The Fatal Jealousie (1673) | Page 5

for his
Death. Think with what patience I've suffer'd still Your often starts of

Passion, which sometimes Have ne're produc'd th' effects of Cruelty.
And without boast, my Lord, you well do know My Friends were much
too strong for yours at Court, Then had I but made known your severe
Carriage, Or suffer'd your surprizal--'tis too plain; Yoor Life had been a
forfeit to the Law. And were I but the wanton Wife you think me, What
wou'd more welcome be then that Revenge-- Here on my knees I beg
again, my Lord, You would perswade your self, that what I told you
Was cause of that close meeting, was so truly, And no invention; and as
this Day Began our Nuptial Joys, so let it end Our Marriage Discords;
then shall I have cause To keep it Annually a Festival; In thanks to
Heav'n for two such mighty Blessings.
_Anto._ _Cælia_, stand up, I will perswade my self. By this ---- I will
as much, as e're I can, [Kisses her. That thou art Innocent, for if thou
bee'st not, What Woman in the World ought to be thought so? But
prethee be discreet, mannage thy Actions With strictest Rules of
Prudence, for if not, Like to a Bow or'e-bent, I shall start back, And
break with passion on thee: wilt thou be careful?
_Cæl._ Oh! I am paid for all my sufferings, This kindness does or'e-joy
me, which, my Lord, Let me for ever lose when any Act Of mine, shall
justly make a forfeit of it.
_Enter Flora._
_Flor._ My Lord, here's Don Gerardo come to see you.
_Anto._ Admit him in.
[Exit Flora.
_Cæl._ I will retire, my Lord.
_Anto._ You need not, _Cælia_. [Enter Gerardo. Welcome, Gerardo,
this is like a Friend, That name should know no Ceremonious Laws,
Let them make formal Visits that maintain, As formal Friendships; ours
is try'd and true.

_Gerar._ This, as I take it, was your Wedding-day, At which (your
pardon, Madam, for a truth.) I was a Jealous waiter; your great worth
Made me to fear I then had lost a Friend, And in that room should an
acquaintance find.
_Cæl._ But now, my Lord, you see how you mistook, I was a Rival to
his Mistresses, But to his Friends, one to increase their number.
_Ger._ I find the truth so great, I wish you may Live long and happy to
possess that place; Yet I'le confess I did not lose my fears, Till my dear
Friend was pleas'd to use my Sword, As Second, in the Quarrel with
your Kinsman, The Unfortunate _Don Lewis_; and I protest Such Joy I
met to be employ'd by him, That I ne're sought to know what caus'd the
quarrel.
_Cæl._ My Lord, I beg your pardon, I have some little bus'ness in my
Closet Which forces me retire.
_Ger._ Your Lady looks as if she were displeas'd.
_Anto._ That Kinsman whom I slew is never nam'd, But if she hears it
she avoids the place.
_Ger._ I'm troubled much to be th' occasion now.
_Anto._ No matter, Friend, she only knows the cause, Why from such
Friendship we grew Enemies, And there is reason why she should be
griev'd.
_Ger._ That sudden and so secret Quarrel Did much amaze all
_Naples_; And I (as Actor in it) often have been prest To tell the cause,
which yet I never could.
_Anto._ No, Friend, nor never must: The Gen'rous _Lewis_; so I'le call
him now, Since he so bravely dy'd, was alwayes just During that little
time he breath'd this Air; After his mortal Wound, for he Related A
Story of it fitted us for pardon: Yet never told that Secret, only known
On Earth, to him, to _Cælia_ and my self.

_Ger._ I'me not inquisitive, nor never was, There may be secrets fit for
no Mans hearing. And 'tis an Act of Friendship full as great To tell a
Friend I hide a secret from him, As to Relate it, since they both shew
Candor--
_Anto._ Happy Antonio, in a Friend so just!
_Ger._ Happy Gerardo, rather, that can say He's sure he has a Friend,
that dares employ him; For confidence in Friends makes Friendship
sure.
_Anto._ And dearest Friend, I'le not doubt yours so much, To think you
would not use this Life of mine, As 'twere your own in any thing
concerns you.
_Ger._ Ne're doubt it, Friend, I soon shall find occasion Boldly to use
the power, and to speak truth; My coming now was chiefly to that
purpose; Though I intended to spend this day too In Recreation with
you, and to see you Bedded, Like a new Bride and Bride-groom, Then
wishing you long: long and lasting Joys, Retire, and wish to Copy out
your