tell Alas what he would do On him to throw away my Youth and Bloom As Jewels that are lost t' enrich a Tomb No though all hopes are in a husband dead Another path to happiness I 'l tread Elsewhere find Joyes which I m in him deny'd Yet while he can let the slave serve my pride Still I 'l in pleasure live In Glory shine The gallant Youthful Austria shall be mine To him with all my force of Charms I 'l move Let others toyl for Greatness whilst I love The End of the First Act. ACT the Second SCENE the First Don Iohn of Austria SCENE An ORANGE GROVE D. I. WHy should dull Law rule Nature who first made That Law by which her self is now betray'd E're man's Corruptions made him wretched he Was born most noble that was born most free Each of himself was Lord and unconfin'd Obey'd the dictates of his Godlike mind Law was an Innovation brought in since When Fools began to love Obedience And call'd their slavery Safety and defence My Glorious Father got me in his heat When all he did was eminently great When Warlike Belgia felt his Conquering power And the proud Germans Own'd him Emperour Why should it be A Stain upon my Blood Because I came not in the Common Road But Born obscure and so more like a God No Though his Diadem Another wear At least to all his Pleasures I 'le be Heir Here I should meet my Eboli my fair Enter Eboli She comes As the Bright Cyprian Goddess moves When Loose and In her Chariot drawn by Doves She rides to meet the Warlike God she Loves Ebol Alas my Lord you know not with what fear And Hazard I am come to meet you here D. I. O banish it Lovers like us should fly And mounted by their wishes soar on high Where softest extasies and Transports are While fear alone disturbs the Lower Ayre Eboli But who is safe when Eyes are Every where Or if we could with happiest secresy Enjoy these sweets Oh whither shall we fly T' Escape that sight whence we can nothing hide D. I. Alas lay this Religion now Aside I 'le show thee one more pleasant that which Iove Set forth to the old World when from above He came himself and taught his Mortals Love Eboli Will nothing then Quench your unruly flame My Lord you might consider who I am D. I. I know y' are her I love what should I more Regard Ebol By heaven he 's brave aside But can so poor A Thought possess your breast to think that I Will brand my name with Lust and Infamy D. I. Those that are noblest born should highest prize Loves sweets Oh let me fly into those Eyes There 's something in 'em leads my Soul astray As he who in a Negromancer's glass Beholds his wish't for fortune by him past Yet still with greedy Eyes Pursues the Vision as it glides away Eboli Protect me Heaven I dare no longer stay Your looks speak danger I feel something too That bids me fly yet will not let me go half aside D. I. Take Vows and Prayers if ever I prove false See at your feet the humble Austria falls Kneels Eboli Rise Rise Austria rises My Lord why would you thus deceive Sighs D. I. How many ways to wound me you contrive Speak wouldst thou have an Empire at thy feet Say wouldst thou rule the world I 'le Conquer it Eboli No above Empire far I could prize you If you would be but D. I. What Eboli For ever true D. I. That thou may'st ne're have cause to fear those harms I 'le be confin'd for ever in thy Arms Nay I 'le not one short minute from thee stray My self I 'le on thy tender bosome lay Till in its warmth I 'm melted all away Enter Garcia Gar. Madam Your Lord Eboli Oh! fly or I 'm undone Kisses her Hand D. I. Must I without my blessing then be gone Eboli Think you that this discretion merits one pulls it back D. I. I 'm aw'd As a sick wretch that on his death-bed lyes Loath with his friends to part just as he dies Thus sends his Soul in wishes from his eyes Exit D. J. Eboli Oh Heaven what charms in youth and vigour are Yet he in Conquest is not gone too far Too easily I 'le not my self resign E're I am his I 'le make him surely mine Draw him by subtile baits into the Trap Till he 's too far got in to make escape About him swiftly the soft snare I 'le cast And when I have him there I 'le hold him fast Enter Rui. Gomez R. Go. Thus unaccompany'd I subtilly range The Solitary paths of dark revenge The fearful Deer in herds to Coverts run Whilst Beasts of prey affect to Roam alone Eboli Ah! my dear Lord how do you spend your hours You little think what my poor heart endures Whilst with your absence tortur'd I in vain Pant after joys I ne're can hope to gain R. Go. You cannot my unkindness sure upbraid You should forgive those faults your self have made Remember you the task you gave Eboli 'T is true Your pardon for I do remember now Sighs If I forgot 't was love had all my mind And 't is no sin I hope to be too kind R. Go. How happy am I in a faithful Wife Oh! thou most pretious blessing of my Life Eboli Do's then success attend upon your toyl I long to see you Revel in the spoyl R. Go. What strictest diligence could do I 've done T' incense an angry Father 'gainst his Son I to advantage told him all that past Describ'd with Art each Am'rous glance they cast So that this night he shun'd the marriage bed Which through the Court has various murmurs spread Enter the King attended by Posa See where he comes with fury in his Eyes Kind Heaven but grant the storm may higher rise If 't grow too loud I 'le lurk in some dark Cell And laugh to hear my Magick work so well King What 's all my Glory all my Pomp how poor Is fading greatness or how vain is pow'r Where all the mighty Conquests I have seen I who o're Nations have Victorious been Now cannot quell one little Foe within Curst Jealousie that poysons all Loves sweets How heavy on my heart th'invader sits Oh! Gomez thou hast given my mortal wound R. Go. What is 't does so your royal thoughts confound A King his power unbounded ought to have And ruling all should not be passions slave King Thou counsell'st well but art no stranger sure To the sad cause of what I now endure Knowst thou what Poison thou didst lately give And do'st not wonder to behold me live R. Go. I only did as by my duty ty'd And never study'd any thing beside King I do not blame thy duty or thy Care Quickly what past between 'em more declare How greedily my Soul to ruine flyes As he who in a Feavour burning lyes First of his Friends does for
a drop implore Which tasted once unable to give 'ore Knows 't is his bane yet still thirsts after more On then R. Go. I fear that you 'l Interpret wrong 'T is true they gaz'd but 't was not very long King Lye still my heart not long was 't that you said R. G. No longer then they in your presence staid King No longer why a Soul in less time flyes To Heaven and they have chang'd theirs at their Eyes Hence abject fears begone she 's all divine Speak Friends can Angels in perfection sin R. Go. Angels that shine above do oft bestow Their Influence on poor Mortals here below King But Carlos is my Son and alwaies near Seems to move with me in my glorious Sphear True she may showr promiscuous blessings down On slaves that gaze for what falls from a Crown But when too kindly she his brightness sees It robs my Lustre to add more to his But oh I dare not think That those Eyes should at least so humble be To stoop at him when they had vanquisht me Posa Sir I am proud to think I know the Prince That he of Virtue has too great a sence To cherish but a thought beyond the bound Of strictest duty He to me has Own'd How much was to his former passion due Yet still confess'd he above all prizd you R. Go. You better reconcile Sir then advise Be not more Charitable then y' are wise The King is sick and we should give him Ease But first find out the depth of his Disease Too sudden cures have oft pernicious grown We must not heal up festered wounds too soon King By this then you a power would o're me gain Wounding to let me linger in the pain I m stung and won't the torture long endure Serpents that wound have blood those wounds to cure R. Go. Good Heaven forbid that I should ever dare To Question Virtue in a Queen so fair Though she her Eyes cast on her Glorious Sun Men oft see Treasures and yet covet none King Think not to blind me with dark Ironies The Truth disguis'd in Obscure Contraries No I will trace his windings All her dark And subtlest paths Each little Action mark Enter Queen Att. Henrietta If she prove false as yet I fear she dyes Ha! here oh let me turn away my Eyes For all around she 'l her bright beams display Should I to gaze on the wild Meteor stay ' Spight of my self I shall be led astray Exit the King Attend. looking at the Queen Queen How scornfully he is withdrawn Sure e're his Love hee 'd let me know his power As Heaven oft Thunders ' ere it send a shower This Spanish Gravity is very odd All things are by severity so Aw'd That little Love dares hardly peep abroad Henr. Alas what can you from old age expect When frail uneasie men themselves neglect Some little warmth perhaps may be behind Though such as in extinguisht fires you 'l find Where some remains of heat the ashes hold Which if for more you open staight are cold Queen 'T was Interest and Safety of the State Interest that bold Imposer on our fate That alwaies to dark Ends misguides our wills And with false happiness smooths o're our ills It was by that unhappy France was led When though by Contract I should Carlos wed I was an Offering made to Philip's Bed Henr. sighs Why sigh'st thou Henrietta Henriett Who is it can Know your sad fate and yet from grief refrain With pleasure oft I 've heard you smiling tell Of Carlos Love Queen And did it please you well In that brave Prince's Courtship there did meet All that we could obliging call or sweet At every point he with advantage stood Fierce as a Lyon if provok'd abroad Else soft as Angels Charming as a God Henr. One so Accomplisht and who lov'd you too With what resentments must he part with you Methinks I pity him But oh in vain He 's both above my pity and my pain aside Queen What means this strange disorder Henr. Yonder view Enter D. Carlos Posa That which I fear will discompose you too Queen Alas the Prince there to my mind appears Something that in me moves unusual fears Away Henrietta offers to go D. Car. Why would you begone Is Carlos sight ungrateful to you grown If 't is speak In Obedience I 'le retire Qu. No you may speak but must advance no nigher D. Car. Must I then at that Awful distance sue As our forefathers were Compel'd to do When they petitions made at that great Shrine Where none but the High Priest might enter in Let me approach I ve nothing for your Ear But what 's so pure it might be Offer'd there Qu. Too long 't is dangerous for me here to stay If you must speak proceed What would you say Carlos kneels Nay this strange Ceremony pray give ore D. Car. Was I n'er in this posture seen before Ah can your cruel heart so soon resign All sence of these sad sufferings of mine To your more just remembrance if you can Recall how fate seem'd kindly to ordain That once you should be mine which I believ'd Though now alas I find I was deceiv'd Queen Then Sir you should your Fate not me upbraid D. Carl. I will not say y 'ave broke the vows you made Only implore you would not quite forget The Wretch ya 've oft seen dying at your feet And now no other favour begs to have Then such Kind pity as becomes your slave For ' midst your highest Joyes without a Crime At least you now and then may think of him Queen If e're you lov'd me you would this forbear It is a Language which I dare not hear My Heart and Faith become your Fathers right All other passions I must now forget D. Car. Can then a Crown and Majesty dispence Upon your heart such mighty Influence That I must be for ever banish'd thence Had I been rais'd to all the heights of power In Triumph Crown'd the Worlds great Emperour Of all its riches all its State possest Yet you should still have govern'd in my breast Qu. In vain on her you obligations lay Who wants not will but power to repay Henriett Yet had you Henrietta's heart you would At least strive to afford him all you could aside D. Carl. Oh say not you want pow'r you may with one Kind look pay doubly all I 've undergone And knew you but the Innocence I bear How pure how spotless all my wishes are You would not scruple to supply my want When all I 'l ask you may so safely grant Qu. I know not what to grant too well I find That still at least I cannot be unkind D. Car. Afford me then that little which I crave Qu. You shall not want what I may let you have Gives her hand sighing D. Carl. Like one That sees a heap of Gems before him cast Thence to chuse any that may please him best From the rich Treasure
Don CARLOS Prince of Spain A TRAGEDY Acted at the DUKE's Theatre Written by Tho. Otway Principibus placuisse Viris non Ultima Laus est Hor. Licensed Iune 15. 1676. Roger L'Estrange LONDON Printed for Richard Tonson at Grays-Inn-Gate in Grays-Inn-Lane 1676. TO His Royal Highness THE DUKE SIR 'T Is an approv'd Opinion There 's not so Vnhappy a Creature in the World as the Man that wants Ambition for certainly he lives to very little use that only toyles in the same round and because he knowes where he is though in a dirty road dares not venture on a smoother path for fear of being lost That I am not the Wretch I Condemn Your Royal Highness may be sufficiently Convinc't in that I durst presume to put this Poem under your Patronage My Motives to it were not Ordinary for besides my own propensity to take any opportunity of publishing the Extream Devotion I owe Your Royal Highness The mighty Encouragement I receiv'd from your Approbation of it when presented on the Stage was hint enough to let me know at whose Feet it ought to be laid Yet whilst I do this I am sensible the Curious World will expect some Panagerick on those Heroick Virtues which are throughout it so much Admir'd But as they are a Theam too great for my Vndertaking so only to endeavour at the truth of e'm must in the distance between my obscurity and their height savour of a flattery which in your Royal Highnesses esteem I would not be thought guilty of though in that part of e'm which relates to my self viz. Your Favours showr'd on a thing so mean as I am I know not how to be silent For you were not only so indulgent to bestow Your Praises on this but ev'n beyond my hopes to declare in favour of my first Essay of this nature and add yet the encouragement of your Commands to go forward when I had the Honour to kiss Your Royal Highnesses hand in token of your permission to make a Dedication to You of the second I must confess and boast I am very proud of it and it were enough to make me more were I not sensible how far I am Vndeserving Yet when I consider You never give Your Favours precipitately but that it is a Certain sign of some Desert when You vouchsafe to promote I who have terminated my best hopes in it should do wrong to Your Goodness should I not let the World know my Mind as well as my Condition is rais'd by it I am certain none that know Your Royal Highness will disapprove my aspiring to the Service of so Great and so Good a Master One who as is apparent by all those who have the Honour to be near You and know you by that Title never rais'd without Merit or discountenanc't without Iustice 'T is that indeed obliging Severity which has in all men created an awful Love and Respect towards You since in the firmness of your Resolution the brave and good man is sure of You whilst the ill-minded and malignant fears you This I could not pass over and I hope Your Royal Highness will pardon it since 't is unaffectedly my Zeal to You who am in nothing so Vnfortunate as that I have not a better opportunity to let You and the World know how much I am Your Royal Highnesses most Humble most faithful and most obedient Servant Tho. Otway The PREFACE Reader 'T Is not that I have any great affection to scribling that I pester thee with a Preface for amongst friends 't is almost as poor a Trade with Poets as it is with those thaâ— write Hackney under Attorneys it will hardly keep us in Ale and Cheese Honest Ariosto began to be sensible of it in his time who makes his Complaint to this purpose I pitty those who in these latter days Do Write when bounty hath shut up her Gate Where day and night in vain good Writers knock And for their labours oft have but a mock Thus I find it according to Sir Iohn Harington's Translation had I understood Italian I would have given it thee in the Original but that is not my Talent therefore to proceed This Play was the second that ever I writ or thought of writing I must confess I had often a Tittillation to Poetry but never durst venture on my Muse till I got her into a Corner in the Country and then like a bashful young Lover when I had her private I had Courage to fumble but never thought she would have producâ—t any thing till at last I know not how e're I was a ware I found my self Father of a Dramatique birth which I callâ—d Alcibiades but I might without offence to any person in the Play as well have call'd it Nebuchadnezzar for my Hero to do him right was none of that squeamish Gentleman I make him but would as little have boggl'd at the obliging the passion of a young and beautiful Lady as I should my self had I the same opportunities which I have given him This I publish to Antedate the objections some people may make against that Play who have been and much good may it do 'em very severe as they think upon this whoever they are I am sure I never disoblig'd them nor have they thanks my good fortune much Injur'd me in the mean while I forgive 'em and since I am out of the reach on 't leave 'em to chew the Cud on their own Venom I am well satisfi'd I had the greatest party of men of wit and sence on my side amongst which I can never enough acknowledge the unspeakable Obligations I received from the Earl of R. who far above what I am ever able to deserve from him seem'd almost to make it his business to establish it in the good opinion of the King and his Royal Highness from both of which I have since received Confirmations of their good liking of it and Encouragement to proceed and it is to him I must in all gratitude confess I owe the greatest part of my good success in this and on whose Indulgency I extreamly build my hopes of a next I dare not presume to take to my self what a great many and those I am sure of good Judgement too have been so kind to afford me viz. That it is the best Heroick Play that has been written of late for I thank Heaven I am not yet so vain but this I may modestly boast of which the Author of the French Bernice has done before me in his Preface to that Play that it never fail'd to draw Tears from the Eyes of the Auditors I mean those whose Souls were capable of so Noble a pleasure for 't was not my business to take such as only come to a Play-house to see Farce-fools and laugh at their own deformed Pictures Though a certain Writer that shall be nameless but you may guess at him by what follows being ask't his opinion of this Play very gravely Cock't and cry'd
Igad he knew not a line in it he would be Author of but he is a fine Facetious witty Person as my friend Sir Formal has it and to be even with him I know a Comedy of his that has not so much as a Quibble in it which I would be Author of and so Reader I bid him and thee Farewell The Prologue WHen first our Authour took this Play in hand He doubted much and long was at a stand He knew the Fame and Memory of Kings Were to be treated of as Sacred things Not as th' are represented in this Age Where they appear the Lumber of the Stage Us'd only just for reconciling Tools Or what is worse made Villains all or Fools Besides the Characters he shows to Night He found were very difficult to Write He found the Fame of France and Spain at stake Therefore long paus'd and fear'd which part to take Till this his judgment safest understood To make 'em both Heroick as he cou'd But now the greatest stop was yet unpass't He found himself Alas confin'd too fast He is a man of Pleasures Sirs like you And therefore hardly could to bus'ness bow Till at the last he did this Conquest get To make his pleasure whetstone to his wit So sometimes for variety he writ But as those Block-heads who discourse by Rote Sometimes speak sence although they rarely know 't So he scarce knew to what his work would grow But 't was a Play because it would be so Yet well he knows this is a weak pretence For Idleness is the worst want of sence Let him not now of carelessness be Taxt He 'l write in earnest when he writes the next Mean while Prune his superfluous Branches never spare Yet do it kindly be not too severe He may bear better fruit another year Persons represented By Philip the 2 d. K. of Spain Mr. Batterton Don Carlos his Son Mr. Smith Don Iohn of Austria M. Harris Marquiss of Posa the Prince's Confident Mr. Crosby Rui-Gomez Mr. Medbourn Queen of Spain Mrs. Mary Lee. Dutchess of Eboli Wife to R. Gomez Mrs. Shadwell Henrietta Mrs. Gibbs Garcia Mrs. Gillow Officer of the Guards Mr. Norris ERRATA PAge 7. line 24. for to their strength read so their strength Pagâ— 9. l. 29. for past r. pass p. 10. l. 24. for he 's too far r. so too far p. 12. l. 22. for gaze r. gape p. 64. l. 18. for receive read support Advertisement THe Reader is desired to take Notice That in the Third and Fourth Acts particularly the sence is frequently mistopped which I know not whether they are the fault of the Press or of him that Transcribed it from the Author's Copy The false stops are generally Interrogation points or Notes of Exclamation when indeed they might as properly have made True-love-knots and they would have serv'd as well to the purpose Don CARLOS Prince of Spain A TRAGEDY ACT the First SCENE the First A Palace Royal. The Curtain drawn discovers the King and Queen Attended Don Carlos the Marquess of Posa Rui-Gomez c. Eboli Henrietta Garcia Attendants Guards King HAppy the Monarch on whose Brow no Cares Add weight to the bright Diadem he weares Like me in all that he can wish for blest Renown and Love The Gentlest calms of rest And peace adorn my Brow enrich my Breast To me great Nations Tributary are Though whilest my Vast Dominions spreads so far Where most I Reign I must pay homage here To the Queen Approach bright Mistress of my purest vows Now show me him that more Religion owes To Heav'n or to its Altars more Devoutly bows Don Carlos So Merchants cast upon some Savage Coast Are forc't to see their dearest Treasures lost Curse What 's obedience a false Notion made aside By Priests who when they found old Cheats decay'd By such new Arts kept up declining Trade A Father oh King Why does my Carlos shrowd His Joy and when all 's Sunshine wear a Cloud My Son thus for thy Glory I provide From this Fair Charmer and our Royal Bride Shall such a Noble Race of Heroe's spring As may adorn the Court when thou art King D. Car. A greater Glory I can never know Then what already I enjoy in you The Brightest Ornaments of Crowns and Powers I only can admire as they are yours K. Heaven How he stands unmov'd not the least show Of Transport D. Car. Not admire your happiness I do As much admire it as I rev'rence you Let me express the mighty Joy I feel Kneels to the Queen Thus Sir I pay my duty when I kneel Queen How hard it is his Passion to Confine I 'm sure 't is so if I may judge by mine aside Alas my Lord y' are too obsequious now To Carlos D. Carlos Oh might I but Enjoy this pleasure still Here would I worship and for ever kneel Queen For Heav'n my Lord you know not what you do King Still there appears disturbance on his brow And in his looks an Earnestness I read Which from no Common Causes can proceed aside I 'le probe him deep When when my dearest Joy To the Queen Shall I the mighty debt of Love defray Hence to Loves secret Temples let 's retire There on his Altars kindle th'Am'rous fire Then Phoenix-like Each in the flame expire Still he is fixt Looking on D. Carlos Gomez observe the Prince To R. Gomez Yet smile on me my charming Excellence Virgins should only fears and blushes show But you must lay aside that Title now The Doctrine which I preach by Heav'n is good Oh! the Impetuous sallyes of my Blood Queen To what unwelcome Joyes I 'm forc't to yield Now fate her utmost malice has fulfill'd Carlos farewel for since I must submit King Now wing'd with rapture let us fly my sweet My Son all Troubles from thy breast resigne And let thy Father's happiness be thine Exeunt K. and Q. attended D. C. What King what God would not his pow'r forgo T' enjoy so much Divinity below Did st Thou behold her Posa Posa Sir I did D. Car. And is she not a sweet one such a Bride Oh Posa once she was Decreed for mine Once I had hopes of Bliss hadst thou but seen How blest how proud I was if I could get But leave to lye a prostrate at her feet Ev'n with a look I could my pains beguile Nay she in pitty too would sometimes smile Till at the last my vows successful prov'd And one day sighing she confess'd she lov'd Oh! then I found no limits to our joy With Eyes thus languishing we lookt all day So vigorous and strong we darted beams Our meeting glances kindled into flames Nothing we found that promis'd not delight For when rude shades depriv'd us of the light As we had gaz'd all day we dreamt all night But after all these Labours undergone A cruel Father thus destroys his Son In their full height my choicest hopes beguiles And robs me of the fruit of all my Toyles My
whilst I choice should make Dazzelâ—d withal I know not where to take I would be rich Qu. Nay you too far encroach I fear I have already giv'n too much Turns from him D. Carl. Oh take not back again th' appearing bliss How difficult's the path to happiness Whilst up the Precipice we climb with pain One little slip throwes us quite down again Stay Madam though you nothing more can give Then just enough to keep a wretch alive At least remember how I 've lov'd Qu. I will D. Car. That was so kind that I must beg more still Let me love on it is a very poor And easie grant yet I 'l request no more Qu. Do you believe that you can love retain And not expect to be belov'd again D. Carl. Yes I will love and think I 'm happy too So long as I can find that you are so All my disquiets banish from my breast I will endeavour to do so at least Sighing deeply Or if I can't my miseries out-wear They never more shall come t' offend your Ear. Qu. Love then Brave Prince whilst I 'l thy Love admire Gives her hand which D. Carlos during all this speech kisses eagerly Yet keep the Fame so pure such chast desire That without spot hereafter we above May meet when we shall come all soul all love Till when Oh whither am I run astray I grow too weak and must no longer stay For should I the soft charm so strong would grow I find that I should want the power to go Exit Qu. Henrietta D. Carl. Oh Sweet If such transport be in a tast so small How blest must he be that possesses all Where am I Posa Where 's the Queen standing amazed Posa My Lord A while some respite to your heart afford The Queen 's retir'd D. Carl. Retir'd and did she then Just show me Heaven to shut it in agen This little ease augments my pain the more For now I 'me more Impatient than before And have discover'd Riches make me mad Posa But since those Treasures are noâ— to be had You should correct desires that drive you on Beyond that duty which becomes a Son No longer let the Tyrant Love Invade The Brave may by themselves be happy made You to your Father now must all resign D. Carl. But e're he rob'd me of her she was mine To be my Friend is all thou hast to do For half my miseries thou can'st not know Make my self happy bid the damn'd do so Who in sad Flames must be for ever tost Yet still in view of the lov'd Hea'vn th 'ave lost Exeunt The End of the Second Act. ACT the Third SCENE the First Don Iohn of Austria The GROVE continues D. I. HOw vainly would dull Moralists Impose Limits on Love whose Nature brooks no Laws Love is a God and like a God should be Inconstant with unbounded liberty Rove as he list I find it for ev'n now I 've had a Feast Of which a God might Covet for a tast Methinks I yet See with what soft devotion in her eyes The tender Lamb came to the Sacrifice Oh how her Charms surpriz'd me as I lay Like too near sweets they took my sence away And I ev'n lost the pow'r to reach at Joy But those cross withcrafts soon unravell'd were And I was lull'd in Trances sweeter far As Anchor'd Vessels in Calm Harbours ride Rock't on the swellings of the floating Tide How wretched then 's the man who though alone He thinks he 's blest yet as Confin'd to one Is but at best a pris'ner on a Throne To him King Attended Posa Gomez King Ye mighty Powr's whose substitutes we are On whom y 'ave layn of Earth the rule and care Why all our Toyles do you reward with ill And to those Weighty Cares add Greater still Or how could I your Dieties enrage That bles't my youth thus to afflict my age A Queen and a Son's Incest dismal Thought D. I. What is 't so soon his Majesty has brought To Gomez From the soft Arms of his young Bride King Ay true Is she not Austria young and Charming too Dost thou not think her to a wonder fair Tell me D. I. By Heav'n more bright than Planets are Her Beauties force might ev'n their pow'r Out-do King Nay she 's as false and as unconstant too Oh Austria that a form so outward bright Should be within all dark and ugly night For she to whom I 'd dedicated all My Love that dearest Jewel of my Soul Takes from its shrine the pretious Relique down T' adorn a little Idol of her Own My Son That Rebel both to Heav'n and me Oh the distracting throwes of Jealousie But as a drowning wretch just like to sink Seeing him that threw him in upon the brink At the third plunge layes hold upon his Foe And tugs him down into destruction too So thou from whom these miseries I 've known Shall bear me out again or with me drown Seizes roughly on Rui-Gomez R. Go. My Loyalty will teach me how to wait All the Successes of my Soveraign's fate What is 't Great Sir you wou'd command me King How What is 't I know not what I 'd have thee do Study revenge for me 't is that I want D. Iohn Alas what frenzy does your temper haunt Revenge on whom King On my false Queen and Son R. Go. On them good heav'n what is 't that they have done Oh had my tongue been curst e're it had bred This Jealousie half aside King Then cancel what tha 'st said Did'st thou not tell me that thou saw'st him stand Printing soft vowes in kisses on her hand Whilst in requital she such glances gave Would quicken a Dead Lover in his Grave R. Go. I did and what less could the Queen allow To him then you to every vassal show Th'affording him that little from Loves store Imply'd that she for you reserv'd much more King Oh doubtless she must have a woundrous store Of Love that sells it at a rate so poore Now thou d'st rebate my passion with advise And when thou shouldst be active wouldst be wise No lead me where I may their Incest see Do or by heav'n do and I 'le worship Thee Oh how my Passions drive me to and fro Under their heavy weight I yield and bow But I le regather yet my strength and stand Brandishing all my Thunder in my hand Posa And may it be sent forth and where it goes Light fatally and heavy on your foes But let your Loyal Son and Consort bear No ill since they of any guiltless are Here with my Sword defiance I proclaim To that bold Traytor that dares wrong their fame D. I. I too dare with my life their Cause make good King Sure well their Innocence y 'ave understood That you so prodigal are of your blood Or wouldst thou speak me comfort I would find 'Mongst all my Councellors at least one kind Yet any thing like that I must not hear Or
Must I needs be Unchast because I 'm young King Unconstant Wav'ring heart why heav'st thou so I shiver all and know not what I do I who e're now have Armies led to fight Thought War a Sport and danger a delight Whole Winter nights stood under Heav'ns wide roof Daring my foes now am not Beauty proof Oh turn away those Basilisks thy Eyes Th'Infection's fatal and who sees 'em dyes Goes away Qu. Oh do not fly me I have no design Upon your life for You may yet save mine Kneels Or if at last I must my Breath submit Here take it 't is an off'ring at your feet Will you not look on me my dearest Lord King Why would'st Thou live Qu. Yes if You 'l say the Word D. Carl. Oh Heavâ—n how Coldly and unmov'd he sees A praying Beauty prostrate on her knees Rise Madam Steps to take her up King Bold Encroacher touch her not Into my breast her glances thick are shot Not true stay let me see By Heav'n Thou art Looks earnestly on her A false Vile Woman Oh my foolish heart I give thee life But from this time refrain And never come into my sight again Be banish't ever Queen This you must not do At least till I 've convinc't you I am true Grant me but so much time and when that 's done If you think sit for ever I 'l be gone King I 've all this while been angry but in vain She heats me first then stroaks me tame again Oh wert thou true how happy should I be Think'st Thou that I have Joy to part with thee No all my Kingdom for the bliss I 'd give Nay though it were not so but to believe Come for I can't avoid it Cheat me quite Qu. I would not Sir deceive you if I might But if you 'l take my Oaths by all above 'T is you and only you that I will love King Thus as a Mariner that sailes along With pleasure hears th' enticing Syrens Song Unable quite his strong desires to bound Boldly leaps in though certain to be drown'd Come to my bosom then make no delay My rage is hush't and I have room for Joy Takes her in his Arms. Queen Agen you 'l think that I unjust will prove King No Thou art all o're truth and I all love Oh that we might for ever thus remain In folded Arms and never part again Queen Command me any thing and try your pow'r King Then from this minute ne're see Carlos more Thou slave that dar'st do ill with such a port For ever here I banish thee my Court Within some Cloyster lead a private life That I may love and rule without this strife Here Eboli receive her to thy Charge The Treasure 's pretious and the trust is large Whilst I retiring hence my self make fit To wait for Joyes which are too sierce to meet Exit King D. Carl. My Exile from his presence I can hear With pleasure But no more to look on her Oh 't is a dreadful Curse I cannot bear No Madam all his pow'r shall nothing do I 'l stay and take my Banishment from you Do you Command me see how far I 'l fly Qu. Will Carlos be at last my Enemy Consider this submission I have shown More to preserve your safety then my own Ungratefully you needless waies devise To loose a life which I so dearly prize D. Carl. So now her fortune 's made and I am left aside Alone a naked wanderer to shift To the Queen Madam you might have spar'd the Cruelty Blest with your sight I was prepar'd to die But now to loose it drives me to despair Making me wish to die and yet not dare Well to some solitary shoar I 'l roam And never more into your presence come Since I already find I 'm Troublesome is going Qu. Stay Sir Yet stay You shall not leave me so D. Carl. Ha! Qu. I must talk with you before you go Oh Carlos how unhappy is our state How foul a game was play'd us by our Fate Who promis'd fair when we did first Begin 'Till Envying to see us like to Win Straight Fell to Cheat and threw the false Lot in My Vows to You I now remember all D. Carl. Oh Madam I can hear no more Kneels Qu. You shall Kneels too For I can't chuse but let you know that I If you 'l resolve on 't Yet will with you die D. Car. Sure nobler gallantry was never known Good Heav'n this Blessing is too much for one No 't is enough for me to die alone My Father all my foes I now forgive Queen Nay Sir by all our Loves I charge You live But to what Country Wheresoe're You go Forget not me for I 'l remember You. D. Carl. Shall I such Virtue and such Charms forget No never Queen Oh that we had never met But in our distant Clymates still been free I might have heard of you and you of me So towards happiness more safely mov'd And never been thus wretched Yet have lov'd What makes you look so wildly why d' you start D. Carl. A faint cold damp is Thick'ning round my heart Queen What shall we do D. Carl. Do any thing but part Or stay so long till my poor Soul expires In View of all the Glory it admires Eboli In such a Lover how might I be bles't Oh were I of that noble Heart possest aside How soft how easie would I make his bands But Madam You forgot the King's Commands To the Queen Longer to stay your dangers You 'l Renew D. Car. Ah Princess Lovers pains you never knew Or what it is to part as we must do Part too for ever After one Minute never more to stand Fix't on those Eyes or pressing this soft hand 'T were but enough to feed on and not starve Yet that is more than I did e're deserve Though fate to us is niggardly and poor That from Eternity can't spare one hour Qu. If it were had that hour would soon be gone And we should wish to draw another on No Rigorous necessity has made Us both his slaves and now will be obey'd Come let us try the parting blow to bear Adieu D. Car. Farewell Looking at each other I 'm fix't and rooted here I cannot stir Qu. Shall I the way then show Now hold my heart Goes to the door then stops and turns back again Nay Sir why don't you go D. Carl. Why do you stay Qu. I won't D. Car. You shall a while Kneels With one look more my Miseries beguile That may support my heart 'till you are gone Qu. Oh Eboli thy help or I 'm undone Takes hold on Eboli Here take it then and with it too my life Leans into Eboli's arms D. Car. My Courage with my Tortures is at strife Since my griefs Cowards are and dare not kill I 'l try to vanquish and out-toyl the ill Well Madam now I 'm something hardier grown Since I at last perceive you must be gone To venture the
Encounter I 'l be bold Leads her to the door For Certainly my heart will so long hold Farewel be happy as y are fair and true Qu. And all Heav'ns kindest Angels wait on You. Exit with Eboli D. Carl. Thus long I wander'd in Loves crooked way By hope 's deluding Meteor led astray For e're I 've half the dangâ—rous desart crost The glimm'ring light 's gone out and I am lost Exit D. Carlos The End of the Third Act. The Fourth ACT. SCENE The Anti-Chamber to the Queens Apartment Don Carlos and Posa D. Carlos THe next is the Apartment of the Queen is going returns In vain I try I must not venture in Thus is it with the Souls of murder'd men Who to their Bodies would agen repair But finding that they cannot enter there Mourning and groaning wander in the Aire Rob'd of my Love and as unjustly thrown From all those hopes that promis'd me a Crown My heart with the Dishonour's to me done Is poison'd swells too mighty for my breast But it will break and I shall be at rest No Dull despair this Soul shall never Load Though Patience be the Virtue of a God Gods never feel the ills that govern here Or are above the Injuries we bear Father and King both names bear mighty sence Yet sure there 's something too in Son and Prince I was born high and will not fall less great Since Triumph Crown'd my Birth I 'le have my Fate As Glorious and Magestick too as that To Flanders Posa strait my Letters send Tell 'em the injur'd Carlos is their Friend And that to head their Forces I design So vindicate their Cause if they dare mine Posa To th'Rebels D. Carlos No th' are Friends their Cause is just Or when I make it mine at least it must Let th' Common Rout like Beasts Love to be Dull Whilst sordidly they live at ease and full Senceless what Honour or Ambition means And ignorantly dragg their Load of Chains I am a Prince have had a Crown in view And cannot brook to loose the prospect now If th' art my Friend do not my will delay Posa I 'le do 't Exit Posa Enter Eboli Ebol My Lord D. Carl. Who calls me Ebol You must stay D. Carl. What newes of fresh affliction can you bear Ebol Suppose it were the Queen you 'd stay for her D. Carl. For Her Yes stay an Age for ever stay Stay ev'n till time it self shou'd pass away Fix here a Statue never to remove An everlasting Monument of Love Though may a thing so wretched as I am But the least place in her remembrance claym Ebol Yes if you dare believe me Sir you do We both can talk of nothing else but you Whilst from the theame ev'n Emulation springs Each striving who shall say the kindest things D. Carl. But from that Charity I poorly live Which only pities and can nothing give Ebol Nothing propose what 't is you claim and I For ought you know may be security D. Carl. No Madam what 's my due none e're can pay There stands that Angel Honour in the way Watching his Charge with never sleeping eyes And stops my Entrance into Paradice Ebol What Paradice what Pleasures can you know Which are not in my power to bestow D. Carl. Love Love and all those eager melting charms The Queen must yield when in my Father's arms That Queen so excellently richly fair Iove could he come agen a Lover here Would Court Mortality to die for her Oh Madam take not pleasure to renew Those pains which if you felt you wou'd not do Ebol Unkindly urg'd think you no sence I have Of what you feel Now you may take your Leave Something I had to say but let it die D. Carl. Why Madam who has injur'd you not I. Ebol Nay Sir your presence I would not Detain Alas you do not hear that I complain Tho' could you half of my Misfortunes see Methinks you should encline to pity me D. Carl. I cannot guess what mournful tale you 'd tell But I am certain you prepare me well Speak Madam Ebol Say I lov'd and with a flame Which even melts my tender heart to name Lov'd too a man I will not say ingrate Because he 's far above my Birth or Fate Yet so far He at least does cruel prove He prosecutes a dead and hopeless Love Starves on a barren Rock and won't be blest Tho' I invite him kindly to a Feast D. Carl. What stupid Animal could senceless lye Quicken'd by beams from that Illustrious eye Ebol Nay to encrease your wonder you shall know That I alas am forc'd to tell him too Till ev'n I blush as now I tell it you D. Carl. You neither shall have cause of shame or fear Whose Secrets safe within my Bosome are Ebol Then farther I the riddle may explain Survey that Face and blame me if you can Shews him his own Picture D. Carl. Distraction on my eyes what have they seen 'T is my own Picture which I sent the Queen When to her Fame I paid Devotion first Expecting bliss but lost it I am curs't Curst too in thee who from my Saint dar'st steal The onely Relique left her of my Zeal And with the Sacriledg attempt my heart Wer 't thou more charming than thou think'st thou art Almighty Love preserves the Fort for her And bids defiance to thy Entrance there Ebol Neglected scorn'd by Father and by Son What a malicious course my Stars have run But since I meet with such unlucky Fate In love I 'le try how I can thrive in hate My own dull Husband may assist in that To his revenge I le give him fresh alarms aside And with the gray old Wizzard muster charms I hav 't Thanks thanks Revenge Prince 't is thy bane Can you forgive me Sir I hope you can To Carl. mildly I 'l try to recompence the wrongs I 've done And better finish what is ill begun D. Carl. Madam you at so strange a rate proceed I shall begin to think you Lov'd indeed Ebol No matter be but to my Honour true As you shall ever find I 'le be to you The Queens my charge and you may on that score Presume that you shall see her yet once more I 'l lead you to those so much worshipt charms And yield you to my happy Rivals arms D. Carl. In what a mighty Sum shall I be bound I did not think such Virtue could be found Thou Mistriss of all best perfections stay Fain I in gratitude wou'd something say But am too far in Debt for thanks to pay Enter Don John of Austria D. Iohn Where is that Prince He whose afflictions speak So loud as all Hearts but his own might break D. Carl. My Lord what Fate has left me I am here Mere man of all my comforts strip't and bare Once like a Vine I flourish't and was young Rich in my ripening hopes that spoke me strong But now a dry and wither'd stock am
it is gone too far to be recall'd And stedfastness will make the Act extoll'd Enter Eboli in a Night-Gown Who Eboli Ebol My Lord. King Is the Deed done Ebol ' T is and the Queen to seek repose is gone King Can she expect it who allow'd me none No Eboli her Dreams must be as full Of horrour and as Hellish as her Soul Does she believe the Prince has freedome gaind Ebol She does King How were the tydings entertain'd Ebol O're all her Face young wandring blushes were Such as speak hopes too weak to conquer fear But when confirm'd no Lover e're so kind She clasp'd me fast caress't and call'd me Friend Which Opportunity I took to give The Poison and till Day she cannot live King Quickly then to her say that Carlos here Waits to confirm his happiness with her Go that my vengeance I may finish quite 'T would be imperfect should I lose the sight But to contrive that I may not be known And she may still mistake me for my Son Remove all Lights but that which may suffice To let her see me scorn her when she dies Ebol You 'l find her all in ruful sables clad With one dim Lamp that yields imperfect light Such as in Vaults assist the ghastly shade Where wretched Widows come to weep at Night Thus she resolves to die or living mourn Till Carlos shall with Liberty return King Oh stedfast Sin incorrigible Lust Not damn'd it is impossible she must How do I long to see her in her pains The poys'nous Sulphur rowling through her Veins Enter D. John and Attendants Who 's there my Brother D. Iohn Yes Sir and your Friend What can your Presence here so late intend King Oh Austria Fate 's at work a Deed 's in hand Will put thy Youthful Courage to a stand Survey me Do I look as heretofore D. Iohn You look like King of Spain and Lord of Pow'r Like one who still seeks Glory on the Wing You look as I would do were I a King King A King why I am more I 'm all that can Be counted miserable in a man But thou shalt see how calm anon I 'le grow I 'le be as happy and as gay as Thou D. Iohn No Sir my happiness you cannot have Whilst to your abject passions thus a slave To know my ease you thoughts like mine must bring Be something less a man and more a King King I 'm growing so 'T is true that long I strove With pleading Nature combated with Love Those Witchcrafts that had bound my Soul so fast But now the Date of the Enchantment'ts past Before my rage like ruines down they fall And I mount up true Monarch o're e'm all D. Iohn I know your Queen and Son y'have doom'd to die And fear by this the fatal hour is nigh Why would you cut a sure Succession off At which your Friends must grieve and Foes will laugh As if since Age has from you took away Increase you 'd grow malicious and destroy King Doubt it not Austria Thou my Brother art And in my blood I 'm certain hast a part Onely the Justice of my Vengeance own Th' art Heir of Spain and my adopted Son D. Iohn I must confess there in a Crown are charms Which I would Court in bloody Fields and Arms But in my Nephew 's wrong I must decline Since he must be extinguish't e're I shine To mount a Throne o're Battlements I 'd climb Where Death should wait on Me not I on him Did you e're Love or have you ever known The mighty Value of so brave a Son King I guess'd I should be treated thus before I know it is thy Kindness but no more Thou living free alas art easie grown And think'st all hearts as honest as thy own D. Iohn Not Sir so easie as I must be bold And speak what you perhaps wou'd have untold That y' are a slave to th'vilest that obey Such as Disgrace on Royal Favour lay And blindly follow as they lead astray Voracious Varlets sordid Hangers on Best by familiarity Th' are known Yet shrink at frowns but when you smile they fawn Th' are these have wrong'd you and abus'd your Ears Possest your Mind with false mis-grounded fears King Mis-grounded fears why is there any Truth In Womens Vowes or Disobedient Youth I sooner would believe this World were Heav'n Where I have nought but Toyles and Torment met And never comfort yet to man was given But thou shalt see how my revenge I 'le treat The SCENE drawes and discovers the Queen alone in mourning on her Couch with a Lamp by her Look where she sits as quite and serene Ironically As if she never had a Thought of sin In mourning her wrong'd Innocence to show Sh' has sworn't so oft that she believes it true O'rewhelmâ—d with sorrow she 'l in darkness dwell So we have heard of Witches in a Cell Treating with Fiends and making Leagues with Hell Q. rises and comes towards him Queen My Lord Prince Carlos may it be believ'd Are my eyes blest and am I not deceiv'd King My Queen My Love I 'm here Embraces her Queen My Lord the King This is surprizing Kindness which you bring Can you believe me Innocent at last Methinks my griefs are half already past King O Tongue in nothing practis'd but deceit Too well she knew him not to find the cheat Yes vile Incestuous Woman it is I The King Look on me well despair and die Queen Why had you not pronounc'd my doom before Since to affliction you could add no more Methinks Death is less welcome when I find You could but Counterfeit a look that 's kind King No now th' art fit for Death had I believ'd Thou could'st have been more wicked thou had'st liv'd Liv'd and gone on in lust and riot still But I perceiv'd thee early ripe for Hell And that of the reward thou might'st not miss This night th' ast drank thy bane th' art poison'd Yes Thou art Queen Then welcome everlasting bliss But e're I die let me here make a Vow By Heav'n and all I hope for there I 'm true King Vows you had alwaies ready when you spoke How many of 'em have you made and broke Yet there 's a pow'r that does your falshood hear A Just one too and lets thee live to swear How comes it that above such mercy dwels To permit Sin and make us Infidels Queen You have been ever so to all that 's good My Innocence had else been understood At first your love was nothing but your pride When I arriv'd to be the Prince's Bride You then a Kind Indulgent Father were But finding me Unfortunately fair Thought me a prize too rich to be possest By him and forc't your self into my breast Where you maintain'd an Unresisted pow'r Not your own Daughter could have lov'd you more Till Conscious of your Age my faith was blam'd And I a lewd Adulteress proclaim'd Accus'd of foulest Incest with your Son What
ever pressing and for ever kind Qu. Make hast in the first Sphear I 'l for you stay Thence we 'l rise both to Everlasting day Farewel Dyes D. Car. I follow you now Close my eyes Leans on her bosome Thus all o're bliss the Happy Carlos dyes King Th' are gone th' are gone where I must n'ere aspire Run sally out and set the World on fire Alarum Nature let loose all the winds Set free those spirits whom strong Magick binds Let the Earth open all her Sulph'rous Veins The Fiends start from their Hell and shake their Chains Till all things from their Harmony decline And the Confusion be as great as mine Here I 'l lye down and never more arise Howl out my life and rend the Ayr with Cryes D. Iohn Hold Sir afford your lab'ring heart some ease King Oh name it not there 's no such thing as Peace From these warm Lips yet one soft kiss I 'le take How my heart beats why won't the Rebel break My Love my Carlos I 'm thy Father speak Oh he regards not now my miseries But deaf to my Complaint as I have been to his Oh now I think on 't better all is well Here 's one that 's just descending into Hell How comes it that he 's not already gone The Sluggard's Lazy but I 'le spur him on Hey how he flyes Stabs R. Gomez R. Gom. 'T was aym'd well at my heart That I had strength enough but to retort Dull Life so tamely must I from thee part Curses and plagues Revenge where art thou now Meet meet me at thy own dark house below Dyes King He 's gone and now there 's not so vile a thing As I. D. Iohn Remember Sir You are a King King A King it is too little I 'le be more I tell thee Nero was an Emperour He kill'd his Mother but I 've that out-done Murder'd a Loyal Wife and Guiltless Son Yet Au'stria why should I grow mad for that Is it my fault I was unfortunate D. Iohn Collect your Spirits Sir and calm your Mind King Look too 't strange things I tell thee are design'd Thou Austria shal't grow old and in thy age Doat Doat my Heroe oh a long gray Beard With Eyes distiling Rheum and hollow Cheeks Will be such charms thou can'st not want success But above all beware of Jealousie It was the dreadful Curse that ruin'd me D. Iohn Dread Sir no more King Oh Heart Oh Heaven but stay Nam'd I not heaven I did and at the word Methought I saw 't the Azure fabrick stir'd Oh for my Queen and Son the Saints prepare But I le pursue and Overtake e'm there Whirle stop the Sun arrest his Charioteer I'â—e ride in that away pull pull him down Oh how I le hurl the Wild-fire as I run Now now I mount Runs off raving D. Iohn Look to the King See of this fair one too strict care be had Pointing to Henrietta Despair how vast a Triumph hast thou made No more in Loves Enervate charms I 'le ly Shaking off softness to the Camp I 'le fly Where Thirst of Fame the Active Hero warms And what I 've lost in Peace regain in Arms. FINIS THere is lately Published the Art of making Love or Rules for the Conduct of Ladies and Gallants in their Amours In Twelves Price bound 1 s. Printed for R. Tonson at Grays-Inn-Gate in Grays-Inn-Lane THE EPILOGUE Spoken by a Girle NOw what d' ye think my Message hither means Yonder 's the Poet sick behind the Scenes He told me there was pity in my face And therefore sent me here to make his peace Let me for once perswade ye to be kind For he has promis'd me to stand by Friend And if this time I can your kindness move He 'l write for me he swears by all above When I am bigg enough to be in love Now won't you be good natur'd ye fine men Indeed I 'le grow as fast as e're I can And try if to his promise he 'l be true Think on 't when that time comes you do not know But I may grow in love with some of you Or at the worst I 'm certain I shall see Amongst you those who 'l swear they 're so with me But now if by my Suit youâ—l not be won You know what your unkindness oft has done I 'le e'n forsake the Play-House and turn Nun. THE END