EnterJasper.
Cæl.His sight strikes terror to me!
Anto. Jasper, make ready, you must go with me.
[ExitJasp.
Cæl.Here on my knees I beg you would not take him:But if you be resolv’d, let me go too.
Anto.That cannot be: DonJohn’sa Batchellor,And is not fitted to have Women guests.
Cæl.I will dispence with any thing, my Lord,Then let me go, or do not takeJasper.
Anto.Come, I must break this Childish way of yours,Jaspershall go, and you shall stay at home,And so Farewell; make merry with our Friends.
Ger.Do not resolve, my Lord; see how she takes it.
Anto.This passion soon will over; farewell, Friend,I shall return to giveEugeniato you.
[ExitAnto.
Ger.I ne’re perceiv’d his will to reign before,Some sudden fancy makes him Obstinate.
Eug.So, give her Air, she comes to her self.
Cæl.Where is my Lord! What gone! am I deluded?I Saw an Angel lead him back again.
Ger.Her fancy is disturb’d, make no answer:
Cæl.Why Sister, where’s my Lord?
Eug.Do not disturb your self, my Brother’s well.
Cæl.Get me a horse, for I will follow him.
EnterAntonioBleeding.
Anto.Fetch me some water there.
Cæl.My Dream was true, my Dearest Lord’s return’d!What makes you Bleed?
Anto.As I was lifting up my Foot to the Stirrop, my NoseGusht out a Bleeding.
Eugen.My Sister dreamt, an Angel led you back,And I believe it now.
Ger.Pray take some other with you, I, if you pleaseWill keep you Company.
Ant.No, I’m resolv’d to stay, and send him word, I amTook ill my self; my Nose leaves Bleeding.
Cæl.I am satisfy’d, my Lord, you do not go, and thereforeWill Retire.
[Ex. all butAnto.andGerar.
Anto.Do so, my Dear.Now I must tell my Friend, I dare not stay,Twould look but ill to say a Bleeding NoseMadeDon Antonioslight his dying Friend.
Ger.If that was all, it would; but yet reflectThere are more Prodigies forbid this JourneyThenCæsarhad t’avoyd the Senate-House.
Anto.HadCæsarnot been slain, those AccidentsWe now call Prodigies, had been forgot;And so will these when I am safe return’d.
Ger.Consider but your Ladies high concern,Her suddain sounding, and recovery,On which she cry’d an Angel brings him back,Your Bleeding and Return speaks the dream’t true,The stopping of it too was not the least,All these together force me to believeThat you from heav’n these warnings did receive.
Anto.Surely,Gerardo, we must heav’n offendTo think that it these Accidents should send.It is detraction to the Pow’rs above,To think they suffer what they don’t approve,For if they did this to divert my ill,They go about, for they might change my will.But mine’s more firm; nay, more, should I not go,The threaten’d ill I meet, for ought I know;For if their boads be certain, then I mayMeet th’ effects whether I go or stay.
Ger.Vainly we speak of heav’n, when vainly weBy human Wit set Rules to heav’ns decree,The pow’r that made us gave us scope of will,Freely to take the good, or choose the ill:And though it can, it does not change that course,Only perswades to Act what it could force.
Anto.This you believe, but you must pardon me,If in this point I don’t with you agree;For if to Man such a free-will be given,That damns all Præscience and so baffles heav’n:But I delay whilst Reason bids me go,And Reason ’tis, since it to me is so,Then pray divert my Wife, so farewell, Friend.
[Exit.
Ger.Farewell: May all myfearsto nothing tend;Yet still I fear what should the Reason be,That I shou’d fear, yet nothing fearful see,I am resolv’d to send some Servants outShall wait him at a distance;In doing all I can, I do the best,I can no more, let heav’n do the rest.
[Exit.
EnterDon Franciscoand Nurse.
Fran.Well, ’tis so sweet a sin to Wench in danger,that I am like to lose the best part of my Recreation;but prethee Nurse, tell me, what causes this change?
Nurse.Now if I would be hang’d, I cannot forbear telling.Faith, my Lord,Gerardo’s like to be the Man now,though I am for your Lordship still, you’re my best Friend.
Fran.By heav’n I’le be his Death, and hers to boot;can she slight me for him, he Whore our Kindred!When did he first enjoy her?
Nurse.Not so, my Lord, he’s to Marry her.
Fran.Nay, if’t be so; then I’m Reveng’d already,For’s joyning withAntonio’gainst our house,He’s Antidated Cuckold, and by me!O rare Revenge! There’s for thy News, Nurse.
[Gives money to her.
Were all my Enemies but serv’d the same;At a more full Revenge I’de never aim.
Nurse.Me-thinks you should not be so merry for losing myLady; ’faith, had I known it, you should not have comeinto the place you wot’on, by my means.
Fran.Nay, be not angry, Nurse, I find her drift.She loves our family, and studies to Revenge it.To make him Cuckold; how it pleases me!Poyson, nor Poniards is not half so well,Go, tell her; Nurse I’m glad she takes this way:I glory in her love! by Heaven I do,I’le find Sebastian out, and laugh with him,Till I e’en split my sides.
Nurse.Sir, you’le tell no body I hope.
Fran.No, none but him:To say as he goes by, there goes my Cuckold;And then to laugh, go Nurse, and tell herI’le be sure to meet—
[Exit.
Nurse.Another double Pistoll for myJasper!I’le have him one whole night for this.For to speak truth, I find the Rogue does not love me:Heavens! What a bad world is this,an Old Woman, though never so willing,can scarce get a friend for ready money:when such asEugeniacan make the Gold fly about;but time will come she must be fain to turn tail,and pay for one as I do, or go without.But it pleases me, my Lady says, he shall be my husband,then I shall need give money no longer: for faith if hebe negligent, I’le ring him a Peal to quicken him to his duty.thus marry’d once, I’le doe like other wivesthat make their husbands drudge for quiet lives.
The End of the Second Act.
EnterDon Gerardowith a Book in his Hand.
SOme Happy Soul come down and tellWhat Joys are those with you do dwell?If it be Happiness like ours below,Which from our want of ills does only flow,Then ’tis plain that mighty theamOf Immortality is but a Dream.
’Tis Love, ’tis Love, for nothing canGive real Happiness to Man,But Joys like those that Lovers Souls enjoy,which here on Earth there’s nothing can destroy;Ay, ay, ’tis Love only can beThe Happy Souls endless felicity.
Ger.What a dull, heavy load hangs on my soul!Weighing me down to Earth, as if ’twould say’Twas weary of its Burthen, and resolv’dTo shake it off, and mix with its first matter;What is the thing, call’d Death, we mortals shun?Is’t some real, or is’t a fancy only?Like that imaginary point in Mathematicks;Not to be found only in definition:It is no more: Death, like your Childrens Bug-bears,Is fear’d by all, yet has no other BeingThen what weak fancy gives it; ’tis a Line,But yet imaginary, drawn betwixtTime and that dreadful thing Eternity;I, that’s the thing, ’tis fear’d; for now I find it:Eternity which puzzles all the World,To name the inhabitants that People it:Eternity, whose undiscover’d CountreyWe Fools divide, before we come to see it;Making one part contain all happiness,The other misery, then unseen fight for’t.Losing our certains for uncertainties;All Sects pretending to a Right of choyce;Yet none go willingly to take their part,For they all doubt what they pretend to know,And fear to mount, lest they should fall below:Be’t as it will; my Actions shall be just,And for my future State I Heav’n will trust.
Enter a Servant.
Return’d already; what can be the cause?
Serv.Sir,Don Antoniolikewise is return’d.
Ger.What reason had he for it, dost thou know?
Ser.My Lord, I do not; for we by your appointmentHaving took Horse, did with our greatest speedPursue the Road should lead us toDon John’s;When near a Thicket stands some two Miles off,I spy’dAntoniolying on the ground,AndJasperwalking of the Horses by him,Fearing his seeing us, we took the Thicket,Where shelter’d from their Eyes, I left my Fellows.But I approach’d as near as possible,Hoping I did you Service, if I couldBy their Discourse gather their cause of stay.
Ger.’Twas like thy self, both diligent and prudent.
Serv.But all my care did signifie but little,The Wind blew fresh, and rustling in the Wood,Wholly destroy’d their Voyces, so that few wordsOf what they said I heard; and those I did,Came so divided they had no connexion.
Ger.What sort of Actions did you then perceive?
Serv.My Lord, I sawAntoniomuch disturb’d;Sometimes he’d rise and walk a turn or twoWith eager pace, then stop as suddenly,Then stamp and tear his hair; then loudly cry.She’s dead, she’s dead! Oh,Cælia, Oh,Antonio!Then lye him down again, and rest a space:Sometimes callJasperto him, talk a while,And soon again rise in another Passion;Seldom I heard a word, except a Curse!Or now and then a Name; asLewis,Cælia,Pedro,Francisco,Flora; nay, my Lord,Sometimes I heard your Name, and thenEugenia’s;Then suddenly holding his hands to Heav’n,He’d down again, and there a while would role.
Ger.These Actions sure did seem a perfect madness.
Serv.It seem’d indeed a madness methodiz’d,Like theirs who are Transported far with Passion.
Ger.But how perceiv’d youJasperbear himself?
Serv.Quite in another manner, but as strange!For when his Lord look’d down, his looks would beAs full of mirth, ready to burst in Laughter;That I perceiv’d he scarce contain’d himself:But if his Lord did look about to speak,Then was his Face demure, with hand on Breast,Turning his Eyes to Heav’n, and groaning sighs.As you have seen, my Lord, a Canting PreacherAiming to cheat his Audience, wanting matter,Sigh to seem Holy, till he thought on something.So at that distance seem’d his Actions to me;But when his back was turn’d, the Rascal wouldMake Mouths, and point with signs of greatest scorn.
Ger.There is some Fatal Villany in this;Some Mystery beyond my Fathoming:But how long staid they thus?
Serv.About two hours, when mounting both their Horses,I took mine, and un-espy’d did dogg e’m to the City,And where they Hous’d I know not; for they enter’dRemote from Home, and I i’th’ streets soon lost e’m.
Ger.Do both your Fellows know this?
Serv.No, my Lord,I did not think it would become my DutyTo tell them any thing but what they saw.
Ger.I never knew thee yet mistake thy trust;Thy secrecy was well: Preserve it still,For I must use it further, therefore go,And Charge your Pistols, we must walk a RoundAboutAntonio’s House to watch their motion;For there the Scene must lye of this design;If there be mischief in’t, thy courage now(If theirs occasion) must again be try’d.And well Rewarded too.
Serv.’Tis so, my Lord,Above all other wayes in that you trust it.But I’le be gone, and Execute your Orders.
[Exit.
Ger.A Faithful Servant is the best of Friends,Since he is nearest alwayes to assist us;But stay, I cannot guess from all I’ve heard,The cause that should disturbAntonio;Except ’tis Jealousie: Yet how can that be?IfCælia’svitious there’s no vertuous Women.But now I think how much he rail’d at Marriage,And more our Arguments concerning doubt,These things perswade he’s Jealous! But of whom?The more I think, the more I am confounded!How Clouded ManDoubts first, and from one doubt doth soon proceedA thousand more in solving of the first;Like Nighted Travellers we lose our way;Then everyIgnis Fatuusmakes us stray.By the false Lights of Reason led about,Till we arrive where we at first set out:“Nor shall we e’re Truths perfect High-way see,Till dawns the Day-break of Eternity.”
[Exit.
EnterEugenia.
Eug.I am amaz’d the Nurse should stay so long;My Anger makes each minute seem an hour:That Woman is a thing made up of mischief;Some Fatal Devil sure did guide the ChoyceMy Mother made, in choosing her our Nurse.She’s Fool to th’ height: And yet hath wit enoughTo tread all Labyrinths of Treachery;But that’s no wonder: For who’s TreacherousThat wants not Eyes to see it’s ugly Form?For now I fear, and I believe not vainly,That Villain,Jasper, knows all my concerns,Or what could prompt him to that ImpudenceHe did express in his address today.
Enter Nurse.
Thou fatal Hagg, thou Mother of all mischief,What Devil taught thy perjur’d Tongue the wayTo tell the shame which thou didst first occasion?
Nurse.Pray what ayls you, Madam, are you mad?
Eug.I wish I was, as I have cause enough,For then I should not know the shame attends me,In being Table-talk for every Rascal,As thou (Hell thank thee for it) now hast made me.
Nurse.I made you Table-talk! There’s no such thing;I’ve been too faithful to you, that I have;Losing my sleep full oft to watch your pleasure.And is this all I get? It is no matter, IShall be even with you.
Eug.Threaten on (for thou hast Acted all thy threats, Imp)In lettingJasperknow my shame and folly.
Nurse. Jasperknows nothing, that he does not, from me,And I will ask him; fore your face, I will,If I e’re saidFranciscolay with you.
Eug.’Tis plain, thy guilt transported thee to madness,Else thou wouldst never make thy Tongue a HerauldSo loud, for to proclaim to all the HouseThe Action you’d perswade me still is secret.
Nurse.If you talk lowd your self, why may not I?But I’le bringJasperto you shall deny all.
Eug.What mischief upon mischief she designs?Dost think, like thine, my Modesty is gone?To have this argu’d out before my faceAnd such a Villaineby?—
Nurse.A Villain, say you?No Villain neither, I wou’d have you know;No more then isFrancisco: pick that bone,Or if you will, I’le bidGerardodo it.Dee’ think to rail at me? Is that my thanks?
Eug.My feares I see will force me to dissemble;Nurse, I but try’d thy patience; I believeThou would’st not tell that secret for the world,No, tho’ it were toJasper.
Nurse. Jasper’san honest fellow, and no Villain;And did he know a secret, he could keep it.
Eug.But have you told it then?
Nurse.No matter what I’ve done, I will not tell you,Because you vext and rated at me so.
Eug.Well, Nurse, I did believe you lov’d me better.
[Weeps.
And wou’d trust me with any thing you did,But I perceive your kindness all forJasper.
Nurse.I loveJasperwell, and love you too,And you shall have no wrong I warrant you.
Eug.The thing is plain, I need not ask no further.But where’s the remedy? Nurse, prethee tell me,What didFranciscosay unto my message?
Nurse.I, there’s a bus’ness now worth asking for.He sayes, he’s glad you’l condescend to meet;Nay, he’s a glad man, I’le tell you that, i’ faith,He bid me say, you were a gallant Girle,So to Revenge his quarrel onGerardo.
Eug. Gerardo, said you! O thy mouth’s a Sieve!There’s not a secret thou canst keep a moment;Did I not charge thee not to nameGerardo,Till I should speak of it myself to him?Nay, ’tis the greatest motive makes me meet him,For to prevent the mischiefs else may follow;Well, I am curst for sin, and thou art madeThe cause o’ th’ sin, and curse that does attend it.
Nur.What, are you got to railing again for nothing?Pray who has most discretion to tell a bus’ness,You, or I? But you, forsooth, are grown so proud of lateBecause you hope to MarryDon Gerardo;That there’s no speaking to you: Marry gip.’Faith I shall spoil your Market.
[Exit.
Eug.Do thy worst(for I am resolv’d to suffer once for all)Death would be better then this Slavery,And that’s the worst can happenShould she tell my Brother, orGerardo, my whole story;That’s dying once, but I by fear thus fool’d,Do hourly dye, since still I Death behold.
[Exit.
EnterJasperandAntonio.
Jasp.My Lord, I’m confident this is the House,Wherein the Woman Lives I told you of.
Anto.Knock then; and if she comes, do you speak to her,I’le stand aloof a while, and hear you talk.
[Jasperknocks.
Enter Witch with ablockRod, which she turns over her Head, whilstJaspermakes a private sign of his Lord’s being there.
Jasp.Hail, Reverend Mother; I suppose you areThat famous Artist who Commands this House,Which if you be, with confidence I beg,You would resolve someQuestionsI should ask;Which if you please to do, my gratitudeShall be proportion’d to the kindness done.
Witch.What prating Fellow’s here? Your LordAntonioNeed not to doubt my Art, or if he did,He might have sent some wiser Man to try me.Come, come, my Lord,I am no Cheating Chymist, that requiresA Faith in Fools to make his work successful.No, no, my Power is boundless, I can searchThe secrets of your Soul, and when I’ve doneSolve all the doubts that there possess your mind;That Women should be Women, is no wonder.
Anto.But that Women should turn Devils, is.
Witch.No, no, my Lord, I am no Devil neither.
Anto.Mother! I meant not you, when I said so.
Witch.Son, Son, excuse it not, you have no causeTo love us Women much, and I’m not angryAt what you said, though I know what you meant.
Ant.Then, Mother, by these Powers you practice by,I do Conjure you, shew me all the truthOf what you know concerns my coming hither.
Witch.Come, enter in, my Lord, and nothing fear;There’s not a doubt of yours but shall be clear.I’ve sent a Spirit out, who will e’re long,Bring all the Names of those have done you wrong.
[Ex. and return.
EnterAntonio,Jasper, and Witch, as in the House; in the Scenes a Chair, by whichJasperstands, and Witch goes round.
Witch.Sit in this Chair, my Lord, whilst I do drawA Sacred Line, which shall the Spirits aw.About, about, I tread a Round,Where I tread is Sacred Ground.Thus and thus the Air I charm,To keep my Circle free from harm;Thus I sprinkle Water pure,And by it all the Charm secure;The Spirits that fiery are dare not come near us,Earth, Air, and Water do make e’m to fear us.Then boldly sit, boldly see, boldly despiseWhat Spirits soever do happen to rise.
Witch sings.
Rise, arise, arise, rise and come away,My little pretty SpiritPuncula:What, not appear at thy Mistresses call,I’le surely torment thee; thou shalt not suck at all.Arise then, I say—
[Spirit within sings.
Spir.I come, I come away,The Wind it blows hard, and forces me astray.
Witch.Let’s wait a little, he’l appear, my Lord.
Anto.Fear seizes me so fast, that all my SpiritsRetire, and leave an Ague in my Joynts.
Enter a Spirit.
Witch.Come, have you doneWhat I gave you in charge,If you have, I command you to tell it at large.
Spirit sings.As you bid, I did go to the Caverns belowWhere the Spirits Inhabit that Govern the Wind.And though in their motions they be,And seeFar, far quicker than we,Yet no Intelligence there I could find.From thence, like Lightning, I shot to the Pole,Where at a holeI glided to the Region of the Air:But the Spirits aboveDo Mankind so love,That they drove me from them with despair.From thence, in a moment, toÆtnaI came,Where the Spirits of fire that Inhabit that flame:Told me, all that I sought for they knew;Though to Spirits of Earth,As I am by Birth;They’d not tell it; yet hither they flew.And hereabouts they stay, till you pray,And attone them with Offerings to tell your desire;For these from of OldHave been Lovers of Gold,The Mettles being Govern’d by Spirits of fire.
[Exit.
Witch.It’s necessary, Son, you throw them something,for o’re these Spirits I have no Command.
Anto.Oh, any thing; take this and throw it them;But do release me of the fear I’m in,And quickly solve my doubts, take all I have.
Witch.There is Gold, there is Gold to you Spirits of fire;He does willingly offer what you do desire.
Enter first Spirit, second Spirit Ascends. After some flashes of fire they sing.
1. Spir.What Spirit didLewisattend?
2. Spir.It was I.
1. Spir.Declare to that Lord what you know.
2. Spir.I need not, the cause he did dyeWas that truth to him known long ago.
Chor.He’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead, and nowFor hot desires,In endless firesMust Live, must now forever Live with us below.
Chor.He’s dead, he’s dead, &c.
Anto.Horrid and wonderful.
1. Spir.Who allCælia’sCrimes does know?
2. Spir.It is I, but must not shewAll her ill,For I will
[Third Spirit Ascends.
Fit her better e’re she goTo her Paramour below.
3. Spir.But I thatFranciscoattend,Can declare,That he as a FriendToDon Lewisdoth shareI’th’ stolen Embraces ofCælia’ssweet Arms;They kiss and lye down,ThenLewisbemoan,Thus with thoughts of Revenge they double Loves charms.
Chor.They kiss and lye, &c.
Anto.Thus I have warm’d a Viper in my bosom,That wanted only heat enough to sting me,And give me Death it self.
1. Spir.After him canPedrostay til’t be day;Thus they sport the Night away,Florawatching whilst they doLaugh at you,Saying, where’s the Cuckold now?
1. Spir.They sport.
2. Spir.They laugh.
3. Spir.They kiss and play,Till your return, doth make e’m mourn,And spoils their Holy~day.
Chor.Thus they will do untill they dye,When we in Hell, shall think it wellTo have their pleasant Company.
[They Descend.
Anto.And that shall be this Night; make ready thenFires that may fit so brave a pack of Letchers;If you delight in Offerings; and for GoldCan but increase their Torments, I will sellAll my Estate to turn it into that,Daily to add more fewel to their flames.Let Fools that spend their Wealth on Priests for Prayers,Be Cheated still, I’le take a surer way,Torments for Souls are penny-worths I’le buy,And there is Reason in it; for ’tis likelyHell may take Bribes, when surely Heav’n won’t.Oh Excellent project! Is’t not a good one,Jasper?By Hell it self, this Night Hell hath e’m all.
Witch.Your Lordship’s much disturb’d, I by my ArtWill cause the Air to give a Melody,So to compose your Spirits to themselves.
[She waves her stick. Musick and an Antick Dance of Devils handing the Purse (Antoniothrew) to one another, toward the Close of which a noise without makes both Musick and Dance stop: But beginning again, a noise within makes e’m flye. The Witch trembles.
Within.Break op’e the doors, nay, sure enough they’re here.
Anto.By Heav’n some Cheat, for these can be no Devils.I’le follow e’m, and see—
[Draws his Sword.
Jasp.It is some trick to draw you from the Circle.
[Jasp.holds him.
Anto.Be what it will, Death cannot make me worse;Unhand me then, or I will sheath this in you.
[Exit.
Witch.O, we’re undone, the Officers will enter,
[Noise continues.
and my Lord will see the holes they creep into,and so discover them, then we shall all be hang’d.I’le tell my Lord the truth of all the Cheat,and that way save my Life.
Jasp.What’s that? No stratagem to help it?Have you no hole near us, Aunt?
Witch.Yes, here is one, but should we go into’t,The other taken once, will soon betray us.
Jasp.I’le hazzard that, rather then certain Death.And therefore to save one, I’le hide you there.
[Kills her.
Witch.O thou ungrateful Dog, dost kill me for my Love?
[Runs her through often, then throws her into the hole, sheshun’dhim, then lyes down and trembles.Jasp.No muttering, Aunt, dye quietly, and lye asquietly; ’tis the greatest kindness you cando me; So, now a ready lye clears all I hope.
EnterAntonio.
Anto.The Officers entring, they all vanish’d.
Jasp.The last is well.
Anto.Where’s the Witch? What makes you tremble so?
Jasp.O, do not take me too, good Devil, do not.
Anto.What ayls the Fellow?Jasper, don’t you know me?
Jasp.Alas, is’t you, my Lord?
Anto.Ay, where’s the Witch?
Jasp.She got upon a fiery Dragons back,And mounted like a Rocket through the Air,Leaving me half distracted.
Anto.’Tisstrangeand wonderful.
[Enter Captain and Watch.
1. Watch.Here’s two of them.
Capt.My LordAntonio! ’Tis strange to meet you thusin a suspitious House so late in the Evening.
Anto.Riding by the River side to take the Air,My Horse threw me, which made me seeFor some convenient House to rest a while,And met with this, wherein I have slept this hour,And I believe had done so longer yet,Had not your noise awak’d me.
Capt.My Lord, I’ve no Commission to enquire,Into Persons bus’ness of your eminent Rank;It is for other Men that I search now,Some half a score the most notorious RoguesAbout the Town were seen to enter here.Saw you none such, my Lord?
Anto.No, on my Honour;For since I enter’d here, no human shapeWas seen by me, but one Old wither’d Woman;And where she’s gone, I know not.
Capt.My Lord, that Woman is the greatest CheatAbout the Town; the simple think her a Witch;But I can witness for her she is none;My Lord, you’l pardon me, if I search for her.
Anto.With all my heart: Pray find her if you can;’Twas my misfortune doubled to light here.
Capt.It might have prov’d so:search the House.
[Exit Watch.
I’le tell your Lordship what I know of her.Walking my Round one Night, who should I meet,But (as I thought) two Devils, by their shapes;An Old one, and a Young one, so they seem’d:At first the sight amaz’d me, but at lastMy Reason telling me, if they were Spirits,The mischief they intended they might do,Though I should run away: I bid my GuardStand, whilst my self advanc’d near these shapes,Which as I did, the little Devil fled, th’ other seem’dTo turn it’s Eyes to fire, and glare upon me;I still advanc’d, Arm’d with my former thoughts,And as I nearer came, the fire grew duller,Yet still it stood, for truly it could not run,Proving, when I laid hold on’t, this Old Woman,Cas’d in a Leopard’s skin; the fiery EyesProv’d but two Lobster-shells: So she confessing,That for a Living she did use these Cheats,Helping poor People to their stolen Goods,In Devils shapes to countenance the Trade.And that the other was a little Boy,Train’d up as her Familiar, whom she producing,I only threaten’d them, and let them go.
Anto.A subtle Cheat it was, and very likely,And you deserv’d Reward that did detect it.
Jasp.A Halter it should be, were I to give it.
[Aside.
Enter the Watch with one of the Devils Remarkable Habits, and a Viol.
1. Watch.We’ve search’d sufficiently, but all we findIs a poor Devils skin, and a base Viol.
Capt.I, this is like the other, I’m glad ’twas found,’Twill prove the story true I told your Lordship.
Anto.It does, to my amazement.
Capt.I’m glad it was my hap to meet you here,Your Lordship might have got some mischief else.
Anto.I might indeed, and I’m beholding to you:And, Captain, take my word, I’le speak your worthTo the Vice-Roy, who is my Kinsman,And will take care for to advance your merit.
Capt.In that you’l bind my Service: Yet, my Lord,shall I not wait your Lordship to your House?
Anto.No, ’twill be wonder’d at, besides, I’ve Horses here.
Capt.Then Health and a good Night attend your Lordship.
Anto.I thank you. Captain; here, Watch, there’s some-thing for you.
1. Watch.Bless your Noble Lordship.
[Ex. Capt. and Watch.
Anto. Jasper! Did you hear this?
Jasp.Ay, my good Lord, and wonder at it too;but I do still believe she is a Witch, and onlydid pretend such things to the Captain,to save a Burning from th’ Inquisition.
Anto.Fetch our Horses.
[ExitJasper.
I do observe this RogueStrangely to be amaz’d, what er’es the matter;I do believe that this was all some Cheat.Yet how could that be too, who could NameLewis.But I am mad to be deluded thus!For now I think on’t better; in my PassionI hintedLewisas a proof for all;And then this Rogue stood by—Ay, there it is—He’s a Confederate, and contriv’d all this,To be Reveng’d, but I’le dissemble yet,And trace his mischiefs further, then I’le kill him,And stop his mouth from publishing my folly:Had not this Accident so strangely happen’d,What mischief had I done before the Morning:I’le put him to his Tryal in the Garden;Which if he fail in, there shall end his Life,And he’l deserve it too, when mischiefs tendTo such a height, they must in mischief end.He that contriv’d so many to destroy,Will scarce be punish’d if he barely dye,Therefore his Villany shall further swell,When’ts at the height I’le Lanch his Soul to hell.
[Exit.
EnterFranciscoandSebastian.
Sebast.Couzen, believe me, I am loath to go.And I could likewise wish that you were so.Oft have I fear’d the danger when I went,Yet dreaded more the sin then punishment.For I consider’d, should I then be slain,That Death would but begin an endless pain;Then pardon me, though I could well obeyAll Friendships Laws, I dare not do’t this way.
Fran.Sure Couzen, you are sick, or lately haveHad melancholy thoughts about a Grave:Is thisSebastian, he, whose ready handWas quick to Act all Friendship did Command?He, who no sooner heardFranciscosay,A Danger’s there, but made that strait his way,And now he’s turn’d my Ghostly Father sure.
Sebast.I would, so I might make a Ghostly Cure.Francisco, thou art sick, and so am I;Sick at our Souls, and shou’d we chance to dyeE’re our Disease was Cur’d, ’tis ten to one,We should in an Eternal Feaver groan.
Fran.Come, prethee say no more, ’tis ominous,I wonder much what ’tis shou’d make thee thus.Come, you must go this Night: I’le tell you why,’Twill be the last, for she’s to Marry,To MarryDon Gerardo! O ’tis rare,I am Reveng’d to th’ purpose.
Sebast.Sure you areTurn’d Coward, or you ne’re wou’d glory inRevenge so base, this doubles all your sin.Gerardo’s brave, and sure all Honour bleeds,When such are Wounded by Ignoble deeds.It is the Curse of Man, that he must beSubject to shame by Womens Levity;But hold, I wrongEugenia, if I blameHer, and not you alone, for all her shame.You Rob’d her of her Chastity by force,Though fear of shame still kept her from Remorse.
Fran.Pish! Force! That was her policy to you,She did no more then what all Women do,Seem to resist what they do most desire,To raise the flame, yet seem to cool the fire;Believe this Truth,Sebastian, Women canResist it, and perform it more then Man.
Sebast.Thus like the Devils we at first betrayTheir Innocence, then blame on them we lay;As if their guilt cou’d have another causeThen that which it from our Temptation draws.
Fran.Let it be so, I’le not dispute it now;It grows too near the time that I should go,And though my Actions do so much offend,I will not doubt to find another Friend.
Sebast.Do you so little prizeEugenia’sFame,That you can suffer more to know her shame?
Fran. Sebastian, you mistake, I do not goThis Night on the same terms I us’d to do.No, ’tis to take myleave, for she does vowIn spight of fear she is turn’d vertuous now.
Sebast.Nay, then I’le go my self, happen what will,For it is only dang’rous to do ill;My Company her Vertue may protect,And I should sin, if that I did neglect.
Fran.That shall not need, for I’m resolv’d to speakNothing that may her Resolution break.
Sebast.Go boldly then, for in a cause so goodHe’s more then Coward fears to shed his Blood;And though I thinkAntoniowould be gladThat he our Lives at such advantage had;Yet I this Night durst boldly meet him there,Since in my Breast such Innocence I wear;By this security I plainly feel’Tis guilt that wounds us deeper far then steel.