 | The Princess of Parma |  |
Scene. 2.
Car. Gra. enters to P. Par. Elv. Egm. & other [---]Scene. 2.
Gra.
Good Morning to your Highness! in these times
So fraught with Mischief, each returning Sun
Which glads us with its Beams, should hear our Praise.
P. Par.
Is there ought new abroad?—
Gra.
—Each Day each hour
Prolific brings some recent Crime to light
And while we're gazing at the new born Wonder
More hideous comes a second Monster forth
To strike our Senses with Surprize & Terror.
P. Par.
The times indeed abound with rank Disorders,
But Fire & Sword my Lord are powerful Medicines.
I am a poor weak Woman as you know me
Not fit for such rough Courses; but there's hope
These Ills not cureless, may be yet addrest,
And a true Christian Reformation made
When Alva's Zeal & your good Prayers conspire.
Gra.
Tis easier to prevent Complaints than cure 'em.
Egm.
How?—
P. Par.
—Egmont what is this?—
Gra.
—I speak
My Fears Lord Egmont nor intend Reproach
And when your Friend returns with peace from Antwerp
And princely Orange condescends to spare us
I shall with joy submit to your Reproof.
Egm.
I see my Lord where your Decision points
And know your Voice has far severer Measures.
Gra.
Yes I oppos'd (without a Blush I own it)
This trifling weak evasive war of words,
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Than such as free Discretion shall impose.
P. Par.
What we have done we've done—A Deed of mercy,
Which though unsanctify'd by your consent
I never can repent of—Yet Lord Cardinal,
So far I'll bend me for your better Judgment,
Pass but this day without their due Submission,
The next recalls my Minister from Antwerp.
Gra.
Recall him?—No—The Man who can descend
To such base Errands is unfit to mix
In worthy Councils, to confer with Traitors
Is in my judgment to partake their Treason.
P. Par.
Nay now Lord Cardinal I must reprove you:
Call you that Function base which I bestow
And your Religion dictates? Come no more
You judge too harshly: from my heart I speak it
I do not know a Man of clearer fame
Of more distinguish'd Loyalty & Honor
Than him you glance at, Not yourself my Lord
Nor this his Friend who owns him more abhorrs
Treason than he does.—
Egm.
—From my Soul I thank you
The just Rewards which you bestow on merit
Bespeak yourself with kindred virtues grac'd
Nor mine alone but a whole Nation's Praises
Shall celebrate your Choice.—
Gra.
—Yes a whole Nation
Of such ambitious such rebellious Spirits
As plot the downfall of this tottering Empire.
Is there no bosom worthy to confide in
But one where every holy Life [?] is cancell'd?
No Tongue impartial in the cause of Truth
But one incorporate with a Crew of Traitors
To invert this Scyon from its purest Root
And wage eternal Enmity with Spain?
P. Par.
How, what? with Traytors sayst thou? Heard I right?
Correct yourself my Lord, your Zeal misleads you:
You mean not sure to charge the Count with Treason.
Gra.
Had I less feeling for the common Safety
Was I respectful of Life's short remains
I would correct myself, revoke my charge
And kneel for Pardon to this angry Lord;
For well I know he shall not live who calls
His Friend a Traytor, yet He is a Traytor
Hell knows who made him one & bound him fast
With direfull Curses to its chosen cause.
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Hear'st thou this Egmont? speak if rage will let thee.
Egm.
How shall I speak when fury choaks my Tongue
Or how disprove what I disdain to answer?
I know what Envy rankles at thy heart,
How thy Soul sickens at the sight of Virtue
And what gorss Tales thy Malice can invent.
Gra.
Here is my heart—If I assert a Falshood
Let it be rent from out my bleeding Bosom,
And tost in scorn amongst the hooting Rabble.
P. Par.
Hah! my Faith reels: Look to your Friend my Lord
You told me he was Loyal Brave & honest,
I took him on your Word, rewarded, rais'd
And trusted him—A Traytor have I trusted?
Egm.
On my Life no—He is as far from guilt
As this bad Man from Heaven.
P. Par.
Send for your Friend,
And let him answer to the Crime he's charged with.
Gra.
But will he come?—
Egm.
—To thy confusion Granvel.
Gra.
He will not dare not come.
Egm.
Hah! dare not come?
All judging Power hear & second my Oath.
If lea[---]'d with Traytors, my revolted Friend
Come not to answer & confute this charge,
I here include myself in his Offence:
All Commerce with Mankind all mutual Trust,
Each Sense that sweetens Life, nay Life itself
Here in thy awful Presence I abjure,
And yield myself a voluntary Victim
To Alva; nay (Oh Infamy!) to Granvel.
P. Par.
You have made your own Conditions—Look you keep 'em
When Honor fails you, so shall my Support
For you, my Lord, your Vigilance demands
Mine & the public Thanks. Support your Charge
And let thy Rigour task me how it will
My hand shrinks not from its determined Office,
Nor stays the stroke for one suspending Sigh.
(They bow & the Card. retires)
Stay Egmont, turn—Ah no, tis past, Adieu!
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| The Princess of Parma | |