University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

The SCENE, Lopez's House.
Sancho, Lopez, Dalinda. Carlos meeting them.
Carl.

Give you Joy Mr. Bridegroom and Mrs. Bride,
you see I have accepted your Invitation.

Sanch.

And thou art welcome, as a Witness of my Triumph.

Carl.

I cou'd tell Tales, that wou'd spoil your Appetite,
both to your Dinner and your Bride: You think you are
married to a vast Fortune.

Dal.

A better, perhaps, than you imagine.

Lop.

For if Sancho looks into his Writings, he'll find
that my Estate was mortgag'd to his Father.

Sanch.

Then wou'd I had lookt into my Writings before
I had lookt so far into your Daughter.

Dal.

My Father's Fortune will be yours at last: and I
have but redeem'd it for you.

Sanch.

I'm sure I'm married without Redemption!

Carl.

You must take the good and the bad together;
he that keeps a tame Cat must be content to be scratcht
a little.

Dal.

The Count's Sister, I hope, has Claws for you
too.

Carl.

That was invented only in hopes of you, Dalinda:
tho now I thank my Stars that I have miss'd you:
for two Wits without Fortunes, wou'd be like two Milstones
without Corn betwixt 'em; they wou'd only grind
upon one another, and make a terrible noise, but no Meal
wou'd follow.

Enter a Nurse leading a Boy and a Girl.
Nurse.

Madam, here are two poor Orphans, that hearing
you are married, come to dine with you.

Dal.
(aside.)

My two Bastards! I am undone: what shall
I do with 'em?

Lop.
(aside.)

The Devil take my damn'd Grand-children
for their unseasonable Visit.

Sanch.

Welcome, welcome: They're come a mumming
to grace my Wedding, I'll warrant you.

Carl.

I begin to suspect they come to Sup and Lodge as
well as Dine here.

Lop.
(to Nurse.)

There's two Pistols for you; take 'em
away, and bring 'em again to Morrow Morning.

Nurse.

Thank your Honour: Come away, Children;
but first I must deliver a Note to this Gentleman: Don
Carlos, I'm sure you remember me.

[Gives him a Note.
Carl.

Did not you wait on Donna Leonora, the Conde's
Sister?

Nurse.

Have you forgotten Ynez the faithful Trustee of
your Affection? Read your Letter; there's better News
than you deserve.

[Carlos reads his Letter to himself.
Dal.
(to Nurse.)

Steal away, dear Nurse, while he's
reading, and there's more Money for you; fear not, you
shall be duly paid; for I am married to one who can
provide for them.

Nurse.
(to her.)

Well, I'll keep your Credit: but remember.

[Exit Nurse with the Children.
Carl.
(after Reading.)

Poor loving Creature, she is e'en
too Constant; I cou'd never have expected this from her
Look you here, you shall see I have no reason to envy
your Fortune, Sancho.
[Looks about him.
How now, what's become of the Nurse and the two Children?

Dal.

They wou'd have been but too troublesome Guests,
and are gone away.

Carl.

By your Favour I shall make bold to call 'em back
again.

[Exit Carlos.

Dal.
(to Lopez.)

Oh Barbarous Villain! he'll discover
all.

Lop.

The best on't is, you're already married.

Dal.

But we have not Consummated; I cou'd have so
wheedled Mr. Bridegroom to Night, that e're to Morrow
Morning he shou'd have forgiven me.

Re-enter Carlos with Nurse and Children.
Carl.

Come, Nurse, no more mincing Matters; your
Lady's Orders in my Letter must be obey'd: I must find
a Father and Mother for the Children in this Company.

Sanch.

Whose pretty Children are these, Carlos, that you
are to provide for?

Carl.

E'en your Bride's, Sancho, at your service: Children,
do your Duty to your Mother.

Children.
(kneeling.)

Mamma, your Blessing.

Sanch.

Hey day, what's here to do? Are these the Issue
of your Body, Madam Bride?

Carl.

Yes; and they are now your Children by the Mother's
side: The late Conde presents his Service to you,
with these two Pledges of his Affection to your Wife.

Sanch.

Is it even thus, Dalinda?

Lop.

Christian Patience, Son-in-Law.

Sanch.

Christian Patience! I say Pagan Fury: This is
enough to make me turn Jew again, like my Father of
Hebrew Memory.

Carl.

You may make your Assault, Colonel, without danger;
the breach is already made to your hands.

Sanch.

Ay, the Devil take him that storm'd it first.

Carl.

Speak well of the Dead.

Dal.
(kneeling.)

And forgive the Living.

Sanch.

Oh Dalinda! no more Dalinda, but Dalilah the Philistine:
Cou'd you find none but me to practice on?

Carl.

Sooner upon you than upon any Man; for Nature
has put a Superscription upon a Fool's Face, and all Cheats
are directed thither.

Lop.

There's no recalling what's past and done.

Sanch.

You never said a truer word, Father-in-Law; 'tis
done, indeed, to my Sorrow.

Carl.

If you cou'd undo it, Sancho, it were something;
but since you cannot, your only Remedy is to do it again.

Sanch.

That's true: But the Memory of that damn'd
Conde is enough to turn ones Stomach to her: Do you remember
what a Devilish hunch Back he had when you and
I play'd him?

Carl.

For that Reason you may be sure she'll loath the
thought of him.

Sanch.

Do you think so, Carlos?

Dal.

How can I do otherwise, when I have in my Arms
so handsome, so sweet, and so charming a Cavalier as
you?

Sanch.

Well, I am I know not howish; she has a delicious
Tongue of her own, and I begin to mollifie.

Carl.

Do, Sancho: Faith, you've held it out too long, in
Conscience, for so slight a quarrel; this is nothing among
great Ladies, Man; how many Fathers have I known that
have given their Blessings to other Mens Children: Come
bless 'em, bless 'em, honest Daddy: Kneel down, Children.

Children.
(kneeling.)

Your Blessing, Pappa.

[Children cry.
Sanch.

It goes against the grain to give it them.

Carl.

For shame, Sancho, take 'em up: you'll break their
pretty Hearts else: 'twou'd grieve a Man's Soul to see 'em
weep thus.

Sanch.

Ay, they learnt that trick of their Mother; but
I cannot be obdurate, the fault was none of theirs, I'm
sure.

[Crying.

Heav'n e'en bless you, and I'll provide for you: Nay, and

it shall go hard but I'le get you some more Play-Fellows: if
your Mother be as Fruitful as she us'd to be.

Lop.

Why this is at it shou'd be.

Dal.

Heav'n Reward you; and I'le study Obedience to
you.

Sanch.

They say, Children are great Blessings; if they
are, I have two great Blessings ready gotten to my hands.

Carl.

For your Comfort, Marriage they say, is Holy.

Sanch.

Ay, and so is Martyrdom, as they say; but both
of 'em are good for just nothing, but to make an end of a
Man's Life.

Lop.

Chear up, Son-in-Law, your Children are very towardly,
you see they can ask Blessing already.

Dal.

If he does not like 'em, he may Get the next himself.

Carl.

I will not trouble the Company, with Reading my
Letter from the Dead Count's Sister; 'Tis enough to tell you,
that I Lov'd her once, and forsook her, because she was then
no Fortune: but she has been kinder to me, than I deserve:
and has offer'd me her Brother's Estate in Dowry with
her.

Dal.

Which I hope you will accept.

Carl.

Yes, and release you of a certain Promise to me,
without explaining. She only recommended to me her
Brother's Children by Dalinda. And I think I have taken
a decent care in providing them a Rich Father.

Sanch.

I always Lov'd a Harlot, and now I have one of
my own, I'le e'en take up with her; for my Youth is going;
and my days of Whoring, I mean emphatical Whoring, are
almost over: but for once, we'll have a Frolick; come Offspring,
can either of you two Dance?

1 Child.

Yes, forsooth Father, and my Sister can Sing too
like a little Angel.

Sanch.

Then foot it featly; that you may say hereafter,
you remember when your Mother was first Married, and
Danc'd at her Wedding.

Carl.

Hold a little; you may remember too, Madam
Bride, that I promis'd you an Epithalamium: 'Twas meant

a Satire; but Fortune has turn'd it to a Jest; I have giv'n it
to the Musicians, and brought 'em along with me; strike up,
Gentlemen.

[The Dance is first, then the Song, the last words of which are Sung while the Company is going out, and the Musick Plays before them.
Song: By Mr. Congreve.

Song for a GIRL.
[Exeunt Omnes.

A Royal Chamber is discover'd, by drawing the former Scene; Veramond, Garcia, Ximena, Victoria, Celidea, with a full Train of Courtiers and Guards; amongst the Croud, Ramirez Disguis'd, with some of his Party.
Vera.
(to Vict.)
No more delays, but go.

Ximen.
This is Inhumane,
To press her to a Marriage made by Force.
At least allow your self and her this day,
That each of you may think, and one may change.

Vera.
You mean the Times or Accidents may change,
And leave her for Alphonso.

Ximen.
Your Enemies are but without your Gates,
And soon they may return: forbear for fear.

Vera.
The sooner then
I must prevent th'effect of their return.
What now remains, but to compleat my Vows,
And Sacrifice to Vengeance?

Ximen.
Your own Daughter!

Vera.
Even her, my self, and all the World together.

Vict.
Can you refuse me one poor day to Live?

Vera.
Obey me, and be Blest; if not, Accurst.
A Father's Curse has wings, remember that;
Thro this World and the next, it will pursue thee;
And sink thee down, for ever.

Vict.
'Tis enough,
I know how far a Daughter owes Obedience;
But Duty has a bound like other Empires:
It reaches but to Life, for all beyond it
Is the Dominion of another World,
Where you have no Command.
For you, Don Garcia,
You know the Pow'r a Mistress ought to have;
But since you will be Master, take your Hour,
The next is mine.

Gar.
I grant the Debt of Service which I owe you:
But 'tis a Summ too vast to pay at sight.
If now you call it in, I must be Bankrupt
To all my future Bliss.

Vict.
I find by you,
The Laws of Love, are like the Laws of Heav'n;
All know, but few will keep 'em—To the Temple,
Where I my self am Victim.

Enter Alphonso, Unarm'd; all seem Amaz'd.
Alph.
Stay, Veramond.

Vera.
(aside.)
Alphonso here! then all my Hopes are blasted.
The Town is his, and I once more a Slave.

Alph.
Dismiss thy fears and tremble not, Old Man,
I neither come with purpose, nor with Power
T'avenge my wrongs, but single and unarm'd:
This Head is necessary to thy Peace,
And to Victoria's violated Vows:
Who, while I Live, can never be Don Garcia's.
Take then this odious Life; securely take it,
And glut thy Vengeance with Alphonso's Blood.
Behold the Man who forc'd thee in thy Strength,
In thy Imperial Town made thee a Captive.
Now give thy Fury scope: Revenge th'Affront,
And shew more pity not to spare my Life,
Than I in sparing thine.

Ximen.
(to Celidea.)
Oh boundless Courage, or extream Despair!

Celid.
(to her.)
I tremble for th'event; see the King reddens.
The Fear which seiz'd him at Alphonso's sight,
And left his Face forsaken of his Blood,
Is vanisht now;
And a new Tide returns upon his Cheeks:
And Rage and Vengeance sparkle in his Eyes.

Vera.
(aside.)
All things are husht; no noise is in the Streets;
Nor shouts of Souldiers, nor the cries of Matrons,
To speak a Town in plunder—Then I take
(To Alph.)
A Traytor's Counsel once, and thou shalt Die;
Condemn'd by thy own Sentence, go to Death;
Nor shall thy seeming Generosity,
And feign'd assurance, save thee; 'tis despair,
To see thy frustrate Hopes, that brought thee hither;
To meet my just Revenge.

Alph.
Yes, I will Dye, because I chuse to Dye.
Which had I not desir'd, I had not come
Unarm'd, Unguarded, and alone, to tempt
Thy known Ingratitude, and barb'rous hate.
Boast not th'advantage, which thou hold'st of me,
But know thy self for what thou art; no more
Than the mean Minister of my despair.

Vera.
Whether to Heav'n's Justice, or thy Choice,
I owe this happy Hour of sweet Revenge,
I'le not be wanting to the wisht occasion.

Vict.
You shall not Dye alone, my dear Alphonso,
Tho much I blame this desp'rate Enterprize:
You shou'd have stay'd, to see
Th'Event of what I promis'd to perform:
For had I been so base to be another's,
That baseness might have cur'd your ill-plac'd Love.
But this untimely rashness, makes you Guilty,
Both of your Fate, and mine.

Alph.
While I believ'd
My Life was precious to my dear Victoria,
I valu'd and preserv'd it for her sake.
But when you broke from your Deliv'rer's Arms,
To put your self into a Tyrant's Power;
I threw a worthless, wretched Being from me;
Abandon'd first by you.

Vict.
Oh Cruel Man!
Where, at what moment did that Change begin,
With which you tax my Violated Vows?
I left your Lawless Pow'r, to put my self
Into a Father's Chains, my Lawful Tyrant.
If this be my upbraided Crime, even this,
On that occasion, wou'd I do once more.
But, cou'd I, with my Honour safe, have stay'd
In your dear Arms, bear witness Heav'n and Earth,
Nor Threats, nor Force, nor Promises, nor Fears
Shou'd take me from your Love.

Alph.
Oh, I believe you.
Vanish my fears, and causeless Jealousies;
Live my Victoria: for your self, not me;
But let th'unfortunate Alphonso Dye;
My Death will glut your Cruel Father's Rage;
When I am gone, and his Revenge compleat,
Pity perhaps may seize a Parent's Mind;
To free you from a hated Lover's Arms.

Celid.
(to Ximen.
Speak Mother, speak: my Father gives you time,
He stands amaz'd, irresolute, and dumb:
Like the still Face of Heav'n before a Storm;
Speak, and Arrest the Thunder e're it rowls.

Ximen.
I stand suspected: but you, Celidea,
The Favourite of his Heart, his Darling Child,
May speak, and ought, your Int'rest is concern'd:
For if Alphonso Dye, your hopes are lost.
I see your Father's Soul, like glowing Steel
Is on the Anvil; strike, while yet he's hot:
Turn him, and ply him, set him straight betimes,
Lest he for ever warp.

Celid.
I fear, and yet wou'd speak; but will he hear me?

Ximen.
For what is all this silence, but to hear?
Bring him but to calm Reasoning, and he's gain'd.

Celid.
Then Heav'n inspire my Tongue—
Sir, Royal Sir—
He hears me not; he lifts not up his Eyes:
But fixt upon the Pavements looks the way
That points to Death.
[She pulls him.
Oh hear me, hear me, Father.
Have you forgot that dear indulgent Name,
Never before in vain pronounc'd by me?

Vera.
Ha! who disturbs my Thoughts?

Celid.
(kneeling.)
'Tis Celidea.
Alas I wou'd relieve you, if I durst;
If ever I offended, even in Thought,
Or made not your Commands
The bounds of all my Wishes, and Desires,
Bid me be dumb, or else permit me Speech.

Vera.
Oh rise, my only unoffending Child,
Who reconciles me to the Name of Father!
Speak then; but not for her, and less for him.

Celid.
Perhaps I wou'd accuse 'em, not defend;
For both are Guilty, dipt in equal Crimes:
And are obnoxious to your Justice both.

Vera.
True, Celidea; thou confirm'st my Sentence;
'Tis just Alphonso Dye.

Ximen.
(aside.)
Forgive her, Heav'n! she aggravates their Faults;
And pushes their destruction.

Celid.
Speak Alphonso:
Can you deny, when Royal Veramond,
Then thought your Father, and by you so deem'd,
When he requir'd your Captive, old Ramirez,
And order'd his Confinement; did you well
Then to controul the Pleasure of that King,
Under whose just Commands you Fought and Conquer'd?

Alph.
I did not well: but heat of boyling Youth,
And ill-weigh'd Honour, made me disobey.

Vera.
That Cause is gain'd; for he confesses Guilt.
Proceed, most equitable Judge, proceed.

Celid.
(to Alph.)
Next I reproach you, with a worse Rebellion.
The King's first Promise to Don Garcia made,
You dar'd t'oppose: forbad his fair Addresses;
Then made a Ruffian Quarrel with that Prince.
And last, were guilty of Incestuous Love.
I will not load my Sister with Consent;
But, in strict Virtue, listning to a Crime,
And not rejecting, is it self a Crime.

Vict.
Is this a Sister's Office? Peace for shame:
We Lov'd without transgressing Virtues bounds;
We fixt the limits of our tend'rest Thoughts;
Came to the verge of honour, and there stopt:
We warm'd us by the Fire; but were not scorcht:
If this be Sin, Angels might Love with less;
And mingle Rays of Minds, less pure than ours.
Our Souls enjoy'd; but to their Holy Feasts,
Bodies on both sides, were forbidden Guests.

Celid.
Now help me, Father; or our Cause is lost;
For much I fear their Love was innocent.

Vera.
With my own Troops Alphonso seiz'd my Person;
In my own Town, to my perpetual Shame:
Pass on to that; and strike the Traytor Dead.

Celid.
Yes, Proud Alphonso, you were banisht hence;
Your Father was confin'd; and doom'd to Death;
The Beauty you Ador'd was made another's.
How durst you, then, attempt t'avenge your wrongs,
And force your Mistress from your Rival's Arms?
Rather than Dye contented, as you ought.

Alph.
Even for those very Reasons you alledge.

Ximen.
(aside.)
At last I find her drift.

Vera.
Thou Justifiest, and not Accusest him.

Celid.
Patience, good Father, and hear out the rest.
[To Alph.
Thought you, because you bravely Fought, and Conquer'd
For Royal Veramond, nay, sav'd his Life,
And set him free, when you had Conquer'd him,
Only because he was Victoria's Father,
Thought you for such slight Services as these,
That he shou'd spare you now? O Generous Madman,
To give your Head to one, who ne're forgave.

Vera.
(aside.)
Oh, she stings me.

Celid.
And you, Don Garcia, witness to this Truth:
You were his hated Rival, fairly vanquisht;
And yet he spar'd your Life.

Garc.
At your request:
I owe it to you both.
That he dismist my Sister, 'twas her Fault:
I charge it not on him; but 'twas his Folly.
A Capital Fool he was, in that last Error;
For which he justly stands Condemn'd to Death.
Your Sentence, Royal Sir?

Vera.
That he shou'd Live;
Shou'd Live Triumphant over Veramond,
And shou'd Live Happy in Victoria's Love—
Oh, I have held as long as Nature cou'd;
Convinc'd in Reason, obstinate in Will;
I saw the Pleader's aim, found her design,
I long'd to be o'recome, and yet resisted.
What have I done against thee, my Alphonso?
And what hast thou not done for Veramond?

Ximen.
Oh fortunate Event!

Vict.
Oh happy Day!

Alph.
Oh unexpected Bliss, and therefore double!

Vera.
(to Alph.)
Can you forgive me, yes, I know you can:
Alphonso can forgive Victoria's Father.
But yet, in pity, Pardon not too soon:
Punish my Pride a while;
And make me linger for so great a Good.
Lest extasie of Joy prevent the Blessing;
And you, instead of Pardon, give me Death.

[He offers to kneel to Alphonso: Alphonso takes him up, and kneels himself.
Alph.
Oh let me raise my Father from the ground!

Vera.
(rising.)
'Tis your peculiar Virtue, my Alphonso,
Always to raise me up.

Alph.
Here let me grow, till I obtain your Grace:
My Life has been, one Universal Crime;
And you, like Heav'n, accepting short Repentance,
Forgive my length of Sins.

Vera.
(rising him.)
Let us forget from whence offence began.
But since to save my shame, thou wilt be Guilty,
Impute thy hate for me, to sure instinct;
That show'd thee thy True Father in my Foe;
Now Grafted on my Stock, be Son to both.
(turning to Garc.)
To you, Don Garcia, next.

Garc.
Before you speak;
Permit me, Sir, t'assume some little Merit
In this days Happiness; your Promise made
Victoria mine—

Alph.
What then?

Garc.
Nay, hear me out.
He kept his Royal Word; he gave her me;
I lost her, when I fell beneath your Sword.
Or if I have a Title, I resign it,
And make her yours.

Alph.
I take her as your Gift.

Garc.
(to Vera.)
Make me but Blest in Celidea's Love;
She sav'd my Life, and hers it is for ever.
'Tis pity she who gain'd another's Cause,
Shou'd lose her own.

Vera.
(presenting Celidea.)
She's yours.

Celid.
My Joys are full.

Vict.
And mine o're-flow.

Alph.
And mine are all a Soul can bear, and Live.

Vera.
Then seek we out Ramirez;
To make him Partner of this happy day;
That gives him back his Crown, and his Alphonso.

Ram.
Behold me here, unsought: with some few Friends;
[Taking off his Vizard.
(Resolv'd to Save my Son, or Perish with him)
Thus far I trac'd, and follow'd him, unknown,
And here have waited, with a beating Heart,
To see this blest Event.

Vera.
Just like the winding up of some Design,
Well form'd, upon the crowded Theatre.
Where all concern'd surprizingly are pleas'd;
And what they wish, see done. Lead to the Temple;
Let Thanks be paid; and Heav'n be prais'd no less
For private Union, than for publick Peace.