The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 21

Oh, I can say no more--the Room turns Round; My Lord, farewell--Heav'n pardon you all Blood, As I forgive you mine--oh, oh-- [Dyes.

_Anto._ Her Death both staggers, and amazes me!

Are these Dead too?

_Ped._ Not yet, my Lord, I am not.

Your Sword hath left me some small time for Prayers, And it had need; for I believe few Souls Can be a.s.sur'd to find their way to heav'n Without more warning to begin their Journey.

But yet I do not find much cause for doubt.

_Anto._ Nay, if thou'st hopes, by that I do conjure thee Tell me, what brought thee hither?

_Ped._ The Nurses madness; She call'd me from my Bed, and told me, _Flora_ Was sent to bid me come unto my Lady, Which though I scarce believ'd, yet I did do't.

_Anto._ Why did you say it was her madness did it?

_Ped._ My Lady said she was so, for she came Not long before shreeking into this Chamber, So as you enter'd I was going down To lock her up till morning in some Room: This, as I hope for heav'n, my Lord, is true.

_Anto._ Then 'tis as true, that I must never hope for it, For I have kill'd a Wife of such obedience-- But hold, I'le pump the Nurse--who set her on To tell me this.

[Enter Nurse frighted.

_Nurse._ O! whether will you drive me!

Be gone, be gone!

_Anto._ Here, here she comes, I'le make her tell me all.

_Jasp._ But I'le prevent the story if I can.--

_Jasper_ Runs Nurse through but is staid by _Antonio_.

_Anto._ What, does the Villain mean to kill her yet?

_Jasp._ Does she not deserve it? To invent such lyes, And do such mischiefs with them.

_Nurse._ O thou d.a.m.n'd Rogue! 'Twas thou that made me do't.

_Jasp._ You lying Witch, be d.a.m.n'd-- [Offers at her again.

_Anto._ Forbear, you Rogue, I'le do as much for you else.

Speak, why you did it?

_Nurse._ My Lord, he threaten'd me, and made me do't; And taught me to call _Pedro_ when you knockt.

_Ped._ Look to your self, my Lord, he'l kill you else.

[_Jasper_ runs _Anto._ behind.

_Jasp._ This way is only left--h.e.l.l take your Tongue.

_Anto._ Ah, thou hast kill'd me; yet I have strength enough To send thy Soul to h.e.l.l.

[They fight. A noise without. _Jasper_ is mortally wounded.

_Jasp._ 'Tis done, I am catch'd at last in my Own Trap. Oh, I deserve my Death for want Of fore-sight, to let him Live a spye upon my Actions.

I should have serv'd you thus, and thus, And thus--and you too thus.

[Runs _Pedro_ through as he lyes, and Nurse.

_Ped._ Oh, O, O!

[_Pedro_ and Nurse Dye.

_Anto._ Infernal Monster! how his malice lasts.

_Within._ This way's the noise.

_Enter Captain, Watch, and Servant._

_Capt._ What horrid sight is this? We come too late.

_Anto._ Too late indeed, except you'd come to save The best of Wives that there lyes murder'd By my accursed hand.

_Capt._ What, _Caelia_ dead too! What made you do't, my Lord?

_Jasp._ Alas! he cannot tell; the Jealous fool Was but an Instrument in my Revenge; 'Tis only I can tell you why she dy'd.

But yet I would not give that satisfaction, Did I not fear my Name would be forgotten, Except this Tale of my Revenge was known; In which I shall live famous.--

_Serv._ O thou Dogg! Dost glory in the mischiefs thou hast done?

_Jasp._ I, and have reason; name the man that ever Did in one Day contrive so many Murders, And make 'em all Successful.

_Capt._ But what should move thee to this Villainy?

_Jasp._ For that you will not wonder.

I am _Jasper De Monsalvo_, Heir to that Estate This Lord doth now possess.

_Anto._ Ah Heav'ns! some of that desperate Bandity Did once attempt my life.

_Jasp._ Yes truly--

_Anto._ Poor _Caelia_, 'tis no wonder thy mind did boad Great mischiefs from this Fellow, being Son of One did still contrive to kill me, for what the King after just forfeiture for mighty services Had given my Father.

_Jasp._ O Revenge!

Thy sweetness takes away the taste of Death.

But you'l lose my story; which in short is this: That Lady lov'd me not, and therefore I Made her Lord Jealous, took him to a Witch, And there I fool'd him finely: Till the Jade, Who was my Aunt indeed, at your approach Would have discover'd all; which I prevented, And stopt her Mouth with this: Then I contriv'd To kill _Eugenia_, knowing she would meet _Francisco_ in the Garden; that I did Because she call'd me Villain, and refus'd To let me Wh.o.r.e her too, as did her Couzen; And more, I knew the simple Lord I serv'd When he had Murder'd her, as I should make him, Would thank my Care, and well reward it too: Nay, I'd have him do't for his own safety, That still the Murder might be thought _Francisco_'s; You know the rest i'th' Garden. I taught besides That d.a.m.n'd Old Hagg, whose fear has made me thus, To put this trick on _Pedro_: I bid her call him When she should hear us whistle, then in haste, And all undrest send him to _Caelia_'s Chamber, Whilst we, let in, might meet him coming thence, Thinking the Cuckold's Rage would murder all, And never hear 'em speak; but there I fail'd, Their dying words betray'd me, that's the worst, Or I had liv'd to glory in their Deaths; But this my Comfort is, he'l not survive me, I have done his bus'ness too before I dye.

_Serv._ Was er'e so Impudent a Villain seen?

_Capt._ I'le try to stop his wounds, that so I may keep him for Execution.