 | The Unhappy Penitent |  |
1
ACT I.
Scene. The King's Antichamber.Enter Brisson and Du Croy.
Brisson.
'Twas politickly done, I must admire
Madam of Bourbon's Art; well might she fear
Her power with the King, alone too weak
For Margarite's Charms, whose Presence may revive
That Love which Absence help'd her to destroy.
Du Croy.
'Twas therefore doubtless, she so press'd our Duke
To bring the Princess Ann, his Daughter, hither;
But is it to be thought the King will send
Marg'rite of Flanders home, to whom he has been
So many Years contracted, the King of the Romans,
Her Father, wou'd no doubt highly resent th'Affront.
Bris.
'Twou'd be strange indeed, having from her Infancy
Been bred in France, and ever since this Charles
Came to the Crown she has been titled Queen:
The King himself is just strict to his Word
Where e're engag'd, but of an easy Nature,
Distrusting his own Judgment, whilst so Young
He lets himself be govern'd by his Sister,
And others of the Council he relies on,
And all oppose this Match.
Du Croy.
Th'event will soon be known, th'Arch-Duke of Austria
Being here in Person, they can protract no longer.
2
He expresses much Affection for his Sister,
And seems not pleas'd with the King's usage of her;
These several Years they've been of Age to Marry:
And then his staying the two last at Lyons,
Without once sending to her, looks but ill.
Du Croy.
And his return to Paris may be suspected,
Whilst Ann, Heiress of Brittanie, is here.
Bris.
I think they've seen each other at your Court;
The King was there some time.
Du Croy.
And 'twas observ'd,
She ever since has spoke of him with pleasure,
Own'd she admir'd, and wou'd with joy embrace
Any occasion of again conversing,
With that Great, Young Monarch.
Bris.
Yet there's appearance
Of a strict Friendship betwixt her and Marg'rite.
Du Croy.
'Tis certainly sincere, she has a Soul
Above deceit, and will be fond of this
New Triumph for her Honour; to that she makes
Her Love, Ambition, all her Passions, yield;
Not as opposing Foes, to conquering Virtue,
As Slaves already vanquish'd, so easily they obey.
Bris.
You speak a Wonder, in a Lady, and so Young.
Du Croy.
'Tis true, sometimes the Duke condems her for it,
Tells her Dissembling's needful to a Prince,
Whose End shou'd be Interest and Greatness only;
Still she persists, yet says she is ambitious,
But 'tis of being Great within her self,
Not in her Titles, or Possessions.
Bris.
She needs not any, thus pictur'd is she greater
Than the Dominion of the World cou'd make her.
Du Croy.
And yet methinks, a few of those nice Notions
Were not ill barter'd for the Crown of France.
Bris.
Shortly we shall know how she esteems it,
If they perswade the King to make the Offer.
Du Croy.
Be they successful, for the future peace
Of Britannie. Think you the King's yet stirring?
Bris.
I thought e're this he wou'd have left his Chamber:
This way he passes, but perhaps he's tir'd
With his Journey that he out-sleeps his Hour.
Du Croy.
'Twill be a glorious Court, so many Princes
Gracing it.
Bris.
And a diverting one;
The King being just return'd, after an absence
Of two Years, all will be emulous
Of Entertaining him, with Musick chiefly,
3
Enter the King, Madam of Bourbon, Graville, Du Law, &c.
Madam of Bourbon with him on th'other hand,
Graville, Du Lau two of the Privy Council,
Who have most power with him.
King.
Thus circled by such Subjects, these Oracles of Wisdom;
The Prudence and Affection of a Sister,
I have in Youth all the Advantages
Of most experienc'd Monarchs.
Gra.
I'll not decline this Praise to have observ'd
And learn't, by all the Troubles in the Reign
Of Lowis, your great Father, how t'advise
Both for you Majesty's, and your Kingdom's Interest.
Mad.
If I fail, 'twill be in want of Prudence
Not of Love, and seconded by these,
I dare pronounce the March we have propos'd,
A wise and happy Choice.
Du Lau.
Much, Sir, you've heard
Of the Disturbances which Britannie
Gave to your Father's life, so will it you,
If not secur'd in peace by Marrying
The Heiress of that Provence.
King.
And so involve my self in guilty War,
Unjustly to defend a Breach of Faith.
Gra.
There is not, Sir, on that side any danger;
The King of the Romans is too weak t'attempt
Ought against you, and too well loves his Money
T'engage in an expensive fruitless War,
But barely to revenge your slighting Marg'rite.
Du Lau.
Her Brother has less Power, since you possess
The greatest part of that Dominion
With which their Grand-father, last Duke of Burgundy,
Was long a formidable Foe to France;
Till at the last in raising and extending
His own Fame, he ruin'd and depress'd
His Family, scarce left 'em to inherit
Ought but his glorious Name.
King.
Yet they'l have Heav'n
And Justice on their side.
Gra.
You wrong 'em not;
Nor can you break a Contract which you made not:
'Twas by your Father in your Infancy.
When 'twas as necessary for his Interest,
As now it is for yours t'evade the Match;
And Princes ought, in Marriage, to consider
4
King.
Thus far I've follow'd
Your judicious Counsels to defer
My Marriage, till time had ripen'd me for judging:
And least I shou'd be sway'd by Inclination,
Sister, on your Advice I did absent
From Marg'rite, whose Charms might byass stronger Judgments;
And now return with all th'indifference
Requir'd for a just impartial Choice:
But Honour shall direct me, and as with that
I can, I will comply in what you offer.
Mad.
Brother, I question not but you will own,
We've not consulted only for your Interest;
That Ann of Brittanie's a Blessing, worthy
To fill the noblest Heart: But you have seen her.
King.
With little observation, but as oblig'd
In Ceremony at her Father's Court,
For all my thoughts were center'd then on Marg'rite.
Sir, I'm asham'd your Highness shou'd prevent me,
[Enter the Duke of Brittanie
I had design'd, by waiting on you first,
To shew how highly I esteem the Honour
You, and your beauteous Daughter do our Court.
Brit.
'Tis a Respect she ow'd your Royal Sister.
Mad.
A favour I entreated, and have hopes
T'enrich the Crown of France with such a Jewel.
King.
Its lustre wou'd indeed but set off hers,
An Ornament she merits, tho' needing none.
Brit.
Such as she is with her, your Majesty
May have at present what Places in the Provence
You shall think fit to Chuse; at my Decease all Brittany is yours.
King.
We shall consult on't.
Brit.
Has your Majesty determin'd yet,
Ought of the Duke of Lorrain's Pretensions?
Four Years are now expir'd, in which you promis'd
To discuss his Title to Provence.
King.
They assure me 'twas impartially consider'd,
As I charg'd it shou'd, and that they find
The Right by which I claim it to be strongest.
Brit.
I doubt it not; but give me leave thus far
To Interest my self (as to the Duke
I've undertaken) t'intreat you wou'd dispatch
All his Affairs, and what Assistances
You're pleas'd to give him for his Expedition
Into Naples; daily he's sollicited
From the Nobility, t'accept the Gift
His Holiness has made him of that Crown,
5
Of their Tyrant; he only waits to know
Your Resolution,
King.
The Dutchy of Bar already is deliver'd;
(What he can justly claim, I would not make
So ill an use of Power as to keep from him:)
Nor shall he stay one moment for the Aid
I promis'd him, all's ready to attend him,
This day, if he think fit.
Brit.
So Ill' Inform him.
Mad.
Sir, th'Arch-Duke of Austria.
[Ent. Austria attended]
King.
A Prince
Whom my desire to see, wing'd me to Paris.
Heir to the Vertues of the Gallant Charles
Of Burgundy, whose Spirit by the Mother
Was convey'd to this Young Duke, in whom
All that was great of him's reviv'd.
Aust.
He shou'd have left me then
A larger Provence t'exert that Greatness in;
Unless perhaps mine is a harder Task,
And needs the braver Soul, to suffer Wrongs,
Which he had power to hinder, or revenge.
King.
It serv'd but to create him Enemies.
Not so much fear'd, in France, as he was hated;
Where you, Sir, are a welcome Guest, belov'd, and honour'd.
Aust.
My Sister too is Honour'd much in Words,
Your Subjects call her Queen.
King.
And I believe
In every thing respect her, as she were Queen.
Aust.
I think, 'tis Sir, her due.
King.
Her Merit claims it.
Aust.
To her Rank, I meant,
Tho' yet your Nuptials are not Solemniz'd,
At which, since unperform'd, I'm pleas'd I shall be present.
King.
Some time will be requir'd to resolve in.
Aus.
Resolve! On what? Are you not strongly ty'd;
Already in Possession of her Dowre?
King.
What was deliver'ed, Sir, on that Condition,
If I perform it not, shall be return'd.
Aust.
Is't possible! Dare you affront her thus!
Tho' this with cause my Sister apprehended,
I'd not believe a King cou'd be so base.
King.
Take care Young Prince I wou'd not break with you
The Laws of Hospitality, or Friendship,
But reflect not on my Honour, of that
I am my self best judge, and know to govern
My own Actions.
6
You cannot,
Poor precarious Prince, these are your Sovereigns,
Without whose Leave, you dare not to be just.
King.
What e're they are, I shall not ask your Leave,
To do what I think fit.
Aust.
No, you believe you may securely wrong me,
Whilst you're possess'd unjustly of that Right,
By which my Predecessors aw'd your France;
But know you shall not unreveng'd add this Injustice;
'Twill be the common cause of all brave Princes,
Whose Dignity is struck at, in this Affront
To one of equal rank; dread the effect
When Power is added to a Soul as daring
As that Charles, who made a greater Man
[Ex. Austria cum suis]
Than you, your Father Lowis tremble.
King.
I am not to be threatned from my purpose.
Brit.
These Words wou'd at an Army's head sound well,
They're weakness in a Prince, who can but threaten.
King.
Had he united all the Power of Europe.
He might give Laws to France, but never to it's King;
I take my Subjects Counsel; that Prince who will not
Be advis'd, forgets he is a Man,
As he that will be govern'd does that he's a King.
Mad.
Brother, I think you, or the Duke of Austria,
Forget you are a King, that thus unguarded,
In your own Dominion, he speaks so boldly.
King.
That's his Safety, but he's truly Brave,
Somewhat I think too hot, and rash, he seems,
So I have heard him Character'd, impatient
Of the least intended Injury,
And from a bare appearance apt to conclude
A real one; tho' now we must confess
He has just cause.
Gra.
You both have reason, Sir,
The Duke to be enrag'd, your Majesty
To give him the occasion, 'tis against
His Interest, therefore he is concern'd,
You, Sir, have greater Cause to consult yours,
In whose a Nation's Safety is involv'd.
Du Lau Graville.
Has drawn a just Conclusion, Sir,
The Example is instructive, your motive is
The same against, as his is for the Marriage;
If then the Duke's Resentment's reasonable,
So, Sir, the cause of it must be from you.
King.
My Resolution shall be soon determin'd;
This I promise, passion shall not sway me.
7
Let Musick be prepar'd to entertain 'em.
Will your Highness bear me Company?
Brit.
I am to see the Duke of Lorrain this Morning,
To let him know your Majesty's intentions.
King.
My Subjects good shall be my chief concern.
But as befits a Monarch, their Noblest Interest,
Which he alone consults, and knows to prize,
Who dares the rest to Honour, Sacrifice.
[Ex. King, &c. Manent, Brittanie and Du Croy.
Du Croy.
The Duke of Lorrain is much indebted
To the Zeal your Highness shews to serve him.
Brit.
O Du Croy, I have found my happy Rival;
Did I not tell thee when with needful caution,
I sounded Marg'rites thoughts th'indifference
She shew'd for the King's infidelity,
Gave me some hopes, but dash'd with stronger fears,
Some other secret Love must be the cause,
Lorrain's my Rival, blest belov'd Lorrain.
Du Croy.
And therefore you take pains to make him great,
And worthier of your Mistriss.
Brit.
Therefore he must be gone on any terms,
Before the King declares he will desert her;
And my appearing Friendship gains me his Trust,
By which I shall have means to disappoint,
What e're designs Love may inspire him with;
Let him succeed unenvy'd in ambition.
Du Croy.
But has your Highness search'd her heart enough,
To be secure you shall succeed Lorrain.
Brit.
I have as carefully conceal'd my Passion
From Margarite's, as from all others knowledge,
And look that not a Whisper of it scape thee;
Shou'd the King but suspect I had thoughts that way,
Fear I might give another Heir to Britannie,
Wou'd stop the intended Marriage with my Daughter,
Which when perform'd, and as I must contrive,
Lorrain remov'd, what have I left to fear;
By both abandon'd.
For Honour and Revenge she'll mine approve,
Rather than bear the Brand of slighted Love.
[Exeunt.
| The Unhappy Penitent | |