University of Virginia Library

SCENE. I.

Guises Apartment.
Enter Guise, Pericart.
Per.
Have you not soften'd yet her stubborn mind?

Guise,
In her each day I stranger humour's find:
Peevish as Children wak'd, or Matrons craz'd;
Scornful as Upstarts, that are newly rais'd.

Per.
The thought, Sir, of her fate sure does you wrong.

Guise.
If so, I will remove the cause e'r long.
Then your Armida hinders too my Love.

Per.
I can with ease that obstacle remove;
For she has beg'd, and partly gain'd to be
Convey'd to one, she thinks no friend to me;
But is deceiv'd, For I'm by him assur'd,
During my will, she shall be there secur'd.

Guise.
I like it well, and now resolve to try,
If talk of Crowns, can dazle Gabriel's Eye,
And if I find those Arguments will move,
I'l be a King onely to gain her Love,

[Exeunt.
Enter Gabriel, Armida.
Gab.
I'm glad thy speed and fortune were so good,
Faster to fly those Rogues, than be pursu'd.
But the chief Villain soon had me betray'd,
If Heav'n had not been pleas'd to send me aid.
Just in my need, an Hero set me free;
His Sword at once reveng'd and aided me.
I kneel'd him thanks. He scarce three words had spoke,
When clashing Swords our conversation broke.
Yet as he fought, he still look'd back at me;
Which for some time delay'd his victory.

Arm.
That Hero, Madam, if a blush speak true,
At once both fre'd and captivated you.

Gab.
I must confess, he look'd me to the heart;
And tho my Life lay on't; I could not part.
Rather then my Deliv'rer should be slain,
I wisht my self in danger once again.
Each man that fell my fear and grief did move;
I thought it fear, but oh! I find it love.

Armi.
But, Dearest Madam, what of him became?

Gab.
He fought and vanisht like the Thunderer's flame;
When Fates (as my late wounds they would requite)
Did bring me to the gallant Grillons sight.
He proffer'd love! had not my heart been lost,
He'd been a prize becoming Queens to boast.
But all in vain I am betraid to Guise;
Lost where I love, and lov'd where I despise!

Armi.
I promise freedom if you'l take advice.

Gab.
My dear Armida, I'le be rul'd by you;
Blest with your love, and with my freedome too.

[Enter Serv.
Serv.
Madam, the Duke of Guise has sent to know,
If you'l vouchsafe him to attend on you?

Gab.
He need not ask what he has pow'r to do.
[Exit Serv.
What shall I do Armida?

Armi.
Seem but Kind;
It will advance the Plot I have design'd.

Enter Guise, Pericart.
Armida and Peric. go aside,
Guise.
Stil, fairest Lady, you create your pain.
Your Brow frowns clouds, or else your eyes weep rain.
'Tis against Nature Storms should have a place
In the highest Region of that heavenly face.
O, Madam, imitate the Heav'ns above,
Where only is serenity and love!

Gab.
Your words are good, your actions are not so;
Like Trees that onely fruitless blossoms show.
If my small Beauty's heav'nly, as you say.
You like a Lucifer, would it betray.
By his sad fate you may your own proclaim;
For you both lose your glory and your aim.

Guise.
My sufferings you a Prophetess declare?
I'm scorch'd with flames, and damn'd into despair.

Gab.
You 've time, Sir, to repent of your offence,
And to regain your pristine Innocence.
Give me my freedome and you leave your crime,
And we may both be happy at one time.

Guise.
Make your words good, oblige your self and me;
And at one time too, we may both be free.

Gab.
The first attemp, Sir, unto you belong;
Since you are only he that offers wrong:
Or, if in honour, you'l not yield to me,
I'l lead the way, and here I set you free.

Guise.
Madam, if you will make your promise true,
You must both make me free, and happy too.

Gab.
Your happiness and freedome both belong
Unto your self, and I have all the wrong.
For with what justice can you keep me here?
Or what's your pow'r o'r me?

Guise.
Ah! None I fear.
Justice and Pow'r, with all things you can move,
Must yield to th' pleasing violence of Love.
My mind is bent your motions to fulfil,
But something stronger contradicts my will,
My Soul (above constraint) does oversway
All those desires, and makes me disobey.

Gab.
Remember, Sir, It is a glorious boast
To wheel about and gain a Field that's lost.
Relieve your self before you be o'rcome;
Knock at your breast; may be you're not at home.

Guise.
You prophecy again: my Heart is gone;
Here is the Aery, but the Falkons flown.
The Haggard Sous'd, soon as it 'spy'd its Prey,
But Cupid had laid Lime-twigs in the way.

Gab.
Sir, to be plain, your Passions strangely move;
You practice force, and yet pretend to Love.
Love by restriction does its vertue want:
As happiness was lost first by Restraint.
Consult but sense, It should not be confin'd;
Love is the Free-born Subject of the mind;
And when that priviledge it cannot have,
It turns a Rebel, or is made a slave.

Gab.
To all your Argument I'm not inclin'd;
My heart was free, but now, alass, confin'd!
Its Birth-right's lost, yet never will rebel.

Gab.
I'm glad you know your duty, Sir, so well.
This doctrine fitter for the League may be,
And you may do more good on it, than me.

Guise.
It is below you to upbraid me so;
For I to you will only duty owe.

Gab.
The King claims share,

Guise.
And he shall have his due.
It seems by this you're most to Kings inclin'd,
Because your Stars have one for you design'd.
But if such charms the very name does bring,
Think what's the honour then to make a King.

Gab.
I'm now a Slave such thoughts become not me.

Guise.
If you'l love a King you shall be free.

Gab.
I love none else, and that is but his due.

Guise.
You love a King then?

Gab.
Yes, tho it be you.

Guise.
Vouchsafe your hand: Upon your Juror look.
[takes it.
By this fair hand; and thus I kiss the Book.
[kisses it.
Next day by this time I will set you free;
But one Oath more—
[Again.
And once again for more security.

[Exeunt Guise and Pericart.
Gab.
Thy help Armida; for the storm grows high.

Armid.
I heard him, and my counter Plots will try.
I have gain'd Pericart, and am to go
This hour unto a Friend, whose faith I know.
We must shift cloaths, and you depart in mine;
And so you may escape his bad design.

Gab.
You have all thanks, that gratitude can give,
And to requite you I must only live.
But when the Duke returns, and misses me,
Armida, what will then become of thee?

Armid.
I know his Spirits fierce, but brave and true,
And he'l respect me for regarding you.
I'l no excuses frame, as for a crime;
Since in his need, I'd do as much for him.

Gab.
But, dearest Friend, why should thy love for me
Be more advent'rous, than my love for thee?

Armid.
Madam, his Passion's like a furious wind;
And Love's the raging tempest of the mind:
If a fair stately Cedar stand i'th' way,
Scorning the Winds rough courtship to obey;
Its blustring rage will more and more abound,
In hopes to lay the Cedar on the ground.
But if, when he returns, the Cedar's gone,
And he no object have to blow upon;
He'l rage a while, but soon his fury lay,
And he himself will blow his Storm away.

Gab.
Thy wit has Empire in't; I'l not contest,
I hope thy Genius guides thee for the best.

[Exeunt.