ACT II

[SCENE I.][4369]

General COLUMBO, HERNANDO, _two_ Colonels, ALPHONSO, _two_ Captains, _and other_ Officers, _as at a Council of War_.

_Colum._ I see no face in all this council that Hath one pale fear upon ’t, though we arriv’d not So timely to secure the town, which gives Our enemy such triumph.

_1 Col._ ’T was betray’d.

_Alph._ The wealth of that one city 5 Will make the enemy glorious.[4370]

_1 Col._ They dare Not plunder it.

_Alph._ They give fair quarter yet: They only seal up men’s estates, and keep Possession for the city’s use: they take up No wares without security; and he, 10 Whose single credit will not pass, puts in Two lean comrades, upon whose bonds ’t is not Religion to deny ’em.

_Colum._ To repair this With honour, gentlemen?

_Her._ My opinion is To expect awhile.

_Colum._ Your reason?

_Her._ Till their own 15 Surfeit betray ’em; for their soldier[s,] Bred up with coarse and common bread, will show Such appetites on the rich cates they find. They ’ll spare our swords a victory, when their own Riot and luxury destroys ’em.

_Col._ That 20 Will show our patience too like a fear. With favour of his excellence, I think The spoil of cities takes not off the courage, But doubles it on soldiers; besides, While we have tameness to expect, the noise 25 Of their success and plenty will increase Their army.

_Her._ ’T is considerable; we do not Exceed in foot or horse, our muster not ’Bove sixteen thousand both; and the infantry Raw, and not disciplin’d to act.

_Alph._ Their hearts, 30 But with a brave thought of their country’s honour, Will teach ’em how to fight, had they not seen A sword. But we decline[4371] our own too much; The men are forward in their arms, and take The use[4372] with avarice of fame. _They rise_, _and talk privately_.

_Colum._ —Colonel, 35 I do suspect you are a coward.

_Her._ Sir!

_Colum._ Or else a traitor; take your choice. No more. I call’d you to a council, sir, of war; Yet keep your place.

_Her._ I have worn other names.

_Colum._ Deserve ’em. Such 40 Another were enough to unsoul an army. Ignobly talk of patience, till they drink And reel to death! We came to fight, and force ’em To mend their pace: thou hast no honour in thee, Not enough noble blood to make a blush 45 For thy tame eloquence.

_Her._ My lord, I know My duty to a general: yet there are Some that have known me here. Sir, I desire To quit my regiment.

_Colum._ You shall have license.— Ink and paper! 50

[_Enter_ Attendant _with ink and paper_, _and exit_.]

_1 Col._ The general ’s displeas’d.

_2 Col._ How is ’t, Hernando?

_Her._ The general has found out employment for me; He is writing letters back.

_Alph. and Capt._ To his mistress?

_Her._ Pray do not trouble me; yet, prithee, speak, And flatter not thy friend. Dost think I dare 55 Not draw my sword, and use it, when a cause, With honour, calls to action?

_Alph. and Col._ With the most valiant man alive.

_Her._ You ’ll do me some displeasure in your loves: Pray to your places. 60

_Colum._ So; bear those letters to the king; They speak my resolution, before Another sun decline, to charge the enemy.

_Her._ [_Aside._] A pretty court way Of dismissing an officer.—I obey; success 65 Attend your counsels! _Exit._

_Colum._ If here be any dare not look on danger, And meet it like a man, with scorn of death, I beg his absence; and a coward’s fear Consume him to a ghost!

_1 Col._ None such [are] here. 70

_Colum._ Or, if in all your regiments you find One man that does not ask to bleed with honour, Give him a double pay to leave the army; There ’s service to be done will call the spirits And aid of men.

_1 Col._ You give us all new flame, 75

_Colum._ I am confirm’d, and you must lose no time; The soldier that was took last night, to me Discover’d their whole strength, and that we have A party in the town. The river, that Opens the city to the west, [’s] unguarded;— 80 We must this night use art and resolution We cannot fall ingloriously.

_1 Capt._ That voice Is every man’s.

_Enter_ Soldier _and_ Secretary [ANTONIO] _with a letter_.

_Colum._ What now?

_Sold._ Letters. 85

_Colum._ Whence?

_Sold._ From the duchess.

_Colum._ They are welcome.— [_Takes the letter._] Meet at my tent again this evening; Yet stay, some wine.—The duchess’ health! [_Drinks._] 90 See it go round. [_Opens the letter._]

_Ant._ It wo’ not please his excellence.

_1 Col._ The duchess’ health! [_Drinks._]

_2 Capt._ To me! more wine.

_Ant._ The clouds are gathering, and his eyes shoot fire; 95 Observe what thunder follows.

_2 Capt._ The general has but ill news. I suspect The duchess sick, or else the king.

_1 Capt._ May be The Cardinal.

_2 Capt._ His soul has long been look’d for.

_Colum._ She dares not be so insolent. It is 100 The duchess’ hand. How am I shrunk in fame To be thus play’d withal! She writes, and counsels, Under my hand, to send her back a free Resign of all my interest to her person, Promise, or love; that there ’s no other way, With safety of my honour, to revisit her. 106 The woman is possest with some bold devil, And wants an exorcism; or, I am grown A cheap, dull, phlegmatic fool, a post that ’s carv’d I’ th’ common street, and holding out my forehead 110 To every scurril wit to pin disgrace And libels on ’t.—Did you bring this to me, sir? My thanks shall warm your heart. _Draws a pistol._

_Ant._ Hold, hold! my lord! I know not what provokes this tempest, but Her grace ne’er show’d more freedom from a storm 115 When I receiv’d this paper. If you have A will to do an execution, Your looks, without that engine, sir, may serve.— I did not like the employment.

_Colum._ Ha! had she No symptom, in her eye or face, of anger, 120 When she gave this in charge?

_Ant._ Serene, as I Have seen the morning rise upon the spring; No trouble in her breath, but such a wind As came to kiss, and fan the smiling flowers.

_Colum._ No poetry.

_Ant._ By all the truth in prose, 125 By honesty, and your own honour, sir, I never saw her look more calm and gentle.

_Colum._ I am too passionate; you must forgive me. I have found it out; the duchess loves me dearly; She exprest a trouble in her when I took 130 My leave, and chid me with a sullen eye: ’T is a device to hasten my return; Love has a thousand arts. I ’ll answer it Beyond her expectation, and put Her soul to a noble test.—Your patience, gentlemen; 135 The king’s health will deserve a sacrifice Of wine. [_Retires to the table and writes._]

_Ant._ [_Aside._] I am glad to see this change, and thank my wit For my redemption.

_1 Col._ Sir, the soldier’s curse On him loves not our master!

_2 Col._ And they curse 140 Loud enough to be heard.

_2 Capt._ Their curse has the nature of gunpowder.

_Ant._ They do not pray with half the noise.

_1 Col._ Our general is not well mixt; He has too great a portion of fire. 145

_2 Col._ His mistress cool him, (her complexion Carries some phlegm,) when they two meet in bed!

_2 Capt._ A third may follow.

_1 Capt._ ’T is much pity 149 The young duke liv’d not to take the virgin off.

_1 Col._ ’T was the king’s act, to match two rabbit-suckers.[4373]

_2 Col._ A common trick of state; The little great man marries, travels then Till both grow up, and dies when he should do The feat; these things are still unlucky 155 On the male side.

_Colum._ This to the duchess’ fair hand. [_Gives_ ANTONIO _a letter._]

_Ant._ She will think Time hath no wing, till I return. [_Exit._]

_Colum._ Gentlemen, Now each man to his quarter, and encourage The soldier. I shall take a pride to know 160 Your diligence, when I visit all your Several commands.

_All._ We shall expect.

_2 Col._ And move By your directions.

_Colum._ Y’ are all noble. _Exeunt._

[SCENE II.][4374]

_Enter_ CARDINAL, DUCHESS, _and_ PLACENTIA.

_Car._ I shall perform a visit daily, madam, In th’ absence of my nephew, and be happy If you accept my care.

_Duch._ You have honour’d me; And if your entertainment have not been Worthy your grace’s person, ’t is because 5 Nothing can reach it in my power; but where There is no want of zeal, other defect Is only a fault to exercise your mercy.

_Car._ You are bounteous in all. I take my leave, My fair niece, shortly, when Columbo has 10 Purchas’d more honours to prefer his name And value to your noble thoughts; meantime, Be confident you have a friend, whose office And favour with the king shall be effectual To serve your grace.

_Duch._ Your own good deeds reward you, 15 Till mine rise equal to deserve their benefit.— _Exit_ CARDINAL. Leave me awhile.— _Exit_ PLACENTIA. Do not I walk upon the teeth of serpents, And, as I had a charm against their poison, Play with their stings? The Cardinal is subtle, Whom ’t is not wisdom to incense, till I 21 Hear to what destiny Columbo leaves me. May be the greatness of his soul will scorn To own what comes with murmur;—if he can Interpret me so happily.—Art come? 25

_Enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO] _with a letter_.

_Ant._ His excellence salutes your grace.

_Duch._ Thou hast A melancholy brow. How did he take my letter?

_Ant._ As he would take a blow; with so much sense Of anger, his whole soul boil’d in his face; And such prodigious flame in both his eyes, 30 As they ’d been th’ only seat of fire, and at Each look a salamander leaping forth, Not able to endure the furnace.

_Duch._ Ha! thou dost Describe him with some horror.

_Ant._ Soon as he Had read again, and understood your meaning, 35 His rage had shot me with a pistol, had not I us’d some soft and penitential language, To charm the bullet.

_Duch._ Wait at some more distance.— My soul doth bathe itself in a cold dew; Imagine I am opening of a tomb; [_Opens the letter._] 40 Thus I throw off the marble, to discover What antic posture death presents in this Pale monument to fright me.—Ha! _Reads._ My heart, that call’d my blood and spirits to Defend it from the invasion of my fears, 45 Must keep a guard about it still, lest this Strange and too mighty joy crush it to nothing.— Antonio.

_Ant._ Madam.

_Duch._ Bid my steward give thee Two thousand ducats. Art sure I am awake?

_Ant._ I shall be able to resolve you, madam, 50 When he has paid the money.

_Duch._ Columbo now is noble. _Exit._

_Ant._ This is better Than I expected,—if my lady be Not mad, and live to justify her bounty. _Exit._

[SCENE III.][4375]

_Enter_ KING, ALVAREZ, HERNANDO, _and_ Lords.

_King._ The war is left to him; but we must have You reconcil’d, if that be all your difference. His rage flows like a torrent, when he meets With opposition; leave to wrastle with him, And his hot blood retreats into a calm, 5 And then he chides his passion. You shall back With letters from us.

_Her._ Your commands are not To be disputed.

_King._ Alvarez. [_Takes him aside._]

_1 Lord._ Lose not Yourself by cool submission; he will find His error, and the want of such a soldier. 10

_2 Lord._ Have you seen the Cardinal?

_Her._ Not yet.

_1 Lord._ He wants no plot—

_Her._ The king I must obey; But let the purple gownman place his engines I’ th’ dark, that wound[4376] me.

_2 Lord._ Be assur’d Of what we can to friend you; and the king 15 Cannot forget your service.

_Her._ I am sorry For that poor gentleman.

_Alv._ I must confess, sir, The duchess has been pleas’d to think me worthy Her favours, and in that degree of honour That has oblig’d my life to make the best 20 Return of service, which is not, with bold Affiance in her love, to interpose Against her happiness, and your election. I love so much her honour, I have quitted 24 All my desires; yet would not shrink to bleed Out my warm stock of life, so the last drop Might benefit her wishes.

_King._ I shall find A compensation for this act, Alvarez; It hath much pleased us.

_Enter_ DUCHESS _with a letter_; Gentleman-Usher.

_Duch._ Sir, you are the king, And in that sacred title it were sin 30 To doubt a justice: all that does concern My essence in this world, and a great part Of the other’s bliss, lives in your breath.

_King._ What intends the duchess?

_Duch._ That will instruct you, sir. [_Gives the letter._]—Columbo has, 35 Upon some better choice, or discontent, Set my poor soul at freedom.

_King._ ’T is his character. _Reads._ “Madam, I easily discharge all my pretensions to your love and person; I leave you to your own choice; and in what you have obliged yourself to me, resume a power to cancel, if you please. 41 Columbo.” This is strange!

_Duch._ Now do an act to make Your chronicle belov’d and read for ever.

_King._ Express yourself.

_Duch._ Since by divine infusion,— 45 For ’t is no art could force the general to This change, second this justice, and bestow The heart you would have given from me, by Your strict commands to love Columbo, where ’T was meant by Heaven; and let your breath return 50 Whom you divorc’d, Alvarez, mine.

_Lords._ This is But justice, sir.

_King._ It was decreed above; And since Columbo has releas’d his interest, Which we had wrought him, not without some force Upon your will, I give you your own wishes: 55 Receive your own Alvarez. When you please To celebrate your nuptial, I invite Myself your guest.

_Duch._ Eternal blessings crown you!

_All._ And every joy your marriage! _Exit_ KING, _who meets the_ CARDINAL; _they converse_.

_Alv._ I know not whether I shall wonder most, 60 Or joy to meet this happiness.

_Duch._ Now the king Hath planted us, methinks we grow already, And twist our loving souls, above the wrath Of thunder to divide us.

_Alv._ Ha! the Cardinal Has met the king! I do not like this conference; 65 He looks with anger this way. I expect A tempest.

_Duch._ Take no notice of his presence; Leave me to meet, and answer it. If the king Be firm in ’s royal word, I fear no lightning. Expect me in the garden.

_Alv._ I obey; 70 But fear a shipwrack on the coast. _Exit._

_Car._ Madam.

_Duch._ My lord.

_Car._ The king speaks of a letter that has brought A riddle in ’t.

_Duch._ ’T is easy to interpret. 74

_Car._ From my nephew? May I deserve the favour? [DUCHESS _gives him the letter_.]

_Duch._ [_Aside._] He looks as though his eyes would fire the paper. They are a pair of burning glasses, and His envious blood doth give ’em flame.

_Car._ [_Aside._] What lethargy could thus unspirit him? I am all wonder.—Do not believe, madam, 80 But that Columbo’s love is yet more sacred To honour and yourself, than thus to forfeit What I have heard him call the glorious wreath To all his merits, given him by the king, From whom he took you with more pride than ever 85 He came from victory: his kisses hang Yet panting on your lips; and he but now Exchang’d religious farewell to return, But with more triumph, to be yours.

_Duch._ My lord, You do believe your nephew’s hand was not 90 Surpris’d or strain’d to this?

_Car._ Strange arts and windings in the world! most dark And subtle progresses! Who brought this letter?

_Duch._ I enquir’d not his name; I thought it not Considerable[4377] to take such narrow knowledge.

_Car._ Desert and honour urg’d it here, nor can 96 I blame you to be angry; yet his person Oblig’d you should have given a nobler pause, Before you made your faith and change so violent, From his known worth, into the arms of one, However fashioned to your amorous wish, 101 Not equal to his cheapest fame, with all The gloss of love and merit.

_Duch._ This comparison, My good lord Cardinal, I cannot think Flows from an even justice; it betrays 105 You partial where your blood runs.

_Car._ I fear, madam, Your own takes too much license, and will soon Fall to the censure of unruly tongues. Because Alvarez has a softer cheek, Can, like a woman, trim his wanton hair, 110 Spend half a day with looking in the glass To find a posture to present himself, And bring more effeminacy than man, Or honour, to your bed, must he supplant him? Take heed, the common murmur, when it catches 115 The scent of a lost fame—

_Duch._ My fame, lord Cardinal? It stands upon an innocence as clear As the devotions you pay to Heaven. I shall not urge, my lord, your soft indulgence At my next shrift.

_Car._ You are a fine court lady! 120

_Duch._ And you should be a reverend churchman.

_Car._ One That, if you have not thrown off modesty, Would counsel you to leave Alvarez.

_Duch._ ’Cause You dare do worse than marriage, must not I Be admitted what the church and law allows me? 125

_Car._ Insolent! Then you dare marry him?

_Duch._ Dare! Let your contracted flame and malice, with Columbo’s rage, higher than that, meet us When we approach the holy place, clasp’d hand In hand we ’ll break through all your force, and fix 130 Our sacred vows together there.

_Car._ I knew When, with as chaste a brow, you promis’d fair To another. You are no dissembling lady!

_Duch._ Would all your actions had no falser lights About ’em! 135

_Car._ Ha!

_Duch._ The people would not talk, and curse so loud.

_Car._ I ’ll have you chid into a blush for this.

_Duch._ Begin at home, great man, there ’s cause enough: You turn the wrong end of the perspective[4378] 140 Upon your crimes, to drive them to a far And lesser sight; but let your eyes look right, What giants would your pride and surfeit seem! How gross your avarice, eating up whole families! How vast are your corruptions and abuse 145 Of the king’s ear! at which you hang a pendant, Not to adorn, but ulcerate, while the honest Nobility, like pictures in the arras, Serve only for court ornament. If they speak, ’T is when you set their tongues, which you wind up 150 Like clocks, to strike at the just hour you please. Leave, leave, my lord, these usurpations, And be what you were meant, a man to cure, Not let in, agues to religion: Look on the church’s wounds.

_Car._ You dare presume, 155 In your rude spleen to me, to abuse the church?

_Duch._ Alas, you give false aim, my lord; ’t is your Ambition and scarlet sins, that rob Her altar of the glory, and leave wounds Upon her brow; which fetches grief and paleness 160 Into her cheeks, making her troubled bosom Pant with her groans, and shroud her holy blushes Within your reverend purples.

_Car._ Will you now take breath?

_Duch._ In hope, my lord, you will behold yourself In a true glass, and see those injust acts 165 That so deform you, and by timely cure Prevent a shame, before the short-haired men[4379] Do crowd and call for justice; I take leave. _Exit._

_Car._ This woman has a spirit, that may rise To tame the devil’s: there ’s no dealing with Her angry tongue; ’t is action and revenge 171 Must calm her fury. Were Columbo here, I could resolve; but letters shall be sent To th’ army, which may wake him into sense Of his rash folly, or direct his spirit 175 Some way to snatch his honour from this flame. All great men know the soul of life is fame. _Exit._