of Hope They plunge me in eternal black Despair Agn. The Princess dy'd for me it is but just My Death should in return preserve his Life Who was the dearest thing to her on Earth Prin. Preserve it 't is the surest Blow of Fate Death comes with more than double force through you Agn. Dear Prince for I in Death may call you so Talk not of Dying least you anger Heav'n Who shows itself concern'd that you shou'd Live By thus miraculously guarding you Your Thanks are due for that peculiar Care And to your Stars for timely taking from you One they foresaw would prove your Life's Incumbrance Disturb your Joys breed Envy Hate Confusion A Nation 's Murmurs and a Father's Anger Prin. All Triffles to thy Loss thou brightest Blessing Ah art thou gone speak once again my Soul Agn. How have you Charm'd my fleeting Spirits back I felt unusual Glowings at my Heart It warm'd and kindled into Life again But Death extinguishes the new-born Fire Ah lovely Prince must I for ever lose you Dies Prin. For ever are you then for ever lost I 'm torn with racking Griefs ineffable Oh let me pour my 〈◊〉 on the World Tear up this guilty Fabrick from its Center Destroy all Nature but 't is done already She 's gone and Earth's a Chaos all Confusion Where shall I wreck my Vengeance where on what On whom but on thyself for whom she dy'd This only Sacrifice can make Attonement As the Prince is going to fall upon his Sword Lorenzo with others Enters Lorenzo holds him Lor. Just Heav'n forbid that were a Blow too fatal Great Sir on your's the Kingdom 's Fate depends Your Life 's it's Safety and your Fall it's Ruine Prin. No Kingdom not a World shou'd make me live Thou do'st but lengthen out my Woes a moment Enter King Attend. K. What dismal Scene is this of Bloud and Horror Prin. Horrid and Bloudy yet imperfect still Alvaro has perform'd the saddest part But I am to compleat the Tragedy Struggles Lor. He 'll force himself away I cannot hold him Prin. Barbarous Friends oh Father if you Love me Why do you keep me from the only Good Why wou'd you have your Son be miserable K. Hop'd you to live in Luxury and Ease Courted by Joys and Pleasures without end Did you ne'r hear of Pains and Cares in Life That thus Misfortunes seize you unprepar'd How were you going by so mean an Action To blot out all the Great Ones of your Life Your Valour never made you do before But what a Coward sometimes does for fear 'T is in these Wars the Combats of the Mind Where Courage from false Brav'ry is distinguish'd And if you fly from them to Death 't will show There was danger which you durst not meet Prin. What ever Man can bear I dare Encounter It was not Fear nor Despiration arm'd me But hopes to overtake her mounting Soul Who wou'd not follow such a charming Guide Tho all that 's Gay or Great entic'd 'em back But I can Die without the help of Weapons I wrong'd my Love by making that Attempt As if I thought it wonted Strength to Kill me 〈◊〉 wait the ling'ring leisure of my Grief Thus kneeling at thy Feet sigh out my Soul And grow a Statue to adorn thy Tomb. K. His Grief oppos'd wou'd only rage the more When at full heigth 't will fall again of course Our greatest Passion 's have their ebbs and flows Were Nature constant she 'd destroy herself So strong her Motions they 'd overthrow her But fiercest Transports soonest moderate grow Thus to our Frailty we our Safety owe. Exeunt Omnes FINIS
but what can that avail After these brags 't would make you but despise me For your own Interest than let me advise ye Doom not our Author's first Essay to fall For fear her Eyes revenge it on you all For beark ye among Friends 't is whisper'd here Our Poetess is Virtuous Young and Fair But that first Epithet I must leave out 'T will please but very few of you I doubt Then let it pass Yet sure not nam'd in vain For Virtue must that shining Circle gain Her other Charms may captivate the rest Each fancying her what form wou'd please him best But stay I fear this airy bribe won't move You are not made for dull Platonick Love Well we may hope in time she 'll more disclose That 's if you like what 〈◊〉 at first she shows Applaud her then for Curiosity She only sculks to be from Censure free Admire her strength of Judgment praise her Wit And croud each Night the Boxes and the Pit Pufft up with her success she 'll soon appear And lay aside her Modesty and Fear Which Women oft have parted with for you But to dear Vanity they 're always true Drammatis Personae MEN. King Mr. Sympson Prince Mr. Powell Alvaro Mr. Verbruggen Lorenzo Mr. Cibber Diego Officer and Creature of Alvaro Mr. Hill Pedro Officer and Creature of Alvaro Mr. Mills WOMEN Princess Mrs. Temple Agnes de Castro Mrs. Rogers Elvira Sister to Alvaro Mrs. Knight Bianca Mrs. Kent Messenger Attendants and Guards SCENE The Palace of Coimbra in Portugal Agnes de Castro ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Elvira and Bianca with a Paper in her Hand Elvira THIS was a lucky accident Bianca It will be noble Mischief Bianca I long to know the issue Elv. It must be good That Poison Jealousie Destroys the strongest Bonds of Blood or Friendship Constantia cannot think the Prince loves Agnes But she must hate and treat her as a Rival Or cou'd she be so tame to keep her here Distrust and coldness Rival-ship will breed Which Agnes is too haughty to endure And though not sent will soon return to Spain Bianca That will be pleasing news to all the Ladies Who envy her the Princesses Affection Elv. Was it not an Affront to all the Court To bring her here as in defiance to us As if she thought none of us worth her Love Not one in Portugal for her Converse Bianca Their being bred from Infancy together Might make it difficult to separate And then their near Relation Elv. A Princess must have none She came to wear the Crown of Portugal And then shou'd have renounc'd all other Claims She ' as now new Friends new Country new Relations And shou'd forget the Old not be a Spaniard here Bianca These lines will make her wish she had forgot ' em Methinks I pity her Elv. All that can contribute to Plague the Prince Is grateful to my Thoughts I know his temper The Princesses regrets will most torment him And then to lose his Mistress shall I see The faithless Traytor who abandon'd me Punish'd in the same kind Lose her he Loves That that 's the pleasing part Bianca Not all you 〈◊〉 Contriv'd or Wish'd to happen Cou'd more effectually have punish'd both Fortune indeed has laid a brave Foundation Whereon to Build what Hate can make you aim at Elv. But I must raise the Structure and I 'll do 't With so much Care with so much Artful Strength Not all their force and cunning shall destroy it Revenge is Justice Born in Noble Souls 'T was some mean Spirited Fool that first taught Patience Weak Cowardice that Preach'd up dull Forgiveness And call'd the lasie Impotence a Virtue Bianca 'T is Vice to leave such Injuries unpunish'd 'T would make all Men be Faithless as the Prince If Women bore their Wrongs without return Elv. Ye Gods Was I a Trifle to be plaid with Fit but to entertain his leisure hours But I 've recall'd the Heart he Fool'd away And now 't is fill'd with Fury and Revenge He 'll find Elvira can do more more than amuse him Bianca Madam What method in this great design Will your just Anger take Elv. Bianea I have found thee Faithful And may have need of thee Bianca Madam Did not my Inclination tie me Your Bounty has engag'd me to your Service Elv. Be confident of what I can do for you I know Antonio fain wou'd Marry you But that his Friends oppose it I 'll make your Fortune fit for such a Match Which Love or your Ambition makes you Covet Bianca Let your Commands be 〈◊〉 so hazardous I will not fail t' Obey you Elv. I can't resolve on what I have to do Till I shall know the Princesses Resentments She 's wishing with impatience for your coming Fond of discov'ring what she 'll grieve to find Be sure seem not to know what 's in the Paper Bianca By no means Madam Elv. I 'll to my Brother And tell him of the Prince's Love to Agnes I know his boundless Rage and Jealousie Will soon inspire him with some Resolution That must be fatal to the Prince or Agnes For bating his fond Passion to that Maid His ev'ry Thought bespeaks him of my Blood Bianca His Favour with the King may be of use The Kingdom 's rul'd by Don 〈◊〉 Will. Elv. His Power indeed is almost absolute And if he be my Brother he 'll improve it But I delay I 'll strike with Fortune whilst she 's in the Humour She shall not have the time to change her Mind Follow her close and she 'll be always kind Too proud to wait sh' as ever shun'd the Wise They pause so long that to the thoughtless Fools she flies Ex. severally SCENE II. The Princess's Apartment The Princess sitting in a Melancholly posture Agnes entring to her Princess My Agnes Art thou come My Souls best Comfort Thou dear Relief to my oppressing Cares My Griefs have lost already half their force They vanish at thy sight like Mists before the Sun Agnes What Mists what Clouds are these 〈◊〉 respread your Soul Which do like those that wou'd obscure the Sun Whilst they but seem to darken the bright Mind Cast a sad Gloom on all the World beneath In pity Madam then Shine out to chear us For all must be unhappy whilst you Grieve Princess Ah! Agnes ah The 〈◊〉 This day the Prince Agnes Must leave you Is that your cause of Sadness He 'll soon return with Glory and Success I saw you Madam in the heat of Love When you had scarcely lost the name of Bride The Prince call'd from you by an eager Foe Train'd up in War resolv'd for Death or Conquest I saw you part from him with less Despair Far less afflicted than I see you now Princess My Secrets all are thine Forgive me Agnes That I have hitherto 〈◊〉 this conceal'd And let it prey upon my Bleeding Heart Till it is e'en devour'd but take it now I fear the Prince Whom better than my
King I 'll find a way t' abate this Insolence Goes from her Don Pedro you must hasten your departure Follow me to the Gallery we 'll talk a while Prince I attend you Sir Madam I 'll see you in the Palace-Garden Exit K. Prince Al. Agnes What fatal Planet govern'd at my Birth Which now begins its baleful Influence With Cruelties so great they rather seem The last Effect of torturing Tyranny The Finishment of a long study'd Curse Princess You amaze me Agnes Can there be Misery more compleat than mine Forc'd by my Stars for ever from your Highness In whom I 'd center'd all my happiness The wild effects of this unhappy Face Drives me to search for some obscure retreat Where it may never more create such Plagues Fatal to you to me and Innocence Princess Can you resolve to leave me then Alas Thy absence will be far more fatal here Instead of rend'ring me my Husband's Heart Wou'd he not hate me as the Cause of it Wou'd he not fly to you where-e'er you were And wou'd it not be Savage Cruelty To rob a Lover so Unfortunate Of all the poor relief is left his Love Agnes My Honour Madam is not here secure The King already does believe me guilty Princess I know thee Agnes and shall ne'er accuse thee For my sake bear the rest Agnes What is it for your sake I wou'd not bear Witness th'all-seeing Pow'rs that know my Heart If by my Marriage I cou'd give you back That love which barb'rous Fate has rob'd you of Though Don Alvaro's horror to my Eyes Though my Soul loaths him by Antipathy I 'd break through those strong Bars which Nature 's fix'd And Sacrifice my own for your repose But that alas cou'd never cure the Prince Still he wou'd look on me with Criminal Eyes And I am accessary whilst I stay Princess The Crime 's to me I can absolve thy guilt Dear Agnes if thou 'st ever lov'd thy Friend Give not the Prince this Subject of Despair My Life is ty'd to his his Grief is mine Agnes You are the sole Disposer of my Actions But Madam think weigh well e'er you Command What dangerous mischiefs may attend my stay Princess None that can equal that of losing thee Compar'd to it all Ills are but a Name Agnes Govern'd by you I will believe all safe Tho' my sad Soul some dreadful thing forebodes What may not Don Alvaro undertake Encourag'd by the King whom I 've incens'd He 's Base as Great and all is to be fear'd From one whom want of Pow'r alone restrains In what the most irregular desire Princess Be satisfy'd whilst I am thy Protectress The Prince by this time may be in the Garden He is to pass that way Instruct me as we go In all that pass'd betwixt the King and you From thence I 'll take my measures Exit Princess and Agnes Elvira How stupidly she hugs the Poys'nous Serpent She must be sharply stung before she 'll wake Sure if she thought her Rival did betray her She 'd shake her off for all this foolish fondness Bianca The difficulty is t' inspire that thought The Princess is possess'd with a belief Of Agnes's Virtue which her last request Of leaving her must needs have much confirm'd Elvira But what if I should play the Anti-Bee And from this Nice Romantick Honour draw A Poyson to destroy her good Opinion Bianca That were a Master-piece of Art indeed Elvira 'T is the peculiar cunning of our Sex To make Good Ill and Ill for Good appear And things which seem directly contrary We turn and use to compass our designs I 'll write a Note as from the Prince to Agnes It shall express a free converse with her And joy for having overcome her Scruples Then beg her to obtain his Wife's consent On the pretence of shunning him to leave Coimbra That he may see her with more easie freedom Than watchful Eyes wou'd e're permit him here This you shall take an Opportunity Be sure it be the first to give the Princess Tell her you saw it drop from Agnes's Pocket And watch her ev'ry motion when she reads I 'll instantly about the mighty work Such Joys I find in others Misery If all were Damn'd Hell wou'd be Heav'n to me Ex. the Scene 〈◊〉 Enter as in a Gallery the King Prince Alvaro and Attendants Prince Were the Audacious Rebels boasted Pow'r Encreas'd by twice the number which they bring And ev'ry single Foe of Gyants strength I wou'd not doubt success in such a Cause Confcience does half our Work A wild dismay Disables ev'ry Paricidial Arm. King Thy well-prov'd Va'our gives me surer hopes Which in thy softer Youth was bravely try'd Against the powerful fierce Alboacen I saw my Son do feats beyond his Age Whilst ev'ry stroke the Soldiers rung his name He seem'd to fire their Courage raise their hopes And bring the Foe inevitable Death Prince They have not Sir forgot what you perform'd You taught us all the way to Victory King I think they never saw me fly from danger Go as my Gen'ral quell this rash Rebellion But Prince subdue your self and be my Son Prince If I do ought unworthy of that Name May I become the Vilest Peasant's scorn King Spoke from the Heart I dare believe my Son Go and return a double Conqueror Prince Commanded thus I dare all opposition To morrow's dawn full Victory shall bring For Virtue for my Father and my King Exit Prince King Am I a King Alvaro Alvaro Great Monarch King By Heav'n your scornful Mistress braves my Pow'r Disdains my Favourite slights my Noblest Gifts I bear it all and yet I am a King Alvaro No Monarch's Pow'rs so vast as Woman's Empire The Conquerors of the World submit to them King 'T is but a Voluntary Condescension They have no right to govern in themselves And yet ungenerously the Tyrants use That Pow'r to our Destruction which we give Alvaro Something they have beyond what we have giv'n A strange ascendant unaccountable From Nature or by Witchcraft over Men I call'd my Pride and Reason to my aid So arm'd methought I cou'd defie her Charms Yet spight of both I trembled when she frown'd Gods Though I hate her must I still obey King 'T is in your choice t' obey or be obey'd What she denies your Prayers by Force obtain Don Pedro's absence favours the Design And when she 's in your pow'r you 've nought to fear He 'll lose his hopes by seeing her your Wife She 'll make a Virtue of Necessity and dutifully seem at least to love I need not sure instruct a Lover more Alvaro Divinity on Earth how graciously You order all things to your Creature 's with But first I 'll see this Coy this haughty Fair Thô Pride 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 More reasonable Pride on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 May shew her all the Bounty of a 〈◊〉 In most magnificent prevailing Pomp King This Moment she and Portugal shall know That but in
if their Rivalship had made 'em dear Nor did she meet her Lord with greater Kindness As soon as he appear'd Agnes desir'd Permission to retire which she obtain'd Th' occasion fairly offer'd I observ'd And waited only till the Prince had ended His last Endearments which were short but kind Then I approach'd the Paper in my Hand And to my Wish she ask'd me what I held I told her 't was a Letter Agnes dropp'd Just when she left her Highness I 'll give it her th' unwary Princess said And took it with an Air so unconcern'd As plainly shew'd she fear'd not what she found And that a friendly Freedom made her read it No Spark of jealous Curiosity Elvira Dull senseless peice of Earth and then she smil'd As pleas'd her Friend took pity of her love Or wept for Grief that she disturb'd their Joys Say How did it affect her Bianca She neither wept nor smil'd but as surpriz'd A Momentary Red o'respread her Face Soon as that disappear'd she only sigh'd And read it twice with all her nat'ral Temper Then with a Voice and Aspect won'drous mild She gave Command that all without exception Shou'd be deny'd admittance to her Chamber Agnes came often there but was refus'd Which seiz'd her with so violent a Grief As shew'd her love surpass'd the Princesses Or that her Moderation was far less Elvira The Princess is a singular Example Of Apathy which Stoicks preach'd in vain For Nature's Laws were still more strong than theirs But sure Constantia's of another Kind Not made of the same Elements with us Or Nature forming her forgot the Fire Oh! cou'd I but infufe with that cold Mass Th' excessive part of Spirit which boils o're And burns within with more than needful Force ' Twou'd heat her to a generous active Rage Which soon wou'd free her from that Curse a Rival I wou'd for such a Change compound with Heav'n For all the Blessings meant to be my Lot But Miracles like that are only wrought to ruine me My Brother is transform'd for my Destruction That noble Pride is 〈◊〉 that haughty Soul Which look'd on all below it with Disdain Is now subjected to a Womans Scorn I met him going to that Sorceress Joyful to lay new Honours at her Feet And be again despis'd Spight of her Slights He swears he 'll marry her by Force if she refuse Gods must she have all Hearts which I wou'd claim Why were our jarring Fates so nearly set One Heart can never long contain two Things So incompatible as Agnes and Elvira No nor the World or She or I must leave it Bianca Will not her Banishment suffice Elvira Her Banishment What to my Brothers Arms Poor spirited Alvaro's grown so mean He 'd take her from the Prince's Bed to his Hell and Confusion Must she be his Wife Bianca Rather than hope to be in time the Prince's Elvira Both's Death to me and both must be prevented Bianca Have you consider'd Madam your Design The Danger and the Shame that must attend it Elvira So Agnes be involv'd in equal Fate I wou'd not stop tho Hell were in my way 'T is past Dispute she dies what e're oppose This Day shall end the Triumphs of her Eyes This Day be sacred to Revenge for ever We 're certain now to find her and alone Her Friendship is too nice in such a breach To let her visit or be visited Go you prepare with haste and secreey Horses and fit Disguises for us both That we may fly Coimbra if suspected My Brother and Lorenzo both have Interest And both Concern enough to gain my Pardon Then Agnes has provok'd the King so far He 'll easily forgive a Death he wishes If not the World affords us choice Retreats Countries that much surpass our Portugal Where we may live as great and more secure But let what will befal me thou shalt see I 'm not ungrateful Bianca May Fortune serve you faithfully as I And take your part in ev'ry Enterprize With the same Zeal as you 're obey'd by me Elvira As I dare trust thy Faith I take thy Wish This is the Hour if Fortune will be kind An Hour most fit to make Revenge compleat A single Death 's too little for my Wrongs But Life and Fame at once is worthy them This for my Lover's that my Brother's Heart Thus my Revenge shall beyond Death 〈◊〉 And whilst her Name is known will never end Exeunt SCENE II. Enter Agnes and her Woman Agnes The Light offends me let the Room be darkned And none be suffer'd to disturb my Thoughts Exit Woman How much our Souls and Bodies sympathize Now that my Mind is fill'd with gloomy Sadness The chearful Light is hateful to my Eyes Woman returns Woman Madam here 's Don Alvaro to wait on you He won't be refus'd Admittance Agnes What pains a hated Lover takes to see himself despis'd Enter Alvaro Alvaro He whom all Portugal obeys and fears Who scarce beholds a Creature not below him With pain obtains the Grace to kneel to you Agnes It is not fit a Man of Power so vast Shou'd stoop to any but his God or King I pay but what I owe your Quality Alvaro How cruelly you shew your mock-respect Respect to Slaves condemn'd is but Derision A Barbarous Tyrannical Insult Agnes From you 〈◊〉 learn'd that witty Tyranny For under colour of dissembled Love You plague and torture more effectually Than all the Hate of bare-fac'd Enemies Alvaro If loving you almost to Adoration And throwing all my Honours at your Feet If that be tort'ring you how are you pleas'd Agnes Obedience pleases me Alvaro I wou'd obey unjust relentless Fair But if I cease my Suit I lose my Hopes Where 's then the Fruit of such a vain Obedience Agnes Enjoy the Fruit then of your Disobedience A Hate as obstinate as fix'd as that Alvaro Nature has been unjustly lavish here To have bestow'd so rich a Stock of Beauty As must impoverish half the World beside On one who churlishly denies Relief to starving Beggars Whilst the wretched Miser but hoards a Treasure Which she cannot use nor will it's Value last Agnes If Beauty be a Treasure sure 't was meant For a Reward to Vertue whilst the rest The Riches Honours all the Gifts of Fortune Are blindly giv'n to those who least deserve Whose Servile Souls make 'em more fit to stoop Through all the little ways that lead to Greatness Alvaro The Great are only Vertuous What but Pow'r Makes Actions Right or Wrong Accept my Love And you shall see your self above controul Where none in Thought dare tax you of a Fault Agnes My Innocence is more to me than Fame Your boasted Pow'r can only give a Name A Name which all that know you will despise I see you worshipp'd like a God 't is true But 't is with Worship such as Indians paid They fear but hate and curse you at the Heart My pure unbyass'd Soul from Int'rest free Unmov'd
by what the Vulgar tremble at Defies that Devil which it sees within I see it through the gilded thin disguise Alvaro That Devil you defie may make you fear Your God is absent for your Worship 's known I 'll seize his Heav'n h 'as fix'd it in your Charms And give him Hell to see you in my Arms. Exit Alvaro Agnes Monster of Nature I detest the Thought Enquire if the Princess may be seen Exit Womans If she is chang'd What can remain the same The Heav'ns did not more regularly move She seem'd immediately inspir'd from thence So just and of a Piece was all her Thoughts She is inspir'd 't is Heav'n directs her now For Heav'n is angry that this Day shone Where shall a persecuted Virgin fly What can I hope abandon'd by the Princess Whose Goodness only chas'd away my fears Oh! she 's unkind she 's in one hour transform'd What have I done nay thought that cou'd displease her Did I not part from her with some regret Was I not griev'd she gave me leave to go Methought I wish'd to see the Prince once more And then began to apprehend his Danger With anxious fears I had not known till then But if she knew those Thoughts she 'd know as well I check'd the sinful Tumult in my Breast Not less offended with the Guilt than she Enter Woman Woman Madam the Princess has just left her Chamber Agnes Whither does she intend Woman It is not known Only suppos'd she went to walk in private Being unattended Agnes Perhaps she may I 'le seek her in the Garden And know my Crime or die for Expiation Exit Enter Princess Princess Already dark Time does not creep so slow That we had need t'anticipate the Night Woman 'T was my Lady's Order to entertain her Grief But if your Highness pleases I 'll Princess Oh no let it be thus I like it well All that looks mournful suits my Misery To her self But why should she be sad Can Guilt and Innocence have like Desires This Melancholly Fancy pleases me Where is your Lady Woman Madam she 's just gone out with a design To wait upon your Highness Princess Tell her I will expect her here Exit Woman 'T were most unjust to punish her unheard Thus far I owe to one that was my Friend To one who tho ungrateful still I love Something methinks pleads strongly for her Truth Tells me she may be wrong'd and innocent Yet what shou'd move Bianca to deceive me What Interest cou'd she have What end in that No no 't is plain Agnes is false as false as she was true For she was true till by the Prince seduc'd The Prince that Name 's enough for her excuse What Vertue can be proof against his Charms That irresistable that God-like Man Yet much she might have suffer'd much for me For none cou'd love more tenderly than I I found in her suppos'd Fidelity Full Recompence for all I lost before My Husband 's want of Love her Love atton'd This was a Blow struck to the very Heart There 's now no Remedy in Nature left No both shall see me quickly in my Grave My Death will make your Loves more innocent Your Guilt and my Misfortunes in one Tomb for ever shall be laid Enter Elvira behind the Princess Elvira Alone in Darkness and so fitly plac'd Now vanish all that 's womanish or soft Stabs her in the Back Rival Revenge has said this Hour's thy last And to torment thee in thy latest Gasp Know by my Means the Princess thinks thee false Princess Wicked Elvira thy mistaking hand Has done a Deed too good for thy Design Heav'n guided it to ease me of a Life Which was a heavy grievous Burthen grown And hinder thy Intent to snatch from hence The choicest Jewel which the World cou'd boast Elvira Curst be the fatal Pow'r that guided me Curst be the Arm that blindly did obey Take the Reward thy Treachery deserves Stabs her Arm and throws away the Dagger Oh! I have bravely hazarded my Life To make a Passage open for my Rival To bring her safely to the Prince's Arms To give the longing Lovers all they wish'd Curst curst Elvira Enter Agnes Here 's my proud Enemy Ha is she here I feel new Mischief brooding in my Soul Aid me this once the great Infernal Tribe For Agnes Death my Soul shall be the Bribe Exit El. Princess Now let me die in Peace since Heav'n allows Me once to see thee dearest injur'd Maid Agnes Now let my Soul be calm die all my Fears Since you the Object of my Hopes are kind Not Ships in Storms not Travellers benighted Amongst wild Beasts left in a lonely Wood Can half express the Anguish I have felt Depriv'd of you my Light my Guard my All. Princess Forgive me Child be all thy Wrongs forgot For ever wash'd away in my Life's Blood Agnes Better all Womankind at once shou'd perish Than you the sole Perfection of the Sex The greatest Blessing of the whole Creation Princess Say rather the Incumbrance of the Earth One who but liv'd for an unhappy Plague To the most Noble most Divine of Men Which Heav'n grown mild most kindly does remove With this additional Favour to my Death That it preserves thy dearer envy'd Life And in thy Life the Prince's Agnes Horrible Mystery of Life and Death Oh ease my trembling Heart What mean you Madam Princess Fear only for thy Self for I am well But Agnes thou hast many Enemies The Death I have receiv'd was meant for thee Elvira's black Design whose Envy first Contriv'd against thy Fame and then thy Life But by a happy Error both are safe At once she gave the welcome Deadly Blow And with malicious Boasting clear'd thy Vertue Agnes Perish the Sacrilegious Hellish Hand Too fatally it wounded where it aim'd And gave me double Death in striking you Ah cruel Fate Was there no other way To make us Friends but parting us for ever Wou'd I had rather dy'd unjustify'd Contemn'd and loath'd by you and all the World Princess Be less transported thy too moving Grief Had almost forc'd from me a Wish to live Agnes Alas my heedless Sorrow had forgot To call Assistance for my dearest Princess Going the Princess holds her Princess It wou'd be vain for Death has seiz'd me all And if thou go'st I ne're shall see the more These Eyes will be shut up in lasting Night Stay and receive a dying Friend's Request Believe thou always hast been dear to me Ev'n when I fear'd thee False I thought thee True And let this Forgery excuse my Fear Gives her a Letter Then if thou 'st ever bore me true Affection Double it on the Prince my better part Intreat him to forgive me for thy sake The Troubles I unwillingly have caus'd him Be thou to young Fernando what I was Speak of me to him Don't forget thy Friend Remember with my latest Breath I beg I charge thee love the Prince I charge thee marry
him My Dear I'm going Heav'n receive my Soul Dies Agnes Oh! she 's gone she 's gone and left me here But I shall overtake my dear dear Mistress This Ponyard Purple with her precious Blood 'T is useless Grief has kindly done its Work As she is going to kill her Self she falls in a Swoon Enter the King Alvaro Lorenzo Elvira Bianca Diego Pedro 〈◊〉 King Heav'ns noblest Gift torn from the groaning Earth By Hells curst Engine Oh my dearest Daughter Elvira The wicked Author has aveng'd her Death Her Fear has desp'rately prevented Justice King The vilest Hand shou'd punish such a Crime Hers was the fittest for the Execution Alvaro She has no Wound some help is requisite She breaths and stirs King Remove her and be careful of her Life That she may die in painful Agonies Some strange unheard-of Torture shou'd be made For this foul Act which has no Precedent Alvaro But Sister Are you certain Agnes did it King Relate particularly all you know Elvira This Wound is witness of that horrid Truth Which Justice will not suffer me to hide Hither I came to visit Agnes Sir But finding the unhappy Princess here And seeing both in Heat retir'd unseen I scarce had pass'd one Room when a shrill Cry Recall'd me trembling to a dreadful Sight The Princess weakly strugling for her Life Which Agnes threatned with a lifted Ponyard I wildly flew and drag'd her from her Prey At which enrag'd she struck this aiding Arm Now quite disabled forc'd to loose its Hold Then ran and stab'd the Princess in the Back Who out of breath and weary'd with Resistance Had fall'n into the Seat where now she lies Cold Motionless and ne'r to rise again Weeping Bianca I was Spectator of this sad Adventure For I alone attended on the Princess Her Highness shew'd a Letter to Agnes At which they both seem'd mov'd I was commanded then to leave the Room But soon return'd hearing unusual Noise And seeing Agnes with a naked Dagger My Shreeking brought Donna Elvira back Alvaro Perhaps this is the Letter you have nam'd 'T is from the Prince To the Coy Vertuous Agnes Gives it the King King 'T is not Don Pedro's Hand Alvaro He makes excuse for his disguising it Aside My Rival may be has not yet enjoy'd her But if he has shall I live unreveng'd Methinks 't were brave both for my Love and Anger To force the charming fair damn'd Hypocrite Here 't is impossible I must remove her And manage so the King may ne'r suspect me But the Prince's Agents King Infamous Strumpet Barb'rous Murd'ress Without these Evidences 't is undoubted Agnes alone cou'd wish Constantia's Death For she had such a gen'ral winning Goodness So easily forgave the greatest Wrongs And was so over-tender of her Friends 'T was all Mankinds concern that she shou'd live Nay Agnes ow'd her more than all the World And she Ungrateful Wretch has paid her thus These are the curst Effects of shameful Love Alvaro There never was a Scornful Maid like Agnes Affecting coy Reserv'dness more than common But entertain'd a secret sinful Flame King That Flame a fiercer Fire must extinguish She shall be tortur'd first then burnt alive Lorenzo she 's your Pris'ner keep her strictly Lorenzo If I durst beg for her a milder Doom King But that I know thee honest I shou'd think Thou wert Accomplice in this base Intrigue Thou lov'st my Son yet I believ'd Lorenzo Wou'd part with Life but not his Honour for him Lorenzo I thought it not dishonourable Sir King No more I 'll hear no Intercession for her That Man 's a Traitor who dares wish her Life Had she ten thousand they were all too few Oh! if her Rage had Butcher'd half Mankind Not one had fall'n lamented like Constantia That murder'd matchless Vertue Poor Princess Carry her from this poyson'd hated Place And let us all those gen'ral Crimes lament For which this Universal Judgment 's sent Ex. King Elvira after the Body Softly to them Alvaro Pedro Cuello and Diego stay Don Lorenzo but one short Word with you Do you love Agnes de Castro Lorenzo That Question 's strange you know I love your Sister Alvaro What mov'd you then to take her part so kindly Lorenzo Compassion is indeed a Miracle 'T is true I had a stronger Motive Alvaro Love you mean Lorenzo The Prince's Love for Agnes is no Secret Nor the Respect I bear him any News That set together may resolve the Riddle But I must give some Orders for my Pris'ner Diego be you near I shall employ you Exit Lorenzo Alvaro There 's no tamp'ring with him he 's strictly honest And firmly fastned to the Prince's Int'rest Diego you remember and you Pedro Since the Prince sent you Home Cashier'd and in Disgrace Diego We well remember it Pedro. And that we owe our Re-establishment to your sole Bounty Alvaro I see you are grateful and now offer you The way to over-pay me all you owe And be reveng'd for an Affront so shameful Diego When you vouchsafe to give us your Commands You but encrease our Debts by your new Favours For 't is our highest Honour to obey you Alvaro I think Lorenzo trusts you much Diego Diego I 've serv'd him faithfully and gain'd his Favour Alvaro You wou'd not then betray him for my Sake Diego To serve my Patron I 'd betray my Father Alvaro Serve me effectually in this Concern Then ask what e'r you wish 't is yours I promise To Diego Pedro the same to you 'T is probable Lorenzo when he leaves her will commit Agnes de Castro to your Charge If so you easily may make me happy Deliver her to Pedro who shall wait Well guarded to receive her from your Hands And carry her where I shall order him Diego I must go too or stay to die for her Alvaro Fear not You know Lorenzo is the Prince's Favourite I can perswade the King with show of Reason He did it to preserve his Master's Mistress But tho you were discover'd I have Pow'r Enough to give you full Security Diego My Life can ne'r be better hazarded Than in your Service but if she resists Alvaro She must be ignorant of your Design Pedro. Pardon me Sir this one Objection Will it not rather please than grieve the Prince To save his Mistress from the Arms of Death Alvaro A Rival's Arms will be more terrible If Love as fierce as mine enflame his Heart I 'd rather see her Damn'd than see her his Diego Pedro be ready I 'll to Don Lorenzo E'r this he wants me for his Pris'ners Guard And I shall guard her safer than he thinks Sir doubt not of my Faith or Diligence Exit Diego Alvaro I know thou lov'st thy self too well to fail me I must enflame the King against his Son Saving the Murd'ress of his Wife is Fuel Which by my Art shall blaze to his Destruction Pedro we must prepare for our great Work Oh Fate I thank thee if thou
hast design'd So singular a Grace 't is wond'rous kind Love which cou'd scarce with Int'rest e'r agree Now serves Ambition and Revenge for me Exeunt The End of the Third Act. ACT IV. SCENE I. Agnes in a Swoon Women about her endeavouring to recover her Lorenzo Agnes CRuel Tormentors let me die in quiet Here by my murther'd Princess let me die Where is she Ha! what have you done with her Starts up I beg you tell me for I 'll never leave her Show me her Grave since you refuse me Death I 'll be intomb'd alive with my dead Friend Offers to go Lorenzo stops her Lorenzo Pardon me Madam this ingrateful Office I must not let you go Agnes He thinks me mad indeed I shou'd be so Madness wou'd be more reasonable now More decent in my Case than stupid Patience But I retain a wild a raving Reason Have I not reason thus to tear my Hair To fall upon the Ground and mourn my Princess Have I not reason too to curse Elvira Lorenzo Madam indeed you cannot grieve too much But speak more charitably of Elvira For in her Case you wou'd have done the same Agnes What can Lorenzo justify her Crime Oh most unworthy of thy Prince's love Tho she 's thy Mistress dar'st thou take her part In such an Action done against thy Patron Which robs him most inhumanly of her Who lov'd him most and most deserv'd his Love Lorenzo Madam You know him not so well as I My Prince himself wou'd not condemn Elvira Agnes Base Detractor thy Master is most just And tho her Life had not been dear to him He wou'd condemn and generously lament A Fate so sad and so deplorable Lorenzo 'T is from that gen'rous Justice I affirm He wou'd not blame Elvira Agnes Give me Patience Heav'n How impudently he defends her still What can'st thou say to plead so foul a Cause 'T is true her Aim was at my worthless Life But did I ever give her Provocation If any Wrongs cou'd justifie a Murder Lorenzo Your Rage transports you Madam It does not merit that opprobrious Term. Agnes Oh no! She had been innocent indeed If I had fall'n a Victim to her Hate But to prolong my Woes that was not suffer'd And cruel Fate can only be accus'd Ah! Why was her more kind Intention hinder'd Why was not that ill-guided Instrument Plung'd deep in my Hearts Blood to glut her Rage Lorenzo Did she then make attempt against your Life Agnes Has not Elvira own'd 't was her Design What cou'd she urge but that in her Defence And by what other way cou'd you excuse her Sure the most Savage Nature cou'd not harbour A Thought against so mild so good a Princess Ah Lorenzo Before I wonder'd that you should defend her I tremble now with Horror at you for it Lorenzo You amaze me what do you accuse her of Agnes Why do you trifle with a wretched Maid Ah miserable Agnes shun Mankind There 's nothing vertuous since Constantia's gone No Life without her I 'll go find her out And breath my Soul into her Lifeless Corps Is going Lorenzo Madam I have strict Order to retain you You are my Pris'ner Agnes Your Pris'ner Sure you 've lost your Wits Lorenzo Lorenzo This seeming Ignorance will not avail you Elvira has discover'd all the Fact 'T were better to repent and own your Crime Than pull new Judgments on your guilty Head by falsly taxing her Agnes If what I darkly apprehend be true In vain have all my Thoughts been innocent In vain have all my Actions aim'd at Glory Ah Don Lorenzo No it cannot be I have strange Fears but 't is impossible What is my Crime be plain and clear my Doubts Lorenzo Elvira and Bianca have declar'd Before the King they saw you kill the Princess Agnes And he believes it you believe it too Alas none living knows that I am wrong'd Lorenzo We found you Madam lying by the Princess Holding the bloody Ponyard in your Hand Agnes Grief for her Loss had mov'd a sinful Thought Of laying violent Hands upon my self Oh Heaven did you prevent my Guilt in that And yet permit the Innocence you sav'd To be reproach'd with a more horrid Crime Lorenzo Madam be careful What probably cou'd be Elvira's Motive To kill the Princess Agnes Alas I have no Witness of my Truth But vertuous Souls perhaps may know each other I 'm pleas'd I speak to you for you are honest And love I think Elvira less than Justice Lorenzo Speak Madam for I love my Prince so well I 'd rather find her criminal than you Agnes May I for ever be excluded Heav'n If I shall utter ought beside the Truth The Princess came alone to find me here And sent for me for I was just gone out When I return'd I saw Elvira fly And Oh most dreadful Sight my Princess dying She told me with her last expiring Breath Elvira had design'd those Wounds for me The sad Mistake occasion'd by the Place And that in wounding her she clear'd my Fame Which by a Letter forg'd I know not how She had before aspers'd Lorenzo Was not Bianca with the Princess Agnes I saw her not Lorenzo Yet she protests against you Elvira has a Wound too which confirms her Accusation Agnes Alas I know no more the Princess scarce Had Life enough to give me her Commands Lorenzo kneel and join in what I ask They kneel Sacred Divinity hear our just Prayer Let not the Guilty 'scape unpunish'd here But by some strange uncommon Judgment show Who shed that Blood which cries to thee for Vengeance And by her tort'ring Conscience clear the Injur'd Lorenzo Hear her and guide my Heart to favour most Her whom thy Wisdom knows to be most just Agnes How strange a Charm is Vertue in a Soul Mine feels a Calm almost incredible After those blust'ring Storms in which 't was tost Lorenzo Tho all Appearances are much against her Her Looks her Grief and Manner of Expression Have something so sincere and unconstrain'd They wou'd perswade me she is innocent Whether my fear to wrong the Guiltless move me Or that I am inspir'd from Heav'n I know not But Madam if you dare confide in me I 'll carry you where you shall be secure From those Indignities design'd you here Agn. Lorenzo no I 'm not so fond of life To save it by involving you in ruine Lor. My danger 's little I can fly with you Or to the Prince he will be my Protector Agn. What wou'd the World conclude from such a flight I cou'd not give a greater confirmation To what they now injuriously suspect Than flying with the Prince's Favourite Nay worse 't would cast a blemish on the Prince And raise suspicions he were accessary Lor. You rather chuse a death most infamous Agn. I do not chuse What by all decent ways I wou'd avoid But bear it as a fatal consequence Of that which Honour forces me to take Lor. Your scruples are more
But there are Atheists tho the Deity Is visibly express'd in all his Works Agn. Oh that malicious Scandals rais'd of us Were no more prejudicial than to Heav'n In the Conversion of an Infidel The Being he Prophan'd is Glorify'd But tho we prove an Accusation false To us 't is Shameful to have been suspected That 's a Dishonour not to be repair'd A sulli'd Fame no Art can throughly clear But to avoid occasions of Reproach I 'll fly from hence back to my Native Country Spain will not hear perhaps of my Disgrace Prin. Where e're you take your flight it will proclaim The strange Barbarity of Portugal We shall become a Proverb to our Neighbours T' express the most unhospitable Usage But 't is no matter this ungrateful Court Is most unworthy your Consideration Agn. It 's Prince's Generosity attones For all they did or all they meant against me Prin. Such are the gross Affronts you have receiv'd I scarce dare ask so great a Blessing for us As your continuing here but if I 've done What Honour or what Justice did require If I have show'd your Merit just esteem Or if Constantia e're deserv'd from you Do not desert a place she lov'd so well Be gen'rous like yourself forgive your Wrongs Agn. They need no Pardon who design not Ill My Wrongs were by mistake on well-built grounds And 't were as great Injustice to revenge 'em As 't wou'd be vain to think of doing it By taking such a worthless Trifle from 'em But Sir my Friends in Spain will now expect me Unwillingly they suffer'd me to leave 'em When no Intreaties cou'd diswade me from it So much my Princess was more dear to me Than Kindred Country or what else I valu'd Now she is lost what shou'd retain me here Where I can meet with nought but Shame and Grief All I foresee makes my Departure needful I find no grounds to raise the least Debate Prin. Does not a Prince's Life deserve your care Ah cruel Virgin how you rack my Breast What Constancy is proof against this Tryal My Resolution to suppress my Flame Is lost is vanish'd I can hold no longer By Heav'n if you pursue your rigorous Purpose You kill a Wretch who loves you who adores you Agn. How justly wou'd the World condemn my Conduct If I shou'd stay after this Declaration Prin. My Fear has only made my Ruine suerer And all I gain is but to Fall unpity'd So Slaves compell'd by Torments own their Crimes For which their sentenc'd to more rigid Pains But my Offence was only in confessing Why will you punish what you forc'd me to You tortur'd me you tore the Secret from me Agn. Unhappy Creature what I thought shou'd hinder Precipitates the very Ill I fear'd But oh no more of this ill-tim'd Discourse Ah! is it thus we shou'd lament the Princess Prin. No dear Constantia she upbraids me justly Thy Love deserv'd eternal Gratitude Thy Vertue shou'd for ever be remembred All these Complaints and Sighs of Love for Agnes Shou'd burst in Tears of lasting Grief for thee I 've judg'd I have condemn'd myself already And willingly submit to your Decree To Agnes You can effectually revenge the Princess Go Madam I deserve the harshest Usage Go tho your Cruelty will give me Death Go boast that tho you knew my Love to you Stronger than Reason Honour or my Vertue Yet your impartial Justice was not Brib'd To save a perjur'd and ungrateful Man Agnes Farewel farewel to you and Life For I will lose those Blessings both at once No sooner shall you leave this hateful place Than you shall hear your Lover is no more Agn. Oh! how his Words prevail upon my Heart To herself It melts 't will yield I fear why shou'd it not Shou'd he who for my Freedom Fame and Life Expos'd his own receive his Death from me Is treating thus the Man my Princess lov'd The way to pay her Memory respect And do I thus obey her dying Charge Brave Prince if I have Pow'r you must not Die That were a loss too great to be permitted For nothing but a Name a puff of Breath What tho my Honour lye at Stake I 'll stay Yet let convenient Decency be kept I must not dare not entertain your Passion Prin. Oh no this Condescention is enough Great as I wish'd beyond my Expectation By all your goodness I 'll conceal my flame Till you yourself shall license it to blaze But then Oh do not give me this repreive Only t' encrease the Fear and pain of Death Then may I hope you 'll not disdain my Love Agn. Your Birth requires Respect from all the World Your Vertue more commands our Admiration And what I owe particularly to you Wou'd make Disdain most unexcusable I 'm not ingrateful nor insensible My Heart resented deeply all you felt You peirc'd my Soul with your Complaints and Sighs But I shou'd hide my tender Virgin-frailty You search too far and I have shown too much Prin. No for I never shall abuse your favour Your Mercy shall not make your Slave presume But whilst I 'm ty'd to Rules by Vows con fin'd Some bolder happier Man not aw'd like me May snatch that lovely Prize I dare not claim And I must lose you without murmuring Agn. I reverence my dear dead Princess more Than yet to think of ought that looks like Joy Of Marriage Love or any thing but Grief To her I 'll consecrate my tender Thoughts Nor dare to think of you but for her sake Nothing is to be fear'd save Violence I dread the base Alvaro more than Death Prin. The watchful Dragon guarded not the Fruit With half that Care with which I 'll keep my Love Alvaro shall not dare to look on her Alv. By Lucifer he 's much to be lamented Gods do I tamely stand and hear all this Alvario behind draws his Sword and is making at the Prince Agnes shrieks the Prince turning about and stepping aside to avoid the Blow it passes to Agnes Prin. Oh treacherous Villain quickly call for help Prince draws he and Alvaro fights Alvaro wounded Stay savage Traytor stay for my Revenge But what 's his Life how poor a Satisfaction For such a loss so irreparable This Jewel of inestimable Value Alv. If you wou'd be Reveng'd conceal your Grief I have not lost my Aim whilst you are Tormented Your Groans and Sighs are Musick to my Soul Softens my Death charms all the Pain away I Die with Joy and Pleasure more than Wounds And cou'd not wish to have succeeded better I 've left you Life indeed bare Life 's a Curse When all the Joys of it are ta'n away And may eternal Curses be your lot Dies Prin. Insernal Fiend thou cou'd'st not frame a Curse T' encrease my Torments Oh thou bleeding Fair For what does Heav'n thus persecute my Life One moment's Bliss is grudg'd me by my Stars And for a taste nay scarce a taste of Joy A faint imperfect glimm'ring