THE INJURED LOVERS: OR, THE Ambitious Father. A TRAGEDY. Acted by Their Majesty's Servants AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. By W. MOUNT FORT, Com. Licenced, March 8. 1687/ 8. Ro. L'Estrange. LONDON, Printed for Sam. Manship at the Black Bull in Cornhill, MDCLXXXVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JAMES EARL of ARRAN, Son to his Grace the Duke of Hamilton; One of the Lords of his Majesty's Bedchamber, and Knight of the Honourable and Ancient Order of the Thistle. My LORD. THE abundance of indulgent Favours I have received from your Lordship, and the Noble Family to which you are now allied; made me presume, humbly to crave your kind Acceptance of this First Fruits of a Young Muse: And though I cannot assure myself of deserving so great an Encouragement as your Lordship's Espousal of this Trifle; yet I will, to my utmost Endeavours, satisfy the World, how much a generous Patronage may increase a natural Genius, and that an indifferent Beginning may, by the Assistance of so great a Person extremely improve itself. For what bold Censurer (though never so Malicious) dares question what your Lordship takes into your Protection: Safe, I'm sure, it will remain, as placed upon an Altar: And indeed, when I call to mind how many, less deserving than your Lordship, have been styled Hero's, and Demigods, it makes me accuse the Ingratitude of our Age, and call much in Question its Judgement. Give me leave, my Lord, but to call to mind (though far too worthy for my Pen) the famous, and never to be enough praised Actions of your Ancestors, the Douglasses, whose personal Valours have always been so great, that they seemed the Souls of Armies, as having Life only where they charged: And whatsoever Quarrel they espoused, Victory always dwelled there: Their Courages were such, that what is in ancient Legends of others Romantic, was really justly true of them. And since they are gone to increase the Number of the Hero's above, who does not see the true Image of their Souls in your Lordships: Every thing you undertake must have Success, for what you do is with such a noble Assurance, that Fortune seems afraid to contradict it; and you carry her with you always bound, and in Subjection to your Pleasure. Indeed every thing in you is Extraordinary: To witness only your first early Valour with a Person of Honour, which showed an Example of your exact Niceness in Gallantry, and was the true Test of Courage. Give me leave to add to the rest of the Virtues, the Loyalty of yourself and Family; the never to be forgotten Transactions (now fresh in Memory) of your Two illustrious Relations, the Dukes of Hamilton; One sacrificed for his Prince, by the barbarous and detestable Rebels; and the other, regardless of his Life in so meritorious a Cause, dying in endeavouring the late King's Restauration. And though their Sufferings are as well set forth as an original Collection, and an ingenious Historiographer could well model: Yet the secret Virtues of that inestimable Pair, which, but themselves, and the glorious Martyr they lived and died for, knew: Imagination cannot reach, of if known, 'twould tire Fame to sound 'em. And still to add to your Neverdying Name: This last happy Union, with a Family of such Worth, that Fortune seemed proud of the Match, and contrived it as an Honour to both Parties. What a vast Happiness do I enjoy that have a Person of so unparalleled a Family as your Lordship, to countenance my feeble Endeavours; and though the Worthies of the World might justly claim the Honour I sue for; yet, as the Widow's Mite was acceptable, so may this poor Performance be to your Lordship's unbounded Goodness. Perhaps some Momuses of this Time, may immediately (without farther Thought) decry this Paper, and call it Flattery; but those that will impartially judge, must own that Flattery and Truth were never allied; and I have said nothing here but what the well-known Merits of the Persons will justify. May the noble Partner of your Heart live like her Virtues, which were a sufficient Security (if Heaven would suffer her Absence) for an Immortality on Earth: May the Excellency's of both Generations wait on you two; may Goodness, Honour, and Loyalty never depart, from whence they have seemed to take their Dwelling, but with that untired Sincerity (which your Predecessors have still performed to their Sovereign) attend you; whilst I, at a Distance, shall rejoice, and with all Humility crave the Title of, Your Lordship's most Obedient and Dutiful Servant, Will. Mountfort. PROLOGUE To the Injured Lovers, spoken by Mr. Mountfort. JO Haynes' Fate is now become my Share, For I'm a Poet, Married, and a Player: The greatest of these Curses is the First; As for the latter Two, I know the worst; But how you mean to deal with me to Day, Or how you'll Massacre my harmless Play, I must confess distracts me every Way: For I've not only Critics in the Pit. But even in the upper Gallery they sit, Knaves that will run down Mr. Mountforts' Wit; Pm the unlucky'st Dog that ever Writ. Some Care then must be taken, that may save This Dear, my First Begotten, from the Grave: Some Friends Advise, like Brother Ben declare, By God 'tis Good, deny't the Slave that dare. Were I but sure 'twould Take, I'd do my best; But to be kicked, you know, would spoil the Jest. However I must still my Play maintain, Damn it who will, Damn me, I'll write again; Clap down each Thought, nay, more than I can think, Ruin my Family in Pen and Ink. And tho' my Heart should burst to see your Spite, True Talboy to the last I'll Cry and Write, That's Certain. Or since I am beset so by my Foes, I beg your Favours, Friends, Brother Beaux; Join with the Ladies, to whose Power I bow, Where I see Gentleness on every Brow; To whose acuter Judgements I submit, O! Save me from the Surlies of the Pit: Those Nauseous Wretches which have not the taste Of Wit or Gallantry, if nicely dressed. I never writ till Love first touched my Brain, And surely Love will now Loves 'cause Maintain, Besides my Natural Love to write again. Yet as you Please, Ruin or Pity bear, Sir Courtly fears no Enemy so Fair: Execute as you please your Tyrant-Will, His Character's, Your humble Servant still. Dramatis Personae. King of Sicily. Mr. Williams. Rheusanes, his General, and betrothed to Antelina. Mr. Betterton. Ghinotto, the Ambitious Father. Mr. Griffiin. Dorenalus his Son, Friend to the General, and in Love with the Princess. Mr. Mountfort. An old Colonel belonging to the Army. Mr. Sanford. Several Soldiers. Mr. Lee. Mr. Jevon. Mr. Underhill, etc. The Princess Oryala in Love with Rheusanes. Mrs. Barry. Antelina, Daughter of Ghinotto. Mrs. Bracegirdle. Pages and Attendants. Scene SICILY. THE Injured Lovers. ACT I. SCENE I. Discovers the King lying on a Couch; After a Song he Rises. I. LUcinda Close or Veil your Eye, Where thousand Loves in Ambush lie; Where Darts are Pointed with such Skill, They're sure to Hurt, if not to Kill. Let Pity move thee to seem Blind, Lest Seeing, thou destroy Mankind. II. Lucinda hide that swelling Breast, The Phoenix else will change her Nest: Yet do not, for, when She Expires, Her heat may light in the soft Fires Of Love and Pity, so that I By this one Way may thee Enjoy. King, OH Love! like Death no Difference thou know'st, The Heart thou strik'st must to thy Power submit, Tho satisfied the Yielding Ruins it: Not Alexander could withstand thy Dart, Yet he had baffled Millions with his Shield; The God of War thy Arrows did Disgrace, Making him languish at thy Mother's feet: No wonder if our Heroes were thy Slaves, When you subdued the Deity they served. Enter a Gentleman. Gent. Ghinotto waits your Majesty's Commands. King, Bid him Enter. Enter Ghinotto. Oh my Ghinotto, dost thou bring me Comfort? Or must Despair consume thy Master, speak? Ghi. What might be urged to serve your Majesty This Brain has studied, and this Tongue persuaded; But still the Coyness of a slighted Maid, Seduced by the false Vows of her first Lover, To all besides she bears; Nor Power, nor Pomp can bring her to my Will. King, Thou dost not sure the Art of Courtship know, That canst not with Preferment win a Woman. Ghi. Perhaps Proposals from your Majesty might tempt her; But from me, though Duty should instruct her to obey; Yet she despises the utmost hopes My Cunning can invent. King, I'll see her then myself; They say there is a Power in Majesty, Which Woman can't withstand; And if a Crown can win her, Aside. I will exchange it for the moment's Bliss, And be content to serve my after Days. How does she bear the Marriage of Rheusanes? Ghi. As gaping Courtiers do the Rise of those Who take it o'er their Heads: she sighs, And coldly says, She's glad Rheusanes Fortune Has provided a beauty in all Points So much above her to share his Heart, So much more worthy in his Master's eye, so— King, What now? Shout. Ghi. 'Tis for Rheusanes, Sir. The Crowded streets smoke with his Aclamations, And He their Sun sucks up the ambitious Fog. King, Ghinotto he must be Clouded, set in a Winter's Sky, Where sometimes he may shine, but weakly warm. Ghi. Success in Soldiers makes 'em Popular, Nay oft disturbs the State which once they served: So 'tis a Prince's safety to remove 'em Still as they grow familiar with their Country, Into a private Life; Which to the full shall recompense the Public, And keep 'em with just duty to their Prince. King, 'Tis well advised. You once were great i' th' Military Cause, Deserved, and did receive Applauses too. Thy Son being grown fit for the honoured Field, I took thee to myself my bosom Friend. Ghi. So warm a Climate virtue does increase, My care have ever been to serve my Masters. King, Thou art a worthy Statesman. Rheusanes on his Marriage shall resign his Staff, Which to thy Son descends: Let him Example From his Father take, and well I shall be Guarded: This Night I'll see thy Daughter. If thou canst bring her to accept my offers, I'll make thee Father of thy Prince, Ghinotto, Enter Gentleman. Gent. The General waits for admittance, Sir. King, Conduct him in Ghinotto. Exit Ghi. and Gent. I must Enjoy her: Great is the interest of this General, As great I know the Love is he bears her; My Sister first presented him to me, And now expects to reap what she has sown, Tho Kings would Glory in so rich a Bride: Yet for my own content she Marries him; I have no hopes to compass Antelina But by this snare: For when Love once for Greatness is Despised, Still the neglected by that scorn's advised, And when Rheusanes falsehood she has known, How will she catch the offer of a Crown. Enter Ghinotto, Rheusanes, Dorenalus, Attendants, Rheusanes Kneels. Rhe. Success and Plenty wait upon my Prince, And still when e'er his Country wants relief, May Fortune prove as favourable as now. King, Welcome most fortunate, most wished for man, Thy Prince's Guardian, and thy Countries Prop: Rise and look like the conqueror thou art. Rhe. You pay my duty much above its merit, Nor could my Life, though lost in your defence, Be worthy of such Title, or such Praise; I've served my Prince but as a subject aught, When he commands his serviee; King, Dorenalus! thou'rt welcome, Dor: Kneels, May still good fortune wait upon thy Youth, Encouraging thy Endeavours with success. Dor. Long as the favour of my Prince waits on me; I need not fear the want of heavens' assistance. King, Rheusanes, since Heaven has blessed us With Victory, and thy safety, I think it were presumption more to tempt it; Thou hast discharged thy Office well and Nobly; And how to recompense thy Merit we have studied: But if thy fancy would reward thy service With a particular choice it most delights in, Proclaim thy wishes to our grateful ear, With a most worthy and just assurance. Rhe. So well I know the goodness of my Master, That on his choice I wholly will depend, For fear my wishes meet with his intentions, Which rudely might interptet that I knew My own deserts as well as does my Prince. King, My wishes hope to agree with thy desires. Goes to the door and brings in Oryala. Can this reward thee? Dor. Ha! Aside. King, Why so surprised Rheusanes? 'tis real and thy Merit, Here take her, and the next sun shall see you Joined much faster.— still senseless! Rhe. Such blessings, Sir, must be received With all humility and admiration. King, Courtship, I know, is troublesome in Public; We'll leave you to the Eyes and Ears Only of each other. Ex. King, Dor. Ghin. Manent Ory, and Rhe. Dor. The use of mine forsake me At this Moment. Rhe. What shall I do, or, how shall I approach her? Most gracious Princess! Ory. Most worthy Lord. Rhe. By heavens', she spoke as if she liked my answer, And prompts me to go on. Aside. Ory. Some pitying God now stand a Virgin's Friend, Inspire him with affection towards my Love, That neither my desires may be refused, Aside. Nor Greatness slighted. Rhe. Since, Madam, by the King I here am left To win your favour, or receive your scorn; I would entreat (ere I presume to talk Of that nice subject we must enter on) You would resolve me one material Point, Kneels. Which my fears urge me thus to beg of you. Ory. Rise, My Lord, so well I know the goodness of your soul, That whatsoever it dare ask, I need not blush to grant; I guess his Measures, and am prepared to meet 'em. Aside. Rhe. Oh, Antelina! Aside. 'Tis, Madam, whether by inclination or command You do permit this single Conference? Ory. My Lord! Rhe. Pardon me, Princess, if I err, impute it to respect, And much of Honour: 'Tis probable your Choice is made already; If so, what happiness can I expect From an entangled Love, or forced compliance? Ory. If it were so, (though you've no cause to doubt) But if it were, I say, In kind obedience to the King's Command, I would correct the errors of my Will, And with content accept what he thought fit. Rhe. Load me not, Madam, with too many favours, Lest I want power to recompense your goodness. Honour and Beauty I have fought for long, Yet never did my Ambition swell so high, To think my Duty worthy of such Greatness. Ory. Since, General, 'tis the Opinion of your Prince, Your Princess too complying with his Thoughts, You should be Proud that he esteems so well; And blow the Flame which kindles thus your Glory. Rhe. Hold, now my Honour, Faith, and Love stands fast. Ory. Why pause you so? aside. Rhe. My fortunes, Madam, crowed so fast upon me, I am surprised and puzzled to receive 'em, Ory. 'Tis probable your Choice is made already; Else, why this subtle distance in your speech? Why, palls your Spirit when I grant it freedom? Think to what envied Glory thou art climbing, Kings, have been Proud, but to be thought my Suitors; And he was happiest whom I smiled on most. Rhe. If happily from Kings I had descended, With a bold Joy I should embrace this offer; I but indifferent Parentage can boast; A private Gentleman by you preferred, Your favour was the Sun that warmed my hopes, And ripened with applause my undertaking; I am a Cloud will fully the bright Glory, Which from your Eyes gives comfort to the World. Ory. Honour achieved is Reckoned the most Noble, The Romans thought the merits of the Sword, Excelled the Nobleness of long Succession; The famous Marius of Plebeian Race, The dignity of Consul bore seven times; Why should not Diamonds bear their worth in dirt, Equal with those the flattering Artists set? But in this Age fantastic Ornaments, Baffles the Honest, Plain, and solid Virtue. Rhe. There's no avoiding of her meaning how, Through all my Cunning shift she has Coursed me, And hunted my Excuses to a Bay: aside. Madam, like all your former favours, is this last, The Generous encouragement you give me, Upbraids my sense for wanting words to thank you; Grant me a little Time to weigh this Goodness And I will study how to Answer it. Ory. Had Antelina made this invitation, You would have had one ready. Rhe. I do not understand.— Ory. 'Twere better if you had: But remember and Curse your folly. Rhe. I have disturbed her Soul, and in her Eye I see neglected greatness threaten high. Ory. Make me no lower stoop thou Tyrant Love, I thought no possibility for this: aside. Does your Guilt make me Dumb? Rhe. I dare not speak, I see your Anger, And I dread your Frown: would I had never been. Ory. Why? Rhe. Or else been yours. Ory. Ha! Rhe. Oh! do not strike me Dead, but Mercy show: kneels I see Revenge preparing for the blow, And fear there's no Avoiding of it now. Ory. Shame and Dishonour of my Soul, What am I? What is a Princess slighted by a Slave? But think you I will bear it tamely Traitor? No, if my Power can Purchase me revenge, Your Antelina quits the World this Moment; In everlasting Solitude shall dwell, And Cloistered be for ever from Mankind. Rhe. Oh hold! I had forgot her Power, and with my Forward Zeal undo my Hopes. Ory. Unhand me. Rhe. I cannot till you recall your Doom. Ory. Till you renounce her, my Decree stands firm. Rhe. Take then, O! take the fatal secret from me, For Death I know must wait on the Confession; My Faith to her was Plighted long before I knew the least intentions for this Match: Give me some Time then but to weigh this goodness; For tho' I see my Fortunes mended much, I can't forget she once was all I hoped for. Ory. Will you resolve? or,— Rhe. I will.— Ory. What? Rhe. Study to Love.— Ory. Whom? Rhe. Oh! Antelina! Ory. Villain. Stamps. Rhe. Yet stay. Ory. I will not, Mercy nor Love, my Passion shall control, But as thou hast mine, I will Torment thy Soul. Rhe. Yet mercy. Ory. Antelina. Rhe. Mercy. Ory. Forsake her then. Rhe. Would you not think it hard to have a claim Below your own, deprive you of the Crown? In love Pretensions like to those take place, Nor durst I think of any to your Highness. Ory. Canst thou neglect the Glories of a Princess For mean delights in her indifferent Arms? Rhe. Indifferent beings should their Equals choose; The meanest sort:— Ory. Can then thy Soul be stinted to a being And Covet nothing more beyond a Woman? This mean Confession has alarmed my Pride, Ignoble Wretch! go Lanquish by her side: The Honours which my favour on thee set, Go lay 'em all at Antelinas' feet: Forget the Court and to a Cell retreat. Oh! I betray myself, I must not stay; Lest I want Power to take myself away. Exit. Rhe. How cross a fate has Heaven appointed me, Exit. Was I preserved abroad to perish here, Through all the hazards which my life has run, Fortune befriended me, and led me on, But now when most I want her, she is gone. Enter Dorenalus with his Sword drawn. Dor. So is Dorenalus. Rhe. Ha! Dor. Draw Rheusanes. Rhe. Wherefore? Dor. Oh! thou hast bought a spot of Earth so cheap, That the whole World will envy the vast Purchase The Fruit it bears, like that of the first Tree, Which did betray mankind, has poisoned me; If therefore you would keep it undisturbed, The everlasting springing sweets still chaste, Immortal, like the power designed 'em so. Cut off the Serpent which would blast its virtues, Would leave it a corrupted Root of Lust, Where sins would multiply with every Thought. Rhe. Your mystic meaning yet I cannot guests; But if in me There's aught can make you happy, By all our Friendship you shall reap the blessing. Dor. Friendship be ever banished from our Hearts, I hate thee more than thou canst love thy Comfort; Draw, or by the power which thus distracts my Temper, I'll kill thee like a Slave which wrongs Man's Honour; And then wants Courage to redress theaffront. Rhe. Thou knowest I do not fear: draws. But, for thy Sister's sake whom I have Loved.— Dor. Whom thou hast Loved,— thy Heart. Rhe. Through it ungrateful, have I nursed thy Youth With all the tender Care of friendship's Eye; And this my Recompense disclose your heart: Lay forth the Troubles which afflict it thus, Then if I have the Power to heal your wrongs, And do refuse, I'll meet thy Passion As becomes, Rheusanes. Dor. Thou wilt not. Rhe. Try me, you never found me Faithless yet. Dor. Do not Urge me. Rhe. I must. Dor. Let thy Sword rip my Breast up. And in my Heart thou'lt find the secret written, Rhe. Friendship forbid it; Delay no longer. Dor. Oh! I am lost. fall in Rhe. Arws. Rhe. Thou art not, here's thy Guide. Dor. Oryala. Rhe. What of her? Dor. You'll laugh at me. Rhe. Hate me then justly, Dor. Do you not love her? Rhe. No. Dor. But she does you. Rhe. Is it my fault, would you kill me for that? Dor. No, I would not now, but long since I could; I love her Friend. Rhe. Thy Friend resigns her to thee. Dor. Oh! she has given Rheusanes all her heart; And for Dorenalus she has no room. Rhe. Approach her, make thy sufferings known, Who knows but Heaven may plead in thy behalf, Or, she when knowing how our Loves are crossed; May by they Tongue be moved to set 'em right. Dor. Ye pitying powers befriend me but in this, And all my days I'll sacrifice in Thanks. Can you forgive? Rhe. What? Dor. The Unruly Method which I used just now. Rhe. Fogive, I thank the occasion which has set us right, And proved how strong my Faith is to your Sister. No more: hast to the Princess, and relate your Passion, May all the charms of Love and Youth wait on thee. Dor. I have full power to work her as I please. Rhe. I'll bless the skill that cures my Friend's Disease. Exeunt. End of the First Act. ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Rheusanes and Antelina. Rhe. OH! Antelina, why this strange disorder? Why, are thy Eyes in which our loves have played, And moved with Pleasure as thy fancy taught 'em? Now overcast with such a dismal change, As quite confounds my senses with the wonder. Ant. How can you ask the cause of my Affliction, When you the Author of it know too well? Rhe. By all our Vows you tax me most unjustly, Oh! may I perish when I wrong my Love; Or never more be happy in my Wishes. Ant. Oryala, the Princess, Oh! that mighty Name, Has canceled all your Promises to me; A Crown, a Crown Rheusanes is your Mistress now. Rhe. Be witness for me, he that made us love, I would not leave thee for an endless life; Of endless Youth. Ant. Oh! you flatter me. Rhe. Unkind suspector. Durst my Tongue express my prompting fancy, I fear I should Blaspheme in praising You; So much above all things I do esteem you. Ant. Oh! for Rheusanes too, I've that esteem: The original impression of my heart, Who first taught Fondness in my tender Soul; And linked it to unspeakable desire: But you'll not have the power to shun her love, For there is such Temptation in her Face; It might persuade a second Angels fall. Rhe. Not have the Power, Yes? Were she bright as the first Glorious Angel, Fair as Imagination could Present her? Could tire fancy to relate her Beauties, I have a Soul that would despise her Charms. Ant. My Soul disdains a greater than the Princes; The King Rheusanes has declared he loves me: This Night I am Commanded to receive him; Nay, ordered to approve his Royal Offers. Rhe. By whom? Ant. My Father what he intends, I yet am ignorant; But I must meet him. Rhe. Must Antelina? Antony's Yes, I must, Rheusanes. Yet tho' my Father's Will side with the Kings, And the King thinks he may compel through him; I'll meet him with such Faith to what I love, That he shall never cherish hope in me. Rhe. I find the Purpose now of the King's kindness, And separating Mischiefs are Contriving; Oh Antelina! therefore hear me swear, If our intentions should be frustrated, By the designs I guess in Agitation; By that most glorious Ornament of Heaven, Which beautifies the Coeling of the World; The Moment that I lose thee, Points to his Sword. This ends me. Ant. And here I swear by the dear, kneels. Pulls out the Viol. Freedom which this Glass contains: (Which I designed for ease hadst thou been false) By all the hopes we may not be prevented, if we are, This Spirit gives me a Release from being. Rhe. The Gods prevent the fatal proof of it. Ant. Amen with all my Soul. Rhe. Your Brother now is with Oryala, Thou art not dearer to my Soul, then is that Name to his; I promised him Assistance in his Passion, And he has vowed the same where I am Captive; This Night then Oh! my comfort le's remove, All fears that may afflict us with our falsehoods. Ghinotto appears in the Balcony. Ghi. Ha! Ant. I fear it will be difficult to do, For since the King has published his Intentions; The Clergy will refuse to Licence us. Rhe. Without the Walls, you know, there is a Chapel, That is confirmed to the Worship of our Swains; There only, and only theirs: This is their time of Feastival and Marrying, With Rural Sports the Nymphs the Shepherds treat; And 'tis the custom of that happy Race, To choose their Lovers by their Excellence. Ant. As how? Rhe. As thus, their Ceremonies are attended, With Antic measures by the Nymphs performed; Whose motion best delights the eye, Is pitched on for a Bride, the Swain whom She affects is straight made hers: So they proceed to others in their turn, Continuing Celebrating for three days; So masked and dressed we will perform amongst 'em, So chose the Priest shall ratify our Vows. Ghi. They shall be ratified to my desires. Ant. Then are you constant? Oh! you abused dear Man, My fearful Soul with doubts has been perfect; Persuaded by my Father thou wert false. Rhe. Would he were half so just as I shall prove, Were less Ambitious.— Ant. Or would let us Love. Rhe. In spite of him we will our Love's complete, Then Triumph o'er the envy of the great; This night at nine within the Cyprus Grove, Your Father will be busied then at Court. Ghi. Do you think so? Ant. Fail not, the everlasting Peace or Troubles of my life, Depend upon thy Truth. Rhe. Off with these needless fears, Oh! that the hour were come to Usher in The yet untasted Joys, how I will gaze upon Thy Charms, and die in the admiring. Ant. You must not.— Rhe. What? Ant. Behold me till to morrow. Rhe. Ha! Ant. Virgins have Eyes too tender for the Light, Prithee excuse my Modesty some time: Let us i'th' Dark receive each others Love. Rhe. Thou shalt, I will not shame thee with a Lovers Question, I will not speak to thee; the thought Of what's to come does almost silence me; If apprehension has such influence, How will the real pleasure wrap my sense? Ant. Away. Rhe. I cannot. Ghi. I must. retires from the Balcony. Ant. This will not hold thee long; I shall grow Old. Embrace her. Rhe. Thou wilt be ever Young. Enter Page. Page, Madam, your Father and the King. Ant. Then we must part. Rhe. Adieu. Ant. Till nine. Rhe. That happy Hour, Shall lead our Loves beyond thy Father's Power. Exit. Rhe. Ant. Now for this King, O! my Ambitious Father. Destructive greatness has bewitched his Soul; And mine must be a Sacrifice to gain it: Hard fate of Children which are bound to love, Not what themselves, but Parents do approve. Enter King and Ghinotto. Ghi. 'Tis the securest way that can be thought of, About it then use all thy Art, my Power, Or what thou shalt think fit. Exit. Ghi. Ant. How he surveys me? Ye Powers that favour constant Lovers, Direct his heart to one not yet engaged. King, Fair Excellence. Ant. My most honoured Prince. King, What brings me here, I'm sensible you know? Your Father having told you by my Order; Oh! slight not therefore thou all conquering Maid, The faithful offerings of a love-bound Heart; Unhappy only in not being the first, Was taken Prisoner by those restless eyes. Ant. Since by your Royal Order I am sent, By my one Father here, to wait upon your Pleasure; To hear (as you are pleased to say) your love Far fitter for an equal Royalty; With such respect I'll entertain your story, As does a double Duty now require. King, The entertainment of a double Duty, Can never satisfy my greedy Passion: Oh! give me but your single love to feed on, 'Twill gratify my Soul Luxuriously; But Duty without Inclination serve me. Ant. To love my Prince I ever was instructed, 'Twas in my early grounds of living taught; And nourished by a natural Inclination. King That love is but an awful Duty still, Which for a Love like mine I will pay you; Thus, be Commanded, thus, becomes your Subject, kneels Thus, ever pay your Tribute as my Sovereign. Ant. Justly you do disgrace me with this usage, Putting my backward Duty in Remembrance, kneels Of its neglect in doing thus no sooner. King, How cunningly she seems to avoid my meaning; Rise subtle Beauty, I know this Part's as hard For you to act, as me to like: Throw off this art of distance in behaviour, And give my plain and worthy meanings welcome! Oh! do not shun the merits of my love, But meet 'em with a generous Gratitude. Ant. Impossible! King, Pity a Prince who never begged before; Nay, never loved till Antelina charmed him: As the rich Indies in their secret Pride, Whilst undiscovered flourished and were great; So was my heart till love surprised it quite, My richer Peace was fatally betrayed; And by thy powerful Beauty captive made. Ant. The Spaniards who that Wealthy soil subdued, As the first conquerors still their Title keep; I was besieged long time ago by one, Who came in the pursuit of unknown Land: It was my heart, he was first that found it, He put such strong Passion in the place, That nothing e'er can Master it again. King, Why, I can force thee, storm thee, and destroy His weak resistance and thy obstinate will; As easily as I can take my Rival's life: But I by gentler means would gain thy heart, And mercifully treat so fair a Foe; Prithee resign. Ant. I dare not. King, I will Protect thee for it; I'll make thee all Ambition can invent, My Crown, my Glories at thy feet I'll lay. Ant. I will not yield, tho' for the crime I perish. King, Do not provoke my rage, Think on thy Duty, on my Power. Ant. They're great Temptations, but they cannot Conquer, There's something irresistible within, Which baffles reason by stubborn fancy; The rules of what we ought to do dispises, Or coming all with positive desire. King, When two desires both positive alike, Meet with a Resolution to destroy each other, Or bring both to one opinion; 'Tis certain one must lose, Mine has a Power to back what it pretends to; And erring beauty thou shalt find too late What slighted Love joined with that power can do. Ant. Alas, I know it makes a dreadful Tyrant, Yet I will beat its utmost persecution, Rather than prejudice my plighted Faith. King, It's Persecution will not light on you; Suppose I longed to taste of a fair Fruit, A sordid Miser would not part with, Should I for that destroy the Tree that bore it, No, cut the Keeper off whose interest guards it, Then satisfy my longings uncontrolled: Rheusanes is the Dragon guards this Tree, Which e'er I can possess, first he must die. Exit. Ant. He's gone, yet wherefore should I dread him, Rheusanes interest cannot want Protection, Nor dare this King without good grounds destroy him; The hour draws on will make him ever mine, And banish all my cares: Oh Time! Thou ever marching, yet untired Spirit Of unaccountable Eternity, start from thy Constant course to help my Love; Hast but this once, to give my longings ease, And be as slow hereafter as you please. Exit Enter King and Oryala. Ory. I beg it may not be; yet break it off. King, It must be done, Oryala, 'tis too far gone To be prevented now; you know he has forsaken Antelina. Ory. Indeed he has not, Sir, she still remains The Idol of his heart; 'tis not an hour since He parted from her with all the assurance of His constancy. King, No matter for his Constancy; You follow my directions; Embrace the offers which I have proposed, Or all your interest to the Crown forsakes you, Ory. For Honour sake, Sir, let me stand at distance, Let me not make so mean a Condescension. King, State Policy enforces me to do it; He's grown too popular, and shakes my safety, Unless I do unite his Power with mine. Ory. What comfort can I hope from one that hates me? King, I know that you Love him. Ory. I must acknowledge my desires are towards him, Did but his inclinations wait on mine. But when I think of future disrespect, Hereafter slights, and distant entertainment, I of my Love will make a Sacrifice, Rather than wed the least of these Disturbers. King, When it is done, as well he may curse Heaven, As meditate indifference towards thy merit. Ory. I fear the Event. King, Whom I Protect methinks should scorn to fear. No more of these Excuses, but accept it; Heirs I must have: I will not Marry for 'em, Unless thy obstinacy force me to it. Ory. Be witness Heav▪ n in what I must perform; I cross my own desire to pleasure yours. King, About it speedily; If you refuse, consider I must Wed, Accept, my Crown devolves upon your head. Exit. Ory. What shall I do? I long, and yet I fear, Hate him when present, fond of him not near; Oh! I am lost between these harsh extremes, Love drives me downward its impatient streams, And e'er a perfect Voyage I can make, My will against the Rock of Pride does shake, Ambition storms, and Honour drives me back. Exit. Enter Ghinotto at one door, Dorenalus at another. Ghi. Why this disordered carriage in my son? Heavy disquiet sits upon his brow, With an unusual solitude admired I will observe him. Dor. How am I cursed with that disturber Love? My wretched Heart 'twixt hope and fear is wracht, And yet I dare not own what may relieve me. Ghi. How's this? Dor. If I should tell her of my sufferings, This eating Favour which consumes my Youth, And then instead of pitying, she should scorn me; Why what a Mock of mankind would it make me; who'd Point, and say, That is the haughty Thing, Who thought his Passion worthy of a Princess, And fond of the conceit, Undid himself. Ghi. Dorenalus! Dor. My Lord. Ghi. You seem surprised. Dor. I did not think of any one so near me. Aside. Ghi. You were discoursing with yourself Dorenalus, What was the Subject? Dor. Only contriving something for the Army. Ghi. Is it in Love then? Dor. Sir. Ghi. My Son! Dor. The Army in Love! Ghi. Ay in love; you talked of Passion, Princess, and Conceit, Are such things proper for an Army? Dor. Proper for an Army! Ghi. Ay proper Boy; Why dost thou balk my Questions With these shift, unmannerly repeatings? Dor. Duty forbids ill manners to my Father. Ghi. Give proper answers then. What is the cause of your Retirement? Your shunning Conversation? Somewhat usurps the custom of your Heart, Which sullies all your manly Qualities. Dor. We are not always Masters of one Temper, 'Tis as the bloods inconstant method pleases: For from its Springs the fancy takes her current. Still changing with its Motion. Ghi. But still there is a Reason why it changes: The Ocean never storms without a wind, Nor does hot Aetna burn without a Fire; But why this strong imperrtinent argument? Do you distrust the friendship of your Father? That Erringly you would conceal your Troubles. Dor. I never had a thought so base within me; I was considering on Rheusanes falsehood; The Injuries my Sister would receive By his proud Marriage with Oryala. Ghi. He has this Night▪ in private, sworn to Marry her. Dor. Whom, Sir▪ Ghi. Your Sister, 'Tis near his hour of Promise, And see he's coming this way; although I wish the Match, I will not own it, nor would I have you seen in it, Let him accomplish his Designs alone, Lest the Displeasure of the King should seize us; I must attend him instantly. Exit. Ghi Enter Rheusanes. Rheu. Dorenalus! Dor. My Lord! Rhe. My friend, what still in sadness? How does the progress of your Love succeed? How does Oryala take the charming sound? Dor. By Heaven I could not tell her that I loved; My Resolution was with fears o'er pressed, And I stood gazing only on a Picture▪ Rhe. Had you no talk? Dor. A few uneasy Passages o'th' War, Joined with the troublesome praise of your desert; How many excellent faculties were in you: She asked me if you were not brave, discreet Sincere, gentle, impartial, friendly, pitiful, I know not what; her whole discourse, All questions were of you, and much ado I answered yes to all. Rhe. Come, lead me to thy Sister; when I'm hers, Who knows but the exchange may raise The Passion of the deluded Princess to that height, She may in scorn to me accept thy love, Thinking thy Greatness may my Ruin prove. Dor. The hope of that is all my comfort now. I must attend my Father, who tho' he knows The depth of your design would have it thought, He does not; that when the business is declared To th' King, he may with equal strangeness be surprised. Rhe. Farewell, then till to Morrow; Oh Dorenalus! the fears I have my wishes may, Miscarry nothing can recompense: But Antelina. Dor. She is by this time in the Cypress Grove, May secrecy and safety wait upon you. Rhe. Like a Rich Miser with his hoarded store, Bound to remove it to some distant part; Which e'er he can arrive at must pass through, All necessary Ways for Villains purposes: His fears Transform each Bush into a Foe, Waiting to Plunder him of all his Wealth; So will my passage with your Sister be, But when the uneasy timorous March is past, And I attain my wished for Home at last: With greedy Joy my Treasure I'll survey, Whilst Love shall pass the safe got Hours away. Exeunt severally. End of the Second Act. ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Dorenalus meeting a Page. Dor. IS your Lord stirring? Page, He's coming forth, Sir. Enter Rheusanes. They Embrace Dor. Good morning to my Friend, Health to his Pleasures, May everlasting comfort Crown his choice; With fresh delights still growing with his days. Rhe. Oh! my friend. Blessed be the Obligation made us Brothers; May thy desires like mine be gratified, With all the abundance of a Covetous Love. Dor. Let fortune entertain me as she pleases, Since I am satisfied my friend is just: Doubly you have obliged our Family, That could forgo so charming a Temptation; To make my Sister and myself thus happy. Rhe. Doubly I have obliged myself in that, Serving my Friend and blessing of myself; The comfortable joys I have received, Nothing can match but this ensuing night, Greedy of Love I cursed the hasty day: Wishing the Sun his Thetis lap might want, When he most longed to cool his eager sire. Dor. Let's see this happy Bride? Rhe. I have not that myself nor must till the, King enters; i'th' Dark, I was conducted to her; And cause I should not see her in the Morning, She hurried me into an outward Room: Begging in whispers that I would obey. Dor. Maids the first night are liable to shame, And would not have their bashfulness perceived; But quickly use instructs 'em to be bold, Knowledge inflames what ignorance made cold. Rhe. You are experienced Brother where's the King? Dor. The King is coming full of his gratitude, For your great Merits, the Princess too, They says as fond as he to recompense 'em; The affected Court looks like a Theatre, Where gaudy greatness struts in ample manner; Each seeming Courtier that could credit get, Looks like an heir of Quality. Rhe. Tho' to my longings happily I'm matched, I must the goodness of my Master Honour; Since his intentions were so full of greatness, He did surprise the Merits of my service; As much as he o'reweighed 'em, When he the Princess offered to reward 'em. Dor. The best of Honour's Offices you had, And well he knew 'twas she alone could mend 'em; Yet, if I thought Rheusanes did repent.— Rhe. Repent! You cannot think so basely of your friend, 'Tis an incumbent debt upon our Duty, To thank the good affections of our Prince; That when the just acknowledgement is made, The honest Conscience rests secure from censure; So far I'm from repenting what is done, That had I Antelina never seen, With decency I would have shunned the Princess. Dor. Why? Rhe. Such Royal Matches have to Subjects given, Fatal Pretensions to disturb a State: And private families have factions raised, To question that which if they had a right to; So much Precedency was then in being, That probably their distant Alienation Might perish e'er a second heir was Crowned. Dor. These Reason's Oppositions are to me, Not to desire the Princess. Rhe. If without jealousy I might persuade, I'd beg thee to desist; Oh! my Brother, Ambition's portion is Tumultuous cares, Endless disorder, never resting forecast; Still plotting to maintain their envied greatness, And how to make it greater: Seek out some Beauty equal to thy Birth, Even in temper charming in decent Duty; Whose courteous care shall still her Lords attend, Endeavouring to divert those do disturb him. Enter Page. Page, My Lord the King. Rhe. Now my Brother let us stem this storm, And fear shall ne'er disturb us for the future. Dor. 'twere fit I should retire till the discoveries over. Rhe. Do then, and pray for our success. Exit. Dor. Enter King, Ghinotto, Attendants. King, Not ready yet Rheusanes? trust me were some to Wed so rich a Bride they would not be so backward; For shame more speed. Rhe. I'm ready, Sir,— come forth my blessing, I could not lose a Night of so much goodness; My Love o'ercome my Manners and my Duty, Which here I must implore a Pardon for. kneels. King, For what? Rhe. For stealing of a Bride without your presence, And tho' the Mercy of my Prince forsake me; Here is a Father sure will plead for me. Ghi. My Lord! Rhe. My Father, will you not own me, Sir? King, What means he? Ghi. I cannot guests? King, Rheusanes. Rhe. Ay, Sir, Rheusanes, your Loyal Subject, And that good Man's Son; why art so slow? My joy in what must be, come forth And stand it with thy Lord's assurance. King, Thou art not well, Rheusanes. Rhe. Never so well so happy or so blessed, Since the first airing of my senses, Sir. Goes and leads in Oryala, veiled. This is the happy Author of my Transport, Here must we sue for Pardon; here for Blessing.— Points to the King and Ghi. she unvails herself. King, Unveil this Riddle Oryala. Ghi. The Princess! Rhe. Convulsions choke me. aside. King, Rise my intentions Fair, You might have trusted General your Prince; I should not have prevented what is done: Credit me Sister, you were in haste for love, That could not stay till morning to confirm it, But I forgive your secrecy, Rheusanes: And here I own thee Brother to the Crown. Rhe. And Heir to all Misfortune. King, When were ye Wedded? Ory. Last night, Sir, at the Shepherd's Chapel; We did perform too in their innocent sport, And were according to their custom married, Being disguised as Partners in their Living. King, Pretty diversions sure and innocent: It shows the Emblem of long happiness. Rhe. Of long Confusion. Aside. King, Be not dismayed, Rheusanes, I am pleased. Rhe. I know it. King, And for a Proof, my liking is with thine; Three days we dedicate to Revelling; And to divert the intervals of Feasting, We'll have the Ceremony of the Swains, By the best Artists of our Land performed. And you Oryala must instructions give; Triumphant pleasures shall our streets adorn; Our Altars shall with richest Incense burn; A general Feastival the Land shall keep, And waking Joy deny the God of Sleep: I will give Orders for the vast delight, And wait myself as Brideman to this Night. Exeunt all but Rheusanes. Rheu. A fatal meaning bore that pampered speech, And his pretended Honours for this Match, Are butas Prologue to his own Performance, The fancied Scene 'twixt him and Antelina: Methinks I bear my losses evenly, With an indifferent Temper till my Ruin, As if my faculties were tired with raving; Why should I not curse out on all above, To draw a Bolt that might destroy the Curser. Enter Dorenalus. Dorenalus comes! why let him come, No Plague can go beyond the store I have. Crosses the Stage looking at Rheusanes. Now I am poor indeed; not worth a Word From him I have most wronged, When a brave Soul's oppressed does it not speak, Does it not strive to rectify its wrongs, With a just punishment on the Inflictor; I am beneath his wrath, cursed Wretch indeed, Too base to live, and yet too loathed to bleed. Re-enter Dorenalus. Dor. I cannot go till I have told my wrongs, How much I suffer by his Perjury, And when I've lashed his Soul with my Complaints, I'll ease my own of care, and of the World. Rheu. He comes again; Oh! thou just fearful heart, Which trembles like a Wretch who dreads his Sentence, When his own Conscience tells him he is guilty. Dor. Sir. Rhe. How Awkardly he does affect this strangeness! Dor. General. Rhe. Again. Dor. My Lord, Rheusanes! Rhe. Ridiculous. Dor. Will you not speak? Rhe. To whom? Dor. A Friend. Rhe. There is but one has Title to that Name, And him I've too much wronged to see his face. Dor. Turn, Oh perfidious! for you cannot shun me; As well may Sinners, at the last sad Day, Endeavour to obscure themselves from Judgement, As you avoid my Injuries accusation. Rhe. What wouldst thou have? Dor. I would relate the story of my wrongs, Than part for ever from thy Perjured presence. Rhe. Go on then and be quick; And when you've scourged me as you think enough, Send Antelina to correct me more. Dor. Oh! Thou hast wronged that Innocence Beyond the hope of all repentance To the Gods for mercy. Rhe. I know't, and therefore do despair of any: Alas, I've shaken hands with Hope long since, Have taken leave of Comfort; there's nothing That's related to Content but I have quarrelled with. I have made a League with Anguish and Despair; The Devil drew the Articles, all Hell witnessed 'em, And I despise the malice of the Stars. Dor. Grown mad! or dost affect it? Rhe. Neither; but have I not enough to make me so, To find thee here a worrying of my Conscience. To hear thee bark my Perjuries against me; To see thy Sister lost to all recovery; To find myself betrayed I know not how; Yet to be thought designer of the Plot, Would make a mortal temper sure distracted. But mine's Prodigious! Dor. This will not do, Rheusanes, I call to mind Your reasons lately urged 'gainst my admiring Oryala, Could any but a Husband Preach such Doctrine; Jealous of losing what was in possession. Endeavouring to divert my thoughts elsewhere, The Imposition is so gross and base, You cannot think me man to hear the Lie. Rhe. By all my Woes, I am as ignorant as you. Dor. Impossible! Oh! how you hung on the related Joys You had possessed the last dear happy night. With such delight you dwelled upon the Tale, You tasted 'em again in the description; Yet Ignorant! Curses blast thee. Rhe. Do. Dor. The Curse of Expectation without success, Of inward Love not daring to discover, The Curse of Want, with Pride to hide its longings, Gaul thy false heart, and rot thy cankered Soul. Rhe. As heartily as home; Oh! for some means. To work him to a height, might make him Quite forget all bounds and kill me. Aside. Thou hast done well, disgraced my Honour as thy Heart desired; but say no more, lest my roused Temper should forget all mercy, and pay thy folly With a sad Revenge. Dor. If I would fight with you, your Guilt's so great, Your Sword would never pierce my honest flesh. Rhe. That shall be tried, for now I recollect, Your Sister was before designed the King's; And when I asked you to go with me to her, You did deny it as your Father's Order. By Heaven you were assistant in the Cheat; You were the Bawd, the Mercenary Bawd, And chaffered with Preferment for your Sister. Dor. Your Oath to this, resembles those you swore To that deluded Maid. Ashamed of Life, you would provoke a Death, To drive you from the Terrors of your Conscience, Thou hast a Fiend now whispers in thy ear, Thou art damned, Despair and die. Rhe. Audacious upstart, dar'st thou talk unarmed? Draw, or through thy breast I will pursue my Sword, Till the sharp Point find thy false heart. Dor. Sooner you'll bury it within that breast; But here's a faithful one would fain embrace it; Keep me not on the Wrack thus miserably, But give the stroke of mercy and relieve me. Rhe. Thou art a Coward. Dor. Therefore kill me lest I spoil the Army. Rhe. A Slave would sell thy Country for a Dollar. Dor. Let thy Sword prevent it. Rhe. Procurer for thy Sister! Dor. Now revenge thyself for I did steal her For the King and Robbed thee. Rhe. Oh! I desire no more, you Sup this night in Hell, With all your Sins attending you with Torments; But first I'll as a Villain and a Coward use thee. Thus we deal with Cowards. strikes him. Dor. Hold thee a Minute. Rhe. Draw then. Dor. I will. draws. And that I may not be provoked by any Usage you'll inflict on me, I here resign What might protect me from it, throws him his Sword. Now Rheusanes— Rhe. Death, Hell, and Vengeance I'll endure no longer, Come to my Arms thou injured Innocence: kneels Oh! Pardon, Pardon, my last frantic Measures. Dor. Oh! rise my Lord, and do not mock my Sufferings. Rhe. By all thy martyred Patience it is real; Nor will I rise till I hear Pardon from thee. Dor. For what? Rhe. I struck thee Friend. Dor. I have forgot it. Rhe. Disgraced thy Honour. Dor. I think not of it— Oh! Rheusanes but no more. Rhe. Yes, I will talk for ever on thy goodness, Angels Protect and Guide thee in all thy Ways; And everlasting happiness attend thee. Dor. Now I am happy, the utmost I desired was to part Friends, to make you sensible of what you had Done and then to leave you. Rhe. Leave me. Dor. For ever, and for ever, we must part, Oh! Rheusanes to stay in sight of such a loss as mine; Would tempt me to do something Base and Damnable. Rhe. Time may alter. Dor. Nor Time, nor Fate, can alter my condition, Would the Law serve so far as to divorce you; Would the King after give Oryala To these (Oh! cursed remembrance) once most longing arms; It would not bear the name of recompense; The Treasures gone which I so much adored, And tho' she may that ne'er can be restored, Rhe. Are there no means to help us. Dor. None but parting if thou art Innocent, The Gods reward thee with some future blessing. Rhe. How can you bless what you so lately Cursed? Dor. 'Twas only to provoke you to destroy me. Rhe. My usage had the same design on you. Dor. Farewell. How hard it is to part with what we Love, Oh! had the Princess never been thy wife; Had she been any others, had she been lewd, As the worst Woman's fancy, This bosom would have given my Troubles ease; But Oh! Rheusanes, Who will not pity that shall read my end, robbed of my Mistress by my only friend. Exit. Doren. falls down. Rhe. Wilt thou not hide me Earth? Enter Oryala. Ory. Yonder he lies; Cursed, Cursed, Ghinotto, how hast Thou betrayed me Thou irresistible and Cruel Power? Which has so partially confined my heart, If you would have it faithful to your Worship; Give ear to the Intercession of my Love: And make me happy in this Lord's affection. For if that scorn does still possess his Soul, I'll fly to th' refuge of a just revenge, And will despise thee equal to his slights. Rhe. Oryala, how my Plagues grow upon me! Ory. Oh! Rise Rheusanes, is this a Bed for a Royal Bridegroom. Rhe. No, but for a Perjured one it is Made wretched by thy means. Prithee befriend me and withdraw thy terrors; There are ten thousand Mischiefs in thy presence. Ory. I am no Basilisk. Rhe. Oh! that you were, you would be comfortable to These Eyes, and ease 'em of the Torment of beholding. Ory. Are these the Pleasures I must hope from Marriage? Rhe. Why didst thou Marry me? Rises. Ory. Because I loved, because I could not live In peace or rest without you. Rhe. Oh! you will never with me, My wrongs to Antelina cry for Justice; And Envy grins to see me so unhappy. Ory. Oh, Rheusanes! Rhe. Oh, Oryala! I dare not call thee Wife, It is too much to know thou art that thing. With what afflictions hast thou loaded me, I groan beneath the burden of my thoughts, And am not able to endure the Torture! Hell! Hell that owns me! why dost let me live! Ory. Oh! Chide me if you must a little gentlier! I cannot suffer these unequal Passions From one I Love so much. Rhe. What wouldst thou have me do? There is no Medium in my Miseries; My Friend to my Dorenalus my promised Brother; That Soul of Honour, Constancy, and Friendship Have I beyond recovery lost and ruined. Ory. How have you ruined him? I can perceive No ruin but my own. Rhe. He loved you Princess, he indeed adored you, Your Name was his delight, your sight his food; I swore to him I'd never wrong his hopes, And the same Night for ever ruined 'em. Ory. His Love was only known to himself and you, I could not answer what I never knew; Yet if I had been acquainted with his Love, You could not think I would have cherished it; You were the only Subject I could stoop to, Look back upon my Generosity: Reflect upon my Care for your Preferment, Private you came unheaded to the Court, Till my regarding Eye your Person chose, And to my Brother's favour did present you. Rhe. You have sold that goodness at too dear a Rate. Ory. Oh! say not so, Since you are sensible o'th' weight of love, Pity what under the same load does move; By all the Joys you coveted last night, When with your eager Arms you Pressed me close.— Rhe. Those Joys do prove my greatest Torments, Oh! if our scattered Loves have chance to meet, And filled thee with the Image of thy wishes; May it be blasted at its dawn of light, And stifled as 'tis crawling to the World. Ory. Consider who I am. Rhe. Thou art my Wife, my Wretched unintended Wife, Fortune that Bawd to accidents has Slured thee on me. Ory. I am thy Princess too. Rhe. No, you were, Oh! that you still had born That awful Name, I still had paid Obedience To your will; but now I Rule, I Reign, And Lord it o'er thee as becomes my pleasure; What hast thou done? thou hast sold thy freedom, To a Tyrant Husband, who always will misuse thee. Ory. When I entreat again I give thee leave, Oh! where has all my injured Honour slept, Or how have I been charmed into Submission? Rouse, Rouse, my temper shake thy fondness off, And punish the offenders of thy quiet, Thou little less than Man, how I despise thee? Rhe. Thou something more than Woman, how I hate thee? Ory. By the resentment of an Injured Love, I will have justice done me; Thou Weed of Nature crept into the Earth, To Canker and Disturb the Royal seed. Villain Ghinotto, thus to wrong my Honour, Hadst thou been Faithful, but I find thee now, And will prevent thy hopes if possible; The poor deluded and forsaken Queen, When she beheld her false Aeneas' sail; Felt nothing like the anguish of my heart, Like her I'll die to give my troubles end; But Monster think not by myself I'll fall. Thy Antclina, she shall be the Pile On which I'll burn, and as I burn I'll smile. Exit. Rhe. How much we both are wronged By one cursed Villain, Ghinotto is the Instrument Of mischief, which wrought us to the ruin of Each other: for Royalty he has his daughter Kept, and in her room contrived this wretched Princess. In what have I offended Heaven, that it should suffer Such injustice towards me. Shout. Hark! there may be Comfort In that Aclamation. Oh! for a general Insurrection now, That I might plunge into some terrible Confusion, Where I might hide myself in multitudes, And lie forgotten 'mongst the dirty Crowd. Enter Antelina. Shout. Ant. Where e'er I go the Joy disturbs my ears, That is Proclaimed for false Rheusanes Match; These Ceremonies once were meant for me, And all the Land called me the General's Love, But now his Scorn; Oh, Potent oppositions How have you prevailed? Rheusanes kneels and takes hold on her. Ha! my destruction here some Power protect— Offers to go Rhe. Turn thee, Oh turn, thou injured Innocence, Incline thine Ear to a repenting Sinner; I'm in a Maze of crooked Miseries lost, Nor can I find the thread that leads to rest, Unless thy merciful forgiveness guide me. Ant. Pray give me freedom. Rhe. Gods! what a look was there! The Sword of Justice Threatens in her eyes, And my Soul fears to look on her again. Ant. Pray let me go, my Lord; Suppose the Princess saw you in this posture, The Jealousy 'twould raise might fatal prove And I should be more cursed than now I am, And I would be more cursed than now I am, To make a difference 'twixt man and Wife; Pray lose me. Rhe. I cannot like a poor Wretch whose Soul Has given him Warning; I grasp my hold With all the wracking cramps of Life's Convulsions. Ant. Disgrace grow to thee. Rhe. Well said. Ant. The Curses that thy Perjuries deserve, The punishment that's due to thy false Sex, May Heaven reserve them all for single Thee. Rhe. Go on. Ant. Let me then. Pulls to get from him. Rhe. Not that way; but in thy Curses In thy rage go on; curse till fierce Jove Thy Combatant step forth and strikes this Villain Breathless at thy feet— Yet stay. Ant. I will not. Rhe. You shall. Ant. I must not. Rhe. I am innocent; betrayed by Fortune, By your Father— Ant. Away. Rhe. Will you not hear me then? Ant. Nothing, nothing, the King— Rhe. The King! Ant. Ay, the King stays for me; stays to make me Great, to make me— Offa, or I'll call for help. Rhe. Then go. He le's go. Exit. Ant. The Pomp you seek, wait for you; I find it all, and yet I am not mad; Oh! I was born sure when the Gods were angry; And in their Rage they fixed this curse upon me. Hark! I am called Music Flourishes. To th' Banquet: I must go With all the unwillingness of gauled aversion; But with what Joy should I my Senses Feast, If I were sure to be a Poisoned Guest. Exit. Re-enter Antelina. Ant. I did not well to leave him unresolved, Surely there was sincerity in's Carriage; It looked Romantique, yet it might be real. He talked of Father, Fortune, being betrayed; My fears provoke me strangely to think ill. Oh! if their purpose should be proved, I'm lost, With poor Rheusanes equally undone! What he entreated me to hear, I'll know, And if I find him cheated, as I guess, I will go Partner in his Resolutions. Enter King and Ghinotto. King, Fair Antelina! Ghi. Daughter? Ant. Sir. Ghi. Do you not hear the King? Ant. The King! King, Once he was so, but Love has stripped him of his Royalty, Invaded are his vast Prerogatives, By thy deposing beauty. Ant. Invaded are my vast Prerogatives, The power I had over Rheusanes heart, Your rigid pleasure has undone for ever. King, My rigid pleasure! Ant. Whose else? Oh! you have undone me! Upon my youthful hopes stamped old Despair: In one pernicious hour ruined the purpose of my Labouring Soul, which since my eyes could judge, Prayed for Rheusanes. King, You prayed for one who little did deserve it, And scorn the only person truly loves you: Would I had been Rheusanes, and he King, I ne'er had left the blessings of thy Love, For all the Pomp o'th' spacious Universe. Ant. I fear Rheusanes knew not the Design, But was betrayed into the dark mistake, Else why was I locked up that very hour I was to meet him to confirm our Vows. King, Can you believe that Husbands were so scarce, My Sister wedded him for fear of none. Ghi. How e'er his flatteries have prevailed Upon your Credulous and inclining heart, The Cheat is plain to an impartial mind. King, Were she unprejudic▪ d, I could produce Such natural and unerring demonstration As credit could not shun. Antony's Could I be satisfied with a belief Raised from a Reasonable and unbiased Test, Rheusanes were consenting to the deed— King, What recompense shall wait the satisfier, If I should prove he were the sole Contriver. Ant. I'll never think on the false Wretch again. King, May I not hope advancement for my sufferings. Ant. Oh! Press me not too much; If you should justify what you have said, My Task will be sufficient to forget him. King, I will not press thee more my longed for Bride, But rest in the assurance of his falsehood, Which shall alone plead for me. Ghi. By heavens' I'll force her— King, Forbear, Ghinotto, and divert a while My Absence from the Banquet; be free In welcoming the Bridal Guests, and represent Your Prince (you Son that shall be, if this Lady pleases) with an untired bounty towards all. Come hard Believer, if I do not prove Rheusanes false, I'll quit my claim to Love. Ghi. Now Princess sink, and Daughter Ride above. Exeunt severally. End of the Third Act. ACT IU. SCENE I. Enter King with Antelina disordered. King, NOw stubborn beauty curse your sly disdain, Curse your rash will which tortured me so long With the utmost rigour of a proud neglect. Think not that face nor shape above reward, Nor think that Crowns are Subjects Toys to play with. Ant. If ever you would have my heart your own, Let those cursed hands which forced me to dishonour, Tear it from whence it ever must abhor you. King, When my fond heart with springs of longing leapt, As it would beat through the breast it bruised, To rest upon the Bosom it adored. You stopped your ears to my entreating Soul, And scorned it as the vilest in the Land. Ant. I think it now the worst that Hell e'er punished. King, Think what you will, the Game is now my own, Nor value I your Curses or Reflections. Ant. Dost thou not dread the fatal consequence Must issue from revealing of this mischief? King, Not I; Were thy souls dotage here with all the Army, Thy Father and thy Brother at their Head, Had every wrong a Champion from above; Nay, were thyself before 'em all disordered In the most moving posture of abuse, I'd twine about thee like a curling Snake, And cling till by degrees I was cut off. Ant. Heaven, if I wait, will surely do me Justice. King, When first I loved, I Nobly did design, Nor could your Wishes make you more than mine; But when I found you deaf to my Complaints, Resolved Rheusanes should not boast my loss; I caused Oryala to perform your Part, Whilst your ambitious Father locked you up As a reserve for me. Ant. Thou breeder of destruction. King, Think you I would have matched my Sister To one did Hate her, and below her birth; But to remove the obstructions of my pleasure, By the desires which I have gratified, I would have staked my Country, and my Life t'o've gained the pleasure I compelled even now. Ant. Oh, ruined Antelina! Wronged Rheusanes! King, Despise a Slave when you may have his Lord: Wait not on Fortune, when you may command her; Give me your Love, and by my own I swear, Thou shalt become the Wonder of the World. Ant. Your Villainy has made me thus already. King, The Eagle shall not soar above thy Power; The Indies shall be Plundered for thy sports, To keep thy Extravagancies in perpetual Play; Thy Garments all shall be Originals, The finest, and the richest Art can finish; I'll have the Sea turned off to dig up Rocks Shall furnish thee with Gems to blind the admirers. Ant. And what shall wait on this Romantique Pomp? King, My Love. Ant. Thy Lust and heavens' eternal loss; Wouldst thou to the Confusion thou hast made, Add my Damnation, Monster, Vengeance will catch thee. King, Consider better, and be better used; Nor do I fear my Subjects, nor the Gods, If they should punish me for this dear action, 'Tis 'cause I have enjoyed the bliss before 'em. Once more consider, weigh well your idle Coyness; And if a just repentance I can find, I may, to quiet what you've lost, be kind. Exit. Ant. Do then and end me, Tyrant, Ravisher: He's gone, and so am I from Honour ever gone; Oh! how shall I look Virtue in the face, Or keep my countenance when 'tis accused; My conscious blushes on my cheeks will blab. And tell the inward touches of my Soul. Earth, Earth, thou general Mother of all beings, Let not my evil Footsteps wrong thy bearing, But take what is too vile to walk upon thee. Sits down Enter Rheusanes. Rhe. 'Tis done, I do believe the happy deed is done: The King came pleased and flushing to the Banquet, As if the Priest had warranted his Joys, And he had tasted of my Antelina. Ant. Oh! I should know that Voice. Rhe. What Fate directs me always to this place! This Melancholy Grove but soothes me in my Thoughts, And Drowns me in Despair. Or, is't perhaps That this most conscious Grove nourished my ruin: Oh! the happy time! Even I that am undone: undone by that; Bless those so happy, happy moments passed, And fond the Memory that makes me wretched. Ant. Oh, heavens'! Rhe. What means that Voice of Sorrow? do the Woods Pity me? or is't that mourning Lady! 'Twere vain for me to offer Services, Or Compliment her Miseries with mine. If she be truly Wretched, I rob her of her Solitude. For sure when Grief grows to that monstrous height, That none can equally commiserate. Next to the Quiet Slumbers of the Grave; To be alone, is all a Wretch would have. Ant. Oh! Rheusanes! Rhe. Or my Sense fails, or Antelinas' voice. But that's impossible. Going off. Ant. Rheusanes. Rhe. Again, Madam, by calling on my Name; I Judge you think it in my Power to do you Service. Accept it thus, and rise from this sad Place, I will not trust my Eyes, it cannot be What Antelina and without the King; Or is this grief because without the King. Ant. Unkind Rheusanes do I merit this. Rhe. Why, Madam, I can guests no other Cause; Yet Oh! my Antelina, if e'er you Loved, As often you have Sworn you did Rheusanes; Not all the Royalties that deck a Throne, Nor the gay Bridegroom King with all his honours, Not in your Arms, nor in the unspeaking Minute of delight, Shall give you half that Peace or Calm your Soul, Equal to what beneath Yond Myrtle Tree, You owned with Tears of Joy you felt from me. Ant. I know thy Truth and that thus sinks my Soul, Rhe. She faints, Oh! thou Epitome of Heaven return, Revive my Love, my Life, my Antelina. Ant. Ah! me, if you would e'er have Peace. Wake me no more. Rhe. Oh! if thou knowest my Truth, Live only to Convince me of thy own; That Antelina Loves the the lost Rheusanes, And my Soul soars immediately with thine. Ant. How can your Eyes so carelessly survey me? Rhe. What sayest thou? Ant. Do these torn Robes and hair look well, Rheusanes. Rhe. Hh! Ant. Should you meet one thus Ruffled on a Road, Stretched on the Ground or fastened to a Tree, Would you not judge they had been robbed, Rheusanes? Rhe. Horrors eternal choke my eager thought, And stifle my unnatural Suspicion; I will not guests at all, go on, be plain, What meanest thou by a Road, bound to a Tree, or Robbed? Ant. When e'er a Shepherd leaves his tender Flock, Does not the Wolf devour the helpless Lambs? Rhe. Yet Plainer. Ant. Let my Original disorder speak. Rhe. Enough, Enough, ye Mighty, Merciful good guards Of innocence and virtue 'tis enough: Give me thy hand, thou beautiful decay, Let us sit down like Children quite undone, And prattle o'er the falsehood of our Guardian, Thy Father.— Oh, do not turn away; That wretched motion does inform too much. Ant. Oh, my Rheusanes, I own I sin to look you in the face, So vile am I: But pity me, If threatened and entreated by a Father, Urged by the wrong I thought you had done my Love, And tempted by a Prince I seemed to accept What as I wish for Heaven my Soul so abhorred, I would have chose the vilest Death on Earth, Rather than live, Rheusanes being lost, The greatest Empress story e'er could boast of. Rhe. Oh, dismal sound! The only blessed news I wished to hear, Doubles the wrack of my despairing Soul, And marks me for a Wretch to future times: Hadst thou been false, Time, or a just resentment Might have cured: but now my spiteful fate Has made a flaw, not Heaven itself can mend; Nor do I fear a Curse, nor ask a Blessing. Ant. Oh Rheusanes! Rhe. Speak on, speak all, for I'd be more a wretch, Admire the witty cruelties of Heaven, And wonder at the newness of their Curse. Ant. My Father! Rhe. Curses blast him! Hark, I hear some coming, Perhaps the King, to appease a second time; His pressing blood retire my Love, And when I call, Approach. Ant. Oh, hide me where I never may be found. Leads her off. Rhe. Now for this lustful brand, This Fire that blistered Antelina's virtue. Enter Ghinotto. By the fell Author of her Miseries, It is the greater mischief. Ghi. The King with Joy deals round the brim-sweled goblets, His Gay behaviour signifies success; But he's engaged so strictly with his Guests, I cannot know the full particulars. Rheusanes takes him by the Shoulder. Rhe. Ghinotto, tho' I know thee Ambition's dotard, Yet not so blinded, but thou canst Judge, What Death deserves that Execrable Dog, Who would to please a bold Hot Blooded Prince, Expose the unspotted Honour of a Daughter. Ghi. What Death? Equal with him, the unambitious Fool, Who would to please the sondness of a Girl, Refuse to be the Father of a Prince? Rhe. Are not Vows binding, do we mock the Gods, When our Protesting summon 'em to Witness, Whether our Words keep measure with our Hearts? Have you forgot, when to the Wars I went, You joined my Antelinas' Hand and mine, And blessed me as yours? Have you forgot, When on my Sword, I Swore Eternal Faith? You made her Kneel, and Kiss the hollow blade: Preferring me to any Prince on Earth. Ghi. The Princess was not named Perfidiou, Man! Do you upbraid my Wrongs, or flout my Age? Your fiery Pride, Young Conqueror, rides so high, 'Twill throw you on your Back: your false Deluding Tongue, the Tricks you used to break the Match, and Antelinas' Peace, shall mount her to a Throne: A Diadem my Daughter shall adorn. Oryala and thou shalt be her Scorn: Thy slighted Passion, shall at distance move: It shall be Treason, but to own thy Love, Whilst the most favour, thy poor State shall meet; Shall be to pay Obedience at her Feet. Rhe. Rage keep thy Bounds, and Oh instruct me Gods, Which way to satisfy my Love and Honour, And not destroy this Murderer of 'em both. Upbraidst thou me with breaking off the March? Does not thy base Heart know its own Contrivane? Ghi. Vain Lord, thy threats are vain; my Heart know this, Its Blood run cheery now, as 'ere it did, nor to Be child with words, but sensible of Wrongs. Apt to revenge, and with this withered Arm. To justify the Honour of my Name. Rhe. The Honour of thy Name: Ha! ha— Ghi. Ay, upstart Prince, the Honour of my Name Equal with thine, much dearer than my Life, And precious as the Offsprings of my blood. Rhe. Precious indeed, and yet by Hell 'tis sold. Ghi. By whom? Rhe. By thee. Ghi. Thou Liest. Rhe. Thus quarrel Boys and Girls: Thou twice a Child! Ghi. Thou not beyond it yet. Rhe. Who left his Daughter here? Ghi. I did. Rhe. To meet the King. Ghi. On purpose? Rhe. To hear his Love. Ghi. Ay, and receive it too. Rhe. He has been here Ghinotto. Ghi. I'm glad on't. Rhe. He has made Love too. Ghi. Better. Rhe. High, mighty, pressing Love. Ghi. More like a Prince. Rhe. More like a Fiend of Hell. Fetches her in. Come forth thou Sacrifice to his Ambition, And with thy Ruins sink his haughty Soul. Ghi. My Child! Ant. My Father. Ghi. What mean these swollen Eyes, this torn Hair, These ruffled Garments, these all marks of Horror? Ant. The King. Ghi. Shall do thee right for this affront: Tell me the Authors. Ant. Oh! he can never do me right. Ghi. Why, Child, I know he Loves thee. Ant. So loves a Goatish satire of the Woods, A wandering Virgin of Diana's Train, When to his Den, he Hurries her by force, And Grins at her Resistance, and her Prayers. Ghi. Ambition, Oh Ambition! thou Nurse of Mischief; How thou hast lashed my Pride. Aside. Rhe. What sayst thou now Ghinotto, does not this Object Make thy inwards Sweat? Does not her Tears? Pierce through thy yielding Pores, and scald thy Heart? Canst thou be still, when such a Wrong provokes? Ghi. Is this the Coronation of my Daughter, Villain Ghinotto? Curse thyself alone: Accomplice, 'cause Author of thy Disgrace; Nor look on him whom next Heaven must revenge, And equally with Heaven thou hast abused. The Armies his, and sure a Cause like this, Will shock the Loyalty I know he bears. Ant. Oh! Father! Ghi. Peace Girl, a while; and I will do thee Justice. Rheusanes, 'tis now no time to ask you Pardon: Nor can my Life afford me time enough. The King and I: mark me, the King and I, Are equally concerned in thy undoing. Oh! do me Justice there, I'll give thee Ample satisfaction here. Rhe. Let me Reflect. The Man who made this Wretch of Poor Rheusanes, Lives still, and I must honour him; he is my Prince, Therefore I must not meditate revenge, Or Compensation just to such a Wrong: Because he is my Prince: Nay, by my Soul, That Name awes me so much, That had he stripped me bare of all my Honours: Reduced me to the meanest State of Life: Nay, took my Life, and that the Vilest way, I could have blessed him still, and bore it all. Ghi. I have heard him boast your Loyalty indeed: Own you the Prop, and Honour of his Kingdom. Yet there lies your reward. Points to Ant. Rhe. Nay, had he attacked me in that tender part, And knowing that my Life twisted with hers: Had Stabbed her at my Feet, my Blood might Sally me to some rash thought, which soon I Should have grieved for on my Knees, to have begged The Favour of a Second Stab. Thus would I treat His Cruelties with Life, the utmost stake a Mortal Has to lose. Ghi. And charged by Heaven, and Nature to Protect; To Right if Wronged by any mortal Power. Rhe. But Sacriligeously to spoil my Love: To violate the Altar of my Vows, he has Stabbed my Soul, nor can your vain Eliziums do me Right: A Melancholy poor Dishonoured Ghost; Abandoned, Branded, Scorned by Noble Souls, And shunned by Antelinas' unrevenged. Ant. Where then, Oh! where shall Antelinas' fly? In what dark Mansion, cover her Disgrace? A Ravished Virgin in a stranger World; Where bold Rheusanes durst not show his Face. Ghi. By heavens', the Cod sit smiling at our Follies, And mock at our Ridiculous Enduring. Rhe. Oh Father! Leans on him. Ghi. Oh! do not Sink my Soul with so much goodness: I loathe the World, I hate myself for Living; To find thy Blood, awed with the Name of King: Balk a Revenge, would make me Young again: Nor can I hope it from my Arm alone. The Conscious King has Guards enough, To Fence him from my Rage: which shall end here. Rheusanes, I told you, and I own it once again: The King and I, only the King and I, made thee the Wretch thou art: Thy Honours Stabbed in his hot Blood, and Lust, And thus in Blood must pay thee, if he's just. Offers to stab himself. Rhe. Oh! hold Ghinotto, I vow Revenge; Live and look up, such Revenge as our Lean Sorrow shall grow Fat withal: Live and look up. Ghi. Rest not my Dagger then, but leave it with its Master. Ant. Swear not to use it then. Ghi. Not to my Death I vow. Rhe. Thus join then Hands with me in a revenge Kneel. Lucretia, Brutus, Collatine, and all the gloriously revenged. Immortal Souls, inspire the equally abused Rheusanes; And Promped this Noble Fury in my mind. Ghi. Oh! Rheusanes, rise not yet, accept this Moiety of Blood I pay you; and Daughter Swear, Swear, Since the World, Man, Woman, Child, and all should join In such a Cause, Thou'it have revenge, the King and I, We owe ye blood my Children: Oh! Lend me But my Eyes to see him bleed here on this Spot I make this solemn Vow, where thy dear Honour lies; In thy Father's Blood, I'll pay the due just Forfeit: Of my Life! Ant. And as I wind This Linen round your Arm, to save The Noble drops, which feed that Life: I Swear no opportunity shall scape, In which I may revenge my Virgin Loss. Rhe. Come to my Arms, thou noble Penitent, To Ghi. To Ants. And Oh thou precious Rack of my sad Fate: Cleave to my Soul; Ye Gods, which know no difference of Men; But Ride in Clouds, Kings over Earthly Kings: I claim revenge: Look down upon our Sorrows: And if in opposition to your Law; My Sword against my Sovereign I draw. Oh! Crush this Young Rebelling in its Birth: Some Judgement strike this Traitor to the Earth. But if as you've thought fit in former Times, By mortal Hands, to punish mortal Crimes. Help me my injured Honour to redress: Crown all my Undertakings with Success. Resentment does my blood to Action charm, Revenge inspires the Glorious Alarm, And Conquest waits the Thunder of my Arm. Enter Dorenalus. Exeunt. Dor. What is there in this World, should make men fond Of breathing in its falsehood: Our inclinations Always are denied, or if we think to morrows Joy Shall make amends for this days Sorrow: some Evil accident does Intervene, and our Intentions Still are interrupted: Oh! we were lost sure in the Primitive folly, since the first Man allowed the Woman Will, we have been the Sex's May-game, And Derision, and Fortune, which does favour None but Fools is constantly their Champion: The only thing our griping Fates allowed, To the sore Prenticeship of Woes we're bound to, Was healing Friendship; and that now is most Corrupted and uncertain found. How happy Did that Surly Cynic live, who knew no Joy, Nor Grief beyond the want or presence Of the Sun? Enter Ghinotto. Ghi. Dorenalus? Dor. My Father. Ghi. The same, are we alone? Dor. Why, Sir? Ghi. 'cause I have business, that's a secret boy. You know there are many private Nooks about The Court, and at this time of Night, Young wanton Girls Sculk with the Lords in Corners for instructions: And I am loath to Sing, whilst they beat time. Dor. I cannot Sound you Sir. Ghi. But I, will thee, I have a Plumet to a Line of wrongs, Will reach thy Heart, were it as deep as the Unfashioned Sinking of the Ocean. Dor. I have a Heart, which to a Noble wrong, Will swell, and save the sounding of it. Ghi. Well said, then hear me, and stop one Ear; Lest it fly from thee, thy Sister? Dor. What of her? Rhi. Is Ravish▪ d basely, seduced, and Ravished by the King. Dor. The King. Ghi. Ay the King, that Essence of Brutality; Has robbed her of her richest Portion. Dor. We may revenge, but ne'er retreive the wrong. Ghi. That's right, but how? how to revenge that we must Study. Dor. Why thus? I long have Doted on Oryala, My quiet long has been at Pawn for her; Now I have Power to gratify my Love, And pay my Sister's loss. Ghi. As how? Dor. I'll Ravish her. Ghi. Wilt thou? Dor. By all her Scorn I will, I'll force her till tired Nature does refuse; And my desire is bassled by my Weakness. Ghi. I feel my Vitals sicken at this Motion, Yet I could have provoked him to this deed; Had I not made a league with brave Rheusanes. Dor. What ruminate you on, Sir? Ghi. Don't you Consider she's Rheusanes Wife. Dor. I do: and for that very reason do resolve it, Consider who has blassed all my hopes, Rheusanes Who lest my Sister slighted openly, Rheusanes Who was the occasion of her Treacherous Rape; Rheusanes still, for had he faithful proved, Your Daughter had been happy, and Oryala in time, Might have been wrought to answer my Entreat. Ghi. I must inform him better, though the discovery ruins, What I long for, the General was betrayed in all; This Action by the King's lust contrived to take, The Princess that he might easier compel My Daughter. Dor. By Heaven you've eased my Spirits of a load, Lay heavier on 'em than the Love that wracked 'em; Now as the King's relation I will force her, And as he has sowed his Poison in our Blood, I will corrupt with equal Pleasure his. Ghi. So far 'tis well; nay farther, I'll proceed: Rheusanes hates her as I do the King: Nay, could he live till Time did rest his Glass, He would not own her. Dor. Oh! how I'll surfeit in the Luscious Joys: His Lust has made my Sister's Honour bleed; Mine in Oryala shall match the Deed. Exit. Ghi. His Blood is in a Flame, and as a Fire Long stifled, having Vent, breaks out with fiercer, More consuming Hast, so does his Passion, Whilst all my little Oppositions moved, Served as Combustibles to feed its Fury. Oh Virginius! How happy was thy Arm That frustrated the lustful Will of Appius? Like him, I to the Army will retire, And to redress my Wrongs their Aid require. Exit. Enter Rheusanes with a Dagger. Rhe. Now is the Time, now all within is fast: The busy feasting Guests are cloyed with Riot, And glutted into Sleep: The King himself long Time ago retired, remorseless went to Rest, as if Some Angel rocked him to Repose: My Antelina too, Dozed with her Wrongs, has sighed herself to Quiet. Oh Sleep! thou only Cordial, next thy Neighbour Death, For injured and disordered Souls, how feign would I Enjoy the: This only takes Possession of my Heart; This careful Tenant strictly will repair what Time has run to Ruin; but e'er I make it Master Of my Life, it must have a Lodging in the Heart O'th' King. Enter Dorenalus. Dor. I find my Spirits falter in this Action, For when my Will is urgent to go on, Against the Bar of Friendship it recoils; Which bruises my Intentions. Rhe. I heard a Voice, sure. Dor. If I should ravish her— Rhe. By Darkness, 'tis King contriving to regal, His Lust again; blessed be the Means that keeps Me undiscovered, and the Occasion brought me to O'er hear him. Dor. She is Rheusane's Right, although I love her; The Word Revenge will give no Countenance, For wronging of my Friend: I hitherto have kept my Name untainted; Why should I then out of a rash hot Fit, Lose in a Minute, what my Life has toiled for. Rhe. What, does he mutter now? Dor. I will not Ravish her. Rhe. Thou shalt not, if Rheusanes can prevent it: Up thou, unused to Mischief for a Moment; And forth thou never failing Instrument of Slaughter: My Hand embrace thee with its former firmness, And by Instinct let me find out his Heart. Dor. Who e'er thou art, Runs Dor. through. Dorenalus hugs thee for this mighty Favour. Rhe. Mistakes confound me, what is it I hear, within There, Treason, Murder, Lights, you Sleepers. Enter Gentlemen. Lights. Gent. It was the Prince's Voice. Rhe. Oh! lend a courteous Glance this way, it cannot Be my Friend sure. Dor. Never so much thy Friend as at this Hour. Rhe. How have I traced the Footsteps of Destruction. Away with your unwelcome Witnesses. Dor. Oh! 'twas Charity to end my Life, When you denied me Nourishment to keep it. Rhe. Yet ere thy Soul forsake thee, let me clear it: I was betrayed by thy ambitious Father, Who placed the Princess, as thy Sister, for me: Disguised and silent we performed the Deed; And when I brought her home to feast on Love, She swore I should not taste it in the Light: Pretended Virgin Modesty refused; So by the Assistance of the fatal Darkness, I grasped her as the Longings of my Soul. Dor. I do believe thee: Oh! Death hunts my Soul, And drives it from its mortal Mansion. Rhe. I thought it was the King now in thy place, Hearing thee talk of Ravishing; Thought 'twas some fresh Design upon your Sister, Which my mistaking Arm endeavoured to prevent. Dor. I am satisfied, and pray be you; I never meant you Ill; Wickedness once invaded my fallen Temper, But I at last overcame it, Oh Rheusanes! Rhe. What are thy last Desires? Dor. Take Pity on my Sister, and keep her from the future Evil of this cursed Tarquin has dishonoured her. I'm going, and if to Happiness I am preferred, I will entreat for Thee. Dies. Rhe. Blessings unenvied wait upon thy Soul, And mount it to the Glory it deserves: Remove this Body to my Chamber, And over it I will lament its Fate. Heaven! Thou hast shown thy Care on thy Vicegerent, And in my Bloom of Wickedness hast cropped me: Ghinotto worked upon my yielding Soul; When it was dulled with suffering then he preyed on't; But sadly have I answered the Offence, Slaying his Son in aiming at my Prince. End of the Fourth Act. ACT V. SCENE I. A Camp. Several Soldiers appear confusedly. 1st. Sould. A Pox o'these peaceable Times, we shall certainly be starved in 'em. 2d. Sould. A Pox on our Folly for suffering peaceable Times, have we not the Power in our own hands? 1st. Sould. For what? 2d. Sould. Why, to make what time we please: Mutiny, my dear Dogs. Corp. A Plague upon those who let us beat 'em so soon; neither is there an Officer destroyed, not so much as a fat Sergeant, or a lean Ensign; no Hint of a Hope for a Vacancy to any man's Merit. 2d. Sould. Why look you, Corporal, our nearnest way to Preferment, (since they will not die in the Field, nor decently of themselves) is to make Mischief among 'em, and let 'em destroy one another. Corp. Ay, but they won't take our Words for't; Superiors have found out the Tricks of Inferiors, and have made an Agreement, though Truth, not to mind it. 2d. Sould. But why must we be kept in our own Country? If we were abroad we might plunder. Corp. We steal here, which is all one. 2d. Sould. No, 'tis not, for we are hanged for it. 1st. Sould. Hark, you fellow Soldiers, now cannot I for my Blood understand why this is our own Country; I'll be choked if there be a man among us has a Foot of Land in it. 2d. Sould. No more than he stands upon. Well, 'tis a brave thing to be an Officer. 1st. Sould. What because you can march Five Miles on Horseback? 2d. Sould. No: But to be even with the Government. Corp. As how, old Dry-Bobb? 2d. Sould. Why, as we marched from our Quarters, we came through the City to the Camp; and a turbulent Dog that was gaping to see us as we passed by his Shop, cried out, Ay, there goes the Plague o'th' the Nation: His Wife straight replied, The Comforts, you Blockhead. Corp. So. 2d. Sould. The Captain immediately tipped her the Wink, And made him a Cuckold before it was dark. All. Oh brave Captain! 1st. Sould. Nay more; She has promised on her Honour, To be revenged on her Husband, she'll bring, All the Females of both Generations, For the Use of our Regiment. Corp. Then the Government's settled again. 2d. Sould. No; prithee let's Mutiny, for I am damnable Hungry. 1st. Sould. Well then let's Mutiny, for my Heart's e'en broke: We've abundance of Victuals upon the Plain, But the Devil a bit on the Spit. Would it not make a man mad, to see a Flock Of Sheep grazeing at the head of one's Regiment, Baaing and making Mouths at us, whilst we Dare not cut their Throats for the Affront. Corp. Ay, or to see a Battalion of Oxen march by In State, and dung at our Tents Mouths, yet must Not knock 'em down to teach 'em better Manners. 2d. Sould. I say Mutiny. All. Ay, Mutiny, mutiny. Corp. Ay, but for what? Pox on't we have our Pay; If they would but stop our Pay once, The Devil should not stop our Mouths. 1st. Sould. Then Corporal we'll Mutiny for our Rights and Privileges. 2d. Sould. To kill and take what we like. 1st. Sould. Ay, and to eat and keep what we kill. Corp. Right, here they send us abroad to be knocked on the Head, When they have nothing to do for us at home.— 2d. Sould. Else knock us on the head, and starve us at Home. 1st. Sould. When there's nothing to do for us abroad. 2d. Sould. 'Twould be a pretty Sight to see us run away, Likw Moses's Lions at the crowing of a Cock. 1st. Sould. Or lose the Field as the Capitol was saved, By the gagling of a Goose: 'Ounds I say Mutiny. Corp. The Devil take it, this will never serve for an Occasion; I am not so unreasonable to desire A just one, if we had any. Enter Colonel and Two Officers. But mum! here comes the old furious Colonel With Two Officers; they'll wonder what a Plague We all do together: Now will half of us be hanged, To confess whether the rest had any Design, To mutiny or no. Coll. These Fellows have some Mischief in their minds; A fit time this to work 'em to our Purpose; My old tough Heart melts at my General's Wrongs; There needs no Oratory in this Tale: In downright Words I'll tell how he's abused; And downright Blows can only do him Justice. Why, how now fellow Soldiers? Corp. Ud's Death, the old Rogue's in a good Humour. Coll. What, wishing for the Wars? You hate to be idle, When a brave Action calls. 1st. Sould. And under your Honour's Command. Coll. My Command! Under the Generals, my Fellow Soldiers, the brave Rheusanes; He that first fleshed your Swords in Conquest, And marched you o'er the Ruins of your Foes: Rheusanes; He, that Father to us all, Who now, by me, to crown his last of Deeds, Bequeathes the Grecian General's Pavilion; With all that Mass of Riches, his by Lot; Without one Doit to any nigh Relation; But all to you, his stout bred Sons and Heirs. All. Humm. Coll. Whilst he, though bold as Justice e'er made Man; Injured to that prodigious height he is Reflecting on his Duty to his Master, Retires to mourn alone at his Disgrace. Corp. How Colonel! The General disgraced! that Must not be; here's an Occasion you Dogs— Coll. If after all his Service to his Country, To have a Wife slurred on him by his Prince, Or see his Mistress ravished 'fore his Face, Be a Disgrace, 'tis his. 2d. Sould. How, ravish my General's Mistress! 1st. Sould. Who was it Colonel? For we'll make an Eunuch Of him, and he shall marry her after. 2d. Sould. And then we'll come in for Snacks. Corp. We'll tear him Piecemeal. Coll. Away ye giddyheaded Slaves, it was the King. 2d. Sould. And sure the King may ravish whom he pleases. Corp. Hark Rogues! a rare Opportunity; Did any of you ever see the King? 2d. Sould. Not I 1st. Sould. Nor I. Corp. Nor you don't know the King, if you see him? Omn. Not we. Corp. Then take my word for't Rheusanes is your King. Omn. Rheusanes, Rheusanes! Coll. Forbear ye Rebels, or I'll hang ye all: Rheusanes is no Prince, he was indeed your General; Your much abused Commander. 1st. Sould. I say he's our King, the other Fellow has been Prince, so long enough. Corp. Ay, ay; Therefore, I say, let all who love their Rheusanes, or their Corporal, draw their Swords. Omn. Rheusanes, Rheusanes. They all draw. Enter Ghinotto. Coll. They're finely wrought, see here, behold the Father. Of the unhappy Lady, and your General's Mistress: Poor Man he weeps. 2d. Sould. Truly he has had a very sad time on't. Coll. Do you not know this Face? can fifteen Years, Such Alteration make? Can you forget Your Major General? Corp. The Noble Ghinotto. Ghin. That wretched thing am I. But why in Arms my old well tried Acquaintance? Coll. Warmed with my General's Wrongs and yours; O'my Conscience I think we're grow all Rebels. Ghin. Indeed our Wrongs will call for a Revenge, And justify it any way but that: But sure the King commands in what he pleases: Were he my Equal, I'd scorn to show This base dishonoured Head; Till I had fixed my Dagger in his Heart, Deep as the Wound it gave this wretched Arm, Which came too late to save my Daughter's Honour; And stop the Hellbred Fury of his Lust. Corp. Look you Fellow Soldiers: This Lord has been A brave Fellow, has led us out and brought us home, With Honour, his Son's the General's Friend, And a kind Officer; therefore for all their Sakes, I cry Revenge. Omn. Revenge, Revenge. Ghin. My Son alas; That precious Comfort of my unhappy Age; Whom you are pleased to call the General's Friend, The Tyrant has destroyed. 2d. Sould. We lose Time, Sir. Pulls the Colonel. Coll. The General perhaps may be so too: His Daughter in his Absence forced again, And by Degrees we all may feel his Envy. Corp. On, on Sir. Coll. Nay more— 2d. Sould. We'll hear no more. Coll. I say the King. 1st. Sould. 'Ounds will you lead, Sir. Coll. I will, and let us wear our Injuries on our Swords, Nor sheathe 'em till we wholly are redressed, But rather perish in our just Endeavours. 1st. Sould. Plunder, Sir. Coll. Do any thing, the City ever were our Enemies, Tho we have saved their Freedoms and Estates. 2d. Sould. March then. Ghin. Fight as ye all had Daughters to relieve. Coll. Or Fight like men condemned for a Reprieve. Corp. All Wives, by my Consent, turn out of Doors. 1st. Sould. Then I am sure the Cits will have no Whores. Exeunt hollowing. SCENE. II. Enter King and a Gentleman. King. DOrenalus killed by a Mistake i'th' dark, and by Rheusanes? Gent. Here in the Gallery, Sir. King. Ghinotto sled to th'Army too? Gent. Yes, Sir. King. Arrived there? Gent. So writes my Brother, Sir; he has some small Employment in your Forces, and thought it was his Duty to inform your Majesty. King. Send to him either to seize or else dispatch the Villain, and I'll prefer him for his Loyalty. Gent. I shall, Sir. King. Give order too Rheusanes be secured; Let him not stir beyond the Princes' Lodgings: Confine Ghinotto's Daughter too; In the Antichamber keep her till I come. Gent. It shall be done, Sir. Exit Gent. King. 'Tis good to make 'em sure: Or let the worst my Fears can threaten come; Let this Ghinotto with the Army march Up to my Palace Gates; I easily can quell The Rebel, if I accept his Daughter for my Bride; But it must come to that e'er I comply or pardon: If this man's Brother but dispatches him, My Jealousies released. Enter Oryala. Oryala in Tears! The Cause which draws this Grief? Ory. The fatal Cause I ever feared and told you: Rheusanes Scorn. King. Still stubborn? Ory. Not only still, but ever will be so; Upon the Floor he passed this tedious Night, Sighing and mourning o'er Dorenalus; Whom, his mistaking Arm, he said, destroyed: Muttering Revenge; repeating his Deserts, And cursing the Ingratitude of's Prince. King. I do begin to apprehend him now; And what Dorenalus by chance received, I guess, was meant for me. His Life is, to appease our Laws, required, Which our Prerogative can spare, if courted; If not, for want of such Humility I'll leave him to its rigid Persecution: I'll humble his Resentments. Ory. Oh never, never! His Woes are swelled to that prodigious heap, No Rage can terrify, no Vengeance hurt: To die is what he sues for; He craved, even now, Some Judgement from the Gods, to separate His united Sufferings; and finding that they Did not mind him, swore, they seemed ashamed, And could inflict no more. King. Her Sorrows trouble me. Aside. Ory. What Pleasure could you take in such Revenge, To ruin those who never did you Wrong? King. I cannot help my Purposes miscarriage, But they designed you well. Ory. Oh vain Excuse! you knew he was disposed of To Ghinotto's Daughter, but loving her yourself, You put me on him as a Security For your own Lust. King. Ha! Ory. If your hot Blood provoked you to that height, That a poor Virgin's Honour must allayed; Rheusanes sure sufficient Plague had found, In losing her; but likewise to be tied To what he loathed; how could he bear that Weight? Now I, like him, wish we had never met And curse the unequal Usage of our Fate. King. She strikes my Conscience strangely. Aside. Ory. Look back upon the Ruins you have made, And Curse the Will which has dethroned your Goodness. King. I feel Reflections thronging on my Soul, And Penitence is crowding for Admittance. Ory. What Reparation can you make her Virtue? Or what Amends my Freedom, which you've sold? King. I will make Reparation; forbear Oryala! And let Discretion act the careful Pilot, To guide thee through this Tempest of Misfortunes: Thy Wrongs into my Heart have shot my Sin, And marked it for Destruction: Oh man! Most liable to Vice, therefore most Beast! When we desire, the Will runs headlong on, Despising all Instructions of Forbearance; But Oh! at last betrayed in the sure Snare; That Will, that forward Will, which ruined us, Converted by Regret to Thoughts impartial, Too late considers and condemns itself. Ory. Think on some means to mitigate your Crimes, Or your Soul's lost with your pernicious Life. King. Oryala, thy Virtues have prevailed, And made me see, with Shame, the want of mine: But if our future Actions can repair, What our foregoing Measures have disgraced, Such Satisfaction for your Wrongs I'll make, That every one their full Amends shall speak: Confess, That I can give no more, nor they can take. Ory. Impossible! King. Why dost thou court me to be good, Yet doubt my Power? Ory. I fear 'twill not redress; Death, death I know Must be my Sorrows Cure. King. Talk not of Death, we may live happy yet; Monarchs Repentance never comes too late: I'll send Rheusanes hither, you work on him, And I'll contrive to soften Antelina: But if our Propositions can't succeed, 'Tis I must die, I who have done this Deed; My Death alone the mischief can remove; Which wronged her Honour, and Rheusanes Love. Exit. Ory. He thinks his Flattery will beguile my Griefs; But the Impression is too deeply cut; I'm sure his Art will never eat it out: Oh Rheusanes! Thou much beloved, And much of Misery, how wretched are our Fates! Yet 'tis a Comfort to be Innocent: If I in aught myself can guilty find, 'Tis loving him perversest of his Kind. Enter Rheusanes. Rheu. Is there no End then of my Miseries? My Heart's too stubborn for my Wrongs to break; Nor will the King destroy his Enemy: Oh Dorenalus! if that Saints can hear The Intercessions of unhappy Mortals, Implore the Assistance of the higher Powers, To seal the Warrant of my Liberty. Ory. Rheusanes! Rheu. What are your Orders, Madam? Ory. Say rather my Desires, which entreat A happy Reconcilement to your Love. Rheu. Alas, the King has ravished all my Love; Nor have I for myself so much As to preserve my Life. Ory. Hast thou no Pity then? Rheu. If your ill used Affection can desire A wretched Share in a disordered Heart, Command my Crimes immediate Punishment; Let Death reward the merits of my Folly, Which can despise the Offers of such Goodness, And till I'm dead I'll bless the noble Mercy. Ory. Why? wouldst thou die then? Rheu. With as much Joy I would receive my Doom, As the dishonoured Antelina: For since Dorenalus and she are lost, There are no Plagues my Sufferings can receive, To match the miseries of a Reprieve. Ory. Here then, Rheusanes, feast thy Scorn and Hate; If thou wilt die, season thy Dagger first, In the uneasy Bosom of Oryala. Offers him a Dagger. Rheu. Your cruel Fate, by all those Woes I grieve, Could wish that Antelina you had been; Or, that I'd Antelina never seen. Ory. Oh! talk not of her; her very Name, Withers my Hopes, and blasts me with Despair. Rheu. All ours you did destroy. Ory. I did not, 'twas the King; had I but known The evil meanings of his Soul, Rheusanes; Or that my Fondness would have met this Usage, I never had destroyed my Peace or yours. Rheu. You knew I was engaged. Ory. The more ungrateful and unjust, Rheusanes, Knowing the merits of my Obligations: Let my preceding Actions come in view; The faithful Diligence my Love has used, Particularly to advance your Cause, Might easily persuade you my Designs Courted your Inclinations to reward 'em. Rheu. I do acknowledge all my Honours yours, Confess myself your Bounty's Creditor; But my Endeavours in my Country's Service, I hoped in time might cancel all those Bonds. Ory. To th'King, but not to me: Virtues when secret kept are none at all; Kings know not, but by Favourites, who deserve: Had not my Love encouraged your Deserts, By kind Entreaties to your Prince to try 'em, Your Name had never conquered Antelina; You had remained indifferent to the World. Rheu. Would I had lived a Stranger to it ever, Since I want Power to recompense your Goodness. Ory. You do not want it. Rheu. Oh! I do; my Vows to Antelina bind my Heart; And though I never can be happy in her, I hear her sighing to my Soul, take heed, This Conference seems a Violation, And she upbraids my Conscience for the Sufferance; There is a struggling Contest in my Breast, Even now betwixt my Love and Gratitude; Both seize my Heart, and tug for the Possession, Let me depart, or it will split between 'em. Ory. Give me my Share then. Rheu. Divide it with thy Dagger. Ory. No, let thy Gratitude but combat for me; Weigh but my Friendship, and I yet shall conquer. Rheu. It will not be; off, or I must be rude. Ory. Thus I release thee then, and right myself. Stabs herself. Rheu. Oh! whither has thy barbarous Honour led thee? Ory. To everlasting Freedom; my tedious Lease of Life Is out, and I shall groan beneath thy Scorn no more. Rheu. Why wouldst thou do thus rashly? Ory. Why wouldst thou hate so long? Rheu. Heaven might have changed the purpose of my Soul, For certainly thy Faith had wondrous merit. Ory. Not equal to thy Antelina's tho; Yet I have got the start of her in Love, And in Rheusanes cause I perish first. Rheu. Oh Nature! lend a Life to mend this Breach, And Death shall have a Thousand in its room; I'll heal it with my own. He snatches the Dagger: She holds him. Ory. Forbear, I do conjure thee, By thy Antelina hold thy fatal Arm: Oh Rheusanes! my Lord, my Life, my Husband And my Soul. Rheu. What would my dear Vexation? Ory. When Fate shall Summon thee to leave this Life, Give order that thy Bones may sleep with mine; Though we have lived at distance in this World, I hope we shall be nearer in the next. Rheu. Curse on my froward Soul. Ory. Oh do not curse thyself my Senses Blessing, Believe I loved you, I desire no more. Rheu. Too sadly you have engaged my Credit. Ory. May Heaven be Judge 'twixt me and Antelina, And give Rheusanes to the best deserving: Oh! I'm going, the light of Peace is glimmering On my Soul, and Heaven is in its view; give Me thy Hand, or thou wilt lose thy Way. Dies. Rheu. Stay then, Oh stay, Thou mighty Sufferer, in the cross Paths, which lead Our giddy Souls to everlasting Joy or Woe: Stay to direct me; the Soul is out of call, I'll not be long behind thee; the King, the King, Who has done all this mischief must give me Death: For him my Friend was in the dark destroyed; By him my Love was barbarously enjoyed; By him this worthy Princess was betrayed; By him my Honours in Disgrace are laid; By him than let these Debts to Heaven be paid: For since he only can be tried by you, Do Justice, or, like him, you'll want it too. Exit Rheusanes. SCENE. III. A Chamber, with a Table set out with Sweetmeats. Enter a Lord, leading in Antelina. Lord. MAdam, the King will instantly be here; This small Collation is for you provided. Exit Lord. Ante. This Banquet seems most luckily provided; For unsuspected now I can destroy His Life, who robbed mine of its Glory: I swore no opportunity should scape, In which I might revenge my Virgin's Loss: In than thou bane of Mortals, Pours Poison into a Bowl of Wine. Thou Enemy to Life, and Friend of Death; Thy fatal Virtue mix so curiously, That the most cunning Sense may not distrust thee. Hark, the Royal Thief approaches. Enter King and Lord. King. Are all things ordered as I gave directions? Lord. Your curious Fancy is obeyed in all. King. Leave us, let not the Princess Nor a Soul disturb us. Lord. I shall be careful, Sir. Exit Lord. King. The Subtilety o'th' most experienced Lovers Which have subdued the chastest of the kind, The Eloquence of Cicero affect me; Aside. Thou Mother to the Deity of Love, Into her Breast convey thy yielding Soul, And give me Charms to conquer all Resistance. Ante. Thou Goddess of unspotted Castity; Thou worthy Patroness of Injured Virtue, Aside. Right me on this Imperial Ravisher. King. Fair Injury! Moves towards her and bows very low. Ante. How flily does this Devil mask his Falsehood: So looked the First, when credulous Eve he tempted, And of her blessed Paradise deprived her. Aside. King. Thou moving Token of thy Prince's Mischief, Look on me with compassionate Observance; I groan beneath the Burden of my Crimes; Thy Pity only can the Weight remove, Which Clogs my Soul, and sinks it to Destruction. Ante. I shall have Justice, worrying Flatterer. King. By all my Hopes of Quiet, noble too, Such Justice as shall heal your wounded Honour, And calm the worst Resentments of your Father: I'll set thy Virtues in a Sphere so high, Shall make 'em yet outshine thy Sex's Pride. Ante. As well the Oak may flourish like the Elm, When Ivy has debased its noble Trunk. King. When Mortals beg Remission for their Sins With an unfeigned Desire, Heaven's Ear inclines: Be thou like Heaven to my entreating Prayers, And let my just Repentance claim some Pity. Ante. Thou hast been basely Cruel. King. The greater will thy Mercy show to Pardon; Do not upbraid me ever, but relent; Kneels. My Sins, which like a Leprosy ran o'er me, The Tears of Penitence have washed away; Nor can I think my Soul inclined to th'Act: Some Fiend admiring of thee, entered me, And with his Charms forced me act his Will. Ante. I must seem yielding; to bring him to my Ends Requires Belief I may be brought to his. Rise, Sir. King. Will you sit down then? Ante. I will. Sits. King. Will you salute this Bowl, or in a Friendly Draught drown what is past? Oh bless me with the Sound of thy Forgiveness, And my sad Soul shall shake its Sorrows off, And dance to th'joyful Music of thy Mercy: Drink my Hearts Trouble. Gives her the Bowl. Ante. Peace to our Wrongs. She drinks. King. I thirst for it: Takes the Bowl and drinks. May all our Sorrows shrink as this decays. Ante. May it wash out thy Sins, I do forgive thee. King. Souls banished Heaven, could not be better pleased To be called back again: Some Music there to humour this sweet Softness. W A Song. Eat, my Comfort, here's Food delicious, As the God's delight in, luscious as Love's desires; Let's feast and revel till we have wearied Luxury, And with our Appetites Extravagance made Croesus' poor. Ante. Thou wilt be poor anon. King. Wilt thou not eat, my Queen? Ante. I am not well. King. Let us retire, my Life; within are Cordials, Masters of all Sickness. Ante. Make use then of 'em, for thou art mighty ill. King. Not Paris was in better Health, when he, His dear stolen Helen first embraced: I feel my pious Purposes decay, And I am lost again in vast Desire. Ante. Is this thy faithful Sorrow? King. Wouldst have me weep myself Like Niobe into a Stone? I've sighed sufficiently for what is past; Therefore thy Joys must make my Grief amends. Ante. Oh Monster! King. Throw off this foolish Virtue and be kind; My Blood boils high. Ante. Thy Soul will sink as low. King. I'll sink it in thy Arms then. Ante. Good Gods! King. Could those good Gods transform thee to a Tree, Like Daphne, when Apollo did pursue her; Thus should my twisted Arms grow to thee, Whilst every Branch which sprung from our fair Sides, Were royal Issues of each others Pleasure. Ante. Thou bitter Curse on Virtue, thou art poisoned. King. This will not save thee. Ante. By the Honour thou hast destroyed, not the World's Art, With thy own Nature, were it strong as Cruel, Can carry off the Venom in thy Blood. King. If I am poisoned then my Time's more precious, And on thy Bosom shall my Life expire; So blessed I'd willingly my Life resign; In Ecstasies of Bliss I'll upwards climb: Upon thy Lips I'll leave my parting Soul, And giddy with my Joys to Darkness roll. Enter Lord. Lord. To Arms, or fly immediately; The Army's at your Palace, bellowing loud, Rheusanes is our King; down with the Tyrant: There's not a Citizen but arms the Cause, And vows to share their Fortune. Ante. I cannot live to see my Wrongs revenged; She sinks and sits on the Ground. Fear Tyrant, for Heaven's Vengeance Crowds upon thee. King. This message like Qualm comes cross my Blood, And chills the Heat her Beauties had inspired. Draw up our Guards, le's meet 'em with the utmost Force we have, and back it with an equal Resolution. This Cunning shall not save thee, here thou shalt remain, Till I the worst Event of Fortune know; And if I find my Crown I must resign, I will return in spite of all thy Art, And perish in thy Arms. Rheusanes and thy Father shall behold it, Whilst both their Swords shall want the Power to part us; For as my Wounds successively are made, As they stab me so will I kiss thee dead. Exit. Ante. Oh Rheusanes! some unseen Power Whisper in thy Ear, How nobly Antelina keeps her Vow: I feel the Mischief coursing through my Veins, And like a Town attacked from every side, It does surround my Heart, feign 'twould hold out To parley with the General, And after some Conditions give it up. Shout without. Enter Rheusanes. Rheu. I hear my Name cried up by all for King, And zealous mutiny comes fiercely on; I long to know my Antelina's Fate, Whilst doubtful of her Safety I remain: I cannot die, but hover hereabout, Like a poor frighted Bird about her Nest, When she suspects the Danger of her Young. Ante. Who's there? Rheu. Again upon the Ground; Runs. to Antelina. How are my Fears confirmed? Ante. Rheusanes! Rheu. The same, but tell me, (Oh my Doubts!) Why do I find thee thus? Ante. A Bed of Honour this, not of Disgrace; The King no more my Virtue shall destroy, Nor live to boast the Rape of Antelina. Rheu. What dost thou mean? Ante. I drank thy Health in the same Draught The King did his Destruction; The Thoughts of thee sweetened the bitter Cup, And made the Potion pleasant to my Taste. Rheu. Thou art not poisoned? Ante. Forgive me if I've robbed thee of thy Justice; Jealous of losing it I'made it sure, And gave him what will thoroughly revenge us. Rheu. The Action troubles me, although I cannot live To see the Event: I wish thy Sufferings may quit Thy Crimes, for Heaven has great Regard to Princes. Ante. And has it none for injured Subjects think you? Rheu. Not when they offer to Revenge themselves; Fired by thy Wrongs, and worked up by thy Father, I went to end him; But Oh the sad mistake! I slew thy Brother for him. Ante. Hard Usage truly, but 'tis done, and I must wait My Sentence: Live thou (Oh my intended, but Unhappy Lover!) and prithee, dear Rheusanes, prithee Befriend the Troubles of thy Wife: Credit me, wondrous Goodness dwells within her; And since the King and I are both removed, Reward her tedious Sufferings with thy Love. Rheu. Not Three Hours since she perished by my Side. Ante. Then I expire too late. Rheu. Rally thy Spirits Strength, and stay a little; Oh do not fly so soon! Drums, Trumpets, and the Noise of a Battle without. Enter King Mad, with his Sword drawn. King. ALL's lost, no Words on't; let Furies laugh and Rattle Chains for Joy, I'm coming; Oh how I burn! The ambitious Boy that set the World on fire, And perished in the Flames his Folly kindled, Died in a gentle Sweat to what I feel. Rheu. he's come, Heaven let his Madness find me. King. The Toils of Sisyphus, Prometheus' Pains, And all the Poet's Tales of tortured Sinners, Are Fictions to the Punishments I suffer: I'll sue to Proserpina to quench these Fires, Her Arms have Power. Ha Pluto! here come to compel my Love? Die, Devil, die; Runs Rheusanes through. And I'll be Prince of Hell. Ante. Rheusanes, Oh! Dies. Rheu. I follow thee; blessed be the Hand that sends me. King. Give me some Water there, some Water, Dogs; Pour down my Throat an hundred thousand Tunns To cool my boiling Blood; let Winter lay me In his frozen Lap, and weep Snow on me; My Heat would melt his Hoard upon the Alps, And make a second Flood for Italy: My Fever would thaw Charity. Shout without. Enter Ghinotto. Ghin. He's here. Ghin. runs at him, the King drops his Sword as they are struggling. The K. draws a Dagger and stabs Ghin. King. What art thou? Ghin. This shall inform thee. King. Am I ta'en Prisoner then? O, Treason: Fly to my Rescue, this I think will free me: There, there, there. Enter Colonel with Soldiers. Coll. How is it, Sir? To Ghinotto. Ghin. Why, not well. Dies. Coll. Oh dismal Spectacle! General, look up; Oh how he has crossed our Purpose? Behold your Colonel, Sir, with such Relief, As will recover your lost Life and Time. Rheu. Do not disturb me. Coll. How came this, Sir? Rheu. By the King's hand: This Lady in a Bowl Of Poison drank to him, and in its raging Madness He destroyed me: Ghinotto is the Cause of all: I can no more; Heaven forgive it: Hold fast My Hope, and to the Stars conduct me. Dies. Coll. Now sets the Sun of Glory; the World Is darkened by thy Lights decay, which ne'er Will rise to bless this Land again; Cursed Ambition! what Slaughter hast thou made? King. My infected Blood flows swiftly forth, and Reason now torments me more than Poison. Coll. What Mercy can thy Wickedness expect? King. Had I but time, I'd tell thee. Dies. Coll. Oh Death! Oh thou luxurious Thief! How has thy vicious Appetite been feasted? Wretched Ghinotto! hadst thou been more just, This Wrack had never happened. Would I were in my Grave, I should not see The Miseries this Land must feel for thee. The sad Remains of this unhappy Crown, Have much to do to fix their shaking Throne. EPILOGUE, Spoken by Mr. JEVON. MY Brother Mountfort in the Scene-Room sits, To hear the Censure of your sharp quick Wits; Expecting a most dreadful damning Doom: My Third Day's past, but his, poor Soul's to come. Encourage him, Faith do, 'tis Charity; Poets, you know, are poor, and so are we: Let this tho' give no Offence toth' Brother-Writers; But if it does, there's few of 'em are Fighters: Those that are so, he does exclude his Pen, For like Town Bully, he would know his Men. He begs but one thing, be not so uncivil, To scan his Play, for than 'twill be the Devil: Not but he dares stand by't, but to prevent Evil. For Nice Sr. Courtly's so well bred, you know, He would not question it, and pray done't you. The Plot I'm sure is good, or if it be not, fie, Your Chair-Men now a days plot Tragedy. Pardon but this, and I will pawn my Life, His next shall match my Devil of a Wife. We'll grace it with the Embellishment of Song and Dance; We'll have the Monsieur once again from France, With's Hoop and Glasses, and when that is done, He shall Divert you with his Riggadoone. Dances like him. Pluck up the Petticoat above the Knee, To show the fine show string and the dapper Thigh, And not make one Blush, no begar not in one Lady: With tawny Gullet, Face as ugly too, As a fresh Awkard Covent-Garden Beau. hay de brave French Man Mon foy he can fly Home again he has into his own Country. So fare him well, of him no more, But to the Poet, be kind to him, as I said before, Else to stand by him, every Man has sworn. To Salisbury Court we'll hurry the next Week, Where not for Whores but Coaches you may seek; And more to plague you, there shall be no Play, But the Emperor o'th' Moon for every Day. FINIS. Books Printed for, and sold by Sam. Manship at the Black Bull in Cornhill. THE Lives of the most famous English Poets; or the Honours of Parnassus: In a brief Essay of the Works and Writings of above Two hundred of them, from the Time of King William the Conqueror, to the Reign of his present Majesty, King James II. The Gallant Hermaphrodite; an Amorous Novel, translated from the French; of the Sieur de Chavigny.