The perjur'd husband, or, The adventures of Venice a tragedy : as 'twas acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's servants
Centlivre, Susanna, 1667?-1723.
ACT V. SCENE I.
A Mask in Bassino Lodging. Bassino, Alonzo, Armando in a disguise; Placentia in Man's Cloaths; Signior Pizalto, Lady Pizalta, Lucy, &c. An Entry of three Men, and three Women of several Nations.
Bass.
I Can't imagine where I dropt my Letter:
Pray Heaven it be where none can ever find it.
Page 33
Gods! Let me once enjoy her, then call on me
Your store of Plagues, and I will meet 'em all.
Enter Ludovico singing.
Lud.
Ah! Mistress Lucy! I'm come thou seest — I expect thou shalt be as good as thy word, Child — is the Lady here?
Luc.
The Lady is forth coming if you are still in the same mind?
L. Piz.
My Lover here! Harkee Lucy.
Lucy.
By and by, Madam, I am catering for my self now — Well, Sir, will two thousand Pistoles do?
Lud.
I must humour her — Aside.] Ay, Child.
Lucy.
Why then I take you at your word, Sir, and can produce the aforesaid summ — To Piz. With a little of your assistance, my Lord.
Lud.
aside. Hum — A pretty Wife I am like to have — Catch me there if you can —
Piz.
Ha — How's that?
Lud.
How! Mistress Lucy worth two thousand Pistoles?
Lucy.
Ay: And I have a very good Pay-master for one half of it too —
Do you know this hand, my Lord? To Pizalta. (shows the Bond)
Piz.
aside. Confound your jilting snear.
Lud.
Ha, ha, ha — What, a thousand Pistoles a Dish, my Lord?
I hope you don't change often, ha — ha —
Piz.
Hussy, I'll be reveng'd — 'Tis all false, 'tis counterfeit.
Lucy.
Ha — ha — But it had been current Coyn, if I had suffer'd you to put your stamp upon't — in my Bed chamber, my Lord —
L. Piz.
How Mistress, have you trick'd my Husband out of a thou∣sand Pistoles, and never told me of it?
Lucy.
Nay, Madam, don't frown — Remember you have trick'd him out of something too, which I never told him of — Don't urge me to more Discoveries.
Lud.
aside. So — Here's Trick upon Trick: But, faith, you shall never trick me out of my Liberty. I'm not so fond of a Wife to mar∣ry a Chamber-maid, tho with ten times as much Money: And so, sweet Mistress Abigail, your humble servant.
Exit Ludovico.
L. Piz.
aside. The Jade has me upon the Hip — I must be silent.
She who has her Husbands Bed abus'd,
Can ne're expect she shou'd be better us'd.
Exit.
Lucy.
Ha — What! my Lover gone! With all my heart: Better now than after; for whilst I have my Fortune in my own Hands, I shall have no need to sue for a Separate Maintenance, and get nothing for it neither.
Arm.
to Placent. Now, Madam, go: May Heaven be propitious
To your Designs: I'll stay, and watch Bassino:
And when he goes, will follow with Alonzo.
Pla.
Oh! my sick Fancy frames a thousand Forms,
Which tell me that our meeting will proke fatal.
And warn me not to go, what shall I do?
Must I bear calmly my Bassino's loss?
Why do I tremble thus?
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Sure, it can't be the fear of Death — No, for if
I go not I must lose him, and that's more
Than death to me — and if I go, I can but fall,
And Life without him is the greater Woe,
Therefore I ll on, I'll use the softest words
That Tongue can frame to sooth her into Pity,
And dissuade her from this impious Marriage.
If I succeed I am compleatly happy,
If not I'd rather dye than live with hate,
But first, curst Rival, thou shalt share my Fate.
Exit Placentia.
A flourish of Musick.
Bass.
'Tis now the time — But whither do I go?
Shall I a Maid, a Wife, a Friend betray?
No matter —
All Arguments are vain, where love bears sway.
Exit Bassino.
A SONG.
When the Winds Rage, and the Seas grow high,
They bid mankind beware,
But when they smooth, and calm the Sky,
'Tis then they would ensnare.
So the bright Thais kindness shows,
By frowning on her Lovers,
For Ruin only from her flows,
When she her Charms discovers.
Piz.
Come now, Gentlemen and Ladies, be pleas'd to walk into the next Room, and take a small Collation — But where's my Lord Bassino? Come, Gentlemen, He's gone before us.
Arm.
Where we will quickly follow. aside. Alonzo a word with you —
Exit Omnes.
SCENE II. A Chamber in Aurelia's House.
Two Arm Chairs.
- Aurelia Sola.
Aur
I wonder much at my Bassino's stay:
Oh! Love! how swiftly fly thy Hours away
When we are blest! How tedious are thy minutes
When cruel absence parts two longing Lovers!
Enter Florella.
Is my Bassino come? speak —
Flor.
No, Madam, A young stranger desires to speak with you: He says you are not acquainted with his Name, but will soon with his business, which is something of great import, that can be told to none but your self.
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Aur.
A Stranger business with me! I know of none I have with strangers — Heaven! what's this?
I feel a sudden throbbing in my Heart,
As if 'twas conscious of some fatal News —
Aside.
Womanish Fears — Admit him — (Exit Florella.) it must be
One of Bassino's Friends, whom he intrusts
To be a witness of our Marriage Vows.
Enter Placentia in mans Cloaths.
Plac.
Madam, I was inform'd that Count Bassino
Was to be here — And having things t'impart
That much concern him, I made bold to come —
Aur.
Sir, I expect him straight — if you're his Friend
I will account you mine — Be pleas'd to sit. Both sit.
Plac.
My Brother, Madam, is extreamly happy
In being favour'd by so fair a Lady —
Aur.
Your Brother, Sir! is then my Lord your Brother?
Plac.
Madam he is.
Aur.
Then I may call you Brother too:
For all the Solemn Vows of Love have past
Twixt him and me — And blissful Hymen waits
With lighted Torch to tie the Sacred Knot,
Which shall be done this Hour —
Plac.
This hour! say you? Oh! Madam, have a care:
You tread inchanted Ground, and e're you know
What Path you take, you're hurried to Destruction.
Aur.
Where lies the Danger?
Plac.
Oh! 'Tis a fatal Tale, yet you must hear it:
Therefore summon your Courage to your Aid,
For you will need it all, whilst I relate
The fatal story —
Aur.
Ah! how I tremble!
Say, is he dead? has any murderous Villain
Kill'd my Bassino?
Plac.
No — he is well in health: but his distemper'd mind
Is of a wild and feaverish Disposition,
Longing to taste, what tasted will undo him.
Aur.
Your speech is all a Riddle: Pray, speak plainer:
But yet, e're you proceed, if Count Bassino lives,
I care not what must follow, since he's mine.
Plac.
No, he's not yours — Nor ever must.
Aur.
Tis false — There's not a Pow'r on Earth can part us:
Perhaps
You think my Blood too base to mix with yours —
But, Sir, your Brother loves me, and in Love
All Ranks are equal —
Plac.
No — I wish that were all:
Page 36
But there's a greater obstacle — He — is — married —
Oh! Gods! Unfortunately married!
Aur.
Married!
Plac.
Yes — Married — to my Sister;
To my unfortunate, abandon'd Sister.
Oh! do not you conspire t'undo her quite;
It is enough, she's false Bassino's Wife.
Aur.
Gods! Married!
And is it possible! Oh! Faithless men!
Oh! Truth! Oh! Justice! Whither are you fled?
Now all my Fears and Horrors are explain'd.
Pla.
I'm glad I reach'd this place in time, to hinder
Those ills that must have waited on your Marriage,
Now it is in your power, both to be happy,
And, in some measure, make my Sister so.
Both rise.
Aur.
A Paradox in Nature — Bid Aurelia
Be happy, when you rob her of her Heaven!
Her dear Bassino!
Indeed your Sister may be counted happy,
If she's his Wife — Ha — Wife — By Heaven! 'tis false —
No, no — He has no other Wife but me —
He is not married, you bely him basely —
He cannot be so treacherous —
Pla.
Madam, I swear, whate're I said is truth —
Do but defer this marriage for a day,
And if I don't produce convincing Proofs,
May all the Plagues a Woman can invent
Fall on my perjur'd head —
Aur.
Defer our Marriage — No, by Heaven I will not.
I can't suspect him — Neither do I think
You durst maintain this story to his Face.
Pla.
Madam, I dare; Nay, which is more, I'll die,
Or vindicate my injur'd Sister's Honour —
Aur.
Bold Arrogance!
Oh! That he were but here to answer the Affront,
Perhaps he may have wrong'd your Family:
Debauch'd your Sister; for which you would force him
To marry her? — But, I must tell Thee, Boy,
He's mine already: nor would he forsake me
To hold Command o're all the Universe.
Plac.
Oh! Heaven! must I bear this!
Aur.
Nay, expect more, if he should find you here,
'Tis not your being Brother to his Mistress,
That will secure you from his just Revenge.
Pla.
Revenge! Nay, then away with all Disguise.
Page 37
Pity, be gone — And in its room fell rage
Take place, that I may dash that haughty Insolence
That dares to treat me thus — Know, Madam,
I am his Wife — his lawful, wedded Wife.
With borrow'd Shape I came to try your Virtue,
Which I have found so light, that the least puff
Of wanton Love will blast it — Else my Visit
Had met a better welcome — Here with Sword in hand
I'll wait his coming,
Draws.
And as he enters pierce thy haughty Breast.
I know he loves Thee, and therefore 'tis brave
Revenge, to let him see thy dying Paugs:
Thy parting Sighs will rack him worse than Hell.
Aur.
His Wife! Oh! Insolence!
In vain you waste your breath, it moves not me:
So much I love him, so much I'm belov'd,
That should an Angel from yond Heaven descend,
To tell me he's marry'd I'd not credit him.
Kill me if you dare — He will revenge my death:
That pleasing thought gives Courage to my Soul;
To live without him would be Death indeed!
No — he'll ne're leave me for a common thing,
For such I'm sure Thou art —
Plac.
Common! Proud wretch — by Heaven that word gives wings
To my Revenge — Vile Creature, dye —
Stabs her.
Aur.
Help, — Murder, murder —
Enter Bassino.
Bass.
Ha — That to thy heart — [kills Plac.] Wer't thou a Demi-god
And durst attempt this Shrine, thus shouldst thoufall —
Plac.
falling.
Oh! Bassino! Oh!Aur.
Oh! hold, my Lord, what has your rashness done?
I only should have dy'd — I'll not upbraid
Your Treachery — No, 'tis the hand of heaven
That guides the stroke that takes my guilty Life,
For being Faithless to Alonzo.
Bass.
Talk not of Death, my fair, my Dear Aurelia.
That very Sound does harrow up my Soul.
But who art thou whose sacrilegious hand
Durst to profane the Temple of my Love?
Plac.
I am your Wife — Your loving Wife Placentiae.
Oh! Pardon this rash Deed; blame jealous Love —
And grace me with a sigh, that I may die contented.
Bass.
My VVife! And Kill'd by me!
Under what load of Miseries I stand!
Oh! horror! horror! Infinite of Guilt!
Hurl now your vengeful Bolts, Almighty Powers,
On my devoted Head!
Page 38
Oh! I have wrong'd you both: Deceiv'd you basely:
Thus prostrate on the Ground, let me beg Pardon;
Threws himself on the ground.
I do not ask it with Design to live.
Aur.
Oh! Dear Bassino, live:
And try to save her, for she's innocent:
We only are in fault —
I urg'd my wretched Fate with impious Language,
For which I beg forgiveness: Generous Lady,
Let not my Soul depart with Guilt opprest.
Plac.
As I forgive you, so may Heaven me
Bass.
Oh! Placentia! oh! my Wife!
Aur.
One thing more and I'm happy —
Were but Alonzo here, that I might ask
Forgiveness for my Falshood! But, alas!
My Spirits faint within my frozen Veins,
And every Thing seems double to my sight:
Oh! How I dread th'uncertain future State!
Bass.
Unhappy Maid! Oh! my once dear Aurelia!
Curst, Curst Bassino! Oh! my Wife! How dare
I stand the View of both these injar'd Women!
Oh! Heaven! Why name I Heaven! Heaven will not hear
A wretch like me — No, even Hell wants Torment
Proportion'd to my Guilt — Oh! my Placentia! oh!
Plac.
Oh! My dear Lord, I cannot see you thus:
Live, live, my Lord; be happy when I'm dead.
Nay, for your sake, I wish Aurelia too
May live to make you happy —
Bass.
Oh! hold!
Heap not more Curses on me by your kindness:
I wish that she might live, but not for me,
Only to clear me from her guilty blood —
Oh! Placentia!
Plac.
Rise, my Lord, rise: Do not indulge your Woe,
Your Sighs atone for all, and make e'en Death a Pleasure —
I see him coming, he will soon be here —
Bass.
No, I will never rise: ne're see the Day.
The Sun would blush to shine on such an impious wretch.
Here let me lye, and tear with these curst hands
Tears the ground in a di∣stracted manner.
A passage thro the Earth, and hide my Face for ever.
Alon.
within. Where, where's this Villain? Where's Bassino?
Aur.
'Tis Alonzo's Voice.
Oh! fly, my Lord, fly from his just Revenge.
Enter Alonzo hastily.
Bass.
Fly —
Where shall I fly from Justice? No, Heaven is kind
In sending him to help my Journey forward.
Alon.
Where's Bassino.
Alon.
Then there stands a Villain — Ha — what
Do I see! — Aurelia murder'd!
Oh! treacherous Maid, thy Love hast cost thee dear.
Think on thy broken Vows, and call to Heaven for Mercy.
Thy death I will revenge, because I lov'd thee once.
Aur.
Oh! Alonzo, pardon me.
Alon. to Bassino.
Now Villain, now what story, what pretence
Canst thou invent to avoid my just Revenge?
Oh! That I ne're had listned to thy Tongue!
Thy base, perfidious Tongue! Then all these Murders
Had been prevented, and thou curst in Hell —
Thou Monstrous Fiend —
Bass.
You talk too much — Let's see what you can do:
Thus I return your Villain —
Alon.
Take thy reward.
They fight, Bassino falls.
Enter Armando.
Arm.
Hold! hold: Oh! Gods! I'm come too late.
What has my fatal Friendship done!
Ha — Placentia too — curst Letter!
Bass.
My Friend Armando! Oh! I blush to see thee:
But let me have your Pardon — now I need it.
Arm.
Oh! first pardon me —
For I have been the cause of all this mischief.
Whilest my officious Friendship strives to save you,
I bring you all to this unhappy end.
Say, can you pardon me?
Bass.
I do —
And oh! my Friend! had Vertue been my Guide,
As it was thine, I still were truly happy.
Aur.
Where am I?
Why do I hover thus 'twixt Rest and Misery?
Oh! good Alonzo, say you pardon me,
And let me die in Peace, else full of Horror
My Guilty Soul must wander in the Shades
Of gloomy night, and never, never rest.
Alon.
Thou hast my Pardon, and with it this Promise!
Never to love again —
Aur.
Oh! you're — too — kind — And I want —
Breath to thank — you — Farewel.
Dies.
Bass.
Oh! Placentia! Embraces her.
Thus in thy Arms my Thread of Life shall break.
Plac.
My Lord, my Husband, Oh! come nearer yet,
That I may take a parting kiss, to smooth
Page 40
My Passage to the Realms of endless night.
Kisses him.
So — Now — I dye — much happier than I lived.
Farewel —
Dies.
Bass.
Farewel, Fair Excellence! Thou best of Wives!
But I shall quickly follow — Yet before I go,
I beg, Alonzo, let my Death atone
For all the Injuries my Life has done you.
Oh! spare my Memory, when I'm no more.
Alon.
By Heaven!
I see such Vertue struggling in thy Breast,
As makes me wish I could prevent the Flight
Of thy departing Soul —
Bass.
No, no — I would not live:
Hadst thou not come, my Hand had set me free.
But now I fell more nobly, and less guilty.
My Friend, my Dear Armando,
Haste to inform my Prince Bassino rests:
But hide, if possible, my shame: And let
One Grave hold both this wretched Corps and mine.
Oh! my Placentia —
Dies.
Alon.
Unhappy Pair! But far more wretched me!
For I must live, and live without Aurelia!
Tho I'm convinc'd she lov'd me not, I can't
Banish her Image from my Love-sick mind.
Oh! that I ne're had seen the Charmiug Fair!
Arm.
The Gods are just in all their Punishments:
And by this single Act, we plainly see
That Vengeance always treads on Perjury.
And tho sometimes no Bolts be at us hurl'd,
Whilst we enjoy the Pleasures of this World;
Yet a day waits, a Day' of general Doom,
When guilty Souls must to an Audit come;
Then that we may not tremble, blush or fear,
Let our Desires be Just: our Lives unsullied here.
Exeunt Omnes.
