ACT III. SCENE I.
Aurelia's Lodgings.
Enter Aurelia, Florella.Aur. Oh! how I tremble for my dear Bassino!
Haste, fly, Florella, bring me News he lives,
Or else expect to see thy Mistress die.Flor. Madam, be patient——
Consult your Reputation, and consider
That the least Noise you make on this Occasion,
Reflects upon your Virtue——Aur. Away, away——Talk not of Reputation,
When Love's in t'other Scale—But what can shock my
Reputation;
Heaven's my Witness, I ne'er lodg'd a Thought,
For Count Bassino that could wrong my Virtue.
Perhaps the Gods pursue me with their Hatred,
Because I break my Promise to Alonzo.
But then, why did they not secure me his?
Why must weak Mortals be expos'd to Passions,
Which are not in our Power to subdue,
And yet account for what they prompt us to?
But I will think no more——Almighty Love,
Now hear my last Resolve——if angry Heaven
Refused to guard my dear Bassino's Life,
Aurelia too shall fall, and leave his Murderer
Accurst for ever——Enter Alonzo.
Flor. Oh! Heaven! where will this end?
Aur. Ha—— [Aside.
The Gods have sent him to decide my Fate,
How now! how dare you meet my angry View?
Or think I'll e'er forgive the base Affront
This very Day you offer'd to my Fame?Alon. Just Heaven refuses not a Penitent,
Therefore I cannot think that fair Aurelia,
Whose Charms are all divine, should fail in Goodness.
Oh! let my Love atone for my rash Deed:
The Count and I are Friends, why should Aurelia be
more severe?Aur. He lives, blest News!
Do then rash Actions speak your Love to me?
Must I in publick bear with your Insults
Before I'm yours? what must I then expect
When the strict Ties of Marriage shall confirm
Your jealous Passions?
No, you have taught me to avoid the Shelf
I was just running on——know, base Alonzo,
That from this Moment I resume my Freedom,
I disengage you from your former Vows,
And will henceforth be Mistress of myself.Alon. Ha—— [Aside.
This sudden Coldness has another Spring
Than my rash Carriage——Oh! my jealous Fears;
But I'm resolv'd to trace her winding Thoughts,
And fetch the Secret forth——
Madam, I hope you do but try my Love:
I cannot think Aurelia would be false.
Besides, you can't recal what's register'd in Heaven.Aur. Then stay till we come there——There you'll
have Witness.Alon. Witness!
Oh! faithless, perjur'd Woman, can'st thou think
Upon thyself, and bid me call my Witness?
Yes, you are mine——By all the Gods you are.
And shall there be a Power on this Side Heaven,
To stop my Bliss? No——by my Love I swear.
I now can guess at your perfidious Meaning,
And tho' that cowardly Villain slily thought
To blind me with a Tale his Guilt had fram'd,
'Tis plain he is your Minion——yet wants Courage
To own his Treachery.Aur. Detracting, slanderous Villain!
How dare you treat me thus?
Oh! for the Look of a fierce Basilisk,
To punish this audacious Insolence!Alon. Marry thee! No——by Heavens, I'd rather
Be rack'd to Death——And for thy vile Injustice,
None shall enjoy thee, while this Sword is mine.
[Lays hold on his Sword.
Nor shall your Lover 'scape, to serve your Lust,
Till he has forc'd a Passage thro' this Breast.
[Points to his Breast.Aur. Oh! my Bassino. [Aside.
Oh! cruel Man! Are not you then contented
To wreak your Spite on poor Aurelia?
Why must your Rage involve the Innocent?
Oh! let me fall your Passion's Sacrifice;
Let my Blood wash the Stain you fix on me,
But do not blast your Name with base Revenge.——Alon. By Heaven! she doats on him! Oh! cunning Woman!
But this Pretence won't serve to save his Life;
I'll not be caught again——No, Syren, no.
Bassino dies——Nor will I leave to Fortune
The vengeful Stroke, but take a safer Way.Aur. Oh! Heaven! [Kneels.
What Words shall I invent to soothe his Rage, [Aside.
And save my dear Bassino? Oh! Alonzo.
My once-lov'd Dear, will you not hear me speak?
Oh! I conjure you by our plighted Loves,
Whose Purity outshone the Stars above,
Hear me this Time, then use me as you please.Alon. Oh! Woman, Woman!
Aur. If e'er Aurelia
So much as in her Thoughts did wrong Alonzo,
May sudden Death pursue her perjur'd Steps:
Heaven forgive [Aside.
The Perjury, since I've no other way
To save Bassino's Life.——Alon. Aurelia, rise—— [Raising her.
Oh! could I credit this, how happy were Alonzo!
But something tells me that thou art forsworn;
And yet thou seem'st as fair as Truth itself;
How is it possible that Guilt can look
With so divine a Face?Aur. Oh! kill me instantly: kill me, I beg you, kill me;
Let me not linger out an Age in Pain,
For such is every Moment of your Anger;
I cannot bear to live in your Displeasure.Alon. By Heaven she's true——
Hence frivolous Fears be gone——she's only mine.
Come to my Breast, my bright Aurelia, come.
[Embraces her.
To that soft Shrine that holds that Sacred Image,
Which triumphs o'er my Soul, and grasps it all,
I knew my boundless Treasure, and the Thought
Of losing thee had rais'd my Love to Madness.
But now I'm calm—No more shall that fierce Passion,
Rude Jealousy, disturb my peaceful Mind.
Do but forgive the Faults my Rage committed,
And you will find our Loves will grow the purer;
Just as the Sky looks brighter when the Storm
Is chas'd away, and Phœbus smiles again.Aur. Since both have been to blame, let it suffice,
We both repent, and will offend no more.Alon. Oh! never, never,
I'll ne'er suspect you more—Only resolve me this—Aur. What is it?
Alon. Why was Bassino
Admitted to your View, and I denied?Aur. He came to take his Leave, and 't had been rude
Not to admit a Man of his high Birth
On this Occasion; nor was you denied,
But thro' Woman's Fears of your Suspicions.
She thought you would misconstrue the Count's Visit,
As you have really done——I blam'd her for it,
Indeed, this is the Truth—I hope Alonzo
Believes me now——Alon. Believe Thee! Yes——As willingly as Martyrs
A State of endless Joy.
I will so love, my Dear, that all Mankind
Shall look with Envy on our mutual Bliss.
I'm like a Merchant tost at Sea by Storms,
Who his last Course with Pray'rs and Toil performs;
And the rich Cargo safely brought on Shore,
He hugs it thus, and vows to part no more.[Embraces her.
Aur. So in a flow'ry Mead a Serpent lurks,
And the unwary Traveller surprizes,
Where he suspects least Danger! Cursed Cheat. [Aside.
Oh! that I could disclose the fatal Story!
But it must never out——I beg, Alonzo,
You'd leave me for a while, and rest secure,
You have my Love——Alon. Then the bright Sun in all his circling Turn,
Cannot behold a Man more truly happy,
What you command, I readily obey.
Farewel, my Dear. [Exit Alonzo.Aur. Where art thou now, Aurelia?
How wilt thou 'scape that dreadful Precipice,
On which thou art hurried on by thy fatal Passion?
With conscious Horror I deceiv'd Alonzo;
I hate this base Treachery, but 'twas unavoidable:
The Truth had been more fatal——
More fatal!——No——For I must never wed
My dear Bassino, whilst Alonzo lives.
Oh! the distracting Thought! what shall I do?
Why! die Aurelia: That's the only Way,
To keep thy Vows to both—Ha——die, said I?
But whether then? who knows what Punishment,
Just Heav'n prepares for guilty Souls like mine.
But I must think no more, lest I grow mad with Thought,
If there's a Power that guards us here below,
Oh! look with pitying Eyes on poor Aurelia:
Appease the Tumults of my anxious Fear,
And load me with no more than I can bear.[Exeunt Aurelia, Florella.
SCENE II. Lady Pizalta's Lodgings.
Enter Lady Pizalta, Lucy.L. Piz. Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in Venice give for such a Servant?
Lucy. (Aside.) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you——Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour——But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?
L. Piz. Oh! above all Men living, Lucy: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with——Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear Man again——The End of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the End of Life to me: For then must I be coop'd up with Age: Condemned to an eternal Coughing, Spitting, Snoring and Ill-nature——Then let me make the best of Life——since Hell cannot have a worse Plague in Store than I have felt already.
Luc. Indeed, Madam, I pity you: And wish 'twere in my Power to free you from this old wither'd Log, but tho' that's impossible, yet I may do you some little Services to make Life's tedious Journey pleasant——Let me see, I have it——What would you say now, Madam, if I should contrive a Way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?
L. Piz. That were worth a King's Revenue——Speak, quickly, how, how, good Lucy?
Luc. Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my Place attend you.
L. Piz. Rare Contrivance! but my Husband, Lucy?
Luc. Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in Sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious: But if he should, I have a way to bring you off——My Life on't——This Plot may be of Use to my design, I'll manage it with care. [Aside.
L. Piz. Oh! the Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing and calling me to Bed: And my answering him, I'm coming, Dear; and while he imagines me in the next Room undressing, I'm happy in the Arms of my Ludovico. Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common—each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too——and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out——'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts. Well, dear Lucy, I admire thy Contrivance——About it instantly——
Lucy. (Aside.) About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee first.——I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But, Madam, what's to be done with your brocade Night-Gown you tore last Night? it can ne'er be mended handsomely.
L. Piz. Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well as Law——Well, Lucy, if you manage this Intrigue with Care and Secrecy, the Gown is yours.
Enter Page.
Page. Madam, my Lord desires to speak with you.
Lucy. Madam, I'll go about your Business: Your Ladyship's very humble Servant. [Exit Lucy.
L. Piz. Tell him I'm coming——[Exit Page.] Now by way of Mortification, must I go entertain my old jealous Husband. [Exit Lady Pizalta.
SCENE III. The Piazza.
Enter Ludovico singing.
Give me but Wine, that Liquor of Life, And a Girl that is wholesome and clean, Two or three Friends, but the Devil a Wife, And I'd not change State with a King. Enter Lucy.
Lucy. What singing, Signior! Well you're a pleasant Gentleman——
Lud. Ah! my little female Mercury, what Message bring'st thou? Ha——will thy Lady bless me with another Sight——Ha——How——When? where? I am all in a Flame.
Lucy. Come along with me, Sir, I'll help you to an Extinguisher presently.
Lud. If thou meanest thy Lady, with all my Heart—But I can tell thee, she'll rather prove Oil, than what you speak of——But, say, where am I to see my lovely Charmer?
Lucy. In her Chamber——
Lud. Good! But how the Devil can that be done?
Lucy. Nay, without the Help of a Conjuror, I assure you; if you dare take me for your Pilot, I'll warrant you Success in your Voyage——I'll set you safe in the Island of Love; 'tis your Business to improve the Soil.
Lud. I warrant thee, Girl; do you but bring me there once, and if I play not my Part, may I never more know the Pleasure of an Intrigue.
Lucy. Which, if I mistake not, is the streatest Curse can fall on you——Well, you must suffer a small Metamorphosis: What think you of personating me a little? That is, dressing in my Cloaths, and waiting on your Mistress in her Bed-chamber—Ha——
Lud. Egad, I'm afraid I shall make but an aukward Chamber-maid, I'm undisciplin'd in dressing a Lady's Head——
Lucy. Oh! Sir, your Commission won't reach so high as the Head: I believe my Lady will excuse little Matters: You can undress, I suppose.
Lud. Oh! the best and the quickest of any Man in Venice. But a Pox on't—Can'st find no other way?——I, I, I,——I like Petticoats in their proper Places, but I don't care to have my Legs in 'em.
Lucy. And so you resolve against it? Ha——
Lud. No, not absolutely resolve, Child: But—a——
Lucy. But what, Sir!
Lud. Nothing—I will follow thy Directions, whatever comes on't. Now lead the way, for nothing suits better with my Humour than a Friend, a Bottle, a new Mistress and a convenient Place.
[Exit Lucy, Ludovico.
SCENE IV. Pizalto's Lodgings.
Enter Pizalto with a Bond in his Hand.Piz. Well—My Wife's a fine Woman! a very fine Woman! But a Pox she's a Wife still, and this young Jade runs in my Head plaguily: Well——here 'tis under my Hand; a Thousand Pistoles——A great Sum for a Maidenhead, as Maidenheads go now-a-days——Ah, had I been young now.
A Fiddle and a Treat had bore the Prize away, But when we old Fools doat, they make us pay. Enter Lucy.
Oh! are you come! Here, here, Lucy: Here's a Fortune for thee, worth twenty Maidenheads, adod! I have not so much Money by me at present, but there's Security.
[Gives her the Bond.
Lucy. Your Lordship's Bond's sufficient——Well, but that I am satisfied my Reputation is safe with your Lordship, or twice the Sum should not have prevail'd—Go to my Chamber, my Lord, I'll but step and see if my Lady wants any thing, and I'll be with you instantly.
Piz. You won't stay, Lucy? Ah, Girl, buss thy Lady's Chucky; now, do now——
Lucy. Oh! Lord! not here, we shall be discovered.
Piz. Well, thou art a cunning Sinner: make haste, Lucy, dost hear?
[Exit Pizalto.
Lucy. You're in mighty Haste, old Gentleman! but I shall deceive you,
My End is gain'd; I have my Fortune made, Man has not me, but I have Man betray'd.
The End of the Third Act.
| Give me but Wine, that Liquor of Life, |
| And a Girl that is wholesome and clean, |
| Two or three Friends, but the Devil a Wife, |
| And I'd not change State with a King. |
| A Fiddle and a Treat had bore the Prize away, |
| But when we old Fools doat, they make us pay. |
| My End is gain'd; I have my Fortune made, |
| Man has not me, but I have Man betray'd. |
ACT IV. SCENE I.
Armando's Lodgings.
Enter Armando, Placentia.Pla. Oh! Armando!
Thou more than Friend to the distress'd Placentia!
Say, how shall I regain my lost Bassino,
My false, perfidious Husband? [Weeps.Arm. Dear Madam, moderate your Sorrow:
Reserve those Tears to move Bassino's Heart,
Mine is all Pity: You may rest secure
Of all the Arguments a Friend can use
To bring him back to your endearing Arms.
Virtue's not quite extinguish'd in his Breast,
Therefore I hope the sight of bright Placentia
Will rouze his slumb'ring Reason——Pla. Oh! Bassino! Bassino!
Oh! wretched Woman! Oh! that I had dy'd
E'er I had known him false: Then I were happy:
And tho' contented with his second Choice,
He with a pitying Sigh, perhaps, had grac'd
My Memory——
Oh! all ye Powers that virtuous Love inspire,
Assist me now: Inform my vocal Organs
With angel Eloquence, such as can melt
His Heart of Flint, and move his former Kindness.
(Aside.) But if that fail, I will remove the Cause
Of both our Woes——Yes, that happy Charmer,
That Rival of my Love shall surely die.Arm. Doubt not of the Success; What Heart of Steel
Could e'er resist such Beauty dress'd in Tears?Enter a Servant.
Serv. Sir, Count Bassino enquires if you are within.
Pla. Oh! Heavens! how I tremble!
Arm. Lucky Opportunity——shew him up.
Madam, be pleas'd to step into that Closet.
Till I can sound the utmost of his Thoughts,
And shew him naked to your secret View,
Then when he's in the height of impious Passion,
You like a Bolt from Heav'n shall rush on him,
And strike his Folly dumb.Pla. Almighty Powers, whose providential Care
Is ever kind to virtuous Innocence,
Oh! help me now in this Extremity. [Exit Placentia.Enter Bassino.
Bass. How does my Friend Armando?
Arm. My Lord, Armando's well,
And wishes you were so.Bass. Dost thou discover aught that gives thee Cause To doubt I am not well? Indeed I think I am in perfect Health——
Arm. My Lord, I should be glad To find that Fever of your Mind abated In which I left you last——
Bass. (Aside.) I must dissemble now,
Else I'll ne'er gain my Ends—my dear Armando,
That Fever thou speak'st of, is now succeeded
By a cold Ague-Fit: The bare Remembrance
Of my unlawful Passion shakes my Soul.Arm. Such sudden Cures have often prov'd pernicious, And we have Reason to suspect a Wound Too quickly heal'd——
Bass. Not when thou know'st what Balsam I applied.
Arm. There's scarce a Balm for the deep Wounds of Love, Besides Possession, and I cannot think You have enjoy'd Aurelia.
Bass. I swear I have not——
But I enjoy my Reason, my free Reason:
And who possesses that, can never cherish
A Thought against himself: For such I call
Whatsoever keeps me from my lawful Wife,
My dear Placentia, to whose Arms I'll fly
With all the eager Haste of a fond Bridegroom.
There I shall revel in the virtuous Pleasures
Of a chaste Bed—Oh! my Friend Armando!
My dear Placentia's Friend! can'st thou forgive?
Indeed I'm penitent, and will offend no more.Arm. My Lord, these are the Words you spoke before:
What greater Reason have I now to think
You'll keep your Promise?Bass. Pride, Honour, Justice are come to my Aid,
And Love too feeble to withstand 'em all,
Has left the Field to my victorious Reason.
Pride, with the Prospect of my future Greatness,
Allures me to return with Speed to Turin,
T'obey my Prince's Orders.
Honour and Justice tell me I'm Placentia's,
And that Aurelia is Alonzo's Bride.
To him she gave her Virgin Vows: Nay, more,
To him her dying Father did bequeath her;
He loves her too, and shall not be depriv'd:
My Passion is subdu'd, and I'm resolv'd
Myself to give Aurelia to Alonzo.Arm. If this be true, then you are my Friend again:
But how came you to learn Aurelia's
Engagement to Alonzo?Bass. I have it from himself, who an Hour since,
With eager Fury sought to 'venge on me
His injur'd Love, and challeng'd me to fight:
I chose with Justice to defend my Life,
And quit Aurelia, rather than to vanquish
In such a Cause—Alonzo strait embrac'd me,
Call'd me his Friend, and vow'd I should not go,
Till I had seen him join'd in solemn Marriage
With bright Aurelia——This I readily granted.
Canst thou believe me true?Arm. My Lord, I do believe you——
And am o'erjoy'd to hear your Resolution:
By Heaven! there's more Glory in subduing
Our wild Desires, than an embattl'd Foe.
Now do I wish his Wife had never come. [Aside.Bass. Armando, thou'rt my Friend, and on that Score
I must desire you to repair to Turin,
With all the Speed you can, to bear these Letters
To our great Prince, and beg he will excuse
My stay for three Days more——And here this Letter
Bear to Placentia——speak to her the kindest
The softest Things thy Fancy can suggest.
I shall make good thy Promise——
My dear Placentia! Oh! that she were here,
Panting and warm within these longing Arms!
'Tis a long Age since I did see her last!
But come, my Friend, you must this Hour set forward.Arm. With all my Heart: But 'twill not be amiss,
Before I go, to fix the Victory,
Which conquering Virtue in your Breast has gain'd;
And if what you pretend be real Truth,
I have a welcome Present for Bassino.
Madam, come forth——Enter Placentia.
Bass. What do I see! my Wife! This was a lucky Plot: [Aside.
Hypocrisy did ne'er befriend me more.
This was not like a Friend—why should Armando
Disturb her soft Tranquility of Mind,
And give her ocular Proofs of my Disloyalty?
Oh! my Placentia! my beloved Wife! [Embraces her.
Oh! that I should e'er think to wrong my Dear!Pla. My Lord, waste not a Sigh on my Account:
My Joys are infinite, since you are mine,
And what is past I easily forget.
Nay, let me beg for Pardon: For I know
I have offended you in coming hither.
I should have waited this Return of Virtue:
Or, if abandon'd, silently have mourn'd
My Loss, without upbraiding my lov'd Lord,
All this I should have done, but mighty Love,
Too powerful for Duty to withstand,
Guided my Steps to Venice——
In hopes my Presence would retrieve your Heart.Bass. Gods! that this Woman were Aurelia! [Aside.
Thou Wonder of thy Sex! thou best of Women!
I blush to think that thou hast heard my Folly:
Yet since your Love cancels your just Complaints,
You make me doubly blest: And I'll reward
This excellent Goodness with eternal Fondness.
Oh! that thou hadst been here! Not all the Beauties
That Venice holds could have diverted me;
No, not one Moment from my dear Placentia.
Long Absence is the Bane of new-born Love,
But Fate shall ne'er have Power to part us more.Pla. Oh! my dear Lord, your Goodness is too great:
And I'm o'er paid for all my Sorrows past.
Armando, say, is not he wondrous kind?Arm. Madam, I told you Virtue
Was struggling in his Breast; and that it might
O'ercome his vicious Love, I thought your Presence
Was requisite——And now, my Lord, I hope
You will forgive me, since all the Endeavours
I us'd before had been in vain. I once
Design'd to let Aurelia know your Marriage;
But then perhaps she would not have believ'd me:
Let this plead my Excuse in sending for Placentia
Without your Knowledge.Bass. I must not let him see I am concern'd. [Aside.
I know 'twas Friendship all, well-meaning Friendship:
I only am to blame: But I'll retrieve
My Credit in your Heart, and still deserve
The Name of Friend—And thou, the best of Wives,
Shalt ne'er have Cause to doubt my constant Love.Pla. Oh! my Bassino! this Excess of Kindness
Exalts me o'er all Mortals, if you're true,
There's not a Blast within the Power of Fortune
Can shock my Happiness.Bass. Thou shalt ne'er find me false, I swear thou shalt not.
Oh! that I could engage
She would return to Turin with Armando; [Aside.
For if she stays, I never can enjoy
My bright Aurelia, and by Heaven I will,
Altho' ten thousand Lives should pay the Purchase.Pla. My Lord, you seem disturb'd.
Bass. It troubles me
You can't appear in Venice with a Train
That may bespeak the Rank you hold in Savoy.Pla. to Arm. Oh! Armando!
He is so kind, I with I ne'er had come!
What if I offer to return with you?
Arm. Madam, you will do well;
For I myself cannot suspect him now.Pla. My Lord, let not my Presence here disturb you,
I doubt your Love no more, and to convince you,
I will go back before 'tis known I'm here.
Besides, 'tis fit I should prepare all things
To welcome you at home.Bass. (aside.) Blest Opportunity!
Fortune I thank thee: Would my Dear then leave me
So very soon? Alas! 'twill be an Age
E'er I return to Turin: Three long Days!
No, my Dear, no; I will not part from thee,
At least this Night, my Love——Pla. Will then Armando stay?
Bass. No, my best Hopes, he instantly departs
With Letters to my Prince.Pla. Then suffer me to go this very Moment.
Three Days will soon be o'er, and your Return,
Shall make me fully blest——If I should stay
'Twould look like base Distrust, and I can't think
Bassino would be false——Bass. (aside.) Oh! Heaven that I were not!
Arm. Indeed, my Lord, I think you're truly happy.
Scarce does any Age produce so good a Wife.Bass. Oh! that I could reward this wondrous Goodness!
Pla. My Lord, what makes you sigh?
Bass. To part from thee: But since 'tis your Desire,
It shall be so. Armando, to thy Charge
I here commit the Treasure of my Soul,
Take Care of her, and think that on her Safety
My Life depends.Arm. My Lord, I hope you do not doubt my Care.
Bass. Dear Friend, I do not——
May Heaven's Blessings still attend my Love,
My dear Placentia.[Embraces, and goes to lead her off.
Pla. As many more guard my Bassino.
Bass. (aside.) A sudden Horror seizes all my Limbs:
I tremble at the Thought of this base Deed——[Pulls out his Handkerchief and drops a Letter, which Armando takes up.
Ha——Tears uncall'd for bathe my guilty Eyes——
Gods! either give me Virtue to withstand
This impious Love, or Courage to pursue it
Without Remorse; for I'm but half a Villain.[Exeunt Bassino, Placent.
Arm. opens the Letter. A Letter! and to Aurelia! now Curiosity prompts me to know the Subject——What's here?
Reads. I have dispatch'd Armando to the Court of Savoy, and found Pretence to stay behind——
False treacherous Man!
This Night I give a Mask at my Lodgings, which, I hope, will divert Alonzo, till the Priest has joined our Hands; and while all the Company are engaged in Mirth, I'll steal to the dear Arms of my divine Aurelia.
Oh! Villain, Villain! Monstrous Villain!
Oh! poor Placentia! But I will prevent
His Policy, and break his wicked Measures.[Exit Armando.
SCENE II. Pizalto's Lodgings.
Enter Pizalto solus.Piz. Why, what makes this young Jade stay so long? Adod, this is to pay before hand——Ha——methinks I hear a Laughing and Giggling in my Wife's Apartment; I must know whence their Mirth proceeds. Ho! here's Lucy coming——Harkee you, pray, why did you make me wait so long? Nay, I'm resolved you shan't escape me now——[Goes to the Door, and pulls in Ludovico in Lucy's Cloaths, whose Commode falls off in the Struggle, and discovers his bald Head.] Oh! Benedicite! What have we here? A Man disguis'd in my Wife's Chamber! and I unarm'd! Oh! Curst Minute!——Speak, thou wicked Prophet, thou Son of Iniquity, what camest thou here for? Ha——Thou Priest of Baal, to offer Sacrifices on the Altar of my Wife? Oh! my Head! my Horns weigh it down to the Ground already——Within there, bring me my Sword and Pistols.
Lud. A Pox on all Petticoats——What a Devil shall I say now? Oh! for a Sword! that would be of more Use to me now than my Tongue.
Enter Lady Pizalto.
Piz. Oh! thou wicked fallacious Woman!
L. Piz. What ails my dear Chucky? Why dost thou call for Arms, Deary?
Piz. To cut down that vile Creeper which over-runs thy Garden of Virtue——
L. Piz. [aside.] Now Impudence assist me.
Ah! Heavens! What's here? A Man in Disguise? A Thief it must be——Raise the Servants——Oh! Heaven! we might have had all our Throats cut in our Beds———Now for Lucy, for I am at a Loss to come off. [Aside.Piz. No, no, I warrant, you know he is more gentle in Bed.
Lud. [aside.] Oh! the Devil, what does she mean? Death, Hell and Furies! if I come off now, catch me at this Sport again, and hang me——
Enter Lucy.
L. Piz. Oh! are you there. Mistress? How came this Man here in your Cloaths? Ha! Gentlewoman—
Lucy. [aside.] How confidently she asks the Question, poor Lady? as if she knew nothing of it! Now must I bring her off—For Reasons you must not know, Madam.
Piz. Ah! Thou wicked Pair of Bellows to blow the Fire of Iniquity! Why, thou art the very Casement thro' which thy Mistress sucks the Air of Abomination—Tell me, I say, how he came here, and for what——and be sure it be a substantial Lie, or 'twill not pass.
Lucy. [aside] All my Hopes are in her Impudence.
Lucy to Pizal. Harkee, Sir, one Word with you——Do you remember our Agreement To-night?
Piz. Why, what of that? ha——
Lucy. Then imagine what I design'd that Gentleman for; I'm honest, Sir, that's all——
Piz. I'm honest, Sir, that's all—[Mimicking her Tone.] Honest! with a Pox——What! and so you honestly provided a Companion for my Wife in my Absence—ha——
Lucy. No, Sir, I design'd him for your Companion in my Absence——This is the Business he was drest for: Therefore no more Words, but believe my Lady honest, or all shall out.
Piz. Oh! the Devil! this shan't pass, Hussy——Do you think I'll be cuckolded, jilted, bubbled, and let it pass for a Christmas Gambol. Adod, give me my Bond again, or——or——
[Holds up his Cane.
Lucy. No——hold there, Sir: Women and Lawyers ne'er refund a fee: But 'tis your best Way to be patient now, I'll not take Blows.
L. Piz. Why all this Whispering? Why mayn't I know the Business?
Piz. I am mistaken if you have not known too much Business already: But I am right enough serv'd——I had more Ground before than I could manage; I had no Need of my Neighbour's.
Lucy. Right, my Lord; Ground that lies fallow will breed Weeds in Time; but you'rs is clear yet.
Piz. Damn your Jests; I shall expect a better Account, do you hear? I'll find a Servant to see you out of Doors. [To Ludovico.
[Exeunt Pizalto and Lady.
Lud. Well, this was an admirable Lift at a Pinch—She has brought me off now——And if e'er they catch me at this Music again, I'll give 'em Leave to make an Italian Singer of me——No more Intrigues in Disguise——if it had not been for the Waiting-Woman now, I might have been hang'd for a Thief.
Lucy. What all amort, Signior, no Courage left?
Lud. Faith, not much——I think I have lost my Manhood with my Breeches——This Transformation may suit with Gods, but not with Mortals of my Humour——Come, prithee, good Mistress Lucy, help me to my proper Shape again; for tho' I have a natural Inclination to Petticoats, I hate 'em upon my own back.
[A Flourish of Music Within.
Lucy. Hark! I hear Count Bassino's Music: He gives a Mask To-night; you are already drest for Masquerade, won't you stay and take a Dance?
Lud. Egad, I'd rather dance a Jig with thee elsewhere: Faith thou'rt a pretty Girl—and hast a good deal of Wit too——But then, Pox on't, thour't honest, thou sayeth, thou cannot swallow a Pill, except 'tis gilded over with Matrimony.
Lucy. And that turns your Stomach, I warrant.
Lud. Why, Ay: Faith my Stomach is damn'd squeemish in these matters: Yet, egad, if I could find one with half as much Money as thou hast Wit and Beauty, I'd marry, and live honest.
Lucy. That is, you'd marry her Money——
Lud. One with the other, Child: There's no living upon Love thou knowest——Tho' Faith I could live well enough too.
Lucy. Well, suppose I help you to a Lady with a round Sum; you'd keep your Word, and marry her?
Lud. I am a Gentleman, I scorn to break my Word.
Lucy. Well, Sir, come to the Mask, and I'll engage you a Mistress, if you are not over-curious.
Lud. With all my Heart:
I'm now resolv'd to leave this Wenching-Trade;
For no man's safe upon a Hackney Jade;
Th' Allay of Danger makes the Pleasure Pain,
A Virtuous Wife will always be same.The End of the Fourth Act.
[Pulls out his Handkerchief and drops a Letter, which Armando takes up.
Reads. I have dispatch'd Armando to the Court of Savoy, and found Pretence to stay behind——