The Scene changes to a Chamber.
Enter from one side Olinda, lighting in Marcel muffled as before
in his Cloke, from the other Antonio leading in Euphemia veil’d.
Mar. By Heaven’s, ’tis she: Vile Strumpet!
[Throws off his Cloke, and snatches her from him.
Euph. Alas, this is not he whom I expected.
Anto. Marcel! I had rather have encounter’d my evil Angel than thee.
[Draws.
Mar. I do believe thee, base ungenerous Coward.
[Draws.
[They fight, Marcel disarms Antonio, by wounding his Hand.
Enter Alonzo, goes betwixt them, and with his Sword drawn opposes
Marcel, who is going to kill Antonio; Lovis follows him.
Alon. Take Courage, Sir.
[To Antonio, who goes out mad.
Mar. Prevented! whoe’er thou be’st.
It was unjustly done,
To save his Life who merits Death,
By a more shameful way.
But thank the Gods she still remains to meet
That Punishment that’s due to her foul Lust.
[Offers to run at her, Alonzo goes between.
Alon. ’Tis this way you must make your Passage then.
Mar. What art thou, that thus a second time
Dar’st interpose between Revenge and me?
Alon. ’Tis Marcel! What can this mean?
[Aside.
Dost not thou know me, Friend? look on me well.
Mar. Alonzo here! Ah I shall die with Shame.
[Aside.
As thou art my Friend, remove from that bad Woman,
Whose Sins deserve no sanctuary.
Euph. What can he mean? I dare not shew my Face.
[Aside.
Alon. I do believe this Woman is a false one,
But still she is a Woman, and a fair one:
I would not suffer thee to injure her,
Tho I believe she has undone thy quiet,
As she has lately mine.
Mar. Why, dost thou know it then?
Stand by, I shall forget thou art my Friend else,
And thro thy Heart reach hers.
Alon. Nothing but Love could animate him thus,
He is my Rival.
[Aside.
Marcel, I will not quit one inch of Ground;
Do what thou dar’st, for know I do adore her,
And thus am bound by Love to her Defence.
[Offers to fight Marcel, who retires in wonder.
Euph. Hold, noble Stranger, hold.
Mar. Have you such Pity on your Lover there?
[Offers to kill her, Alonzo stays him.
Euph. Help, help.
[Her Veil falls off.
Enter Hippolyta drest like a Curtezan: Sees Marcel.
Hip. Oh Gods, my Brother! in pity, Sir, defend me
From the just Rage of that incensed Man.
[Runs behind Lovis, whilst Marcel stands
gazing on both with wonder.
Lov. I know not the meaning of all this, but
However I’ll help the Lady in Distress.
Madam, you’re safe, whilst I am your Protector.
[Leads her out.
Mar. I’ve lost the Power of striking where I ought,
Since my misguided Hand so lately err’d.
Oh Rage, dull senseless Rage, how blind and rude
It makes us.
Pardon, fair Creature, my unruly Passion,
And only blame that Veil which hid that Face,
Whose Innocence and Beauty had disarm’d it:
I took you for the most perfidious Woman,
The falsest loosest thing.
Alon. How! are you a Stranger to her?
Mar. Yes I am. Have you forgiven me, Madam?
Euph. Sir, I have.
[Marcel bows and offers to go out.
Alon. Stay, Friend, and let me know your Quarrel.
Mar. Not for the World, Alonzo.
Alon. This is unfriendly, Sir.
Mar. Thou dost delay me from the noblest Deed,
On which the Honour of my House depends,
A Deed which thou wilt curse thy self for hindring
Farewel.
[Goes out.
Alon. What can the meaning of this be?
Euph. Oh do not ask, but let us quickly leave this dangerous Place.
Alon. Does it not belong to you?
Euph. No, but you would like me the better if it did: for, Sir, it is a —
Alon. Upon my Life, a Baudy-house.
Euph. So they call it.
Alon. You do amaze me.
Euph. Truth is, not daring to trust my Friends or Relations with a Secret that so nearly concern’d me as the meeting you, and hearing of a new come Curtezan living in this House, I sent her word I would make her a Visit, knowing she would gladly receive it from a Maid of my Quality: When I came, I told her my Business, and very frankly she offer’d me her House and Service — Perhaps you’ll like me the worse for this bold Venture, but when you consider my promis’d Husband is every day expected, you will think it but just to secure my self any way.
Alon. You could not give me a greater Proof than this of what you say you bless me with, your Love.
Euph. I will not question but you are in earnest; at least if any doubt remain, these will resolve it.
[Gives him Letters.
Alon. What are these, Madam?
Euph. Letters, Sir, intercepted from the Father of my design’d Husband out of Flanders to mine.
Alon. What use can I make of them?
Euph. Only this: Put your self into an Equipage very ridiculous, and pretend you are my foolish Lover arriv’d from Flanders, call your self Haunce van Ezel, and give my Father these, as for the rest I’ll trust your Wit.
Alon. What shall I say or do now?
[Aside.
Euph. Come, come, no study, Sir; this must be done,
And quickly too, or you will lose me.
Alon. Two great Evils! if I had but the Grace to chuse the least now, that is, lose her.
[Aside.
Euph. I’ll give you but to night to consider it.
Alon. Short warning this: but I am damnably in love, and cannot withstand Temptation.
[Kisses her Hand.
Euph. I had forgot to tell you my Name’s Euphemia, my Father’s you’ll find on the Letters, and pray show your Love in your haste. Farewel.
Alon. Stay, fair Euphemia, and let me pay my Thanks, and tell you that I must obey you.
Euph. I give a Credit where I give a Heart.
Go inquire my Birth and Fortune: as for you,
I am content with what I see about you.
Alon. That’s bravely said, nor will I ask one Question about you, not only to return the Bounty, but to avoid all things that look like the Approaches to a married Life. If Fortune will put us together, let her e’en provide for us.
Euph. I must be gone: Farewel, and pray make haste. [Looks kindly on him.
Alon. There’s no resisting those Looks, Euphemia: One more to fortify me well; for I shall have need of every Aid in this Case.
[Look at one another and go.