Chapter XIII: Act II: SCENE I. The Apartment of Frederick

Enter _Frederick_ with a Letter, and _Galliard_.

_Fred._ Not allow me to speak to her, say ye, ‘tis strange;
Didst say it was the Prince that sent thee?

_Gal._ My Lord, I did, but he says, he cares not for
A thousand Princes.

_Fred._ I am resolv’d I will see this Woman;
--Harkye, go back again and say-- [Whispers.

Enter _Lorenzo_ drunk.

_Lor._ Hah, the Prince--he must not see me
In this pickle; for I would not lose my Reputation
Of Wenching for this of Drinking;
And I am sure I cannot be excellent at both,
They are inconsistent.

_Gal._ I shall, my Lord. [Exit.

_Lor._ Your Highness’s humble Servant.

_Fred._ Ha, ha, what, _Lorenzo_ in debauch?

_Lor._ Now my Tongue will betray me:--
Faith, my Lord, I have took six, but am come briskly off;
By this hand, my Lord, I am Cock over five
Stout Rogues too, I can tell you, at this sport.

_Fred._ I did not think thou hadst had that Virtue.

_Lor._ I’ll tell you, Sir, ‘tis necessary those of my
Office and Quality should have more Virtues
Than one to recommend them;
But to tell you truth, for now I am most apt for that,
I was drunk in mere Malice to day.

_Fred._ Malice, against whom, prithee?

_Lor._ Why, why, Sir, the humorous old Fellow,
My Father,
He will not hear reason from me when I am sober.
My Lord, you know _Curtius_ is an honest Fellow,
And one of us too;
My Sister _Laura_ is a good pretty Wench,
He loves her, and she likes him;
And because this testy old Blade has done himself,
Do you think I can bring him to consider?
No, not for my Life, he won’t consider, Sir;
And now am I got drunk to see how that will edify him.

_Fred._ How! is _Laura_, the Mistress of _Curtius_, your Sister?

_Lor._ Yes, marry is she, Sir, at least by the Mother’s side;
And to tell you truth,
We are too good-natur’d to believe
_Salvator_ our Father.

_Fred._ Thy Sister, and Daughter to _Salvator_?

_Lor._ So said my Mother, but she was handsome;
And on my conscience liv’d e’en in such another
Debauch’d World as ‘tis now, let them say
What they will of their primitive Virtue.

_Fred._ May not I see this Sister of thine, _Lorenzo_?

_Lor._ Yes, by _Venus_, shall you, Sir,
An she were my Mother.

_Fred._ But art sure thy Father will permit us?

_Lor._ My Father permit us!
He may do what he will when I am sober,
But being thus fortify’d with potent Wine,
He must yield obedience to my Will.
Why, my Lord, I’ll tell you,
I’ll make him ask me blessing when I am in this
Almighty Power.

_Fred._ And is thy Sister so very fine?

_Lor._ The Girl is well, and if she were not my Sister,
I would give you a more certain Proof of my
Opinion of her;
She has excellent good Hair, fine Teeth,
And good Hands, and the best natur’d Fool--
Come, come, Sir, I’ll bring you to her,
And then I’ll leave you;
For I have a small Affair of Love to dispatch.

_Fred._ This is a freedom that sutes not with the
Humour of an _Italian_.

_Lor._ No, faith, my Lord; I believe my Mother play’d
Foul play with some _Englishman_;
I am so willing to do you a good office to my Sister.
And if by her Humour you become of that opinion too,
I shall hope to render myself more acceptable
To you by that Franchise.

Enter _Galliard_, whispers.

_Fred._ Thou knowest my grateful Temper,
--No matter; here, carry this Letter to _Cloris_,
And make some excuse for my not coming this Evening.
[Gives him a Letter, and goes out with _Lorenzo_.

_Gal._ So, poor Lass, ‘tis a hundred to one if she be not
Lay’d by now, and _Laura_ must succeed her:
Well, even _Frederick_, I see, is but a Man,
But his Youth and Quality will excuse him;
And ‘twill be call’d Gallantry in him,
When in one of us, ‘tis Ill-nature and Inconstancy. [Exit.

SCENE II. _Antonio’s_ House.

Enter _Ismena_ and _Isabella_.

_Isab._ Nay, Madam, ‘tis in vain to deny it;
Do you think I have liv’d to these years,
And cannot interpret cross Arms, imperfect Replies,
Your sudden Weepings, your often Sighing,
Your melancholy Walks, and making Verses too?
And yet I must not say that this is Love.

_Ism._ Art thou so notable a Judge of it?

_Isab._ I should be, or I am a very dull Scholar,
For I have lost the foolish Boy as many Darts,
As any Woman of my age in _Florence_.

_Ism._ Thou hast paid dear for thy knowledge then.

_Isab._ No, the hurt ones did, the other still made good, with very
little
Pain on either side.

_Ism._ I must confess, I think it is not so hard to get
Wounds, as ‘tis to get them cur’d again.

_Isab._ I am not of your opinion, nor ever saw that
Man who had not Faults to Cure,
As well as Charms to kill.

_Ism._ Since thou’rt so good a Judge of Men,
Prithee tell me how thou lik’st _Alberto_.

_Isab._ I knew ‘twould come to this-- [Aside.
Why, well, Madam.

_Ism._ No more than so?

_Isab._ Yes, wondrous well, since I am sure he loves you,
And that indeed raises a Man’s Value.

_Ism._ Thou art deceiv’d, I do not think he loves me.

_Isab._ Madam, you cannot but see a thousand Marks on’t.

_Ism._ Thou hast more Skill than I;
But prithee why does he not tell me so himself?

_Isab._ Oh Madam, whilst he takes you for _Clarina_,
‘Twould shew his disrespect to tell his Love?
But when he knows _Ismena_ is the Object,
He’ll tire you with the wish’d for story.

_Ism._ Ah, thou art a pleasing Flatterer.

Enter _Page_.

_Page._ Madam, _Alberto_ is without.

_Ism._ Tell him I’m indispos’d, and cannot see him now.

_Isab._ Nay, good Madam, see him now by all means,
For I am sure my Lord _Antonio_ is absent on purpose.
--Bid him come in, Boy. [Exit _Page_.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Ism._ _Antonio_, Sir, is not return’d.

_Alb._ Madam, this Visit was not meant to him,
But by a Cause more pressing I am brought,
Such as my Passion, not My Friendship taught;
A Passion which my Sighs have only shewn,
And now beg leave my bashful Tongue may own.
The knowledge, Madam, will not much surprise,
Which you have gain’d already from mine Eyes;
My timorous Heart that way my Tongue would spare,
And tells you of the Flames you’ve kindled there:
‘Tis long I’ve suffered under this Constraint,
Have always suffer’d, but ne’er made Complaint;
And now against my will I must reveal
What Love and my Respect would fain conceal.

_Ism._ What mean you, Sir? what have you seen in me,
That should encourage this temerity?

_Alb._ A world of Beauties, and a world of Charms,
And every Smile and Frown begets new harms;
In vain I strove my Passion to subdue,
Which still increas’d the more I look’d on you;
Nor will my Heart permit me to retire,
But makes my Eyes the convoys to my Fire,
And not one Glance you send is cast away.

_Ism._ Enough, my Lord, have you nought else to say?
The Plot’s betray’d, and can no further go; [Smiles.
The Stratagem’s discover’d to the Foe;
I find _Antonio_ has more Love than Wit,
And I’ll endeavour too to merit it.

_Alb._ What you have said, I do confess is true,
_Antonio_ beg’d I would make love to you;
But, Madam, whilst my heart was unconfin’d,
A thousand ways the Treachery I declin’d--
But now, _Clarina_, by my Life I swear,
It is my own concern that brings me here:
Had he been just to you, I had suppress’d
The Flames your Eyes have kindled in my Breast;
But his Suspicion rais’d my Passion more,
And his Injustice taught me to adore:
But ‘tis a Passion which you may allow,
Since its effects shall never injure you.

_Ism._ You have oblig’d me, Sir, by your Confession,
And I shall own it too at such a rate,
As both becomes my Duty to _Antonio_,
And my Respect to you; but I must beg
You’ll never name your Passion to me more,
That guilty Language, Sir, I must not hear:
--And yet your silence kills me. [Aside.

_Isab._ Very well dissembled. [Aside.

_Alb._ I can obey you, Madam, though I cannot live,
Whilst you command me silence;
For ‘tis a Flame that dares not look abroad
To seek for pity from another’s Eyes.

_Ism._ How he moves me! if this were real now,
Or that he knew to whom he made this Courtship-- [Aside.

_Alb._ Oh, do not turn away as if displeas’d.

_Ism._ No more, you’ve discompos’d my thoughts;
Be gone, and never let me see thy Face again.

_Alb._ Madam, I go, and will no more offend you,
--But I will look my last--farewel. [Offers to go.

_Isab._ Pray, Madam, call him back, he may be desperate.
--My Lord, return--

_Ism._ _Alberto_, tell me what you’d have me do.

_Alb._ Ah, Madam, do not put me to my choice,
For Lovers are unreasonable;
If I might name it, I would have you love me.

_Ism._ Love you, and what would be the end of that?

_Alb._ I cannot tell, but wish you were inclin’d
To make a tryal, Madam;
I have no thought or wish beyond that Blessing,
And that once gain’d, sure I should ask no more.

_Ism._ Were I inclin’d to this, have you consider’d
The fatal Consequences which attend
The breach of Vows and Friendship?

_Alb._ Madam, _Antonio_ first was false to you,
And not to punish that were such a Virtue
As he would never thank you for;
By all that’s good, till he prov’d so to you,
He had my Soul in keeping;
But this act makes me resolve
To recompense his Folly.

_Ism._ You’ve found the easiest Passage to my Heart,
You’ve took it on the weakest side;
--But I must beg you will pretend no further.

_Alb._ Divine _Clarina_, let me pay my thanks
In this submissive Posture, and never rise, [Kneels.
Till I can gain so much upon your Credit,
As to believe my Passion tends no farther
Than to adore you thus--and thus possess you.
[Kisses her hand, and bows.

_Ism._ Have not I dissembled finely, _Isabella_? [Aside.

_Isab._ Yes, if you could make me believe ‘tis so. [Aside.

_Ism._ Rise, Sir, and leave me, that I may blush alone
For what I’ve parted with so easily;
Pray do not visit me again too soon,
--But use your own discretion, and be secret.

_Alb._ Madam, the blessed Secret here is lodg’d,
Which Time shall ne’er reveal to human Knowledge. [Ex. _Alb._

_Ism._ I’m glad he’s gone before _Antonio’s_ return.

Enter _Laura_ weeping.

--What, _Laura_, all in Tears! the reason, pray.

_Lau._ Madam, the Prince, conducted by my Brother,
About an Hour since made me a Visit;
The Man of all the World I would have shun’d,
Knowing his amorous and inconstant Temper.
--At his approach he blusht and started back,
And I with great amazement did the like.
With fear I lost all power of going from him.
As he had done of making his Address;
He gaz’d and wonder’d, and I gaz’d on him,
And from his silence I became amaz’d.
--My Brother stood confounded at our Postures,
And only by the motion of his Head
(Which now he turn’d to me, then on the Prince)
We knew that he had Life.

_Ism._ Well, how recover’d ye?

_Lau._ The Prince then kneel’d, but could approach no nearer;
And then as if he’d taken me for some Deity,
He made a long disorder’d amorous Speech,
Which brought me back to Sense again:
But _Lorenzo_ told him that I was a Mortal,
And brought him nearer to me,
Where he began to make such Vows of Love--

_Ism._ What then?

_Lau._ Then I am ruin’d--
To all I said he found a contradiction,
And my denials did but more inflame him;
I told him of the Vows I’ad made to _Curtius_,
But he reply’d that _Curtius_ was a Subject.
But sure at last I’d won upon his Goodness,
Had not my Father enter’d,
To whom the Prince addrest himself;
And with his moving tale so won upon him,
Or rather by his Quality,
That he has gain’d his leave to visit me,
And quite forbids me e’er to speak to _Curtius_.

_Ism._ Alas the day, is this all?

_Lau._ All! can there be more to make me miserable?

_Ism._ I see no reason thou hast to complain:
Come, wipe your Eyes, and take a good Heart;
For I’ll tell thee a Story of my own,
That will let thee see I have much more cause to weep;
And yet I have a thousand little Stratagems
In my Head, which give me as many hopes:
This unlucky restraint upon our Sex,
Makes us all cunning; and that shall assist thee now
With my help, I warrant thee;
Come in with me, and know the rest.

[Exeunt.

_Isab._ So, so, disguise it how you will,
I know you are a real Lover;
And that secret shall advance my Love-design.
Yes, Madam, now I will be serv’d by you,
Or you shall fail to find a Friend of me. [Ex. _Isab._

SCENE III. The Street.

Enter _Lorenzo_ drunk, with a _Page_, and Musick, as in the dark.

_Lor._ Here’s the Door, begin and play your best,
But let them be soft low Notes, do you hear? [They play.

Enter _Antonio_.

_Ant._ Musick at my Lodgings! it is _Alberto_;
Oh, how I love him for’t--if _Clarina_ stand his
Courtship, I am made;
I languish between Hope and Fear.

_Lor._ Stay, Friend, I hear somebody. [Musick ceases.

_Pag._ ‘Tis nobody, Sir.

Enter _Isabella_.

_Isab._ ‘Tis _Lorenzo_, and my Plot’s ripe; [Aside.
[_Lorenzo_ being retir’d the while a little further.

‘Twill not sure be hard to get him, under pretence
Of seeing _Clarina_, into my Chamber,
And then I’ll order him at my pleasure;
_Ismena_ is on my side, for I know all her Secrets,
And she must wink at mine therefore. [She retires.

_Lor._ Thou art in the right, Boy,
I think indeed ‘twas nothing. [Plays again.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Alb._ She yields, bad Woman!
Why so easily won?
By me too, who am thy Husband’s Friend:
Oh dangerous Boldness! unconsidering Woman!
I lov’d thee, whilst I thought thou couldst not yield;
But now that Easiness has undone thy Interest in my Heart,
I’ll back, and tell thee that it was to try thee.

_Lor._ No, no, ‘twas my Fears, away with the Song,
I’ll take it on your word that ‘tis fit for my purpose.

_Fid._ I’ll warrant you, my Lord.

SONG.

_In vain I have labour’d the Victor to prove
Of a Heart that can ne’er give attendance to Love;
So hard to be done.
That nothing so young
Could e’er have resisted a Passion so long.

Yet nothing I left unattempted or said,
That might soften the Heart of this pitiless Maid;
But still she was shy,
And would blushing deny,
Whilst her willinger Eyes gave her Language the lye.

Since, _Phillis_, my Passion you vow to despise,
Withdraw the false Hopes from your flattering Eyes:
For whilst they inspire
A resistless vain Fire,
We shall grow to abhor, what we now do admire._ [Ex. _Musick_.

_Alb._ What’s this, and at _Clarina’s_ Lodgings too?
Sure ‘tis _Antonio_, impatient of delay,
Gives her a Serenade for me.

Enter _Isabella_.

_Isab._ ‘Tis the Fool himself--
My Lord, where are you?

_Alb._ How! a Woman’s Voice! ‘tis dark, I’ll advance.

_Lor._ Thou Simpleton, I told thee there was somebody.

_Pag._ Lord, Sir, ‘tis only _Isabella_ that calls you.

_Lor._ Away, Sirrah, I find by my fears ‘tis no Woman.
[Goes out with the _Page_.

_Isab._ Why don’t you come? here’s nobody.

_Alb._ Here I am.

_Isab._ Where?

_Alb._ Here. [Gives her his Hand.

_Isab._ My Lord, you may venture, _Clarina_ will be
Alone within this Hour, where you shall entertain
Her at your freedom: but you must stay awhile in my
Chamber till my Lord’s a bed;
For none but I must know of the favour she designs you.

_Alb._ Oh Gods! what Language do I hear--
False and Perfidious Woman, I might have thought,
Since thou wert gain’d so easily by me,
Thou wouldst with equal haste yield to another.

_Isab._ It is not _Lorenzo_, what shall I do? [She steals in.

Enter _Lorenzo_ and _Page_.

_Lor._ A Pox of all damn’d cowardly fear!
Now did I think I had drunk Nature up to Resolution:
I have heard of those that could have dar’d in their Drink;
But I find, drunk or sober, ‘tis all one in me.

_Alb._ The Traitor’s here,
Whom I will kill whoe’er he be.

_Lor._ Boy, go see for _Isabella_.

_Pag._ I see a Man should not be a Coward and a Lover
At once--_Isabella_, _Isabella_, she’s gone, Sir. [Calls.

_Alb._ Yes, Villain, she’s gone, and in her room
Is one that will chastise thy Boldness.

_Lor._ That’s a proud word though, whoe’er thou be;
But how I shall avoid it, is past my Understanding.

_Alb._ Where art thou, Slave?
[_Alberto_ gropes for him, he avoids him.

_Pag._ Take heart, Sir, here’s company which I will
Get to assist you--

Enter _Antonio_.

Sir, as you are a Gentleman, assist a stranger set upon by Thieves.
[They fight, _Antonio_ with _Alberto_, _Alberto_ falls, is
wounded. _Lor._ and _Page_ run away the while.

_Alb._ Whoe’er thou be’st that takes the Traitor’s part,
Commend me to the wrong’d _Antonio_.

_Ant._ _Alberto_! dear _Alberto_, is it thee?

_Alb._ _Antonio!_

_Ant._ I am asham’d to say I am _Antonio_;
Oh Gods, why would you suffer this mistake?

_Alb._ I am not wounded much,
My greatest pain is my concern for thee;
Friend, thou art wrong’d, falsely and basely wrong’d;
_Clarina_, whom you lov’d and fear’d,
Has now betray’d thy Honour with her own.

_Ant._ Without that sad addition to my Grief,
I should not long have born the weight of Life,
Having destroy’d thine by a dire mistake.

_Alb._ Thou art deceiv’d.

_Ant._ Alas, why was it not permitted me
To lose my Friend, or Wife? had one surviv’d,
I might have dy’d in silence for the other;
Oh my _Alberto_! oh _Clarina_ too!-- [Weeps.

_Alb._ Come, do not grieve for me, I shall be well,
I yet find strength enough to get away;
And then I’ll let thee know my Fate and thine.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. _Antonio’s_ House.

Enter _Clarina_, _Ismena_, and _Isabella_ weeping.

_Isab._ For Heaven sake, Madam, pardon me.

_Clar._ Be dumb for ever, false and treacherous Woman,
Was there no way but this to mask your Cheat?
A Lye which has undone us all.

_Isab._ Alas, ‘twas in the dark, how could I know him?
Pray forgive it me, and try my future Service.

_Clar._ I never will forgive thee, naughty Girl;
_Alberto_ now incens’d will tell _Antonio_ all.

_Isab._ What need you care, Madam?
You are secure enough.

_Clar._ Thou salv’st an Error with a greater still;
Dost thou not know _Antonio’s_ Jealousy,
Which yet is moderate, rais’d to a higher pitch,
May ruin me, _Ismena_, and thy self?

_Ism._ Sister, there cannot be much harm in this;
‘Tis an ill chance, ‘tis true, for by it we have lost
The pleasure of an innocent Revenge
Upon _Antonio_; but if understood,
We have but miss’d that end.

_Clar._ Oh _Ismena!_
This Jealousy is an unapprehensive madness,
A non-sense which does still abandon Reason.

_Isab._ Madam, early in the Morning
I’ll to _Alberto’s_ Lodgings, and tell him the mistake.

_Clar._ ‘Twill be too late.

_Ism._ Sister, what think you if I go myself?

_Clar._ You should not be so daring;
Besides, I blush to think what strange opinion
He’ll entertain of me the while.

_Ism._ Do not let that afflict you.
Fetch my Veil, and if _Antonio_ chance to ask for me,
Tell him I’m gone to _Laura_. [Ex. _Isab._
Believe me, I will set all strait again.

Enter _Isabella_ with the Veil.

_Clar._ Thou hast more Courage, Girl, than I.

_Ism._ What need is there of much of that,
To encounter a gay young Lover,
Where I am sure there cannot be much danger?

_Clar._ Well, take your chance, I wish you luck, Sir,
For I am e’en as much bent upon Revenge,
As thou art upon Marriage.

_Ism._ Come, my Veil, this and the Night
Will enough secure me. [Puts on the Veil and goes out.

[Ex. _Clar._ and _Isab._

SCENE V. A Chamber in _Alberto’s_ House.

Discovers _Alberto_ and _Antonio_.

_Alb._ Nay, thou shalt see’t before thou dost revenge it;
In such a case, thy self should be the Witness,
She knows not what has past to night between us,
Nor should she, if thou couldst contain thy Rage;
And that, _Antonio_, you shall promise me:
To morrow place thy self behind the Arras,
And from thy Eyes thy own Misfortunes know.
--What will not disobliged Passion do? [Aside.

_Ant._ I’ll hide my Anger in a seeming calm,
And what I have to do consult the while,
And mask my Vengeance underneath a Smile. [Ex. _Ant._

Enter _Page_.

_Pag._ My Lord, there is without a Lady
Desires to speak with you.

_Alb._ Who is’t?

_Pag._ I know not, Sir, she’s veiled. [Exit _Page_.

Enter _Ismena_ weeping.

_Alb._ Conduct her in.

_Ism._ Oh _Alberto_, _Isabella_ has undone us all!

_Alb._ She weeps, and looks as innocent!
--What mean you, false dissembling _Clarina_?
What, have you borrow’d from Deceit new Charms,
And think’st to fool me to a new belief?

_Ism._ How, Sir, can you too be unkind?
Nay then ‘tis time to die; alas, there wanted but your credit
To this mistake, to make me truly miserable.

_Alb._ What Credit? What Mistake? oh, undeceive me,
For I have done thee Injuries past Forgiveness,
If thou be’st truly innocent.

_Ism._ If _Isabella_, under pretence of courting me
For _Lorenzo_, whom she designs to
Make a Husband,
Has given him freedoms will undo my Honour,
If not prevented soon.

_Alb._ May I credit this, and that it was not by thy
Command she did it?

_Ism._ Be witness, Heaven, my Innocence in this,
Which if you will believe, I’m safe again.

_Alb._ I do believe thee, but thou art not safe,
Here, take this Poyniard, and revenge thy Wrongs,
Wrongs which I dare not beg a Pardon for. [He gives her a Dagger.

_Ism._ Why, Sir, what have you done? have you
Deceiv’d me, and do you not indeed love me?

_Alb._ Oh _Clarina!_ do not ask that Question,
Too much of that has made me ruin thee;
It made me jealous, drunk with Jealousy,
And then I did unravel all my Secrets.

_Ism._ What Secrets, Sir? you have then seen _Antonio_.

_Alb._ Yes.

_Ism._ Hah--Now, Wit, if e’er thou did’st possess
A Woman, assist her at her need. [Aside.
--Well, Sir, rise and tell me all.

_Alb._ I will not rise till you have pardoned me,
Or punished my Misfortune.

_Ism._ Be what it will, I do forgive it thee.

_Alb._ _Antonio_, Madam, knows my Happiness,
For in my Rage I told him that you lov’d me;
--What shall I do?

_Ism._ I cannot blame you though it were unkind.

_Alb._ This I could help, but I have promis’d him,
That he shall be a witness of this Truth;
What say you, Madam, do I not merit Death?
Oh speak, and let me know my doom whate’er it be.

_Ism._ Make good your Word.

_Alb._ What mean you?

_Ism._ What you have promised him, perform as you intended.

_Alb._ What then?

_Ism._ Then come as you design’d to visit me.

_Alb._ But let me know what ‘tis you mean to do,
That I may act accordingly.

_Ism._ No. Answer me to every Question ask’d,
And I perhaps may set all strait again;
It is now late, and I must not be missing:
But if you love me, be no more jealous of me,
--Farewel.

_Alb._ Must I be ignorant then of your Design?

_Ism._ Yes, _Alberto_;
And you shall see what Love will make a Woman do.
[He leads her out.

_Alb._ Now am I caught again, inconstant Nature.
--Would she had less of Beauty or of Wit,
Or that _Antonio_ did but less deserve her;
Or that she were not married,
Or I’ad less Virtue, for ‘tis that which awes me.
That tender sense of nothing,
And makes the other Reasons seem as Bugbears.
--I love _Clarina_ more than he can do.
And yet this Virtue doth oppose that Love,
Tells me there lurks a Treason there
Against _Antonio’s_ and _Clarina’s_ Virtue.
--’Tis but too true indeed, and I’m not safe,
Whilst I conceal the Criminal within:
I must reveal it, for whilst I hide the Traitor,
I seem to love the Treason too;
I will resign it then, since ‘tis less blame
To perish by my Pain, than live with Shame. [Exit.