The Fatal Jealousie (1673) | Page 6

[Ex. Gerardo. Who waits there? [Enter Pedro, and Exit. Pedro, call my Wife-- My Wife, said I! Gerardo, didst thou know The secret fears contain'd within this Bosome, Thou'dst sooner pitty me, than wish my Life: How can I think her story of the Jewels, And other matters 'bout her Fathers Will, Could have produc'd so scandalous a Meeting? And yet she still avows it! Oh, Jealousie! Where will these panting fears still hurry me? I hourly seek to find what I wou'd give, A thousand Worlds my heart would ne're believe; And yet for what do I thus vex my self? For that, which if 'twas gone, I cou'd not miss; No, would I could, for then I'de never fear, But when I found her Honour gone astray, I'd send her Life to fetch mine back again.
_Enter _C?lia_._
_C?l._ What's your Command, my Lord?
_Anto._ Prethee, my Dear, do not retire too much, But shew a merry freedom to our Friends, That they may think us happy, themselves welcome.
_C?l._ My Lord, I shall, and reason have to do it; But I desire you would dispence my absence, Only a little time, I being preparing A general Confession I shall make to Morrow.
_Anto._ You'l be too long about it.
_C?l._ No, my Lord, I take the shortest way In writing what my thoughts can re-collect.
_Ant._ You would not let me read it, when y'have done?
_C?l._ I do confess I should be loath, my Lord. But yet from any Sin concerns your self, I am as free as are the purer Angels, Or may I find no profit by my Prayers.
_Anto._ I will believe thee; go, make haste and do it. [Ex. _C?lia_. Yet, if't be possible, I'm resolv'd to see it; 'Twill Cure my fears, perhaps, or change their Natures, And make 'em certainties the lesser evil cause sooner Cur'd: For Jealousies with fear doth plague the mind, But that is Cur'd when certainties we find. [Ex. Anto.
_The Scene changes, Discovers Jasper, as from Bed, Buttoning himself._
_Jasp._ Oh, plague o'this Old Bitch, she has kept me So awake with her Coughing all Night, that I Have quite out-slept my self. [Looks on's Watch. By Heav'n near Ten a Clock, and she not gone Yet--plague on her--she'l be catch'd, and I shall Be turn'd away--why Nurse--make haste, 'tis Ten a Clock and past, you will be wanting.
_Nurse within._ That cannot be, alas, the times but short That I've been with thee, my Dear.
_Jasp._ No, perhaps you think so; But let me ever want money to drink, If I have not thought the time longer Then her Life has been, and that began beyond the mem'ry Of man. What drudgery am I forc'd to undergo to Get a little money to support me--that I may Live to Watch all apted times for my Revenge on this whole Family, who Rise upon the Ruines of our House. This Nurse of Ninety never stayes with me but I'de as live have been Rid by a Night-Mare.
_Enter Nurse._
_Nurse._ What's that, Night-Mare? Am I a Night-Mare?
_Jasp._ No, Nurse, I said, I was troubl'd with a Night-Mare, And should be worse, were it not for thy Company.
_Nurse._ Nay, I am good Friend of thine every way.
_Jasp._ That's true; but Nurse make haste, for I am Damnably afraid Flora suspects us e're since She took me in your Chamber, and if she shou'd Take you here, and tell my Lady, I should be turn'd Away, for you know she loves me not e're since I Gave my Lord notice of her meeting Don Lewis, To give him the money and Jewels, her Father Left privately in her hands for him when he dy'd.
_Nurse._ I Chuck, but why didst thou do so?
_Jasp._ In hopes to have got some of the money for my Discovery, what made her tempt me with the Trust of money, and give me none to keep Counsel. But prethee Nurse be gone.
_Nurse._ I, give me but one buss, and I will. [Kisses him, and is going.
_Jasp._ What a belch was there to perfume it?
[She comes back.
_Nurse._ Sweet Rogue, I cannot go without the other kiss.
_Jasp._ Oh, Nurse! you will undo me; prethee no more.
_Nurse._ What, Rascal, slight my favours? you shall repent it.
_Jasp._ No, Nurse, think not so, but--
_Flora within._ Why, Nurse, Nurse, my Lady wants you; come away there, I know where you have been all Night.
_Jasp._ Why, there 'tis--this is what I fear'd, I am undone, A plague of Cubbard Love--step into the Closet.
_Nurse._ What's that you say, Cubbard Love?
_Jasp._ No, no, prethee no Arguments, but step into the Closet.
_Flora within._ Why, Nurse, I say! why don't you come away? My Lady wants you.
[Jasper goes to the Door.
_Jasp._ Flora, what's the matter with you? Nurse is not here; Do but come in and see.
[Enter Flora.
_Flor._ Come,