The Stolen Heiress Part 10

The Governor in a Chair reading._

_Gov._ I Have been searching over all our _Sicilian_ Laws, and know they cannot find one Clause to save _Palante_.

_Enter a Servant._

_Serv._ A Lady without, my Lord will not be denied your Presence.

_Gov._ Admit her.

_Enter_ Lucasia.

_Luc._ Pardon me, Sir, for pressing thus rudely On your Privacy, I know 'tis boldness.

But I hope the Hour's propitious to me, Finding you alone, and free from Business, I promise myself I shall be heard with Patience.

_Gov._ Were the Business of the World at stake, such Beauty would claim a Hearing, speak Madam.

_Luc._ Thus low I beg for poor _Palante_'s Life.

_Gov._ Ha!

_Luc._ Oh, Sir.

If ever Pity touch'd your gen'rous Breast, If ever Virgin's Tears had Power to move, Or if you ever lov'd and felt the Pangs That other Lovers do, pity, great Sir, Pity and pardon two unhappy Lovers.

_Gov._ Your Life is not in Question, Madam.

_Luc._ If _Palante_ dies, I cannot live, for we Have but one Heart, and can have but one Fate.

_Gov._ What I can do, I will to save him, but Law must have its Course, rise Madam.

_Luc._ Never till---- The gracious Word of Pardon raises me, There's Pity in your Eye, oh! shew it, Sir!

And say that he shall live, 'tis but a Word, But oh, as welcome as the Breath of Life, Why will you part two Hearts that Heav'n has join'd?

He is my Husband, Sir, and I his wedded Wife.

_Gov._ That can plead no Excuse, for 'tis your Crime, but if I shou'd incline to pity you, what wou'd you return? what wou'd you do to purchase the Life of him you hold so dear?

_Luc._ You cannot think the Thing I would not do.

Speak, Sir, and lay it but in my Power, And even beyond my Power I will attempt.

_Gov._ You wou'd be thankful then shou'd I pardon him?

_Luc._ If I were ever thankful unto Heav'n For all that I call mine, my Health and Being, Cou'd I then be unthankful unto you, For a Gift I value more than those?

Without which all other Blessings will be tasteless.

_Gov._ Those that are thankful study to requite, wou'd you do so?

_Luc._ As far as I am capable I will, Tho' I can ne'er make ample Satisfaction, All my Services to you are Duty, But to those Pow'rs above that can requite That from their Wasteless Treasure daily heap Rewards more out of Grace than merit on Us Mortals; To those I'll pray that they wou'd give you, Sir, More Blessings than I have Skill to ask.

_Gov._ There rises one Way and but one to save him.

_Luc._ Oh! name it, Sir, that---- Swift as the Arrow from the Archer's Hand My trembling Feet may fly to save him, Oh! you have rais'd me from the Gulph of Grief To that blest comfortable Region, Hope, My Senses all dance in the Cirque of Joy.

My ravish'd Heart leaps up to hear your Words, And seems as 'twou'd come forth to thank you.

Say, how, how shall I save him?

_Gov._ Marry my Nephew _Pirro_ and _Palante_ lives.

_Luc._ Oh! unexpected Turn of rigid Fate, Cruel, Sir, far more cruel than my Father.

Why did you raise me to a Height of Joy?

To sink me in a Moment down again, In what a sad Dilemma stands my Choice, Either to wed the Man my Soul most loaths, Or see him die for whom alone I live.

To break my sacred Vows to Heav'n and him, To save a Life which he would scorn to take On Terms like those, name any Thing but that, You are more just than to enforce my Will, Why should I marry one I cannot love, And sure I am I cannot love Count _Pirro_, Love him! no, I shou'd detest and loath him.

The Cause that made him mine, wou'd hourly add Fresh Matter for my Hate.

_Gov._ You have your Choice, I swear by Heaven never to pardon him, but upon these Conditions.

_Luc._ Oh! I am miserable.

_Gov._ 'Tis your own Fault, come consider Madam, _Palante_ will thank you for his Life, and if you let him die, you are the Tyrant.

_Luc._ I shou'd be such if I shou'd save him thus.

Since you have swore not to save him upon Other Terms, I'll shew a duteous Cruelty And rather follow him in Death than so To buy his Life, no, I despise the Price.

Why do I breathe my Woes, or beg for Mercy here; Or hope to find plain Honesty in Courts?

No, their Ears are always stopp'd against Justice, Avarice and Pride supplies the Place of Pity.

_So may just Heav'n when you for Mercy sue,_ _As you have pitied me so pardon you._ [Exeunt severally.

SCENE _Count_ Gravello's _House_.

_Enter_ Larich, Lavinia, Sancho _and_ Tristram.

_San._ Is the Priest ready _Tristram_?

_Trist._ Yes, yes, Sir, a Priest and a Lawyer are always in Readiness, their Tongues are the chief Instrument belonging to their Trade, with which they commonly do more Mischief than all the Surgeons in the Kingdom can heal, he waits in the next Room, Sir, if you can get the Lady in the Mind.

_Lar._ You are witty Sirrah, but no more of your Jests, do ye hear, least I make you experience, there's something else can do Mischief besides their Tongues, come Mistress what you are in the Dumps now, are you? dry up your Eyes and go about it chearfully, or I'll turn you out of Doors, I a.s.sure you.

_Lav._ Good, Sir, consider.

_Lar._ Consider! no I won't consider, nor shall you consider upon ought but what I'd have you.

_Lav._ Sir, do you persuade him. [_To Sanch._] think how unhappy I shall make you.

_San._ Make me happy first, and then I'll do any Thing you'd have me.

_Trist._ The wisest Bargain I ever heard my Master make.

_Lav._ What wou'd you do, Sir, with me that cannot love you? Alas I was engaged long before I saw you, you may be happier far elsewhere, go court some Nymph whose Heart's intirely free, such only can be worthy of your Love.