Chapter 71

_Draws off, discovers_ Alcippus _rising from the Couch_.

_Alcip_. I cannot sleep, my Soul is so unfurnish’d Of all that Sweetness which allow’d it rest. --’Tis flown, ‘tis flown, for ever from my breast, And in its room eternal discords dwell, Such as outdo the black intrigues of Hell-- Oh my fortune--

[_Weeps, pulling out his handkerchief, drops a Picture with a Glass on the reverse_.

--What’s here? Alas, that which I dare not look on, And yet, why should I shun that Image here, Which I continually about me bear? But why, dear Picture, art thou still so gay, Since she is gone from whom those Charms were borrow’d? Those Eyes that gave this speaking life to thine, Those lovely Eyes are clos’d in endless darkness; There’s not a Star in all the face of Heaven, But now out-shines those Suns: Suns at Noon-day dispens’d not kindlier influence. And thou blest Mirror, that hast oft beheld That Face, which Nature never made a fairer; Thou that so oft her Beauties back reflected, And made her know what wondrous power there lay In every Feature of that lovely Face. But she will smile no more! no more! no more! --Why, who shall hinder her? Death, cruel Death. --’Twas I that murder’d her-- Thou lyest--thou durst as well be damn’d as touch her, She was all sacred; and that impious Hand That had profanely touch’d her, Had wither’d from the Body. --I lov’d her--I ador’d her, and could I, Could I approach her with unhallowed thoughts? --No, no, I durst not-- But as devoutest Pilgrims do the Shrine. --If I had done’t, The Gods who take the part of Innocence, Had been reveng’d-- Why did not Thunder strike me in the Action? Why, if the Gods be just, and I had done’t, Did they not suffer Earth to swallow me, Quick--quick into her bosom? --But yet I say again, it was not I, --Let me behold this face, That durst appear in such a Villany. [_He looks in the glass_.

_Enter_ Pisaro, _and_ Erminia _drest like an Angel with Wings_.

_Pis_. Look where he is.

_Er_. Alas, I tremble at the sight of him.

_Pis_. Fear nothing, Madam, I’ll be near you still.

_Er_. Pray stay a little longer.

_Alcip_.--My Face has Horror in’t pale and disfigur’d, And lean as Envy’s self-- My Eyes all bloody,--and my hanging lids Like Midnight’s mischief, hide the guilty Balls, --And all about me calls me Murderer: --Oh horrid Murderer! That very Sound tears out my hated Soul, --And to compleat my ruin, I’ll still behold this face where Murder dwells.

[_He looks in the glass_, Erminia _steals behind him, and looks into it over his shoulder; he is frighted_.

Ha--what does this Glass present me? What art thou?--speak--What art thou? [_Turns by degrees towards it_. --Sure I am fixt, what, shall the Devil fright me? --Me shall he fright, Who stood the Execution of a Murder? --But ‘tis that Shape, and not thy Nature frights me, --That calls the blood out of my panting Heart, That Traytor Heart that did conspire thy death.

_Er_. Sit down and hear me--

[_In a tone like a Spirit, and points to a Chair; soft Musick begins to play, which continues all this Scene_.

To disobey, thy punishment shall be; To live in endless torments, but ne’er die.

_Alcip_. Thou threatnest high, bold Rebel, [_He sits within the Scene, bows_.

Er. Alcippus, _tell me what you see, What is’t that I appear to be_?

_Alcip_. My blest _Erminia_ deify’d.

Er. Alcippus, _you inform me true; I am thus deify’d by you; To you I owe this blest abode, For I am happy as a God; I only come to tell thee so, And by that tale to end thy Woe; Know, Mighty Sir, your Joy’s begun, From what last night to me was done; In vain you rave, in vain you weep, For what the Gods must ever keep; In vain you mourn, in vain deplore A loss which tears can ne’er restore. The Gods their Mercies will dispense, In a more glorious Recompence; A World of Blessings they’ve in store, A World of Honours, Vict’ries more; Thou shalt the Kingdom’s Darling be, And Kings shall Homage pay to thee; Thy Sword no bounds to Conquest set, And thy Success that Sword shall whet; Princes thy Chariot-wheel shall grace, Whilst thou in Triumph bring’st home Peace.

This will the Gods; thy King yet more Will give thee what those Gods adore; And what they did create for thee_, Alcippus, _look, for that is she_.

_Enter the_ Princess, _who goes over the Stage as a Spirit, bows a little to_ Alcippus, _and goes off_.

_Alcip_. The Princess! [_He offers to rise_.

Er. _Be still; ‘tis she you must possess, ‘Tis she must make your happiness; ‘Tis she must lead you on to find Those Blessings Heaven has design’d: ‘Tis she’ll conduct you, where you’ll prove The perfect Joys of grateful Love_.

Enter _Aminta_ like Glory, _Alcander_ representing _Honour_. They pass over and bow, and go out.

_Glory and Honour wait on her_.

Enter two more representing _Mars_ and _Pallas_, bow and go out.

_With_ Pallas _and the God of War_,

Enter _Olinda_ like _Fortune_, a _Page_ like _Cupid_, bow and go out.

_Fortune and Love which ne’er agree, Do now united bow to thee. --Be wise, and of their Bounties share; For if_ Erminia _still was here, Still subject to the toils of Life, She never could have been thy Wife, Who by the Laws of Men and Heaven Was to another’s bosom given: --And what Injustice thou hast done, Was only to thy Prince alone; But he has mercy, can redeem Those Ills which thou hast done to him. --But see, they all return again_.

[All the Disguis’d enter again and dance, with _Love_ in the midst, to whom as they dance, they in order make an offer of what they carry, which must be something to represent them by; which _Love_ refuses with Nods, still pointing to _Alcippus_: the Dance done, they lay them at his feet, or seem to do so, and go out.

_What think’st thou of thy Destiny, Is’t not agreeable to thee? Tell me_, Alcippus, _is’t not brave? Is it not better than a Grave? Cast off your Tears, abandon Grief, And give what you have seen belief. Dress all your Looks, and be as gay As Virgins in the Month of_ May; _Deck up that Face where Sorrow grows, And let your Smiles adorn your brows; Recal your wonted Sweetness home, And let your Eyes all Love become: For what the Gods have willed and said, Thou hast no power to evade. What they decree none can withstand, You must obey what they command_.

[She goes out, he remains immoveable for a while.

_Enter_ Pisaro.

_Pis_. How is it, man?--what, speechless?

_Alcip_. No.

_Pis_. I left thee on the Bed, how camest thou here?

_Alcip_. I know not.

_Pis_. Have you slept?

_Alcip_. Yes, ever since you left me; And ‘twas a kindness in thee now to wake me; For Sleep had almost flatter’d me to Peace, Which is a vile injustice. Hah, _Pisaro_, I had such a Dream, Such a fine flattering Dream--

_Pis_. How was it, pray?

_Alcip_. Nay, I will forget it; I do not merit so much peace of mind, As the relation of that Dream will give me: Oh, ‘twas so perfect, too, I hardly can persuade my self I slept! Dost thou believe there may be Apparitions?

_Pis_. Doubtless, my Lord, there be.

_Alcip_. I never could believe it till this hour, By Heavens, I think I saw them too, _Pisaro_.

_Pis_. ‘Tis very possible you’re not deceiv’d.

_Alcip_. _Erminia’s_ Spirit, in a glorious form.

_Pis_. I do believe you.

_Alcip_. Why, is’t not strange?

_Pis_. It would have been, had I not heard already She has this night appear’d to several Persons, In several Shapes; the first was to the Prince; And said so many pretty things for you, As has persuaded him to pardon you.

_Alcip_. Oh Gods, what Fortune’s mine! I do believe the Prince is innocent From all that thou hast said. --But yet I wish he would dispose his Bounties On those that would return acknowledgments; I hate he should oblige me.

_Pis_. You are too obstinate, and must submit.

_Alcip_. It cannot be, and yet methinks I give A strange and sudden credit to this Spirit, It beckon’d me into another room; I’ll follow it, and know its business there. [_Aside_.

_Pis_. Come, Sir, I am a kind of Prophet, And can interpret Dreams too. We’ll walk a while, and you shall tell me all, And then I would advise you what to do.

[_Exeunt_.