University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Street.
Enter two young Merchants.
1st. Mer.
Well met, sir! you are for this noble wedding.

2d. Mer.
I am, sir; so are you, I take it.

1st. Mer.
Yes;
And much it glads me, that to do him service,
Who is the pride and honour of our trade,
We meet thus happily.

2d. Mer.
He's a noble fellow!
And well deserves a bride of so much beauty.

1st. Mer.
She's passing fair indeed; long may their loves
Continue like themselves in spring of sweetness!
All the young merchants will be here, no doubt,
For he who comes not to attend this wedding,
The curse of a most blind one fall upon him,
A loud wife and a lazy! Here comes Clause.

Enter Clause.
2d. Mer.
How now Clause! you are come to see your master
In all his joy—'tis honestly done of you—
And here he comes.

Enter Harrol.
Har.
Stand at the door, my friends!
I pray walk in—there's a young lady, who
Will bid ye welcome.

1st. Mer.
We enjoy your happiness.

[Ex. Merchants.
Har.
Clause, nobly welcome!
My honest, my best friend! I have been careful
To see thy monies duly plac'd in—

Clause.
Sir,
No doubt you have; that brought me not—D'you know
This ring again?

Har.
'Tis that thou had'st of me.

Clause.
And do you recollect the boon you promis'd,
On the return of this?

Har.
Yes, and I grant it,
Be't what it may, within my power.

Clause.
You are not married yet?

Har.
No.

Clause.
Faith, I shall ask you that which will disturb you,
But I must put you to your promise.

Har.
Do—
And if I faint, or flinch in't—

Clause.
Well said, master;
And yet it grieves me too—and it must be—

Har.
Pr'ythee, distrust me not.

Clause.
You must not marry—
That's part o' th' power you gave me;—to compleat it,
You must depart forthwith, and follow me.

Har.
Not marry, Clause!

Clause.
Not, if you keep your promise.

Har.
Pr'ythee, think better—dost thou fear her honesty?

Clause.
Chaste, chaste as ice, I doubt not.

Clause.
That allow'd,
Give me thy reason.

Clause.
I may not now discover.

Har.
Must not marry!
Shall I break now, when the poor heart is pawn'd?
When all my preparation—

Clause.
Now or never.

Har.
Can'st be so cruel?

Clause.
You may break your word, sir,
But never more in my thought appear honest.

Har.
Didst thou e'er see her?

Clause.
No, sir.

Har.
AIR.

Clause.
You make me sad, sir.

Hub.
Pr'ythee, then, good Clause,
Take a friend's heart, and feel what misery
Awaits me, if I lose her.

Clause.
My dear master,
Take you a noble heart, and keep your promise:
I forsook all I had, to make you happy.
She comes; now bear the trial like yourself,
A good and constant man; in the dark walk
Of aged elms, that opens to the plain,
I wait you with impatience—you must follow.

[Exit.
Har.
Hard heart, I will! for hast thou not redeem'd me
From deepest woe? and shall I dare deny?
Yet my dear Gertrude—

Enter Gertrude.
Ger.
Harrol!—in affliction!
Lord of my heart and hopes, look up! Explain
What envious cloud has darken'd o'er the hour,
Thou hadst set down the brightest of thy life?
Nay, answer me in words—Those silent sighs
Import a grief most mighty.

Har.
We must part,
Gertude, we must—this hour—

Ger.
What voice enjoins,
What power commands us? Have not our chaste loves
Been such as angels might approve? Say then
What earthly bidding—

Har.
But we meet again—
I trust we shall—for surely honest Clause

Ger.
Clause!
Is he the ruler of Harrol's destiny?

Har.
Some wond'rous secret
Is lab'ring in his breast; with earnest look,
Yet melting while it aw'd, even now he bade me
In the dark row of elms attend his councils.
By oath, by duty, gratitude and honour
Solemnly bound, what can thy Harrol do?

Ger.
For ever must we part?

Har.
AIR.

Ger.
AIR.

[Exit.