 | The Magic Picture |  |
17
ACT II.
SCENE I.
Enter HILLARIO and CORISCA.HILLARIO.
So, you like my speech?
CORISCA.
If you give it good action, i' th' delivery.
HILLARIO.
If! oh, how I pity you!
Why, I've play'd the fool before now.
CORISCA.
There I do agree with you.
HILLARIO.
Well, if I put not our mistress, the Lady Sophia,
Out of her dumps with laughter, I look not
For preferment.
CORISCA.
Do, and thou shalt be the best of Hillarios;
For she hath drank too oft the bitter cup,
A pleasant one must now restore her;
But think you she'll endure a jest about his death,
Since for his absence only she so grieves?
HILLARIO.
Um! that is a question which a widow
Only can resolve, and therefore worth the trying.
There be, who in their husband's sickness, have wept
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At midnight he was dead, i'th' morning
Dry'd up their handkerchiefs, and thought no more on't.
CORISCA.
Tush, she is none of that race: if her sorrow
Be not true, woman ne'er wept in earnest.
She has made herself a prisoner to her chamber,
Dark as a dungeon, in which no beam
Of comfort enters.
HILLARIO.
And yet there may be mischief done
In a dark bed-chamber; nay, I've heard
As much.
CORISCA.
Pooh! she admits no visits;
This hour she takes the air, with fondest hope
To receive assurance from some that may pass by
Of the success and safety of her Lord.
Now if your device will take—
HILLARIO.
Ne'er fear it:
I am provided cap-a-pee, having
I' th' summer-house my properties ready;
A courier's habit, and his sounding horn,
Found 'mongst our useless armoury.
(Sophia speaks within.)
Bring my veil there.
CORISCA.
Be gone, I hear her coming.
HILLARIO.
I vanish: but if I don't appear,
And what's more, appear perfect, hoot at me.
[Exit Hillario.
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SOPHIA.
I was flatter'd once I was a star, but now
Like a prodigious meteor I appear,
Hung in the air between my hopes and fears,
And ev'ry hour
That yields a waning light to dying comfort,
I do expect my fall, and certain ruin.
In wretched things, more wretched is delay.
Dreams and fantastic visions walk their round
About my widow'd bed, and ev'ry slumber's
Broke with loud alarms: Can these be then
But sad presages, girl?
CORISCA.
You make 'em so,
And antedate a loss shall ne'er befal you;
Such pure affection, such mutual love,
A house without contention; in two bodies
One will and soul, like to the rod of concord
Kissing each other, cannot be short liv'd.
SOPHIA.
O, Corisca!
Too well I know thy reasons like thy wishes,
Are built upon a weak foundation,
To raise me comfort: since my Eugenius
Embark'd himself upon a sea of danger
In his dear care of me, I've naught but sorrow known;
'Tis strange, methinks, no tidings yet have reach'd us!
CORISCA.
Ill news, Madam,
Is swallow-wing'd, while good but creeps on crutches.
[A horn sounds.
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Ah! what's that?
CORISCA.
This should be a courier from the camp,
As I take it.
[Sounds again.
SOPHIA.
It maketh this way still, and nearer yet!
The messenger appears, and in strange armour,
Heav'n, if it be thy will!
Enter HILLARIO disguised.
HILLARIO.
'Tis no boot to strive.
My horse being tir'd, I'll walk me on foot;
And that the castle, which is very near
To give me entertainment, may soon hear me,
I will another lusty blast! then drawing nigh,
Ask for the Lady who's 'yclep'd Sophia.
CORISCA.
He names you, Madam!
HILLARIO.
for to her I do convey,
Thus clad in arms, news of a gallant soul,
By name Eugenius.
SOPHIA.
From my Lord? 'tis I,
I am that brave Eugenius's wife;
So may Mars favour you in all your battles,
As you with speed unload me of the burden
I labour under, till I am confirm'd,
Both where, and how you left him:
Have you no letters from him?
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No; all mere word of mouth:
I' the camp we use no pens, but write with swords;
Know he's in health, and what's more, full of glory:
And now, I will proclaim his matchless deeds;
But tremble not while I relate the wonder,
Tho' I declare it in a voice of thunder!
SOPHIA.
This is some counterfeit braggard.
CORISCA.
Nay, hear him, Madam!
HILLARIO.
The rear march'd first, which follow'd by the van,
And winged with the swift battalia,
No man durst stay to shift his shirt,
Or disencumber it of its hopeful stock;
Yet e'er the armies join'd, that pickled elf,
Thy dainty duckling, bold Eugenius,
Advanc'd with gallant stride, like Hercules!
A hundred thousand Turks (it is no vaunt)
Assail'd him with their bashaws of nine tails;
But how did he receive e'm? With his keen lance
He did so cut and carbonade 'em, that
One half fled;—but t' other wanting legs
And arms, could neither fight, nor follow!
SOPHIA.
This is ridiculous.
HILLARIO.
I must take breath,
Then, like a nightingale, I'll sing his death.
CORISCA.
His death?
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On my troth I'm out, my wit forsakes me.
(Aside)
CORISCA.
Recover, dunderhead!
(Aside)
HILLARIO.
How he escap'd I should have sung, not died,
For tho' a knight, when I said so, I fibb'd:
Weary he was, and scarce could stand an end,
When looking round for some courageous knight
To rescue him, as one perplex'd in woe,
He call'd to me—help, help, Hillario!
CORISCA.
He has spoil'd all!
(Aside)
SOPHIA.
Are you the man of arms? Then I'll make bold
To take off your martial beaver; you had fool's hair
Enough without it—slave, how dar'st thou make
Thy sport of what concerns me more than life,
In such an antic fashion? Am I grown.
Contemptible to those I feed?—You, Corisca,
Had a hand in't too, as it appears.
CORISCA.
We did it only for your mirth, Madam.
HILLARIO.
For myself, I hope
I have spoke like a good soldier at least.
SOPHIA.
Hence, buffoon!
I never but with reverence name my Lord,
And shall I hear him by thy tongue profan'd?
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Transform'd, and turn'd knight-errant, take your course,
And wander where you please; for here I vow,
By my Lord's life, an oath I will not break,
Till his return, or certainty of his safety,
My doors are shut against thee.
[Exit Sophia.
CORISCA.
You have made
A fine piece of work on't! how do you like your reward?
You had a foolish itch to be an actor,
And may now stroll about where you please.
HILLARIO.
Will you buy my share o'th' profit, Corisca?
CORISCA.
No, I fear I have already
Too much of mine own—
And so, dear Don Quixote, taking my leave,
I leave you to your new fortune.
[Exit Corisca.
HILLARIO.
Have I cudgell'd
My poor brain for this rare invention,
To be thus rewarded?—I could turn
Tragedian, and roar amain, but that I fear
'Twould get me too large a stomach, having
No meat to satisfy her cravings—Ah, poor me!
I cannot beg in armour, that would dishonour
More than myself; and steal I dare not!—
My end must be to stand in a corn field,
And fright away the crows for bread and cheese,
Or find some hollow tree in the highway,
And there sell switches till my Lord's return!
[Exit Hillario.
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SCENE II.
Enter EUBULUS, RICARDO, and UBALDO, with wands of Office.EUBULUS.
I like the issue of this stubborn battle:
Are the officers gone as by the King directed,
To receive the gallant General?
RICARDO.
Long since, and ere this have greeted him.
EUBULUS.
You know your office, Lords, on his arrival?
UBALDO.
Who, we? oh! fear not us, my Lord, I pray,
We know our distance and degrees.
RICARDO.
The state were miserable truly, if
The court had none of her own breed familiar
With all the gaits of form and punctilio,
To receive its visitors.
UBALDO.
'Tis a great pity
That such as sit at the helm, provide no better
For the training up of the gentry:—in my judgment
An academy erected, with large pensions
To such as miraculously speak
I'th' congees, cringes, postures, and the phrase
Proper to every nation.
RICARDO.
O, it were
An admirable piece of work.
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And yet rich fools
Throw away their charity on hospitals
For beggars and lame soldiers, and ne'er study
The due regard to compliment, and court breeding.
EUBULUS.
Our court needs no aid this way, since it is
A school of nothing else. There are some of you
Whom I forbear to name, whose coining heads
Are the mint of all new fashions, that have done
More hurt to the kingdom by superflous foppery,
Which the foolish gentry imitate, than a war
Or a long famine; all the treasure by
This foul excess, is got into the hands of
Silk-men, tailors, and embroiderers!
Nay, the third part of the land too, our nobles
Engrossing titles only!
UBALDO.
My Lord, you are bitter.
RICARDO.
Sharp as a hoar-frost.
[A trumpet.
Enter a SERVANT.
SERVANT.
The general is alighted, and now enter'd.
RICARDO.
Were he ten generals, I am prepar'd,
And know what I will do.
UBALDO.
Pr'ythee what, Ricardo?
RICARDO.
Why, I'll fight at compliments with him.
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Will you? then I'll charge him too, on the same gage.
EUBULUS.
Take care, gallants, you do not find this
A more desperate service than you think for.
[Flourish.
Enter FERDINAND, EUGENIUS, and attendant Officers.
FERDINAND.
(To an Officer.)
Captain, command the Officers to keep
The troops still dress'd in rank and file,
Till they have further orders.
[Exit Officer.
EUBULUS.
Here's one speaks
In a different key! this is no canting prattle
Taught in your academy of compliments.
[To Ric. and Ubal.
FERDINAND.
Nay, I will present you to the King myself.
EUGENIUS.
That is a grace will go beyond my merit.
FERDINAND.
You undervalue what I cannot set
Too high a price on.
EUBULUS.
With a friend's true heart
I congratulate your return.
FERDINAND.
Next to the favour
Of my Prince, I'm happy in your friendship.
UBALDO.
By courtliness, coarse enough on both sides!
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Pray you receive
This stranger; by our knowledge, on my credit
At all parts he deserves it.
EUBULUS.
Your report
Is a strong assurance to me.—Sir, most welcome.
EUGENIUS.
The reverence of your age commands me
To believe it.
RICARDO.
This was pretty!
UBALDO.
But now for my attack.— [apart]
—You'll second me?
RICARDO.
I cannot stoop so low, to do your Excellence
That due observance which your fortune claims.
EUBULUS.
The prig forgets his virtue and his valour.
RICARDO.
For being, as you are, the soul of soldiers,
And bulwark of Bellona—
UBALDO.
The protection
Both of the Court, and King—
RICARDO.
And the sole minion
Of mighty Mars!
EUBULUS.
Hey dey!
RICARDO.
It being impossible in my arms to circle
Such giant worth—
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At distance we presume
To kiss your honoured gauntlet.
EUBULUS.
What reply now
Can he make to this foppery?
FERDINAND.
You have said,
Gallants, so much, and hitherto done so little,
That till I learn to speak, and you to act,
I must take time to thank you.
EUBULUS.
As I live, answered as I could wish.
How the fops gape now!
RICARDO.
This was harsh, and scurvy.
UBALDO.
We will be reveng'd
When he comes into the circle o'th' court ladies.
EUBULUS.
Nay, do your offices, gentlemen, and conduct
The General to the presence.
RICARDO.
Keep your order.
UBALDO.
Make way for the General.
[Exeunt.
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SCENE III.
The Royal Saloon.The Curtain rising, discovers LADISLAUS, HONORIA, FERDINAND, EUGENIUS, BAPTISTA, &c. attended by ACANTHE, and the Court.
FULL CHORUS.
Crown'd with conquest! view the chief,
Destin'd for the state's relief!
Valour bids the wreath be bound,
To entwine his temples round:
Bids us such a hero prize,
And exalt him to the skies!
LADISLAUS.
This courtesy
To the General, my Honoria, keeps fair rank
With all your virtues!
After your warfare,
[To Ferdinand.
Look on our court delights; but first from your
Relation, with delighted ears, I'll hear
The music of your war, which must be sweet,
Ending in victory.
FERDINAND.
Not to trouble
Your Majesties with the description of a battle,
Too full of horror for the place, I'll be as brief as possible.
It was well fought on both sides, and almost
With equal fortune; it continuing doubtful
Upon whose tents plum'd victory would take
Her glorious stand. Impatient of delay,
With the flower of our prime gentlemen, I charg'd
Their main battalia, and with their assistance
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They were routed, by a stratagem
Of the subtle Turk,
Rallying up his troops on either side,
I found myself so far engag'd (for I
Must not conceal my faults) that I knew not
Which way, with honor, to retreat.
EUBULUS.
I like
A general that tells his faults, and is not
Ambitious to engross unto himself
All honor, as some have; in which, with justice,
They could not claim a share.
FERDINAND.
Being thus hemm'd in,
Their scymetars rag'd amongst us; and my horse
Kill'd under me, I every minute look'd for
An honorable end, and that was all
My hope could fashion to me. Circled thus
With death and horror, as one sent from heav'n,
This man of men, with some choice horse that follow'd
[To Eugenius.
His brave example, did pursue the track
His sword cut for them; and (but that I see him
Already blush to hear what, he being present,
I know would wish unspoken) I should say, Sir,
By what he did, we boldly may believe
All that is writ of ancient heroes!
EUGENIUS.
General,
Pray spare the feelings of an humble soldier.
EUBULUS.
Do not blush
To hear a truth, here are a pair of Monsieurs,
[To Ubaldo and Ricardo.
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And ne'er chang'd countenance.
UBALDO.
We have your good word still.
EUBULUS.
And shall while you deserve it.
LADISLAUS.
Silence!—on:
FERDINAND.
He, as I said, like dreadful light'ning thrown
From Jove's broad shield, dispers'd the armed host
With which I was environ'd. Horse and man
Shrunk under his strong arm: more with his looks
Frighted, the valiant fled; with which encourag'd,
My soldiers, like young eagles, preying under
The wings of their fierce dam, bravely came on.
By him I was remounted, inspir'd
With treble courage, and such as fled before
Boldly made head again; and to confirm 'em,
It suddenly was apparent that the fortune
Of the day was ours. Each soldier and commander
Perform'd his part; but this was the great wheel
By which the lesser mov'd, and all rewards
And signs of honor to him alone belong.
LADISLAUS.
And they shall
Deservedly fall on him.
To the banquet now—prepare to entertain 'em.
[The Masques retire repeating the Chorus.
HONORIA.
Permit me, Sir, to hope
That your commanders,
Especially this stranger, may as I,
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What's due to their deserts.
LADISLAUS.
What you determine
Shall know no alteration.
EUBULUS.
The soldier
Is like to have good usage when he depends
Upon her pleasure.
HONORIA.
With you, Sir,
[To Eugenius.
I will begin; and as, in my esteem,
You are most eminent, expect to have
What's fit for me to give, and you to take;
Bring me my casket, and with speed:
[Acanthe goes out, and returns immediately with a Casket.
See here!
The lapidary's idol! gold is trash!
A poor salary sit for grooms—wear these
As studed stars within your circling shield;
Call them Honoria's gift,
Who loves not a valiant soldier; yet not to take
From the magnificence of the King, I will
Dispense his bounty too, but as a page
To wait on mine: for other losses take
An hundred thousand crowns: your hand, dear Sir,
And this shall be thy warrant.
[Takes off the King's Signet.
Are you pleas'd, Sir,
With what I've done?
LADISLAUS.
Yes, my Queen, and confirm it
With this addition of mine own: you have, Sir,
From our lov'd Queen receiv'd some recompence
33
And that we may follow her great example
In cherishing her love, ask what your heart can wish!
EUGENIUS.
If wealth were my ambition, by the Queen
I am made rich already, to th' amazement
Of all that see, or shall hereafter read
The story of her bounty.—If to spend
The remnant of my life in deeds of arms,
No region is more fertile of good Knights,
From whom my knowledge that way may be better'd,
Than this your warlike Hungary:—but, alas! Sir,
I am not my own, being by destiny,
Which I cannot resist, forc'd to prefer
My country's homely smoke, before the fire
With which your bounties warm me—All then I ask,
Dread Sir, is but your gracious license for
My departure.
LADISLAUS.
Whither?
EUGENIUS.
To my own home, Sir; just on the frontier of your realm:
My own poor home, which will, at my return,
Grow rich by your munificence. I am here
But a body without a soul; and till I find it
In the embraces of a constant wife,
Whose beauteous excellencies know no rival,
I am but half myself.
HONORIA.
And is she then
So chaste and fair as you infer?
Have I liv'd to hear this?
(Aside.)
EUGENIUS.
O, Madam!
Though it must argue weakness in me, thus
34
By praising of my wife, only to fan
The flame of love in others to admire her,
Such is my confidence in her virtue,
Though in my absence, she were now besieg'd
By a strong party of lascivious wooers—
Here is th' assurance of her unsapp'd honor!
[Kisses the Picture.
LADISLAUS.
What's that?
HONORIA.
How—have I liv'd to hear my fame excell'd!
(Aside.)
LADISLAUS.
Nay frown not, sweetest,
The Cyprian Queen, compar'd to you, in my
Opinion, were an Ethiop! At your desire
I'll see the soldiers paid; and inmy absence,
Pray use powerful argument, to stay
This gallant soldier in our service.
HONORIA.
I will, Sir,
To the utmost of my power.
LADISLAUS.
On to the camp.
[Exit Ladis. Ferd. Eub. Baptis. and Officers.
HONORIA.
I am full of thought!
Something lies here, tormenting me within,
I must give form to: you, good Signors,
Have little business with the soldier, as I take it
You are for other warfare; so retire, but be
Within call.
RICARDO.
Employment, on my life, boy!
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If it be in our road we are made fer ever.
[Exit UBALDO and Ricardo.
HONORIA.
You may perceive, Sir, the King is no ways tainted
With the disease of jealousy, since he leaves me
Thus private with you.
EUGENIUS.
It were in him, Madam,
A sin unpardonable, to distrust such pureness.
HONORIA.
I presume he would not; and yet the story
Deliver'd of you by the General,
Which sinks too deeply in a woman's heart,
Join'd to your presence, might beget some scruple
In a meaner man—but more of this hereafter,
For mine's a softer theme—when I conjure you
By the honors you have won, and by the love
Sacred to your dear wife, to answer truly
To what I shall demand.
EUGENIUS.
You need enforce no charm, Madam,
HONORIA.
Say then, amidst your converse with our sex
Have you not found that constancy give way?
EUGENIUS.
By the hopes of mercy, never!—I have been
Receiv'd to the society of the best
And fairest of our clime, from them have met
No common entertainment—yet never felt
My well-plac'd love abate.
HONORIA.
Strange! and do you think still
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In Lethe all remembrance of the favor
You now bear to her?
EUGENIUS.
Nature must first find out
Some other mould to fashion a new creature
Fairer than mortal eyes have seen, ere I prove
Guilty, or in my wishes or my thoughts,
To my beloved Sophia.
HONORIA.
Sir!—consider better,
Not one in our whole sex?
EUGENIUS.
I am constant to my resolution, Madam.
HONORIA.
But dare you stand the trial?—and bind yourself
By oath for the performance?
EUGENIUS.
My faith else
Had but a weak foundation.
HONORIA.
I embrace
Your promise, and enjoin your stay
For one month here!
EUGENIUS.
[Aside.
I am caught!
HONORIA.
And if I do not
Produce a lady in that time, who shall
Make you confess your error, I submit
Myself to any penalty you shall please
T' impose upon me: in the mean space, write
To your chaste wife, acquaint her with your fortune.
The jewels that were mine, you may send to her
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Trusty messengers—there's no returning—
I'll bind you to your word.
EUGENIUS.
Well, since there is
No way to shun it, I will stand the hazard,
And instantly make ready my dispatch;
'Till then, I'll leave your majesty.
[Exit Eugenius.
HONORIA.
How I burst
With envy, that there lives besides myself
So fair, and chaste a woman!—'twas the end
Of my ambition to be recorded
The only wonder of the age, and shall I,
Now give way to a competitor?
I thought one amorous glance of mine could bring
All hearts to my subjection—but this stranger
Unmov'd as rock contemns me!
I must know more of this fair prodigy;
And for that purpose quickly will dispatch
Ubaldo and Ricardo, courtiers both
Well train'd in all the windings of our sex—.
But him, although bright honor deck his brow
I view not with a wanton eye—my pride
Howe'er demands a tributary sigh
'Tis all I ask; so that ere morning's dawn
By well feign'd female blandishments I'll prove
Whether I cannot warm his heart to love!
[Exit. Hon.
End of the Second Act.
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