Answer me, if thou hast not lost them Thy honour at a sordid game? Mon. I will, I must, so hardly my misfortune loads me : That both have offered me their love's most true. Cham. And 'tis as true too they have both undone thee. Mon. Though they both with earnest vows Have pressed my heart, if e'er in thought I yielded To any but Castalio Cham. But Castalio! my discourse. Mon. Still will you cross the line of Yes, I confess that he hath won my soul By generous love and honourable vows, Which he this day appointed to complete, And make himself by holy marriage mine. Cham. Art thou then spotless? hast thou still preserved Thy virtue white, without a blot, untainted? Mon. When I'm unchaste, may Heaven reject my prayers; I charge thee, let no more Castalio soothe thee; Of a poor brother, to whose soul thou'rt precious. Cham. Appear as cold, when next you meet, as great ones, When merit begs; then shalt thou see how soon Mon. Yes, I will try him, torture him severely; [Exit. He comes; and now, for once, O Love, stand neuter, Thomas Southerne. ISABELLA; OR, THE FATAL MARRIAGE SABELLA, supposing her Husband, BIRON, was killed at the Siege of Candy, and reduced to extreme Poverty, consents to marry VILLEROY. Shortly after her second Marriage, BIRON arrives, the news of his Death being false. He seeks ISABELLA, not knowing her Union with VILLEROY, and, not wishing to alarm her, first sends a Ring by ISABELLA's Nurse, feigning to be a Messenger from her late Husband. ISABELLA, NURSE, BIRON. Enter ISABELLA. Isa. I've heard of witches, magic spells, and charms, To the abuses of this under world; Into such shapes, they fright me from myself; I dare not think of them Enter Nurse. Nurse. Madam, the gentleman's below. [Exit Nurse. This ring was the first present of my love That's all I have to trust to Enter BIRON. [ISABELLA looking at him.] My fears were woman's—I have viewed him all; I live again, and rise but from his tomb. Bir. Have you forgot me quite? Isa. Forgot you! Bir. Then farewell my disguise, and my misfortunes: My Isabella! Isa. Ha! [He goes to her; she shrieks, and faints. Bir. Oh, come again! Thy Biron summons thee to life and love; Thy once loved, ever-loving husband calls Thy Biron speaks to thee. Isa. My husband! Biron! Bir. Excess of love and joy, for my return, Has overpowered her- -I was to blame But sinking thus, thus dying in my arms, Isa. Where have I been? why do you keep him from me? I know his voice: my life, upon the wing, Hears the soft lute that brings me back again, If I must fall, death's welcome in these arms. Isa. But pardon me, Excuse the wild disorder of my soul; The joy, the strange, surprising joy, of seeing you, What hand of Providence has brought you back Το your own home again ? O, tell me all, For every thought confounds me. Bir. My best life! at leisure, all. Isa. We thought you dead; killed at the siege of Candy. But hopes of life reviving, from my wounds, An answer; I writ to thee too Isa. What a world of woe Had been prevented but in hearing from you! Bir. Alas! thou couldst not help me. Isa. You do not know how much I could have done; At least I'm sure I could have suffered all; I would have sold myself to slavery,. Without redemption; given up my child, The dearest part of me.to basest wants— Bir. My little boy! Isa. My life! but to have heard You were alive Bir. No more, my love; complaining of the past, Of all my pains, that thus we meet again; [Aside. Bir. How does my child, my boy, my father, too? I hear he's living still. Isa. Well, both; both well; And may he prove a father to your hopes, Though we have found him none. Bir. Come, no more tears. Isa. Seven long years of sorrow for your loss Have mourned with me Bir. And all my days behind Shall be employed in a kind recompense For thy afflictions-Can't I see my boy? Isa. He's gone to-bed; I'll have him brought to you. Bir. To-morrow I shall see him; I want rest Myself, after this weary pilgrimage. Isa. Alas! what shall I get for you? Bir. Nothing but rest, my love! To-night I would not Be known, if possible, to your family: I see my nurse is with you; her welcome Would be tedious at this time; To-morrow will do better. Isa. I'll dispose of her, and order every thing As you would have it. [Exit. |