Honour was ingag'd by Vows Like Flax my jealous temper caught the Flame And scarce could all her melting sorrows quench me Mach. I do remember well Borg. But now I have enjoy'd her mark me Machiavel If I was Flax before I am Powder now And will fly up in general Conflagration For I would chuse to scramble at a Door Make my loath'd Meals out of the common Basket With Dungeon Villains wallow in the Stews And get my Bread by poysoning my firm Limbs E'â—e pass an hour with her I have Espous'd If but in thought consenting with another Mach. I am glad to find the Genius of your Climate Inflames you thus my Lord give me your Hand Prepare your Soul gather your Nobler Spirits And bid ' â—m stand to Armâ— like Towns besieg'd That must receive no Quarter Borg. Let me go So deep thou threaten'st that I feâ—r ev'n thee And from this moment like the fearful Plant Shrink back my Arms from every Human touch But speak I charge thee slip the strugling Thunder And foil my Soul Mach. This Morning just before you enter'd here I saw in haste Adorna cross the Garden And as she ran a Note dropt from her Bosom Which I took up and in it read these words Mourn not my dear Palante for the time Draws on â—hen spite of this inhumane Borgia We will be happy Borg. Yes she shall she shall I 'll joyn 'em Breast to Bosom stab 'em through And clinch my Dagger on the other side Mach. This as I oft perus'd in great amazement I saw her who had miss'd the Note come back And briefly let her know that I had read it With Menaces unless she told me all Immediately to carry you the Letter Why should I rack you longer your Chaste Wife Has with the help of this her Kinswoman Concluded on the date of your first absence To admit your Brother Borg. 'T is impossible 'T is mountainous to Faith I 'll not believe it For Hell it self ne're teem'd with such a falshood Enter Adorna Mach. Ha as I live just from Palante now The private way from his Apartment see Their Emissary comes Borg. O thou vile Bawd Thou Midnight Hag thou most Contagious Blast Which Bellamira with a Strumpets breath Blows to Palante and he back to her Whence com'st thou speak what bear'st thou Ha produce it Or I will tear thee Limb from Limb. Adorn O Heav'ns I am betray'd undone for ever ruin'd and I shall lose my life Borg. Thou shalt be safe I swear thou shalt if thou confess the truth But if thou hide ought from me I will rack thee Till with thy horrid Groans thou wake the Dead Adorn O my Lord I do confess that Bellamira sent meâ— But sure no harâ— was in the Letter Borg. None None at all Hell knows her Innocence But speak Adorn I have my Lord confess'd already All that I know to my Lord Machiavel Borg. Thou ly'st damn'd Wretch look here and dare not urge me Show me the Answer to the Morning Message Or I will cut thee to Anatomy And sâ—arch through all thy Veins to find it out Adorn O save my life behold my Lord this Paper What it conâ—ains I know not Borg. 'T is his hand Mach. Be gone and on thy life no talk of this Ex. Adorna Borg. reads Palante waits upon your motion Death and Devils And when you call he comes or the long sleep Shall hush him ever Daggers Poyson Fire Tears the Letter Woe and ten thousand horrours on their Souls Mach. What now my Lord Borg. Off or I 'll stab thee through Stab I could mangle tear up my own Breast Drag forth my heart that holds her bleeding Image And dash it in her face Mach. Talk no more on 't but do Sir do Borg. Yes Machiavel I will I will do deedâ— Grain'd as my wrongs I will I will be bloody As Pyrrhus daub'd in Murder at the Altar As Tullia driving through her Fathers Bowelsâ— As Caesar Butchers in the Capitol As Nero bâ—thing in his Mothers Womb With all succeeding Tyrants down to ours Lords of the Inquisition black Contrivers Of Princes Deaths and Heads of Massacres Orsino Vitellozzo Duke Gravina Oliverotto too all all at once Even the whole Race a Hecatomb to Vengeance Mach. Hear me one word Borg. Bid the Sea listen when the weeping Merchant To gorge its ravenous Jaws hurls all his Wealth And stands himself upon the splitting Deck For the last plunge No more let 's rush together For Death rides Post. Mach. Though Death should meet me More horrid then you Name I 'd cross this fury This blind ungovern'd rage Sir you shall hear me Borg. Barr'st thou my Vengeance Mach. No I 'll further it You shall have proof so plain the World shall say The Pope himself dear as he loves your Brother Shall say the stroke was just This Night I 'll bring you Into her Chamber if with some pretence You seem t' absent your self my Lord I 'll bring you With a false Key into the Bridal Lodging Where you shall see even with those eyes behold And gaze upon their curst incestuous Loves Borg. Just reeking from my arms O thou Adulteress Whose Name to mention sure would rot my Lungs And blister up my Tongue Insatiate Scylla Bark'st thou for more then let the Furies seize thee Whose burning Lust damns to the lowest Hell Smoaks to the Heav'ns and sullies all â—he Stars Mach. Compose your looks smooth down that starting hair And dry your eyes with spiâ—e of this distraction I see are full brim full of gushing tears Borg. Had she not fall'n thus O ten thousand Worlds Could not have balanc'd her for Heav'n is in her And joys which I must never dream of more I weep 't is true But Machiavel I swear They 're Tears of Vengeance drops of liquid fire So Marble weeps when Flames surround the Quarry And the pil'd Oaks spout forth such scalding Bubbles Before the general blaze for that she dies Though clinging to the Altar Guâ—rdian Gods Though starting from their Shrines shall not redeem her Mach. Pretend to night nor is it bare pretence For as I hear the Sinigallian Victors Come on to wait you here Pretend to her To Bellamira you can scarce return In forty hours Borg. I will do what I may Mach. Away then Borg. Ha! methinks thou dost not share In my resentment Machiavel as thou ought'st If thou art my Friend and art indeed concern'd Relieve my weari'd fury beat my Vengeance Call up a friendly rage and curse e'm Machiavel Curse these Triumphers o're thy Borgia's ruine Mach. Diseases wait 'em Wherefore should I curse ' em If that my Breath were sulph'rous as the Lightning That murders wiâ—h a blast or like the Vapours The choaking stench which those that die of Plagues Sâ—nd with their parting groans then I would curse â—â—m Wiâ—h Accents â—hat should poyson frâ—m my Tongue Deliver'd strongly through my gnashing Teeth More haâ—sh more horrible â—â—d morâ—
resolv'd nor let a few false Tears Melt you again to an untimely mildness Charlotta thus deluded you in Franâ—e Which render'd all your Court ridiculous Remember that and lest the like disgrace Should happen now drag her if she refuses Borg. I will my Machiavel O Arms O Glory What an Eternal Rust would smear your Luster Did not this Spirit of Ambition fire me I 'll tell her that the lives of all her race Are now within my power Mach. Nay threaten her Borg. I will do more than threaten Think not the dreadful Caesar will be rows'dâ— To threaten only that 's a sleeping Borgia A loving dreaming Conscientious Borgia But when I wake there 's always Execution Mach. It has been so Borgia And shall I swear again No Machiavel she must be mine or dye Should she for refuge to the Temple flie I 'd after her there if she scorns my flame To the dumb Sainâ—â— I will my Vows proclaim And in their view resolve the glorious game Upon the Golden Shrines I 'll lay her head And ev'n the Altar make my Bridâ—l Bed Ex. Ambo ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Orsino and Bellamiâ—â— in Mourning Orsino WHERE didst thou get the daring thus to move me â— By thy dead Mothers shrowd not the first Night When in my Youâ—hful arms I grasp'd her to me Was I so hot with Love as now with rage Thou Young and Virgin Witch thou new-found Fury Bella. Ah Sir for Iâ—am afraid to call you Father Give me my Death give to these trembling breasts A thousand wounds or cut me Limb from Limb But do not look so dreadâ—ully upon me Nor blast me with such sounds Oh pity me There 's not one faâ—al sentence one dread VVord But runs like Iron through my freezing blood VVhat have I done Ah what is my offence And tell me how which way I shall aâ—one you Orsin O thou vile wretch what is thy offence Dost thou not know it Exquisite dissembler Thou leading Sorc'ress Hecat of thy Sex Subtlest of all thy kind that ever rowld Their false deluding eyes and in their Glasses Conjur'd for looks to cheat the simple world But to take all evasion from thy guilt Did I not charge thee as thou fear'st my curse This very Morning to adorn thy self As one whom the great Duke intends to honour By makiâ—g thee his Bride Bell. Alas you did And I am come Oh Heaven and all you Powers That pity womans weakness I am come My Lord as you commanded and have vow'd Tho Death atends my Nuptials to obey you Orsin Thou ly'st even in thy heart thou know'st thou ly'st Thou hast maliciously most grosly fail'd In this obedience Say declare haste â—nswer Thou most ungrateful wretch Ah how unlike Thy meek thy Perfect bright and blessed Mother Is this a habit for a glorious Bride Dost thou thus meet the generous Borgia I know thy awkard Heart thou meanst by this To tell the VVorld thou dost not like thy Husband And dash him at the Altar but by Heav'n Whither thou Murdress now art sending mâ— This shall not serve thy purpose In this dress That blasts my eyes and strikes my Soul with sadness I 'll see the Priest for ever make you one Bellam. Ah! how have I deseâ—v'd this cruel usagâ— Did ever Daughter yet obey like me Not she who in the Dungeon fed her Father With her own Milk and by her Piety Sav'd him from Death can match my rigorous Vertue For I have done much more torn off my Breasts My Breasts my very Heart and flung it from me To feed the Tyrant Duty with my blood Orsin Call'st thou the lawful Imposition of A careful Father that intends thee honour Tyrannical and bloody Rage resume me Here seest thou this O would the gallant Borgia Could fling thee from his Soul as I from mine For 't is respect to him that saves thy life Else by the Feaver that quite burns me up I 'd ponyard thee till all thy Robes were Crimson Yet since thou hast the Impudence to brave me And câ—ll thy Father Tyrant to his face I that have foster'd thee even from the Womb And bred thee in my Bosom hear and tremble For I will curse thee till thy frighted Soul Runs mad with horrour till thy Mother starts From her cold Monument to beg me cease Though all in vain Bâ—llam I cast me at your feet I 'm all Obedience See Sir see me here Grovelling upon the Earth Orsin Curs'd be the Night Ten thousand Curses on that fatal hour When my great Spirit trifled with thy Mother For the Production of so false a Joy Bellam. O horrid blasting breath Orsin When I am dead My troubled Ghost shall nightly haunt thy Dreamâ— Bellam. Ah hold I kiss your feet and hug your kneeâ— Orsin Though in thy Husbands Arms I 'll draw the Curtainsâ— And stare thee into Frenzy and thy Lord I 'll Charm so fast thy shrieks shall not awake him Bellam. Yet Sir forbear tread on me trample me Orsin And all the day when other Spirits sleep I 'll follow thee with groans and curse thee still Nay when thou seek'st for company to scape me I 'll make thee scream See there his Spirit stands Bellam. Hear him not Heav'n Orsin After thy first imbrace May thy Lord loath thee swear thou art no Virgin And cast thee off as a most leud Adulteress Bellam. If there be Saints or Angels Oh I charge you Orsin Or if thy Husband should by chance retain thee Heart-burnings Jealousies incite him still To plague thee with a Thousand Hells on Earth And after end thee in some horrid manner Bellam. Ponyard me as you promis'd Sir Oh stab me Orsin Eternal Barrenness shut up thy Womb If ought that 's humane chance to raise thy hopeâ— May it be monstrous at the curst Production An after birth or some abhorr'd Conception Enter Duke of Gandia in Mourning Bellam. Y'have said enough my heart my spirits fail me And I have now my wish without a Dagger Orsin What now another Mourner Hell and Furies They both have plotted to undo my Honour Well Duke of Gandia but I 'll call the Bridegroom Gand. Ha! how 's this the beauteous Bellamira Upon the Earth Help help my Lord she 's cold Your Daughter Swoons Orsin I care not let her perish And thou who hast seduc'd her perish with her Swoon with her sink with her Die both and both be damn'd Ex. Orsino Gand. Wake Bellamira from this sleep of Death Life of Palante's life give me a word See thou art safe clasp'd in thy Gandia's Arms Palantâ— holds thee Say what Murderer Offer'd this cruelty and I 'll revenge thee Bellam. Where am I ha loose loose me from your arms Stand off fly from me fly Palante fly For we must never never meet agen The Poles may sooner joyn O I am lost By an inexorable Father ruin'd Cursed blasted and for thee unhappy Prince Thou hast undone me though not by thy will For sure thou lov'st the wretched
Mothers eat their Brothers and Sisters For half the sum what twenty thousand Crowns Away away Come come pull out his eyes And make a Cupid of the little Bastard I swear thou shalt what twenty thousand Crowns Alonz. My Lord I am Charm'd Enter Machiavel and Adorna Ascan. My good Lord Machiavel Mach. My Noble Lord The humblest of your Servants Ex. Now my Adorna now the time is coming When thou shâ—lt Rival ev'n the Queen of Love For by my life a Bâ—idegroom like Palante Mighâ— match an Empreâ—s But he 's thine no more I 've sworn he 's thine This dâ—y that gives his Brother Thy beauâ—ious Cousin is the Blest Fore-rnnner Of my Adorna's certain happiness Ador. Heav'n only knows the issue of my Faâ—e But did not love and languishing desire Transport me from my self I should endeavour To help the poor desparing Bellamira Not many hours ago she ran upon me With Extasies even crying out â—or joy In spite of Fate Palante shall be mine Then told me all that you discouâ—st but now When on that minuâ—e cruel Borgia entr'd With old Orsino who commanded her I'â—h ' mid'st oâ— prayers and tears and shrinking sorrows Sâ—raâ—t to attend her Husband to the Temple Mach. Excellent And how bears Palante this Adorn So much the worse because quite unexpected And while I told it in most moving termâ— Hâ— struck his Breast and cast his eyes â—o Heav'n Enquir'd for you then â—alkâ— of blood and vanish'd Mach. I have been ever since I came to Rome A Confidâ—nt to both I like the Meâ—hod The Machine mâ—ves exactly to my mind Sails like a Ship well ballast through the Air And ploughs the rising mischiâ—â—s clear before me I 've heard thee often talk of pretty Letters That past between Palanâ—e and thy Cousin Ador. I have 'em all in keeping by her order Mach. Let me peruse ' em Adorn Will you be secret then Mach. Away and fear not they shall make thy Fortune Soon as the Marriage Rites are past we 'll meet Ex. Adorna But lo they come The Duke of Gandia frowns I fear my Caesar and must watch their clashing Scene draws and discovers the Progress of a stately Marriage Ascanio Adrian Enna Cardinals going before Orsino following Bellamira supported by two Virgins in White Borgia follow'd by Vitellozzo Alonzo c. Gand. Sir I must speak with you Borg. 'T is inconvenient Gand. 'T is not our first of Jars Remember Lucrece Our Sister Lucrece and be then parswaded Necessity requires yourea Boâ—g For what Gand. if you dare walk aside with me I 'll tell you Borg. After the Priest Gand. No Sir before the Priest Fate hovers near us you shall give me hearing Borg. What Boy how say'st thou shall Gand. Yes Sir you shall Borg. No more for fear we should be over-heard I 'll instantly return upon my Honour Let me but wait Orâ—â—no to the Gate And I 'll attend thee on my word I will The Priest shall wait till thou have satisfaction Ex. all but Mach. and Gand. Mach. What have you said my Loâ—d Gand. Forebear to know I think thou lov'st me yet a proof were well And since occasion now demands a tryal Refuse not what my Friendship shall enjoyn thee Mach. 'T is granted though the consequence be death Gand. Begon â—his moment leave me to my self Mach. I apprehend Let me imbrace you Why shall I leave you but my word 's ingag'd Call all those pow'rful provocaâ—ions upâ— Your wrongs your most ignoble injuâ—ies To steel your aâ—m and dye your Vicâ—ory In blood I go because you grow impatient No more but Conquâ—st Death or Bellamira Yet I must watch you hereabouts For Borgia Though skill'd and gallant yet may meet his Death And that I must prevent for I 'll allow no stroke To Chance though my undaunted Hero dares all That Man can dare Ex. Mach. Gand. Why comes he not I know he 's brave Renown'd in Foreign Wars And to his skill in Arms has such a Courage As makes a rash man run upon his ruine Yet in his height of fury I can dare him My blood defies him mortally to death Yes Machiavel I 'll take thy fatal counsel The word is Conquest Death or Bellamira Enter Borgia Borg. So Sir you see I have obey'd your Summons You must be satisfi'd though Beauty stays Though the Bride stays though Bellamira stays That is tho Heav'n with all its waiting glories Stops at your call and stands to give you hearing Gand. Y'have us'd me basely Borg. No. Gand. I say you have Without a provocation Borg. That were base Indeed when unprovok'd I do a wrong May I when justly urg'd want due revenge Gand. Y'have falsifi'd your word betray'd me basely Betray'd a Brother O my Stars a Brother That would have burst through all the bars of death And yeilded all things to you but his Love O foolish eyes but these are your last tears And I must mend your course with blood Borg. He weeps Was ever seen Hypocrisie like this Aside O thou young impudent and blooming lyar Who like our Curtezans are early practis'd And in their Nonage taught the Arts of Vice But I forgo my temper Is this all You know I am in haste and cannot brook A longer Conference Gand. I know you cannot But I shall force you yes thou Tyrant Brother Thou that art fallen from all the height of glory To the low practice of the worst of Slaves I will revenge the honour thou hast lost Nor shalt thou pass to Bellamira's Arms Till through my heart thou cutt'st thy horrid way Draw then Borg. I will not Gand. By Revenge and Fury Thou shalt not pass but on my Rapiers point Borg. Think not thou youâ—g Practitioner in Arms That all thy force thou levell'd at me naked Should stop me if I once resolv'd my way But I am calm and wish thee for thy safety To let me pass Thou talk'st awhile ago Of Lucrece but no more of that my Father O fear'd I not his Thunder which so oft Has menac'd me if e're I rose against thee Long long e're this had'st thou been dust even now For that abuse which late thou gav'st my ear For that abhorr'd Conception of my Sister For that damn'd mention by the lowest Hell And by the burning Friends thou should'st be Ashes Gand. Blush not nor purse thy threatning Brow but draw And dare not to despise the weakest arm That trickles with Justice Yes upon thy breast Elate and haughty as thou carriest it I doubt not but my Sword shall write thee Traytor Borg. No more O tâ—at I had Some one Renown'd and winter'd as my self T' encounter like an Oak the rooting Storm But thou art weak and to the Earth wilt bend With my least blast thy Head of Blossoms down If by thy hand I fall as who e're div'd So deep in Fate but sometimes was deceiv'd I do bequeath thee more than all my Dukedoms Far more indeed than Worlds my beauteous Bride But if
I conquer thee and shew thee mercy Never love more nor after I am marri'd Dare for thy Soul to speak of Bellamira Gand. I thank thee and accept the terms with Joy Which blood must ratifieâ— And here I swear If vanquish'd by thy Arm though Death I hope Will more than Oath confirm the fatal bargain For evâ—r to renounce all Claim and yield By my Eâ—ernal absence Bellamira Borg. Come on then And let Love and Glory steell Thy unflesh'd arm think on this moment hangs Thy whole life's Joy or worse than Death Despair I would noâ— win such Beauty without Blood But as the brave Gonsalvo being shot Mov'd not at all nor chang'd his mighty Look As if the Gallantry of such demeanour Could charm coy Victory to raise the Seige So would I with my blood distilling down Answering her tears lead Bellamira on And woo her at the Altar with my wounds Gand. No more Borg. Agreed The word is Bellamira Fight Gandia is wounded Hold hold Palante for thou bleedst Gand. A scratch Borg. My Father crys out save him on thy life Fight again Gand. Guard well thy life Borgia is wounded on the Arm but disarms Gandia Enter Machiavel Mach. What means this noise of Arms Why these Swords drawn what now my Lords Both wounded Borgia throws Gandia his Sword By Heav'n I swear you shall proceed no further Borg. 'T is now too late to tell thee how we quarrell'd Look to his wound soon as the Cure's perform'd I 'll serve the Duke of Gandia with my Fortune But far from Rome for he has agreed Never to see my Bellamira more For me I 'll to the Temple Mach. My Lord you bleed Borg. The Skin 's but rac'd Would it were deep in the most mortal part So Bellamira when the blood gush'd forth Would sink upon my breast and swear she lov'd me But that 's too much to hope what e're is doom'd I swear this night to grasp the conquer'd Prize Yes yes Palante hear and fly for ever All the white World of Bellamira's Beauty This Night I 'll travel o're to feast my Love The Little Glutton shall be gorg'd with Revels He shall be drunk with spirits of delight With all that amorous wishes can inspire And all the Liberties of loose desire Exit Gand. I 'll after him and at the Altar end him Waâ—'t not enough to wound and vanquish me But he must triumph too I rave and talk I know not what for he is generous And nobly merits what his valour won Yes happy Borgia I will keep my word And since thus lost to all that I held dear Abandon this loath'd World Mach. You must retire Gand. I will devote the sad remains of life To the blest Company of holy men Learn Contemplation and the dregs of life Purg'd off taste clearer and more sprightly joys Partake their transports in the brightest Visions See opening Heav'ns and the descending Gods Then as I view the dazling tracks of Angels Sigh to my heart and cry see there and there In full perfection thousand Bellamira's Mach. My Lord your wound bleeds fast Gand. O Machiavel When I am shut for ever from the World Thou tenderst hearted gentlest best of Friends Wilt visit me sometimes I know thou wilt Mach. Why do you droop thus lean upon my Arm All shall be well Yes I will find a way In spite of Fortune yet to heal your sorrows And pour the Balm of Bellamira's tears Upon your wound Gand. Could I but see her once Beâ—ore I die Mach. Once Twice a Hundred times Doubt not you shall but haste to your Apartment Ex. Gandia Methinks if mischief had but this to vaunt That like a God none knows her but her self It were enough to mount her o're the World I love my self and for my self I love Borgia my Prince Who does not love himself Self-love's the Universal Beam of Nature The Axle-tree that darts through all its Frame And he 's a Child in thought who fears the sting Of Conscience and will rather lose himself Than make his Fortune by another's ruine Conscience the Bug-bears roar the Nurses howl Our Infant lash and whip of Education Enter Adornaâ— My Genius my Love my little Angel Hast thou the Letters Adorn First my Lord If I have breath to utter let me tell you Never was Marriage solemniz'd like this Mach. Go on Adorn The Bride in Mourning Robes was led Or rather born like a pale Course along I saw her when she first approach'd the Temple How rushing from the arms of those that held her She threw her Body on the Marble steps When straâ—t the Bridegroom with a kindled Face Draw near and blushing stretcht his bloody Aâ—m Wrapt in a Scarf and gave it to the Bride Then bowing wish'd the Priest perform his Duty Mach. What follow'd Adorn Urg'd or rather brib'd before The Priest at Old Orsino's Intercession Soon joyn'd their Hands all from the Temple haste Oâ—sino and his Son in deep Discourse And Bellamira blind with weeping led This way Mach. I am glad on 't for I wait to speak with her Prithee produce the Letâ—ers Come I know Thou hast 'em nay 't is thy own interest Adorn See Bellamira enters stay some time And I 'll discover to your own desire Enter Bellamira Mach. Madam I would entreat a word in private Bell. Can misery like mine be worth discourse Mach. The dead are only happy and the dying The dead are still and lasting slumbers hold 'em He who is near his Death but turns about Shuffles a while to make his Pillow easie Then slips into his Shroud and rests for ever Bella. My Mind presages by the bloody hand That seiz'd me at the Altar Mach. In their Nonage A Sympathy unusual joyn'd their loves They pair'd like Turtles still together drank Together eat nor quarrell'd for the choice Like Twining-streams both from one Fountain fell And as they ran still mingled smiles and tears But oh when Time had swell'd their Currents high This boundless World this Ocean did divide 'em And now for ever they have lost each other Bella. For ever Oh the horrour that invades me Thou seem'st to imitate some horrid act I charge thee speak how fares the Duke of Gandia Not answer me why dost thou shake â—hy Head And cross thy arms and turn thy eyes away Has there been ought betwixt my Lord and him Mach. There has they fought Bella. The Cause the Cursed Cause Stands here before thy eyes she stands to blast thee I know 't is thus Borgia for me was wounded And oh my fears by his relentless handâ— Perhaps that poor despairing lost Palante Is miserably slain If it be so Spite of my Father I 'll renounce my Vows Forgo forswear all comforts in this life And fly the World Mach. Would I were out on 't Nothing but fraud and cruelties reign here He is not slain but as his Surgeons bode I fear him much Oh would you be so kind To see the Wounds he suffers
for your sake And charm his pains but with one parting view Before your Lord return Bella. Alas I dare not Mach. He graspt me by the wrist and weeping vow'd 'T would be a Heav'n a Lightning in his Grave Where else he must for ever lye unpiti'd Now on my Soul you must you ought to see him Who ballancing the Scales of doubtful life Lies in your way a glance one grain of favour Turns him from Death Come come you must have mercy Madam I 'll wait and intercept your Lord. Bella. A Visit just upon our Marriage too But 't is the last that he shall e're receive Therefore I 'll go Nature Compassion Fate And Love far more tyrannical than those Forces me on I feel him here he throbs And beats a Mournful March Mach. Fear not away I 'll guard the passage look not back but haste Ex. Bellamira If I remember story well old Rome Was free from all this weakness of the mind For Women oh how slightly were they thought of When the great Cato gave his Friend his Wife To breed him his Heirs because she was a Teemer And after he was dead again receiv'd her This was before the Vandals made us Slaves Who mingling with our Wives begot a Race That nothing holds of the old Lyon Glory Enter Borgia But hush more work and now I am compos'd Borg. Welcom my best of Friends my Machiavel Let me unlade on thee my fraught of joy For Bellamira's mine her Vows are mine Her Father gave her and the Holy man Has liâ—k'd our Hands Fortune perhaps e're long May joyn our hearts However dearly bought I say she 's mine Mach. However dearly bought Borg. True Machiavel most dearly but alas He that would reach the Mine must burst the Quarry And labâ—ur to the Center Ha thou' rt cold Sâ—art from this Lethargy and tell me why Why dost thou shake my joys wiâ—h that stern look Speak for to me thy Face is as the Heav'ns And when thou smil'st I cannot fear a Storm But now thy gather'd brows prognosticate Ill weather Lightning sparkles from thy Eyes Speak too though thunder follow Mach. On what conditions had the Prince his life Borg. It was agreed betwixt us solemnly And bound by Oath that he was subdu'd Should never speak to Bellamira more Mach. I am satisfi'd Borg. O Machiavel is this friendly To hide the Cause of thy disorder from me Thou said'st I am satisfied but at that moment I saw two furies leap from thy red Eyeâ— That said thou' rt not thou art not satisfi'd This coldness of thy Carriage this dead stillness Makes me more apprehend than all the noise That mad-men raise Speak then but do not blast me Speak by degrees let the Truth break away In oblique sounds for if it come directly I fall at once split ruin'd dash'd for ever So little am I Master of my Passion Mach. Therefore I dare not tell you Borg. Therefore 't is horrid ah Monstrous 't is so therefore thou darst not tell me But speak though trembling thuâ— from head to foot I will be calm press down the rising sighs And stifle all the swellings in my heart I will be Master far as Nature can Mach. If that you knew such Fire was in your temper And thus would burn you up why would you marry Borg. Because resistless Love resistless Bâ—auty Hurry'd me on But speak thou staâ—'st me off If thou hast Sense of Honour tell me Machiavel Speâ—k I conjure thee as thou arâ— my Friend Mach. The fault 's not great and you may pardon it Yet 't was a fault I think where did you leave Your Bride Borg. Why dost thou ask I know not where This way they led her and as I perswaded` Orsino though unwilling judg'd it fit She should retire again to her Apartment That her full grieâ—s might have a time to waste Mach. She is retir'd my Lord. Borg. Ha! whither speak She is retir'd where she should not retire 'T is true most plain most undeniable I know it by the fashion of thy Wit Thy accent swears it mouth thy Tale no more But say distinctly whither she 's retir'd I charge thee pray thee and conjure thee speak For what with whom and on what new occasion Mach. you have a Brother Borg. O the prejur'd Traytor I have what then Mach. She 's with him now Borg. With whom Mach. Why with the Duke of Gandia with your Brother Palente Son or Nephew to the Pope Borg. What Bellamira with him Ponyards Daggers Mach. This way but now I saw her come in haste Whether she guss'd the matter by your Wound I know not but with faultring speech she ask'd How far'd Palante if he were in being Whereon I nothing muâ—'d but in plain terms With moderation told her what I knew But had you seen the starts and stops she made Borg. No doubt she did Ten Thousand Curses oh Go on for yet I am a fangless Lion Macâ— Hâ—d you but heard when first his Wound I mention'd How she â—hâ—â—ek'd ouâ— how oft she forced me swear And swear and swear again it was not mortal Bâ—rg Undone â—or ever O destruction seize her Mach But when I told your hurt she seem'd scarce griev'd And lâ—ssening sorrow yielded to attention I do not say she sâ—aâ—lâ— did rejoice But sure I am she smil'd and touch'd my Hand And begg'd me if you came this way to hold you In talk while to the sick she made a visit Borg. Thy Bosom be my Grave bear me a while Or I shall burst O Bellamira Oh! Mach. Raise raise your self Ha Prince is this the Fire We fâ—ar'd but now that most transporting fury Borg. No more 't is gone O Marriage now I find thee Thou costly Feast on which with fear we feed As if each Golden Dish we taste were poison'd Whâ—re by the fatal Tyranny of Custom Our Honour like a Sword just pointing o're us Hangs by a Hair Ha! but it comes 't is faln Like a forked Arrow stuck into my Skull No more I am deaf as Adders and as deadly Mercy no more thy Voice is quite uncharm'd All piâ—y thus be dry'd from my weak Eyes Here will I look my Mothers softness off And gaze till Souâ—hern Fury steels my Soul Till I am all my Father till his Form All bloody o're from Head to Foot with slaughter Skims o're my pollish'd Blade in frowns to haste me Mach. What mean you Sir Borg. I know not what my self Off from my Arms away I â—ve oftentimes heard At Princes Murders Monstrous Births forbode The Heavâ—ns themselves rain Blood Why let it rain If my Heart holds her purpose with this hand â—â—ll swell the Purple Deluge Vengeance Death and Vengeance Exit Mach. No my brave Warrior 't is not gone so far These starts are but the hasty Harbingers To the slow Murder that comes dragging on The Mischiâ—f's yet but young an Infant Fury 'T is the first brawl of new-born Jealousie But I have Mâ—chiavellian Magick here
the Devils themselves have mercy O Monster rocky Villain Tyger Hell-hound Seize him you Fiends and Furies dam him dam him May Hell have infinite stories and this Devil Be damn'd beneath the boâ—tomless Foundation Borg. By Heav'n she weeps here dip her Handkerchief Dip'd in his blood and bid her dry her eyes Bella. O thou Eternal Mover of the Heav'ns Where are thy Bolts Gand. I go O Bellamira Thinkâ—st â—hou alas that we shall know each other In the bright World I fear we shall not Oh! Borgia farewel Thy Bride is Innocent Let Bellamira live and I forgive thee Dies Bella. He 's gone to Heav'n he 's gone as sure as thou Shalt sink to Hell thou Tyrant double damn'd Nay thou would'st have me rage and I will rage And weep and rage and show thee to the world Thou Priest Archbishop Cardinal and Duke Thou that hast run through all Religious Orders And with a form of Vertue cloak'd thy horrors Thou proper Son of that old cursed Serpent Who daubs the holy Chair with Blood and Murders But sure the Everlasting has a Chain To bind yours Charm and link you both together Hells Vicar and his first begotten Devil Hotter than Lucifer in all his Flames Enter Alonzo Borg. What hoa Alonzo strangâ—e the prisoners Orsino Vitellozo haste I say Without reply Bella. O spare him spare my Father And I 'll unsay forswear all that I have said O I have play'd the Woman now indeed A lying foolish vext outragious Woman To set your Wrath against the Innocent There was a seeming cause for the Dukes Death And mine But Oh! what has Orsino done Orsino loves you Oh thaâ— good old man Your Father For so a thousand times I 've heard you call him seen you kisâ— embrâ—ce him Therefore he must not cannot dye Borg. Alonzo Alonz. My Lord Borg. Slave I 'll strangle thee Strikeâ— him With my own handsâ— if thou delay'st my Vengeance Say Villain what not dead Alonz. My Lord they are And if I live you shall repent this blow Aside Borg. Go draw the Curtain glut her eyes with Death And strangle her my Veins are all on Firâ— And I could wade up to the eyes in blood Draw draw the Curtain Orsin Vitellez D. Graviana Oliverotto appear disguised Bella. Gorgon Medusa Horror Yet I will shoot through Daggers rush through flames To clasp him in my arms O wretched Paul O noble Orsin what quite cold pale dead And you dear Images will you not give One gasp of breath one groan one last farewel Horror Confusion and eternal shame Light on thee for this deed I tell thee Borgia I see thee on thy Death-Bed all on Fire As if some Hellish poison had inflam'd thee I see thee thrown ten Fathom in a Well Yet still come up like Aetna's belching Flames Borg. I hope thou wilt go mad and prophesie Bella. Yes Tyrant thus thus to thy face I brave thâ—e And tell thee in despite of Threats e're long Thou and thy holy Father shall be seiz'd And carry'd to the Everlasting Goal From whence not all your Spanish Cardinals Your Bailiffs in red Liverieâ— shall redeem you Borg. Dye in thy prophesie Alonzo end her Bella. Thus on my knees then And for terror to thee Hear my last prayer and mark my dying words If I in thought in word in private act Have yielded up this Body to the Arms Of ought that 's Mortal but inhuman Borgia Oh thou impartial and most awful Judge Shut shut thy gates of bliss against my Soul But if my tortur'd vertue merits glory Pardon my frailties see with what joy I leave this life and bring me to perfection She is strangled Borg. What at her Death she that believ'd a Hâ—â—v'n And fear'd a Hell yet to depart a Lyar But how know I that she believ'd a Heav'n Or why with hopes that in the pangs of Death I would reprieve her might she not deny Her Whoredom to the last but that 's unnatural What wouldst thou then I will no more of this It clouds my brain Hence Alonzo bear Bear the Duke of Gandia's Body to the Tibâ—r In some close Chair tye at his neck a Weight And plung him to the Bottom Alonz. my Lord 't is done Ex. Executioners with the Body Borg. I swear I have been cruel to my self For that I lov'd her is as true as she 〈◊〉 past the sense on 't she is cold alâ—eady Enter Machiavel Mach. Ha! this is stately Mischief what my four Foes Of Florence but they are dumb Ha! gazing there I like not that Borg. Her lips are lovelyst ill The Buds tho gather'd keep their Damask Colour Yes and there odour too haste Mâ—chiavâ—l Ruâ—h to my aid I grow in Love with death She shall not dye Run Slaves fetch heither Spirits I will recover her again Mach. Again to plague To meet again another Duke of Gandia Borg. Death on that thought no let her dye and rot The damn'd Adultress perish the thoughts of her Ha tell me come I will no more of her How shâ—ll the bodies be dispos'd I sent My Brother to the Tyber Mach. That 's a trouble I 'll find an easier way for these and her That sleeps within my Closet Go Don Michael Bury 'em all together in quick Lime In some few hours the flesh will be consum'd Then burn the bones and all is dust and ashes Draw here the Curtains on ' em Borg. I swear this body shall not be consum'd I 'll have 't embalm'd to stay a thousand years O Machiavel I swear I know not why But with a World of horror to my Souâ— With tremblings here Convulsions of the heart As if I had some God thus whisper to me Thou ought'st to grieve for Bâ—llamira's Death Mach. My Lord a very fond and foolish Fancy Borg. I say my Lord your policy is out Furies and Hell how should you judge of Love That never lov'd Thou hast no taste of Love No sense no rellish why did I trust thee then Had any softness dwelt in that lean bosomâ— My Bellâ—mira now had been alive Tho I had cause to kill her thou hadst none To set me on but honour jealous honour Oh the last night I tell thee Pollititian When I run o're the vast delight I curse thee And curse my self nay wish I had been found Dead in her Arms But take her bear her hence And thou lov'st me drive her from my Memory They remove her Tell me my Brothers Murder is discover'd That the four Ghosts are up again in arms Say any thing to make me mad and lose This Melancholly which will else destroy me Mach. I here the Pope has sent to Sinigallia To call you back Borg. By Heav'n I had forgot And thou most opportunely has remembred You know twelve Cardinals were then created That solemn Morn that I receiv'd the Rose And I will tell thee halfe those Fools are marrow That bought so high shall veil their Caps for ever Mach. He mends apace 't is
but another shrug And then this Love this Ague Fit is lost Borg. I swear I 'll to the Wars and ne're return To Rome till I have brav'd this haughty French-man That menac'd so of late Mach. Why this is Borgia Come come you must not droop look up my Lord Methinks I see you Crown'd Rome's Emperour No doubt Sir but among your glorious Plunder You 'll find some Woman Borg. Ha! no more I charge thee I swear I was at ease and had forgot her Why did'st thou wake me then to turn me wild And rouze the slumbering Orders of my Soul To my charm'd Ears no more of Woman tell Name not a Woman and I shall be well Like a poor Lunatick that makes his moan And for a time beguiles the lookers on He reasons well his eyes their wildness lose And vows the Keepers his wrong'd sense abuse But if you hit the cause that hurt his Brain Then his teeth gnash he foams he shakes his Chain His Eye balls rowl and he is mad again Exeunt Enter one Executioner with a dark Lanthorn follow'd by another at a distance they part often look up and down and hem to the rest 1. Exec. The Coast is clear and all the Guards are gone 2. Exec. Hark hark what noise was that 1. Exec. The Clock struck three 2. Exec. See the Moon shines haste and call our Fellowsâ— Hem to 'em that 's the Sign 1. Exec. They come they come Enter Four Executioners more Two carry the Body of the Duke of Gandia in a Chair the others follow and scout behind 3. Exec. So set him down and let 'em beaâ— their part For I am weary 4. Exec. And so am I I sweat but 't is with fear 1. Exec. Make no more words on 't take him from the Chair 2. Exec. A ghastly sight The Weight about his Neck Has bent him almost double I 'll not touch him 3. Exec. Cowardly Villain Come my Princely Master The Fishes want their Break fast 4. Exec. Joyn all together And hurl him o're this Wall into the Tyber 2. Exec. Fly fly I hear a noise The Guards the Guards 3. Exec. He lies he lies the Coynage of his fears Once more I say joyn all your hands together Remember the Reward two thousand Crowns A Man but for that Milk-sop I suspect him Therefore let 's watch our time decoy him on And when this business is a little o're Strangle him in some Corner lest he prate Of what is done Now now 's the time away They joyn all together take him by the Legs and Arms and hurl him over the Wall into the Tyber A noise is heard as of a Body falling into the Water They look about once more then start take â—p the Chair and run out Scene shuts SCENE II. Enter Borgia and Machiavel Mach. Though Orsini the Vitelli and Colonni Are hush'd the Spaniard and the French no doubt Would buy your Friendship at the dearest rate Nay more I yield you Lord of Tuscany And Master of such Forces as might march Against the haughtiest Power of Christendom But Prince forgive me if I am too free Do you remember whence this glory comes And how this Golden Fortune is deriv'd The Pope from that rich scource these Currents rowl And when another Pope succeeds who knows But he may strip you bare of all those Honours Which this has given and turn you to the World Borg. No Machiavâ—l I am prepar'd for Fate Though Alexander should expire to night First who is left of all the Families I have defac'd if a new Pope were made To say I wrong'd 'em none that I remember 'T is not my way to lop for then the Tree May sprout again but root him and he lies Never to bluster But I will tell thee Quite to unhinge that hold no Pope shall e're Be fix'd in Rome while Borgia is alive But by this hand The Gentry are all mine For ever gain'd by Presents and Preferments The Spanish Cardinals are mine devoted With all that are conspicuous in the College What then can Fortune do I laugh at her Spurn all those Shrines and Altars which weak Wretches Hero's and Fools devoutly raise to gain her Mach. Yet hear me Boâ—gia hear the oddest story That ever Melancholly told the World This morning being early in the Vatican Far in the Library at the upper end Methought I saw two stately Humane Forms Lying at a distance wrapt in Linen Shrouds Approaching nearer with a stedfast gaze As now I look upon the Prince I honour I saw the Figure of the Pope your Father Stretcht on the Floor pale ghastly cold and dead And by his side with horrour upon horrour And double tremblings saw my Lord your self My very Caesar like a new-laid Ghost Swoln black and bloated while your inclos'd eyes All blood-shot fixt on mine their dreadful beams Borg. Fumes fumes my Machiavel the effects of phlegm Gross humors fumes which from thy thicker blood Stream up like Vapours from a foggy pool Mach. I am apt to think it but a leap of fancy A jading of the mind which quite tired out With thoughts eternal toil strikes from the road Yet as you prize your life let me conjure you Beware Ascanio his long red Coat Hides a most mortal and inveterate Foe Borg. I know him Machiavel and sooth him on As he would me But Borgia does assure thee That he that scarlet poisonous Luxury With his adherent Brothers shall this night Even in the midst of Kisses Oaths Embraces Buâ—st in the Vatican and shed their Venom Mach. Your Fathâ—r is a Master of his breast The occasion gives new life fresh vigour to him Even at the very verge of bottomless death He stands and smiles as careless and undaunted As wanton swimmers on a Rivers brink Laugh at the rapid stream Borg. Therefore my Friend Let us despise this Torrent of the World Fortune I mean and dam her up with Fences Banks Bulworks all the Fortresses which Vertue Resolv'd and man'd like ours can raise against her That if she does o're-flow she may at least Bâ—ing but half Ruine to our great designs Tâ—at being at last asham'd oâ— her own weakness Like a lowâ—bated flood she may retire To her own bounds and we with pride o're-look her Enter Don Michael and the Butler D. Mich. My Lord your Servant waits as you appointed Borg. Are my Provisions come Butl. They are my Lord. Borg. Do you râ—member what I gave in charge Butl. That none should touch the gilded flask of wine Borg. I charge thee none but such as I shall order Don Michael is my Father yet arriv'd D. Mich. He is my Lord and gone Borg. Sâ—y'st thou D. Mich. When first he enter'd quite o'â—ecome with heat Thirsting and faint with the hot seasons rage He call'd for wine and tho disswaded from it Drank largely mingled with the Cardinals And walk'd and laugh'd play'd with Columbus Boys Heaâ—d their rude Musick and beheld 'em dance When on a sudden