University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

To them ALINDA.
ALINDA.
Beneath a rugged thorn I found this flower
Blushing unmark'd its odorous life away;
I'll wear it in my breast, and all who see,
Will praise its beauty, modest worth's sweet emblem,
That first must be conspicuous ere 'tis priz'd.
Oh, are you there? I'm ready, my good guides!
Where is our equipage? The way's but short,
We shall be there ere moonshine.

FIRST FORESTER.
Pretty lady!
You have a longer journey than you wot of,
And a dark dreary road to travel thro'.

ALINDA.
Why then the Duke deceiv'd me, for he said
The way was pleasant, and the distance nothing.

SECOND FORESTER.
We have helped many forward the same way,
And all were much averse to travel it.

ALINDA.
They had no lover to obey like me,
For I am light, and were it ten times further,
To please my Lord I'd go it blithesomely.
Come, come, to horse.

FIRST FORESTER.
Are you prepar'd to die?

ALINDA.
Mercy defend me! How! Prepar'd to die!
'Tis a strange question.

FIRST FORESTER.
But most seasonable;
As fit as if your couch were spread at midnight
To ask if you were weary. With our will
We do it not, for we were gently bred,
And hous'd with gallants once: but this rough trade
Necessity enforces. Come, prepare.

ALINDA.
What do you search for? And why turn you pale?
You make me shake, to see your stedfast eye.
Does this become the servants of the Duke,
To frighten whom they shou'd protect from fear?

SECOND FORESTER.
We are, indeed, the servants of the Duke,
For we receive his hire; then for your fears,
We mean to rid you of them by your death.

ALINDA.
Can this be sport? Alas! What have I done,
That such detested thoughts shou'd rise in you?

FIRST FORESTER.
You are troublesome. Our business is to kill you.
If you have a ready prayer, and brief, kneel there,
And say it presently. We run great hazard
To let you live so long.

ALINDA.
I'll kneel to you,
Make you my saint, if you'll have mercy on me.
I never injur'd you, nay, cou'd not injure,
For till this hour that I was made your charge,
I never saw you. Do not turn away.
Think how you'll answer this to him whose love
Trusted me to your care. He will require
A strict account.

SECOND FORESTER.
Pr'ythee let go my arm.

ALINDA.
May I not know why you do wish to kill me?
If for these sparkling bawbles, take them freely;
Rob me of all, but do not murder me.
I am not fit to die.

FIRST FORESTER.
We need not thank you
For what you can't withhold. Fall to your prayers.

ALINDA.
But are you not the servants of the Duke?
Think how you swore to tend me faithfully,
How he enjoin'd you, as you priz'd his favor.
Ev'n in your looks he'll read this cruelty,
And find how you have abus'd him. Think on that.

FIRST FORESTER.
'Twere pity she shou'd die in ignorance.
Caught in the falcon's pounce, the dove as well
Might gurgle to the kite to stoop, and save her,
As you cry to Bireno. Know, 'tis he
Who laid this snare, and pays us for your blood.

ALINDA.
The Duke Bireno?

SECOND FORESTER.
Yes, the Duke Bireno.
You have been privy to some passages
Require concealment. Being wise, he thinks
They are safest when you are dumb, so gives us gold
To stop your blabbing. If you doubt our word,
Peruse that paper. Are you satisfied?

[Shews a paper.
ALINDA.
Yes, if 'tis satisfaction to be torn
With worse than death ere death, I'm satisfied.
But yet you will not kill me.

FIRST FORESTER.
There's no end.
She'll prate us from our purpose. Bind her arms.
All strife is vain.

ALINDA.
Oh, Sir! yet hold a moment;
You murder more than one. An innocent pledge
Of my disastrous love leaps at my side,
And joins his speechless prayer.

SECOND FORESTER.
And not his wife!
Why then your head's a forfeit to the law,
And we but take before, what sport or malice
Might make you render at the bloody block,
With process more afflicting.

ALINDA.
Barbarous villains!
Is there no help? Oh, spare me!—With my cries
I'll wake the dead.

SCCOND FORESTER.
Dispatch her with your dagger.
Be quick.

FIRST FORESTER.
'Tis done.

[Stabs her.