Vil. Suddenly taken, on the road to Brussels, To do us honour, love; unfortunate; Thus to be torn from thee, and all those charms, Isa. I'm sorry for the cause. Could I persuade myself, that your concern Th' archbishop of Malines, your worthy brotherWith him to-night! Sister, will you permit it? Vil. It must be so. Isa. You hear it must be so. Vil. Oh, that it must. Car. To leave your bride so soon! Vil. But having the possession of my love, I am the better able to support My absence in the hopes of my return. Vil. It will seem long, The longer that my Isabella sighs: I shall be jealous of this rival grief, It takes so full possession of thy heart, There is not room enough for mighty love. Enter Servant, bows, and exit. ACT IV. SCENE I.-The Street. Enter BIRON and BELFORD. Bir. The longest day will have an end; we are got home at last. Bel. We have got our legs at liberty; and liberty is home, where'er we go; though mine lies most in England. Bir. Pray, let me call this yours; for what I can command in Brussels, you shall find your own. I have a father here, who, perhaps, after seven years' absence, and costing him nothing in my travels, may be glad to see me. You know my story; how does my disguise become me? Bel. Just as you would have it; 'tis natural, and will conceal you. Bir. To-morrow you shall be sure to find me here, as early as you please. This is the house; you have observed the street. Bel. I warrant you; your directions will carry me to my lodgings. [Exit. Bir. Good night, my friend. The long-expected moment has arrived; And nothing will remain to wish or hope for. Enter SAMPSON. (Knocks.) Sam. Who's there? What would you have? Samp. Why, truly, friend, it is my employment to answer impertinent questions; but for my lady's being at home, or no, that's just as my lady pleases. Bir. But how shall I know whether it pleases her or no? Samp. Why, if you'll take my word for it, you may carry your errand back again; she never pleases to see anybody at this time of night, that she does not know: and by your address and appearance I am sure you must be a stranger to her. Bir. But I have business; and you don't know how that may please her. Samp. May, if you have business, she is the best judge whether your business will please her or no; therefore I will proceed in my office, and know of my lady whether or no, she is pleased to be st home, or no. (Going.) Enter Nurse. Nurse. Who's that you are so busy withal? Methinks you might have found an answer in fewer words; but, Sampson, you love to hear yourself prate sometimes, as well as your betters, that I must say for you. Let me come to him. Who would you speak with, stranger? Bir. With you, mistress, if you could help me to speak to your lady. Nurse. Yes, sir, I can help you in a civil way; but can nobody do your business but my lady? Bir. Not so well: but if you carry her this ring, she'll know my business better. Nurse. There's no love-letter in it, I hope; you look like a civil gentleman. In an honest way, I may bring you an answer. [Exit. Bir. My old nurse, only a little older; they say [Exit. the tongue grows always; mercy on me! then hers is seven years longer since I left her. Yet there is something in these servants' folly pleases me; the cautious conduct of the family appears, and speaks in their impertinence. Well, mistress. Re-enter Nurse. Nurse. I have deliver'd your ring, sir. Pray heaven, you bring no bad news along with you. Bir. Quite contrary, I hope. Nurse. Nay, I hope so to; but my lady was very much surprised when I gave it her. Sir, I am but a servant, as a body may say; but if you'll walk in, that I may shut the doors, (for we keep very orderly hours;) I can shew you into the parlour, help you to an answer, perhaps, as soon as those that are wiser. Bir. I'll follow you. Now all my spirits hurry to my heart, And every sense has taken the alarm At this approaching interview! Heavens! how I tremble! SCENE II.-A Chamber. Enter ISABELLA.; [Exit. ¡Exit. Isa. I've heard of witches, magic spells, and charms, That have made nature start from her old course; Enter Nurse. Nurse. Madam, the gentleman's below. Isa. I had forgot, pray let me speak with him; [Exit Nurse. This ring was the first present of my love To Biron, my first husband; I must blush To think I have a second. Biron died (Still to my loss) at Candy; there's my hope. Oh, do I live to hope that he died there? It must be so; he's dead, and this ring left, By his last breath, to some known faithful friend, To bring me back again; That's all I have to trust to. Enter BIRON. (Isabella looking at him) My fears were woman's-I have view'd him all; And let me, let me say it to myself, I live again, and rise but from his tomb. Bir. Have you forgot me quite ? Isa. Forgot you! This ecstacy has made my welcome more Isa. Where have I been? Why do you keep him from me? I know his voice; my life, upon the wing, If I must fall, death's welcome in these arms. Excuse the wild disorder of my soul; Isa. Answer me: What hand of Providence has brought you back To your own home again? O, tell me all, For every thought confounds me. Bir. My best life! at leisure, all. Isa. We thought you dead; kill'd at the siege of Candy. Bir. There I fell among the dead; But hopes of life reviving from my wounds, I often writ to my hard father, but never had Isa. What a world of woe Had been prevented but in hearing from you! Isa. You do not know how much I could have done; At least, I'm sure I could have suffer'd all; Isa. My life, but to have heard You were alive. I hear he's living still. Isa. Well, both, both well; And may he prove a father to your hopes, Bir. Come, no more tears. Isa. Seven long years of sorrow for your loss, Bir. Then farewell my disguise, and my misfor- Have mourn'd with me. tunes! Bir. And all my days to come Shall be employ'd in a kind recompense Isa. He's gone to bed; I'll have him brought to you. Bir. To-morrow I shall see him; I want rest Myself, after this weary pilgrimage. Isa. Alas! what shall I get for you? Bir. Nothing but rest, my love! To-night I would not Be known, if possible, to your family: I see my nurse is with you; her welcome Would be tedious at this time; Isa. I'll dispose of her, and order every thing [Exit. Bir. Grant me but life, good Heav'n, and give the means To make this wondrous goodness some amends; And let me then forget her, if I can. O! she deserves of me much more than I Can lose for her, though I again could venture Enter ISABELLA. Isa. I have obey'd your pleasure; Everything is ready for you. Bir. I can want nothing here; possessing thee, All my desires are carry'd to their aim Of happiness; there's no room for a wish, I know the way, my love. I shall sleep sound. Bir. By no means; I've been so long a slave to others' pride, Isa. I'll but say my prayers, and follow you. [Exit Biron. My prayers! no, I must never pray again. I promised him to follow-him! Is he without a name? Biron, my husband- (Weeping.) What's to be done? for something must be done. Works the right way to rid me of them all; Re-enter BIRON, meeting her. Bir. Despair, and rest for ever? Isabella! These words are far from thy condition; And be they ever so. I heard thy voice, And could not bear thy absence; come, my love! You have stay'd long: there's nothing, nothing sure Now to despair of in succeeding fate. Isa. I am contented to he miserable, Bir. Look up, my love, I never did deceive thee, Poor Isabella! now I know the cause, Of all ill stars combin'd, of heav'n and fate- Enter Nurse and SAMPSON. [Exit. Nurse. Here's strange things towards, Sampson; what will be the end of 'em, do you think? Samp. Nay, marry, nurse, I can't see so far; but the law, I believe, is on Biron, the first husband's side. Nurse. Yes; no question, he has the law on his side. Samp. For I have heard, the law says, a woman must be a widow, all out seven years, before she can marry again, according to law. Nurse. Ay, so it does; and our lady has not been a widow altogether seven years. Samp. Why, then, nurse, mark my words, and say I told you so: the man must have his wife again, and all will do well. Nurse. But if our master, Villeroy, comes back again Samp. Why, if he does, he is not the first man that has had his wife taken from him. Nurse. For fear of the worst, will you go to the old Count, and desire him to come as soon as he can; there may be mischief, and he is able to prevent it. Samp. Now you say something; now I take you, nurse; that will do well, indeed; mischief should be prevented; a little thing will make a quarrel, when there's a woman in the way. I'll about it instantly. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A Chamber. BIRON asleep on a couch. Enter ISABELLA. Isa. Asleep so soon? Oh, happy, happy thou, Who sleeps the longest, is the happiest; If thou didst ever love thy Isabella; With looking on him. Let me look my last; Sure I may take a kiss. Where am I going? What noise was that? a knocking at the gate! Isa. Hark! I'm call'd.. Bir. You stay too long from me. Isa. A man's voice! in my bed! How came he And there has left me. Bir. Why dost thou fly me so? Isa. I cannot bear his sight; distraction, come, Possess me all. Shake off my chains, and hasten to my aid! (Running out.) (Kneels.) While yet my senses are my own, thus kneeling, Pardon those crimes despair may bring upon me. Enter Nurse. Nurse. Sir, there's somebody at the door must needs speak with you; he won't tell his name Enter CARLOS, PEDRO, and three Ruffians. We must be sudden. Younger brothers are But how shall I prevent it? Biron comes Bir. Ha! am I beset? I live but to revenge me. (They surround him, fighting; Villeroy enters with two Servants; they rescue him; Carlos and his party fly. Vil. How are you, sir? Mortally hurt, I fear. Take care, and lead him in. Bir. I thank you for this goodness, sir: though 'tis Bestow'd upon a very wretch; and death, Though from a villain's hand, had been to me An act of kindness, and the height of mercy; But I thank you, sir. Vil. Take care, and lead him in. SCENE IV.-A Chamber. Enter ISABELLA. Vil. A kiss! confusion! it must be your last. Bir. I know it must. Here I give up that death The work of fate, thus we must finish it. Thrust home; be sure. (Falls.) Vil. Alas! he faints! some help there! Bir. 'Tis all in vain; my sorrows soon will end. Oh, Villeroy! let a dying wretch entreat you To take this letter to my father. My Isabella! Couldst thou but hear me, my last words should bless thee. I cannot, though in death, bequeath her to thee. But could I hope my boy, my little one, I can no more. Hear me, heav'n! Oh, support (Dies.) [Exit. Me (He is led in.) The brink of life, ready to shoot the gulph (Throws herself on Biron's body.) Isa. Murder my husband! Oh! I must not dare To my unbury'd body. Here it lies: (Going to stab herself, Villeroy runs in and prevents her, by taking the dagger from her.) Vil. Angels defend and save thee! Attempt thy precious life! Lay violent hands upon thy innocent self! Isa. Swear I am innocent, and I'll believe you. What would you have with me? Pray let me go. Are you there, sir? You are the very man Have done all this. You would have made Me believe you married me; but the fool Was wiser. Vil. Dost thou not know me, love? My body, soul, and life! A little dust, Enter VILLEROY, with Servants. Vil. Poor wretch! upon the ground! She's not herself: Remove her from the body. (Servants going to raise her.) Isa. Never, never! You have divorced us once, but shall no more. Help! help me, Biron! Ha! bloody, and dead! O, murder! murder! you have done this deed. Vengeance and murder! Bury us together: Do anything but part us. Vil. Gently, gently raise her. She must be forced away. (They carry her off.) Isa. Oh, they tear me! Cut off my hands! Let me leave something with him. They'll clasp him fast, Oh, cruel, cruel men! |