Chapter CXLII: Act III: Scene I.4380

_Enter_ VALERIA _and_ CELINDA.

_Val._ I did not think, Celinda, when I prais’d
Alvarez, to the duchess, that things thus
Would come about. What does your ladyship
Think of Columbo now? It staggers all
The court, he should forsake his mistress; I 5
Am lost with wonder yet.

_Cel._ ’T is very strange,
Without a spell; but there ’s a fate in love;—
I like him ne’er the worse.

_Enter two_ Lords.

_1 Lord._ Nothing but marriages and triumph now!

_Val._ What new access of joy makes you, my lord, 10
So pleasant?

_1 Lord._ There ’s a packet come to court
Makes the king merry: we are all concern’d in ’t.
Columbo hath given the enemy a great
And glorious defeat, and is already
Preparing to march home. 15

_Cel._ He thriv’d the better for my prayers.

_2 Lord._ You have been
His great admirer, madam.

_1 Lord._ The king longs
To see him.

_Val._ This news exalts the Cardinal.

_Enter_ Cardinal.

_1 Lord._ He ’s here!
He appears with discontent; the marriage 20
With Count d’Alvarez hath a bitter taste,
And not worn off his palate: but let us leave him.

_Cel. and Val._ We ’ll to the duchess. _Exeunt._

_Car._ He has not won so much upon the Arragon
As he has lost at home; and his neglect 25
Of what my studies had contriv’d to add
More lustre to our family by the access
Of the great duchess’ fortune, cools his triumph,
And makes me wild.

_Enter_ HERNANDO.

_Her._ My good lord Cardinal!

_Car._ You made complaint to th’ king about your general? 30

_Her._ Not a complaint, my lord: I did but satisfy
Some questions o’ the king’s.

_Car._ You see he thrives
Without your personal valour or advice,
Most grave and learned in the wars.

_Her._ My lord,
I envy not his fortune.

_Car._ ’T is above 35
Your malice, and your noise not worth his anger;
’T is barking ’gainst the moon.

_Her._ More temper would
Become that habit.

_Car._ The military thing would show some spleen.
I ’ll blow an army of such wasps about 40
The world.—Go look your sting you left i’ th’ camp, sir.

_Enter_ King _and_ Lords.

_Her._ The king!—This may be one day counted for. _Exit._

_King._ All things conspire, my lord, to make you fortunate.
Your nephew’s glory—

_Car._ ’T was your cause and justice
Made him victorious: had he been so valiant 45
At home, he had had another conquest to
Invite, and bid her welcome to new wars.

_King._ You must be reconcil’d to providence,
My lord.
I heard you had a controversy with 50
The duchess; I will have you friends.

_Car._ I am not angry.

_King._ For my sake, then,
You shall be pleas’d, and with me grace the marriage.
A churchman must show charity, and shine
With first example: she ’s a woman. 55

_Car._ You shall prescribe in all things, sir. You cannot
Accuse my love, if I still wish my nephew
Had been so happy, to be constant to
Your own, and my election; yet my brain
Cannot reach how this comes about; I know 60
My nephew lov’d her with a near affection.

_Re-enter_ HERNANDO.

_King._ He ’ll give you fair account at his return.—
Colonel, your letters may be spar’d; the general
Has finish’d, and is coming home. _Exit._

_Her._ I am glad on ’t, sir.—My good lord Cardinal, 65
’T is not impossible but some man provok’d
May have a precious mind to cut your throat.

_Car._ You shall command me, noble Colonel;
I know you wo’ not fail to be at the wedding.

_Her._ ’T is not Columbo that is married, sir.

_Car._ Go teach the postures of the pike and musket; 71
Then drill your myrmidons into a ditch,
Where starve, and stink in pickle.—You shall find
Me reasonable; you see the king expects me. [_Exit._]

_Her._ So does the devil.— 75
Some desperate hand may help you on your journey. _Exit._

[SCENE II.][4381]

_Enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO] _and_ Servants, [_with masques, dresses, etc._]

_Ant._ Here, this; ay, this will fit your part: you shall wear the
slashes, because you are a soldier. Here ’s for the blue mute.[4382]

_1 Serv._ This doublet will never fit me; pox on ’t! Are these
breeches good enough for a (5) prince too? Pedro plays but a lord,
and he has two laces more in a seam.

_Ant._ You must consider Pedro is a foolish lord; he may wear what
lace he please.

_2 Serv._ Does my beard fit my clothes well, (10) gentlemen?

_Ant._ Pox o’ your beard!

_3 Serv._ That will fright away the hair.

_1 Serv._ This fellow plays but a mute, and he is so troublesome, and
talks. 15

_3 Serv._ Master Secretary might have let Jaques play the soldier; he
has a black patch already.

_2 Serv._ By your favour, Master Secretary, I was ask’d who writ this
play for us? 20

_Ant._ For us? Why, art thou any more than a blue mute?

_2 Serv._ And, by my troth, I said, I thought it was all your own.

_Ant._ Away, you coxcomb! 25

_4 Serv._ Dost think he has no more wit than to write a comedy? My
lady’s chaplain made the play, though he is content, for the honour
and trouble of the business, to be seen in ’t.

_5 Serv._ Did anybody see my head, gentlemen? (30) ’T was here but
now.—I shall have never a head to play my part in.

_Ant._ Is thy head gone? ’T was well thy part was not in ’t. Look,
look about; has not Jaques it? 35

_4 Serv._ I his head? ’T wo’ not come on upon my shoulders.

_Ant._ Make haste, gentlemen; I ’ll see whether the king has supp’d.
Look every man to his wardrobe and his part. _Exit._ 40

_2 Serv._ Is he gone? In my mind, a masque had been fitter for a
marriage.

_4 Serv._ Why, mute? There was no time for ’t, and the scenes are
troublesome.

_2 Serv._ Half a score deal tack’d together (45) in the clouds, what
’s that? A throne, to come down and dance; all the properties have
been paid forty times over, and are in the court stock:—but the
secretary must have a play, to show his wit. 50

_4 Serv._ Did not I tell thee ’t was the chaplain’s? Hold your
tongue, mute.

_1 Serv._ Under the rose, and would this cloth of silver doublet
might never come off again, if there be any more plot than you see in
the (55) back of my hand.

_2 Serv._ You talk of a plot! I ’ll not give this for the best poet’s
plot in the world, an if it be not well carried.

_4 Serv._ Well said, mute. 60

_3 Serv._ Ha, ha! Pedro, since he put on his doublet, has repeated
but three lines, and he has broke five buttons.

_2 Serv._ I know not; but by this false beard, and here ’s hair
enough to hang a reasonable (65) honest man. I do not remember,
to say, a strong line indeed in the whole comedy, but when the
chambermaid kisses the captain.

_3 Serv._ Excellent, mute!

_5 Serv._ They have almost supp’d, and I (70) cannot find my head yet.

_4 Serv._ Play in thine own.

_5 Serv._ Thank you for that! so I may have it made a property. If I
have not a head found me, let Master Secretary play my part himself 75
without it.

_Re-enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO].

_Ant._ Are you all ready, my masters? The king is coming through the
gallery. Are the women drest?

_1 Serv._ Rogero wants a head. 80

_Ant._ Here, with a pox to you! take mine. You a player! you a
puppy-dog. Is the music ready?

_Enter_ Gentleman-Usher.

_Gent._ Gentlemen, it is my lady’s pleasure that you expect till
she call for you. There are (85) a company of cavaliers in gallant
equipage, newly alighted, have offer’d to present their Revels in
honour of this Hymen; and ’t is her grace’s command, that you be
silent till their entertainment be over. 90

_1 Serv._ Gentlemen?

_2 Serv._ Affronted?

_5 Serv._ Master Secretary, there ’s your head again; a man ’s a man.
Have I broken my sleep to study fifteen lines for an ambassador, 95
and after that a constable, and is it come to this?

_Ant._ Patience, gentlemen, be not so hot; ’t is but deferr’d, and
the play may do well enough cold. 100

_4 Serv._ If it be not presented, the chaplain will have the greatest
loss; he loses his wits. (_Hautbois._)

_Ant._ This music speaks the king upon entrance. Retire, retire, and
grumble not.
_Exeunt_ [_all but_ ANTONIO].

_Enter_ KING, CARDINAL, ALVAREZ, DUCHESS, CELINDA, VALERIA, PLACENTIA, LORDS, _and_ HERNANDO. _They being set_, _enter_ COLUMBO _and five more, in rich habits, vizarded; between every two a_ Torch-bearer. _They dance, and afterwards beckon to_ ALVAREZ, _as if desirous to speak with him_.

_Alv._ With me! (_They embrace and whisper._) 105

_King._ Do you know the masquers, madam?

_Duch._ Not I, sir.

_Car._ There ’s one,—but that my nephew is abroad,
And has more soul than thus to jig upon
Their hymeneal night, I should suspect 110
’T were he. (The Masquers _lead in_ ALVAREZ.)

_Duch._ Where ’s my Lord Alvarez? (_Recorders._[4383])

_King._ Call in the bridegroom.

_Re-enter_ COLUMBO. _Four_ Masquers _bring in_ ALVAREZ _dead_, _in one of their habits_, _and having laid him down_, _exeunt_.

_Duch._ What mystery is this?

_Car._ We want the bridegroom still. 115

_King._ Where is Alvarez?
COLUMBO _points to the body_; _they unvizard it_, _and find_ ALVAREZ
_bleeding_.

_Duch._ Oh, ’t is my lord! He ’s murder’d!

_King._ Who durst commit this horrid act?

_Colum._ I, sir. [_Throws off his disguise._]

_King._ Columbo? Ha!

_Colum._ Yes: Columbo, that dares stay 120
To justify that act.

_Her._ Most barbarous!

_Duch._ Oh, my dearest lord!

_King._ Our guard seize on them all:
This sight doth shake all that is man within me.
Poor Alvarez, is this thy wedding day? 125

_Enter_ Guard.

_Duch._ If you do think there is a Heaven, or pains
To punish such black crimes i’ th’ other world,
Let me have swift, and such exemplar justice,
As shall become this great assassinate; 129
You will take off our faith else: and, if here
Such innocence must bleed, and you look on,
Poor men, that call you gods on earth, will doubt
To obey your laws, nay, practise to be devils,
As fearing, if such monstrous sins go on,
The saints will not be safe in Heaven.

_King._ You shall, 135
You shall have justice.

_Car._ [_Aside._] Now to come off were brave.

_Enter_ Servant.

_Serv._ The masquers, sir, are fled; their horse, prepar’d
At gate, expected to receive ’em, where
They quickly mounted: coming so like friends,
None could suspect their haste, which is secur’d 140
By advantage of the night.

_Colum._ I answer for ’em all; ’t is stake enough
For many lives: but if that poniard
Had voice, it would convince they were but all
Spectators of my act. And now, if you 145
Will give your judgments leave, though at the first
Face of this object your cool bloods were frighted,
I can excuse this deed, and call it justice;
An act your honours and your office, sir,
Is bound to build a law upon, for others 150
To imitate. I have but took his life,
And punish’d her with mercy, who had both
Conspir’d to kill the soul of all my fame.
Read there; and read an injury as deep
In my dishonour, as the devil knew 155
A woman had capacity or malice
To execute: read there, how you were cozen’d, sir.
[_Gives the_ DUCHESS’S _letter to the_ KING.]
Your power affronted, and my faith; her smiles,
A juggling witchcraft to betray, and make
My love her horse to stalk withal, and catch 160
Her curled minion.

_Car._ Is it possible
The duchess could dissemble so, and forfeit
Her modesty with you, and to us all?
Yet I must pity her. My nephew has
Been too severe; though this affront would call 165
A dying man from prayers, and turn him tiger;
There being nothing dearer than our fame,
Which, if a common man, whose blood has no
Ingredient of honour, labour to
Preserve, a soldier (by his nearest tie 170
To glory) is, above all others, bound
To vindicate:—and yet it might have been
Less bloody.

_Her._ Charitable devil!

_King._ [_Reads._] “I pray, my lord, release under your hand, what
you dare challenge in (175) my love or person, as a just forfeit to
myself; this act will speak you honourable to my thoughts; and when
you have conquered thus yourself, you may proceed to many victories,
and after, with safety of your fame, visit (180) again The lost
Rosaura.”
To this your answer was a free resign?

_Colum._ Flatter’d with great opinion of her faith,
And my desert of her (with thought that she,
Who seem’d to weep and chide my easy will 185
To part with her, could not be guilty of
A treason, or apostasy so soon,
But rather meant this a device to make
Me expedite the affairs of war), I sent
That paper, which her wickedness, not justice,
Applied (what I meant trial,) her divorce. 191
I lov’d her so, I dare call heaven to witness,
I knew not whether I lov’d most; while she,
With him, whose crimson penitence I provok’d,[4384]
Conspir’d my everlasting infamy: 195
Examine but the circumstance.

_Car._ ’T is clear;
This match was made at home, before she sent
That cunning writ, in hope to take him off,
As knowing his impatient soul would scorn
To own a blessing came on crutches to him. 200
It was not well to raise his expectation,
(Had you, sir, no affront?) to ruin him
With so much scandal and contempt.

_King._ We have
Too plentiful a circumstance to accuse
You, madam, as the cause of your own sorrows; 205
But not without an accessory more
Than young Alvarez.

_Car._ Any other instrument?

_King._ Yes; I am guilty, with herself, and Don
Columbo, though our acts look’d several ways,
That thought a lover might so soon be ransom’d;[4385] 210
And did exceed the office of a king,
To exercise dominion over hearts,
That owe to the prerogative of Heaven
Their choice or separation: you must, therefore,
When you do kneel for justice and revenge, 215
Madam, consider me a lateral agent
In poor Alvarez’ tragedy.

_1 Lord._ It was your love to Don Columbo, sir.

_Her._ So, so! the king is charm’d. Do you observe
How, to acquit Columbo, he would draw 220
Himself into the plot. Heaven, is this justice?

_Car._ Your judgment is divine in this.

_King._ And yet
Columbo cannot be secure, and we
Just in his pardon, that durst make so great
And insolent a breach of law and duty. 225

_2 Lord._ Ha! will he turn again?

_King._ And should we leave
This guilt of blood to Heaven, which cries, and strikes
With loud appeals the palace of eternity;
Yet here is more to charge Columbo than
Alvarez’ blood, and bids me punish it, 230
Or be no king.

_Her._ ’Tis come about, my lords.

_King._ And if I should forgive
His timeless[4386] death, I cannot the offence,
That with such boldness struck at me. Has my
Indulgence to your merits, which are great, 235
Made me so cheap, your rage could meet no time
Nor place for your revenge, but where my eyes
Must be affrighted, and affronted with
The bloody execution? This contempt
Of majesty transcends my power to pardon, 240
And you shall feel my anger, sir.

_Her._ Thou shalt
Have one short prayer more for that.

_Colum._ Have I,
I’ th’ progress of my life,
No actions to plead me up deserving
Against this ceremony?[4387]

_Car._ Contain yourself. 245

_Colum._ I must be dumb then. Where is honour,
And gratitude of kings, when they forget
Whose hand secur’d their greatness? Take my head off;
Examine then which of your silken lords,
As I have done, will throw himself on dangers;
Like to a floating island move in blood; 251
And where your great defence calls him to stand
A bulwark, upon his bold breast to take
In death, that you may live:—but soldiers are
Your valiant fools, whom, when your own securities 255
Are bleeding, you can cherish; but when once
Your state and nerves are knit, not thinking when
To use their surgery again, you cast
Them off, and let them hang in dusty armories,
Or make it death to ask for pay.

_King._ No more; 260
We thought to have put your victory and merits
In balance with Alvarez’ death, which, while
Our mercy was to judge, had been your safety;
But the affront to us, made greater by
This boldness to upbraid our royal bounty, 265
Shall tame, or make you nothing.

_Lord._ Excellent!

_Her._ The Cardinal is not pleas’d.

_Car._ Humble yourself
To th’ king.

_Colum._ And beg my life? Let cowards do ’t
That dare not die; I’ll rather have no head 269
Than owe it to his charity.

_King._ To th’ castle with him!—
[COLUMBO is _led off by the_ Guard.]

Madam, I leave you to your grief, and what
The king can recompense to your tears, or honour 272
Of your dead lord, expect.

_Duch._ This shows like justice. _Exeunt._