in Love with Charming Eromena Cor. Why wou'd you know this Seg. Because like some unhappy wretches my wants make me the greater Prodigal I had but little peace and now have thrown e'en that away Oh! Eromena Cruel Eromena Cor. Fair Charming Lovely Eromena What does those words tell you my Lord Seg. That I am lost for she will sure Love you But when she does remember this my Lord The moment that you take her for your Wife My life must end I can live without her all my desire is I may Take leave of her and never see her more Cor. My Lord I promise you the thing you ask Tho' may be I shall have no greater Comfort Than sighing at her feet in vain as you have What is there in her heart that 's so impenetrable That she cou'd e'er resist such merit and how Can I presume to hope when you have been deny'd Seg. Flatter me not my Lord you shine above me In every thing can Charm the Young and Fair Pitty me rather that am forc'd to own My Rival will deserve all he can wish Farewell my Lord be generous to one wou'd wish Your Friendship were you not his Rival Let me but know how my misery shou'd increase And I 'll take care it shall not want it 's due And think to check the happiness you 'll have That your success must send me to my Grave Exeunt Enter Eromena with a Book in hand Ero. Oh! Restless night or rather restless Love For day I find no kinder than the night Reading the soft deluder of the mind Is now no Friend to me but rather does increase What I wou'd shun Books make us read What we wou'd blush to hear the pleasing tales of Love Oh! Love 't is here describ'd This this is my Disease I feel a softness at my wretched heart That waits but till 't is ask'd to throw it self Beneath the feet of him it does adore What Eromena hast thou seen thy Love Desir'd Sollicited Courted by a Man That Envy cannot find a fault withal To give now unask'd to one perhaps That will revenge the scorn that thou hast shown Let me not think on that my woes are many But thought makes 'em worse Upon this Bank I 'll lay my restless body Thou God of Peace Compose the unquiet mind of the Most wretched Creature that did e'er petition thee Lies down Enter Cornaro Cor. What can I suffer if I give my Love to that poor Virtuous Maid Has not another equal in Birth Offer'd as much and has she not refus'd him It may be Heaven reserves her heart for me And see she 's here my fate has guided me To what I wish She sleeps her face is lovely And her Charming Eyes tho' they are cover'd Pierce me to the heart her Rosie Lips tho' they speak not Invite the lookers on to taste their sweetness And I must What to kiss her is no Crime It may be she 'll not wake But if she shou'd I 'm sure she cannot blame me They that will leave Locks open to a Thief Kisses her she starts up he kneels Must needs expect a Robbery Ero. Ha! who 's this commits this Rudeness My Lord is' t you Cor. Oh! Chide me not for what has made me wretched The tasting of those Lips has quite undone me Unless I may again fair lovely Maid You that were born to do nothing but wonders That have transform'd me from the thing I was And in the space of one poor night have made me Your everlasting slave I am no longer Master of my self Put this first time I ever speke to you I offer you my Life my Heart my Soul Oh! Love now work a wonder on us both And touch her Heart as thou hast surely mine Ero. What does he say Oh Heavens I feel it true My pain I 'm sure is Love and Love for him Aside Rise good my Lord and do not by this needless Ceremony Call up to my Rememâ—rance all my woes My wretched Poverty and obscure Fate nor die my Cheeks In deeper blushes than your new pretended Love has rais'd Cor. Oh! Call it not pretended nor expect I eâ—er can rise Till I have mov'd your heart to know 't is real And confess it too See see me here O Lovely Charming Creature Turn not away but look upon me in this humble posture May be it may move your pity nay I will force you And follow still with Humbleness and Love Till you at last shall say You know I Love you Ero. Call up thy Courage hapless Eromena Oh! I begin to find I 'm lost indeed Struggle a little heart give not thy self away The first attack Aside Rise good my Lord or I must kneel with you Cor. Oh! no! you shall not kneel nor will I rise But hugging thus your knees I do Conjure you To give my Love both hearing and acceptance If since the moment that I saw you first I 've had one minutes thought but only you Or any wiâ—h but of the gaining you Some power that hears me punish strait my falseness But if my vow is true Now touch her heart and fix her mine for ever Ero. 'T is done 't is done I find I am so now And 't is too late now to Recall my Fate Faints Cor. She faints what sudden illness overcomes my Love Speak speak oh speak my Dearest Charming Woman Ero. Away my Lord loose me from your Arms and add not Fresh confusion to my Soul by thinking on the weakness You 've surpriz'd me in Oh! let me go Cor. Oh stay and hear me a little longer Let me but know why you now fly from me After the Confirmation of a Love you ought to pardon Speak do you believe I love you Ero. My Lord I do not know yet I wish I did Cor. Oh! do not say you know not take my only last assurance I do not offer you a vitious Love But only that which holy marriage gives Speak once again is that a Confirmation Ero. It is my Lord but such a one I must take from you And from another I am sure I will not Aside a little Cor. What said you did I hear you right Are not my Scenes scatter'd in the storm of Love Will you ne're be another's Ero. Heavens what have I said unwary Tongue Thus to betray the secrets of my heart I said my Lord that I would never marry Cor. Yes me you must or see else most miserable What can I say to move you take this Sword And pierce my heart if you 'll not grant your Love Ero. Oh! Beringaria how might I betray thee In ruining thy only darling Son How make thee curse that noble Charity That rais'd this Serpent to destroy thy quiet Cor. No pity yet Heavens how she does distract me And all I can resolve on 's Ruin Death or Her Once more I kneel to move that stubborn heart With my own breaking Now O hopeless Conquest Ero. I have recall'd my sinking Gratitude
knows my love to you Ero. Alas my Lord mock me not so again I am not born to be belov'd by you But this pretended Love of yours I find Has been discovered for which Arapsia told me My Lady Beringaria's Commands she bad me Have a care 't was honester to leap into my Fathers bed Than to give way to such Ingratitude And break the heart of her that had preserv'd me Cor. Nay then it is too late to trifle longer And we must both be wretched if we do Once more O thou who only can'st preserve me For know I am Commanded too to marry A Woman that I never saw fling not my Life Thy own and all away but give me Heaven By making me thy own O think a little On thy resolution depends our future Fate Say canst thou see me made another's speak Ero. I do confess I cannot nor must I e'er consent To be your Wife for shou'd I O what Mountains then Would hide me from her anger her Just Reproaches And a guilty Conscience more terrible than all Cor. I wou'd and shrowd thee in these longing arms Till I had stifâ—'d apprehension in thee And made thee own thy fears were needless there Ero. Oh! let me go tempt not a yielding heart A thing not worth your taking when so easie Cor. Consider we both are ruin'd if we do delay Oh think on that my Mother will undo us Perhaps we ne'er may meet again Ero. Let us ne'er meet so I preserve my Vertue I 've fortify'd my reason once again And can submit to any thing but baseness Cor. Then must we part for ever Ero. Indeed we must I 'll in some Cloister hide me from the World Farewell I find I ne'er must see you more To prevent the miseries must fall upon you When I 'm removed there will be no marriage forc'd upon you No Lady then Once more farewell for ever Cor. Stay yet and see the effect of all your prudence The minute that you leave me is my ruin Oh! Cruel Creature can you see me thus I vow Here on my knees unless you are my Wife Never to marry And will you leave me Well it shall be so I will be left alone to Fate Which has decreed I â—uust not live without you Going Ero. O Heavens I cannot beaâ— to part with him Come back my Lord but turn yoâ—r eyes away And do not see my blushes when I tell son I am no longer Mistress of my passion But with a heart softned with mighty Love Take the impression you are pleas'd to wish I love you dearer than my Life or Soul Receive me to your arms your Lawfull Wife And match my Love to a sincere obedience Cor. Oh! Joy Oh! too Transporting Joy that takes away The sence that does receive it but I will struggle With my Conquer'd Soul that faints with the excess Of its own happiness to grasp her thus for ever To my heart Oh! all my Joy my reall Heaven on Earth This moment now shall joyn our hearts for ever Ero. Oh! what have I done what makes my heart thus tremble Cor. Oh! do not now reflect on any thing But on the means to finish our Uniting Which shall this hour be done Meet me my Life Half an hour hence in the low Grove beyond the Garden-Wall there I 'll provide the Priest shall joyn our hands Pleas'd in my Loves Embrace my fairest Wife I 'll then look down on those ambitious Fools That chuse the vanity of gawdy Pomp Before the real Joys of Peacefull Love Let Interest feel a check unknown before I 'm blest in her dear arms that I adore No Crowns can ever my ambition move Nor warm that heart that 's given up to Love Exeunt Enter Captain Conall and Margaretta Con. Madam tho' I must not presume to wait on you upon my own account yet being employ'd I cou'd not avoid giving you this trouble and desiring you to do my Lord Segerdo the favour to try if you can give this last Letter to Eromena Mar. Sir I shall endeavour to serve my Lord tho' really Enomena did mightily press me not to desire her to receive any more Letters but I 'll do my best Captain Cor. Oh! what a look was there it has quite broke all my Resolutioâ—s I must speak once again Madam have you no pity yet What Task must I go through to obtain a certain blessing you can bestow Mar. Pray Captain speak no more upon that subject I would not run the hazard of being tempted Con. Say you so then I am sure this is my time Aside You cannot I 'm afraid be tempted by me and so may safely trust your self You 've a heart made of Iron sure or it could never resist the Affection of a Man that would undergo a thousand wracks rather than wrong the trust of so dear a Creature Come I see a little pitty in your Eyes Oh let it increase and make me happy for ever Mar. My Husband Con. Pox o'th at damn'd word 't is like the thought of a Tryal and Execution when a Man 's going to Fight an honourable Challenge Mar. Do you call this Challenge so honourable Con. Yes certainly when a Man has declined the Combat you have leave then to use him as you please 't is your Husband's Case Come my Lovely Charming Bewitching Creature my Soul is in a Flame I shall consume to ashes in a moment Mar. I must make my appointment quickly least my Husband should really come and prevent me Aside Well Captain I will not speak and if you can read in my Eyes what I would say you 'll find nothing to your disadvantage Con. Tell me then by these lovely Eyes when shall I come When will your Husband be abroad Oh! O tell me quickly least some cursed accident or other shou'd prevent the most desir'd pleasure of my life Mar. Nay Captain 't is not so far gone neither But if I had a mind to make an Intreague I believe I could not have a better opportunity than I shall have to day for my Husband is to be abroad about an hour hence at a place where he will be some hours and then if any body had a mind to come to me it were but their putting on some Womens Cloaths and slipping up those back stairs into my Womans Chamber and if I had a mind I cou'd but open my Chamber ' door and come to them for an hour or two and no body the wiser But Heaven forbid I should do so wicked a thing Well Captain farewell and mind what I say to you I 'll be sure to do what I can for my Lord Segerdo Exit smiling Con. So so I'gad my Judgment never fail'd me yet I was sure of this I understand her well enough and tho' I am not mightily in Love yet I can't resist the present Temptation I 'll run to Segerdo and tell him her answer and then to a she Friend to borrow some disguise the rest depends on
of such an error Arap. Alas I do repent I have told it you But 't is too true and see my Lady comes I cannot bear to see the grief 't will cost her But since you do resolve to know the truth Break not your Mothers heart in the discovery Exit Arap. Enter Beringaria Per. Cornaro have you thought of my proposals For all are Friends to my design but you I have but the care of well disposing thee And theâ— lie down in my cold grave in peace Cor. What shall I say I dread the discovery And yet must know it now Madam I beg If I must marry that you 'd give me leave To make my choice my self Ber. With all my heart If you make choice of one that suits your honour She 's yours and you shall have my free consent Cor. I thank you on my knees I love a Maid To that degree I cannot live without her I cannot think of loving any other Since you must know e'er your consent be had I will presume to tell you who it is 'T is Eromena Ber. Ha! what was 't you said Oh! never let me hear that word again 'T is fatal both to yours and my Repose Is this the Match you would prefer before A thousand others Cor. Madam I love her that has made the beauty And for a fortune you know well I want none Ber. Name it no more take the whole World before you Make choice of the most abject Creature living I will receive and own her for my Daughter But do not think on her unless that minute You do resolve to see me mad indeed O Heaven I beg you 'd stop this coming mischief And in exchange let me have thousand plagues Were never heard of yet Cor. O Mother Mother I am lost indeed This has almost confirm'd me Answer me One Question more and I have done for ever Is Eromena then my Daughter and born of you Why do you Change or Colour She swoons Help help within there Enter Arapsia Look to my Mother her silence has undone me Oh Heaven can it be true My Daughter Sister and my Wife and all My marry'd bedded Wife Why oh Heaven Did you permit nature to make this stumble Where was the Sacred power of Instinct now That foolish boast of undiscerning nature Cou'd it permit so gross an Act to master all its policy What my Sister Daughter Wife all in one Woman Oh Heav'n Compleat thy Vengeance and strike me to the Center Falls Arap. Help help within there Enter Cleonista Margareâ—ta and all the Gentlemen The Men go to Cornaro Women to Beringaria Ber. Who told the secret did you mention it Raving Cornaro where art thou now Dead then I am safe A stab to either will prevent my shame Who are you here that croud about me so Stand off I say I am Cornaro's Wife Let me run to him how does my dearest Son What Wife and Mother that was a mistake Give me a draught of poison presently Will you not fetch it has my Infamy Made me despis'd and not to be obey'd Even by my Children nor my Servants neither Gab. How fares my Lord Cor. A little at a loss A fatal Love has ruin'd poor Cornaro Let me intreat you Ladies to take care Of my unhappy Mother and Gentlemen You will oblige me much if you 'll retire And leave me for some time A little to recall my wandring reason Ber. Let me not see him ever whilst I live Iâ—ll have a veil shall cover me with night D' ye think the dead know what we do when living They say they do My Husband then knows of this accident And calls me Strumpet Yes I hear him speak it But I 'll wipe out this stain in nature and then Go to my dead Husband Chaste and Entire O quickly quickly shew shew me the way Exit Cor. O sad state 'till now unkown to all the World but me What had I done just Heaven to be so curst as to be made A sad example to the babbling World To follow the advice of Resolution I should not live But here 's a sight must now for ever Curse me O does she know my shame Enter Eromena Ero. Alas my Love why in that Mournful posture Why are you sad Oh! cheer your looks with mine Youâ—â—e often said my Lord you lov'd me dearly And can you have a grief now I am yours Alas I fear our Marriage is revealed I see a sad distraction in the House O speak to me my Lord is it not so Cor. Oh! Eromena Eromena Ero. Why do you sigh my Love You were prepar'd for this before and had resolved to go To Rome with me and there to pass our days If that you found your cruel Mother would not forgive The Violent effects of our stoln Loves Cor. Fly fly Eromena from a wretch that has undone thee Destroy'd that lovely form pluck'd up by the roots That beautious Flower and planted it with nought but stinking Weeds With Shame with Infamy and sure Dishonour Ero. What means my Life thou could'st not be so cruel O do not turn away my only dear If I 've offended let me know my fault And if 't is not too great to be forgiven Look on my true submission and receive me Cor. Some pittying power reveal to her her Fate I cannot do it prithee leave me here For I have something which disturbs me so That even thy Company is irksome now Ero. I will my Lord obey you whilst I live Nay I will be your Slave if you Command it I think it does become me to be so Cou'd Wives but see how very odiously Authority becomes 'em how much more like The Courtezan than Wife it does appear They sure wou'd blush that by their proud behaviour They rank themselves with the most vicious Women Cor. Can I hear this and know the loss I 've had Yet keep within my Temper Farewell farewell all thoughts of patience now Thus on the Earth I 'll throw my cursed body Sure it shou'd open to receive a weight Too heavy for 't to bear Oh! Eromena Lost Eromena quite undone by me Thou had'st been happy had'st thou never seen me Fly Eromena Fly I do Conjurâ— thee Oh! last night last night never to be possess'd again Yet to my Arms I 'll snatch thee And print a thousand kisses on thy Lips But from a Father now and not a Husband Ero. Let it be so I 'll love you as a Daughter And since you please to banish me your bed Thus on my knees I give this humble kiss And do receive your dear Paternal Love So you will love me in what name you please My Soul I 'm sure is Chaste and ne'er was Touch'd With any loose desires Cor. Oh Eromena canst thou be so Chaste as thou Hast said Can that dear Heaven of Beauty consent to be The idle part of the Creation Can that Charming Body Fit to bring forth an Angel like it self Be by my means deprived of all
it was a Billet-deux sent to me or hid in some Bush in the Garden and thank my Stars he 's now breaking his Back with looking under every Leaf that can but hide the bigness of a Cockleshell Cleon. Methinks this Adventure should make you forgive the Occasion that is his Jealousie since I think he has chosen a Punishment as bad as any one could wish him considering his Years Marg. There 's nothing bad enough for him Well I will rail so much when I see him I 'll make him hate me so he shall let me alone to do what I will Cleon. Have a care what you do for since you are truly virtuous you would be thought so and I dare say your Discretion tells you this is not the way to keep up that Character by provoking him to expose both himself and you Marg. Why what would you have me do Have you seen in your Life but the least sign of Fault in me Have I given him but the least cause for Distrust therefore I here resolve to take my own way and at least to make my self merry with my Misfortune I 'll be as imperious as a jealous Woman that has been faulty her self before Marriage and just come to the honour of the title of Wife I will give him more false Occasions to believe I abuse him than a City Wife can give her Husband true ones therefore dear Cousin aid and assist me in this honest Design for you shall know all my Intrigues so that you may justifie me when it is gone far enough Cleon. Well Madam I leave it to your Discretion and in all justifiable Actions I will be ready to serve you as sincerely as my self and I am sure you can have no other Marg. I thank you Madam Oh here comes your Lover Gabinius Segerdo too and Capt. Conall Now were I resolv'd to humour my Husband must I immediately go up to my Chamber there sit and work with my Maids but as my Resolution is I am resolv'd to stay and see the Effects of sweet Liberty Enter Gabinius Segerdo and Capt. Conall Your Servant Gentlemen Gab. Your Servant Madam yours Madam and always so and may I every morning see you thus thus beauteous as a new-blown Flower and chearful as the Spring Cleon. My Lord you 're in a pleasant humor and I think I shall do well to keep it up in order to which I 'le let you know here stands the happiest Wiâ—e in the World so chang'd so resolv'd upon true Liberty nay so real Mistress of it Gab. Why is her Husband dead Cleon. No no but his Authority is she has laid aside the Italian Custom of Slavery and is assuming an English Freedom of the Wives there Gab. But how will she bring it about Cleon. We must all assist her she 'l tell you her way which well manag'd must needs do Come hither Capt. Conall could you find in your Heart to make Love to my Aunt in Jest for I guess her Design turns upon that Hinge Con. Yes and in earnest too if she 'l give me leave Cleon. Then you are not the man for our purpose for I am not carrying the Jest too far Marg. Pray Cousin let me chuse my own Man to make my use of which will require a little time to consider of let me have but a few Words with this melancholy Gentleman and I 'le let you know what Resolution I shall take Con. Nay if she fixes upon him she 's in a fine condition indeed for I am deceived if his Inclinations are not so fix'd as never to be in humor to jest with another Cleon. See see she 'as made him smile poor Gentleman I truly pity him Con. You would I 'm sure if you knew so much of him as I do how he will walk whole hours and not speak a word and when he speaks he talks of Eromena his Passion is now grown to such a height that when he 's with his Father by accident he talks of Eromena His Father 's almost distracted to see his Fancy or his headstrong Fate to lead him to a Love so much beneath him He kept it from his Father's Knowledge as long as he could but now he knows it he grows careless and gives his Passion greater Liberty I wish she could find some way that might answer her Ends and divert him if possible Marg. My Lord I have observ'd and known your passion for the fair Eromena and tho' I could advise you to the contrary yet since I see your Love has held long To Segerdo and that there is small hopes it should ever be remov'd I offer you my Service to assist you to move the stubborn Heart of that fair Maid But as you have heard the Design I have to cure my Husband 's causeless Jealousie so I entreat you to make use of me send all your Letters to me let all your Visits be to me I live in the House with her and will take care she always shall be with me when you come so shall I serve your Love if you can succeed and you may as I 'le contrive it be a means to ease a wretched Wife of all her Miseries Seg. Madam what your Designs are I am a stranger to but you have Brib'd me by so dear a way I never will dispute with your commands But alas she has forbid me ever to write ever to speak nay ever to see her more O! I lose all the shew of Manly Resolution and sink beneath my Sorrows when I think on 't I came this morning thinking to take my last Farewel if it must be my last but you have reviv'd a little my poor hopes Marg. I will consider my Lord of some means that may be for youâ— service and I hope for mine Gab. Well my Lord has fair Margaretta imparted her Design to you for we are not worthy of it You look a little livelier than you did Con. I never saw this Beauty that is so happy to charm my Lord Segerdo pray Madam do me the Favour to let me know who she is I have heard something of her being a Foundling but never any thing else Cleon. Sir she is a Foundling my Mother going into the Country for a little Air just before my Father dy'd found this young creature thrust out by an unnatural Parent into the World laid in a little Cradle with a Note writ on 't I think these were the words A wretched Birth has been thy Doom Do thou prevent the Ilâ—'s to come My Father died before my Mother did return but when she came she brought the little Creature with her and she did prove to me a good Companion I was not above three or four Years older my Mother took great care of her and scarce did make a difference 'twixt us in any thing Truly I think she wants nothing but the addition of Birth and Fortune to make her compleat in all things she has a sweet Disposition discreet to a wonder
have given me or else Sink with the weight Ero. My Lord I do assure you by all my hopes In Heav'n or Earth I do not Seg. Then there is hopes still Ero. None my Lord there 's none I owe you more than ever to deceive you Seg. Strange resolution not love elsewhere And yet never love me Who knows but your generous Heart After the thousand services I shall pay May Love again Ero. My Lord you have no faults I am my self the greatest fault by my own lost Condition Were I of Quality equal to yours My heart might then have the same Inclinations Ero. Take then the Last and only answer left of all mankind I find I cannot like you Sure I am reserved for some unhappy Fortune For were I not I cou'd not be so blind I am thrust into the World against my will And all my Actions have the same force o're me It is against my will I shew you Scorn It is against my will that I refuse you For I must own my self so much to blame Seg. Enough enough you 've struct a Thousand Daggers to my Heart I have no Hope now raise me some Rival Heav'n As much despis'd as I am that I may shew What I could do to gain her Ero. Farewell my Lord I 've held too long Discourse For which I hope you will not Censure me Nor think it but a Womans Policy For I shall soon convince you of the Contrary Once more Farewell most worthy Nobleman That can in contradiction to the World Find out a Charm in honest Poverty May this most unexampl'd Generosity Prevail with Heaven to change This wretched Love to one so mean as me Into a Passion for some happier Maid And if not so may all Heav'ns Glory shine Into thy Soul and make your Love Divine Seg. Turn yet once more behold me at your Feet Oh! do not force me for your wondrous goodness To Curse my self for this most wretched Fate Must I ne'er see you more what shall I say Oh! do not look with all that coldness on me Farewell then Cruel Maid I hope for ever 'T is false I do not wish it never can But will persist to love you to my Death Thus on my Knees I beg of Heaven for thee It won't Revenge thy ridged Cruelty But Love thee still tho' thou' rt unkind to me Ne'r may you feel the Torments I have born Nor have your Faithful Love repaid with scorn Exeunt The End of the First ACT. ACT II. Scene a Hall Enter Arapsia with several Servants PRay Gentlemen be all in readiness is all the Musick come The Dancers and all the rest that are to entertain the Company with the Masque Serv. Yes Madam Ara. Go then and see all be done in order remember you have a Noble Lord now to serve Exeunt Servants So now the time draws near and he is coming How wretched 't is to have so nice a Conscience the fault is none of hers and yet she suffers in a most unequall'd Torture of her Mind Enter Eromena Come fair Eromena do not look sad nor think because my Lord is coming 't will take away any of that kindness my Lady has ever shewn you Ero. Madam shou'd she take all her Favours from me I had no reason to complain I am her Debtor and so little likely ever to pay again that 't is but Justice not to let me run too much o' th' Score Ara. Take care still to preserve that grateful temper of owing your misfortunes by which means you keep in mind the Obligations that are laid upon you Come don't Sigh Ero. I cannot help it what I am I know not but this I know my soul disdains the very thoughts of Baseness and yet I am not asham'd of Misery since it has given a Noble Lady a glorious opportunity to shew the first of Heavenly Virtues Charity Ara. No more I spoke not to afflict you nor raise a bashful thought of Poverty to check your Nobler Thoughts She that loves Virtue for its own sake and not for Policy is rich enough in all things Enter Cleonista and Margaretta Cleo. Arapsia I heard a noise below I believe my Brother 's come or some of the Strangers that are to be here pray enquire Exit Arap. Margaretta I long to see my Brother I hear a mighty Character of him â—s to his Person and Temper Pray do you take care to guard your Heart for all you are my Uncles Wife I can't swear you won't wish for my Brother Marg. Faith if I do wish for him he 'll be the first of Men that I ever wish'd for for the sake of their Persons yet Cleo. Nay truly one wou'd think so by the choice you made of my Uncle Marg. Well Madam you may say what you please of my Husband and your Uncle but I wish his Person and Years were his only Faults Cleo. Truly I think they are faults enough without any other additions Eromena come you shall in with us Ero. Pardon me Madam I am not fit to appear before your Great Relations in this homely garb of being unknown it may be they may think me what I am a Beggar and take it as too great a Confidence to come into their Presence Cleo. Fye Eromena I did not think you cou'd have made so weak an excuse are you a Companion fit for me and not for them Come you shall go your Beauty will make you valued together with the Virtue that I believe waits on you in all your Actions Ero. Madam you Command and I Obey in all Exeunt Omnes Scene draws and discovers Beringaria Cleonista Margaretta Gabinius Segerdo Dandalo Arapsia Eromena who stands behind Beringaria 's Chair with several Gentlemen and Captain Conall Ber. Gentlemen I give you many thanks for doing me and my Son this Honour and must own to you I did not think Heaven had so great a Blessing now remaining for me this is the only joy I ever can receive Gab. Fye Madam your Joys are many that you have to come your Son will bring you the Joy of seeing him a Compleat Gentleman you 'll live a new life in him to see him happily Married to some Noble Lady to see his pretty Children play about you and a thousand pleasures you cannot guess at yet Ber. No more than you can at the Torment Aside that lies about my Heart Arapsia be near me still I find my courage fail me and I fear I shan't so well support my self as not to want your aide Enter a Servant Serv. Madam my Lord is come just lighted at the Gate Dan. Conduct him up how do you Sister Gab. Only a little overjoy'd Enter Cornaro runs to Ber. and Kneels Cor. Thus let me Kneel and beg your Blessing Madam and then let me bless all those Heavenly Powers that have thro many dangers brought me back safe to the best of Mothers Ber. Swoons Alass my Mother look to her Ladies she is not well Dan. Her
saw you engag'd Mar. Sir Dan. Lord bless us you seem to be very ignorant I warrant you don't remember your discourse With Captain Conall after Supper You did not believe I suppose that I was so near you Mar. Sir I have done nothing to be afraid of your Knowledge and since you pretend to know so much I wish you knew all Dan. Knew all Lord bless me it would be very hard indeed if the Husband did not know all But you are afraid I suppose that I should know more than I like Mar. Nay how can it be otherwise You can like nothing or at least you seem to like nothing for you desire nothing Dan. If I did desire any thing you are not able to supply me unless with something I did not want that is a false heart which is the only substantial thing thou hast for in thy self thou art really nothing and art Good for nothing Mar. 'T is true I have made nothing of my self Dan. Why thou only true Image of a Lucifer in Petticoats why didst thou marry me if thou thoughtst me so insignificant Mar. Because I did not think you so insignificant as I found you I thought you significant enough for my purpose Dan. What to be made a Cuckold Look you Mistriss If you thought that you were mistaken For I can no more bear to be a Cuckold Than a Blazing Star and shou'd think it Altogether as unlucky Mar. I am of Opinion you 'll make a Cuckold sooner than a Blazing Star Dan. O thou Devil sent to torment me You know my destiny that way Better than any one under the Sun And 't is a great deal of pity it should be So much in your hands oh I am running Out of all bounds and shall forget my design And yet my dear since a Man's honour must Be trusted with some body I could not have put mine Into the hands of any body that wou'd have used it better Mar. I believe so too Dan. What then I suppose I deserve all the ill usage you can put upon me Dan. All I shall put upon ye you deserve Dan. Very well Then I am to be a Cuckold by means of my own merit Mar. I suppose so for your destiny may over-rule mine Dan. A rare excuse for making a Cuckold truly So then the fault is mine not yours O Marriage thon Bane to mankind The first unhappy wretch that drew that Lot Had the excuse not to have seen before But all the rest that in the snare are caught Have nought but shame and folly at their door Exit Dan. Mar. Do you rail for nothing then what will you do When you have reason indeed O silly Men I never in my Life observed but she that injur'd Her Husband took still care to hide it And was secure whilst the poor sincere and vertuous Wife pleas'd in her Innocence lay liable to real Censure Husband I have one tryal of your patience to make And if it answer my expectation I shall have reason To bless your present causless jealousie Enter Segerdo Seg. Madam the favours you have promis'd Are too much the business of my heart Ever let me rest without pursuing them You have drawn this constant trouble on your self By your exceeding goodness Mar. My Lord I shall be glad if I can serve you Tho' I fear I cannot do it now I did expect You wou'd be here this morning and sent my Woman To Eromena to desire her to walk with me But I understand she has had but ill rest to night And will keep her Chamber longer than is usual Seg. Can sleep be churlish and not stay with her I cannot blame it then for leaving me Love still has fears but sure the worst are mine I fear dear Madam Cornaro's faln in Love With Eromena I have a way to find if it be true I could not rest last night for thinking of it I see him coming Dear Madam contrive to leave Me with him Enter Cornaro and Cleonista Cor. So sad a story and so good a Character Of one so young I have not heard indeed And dearest Sister let me beg you to continue All your goodness to her I will in all I can Oblige you to it Is not that my Aunt My Lord and Madam I beg your pardon I did not see you sooner Mar. My Lord I hope you 'll pardon me for leaving you a little but 't is in so good Company you may have more reason to be angry for my return than going Cozen give me leave to talk with you for a Quarter of an hour Your Servant Exeunt Mar. and Cleon. Seg. My Lord I fear I do disturb you Lovers are always troublesome even to themselves And then much more to others that have no relish Of what their pleasure is I do presume You are no Lover Sir Cor. If I were Sir your Example wou'd not Encourage me to continue so for I understand The pleasure you find is very little But my Lord has this fair Creature never given you hope Has she still usâ—d her Rigour and disdain Seg. Too sure she 'as always told me her Aversion but I must Love her still Love and Disdain have both possession in me Love bids me Court her still with humbleness Despair tells me Love will not prevail and bids me try some other way to get her in my power for since she does not love elsewhere her Virtue will instruct her to forgive an action occasion'd by Despair and Love Cor. You will not ravish her Seg. Far be the thoughts of such an Act from me Cor. What do you mean then Seg. I wou'd by your assistance take her away from hence and wou'd desire your Family not to take notice of her that she may believe her self forsaken by all the World but me Then sure she wou'd consent that I might have her Cor. And wou'd you have me Connive at such an Action I do excuse you Sir for the shortness of our acquaintance has not inform'd you that Cornaro's Soul would not shut out a Dog that once has had protection here much less a fair unfortunate young Maid Seg. And do you Sir resent nothing but this has Eromena no share in all your anger why do you blush my Lord 'T is no Crime nor Wonder neither for a young Lord to Love a Beauteous Lady Cor. He has touch'd me to the Soul Aside Seg. My Lord because indeed I cannot rest if I shou'd think the World believ'd me guilty of such an Action as you heard just now I 'll tell you all the truth Last night I saw you Sir at your Return from your long Travel you saw me too I do believe and jealous Love which always sees too much made me observe your Eyes and all your motions I saw you were in Love I do believe e'er you could know 't your self This was the reason why I came this morning and by this story have forc'd you to shew too much Concern not to be really
Fortune and the lucky hour The Women are sure never to fail me Well that wou'd some men give to be so prosperous in all their attempts of this nature as I am Gad I wou'd give a great deal not to be so successfull it would make me relish my Ladies with a sharper Appetite Well however I won't lose my time now it is not a thing to be slighted till about four hours hence and then she may take her leave of me and really I wish That she may have the same desire to part For faith I should be loath to break her heart Exit Con. Scene Changes to a Chamber Enter Beringaria and Arapsia Ber. Tell me now quickly don't delay a moment How do you knoâ— the Truth of what you say Speak oh speak whlist I have life to hear you Arap. Madam I set my Lady Margaretta's Woman to watch and overheâ—r all their discourse in the Garden where I saw them walking but she was call'd away by her Lady before she could know the result but she says all she could find out was that when Cornaro propos'd marrying her she insisted upon her Gratitude to you so that I hope her resolution will prevent the mischiefs you apprehend Or if there is no other way 't is but your telling him the Truth or if you will not let me take that Office Ber. Oh! help me now if there are Powers aboâ—e Or I shall lose all my remains of Reason O! 't is gone I find 'thas leâ—t the place it did inhabit And â—â—ies up higher to you lâ—fty Râ—â—ion Come Come Arapsia help me to a Dagger I 'll cut all Eromena's Veins and let the blood Mingle with Clay to make her self a monument The wretched Creature Shall sink to shades like Clouds beneath the Sun To clear that sky Cornaro shall appear in Ara. Madam I hope there is no Dagger you 're too impatient a little time will dissâ—pate these Clouds you know the Remedy shou'd he mean to do the worst you can fear 't is bâ—t to tell him on her the truth and that will sure prevent it Ber. Oh 't is the worst of Remedies and sure distraction Will seize on me for ever when 't is known Let me consider All this train of sorrow Is the effect of following thy Counsel Now let me know What I can do to mend this Tell me a way that will Not make me wretched and then I 'll thank thy Curs'd Damn'd Contrivance But as it is tho' it is most unreasonable I loath and hate thee forâ—t yes hate my self Find out a way be sure you do a safe one Or look to see me mad to see this hand arm'd with a Rais'd Dagger to destroy you my self and Eromena Ara. Madam you are indeed unreasonable to lay This blame on me because the effect haâ—'t answer'd Your design Ber. Let me not think O let me fly fly from that Enemy To my Repose Remembrance restless Remembrance That blots out all the good of my whole life To double all the bad What with my Son Oh! let me think no more My Son and Daughter Ha by this time may be they are Man and Wife If it be so I 'll get a Cloud to hide me And bear me from that Judgment I must have Can I shun that no no it cannot be Then let me suffer bravely like the first of mortals Punish'd for such a sin oh 't is glorious to suffer For the greatest Crime was ever done by Woman I 'm lost in misery find find me not Heaven I dare not ask nor hope to be forgiven Exit Ber. Ara. Alas I fear her reason is not right What 's to be done in this extremity I 'll run the hazard to disclose this secret And make Cornaro swear not to reveal it Even to his Mother his Love will then of course Cease to Eromena and she may then marry my Lord Segerdo This as I think is the most likely way But stay Perhaps he does not love her to that degree But that he may by Arguments be perswaded To marry her his Mother has propos'd I 'll try all ways to keep the thing Concealed But to prevent the worst I must reveal it Exit SCENE A Hall Dandalo alone Dan. Well I wish all that have a mind to make Cuckolds may be married Men themselves to see how good it is I have been tormented more in my thoughts than a poor Felon the night before Execution for my Fate is as certain as his tho' not so dangerous sure 't is not come to pass yet there may be a way to prevent it I have observ'd that damn'd Captain hanker hereabouts Well I must find a way to dispose of her to make my self easie in a little time Enter Cleonista Oh! Niece what are you contriving to ruin your Uncle by making him a Cuckold For you know I am no Tradesman so that it can never turn to my advantage Cleo. Oh! Sir pray forgive me my taking that naughty Womans part alas I did not know then what I do now Dan. Why what do you know Oh Ruin and Destruction I find it is past and all the World can't recall it I 'll tear her to pieces did I marry her for this did she not promise to Love Honour and Obey me till death us did part and does she think making a Cuckold e'er a one of the Conditions Cleo. Pray Sir don't be too much disturb'd for tho' my Aunt be to blame yet it is not so far gone but you may prevent it Dan. Oh! let me but know how this time and I 'll be sure to prevent the like danger for the future Cleo. Truly Sir I must beg your pardon for having too good an opinion of your Wife but what I have to tell you is that I over-heard just now Dan. Oh! Tell me my dear Niece thou hast now convinc'd me there are Women that can be good but it must be in Policy then and not in any sence of Justice or because they knew not how to be otherwise Cleo. Why truly Sir you must understand that walking in the Garden I over-heard my Aunt make an appointment with the Captain to steal up the back stairs about this time or a little after drest in Womans Cloathes and that she would slip out of her own Chamber and meet him in that which joyns to yours Which has really troubled me so that I could not rest till I had told you Dan. I thank you Niece tho' since you 've been a meanes to bring this certain plague to mankind about I had as live you had let your information alone Cleo. Sir 't is in your pow'r to prevent this mischief for you may see at that door when the Gentleman will slip up the back Stairs and so may order the Servants to bang him soundly if you please which I would do were it my Case Consider good Uncle and consider you have but a little time and pray don't tell my Aunt Exit Cleo. Dan. Can this be
that thought disturbs me Sure she 'll forgive a Crime which Love committed Let it be how it will I have her now And she is all my own Enter Arapsia Arap. My Lord I 've waited all this morning To speak with you I should have don 't last night But could not find you Cor. I 'm glad to see you and will wait on you Any where else if this place ben't convenient Arap. My Lord last night my Lady order'd me To wait on you and keep you still in mind Of the Commands she gave you about your Marriâ—ge With the Lord Segerdo's Sister and by me Desires to know your Resolution Cor. Madam 't is this I will not marry her But with submission to my Mothers Right Over her Son desire she 'd give me leave In this the last great action of my Life On which my future happiness depends To make a choice my self Arap. Sir I dare promise you she will and except One Person You may have leave to marry whom you please Cor. Who is that Person whom I am debarr'd Arap. My Lord there has been whisp'ring 'mongst the Servants And those who have more Curiosity than Business That you are fallen in Love with Eromena This is the reason I suppose which makes Your Mother press you to resolve For to be plain 't is she you are forbid Cor. And all the rest Heaven knows I do despise Arap. My Lady farther bid me say That If by your discourse I found the Rumour true To tell you from that hour you resolved Any such thing as gaining Eromena That hour she 'd shut her self from humane Eyes And in Distraction end her wretched Life Cor. And all this is because poor Eromena Is most unhappy in her Birth and Fortune Oh! the curse of Money The sure destroyer both of Love and Friendship 'T will bring a common Courtezan to Repentance And make her wish she 'd liv'd on Bread and Water And would you have me prize it No no Arapsia since my Mother keeps A Womans Mercenary Quality I 'll shew the World her Son has no Inheritance But what is noble therefore to cut off all desputes For I perceive that it must come to this I here protest before the face of Heaven Never to marry ought but Eromena Arap. And is this Sir your final Resolution Cor. It is Arapsia but I 'd have you think I 'd not have shown this seeming disobedience Had not my Mother ta'n the way she has Not only upon me but upon Eromena Commanding her to force her Inclinations And marry Lord Segerdo But to prevent it I 'll not lose a moment Till I have shewn the World she 's mine for ever Arap. My Lord I have a secret to impart Which I am sure must stop you in this Love But you must swear by all the sacred ties That can bind Men never to speak of it Not even to your Mother Cor. If what you say be to remove my Love I 'd have you save your self the needless trouble For t is impossible it cannot be I love my Eâ—â—mena more than Life And do not Love her like a Boy whose Love So longer lasts than till it see 's another Bâ—t â—ith a manly passion not to be removed Mâ—thinks it is mâ— Duty as well as Inclination Arap. It is I must confess indeed your Duty For not to hold you longer in suspense She is your Sister Cor. How Arap. She is Indeed my Lord. Cor. How and which â—ay She 's not my Father's Child I 'm sure he did long before she was born Do not Arapsia strive by these mean ways Inventing stories which must be proved false As soon as told to break a passion which Must break my heart e'er you can bring 't about Arap. My Lord it is no story which I speak of But a firm truth such as will bear the Test Of the most strict Examination Cor. It must be this way then my Mothers Bastard Ha! can that be then thou must be the Bawd You could not know the story else so well Is this the secret which I must not speak off Call back thy words and swear thou 'st told a lye Or by the Rage which if thou dost speak truth Must take the place of Duty and Revenge My injur'd Fathers wrongs I 'll fly Even to this Mother who has shaken hands With honour to part with it for ever Just now I 'll fly and make her Infamy so loud 'Till she shall gladly do the thing she threatens And never shew her Strumpets face again Arap. Whatâ—s to be done now I must prevent The worst by telling him the worst Aside My Lord the promise that I did desire And then this Action shall be plainer made If not I 'm dumb upon this story ever Remember 't is never to tell your Mother Cor. I swear by all things Sacred by those powers Those only powers that e'er can make me happy Never to speak on 't to my Mother Arap. Then thus it is my Lord I will not run Thro' all the passages between my Lady And your Father for you know my Lord They parted Beds some years before he died But I would have your Lordship call to mind The night before that you were sent to Travel You 'd past an Engagement with a young And foolish Maid i' th' House to meet that night Your Father had made such another appointment Which was by one discovered to your Mother And my unhappy Lady in her stead Resolv'd to meet her Husband but by Accident She did mistake the room and came to you But in the morning slipping from her Husband As she believ'd for fear of a discovery She met my Lord just come from his Intrigue And then she found too late her fatal error You may Remember your remove was sudden And to be short poor Eromena was The first-fruit of that nights most unnatural meeting And is your Daughter now as well as Sister Born some few months after your Father died Cor. It is impossible I 'll not believe it It is a trick devis'd to break the marriage Arap. By all that 's Good and Sacred it is True Cor. It is impossible to be supposed 'T is all a trick but have a care 't is dangerous To trifle with me now and I must have More Witnesses before I can believe Arap. Who is it you can have but her whose Soul Must leave her Body when she finds you know it Cor. By Heaven the very thought has stunn'd my reâ—son But stay let me consider Yes I will I 'll know the truth from this unhappy Mother Arap. Alas my Lord do not forget your promise Cor. Away with promises my Life nay Soul Depends upon this knowledge What my Daughter And by my Mother too Oh! double mischief If it be false expect thou wretched Creature Thou that hast thrown my Soul upon the wreck Expect such Vengeance for thou hast told a story Would stagger Nature make her shrink to nothing For being capable