The Danger, and the Shame, that must attend it?

Elvira.
So Agnes be involv'd in equal Fate,
I wou'd not stop, tho Hell were in my way;
'Tis past Dispute, she dies what e're oppose,
This Day shall end the Triumphs of her Eyes,
This Day be sacred to Revenge for ever.
We're certain now to find her, and alone,
Her Friendship is too nice in such a breach
To let her visit, or be visited.
Go you prepare with haste and secrecy,
Horses, and fit Disguises for us both,
That we may fly Coimbra, if suspected;
My Brother, and Lorenzo both have Interest,
And both Concern enough, to gain my Pardon;
Then Agnes has provok'd the King so far,
He'll easily forgive a Death he wishes:
If not, the World affords us choice Retreats,
Countries that much surpass our Portugal,
Where we may live as great, and more secure:
But let what will befal me, thou shalt see I'm not ungrateful.

Bianca.
May Fortune serve you faithfully as I,
And take your part in ev'ry Enterprize,
With the same Zeal, as you're obey'd by me.

Elvira.
As I dare trust thy Faith, I take thy Wish.
This is the Hour, if Fortune will be kind,
An Hour most fit to make Revenge compleat;
A single Death's too little for my Wrongs,
But Life, and Fame, at once, is worthy them;
This, for my Lover's, that my Brother's Heart.
Thus my Revenge, shall beyond Death extend,
And whilst her Name is known, will never end.

[Exeunt:

SCENE II.

Enter Agnes and her Woman.
Agnes.
The Light offends me; let the Room be darkned,
And none be suffer'd to disturb my Thoughts.
[Exit Woman
How much our Souls and Bodies sympathize!
Now that my Mind is fill'd with gloomy Sadness,
The chearful Light is hateful to my Eyes.

[Woman returns.
Woman.
Madam, here's Don Alvaro to wait on you,
He won't be refus'd Admittance.

Agnes.
What pains a hated Lover takes to see himself despis'd!

Enter Alvaro.
Alvaro.
He whom all Portugal obeys, and fears,
Who scarce beholds a Creature not below him,
With pain obtains the Grace to kneel to you.

Agnes.
It is not fit a Man of Power so vast,
Shou'd stoop to any but his God, or King;
I pay but what I owe your Quality.

Alvaro.
How cruelly you shew your mock-respect!
Respect to Slaves condemn'd, is but Derision,
A Barbarous, Tyrannical Insult.

Agnes.
From you I learn'd that witty Tyranny;
For under colour of dissembled Love,
You plague and torture more effectually,
Than all the Hate of bare-fac'd Enemies.

Alvaro.
If loving you almost to Adoration,
And throwing all my Honours at your Feet,
If that be tort'ring you, how are you pleas'd?

Agnes.
Obedience pleases me.

Alvaro.
I wou'd obey, unjust, relentless Fair,
But if I cease my Suit I lose my Hopes;
Where's then the Fruit of such a vain Obedience?

Agnes.
Enjoy the Fruit then of your Disobedience,
A Hate, as obstinate, as fix'd as that.

Alvaro.
Nature has been unjustly lavish here,
To have bestow'd so rich a Stock of Beauty,
As must impoverish half the World beside,
On one, who churlishly denies Relief to starving Beggars,
Whilst the wretched Miser, but hoards a Treasure
Which she cannot use, nor will it's Value last.

Agnes.
If Beauty be a Treasure, sure 'twas meant
For a Reward to Vertue; whilst the rest,
The Riches, Honours, all the Gifts of Fortune,
Are blindly giv'n to those who least deserve;
Whose Servile Souls make 'em more fit to stoop
Through all the little ways that lead to Greatness.

Alvaro.
The Great are only Vertuous; What but Pow'r
Makes Actions Right, or Wrong? Accept my Love,
And you shall see your self above controul,
Where none, in Thought, dare tax you of a Fault.

Agnes.
My Innocence is more to me than Fame,
Your boasted Pow'r can only give a Name;
A Name which all that know you will despise:
I see you worshipp'd like a God 'tis true,
But 'tis with Worship such as Indians paid;
They fear, but hate, and curse you at the Heart:
My pure unbyass'd Soul, from Int'rest free,
Unmov'd, by what the Vulgar tremble at,
Defies that Devil which it sees within:
I see it, through the gilded, thin disguise.

Alvaro.
That Devil you defie, may make you fear;
Your God is absent, for your Worship's known;
I'll seize his Heav'n, h'as fix'd it in your Charms,
And give him Hell, to see you in my Arms.
[Exit. Alvaro.

Agnes.
Monster of Nature, I detest the Thought.
Enquire if the Princess may be seen.
[Exit. Woman.
If she is chang'd, What can remain the same?
The Heav'ns did not more regularly move:
She seem'd immediately inspir'd from thence;
So just, and of a Piece, was all her Thoughts:
She is inspir'd, 'tis Heav'n directs her now,
For Heav'n is angry that this Day shone.
Where shall a persecuted Virgin fly?
What can I hope, abandon'd by the Princess,
Whose Goodness only chas'd away my fears?
Oh! she's unkind, she's in one hour transform'd!
What have I done, nay thought, that cou'd displease her?
Did I not part from her with some regret?
Was I not griev'd she gave me leave to go?
Methought I wish'd to see the Prince once more,
And then began to apprehend his Danger,
With anxious fears I had not known till then.
But if she knew those Thoughts, she'd know as well
I check'd the sinful Tumult in my Breast,
Not less offended with the Guilt than she.

Enter Woman.
Woman.
Madam, the Princess has just left her Chamber.

Agnes.
Whither does she intend?

Woman.
It is not known,
Only suppos'd, she went to walk in private,
Being unattended.

Agnes.
Perhaps she may, I'le seek her in the Garden,
And know my Crime, or die for Expiation.

[Exit.
Enter Princess.
Princess.
Already dark! Time does not creep so slow,
That we had need t'anticipate the Night.

Woman.
'Twas my Lady's Order to entertain her Grief,
But if your Highness pleases, I'll—

Princess.
Oh no, let it be thus, I like it well.
All that looks mournful suits my Misery.
[To her self.
But why should she be sad?
Can Guilt, and Innocence, have like Desires?
This Melancholly Fancy pleases me.
Where is your Lady?

Woman.
Madam, she's just gone out, with a design
To wait upon your Highness.

Princess.
Tell her I will expect her here.
[Exit Woman.
'Twere most unjust to punish her unheard,
Thus far I owe, to one that was my Friend,
To one, who tho ungrateful still I love.
Something methinks, pleads strongly for her Truth,
Tells me she may be wrong'd, and innocent;
Yet what shou'd move Bianca to deceive me?
What Interest cou'd she have? What end in that?
No, no, 'tis plain,
Agnes is false, as false as she was true;
For she was true, till by the Prince seduc'd.
The Prince! that Name's enough for her excuse.
What Vertue can be proof against his Charms?
That irresistable, that God-like Man;
Yet much she might have suffer'd, much for me,
For none cou'd love more tenderly than I;
I found in her suppos'd Fidelity
Full Recompence for all I lost before;
My Husband's want of Love her Love atton'd:
This was a Blow struck to the very Heart,
There's now no Remedy in Nature left;
No, both shall see me quickly in my Grave;
My Death will make your Loves more innocent,
Your Guilt, and my Misfortunes in one Tomb, for ever shall be laid.

Enter Elvira behind the Princess.
Elvira.
Alone in Darkness, and so fitly plac'd!
Now vanish all that's womanish or soft;
[Stabs her in the Back.
Rival, Revenge has said this Hour's thy last;
And to torment thee in thy latest Gasp,
Know, by my Means, the Princess thinks thee false.

Princess.
Wicked Elvira, thy mistaking hand,
Has done a Deed too good for thy Design;
Heav'n guided it, to ease me of a Life,
Which was a heavy, grievous Burthen grown:
And hinder thy Intent to snatch from hence,
The choicest Jewel, which the World cou'd boast.

Elvira.
Curst be the fatal Pow'r that guided me;
Curst be the Arm that blindly did obey;
Take the Reward thy Treachery deserves:
[Stabs her Arm, and throws away the Dagger.
Oh! I have bravely hazarded my Life,
To make a Passage open for my Rival,
To bring her safely to the Prince's Arms,
To give the longing Lovers all they wish'd;
Curst, curst, Elvira!
Enter Agnes.
Here's my proud Enemy; Ha, is she here?
I feel new Mischief brooding in my Soul;
Aid me this once the great Infernal Tribe,
For Agnes Death, my Soul shall be the Bribe.
[Exit. El.

Princess.
Now let me die in Peace, since Heav'n allows
Me once to see thee, dearest, injur'd Maid.

Agnes.
Now let my Soul be calm, die all my Fears,
Since you, the Object of my Hopes, are kind:
Not Ships in Storms, not Travellers benighted,
Amongst wild Beasts, left in a lonely Wood,
Can half express the Anguish I have felt,
Depriv'd of you, my Light, my Guard, my All.

Princess.
Forgive me Child, be all thy Wrongs forgot,
For ever wash'd away, in my Life's Blood.

Agnes.
Better all Womankind at once shou'd perish,
Than you, the sole Perfection of the Sex,
The greatest Blessing, of the whole Creation.

Princess.
Say rather, the Incumbrance of the Earth;
One who but liv'd for an unhappy Plague,
To the most Noble, most Divine of Men;
Which Heav'n, grown mild, most kindly does remove,
With this additional Favour to my Death!
That it preserves thy dearer envy'd Life,
And in thy Life, the Prince's.

Agnes.
Horrible Mystery, of Life, and Death,
Oh ease my trembling Heart! What mean you Madam?

Princess.
Fear only for thy Self, for I am well;
But, Agnes, thou hast many Enemies.
The Death I have receiv'd was meant for thee;
Elvira's black Design, whose Envy first
Contriv'd against thy Fame, and then thy Life;
But by a happy Error both are safe;
At once she gave the welcome Deadly Blow,
And with malicious Boasting, clear'd thy Vertue.

Agnes.
Perish the Sacrilegious, Hellish Hand;
Too fatally it wounded where it aim'd,
And gave me double Death in striking you.
Ah cruel Fate! Was there no other way,
To make us Friends, but parting us for ever?
Wou'd I had rather dy'd unjustify'd,
Contemn'd, and loath'd, by you, and all the World.

Princess.
Be less transported; thy too moving Grief,
Had almost forc'd from me a Wish to live.

Agnes.
Alas! my heedless Sorrow had forgot,
To call Assistance, for my dearest Princess.

[Going, the Princess holds her.
Princess.
It wou'd be vain, for Death has seiz'd me all,
And if thou go'st, I ne're shall see the more,
These Eyes will be shut up in lasting Night.
Stay, and receive a dying Friend's Request;
Believe thou always hast been dear to me:
Ev'n when I fear'd thee False, I thought thee True;
And let this Forgery, excuse my Fear.
[Gives her a Letter.
Then, if thou'st ever bore me true Affection,
Double it on the Prince, my better part;
Intreat him to forgive me for thy sake,
The Troubles, I unwillingly have caus'd him.
Be thou to young Fernando, what I was;
Speak of me to him. Don't forget thy Friend;
Remember with my latest Breath, I beg,
I charge thee love the Prince, I charge thee marry him.
My Dear I'm going, Heav'n receive my Soul.

[Dies.
Agnes.
Oh! she's gone, she's gone, and left me here!
But I shall overtake my dear, dear, Mistress.
This Ponyard, Purple with her precious Blood;
'Tis useless, Grief has kindly done its Work.

[As she is going to kill her Self, she falls in a Swoon.
Enter the King, Alvaro, Lorenzo, Elvira, Bianca, Diego, Pedro, Cuello.
King.
Heav'ns noblest Gift, torn from the groaning Earth,
By Hells curst Engine. Oh my dearest Daughter!

Elvira.
The wicked Author has aveng'd her Death;
Her Fear, has desp'rately prevented Justice.

King.
The vilest Hand shou'd punish such a Crime;
Hers was the fittest for the Execution.

Alvaro.
She has no Wound, some help is requisite;
She breaths, and stirs.

King.
Remove her, and be careful of her Life,
That she may die in painful Agonies.
Some strange, unheard-of Torture shou'd be made,
For this foul Act, which has no Precedent.

Alvaro.
But Sister, Are you certain Agnes did it?

King.
Relate particularly, all you know.

Elvira.
This Wound is witness of that horrid Truth,
Which Justice will not suffer me to hide.
Hither I came to visit Agnes, Sir;
But finding the unhappy Princess here,
And seeing both in Heat, retir'd unseen;
I scarce had pass'd one Room, when a shrill Cry
Recall'd me, trembling, to a dreadful Sight,
The Princess weakly strugling for her Life,
Which Agnes threatned with a lifted Ponyard;
I wildly flew, and drag'd her from her Prey,
At which enrag'd she struck this aiding Arm,
Now quite disabled, forc'd to loose its Hold;
Then ran and stab'd the Princess in the Back,
Who out of breath, and weary'd with Resistance,
Had fall'n into the Seat where now she lies,
Cold, Motionless, and ne'r to rise again.

[Weeping.
Bianca.
I was Spectator of this sad Adventure,
For I alone attended on the Princess;
Her Highness shew'd a Letter to Agnes,
At which they both seem'd mov'd:
I was commanded then to leave the Room,
But soon return'd, hearing unusual Noise;
And seeing Agnes with a naked Dagger,
My Shreeking, brought Donna Elvira back.

Alvaro.
Perhaps this is the Letter you have nam'd;
'Tis from the Prince, To the Coy, Vertuous Agnes.

[Gives it the King.
King.
'Tis not Don Pedro's Hand.

Alvaro.
He makes excuse for his disguising it.
[Aside.
My Rival, may be, has not yet enjoy'd her;
But if he has, shall I live unreveng'd?
Methinks 'twere brave, both for my Love, and Anger,
To force the charming, fair, damn'd Hypocrite.
Here 'tis impossible; I must remove her,
And manage so, the King may ne'r suspect me,
But the Prince's Agents.

King.
Infamous Strumpet! Barb'rous Murd'ress!
Without these Evidences, 'tis undoubted,
Agnes alone cou'd wish Constantia's Death;
For she had such a gen'ral, winning Goodness,
So easily forgave the greatest Wrongs,
And was so over-tender of her Friends,
'Twas all Mankinds concern that she shou'd live;
Nay Agnes ow'd her more than all the World,
And she, Ungrateful Wretch! has paid her thus;
These are the curst Effects of shameful Love.

Alvaro.
There never was a Scornful Maid like Agnes,
Affecting coy Reserv'dness more than common,
But entertain'd a secret, sinful Flame.

King.
That Flame a fiercer Fire must extinguish;
She shall be tortur'd first, then burnt alive.
Lorenzo, she's your Pris'ner, keep her strictly.

Lorenzo.
If I durst beg for her a milder Doom!

King.
But that I know thee honest, I shou'd think
Thou wert Accomplice in this base Intrigue.
Thou lov'st my Son, yet I believ'd Lorenzo
Wou'd part with Life, but not his Honour for him.

Lorenzo.
I thought it not dishonourable, Sir—

King.
No more; I'll hear no Intercession for her:
That Man's a Traitor who dares wish her Life;
Had she ten thousand they were all too few.
Oh! if her Rage had Butcher'd half Mankind,
Not one had fall'n lamented like Constantia,
That murder'd, matchless Vertue. Poor Princess!
Carry her from this poyson'd, hated Place:
And let us all those gen'ral Crimes lament,
For which this Universal Judgment's sent.

[Ex. King, Elvira after the Body.
Alvaro.
Pedro, Cuello, and Diego, stay.
[Softly to them.
Don Lorenzo, but one short Word with you;
Do you love Agnes de Castro?

Lorenzo.
That Question's strange, you know I love your Sister.

Alvaro.
What mov'd you then to take her part so kindly?

Lorenzo.
Compassion is indeed a Miracle;
'Tis true I had a stronger Motive.

Alvaro.
Love, you mean.

Lorenzo.
The Prince's Love for Agnes is no Secret,
Nor the Respect I bear him any News;
That set together may resolve the Riddle.
But I must give some Orders for my Pris'ner.
Diego be you near, I shall employ you.
[Exit Lorenzo.

Alvaro.
There's no tamp'ring with him, he's strictly honest,
And firmly fastned to the Prince's Int'rest.
Diego, you remember, and you Pedro,
Since the Prince sent you Home, Cashier'd, and in Disgrace.

Diego.
We well remember it.

Pedro.
And that we owe our Re-establishment to your sole Bounty

Alvaro.
I see you are grateful, and now offer you
The way to over-pay me all you owe,
And be reveng'd for an Affront so shameful.

Diego.
When you vouchsafe to give us your Commands,
You but encrease our Debts by your new Favours;
For 'tis our highest Honour to obey you.

Alvaro.
I think Lorenzo trusts you much Diego.

Diego.
I've serv'd him faithfully, and gain'd his Favour.

Alvaro.
You wou'd not then betray him for my Sake?

Diego.
To serve my Patron, I'd betray my Father.

Alvaro.
Serve me effectually in this Concern,
Then ask what e'r you wish, 'tis yours I promise;
[To Diego.
Pedro the same to you. 'Tis probable
Lorenzo (when he leaves her) will commit
Agnes de Castro to your Charge;
If so, you easily may make me happy;
Deliver her to Pedro, who shall wait
Well guarded to receive her from your Hands,
And carry her where I shall order him.

Diego.
I must go too, or stay to die for her.

Alvaro.
Fear not,
You know Lorenzo is the Prince's Favourite,
I can perswade the King with show of Reason,
He did it to preserve his Master's Mistress;
But tho you were discover'd, I have Pow'r
Enough to give you full Security.

Diego.
My Life can ne'r be better hazarded
Than in your Service; but if she resists?

Alvaro.
She must be ignorant of your Design.

Pedro.
Pardon me, Sir, this one Objection:
Will it not rather please than grieve the Prince,
To save his Mistress from the Arms of Death?

Alvaro.
A Rival's Arms will be more terrible,
If Love as fierce as mine enflame his Heart:
I'd rather see her Damn'd, than see her his.

Diego.
Pedro be ready, I'll to Don Lorenzo,
E'r this he wants me for his Pris'ners Guard;
And I shall guard her, safer than he thinks.
Sir, doubt not of my Faith, or Diligence.
[Exit Diego

Alvaro.
I know thou lov'st thy self too well to fail me.
I must enflame the King against his Son;
Saving the Murd'ress of his Wife, is Fuel
Which by my Art shall blaze to his Destruction.
Pedro we must prepare for our great Work;
Oh Fate! I thank thee, if thou hast design'd
So singular a Grace, 'tis wond'rous kind;
Love, which cou'd scarce with Int'rest e'r agree,
Now serves Ambition and Revenge for me.

[Exeunt.