The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 9

_Ger._ Her fancy is disturb'd, make no answer:

_Cael._ Why Sister, where's my Lord?

_Eug._ Do not disturb your self, my Brother's well.

_Cael._ Get me a horse, for I will follow him.

_Enter _Antonio_ Bleeding_.

_Anto._ Fetch me some water there.

_Cael._ My Dream was true, my Dearest Lord's return'd!

What makes you Bleed?

_Anto._ As I was lifting up my Foot to the Stirrop, my Nose Gusht out a Bleeding.

_Eugen._ My Sister dreamt, an Angel led you back, And I believe it now.

_Ger._ Pray take some other with you, I, if you please Will keep you Company.

_Ant._ No, I'm resolv'd to stay, and send him word, I am Took ill my self; my Nose leaves Bleeding.

_Cael._ I am satisfy'd, my Lord, you do not go, and therefore Will Retire.

[Ex. all but _Anto._ and _Gerar._

_Anto._ Do so, my Dear.

Now I must tell my Friend, I dare not stay, Twould look but ill to say a Bleeding Nose Made _Don Antonio_ slight his dying Friend.

_Ger._ If that was all, it would; but yet reflect There are more Prodigies forbid this Journey Then _Caesar_ had t'avoyd the Senate-House.

_Anto._ Had _Caesar_ not been slain, those Accidents We now call Prodigies, had been forgot; And so will these when I am safe return'd.

_Ger._ Consider but your Ladies high concern, Her suddain sounding, and recovery, On which she cry'd an Angel brings him back, Your Bleeding and Return speaks the dream't true, The stopping of it too was not the least, All these together force me to believe That you from heav'n these warnings did receive.

_Anto._ Surely, _Gerardo_, we must heav'n offend To think that it these Accidents should send.

It is detraction to the Pow'rs above, To think they suffer what they don't approve, For if they did this to divert my ill, They go about, for they might change my will.

But mine's more firm; nay, more, should I not go, The threaten'd ill I meet, for ought I know; For if their boads be certain, then I may Meet th' effects whether I go or stay.

_Ger._ Vainly we speak of heav'n, when vainly we By human Wit set Rules to heav'ns decree, The pow'r that made us gave us scope of will, Freely to take the good, or choose the ill: And though it can, it does not change that course, Only perswades to Act what it could force.

_Anto._ This you believe, but you must pardon me, If in this point I don't with you agree; For if to Man such a free-will be given, That d.a.m.ns all Praescience and so baffles heav'n: But I delay whilst Reason bids me go, And Reason 'tis, since it to me is so, Then pray divert my Wife, so farewell, Friend.

[Exit.

_Ger._ Farewell: May all my fears to nothing tend; Yet still I fear what should the Reason be, That I shou'd fear, yet nothing fearful see, I am resolv'd to send some Servants out Shall wait him at a distance; In doing all I can, I do the best, I can no more, let heav'n do the rest.

[Exit.

_Enter _Don Francisco_ and Nurse._

_Fran._ Well, 'tis so sweet a sin to Wench in danger, That I am like to lose the best part of my Recreation; But prethee Nurse, tell me, what causes this change?

_Nurse._ Now if I would be hang'd, I cannot forbear telling.

Faith, my Lord, _Gerardo_'s like to be the Man now, Though I am for your Lords.h.i.+p still, you're my best Friend.

_Fran._ By heav'n I'le be his Death, and hers to boot; Can she slight me for him, he Wh.o.r.e our Kindred!

When did he first enjoy her?

_Nurse._ Not so, my Lord, he's to Marry her.

_Fran._ Nay, if't be so; then I'm Reveng'd already, For's joyning with _Antonio_ 'gainst our house, He's Antidated Cuckold, and by me!

O rare Revenge! There's for thy News, Nurse.

[Gives money to her.

Were all my Enemies but serv'd the same; At a more full Revenge I'de never aim.

_Nurse._ Me-thinks you should not be so merry for losing my Lady; 'faith, had I known it, you should not have come Into the place you wot'on, by my means.

_Fran._ Nay, be not angry, Nurse, I find her drift.

She loves our family, and studies to Revenge it.

To make him Cuckold; how it pleases me!

Poyson, nor Poniards is not half so well, Go, tell her; Nurse I'm glad she takes this way: I glory in her love! by Heaven I do, I'le find Sebastian out, and laugh with him, Till I e'en split my sides.

_Nurse._ Sir, you'le tell no body I hope.

_Fran._ No, none but him: To say as he goes by, there goes my Cuckold; And then to laugh, go Nurse, and tell her I'le be sure to meet-- [Exit.

_Nurse._ Another double Pistoll for my _Jasper_!

I'le have him one whole night for this.

For to speak truth, I find the Rogue does not love me: Heavens! What a bad world is this, An Old Woman, though never so willing, Can scarce get a friend for ready money: When such as _Eugenia_ can make the Gold fly about; But time will come she must be fain to turn tail, And pay for one as I do, or go without.

But it pleases me, my Lady says, he shall be my husband, Then I shall need give money no longer: for faith if he Be negligent, I'le ring him a Peal to quicken him to his duty.

Thus marry'd once, I'le doe like other wives That make their husbands drudge for quiet lives.

_The End of the Second Act._

Act the Third.

_Enter _Don Gerardo_ with a Book in his Hand._

Song.

1.

_Some Happy Soul come down and tell What Joys are those with you do dwell?

If it be Happiness like ours below, Which from our want of ills does only flow, Then 'tis plain that mighty theam Of Immortality is but a Dream_.

2.