Of thankfulness to the dead general,
By whom you were raised, have practised to be so To my good lord Novall, by whom I live; Whose least disgrace, that is or may be offered, With all the hazard of my life and fortunes, I will make good on you, or any man
That has a hand in't: and, since you allow me A gentleman and a soldier, there's no doubt You will except against me. You shall meet With a fair enemy; you understand The right I look for, and must have.
Enter CHARALOIS with a casket, BEAUMELLE and BEAUMONT.
Char. Pray bear this to my father; at his leisure He may peruse it: But, with your best language, Intreat his instant presence. You have sworn Not to reveal what I have done.
Beaum. Nor will I-but
Char. Doubt me not. By Heaven, I will do nothing
But what may stand with honour. Pray you, leave me
[Exit Beaumont. To my own thoughts.-if this be to me, rise : [Beaumel, kneels. I am not worthy the looking on, but only To feed contempt and scorn; and that from you, Who with the loss of your fair name have caused it, Were too much cruelty.
Beaumel. I dare not move you
To hear me speak. I know my fault is far Beyond qualification or excuse; That 'tis not fit for me to hope, or you To think of mercy; only I presume
To entreat you would be pleased to look upon My sorrow for it, and believe these tears Are the true children of my grief, And not a woman's cunning.
Char. Can you, Beaumelle, Having deceived so great a trust as mine, Though I were all credulity, hope again To get belief? No, no; if you look on me With pity, or dare practise any means To make my sufferings less, or give just cause To all the world to think what I must do, Was called upon by you, use other ways; Deny what I have seen, or justify
What you have done; and, as you desperately Made shipwreck of your faith, to be a whore, Use the arms of such a one, and such defence, And multiply the sin with impudence. Stand boldly up, and tell me to my teeth, That you have done but what is warranted By great examples, in all places where Women inhabit: Urge your own deserts, Or want in me of merit: Tell me how Your dower, from the low gulf of poverty, VOL. I.
Weighed up my fortunes to what now they are: That I was purchased by your choice and practice To shelter you from shame, that you might sin As boldly as securely; that poor men
Are married to those wives that bring them wealth,
One day their husbands, but observers ever: That when by this proud usage you have blown The fire of my just vengeance to the height, I then may kill you; and yet say, it was done In heat of blood, and after die myself, To witness my repentance.
That never would consent that I should sce How worthy thou wert both of love and duty, Before I lost you; and my misery made The glass, in which I now behold your virtue! While I was good I was a part of you, And of two, by the virtuous harmony Of our fair minds, made one: But, since I wan
It is not fit you should: Yet you shall find, Though I was bold enough to be a strumpet, I dare not yet live one: Let those famed matrons, That are canonized worthy of our sex, Transcend me in their sanctity of life, I yet will equal them in dying nobly, Ambitious of no honour after life,
But that, when I am dead you will forgive me. Char. How pity steals upon me! should I hear her [Knocks within. But ten words more, I were lost.-One knocks, go in. [Exit Beaumel.
That to be merciful should be a sin!
O, sir, most welcome! Let me take your cloak; I must not be denied. Here are your robes; As you love justice, once more put them on. There is a cause to be determined of, That does require such an integrity As you have ever used. I'll put you to The trial of your constancy and goodness; And look that you, that have been eagle-eyed In other men's affairs, prove not a mole In what concerns yourself. Take you your seat; I will before you presently. [Exit.
Roch. Angels guard me!
Roch. It is granted, speak-You shall have justice.
Char. I then here accuse,
Most equal judge, the prisoner, your fair daughter, For whom I owed so much to you : your daughter, So worthy in her own parts, and that worth Set forth by yours, to whose so rare perfections, Truth witness with me, in the place of service, I almost paid idolatrous sacrifice,
To be a false adultress.
Roch. With whom?
Char. With this Novall, here dead, Roch. Be well advised,
And, ere you say adultress again, Her fame depending on it, be most sure That she is one.
Char. I took them in the act. I know no proof beyond it.
Roch. O my heart!
Char. A judge should feel no passions. Roch. Yet, remember
He is a man, and cannot put off nature. What answer makes the prisoner!
The fact I am charged with, and yield myself Most miserably guilty.
Roch. Heaven take mercy
Upon your soul, then! It must leave your body.
Now free nine eyes: I dare unmoved look on her, And fortify my sentence with strong reasons. Since that the politic law provides the servants, To whose care we commit our goods, shall die, If they abuse our trust; what can you look for, To whose charge this most hopeful lord gave up All he received from his brave ancestors, Or he could leave to his posterity? His honour wicked woman! in whose safety All his life's joys and comforts were locked up, Which thy lust, a thief, hath now stolen from him;
Char. Stay, just judge.-May not what's lost
By her one fault (for I am charitable, And charge her not with many) be forgotten In her fair life hereafter?
The wrong that's done to the chaste married bed,
Repentant tears can never expiate; And be assured, to pardon such a sin, Is an offence as great as to commit it. Char. I may not then forgive her? Roch. Nor she hope it:
Nor can she wish to live. No sun shall rise, But ere it set shall shew her ugly lust In a new shape, and every one more horrid : Nay, even those prayers, which with such humble fervour
She seems to send up yonder, are beat back; And all suits which her penitence can proffer, As soon as made, are with contempt thrown off From all the courts of mercy.
Char. Let her die, then. [He kills her. Better prepared I am sure I could not take her, Nor she accuse her father as a judge, Partial against her.
Beaumel. I approve his sentence, And kiss the executioner: My lust
is now run from me in that blood, in which It was begot and nourished.
Roch. Is she dead, then?
Char. Yes, Sir, this is her heart-blood, is it not?
Roch. And you have killed her?
Char. True, and did it by your doom. Roch. But I pronounced it
As a judge only, and a friend to justice, And, zealous in defence of your wronged honour, Broke all the ties of nature; and cast off The love and soft affection of a father.
I, in your cause, put on a scarlet robe Of red dved cruelty; but, in return, You have advanced for me no flag of mercy. I looked on you as a wronged husband; but You closed your eyes against me as a father. O Beaumelle! my daughter!
Char. This is madness.
Roch. Keep from inc.-Could not one good thought rise up,
To tell you that she was my age's comfort, Begot by a weak man, and born a woman, And could not, therefore, but partake of frailty? Or wherefore did not thankfulness step forth, To urge my many merits, which I may Object unto you, since you prove ungrateful; Flinty-hearted Charalois!
Char. Nature does prevail above your virtue. Roch. No; it gives me eyes,
To pierce the heart of your design against me. I find it now; it was my estate was aimed at, A nobler match was sought for, and the hours I lived, grew tedious to you: my compassion Towards you hath rendered me most miserable And foolish charity undone myself.
But there is a heaven above, from whose just | No time to quarrel; now give your assistance wreak
No mists of policy can hide offenders.
Enter NOVALL sen. with Officers.
Nov. sen. Force ope the doors.-O monster! cannibal!
Lay hold on him-My son! my son!-O Rochfort!
Twas you gave liberty to this bloody wolf
To worry all our comforts.-But this is
For the revenge.
Roch. Call it a fitter name. -Justice for innocent blood.
Char. Though all conspire Against that life which I am weary of, A little longer yet I'll strive to keep it, To shew, in spite of malice and their laws, His plea must speed, that hath an honest cause. [Exeunt.
To arrest a gallant for his clothes, before
He has worn them out. Besides, you said you asked
My name in my lord's bond but for form only, And now you'll lay me up for it. Do not think The taking measure of a customer
By a brace of varlets, though I rather wait Never so patiently, will prove a fashion Which any courtier or Inns-of-court-man Would follow willingly.
Tail. There I believe you.
But, sir! I must have present monies, or Assurance, to secure me when I shall- Or I will see to your coming forth. Lilad. Plague on it!
You have provided for my entrance in: That coming forth you talk of, concerns me.
What shall I do? You have done me a disgrace In the arrest, but more in giving cause To all the street, to think I cannot stand Without these two supporters for my arms. Pray you, let them loose me: For their satisfac-
And let us part in peace. I would be loth You should undo yourself.
Enter Old NoVALL and PONTALIER. Tail. To let you go
Were the next way. But, see! here is your
Let him but give his word I shall be paid, And you are free.
Lilad. 'Slid! I'll put him to it;
I can be but denied: or-what say you? His lordship owing me three times your debt, If you arrest him at my suit, and let me Go run before, to see the action entered, 'Twould be a witty jest.
Tail. I must have carnest.-- I cannot pay my debts so.
Pont. Can your lordship
Imagine, while I live, and wear a sword, Your son's death shall be unrevenged?
Nov. sen. I know not
One reason why you should not do like others: I am sure, of all the herd that fed upon him, I cannot see in any, now he is gone,
In pity or in thankfulness, one true sign Of sorrow for him.
Pont. All his bounties yet
Fell not in such unthankful ground: 'Tis true, He had weaknesses, but such as few are free from.
And, though none soothed them less than I, for
To say that I foresaw the dangers that Would rise from cherishing them, were but un- timely,
I yet could wish the justice, that you seek for In the revenge, had been trusted to me, And not the uncertain issue of the laws : It has robbed me of a noble testimony Of what I durst do for him.-But, however, My forfeit life, redeemed by him, though dead, Shall do him service.
Nov. sen. As far as my grief Will give me leave, I thank you.
Lilad. O, my lord!
Oh, my good lord! deliver me from these furies.
Pont. Arrested? This is one of them, whose | To have them called upon.
And abject flattery helped to dig his grave : He is not worth your pity, nor my anger.- Go to the basket, and repent.
Nov. sen. Away!-I only know now to hate thee deadly:
I will do nothing for thee. Lilad. Nor you, captain?
Rom. "Tis well; and something
I can add to their evidence, to prove
This brave revenge, which they would have called murder,
A noble justice.
Beaum. In this you express
(The breach, by my lord's want of you, now made up)
Pont. No: to your trade again; put off this A faithful friend. case!
It may be, the discovering what you were, When your unfortunate master took you up, May move compassion in your creditor. Confess the truth.
[Exit. Novall sen. and Pontalier. Lilad. And, now I think on it better, I will. Brother, your hand; your hand, sweet brother.
I am of your sect, and my gallantry but a dream, Out of which these two fearful apparitions, Against my will, have waked me. This rich sword Grew suddenly out of a tailor's bodkin;
These hangers from my vails and fees in hell; And where, as now this beaver fits, full often A thrifty cap, composed of broad-cloth lists, Near-'kin unto the cushion where I sat Cross-legged, and yet ungartered, hath been seen; Our breakfasts, famous for the buttered loaves, I have with joy been oft acquainted with; And therefore use a conscience, though it be Forbidden in our hall towards other men, To me that, as I have been, will again Be of the brotherhood.
Officer. I know him now:
He was a 'prentice to Le Robe at Orleance. Lilad. And from thence brought by my young lord, now dead,
Unto Dijon; and with him, till this hour, Have been received here for a complete mon- sieur.
Nor wonder at it: for, but tythe our gallants, Even those of the first rank, and you will find, In every ten, one, peradventure two,
That smell rank of the dancing-school or fiddle, The pantofle or pressing-iron-But hereafter We'll talk of this. I will surrender up My suits again; there cannot be much loss. 'Tis but the turning of the lace, with one Addition more you know of, and what wants I will work out.
Tail. Then here our quarrel ends: The gallant is turned tailor, and all friends.
Enter ROMONT and BEAUMONT.
Rom. You have them ready.
Beaum. Yes; and they will speak
Rom. That friendship's raised on sand, Which every sudden gust of discontent, Or flowing of our passions, can change, As if it ne'er had been :-But do you know Who are to sit on him?
Beaum. Monsieur Du Croy, Assisted by Charmi.
Rom. The advocate,
That pleaded for the marshal's funeral, And was checked for it by Novall? Beaum. The same.
Rom. How fortunes that?
Beaum. Why, sir, my lord Novall, Being the accuser, cannot be the judge; Nor would grieved Rochfort, but lord Charalois (However he might wrong him by his power) Should have an equal hearing.
Rom. By my hopes
Of Charalois's acquittal, I lament That reverend old man's fortune.
Beaum. Had you seen him,
As to my grief I have, now promise patience, And ere it was believed, though spake by him, That never breaks his word, enraged again So far as to make war upon those hairs, Which not a barbarous Scythian durst presume To touch, but with a superstitious fear, As something sacred:-and then curse his daugh- ter;
But with more frequent violence himself, As if he had been guilty of her fault, By being incredulous of your report, You would not only judge him worthy pity, But suffer with him.-But here comes the priso ner;
Enter CHARALOIS, with officers.
I dare not stay to do my duty to him; Yet, rest assured, all possible means in me To do him service, keeps you company.
Rom. It is not doubted. [Exit Beaumont. Char. Why, yet, as I came hither, The people, apt to mock calamity,
And tread on the oppressed, made no horns at.
Their knowledge in this cause, when thou think'st A murderer; they rather all put on
(As for great losses the old Romans used)
A general face of sorrow, waited on
By a sad murmur, breaking through their silence, And no eye but was readier with a tear To witness 'twas shed for me, than I could Discern a face made up with scorn against me. Why should I, then, though for unusual wrongs I chose unusual means to right those wrongs, Condemn myself, as over partial
In my own cause?-Romont!
Ram. Best friend, well met!
By my heart's love to you, and join to that My thankfulness that still lives to the dead, I look upon you now with more true joy, Than when I saw you married.
Char. You have reason
To give you warrant for it. My falling off From such a friendship, with the scorn that an- swered
Your too prophetic counsel, may well move you To think your meeting me, going to my death, A fit encounter for that hate, which justly I have deserved from you.
Rom. Shall I still, then,
Speak truth, and be ill understood?
Cher. You are not.
I'm conscious I have wronged you, and allow me Only a moral man, to look on you, Whom foolishly I have abused and injured, Must of necessty be more terrible to me, Than any death the judges can pronounce From the tribunal which I am to plead at. Rom. Passion transports you. Char. For what I have done To my false lady, or Novall, I can
Give some apparent cause; but, touching you, In my defence, child-like, I can say nothing, But I am sorry for it; a poor satisfaction! And yet, mistake me not; for it is more Than I will speak, to have my pardon signed For all I stand accused of.
Rom. You much weaken
Of a full theatre of perfect men,
As he hath done in this: The glory got By overthrowing outward enemies, Since strength and fortune are main sharers in it, We cannot, but by pieces, call our own: But, when we conquer our intestine foes, Our passions bred within us, and of those The most rebellious tyrant, powerful love, Our reason suffering us to like no longer Than the fair object, being good, deserves it, That's a true victory; which, were great men Ambitious to atchieve by your example, Setting no price upon the breach of faith, But loss of life, 'twould fright adultery Out of their families; and make lust appear As loathsome to us in the first consent, As when 'tis waited on by punishment.
Char. You have confirmed me. Who would love a woman
That might enjoy, in such a man, a friend? You've made me know the justice of my cause, And marked me out the way how to defend it. Rom. Continue to that resolution constant, And you shall, in contempt of their worst malice, Come off with honour.-Here they come. Char. I am ready.
That may perhaps work with a wiser man, Than I have been, again to set him free,
The strength of your good cause, should you but And give him all he has. think,
Charm. This is not well.
I would you had lived so, my lord! that I, Might rather have continued your poor servant, Than sit here as your judge.
Du Croy. I am sorry for you.
Roch. In no act of my life I have deserved This injury from the court, that any here Should thus uncivilly usurp on what Is proper to me only.
Du Croy. What distaste Receives my lord?
Roch. You say you are sorry for him: A grief in which I must not have a partner: 'Tis I alone am sorry, that when I raised The building of my life, for seventy years, Upon so sure a ground, that all the vices, Practised to ruin man, though brought against me, Could never undermine, and no way left To send these gray hairs to the grave with sorrow,
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