fears to give encouragement to her adorers Shou'd I commence the Lover like them I should be us'd Bell. Is it a Prize of such low Consequence Not worth the hazarding of a refusal Unless your faith already is bestowed Let me engage you to it on our Friendship Gra. My faith I must not leave him that suspicion Aside There needs not sure so dear a Conjuration To make me aim at what all France contests for An ample fortune with so bright a Beauty Enter Lamira Lam. My blushes own me guilty of a rudeness Tho' Sir I hope my Cousin has excus'd me Bell. I 'll leave you now to make your own Apology Exit Bell. Gra. We have been lamenting Madam that so long You have Condemn'd your self to bear alone The painful load of Business Lam. I had rather much sustain that load for ever Than seeking ease only to change my Burthen For a much worse and Heavier Gra. Among the many wou'd be proud to bear it Can you not find out one on whom to throw it Upon easier Terms or may I ask Why you who can dispose of thousand hearts Let all alike be wretched Lam. Had high ambition been my darling passion I had been tempted to exalt my fate But my own honours bound my largest wishes And fortune has not been a niggard to me Therefore all pleas but merit unconsider'd My heart bestows me freely on the Man Whom it shall speak most Worthy Gra. What vain presumer dare pretend or think To merit such a wonder this resolution known What forward lover wou'd not câ—ase his suit In just despair of ever gaining it Lam. Eiâ—her you flatter me or are too modest Whither was I going I have observ'd The most deserving ever most distrustful Of their own worth which if it be a fault It is the only I 've remarked in you But all that diffidence and modesty Speak louder for you than the Boasts of others Gra. Then it must speak for you have silenc'd me Hence forward I shall only dare to wish That you were less divine or I more worthy Lam. You 're worthy all that you can dare to ask Gra. I ne'er shall dare to ask a Prize too noble For any mortal aim Exit Bowing Lam. So cold Or it s the Character of awful Love If so my words were kind and plain enough To chase away his fears 'T is now too late that humble way to move Respect is rudeness when we offer love Exit Lam. ACT II. SCENE I. Roquelaure's House Enter Bellgard and a Servant Countsâ— Serv. BE pleas'd to stay here Sir My Lord will wait upon you instantly Bell. You have told him I am here Serv. I did and hear him coming Exit Serv. Enter Roquelaure Roq. You 're welcome my Bellgard the only Man That can give comfort to my tortur'd Heart Bell. None can be prouder or more joy'd to serve you Count. I 'm just return'd from visiting your Sister Whom I have seen in such a graceful Sorrow As heightned all her Charms and my desire More than it mov'd my pity Bell. And how my Lord Has she receiv'd the honour you design her Count. With such aversion as she 'd meet her fate At first I found her in a solemn sadness Her Eyes all Languishing fix'd on the ground But rous'd at my approach the flowing blood Flush'd to her Cheeks yet soon again forsook 'em Thus pale and trembling we met alike disorder'd Tho' with such different passions hate in her Produc'd the same effect as Love in me Bell. Hate my Lord Can you suspect her of so great injustice Count. What else can make her so inexorable Upon her knees she fell and grasping mine She weeping beg'd me to desist my suit With such engaging Action and words so moving As whilst they made me wish I cou'd obey her Depriv'd me of the power Bell. Stubborn Girl Count. Finding me more enflam'd and still persisting She said I might expose her to your anger And all the ruine you had lately threatned But there was such an Obstacle in nature As never wou'd permit her to be mine Bell. So positive my Lord I 'll make her find There 's not an Obstacle but I can vanquish Count. I fear her early kindness for my Son Which we too long neglected Tho' they seem parted now their rooted loves May join and still produce fresh springing hopes Bell. Then we must strive to blast 'em I cou'd wish Gramont were married to yours and his own liking What think you of Lamira for a Daughter Count. So well I must not think of it Bell. My Lord I 've a relations interest in her And more that of a Friend on which relying I have propos'd it to her and may tell you She much Esteems your Son and would be proud Of your alliance which if desir'd by you I know she 'll not refuse Count. 'T is generously offer'd and here he comes Enter Gramont To join with me in thanks Your looks are sad My Son is there a cause Gra. There is my Lord if I have any sense Of honour Gratitude or Friendship Castalio Is this day brought here a prisoner to the Castle Where he is kept in chains as he were guilty Of some flagitious action Count. For what is he so us'd Gra. For me you know my Lord He sav'd my life with hazard of his own For which the General Committed him And representing to the absent King The case as he thought fit next had him â—in'd Three thousand Crowns and keeps him thus secur'd Till 't is discharg'd Bell. Some such mean vengeance I apprehended from his barbarous nature Gra. Castalio of a generous Soul Knowing no use of Wealth but to bestow On others wants scarce mindful of his own I know must needs be unprepar'd for this Tho his great services and merit plead Malice in power will be heard against 'em And his reward be there to Starve neglected Count. Honour forbid Gra. Honour justice gratitude and Friendship All forbid yet I th' unhapyy cause Look on and suffer it unable to assist him Count. He must he shall be aided and by you For whom he suffers all Gra. O my honour'd Father more than Father now 'T is more than Life you have given like that unask'd Restor'd a Friend to me preserv'd my honour How shall I pay my thanks Count. To save you that be all the Act your own Gra. Wou'd heav'n but give the power Count. Give it your self and lose not time in wishing A Friend and Father point you out the way You know Lamira Gra. Ha! what of her my Lord Count. She may be yours Gra. Mine my Lord. Bell. One thing 't is fit you know e'er you determine Her deceas'd husband by nature jealous and severe Left the considerablest part of her Estate Conditional that she remain unmarried The terms to one so young unreasonable And unjust therefore I think 'em not in honour Obligatory only to keep the Marriage secret Whilst her Sister lives to whom she
person for he vows He never will assist you Gra. Tell him I will obey him this alone were light But added to the rest compleats the weight What News hast thou how does my little Son Enter another Servant Thy looks forebode me ill if my Child is dead Smile when thou tell'st me for he is happy Serv. Sir he lives but in a wretched state The place you sent him to being near the Sea His Nurse walked often with him on the Shoar But most unhappily some weeks ago Was by our famous Pirate seen and seiz'd And with her infant charge carry'd on board Gra. O fatal accident a strang one too What can the Villain gain by such a prize Methinks it shou'd be more a burthen to him Than advantage Serv. They say he does it Sir In hopes of a Considerable ransom If his young Captives prove of quality But if he finds they will not be redeem'd He throws 'em to the mercy of the Waves Ora. Ha! what pains the fates are at to make a Villain of me Must it be so shall I give up my honour To save my self and all I love from ruine No that 's in my own power the rest in fates And spite of fate I 'll keep my honesty Tho' my best Friend must be for me undone In Fame in Fortune and perhaps his Life A Sacrifice to treacherous revenge My infant by inhumane Pyrates Murder'd The dearest fruit of my Felicia's Love My Wife too O my Wife she 'll be thrown out To wander through the World poor and distress'd To cuâ—se her fatal love to curse her Husband The wretched source of bitterest miseries Who sees her starving and can give no succour I cannot bear the thought it shall not be I 'd pluck these Eyes out rather than behold it So dear I hold her I cou'd cut off these limbs To let her piece meal feed upon my flesh I must I must prevent at any rate This dismal Scene of misery and ruine Turn Villain any thing when she 's at stake My Child too and my Friend I cou'd by Heav'n Suffer a thousand racking death 's for each And shou'd I Sacrifice 'em all to keep A little peace of mind the pride of never straying Walk on by Rules and calmly let 'em perish Rather than tread one step beyond to save ' em Forbid it Nature noâ— I 'll leap o'er all Castalio my suffering Babe and Lov'd Felicia See how dear you 're to me how strong my Love When it can turn the Scale against my Virtue Nay now 't is plain not I but fate resolves it Enter Bellgard He 's â—urely sent just at this very pointâ— To keep me warm and firm for villainy Welcome Bellgard where 's Lamira where my Father Tell him I will be his and hers and yours Mold me as you please but take me quickly For now I grow impatient when shall it be done Bell. Gramont I love you and am much rejoic'd To see you fond of your own happiness But yet must wonder at this new impatience Gra. I dare not trust delays they 're dangerous May hinder or reveal the fatal secret That you know wou'd ruine us But let us not confide in our best Friends Or near relations shall we swear to it You 'll not discover it where you most cou'd trust Your Sister or if any one is dearer Bell. On my honour but there needs no Oath My Friendship to you both will tie me stricter I was just going to my Lord your Father Shall I tell him but we 'll go together Since you are for dispatch he best can forward it Gra. I 'll wait on you 't is done I 'm enter'd now And to plunge through must leave all thought behind me No happiness I for my self expect But wou'd preserve my Friends from ruine Let me without a Partner be unfortunate 'T is all the priviledge I beg from Fate Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Count Roquelaure and Lamira Lam. 'T Is I my Lord am honour'd in your choice To make me sharer of your noble bloud Count. We shall esteem our House with greater Cause When it can boast of such an Ornament But as the happiness is most my Sons He best can pay you our acknowledgments For what he wanted confidence to ask Lam. He seems to want no vertue for perfection But a just sense of his exalted worth He comes and now that fortune joins with it My heart grows bold and tells me he has Charms Enter Gra. and Bell. Which it must love and will not be controul'd Count. Bellgard your fair relation has consented To all our wishes tho' beyond our hopes Bell. She has oblig'd us all but you Gramont Will have the greatest sense as well as share Of the good fortune Gra. 'T is so above what I can say or think I cou'd not hope nor ought t o'ave aim'd at it Count. You must not wonder Madam if my Son Is eager to secure a happiness Which want of merit makes him fear to lose He press'd me e'er I came if I prevail'd To beg you 'd not delay to Crown his wishesâ— Lam. So small a prize wou'd not be worth the price Of a long expectation Gra. It might reward an Age of expectation Count. But happiness can never come too soon May not th' account of his begin to morrow Lam. Nay now you are too hasty Count. Bellgard you 'll join in intercession with us Bell. If but to avoid suspicion it were best To use dispatch Gra. O Felicia Aside Count. Ha methought he nam'd Felicia We must not let him cool since all 's agreed What hinders that it be to night Lam. To night Gra. Why not to night it cannot be too soon Since it must be Aside Lam. Why must our Sex seem shy of what they wish Aside Bell. Dare you trust your Chaplain with the secret Lam. I know none â—itter Bell. Then all is ready for the Ceremony Come Lamira you shou'd be above This little affectation this Maiden Coyness Away with it you must not now deny There 's no pretence for it Lam. You have an absolute command of me But methinks this is too sudden Count. O the more unexpected the more pleasing Bell. I had design'd before an Entertainment Of Musick here to night most fortunately On this occasion 'T were best to have it in this Antichamber Whilst we within conclude the happy Union Come Gramont you 'll lead your Bride Count. Hast you lose time the night is almost spent Lam. How pleas'd we are with importunity That makes our own desires seem condescention Who pleads a cause like this can never fail If not their Arguments Love will prevail Exeunt After a Consort of Musick The Scene draws and discovers Gramont sitting alone Gra. It must not be 't were base to wrong her so Ha base why what 's the part I have already acted Am I not now initiated Villain Have I the smallest claim to honour left Or can it be possest by halfs no
I had known you did But I was never worthy of your trust Cast. Fearful of my success I wou'd have hid My weakness from my self yet in the hopes Bellgard might influence her to him alone I ventur'd to disclose iâ— Gra. To Bellgard Cast. He promis'd to assist me with his Interest Gra. To assist youâ— Cast. You know his Power with her Gra. Too well I know it 't was he propos'd nay urg'd This Fatal Marriage which but for him Wou'd never have been thought on Cast. Is 't possible Gra. Most true Cast. Perfidious Bellgard You have betray'd me basely Enter Bellgard Bel. Betray'd you Cast. Basely I said and thus maintain it Draw Bel. I scorn a Baseness You tax me most Unjustly Cast. Then right your self Bel. My Sword wou'd be employ'd Much better to my choice against that Villain Cast. If Villain be the Mark mine is as well directed Bel. Ha! Cast. Were you not Instrumental in his Marriage You press'd it on nay were the first Proposer Bel. I was but knew I then Cast. You knew enough To make it a base Injury to me If you dare vindicate the Treachery Guard well your Life for that must answer it Bel. What I have done will bear a calmer Test I wou'd be justifi'd for yet I 'm tame Cast. Say rather thou' rt a Coward Bel. Provoke me not Or to your cost you 'l find I am no Coward Cast. I 've found you to my cost a Viler thing Dissembling False and Faithless to your trust Bel. As free from either as your self Castalio Cast. He that dares say it Lies Bel. Nay then Bell. Draws They fight Gra. interposes Gra. Bellgard Castalio What means this Rashness Am not I The Cause of your Debate the fittest object Of your rage On me your Points shou'd turn Or hear at least what each has to alledge My Lord I beg you hold Cast. You have your wish Gram. acâ—identally wounds Cast. Gra. By all my Crimes this cursed Hand has struck him Cast. Methinks I feel 't is too the hand of Fate It seems to have reach'd at Life Gra. Heav'n forbid But is it to be doubted Did I e're Endeavour the prevention of an Ill But I became the Cause and made it surer Bel. A Curse attends the best designs of wicked Men And didst thou hope to prosper Gra. Castalio I have kill'd him my blood is chill'dâ— With horror of the Deed Now is it time To sink me to th' abyss Or I have yetâ— More mischiefs to perform Bel. No 't is thy last But I must clear my self to you Castalio Then for Revenge Be witness for me Heav'n That I not only did acquit my self With honour of the Trust reposed in me But with the Zeal of a most heaaty Friend Nor ceas'd I till Lamira had declar'd She never cou'd return your Love and own'd Her folly there Cast. Gramont has every way been my destruction Gra. What a Heart breaking sound Was it for thisâ— You sav'd my Life Is this the best return A Friend cou'd make Happy for both you hadâ— Been less a Friend then you had liv'd to bless Mankind and I had dy'd without their Curse And all this weight of guilt upon my head But blood attones for blood it shall be so O 't is too sure Life staggers in his Eyes Yet yet support it one moment to behold A Justice done you Bel. 'T is well thought on haste then to give it him Offering to fight Gra. No more of that you said I had done already My last Mischief now for the first good Action Oâ— my Life this to Castalio's Wrongs Stabs himself just as Roquelaure Lam. and Felicia enterâ— â—ast 'T is too much Fel. O Heav'n Lam. Desperate remorse Roq. O my Son Fel. Now you are satisfy'd now you have kill'd him Inhumane Brother Tygers Murderers Devils Gra. O my Dear Thy Grief 's my sharpest wound Fel. Is this the Promise you in parting made me Gra. Look there and tell thy self if I cou'd keep it Fel. Castalio Dying Gra. Murder'd by this hand Cast. An Accidental blow Roq. Unhappy Son of a more wretched Father Gra. My Lord a Dying Son dares ask forgiveness Enter Bâ—â— Bernardo Thou art come to imp my ascending prayers With juster Imprecations behold what I have done Bern. O my dear Lord Cast. If thou hast lov'd me express it not in grieving But in endeavouring to defend my Fame Against the Malice of my Enemies Bern. It needs not the General 's treachery is detected By those he had suborn'd and he disgrac'd A Messenger is from the King arriv'd Inviting both Gramont and you to Court With high Expressions of his Royal Favour And offers of what satisfaction you demand For all your Injuries Cast. Bear him my dying thanks now I am ready 'T is enough my Honour will survive me And I was born to dye Dies Gra. O what a Wretch was I that cou'd not wait Heav'ns time the Providence that never fails Those who dare trust it durst I have been honest One day had chang'd the Scene and made me happy But O your Son Felicia Roq. I 'll take him to my care I 've been to blame in using thee so harshly But all that 's thine shall find my kindness doubled Felicia's now my Daughter as thy Wife She shall be dearest to me Gra. Then all my carâ—s are ended Be happy my Felicia If thou'dst have thy Husband's Spirit rest Dies Roq. He 's gone for ever Fel. O! O! Roq. 'T is Heav'ns will my Child Some help she swoons Lam. How tenderly she lov'd him poor Felicia Fel. Swoon uâ—on the body Women Attendaâ—â—â—â—â—ne aboâ—â— her Roq. Pity from one who needs it more her selfâ— What Reparation can be made Lamira Lam. The World can make me none there 's nothing here But a Vissicitude of Miseries If there is any Joy that 's permanent It must be in that calm that heavenly State To which my future days are dedicated Bell. 'T is the best Asylum for humane Frailty Of which Gramont is a most strange Example He was by Nature Honest Just and Brave In many Trials shew'd a steady Virtue Yet by one sharp Assault at last was vanquish'd None know their Strength let the most Resolute Learn from this Story to distrust themselves Nor think by Fear the Victory less sure Our greatest Danger 's when we 're most â—ecure FINIS EPILOGUE Spoke by Mrs Barry FIrst Ladies I am sent to you from whom Our Author hopes a favourable Doom As Friends to Vertue since 'tas been her End Vice to discourage Vertue recommend You 've seen reveng'd an injurd Woman's Cause And to such Iustice can't deny Applause Felicia too expects you should approve A Wife's Fidelity and Tender Love Protect her Character as you 'd be thought The Bright Originals from which 't was wrought Next to the Men I come but cannot plead Your likeness as a motive to succeed We rather hope none here will be offended Because none here cou'd think himself himself intended Not one of you so sullenly wou'd slight A yielding Fair at least not the first night You cou'd not have the hearts nor I believe Wou'd you to such a height as he deceive ' Twou'd startle you no doubt for not to wrong yee One Wife is thought too much by most among yee Since I have done you justice be this Day As just to us in censuring our Play Not with Grimace and words all noise and Huff Damn it a Woman's that must needs be Stuff At Reason's Great Tribunal she 'd appear Tho' she has most from her decree to fear But so condemn'd conscious of Iustice done Perhaps she 'll mend at least her faults she 'll own If they are such as care may well correct No pains to please you better she 'll neglect But if what she believes Poetick Rage Is found th' infection of a Seribling Age For ever she 'll forsake the Darling Sâ—â—ge BOOKS Printed for Francis Saunders at the Blue-Anchor in the New-Exchange THE Temple of Death a Poem by the Marquess Normanby Horace of the Art of Poetry made English by the Earl of Roscommon The Duel of the Stags by Sir Robert Howard with several other Poems by the Earls of Rochester and Orrery Sir Charles Sedley Sir George Etheridge the Right Honourable Mr. Montague Mr. Granvill Mr. Dryden Mr. Chetwood Mr. Tate and Madam Wharton An Essay on Poetry by the Marquess of Normanby in English The same in Latin by another Hand with several other Poems of the Right Honourable Mr. Montague Mr. Stepney Mr. Arwaker and Mr. Tate Poems on several Occasions By Mrs. Behn with a Voyage to and from the Island of Love Heroick Love A Tragedy by the Honourable Mr. Granvill To the side Boxes