The Perjur'd Husband Part 11

_Enter_ Placentia, _in Man's Cloaths_.

_Pla._ Madam, I was inform'd that Count _Ba.s.sino_ Was to be here--and having Things t'impart That much concern him, I made bold to come----

_Aur._ Sir, I expect him straight--if you're his Friend I will account you mine--Be pleas'd to sit. [_Both sit._

_Pla._ My Brother, Madam, is extremely happy In being favour'd by so fair a Lady----

_Aur._ Your Brother, Sir! is then my Lord your brother?

_Pla._ Madam, he is.

_Aur._ Then I may call you Brother too; For all the solemn Vows of Love have pa.s.s'd 'Twixt him and me--And blissful _Hymen_ waits With lighted Torch to tie the sacred Knot, Which shall be done this Hour----

_Pla._ This Hour! say you? Oh! Madam, have a Care: You tread inchanted Ground, and e'er you know What Path you take, you're hurried to Destruction.

_Aur._ Where lies the Danger?

_Pla._ Oh! 'Tis a fatal Tale, yet you must hear it; Therefore summon your Courage to your Aid, For you will need it all, whilst I relate The fatal Story----

_Aur._ Ah! how I tremble!

Say, is he dead? has any murderous Villain Kill'd my _Ba.s.sino_?

_Pla._ No--he is well in Health: but his distemper'd Mind Is of a wild and feverish Disposition, Longing to taste, what tasted will undo him.

_Aur._ Your Speech is all a Riddle: Pray speak plainer: But yet, e'er you proceed, if Count _Ba.s.sino_ lives, I care not what must follow, since he's mine.

_Pla._ No, he's not yours--Nor ever must.

_Aur._ 'Tis false----There's not a Pow'r on Earth can part us: Perhaps, You think my Blood too base to mix with yours---- But, Sir, your Brother loves me, and in Love All Ranks are equal----

_Pla._ No----I wish that were all: But there's a greater Obstacle----He--is--married-- Oh! G.o.ds! unfortunately married!

_Aur._ Married!

_Pla._ Yes,----Married----to my Sister, To my unfortunate, abandon'd Sister.

Oh! do not you conspire t'undo her quite; It is enough, she's false _Ba.s.sino_'s Wife.

_Aur._ G.o.ds! Married!

And is it possible! Oh! faithless Men!

Oh! Truth! Oh! Justice! Whither are you fled?

Now all my Fears and Horrors are explain'd.

_Pla._ I'm glad I reach'd this Place in Time, to hinder Those Ills that must have waited on your Marriage, Now it is in your Power, both to be happy, And, in some Measure, make my Sister so. [_Both rise._

_Aur._ A Paradox in Nature----Bid _Aurelia_ Be happy, when you rob her of her Heaven!

Her dear _Ba.s.sino_!

Indeed your Sister may be counted happy, If she's his Wife--Ha--Wife--by Heaven! 'tis false-- No, no--He has no other Wife but me---- He is not married, you bely him basely---- He cannot be so treacherous----

_Pla._ Madam, I swear, whate'er I said is Truth-- Do but defer this Marriage for a Day, And if I don't produce convincing Proofs, May all the Plagues a Woman can invent Fall on my perjur'd Head----

_Aur._ Defer our Marriage--No, by Heaven I will not.

I can't suspect him--Neither do I think You durst maintain this Story to his Face.

_Pla._ Madam, I dare; nay, which is more, I'll die, Or vindicate my injur'd Sister's Honour----

_Aur._ Bold Arrogance!

Oh! That he were but here to answer the Affront!

Perhaps he may have wrong'd your Family: Debauch'd your Sister; for which you would force him To marry her?----But, I must tell thee, Boy, He's mine already: nor would he forsake me To hold Command o'er all the Universe.

_Pla._ Oh! Heaven! must I bear this!

_Aur._ Nay, expect more, if he should find you here, 'Tis not your being Brother to his Mistress, That will secure you from his just Revenge.

_Pla._ Revenge! Nay, then away with all Disguise, Pity be gone----And in its Room fell Rage Take place, that I may dash that haughty Insolence That dares to treat me thus--Know, Madam, I am his Wife--his lawful wedded Wife.

With borrow'd Shape I came to try your Virtue, Which I have found so light that the least Puff Of wanton Love will blast it----Else my Visit Had met a better Welcome--Here with Sword in Hand I'll wait his coming, [_Draws._ And as he enters, pierce thy haughty Breast.

I know he loves thee, and therefore 'tis brave Revenge to let him see thy dying Pangs: Thy parting Sighs will rack him worse than h.e.l.l.

_Aur._ His Wife! Oh! Insolence!

In vain you waste your Breath, it moves not me: So much I love him, so much I'm belov'd, That should an Angel from yon Heaven descend, To tell me he's marry'd, I'd not credit him, Kill me if you dare--He will revenge my Death: That pleasing Thought gives Courage to my Soul: To live without him would be Death indeed!

No--he'll ne'er leave me for a common Thing, For such I'm sure thou art----

_Pla._ Common! Proud Wretch----by Heaven that Word gives Wings To my Revenge--Vile Creature, die-- [_Stabs her._

_Aur._ Help,--Murder, murder----

_Enter_ Ba.s.sino.

_Ba.s.s._ Ha--That to thy Heart----[_Kills_ Plac.] Wer't thou a Demi-G.o.d And durst attempt this Shrine, thus should'st thou fall--

_Pla._ (_Falling._) Oh! _Ba.s.sino_! Oh!

_Aur._ Oh! hold, my Lord, what has your Rashness done?

I only should have dy'd----I'll not upbraid Your Treachery--No, 'tis the Hand of Heaven That guides the Stroke that takes my guilty Life, For being faithless to _Alonzo_.

_Ba.s.s._ Talk not of Death, my fair, my dear _Aurelia_; That very Sound does harrow up my Soul.

But who art thou, whose sacrilegious Hand Durst to profane the Temple of my Love?

_Pla._ I am your Wife--Your loving Wife _Placentia_.

Oh! pardon this rash Deed; blame jealous Love-- And grace me with a Sigh, that I may die contented.

_Ba.s.s._ My Wife! and kill'd by me!

Under what Load of Miseries I stand!

Oh! Horror! Horror! Infinity of Guilt!

Hurl now your vengeful Bolts, Almighty Powers, On my devoted Head!

Oh! I have wrong'd you both: Deceiv'd you basely: Thus prostrate on the Ground, let me beg Pardon: [_Throws himself on the Ground._ I do not ask it with Design to live.

_Aur._ Oh! dear _Ba.s.sino_ live: And try to save her, for she's innocent: We only are in Fault---- I urg'd my wretched Fate with impious Language, For which I beg Forgiveness: Generous Lady, Let not my Soul depart with Guilt opprest.

_Pla._ As I forgive you, so may Heaven me.