University of Virginia Library

ACT. II.

SCENE I.

The Apartment of Frederick.
Enter Frederick with a Letter, and Galliard.
Fred.
Not allow me to speak to her, say ye, 'tis strange;
Did'st say it was the Prince that sent thee?

Ser.
My Lord, I did, but he says, he cares not for
A thousand Princes.

Fred.
I am resolv'd I will see this woman;
—Harkey, go back again and say—

[Whispers.
Enter Lorenzo Drunk.
Lor.
Hah the Prince—he must not see me
In this pickle; for I would not lose my reputation
Of Wenching, for this of Drinking;
And I am sure I cannot be excellent at both,
They are inconsistent.

Ser.
I shall my Lord.

[Ex. Galliard.
Lor.
Your Highness humble servant.

Fred.
Ha, ha, what Lorenzo in deboach.

Lor.
Now my tongue will betray me;
—Faith, my Lord, I have took six, but am come briskly off;
By this hand, my Lord, I am cock over five,
Stout Rogues too, I can tell you, at this sport.

Fred.
I did not think thou hadst had that Vertue.

Lor.
I'le tell you, Sir, 'tis necessary those of my
Office and quality, should have more Vertues
Then one to recommend them;
But to tell you truth, for now I am most apt for that,
I was drunk in meer malice to day.

Fred.
Malice, against whom prethee.

Lor.
Why, why, Sir, the humorous old fellow
My Father, he will not hear reason from me when I am sober.

Fred.
Why, what's the matter between you?

Lor.
My Lord, you know Curtius is an honest fellow,
And one of us too;
My sister Laura is a good pretty Wench,
He loves her, and she likes him;
And because this testy old Blade has done himself,
Do you think I can bring him to consider?
No not for my life he wont consider Sir;
And now am I got drunk to see how that will edifie him.

Fred.
How! is Laura the Mistriss of Curtius your sister?

Lor.
Yes marry is she Sir, at least by the Mothers side;
And to tell you truth,
We are too good natur'd to believe
Salvator our Father.

Fred.
Thy Sister and Daughter to Salvator?

Fred.
So said my Mother, but she was handsom,
And on my conscience liv'd, e'en in such another
Debaucht world as 'tis now; let them say
What they will of their Primitive vertue.

Fred.
May not I see this Sister of thine Lorenzo?

Lor.
Yes by Venus shall your Sir,
And she were my Mother.

Fred.
But art sure thy Father will permit us?

Lor.
My Father permit us!
He may do what he will when I am sober,
But being thus fortify'd with potent Wine,
He must yield obedience to my will;
Why my Lord, I'le tell you;
I'le make him ask me blessing when I am in this
Almighty power.

Fred.
And is thy Sister so very fine?

Lor.
The Girl is well, and if she were not my Sister,
I would give you a more certain proof of my
Opinion of her;
She has excellent good Hair, fine Teeth,
And good hands, and the best natur'd Fool
—Come, come, Sir, I'le bring you to her,
And then I'le leave you;
For I have a small affair of Love to dispatch.

Fred.
This is a freedom that sutes not with the
Humour of an Italian.

Lor.
No faith, my Lord, I believe my Mother play'd
Foul play with some English man;
I am so willing to do you a good office to my Sister,
And if by her humour you become of that opinion too,
I shall hope to render my self more acceptable
To you by that Franchise.

Enter Galliard, whispers.
Fred.
Thou knowest my grateful temper,
—No matter; here carry this Letter to Cloris,
And make some excuse for my not coming this evening.

[Gives him a Letter, and goes out with Lorenz
Ser.
So, poor Lass, 'tis a hundred to one if she be not
Lay'd by now, and Laura must succeed her:
Well, even Frederick, I see, is but a man,
But his youth and quality will excuse him;
And 'twill be called gallantry in him,
When in one of us, 'tis ill nature and inconstancy.

SCENE II.

Enter Ismena and Isabella.
Isab.
Nay, Madam, 'tis in vain to deny it,
Do you think I have liv'd to these years,
And cannot interpret Cross Arms, imperfect replies,
Your sudden weepings, your often sighing,
Your melancholy walks, and making Verses too?
And yet I must not say that this is Love.

Ism.
Art thou so notable a Judge of it?

Isab.
I should be, or I am a very dull Schollar,
For I have lost the foolish boy as many Darts,
As any Woman of my age in Florence.

Ism.
Thou hast pay'd dear for thy knowledge then.

Isab.
No, the hurts one did,
The other still made good with very little
Pain on either side.

Ism.
I must confess, I think it is not so hard to get
Wounds, as 'tis to get them cur'd again.

Isab.
I am not of your opinion, nor ever saw that
Man that had not faults to Cure,
As well as charms to kill.

Ism.
Since thou'rt so good a Judge of men,
Prethee tell me how thou lik'st Alberto.

Isab.
I knew 'twould come to this—
[Aside
Why well Madam.

Ism.
No more then so.

Isab.
Yes wondrous well, since I am sure he loves you,
And that indeed raises a mans value.

Ism.
Thou art deceiv'd, I do not think he Loves me.

Isab.
Madam, you cannot but see a thousand marks on't.

Ism.
Thou hast more skill then I;
But prethee why does he not tell me so himself.

Isab.
Oh Madam! whilst he takes you for Clarina,
'Twould show his dis-respect to tell his Love;
But when he knows Ismena is the object,
He'le tire you with the wisht for story.

Ism.
Ah, thou art a pleasing flatterer.

Enter Page.
Page.
Madam, Alberto is without.

Ism.
Tell him I'me indispos'd, and cannot see him now.

Isab.
Nay, good Madam, see him now by all means,
For I am sure my Lord Antonio is absent on purpose;
—Bid him come in Boy.

Ex. Page.
Enter Alberto.
Ism.
Antonio, Sir, is not return'd.

Alb.
Madam, this visit was not meant to him,
But by a cause more pressing I am brought,
Such as my passion, not my friendship taught;
A passion which my sighs have only shewn,
And now beg leave my bashful tongue may own
The knowledge, Madam, will not much surprise,
Which you have gain'd already from mine eyes;
My timerous heart that way my tongue would spare,
And tells you of the flames you've kindled there:
'Tis long I've suffer'd under this constraint,
Have always suffer'd, but ne're made complaint;
And now against my will I must reveal,
What Love, and my respect, would fain conceal.

Ism.
What mean you Sir? what have you seen in me,
That should encourage this temerity?

Alb.
A world of Beauties, and a world of Charms,
And every smile and frown begets new harms;
In vain I strove my passion to subdue,
Which still increas'd the more I look't on you;
Nor will my heart permit me to retire,
But makes my eyes the convoys to my fire,
And not one glance you send is cast away.

Ism.
Enough my Lord, have you nought else to say?
[Smiles.
The Plots betray'd, and can no further go;
The Stratagem's discover'd to the Foe;
I find Antonio has more love then wit,
And I'le endeavour too to merit it.

Alb.
What you have said, I do confess is true,
Antonio beg'd I would make love to you;
But, Madam, whilst my heart was unconfin'd,
A thousand ways the treachery I declin'd;
But now Clarina, by my life I swear,
It is my own concern that brings me here:
Had he been just to you, I had supprest
The flame your eyes have kindled in my breast;
But his suspition rais'd my passion more,
And his injustice taught me adore;
But 'tis a passion which you may allow,
Since its effects shall never injure you.

Ism.
You have oblig'd me, Sir, by your confession,
And I shall own it too at such a rate,
As both becomes my duty to Antonio,
And my respect to you; but I must beg
You'l never name your passion to me more;
That guilty language, Sir, I must not hear,
—And yet your silence kills me.

[Aside.
Isab.
[Very well dissembled.]

[Aside.
Alb.
I can obey you, Madam, though I cannot live,
Whilst you command me silence;
For 'tis a flame that dares not look abroad
To seek for pity from anothers eyes.

Ism.
How he moves me; if this were real now,
[Aside.
Or that he knew to whom he made this Courtship—

Alb.
Oh do not turn away as if displeas'd.

Ism.
No more, you've discompos'd my thoughts;
Begon and never let me see thy face again.

Alb.
Madam, I go, and will no more offend you,
—But I will look my last—farewel.

[Offers to go.
Isab.
Pray, Madam, call him back, he may be desperate.
—My Lord return—

Ism.
Alberto, tell me what you'd have me do.

Alb.
Ah Madam, do not put me to my choice,
For Lovers are unreasonable,
If I might name it, I would have you love me.

Ism.
Love you, and what would be the end of that?

Alb.
I cannot tell, but wish you were inclin'd
To make a tryal, Madam;
I have no thought or wish beyond that blessing,
And that once gain'd sure, I should ask no more.

Ism.
Were I inclin'd to this, have you consider'd
The fatal consequences which attend
The breach of Vows and Friendship.

Alb.
Madam, Antonio first was false to you,
And not to punish that, were such a Vertue
As he would never thank you for;
By all that's good, till he prov'd so to you,
He had my Soul in keeping;
But this act, makes me resolve
To recompence his folly.

Ism.
You've found the easiest passage to my heart,
You've took it on the weakest side;
—But I must beg you will pretend no further.

Alb.
Divine Clarina, let me pay my thanks
In this submissive posture, and never rise,
[Kneels.
Till I can gain so much upon your credit,
As to believe my passion tends no farther
Then to adore you thus—and thus possess you,

[Kisses her hand and Bows.
Ism.
Have not I dissembled finely Isabella.

[Aside.
Isab.
Yes, if you could make me believe 'tis so.

[Aside.
Ism.
Rise, Sir, and leave me, that I may blush alone
For what I've parted with so easily;
Pray do not visit me again too soon,
—But use your own discretion, and be secret.

Alb.
Madam, The blessed secret here is lodg'd,
Which time shall ne're reveal to humane knowledge.
[Ex. Alb.

Ism.
I'me glad he's gone before Antonio return'd;
Enter Laura Weeping.
—What Laura all in Tears, the reason pray!

Lau.
Madam, the Prince conducted by my brother,
About an hour since made me a visit;
The Man of all the world I would have shun'd,
Knowing his Amorous and inconstant temper;
—At his approach he blusht and started back,
And I with great amazement did the like.
With fear I lost all power of going from him,
As he had done of making his address;
He gaz'd, and wonder'd, and I gaz'd on him,
And from his silence I became amaz'd.
—My brother stood confounded at our postures,
And only by the motion of his head,
(Which now he turn'd to me, then on the Prince)
We knew that he had life.

Ism.
Well, how recover'd ye?

Lau.
The Prince then kneel'd, but could approach no nearer,
And then as if he'd taken me for some Deity;
He made a long disorder'd Amorous speech,
Which brought me back to sense again;
But Lorenzo told him that I was a mortal,
And brought him nearer to me,
Where he began to make such vows of Love—

Ism.
What then?

Lau.
Then I am ruin'd—
To all I said he found a contradiction,
And my denials did but more inflame him;
I told him of the vows I'de made to Curtius,
But he reply'd that Curtius was a Subject;
But sure at last I'de won upon his goodness,
Had not my Father enter'd,
To whom the Prince addrest himself;
And with his moving tale so won upon him,
Or rather by his quality,
That he has gain'd his leave to visit me,
And quite forbids me e're to speak to Curtius.

Ism.
Alas the day, is this all?

Lau.
All? can there be more to make me miserable?

Ism.
I see no reason thou hast to complain;
Come, wipe your eyes, and take a good heart,
For I'le tell thee a story of my own,
That will let thee see I have much more cause to weep;
And yet I have a thousand little stratagems
In my head, which give me as many hopes:
This unlucky restraint upon our Sex,
Makes us all cunning, and that shall assist thee now
With my help, I warrant thee;
Come in with me and know the rest.

[Exeunt.
Isab.
So, so, disguise it how you will,
I know you are a real Lover;
And that secret shall advance my Love-design;
Yes Madam, now I will be serv'd by you,
Or you shall fail to find a friend of me.
[Ex. Isab.

SCENE III.

Enter Lorenzo Drunk, with a Page, and Musick as in the dark.
Lor.
Here's the door, begin and play your best,
But let them be soft low Notes, do you hear?

[They Play.
Enter Antonio.
Ant.
Musick at my Lodgings, it is Alberto;
Oh how I love him for't—if Clarina stand his
Courtship, I am made;
I languish between hope and fear.

Lor.
Stay Friend, I hear some body.

[Musick ceases.
Page.
'Tis no body Sir.

Enter Isabella.
Isab.
'Tis Lorenzo, and my Plots ripe;
[Aside.
'Twill not sure be hard to get him, under pretence
Lorenzo being retir'd the while a little further:
Of seeing Clarina, into my Chamber,
And then I'le order him at my pleasure:
Ismena is on my side, for I know all her secrets,
And she must wink at mine therefore.

[She retires.
Lor.
Thou art in the right Boy,
I think indeed 'twas nothing.

[Plays again.
Enter Alberto.
Alb.
She yields, bad woman!
Why so easily won?
By me too, who am thy Husbands friend:
Oh dangerous boldness! uncconsidering woman,
I lov'd thee, whilst I thought thou could'st not yield;
But now that easiness has undone thy interest in my heart:
I'le back and tell thee that it was to try thee.

Lor.
No, no, 'twas my fears, away with the Song,
I'le take it on your word that 'tis fit for my purpose.

Fid.
I'le warrant you my Lord.

SONG.

[Ex. Musick.
Alb.
What's this, and at Clarina's lodgings too?
Sure 'tis Antonio impatient of delay,
Gives her a Serenade for me.

Enter Isabella.
Isab.
'Tis the fool himself—
My Lord, where are you?

Alb.
How, a womans voice! 'tis dark, I'le advance.

Lor.
Thou Simpleton, I told thee there was some-body.

Pag.
Lord, Sir, 'tis only Isabella that calls you.

Lor.
Away Sirrah, I find by my fears 'tis no woman,

[Goes out with the Page.
Isab.
Why don't you come, here's no body.

Alb.
Here I am.

Isab.
Where?

Alb.
Here.

[Gives her his Hand.
Isab.
My Lord, you may venture, Clarina will be
Alone within this hour, where you shall entertain
Her at your freedom; but you must stay a while in my
Chamber till my Lords a bed,
For none but I must know of the favour she designs you.

Alb.
Oh gods! what language do I here—
False and perfidious woman, I might have thought,
Since thou wer't gain'd so easily by me,
Thou wouldst with equal haste yield to another.

Isab.
It is not Lorenzo, what shall I do?

[She steals in.
Enter Lorenzo and Page.
Lor.
A Pox of all Damn'd Cowardly fear,
Now did I think I had drunk Nature up to resolution;
I have heard of those that could have dar'd in their drink,
But I find, drunk or sober, 'tis all one in me.

Alb.
The Traytor's here,
Whom I will kill who e're he be.

Lor.
Boy, go see for Isabella.

Boy.
I see a man should not be a Coward and a Lover
At once—Isabella, Isabella, she's gone Sir.

[Calls.
Alb.
Yes villain, she's gone, and in her room
Is one that will chastise thy boldness.

Lor.
That's a proud word though, who e're thou be,
But how I shall avoid it, is past my understanding.

Alb.
Where art thou slave?

[Alberto gropes for him, he avoids him.
Pag.
Take heart Sir, here's company which I will
Get to assist you—
[Enter Antonio.
Sir, as you are a Gentleman, assist a stranger set upon by Thieves.

[They fight, Antonio with Alberto, Alberto falls, is wounded.
[Lor. runs away the while.
Alb.
Who e're thou be'st that takes the Traytors part,
Commend me to the wrong'd Antonio.

Ant.
Alberto! dear Alberto, is it thee?

Alb.
Antonio!

Ant.
I am asham'd to say I am Antonio;
Oh gods, why would you suffer this mistake?

Alb.
I am not wounded much,
My greatest pain is my concern for thee;
Friend thou art wrong'd, falsly and basely wrong'd;
Clarina whom you lov'd and fear'd,
Has now betray'd thy Honour with her own.

Ant.
Without that sad addition to my grief,
I should not long have born the weight of life,
Having destroy'd thine by a dire mistake.

Alb.
Thou art deceiv'd.

Ant.
Alas, why was it not permitted me
To lose my Friend, or Wife, had one surviv'd,
I might have dy'd in silence for the other;
Oh my Alberto! oh Clarina too—

[Weeps.
Alb.
Come, do not grieve for me, I shall be well,
I yet find strength enough to get a way;
And then I'le let thee know my fate and thine.

[Exeunt.

SCENE. IV.

Enter Clarina, Ismena, and Isabella weeping.
Isab.
For Heavens sake, Madam, pardon me.

Clar.
Be dumb for ever false and treacherous woman,
Was there no way but this to mask your Cheat?
A Lye which has undone us all.

Isab.
Alas, 'twas in the dark, how could I know him?
Pray forgive it me, and try my future service.

Clar.
I never will forgive thee naughty Girl;
Alberto now incens'd, will tell Antonio all.

Isab.
What need you care Madam?
You are secure enough.

Clar.
Thou salv'st an error with a greater still;
Dost thou not know Antonio's Jealousie,
Which yet is moderate, rais'd to a higher pitch,
May ruine me, Ismena, and thy self?

Ism.
Sister, there cannot be much harm in this,
'Tis an ill chance, 'tis true, for by it we have lost
The pleasure of an innocent revenge
Upon Antonio; but if understood,
We have but miss'd that end.

Clar.
Oh Ismena!
This Jealousie is an unapprehensive madness,
A non-sence which does still abandon reason.

Isab.
Madam, early in the morning
I'le to Alberto's Lodgings, and tell him the mistake.

Clar.
'Twil be too late.

Ism.
Sister, what think you if I go my self?

Clar.
You should not be so daring;
Besides, I blush to think what strange opinion
He'le entertain of me the while.

Ism.
Do not let that afflict you,
Fetch my veil, and if Antonio chance to ask for me,
Tell him I'me gone to Laura.
[Ex. Isab.
Believe me, I will set all strait again.

Enter Isabella with the Veil.
Clar.
Thou hast more courage, Girl, then I.

Ism.
What need is there of much of that,
To encounter a gay young Lover,
Where I am sure there cannot be much danger?

Clar.
Well take your chance, I wish you luck Sir,
For I am e'ne as much bent upon revenge,
As thou art upon Marriage.

Ism.
Come, my Veil, this and the night
Will enough secure me—

[Puts on the Veil and goes out. Ex. Clar. and Isab.

SCENE V.

Discovers Alberto and Antonio.
Alb.
Nay, thou shalt see't before thou dost revenge it,
In such a case, thy self should be the witness,
She knows not what has past to night between us,
Nor should she, if thou could'st contain thy rage;
And that Antonio you shall promise me;
To morrow place thy self behind the Arras,
And from thy eyes thy own misfortunes know.
—What will not disobliged passion do?

[Aside.
Ant.
I'le hide my anger in a seeming calm,
And what I have to do, consult the while,
And mask my vengeance underneath a smile.
[Ex. Antonio.

Page.
My Lord, there is without a Lady
Desires to speak with you.

Alb.
Who is't?

Page.
I know not, Sir, she's veild.

Enter Ismena weeping.
Alb.
Conduct her in.

Ism.
Oh Alberto, Isabella has undone us all!

Alb.
She weeps, and looks as innocent!
—What mean you false dissembling Clarina?
What, have you borrow'd from deceit new Charms?
And think'st to fool me to a new belief.

Ism.
How Sir, can you too be unkind?
Nay then 'tis time to dye;
Alas, there wanted but your credit
To this mistake, to make me truely miserable.

Alb.
What credit? what mistake? oh undeceive me,
For I have done thee injuries past forgiveness,—
If thou be'st truly innocent.

Ism.
Isabella, under pretence of courting me
For Lorenzo, on whom she has designs to
Make a Husband;
Has given him freedoms will undo my honour,
If not prevented soon.

Alb.
May I credit this? and that it was not by thy
Command she did it.

Ism.
Be witness Heaven, my innocence in this,
Which if you will believe, I'me safe again.

Alb.
I do believe thee, but thou art not safe.
Here, take this Poyniard, and revenge thy wrongs,
Wrongs which I dare not beg a pardon for.

[He gives her a Dagger.
Ism.
Why, Sir, what have you done? have you
Deceiv'd me, and do you not indeed Love me?

Alb.
Oh Clarina! do not ask that question,
Too much of that has made me ruine thee;
It made me jealous, drunk with jealousie,
And then I did unravel all my secrets.

Ism.
What secrets, Sir? you have then seen Antonio.

Alb.
Yes.

Ism.
Hah—Now Wit if ere thou didst possess
[Aside.
A Woman; assist her at her need.
—Well Sir, rise and tell me, all;

Alb.
I will not rise till you have pardon'd me,
Or punisht my misfortune.

Ism.
Be what it will I do forgive it thee.

Alb.
Antonio Madam knows my happiness,
For in my rage I told him that you lov'd me;
—What shall I do?

Ism.
I cannot blame you though it were unkind.

Alb.
This I could help, but I have promis'd him,
That he shall be a witness of this truth;
What say you Madam do I not merit death?
Oh speak and let me know my doom what ere it be?

Ism.
Make good your word.

Alb.
What mean you?

Ism.
What you have promis'd him, perform as you intended.

Alb.
What then?

Ism.
Then come as you design'd to visit me.

Alb.
But let me know what 'tis you mean to do,
That I may Act accordingly.

Ism.
No. Answer me to every question ask'd,
And I perhaps may set all straight again;
'Tis now late, and I must not be missing,
But if you love me, be no more Jealous of me.
—Farewel.

Alb.
Must I be Ignorant then of your design?

Ism.
Yes, Alberto.
And you shall see what Love will make a Woman do.

[He leads her out.
Alb.
Now am I caught again, inconstant Nature.
—Would she had less of Beauty or of Wit,
Or that Antonio did but less deserve her;
—Or that she were not married,
Or I'de less Virtue, for 'tis that which aws me,
That tender sense of nothing:
And makes the other Reasons seem as Bugbears,
—I Love Clarina more than he can do;
And yet this Virtue doth oppose that Love,
Tells me there lurks a treason there
Against Antonio's and Clarina's Virtue;
—'Tis but too true indeed, and I'm not safe,
Whilst I conceal the Criminal within
—I must reveal it, for whilst I hide the Traytor
I seem to Love the Treason to,
—I will resign it then, since 'tis less blame,
To perish by my pain, then live with shame.

[Exit.