University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE, A private part of the Grove.
Enter Diego, Julia.
Diego.
'Tis Day, and never yet was Day so welcome!
Some milder Planet now does rule the Skies,
And once more we may hope the Sun will rise.

Julia.
Indeed 'twas lately what we might despair of.
But y'ave not told me yet (for I, you know,
Was sent before) by what sad Accident
You brought Alphanta with you.

Diego.
As soon as e'er we got clear of the House,
We heard, and by the Light'ning might perceive
Some Company behind us: They believ'd
They were beset, and we, we were pursu'd:
Thus, resolute, and jealous of each other,
Both they and we betook us to our Swords.
But while we were engag'd and threatning high,
We heard a Voice cry, Hold Alonzo! hold!
It is my Brother! You have spoken too late,
Said he, if 'tis thy Brother, dark as 'tis,
I fear h'has reach'd my Heart: Then sinking down,
He sigh'd and cry'd, Alphanta! O farewell!
With that she fainted too, and both together fell.

Julia.
Surprizing Chance! both pityful and dismal!
But what was this Alonzo?

Diego.
One, it seems,
To whom Alphanta had been long contracted.
He understanding 'twas her Brother's Mind
To match her to Sebastian, follow'd her
From Sevil in disguise, to prove her Faith,
And to prevent her Marriage:
In that successful, (for this Night he meant
To bear her off) but in the rest most wretched:
We left him there for dead, and in a swoon
Brought poor Alphanta hither.

Julia.
Wretched Pair!
But can my Lord hope here to be secure?

Diego.
We had, indeed, been in a safer Place,
But for our fatal meeting with Alonzo.
The only Hope we have, is, That they won't
Conceive w'ave stop'd so nigh 'em: Yet, for fear
The Cottage shou'd be search'd, my Lord will stay
Here in the Grove till he can see Sebastian,
And privately with him consult his Safety.
But pray how did your Lady take the News
Of the unhappy Marriage?

Julia.
With all the Pangs of disappointed Love!
With Grieving, Raving, Swoonings and Despair!
They come—and see, the Storm is yet not o'er.

Enter Antonio, Berinthia.
Berin.
Urge it no more! you shou'd have told me sooner.
Through Blood and Horror you have brought me here,
But cou'd my Fate have been severer there?
Depriv'd of you, 'tis Death must be my Doom,
But with less Guilt I cou'd have dy'd at home.

Anton.
Why dost thou, thus, the Reins to Sorrow give?
We may have many happy Days to live.

Berin.
O no! we never can be happy here;
Look forward and the Prospect's all Despair!
The Law has fixt a Gulf betwixt us two,
You cannot come to me, nor I to you.
The Maze of Love we tread with weary Feet,
But backward tread, and we must never meet.

Anton.
The Law! Why we'll appeal to higher Pow'rs:
Tho' Law's o'their side, Conscience is of ours.
The holy Tye of Wedlock was not meant
To make us fast without our own Consent:
Where first the Union of the Mind's not made,
Alas! we are not marry'd, but betray'd.

Berin.
Cou'd this be done—But O! I do not dare
To hope so far.

Anton.
Nor ought you to despair.

Berin.
But, if all Means should fail, what must we do?
Suppose the worst.

Anton.
Only continue true.
To what e'er rigid Fate I am design'd,
I must be Fortunate if you are Kind:
Your Love, like Oil, will on the Surface flow,
And cover all the Grief that lies below.

Berin.
Then since in Love's bright Track so far w'are gone,
Tho' Destiny oppose, I'll now keep on.
Clasp'd in thy Arms, I'll banish all my Fears,
All that my Father threats, or Sister dares;
Nor from thee part but with expiring Breath,
And scarcely then, but hold thee fast in Death.

[Embrace.
Enter Alphanta.
Alphan.
O Brother! Nay, don't turn in Anger from me,
I'll Trouble you no more:
I'm come to make my last Complaint, and die.
Y'ave laid a Load of Misery upon me,
Enough to bow down Atlas;
Cropt off my Pleasures in the Bloom of Youth
So close, they'll spring no more!
O you shall know how wretched you have made me,
And what a Treasure you have robb'd me off:
The brave, the kind Alonzo!
His Soul was Love, and all his Life was Honour!
Three Years he groan'd beneath my Pride and Scorn,
Which nothing but a Love like his cou'd Pardon:
And in return of this, what cou'd I less
Than plight him my eternal Faith? I did,
Yet, perjur'd Creature that I was, forsook him,
He found that I was Faithless, yet forgave,
Took me all spotted with the Breach of Love,
Receiv'd me, blest me, warm'd me in his Bosom.
And when we thought our selves secure and happy,
You met him, murder'd him.—

Anton.
I did not know him.
'Twas your own Fault that pull'd his Ruine on:
You ought, at first, to 've own'd your Passion for him.

Alphan,
I did! I did! as far as I durst own it:
You knew what 'twas to Love, knew that I lov'd,
And ought not to have forc'd my Inclination:
For 'twas your Anger wrought me to Compliance,
And that has been my Ruine
Have I not Reason now to be distracted?
To tear my Hair and curse the Partial Fate?
Hear me, thou cruel Brother! You shall hear me!
What Satisfaction, Tyrant, can you make me?
Unless you cou'd command the dead to the?
And that you shall do! now! about it quickly!
Raise him all Lovely as when first he charm'd me,
With every Grace and blooming Wonder on!
If he but lose one precious drop of Blood,
Heav'n, Earth and Hell revenge it!
Revenge my murdur'd Love! my dear Alonzo!
[Exit Alphan.

Anton.
Take care of her.
[Exit Diego, Julia.
'Tis true, I had Advice from Sevil of her Love,
And by her Carriage did her Passion guess,
But never thought she lov'd to this excess.

Enter Diego.
Diego.
Sebastian, my Lord, is at the Cottage,
He knows y'are hereabouts, and says that he will speak with you.

Anton.
He shall shew him the way.
[Exit Diego.
Enter Sebastian.
O, Sebastian! Since I saw thee last
Strange Things have happen'd—but I'm glad y'are come,
I else had sent to tell you that, last Night,
My Sister—

Sebast.
Prov'd her self
As treacherous as you.
I know it, and a long adieu to Love!
Thou art what ever yet was false in Man;
She, all that's damn'd in Women!

Anton.
How? prithee go no further.
She's fau'ty, but, good Friend, do not abuse her.

Sebast.
Call not me Friend, for I disdain the name.
Forsake one Sister and defame the other,
What canst thou hope from fawning on their Brother?

Anton.
What does Heav'n mean! and whither's Friendship fled!
Thou can'st not be so base to justifie
Thy Father's shameless Fraud.

Sebast.
'Twas kindly meant, how e'er unkindly taken,
And did not merit such a base return.
Suppose I had two Jewels, and bestow'd
On thee that which I lov'd and valu'd most,
Must you, because you think the other best,
Turn Thief and force it from me?
Inhospitable, frontless, black Design!
But know, my Lord, your Prize you shall resign.

Anton.
I shall resign?

Sebast.
I say it once again,
You shall resign.—Was't not Ingratitude
Enough? But you must add a Murder to't,
That shames the name of Man.

Anton.
Nay, use a milder Word:
Murder, to kill the Man that wou'd kill me?

Sebast.
The Man? ha! ha! y'are merry.—Well,
Justice will shortly bring you t'an Account;
Therefore of that no more.—As for my Sister,
Her I require, and in the name of Friendship
(If yet y'ave any left) I here adjure you
To send her back, while yet her Shame's a secret,
To her afflicted Father.

Berin.
O Brother! have but Patience, and I'll prove
My self as free from Guilt
As the severest Vertue can desire.

Sebast.
Then y'are resolv'd to stay?

Berin.
I must not, dare not, nay, nor ought to leave him:
Who, when h'had found his fatal Error, that,
Instead of me, he had marry'd Catalina,
Despis'd her, loath'd her, left her unenjoy'd!
Bless him ye Pow'rs! He left her unenjoy'd!
Illustrious proof of Love! That cou'd preferr
Misery with me before the Bridal Bed with her.

Sebast.
And you'll protect her?

Anton.
With my Life and Fortune,
Till, by due course of Law, I win, or lose her.

Sebast.
[Aside to Anton.]
This place is private, and will be convenient.
Get rid of her, I'll instantly return.
[Ex. Sebast.

Berin.
You seem disturb'd, my Lord!
O tell me! tell! What did my Brother say?
Why was his fatal Meaning hid from me?

Anton.
Thy Brother has been long my only Friend;
Ey'n thou thy self, all lovely as thou art,
I hardly hold more dear.
From budding Childhood up to Man's Estate,
We lov'd with such a Love as far surpast
The celebrated Pair so fam'd of old.
Our Natures are the same: And can'st thou think
We e'er shall do, or mean each other harm?

Berin.
O strive not with smooth Words to varnish o'er
What my sad Soul too certainly divines!
When once the Sacred Union does unclose,
The greatest Friends are the most mortal Foes.

Anton.
That Union's firm, my Love, so wond'rous firm,
Were all the Works of Nature now to end,
That wou'd dissolve the last; or, rather not
Dissolve at all: A Flame so pure as ours,
Has no Corporeal part.—Therefore I may
The safer go.—

Berin.
Heav'ns! whither wou'd you go?
Can you be better pleas'd with him than me?

Anton.
No; but—

Berin.
You shall not go! you oft have said
I shall Command you; now I'll use my Pow'r.

Anton.
Mark what I say, for by yon Heav'n I'm fixt,
Fixt as the Poles, or thy dear, self to Love—

Berin.
To ruine her that loves you.

Anton.
O no! 'tis to protect and guard you from it.

Berin.
And how can you protect me when y'are gone?

Anton.
What, for an Hour?

Berin.
A Minute is too long.

Anton.
Hear me—

Berin.
Hear me, my Lord,
Upon my Knees I beg that you wou'd hear me;
For O, perhaps, you ne'er may hear me more!
By all the Love you bear me, all the Vows
That you have sigh'd away upon my Breast,
And all the Pow'rs that you invok'd to hear 'em,
I do adjure you, stay! Nay, here I'll hold,
And you shall drag me with you if you go.

Anton.
Nay, then—I must be cruel that you may
Be safe.

[Breaks from her and Exit.
Berin.
Yet stay! O stay and see me die!
See my sad Soul breathe out her last Complaint!
See!—but he's gone! and left me to my Sorrows!
O cruel Man! but O more cruel Brother,
That tears him from my Arms! perhaps for ever!
O killing Thought!—Some pitying Pow'r look down,
And bid their Guardian Angels mind their Charge.
[Ex. Berint.

Enter Alonzo, Clara.
Alon.
But are you sure she's there?

Clar.
I am, my Lord.
But why wou'd you thus venture forth? you know
The Air is death to one in your Condition.

Alon.
If I had the least hope of Life I'd stay:
But, ah! I feel my vital Strength decay,
Each Moment bears a part of me away;
And in the Grave I shall not quiet lie,
Unless I see Alphanta e'er I die.

Clar.
Here comes Sebastian! This way, my Lord,
If you intend t'avoid him.

Alon.
Did but my Wounds permit, I now wou'd try
Who best deserves Alphanta, he, or I.
If ever Fate the Combat shou'd afford,
Let her be his that has the sharpest Sword.

[As they go off.
Enter Sebastian.
Sebast.
Not come yet? But he's Brave and will not fail me:
I never knew him slack to right himself
In what concern'd his Honour;
Nor shall I now—he's here.—
Enter Antonio.
His Guilt has made him pale—come, rouse Antonio,
Thou know'st the fatal Business of the Hour,
Therefore prepare.

[Draws.
Anton.
Why dost thou, rash young Man,
Proceed to such Extremities as these?
Is there no other way to Reconcilement?

Sebast.
None, none. Why dost thou ask so tame a Question?
Hast thou not violated our past Friendship?
Abus'd my Father? Basely left thy Wife,
And whor'd her Sister?

Anton.
'twas my full intent
Not to be mov'd; but give me Patience Heav'n!
Another Sound like that will lift my Rage
Above my Resolution.

Sebast.
Then hear that Sound repeated—Whor'd her Sister.

Anton.
'Tis thy amasing Insolence protects thee.

Sebast.
But you think Cowardice a safer Refuge.

Anton.
Why dost thou strive to pull thy Murder on me?

Sebast.
Indeed y'are clog'd enough with that already,
Witness the Maid you butcher'd, unprovok'd.

Anton.
You speak in Clouds, I do not understand you.

Sebast.
You understand too well—but I'll refresh
Your Memory—Ansilva.

Anton.
What of her?

Sebast.
Why nothing, nothing.—he that does base things,
We may conclude, has baseness to deny 'em.
Come, prating's not our Business.

Anton.
That thou hast wrong'd me, all that's good can witness
How far I am from doing ought that's base
You know your self, for no Man knows me better.
You know I'd rather die than do an Action
Contrary to Justice.

Sebast.
I thought so once, but now I find my Error—
But, come, we trifle precious Time away,
If thou art in the right—

Anton.
I am, by Heav'n!
And I wou'd only have thee live to know it;
To know how much y'ave wrong'd the chaste Berinthia,
To know how much y'ave wrong'd your dearest Friend:
But you shou'd live no longer, by the Pow'rs
That gave me Breath, that Hour shou'd be thy last:
Then thou shou'dst kneel, and crouching beg for Mercy,
And shou'd be heard—as you have heard your Sister.

Sebast.
I'm satisfy'd my Cause is just, what e'er
You say to make it seem the contrary,
And now the third time dare you to the Trial.

Anton.
You know, my Friend (for yet I'll use the name)
You know, I say, Antonio is no Coward:
Y'ave seen him try'd, when we employ'd our Arms
Against the common Foe, while Death and Ruine
In confus'd shapes have rang'd about the Field,
And said, This Day, my Friend, y'ave acted Wonders:
Yet not to boast; I call it to remembrance,
To let thee know 'tis not poor, slavish Fear
Withholds me from revenging of my Wrongs:
Only I'd have you live to see your Error,
And then—

Sebast.
Do now what then you boast y'ou'd do.
As for your Friendship once more I disclaim it.
And, when you told me that your Cause was just,
You told a—

Anton.
Hold! Let not that hateful Word
Come from thy Lips, for Mercy's sake and mine.

Sebast.
You told a Lye.

Anton.
Nay, you shall go no further.
[Draws.
[Aside ...]
Yet stay! it must not be!—'Tis now unlikely
That I shou'd e'er possess the fair Berinthia,
And if I fight 'twill be impossible,
For only he can aid me. [... aside]
—O, Sebastian!
If thou hast any love for thy own Peace,
Any regard to Vertue, Truth, and Honour,
Comfort below, or Happiness hereafter,
Do not blow up this Controversie higher:
I hitherto excuse you,—but no more;
Shou'd you again so brutally affront me,
I'd tear thy Tongue up by the Roots.

Sebast.
You durst not.

Anton.
Still worse and worse! and still I bear it tamely!
Love, that makes others Brave, makes me a Coward.
For poor Alphanta's sake I'll yet have Patience:
I'm sensible sh'as wrong'd you—

Sebast.
Damn her, Strumpet.

Anton.
Strumpet? have a care!
Y'are now upon a Rock that splits us both!
Why 'tis to call her Mother's Name in question.

Sebast.
I meant it so;
No pure Spring cou'd yield a Stream so muddy:
Wicked so young shews 'twas i'th Blood before,
And proves her a Hereditary Whore.

Anton.
'Tis done! y'ave now found out the way to move me.
Shou'd I not vindicate my Mother's Fame,
Her Ghost wou'd rise up from the Grave and blast me!
Traytor to Friendship, Villain, Slave have at thee,
[They fight.
Have at thy Heart—I've mist it.

Sebast.
True, thou hast.
There—I took better aim.

[Anton. falls.
Enter Diego hastily.
Diego.
O Heav'n! more Ruine yet!
Where will our Sufferings end?—Your wretched Sister,
Whose Reason fled with her Alonzo's Life,
Seeing a Poniard on the Table drawn,
With one quick spring exerting all her Force,
Broke from her Womens Arms, and ere we cou'd
Prevent her, plung'd it deep into her Breast:
But see! O see
She's here, and raving in the Pangs of Death!

Enter Alphanta mad, stab'd in many places, held by Attendants.
Anton.
My Sister! sure some bloody Planet rules!

Alphan.
Nay, stop me not, why will you keep me from him?
Do you not see him hov'ring in the Clouds?
He stays in the Mid-way till I can reach him.
Come down and ease me of this Load of Flesh,
The Clog that hinders my Ætherial flight,
That the light airy Soul may mount at will,
And find out the Eternal Habitation:
Make haste, then, my Alonzo, to assist me.
Ha! say'st thou? can'st thou not? 'tis true, thou can'st not,
Th'inevitable Doom is past upon thee,
There's no return from the dark Vaults of Death.
But I may come to thee—ha! may I so?
Then this must be the way.
[Tears her Wounds.
Now I have caught thee, now we mount together,
Thro' the vast Sea of Air we glide like thought,
Th'astonish'd Clouds break off and make us way,
Elizyum is op'n'd to receive us;
See! on the Beach the smiling Cherubs stand,
And Streams of Joy o'er-flow the peaceful Land.

Anton.
D'ye hear, Sebastian?

Alphan.
Is that Fury here?
What, will you persecute me after Death?
Cannot my Soul have rest?—my Brother too?
My most inhuman Brother!—ha! he bleeds!
Blood for Blood, why now 'tis as it shou'd be;
I see there is some Justice stirring yet:
Haste, my Alonzo, free me from these Tirants,
Descend, and in a Whirlwind bear me from 'em.
Enter Alonzo, Clara.
He's here! he's here! now take me in thy Arms,
I'm purg'd from earthly Dross, sit for my Passage,
I am all Spirit like thy self; away,
And as we go pray give me an Account
Of all the Wonders that you saw above,
In the bright Courts of everlasting Day:
And how at first you there were entertain'd
With Nectar, and Ambrosia, Food for Gods!
—Where are you now?—ha! I again have lost you!
A Mist is come between my Eyes and thee:
[She sinks down, he kneels by her.
I'll hold the faster, since I cannot see.

[Dies.
Alon.
If ever any Man had cause to curse
The Stars that have an Influence o'er our Fate,
Sure I may have free leave,
I who am more unfortunate than any!
Antonio, I forgive thee;
'Twas fatal Ignorance set us at odds,
And neither are to blame.
Now thou dear, bleeding, purest Piece of Earth,
Thus I embrace and take my last, last leave!
And 'tis my Comfort, tho' I'm here unhappy,
I shall be blessed when I come above,
If Heav'n rewards those few that die for Love.

[Dies.
Anton.
Ah! wretched Pair! Had I but known before
How well y'ad lov'd, I'd not for Worlds have parted you.
But you have your Revenge: My Soul is on
The wing, and I shall quickly reach you.

Enter Berinthia.
Berin.
Where is this Wretch that runs to meet his Ruine?
O, I am come too late!

[Swoons.
Anton.
If thou hast any Bowels call for help!

[Sebast. catches her.
Sebast.
She comes—her Colour has resum'd its seat.
I fear I've been too rash.

[Aside.
Berin.
Is this your Justice, Heav'n? This your Reward
For Vertue and inviolable Love?

Anton.
Tax not the Pow'rs Divine: Their Ends are just,
Tho' hid from us, and Mortals must submit.
O, my Love! forgive my late unkindness
And I shall die in Peace.

Berin.
Talk not of dying!
Shou'd the World blaze, and the last Trumpet sound,
'Twou'd not be half so dreadful! If you love me
Do not talk of dying.

Anton.
O, I must! I find the Icy chill of Fate upon me:
But, if there's any Equity in Heav'n,
As certainly there is, we once shall meet
And never part again:—till then farewell!

Berin.
I will not long be from you!

Anton.
Nay, now thou dost disturb me ev'n in Death:
When the grim Tirant just had seiz'd my Heart,
I made him break his hold, and gain'd a Moment.
Live! live till Heav'n sees fit to call thee hence,
And crown thy Vertue with immortal Glory!
But lay no violent Hands upon thy self.
This is my last Request, and pray observe it.
And, O my Friend! (for thou wilt love my Mem'ry
When I'm gone) for my sake, who ne'r wrong'd you,
Be kind to this unfortunate Maid, thy Sister,
For she deserves thy Care.—I can no more!
A Stranger here, I now am summon'd home,
My Spirits faint, and the long Sleep is come.

[Dies.
Berin.
He's gone! he's gone! the noble Soul is fled,
And nothing now below is worth my Care!
Why shou'd not I die too?—Look, there Barbarian!
See what thy Hand has done, and cry for Mercy,
For Vengeance will pursue this horrid Deed.
What shall I do? O, I shall lose my Senses!
See! here I fix to be remov'd no more:
This wretched Leave you cannot but afford,
To breathe my last upon my murder'd Lord!

Enter Vilarezo, Attendants.
Vilar.
O Heav'n! what do I see?
Thy fatal Rashness has undone us all!

[To Sebast.
Sebast.
Ha!—what Turn is this?

[Aside.
Vilar.
Prepare, Sebastian,
And thou, my mourning Daughter, both prepare,
To hear a Story of transcendent Horror!
This Morning,
Just as the wakeful Cock, with his shrill Notes,
Had given the warning of approaching Day,
Your Sister, the unhappy Catalina,
Was with a stroke of Thunder quite depriv'd
Of all the Faculties of Sense and Motion;
Only by some faint Breathings 'twas perceiv'd
Her tortur'd Soul had yet not left its Cage.
Strait I was call'd; and was no sooner come
But she reviv'd, and, in a hollow Voice,
Oft interrupted with Sighs and Groans,
Such as proclaim the Pangs of Death are near,
Pour'd forth these dreadful Words.—O Father! Father!
Berinthia's innocent, and I'm to blame!
Inspir'd by Jealousie and black Revenge,
These trembling Hands prepar'd a fatal Draught,
To end her Life that did obstruct my Love:
But e'er I cou'd accomplish my Design,
My Maid discover'd it; for which I stabb'd her,
Then laid her Murder to Antonio's charge,
To be reveng'd of him for setting free
Berinthia, and for slighting of my bed.
Haste therefore, and, if possible, prevent
The mischiefs that mistaken rage may work.
Then, penitent and conscious of her crimes,
At once desiring Pardon and our Prayers,
She with her Death confirm'd the horrid Truth!
I came—but Oh! too late.

Sebast.
Too late indeed!
What will my Stars do with me? O Berinthia?
Can you be so extravagantly good
As to forgive me? thus grov'ling on the Earth,
And speech decaying, here I groan for pardon.

Berin.
You have it, and may Heav'n forgive you too,
Since it appears Berinthia's Innocent,
And worthy of the blood of Vilarezo.
But here, alas! here all my Joy lies cancell'd!
With him Affliction wou'd have had more charms
Than Life can have without him.—Life? what's Life?
A glim'ring spark which thus I quench for ever.

[takes out a Viol and Drinks.
Vilar.
What has she done?

Berin.
Drank a health to my Love.
This is the Poison that my Sister sent me;
I kept it to convince you of her hatred,
And you shall find 'twas mortal.—ha! 'tis here!
I find 'twas needless to have took it all,
A drop had done my business.—O Antonio!
Look down and witness I forgive my Sister,
Alas! w'are both oblig'd to her.—'Tis she
That sets my Soul from hateful Bondage free;
And mounts it up at once to Heav'n and thee.

[Dies.
Vilar.
Ha! gone so soon? I ought indeed to blame thee,
But Nature is too pow'rful.—Oh Berinthia!
Oh! my unhappy Daughter!

[Mourns over her.
Sebast.
None beside?
(Aside ...)
None, none to Murder but a Friend and Sister?
The world will point, and cry, that! that's the Monster!
But Oh!—the Thought is more than I can bear, (... Aside)

And this shall set me free.

[Wounds himself.
Vilar.
Hold! hold his hand!

Sebast.
Yes, you may hold me.
But tho m'accurs'd Sword has miss'd my aim,
I yet shall find a way!

Vilar.
Forbear, rash Boy, to add to my afflictions,
When I already bend beneath their weight,
And be a comfort to me in my Age.
For what is past 'tis fruitless to bemoan,
Since nothing but Repentance can attone.
And O! hereafter may all Parents see
This Story, and Example take by me;
That to each Child they may alike be kind;
Nor rashly part what Heav'n and Love has joyn'd.

[Exeunt Omnes.