_Behold a Prince, who never yet Was vanquished in the Field; Awhile his Glories must forget, And lay his Laurels at the feet Of some fair Female Power, to whom he"ll yield._
_Fred._ What"s this the Preparation?
_Lor._ Yes, so it should seem; but had you met With so many defeats as I have done to night, You would willingly excuse this Ceremony.
Musick for the Dance.
Enter _Antonio_ with _Ismena_, _Alberto_ with _Clarina_, _Laura_ and _Cloris_ with two Men more, and all dress"d in Masquerade, with Vizards; they dance. The Prince sets down: the Dance being done, they retire to one side; and _Alberto_ comes and presents him _Clarina_, and bows and retires; who puts off her Mask, and puts it on again, and retires.
_Fred._ She"s wondrous fair; Sure in his whole Cabal he cannot show a fairer--
_Lor._ She resembles _Clarina_; I wish your Highness Would see further, and then perhaps this would Fall to my lot, for I love her for likeness sake.
[_Antonio_ presents _Ismena_, and retires as the other.
_Fred._ This I confess out-does the others; An Innocency dwells upon her Face, That"s strangely taking, is it not, _Lorenzo_?
_Lor._ To say truth, she is very fine indeed.
[They present _Laura_.
_Fred._ Hah! I am amaz"d; see, _Lorenzo_, Dost thou not know that Face?
_Lor._ O" my Conscience and Soul, "tis my own Sister _Laura_; Why, how now, Mistress, Do things go thus with you, i"faith?
[She shakes her Hand, as not understanding him.
_Ant._ Sir, she understands you not.
_Lor._ Is it not _Laura_ then?
_Ant._ No, Sir, it is a Stranger.
_Fred._ Let her be what she will, I"ll have her.
[_Fred._ seems to talk, when she answers in Grimaces.
_Lor._ There have been Examples in the World Of the good Offices done by a Brother to a Sister; But they are very rare here, And therefore will surely be the more acceptable.
Well, Sir, have you fix"d, that I may chuse?
_Fred._ I have, and had he thousands more, [_Lor._ goes to _Clar._ I would refuse them all for this fair Creature.
Enter _Pietro_.
_Piet._ Sir, all things are ready as you desire, But my Master must first speak with you alone.
_Fred._ About the Price, I"ll warrant you; Let him come in: [All go out but _Fred_, to him _Cur._ --Are you the Master of the Ceremony?
_Cur._ I am.
_Fred._ Be speedy then, and by my Impatiency To be with that agreeable Stranger, Guess at my Approbation of the Ladies, and which I chuse.
_Cur._ Your mighty Heat, Sir, will be soon allay"d.
_Fred._ Shall it?
_Cur._ Yes, Sir, it shall, for you must die.
_Fred._ Sure thou art mad to tell me so, whoe"er thou be"st, Whilst I have this about me. [Draws.
_Cur._ That, Sir, you draw in vain; stand off-- [Offers a Pistol.
_Fred._ What new conceited Preparation"s this?
_Cur._ Sir, when you know this Face, it will inform you.
[Pulls off his false Beard.
_Fred._ _Curtius_! I am betray"d, oh Villain! [Offers to fight.
_Cur._ Ho, within there-- [He calls, and all the masked Men come out, and offer their Pistols at _Frederick_.
_Fred._ Hold, I am the Prince of _Florence_.
_Cur._ These, Sir, are Rogues, and have no sense of ought, But Mischief in their Souls; Gold is their Prince and G.o.d,--go, be gone-- [They withdraw.
--See, Sir, I can command them.
_Fred._ _Curtius_, why dost thou deal thus treacherously with me?
Did I not offer thee to fight thee fairly?
_Cur._ "Tis like the Injuries, Sir, that you have done me; Pardon me if my Griefs make me too rude, And in coa.r.s.e terms lay all your Sins before you.
--First, Sir, you have debauch"d my lovely Sister, The only one I had; The Hope and Care of all our n.o.ble Family: Thou, Prince, didst ravish all her Virtue from her, And left her nothing but a desperate sense of Shame, Which only serv"d to do her self that Justice, Which I had executed, had she not prevented me.
_Fred._ In this, upon my Soul, you do me wrong.
_Cur._ Next, (Oh, how unlike a brave and generous Man!) Without a Cause, you cast me from your Bosom; Withdrew the Honour of your promis"d Friendship, And made me partner in my Sister"s Fate; Only with this difference, that she You left to act a Murder on her self; And mine you would have been so kind to"ve done With your own hand, but my respect prevented it.
--Next, Sir, you ravish"d _Laura_ from me, And under a pretence of sacred Friendship, You prov"d your self the worst of Enemies; And that"s a Crime you dare not say was Ignorance, As you perhaps will plead your Sin to _Cloris_ was.
_Fred._ _Cloris_, why, what hast thou to do with _Cloris_?
_Cur._ She was my Sister, _Frederick_.
_Fred._ Thy Sister!
_Cur._ Yes, think of it well, A Lady of as pure and n.o.ble Blood, As that of the great Duke thy Father, Till you, bad Man, infected it.
--Say, should I murder you for this base Action, Would you not call it a true Sacrifice?
And would not Heaven and Earth forgive it too?
_Fred._ No, had I known that she had been thy Sister, I had receiv"d her as a Gift from Heaven; And so I would do still.
_Cur._ She must be sent indeed from Heaven, If you receive her now.
_Fred._ Is _Cloris_ dead? Oh, how I was to blame! [Weeps.