other wayes in that you trust it But I 'le be gone and Execute your Orders Exit Ger. A Faithful Servant is the best of Friends Since he is nearest alwayes to assist us But stay I cannot guess from all I 've heard The cause that should disturb Antonio Except 't is Jealousie Yet how can that be If Caelia's vitious there 's no vertuous Women But now I think how much he rail'd at Marriage And more our Arguments concerning doubt These things perswade he 's Jealous But of whom The more I think the more I am confounded How Clouded Man Doubts first and from one doubt doth soon proceed A thousand more in solving of the first Like Nighted Travellers we lose our way Then every Ignis Fatuus makes us stray By the false Lights of Reason led about Till we arrive where we at first set out Nor shall we e're Truths perfect High-way see Till dawns the Day-break of Eternity Exit Enter Eugenia Eug. I am amaz'd the Nurse should stay so long My Anger makes each minute seem an hour That Woman is a thing made up of mischief Some Fatal Devil sure did guide the Choyce My Mother made in choosing her our Nurse She 's Fool to th' height And yet hath wit enough To tread all Labyrinths of Treachery But that 's no wonder For who 's Treacherous That wants not Eyes to see it's ugly Form For now I fear and I believe not vainly That Villain Jasper knows all my concerns Or what could prompt him to that Impudence He did express in his address to day Enter Nurse Thou fatal Hagg thou Mother of all mischief What Devil taught thy perjur'd Tongue the way To tell the shame which thou didst first occasion Nurse Pray what ayls you Madam are you mad Eug. I wish I was as I have cause enough For then I should not know the shame attends me In being Table-talk for every Rascal As thou Hell thank thee for it now hast made me Nurse I made you Table-talk There 's no such thing I 've been too faithful to you that I have Losing my sleep full oft to watch your pleasure And is this all I get It is no matter I Shall be even with you Eug. Threaten on for thou hast Acted all thy threats Imp In letting Jasper know my shame and folly Nurse Jasper knows nothing that he does not from me And I will ask him fore your face I will If I e're said Francisco lay with you Eug. 'T is plain thy guilt transported thee to madness Else thou wouldst never make thy Tongue a Herauld So loud for to proclaim to all the House The Action you 'd perswade me still is secret Nurse If you talk lowd your self why may not I But I 'le bring Jasper to you shall deny all Eug. What mischief upon mischief she designs Dost think like thine my Modesty is gone To have this argu'd out before my face And such a Villaine y Nurse A Villain say you No Villain neither I wou'd have you know No more then is Francisco pick that bone Or if you will I 'le bid Gerardo do it Dee' think to rail at me Is that my thanks Eug. My feares I see will force me to dissemble Nurse I but try'd thy patience I believe Thou would'st not tell that secret for the world No tho' it were to Jasper Nurse Jasper's an honest fellow and no Villain And did he know a secret he could keep it Eug. But have you told it then Nurse No matter what I 've done I will not tell you Because you vext and rated at me so Eug. Well Nurse I did believe you lov'd me better Weeps And wou'd trust me with any thing you did But I perceive your kindness all for Jasper Nurse I love Jasper well and love you too And you shall have no wrong I warrant you Eug. The thing is plain I need nor ask no further But where 's the remedy Nurse prethee tell me What did Francisco say unto my message Nurse I there 's a bus'ness now worth asking for He sayes he 's glad you 'l condescend to meet Nay he 's a glad man I 'le tell you that i'faith He bid me say you were a gallant Girle So to Revenge his quarrel on Gerardo Eug. Gerardo said you O thy mouth 's a Sieve There 's not a secret thou canst keep a moment Did I not charge thee not to name Gerardo Till I should speak of it my self to him Nay 't is the greatest motive makes me meet him For to prevent the mischiefs else may follow Well I am curst for sin and thou art made The cause o' th' sin and curse that does attend it Nur. What are you got to railing again for nothing Pray who has most discretion to tell a bus'ness You or I But you forsooth are grown so proud of late Because you hope to Marry Don Gerardo That there 's no speaking to you Marry gip 'Faith I shall spoil your Market Exit Eug. Do thy worst for I am resolv'd to suffer once for all Death would be better then this Slavery And that 's the worst can happen Should she tell my Brother or Gerardo my whole story That 's dying once but I by fear thus fool'd Do hourly dye since still I Death behold Exit Enter Jasper and Antonio Jasp My Lord I 'm confident this is the House Wherein the Woman Lives I told you of Anto. Knock then and if she comes do you speak to her I 'le stand aloof a while and hear you talk Jasper knocks Enter Witch with a block Rod which she turns over her Head whilst Jasper makes a private sign of his Lord 's being there Jasp Hail Reverend Mother I suppose you are That famous Artist who Commands this House Which if you be with confidence I beg You would resolve some Questions I should ask Which if you please to do my gratitude Shall be proportion'd to the kindness done Witch What prating Fellow's here Your Lord Antonio Need not to doubt my Art or if he did He might have sent some wiser Man to try me Come come my Lord I am no Cheating Chymist that requires A Faith in Fools to make his work successful No no my Power is boundless I can search The secrets of your Soul and when I 've done Solve all the doubts that there possess your mind That Women should be Women is no wonder Anto. But that Women should turn Devils is Witch No no my Lord I am no Devil neither Anto. Mother I meant not you when I said so Witch Son Son excuse it not you have no cause To love us Women much and I 'm not angry At what you said though I know what you meant Ant. Then Mother by these Powers you practice by I do Conjure you shew me all the truth Of what you know concerns my coming hither Witch Come enter in my Lord and nothing fear There 's not a doubt of yours but shall be clear I 've sent a Spirit out
who will e're long Bring all the Names of those have done you wrong Ex. and return Enter Antonio Jasper and Witch as in the House in the Scenes a Chair by which Jasper stands and Witch goes round Witch Sit in this Chair my Lord whilst I do draw A Sacred Line which shall the Spirits aw About about I tread a Round Where I tread is Sacred Ground Thus and thus the Air I charm To keep my Circle free from harm Thus I sprinkle Water pure And by it all the Charm secure The Spirits that fiery are dare not come near us Earth Air and Water do make e'm to fear us Then boldly sit boldly see boldly despise What Spirits soever do happen to rise Witch sings Rise arise arise rise and come away My little pretty Spirit Puncula What not appear at thy Mistresses call I 'le surely torment thee thou shalt not suck at all Arise then I say Spirit within sings Spir. I come I come away The Wind it blows hard and forces me astray Witch Let 's wait a little he 'l appear my Lord. Anto. Fear seizes me so fast that all my Spirits Retire and leave an Ague in my Joynts Enter a Spirit Witch Come have you done What I gave you in charge If you have I command you to tell it at large Spirit sings As you bid I did go to the Caverns below Where the Spirits Inhabit that Govern the Wind. And though in their motions they be And see Far far quicker than we Yet no Intelligence there I could find From thence like Lightning I shot to the Pole Where at a hole I glided to the Region of the Air But the Spirits above Do Mankind so love That they drove me from them with despair From thence in a moment to Aetna I came Where the Spirits of fire that Inhabit that flame Told me all that I sought for they knew Though to Spirits of Earth As I am by Birth They 'd not tell it yet hither they flew And hereabouts they stay till you pray And attone them with Offerings to tell your desire For these from of Old Have been Lovers of Gold The Mettles being Govern'd by Spirits of fire Exit Witch It 's necessary Son you throw them something For o're these Spirits I have no Command Anto. Oh any thing take this and throw it them But do release me of the fear I 'm in And quickly solve my doubts take all I have Witch There is Gold there is Gold to you Spirits of fire He does willingly offer what you do desire Enter first Spirit second Spirit Ascends After some flashes of fire they sing 1. Spir. What Spirit did Lewis attend 2. Spir. It was I. 1. Spir. Declare to that Lord what you know 2. Spir. I need not the cause he did dye Was that truth to him known long ago Chor. He 's dead he 's dead he 's dead and now For hot desires In endless fires Must Live must now for ever Live with us below Chor. He 's dead he 's dead c. Anto. Horrid and wonderful 1. Spir. Who all Caelia's Crimes does know 2. Spir. It is I but must not shew All her ill For I will Third Spirit Ascends Fit her better e're she go To her Paramour below 3. Spir. But I that Francisco attend Can declare That he as a Friend To Don Lewis doth share I' th' stolen Embraces of Caelia's sweet Arms They kiss and lye down Then Lewis bemoan Thus with thoughts of Revenge they double Loves Charms Chor. They kiss and lye c. Anto. Thus I have warm'd a Viper in my bosom That wanted only heat enough to sting me And give me Death it self 1. Spir. After him can Pedro stay til 't be day Thus they sport the Night away Flora watching whilst they do Laugh at you Saying where 's the Cuckold now 1. Spir. They sport 2. Spir. They laugh 3. Spir. They kiss and play Till your return doth make e'm mourn And spoils their Holy-day Chor. Thus they will do untill they dye When we in Hell shall think it well To have their pleasant Company They Descend Anto. And that shall be this Night make ready then Fires that may fit so brave a pack of Letchers If you delight in Offerings and for Gold Can but increase their Torments I will sell All my Estate to turn it into that Daily to add more fewel to their flames Let Fools that spend their Wealth on Priests for Prayers Be Cheated still I 'le take a surer way Torments for Souls are penny-worths I 'le buy And there is Reason in it for 't is likely Hell may take Bribes when surely Heav'n won't Oh Excellent project Is' t not a good one Jasper By Hell it self this Night Hell hath e'm all Witch Your Lordship 's much disturb'd I by my Art Will cause the Air to give a Melody So to compose your Spirits to themselves She waves her stick Musick and an Antick Dance of Devils handing the Purse Antonio threw to one another towards the Close of which a noise without makes both Musick and Dance stop But beginning again a noise within makes e'm flye The Witch trembles Within Break op'e the doors nay sure enough they 're here Anto. By Heav'n some Cheat for these can be no Devils I 'le follow e'm and see Draws his Sword Jasp It is some trick to draw you from the Circle Jasp holds him Anto. Be what it will Death cannot make me worse Unhand me then or I will sheath this in you Exit Witch O we 're undone the Officers will enter Noise continues And my Lord will see the holes they creep into And so discover them then we shall all be hang'd I 'le tell my Lord the truth of all the Cheat And that way save my Life Jasp What 's that No stratagem to help it Have you no hole near us Aunt Witch Yes here is one but should we go into 't The other taken once will soon betray us Jasp I 'le hazzard that rather then certain Death And therefore to save one I 'le hide you there Kills her Witch O thou ungrateful Dog dost kill me for my Love Jasp No muttering Aunt dye quietly and lye as Quietly 't is the greatest kindness you can Do me So now a ready lye clears all I hope Runs her through often then throws her into the hole she should him then lyes down and trembles Enter Antonio Anto. The Officers entring they all vanish'd Jasp The last is well Anto. Where 's the Witch What makes you tremble so Jasp O do not take me too good Devil do not Anto. What ayls the Fellow Jasper don't you know me Jasp Alas is' t you my Lord Anto. Ay where 's the Witch Jasp She got upon a fiery Dragons back And mounted like a Rocket through the Air Leaving me half distracted Anto. 'T is strange and wonderful Enter Captain and Watch. 1. VVatch. Here 's two of them Capt. My Lord Antonio 'T is strange to meet you
THE Fatal Jealousie A TRAGEDY Acted at the Duke's Theatre Licensed Novemb. 22 1672. Roger L'Estrange LONDON Printed for Thomas Dring at the White Lyon next Chancery-Lane end in Fleet-street 1673. The Actors Names Don Antonio A Jealous Lord. Mr. Smith Don Gerardo Friend to Antonio Mr. Medburn Don Francisco A Young Lord. Mr. Young Don Sebastian Friend to Francisco Mr. Crosby Jasper A Villain Servant to Antonio Mr. Sandford Pedro. Servant to Antonio Mr. Burford Servant To Gerardo Mr. Norris Captain of the Watch. Mr. Nath. Leigh Souldiers Women Caelia Wife to Antonio Mrs. Shadwel Eugenia Sister to Caelia Mrs. Betterton Flora. Waiting Woman to Caelia Mrs. Osborn Nurse To Caelia Mr. Nokes Witch Aunt to Jasper Mrs. Norris Spirits Gipsies PROLOGUE By Mr. Smith TO you great Sovereign Wits that have such sway Without Controul to save or damn a Play That with a pish my Anthony or so Can the best Rally'd sence at once or'e throw And by this pow'r that none must question now Have made the most Rebellious Writers bow Our Author here his low Submission brings Begging your pass calls you the Stages Kings He sayes nay on a Play-Book swears it too Your pox uppo'nt damn it what 's here to do Your nods your winks nay your least signs of Wit Are truer Reason than e're Poet writ And he observes do much more sway the Pit For sitting there h' has seen the lesser gang Of Callow Criticks down their heads to bang Lending long Ears to all that you should say So understand yet never hear the Play Then in the Tavern swear their time they 've lost And Curse the Poet put e'm to that cost And if one would their just Exceptions know They heard such such or such a one say so And thus in time by your dislikes they rise To be thought Judges though indeed but spyes This is not fair your Subjects to betray To those that strive to Rival you in sway That will in time by your expence of wit Vsurp or'e us and your successors sit These and some other dangers to remove We beg that though this Play you disapprove Say nothing of it here and when you 're gone We give that leave you 'le take to cry it down Thus you preserve your pow'r and we shall be From Fopps and Demi-Criticks Censure free Subdu'd by force we Tyrants thus obey But Ladys you like lawful Monarches sway You Rule by Love and Pardon faults with ease In Subjects that do all they can to please By faction they condemn you by our Peers And he is guilty sure such Trial fears And though our Author pleads not guilty now And to his Tryal stands he hopes that you Will not too strictly his accusers hear For if this Play can draw from you a Tear He 'l slight the Wits Half-Wits and Criticks too And Judge his strength by his well pleasing you THE Fatal Jealousie Act the First Scene the First The Curtain drawn Discovers Don Antonio and Caelia in Morning-Gowns Chamber and Bed Cael. MY Lord you well may blame my conduct of that bus'ness Since it produc'd such dismal Accidents As my heart trembles but to think upon Yet for Don Lewis's Innocence and mine In the contrivance of that Fatal Meeting I must for ever during Life be Champion And as he with his dying breath protested He ne're meant wrong to you so am I ready To dye a Martyr to my Innocence Anto. Come come these are but wyles to Palliate things Can you believe me stupid or an Ass To think my Wife should meet a Man i' th' Night Nay more a Man that was my seeming Friend Yet taken in at Window privately Nay which was most stay with him two full hours And in a Room made proper by a Bed And yet not Cuckold me the thing 's too plain I do not doubt the deed which Iv'e Reveng'd In part by killing him No I am mad That you should think so meanly still of me As to hope time may alter my belief Which is by such unerring Reasons fixt Or else that you suspect my Truth when I have sworn By all things sacred nay upon my Honour Which I am so Jealous of that if you would Relate the truth of your so close amours I from my memory would blot it all And look on you at worst but as the Widdow Of your dead Couzen Lewis Cael. Good my Lord Forbear to use these killing Arguments Which every moment give me many Deaths Rather be like your self that 's Gen'rous And kill me once for all torment me not By giving no belief either to Vows Or Actions that have spoke my Innocence Reflect my Lord on the unwearied pains Iv'e took to gain your pardon for his Death Think with what patience I 've suffer'd still Your often starts of Passion which sometimes Have ne're produc'd th' effects of Cruelty And without boast my Lord you well do know My Friends were much too strong for yours at Court Then had I but made known your severe Carriage Or suffer'd your surprizal 't is too plain Yoor Life had been a forfeit to the Law And were I but the wanton Wife you think me What wou'd more welcome be then that Revenge Here on my knees I beg again my Lord You would perswade your self that what I told you Was cause of that close meeting was so truly And no invention and as this Day Began our Nuptial Joys so let it end Our Marriage Discords then shall I have cause To keep it Annually a Festival In thanks to Heav'n for two such mighty Blessings Anto. Caelia stand up I will perswade my self By this I will as much as e're I can Kisses her That thou art Innocent for if thou bee'st not What Woman in the World ought to be thought so But prethee be discreet mannage thy Actions With strictest Rules of Prudence for if not Like to a Bow or'e-bent I shall start back And break with passion on thee wilt thou be careful Cael. Oh! I am paid for all my sufferings This kindness does or'e-joy me which my Lord Let me for ever lose when any Act Of mine shall justly make a forfeit of it Enter Flora. Flor. My Lord here 's Don Gerardo come to see you Anto. Admit him in Exit Flora. Cael. I will retire my Lord. Anto. You need not Caelia Enter Gerardo Welcome Gerardo this is like a Friend That name should know no Ceremonious Laws Let them make formal Visits that maintain As formal Friendships ours is try'd and true Gerar. This as I take it was your Wedding-day At which your pardon Madam for a truth I was a Jealous waiter your great worth Made me to fear I then had lost a Friend And in that room should an acquaintance find Cael. But now my Lord you see how you mistook I was a Rival to his Mistresses But to his Friends one to increase their number Ger. I find the truth so great I wish you may Live long and happy to possess that place
but many times for mirth These I 'le soon send for arise my Pincula Enter a little Devil and tumbles the Summerset Jasp Heav'ns bless me save me good Aunt Witch From what You Fool 't is but a little Boy Which I instruct to carry on my Cheats Come leave your Fooling I have bus'ness for you Uncase your self and quickly go and find Ranter and Swash Dive Fob Snap Gilt and Pick-lock Those are my Archest Devils as you go Call upon Dog'rell the Ballad-maker and say I want him strait bid them be sure To bring home half a dozen more with them For I shall need their help let e'm not fail For money 's to be got Devil 'T is that will make e'm come I 'le haste forsooth Exit Jasp I 'm glad it 's gone for surely it was a Devil What ever you pretend Witch Thou' rt a Fool It was a Boy I tell thee and no Devil Nor am I a sorceress though I could wish To do thee good I was But 't is no matter Bring thou thy Lord I 'le practice well enough To make him think all true that I shall shew him Jasp You now Revive my Drooping Spirits Aunt and Make my hopes grow strong Ah sweet Revenge How my soul Dances but with thoughts of it Assist me Aunt to get this mighty Blessing and I Shall dye your slave Witch O rare Boy How I rejoyce to see this Spirit in thee For 't is the vertue of our Family To seek Revenge not basely swallow wrongs Don Sancho De Monsalvo thy Grandsire Was for a while Vice-Admiral of Spain But then disgrac'd turn'd Pyrate and Reveng'd With Fire and Sword on all Mankind the wrongs He thought the Court had basely plac'd on him At last he was betray'd and lost his head Thy Father turn'd Bandetto what he got I did dispose of for him but his Fate Betray'd him too to Death by Execution Since when I by these Arts do strive to live And thou art forc'd to serve That very Lord who does those Lands Possess should have been thine Jasp But will e're long mount to some higher sphere Or dye in the attempt this Plot perhaps may do And I thereby obtain some part of my Estate Again for if the plotted mischiefs shall succeed I 'le tell him whom I am and my resolves either To share his Fortunes or Reveal all Then I will Rise Don Jasper De Monsalvo and Cheek by Jole Ask how Antonio does Then don't forget the names Witch Not one of them I know them very well Jasp Farewell Dear Aunt but don't you seem to know me Witch Out you great Fool What become my Instructer Be careful of your self and fear not me Farewel boy Exeunt Enter Antonio Gerardo Caelia Eugenia as to a Masque and take their seats Ger. Have you heard Madam what they represent Caelia My Lord I 'm told they mean to play the Gipsies And tell our fortunes to us Anto. I would they could Eugen. If all Man's life determin'd is before I would not know my Destiny me-thinks For good is best when least it is Expected And bad fore-seen is doubl'd by our fear Things certain no fore-knowledge can prevent Such knowledge only can bring discontent Ger. In this with you I perfectly agree Anto. Yet for all that I wish I could foresee Caelia My Lord what profit by it wou'd you gain Anto. 'T would cure doubt to me the deadliest pain Ger. Doubt is th' effect of fear or Jealousie Two Passions which to Reason give the Lye For fear torments but never does assist And Jealousie is love lost in a Mist Both Hood-wink truth then go to blind-mans buff Cry here then there seem to direct enought But all the while shift place making the mind As it goes out of breath despair to find And if at last something it stumbles on Perhaps it calls it false and then 't is gone If true what 's gain'd only just time to see A breachless Play a Game at Liberty That has no other end then this that men Run to be tyr'd just to set down agen Anto. This is a truth and so for ought I know To the same purpose tends all things we do Life 's a Disease and yet we seldom say That Man is sick whom we see laugh and play And 't is as well to bid the Bed-rid ride As to bid Men in doubt be satisfy'd For 't is the mind's Disease and Physick should Be proper to 't or else the Patient 's fool'd And there 's no Drug in Nature doubt to Cure But only one and that is to be sure Cael. Yes Circumstance my Lord if well apply'd Anto. I 've known that often fail when it was try'd But they come Flourish Enter first Gipsie and sings 1. Gipsie COme come away follow follow your Prince I am King of the swarthy Complexions Follow me that can lead you through Chimneys and Chinks To steal Bacon and Pease Nay sometimes with ease To a Feast of the choycest Confections Come follow me then come away come away Enter second Gipsie and sings 2. Gip. We know no Rebellion but obey but obey To our King we are just And true to our trust Leaving discord to those that their Princes oppose When by the Spirit of Treason in Non-sence they pray Enter all the rest and sing Chor. We know c. 1. Gip. Come then and follow a prize a prize a prize 2. Gip. Give the word then and holloa All. A prize a prize a prize 1. Gip. Here are Gallants and Ladies have Fortunes to tell 2. Gip. We 'l tell e'm good Fortune if they give us aspell 1. Gip. A hand crost with silver the Spirit infuses 2 Gip. There 's no Prophet lately that mettle refuses 1. Gip. Men get Heaven now by Bargain and Sale Chor. Masses Trentals and Dirges Are not had for no Charges And a Vicar for nothing won't tell you a Tale. All. Masses c. 1. Gip. All things are bought and sold 2. Gip. Good Fortune goes with Gold 1. Gip. Fall on to your Trading then Men Gip. W' are for the Ladies Wom. Gip. And we for the Men. 1. Gip. To Cael. Lady you have lost a Lover Cross my hand I 'le more discover 2. Gip. To Anto. My Lord I know you baseness scorn And would be loath to wear a Horn. 1. Gip. To Eug. Lady some do speak you fair That hatred to your welfare bear 2. Gip. To Ger. My Lord you Love a handsom Lady She Loves you as well it may be 1. Gip. sings Thus we seldom miss the matter Things past we can tell by these Generals well And ne're stay to prove the truth of the latter All. Things past c. 1. To Cael. You shall Live long and happily Lady 2. To Anto. My Lord I can tell you good Fortunes your Friend 1. To Eug. You shall e're long play with your own Baby 2. To Ger. Your Love my Lord will have good end 1. Gip. sings Thus we Live merrily merrily merrily
may walk a turn Though I confess do what I can my fears Surmount my Reason and perswades there 's danger Fran. A hundred times I 've past it in as much Yet then with confidence you slighted all Prethee forbear to urge them any more I 'm half turn'd Coward with your fears already Sebast Let 's take a turn then further from the House And by some other talk divert our thoughts Exeunt Anto. Jasper I find thy Informations true Thus far at least these are my Wife 's kind Couzens Hell rid e'm from the World Jasp A hundred times they had been here before In as much danger Mark you that my Lord Anto. I and his Soul retorted back the Lye For they in all their Lives ne're knew a danger Equal to that they 're near Heark how the Owl Summons their Souls to take a flight with her Where they shall be Eternally benighted Now I again believe it was a Witch For here me-thinks I see a thousand Devils Waiting in the Air with fire-forks in their hands Just as our City Serjeants wait with Maces To toss their Souls to their Eternal Prison Look there that flash of Lightning does confirm it Nay do but stay a little you shall have all All all not a Soul of e'm shall escape this Night No no 't will spoil good Company to part them But hold a Light appears draw back to cover Exeunt Enter Francisco and Sebastian Sebast The Light is there make haste and give the sign Francisco strikes a Key upon his Sword Eugenia appears above in Caelia's Gown Eug. Who 's there Francisco Fran. The same and would desire your Company below Eug. This distance fits us better Oh Francisco Had we but alwayes kept it I had been A spotless Off'ring to my Bridal Bed But now must cloud my Marriage Joys with shame And fear of what will follow Fran. Pray descend this distance is not safe The Family may chance o're hear our words Eug. I 've more cause should I come down You would attempt my strength and Argument To violate my Vows as first you did My Virgin-Honour Fran. No upon my Life do but descend And may the Heav'ns pour all their Vengeance on me If I do attempt you with a sillable To break your Resolution Eug. Is any with you Fran. Yes my Friend Sebastian Eug. Let him speak then Sebast Madam upon my Life I will secure you And glory I have so much cause to do it Eug. Your Virtue I rely on for my safety She takes the Light from above Enter Antonio and Jasper Anto. I cannot hear their words yet I 'm sure It 's Caelia's there her Habit tells me that Let 's draw a little nearer Sebast Look there Francisco are not those two Men Are creeping there Fran. 'T is so let 's slip aside Ex. Fran. and Sebastian Enter Eugenia below Eug. Where are you Couzen Francisco Are you there Anto. I here here perfidious Woman Stabs her she falls Eug. Oh Francisco 't is an inhuman deed Ex. Ant. Jasp To kill me thus ' cause I would sin no longer But thou hast kept thy word and took thy leave As I must now of all the World and thee oh oh Enter Gerardo hand Servant Ger. Pray Heav'n I be'n't too late the Garden door So open makes me wonder Heard you no groans Serv. I think I did my Lord heark Sir again Eug. Oh oh I fain would live a little longer If but to ask forgiveness of Gerardo My Soul will scarce reach Heav'n without his Pardon Ger. Who 's that wou'd go to Heav'n and wants my Pardon Take it what e're thou art and mayst thou be Happy in Death what e're thou didst design Eug. Is that Gerardo's Voyce Sure loss of Blood Doth make my fancy Idle Is' t Gerardo Ger. Thou greatest Blessing of my Soul it is Eug. No no my Lord you will abhor my Name When I shall tell the story made me thus Ger. Heav'n knows I sooner should abhor my Life But tell me the Author of this horrid mischief That I may flye as quick to my Revenge As these sad thoughts do seize upon thy Soul Eug. When you shall hear my story your Revenge Will as I fear vent against me in Curses Ger. Were thy Crimes great as theirs that left thee thus By all thy Virgin hopes I would not Curse thee Eug. My Lord that 's it you are deceiv'd in Ger. Nay now thou rav'st help me to bend her body Her loss of Blood will keep her story from me And I shall Live i' th' dark and ne're Revenge her Eug. Alas my Lord my Couzen base Francisco Being let in by my accursed Nurse Came to my bed and there by force and strength obtain'd His hated ends Ger. Oh damn'd Villain he shall not long survive To boast of it Eug. Had I staid there and not consented further I should have needed pity and not pardon Ger. Tell all the rest for this is so surprizing I 'd fain perswade my self it was a Dream Eug. After this Fatal loss a shame succeeded Shame that produc'd fear infus'd by threats Urg'd both by him and her wherein they said If I refus'd to grant that willingly Which he at first did force they would declare The Action to the World so to disgrace me Ger. O that old wrinkl'd Hag that she should plot this Eug. What will not wicked Age effect for Gold But they at last made fear or'e-come my Vertue And I by that made all their guilt my own Meeting him here still when he did appoint Ger. Well this confest how came you by these Wounds Eug. My Lord Francisco did entreat my Company This Night when as I enter'd Without a word but here perfidious Woman He stab'd me in the Breast and left me thus Ger. Hadst thou been dead and Angels told the story I should have thought in Envy of thy worth They had invented it and ne're believ'd it Eug. I have no breath to tell you oh my Lord I do forget they still are in the Garden Have a care of Dyes Ger. Have a care of what Oh speak Eugenia speak She 's gone she 's gone and could not tell her mind What is' t I must have a care on O some Angel That waits to shew her Soul the way to Heav'n Come back and tell me what it was she meant Was it her Reputation she took care of No no that cannot be had it been that She might have kept the story to her self And there been Canoniz'd Was it of me She did express her care If so 't was needless For he that lets me Live to kill Francisco Though he does so by me when that is done Shall have my thanks and Prayers i' th' other World But stay they 're in the Garden I 'le go look e'm For if Revenge so just I do delay I shall deserve Heav'ns Vengeance for the stay Exeunt Enter Francisco and Sebastian Fran. Who should they be I wonder talk'd so long Sebast Sure when
she found us not she would retire Fran. No doubt on 't yet I am not satisfy'd what two Those were and why they staid so long Could your Ear reach to understand their words Sebast No not a syllable more then a humming noise Fran. Nor mine but now they 're gone let 's walk that way 'T will be the best to miss them Sebast Content Exeunt Enter Don Gerardo and Servant Ger. It is in vain to look e'm if they hide The Garden 's large besides perhaps they 're gone We 'l to the Body Serv. You 're by it now my Lord. Ger. This Accident amazes me so much I go I know not where Enter Francisco and Sebastian Serv. See there my Lord two Men. Fran. W' are pretty near the Window there 's no Light Ger. Have at thy heart Francisco Ger. and Servant draw This Token from Eugenia Fran. Nay then at thine Be whom thou wilt that Name Tells me thou' rt no Friend They Fight the Servant shoots Sebastian just as Francisco ruas Gerardo through which pursuing Servant kills him too Sebast Courage Sebastian's by thee My fears are come about for I am kill'd Francisco fare thee well Dyes Fran. 'T is double Death to see my Friend dye thus Was 't not enough you Fates to take my Life But I must guilty be of murd'ring him Serv. My Lord how do you Ger. Making what haste I can to meet Eugenia Serv. O me Unfortunate Ger. Bewail me not Death is a pleasure to me Since I can see Francisco lye there by me But ask him e're I dye What made him kill Eugenia Fran. What is Eugenia Dead Ger. Why seems it strange to thee who basely hast First Rob'd her of her Honour then of Life Fran. Gerardo it was cruelty to kill her being as Yet she had not done thee wrong and dying I rejoyce I have Reveng'd her Ger. Francisco sure thy Crimes have made thee Devil Or thou would'st ne're transfer thy Treachery By murd'ring her and place it thus on me Fran. May I reach Heav'n as I 'm Innocent Of any Death but yours Which if a guilt Forgive me Heav'n and you as Dyes Serv. He 's dead my Lord. Ger. With such a Lye in 's mouth O Heavenly Angels lead me not this way For he must alwayes walk i' th' paths of falshood Remove me nearer to Eugenia's Body My Spirits faint apace and I must follow One word and then farewell I have no time for to Reward thy care Here take this Ring and give it to my Brother He left it with me when he went to Travel Tell him I still preserv'd it for his sake A faithful pledge of our United Friendship Bid him that by this Token he believes Three words I left within my Cabinet Concerning thee this Evening He will do it And use thee as a Friend as I have done Serv. I 'le bear the Ring but not the Message Sir I ne're will seek for Friends when you are gone Ger. I do conjure thee do it Tell our story too As true as is thy self But have a care Wound not Eugenia's Fame more then must needs Francisco's and Eugenia's dying words Will make it strangely dark as 't is to me But I must leave it so Give me thy hand commend me to Antonio Alas I had forgot him pray Heav'n his story Produce no further mischief tell Caelia nothing Befor 't be day Bus'ness comes thronging on me But I faint make but one Grave and lay us In it thus Farewell Dyes Serv. Now dyes the justest Man the Earth contains And I would do so too but that I know Self-murderers ne're must keep him Company I 'le set the Bodies up against the Wall And call the Watch what if they say I 'm guilty And make my Life to answer all these Deaths Why let e'm do 't for Death would now be well Since to survive his loss to me 's a Hell Exit Enter Antonio and Jasper Jasp Come come my Lord the coast is quiet now Anto. I hope that Pistol sav'd our swords a labour Jasp I 'm sure they could not leave the Garden yet But we must needs have seem e'm Anto. Nay I 'm sure they did not pass the Garden door For if they had we should have stopt their Journey Jasp I think I heard a talking up this way After the Pistol made us leave our Post Anto. Though I did leave the Door yet still my Eye Was bent that way and I saw none to pass But stay where 's Caelia's Body Jasp See my Lord There is a Man doth hold her in his Arms. Anto. It is Francisco sure Have at his heart Runs at Gerardo How 's this not stir Nay then he 's dead Already the Moon deceives me or it is Gerardo Oh Heav'n's It is my Friend dead dead and stiff And my accursed hand hath Wounded him This is not Caelia neither but Eugenia in her Gown What strange mistakes are these Jasp But who are here Anto. What more By Heav'ns Francisco and his Friend Sebastian Both dead too Death has had a Feast to Night Do not we Dream As for this Womans Death Surely her Fathers Soul did guide my hand To strike the blow since needs she must betray Her Honour to Francisco in these meetings But oh my Sword hath pierc'd my Friend Gerardo What Fatal Accident mixt his Blood with theirs But stay there 's Light appears slip into the Grotto Exeunt Enter Servant Captain and Watch with two Torches Serv. Here is the dismal place I told you of And here the Bodies Capt. A sight most terrible in time of Peace But did Francisco still deny her Death Serv. To his last moment He did confess he had abus'd her But would have plac'd her Death upon my Lord. And seem'd as much to wonder we deny'd it As we that he did so Capt. What said Sebastian Serv. He scarce did speak a word after I shot him Capt. Had we not best to knock and call Antonio Serv. He 's not at Home Capt. Yes but I 'm sure he is Serv. He was not late at Night for I was there Capt. That 's strange for just at shutting in o' th' Evening I met him at a House that stands i' th' Suburbs Saying he would go Home I think however we had best to knock Serv. My dying Lord made it his last desire That Caelia might not be disturb'd this Night Capt. Well take the Bodies up and keep e'm safe You shall to the Vice-Roy's presently with me I scarce perform my trust if I detain The knowledge of so strange an Accident A moment from his Ears whose Wisdom will Direct in this which far exceeds my skill Exeunt Enter Antonio and Jasper Jasp You see my Lord that I was in the right I only said it was my Ladies Gown But never did affirm it was her Person Anto. And I am glad it is not Now if Nurse Fails too in her discovery I am safe For if we keep our Councel all these Deaths Lye
put him to And yet in thought you did not wrong my Honour Cael. From my Bed my Lord You are abus'd That fellow was not here full half a minute E're your self enter'd Oh I can no more Heav'n and the World grant Pardon for my Blood For truth it self bears witness I dare say That more I sorrow for your guilt then Death Anto. If this be true tell me as thou art dying What made him here at such a time o' Night Cael. I cannot tell more then that the Nurse did send him And she 's run mad with guilt or shame or both Oh I can say no more the Room turns Round My Lord farewell Heav'n pardon you all Blood As I forgive you mine oh oh Dyes Anto. Her Death both staggers and amazes me Are these Dead too Ped. Not yet my Lord I am not Your Sword hath left me some small time for Prayers And it had need for I believe few Souls Can be assur'd to find their way to heav'n Without more warning to begin their Journey But yet I do not find much cause for doubt Anto. Nay if thou 'st hopes by that I do conjure thee Tell me what brought thee hither Ped. The Nurses madness She call'd me from my Bed and told me Flora Was sent to bid me come unto my Lady Which though I scarce believ'd yet I did do 't Anto. VVhy did you say it was her madness did it Ped. My Lady said she was so for she came Not long before shreeking into this Chamber So as you enter'd I was going down To lock her up till morning in some Room This as I hope for heav'n my Lord is true Anto. Then 't is as true that I must never hope for it For I have kill'd a VVife of such obedience But hold I 'le pump the Nurse who set her on To tell me this Enter Nurse frighted Nurse O! whether will you drive me Be gone be gone Anto. Here here she comes I 'le make her tell me all Jasp But I 'le prevent the story if I can Jasper Runs Nurse through but is staid by Antonio Anto. What does the Villain mean to kill her yet Jasp Does she not deserve it To invent such lyes And do such mischiefs with them Nurse O thou damn'd Rogue 'T was thou that made me do 't Jasp You lying VVitch be damn'd Offers at her again Anto. Forbear you Rogue I 'le do as much for you else Speak why you did it Nurse My Lord he threaten'd me and made me do 't And taught me to call Pedro when you knockt Ped. Look to your self my Lord he 'l kill you else Jasper runs Anto. behind Jasp This way is only left hell take your Tongue Anto. Ah thou hast kill'd me yet I have strength enough To send thy Soul to hell They fight A noise without Jasper is mortally wounded Jasp 'T is done I am catch'd at last in my Own Trap. Oh I deserve my Death for want Of fore-sight to let him Live a spye upon my Actions I should have serv'd you thus and thus Runs Pedro through as he lyes and Nurse And thus and you too thus Ped. Oh O O! Pedro and Nurse Dye Anto. Infernal Monster how his malice lasts Within This way 's the noise Enter Captain Watch and Servant Capt. VVhat horrid sight is this VVe come too late Anto. Too late indeed except you 'd come to save The best of VVives that there lyes murder'd By my accursed hand Capt. VVhat Caelia dead too VVhat made you do 't my Lord Jasp Alas he cannot tell the Jealous fool VVas but an Instrument in my Revenge 'T is only I can tell you why she dy'd But yet I would not give that satisfaction Did I not fear my Name would be forgotten Except this Tale of my Revenge was known In which I shall live famous Serv. O thou Dogg Dost glory in the mischeifs thou hast done Jasp I and have reason name the man that ever Did in one Day contrive so many Murders And make 'em all Successful Capt. But what should move thee to this Villainy Jasp For that you will not wonder I am Jasper De Monsalvo Heir to that Estate This Lord doth now possess Anto. Ah Heav'ns some of that desperate Bandity Did once attempt my life Jasp Yes truly Anto. Poor Caelia 't is no wonder thy mind did boad Great misciefs from this Fellow being Son of One did still contrive to kill me for what the King after just forfeiture for mighty services Had given my Father Jasp O Revenge Thy sweetness takes away the taste of Death But you 'l lose my story which in short is this That Lady lov'd me not and therefore I Made her Lord Jealous took him to a Witch And there I fool'd him finely Till the Jade Who was my Aunt in deed at your approach Would have discover'd all which I prevented And stopt her Mouth with this Then I contriv'd To kill Eugenia knowing she would meet Francisco in the Garden that I did Because she call'd me Villain and refus'd To lent me Whore her too as did her Couzen And more I knew the simple Lord I serv'd When he had Murder'd her as I should make him Would thank my Care and well reward it too Nay I 'd have him do 't for his own safety That still the Murder might be thought Francisco's You know the rest i' th' Garden I taught besides That damn'd Old Hagg whose fear has made me thus To put this trick on Pedro I bid her call him When she should hear us whistle then in haste And all undrest send him to Caelia's Chamber Whilst we let in might meet him coming thence Thinking the Cuckold's Rage would murder all And never hear 'em speak but there I fail'd Their dying words betray'd me that 's the worst Or I had liv'd to glory in their Deaths But this my Comfort is he 'l not survive me I have done his bus'ness too before I dye Serv. Was er'e so Impudent a Villain seen Capt. I 'le try to stop his wounds that so I may keep him for Execution Jasp Stand off by Hell He that comes near me finds his Death with this Think you I 'm grown so tame to dye by Law No no I 'le not endure a formal Tryal To be upbraided with those things I think Deserve a Trophy rather then Contempt Which since I know will follow here 's my Bail This will deliver any man from Jayl Let Cowards dye by hanging such as I As we live bravely thus dare bravely dye Stabs himself Capt. He has done well no Excutioner Could have been found so bad as his own hand And Hell will give him what he wants on Earth And yet my Lord it troubles me for you Since my Place binds me to secure your Person To answer Law for all your Rage has done Anto. Shame almost stops my mouth yet Captain know My wound won't give me time for that misfortune Stay but a little let me fix my Eyes On what
lies here for that alone would give me A sudden Death had I no other hurt I dare not hope for Heav'n having done So black a Murder on such Innocence And yet I do believe her Charity As it did dying still doth beg that Pardon Might from above be granted to my soul Which if I miss as I have cause to fear Then sure I shall be turn'd into a Devil For ever to Torment his Cursed soul That led me to these mischiefs 'T would be some ease if Heaven but granted that But I begin to faint Oh Blessed Soul Dart forth one Beam of Light to guide the way Or I shall always wander in the dark Night seizes me already yet from hence In spight of death my soul shall take her flight Go where I will I thus set out a right Dyes Serv. Hes dead Capt. By dying so at least he 's thus far happy That he Escapes the Punishments of Tryal And the Exemplar death must have attended Which to a man so Jealous of his Fame As he was would have been a Hell on Earth Your Duty to your Lord will keep you safe Yet you must to the Vice-Roy go with me To be a Witness there of what hath happn'd The story else will seem Incredible Serv. I am ready Sir for all you shall Command Capt. Oh Jealousie thou sickness of great souls To what a Rage didst thou transport this Lord For had his Wife been false it was not good By Murd'ring her to drown himself in Blood For Lust may be Excus'd since flesh is frail But Murder on the Soul does guilt Entail The Curtain Falls EPILOGUE By Mr. Harris A Tragedy and not Heroick Verse The Comick part fit only for Farse No Atheism nor any man we know Abus'd no repartee nor splendid show But very little Bawdy and less wit The Devil 's in 't crys one if this Play hit Faith may be not and may be too it will For Chance sometimes exceeds all rules of skill As he who Rageing did his Pencil throw And Painted that by chance he could not draw For we have seen and lately too a Play Cry'd down by those that cannot keep away And when they come spight of themselves they stay And to our sorrow we have others known That for their wit have Wit it self out-done And yet you wits that praise 'em seldom come So the Goodman oft-times for cause unknown Leaves well-drest Beauteous Wife for Homely Joan. And you that Misses keep too I 'm afraid Do sometimes make e'm Jealous of the Maid So if this Play not drest by rules of Art Should with some Trick of Nature catch the heart We'd give you leave to rail and never fear Because we 're sure you 'd come to do it here Gallants you see what e're you say or do Plays will be writ and we shall Act 'em too Some will for pleasure some for profit write Some for Applause and some will do 't in spight Such bit by Critticks strait run mad and bite This does our bu'sness but we'd have you know VVe wish we 'd none but true brisk wit to show VVe silence wish that Men might hear a Play And wish that Vizard Mask would keep away But we as well might wish we were those Kings VVe sometimes Act as hope to see these things Then since to rail o' th' Stage and in the Pit Must in this sickly Age be counted VVit And that th' Infection connot be subdu'd VVe Actors for our own sakes do conclude The Itch to write and rail will ne're be cur'd And therefore faith let 'em be both Endur'd FINIS ERRATA PAge 17. Line 36. For your read their p. 23. l. 19. f. Taylors r. Juglers p. 31. l. 18. r. my fears p. 38. l. 7. r. Villain by p. 51. l. 6. f. first r. worst p. 53. l. 35. f. his r. in p. 57. l. 11. f. there r. then p. 58. l. 36. f. this r. his
Flora. Ped. What i' th' dumps Seignior all a mort for your Mistress faith man take it not so to heart there are others I' th World as Young though few may be as handsome Jasp Ay Sir 't is to be suppos'd you can boast it by Experience There are Young Ladies for spruce ' Pedro's Jasper Must be content with their Nurses Ped. Content say you I Marry if she content you not the Devil can't why she 's a Dish of variety like a huge Olio there 's all Ages of Women in her Thou art The happiest man in a Mistress Jasper faith I envy thee Jasp 'T is very well Ped. Not too well neither Jasp You may laugh you stand on the top of Favour Have a care of falling down I may catch you One day Ped. No never with an Old Woman it 's worse then Committing Incest to Cuckold for ought I know a dozen Generations Jasp Rest you merry I can leave you Ped. But I 'le not quit you so Exeunt Enter Antonio and Gerardo Discoursing Ger. In this dear Friend consists my happiness Therefore deny me not Why pause you Sir My fears are come about Anto. What hath Eugenia given her consent Ger. I say not so my Lord but her denyals VVere spoke so faintly I Interpret well Anto. Dear Friend I am afraid you do mistake The Object of your Joyes let me perswade You to believe there 's not that happiness In Marriage-Beds as single People guess No no so far from that that thousands be Flatter'd by hopes to endless misery And where there 's two obtain their hearts desire Ten thousand miss it and in grief expire Ger. VVere these Positions true there 's no man sure If VViddowed once could other VVives endure And yet we see the first depriv'd of Life There 's few that seek not for a second Wife Anto. 'T is true though strange but yet our minds are such As alwayes find too little or too much Desire 's a Monster whose extended Maw Is never fill'd tho' it doth all things draw For we with envious Eyes do others see Who want our ills and think they happy be Till we possessing what we wish'd before Find our ills doubl'd and so wish for more Ger. Suppose all true which you wou'd have me fear Ills in possession still the greatest are And my desires to such a height do rise T' attain their ends I shou'd all else despise Anto. Since y' are resolv'd I 'le not your ends deny But pray my words prove false when e're you try Though well they speak who say the damned State Chiefly consists in wishing things too late Eugenia's Father left her to my care Which trust to end so well I did despair Then name the day of Marriage Ger. No delay My thoughts admit I wish it were to day Anto. That cannot be to Morrow I approve Ger. Time will flye slow though Impt with wings of Love Enter Caelia and Eugenia Cael. My Lord I beg your pardon for a short interruption Ger. Madam 't is I have cause to beg your pardon Thus to detain your Lord on 's Wedding-day A Day in Justice should be wholly yours Cael. My Lord is happy so to be detain'd And I am alwayes happy when he 's so But good my Lord your Ear Ger. Madam if you repent not what y'have said Whispers Anto. he takes a paper privately out of her pocket In answer to those Vows of my Affection I then dare hope I may in time be happy Eugen. Tho' I ne're thought your words were further means Then to pass time away in Raillery Yet were my Answers such as if you had Told me a real Story of your Love And the same Answers I 'le again renew My Will 's confin'd my Father's last Commands Left me no Choice but anothers will If I were free I then durst speak my thoughts But I in all my Brother must obey Ger. He checks your Actions only thoughts are free Suppose him willing would you favour me Eugen. But to suppose without his Will 's a Crime If I that supposition should declare Ger. I do confess I should be loath to own That Blessing which I rate above my Life If 't were bestow'd by any hands but yours Therefore by all your hopes I do conjure you If you dislike my Love Command my silence Eugen. Interpret well my blushes when I say I cannot find a thought for such Commands Ger. Then I am happy 'bove the reach of Envy For I have his consent already granted He nam'd the day of Marriage as you enter'd Eugen. You see my Lord that I had cause for fear Since I 'm bestow'd and my consent ne're askt Sure my dead Father ne're design'd it so Ger. Madam I beg your pardon for a truth Might well excuse your Brother in this matter I urg'd to him I doubted not your favour On which Condition he did grant me his Eugen. I shall hear further of it from himself Till when I beg your pardon Offers to go out Anto. Sister pray stay for I have bus'ness with you I know my Dear you never Lov'd that Fellow VVhich since you do not though he serves me well Yet I 'm resolv'd for this to part with him Tho' I could think a Pension for your Nurse To keep her at a distance were as well Cael. Though now her dotage makes her want discretion Her Love to us was great Anto. Come trouble not your self about it he shall go Cael. My Lord I 'le trouble you no further Ger. I 'le wait upon you Madam Ex. Gerar. and Cael. Anto. Sister you know your Father was my Friend And was so confident that I was his He trusted all your Fortunes in my hands Though he had Brothers Living when he Dy'd He told you too and left it in his VVill That what you had was mine if you did Marry VVithout my Approbation Is' t not true Eugen. Sir 't is a truth I 'm glad of Anto. These things your Kindred though did call contrivance VVhich made their hatred rise so much against me It makes a few'd betwixt our Families VVhich soon would come to Blood but for Respect They bear my VVife their Cozen. Eugen. Brother I cannot answer for their Actions My own Respects to you were never wanting Anto. I do not deny it Sister and to prove I never did nor will deserve worse from you If you are willing now to change your State And know a man preferr'd in your Election Let him have Blood and worth you and your Fortune I freely will resign into his hands Then truly speak your thoughts Eugen. Surely my Lord You 'd scarcely think I should be worth your care If I should choose before you nam'd one to me Anto. Sister I see your Kindreds Jealousies Partly infects you too but to remove them VVhat think you of Gerardo for a Husband My wishes meet with yours if he 's their Object You know I 'm no Dissembler Eugen. Nor shall you find me so for
light belief Enter Caelia Cael. My Lord by Accident I 've lost a Paper which troubles me Anto. A Paper say you I took up one i' th' Garden and I Think this is it Cael. It is my Lord and I rejoyce no other Person found it Anto. Why what is it Cael. 'T is the Confession that I told you of Anto. I might have read it then and ne're askt you had I but known it Cael. If your Lordship pleases you may read it Anto. No no I will not but prethee keep it better Cael. My Lord there are some Tenants who desire to express Their Loves by Rural Recreations Anto. Bid e'm stay their sporrs are more in season after Dinner So willing now to have it read and yet before so backward Ex. Cael. Why this confirms me she is false it was contriv'd On purpose for my sight The Devil 's not so cunning As a Woman Enter Nurse Oh Beldame are you come Tell me you Bawd Who Whores my Wife For Whore I know she is And you 're her Bawd Tell me I say the man The place the Circumstance and very time Or I will quarter thee and throw thy flesh to 'th dogs Nurse Alas my Lord I know nothing but that when You 're from Home Pedro goes to her Chamber and Stays there all Night but what they do I know Not for none but Flora's with them Anto. Pedro Oh monstrous she would devour a Legion Is' t every Night do you say Nurse Yes every Night but I durst never tell you Alas she suckt these Breasts Anto. Shew me this Night Pedro in Bed with her Or I will cut thy Tongue out Nurse 'T is impossible when you are at home Anto. I will contrive a Journey out of Town but will at Twelve return then let me in for if you fail I 'le cut your Throat Nurse I 'le do my best Exit Anto. Pedro What sordid Devil prompted her to that Why I am known to all the World a Cuckold The very Boys i' th' street must point at me But hold this new Intelligence struck out the old And made me quite forget about Francisco Enter Jasper Oh Jasper I 'm confirm'd my Wife 's a Devil And I will send her to the rest e're Morning Go and contrive a Letter from Don John Shall intimate he 's sick and wants my presence Then I 'le contrive the rest Jasp Be not too rash my Lord might I advise You should be certain e're you Acted ought Anto. How can I be more certain then this Night To be Eye-witness of her Lust my self As Nurse has undertook I shall Jasp Ay Sir but things may fail and they not meet Anto. Name a more certain way then Jasp My Lord there lives a Woman in the Suburbs Mighty in Science who by Art can tell All that she pleases I 'de have you go to her Anto. Is she of your acquaintance Jasp No my Lord she scorns such things as me She 's for the great ones though for Charity She sometimes helps poor people to their goods I 'me sure she 'd serve your Lordship Anto. I fear she 'l never trust us lest we should betray Her to the Inquisition Jasp No fear of that she cannot be betray'd She knows Mens bus'ness er'e they come unto her Anto. Well then contrive my absence I 'le go thither I 'm sure to know whether she cheats or no For if she names Don Lewis ' mongst the rest I shall believe her Well about the Letter Exit Jasp Are you there with your Beares Don Lewis say you Marry now I find 't was Jealousie of his Wife And not the matter of Money made him kill him Whether he was guilty or no I 'le be sure he shan't Be forgot for I 'le before hand to my Aunt and tell Her all I hope she is a Witch the People say so a Mighty Artist I am sure she is for she has done Strange things and all men fear her besides I Know she loves me and will strive all she can to Do me good and hap what will my Lord will Think me honest for Night will surely shew his Sister to him drest in 's Ladyes Gown what though He kill her the mistake will lye o' th' Night and not On me thus I make good the Villain that she call'd Me in my Revenge on her and if Nurse fails me Not I 'le have my Lady and Pedro finely firkt When this is done my Lord rewards my care Let him the danger I 'le the profit share And since things Excellent commended be ' Tshall be my Aym t' excell in Villany The End of the first Act. Act the Second Enter Jasper and the Witch Jasp ' THis kindness Aunt I beg your Art must do For I have no way else to save my place Witch Why 't is impossible I 've no such Art As People think to call up Spirits to me Nor know I any thing but what is told me Jasp Now you dissemble Aunt for han't you often Rais'd Storms have rent up Trees and shook strong Towers Seeming to threaten Nature with it's end And at such times have sent strange shaped Spirits who have restored to owners stolen Goods These things so many know it is impossible For you to keep it private but I find Rather then trust me with your mighty secrets Or help me with your Art you 'l see my Ruine Witch These things you speak of people think I do And so I 'de have e'm for 't is the only way I have to Live The Vulgar People love to be deluded And things the most unlikely they most dote on A strange Disease in Cattle Hogs or Pigs Or any Accident in Cheese or Butter Though 't be but Natural or a Sluts fault Must strait be Witchcraft Oh the Witch was here The Ears or Tail is burn'd the Churn is burn'd And this to hurt the Witch when all the while They 're likest Witches that believe such Cures Could I do all that People think I can I 'de ne're take pains to find out stolen Goods Or hold intelligence with Thieves to bring e'm Meerly to get my Bread no I would make The Universe pay Tribute to my power And all the Bug-bear Lords Inquisitors More tremble at my Name then I do now At theirs Ah Jasper would I raise Storms when I would blast Corn turn Rivers backward Change shapes mov'd where I pleas'd i' th' Air And that so fast as thought it self would Hardly overtake me What is' t I could not do if all were true The Foolish People think the Pope himself would Quickly lose Respect And none be thought infallible but I. Jasp I 'm sure I tremble for your want of power More then I should to see Hells dreadfull'st shape For I must flye the Town Witch Jasper not so though I can raise no Devils Yet I Confederate with Rogues and Taylors Things that can shape themselves like Elves And Goblins And often do like Spirits haunt great Houses Most times to steal
And thus to our Dancing we sing Our Lands and our Livings Lye in others believings When to all Men we tell the same thing And thus to our Dancing we sing Thus we c. An Antique of Gipsies and Exeunt Anto. By this we see that all the Worlds a Cheat Where truths and falshoods lye so intermixt And are so like each other that 't is hard To find the difference who would not think these People A real pack of such as we call Gipsies Ger. Things perfectly alike are but the same And these were Gipsies if we did not know How to consider them the contrary So in Terrestial things there is not one But takes its Form and Nature from our fancy Not its own being and is what we do think it Anto. But truth is still it self Ger. No not at all as truth appears to us For oftentimes That is a truth to me that 's false to you So 't would not be if it was truly true Enter Pedro and a Servant with a Letter to Antonio Serv. My Lord Don John salutes you in that Letter Cael. How does my Couzen Friend Serv. Madam I fear he 's drawing near his end Cael. 'Pray Heav'n divert it Anto. The Letter shews that Death did guide his hand It only says Oh Friend come now or never Ger. How did his Sickness take him Serv. Chacing the Buck too hard he hot with Labour Drunk of a cooling Spring too eagerly And that has given him pains the Doctors say Will give him Death immediately Cael. Heav'n grant him help Anto. Return and tell thy Lord I 'm at thy heels Pedro bring my Boots and bid two Horses be made Ready Cael. Whom do you take my Lord Anto. Pedro but hold Jasper is not discharg'd I 'le ee'n take him Cael. Jasper my Lord Pray take not him Enter Ped. with Boots Anto. Why not him there are no Nurses there Where 's Jasper Pedro Ped. He said he wou'd not dine and went Abroad yet I suppose he may be now in 's Chamber Anto. Reach my Bootes who has worn 'em lately I do believe you get into my Bootes Ped. I my Lord. Strikes Pedro with a Boot top Anto. I you my Rogue Go see for Jasper Exit Pedro. Cael. My Lord Why do you thus disturb your self Anto. You see the blow don't maim him you need Not be concern'd Caelia What means my Lord Anto. As you hate Jasper I hate whom I please Enter Jasper Cael. His sight strikes terror to me Anto. Jasper make ready you must go with me Exit Jasp Cael. Here on my knees I beg you would not take him But if you be resolv'd let me go too Anto. That cannot be Don John's a Batchellor And is not fitted to have Women guests Cael. I will dispence with any thing my Lord Then let me go or do not take Jasper Anto. Come I must break this Childish way of yours Jasper shall go and you shall stay at home And so Farewell make merry with our Friends Ger. Do not resolve my Lord see how she takes it Anto. This passion soon will over farewell Friend I shall return to give Eugenia to you Exit Anto. Ger. I ne're perceiv'd his will to reign before Some sudden fancy makes him Obstinate Eug. So give her Air she comes to her self Cael. Where is my Lord What gone am I deluded I Saw an Angel lead him back again Ger. Her fancy is disturb'd make no answer Cael. Why Sister where 's my Lord Eug. Do not disturb your self my Brother 's well Cael. Get me a horse for I will follow him Enter Antonio Bleeding Anto. Fetch me some water there Cael. My Dream was true my Dearest Lord 's return'd What makes you Bleed Anto. As I was lifting up my Foot to the Stirrop my Nose Gusht out a Bleeding Eugen. My Sister dreamt an Angel led you back And I believe it now Ger. Pray take some other with you I if you please Will keep you Company Ant. No I 'm resolv'd to stay and send him word I am Took ill my self my Nose leaves Bleeding Cael. I am satisfy'd my Lord you do not go and therefore Will Retire Ex. all but Anto. and Gerar. Anto. Do so my Dear Now I must tell my Friend I dare not stay 'T would look but ill to say a Bleeding Nose Made Don Antonio slight his dying Friend Ger. If that was all it would but yet reflect There are more Prodigies forbid this Journey Then Caesar had t' avoyd the Senate-House Anto. Had Caesar not been slain those Accidents We now call Prodigies had been forgot And so will these when I am safe return'd Ger. Consider but your Ladies high concern Her suddain sounding and recovery On which she cry'd an Angel brings him back Your Bleeding and Return speaks she dream't true The stopping of it too was not the least All these together force me to believe That you from heav'n these warnings did receive Anto. Surely Gerardo we must heav'n offend To think that it these Accidents should send It is detraction to the Pow'rs above To think they suffer what they don't approve For if they did this to divert my ill They go about for they might change my will But mine 's more firm nay more should I not go The threaten'd ill I meet for ought I know For if their boads be certain then I may Meet th' effects whether I go or stay Ger. Vainly we speak of heav'n when vainly we By human Wit set Rules to heav'ns decree The pow'r that made us gave us scope of will Freely to take the good or choose the ill And though it can it does not change that course Only perswades to Act what it could force Anto. This you believe but you must pardon me If in this point I don 't with you agree For if to Man such a free-will be given That damns all Praescience and so baffles heav'n But I delay whilst Reason bids me go And Reason 't is since it to me is so Then pray divert my Wife so farewell Friend Exit Ger. Farewell May all my to nothing tend Yet still I fear what should the Reason be That I shou'd fear yet nothing fearful see I am resolv'd to send some Servants out Shall wait him at a distance In doing all I can I do the best I can no more let heav'n do the rest Exit Enter Don Francisco and Nurse Fran. Well 't is so sweet a sin to Wench in danger That I am like to lose the best part of my Recreation But prethee Nurse tell me what causes this change Nurse Now if I would be hang'd I cannot forbear telling Faith my Lord Gerardo's like to be the Man now Though I am for your Lordship still you 're my best Friend Fran. By heav'n I 'le be his Death and hers to boot Can she slight me for him he Whore our Kindred When did he first enjoy her Nurse Not so my Lord he 's to Marry her Fran. Nay if 't be so then
pat amongst themselves and there 's not one Except Gerardo that I 'd wish alive He was my friend and it looks Ominous That I should Wound him so though after Death Jasper thy diligence shan't want Reward But that must follow Come let 's away Exit Jasp My Reward follows I believe it does 'Faith my good Lord be sure it be a good one Or be content to hang for Company Now hap what will I 'le rid him with this murther Till I do make him spend 's Estate to Bribe me I was his Slave before for fear but now I 'le make him mine since I this secret know Exit The End of the Fourth Act. Act the Fifth Caelia Discover'd in Bed Flora by her Cael. SUre 't was a real Pistol-shot that wak'd me Yet from a Dream so terrible it did it That I had rather never sleep again Then hazzard such another I thought I saw Lye dead by me My Lord Antonio Don Gerardo Jasper The Nurse Francisco and the Young Sebastian With Pedro and thy self this dreadful sight Or else the Pistols noise I spoke of wak'd me And made me cry help help which frighted thee Flor. Why truly Madam it was a dreadful Dream And I as much was frighted at your call Yet for my own part I did hear no Pistol Cael. It may be then it only was my fancy For truly all my Dream seems still to me So like a truth that I can scarce distinguish Whether I then did wake or now am sleeping And but I see these things and thee so plain I should conclude my Dream did still continue Flor. Pray Heav'n divert all mischief from the house For I have heard it said by Learned Men Nay and Religious too that Dreams like these That stick so fast upon our fancies waking Are guided by a power that 's more then Chance And alwayes are portents of something like them I 'm sure for my own part do what I can That Dream I had will not yet leave my head Which makes me think Jasper designs me mischief Cael. Flora you go too far Dreams are but shadows Reflected from some Acts the day preceeding As ours are now for from those Accidents Of my Lords taking Jasper the Dream you told And Don Gerardo's naming of Francisco Mine now is formed Thus they but succeed Things past and not prognostick things to come Flor. Pray Heav'ns these do not do 't but I 'm afraid Enter Nurse frighted with Eugenia's Ghost Nurse Stand off stand off what makes you follow me I 'm sure I did not kill you if you 're dead Or if you be not why are you so pale So so she 's gone but what made me come hither Cael. What do you study wayes to fright me Nurse It is no proper time to play your tricks What makes you up at such a time of Night Look how she stands amaz'd and doth not answer Think you I take a pleasure to be frighted That you persist in 't still Flor. What is the Woman mad or would be thought so What makes you stand and stare thus Nurse Did you see no Body Cael. Who should we see but an Old doting fool That turn'd a Child again would Act like one And can't find a proper time for 't neither Flor. What make you up so late Nurse Nurse What 's that to you It may be I sat up To make my Lady merry with this Jest But now forsooth I 'm grown too Old to please her You are her favourite what come again O do not stare so at me Shreeks Exit Cael. There 's something more in this then barely play How the Old VVoman star'd sure she 's run mad For shame or sorrow Jasper goes away Prethee follow her Flor. Since you will have me Madam I will do 't Though I dare scarcely venture Exit Cael. The greatest Object pity hath is Age When it returns to Childishness again As this Old Woman doth and though we say That Age is Honourable we only mean When Gravity and Wisdom are its marks And not gray hairs and froward peevishness As ten for one are known by to be Old And though we see this true yet we would all Prolong our time to that decrepid state When nothing but contempt can wait upon us How strangely sin dastards our very Reason Making that guide us to desire known ills Rather then Joys that promis'd we deserve not For the best Men through sense of guilt do fear To change for unseen Joys their troubles here Exit Enter Nurse Nurse If this Ghost follow still 't will make me mad For sure it is a Ghost it looks so pale Ay and Eugenia's Ghost I 'm sure it is But who should kill her May be Don Francisco Oh there it is again It 's not my fault Oh do not follow me then What shall I do See there again she points unto her Breasts It 's gone again I fear 't will make me mad I 'le go to Prayers But I forget my bus'ness My Lord will come and I must let him in And shew him what I promis'd or he 'l kill me Enter Flora. What come again Oh Heav'ns I 'le stop my Eyes Flor. Nurse are you mad Nurse No you would make me so But I desie thee Be gone thou Spirit i' th' name of Heav'n be gone Flor. Who should be gone Nurse Thou for thou' rt the Devil Come not near me Flor. My Lady sent me to you Nurse No no she did not for she lov'd me always And would not send the Devil thus to fright me Flor. I am no Devil Nurse look upon me I 'm Flora. Nurse Ay where 's the Spirit then I saw just now Flor. There was no worser Spirit then my self Nurse No 'pray Minx what makes you follow me I 'le set you back again i' th' Devils Name Come you to spy my Actions Flor. No Nurse my Lady sent me don't be angry She was afraid that you were running mad Nurse I mad it may be so now I am Old I must be mad forsooth but time has been There 's ne're a Servant durst have laught at me Nor I 'le not take it now no that I won't I 'le tear your Eyes out first She runs after Flora who still is too quick for her Flor. Nay softly Nurse so so ay there Nurse Where where I see it now It 's strangely pale O do not fright me so it 's gone again And now I shall have time to follow you Nay now I 'le tear thy Eyes out As Flora runs away she falls Nurse gets upon her Flor. Oh Nurse Nurse have mercy on me Do not scratch me so Nurse I 'le be thy Death there 's nothing shall preserve you Ah are you there again The Devil the Devil Exit Flor. 'T was well for me her madness work't again And made her take a whim to run away She would have kill'd me else do what I could I 'le stay no longer lest she come again I 'd not be in her fingers as I