hatching That I 'm thus brav'd with a forg'd Will 'T is vain Your Reign is out The Fool my Brother 's dead And I 'll command what hitherto I begg'd You 're now my Ward my Prisoner if I please You 're not in those cold Climes where Maids and Wives Rove where they please as shameless as unquestion'd To wrong the dull contented Herd of Men. If you 'll be paid my Mother's Legacy That lavish Gift a Portion for a Princess Your proud pretended Vertue laid aside Meet my Embraces willingly to morrow Or soon by Force you shall Till then think of it Pla. I 'll think on Daggers for the Ravisher To cool his Fires or save my self from shame Yes ev'n the fam'd Lucretia I 'll out-vye Not let the Tarquin force the brutal Joy But kill him first or with my Honour dye Exit Placen Ri. Thou fir'st me so that for Revenge I cou'd I cou'd even marry thee young Fury But at a cheaper Rate I 'll ease my Rage She and my Sisters harden one another In rigid Coyness and in hate of me But they shall Wed and leave this House to morrow Then by Wiles Threats or Force I 'll deal with t'other Who waits Enter Servant Serv. My Lord Ric. Call both my Sisters Serv. Yes my Lord. Exit Servant Ric. I must prepare 'em to receive new Lovers Tho' now few Women need such Preparations Enter Morella and Melinda Ric. Still weeping D' you grieve at my good Fortune Come I 've got Young Husbands for you That I take to be The surest way to dry a Virgin 's Tears To morrow Don Fabiano shall be yours Morella and Don Paulo yours Melinda Mel. aside His lewd Friend Paulo Morel Fabiano poor Placentia's Lover Ric. What Dumb Are they not Noble Rich and Young Morel Oh! Let us hear of nothing Sir but Grief Alas we cannot even think of those My Brother's Choice design'd us once for Husbands Ric. You need not For their hopes like him must dye No more Compose your Looks to meet my Friends Enter a Servant Ser. Don Ferdinand My Lord is just a lighting Ric. aside The Governor He brings his Son Fabiano I 'll meet him Sisters stay till I return Exit Ric. and Serv. Morel Oh! dismal News now we indeed are wretched Compleatly wretched Alas poor Vincentio How soon we feel thy Loss thou best of Brothers Enter Placentia Plac. Dear Orphan Ladies let us mingle Sorrows Alas I 'm an unhappy Orphan too Like you methinks I mourn a Brother's Loss And what 's yet more a Friend 's Morel A Friend 's indeed alas my Dear I doubt Your Tears like ours will flow from several Springs I 'm bid to wed to morrow your Fabiano Plac. Hah But why am I startled and disorder'd Tho' to my Soul 's eternal dear Disquiet We love each other ev'n to meer Distraction My hopes are lost for I must keep my Vow I wish a mutual Love might link your Fates Morel Oh! wish not this my Dear my Heart is fix'd Don Philip or a Cloyster Plac. Fabiano with his Father Oh my Heart I must not stay yet I am rooted here Ric. Sister Morella let my Lord be us'd As his great Merit and my Choice deserve Ferd. Son scorn Ignoble Love See there your better Fate Ri. aside to Ferd. Let 's not seem to observe 'em while he whispers His first Love-Complement All Infancies are bashful And that of Love is most Pla. aside Amazement sure he loves her how they whisper What do I feel 't is more than Love 't is Jealousie I fear Am I then Jealous What of him I 'd lose I will not Sure he came in hopes to see me Away curst Jealousie Thou needless Physick That turn'st our Health to voluntary Sickness I dash thee from me like a Poyson yet I will look Mel. aside to Plac. My Dear you 're Jealous Pla. aside Not at all yet I must gaze I 'm rack'd I cannot bear it Exit Placentia Mel aside I must follow her Exit Mel. Ferd. What 's that bright Vision which now shot from hence Swift as a Star Ric. A falling one a glaring fatal Meteor The worthless Creature of my Mother's Favour Her Fortune ample but her Birth unknown Ferd. 'T is a fair Destruction I blush to own I 've heard my Son was dazled By her deluding Beams This made me hasten To fix him quickly in a nobler choice Which was my Motive to demand your Sister When I engag'd to get your Pardon sign'd Fa. aside to Morel Madam you know the tye upon my Heart The longings of my Soul Placentia's Love My Trust in your kind Pity brought me hither Which all my Father's Threats cou'd scarce have done Then let 's retire since by your gen'rous Suff'rance I may see her once more For if I stay I shall act Love so ill it will betray us Ex. Fa. and Morel Ric. She 's his My Lord The Conqu'ror leads his Prize Ferd. aside Now as I love bright Honour this sight charms me And makes my Age in spight of Time run back 'T is true this Lord has dimm'd his House's Glory But now I hope 't will clear High Birth tho' clouded With fashionable Vices will at last Exert it self and shine Enter a Servant to Ricardo Ser. My Lord a Lady in a Veil desires to speak with your Lordship Fer. My Lord I 'll leave you and in an Hour return Ri. Your Lordship's Servant Ex. Ferd. and Servant To his Serv. Conduct the Lady in I fear 't is Laura But why shou'd I fear She 's kind she 's fair But oh I 'm bound to wed her I on that score was trusted with her Fortune And lost it all at Play She 's heard the News And comes prepar'd to share my Joys I dread her Let me wed nothing but variety But I 'll dissemble yet for tho' when pleas'd She 's smiling as the Morn cool as the Evening And calm as is the Night when urg'd she rages Like the Meridian Sun 's collected Beams Proud of her Charms tho' lavish of her Love Gen'rous and free and daring like a Man But Jealous and Revengeful like a Woman 'T is she Now help me Cunning once to feign A Joy as great as hers My Laura Enter Laura Lau. Fly off my Veil Oh! let me rush at once Into his Heart into his very Soul Ri. My Life my all Lau. Oh let me gaze I cannot speak for Joy-Oh happy Change When the Profuseness of my Love had left me Nothing to give to save thy Life but mine To see thee rais'd at once to Honour Wealth and Freedom From Shame from Death and Ruine 'T is Rapture 't is Delight transcending Words Too vast for Thought and ev'n too strong for Souls 'T is perfect Joy and Pleasure in extream Ri. Oh! do not talk of Honour Wealth and Freedom Your self your self 's the greatest dearest Blessing Lau. In being so to thee thy Laura's blest Life of my Life and Genius of my Soul Thy very Shadow brings
tho 't were a Dream That I may know one joyful Moment more The Ladies and Ri. run to embrace him he makes 'em sign to forbear Vin. Spare Compliments It is your love I 'd have When I am sure of that the rest is needless Ri. My Lord your Ear a moment Ri. whispers Vin. Vinc. I find there have been strange disorders here Placentia as for you I hear you 're grown An absolute disposer of your self Pla. Ah can your Soul more than your face be chang'd You did not use to meet our joys this way Oh! my best Lord upon my knees I beg That Calumny may not possess your Soul Vin. aside How am I chang'd indeed I can stand by And see Placentia kneel Oh! jealousy Thou hast perverted all my noble nature Thou drov'st out flatt'ring hope when most secure And all my Gen'rous passions follow'd it Fa. Do's it become Placentia thus to kneel my Lord Vin. If you dislike her low Condition raise her Fa. So I can Sir and to as high a pitch As yours tho mounted thus in all its pride Vin. My Lord you 've in my absence stoln a Jewel To F. aside I priz'd above my life my very being Restore it me again on your Sword 's point And by the Grove where I kill'd rash Don John Fa. to him I 'll meet you say no more Rise noble Maid Pla. No I will grow to Earth except my Lord Turns merciful again and hears me speak Vin. aside Hopes of Revenge have beat out jealousy And I 'm my self again Ah lovely Maid To what but Heav'n shou'd so much Beauty kneel Oh! I was mad Placentia quickly rise Or I shall sink into the Earth for shame His words made no impression on my Mind Ri. My Lord pray keep your Temper nor suspect me For I have proofs I wish the Moor were here He first betray'd their ill designs to me Vin. Why then ye equal judges hear him speak I am the Moor do you start base Traducer But thou' rt below my Thoughts 'T is you Placentia I now must chide Why Cruel fair Why will you thus shut out your lovely self From all the World I prize no other Wealth And wou'd you wou'd you steal your self from him Who without you must dye for oh Placentia None can divide the Body from the Soul Yet make that Body live Pla. Alas Vows firm as fate for ever part us Vin. Yet stay That I may see you shine at Court Pla. Ah no! my Lord vertue shines best in Cloysters Vin. But oh if you 're resolv'd to live recluse And make your fond Vincentio miserable Why must another offer you to Heav'n Pla. You shall dispose of me My Lord my heart Is by a secret charm bound to Fabiano But yet its Duty must be wholly yours Vin. Oh! break that cursed charm or else deny All thoughts that prompt a friendship or respect Respect was welcome from you when I thought None had a stronger Tye upon your Soul But that respect is now below contempt Pla. Oh! tho I love him Vin. Oh unspeak those words Ten thousand Vipers stung me at the sound Ten thousand thoughts all wild all black all dismal Work my mad Brain Oh say you love him not You weep you are dumb you will not Cruel Maid Teach me yet Pow'rs to move her Oh I wou'd invoke Men Angels Friends to wrest him from her heart But 't will be vain how long have I not su'd Hours Days Months Years are past yet still she 's Marble I 'll dye then yes but first my Rival shall I 'm ripe for ruin like some batter'd wall But haughty Foe I 'll crush thee with my fall Fa. Kill me I 'll thank you for I 'm hopeless too But live my Lord and think me not your foe Nothing but barbarous wrong done to Placentia Cou'd make me draw my Sword against my friend Vin. Must I be wicked e're I can be eas'd Take take your friendship back Oh why am I thus curst My Brother a base wretch my Friend my Rival And what 's yet worse a Rival lov'd Oh Tortures But what most racks my Soul this very evening I thought my self the happy'st man on earth From such a hope in full career to bliss Thus to be hurried down a precipice To dash on deep despair It kills my reason Confounds my Brains my Heart and tears my very Soul Flings himself on the ground Pla. Compose his mind good Heav'n Morel Rise my dear Brother Mel. Oh why will you lye thus Vin. Oh why indeed indeed my sword my sword shou'd end me and my pain rises and draws his Sword Fa. Hold are you mad Takes his Sword from him and others hold him Let Reason end 'em and preserve your Life Vin. Away Life 's my worst foe and you the next Think not t' impose it on me Reason's self Nay Patience says my ills are past her cure Oh harship I 'm ev'n deny'd the priviledge of dying Then hear thou heav'n why sleeps thy thunder end me Delay not thus my wisht for Dissolution Oh rid me of Intolerable Life Fa. Forgive your Friends and live my Lord. Vin My Friends wou'd you be thought my Friend Fa. Yes from my Soul Vin. Then dare be such and rid me now of Life Fa. Wou'd that be like a Friend Reflect my Lord Exert your Soul and bear like your great self Vin. Will you not kill me then Fa. Were ev'ry door to ease shut up but Death Unwillingly I wou'd Vin. There 's no other Fa. Then I must be cruelly kind draws his Sword Pla. My Lord Fa. Madam forbear Let one friend ease another Vin. Well said Come take your Sword my Friend and lay its point close to my Breast Fa. gives him back his Sword That when I do you the same hated Office We both may fall at once Vin. What both forbid it friendship I dare not buy my ease at your Life's Cost Fa. See whither passion hurried you my Lord Were wilful Death an ease shou'd you deny it him That gives it you for I too am most wretched But Life 's the Gift of Heav'n and we must wait Till heav'n commands it back to gain a better Vin. Oh! you have touch'd my Soul Come to my Arms I 'm reconcil'd to wretchedness to Life Nay ev'n to you Tho Rivals we 'll agree Let 's all three joyn as partners in affliction Till heav'n be mov'd while nature mourns to find Three hearts so wretched yet so truly kind Enter Zemet Zem. My Ld Don Ferdinand with guards was forcing Entrance But hearing you 're return'd wou'd only kiss your hand Fa. My Lord conceal me lest I be detain'd Vin. to Fab. Retire into that Room Go bring him in To Zem. Exit Fa. and Zemet severally Enter Don Ferdinand with Zemet with him Fer. Welcome my Lord to Portugal that mourn'd The brave Vincentio's loss The King himself Has worn a noble sorrow for your Death And doubtless will rejoyce to see you contradict That most
that 's well begun Our Author To For hold I can't go on This Modesty does strangely balk a Man Why should I strive to help these Tragic Actors Hang 'em they make you dull like any Doctors Well if for nothing but grave Stuff you 're all I too will rant and toss my awful Head Till from the Battlements of yon' high Wall The Mob look pale to see me look so red But what shall I say next O! Stay I 've got The Epilogue I 'll speak it now Why not More Poet-Bays than one when all things fail Turn thus the Tail to Head and Head to Tail I hate to sneak in and be hist away Begging for Mercy when you 've damn'd the Play Prompter take th' Epilogue and prompt me right We 're always damn'd imperfect the first night The Prompter takes a Paper from him and retires to prompt Prompter You 've seen the Play Mr. Bo. How 's that Prom. You 've seen the Play Mr. Bo. You 've seen the Play Why that won't do But stay We 'l let that pass if you han't seen 't you may What 's next Prom. You think Mr. Bo. You think your time mispent But know 't was studied to be play'd in Lent A time when some of you so nice were grown Y' abstain'd from ev'ry kind of Flesh but one You Topers leaving Wine to grow devout Got only drunk in Darby Punch and Stout Nay ev'n we Players not over-godly neither Fasted the week that none of you came hither But that 's no Fast to what poor Poets fear If his Play 's damn'd he keeps Lent all the year Now you instead of fasting went to spark it To race cock bet and lose by Stiff-Dick at New Market While drooping here we did your Loss condole Tugging with Viva viva Barbacole So we laid this Play by when you were gone For you Sparks now to mortify upon You know a Reformation's coming on Then bear these moral Scenes with Resignation T'inure you to be ween'd from darling Fornication The EPILOGUE Spoken by Mrs. Bracegirdle POys'ning and stabbing you have seen me scape And what you think no mighty thing a Rape But can poor Poet scape like richer Drudges The dreadful Votes of his five hundred Judges He has no Epilogue What shall he do H 'as sent me a Petition here for you That 's it Cry ' Mercy That 's a Billetdoux She pulls out a Paper and puts it up in haste then pulls out a Petition and reads it Reads To you great Wits dread Critics nicest Beaux Gay Sparks with borrow'd Wit and Masks with borrow'd Clothes You who to chat or ogle fill yond' Benches Or tempt with Love our modest Orange Wenches Rakes Cuckolds Ciâ—â— Squires Cullies great and small I think Sirs this Pâ—tition's to you all Speaks this line of her self Reads The trembling Author by this short Petition Most humbly shows he 's in a sad condition Doom'd to be thought profane or write dull Trash Venture Damnation or some Zealot's Lash H 'as chose to trust your Clemency to live For well he knows that sometimes you forgive Then spare these Scenes and let all People see Plays may be lik'd yet grave and moral be Seem pleas'd and edifi'd to go away And your Petitioner shall never pray Without remembring you and his third day Here ends the Petition Now Sirs I 'd know what you would have him ask As for you Rakes that 's no uneasy Task Good Wine for you full Pockets and a Mask And for you Masks still in your Pray'rs but stay Who ever knew a Vizard Mask to pray For Cits he shou'd ask Trade for Courtiers Places For Squires more Wit and for you Beaux more Graces Kind trusting Taylors full Wigs and new Faces And for you Jockeys better luck at Races For Sharpers wealthy Bubbles and much Play For Souldiers no more fighting and full Pay But 't were in vain to mention ev'ry Head I guess a Poet's Pray'rs are quickly said He seldom prays but to avoid his Curse An empty Play-house and an empty Purse Yet Ladies for your Smiles Ours chiefly prays You make a Muse and ev'vy Spirit raise Grace this first Offspring of his Tragic Vein With one kind Smile that 's his most valu'd Gain Dramatis Personae MEN. Mr. Betterton Don VINCENTIO disguis'd like a Black by the Name of MORAT In love with Placentia Mr. Verbruggen RICARDO in love with Placentia contracted to Laura Mr. Kynaston D. FERDINAND Governor of Lisbon Mr. Hodgson D. FABIANO his Son in love with Placentia Mr. Arnold ZEMET a Black Vincentio's Servant Captain of a Brigantine His Lieutenant Two Monks Bravoes Sailors Guards Servants WOMEN Mrs. Barry LAURA a Widow Lady privately contracted to Ricardo Mrs. Bracegirdle PLACENTIA Mrs. Moore MORELLA Mrs. Prince MELINDA Laura's two Children Women c. SCENE An Antichamber in D. Vincentio's House in Lisbon The Time of Action from 5 to 8 in the Evening Beauty in Distress A TRAGEDY ACT I. The Scene throughout the Play is an Anti Chamber Enter Vincentio in a Moorish-Dress his Skin black'd over assuming the Name of Morat Zemet his Servant Mor. AH poor Vincentio alter'd more by Passions Than by this new Disguise who now cou'd know thee Thou' rt grown a Stranger to thy very self 'T is scarce a Year since I fled hence to Afric But oh how Sorrow Sickness and Fatigue And most my anxious Love since that have chang'd me I doubt I wear this borrow'd Black and Dress Rather to try Placentia thus unknown Than to reclaim and save my wicked Brother Zemet You 're but too kind to him my Lord. I hear That when a fatal Duel forc'd you hence He stab'd the Friend who strove to get your Pardon To hinder your Return Mor. With what unnat'ral Joy he in the Morning Heard us confirm the Tidings of my Death Zem. My Lord if he 's as wicked as he 's thought ' Twou'd have been ill in him to have done better Bad Men still act themselves in ev'ry thing that 's bad And are not to be blam'd for barb'rous Actions More than the Beasts of Prey for Cruelty Nor is it for their Vices but their Natures We shou'd destroy 'em both Mor. Yes he 's my Shame But still my Brother therefore yet a while Let Lisbon think me dead as I 'm reported In this Disguise I thought fit to confirm it For shou'd they think I live the King wou'd never Grant him his Pardon for Don Carlo's Murther Zem. It seems he 's sure of it for he has left The Sanctuary and lords it in your House Mo. Upon the confirmation of my Death The King has sign'd the Warrant for his Pardon So to prevent th' Extinction of our Name Which Royal Gratitude still makes him value Then let him revel till the Seals are past As a sole Brother in my large Estate That done I will revive a severe check On all his future Life Zem. I wish yours be secure my Lord Tools of Destruction still stand ready prest
To a bad hand and Murther watches sure Then give me leave to fear Mo. I 'll keep Prevention's Eye upon the Watch But I disdain to fear For Death must come And 't is no matter when Once in the Grave Long Life and short are both become the same Death levels all Age Beauty Wealth and Titles Lye undistinguish'd huddled up together And none complain of what or when or how Oh! I cou'd wish my Dust with thy dead Parents Lay blended in one Urn on Africk's Shore Rather than languish thus in hopeless Love And see my Father's Glory Turn rusly in this Brother Zem. Ah! my Lord That rusts not since it shines so bright in you Mor. Zemet no more I here expect Placentia This is her way from Chappel See she comes Withdraw Exit Zemet She comes and weeps for me For the false News I brought her Cruel Fate Deal me less Pity and some Love Enter Placentia Weeping Mor. to himself I shiver How my Heart beats Ev'n thro' this hue I fear She 'll read my Soul's Disorder Now I burn Let Love be drawn no more with golden Darts But arm'd with Fires I feel him in my Veins How shall I speak Plac. Oh! gen'rous Don Vincentio As soon shall I forget my self as thee Mo. aside Now by my Love there 's Life in that kind Sorrow It bids me hope and speak To her Why Madam will you lavish thus your Tears On my dead Friend He ne're cou'd gain your Love Yet if departed Souls see things on Earth Placentia is Vincentio's present Object And not one Tear she sheds but he must prize At a much greater Value than his Life Plac. Can I do less than weep for that brave Lord Oh! Sir you were a Stranger to his worth Mor. No Madam none cou'd know Vincentio better Than did Morat and you will think so too When I relate some Passages he told me He said you were the Cause of all those Sighs He had betray'd so often and I pitied He said such Beauty and such Cruelty Ne're met in one before and yet methinks Your Tears and Sorrow contradict his Words Aside If I talk long I shall betray my self Plac. Since my best Lord for so I always call'd him Made you no Stranger to those humble Thoughts The only Blemish of his noble Life I will a little clear that passage to you His Vertuous Mother for what Cause I know not Took me from humble Birth to breed me as her Child Mor. Madam he told me this and that his Mother Had made your Fortune equal to her Daughters Commanding him to see you nobly married or a Nun. But Love he said doubled that Pious Charge And he ne'er wish'd for any Wife but you Oh! why did you refuse to make him happy Plac. To clear my self to you I 'll tell you that Which shou'd not be reveal'd were he still living Mor. aside Now I begin to tremble Plac. His Mother found out that unhappy Love And lest it shou'd dishonour his great Name Taught me t' obey him as my Lord and Brother But charg'd me as I tender'd Heav'n my Soul Her Memory or any Thing that 's Sacred I ne're shou'd marry him Mor. aside Oh! Patience Heav'n Plac. This was her daily and her last Request And that I might Religiously perform it Resolving with my self a single Life I solemnly did swear Never to wed above my humble Birth Mor. aside 'T will be in vain to live after this Story Oh! Mother you mix'd the worst of Curses with that Breath That gave your wretched Son his latest Blessing Plac. You 're strangely mov'd But see Ricardo I wou'd shun him Enter Ricardo Servants after him Ric. You were my Brother's Servants I dismiss you Placentia stay Serv. My Lord our Wages Ric. Do Men like me pay Wages Serv. My Lord Ric. Talk with my Steward hence Be gone Ex. Servants Well Madam Plac. My Lord. Ric. So scornful still I will no longer bear it Pla. asi How I dread his vile Love since now he 's Master here Ric. How now Morat What you 've been talking now Of my dead Brother and the Creature weeps 'T is true the humble Fop indulg'd her Pride With honourable Love tho' still she scorn'd him Mo. asi Hold Patience yet Thus most Heirs treat the Dead To Ric. My Lord I was your Brother's worthless Friend And know how much he did esteem this Lady As I believe not without due defert Ric. Oh dull Morat thou dost not know this Trifle Thou art a Moor and look'st on outward Toys Fine Cloaths and Jewels why these Things are mine I 'll strip her of 'em all if she consents not To yield to my Embraces Mor. My Lord I fancy 't is not in your Power Ric. Hark you Morat I suffer'd you my House For the good News this Morning you confirm'd But ne're believe I made you of my Council Mor. No if you had I shou'd advise you better Than thus to forfeit all your House's Honour By most ignoble Actions Ric. How 's this Slave Mo. By all my former Honour that Name Slave Did not you share your noble Brother's Blood Shou'd cost the dearest Drop about your Heart Ric. Sure he 's run mad Out of my House thou Frenzy Mor. I will not stir Your Brother made me Joynt-Executor With this fair Lady I 'll soon prove his Will And till I 've seen it all perform'd I 'll stay Ric. You mean till th' Inquisition seizes you Do you not Moor you two Executors Mor. Laugh not too fast my Lord Your Inquisition Can't fright me for tho' my Complection's black My Soul is white and Christian which I fear The Holy Font has not made yours Ric. Insolent Slave who waits what hoa not one Of my new Train to rid me of this Moor Nay then I 'll do 't my self Draws Mor. closes with him and disarms him Mor. Inhospitable Wretch Plac. Hold help help Mor. Here take your Sword and put it up proud Lord But oh insult no further if you 'd live Gives him back his Sword Enter Servants and Zemet Ric. aside Disarm'd and by a Moor But he 's not worth A second Danger I 've some trusty Bravo's Who safely shall correct his Insolence To his Servants Hence Slaves there 's now no need of you Exeunt Servants and Zemet Mor. My Lord yet think from what great Stock you sprung And how a Nobleman shou'd keep that Name 'T is not to be preserv'd by dead Mens Actions You must have living Vertues or 't is lost Come I perceive that you attend with shame My too severe Reproof and I repent it I 'll leave you to repent too for the Cause Madam some other Time I 'll wait on you Exit Morat Pla. aside and going A brave good Man well worth Vincentio's Friendship Ri. Stay scornful Thing Pla. I must not Ri. Must not Pla. No you 've forfeited at last all the Respect I ow'd you Ri. Yes you shall stay I 'll know what you 've been
Love equals all and you 're most sure of mine Pla. I still shou'd fear to lose what I deserve not Still dread my Equal's Envy and the Scorn of yours And thus shou'd live more wretched yet than now This fatal now that sees me tear my Heart While thus I tear my self for ever from you going Fa. You tear my Heart but shall not tear me from you kneels Thus you shall drag me while I suffer Life And when I 've eas'd my wretched Soul with this Draws a Dagger 'T will hover o're you still to wait for yours For sure in Death we 're equal and may joyn Pla. Oh! hold and rise fright me not with your Danger Nor humble me yet more with your Submissions Fab. Raise then at once a Wretch to Love and You. To rise thus I 'll descend and mix with humble Swains In lowly Cottages and rustick Weeds And there forget that fatal thing call'd Greatness Pla. Oh! rise degrade it not by kneeling thus Fab. No let your Answer make me rise or fall Pla. Alas my Lord I know this wou'd but prove A Dream that might a while indulge your Fancy While Mem'ry wou'd lye lock'd in the first sleep That Love might lull it too but too too soon You 'd wake to hatred of your self and me Enter D. Ferdinand Fab. starts and rises Ferd. My Son Base Man I thought t' have found you with Morella But hear me swear By my great Ancestors That Hour Fabiano weds below his Rank Makes him a Stranger to my Blood for ever Pla. You might have spar'd that just but rigid Doom And left my Love the Glory of our parting For Sir I love your Son so well I love him That rather than I 'll curse his gen'rous Passion By suffering him to bless me with himself I 'll leave my Wealth Friends nay the dear Man for ever Bear witness you whose Breasts confess the Pangs Of truest te nd'rest fondest fiercest Love Bear witness Heav'n and all that hear me swear I leave ev'n him ev'n all that 's kind and dear For endless Grief a Cloyster and Despair Exit Fab. My Love my Father both conspire my Ruine Some Angel stop her and recall your Vows No pity yes you 're kind at once you kill me And thus will quickly end the worst of Pains Fer. Unequal Nuptials show not Love but Madness If you 're my Son leave this ignoble Creature Fab. Leave her ignoble give me Patience Heav'n And Duty check my Rage a Father said it Oh! that you knew her Sir you 'd see in her That Worth whence true Nobility began She claims a Birth immediately from Heav'n Fer. No more She never shall be yours Haste to Morella Noble and more Charming Fab. Ah Sir I can love nothing but Placentia Rather take back the wretched Life you gave me kneels Draw draw your Sword rip up my panting Bosom You 'll find a Heart where that sad Truth is written Pity my Youth pity your Son Fer. 'T is vain Reason and Time will bring you to your self Fab. Oh stay follows him crawling on his Knees Fer. Away comply or never see me more Ferd. breaks from Fabiano and Exit Fab. Yes cruel Father yes unkind Placentia I 'll never see you more You shall not see how wretched you have made me I 've one Friend yet I hope his Ship shall cast me On some abandon'd Shore There I will dye Pitied perhaps by Beasts more kind than Man More wise more happy Brutes I envy you With you 't is Will and Beauty make the choice Ne're crost by the lov'd Female nor your Syres No dream of Greatness bars your am'rous Joys Curst be the first who made the vain distinction Taught to boast borrow'd Fame from ancient Dust That fancied Distance between equal Emmets Curst be the poys'nous Notion and may he That slights true Merit for a vain Degree Love humble Worth be scorn'd or curs'd like me And that the Vice an ampler Curse may find Curst be th' Ambitious which is all Mankind Exit Enter Placentia as Fabiano goes off Pla. His busie Grief usurp'd his very Sight He 's gone and cou'd not see me wou'd he had Alas I shou'd I wou'd have call'd but cou'd not Who will protect me now Oh! noble Moor Assist me to preserve my threaten'd Honour Enter Morat and Zemet Mor. Can worth like yours want a Protector Madam My best Friend us'd me so to eccho back his Sighs When he repeated dying Tales of you That he has fill'd my Breast with the like Zeal Of serving you That Zeal may look like Love But fear not Madam rarely Love gets in But at some Chink where Hope had crept in first And I who know how you us'd Don Vincentio Can never hope this Figure cou'd prevail Then give me leave to serve you and my Actions Shall ne're oppose the Dictates of your Will Pla. It were a Sin to doubt your Honour Sir Let your Man wait and I will tell you Things That are yet Secrets to all Souls but mine Mor. Zemet observe who comes and give us notice Exit Zemet Pla. Let guilty Persons blush I have no Cause The Passion I must own admits no Shame Tho' I confess I Love Oh Noble Moor You will have Cause to pity me as much As e're you did Vincentio Mor. Do I live Aside and starting Or have I chang'd my Being with my Form Pla. What shou'd surprize the Moor Sir tho' I want Your help or such a Friend 's yet let not that Divert your Thoughts from your own great Concerns Morat No Madam these are Fits that sometimes shake me My Soul and Body are by turns at odds And fain wou'd part Yet like false Friends each strives not to be thought To give most Cause for such a Separation But now I 'm well again you say you Love Madam And that I shall have Cause to pity you Sure he that is the Cause is Deaf and Blind Else either Sence and You might teach him Love Pla. Nay I 'm so miserable worthy Moor That 't was his Passion that gave birth to mine But as Fate orders it all I've to beg Is that you wou'd convey me to some Cloyster Where I may ever weep and pray for him Mor. aside Sure 't is for me 't is for the poor Vincentio She thus wou'd weep and pray Oh wou'd it were To Pla. Madam I 'm bound to wait on your Commands But can there be a Cause for such Despair Pla. Too many Sir for had not Fate contriv'd To snatch him and all Hopes for ever from me Yet I too well regard his future Glory E're to have fullied it with my mean Blood Mor. aside 'T is my self It can be no Man else she thus despairs for First she shall name me then I 'll own my self To Pla. Madam you may well trust me with his Name That can be happy thus in spight of Fate Pla. I will not hide his Name from one that knows So much of his Concerns 'T
you insult but Fab. Give it me and take mine Fabiano gives him his Sword and takes his in the Scabbard Ri. Take it and use it if you can Pla. Oh! hold my Lords Fab. A broken Sword hah Villain He draws the Sword which appears to be a broken Blade Ri. Stir not be silent hear me and you 're safe Live happy with my Sister I with her But dye if you persist t'obstruct my Bliss Pla. Oh! wed her wed her tho' I dye my Lord. Fab. I 'll yet disarm thee Traytor Fabiano with the broken Sword strives to close with Ricardo Ri. I wou'd not kill thee Who waits Enter four Servants with Swords Ri. Seize that Mad-man Fabiano snatches a Sword from one of 'em and keeps 'em off Fab. What hoa my Friends Pla. Help Murther help Enter Captain with two others who fight Ricardo's Party Cap. Courage my Lord we 're here Slaves Villains dye Enter Don Ferdinand with Musqueteers who present and all the Combatants cease Fighting Fer. Hold or my Guards shall fire among you Ri. 'T is well you 're come at last my Lord your Son Was forcing his way out with this ungrateful Maid To wed her and leave Portugal by Sea Fer. I scarce believ'd the Messenger you sent me Nay now I scarce believe my very Eyes What my Reproof my Counsel my Commands My Pray'rs my Threats my Oaths all unregarded It cannot be Fabiano is my Son My Son wou'd not at once lose Wealth lose Honour Lose my Love lose my Blessing A Father's Love and Blessing for a Trifle For all this he must lose or leave this Maid To wed my nobler choice the fair Morella Fab. Thus as to Heav'n to you Sir kneels your Son And that Heav'n knows I scarce can reverence it More than I do my Father Oh! I 'd lose The Life you gave me rather than your Blessing But Love like mine is deaf Necessity 'T is Fate it self and who can alter Fate If Love 's a Crime in me 't is its own Punishment For hope that soften'd all its Pains is lost Then curse me not yet more alas your Blessing Is all your wretched Son has left to lose For soon he 'll take his everlasting leave Of Friends of you of her and Life I hope Fer. Rise hear Age speak Fabiana Wisdom's old Fab. My Lord my Father Oh! let me kneeling thus attend your Will Fer. Rise rise my Son nor let thy poor old Father Lose the sole Comfort of his widow'd Years Thou art my only Child Alas I liv'd But by the hopes of seeing thee renew The â—â—â—ries of our Race by equal Marriage Have I for this declin'd a second Choice And liv'd in solitary Widowhood Oh! do not hurry thus thy self and me To the dark Grave and worse Oblivion's Death I beg it 't is thy Father begs it See these Tears They 're the last drops the dying hand of Age Has left to dew this drooping with'ring Plant Oh speak Fab. Can Nature plead against it self I cannot speak my throbbing Heart's too full Fer. Then kill me cruel Son that Parricide Will be less barb'rous than the other speak Fab. Then with obedient boldness I must own I cannot wed Morella Fer. Just Heav'n what have I done what are my Crimes That I must thus be punish'd with this Son But sure he 's not my Son Such Disobedience Such Meanness must and shall be Strangers to my Blood Now as I hate base Thoughts he 's rous'd my Rage Degenerate Boy thou scandal to my Race Retract thy words consent lest in my Fury I wrong the dead and ev'n suspect thy Mother Fab. Oh! use me as you please but spare my Mother For your own sake for hers tread gently on her Grave Fer. No she was Vertue 's self but sure some Peasant Impos'd thee on me and displac'd the Heir Be banish'd then my House my Heart my Thoughts Be stript of all Fab. But my Placentia's Love You cannot take that from me Fer. Tortures and Daggers Wretch lose all but that Ri. aside to Ferd. My Lord let him rave on He 's lost all use of Reason in this Fit Of Love's high Fever but it cannot last Leave him with me I 'll watch its Crisis and Declension First I 'll remove the Cause this fatal Charmer Then soon my Sister shall restore his Reason Fer. 'T is well advis'd Guards stay obey my Lord. Curst be this Frantick Love that rashly hurries Unequal Pairs into the Nuptial Noose How bitter proves the fair forbidden Fruit How lost how naked Man then finds himself How short how false the Bliss how long the Woe A few good Nights a thousand dismal Days Then the fierce Lover grows a tame dull Husband And the kind Mistress a vexatious Wife How like an Ass how like himself he looks Wishing to part more than he did to joyn While Wife and Husband curse th' unequal state Wedded for Love then Cuckolded for Hate Exit Ferd. Ri. Retire you tempting Mischief to your Chamber Pla. Oh! rather to a Cell Ri. Leave that to me Pla. Oh! once more let me see him Ri. You shall not see him more Fabiano who was talking to the Captain runs suddenly to prevent her going out Fab. See me no more then I 'm poor indeed Yes I will see her tho' her sight were Death Ri. Hold my Lord. Fab. Forbear Despair is frantick play not with it I 've lost all hopes but of one parting look Rob me not of that last that cruel pleasure Pla. Oh rigid Fate why must I thus undo him But I my self shall soon be more than punish'd Lonesome self-banish'd buried to the World My Life shall be a kind of ling'ring Death Course Weeds my Cloathing a poor Cell my Lodging Bare Walls my only prospect the cold Ground Or harder Floor my Bed and Grief my End Fab. Oh! why did I come back why wou'd I see her Pla. Then if at dead at Night you chance to wake Oh! think of me and say now poor Placentia Is risen in the Dark and in the Cold To pray for me to pray for her Fabiano For then will I be praying on my Knees That Heav'n may bless you and your future Bride Fab. Too gen'rous Fair Oh! spare your Grief's Profusion Show me less Love be cruel out of Pity Tell me you hate me I shall be less wretched Pla. I cannot Oh! then leave me quickly leave me Fly my Contagious Grief Oh! 't will infect you I merit not your Care much less your Love And yet forgive and let me Love you still As for your Grief impose it on me Heav'n For I am grown familiar with Affliction But live and think your Death my greatest dread Fab. Then I must strive to live But oh Placentia 'T will cost my Love much dearer than to dye If one Hour's Absence made me wild with Sorrow How shall I live for ever parted from you By Hills and Seas and the more fatal Cloyster How bear the Sun shou'd rise the Sun shou'd set
arms and is laid in an Arm-Chair Wom. Oh help my Lady Ri. Run to my Closet I 've rich Cordials there By heavens I pity her Exit Ricardo's Servant Yes from my Soul I do Her Charms her Love Deserve a better fate Oh! I cou'd kill my self My most unhappy fickle self but hold Wou'd that relieve her No Then live Ricardo Live to supply her wants out of Placentia's fortune But how while Laura lives she 'll still obstruct thee Oh! whither am I driv'n Thoughts not so far But if she lives we 're ruin'd both a dreadful truth I feel a strange Remorse Stay Life 's to her a greater pain than Death Then let her dye Down checking scruples Let me tell my Soul 'T is a kind act and necessary mischief Re-enter Servant with a Case of Bottles Ri. opens it takes out one and causes some drops to be pour'd into Laura's mouth Few drops of this will soon restore her sences And in few hours give her eternal rest aside Woman How your hand shakes my Lord. Ri. Alas I 'm much concern'd for her poor Lady See she revives Lau. More cruelly to dye For to the wretched Life 's a punishment And most to me lost hopeless yet still loving Oh women women boast your pow'r no more How soon our pride is humbled first we triumph But oh 't is only with more weight to feel Th' insulting scorn of our Rebellious Slaves Weep Laura weep Think how with this false Charmer Checking thy native haughtiness of Soul Thou cou'dst have liv'd an humble Cottage mate A pattern to all Wives Yet now he slights thee Tho ruin'd for his sake and unpossest Oh let me rave be mad tear tear my hair My face my eyes curse their weak Charms Groan on the ground and grovel till at last It hides me in a Grave Throws-herself on the ground Ri. Pray Madam rise There 's an apartment ready to receive you Lau. Away Think not I 'll stay in this ungrateful House No let me lye expos'd to the bleak Air On the cold pavement in some lonesome street A Lodging fit for my forlorn condition While my poor Children freezing tir'd half famisht With tears and moans pierce the most cruel hearts And with cold scraps feed miserable life Oh dismal dismal thought But 't will not long torment me I shall run mad I hope Yet then I fear As on my Straw I rave a doleful spectacle Still with a sigh to all my Sex I 'll cry Thus thus poor Laura fares for being true Ri. Oh! how this shakes my Soul she shall not dye aside Run fetch Physicians But hold I 'm mad too How will that help her Gently raise her up Then lead her hence to rest They raise her up Lau. It must be to the Grave then Wou'd it were So my curst Rival were but there with me Oh how the thoughts of her inflame my Soul May a wrong'd woman's Curses soon o'retake her Wrinkles Deformity Desires and Scorn Detracting blast her fame worst plagues her Charms Eternal Disappointments Grief Disquiet Confusion Shame and Misery like mine Pursue her and the cause of my Despair Ex. Lau. cum suis. Ri. to himself How my Soul 's rackt shame combating with pity Methinks I see her still and the Bane's working I feel her Pangs I hear her Groans Oh horror Enter Bravoes and Lieutenant Brav. My Lord Ri. to himself It shall not be I 'll save her tho I perish Bra. My Lord He 's lost in thought Ri. to himself But will that ease her Bra. My Lord Ri. Hah Starting Bra. I 've brought the Captain of the Ship our friends Wait with his men without Ri. I thank thee Hell thou hast determin'd me aside Plate Money Jewels and the chief the Women This very night shall all be shipt for Afric To the Bravo Come let 's make all things ready for our flight Then in Placentia's Lodgings seize Fabiano He 'll be an Hostage for our future Pardon Oh Laura But I cannot help thy Fall Necessity makes Villains of us all Exeunt ACT V. Enter Placentia Fabiano Pla. OH haste let 's fly my Lord Ricardo's Threats His busie gloomy Looks his odd Expressions That Lady's wrongs her Rage and all things here Must have convinc'd you 't is unsafe to stay Fa. But oh my Captain Pla. The danger cannot reach him Enter three Bravoes who surprize Fab. take his Sword throw it by and bind him Fa. Ha! Villains by whose orders am I seiz'd 1 Bra. By Don Ricardo's hedesigns no hurt As for you Madam you must now deliver Your Money Plate and Jewels else we 've orders To take 'em all by force Pla. Assist me then Despair aside If there 's no Remedy go with me yonder To them You 'll find much more than e're your hearts cou'd wish 1 Bra. Search ev'ry where while I attend Ricardo Exit Two of the Bravoes run to the place pointed to 'em by Placentia she steps out after 'em locks a door and re-enters immediately Pla. By happy Chance I 've lockt the Villains in While eagerly they rush'd to seize their Prey I must unbind you but I tremble so I scarce have pow'r to do it She begins to unbind him Enter Ricardo hastily with a Dagger in his hand Ri. Hold Pla. and Fa. Hah Ri. Attempt to free him and he dyes Fa. Thus Robbers steal our wealth then leave us bound Ri. You 're robb'd of nothing since she 'd be a Nun Neither shall you be left but go with us Fa. She shall not go Pla. Villain I will not go And rather wou'd be wedded to the Plague Ri. Oh! how that blush of Rage that sullen Grace That scornful smile now blended with a frown That soft Emotion and that wild of Beauty Fire my hot blood It mantles bubbles boyls My full Veins swell and the revulsive Red Whirls flushing o're my face Oh I 'm all transport I must I will be blest The coy Placentia Since she 'll not be my Wife shall be my Mistress Come quickly yield for I 'll this very moment Secure my bliss lest my design shou'd fail Fa. If thou' rt a man unbind and kill me first Ri. Rave on and like the damn'd now feel a hell To see me seize the Heav'n of love by force Pla. Oh save me heav'n Ricardo think of heav'n Fa. Hold Is the man lost in the lustful Brute Thou lookst a man then bear thee now like one Ri. So I intend Come with me or I 'll force you Pulls Pla. while Fabiano is striving privately to unbind himself Pla. Can fruit while immature indulge the Taste Oh! stay do not prophane th' unyielding Tree Kind usage and necessity at last May ripen crabbed hate to gen'rous Love Ri. I scorn the fruit which of itself do's fall I love a pleasure I must struggle for Pla. Your appetite 's deprav'd your Love distemper'd Ri. If 't is deprav'd and t'other a disease Then sweet or sowr the Physick must be taken Besides Resistance will enhaunce the
unwelcome news Vin. I must employ my Friends my Lord for a new pardon 'T was I that caus'd the Rumour to be spread But 't was to save a Brother Fer. He 's no Brother Vin. My Lord he 's but an ill one I confess Yet nature still will work Fer. I 'll say no more till I have got your promise of one thing Vin. Name it my Lord a gift that you can ask Must needs be too well plac'd to be deny'd Fer. I had a Son and hope once more to have him If this fair Lady will restore him to me Once I despis'd her but admire her now I ask her for his Wife my Lord that 's all Vin. All ask me my Lord to rip my breast my self And give you thence my heart Ask any thing Rather than ask Placentia for your Son She must be mine or no man's in the World Fer. My Lord she is your Sister Vin. Hah my Sister Ri. aside Nay then 't is time to fly These perjur'd Monks Tho he 's not dead have made the secret known Fer. Lay hold on him going is stopt by the Lieutenant Enter the 2 Monks This Villain shall no longer be your plague 1. Monk No he 's a peasants Son and she your Sister Vin. Can Heav'n and Earth conspire to make me wretched Sister that word ne're sounded ill till now Sister brings in 't eternal separation Fathers you shou'd be Messengers of joy 1. Monk I hope My Lord we shall if you 'll but hear Vin Let me hear any thing but Sister from you That fatal sound will murther me at once I dare not understand you But since I 'm doom'd to hear some dreadful story 'T is fit I shou'd possess my Soul with Thoughts Of the most dismal kind I need not study Placentia Loves another That 's enough Alas what Racks what tortures can be worse Now tell the rest yet on the Ground I 'll lye Lest I drop down when she is prov'd my Sister ' There wretched Lover measure out thy Grave Throws him on the ground Now strike the blow that must cut off all hopes 1. Monk Read that my Lord It is a declaration Under his Parents hands Gives Vinc. a paper Vin. This is enough Placentia is my Sister Oh! my heart Turn turn thy self about that I may ask Why this was done 1 Monk My Lord you 've heard your sickly Infancy Gave but a doubtful promise of your Life This made your Father wish another Son But Daughters still deceiv'd him Now your Mother Then big with Child had heard him rashly say If that too prov'd a Daughter he should wish She never had been his This made such an impression on her mind That to preserve his Love he being absent Seeing it prov'd a Girl she chang'd the Child This fault her youth committed and her age repented So she with us deposited this Trust To be reveal'd if you dy'd without Issue If not to be kept secret But just heav'n Has brought the secret out before its time Yet with no breach of trust on our-side neither Since we believ'd you dead when we reveal'd it Vin. Have I not patience fathers thus to hear Such killing news yet lye here without raving But I 'll do something too starts up and Exit Monks and Servant after him Pla. Look to my Lord Fer. Alas he 's much disturb'd As for these Villains To dungeons with them But for this mock-Lord Degrade him first Strip of this rich garb Then Cloath him as befits his state and Birth Ex. Saylors Bravoes and Ricardo That thus my Lord may see him dragg'd to prison Morel Oh Sister 't is more joy to find you thus Than 't is to lose that wretch Pla. This doubles the delight I took in Friendship But my Love for you was so great before it cannot now encrease Re-enter Ricardo in an old Gown with Attendants Ri. Now Fortune Nature I owe you nothing but a wretched Being Take back the thankless gift and then we 're even Nor rack my Soul with dread of endless Flames There 's Hell enough on Earth in guilty minds To lose at once the heav'n of Love and Greatness Then be condemn'd to Life or dye a branded Villain Curst Thought a branded Villain Ha! I feel A warmth new to my heart thaw the hard lump And shake my shudd'ring frame Oh my past Life thou mak'st me doubt the future Alas I dare not hope I may repent Laura Oh run for pities sake she is poyson'd Get Antidotes But tell her not I did it Fer. Run help the Lady Exit Servant Ri. Oh! lead me from her Sight to Chains and Galleys To toyl to shame to want to pinching cold To scorching heat to stripes to worse Remorse And ever-new variety of Woes All all these pains are slight to those I bear Struggling for hope with horror and despair Laura in the passage Stay Poys'ner Fiend take this and this Exit Ricardo bloody Guarded by the Lieutenant c. Ser. Hold Madam Pla. More horrors yet oh let 's avoid that Sight Ex. Pla. with Fer. Morel and Mel. Enter Laura and Richardo She holds a Dagger in her hand and drops it as she struggles with the Servants Lau. Why do you hold me let me end that Monster Ri. Strike injur'd Goodness strike again I 'll thank you Compleat the work of Death that moves too slow But oh first hear me take some Antidote Lau. Must I be held and punisht with his sight Free me or take him hence for horror shakes me Ev'n at the thoughts that he 's of humane form Ri. he kneels Oh stay look on the most undone of Creatures A Devil in guilt but a repenting Devil Oh! cou'd but heav'n and you forgive Lau. Avant Devils can't repent nor be forgiven Ri. But ev'n the worst of Men thus prostrate trembling Not daring to look up near death will sigh to heav'n Oh! you 're so much its likeness Sure its best attribute Divine forgiveness May yet be show'r'd ev'n on a wretch like me A Wretch more more than a wretch there 's not a name That can express my miserable state Lau. Let go my Robes Ri. Oh never never The drowning wretch cannot forego his hold That lost I sink for ever Lau. I 'd sink with thee that thou might'st sink yet lower Think on my wrongs thou Fiend thy breach of Vows Ingratitude that ev'n thy Sex must startle Poyson thy kind return for all my wealth For all my Love and what cries most for Vengeance Those poor young Orphans Oh my ruin'd Children Ri. Oh! take some Antidote Lau. No I wou'd dye what shou'd I live for now see behind me nothing left in Life â—ut misery terrible misery Ri. Oh Laura Lau. Wil't thou still plague me Dye and let me dye Ri. Oh! had you heard me but an hour ago We might have liv'd Alas you little know What 's now divulg'd I 'm not Vincentio's Brother Death to a wretch like me has lost its horror Death shou'd have snatch'd
me in my fancy'd greatness But now my base original my Crimes My shame call for severer punishments The Rack shou'd stretch my Limbs and show me death in view Then pull the blessing back that I might long be tortur'd Then let me starve with those poor helpless Orphans Whom I have robb'd of the support their dying Father left Lau. Oh now thou 'st touch'd my Soul And laid my Crimes as well as thine in view I I was left entrusted with the Care How shall I meet my Husbands shade methinks I see his angry Ghost he frowns oh hide me Forgive blest soul forgive a poor deluded Woman But oh my Children how can you forgive me Yet once more let me see 'em stay I dare not Oh dismal fâ—â—e a dying mother dreads to see her Children Ri. Oh not to you to me they owe their Ruin Oh me on me alone shou'd Vengeance fall Add to my torments heav'n so they have ease Oh! tho' she curst me still tho' she ne're knew 'T was for their good I strove to wed Placentia I 'd bear an age of Hell to mend your fates Lau. Amazement his guilt lessens Can it be He pities me pities my Children too Take back thy pity take it back Ricardo It gains so much upon my easy heart That I shall wrong my self and give thee mine Ri. Pity'd am I then pityd oh thou goodness If thou can'st pity sure thou can'st forgive But oh the poyson That must wake Heav'ns Vengeance And seal the ears of mercy Lau. T was Charity to kill me but thy falshood Was a worse poyson to my doating heart Yet we 've all faults Alas we all want mercy We must forgive heav'n pardon thee and me Ri. What do I hear Lau. But fly my Children's sight may force forgiveness back Ri. Is that forgiveness see I bleed apace Oh pardon e're I dye Lau. Oh! I've a vice of mercy in me Ri. Let me Embrace your Knees breath out my Soul Embraces her knees Enter Children Lau. My Children off away pushes him away Ri. I dare not see 'em and I cannot leave her throws himself on his Face Lau. Away you dearfond wretches Why d' you cling I 've ruin'd you but oh I 'm ruin'd worse Poor Innocents they little know their misery I feel it double for them wretched Mother Oh had my Woes fall'n only on my self I 'd think 'em gentle but this worse affliction Intail'd on you poor helpless guiltless Orphans It turns my Brains distracts me 'T is too much Oh dreadful change oh vanity of life Death is the only blessing a fond Mother She falls and then she sees the Dagger by her and takes it up privately Can wish her dearest Children ha the Dagger Do's not Fate hint by this I ought to ease ' em Must they be left to want to beg to starve I 'll do 't but oh what Arm can hurt such sweetness I cannot strike I cannot bear their Looks But must they live to curse me shame their name And dye perhaps an ignominious Death No I must strike 1. Child Pray mother don't look so indeed it frights me Oh pray ben't angry oh I 'll hug and kiss you Lau. Away we 're ruin'd and we ought to dye 1. Child Oh my dear Mother live We 'll beg for you Lau. Beg cou'd you Beg 1. Child Yes for our dearest mother Lau. Oh this disarms me Live my dearest Children Live and be happier you instruct your Mother She throws away the Dagger and embraces her Children And I too ought to Live If there be means but oh the poyson It works hah it shoots Hell into my Blood I am all wound My head my breast I burn Heart I cleave my sides Brains burst my skull help help Oh gently gently They offer to help her Ri. Oh horror Curse thy sufferings off on me Thou martyr'd Goodness hurl your Bolts you Powers Grind grind me into dust And on each atom double all her pains So Laura's eas'd Ricardo will not murmur Lau. Oh! give me ease where 's Death The Coward dares not come affrighted at my torments My Brâ—â—th's a fire Help Water Ice Heav'n pity me Give 〈◊〉 some of the cold my Children are to suffer Lieut. Take hence these innocents too much they move Lau. Oh pity them I call'd on Death and lo he 's come at last But oh the thoughts of them makes me now welcome him With that sad heaviness that sinks despairing Sinners Oh Heav'n Oh my Children Dyes Wom. She 's dead she 's dead Ri. Hah and do I still live Be dry my Eyes and you my Wounds weep faster Oh let me look and sigh my last at once Oh killing sight when shall I overtake thee Thou only fair Oh! never never never 'T is not for guilt like mine to mount with thee I feel my self in Hell and mercy's self Can never stoop so low Fain wou'd I pray ha a Grim Vision frights me Oh heav'n oh save me hah a hand is stretcht To raise me up to heav'n let me get hold But oh dark vapours rise between I cannot see it Re-enter Ferdinand and a Servant No News yet of Vincentio Oh most dismal sight Fer. Remove that Scene of Grief force off that wretch Ri. Oh you shall never part us No I will I will Be joyn'd with her at least in Death Oh Laura Laura Laura is carried off Ricardo follows bolding by the garments but is forced off faints falls and is carried off Fer. A doleful Scene but where 's my Lord Vincentio I dread some greater mischief from his Stay Enter Zemet Zem. Run find Placentia Don Vincentio's coming A Conqu'ror o're his noble self at last Exit Servant He brings my Lord Fabiano to be blest Fer. My Son Enter Vincentio and Fabiano at one Door Placentia Morella and Melinda at the other Vin. Love's sacrific'd at last to Reason Take her She 's yours my Lord. Fa. Oh 't is too much at once oh rapture oh Placentia Pla. Oh my lov'd Lord He embraces her Fa. My Life my Soul oh I am lost in Bliss and suffer with delight Thou kind omnipotence forgive my doubts I thought thou cou'dst not thus have blest a mortal My Lord my Father kneels to his Father Fer. Oh my dear Son be blest and let my tears Now speak my Joy as once they did my Grief Vin. Thus Providence has wrought my desperate cure Oh! you no more my Mistress nor my Rival Live happy Long be crown'd With blessings which no single state can give My heart has fed so long on hopeless Love That it wou'd surfeit shou'd it feed on other Glory shall be my Darling Mistress now Off then soft frenzy let me rouze my Soul In martial Fields let Fame possess it whole While all who know whence sprung these dangers here Learn from small Crimes great mischiefs to beware Ex. Omnes FINIS Books Printed for D. Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple-bar 1 THe Canterbury Guess Or a Bargain broken A