University of Virginia Library

ACT. V.

SCENE I.

Enter Laura and Cloris like a Boy as before.
Laur.
Forward dear Cloris.

Clor.
And, Madam, 'twas upon a Holy-day,
It chanc'd Prince Frederick came unto our Village,
On some reports were made him of my beauty,
Attended only by the noble Curtius:
They found me in the Church at my Devotion,
Whom Frederick soon distinguish'd from the rest;
He kneel'd down by me, and instead of Prayer,
He fell to Praise; but 'twas my beauty only;
—That I could tell you, of my strange surprise!
My zeal was all disorder'd, and my eyes,
Fed on the false, not real sacrifice;
—I wanted Art my sentiments to hide,
Which from my eyes and blushes soon he spy'd.

Lau.
And did you know him then?

Clor.
Not till he left me;
—But to be short, Madam, we parted there,
But e're he went, he whisper'd in my ear,
And sigh'd, ah Cloris! e're you do depart,
Tell me, where 'tis you will dispose my heart?
—Pray give me leave to visit it again,
Your eyes that gave, can only ease my pain:
I, only blushing gave him my consent;
He paid his thanks in sighs, and from me went.
That night, alas, I took but little rest;
The new and strange disorder in my breast,
Can, Madam, only by your self be guest.

Lau.
I'le not deny that, I'me a Lover too,
And can imagine what was felt by you.

Clor.
No sooner did the welcom day appear,
But Lucia brought me word the Prince was there;
His very name disorder'd me much more,
Then did his sight or touch the day before;
So soon my rising Love grew up to power;
So soon he did become my Conquerour:
—How pale and trembling, when he did appear
I grew, he too had marks of love and fear;
—But I'le omit the many visits paid,
The unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made,
My kind disputes on all his letters writ,
How all my doubts were answer'd by his wit;
How oft he vow'd to marry me, whilst I,
Durst not believe the pleasing perjury;
—And only tell you, that one night he came,
Led by designs of an impatient flame;
When all the house was silently asleep,
Except my self, who loves sad watch did keep;
Arm'd with his Ponyard, and his breast all bare;
His face all pale with restless love and fear;
So many wild and frantick things he said,
And so much grief and passion too betray'd,
So often vow'd hee'd finish there his life,
If I refus'd him to become his Wife;
That I half dying, said it should be so;
Which though I fear'd, oh how I wisht it too!
Both prostrate on the ground i'th' face of Heaven,
His vows to me, and mine to him were given;
—And then, oh then, what did I not resign!
With the assurance that the Prince was mine.

[Weeps.
Lau.
Poor Cloris, how I pity thee!
Since fate has treated me with equal rigour;
—Curtius is banish'd, Frederick still pursues me,
And by a cruel Father I'me confin'd,
And cannot go to serve my self or thee.

[One knocks.
Lor.
Without.]
Sister Laura, Sister.

Lau.
It it my brother, would he would be kind
And set us free; he shall not see thee,
And I'le perswade him.

[As she puts Cloris into her Closet, Enter Lor. with a Letter.
Clor.
Hah, locking her Closet! now were I a right
Italian, should I grow jealous, and enrag'd at
I know not what: hath Sister!
What are you doing here?
Open your Cabinet and let me see't.

Lau.
Sir, 'tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.

Lor.
'Tis so, I care not for that, I'le see't.

Lau.
Pray do not brother.

Lor.
Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.

Lau.
'Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince,
[Aside.
And he dares not take it ill—here Sir.

[Gives him the Key.
Lor.
And here's for you too: a Letter from Curtius,
And therefore I would not open it; I took it up
At the Post-house.
[She reads, and seems pleased.
Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of her's,
And give me a slash o're the face for peeping,
I were but rightly serv'd;
And why the Devil should I expect my Sister should
Have more vertue then my self;
She's the same flesh and blood; or why, because
She's the weaker Vessel;
Should all the unreasonable burthen of the honour
Of our house, as they call it,
Be laid on her shoulders, whilst we may commit
A thousand villanies; but 'tis so—
Here open the door,
I'le put her before me however.

[She opens the door and brings out Cloris.
Lau.
Sir, 'tis Phillibert from the Prince.

Lor.
Why how now youngster, I see you intend
To thrive by your many trades;
So soon, so soon, ifaith; but sirrah,
This is my Sister and your Princes Mistress,
Take notice of that.

Clor.
I know not what you mean.

Lor.
Sir, you cannot deceive me so;
And you were right serv'd, you would be made fit
For nothing but the great Turks Seraglio.

Clor.
You mistake my business Sir.

Lor.
Your blushes give you the lye Sirrah;
But for the Princes sake, and another reason I have,
I will pardon you for once.

Lau.
He has not done a fault, and needs it not.

Lor.
Was he not alone with thee?
And is not that enough: well I see I am no Italian
In Punctilioes of honourable revenge;
There is but one experiment left to prove my self so;
And if that fail, I'le ev'n renounce my Country.
—Boy, harkey—there is a certain kindness
You may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.

Clor.
You shall command me any thing.

Lor.
Prethee how long hast thou been set up for thy self,
Hah?

Clor.
As how Sir?

Lor.
Poh, thou understand'st me.

Clor.
Indeed I do not Sir, what is't you mean?

Lor.
A smooth fac'd Boy, and ask such a question,
Fie, fie, this ignorance was ill counterfeited
To me that understand the world.

Clor.
Explain your self Sir.

Lor.
Look, ten or twenty Pistols will do you
No hurt, will it?

Clor.
Not any Sir.

Lor.
Why so; 'tis well any thing will make thee
Apprehend.

Clor.
I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.

Lor.
That's kindly said—
I see a man must not be too easie of belief: had I been so,
This Boy would have been at what do ye mean Sir;
And Lord I understand you not:
Well Phillebert, here's earnest to bind the bargain;
I am now in hast, when I see thee next,
[Loren. Whispers to Laura.
I'le tell thee more.

Clo.
This 'tis to be a Favourite now;
I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince,
Which I'le be sure to do.

Lor.
Nay it must be done, for she has us'd me basely,
Oh 'tis a baggage.

Lau.
Let me alone to revenge you on Isabella,
Get me but from this Imprisonment.

Lor.
I will; whilst I hold the old man in a dispute,
Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay'st her home.

Lau.
I warrant you, Sir, this was happy;
Now shall I see Curtius.

Lor.
Phillibert, I advise you to have a care of
Wenching: 'twill spoil a good face,
And mar your better market of the two.
[Ex. Lor.

Lau.
Come let us hast, and by the way, I'le tell thee
Of a means that may make us all happy.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Alberto Melancholy.
Alb.
Antonio said he would be here,
I'me impatient till he come.—

Enter Antonio.
Ant.
Alberto, I have such a project for thee!

Alb.
Hah—

[Gazes.
Ant.
What ails thee, art thou well?

Alb.
No.

Ant.
Where art thou Sick?

Alb.
At heart Antonio; poyson'd by thy jealousie;
—Oh thou hast ruin'd me, undone my quiet,
And from a man of reasonable vertue,
Has brought me to a wild distracted Lover.

Ant.
Explain your self.

Alb.
Thou'st taught me, friend, to love Clarina;
Not as I promis'd thee to feign, but so,
That I, unless I do possess that object,
I think must dye; at best be miserable.

Ant.
How Sir, have I done this?

Alb.
Yes Antonio, thou hast done this.

Ant.
My dear Alberto; said you that you lov'd her?

Alb.
Yes, Antonio, against my will I do;
As much against my will, as when I told her so;
Urg'd by thy needless stratagem.

Ant.
Name it no more, it was an idle fault,
Which I do so repent me,
That if you find I should relapse again,
Kill me, and let me perish with my weakness:
And were that true you tell me of your passion,
Sure I should wish to dye, to make you happy.

Alb.
That's kindly said, and I submit to you,
And am content to be out-done in Amity.

Ant.
Yes, I'le resign my claims, and leave the world;
Alberto, 'tis unkind to think I would be happy
By ways must ruine you;
But sure you tell me this but only to afflict me.

Alb.
'Tis truth Antonio, I do love Clarina;
And what is yet far worse for thy repose,
Believe my self so blest to be belov'd.

Ant.
How, to be belov'd by her!
—Oh dire effects of jealousie!

Alb.
All that you saw to day was only feign'd,
To let you see, that even your eyes and ears
Might be impos'd upon.

Ant.
Can it be possible!

Alb.
And now she thinks she is enough reveng'd;
And lets you know in her feign'd scorn to me,
That all your sleights and cunnings are but vain;
She has deceiv'd them all, and by that Art,
Gives you a confidence, and me a heart.

Ant.
I must confess it is but just in her
To punish thus the errors of my fear;
I do forgive her, from my Soul I do.
—But, Sir, what satisfaction's this to you?

Alb.
Clarina happy, I'le from Court retire,
And by that absence quench my hopeless fire;
War, I will make my Mistress; who may be,
Perhaps more kind then she has been to me;
Where though I cannot conquer, 'twil allow
That I may dye; that's more then this will do.

Ant.
—Why did you, Sir, betray my weakness to her?
Though 'twas but what I did deserve from you.

Alb.
By all that's good she knew the plot before,
From Isabella, who it seems o're heard us,
When you once prest me to't:
And had we wanted vertue, thou'dst been lost.

Ant.
I own the Crime;
And first I beg thy Pardon,
And after that, will get it from Clarina;
Which done, I'le wait upon thee to the Camp,
And suffer one years Penance for this sin,
Unless I could divert this resolution,
By a proposal Clarina bid me make you.

Alb.
What was it Sir?

Ant.
I have a Sister, Friend, a handsom Virgin,
Rich, witty, and I think she's vertuous too;
Return'd last week from St. Teretias Monastery.

Alb.
Sure any thing that is to thee Alli'd,
Must find a more then bare respect from me;
But it is certain I ne're shall Love again,
And have resolv'd never to Marry any,
Where Interest, and not Love must joyn our hands.

Ant.
You cannot tell what power there lies in beauty;
Come you shall see her, and if after that,
You find you cannot love her,
We'le both to Candia, where we both will prove
Rivals in Honour, as we're now in Love:
—But I'de forgot to tell thee what I came for;
I must this evening beg your company,
Nay, and perhaps your Sword; come along with me,
And by the way I'le tell you the adventure.

[Exeunt.

SCENE. III.

The Lodgings of Curtius.
Enter Curtius and Pietro disguised as before.
Curt.
I wonder we hear no news yet of the Prince,
I hope he'le come; Pietro be the Bravo's ready,
And the Curtizans?

Piet.
My Lord, they'l be here immediately, all well drest too

Curt.
They be those Bravo's that did belong to me?

Piet.
Yes, Sir, the same;
But Antonio is their Patron.

Curt.
They be stout and secret; 'tis well,
Is the Musick and all things ready?
For I'le not be seen till my part is to be play'd;

Piet.
What Arms have they?
Pistols Sir, would you have other?

Curt.
No, I have not yet consider'd how to kill him.
Nor scarce resolv'd to do so any way;
What makes this strange irresolution in me?
—Sure 'tis the force of sacred Amity,
Which but too strictly was observ'd by me:
—My Prince, and Friend, my Wife and Sister too;
Shall not those last, the powerful first out-do:
My Honour and my Love are there ingag'd,
And here, by tyes of duty, I'me oblig'd:
I satisfie but these, if he must bleed;
But ruine the whole Dukedom in the deed,
The hopeful Heir of all their noble spoils,
And joy and recompence of all their toyls.
—Why so was Cloris, Laura too, to me,
Which both were ravisht from me, Prince, by thee.

[Knock within.
Piet.
Sir, they be the Bravo's and Curtezans.

[Piet. Goes out.
Curt.
'Tis well, I need not talk with them,
They understand their work.

Piet.
They do my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;
They are all Neopolitans you know Sir,

Curt.
Are they the better for that?

Piet.
Much Sir, a Venetian will turn to your enemy,
If he will give him but a Souse more then you have done;
And your Millanoise are fit for nothing but to
Rob the Post or Carrier; a Genouese too,
Will sooner kill by Usury, then Sword or Pistol;
A Roman fit for nothing but a spy.

Curt.
Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.

Piet.
I'le be so with my own too Sir; and tell you,
That a Maltan, who pretends to so much honour
And gravity, are fit only to rob their neighbours
With pretence of Piety.
—And a Cicilian so taken up with Plots,
How to kill his Vice-Roy, that it keeps them
From being Rogues to a less degree;
But I have done, Sir, and beg your perdon.

Curt.
Did'st leave the Letter, I commanded thee,
For Laura?

Piet.
I did my Lord.

Enter Lorenzo.
Lor.
Well, here's the Prince just coming.

Curt.
Pray Sir conduct him in,
I'me ready for him.

Ex. Curt. and Piet.
Enter the Prince, conducted by two Women in Masquerade, with Lights, he endeavouring to take off their Masks.
Ex. two Women.
He walks about while this Song is Singing.

Fred.
What's this the preparation?

Lor.
Yes, so it should seem; but had you met
With so many defeats as I have done to night,
You would willingly excuse this Ceremony.

Musick for the Dance.
Enter Antonio with Ismena, Alberto with Clarina, Laura and Cloris with two men more, and all drest in Masquerade with vizards; they Dance. The Prince sets down, the Dance being done, they retire to one side; and Alberto comes and presents him Clarina; and bows and retires; who puts off her Mask; and puts it on again and retires.
Fred.
She's wondrous fair;
Sure in his whole Cabal he cannot show a fairer—

Lor.
She resembles Clarina; I wish your Highness
Would see further; and then perhaps, this would
Fall to my lot, for I love her for likeness sake.

[Antonio presents Ismena, and retires as the other.
Fred.
This I confess out-does the others,
An Innocency dwells upon her face,
That's strangely taking, is it not Lorenzo?

Lor.
To say truth, she is very fine indeed.

[They present Laura.
Fred.
Hah! I am amaz'd; see Lorenzo,
Dost thou not know that face?

Lor.
A my conscience and soul 'tis my own Sister Laura;
Why how now Mistress,
Do things go thus with you ifaith?

[She shakes her hand as not understanding him.
Ant.
Sir, she understands you not.

Lor.
Is it not Laura then?

Ant.
No Sir, it is a stranger.

Fred.
Let her be what she will, I'le have her.

[Fred. seems to talk when she answers in Grimasses.
Lor.
There have been examples in the world
Of the good offices done by a Brother to a Sister;
But they are very rare here,
And therefore will surely be the more acceptable;
Well Sir, have you fix'd, that I may chuse?

Fred.
I have, and had he thousands more,
[Lor. goes to Clar.
I would refuse them all for this fair Creature.

Enter Pietro.
Piet.
Sir, all things are ready as you desire,
But my Master must first speak with you alone.

Fred.
About the price I'le warrant you;
Let him come in;
[All go out but Fred. to him Curt.
—Are you the Master of the Ceremony?

Curt.
I am.

Fred.
Be speedy then, and by my impatiency
To be with that agreeable stranger, guess at my
Approbation of the Ladies, and which I chuse.

Curt.
Your mighty heat, Sir, will be soon allay'd.

Fred.
Shall it?

Curt.
Yes Sir, it shall, for you must dye.

Fred.
Sure thou art mad to tell me so, who e're thou be'st,
Whilst I have this about me.

[Draws.
Curt.
That, Sir, you draw in vain; stand off—

[Offers a Pistol.
Fred.
What new conceited preparation's this?

Curt.
Sir, when you know this face, it will inform you.

[Pulls off his false Beard.
Fred.
Curtius! I am betray'd, oh villain!

[Offers to fight.
Curt.
Ho within there—

[He calls, and all the Masked men come out, and offer the Pistols at Frederick.
Fred.
Hold, I am the Prince of Florence.

Curt.
These, Sir, are Rogues, and have no sence of ought,
But mischief in their Souls;
Gold is their Prince and God,—go, begon—
[They withdraw.
—See, Sir, I can command them.

Fred.
Curtius, why dost thou deal thus treacherously with me?
Did I not offer thee to fight thee fairly?

Cnrt.
'Tis like the injuries, Sir, that you have done me;
Pardon me if my griefs make me too rude,
And in course terms lay all your sins before you.
—First, Sir, you have debauch'd my Lovely Sister,
The only one I had;
The hope and care of all our Noble Family;
Thou Prince didst ravish all her vertue from her,
And left her nothing but a desperate sense of shame,
Which only serv'd to do her self that justice,
Which I had executed, had she not prevented me.

Fred.
In this, upon my Soul, you do me wrong.

Curt.
Next, (oh how unlike a brave and generous Man,)
Without a cause, you cast me from your bosom;
Withdrew the Honour of your promis'd friendship,
And made me partner in my Sisters fate;
Only with this difference, that she
You left to act a Murther on her self;
And mine you would have been so kind to've done
With your own hand, but my respect prevented it.
—Next, Sir, you ravisht Laura from me,
And under a pretence of sacred friendship,
You prov'd your self the worst of Enemies;
And that's a crime you dare not say was Ignorance,
As you perhaps will plead, your sin to Cloris was.

Fred.
Cloris, why what hast thou to do with Cloris?

Curt.
She was my Sister, Frederick.

Fred.
Thy Sister.

Curt.
Yes, think of it well,
A Lady of as pure and noble blood,
As that of the great Duke thy Father,
Till you, bad man, infected it;
—Say should I Murther you for this base action;
Would you not call it a true Sacrifice?
And would not Heaven and Earth forgive it too?

Fred.
No, had I known that she had been thy Sister,
I had receiv'd her as a gift from Heaven,
And so I would do still.

Curt.
She must be sent indeed from Heaven,
If you receive her now.

Fred.
Is Cloris dead? oh how I was to blame!
[Weeps.
—Here thou may'st finish now the life thou threatn'st.

Curt.
Now Sir, you know my justice and my power;
Yet since my Prince can shed a tear for Cloris,
I can forgive him,—here Sir,—send me to Cloris;
[Kneels and offers his Sword.
That mercy possibly will redeem the rest,
Of all the wrongs you've done me;
And you shall find nothing but sorrow here,
And a poor broken heart that did adore you.

Fred.
Rise Curtius, and divide my Dukedom with me;
Do any thing that may preserve thy life,
And gain my Pardon; alas thy Honour's safe.
Since yet none knows that Cloris was thy Sister,
Or if they do, I must proclaim this truth;
She dy'd thy Princes Wife.

Curt.
This tydings would be welcom to my Sister,
And I the fitting'st man to bear that news.

[Offers to stab himself, is held by Fred. Laur. and Clor. who come in with Isab. dressed like Phillibert, and the rest.
Lau.
Stay Curtius, and take me with thee in the way.

Curt.
Laura, my dearest Laura! how came you hither?

Lau.
Commanded by your Letter; have you forgot it?

Fred.
Curtius, look here, is not this Cloris face?

Curt.
The same; oh my sweet Sister, is it thee?

[Curt. goes to imbrace her, she goes back.
Fred.
Do not be shye my soul, it is thy Brother.

Curt.
Yes, a brother who despis'd his life,
When he believ'd your's lost or sham'd;
But now the Prince will take a care of it.

Clor.
May I believe my soul so truly blest?

Fred.
Yes Cloris, and thus low I beg thy pardon,
[Kneels.
For all the fears that I have made thee suffer.

Enter all the rest, first Ant. and Alb. without their Visors.
Clor.
Rise, Sir, it is my duty and my glory.

Alb.
Sir we have pardons too to beg of you.

Fred.
Antonio and Alberto, what turn'd Bravo's?

Curt.
I am amaz'd.

Ant.
You'l cease your wonder Sir, when you shall know,
—Those Braves which formerly belong'd to you,
Are now maintain'd by me; which Pietro hir'd
For this nights service; and from them we learnt
What was to be done, (though not on whom)
But that we guest, and thought it but our duty
To put this cheat on Curtius;
Which had we seen had been resolv'd to kill you;
Had been by us prevented;
The Ladies too would needs be Curtezans
To serve your Highness.

Fred.
I'me much oblig'd to them, as you;
—Cloris, a while I'le leave thee with thy Brother,
Till I have reconcil'd thee to my Father;
To Marry me, is what he long has wish't for,
And will, I know, receive this news with joy.

[Ex. Prince.
Lor.
Here's fine doings; what am I like to come to if he
Turn honest now? this is the worst piece of inconstancy
He ever was guilty of; to change ones humour, or so,
Sometimes is nothing; but to change nature,
To turn good on a sudden, and never give a man
Civil warning, is a defeat not to be endur'd;
I'le see the end on't though.

[Goes out.
Alb.
Here Antonio—imagine how I love thee,
Who make thee such a Present.

[Gives him Clarina, who is drest just as Ismena was, and Ismena in Masquing habit.
Ant.
Clarina, can you pardon my offence,
And bless me with that Love,
You have but justly taken from me.

Clar.
You wrong me, Sir, I ne're withdrew my heart;
Though you, but too unkindly, did your confidence.

Ant.
Do not upbraid me, that I was so to blame,
Is shame enough; pray pardon, and forget it.

Clar.
I do.

Ant.
Alberto, to shew my gratitude in what I may,
I beg you would receive Ismena from me.

Alb.
Whose this?

Ant.
Ismena, whom I promis'd thee.

Alb.
It is Clarina; do you mock my pain?

[Shows Ism.
Ant.
By Heaven not I; this is Clarina, Sir.

Alb.
That thy wife Clarina!
A beauty which till now I never saw.

Ant.
Sure thou art mad, didst thou not give her me but now?
And hast not entertain'd her all this night.

Alb.
Her habit and her vizard did deceive me;
I took her for this Lady,—oh blest mistake!

Ism.
I see you're in the dark, but I'le unfold the riddle;
—Sir, in the passage from the Monastery,
Attended only by my Confessor,
A Gentleman, a Passenger, in the same Boat,
Addrest himself to me;
And made a many little Courtships to me:
I being veil'd, he knew not who receiv'd them,
Nor what confusion they begot in me;
At the first sight, I grew to great esteems of him,
But when I heard him speak—
I'me not asham'd to say he was my Conquerour;

Alb.
Oh Madam was it you?
Who by your conversation in that Voyage,
Gave me disquiets,
Which nothing but your eyes could reconcile again.

Ism.
'Twas I whom you deceiv'd with some such language;
—After my coming home, I grew more melancholy,
And by my silence did increase my pain;
And soon Clarina found I was a Lover,
Which I confest at last, and nam'd the object;
She told me of your friendship with Antonio,
And gave me hopes that I again should see you:
—But Isabella over-heard the Plot,
Which, Sir, Antonio did contrive with you,
To make a feigned Courtship to Clarina,
And told us all the story.

Alb.
Oh how I'me ravisht with my happiness!

Ism.
Clarina, Sir, at first was much inrag'd,
And vow'd she would revenge her on Antonio;
But I besought her to be pleas'd again,
And said I would contrive a Counter-Plot,
Should satisfie her honour and revenge;
Thus, Sir I got a garment like to hers,
And to be Courted, though but in jest, by you,
I run all hazards of my Brothers anger,
And your opinion of my lightness too.

Clar.
'Twas a temptation, Sir, I would not venture on,
Least from the reasons of a just revenge,
And so much beauty as Alberto own'd
My vertue should not well secure your interest.

Ant.
But why Ismena was that killing Plot,
When I was hid behind the Arras, for now I confess all.

Ism.
To make Alberto confident of my Love,
And try his Friendship to the utmost point;
—Antonio too I found had some reserves,
Which I believ'd his Amity to you.

Alb.
Yes, Madam, whilst I took you for his Wife,
I thought it crime enough but to adore you;
But now I may with honour own my passion;
I will, Ismena, confidently assure you,
That I will dye, unless you pity me.

Ism.
She that durst tell you, Sir, how much she lov'd,
When you believ'd it was a sin to do so;
Will now make good that promise with Antonio's, leave.

Ant.
With perfect joy, Ismena, I resign thee.

[Antonio gives him Ismena.
Alb.
By double tyes you now unite our Souls:
[To Ant.
Though I can hardly credit what I see,
The happiness so newly is arriv'd.

Enter Prince, Lor. and Guil. who comes up scraping to Cloris.
Fred.
My Father is the kindest man on earth,
And Cloris shall be welcom to his bosom;
Who'le make him happy in my reformation:
—Here Curtius, take Laura, who I find,
Had rather be my Sister then my Mistress;
The Duke commands it so.

Curt.
Till you have pardon'd me my late offences,
I must deny my self so great a happiness.

[Curt. Kneels.
Fred.
Rise, you have it.

Enter Salvator.
Salv.
Is here not a Runagado belongs to me?

Lau.
No, Sir, my faith's entire,
And Curtius has the keeping of it.

Salv.
Who made him Master of it, hau?

Lau.
Heaven, my Inclinations, and the Prince.

Lalv.
Three powerful opposers;
Take her, since it must be so;
And may'st thou be happy with her.

Fred.
Alberto, would this Court afforded
A Lady worthy thee.

Alb.
Sir, I'me already sped, I humbly thank you.

Lor.
Sped, quoth ye, Heaven defend
Me from such fortune.

Fred.
Lorenzo, I had forgot thee; thou shalt e'ne marry too.

Lor.
You may command me any thing but Marrying.

Isab.
What think you then of a smooth-fac'd Boy?

Lor.
A Pox on him, sure he will not tell now, will he?

Isab.
My Lord, I beg your leave to challenge Lorenzo.

Fred.
What to a Duel Phillibert?

Lor.
Phill. Phill. hold, do not ruine the reputation
Of a man that has aquir'd fame amongst the Femal sex;
I protest I did but jest.

Isab.
But, Sir, I'me in earnest with you.

Fred.
This is not Phillibert.

Isab.
No, Sir, but Isabella—that was Phillibert.

[Pointing to Clor.
Clor.
Yes, Sir, I was the happy boy to be belov'd,
When Cloris was forgotten.

Fred.
Oh how you raise my love and shame;
But why did Isabella change her habit?

Clo.
Only to take my place, least you should miss me,
Who being with Laura, at the lodgings of Clarina;
And comparing the words of her Letter,
With what the Bravo's had confest to Antonio,
We found the Plot which was laid for you,
And joyn'd all to prevent it.

Fred.
'Twas sure the work of Heaven.

Isab.
And now, Sir, I come to claim a husband here.

Fred.
Name him, and take him.

Isab.
Lorenzo, Sir.

Lor.
Of all cheats, commend me to a waiting Gentlewoman;
I her Husband!

Ant.
I am a witness to that truth.

Fred.
'Tis plain against you, come you must be honest.

Lor.
Will you compel me to't against my will?
Oh tyranny, consider I am a man of quality and fortune.

Isab.
As for my qualities, you know I have sufficient,
And fortune, thanks to your bounty, considerable too.

Fred.
No matter, he has enough for both.

Lor.
Nay, Sir, an you be against me,
'Tis time to reform in my own defence;
But 'tis a thing I never consider'd, or thought on.

Fred.
Marry first, and consider afterwards.

Lor.
That's the usual way I confess;
Come Isabella, since the Prince commands it;
I do not love thee, but yet I'le not forswear it;
Since a greater miracle then that is wrought;
And that's my Marrying thee:
Well, 'tis well thou art none of the most beautiful,
I should swear the Prince had some designs on thee else.

Clor.
Yes Guilliam, since thou hast been so faithful,
[Clor. speaks
I dare assure thee Lucia shall be thine.

[Guil. Bows.]
[aside to Guil.
Fred.
Come my fair Cloris, and invest thy self
In all the Glories, which I lately promis'd:
—And Ladies, you'l attend her to the Court,
And share the welcoms which the Duke provides her;
Where all the sallies of my flattering youth,
Shall be no more remembr'd, but as past;
Since 'tis a race that must by Man be run,
I'me happy in my youth it was begun;
It serves my future Manhood to improve,
Which shall be sacrific'd to War and Love.

Curtain Falls.