Chapter I: Act I: Scene I

_The Curtains fly up, and discover a Mask in_ Pizalto's _House_. Pizalto, _Lady_ Pizalta, Lucy; Ludovico _talking to Lady_ Pizalta; Bassino _and_ Aurelia _talking together_; Florella _and other Maskers_.

_A_ Spanish _Entry_.

_While the Dance is performing_, _enter_ Armando, _and gives_ Bassino _two Letters, which he opens and reads_.

_Lady_ Pizalta _and_ Lucy _advance to the Front of the Stage_.

L. Piz. Oh! _Lucy_, I'm undone----
That Stranger there has charm'd my Heart: I feel
The Pow'r of conquering Love; quick, quickly tell me,
What shall I do to ease this racking Passion?

_Lucy._ Nay, Madam, I fancy your Passion has little Occasion for Lenitives; it blazes so violently at first, 'tis like to be soon extinguish'd.

L. _Piz._ Dear _Lucy_, don't trifle with me; but contrive, imagine, do any thing, to bless thy Love-sick Mistress with the Sight of that dear Man: And as an Earnest of further Rewards, here, take this---- [_Gives her a Ring._

_Lucy._ Madam, I receive your Commands with much Joy, but your Present with more----[_Aside._] I'll try what this projecting Brain can do, and if you step into the next Room, I'll soon give you an Account of my Proceedings. [_Exit L._ Pizalta.

_Bass._ Ye Gods!
What have I done, that you pursue me thus?
Why did you e'er decree that I should wed
A Wife I now must hate? Why did I see
The bright _Aurelia_? Why am I thus torn
'Twixt Love and Duty? Oh! what Pangs, what Torments
My Soul endures! Oh! my _Aurelia_!
[_Exeunt omnes, but_ Lucy & Ludov.

Lucy _pulling_ Ludovico _by the Sleeve_.

_Lucy._ Sir, Sir, one Word with you.

_Lud._ Your Business----

_Lucy._ May one ask you a civil Question, and be resolv'd?

_Lud._ Hum--A civil Question, sayst thou? What's it, prithee, a Night's Lodging? If so, pull off thy Mask, and I'll resolve thee instantly----But I never strike Bargains in the Dark.

_Lucy._ I don't know, Sir, but it may tend to that, by way of Proxy, at the long-run: But at present my Commission reaches no further than to know your Lodgings; if any Thing comes on't, I fancy 'twill not displease you.

_Lud._ (_Aside._) Hum----This is but a Pettifogger in Intrigues, I find----Egad, I'm like to be pretty well employ'd during the Carnival----Well, considering I am a Stranger here, this Hit may be a lucky one, and the Lady handsome----Egad, I'll fancy her so at least, wer't but for the Pleasure of Expectation.

_Lucy._ What are you studying, Sir? Are you so long resolving whether you shall accept a Lady's Favour, or no?

_Lud._ No, faith, Child: I am not over-scrupulous in those Matters----Let her be but Woman, and we shan't disagree----And so thou mayst tell her----There's a Direction for thee. [_Tears the Superscription of a Letter and gives it her._ [_Exit_ Ludovico.

_Lucy._ Frank and easy, _a la mode de Paris_----Well, these indifferent Sparks charm more than all your cringing Fops----Now for my Business--Let me see--I'll to my Lady, she'll write; I'll carry the Letter, and the Devil will turn Saint, if I don't bring 'em together, and merit a further Recompence.

_By Coupling many have their Fortunes made;_
_I only want Preferment, not my Trade._
[_Exit_ Lucy.

SCENE II.

_The Scene changes to_ Bassino's _Lodgings, and discovers the Count in his Night-gown, a Table with Lights, and Letters lying on the Table_.

_Bass._ All Things lie hush'd in peaceful Silence here:
All but _Bassino_'s Mind----Oh! happy he
Who lives secure and free from Love's Alarms.
But happier far, who, Master of himself,
Ranges abroad without that Clog, a Wife.
Oh! rigorous Laws impos'd on Free-born Man!
On Man, by bounteous Nature first design'd
The Sovereign Lord of all the Universe!
Why must his generous Passion thus be starv'd,
And be confined to one alone?
The Woman, whom Heaven sent as a Relief,
To ease the Burden of a tedious Life,
And be enjoy'd when summon'd by Desire,
Is now become the Tyrant of our Fates. [_Takes up a Letter._
But hold, _Bassino_! whither does thy Passion
Hurry thy wandering Reason: Let this Letter
Re-call the Fugitive, and fix thy Senses
On duteous Love----A Wife, so young, so fair,
So excellent, whose Charms not three Months since
Did fire thy Soul; a Wife, who dotes on thee;
A Wife to whom thou sworest eternal Love----
By Heaven, I swear again I will be true.
This Thought again restores my Peace of Mind----
No, charming Wife; no dear _Placentia_, no,
Thou shalt not beg in vain: I will return [_Kisses the Letter._
But who comes here--My Friend _Armando_?

_Enter_ Armando.

_Arm._ Dear Friend, I heard
The Conflict of your Passion, and my Joys
Are now compleat, since Virtue gains the Day.

_Bass._ Yes, dear _Armando_, the Conflict is o'er,
And I'm resolv'd to fly to my _Placentia_.

_Arm._ Cherish that Thought: By Heaven your Resolution
Transports my Soul with Joy!
A kind, a virtuous Wife waits your Embraces;
A Wife, who like a Turtle mourns the Absence
Of her dear Mate. Haste then, my Friend, to drive
That Cloud of Sorrow which o'ercasts her Mind,
And, like the Sun, dispel her gloomy Thoughts.

_Bass._ Thanks for your Counsel----
You like a God support my feeble Virtue.
This very Morning I'll prepare for _Turin_,
Where Time and Absence will deface the Image
Of that bewitching Beauty, which now haunts
My tortur'd Mind--Yet, first I'll take my Leave
Of this fair Charmer----And Heaven grant
That I may see her unconcern'd----

_Arm._ My Lord, what d'you mean?
Have you well weigh'd the Danger of this Visit?

_Bass._ What danger can there be?

_Arm._ Danger! my Lord--Consider well how feeble
Our Reason is against the Pow'r of Beauty----

_Bass._ My Resolution's firm; no Charm can shake it.

_Arm._ If not her Beauty, fear her Syren Tongue;
fear her endearing Prayers, her fond Reproaches,
Her tender Sighs, her Vows, her trickling Tears.
Nay--if all these prove vain, fear her Despair,
A Woman, an abandon'd Woman's Rage.

_Bass._ Were there more Dangers, yet I'll stand 'em all;
My Honour bids me pay this parting Visit:
My Heart shall have no Share in what I'll speak.
Trust me this once, and be yourself a Witness,
_Bassino_ can controul unlawful Love.----

_Arm._ My Lord, 'tis with Regret I see you go,
May Heaven assist you in this dangerous Strife.

SCENE III.

Aurelia's _Chamber_; _she in an Undress with_ Florella.

_Aur._ No more of that--Cease thy ungrateful Suit,
_Alonzo_ is a Man I cannot love;
I own he's witty, generous, and brave;
Has all the Charms that Nature can bestow
To fire a Woman's Heart----Yet I'm insensible,
His very Sight chills all my trembling Spirits;
Therefore, name him no more--I charge thee do not.

_Flor._ Madam, I've done--Yet shall I be permitted
To ask a Question? Are you then resolved
Ne'er to admit a Passion in your Breast?

_Aur._ Oh! Dear _Florella_, press not a Confession,
Which but too well my Eyes themselves disclose.
Alas! I love--I love to such Excess,
That tho' I know I'm lov'd again, my Mind
Is still perplex'd with Doubts and jealous Fears.

_Flor._ You love and are belov'd! Then sure you reach
The Height of human Bliss, and bounteous Heaven
Can scarce give more----But who's the happy Man;
Is it not Count _Bassino_?

_Aur._ Oh! charming Name; there's Musick in that Sound!
Yes, Count _Bassino_ is the Man I love.
Canst thou now blame my Coldness to _Alonzo_?

_Flor._ Forgive me, Madam, if I dare presume
To speak my Sentiments: I must confess
_Bassino_ is a Man of excellent Virtue;
His Education at the Court of _Savoy_
Has still refin'd what he receiv'd from Nature;
His Person too is charming----
And, what most Women court, he has a Title----
But then consider, you are unacquainted
With his Estate, and tho' his Equipage
Denotes an ample Fortune, yet we see
Many a Stranger here during the Carnival,
Who makes a Figure here by industrious Gaming.
As for _Alonzo_, he was born at _Venice_,
Of noble Parents; his Estate, a large one----
Even from his Youth you had his amorous Wishes,
And as he grew in Years his Love increas'd:
You lov'd him too----Nay, which is more, your Father
Approv'd your mutual Loves, and at his Death
Bequeath'd you to _Alonzo_.

_Aur._ Oh! my _Florella_, thou hast rouz'd a Thought,
Which will for ever break _Aurelia_'s Rest.
I know my Father's Tenderness to me
Made him confirm _Alonzo_'s Suit, for then
I lov'd _Alonzo_----
But were my gentle Father still alive,
I'm sure he would not cross my Inclinations,
But, Oh! name not my Father; I cannot bear
The sad Remembrance of so great a Loss. [_Weeps._

_Flor._ But fear you not t'offend his peaceful Ghost,
By breaking with the Man he destin'd yours?

_Aur._ 'Tis not my Fault: and just Heaven must forgive
What Heaven decrees----Yes, 'tis my cruel Stars
That made my Heart inconstant to _Alonzo_,
'Tis with Regret I break my plighted Faith;
In vain I strive to check my new-born Love,
I cannot, cannot live without _Bassino_.

_Flor._ Madam, I wish your Passion ne'er prove fatal,
But much I fear this inauspicious Match.

_Enter_ Bassino, Armando.

_Aur._ May Heaven avert th' unlucky Combination
Of our presaging Thoughts: For, know, I tremble too--
But here's the man that will dispel my Fears.

_Arm._ to _Bass._ My Lord, remember
To keep your Resolution.

_Bass._ to _Arm._ Yes--I will keep it--[To _Aur._] Madam,
you will pardon
A Morning Visit, when you know what Reasons
Press'd me to fix it on this early Hour.----
By Letters from the Court I was last Night
Commanded to return with Speed to _Turin_,
And thence let out for _France_, to represent
My Sovereign Liege in solemn Embassy.
This Day I must prepare to take my Journey,
Tho' 'tis with killing Grief I leave my dear,
My fair _Aurelia_----[To _Arm._] Now, my _Armando_.

_Arm._ My Lord, 'tis well: But still be on your Guard,
The dreadful Shock comes on----

_Aur._ This Day be gone! What means my Lord! Oh! Heaven,
My boding Fears are come to pass: I see
A Cloud of Woes just ready to o'erwhelm me.
Is't possible! how can that Form divine
Harbour such Treachery! Is then _Bassino_ false?
Say, perjur'd Man, how often did you swear
This happy Day should make you mine for ever!
How can you now forget your solemn Vows?
Why have I met with this inhuman Usage?

_Bass._ Madam, my Prince's Orders
Are absolute: My Honour is concern'd.

_Aur._ Must a vain Title be preferr'd to Love?
But no--You never lov'd----'twas base Deceit.
Curs'd, curs'd dissembling Men! Their flattering Tongues
Can feign a Passion that will look like Love,
Till by Degrees they get us in their Power;
Then with bold Impudence they draw the Vizor,
And shew the Cheat that mock'd our credulous Hopes.
Faithless _Bassino_,
How oft you swore your Love could ne'er expire:
How oft you swore one Smile of mine had Charms,
Even above the Glories of a Crown.
Those were the Oaths I fondly did believe;
Those Words convey'd a Poison to my Heart,
And even now I feel its mighty Force:
My Head turns giddy, and my trembling Knees
Betray their sinking Burden----
Alas! I faint, I die----
[_She faints_, Bassino _runs and embraces her_.
_Bass._ Oh! stay, my Love, my Life, my Soul, my all:
The Conflict's past, and I am thine again,
But she is breathless! Oh! ye rigorous Gods,
Give back her Soul, or let my own be plung'd
To dark _Elysium_----Oh! my dear _Aurelia_! [_Hugs her._

_Arm._ Is this your Resolution? By Heaven, I blush
To call you Friend. Your Wife, my Lord, remember
Your Wife----

_Bass._ Curse on that Name----
Urge me no more to follow your Chimeras,
Lest you oblige me to break off that Friendship
You blush to own----Oh! my _Aurelia_!

_Arm. aside._ How sweet is treacherous Vice! how eagerly
Fond Man pursues his Ruin!
All Arguments were vain----yet still one Way remains,
Which cannot fail, to stop the Progress of this impious Love.
His Wife, by my Direction, comes to _Venice_:
Her Sight will soon awake his slumbering Virtue,
At least it will retrieve _Aurelia_'s Senses. [_Exit_ Armando.

_Aur. recovering._ Where am I? Where's my Lord, my false _Bassino_?

_Bass._ Here, here, my Soul, my charming Dear.

_Aur. thrusts him off._ Hold off--Approach me not--urge not my Rage,
Or with this Dagger I'll revenge my Wrongs
On thy perfidious Heart----But, oh! his
Heart's too hard,
Even for temper'd Steel--Therefore I'll sheath it here.

[_Offers at her Breast_: Bassino _snatches the Dagger, and
throws himself at her Feet in a distracted Manner_.

_Bass._ Oh! hold----forbid it Gods!
I am the Cursed Cause, and I must die.
Oh! who could bear my Load of mortal Woe!
Ye heavenly Powers bestow the Stroke of Grace,
And rack _Bassino_: Let your vengeful Thunder
Now crush my guilty Head----Or thou, Oh! Parent Earth,
Open thy Bosom, and conceal my Crime. [_Tears the Ground._

_Aur._ Is he then mine again! [_Falls down._
Look up, my Lord, my Love, my Life!
My dear _Bassino_! 'Tis _Aurelia_ calls.
Let me for ever fold thee in my Arms,
And beg thoul't never speak of parting more. [_Embraces him._

_Both rise and embrace in an Extasy._

_Bass._ Oh! never, never----
The Poles shall meet, the Sun and Moon invert
Their wonted Motion e're I part from thee.
I fondly try'd how much I was belov'd,
And since you're true, my Bliss is now compleat.

_Aur._ Was't but a Trial? then my Griefs are vanish'd,
And I am lost in Joy----_Bassino's_ mine.
[_They embrace again._

_Bass._ Thine, thine for ever: And this happy Day,
Shall end _Aurelia_'s Fears----Ha----
This Day, said I, but where's _Placentia_ then?
My Wife _Placentia_! Little does she think
What Baseness I intend--Oh! racking Thought!
But 'tis resolv'd, I'll change nor think no more:
I'll try to plunge, and reach the blissful Shore;
And if I sink, yet still this Hope's my Friend,
I'll snatch my Treasure e're my Course I end. [_Aside._

_Aur._ My Lord, what makes you pause?

_Bass._ The ravishing Thoughts of mighty Joys to come
Kept me in Extasy and made me dumb;
When on thy snowy Breast dissolv'd I lie,
What Monarch can there be more blest than I?
[Bassino _leads her off with a languishing Air_.

_Enter_ Alonzo.

_Alon._ Sure, if my Eyes deceive me not, I saw
_Aurelia_ with the Count just parting hence:
Dissolv'd in Love, and languishing they seem'd.
Damnation----
I cannot bear the Thought--I'll after 'em.

Alonzo _going_. _Enter_ Florella.

_Flor. aside._ Ha----_Alonzo_ here! I must prevent a Discovery.

_Alon._ _Florella_ here! she comes opportunely----she may inform me of what I yet but fear----Good-morrow, _Florella_: How fares my Love, my dear _Aurelia_?

_Flor._ Signior, Good-morrow; you are an early Visitant.

_Alon._ Not for a Man in Love; but answer me, How does _Aurelia_?

_Flor._ Well in Health----Only she's now and then in a little Fit of Melancholy, such as usually proceeds from timorous Doubts about that dreadful State of Matrimony. You know the Time draws nigh that gives her to your Arms.

_Alon._ By Heaven! 'Tis an Age, there's six Days yet to come.

_Flor._ An Age, indeed, if he knew all. [_Aside._

_Alon._ But haste, _Florella_; lead me to my Dear,
She only can contract that tedious Age
Of lingring Pain, and sooth it with her Smiles.
Say, is she alone?

_Flor._ Yes----No----
Oh! Heaven! What shall I say? [_Aside._
She, she's a----

_Alon._ Ha----What means this faultering Answer?
All's not right, and my Suspicion's true.

_Flor._ Signior, my Lady is not drest, and I shall displease her, in admitting even you, without her Leave.

_Alon._ Ha----not drest----Take heed you mock me not;
Nor think to blind me with your feign'd Excuse:
For in your guilty Face I read the Truth.
Come, tell me who's with her? is't not _Bassino_?

_Flor. aside._ Oh! Heaven! What shall I say?

_Alon._ Nay, nay, no Study: Lying will not do:
I saw 'em part from hence, just now I saw 'em.
Harkee, sweet Mistress, how long have you practis'd
This subtle Trade? I find you're much improv'd.
Hell and Damnation----quickly, tell me
What did _Bassino_ give for his Admittance?
I'll double the Reward--but she's not drest for me----
Oh! damn'd, damn'd Sex!

_Flor._ Signior, what do you mean?

_Alon._ To see _Aurelia_----see her instantly----
Nay by Heaven! I will: All Opposition's vain:
For by th' avenging Power of Love I swear,
Tho' in _Bassino_'s Arms, I'll drag her thence,
Only to cast her from my Sight for ever:
Nor shall he live to triumph in my Shame.
What tho' the Marriage Rites be not perform'd,
Yet I may call her Wife. Her Father gave her to me:
And her own Vows have fix'd my Heart in her's.
Must then _Alonzo_ be deny'd Admittance,
Under that poor Pretence that she's not drest?
Whilst base _Bassino_ lies dissolv'd in Pleasures
On her perfidious Breast----Oh! killing Thought!
She makes my Name of Husband infamous,
Even before the Priest has join'd our Hands.
I'll in, and if th' Affront I tamely bear,
May Heaven deny me at my latest Prayer. [_Exeunt._

SCENE IV. Ludovico's _Lodgings_.

Ludovico _solus_.

_Lud._ Who waits?

_Enter_ Mountaine.

_Mount._ Did you call, Sir?

_Lud._ _Mountaine_, run to Signiora _Ronquilla_, and tell her I have done with her for ever, if she does not send this Evening the hundred Ducats she promised to lend me----And harkee, as you come back, acquaint Signiora _Cornara_ I shall be busy To-morrow, and desire she will put off her Visit till another Day.

[_Knocking at the Door._

_Mount._ Sir, there's somebody at the Door.

_Lud._ See who 'tis.

_Mount._ Sir, a Gentlewoman desires to speak with you.

_Lud._ A Gentlewoman! admit her----Well,
'Tis a great Fatigue to oblige the whole Sex.

_Enter_ Lucy.

Oh! what News from your Lady?

_Lucy._ This will inform you, Sir. [_Gives him a Letter._

_Lud. reads._ Hum, hum, a Letter----_Tho' it may seem improper for one of my Sex to make the first Step in an Amour, yet you ought to consider, that the rigorous Confinement we are under all the Year round, may, in some Measure, excuse the Liberties we take during the Carnival. If you have the Courage to meet me, I shall be at four in the Afternoon in the_ Piazza d'Espagna, _invisible to all but yourself_.----Well, I believe all Women in _Venice_ are wild for Gallants.

_Lucy._ Sir, what Answer shall I return to my Lady?

_Lud. aside._ Egad----I am in Doubt whether I shall throw my Time away on this Intrigue or no----Harkee Child, step into the next Chamber, and I'll answer your Message instantly---- [_Exit_ Lucy.

Let me see----[_Reads in his Table-Book_] _Monday_, at Two in the Afternoon, I am to meet Signiora _Belleza_ at her Nurse's----She's a pretty Rogue, and so I'll go--At Three of the Clock, Signiora _Dorinda_, the Senator's Wife, at the _Indian_ House----Pshaw, she's an old Acquaintance,----I shan't go----At half an Hour past Three, the Countess _Wrinkle_, who presented me with a Gold-hilted Sword----Silly Fool! does she think I'll bestow one of my Visits on an old shrivelled Piece of Antiquity, for a trifling Present, not worth above three-score Pistoles----At a Quarter past Four, my Semstress _Dorothy Steenkirk_, who supplies me with Linen,--Oh! this Visit may be put off for a new Intrigue--And so I'll acquaint the Messenger. [_Exit_ Ludovico.

_The End of the First Act._