University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

SCENE. I.

Enter Frederick and Laura.
Fred.
Laura , Consider well my quality,
And be not angry with your Fathers Confidence,
Who left us here alone.

Lau.
He will repent that Freedom when he knows,
What use you've made on't Sir.

Fred.
Fy, fy, Laura, a Lady bred at Court, and
Yet want Complaisance enough to entertain
A Gallant in private: this coy Humour
Is not Ala mode.
—Be not so peevish with a heart that dyes for you.

Lau.
Pray tell me Sir, what is't in me that can
Encourage this?

Fred.
That which is in all Lovely Women, Laura;
A thousand blushes play about your Cheeks,
Which shows the briskness of the blood that warms them.
—If I but tell you how I do adore you,
You straight decline your Eyes,
Which does declare you understand my meaning,
And every smile or frown betrays your thoughts,
And yet you cry, you do not give me cause.

[Enter Maid.
Maid.
Curtius Madam waits without.

Fred.
I do not like his haste.
—Tell him he cannot be admitted now.

Lau.
Sir, he is one that merits better treatment from you;
How can you injure thus the Man you Love?

Fred.
Oh Madam ask your Eyes,
Those powerful Attracts,
And do not call their Forces so in question,
As to believe they kindle feeble fires;
Such as a Friendship can surmount. No Laura,
They've done far greater miracles.

Lau.
Sir 'tis in vain you tell me of their power,
Unless they could have made a nobler Conquest
Then hearts that yield to every petty Victor.
—Look on me well,
Can nothing here inform you of my Soul,
And how it scorns to treat on these conditions.

[Looks on him, he gazes with a half smile.
Fred.
Faith, no Laura.
I see nothing there but wondrous Beauty,
And a deal of needless Pride, and scorn;
And such as may be humbl'd.

Lau.
Sir you mistake, that never can abate,
But yet I know your power may do me injuries;
But I believe your guilty of no sin,
Save your inconstancy which is sufficient;
And Sir I beg I may not be the first
[Kneels and weeps.
May find new Crimes about you.

Fred.
Rise Laura thou hast but too many Beautyes,
Which pray be careful that you keep conceal'd.

[offers to go.
Lau.
I humbly thank you Sir.

Fred.
—But why should this interposing Virtue check me.
—Stay Laura tell me; must you marry Curtius?

Lau.
Yes Sir, I must.

Fred.
Laura you must not.

Lau.
How Sir!

Fred.
I say you shall not marry him,
Unless you offer up a victim,
That may appease the anger you have rais'd in me.

Lau.
Ile offer up a 1000. prayers and tears.

Fred.
That will not do.
Since thou'st deny'd my just pretentions to thee,
No less then what I tould you off shall satisfy me.

Lau.
Oh where is all your Honour, and your Virtue?

Fred.
Just where it was, there's no such real thing.
I know that thou wert made to be possest,
And he that does refuse it, loves thee least.
—There's danger in my Love, and your delay,
And you are most secure whilst you obey.

[He pulls her gently.
Lau.
Then this shall be my safety, hold off,
[She draws a Dagger.
Or I'l forget you are my Prince.

[He laughs.
Fred.
Pretty Virago, how you raise my Love?
—I have a Dagger too; What will you do?

[Shows her a Dagger.
Enter Curtius.
Cur.
How! the Prince! arm'd against Laura too!

[Draws.
Fred.
Traytor, dost draw upon thy Prince?

Cur.
Your Pardon Sir, I meant it on a Ravisher.
[Bows.
A foul misguided Villain.
One that scarce merits the brave name of Man.
One that betrays his friend, forsakes his Wife;
And would commit a Rape upon my Mistress.

Fred.
Her presence is thy safety, be gone and leave me.

Cur.
By no means Sir; the Villain may return;
To which fair Laura should not be expos'd.

Fred.
Slave darst thou disobey?

[Offers to fight.
Cur.
Hold Sir, and do not make me guilty of a sin,
Greater then that of yours.

[Enter Salvator.
Salv.
Gods pitty me; here's fine doings.—Why how
Came this ristring Youngster into my House? Sir,
Who sent for you, Hah?

Cur.
Love.

Salv.
Love, with a witness to whom? my Daughter?
—No Sir, she's otherwise dispos'd of I can assure
You. Begone and leave my House and that quickly
Too. And thank me that I do not secure
Thee for a Traytor.

Cur.
Will you not here me speak?

Salv.
Not a word Sir, go begone; unless your
Highness will have him apprehended.

[To Fred.
Fred.
No Sir, it shall not need.—
Curtius look
To hear from me.—

[Comes up to him and tells him so in a menacing tone, and go out severally.
Salv.
Go Mrs. Minks, get you in.

[Ex. Salv. and Laur.

SCENE II.

Enter Frederick passing in anger over the Stage, meets Lorenzo.
Lor.
O Sir, I'm glad I've found you; for
I have the rarest news for you.

Fred.
What news?

Lor.
Oh the Devil, he's angry;—Why Sir the
Prettyest young—

Fred.
There's for your intelligence.

[Strikes him and goes out.
Lor.
So very well; How Mortal is the favour of
Princes: these be turns of State now; what the
Devil ails he trow; sure he could not be
Offended with the news I have brought him; if he be he's
Strangely out of Tune;
And sure he has too much Wit to grow Virtuous at these
Years: No, no, he has had some repulse from a
Lady; and that's a wonder; for he has a Tongue and a
Purse that seldom fails; if youth and vigour would
Stretch as far, he were the wonder of the Age.

[Enter Curt.
Curt.
Lorenzo, didst thou see the Prince?

Lor.
Marry did I, and feel him too.

Curt.
Why, did he strike you?

Lor.
I'm no true subject if he did not; and that
Only for doing that service which once was most acceptable
To him.—Prethee whats the matter with him, hah?

Cur.
I know not, leave me.

Lor.
Leave thee, what art thou out of humour too?
Let me but know who 'tis has disoblig'd thee, and Ile—

Cur.
What wilt thou?

Lor.
Never see his face more if a Man.

Cur.
And what if a Woman?

Lor.
Then she's an Idle peevish Slut I'le warrant her.

Cur.
Conclude it so and leave me.

Lor.
Nay now thou hast said the only thing that could,
Keep me with thee, thou maist be desperate; I'le
Tell you Curtius these Female mischiefs make men
Take dangerous resolutions sometimes.

[Enter Alber.
Alb.
Curtius, I've something to deliver to your Ear.

[Whispers.
Curt.
Any thing from Alberto is welcom.

Lor.
Well I will be hang'd if there be not some
Mischief in Agitation; it cannot be wenching;
They look all too dull and sober for that; and besides
Then I should have been a party concern'd.

Cur.
The place and time.

Alb.
An hour hence i'th' Grove by the River side.

Cur.
Alone thou say'st?

Alb.
Alone, the Prince will have it so.

Cur.
I will not fail a moment.
[Ex. Alb.
—So this ha's eas'd my heart of half its load.

Lor.
I'le sneak away, for this is some fighting
Business, and I may perhaps be invited a second,
A Complement I care not for.

[Offers to go.
Cur.
Lorenzo, a word with you.

Lor.
'Tis so, what shall I do now?

[Aside.
Cur.
Stay.

Lor.
I am a little in haste my Lord.

Cur.
I shall soon dispatch you.

Lor.
I beleive so, for I am half dead already
[Aside.
With fear; Sir, I have promis'd to make a visit
To a Lady, and—

Cur.
What I've to say shall not detain you long.

Lor.
What a Dog was I, I went not,
When he first desir'd me to go?
Oh impertinency, thou art justly rewarded!

Cur.
Lorenzo, may I believe you love me?

Lor.
Now what shall I say, I or no?
[Aside.
The Devil take me if I know.

Cur.
Will you do me a favour?

Lor.
There 'tis again.

[Aside.
Cur.
I know I may trust thee with a secret.

Lor.
Truly, Curtius, I cannot tell,
In some cases I am not very retentive.

Cur.
I am going about a business, that perhaps
May take up all the time I have to live,
And I may never see thy Sister more;
Will you oblige me in a message to her?

Lor.
You know you may command me;
—I'me glad 'tis no worse.

[Aside.
Cur.
Come go with me into my Cabinet,
And there I'le write to Laura;
And prethee if thou hear'st that I am dead,
Tell her I fell a Sacrifice to her,
And that's enough, she understands the rest:

Lor.
But harky Curtius, by your favour, this is but a
Scurvy tale to carry to your Mistress;
I hope you are not in earnest?

Cur.
Yes.

Lor.
Yes? why, what a foolish idle humour's this in you?
I vow 'twill go near to break the poor Girls heart;
—Come be advis'd man.

Cur.
Perhaps I may consider on't for that reason.

Lor.
There are few that go about such businesses,
But have one thing or other to consider in favour of life,
I find that even in the most magnanimous:
—Prethee who is't with?

Cur.
That's counsel; and pray let this too which I have
Told you be a secret, for 'twill concern your life.

Lor.
Good Curtius take it back again then,
For a hundred to one but my over care of keeping it,
Will betray it.

Cur.
Thou lovest thy self better.

Lor.
Well that's a comfort yet.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Wood.
Enter Cloris drest like a Country Boy, follow'd by Guilliam a Clown; Cloris comes reading a Letter.
Clo.
reads.
Cloris beware of men; for though I my self be one,
Yet I have the frailties of my Sex, and can dissemble too;
Trust none of us, for if thou dost, thou art undone;
We make vows to all alike we see.
And even the best of men, the Prince,
Is not to be credited in an affair of Love.
—Oh Curtius, thy advice was very kind,
Had it arriv'd before I'de been undone!
—Can Frederick too be false?
A Prince, and be unjust to her that loves him too?
—Surely it is impossible—
Perhaps thou lov'st me too, and this may be
[Pointing to the Letter.
Some Plot of thine to try my constancy:
—How e're it be, since he could fail last night
Of seeing me, I have at least a cause to justifie
This shameful change; and sure in this disguise,
[Looks on her self.
I shall not soon be known, dost think I shall?

Guil.
Why forsooth, what do you intend to pass for,
A Maid or a Boy?

Clor.
Why, what I seem to be, will it not do?

Guil.
Yes, yes, it may do, but I know not what;
I wo'd Love would Transmogriphy me to a Maid now,
—We should be the prettiest couple;
Don't you remember when you drest me up the last
Carnival, was not I the woundiest handsom lass
A body could see in a Summers day?
There was Claud the Shepherd as frekish after me
I'le warrant you, and simper'd and tript it like any thing.

Clor.
I, but they say 'tis dangerous for young
Maids to live at Court.

Guil.
Nay, then I should be loth to give temptation.
—Pray forsooth, what's that you read so often there?

Clor.
An advice to young Maids that are in Love.

Guil.
I, I, that same Love is a very vengeance thing,
Wo'd I were in Love too; I see it makes a body Valiant;
One neither feels hunger nor cold that is possest with it.

Clor.
Thou art i'th' right, it can do miracles.

Guil.
So it seems, for without a miracle you and I could never
Have rambled about these Woods all night without either
Bottle or Wallet: I could e'ne cry for hunger now.

Clor.
What a dull Soul this fellow hath?
Sure it can never feel the generous pains
Of Love, as mine does now; Oh how I glory
To find my heart above the common rate;
Were not my Prince inconstant!
I would not envy what the blessed do above:
But he is false good Heaven!—
weeps.
[Guil. howls.
—What dost thou feel that thou shouldst weep with me?

Guil.
Nothing but hunger, sharp hunger forsooth.

Clor.
Leave calling me forsooth it will betray us.

Guil.
What shall I call you then?

Clor.
Call me Philibert, or any thing,
And be familiar with me: put on thy Hat least any come and see us.

Guil.
'Tis a hard name but I'le learn it by heart.
—Well Philibert—what shall we do when we come to Court
[Puts on his Hat.
Besides eating and drinking, which I shall do in abundance.

Clor.
We must get each of us a service.
—But thou art such a Clown.

Guil.
Nay say not so honest Phillibert: for look yee,
I am much the properer fellow of the two.

[Walks.
Clor.
Well try thy fortune; but be sure you never discover
Me, what ever questions may chance to be asked thee.

Guil.
I warrant the honest Lad, I am true and trusty;
But I must be very familiar with you you say.

Clor.
Yes before Company.

Guil.
Pray let me begin and Practice a little now
A'nt please you, for fear I should not be sawcy enough,
When we arrive at Court.

Clor.
I'le warrant you you'l soon learn there.

Guil.
—Oh Lord Phillibert! Phillibert! I see a Man a coming
Most deadly fine, lets run away.

Clor.
Thus thou hast serv'd me all this night,
There's not a bush we come at but thou startst thus.

Guil.
'Tis true you are a lover and may stay the danger on't,
But I'le make sure for one.

Clor.
It is the Prince, Oh Gods what makes he here!
With looks disorder'd too; this place is fit for Death and sad
Despair; the melancholy Spring a sleepy murmure makes,
A proper Consort for departing Souls,
When mixt with dying Grones, and the thick boughs
Compose a dismal roof;
Dark as the gloomy shades of Death or Graves:
—He comes this way Ile hide my self a while.

[Goes behind a Bush.
Enter Frederick.
Fred.
But yet not this nor my dispight to Laura,
Shall make me out of Love with life,
Whilst I have youthful fires about my heart:
—Yet I must fight with Curtius,
And so chastise the Pride of that fond Maid,
Whose saucy Virtue durst controul my flame;
—And yet I love her not as I do Cloris;
But fain I would have overcome that Chastity
Of which the foolish Beauty boasts so.

Clor.
Curtius I thank thee, now I do believe thee.
[The Prince walks.
Guilliam. if thou seest any fighting anon,
Be sure you run out and call some body.

Guil.
You need not bid me run away when I once
See them go to that.

Enter Curtius.
Curt.
Sir I am come as you commanded me.

Fred.
When you consider what you've lately done,
You will not wonder why I sent for you;
And when I mean to fight, I do not use to parly;
Come draw.

Curt.
Show me my Enemy, and then if I am slow—

Fred.
I am he, needst thou one more powerful?

Curt.
You Sir, what have I done to make you so?

Fred.
If yet thou wantest a further proof of it,
Know Ile dispute my Claim to Laura.

Curt.
That must not be with me Sir,
God forbid that I should raise my Arm against my Prince:
—If Laura have so little Faith and Virtue,
To render up that right belongs to me,
With all my heart I yield her
To any but to you;
And Sir for your own sake you must not have her.

Fred.
Your Reason?

Curt.
Sir you're already marryed.

Fred.
Thou lyest, and seek'st excuses for thy Cowardice.

Curt.
I wish you would recall that hasty injury,
Yet this Ile bear from you, who know 'tis false.

Fred.
Will nothing move thee?

Curt.
You would believe so Sir if I should tell you
That besides all this, I have a juster cause.

Fred.
Juster then that of Laura? call it up then,
And let it save thee from a further shame.

Curt.
Yes so I will 'tis that of Cloris,
Who needs my aids much more;
Do you remember such a Virgin Sir?
For so she was till she knew Frederick;
The sweetest innocent that ever Nature made.

Fred.
Not thy own Honour, nor thy Love to Laura
Would make the draw, and now at Cloris name,
Thou art incens'd, thy eyes all red with rage:
—Oh thou hast rows'd my Soul;
Nor would I justify my wrongs to her,
Unless it were to satisfy my jealousie,
Which thou hast rais'd in me by this concern.
—Draw or I'le kill thee.

Curt.
Stay Sir, and hear me out.

Fred.
I will not stay, now I reflect on all thy
Former kindness to her—

Curt.
I will not fight, but I'l defend my self.

[They fight.
Fred.
We are betray'd.

Curt.
Yes Sir, and you are wounded.

[Guil. runs bawling out, they are both wounded.
Clor.
Oh Heaven defend the Prince.

[She peeps.
Fred.
I hear some coming, go be gone,
And save thy self by flight.

[Fred. stands leaning on his Sword.
Curt.
Sir give me leave to stay, my flight will look like guilt.

Fred.
By no means Curtius, thou wilt be taken here,
And thou shalt never charge me with that Crime of betraying
Thee: when we meet next wee'l end it.

Curt.
I must obey you then.
[Exit Curt.

Enter Cloris.
Clor.
Sir, has the Villain hurt you?
[She supports him.
—Pray Heaven my sorrows do not betray me now,
For since he's false, I fain would dy conceal'd.
[Aside.
—Show me your wound and I will ty it up.
Alas you bleed extreamly—

Fred.
Kind youth thy succours are in vain though welcom,
For though I bleed I am not wounded much.

Clor.
No? Why did you let him pass unpunisht then,
Who would have hurt you more?

Enter Guillam with a Galliard.
Serv.
Where was't?

Guil.
Look ye Sir there, don't you see them.

Serv.
How does your Highness? this fellow told me
Of a quarrel here, which made me hast.

Fred.
Be silent, and carry me to my own apartment.

Serv.
Alas Sir, is it you that fought?

Fred.
No more questions.—
Kind Boy pray leave me not till I have found
A way to recompence thy pretty care of me.

Clor.
I will wait on you Sir.

[Exeunt all but Guillam.
Enter Lorenzo.
[Peeps first.
Lor.
What's the matter here? the Prince is wounded too.
Oh what a Dog was I to know of some such thing,
And not secure them all?
Lorenzo stands gazing at Gill.
Guil. stands tabering his Hat and scruing his face.
—What's here? Hah, hah, hah, this is the pleasantest
Fellow that ere I saw in my life.
Prethee Friend what's thy Name?

Guil.
My Name, an't shall like yee,
My Name is, is Guillam.

Lor.
From whence comest thou?

Guil.
From a Village a great huge way off.

Lor.
And what's thy business here, hah?

Guil.
Truly Sir, not to tell a ly,
I come to get a service here at Court.

Lor.
A service at Court; hah, hah, that's a pleasant
Humour y'faith. Why fellow what canst thou do?

Guil.
Do Sir, I can do any thing.

Lor.
Why what canst thou do? canst thou dress well?
—Set a Perruke to advantage, ty a Crevatt,
And Cuffs, put on a Belt with dexterity, hah?
These be the parts that must recommend you.

Guil.
I know not what you mean,
But I am sure I can do them all.

Lor.
Thou art confident it seems, and I can tell
You Sirrah, that's a great step to preferment;
—But well go on then, canst ride the great Horse?

Guil.
The bigest in all our Town
I have rid a thousand times.

Lor.
That's well; canst Fence?

Guil.
Fence Sir, what's that?

Lor.
A term we use for the Art and skill of handling a Weapon.

Guil.
I can thrash Sir.

Lor.
What's that Man?

Guil.
Why Sir it is—it is—thrashing.

Lor.
An Artist I vow; canst play on any Musick?

Guil.
Oh most rogically Sir, I have a Bagpipe that
Every breath sets the whole Village a Dancing.

Lor.
Better still; and thou canst Dance Ile warrant?

Guil.
Dance, he, he, he, I vow you've light on
My Master piece y'fegs.

Lor.
And Ile try thee; Boy go fetch some of the
[To the Page.
Musick hither which I keep in pay?
[Exit Boy.
—But hark you Friend, thoug I love Dancing very well,
And that may recommend thee in a great degree;
Yet 'tis wholy necessary that you should be valiant too;
We graet ones ought to be serv'd by men of valour,
For we are very liable to be affronted by many here
To our faces, which we would gladly have beaten behind
Our backs;—But Pox on't thou hast not the Huff,
And Grimass of a Man of Prowess.

Guil.
As for fighting though I do not care for it,
Yet I can do't if any body angers me or so.

Lor.
But I must have you learn to do't when
Any body angers me too.

Guil.
Sir, they told me I should have no need on't
Here; but I shall learn.

Lor.
Why you Fool that's not a thing to be learn'd,
—That's a brave inclination born with Man,
A brave undaunted something, a thing that,
That, comes from, from; I know not what,
For I was born without it.
Enter Page and Musick.
Oh are you come? lets see Sirrah your Activity,
For I must tell you that's another step to preferment.
[He dances a Jigg en Paisant.
'Tis well perform'd; well hadst thou but wit,
Valour, Bon Meen, good garb, a perruke,
Conduct and secresie in Love Affairs, and half
A dozen more good qualities, thou wert
Fit for something; but I will try thee.
Boy, let him have better Cloaths, as for his Documents
Ile give him those my self.

Guil.
Hah, I don't like that word, it sounds terribly.

[Aside.
[Exit. Page and Guil.
Lor.
This fellow may be of use to me; being
Doubtless very honest because he is so very simple;
For to say truth we men of parts are sometimes
Over-wise, witness my last nights retreat
From but a supposed danger, and returning to fall
Into a real one. Well Ile now to Isabella,
And know her final resolution; if Clarina will
Be kind, so; if not, there be those that will.
—And though I cannot any Conquest boast,
For all the time and money I have lost,
At least on Isabel Ile be revenged,
And have the flattering baggage soundly swinged;
And rather then she shall escape my Anger,
My self will be the Hero that shall bang her.

[Exit.