Chapter III: Act III: Scene I

Aurelia's _Lodgings_.

_Enter_ Aurelia, Florella.

_Aur._ Oh! how I tremble for my dear _Bassino_!
Haste, fly, _Florella_, bring me News he lives,
Or else expect to see thy Mistress die.

_Flor._ Madam, be patient----
Consult your Reputation, and consider
That the least Noise you make on this Occasion,
Reflects upon your Virtue----

_Aur._ Away, away----Talk not of Reputation,
When Love's in t'other Scale--But what can shock my Reputation;
Heaven's my Witness, I ne'er lodg'd a Thought,
For Count _Bassino_ that could wrong my Virtue.
Perhaps the Gods pursue me with their Hatred,
Because I break my Promise to _Alonzo_.
But then, why did they not secure me his?
Why must weak Mortals be expos'd to Passions,
Which are not in our Power to subdue,
And yet account for what they prompt us to?
But I will think no more----Almighty Love,
Now hear my last Resolve----if angry Heaven
Refused to guard my dear _Bassino_'s Life,
_Aurelia_ too shall fall, and leave his Murderer
Accurst for ever----

_Enter_ Alonzo.

_Flor._ Oh! Heaven! where will this end?

_Aur._ Ha---- [_Aside._
The Gods have sent him to decide my Fate,
How now! how dare you meet my angry View?
Or think I'll e'er forgive the base Affront
This very Day you offer'd to my Fame?

_Alon._ Just Heaven refuses not a Penitent,
Therefore I cannot think that fair _Aurelia_,
Whose Charms are all divine, should fail in Goodness.
Oh! let my Love atone for my rash Deed:
The Count and I are Friends, why should _Aurelia_ be more severe?

_Aur._ He lives, blest News!
Do then rash Actions speak your Love to me?
Must I in publick bear with your Insults
Before I'm yours? what must I then expect
When the strict Ties of Marriage shall confirm
Your jealous Passions?
No, you have taught me to avoid the Shelf
I was just running on----know, base _Alonzo_,
That from this Moment I resume my Freedom,
I disengage you from your former Vows,
And will henceforth be Mistress of myself.

_Alon._ Ha---- [_Aside._
This sudden Coldness has another Spring
Than my rash Carriage----Oh! my jealous Fears;
But I'm resolv'd to trace her winding Thoughts,
And fetch the Secret forth----
Madam, I hope you do but try my Love:
I cannot think _Aurelia_ would be false.
Besides, you can't recal what's register'd in Heaven.

_Aur._ Then stay till we come there----There you'll have Witness.

_Alon._ Witness!
Oh! faithless, perjur'd Woman, can'st thou think
Upon thyself, and bid me call my Witness?
Yes, you are mine----By all the Gods you are.
And shall there be a Power on this Side Heaven,
To stop my Bliss? No----by my Love I swear.
I now can guess at your perfidious Meaning,
And tho' that cowardly Villain slily thought
To blind me with a Tale his Guilt had fram'd,
'Tis plain he is your Minion----yet wants Courage
To own his Treachery.

_Aur._ Detracting, slanderous Villain!
How dare you treat me thus?
Oh! for the Look of a fierce Basilisk,
To punish this audacious Insolence!

_Alon._ Marry thee! No----by Heavens, I'd rather
Be rack'd to Death----And for thy vile Injustice,
None shall enjoy thee, while this Sword is mine.
[_Lays hold on his Sword._
Nor shall your Lover 'scape, to serve your Lust,
Till he has forc'd a Passage thro' this Breast.
[_Points to his Breast._

_Aur._ Oh! my _Bassino_. [_Aside._
Oh! cruel Man! Are not you then contented
To wreak your Spite on poor _Aurelia_?
Why must your Rage involve the Innocent?
Oh! let me fall your Passion's Sacrifice;
Let my Blood wash the Stain you fix on me,
But do not blast your Name with base Revenge.----

_Alon._ By Heaven! she doats on him! Oh! cunning Woman!
But this Pretence won't serve to save his Life;
I'll not be caught again----No, _Syren_, no.
_Bassino_ dies----Nor will I leave to Fortune
The vengeful Stroke, but take a safer Way.

_Aur._ Oh! Heaven! [_Kneels._
What Words shall I invent to soothe his Rage, [_Aside._
And save my dear _Bassino_? Oh! _Alonzo_.
My once-lov'd Dear, will you not hear me speak?
Oh! I conjure you by our plighted Loves,
Whose Purity outshone the Stars above,
Hear me this Time, then use me as you please.

_Alon._ Oh! Woman, Woman!

_Aur._ If e'er _Aurelia_
So much as in her Thoughts did wrong _Alonzo_,
May sudden Death pursue her perjur'd Steps:
Heaven forgive [_Aside._
The Perjury, since I've no other way
To save _Bassino's_ Life.----

_Alon._ _Aurelia_, rise---- [_Raising her._
Oh! could I credit this, how happy were _Alonzo_!
But something tells me that thou art forsworn;
And yet thou seem'st as fair as Truth itself;
How is it possible that Guilt can look
With so divine a Face?

_Aur._ Oh! kill me instantly: kill me, I beg you, kill me;
Let me not linger out an Age in Pain,
For such is every Moment of your Anger;
I cannot bear to live in your Displeasure.

_Alon._ By Heaven she's true----
Hence frivolous Fears be gone----she's only mine.
Come to my Breast, my bright _Aurelia_, come. [_Embraces her._
To that soft Shrine that holds that Sacred Image,
Which triumphs o'er my Soul, and grasps it all,
I knew my boundless Treasure, and the Thought
Of losing thee had rais'd my Love to Madness.
But now I'm calm--No more shall that fierce Passion,
Rude Jealousy, disturb my peaceful Mind.
Do but forgive the Faults my Rage committed,
And you will find our Loves will grow the purer;
Just as the Sky looks brighter when the Storm
Is chas'd away, and _Phoebus_ smiles again.

_Aur._ Since both have been to blame, let it suffice,
We both repent, and will offend no more.

_Alon._ Oh! never, never,
I'll ne'er suspect you more--Only resolve me this--

_Aur._ What is it?

_Alon._ Why was _Bassino_
Admitted to your View, and I denied?

_Aur._ He came to take his Leave, and 't had been rude
Not to admit a Man of his high Birth
On this Occasion; nor was you denied,
But thro' Woman's Fears of your Suspicions.
She thought you would misconstrue the Count's Visit,
As you have really done----I blam'd her for it,
Indeed, this is the Truth--I hope _Alonzo_
Believes me now----

_Alon._ Believe Thee! Yes----As willingly as Martyrs
A State of endless Joy.
I will so love, my Dear, that all Mankind
Shall look with Envy on our mutual Bliss.
I'm like a Merchant tost at Sea by Storms,
Who his last Course with Pray'rs and Toil performs;
And the rich Cargo safely brought on Shore,
He hugs it thus, and vows to part no more. [_Embraces her._

_Aur._ So in a flow'ry Mead a Serpent lurks,
And the unwary Traveller surprizes,
Where he suspects least Danger! Cursed Cheat. [_Aside._
Oh! that I could disclose the fatal Story!
But it must never out----I beg, _Alonzo_,
You'd leave me for a while, and rest secure,
You have my Love----

_Alon._ Then the bright Sun in all his circling Turn,
Cannot behold a Man more truly happy,
What you command, I readily obey.
Farewel, my Dear. [_Exit_ Alonzo.

_Aur._ Where art thou now, _Aurelia_?
How wilt thou 'scape that dreadful Precipice,
On which thou art hurried on by thy fatal Passion?
With conscious Horror I deceiv'd _Alonzo_;
I hate this base Treachery, but 'twas unavoidable:
The Truth had been more fatal----
More fatal!----No----For I must never wed
My dear _Bassino_, whilst _Alonzo_ lives.
Oh! the distracting Thought! what shall I do?
Why! die _Aurelia_: That's the only Way,
To keep thy Vows to both--Ha----die, said I?
But whether then? who knows what Punishment,
Just Heav'n prepares for guilty Souls like mine.
But I must think no more, lest I grow mad with Thought,
If there's a Power that guards us here below,
Oh! look with pitying Eyes on poor _Aurelia_:
Appease the Tumults of my anxious Fear,
And load me with no more than I can bear.
[_Exeunt_ Aurelia, Florella.

SCENE II. _Lady_ Pizalta's _Lodgings_.

_Enter Lady_ Pizalta, Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Well, thou'rt an admirable Girl! What would half the Ladies in _Venice_ give for such a Servant?

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) Truly you have Reason to say so, for 'tis not the first Intrigue I have manag'd for you----Oh! dear Madam, your Ladyship does me too much Honour----But how do you like your new Servant, Madam?

L. _Piz._ Oh! above all Men living, _Lucy_: He has the most bewitching Conversation I ever met with----Say, is there no way to contrive a second Meeting? For I'm impatient till I see the dear Man again----The End of the Carnival draws near, which is indeed the End of Life to me: For then must I be coop'd up with Age: Condemned to an eternal Coughing, Spitting, Snoring and Ill-nature----Then let me make the best of Life----since Hell cannot have a worse Plague in Store than I have felt already.

_Luc._ Indeed, Madam, I pity you: And wish 'twere in my Power to free you from this old wither'd Log, but tho' that's impossible, yet I may do you some little Services to make Life's tedious Journey pleasant----Let me see, I have it----What would you say now, Madam, if I should contrive a Way to have your Lover in your own Chamber?

L. _Piz._ That were worth a King's Revenue----Speak, quickly, how, how, good _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Why, thus: He shall put on my Cloaths, and in my Place attend you.

L. _Piz._ Rare Contrivance! but my Husband, _Lucy_?

_Luc._ Oh! let me alone, Madam, to manage him: He is defective in Sight, you know; and not mistrusting any thing, will not be over curious: But if he should, I have a way to bring you off----My Life on't----This Plot may be of Use to my design, I'll manage it with care. [_Aside._

L. _Piz._ Oh! the Pleasure of hearing my Husband lie coughing and calling me to Bed: And my answering him, I'm coming, Dear; and while he imagines me in the next Room undressing, I'm happy in the Arms of my _Ludovico_. Certainly there's as much Satisfaction in deceiving a dull jealous Husband, as in getting a new Gallant; were it not grown so common--each Tradesman's Wife must have her Gallant too----and sometimes makes a Journeyman of the Apprentice e'er his Indentures be half out----'Tis an insufferable Fault, that Quality can have no Pleasure above the Vulgar, except it be in not paying their Debts. Well, dear _Lucy_, I admire thy Contrivance----About it instantly----

_Lucy._ (_Aside._) About it instantly! is that all? I must have my t'other Fee first.----I will, Madam; and you may expect your Lover instantly. But, Madam, what's to be done with your brocade Night-Gown you tore last Night? it can ne'er be mended handsomely.

L. _Piz._ Nothing to be done without a Bribe I find, in Love as well as Law----Well, _Lucy_, if you manage this Intrigue with Care and Secrecy, the Gown is yours.

_Enter_ Page.

_Page._ Madam, my Lord desires to speak with you.

_Lucy._ Madam, I'll go about your Business: Your Ladyship's very humble Servant. [_Exit_ Lucy.

L. _Piz._ Tell him I'm coming----[_Exit_ Page.] Now by way of Mortification, must I go entertain my old jealous Husband. [_Exit Lady_ Pizalta.

SCENE III. _The Piazza._

_Enter_ Ludovico _singing_.

_Give me but Wine, that Liquor of Life,_
_And a Girl that is wholesome and clean,_
_Two or three Friends, but the Devil a Wife,_
_And I'd not change State with a King._

_Enter_ Lucy.

_Lucy._ What singing, Signior! Well you're a pleasant Gentleman----

_Lud._ Ah! my little female _Mercury_, what Message bring'st thou? Ha----will thy Lady bless me with another Sight----Ha----How----When? where? I am all in a Flame.

_Lucy._ Come along with me, Sir, I'll help you to an Extinguisher presently.

_Lud._ If thou meanest thy Lady, with all my Heart--But I can tell thee, she'll rather prove Oil, than what you speak of----But, say, where am I to see my lovely Charmer?

_Lucy._ In her Chamber----

_Lud._ Good! But how the Devil can that be done?

_Lucy._ Nay, without the Help of a Conjuror, I assure you; if you dare take me for your Pilot, I'll warrant you Success in your Voyage----I'll set you safe in the Island of Love; 'tis your Business to improve the Soil.

_Lud._ I warrant thee, Girl; do you but bring me there once, and if I play not my Part, may I never more know the Pleasure of an Intrigue.

_Lucy._ Which, if I mistake not, is the streatest Curse can fall on you----Well, you must suffer a small Metamorphosis: What think you of personating me a little? That is, dressing in my Cloaths, and waiting on your Mistress in her Bed-chamber--Ha----

_Lud._ Egad, I'm afraid I shall make but an aukward Chamber-maid, I'm undisciplin'd in dressing a Lady's Head----

_Lucy._ Oh! Sir, your Commission won't reach so high as the Head: I believe my Lady will excuse little Matters: You can undress, I suppose.

_Lud._ Oh! the best and the quickest of any Man in _Venice_. But a Pox on't--Can'st find no other way?----I, I, I,----I like Petticoats in their proper Places, but I don't care to have my Legs in 'em.

_Lucy._ And so you resolve against it? Ha----

_Lud._ No, not absolutely resolve, Child: But--a----

_Lucy._ But what, Sir!

_Lud._ Nothing--I will follow thy Directions, whatever comes on't. Now lead the way, for nothing suits better with my Humour than a Friend, a Bottle, a new Mistress and a convenient Place. [_Exit_ Lucy, Ludovico.

SCENE IV. Pizalto's _Lodgings_.

_Enter_ Pizalto _with a Bond in his Hand_.

_Piz._ Well--My Wife's a fine Woman! a very fine Woman! But a Pox she's a Wife still, and this young Jade runs in my Head plaguily: Well----here 'tis under my Hand; a Thousand Pistoles----A great Sum for a Maidenhead, as Maidenheads go now-a-days----Ah, had I been young now.

_A Fiddle and a Treat had bore the Prize away,_
_But when we old Fools doat, they make us pay._

_Enter_ Lucy.

Oh! are you come! Here, here, _Lucy_: Here's a Fortune for thee, worth twenty Maidenheads, adod! I have not so much Money by me at present, but there's Security. [_Gives her the Bond._

_Lucy._ Your Lordship's Bond's sufficient----Well, but that I am satisfied my Reputation is safe with your Lordship, or twice the Sum should not have prevail'd--Go to my Chamber, my Lord, I'll but step and see if my Lady wants any thing, and I'll be with you instantly.

_Piz._ You won't stay, _Lucy_? Ah, Girl, buss thy Lady's Chucky; now, do now----

_Lucy._ Oh! Lord! not here, we shall be discovered.

_Piz._ Well, thou art a cunning Sinner: make haste, _Lucy_, dost hear? [_Exit_ Pizalto.

_Lucy._ You're in mighty Haste, old Gentleman! but I shall deceive you,

_My End is gain'd; I have my Fortune made,_
_Man has not me, but I have Man betray'd._

_The End of the_ THIRD ACT.