The cardinal, a tragedie, as it was acted at the private house in Black Fryers, wriiten by James Shirley. Not printed before:

ACT I.

Enter two Lords (at one door) Secretary (at the other.)

1 Lord.

WHo is that?

2 Lo.

The Dutchess Secretary.

1 Lo.

Signior.

Secr.

Your Lordships Servant.

1 Lo.

How does her Grace since she left her mourning For the young Duke Mendoza, whose timeless death At Sea, left her a Virgin and a Widdow?

2 Lo.

Shee's now inclining to a second Bride, When is the day of mighty mariage To our great Cardinals Nephew, Don Columbo?

Secr.

When they agree; they wo'not steal to Church, I guess the ceremonies will be loud, and publick. Your Lordships will excuse me.

Exit.

1 Lo.

When they agree? alas poor Lady, she Dotes not upon Columbo, when she thinks Of the young Count D'Alvarez, divorc'd from her By the Kings power.

2 Lo.

And Counsell of the Cardinal to advance His Nephew to the Dutchess bed; 'tis not well.

1 Lo.

Take heed, the Cardinal holds intelligence

With every bird i'th' air.

2 Lo.

Death on his purple pride, He governs all, and yet, Columbo is A gallant Gentleman.

1 Lo.

The darling of the War, whom Victory Hath often courted; a man of daring And most exalted spirit, pride in him Dwels like an ornament, where so much honour Secures his praise.

2 Lo.

This is no argument He should usurp, and wear Alvarez title To the fair Dutchess, men of coarser blood Would not so tamely give this treasure up.

1 Lo.

Although Columbos name is great in war, Whose glorious art and practice is above The greatness of Alvarez, yet he cannot Want soul, in whom alone survives the virtue Of many noble Ancestors, being the last Of his great family

2 Lo.

'Tis not safe, you'l say, to wrastle with the King.

1 Lo.

More danger if the Cardinal be displeas'd, Who sits at helm of State; Count D' Alvarez Is wiser to obey the stream, than by Insisting on his privilege to her love, Put both their fate upon a storm.

2 Lo.

If Wisdom, not inborn Fear make him compose, I like it; how does the Dutchess bear herself?

1 Lo.

She moves by the rapture of another wheel That must be obey'd, like some sad passenger, That looks upon the coast his wishes fly to, But is transported by an adverse wind, sometimes A churlish Pilot.

2 Lo.

She has a sweet and noble nature.

1 Lo.

That commend; Alvarez, Hymen cannot tie A knot of two more equall hearts and blood.

Enter Alphonso.

2 Lo.

Alphonso?

Alph.

My good Lord.

1 Lo.

What great affair Hath brought you from the confines?

Alp.

Such as will Be worth your counsells, when the King hath read My Letters from the Governour; the Arragonians, Violating their confederate oath and league, Are now in arms; they have not yet marcht towards us, But 'tis not safe to expect if we may timely Prevent Invasion

2 Lo.

Dare they be so insolent?

1 Lo.

This storm I did foresee.

2 Lo.

What have they, but the sweetness of the King, To make a crime?

1 Lo.

But how appears the Cardinal At this news?

Alp.

Not pale, although He knows they have no cause to think him innocent, As by whose Counsell they were once surpriz'd.

1 Lo.

There is more Than all our present art can fathome in This story, and I fear I may conclude, This flame has breath at home to cherish it; Ther's treason in some hearts, whose faces are Smooth to the State.

Alp.

My Lords, I take my leave.

2 Lo.

Your friends good Captain.

Excunt.

Enter Dutchess, Valeria, Celinda.

Val.

Sweet Madam be less thoughtfull, this obedience To passion, will destroy the noblest frame Of beauty that this Kingdom ever boasted.

Cel.

This sadness might become your other habit, And ceremonious black for him that died;

••he times of sorrow are expir'd, and all ••he joys that wait upon the Court, your birth, ••nd a new Hymen that is coming towards you, ••nvite a change.

Dut.

Ladies, I thank you both, •• pray excuse a little melancholy ••hat is behind, my year of mourning hath not ••o cleer'd my account with sorrow, but there may ••ome dark thoughts stay, with sad reflections, Upon my heart for him I lost; even this New dress, and smiling garment, meant to shew A peace concluded twixt my grief and me, Is but a sad remembrance: but I resolve ••o entertain more pleasing thoughts, and if You wish me heartily to smile, you must Not mention grief, not in advice to leave it; Such Counsells open but afresh the wounds Ye would close up; and keep alive the cause, Whose bleeding you would cure; lets talk of something That may delight; you two are read in all The Histories of our Court; tell me Valeria, Who has thy vote for the most handsome man? Thus I must counterfeit a peace, when all Within me is at mutiny.

Val.

I have examin'd All that are Candidates for the praise of Ladies. But find—may I speak boldly to your Grace? And will you not return it in your mirth, To make me blush?

Dut.

No, no; speak freely.

Val.

I wo'not rack your patience Madam, but Were I a Princess, I should think Count D' Alvarez Had sweetness to deserve me from the world.

Dut.

Alvarez! shee's a spy upon my heart.

Val.

Hee's young, and active, and compos'd most sweet∣ly.

Dut.

I have seen a face more tempting.

Val.

It had then Too much of woman in't, his eys speak movingly Which may excuse his voice, and lead away All female pride his captive; His hair Black, Which naturally falling into curl's—

Dut.

Prethee no more, thou art in love with him. The man in your esteem Celinda now?

Cel.

Alvarez is (I must confess) a Gentleman Of handsome composition, but with His mind (the greater excellence) I think Another may delight a Lady more, If man be well considered, that's Columbo, Now, Madam, voted to be yours.

Dut.

My Torment!

Val.

She affects him not.

Cel.

He has person, and a bravery beyond All men that I observe.

Val.

He is a Souldier, A rough-hewn man, and may shew well at distance; His talk will fright a Lady; War, and grim- Fac'd-honor are his Mistrisses; he raves To hear a Lute; Love meant him not his Priest. Again your pardon Madam; we may talk, But you have art to choose and crown affection.

Dut.

What is it to be born above these Ladies And want their freedom? they are not constrain'd, Nor slav'd by their own greatness, or the Kings; But let their free hearts look abroad, and choose By their own eys to love; I must repair My poor afflicted bosome, and assume The privilege I was born with; which now prompts me To tell the King he hath no power nor art To steer a Lovers Soul.

Enter Secretary.

What says Count D'Alvares?

Sec.

Madam hee'l attend you.

Dut.

Wait you as I directed, when he comes Acquaint me privately.

Sec.

Madam, I have news, 'Tis now arriv'd the Court, we shall have wars.

Dut.

I find an Army here of killing thoughts.

Sec.

The King has chosen Don Columbo General, Who is immediately to take his leave.

Dut.

What flood is let into my heart! how far Is he to go?

Sec.

To Arragon.

Dut.

That's well At first, he should not want a pilgrimage To the unknown World, if my thoughts might convey him.

Sec.

Tis not impossible he may go thither.

Dut.

How?

Sec.

To the unknown other World, he goes to fight, That's in his way, such stories are in nature.

Dut.

Conceal this news.

Sec.

He wo'not be long absent; The affair will make him swift to kiss your Graces hand.

Dut.

He cannot flie With too much wing to take his leave; I must Be admitted to your conference; ye have Enlarg'd my spirits, they shall droop no more.

Cel.

We are happy, if we may advance one thought To your Graces pleasure.

Val.

Your ey before was in eclipse, these smiles Become you Madam.

Dut.

I have not skill to contain my self.

Enter Placentia.

Pla.

The Cardinals Nephew, Madam, Don Columbo.

Dut.

Already? attend him.

Ex. Plac.

Val.

Shall we take our leave?

Dut.

He shall not know Valeria how you prais'd him.

Val.

If He did, Madam, I should have the confidence To tell him my free thoughts.

Enter Columbo.

Dut.

My Lord, while I'm in study to requite The Favour you ha' done me, you increase My debt to such a sum, still by a new honouring Your servant, I despair of my own freedom.

Col.

Madam, he kisseth your white hand, that must Not surfet in this happiness—and Ladies, I take your smiles for my encouragement: I have not long to practise these Court t••cticks.

Col.

He has been taught to kiss.

Dut.

Ther's something, Sir, Upon your brow I did not read before.

Col.

Does the Character please you Madam?

Dut.

More, Because it speaks you cheerfull.

Col.

'Tis for such Access of honour, as must make Columbo Worth all your love; the King is pleas'd to think Me fit to lead his Army.

Dut.

How, an Army?

Col.

We must not use the Priest, till I bring home Another triumph, that now staies for me To reap it in the purple field of glory.

Dut.

But do you mean to leave me, and expose Your self to the devouring war? no enemy Should Divide us; the King is not so cruell.

Col.

The King is honourable, and this grace More answers my ambition, than his gift Of thee, and all thy beauty, which I can Love, as becomes thy Souldier, and fight

She weeps

To come agen, a conqueror of thee; Then I must chide this fondnesse.

Enter Secretary.

Sec.

Madam, the King, and my Lord Cardinal.

Enter King, Cardinall, and Lords.

King:

Madam, I come to call a Servant from you, And strengthen his excuse; the publick cause Will plead for your consent; at his return Your mariage shall receive triumphant ceremonies; Till then you must dispence.

Card.

She appears sad To part with him, I like it fairly Nephew.

Val.

Is not the General a gallant man? What Lady would deny him a small courtesie?

Cel.

Thou hast converted me, and I begin To wish it were no sin.

Val.

Leave that to narrow Consciences.

Cel.

〈…〉〈…〉 pleasant.

Val.

But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would please one better. Do such men Lie with their Pages?

Cel.

Would'st thou make a shift?

Val.

He is going to a bloody business; 'Tis pity he should dye without some heir; That Lady were hard-hearted now that would Not help posterity, for the meer good O'th' King and Common-wealth.

Col.

Thou art wild, we may be observ'd.

Dut.

Your will must guide me, happiness and conquest Be ever waiting on his sword.

Col.

Farewell.

Ex. K. Col. Card Lo.

Dut.

Pray give leave to examine a few thoughts; Expect me in the Garden.

Ladies

We attend.

Ex. Ladies.

Dut.

This is above all expectation happy; Forgive me virtue that I have dissembled, And witness with me, I have not a thought To tempt or to berray him, but secure The promise I first made to love and honour.

Enter Secretary.

Sec.

The Count D' Alvarez Madam.

Dut.

Admit him. And let none enterrupt us; how shall I Behave my looks? the guilt of my neglect, Which had no seal from hence, will call up blood To write upon my cheeks the shame and story In some red Letter.

Enter D' Alvarez.

D' Alv.

Madam, I present One that was glad to obey your Grace, and come To know what your commands are.

Dut.

Where I once Did promise love, a love that had the Power And office of a Priest to chain my heart To yours, it were injustice to command.

D' Alv.

But I can look upon you Madam, as Becomes a servant, with as much humility, (In tenderness of your honor and great fortune,) Give up, when you call back your bounty, all that Was mine, as I had pride to think them favours.

Dut.

Hath love taught thee no more assurance in Our mutuall vows, thou canst suspect it possible, I should revoke a promise made to heaven And thee so soon? this must arise from some Distrust of thy own Faith.

D' Alv.

Your Graces pardon To speak with freedom, I am not so old In cunning to betray, nor young in time Not to see when, and where I am at loss, And how to bear my fortune, and my wounds, Which if I look for health must still bleed inward, (A hard and desperate condition;) I am not ignorant your birth and greatness,

Have plac'd you to grow up with the Kings grace, And jealousie, which to remove, his power Hath chosen a fit object for your beauty To shine upon, Columbo his great fvavorite; I am a man, on whom but late the King Has pleas'd to cast a beam, which was not meant To make me proud, but wisely to direct, And light me to my safety. Oh, Dear Madam! I will not call more witness of my love (If you will let me still give it that name) Than this, that I dare make my self a loser, And to your will give all my blessings up; Preserve your greatness and forget a triflle, That shall at best when you have drawn me up, But hang about you like a cloud, and dim The glories you are born to.

Dut.

Misery Of birth and state! that I could shift into A meaner blood, or find some art to purge That part which makes my veins unequall; yet Those nice distinctions have no place in us, Ther's but a shadow difference, a title, Thy stock partakes as much of noble sap As that which feeds the root of Kings, and he That writes a Lord, hath all the essence of Nobility.

D' Alv.

'Tis not a name that makes Our separation, the Kings displeasure Hangs a portent to fright us, and the matter That feeds this exhalation is the Cardinals Plot to advance his Nephew; then Columbo, A man made up for some prodigious Act, Is fit to be considered; in all three There is no character you fix upon But has a form of ruine to us both.

Dut.

Then you do look on these with fear.

D' Alv.

With eys That should think tears a duty to lament Your least unkind fate; but my youth dares boldly Meet all the tyranny o'th' stars, whose black Malevolence but shoot my single tragedy; You are above the value of many worlds Peopled with such as I am. 〈…〉〈…〉 if Columbo Engag'd to war, in his hot thirst of honor, Find out the Way to death?

D' Alv.

Tis possible.

Dut.

Or say, no matter by what art or mo tive He gives his title up, and leave me to My own Election?

D' Alv.

If I then be happy To have a name within your thought, there can Be nothing left to crown me with New blessing; But I dream thus of heaven, and wake to find My amorous soul a mockery; when the Priest Shall tie you to another, and the joys Of mariage leave no thought at leasure to Look ba••k upon Alvarez, that must wither For loss of you, yet then I cannot lose So much of what I was, once in your favour, But in a sigh pray still you may live happy.

Exit.

Dut.

My Heart is in a mist, some good star smile Upon my resolution, and direct Two lovers in their chast embrace to meet; Columbo's bed contains my winding sheet.

Exit.