his Soul Did it not Traytor Ri. It did it shall my Life then pray be calmer Lau. And have I made thee Lord of all my Wishes Given thee my Wealth and my more valued Love To be deny'd a Triste Base Man dare but be false dare but deny me I 'll Sacrifice thee to my injur'd Charms Tho' thou wert kneeling at the very Altar Give me the Letter Ri. Since nothing else will satisfie you take it 'T is only from Fabiano to Placentia For whom he 's leaving Portugal by stealth You see he begs this may not yet be known Puzzled Then I 'ad a mind to try your Jealous Temper And fear'd it might incline you to misconstrue My Caution in thus op'ning a Love-Letter To one that 's a Dependant on my House Lau. Hah sure you love her or your guilty Mind Which so long labour'd for a faint Excuse Had ne're suggested such prepost'rous Doubts You seem'd surpriz'd too at my sight your Face Had scarce the Pow'r to shape a gay Disguise Ri. To clear at once my Innocence permit me To send for her Who waits Enter Servant Serv. My Lord Ri. Acquaint Placentia that I 'm here and have a Letter for her Exit Servant My Life from yonder Closet if you please You may behold unseen Our mutual hatred in her looks and mine Lau. steps aside Enter Placentia Morella Melinda Ri. aside She 's here This news will strangely grieve her To Pla. You 're well attended Pla. So we shou'd be to come to you my Lord. Your Pleasure Ri. Here 's a Letter from Fabiano who 's fled by Sea Gives her the Letter she reads it Pla. Oh killing News Morel Poor parted Lovers how I pity them Pla. Is he then fled fled without seeing me Fled my Fabiano Oh! 't was too too cruel Thy last farewel wou'd pain me worse than Death Yet I wou'd suffer more for one dear parting look But sure I wrong thee we cou'd ne're have born it How my Soul mourns Some Dream or Angel tell thee My Soul oh no! 't is fled with thee and Grief Alone informs this Widdow'd falling Body falls Morel Rise rise my Dear Mel. Sink not beneath your Sorrows Pla. Let me dye here for I 've out-liv'd my self Break throbbing Heart break now break what not yet Well stubborn Life I 'll punish thee for lasting Melt thee away in Tears and breathe thee out in Sighs 'Till I'm grown of one Substance with my Grave She 's rais'd I 'll drag thee where thou shalt converse with nothing But Walls and Heav'n and Sorrow and his Image Off then gay Dress vain Pageantry away Thou once lov'd House where my Years rowl'd so smoothly Adieu for ever adieu my dear my only Friends Adieu to all but Grief and the dear thoughts of him He 's lost he 's lost and Pleasure is no more Morel Let 's follow her and strive to calm her Mind Ex. Placentia Morel and Mel. Ri. Prevent her going out Aside to a Servant Serv. I will my Lord. Exit Servant Ri. to Laura who comes forward You see the Love between us Lau. Did I not dread her I cou'd pity her Ri. Grieve not for her my Love A Widow'd Nymph of Course a while Despairs But nothing dries so soon as Woman's Tears Clouds dull the Sun then fall apace in Rain And sprightlier Smiles adorn his Face again Such now your doubts are clear'd you shou'd appear And with kind Looks your Injur'd Lover chear Lau. Were those Doubts clear'd Ri. Unkind now I must chide What Jealous still Lau. Still Jealous since still Loving Ri. But I 've a sure way left to ease your Mind Lau. How Ri. Let to Morrow be our Nuptial Day Lau. To Morrow Ri. Yes we 'll wave tedious State Hymen shall bless us Oh! let me seal that Promise on your Lips Thus thus your Doubts shall all be lost in Joys And kiss'd away as oft as they return Lau. Shall I still doubt no tho' I still had Cause I must believe thy dear bewitching Tongue Conduct me home and oh forgive me my Ricardo I cannot bear a Rival in your Heart While Woman must to one confine her Love Why shou'd Man claim the Privilege to rove We cou'd dispense with Change as well as you Women lose more than Men by being true Yet tho' you blame our Sex yours most deceives Man leaves us oft but Woman seldom leaves Be just then urge us not to change of Mind Or give us leave to rove or be your selves confin'd Exeunt The End of the Second Act. ACT III. Enter Placentia in a plain white Dress Morella and Melinda Pla. WHy am I thus detain'd Now in this Dress I 'm fitted for a Cloyster Oh! Fabiano Thou leav'st the Land I 'll leave the World for thee Morel Oh! grieve us not by grieving thus your self Society in Woes will make them lighter But ours grow heavier while we share your Load Pla. I 'd silence my rude Grief wou'd it be silenc'd But tender Love Love newly wean'd and hopeless Will like all other Infants pine and rage Tho' check'd by Reason that denies the Food Enter Ricardo Ri. Where where 's the Chaste Placentia Sisters tell her I 'll crown at last the Vertue which I try'd What all in Tears She too in this mean Dress You feed her Grief Away I say be gone Ex. Mor. and Mel. Leave Tears and Cloysters Madam to those Wretches Whom the World leaves and who must leave the World Who surfeit first then practice Abstinence Turn Nuns and then repent their rash Repentance 'T is true my Brother 's dead Fabiano's gone But I am left more charm'd with your Perfections Pla I pray you leave me Ri. Look not on me as being still the same Behold your Convert Madam 't was impossible To love you and love Vice which you detest You and my change of Fortune have at last Made me reflect and rous'd me into Vertue My Threats were but to try you Pla. I shall rejoyce my Lord to find the Change Tho' t is ill jesting in the shape of Vice For 't will be long before I shall shake off The horror that surprise stamp'd on my Soul In the mean time I beg you 'll give me leave In some Retirement to compose my Mind Ri. Oh! leave me not blest Maid You 're my good Angel That bear me upwards govern my best Thoughts And bid me think of Heav'n and view it in you But if you leave me e're my Callow Vertue Grows fledg'd and strong to soar with outstretch'd Wings Too soon my dead habitual weight of Vice Will make me flag and fall to worse Perdition Take me now save a Soul confirm me yours O save me lest you answer it to Heav'n A Priest a known Priest waits to joyn our Hands Oh come I will not leave you till you 've blest me Pla. What means my Lord Oh Heav'ns what shall I say Yes I will bless you if you 'll let me go But as for marrying you forbid it Love
hatching That I 'm thus brav'd with a forg'd Will 'T is vain Your Reign is out The Fool my Brother 's dead And I 'll command what hitherto I begg'd You 're now my Ward my Prisoner if I please You 're not in those cold Climes where Maids and Wives Rove where they please as shameless as unquestion'd To wrong the dull contented Herd of Men. If you 'll be paid my Mother's Legacy That lavish Gift a Portion for a Princess Your proud pretended Vertue laid aside Meet my Embraces willingly to morrow Or soon by Force you shall Till then think of it Pla. I 'll think on Daggers for the Ravisher To cool his Fires or save my self from shame Yes ev'n the fam'd Lucretia I 'll out-vye Not let the Tarquin force the brutal Joy But kill him first or with my Honour dye Exit Placen Ri. Thou fir'st me so that for Revenge I cou'd I cou'd even marry thee young Fury But at a cheaper Rate I 'll ease my Rage She and my Sisters harden one another In rigid Coyness and in hate of me But they shall Wed and leave this House to morrow Then by Wiles Threats or Force I 'll deal with t'other Who waits Enter Servant Serv. My Lord Ric. Call both my Sisters Serv. Yes my Lord. Exit Servant Ric. I must prepare 'em to receive new Lovers Tho' now few Women need such Preparations Enter Morella and Melinda Ric. Still weeping D' you grieve at my good Fortune Come I 've got Young Husbands for you That I take to be The surest way to dry a Virgin 's Tears To morrow Don Fabiano shall be yours Morella and Don Paulo yours Melinda Mel. aside His lewd Friend Paulo Morel Fabiano poor Placentia's Lover Ric. What Dumb Are they not Noble Rich and Young Morel Oh! Let us hear of nothing Sir but Grief Alas we cannot even think of those My Brother's Choice design'd us once for Husbands Ric. You need not For their hopes like him must dye No more Compose your Looks to meet my Friends Enter a Servant Ser. Don Ferdinand My Lord is just a lighting Ric. aside The Governor He brings his Son Fabiano I 'll meet him Sisters stay till I return Exit Ric. and Serv. Morel Oh! dismal News now we indeed are wretched Compleatly wretched Alas poor Vincentio How soon we feel thy Loss thou best of Brothers Enter Placentia Plac. Dear Orphan Ladies let us mingle Sorrows Alas I 'm an unhappy Orphan too Like you methinks I mourn a Brother's Loss And what 's yet more a Friend 's Morel A Friend 's indeed alas my Dear I doubt Your Tears like ours will flow from several Springs I 'm bid to wed to morrow your Fabiano Plac. Hah But why am I startled and disorder'd Tho' to my Soul 's eternal dear Disquiet We love each other ev'n to meer Distraction My hopes are lost for I must keep my Vow I wish a mutual Love might link your Fates Morel Oh! wish not this my Dear my Heart is fix'd Don Philip or a Cloyster Plac. Fabiano with his Father Oh my Heart I must not stay yet I am rooted here Ric. Sister Morella let my Lord be us'd As his great Merit and my Choice deserve Ferd. Son scorn Ignoble Love See there your better Fate Ri. aside to Ferd. Let 's not seem to observe 'em while he whispers His first Love-Complement All Infancies are bashful And that of Love is most Pla. aside Amazement sure he loves her how they whisper What do I feel 't is more than Love 't is Jealousie I fear Am I then Jealous What of him I 'd lose I will not Sure he came in hopes to see me Away curst Jealousie Thou needless Physick That turn'st our Health to voluntary Sickness I dash thee from me like a Poyson yet I will look Mel. aside to Plac. My Dear you 're Jealous Pla. aside Not at all yet I must gaze I 'm rack'd I cannot bear it Exit Placentia Mel aside I must follow her Exit Mel. Ferd. What 's that bright Vision which now shot from hence Swift as a Star Ric. A falling one a glaring fatal Meteor The worthless Creature of my Mother's Favour Her Fortune ample but her Birth unknown Ferd. 'T is a fair Destruction I blush to own I 've heard my Son was dazled By her deluding Beams This made me hasten To fix him quickly in a nobler choice Which was my Motive to demand your Sister When I engag'd to get your Pardon sign'd Fa. aside to Morel Madam you know the tye upon my Heart The longings of my Soul Placentia's Love My Trust in your kind Pity brought me hither Which all my Father's Threats cou'd scarce have done Then let 's retire since by your gen'rous Suff'rance I may see her once more For if I stay I shall act Love so ill it will betray us Ex. Fa. and Morel Ric. She 's his My Lord The Conqu'ror leads his Prize Ferd. aside Now as I love bright Honour this sight charms me And makes my Age in spight of Time run back 'T is true this Lord has dimm'd his House's Glory But now I hope 't will clear High Birth tho' clouded With fashionable Vices will at last Exert it self and shine Enter a Servant to Ricardo Ser. My Lord a Lady in a Veil desires to speak with your Lordship Fer. My Lord I 'll leave you and in an Hour return Ri. Your Lordship's Servant Ex. Ferd. and Servant To his Serv. Conduct the Lady in I fear 't is Laura But why shou'd I fear She 's kind she 's fair But oh I 'm bound to wed her I on that score was trusted with her Fortune And lost it all at Play She 's heard the News And comes prepar'd to share my Joys I dread her Let me wed nothing but variety But I 'll dissemble yet for tho' when pleas'd She 's smiling as the Morn cool as the Evening And calm as is the Night when urg'd she rages Like the Meridian Sun 's collected Beams Proud of her Charms tho' lavish of her Love Gen'rous and free and daring like a Man But Jealous and Revengeful like a Woman 'T is she Now help me Cunning once to feign A Joy as great as hers My Laura Enter Laura Lau. Fly off my Veil Oh! let me rush at once Into his Heart into his very Soul Ri. My Life my all Lau. Oh let me gaze I cannot speak for Joy-Oh happy Change When the Profuseness of my Love had left me Nothing to give to save thy Life but mine To see thee rais'd at once to Honour Wealth and Freedom From Shame from Death and Ruine 'T is Rapture 't is Delight transcending Words Too vast for Thought and ev'n too strong for Souls 'T is perfect Joy and Pleasure in extream Ri. Oh! do not talk of Honour Wealth and Freedom Your self your self 's the greatest dearest Blessing Lau. In being so to thee thy Laura's blest Life of my Life and Genius of my Soul Thy very Shadow brings
arms and is laid in an Arm-Chair Wom. Oh help my Lady Ri. Run to my Closet I 've rich Cordials there By heavens I pity her Exit Ricardo's Servant Yes from my Soul I do Her Charms her Love Deserve a better fate Oh! I cou'd kill my self My most unhappy fickle self but hold Wou'd that relieve her No Then live Ricardo Live to supply her wants out of Placentia's fortune But how while Laura lives she 'll still obstruct thee Oh! whither am I driv'n Thoughts not so far But if she lives we 're ruin'd both a dreadful truth I feel a strange Remorse Stay Life 's to her a greater pain than Death Then let her dye Down checking scruples Let me tell my Soul 'T is a kind act and necessary mischief Re-enter Servant with a Case of Bottles Ri. opens it takes out one and causes some drops to be pour'd into Laura's mouth Few drops of this will soon restore her sences And in few hours give her eternal rest aside Woman How your hand shakes my Lord. Ri. Alas I 'm much concern'd for her poor Lady See she revives Lau. More cruelly to dye For to the wretched Life 's a punishment And most to me lost hopeless yet still loving Oh women women boast your pow'r no more How soon our pride is humbled first we triumph But oh 't is only with more weight to feel Th' insulting scorn of our Rebellious Slaves Weep Laura weep Think how with this false Charmer Checking thy native haughtiness of Soul Thou cou'dst have liv'd an humble Cottage mate A pattern to all Wives Yet now he slights thee Tho ruin'd for his sake and unpossest Oh let me rave be mad tear tear my hair My face my eyes curse their weak Charms Groan on the ground and grovel till at last It hides me in a Grave Throws-herself on the ground Ri. Pray Madam rise There 's an apartment ready to receive you Lau. Away Think not I 'll stay in this ungrateful House No let me lye expos'd to the bleak Air On the cold pavement in some lonesome street A Lodging fit for my forlorn condition While my poor Children freezing tir'd half famisht With tears and moans pierce the most cruel hearts And with cold scraps feed miserable life Oh dismal dismal thought But 't will not long torment me I shall run mad I hope Yet then I fear As on my Straw I rave a doleful spectacle Still with a sigh to all my Sex I 'll cry Thus thus poor Laura fares for being true Ri. Oh! how this shakes my Soul she shall not dye aside Run fetch Physicians But hold I 'm mad too How will that help her Gently raise her up Then lead her hence to rest They raise her up Lau. It must be to the Grave then Wou'd it were So my curst Rival were but there with me Oh how the thoughts of her inflame my Soul May a wrong'd woman's Curses soon o'retake her Wrinkles Deformity Desires and Scorn Detracting blast her fame worst plagues her Charms Eternal Disappointments Grief Disquiet Confusion Shame and Misery like mine Pursue her and the cause of my Despair Ex. Lau. cum suis. Ri. to himself How my Soul 's rackt shame combating with pity Methinks I see her still and the Bane's working I feel her Pangs I hear her Groans Oh horror Enter Bravoes and Lieutenant Brav. My Lord Ri. to himself It shall not be I 'll save her tho I perish Bra. My Lord He 's lost in thought Ri. to himself But will that ease her Bra. My Lord Ri. Hah Starting Bra. I 've brought the Captain of the Ship our friends Wait with his men without Ri. I thank thee Hell thou hast determin'd me aside Plate Money Jewels and the chief the Women This very night shall all be shipt for Afric To the Bravo Come let 's make all things ready for our flight Then in Placentia's Lodgings seize Fabiano He 'll be an Hostage for our future Pardon Oh Laura But I cannot help thy Fall Necessity makes Villains of us all Exeunt ACT V. Enter Placentia Fabiano Pla. OH haste let 's fly my Lord Ricardo's Threats His busie gloomy Looks his odd Expressions That Lady's wrongs her Rage and all things here Must have convinc'd you 't is unsafe to stay Fa. But oh my Captain Pla. The danger cannot reach him Enter three Bravoes who surprize Fab. take his Sword throw it by and bind him Fa. Ha! Villains by whose orders am I seiz'd 1 Bra. By Don Ricardo's hedesigns no hurt As for you Madam you must now deliver Your Money Plate and Jewels else we 've orders To take 'em all by force Pla. Assist me then Despair aside If there 's no Remedy go with me yonder To them You 'll find much more than e're your hearts cou'd wish 1 Bra. Search ev'ry where while I attend Ricardo Exit Two of the Bravoes run to the place pointed to 'em by Placentia she steps out after 'em locks a door and re-enters immediately Pla. By happy Chance I 've lockt the Villains in While eagerly they rush'd to seize their Prey I must unbind you but I tremble so I scarce have pow'r to do it She begins to unbind him Enter Ricardo hastily with a Dagger in his hand Ri. Hold Pla. and Fa. Hah Ri. Attempt to free him and he dyes Fa. Thus Robbers steal our wealth then leave us bound Ri. You 're robb'd of nothing since she 'd be a Nun Neither shall you be left but go with us Fa. She shall not go Pla. Villain I will not go And rather wou'd be wedded to the Plague Ri. Oh! how that blush of Rage that sullen Grace That scornful smile now blended with a frown That soft Emotion and that wild of Beauty Fire my hot blood It mantles bubbles boyls My full Veins swell and the revulsive Red Whirls flushing o're my face Oh I 'm all transport I must I will be blest The coy Placentia Since she 'll not be my Wife shall be my Mistress Come quickly yield for I 'll this very moment Secure my bliss lest my design shou'd fail Fa. If thou' rt a man unbind and kill me first Ri. Rave on and like the damn'd now feel a hell To see me seize the Heav'n of love by force Pla. Oh save me heav'n Ricardo think of heav'n Fa. Hold Is the man lost in the lustful Brute Thou lookst a man then bear thee now like one Ri. So I intend Come with me or I 'll force you Pulls Pla. while Fabiano is striving privately to unbind himself Pla. Can fruit while immature indulge the Taste Oh! stay do not prophane th' unyielding Tree Kind usage and necessity at last May ripen crabbed hate to gen'rous Love Ri. I scorn the fruit which of itself do's fall I love a pleasure I must struggle for Pla. Your appetite 's deprav'd your Love distemper'd Ri. If 't is deprav'd and t'other a disease Then sweet or sowr the Physick must be taken Besides Resistance will enhaunce the
blessing Insatiate in the Riot of my Joys I 'll bribe or teach or force you to be pleas'd I 'll grasp the trembling panting struggling Maid Grac'd with variety of new disorder Her dress her tresses loose and in her face Roses and Lillies in alternate chase I 'll see her beg and beg to be deny'd With heaving breasts soft looks short balmy Sighs Kind broken words and trickling pearly Tears While my proud Rival by sees rages and despairs Fa. Racks Wheels and Fires must I be still restrain'd striving to unbind his legs Ri. Comply Pla. I must not Ri. Marry me then Pla. Hope Ri. I hate long Sieges 'T is Soldier-like to Storm Pla. But not to storm weak woman Oh! forbear kneels Ri. I 'll stab thee then In a threatning posture then suddenly embraces her Pla. I 'll thank you Ri. When 't is done thou charming stubborn Folly Thou Foe to thy own Pleasure what still foolish Sure I can grapple with you Pla. Oh Heav'n Crush crush us both with Thunder oh my Lord Fa. Curst Sight Death to my Eyes Hell to my Soul I cannot bear it Blast Thunder striek burn tear me or my bands Ha! Now Fate I half forgive thee Rises having freed his Legs comes up to Ricardo Turn Monster Ri. Away fly instant Fate 't is in my hand Thou mayst more safely tempt the greedy Lyon When with contracted Paws he grumbles o're his prey Be gone I never threaten twice Villain stab or desist Pushes Ric. roughly Offers to stab him Pla. steps between Ri. Fond rash fool take thy wish Fa. Hah What means Placentia Pla. To rob you of that blow I want it most Fa. Restraint your danger check distract unman me Oh! my Placentia Oh Ricardo spare her Pla. Oh! my Fabiano Oh Ricardo spare him Ri. Too long I 've trifl'd stand out of Death's way Pla. No strike strike thro my Heart still thus I 'll stand Between the dear unhappy Man and Fate Ri. The dearer he 's the sooner he shall dye Pla. Oh! take the wealth I now was leaving kill me Alas my Death will mend my wretched state And I instead of burying my self living Within the lonesom Walls of some poor Cloyster Will lye more quiet in the silent Grave Forgot among the solitary Tombs But on my knees which fear has scarce left able To bear my Trembling body by your Love By the remaining Tears of this sad day By your best hopes and by your future safety Let me adjure you spare him spare my honour Nor act a Crime you 'd wish undone too late Fa. Down Stubborn Heart bend knees Placentia kneels A Goddess kneels but see a greater wonder Ricardo see thy Rival at thy Feet Not to beg life ah no! I wish to dye Spare her oh spare her Let my blood attone Ri. Something I feel like Pity but I 'll hide it aside Or yield or wed me now or both shall dye To Pla. who holds him by the arm Let go your hold Pla. Oh do no drag me thus Fa. Bound as I am I 'll strive to snatch thy Dagger Fa. with both his hands seizes Ricardo's Dagger They struggle Ri. falls She gets his Sword and points it to his breast Ri. Hah Pla. Now Villain tremble Stir and thou dy'st Ri. Oh do not kill me I 'm not fit to dye Pla. Nor ever wi lt therefore unfit to live What shou'dst thou fear thou' rt all a Devil already Thy lowest fall can be but into Hell Ri. Oh that 's uncharitable Pla. Then that 's like thee Infection 's busie where you breathe Dye Pla. offers to kill Ri. Fa. hinders her Fa. Hold dear Placentia let me interpose I'll shield him but to punish him my self Pla. No his Sword must let out his tainted blood Ri. Let not blood stain your Innocence Pla. A Monster 's blood ne'r stains the hand that sheds it Ri. Can a Virgin do this Pla. A Virgin wrong'd can more Ri. 'T is not her office to be cruel Pla. But 't is ev'ry one's office to do justice Ri. Oh! you are pious and you must forgive Pla. Now you can preach that pity you deny'd Ri. Oh! 't was excess of Love that urg'd my Crime Pla. Thou never hadst that goodness as to love Dye Virtue strikes not I. Fa. Hold Madam free my hands I 'll kill him then Pla. Why venture twice your life against a Villain Fa. What can I have to lose when you are lost Ri. aside I hate this lingring Thus I 'll scape or dye Starts up suddenly and runs out Pla. Ha! now he 's scap'd and 't is our turn to fear Fa. I 'll fly for help unbind me Enter Morella Melinda and two of their women Morel We 've heard a dismal noise Fabiano bound Pla. 'T is now no time to talk secure that door They bar the doors on the side where Ri. came out Theft Rape and Murder are at hand Some of you ring the Bell it may bring help They unbind Fabiano who takes up the Sword Fa. Quick call the Captain now his wound is bound Tho lame he may assist Exit Serv. Ri. without Open the door Fa. No not to Thieves and Ravishers Ri. without We 'll break 'em open then Knocks and wrenches without Morel Heaven send us succour first Pla. I fear it much The Bell is rung Enter Captain supporting himself on a stick Fa. Why then I can but dye for you Placentia Cap. Talk not of dying Sir but of defence Let 's keep close by the passage There we shall better make our party good The door is burst open the Women shriek Enter Ricardo Bravoes Sailers and Lieutenant Ri. Fall on Ri. and the Bravoes fight Fa. and the Capt. who give way by degrees till the Lieutenant finding his Capt. there falls on the Bravoes and with the help of the Sailors disarms them and Ricardo Lieu. Our Captain 's here fall on the Rogues Cap. My men are here beyond my expectation Ri. Betray'd by cursed Pyrates Cap. Lieutenant what 's the matter Lieu. Our Brigantine Sir was o're-pow'r'd by Villains So many of our men being on shore They came upon us so at unawares There was no other help but joyning with them I told them I was a revolted Pyrate Who would be glad of such good company And thus since that I 've trac'd them in their mischiefs Being resolv'd to seize 'em when my men Were got together as they are now Fa. Where is the Moor Lieu We cannot find him yet Fa. Bind all the Villains and confine Ricardo Enter Don Vincentio undisguis'd with Attendants Vin. Forbear presumptuous Lord Fa. How Don Vincentio living Mol. and Mar. Hah 't is my Brother's Ghost Ri. Risen from the Grave Vin. Why d' you all shun me But perhaps you ought Yet tho much chang'd I am Vincentio still Pla. Alive oh grant it heav'n Vin. You 've been impos'd upon I find Ri. Oh my dear Brother how I mourn'd for you Runs to embrace him Pla. Come I 'll believe he lives
tho 't were a Dream That I may know one joyful Moment more The Ladies and Ri. run to embrace him he makes 'em sign to forbear Vin. Spare Compliments It is your love I 'd have When I am sure of that the rest is needless Ri. My Lord your Ear a moment Ri. whispers Vin. Vinc. I find there have been strange disorders here Placentia as for you I hear you 're grown An absolute disposer of your self Pla. Ah can your Soul more than your face be chang'd You did not use to meet our joys this way Oh! my best Lord upon my knees I beg That Calumny may not possess your Soul Vin. aside How am I chang'd indeed I can stand by And see Placentia kneel Oh! jealousy Thou hast perverted all my noble nature Thou drov'st out flatt'ring hope when most secure And all my Gen'rous passions follow'd it Fa. Do's it become Placentia thus to kneel my Lord Vin. If you dislike her low Condition raise her Fa. So I can Sir and to as high a pitch As yours tho mounted thus in all its pride Vin. My Lord you 've in my absence stoln a Jewel To F. aside I priz'd above my life my very being Restore it me again on your Sword 's point And by the Grove where I kill'd rash Don John Fa. to him I 'll meet you say no more Rise noble Maid Pla. No I will grow to Earth except my Lord Turns merciful again and hears me speak Vin. aside Hopes of Revenge have beat out jealousy And I 'm my self again Ah lovely Maid To what but Heav'n shou'd so much Beauty kneel Oh! I was mad Placentia quickly rise Or I shall sink into the Earth for shame His words made no impression on my Mind Ri. My Lord pray keep your Temper nor suspect me For I have proofs I wish the Moor were here He first betray'd their ill designs to me Vin. Why then ye equal judges hear him speak I am the Moor do you start base Traducer But thou' rt below my Thoughts 'T is you Placentia I now must chide Why Cruel fair Why will you thus shut out your lovely self From all the World I prize no other Wealth And wou'd you wou'd you steal your self from him Who without you must dye for oh Placentia None can divide the Body from the Soul Yet make that Body live Pla. Alas Vows firm as fate for ever part us Vin. Yet stay That I may see you shine at Court Pla. Ah no! my Lord vertue shines best in Cloysters Vin. But oh if you 're resolv'd to live recluse And make your fond Vincentio miserable Why must another offer you to Heav'n Pla. You shall dispose of me My Lord my heart Is by a secret charm bound to Fabiano But yet its Duty must be wholly yours Vin. Oh! break that cursed charm or else deny All thoughts that prompt a friendship or respect Respect was welcome from you when I thought None had a stronger Tye upon your Soul But that respect is now below contempt Pla. Oh! tho I love him Vin. Oh unspeak those words Ten thousand Vipers stung me at the sound Ten thousand thoughts all wild all black all dismal Work my mad Brain Oh say you love him not You weep you are dumb you will not Cruel Maid Teach me yet Pow'rs to move her Oh I wou'd invoke Men Angels Friends to wrest him from her heart But 't will be vain how long have I not su'd Hours Days Months Years are past yet still she 's Marble I 'll dye then yes but first my Rival shall I 'm ripe for ruin like some batter'd wall But haughty Foe I 'll crush thee with my fall Fa. Kill me I 'll thank you for I 'm hopeless too But live my Lord and think me not your foe Nothing but barbarous wrong done to Placentia Cou'd make me draw my Sword against my friend Vin. Must I be wicked e're I can be eas'd Take take your friendship back Oh why am I thus curst My Brother a base wretch my Friend my Rival And what 's yet worse a Rival lov'd Oh Tortures But what most racks my Soul this very evening I thought my self the happy'st man on earth From such a hope in full career to bliss Thus to be hurried down a precipice To dash on deep despair It kills my reason Confounds my Brains my Heart and tears my very Soul Flings himself on the ground Pla. Compose his mind good Heav'n Morel Rise my dear Brother Mel. Oh why will you lye thus Vin. Oh why indeed indeed my sword my sword shou'd end me and my pain rises and draws his Sword Fa. Hold are you mad Takes his Sword from him and others hold him Let Reason end 'em and preserve your Life Vin. Away Life 's my worst foe and you the next Think not t' impose it on me Reason's self Nay Patience says my ills are past her cure Oh harship I 'm ev'n deny'd the priviledge of dying Then hear thou heav'n why sleeps thy thunder end me Delay not thus my wisht for Dissolution Oh rid me of Intolerable Life Fa. Forgive your Friends and live my Lord. Vin My Friends wou'd you be thought my Friend Fa. Yes from my Soul Vin. Then dare be such and rid me now of Life Fa. Wou'd that be like a Friend Reflect my Lord Exert your Soul and bear like your great self Vin. Will you not kill me then Fa. Were ev'ry door to ease shut up but Death Unwillingly I wou'd Vin. There 's no other Fa. Then I must be cruelly kind draws his Sword Pla. My Lord Fa. Madam forbear Let one friend ease another Vin. Well said Come take your Sword my Friend and lay its point close to my Breast Fa. gives him back his Sword That when I do you the same hated Office We both may fall at once Vin. What both forbid it friendship I dare not buy my ease at your Life's Cost Fa. See whither passion hurried you my Lord Were wilful Death an ease shou'd you deny it him That gives it you for I too am most wretched But Life 's the Gift of Heav'n and we must wait Till heav'n commands it back to gain a better Vin. Oh! you have touch'd my Soul Come to my Arms I 'm reconcil'd to wretchedness to Life Nay ev'n to you Tho Rivals we 'll agree Let 's all three joyn as partners in affliction Till heav'n be mov'd while nature mourns to find Three hearts so wretched yet so truly kind Enter Zemet Zem. My Ld Don Ferdinand with guards was forcing Entrance But hearing you 're return'd wou'd only kiss your hand Fa. My Lord conceal me lest I be detain'd Vin. to Fab. Retire into that Room Go bring him in To Zem. Exit Fa. and Zemet severally Enter Don Ferdinand with Zemet with him Fer. Welcome my Lord to Portugal that mourn'd The brave Vincentio's loss The King himself Has worn a noble sorrow for your Death And doubtless will rejoyce to see you contradict That most
me in my fancy'd greatness But now my base original my Crimes My shame call for severer punishments The Rack shou'd stretch my Limbs and show me death in view Then pull the blessing back that I might long be tortur'd Then let me starve with those poor helpless Orphans Whom I have robb'd of the support their dying Father left Lau. Oh now thou 'st touch'd my Soul And laid my Crimes as well as thine in view I I was left entrusted with the Care How shall I meet my Husbands shade methinks I see his angry Ghost he frowns oh hide me Forgive blest soul forgive a poor deluded Woman But oh my Children how can you forgive me Yet once more let me see 'em stay I dare not Oh dismal fâ—â—e a dying mother dreads to see her Children Ri. Oh not to you to me they owe their Ruin Oh me on me alone shou'd Vengeance fall Add to my torments heav'n so they have ease Oh! tho' she curst me still tho' she ne're knew 'T was for their good I strove to wed Placentia I 'd bear an age of Hell to mend your fates Lau. Amazement his guilt lessens Can it be He pities me pities my Children too Take back thy pity take it back Ricardo It gains so much upon my easy heart That I shall wrong my self and give thee mine Ri. Pity'd am I then pityd oh thou goodness If thou can'st pity sure thou can'st forgive But oh the poyson That must wake Heav'ns Vengeance And seal the ears of mercy Lau. T was Charity to kill me but thy falshood Was a worse poyson to my doating heart Yet we 've all faults Alas we all want mercy We must forgive heav'n pardon thee and me Ri. What do I hear Lau. But fly my Children's sight may force forgiveness back Ri. Is that forgiveness see I bleed apace Oh pardon e're I dye Lau. Oh! I've a vice of mercy in me Ri. Let me Embrace your Knees breath out my Soul Embraces her knees Enter Children Lau. My Children off away pushes him away Ri. I dare not see 'em and I cannot leave her throws himself on his Face Lau. Away you dearfond wretches Why d' you cling I 've ruin'd you but oh I 'm ruin'd worse Poor Innocents they little know their misery I feel it double for them wretched Mother Oh had my Woes fall'n only on my self I 'd think 'em gentle but this worse affliction Intail'd on you poor helpless guiltless Orphans It turns my Brains distracts me 'T is too much Oh dreadful change oh vanity of life Death is the only blessing a fond Mother She falls and then she sees the Dagger by her and takes it up privately Can wish her dearest Children ha the Dagger Do's not Fate hint by this I ought to ease ' em Must they be left to want to beg to starve I 'll do 't but oh what Arm can hurt such sweetness I cannot strike I cannot bear their Looks But must they live to curse me shame their name And dye perhaps an ignominious Death No I must strike 1. Child Pray mother don't look so indeed it frights me Oh pray ben't angry oh I 'll hug and kiss you Lau. Away we 're ruin'd and we ought to dye 1. Child Oh my dear Mother live We 'll beg for you Lau. Beg cou'd you Beg 1. Child Yes for our dearest mother Lau. Oh this disarms me Live my dearest Children Live and be happier you instruct your Mother She throws away the Dagger and embraces her Children And I too ought to Live If there be means but oh the poyson It works hah it shoots Hell into my Blood I am all wound My head my breast I burn Heart I cleave my sides Brains burst my skull help help Oh gently gently They offer to help her Ri. Oh horror Curse thy sufferings off on me Thou martyr'd Goodness hurl your Bolts you Powers Grind grind me into dust And on each atom double all her pains So Laura's eas'd Ricardo will not murmur Lau. Oh! give me ease where 's Death The Coward dares not come affrighted at my torments My Brâ—â—th's a fire Help Water Ice Heav'n pity me Give 〈◊〉 some of the cold my Children are to suffer Lieut. Take hence these innocents too much they move Lau. Oh pity them I call'd on Death and lo he 's come at last But oh the thoughts of them makes me now welcome him With that sad heaviness that sinks despairing Sinners Oh Heav'n Oh my Children Dyes Wom. She 's dead she 's dead Ri. Hah and do I still live Be dry my Eyes and you my Wounds weep faster Oh let me look and sigh my last at once Oh killing sight when shall I overtake thee Thou only fair Oh! never never never 'T is not for guilt like mine to mount with thee I feel my self in Hell and mercy's self Can never stoop so low Fain wou'd I pray ha a Grim Vision frights me Oh heav'n oh save me hah a hand is stretcht To raise me up to heav'n let me get hold But oh dark vapours rise between I cannot see it Re-enter Ferdinand and a Servant No News yet of Vincentio Oh most dismal sight Fer. Remove that Scene of Grief force off that wretch Ri. Oh you shall never part us No I will I will Be joyn'd with her at least in Death Oh Laura Laura Laura is carried off Ricardo follows bolding by the garments but is forced off faints falls and is carried off Fer. A doleful Scene but where 's my Lord Vincentio I dread some greater mischief from his Stay Enter Zemet Zem. Run find Placentia Don Vincentio's coming A Conqu'ror o're his noble self at last Exit Servant He brings my Lord Fabiano to be blest Fer. My Son Enter Vincentio and Fabiano at one Door Placentia Morella and Melinda at the other Vin. Love's sacrific'd at last to Reason Take her She 's yours my Lord. Fa. Oh 't is too much at once oh rapture oh Placentia Pla. Oh my lov'd Lord He embraces her Fa. My Life my Soul oh I am lost in Bliss and suffer with delight Thou kind omnipotence forgive my doubts I thought thou cou'dst not thus have blest a mortal My Lord my Father kneels to his Father Fer. Oh my dear Son be blest and let my tears Now speak my Joy as once they did my Grief Vin. Thus Providence has wrought my desperate cure Oh! you no more my Mistress nor my Rival Live happy Long be crown'd With blessings which no single state can give My heart has fed so long on hopeless Love That it wou'd surfeit shou'd it feed on other Glory shall be my Darling Mistress now Off then soft frenzy let me rouze my Soul In martial Fields let Fame possess it whole While all who know whence sprung these dangers here Learn from small Crimes great mischiefs to beware Ex. Omnes FINIS Books Printed for D. Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple-bar 1 THe Canterbury Guess Or a Bargain broken A