Double Falsehood

Contents2024 Feb 20  13:01:29

 
ProloguePrologue
 
Act 1Scene 1The Province of Andalusia in Spain, a Royal Palace
Scene 2Prospect of a Village at a Distance
Scene 3The same
 
Act 2Scene 1The Prospect of a Village
Scene 2An Apartment
Scene 3Prospect of a Village, before Don Bernard’s House
Scene 4Changes to another prospect of Don Bernard’s House
 
Act 3Scene 1The Prospect of a Village
Scene 2Don Bernard’s House
Scene 3Prospect of a Village at a Distance
 
Act 4Scene 1A Wide Plain, with a Prospect of Mountains at a Distance
Scene 2The same
 
Act 5Scene 1The Prospect of the Mountains continued
Scene 2An Apartment in the Lodge
 
EpilogueEpilogue
 
Finis
 
Contents

Prologue

Enter Prologue
0.1.1 Prologue
As in some Region, where indulgent Skies
Enrich the Soil, a thousand Plants arise
Frequent and bold; a thousand Landskips meet
Our ravisht View, irregularly sweet:
We gaze, divided, now on These, now Those;
While All one beauteous Wilderness compose.
Such Shakespeare’s Genius was: — Let Britons boast
The glorious Birth, and, eager, strive who most
Shall celebrate his Verse; for while we raise
Trophies of Fame to him, ourselves we praise:
Display the Talents of a British mind,
Where All is great, free, open, unconfin’d.
Be it our Pride, to reach his daring Flight;
And relish Beauties, he alone could write.
Most modern Authors, fearful to aspire,
With Imitation cramp their genial Fire;
The well-schemed Plan keep strict before their Eyes,
Dwell on Proportions, trifling Decencies;
While noble Nature all neglected lies.
Nature, that claims Precedency of Place,
Perfection’s Basis, and essential Grace!
Nature so intimately Shakespeare knew,
From her first Springs his Sentiments he drew;
Most greatly wild they flow; and, when most wild, yet true.
While These, secure in what the Criticks teach,
Of servile Laws still dread the dangerous Breach;
His vast, unbounded, Soul disdain’d their Rule,
Above the Precepts of the Pedant School!
Oh! could the Bard, revisiting our Light,
Receive these Honours done his Shade To-night,
How would he bless the Scene this Age displays,
Transcending his Eliza’s golden Days!
When great Augustus fills the British Throne,
And his lov’d Consort makes the Muse her own.
How would he joy, to see fair Merit’s Claim
Thus answer’d in his own reviving Fame!
How cry with Pride — Oblivion I forgive;
This my last Child to latest Times shall live:
Lost to the World, well for the Birth it stay’d
To this auspicious Æra well delay’d.
Contents

Act 1

Scene 1

The Province of Andalusia in Spain, a Royal Palace

Enter Duke Angelo, Roderick, and Courtiers
1.1.1 Roderick
My gracious Father, this unwonted Strain
Visits my heart with Sadness.
1.1.3 Duke Angelo
Why, my Son?
Making my Death familiar to my Tongue
Digs not my Grave one Jot before the Date.
I’ve worn the Garland of my Honours long,
And would not leave it wither’d to thy Brow,
But flourishing and green; worthy the Man,
Who, with my Dukedoms, heirs my better Glories.
1.1.10 Roderick
This Praise, which is my Pride, spreads me with Blushes.
1.1.11 Duke Angelo
Think not, that I can flatter thee, my Roderick;
Or let the Scale of Love o’er-poize my Judgment.
Like a fair Glass of Retrospection, Thou
Reflect’st the Virtues of my early Youth;
Making my old Blood mend its Pace with Transport:
While fond Henriquez, thy irregular Brother,
Sets the large Credit of his Name at Stake,
A Truant to my Wishes, and his Birth.
His Taints of Wildness hurt our nicer Honour,
And call for swift Reclaim.
1.1.21 Roderick
I trust, my Brother
Will, by the Vantage of his cooler Wisdom,
E’er-while redeem the hot Escapes of Youth,
And court Opinion with a golden Conduct.
1.1.25 Duke Angelo
Be Thou a Prophet in that kind Suggestion!
But I, by Fears weighing his unweigh’d Course,
Interpret for the Future from the Past.
And strange Misgivings, why he hath of late
By Importunity, and strain’d Petition,
Wrested our Leave of Absence from the Court,
Awake Suspicion. Thou art inward with him;
And, haply, from the bosom’d Trust can’st shape
Some formal Cause to qualify my Doubts.
1.1.34 Roderick
Why he hath press’d this Absence, Sir, I know not;
But have his Letters of a modern Date,
Wherein by Julio, good Camillo’s Son,
(Who, as he says, shall follow hard upon;
And whom I with the growing Hour expect:)
He doth sollicit the Return of Gold
To purchase certain Horse, that like him well.
This Julio he encounter’d first in France,
And lovingly commends him to my Favour;
Wishing, I would detain him some few Days,
To know the Value of his well-placed Trust.
1.1.45 Duke Angelo
O, do it, Roderick; and assay to mould him
An honest Spy upon thy Brother’s Riots.
Make us acquainted when the Youth arrives;
We’ll see this Julio, and he shall from Us
Receive the secret Loan his Friend requires.
Bring him to Court.
Contents

Act 1

Scene 2

Prospect of a Village at a Distance

Enters Camillo with a Letter
1.2.1 Camillo
How comes the Duke to take such Notice of my Son, that he must needs have him in Court, and I must send him upon the View of his Letter? — Horsemanship! What Horsemanship has Julio? I think, he can no more but gallop a Hackney, unless he practised Riding in France. It may be, he did so; for he was there a good Continuance. But I have not heard him speak much of his Horsemanship. That’s no Matter: if he be not a good Horseman, all’s one in such a Case, he must bear. Princes are absolute; they may do what they will in any Thing, save what they cannot do.
Enters Julio
O, come on, Sir; read this Paper: no more Ado, but read it: It must not be answer’d by my Hand, nor yours, but, in Gross, by your Person; your sole Person. Read aloud.
1.2.17 Julio
’Please you, to let me first o’erlook it, Sir.
1.2.18 Camillo
I was this other day in a Spleen against your new Suits: I do now think, some Fate was the Taylour that hath fitted them: for, this Hour, they are for the Palace of the Duke Angelo — Your Father’s House is too dusty.
1.2.23 Julio
Hem!— to Court? Which is the better, to serve a Mistress, or a Duke? I am sued to be his Slave, and I sue to be Leonora’s. [Aside]
1.2.26 Camillo
You shall find your Horsemanship much praised there; Are you so good a Horseman?
1.2.28 Julio
I have been,
E’er now, commended for my Seat, or mock’d.
1.2.30 Camillo
Take one Commendation with another, every Third’s a Mock.— Affect not therefore to be praised. Here’s a deal of Command and Entreaty mixt; there’s no denying; you must go, peremptorily he inforces That.
1.2.35 Julio
What Fortune soever my Going shall encounter, cannot be good Fortune; What I part withal unseasons any other Goodness. [Aside]
1.2.38 Camillo
You must needs go; he rather conjures, than importunes.
1.2.39 Julio
[Aside] No moving of my Love-Suit to him now?—
1.2.40 Camillo
Great Fortunes have grown out of less Grounds.
1.2.41 Julio
What may her Father think of me, who expects to be sollicited this very Night? [Aside]
1.2.43 Camillo
Those scatter’d Pieces of Virtue, which are in him, the Court will solder together, varnish, and rectify.
1.2.46 Julio
He will surely think I deal too slightly, or unmannerly, or foolishly, indeed; nay, dishonestly; to bear him in hand with my Father’s Consent, who yet hath not been touch’d with so much as a Request to it. [Aside]
1.2.51 Camillo
Well, Sir, have you read it over?
1.2.52 Julio
Yes, Sir.
1.2.53 Camillo
And consider’d it?
1.2.54 Julio
As I can.
1.2.55 Camillo
If you are courted by good Fortune, you must go.
1.2.56 Julio
So it please You, Sir.
1.2.57 Camillo
By any Means, and to morrow: Is it not there the Limit of his Request?
1.2.58 Julio
It is, Sir.
1.2.59 Camillo
I must bethink me of some Necessaries, without which you might be unfurnish’d: And my Supplies shall at all Convenience follow You. Come to my Closet by and by; I would there speak with You.
Exit Camillo. Manet Julio solus
1.2.63 Julio
I do not see that Fervour in the Maid,
Which Youth and Love should kindle. She consents,
As ’twere to feed without an Appetite;
Tells me, She is content; and plays the Coy one,
Like Those that subtly make their Words their Ward,
Keeping Address at Distance. This Affection
Is such a feign’d One, as will break untouch’d;
Dye frosty, e’er it can be thaw’d; while mine,
Like to a Clime beneath Hyperion’s Eye,
Burns with one constant Heat. I’ll strait go to her;
Pray her to regard my Honour: but She greets me.—
Enter Leonora, and Maid
See, how her Beauty doth inrich the Place!
O, add the Musick of thy charming Tongue,
Sweet as the Lark that wakens up the Morn,
And make me think it Paradise indeed.
I was about to seek thee, Leonora,
And chide thy Coldness, Love.
1.2.80 Leonora
What says your Father?
1.2.81 Julio
I have not mov’d him yet.
1.2.82 Leonora
Then do not, Julio.
1.2.83 Julio
Not move him? Was it not your own Command,
That his Consent should ratify our Loves?
1.2.85 Leonora
Perhaps, it was: but now I’ve chang’d my Mind.
You purchase at too dear a Rate, that puts You
To wooe me and your Father too: Besides,
As He, perchance, may say, you shall not have me;
You, who are so obedient, must discharge me
Out of your Fancy: Then, you know, ’twill prove
My Shame and Sorrow, meeting such Repulse,
To wear the Willow in my Prime of Youth.
1.2.93 Julio
Oh! do not rack me with these ill-placed Doubts;
Nor think, tho’ Age has in my Father’s Breast
Put out Love’s Flame, he therefore has not Eyes,
Or is in Judgment blind. You wrong your Beauties,
Venus will frown if you disprize her Gifts,
That have a Face would make a frozen Hermit
Leap from his Cell, and burn his Beads to kiss it;
Eyes, that are nothing but continual Births
Of new Desires in Those that view their Beams.
You cannot have a Cause to doubt.
1.2.103 Leonora
Why, Julio?
When you that dare not chuse without your Father,
And, where you love, you dare not vouch it; must not,
Though you have Eyes, see with ’em; — can I, think you,
Somewhat, perhaps, infected with your Suit,
Sit down content to say, You would, but dare not?
1.2.109 Julio
Urge not Suspicions of what cannot be;
You deal unkindly; mis-becomingly,
I’m loth to say: For All that waits on you,
Is graced, and graces. — No Impediment
Shall bar my Wishes, but such grave Delays
As Reason presses Patience with; which blunt not,
But rather whet our Loves. Be patient, Sweet.
1.2.116 Leonora
Patient! What else? My Flames are in the Flint.
Haply, to lose a Husband I may weep;
Never, to get One: When I cry for Bondage,
Let Freedom quit me.
1.2.120 Julio
From what a Spirit comes This?
I now perceive too plain, you care not for me.
Duke, I obey thy Summons, be its Tenour
Whate’er it will: If War, I come thy Souldier:
Or if to waste my silken Hours at Court,
The Slave of Fashion, I with willing Soul
Embrace the lazy Banishment for Life;
Since Leonora has pronounc’d my Doom.
1.2.128 Leonora
What do you mean? Why talk you of the Duke?
Wherefore of War, or Court, or Banishment?
1.2.130 Julio
How this new Note is grown of me, I know not;
But the Duke writes for Me. Coming to move
My Father in our Bus’ness, I did find him
Reading this Letter; whose Contents require
My instant Service, and Repair to Court.
1.2.135 Leonora
Now I perceive the Birth of these Delays;
Why Leonora was not worth your Suit.
Repair to Court? Ay, there you shall, perhaps,
(Rather, past Doubt;) behold some choicer Beauty,
Rich in her Charms, train’d to the Arts of Soothing,
Shall prompt you to a Spirit of Hardiness,
To say, So please you, Father, I have chosen
This Mistress for my own. —
1.2.143 Julio
Still you mistake me:
Ever your Servant I profess my self;
And will not blot me with a Change, for all
That Sea and Land inherit.
1.2.147 Leonora
But when go you?
1.2.148 Julio
To morrow, Love; so runs the Duke’s Command;
Stinting our Farewell-kisses, cutting off
The Forms of Parting, and the Interchange
Of thousand precious Vows, with Haste too rude.
Lovers have Things of Moment to debate,
More than a Prince, or dreaming Statesman, know:
Such Ceremonies wait on Cupid’s Throne.
Why heav’d that Sigh?
1.2.156 Leonora
O Julio, let me whisper
What, but for Parting, I should blush to tell thee:
My Heart beats thick with Fears, lest the gay Scene,
The Splendors of a Court, should from thy Breast
Banish my Image, kill my Int’rest in thee,
And I be left, the Scoff of Maids, to drop
A Widow’s Tear for thy departed Faith.
1.2.163 Julio
O let Assurance, strong as Words can bind,
Tell thy pleas’d Soul, I will be wond’rous faithful;
True, as the Sun is to his Race of Light,
As Shade to Darkness, as Desire to Beauty:
And when I swerve, let Wretchedness o’ertake me,
Great as e’er Falshood met, or Change can merit.
1.2.169 Leonora
Enough; I’m satisfied: and will remain
Yours, with a firm and untir’d Constancy.
Make not your Absence long: Old Men are wav’ring;
And sway’d by Int’rest more than Promise giv’n.
Should some fresh Offer start, when you’re away,
I may be prest to Something, which must put
My Faith, or my Obedience, to the Rack.
1.2.176 Julio
Fear not, but I with swiftest Wing of Time
Will labour my Return. And in my Absence,
My noble Friend, and now our honour’d Guest,
The Lord Henriquez, will in my behalf
Hang at your Father’s Ear, and with kind Hints,
Pour’d from a friendly Tongue, secure my Claim;
And play the Lover for thy absent Julio.
1.2.183 Leonora
Is there no Instance of a Friend turn’d false?
Take Heed of That: No Love by Proxy, Julio
My Father—;
Enters Don Bernard
1.2.186 Don Bernard
What, Julio, in publick? This Wooeing is too urGentleman Is your Father yet moved in the Suit, who must be the prime Unfolder of this Business?
1.2.189 Julio
I have not yet, indeed, at full possess’d
My Father, whom it is my Service follows;
But only that I have a Wife in Chase.
1.2.192 Don Bernard
Chase! — Let Chase alone: No Matter for That.— You may halt after her, whom you profess to pursue, and catch her too; Marry, not unless your Father let you slip. — Briefly, I desire you, (for she tells me, my Instructions shall be both Eyes and Feet to her;) no farther to insist in your Requiring, ’till, as I have formerly said, Camillo make known to Me, that his good Liking goes along with Us; which but once breath’d, all is done; ’till when, the Business has no Life, and cannot find a Beginning.
1.2.203 Julio
Sir, I will know his Mind, e’er I taste Sleep:
At Morn, you shall be learn’d in his Desire.
I take my Leave. — O virtuous Leonora,
Repose, sweet as thy Beauties, seal thy Eyes;
Once more, adieu. I have thy Promise, Love;
Remember, and be faithful. [Ex. Julio]
1.2.209 Don Bernard
His Father is as unsettled, as he is wayward, in his Disposition. If I thought young Julio’s Temper were not mended by the Mettal of his Mother, I should be something crazy in giving my Consent to this Match: And, to tell you true, if my Eyes might be the Directors to your Mind, I could in this Town look upon Twenty Men of more delicate Choice. I speak not this altogether to unbend your Affections to him: But the Meaning of what I say is, that you set such Price upon yourself to him, as Many, and much his Betters, would buy you at; (and reckon those Virtues in you at the rate of their Scarcity;) to which if he come not up, you remain for a better Mart.
1.2.221 Leonora
My Obedience, Sir, is chain’d to your Advice.
1.2.222 Don Bernard
’Tis well said, and wisely. I fear, your Lover is a little Folly-tainted; which, shortly after it proves so, you will repent.
1.2.225 Leonora
Sir, I confess, I approve him of all the Men I know; but that Approbation is nothing, ’till season’d by your Consent.
1.2.228 Don Bernard
We shall hear soon what his Father will do, and so proceed accordingly. I have no great Heart to the Business, neither will I with any Violence oppose it: But leave it to that Power which rules in these Conjunctions, and there’s an End. Come; haste We homeward, Girl. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 1

Scene 3

The same

Enter Henriquez, and Servants with Lights
1.3.1 Henriquez
Bear the Lights close: — Where is the Musick, Sirs?
1.3.2 Servant to Henriquez
Coming, my Lord.
1.3.3 Henriquez
Let ’em not come too near. This Maid,
For whom my Sighs ride on the Night’s chill Vapour,
Is born most humbly, tho’ she be as fair
As Nature’s richest Mould and Skill can make her,
Mended with strong Imagination.
But what of That? Th’ Obscureness of her Birth
Cannot eclipse the Lustre of her Eyes,
Which make her all One Light.— Strike up, my Masters;
But touch the Strings with a religious Softness;
Teach Sound to languish thro’ the Night’s dull Ear,
’Till Melancholy start from her lazy Couch,
And Carelessness grow Convert to Attention.
Musick plays
She drives me into Wonder, when I sometimes
Hear her discourse; The Court, whereof Report,
And Guess alone inform her, she will rave at,
As if she there sev’n Reigns had slander’d Time.
Then, when she reasons on her Country State,
Health, Virtue, Plainness, and Simplicity,
On Beauties true in Title, scorning Art,
Freedom as well to do, as think, what’s good;
My Heart grows sick of Birth and empty Rank,
And I become a Villager in Wish.
Play on; — She sleeps too sound: — Be still, and vanish:
A Gleam of Day breaks sudden from her Window:
O Taper, graced by that midnight Hand!
Violante appears above at her Window
1.3.28 Violante
Who is’t, that wooes at this late Hour? What are you?
1.3.29 Henriquez
One, who for your dear Sake —
1.3.30 Violante
Watches the starless Night!
My Lord Henriquez, or my Ear deceives me.
You’ve had my Answer, and ’tis more than strange
You’ll combat these Repulses. Good my Lord,
Be Friend to your own Health; and give me Leave,
Securing my poor Fame, nothing to pity
What Pangs you swear you suffer. ’Tis impossible
To plant your choice Affections in my Shade,
At least, for them to grow there.
1.3.39 Henriquez
Why, Violante?
1.3.40 Violante
Alas! Sir, there are Reasons numberless
To bar your Aims. Be warn’d to Hours more wholesom;
For, These you watch in vain. I have read Stories,
(I fear, too true ones;) how young Lords, like you,
Have thus besung mean Windows, rhymed their Sufferings
Ev’n to th’Abuse of Things Divine, set up
Plain Girls, like me, the Idols of their Worship,
Then left them to bewail their easie Faith,
And stand the World’s Contempt.
1.3.49 Henriquez
Your Memory,
Too faithful to the Wrongs of few lost Maids,
Makes Fear too general.
1.3.52 Violante
Let us be homely,
And let us too be chast, doing you Lords no Wrong;
But crediting your Oaths with such a Spirit,
As you profess them: so no Party trusted
Shall make a losing Bargain. Home, my Lord,
What you can say, is most unseasonable; what sing,
Most absonant and harsh: Nay, your Perfume,
Which I smell hither, cheers not my Sense
Like our Field-violet’s Breath.
1.3.61 Henriquez
Why this Dismission
Does more invite my Staying.
1.3.63 Violante
Men of your Temper
Make ev’ry Thing their Bramble. But I wrong
That which I am preserving, my Maid’s Name,
To hold so long Discourse. Your Virtues guide you
T’effect some nobler Purpose! [Ex. Violante]
1.3.68 Henriquez
Stay, bright Maid!
Come back, and leave me with a fairer Hope.
She’s gone:— Who am I, that am thus contemn’d?
The second Son to a Prince? — Yes; well; What then?
Why, your great Birth forbids you to descend
To a low Alliance: — Her’s is the self-same Stuff,
Whereof we Dukes are made; but Clay more pure!
And take away my Title, which is acquir’d
Not by my self, but thrown by Fortune on Me,
Or by the Merit of some Ancestour
Of singular Quality, She doth inherit
Deserts t’outweigh me. — I must stoop to gain her;
Throw all my gay Comparisons aside,
And turn my proud Additions out of Service,
Rather than keep them to become my Masters.
The Dignities we wear, are Gifts of Pride;
And laugh’d at by the Wise, as meer Outside.
Exit
Contents

Act 2

Scene 1

The Prospect of a Village

Enter Fabian and Lopez; Henriquez on the Opposite Side
2.1.1 Lopez
Soft, soft you, Neighbour; who comes here? Pray you, slink aside.
2.1.2 Henriquez
Ha! Is it come to this? Oh the Devil, the Devil, the Devil!
2.1.3 Fabian
Lo you now! for Want of the discreet Ladle of a cool Understanding, will this Fellow’s Brains boil over.
2.1.6 Henriquez
To have enjoy’d her, I would have given — What?
All that at present I could boast my own,
And the Reversion of the World to boot,
Had the Inheritance been mine: — And now,
(Just Doom of guilty Joys!) I grieve as much
That I have rifled all the Stores of Beauty,
Those Charms of Innocence and artless Love,
As just before I was devour’d with Sorrow,
That she refus’d my Vows, and shut the Door
Upon my ardent Longings.
2.1.16 Lopez
Love! Love! — Downright Love! I see by the Foolishness of it.
2.1.17 Henriquez
Now then to Recollection — Was’t not so? A Promise first of Marriage — Not a Promise only, for ’twas bound with Surety of a thousand Oaths; — and those not light ones neither. — Yet I remember too, those Oaths could not prevail; th’ unpractis’d Maid trembled to meet my Love: By Force alone I snatch’d th’ imperfect Joy, which now torments my Memory. Not Love, but brutal Violence prevail’d; to which the Time, and Place, and Opportunity, were Accessaries most dishonourable. Shame, Shame upon it!
2.1.29 Fabian
What a Heap of Stuff’s this — I fancy, this Fellow’s Head would make a good Pedlar’s Pack, Neighbour.
2.1.32 Henriquez
Hold, let me be severe to my Self, but not unjust. — Was it a Rape then? No. Her Shrieks, her Exclamations then had drove me from her. True, she did not consent; as true, she did resist; but still in Silence all. — ’Twas but the Coyness of a modest Bride, not the Resentment of a ravisht Maid. And is the Man yet born, who would not risque the Guilt, to meet the Joy? — The Guilt! that’s true — but then the Danger; the Tears, the Clamours of the ruin’d Maid, pursuing me to Court. That, that, I fear will (as it already does my Conscience) something shatter my Honour. What’s to be done? But now I have no Choice. Fair Leonora reigns confest the Tyrant Queen of my revolted Heart, and Violante seems a short Usurper there. — Julio’s already by my Arts remov’d.— O Friendship, how wilt thou answer That? Oh, that a Man could reason down this Feaver of the Blood, or sooth with Words the Tumult in his Heart! Then, Julio, I might be, indeed, thy Friend. They, they only should condemn me, who born devoid of Passion ne’er have prov’d the fierce Disputes ’twixt Virtue and Desire. While they, who have, like me, The loose Escapes of youthful Nature known, Must wink at mine, indulgent to their own.
Exit Henriquez
2.1.60 Lopez
This Man is certainly mad, and may be mischievous. Pr’ythee, Neighbour, let’s follow him; but at some Distance, for fear of the worst.
Exeunt, after Henriquez
Contents

Act 2

Scene 2

An Apartment

Enters Violante alone
2.2.1 Violante
Whom shall I look upon without a Blush?
There’s not a Maid, whose Eye with Virgin Gaze
Pierces not to my Guilt. What will’t avail me,
To say I was not willing;
Nothing; but that I publish my Dishonour,
And wound my Fame anew. — O Misery,
To seem to all one’s Neighbours rich, yet know
One’s Self necessitous and wretched.
Enter Maid, and afterwards Gerald with a Letter
2.2.9 Maid to Violante
Madam, here’s Gerald, Lord Henriquez’ Servant;
He brings a Letter to you.
2.2.11 Violante
A Letter to me! How I tremble now!
Your Lord’s for Court, good Gerald, is he not?
2.2.13 Gerald
Not so, Lady.
2.2.14 Violante
O my presaging Heart! When goes he then?
2.2.15 Gerald
His Business now steers him some other Course.
2.2.16 Violante
Whither, I pray you? — How my Fears torment me!
2.2.17 Gerald
Some two Months Progress.
2.2.18 Violante
Whither, whither, Sir,
I do beseech you? Good Heav’ns, I lose all Patience.
Did he deliberate this? or was the Business
But then conceiv’d, when it was born?
2.2.22 Gerald
Lady, I know not That; nor is it in the Command I have to wait your Answer. For the perusing the Letter I commend you to your Leisure.
Exit Gerald
2.2.25 Violante
To Hearts like mine Suspence is Misery.
Wax, render up thy Trust: Be the Contents
Prosp’rous, or fatal, they are all my Due.
[Reads] Our Prudence should now teach us to forget,
what our Indiscretion has committed. I
have already made one Step towards this
Wisdom, by prevailing on Myself to bid you

Farewell.
O, Wretched and betray’d! Lost Violante!
Heart-wounded with a thousand perjur’d Vows,
Poison’d with studied Language, and bequeath’d
To Desperation. I am now become
The Tomb of my own Honour: a dark Mansion,
For Death alone to dwell in. I invite thee,
Consuming Desolation, to this Temple,
Now fit to be thy Spoil: the ruin’d Fabrick,
Which cannot be repair’d, at once o’er-throw.
What must I do? — But That’s not worth my Thought:
I will commend to Hazard all the Time
That I shall spend hereafter: Farewel, my Father,
Whom I’ll no more offend: and Men, adieu,
Whom I’ll no more believe: and Maids, adieu,
Whom I’ll no longer shame. The Way I go,
As yet I know not. — Sorrow be my Guide.
Exit Violante
Contents

Act 2

Scene 3

Prospect of a Village, before Don Bernard’s House

Enters Henriquez
2.3.1 Henriquez
Where were the Eyes, the Voice, the various Charms,
Each beauteous Particle, each nameless Grace,
Parents of glowing Love? All These in Her,
It seems, were not: but a Disease in Me,
That fancied Graces in her. — Who ne’er beheld
More than a Hawthorne, shall have Cause to say
The Cedar’s a tall Tree; and scorn the Shade,
The lov’d Bush once had lent him. Soft! mine Honour
Begins to sicken in this black Reflection.
How can it be, that with my Honour safe
I should pursue Leonora for my Wife?
That were accumulating Injuries,
To Violante first, and now to Julio;
To her a perjur’d Wretch, to him perfidious;
And to myself in strongest Terms accus’d
Of murth’ring Honour wilfully, without which
My Dog’s the Creature of the nobler Kind. —
But Pleasure is too strong for Reason’s Curb;
And Conscience sinks o’er-power’d with Beauty’s Sweets.
Come, Leonora, Authress of my Crime,
Appear, and vindicate thy Empire here;
Aid me to drive this ling’ring Honour hence,
And I am wholly thine.
Enter to him, Don Bernard and Leonora
2.3.24 Don Bernard
Fye, my good Lord; why would you wait without?
If you suspect your Welcome, I have brought
My Leonora to assure you of it. [Henriquez Salutes Leonora]
2.3.27 Henriquez
O Kiss, sweet as the Odours of the Spring,
But cold as Dews that dwell on Morning Flow’rs!
Say, Leonora, has your Father conquer’d?
Shall Duty then at last obtain the Prize,
Which you refus’d to Love? And shall Henriquez
Owe all his Happiness to good Bernardo?
Ah! no; I read my Ruin in your Eyes:
That Sorrow, louder than a thousand Tongues,
Pronounces my Despair.
2.3.36 Don Bernard
Come, Leonora,
You are not now to learn, this noble Lord,
(Whom but to name, restores my failing Age)
Has with a Lover’s Eye beheld your Beauty;
Thro’ which his Heart speaks more than Language can;
It offers Joy and Happiness to You,
And Honour to our House. Imagine then
The Birth and Qualities of him that loves you;
Which when you know, you cannot rate too dear.
2.3.45 Leonora
My Father, on my Knees I do beseech you
To pause one Moment on your Daughter’s Ruin.
I vow, my Heart ev’n bleeds, that I must thank you
For your past Tenderness; and yet distrust
That which is yet behind. Consider, Sir,
Whoe’er’s th’ Occasion of another’s Fault,
Cannot himself be innocent. O, give not
The censuring World Occasion to reproach
Your harsh Commands; or to my Charge lay That
Which most I fear, the Fault of Disobedience.
2.3.55 Don Bernard
Pr’ythee, fear neither the One, nor the Other: I tell thee, Girl, there’s more Fear than danger. For my own part, as soon as Thou art married to this noble Lord, my Fears will be over.
2.3.59 Leonora
Sir, I should be the vainest of my Sex,
Not to esteem myself unworthy far
Of this high Honour. Once there was a Time,
When to have heard my Lord Henriquez’ Vows,
Might have subdued my unexperienc’d Heart,
And made me wholly his. — But That’s now past:
And my firm-plighted Faith by your Consent
Was long since given to the injur’d Julio.
2.3.67 Don Bernard
Why then, by my Consent e’en take it back again. Thou, like a simple Wench, hast given thy Affections to a Fellow, that does not care a Farthing for them. One, that has left thee for a Jaunt to Court; as who should say, I’ll get a Place now; ’tis Time enough to marry, when I’m turn’d out of it.
2.3.74 Henriquez
So, surely, it should seem, most lovely Maid;
Julio, alas, feels nothing of my Passion:
His Love is but th’ Amusement of an Hour,
A short Relief from Business, or Ambition,
The Sport of Youth, and Fashion of the Age.
O! had he known the Hopes, the Doubts, the Ardours,
Or half the fond Varieties of Passion,
That play the Tyrant with my tortur’d Soul;
He had not left Thee to pursue his Fortune:
To practise Cringes in a slavish Circle,
And barter real Bliss for unsure Honour.
2.3.85 Leonora
Oh, the opposing Wind,
Should’ring the Tide, makes here a fearful Billow:
I needs must perish in it.— Oh, my Lord,
Is it then possible, you can forget
What’s due to your great Name, and princely Birth,
To Friendship’s holy Law, to Faith repos’d,
To Truth, to Honour, and poor injur’d Julio?
O think, my Lord, how much this Julio loves you;
Recall his Services, his well-try’d Faith;
Think too, this very Hour, where-e’er he be,
Your Favour is the Envy of the Court,
And secret Triumph of his grateful Heart.
Poor Julio, how securely thou depend’st
Upon the Faith and Honour of thy Master;
Mistaken Youth! this very Hour he robs thee
Of all thy Heart holds dear.— ’Tis so Henriquez
Repays the Merits of unhappy Julio. [Weeps]
2.3.102 Henriquez
My slumb’ring Honour catches the Alarm.
I was to blame to parley with her thus:
Sh’as shown me to myself. It troubles me. [Aside]
2.3.105 Don Bernard
Mad; Mad. Stark mad, by this Light.
2.3.106 Leonora
I but begin to be so. — I conjure you,
By all the tender Interests of Nature,
By the chaste Love ’twixt you, and my dear Mother,
(O holy Heav’n, that she were living now!)
Forgive and pity me.— Oh, Sir, remember,
I’ve heard my Mother say a thousand Times,
Her Father would have forced her Virgin Choice;
But when the Conflict was ’twixt Love and Duty,
Which should be first obey’d, my Mother quickly
Paid up her Vows to Love, and married You.
You thought this well, and she was praised for This;
For this her Name was honour’d, Disobedience
Was ne’er imputed to her, her firm Love
Conquer’d whate’er oppos’d it, and she prosper’d
Long Time your Wife. My Case is now the same;
You are the Father, which You then condemn’d;
I, what my Mother was; but not so happy.—
2.3.123 Don Bernard
Go to, you’re a Fool. No doubt, You have old Stories enough to undo you.— What, you can’t throw yourself away but by Precedent, ha?— You will needs be married to One, that will None of You? You will be happy no Body’s way but your own, forsooth.— But, d’ye mark me, spare your Tongue for the future; (and That’s using you hardly too, to bid you spare what you have a great deal too much of:) Go, go your ways, and d’ye hear, get ready within these two days to be married to a Husband you don’t deserve; — Do it, or, by my dead Father’s Soul, you are no acquaintance of mine.
2.3.133 Henriquez
She weeps: Be gentler to her, good Bernardo.
2.3.134 Leonora
Then Woe the Day. — I’m circled round with Fire;
No Way for my Escape, but thro’ the Flames.
Oh, can I e’er resolve to live without
A Father’s Blessing, or abandon Julio?
With other Maids, the Choice were not so hard;
Int’rest, that rules the World, has made at last
A Merchandize of Hearts: and Virgins now
Chuse as they’re bid, and wed without Esteem.
By nobler Springs shall my Affections move;
Nor own a Master, but the Man I love.
Exit Leonora
2.3.144 Don Bernard
Go thy ways, Contradiction. — Follow her, my Lord; follow her, in the very Heat. This Obstinacy must be combated by Importunity as obstinate. [Exit Henriquez after her]
The Girl says right; her Mother was just such Another. I remember, Two of Us courted her at the same Time. She lov’d neither of Us, but She chose me purely to spight that surly Old Blockhead my Father-in-Law. Who comes here, Camillo? Now the refusing Part will lie on my Side.—
Enters Camillo
2.3.154 Camillo
My worthy Neighbour, I am much in Fortune’s Favour to find You thus alone. I have a Suit to You.
2.3.157 Don Bernard
Please to name it, Sir.
2.3.158 Camillo
Sir, I have long held You in singular Esteem: and what I shall now say, will be a Proof of it. You know, Sir, I have but one Son.
2.3.161 Don Bernard
Ay, Sir.
2.3.162 Camillo
And the Fortune I am blest withal, You pretty well know what it is.
2.3.163 Don Bernard
’Tis a fair One, Sir.
2.3.164 Camillo
Such as it is, the whole Reversion is my Son’s. He is now engaged in his Attendance on our Master, the Duke Angelo But e’er he went, he left with me the Secret of his Heart, his Love for your fair Daughter. For your Consent, he said, ’twas ready: I took a Night, indeed, to think upon it, and now have brought you mine; and am come to bind the Contract with half my Fortune in present, the Whole some time hence, and, in the mean while, my hearty Blessing. Ha? What say You to’t, Don Bernard?
2.3.175 Don Bernard
Why, really, Neighbour, — I must own, I have heard Something of this Matter.—
2.3.177 Camillo
Heard Something of it? No doubt, you have.
2.3.178 Don Bernard
Yes, now I recollect it well.
2.3.179 Camillo
Was it so long ago then?
2.3.180 Don Bernard
Very long ago, Neighbour.— On Tuesday last.
2.3.181 Camillo
What, am I mock’d in this Business, Don Bernard?
2.3.182 Don Bernard
Not mock’d, good Camillo, not mock’d: But in Love-matters, you know, there are Abundance of Changes in half an Hour. Time, Time, Neighbour, plays Tricks with all of us.
2.3.186 Camillo
Time, Sir! What tell you me of Time? Come, I see how this goes. Can a little Time take a Man by the Shoulder, and shake off his Honour? Let me tell you, Neighbour, it must either be a strong Wind, or a very mellow Honesty that drops so easily. Time, quoth’a?
2.3.192 Don Bernard
Look’ee, Camillo; will you please to put your Indignation in your Pocket for half a Moment, while I tell you the whole Truth of the Matter.My Daughter, you must know, is such a tender Soul, she cannot possibly see a Duke’s younger Son without falling desperately in Love with him. Now, you know, Neighbour, when Greatness rides Post after a Man of my Years, ’tis both Prudence, and good Breeding, to let one’s self be overtaken by it. And who can help all This? I profess, it was not my seeking, Neighbour.
2.3.203 Camillo
I profess, a Fox might earth in the Hollowness of your Heart, Neighbour, and there’s an End. If I were to give a bad Conscience its true Likeness, it should be drawn after a very near Neighbour to a certain poor Neighbour of yours. — Neighbour! with a Pox.
2.3.209 Don Bernard
Nay, you are so nimble with me, you will hear Nothing.
2.3.210 Camillo
Sir, if I must speak Nothing, I will hear Nothing. As for what you have to say, if it comes from your Heart, ’tis a Lye before you speak it. — I’ll to Leonora; and if I find her in the same Story, why, I shall believe your Wife was true to You, and your Daughter is your own. Fare you well. [Exit, as into Don Bernardard’s House]
2.3.218 Don Bernard
Ay, but two Words must go to that Bargain. It happens, that I am at present of Opinion my Daughter shall receive no more Company to day; at least, no such Visits as yours.
Exit Don Bernardo, following him
Contents

Act 2

Scene 4

Changes to another prospect of Don Bernard’s House

2.4.1 Leonora
[Above] How tediously I’ve waited at the Window,
Yet know not One that passes.— Should I trust
My Letter to a Stranger, whom I think
To bear an honest Face, (in which sometimes
We fancy we are wond’rous skillful;) then
I might be much deceiv’d. This late Example
Of base Henriquez, bleeding in me now,
From each good Aspect takes away my Trust:
For his Face seem’d to promise Truth and Honour.
Since Nature’s Gifts in noblest Forms deceive,
Be happy You, that want ’em! — Here comes One;
I’ve seen him, tho’ I know him not; He has
An honest Face too— that’s no Matter.— Sir, —
Enters Citizen
2.4.14 Citizen
To me?
2.4.15 Leonora
As You were of a virtuous Matron born,
(There is no Doubt, you are:) I do conjure you
Grant me one Boon. Say, do you know me, Sir?
2.4.18 Citizen
Ay, Leonora, and your worthy Father.
2.4.19 Leonora
I have not Time to press the Suit I’ve to you
With many Words; nay, I should want the Words,
Tho’ I had Leisure: but for Love of Justice,
And as you pity Misery— But I wander
Wide from my Subject. Know you Julio, Sir?
2.4.24 Citizen
Yes, very well; and love him too, as well.
2.4.25 Leonora
Oh, there an Angel spake! Then I conjure you,
Convey this Paper to him: and believe me,
You do Heav’n Service in’t, and shall have Cause
Not to repent your Pains. — I know not what
Your Fortune is; — Pardon me, gentle Sir,
That I am bold to offer This.
Throws down a Purse with Money
2.4.31 Don Bernard
[Within] Leonora. —
2.4.32 Leonora
I trust to you; Heav’n put it in your Heart
To work me some Relief.
2.4.34 Citizen
Doubt it not, Lady. You have mov’d me so,
That tho’ a thousand Dangers barr’d my way,
I’d dare ’em all to serve you. [Exit Citizen]
2.4.37 Leonora
Thanks from a richer Hand than mine requite you!
2.4.38 Don Bernard
[Within] Why, Daughter —
2.4.39 Leonora
I come: — Oh, Julio, feel but half my Grief,
And Thou wilt outfly Time to bring Relief.
Exit Leonora from the Window
Contents

Act 3

Scene 1

The Prospect of a Village

Enter Julio with a Letter, and Citizen
3.1.1 Citizen
When from the Window she did bow and call,
Her Passions shook her Voice; and from her Eyes
Mistemper and Distraction, with strange Wildness
Bespoke Concern above a common Sorrow.
3.1.5 Julio
Poor Leonora! Treacherous, damn’d Henriquez!
She bids me fill my Memory with her Danger;
I do, my Leonora; yes, I fill
The Region of my Thought with nothing else;
Lower, she tells me here, that this Affair
Shall yield a Testimony of her Love:
And prays, her Letter may come safe and sudden.
This Pray’r the Heav’ns have heard, and I beseech ’em,
To hear all Pray’rs she makes.
3.1.14 Citizen
Have Patience, Sir.
3.1.15 Julio
O my good Friend, methinks, I am too patient.
Is there a Treachery, like This in Baseness,
Recorded any where? It is the deepest:
None but Itself can be its Parallel:
And from a Friend, profess’d! — Friendship? Why, ’tis
A Word for ever maim’d; in human Nature
It was a Thing the noblest; and ’mong Beasts,
It stood not in mean Place: Things of fierce Nature
Hold Amity and Concordance. — Such a Villany
A Writer could not put down in his Scene,
Without Taxation of his Auditory
For Fiction most enormous.
3.1.27 Citizen
These Upbraidings
Cool Time, while they are vented.
3.1.29 Julio
I am counsel’d.
For you, evermore, Thanks. You’ve done much for Us;
So gently press’d to ’t, that I may perswade me
You’ll do a little more.
3.1.33 Citizen
Put me t’Employment
That’s honest, tho’ not safe, with my best spirits
I’ll give’t Accomplishment.
3.1.36 Julio
No more but This;
For I must see Leonora: And to appear
Like Julio, as I am, might haply spoil
Some good Event ensuing. Let me crave
Th’ Exchange of Habit with you: some Disguise,
May bear Me to my Love, unmark’d, and secret.
3.1.42 Citizen
You shall not want. Yonder’s the House before us:
Make Haste to reach it.
3.1.44 Julio
Still I thank you, Sir.
O Leonora! stand but this rude Shock;
Hold out thy Faith against the dread Assault
Of this base Lord, the Service of my Life
Shall be devoted to repay thy Constancy. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 3

Scene 2

Don Bernard’s House

Enters Leonora
3.2.1 Leonora
I’ve hoped to th’ latest Minute Hope can give:
He will not come: H’as not receiv’d my Letter:
’Maybe, some other View has from our Home
Repeal’d his chang’d Eye: for what Business can
Excuse a Tardiness thus willfull? None.
Well then, it is not Business. — Oh! that Letter, —
I say, is not deliver’d; or He’s sick;
Or, O Suggestion, wherefore wilt Thou fright me?
Julio does to Henriquez on mere Purpose,
On plotted Purpose, yield me up; and He
Hath chose another Mistress. All Presumptions
Make pow’rful to this Point: His own Protraction,
Henriquez left behind; — That Strain lack’d Jealousie,
Therefore lack’d Love. — So sure as Life shall empty
It self in Death, this new Surmise of mine
Is a bold Certainty. ’Tis plain, and obvious,
Henriquez would not, durst not, thus infringe
The Law of Friendship; thus provoke a Man,
That bears a Sword, and wears his Flag of Youth
As fresh as He: He durst not: ’Tis Contrivance,
Gross-dawbing ’twixt them Both. — But I’m o’erheard. [Going]
Enters Julio, disguised
3.2.23 Julio
Stay, Leonora; Has this outward Veil
Quite lost me to thy Knowledge?
3.2.25 Leonora
O my Julio!
Thy Presence ends the stern Debate of Doubt,
And cures me of a thousand heartsick Fears,
Sprung from thy Absence: yet awakes a Train
Of other sleeping Terrors. Do you weep?
3.2.30 Julio
No, Leonora; when I weep, it must be
The Substance of mine Eye. ’Would I could weep;
For then mine Eye would drop upon my Heart,
And swage the Fire there.
3.2.34 Leonora
You are full possess’d
How things go here. First, welcome heartily;
Welcome to th’Ending of my last good Hour:
Now Summer Bliss and gawdy Days are gone,
My Lease in ’em ’s expir’d.
3.2.39 Julio
Not so, Leonora.
3.2.40 Leonora
Yes, Julio, yes; an everlasting Storm
Is come upon me, which I can’t bear out.
I cannot stay much Talk; we have lost Leisure;
And thus it is: Your Absence hath giv’n Breeding
To what my Letter hath declar’d, and is
This Instant on th’effecting, Hark! the Musick
Flourish within
Is now on tuning, which must celebrate
This Bus’ness so discordant. — Tell me then,
What you will do.
3.2.49 Julio
I know not what: Advise me:
I’ll kill the Traytor.
3.2.51 Leonora
O! take Heed: his Death
Betters our Cause no whit. No killing, Julio.
3.2.53 Julio
My Blood stands still; and all my Faculties
Are by Enchantment dull’d. You gracious Pow’rs,
The Guardians of sworn Faith, and suff’ring Virtue,
Inspire Prevention of this dreaded Mischief!
This Moment is our own; Let’s use it, Love,
And fly o’th’ Instant from this House of Woe.
3.2.59 Leonora
Alas! Impossible: My steps are watch’d;
There’s no Escape for Me. You must stay too.
3.2.61 Julio
What! stay, and see thee ravish’d from my Arms?
I’ll force thy Passage. Wear I not a Sword?
Ne’er on Man’s Thigh rode better. — If I suffer
The Traytor play his Part; if I not do
Manhood and Justice, Honour; let me be deem’d
A tame, pale, Coward, whom the Night-Owl’s Hoot
May turn to Aspen-leaf: Some Man take This,
Give Me a Distaff for it.
3.2.69 Leonora
Patience, Julio;
And trust to Me: I have fore-thought the Means
To disappoint these Nuptials. — Hark! again;
Musick within
These are the Bells knoll for Us.— See, the Lights
Move this Way, Julio. Quick, behind yon Arras,
And take thy secret Stand. — Dispute it not;
I have my Reasons, you anon shall know them: —
There you may mark the Passages of the Night.
Yet, more: — I charge you by the dearest Tyes,
What-e’er you see, or hear, what-e’er shall hap,
In your Concealment rest a silent Statue.
Nay, hide thee strait, — or, — see, I’m arm’d and vow [Shews a dagger]
To fall a bleeding Sacrifice before Thee.
Thrusts him out, to the Arras
I dare not tell thee of my Purpose, Julio,
Lest it should wrap thee in such Agonies,
Which my Love could not look on. —
Scene opens to a large Hall: An Altar prepared with Tapers. Enter at one Door Servants with Lights, Henriquez, Don Bernard, and Churchman. At another, Attendants to Leonora. Henriquez runs to her
3.2.86 Henriquez
Why, Leonora, wilt Thou with this Gloom
Darken my Triumph; suff’ring Discontent,
And wan Displeasure, to subdue that Cheek
Where Love should sit inthron’d? Behold your Slave;
Nay, frown not; for each Hour of growing Time
Shall task me to thy Service, ’till by Merit
Of dearest Love I blot the low-born Julio
From thy fair Mind.
3.2.94 Leonora
So I shall make it foul;
This Counsel is corrupt.
3.2.96 Henriquez
Come, you will change.—
3.2.97 Leonora
Why would you make a Wife of such a One,
That is so apt to change? This foul Proceeding
Still speaks against itself, and vilifies
The purest of your Judgment. — For your Birth’s Sake
I will not dart my hoarded Curses at you,
Nor give my Meanings Language: For the Love
Of all good Things together, yet take heed,
And spurn the Tempter back.
3.2.105 Don Bernard
I think, you’re mad. — Perverse, and foolish, Wretch!
3.2.106 Leonora
How may I be obedient, and wise too?
Of my Obedience, Sir, I cannot strip me;
Nor can I then be wise: Grace against Grace!
Ungracious, if I not obey a Father;
Most perjur’d, if I do. — Yet, Lord, consider,
Or e’er too late, or e’er that Knot be ty’d,
Which may with Violence damnable be broken,
No other way dissever’d: Yet consider,
You wed my Body, not my Heart, my Lord;
No Part of my Affection. Sounds it well,
That Julio’s Love is Lord Henriquez’ Wife;
Have you an Ear for this harsh Sound?
3.2.118 Henriquez
No Shot of Reason can come near the Place,
Where my Love’s fortified. The Day shall come,
Wherein you’ll chide this Backwardness, and bless
Our Fervour in this Course.
3.2.122 Leonora
No, no, Henriquez,
When you shall find what Prophet you are prov’d,
You’ll prophesie no more.
3.2.125 Don Bernard
Have done this Talking,
If you will cleave to your Obedience, do’t;
If not, unbolt the Portal, and be gone;
My Blessing stay behind you.
3.2.129 Leonora
Sir, your Pardon:
I will not swerve a Hair’s Breadth from my Duty;
It shall first cost me dear.
3.2.132 Don Bernard
Well then, to th’ Point:
Give me your Hand. — My honour’d Lord, receive
My Daughter of Me, — (nay, no dragging back,
But with my Curses;) — whom I frankly give you,
And wish you Joy and Honour.
As Don Bernard goes to give Leonora to Henriquez, Julio advances from the Arras, and steps between
3.2.137 Julio
Hold, Don Bernard,
Mine is the elder Claim.
3.2.139 Don Bernard
What are you, Sir?
3.2.140 Julio
A Wretch, that’s almost lost to his own Knowledge,
Struck thro’ with Injuries. —
3.2.142 Henriquez
Ha! Julio? — Hear you,
Were you not sent on our Commands to Court?
Order’d to wait your fair Dismission thence?
And have you dared, knowing you are our Vassal,
To steal away unpriviledg’d, and leave
My Business and your Duty unaccomplish’d?
3.2.148 Julio
Ungen’rous Lord! The Circumstance of Things
Should stop the Tongue of Question. — You have wrong’d me;
Wrong’d me so basely, in so dear a Point,
As stains the Cheek of Honour with a Blush;
Cancells the Bonds of Service; bids Allegiance
Throw to the Wind all high Respects of Birth,
Title, and Eminence; and, in their Stead,
Fills up the panting Heart with just Defiance.
If you have Sense of Shame, or Justice, Lord,
Forego this bad Intent; or with your Sword
Answer me like a Man, and I shall thank you.
Julio once dead, Leonora may be thine;
But, living, She’s a Prize too rich to part with.
3.2.161 Henriquez
Vain Man! the present Hour is fraught with Business
Of richer Moment. Love shall first be serv’d:
Then, if your Courage hold to claim it of me,
I may have Leisure to chastise this Boldness.
3.2.165 Julio
Nay, then I’ll seize my Right.
3.2.166 Henriquez
What, here, a Brawl?
My Servants, — Turn this boist’rous Sworder forth;
And see he come not to disturb our Joys.
3.2.169 Julio
Hold, Dogs! — Leonora, — Coward, base, Henriquez!
Julio is seiz’d, and drag’d out by the Servants
3.2.170 Henriquez
She dies upon Me; help!
Leonora swoons; as they endeavour to recover her, a Paper drops from her
3.2.171 Don Bernard
Throng not about her;
But give her Air.
3.2.173 Henriquez
What Paper’s That? let’s see it.
It is her own Hand-Writing.
3.2.175 Don Bernard
Bow her Head:
’Tis but her Fright; she will recover soon.
What learn you by that Paper, good my Lord?
3.2.178 Henriquez
That she would do the Violence to herself,
Which Nature hath anticipated on her.
What Dagger means she? Search her well, I pray you.
3.2.181 Don Bernard
Here is the dagger. — Oh, the stubborn Sex,
Rash ev’n to Madness! —
3.2.183 Henriquez
Bear her to her Chamber:
Life flows in her again. — Pray, bear her hence:
And tend her, as you would the World’s best Treasure.
Women carry Leonora off
3.2.186 Don Bernard
This wild Tumult soon will cease,
The Cause remov’d; and all return to Calmness.
Passions in Women are as short in Working,
As strong in their Effect. Let the Priest wait:
Come, go we in: My Soul is all on Fire;
And burns impatient of this forc’d Delay.
Contents

Act 3

Scene 3

Prospect of a Village at a Distance

Enters Roderick
3.3.1 Roderick
Julio’s Departure thus in secret from Me,
With the long doubtful Absence of my Brother,
(Who cannot suffer, but my Father feels it;)
Have trusted me with strong Suspicions,
And Dreams, that will not let me sleep, nor eat,
Nor taste those Recreations Health demands:
But, like a Whirlwind, hither have they snatch’d me,
Perforce, to be resolv’d. I know my Brother
Had Julio’s Father for his Host: from him
Enquiry may befriend me.
Enters Camillo
Old Sir, I’m glad
To ’ve met you thus: What ails the Man? Camillo, —
3.3.13 Camillo
Ha?
3.3.14 Roderick
Is’t possible, you should forget your Friends?
3.3.15 Camillo
Friends! What are Those?
3.3.16 Roderick
Why, Those that love you, Sir.
3.3.17 Camillo
You’re None of Those, sure, if you be Lord Roderick.
3.3.18 Roderick
Yes, I am that Lord Roderick, and I lie not,
If I protest, I love you passing well.
3.3.20 Camillo
You lov’d my Son too passing well, I take it:
One, that believ’d too suddenly his Court-Creed.
3.3.22 Roderick
All is not well. [aside] — Good old man, do not rail.
3.3.23 Camillo
My Lord, my Lord, you’ve dealt dishonourably.
3.3.24 Roderick
Good Sir, I am so far from doing Wrongs
Of that base Strain, I understand you not.
3.3.26 Camillo
Indeed! — You know not neither, o’ my Conscience,
How your most virtuous Brother, noble Henriquez,
(You look so like him, Lord, you are the worse for’t;
Rots upon such Dissemblers!) under colour
Of buying Coursers, and I know not what,
Bought my poor Boy out of Possession
Ev’n of his plighted Faith. — Was not this Honour?
And This a constant Friend?
3.3.34 Roderick
I dare not say so.
3.3.35 Camillo
Now you have robb’d him of his Love, take all;
Make up your Malice, and dispatch his Life too.
3.3.37 Roderick
If you would hear me, Sir, —
3.3.38 Camillo
Your brave old Father
Would have been torn in Pieces with wild Horses,
E’er he had done this Treachery. On my Conscience,
Had he but dreamt you Two durst have committed
This base, unmanly Crime, —
3.3.43 Roderick
Why, this is Madness. —
3.3.44 Camillo
I’ve done; I’ve eas’d my Heart; now you may talk.
3.3.45 Roderick
Then as I am a Gentleman, believe me,
(For I will lie for no Man;) I’m so far
From being guilty of the least Suspicion
Of Sin that way, that fearing the long Absence
Of Julio and my Brother might beget
Something to start at, hither have I travell’d
To know the Truth of you.
Enters Violante behind
3.3.52 Violante
My Servant loiters; sure, he means me well.
Camillo, and a Stranger? These may give me
Some Comfort from their Talk. I’ll step aside:
And hear what Fame is stirring. [Violante retires]
3.3.56 Roderick
Why this Wond’ring?
3.3.57 Camillo
Can there be one so near in Blood as you are
To that Henriquez, and an honest Man?
3.3.59 Roderick
While he was good, I do confess my Nearness;
But, since his Fall from Honour, he’s to me
As a strange Face I saw but Yesterday,
And as soon lost.
3.3.63 Camillo
I ask your Pardon, Lord;
I was too rash and bold.
3.3.65 Roderick
No Harm done, Sir.
3.3.66 Camillo
But is it possible, you should not hear
The Passage ’twixt Leonora and your Brother?
3.3.68 Roderick
None of All This.
Enters Citizen
How now?
3.3.70 Citizen
I bear you Tidings, Sir, which I could wish
Some other Tongue deliver’d.
3.3.72 Camillo
Whence, I pray you?
3.3.73 Citizen
From your Son, Sir.
3.3.74 Camillo
Pr’ythee, where is he?
3.3.75 Citizen
That’s more than I know now, Sir.
But This I can assure you, he has left
The City raging mad; Heav’n comfort him!
He came to that curst Marriage — The Fiends take it! —
3.3.79 Camillo
Pr’ythee, be gone, and bid the Bell knoll for me:
I have had one Foot in the Grave some Time.
Nay, go, good Friend; thy News deserve no Thanks.
How does your Lordship? [Exit Citizen]
3.3.83 Roderick
That’s well said, old man.
I hope, all shall be well yet.
3.3.85 Camillo
It had need;
For ’tis a crooked World. Farewell, poor Boy! —
Enters Don Bernard
3.3.87 Don Bernard
This comes of forcing Women where they hate:
It was my own Sin; and I am rewarded.
Now I am like an aged Oak, alone,
Left for all Tempests. — I would cry, but cannot:
I’m dry’d to Death almost with these Vexations.
Lord! what a heavy Load I have within me!
My Heart, — my Heart, — my Heart —
3.3.94 Camillo
Has this ill Weather
Met with Thee too?
3.3.96 Don Bernard
O Wench, that I were with thee!
3.3.97 Camillo
You do not come to mock at me now?
3.3.98 Don Bernard
Ha? —
3.3.99 Camillo
Do not dissemble; Thou may’st find a Knave
As bad as thou art, to undo thee too:
I hope to see that Day before I die yet.
3.3.102 Don Bernard
It needeth not, Camillo; I am Knave
Sufficient to my self. If thou wilt rail,
Do it as bitterly as thou canst think of;
For I deserve it. Draw thy Sword, and strike me;
And I will thank thee for’t. — I’ve lost my Daughter;
She’s stol’n away; and whither gone, I know not.
3.3.108 Camillo
She has a fair Blessing in being from you, Sir.
I was too poor a Brother for your Greatness;
You must be grafted into noble Stocks,
And have your Titles rais’d. My State was laugh’d at:
And my Alliance scorn’d. I’ve lost a Son too;
Which must not be put up so. [Offers to draw]
3.3.114 Roderick
Hold; be counsel’d.
You’ve equal Losses; urge no farther Anger.
Heav’n, pleas’d now at your Love, may bring again,
And, no Doubt, will, your Children to your Comforts:
In which Adventure my Foot shall be foremost.
And One more will I add, my Honour’d Father;
Who has a Son to grieve for too, tho’ tainted.
Let your joint Sorrow be as Balm to heal
These Wounds of adverse Fortune.
3.3.123 Don Bernard
Come, Camillo,
Do not deny your Love, for Charity;
I ask it of you. Let this noble Lord
Make Brothers of Us, whom our own cross Fates
Could never join. What I have been, forget;
What I intend to be, believe and nourish:
I do confess my Wrongs; give me your Hand.
3.3.130 Camillo
Heav’n make thee honest; — there.
3.3.131 Roderick
’Tis done like good Men.
Now there rests Nought, but that we part, and each
Take sev’ral Ways in Quest of our lost Friends:
Some of my Train o’er the wild Rocks shall wait you.
Our best Search ended, here we’ll meet again,
And tell the Fortunes of our separate Travels. [Exeunt]
Violante comes forward
3.3.137 Violante
I would, your Brother had but half your Virtue!
Yet there remains a little Spark of Hope
That lights me to some Comfort. The Match is cross’d;
The Parties separate; and I again
May come to see this Man that has betray’d me;
And wound his Conscience for it: Home again
I will not go, whatever Fortune guides me;
Tho’ ev’ry Step I went, I trod upon
Dangers as fearful and as pale as Death.
No, no, Henriquez; I will follow thee
Where there is Day. Time may beget a Wonder.
Enters Servant to Violante
O, are you come? What News?
3.3.149 Servant to Violante
None, but the worst.Your Father makes mighty Offers yonder by a Cryer, to any One can bring you home again.
3.3.152 Violante
Art Thou corrupted?
3.3.153 Servant to Violante
No.
3.3.154 Violante
Wilt thou be honest?
3.3.155 Servant to Violante
I hope, you do not fear me.
3.3.156 Violante
Indeed, I do not. Thou hast an honest Face;
And such a Face, when it deceives, take heed,
Is curst of all Heav’n’s Creatures.
3.3.159 Servant to Violante
I’ll hang first.
3.3.160 Violante
Heav’n bless thee from that End! — I’ve heard a Man
Say more than This; and yet that Man was false.
Thou’lt not be so, I hope.
3.3.163 Servant to Violante
By my Life, Mistress, —
3.3.164 Violante
Swear not; I credit Thee. But pr’ythee tho’,
Take Heed, thou dost not fail: I do not doubt Thee:
Yet I have trusted such a serious Face,
And been abused too.
3.3.168 Servant to Violante
If I fail your Trust, —
3.3.169 Violante
I do thee Wrong to hold thy Honesty
At Distance thus: Thou shalt know all my Fortunes.
Get me a Shepherd’s Habit.
3.3.172 Servant to Violante
Well; what else?
3.3.173 Violante
And wait me in the Evening, where I told thee;
There Thou shalt know my farther Ends. Take Heed—
3.3.175 Servant to Violante
D’ye fear me still?
3.3.176 Violante
No; This is only Counsel:
My Life and Death I have put equally
Into thy Hand: Let not Rewards, nor Hopes,
Be cast into the Scale to turn thy Faith.
Be honest but for Virtue’s sake, that’s all;
He, that has such a Treasure, cannot fall. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 4

Scene 1

A Wide Plain, with a Prospect of Mountains at a Distance

Enter Master of the Flocks, three or four Shepherds, and Violante in Boy’s Clothes
4.1.1 Shepherd 1
Well, he’s as sweet a Man, Heav’n comfort him! as ever these Eyes look’d on.
4.1.3 Shepherd 2
If he have a Mother, I believe, Neighbours, she’s a Woe-woman for him at this Hour.
4.1.5 Master of the Flocks
Why should he haunt these wild unpeopled Mountains,
Where nothing dwells but Hunger, and sharp Winds?
4.1.7 Shepherd 1
His Melancholy, Sir, that’s the main Devil does it. Go to, I fear he has had too much foul Play offer’d him.
4.1.10 Master of the Flocks
How gets he Meat?
4.1.11 Shepherd 2
Why, now and then he takes our Victuals from us, tho’ we desire him to eat; and instead of a short Grace, beats us well and soundly, and then falls to.
4.1.15 Master of the Flocks
Where lies He?
4.1.16 Shepherd 1
Ev’n where the Night o’ertakes him.
4.1.17 Shepherd 2
Now will I be hang’d, an’ some fair-snouted skittish Woman, or other, be not at the End of this Madness.
4.1.20 Shepherd 1
Well, if he lodg’d within the Sound of us, I knew our Musick would allure him. How attentively he stood, and how he fix’d his Eyes, when your Boy sung his Love-Ditty. Oh, here he comes again.
4.1.25 Master of the Flocks
Let him alone; he wonders strangely at us.
4.1.26 Shepherd 1
Not a Word, Sirs, to cross him, as you love your Shoulders.
4.1.27 Shepherd 2
He seems much disturb’d: I believe the mad Fit is upon him.
Julio enters
4.1.28 Julio
Horsemanship!— Hell— Riding shall be abolish’d:
Turn the barb’d Steed loose to his native Wildness;
It is a Beast too noble to be made
The Property of Man’s Baseness.— What a Letter
Wrote he to’s Brother? What a Man was I?
Why, Perseus did not know his Seat like me;
The Parthian, that rides swift without the Rein,
Match’d not my Grace and Firmness. – – – Shall this Lord
Dye, when Men pray for him? Think you ’tis meet?
4.1.38 Shepherd 1
I don’t know what to say: Neither I, nor all the Confessors in Spain, can unriddle this wild Stuff.
4.1.41 Julio
I must to Court! be usher’d into Grace,
By a large List of Praises ready penn’d!
O Devil! What a venomous World is this,
When Commendations are the Baits to Ruin!
All these good Words were Gyves and Fetters, Sir,
To keep me bolted there: while the false Sender
Play’d out the Game of Treach’ry.— Hold; come hither;
You have an Aspect, Sir, of wond’rous Wisdom,
And, as it seems, are travell’d deep in Knowledge;
Have you e’er seen the Phoenix of the Earth,
The Bird of Paradise?
4.1.52 Shepherd 2
In Troth, not I, Sir.
4.1.53 Julio
I have; and known her Haunts, and where she built
Her spicy Nest: ’till, like a credulous Fool,
I shew’d the Treasure to a Friend in Trust,
And he hath robb’d me of her. — Trust no Friend:
Keep thy Heart’s Counsels close. — Hast thou a Mistress?
Give her not out in Words; nor let thy Pride
Be wanton to display her Charms to View;
Love is contagious: and a Breath of Praise,
Or a slight Glance, has kindled up its Flame,
And turn’d a Friend a Traytor. — ’Tis in Proof;
And it has hurt my Brain.
4.1.64 Shepherd 1
Marry, now there is some Moral in his Madness, and we may profit by it.
4.1.65 Master of the Flocks
See, he grows cool, and pensive.
Go towards him, Boy, but do not look that way.
4.1.67 Violante
Alas! I tremble —
4.1.68 Julio
Oh, my pretty Youth!
Come hither, Child; Did not your Song imply
Something of Love?
4.1.71 Shepherd 1
Ha—ha— goes it there? Now if the Boy be witty, we shall trace something.
4.1.73 Violante
Yes, Sir, it was the Subject.
4.1.74 Julio
Sit here then: Come, shake not, good pretty Soul,
Nor do not fear me; I’ll not do thee Wrong.
4.1.76 Violante
Why do you look so on me?
4.1.77 Julio
I have Reasons.
It puzzles my Philosophy, to think
That the rude Blast, hot Sun, and dashing Rains
Have made no fiercer War upon thy Youth;
Nor hurt the Bloom of that Vermilion Cheek.
You weep too, do you not?
4.1.83 Violante
Sometimes, I do.
4.1.84 Julio
I weep sometimes too. You’re extremely young.
4.1.85 Violante
Indeed, I’ve seen more Sorrows far than Years.
4.1.86 Julio
Yet all these have not broken your Complexion.
You have a strong Heart, and you are the happier.
I warrant, you’re a very loving Woman.
4.1.89 Violante
A Woman, Sir?— I fear, h’as found me out.
Aside
4.1.90 Shepherd 2
He takes the Boy for a Woman.— Mad, again!
4.1.91 Julio
You’ve met some Disappointment; some foul Play
Has cross’d your Love.— I read it in your Face.
4.1.93 Violante
You read a Truth then.
4.1.94 Julio
Where can lie the Fault?
Is’t in the Man, or some dissembling Knave,
He put in Trust? Ho! have I hit the Cause?
4.1.97 Violante
You’re not far off.
4.1.98 Julio
This World is full of Coz’ners, very full;
Young Virgins must be wary in their Ways.
I’ve known a Duke’s Son do as great a Knavery.
Will you be rul’d by me?
4.1.102 Violante
Yes.
4.1.103 Julio
Kill Yourself.
’Twill be a Terror to the Villain’s Conscience,
The longest Day he lives.
4.1.106 Violante
By no Means. What?
Commit Self-murther!
4.1.108 Julio
Yes; I’ll have it so.
4.1.109 Shepherd 1
I fear, his Fit is returning. Take heed of all hands. — Sir,— do you want any thing?
4.1.111 Julio
Thou ly’st; thou can’st not hurt me: I am proof
’Gainst farther Wrongs. — Steal close behind me, Lady.
I will avenge Thee.
4.1.114 Violante
Thank the Heav’ns, I’m free.
4.1.115 Julio
O treach’rous, base Henriquez! have I caught thee?
4.1.116 Shepherd 2
Help! help! good Neighbours; he will kill me else.
Julio seizes on the Shepherd; Violante runs out
4.1.117 Julio
Here Thou shalt pay thy Heart-blood for the Wrongs
Thou’st heap’d upon this Head. Faith-breaker! Villain!
I’ll suck thy Life-blood.
4.1.120 Shepherd 1
Good Sir, have Patience; this is no Henriquez. [They rescue the Shepherd]
4.1.121 Julio
Well; let him slink to Court, and hide a Coward;
Not all his Father’s Guards shall shield him there.
Or if he prove too strong for Mortal Arm,
I will sollicit ev’ry Saint in Heav’n
To lend me Vengeance. — I’ll about it strait. —
The wrathful Elements shall wage this War;
Furies shall haunt him; Vultures gnaw his Heart;
And Nature pour forth all her Stores of Plagues,
To join in Punishment of Trust betray’d. [Exit Julio]
4.1.130 Shepherd 2
Go thy Ways, and a Vengeance go with Thee! — Pray, feel my Nose; is it fast, Neighbours?
4.1.132 Shepherd 1
’Tis as well as may be.
4.1.133 Shepherd 2
He pull’d at it, as he would have drag’d a Bullock backward by the Tail. — An’t had been some Men’s Nose that I know, Neighbours, who knows where it had been now? He has given me such a devilish Dash o’er the Mouth, that I feel, I shall never whistle to my Sheep again: Then they’ll make Holy-day.
4.1.140 Shepherd 1
Come, shall we go? for, I fear, if the Youth return, our second Course will be much more against our Stomachs.
4.1.143 Master of the Flocks
Walk you afore; I will but give my Boy
Some short Instructions, and I’ll follow strait.
We’ll crash a Cup together.
4.1.146 Shepherd 1
Pray, do not linger.
4.1.147 Master of the Flocks
I will not, Sirs; — This must not be a Boy;
His Voice, Mein, Gesture, ev’ry Thing he does,
Savour of soft and female Delicacy.
He but puts on this Seeming, and his Garb
Speaks him of such a Rank, as well perswades me,
He plays the Swain, rather to cloak some Purpose,
Than forced to’t by a Need: I’ve waited long
To mark the End he has in his Disguise;
But am not perfect in’t. The Madman’s Coil
Has driv’n him shaking hence. These Fears betray him.
If he prove right, I’m happy. O, he’s here.
Enters Violante
Come hither, Boy; where did you leave the Flock, Child?
4.1.159 Violante
Grazing below, Sir. — What does he mean, to stroke One o’the Cheek so? I hope, I’m not betray’d.
4.1.162 Master of the Flocks
Have you learnt the Whistle yet, and when to Fold?
And how to make the Dog bring in the Strayers?
4.1.164 Violante
Time, Sir, will furnish me with all these Rules;
My Will is able, but my Knowledge weak, Sir.
4.1.166 Master of the Flocks
That’s a good Child: Why dost thou blush, my Boy?
’Tis certainly a Woman. [Aside] Speak, my Boy.
4.1.168 Violante
Heav’n! how I tremble. — ’Tis unusual to me
To find such Kindness at a Master’s Hand,
That am a poor Boy, ev’ry way unable,
Unless it be in Pray’rs to merit it.
Besides, I’ve often heard old People say,
Too much Indulgence makes Boys rude and sawcy.
4.1.174 Master of the Flocks
Are you so cunning!—
4.1.175 Violante
How his Eyes shake Fire,
And measure ev’ry Piece of Youth about me! [Aside]
The Ewes want Water, Sir: Shall I go drive ’em
Down to the Cisterns? Shall I make haste, Sir?
’Would I were five Miles from him— How he gripes me! [Aside]
4.1.180 Master of the Flocks
Come, come, all this is not sufficient, Child,
To make a Fool of me.— This is a fine Hand,
A delicate fine Hand,— Never change Colour;
You understand me, — and a Woman’s Hand.
4.1.184 Violante
You’re strangely out: Yet if I were a Woman,
I know, you are so honest and so good,
That tho’ I wore Disguises for some Ends,
You would not wrong me.—
4.1.188 Master of the Flocks
Come, you’re made for Love;
Will you comply? I’m madder with this Talk.
There’s Nothing you can say, can take my Edge off.
4.1.191 Violante
Oh, do but quench these foul Affections in you,
That, like base Thieves, have rob’d you of your Reason,
And I will be a Woman; and begin
So sad a Story, that if there be aught
Of humane in you, or a Soul that’s gentle,
You cannot chuse but pity my lost Youth.
4.1.197 Master of the Flocks
No Stories now.—
4.1.198 Violante
Kill me directly, Sir;
As you have any Goodness, take my Life.
4.1.200 Roderick
[Within] Hoa! Shepherd, will you hear, Sir?
4.1.201 Master of the Flocks
What bawling Rogue is that, i’th’ Devil’s Name?
4.1.202 Violante
Blessings upon him, whatsoe’er he be! [Runs out]
Enters Roderick
4.1.203 Roderick
Good Even, my Friend; I thought, you all had been asleep in this Country.
4.1.204 Master of the Flocks
You had lied then; for you were waking, when you thought so.
4.1.205 Roderick
I thank you, Sir.
4.1.206 Master of the Flocks
I pray, be cover’d; ’tis not so much worth, Sir.
4.1.207 Roderick
Was that thy Boy ran crying?
4.1.208 Master of the Flocks
Yes; what then?
4.1.209 Roderick
Why dost thou beat him so?
4.1.210 Master of the Flocks
To make him grow.
4.1.211 Roderick
A pretty Med’cine! Thou can’st not tell me the Way to the next Nunnery?—
4.1.213 Master of the Flocks
How do you know That? — Yes, I can tell you; but the Question is, whether I will or no; and, indeed, I will not. Fare you well. [Exit Master]
4.1.216 Roderick
What a brute Fellow’s this! Are they all thus?
My Brother Henriquez tells me by his Letters,
The Mistress of his Soul not far from hence
Hath taken Sanctuary: from which he prays
My Aid to bring her back.— From what Camillo
Hinted, I wear some Doubts.— Here ’tis appointed
That we should meet; it must be here; ’tis so.
He comes.
Enters Henriquez
Now, Brother, what’s this post-haste Business
You hurry me about? — Some wenching Matter —
4.1.226 Henriquez
My Letter told you, Sir.
4.1.227 Roderick
’Tis true, it tells me, that you’ve lost a Mistress
Whom your Heart bleeds for; but the Means to win her
From her close Life, I take it, is not mention’d.
You’re ever in these Troubles.—
4.1.231 Henriquez
Noble Brother,
I own, I have too freely giv’n a Scope
To Youth’s intemp’rate Heat, and rash Desires:
But think not, that I would engage your Virtues
To any Cause, wherein my constant Heart
Attended not my Eye. ’Till now my Passions
Reign’d in my Blood; ne’er pierc’d into my Mind;
But I’m a Convert grown to purest Thoughts:
And must in Anguish spend my Days to come,
If I possess not her: So much I love.
4.1.241 Roderick
The Means? — She’s in a Cloyster, is she not?
Within whose Walls to enter as We are,
Will never be: Few Men, but Fryars, come there;
Which We shall never make.
4.1.245 Henriquez
If That would do it,
I would make Any thing.
4.1.247 Roderick
Are you so hot?
I’ll serve him, be it but to save his Honour. [Aside]
To feign a Corpse — By th’ Mass, it shall be so.
We must pretend, we do transport a Body
As ’twere to’s Funeral: and coming late by,
Crave a Night’s Leave to rest the Herse i’th’ Convent.
That be our Course; for to such Charity
Strict Zeal and Custom of the House give Way.
4.1.255 Henriquez
And, opportune, a vacant Herse pass’d by
From Rites but new perform’d: This for a Price
We’ll hire, to put our Scheme in Act. Ho! Gerald —
Enter Gerald, whom Henriquez whispers; then Gerald goes out
4.1.258 Roderick
When we’re once lodg’d, the Means of her Conveyance,
By safe and secret Force, with Ease we’ll compass
But, Brother, know my Terms. — If that your Mistress
Will to the World come back, and she appear
An Object worthy in our Father’s Eye,
Wooe her, and win her; but if his Consent
Keep not Pace with your Purpose —
4.1.265 Henriquez
Doubt it not.
I’ve look’d not with a common Eye; but chose
A noble Virgin, who to make her so,
Has all the Gifts of Heav’n and Earth upon her.
If ever Woman yet could be an Angel,
She is the nearest.
4.1.271 Roderick
Well; a Lover’s Praise
Feasts not a Common Ear. — Now to our Plot;
We shall bring Night in with Us. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 4

Scene 2

The same

Enter Julio, and Two Gentlemen
4.2.1 Gentleman
Good Sir, compose yourself.
4.2.2 Julio
O Leonora,
That Heav’n had made Thee stronger than a Woman,
How happy had I been!
4.2.5 Gentleman
He’s calm again:
I’ll take this Interval to work upon Him.
These wild and solitary Places, Sir,
But feed your Pain; let better Reason guide you;
And quit this forlorne State, that yields no Comfort.
Lute sounds within
4.2.10 Julio
Ha! hark, a Sound from Heav’n! Do you hear Nothing?
4.2.11 Gentleman
Yes, Sir; the Touch of some sweet Instrument:
Here’s no Inhabitant.
4.2.13 Julio
No, no, the better.
4.2.14 Gentleman
This is a strange Place to hear Musick in.
4.2.15 Julio
I’m often visited with these sweet Airs.
The Spirit of some hapless Man that dy’d,
And left his Love hid in a faithless Woman,
Sure haunts these Mountains.
4.2.19 Violante
[Sings within]
Fond Echo! forego thy light Strain,
And heedfully hear a lost Maid;
Go, tell the false Ear of the Swain
How deeply his Vows have betray’d.
Go, tell him, what Sorrows I bear;
See, yet if his Heart feel my Woe:
’Tis now he must heal my Despair,
Or Death will make Pity too slow.

4.2.28 Gentleman
See, how his Soul strives in him! This sad Strain
Has search’d him to the Heart.
4.2.30 Julio
Excellent Sorrow!
You never lov’d?
4.2.32 Gentleman
No.
4.2.33 Julio
Peace; and learn to grieve then.
4.2.34 Violante
[Sings within]
Go, tell him, what Sorrows I bear;
See, yet if his Heart feel my Woe:
’Tis now he must heal my Despair,
Or Death will make Pity too slow.

4.2.39 Julio
Is not this heav’nly?
4.2.40 Gentleman
I never heard the Like, Sir.
4.2.41 Julio
I’ll tell you, my good Friends; but pray, say Nothing;
I’m strangely touch’d with This. The heav’nly Sound
Diffuses a sweet Peace thro’ all my Soul.
But yet I wonder, what new, sad, Companion
Grief has brought hither to out-bid my Sorrows.
Stand off, stand off, stand off — Friends, it appears.
Enters Violante
4.2.47 Violante
How much more grateful are these craggy Mountains,
And these wild Trees, than things of nobler Natures;
For These receive my Plaints, and mourn again
In many Echoes to Me. All good People
Are faln asleep for ever. None are left,
That have the Sense, and Touch of Tenderness
For Virtue’s sake: No, scarce their Memory:
From whom I may expect Counsel in Fears,
Ease to Complainings, or Redress of Wrongs.
4.2.56 Julio
This is a moving Sorrow, but say nothing.
4.2.57 Violante
What Dangers have I run, and to what Insults
Expos’d this Ruin of my self? Oh! Mischief
On that Soul-spotted Hind, my vicious Master!
Who would have thought, that such poor Worms as They,
(Whose best Feed is coarse Bread; whose Bev’rage, Water;)
Should have so much rank Blood? I shake all over,
And blush to think what had become of me,
If that good Man had not reliev’d me from him.
4.2.65 Julio
Since she is not Leonora, she is heav’nly.
When she speaks next, listen as seriously,
As Women do that have their Loves at Sea,
What Wind blows ev’ry Morning. —
4.2.69 Violante
I cannot get this false Man’s Memory
Out of my Mind. You Maidens, that shall live
To hear my mournful Tale, when I am Ashes,
Be wise; and to an Oath no more give Credit,
To Tears, to Vows, (false Both!) or any Thing
A Man shall promise, than to Clouds, that now
Bear such a pleasing Shape, and now are nothing.
For they will cozen, (if They may be cozen’d)
The very Gods they worship. — Valour, Justice,
Discretion, Honesty, and all they covet,
To make them seeming Saints, are but the Wiles
By which these Syrens lure us to Destruction.
4.2.81 Julio
Do not you weep now? I could drop myself
Into a Fountain for her.
4.2.83 Gentleman
She weeps extremely.
4.2.84 Julio
Let her weep; ’tis well:
Her Heart will break else. Great Sorrows live in Tears.
4.2.86 Violante
O false Henriquez! —
4.2.87 Julio
Ha!
4.2.88 Violante
And Oh, thou Fool,
Forsaken Violante! whose Belief
And childish Love have made Thee so — go, dye;
For there is nothing left Thee now to look for,
That can bring Comfort, but a quiet Grave.
There all the Miseries I long have felt,
And Those to come, shall sweetly sleep together.
Fortune may guide that false Henriquez hither,
To weep Repentance o’er my pale, dead corpse,
And cheer my wand’ring Spirit with those lov’d Obsequies. [Going]
4.2.98 Julio
Stay, Lady, stay: Can it be possible,
That you are Violante?
4.2.100 Violante
That lost Name,
Spoken by One, that needs must know my Fortunes,
Has taken much Fear from me. Who are you, Sir?
For, sure, I am that hopeless Violante.
4.2.104 Julio
And I, as far from any earthly Comfort
That I know yet, the much-wrong’d Julio!
4.2.106 Violante
Julio!
4.2.107 Julio
I once was thought so. — If the curst Henriquez
Had Pow’r to change you to a Boy, why, Lady,
Should not that Mischief make me any thing,
That have an equal Share in all the Miseries
His Crimes have flung upon Us?
4.2.112 Violante
Well I know it:
And pardon Me, I could not know your Virtues,
Before your Griefs. Methought, when last we met,
The Accent of your Voice struck on my Ear
Like something I had known, but Floods of Sorrow
Drown’d the Remembrance. If you’ll please to sit,
(Since I have found a suff’ring true Companion)
And give me Hearing, I will tell you something
Of Leonora, that may comfort you.
4.2.121 Julio
Blessing upon Thee! Henceforth, I protest
Never to leave Thee, if Heav’n say Amen.
But, soft! let’s shift our Ground, guide our sad Steps
To some remoter Gloom, where, undisturb’d,
We may compare our Woes; dwell on the Tale
Of mutual Injuries, ’till our Eyes run o’er,
And we infect each other, with fresh Sorrows. —
Talk’d you of Comfort? ’Tis the Food of Fools,
And We will None on’t; but indulge Despair:
So, worn with Griefs, steal to the Cave of Death,
And in a Sigh give up our latest Breath. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 5

Scene 1

The Prospect of the Mountains continued

Enter Roderick, Leonora veil’d, Henriquez, Attendants as Mourners
5.1.1 Roderick
Rest certain, Lady, Nothing shall betide you,
But fair, and noble Usage. Pardon me,
That hitherto a Course of Violence
Has snatch’d you from that Seat of Contemplation
To which you gave your After-Life.
5.1.6 Leonora
Where am I?
5.1.7 Roderick
Not in the Nunnery; never blush, nor tremble;
Your Honour has as fair a Guard, as when
Within a Cloyster. Know then, what is done,
(Which, I presume, you understand not truly)
Has this Use, to preserve the Life of One
Dying for Love of You: my Brother, and your Friend:
Under which Colour we desir’d to rest
Our Herse one Night within your hallow’d Walls,
Where we surpriz’d you.
5.1.16 Leonora
Are you that Lord Roderick,
So spoken of for Virtue, and fair Life,
And dare you lose these to be Advocate
For such a Brother, such a sinful Brother,
Such an unfaithful, treacherous, brutal Brother?
5.1.21 Roderick
This is a fearful Charge. —
Looks at Henriquez
5.1.22 Leonora
If you would have me
Think, you still bear Respect for Virtue’s Name;
As you would wish, your Daughters, thus distress’d,
Might find a Guard, protect me from Henriquez;
And I am happy.
5.1.27 Roderick
Come, Sir, make your Answer;
For as I have a Soul, I am asham’d on’t.
5.1.29 Henriquez
O Leonora, see! thus self-condemn’d,
I throw me at your Feet, and sue for Mercy.
If I have err’d, impute it to my Love;
The Tyrant God that bows us to his Sway,
Rebellious to the Laws of reas’ning Men;
That will not have his Votaries Actions scann’d,
But calls it Justice, when we most obey him.
He but commanded, what your Eyes inspir’d;
Whose sacred Beams, darted into my Soul,
Have purg’d the Mansion from impure Desires,
And kindled in my Heart a Vestal’s Flame.
5.1.40 Leonora
Rise, rise, my Lord; this well-dissembled Passion
Has gain’d you nothing but a deeper Hate.
Should I imagine, he can truly love me,
That, like a Villain, murthers my Desires?
Or should I drink that Wine, and think it Cordial,
When I see Poyson in’t?
5.1.46 Roderick
Draw this way, Lady;
I am not perfect in your Story yet;
But see you’ve had some Wrongs, that want Redress.
Only you must have Patience to go with us
To yon small Lodge, which meets the Sight from hence,
Where your Distress shall find the due Respect:
’Till when, your Griefs shall govern me as much,
As Nearness and Affection to my Brother.
Call my attendants yours; and use them freely;
For as I am a Gentleman, no Pow’r,
Above your own Will, shall come near your Person.
As they are going out, Violante enters, and plucks Roderick by the Sleeve; the rest go out
5.1.57 Violante
Your Ear a Moment: Scorn not my tender Youth.
5.1.58 Roderick
Look to the Lady there. — I follow strait.
What ails this Boy? Why dost thou single me?
5.1.60 Violante
The due Observance of your noble Virtue,
Vow’d to this mourning Virgin, makes me bold
To give it more Employment.
5.1.63 Roderick
Art not Thou
The surly Shepherd’s Boy, that, when I call’d
To know the Way, ran crying by me?
5.1.66 Violante
Yes, Sir.
And I thank Heav’n and you for helping me.
5.1.68 Roderick
How did I help thee, Boy?
5.1.69 Violante
I do but seem so, Sir; and am indeed
A Woman; one your Brother once has lov’d;
Or, Heav’n forgive him else, he ly’d extremely.
5.1.72 Roderick
Weep not, good Maid; O this licentious Brother!
But how came you a Wand’rer on these Mountains?
5.1.74 Violante
That, as we pass, an’t please you, I’ll discover.
I will assure you, Sir, these barren Mountains
Hold many Wonders of your Brother’s making.
Here wanders hapless Julio, worthy Man!
Besides himself with Wrongs —
5.1.79 Roderick
That once again —
5.1.80 Violante
Sir, I said, Julio. — Sleep weigh’d down his Eyelids,
Oppress’d with Watching, just as you approach’d us.
5.1.82 Roderick
O Brother! We shall sound the Depths of Falshood.
If this be true, no more but guide me to him:
I hope, a fair End will succeed all yet.
If it be He, by your Leave, gentle Brother,
I’ll see him serv’d first. — Maid, you have o’erjoy’d me.
Thou shalt have Right too: Make thy fair Appeal
To the good Duke, and doubt not but thy Tears
Shall be repaid with Interest from his Justice.
Lead me to Julio. [Exeunt]
Contents

Act 5

Scene 2

An Apartment in the Lodge

Enter Duke, Don Bernard, and Camillo
5.2.1 Camillo
Ay, then your Grace had had a Son more; He, a Daughter; and I, an Heir: But let it be as ’tis, I cannot mend it; one way or other, I shall rub it over, with rubbing to my Grave, and there’s an End on’t.
5.2.6 Duke Angelo
Our Sorrows cannot help us, Gentlemen.
5.2.7 Camillo
Hang me, Sir, if I shed one Tear more. By Jove, I’ve wept so long, I’m as blind as Justice. When I come to see my Hawks (which I held a Toy next to my Son;) if they be but House-high, I must stand aiming at them like a Gunner.
5.2.12 Duke Angelo
Why, he mourns like a Man. Don Bernard, you
Are still like April, full of Show’rs and Dews:
And yet I blame you not: for I myself
Feel the self-same Affections. — Let them go;
They’re disobedient Children.
5.2.17 Don Bernard
Ay, my Lord;
Yet they may turn again.
5.2.19 Camillo
Let them e’en have their Swing: they’re young and wanton; the next Storm we shall have them gallop homeward, whining as Pigs do in the Wind.
5.2.23 Don Bernard
Would I had my Daughter any way.
5.2.24 Camillo
Would’st thou have her with Bearn, Man, tell me that?
5.2.25 Don Bernard
I care not, if an honest Father got it.
5.2.26 Camillo
You might have had her so in this good Time, Had my Son had her: Now you may go seek Your Fool to stop a Gap with.
5.2.29 Duke Angelo
You say, that Rod’rick charg’d you here should wait him:
He has o’erslip’ed the Time, at which his Letters
Of Speed request that I should also meet him.
I fear, some bad Event is usher’d in
By this Delay: — How now?
Enters Gentleman
5.2.34 Gentleman
So please your Grace,
Lord Rod’rick makes Approach.
5.2.36 Duke Angelo
I thank thee, Fellow,
For thy so timely News: Comes he alone?
5.2.38 Gentleman
No, Sir, attended well; and in his Train
Follows a Herse with all due Rites of Mourning.
Exit Gentleman
5.2.40 Duke Angelo
Heav’n send, Henriquez live!
5.2.41 Camillo
’Tis my poor Julio.—
Enters Roderick, hastily
5.2.42 Duke Angelo
O welcome, welcome,
Welcome, good Rod’rick! Say, what News?
5.2.44 Camillo
Do you bring Joy or Grief, my Lord? For me,
Come what can come, I’ll live a Month or two
If the Gout please; curse my Physician once more,
And then, — —
Under this Stone Lies Sev’nty One.
5.2.49 Roderick
Signior, you do express a manly Patience.
My noble Father, something I have brought
To ease your Sorrows: My Endeavours have not
Been altogether barren in my Journey.
5.2.53 Duke Angelo
It comes at need, Boy; but I hop’d it from thee.
Enter Leonora veil’d, Henriquez behind, and Attendants
5.2.54 Roderick
The Company I bring, will bear me Witness
The busiest of my Time has been employ’d
On this good Task. Don Bernard finds beneath
This Veil his Daughter: You, my Royal Father,
Behind that Lady find a wand’ring Son.
How I met with them, and how brought them hither,
More Leisure must unfold.
5.2.61 Henriquez
My Father here!
And Julio’s! O Confusion! —
[To the Duke Angelo] Low as Earth
I bow me for your Pardon.
5.2.65 Don Bernard
O my Girl!
Thou bring’st new Life. — [Embraces Leonora]
5.2.67 Duke Angelo
[To Roderick] And you, my Son, restore me.
[To Henriquez] One Comfort here that has been missing long.
I hope, thy Follies thou hast left abroad.
5.2.70 Camillo
Ay, ay; you’ve all Comforts but I; you have ruin’d me, kill’d my poor Boy; cheated and ruin’d him; and I have no Comfort.
5.2.73 Roderick
Be patient, Signior; Time may guide my Hand
To work you Comfort too.
5.2.75 Camillo
I thank your Lordship;
’Would Grandsire Time had been so kind to’ve done it;
We might have joy’d together like good Fellows.
But he’s so full of Business, good old man,
’Tis Wonder, he could do the Good he has done.
5.2.80 Don Bernard
Nay, Child, be comforted. These Tears distract me.
5.2.81 Duke Angelo
Hear your good Father, Lady.
5.2.82 Leonora
Willingly.
5.2.83 Duke Angelo
The Voice of Parents is the Voice of Gods:
For to their Children they are Heav’n’s Lieutenants:
Made Fathers, not for common Uses meerly
Of Procreation; (Beasts and Birds would be
As noble then as we are) but to steer
The wanton Freight of Youth thro’ Storms and Dangers,
Which with full Sails they bear upon: and streighten
The moral Line of Life, they bend so often.
For these are We made Fathers; and for These,
May challenge Duty on our Children’s Part.
Obedience is the Sacrifice of angels,
Whose Form you carry.
5.2.95 Don Bernard
Hear the Duke, good Wench.
5.2.96 Leonora
I do most heedfully. My gracious Lord,
To the Duke
Let me be so unmanner’d to request,
He would not farther press me with Persuasions
O’th’ instant Hour: but have the gentle Patience
To bury this keen Suit, ’till I shake Hands
With my old Sorrows, —
5.2.102 Camillo
Why dost look at me?
Alas! I cannot help thee.
5.2.104 Leonora
And but weep
A Farewell to my murther’d Julio, —
5.2.106 Camillo
Blessing be with thy Soul, whene’er it leaves Thee!
5.2.107 Leonora
For such sad Rites must be perform’d, my Lord,
E’er I can love again. Maids, that have lov’d,
If they be worth that noble Testimony,
Wear their Loves here, my Lord; here, in their Hearts;
Deep, deep within; not in their Eyes, or Accents;
Such may be slip’d away; or with two Tears
Wash’d out of all Remembrance: Mine, no Physick,
But Time, or Death, can cure.
5.2.115 Henriquez
You make your own Conditions, and I seal them
Thus on your virtuous Hand. [Aside]
5.2.117 Camillo
Well, Wench, thy Equal
Shall not be found in haste; I give thee That:
Thou art a right one, ev’ry Inch. — Thy Father
(For, without Doubt, that Snuff never begot Thee)
Was some choice Fellow, some true Gentleman;
I give thy Mother Thanks for’t — there’s no Harm done. —
Would I were young again, and had but thee,
A good Horse under me, and a good Sword,
And thus much for Inheritance. —
Violante offers, once or twice, to shew herself, but goes back
5.2.127 Duke Angelo
What Boy’s That,
Has offer’d twice or thrice to break upon us?
I’ve noted him, and still he falls back fearful.
5.2.130 Roderick
A little Boy, Sir, like a Shepherd?
5.2.131 Duke Angelo
Yes.
5.2.132 Roderick
’Tis your Page, Brother; — One that was so, late.
5.2.133 Henriquez
My Page! What Page?
5.2.134 Roderick
Ev’n so he says, your Page;
And more, and worse, you stole him from his Friends,
And promis’d him Preferment.
5.2.137 Henriquez
I, Preferment!—
5.2.138 Roderick
And on some slight Occasion let him slip
Here on these Mountains, where he had been starv’d,
Had not my People found him, as we travell’d.
This was not handsome, Brother.
5.2.142 Henriquez
You are merry.
5.2.143 Roderick
You’ll find it sober Truth.
5.2.144 Duke Angelo
If so, ’tis ill.
5.2.145 Henriquez
’Tis Fiction all, Sir; — Brother, you must please
To look some other Fool to put these Tricks on;
They are too obvious: — Please your Grace, give Leave
T’ admit the Boy; If he know me, and say,
I stole him from his Friends, and cast him off,
Know me no more. — Brother, pray do not wrong me.
Enters Violante
5.2.151 Roderick
Here is the Boy. If he deny this to you,
Then I have wrong’d you.
5.2.153 Duke Angelo
Hear me; What’s thy Name, Boy?
5.2.154 Violante
Florio, an’t like your Grace.
5.2.155 Duke Angelo
A pretty Child.
Where wast thou born?
5.2.157 Violante
On t’other Side the Mountains.
5.2.158 Duke Angelo
What are thy Friends?
5.2.159 Violante
A Father, Sir; but poor.
5.2.160 Duke Angelo
How camest thou hither? how, to leave thy Father?
5.2.161 Violante
That noble Gentleman pleas’d once to like me, [Pointing to Henriquez]
And, not to lye, so much to doat upon me,
That with his Promises he won my Youth,
And Duty, from my Father: Him I follow’d.
5.2.165 Roderick
How say you now, Brother?
5.2.166 Camillo
Ay, my Lord, how say You?
5.2.167 Henriquez
As I have Life and Soul, ’tis all a Trick, Sir.
I never saw the Boy before.
5.2.169 Violante
O Sir,
Call not your Soul to witness in a Wrong:
And ’tis not noble in you, to despise
What you have made thus. If I lye, let Justice
Turn all her Rods upon me.
5.2.174 Duke Angelo
Fye, Henriquez;
There is no Trace of Cunning in this Boy.
5.2.176 Camillo
A good Boy! — Be not fearful: Speak thy Mind, Child.
Nature, sure, meant thou should’st have been a Wench;
And then’t had been no Marvel he had bobb’d thee.
5.2.179 Duke Angelo
Why did he put thee from him?
5.2.180 Violante
That to me
Is yet unknown, Sir; for my Faith, he could not;
I never did deceive him: for my Service,
He had no just Cause; what my Youth was able,
My Will still put in Act, to please my Master:
I cannot steal; therefore that can be nothing
To my Undoing: no, nor lye; my Breeding,
Tho’ it be plain, is honest.
5.2.188 Duke Angelo
Weep not, Child.
5.2.189 Camillo
This Lord has abused Men, Women, and Children already: What farther Plot he has, the Devil knows.
5.2.191 Duke Angelo
If thou can’st bring a Witness of thy Wrong,
(Else it would be Injustice to believe thee,
He having sworn against it;) thou shalt have,
I bind it with my Honour, Satisfaction
To thine own Wishes.
5.2.196 Violante
I desire no more, Sir.
I have a Witness, and a noble one,
For Truth and Honesty.
5.2.199 Roderick
Go, bring him hither. [Exit Violante]
5.2.200 Henriquez
This lying Boy will take him to his Heels,
And leave me slander’d.
5.2.202 Roderick
No; I’ll be his Voucher.
5.2.203 Henriquez
Nay then ’tis plain, this is Confederacy.
5.2.204 Roderick
That he has been an Agent in your Service,
Appears from this. Here is a Letter, Brother,
(Produc’d, perforce, to give him Credit with me;)
The Writing, yours; the Matter, Love; for so,
He says, he can explain it.
5.2.209 Camillo
Then, belike,
A young He-bawd.
5.2.211 Henriquez
This Forgery confounds me!
5.2.212 Duke Angelo
Read it, Roderick.
5.2.213 Roderick
[Reads] Our Prudence should now teach us to
forget, what our Indiscretion has committed. I have already made one Step
towards this Wisdom — —

5.2.216 Henriquez
Hold, Sir.— My very Words to Violante!
Aside
5.2.217 Duke Angelo
Go on.
5.2.218 Henriquez
My gracious Father, give me Pardon;
I do confess, I some such Letter wrote
(The Purport all too trivial for your Ear)
But how it reach’d this young Dissembler’s Hands,
Is what I cannot solve. For on my Soul,
And by the Honours of my Birth and House,
The Minion’s Face ’till now I never saw.
5.2.225 Roderick
Run not too far in Debt on Protestation.—
Why should you do a Child this Wrong?
5.2.227 Henriquez
Go to;
Your Friendships past warrant not this Abuse:
If you provoke me thus, I shall forget
What you are to me. This is a mere Practice,
And Villany to draw me into Scandal.
5.2.232 Roderick
No more; you are a Boy. — Here comes a Witness,
Shall prove you so: No more.—
Enter Julio, disguis’d; Violante, as a Woman
5.2.234 Henriquez
Another Rascal!
5.2.235 Duke Angelo
Hold: —
5.2.236 Henriquez
Ha! [ Seeing Violante]
5.2.237 Duke Angelo
What’s here?
5.2.238 Henriquez
By all my Sins, the injur’d Violante. [Aside]
5.2.239 Roderick
Now, Sir, whose Practice breaks?
5.2.240 Camillo
Is this a Page? [To Henriquez]
5.2.241 Roderick
One that has done him Service,
And he has paid her for’t; but broke his Covenant.
5.2.243 Violante
My Lord, I come not now to wound your Spirit.
Your pure Affection dead, which first betray’d me,
My Claim dye with it! Only let me not
Shrink to the Grave with Infamy upon me:
Protect my Virtue, tho’ it hurt your Faith;
And my last Breath shall speak Henriquez noble.
5.2.249 Henriquez
What a fierce Conflict Shame, and wounded Honour,
Raise in my Breast! — but Honour shall o’ercome.—
She looks as beauteous, and as innocent,
As when I wrong’d her. — Virtuous Violante!
Too good for me! dare you still love a Man,
So faithless as I am?— I know you love me.
Thus, thus, and thus, I print my vow’d Repentance:
Let all Men read it here.— My gracious Father,
Forgive, and make me rich with your Consent,
This is my Wife; no other would I chuse,
Were she a Queen.
5.2.260 Camillo
Here’s a new Change. Bernard looks dull upon’t.
5.2.261 Henriquez
And fair Leonora, from whose Virgin Arms
I forc’d my wrong’d Friend Julio, O forgive me.
Take home your holy Vows, and let him have ’em
That has deserv’d them. O that he were here!
That I might own the Baseness of my Wrong,
And purpos’d Recompence. My Violante,
You must again be widow’d: for I vow
A ceaseless Pilgrimage, ne’er to know Joy,
’Till I can give it to the injur’d Julio.
5.2.270 Camillo
This almost melts me: — But my poor lost Boy —
5.2.271 Roderick
I’ll stop that Voyage, Brother. — Gentle Lady,
What think you of this honest Man?
5.2.273 Leonora
Alas!
My Thoughts, my Lord, were all employ’d within!
He has a Face makes me remember something
I have thought well of; how he looks upon me!
Poor Man, he weeps. — Ha! stay; it cannot be —
He has his Eye, his Features, Shape, and Gesture.—
’Would, he would speak.
5.2.280 Julio
Leonora, — [Throws off his Disguise]
5.2.281 Leonora
Yes, ’tis He.
O Ecstacy of Joy! — [They embrace]
5.2.283 Camillo
Now, what’s the Matter?
5.2.284 Roderick
Let ’em alone; they’re almost starv’d for Kisses.
5.2.285 Camillo
Stand forty Foot off; no Man trouble ’em.
Much Good may’t do your Hearts! — What is he, Lord,
What is he?
5.2.288 Roderick
A certain Son of yours.
5.2.289 Camillo
The Devil he is.
5.2.290 Roderick
If he be the Devil, that Devil must call you Father.
5.2.291 Camillo
By your Leave a little, ho, — Are you my Julio?
Julio My Duty tells me so, Sir,
Still on my Knees. — But Love engross’d me all;
O Leonora, do I once more hold thee?
5.2.295 Camillo
Nay, to’t again: I will not hinder a Kiss,
’Tis he— [Leaps]
5.2.297 Leonora
The righteous Pow’rs at length have crown’d our Loves.
Think, Julio, from the Storm that’s now o’erblown,
Tho’ sour Affliction combat Hope awhile,
When Lovers swear true Faith, the list’ning angels
Stand on the golden Battlements of Heav’n,
And waft their Vows to the Eternal Throne.
Such were our Vows, and so are they repaid.
5.2.304 Duke Angelo
E’en as you are, we’ll join your Hands together.
A Providence above our Pow’r rules all.
Ask him Forgiveness, Boy. [To Henriquez]
5.2.307 Julio
He has it, Sir:
The Fault was Love’s, not his.
5.2.309 Henriquez
Brave, gen’rous Julio!
I knew thy Nobleness of old, and priz’d it,
’Till Passion made me blind — Once more, my Friend,
Share in a Heart, that ne’er shall wrong thee more.
And, Brother, —
5.2.314 Roderick
This Embrace cuts off Excuses.
5.2.315 Duke Angelo
I must, in part, repair my Son’s Offence:
At your best Leisure, Julio, know our Court.
And, Violante, (for I know you now;)
I have a Debt to pay: Your good old Father,
Once, when I chas’d the Boar, preserv’d my Life:
For that good Deed, and for your Virtue’s Sake,
Tho’ your Descent be low, call me your Father.
A Match drawn out of Honesty, and Goodness,
Is Pedigree enough. — Are you all pleas’d?
Gives her to Henriquez
5.2.324 Camillo
All.
5.2.325 Henriquez
All, Sir,
5.2.326 Don Bernard
All, Sir,
5.2.327 Julio
All.
5.2.328 Duke Angelo
And I not least. We’ll now return to Court:
(And that short Travel, and your Loves compleated,
Shall, as I trust, for Life restrain these Wand’rings.)
There, the Solemnity, and Grace, I’ll do
Your sev’ral Nuptials, shall approve my Joy;
And make griev’d Lovers, that your Story read,
Wish, true Love’s Wand’rings may like yours succeed.
Contents

Epilogue

Enter Epilogue
6.1.1 Epilogue
Well Heaven defend us from these ancient Plays,
These Moral Bards of good Queen Bess’s Days!
They write from Virtue’s Laws, and think no further;
But draw a Rape as dreadful as a Murther.
You modern Wits, more deeply vers’d in Nature,
Can tip the wink, to tell us, you know better;
As who shou’d say— ’Tis no such killing Matter.—
We’ve heard old Stories told, and yet ne’er wonder’d,
Of many a Prude, that has endur’d a Hundred:
And Violante grieves, or we’re mistaken,
Not, because ravisht; but because — forsaken.—
Had this been written to the modern Stage,
Her Manners had been copy’d from the Age.
Then, tho’ she had been once a little wrong,
She still had had the Grace to’ve held her Tongue;
And after all, with downcast Looks, been led
Like any Virgin to the Bridal Bed.
There, if the good Man question’d her Mis-doing,
She’d stop him short— Pray, who made you so knowing?
What, doubt my Virtue!— What’s your base Intention?
Sir, that’s a Point above your Comprehension.—
Well, Heav’n be prais’d, the Virtue of our Times
Secures us from our Gothick Grandsires’ Crimes.
Rapes, Magick, new Opinions, which before
Have fill’d our Chronicles, are now no more:
And this reforming Age may justly boast,
That dreadful Sin Polygamy is lost.
So far from multiplying Wives, ’tis known
Our Husbands find, they’ve Work enough with one.—
Then, as for Rapes, those dangerous days are past;
Our Dapper Sparks are seldom in such haste.
In Shakespeare’s Age the English Youth inspir’d,
Lov’d, as they fought, by him and Beauty fir’d.
’Tis yours to crown the Bard, whose Magick Strain
Cou’d charm the Heroes of that glorious Reign,
Which humbled to the Dust the Pride of Spain.
Contents

Finis