Cha. True,
And did it by your doome
Roch. But I pronounc’d it
As a Iudge onely, and friend to iustice,
And zealous in defence of your wrong’d honour,
Broke all the tyes of nature: and cast off [160]
The loue and soft affection of a father.
I in your cause, put on a Scarlet robe
Of red died cruelty, but in returne,
You haue aduanc’d for me no flag of mercy:
I look’d on you, as a wrong’d husband, but [165]
You clos’d your eyes against me, as a father.
O Beaumelle, my daughter.
Cha. This is madnesse.
Roch. Keepe from me—could not one good thought rise vp,
To tell you that she was my ages comfort,
Begot by a weake man, and borne a woman, [170]
And could not therefore, but partake of frailety?
Or wherefore did not thankfulnesse step forth,
To vrge my many merits, which I may
Obiect vnto you, since you proue vngratefull,
Flinty-hearted Charaloys?
Cha. Nature does preuaile [175]
Aboue your vertue.
Roch. No! it giues me eyes,
To pierce the heart of designe against me.
I finde it now, it was my state was aym’d at,
A nobler match was fought for, and the houres
I liu’d, grew teadious to you: my compassion [180]
Towards you hath rendred me most miserable,
And foolish charity vndone my selfe:
But ther’s a Heauen aboue, from whose iust wreake
No mists of policy can hide offendors.
Enter Nouall se. with Officers.
Nou. se. Force ope the doors—O monster, caniball, [185]
Lay hold on him, my sonne, my sonne.—O Rochfort,
’Twas you gaue liberty to this bloody wolfe
To worry all our comforts,—But this is
No time to quarrell; now giue your assistance
For the reuenge.
Roch. Call it a fitter name— [190]
Iustice for innocent blood.
Cha. Though all conspire
Against that life which I am weary of,
A little longer yet ile striue to keepe it,
To shew in spite of malice, and their lawes,
His plea must speed that hath an honest cause. [195]