Fatal Jealousie. (continued 2)

Fran.’Tis so, let’s slip aside.

[Ex. Fran. and Sebastian.

Enter Eugenia below.

Eug. Where are you, Couzen Francisco? Are you there?

Anto. I, here, here, perfidious Woman.

[Stabs her, she falls.

Eug. Oh, Francisco, ’tis an inhuman deed,

[Ex. Ant., Jasp.

To kill me thus, ’cause I would sin no longer, But thou hast kept thy word, and took thy leave. As I must now, of all the World, and thee—oh, oh—

Enter Gerardo and Servant.

Ger. Pray Heav’n I be’n’t too late, the Garden door So open makes me wonder: Heard you no groans?

Serv. I think I did, my Lord; heark, Sir again.

Eug. Oh, oh; I fain would live a little longer, If but to ask forgiveness of Gerardo, My Soul will scarce reach Heav’n without his Pardon.

Ger. Who’s that wou’d go to Heav’n, and wants my Pardon? Take it, what e’re thou art, and mayst thou be Happy in Death, what e’re thou didst design.

Eug. Is that Gerardo’s Voyce? Sure loss of Blood Doth make my fancy Idle: Is’t Gerardo?

Ger. Thou greatest Blessing of my Soul, it is.

Eug. No, no, my Lord, you will abhor my Name, When I shall tell the story made me thus.

Ger. Heav’n knows I sooner should abhor my Life: But tell me the Author of this horrid mischief, That I may flye as quick to my Revenge, As these sad thoughts do seize upon thy Soul.

Eug. When you shall hear my story, your Revenge Will, as I fear, vent against me in Curses.

Ger. Were thy Crimes great as theirs that left thee thus By all thy Virgin hopes I would not Curse thee.

Eug. My Lord, that’s it you are deceiv’d in.

Ger. Nay, now thou rav’st—help me to bend her body Her loss of Blood will keep her story from me; And I shall Live i’th’ dark, and ne’re Revenge her.

Eug. Alas, my Lord, my Couzen, base Francisco, Being let in by my accursed Nurse, Came to my bed, and there by force and strength obtain’d His hated ends.

Ger. Oh, damn’d Villain, he shall not long survive To boast of it.

Eug. Had I staid there, and not consented further, I should have needed pity, and not pardon.

Ger. Tell all the rest, for this is so surprizing, I’d fain perswade my self it was a Dream.

Eug. After this Fatal loss, a shame succeeded, Shame that produc’d fear; infus’d by threats Urg’d both by him and her, wherein they said, If I refus’d to grant that willingly, Which he at first did force, they would declare The Action to the World, so to disgrace me.

Ger. O that old wrinkl’d Hag! that she should plot this.

Eug. What will not wicked Age effect for Gold? But they at last made fear or’e-come my Vertue, And I by that made all their guilt my own, Meeting him here still when he did appoint.

Ger. Well, this confest, how came you by these Wounds?

Eug. My Lord, Francisco did entreat my Company This Night; when as I enter’d, Without a word, but here, perfidious Woman, He stab’d me in the Breast, and left me thus.

Ger. Hadst thou been dead, and Angels told the story, I should have thought, in Envy of thy worth, They had invented it, and ne’re believ’d it.

Eug. I have no breath to tell you; oh, my Lord, I I do forget, they still are in the Garden— Have a care of—

[Dyes.

Ger. Have a care of what? Oh, speak, Eugenia, speak. She’s gone, she’s gone; and could not tell her mind: What is’t I must have a care on! O some Angel That waits to shew her Soul the way to Heav’n, Come back and tell me, what it was she meant: Was it her Reputation she took care of? No, no, that cannot be, had it been that, She might have kept the story to her self: And then been Canoniz’d: Was it of me She did express her care? If so, ’twas needless; For he that lets me Live to kill Francisco, Though he does so by me, when that is done, Shall have my thanks and Prayers i’th’ other World; But stay, they’re in the Garden, I’le go look e’m, “For if Revenge so just I do delay, I shall deserve Heav’ns Vengeance for the stay.”

[Exeunt.

Enter Francisco and Sebastian.

Fran. Who should they be I wonder talk’d so long?

Sebast. Sure, when she found us not, she would retire.

Fran. No doubt on’t; yet I am not satisfy’d what two Those were, and why they staid so long. Could your Ear reach to understand their words?

Sebast. No, not a syllable more then a humming noise.

Fran. Nor mine; but now they’re gone, let’s walk that way, ’Twill be the best to miss them.

Sebast. Content.

[Exeunt.

Enter Don Gerardo and Servant.

Ger. It is in vain to look e’m if they hide, The Garden’s large; besides perhaps they’re gone; We’l to the Body.

Serv.You’re by it now, my Lord.

Ger. This Accident amazes me so much, I go I know not where.

Enter Francisco and Sebastian.

Serv. See there, my Lord, two Men.

Fran. W’are pretty near the Window, there’s no Light.

Ger. Have at thy heart, Francisco, This Token from Eugenia.

[Ger. and servant draw.

Fran. They Fight, the Servant shoots Sebastian just as Francisco runs Gerardo through, which pursuing, Servant kills him too. Nay, then, at thine: Be whom thou wilt, that Name Tells me thou’rt no Friend.

Sebast. Courage, Sebastian’s by thee. My fears are come about, for I am kill’d; Francisco, fare thee well.

[Dyes.]

Fran. ’Tis double Death to see my Friend dye thus. Was’t not enough, you Fates, to take my Life, But I must guilty be of murd’ring him.

Serv. My Lord, how do you?

Ger. Making what haste I can to meet Eugenia.

Serv. O me! Unfortunate!

Ger. Bewail me not; Death is a pleasure to me, Since I can see Francisco lye there by me; But ask him e’re I dye, What made him kill Eugenia?

Fran. What, is Eugenia Dead?

Ger. Why seems it strange to thee, who basely hast First Rob’d her of her Honour, then of Life.

Fran. Gerardo, it was cruelty to kill her, being as Yet she had not done thee wrong, and dying, I rejoyce I have Reveng’d her.

Ger. Francisco, sure thy Crimes have made thee Devil, Or thou would’st ne’re transfer thy Treachery By murd’ring her, and place it thus on me.

Fran. May I reach Heav’n as I’m Innocent Of any Death but yours: Which if a guilt Forgive me Heav’n and you as—

[Dyes.

Serv. He’s dead, my Lord.

Ger. With such a Lye in’s mouth; O Heavenly Angels lead me not his way, For he must alwayes walk i’th’ paths of falshood; Remove me nearer to Eugenia’s Body; I2 My Spirits faint apace, and I must follow: One word, and then farewell; I have no time for to Reward thy care: Here, take this Ring, and give it to my Brother, He left it with me when he went to Travel; Tell him I still preserv’d it for his sake, A faithful pledge of our United Friendship. Bid him, that by this Token he believes Three words I left within my Cabinet Concerning thee this Evening: He will do it, And use thee as a Friend, as I have done.

Serv. I’le bear the Ring, but not the Message, Sir; I ne’re will seek for Friends when you are gone.

Ger. I do conjure thee do it: Tell our story too As true as is thy self: But have a care, Wound not Eugenia’s Fame more then must needs. Francisco’s and Eugenia’s dying words Will make it strangely dark, as ’tis to me, But I must leave it so! Give me thy hand, commend me to Antonio; Alas! I had forgot him, pray Heav’n his story Produce no further mischief; tell Cælia nothing Befor’t be day: Bus’ness comes thronging on me, But I faint——make but one Grave, and lay us In it thus——Farewell.

[Dyes.

Serv. Now dyes the justest Man the Earth contains, And I would do so too, but that I know Self-murderers ne’re must keep him Company; I’le set the Bodies up against the Wall, And call the Watch; what if they say I’m guilty, And make my Life to answer all these Deaths: Why, let e’m do’t, for Death would now be well Since to survive his loss to me’s a Hell.

[Exit.

Enter Antonio and Jasper.

Jasp. Come, come, my Lord, the coast is quiet now.

Anto. I hope that Pistol sav’d our swords a labour.

Jasp. I’m sure they could not leave the Garden yet, But we must needs have seen e’m.

Anto. Nay, I’m sure they did not pass the Garden door, For if they had, we should have stopt their Journey.

Jasp. I think I heard a talking up this way, After the Pistol made us leave our Post.

Anto. Though I did leave the Door, yet still my Eye Was bent that way, and I saw none to pass. But stay, where’s Cælia’s Body?

Jasp. See, my Lord, There is a Man doth hold her in his Arms.

Anto. It is Francisco sure! Have at his heart.

[Runs at Gerardo.

How’s this, not stir! Nay, then he’s dead Already—the Moon deceives me, or it is Gerardo. Oh Heav’n’s! It is my Friend, dead, dead, and stiff, And my accursed hand hath Wounded him. This is not Cælia neither, but Eugenia in her Gown! What strange mistakes are these?

Jasp. But who are here?

Anto. What, more! By Heav’ns Francisco and his Friend Sebastian! Both dead too! Death has had a Feast to Night. Do not we Dream? As for this Womans Death, Surely her Fathers Soul did guide my hand To strike the blow, since needs she must betray Her Honour to Francisco, in these meetings! But oh, my Sword hath pierc’d my Friend Gerardo. What Fatal Accident mixt his Blood with theirs. But stay, there’s Light appears, slip into the Grotto.

[Exeunt.

Enter Servant, Captain, and Watch, with two Torches.

Serv. Here is the dismal place I told you of, And here the Bodies.

Capt. A fight most terrible in time of Peace! But did Francisco still deny her Death?

Serv. To his last moment; He did confess he had abus’d her, But would have plac’d her Death upon my Lord. And seem’d as much to wonder we deny’d it As we that he did so.

Capt.What said Sebastian?

Serv. He scarce did speak a word after I shot him.

Capt. Had we not best to knock, and call Antonio?

Serv. He’s not at Home.

Capt.Yes, but I’m sure he is.

Serv. He was not late at Night, for I was there.

Capt. That’s strange, for just at shutting in o’th’ Evening I met him at a House that stands i’th’ Suburbs, Saying, he would go Home. I think however we had best to knock.

Serv. My dying Lord made it his last desire, That Cælia might not be disturb’d this Night.

Capt. Well, take the Bodies up, and keep e’m safe, You shall to the Vice-Roy’s presently with me, I scarce perform my trust, if I detain The knowledge of so strange an Accident A moment from his Ears, whose Wisdom will Direct in this, which far exceeds my skill.

[Exeunt.

Enter Antonio and Jasper.

Jasp. You see, my Lord, that I was in the right, I only said, it was my Ladies Gown, But never did affirm it was her Person.

Anto. And I am glad it is not: Now, if Nurse Fails too in her discovery, I am safe, For if we keep our Councel, all these Deaths Lye pat amongst themselves, and there’s not one, Except Gerardo, that I’d wish alive; He was my friend, and it looks Ominous, That I should Wound him so, though after Death: Jasper, thy diligence shan’t want Reward, But that must follow: Come, let’s away.

[Exit.

Jasp. My Reward follows! I believe it does; ’Faith, my good Lord, be sure it be a good one, Or be content to hang for Company; Now hap what will, I’le rid him with this murther; Till I do make him spend’s Estate to Bribe me: "I was his Slave before for fear; but now I’le make him mine, since I this secret know."

[Exit.

The End of the Fourth Act.

Act the Fifth.

Cælia Discover’d in Bed, Flora by her.

Cæl.

SUre ’twas a real Pistol-shot that wak’d me, Yet from a Dream so terrible, it did it, That I had rather never sleep again, Then hazzard such another. I thought I saw Lye dead by me, My Lord Antonio, Don Gerardo, Jasper, The Nurse, Francisco, and the Young Sebastian, With Pedro, and thy self; this dreadful sight, Or else the Pistols noise, I spoke of, wak’d me, And made me cry help, help, which frighted thee.

Flor. Why truly, Madam, it was a dreadful Dream, And I as much was frighted at your call, Yet, for my own part, I did hear no Pistol.

Cæl. It may be then, it only was my fancy, For truly all my Dream seems still to me So like a truth, that I can scarce distinguish Whether I then did wake, or now am sleeping; And but I see these things, and thee so plain, I should conclude my Dream did still continue.

Flor. Pray Heav’n divert all mischief from the house, For I have heard it said by Learned Men, Nay, and Religious too, that Dreams like these. That stick so fast upon our fancies waking, Are guided by a power that’s more then Chance, And alwayes are portents of something like them: I’m sure, for my own part, do what I can, That Dream I had will not yet leave my head, Which makes me think Jasper designs me mischief.

Cæl. Flora, you go too far, Dreams are but shadows Reflected from some Acts the day preceeding, As ours are now; for from those Accidents Of my Lords taking Jasper, the Dream you told, And Don Gerardo’s naming of Francisco, Mine now is formed: Thus they but succeed Things past, and not prognostick things to come.

Flor. Pray Heav’ns these do not do’t, but I’m afraid.

Enter Nurse, frighted with Eugenia’s Ghost.

Nurse. Stand off, stand off, what makes you follow me? I’m sure I did not kill you, if you’re dead, Or if you be not, why are you so pale?— So, so—she’s gone—but what made me come hither.

Cæl. What, do you study wayes to fright me, Nurse? It is no proper time to play your tricks. What makes you up at such a time of Night? Look, how she stands amaz’d, and doth not answer; Think you I take a pleasure to be frighted? That you persist in’t still?

Flor. What, is the Woman mad, or would be thought so? What makes you stand and stare thus?

Nurse. Did you see no Body?

Cæl. Who should we see but an Old doting fool, That turn’d a Child again, would Act like one, And can’t find a proper time for’t neither.

Flor. What make you up so late, Nurse?

Nurse. What’s that to you? It may be I sat up To make my Lady merry with this Jest, But now, forsooth, I’m grown too Old to please her. You are her favourite—what, come again? O, do not stare so at me!

[Shreeks.][Exit.

Cæl. There’s something more in this then barely play! How the Old Woman star’d? sure she’s run mad! For shame, or sorrow Jasper goes away. Prethee follow her.

Flor. Since you will have me, Madam, I will do’t, Though I dare scarcely venture.

[Exit.

Cæl. The greatest Object pity hath, is Age, When it returns to Childishness again, As this Old Woman doth; and though we say, That Age is Honourable, we only mean, When Gravity and Wisdom are its marks, And not gray hairs, and froward peevishness, As ten for one, are known by to be Old, And though we see this true, yet we would all Prolong our time to that decrepid state, When nothing but contempt can wait upon us; How strangely sin dastards our very Reason, Making that guide us to desire known ills Rather then Joys, that promis’d we deserve not; For the best Men through sense of guilt do fear To change for unseen Joys their troubles here.

[Exit.

Enter Nurse.

Nurse. If this Ghost follow still, ’twill make me mad; For sure it is a Ghost it looks so pale; Ay, and Eugenia’s Ghost, I’m sure it is; But who should kill her? May be Don Francisco! Oh, there it is again—It’s not my fault— Oh, do not follow me then: What shall I do? See there again, she points unto her Breasts— It’s gone again, I fear ’twill make me mad— I’le go to Prayers: But I forget my bus’ness, My Lord will come, and I must let him in, And shew him what I promis’d, or he’l kill me.

Enter Flora.

What, come again! Oh, Heav’ns! I’le stop my Eyes,

Flor. Nurse, are you mad?

K Nurse. No, you would make me so! But I defie thee— Be gone, thou Spirit, i’th’ name of Heav’n, be gone.

Flor. Who should be gone?

Nurse. Thou! for thou’rt the Devil. Come not near me.

Flor. My Lady sent me to you—

Nurse. No, no, she did not, for she lov’d me always, And would not send the Devil thus to fright me.

Flor. I am no Devil, Nurse, look upon me, I’m Flora.

Nurse. Ay, where’s the Spirit then I saw just now?

Flor. There was no worser Spirit then my self.

Nurse. No; pray Minx, what makes you follow me? I’le set you back again i’th’ Devils Name, Come you to spy my Actions.

Flor. No, Nurse, my Lady sent me, don’t be angry, She was afraid that you were running mad.

Nurse. I, mad, it may be so; now I am Old I must be mad, forsooth; but time has been, There’s ne’re a Servant durst have laught at me, Nor I’le not take it now, no that I won’t, She runs after Flora, who still is too quick for her. I’le tear your Eyes out first.

Flor. Nay, softly, Nurse; so, so; ay, there!

Nurse. Where where? I see it now, It’s strangely pale! O, do not fright me so; it’s gone again. And now I shall have time to follow you; As Flora runs away, she falls, Nurse gets upon her. Nay, now I’le tear thy Eyes out.

Flor. Oh, Nurse, Nurse! have mercy on me, Do not scratch me so.

Nurse. I’le be thy Death, there’s nothing shall preserve you. Ah —— are you there again! The Devil, the Devil.

[Exit.

Flor. ’Twas well for me her madness work’t again, And made her take a whim to run away, She would have kill’d me else, do what I could; I’le stay no longer, lest she come again. I’d not be in her fingers as I was For all I’m worth.

[Exit.

Enter Captain, Watch, and Servant.

Capt. When I consider every Circumstance Of what you tell, and what I know my self, I must conclude, I ought not to defer To search Antonio’s House: if he’s from home, As you pretend he is; It makes me think There is some strange Intrigue design’d by him. For why should he turn back, as you relate, And then obscure himself in such a House? Besides, he told me, he was strait for Home, And yet it seems was not, as you say.

Serv. It’s truth, upon my Life, he was not there At past the hour of Nine.

Enter the little Devil, and runs and skulkes. Watch. Who comes there! Captain, the Devil, the Devil! See where he stands?

Capt. O’ my Conscience! The Witches little Familiar again! If you’re afraid, let me come, I’m us’d to It sputters like a Cat, Captain to him. These sort of Devils! Come, come, uncase, Uncase, young Gamester, what slippery pranck Are you about now? Don’t you remember your Last escape, Sirrah?

Devil. Pray Master don’t whip me, I’le tell all.

Capt. Out with it then; where’s the Old Witch, your Mistress?

Devil. Alas, Captain, she was kill’d to Night when you brought in the Watch to search our House.

Capt. Kill’d, by whom?

Devil. I know not that, but we were putting a cheat upon a Lord there, by contrivance of his Man, and when you knockt, we ran to our lurking holes to hide us, but when the Coast was clear, we came out, and seeking for my Mistress, found her dead in one of the holes thrust through her Body with a Dagger in three places.

Capt. What cheat was that you put upon the Lord?

Dev. We Acted like Devils, and in a Song made him believe his Wife did Cuckold him.

K2 Capt. This was Antonio, whom I met there, Sir.

Devil. Ay, that’s his Name, a mighty furious Man, He said, he’d kill e’m all before ’twas day. He made me quake to hear him; I hope now, Captain, you will let me go.

Capt. No, no, you Rogue! If he has done more mischief You shall be hang’d, except you find your Fellows That joyn’d i’th’ cheat with you to make him Jealous.

Devil. I’le bring you presently to them, and shew you all their holes; they did but send me out to watch when the Coast was clear!

Capt. Who, say you, set you on to this design?

Devil. An ill-look’d Rogue, his Man, the Witches Nephew; I think they call him Jasper.

Capt. Well, take the Boy, and call some of your Fellows, And there surprize them all. I’le not defer My searching to prevent the mischief That Don Antonio further may design, For I believe he had a hand in this Was done i’th’ Garden, however the mistake Did happen to begin between the Dead.

Serv. Come, Sir, make haste, for I begin to fear Some Tragedy is Acted in the House, For Don Antonio’s Rage is alwayes quick, And they have toucht the string will stretch it highest.

Capt. Come then, let’s hasten back.

[Whistling behind the Stage.

Enter Nurse.

Nurse. Ay, that’s his whistle, and I must obey’t. Why Pedro, Pedro! What, are you dead asleep? Pedro, I say.

Pedro within. Who calls?

Nurse. Pedro, rise quickly, my Lady Cælia wants you.

Ped. What can she want me for at such a time?

Nurse. I know not, but Flora came, and said you must come quickly, I think, to Ride to my Lord.

Ped. I come, but I’le have a care of your tricks, Nurse.

Enter Pedro in a Night-Gown, with his sword in’s hand. Nurse. What tricks? What do you do with your Sword?

Ped. Why, Nurse, you may have malice, and malice may seek mischief, which because you are no Witch, and cannot come through a Key-hole to compass, for ought I know, you call me out to do it—ha! What whistle’s that?

[Whistle.

Nurse. What whistle! Are you mad! Go to my Lady.

Ped. Still I suspect you.

[Exeunt.

Enter Nurse, with Antonio and Jasper.

Anto. Are they together, Nurse?

Nurse. Yes, my Lord, the more’s my sorrow!

Anto. Nay then, I see the Devils did speak truth; Francisco, their kind Couzen, Whor’d them both, By Heav’ns they took their turns, I see it plain! O that I could invent some horrid Death, And had but time to execute it on them; But since I cannot, plain stabbing will do well, The less they’ve here, the more they’l find in Hell.

Nurse. I hope you will not kill your Lady, Sir!

Anto. Not kill her! But I must.

Nurse. What have I done? Oh, oh.

[Cryes out oh, oh.

Anto. Hold, stop your mouth, I’le stop it for you else; They’l hear her, and escape! Come, Jasper, are you ready?

Jasp. Yes, my Lord, I follow.

[Exeunt.

Nurse. What have I done, one Murder on another? I see ’twas he that kill’d Eugenia now, By’s naming Don Francisco; oh, that Jasper— Oh, the Ghost again—what shall I do?

[Exit.

Cælia in Bed, and Flora all Bloody.

Cæl. I’m sorry that I sent thee, since she’s mad, But would ’twas day, that I might get her lookt to.

Flor. I’m sure she has scratch’t my face sufficiently.

Cæl. ’Tis well it was no worse.

[Pedro knocks.

Flor. Alas! she’l come again!

Ped. Flora, Flora.

[He knocks.

Flor. Who’s that, Pedro! What’s the matter with you?

Ped. Nurse call’d, and said my Lady would speak with me.

Cæl. Bid him come in.

Flor. My Lady bids you enter.

[Enter Pedro.

Cæl. Pedro, the Nurse is mad, I did not call you, You see how she has scratcht poor Flora’s Face, She came just now shreeking and staring hither; If you could lock her up into some Room, A noise, Exiturus, he fights, and Enters with Antonio, whom when he sees, he lets fall his point, and is kill’d. Jasper runs Flora through. It would do well.

Ped. I hear her coming up. Thieves, Madam, Thieves! Oh Heav’ns, it is my Lord!

Anto. Damn’d Letcher, so it is! What, does your Courage fail you— There, take that—

[Runs him through.

And boast in Hell that Don Antonio’s Sword Did thee the Honour to send thee thither.

Flor. O Heav’ns! My fears were true, the Rogue has kill’d me.

[Falls & dyes.

Anto. Now Monster of thy Sex, see this, and tell me What are the effects you do expect from it?

Cæl. Death, that’s less terrible then is your Anger, Which I perceive by it’s effects already, Upon that Innocent Man cannot stay there.

Anto. Are your concerns for him, when they should be Employ’d to Heav’n for mercy to your Soul? Nay, then Hell take it’s Quarry; this for Don Lewis, This for Don Francisco; and take this last For thy insatiate Lust with that damn’d Hind.

Cæl. This killing me, my Lord, is very cruel; Since I ne’re sinn’d in thought against your Honour. This, as I do expect Eternal Rest, Is such a Truth, that I can dye in it.

Anto. O Hell and Furies! This Womans impudence exceeds you all. See there a Dog just wreeking from thy Bed, Hot with the Labour you have put him to: And yet in thought you did not wrong my Honour.

Cæl. From my Bed, my Lord! You are abus’d; That fellow was not here full half a minute, E’re your self enter’d! Oh, I can no more— Heav’n and the World grant Pardon for my Blood. For truth it self bears witness; I dare say That more I sorrow for your guilt then Death.

Anto. If this be true, tell me as thou art dying, What made him here at such a time o’ Night?

Cæl. I cannot tell more, then that the Nurse did send him; And she’s run mad with guilt, or shame, or both! 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 assur’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.

Jasper Runs Nurse through but is staid by Antonio. Jasp. But I’le prevent the story if I can.—

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 damn’d Rogue! ’Twas thou that made me do’t.

Jasp. You lying Witch, be damn’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.

Jasper runs Anto. behind. Ped. Look to your self, my Lord, he’l kill you else.

Jasp. This way is only left—hell take your Tongue.

Anto. Ah, thou hast kill’d me; yet I have strength enough They fight. A noise without. Jasper is mortally wounded. To send thy Soul to hell.

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. Runs Pedro through as he lyes, and Nurse. I should have serv’d you thus, and thus, and thus—and you too thus.

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, Cælia 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 Banditry Did once attempt my life.

Jasp. Yes truly—

Anto. Poor Cælia, ’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.

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.

Jasp. Stand off, by Hell, He that comes near me finds his Death with this! Think you I’m grown so tame to dye by Law; No, no, I’le not endure a formal Tryal, To be upbraided with those things I think Deserve a Trophy rather then Contempt, Which since I know will follow, here’s my Bail, This will deliver any Man from Jayl. Let Cowards dye by hanging; such as I As we live bravely, thus dare bravely dye.

[Stabs himself.

Capt. He has done well; no Excutioner Could have been found so bad as his own hand, And Hell will give him what he wants on Earth: And yet, my Lord, it troubles me for you, Since my Place binds me to secure your Person, To answer Law for all your Rage has done.

[Dyes.

Serv. He’s dead—

Capt. By dying so, at least he’s thus far happy, That he Escapes the Punishments of Tryal, And the Exemplar death must have attended Which to a man so Jealous of his Fame As he was, would have been a Hell on Earth. Your Duty to your Lord will keep you safe, Yet you must to the Vice-Roy go with me To be a Witness there of what hath happn’d, The story else will seem Incredible.

Serv. I am ready, Sir, for all you shall Command.

Capt. Oh Jealousie, thou sickness of great souls, To what a Rage didst thou transport this Lord? For had his Wife been false it was not good By Murd’ring her to drown himself in Blood;

The Curtain Falls.

L2