Act 1 — [Scene II.][4362]

Val. Sweet madam, be less thoughtful; this obedience[4363] To passion will destroy the noblest frame Of beauty that this kingdom ever boasted. Cel. This sadness might become your other habit, And ceremonies black, for him that died.5 The times of sorrow are expir’d; and all The joys that wait upon the court, your birth, And a new Hymen, that is coming towards you, Invite a change. Duch. Ladies, I thank you both; I pray excuse a little melancholy10 That is behind; my year of mourning hath not So clear’d my account with sorrow, but there may Some dark thoughts stay, with sad reflections, Upon my heart, for him I lost. Even this New dress and smiling garment, meant to show15 A peace concluded ’twixt my grief and me, Is but a sad remembrance. But I resolve To entertain more pleasing thoughts; and if You wish me heartily to smile, you must Not mention grief, not in advice to leave it.20 Such counsels open but afresh the wounds Ye would close up, and keep alive the cause, Whose bleeding you would cure. Let ’s talk of something That may delight. You two are read in all The histories of our court: tell me, Valeria,25 Who has thy vote for the most handsome man?— [Aside.] 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,31 To make me blush? Duch. No, no; speak freely. Val. I wo’ not rack your patience, madam; but Were I a princess, I should think the Count d’Alvarez Had sweetness to deserve me from the world.35 Duch. [Aside.] Alvarez! she ’s a spy upon my heart. Val. He ’s young and active, and compos’d most sweetly. Duch. I have seen a face more tempting. Val. It had then Too much of woman in ’t: his eyes speak movingly, Which may excuse his voice, and lead away40 All female pride his captive; his hair, black, Which, naturally falling into curls— Duch. Prithee, no more; thou art in love with him.— The man in your esteem, Celinda, now? Cel. Alvarez is, I must confess, a gentleman45 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. Dutch. [Aside.] My torment!50 Val. [Aside.] She affects him not. Cel. He has a person, and a bravery beyond All men, that I observe. Val. He is a soldier, A rough-hewn man, and may show well at distance. His talk will fright a lady; War, and grim-55 Fac’d Honour are his mistresses; 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. [Celinda and Valeria walk aside.] Duch. What is it to be born above these ladies,60 And want their freedom! They are not constrain’d, Nor slav’d by their own greatness, or the king’s, But let their free hearts look abroad, and choose By their own eyes to love. I must repair My poor afflicted bosom, and assume65 The privilege I was born with, which now prompts me To tell the king, he hath no power nor art To steer a lover’s soul.— Enter Secretary [Antonio]. What says Count d’Alvarez? Ant. Madam, he ’ll attend you. Duch. Wait you, as I directed. When he comes,70 Acquaint me privately. Ant. Madam, I have news; ’T is now arriv’d the court; we shall have wars. Duch. [Aside.] I find an army here of killing thoughts. Ant. The king has chosen Don Columbo general, Who is immediately to take his leave.75 Duch. [Aside.] What flood is let into my heart!—How far Is he to go? Ant. To Arragon. Duch. That ’s well At first; he should not want a pilgrimage To the unknown world, if my thoughts might convey him. Ant. ’T is not impossible he may go thither.80 Duch. How? Ant. To the unknown world; he goes to fight, That ’s in his way: such stories are in nature. Duch. Conceal this news. Ant. He wo’ not be long absent; The affair will make him swift To kiss your grace’s hand. [Exit.] Duch. He cannot fly85 With too much wing to take his leave.—I must Be admitted to your conference; you have Enlarg’d my spirits; they shall droop no more. Cel. We are happy, if we may advance one thought To your grace’s pleasure.90 Val. Your eye before was in eclipse; these smiles Become you, madam. Duch. [Aside.] I have not skill to contain myself.

Pla. The Cardinal’s nephew, madam, Don Columbo. Duch. Already! Attend him. Exit Placentia. Val. Shall we take our leave?95 Duch. He shall not know, [Celinda,][4364] how you prais’d him. [Cel.][4365] If he did, madam, I should have the confidence To tell him my free thoughts.

Duch. My lord, while I ’m in study to requite The favour you ha’ done me, you increase100 My debt to such a sum, still by a new honouring Your servant, I despair of my own freedom. Colum. Madam, he kisseth your white hand, that must Not surfeit in this happiness—and, ladies, I take your smiles for my encouragement!105 I have not long to practise these court tactics. [Kisses them.] Cel. He has been taught to kiss. Duch. There ’s something, sir, Upon your brow I did not read before. Colum. Does the character please you, madam? Duch. More, Because it speaks you cheerful. Colum. ’T is for such110 Access of honour, as must make Columbo Worth all your love; the king is pleas’d to think Me fit to lead his army. Duch. How! an army? Colum. We must not use the priest, till I bring home Another triumph that now stays for me,115 To reap it in the purple field of glory. Duch. But do you mean to leave me, and expose Yourself to the devouring war? No enemy Should divide us; the king is not so cruel. Colum. The king is honourable; and this grace120 More answers my ambition, than his gift Of thee, and all thy beauty, which I can Love, as becomes thy soldier, and fight To come again, a conqueror of thee. She weeps. Then I must chide this fondness.[4366]125

Ant. Madam, the king, and my lord Cardinal. [Exit.]

King. Madam, I come to call a servant from you, And strengthen his excuse; the public cause Will plead for your consent; at his return Your marriage shall receive triumphant ceremonies;130 Till then you must dispense. Car. She appears sad To part with him.—I like it fairly, nephew. [Cel.][4367] Is not the general a gallant man? What lady would deny him a small courtesy? [Val.] Thou hast converted me, and I begin To wish it were no sin.136 [Cel.] Leave that to narrow consciences. [Val.] You are pleasant. [Cel.] But he would please one better. Do such men Lie with their pages? [Val.] Wouldst thou make a shift? [Cel.] He is going to a bloody business;140 ’T is pity he should die without some heir. That lady were hard-hearted now, that would Not help posterity, for the mere good O’ th’ king and commonwealth. [Val.] Thou art wild; we may be observ’d. Duch. Your will must guide me; happiness and conquest146 Be ever waiting on his sword! Colum. Farewell. Exeunt King, Columbo, Cardinal and Lords. Duch. Pray give leave to examine a few thoughts; Expect[4368] me in the garden. Ladies. We attend.150 Exeunt Ladies. Duch. 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 betray him, but secure The promise I first made, to love and honour.155

Ant. The Count d’Alvarez, madam. Duch. Admit him, And let none interrupt us. [Exit Antonio.]—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 story160 In some red letter.

Alv. Madam, I present One that was glad to obey your grace, and come To know what your commands are. Duch. Where I once Did promise love, a love that had the power And office of a priest to chain my heart165 To yours, it were injustice to command. Alv. But I can look upon you, madam, as Becomes a servant; with as much humility, In tenderness of your honour and great fortune, Give up, when you call back your bounty, all that170 Was mine, as I had pride to think them favours. Duch. Hath love taught thee no more assurance in Our mutual 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. Alv. Your grace’s pardon;176 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,180 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 king’s grace And jealousy, which to remove, his power185 Hath chosen a fit object for your beauty To shine upon, Columbo, his great favourite. 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,190 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 myself a loser, And to your will give all my blessings up.195 Preserve your greatness, and forget a trifle, 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. Duch. Misery Of birth and state! That I could shift into200 A meaner blood, or find some art to purge That part which makes my veins unequal! Yet Those nice distinctions have no place in us; There ’s but a shadow difference, a title: Thy stock partakes as much of noble sap205 As that which feeds the root of kings; and he That writes a lord hath all the essence of Nobility. Alv. ’T is not a name that makes Our separation; the king’s displeasure Hangs a portent to fright us, and the matter210 That feeds this exhalation is the Cardinal’s 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 upon215 But has a form of ruin to us both. Duch. Then you do look on these with fear? Alv. With eyes 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 shoots my single tragedy.221 You are above the value of many worlds Peopled with such as I am. Duch. What if Columbo, Engag’d to war, in his hot thirst of honour, Find out the way to death? Alv. ’T is possible.225 Duch. Or say, (no matter by what art or motive,) He give his title up, and leave me to My own election? Alv. If I then be happy To have a name within your thought, there can229 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 marriage leave no thought at leisure to Look back upon Alvarez, that must wither235 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. Duch. My heart is in a mist; some good star smile Upon my resolution, and direct240 Two lovers in their chaste embrace to meet! Columbo’s bed contains my winding sheet. Exit.