Eug. Thus in Disguise I shall discover all,
And find the Cause of my reported Death,
Which does so much amaze me.
A Month ago my Father sent me Word, that I shou'd hasten my Journey to Palermo; and I met the Post upon the Road, that gave me a Letter, wherein he strictly charges me not to come this three Months: No sooner had I enter'd the Town, but I met the Rumour of my Death, which still surpris'd me more; but this Letter shall help me to the Knowledge of the Truth.[Shews a Letter, goes to the Door and knocks.
Enter Rosco.
Rosc. Who'd you speak with Friend?
Eug. With the Lord Gravello, if you please, Sir.
Ros. Marry gap, and can't I serve your Turn? Nothing but my Lord, good lack! I guess he knows you not; pray what's your Business? What's your Name? From whence come you? What do ye want? I believe you are of no such Extraction, that you shou'd be introduc'd to my Lord; let me be judge, whether your Affair requires his Lordship's Ear, else, Friend, I shall bring you but a scurvy Answer; either he's busy, or a-sleep, or gone abroad, any of these are sufficient for your Quality, I suppose.
Eug. Thus great Men always are abus'd, because there's no Access, but through such Knaves as thee? then I'll return my Message back unto his Son, and bid him employ a finer Fellow, if he expects that he should see his Father.[Going.
Ros. Ha! his Son! stay, Sir, and forgive me; here comes my Lord.
Enter Count Gravello, Rosco goes and whispers him.
Grav. Wou'd you ought with me, Friend?
Eug. If you be the Lord Gravello.
Grav. The same.
Eug. I came from Rome, my Lord; laden, I hope, with happy Tidings, and after the sad Report I have met with, I dare say, welcome; your Son Eugenio lives, and with his Duty, recommends this Letter to your Lordship's Perusal.
Grav. How! does my Boy live? Oh! I'm overjoy'd, for I thought him dead. Rosco, reward him for his Tidings, reward him largely, Rosco.
Ros. There's a Pistole for you, eat like an Emperor, d'ye hear, till that be out.
Grav. He writes me Word that you are a Gentleman fallen to Decay, and begs that I would take you into my Service: I have no Place vacant at present, but the first that falls worth your Acceptance, shall be yours; in the mean Time command my House. [I must not let him suspect I knew Eugenio was alive] the happy News that thou hast brought me, has rais'd me from the Vale of Death; but tell me, Friend, hast thou reveal'd this to any in Palermo, but myself?
Eug. To none. For tho' I met the tragic Story in every Street through which I pass'd, still I conceal'd the Truth, intending your Lordship's Ear should first receive it.
Grav. Thou hast done exceeding well; Rosco, give him a double Reward, a double Welcome; I have some private Reasons to myself, that it should still be kept a Secret, which if thou'rt faithful, thou in Time shalt know.
Eug. Fear not, my Lord, I am no Blab; I ever thought a slippery Tongue Mankind's Shame. What can this mean?[Aside.
Ros. This is a notable Fellow.
Grav. Rosco, bid him welcome; tell him my House is his, bid him be free.
Ros. As long as you have Occasion for him——Sir, I am your most obedient, most devoted, and thrice humble Serviteur; command the Pantry, Cellar, Maids, Chambers——for in these I rule, and these are at your Service, Sir.
[Bowing low.
Eug. I thank you my quondam Friend; but a quiet Residence in my Lord's House, the Time I stay, satisfies my Desires.
Ros. A worthy Man, upon my Faith. Oh! my Lord, here comes the Bridegroom, I know by this Fellow's being out of Breath.
Enter a Servant.
Serv. My Lord Count Pirro so fine, so brisk, so ugly.
Grav. How, how, Sirrah, ugly?
Serv. So handsome, I mean, Sir; Pox on't, how came my Head to run so of Ugliness?
Ros. Seeing the Count, I warrant thee Jack.
Grav. Be gone, Varlet, and attend his coming. [Exeunt.
Eug. Ha! Count Pirro, the Bridegroom—and, my Life a Secret; I begin to find the Cause. [Aside.
Enter Count Pirro.
Pir. I came my Lord, to claim your Promise, and receive into my Arms the beautiful Lucasia.
Grav. And I'll acquit myself instantly. Within there—call Lucasia.
Enter Laura.
Laura. My Lord.
Grav. My——call your Lady; what does your Flurtship do here? I want your Mistress——why don't the Wench stir?
Laura. My Lord, I don't know.——
Grav. What don't you know? nay, no grinding between your Teeth, speak out.
Laura. Why then, my Lord, I don't know where she is.
Grav. 'Tis false, 'tis impossible; when went she out? and whither? Speak ye confederate Mischief; how long ago, I say? Confess, or I'll have ye rack'd.
Laura. She would not take me with her to prevent Suspicion; and now all must out, for my Limbs will never bear stretching, that's certain. [Aside.
Grav. What are you inventing a Lye——don't stand muttering your Devil's Pater-noster there, but speak quickly—or—
[Draws his Sword.
Laura. Oh hold, it was, my Lord, my Lord, a, a, a——
Grav. What was it? speak.
Laura. It was a great while ago, my Lord.
Grav. Ha, speak to the Purpose, or thou dy'st.
Laura. No, no, no, my Lord, it was——it was just now; what shall I say to save my unhappy Mistress? [Aside.
Pirro. You terrify the Creature so, that we shall never learn the Truth, my Lord; don't tremble so, Sweetheart, but tell when went your Lady out, and whither?
Grav. Away my Lord, my Sword shall fetch the Secret forth; Huzzy, speak, or by this Hand, this Minute is thy last.
[Holds his Sword to her Breast.
Laura. Oh, hold Sir, and I will tell you all; I do confess.
Grav. What?
Laura. It must out; that my Lady's fled to meet Palante in the Eastern Grove, and I believe, by this, they are married.
Grav. Fly and escape my Fury, thou more than Devil.
[Straps her with his Sword, she shrieks and runs off.
Now, my Lord of Pirro, you that so kindly came this Day to comfort me, how shall I look you in the Face? or what Reparation can I make you, if my Daughter's lost? Within there! raise the House, take Officers immediately, I charge you; fly to the Eastern Grove, and seize my Daughter and all that you find with her: We'll have Revenge, my Lord, at least.
Pirro. There's yet a Pleasure left in that, and I'm resolv'd my Arm shall give him Death; let's to the Grove, my Lord.
Rosco. Do you consider, my Lord, the Danger of your rash Attempt, the Law will do you right; 'tis present Death in Sicily, to steal an Heiress without her Friends consent; first secure him, and his Lifes yours.
Eug. 'Tis as I suppose; oh Treachery! [Aside.
Grav. Rosco, thou art an Oracle, that Way the Revenge is more secure and certain. I'll after 'em, and see the Traitor brought to condign Punishment.
[Exit with Rosco.
Pirro. I'll to the Governor, and prepare him for the Judgment, my Interest there will surely sign his Death. [Going.
Eug. Am I alive? do I breathe? can I have a human Soul, and suffer this injustice to proceed? Poor Palante, must thou die, because Fortune has not blest thee with her Favours; No, something I will do to save thee; and yet, if possible not discover who I am. My Lord——
[Pulls Count Pirro by the Sleeve as he goes out.
Pirro. What art thou?
Eug. A poor Poet, my Lord, little beholden to Fortune.
Pirro. None of thy Profession are, take up some more thriving Occupation; turn Pimp, Solicitor, Gamester, any Thing will do better than Rhiming; there's something for thee, I'm in Haste now.
Eug. My Lord, I thank you for your Charity, and your good Advice; but I have some for you too.
Pirro. For me! what is't?
Eug. I understand, my Lord, that you are to marry my Lord Gravello's Daughter.
Pirro. Yes, an Heiress——
Eug. No Heiress, my Lord, her Brother is alive.
Pirro. The Fellow's mad.
Eug. What I say is certain Truth; and to my Knowledge, his Father gives out the Report of his Death only as a Bait for you.
Pirro. Ha! where is he?
Eug. In this Town conceal'd till your Marriage be over; know I hate this Family, and that makes me discover it.
Pirro. Does he hate the Family? then perhaps he has only forg'd this Lye to hinder Lucasia from marrying into mine; I'll try him farther. [Aside.
Art thou sure he is alive?
Eug. As sure as that I live myself; my Lord, I saw him not two Hours ago; I wish he was not, for your Lordship's sake: I am his Domestic, and come now to learn Intelligence; I loath my Servitude, detest the proud Family, and shou'd rejoice to see 'em ruin'd.
Pirro. From whence proceeds thy Hate? the World reports Eugenio a Man of Honour, Honesty and Courage.
Eug. That Part of the World that thinks him such, sees thro' the wrong End of the Prospective; his Honour's but Pretence, his Honesty Hypocrisy, and his Courage Lewdness; he ravisht a Sister of mine at Rome, for which I never can forgive him.
Pirro. This Fellow, I find is ripe for Mischief; and if I durst trust him, wou'd, for a large Reward, remove Eugenio, and make Lucasia indeed an Heiress; and 'twere but just, since Count Gravello did design to wrong me of his Estate, why shou'd not I rob him of his Son? where could be the Danger of this Act; I can't fore-see any, for he has already given it out he's dead, and therefore dares not search into the Matter; but is it safe to trust this Stranger, he may betray my Purpose, or not do it; yet 'tis reasonable to think the contrary, for he hates him for his Sister's Rape, and therefore would be glad to meet Occasion to revenge it, especially when usher'd in by a great Sum: I'm resolv'd to break it to him. [Aside.] What is your Name, Friend?
Eug. Irus, my Lord.
Pirro. Your Name as well as Habit speak you poor.
Eug. I'm poor enough, my Lord.
Pirro. Very poor?
Eug. Very poor, my Lord.
Pirro. Would you not gladly mend your Fortunes.
Eug. I wish your Lordship would shew me the Way.
Pirro. What think you now of taking Revenge for your Sister's Rape, ha?
Eug. Alas! my Lord, that I wou'd have done long ago, but Want prevented my Escape.
Pirro. Say'st thou so? my Friend: well, poison this Eugenio, and thou shalt not want; for thy Reward, a thousand Crowns are thine.
Eug. Think it done, my Lord, nor will I receive my Hire till I have brought you a certain Proof Eugenio is no more; all I ask is but your Hand to the Agreement, my Lord, that I may be sure of my Reward.
Pirro. I'll give it thee——We must be safe, for his Father will be asham'd to prosecute, after his reported Death. I must confess I lov'd Lucasia as an Heiress, but was she ten times as fair, I would not marry her without the Dowry, therefore make sure my Fortune by thy Master's Death.
Eug. He dies this Night.
SCENE changes to the Grove.
Enter Palante, Lucasia, and Clerimont.Pal. 'Tis done, 'tis done, the Sacred Knot is ty'd,
And bright Lucasia is for ever mine.
I ne'er till now did taste the Sweets of Life;
Or the transporting Extasy of Joy.
Burst not ye feeble Ministers of Nature,
With the vast Excess of swelling Pleasure.
Oh! my Friend, what shall I say to thee?Cler. This is no Time for Talk or Transports,
Make Use of my Fortune, and fly till the Pursuit is over.Pal. Oh! Clerimont, I'm bankrupt every Way,
Both to thee, and to my fair Lucasia.
Still thou art sad, my Love.Luc. My Sadness does proceed from Fear for thee,
Take your Friend's Counsel, let us fly this Place.
Hark! What Noise is that? ha me, we're lost.Enter Gravello, Eugenio, Rosco, and Officers.
Grav. Fall on Officers, there they are.
Cler. Thieves.
Pal. Villains!
Grav. Thou art thyself the Thief and Villain too;
Give me my Daughter thou Ranter.Pal. First take my Life.
Grav. Fall on, I say; down with 'em if they resist.
Luc. Oh! we are undone, wicked, wicked Laura.
Pal. Come on, Slaves.
Cler. We shall not surrender tamely.
[They fight, but are disarm'd by the Multitude.
Grav. So, keep 'em fast, we'll have 'em faster shortly.
For you, Minion, I shall secure you from a second 'Scape.Luc. Yet do but hear me, Father.
Grav. Call me not Father, thou disobedient Wretch,
Thou Vagabond, thou art no Child of mine;
My Daughter was bred up to Virtue.Luc. For you my Mother wou'd have done as much:
If Need had so required;
Think not that my Mind e'er stray'd from Virtue;
Oh! listen to the Voice of my Prayer, and Crown
It with rich Mercy.Grav. Off, Strumpet, Officers away with the Criminals,
They both shall die.Pal. Now I must speak, oh spare my Friend, for he
Is innocent.Cler. If thou must die, Palante, I have no
Other Wish, but to suffer with thee.Grav. That Wish assure thyself thou shalt obtain.
Luc. Oh, stay blood-thirsty Men, stay and hear me
But a Word, and that shall be my final Resolution.
If thou, my cruel Father wilt not hear,
But dost proceed to spill the Blood of him
In whom my Life subsists, remember, Sir,
I am your Daughter, once you did love me;
Oh! tell me then, what Fault can be so great
To make a Father murderer of his Child?
For so you are in taking his dear Life;
Do not think that I will stay behind him.
No, whilst there's Asps, and Knives, and burning Coals;
No Roman Dame's Example shall outgo
My Love.Pal. Oh! my Lucasia, thou hast touch'd my Soul!
Barely but to imagine thou must die,
Will make me restless in my silent Grave.
Is not my Death sufficient, barbarous Man?
But must Lucasia's Woe be added too?
Dry up those Tears, my Wife, my lovely Bride,
Or thou wilt make me truly miserable,
Preserve thy Life, that I may after Death,
In thee my better Part survive.
For thee and for my Friend my only Prayers shall be,
If you both live, Palante dies with Pleasure.Grav. Away with 'em, and let the Law decide it.
Luc. I too alike am guilty;
O let me share the Punishment with them,
Thou shalt not go alone, take me with thee;
Here are my willing Hands, quick bind 'em fast,[Runs and clasps Palante.
Else here I'll hold 'till my last Breath expires.
Grav. Ungracious Viper, let go the Traitor.
Luc. What to die? Oh, never!
Pal. Had I a hundred Lives, the Venture had
Been small for such a Prize.
A Face not half so fair as thine has arm'd
Whole Nations in the Field for Battle ripe:
And brought a thousand Sail to Tenedos,
To sack lamented Troy, and shou'd I fear
To hazard one poor Life for thee, my Fair?
A Life that had been lost without thy Love,
For thou'rt both Life and Soul to thy Palante.Luc. I'll clasp him like the last Remains of Life.
And struggle still with never dying Love.[Holds him.Grav. Then thus I dash thee from him, thou Stranger
[Pushes her, and falls down.
To my Blood, there lie and grovel on the Earth, and thank the Powers I do not kill thee; away to Justice with the Traitors.
Pal. If there be a Torment beyond this Sight,
Then lead me to it, that I may taste all
The Variety of Misery, and
Grow compleatly wretched.
Oh, inhuman Cruelty!
Slaves give me Way, that swift as Lightning,
I may dash him dead that wrong'd Lucasia.
You spiteful Powers, show'r all your Curses down,
Augment the Weight, and sink me all at once.Grav. Away with the Traitor.
Pal. Oh, let me first embrace my Love, my Wife.
Grav. By Hell, he shall not.
| Pal. | So when a Ship by adverse Winds is tost, |
| And all the Hopes to gain the Port is lost, | |
| The trembling Mariners to Heaven cry, | |
| And all in vain, for no Relief is nigh. | |
| Around fierce Terrors strike the aking Sight; | |
| So I when shut from that all-charming Light, | |
| Like them must plunge in everlasting Night. |
[Exit. forc'd off.
Grav. I'll to the Governor, and urge my injur'd Suit. Rosco and Irus, guard that wretched Woman; take Care that she neither sends nor receives a Message. [Exit.
Rosco. Yes, my Lord.
Eug. My very Heart bleeds to see two such faithful Lovers parted; methinks my Lord's too cruel in this Action.
Ros. Ay, ay, Friend; but we are to obey, not to dispute his Will.
Eug. I can scarce forbear revealing myself, but I will reserve it for a fitter Hour; her Grief's so great, I fear it has deprived her of her Senses; look up, Madam.
Luc. Where's my Palante, gone to death? Oh Heav'n!
Then shall I be mad, indeed? what are you,
Officers of Justice! I'm ready, Sir.Eug. No, Madam, I am one my Lord your Father left to attend you.
Luc. Attend me! alas, I need no Attendance.
Eug. Do not reject my Service.
Luc. All Service comes too late to miserable me;
My Fortune's desperate grown.Eug. Believe me, Madam, I have a feeling Woe;
A greater your own Brother could not have:
Think not I'm suborn'd to do you wrong,
By all the Pow'rs I'm your trusty Friend,
Command me any Thing, and try my Faith.Ros. This is a rare spoken Fellow; I can't put in a Word.
Luc. Oh! 'tis most prodigious;
Cou'd I lose Pity in a Father's Breast,
And find it in a Stranger's? I shall not
Live to thank you, Sir, but my best Prayers go
With you.Eug. 'Tis not for Thanks, nor for Reward I look,
But the Sacred Love I bear to Virtue,
Makes me offer this.Luc. Surely this poor Man is nobly bred, howe'er
His Habit speaks him. [Aside.]
All Physic comes too late to my sick Mind,
Since there's no Hopes of my Palante's Life.Eug. Unless the Governor will please to pardon him, 'twas good that he were mov'd.
Ros. Be not so forward, Friend, I say; in my Conscience this Fellow will betray Eugenio lives.
Eug. Peace, Fool.
Ros. You are something free, methinks.
Luc. Who shall dare to make that Supplication?
My Father and the Count of Pirro rules;
Yet I wou'd venture if I knew which Way.Eug. So meritorious is the Act, that I wou'd stand the Test in giving you the Liberty to sue.
Ros. How, Sir?
Eug. Peace, Muckworm, or my Sword shall stop thy Breath for ever.
Ros. A desperate Fellow this, I dare not contradict him.
| Luc. | A thousand Blessings on you for your Care, |
| Yes, I will go, grant it ye Powers above; | |
| If you had e'er regard to injur'd Love: | |
| Teach me such Words as may his Pity move; | |
| Let it pierce deep into his stony Heart, | |
| In all my Sufferings make him feel a Part. | |
| Oh make him feel the Pangs of sharp Despair, | |
| That he may know what wretched Lovers bear: | |
| My Sighs and Tears shall with Intreaties join, | |
| That he would save Palante's Life, or sentence mine: | |
| But if relentless to my Prayers he be, | |
| And he must fall, then welcome Destiny. | |
| Fate does our Lives so close together twine, | |
| Who cuts the Thread of his unravels mine. |
[Exeunt.
SCENE the Governor's House.
Enter the Governor and Count Pirro.
Gov. Welcome, my dearest Nephew, you are grown a Stranger to the Court of late, tho' you know my aged Sight receives no Joy without you; but I can forgive you since Love is the Cause: I hear you have the Lord Gravello's Consent to marry the fair Lucasia.
Pirro. I had, my Lord, but am unjustly robb'd of that fair Prize you mention; my promis'd Bride is stolen by Palante, Lord Euphenes's Foster-Son, a Man far unworthy of Lucasia's Love; her Father with Officers are gone to apprehend 'em—and bring 'em here before you to receive their Doom: Oh, Uncle, if ever you had a Kindness for me; if the being ally'd to you by Blood, or aught I have done, or can hereafter do, let me intreat you to give the Law its utmost Course: Young Clerimont too assisted in the Rape.
Gov. Fear not, Nephew, the Law shall have its Course, and they shall surely die.
Enter Euphenes and Count Gravello at several Doors.
Euph. My Lord, the Governor, I am come begging to you, for Palante my Foster-Son, whom, Childless, I adopted for my own; for him I plead.
Gov. What is his Offence?
Euph. No heinous Crime, my Lord, no treasonable Plot against your Person or the State, for then these aged Cheeks wou'd blush to ask Pardon. No crying Murder stains his Hands, his Fault is only Love: Unfortunately he has married the Daughter and Heiress to that proud Lord that follows, and seeks the last Extremity.
Grav. I seek no more than what the Law will give; I am abus'd, my Lord, my Daughter is stoll'n, the only Comfort of my Age: Justice, my Lord, 'tis Justice that I ask.
Pirro. To his just Suit I bend my Knees—be not biass'd by aught but Justice.
Euph. Thou speakest like an Enemy, call it Revenge—not Justice——My Lord.——
Gov. I'll hear no more, be silent; if the Law will save him, he shall live, if not, he dies; yes, my Lord, you shall have Justice—— [Exeunt.
SCENE changes to Gravello's House.
Enter Larich, Francisco, and Lavinia.Lar. Body o'me! here's mad Work abroad, my Niece is stolen: I'm resolv'd to make sure of you; the Priest shall join you instantly.
Fran. Haste, Sir, to consummate our Joy:
I'll call the Muses from their sacred Hill,
To emulate your Daughter's Beauty;
And I'll, myself, in lofty Numbers sing my own
Epithalamium.Lar. First I'll punish that Impostor——Here, bring in the Prisoner.
Lav. Oh! I fear we are undone, Francisco.
Fran. Pray, Father, delay not my exorbitant Desires.
Lar. But for a Moment, learn'd Son,
And thy exorbitant Desires shall be satisfied.Enter Sancho and Tristram, forc'd in by Servants.
San. Hey-day! What's the Matter now: Is the old Gentleman grown generous? Must we take a Bottle in his own House, ha?
Lar. Sirrah, you are a very impudent Impostor.
San. Hey, what's here, Frank in my Cloaths? what is there a Play to be acted? ha? what Part must I play? I have acted a Part at the College e'er now, Pox on't, that College will run in my Head, pr'ythee what am I to play, Francisco.
Fran. The Fool, Sir.
San. That's something blunt tho' Frank.
Lar. Ha! what do I hear? Francisco? sure that's the Fellow my Daughter is in Love with, I must enquire into this.
Fran. My Reverend Patree, I hope you'll not credit this illiterate Idiot, you knew me by my Scholastic Breeding.
San. Why what does he mean now? Breeding! why, why, why, you wer'nt half so long at Salamanca as I, Frank, if you go to that Tristram, where are my Books, Tristram? we'll soon see who's most learn'd.
Γέρων πίθηκος ούχ άλίσνοται πάγις
You must not think to catch old birds with Chaff.
Δὶς διὰ πασῶν ἐςι ῶρὼ ἄλληλα
He knows not a Hawk from a Handsaw.
Fran. The Man's distracted, Sir, away with him to Prison.
San. To Prison! nay, then the Truth shall out, that Habit's mine, and these Cloaths are his, he told me that this Lady wou'd hate a Scholar, and taught me how to act the Bully, fackins he did now, ask Tristram else.
Lar. Here's strange juggling, I believe neither of you is Seignior Sancho's Son.
Trist. Bless me, Sir, do you doubt my Master? why he's as like my old Master as if he was spit out of his Mouth.
Lav. Methinks now by the Description, Father, this Scholar must needs be Don Sancho, and this aukward Beau but a Pretender.
Lar. Peace, I'll have none of your Judgment.
San. A Pretender, odsbud, I find she is in Love with a Scholar, what a Sot was I to be persuaded to change my Habit, I shall be fobb'd of my Mistress, by and by, why Frank, why thou wilt not fob me wilt thou.
Lar. Right, that Project will take,——come who produces me a Letter from my Friend, I know the Hand, and that shall decide the Business.
Trist. Here, here, Sir, here's Letters.
[Pulls out a Leather Pouch with Letters, and gives it to Larich.
San. That's my Father's Hand, I can assure you, Sir, but the Stile is Solomon's, they are freight with Wisdom, but my Father pays the Postage.
Lav. Now we're undone, we are certainly betray'd.
Fran. Have Courage, I will still be near thee, and prevent this Marriage or lose my Life.
Lav. My Woman shall give you Notice of their Proceedings.
Lar. I am convinc'd, and worthy Sir, I ask your Pardon, what an Escape have I had.
San. Pr'ythee Frank don't frown so, faith I forgive thee with all my Heart.
Fran. Away you Dolt——
San. Fackings Tristram, he's woundy out of Humour, I have fob'd him now Faith, he, he, he.
Lar. Sir, I desire your scholastic Breeding wou'd quit my temporal Habitation [to Francisco,] least I commit you to a closer Place, and thank this Gentleman for your Liberty, 'tis because he has some small Acquaintance with you, that I don't proceed in a rougher Manner.
Fran. I am defenceless now, but I shall find a Time. [Exit.
Lar. To be hang'd I hope, come Mrs. I suppose you had a Hand in this wise Plot, I'll prevent your Stratagems, I'll noose and fetter you in the Chains of Wedlock, then if you plot, let Sancho look to't.
| For when they are wed the Father's Care is done, | |
| Trist. | And the poor doting Husband's just begun. |
ACT IV. SCENE the Governor's
House. The Governor in a Chair reading..