Cyril Tourneur
The Tragedy of the Atheist
Tourneur, Cyril. <<The Tragedy of the Atheist, or, The Honest Man’s Revenge>> . 1611. Edited by Irving Ribner. London: Methuen, 1964. The Revels Plays.
Joan Oleza Simó
(Investigador principal)
Tronch Pérez, Jesus
(Editor)
English · Verso · 301 versos
https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0368_TheTragedyOfTheAtheist
- Tiempo histórico
- Siglo XVII
- Datación
-
posterior 1610 y anterior 1611; 1610
- Bibliografía
-
Ediciones modernas
- Morris, Brian; Gill, Roma, ed. The Atheist’s Tragedy. Tourneur, Cyril. London: W. W. Norton, 1976. New Mermaids.
- Ribner, Irving, ed. The Atheist’s Tragedy. Tourneur, Cyril. London: Methuen, 1964. Revels Plays.
- The atheist's tragedy. Toruneur, Cyril. In: Nicoll, Allardyce, ed. The Works of Cyril Tourneur. London: Fanfrolico Press, 1930, pp. 173-255.
- The Atheist’s Tragedy. Toruneur, Cyril. In: Parfitt, George, ed. The Plays of Cyril Tourneur. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1978, pp. 99-192.
- The Atheist’s Tragedy. Tourneur, Cyril. In: Maus, Katherine Eisaman, ed. Four Revenge Tragedies. Oxford: Open University Press, 1995, pp. 249-330.
Note on this digital edition
Reproduced with kind permission by Manchester University Press. For this digital edition, speech prefixes have been expanded and stage directions printed at the end of a line in the source edition have been relocated on a new line. With the support of research project GVAICO2016-094, funded by Generalitat Valenciana (2016-2017).
The Names and Qualities of the Actors
Montferrers
a baron
Belforest
a baron
D’Amville
brother to Montferrers
Levidulcia
Lady to Belforest
Castabella
daughter to Belforest
Charlemont
son to Montferrers
Rousard
elder son to D’Amville
Sebastian
younger son to D’Amville
Languebeau Snuffe
a Puritan, Chaplain to Belforest
Borachio
D’Amville’s instrument
Cataplasma
a maker of periwings and attires
Soquette
a seeming gentlewoman to Cataplasma
Fresco
servant to Cataplasma
Other servants
Sergeant in war
Soldiers
Watchmen
Officers
Doctor
Judges
Keeper of the prison
Executioner
Act I
[I.i]
(Enter D’Amville, Borachio, attended.)
D'Amville.
I saw my nephew Charlemont but now
1
Part from his father. Tell him I desire
2
To speak with him.
3
(Exit servant)
Borachio, thou art read
In Nature and her large philosophy.
4
Observ’st thou not the very self same course
5
Of revolution both in man and beast?
6
Borachio.
The same, for birth, growth, state, decay and death;
7
Only a man’s beholding to his Nature
8
For th’ better composition o’ the two.
9
D'Amville.
But where that favour of his Nature is
10
Not full and free, you see a man becomes
11
A fool, as little-knowing as a beast.
12
Borachio.
Tha shows there’s nothing in a man above
13
His Nature; if there were, consid’ring ’tis
14
His being’s excellency, ‘twould not yield
15
To Nature’s weakness.
16
D'Amville.
Then if death casts up
Our total sum of joy and happiness,
17
Let me have all my senses feasted in
18
Th’ abundant fulness of delight at once,
19
And with a sweet insensible increase
20
Of pleasing surfeit melt into my dust.
21
Borachio.
That revolution is too short methinks.
22
If this life comprehends our happiness,
23
How foolish to desire to die so soon!
24
And if our time runs home unto the lenght
25
Of Nature, how improvident it were
26
To spend our substance on a minute’s pleasure,
27
And after live an age in misery!
28
D'Amville.
So thou conclud’st that pleasure only flows
29
Upon the stream of riches.
30
Borachio.
Wealth is lord
Of all felicity.
31
D'Amville.
‘Tis oracle,
For what’s a man that’s honest without wealth?
32
Borachio.
Both miserable and contemptible.
33
D'Amville.
He’s worse, Borachio, For it charity
34
Be an essential part of honesty
35
And should be practis’d first upon ourselves,
36
Wich must be granted, then your honest man
37
That’s poor is most dishonest, for he is
38
Uncharitable to the man whom he
39
Should most respect. But what doth this touch me,
40
That seem to have enough? Thanks industry,
41
‘Tis true. Had not my body spread itself
42
Into posterity, perhaps I should
43
Desire no more increase of substance than
44
Would hold proportion with mine own dimensions.
45
Yet even in that sufficiency of state
46
A man has reason to provide and add,
47
For what is he hath such a present eye
48
And so prepar’d a strenght than can foresee
49
And fortify his substance and himself
50
Against those accidents, the least whereof
51
May rob him of an age’s husbandry?
52
And for my children, they are as near to me
53
As branches to the tree whereon they grow,
54
And may as numerously be multiply’d.
55
As they increase, so should my providence,
56
For from my substance they receive the sap
57
Whereby they live and flourish.
58
Borachio.
Sir, enough.
I undenstand the mark whereat you aim.
59
(Enter Charlemont.)
D'Amville.
Silence. W’ are interrupted. Charlemont!
60
Charlemont.
Good morrow, uncle.
61
D'Amville.
Noble Charlemont,
Good morrow. Is not this the honour’d day
62
You purpos’d to set forward to the war?
63
Charlemont.
My inclination did intend it so.
64
D'Amville.
And not your resolution?
65
Charlemont.
Yes, my lord,
Had not my father contradicted it.
66
D'Amville.
O noble war, thou first original
67
Of all man’s honour! How dejectedly
68
The baser spirit of our present time
69
Hath cast itself below the ancient worth
70
Of our forefathers, from whose noble deeds
71
Ignobly we derive our pedigrees.
72
Charlemont.
Sir, tax not me for his unwillingness.
73
By the command of his authority
74
My disposition’s forc’d against itself.
75
D'Amville.
Nephew, you are the honour of our blood.
76
The troop of gentry whose inferior worth
77
Should second your example are become
78
Your leaders, and the scorn of their discourse
79
Turns smiling back upon your backwardness.
80
Charlemont.
You need not urge my spirit by disgrace;
81
‘Tis free enough. My father hinders it.
82
To curb me, he denies me maintenance
83
To put me in the habit of my rank.
84
Unbind me from that strong necessity,
85
And call me coward if I stay behind.
86
D'Amville.
For want of means? Borachio, where’s the gold?
87
I’d disinherit my prosperity
88
To purchase honour. ’Tis an interest
89
I prize above the principal of wealth.
90
I’m glad I had th’ occasion to make known
91
How readily my substance shall unlock
92
Itself to serve you. Here’s a thousand crowns.
93
Charlemont.
My worthy uncle, in exchange for this
94
I leave my bond. So I am doubly bound,
95
By that for the repayment of this gold,
96
And by this gold to satisfy your love.
97
D'Amville.
Sir, ’tis a witness only of my love,
98
And love doth always satisfy itself.
99
Now to your father; labour his consent.
100
My importunity shall second yours.
101
We will obtain it.
102
Charlemont.
If entreaty fail,
The force of reputation shall prevail.
103
(Exit)
D'Amville.
Go call my sons that they may take their leaves
104
Of noble Charlemont. Now, my Borachio!
105
Borachio.
The substance of our former argument
106
Was wealth.
107
D'Amville.
The question how to compass it.
108
Borachio.
Young Charlemont is going to the war.
109
D'Amville.
O, thou begin’s to take me.
110
Borachio.
Mark me then.
Methinks the pregnant wit of man might make
111
The happy absence of this Charlemont
112
A subject for commodious providence.
113
He has a wealthy father, ready ev’n
114
To drop into his grave, and no man’s power
115
When Charlemont is gone can interpose
116
‘Twixt you and him.
117
D'Amville.
Th’ hast apprehended –both
My meaning and my love. Now let thy trust
118
For undertaking and for secrecy
119
Hold measure with thy amplitude of wit,
120
And thy reward shall parallel thy worth.
121
Borachio.
My resolution has already bound
122
Me to your service.
123
D'Amville.
And my heart to thee.
(Enter Rousard and Sebastian.)
Here are my sons...
124
There’s my eternity. My life in them
125
And their succession shall for ever live,
126
And in my reason dwells the providence
127
To add to life as much of happiness.
128
Let all men lose, so I increase my gain:
129
I have no feeling of another’s pain.
130
(Exeunt.)
[I.ii]
(Enter old Montferrers and Charlemont.)
Montferrers.
I prithee let this current of my tears
1
Divert thy inclination from the war,
2
For of my children thou art only left
3
To promise a succession to my house,
4
And all the honour thou canst get by arms
5
Will give but vain addition to thy name,
6
Since from thy ancestors thou dost derive
7
A dignity sufficient, and as great
8
As thou hast substance to maintain and bear.
9
I prithee stay at home.
10
Charlemont.
My noble father,
The weakest sigh you breathe hath power to turn
11
My strongest purpose, and your softest tear
12
To melt my resolution to as soft
13
Obedience. But my affection to the war
14
Is as hereditary as my blood
15
To ev’ry life of all my ancestry.
16
Your predecessors were your precedents,
17
And you are my example. Shall I serve
18
For nothing but a vain parenthesis
19
I’ th’ honour’d story of your family,
20
Or hang but like an empty scutcheon
21
Between the trophies of my predecessors
22
And the rich arms of my posterity?
23
There’s not a Frenchman of good blood and youth,
24
But either out of spirit or example
25
Is turn’d a soldier. Only Charlemont
26
Must be reputed that same heartless thing
27
That cowards will be bold to play upon.
28
(Enter D’Amville, Rousard and Sebastian.)
D'Amville.
Good morrow, my lord.
29
Montferrers.
Morrow, good brother.
30
Charlemont.
Good morrow, uncle.
31
D'Amville.
Morrow, kind nephew.
32
What, ha’ you wash’d your eyes wi’ tears this morning?
33
[To Montferrers] Come, by my soul, his purpose does deserve
34
Your free consent. Your tenderness dissuades him.
35
What to the father of a gentleman
36
Should be more tender than the maintenance
37
And the increase of honour to his house?
38
My lord, here are my boys. I should be proud
39
That either this were able or that inclin’d
40
To be my nephew’s brave competitor.
41
Montferrers.
Your importunities have overcome.
42
Pray God my forc’d grant prove not ominous.
43
D'Amville.
We have obtain’d it.
44
[To Montferrers] Ominous? in what?
It cannot be in anything but death,
45
And I am of a confident belief
46
That ev’n the time, place, manner of our deaths
47
Do follow fate with that necessity
48
That makes us sure to die. And in a thing
49
Ordain’d so certainly unalterable,
50
What can the use of providence prevail?
51
([Enter] Belforest, Levidulcia, [and] Castabella, attended.)
Belforest.
Morrow, my Lord Montferrers, Lord D’Amville.
52
Good morrow, gentlemen. Cousin Charlemont,
53
Kindly good morrow. Troth, I was afear’d
54
I should ha’ come too late to tell you that
55
I wish your undertakings a success
56
That may deserve the measure of their worth.
57
Charlemont.
My lord, my duty would not let me go
58
Without receiving your commandments.
59
Belforest.
Accompliments are more for ornament
60
Than use. We should employ no time in them
61
But what our serious business will admit.
62
Montferrers.
Your favour had by his duty been prevented
63
If we had not withheld him in the way.
64
D'Amville.
He was a-coming to present his service.
65
But now no more. The cook invites to breakfast.
66
Will’t please your lordship enter? Noble lady!
67
([Exeunt all except] Charlemont and Castabella.)
Charlemont.
My noble mistress, this accompliment
68
Is like an elegant and moving speech
69
Compos’d of many sweet persuasive points
70
Which second one another with a fluent
71
Increase and confirmation of their force,
72
Reserving still the best until the last,
73
To crown the strong impulsion of the rest
74
With a full conquest of the hearer’s sense-
75
Because th’ impression of the last we speak
76
Doth always longest and most constantly
77
Possess the entertainment of remembrance.
78
So all that now salute my taking leave
79
Have added numeously to the love
80
Wherewith I did receive their courtesy.
81
But you, deas mistress, being the last and best
82
That speaks my farewell, like th’ imperious close
83
Of a most sweet oration, wholly have
84
Possess’d my liking and shall ever live
85
Within the soul of my true memory.
86
So, mistress, with this kiss I take my leave.
87
Castabella.
My worthy servant, you mistake th’ intent
88
Of kissing. ’Twas not meant to separate
89
A pair of lovers, but to be the seal
90
Of love, importing by the joining of
91
Our mutual and incorporated breaths
92
That we should breathe but one contracted life.
93
Or stay at home, or let me go with you.
94
Charlemont.
My Castabella! For myself to stay
95
Or you to go would either tax my youth
96
With a dishonourable weakness or
97
Your loving purpose with immodesty.
98
(Enter Languebeau Snuffe.)
And for the satisfaction of your love,
99
Here comes a man whose knowledge I have made
100
A witness to the contract of our vows,
101
Wich my return, by marriage, shall confirm.
102
Languebeau.
I salute you both with the spirit of copulation. I am already informed of your matrimonial purposes and will be a testimony to the integrity of your promises.
Castabella.
O the sad trouble of my fearful soul!
106
My faithful servant! Did you never hear
107
That when a certain great man went to th’ war
108
The lovely face of Heav’n was mask’d with sorrow,
109
The sighing winds did move the breast of earth,
110
The heavy clouds hung down their mourning heads
111
And wept sad showers the day that he went hence,
112
As if that day presag’d some ill success
113
That fatally should kill his happiness,
114
And so it came to pass. Methinks my eyes,
115
Sweet Heav’n forbid, are like those weeping clouds,
116
And as their showers presag’d, so do my tears,
117
Some sad event will follow my sad fears.
118
Charlemont.
Fie, superstitious! Is it bad to kiss?
119
Castabella.
May all my fears hurt me no more than this.
120
([They kiss.])
Languebeau.
Fie, fie, these carnal kisses do stir up the concu- piscences of the flesh.
(Enter Belforest and Levidulcia.)
Levidulcia.
O, here’s your daughter under her servant’s lips.
123
Charlemont.
Madam, there is no cause you should mistrust
124
The kiss I gave; ’twas but a parting one.
125
Levidulcia.
A lustry blood! Now, by the lip of Love,
126
Were I to choose, your joining one for me.
127
Belforest.
Your father stays to bring you on the way.
128
Farewell. The Great Commander of the war
129
Prosper the course you undertake. Farewell.
130
Charlemont.
My lord, I humbly take my leave.
131
[To Levidulcia] Madam,
132
I kiss your hand.
133
[To Castabella] And your sweet lip. Farewell.
134
([Exeunt all except] Charlemont and Languebeau [Snuffe])
Her power to speak is perish’d in her tears.
135
Something within me would persuade my stay,
136
But reputation will not yield unto’t.
137
Dear sir, you are the man whose honest trust
138
My confidence hath chosen for my friend.
139
I fear my absence will discomfort her.
140
You have the power and opportunity
141
To moderate her passion. Let her grief
142
Receive that friendship from you, and your love
143
Shall not repent itself of courtesy.
144
Languebeau.
Sir, I want wordds and protestation to insinuate into your credit, but in plainness and truth, I will qualify her grief with the spirit of consolation.
Charlemont.
Sir, I will take your friendship up at use.
148
And fear not that your profit shall be small;
149
Your interest shall exceed your principal.
150
(Exit.)
(Enter D’Amville and Borachio.)
D'Amville.
Monsieur Languebeau, happily encountered. The honesty of your conversation makes me request more int’rest in your familiarity.
Languebeau.
If your lordship will be pleased to salute me without ceremony, I shall be willing to exchange my service for your favour, but this worshipping kind of entertainment is a superstitious vanity; in plainness and truth I love it not.
D'Amville.
I embrace your disposition and desire to give you as liberal assurance of my love as my Lord Belforest, your deserved favourer.
Languebeau.
His lordship is pleased with my plainness and truth of conversation.
D'Amville.
It cannot displease him. In the behaviour of his noble daughter Castabella a man may read her worth and your instruction.
Languebeau.
That gentlewoman is most sweetly modest, fair, honest, handsome, wise, well-born, and rich.
D'Amville.
You have given me her picture in small.
Languebeau.
She’s like your diamond, a temptation in every man’s eye, yet not yielding to any light impression herself.
D'Amville.
The praise is hers, but the comparison your own.
(Gives him the ring.)
Languebeau.
You shall forgive me that, sir.
D'Amville.
I will not do so much at your request as forgive you it. I will only give you it, sir. By – you will make me swear.
Languebeau.
O, by no means. Profane not your lips with the foulness of that sin. I will rather take it. To save your oath, you shall lose your ring –Verily, my lord, my praise came short of her worth. She exceeds a jewel. This is but only for ornament, she both for ornament and use.
D'Amville.
Yet unprofitably kept without use. She deserves a worthy husband, sir. I have often wished a match be- tween my elder son and her. The marriage would join the houses of Belforest and D’Amville into a noble alliance.
Languebeau.
And the unity of families is a work of love and charity.
D'Amville.
And that work an employment well becoming the goodness of your disposition.
Languebeau.
If your lordship please to impose it upon me, I will carry it without any second end, the surest way to satisfy your wish.
D'Amville.
Most joyfully accepted. –Rousard! Here are letters to my Lord Belforest touching my desire to that purpose. Enter Rousard, sickly. Rousard, I send you a suitor to Castabella. To this gentleman’s discretion I commit the managing of your suit. His good success shall be most thankful to your trust. Follow his instructions; he will be your leader.
Languebeau.
In plainness and truth.
Rousard.
My leader? Does your lordship think me too weak to give the onset myself?
Languebeau.
I will only assist your proceedings.
Rousard.
To say true, so I think you had need, for a sick man can hardly get a woman’s good will without help.
Languebeau.
Charlemont, thy gratuity and my promises were both but words, and both like words shall vanish into air.
For thy poor empty hand I must be mute;
204
This gives me feeling of a better suit.
205
(Exeunt Languebeau [Snuffe] and Rousard.)
D'Amville.
Borachio, didst precisely note this man?
206
Borachio.
His own profession would report him pure.
207
D'Amville.
And seems to know if any benefit
208
Arises of religion after death;
209
Yet but compare ’s profession with his life;
210
They so directly contradict themselves
211
As if the end of his instructions were
212
But to divert the world from sin that he
213
More easily might engross it to himself.
214
By that I am confirm’d an atheist.
215
Well, Charlemont is gone, and here thou see’st
216
His absence the foundation of my plot.
217
Borachio.
He is the man whom Castabella loves.
218
D'Amville.
That was the reason I propounded him
219
Employment fix’d upon a foreign place,
220
To draw his inclination out o’ th’ way.
221
Borachio.
’T has left the passage of our practice free.
222
D'Amville.
This Castabella is a wealthy heir,
223
And by her marriage with my elder son
224
My house is honour’d and my state increas’d.
225
This work alone deserves my industry,
226
But if it prosper thou shalt see my brain
227
Make this but an induction to a point
228
So full of profitable policy
229
That it would make the soul of honesty
230
Ambitious to turn villain.
231
Borachio.
I bespeak
Employment in ’t. I’ll be an instrument
232
To grace performance with dexterity.
233
D'Amville.
Thou shalt. No man shall rob thee of the honour.
234
Go presently and buy a crimson scarf
235
Like Charlemont’s. Prepare thee a disguise
236
I’ th’ habit of a soldier, hurt and lame,
237
And then be ready at the weeding feast,
238
Where thou shalt have employment in a work
239
Will please thy disposition.
240
Borachio.
As I vow’d,
Your instrument shall make your project proud.
241
D'Amville.
This marriage will bring wealth. If that succeed,
242
I will increase it though my brother bleed.
243
(Exeunt.)
[I.iii]
(Enter Castabella, avoiding the importunity of Rousard.)
Castabella.
Nay, good sir; in troth if you knew how little it pleases me, you would forbear it.
Rousard.
I will not leave thee till th’ hast entertained me for thy servant.
Castabella.
My servant? You are sick you say. You would tax me of indiscretion to entertain one that is not able to do me service.
Rousard.
The service of a gentlewoman consists most in chamber work, and sick men are fittest for the chamber. I prithee give me a favour.
Castabella.
Methinks you have a very sweet favour of your own.
Rousard.
I lack but your black eye.
Castabella.
If you go to buffets among the boys, they'll give you one.
Rousard.
Nay, if you grow bitter, I'll dispraise your black eye. The gray-eyed morning makes the fairest day.
Castabella.
Now that you dissemble not, I could be willing to give you a favour. What favour would you have?
Rousard.
Any toy, any light thing.
Castabella.
Fie! Will you be so uncivil to ask a light thing at a gentle-woman's hand?
Rousard.
Wilt give me a bracelet o' thy hair then?
Castabella.
Do you want hair, sir?
Rousard.
No, faith, I'll want no hair so long as I can have it for money.
Castabella.
What would you do with my hair then?
Rousard.
Wear it for thy sake, sweetheart.
Castabella.
Do you think I love to have my hair worn off?
Rousard.
Come, you are so witty now and so sensible.
(Kisses her.)
Castabella.
Tush, I would I wanted one o' my senses now.
Rousard.
Bitter again! What's that? Smelling?
Castabella.
No, no, no. Why now y' are satisfied, I hope. I have given you a favour.
Rousard.
What favour? A kiss? I prithee give me another.
Castabella.
Show me that I gave you then.
Rousard.
How should I show it?
Castabella.
You are unworthy of a favour if you will not bestow the keeping of it one minute.
Rousard.
Well, in plain terms, dost love me? That's the purpose of my coming.
Castabella.
Love you? Yes, very well.
Rousard.
Give me thy hand upon 't.
Castabella.
Nay, you mistake me. If I love you very well, I must not love you now, for now you are not very well; y' are sick.
Rousard.
This equivocation is for the jest now.
Castabella.
I speak't as 'tis now in fashion, in earnest. But I shall not be in quiet for you, I perceive, till I have given you a favour. Do you love me?
Rousard.
With all my heart.
Castabella.
Then with all my heart I'll give you a jewel to hang in your ear. Hark ye — I can never love you.
(Exit.)
Rousard.
Call you this a jewel to hang in mine ear? 'Tis no light favour, for I'll be sworn it comes somewhat heavily to me. Well, I will not leave her for all this. Methinks it animates a man to stand to 't when a woman desires to be rid of him at the first sight.
(Exit.)
[I.iv]
(Enter Belforest and Languebeau Snuffe.)
Belforest.
I entertain the offer of this match
1
With purpose to confirm it presently.
2
I have already mov’d it to my daughter.
3
Her soft excuses savour’d at the first,
4
Methought, but of a modest innocence
5
Of blood, whose unmov’d stream was never drawn
6
Into the current of affection. But when I
7
Reply’d with more familiar arguments,
8
Thinking to make her apprehension bold,
9
Her modest blush fell to a pale dislike,
10
And she refus’d it with such confidence
11
As if she had been prompted by a love
12
Inclining firmly to some other man,
13
And in that obstinacy she remains.
14
Languebeau.
Verily, that disobedience doth not become a child. It proceedeth from an unsanctified liberty. You will be accessory to your own dishonour if you suffer it.
Belforest.
Your honest wisdom has advis’d me well.
17
Once more I'll move her by persuasive means.
18
If she resist, all mildness set apart,
19
I will make use of my authority.
20
Languebeau.
And instantly, lest fearing your constraint her contrary affection teach her some device that may prevent you.
Belforest.
To cut off ev’ry opportunity
22
Procrastination may assist her with,
23
This instant night she shall be married.
24
Languebeau.
Best.
25
(Enter Castabella.)
Castabella.
Please it your lordship, my mother attends
26
I' th' gallery and desires your conference.
27
(Exit Belforest.)
This means I us’d to bring me to your ear.
28
Time cuts off circumstance; I must be brief.
29
To your integrity did Charlemont
30
Commit the contract of his love and mine,
31
Which now so strong a hand seeks to divide
32
That if your grave advice assist me not,
33
I shall be forc’d to violate my faith.
34
Languebeau.
Since Charlemont's absence I have weighed his love with the spirit of consideration, and in sincerity I find it to be frivolous and vain. Withdraw your respect; his affection deserveth it not.
Castabella.
Good sir, I know your heart cannot profane
39
The holiness you make profession of
40
With such a vicious purpose as to break
41
The vow your own consent did help to make.
42
Languebeau.
Can he deserve your love who, in neglect
43
Of your delightful conversation and
44
In obstinate contempt of all your prayers
45
And tears, absents himself so far from your
46
Sweet fellowship, and with a purpose so
47
Contracted to that absence that you see
48
He purchases your separation with
49
The hazard of his blood and life, fearing
50
To want pretence to part your companies?
51
'Tis rather hate that doth division move;
52
Love still desires the presence of his love.
53
Verily, he is not of the Family of Love.
54
Castabella.
O do not wrong him. 'Tis a generous mind
55
That led his disposition to the war,
56
For gentle love and noble courage are
57
So near ally’d that one begets another,
58
Or love is sister, and courage is the brother.
59
Could I affect him better than before,
60
His soldier's heart would make me love him more.
61
Languebeau.
But Castabella—
62
(Enter Levidulcia.)
Levidulcia.
Tush, you mistake the way into a woman;
63
The passage lies not through her reason but her blood.
64
(Exit Languebeau [Snuffe], Castabella about to follow.)
Nay, stay! How wouldst thou call the child
65
That being rais’d with cost and tenderness
66
To full ability of body and means
67
Denies relief unto the parents who
68
Bestow’d that bringing up?
69
Castabella.
Unnatural.
Levidulcia.
Then Castabella is unnatural.
70
Nature, the loving mother of us all,
71
Brought forth a woman for her own relief;
72
By generation to revive her age.
73
Which, now thou hast hability and means
74
Presented, most unkindly dost deny.
75
Castabella.
Believe me, mother. I do love a man.
76
Levidulcia.
Prefer’st th' affection of an absent love,
77
Before the sweet possession of a man,
78
The barren mind before the fruitful body,
79
Where our creation has no reference
80
To man but in his body, being made
81
Only for generation which, unless
82
Our children can be gotten by conceit,
83
Must from the body come. If reason were
84
Our counsellor, we would neglect the work
85
Of generation for the prodigal
86
Expense it draws us to of that which is
87
The wealth of life. Wise Nature, therefore, hath
88
Reserv’d for an inducement to our sense
89
Our greatest pleasure in that greatest work,
90
Which being offer’d thee, thy ignorance
91
Refuses for th' imaginary joy
92
Of an unsatisfy’d affection to
93
An absent man — whose blood once spent i' th' war,
94
Then he'll come home sick, lame, and impotent,
95
And wed thee to a torment, like the pain
96
Of Tantalus, continuing thy desire
97
With fruitless presentation of the thing
98
It loves, still mov’d and still unsatisfy’d.
99
(Enter Belforest, D’Amville, Rousard, Sebastian, Languebeau [Snuffe, and others].)
Belforest.
Now, Levidulcia, hast thou yet prepar’d
100
My daughter's love to entertain this man,
101
Her husband here?
102
Levidulcia.
I'm but her mother i’law;
Yet if she were my very flesh and blood,
103
I could advise no better for her good.
104
Rousard.
Sweet wife! Thy joyful husband thus salutes
105
Thy cheek.
106
Castabella.
My husband? O, I am betray’d.
([To Languebeau Snuffe])
Dear friend of Charlemont, your purity
107
Professes a divine contempt o' th' world;
108
O be not brib’d by that you so neglect,
109
In being the world's hated instrument,
110
To bring a just neglect upon yourself.
111
(Kneel[s] from one to another.)
[To Belforest] Dear father, let me but examine my
112
Affection. [To D’Amville] Sir, your prudent judgment can
113
Persuade your son that 'tis improvident
114
To marry one whose disposition he
115
Did ne'er observe. [To Rousard] Good sir, I may be of
116
A nature so unpleasing to your mind,
117
Perhaps you'll curse the fatal hour wherein
118
You rashly marry’d me.
119
D'Amville.
My Lord Belforest,
I would not have her forc’d against her choice.
120
Belforest.
Passion o' me, thou peevish girl. I charge
121
Thee by my blessing, and th' authority
122
I have to claim th' obedience, marry him.
123
Castabella.
Now Charlemont! O my presaging tears!
124
This sad event hath follow’d my sad fears.
125
Sebastian.
A rape, a rape, a rape!
126
Belforest.
How now?
D'Amville.
What's that?
Sebastian.
Why what is't but a rape to force a wench
127
To marry, since it forces her to lie
128
With him she would not?
129
Languebeau.
Verily, his tongue
Is an unsanctified member.
130
Sebastian.
Verily,
Your gravity becomes your perish’d soul
131
As hoary mouldiness does rotten fruit.
132
Belforest.
Cousin, y' are both uncivil and profane.
133
D'Amville.
Thou disobedient villain, get thee out of my sight.
134
Now, by my soul, I'll plague thee for this rudeness.
135
Belforest.
Come, set forward to the church.
136
(Exeunt [all except] Sebastian.)
Sebastian.
And verify the proverb —the nearer the church, the further from God. Poor wench, for thy sake may his ability die in his appetite, that thou beest not troubled with him thou lovest not. May his appetite move thy desire to another man, so he shall help to make himself cuckold. And let that man be one that he pays wages to, so thou shalt profit by him thou hatest. Let the chambers be matted, the hinges oiled, the curtain rings silenced, and the chamber-maid hold her peace at his own request, that he may sleep the quietlier; and in that sleep let him be soundly cuckolded. And when he knows it and seeks to sue a divorce, let him have no other satisfaction than this: he lay by and slept; the law will take no hold of her, because he winked at it.
(Exit.)
Act II
[II.i]
(Music. A banquet. In the night.)
(Enter D'Amville, Belforest, Levidulcia, Rousard, Castabella, Languebeau Snuffe at one door; at the other door Cataplasma and Soquette, ushered by Fresco.)
Levidulcia.
Mistress Cataplasma, I expected you an hour since.
Cataplasma.
Certain ladies at my house, madam, detained me; otherwise I had attended your ladyship sooner.
Levidulcia.
We are beholding to you for you company. My Lord, I pray you bid these gentlewomen welcome; th' are my invited friends.
D'Amville.
Gentlewomen, y' are welcome; pray sit down.
Levidulcia.
Fresco, by my Lord D'Amville's leave I prithee go into the butt’ry. Thou sha’t find some o' my men there; if they bid thee not welcome, they are very loggerheads.
Fresco.
If your loggerheads will not, your hogsheads shall, madam, if I get into the butt’ry.
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
That fellow's disposition to mirth should be our pre- sent example. Let's be grave and meditate when our affairs require our seriousness. 'Tis out of season to be heavily disposed.
Levidulcia.
We should be all wound up into the key of mirth.
D'Amville.
The music there!
Belforest.
Where's my lord Montferrers? Tell him here's a room attends him.
(Enter Montferrers.)
Montferrers.
Heaven give your marriage that I am deprived of, joy.
19
D'Amville.
My Lord Belforest! Castabella's health.
20
(D'Amville drinks.)
Set open 'the cellar doors, and let this health
21
Go freely round the house. —Another to
22
Your Son, my lord, to noble Charlemont.
23
He is a Soldier. Let the onstruments
24
Of wary congratulate his memory.
25
(Drums and Trumpets.)
(Enter a Servant.)
Servant.
My lord, here's one i' th’ habit of a soldier says he is newly returned from Ostend and has some business of import to speak.
D'Amville.
Ostend! Let him come in. My soul foretells
28
He brings the news will make our music full.
29
My brother's joy would do 't, and here comes he
30
Will raise it.
31
(Enter Borachio disguised.)
Montferrers.
O my spirit, it does dissuade
My tongue to question him, as if it knew
32
His answer would displease.
33
D'Amville.
Soldier, what news?
We heard a rumour of a blow you gave
34
The enemy.
35
Borachio.
'Tis very true, my lord.
Belforest.
Canst thou relate it?
36
Borachio.
Yes.
D'Amville.
I prithee do.
Borachio.
The enemy, defeated of a fair
37
Advantage by a flatt’ring stratagem,
38
Plants all th' artillery against the town,
39
Whose thunder and lightning made our bulwarks shake,
40
And threat’ned in that terrible report
41
The storm wherewith they meant to second it.
42
Th' assault was general, but for the place
43
That promis’d most advantage to be forc’d,
44
The pride of all their army was drawn forth
45
And equally divided into front
46
And rear. They march’d, and coming to a stand,
47
Ready to pass our channel at an ebb,
48
W' advis’d it for our safest course to draw
49
Our sluices up and make't unpassable.
50
Our governor oppos’d, and suffer’d 'em
51
To charge us home e'en to the rampier’s foot,
52
But when their front was forcing up our breach
53
At push o' pike, then did his policy
54
Let go the sluices and tripp’d up the heels
55
Of the whole body of their troop that stood
56
Within the violent current of the stream.
57
Their front, beleaguer’d twixt the water and
58
The town, seeing the flood was grown too deep,
59
To promise them a safe retreat, expos’d
60
The force of all their spirits, like the last
61
Expiring gasp of a strong-hearted man,
62
Upon the hazard of one charge, but were
63
Oppress’d and fell. The rest that could not swim
64
Were only drown’d, but those that thought to ‘scape
65
By swimming were by murderers that flanker’d
66
The level of the flood both drown’d and slain
67
D'Amville.
Now by my soul, soldier, a brave service.
68
Montferrers.
O what became of my dear Charlemont?
69
Borachio.
Walking next day upon the fatal shore,
70
Among the slaughter’d bodies of their men,
71
Which the full-stomach’d sea had cast upon
72
The sands, it was m' unhappy chance to light
73
Upon a face, whose favour when it liv’d
74
My astonish’d mind inform’d me I had seen.
75
He lay in 's armour as if that had been
76
His coffin, and the weeping sea, like one
77
Whose milder temper doth lament the death
78
Of him whom in his rage he slew, runs up
79
The shore, embraces him, kisses his cheek,
80
Goes back again, and forces up the sands
81
To bury him, and ev’ry time it parts
82
Sheds tears upon him, till at last, as if
83
It could no longer endure to see the man
84
Whom it had slain, yet loath to leave him, with
85
A kind of unresolv’d unwilling pace,
86
Winding her waves one in another, like
87
A man that folds his arms or wrings his hands
88
For grief, ebb’d from the body and descends,
89
As if it would sink down into the earth
90
And hide itself for shame of such a deed.
91
D'Amville.
And, soldier, who was this?
92
Montferrers.
O Charlemont!
Borachio.
Your fear hath told you that whereof my grief
93
Was loath to be the messenger.
94
Castabella.
O God.
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
Charlemont drown’d? Why how could that be, since
95
It was the adverse party that received
96
The overthrow?
97
Borachio.
His forward spirit press’d into the front,
98
And being engag’d within the enemy
99
When they retreated through the rising stream,
100
I' the violent confusion of the throng
101
Was overborne and perish’d in the flood.
102
And here's the sad remembrance of his life,
103
([He shows] the scarf.)
Which for his sake I will for ever wear.
104
Montferrers.
Torment me not with witnesses of that
105
Which I desire not to believe, yet must.
106
D'Amville.
Thou art a screech-owl and dost come i' night
107
To be the cursed messenger of death.
108
Away. Depart my house, or, by my soul,
109
You'll find me a more fatal enemy
110
Than ever was Ostend. Be gone. Dispatch.
111
Borachio.
Sir ’twas my love.
112
D'Amville.
Your love to vex my heart
With that I hate? Hark, do you hear, you knave?
113
O th’ art a most delicate sweet eloquent villain.
114
Borachio.
Was't not well counterfeited?
115
D'Amville.
Rarely.
116
Borachio.
Why then, farewell. I will not trouble you.
117
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
So. The foundation's laid. Now by degrees
118
The work will rise and soon be perfected.
119
[To the others] O this uncertain state of mortal man!
120
Belforest.
What then? It is th' inevitable fate
121
Of all things underneath the moon.
122
D'Amville.
'Tis true.
Brother, for health's sake overcome your grief.
123
Montferrers.
I cannot, sir. I am uncapable
124
Of comfort. My turn will be next. I feel
125
Myself not well.
126
D'Amville.
You yield too much to grief.
Languebeau.
All men are mortal. The hour of death is uncertain. Age makes sickness the more dangerous, and grief is subject to distraction. You know not how soon you may be deprived of the benefit of sense. In my understanding, therefore, you shall do well if you be sick to set your state in present order. Make your will.
D'Amville.
I have my wish.
133
[To the others] Lights for my brother.
134
Montferrers.
I'll withdraw a while,
And crave the honest counsel of this man.
135
Belforest.
With all my heart, I pray attend him, sir.
136
(Exeunt Montferrers and [Languebeau] Snuffe.)
This next room, please your lordship.
137
D'Amville.
Where you will.
(Exeunt Belforest and D'Amville.)
Levidulcia.
My daughter's gone. Come son. Mistress Cataplasma, come; we'll up into her chamber. I'd fain see how she entertains the expectation of her husband's bedfellow- ship.
Rousard.
'Faith, howsoever she entertains it, I
141
Shall hardly please her; therefore let her rest.
142
Levidulcia.
Nay, please her hardly, and you please her best.
143
(Exeunt.)
[II.ii]
(Enter three servants, drunk, drawing in Fresco.)
1 Servant.
Boy! Fill some drink, boy.
Fresco.
Enough, good sir; not a drop more by this light.
2 Servant.
Not by this light? Why then put out the candles, and we'll drink i' the dark and t' wou’t, old boy.
Fresco.
No, no, no, no, no.
3 Servant.
Why then take thy liquor. A health, Fresco!
(Kneel[s].)
Fresco.
Your health will make me sick sir.
1 Servant.
Then 'twill bring you o' your knees I hope, sir.
Fresco.
May I not stand and pledge it, sir?
2 Servant.
I hope you will do as we do.
Fresco.
Nay then, indeed I must not stand, for you cannot.
3 Servant.
Well said, old boy.
Fresco.
Old boy! You'll make me a young child anon, for if I continue this, I shall scarce be able to go alone.
1 Servant.
My body is as weak as water, Fresco.
Fresco.
Good reason, sir. The beer has sent all the malt up into your brain and left nothing but the water in your body.
(Enter D'Amville and Borachio, closely observing their drunkenness.)
D'Amville.
Borachio, seest those fellows?
18
Borachio.
Yes, my lord.
D'Amville.
Their drunkenness that seems ridiculous,
19
Shall be a serious instrument to bring
20
Our sober purposes to their success.
21
Borachio.
I am prepar’d for th' execution, sir.
22
D'Amville.
Cast off this habit and about it straight.
23
Borachio.
Let them drink healths and drown their brains i' the flood;
24
I'll promise them they shall be pledg’d in blood.
25
(Exit.)
1 Servant.
You ha' left a damnable snuff here.
26
2 Servant.
Do you take that in snuff, sir?
27
1 Servant.
You are a damnable rogue then.
28
([They fall] together by th' ears.)
D'Amville.
Fortune, I honour thee. My plot still rises
29
According to the model of mine own desires.
30
[To the others] Lights for my brother! What, ha' you drunk yourselves mad, you knaves.
1 Servant.
My lord, the jacks abused me.
D'Amville.
I think they are the jacks indeed that have abused thee. Dost hear? That fellow is a proud knave. He has abused thee. As thou goest over the fields by and by in lighting my brother home, I'll tell thee what sha’t do: knock him over the pate with thy torch; I'll bear thee out in't.
1 Servant.
I will singe the goose by this torch.
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
[to the Second Servant] Dost hear, fellow? Seest thou that proud knave? I have given him a lesson for his sauciness. ‘Has wrong’d thee. I'll tell thee what sha’t do: as we go over the fields by and by, clap him suddenly o'er the coxcomb with thy torch; I'll bear thee out in't.
2 Servant.
I will make him understand as much.
(Exit.)
(Enter Languebeau Snuffe.)
D'Amville.
Now, Monsieur Snuffe, what has my brother done?
Languebeau.
Made his will, and by that will made you his heir, with this proviso, that as occasion shall hereafter move him, he may revoke or alter it when he pleases.
D'Amville.
I'll make it sure
48
From his revoking.
49
(Enter Montferrers and Belforest, attended with lights.)
Montferrers.
Brother, now good night.
D'Amville.
The sky is dark; we'll bring you o'er the fields.
50
Who can but strike wants wisdom to maintain;
51
He that strikes safe and sure has heart and brain.
52
(Exeunt.)
[II.iii]
(Enter Castabella alone.)
Castabella.
O love, thou chaste affection of the soul,
1
Without th' adult’rate mixture of the blood,
2
That virtue which to goodness addeth good,
3
The minion of Heaven's heart. Heaven, is 't my fate
4
For loving that thou lov'st, to get thy hate?
5
Or was my Charlemont thy chosen love,
6
And therefore hast receiv’d him to thyself?
7
Then I confess thy anger's not unjust.
8
I was thy rival. Yet to be divorc’d
9
From love has been a punishment enough,
10
Sweet Heaven, without being marry’d unto hate.
11
Hadst thou been pleas’d —Oh double misery!
12
Yet, since thy pleasure hath inflicted it,
13
If not my heart, my duty shall submit.
14
(Enter Levidulcia, Rousard, Cataplasma, Soquette, and Fresco, with a lantern.)
Levidulcia.
Mistress Cataplasma, good night. I pray when your man has brought you home, let him return and light me to my house.
Cataplasma.
He shall instantly wait on your ladyship.
Levidulcia.
Good, Mistress Cataplasma, for my servants are all drunk; I cannot be beholding to 'em for their attendance.
(Exeunt Cataplasma, Soquette and Fresco.)
O here's your bride.
20
Rousard.
And melancholic too,
Methinks.
21
Levidulcia.
How can she choose? your sickness will
Distaste th' expected sweetness o' the night.
22
That makes her heavy.
23
Rousard.
That should make her light.
Levidulcia.
Look you to that.
24
Castabella.
What sweetness speak you of?
The sweetness of the night consists in rest.
25
Rousard.
With that sweetness thou shalt be surely blest
26
Unless my groaning wake thee. Do not moan.
27
Levidulcia.
Sh' had rather you would wake and make her groan.
28
Rousard.
Nay 'troth, sweetheart, I will not trouble thee.
29
Thou shalt not lose thy maidenhead tonight.
30
Castabella.
O might that weakness ever be in force,
31
I never would desire to sue divorce.
32
Rousard.
Wilt go to bed?
33
Castabella.
I will attend you, sir.
Rousard.
Mother, good night.
34
Levidulcia.
Pleasure be your bedfellow.
(Exeunt Rousard and Castabella.)
Why sure their generation was asleep
35
When she begot those dormice, that she made
36
Them up so weakly and imperfectly.
37
One wants desire, the t'other ability—
38
When my affection even with their cold bloods,
39
As snow rubb’d through an active hand does make
40
The flesh to burn, by agitation is
41
Inflam’d! I could unbrace and entertain
42
The air to cool it.
43
(Enter Sebastian.)
Sebastian.
That but mitigates
The heat; rather embrace and entertain
44
A younger brother; he can quench the fire.
45
Levidulcia.
Can you so, sir? Now I beshrew your ear.
46
Why, bold Sebastian, how dare you approach
47
So near the presence of your displeas’d father.
48
Sebastian.
Under the protection of his present absence.
49
Levidulcia.
Belike you knew he was abroad then?
50
Sebastian.
Yes.
Let me encounter you so; I'll persuade
51
Your means to reconcile me to his love.
52
Levidulcia.
Is that the way? I understand you not.
53
But for your reconcilement, meet m' at home;
54
I'll satisfy your suit.
55
Sebastian.
Within this half hour?
(Exit)
Levidulcia.
Or within this whole hour. When you will. —A lusty blood! Has both the presence and the spirit of a man. I like the freedom of his behaviour. Ho! Sebastian! Gone? Has set my blood a-boiling i' my veins, and now, like water poured upon the ground that mixes itself with ev’ry moisture it meets, I could clasp with any man.
(Enter Fresco with a lantern.)
O Fresco, art thou come?
62
If t'other fail, then thou art entertain’d.
63
Lust is a spirit which whosoe’er doth raise,
64
The next man that encounters boldly lays.
65
(Exeunt.)
[II.iv]
(Enter Borachio warily and hastily over the stage, with a stone in either hand.)
Borachio.
Such stones men use to raise a house upon,
1
But with these stones I go to ruin one.
2
(Descends.)
(Enter two Servants, drunk, fighting with their torches; D'Amville, Montferrers, Belforest, and Languebeau Snuffe.)
Belforest.
Passion o' me, you drunken knaves, you'll put
3
The lights out.
4
D'Amville.
No, my lord, th' are but in jest.
1 Servant.
Mine's out.
5
D'Amville.
Then light it at his head; that's light enough.
6
‘Fore God, th' are out. You drunken rascals, back
7
And light 'em.
8
Belforest.
'Tis exceeding dark.
(Exeunt Servants.)
D'Amville.
No matter;
I am acquainted with the way. Your hand.
9
Let's easily walk. I'll lead you till they come.
10
Montferrers.
My soul's oppress’d with grief. ’T lies heavy at
11
My heart. O my departed son, ere long
12
I shall be with thee.
13
(D'Amville thrusts him down into the gravel pit.)
D'Amville.
Marry, God forbid!
Montferrers.
O, O, O.
14
D'Amville.
Now all the host of heaven forbid! Knaves! Rogues!
15
Belforest.
Pray God he be not hurt! He's fall’n into the gravel pit.
16
D'Amville.
Brother, dear brother! Rascals, villains, knaves!
17
(Enter the Servants with lights.)
Eternal darkness damn you; come away.
18
Go round about into the gravel pit,
19
And help my brother up. Why what a strange
20
Unlucky night is this! Is 't not, my lord?
21
I think that dog that howl’d the news of grief,
22
That fatal screech-owl, usher’d on this mischief.
23
(Enter [Servants] with the murdered body.)
Lan.
Mischief indeed, my lord. Your brother's dead.
24
Belforest.
He's dead.
25
1 Servant.
He's dead.
D'Amville.
Dead be your tongues! Drop out
Mine eye-balls, and let envious Fortune play
26
At tennis with 'em. Have I liv’d to this?
27
Malicious Nature! Hadst thou born me blind,
28
Th' hadst yet been something favourable to me.
29
No breath? No motion? Prithee tell me, Heaven,
30
Hast shut thine eye to wink at murder, or
31
Hast put this sable garment on to mourn
32
At 's death?
33
Not one poor spark in the whole spacious sky
34
Of all that endless number would vouchsafe
35
To shine? You viceroys to the king of Nature!
36
Whose constellations govern mortal births,
37
Where is that fatal planet rul’d at his
38
Nativity? That might ha' pleas’d to light
39
Him out, as well into th' world, unless
40
It be asham’d t’ have been the instrument
41
Of such a good man's cursed destiny.
42
Belforest.
Passions transports you. Recollect yourself.
43
Lament him not. Whether our deaths be good
44
Or bad, it is not death but life that tries.
45
He liv’d well, therefore questionless well dies.
46
D'Amville.
Ay, ’tis an easy thing for him that has
47
No pain to talk of patience. Do you think
48
That Nature has no feeling?
49
Belforest.
Feeling? Yes.
But has she purpos’d anything for nothing?
50
What good receives this body by your grief?
51
Whether is 't more unnatural not to grieve
52
For him you cannot help with it, or hurt
53
Yourself with grieving and yet grieve in vain?
54
D'Amville.
Indeed, had he been taken from me like
55
A piece o' dead flesh, I should neither ha' felt it
56
Nor griev’d for 't. But come hither, pray look here.
57
Behold the lively tincture of his blood!
58
Neither the dropsy nor the jaundice in't,
59
But the true freshness of a sanguine red,
60
For all the fog of this black murd’rous night
61
Has mix’d with it. For anything, I know,
62
He might ha' liv’d till doomsday and ha' done
63
More good than either you or I. O Brother!
64
He was a man of such a native goodness,
65
As if regeneration had been given
66
Him in his mother's womb, so harmless
67
That rather than ha' trod upon a worm
68
He would ha' shunn’d the way, so dearly pitiful
69
That ere the poor could ask his charity
70
With dry eyes, he gave 'em relief wi' tears—
71
With tears — yes, faith, with tears.
72
Belforest.
Take up the corpse.
For wisdom's sake, let reason fortify
73
This weakness.
74
D'Amville.
Why, what would you ha' me do?
Foolish Nature will have her course in spite
75
O' wisdom. But I have e'en done.
76
All these words were but a great wind, and now
77
This shower of tears has laid it, I am calm
78
Again. You may set forward when you will.
79
I'll follow you like one that must and would not.
80
Languebeau.
Our opposition will but trouble him.
81
Belforest.
The grief that melts to tears by itself is spent;
82
Passion resisted grows more violent.
83
(Exeunt [all except] D’Amville. Borachio ascends.)
D'Amville.
Here's a sweet comedy. ’T begins with O
84
Dolentis and concludes with ha, ha, he.
85
Borachio.
Ha, ha, he.
86
D'Amville.
O my echo! I could stand
Reverberating this sweet musical air
87
Of joy till I had perish’d my sound lungs
88
With violent laughter. Lovely night-raven!
89
Th' hast seiz’d a carcass.
90
Borachio.
Put him out on's pain.
I lay so fitly underneath the bank
91
From whence he fell, that ere his falt’ring tongue
92
Could utter double O, I knock’d out's brains
93
With this fair ruby, and had another stone
94
Just of this form and bigness ready; that
95
I laid i' the broken skull upo' the ground
96
For 's pillow, against the which they thought he fell
97
And perish’d.
98
D'Amville.
Upon this ground I'll build my manor house,
99
And this shall be the chiefest corner-stone.
100
Borachio.
‘T has crown’d the most judicious murder that
101
The brain of man was e'er deliver’d of.
102
D'Amville.
Ay, mark the plot. Not any circumstance
103
That stood within the reach of the design
104
Of persons, dispositions, matter, time,
105
Or place, but by this brain of mine was made
106
An instrumental help, yet nothing from
107
Th' induction to th' accomplishment seem’d forc’d,
108
Or done o' purpose, but by accident.
109
Borachio.
First my report that Charlemont was dead,
110
Though false, yet cover’d with a mask of truth.
111
D'Amville.
Ay, and deliver’d in as fit a time,
112
When all our minds so wholly were possess’d
113
With one affair, that no man would suspect
114
A thought employ’d for any second end.
115
Borachio.
Then the precisian to be ready when
116
Your brother spake of death, to move his will.
117
D'Amville.
His business call’d him thither, and it fell
118
Within his office, unrequested to 't.
119
From him it came religiously and sav’d
120
Our project from suspicion, which if I
121
Had mov’d had been endanger’d.
122
Borachio.
Then your healths,
Though seeming but the ordinary rites
123
And ceremonies due to festivals—
124
D'Amville.
Yet us’d by me to make the servants drunk,
125
An instrument the plot could not have miss’d.
126
‘Twas easy to set drunkards by the ears;
127
Th’ had nothing but their torches to fight with,
128
And when those lights were out—
129
Borachio.
Then darkness did
Protect the execution of the work
130
Both from prevention and discovery.
131
D'Amville.
Here was a murder bravely carry’d through
132
The eye of observation, unobserv’d.
133
Borachio.
And those that saw the passage of it made
134
The Instruments, yet knew not what they did.
135
D'Amville.
That power of rule philosophers ascribe
136
To him they call the supreme of the stars,
137
Making their influences governors
138
Of sublunary creatures, when their selves
139
Are senseless of their operations—
140
(Thunder and lightning.)
What!
Dost start at thunder? Credit my belief,
141
'Tis a mere effect of Nature,
142
An exhalation hot and dry, involv’d
143
Within a wat’ry vapour i' the middle
144
Region of the air, whose coldness
145
Congealing that thick moisture to a cloud,
146
The angry exhalation shut within
147
A prison of contrary quality,
148
Strives to be free, and with the violent
149
Eruption through the grossness of that cloud
150
Makes this noise we hear.
151
Borachio.
'Tis a fearful noise.
D'Amville.
'Tis a brave noise,
152
And methinks graces our accomplished
153
Project as a peal of ordnance
154
Does a triumph; it speaks encouragement.
155
Now Nature shows thee how it favour’d our
156
Performance, to forbear this noise when we
157
Set forth because it should not terrify
158
My brother’s going home, which would have dash’d
159
Our purpose —to forbear this lightning
160
In our passage, lest it should ha' warn’d him
161
O' the pitfall. Then propitious Nature wink’d
162
At our proceedings; now it doth express
163
How that forbearance favour’d our success.
164
Borachio.
You have confirm’d me, for it follows well
165
That Nature, since herself decay doth hate,
166
Should favour those that strengthen their estate.
167
D'Amville.
Our next endeavour is —since on the false
168
Report that Charlemont is dead depends
169
The fabric of the work —to credit that
170
With all the countenance we can.
171
Borachio.
Faith, sir,
Even let his own inheritance, whereof
172
Y' have dispossess’d him, countenance the act.
173
Spare so much out of that to give him a
174
Solemnity of funeral; 'twill quit
175
The cost and make your apprehension of
176
His death appear more confident and true.
177
D’Am.
I'll take thy counsel. Now farewell black night,
178
Thou beauteous mistress of a murderer;
179
To honour thee, that hast accomplish’d all,
180
I'll wear thy colours at his funeral.
181
(Exeunt.)
[IV.v]
(Enter Levidulcia into her chamber, manned by Fresco.)
Levidulcia.
Th' art welcome into my chamber, Fresco. Prithee shut the door. —Nay, thou mistakest me. Come in and shut it.
Fresco.
'Tis somewhat late, madam.
Levidulcia.
No matter. I have somewhat to say to thee.
4
What, is not thy mistress towards a husband yet?
5
Fresco.
Faith, madam, she has suitors, but they will not suit her, methinks. They will not come off lustily, it seems.
Levidulcia.
They will not come on lustily, thou wouldst say.
Fresco.
I mean, madam, they are not rich enough.
Levidulcia.
But ay, Fresco, they are not bold enough. Thy mistress is of a lively attractive blood, Fresco, and in troth she's o' my mind for that. A poor spirit is poorer than a poor purse. Give me a fellow that brings not only temptation with him, but has the activity of wit and audacity of spirit to apply every word and gesture of a woman's speech and behaviour to his own desire, and make her believe she's the suitor herself, never give back till he has made her yield to it.
Fresco.
Indeed among our equals, madam, but otherwise we shall be put horribly out o 'countenance.
Levidulcia.
Thou art deceived, Fresco. Ladies are as courteous as yeomen's wives, and methinks they should be more gentle. Hot diet and soft ease makes 'em, like wax always kept warm, more easy to take impression. —Prithee untie my shoe. —What, art thou shamefaced too? Go roundly to work, man. My leg is not gouty; 'twill endure the feeling, I warrant thee. Come hither, Fresco; thine ear. — 'S dainty, I mistook the place; I missed thine ear and hit thy lip.
Fresco.
Your ladyship has made me blush.
Levidulcia.
That shows th' art full o' lusty blood and thou knowest not how to use it. Let me see thy hand. Thou shouldst not be shamefaced by thy hand, Fresco. Here's a brawny flesh and a hairy skin, both signs of an able body. I do not like these phlegmatic, smooth-skinned, soft-fleshed fellows. They are like candied suckets when they begin to perish, which I would always empty my closet of and give 'em my chambermaid. —I have some skill in palmistry; by this line that stands directly against me thou shouldst be near a good fortune, Fresco, if thou hadst the grace to en- tertain it.
Fresco.
O what is that, madam, I pray?
Levidulcia.
No less than the love of a fair lady, if thou dost not lose her with faint-heartedness.
Fresco.
A lady, madam? Alas, a Lady is a great thing; I cannot compass her.
Levidulcia.
No? Why, I am a lady. Am I so great I cannot be com- passed? Clasp my waist and try.
Fresco.
I could find i' my heart, madam.
(Sebastian knocks within.)
Levidulcia.
‘Uds body, my husband! Faint-hearted fool, I think thou wert begotten between the North Pole and the con- gealed passage. Now, like an ambitious coward that betrays himself with fearful delay, you must suffer for the treason you never committed. Go, hide thyself behind yond’ arras instantly. Fresco hides himself Enter Sebastian. Sebastian! What do you here so late?
Sebastian.
Nothing yet, but I hope I shall.
(Kisses her.)
Levidulcia.
Y' are very bold.
Sebastian.
And you very valiant, for you met me at full career.
Levidulcia.
You come to ha' me move your father's reconciliation. I'll write a word or two i' your behalf.
Sebastian.
A word or two, madam? That you do for me will not be contained in less than the compass of two sheets. But in plain terms, shall we take the opportunity of privateness?
Levidulcia.
What to do?
Sebastian.
To dance the beginning of the world after the English manner.
Levidulcia.
Why not after the French or Italian?
Sebastian.
Fie, they dance it preposterously, backward.
Levidulcia.
Are you so active to dance?
Sebastian.
I can shake my heels.
Lev.
Y' are well made for't.
Sebastian.
Measure me from top to toe, you shall not find me differ much from the true standard of proportion.
(Belforest knocks within.)
Levidulcia.
I think I am accursed, Sebastian. There's one at the door has beaten opportunity away from us. In brief, I love thee, and it shall not be long before I give thee a testimony of it. To save thee now from suspicion, do no more but draw thy rapier, chafe thyself, and when he comes in rush by without taking notice of him. Only seem to be angry, and let me alone for the rest.
(Enter Belforest.)
Sebastian.
Now by the hand of mercury—
(Exit.)
Belforest.
What's the matter, wife?
Levidulcia.
Ooh, ooh, husband!
Belforest.
Prithee what ail'st thou, woman?
Levidulcia.
O feel my pulse. It beats, I warrant you. Be patient a little, sweet husband; tarry but till my breath come to me again, and I'll satisfy you.
Belforest.
What ails Sebastian? He looks so distractedly.
Levidulcia.
The poor gentleman's almost out on's wits, I think. You remember the displeasure his father took against him about the liberty of speech he used even now when your daughter went to be married?
Belforest.
Yes, what of that?
Levidulcia.
‘T has crazed him sure. He met a poor man i' the street even now. Upon what quarrel I know not, but he pursued him so violently that if my house had not been his rescue, he had surely killed him.
Belforest.
What a strange desperate young man is that!
Levidulcia.
Nay, husband, he grew so in rage when he saw the man was conveyed from him that he was ready even to have drawn his naked weapon upon me. And had not your knocking at the door prevented him, surely h' had done something to me.
Belforest.
Where's the man?
Levidulcia.
If the fool have any wit he will apprehend me.
(Fresco peeps fearfully forth from behind the arras.)
Fresco.
Are you sure he is gone?
Belforest.
He's gone, he's gone, I warrant thee.
Fresco.
I would I were gone too. Has shook me almost into a dead palsy.
Belforest.
How fell the difference between you?
Fresco.
I would I were out at the back door.
Belforest.
Th’ art safe enough. Prithee tell 's the falling out.
Fresco.
Yes sir, when I have recovered my spirits. My memory is almost frighted from me. —O so, so, so. — Why, sir, as I came along the street, sir, —this same gentleman came stumbling after me and trod o' my heel. — I cried O. Do you cry, sirrah? says he. Let me see your heel; if it be not hurt, I'll make you cry for something. So he claps my head between his legs, and pulls off my shoe. I having shifted no socks in a sennight, the gentleman cried Foh, and said my feet were base and cowardly feet; they stunk for fear. Then he knocked my shoe about my pate, and I cried O, once more. In the meantime comes a shag-haired dog by and rubs against his shins. The gentleman took the dog in shag-hair to be some watch- man in a rug gown, and swore he would hang me up at the next door with my lantern in my hand, that passengers might see their way as they went without rubbing against gentlemen's shins. So, for want of a cord, he took his own garters off, and as he was going to make a noose, I watched my time and ran away. And as I ran, indeed, I bid him hang himself in his own garters. So he, in choler, pursued me hither as you see.
Belforest.
Why this savours of distraction.
Levidulcia.
Of mere distraction
Fresco.
Howsoever it savours, I am sure it smells like a lie.
Belforest.
Thou may’st go forth at the back door, honest fellow; the way is private and safe.
Fresco.
So it had need, for your fore-door here is both common and dangerous.
(Exit Belforest.)
Levidulcia.
Good night, honest Fresco.
Fresco.
Good night, madam. If you get me kissing o' ladies again—
(Exit.)
Levidulcia.
This falls out handsomely.
140
But yet the matter does not well succeed
141
Till I have brought it to the very deed.
142
(Exit.)
[II.vi]
(Enter Charlemont, in arms, a Musketeer, and a Sergeant.)
Charlemont.
Sergeant, what hour o' the night is 't?
Sergeant.
About one.
Charlemont.
I would you would relieve me, for I am
3
So heavy that I shall ha' much ado;
4
To stand out my perdu.
5
(Thunder and lightning.)
Sergeant.
I'll e'en but walk
The round, sir, and then presently return.
6
Musk.
For God's sake, sergeant, relieve me. Above five hours together in so foul a stormy night as this!
Sergeant.
Why 'tis a music, soldier. Heaven and earth are now in consort, when the thunder and the cannon play one to another.
(Exit.)
Charlemont.
I know not why I should be thus inclin’d
9
To sleep. I feel my disposition press’d
10
With a necessity of heaviness.
11
Soldier! If thou hast any better eyes,
12
I prithee wake me when the sergeant comes.
13
Musk.
Sir, 'tis so dark and stormy that I shall
14
Scarce either see or hear him ere he comes
15
Upon me.
16
Charlemont.
I cannot force myself to wake.
(Sleeps.)
(Enter the ghost of Montferrers.)
Montferrers.
Return to France, for thy old father's dead
17
And thou by murder disinherited.
18
Attend with patience the success of things,
19
But leave revenge unto the King of kings.
20
(Exit.)
(Charlemont starts and wakes.)
Charlemont.
O my affrighted soul, what fearful dream
21
Was this that wak’d me? Dreams are but the rais’d
22
Impressions of premeditated things,
23
By serious apprehension left upon
24
Our minds, or else th' imaginary shapes
25
Of objects proper to th' complexion or
26
The dispositions of our bodies. These
27
Can neither of them be the cause why I
28
Should dream thus, for my mind has not been mov’d
29
With any one conception of a thought
30
To such a purpose, nor my nature wont
31
To trouble me with fantasies of terror.
32
It must be something that my Genius would
33
Inform me of. Now gracious heaven forbid!
34
O, let my spirit be depriv’d of all
35
Foresight and knowledge ere it understand
36
That vision acted, or divine that act
37
To come. Why should I think so? Left I not
38
My worthy father i' the kind regard
39
Of a most loving uncle? Soldier, saw'st
40
No apparition of a man?
41
Musketeer.
You dream,
Sir; I saw nothing.
42
Charlemont.
Tush, these idle dreams
Are fabulous. Our boiling fantasies
43
Like troubled waters falsify the shapes
44
Of things retain’d in them, and make 'em seem
45
Confounded when they are distinguish’d. So
46
My actions daily conversant with war,
47
The argument of blood and death, had left,
48
Perhaps, th' imaginary presence of
49
Some bloody accident upon my mind,
50
Which mix’d confusedly with other thoughts,
51
Whereof th' remembrance of my father might
52
Be one, presented all together seem
53
Incorporate, as if his body were
54
The owner of that blood, the subject of
55
That death, when he's at Paris and that blood
56
Shed here. It may be thus. I would not leave
57
The war, for reputation's sake, upon
58
An idle apprehension, a vain dream.
59
(Enter the Ghost.)
Musketeer.
Stand, stand, I say. No? Why then have at thee.
60
Sir, if you will not stand, I'll make you fall.
61
Nor stand, nor fall? Nay, then the Devil's dam
62
Has broke her husband's head, for sure it is a spirit,
63
I shot it through, and yet it will not fall.
64
(Exit.)
(The Ghost approaches Charlemont. He fearfully avoids it.)
Charlemont.
O pardon me. My doubtful heart was slow
65
To credit that which I did fear to know.
66
(Exeunt.)
Act III
[III.i]
(Enter [D’Amville with] the funeral of Montferrers.)
D'Amville.
Set down the body. Pay earth what she lent,
1
But she shall bear a living monument
2
To let succeeding ages truly know
3
That she is satisfy’d what he did owe,
4
Both principal and use, because his worth
5
Was better at his death than at his birth.
6
(A dead march. Enter the funeral of Charlemont as a soldier.)
And with his body place that memory
7
Of noble Charlemont, his worthy son,
8
And give their graves the rites that do belong
9
To soldiers. They were soldiers both. The father
10
Held open war with sin, the son with blood,
11
This in a war more gallant, that more good.
12
(The first volley.)
There place their arms, and here their epitaphs,
13
And may these lines survive the last of graves:
14
(The Epitaph of Montferrers.)
Here lie the ashes of that earth and fire
15
Whose heat and fruit did feed and warm the poor,
16
And they, as if they would in sighs expire
17
And into tears dissolve, his death deplore.
18
He did that good freely, for goodness' sake,
19
Unforc’d, for gen’rousness he held so dear
20
That he fear’d none but him that did him make,
21
And yet he serv’d him more for love than fear.
22
So 's life provided that though he did die
23
A sudden death, yet died not suddenly.
24
(The Epitaph of Charlemont.)
His body lies interr’d within this would,
25
Who died a young man, yet departed old,
26
And in all strength of youth that man can have
27
Was ready still to drop into his grave.
28
For ag’d in virtue, with a youthful eye
29
He welcom’d it, being still prepar’d to die,
30
And living so, though young depriv’d of breath,
31
He did not suffer an untimely death,
32
But we may say of his brave bless’d decease:
33
He died in war, and yet he died in peace.
34
(The second volley.)
O might that fire revive the ashes of
35
This phoenix! Yet the wonder would not be
36
So great as he was good and wond’red at
37
For that. His life's example was so true
38
A practique of religion's theory
39
That her divinity seem’d rather the
40
Description than th' instruction of his life.
41
And of his goodness was his virtuous son
42
A worthy imitator. So that on
43
These two herculean pillars where their arms
44
Are plac’d there may be writ Non ultra . For
45
Beyond their lives, as well for youth as age,
46
Nor young nor old, in merit or in name,
47
Shall e'er exceed their virtues or their fame.
48
(The third volley.)
'Tis done. Thus fair accompliments make foul
49
Deeds gracious. Charlemont, come now when t' wout,
50
I've bury’d under these two marble stones
51
Thy living hopes And thy dead father's bones.
52
(Exeunt.)
(Enter Castabella mourning, to the monument of Charlemont.)
Castabella.
O thou that know’st me justly Charlemont’s,
53
Though in the forc’d possession of another,
54
Since from thine own free spirit we receive it
55
That our affections cannot be compell’d
56
Though our actions may, be not displeas’d, if on
57
The altar of his tomb I sacrifice
58
My tears. They are the jewels of my love
59
Dissolved into grief, and fall upon
60
His blasted spring as April dew upon
61
A sweet young blossom shak’d before the time.
62
(Enter Charlemont with a Servant.)
Charlemont.
Go see my trunks dispos’d of. I'll but walk
63
A turn or two i' th' church and follow you.
64
(Exit Servant.)
O, here's the fatal monument of my
65
Dead father first presented to mine eye.
66
What's here? In memory of Charlemont?
67
Some false relation has abus’d belief.
68
I am deluded. But I thank thee, Heaven.
69
For ever let me be deluded thus.
70
My Castabella mourning o 'er my hearse?
71
Sweet Castabella, rise; I am not dead.
72
Castabella.
O Heaven defend me!
73
(Falls in a swoon.)
Charlemont.
I beshrew my rash
And inconsid’rate passion. —Castabella!—
74
That could not think —my Castabella!— that
75
My sudden presence might affright her sense.
76
I prithee, my affection, pardon me.
77
(She rises.)
Reduce thy understanding to thine eye.
78
Within this habit which thy misinform’d
79
Conceit takes only for a shape live both
80
The soul and body of thy Charlemont.
81
Castabella.
I feel a substance warm and soft and moist,
82
Subject to the capacity of sense.
83
Charlemont.
Which spirits are not, for their essence is
84
Above the nature and the order of
85
Those elements whereof our senses are
86
Created. Touch my lip. Why turn’st thou from me?
87
Castabella.
Grief above griefs! That which should woe relieve,
88
Wish’d and obtain’d, gives greater cause to grieve.
89
Charlemont.
Can Castabella think it cause of grief
90
That the relation of my death proves false?
91
Castabella.
The presence of the person we affect,
92
Being hopeless to enjoy him, makes our grief
93
More passionate than if we saw him not.
94
Charlemont.
Why not enjoy? Has absence chang’d thee?
95
Castabella.
Yes,
From maid to wife.
96
Charlemont.
Art marry’d?
Castabella.
O, I am.
Charlemont.
Marry’d! Had not my mother been a woman,
97
I should protest against the chastity
98
Of all thy sex. How can the merchant or
99
The Mariner, absent whole years, from wives
100
Experienc’d in the satisfaction of
101
Desire, promise themselves to find their sheets
102
Unspotted with adultery at their
103
Return, when you that never had the sense
104
Of actual temptation could not stay
105
A few short months?
106
Castabella.
O, do but hear me speak.
Charlemont.
But thou wert wise and didst consider that
107
A soldier might be maim’d and so perhaps
108
Lose his hability to please thee.
109
Castabella.
No.
That weakness pleases me in him I have.
110
Charlemont.
What, marry’d to a man unable too?
111
O strange incontinence! Why, was thy blood
112
Increas’d to such a pleurisy of lust,
113
That of necessity there must a vein
114
Be open’d, though by one that had no skill
115
To do't?
116
Castabella.
Sir, I beseech you hear me.
Charlemont.
Speak.
Castabella.
Heav’n knows I am unguilty of this act.
117
Charlemont.
Why, wert thou forc’d to do 't?
118
Castabella.
Heav’n knows I was.
Charlemont.
What villain did it?
119
Castabella.
Your uncle D'Amville.
And he that dispossess’d my love of you
120
Hath disinherited you of possession.
121
Charlemont.
Disinherited? Wherein have I deserv’d
122
To be depriv’d of my dear father's love?
123
Castabella.
Both of his love and him. His soul's at rest,
124
But here your injur’d patience may behold
125
The signs of his lamented memory.
126
(Charlemont finds his father's Monument.)
H’ has found it. When I took him for a ghost
127
I could endure the torment of my fear
128
More eas’ly than I can his sorrows hear.
129
(Exit.)
Charlemont.
Of all men's griefs must mine be singular?
130
Without example? Here I met my grave,
131
And all men's woes are bury’d i' their graves
132
But mine. In mine my miseries are born.
133
I prithee, sorrow, leave a little room
134
In my confounded and tormented mind
135
For understanding to deliberate
136
The cause or author of this accident—
137
A close advantage of my absence made
138
To dispossess me both of land and wife,
139
And all the profit does arise to him
140
By whom my absence was first mov’d and urg’d.
141
These circumstances, uncle, tell me you
142
Are the suspected author of those wrongs,
143
Whereof the lightest is more heavy than
144
The strongest patience can endure to bear.
145
(Exit.)
[III.ii]
(Enter D'Amville, Sebastian, and Languebeau [Snuffe].)
D'Amville.
Now sir, your business?
1
Sebastian.
My annuity.
D'Amville.
Not a denier.
2
Sebastian.
How would you ha' me live?
D'Amville.
Why, turn crier. Cannot you turn crier?
3
Sebastian.
Yes.
4
D'Amville.
Then do so; y' have a good voice for 't.
Y' are excellent at crying of a rape.
5
Sebastian.
Sir, I confess in particular respect to yourself I was some-what forgetful. Gen’ral honesty possessed me.
D'Amville.
Go, th’ art the base corruption of my blood,
7
And like a tetter grow’st unto my flesh.
8
Sebastian.
Inflict any punishment upon me. The severity shall not discourage me if it be not shameful, so you'll but put money i' my purse. The want of money makes a free spirit more mad than the possession does an usurer.
D'Amville.
Not a farthing.
Sebastian.
Would you ha' me turn purse-taker? 'Tis the next way to do 't. For want is like the rack; it draws a man to endanger himself to the gallows rather than endure it.
(Enter Charlemont; D'amville counterfeits to take him for a ghost.)
D'Amville.
What art thou? Stay! Assist my troubled sense.
16
My apprehension will distract me. Stay!
17
(Languebeau Snuffe avoids him fearfully.)
Sebastian.
What art thou? Speak!
18
Charlemont.
The spirit of Charlemont.
D'Amville.
O stay. Compose me. I dissolve.
19
Languebeau.
No, 'tis profane. Spirits are invisible. 'Tis the fiend i' the likeness of Charlemont. I will have no conversation with Sathan.
(Exit.)
Sebastian.
The spirit of Charlemont? I'll try that.
21
(Strike[s], and the blow [is] returned.)
‘Fore God, thou sayest true; th' art all spirit.
22
D'Amville.
Go call the officers.
23
(Exit.)
Charlemont.
Th’ art a villain and the son of a villain.
24
Sebastian.
You lie.
25
([They] fight. Sebastian is down.)
Charlemont.
Have at thee.
26
(Enter the Ghost of Montferrers.)
Revenge, to thee I'll dedicate this work.
27
Montferrers.
Hold, Charlemont!
28
Let him revenge my murder, and thy wrongs,
29
To whom the justice of revenge belongs.
30
(Exit.)
Charlemont.
You torture me between the passion
31
Of my blood and the religion of my soul.
32
(Sebastian rises.)
Sebastian.
A good honest fellow.
33
(Enter D'Amville with Officers.)
D'Amville.
What, wounded? Apprehend him. Sir, is this
34
Your salutation for the courtesy
35
I did you when we parted last? You ha'
36
Forgot I lent you a thousand crowns.
37
[To the Officers] First let
38
Him answer for this riot. When the law
39
Is satisfy’d for that, an an action for
40
His debt shall clap him up again.
41
[To Charlemont] I took
42
You for a spirit, and I'll conjure you
43
Before I ha' done.
44
Charlemont.
No. I'll turn conjurer. Devil!
Within this circle, in the midst of all
45
Thy force and malice, I conjure thee do
46
Thy worst.
47
D'Amville.
Away with him!
(Exeunt Officers with Charlemont.)
Sebastian.
Sir, I have got
A scratch or two here for your sake. I hope
48
You'll give me money to pay the surgeon.
49
D'Amville.
Borachio, fetch me a thousand crowns. I am
50
Content to countenance the freedom of
51
Your spirit when 'tis worthily employed.
52
A’ God's name, give behaviour the full scope
53
Of gen’rous liberty, but let it not
54
Disperse and spend itself in courses of
55
Unbounded licence. Here, pay for your hurts.
56
(Exit.)
Sebastian.
I thank you, sir. Gen’rous liberty —that is to say, freely to bestow my abilities to honest purposes. Methinks I should not follow that instruction now, if having the means to do an honest office for an honest fellow, I should neglect it. Charlemont lies in prison for a thousand crowns, and here I have a thousand crowns. Honesty tells me 'twere well done to release Charlemont. But discretion says I had much ado to come by this, and when this shall be gone I know not where to finger any more, especially if I employ it to this use, which is like to endanger me into my father's perpetual displeasure. And then I may go hang myself, or be forced to do that will make another save me the labour. No matter. Charlemont, thou gav'st me my life, and that's somewhat of a purer earth than gold, as fine as it is. ’Tis no courtesy I do thee, but thank- fulness. I owe thee it and I'll pay it. He fought bravely, but the officers dragged him villanously. Arrant knaves, for using him so discourteously, may the sins o' the poor people be so few that you sha' not be able to spare so much out o' your gettings as will pay for the hire of a lame starved hackney to ride to an execution, but go a-foot to the gallows and be hanged. May elder brothers turn good husbands and younger brothers get good wives, that there be no need of debt-books nor use of sergeants. May there be all peace but i' the war and all charity but i' the devil, so that prisons may be turned to hospitals, though the officers live o’ the benevolence. If this curse might come to pass, the world would say, Blessed be he that curseth.
(Exit.)
[III.iii]
(Enter Charlemont in prison.)
Charlemont.
I grant thee, Heaven, thy goodness doth command
1
Our punishments, but yet no further than
2
The measure of our sins. How should they else
3
Be just? Or how should that good purpose of
4
Thy justice take effect, by bounding men
5
Within the confines of humanity,
6
When our afflictions do exceed our crimes?
7
Then they do rather teach the barb’rous world
8
Examples that extend her cruelties
9
Beyond their own dimensions, and instruct
10
Our actions to be more, more barbarous.
11
O my afflicted soul, how torment swells
12
Thy apprehension with profane conceit,
13
Against the sacred justice of my God!
14
Our own constructions are the authors of
15
Our misery. We never measure our
16
Conditions but with men above us in
17
Estate, so while our spirits labour to
18
Be higher than our fortunes, th' are more base.
19
Since all those attributes which make men seem
20
Superior to us are man's subjects and
21
Were made to serve him, the repining man
22
Is of a servile spirit to deject
23
The value of himself below their estimation.
24
(Enter Sebastian with the Keeper.)
Sebastian.
Here. Take my sword. —How now, my wild swagg’rer, y' are tame enough now, are you not? The penury of a prison is like a soft consumption. 'Twill humble the pride o’ your mortality, and arm your soul in complete patience to endure the weight of affliction without feeling it. What, hast no music in thee? Th' hast trebles and bases enough, treble injury and base usage. But trebles and bases make poor music without means. Thou want'st means, dost? What, dost droop? Art dejected?
Charlemont.
No, sir. I have a heart above the reach
34
Of thy most violent maliciousness.
35
A fortitude in scorn of thy contempt—
36
Since Fate is pleas’d to have me suffer it—
37
That can bear more than thou hast power t' inflict.
38
I was a baron; that thy father has
39
Depriv’d me off. Instead of that I am
40
Created king. I've lost a signiory
41
That was confin’d within a piece of earth,
42
A wart upon the body of the world.
43
But now I am an emp’ror of a world,
44
This little world of man. My passions are
45
My subjects, and I can command them laugh,
46
Whilst thou dost tickle 'em to death with misery.
47
Sebastian.
'Tis bravely spoken, and I love thee for 't. Thou liest here for a thousand crowns. Here are a thousand to re- deem thee —not for the ransom o' my life thou gav'st me; that I value not at one crown. 'Tis none o' my deed; thank my father for 't. ’Tis his goodness. Yet he looks not for thanks, for he does it underhand, out of a reserved dispo- sition to do thee good without ostentation. — Out o’ great heart you'll refuse 't now, will you?
Charlemont.
No. Since I must submit myself to Fate,
56
I never will neglect the offer of
57
One benefit, but entertain them as
58
Her favours and th' inductions to some end
59
Of better fortune, as whose instrument
60
I thank thy courtesy.
61
Sebastian.
Well, come along.
(Exeunt.)
[III.iv]
(Enter D'Amville and Castabella.)
D'Amville.
Daughter, you do not well to urge me. I
1
Ha' done no more than justice. Charlemont
2
Shall die and rot in prison, and 'Tis just.
3
Castabella.
O father, mercy is an attribute
4
As high as justice, an essential part
5
Of his unbounded goodness, whose divine
6
Impression, form, and image man should bear.
7
And methinks man should love to imitate
8
His mercy, since the only countenance
9
Of justice were destruction, if the sweet
10
And loving favour of his mercy did
11
Not mediate between it and our weakness.
12
D'Amville.
Forbear. You will displease me. He shall rot.
13
Castabella.
Dear sir, since by your greatness you
14
Are nearer heav’n in place, be nearer it
15
In goodness. Rich men should transcend the poor,
16
As clouds the earth, rais’d by the comfort of
17
The sun to water dry and barren grounds.
18
If neither the impression in your soul
19
Of goodness, nor the duty of your place
20
As goodness’ substitute can move you, then
21
Let Nature, which in savages, in beasts,
22
Can stir to pity, tell you that he is
23
Your kinsman.
24
D'Amville.
You expose your honesty
To strange construction. Why should you so urge
25
Release for Charlemont? Come you profess
26
More nearness to him than your modesty
27
Can answer. You have tempted my suspicion.
28
I tell thee he shall starve, and die, and rot.
29
(Enter Charlemont and Sebastian.)
Charlemont.
Uncle, I thank you.
30
D'Amville.
Much good do it you.
Who did release him?
31
Sebastian.
I.
(Exit Castabella.)
D'Amville.
You are a villain.
Sebastian.
Y' are my father.
32
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
I must temporize.
[To Charlemont] Nephew, had not his open freedom made
33
My disposition known, I would ha' borne
34
The course and inclination of my love
35
According to the motion of the sun,
36
Invisibly enjoy’d and understood.
37
Charlemont.
That shows your good works are directed to
38
No other end then goodness. I was rash,
39
I must confess, but —
40
D'Amville.
I will excuse you.
To lose a father and, as you may think,
41
Be disinherited, it must be granted,
42
Are motives to impatience. But for death,
43
Who can avoid it? And for his estate,
44
In the uncertainty of both your lives
45
‘Twas done discreetly to confer't upon
46
A known successor, being the next in blood,
47
And one, dear nephew, whom in time to come
48
You shall have cause to thank. I will not be
49
Your dispossessor, but your guardian.
50
I will supply your father's vacant place,
51
To guide your green improvidence of youth
52
And make you ripe for your inheritance.
53
Charlemont.
Sir, I embrace your gen’rous promises.
54
([They embrace.])
(Enter Rousard sick, and Castabella.)
Rousard.
Embracing? I behold the object that
55
Mine eye affects. Dear cousin Charlemont!
56
D'Amville.
My elder son. He meets you happily,
57
For with the hand of our whole family
58
We interchange th' indenture of ourLoves.
59
Charlemont.
And I accept it, yet not joyfully
60
Because y' are sick.
61
D'Amville.
Sir, his affection's sound
Though he be sick in body.
62
Rousard.
Sick indeed.
A gen’ral weakness did surprise my health
63
The very day I marry’d Castabella,
64
As if my sickness were a punishment
65
That did arrest me for some injury
66
I then committed.
67
[To Castabella] Credit me, my love,
68
I pity thy ill fortune to be match’d
69
With such a weak unpleasing bedfellow.
70
Castabella.
Believe me, sir, it never troubles me.
71
I am as much respectless to enjoy
72
Such pleasure as ignorant what it is.
73
Charlemont.
Thy sex's wonder. Unhappy Charlemont.
74
D'Amville.
Come, let's to supper. There we will confirm
75
The eternal bond of our concluded love.
76
(Exeunt.)
Act IV
[IV.i]
(Enter Cataplasma and Soquette with needlework.)
Cataplasma.
Come, Soquette, your work; let's examine your work. What's here? A medlar with a plum tree growing hard by it, the leaves o’ the plum tree falling off, the gum issuing out o’ the perished joints, and the branches some of 'em dead and some rotten, and yet but a young plum tree. In good sooth, very pretty.
Soquette.
The plum tree, forsooth, grows so near the medlar that the medlar sucks and draws all the sap from it and the natural strength o’ the ground, so that it cannot prosper.
Cataplasma.
How conceited you are! But here th’ hast made a tree to bear no fruit. Why's that?
Soquette.
There grows a savin tree next it, forsooth.
Cataplasma.
Forsooth, you are a little too witty in that.
(Enter Sebastian.)
Sebastian.
[Embracing her] But this honeysuckle winds about this whitethorn very prettily and lovingly, sweet Mistress Cataplasma.
Cataplasma.
Monsieur Sebastian! In good sooth, very uprightly welcome this evening.
Sebastian.
What, moralizing upon this gentlewoman's needlework? Let's see.
Cataplasma.
No, sir, only examining whether it be done to the true nature and life o’ the thing.
Sebastian.
Here y’ have set a medlar with a bachelor’s button o’ one side, and a snail o’ th' t’other. The bachelor’s button should have held his head up more pertly towards the medlar; the snail o’ th' t’other side should ha' been wrought with an artificial laziness, doubling his tail and putting out his horn but half the length, and then the medlar falling, as it were, from the lazy snail and inclining towards the pert bachelor’s button, their branches spreading and winding one within another as if they did embrace. But here's a moral. A popp’ring pear tree growing upon the bank of a river, seeming continually to look downwards into the water as if it were enamoured of it, and ever as the fruit ripens lets it fall for love, as it were, into her lap; which the wanton stream, like a strumpet, no sooner receives but she carries it away and bestows it upon some other creature she maintains, still seeming to play and dally under the popp’ring so long that it has almost washed away the earth from the root, and now the poor tree stands as if it were ready to fall and perish by that whereon it spent all the substance it had.
Cataplasma.
Moral for you that love those wanton running waters.
Sebastian.
But is not my Lady Levidulcia come yet?
Cataplasma.
Her purpose promised us her company ere this. Lirie, your lute and your book.
Sebastian.
Well said. A lesson o’ th' lute to entertain the time with till she comes.
Cataplasma.
Sol, fa, mi, la — Mi, mi mi. — Precious! Dost not see mi between the two crochets? Strike me full there. —So — forward. —This is a sweet strain, and thou finger’st it beastly. Mi is a large there, and the prick that stands before mi , a long; always halve your note. Now —run your division pleasingly with those quavers. Observe all your graces i' the touch. Here's a sweet close —strike it full; it sets off your music delicately.
(Enter Languebeau Snuffe and Levidulcia.)
Languebeau.
Purity be in this house.
Cataplasma.
'Tis now entered, and welcome with your good lady- ship.
Sebastian.
Cease that music. Here's a sweeter instrument.
([Goes to embrace her.])
Levidulcia.
Restrain your liberty. See you not Snuffe?
Sebastian.
What does the stinkard here? Put Snuffe out. He's offensive.
Levidulcia.
No. The credit of his company defends my being abroad from the eye of suspicion.
Cataplasma.
Wil 't please your ladyship go up into the closet? There are those falls and tires I told you of.
Levidulcia.
Monsieur Snuffe, I shall request your patience. My stay will not be long.
(Exit with Sebastian.)
Languebeau.
My duty, madam. Falls and tires? I begin to suspect what falls and tires you mean. My lady and Sebastian the fall and the tire, and I the shadow. I perceive the purity of my conversation is used but for a property to cover the uncleanness of their purposes. The very contemplation o’ the thing makes the spirit of the flesh begin to wriggle in my blood. And here my desire has met with an object already. This gentlewoman, methinks, should be swayed with the motion, living in a house where moving example is so common. Temptation has prevailed over me, and I will attempt to make it overcome her. —Mistress Cata- plasma, my lady, it seems, has some business that requires her stay. The fairness o’ the evening invites me into the air; will it please you give this gentlewoman leave to leave her work, and walk a turn or two with me for honest recreation?
Cataplasma.
With all my heart, sir. Go, Soquette, give ear to his instructions. You may get understanding by his com- pany, I can tell you.
Languebeau.
In the way of holiness, Mistress Cataplasma.
81
Cataplasma.
Good Monsieur Snuffe! I will attend your return.
82
Languebeau.
[To Soquette] Your hand, gentlewoman.
83
The flesh is humble till the spirit move it,
84
But when 'tis rais’d it will command above it.
85
(Exeunt.)
[IV.ii]
(Enter D'Amville, Charlemont, and Borachio.)
D'Amville.
Your sadness and the sickness of my son
1
Have made our company and conference
2
Less free and pleasing then I purpos’d it.
3
Charlemont.
Sir, for the present I am much unfit
4
For conversation or society.
5
With pardon I will rudely take my leave.
6
D'Amville.
Good night, dear nephew.
7
(Exit Charlemont.)
Seest thou that same man?
Borachio.
Your meaning, sir?
8
D'Amville.
That fellow's life, Borachio,
Like a superfluous letter in the Law,
9
Endangers our assurance.
10
Borachio.
Scrape him out.
D'Amville.
Wou’t do ’t?
11
Borachio.
Give me your purpose; I will do 't.
D'Amville.
Sad melancholy has drawn Charlemont
12
With meditation on his father's death,
13
Into the solitary walk behind the Church.
14
Borachio.
The churchyard? This the fittest place for death.
15
Perhaps he's praying. Then he's fit to die.
16
We'll send him charitably to his grave.
17
D'Amville.
No matter how thou tak'st him. First take this.
18
([Gives him a] pistol.)
Thou know’st the place. Observe his passages,
19
And with the most advantage make a stand,
20
That favour’d by the darkness of the night,
21
His breast may fall upon thee at so near
22
A distance that he sha' not shun the blow.
23
The deed once done, thou may'st retire with safety.
24
The place is unfrequented, and his death
25
Will be imputed to th' attempt of thieves.
26
Borachio.
Be careless. Let your mind be free and clear.
27
This pistol shall discharge you of your fear.
28
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
But let me call my projects to account,
29
For what effect and end I have engag’d
30
Myself in all this blood. To leave a state
31
To the succession of my proper blood.
32
But how shall that succession be continu’d?
33
Not in my elder son, I fear. Disease
34
And weakness have disabled him for issue.
35
For th' t’other, his loose humour will endure
36
No bond of marriage. And I doubt his life;
37
His spirit is so boldly dangerous.
38
O pity that the profitable end
39
Of such a prosp’rous murder should be lost!
40
Nature forbid. I hope I have a body
41
That will not suffer me to lose my labour
42
For want of issue yet. But then 't must be
43
A Bastard. Tush, they only father bastards
44
That father other men's begettings. Daughter!
45
Be it mine own, let it come whence it will.
46
I am resolv’d. Daughter!
47
(Enter Servant.)
Servant.
My lord.
D'Amville.
I prithee call my daughter.
48
(Enter Castabella.)
Castabella.
Your pleasure, sir?
49
D'Amville.
Is thy husband i' bed?
Castabella.
Yes, my lord.
50
D'Amville.
The evening's fair. I prithee
Walk a turn or two.
51
Castabella.
Come, Jaspar.
D'Amville.
No.
We'll walk but to the corner o' the church,
52
And I have something to speak privately.
53
Castabella.
No matter; stay.
54
(Exit Servant.)
D'Amville.
This falls out happily.
(Exeunt.)
[IV.iii]
(Enter Charlemont, Borachio, dogging him in the churchyard. The clock strikes twelve.)
Charlemont.
Twelve.
Borachio.
'Tis a good hour; 'twill strike one anon.
Charlemont.
How fit a place for contemplation is this dead of night, among the dwellings of the dead. — This grave —perhaps th' inhabitant was in his lifetime the possessor of his own desires. Yet in the midst of all his greatness and his wealth he was less rich and less contented than in this poor piece of earth, lower and lesser than a cottage, for here he neither wants nor cares.
Now that his body favours of corruption,
9
He enjoys a sweeter rest than e'er he did
10
Amongst the sweetest pleasures of this life,
11
For here, there's nothing troubles him. —And there—
12
In that grave lies another. He, perhaps,
13
Was in his life as full of misery
14
As this of happiness, and here's an end
15
Of both. Now both their states are equal. O
16
That man with so much labour should aspire
17
To worldly height, when in the humble earth
18
The world's condition's at the best! Or scorn
19
Inferior men, since to be lower than
20
A worm is to be higher than a king.
21
Borachio.
Then fall and rise.
22
(Discharges [the pistol, wich] gives false fire.)
Charlemont.
What villain's hand was that?
Save thee or thou shalt perish.
23
(They fight.)
Borachio.
Zounds, unsav’d, I think.
(Fall[s].)
Charlemont.
What, have I kill'd him? Whatsoe'er thou beest,
24
I would thy hand had prosper’d, for I was
25
Unfit to live and well prepar’d to die.
26
What shall I do? Accuse myself, submit
27
Me to the law, and that will quickly end
28
This violent increase of misery.
29
But 'tis a murder to be accessory
30
To mine own death. I will not. I will take
31
This opportunity to ‘scape. It may
32
Be Heav’n reserves me to some better end.
33
(Exit.)
(Enter [Languebeau] Snuffe and Soquette into the churchyard.)
Soquette.
Nay, good sir, I dare not. In good sooth I come of a generation both by father and mother that were all as fruitful as costermonger’s wives.
Languebeau.
Tush, then a tympany is the greatest danger can be feared. Their fruitfulness turns but to a certain kind of phlegmatic windy disease.
Soquette.
I must put my understanding to your trust, sir. I would be loath to be deceived.
Languebeau.
No, conceive, thou sha’t not. Yet thou shalt profit by my instruction too. My body is not every day drawn dry, wench.
Soquette.
Yet methinks, sir, your want of use should rather make your body like a well: the lesser 'tis drawn, the sooner it grows dry.
Languebeau.
Thou shalt try that instantly.
Soquette.
But we want place and opportunity.
Languebeau.
We have both. This is the back side of the house which the superstitious call Saint Winifred's church, and is verily a convenient unfrequented place,
Where under the close curtains of the night —
48
Soquette.
You purpose i' the dark to make me light.
49
([Snuffe] pulles out a sheet, a hair, and a beard.)
But what ha' you there?
50
Languebeau.
This disguise is for security sake, wench. There's a talk, thou know’st, that the ghost of old Montferrers walks. In this church he was buried. Now if any stranger fall upon us before our business be ended, in this disguise I shall be taken for that ghost and never be called to examination, I warrant thee. Thus we shall ‘scape both prevention and discovery. How do I look in this habit, wench?
Soquette.
So like a ghost that, notwithstanding I have some fore- knowledge of you, you make my hair stand almost on end.
Languebeau.
I will try how I can kiss in this beard. —Oh fie, fie, fie. I will put it off, and then kiss, and then put it on. I can do the rest without kissing.
(Enter Charlemont doubtfully, with his sword drawn. [He] is upon them before they are aware. They run out divers ways and leave the disguise.)
Charlemont.
What ha' we here? A sheet, a hair, a beard?
64
What end was this disguise intended for?
65
No matter what. I'll not expostulate
66
The purpose of a friendly accident.
67
Perhaps it may accommodate my ‘scape.
68
I fear I am pursu’d. For more assurance,
69
I'll hide me here i' th' charnel house,
70
This convocation-house of dead men'sskulls.
71
(To get into the charnel house he takes hold of a death's head; it slips and staggers him.)
Death's head, deceiv'st my hold?
72
Such is the trust to all mortality.
73
(Hides himself in the charnel house.)
(Enter D'Amville and Castabella.)
Castabella.
My lord, the night grows late. Your lordship spake
74
Of something you desir’d to move in private.
75
D'Amville.
Yes, now I'll speak it. Th' argument is love.
76
The smallest ornament of thy sweet form,
77
That abstract of all pleasure, can command
78
The senses into passion, and thy entire
79
Perfection is my object; yet I love
80
Thee with the freedom of my reason. I
81
Can give thee reason for my love.
82
Castabella.
Love me,
My lord? I do believe it, for I am
83
The wife of him you love.
84
D'Amville.
'Tis true. By my
Persuasion thou wert forc’d to marry one
85
Unable to perform the office of
86
A husband. I was author of the wrong.
87
My conscience suffers under't, and I would
88
Disburden it by satisfaction.
89
Castabella.
How?
D'Amville.
I will supply that pleasure to thee which
90
He cannot.
91
Castabella.
Are y' a devil or a man?
D'Amville.
A man, and such a man as can return
92
Thy entertainment with as prodigal
93
A body as the covetous desire
94
Of woman ever was delighted with;
95
So that, besides the full performance of
96
Thy empty husband's duty, thou shalt have
97
The joy of children to continue the
98
Succession of thy blood; for the appetite
99
That steals her pleasure, draws the forces of
100
The body to an united strength and puts
101
'Em altogether into action,
102
Never fails of procreation.
103
All the purposes of man
104
Aim but at one of these two ends, pleasure
105
Or profit, and in this one sweet conjunction
106
Of our loves they both will meet. Would it
107
Not grieve thee, that a stranger to thy blood
108
Should lay the first foundation of his house
109
Upon the ruins of thy family?
110
Castabella.
Now Heav’n defend me! May my memory
111
Be utterly extinguish’d, and the heir
112
Of him that was my father's enemy
113
Raise his eternal monument upon
114
Our ruins, ere the greatest pleasure or
115
The greatest profit ever tempt me to
116
Continue it by incest.
117
D'Amville.
Incest, tush.
These distances affinity observes
118
Are articles of bondage cast upon
119
Our freedoms by our own subjections.
120
Nature allows a gen’ral liberty
121
Of generation to all creatures else.
122
Shall man, to whose command and use all creatures
123
Were made subject, be less free than they?
124
Castabella.
O God,
125
Is thy unlimited and infinite
126
Omnipotence less free because thou dost
127
No ill? Or if you argue merely out
128
Of Nature, do you not degenerate
129
From that, and are you not unworthy the
130
Prerogative of Nature's masterpiece,
131
When basely you prescribe yourself
132
Authority and law from their examples
133
Whom you should command? I could confute
134
You, but the horror of the argument
135
Confounds my understanding. — Sir, I know
136
You do but try me in your son's behalf,
137
Suspecting that my strength and youth of blood
138
Cannot contain themselves with impotence.
139
Believe me, sir,
140
I never wrong’d him. If it be your lust,
141
O quench it on their prostituted flesh,
142
Whose trade of sin can please desire with more
143
Delight and less offence. —The poison of
144
Your breath, evaporated from so foul a soul,
145
Infects the air more than the damps that rise
146
From bodies but half rotten in their graves.
147
D'Amville.
Kiss me. I warrant thee my breath is sweet.
148
These dead men's bones lie here of purpose to
149
Invite us to supply the number of
150
The living. Come, we'll get young bones and do 't.
151
I will enjoy thee. No? Nay then invoke
152
Your great suppos’d protector. I will do't.
153
Castabella.
Suppos’d protector? Are y' an atheist? Then
154
I know my prayers and tears are spent in vain.
155
O patient Heav’n, why dost thou not express
156
Thy wrath in thunderbolts, to tear the frame
157
Of man in pieces? How can earth endure
158
The burden of this wickedness without
159
An earthquake, or the angry face of Heav’n
160
Be not inflam’d with lightning?
161
D'Amville.
Conjure up
The devil and his dam; cry to the graves;
162
The dead can hear thee; invocate their help.
163
Castabella.
O would this grave might open, and my body
164
Were bound to the dead carcass of a man
165
For ever, ere it entertain the lust
166
Of this detested villain.
167
D'Amville.
Tereus-like,
Thus I will force my passage to—
168
Charlemont.
The devil!
(Charlemont rises in the disguise and frights D'Amville away.)
Now Lady, with the hand of Charlemont
169
I thus redeem you from the arm of lust.
170
My Castabella!
171
Castabella.
My dear Charlemont!
Charlemont.
For all my wrongs I thank thee, gracious Heav’n;
172
Th’ hast made me satisfaction, to reserve
173
Me for this blessed purpose. Now, sweet death,
174
I'll bid thee welcome. Come, I'll guard thee home,
175
And then I'll cast myself into the arms
176
Of apprehension, that the law may make
177
This worthy work the crown of all my actions,
178
Being the best and last.
179
Castabella.
The last? The law?
Now Heav’n forbid, what ha' you done?
180
Charlemont.
Why, I have kill’d
A man, not murder’d him, my Castabella;
181
He would ha' murdered me.
182
Castabella.
Then, Charlemont,
The hand of Heav’n directed thy defence.
183
That wicked atheist, I suspect his plot.
184
Charlemont.
My life he seeks. I would he had it, since
185
He has depriv’d me of those blessings that
186
Should make me love it. Come, I'll give it him.
187
Castabella.
You sha' not. I will first expose myself
188
To certain danger than for my defence
189
Destroy the man that sav’d me from destruction.
190
Charlemont.
Thou canst not satisfy me better than
191
To be the instrument of my release
192
From misery.
193
Castabella.
Then work it by escape.
Leave me to this protection that still guards
194
The innocent, or I will be a partner
195
In your destiny.
196
Charlemont.
My soul is heavy. Come, lie down to rest;
197
These are the pillows whereon men sleep best.
198
(They lie down with either of them a death's head for a pillow.)
(Enter [Languebeau] Snuffe seeking Soquette.)
Languebeau.
Soquette, Soquette, Soquette! O art thou there? He mistakes the body of Borachio for Soquette. Verily thou liest in a fine premeditate readiness for the purpose. Come, kiss me, sweet Soquette. —Now purity defend me from the sin of Sodom! This is a creature of the masculine gender. —Verily the man is blasted. —Yea, cold and stiff! —Murder, murder, murder.
(Exit.)
(Enter D'Amville distractedly; [he] starts at the sight of a death's head.)
D'Amville.
Why dost thou stare upon me? Thou art not
205
The skull of him I murder’d. What hast thou
206
To do to vex my conscience? Sure thou wert
207
The head of a most dogged usurer,
208
Th’ art so uncharitable. And that bawd,
209
The sky there, she could shut the windows and
210
The doors of this great chamber of the world,
211
And draw the curtains of the clouds between
212
Those lights and me about this bed of earth,
213
When that same strumpet, Murder, and myself
214
Committed sin together. Then she could
215
Leave us i’ the dark till the close deed
216
Was done, but now that I begin to feel
217
The loathsome horror of my sin and, like
218
A lecher empty’d of his lust, desire
219
To bury my face under my eyebrows and
220
Would steal from my shame unseen, she meets me
221
I’ the face with all her light corrupted eyes
222
To challenge payment o’ me. O behold!
223
Yonder's the ghost of old Montferrers in
224
A long white sheet, climbing yond’ lofty mountain
225
To complain to Heav’n of me. Montferrers!
226
'Pox o’ fearfulness. ’Tis nothing but
227
A fair white cloud. Why, was I born a coward?
228
He lies that says so. Yet the count’nance of
229
A bloodless worm might ha' the courage now
230
To turn my blood to water. The trembling motion
231
Of an aspen leaf, would make me, like
232
The shadow of that leaf, lie shaking under't.
233
I could now commit a murder, were
234
It but to drink the fresh warm blood of him
235
I murder’d, to supply the want and weakness
236
O'mine own, 'Tis grown so cold and phlegmatic.
237
Languebeau.
(Within.) Murder, murder, murder.
238
D'Amville.
Mountains o’erwhelm me, the ghost of old Montferrers haunts me.
239
Languebeau.
Murder, murder, murder.
240
D'Amville.
O were my body circumvolv’d
241
Within that cloud, that when the thunder tears
242
His passage open, it might scatter me
243
To nothing in the air!
244
(Enter Languebeau Snuffe with the Watch.)
Languebeau.
Here you shall find
The murder’d body.
245
D'Amville.
Black Beelzebub
And all his hell-hounds come to apprehend me?
246
Languebeau.
No my good lord, we come to apprehend
247
The murderer.
248
D'Amville.
The ghost, great Pluto, was
A fool, unfit to be employ’d in any
249
Serious business for the state of hell.
250
Why could not he ha' suffer’d me to raise
251
The mountain o’ my sins with one as damnable
252
As all the rest, and then ha' tumbled me t
253
To ruin? But apprehend me e'en between
254
The purpose and the act, before it was
255
Committed!
256
Watchman.
Is this the murderer? He speaks suspiciously.
Languebeau.
No verily. This is my Lord D'Amville, and his dis- traction, I think, grows out of his grief for the loss of a faithful servant, for surely I take him to be Borachio that is slain.
D'Amville.
Ha! Borachio slain? Thou look'st like Snuffe, dost not?
Languebeau.
Yes, in sincerity, my lord.
D'Amville.
Hark thee? —sawest thou not a ghost?
Languebeau.
I smell a fox.
D'Amville.
Here i' the churchyard.
Languebeau.
Tush, tush, their walking spirits are mere imaginary fables. There's no such thing in rerum natura . Here is a man slain, and with the spirit of consideration I rather think him to be the murderer got into that disguise than any such fantastic toy.
D'Amville.
My brains begin to put themselves in order. I appre- hend thee now. ’Tis e’en so. —Borachio!— I will search the centre, but I'll find the murderer.
Watchman.
Here, here, here.
D'Amville.
Stay. Asleep? So soundly? And so sweetly upon death's heads? And in a place so full of fear and horror? Sure there is some other happiness within the freedom of the conscience than my knowledge e'er attained to. — Ho, ho, ho!
Charlemont.
Y' are welcome, uncle. Had you sooner come,
281
You had been sooner welcome. I'm the man
282
You seek. You sha' not need examine me.
283
D'Amville.
My nephew! And my daughter! O my dear
284
Lamented blood, what fate has cast you thus
285
Unhappily upon this accident?
286
Charlemont.
You know, sir, she's as clear as chastity.
287
D'Amville.
As her own chastity. The time, the place,
288
All circumstances argue that unclear.
289
Castabella.
Sir, I confess it, and repentantly
290
Will undergo the selfsame punishment
291
That justice shall inflict on Charlemont.
292
D'Amville.
Unjustly she betrays her innocence.
293
Watchman.
But, sir, she's taken with you, and she must
294
To prison with you.
295
D'Amville.
There's no remedy,
Yet were it not my son's bed she abus’d,
296
My land should fly but both should be excus’d.
297
(Exeunt.)
[IV.iv]
(Enter Belforest and a Servant.)
Belforest.
Is not my wife come in yet?
1
Servant.
No, my lord.
Belforest.
Methinks she's very affectedly inclin’d
2
To young Sebastian's company o' late,
3
But jealousy is such a torment that
4
I am afraid to entertain it. Yet
5
The more I shun by circumstance to meet
6
Directly with it, the more ground I find
7
To circumvent my apprehension. First
8
I know sh' has a perpetual appetite,
9
Which being so oft encounter’d with a man
10
Of such a bold luxurious freedom as
11
Sebastian is; and of so promising
12
A body, her own blood, corrupted, will
13
Betray her to temptation.
14
(Enter Fresco closely.)
Fresco.
'Precious! I was sent by his lady to see if her lord were in bed. I should ha' done 't slyly without dis- covery, and now I am blurted upon 'em before I was aware.
(Exit.)
Belforest.
Know not you the gentlewoman my wife brought home?
Servant.
By sight, my lord. Her man was here but now.
Belforest.
Her man? I prithee run and call him quickly. [Exit servant] This villain, I suspect him ever since I found him hid behind the tapestry. [Enter Fresco with Servant] Fresco! Th’ art welcome, Fresco. Leave us. [Exit Servant] Dost hear, Fresco? Is not my wife at thy mistress’s?
Fresco.
I know not, my lord.
Belforest.
I prithee tell me, Fresco, we are private, tell me. Is not thy mistress a good wench?
Fresco.
How means your lordship that? A wench o' the trade?
Belforest.
Yes faith, Fresco, e'en a wench o' the trade.
Fresco.
O no, my lord. Those falling diseases cause baldness, and my mistress recovers the loss of hair, for she is a peri- wig maker.
Belforest.
And nothing else?
Fresco.
Sells falls and tires and bodies for ladies, or so.
Belforest.
So, sir, and she helps my lady to falls and bodies now and then, does she not?
Fresco.
At her ladyship's pleasure, my lord.
Belforest.
Her pleasure, you rogue? You are the pander to her pleasure, you varlet, are you not? You know the conveyances between Sebastian and my wife. Tell me the truth, or by this hand I'll nail thy bosom to the earth. Stir not, you dog, but quickly tell the truth.
Fresco.
O yes!
(Speak[s] like a crier.)
Belforest.
Is not thy mistress a bawd to my wife?
Fresco.
O yes!
Belforest.
And acquainted with her tricks and her plots and her devices?
Fresco.
O yes! If any man, court, city or country, has found my Lady Levidulcia in bed but my Lord Beforest, it is Sebastian.
Belforest.
What, dost thou proclaim it? Dost thou cry it, thou villain?
Fresco.
Can you laugh it, my lord? I thought you meant to pro- claim yourself cuckold.
(Enter the Watch.)
Belforest.
The watch? Met with my wish. I must request th' assis- tance of your offices. Fresco runs away. 'Sdeath, stay that villain; pursue him.
(Exeunt.)
[IV.v]
(Enter [Languebeau] Snuffe importuning Soquette.)
Soquette.
Nay, if you get me any more into the churchyard.
Languebeau.
Why, Soquette, I never got thee there yet.
Soquette.
Got me there? No, not with child.
Languebeau.
I promised thee I would not, and I was as good as my word.
Soquette.
Yet your word was better then than your deed. But steal up into the little matted chamber o' the left hand.
Languebeau.
I prithee let it be the right hand; thou left'st me before, and I did not like that.
Soquette.
'Precious, quickly —so soon as my mistress shall be in bed I'll come to you.
(Exit [Languebeau] Snuffe.)
(Enter Sebastian, Levidulcia and Cataplasma.)
Cataplasma.
I wonder Fresco stays so long.
11
Sebastian.
Mistress
Soquette, a word with you.
12
(Whisper[s].)
Levidulcia.
If he brings word
My husband is i' bed; I will adventure
13
One night's liberty to lie abroad.—
14
My strange affection to this man! 'Tis like
15
That natural sympathy which e'en among
16
The senseless creatures of the earth commands
17
A mutual inclination and consent.
18
For though it seems to be the free effect
19
Of mine own voluntary love, yet I
20
Can neither restrain it, nor give reason for't.
21
But now 'tis done, and in your power it lies
22
To save my honour or dishonour me.
23
Cataplasma.
Enjoy your pleasure, madam, without fear.
24
I never will betray the trust you have
25
Committed to me, and you wrong yourself
26
To let consideration of the sin
27
Molest your conscience. Methinks 'tis unjust
28
That a reproach should be inflicted on
29
A woman for offending but with one,
30
When 'tis a light offence in husbands to
31
Commit with many.
32
Levidulcia.
So it seems to me.—
Why, how now, Sebastian, making love to that gentle- woman? How many mistresses ha' you i' faith?
Sebastian.
In faith, none, for I think none of 'em are faithful, but otherwise, as many as clean shirts. The love of a woman is like a mushroom; it grows in one night and will serve somewhat pleasingly next morning to breakfast, but afterwards waxes fulsome and unwholesome.
Cataplasma.
Nay, by Saint Winifred, a woman's love lasts as long as winter fruit.
Sebastian.
'Tis true. —till new come in, by my experience no longer.
(Enter Fresco running.)
Fresco.
Somebody's doing has undone us, and we are like pay dearly for 't.
Sebastian.
Pay dear? For what?
Fresco.
Wil 't not be a chargeable reckoning, think you, when here are half a dozen fellows coming to call us to account, with ev’ry man a several bill in his hand that we are not able to discharge.
(Knock at the door.)
Cataplasma.
Passion o’ me, what bouncing's that? Madam, with- draw yourself.
Levidulcia.
Sebastian, if you love me, save my honour.
(Exeunt [all except Sebastian].)
(Enter Belforest and the Watch.)
Sebastian.
What violence is this? What seek you? Zounds, you shall not pass.
Belforest.
Pursue the strumpet.
53
([Exeunt Watch])
Villain, give me way,
Or I will make my passage through thy blood.
54
Sebastian.
My blood will make it slippery, my lord.
55
'Twere better you would take another way.
56
You may hap fall else.
57
(They fight. Both [are] slain. Sebastian falls first.)
I ha ’t i’ faith.
58
(Dies.)
(While Belforest is staggering, enter Levidulcia.)
Levidulcia.
O God! My husband! My Sebastian! Husband!
59
Neither can speak; yet both report my shame.
60
Is this the saving of my honour, when
61
Their blood runs out in rivers, and my lust
62
The fountain whence it flows? Dear husband, let
63
Not thy departed spirit be displeas’d
64
If with adult’rate lips I kiss thy cheek.
65
Here I behold the hatefulness of lust,
66
Which brings me kneeling to embrace him dead,
67
Whose body living I did loathe to touch.
68
Now I can weep. But what can tears do good?
69
When I weep only water, they weep blood.
70
But could I make an ocean with my tears,
71
That on the flood this broken vessel of
72
My body, laden heavy with light lust,
73
Might suffer shipwreck, and so drown my shame,
74
Then weeping were to purpose; but alas,
75
The Sea wants water enough to wash away
76
The foulness of my name. O, in their wounds
77
I feel my honour wounded to the death.
78
Shall I outlive my honour? Must my life
79
Be made the world's example? Since it must,
80
Then thus in detestation of my deed,
81
To make th' example move more forcibly
82
To virtue, thus I seal it with a death
83
As full of horror as my life of sin.
84
(Stabs herself.)
(Enter the Watch with Cataplasma, Fresco, [Languebeau] Snuffe and Soquette.)
Watchman.
Hold, madam! Lord, what a strange night is this!
85
Languebeau.
May not Snuffe be suffered to go out of himself?
86
Watchman.
Nor you, nor any. All must go with us.
87
Oh with what virtue lust should be withstood,
88
Since 'tis a fire quench’d seldom without blood.
89
(Exeunt.)
Act V
[V.i]
(Music. A closet discovered. A Servant sleeping with lights and money before him. Enter D’Amville.)
D'Amville.
What, sleep'st thou?
1
Servant.
No, my lord, nor sleep nor wake,
But in a slumber troublesome to both.
2
D'Amville.
Whence comes this gold?
3
Servant.
'Tis part of the revenue
Due to your lordship since your brother's death.
4
D'Amville.
To bed. Leave me my gold.
5
Servant.
And me my rest.
Two things wherewith one man is seldom blest.
6
(Exit.)
D'Amville.
Cease that harsh music. W’ are not pleas’d with it.
7
(He handles the gold.)
Here sounds a music whose melodious touch
8
Like angels’ voices ravishes the sense.
9
Behold, thou ignorant astronomer,
10
Whose wand'ring speculation seeks among
11
The planets for men's fortunes! With amazement,
12
Behold thine error and be planet-struck.
13
These are the stars whose operations make
14
The fortunes and the destinies of men.
15
Yond’ lesser eyes of Heav’n, like subjects reis’d
16
Into their lofty houses when their prince
17
Rides underneath th' ambition of their loves,
18
Are mounted only to behold the face,
19
Of your more rich imperious eminence,
20
With unprevented sight. Unmask, fair queen;
21
(Unpurses the gold.)
Vouchsafe their expectations may enjoy
22
The gracious favour they admire to see.
23
These are the stars, the ministers of fate,
24
And man's high wisdom the superior power
25
To which their forces are subordinate.
26
(Sleeps.)
(Enter the Ghost of Montferrers.)
Montferrers.
D’Amville, with all thy wisdom th’ art a fool,
27
Not like those fools that we term innocents,
28
But a most wretched miserable fool,
29
Which instantly, to the confusion of
30
Thy projects, with despair thou shalt behold.
31
(Exit.)
(D’Amville starts up.)
D'Amville.
What foolish dream dares interrupt my rest
32
To my confusion? How can that be, since
33
My purposes have hitherto been borne
34
With prosp’rous judgement to secure success—
35
Which nothing lives to dispossess me of
36
But apprehended Charlemont, and him,
37
This brain has made the happy instrument
38
To free suspicion, to annihilate
39
All interest and title of his own,
40
To seal up my assurance and confirm
41
My absolute possession by the law.
42
Thus while the simple, honest worshipper
43
Of a fantastic providence groans under
44
The burden of neglected misery,
45
My real wisdom has rais’d up a state,
46
That shall eternize my posterity.
47
(Enter Servants with the body of Sebastian.)
What's that?
48
Servant.
The body of your younger son,
Slain by the Lord Belforest.
49
D'Amville.
Slain? You lie.
Sebastian! Speak, Sebastian! H’ has lost
50
His hearing. A physician presently!
51
Go, call a surgeon.
52
Rousard.
O.
(Within.)
D'Amville.
What groan was that?
How does my elder son? The sound came from
53
His chamber.
54
Servant.
He went sick to bed, my lord.
Rousard.
(Within.) O.
55
D'Amville.
The cries of mandrakes never touch’d the ear
56
With more sad horror then that voice does mine.
57
(Enter a Servant running.)
Servant.
If ever you will see your son alive—
58
D'Amville.
Nature forbid I e'er should see him dead.
59
(A Bed drawn forth with Rousard.)
Withdraw the curtains. O how does my son?
60
Servant.
Methinks he's ready to give up the ghost.
61
D'Amville.
Destruction take thee and thy fatal tongue.
62
Death! Where's the Doctor? Art not thou the face
63
Of that prodigious apparition star’d upon
64
Me in my dream?
65
Servant.
The doctor's come, my lord.
(Enter Doctor.)
D'Amville.
Doctor, behold two patients in whose cure
66
Thy skill may purchase an eternal fame.
67
If thou hast any reading in Hippocrates,
68
Galen or Avice, if herbs or drugs
69
Or minerals have any power to save,
70
Now let thy practice and their sovereign use
71
Raise thee to wealth and honour.
72
Doctor.
If any root
Of life remains within 'em capable
73
Of physic, fear 'em not, my lord.
74
Rousard.
O.
D'Amville.
His gasping sighs are like the falling noise
75
Of some great building when the groundwork breaks.
76
On these two pillars stood the stately frame
77
And architecture of my lofty house.
78
An earthquake shakes 'em; the foundation shrinks.
79
Dear Nature, in whose honour I have rais’d
80
A work of glory to posterity,
81
O bury not the pride of that great action
82
Under the fall and ruin of itself.
83
Doctor.
My lord, these bodies are depriv’d of all
84
The radical ability of nature.
85
The heat of life is utterly extinguish’d.
86
Nothing remains within the power of man
87
That can restore them.
88
D'Amville.
Take this gold; extract
The spirit of it, and inspire new life
89
Into their bodies.
90
Doctor.
Nothing can, my lord.
D'Amville.
You ha' not yet examin’d the true state
91
And constitution of their bodies. Sure,
92
You ha' not. I'll reserve their waters till
93
The morning. Questionless, their urines
94
Will inform you better.
95
Doctor.
Ha, ha, ha.
D'Amville.
Dost laugh,
Thou villain? Must my wisdom that has been
96
The object of men's admiration now
97
Become the subject of thy laughter?
98
Rousard.
O.
(Dies.)
All.
He's dead.
99
D'Amville.
O there expires the date
Of my posterity. Can Nature be
100
so simple or malicious to destroy
101
The reputation of her proper memory?
102
She cannot. Sure there is some power above
103
Her that controls her force.
104
Doctor.
A power above Nature?
Doubt you that, my lord? Consider but
105
Whence man receives his body and his form:
106
Not from corruption like some worms and flies,
107
But only from the generation of
108
A man, for Nature never did bring forth
109
A man without a man; nor could the first
110
Man, being but the passive subject, not
111
The active mover, be the maker of
112
Himself; so of necessity there must
113
Be a superior power to Nature.
114
D'Amville.
Now to myself I am ridiculous.
115
Nature, thou art a traitor to my soul.
116
Thou hast abus’d my trust. I will complain
117
To a superior court to right my wrong.
118
I'll prove thee a forger of false assurances.
119
In yond’ Star chamber thou shalt answer it.
120
Withdraw the bodies. O the sense of death
121
Begins to trouble my distracted soul.
122
(Exeunt.)
[V.ii]
(Enter Judges and Officers.)
1 Judge.
Bring forth the malefactors to the bar.
1
(Enter Cataplasma, Soquette and Fresco.)
Are you the gentlewoman in whose house
2
The murders were committed?
3
Cataplasma.
Yes, my lord.
1 Judge.
That worthy attribute of gentry which
4
Your habit draws from ignorant respect
5
Your name deserves not, nor yourself the name
6
Of woman, since you are the poison that
7
Infects the honour of all womanhood.
8
Cataplasma.
My lord, I am a gentlewoman, yet
9
I must confess my poverty compels
10
My life to a condition lower than
11
My birth or breeding.
12
2 Judge.
Tush, we know your birth.
1 Judge.
But under colour to profess the sale
13
Of tires and toys for gentlewomen's pride,
14
You draw a frequentation of men's wives
15
To your licentious house, and there abuse
16
Their Husbands.
17
Fresco.
Good my lord, her rent is great.
The good gentlewoman has no other thing
18
To live by but her lodgings; so she's forc’d
19
To let her fore-rooms out to others, and
20
Herself contented to lie backwards.
21
2 Judge.
So.
1 Judge.
Here is no evidence accuses you
22
For accessaries to the murder; yet
23
Since from the spring of lust which you preserv’d
24
And nourish’d ran th' effusion of that blood,
25
Your punishment shall come as near to death
26
As life can bear it. Law cannot inflict
27
Too much severity upon the cause
28
Of such abhorr’d effects.
29
2 Judge.
Receive your sentence.
Your goods, since they were gotten by that means,
30
Which brings diseases, shall be turn’d to th' use
31
Of hospitals; you carted through the streets
32
According to the common shame of strumpets,
33
Your bodies whipp’d till with the loss of blood
34
You faint under the hand of punishment.
35
Then, that the necessary force of want
36
May not provoke you to your former life,
37
You shall be set to painful labour, whose
38
Penurious gains shall only give you food
39
To hold up nature, mortify your flesh,
40
And make you fit for a repentant end.
41
All.
O good my lord!
42
1 Judge.
No more; away with 'em.
(Exeunt [Cataplasma, Soquette, and Fresco])
(Enter Languebeau Snuffe)
2 Judge.
Now, Monsieur Snuffe, a man of your profession
43
Found in a place of such impiety!
44
Languebeau.
I grant you the place is full of impurity. So much the more need of instruction and reformation. The purpose that carried me thither was with the spirit of conversion to purify their uncleanness, and I hope your lordship will say, the law cannot take hold o’ me for that.
1 Judge.
No, Sir, it cannot; but yet give me leave
50
To tell you that I hold your wary answer
51
Rather premeditated for excuse
52
Than spoken out of a religious purpose.
53
Where took you your degrees of scholarship?
54
Languebeau.
I am no scholar, my lord. To speak the sincere truth, I am Snuffe the tallow-chandler.
2 Judge
How comes your habit to be alter’d thus?
Languebeau.
My Lord Belforest, taking a delight in the cleanness of my conversation, withdrew me from that unclean life and put me in a garment fit for his society and my present profession.
1 Judge.
His lordship did but paint a rotten post,
62
Or cover foulness fairly. Monsieur Snuffe,
63
Back to your candle-making. You may give
64
The world more light with that than either with
65
Instruction or th' example of your life.
66
Languebeau.
Thus the Snuffe is put out.
67
(Exit.)
(Enter D’Amville distractedly, with the hearses of his two sons borne after him.)
D'Amville.
Judgement, judgement!
68
2 Judge.
Judgement, my lord, in what?
D'Amville.
Your judgements must resolve me in a case.
69
Bring in the bodies. Nay, I will ha 't tried.
70
This is the case, my lord: my providence,
71
Ev’n in a moment, by the only hurt
72
Of one, or two, or three at most —and those
73
Put quickly out o’ pain too, mark me; I
74
Had wisely rais’d a competent estate
75
To my posterity; and is there not
76
More wisdom and more charity in that,
77
Than for your lordship, or your father, or
78
Your grandsire to prolong the torment and
79
The rack of rent from age to age upon
80
Your poor penurious tenants, yet perhaps
81
Without a penny profit to your heir?
82
Is 't not more wise, more charitable? Speak.
83
1 Judge.
He is distracted.
84
D'Amville.
How? distracted? Then
You ha' no judgement. I can give you sense
85
And solid reason for the very least
86
Distinguishable syllable I speak.
87
Since my thrift was more charitable, more
88
Judicious than your grandsire’s, why, I would
89
Fain know why your lordship lives to make
90
A second generation from your father,
91
And the whole fry of my posterity
92
Extinguish’d in a moment, not a brat
93
Left to succeed me —I would fain know that.
94
2 Judge.
Grief for his children's death distempers him.
95
1 Judge.
My lord, we will resolve you of your question.
96
In the meantime vouchsafe your place with us.
97
D'Amville.
I am contented, so you will resolve me.
98
(Ascends.)
(Enter Charlemont and Castabella.)
2 Judge.
Now, Monsieur Charlemont, you are accus’d
99
Of having murder’d one Borachio that
100
Was servant to my Lord D’Amville. How can
101
You clear yourself? Guilty or not guilty?
102
Charlemont.
Guilty of killing him, but not of murder.
103
My lords, I have no purpose to desire
104
Remission for myself.
105
(D’Amville descends to Charlemont.)
D'Amville.
Uncivil boy,
Thou want'st humanity to smile at grief.
106
Why dost thou cast a cheerful eye upon
107
The object of my sorrow, my dead sons?
108
1 Judge.
O good my lord, let charity forbear
109
To vex the spirit of a dying man.
110
A cheerful eye upon the face of death
111
Is the true count’nance of a noble mind.
112
For honour's sake, my lord, molest it not.
113
D'Amville.
Y’ are all uncivil. O, is 't not enough
114
That he unjustly hath conspir’d with Fate
115
To cut off my posterity, for him
116
To be the heir to my possessions, but
117
He must pursue me with his presence, and
118
In the ostentation of his joy
119
Laugh in my face and glory in my grief?
120
Charlemont.
D’Amville! To show thee with what light respect
121
I value death and thy insulting pride,
122
Thus, like a warlike navy on the sea,
123
Bound for the conquest of some wealthy land,
124
Pass’d through the stormy troubles of this life
125
And now arriv’d upon the armed coast,
126
In expectation of the victory
127
Whose honour lies beyond this exigent,
128
Through mortal danger, with an active spirit,
129
Thus I aspire to undergo my death.
130
(Leaps up the scaffold. Castabella leaps after him.)
Castabella.
And thus I second thy brave enterprise.
131
Be cheerful, Charlemont. Our lives cut off
132
In our young prime of years are like green herbs
133
Wherewith we strew the hearses of our friends,
134
For as their virtue gather’d when th' are green,
135
Before they wither or corrupt, is best,
136
So we in virtue are the best for death
137
While yet we have not liv’d to such an age
138
That the increasing canker of our sins
139
Hath spread too far upon us.
140
D'Amville.
A boon, my lords;
I beg a boon.
141
1 Judge.
What's that, my lord?
D'Amville.
His body when 'tis dead
142
For an anatomy.
143
2 Judge.
For what, my lord?
D'Amville.
Your understanding still come short o' mine.
144
I would find out by his anatomy
145
What thing there is in Nature more exact
146
Then in the constitution of myself.
147
Methinks my parts and my dimensions are
148
As many, as large, as well compos’d as his,
149
And yet in me the resolution wants
150
To die with that assurance as he does.
151
The cause of that in his anatomy
152
I would find out.
153
1 Judge.
Be patient and you shall.
D'Amville.
I have bethought me of a better way.
154
Nephew, we must confer. Sir, I am grown
155
A wond’rous student now o' late. My wit
156
Has reach’d beyond the scope of Nature; yet
157
For all my learning I am still to seek
158
From whence the peace of conscience should proceed.
159
Charlemont.
The peace of conscience rises in itself.
160
D'Amville.
Whether it be thy art or nature, I
161
Admire thee, Charlemont. Why, thou hast taught
162
A woman to be valiant. I will beg
163
Thy life. My lords, I beg my nephew's life.
164
I'll make thee my physician. Thou shalt read
165
Philosophy to me. I will find out
166
Th' efficient cause of a contented mind.
167
But if I cannot profit in 't, then 'tis
168
No more, being my physician, but infuse
169
A little poison in a potion when
170
Thou giv'st me physic, unawares to me.
171
So I shall steal into my grave without
172
The understanding or the fear of death,
173
And that's the end I aim at, for the thought
174
Of death is a most fearful torment; is 't not?
175
2 Judge.
Your lordship interrupts the course of law.
176
1 Judge.
Prepare to die.
177
Charlemont.
My resolution's made.
But ere I die, before this honour’d bench,
178
With the free voice of a departing soul,
179
I here protest this gentlewoman clear
180
Of all offence the law condemns her for.
181
Castabella.
I have accus’d myself. The law wants power
182
To clear me. My dear Charlemont, with thee
183
I will partake of all thy punishments.
184
Charlemont.
Uncle, for all the wealthy benefits
185
My death advances you, grant me but this:
186
Your mediation for the guiltless life
187
Of Castabella, whom your conscience knows
188
As justly clear as harmless innocence.
189
D'Amville.
Freely. My mediation for her life,
190
And all my int’rest in the world to boot,
191
Let her but in exchange possess me of
192
The resolution that she dies withal.
193
The price of things is best known in their want.
194
Had I her courage, so I value it,
195
The Indies should not buy 't out o' my hands.
196
Charlemont.
Give me a glass of water.
197
D'Amville.
Me, of wine.
This argument of death congeals my blood.
198
Cold fear, with apprehension of thy end,
199
Hath frozen up the rivers of my veins.
200
([A Servant gives him] a glass of wine.)
I must drink wine to warm me and dissolve
201
The obstruction, or an apoplexy will
202
Possess me. Why, thou uncharitable knave,
203
Dost bring me blood to drink? The very glass
204
Looks pale and trembles at it.
205
Servant.
'Tis your hand, my lord.
D'Amville.
Canst blame me to be fearful, bearing still
206
The presence of a murderer about me?
207
Charlemont.
Is this water?
208
Servant.
Water, sir.
([Gives him] a glass of water.)
Charlemont.
Come, thou clear emblem of cool temperance,
210
Be thou my witness that I use no art
211
To force my courage, nor have need of helps
212
To raise my spirits, like those weaker men
213
Who mix their blood with wine, and out of that
214
Adulterate conjunction do beget
215
A bastard valour. Native courage, thanks.
216
Thou lead’st me soberly to undertake
217
This great hard work of magnanimity.
218
D'Amville.
Brave Charlemont, at the reflection of
219
Thy courage my cold fearful blood takes fire,
220
And I begin to emulate thy death.
221
([Executioner comes forward])
Is that thy executioner? My lords,
222
You wrong the honour of so high a blood
223
To let him suffer by so base a hand.
224
Judges.
He suffers by the form of law, my lord.
225
D'Amville.
I will reform it. Down, you shag-hair’d cur.
226
The instrument that strikes my nephew's blood
227
shall be as noble as his blood. I'll be
228
Thy executioner myself.
229
1 Judge.
Restrain his fury. Good my lord, forbear.
230
D'Amville.
I'll butcher out the passage of his soul
231
That dares attempt to interrupt the blow.
232
2 Judge.
My lord, the office will impress a mark
233
Of scandal and dishonour on your name.
234
Charlemont.
The office fits him; hinder not his hand,
235
But let him crown my resolution with
236
An unexampled dignity of death.
237
Strike home. Thus I submit me.
238
([Makes] ready for execution.)
Castabella.
So do I.
In scorn of death thus hand in hand we die.
239
D'Amville.
I ha' the trick on 't, nephew. You shall see
240
How eas’ly I can put you out of pain. —O.
241
(As he raises up the axe [he] strikes out his own brains, [and then] staggers off the Scaffold.)
Executioner.
In lifting up the axe, I think h’ has knock’d
242
His brains out.
243
D'Amville.
What murderer was he
That lifted up my hand against my head?
244
1 Judge.
None but yourself, my lord.
245
D'Amville.
I thought he was
A murderer that did it.
246
1 Judge.
God forbid.
D'Amville.
Forbid? You lie, judge; he commanded it
247
To tell thee that man's wisdom is a fool.
248
I came to thee for judgement, and thou think'st
249
Thyself a wise man. I outreach’d thy wit
250
And made thy justice murder’s instrument
251
In Castabella's death and Charlemont's.
252
To crown my murder of Montferrers with
253
A safe possession of his wealthy state.
254
Charlemont.
I claim the just advantage of his words.
255
2 Judge.
Descend the scaffold and attend the rest.
256
D'Amville.
There was the strength of natural understanding.
257
But Nature is a fool. There is a power
258
Above her that hath overthrown the pride
259
Of all my projects and posterity,
260
For whose surviving blood I had erected
261
A proud monument and struck 'em dead
262
Before me, for whose deaths I call’d to thee
263
For judgement. Thou didst want discretion for
264
The sentence, but yond’ power that struck me knew
265
The judgement I deserv’d, and gave it. O,
266
The lust of death commits a rape upon me,
267
As I would ha' done on Castabella.
268
(Dies.)
1 Judge.
Strange is his death and judgement. With the hands
269
Of joy and justice I thus set you free.
270
The power of that eternal providence
271
Which overthrew his projects in their pride
272
Hath made your griefs the instruments to raise
273
Your blessings to a greater height than ever.
274
Charlemont.
Only to Heav’n I attribute the work,
275
Whose gracious motives made me still forbear
276
To be mine own revenger. Now I see,
277
That patience is the honest man's revenge.
278
1 judge.
Instead of Charlemont that but e'en now
279
Stood ready to be dispossess’d of all,
280
I now salute you with more titles, both
281
Of wealth and dignity, than you were born to.
282
And you, sweet madam, Lady of Belforest
283
You have that title by your father's death.
284
Castabella.
With all the titles due to me increase
285
The wealth and honour of my Charlemont,
286
Lord of Montferrers, Lord D’Amville, Belforest,
287
And for a close to make up all the rest,
288
(Embrace[s Charlemont])
The lord of Castabella. Now at last
289
Enjoy the full possession of my love,
290
As clear and pure as my first chastity.
291
Charlemont.
The crown of all my blessings! I will tempt
292
My stars no longer, nor protract my time
293
Of marriage. When those nuptial rites are done,
294
I will perform my kinsmen's funerals.
295
1 Judge.
The drums and trumpets interchange the sounds
296
Of death and triumph for these honour’d lives
297
Succeeding their deserved tragedies.
298
Charlemont.
Thus by the work of Heav’n the men that thought
299
To follow our dead bodies without tears,
300
Are dead themselves, and now we follow theirs.
301
(Exeunt)
FINIS