  Enter Franklin, Shallow, Luce, Francisco in a parson's habit, and a true Parson otherwise attired. Frank. I'll take your counsel, sir, I'll not be seen in't, But meet you when 'tis done: you'll marry them? Fran. Fear not that, sir; I'll do the deed. Frank. I shall Rest thankful to you; till then I'll leave you. Shal. I pray, father, leave us, we know how to behave ourselves alone; methinks, Luce, we are too many by two yet. Luce. You are merry, sir. [Exeunt. Manet Franklin. Frank. Now they are sure, or never! poor Francisco, Thou mett'st thy match, when thou durst undertake To o'erreach me with tricks. Where's now your sumner? 'Fore heaven, I cannot but applaud my brain, To take my daughter even against her will, And great with child by another, her shame publish'd, She cited to the court, and yet bestow her On such a fortune as rich Shallow is: Nay, that which is the masterpiece of all, Make him believe 'tis his, though he ne'er touch'd her. If men ne'er met with crosses in the world, There were no difference 'twixt the wise and fools. But I'll go meet them; when 'tis done, I fear not. [Exit. Enter Francisco, Parson, Shallow, Luce. Franc. Nay, fret not now; you had been worse abus'd, If you had married her: she never lov'd you. Luce. I ever scorned thy folly, and hated thee; though sometimes afore my father I would make an ass of thee. Shal. O women, monstrous women! little does her father know who has married her. Luce. Yes, he knows the parson married me, and you can witness that. Franc. And he shall know the parson will lie with her. Shal. Well, parson, I will be revenged on all thy coat: I will not plough an acre of ground for you to tithe, I'll rather pasture my neighbour's cattle for nothing. Par. O, be more charitable, sir; bid God give them joy. Shal. I care not greatly if I do: he is not the first parson that has taken a gentleman's leavings. Franc. How mean you, sir? Shal. You guess my meaning. I hope to have good luck to horse flesh, now she is a parson's wife? Franc. You have lain with her, then, sir. Shal. I cannot tell you that; but if you saw a woman with child without lying with a man, then perhaps I have not. Luce. Impudent coxcomb! Barest thou say that ever thou layest with me? Didst thou ever so much as kiss my hand in private? Shal. These things must not be spoken of in company. Luce. Thou know'st I ever hated thee. Shal. But when you were i' th' good humour, you would tell me another tale. Luce. The fool is mad; by heaven, my Francisco, I am wronged! Franc. Then I must change my note. Sirrah, unsay what you have spoken; swear here before the parson and myself you never touched her, or I'll cut thy throat: it is Francisco threatens thee. Shal. I am in a sweet case, what should I do now? Her father thinks I have lain with her: if I deny it, he'll have a bout with me: if I say I have, this young rogue will cut my throat. Franc. Come, will you swear? Shal. I would I were fairly off; I would lose my wench with all my heart. I swear. Franc. So now thou art free from any imputation that his tongue can stick upon thee. Enter Franklin. Frank. Well, now I see 'tis done. Shal. Here's one shall talk with you. Frank. God give you joy, son Shallow. Franc. I thank you, father. Frank. How's this, Francisco in the parson's habit? Franc. I have married her, as you bad me, sir; but this was the truer parson of the two: he tied the knot, and this gentleman is our witness. Frank. I am undone! strumpet, thou hast betrayed thyself to beggary, to shame besides, and that in open court: but take what thou hast sought: hang, beg, and starve, I'll never pity thee. Luce. Good sir! Shal. I told you what would come on't. Frank. How did your wisdom lose her? Shal. E'en as you see; I was beguiled, and so were you. Frank. Francisco, take her; thou seest the portion thou art like to have. Franc. 'Tis such a portion as will ever please me: but for her sake be not unnatural. Luce. Do not reject me, father. Franc. But for the fault that she must answer for, or shame she should endure in court, behold her yet an untouched virgin. Cushion, come forth; here, Signior Shallow, take your child unto you, make much of it, it may prove as wise as the father. Frank. This is more strange than t'other: ah, Luce! wert thou so subtle to deceive thyself and me? Well, take thy fortune, 'tis thine own choice. Franc. Sir, we can force no bounty from you, and therefore must rest content with what your pleasure is. Enter Euphues, Alphonso. Alph. Yonder he is, my lord; that's he in the parson's habit; he is thus disguised about the business I told you of. Lysandro, see your noble father. Euph. Welcome, my long-lost son, from all the storms Of frowning fortune that thou hast endur'd, Into thy father's arms. Luce. Is my Francisco noble? Frank. Lord Euphues' son! I am amaz'd. Euph. I hear, Lysandro, that you are married. Franc. Yes, my lord; this is my bride, the daughter and heir of this rich gentleman. 'Twas only she that, when my state was nothing, my poor self and parentage unknown, vouchsafed to know me—nay, grace me with her love, her constant love. Euph. Such merit must not be forgot, my son. Daughter, much joy attend upon your choice. Franc. Now wants but your consent. Frank. Which with a willing heart I do bestow. Pardon me, worthy son, I have so long Been hard to you: 'twas ignorance Of what you were, and care I took for her. Franc. Your care needs no apology. Euph. But now, Lysandro, I must make thee sad Upon thy wedding-day, and let thee know There is no pure and uncompounded joy Lent to mortality: in depth of woe Thou mett'st the knowledge of thy parentage; Thy elder brother Philocles must die: And in his tragedy our name and house Had sunk for ever, had not gracious heaven Sent, as a comfort to my childless age, Thy long-lost self, supporter of the name. Franc. But can there be no means to save his life? Euph. Alas! there's none—the king has taken an oath Never to pardon him; but since, they say, His majesty repents, and fain would save him. Franc. Then am I wretched: like a man long blind, That comes at last to see the wish'd-for sun, But finds it in eclipse: such is my case, To meet in this dark woe my dearest friends. Euph. Had you not heard this news before, Lysandro? Franc. Yes, sir, and did lament As for a worthy stranger, but ne'er knew My sorrow stood engag'd by such a tie As brotherhood. Where may we see him, sir? Euph. This morning he's arraigned. Put off That habit you are in, and go along with me; Leave your friends here awhile. Franc. Farewell, father; dear Luce, till soon Nought but so sad a chance could make me cloudy now. [Exeunt. Frank. Well, Luce, thy choice has proved better than we expected; but this cloud of grief has dimmed our mirth, but will, I hope, blow over. Heaven grant it may! And, Signior Shallow, though you have missed what my love meant you once, pray be my guest. Shal. I thank you, sir; I'll not be strange. The Court.—Enter King, Nicanor. King. Nicanor, I would find some privy place, Where I might stand unseen, unknown of any, To hear th' arraignment of young Philocles. Nic. The judges are now entering: please you, sir, Here to ascend: you may both hear and see. King. Well, I'll go up; And, like a jealous husband, hear and see That that will strike me dead. Am I a king, And cannot pardon such a small offence? I cannot do't, nor am I CÆsar now. Lust has uncrown'd me, and my rash-ta'en oath Has reft me of a king's prerogative. Come, come, Nicanor, help me to ascend, And see that fault that I want pow'r to mend. [They ascend. Enter three Judges, Virro, Polymetes, Euphues, Francisco, LeucothoË, Clerimont, Roscio. 1st Judge. Bring forth the prisoner: where are the witnesses? Pol. Here, my lords. I am the wronged party, 2d Judge. That's enough. Enter Philocles, with a guard. 1st Judge. Philocles, stand to the bar, and answer to such crimes, As shall be here objected 'gainst thy life. Read the indictment. Phil. Spare that labour; I do confess the fact that I am charg'd with, And speak as much as my accusers can— As much as all the witnesses can prove. 'Twas I that stole away the daughter and heir Of Lord Polymetes, which were't to do again, Rather than lose her, I again would venture. This was the fact: your sentence, honour'd fathers. Cler. 'Tis brave and resolute. 1st Judge. A heavy sentence, noble Philocles; And such a one as I could wish myself Off from this place some other might deliver. You must die for it: death is your sentence. Phil. Which I embrace with willingness. Now, my lord, Is your hate glutted yet, or is my life [To Polymetes. Too poor a sacrifice to appease the rancour Of your inveterate malice? If it be too, Invent some scandal, that may after blot My reputation. Father, dry your tears, [To Euphues. Weep not for me; my death shall leave no stain Upon your blood, nor blot on your fair name. May still rest quiet in their tear-wet urns For any fact of mine. I might have liv'd, If heaven had not prevented it, and found Death for some foul dishonourable act. Brother, farewell; no sooner have I found [To Francisco. But I must leave thy wish'd-for company. Farewell, my dearest love; live thou still happy; And may some one of more desert than I Be bless'd in the enjoying what I lose! I need not wish him happiness that has thee, For thou wilt bring it; may he prove as good As thou art worthy. Leu. Dearest Philocles, There is no room for any man but thee Within this breast. O good my lords, Be merciful, condemn us both together, Our faults are both alike; why should the law Be partial thus, and lay it all on him? 1st Judge. Lady, I would we could as lawfully Save him as you: he should not die for this. Enter Constable, leading Eugenio. How now, who's that you have brought there? Con. A benefactor, an it please your lordships; I reprehended him in my watch last night. Vir. Irus is taken. 2d Judge. What's his offence? Con. Murder. Watch. No, Master Constable, 'twas but poisoning of a man. Con. Go, thou art a fool. Vir. I am undone for ever; all will out. 3d Judge. What proofs have you against him? Con. His own profession, if it please your honour. 3d Judge. And that's an ill profession—to be a murderer. Thou meanest he has confessed the fact. Con. Yes, my lord, he cannot deny it. 1st Judge. Did he not name the party who it was that he had poisoned? Con. Marry, with reverence be it spoken, it was Eugenio, my Lord Polymetes' son. Pol. How's this? 1st Judge. He died long since at Athens. Pol. I cannot tell what I should think of it; This is the man that lately brought me news My son was living. 2d Judge. Fellow, stand to the bar; Thou hearest thy accusation; what canst thou say? Eug. Ah, my good lord! I cannot now deny what I have said. This man o'erheard me, as my bleeding heart Was making a confession of my crime. Con. I told him, an't shall please your lordships, The king's officers had eyes to hear such rascals. 1st Judge. You have been careful in your office, constable; You may now leave your prisoner. Con. I'll leave the felon with your lordship. 1st Judge. Farewell, good constable: murder, I see, will out. Why didst thou poison him? [Exit Constable. Eug. I was poor, and want made me be hired. 2d Judge. Hired by whom? Eug. By Count Virro; there he stands. Vir. I do beseech your lordships not to credit What this base fellow speaks. I'm innocent. 1st Judge. I do believe you are. Sirrah, speak truth; You have not long to live. Eug. Please it your lordship, I may relate the manner? 3d Judge. Do. Eug. Eugenio was alive, when first the news Was spread in Syracuse that he was dead; Which false report Count Virro crediting, Became an earnest suitor to his sister, Thinking her [to be's] heir; but finding afterwards Her brother liv'd, and [he was] coming home, Not a day's journey hence, he sent [for] me to him, And with a promise of five hundred crowns Hir'd me to poison him. That this is true, Here's his own hand to witness it against him: Please it your lordships to peruse the writing. 1st Judge. This is his hand. 3d Judge. Sure as I live, I have seen warrants from him with just these characters. 3d Judge. Besides, methinks this fellow's tale is likely. Pol. 'Tis too true; This fellow's sudden going from my house Put me into a fear. 1st Judge. Count Virro, stand to the bar. What can you say to clear you of this murder? Vir. Nothing, my lords; I must confess the fact. 2d Judge. Why, then, against you both do I pronounce Sentence of death. Ambo. The law is just. Pol. Wretch that I am, is my dissembl'd grief Turn'd to true sorrow? Were my acted tears But prophecies of my ensuing woe, And is he truly dead? O, pardon me, Dear ghost of my Eugenio, 'twas my fault That called this hasty vengeance from the gods, And shorten'd thus thy life; for whilst with tricks I sought to fasten wealth upon our house, I brought a cannibal to be the grave Of me and mine. Base, bloody, murderous count. Vir. Vile cosener! cheating lord! dissembler! 1st Judge. Peace! stop the mouth of malediction, there! This is no place to rail in. Euph. Ye just powers, That to the quality of man's offence Shape your correcting rods, and punish there Where he has sinn'd! did not my bleeding heart Bear such a heavy share in this day's woe, I could with a free soul applaud your justice. Pol. Lord Euphues and Philocles, forgive me. To make amends I know 's impossible, For what my malice wrought; but I would fain Do somewhat that might testify my grief And true repentance. Eug. That is that I look'd for. [Aside.] Euph. Y' are kind too late, my lord: had you been thus When need requir'd, y' had say'd yourself and me Our hapless sons; but if your grief be true, I can forgive you heartily. Phil. And I. Eug. Now comes my cue. [Aside.] My Lord Polymetes, Under correction, let me ask one question. Pol. What question? speak. Eug. If this young lord Should live, would you bestow your daughter willingly Upon him? would you, my lord? Pol. As willingly as I would breathe myself. Eug. Then dry [up] all your eyes, There's no man here shall have a cause to weep. Your life is sav'd; LeucothoË is no heir; [To Philocles. Her brother lives, and that clears you, Count Virro, Of your supposed murder. All. How! lives? Eug. Yes, lives to call thee brother, Philocles. [He discovers himself. Leu. O my dear brother! Pol. My son, welcome from death. Eug. Pardon me, good my lord, that I thus long Have from your knowledge kept myself concealed; My end was honest. Pol. I see it was. And now, son Philocles, give me thy hand. Here take thy wife: she loves thee, I dare swear; And for the wrong that I intended thee, Her portion shall be double what I meant it. Phil. I thank your lordship. Pol. Brother Euphues, I hope all enmity is now forgot Betwixt our houses. Euph. Let it be ever so. I do embrace your love. Vir. Well, my life is say'd yet, [al]though my wench Be lost. God give you joy. Phil. Thanks, good my lord. 1st Judge. How suddenly this tragic scene is chang'd, And turn'd to comedy! 2d Judge. 'Tis very strange! Pol. Let us conclude within. King. Stay, and take my joy with you. Euph. His majesty is coming down: let us attend. Enter King. King. These jars are well clos'd up; now, Philocles, What my rash oath denied me, this bless'd hour And happy accident has brought to pass— The saving of thy life. Phil. A life, my liege, Upon your service. King. Thanks, good Philocles. But where's the man whose happy presence brought All this unlook'd-for sport? where is Eugenio? Eug. Here, my dread liege. King. Welcome to Syracuse, Welcome, Eugenio; prythee, ask some boon That may requite the good that thou hast done. Eug. I thank your majesty; what I have done Needs no requital; but I have a suit Unto Lord Euphues, please it your majesty To be to him an intercessor for me, I make no question but I shall obtain. King. What is it? speak; it shall be granted thee. Eug. That it would please him to bestow on me His niece, the fair and virtuous Lady Leda. Euph. With all my heart: I know 'twill please her well: I have often heard her praise Eugenio. It shall be done within. King. Then here all strife ends. I'll be your guest myself to-day, and help To solemnise this double marriage. Pol. Your royal presence shall much honour us. King. Then lead away: the happy knot you tie, Concludes in love two houses' enmity. |
|
