The forc'd marriage, or, The jealous bridegroom a tragi-comedy : as it is acted at His Highnesse the Duke of Yorks theatre / written by A. Behn.

ACT. V. SCEN. V.

Discovers a room hung with Black, a Herse standing in it with Tapers round about it, Alcippus weeping at it, with Isillia, and ether Women with long black veiles round about the Herse.

Isi.

I humbly beg, my Lord, you would forbear.

Alcip.

Oh Isillia, Thou knowst not what vast treasure this incloses, This sacred Pile, is there no sorrow due to t•…•… Alass, I bad her not farewell at parting, Nor did receive so much as one poor kiss, —Ah'wretched, wretched man.

Enter the Prince.

Alcip.

How, the Prince! How suddenly my grief submits to rage.

Phi.

Alcippus, why dost thou gaze thus on me, What horror have I in my looks that frights thee?

Alcip.

Why Sir, what makes you here? I've no more wives, no more Erminia's, Alass she's dead— Will you not give her leave to rest in peace: Is this the gratitude you pay my favours, That gave thee life, after thy wrongs to me?

But 'twas my Sisters kindness that preserv'd thee, And I preferr'd my vengeance to the Gods.

Alcip.

Your Sister is a Saint I adore, But I refuse a life that comes from you.

Isi.

What mean you, Sir?

Alcip.

To speak a truth as dying men should do.

Phi.

Alcippus for my Sisters sake who loves you, I can bear more then this—you know my power, And I can make you fear.

[Offers to go out

Alcip.

No, Prince, not whilst I am in love with dying.

Phi.

Your love to that I see has made you impudent.

Isi.

The storm comes on, your highness should avoid it.

Phi.

Let him give place, I'le keep possession here.

Isi.

It is the Princess pleasure Sir, you quit the presence.

Alcip.

No, this I call my home, And since Erminia's here that does entitle it so, I will not quit the presence.

Phi.

Gave thee a title to't, Alcippus?

Alcan.

Me Phillander:

[They come to each others breast, and so draw.

Phi.

Thee?

Alcip.

Me, What dare you now?

Phi.

I dare declare that I can hear no more, Be witness Heaven how justly I'me compell'd.

Alcip.

Now Sir, you are brave, and love Erminia too.

The women run all away crying, they draw out some one way and some another, leaving some their veiles behind them, some half off, half on.

Phi.

We are here not safe, these women will betray us.

Alcip.

Sir, 'tis a work that will be soon dispatcht, And this a place and time most proper for't.

[Fal. peeps in and runs away.

A pass or two Enter Pisaro, runs between.

Pis.

Hold Sir, are you grown desperate? What means your Highness?

[To the Prince.

Aicippus, what is't you design in this?

Alcip.

To fight Pisaro and be kill'd.

Pis.

By Heaven you shall not fight, unless with me, And you've so anger'd me with this rash action, I could almost provoke you to it.

Enter Alcander.

Alcan.

Gods, Sir, That you should Thus expose your self, The Worlds great Heir, against a desperate mad man.

Pis.

Have you forgot your apparition Sir?

Alcip.

O•…•… 'twas an idle lying one Pisaro, And came but to intrap me.

To them Gallatea, Aminta, and Olinda.

Gall.

Ah Brother, why so cruel to your Sister?

Phi.

Here Gallatea, punish my misfortune, For yet I want the will to injure thee. Heaven knows what provocations I receiv'd Ere I would draw a Sword on him you lov'd.

Gall.

Unjust Alcippus how dost-thou reward me?

Alcip.

Ah Madam, I have too much shame to live. Had Heaven preserv'd my innocence intire, That I with confidence might have ador'd you, Though I had been successless, Yet I had liv'd and hop'd, and aim'd to merit you; But since all hopes of that are taken from me, My life is but too poor a acrifice To make attonement for my sins to you.

Gall.

I will not answer thee to what thou'st said, But only beg thou wilt preserve thy life, Without which mine will be of little use to me.

Alcip.

Might I without a sin believe this blessing, Sure I should be immortal.

Falatio peeps in again.

Fal.

I think I may venture, the fury is past, and the great shot Spent, the mad Captain General's wounded so, I hope 'twill Let out some of his hot bloud—

Enter the King, Cleontius, and Attendants.

King.

Thy love Alcippus is dispis'd I see, And you in lieu of that return you owe me

Indeavour to destroy me. —Is this an object for your rage to work on, Behold him well, Alcipp•…•…, 'tis your Prince. —Who dares gaze on him with irreverend eyes? The good he does you ought t'adore him for, But all his evills 'tis the Gods must punish, Who made no Laws for Princes.

Alcip.

Sir, I confess I'me 〈◊〉〈◊〉, And were it not a sin equall to that To doubt you could forgive me, I durst not hope your mercy after it.

Kin.

I think with all the tenderness I'me guilty of I hardly shall be brought to pardon thee.

Phi.

I humbly beg you will forgive him Sir, I drew him to't against his will, I forc'd him, And gave him language not to be indur'd By any gallant man.

Kin.

Whilst you intreat for him, who pleads for you For you are much the guiltier of the two, And need'st a greater interest to perswade me.

Alcip.

It were not just to contradict my Prince, A Prince to whom I've been so late a Traytor. But Sir, 'tis I alone an•…•… criminal, And 'twas I, Justly I thought provok'd him to this hazard. 'Tis I was rude, impatient, insolent, Did like a mad man animate his anger, Not like a generous enemy. Sir, when you weigh my sorrows with this action, You'le find no base design, no villany there, But being weary of a life I hated, I strove to put it off, and missing that way I come to make an offer of it here.

Kin.

If I should take it 'twere no more then just, Yet once again I will allow it thee, That thou maiest owe me for't a second time, Manage it better then the last I gave—

[Exit Kin.

Phi.

—Alcippus, may I credit what thou'st said,

Or do you fein repentance to deceive me•…•…

Alcip.

I never could dissemble 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, And now methinks your highness should believe me, When my dispaires, and little lov•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Makes me dispise all ways that may preserve it.

Phi.

If thou woul•…•… h•…•…ve m•…•… credit thee; Alcippus, Thou should'st not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a lif•…•…, which ought To be preserv'd to give a pr•…•… that what•…•… thou say'st is •…•…ue, And dispossess me of those fea•…•… I have, That 'tis my life makes thine displeasing to thee.

Alcip.

'Tis a high proof to give you of my duty, Yet that's more easie •…•…me, then 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉

Phi.

Let me imbrace and than 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee for his goodness

He offers to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shy, and keeps a little off.

Why dost receive me coldly, I'me in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And I love Honour, and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Generous, I mean thee nothing but a perfect amity, By all my hopes•…•… I've no more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to thee, All ends in this imbrace; and to confirm it I give thee here my Siste•…•… to thy wife.

Alcip.

Your Pardon Sir, I must refuse your bounty till I know, By what strange turn of fate I came thus blest, To you my Prince, I've done unheard of injuries, And though your mercy do afford me life, With this rich present too; Till I could know I might deserve the•…•… both, That life will prove a Plague, and this great gift Turn to the •…•…nt of it.

Phi.

Alcippus, 'tis not kind to doubt 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Is this a present for a man I hate?

Alcip.

'Tis true Sir, and your bou•…•… does 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me, Can I receive a blessing of this mag•…•… With hands, yet have not wash'd away the sin Of your Erminia's murther, think of it, Sir, For though to me it did appear most just, Yet you must hate the man that has undone you

Gall.

I see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 still 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your thoughts.

Alcip.

I must confess my 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 Of that fond passion which I had for her But I protest before the Gods and you, Did she still live, and I might still possess her, I would refuse it, tho I were ignorant Of what the Gods, and your fair self design me.

Phi.

To doubt thee were a sin below my nature, And to declare my faith above my fear, Behold what I present thee with.

Goes out, and enters again with Erminia•…•…

Alcip.

Ha•…•…—Erminia.

[He looks affrighted.

—It is the same—appear'd to me last night, —And my deluded Fancy, Would have perswaded me 'twas but a dream.

Phi.

Approach her, Sir, 'tis no 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Alcip.

'Tis she her self, Oh Gods, Erminia!

[She goes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 little back 〈◊〉〈◊〉 afraid he kneels.

—Ah Madam, do not fear me in this posture•…•…, Which I will never quit till you have pardon'd me It was a fault the most excusable, That ever wretched Lover did commit; And that which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me from following thee, Was that I could not well repent the Crime; But like a surly sinner fa•…•… it out, And said, I thought 'twas 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, fair Erminia Hadst thou been mine, I would •…•…th face of Heaven, Proclaim it just and brave revenge: But, Madam, you were wife unto my Prince And that was all my sin: Alas, in vain I hop'd for some •…•…turn, And grew impatient of th' •…•…kind delay, And frantickly I then out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my happiness.

Er.

Rise, I forgive thee, from my soul I do, Mayst thou be happier, In thy more glorious passion for the Princess, And all the Joys thou e're could'st hope from me, Mayst thou find there repeated.

Enter King, Orgulious, and the rest.

Org.

First, I'le keep my word with thee. Receive the welcome Present which I promis'd.

[Gives him

Er.

Can you forgive the griefs I've made you suffer?

Er. she kneels.

Or.

I can forgive thee, tho 'twas not kind To let me languish in a desperate error; Why was this Blessing hid from me alone?

Er.

Ah Sir, so well I know you lov'd Alcippus, That had you known it e're the Prince had own'd me, I fear you had restor'd me back again, A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great to load your soul withall.

Org.

My King already has forgiven that errour, And now I come to make my peace with thee, And that I may with greatest speed obtain it. —To you, Sir, I resign her, with as much joy

[To the Prince.

As when they undeceiv'd me Of my opinion of her being dead—

Phi.

And I with greater joy receive your gift.

[bows and takes her.

Kin.

My Lord Alcippus, are you pleas'd with this?

Alcip.

Sir, I'me so pleas'd, so truly pleas'd with it, That Heaven-without this blessing on my Prince Had found but little trouble from my thanks, For all they have showr'd on me; 'Twas all I wisht next my Pretensions here.

Kin.

Then to compleat thy happiness, Take Gallatea, since her passion merits thee, As do thy Vertues her.

[Gives him Call they both bow.

Er.

Sir, I've an humble suit your Majesty.

Kin.

Conclude it granted then.

Er.

Falatius, Sir, has long made love t' Isilia, And now he 'as gain'd her heart, he flights the Conquest, Yet all the fault he finds is that she's poor.

Kin.

Isillia's Beauty can supply that want, Falatius, what d'you say to't?

Fa.

By Jove, Sir, I'le agree to any thing; for I beleeve A handsom young wife at Court may bring a man a Greater Fortune then he can in conscience desire.

[take•…•… Isillia.

Er.

Aminta, be perswaded.

[aside to Am.

Am.

He'd use me scurvily then.

Alcan.

That's according as you behav'd your self, Aminta

Am.

I should dominier.

Alc.

I then should make love elsewhere.

Am.

Well, I find we shall not agree then.

Alc.

Faith—now we have disputed a point I never Thought on before, I would willingly Pursue it for the Humour on't: not that I think I shall much approve on't.

Pis.

Give him your hand, Aminta, and conclude, 'Tis time this haughty humour were subdu'd By your submission, whatsoe're he seem, In time you'll make the greater slave of him.

Am.

Well—not from the hope of that, but from my love His change of Humour I'me content to prove. —Here take me, Alcander; Whilst to Inconstancy I bid adieu, I find variety enough in you.

[He takes her and bows.

Kin.

Come, my brave youths, we'll toil our selves with joys, And when w're weary of the lazy play, We'll search abroad to finde new Conquests out, And get fresh appetites to new delights; It will redouble your vast stocks of courage, And make th uneasie Humour light and gentle; When you remember even in heat of Battel, That after all your victories and spoil, You'll meet calm peace at home in soft Embraces, Thus may you number out your happy years, Till Love and Glory no more proofs can give Of what they can bestow, or you receive.