The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 15

_Anto._ Well, pitch upon a private stand for us, That you know most convenient.

[Ex. _Jasp_.

Strange it is, If this should prove a falshood after this; I've threaten'd him with Death upon the failer, Yet still he has persisted to affirm it, Besides, I climb'd the Garden Wall before him, And that way gave him time for his escape, If he'd design to make it: These Circ.u.mstances Do half perswade 'tis true. Oh, apprehension!

So terrible the consequence appears, It makes my brain turn round, and Night seem darker.

The Moon begins to drown her self in Clouds, Leaving a duskish horror every where, My sickly fancy makes the Garden seem Like those benighted Groves in _Plato's_ Kingdoms, Which Poets fancy that the d.a.m.n'd inhabit.

_Jasp._ My Lord, my Lord.

[Enter _Jasper_.

_Anto._ What now?

_Jasp._ The Garden Door just opens, step this way, lest You be seen.

[They stand close.

_Enter _Francisco_ and _Sebastian_._

_Fran._ 'Tis hardly late enough, we'l stay a little, For I perceive no light i' th' usual Window.

_Sebast._ But are you confident _Antonio's_ absent?

_Fran._ I'm told for certain that he went from home To see _Don John Valasco_, who is sick.

_Sebast._ Nay, then with safety we may walk a turn, Though I confess, do what I can, my fears Surmount my Reason and perswades there's danger.

_Fran._ A hundred times I've past it in as much, Yet then with confidence you slighted all; Prethee forbear to urge them any more; I'm half turn'd Coward with your fears already.

_Sebast._ Let's take a turn then further from the House, And by some other talk divert our thoughts.

[Exeunt.

_Anto._ _Jasper_, I find thy Informations true, Thus far at least; these are my Wife's kind Couzens.

h.e.l.l rid e'm from the World.

_Jasp._ A hundred times they had been here before In as much danger: Mark you that, my Lord?

_Anto._ I, and in Soul retorted back the Lye, For they in all their Lives ne're knew a danger Equal to that they're near: Heark! how the Owl Summons their Souls to take a flight with her, Where they shall be Eternally benighted: Now I again believe it was a Witch; For here me-thinks I see a thousand Devils Waiting in the Air with fire-forks in their hands, Just as our City Serjeants wait with Maces, To toss their Souls to their Eternal Prison; Look there, that flash of Lightning does confirm it.

Nay, do but stay a little, you shall have all.

All, all; not a Soul of e'm shall escape this Night.

No, no, 'twill spoil good Company to part them, But hold, a Light appears, draw back to cover.

[Exeunt.

_Enter _Francisco_ and _Sebastian_._

_Sebast._ The Light is there, make haste and give the sign.

[_Francisco_ strikes a Key upon his Sword; _Eugenia_ appears above in _Caelia's_ Gown.

_Eug._ Who's there, _Francisco_?

_Fran._ The same, and would desire your Company below.

_Eug._ This distance fits us better! Oh, _Francisco_, Had we but alwayes kept it, I had been A spotless Off'ring to my Bridal Bed, But now must cloud my Marriage Joys with shame, And fear of what will follow.

_Fran._ Pray descend, this distance is not safe, The Family may chance o're hear our words.

_Eug._ I've more cause, should I come down, You would attempt my strength, and Argument To violate my Vows, as first you did My Virgin-Honour.

_Fran._ No, upon my Life, do but descend, And may the Heav'ns pour all their Vengeance on me If I do attempt you with a sillable To break your Resolution.

_Eug._ Is any with you?

_Fran._ Yes, my Friend, _Sebastian_.

_Eug._ Let him speak, then.

_Sebast._ Madam, upon my Life, I will secure you, And glory I have so much cause to do it.

_Eug._ Your Virtue I rely on for my safety.

[She takes the Light from above.

_Enter _Antonio_ and _Jasper_._

_Anto._ I cannot hear their words, yet I'm sure It's _Caelia's_ there, her Habit tells me that.

Let's draw a little nearer.

_Sebast._ Look there, _Francisco_, are not those two Men Are creeping there?

_Fran._ 'Tis so, let's slip aside.

[Ex. _Fran._ and _Sebastian_.

_Enter _Eugenia_ below._

_Eug._ Where are you, Couzen _Francisco_? Are you there?

_Anto._ I, here, here, perfidious Woman.

[Stabs her, she falls.

_Eug._ Oh, _Francisco_, 'tis an inhuman deed, [Ex. _Ant._, _Jasp_.

To kill me thus, 'cause I would sin no longer, But thou hast kept thy word, and took thy leave.

As I must now, of all the World, and thee--oh, oh--

_Enter _Gerardo_ and Servant._

_Ger._ Pray Heav'n I be'n't too late, the Garden door So open makes me wonder: Heard you no groans?