does you Rhe. Is it my fault would you kill me for that Dor. No I would not now but long since I could I love her Friend Rhe. Thy Friend resigns her to thee Dor. Oh! she has given Rheusanes all her heart And for Dorenalus she has no room Rhe. Approach her make thy sufferings known Who knows but Heav'n may plead in thy behalf Or she when knowing how our Loves are crost May by they Tongue be mov'd to set 'em right Dor. Ye pitying powers befriend me but in this And all my daies I 'l sacrifice in Thanks Can you forgive Rhe. What Dor. The Unruly Method which I us'd just now Rhe. Fogive I thank the occasion which has set us right And prov'd how strong my Faith is to your Sister No more hast to the Princess and relate your Passion May all the charms of Love and Youth wait on thee Dor. I have full power to work her as I please Rhe. I 'l bless the skill that cures my Friends Disease Exeunt End of the First Act. ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Rheusanes and Antelina Rhe. OH Antelina why this strange disorder Why are thy Eyes in which our loves have plaid And mov'd with Pleasure as thy fancy taught ' em Now overcast with such a dismal change As quite confounds my sences with the wonder Ant. How can you ask the cause of my Affliction When you the Author of it know too well Rhe. By all our Vows you tax me most unjustly Oh! may I perish when I wrong my Love Or never more be happy in my Wishes Ant. Oryala the Princess Oh! that mighty Name Has cancel'd all your Promises to me A Crown a Crown Rheusanes is your Mistriss now Rhe. Be witness for me he that made us love I would not leave thee for an endless life Of endless Youth Ant. Oh! you flatter me Rhe. Unkind suspector Durst my Tongue express my prompting fancy I fear I should Blaspheme in praising You So much above all things I do esteem you Ant. Oh! for Rheusanes too I 've that esteem The original impression of my heart Who first taught Fondness in my tender Soul And linkt it to unspeakable desire But you 'l not have the power to shun her love For there is such Temptation in her Face It might perswade a second Angels fall Rhe. Not have the Power Yes Were she bright as the first Glorious Angel Fair as Imagination could Present her Could tire fancy to relate her Beauties I have a Soul that would despise her Charms Ant. My Soul disdains a greater then the Princes The King Rheusanes has declar'd he loves me This Night I am Commanded to receive him Nay order'd to approve his Royal Offers Rhe. By whom Ant. My Father what he intends I yet am ignorant But I must meet him Rhe. Must Antelina Ant Yes I must Rheusanes Yet tho' my Fathers Will side with the Kings And the King thinks he may compel through him I 'l meet him with such Faith to what I love That he shall never cherish hope in me Rhe. I find the Purpose now of the Kings kindness And separating Mischiefs are Contriving Oh Antelina therefore hear me swear If our intentions should be frustrated By the designs I guess in Agitation By that most glorious Ornament of Heav'n Which beautifies the Coeling of the World The Moment that I loose thee Points to his Sword. This ends me Ant. And here I swear by the dear kneels Pulls out the Viol. Freedom which this Glass contains Which I design'd for ease hadst thou been false By all the hopes we may not be prevented if we are This Spirit gives me a Release from being Rhe. The Gods prevent the fatal proof of it Ant. Amen with all my Soul. Rhe. Your Brother now is with Oryala Thou art not dearer to my Soul then is that Name to his I promised him Assistance in his Passion And he has vow'd the same where I am Captive This Night then Oh! my comfort le ts remove All fears that may afflict us with our falshoods Ghinotto appears in the Balcony Ghi Ha! Ant. I fear it will be difficult to do For since the King has publisht his Intentions The Clergy will refuse to Licence us Rhe. Without the Walls you know there is a Chappel That is confirm'd to the Worship of our Swaines There only and only theirs This is their time of Feastival and Marrying With Rural Sports the Nimphs the Shepherds treat And 't is the custom of that happy Race To chuse their Lovers by their Excellence Ant. As how Rhe. As thus their Ceremonies are attended With Antick measures by the Nimphs performed Whose motion best delights the eye Is pitched on for a Bride the Swain whom She affects is streight made hers So they proceed to others in their turn Continuing Celebrating for three daies So masqu'd and drest we will perform amongst 'em So chose the Priest shall ratify our Vows Ghi They shall be ratified to my desires Ant. Then are you constant Oh! you abus'd dear Man My fearful Soul with doubts has been perfect Perswaded by my Father thou wert false Rhe. Would he were half so just as I shall prove Were less Ambitious Ant. Or would let us Love. Rhe. In spite of him we will our Loves compleat Then Triumph o're the envy of the great This night at nine within the Cyprus Grove Your Father will be busied then at Court. Ghi Do you think so Ant. Fail not the everlasting Peace or Troubles of my life Depend upon thy Truth Rhe. Off with these needless fears Oh! that the hour were come to Usher in The yet untasted Joys how I will gaze upon Thy Charms and dye in the admiring Ant. You must not Rhe. What Ant. Behold me till to morrow Rhe. Ha! Ant. Virgins have Eyes too tender for the Light Prithee excuse my Modesty some time Let us i' th' Dark receive each others Love. Rhe. Thou shalt I will not shame thee with a Lovers Question I will not speak to thee the thought Of what 's to come does almost silence me If apprehension has such influence How will the real pleasure wrap my sence Ant. Away Rhe. I cannot Ghi I must retires from the Balcony Ant. This will not hold thee long I shall grow Old. Embrace her Rhe. Thou wilt be ever Young. Enter Page Page Madam your Father and the King. Ant. Then we must part Rhe. Adieu Ant. Till nine Rhe. That happy Hour Shall lead our Loves beyond thy Fathers Power Exit Rhe. Ant. Now for this King O! my Ambitious Father Destructive greatness has bewitch'd his Soul And mine must be a Sacrafice to gain it Hard fate of Children which are bound to love Not what themselves but Parents do approve Enter King and Ghinotto Ghi 'T is the securest way that can be thought of About it then use all thy Art my Power Or what thou shalt think fit Exit Ghi Ant. How he surveighs me Ye Powers that favour constant Lovers Direct his
heart to one not yet engaged King Fair Excellence Ant. My most honoured Prince King What brings me here I 'm sensible you know Your Father having told you by my Order Oh! slight not therefore thou all conquering Maid The faithful offerings of a love-bound Heart Unhappy only in not being the first Was taken Prisoner by those restless eyes Ant. Since by your Royal Order I am sent By my one Father here to wait upon your Pleasure To hear as you are pleas'd to say your love Far fitter for an equal Royalty With such respect I 'l entertain your story As does a double Duty now require King The entertainment of a double Duty Can never satisfy my greedy Passion Oh! give me but your single love to feed on 'T will gratifie my Soul Luxuriously But Duty without Inclination serve me Ant. To love my Prince I ever was instructed 'T was in my early grounds of living taught And nourisht by a natural Inclination King That love is but an awful Duty still Which for a Love like mine I will pay you Thus be Commanded thus becomes your Subject kneels Thus ever pay your Tribute as my Soveraign Ant. Justly you do disgrace me with this usage Puting my backward Duty in Remembrance kneels Of its neglect in doing thus no sooner King How cunningly she seems to avoid my meaning Rise subtle Beauty I know this Part 's as hard For you to act as me to like Throw off this art of distance in behaviour And give my plain and worthy meanings welcome Oh! do not shun the merits of my love But meet 'em with a generous Gratitude Ant. Impossible King Pity a Prince who never beg'd before Nay never lov'd till Antelina charm'd him As the rich Indies in their secret Pride Whilst undiscover'd flourisht and were great So was my heart till love surpriz'd it quite My richer Peace was fatally betray'd And by thy powerful Beauty captive made Ant. The Spaniards who that Wealthy soil subdued As the first Conquerours still their Title keep I was besieged long time ago by one Who came in the persuit of unknown Land It was my heart he was first that found it He put such strong Passion in the place That nothing e're can Master it again King Why I can force thee storm thee and destroy His weak resistance and thy obstinate will As easily as I can take my Rivals life But I by gentler means would gain thy heart And mercifully treat so fair a Foe Prithee resign Ant. I dare not King I will Protect thee for it I 'l make thee all Ambition can invent My Crown my Glories at thy feet I 'l lay Ant. I will not yield tho' for the crime I perish King Do not provoke my rage Think on thy Duty on my Power Ant. They 'r great Temptations but they cannot Conquer There 's something Irresistable within Which baffles reason by stubborn fancy The rules of what we ought to do dispises Or coming all with positive desire King When two desires both positive alike Meet with a Resolution to destroy each other Or bring both to one oppinion 'T is certain one must loose Mine has a Power to back what it pretends to And erring beauty thou shalt find too late What slighted Love joyn'd with that power can do Ant. Alas I know it makes a dreadful Tyrant Yet I will beat its utmost persecution Rather than prejudice my plighted Faith. King It s Persecution will not light on you Suppose I long'd to tast of a fair Fruit A sordid Miser would not part with Should I for that destroy the Tree that bore it No cut the Keeper off whose interest guards it Then satisfie my longings uncontroul'd Rheusanes is the Dragon guards this Tree Which e're I can possess first he must die Exit Ant. He 's gone yet wherefore should I dread him Rheusanes interest cannot want Protection Nor dare this King without good grounds destroy him The hour draws on will make him ever mine And banish all my cares Oh Time Thou ever marching yet untired Spirit Of unaccountable Eternity start from thy Constant course to help my Love Hast but this once to give my longings ease And be as slow hereafter as you please Exit Enter King and Oryala Ory I beg it may not be yet break it off King It must be done Oryala 't is too far gone To be prevented now you know he has forsaken Antelina Ory Indeed he has not Sir she still remains The Idol of his heart 't is not an hour since He parted from her with all the assurance of His constancy King No matter for his Constancy You follow my directions Embrace the offers which I have propos'd Or all your interest to the Crown forsakes you Ory For Honour sake Sir let me stand at distance Let me not make so mean a Condescension King State Policy enforces me to do it He 's grown too popular and shakes my safety Unless I do unite his Power with mine Ory What comfort can I hope from one that hates me King I know that you Love him Ory I must acknowledge my desires are towards him Did but his inclinations wait on mine But when I think of future disrespect Hereafter slights and distant entertainment I of my Love will make a Sacrifice Rather then wed the least of these Disturbers King When it is done as well he may curse Heav'n As meditate indifference towards thy merit Ory I fear the Event King Whom I Protect methinks should scorn to fear No more of these Excuses but accept it Heirs I must have I will not Marry for 'em Unless thy obstinacy force me to it Ory Be witness Heav n in what I must perform I cross my own desire to pleasure yours King About it speedily If you refuse consider I must Wed Accept my Crown devolves upon your head Exit Ory What shall I do I long and yet I fear Hate him when present fond of him not near Oh! I am lost between these harsh extreams Love drives me downward its impatient strems And e're a perfect Voyage I can make My will against the Rock of Pride does shake Ambition storms and Honour drives me back Exit Enter Ghinotto at one door Dorenalus at another Ghi Why this disorder'd carriage in my son Heavy disquiet sits upon his brow With an unusual solitude admir'd I will observe him Dor. How am I curst with that disturber Love My wretched Heart 'twixt hope and fear is wracht And yet I dare not own what may â—â—â—ieve me Ghi How 's this Dor. If I should tell her of my sufferings This eating Feavor which consumes my Youth And then instead of pitying she should scorn me Why what a Mock of mankind would it make me who 'd Point and say That is the haughty Thing Who thought his Passion worthy of a Princess And fond of the conceit Undid himself Ghi Dorenalus Dor. My Lord. Ghi You seem surpriz'd Dor. I did not think of any one so near me
Aside Ghi You were discoursing with your self Dorenalus What was the Subject Dor. Only contriving something for the Army Ghi Is it in Love then Dor. Sir. Ghi My Son Dor. The Army in Love Ghi Ay in love you talkt of Passion Princess and Conceit Are such things proper for an Army Dor. Proper for an Army Ghi Ay proper Boy Why dost thou baulk my Questions With these shiftings unmannerly repeatings Dor. Duty forbids ill manners to my Father Ghi Give proper answers then What is the cause of your Retirement Your shunning Conversation Somewhat usurps the custom of your Heart Which sullys all your manly Qualities Dor. We are not alwaies Masters of one Temper 'T is as the bloods inconstant method pleases For from its Springs the faâ—cy takes her current Still changing with its Motion Ghi But still there is a Reason why it changes The Ocean never storms without a wind Nor does hot Aetna burn without a Fire But why this stronge imperrtinent argument Do you distrust the friendship of your Father That Erringly you would conceal your Troubles Dor. I never had a thought so base within me I was considering on Rheusanes falshood The Injuries my Sister would receive By his proud Marriage with Oryala Ghi He has this Night in private sworn to Marry her Dor. Whom Sir Ghi Your Sister 'T is near his hour of Promise And see he 's coming this way although I wish the Match I will not own it nor would I have you seen in it Let him accomplish his Designs alone Least the Displeasure of the King should seize us I must attend him instantly Exit Ghi Enter Rheusanes Rheu Dorenalus Dor. My Lord Rhe. My friend what still in sadness How does the progress of your Love succeed How does Oryala take the charming sound Dâ—r By Heav'n I could not tell her that I lov'd My Resolution was with fears o're prest And I stood gazing only on a Picture Rhe. Had you no talk Dor. A few uneasie Passages o' th' War Joyn'd with the troublesom praise of your desert How many excellent faculties were in you She askt me if you were not brave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sincere gentle impartial friendly pitiful I know not what her whole discourse All questions were of you and much ado I answered yes to all Rhe. Come lead me to thy Sister when I m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who knows but the exchange may 〈◊〉 The Passion of the deluded Princess to that height She may in scorn to me accept thy love Thinking thy Greatness may my Ruin prove Dor. The hope of that is all my comfort now I must attend my Father who tho' he knows The depth of your design would have it thought He does not that when the business is declar'd To th' King he may with equal strangeness be surpriz'd Rhe. Farewel then till to Morrow Oh Dorenalus the fears I have my wishes may Miscarry nothing can recompence But Antelina Dor. She is by this time in the Cypress Grove May secresy and safety wait upon you Rhe. Like a Rich Miser with his hoarded store Bound to remove it to some distant part Which e're he can arrive at must pass through All necessary Waies for Villains purposes His fears Transform each Bush into a Foe Waiting to Plunder him of all his Wealth So will my passage with your Sister be But when the uneasie timerous March is past And I attain my wisht for Home at last With greedy Joy my Treasure I 'l survey Whilst Love shall pass the safe got Hours away Exeunt severally End of the Second Act. ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Dorenalus meeting a Page Dor. IS your Lord stiring Page He 's coming forth Sir. Enter Rheusanes They Embrace Dor. Good morning to my Friend Health to his Pleasures May everlasting comfort Crown his choice With fresh delights still growing with his daies Rhe. Oh! my friend Blest be the Obligation made us Brothers May thy desires like mine be gratified With all the abundance of a Covetuous Love. Dor. Let fortune entertain me as she pleases Since I am satisfied my friend is just Doubly you have oblig'd our Family That could forgo so charming a Temptation To make my Sister and my self thus happy Rhe. Doubly I have obliged my self in that Serving my Friend and blessing of my self The comfortable joys I have receiv'd Nothing can match but this ensuing night Greedy of Love I curst the hasty day Wishing the Sun his Thetis lap might want When he most long'd to cool his eager â—ire Dor. Le ts see this happy Bride Rhe. I have not that my self nor must till the King enters i' th' Dark I was conducted to her And cause I should not see her in the Morning She hurried me into an outward Room Begging in whispers that I would obey Dor. Maids the first night are liable to shame And would not have their bashfulness perceiv'd But quickly use instructs 'em to be bold Knowledge inflames what ignorance made cold Rhe. You are experienc'd Brother where's the King Dor. The King is coming full of his gratitude For your great Merrits the Princess too They say's as fond as he to recompence 'em The affected Court looks like a Theatre Where gaudy greatness struts in ample manner Each seeming Courtier that could 〈◊〉 get Looks like an heir of Quality Rhe. Tho' to my longings happily I m matcht I must the goodness of my Master Honour Since his intentions were so full of greatness He did surprize the Merrits of my â—â—â—vice As much as he o'reweigh'd 'em When he the Princess offer'd to reward ' em Dor. The best of Honours Offices you had And well he knew 't was she alone could mend 'em Yet if I thought Rheusanes did repent Rhe. Repent You cannot think so basely of your friend 'T is an incumbent debt upon our Duty To thank the good affections of our Prince That when the just acknowledgment is made The honest Conscience rests secure from censure So far I 'm from repenting what is done That had I Antelina never seen With decency I would have shun'd the Princess Dor. Why Rhe. Such Royal Matches have to Subjects given Fatal Pretentions to disturb a State And private families have factions rais'd To question that which if they had a right to So much Precedency was then in being That probably their distant Alienation Might perish e're a second heir was Crown'd Dor. These Reasons Oppositions are to me Not to desire the Princess Rhe. If without jealousie I might perswade I 'd beg thee to desist Oh! my Brother Ambitions portion is Tumultuous cares Endless disorder never resting forecast Still plotting to maintain their envy'd greatness And how to make it greater Seek out some Beauty equal to thy Birth Even in temper charming in decent Duty Whose courteous care shall still her Lords attend Endeavouring to divert those do disturb him Enter Page Page My Lord the King. Rhe. Now my Brother let us stem this storm And fear shall ne're disturb us for the future
with such Skill They 're sure to Hurt if not to Kill Let Pity move thee to seem Blind Lest Seeing thou destroy Mankind II. Lucinda hide that swelling Breast The Phoenix else will change her Nest Yet do not for when She Expires Her heat may light in the soft Fires Of Love and Pity so that I By this one Way may thee Enjoy King OH Love like Death no Difference thou know'st The Heart thou strik'st must to thy Power submit Tho satisfyed the Yielding Ruins it Not Alexander could withstand thy Dart Yet he had baffled Millions with his Shield The God of War thy Arrows did Disgrace Making him languish at thy Mothers feet No wonder if our Heroes were thy Slaves When you subdued the Deity they serv'd Enter a Gentleman Gent. Ghinotto waits your Majesties Commands King Bid him Enter Enter Ghinotto Oh my Ghinotto dost thou bring me Comfort Or must Despair consume thy Master speak Ghi What might be urg'd to serve your Majesty This Brain has studied and this Tongue perswaded But still the Coyness of a slighted Maid Seduc'd by the false Vows of her first Lover To all besides she bears Nor Power nor Pomp can bring her to my Will. King Thou dost not sure the Art of Courtship know That canst not with Preferment win a Woman Ghi Perhaps Proposals from your Majesty might tempt her But from me tho Duty should instruct her to obey Yet she despises the utmost hopes My Cunning can invent King I 'le see her then my self They say there is a Power in Majesty Which Woman can't withstand And if a Crown can win her Aside I will exchange it for the moments Bliss And be content to serve my after Daies How does she bear the Marriage of Rheusanes Ghi As gaping Courtiers do the Rise of those Who take it o're their Heads she sighs And coldly saies She 's glad Rheusanes Fortune Has provided a beauty in all Points So much above her to share his Heart So much more worthy in his Masters eye so King What now Shout Ghi 'T is for Rheusanes Sir. The Crouded streets smoak with his Aclamations And He their Sun sucks up the ambitious Fogg King Ghinotto he must be Clouded set in a Winters Sky Where sometimes he may shine but weakly warm Ghi Success in Souldiers makes 'em Popular Nay oft disturbs the State which once they serv'd So 't is a Prince's safety to remove 'em Still as they grow familiar with their Country Into a private Life Which to the full shall recompence the Publique And keep 'em with just duty to their Prince King 'T is well advis'd You once were great i' th' Military Cause Deserv'd and did receive Applauses too Thy Son being grown fit for the honour'd Field I took thee to my self my bosom Friend Ghi So warm a Climate vertue does encrease My care have ever been to serve my Masters King Thou art a worthy States-man Rheusanes on his Marriage shall resign his Staff Which to thy Son descends Let him Example From his Father take and well I shall be Guarded This Night I 'l see thy Daughter If thou canst bring her to accept my offers I 'le make thee Father of thy Prince Ghinotto Enter Gentleman Gent. The General waits for admittance Sir. King Conduct him in Ghinotto Exit Ghi and Gent. I must Enjoy her Great is the interest of this General As great I know the Love is he bears her My Sister first presented him to me And now expects to reap what she has sown Tho Kings would Glory in so rich a Bride Yet for my own content she Marries him I have no hopes to compass Antelina But by this snare For when Love once for Greatness is Despis'd Still the neglected by that scorn 's advis'd And when Rheusanes falshood she has known How will she catch the offer of a Crown Enter Ghinotto Rheusanes Dorenalus Attendants Rheusanes Kneels Rhe. Success and Plenty wait upon my Prince And still when e're his Country wants relief May Fortune prove as favourable as now King Welcom most fortunate most wish'd for man Thy Prince's Guardian and thy Countrys Prop Rise and look like the conqueror thou art Rhe. You pay my duty much above its merit Nor could my Life tho lost in your defence Be worthy of such Title or such Praise I 've serv'd my Prince but as a subject ought When he commands his serviee King Dorenalus thou' rt welcom Dor Kneels May still good fortune wait upon thy Youth Encouraging thy Endeavours with success Dor. Long as the favour of my Prince waits on me I need not fear the want of Heav'ns assistance King Rheusanes since Heav'n has blest us With Victory and thy safety I think it were presumption more to tempt it Thou hast discharg'd thy Office well and Nobly And how to recompence thy Merit we have studied But if thy fancy would reward thy service With a particular choice it most delights in Proclaim thy wishes to our grateful ear With a most worthy and just assurance Rhe. So well I know the goodness of my Master That on his choice I wholly will depend For fear my wishes meet with his intentions Which rudely might interptet that I knew My own deserts as well as does my Prince King My wishes hope to agree with thy desires Goes to the door and brings in Oryala Can this reward thee Dor. Ha! Aside King Why so surpriz'd Rheusanes 't is real and thy Merit Here take her and the next sun shall see you Joyn'd much faster still senseless Rhe. Such blessings Sir must be receiv'd With all humility and admiration King Courtship I know is troublesom in Publique We 'l leave you to the Eyes and Ears Only of each other Ex. King Dor. Ghin. Manent Ory and Rhe. Dor. The use of mine forsake me At this Moment Rhe. What shall I do or how shall I approach her Most gracious Princess Ory Most worthy Lord. Rhe. By Heav'ns she spoke as if she lik'd my answer And prompts me to go on Aside Ory Some pitying God now stand a Virgins Friend Inspire him with affection towards my Love That neither my desires may be refus'd Aside Nor Greatness slighted Rhe. Since Madam by the King I here am left To win your favour or receive your scorn I would entreat e're I presume to talk Of that nice subject we must enter on You would resolve me one material Point Kneels Which my fears urge me thus to beg of you Ory Rise My Lord so well I know the goodness of your soul That whatsoever it dare ask I need not blush to grant I guess his Measures and am prepar'd to meet ' em Aside Rhe. Oh Antelina Aside 'T is Madam whether by inclination or command You do permit this single Conference Ory My Lord Rhe. Pardon me Princess if I err impute it to respect And much of Honour 'T is probable your Choice is made already If so what happiness can I expect From an intangled Love or forc'd
a Death To drive you from the Terrors of your Conscience Thou hast a Fiend now whispers in thy ear Thou art damn'd Despair and die Rhe. Audacious upstart dar'st thou talk unarm'd Draw or through thy breast I will pursue my Sword Till the sharp Point find thy false heart Dor. Sooner you 'l bury it within that breast But here 's a faithful one would fain embrace it Keep me not on the Wrack thus miserably But give the stroke of mercy and relieve me Rhe. Thou art a Coward Dor. Therefore kill me lest I spoil the Army Rhe. A Slave would sell thy Country for a Dollar Dor. Let thy Sword prevent it Rhe. Procurer for thy Sister Dor. Now revenge thy self for I did steal her For the King and Robb'd thee Rhe. Oh! I desire no more you Sup this night in Hell With all your Sins attending you with Torments But first I 'l as a Villain and a Coward use thee Thus we deal with Cowards strikes him Dor. Hold thee a Minute Rhe. Draw then Dor. I will. draws And that I may not be provok't by any Usage you 'l inflict on me I here resign What might protect me from it throws him his Sword. Now Rheusanes Rhe. Death Hell and Vengance I 'l endure no longer Come to my Arms thou injur'd Innocence kneels Oh! Pardon Pardon my last frantick Measures Dor. Oh! rise my Lord and do not mock my Sufferings Rhe. By all thy martyr'd Patience it is real Nor will I rise till I hear Pardon from thee Dor. For what Rhe. I struck thee Friend Dor. I have forgot it Rhe. Disgrac't thy Honour Dor. I think not of it Oh! Rheusanes but no more Rhe. Yes I will talk for ever on thy goodness Angels Protect and Guide thee in all thy Waies And everlasting happiness attend thee Dor. Now I am happy the utmost I desir'd was to part Friends to make you sensible of what you had Done and then to leave you Rhe. Leave me Dor. For ever and for ever we must part Oh! Rheusanes to stay in sight of such a loss as mine Would tempt me to do something Base and Damnable Rhe. Time may alter Dor. Nor Time nor Fate can alter my condition Would the Law serve so far as to divorce you Would the King after give Oryala To these Oh! curst remembrance once most longing arms It would not bear the name of recompence The Treasures gone which I so much ador'd And tho' she may that ne're can be restor'd Rhe. Are there no means to help us Dor. None but parting if thou art Innocent The Gods reward thee with some future blessing Rhe. How can you bless what you so lately Curst Dor. 'T was only to provoke you to destroy me Rhe. My usage had the same design on you Dor. Farewel How hard it is to part with what we Love Oh! had the Princess never been thy wife Had she been any others had she been lewd As the worst Womans fancy This bosom would have given my Troubles ease But Oh! Rheusanes Who will not pitty that shall read my end Rob'd of my Mistriss by my only friend Exit Doren falls down Rhe. Wilt thou not hide me Earth Enter Oryala Ory Yonder he lies Curst Curst Ghinotto how hast Thou betrai'd me Thou irresistable and Cruel Power Which has so partially confin'd my heart If you would have it faithful to your Worship Give ear to the Intercession of my Love And make me happy in this Lords affection For if that scorn does still possess his Soul I 'l fly to th' refuge of a just revenge And will despise thee equal to his slights Rhe. Oryala how my Plagues grow upon me Ory Oh! Rise Rheusanes is this a Bed for a Royal Bridegroom Rhe. No but for a Perjur'd one it is Made wretched by thy means Prithee befriend me and withdraw thy terrors There are ten thousand Mischiefs in thy presence Ory I am no Basilisk Rhe. Oh! that you were you would be comfortable to These Eyes and ease 'em of the Torment of beholding Ory Are these the Pleasures I must hope from Marriage Rhe. Why didst thou Marry me Rises Ory Because I lov'd because I could not live In peace or rest without you Rhe. Oh! you will never with me My wrongs to Antelina cry for Justice And Envy grins to see me so unhappy Ory Oh Rheusanes Rhe. Oh Oryala I dare not call thee Wife It is too much to know thou art that thing With what afflictions hast thou loaded me I groan beneath the burthen of my thoughts And am not able to endure the Torture Hell Hell that owns me why dost let me live Ory Oh! Chide me if you must a little gentlier I cannot suffer these unequal Passions From one I Love so much Rhe. What wouldst thou have me do There is no Medium in my Miseries My Friend to my Dorenalus my promis'd Brother That Soul of Honour Constancy and Friendship Have I beyond recovery lost and ruin'd Ory How have you ruin'd him I can perceive No ruin but my own Rhe. He lov'd you Princess he indeed ador'd you Your Name was his delight your sight his food I swore to him I 'd never wrong his hopes And the same Night for ever ruin'd ' em Ory His Love was only known to himself and you I could not answer what I never knew Yet if I had been acquainted with his Love You could not think I would have cherisht it You were the only Subject I could stoop to Look back upon my Generosity Reflect upon my Care for your Preferment Private you came unheaded to the Court Till my regarding Eye your Person chose And to my Brothers favour did present you Rhe. You have sold that goodness at too dear a Rate Ory Oh! say not so Since you are sensible o' th' weight of love Pitty what under the same load does move By all the Joys you coveted last night When with your eager Arms you Prest me close Rhe. Those Joys do prove my greatest Torments Oh! if our scatter'd Loves have chance to meet And fill'd thee with the Image of thy wishes May it be blasted at its dawn of light And stifled as 't is crawling to the World. Ory Consider who I am Rhe. Thou art my Wife my Wretched unintended Wife Fortune that Bawd to accidents has Slur'd thee on me Ory I am thy Princess too Rhe. No you were Oh! that you still had born That awful Name I still had paid Obedience To your will but now I Rule I Reign And Lord it o're thee as becomes my pleasure What hast thou done thou hast sold thy freedom To a Tyrant Husband who alwaies will misuse thee Ory When I intreat again I give thee leave Oh! where has all my injur'd Honor slept Or how have I been charm'd into Submission Rouze Rouze my temper shake thy fondness off And punish the offenders of thy quiet Thou little less than Man how I despise thee Rhe. Thou something more than Woman how I
hate thee Ory By the resentment of an Injur'd Love I will have justice done me Thou Weed of Nature crept into the Earth To Canker and Disturb the Royal seed Villain Ghinotto thus to wrong my Honor Hadst thou been Faithful but I find thee now And will prevent thy hopes if possible The poor deluded and forsaken Queen When she beheld her false Eneas sail Felt nothing like the anguish of my heart Like her I 'l die to give my troubles end But Monster think not by my self I 'l fall Thy Antclina she shall be the Pile On which I 'l burn and as I burn I 'l smile Exit Rhe. How much we both are wrong'd By one curs'd Villain Ghinotto is the Instrument Of mischief which wrought us to the ruin of Each other for Royalty he has his daughter Kept and in her room contriv'd this wretched Princess In what have I offended Heav'n that it should suffer Such injustice towards me Shout Heark there may be Comfort In that Aclamation Oh! for a general Insurrection now That I might plunge into some terrible Confusion Where I might hide my self in multitudes And lie forgotten ' mongst the dirty Crowd Enter Antelina Shout Ant. Where e're I go the Joy disturbs my ears That is Proclaim'd for false Rheusanes Match These Ceremonies once were meant for me And all the Land call'd me the Generals Love But now his Scorn Oh Potent oppositions How have you prevail'd Rheusanes kneels and takes hold on her Ha! my destruction here some Power protect Offers to go Rhe. Turn thee Oh turn thou injur'd Innocence Encline thine Ear to a repenting Sinner I 'm in a Maze of crooked Miseries lost Nor can I find the thred that leads to rest Unless thy merciful forgiveness guide me Ant. Pray give me freedom Rhe. Gods what a look was there The Sword of Justice Threatens in her eyes And my Soul fears to look on her again Ant. Pray let me go my Lord Suppose the Princess saw you in this posture The Jealousie 't would raise might fatal prove And I should be more curs'd than now I am And I would be more curst than now I am To make a difference 'twixt man and Wife Pray loose me Rhe. I cannot like a poor Wretch whose Soul Has given him Warning I grasp my hold With all the wracking cramps of Lifes Convulsions Ant. Disgrace grow to thee Rhe. Well said Ant. The Curses that thy Perjuries deserve The punishment that 's due to thy false Sex May Heav'n reserve them all for single Thee Rhe. Go on Ant. Let me then Pulls to get from him Rhe. Not that way but in thy Curses In thy rage go on curse till fierce Jove Thy Combatant step forth and strikes this Villain Breathless at thy feet Yet stay Ant. I will not Rhe. You shall Ant. I must not Rhe. I am innocent betray'd by Fortune By your Father Ant. Away Rhe. Will you not hear me then Ant. Nothing nothing the King Rhe. The King Ant. Ay the King stays for me stays to make me Great to make me Off or I 'l call for help Rhe. Then go He le ts go Exit Ant. The Pomp you seek wait for you I find it all and yet I am not mad Oh! I was born sure when the Gods were angry And in their Rage they fix'd this curse upon me Heark I am call'd Musick Flourishes To th' Banquet I must go With all the unwillingness of gaul'd aversion But with what Joy should I my Sences Feast If I were sure to be a Poyson'd Guest Exit Re-enter Antelina Ant. I did not well to leave him unresolv'd Surely there was sincerity in 's Carriage It look'd Romantique yet it might be real He talk'd of Father Fortune being betray'd My fears provoke me strangely to think ill Oh! if their purpose should be prov'd I 'm lost With poor Rheusanes equally undone What he entreated me to hear I 'l know And if I find him cheated as I guess I will go Partner in his Resolutions Enter King and Ghinotto King Fair Antelina Ghi Daughter Ant. Sir. Ghi Do you not hear the King Ant. The King King Once he was so but Love has stript him of his Royalty Invaded are his vast Prerogatives By thy deposing beauty Ant. Invaded are my vast Prerogatives The power I had over Rheusanes heart Your rigid pleasure has undone for ever King My rigid pleasure Ant. Whose else Oh! you have undone me Upon my youthful hopes stampt old Despair In one pernicious hour ruin'd the purpose of my Labouring Soul which since my eyes could judge Pray'd for Rheusanes King You pray'd for one who little did deserve it And scorn the only person truly loves you Would I had been Rheusanes and he King I ne're had left the blessings of thy Love For all the Pomp o' th' spacious Universe Ant. I fear Rheusanes knew not the Design But was betray'd into the dark mistake Else why was I lock'd up that very hour I was to meet him to confirm our Vows King Can you believe that Husbands were so scarce My Sister wedded him for fear of none Ghi How e're his flatteries have prevail'd Upon your Credulous and inclining heart The Cheat is plain to an impartial mind King Were she unprejudic d I could produce Such natural and unâ—rring demonstration As credit could not shâ—â— Ant Could I be satisfied with a belief Rais'd from a Reasonable and unbyassed Test Rheusanes were consenting to the deed King What recompence shall wait the satisfier If I should prove he were the sole Contriver Ant. I 'l never think on the false Wretch again King May I not hope advancement for my sufferings Ant. Oh! Press me not too much If you should justifie what you have said My Task will be sufficient to forget him King I will not press thee more my long'd for Bride But rest in the assurance of his falshood Which shall alone plead for me Ghi By Heav'ns I 'l force her King Forbear Ghinotto and divert a while My Absence from the Banquet be free In welcoming the Bridal Guests and represent Your Prince you Son that shall be if this Lady pleases with an untir'd bounty towards all Come hard Believer if I do not prove Rheusanes false I 'l quit my claim to Love. Ghi Now Princess sink and Daughter Ride above Exeunt severally End of the Third Act. ACT IV. SCENE I. Enter King with Antelina disordered King NOw stubborn beauty curse your sly disdain Curse your rash will which tortur'd me so long With the utmost rigour of a proud neglect Think not that face nor shape above reward Nor think that Crowns are Subjects Toys to play with Ant. If ever you would have my heart your own Let those curs'd hands which forc'd me to dishonor Tear it from whence it ever must abhor you King When my fond heart with springs of longing leapt As it would beat thorough the breast it bruis'd To rest upon the Bosom it ador'd You stopt your ears
to my entreating Soul And scorn'd it as the vilest in the Land. Ant. I think it now the worst that Hell er'e punish'd King Think what you will the Game is now my own Nor value I your Curses or Reflections Ant. Dost thou not dread the fatal consequence Must issue from revealing of this mischief King Not I Were thy souls dotage here with all the Army Thy Father and thy Brother at their Head Had every wrong a Champion from above Nay were thy self before 'em all disorder'd In the most moving posture of abuse I 'de twine about thee like a curling Snake And cling till by degrees I was cut off Ant. Heav'n if I wait will surely do me Justice King When first I lov'd I Nobly did design Nor could your Wishes make you more than mine But when I found you deaf to my Complaints Resolv'd Rheusanes should not boast my loss I caus'd Oryala to perform your Part Whilst your ambitious Father lockt you up As a reserve for me Ant. Thou breeder of destruction King Think you I would have matcht my Sister To one did Hate her and below her birth But to remove the obstructions of my pleasure By the desires which I have gratified I would have stak'd my Country and my Life T o've gain'd the pleasure I compel'd even now Ant. Oh ruin'd Antelina Wrong'd Rheusanes King Despise a Slave when you may have his Lord Wait not on Fortune when you may command her Give me your Love and by my own I swear Thou shalt become the Wonder of the World. Ant. Your Villany has made me thus already King The Eagle shall not soar above thy Power The Indies shall be Plunder'd for thy sports To keep thy Extravagancies in perpetual Play Thy Garments all shall be Originals The finest and the richest Art can finish I 'l have the Sea turn'd off to digg up Rocks Shall furnish thee with Gems to blind the admirers Ant. And what shall wait on this Romantique Pomp King My Love. Ant. Thy Lust and Heav'ns eternal loss Wouldst thou to the Confusion thou hast made Add my Damnation Monster Vengeance will catch thee King Consider better and be better us'd Nor do I fear my Subjects nor the Gods If they should punish me for this dear action 'T is ' cause I have enjoy'd the bliss before ' em Once more consider weigh well your idle Coyness And if a just repentance I can find I may to quiet what you 've lost be kind Exit Ant. Do then and end me Tyrant Ravisher He 's gone and so am I from Honour ever gone Oh! how shall I look Vertue in the face Or keep my countenance when 't is accus'd My conscious blushes on my cheeks will blab And tell the inward touches of my Soul. Earth Earth thou general Mother of all beings Let not my evil Footsteps wrong thy bearing But take what is too vile to walk upon thee Sits down Enter Rheusanes Rhe. 'T is done I do believe the happy deed is done The King came pleas'd and flushing to the Banquet As if the Priest had warranted his Joys And he had tasted of my Antelina Ant. Oh! I should know that Voice Rhe. What Fate directs me alwaies to this place This Melancholy Grove but sooths me in my Thoughts And Drowns me in Despair Or is 't perhaps That this most conscious Grove nourish'd my ruin Oh! the happy time Even I that am undone undone by that Bless those so happy happy moments past And fond the Memory that makes me wretched Ant. Oh Heav'ns Rhe. What means that Voice of Sorrow do the Woods Pity me or is 't that mourning Lady 'T were vain for me to offer Services Or Complement her Miseries with mine If she be truly Wretched I rob her of her Solitude For sure when Grief grows to that monstrous height That none can equally Comiserate Next to the Quiet Slumbers of the Grave To be alone is all a Wretch would have Ant. Oh! Rheusanes Rhe. Or my Sence fails or Antelinas voice But that 's impossible Going off Ant. Rheusanes Rhe. Again Madam by calling on my Name I Judge you think it in my Power to do you Service Accept it thus and rise from this sad Place I will not trust my Eyes it cannot be What Antelina and without the King Or is this grief because without the King. Ant. Unkind Rheusanes do I merit this Rhe. Why Madam I can guess no other Cause Yet Oh! my Antelina if e're you Lov'd As often you have Sworn you did Rheusanes Not all the Royalties that deck a Throne Nor the gay Bridegroom King with all his honors Not in your Arms nor in the unspeaking Minute of delight Shall give you half that Peace or Calm your Soul Equal to what beneath Yon Mirtle Tree You own'd with Tears of Joy you felt from me Ant. I know thy Truth and that thus sinks my Soul Rhe. She faints Oh! thou Epitome of Heav'n return Revive my Love my Life my Antelina Ant. Ah! me if you would e're have Peace Wake me no more Rhe. Oh! if thou knowest my Truth Live only to Convince me of thy own That Antelina Loves the the lost Rheusanes And my Soul soars immediately with thine Ant. How can your Eyes so carelesly surveigh me Rhe. What saiest thou Ant. Do these torn Robes and hair look well Rheusanes Rhe. Hh Ant. Should you meet one thus Ruffled on a Road Stretcht on the Ground or fastned to a Tree Would you not judge they had been Rob'd Rheusanes Rhe. Horrours eternal choak my eager thought And stifle my unnatural Suspition I will not guess at all go on be plain What meanest thou by a Road bound to a Tree or Robd Ant. When e're a Shepherd leaves his tender Flock Does not the Wolf devour the helpless Lambs Rhe. Yet Plainer Ant. Let my Original disorder speak Rhe. Enough Enough ye Mighty Merciful good guards Of innocence and vertue 't is enough Give me thy hand thou beautiful decay Let us sit down like Children quite undone And pratle o're the falshood of our Guardian Thy Father Oh do not turn away That wretched motion does inform too much Ant. Oh my Rheusanes I own I sin to look you in the face So vile am I But pity me If threatned and entreated by a Father Urg'd by the wrong I thought you had done my Love And tempted by a Prince I seemed to accept What as I wish for Heav'n my Soul so abhor'd I would have chose the vilest Death on Earth Rather than live Rheusanes being lost The greatest Empress story e're could boast of Rhe. Oh dismal sound The only blessed news I wish'd to hear Doubles the wrack of my despairing Soul And marks me for a Wretch to future times Hadst thou been false 〈◊〉 or a just resentment Might have cur'd but now my spitâ—ful fate Has made a flaw not Heav'n it self can mend Nor do I fear a Curse nor ask a Blessing Ant. Oh Rheusanes Rhe. Speak on speak all for
I 'd be more a wretch Admire the witty cruelties of Heav'n And wonder at the newness of their Curse Ant. My Father Rhe. Curses blast him Heark I hear some coming Perhaps the King to appease a second time His pressing blood retire my Love And when I call Approach Ant. Oh hide me where I never may be found Leads her off Rhe. Now for this lustful brand This Fire that blister'd Antelina's vertue Enter Ghinotto By the fell Author of her Miseries It is the greater mischief Ghi The King with Joy deals round the brim-swel'd goblets His Gay behaviour signifies success But he 's engag'd so strictly with his Guests I cannot know the full particulars Rheusanes takes him by the Shoulder Rhe. Ghinotto tho' I know thee Ambitions dotard Yet not so blinded but thou can'st Judge What Death deserves that Execrable Dog Who would to please a bold Hot Blooded Prince Expose the unspotted Honour of a Daughter Ghi What Death Equal with him the unambitious Fool Who would to please the sondness of a Girl Refuse to be the Father of a Prince Rhe. Are not Vows binding do we mock the Gods When our Protestings summon 'em to Witness Whether our Words keep measure with our Hearts Have you forgot when to the Wars I went You joyn'd my Antelinas Hand and mine And blest me as yours Have you forgot When on my Sword I Swore Eternal Faith You made her Kneel and Kiss the hollow blade Preferring me to any Prince on Earth Ghi The Princess was not nam'd Perfidiou Man Do you upbrâ—id my Wrongs or flout my Age Your fiery Pride Young Conqueror rides so high 'T will throw you on your Back your false Deluding Tongue the Tricks you us'd to break the Match and Antelinas Peace shall mount her to a Throne A Diadem my Daughter shall adorn Oryala and thou shalt be her Scorn Thy slighted Passion shall at distance move It shall be Treason but to own thy Love Whilst the most favour thy poor State shall meet Shall be to pay Obedience at her Feet Rhe. Rage keep thy Bounds and Oh instruct me Gods Which way to satisfy my Love and Honour And not destroy this Murd'rer of 'em both Upbraidst thou me with breaking off the March Does not thy base Heart know its own Contrivane Ghi Vain Lord thy threats are vain my Heart know this Its Blood run cheary now as ' ere it did nor to Be child with words but sensible of Wrongs Apt to revenge and with this wither'd Arm. To justifie the Honour of my Name Rhe. The Honour of thy Name Ha! ha Ghi Ay upstart Prince the Honour of my Name Equal with thine much dearer than my Life And precious as the Off-springs of my blood Rhe. Pretious indeed and yet by Hell 't is sold Ghi By whom Rhe. By thee Ghi Thou Ly'st Rhe. Thus quarrel Boys and Girls Thou twice a Child Ghi Thou not beyond it yet Rhe. Who left his Daughter here Ghi I did Rhe. To meet the King. Ghi On purpose Rhe. To hear his Love. Ghi Ay and receive it too Rhe. He has been here Ghinotto Ghi I 'm glad on 't Rhe. He has made Love too Ghi Better Rhe. High mighty pressing Love. Ghi More like a Prince Rhe. More like a Fiend of Hell. Fetches her in Come forth thou Sacrifice to his Ambition And with thy Ruins sink his haughty Soul. Ghi My Child Ant. My Father Ghi What mean these swoln Eyes this torn Hair These ruffled Garments these all marks of Horror Ant. The King. Ghi Shall do thee right for this affront Tell me the Authors Ant. Oh! he can never do me right Ghi Why Child I know he Loves thee Ant. So loves a Goatish Satyr of the Woods A wandring Virgin of Diana's Train When to his Den he Hurries her by force And Grins at her Resistance and her Prayers Ghi Ambition Oh Ambition thou Nurse of Mischief How thou hast lash't my Pride Aside Rhe. What say'st thou now Ghinotto does not this Object Make thy inwards Sweat Does not her Tears Pierce through thy yielding Pores and scald thy Heart Can'st thou be still when such a Wrong provokes Ghi Is this the Coronation of my Daughter Villain Ghinotto Curse thy self alone Accomplice Cause Author of thy Disgrace Nor look on him whom next Heav'n must revenge And equally with Heav'n thou hast abus'd The Armies his and sure a Cause like this Will shock the Loyalty I know he bears Ant. Oh! Father Ghi Peace Girl a while and I will do thee Justice Rheusanes 't is now no time to ask you Pardon Nor can my Life afford me time enough The King and I mark me the King and I Are equally concern'd in thy undoing Oh! do me Justice there I 'le give thee Ample satisfaction here Rhe. Let me Reflect The Man who made this Wretch of Poor Rheusanes Lives still and I must honour him he is my Prince Therefore I must not meditate revenge Or Compensation just to such a Wrong Because he is my Prince Nay by my Soul That Name aws me so much That had he stript me bare of all my Honours Reduc'd me to the meanest State of Life Nay took my Life and that the Vilest way I could have blest him still and bore it all Ghi I have heard him boast your Loyalty indeed Own you the Prop and Honour of his Kingdom Yet there lies your reward Points to Ant. Rhe. Nay had he attack'd me in that tender part And knowing that my Life twisted with hers Had Stab'd her at my Feet my Blood might Sally me to some rash thought which soon I Should have griev'd for on my Knees to have begg'd The Favour of a Second Stab Thus would I treat His Cruelties with Life the utmost stake a Mortal Has to loose Ghi And charg'd by Heav'n and Nature to Protect To Right if Wrong'd by any mortal Power Rhe. But Sacriligiously to spoil my Love To violate the Altar of my Vows he has Stab'd my Soul nor can your vain Eliziums do me Right A Melancholy poor Dishonour'd Ghost Abandon'd Branded Scorn'd by Noble Souls And shun'd by Antelinas unreveng'd Ant. Where then Oh! where shall Antelinas fly In what dark Mansion cover her Disgrace A Ravish'd Virgin in a stranger VVorld VVhere bold Rheusanes durst not shew his Face Ghi By Heav'ns the Cods sit smiling at our Follies And mock at our Ridiculous Enduring Rhe. Oh Father Leans on him Ghi Oh! do not Sink my Soul with so much goodness I loath the VVorld I hate my self for Living To find thy Blood aw'd with the Name of King Baulk a Revenge would make me Young again Nor can I hope it from my Arm alone The Conscious King has Guards enough To Fence him from my Rage which shall end here Rheusanes I told you and I own it once again The King and I only the King and I made thee the VVretch thou art Thy Honours Stab'd in his hot Blood and Lust And thus in Blood must pay thee if he