 | Agnes de Castro |  |
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Agnes in a Swoon, Women about her endeavouring to recover her. Lorenzo.Agnes.
Cruel Tormentors, let me die in quiet;
Here by my murther'd Princess, let me die.
Where is she? Ha! what have you done with her?
[Starts up.
I beg you tell me, for I'll never leave her;
Show me her Grave; since you refuse me Death,
I'll be intomb'd alive, with my dead Friend.
[Offers to go, Lorenzo stops her.
Lorenzo.
Pardon me, Madam, this ingrateful Office,
I must not let you go.
Agnes.
He thinks me mad, indeed I shou'd be so;
Madness wou'd be more reasonable now,
More decent in my Case, than stupid Patience;
But I retain a wild, a raving Reason:
Have I not reason thus to tear my Hair?
To fall upon the Ground, and mourn my Princess?
Have I not reason too, to curse Elvira?
Lorenzo.
Madam, indeed you cannot grieve too much;
But speak more charitably of Elvira,
For in her Case, you wou'd have done the same.
Agnes.
What, can Lorenzo justify her Crime!
Oh most unworthy of thy Prince's love!
Tho she's thy Mistress, dar'st thou take her part,
In such an Action, done against thy Patron,
Which robs him most inhumanly, of her
Who lov'd him most, and most deserv'd his Love?
Lorenzo.
Madam, You know him not so well as I;
My Prince himself wou'd not condemn Elvira.
Agnes.
Base Detractor! thy Master is most just;
And tho her Life had not been dear to him,
He wou'd condemn, and generously lament,
A Fate so sad, and so deplorable.
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'Tis from that gen'rous Justice I affirm,
He wou'd not blame Elvira.
Agnes.
Give me Patience Heav'n!
How impudently he defends her still!
What can'st thou say to plead so foul a Cause?
'Tis true, her Aim was at my worthless Life:
But did I ever give her Provocation?
If any Wrongs cou'd justifie a Murder.
Lorenzo.
Your Rage transports you, Madam;
It does not merit that opprobrious Term.
Agnes.
Oh no! She had been innocent indeed,
If I had fall'n a Victim to her Hate;
But (to prolong my Woes) that was not suffer'd,
And cruel Fate, can only be accus'd.
Ah! Why was her more kind Intention hinder'd?
Why was not that ill-guided Instrument
Plung'd deep in my Hearts Blood, to glut her Rage?
Lorenzo.
Did she then make attempt against your Life?
Agnes.
Has not Elvira own'd 'twas her Design?
What cou'd she urge but that in her Defence?
And by what other way cou'd you excuse her?
Sure the most Savage Nature cou'd not harbour
A Thought against so mild, so good a Princess:
Ah Lorenzo! Before, I wonder'd that you should defend her;
I tremble now, wihh Horror at you for it.
Lorenzo.
You amaze me, what do you accuse her of?
Agnes.
Why do you trifle with a wretched Maid?
Ah miserable Agnes! shun Mankind;
There's nothing vertuous, since Constantia's gone,
No Life without her; I'll go find her out,
And breath my Soul into her Lifeless Corps.
[Is going.
Lorenzo.
Madam, I have strict Order to retain you,
You are my Pris'ner.
Agnes.
Your Pris'ner! Sure you've lost your Wits Lorenzo.
Lorenzo.
This seeming Ignorance will not avail you;
Elvira has discover'd all the Fact:
'Twere better to repent and own your Crime,
Than pull new Judgments on your guilty Head, by falsly taxing her?
Agnes.
If what I darkly apprehend be true,
In vain have all my Thoughts been innocent,
In vain have all my Actions aim'd at Glory.
Ah Don Lorenzo! No, it cannot be;
I have strange Fears, but 'tis impossible;
What is my Crime? be plain, and clear my Doubts.
Lorenzo.
Elvira, and Bianca, have declar'd.
Before the King, they saw you kill the Princess.
Agnes.
And he believes it? you believe it too?
Alas! none living knows that I am wrong'd.
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We found you, Madam, lying by the Princess,
Holding the bloody Ponyard in your Hand.
Agnes.
Grief for her Loss, had mov'd a sinful Thought,
Of laying violent Hands upon my self:
Oh Heaven! did you prevent my Guilt in that,
And yet permit the Innocence you sav'd
To be reproach'd with a more horrid Crime?
Lorenzo.
Madam, be careful:
What probably cou'd be Elvira's Motive,
To kill the Princess?
Agnes.
Alas I have no Witness of my Truth;
But vertuous Souls, perhaps may know each other:
I'm pleas'd I speak to you, for you are honest,
And love, I think, Elvira less than Justice.
Lorenzo.
Speak, Madam, for I love my Prince so well,
I'd rather find her criminal, than you.
Agnes.
May I for ever be excluded Heav'n,
If I shall utter ought beside the Truth;
The Princess came alone to find me here,
And sent for me, for I was just gone out.
When I return'd, I saw Elvira fly,
And, (Oh most dreadful Sight!) my Princess dying;
She told me with her last, expiring Breath,
Elvira had design'd those Wounds for me,
The sad Mistake, occasion'd by the Place,
And that in wounding her she clear'd my Fame;
Which by a Letter, forg'd I know not how,
She had before aspers'd.
Lorenzo.
Was not Bianca with the Princess?
Agnes.
I saw her not.
Lorenzo.
Yet she protests against you;
Elvira has a Wound too, which confirms her Accusation.
Agnes.
Alas! I know no more; the Princess scarce
Had Life enough to give me her Commands.
Lorenzo kneel, and join in what I ask:
[They kneel.
Sacred Divinity, hear our just Prayer;
Let not the Guilty 'scape unpunish'd here,
But by some strange uncommon Judgment show,
Who shed that Blood which cries to thee for Vengeance,
And by her tort'ring Conscience, clear the Injur'd.
Lorenzo.
Hear her, and guide my Heart to favour most,
Her, whom thy Wisdom knows to be most just.
Agnes.
How strange a Charm is Vertue in a Soul!
Mine feels a Calm almost incredible,
After those blust'ring Storms, in which 'twas tost.
Lorenzo.
Tho all Appearances are much against her,
Her Looks, her Grief, and Manner of Expression,
Have something so sincere, and unconstrain'd,
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Whether my fear to wrong the Guiltless move me,
Or that I am inspir'd from Heav'n, I know not;
But, Madam, if you dare confide in me,
I'll carry you where you shall be secure
From those Indignities, design'd you here.
Agn.
Lorenzo no, I'm not so fond of life
To save it, by involving you in ruine.
Lor.
My danger's little, I can fly with you,
Or to the Prince, he will be my Protector.
Agn.
What wou'd the World conclude from such a flight?
I cou'd not give a greater confirmation,
To what they now injuriously suspect,
Than flying with the Prince's Favourite;
Nay worse, 'twould cast a blemish on the Prince,
And raise suspicions he were accessary.
Lor.
You rather chuse a death most infamous.
Agn.
I do not chuse,
What by all decent ways I wou'd avoid,
But bear it, as a fatal consequence
Of that which Honour forces me to take.
Lor.
Your scruples are more nice than reasonable;
What scandal can your Enemies invent
More ignominious, than is now believ'd?
Or will your staying here, regain your fame?
Agn.
At least I shall enjoy this consolation,
They cou'd not ground their malice on my actions;
And if my rigid Stars ordain my shame,
I'd better die to lay it in oblivion,
Than live to make my infamy more lasting.
Lor.
Since I believe her wrongfully condemn'd,
Unless I aid her, I'm her Murderer;
Something I must endeavour for your safety.
Agn.
Generous Lorenzo, do not tempt your fate,
'Tis rash to leap after a drowning Friend,
When a tempestuous raging Sea affords
No hopes of ought, but ruine to yourself.
Lor.
Your case, I hope, is not so desperate;
And 'twere most barb'rous to see you sink,
When standing shelter'd from the threatning storm,
I could attempt to save you without hazard;
'Tis by the Prince's Arms I hope to do it,
Nor will defer what I've resolv'd one moment,
In two hours time I can be with my Master;
Be pleas'd to give me your Commands in brief.
Agn.
Since I in vain perswade you not to go,
I pray you, good Lorenzo, tell the Prince,
That I desire nothing from his Justice,
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Lor.
I'll obey you,
But hope to find his Justice more effectual.
This Night shall bring you news of my Success,
Mean while, I leave you to Diego's Charge,
He's faithful, and will treat you with Respect.
[Exit Lor.
Agnes
alone.
How falsly do the most of Mankind judge,
Who think the Fortunate are only happy;
The Vulgar, charm'd with what affects the Sence,
Ne'r know the nobler riches of the Mind,
Nor that peculiar priviledge of Vertue,
To make the Poor distress'd, great and content;
Condemn'd, despis'd, and Pris'ner as I am,
I wou'd not change Conditions with Elvira.
Enter Diego, with Pedro and Soldiers.
Diego.
Madam, the King has sent these Messengers
To move you to a more secure Confinement.
Agn.
Perhaps to Death, an ignominious Death;
But I shall meet my Princess where I go,
And our unspotted Souls, in Bliss above,
Will know each other, and again will love.
[Exit.
Enter Elvira alone.
Thus far has Fortune waited on my wish;
What does my discontented Heart desire?
I know not what I fear, and yet methinks,
I tremble ev'ry little noise I hear,
And a still silence fills my Soul with horror.
Bugbear for Fools, call'd checks of Conscience down,
The childish prejudice of Education;
Those Heathens who were taught for Piety,
What we esteem Debauches, felt remorse
When they omitted their licentious Worship:
Shall such a turn-coat Monitor be heeded?
False Babler peace; be chear'd my sullen Heart.
I've heard soft Musick charms a troubled Mind
Luls Cares asleep, and calms the roughest Passions;
Who waits there? sing me some mournful Song.
[After a Song the Ghost of the Princess rises.
Gho.
Thou think'st thy Crimes secure, because unknown;
But, wretched Woman, thou thyself art Witness,
And unsuspected shall accuse thyself.
[Ghost descends.
Elvira
Mad.
Furies and Hell! what's that? where am I? Dead;
No, there's too gentle Plagues in t'other World;
The Princess is come back to find worse here,
Or bring 'em all to me, she'll murder me.
Ha! that was a Hangman's voice, will he know me?
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[Pulls out a Looking-glass.
Ah! those are killing eyes—I'll stare the Prince to death:
Look how they flame, they'll burn him up to ashes,
But Agnes sets his heart and soul on fire;
I'll weep it out, I'll quench it with my tears.
[Weeps.
Oh there's a clatt'ring Drum beats in my Head;
Hush, hush, 'twill wake the Gods, they'r fast asleep;
They drunk Opium when I kill'd the Princess:
Say not a word, I'll go murder 'em all,
And be Empress of the Moon; help me, Brother,
You shall be Phebus, and set the World on fire.
If the Ghost comes I'll stab it again;
Wou'd the Devil wou'd keep it to himself tho:
I'll send Agnes to her, she'll like her company.
'Twas a frightful sight, I'm afraid she's damn'd;
Well, 'twas a good Woman, I'll pray for her soul,
And then she won't haunt me; she's there again,
Murder, murder, murder.
[She runs several ways, and then Exit.
Enter Diego.
'Tis an unhappy Fate, to serve two Masters
Whose Natures, and whose Intrests disagree;
Whilst one entrusts me for the other's ruine,
They leave me not the power of being honest,
My choice is only, which I shou'd betray;
Nor am I absolutely free in that,
Tho' inclination bends me to Lorenzo,
Yet stronger interest binds me to Alvaro.
Self-preservation, Nature's universal Law,
Constrains me to preserve my Faith to him,
Who can at pleasure, crush me into nothing;
So far he'as dipp'd me in his Villanies,
He durst not let me live shou'd I turn honest,
And now I must continue that for Fear,
I was at first for Gain, against my Nature.
Enter to him the King, Alvaro and Attendants.
King
to Diego.
Tell Lorenzo I wou'd see his Prisoner.
Diego.
Sir, he is gone,
He went as soon as he receiv'd your Orders.
K.
What Orders? I sent none.
Dieg.
He said your Majesty commanded him
To carry Agnes to a closer Prison.
Alv.
And is she gone from hence?
Dieg.
Yes, my Lord, she went with Don Lorenzo.
K.
Thunder confound 'em both.
What think you of his treachery, Alvaro?
Alv.
I'm at a loss;
It cou'd not probably be for himself;
And yet I'm loath to think the Prince consented.
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The Prince! they had not time to give him notice.
Alv.
True,
Unless it were contriv'd before he went.
K.
Then he contriv'd the Murder of his Wife.
Alv.
I fear, most certainly, he knew the other,
But he may still be ignorant of both;
Perhaps Lorenzo does himself love Agnes.
K.
No, no, he knew the Prince's love too well,
He'as been a trusty Confident, no doubt,
And Pimp'd the lustful Couple to their Joys.
Send out to search most strictly through my Kingdom,
Proclaim a vast Reward for those shall find 'em.
Enter Bianca hastily.
Bia.
to Alv.
Ah, my Lord, the sadest News!
Alv.
What can be added to our Misery?
Thy frighted looks wou'd speak some dreadful thing.
Bia.
Alas! it is a dreadful thing indeed,
Dona Elvira takes the Princess's death
So much to heart, she is depriv'd of Reason;
I met her raving, like a furious Lion,
Rob'd of her Young, she talks the wildest things,
Of Murder, Ghosts, of Agnes, and the Princess.
Alv.
Oh fatal Day! oh my unhappy Sister!
To what unheard of place is Justice flown,
For now she seems to have deserted Heav'n?
K.
Rash Man forbear prophanely to repine,
Cou'd Providence be guided by our Wishes,
One day wou'd show our Folly by our Ruine,
So ignorant is Man what's Good or Ill;
Yet we ungratefully complain of Heav'n,
As Children murmur at their loving Parents
For snatching dang'rous Weapons from their hands.
Alv.
I was to blame, be my Surprize excuse,
Yet tho not murmur, I must morn her Fate.
K.
In that I'll joyn with thee, and will assist thee,
If half my Revenue can bring her Cure:
Mean while we'll meditate a just Revenge;
Go you to see Elvira, whilst I order
Our Forces to unite, in case my Son
Shou'd make Attempt to save his wicked Friends.
My Daughter, and your Sister, call for Justice,
And they shall soon have ample Satisfaction,
For Agnes, and Lorenzo, both shall die,
We'll show our Pious Grief, in Tears, and Bloud:
[Exit King.
Alv.
You have made a quick dispatch, Diego;
But where's Lorenzo?
Dieg.
My Lord, I know not where.
After conferring a long time with Agnes,
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Alv.
I hope to plot for Agnes, with the Prince;
'Tis kindly done, to save their Friends the labour,
They throw themselves into the mouth of ruine;
And she that's cause of all shall have her share,
My Love has giv'n her but a short reprive;
When I have reap'd what to my passion's due,
She dies Elvira, she shall bleed for you.
[Exit.
The end of the Fourth Act.
| Agnes de Castro | |