University of Virginia Library

Enter Egmont Lopez
Egm.
And shall I then do less? Not Granvel then?

Granvel enters
Gra.
Said I the truth & find you not your Friend
What I pronounc'd a fugitive a Traytor—

Egm.
I find him not; I pry not into faces
For specks and flaws, nor take a Man for worse
Than what he seems. You, You are the Inquisitor,
Whose dark intelligence hath eyes and ears
In every house to catch unwary talkers:
You are the judge, who cooly can interpret
Those indictinct involuntary groans,
That burst from dying wretches, and prescribe
Confusion, when the lips quivering with anger
Utter they know not what to buy remission
From tortures insupportable.

Gra.
My lord
You talk You know not what; your rage betrays you.
But half a care; for know, though your hot brain
May keep no traces of this frantic folly;
Yet shall my memory be faithful to You,
And register your insults—whence art thou
(to Lopez)
I know thee not—unfold thy name & station.

Lop.
Lopez my name, a Servant of Lord Raymond's.

Gran.
Of Raymond's! Fellow, wherefore com'st thou here?
This is no place for Traitors: speak thine errand.

Lop.
If I offend my lord.

Gran.
If You offend?
To the point slave.

Lop.
Lord Raymond sent me hither.

Gran.
That's known proceed.

Lop.
With Letters

Gran.
Hah! with Letters! Traitor, to whom?

Lop.
—To Egmont.

Gran.
Heav'n and Earth! but this is rank conspiracy.

Egmont
—Away!
Fly to your Duke, and tell him all you know
All your malicious falsehood can invent:
Tell him I've pity for a brave man's faults
And make that pity treason.

Gran.
Nay my lord
Did You not join yourself in Raymond's Crime?
Confirm your treason with a solemn oath,
Even in the presence of your gracious Princess?
I must of force believe You.

Egm.
O thou!—No;
I will not give a name to thee, nor stain
My honor by asserting it to thee:
This is the only plea that I shall use;
producing a dagger.)
Thus armed I bear conviction in my hand,
Indifferent to release myself or thee.

Gra.
Nay then 'tis open war and one must fall.
(Exit Granvel.)

Scene the 3d.

Princess of Parma
—Elvira
To purchase her an hour of Joy & Comfort

Princess of P.
Granvil here!

(Granvil enters in haste.)
Gran.
Forgive
This sudden Interruption, but I fly
Breathless with terror from a madman's rage
For shelter and defence

Prin. of P.
Speak who assaults
Your sacred character beneath my roof.

Gran.
One whom no character, no age, no Altar,
No shrine, how pure soever, can appall—
Egmont's the fearless the contemptuous man,
Whose dagger pointed at my trembling throat,
Scarce yet is sheathed.

Prin. Par.
Stand off and give me way
Oh! are You come?—(Egmont meets her and drops on his knee)

Is this the mighty man,
Hah! is it You that fill my court with treason,
You, Egmont, You to bring this shame upon me.
Hence from my sight—no safety can be near thee,
And when thy wild unbridled rage is loose,
Granvel or Parma are alike to thee.

Elvira.
O all is lost—Undone and lost forever.

Egm.
No, Madam, no; thus banisht from your sight,
This hateful object shall offend no more
Parma and Grenvel henceforth are secure.

Pr. Parm.
Hold, Sir, return—perhaps I shall not leave
Your hands at Liberty, Your life is claim'd
And 'tis not thou but justice must dispose on't.
Say, my good lord, how sprung this odious fray?

Gran.
Madam, I scarce can tell—my frighted spirits
Have yet resumed no order or composure.
Lord Egmont's less disturbed—One thing I gather
His friend has turn'd to treason and he knows it.

P. Parm.
Hah! does he know it?—Is your friend a traitor?
Thus am I used. What subterfuge is left You?

Egm.
None, I need none—I scorn it and disclaim it.

P. Parm.
Are You dumb too? (To Elvira.)


Egm.
If fir'd with martial Ardor,
And rous'd by liberty's expiring groans,
My friend has joind the standard of Revolt,
Be it to him the glory or the shame;
For me I shall not defend or blame him.

Pr. Parm.
Yes, You avow his treason, but remember
Your bold, rash Oath, and look that You observe it.

Egm.
I do remember—Promises and Vows,
(Those feeble bonds which priestcraft tears at pleasure)
For me are links of steel that honor wraps
Round my firm heart and rivets to truth.

P. Parm.
Talks thou of Truth—thou Traitor?

Egm.
Hah! thou Traitor?
Take heed You make me not indeed a traitor
Such as You long may groan for—

Pr. Parm.
Guards arrest him.
Yet hold; surrender up yourself.

Egm.
Lo thus. (Breaks it)

I throw it to the winds—the brittle Toy
Is now no longer mine.

P. Parm.
Come my lord Cardinal,
Let us from hence.—Egmont, we meet no more.

(Exeunt Pr. and Gra.)
Egmont and Elvira remain