 | The Magic Picture |  |
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ACT I.
SCENE I.
The Curtain rising, discovers Hillario asleep at the foot of an old Oak.Enter CORISCA.
CORISCA.
Hillario! arise, I say!
Nor any longer let the laughing sun
Imprint a burning shame upon thy forehead.
[Hillario rises.
Look, if you are a man, and see their tender parting:
What sighs and countless kisses they've exchang'd,
And full as quick as my poor heart repeats 'em.
HILLARIO.
You should be let blood Corisca!
Love's raging fever is abroad, my girl:
Let's feel thy pulse! one, two, three, four!
Ay, galloping like mad, as I suspected!
Why, thou hast all the symptoms of the malady!
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[Placing his hand on his forehead.
Count there, my busy Doctor, and you'll find
The pulse of folly wildly beat! for shame!
Thou wert not wont, Hillario, to be blind:
I marvel, would you prosper in the world,
That you your betters do not imitate.
[Pointing behind to Eugenius and Sophia.
HILLARIO.
Imitation! 'tis but a scurvy business at the best,
And in kissing it favours still more vilely,
Lacking the spirit that should keep it warm.
CORISCA.
Peace, they approach!
HILLARIO.
Mute as a pickled sturgeon.
Enter EUGENIUS (in a warlike habit) and SOPHIA.
EUGENIUS.
Since we must part, my love, farther to pass
Is not alone unwise, but even dangerous;
For on yon frontier height, the Turkish camp
Extends 'twixt us and the Hungarian line:
Be now discreet as ever, and pr'ythee wed
Thy understanding to thy constant patience!
SOPHIA.
You put it to the utmost trial now.
[Weeping.
EUGENIUS.
Nay, no melting;
For the necessity that thus divides us,
Full oft have we recounted, and the cause
Wash'd with our blended tears.
SOPHIA.
If blest the hour that ratified our union,
Now can Eugenius leave me?
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Not as some think, for mere desire of fame,
Or to be cry'd up by the public voice
For a brave soldier, do I appear in arms:
Such airy humours strike not me: Alas!
Too well thou know'st, with what a scanty hand
Fortune has dealt out our demeans; 'tis she
Enjoins it.
SOPHIA.
In you alone, my lord,
I've all abundance!
EUGENIUS.
In your own language I would answer you,
For thou hast been a right obedient wife:
And to my power (tho' short of your desert)
I hope I have not fail'd in th' indulgent husband.
We have long enjoy'd the sweets of love;
Yet, my Sophia,
We must not live such dotards in our pleasures,
As still to hug them to a certain loss.
SOPHIA.
Have you in me
Found any sign of discontent, my lord?
EUGENIUS.
No my Sophia,
Nor shalt thou e'er have reason to repent
Thy constant course in goodness, if heav'n smile
Upon my honest undertakings. 'Tis for thee
That I turn soldier, and cheerfully embark
Upon this sea of action, there to trade
For rich materials; nobly to adorn
Thy lovely person; and to th' admiring world
Display it in full lustre. Oft I've blush'd
That other ladies, inferior ev'n in beauty
And outward form, but in the harmony
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With thee, in splendour should outshine thee,
While you, devoid of these, past unregarded.
SOPHIA.
If I'm so rich in your opinion, why for me
Would you additions borrow?
EUGENIUS.
Why? Should I not be justly censured
Of ignorance, possessing such a jewel
Above all price, if I forbore to give it
The best of ornaments? Therefore, Sophia,
In few words, know my pleasure, and as briefly
As you have ever done, obey me; to your discretion
I leave the government of my family,
And our poor fortunes: to the uttermost
Of what is mine, live plentifully,
And ere the remnant of our store be spent,
I hope, with my good sword, to reap for you
A harvest, that shall make a merry winter.
SOPHIA.
Since you are not
To be by me diverted from your purpose,
Go when you please, my poor impatient soul
Must follow after you. To tell you,
What in your absence I will do, would shew
But poorly; my actions best will speak it.—
It were to doubt your love, should I request
That I might hear from you; but by night or day,
No courier, unexamin'd, shall pass by.—
Adieu!
[throwing herself in his arms.
If thus within your arms I dwell too long,
Think of the cruel fast that must succeed
This short dear feast, and you'll excuse it.
Pray turn from me, all that I can is spoken!
[Exit Sophia.
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Follow thy mistress strait, Corisca;
Forbear your wishes for me. Those let me find
At my return, in your prompt will to serve her.
HILLARIO.
Fly, Corisca.
For my own poor part, Sir, I will grow lean with hard study
To make my mistress merry.
(Exeunt Hillario and Corisca.
EUGENIUS.
I'm strangely troubled! yet why nourish thus
A fury here, and with imagin'd food,
Having no real grounds on which to raise
A doubt she ever was, or can be false?
In this, I do but foolishly enquire
The knowledge of a future sorrow.
[Muses.
Enter BAPTISTA.
BAPTISTA.
(Aside.)
Still brooding o'er imaginary ills
Which Fate herself might ne'er decree—My scheme
May cool this self-rais'd fever in his mind,
If to that credit I have gain'd in th' arts,
Credulity but lend the lover's ear;
Friendship at least approves of the device.
EUGENIUS.
I've consulted with a friend of mine,
One deeply read in Nature's hidden secrets;
And, tho' with much reluctance, him have won
To do as much as Art enables him
To resolve me of my future fate.
[Seeing Baptista.
Here to my wish he comes.
Now, my Baptista!
BAPTISTA.
If you can
Proportion your desire to any mean,
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By certain rules of Art, your matchless wife
Is to the present hour unspotted.
EUGENIUS.
Good!
BAPTISTA.
In reason, therefore, you should be content,
And make no search of what may fall hereafter.
EUGENIUS.
O Baptista!
'Tis not in me to master so my passions.
I must know farther, or you have made good
But half your promise. While my Love stood by
Holding her's upright—how, thus untempted,
Could she give proof of well-tried constancy?
But when I'm absent, and my coming back
Uncertain—she, without controul or curb,
The absolute disposer of herself—nay, more,
By strong temptations press'd on ev'ry side—
If then she holds out—
BAPTISTA.
As no doubt she will:
EUGENIUS.
These doubts must be made certainties
By your assurance, or your boasted Art
Will lose its admiration.
BAPTISTA.
I cannot dive into her hidden thoughts,
And learn her close intents, with all my skill;
But what I can, I readily will do.—
Will it content you, if, while distant far,
You there shall know, as if you then were with her,
When, and how far, by Love, she e'er be wrought on?
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I ask no more.
BAPTISTA.
Take then this little model of Sophia,
With more than human skill pourtray'd;
Each line and lineament of the drawing
So punctually observ'd, that, had it motion,
'Twould ev'n dispute originality with her.
[Gives him the Miniature.
EUGENIUS.
It is indeed an admirable piece!
Whence came it?
BAPTISTA.
Of that no matter now—
EUGENIUS.
But if it have not some concealed charm
Of which I know not, wherefore must I bear
Her lovely counterfeit?
BAPTISTA.
I'll instruct you:
Carry it still about you, and as oft
As you have wish to know how she's affected,
With curious eye peruse it: while it holds
The beauteous image that it now presents
Entire and perfect, know that she remains
Not only innocent, but unattempted.
But if th' harmonious colouring should change,
And, from its softly blended white and red,
Incline to jealous yellow, rest assur'd
She is with ardor woo'd, tho' yet unconquer'd.
Should it assume a fatal sable hue,
Her virtue, and your honor, are no more!
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Thanks, my Baptista.
So much have you engag'd me by this favor,
That the service of my life will scarce repay it.
Adieu!
BAPTISTA.
Not yet; for I have more t' impart:
That as we ride along; for I'm not quite so old,
But I may see you join th' Hungarian troops,
And with the rising Sun behold the conflict.
EUGENIUS.
As my better angel then,
You shall direct and guide me!—Come.
Our chargers there.
[Exeunt Eugenius and Baptista.
SCENE II.
The Court of Ladislaus.Enter Ubaldo and Ricardo.
RICARDO.
Came the courier from the camp last night?
UBALDO.
Yes, as 'tis said, with a letter
From the General Ferdinand.
RICARDO.
Sans question then it is of moment?
UBALDO.
To those who carry lives in either army.
RICARDO.
Was it chearfully received by the King?
UBALDO.
So, so:—soon however as assur'd
The lines approach'd within each other's view,
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With absolute authority from him,
To try the fortune of the day.
RICARDO.
The General then, no doubt, will fight it bravely.
Heav'n prosper him! This military art
I grant to be the noblest of professions;
And yet, I thank my stars! I never was
Inclin'd to learn it; for that bubble honor,
The pretty nothing for which these soldiers fight,
Is, in my judgment, of too dear a purchase.
UBALDO.
Give me our court warfare; eh! Ricardo?
The danger's not so great in the encounter
Of a mistress—the conflict there costs no limbs—
Thou, by thy own report, Ricardo,
Wast a wag when young, and since that time
Hast studied every rank, from the night trader
I' th' street, with certain danger to thy pocket,
To the gay high-flier in the cabinet.
RICARDO.
You talk, Ubaldo, as though you would appear
A novice in love's mysteries; or perhaps
My better genius gives you cause for envy.
UBALDO.
No, thanks to my stars! I no man envy
From my own want, or his abundance;
To tell thee plainly, being, as you see,
The likelier man, and of much more experience,
There's no beauty
But yields ere it be summon'd; and as nature
Has stamp'd me the monopolist of maidens,
There's no man can buy till I have made my market.
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Ha, ha, ha!
UBALDO.
As I live I jest not. Why I'd part
With half my estate, nay, travel o'er the globe
To find that only Phœnix in my search,
That could wing out of my sure shot.
RICARDO.
Who will dare doubt the dexterity of him
That twangs so long a bow? Pray, what d'ye think
Of the Queen?
UBALDO.
No, no, Ricardo; I never yet did aim
At the lip-royal—that I still except:
Yet were she not our Sov'reign's own soft dove,
I would venture this neck to a halter,
To write her in my am'rous catalogue.
RICARDO.
Have you but mark'd with what reserve she looks
When the King himself makes his approach to her,
As she were still a virgin, and his life
But one continued wooing?
UBALDO.
Yes, and how she oft has swoon'd when she has heard
Of other women fam'd for charms or honors.
RICARDO.
I marvel that she does not banish hence
All other female virtue from her court.
UBALDO.
Well, where 'twill end I know not, for the King
Is so indulgent to her humours, that ev'n now,
When both his crown and life are at the stake,
He only studies her content—and when
She's pleas'd to shew herself, music and masques
Are with all care and cost provided.
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This night she promis'd to appear.
UBALDO.
She did, and will, no doubt; for prithee mark
The bustle of her royal harbinger.
Enter LADISLAUS, EUBULUS, and Attendants, with perfumes.
LADISLAUS.
These rooms are not perfum'd as we directed.
EUBULUS.
No, Sir? I am sure the od'rous incense
Cost treble the price of the whole week's provision
Spent in your royal houshold.
LADISLAUS.
How, Eubulus! when my Honoria
Descends to sanctify a place, and make
For me a temple; say, were it not profane
To deck it only with a careless hand?
EUBULUS.
Well; since you so closely hug your fetters,
In love's name wear them; you are King, and that
Concludes you wise—for me, I do subscribe.
LADISLAUS.
Do, and looking up, behold this wonder!
The Scene rising to soft music, discovers HONORIA in State, under a Canopy, attended by the Court.
RICARDO.
Wonder! it is more, great Sir!
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Rapture! enchantment!
What think you?
[To Eubulus.
EUBULUS.
As the King thinks: that is the surest guard,
At least for you court butterflies—for me,
I can see a handsome woman (an' she be so)
Without spectacles,
But yet to adoration look not on her;
Heav'n, how he fawns!
And with what assured gravity she takes it,
As if it were his duty.
Oh, she at last vouchafes
Her hand; and, as if he had suck'd nectar from it,
How he's exalted!—She's about to speak,
What oracles shall we hear now?
HONORIA.
Since you are pleas'd
With such assurances of love and favour
To grace your handmaid, but in being yours, Sir,
A matchless Queen;
I'm bound in gratitude to deserve
The grace conferr'd upon me.
LADISLAUS.
You transcend in all things, Madam;
And 'tis my glory to depose myself
From absolute command—surrendering up
My will and faculties to your disposure.
And here I vow, not for a day or year,
But my whole life,
That whatsoever I in justice may
Exact from these my subjects, you from me
May boldly challenge.—And, when you require it,
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Thus will I pay my homage.
[Kneels to her.
HONORIA.
O, forbear, Sir,
Let not my lips envy my robe, on them
Print your allegiance often. I desire
No other tribute!
LADISLAUS.
Gracious Sov'reign,
Boundless in bounty!
EUBULUS.
Is not here fine fooling?
(Aside.)
He's questionless bewitch'd!
RICARDO.
There's dainty picking
For all that.
(Aside.)
EUBULUS.
'Though my old life I forfeit
For it, yet I must speak. By your good leave, Sir;
I have no suit to you, nor can you grant one,
Having no power. You are like me, a subject,
Her more than serene Majesty being present;
And I must tell you, 'tis ill manners in you,
Having depos'd yourself, to keep your hat on,
And not stand bare, as we do. Gentlemen ushers,
It does belong to you to see 't reform'd;
He has given away his crown, and cannot challenge
The privilege of his bonnet.
[Tauntingly.
LADISLAUS.
Do not tempt me.
RICARDO.
(Aside.)
A devilish rough councellor this.
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The King seems all amazement!
RICARDO.
The Queen too has her share
Of deep imaginations. Eubulus
Hath put both to't.
UBALDO.
Now she seems resolv'd.
RICARDO.
I long to know the issue.
HONORIA.
Give me leave,
Dear Sir, to reprehend you for appearing
Perplex'd, with what this privileg'd old man
Hath in his taunting irony applied.
—You know it was your own delight
To sue to me with more humility
Than I desir'd, yet 'twas my duty to obey;
I do but act the part you put upon me;
And though you make me personate a Queen,
And you my subject; when the play, your pleasure,
Is at an end, I then am what I was,
Still your humble wife, and you my King.
RICARDO.
Admirable, on my troth!
HONORIA.
(To Eubulus.)
And now to your wise Lordship;
Hath my King
Cause to repent th' excess of favor to me,
Which you dislike? speak! nay, boldly too;
For I'm not ignorant what I can deserve,
And may with justice challenge.
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This I look'd for;
After a seeming humble ebb, I knew
A gushing tide would follow.
(Aside.)
HONORIA.
By my birth,
And liberal gifts of nature, as of fortune,
From you, as what's beneath me, I expect
What's due to Majesty, in which I am
A sharer with your Sov'reign.
EUBULUS.
Good again.
HONORIA.
And as I am most eminent in place,
In all my actions I would appear so.
LADISLAUS.
You need not fear a rival.
HONORIA.
I hope not.
And 'till I find one, I disdain to know
What envy is.
LADISLAUS.
You are above it, Madam.
HONORIA.
For beauty without art, discourse, and free
From affectation, with what graces else
Can in the wife and daughter of a King
Be wish'd, I dare prefer myself.
EUBULUS.
Does the Court afford
No oil-tongu'd parasite, that you are forc'd
To be your own gross flatterer?
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Be dumb
Thou ceaseless spirit of contradiction,
Or thy age, with all its boasted bluntness,
Will not another hour protect thee.
[A Trumpet.
RICARDO.
A courier, my Liege.
LADISLAUS.
Bid him enter.
EUBULUS.
Here's one, I fear, unwelcome as myself.
Enter OFFICER.
LADISLAUS.
From the camp, Sir?
OFFICER.
Ay, my dread Liege, this from the general.
[The King reads the letters.
LADISLAUS.
'Tis well, my Queen! the gallant Ferdinand
Doth here inform us, that by rapid march
He hath so gain'd upon the Turkish lines,
That ere the setting of the sun, the fate
Of either Kingdom must be known. Let's in,
And there, in Council, wait th' approaching tidings.
[Exit King, &c.
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