 | Agnes de Castro |  |
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.
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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?
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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?
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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,
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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;
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[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;
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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.
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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.
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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.
| Agnes de Castro | |