Chapter XVI: Act V: SCENE I. Laura’s Chamber

Enter _Laura_ and _Cloris_ like a Boy, as before.

_Lau._ Forward, dear _Cloris_.

_Clo._ And, Madam, ‘twas upon a Holyday,
It chanc’d Prince _Frederick_ came into our Village,
On some reports were made him of my Beauty,
Attended only by the noble _Curtius_:
They found me in the Church at my Devotion,
Whom _Frederick_ soon distinguished from the rest;
He kneel’d down by me, and instead of Prayer,
He fell to praise--but ‘twas my Beauty only;
--That I could tell you, of my strange surprize!
My Zeal was all disordered, and my Eyes
Fed on the false, not real Sacrifice.
--I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide,
Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy’d.

_Lau._ And did you know him then?

_Clo._ Not till he left me:
--But, to be short, Madam, we parted there;
But e’er he went he whisper’d in my ear,
And sigh’d, Ah, _Cloris_! e’er you do depart,
Tell me, where ‘tis you will dispose my Heart?
--Pray give me leave to visit it again,
Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain.
I, only blushing, gave him my consent;
He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went.
That night, alas, I took but little rest; }
The new and strange Disorder in my Breast }
Can, Madam, only by your self be guest. }

_Lau._ I’ll not deny that I’m a Lover too,
And can imagine what was felt by you.

_Clo._ No sooner did the welcome Day appear,
But _Lucia_ brought me word the Prince was there;
His very Name disorder’d me much more,
Than did his Sight or Touch the day before;
So soon my rising Love grew up to power,
So soon he did become my Conqueror.
--How pale and trembling, when he did appear,
I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear.
--But I’ll omit the many visits paid,
Th’ unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made,
My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ,
How all my Doubts were answer’d by his Wit;
How oft he vow’d to marry me, whilst I
Durst not believe the pleasing Perjury:
--And only tell you, that one night he came,
Led by designs of an impatient Flame;
When all the House was silently asleep,
Except my self, who Love’s sad Watch did keep;
Arm’d with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare,
His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear;
So many wild and frantick things he said,
And so much Grief and Passion too betray’d,
So often vow’d he’d finish there his Life,
If I refus’d him to become his Wife;
That I half-dying, said it should be so;
Which though I fear’d, Oh, how I wish’d it too!
Both prostrate on the Ground i’th’ face of Heaven,
His Vows to me, and mine to him were given:
--And then, oh, then, what did I not resign!
With the assurance that the Prince was mine. [Weeps.

_Lau._ Poor _Cloris_, how I pity thee!
Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor;
--_Curtius_ is banish’d, _Frederick_ still pursues me,
And by a cruel Father I’m confin’d,
And cannot go to serve my self or thee. [One knocks.

_Lor._ [Without.] Sister _Laura_, Sister.

_Lau._ It is my Brother, would he would be kind,
And set us free; he shall not see thee,
And I’ll persuade him.
[As she puts _Cloris_ into her Closet, enter _Lorenzo_ with a
Letter.

_Lor._ Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a right
_Italian_, should I grow jealous, and enrag’d at
I know not what: hah, Sister!
What are you doing here?
Open your Cabinet, and let me see’t.

_Lau._ Sir, ‘tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.

_Lor._ ‘Tis so, I care not for that, I’ll see’t.

_Lau._ Pray do not, Brother.

_Lor._ Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.

_Lau._ ‘Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince,
And he dares not take it ill. [Aside.
--Here, Sir, [Gives him the Key.

_Lor._ And here’s for you too; a Letter from _Curtius_,
And therefore I would not open it: I took it up
At the Post-house. [She reads, and seems pleas’d.
Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of hers,
And give me a slash o’er the Face for peeping
I were but rightly serv’d;
And why the Devil should I expect my Sister should
Have more Virtue than my self?
She’s the same flesh and blood: or why, because
She’s the weaker Vessel,
Should all the unreasonable burden of the Honour
Of our House, as they call it,
Be laid on her Shoulders, whilst we may commit
A thousand Villanies? but ‘tis so--
Here, open the Door;
I’ll put her before me, however.
[She opens the Door, and brings out _Cloris_.

_Lau._ Sir, ‘tis _Philibert_ from the Prince.

_Lor._ Why, how now, Youngster, I see you intend
To thrive by your many Trades;
So soon, so soon, i’faith? but, Sirrah,
This is my Sister, and your Prince’s Mistress;
Take notice of that.

_Clo._ I know not what you mean.

_Lor._ Sir, you cannot deceive me so;
And you were right serv’d, you would be made fit
For nothing but the great _Turk’s Seraglio_.

_Clo._ You mistake my business, Sir.

_Lor._ Your Blushes give you the lye, Sirrah;
But for the Prince’s sake, and another reason I have,
I will pardon you for once.

_Lau._ He has not done a fault, and needs it not.

_Lor._ Was he not alone with thee?
And is not that enough? Well, I see I am no _Italian_
In Punctillio’s of honourable Revenge.
There is but one experiment left to prove my self so;
And if that fail, I’ll e’en renounce my Country.
--Boy, harkye,--there is a certain kindness
You may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.

_Clo._ You shall command me any thing.

_Lor._ Prithee how long hast thou been set up for thy self, Hah?

_Clo._ As how, Sir?

_Lor._ Poh, thou understand’st me.

_Clo._ Indeed I do not, Sir; what is’t you mean?

_Lor._ A smooth-fac’d Boy, and ask such a Question?
Fy, fy, this Ignorance was ill counterfeited
To me that understand the World.

_Clo._ Explain your self, Sir.

_Lor._ Lookye, ten or twenty Pistoles will do you
No hurt, will it?

_Clo._ Not any, Sir.

_Lor._ Why, so, ‘tis well any thing will make thee
Apprehend.

_Clo._ I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.

_Lor._ That’s kindly said--
I see a Man must not be too easy of belief: had I been so,
This Boy would have been at, what d’ye mean, Sir?
And, Lord, I understand you not.
Well, _Philibert_, here’s earnest to bind the Bargain;
I am now in haste; when I see thee next,
I’ll tell thee more. [_Lorenzo_ whispers to _Laura_.

_Clo._ This ‘tis to be a Favourite now;
I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince,
Which I’ll be sure to do.

_Lor._ Nay, it must be done, for she has us’d me basely;
Oh, ‘tis a Baggage.

_Lau._ Let me alone to revenge you on _Isabella_,
Get me but from this Imprisonment.

_Lor._ I will: whilst I hold the old Man in a dispute,
Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay’st her home.

_Lau._ I warrant you, Sir, this was happy;
Now shall I see _Curtius_.

_Lor._ _Philibert_, I advise you to have a care of
Wenching: ‘twill spoil a good Face,
And mar your better market of the two. [Ex. _Lor._

_Lau._ Come, let us haste, and by the way, I’ll tell thee
Of a means that may make us all happy.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Grove.

Enter _Alberto_ melancholy.

_Alb._ _Antonio_ said he would be here,
I’m impatient till he come--

Enter _Antonio_.

_Ant._ _Alberto_, I have such a Project for thee!

_Alb._ Hah-- [Gazes.

_Ant._ What ails thee, art thou well?

_Alb._ No.

_Ant._ Where art thou sick?

_Alb._ At Heart, _Antonio_, poison’d by thy Jealousy;
--Oh, thou hast ruin’d me, undone my Quiet,
And from a Man of reasonable Virtue,
Hast brought me to a wild distracted Lover.

_Ant._ Explain your self.

_Alb._ Thou’st taught me, Friend, to love _Clarina_;
Not, as I promis’d thee, to feign, but so,
That I, unless I do possess that Object,
I think must die; at best be miserable.

_Ant._ How, Sir, have I done this?

_Alb._ Yes, Antonio, thou hast done this.

_Ant._ My dear _Alberto_, said you that you lov’d her?

_Alb._ Yes, _Antonio_, against my will I do;
As much against my will, as when I told her so;
Urg’d by thy needless Stratagem.

_Ant._ Name it no more, it was an idle Fault,
Which I do so repent me,
That if you find I should relapse again,
Kill me, and let me perish with my Weakness:
And were that true you tell me of your Passion,
Sure I should wish to die, to make you happy.

_Alb._ That’s kindly said, and I submit to you,
And am content to be out-done in Amity.

_Ant._ Yes, I’ll resign my Claims, and leave the World;
_Alberto_, ‘tis unkind to think I would be happy
By ways must ruin you:
But sure you tell me this, but only to afflict me.

_Alb._ ‘Tis truth, _Antonio_, I do love _Clarina;_
And, what is yet far worse for thy repose,
Believe my self so bless’d to be belov’d.

_Ant._ How, to be belov’d by her!
--Oh dire effects of Jealousy!

_Alb._ All that you saw to day was only feign’d,
To let you see, that even your Eyes and Ears
Might be impos’d upon.

_Ant._ Can it be possible!

_Alb._ And now she thinks she is enough reveng’d;
And lets you know, in her feign’d Scorn to me,
That all your Sleights and Cunnings are but vain:
She has deceiv’d them all, and by that Art,
Gives you a Confidence, and me a Heart.

_Ant._ I must confess, it is but just in her
To punish thus the Errors of my Fear;
I do forgive her, from my Soul I do.
--But, Sir, what satisfaction’s this to you?

_Alb._ _Clarina_ happy, I’ll from Court retire,
And by that Absence quench my Hopeless Fire:
War I will make my Mistress, who may be,
Perhaps, more kind than she has been to me;
Where though I cannot conquer, ‘twill allow
That I may die; that’s more than this will do.

_Ant._--Why did you, Sir, betray my Weakness to her?
Though ‘twas but what I did deserve from you.

_Alb._ By all that’s good, she knew the Plot before,
From _Isabella_, who it seems o’erheard us,
When you once press’d me to’t:
And had we wanted Virtue, thoud’st been lost.

_Ant._ I own the Crime;
And first I beg thy Pardon,
And after that will get it from _Clarina_;
Which done, I’ll wait upon thee to the Camp,
And suffer one year’s Penance for this Sin,
Unless I could divert this Resolution,
By a Proposal _Clarina_ bid me make you.

_Alb._ What was it, Sir?

_Ant._ I have a Sister, Friend, a handsome Virgin,
Rich, witty, and I think she’s virtuous too;
Return’d last Week from St. _Teresia’s_ Monastery.

_Alb._ Sure any thing that is to thee ally’d,
Must find a more than bare Respect from me;
But certain ‘tis I ne’er shall love again,
And have resolv’d never to marry any,
Where Interest, and not Love, must join our hands.

_Ant._ You cannot tell what Power there lies in Beauty;
Come, you shall see her, and if after that,
You find you cannot love her,
We’ll both to _Candia_, where we both will prove
Rivals in Honour, as we’re now in Love.
--But I’ad forgot to tell thee what I came for;
I must this Evening beg your Company,
Nay, and perhaps your Sword: come along with me,
And by the way I’ll tell you the Adventure.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. The Lodgings of _Curtius_.

Enter _Curtius_ and _Pietro_, disguis’d as before.

_Cur._ I wonder we hear no news yet of the Prince,
I hope he’ll come; _Pietro_, be the Bravoes ready,
And the Curtezans?

_Piet._ My Lord, they’ll be here immediately, all well dress’d too.

_Cur._ They be those Bravoes that belong to me?

_Piet._ Yes, Sir, the same;
But _Antonio_ is their Patron.

_Cur._ They be stout and secret; ‘tis well,
Is the Music and all things ready?
For I’ll not be seen till my Part is to be play’d.
What Arms have they?

_Piet._ Pistols, Sir, would you have other?

_Cur._ No, I have not yet consider’d how to kill him,
Nor scarce resolv’d to do so any way.
What makes this strange Irresolution in me?
--Sure ‘tis the force of sacred Amity,
Which but too strictly was observ’d by me.
--My Prince, and Friend, my Wife, and Sister too;
Shall not those last, the powerful first out-do?
My Honour, and my Love, are there ingag’d,
And here, by ties of Duty, I’m oblig’d:
I satisfy but these, if he must bleed;
But ruin the whole Dukedom in the Deed,
The hopeful Heir of all their noble Spoils,
And Joy and Recompence of all their Toils.
--Why, so was _Cloris_, _Laura_ too, to me,
Which both were ravish’d from me, Prince, by thee. [Knocks within.

_Piet._ Sir, they be the Bravoes and Curtezans. [_Pietro_ goes out.

_Cur._ ‘Tis well, I need not talk with them,
They understand their work.

_Piet._ They do, my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;
They are all _Neapolitans_, you know, Sir.

_Cur._ Are they the better for that?

_Piet._ Much, Sir, a _Venetian_ will turn to your Enemy,
If he will give him but a Souse more than you have done;
And your _Millanoise_ are fit for nothing but to
Rob the Post or Carrier; a _Genovese_ too
Will sooner kill by Usury than Sword or Pistol;
A _Roman_ fit for nothing but a Spy.

_Cur._ Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.

_Piet._ I’ll be so with my own too, Sir; and tell you,
That a _Maltan_, who pretends to so much Honour
And Gravity, are fit only to rob their Neighbours
With pretence of Piety,
--And a _Cicilian_ so taken up with Plots,
How to kill his Vice-Roy, that it keeps them
From being Rogues to a less degree.
But I have done, Sir, and beg your pardon.

_Cur._ Didst leave the Letter, I commanded thee,
For _Laura_?

_Piet._ I did, my Lord.

Enter _Lorenzo_.

_Lor._ Well, here’s the Prince just coming.

_Cor._ Pray, Sir, conduct him in,
I’m ready for him.

[Ex. _Cur._ and _Piet._

Enter the Prince, conducted by two Women in Masquerade, with
Lights, he endeavouring to take off their Masks.
[Ex. two Women.
[He walks about while this Song is singing.

_What is the recompence of War,
But soft and wanton Peace?
What the best Balsam to our Scars,
But that which _Venus_ gave to _Mars_,
When he was circled in a kind Embrace?_

_Behold a Prince, who never yet
Was vanquished in the Field;
Awhile his Glories must forget,
And lay his Laurels at the feet
Of some fair Female Power, to whom he’ll yield._

_Fred._ What’s this the Preparation?

_Lor._ Yes, so it should seem; but had you met
With so many defeats as I have done to night,
You would willingly excuse this Ceremony.

Musick for the Dance.

Enter _Antonio_ with _Ismena_, _Alberto_ with _Clarina_, _Laura_
and _Cloris_ with two Men more, and all dress’d in Masquerade,
with Vizards; they dance. The Prince sets down: the Dance being
done, they retire to one side; and _Alberto_ comes and presents
him _Clarina_, and bows and retires; who puts off her Mask, and
puts it on again, and retires.

_Fred._ She’s wondrous fair;
Sure in his whole Cabal he cannot show a fairer--

_Lor._ She resembles _Clarina_; I wish your Highness
Would see further, and then perhaps this would
Fall to my lot, for I love her for likeness sake.
[_Antonio_ presents _Ismena_, and retires as the other.

_Fred._ This I confess out-does the others;
An Innocency dwells upon her Face,
That’s strangely taking, is it not, _Lorenzo_?

_Lor._ To say truth, she is very fine indeed.
[They present _Laura_.

_Fred._ Hah! I am amaz’d; see, _Lorenzo_,
Dost thou not know that Face?

_Lor._ O’ my Conscience and Soul, ‘tis my own Sister _Laura_;
Why, how now, Mistress,
Do things go thus with you, i’faith?
[She shakes her Hand, as not understanding him.

_Ant._ Sir, she understands you not.

_Lor._ Is it not _Laura_ then?

_Ant._ No, Sir, it is a Stranger.

_Fred._ Let her be what she will, I’ll have her.
[_Fred._ seems to talk, when she answers in Grimaces.

_Lor._ There have been Examples in the World
Of the good Offices done by a Brother to a Sister;
But they are very rare here,
And therefore will surely be the more acceptable.
Well, Sir, have you fix’d, that I may chuse?

_Fred._ I have, and had he thousands more, [_Lor._ goes to _Clar._
I would refuse them all for this fair Creature.

Enter _Pietro_.

_Piet._ Sir, all things are ready as you desire,
But my Master must first speak with you alone.

_Fred._ About the Price, I’ll warrant you;
Let him come in: [All go out but _Fred_, to him _Cur._
--Are you the Master of the Ceremony?

_Cur._ I am.

_Fred._ Be speedy then, and by my Impatiency
To be with that agreeable Stranger,
Guess at my Approbation of the Ladies, and which I chuse.

_Cur._ Your mighty Heat, Sir, will be soon allay’d.

_Fred._ Shall it?

_Cur._ Yes, Sir, it shall, for you must die.

_Fred._ Sure thou art mad to tell me so, whoe’er thou be’st,
Whilst I have this about me. [Draws.

_Cur._ That, Sir, you draw in vain; stand off-- [Offers a Pistol.

_Fred._ What new conceited Preparation’s this?

_Cur._ Sir, when you know this Face, it will inform you.
[Pulls off his false Beard.

_Fred._ _Curtius_! I am betray’d, oh Villain! [Offers to fight.

_Cur._ Ho, within there--
[He calls, and all the masked Men come out, and offer their
Pistols at _Frederick_.

_Fred._ Hold, I am the Prince of _Florence_.

_Cur._ These, Sir, are Rogues, and have no sense of ought,
But Mischief in their Souls;
Gold is their Prince and God,--go, be gone-- [They withdraw.
--See, Sir, I can command them.

_Fred._ _Curtius_, why dost thou deal thus treacherously with me?
Did I not offer thee to fight thee fairly?

_Cur._ ‘Tis like the Injuries, Sir, that you have done me;
Pardon me if my Griefs make me too rude,
And in coarse terms lay all your Sins before you.
--First, Sir, you have debauch’d my lovely Sister,
The only one I had;
The Hope and Care of all our noble Family:
Thou, Prince, didst ravish all her Virtue from her,
And left her nothing but a desperate sense of Shame,
Which only serv’d to do her self that Justice,
Which I had executed, had she not prevented me.

_Fred._ In this, upon my Soul, you do me wrong.

_Cur._ Next, (Oh, how unlike a brave and generous Man!)
Without a Cause, you cast me from your Bosom;
Withdrew the Honour of your promis’d Friendship,
And made me partner in my Sister’s Fate;
Only with this difference, that she
You left to act a Murder on her self;
And mine you would have been so kind to’ve done
With your own hand, but my respect prevented it.
--Next, Sir, you ravish’d _Laura_ from me,
And under a pretence of sacred Friendship,
You prov’d your self the worst of Enemies;
And that’s a Crime you dare not say was Ignorance,
As you perhaps will plead your Sin to _Cloris_ was.

_Fred._ _Cloris_, why, what hast thou to do with _Cloris_?

_Cur._ She was my Sister, _Frederick_.

_Fred._ Thy Sister!

_Cur._ Yes, think of it well,
A Lady of as pure and noble Blood,
As that of the great Duke thy Father,
Till you, bad Man, infected it.
--Say, should I murder you for this base Action,
Would you not call it a true Sacrifice?
And would not Heaven and Earth forgive it too?

_Fred._ No, had I known that she had been thy Sister,
I had receiv’d her as a Gift from Heaven;
And so I would do still.

_Cur._ She must be sent indeed from Heaven,
If you receive her now.

_Fred._ Is _Cloris_ dead? Oh, how I was to blame! [Weeps.
--Here thou mayst finish now the Life thou threaten’st.

_Cur._ Now, Sir, you know my Justice and my Power;
Yet since my Prince can shed a Tear for _Cloris_,
I can forgive him; here, Sir,--send me to _Cloris_,
[Kneels, and offers his Sword.
That Mercy possibly will redeem the rest
Of all the Wrongs you’ve done me;
And you shall find nothing but Sorrow here,
And a poor broken Heart that did adore you.

_Fred._ Rise, _Curtius_, and divide my Dukedom with me;
Do any thing that may preserve thy Life,
And gain my Pardon; alas, thy Honour’s safe,
Since yet none knows that _Cloris_ was thy Sister,
Or if they do, I must proclaim this truth;
She dy’d thy Prince’s Wife.

_Cur._ These Tidings would be welcome to my Sister,
And I the fitting’st Man to bear that News.

[Offers to stab himself; is held by _Frederick_, _Laura_, and
_Cloris_, who come in with _Isabella_, dress’d like _Philibert_,
and the rest.

_Lau._ Stay, _Curtius_, and take me with thee in the way.

_Cur._ _Laura_, my dearest _Laura_! how came you hither?

_Lau._ Commanded by your Letter; have you forgot it?

_Fred._ _Curtius_, look here, is this not _Cloris’. Face?

_Cur._ The same; Oh my sweet Sister, is it thee?
[_Curtius_ goes to embrace her, she goes back.

_Fred._ Do not be shy, my Soul, it is thy Brother.

_Cur._ Yes, a Brother who despis’d his Life,
When he believ’d yours lost or sham’d:
But now the Prince will take a care of it.

_Clo._ May I believe my Soul so truly bless’d?

_Fred._ Yes, _Cloris_, and thus low I beg thy pardon [Kneels.
For all the Fears that I have made thee suffer.

Enter all the rest, first _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, without their
Vizors.

_Clo._ Rise, Sir, it is my Duty and my Glory.

_Alb._ Sir, we have Pardons too to beg of you.

_Fred._ _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, what, turn’d Bravoes?

_Cur._ I am amaz’d.

_Ant._ You’ll cease your Wonder, Sir, when you shall know,
--Those Braves which formerly belong’d to you,
Are now maintain’d by me; which _Pietro_ hir’d
For this night’s service; and from them we learnt
What was to be done, (though not on whom)
But that we guess’d, and thought it but our duty
To put this Cheat on _Curtius_;
Which had we seen had been resolv’d to kill you,
Had been by us prevented:
The Ladies too would needs be Curtezans
To serve your Highness.

_Fred._ I’m much oblig’d to them, as you.
--_Cloris_, a while I’ll leave thee with thy Brother,
Till I have reconcil’d thee to my Father:
To marry me, is what he long has wish’d for,
And will, I know, receive this News with Joy. [Exit Prince.

_Lor._ Here’s fine doings; what am I like to come to if he
Turn honest now? This is the worst piece of Inconstancy
He ever was guilty of; to change ones Humour, or so,
Sometimes, is nothing: but to change Nature,
To turn good on a sudden, and never give a Man
Civil warning, is a Defeat not be endur’d;
I’ll see the end on’t though. [Goes out.

_Alb._ Here, _Antonio_--imagine how I love thee,
Who make thee such a Present.
[Gives him _Clarina_, who is dressed just as _Ismena_ was, and
_Ismena_ in a Masquing Habit.

_Ant._ _Clarina_, can you pardon my Offence,
And bless me with that Love,
You have but justly taken from me?

_Clar._ You wrong me, Sir, I ne’er withdrew my Heart,
Though you, but too unkindly, did your Confidence.

_Ant._ Do not upbraid me; that I was so to blame,
Is shame enough: pray pardon, and forget it.

_Clar._ I do.

_Ant._ _Alberto_, to shew my Gratitude in what I may,
I beg you would receive _Ismena_ from me.

_Alb._ Who’s this?

_Ant._ Ismena, whom I promis’d thee.

_Alb._ It is _Clarina_; do you mock my Pain? [Shows _Ismena_.

_Ant._ By Heaven, not I; this is _Clarina_, Sir.

_Alb._ That thy Wife _Clarina!_
A Beauty which till now I never saw.

_Ant._ Sure thou art mad, didst thou not give her me but now,
And hast not entertain’d her all this night?

_Alb._ Her Habit and her Vizard did deceive me;
I took her for this lady,--Oh bless’d Mistake!

_Ism._ I see you’re in the dark, but I’ll unfold the Riddle,
--Sir, in the Passage from the Monastery,
Attended only by my Confessor,
A Gentleman, a Passenger, in the same Boat,
Address’d himself to me;
And made a many little Courtships to me:
I being veil’d, he knew not who receiv’d them,
Nor what Confusion they begot in me.
At the first sight, I grew to great esteems of him,
But when I heard him speak--
I’m not asham’d to say he was my Conqueror.

_Alb._ Oh, Madam, was it you?
Who by your Conversation in that Voyage,
Gave me Disquiets,
Which nothing but your Eyes could reconcile again?

_Ism._ ‘Twas I whom you deceiv’d with some such Language.
--After my coming home I grew more melancholy,
And by my silence did increase my Pain;
And soon _Clarina_ found I was a Lover,
Which I confess’d at last, and nam’d the Object.
She told me of your Friendship with _Antonio_,
And gave me hopes that I again should see you:
--But _Isabella_ over-heard the Plot,
Which, Sir, _Antonio_ did contrive with you,
To make a feigned Courtship to _Clarina_,
And told us all the story.

_Alb._ Oh, how I’m ravish’d with my Happiness!

_Ism._ _Clarina_, Sir, at first was much inrag’d,
And vow’d she would revenge her on _Antonio_;
But I besought her to be pleas’d again,
And said I would contrive a Counter-Plot,
Should satisfy her Honour and Revenge.
Thus, Sir, I got a Garment like to hers;
And to be courted, though but in jest, by you,
I run all hazards of my Brother’s Anger,
And your opinion of my Lightness too.

_Clar._ ‘Twas a Temptation, Sir, I would not venture on,
Lest from the reasons of a just Revenge,
And so much Beauty as _Alberto_ own’d,
My Virtue should not well secure your Interest.

_Ant._ But why, _Ismena_, was that killing Plot,
When I was hid behind the Arras? for now I confess all.

_Ism._ To make _Alberto_ confident of my Love,
And try his Friendship to the utmost point.
--_Alberto_ too I found had some reserves,
Which I believ’d his Amity to you.

_Alb._ Yes, Madam, whilst I took you for his Wife,
I thought it crime enough but to adore you;
But now I may with honour own my Passion:
I will, _Ismena_, confidently assure you,
That I will die, unless you pity me.

_Ism._ She that durst tell you, Sir, how much she lov’d,
When you believ’d it was a Sin to do so,
Will now make good that Promise with _Antonio’s_ leave.

_Ant._ With perfect Joy, _Ismena_, I resign thee,
[_Ant._ gives him _Ism._

_Alb._ By double Ties you now unite our Souls;
Though I can hardly credit what I see,
The Happiness so newly is arriv’d. [To _Ant._

Enter _Prince_, _Lorenzo_, and _Guilliam_, who comes up scraping
to _Cloris_.

_Fred._ My Father is the kindest Man on Earth,
And _Cloris_ shall be welcome to his Bosom;
Who’ll make him happy in my Reformation.
--Here, _Curtius_, take _Laura_, who, I find,
Had rather be my Sister than my Mistress:
The Duke commands it so.

_Cur._ Till you have pardon’d me my late Offences,
I must deny myself so great a Happiness. [_Cur._ kneels.

_Fred._ Rise, you have it.

Enter _Salvator_.

_Sal._ Is here not a Runegado belongs to me?

_Lau._ No, Sir, my Faith’s entire,
And _Curtius_ has the keeping of it.

_Sal._ Who made him Master of it, hau?

_Lau._ Heaven, my Inclinations and the Prince.

_Sal._ Three powerful Opposers;
Take her, since it must be so,
And mayst thou be happy with her.

_Fred._ _Alberto_, would this Court afforded
A Lady worthy thee.

_Alb._ Sir, I’m already sped, I humbly thank you.

_Lor._ Sped, quoth ye? Heaven defend
Me from such Fortune.

_Fred._ _Lorenzo_, I had forgot thee; thou shalt e’en marry too.

_Lor._ You may command me any thing but marrying.

_Isab._ What think you then of a smooth-fac’d Boy?

_Lor._ A Pox on him, sure he will not tell now, will he?

_Isab._ My Lord, I beg your leave to challenge _Lorenzo_.

_Fred._ What, to a Duel, _Philibert_?

_Lor._ _Phil._ _Phil._ hold, do not ruin the Reputation
Of a Man that has acquir’d Fame amongst the female Sex;
I protest I did but jest.

_Isab._ But, Sir, I’m in earnest with you.

_Fred._ This is not _Philibert_.

_Isab._ No, Sir, but _Isabella_--that was _Philibert_.
[Pointing to _Cloris_.

_Clo._ Yes, Sir, I was the happy Boy to be belov’d,
When _Cloris_ was forgotten.

_Fred._ Oh, how you raise my Love and Shame!
But why did _Isabella_ change her Habit?

_Clo._ Only to take my place, lest you should miss me,
Who being with _Laura_, at the Lodgings of _Clarina_,
And comparing the Words of her Letter
With what the Bravoes had confess’d to _Antonio_,
We found the Plot which was laid for you,
And join’d all to prevent it.

_Fred._ ‘Twas sure the work of Heaven.

_Isab._ And now, Sir, I come to claim a Husband here.

_Fred._ Name him, and take him.

_Isab._ _Lorenzo_, Sir.

_Lor._ Of all Cheats, commend me to a Waiting-Gentlewoman;
I her Husband?

_Ant._ I am a Witness to that Truth.

_Fred._ ‘Tis plain against you; come, you must be honest.

_Lor._ Will you compel me to’t against my will?
Oh Tyranny, consider, I am a Man of Quality and Fortune.

_Isab._ As for my Qualities, you know I have sufficient,
And Fortune, thanks to your Bounty, considerable too.

_Fred._ No matter, he has enough for both.

_Lor._ Nay, Sir, an you be against me,
‘Tis time to reform in my own defence;
But ‘tis a thing I never consider’d, or thought on.

_Fred._ Marry first, and consider afterwards.

_Lor._ That’s the usual way, I confess;
Come, _Isabella_, since the Prince commands it,
I do not love thee, but yet I’ll not forswear it;
Since a greater Miracle than that is wrought,
And that’s my marrying thee;
Well, ‘tis well thou art none of the most beautiful,
I should swear the Prince had some designs on thee else.

_Clo._ Yes, _Guilliam_, since thou hast been so faithful,
I dare assure thee _Lucia_ shall be thine.
[_Clo._ speaks aside to _Guil._ _Guil._ bows.

_Fred._ Come, my fair _Cloris_, and invest thy self
In all the Glories which I lately promis’d:
--And, Ladies, you’ll attend her to the Court,
And share the Welcomes which the Duke provides her;
Where all the Sallies of my flattering Youth
Shall be no more remember’d, but as past.
Since ‘tis a Race that must by Man be run,
I’m happy in my Youth it was begun;
It serves my future Manhood to improve,
Which shall be sacrific’d to War and Love.

_Curtain Falls._