The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 13

_Anto._ Riding by the River side to take the Air, My Horse threw me, which made me see For some convenient House to rest a while, And met with this, wherein I have slept this hour, And I believe had done so longer yet, Had not your noise awak'd me.

_Capt._ My Lord, I've no Commission to enquire, Into Persons bus'ness of your eminent Rank; It is for other Men that I search now, Some half a score the most notorious Rogues About the Town were seen to enter here.

Saw you none such, my Lord?

_Anto._ No, on my Honour; For since I enter'd here, no human shape Was seen by me, but one Old wither'd Woman; And where she's gone, I know not.

_Capt._ My Lord, that Woman is the greatest Cheat About the Town; the simple think her a Witch; But I can witness for her she is none; My Lord, you'l pardon me, if I search for her.

_Anto._ With all my heart: Pray find her if you can; 'Twas my misfortune doubled to light here.

_Capt._ It might have prov'd so: Search the House.

[Exit Watch.

I'le tell your Lordship what I know of her.

Walking my Round one Night, who should I meet, But (as I thought) two Devils, by their shapes; An Old one, and a Young one, so they seem'd: At first the sight amaz'd me, but at last My Reason telling me, if they were Spirits, The mischief they intended they might do, Though I should run away: I bid my Guard Stand, whilst my self advanc'd near these shapes, Which as I did, the little Devil fled, th' other seem'd To turn it's Eyes to fire, and glare upon me; I still advanc'd, Arm'd with my former thoughts, And as I nearer came, the fire grew duller, Yet still it stood, for truly it could not run, Proving, when I laid hold on't, this Old Woman, Cas'd in a Leopard's skin; the fiery Eyes Prov'd but two Lobster-sh.e.l.ls: So she confessing, That for a Living she did use these Cheats, Helping poor People to their stolen Goods, In Devils shapes to countenance the Trade.

And that the other was a little Boy, Train'd up as her Familiar, whom she producing, I only threaten'd them, and let them go.

_Anto._ A subtle Cheat it was, and very likely, And you deserv'd Reward that did detect it.

_Jasp._ A Halter it should be, were I to give it.

[Aside.

_Enter the Watch with one of the Devils Remarkable Habits, and a Viol._

_1. Watch._ We've search'd sufficiently, but all we find Is a poor Devils skin, and a base Viol.

_Capt._ I, this is like the other, I'm glad 'twas found, 'Twill prove the story true I told your Lordship.

_Anto._ It does, to my amazement.

_Capt._ I'm glad it was my hap to meet you here, Your Lordship might have got some mischief else.

_Anto._ I might indeed, and I'm beholding to you: And, Captain, take my word, I'le speak your worth To the Vice-Roy, who is my Kinsman, And will take care for to advance your merit.

_Capt._ In that you'l bind my Service: Yet, my Lord, Shall I not wait your Lordship to your House?

_Anto._ No, 'twill be wonder'd at, besides, I've Horses here.

_Capt._ Then Health and a good Night attend your Lordship.

_Anto._ I thank you. Captain; here, Watch, there's some- Thing for you.

_1. Watch._ Bless your n.o.ble Lordship.

[Ex. Capt. and Watch.

_Anto._ _Jasper_! Did you hear this?

_Jasp._ Ay, my good Lord, and wonder at it too; But I do still believe she is a Witch, and only Did pretend such things to the Captain, To save a Burning from th' Inquisition.

_Anto._ Fetch our Horses.

[Exit _Jasper_.

I do observe this Rogue Strangely to be amaz'd, what er'es the matter; I do believe that this was all some Cheat.

Yet how could that be too, who could Name _Lewis_.

But I am mad to be deluded thus!

For now I think on't better; in my Pa.s.sion I hinted _Lewis_ as a proof for all; And then this Rogue stood by--Ay, there it is-- He's a Confederate, and contriv'd all this, To be Reveng'd, but I'le dissemble yet, And trace his mischiefs further, then I'le kill him, And stop his mouth from publishing my folly: Had not this Accident so strangely happen'd, What mischief had I done before the Morning: I'le put him to his Tryal in the Garden; Which if he fail in, there shall end his Life, And he'l deserve it too, when mischiefs tend To such a height, they must in mischief end.

He that contriv'd so many to destroy, Will scarce be punish'd if he barely dye, Therefore his Villany shall further swell, When'ts at the height I'le Lanch his Soul to h.e.l.l.

[Exit.

_Enter _Francisco_ and _Sebastian_._

_Sebast._ Couzen, believe me, I am loath to go.

And I could likewise wish that you were so.

Oft have I fear'd the danger when I went, Yet dreaded more the sin then punishment.

For I consider'd, should I then be slain, That Death would but begin an endless pain; Then pardon me, though I could well obey All Friendships Laws, I dare not do't this way.

_Fran._ Sure Couzen, you are sick, or lately have Had melancholy thoughts about a Grave: Is this _Sebastian_, he, whose ready hand Was quick to Act all Friendship did Command?

He, who no sooner heard _Francisco_ say, A Danger's there, but made that strait his way, And now he's turn'd my Ghostly Father sure.

_Sebast._ I would, so I might make a Ghostly Cure.

_Francisco_, thou art sick, and so am I; Sick at our Souls, and shou'd we chance to dye E're our Disease was Cur'd, 'tis ten to one, We should in an Eternal Feaver groan.

_Fran._ Come, prethee say no more, 'tis ominous, I wonder much what 'tis shou'd make thee thus.

Come, you must go this Night: I'le tell you why, 'Twill be the last, for she's to Marry, To Marry _Don Gerardo_! O 'tis rare, I am Reveng'd to th' purpose.

_Sebast._ Sure you are Turn'd Coward, or you ne're wou'd glory in Revenge so base, this doubles all your sin.

_Gerardo_'s brave, and sure all Honour bleeds, When such are Wounded by Ign.o.ble deeds.

It is the Curse of Man, that he must be Subject to shame by Womens Levity; But hold, I wrong _Eugenia_, if I blame Her, and not you alone, for all her shame.

You Rob'd her of her Chast.i.ty by force, Though fear of shame still kept her from Remorse.

_Fran._ Pish! Force! That was her policy to you, She did no more then what all Women do, Seem to resist what they do most desire, To raise the flame, yet seem to cool the fire; Believe this Truth, _Sebastian_, Women can Resist it, and perform it more then Man.

_Sebast._ Thus like the Devils we at first betray Their Innocence, then blame on them we lay; As if their guilt cou'd have another cause Then that which it from our Temptation draws.

_Fran._ Let it be so, I'le not dispute it now; It grows too near the time that I should go, And though my Actions do so much offend, I will not doubt to find another Friend.

_Sebast._ Do you so little prize _Eugenia's_ Fame, That you can suffer more to know her shame?

_Fran._ _Sebastian_, you mistake, I do not go This Night on the same terms I us'd to do.

No, 'tis to take my leave, for she does vow In spight of fear she is turn'd vertuous now.

_Sebast._ Nay, then I'le go my self, happen what will, For it is only dang'rous to do ill; My Company her Vertue may protect, And I should sin, if that I did neglect.

_Fran._ That shall not need, for I'm resolv'd to speak Nothing that may her Resolution break.

_Sebast._ Go boldly then, for in a cause so good He's more then Coward fears to shed his Blood; And though I think _Antonio_ would be glad That he our Lives at such advantage had; Yet I this Night durst boldly meet him there, Since in my Breast such Innocence I wear; By this security I plainly feel 'Tis guilt that wounds us deeper far then steel.

[Exeunt.

_Enter _Caelia_ and _Eugenia_._