ACT V.
Scene.—Don Carlos's house.
Enter Diego, Flora, and Pedro, accompanying the chair, groping as in the dark.
Ped. Dame Flora and Signior Diego, go in there; and you, my friends, set down the chair, and let the lady out; go, there's money for you. I'll go fetch a candle.
[Diego and Flora go in, and the chair being set in the door, Octavio goes out into the room: Pedro claps to the door, and goes away.
Enter Don Octavio, Diego, Flora, at another door.
Don O. What! put in all alone here i' th' dark,
[Groping as in the dark.
Diego. Here am I, sir, and Mistress Flora too,
Unless my sense of feeling fails me.
Unless my sense of feeling fails me.
Don O. I can't conjecture where we are. I durst not
So much as peep out of the chair since Flora
Gave me the warning; but, where'er I am,
'Tis better far than in the sergeants' hands.
So much as peep out of the chair since Flora
Gave me the warning; but, where'er I am,
'Tis better far than in the sergeants' hands.
Flo. Though now i' th' dark, I know well where we are.
I have too often walk'd the streets, Octavio,
From your house hither, upon Cupid's errands,
Not to know the back-door of Carlos his
Apartment: 'tis there, I'm sure, w' are now.
I have too often walk'd the streets, Octavio,
From your house hither, upon Cupid's errands,
Not to know the back-door of Carlos his
Apartment: 'tis there, I'm sure, w' are now.
Don O. Curse on thee, Flora! hadst thou lost thy wits,
Not to let me know it sooner?
Not to let me know it sooner?
Diego. A gipsy told me by my palm, long since,
A sour-fac'd damsel should be my undoing.
A sour-fac'd damsel should be my undoing.
Flo. Suspend awhile your apprehensions, sir;
You may escape before the candles come.
The door was wont to open on this side;
If not, I have another way in store. [Octavio goes to the door.
You may escape before the candles come.
The door was wont to open on this side;
If not, I have another way in store. [Octavio goes to the door.
Don O. Flora, I cannot make the lock go back.
[Pedro unlocks it on the other side, and coming in with a candle, meets with Octavio, and starting back and stumbling, lets the candle fall, then running out again, double-locks the door.
Diego. Nay then, i' faith, w' are fast: I heard him give
The key a double turn. [Diego takes up the candle.
Here's a fair trial for your maiden breath!
Flora, blow't in again; let's owe your mouth
More light than yet your eyes could e'er impart.
The key a double turn. [Diego takes up the candle.
Here's a fair trial for your maiden breath!
Flora, blow't in again; let's owe your mouth
More light than yet your eyes could e'er impart.
Flo. Light's cast away on such an owl as you;
But yet I'll try. [Flora blows the candle in.
But yet I'll try. [Flora blows the candle in.
Diego. Thanks, gentle Flora, to your virgin puff;
'Tis a strong breath that can o'ercome a snuff. [Aside.
But I had rather't had been let alone:
If I must needs be kill'd, unless it were
Behind my back, I'd have it i' th' dark;
For I hate to be kill'd in my own presence.
'Tis a strong breath that can o'ercome a snuff. [Aside.
But I had rather't had been let alone:
If I must needs be kill'd, unless it were
Behind my back, I'd have it i' th' dark;
For I hate to be kill'd in my own presence.
Don O. What must we do, Flora I all my hope's in you.
Flo. W' have yet some room for hope. There's a back-stairs
Beyond that inner chamber, which goes down
Into the garden: if the door be open,
As certainly it is, the way is easy.
Beyond that inner chamber, which goes down
Into the garden: if the door be open,
As certainly it is, the way is easy.
Don O. Come, let's lose no time. Prythee, guide us, Flora. [Exeunt.
Scene changes to Don Henrique's house. Enter Don Henrique.
Don H. As well pleas'd as I am to find my honour
Less desperate than I thought, I cannot rest
Till I have drawn from Porcia a confession
Of the whole truth before she goes to bed.
She's in her chamber now, unless by new
Enchantments carried thence.
Less desperate than I thought, I cannot rest
Till I have drawn from Porcia a confession
Of the whole truth before she goes to bed.
She's in her chamber now, unless by new
Enchantments carried thence.
As he is going towards Porcia's chamber, enter Don Carlos in haste.
Don O. I can't imagine what should make Don Henrique
Quit the corregidor's till we return'd:
One of his servants tells me he's come home.
O, here he is, Now shall I raise a storm
Which (if we do not take a special care)
Will scarce b' allay'd without a shower of blood;
Yet I must venture't, since it so imports
Our friendship and the honour of our house. [Aside.
Happiness is such a stranger to mankind
Quit the corregidor's till we return'd:
One of his servants tells me he's come home.
O, here he is, Now shall I raise a storm
Which (if we do not take a special care)
Will scarce b' allay'd without a shower of blood;
Yet I must venture't, since it so imports
Our friendship and the honour of our house. [Aside.
Happiness is such a stranger to mankind
[Addressing to Don Henrique.
That, like to forc'd motion, it is ever strongest
At the first setting out; then languishing
With time, grows weary of our company:
But to misfortunes we so subject are,
That, like to natural motion, they acquire
More force in their progression.
At the first setting out; then languishing
With time, grows weary of our company:
But to misfortunes we so subject are,
That, like to natural motion, they acquire
More force in their progression.
Don H. What means this philosophical preamble?
Don C. You'll know too soon, I fear.
Don H. Don Carlos, I am so well recover'd
From all m' inquietudes, that for the future
I dare defy the malice of my stars
To cause a new relapse into distemper.
From all m' inquietudes, that for the future
I dare defy the malice of my stars
To cause a new relapse into distemper.
Don C. Cousin, I'm much surpris'd with this great change:
But since y' are such a master of your passions,
I'll spare my ethics, and proceed to give you
In short the narrative of our success.
Our worthy kinsman the corregidor,
Forward to serve you in th' affair I mention'd,
Was pleas'd to go along with me in person
With a strong band of sergeants to the place
Where I, attended by your servants, led him.
Cousin, 'twas there;—it wounds my heart to speak it,
And I conjure you summon all your patience—
'Twas there I found——
But since y' are such a master of your passions,
I'll spare my ethics, and proceed to give you
In short the narrative of our success.
Our worthy kinsman the corregidor,
Forward to serve you in th' affair I mention'd,
Was pleas'd to go along with me in person
With a strong band of sergeants to the place
Where I, attended by your servants, led him.
Cousin, 'twas there;—it wounds my heart to speak it,
And I conjure you summon all your patience—
'Twas there I found——
Don H. Whom, cousin, did you find? for since I'm sure
You found no Porcia there, my concernments
In your discoveries are not very likely
To discompose me.
You found no Porcia there, my concernments
In your discoveries are not very likely
To discompose me.
Don C. I would to heaven we had not found her there!
Don H. What's that you say, Don Carlos? My sister there?
Don C. Yes, sir, your sister.
Don H. My sister? that's good, i' faith; ha, ha, ha!
Don C. Why do you laugh! Is the dishonour of
Our family becoming a laughing matter?
This is a worse extreme, methinks, than t'other.
Our family becoming a laughing matter?
This is a worse extreme, methinks, than t'other.
Don H. How can I choose but laugh, to see you dream?
Awake, for heaven's sake, and recall your senses.
Porcia there, said you?
Awake, for heaven's sake, and recall your senses.
Porcia there, said you?
Don C. Yes, sir, Porcia, I say; your sister Porcia;
And, which is more, 'twas in Octavio's house.
And, which is more, 'twas in Octavio's house.
Don H. Why, sure, y' are not in earnest, cousin?
Don C. As sure as y' are alive, I found her there.
Don H. Then you transport me, sir, beyond all patience.
Why, cousin, if she has been still at home,
Antonio seen and entertain'd her here,
Accompani'd by Camilla; if even now
I left them there within, is't possible
You should have found her in Octavio's house?
To be here and there too at the same time!
None, sure, but Janus with his double face
Can e'er unfold this mystery.
Why, cousin, if she has been still at home,
Antonio seen and entertain'd her here,
Accompani'd by Camilla; if even now
I left them there within, is't possible
You should have found her in Octavio's house?
To be here and there too at the same time!
None, sure, but Janus with his double face
Can e'er unfold this mystery.
Don C. Let me advise you, abuse not yourself;
I tell you positive'y, I found her there:
And, by the same token, her waiting-woman
Flora was there attending her.
I tell you positive'y, I found her there:
And, by the same token, her waiting-woman
Flora was there attending her.
Don H. Flora! Dear cousin, do not still persist
Thus to affirm impossibilities.
Thus to affirm impossibilities.
Don C. Sure, you are making some experiment
Upon my temper, and would fain provoke
My patience to some such high disorder,
That I should ne'er hereafter have the face,
When you are in your fits, to play the stoic.
Upon my temper, and would fain provoke
My patience to some such high disorder,
That I should ne'er hereafter have the face,
When you are in your fits, to play the stoic.
Don H. Cousin, I swear to you upon my honour,
'Tis not above a quarter of an hour
Since I did speak with Porcia and your sister
In that very apartment, and am now
Returning to them in my sister's chamber.
'Tis not above a quarter of an hour
Since I did speak with Porcia and your sister
In that very apartment, and am now
Returning to them in my sister's chamber.
Don C. And, sir, I swear to you upon my honour,
'Tis not above a quarter of an hour,
Since I left Porcia carrying in a chair
From Don Octavio's house, and your man Pedro
Leading the chairmen to mine, and follow'd
By Flora; whilst I came to find you out,
To acquaint you with this unpleasing news,
But fit for you to know as soon as might be.
'Tis not above a quarter of an hour,
Since I left Porcia carrying in a chair
From Don Octavio's house, and your man Pedro
Leading the chairmen to mine, and follow'd
By Flora; whilst I came to find you out,
To acquaint you with this unpleasing news,
But fit for you to know as soon as might be.
Don H. This question, cousin, may be soon decided:
Pray, come along, her chamber's not far off.
Pray, come along, her chamber's not far off.
Don C. And my house but the next door; let's go thither.
Don H. You'll quickly find your error, cousin.
Don C. And you'll as soon be undeceiv'd. But stay:
Here comes your servant, whom I left to guard her:
He'll instantly convince you of the truth.
Here comes your servant, whom I left to guard her:
He'll instantly convince you of the truth.
Enter Pedro.
Ped. O sir!——
Ped. Give me my albricias,[69] sir; I bring you
The rarest news: your enemy Octavio—
I'm quite out of breath——
The rarest news: your enemy Octavio—
I'm quite out of breath——
Don H. What does the varlet mean?
Ped. Sir, I suppose Don Carlos has inform'd you
That he left me to see your sister Porcia,
With Flora and Diego, Oetavio's man,
Safely convey'd t' his house.
That he left me to see your sister Porcia,
With Flora and Diego, Oetavio's man,
Safely convey'd t' his house.
Don C. See now, Don Henrique: who was i' the right!
Ped. I did as he commanded me, and put them
All three into Don Carlos's antechamber,
Porcia in the same chair which brought her thither,
And for more safety, double-lock'd the door,
Whilst I went down in haste to fetch some candles.
All three into Don Carlos's antechamber,
Porcia in the same chair which brought her thither,
And for more safety, double-lock'd the door,
Whilst I went down in haste to fetch some candles.
Don H. As sure as death, this madness is infectious;
My man is now in one of Carlos's fits.
My man is now in one of Carlos's fits.
Ped. Returning with some lights a moment after,
I no sooner open'd the door, but, heavens!
Who should I see there, standing just before me,
In the selfsame place where I had left Porcia,
But Octavio, your enemy Octavio.
I no sooner open'd the door, but, heavens!
Who should I see there, standing just before me,
In the selfsame place where I had left Porcia,
But Octavio, your enemy Octavio.
Don H. Here is some witchcraft, sure. What can this mean?
Ped. Amaz'd at this sight, I let the candle fall,
And clapp'd the door to; then double-lock'd it,
And brought away the key.
And clapp'd the door to; then double-lock'd it,
And brought away the key.
Ped. I know not whether he was there before,
Or got in after; but of this I'm sure,
That there I have him now, and safe enough.
Or got in after; but of this I'm sure,
That there I have him now, and safe enough.
Don H. Let's not, Don Carlos, now perplex ourselves
With needless circumstances, when and how;
Those queries are too phlegmatic for me:
If the beast be i' th' toil, it is enough;
Let us go seize him, for he must die.
With needless circumstances, when and how;
Those queries are too phlegmatic for me:
If the beast be i' th' toil, it is enough;
Let us go seize him, for he must die.
Enter Don Antonio.
Don A. Pray, brother, what unhappy man is he
Whom you so positively doom to death?
I have a sword to serve you on all occasions
Worthy of you and me.
Whom you so positively doom to death?
I have a sword to serve you on all occasions
Worthy of you and me.
Don H. His intervening, Carlos, is unlucky.
How shall we behave ourselves towards him
In this business, so unfit for his knowledge?
How shall we behave ourselves towards him
In this business, so unfit for his knowledge?
Don C. Cousin, you should consider with yourself
[Carlos draws Henrique aside.
What answer to return him: he's not a man
To be put off with any slight pretences;
Nor yet to be engag'd in such an action
As bears th' appearance rather of brutality
Than true honour. You know Antonio needs
No fresh occasions to support his name.
Who danger seek, are indigent of fame.
To be put off with any slight pretences;
Nor yet to be engag'd in such an action
As bears th' appearance rather of brutality
Than true honour. You know Antonio needs
No fresh occasions to support his name.
Who danger seek, are indigent of fame.
Don H. I beg your patience, sir, but for one word
With this gentleman my friend.
With this gentleman my friend.
[Don Henrique addresses himself to Don Antonio.
Don A. I'll attend your leisure.
I find my coming has disorder'd 'em, [Aside.
There's something they would fain conceal from me:
All here is discompos'd, whate'er's the matter.
I find my coming has disorder'd 'em, [Aside.
There's something they would fain conceal from me:
All here is discompos'd, whate'er's the matter.
Don H. I am a rogue, if I know what to do.
Don C. Since the event's so dangerous and doubtful,
'Tis best, in my opinion, sir, to temporise.
'Tis best, in my opinion, sir, to temporise.
Don H. How easily men get the name of wise!
To fear t' engage, is call'd to temporise:
Sure, fear and courage cannot be the same,
Yet th' are confounded by a specious name;
And I must tamely suffer, because fools
Are rul'd by nice distinctions of the schools.
How I hate such cold complexions! [He stamps.
To fear t' engage, is call'd to temporise:
Sure, fear and courage cannot be the same,
Yet th' are confounded by a specious name;
And I must tamely suffer, because fools
Are rul'd by nice distinctions of the schools.
How I hate such cold complexions! [He stamps.
Don C. Why so transported? as if vehemence
Were for your passion an approv'd defence.
Were for your passion an approv'd defence.
Don H. Who condemns passions, Nature he arraigns.
Don C. Th' are useful succours, when they serve in chains:
But he who throws the bridle on their necks,
From a good cause will produce ill effects.
But he who throws the bridle on their necks,
From a good cause will produce ill effects.
Don H. Be th' effects what they will, I am resolv'd.
I doubt not of your kind concurrence, sir,
I doubt not of your kind concurrence, sir,
[Addressing to Don Antonio.
In all the near concernments of a person
Allied to you as I am; but, noble brother,
It were against the laws of hospitality
And civil breeding to engage a guest
(Newly arriv'd after so long a journey)
In an occasion where there may be danger.
Allied to you as I am; but, noble brother,
It were against the laws of hospitality
And civil breeding to engage a guest
(Newly arriv'd after so long a journey)
In an occasion where there may be danger.
Don A. If such be the occasion, I must then
Acquaint you freely, that I wear a sword,
Which must not be excluded from your service.
I'm sure you are too noble to employ yours
In any cause not justifi'd by honour.
Acquaint you freely, that I wear a sword,
Which must not be excluded from your service.
I'm sure you are too noble to employ yours
In any cause not justifi'd by honour.
Don H. Though with regret, I see, sir, I must yield
To your excess of generosity,
This only I shall say to satisfy
Your just reflections, that my resentments
Are grounded on affronts of such a nature
That, as nothing but the offender's life
Can e'er repair 'em, so, as to the forms
Of taking my revenge, they can't admit
Of the least scruple.
To your excess of generosity,
This only I shall say to satisfy
Your just reflections, that my resentments
Are grounded on affronts of such a nature
That, as nothing but the offender's life
Can e'er repair 'em, so, as to the forms
Of taking my revenge, they can't admit
Of the least scruple.
Don A. Honour's my standard, and 'tis true that I
Had rather fall, than blush for victory;
But you are such a judge of honour's laws,
That 'twere injurious to suspect your cause.
Allow me, sir, th' honour to lead the way.
Had rather fall, than blush for victory;
But you are such a judge of honour's laws,
That 'twere injurious to suspect your cause.
Allow me, sir, th' honour to lead the way.
[Exeunt Don Antonio and Don Henrique.
Don C. If Porcia be there too (as I believe)
'Twill prove, I fear, a fatal tragedy;
But should she not be there, yet 'tis too much
For such a heart as mine, through ignorance
To have betray'd a gentleman, though faulty,
Into such cruel hands. I must go with them;
But so resolv'd as, in this bloody strife,
I'll salve my honour, or I'll lose my life. [Exit.
'Twill prove, I fear, a fatal tragedy;
But should she not be there, yet 'tis too much
For such a heart as mine, through ignorance
To have betray'd a gentleman, though faulty,
Into such cruel hands. I must go with them;
But so resolv'd as, in this bloody strife,
I'll salve my honour, or I'll lose my life. [Exit.
Scene changes to Don Carlos's house. Enter Don Octavio, Diego, and Flora with a candle.
Flo. O th' unluckiness! I vow t' you, sir,
I have scarce known that door e'er lock'd before.
I have scarce known that door e'er lock'd before.
Don O. There's no remedy, Flora: I am now
At the mercy of my enemies.
At the mercy of my enemies.
Diego. Having broken into another's ground,
'Tis just, i' faith, you should be put i' th' pound.
'Tis just, i' faith, you should be put i' th' pound.
Don O. The tide of my ill fate is swoll'n so high,
'Twill not admit increase of misery;
Since, amongst all the curses, there is none
So wounds the spirit as privation:
For 'tis not where we lie, but whence we fell;
The loss of heaven's the greatest pain in hell.
When I had sail'd the doubtful course of love,
Had safely gain'd my port, and (far above
My hopes) the precious treasure had secured
For which so many storms I had endur'd:
To be so soon from this great blessing torn,
That's hard to say, if 'twere first dead or born,
May doubtless seem such a transcendent curse,
That even the Fates themselves could do no worse:
Yet this I bore with an erected face.
Since fortune, not my fault, caus'd my disgrace;
But now my eyes unto the earth are bent,
Conscious of meriting this punishment:
For trusting a fond maid's officious care,
My life and honour's taken in this snare;
And thus I perish on this unseen shelf,
Pursu'd by fate, and false unto myself.
Flora, when I am dead, I pray present [He pulls out his tablets.
These tablets to your lady; there she'll find
My last request, with reasons which I give,
That for my sake she would vouchsafe to live.
Give me the candle, Flora.
'Twill not admit increase of misery;
Since, amongst all the curses, there is none
So wounds the spirit as privation:
For 'tis not where we lie, but whence we fell;
The loss of heaven's the greatest pain in hell.
When I had sail'd the doubtful course of love,
Had safely gain'd my port, and (far above
My hopes) the precious treasure had secured
For which so many storms I had endur'd:
To be so soon from this great blessing torn,
That's hard to say, if 'twere first dead or born,
May doubtless seem such a transcendent curse,
That even the Fates themselves could do no worse:
Yet this I bore with an erected face.
Since fortune, not my fault, caus'd my disgrace;
But now my eyes unto the earth are bent,
Conscious of meriting this punishment:
For trusting a fond maid's officious care,
My life and honour's taken in this snare;
And thus I perish on this unseen shelf,
Pursu'd by fate, and false unto myself.
Flora, when I am dead, I pray present [He pulls out his tablets.
These tablets to your lady; there she'll find
My last request, with reasons which I give,
That for my sake she would vouchsafe to live.
Give me the candle, Flora.
[Octavio sets the candle on a table, and sits down to write in his tablets.
Diego. A double curse upon all love in earnest,
All constant love: 'tis still accompanied
With strange disasters, or else ends in that
Which is the worst of all disasters—marriage.
All constant love: 'tis still accompanied
With strange disasters, or else ends in that
Which is the worst of all disasters—marriage.
Flo. Sure, you could wish that everybody living
Had such a soul of quicksilver as yours,
That can fix nowhere.
Had such a soul of quicksilver as yours,
That can fix nowhere.
Diego. Why' 'twould not be the worse for you, dear Flora;
You then might hope in time to have your turn,
As well as those who have much better faces.
You then might hope in time to have your turn,
As well as those who have much better faces.
Flo. You, I presume, sir, would be one o' th' latest,
Which I should hear of; yet 'tis possible
That one might see you before you should be
Welcome.
Which I should hear of; yet 'tis possible
That one might see you before you should be
Welcome.
Diego. She has wit and good-humour, excellent
Ingredients to pass away the time;
And I have kindness for her person too;
But that will end with marriage, and possibly
Her good-humour; for I have seldom known
The husband and the wife make any music,
Though when asunder they can play their parts.
Well, friend Diego, I advise you to look
Before you leap, for if you should be coupled
To a yoke, instead of a yoke-fellow,
'Tis likely you may wear it to your grave.
Yet, honest Diego, now I think on't better,
Your dancing and your vaulting days are done:
Faith, all your pleasures are three storeys high,
They are come up to your mouth; you are now
For ease and eating, the only joys of life;
And there's no cook, no dry-nurse, like a wife.
Ingredients to pass away the time;
And I have kindness for her person too;
But that will end with marriage, and possibly
Her good-humour; for I have seldom known
The husband and the wife make any music,
Though when asunder they can play their parts.
Well, friend Diego, I advise you to look
Before you leap, for if you should be coupled
To a yoke, instead of a yoke-fellow,
'Tis likely you may wear it to your grave.
Yet, honest Diego, now I think on't better,
Your dancing and your vaulting days are done:
Faith, all your pleasures are three storeys high,
They are come up to your mouth; you are now
For ease and eating, the only joys of life;
And there's no cook, no dry-nurse, like a wife.
Don O. Here, take my tablets, Flora: sure, they'll spare
Thy life for thy sex's sake; but for poor Diego——
Thy life for thy sex's sake; but for poor Diego——
Diego. Why, sir, they'll never offer to kill me?
There's nothing in the world I hate like death.
There's nothing in the world I hate like death.
Don O. Since death's the passage to eternity,
To be for ever happy we must die.
To be for ever happy we must die.
Diego. 'Tis very true; but most that die would live,
If to themselves they could new leases give.
If to themselves they could new leases give.
Don O. We must possess our souls with such indifference,
As not to wish nor fear to part from hence.
As not to wish nor fear to part from hence.
Don O. Fear! why, death's only cruel when she flies,
And will not deign to close the weeping eyes.
And will not deign to close the weeping eyes.
Diego. That is a cruelty I can forgive,
For I confess I'm not afraid to live.
For I confess I'm not afraid to live.
Don O. We shall still live, though 'tis by others' breath—
By our good fame, which is secur'd by death.
By our good fame, which is secur'd by death.
Diego. But we shall catch such colds, sir, under ground,
That we shall never hear Fame's trumpet sound.
That we shall never hear Fame's trumpet sound.
Don O. 'Tis but returning, when from hence we go,
As rivers to their mother-ocean flow.
As rivers to their mother-ocean flow.
Diego. We know our names and channels whilst w' are here;
W' are swallow'd in that dark abyss when there.
W' are swallow'd in that dark abyss when there.
Don O. Engulf'd in endless joys and perfect rest,
Unchangeable, i' th' centre of the bless'd.
Unchangeable, i' th' centre of the bless'd.
Diego. Hark, I hear a noise—
[The noise of the opening of a door. Diego runs to the door, looks into the next room, then comes running to Octavio.
Diego. O sir, w' are lost! I sea two female giants
Coming most terribly upon us.
Coming most terribly upon us.
Don O. Away, you fearful fool——
Enter Camilla and Porcia, the one with a key, the other with a candle.
Por. I'm confident nobody saw us pass
From th' other house.
From th' other house.
Cam. However, let us go through my brother's quarter,
And open the back-door into the street;
'Tis good in all events t' have a retreat
More ways than one. [A door claps behind, and both look back.
And open the back-door into the street;
'Tis good in all events t' have a retreat
More ways than one. [A door claps behind, and both look back.
Por. O heavens, our passage is cut off!
The wind has shut the door through which we came.
The wind has shut the door through which we came.
Cam. The accident's unlucky: 'tis a spring lock,
That opens only on the other side.
That opens only on the other side.
Por. Let's on the faster, and make sure of th' other—
[Seeing Octavio, she starts.
Octavio here! [Octavio hearing them, starts up.
Don O. Porcia in this place! may I trust my senses,
Or does my fancy form these chimeras?
Or does my fancy form these chimeras?
Diego. Either we sleep, and dream extravagantly,
Or else the fairies govern in this house.
Or else the fairies govern in this house.
[Flora runs to Porcia.
Flo. Ah, dearest mistress! you shall never make me
Quit you so again.
Quit you so again.
Por. But can that be Octavio?
Don O. I was Octavio; but I am at present
So much astonish'd, I am not myself.
So much astonish'd, I am not myself.
Cam. What can the meaning of this vision be?
[Don Octavio approaches Porcia.
Don O. My dearest Porcia, how is't possible
To find you in this place, my friend Antonio
Having so generously undertaken
Your protection?
To find you in this place, my friend Antonio
Having so generously undertaken
Your protection?
Por. Did he not yours so too? and yet I find
Octavio here, where he is more expos'd
Than I to certain ruin. I am loth
To say 'tis he who has betray'd us both.
Octavio here, where he is more expos'd
Than I to certain ruin. I am loth
To say 'tis he who has betray'd us both.
Don O. Antonio false? It is impossible.
Diego. 'Tis but too evident.
Don O. Peace, slave! he is my noble friend, of noble blood,
Whose fame's above the level of those tongues
That bark by custom at the brightest virtues,
As dogs do at the moon.
Whose fame's above the level of those tongues
That bark by custom at the brightest virtues,
As dogs do at the moon.
Por. How hard it is for virtue to suspect!
Ah, Octavio! we have been both deceiv'd.
This vile Antonio is the very man
To whom my brother without my consent
Or knowledge has contracted me in Flanders.
Ah, Octavio! we have been both deceiv'd.
This vile Antonio is the very man
To whom my brother without my consent
Or knowledge has contracted me in Flanders.
Don O. Antonio the man to whom you are contracted?
Porcia the bride whom he is come to marry?
Porcia the bride whom he is come to marry?
Por. The very same.
Don O. Why did you not acquaint me with it sooner?
Por. Alas! I have not seen you since I knew it;
But those few hours such wonders have produc'd
As exceed all belief, and ask more time
Than your unsafe condition in this place
Will allow me to make you comprehend it.
But those few hours such wonders have produc'd
As exceed all belief, and ask more time
Than your unsafe condition in this place
Will allow me to make you comprehend it.
Cam. Cousin, I cannot blame your apprehensions,
Nor your suspicion of Antonio's friendship;
But I am so possess'd with the opinion
Of his virtue, I shall as soon believe
Impossibilities as his apostasy
From honour.
Nor your suspicion of Antonio's friendship;
But I am so possess'd with the opinion
Of his virtue, I shall as soon believe
Impossibilities as his apostasy
From honour.
Don O. What's her concernment in Antonio, Porcia?
Por. O, that's the strangest part of our sad story,
And which requires most time to let you know it
And which requires most time to let you know it
[A blaze of light appears at the window, and a noise without.
See, Flora, at the window, what's that light
And noise we hear. [Flora goes to the window.
And noise we hear. [Flora goes to the window.
Flo. O madam, we are all undone! I see
Henrique, Carlos, and their servants, with torches
All coming hither; and, which is wonderful,
Antonio leading them with his sword drawn.
Henrique, Carlos, and their servants, with torches
All coming hither; and, which is wonderful,
Antonio leading them with his sword drawn.
[Camilla runs to the window, and turning back, says—
All she has said is in appearance true.
There is some hidden mystery, which thus
Abuses us; for I shall ne'er believe
Antonio can transgress the rules of friendship.
There is some hidden mystery, which thus
Abuses us; for I shall ne'er believe
Antonio can transgress the rules of friendship.
Don O. Friendship's a specious name, made to deceive
Those whose good-nature tempts them to believe:
The traffic of good offices 'mongst friends
Moves from ourselves, and in ourselves it ends:
When competition brings us to the test,
Then we find friendship is self-interest.
Those whose good-nature tempts them to believe:
The traffic of good offices 'mongst friends
Moves from ourselves, and in ourselves it ends:
When competition brings us to the test,
Then we find friendship is self-interest.
Por. Ye pow'rs above! what pleasure can ye take
To persecute submitting innocence?
To persecute submitting innocence?
Don O. Retire, dear Porcia, to that inner room:
For should thy cruel brother find thee here,
He's so revolted from humanity,
He'll mingle thine with my impurer blood.
For should thy cruel brother find thee here,
He's so revolted from humanity,
He'll mingle thine with my impurer blood.
Por. That were a kind of contract. Let him come,
We'll meet at once marriage and martyrdom.
We'll meet at once marriage and martyrdom.
Don O. Soul of my life, retire.
Por. I will not leave you.
Don O. Thou preserv'st me by saving of thyself:
For they can murder only half of me,
Whilst that my better part survives in thee.
For they can murder only half of me,
Whilst that my better part survives in thee.
Por. I will die too, Octavio, to maintain
That different causes form the same effects:
'Tis courage in you men, love in our sex.
That different causes form the same effects:
'Tis courage in you men, love in our sex.
Don O. Though souls no sexes have, when w' are above,
If we can know each other, we may love.
If we can know each other, we may love.
Por. I'll meet you there above: here take my word.
[Don Octavio takes her hand and kisses it.
[They retire to the other room, Porcia leaning on Camilla, and Octavio waits on them to the door.
Diego. Nay, if y' are good at that, the devil take
The hindmost. 'Tis for your sake, fair Flora,
The hindmost. 'Tis for your sake, fair Flora,
[Taking Flora by the hand.
I shun these honourable occasions.
Having no weapon, sir, 'tis fit that I
March off with the baggage.
Having no weapon, sir, 'tis fit that I
March off with the baggage.
[Turning to Don Octavio. Exeunt Diego and Flora.
Don O. I'm now upon the frontiers of this life,
There's but one step to immortality;
And, since my cruel fortune has allow'd me
No other witness of my tragic end
But a false friend and barbarous enemy,
I'll leave my genius to inform the world
My life and death was uniform: as I
Liv'd firm to love and honour, so I die. [Draws his sword.
Look down, ye spirits above; for if there be
A sight on earth worthy of you to see,
'Tis a brave man, pursu'd by unjust hate,
Bravely contending with his adverse fate. [Waving his sword.
Stay till this heaven-born soul puts off her earth,
And she'll attend ye to her place of birth.
There's but one step to immortality;
And, since my cruel fortune has allow'd me
No other witness of my tragic end
But a false friend and barbarous enemy,
I'll leave my genius to inform the world
My life and death was uniform: as I
Liv'd firm to love and honour, so I die. [Draws his sword.
Look down, ye spirits above; for if there be
A sight on earth worthy of you to see,
'Tis a brave man, pursu'd by unjust hate,
Bravely contending with his adverse fate. [Waving his sword.
Stay till this heaven-born soul puts off her earth,
And she'll attend ye to her place of birth.
Enter Don Antonio, Don Henrique, Don Carlos, and Pedro, their swords drawn; Don Antonio before the rest.
Don O. Here is the man thou seek'st, and he whom thou
So basely hast betray'd.
So basely hast betray'd.
Don A. O heavens! what is't I see? It is Octavio,
My friend.
My friend.
Don O. Not thy friend, Antonio, but 'tis Octavio,
Who by thy perfidy has been betray'd
To this forlorn condition; but, vile man,
Thou now shalt pay thy treachery with thy life.
Who by thy perfidy has been betray'd
To this forlorn condition; but, vile man,
Thou now shalt pay thy treachery with thy life.
[Don Octavio makes at Don Antonio.