Part 12

_Hip_. What's worse: to give your sister to him. Won by her tears, he means to leave her free, And to redeem her misery with his: At least so I conjecture.

_Man_. 'Tis a doubtful Problem; either he loves her violently, Or not at all.

_Amid_. You have betrayed my master:--

[_To_ HIPPOLITO. _Aside_.

_Hip_. If I have injured you, I mean to give you The satisfaction of a gentlewoman.

_Enter_ GONSALVO _and_ JULIA.

_Man_. Oh, they are here; now I shall be resolved.

_Jul_. My brother Manuel! what fortune's this!

_Man_. I'm glad I have prevented you.

_Gons_. With what Variety my fate torments me still! Never was man so dragged along by virtue; But I must follow her.

_Jul_. Noble Gonsalvo, Protect me from my brother.

_Gons_. Tell me, sir, When you bestowed your sister on me, did not You give her freely up to my dispose?

_Man_. 'Tis true, I did; but never with intent You should restore her to my enemy.

_Gons_. 'Tis past; 'tis done: She undermined my soul With tears; as banks are sapped away by streams.

_Man_. I wonder what strange blessing she expects From the harsh nature of this Rodorick; A man made up of malice and revenge.

_Jul_. If I possess him, I may be unhappy; But if I lose him, I am surely so. Had you a friend so desperately sick, That all physicians had forsook his cure; All scorched without, and all parched up within, The moisture that maintained consuming nature Licked up, and in a fever fried away; Could you behold him beg, with dying eyes, A glass of water, and refuse it him, Because you knew it ill for his disease? When he would die without it, how could you Deny to make his death more easy to him?

_Man_. Talk not to me of love, when honour suffers. The boys will hiss at me.

_Gons_. I suffer most: Had there been 'choice, what would I not have chose? To save my honour I my love must lose: But promises, once made, are past debate, And truth's of more necessity than fate.

_Man_. I scarce can think your promise absolute; There might some way be thought on, if you would, To keep both her and it.

_Gons_. No, no; my promise was no trick of state: I meant to be made truly wretched first, And then to die; and I'll perform them both.

_Man_. Then that revenge, I meant on Rodorick, I'll take on you. [_Draws_.

_Gons_.--I draw with such regret, As merchants throw their wealth into the sea, To save their sinking vessels from a wreck.

_Man_. I find I cannot lift my hand against thee: Do what thou wilt; but let not me behold it. [_Goes off a little way_. I'll cut this gordian knot I cannot loose: To keep his promise, Rodorick shall have her, But I'll return and rescue her by force; Then giving back what he so frankly gave, At once my honour and his love I'll save. [_Exit MANUEL_.

_Enter RODORICK_.

_Rod_. How! Julia brought by him?--Who sent for me?

_Gons_. 'Twas I.

_Rod_. I know your business then; 'tis fighting.

_Gons_. You're mistaken; 'tis something that I fear.

_Rod_. What is't?

_Gons_. Why,--'twill not out: Here, take her; And deserve her: but no thanks; For fear I should consider what I give, And call it back.--

_Jul_. O my dear Rodorick!

_Gons_. O cruel Julia! For pity shew not all your joy before me; Stifle some part of it one minute longer, 'Till I am dead.

_Jul_. My Rodorick shall know, He owes his Julia to you; thank him, love; In faith I take it ill you are so slow.

_Rod_. You know he has forbid me; and, beside, He'll take it better from your mouth than mine; All that you do must needs be pleasing to him.

_Jul_. Still sullen and unkind!

_Rod_. Why, then, in short, I do not understand the benefit.

_Gons_. Not to have Julia in thy free possession?

_Rod_. Not brought by you; not of another's leaving.

_Jul_. Speak softly, Rodorick: Let not these hear thee; But spare my shame for the ill choice I made, In loving thee.

_Rod_. I will speak loud, and tell thee, Thou com'st, all cloyed and tired with his embraces, To proffer thy palled love to me; his kisses Do yet bedew thy lips; the very print, His arms made round thy body, yet remains.

_Gons_. O barbarous jealousy!

_Jul_. 'Tis an harsh word: I am too pure for thee; but yet I love thee.

[_Offers to take his hand_.

_Rod_. Away, foul impudence.

_Gons_. Madam, you wrong Your virtue, thus to clear it by submission.

_Jul_. Whence grows this boldness, sir? did I ask you To be my champion?

_Rod_. He chose to be your friend, and not your husband: Left that dull part of dignity to me; As often the worst actors play the kings.

_Jul_. This jealousy is but excess of passion, Which grows up, wild, in every lover's breast; But changes kind when planted in an husband.

_Rod_. Well, what I am, I am; and what I will be, When you are mine, my pleasure shall determine. I will receive no law from any man.

_Jul_. This strange unkindness of my Rodorick I owe to thee, and thy unlucky love; Henceforth go lock it up within thy breast; 'Tis only harmless while it is concealed, But, opened, spreads infection like a vault. Go, and my curse go with thee!--

_Gons_. I cannot go 'till I behold you happy:-- --Here, Rodorick, receive her on thy knees; Use her with that respect, which thou would'st pay Thy guardian angel, if he could be seen. --Do not provoke my anger by refusing.-- I'll watch thy least offence to her; each word, Nay, every sullen look;-- And, as the devils, who are damned to torments, Yet have the guilty souls their slaves to punish; So, under me, while I am wretched, thou Shalt be tormented.--

_Rod_. Would'st thou make me the tenant of thy lust, To toil, and for my labour take the dregs, The juicy vintage being left for thee? No: she's an infamous, lewd prostitute: I loath her at my soul.

_Gons_. I can forbear No longer: swallow down thy lie, foul villain.

[_They fight off the stage. Exeunt_.

_Jul_. Help, help!

_Amid_. Here is that witch, whose fatal beauty Began the mischief; she shall pay for all.

[_Goes to kill JULIA_.

_Hip_. I hate her for it more than thou canst do; But cannot see her die, my master loves.

[_Goes between with her sword_.

_Enter_ GONSALVO, _following_ RODORICK, _who falls_.

_Rod_. So, now I am at rest:-- I feel death rising higher still, and higher, Within my bosom; every breath I fetch Shuts up my life within a shorter compass, And, like the vanishing sound of bells, grows less And less each pulse, 'till it be lost in air.

[_Swoons away_.

_Gons_. Down at your feet, much injured innocence, I lay that sword, which--

_Jul_. Take it up again; It has not done its work 'till I am killed: For ever, ever, thou hast robbed me of That man, that only man, whom I could love: Dost thou thus court thy mistress? thus oblige her? All thy obligements have been fatal yet, Yet the most fatal now would most oblige me. Kill me:--yet I am killed before in him. I lie there on the ground; cold, cold, and pale: That death, I die in Roderick, is far More pleasant than that life, I live in Julia.-- --See how he stands--when he is bid dispatch me! How dull! how spiritless! that sloth possest Thee not, when thou didst kill my Roderick.

_Gons_. I'm too unlucky to converse with men: I'll pack together all my mischiefs up, Gather with care each little remnant of them, That none of them be left behind: Thus loaded, Fly to some desert, and there let them loose, Where they may never prey upon mankind. But you may make my journey shorter:--Take This sword; 'twill shew you how:--

_Jul_.I'll gladly set you on your way:-- [_Takes his sword_.

_Enter three of_ RODORICK'S _servants_.

_1 Serv_. Make haste; he's now unarmed, we may with ease Revenge my master's death.

_Jul_. Now these shall do it.

_Gons_. I'll die by none but you.--

_Hip_. O here, take my sword, sir.

_Amid_. He shall have mine.

[_Both give their swords_ to GONSALVO.

_Enter MANUEL_.

_Man_. Think not of death. We'll live and conquer.

[_They beat them off_.

_Man_. These fellows, though beat off, will strait return With more; we must make haste to save ourselves.

_Hip_. 'Tis far to the town, And, ere you reach it, you will be discovered.

_Gons_. My life's a burden to me, were not Julia's Concerned; but, as it is, she, being present, Will be found accessary to his death.

_Man_. See where a vessel lies, not far from shore; And near at hand a boat belonging to her; Let's haste aboard, and what with prayers and gifts Buy our concealment there:--Come, Julia.

_Gons_. Alas, she swoons away upon the body.

_Man_. The night grows on apace; we'll take her in Our arms, and bear her hence.

[_Exeunt GONSALVO, and the boys, with MANUEL, carrying JULIA_.

_The Servants enter again_.

_1 Serv_. They are all gone, we may return with safety: Help me to bear the body to the town.

_2 Serv_. He stirs, and breathes a little; there may be Some hope.

_3 Serv_. The town's far off, and the evening cold. Let's carry him to the ship.

_1 Serv_. Haste then away: Things, once resolved, are ruined by delay.

[_Exeunt_.

## ACT V. SCENE I.

_The Scene lying in a Carrack_.

_Enter a Pirate and the Captain_.

_Pir_. Welcome a ship-board, captain; you staid long.

_Capt_. No longer than was necessary for shifting trades; to change me from a robber to a pirate.

_Pir_. There's a fair change wrought in you since yesterday morning; then you talked of nothing but repentance, and amendment of life.

_Capt_. 'Faith, I have considered better on't: for, conversing a whole day together with honest men, I found them all so poor and beggarly, that a civil person would be ashamed to be seen with them:--but you come from Don Roderick's cabin; what hopes have you of his life?

_Pir_. No danger of it, only loss of blood had made him faint away; he called for you.

_Capt_. Well, are his jewels and his plate brought in?

_Pir_. They are.--When hoist we sails?

_Capt_. At the first break of day: When we are got out clear, we'll seize on Roderick and his men: They are not many, but fear may make them desperate.

_Pir_. We may take them, when they are laid to sleep.

_Capt_. 'Tis well advised.

_Pir_. I forgot to tell you, sir, that a little before Don Roderick was brought in, a company of gentlemen (pursued it seems by justice) procured our boat to row them hither. Two of them carried a very fair lady betwixt them, who was either dead, or swooned.

_Capt_. We'll sell them altogether to the Turk,--at least I'll tell them so. [_Aside_.

_Pir_. Pray, sir, let us reserve the lady to our own uses; it were a shame to good catholicks to give her up to infidels.

_Capt_. Don Roderick's door opens; I'll speak to him.

_The Scene draws, and discovers the Captains cabin; RODORICK on a bed, and two Servants by him_.

_Capt_. How is it with the brave Don Roderick? Do you want any thing?

_Rod_. I have too much Of that I would not, love; And what I would have, that I want, revenge. I must be set ashore.

_Capt_. That you may, sir; But our own safety must be thought on first.

[_One enters, and whispers the Captain_.

_Capt_. I come:--Seignior, think you are lord here, and command all freely.

[_Exeunt Captain and Pirates_.

_Rod_. He does well to bid me think so: I am of opinion We are fallen into huckster's hands.

_1 Serv_. Indeed he talked suspiciously enough; He half denied to land us.

_Rod_. These, Pedro, are your confiding men--

_2 Serv_. I think them still so.

_Rod_. Would I were from them.

_2 Serv_. 'Tis impossible To attempt it now; you have not strength enough To walk.

_Rod_. That venture must be mine: We're lost, If we stay here to-morrow.

_2 Serv_. I hope better.

_1 Serv_. One whom I saw among 'em, to my knowledge, Is a notorious robber.

_2 Serv_. He looked so like a gentleman, I could not know him then.

_Rod_. What became of Julia when I fell?

_1 Serv_. We left her weeping over you, till we Were beaten off; but she, and those with her, Were gone when we returned.

_Rod_. Too late I find, I wronged her in my thoughts. I'm every way A wretched man:-- Something we must resolve on, ere we sleep; Draw in the bed, I feel the cold.

[_Bed drawn in. Exeunt_.

## SCENE II.

_Enter GONSALVO, MANUEL, HIPPOLITO and AMIDEO_.

_Hip_. Nay, 'tis too true; for, peeping through a chink, I saw Don Roderick lying on a bed, Not dead, as we supposed, but only hurt; So waited on as spoke him master here.

_Man_. Was there ever so fatal an adventure! To fly into that very ship, for refuge, Where the only person, we would shun, commands! This mischief is so strange, it could not happen, But was the plot and juggle of our fate, To free itself, and cast the blame on us.

_Gons_. This is not yet our fortune's utmost malice; The gall remains behind. This ship was that, Which yesterday was mine; I can see nothing Round me, but what's familiar to my eyes; Only the persons new: Which makes me think, Twas seized upon by Roderick, to revenge Himself on me.

_Man_. Tis wonderful indeed.

_Amid_. The only comfort is, we are not known; For when we entered it was dark.

_Hip_. That comfort Is of as short continuance as the night; The day will soon discover us.

_Man_. Some way must be invented to get out.

_Hip_. Fair Julia, sadly pining by herself. Sits on her bed; tears falling from her eyes, As silently as dews in dead of night. All we consult of must be kept from her: That moment, that she knows of Roderick's life, Dooms us to certain death.

_Man_. 'Tis well considered.

_Gons_. For my part, were not you and she concerned, I look upon my life, like an estate, So charged with debts, it is not worth the keeping. We cannot long be undiscovered by them; Let us then rush upon them on the sudden, (All hope of safety placed in our despair) And gain quick victory, or speedy death.

_Man_. Consider first, the impossibility Of the attempt; four men, and two poor boys, (Which, added to our number, make us weaker) Against ten villains, more resolved for death, Than any ten among our holiest priests. Stay but a little longer, till they all Disperse to rest within their several cabins; Then more securely we may set upon them, And kill them half, before the rest can wake: By this means too, the boys are useful for us, For they can cut the throats of sleeping men.

_Hip_. Now have I the greatest temptation in the world to reveal, Thou art a woman. [_To AMIDEO_.

_Amid_. If 'twere not for thy beauty, my master should know, What a man he keeps. [_To HIPPOLITO_.

_Hip_. Why should we have recourse to desperate ways, When safer may be thought on? 'Tis like giving the extreme unction. In the beginning of a sickness; Can you imagine to find all asleep? The wicked joy, of having such a booty In their possession, will keep some awake; And some, no doubt, will watch with wounded Roderick.

_Amid_. What would your wisdom now propose?

_Hip_. To say That some of us are sea-sick; (your complexion Will make the excuse for us who are less fair:) So, by good words and promises, procure We may be set ashore, ere morning come.

_Amid_. O, the deep reasons of the grave Hippolito!-- As if 'twere likely, in so calm a season, We should be sick so soon; or, if we were, Whom should we chuse among us to go tell it? For whoe'er ventures out must needs be known: Or, if none knew us, can you think that pirates Will let us go upon such easy terms, As promising rewards?--Let me advise you.

_Hip_. Now, we expect an oracle.

_Amid_. Here are bundles, Of canvas and of cloth, you see lie by us; In which one of us shall sew up the rest, Only some breathing place, for air, and food: Then call the pirates in, and tell them, we, For fear, had drowned ourselves: And when we come To the next port, find means to bring us out.

_Hip_. Pithily spoken!-- As if you were to bind up marble statues, Which only bore the shapes of men without, And had no need of ever easing nature.

_Gons_. There's but one way left, that's this;-- You know the rope, by which the cock-boat's tied, Goes down by the stern, and now, we are at anchor, There sits no pilot to discover us; My counsel is, to go down by the ladder, And, being once there, unloose, and row to shore.

_Man_. This, without doubt, were best; but there lies ever Some one, or more, within the boat, to watch it.

_Gons_. I'll slide down first, and run the venture of it; You shall come after me, if there be need, To give me succour.

_Man_. 'Tis the only way.

_Gons_. Go in to Julia, then, and first prepare her, With knowledge of the pirates, and the danger Her honour's in, among such barbarous people.

_Man_. Leave it to me.

_Amid_. Hippolito and Julia, My rivals, like two pointed rocks appear; And I, through both, must to Gonsalvo steer. [_Aside_.

[_Exeunt all but HIPPOLITA_.

_Hip_. As from some steep and dreadful precipice The frighted traveller casts down his eyes, And sees the ocean at so great a distance, It looks as if the skies were sunk below him; Yet if some neighbouring shrub (how weak soe'er) Peeps up, his willing eyes stop gladly there, And seem to ease themselves, and rest upon it: So, in my desperate state, each little comfort Preserves me from despair. Gonsalvo strove not With greater care to give away his Julia, Than I have done to part with my Gonsalvo; Yet neither brought to pass our hateful wish. Then, we may meet, since different ways we move, Chasing each other in the maze of love. [_Exit_.

## SCENE III.

_Enter Don RODORICK, carried by two Servants_.

_1 Serv_. It was the only way that could be thought on, To get down by the ladder to the boat.

_2 Serv_. You may thank me for that invention.

_Rod_. What a noise is here, when the least breath's As dangerous as a tempest.

_2 Serv_. If any of those rogues should hear him talk, In what a case were we?

_Rod_. O, patience! patience!-- This ass brays out for silence.

_Enter, at the other end, MANUEL, leading JULIA, GONSALVO, HIPPOLITO, and AMIDEO_.

_Gons_. Hark! what noise is that? go softly.

[_They meet on the middle of the stage_.

_Rod_. Who's here? I am betrayed! and nothing grieves me, But I want strength to die with honour.

_Jul_. Roderick! Is it thy voice, my love?--Speak, and resolve me, Whether thou livest, or I am dead with thee?

_Man_. Kill him, and force our way.

_Rod_. Is Manuel there? Hold up my arm, that I may make one thrust At him, before I die.

_Gons_. Since we must fall, We'll sell our lives as dearly as we can.

_1 Serv_. And we'll defend our master to the last. [_Fight_.

_Enter Pirates, without their Captain_.

_1 Pirate_. What's the meaning of this uproar?--Quarrelling Amongst yourselves at midnight?

_2 Pirate_. We are come in a fit time to decide the difference.

_Man_. Hold, gentlemen! we're equally concerned. [_To RODORICK'S Servants_. We for our own, you for your master's safety; If we join forces, we may then resist them, If not, both sides are ruined.

_1 Serv_. We agree.

_Gons_. Come o'er on our side then. [_They join_.

_1 Pirate_. A mischief on our captain's drowsiness; We're lost, for want of him! [_They fight_.

_Gons_. Dear madam, get behind; while you are safe, We cannot be o'ercome. [_To JULIA_.

[_They drive off the Pirates, and follow them off. RODORICK remains on the ground_.

_Rod_. I had much rather my own life were lost, Than Manuel's were preserved.

_Enter the Pirates, retreating before GONSALVO, &c_.

_1 Pirate_. All's lost! they fight like devils, and our captain Yet sleeping in his bed.

_2 Pirate_. Here lies Don Roderick; If we must die, we'll not leave him behind.

[_Goes to kill him_.

_Jul_. O, spare my Roderick's life; and, in exchange, Take mine! I put myself within your power, To save or kill.

_1 Pirate_. So, here's another pawn, For all our safeties.

_Man_. Heaven! what has she done?

_Gons_. Let go the lady, or expect no mercy!--The least drop of her blood is worth all yours. And mine together.

_1 Pirate_. I am glad you think so:-- Either deliver up your sword, or mine Shall pierce her heart this moment.

_Gons_. Here, here, take it.

_Man_. You are not mad, to give away all hopes

[_MANUEL holds him_

Of safety and defence, from us, from her, And from yourself, at once!

_Gons_. When she is dead, What is there worth defending?

_Man_. Will you trust A pirate's promise, sooner than your valour?

_Gons_. Any thing, rather than see her in danger.

_1 Pirate_. Nay, if you dispute the matter!--

[_Holds his sword to her breast_.

_Gons_. I yield, I yield!--Reason to love must bow: Love, that gives courage, can make cowards too!

[_Gives his sword_.

_Jul_. O, strange effect of a most generous passion!

_Rod_. His enemies themselves must needs admire it.

_Man_. Nay, if Gonsalvo makes a fashion of it, 'Twill be valour to die tamely. [_Gives his_.

_Hip_. I am for dying too with my dear master.

_Amid_. My life will go as easily as a fly's; The least fillip does it in this fright.

_1 Pirate_. One call our captain up: Tell him, he deserves little of the booty.

_Jul_. It has so much prevailed upon my soul, I ever must acknowledge it. [_To GONS_.

_Rod_. Julia has reason, if she love him; yet, I find I cannot bear it. [_Aside_.

_Gons_. Say but, you love me; I am more than paid.

_Jul_. You ask that only thing, I cannot give;-- Were I not Roderick's first, I should be yours; My violent love for him, I know, is faulty; Yet passion never can be placed so ill, But that to change it is the greater crime. Inconstancy is such a guilt, as makes That very love suspected, which it brings; It brings a gift, but 'tis of ill-got wealth, The spoils of some forsaken lover's heart. Love, altered once, like blood let out before, Will lose its virtue, and can cure no more.

_Gons_. In those few minutes which I have to live, To be called yours, is all I can enjoy. Roderick receives no prejudice by that; I would but make some small acquaintance here, For fear I never should enquire you out In that new world, which we are going to.

_Amid_. Then, I can hold no longer;--You desire, In death, to be called hers; and all I wish, Is, dying, to be yours.

_Hip_. You'll not discover? [_Aside_.