The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 14

_Cael._ Blame not my Husband, Sister, 'twas my fault, I strove 'gainst Reason to oppose his Will.

Had I forborn my importunity, 'Tis ten to one he had not been so wilful; Husband's prerogatives are absolute, Their wills we must obey, and not dispute.

_Eug._ I beg his Pardon, if I think amiss, But I believe there's some design in this; His Eyes shew'd more of Anger then could be A bare concern for's Friend's Infirmity.

_Cael._ I will no censure on his Actions lay, My Duty is for their success to pray.

_Enter _Don Gerardo_._

_Ger._ Your Servant, Ladies, where is _Don Antonio_?

_Cael._ Why, at _Don Johns_, my Lord, do not you know it?

_Ger._ Then he is not come back, as I had thought.

_Cael._ My Lord, why thought you so?

_Ger._ Madam, I did not know but that he might, Since 'tis not five hours bus'ness to Ride thither, And to return again; but, Madam, pray How came the Lord _Francisco_ to be here?

I think he does not use it.

_Eug._ _Francisco_! O my fears!

_Cael._ No sure, my Lord, he ne're came within these doors Since my good Father dy'd.

_Ger._ Sure I'm mistaken, Madam, if I did not Meet him just now as he came forth this Room: And more, he shak'd his head in Anger at me.

_Cael._ I'm sure, my Lord, you're mistaken much, For you're the first that enter'd here but us.

_Ger._ It may be I'm mistaken.

_Cael._ Yes, sure, my Lord, you are.

_Ger._ Madam, if your Commands [To _Eugenia_.

Extend to any thing within my pow'r, pray name it, I shall be proud to serve you; else I'm gone, For I have certain bus'ness does require it.

_Eug._ The greatest Service you can do to me, Is to be careful of your self, my Lord.

_Ger._ This kindness doth oblige me, pardon my haste, Good Night, and Rest unto your Ladyships.

[Exit.

_Cael._ Good Night, my Lord; _Flora_ is so possest her Dream is true, She dare not venture in that Room again.

_Eug._ She is not such a Fool, sure.

_Cael._ Well, Sister, I am not well, and will to Bed; The Nurse will wait on you, I'le send her to you.

Come, _Flora_, go with me.

[Ex. _Cael._ and _Flora_.

_Eug._ Madam, good Rest unto you.

This I can wish to her, whilst I must want it: _Gerardo_ sure has some Intelligence Of _Don Francisco_'s coming to me; Or else why Nam'd he him, for well he knows He never us'd to make a Visit here: Well, if he does, I cannot help it now.

The time draws nigh, That I must meet _Francisco_! Oh, that word Gives heaviness a new unto my Soul, And makes my thoughts run backwards, The Accidents oth' day seems Ominous To all the House, but most of all to me, My guilty Breast feels most of misery.

This time will quickly over, then I shall See what they tend to, or not see at all.

"There's comfort yet, that miseries at height Lose their worst property, which is to fright."

[Exit.

_The End of the Third Act._

Act the Fourth.

_Caelia_ on a Couch, _Flora_ by her.

_Cael._ _Flora_, I cannot sleep, for all my thoughts Infected with my griefs, flye up and down, Collecting only things to keep me waking.

_Flo._ I'le not stir from you, Madam, all this Night.

_Cael._ _Flora_, thy diligence deserves Reward, And I'le not long be backward for to thank thee.

But prethee sing that Song I love so well, That harmony, perhaps, will Charm my cares, And give my senses Rest.

The Song.

1.

Flor. sings.

Ah, _Choridon_, in vain you boast, You still do _Cloris_ Love; For better 'tis your heart were lost, Then thus suspitious prove: You then would kill me by disdain, But dying thus you blot my Name._ _For all will say _Cloris_ was false, and went astray; _Cloris_ was false, and did deserve her shame.

2.

For happy shepherd, well you know, Your Fame does mine excell; All Gen'rous _Choridons_ do know, But none my Tale can tell: _Cloris_, though true, must lose that Name, But _Choridon_ will keep his Fame; For all will say_ _Cloris_ was false, and went astray, _Cloris_ was false, and did deserve her shame.

3.

But Cruel Shepherd, when you hear That I am dead indeed, I do believe you'l shed a tear, Though new you have decreed, That _Cloris_ true must lose that Name, For _Choridon_ to keep his Fame; And then you'l say _Cloris _was true, and ne're did stray; _Cloris_ was true, and I deserve her shame.

_Flora._ She's faln asleep, may none but happy Dreams Possess her Fancy.

[The Scene shuts.

_Enter _Antonio_ and _Jasper_ in the Garden._

_Anto._ Your confidence in this doth much amaze me.

_Jasp._ Sir, still I'le p.a.w.n my Life, that what I said, Appears e're long a truth Infallible, And your own Eyes will bear me witness of it.