Chapter CXLIII: Act IV: Scene I.4388

_Enter two_ Lords _and_ HERNANDO.

_1 Lord._ This is the age of wonders.

_2 Lord._ Wondrous mischiefs!

_Her._ Among those guards, which some call tutelar angels,
Whose office is to govern provinces,
Is there not one will undertake Navarre?
Hath Heaven forsook us quite?

_1 Lord._ Columbo at large! 5

_2 Lord._ And grac’d now more than ever.

_1 Lord._ He was not pardon’d;
That word was prejudicial to his fame.

_Her._ But, as the murder done had been a dream
Vanish’d to memory, he’s courted as
Preserver of his country. With what chains 10
Of magic does this Cardinal hold the king?

_2 Lord._ What will you say, my lord, if they enchant
The duchess now, and by some impudent art,
Advance a marriage to Columbo yet?

_Her._ Say! 15
I’ll say no woman can be sav’d; nor is ’t
Fit, indeed, any should pretend to Heaven,
After one such impiety in their sex:
And yet my faith has been so stagger’d, since
The king restor’d Columbo, I’ll be now 20
Of no religion.

1 _Lord._ ’Tis not possible
She can forgive the murder; I observ’d
Her tears.

_Her._ Why, so did I, my lord;
And if they be not honest, ’tis to be
Half damn’d, to look upon a woman weeping. 25
When do you think the Cardinal said his prayers?

_2 Lord._ I know not.

_Her._ Heaven forgive my want of charity!
But, if I were to kill him, he should have
No time to pray; his life could be no sacrifice,
Unless his soul went too.

_1 Lord._ That were too much. 30

_Her._ When you mean to dispatch him, you may give
Time for confession: they have injur’d me
After another rate.

_2 Lord._ You are too passionate, cousin.

_Enter_ COLUMBO, Colonels, ALPHONSO, _and_ Courtiers. _They pass over the stage._

_Her._ How the gay men do flutter, to congratulate 35
His gaol delivery! There’s one honest man:
What pity ’tis a gallant fellow should
Depend on knaves for his preferment!

1 _Lord._ Except this cruelty upon Alvarez,
Columbo has no mighty stain upon him; 40
But for his uncle—

_Her._ If I had a son
Of twelve years old that would not fight with him,
And stake his soul against his cardinal’s cap,
I would disinherit him. Time has took a lease
But for three lives, I hope; a fourth may see 45
Honesty walk without a crutch.

2 _Lord._ This is
But air and wildness.

_Her._ I will see the duchess.

[_1 Lord._] You may do well to comfort her; we must
Attend the king.

_Her._ Your pleasures. _Exit._

_Enter_ KING _and_ CARDINAL.

_1 Lord._ A man of a brave soul.

_2 Lord._ The less his safety.— 50
The king and Cardinal in consult!

_King._ Commend us to the duchess, and employ
What language you think fit and powerful
To reconcile her to some peace.—My lords.

_Car._ Sir, I possess all for your sacred uses. _Exeunt severally._ 55

[SCENE II.][4389]

_Enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO] _and_ CELINDA.

_Ant._ Madam, you are the welcom’st lady living.

_Cel._ To whom, Master Secretary?

_Ant._ If you have mercy
To pardon so much boldness, I durst say,
To me—I am a gentleman.

_Cel._ And handsome.

_Ant._ But my lady has 5
Much wanted you.

_Cel._ Why, Master Secretary?

_Ant._ You are the prettiest,—

_Cel._ So!

_Ant._ The wittiest,—

_Cel._ So! 10

_Ant._ The merriest lady i’ th’ court.

_Cel._ And I was wish’d, to make the duchess pleasant?[4390]

_Ant._ She never had so deep a cause of sorrow;
Her chamber ’s but a coffin of a larger
Volume, wherein she walks so like a ghost, 15
’T would make you pale to see her.

_Cel._ Tell her grace
I attend here.

_Ant._ I shall most willingly.—
A spirited lady I would I had her in my closet!
She is excellent company among the lords.
Sure she has an admirable treble.—Madam. _Exit._ 20

_Cel._ I do suspect this fellow would be nibbling,
Like some, whose narrow fortunes will not rise
To wear things when the invention’s rare and new:
But treading on the heel of pride, they hunt 24
The fashion when ’t is crippled, like fell tyrants.
I hope I am not old yet; I had the honour
To be saluted by our Cardinal’s nephew
This morning: there ’s a man!

_Re-enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO].

_Ant._ I have prevail’d.
Sweet madam, use what eloquence you can
Upon her; and if ever I be useful 30
To your ladyship’s service, your least breath commands me. [_Exit._]

_Enter_ Duchess.

_Duch._ Madam, I come to ask you but one question:
If you were in my state, my state of grief,
I mean, an exile from all happiness
Of this world, and almost of Heaven, (for my 35
Affliction is finding out despair,)
What would you think of Don Columbo?

_Cel._ Madam?

_Duch._ Whose bloody hand wrought all this misery.
Would you not weep, as I do, and wish rather
An everlasting spring of tears to drown 40
Your sight, than let your eyes be curst to see
The murderer again, and glorious?
So careless of his sin, that he is made
Fit for new parricide, even while his soul 44
Is purpled o’er, and reeks with innocent blood?
But do not, do not answer me; I know
You have so great a spirit, (which I want,
The horror of his fact[4391] surprising all
My faculties), you would not let him live:
But I, poor I, must suffer more. There ’s not 50
One little star in Heaven will look on me,
Unless to choose me out the mark, on whom
It may shoot down some angry influence.

_Enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ Madam, here ’s Don Columbo says he must
Speak with your grace.

_Duch._ But he must not, I charge you. 55
[_Exit_ PLACENTIA.]
None else wait?—Is this well done,
To triumph in his tyranny? Speak, madam,
Speak but your conscience.

_Enter_ COLUMBO _and_ Secretary [ANTONIO].

_Ant._ Sir, you must not see her.

_Colum._ Not see her? Were she cabled up above
The search of bullet or of fire, were she 60
Within her grave, and that the toughest mine
That ever nature teem’d and groan’d withal,
I would force some way to see her.—Do not fear
I come to court you, madam; y’ are not worth
The humblest of my kinder thoughts. I come 65
To show the man you have provok’d, and lost,
And tell you what remains of my revenge.—
Live, but never presume again to marry;
I ’ll kill the next at th’ altar, and quench all
The smiling tapers with his blood: if after, 70
You dare provoke the priest and Heaven so much
To take another, in thy bed I ’ll cut him from
Thy warm embrace, and throw his heart to ravens.

_Cel._ This will appear an unexampled cruelty.

_Colum._ Your pardon, madam; rage, and my revenge, 75
Not perfect, took away my eyes. You are
A noble lady, this not worth your eye-beam;
One of so slight a making, and so thin,
An autumn leaf is of too great a value
To play, which shall be soonest lost i’ th’ air. 80
Be pleas’d to own me by some name in your
Assurance, I despise to be receiv’d
There; let her witness that I call you mistress;
Honour me to make these pearls your carkanet.
[_Gives her a necklace._]

_Cel._ My lord, you are too humble in your thoughts. 85

_Colum._ [_Aside._] There ’s no vexation too great to punish her.
_Exit._

_Ant._ Now, madam.

_Cel._ Away, you saucy fellow!—Madam, I
Must be excus’d, if I do think more honourably
Than you have cause, of this great lord.

_Duch._ Why, is not 90
All womankind concern’d to hate what ’s impious?

_Cel._ For my part—

_Duch._ Antonio, is this a woman?

_Ant._ I know not whether she be man or woman;
I should be nimble to find out the experiment.
She look’d with less state when Columbo came.

_Duch._ Let me entreat your absence [_Aside._]
I am cozen’d in her.— 96
I took you for a modest, honest lady.

_Cel._ Madam, I scorn any accuser; and
Deducting the great title of a duchess,
I shall not need one grain of your dear honour
To me make full weight: if your grace be jealous, 101
I can remove. _Exit._

_Ant._ She is gone.

_Duch._ Prithee remove
My fears of her return. [_Exit_ ANT.]—She is not worth
Considering; my anger ’s mounted higher.
He need not put in caution for my next 105
Marriage.—Alvarez, I must come to thee,
Thy virgin wife, and widow; but not till
I ha’ paid those tragic duties to thy hearse
Become my piety and love. But how?
Who shall instruct a way?

_Enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ Madam, Don 110
Hernando much desires to speak with you.

_Duch._ Will not thy own discretion think I am
Unfit for visit?

_Pla._ Please your grace, he brings
Something, he says, imports your ear, and love
Of the dead lord, Alvarez.

_Duch._ Then admit him. [_Exit_ PLACENTIA.] 115

_Enter_ [PLACENTIA _with_] HERNANDO.

_Her._ I would speak, madam, to yourself.

_Duch._ Your absence. [_Exit_ PLACENTIA.]

_Her._ I know not how your grace will censure so
Much boldness, when you know the affairs I come for.

_Duch._ My servant has prepar’d me to receive it,
If ’t concern my dead lord.

_Her._ Can you name 120
So much of your Alvarez in a breath,
Without one word of your revenge? O, madam,
I come to chide you, and repent my great
Opinion of your virtue, that can walk,
And spend so many hours in naked solitude; 125
As if you thought that no arrears were due
To his death, when you had paid his funeral charges,
Made your eyes red, and wept a handkerchief.
I come to tell you that I saw him bleed;
I, that can challenge nothing in his name 130
And honour, saw his murder’d body warm,
And panting with the labour of his spirits,
Till my amaz’d soul shrunk and hid itself:
While barbarous Columbo grinning stood,
And mock’d the weeping wounds. It is too much, 135
That you should keep your heart alive so long
After this spectacle, and not revenge it.

_Duch._ You do not know the business of my heart,
That censure me so rashly; yet I thank you;
And, if you be Alvarez’ friend, dare tell 140
Your confidence, that I despise my life,
But know not how to use it in a service
To speak me his revenger: this will need
No other proof, than that to you, who may
Be sent with cunning to betray me, I 145
Have made this bold confession. I so much
Desire to sacrifice to that hovering ghost
Columbo’s life, that I am not ambitious
To keep my own two minutes after it.

_Her._ If you will call me coward, which is equal 150
To think I am a traitor, I forgive it
For this brave resolution, which time
And all the destinies must aid. I beg
That I may kiss your hand for this; and may
The soul of angry honour guide it—

_Duch._ Whither? 155

_Her._ To Don Columbo’s heart.

_Duch._ It is too weak, I fear, alone.

_Her._ Alone? Are you in earnest? Why, will it not
Be a dishonour to your justice, madam,
Another arm should interpose? But that 160
It were a saucy act to mingle with you,
I durst, nay, I am bound in the revenge
Of him that ’s dead, (since the whole world has interest
In every good man’s loss,) to offer it.
Dare you command me, madam?

_Duch._ Not command; 165
But I should more than honour such a truth
In man, that durst, against so mighty odds,
Appear Alvarez’ friend, and mine. The Cardinal—

_Her._ Is for the second course; Columbo must
Be first cut up; his ghost must lead the dance: 170
Let him die first.

_Duch._ But how?

_Her._ How! with a sword; and, if I undertake it,
I wo’ not lose so much of my own honour,
To kill him basely.

_Duch._ How shall I reward
This infinite service? ’Tis not modesty 175
While now my husband groans beneath his tomb,
And calls me to his marble bed, to promise,
What this great act might well deserve, myself,
If you survive the victor; but if thus
Alvarez’ ashes be appeas’d, it must 180
Deserve an honourable memory;
And though Columbo (as he had all power,
And grasp’d the fates) has vow’d to kill the man
That shall succeed Alvarez—

_Her._ Tyranny!

_Duch._ Yet, if ever 185
I entertain a thought of love hereafter,
Hernando from the world shall challenge it;
Till when, my prayers and fortune shall wait on you.

_Her._ This is too mighty recompense.

_Duch._ ’Tis all just.

_Her._ If I outlive Columbo, I must not 190
Expect security at home.

_Duch._ Thou canst
Not fly where all my fortunes, and my love
Shall not attend to guard thee.

_Her._ If I die—

_Duch._ Thy memory 194
Shall have a shrine, the next within my heart,
To my Alvarez.

_Her._ Once again your hand.
Your cause is so religious, you need not
Strengthen it with your prayers; trust it to me.

_Re-enter_ PLACENTIA, _and the_ CARDINAL.

_Pla._ Madam, the Cardinal.

_Duch._ Will you appear?

_Her._ An he had all the horror of the devil 200
In ’s face, I would not baulk him.

_He stares upon the_ CARDINAL _in his exit_.

_Car._ [_Aside._] What makes Hernando here? I do not like
They should consult; I’ll take no note.—The king
Fairly salutes your grace; by whose command
I am to tell you, though his will and actions 205
Illimited, stoop not to satisfy
The vulgar inquisition, he is
Yet willing to retain a just opinion
With those that are plac’d near him; and although
You look with nature’s eye upon yourself, 210
Which needs no perspective to reach, nor art
Of any optic to make greater, what
Your narrow sense applies[4392] an injury,
(Ourselves still nearest to ourselves,) but there’s
Another eye that looks abroad, and walks 215
In search of reason, and the weight of things,
With which, if you look on him, you will find
His pardon to Columbo cannot be
So much against his justice, as your erring
Faith would persuade your anger.

_Duch._ Good my lord, 220
Your phrase has too much landscape, and I cannot
Distinguish at this distance you present[4393]
The figure perfect: but indeed my eyes
May pray your lordship find excuse, for tears
Have almost made them blind.

_Car._ Fair peace restore ’em! 225
To bring the object nearer, the king says,
He could not be severe to Don Columbo
Without injustice to his other merits,
Which call more loud for their reward and honour,
Than you for your revenge; the kingdom made 230
Happy by those; you only, by the last,
Unfortunate:—nor was it rational,
I speak the king’s own language, he should die
For taking one man’s breath, without whose valour
None now had been alive without dishonour. 235

_Duch._ In my poor understanding, ’tis the crown
Of virtue to proceed in its own track,
Not deviate from honour. If you acquit
A man of murder, ’cause he has done brave
Things in the war, you will bring down his valour 240
To a crime, nay, to a bawd, if it secure
A rape, and but teach those that deserve well
To sin with greater license. But dispute
Is now too late, my lord; ’tis done; and you,
By the good king, in tender of my sorrows, 245
Sent to persuade me ’tis unreasonable
That justice should repair me.

_Car._ You mistake;
For if Columbo’s death could make Alvarez
Live, the king had given him up to law,
Your bleeding sacrifice; but when his life 250
Was but another treasure thrown away,
To obey a clamorous statute, it was wisdom
To himself, and common safety, to take off
This killing edge of law, and keep Columbo
To recompense the crime by noble acts, 255
And sorrow, that in time might draw your pity.

_Duch._ This is a greater tyranny than that
Columbo exercis’d; he kill’d my lord;
And you have not the charity to let
Me think it worth a punishment.

_Car._ To that, 260
In my own name, I answer: I condemn,
And urge the bloody guilt against my nephew;
’T was violent and cruel, a black deed;
A deed, whose memory doth make me shudder;
An act, that did betray a tyrannous nature, 265
Which he took up[4394] in war, the school of vengeance;
And though the king’s compassion spare him here,
Unless his heart
Weep itself out in penitent tears,—

_Duch._ This sounds
As you were now a good man.

_Car._ Does your grace 270
Think I have conscience to allow the murder?
Although, when it was done, I did obey
The stream of nature, as he was my kinsman,
To plead he might not pay his forfeit life,
Could I do less for one so near my blood? 275
Consider, madam, and be charitable;
Let not this wild injustice make me lose
The character I bear, and reverend habit.
To make you full acquainted with my innocence,
I challenge here my soul, and Heaven to witness, 280
If I had any thought, or knowledge with
My nephew’s plot, or person, when he came,
Under the smooth pretence of friend, to violate
Your hospitable laws, and do that act,
Whose frequent mention draws this tear, a whirlwind 285
Snatch me to endless flames!

_Duch._ I must believe,
And ask your grace’s pardon. I confess
I have not lov’d you since Alvarez’ death,
Though we were reconcil’d.

_Car._ I do not blame
Your jealousy, nor any zeal you had 290
To prosecute revenge against me, madam,
As I then stood suspected, nor can yet
Implore your mercy to Columbo. All
I have to say is, to retain my first
Opinion and credit with your grace; 295
Which you may think I urge not out of fear,
Or ends upon you, (since, I thank the king,
I stand firm on the base of royal favour,)
But for your own sake, and to show I have
Compassion of your sufferings.

_Duch._ You have clear’d 300
A doubt, my lord; and by this fair remonstrance,
Given my sorrow so much truce, to think
That we may meet again, and yet be friends.—
But be not angry, if I still remember
By whom Alvarez died, and weep, and wake 305
Another justice with my prayers.

_Car._ All thoughts
That may advance a better peace dwell with you! _Exit._

_Duch._ How would this cozening statesman bribe my faith
With flatteries, to think him innocent!
No; if his nephew die, this Cardinal must not 310
Be long-liv’d. All the prayers of a wrong’d widow
Make firm Hernando’s sword! and my own hand
Shall have some glory in the next revenge.
I will pretend my brain with grief distracted,
It may gain easy credit; and beside 315
The taking off examination
For great Columbo’s death, it makes what act
I do in that believ’d[4395] want of my reason,
Appear no crime, but my defence.—Look down,
Soul of my lord, from thy eternal shade, 320
And unto all thy blest companions boast
Thy duchess busy to revenge thy ghost! _Exit._

[SCENE III.][4396]

_Enter_ [_on one side_] COLUMBO _and_ ALPHONSO; [_on the other_,] HERNANDO _and a_ Colonel.

_Colum._ Hernando, now I love thee, and do half
Repent the affront my passion threw upon thee.

_Her._ You will not be too prodigal o’ your penitence.

_Colum._ This makes good thy nobility of birth; 4
Thou may’st be worth my anger and my sword,
If thou dost execute as daringly
As thou provok’st a quarrel. I did think
Thy soul a starveling, or asleep.

_Her._ You ’ll find it
Active enough to keep your spirit waking;
Which, to exasperate, for yet I think 10
It is not high enough to meet my rage—
Do you smile?

_Colum._ This noise is worth it.—Gentlemen,
I ’m sorry this great soldier has engag’d
Your travail; all his business is to talk.

_Her._ A little of your lordship’s patience, 15
You shall have other sport, and swords that will
Be as nimble ’bout your heart as you can wish.
’T is pity more than our two single lives
Should be at stake.

_Colum._ Make that no scruple, sir.

_Her._ To him then that survives, if fate allow 20
That difference, I speak, that he may tell
The world, I came not hither on slight anger,
But to revenge my honour, stain’d and trampled on
By this proud man; when general, he commanded
My absence from the field.

_Colum._ I do remember, 25
And I ’ll give your soul now a discharge.

_Her._ I come
To meet it, if your courage be so fortunate.
But there is more than my own injury
You must account for, sir, if my sword prosper; 29
Whose point and every edge is made more keen
With young Alvarez’ blood, in which I had
A noble interest. Does not that sin benumb
Thy arteries, and turn the guilty flowings
To trembling jelly in thy veins? Canst hear
Me name that murder, and thy spirits not 35
Struck into air, as thou wert shot by some
Engine from Heaven?

_Colum._ You are the duchess’ champion!
Thou hast given me a quarrel now. I grieve
It is determin’d all must fight, and I
Shall lose much honour in his fall.

_Her._ That duchess, 40
(Whom but to mention with thy breath is sacrilege,
An orphan of thy making, and condemn’d
By thee to eternal solitude, I come
To vindicate; and while I am killing thee,
By virtue of her prayers sent up for justice, 45
At the same time, in Heaven I am pardon’d for ’t.

_Colum._ I cannot hear the bravo.

_Her._ Two words more,
And take your chance. Before you all I must
Pronounce that noble lady without knowledge
Or thought of what I undertake for her. 50
Poor soul! she ’s now at her devotions,
Busy with Heaven, and wearing out the earth
With her stiff knees, and bribing her good angel
With treasures of her eyes, to tell her lord
How much she longs to see him. My attempt 55
Needs no commission from her: were I
A stranger in Navarre, the inborn right
Of every gentleman to Alvarez’ loss
Is reason to engage their swords and lives
Against the common enemy of virtue. 60

_Colum._ Now have you finish’d? I have an instrument
Shall cure this noise, and fly up to thy tongue,
To murder all thy words.

_Her._ One little knot
Of phlegm, that clogs my stomach, and I ha’ done:—
You have an uncle, call’d a Cardinal, 65
Would he were lurking now about thy heart,
That the same wounds might reach you both, and send
Your reeling souls together! Now have at you.

_Alph._ We must not, sir, be idle.
[_They fight_; COLUMBO’S _second_ [ALPHONSO], _slain._

_Her._ What think you now of praying?

_Colum._ Time enough. 70
_He kills_ HERNANDO’S _second_.
Commend me to my friend; the scales are even.
I would be merciful, and give you time
Now to consider of the other world;
You ’ll find your soul benighted presently.

_Her._ I ’ll find my way i’ the dark.

_They fight, and close_; COLUMBO _gets both the swords_, _and_ HERNANDO _takes up the second’s weapon_.

_Colum._ A stumble’s dangerous. 75
Now ask thy life.—Ha!

_Her._ I despise to wear it,
A gift from any but the first bestower.

_Colum._ I scorn a base advantage.—
COLUMBO _throws away one of the swords: they fight._ HERNANDO _wounds_
COLUMBO.—
Ha!

_Her._ I am now
Out of your debt.

_Colum._ Thou ’st don ’t, and I forgive thee.
Give me thy hand; when shall we meet again?

_Her._ Never, I hope. 81

_Colum._ I feel life ebb apace: yet I ’ll look upwards,
And show my face to Heaven. [_Dies._]

_Her._ The matter’s done;
I must not stay to bury him. _Exit._