Chapter CXL: Act I: Scene I.4356

_Enter two_ Lords _at one door_; _secretary_ [ANTONIO][4357] _at the other_.

_1 Lord._ Who is that?

_2 Lord._ The duchess’ secretary.

_1 Lord._ Signior!

_Ant._ Your lordship’s servant.

_1 Lord._ How does her grace, since she left off her mourning 5
For the young Duke Mendoza, whose timeless death
At sea left her a virgin and a widow?

_2 Lord._ She ’s now inclining to a second bride.[4358]——
When is the day of mighty marriage
To our great Cardinal’s nephew, Don Columbo?

_Ant._ When they agree; they will not steal to church, 11
I guess the ceremonies will be loud and public.
Your lordships will excuse me. _Exit._

_1 Lord._ When they agree! Alas! poor lady, she
Dotes not upon Columbo, when she thinks 15
Of the young Count d’Alvarez, divorc’d from her
By the king’s power.

_2 Lord._ And counsel of the Cardinal,
To advance his nephew to the duchess’ bed;
It is not well.

_1 Lord._ Take heed; the Cardinal holds
Intelligence with every bird i’ th’ air. 20

_2 Lord._ Death on his purple pride! He governs all;
And yet Columbo is a gallant gentleman.

_1 Lord._ The darling of the war, whom victory
Hath often courted; a man of daring,
And most exalted spirit. Pride in him 25
Dwells like an ornament, where so much honour
Secures his praise.

_2 Lord._ This is no argument
He should usurp, and wear Alvarez’ title
To the fair duchess; men of coarser blood,
Would not so tamely give this treasure up. 30

_1 Lord._ Although Columbo’s name is great in war,
Whose glorious art and practice is above
The greatness of Alvarez, yet he cannot
Want soul, in whom alone survives the virtue
Of many noble ancestors, being the last 35
Of his great family.

_2 Lord._ ’T is not safe, you ’ll say,
To wrastle with the king.

_1 Lord._ More danger if the Cardinal he displeas’d,
Who sits at helm of state. Count d’Alvarez
Is wiser to obey the stream, than by 40
Insisting on his privilege to her love,
Put both their fates upon a storm.

_2 Lord._ If wisdom,
Not inborn fear, make him compose,[4359] I like it.
How does the duchess bear herself?

_1 Lord._ She moves by the rapture[4360] of another wheel, 45
That must be obey’d; like some sad passenger,
That looks upon the coast his wishes fly to,
But is transported by an adverse wind,
Sometimes a churlish pilot.

_2 Lord._ She has a sweet and noble nature.

_1 Lord._ That 50
Commends Alvarez; Hymen cannot tie
A knot of two more equal hearts and blood.

_Enter_ ALPHONSO.

_2 Lord._ Alphonso!

_Alph._ My good lord.

_1 Lord._ What great affair
Hath brought you from the confines?

_Alph._ Such as will
Be worth your counsels, when the king hath read 55
My letters from the governor: the Arragonians,
Violating their confederate oath and league,
Are now in arms: they have not yet marcht towards us;
But ’t is not safe to expect,[4361] if we may timely
Prevent invasion.

_2 Lord._ Dare they be so insolent? 60

_1 Lord._ This storm I did foresee.

_2 Lord._ What have they, but
The sweetness of the king, to make a crime?

_1 Lord._ But how appears the Cardinal at this news?

_Alph._ Not pale, although
He knows they have no cause to think him innocent, 65
As by whose counsel they were once surpris’d.

_1 Lord._ There is more
Than all our present art can fathom in
This story, and I fear I may conclude
This flame has breath at home to cherish it. 70
There ’s treason in some hearts, whose faces are
Smooth to the state.

_Alph._ My lord, I take my leave.

_2 Lord._ Your friends, good captain. _Exeunt._

[SCENE II.][4362]

_Enter_ DUCHESS, VALERIA, _and_ CELINDA.

_Val._ Sweet madam, be less thoughtful; this obedience[4363]
To passion will destroy the noblest frame
Of beauty that this kingdom ever boasted.

_Cel._ This sadness might become your other habit,
And ceremonies black, for him that died. 5
The times of sorrow are expir’d; and all
The joys that wait upon the court, your birth,
And a new Hymen, that is coming towards you,
Invite a change.

_Duch._ Ladies, I thank you both;
I pray excuse a little melancholy 10
That is behind; my year of mourning hath not
So clear’d my account with sorrow, but there may
Some dark thoughts stay, with sad reflections,
Upon my heart, for him I lost. Even this
New dress and smiling garment, meant to show 15
A peace concluded ’twixt my grief and me,
Is but a sad remembrance. But I resolve
To entertain more pleasing thoughts; and if
You wish me heartily to smile, you must
Not mention grief, not in advice to leave it. 20
Such counsels open but afresh the wounds
Ye would close up, and keep alive the cause,
Whose bleeding you would cure. Let ’s talk of something
That may delight. You two are read in all
The histories of our court: tell me, Valeria, 25
Who has thy vote for the most handsome man?—
[_Aside._] Thus I must counterfeit a peace, when all
Within me is at mutiny.

_Val._ I have examin’d
All that are candidates for the praise of ladies,
But find—may I speak boldly to your grace?
And will you not return it in your mirth, 31
To make me blush?

_Duch._ No, no; speak freely.

_Val._ I wo’ not rack your patience, madam; but
Were I a princess, I should think the Count d’Alvarez
Had sweetness to deserve me from the world. 35

_Duch._ [_Aside._] Alvarez! she ’s a spy upon my heart.

_Val._ He ’s young and active, and compos’d most sweetly.

_Duch._ I have seen a face more tempting.

_Val._ It had then
Too much of woman in ’t: his eyes speak movingly,
Which may excuse his voice, and lead away 40
All female pride his captive; his hair, black,
Which, naturally falling into curls—

_Duch._ Prithee, no more; thou art in love with him.—
The man in your esteem, Celinda, now?

_Cel._ Alvarez is, I must confess, a gentleman 45
Of handsome composition; but with
His mind, the greater excellence, I think
Another may delight a lady more,
If man be well considered, that’s Columbo,
Now, madam, voted to be yours.

_Dutch._ [_Aside._] My torment! 50

_Val._ [_Aside._] She affects him not.

_Cel._ He has a person, and a bravery beyond
All men, that I observe.

_Val._ He is a soldier,
A rough-hewn man, and may show well at distance.
His talk will fright a lady; War, and grim- 55
Fac’d Honour are his mistresses; he raves
To hear a lute; Love meant him not his priest.—
Again your pardon, madam. We may talk,
But you have art to choose, and crown affection.
[CELINDA _and_ VALERIA _walk aside_.]

_Duch._ What is it to be born above these ladies, 60
And want their freedom! They are not constrain’d,
Nor slav’d by their own greatness, or the king’s,
But let their free hearts look abroad, and choose
By their own eyes to love. I must repair
My poor afflicted bosom, and assume 65
The privilege I was born with, which now prompts me
To tell the king, he hath no power nor art
To steer a lover’s soul.—
_Enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO].
What says Count d’Alvarez?

_Ant._ Madam, he ’ll attend you.

_Duch._ Wait you, as I directed. When he comes, 70
Acquaint me privately.

_Ant._ Madam, I have news;
’T is now arriv’d the court; we shall have wars.

_Duch._ [_Aside._] I find an army here of killing thoughts.

_Ant._ The king has chosen Don Columbo general,
Who is immediately to take his leave. 75

_Duch._ [_Aside._] What flood is let into my heart!—How far
Is he to go?

_Ant._ To Arragon.

_Duch._ That ’s well
At first; he should not want a pilgrimage
To the unknown world, if my thoughts might convey him.

_Ant._ ’T is not impossible he may go thither. 80

_Duch._ How?

_Ant._ To the unknown world; he goes to fight,
That ’s in his way: such stories are in nature.

_Duch._ Conceal this news.

_Ant._ He wo’ not be long absent;
The affair will make him swift
To kiss your grace’s hand. [_Exit._]

_Duch._ He cannot fly 85
With too much wing to take his leave.—I must
Be admitted to your conference; you have
Enlarg’d my spirits; they shall droop no more.

_Cel._ We are happy, if we may advance one thought
To your grace’s pleasure. 90

_Val._ Your eye before was in eclipse; these smiles
Become you, madam.

_Duch._ [_Aside._] I have not skill to contain myself.

_Enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ The Cardinal’s nephew, madam, Don Columbo.

_Duch._ Already! Attend him. _Exit_ PLACENTIA.

_Val._ Shall we take our leave? 95

_Duch._ He shall not know, [Celinda,][4364] how you prais’d him.

[_Cel._][4365] If he did, madam, I should have the confidence
To tell him my free thoughts.

_Enter_ COLUMBO.

_Duch._ My lord, while I ’m in study to requite
The favour you ha’ done me, you increase 100
My debt to such a sum, still by a new honouring
Your servant, I despair of my own freedom.

_Colum._ Madam, he kisseth your white hand, that must
Not surfeit in this happiness—and, ladies,
I take your smiles for my encouragement! 105
I have not long to practise these court tactics. [_Kisses them._]

_Cel._ He has been taught to kiss.

_Duch._ There ’s something, sir,
Upon your brow I did not read before.

_Colum._ Does the character please you, madam?

_Duch._ More,
Because it speaks you cheerful.

_Colum._ ’T is for such 110
Access of honour, as must make Columbo
Worth all your love; the king is pleas’d to think
Me fit to lead his army.

_Duch._ How! an army?

_Colum._ We must not use the priest, till I bring home
Another triumph that now stays for me, 115
To reap it in the purple field of glory.

_Duch._ But do you mean to leave me, and expose
Yourself to the devouring war? No enemy
Should divide us; the king is not so cruel.

_Colum._ The king is honourable; and this grace 120
More answers my ambition, than his gift
Of thee, and all thy beauty, which I can
Love, as becomes thy soldier, and fight
To come again, a conqueror of thee. _She weeps._
Then I must chide this fondness.[4366] 125

_Re-enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO].

_Ant._ Madam, the king, and my lord Cardinal. [_Exit._]

_Enter_ KING, CARDINAL, _and_ Lords.

_King._ Madam, I come to call a servant from you,
And strengthen his excuse; the public cause
Will plead for your consent; at his return
Your marriage shall receive triumphant ceremonies; 130
Till then you must dispense.

_Car._ She appears sad
To part with him.—I like it fairly, nephew.

[_Cel._][4367] Is not the general a gallant man?
What lady would deny him a small courtesy?

[_Val._] Thou hast converted me, and I begin
To wish it were no sin. 136

[_Cel._] Leave that to narrow consciences.

[_Val._] You are pleasant.

[_Cel._] But he would please one better. Do such men
Lie with their pages?

[_Val._] Wouldst thou make a shift?

[_Cel._] He is going to a bloody business; 140
’T is pity he should die without some heir.
That lady were hard-hearted now, that would
Not help posterity, for the mere good
O’ th’ king and commonwealth.

[_Val._] Thou art wild; we may be observ’d.

_Duch._ Your will must guide me; happiness and conquest 146
Be ever waiting on his sword!

_Colum._ Farewell.
_Exeunt_ KING, COLUMBO, CARDINAL _and_ Lords.

_Duch._ Pray give leave to examine a few thoughts;
Expect[4368] me in the garden.

_Ladies._ We attend. _Exeunt_ Ladies. 150

_Duch._ This is above all expectation happy.
Forgive me, Virtue, that I have dissembled,
And witness with me, I have not a thought
To tempt or to betray him, but secure
The promise I first made, to love and honour. 155

_Re-enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO].

_Ant._ The Count d’Alvarez, madam.

_Duch._ Admit him,
And let none interrupt us. [_Exit_ ANTONIO.]—How shall I
Behave my looks? The guilt of my neglect,
Which had no seal from hence, will call up blood
To write upon my cheeks the shame and story 160
In some red letter.

_Enter_ ALVAREZ.

_Alv._ Madam, I present
One that was glad to obey your grace, and come
To know what your commands are.

_Duch._ Where I once
Did promise love, a love that had the power
And office of a priest to chain my heart 165
To yours, it were injustice to command.

_Alv._ But I can look upon you, madam, as
Becomes a servant; with as much humility,
In tenderness of your honour and great fortune,
Give up, when you call back your bounty, all that 170
Was mine, as I had pride to think them favours.

_Duch._ Hath love taught thee no more assurance in
Our mutual vows, thou canst suspect it possible
I should revoke a promise, made to heaven
And thee, so soon? This must arise from some
Distrust of thy own faith.

_Alv._ Your grace’s pardon; 176
To speak with freedom, I am not so old
In cunning to betray, nor young in time,
Not to see when and where I am at loss,
And how to bear my fortune, and my wounds, 180
Which, if I look for health, must still bleed inward,
A hard and desperate condition.
I am not ignorant your birth and greatness
Have plac’d you to grow up with the king’s grace
And jealousy, which to remove, his power 185
Hath chosen a fit object for your beauty
To shine upon, Columbo, his great favourite.
I am a man on whom but late the king
Has pleas’d to cast a beam, which was not meant
To make me proud, but wisely to direct, 190
And light me to my safety. Oh, dear madam!
I will not call more witness of my love
(If you will let me still give it that name)
Than this, that I dare make myself a loser,
And to your will give all my blessings up. 195
Preserve your greatness, and forget a trifle,
That shall, at best, when you have drawn me up,
But hang about you like a cloud, and dim
The glories you are born to.

_Duch._ Misery
Of birth and state! That I could shift into 200
A meaner blood, or find some art to purge
That part which makes my veins unequal! Yet
Those nice distinctions have no place in us;
There ’s but a shadow difference, a title:
Thy stock partakes as much of noble sap 205
As that which feeds the root of kings; and he
That writes a lord hath all the essence of
Nobility.

_Alv._ ’T is not a name that makes
Our separation; the king’s displeasure
Hangs a portent to fright us, and the matter 210
That feeds this exhalation is the Cardinal’s
Plot to advance his nephew; then Columbo,
A man made up for some prodigious act,
Is fit to be considered: in all three
There is no character you fix upon 215
But has a form of ruin to us both.

_Duch._ Then you do look on these with fear?

_Alv._ With eyes
That should think tears a duty, to lament
Your least unkind fate; but my youth dares boldly
Meet all the tyranny o’ th’ stars, whose black
Malevolence but shoots my single tragedy. 221
You are above the value of many worlds
Peopled with such as I am.

_Duch._ What if Columbo,
Engag’d to war, in his hot thirst of honour,
Find out the way to death?

_Alv._ ’T is possible. 225

_Duch._ Or say, (no matter by what art or motive,)
He give his title up, and leave me to
My own election?

_Alv._ If I then be happy
To have a name within your thought, there can 229
Be nothing left to crown me with new blessing.
But I dream thus of heaven, and wake to find
My amorous soul a mockery. When the priest
Shall tie you to another, and the joys
Of marriage leave no thought at leisure to
Look back upon Alvarez, that must wither 235
For loss of you; yet then I cannot lose
So much of what I was once in your favour,
But, in a sigh, pray still you may live happy. _Exit._

_Duch._ My heart is in a mist; some good star smile
Upon my resolution, and direct 240
Two lovers in their chaste embrace to meet!
Columbo’s bed contains my winding sheet. _Exit._