Changes to the Street. — Piazo d’Hispagnia.
Enter Julio alone.
Jul. Now by this breaking Day-light I cou’d rave: I knew she mistook me last night, which made me so eager to improve my lucky Minutes. Sure, Galliard is not the Man, I long to know the Mystery; — hah — who’s here? — Fillamour!
Enter Fillamour met by Marcella in Man’s Clothes; they pass by each other, cock and justle.
Mar. I take it, you are he I look for, Sir.
Fil. My name is Fillamour.
Mar. Mine, Julio Sebastiano Morosini.
Jul. Hah, my Name, by Heaven! [Aside.
Fil. I doubt it not, since in that lovely Face I see the charming Image of Marcella.
Jul. Hah!
Mar. You might, e’er Travel ruffled me to Man. [Aside. — I shou’d return thy Praise whilst I survey thee, But that I came not here to compliment; — draw — [Draws.
Fil. Why, cause thou’rt like Marcella?
Mar. That were sufficient reason for thy Hate,
But mine’s because thou hast betray’d her basely.
— She told me all the story of her Love,
How well you meant, how honestly you swore,
And with a thousand Tears imploy’d my Aid
To break the Contract she was forc’d to make
T’ Octavio, and give her to your Arms:
I did, and brought you word of our Design,
— I need not tell ye what returns you made;
Let it suffice, my Sister was neglected,
Neglected for a Curtezan, — a Whore;
I watcht, and saw each Circumstance of Falshood.
Jul. Damnation! what means this?
Fil. I scorn to save my Life by Lyes or Flatteries;
But credit me, the Visit that I made
I durst have sworn had been to my Marcella;
Her Face, her Eyes, her Beauty was the same,
Only the business of her Language differ’d,
And undeceiv’d my hope.
Mar. In vain thou think’st to flatter me to Faith, —
When thou’dst my Sister’s Letter in thy hand, which ended that dispute,
Even then I saw with what regret you read it;
What care you took to disobey it too —
The shivering Maid, half dead with fears and terrors of the Night,
In vain expected a Relief from Love or thee.
Draw, that I may return her the glad news I have reveng’d her.
Jul. Hold, much mistaken Youth; ’tis I am Julio,
Thou, Fillamour, know’st my name, know’st I arriv’d
But yesterday at Rome, and heard the killing News
Of both my Sisters Flights, Marcella and Cornelia, —
And thou art some Imposture. [To Marcella.
Mar. If this now shou’d be true, I were in a fine condition. — [Aside.
Fil. Fled! Marcella fled!
Jul. ’Twas she I told thee yesterday was lost; But why art thou concern’d? — explain the Mystery.
Fil. I lov’d her more than Life; nay, even than Heaven; And dost thou question my concern for her? Say how, and why, and whither is she fled?
Jul. Oh, wou’d I knew, that I might kill her in her Lover’s Arms; Or if I found her innocent, restore her to Octavio.
Fil. To Octavio! and is my Friendship of so little worth, You cannot think I merit her?
Jul. This is some trick between ‘em; but I have sworn
Most solemnly, have sworn by Heaven and my Honour
To resign her, and I will do’t or die —
Therefore declare quickly, declare where she is,
Or I will leave thee dead upon the place. [To Marcella.
Mar. So, Death or Octavio, a pretty hopeful Choice this!
Fil. Hold! by Heaven, you shall not touch a single hair, thus — will I guard the Secret in his bosom. [Puts himself between ‘em, draws.
Jul. ’Tis plain thou’st injur’d me, — and to my Honour I’ll sacrifice my Friendship, follow me. [Ex. Jul. Fil.
Enter Petro and Cornelia.
Mar. Ah, Petro, fly, fly, swift and rescue him. — [Ex. Pet. with his Sword in his hand.
Cor. Oh, have I found thee, fit for my purpose too? Come, haste along with me, — thou must present my Brother Julio instantly, or I am lost, and my Project’s lost, and my Man’s lost, and all’s lost.
Enter Petro.
Pet. Victoria, Victoria, your Cavalier’s the Conqueror; the other wounded in his Sword-hand, was easily disarmed.
Mar. Then let’s retire, if I am seen I’m lost; — Petro, stay here for the Cavalier, and conduct him to me to this house; — I must be speedy now. —
Cor. Remember this is Julio. [Pointing to Marcella.
Pet. I know your design, and warrant ye my part: — hah, Octavio [Exeunt.
Enter Octavio, Morosini and Crapine.
Oct. Now, Cowardice, that everlasting Infamy, dwell ever on my face, that Men may point me out that hated Lover that saw his Mistress false, stood tamely by whilst she repeated Vows; nay, was so infamous, so dully tame, to hear her swear her Hatred and Aversion, yet still I calmly listen’d; though my Sword were ready, and did not cut his throat for’t.
Mor. I thought you’d said you’d fought.
Oct. Yes, I did rouze at last, and wak’d my Wrongs;
But like an Ass, a patient Fool of Honour,
I gave him friendly notice I wou’d kill him;
And fought like Prizers, not as angry Rivals.
Mor. Why, that was handsome, — I love fair play; what wou’d you else have done?
Oct. Have fall’n upon him like a sudden Storm, [Enter Pet. and Fill.] quick unexpected in his height of Love: — see — see yonder; or I’m mistaken by this glimmering Day, or that is Fillamour now entering at her door; ’tis he, by my Revenge — What say you, Sir?
Mor. By th’ Mass, I think ’twas he —
[Enter Julio.
Oct. Julio, I’ve caught the Wantons in their Toil, I have ‘em fast, thy Sister and her Lover. [Embraces him.
Jul. Eternal Shame light on me if they scape then.
Oct. Follow me quick, whilst we can get Admittance.
Jul. Where — here?
Oct. Here, — come all and see her Shame and my Revenge.
Jul. And are you not mistaken in the House?
Oct. Mistaken! I saw the Ravisher enter just now, thy Uncle saw it too; Oh, my excessive Joy! come, if I lye — say I’m a Dog, a Villain.
[Exeunt as into the House.