And by my troth I said I thought it was all your own Sec. Away you Coxcomb 4 Do'st think he has no more wit then to write a Comedy my Ladies Chaplain made the Play though he is content for the honour and trouble of the business to be seen in 't Enter 5th Servant 5 Did any body see my head Gentlemen 't was here but now I shall have never a head to play my part in Sec. Is thy head gone 't is well thy part was not in 't Look look about has not Iaques it 4 I his head t wo'not come on upon my shoulders Sec. Make hast Gentlemen I 'l see whether the King has sup'd Look every man to his wardrop and his part Exit 2 Is he gone in my mind a masque had been fitter for a mariage 4 Why mute there was no time for 't and the scenes Are troublesome 2 Half a score Deal tack'd together in the clouds what 's that a Throne to come down and dance all the properties have been paid forty times over and are in the Court stock but the Secretary must have a play to shew his wit 4 Did not I tell thee t was the Chaplains hold your tongue Mute 1 Under the Rose and would this cloth of Silver doublet might never come off agen if there be any more plot then you see in the back of my hand 2 You talk of a plot I 'l not give this for the best Poets plot in the world and if it be not well carryed 4 Welll said Mnte. 3 Ha ha Pedro since he put on his doublet has repeated but three lines and he has broke five butt on s 2 I know not but by this false beard and here 's hair enough to hang a reasonable honest man I do not remember to say a strong line indeed in the whole Comedy but when the Chambermaid kisses the Captain 3 Excellent mute Enter another Servant 5 They have almost sup'd and I cannot find my head yet 4 play in thine own 5 Thank you for that so I may have it made a property if I have not a head found me let Mr. Secretary play my part himself without it Enter Secretary Sec. Are you all ready my Masters the King is coming through the Gallery are the women drest 1 Rogero wants a head Sec. Here with a pox to you take mine you a player You a puppy-dog is the Musick ready Enter Gentleman-Vsher Gent. Gentlemen it is my Ladies pleasure that you expect till she call for you there are a company of Cavaliers in gallant Equipage newly alighted have offer'd to present their Revels in honour of this Hymen and 't is her Graces command that you be silent till their Entertainment be over 1 Gentlemen 2 Affronted 5 Mr. Secretary ther 's your head again a man 's a man have I broken my sleep to study fifteen lines for an Ambassador and after that a Constable and is it come to this Sec. Patience Gentlemen be not so hot t is but defer'd and the play may do well enough cold 4 If it be not presented the Chaplain will have the greatest loss he loses his wits Hoboies Sec. This Musick speaks the King upon entrance retire retire and grumble not Exeunt Enter King Cardinal Alvarez Dutchess Celinda Valeria Placentia Lords Hernando they being set Enter Columbo and five more in rich habits Visarded between every two a torch bearer They Dance and after beckon to Alvarez as desirous to speak with him Alv. With me They Embrace and whisper K. Do you know the Masquers Madam Dut. Not I Sir Car. Ther 's one but that my Nephew is abroad And has more soul than thus to Jyg upon Their Hymenrall night I should suspect 'T were he The Masquers lead in Alvarez Dut. Wher 's my Lord D' Alvarez Recorders K. Call in the Bridegroom Enter Columbo four Masquers bring in Alvarez dead in one of their habits and having laid him down Exeunt Dut. What Mistery is this Car. We want the Bridegroom still K. Where is Alvarez Columbo points to the body they unvizard it find Alvar. bleeding Dut. Oh 't is my Lord hee 's murder'd K. Who durst commit this horrid act Col. I Sir K. Columbo ha Col. Yes Columbo that dares stay To justifie that act Her Most barbarous Dut. Oh my dearest Lord K. Our guard seize on them all this sight doth snake All that is man within me poor Alvarez Is this thy wedding day Enter Guard Dut. If you do think there is a heaven or pains To punish such black crimes i' th' other world Let me have swift and such exemplar justice As shall become this great assasinate You will take off our faith else and if here Such innocence must bleed and you look on Poor men that call you Gods on earth will doubt To obey your Laws nay practise to be Devils As fearing if such monstrous sins go on The Saints will not be safe in Heaven K. You shall You shall have justice Car. Now to come off were brave Enter Servant Ser. The Masquers Sir are fled their horse prepar'd At gate expected to receive 'em where They quickly mounted coming so like friends None could suspect their hast which is secur'd By advantage of the night Col. I answer for 'em all 't is stake enough For many lives but if that poniard Had voice it would convince they were but all Spectators of my act and now if you Will give your judgments leave though at the first Face of this object your cool bloods were frighted I can excuse this deed and call it Justice An act your honours and your office Sir Is bound to build a Law upon for others To Imitate I have but took his life And punish'd her with mercy who had both Conspir'd to kill the soul of all my fame Read there and read an injury as deep In my dishpnour as the Devill knew A Woman had capacity or malice To execute read there how you were cozen'd Sir Your power affronted and my faith her smiles A jugling witchcraft to betray and make My love her horse to stalk withall and catch Her curled Minion Car. Is it possible The Dutchess could dissemble so and forfeit Her modesty with you and to us all Yet I must pity her my Nephew has Been too severe though this affront would call A dying man from prayers and turn him Tiger There being nothing dearer than our fame Which If a common man whose blood has no Ingredient of honour labour to Preserve a Souldier by his nearest tye To glory is above all others bound To vindicate and yet it might have been less bloody Her Charitable Devill K. Reads I Pray my Lord release under your hand what you dare challenge in my love or person as a just forfeit to my self this act will speak you honorable to my thoughts and when you have conquered thus your self you may proceed to many victories and after with safety of your famit visit again The lost Rosaura To
THE CARDINAL A TRAGEDIE AS It was acted at the private House IN BLACK FRYERS WRITTEN By JAMES SHIRLEY Not Printed before LONDON Printed for Humphrey Robinson at the Pigeons and Humphrey Moseley at the Arms in St. Paul's Church-yard 1652 To my worthily honored Friend G. B. Esq SIR I Did suffer at the first some contention within me and looking upon my self was inclined to stifle my ambitious thoughts in this Dedication but when some time and a happy conversation had preferred me to more acquaintance with you which was more argument to me than the fame I had heard of your reputation with the most temperate and ingenious men I found you not only an excellent Judge but a good Man at this my modesty took full encouragement to make this offering which as I conceive to be the best of my flock I knew not a better Altar whereon to make it a sacrifice with this protestation that it comes and that is it only which makes all devotions acceptable from the heart and your candid acceptance will bind me with all my services and remembrance to merit a reception with you in the quality and honour of Sir Your most humble devoted Servant JA. SHIRLEY Prologue THe Cardinal cause we express no scene We doe believe most of you Gentlemen Are at this hour in France and busie there Though you vouchsafe to lend your bodies here But keep your fancy active till you know By th' progress of our Play 't is nothing so A Poets art is to lead on your thought Through subtle paths and workings of a plot And where your expectation does not thrive If things fall better yet you may forgive I will say nothing positive you may Think what you please we call it but a Play Whether the comick Muse or Ladies love Romance or direfull Tragedy it prove The Bill determines not and would you be Perswaded I would have 't a Comedie For all the purple in the name and state Of him that owns it but 't is left to fate Yet I will tell you e'r you see it plaid What the Author and he blusht too when he said Comparing with his own for 't had been pride He thought to build his wit a Pyramyde Vpon anothers wounded Fame this Play Might rivall with his best and dar'd to say Troth I am out he said no more you then When 'ts done may say your pleasures Gentlemen To the surviving Honour and Ornament of the English Scene Iames Shirley AS Fate which doth all human matters sway Makes proudest things grow up into decay And when they are to envyed greatness grown She wantonly falls off and throws them down So when our English Dramma was at hight And shin'd and rul'd with Majesty and might A sudden whirlwind threw it from it seat Deflowr'd the Groves and quench'd the Muses heat Yet as in Saints and Martyr'd bodies when They cannot call their blessed Souls agen To earth Reliques and ashes men preserve And think they do but what blest they deserve So I by my devotion led aspire To keep alive your noble Vestal fire Honour this piece which shews Sir you have been The last supporter of the dying Scene And though I do not tell you how you dress Virtue in gloryes and bold vice depress Nor celebrate your lovely Dutchess fall Or the just ruine of your Cardinal Yet this I dare assert when men have nam'd Iohnson the Nations Laureat the fam'd Beaumont and Fletcher he that wo'not see Shirley the fourth must forfeit his best ey HALL Persons KIng of Navarre Cardinal Columbo the Cardinals Nephew Alvarez Hernando a Colonel Alphonso Lords Secretary to the Dutchess Colonels Antonelli the Cardinals Servant Surgion Guard Attendants c. Dutchess Rosaura Valeria Ladies Celinda Ladies Placentia a Lady that waits upon the Dutchess Scene Navarre THE CARDINAL ACT I. Enter two Lords at one door Secretary at the other 1 Lord WHo is that 2 Lo. The Dutchess Secretary 1 Lo. Signior Secr. Your Lordships Servant 1 Lo. How does her Grace since she left her mourning For the young Duke Mendoza whose timeless death At Sea left her a Virgin and a Widdow 2 Lo. Shee 's now inclining to a second Bride When is the day of mighty mariage To our great Cardinals Nephew Don Columbo Secr. When they agree they wo'not steal to Church I guess the ceremonies will be loud and publick Your Lordships will excuse me Exit 1 Lo. When they agree alas poor Lady she Dotes not upon Columbo when she thinks Of the young Count D'Alvarez divorc'd from her By the Kings power 2 Lo. And Counsell of the Cardinal to advance His Nephew to the Dutchess bed 't is not well 1 Lo. Take heed the Cardinal holds intelligence With every bird i' th' air 2 Lo. Death on his purple pride He governs all and yet Columbo is A gallant Gentleman 1 Lo. The darling of the War whom Victory Hath often courted a man of daring And most exalted spirit pride in him Dwels like an ornament where so much honour Secures his praise 2 Lo. This is no argument He should usurp and wear Alvarez title To the fair Dutchess men of coarser blood Would not so tamely give this treasure up 1 Lo. Although Columbos name is great in war Whose glorious art and practice is above The greatness of Alvarez yet he cannot Want soul in whom alone survives the virtue Of many noble Ancestors being the last Of his great family 2 Lo. 'T is not safe you 'l say to wrastle with the King 1 Lo. More danger if the Cardinal be displeas'd Who sits at helm of State Count D' Alvarez Is wiser to obey the stream than by Insisting on his privilege to her love Put both their fate upon a storm 2 Lo. If Wisdom not inborn Fear make him compose I like it how does the Dutchess bear herself 1 Lo. She moves by the rapture of another wheel That must be obey'd like some sad passenger That looks upon the coast his wishes fly to But is transported by an adverse wind sometimes A churlish Pilot 2 Lo. She has a sweet and noble nature 1 Lo. That commend Alvarez Hymen cannot tie A knot of two more equall hearts and blood Enter Alphonso 2 Lo. Alphonso Alph. My good Lord 1 Lo. What great affair Hath brought you from the confines Alp. Such as will Be worth your counsells when the King hath read My Letters from the Governour the Arragonians Violating their confederate oath and league Are now in arms they have not yet marcht towards us But 't is not safe to expect if we may timely Prevent Invasion 2 Lo. Dare they be so insolent 1 Lo. This storm I did foresee 2 Lo. What have they but the sweetness of the King To make a crime 1 Lo. But how appears the Cardinal At this news Alp. Not pale although He knows they have no cause to think him innocent As by whose Counsell they were once surpriz'd 1 Lo. There is more Than all our present
be admitted what The Church and Law allowes me Car. Insolent then you dare marry him Dut. Dare Let your contracted flame and malice with Columbo's rage higher than that meet us When we approach the holy place clasp'd hand In hand wee 'l break through all your force and six Our sacred vows together there Car. I knew When with as chast a brow you promis'd fair To another you are no dissembling Lady Dut. Would all your actions had no falser lights About 'em Car. Ha Dut. The people would not talk and curse so loud Car. I 'l have you chid into a blush for this Dut. Begin at home great man ther 's cause enough You turn the wrong end of the perspective Upon your crimes to drive them to a far And lesser sight but let your eys look right What giants would your pride and surfeit seem How gross your avarice eating up whole families How vast are your corruptions and abuse Of the Kings ear at which you hang a pendent Not to adorn but ulcerate while the honest Nobility like pictures in the Arras Serve only for Court-Ornament if they speak 'T is when you set their tongues which you wind up Like clocks to strike at the just hour you please Leave leave my Lord these usurpations And be what you were meant a man to cure Not let in Agues to Religion Look on the Churches wounds Car. You dare presume In your rude spleen to me to abuse the Church Dut. Alas you give false aym my Lord 't is your Ambition and Scarlet Sins that tob Her Altar of the glory and leave wounds Upon her brow which fetches grief and paleness Into her cheeks Making her troubled bosome Pant with her groanes and shroud her holy blushes Within your reverend purples Car. Will you now take breath Dut. In hope my Lord you will behold your self In a true glass and see those injust acts That so deform you and by timely cure Prevent a shame before the short haird men Do croud and call for justice I take leave Exit Car. This woman has a spirit that may rise To tame the Devils ther 's no dealing with Her angry tongue 't is action and revenge Must calm her fury were Columbo here I could resolve but Letters shall be sent To th' Army which may wake him into sense Of his rash folly or direct his spirit Some way to snatch his honour from this flame All great men know The soul of life is same Exit ACT III Enter Valeria Celinda Valeria I Did not think Celinda when I prais'd Alvarez to the Dutchess that things thus Would come about what does your Ladiship Think of Columbo now it staggers all The Court he should forsake his Mistress I Am lost with wonder yet Celind. 'T is very strange Without a spel but ther 's a fate in love I like him ne'r the worse Enter two Lords 1 Lo. Nothing but mariages and triumph now Val. What new access of joy makes you my Lord So pleasant 1 Lo. Ther 's a Packet 〈…〉 Makes the King merry we are all concernd in 't Columbo hath given the enemy a great And glorious defeat and is already Preparing to march home Col. He thriv'd the better for my prayers 2 Lo. You have been his great admirer Madam 1 Lo. The King longs to see him Val. This news exalts the Cardinal Enter Cardinal 1 Lo. He 's here He appears with discontent the Mariage With Count D'Alvarez hath a bitter tast And not worn off his palat but let us leave him Ladies We 'l to the Dutchess Exeunt manet Car. Card. He has not woon so much upon the Arragon As he has lost at home and his neglect Of what my studies had contriv'd to adde More luster to our Family by the access Of the great Dutchess fortune cools his triumph And makes me wild Enter Hernando Her My good Lord Cardinal Car. You made complaint to th' King about your General Her Not a complaint my Lord I did but satisfie Some questions o' the Kings Car. You see he thrives Without your personal valour or advice Most grave and learned in the wars Her My Lord I Envy not his fortune Car. 'T is above Your Malice and your noise not worth his anger 'T is barking gainst the moon Her More temper would Become that habit Car. The Military thing would shew some spleen I 'l blow an Army of such Wasps about The world go look your sting you left i' th' Camp Sir Enter King and Lords Her The King Exit This may be one day counted for K. All things conspire my Lord to make you fortunate Your Nephews glory Car. 'T was your cause and justice Made him victorious had he been so valiant At home he had had another conquest to Invite and bid her welcome to new wars K. You must be reconcil'd to providence my Lord I heard you had a controvercy with The Dutchess I will have you friends Car. I am not Angry K. For my sake then you shall be pleas'd And with me grace the Mariage A Churchman must shew Charity and shine With first example she 's a woman Car. You shall prescribe in all things Sir you cannot Accuse my love if I still wish my Nephew Had been so happy to be constant to Your own and my election yet my brain Cannot reach how this comes about I know My Nephew lov'd her with a near affection Enter Hernando K. He 'l give you fair account at his return Colonel your Letters may be spar'd the General Has finish'd and is coming home Her I am glad on 't sir my good Lord Cardinal 'T is not impossible but some man provok'd May have a precious mind to cut your throat Car. You shall command me Noble Colonel I know you wo'not fail to be at th' wedding Her 'T is not Columbo that is maried Sir Car. Go teach the postures of the Pike and Musket Then dril your Mirmidons into a ditch Where sterve and stink in pickle you shall find Me reasonable you see the King expects me Her So does the Devill some desperate hand May help you on your journey Exeunt Enter Secretary and Servants Sec. Here this I this will fit your part you shall wear Slashes because you are a Souldier here 's for the blue mute 1 This doublet will never fit me Pox ont' are these Breeches good enough for a Prince too Pedro playes but a Lord and he has two laces more in a seam Sec. You must consider Pedro is a foolish Lord he may wear what lace he please 2 Does my beard fit my cloathes well Gentlemen Sec Pox o' your beard 3 That will fright away the hair 1 This fellow plays but a mute he is so troublesome and talks 3 Mr. Secretary might have let Iaques play the soldier He has a black patch already 2 By your favour Mr. Secretary I was ask'd who writ this play for us Sec. For us why art thou any more than a blew mute 2
this your Answer was a free resign Col. Flatter'd with great opinion of her faith And my desert of her with thought that she Who seem'd to weep and chide my easie will To part with her could not be guilty of A treason or Apostacy so soon But rather meant this a device to make Me expedite the affairs of War I sent That paper which her wickedness not justice Applied what I meant tryall her divorce I lov'd her so I dare call heaven to witness I knew not whether I lov'd most while she With him whose crimson penitence I provok'd Conspir'd my everlasting infamy Examine but the circumstance Car. 'T is clear This Match was made at home before she sent That cunning writ in hope to take him off As knowing his impatient Soul would scorn To own a blessing came on crutches to him It was not well to raise his expectation Had you Sir no affront to ruine him With so much scandall and contempt K. We have Too plentifull a circumstance to accuse You Madam as the cause of your own sorrows But not without an accessary more Than young Alvarez Car. Any other instrument K. Yes I am guilty with her self and Don Columbo though our acts look'd severall waies That thought a lover might so soon be ransom'd And did exceed the office of a King To exercise dominion over hearts That owe to the prerogative of heaven Their choice or Separation you must therefore When you do kneel for Justice and Revenge Madam consider me a laterall agent In poor Alvarez Tragedy 1 Lo. It was your love to Don Columbo Sir Her So so the King is charm'd do you observe How to acquit Columbo he would draw Himself into the plot Heaven is this Justice Car. Your Judgment is divine in this K. And yet Columbo cannot be secure and we Just in his pardon that durst make so great And insolent a breach of Law and Duty 2 Lo. Ha Will he turn agen K. And should we leave This guilt of blood to Heaven which cries and strikes With loud appeals the palace of eternity Yet here is more to charge Columbo than Alvarez blood and bids me punish it Or be no King Her 'T is come about my Lords K. And If I should forgive His timeless death I cannot the offence That with such boldness struck at me Has my Indulgence to your merits which are great Made me so cheap your rage could meet no time Nor place for your revenge but where my eys Must be affrighted and affronted with The bloody execution This contempt Of Majesty transcends my power to pardon And you shall feel my anger Sir Her Thou shalt have one short prayer more for that Col. Have I i' th' progress of my life No actions to plead me up deserving Against this ceremony Car. Contain your self Col. I must be dumb then where is honour And gratitude of Kings when they forget Whose hand secur'd their greatness take my head off Examine then which of your silken Lords As I have done will throw himself on dangers Like to a floting Iland move in blood And where your great defence calls him to stand A Bullwark upon his hold brest to take In death that you may live but Souldiers are Your valiant fools whom when your own securities Are bleeding you can cherish but when once Your state and nerves are knit not thinking when To use their surgery again you cast Them off and let them hang in dusty armories Or make it death to ask for pay K. No more We thought to have put your victory and merits In ballance with Alvarez death which while Our mercy was to Iudge had been your safety But the affront to us made greater by This boldness to upbraid our royall bounty Shall tame or make you nothing Lor. Excellent Her The Cardinal is not pleas'd Car. Humble your self To th' King Col. And beg my life let cowards do 't That dare not dy I 'l rather have no head Than owe it to his Charity K. To th' Castle with him Madam I leave you to your grief and what The King can recompence to your tears or honor Of your dead Lord expect Dut. This shews like Iustice Exeunt ACT IV. Enter two Lords Hernando 1 Lord THis is the age of wonders 2 Lo. Wonderous mischiefs Her Among those guards which some call Tutelar Angels Whose office is to govern Provinces Is there not one will undertake Navarre Hath heaven forsook us quite 1 Columbo at large 2 And grac'd now more than ever 1 He was not pardon'd That word was prejudiciall to his fame Her But as the murder done had been a dream Vanish'd to memory he 's courted as Preserver of his Country with what chains Of Magick does this Cardinal hold the King 2 What will you say my Lord if they inchant The Dutchess now and by some impudent art Advance a Mariage to Columbo yet Her Say I 'l say no woman can be sav'd nor is 't Fit indeed any should pretend to Heaven After one such impiety in their sex And yet my faith has been so stager'd since The King restor'd Columbo I 'l be now Of no Religion 1 'T is not possible She can forgive the murder I observ'd Her tears Her Why so did I my Lord And if they be not honest 't is to be Half damn'd to look upon a woman weeping When do you think the Cardinal said his prayers 2 I know not Her Heaven forgive my want of charity But if I were to kill him he should have No time to pray his life could be no sacrifice Unless his soul went too 1 That were too much Her When you mean to dispatch him you may give Time for Confession they have injur'd me After another rate 2 You are too passionate Cozen Enter Columbo Colonels Alfonso Courtiers they pass over the Stage Her How the gay men do flutter to congratulate His Goal delivery ther 's one honest man What pity 't is a gallant fellow should Depend on knaves for his preferment 1 Except this cruelty upon Alvarez Columbo has no mighty stain upon him But for his Uncle Her If I had a Son Of twelve years old that would not fight with him And stake his soul against his Cardinals Cap I would dis-inherit him Time has took a lease But for three lives I hope a fourth may see Honesty walk without a crutch 2 This is But Air and Wildness Her I 'l see the Dutchess You may do well to comfort her 1 We must attend the King Her your pleasures Exit Her Enter King and Cardinal 1 A Man of a brave soul 2 The less his safety The King and Cardinal in consult K. Commend us to the Dutchess and imploy What language you think fit and powerfull To reconcile her to some peace My Lords Car. Sir I possess all for your sacred uses Exeunt Severally Enter Secretary and Celinda Sec. Madam you are the welcom'st Lady living Cel. To whom Mr. Secretary Sec. If you have
mercy To pardon so much boldness I durst say To me I am a Gentleman Cel. And handsome Sec. But my Lady has much wanted you Cel. Why Mr. Secretary Sec. You are the prettiest Cel. So Sec. The witiest Cel. So Sec. The merriest Lady i' th' Court Cel. And I was wish'd to make the Dutchess pleasant Sec. She never had so deep a cause of sorrow Her Chamber 's but a Coffin of a larger Volume wherein she walks so like a Ghost T' would make you pale to see her Cel. Tell her Grace I attend here Sec. I shall most willingly A spirited Lady would I had her in my closet She is excellent company among the Lords Sure she has an admirable treble Madam Exit Cel. I do suspect this fellow would be nibling Like some whose narrow fortunes will not rise To wear things when the inventions rare and new But treading on the heel of pride they hunt The fashion when t is crippled like fell tyrants I hope I am not old yet I had the honour To be saluted by our Cardinals Nephew This Morning ther 's a man Enter Secretary Sec. I have prevail'd Sweet Madam use what Eloquence you can Upon her and if ever I be usefull To your Ladiships service your least breath commands me Enter Dutchess Dut. Madam I come to ask you but one question If you were in my State my state of grief I mean an exile from all happiness Of this world and almost of heaven for my Affliction is finding out despair What would you think of Don Columbo Cel. Madam Dut. Whose Bloody hand wrought all this misery Would you not weep as I do and wish rather An everlasting spring of tears to drown Your sight than let your eys be curst to see The murderer agen and glorious So careless of his sin that he is made Fit for new Parricide even while his soul Is purpled o'r and reeks with innocent blood But do not do not answer me I know You have so great a spirit which I want The horrour of his fact surprising all My faculties you would not let him live But I poor I must suffer more ther 's not One little star in Heaven will look on me Unless to choose me out the mark on whom It may shoot down some angry influence Enter Placentia Pla. Madam her 's Don Columbo says he must Speak with your Grace Dut. But he must not I charge you None else wait Is this well done To triumph in his Tyranny speak Madam Speak but your conscience Enter Columbo and Secretary Sec. Sir you must not see her Col. Not see her were she cabled up above The search of Bullet or of Fire were she Within her Grave and that the toughest Mine That ever nature teem'd and groand withall I would force some way to see her do not fear I come to Court you Madam y' are not worth The humblest of my kinder thoughts I come To shew the man you have provok'd and lost And tell you what remains of my revenge Live but never presume again to marry I 'l kill the next at th' Altar and quench all The smiling tapers with his blood if after You dare provoke the Priest and heaven so much To take another in thy bed I 'l cut him from Thy warm embrace and throw his heart to Ravens Cel. This will appear an unexampled cruelty Col. Your pardon Madam rage and my revenge Not perfect took away my eys you are A noble Lady this not worth your ey-beam One of so slight a making and so thin An Autumn leaf is of too great a value To play which shall be soonest lost i' th' Air Be pleas'd to own me by some name in your Assurance I despise to be receiv'd There let her witness that I call You Mistress honour me to make these Pearls Your carkanet Cel. My Lord you are too humble in your thoughts Col. Ther 's no vexation too great to punish her Exit Enter Secretary Sec. Now Nadam Cel. Away you saucy fellow Madam I Must be excus'd if I do think more honourably Than you have cause of this great Lord Dut. Why is not All woman kind concern'd to hate what 's impious Cel. For my part Dut. Antonio is this a woman Sec. I know not whether she be man or woman I should be nimble to find out the Experiment She look'd with less state when Columbo came Dut. Let me entreat your absence I am cozen'd in her I took you for a modest honest Lady Cel. Madam I scorn any accuser and Deducting the great title of a Dutchess I shall not need one grain of your dear honour To make me full weight if your Grace be jealous I can remove Exit Sec. She is gone Dut. Prethee remove My fears of her return she is not worth Ex. Sec. Considering my anger 's mounted higher He need not put in caution for my next Marrage Alvarez I must come to thee Thy Virgin Wife and Widdow but not till I ha' paid those Tragick duties to thy Herse Become my piety and love but how Who shall instruct a way Enter Placentia Pla. Madam Don Hernando much desires to speak with you Dut. Will not thy own discretion think I am Unfit for visit Pla. Please your Grace he brings Something he says imports your ear and love Of the dead Lord Alvarez Dut. Then admit him Enter Hernando Her I would speak Madam to your self Dut. Your absence Her I know not how you Grace wil censure so Much boldness when you know the affairs I come for Dut. My Servant has prepar'd me to receive it If it concern my dead Lord Her Can you name So much of your Alvarez in a breath Without one word of your revenge O Madam I come to chide you and repent my great Opinion of your virtue that can walk And spend so many hours in naked Solitude As if you thought that no arrear were due To his death when you had paid his Funerall charges Made your eys red and wept a handkercher I come to tell you that I saw him bleed I that can challenge nothing in his name And honour saw his murder'd body warm And panting with the labour of his spirits Till my amaz'd Soul shrunk and hid it self While barbarous Columbo grinning stood And mock'd the weeping wounds it is too much That you should keep your heart alive so long After this spectacle and not revenge it Dut. You do not know the business of my heart That censure me so rashly yet I thank you And if you be Alvarez friend dare tell Your confidence that I despise my life But know not how to use it in a service To speak me his revenger this will need No other proof than that to you who may Be sent with cunning to betray me I Have made this bold confession I so much Desire to sacrifice to that hovering Ghost Columbo's life that I am not ambitious To keep my own two minutes after it Her If you will call me
unjoynted Her They have Musick Pla. A Lute only His Grace prepard they say the best of Italy That waits upon my Lord Her He thinks the Dutchess Is stung with a Tarantula Pla. Your pardon My duty is expected Her Gentle Lady a voice too Song within S. Come my Daphne come away We do wast the Crystal day 'T is Strephon calls Da What says my love S. Come follow to the Mirtle Grove Where Venus shall prepare New Chaplets for thy hair D. Were I shut up within a Tree I 'd rend my bark to follow thee S. My Shepherdess make hast The minutes slide too fast D. In those cooler shades will I Blind as Cupid kiss thine ey S. In thy bosome then I 'l stay In such warm Snow who would not lose his way Chor. WE 'l laugh and leave the world behind And Gods themselves that see Shall envy thee and me But never find Such joys when they embrace a Deity If at this distance I distinguish 't is not Church musick and the air 's wanton and no Anthem Sung to 't but some strange Ode of love and kisses What should this mean ha he is coming hither I am betraid he marches in her hand I 'l trust a little more mute as the Arras My sword and I here He observes Enter Cardinal Dutchess Antonelli and Attendants Car. Wait you in the first Chamber and let none Presume to interrupt us Ex. Serv. She is pleasant now for some art to poyson all her innocence Dut. I do not like the Cardinals humour he Little suspects what guest is in my Chamber Car. Now Madam you are safe Dut. How means your Lordship Car. Safe in my Arms sweet Dutchess Dut. Do not hurt me Car. Not for the treasures of the world you are My pretty charge had I as many lives As I have carefull thoughts to do you service I should think all a happy forfeit to Delight your Grace one minute 't is a heaven To see you smile Dut. What kindness call you this Car. It cannot want a name while you preserve So plentifull a sweetness it is love Dut. Of me how shall I know 't my Lord Car. By this and this swift Messengers to whisper Our hearts to one another Kisses Dut. Pray do you come a wooing Car. Yes sweet Madam You cannot be so cruell to deny me Dut. What my Lord Car. Another kiss Dut. Can you Dispense with this my Lord Alas I fear Aside Hernando is asleep or vanish'd from me Car. I have mock'd my blood into a flame and what My angry soul had form'd for my revenge Is now the object of my amorous sense I have took a strong inchantment from her lips And fear I shall forgive Columbo's death If She consent to my embrace come Madam Dut. Whither my Lord Car. But to your bed or couch Where if you will be kind and but allow Your self a knowledg love whose shape and raptures Wise Poets have but glorified in dreams Shall make your chamber his eternall Palace And with such active and essentiall streams Of new delights glide o'r your bosome you Shall wonder to what unknown world you are By some blest change translated why d' e pause And look so wild will you deny your Governour Dut. How came you by that Cloven foot Car. Your fancy Would turn a traitour to your happiness I am your friend you must be kind Dut. Unhand me Or I 'l cry out a rape Car. You wo'not sure Dut. I have been cozend with Hernando's shadow Here 's none but heaven to hear me help a rape Car. Are you so good at understanding then I must use other argument He forces her Her Go to Cardinal Strikes him Ex. Dut. Car. Hernando Murder Treason help Her An army sha'not rescue thee your blood Is much inflam'd I have brought a Lancet wi' me Shall open your hot veins and cool your fever To vex thy parting Soul it was the same Engin that pinc'd Columbo's heart Car. Help Murder Enter Antonelli and Servants Anton. Some ring the bell 't wil raise the Court My Lord is murder'd 't is Hernando The bell rings Her I 'l make you all some sport So now we are even Where is the Dutchess I would take my leave Of her and then bequeath my curse among you Her falls Enter King Dutchess Valeria Lords Guard K. How come these bloody objects Her With a trick my sword found out I hope he 's paid 1 Lo I hope so to a Surgeon for my Lord Cardinal K. Hernando Dut. Iustice Oh Iustice Sir against a ravisher Her Sir I ha' done you service K. A bloody service Her 'T is pure Scarlet Enter Surgeon Car. After such care to perfect my revenge Thus banded out o' th' world by a womans plot Her I have preserv'd the Dutchess from a rape Good-night to me and all the world for ever Dies K. So impious Dut. 'T is most true Alvarez blood Is now reveng'd I find my brain return And every stragling sense repairing home Car. I have deserv'd you should turn from me Sir My life hath been prodigiously wicked My blood is now the Kingdoms balm oh Sir I have abu'd your ear your trust your people And my own sacred Office my conscience Feels now the sting oh shew your charity And with your pardon like a cool soft gale Fan my poor sweating soul that wanders through Unhabitable climes and parched deserts But I am lost if the great World forgive me Unless I find your mercy for a crime You know not Madam yet against your life I must confess more than my black intents Upon your honour y' are already poyson'd K. By whom Car. By me In the revenge I ow'd Columbo's loss With your last meat was mixt a poyson that By subtle and by sure degrees must let in death K. Look to the Dutchess our Physicians Car. Stay I will deserve her mercy though I cannot Call back the deed in proof of my repentance If the last breath of a now dying man May gain your charity and belief receive This Ivory box in it an antidote 'Bove that they boast the great magistrall medicine That pouder mixt with wine by a most rare And quick access to the heart will fortifie it Against the rage of the most nimble poyson I am not worthy to present her with it Oh take it and preserve her innocent life 1 Lo. Strange he should have a good thing in such readyness Car. This that which in my jealousie and state Trusting to false predictions of my birth That I sh dy by poyson I preserv'd For my own safety wonder not I made That my companion was to be my refuge Enter Servant with a bowle of Wine 1 Lo. Her 's some touch of grace Car. in greater proof of my pure thoughts I take This first and with my dying breath confirm My penitence it may benefit her life But not my wounds oh hasten to preserve her And though I merit not her pardon let not Her fair soul be divorc'd