The Fatal Jealousie (1673) Part 18

_Jasp._ You see, my Lord, that I was in the right, I only said, it was my Ladies Gown, But never did affirm it was her Person.

_Anto._ And I am glad it is not: Now, if Nurse Fails too in her discovery, I am safe, For if we keep our Councel, all these Deaths Lye pat amongst themselves, and there's not one, Except _Gerardo_, that I'd wish alive; He was my friend, and it looks Ominous, That I should Wound him so, though after Death: _Jasper_, thy diligence shan't want Reward, But that must follow: Come, let's away.

[Exit.

_Jasp._ My Reward follows! I believe it does; 'Faith, my good Lord, be sure it be a good one, Or be content to hang for Company; Now hap what will, I'le rid him with this murther; Till I do make him spend's Estate to Bribe me: "I was his Slave before for fear; but now I'le make him mine, since I this secret know."

[Exit.

_The End of the Fourth Act._

Act the Fifth.

_Caelia_ Discover'd in Bed, _Flora_ by her.

_Cael._ Sure 'twas a real Pistol-shot that wak'd me, Yet from a Dream so terrible, it did it, That I had rather never sleep again, Then hazzard such another. I thought I saw Lye dead by me, My Lord _Antonio_, _Don Gerardo_, _Jasper_, The Nurse, _Francisco_, and the Young _Sebastian_, With _Pedro_, and thy self; this dreadful sight, Or else the Pistols noise, I spoke of, wak'd me, And made me cry help, help, which frighted thee.

_Flor._ Why truly, Madam, it was a dreadful Dream, And I as much was frighted at your call, Yet, for my own part, I did hear no Pistol.

_Cael._ It may be then, it only was my fancy, For truly all my Dream seems still to me So like a truth, that I can scarce distinguish Whether I then did wake, or now am sleeping; And but I see these things, and thee so plain, I should conclude my Dream did still continue.

_Flor._ Pray Heav'n divert all mischief from the house, For I have heard it said by Learned Men, Nay, and Religious too, that Dreams like these.

That stick so fast upon our fancies waking, Are guided by a power that's more then Chance, And alwayes are portents of something like them: I'm sure, for my own part, do what I can, That Dream I had will not yet leave my head, Which makes me think _Jasper_ designs me mischief.

_Cael._ _Flora_, you go too far, Dreams are but shadows Reflected from some Acts the day preceeding, As ours are now; for from those Accidents Of my Lords taking _Jasper_, the Dream you told, And _Don Gerardo's_ naming of _Francisco_, Mine now is formed: Thus they but succeed Things past, and not prognostick things to come.

_Flor._ Pray Heav'ns these do not do't, but I'm afraid.

_Enter Nurse, frighted with _Eugenia's_ Ghost._

_Nurse._ Stand off, stand off, what makes you follow me?

I'm sure I did not kill you, if you're dead, Or if you be not, why are you so pale?-- So, so--she's gone--but what made me come hither.

_Cael._ What, do you study wayes to fright me, Nurse?

It is no proper time to play your tricks.

What makes you up at such a time of Night?

Look, how she stands amaz'd, and doth not answer; Think you I take a pleasure to be frighted?

That you persist in't still?

_Flor._ What, is the Woman mad, or would be thought so?

What makes you stand and stare thus?

_Nurse._ Did you see no Body?

_Cael._ Who should we see but an Old doting fool, That turn'd a Child again, would Act like one, And can't find a proper time for't neither.

_Flor._ What make you up so late, Nurse?

_Nurse._ What's that to you? It may be I sat up To make my Lady merry with this Jest, But now, forsooth, I'm grown too Old to please her.

You are her favourite--what, come again?

O, do not stare so at me!

[Shreeks.]

[Exit.

_Cael._ There's something more in this then barely play!

How the Old Woman star'd? sure she's run mad!

For shame, or sorrow _Jasper_ goes away.

Prethee follow her.

_Flor._ Since you will have me, Madam, I will do't, Though I dare scarcely venture.

[Exit.

_Cael._ The greatest Object pity hath, is Age, When it returns to Childishness again, As this Old Woman doth; and though we say, That Age is Honourable, we only mean, When Gravity and Wisdom are its marks, And not gray hairs, and froward peevishness, As ten for one, are known by to be Old, And though we see this true, yet we would all Prolong our time to that decrepid state, When nothing but contempt can wait upon us; How strangely sin dastards our very Reason, Making that guide us to desire known ills Rather then Joys, that promis'd we deserve not; For the best Men through sense of guilt do fear To change for unseen Joys their troubles here.

[Exit.

_Enter Nurse._

_Nurse._ If this Ghost follow still, 'twill make me mad; For sure it is a Ghost it looks so pale; Ay, and _Eugenia's_ Ghost, I'm sure it is; But who should kill her? May be _Don Francisco_!

Oh, there it is again--It's not my fault-- Oh, do not follow me then: What shall I do?

See there again, she points unto her b.r.e.a.s.t.s-- It's gone again, I fear 'twill make me mad-- I'le go to Prayers: But I forget my bus'ness, My Lord will come, and I must let him in, And shew him what I promis'd, or he'l kill me.

_Enter _Flora_._

What, come again! Oh, Heav'ns! I'le stop my Eyes,

_Flor._ Nurse, are you mad?

_Nurse._ No, you would make me so! But I defie thee-- Be gone, thou Spirit, i'th' name of Heav'n, be gone.

_Flor._ Who should be gone?

_Nurse._ Thou! for thou'rt the Devil. Come not near me.

_Flor._ My Lady sent me to you--

_Nurse._ No, no, she did not, for she lov'd me always, And would not send the Devil thus to fright me.

_Flor._ I am no Devil, Nurse, look upon me, I'm _Flora_.

_Nurse._ Ay, where's the Spirit then I saw just now?

_Flor._ There was no worser Spirit then my self.

_Nurse._ No; pray Minx, what makes you follow me?

I'le set you back again i'th' Devils Name, Come you to spy my Actions.