In her undoing; but my heart has none; Car. Why, so, I mean. These hardships, that my father lays upon her, Vil. She is above her fortune. Car. Try her again. Women commonly love No, though I live but in the hopes of her, Of what I wish, than have the blessing mine, When a clear gen'rous choice bestows her on me, I would not have it, but to value it. Enter SAMPSON. Samp. Why, truly, very little to the purpose. like a Jew as he is, he says you have had moro already than the jewels ar worth: he wishes you would rather think of redeeming 'em, than expect any more money upon 'em. [Exit SAMPSON. Isa. So:-poverty at home, and debts abroad! This ring is all I have left of value now; 'Twill stop the cries of hunger for a time; Manage it as the last remaining friend That would relieve us. [Exit Nurse.] Heav'n can Where we shall find another [goes back and sits.] Car. Take your own way; remember, what I The labour of his birth was lighter to me Came from a friend. Vil. I understand it so. I'll serve her for herself, without the thought [Exit. Car. Agree that point between you. I must keep up appearances with her too. [Exit. SCENE II.-A Room in ISABELLA's House. Than of my fondness now; my fears for him Enter Nurse. Nurse. Oh, madam! you are utterly ruined and undone; your creditors of all kinds are come in upon you; they have mustered up a regiment of rogues, that are come to plunder your house, and seize upon all you have in the world: they are ISABELLA sitting, and Nurse discovered. ISABELLA's below. What will you do, madam? Son at play. Isa. Sooner, or later, all things pass away, Swallows distinction first, that made us foes; Nurse. Good madam, be comforted. [Weeping. Isa. [Rises.] Do I deserve to be this outcast Abandon'd thus, and lost? But 'tis my lot, The violence of your wrath; but spare my child: Nurse. I can work, or beg, to do you service. What I have been, I might the better bear Isa. Do nothing! no, for I am born to suffer. Enter CARLOS, hastily.-Nurse goes back. Do not think I am akin to his barbarity. Of any way that I may serve you in? For disobeying him; do not you stay Determine for me; I shall be prepared. [Exit, [Erit.-Nurse follows, leading the Child. SCENE III.-Antechamber in Isabella's House The debt in all is but four thousand crowns Were it ten times the sum, I think you know Car. Thus far all's well And now my sister comes to crown the work. Isa. [Without.] Where are these rav'ning bloodhounds, that pursue In a full cry, gaping to swallow me? Enter ISABELLA, Nurse, and Child.-Nurse and I meet your rage, and come to be devoured; Cur. Have patience. Isa. Patience! Vil. I'm most unhappy that my services (If that can make you any, that can please you) [Aside. Vil. Nay, if the blessing of my looking on you Disturbs your peace, I will do all I can To keep away, and never see you more. Car. [Stopping him.] You must not go. Vil. Could Isabella speak [Going. Those few short words, I should be rooted here, throw away A fortune that invites you to be happy. In your extremity he begs your love; And has deserved it nobly. Think upon Car. You have discharged your duty to the dead, [To the Child. Car. He wants a father to protect his youth, And rear him up to virtue: you must bear The future blame, and answer to the world, When you refuse the easy, honest means Of taking care of him. Isa. Do not think I need Your reasons to confirm my gratitude. -- If possible, to make you a return. Isa. It cannot be your way: my pleasures are Buried, and cold in my dead husband's grave; And I should wrong the truth, myself, and yor, To say that I can ever love again. I owe this declaration to myself. But as a proof that I owe all to you, If, after what I have said, you can resolve To think me worth your love-[VILLEROY advances to her.]-Where am I going? You cannot think it; 'tis impossible. Isa. You should not ask me now, nor should grant ; I am so much obliged, that to consent You would not wish to think I could be bought. To bargain for you? Not in Fortune's power. [Following her. Since you consent to hear me, hear me now; [Takes her hand. To get the better of me, and you shall; I will be yours. [CARLOS exults apart. Vil. I take you at your word. Isa. I give you all, My hand and would I had a heart to give : Vil. Oh ecstacy of joy! Leave that to me. If all my services, [Exeunt Nurse and Child And may'st thou ever feel those inward joys, Te must not let resentment choke our justice; I will be sure my interest will not suffer 199 Is man! My father here, who boasts his honour, [Erit. Vil [Rises.] I thank you for this proof of your affection. Whose name brings tears), when wedded to this I am so much transported with the thoughts woman, By me abandon'd, sunk the little fortune lis uncle left, in vanity and fondness: I am possess'd of those your brother's papers, Which now are Villeroy's, and, should aught remain, In justice it is his; from me to him them, Of what I am, I know not what I do. My Isabella! but, possessing her, Who would not lose himself?Where's Carlos now? Methinks I am but half myself without him. Maur. This is wonderful! married, and yet in raptures. Vil. Oh! when you all get wives, and such as mine (If such another woman can be found), You will rave too, dote on the dear content, And prattle in their praise out of all bounds. Enter ISABELLA and Child. My Isabella! Oh, the joy of my heart, I durst not ask, but it was kind to grant, I would not bring ill-luck along with me. Vil. Oh! if your melancholy thoughts could change With shifting of your dress-Time has done cures Incredible this way, and may again. Isa. I could have wish'd, if you had thought it fit, Our marriage had not been so public. Vil. Do not you grudge me my excess of love; That was a cause it could not be conceal'd: Besides, 'twould injure the opinion I have of my good fortune, having you; Enter CARLOS. Vil. My Carlos too, who came in to the support Of our bad fortune, has an honest right, In better times to share the good with us. Car. I come to claim that right, to share your joy; To wish you joy; and find it in myself; [Leads the Child, and appears to fondle him. Vil. He must be a friend indeed, Who is not envious of a happiness [Music flourish. I see you mean a second entertainment. Isa. I feel their favours with a grateful heart, And willingly comply. [VILLEROY, ISABELLA, CARLOS, and Child sit; attendants stand at their backs. EPITHALAMIUM. Man. Ye love-wing'd hours, your flight, Bring every soft delight T soothe the brave and fair. DUET. Take the gifts the gods intend ye; Oh, the raptures of possessing, SCENE III.A Room. Enter SAMPSON and Nurse, laughing. Samp. Ay, marry, nurse, here's a master, indeed? He'll double our wages for us! If he comes on as fast with my lady as he does with his servants, we are all in the way to be well pleased. Nurse. He's in a rare humour; if she be in as good a one Samp. If she be, marry, we may e'en say, they have begot it upon one another. your old Count? You thought your throat cut, I Nurse. Well; why don't you go back again to warrant you, to be turned out of a nobleman's service. Samp. For the future, I will never serve in a house where the master or mistress of it lie single: they are out of humour with every body when they are not pleased themselves. Now, this matrimony makes every thing go well. There's mirth and money stirring about when those matters go on as they should do. Nurse. Indeed, this matrimony, Sampson— Samp. Ah, nurse! this matrimony is a very good thing- -but what, now my lady is married, I hope we shall have company come to the house: there's something always coming from one gentleman or other upon those occasions, if my lady loves company. This feasting looks well, nurse. Nurse. Odso, my master! we must not be seen. [Exeunt. Enter VILLEROY, with a letter, and ISABELLA. Vil. I must away this moment--see his letter, Isa. So suddenly ! Vil. Suddenly taken, on the road to Brussels, Isa. I'm sorry for the cause. Could I persuade myself, that your concern Enter CARLOS. My good Carlos, why have you left my friends? Mere ceremony had been constraint; and this Good-natured rudeness Vil. Was the more obliging. There, Carlos, is the cause. Car. Unlucky accident! [Gives the letter. Th' Archbishop of Malines, your worthy brotherWith him to-night? Sister, will you permit it? Vil. It must be so. Isa. You hear it must be so. Vil. Oh, that it must! Car. To leave your bride so soon! Vil. But having the possession of my love, I am the better able to support My absence in the hopes of my return. The longer that my Isabella sighs: Enter Servant, bows, and exit. My horses wait: farewell, my love! You, Carlos, Car. And I receive her as a friend and brother. Vil. Nay, stir not, love! for the night air is cold, And the dews fall-Here be our end of parting; Carlos will see me to my horse. [Exit with CARLOS. Isa. Oh, may thy brother better all thy hopes! Adieu. Bir. The longest day will have an end; we are got home at last. Bel. We have got our legs at liberty; and liberty is home, where'er we go; though mine lies most in England. Bir. Pray, let me call this yours: for what I can command in Brussels, you shall find your own. I have a father here, who perhaps, after seven years' absence, and costing him nothing in my travels, may be glad to see me. You know my story-How does my disguise become me? Bel. Just as you would have it; 'tis natural, and will conceal you. Bir. To-morrow you shall be sure to find me Samp. Who's there? What would you have? Bir. Is your lady at home, friend? Samp. Why, truly, friend, it is my employment to answer impertinent questions: but for my lady's being at home, or no, that's just as my lady pleases. Bir. But how shall I know whether it pleases her or no? Samp. Why, if you'll take my word for it, you may carry your errand back again: she never pleases to see any body at this time of night, that she does not know; and by your dress and appearance I am sure you must be a stranger to her. Bir. But I have business; and you don't know how that may please her. Samp. Nay, if you have business, she is the best judge whether your business will please her or no therefore I will proceed in my office, and know of my lady whether or no she is pleased to be at home or no[Going. Nurse. I have delivered your ring, sir! pray Heaven, you bring no bad news along with you! Bir. Quite contrary, I hope. Nurse. Nay, I hope so too; but my lady was very much surprised when I gave it her. Sir, I am but a servant, as a body may say; but if you'll walk in that I may shut the doors, for we keep very orderly hours, I can show you into the parlour, and help you to an answer, perhaps as soon as those that are wiser Bir. I'll follow syou— [Exit. [Exit. |