The bloody brother A tragedy. By B.J.F.

ACT. V. SCAE. II.

Enter Edith, a Boy, and a Banquet set out.

Edith.

Now for a Fathers murther, and thy ruine, All chastity shall suffer if he raigne; Thou blessed soule, look down, and steele thy daughter, Look on the sacrifice she comes to send thee, And through the bloudy cloud behold my piety, Take from my cold heart feare, from my sex pitty, And as I wipe theses teares off, shed for thee, So all remembrance may I loose of mercy; Give me a womans anger bent to bloud, The wildnesse of the winds to drown his prayers, Storme like may my destruction fall upon him, My rage like roving billowes as they rise, Powr'd on his soule to sinke it, give me flattery, (For yet my constant soule neer knew dissembling.

Flattery the food o•• ••ooles, that I may, rocke him And lull him in the Downe of his desires; That in the height of all his hopes and wishes, His heaven forgot, and all his lusts upon him, My hand, like thunder from a could, may seize him. I heare him come, go boy, and entertaine him.

Enter Rollo.

Song.

Take, Oh take those lips away that so swetly were forsworne, And those eyes, like breake of day, lights that doe misleade the Morne, But my kisses being againe, Seales of love, though seal'd in vaine.

Hide, Oh hide those hils of Snow, which thy frozen blossome beares, On whose tops the Pincks that grow are of those that April weares. But first set my poore heart free, bound in those Ioy chaines by thee.

Rol.

What bright star, taking beauties forme upon her, In all the happy lustre of heavens glory, Ha's drop'd downe from the Skye to comfort me? Wonder of Nature, let it not prophane thee My rude hand touch thy beauty, nor this kisse; The gentle sacrifice of love and service Be offer'd to the honor of thy sweetnesse

Edith.

My gracious Lord, no diety dwells here, Nor nothing of that vertue, but obedience, The servant to your will affects no flattery.

Rollo.

Can it be flattery to sweare those eyes Are loves eternall lamps he fires all hearts with? That tongue the smart string to his bow? those sighes The deadly shafts he sends into our soules?

Oh, looke upon me with thy spring of beauty.

Ed.

Your grace is full of game.

Rollo.

By heaven, my Edith, Thy mother fed on Roses when she bred thee.

Ed.

And thine on brambles that have prick'd her heart out.

Rollo.

The sweetnesse of the Arabian winde still blowing Upon the treasures of perfumes and spices, In all their pride and pleasures call thee Mistris.

Ed.

Wil't please you sit sir?

Rol.

So you please sit by me. Faire gentle maid, there is no speaking to thee, The excellency that appeares upon thee Tyes up my tongue: pray speake to me.

Ed.

Of what sir?

Rol.

Of any thing, any thing is excellent•• Will you take my directions? speake of love then; Speake of thy faire selfe Edith; and while thou speak'st, Let me, thus languishing, give up my selfe wen••h.

Ed.

H'as a strange cunning tongue, why doe you sigh sir? How masterly he turnes himselfe to catch me?

Rol.

The way to Paradise, my gentle maide, Is hard and crooked, scarce Repentance finding, With all her holy helpes, the dore to enter. Give me thy hand, what dost thou feele?

Ed.

Your teares sir. You weepe extreamly; strengthen me now justice, Why are these sorrowes sir?

Rol.

Thou't never love me If I should tell thee, yet there's no way left Ever to purchase this blest Paradise, But swimming thither in these teares.

Ed.

I stagger.

Rol.

Are they not drops of blood?

Ed.

No.

Rol.

Th'are for blood then For guiltlesse blood, and they must drop, my Edith, They must thus drop, ••ll I have drown'd my mischiefes.

Ed.

If this be true, I have no strength to touch him.

Rol.

I prethee looke upon me, turne not from me; Alas I doe confesse I'me made of mischiefe, Begot with all mans miseries upon me; But see my sorrowes, made, and doe not thou, Whose only sweetest sacrifice is softnesse, Whose true condition, tendernesse of nature.

Ed.

My anger melts, Oh, I shall lose my justice.

Rol.

Do not thou learne to kill with cruelty, As I have done to murther with thy eyes, (Those blessed eyes) as I have done with malice, When thou hast wounded me to death with scorne, (As I deserve it Lady) for my true love, When thou hast loaden me with earth for ever, Take heed my sorrowes, and the stings I suffer; Take heed my nightly dreames of death and horrour Persue thee not: no time shall tell thy griefes then, Nor shall an houre of joy adde to thy beauties. Looke not upon one as I kill'd thy father, As I was smear'd in blood, do not thou hate me, But thus in whitenesse of my wash't repentance, In my hearts teares and truth of love to Edith, In my faire life hereafter.

Ed.

He will foole me.

Rol.

Oh with thine angell eyes behold and close me, Of heaven we call for mercy and obtaine it; To Justice for our right on earth and have it; Of thee I beg for love, save me, and give it.

Ed.

Now heaven thy helpe, or I am gone for ever, His tongue ha's turn'd me into melting pity.

Enter Hamond and Guard.

Ham.

Keepe the doores safe, and upon paine of death Let no man enter till I give the word.

Guard.

We shall sir.

Exeunt.

Ham.

Here he is in all his pleasure; I have my wish

Rol.

How now? why dost thou stare so?

Ed.

A helpe, I hope.

Rol.

What dost thou here? who sent thee?

Ham.

My brother, and the base malicious Office Thou mad'st me doe to Aubrey, pray.

Rol.

Pray?

Ham.

Pray; pray if thou canst pray, I shall kill thy soule else, Pray suddenly.

Rol.

Thou can'st not be so trayterous.

Ham.

It is a Justice; stay Lady; For I perceive your end; a womans hand Must not rob me of vengeance.

Ed.

'Tis my glory.

Ham.

'Tis mine, stay, and share with me; by the gods, Rollo, There is no way to save thy life.

Rol.

No?

Ham.

No, it is so monstrous, no repentance cures it.

Rol.

Why then thou shalt kill her first, and what this blood Will cast upon thy cursed head.

Ham.

Poore Guard sir.

Ed.

Spare not brave Captaine.

Rol.

Feare, or the divell ha's thee.

Ham.

Such feare sir as you gave your honor'd mother, When your most vertuous brother, sheild like, held her; Such I'le give you, put her away.

Rol.

I will not, I will not die so tamely.

Ham.

Murtherous villaine, wilt thou draw seas of blood upon thee.

Ed.

Feare not, kill him good Captaine, any way dispatch Him, my body's honor'd with that sword that through me, Sends his blacke soule to hell: Oh, but for one hand.

Ham.

Shake him off bravely.

Ed.

He's too strong, strike him.

Ham.

Oh, am I with you Sir? now keepe you from him, What ha••s he got a knife.

Ed.

Looke to him Captaine, for now he will be mischievous.

Ham.

Do you smile Sir? Do's it so tickle you? have at you once more.

Ed.

Oh bravely thrust; take heed he come not in Sir; To him againe, you give him too much r••spite.

Rol.

Yet will you save my life, and I'le forgive thee. And give the all•• all honors, all advancements, Call thee my friend.

Ed.

Strike, strike, and heare him not, His tongue will tempt a Saint.

Rol.

Oh, for my soules sake.

Ed.

Save nothing of him.

Ham.

Now for your farewell, Are you so warry? take you that.

Rol.

Thou, that too; Oh thou hast kil'd me basely, basely, basely.

Dyes.

Ed.

The just reward of murther falls upon thee. How doe you Sir? ha's he not hurt you?

Ham.

No, I feele not any thing.

Aub.

I charge you let us passe.

within.

Guard.

You cannot yet sir.

Aub.

I'le make way then.

Guar.

We are sworne to our Captaine, and till he give the word.

Enter Sophia, Matilda, Aubrey, Lords and attendants.

Ham.

Now let them in there.

Sop.

Oh, here he lies, Sorrow on sorrow seekes me, Oh, in his blood he lyes,

Aub.

Had you spoke sooner This might have beene prevented; Take the Dutchesse, And leade her off, this is no sight for her eyes

Mat.

Oh, bravely done wench.

Ed.

There stands the noble doer.

Mat.

My honor ever seeke thee for thy justice, Oh 'twas a deed of high and brave adventure, A justice even for h••••••en ••o envy at, Farewell my sorrowes, and my teares take truee, My 〈…〉〈…〉 Oh bloody Brother, Till this houre never beauteous; till thy life, Like a full sacrifice for all thy mis••••••efes, Flow'd fro〈…〉〈…〉 ri••ers, never righteous: Oh how my eyes 〈…〉〈…〉 wish then joyes how?

My longing heart even leaping out for lightnesse, But dye thy black sins with thee. I forgive thee.

Aub.

Who did this deed?

Ham.

I, and I'le answer it.

Dies.

Edi.

He faints, oh that same cursed knife has kil'd him.

Aub.

How?

Ed.

He snatch'd it from my hand, for whom I bore it, And as they grapell'd.

Aub.

Justice is ever equall, Had it not been on him, th'adst dy'd too honest. Did you know of his death?

Ed.

Yes, and rejoyce in't.

Aub.

I'me sory for your youth then; though the strictnesse Of Law shall not fall on you, that of life Must presently, go to a Cloyster, carry her, And there for ever lead your life in penitence.

Ed.

Best Father to my soule, I give you thankes, sir, And now my faire revenges have their ends, My vowes shall be my kin, my prayers my friends.

Exit.

Enter Latorche, and Iuglers.

Lat.

Stay there, I'le step in and prepare the Duke,

Nor.

We shall have brave rewards?

Fis.

That is without question.

Lat.

By this time wher's my huffing friend Lord Aubrey? Where's that good Gentleman? oh, I could laugh now, And burst my selfe with meere imagination; A wise man, and a valiant man, a just man; To suffer himselfe be juggl'd out of the world, By a number of poor Gipseys? farewell Swash-buckler, For I know thy mouth is cold enough by this time; A hundred of ye I can shave as neatly, And nere draw bloud in shew: now shall my honor, My power and vertue walke alone: my pleasure Observ'd by all, all knees bend to my worship, All sutes to me as Saint of all their fortunes, Prefer'd and crowded too, what full place of credit, And what place now? your Lordship? no, 'tis common,

But that I'le thinke to morrow on, now for my businesse.

Aub.

Whose there?

Lat.

Dead, my Master dead? Aubrey alive too?

Guard.

Litorche, Sir.

Aub.

Seize his body.

Lat.

My Master dead?

Aub.

And you within this halfe houre; Prepare your selfe good devill, you must to it, Millions of gold shall not redeeme thy mischiefe, Behold the Justice of thy practice, villaine; The masse of murthers thou hast drawn upon us: Behold thy doctrine; you look now for reward, sir, To be advanc'd, I'em sure, for all your labours? And you shall have it, make his gallows higher By ten foot at the least, and then advance him.

Lat.

Mercy, mercy.

Aub.

'Tis too late foole, Such as you ment for mee, away with him.

He is led out.

What gaping knaves are these, bring'em in fellows, Now, what are you?

Nor.

Mathematitians if it please your Lordship.

Aub.

And you drew a figure?

Fis.

We have drawn many.

Aub.

For the Duke, I meane; sir Latorches knaves you are.

Nor.

We know the Gentleman.

Aub.

What did he promise you?

Nor.

We are paid already.

Aub.

But I will see you better paid, go whip them.

Nor.

We do beseech your Lordship, we were hyr'd.

Aub.

I know you were, and you shall have your hyre; Whip'em extremely, whip that Doctor there, Till he record himselfe a Rogue.

Nor.

I am one, Sir.

Aub.

Whip him for being one, and when th'are whip't, Lead'em to the gallows to see their patron hang'd; Away with them.

They are lead out.

Nor.

Ah, good my Lord.

Aub.

Now to mine own right, Gentlemen.

Lord 1.

You have the next indeed, we all confesse it, And here stand ready to invest you with it.

Lord 2.

Which to make stronger to you, and the surer, Then bloud or mischiefes dare infringe againe, Behold this Lady, Sir, this noble Lady, Full of the bloud as you are, of that neerenesse, How blessed would it be?

Aub.

I apprehend you, and so the faire Matilda dare a••cept Me her ever constant servant.

Mat.

In all purenesse, In all humility of heart and services, To the most noble Aubrey, I submit me.

Aub.

Then this is our first tye, now to our businesse.

Lord 1.

We are ready all to put the honor on you, Sir.

Aub.

These sad rights must be done first, take up the bodyes, This, as he was a Prince, so Princely funerall Shall waite upon him: on this honest Captaine, The decency of armes; a teare for him too. So, sadly on, and as we view his blood, May his Example in our Rule raise good.