Let me embrace thee this is a design Has shot life through me Nigr. By this means you may Convert the Tyrants Sword to his own Ruine Instead of your suppressing the Confederates Joyn his own Army to assist their Cause Lew. I am satisfied an am resolv'd to study All arts and means for my Revenge Revenge Can't be too fierce moved by so just a cause An Injur'd Mistress and a Murder'd Father Nigr. Since your mind 's bent on honourable ends I have one more will try you Lew. Name it then Nigr. Your Mother stoops to actions that abhor The Light and this Night meets if not prevented Lew. My soul finds out the Man is it not Clarmount Nigr. The same Lew. Are Pallaces such Scenes of Villany Had not the Court enough of Hell before in 't Conduct me where I may but seize this Monster That his stain'd blood Enter Burbon Lamot Dumane and Brisaâ— Nigr. Change your discourse and looks Your Friends attend you Lew. Gentlemen you 're welcome My almost Brother once I thank you To Brisack And kindly greet this brave Assembly whose Great spirits look for stirring Opposites But there your expectation will be lost For I 'le take care your danger shall be small And your resistance flender Sirs your pardon I 've business of Importance with Brisâ—â— That robs me of your company some minutes But I'lâ— repair that loss at our next meeting But take this in my stead I 'le share your Cause Lam. Our Lives and Fortunes Sir lye at your feet Exit Lewis and Brisac Burbon Are your men bold and daring resolute To run your fate indifferent Rich not Poor That only fight for Bread such oft betray The sinews of a well-knit plot for gain When these fight as well to defend as win Dum. Mine know nor fear nor death souls of that fire They 'l catch a Bullet flying scale a Wall Batt'led with Enemies stand breaches laugh at The thunder of the Canon call it Musick Fitter a Ladys Chamber than the Field When o're their heads the Element is Seeld Darkend with Darts they 'l fight under the shades And ask no other Roof to hide their heads in They fear not Jove and had the Gyants been But half so spirited they had Dethroned him Such are the Men I lead Burb. Well kind Dumane I see they want no Herauld that have got Your Friendship Dum. Sir I speak 'em as I love ' em Lam. In good old Childricks raign before his Queen Had taught him Revels and untaught him War Before her wanton Lust had sheathed his Sword To give her treacherous Poyson pow'r of death I knew that they had valour and a cause To shew it in Nor has the rust of Peace Blunted their edge they are as fierce as ever Burb. They 're Souldiers fit to Sack a Kingdom then Dum. And share the spoyle Burb. Were 't come to that sport once Lam. Burbon it must oâ— some of us must fall The Ulcerous State is ripe and we must launce iâ— Exeunt Scene the Second The Scene a Room of State Enter Aphâ—lia Aph. I am a Prisoner still But why so fair A Prison and so kiâ—d an entertâ—inment After he had pronounced so harsh a doom I cannot guess the cause unless it spring From the Conversion of my cruel King If that 's the cause as ye kind pow'rs I hope 't is Enter Nigrello Nigr. Now for my disguise This Lodging and this Entertainmeâ—t's my design Aside The King I have perswaded to this mildness As the more easie way to win her heart Then Cruelty But on the same foundation I seem to raise his hopes I 've built his ruine Aph. What read'st thou in the Book of Fate Nigrello What is Heav'ns pleasure Quick make hast and crown My hopes speak thou canst read The Language of my Stars the will of Destinyâ— For thou canst tell how looks my angry King Nigr. Madam he 's now a King indeed no more Your Tyrant witness his strange Reformation Now Madam he intends to make you happy In giving not accepting of your heart This milder usage he designs a Prologue This vanquisht passion and your alter'd 〈◊〉 The Generous the Good the Courteous 〈◊〉 Has been so much your Friend Aph. Clarâ—ount my Friend Nigr. Your Influence is so great that this kind man Has used such force spoke such convincing reason That the Converted King adores your Faith Charm'd with your constancy resolves to cherish it Aph. Can I believe my Ears Nigr. If you belief So tardy be stay till your Eyes confirm it And when your generous King gives your fair hand To Lewis call your Slave your Oracle Aph. What extasy doest thou inspire But Clarmouâ— Was he the Kings Converter his strange pow'r Both in the Kings and Peoples hearts I 've heard of But his strange kindness in my Cause is wondrous Nigr. No doubt the Prince may have engag'd him in 't But what'ere motive led him on It was a bold and brave attempt T' oppose the passion of a raging King Aph. What Recompence does so much kindness merit Nigr. No more then you can pay Send him your thanks And the Debt's cancell'd Aph. Yes by thee I 'le send 'em Tell him from me how high a sense what value Nigr. Madam my Will exceeds my Pow'r to serve you I doubt my little Eloquence so much That you 'd oblige your humble Slave to trust Your nobler thoughts to Paper Aph. Who waits there Enter Attendant Bring Pen and Paper Exit Attendant and brings in Pen Ink and paper and Aphelia sits down and writes Nigr. I have my wish A Letter does the business Aside Enter Brisac Noble Bâ—isac Bris. How fares our mourning Sister Nigr. Hist I have worâ—t her up â— to a belief Of Clarmounts Friendship and the Kings conversion And you are comeâ—th happy minute to Confirm her in 't Brif The King has sent me hither To Court my Sister for him But the Laws Of Friendship and of Nature ought to be Obey'd before thâ—unjust commands of Kings His Love is Tyranny an Invasion of What Vows Oaths the Seals of Heav'n have made His Brothers right The serving of my Friend And Sister then is a design so just That all the Cheats I use and shapes I take Are pardonâ—d for their glorious cause sake Moved by the tyes of Friendship and of Blood The means are lawful where the end 's so good Aph. Oh my dear Brother welcome Kind Nigrello Tells me my miseries draw near an end The King 's no more my Lover but my Friend Bris. If his wild Loves Conversion is so great What 's his Devotion then that makes the Proselite How great is the obliging Clarmounts Friendship Aph. How great I think it is read there and see Bris. Reads the Letter My Lord My Transports of joy have been such as your favours merited when I consider the furious Love of a Tempestuous King I cannot but reflect on the danger of your kindness in wrestling with that Love and the
betray'd Dum. There 's justice in our Cause Why not our Swords I 'le dye before I 'le yeild Lam. Than dye by me Yeild up your Sword or you shall fall by mine The Guards seize'em Dum. Must we be Prisoners then and Traytors too Lam. No. The first name's enough a name too haish For Souldiers Did not our King command it and the last Too horrid for Man-kind or ought but Devil The disobeying of a Kings so heinous That you deserved your death for your resistance His will is we are Prisoners but for Traytors Poysoners of Kings Know mighty Prince and You Whom Blood and Duty bids our King call Mother We 're injur'd baâ—ely wrong'd Madam from you Queen Yes 't is from Me you have receiv'd the name Of Murderers if you acquit your selves I shall be still the gracious Queen I was Till then expect Oh my much injur'd Lord What Vengeance hangs upon the blood of Kings But what more heavy burden on my heart A load that sinks me Go convey'em hence Let 'em be strictly guarded till to morrow Lam. Fetters or Death are things that we can bear Dum. 'T is not the Wrack that can our courage tame Our only Torture is a â—ullied Name The Queen well knows Queen Oh Sir command 'em hence I know too much to have so tame a sense Of my dear Lords lou'd blood Lam. But Sir Queen Away To Prison strait they kill me if they stay Who patiently can brook a Traytors sight But they who in a Traytors Crimes delight Exeunt Dumane and Lamot forced out by the Guards Enter Nigrello Clotair Madam dry up your tears Expect to hear that Justice done that 's due To a Murder'd Monarâ—hs Blood and Fathers too But to Aphelia first if kind Nigrello Be but successful in this Nights design This Night I 'le in her Arms my Passion Crown But stay My Father dyed but now his Fate calls down For thoughts of Vengeance and my tender breast Should be with dreams of piety possest With thoughts of Blood and Death of Funeral Beds Of Martyr'd Monarchs and of Traytors heads A Mothers Tears and walking Fathers Ghost Disturb'd i' th' other world for what in this was lost These should I think on but to night sleep sorrow For Love to night and for Revenge to morrow The world has much mistaken been to say That walking Spirits love the Night not Day Prisoners as well in Dungeons may delight They 're doom'd to shades and therefore pleas'd with Light It is not Ghosts but Lovers walk by Night Exit Manent onely Queen and Nigrello Queen Their Blood thou seest must for my Crimes be spilt Mine is the Innocence and theirs the Guilt But hold Nigrello say the Cloud we rais'd Should be transparent and my Arts that gave 'Em Fetters have not pow'r to work a Grave Suppose they clear themselves What though the King Has in a heat of fury built his Faith Upon my Tears and has decreed their death Yet when he comes to a more calm debate His senses may be cleared and we may find His Justice when more Tardy is less blind Nigr. Revenge that moves most slowly is most wise When it has fiercest hands has weakest eyes Queen But to dispel that fear be it your care To Poyson'em before their Tryal comes Which done I will give out and get it sworn They Poyson'd their own selves and chose that death T' avoid those fiercer torments that they knew Were to their guilt a Monarchs Murder due Do this and we are safe Perform this act And think what Debts you from your Queen contract Nigr. It shall be done and done without a pause Doubt not my Service in so great a Cause Exit Queen No Monster-Woman neither of 'em Bleeds My Vengeance aimes at more Heroick deeds My Rage shall at the Heads of Princes flye 'T is thou and thy Adulterate Race shall dye Exit Enter Lewis and Brisac Lew. Your Sister not return'd yet This late hour And her strange absense makes me all amazement Brisac My Father Sir is all Distraction for her In pious Rage one while he storms at Her Another at the Court So far i th' Night And his Aphelia â—absent he 's undone Courts are no Sanctuaries She no Vestal Then prays to Heav'n to mend the one and guard The other Lew. For her Virtue that I fear not I know whatever outward force may do Within She has no Traytor The Suns eye Views not a fairer outside nor can Heav'n Inspire a brighter Soul Brisac But Sir Nigrello Has just now sent me word that there 's a business Requires your Company and mine to Night In such a private Chamber for there 's something That 's near my Honour and your Heart in danger Lew. Then 't is no idle fear Shew me the place Ghosts keep your Beds you Centinels of Night Goblins and Specters do not walk your round A general Lethargy seize on this hour Whilst I alone the Watchman of the Night Will wake in spight of Fate Argus thy Eyes To find Aphelia and her Injuries Exeunt Enter Aphelia and Nigrello with a Light Aph. Into what Labyrinth do you lead me Sir Had you not used his Name which is to Me A strength 'gainst Terrour and himself so good Occasion cannot vary nor the night Youth nor his wilde desires otherwise A silent sorrow from my Eyes would steal And tell sad stories for me Nigr. You are too tender of your Honour Madam Leave your vain fears The Prince has no desires But what are just nor does he own that heat Which were you Snow would thaw a tear from you Aph. Is this the place appointed Nigr. Yes I 'le call him Here is a Book will bear you company Till my return Hither I send the King not that I mean To give him time to cool his burning Lust For Lewis shall present him in the fact And thus I shall indear my self to both Lewis enraged I 'm certain will conceive Such mortal hatred 'gainst his Lustful Brother For such an outrage offer'd to his Mistriss As will prepare his breast for the impressions I must make there My skill must faile me if I do not set Thy Crown upon thy Brothers head Clotair Thy Canker'd heart wants Lancing and thy Brother Shall by my Art administer that cure Which France will thank him for Thy Mother too With her Incarnate Devil Clarmount shall be The next whom my Revenge shall damne if Hell Be but as just as I for 't is their Right Hell then be kind and let 's joyn force to Night Exit Aph. Poor Ravisht Philoâ—el thy Lot was ill To meet that Violence from a Brother Enter Clotair in a Cloak Aphelia sits down and Reads Clot. She has Sworn Faith to Lewis and to woe her Into my Arms suppose 't were possible 'T is not a work of so few hours as I have To accompish it The flattery of to morrow Is a smooth Stile for a calm-blooded Lover But Seiges will not down
glory of it in subduing it Pursue the generous Friendship that has been so well begâ—n and take into the number of your Admirers the humblest of yor Servants Aphelia 'T is well his worth too high you cannot raise The first reward of all good deeds is praise She fits down and Seals the Letter Nigr. Those lines with some addition of my own Shall make all my design secure I 'le drive The cheat on with such Impudence and courage That all his furious rage shall not deter me Nor all his arts disprove me Gives him the Letter Aph. Here Nigrellâ— Nigr. I 'le flye to serve you but before I go I ought to tell you that the King intends To visit you and though he comes to take His last farewell to Love yet you must think Lovers quit Ladies just as Garrisons Surrender in their fall their Pride 's so great They willingly would have their yeilding look As little as it can like a defeat The King no doubt though in his vanquisht passion Will make some Love say some kind amorous things And if you 'l take my Councel let your Answers Be mild and gentle Exit Nigrello Bris. The advice is good And you 'l oblige your self if you pursue it 'T is a vain glory that attends a Lover Never to say he quits and when Hope dyes The Gallantry of Love still lives is charm'd With kindness but in shadow takes delight Even in its being deceiv'd Love 's th' only passion Takes pleasure to be flatter'd in dispair Aph. Can a feign'd look or a dissembled smile Oblige so good so generous a King Such Treachery I scorn no he deserves A nobler usage His resigning me To Lewis has so charm'd me that I cannot Pay him too much My Friendship Kindness all The faculties of my Soul but what my Vows To Heav'n and Lewis do except are his Come glorious Lover storm an easie Breast Take all my heart has liberty to part with This brave refigning me has gain'd such pow'â— Lewis had ne're a Rival till this hour Bris. Madam I see him coming take no notice Either of our discourse or his conversion 'T is more than I dare answer it anticipates The Gallantry and the surprize of great Designs to have â—em told e're they are acted Enter King King What Vulture gripes me here Ha what art thou If thou be'st so Jealousy mount and be gone Fly to the vulgar bosom whose cheap thoughts Despair their own performance in a King Thou show'st a Nature retrograde to Honour Suppose She Loves and has vow'd constancy To Lewis must it follow that her heart Cannot be moved 'T is but my fears that say so I 'le boldly on and tire her till she yeild Is She not fair Beauty 's a spark of Heav'n And all that 's Heavenly may be moved 't is only Th' Infernal pow'rs that are inexorable What brow wears our fair Tyrant Is a Brother To Bris. More pow'rful then a King Does â—he unmoved Admit thy Mediation in my Cause Or am I still that unshaped thing whose name Has terror in 't Does still each sound that breaths My hated name strike horrour through her veins And shake that Seat where my proud Brother raigns Bris. I found her not so cruel as I wisht her The Conquest was so easie that my pains In serving you were less then I desired King The Conquest How what say you Bris. Sir the Cloud That hinder'd her the prospect of her bliss Is gone the pow'r of Majesty and Love Has the long mist dispelâ—d She is restored To sense and reason King Is Aphelia kind Bris. Yes to her self She understands the Love Of Kings and why she understood no sooner She does confess her senses have been more Dazled then darken'd King My kind Advocate Oh that I had a Sister for thy sake As Cruel and if possible as fair That I might pay thee back this kindness They Madam who Divinitys approach To her Seek out for prosperous hours to breath their Vows in Which attribute of Heav'n Divine Aphelia Mercy or Justice is the mighty work Of this days fate Have you markt out this hour For lending ear to your Adorers Prayers Or forming Thunder for Offenders crimes Aph. If there is any thing Divine or Sacred Lodged in this Breast 't is Royal Sir your Creature For this poor humble roof cannot be built For such a Guest unless you 're pleased to raise it And if you 'd have me Sainted you of all men Should have lest cause to ask how I 'm inclin'd Who makes the Saint may well expect it kind King I am transported If this sudden kindness Be truth 't is Miracle Bris. If it be false Punish her Treason on her Brothers heart By my Allegiance and my hopes of Bliss She entertains no wish nor thought t' abuse you King This Language speaks thee â—air Aphelias Brother Thy Breath else could not be so near allied To hers to carry so much charm such Heav'n in 't They Madam who would mighty Structures rayse To her Search the Foundation first on which they build The highest flight of my Ambition is To know my pow'r in fair Aphelâ—as heart Enter Nigrello Aph. Your pow'r in that you shall distrust no more 'T is all that Loyalty and Gratitude Can make it my Prophetick thoughts have told me You will be kind and as my Soveraign ought To have disposal of your Vassals Fates And that high Fate you have markt out for me I doubt not will be welcome great and glorious And as I 'm satisfied 't will be all these Great Sir t' obey you shall not only be My duty but my hopes Bris. How prettily They drive on the mistake Nigr. The plot works rarely Bris. But stop 'em e're it goes too far Nigr. Great Sir I 've somthing for your Ear. King Another time Nigr. None but this minute will suffice Your safety And honour are cocern'd King And what of them Be quick I 'm too full of thought to talk Nigr. My story is so fiery that it must Move slow for if it should break out too fiercely It will do Violence to your Ear disturb If not displease you King But it shall not I 've but Just now receiv'd the promise of her heart And do you think it lyes in Fortunes pow'r To shake my quiet at so blest an hour Out with it speak the worst thou hast to say My Joy's too great t' admit of an allay Bris. Let us withdraw perhaps they would be private Exeunt Briâ—ac and Aphelia Nigr. But shall I have yor pardon King Yes dispatch then Nigr. Your Mistrerss is not King What Nigr. Not Chast. King Not Chast Had'st thou ten thosand lives not one of them Should scape my Justice for so damn'd a lye Nigr. You promis'd me my pardon King How thy pardon I would not give 't my Father no not his Ghost Should but his shadow from his Grave rise up To speak but one such word for the Impiety I 'de