 | The Unhappy Penitent |  |
8
ACT II.
Enter the Duke of Lorrain, Duke of Britain, and two Neapolitan Lords.Lor.
I will not take an Obligation.
From one that has deny'd me Justice.
Brit.
Not to procure the means to right your self?
When you're possess'd of Naples, the King of France
May be compell'd to give you back Provence.
Lor.
And with what Honour cou'd I turn against him,
That power which I shou'd owe to his Assistance;
No Britannie, Naples without his Aid,
Shall be reliev'd, and then without reproach
I may in Arms assert and clear my Title.
1. Lord.
Great Sir, the Fleet waits you at Genoa,
With what Power his Holiness cou'd send you
To secure his Gift, which with the Party
Of our own Country-men that will join with you,
(Whose Resolution nothing can add to
But your presence) doubt not you'l find sufficient.
2. Lord.
The whole Body of our Nobility
Expect you, as the Soul to antimate 'em;
But grow impatient of your long delay,
And send you word by us, unless you suddenly
Appear in their defence, they'll be constrain'd
To make their Peace with Ferrand, our Oppressour.
Lord.
My Lords, so much I owe to the Affection
Your Country has express'd for me, to wish
I may procure it liberty under
Your present King, since in all Revolutions,
What e'er particular Grievances are eas'd,
The Publick ever suffers.
2. Lord.
Too well we know
The Tyrant's Nature, and have too far provok'd him
To trust him, or expect he'l e're forgive us.
1. Lord.
On you, our Eyes, our Hopes, our Hearts, are fix'd,
Nor can you, Sir, reject us as a Gift;
Which at your choice you might accept or not,
You by our common Father as a Blessing
9
Lor.
It grieves me they so much depend on one
Too weak, much to depend upon himself;
But to my power your hopes shall be effected,
And with what hast my Destiny permits.
1. Lord.
Your Destiny waits, Sir, and calls for you.
Lor.
My Lords, this is you know the Queen's Apartment.
I am oblig'd t'attend her, that Duty paid,
At mine you shall be farther Satisfy'd.
2. Lord.
We'll wait on your return.
[Exeunt Lords
Brit.
Why seems the Great Lorrain thus irresolv'd
And pensive? When his ripe Fate tempts him to pluck,
And bending to his Hand courts him to Action;
Does it become a Man Elected,
By the general Voice a glorious King,
The Scourge of Tyranny.
Lor.
No Britanie,
But it becomes a Slave, such as Lorrain;
Honour, Revenge, Ambition, all my Passions
Obey a stronger power; or rather I
Am all one passion, in which the rest, like weaker Flames
Attracted by a raging Fire, are lost,
And undistinguish'd, burn but to encrease
Their wild Devourer.
Brit.
Ambition, nor Revenge;
It must be Love then, makes you seem neglectful
Of Honour; nay, give me leave to add, of Duty.
Lor.
Look on me as another Antony,
Who lost the World to follow Cleopatra.
Brit.
His Life too, and his Fame, unpity'd dy'd,
And since condemn'd by all Posterity;
Are you Ambitious to be so recorded?
Lor.
Justly he was Condemn'd,
Whose choice was much unworthy such a Sacrifice,
One whose prostituted, wanton Love,
Had spread her Name with Infamy,
Far as his Power and Fame which fill'd the Globe,
Ill I compar'd my self, I cou'd not cherish
Such a Shameful Passion.
Brit.
Are you so nice?
'Tis well he is so, this may serve my purpose.
[aside
Lor.
But to lose one whose Spotless Vertue, whose Love,
Whose Constancy, whose Worth, outweighs the Worlds?
Brit.
Why must you lose her? Will not the Crown of Naples
Be worthy of this Miracle's Acceptance?
Lor.
O there is a danger! But if you wish me
10
You say you are my Friend, and in this Cause
You must be so, our Interests are united;
Hasten your Daughter's Marriage with the King,
On that my Peace, my Fortune, Life depends;
For without that, I fear Margarite will ne'er be mine.
Brit.
This Marg'rite of Flanders, th'intended Queen?
Lor.
She Britannie, unnam'd you well might guess
'Tis She I dote on thus.
Brit.
Wherefore shou'd this
Detain you? Were it not Noble to present
A Kingdom, in exchange for that She loses?
Nor doubt the King will leave her, of my self
This day he ask'd my Daughter.
Lor.
I dare not trust my Fate with what's so dear to me,
Let it dispose of Kingdoms—
I am immoveable till she's secur'd.
Brit.
Then as I truly wish you great, Lorrain,
[En. Du Croy
I'll use my utmost power to make you so—
Du Croy.
'Tis well—Came you in search of me?
A word in private—I've heard you say you'd Skill
In counterfeiting written Characters,
Suppose you try'd it on the King's, as I shall dictate?
Du. Cr.
Your Highness may Command me.
Brit.
Attend me then,
I'll give you an Original of his Hand—
(to Lor.)
He tells me the King desires a Conference
In private with me, it happens luckily;
Believe my Friend I'll serve you with a zeal
Beyond your wishes, since I find you thus resolv'd.
Lor.
'Tis kind to pity what you disapprove;
I am past Advice, indeed.
Du Cr.
May't please your Highness's, the Queen.
[En. Mag'rite
Brit.
I must retire.
[Ex. Britannie and Du Croy]
Lor.
The Queen, so 'twas he'd call you, Madam.
Mar.
They think to fawn, and please me with the Title,
Which none knows how much I both disdain,
And dread, but he that has unlock'd my heart,
And sees it's inmost thoughts.
Lor.
O Margrite!
Mar.
You seem disturb'd.
Lor.
And you are calm, O did you Love,
Cou'd you be thus, and see a danger near
Of losing what you love!
Mar.
What danger mean you;
Lor.
Is not the King return'd?
11
Shou'd that disorder me?
Lor.
If he shou'd claim his Right of Contract with you?
Mar.
'Tis forfeited, does not his strange behaviour,
In two Years Absence not once sending to me;
His long deferring of our Marriage,
And the Proposal has been made to Ann
Of Britannie, which from her self I know;
Does it not prove his Infidelity?
And free me from an Obligation, for which
I long resisted that impulse, that Sympathy,
That unseen Power, that in spight of me
Had made you Master of my Heart, which now
With pleasure I submit to;
Lor.
But is't impossible—O forgive my fears,
And if they're guilty, blame my too much Love;
Can I reflect that all that tenderness
That makes my happiness once blest another,
And not fear the flame but stifled, may
Revive to my Destruction?
Mar.
How oft (to Silence this ungrateful Jealousy)
Must I repeat, I never lov'd this Charles?
Till I saw you ne'er knew what 'twas to Love,
But being bred from Infancy together,
And looking on him as my destin'd Husband,
I cherish'd what esteem he seem'd to merit,
Which then (not knowing one I cou'd prefer,
Nor having felt a stronger Passion) I
Immagin'd Love; yet he perceiv'd my coldness,
And oft complain'd that all I did, or said,
Was with Deliberation, that at our parting.
Or on the greatest exigence, he ne'er
Cou'd see me mov'd, beyond my coolest temper;
I said 'twas Nature, a defect of Fire;
And so I thought it, Is it so Lorrain?
Am I insensible?
Lor.
O, I must own,
With Pride, what I've with Extasiy beheld!
Yes, I have seen you, when after a long Absence,
O let me say we met with equal Fires!
That I have seen you for a moment lost,
Your melted Eyes confess'd a Soul enflam'd,
And doubled all my Transports!
Mar.
O had my Soul been charm'd before, as now,
Cou'd it have e're receiv'd a new impression?
If you Lorrain, shou'd prove like him, unfaithful,
12
Lor.
'Tis Extasy to hear you.
Enter the Duke of Austria
Aus.
I am not Grandson to the Noble Burgundy,
If this pass unreveng'd.
Mar.
What offends you Brother?
Aus.
I've seen this Charles, and find him as you thought,
The Stain of Royalty; one that descends
To Actions, the meanest of his Slaves will blush
In the repeating.
Mar.
Has he then declar'd—
Aus.
As to me he durst—that he shou'd dare
But think such a Dishonour, to my Sister!
Our House be ever branded with the Infamy,
If I forgive him.
Lor.
He more deserves your pitty, than your anger,
Who throws a Jewel of such value from him,
Unknowing of it's worth,
Aus.
He must be taught it then, and punish'd for his folly,
Lorrain, if you're that Friend you have profess'd,
Or if you love my Sister, as you seem,
You'll join with me to do her noble Justice.
Lor.
To ruin all my hopes, and force my Rival
To what most I dread! O Austria, think
The King's Offence, is what alone can give
Your Friend the smallest hope of ever being happy.
Aus.
Think not I'll ever condescend to give him
What he cou'd once doubt, if he shou'd accept;
Shou'd he lay all his power at her Feet
'Twou'd not att one, so much I find him now
Unworthy of her, I disdain th'Alliance;
Take her Lorrain—
But with her, make her Injuries your own.
Lor.
How have you blest me!—When, what must be done?
Command my Sword, my Life, I am all yours.
Aus.
Hast to possess your self in peace of Naples,
Then we'll consult of War.
Lor.
But might I first secure this greatest Blessing.
Aus.
'Tis certain, the Affairs of that distressed Nation,
Are reduc'd to such Extremity,
They need your speediest Aid; I wish you've not
Defer'd too long already.
Lor.
This day, Madam, if you consent, may set
My Happiness out of the reach of Fortune.
13
Since I know your heart, Sister, to save your blushes,
I'll have it so, this day, secure a Union,
Which I, as much as either of you, joy in.
Mar.
'Tis my Duty, Brother, to obey you,
But I intreat it may be kept conceal'd,
Till the King's Purpose publickly be known.
Aus.
'Tis prudently advis'd, I'll dispose
My Chaplain for the Secret, and what else
Is needful with caution must be manag'd.
Lor.
I trust to you, my Brother, O you must
Contrive, Instruct, do all, for I am yet
Too much transported, to deliberate.
[Enter Ann of Britannie
Mar.
The Princess Ann! in this important Moment
Appears the truest Friend, the perfectest
Of all her Sex; blest be the happy Omen.
Ann.
Confirm it Fate, what e'er th'occasion be.
Mar.
One that portends no ill to my fair Rival,
Tho' it may prove of consequence to you,
Therefore to you alone it shall be trusted.
Aus.
Lorrain, our selves must be employ'd on this occasion;
We may with freedom speak before this Lady;
Does ought remain we have not yet consider'd?
Lor.
Enough, enough, dear Austria we lose time,
Away, let's hast, forgive me, Madam,
That I am as impatient now to leave you,
As I have us'd to be in flying to you;
I knew we met but for short joys before,
But part this once, that we may part no more
[Ex cum Austria
Mar.
What Blessings cou'd the Crown of France have giv'n me.
Equal to such a heart!
Ann.
And yet I hope,
You'd part with that, rather than stain your Honour,
Not Wed Lorrain, rather than not deserve him.
Mar.
Intend you to accuse me?
I am not conscious to my self of guilt.
Ann.
We owe our care first to be justify'd
To our own Thoughts, next to the Worlds;
I wou'd not have my Friend give an occasion
For Malice to reproach her, may not the King
T'excuse himself, lay the first Breach on you?
Mar.
Therefore we shall conceal our Marriage,
Till he declare his Falshood.
Ann.
Innocence needs not such close Coward Arts,
As much the punishment of guilt, as it's
Security; no Marg'rite, with Actions
Fair, and open, as you know 'em just,
14
Mar.
To what wou'd you direct me? Thou best guide,
And Pattern of Perfection, which I wou'd follow,
But with Passion blinded, may need your aid
To lead me, more than the Bright Example.
Ann.
I wou'd advise you instantly write to the King,
Tell him that since you are inform'd he means not
To perform his Contract, you resolve
To give your self by your own inclination;
But wait his answer, for your liberty.
Mar.
Shou'd he not grant it?
Ann.
Have you a doubt of that,
Yet have consented to another Marriage?
Mar.
I have no cause to doubt, unless accusing
Move him to repent, and fear t'occasion
What doubly must afflict me, to lose Lorrain,
And hinder you of a Possession, you better merit,
And wou'd be happier with, than I cou'd ever.
Ann.
Think not I cou'd be happy in possessing
What I knew owing to the Faithlessness,
And Infamy of him that shar'd it with me;
Tho' were the King so honourably great
As once he seem'd, (tho' not this mighty Monarch)
I wou'd have chose him from the rest of Princes,
How e'er in Power, or Dignity, Superiour,
But cannot love, what I must cease to value;
O do not lessen that I have for you,
Take the Opinion of a Friend unbyass'd,
Who has advis'd no more than what she thinks your Duty.
Mar.
What were too great to hazard for so glorious
An Esteem! This moment I'll obey you.
Ann.
Be Mistriss of your self, and firm to Virtue,
So cherish, and reward my affection, that I may ne'er
My choice in this dear Friendship disapprove,
As I despise the Man I most cou'd love.
[Ex. several
| The Unhappy Penitent | |