And suddenly, or all will go to wreck ; Charge her home in the flank, my lord: nay, I am gone, sir. [Exit. Beauf. jun. [raising THEOC. from her knees.] Nay, pray you, madam, rise, or I'll kneel with you. Page. I would bring you on your knees, were I
Beauf. jun. What is it can deserve so poor a
As a suit to me? This more than mortal form Was fashion'd to command, and not entreat : Your will but known is served.
Theoc. Great sir, my father,
My brave deserving father;-but that sorrow Forbids the use of speech-
Beauf. jun. I understand you,
Without the aids of those interpreters
That fall from your fair eyes: I know you labour The liberty of your father; at the least, An equal hearing to acquit himself: And, 'tis not to endear my service to you,
Though I must add, and pray you with patience hear it,
'Tis hard to be effected, in respect
The state's incensed against him: all presuming, The world of outrages his impious son, Turn'd worse than pirate in his cruelties, Express'd to this poor country, could not be With such ease put in execution, if Your father, of late our great admiral, Held not or correspondence, or connived At his proceedings.
Theoc. And must he then suffer, His cause unheard?
Beauf. jun. As yet it is resolved so, In their determination. But suppose (For I would nourish hope, not kill it, in you) I should divert the torrent of their purpose, And render them, that are implacable, Impartial judges, and not sway'd with spleen; Will you, I dare not say in recompense, For that includes a debt you cannot owe me, But in your liberal bounty, in my suit To you, be gracious?
Theoc. You entreat of me, sir,
What I should offer to you, with confession That you much undervalue your own worth, Should you receive me, since there come with you Not lustful fires, but fair and lawful flames. But I must be excused, 'tis now no time For me to think of Hymeneal joys. Can he (and pray you, sir, consider it) That gave me life, and faculties to love, Be, as he's now, ready to be devour'd
By ravenous wolves, and at that instant, I But entertain a thought of those delights,
In which, perhaps, my ardour meets with yours! Duty and piety forbid it, sir.
Beauf. jun. But this effected, and your father free,
Our late great admiral: though I know you need Instructions from me, how to dispose of Yourselves in this man's trial, that exacts Your clearest judgments, give me leave, with fa- To offer my opinion. We are to hear him, [vour, A little looking back on his fair actions, Loyal, and true demeanour; not as now By the general voice already he's condemn'd. But if we find, as most believe, he hath held Intelligence with his accursed son,
Fallen off from all allegiance, and turn'd (But for what cause we know not) the most bloody And fatal enemy this country ever
Repented to have brought forth; all compassion
Of what he was, or may be, if now pardon'd; We sit engaged to censure him with all Extremity and rigour.
Cham. Your lordship shews us
A path which we will tread in.
Lan. He that leaves
To follow, as you lead, will lose himself. Mont. I'll not be singular.
Re-enter BEAUFORT junior, with MONTREVILLE, senior, BELGARDE, and Officers. Beauf. sen. He comes, but with
A strange distracted look.
Malef. sen. Live I once more
To see these hands and arms free! these, that In the most dreadful horror of a fight, [often, Have been as seamarks to teach such as were Seconds in my attempts, to steer between The rocks of too much daring, and pale fear, To reach the port of victory! when my sword, Advanced thus, to my enemies appear'd A hairy comet, threatening death and ruin To such as durst behold it! These the legs, That, when our ships were grappled, carried me With such swift motion from deck to deck, As they that saw it, with amazement cried, He does not run, but flies!
Mont. He still retains
The greatness of his spirit.
Malef. sen. Now crampt with irons, Hunger, and cold, they hardly do support me— But I forget myself. O, my good lords, That sit there as my judges, to determine The life, and death of Malefort, where are now Those shouts, those cheerful looks, those loud applauses,
With which, when I return'd loaden with spoil, You entertain'd your admiral? all's forgotten : And I stand here to give account of that
Of which I am as free and innocent As he that never saw the eyes of him, For whom I stand suspected.
Beauf. sen. Monsieur Malefort,
Let not your passion so far transport you, As to believe from any private malice,
Or envy to your person, you are question'd: Nor do the suppositions want weight,
That do invite us to a strong assurance, Your son-
Malef. sen. My shame!
Beget a treacherous issue? was't in me, With as much ease to fashion up his mind, As, in his generation, to form
The organs to his body? Must it follow, Because that he is impious, I am false ?
I would not boast my actions, yet 'tis lawful To upbraid my benefits to unthankful men. Who sunk the Turkish gallies in the streights But Malefort? Who rescued the French mer- chants,
When they were boarded, and stow'd under hatches By the pirates of Argiers, when every minute They did expect to be chain'd to the oar, But your now doubted admiral? then you fill'd' The air with shouts of joy, and did proclaim, When hope had left them, and grim-look'd despair Hover'd with sail-stretch'd wings over their heads, To me, as to the Neptune of the sea, They owed the restitution of their goods, Their lives, their liberties. O, can it then Be probable, my lords, that he that never Became the master of a pirate's ship, But at the mainyard hung the captain up, And caused the rest to be thrown over-board; Should, after all these proofs of deadly hate, So oft express'd against them, entertain A thought of quarter with them; but much less (To the perpetual ruin of my glories) To join with them to lift a wicked arm Against my mother-country, this Marseilles, Which, with my prodigal expense of blood, I have so oft protected!
Beauf. sen. What you have done
Is granted and applauded; but yet know This glorious relation of your actions
Must not so blind our judgments, as to suffer This most unnatural crime you stand accused of,
Beauf. sen. Pray you, hear with patience,- To pass unquestion'd.
Cham. No; you must produce
Reasons of more validity and weight,
To plead in your defence, or we shall hardly Conclude you innocent.
Mont. The large volume of
Your former worthy deeds, with your experience, Both what and when to do, but makes against you. Lan. For had your care and courage been the
As heretofore, the dangers we are plunged in Had been with ease prevented.
Malef. sen. What have I
Omitted, in the power of flesh and blood, Even in the birth to strangle the designs of This hell-bred wolf, my son? alas! my lords, I am no god, nor like him could foresee His cruel thoughts, and cursed purposes: Nor would the sun at my command forbear To make his progress to the other world, Affording to us one continued light. Nor could my breath disperse those foggy mists, Cover'd with which, and darkness of the night, Their navy undiscern'd, without resistance, Beset our harbour: make not that my fault, Which you in justice must ascribe to fortune.- But if that nor my former acts, nor what I have deliver'd, can prevail with you, To make good my integrity and truth; Rip up this bosom, and pluck out the heart That hath been ever loyal.
Beauf. sen. How! a trumpet? Enquire the cause.
Malef. sen. Thou searcher of men's hearts, And sure defender of the innocent, (My other crying sins-awhile not look'd on) If I in this am guilty, strike me dead, Or by some unexpected means confirm, I am accused unjustly!
Re-enter MONTREVILLE with a Sea Captain.
Beauf. sen. Speak, the motives
That bring thee hither?
Capt. From our admiral thus: He does salute you fairly, and desires It may be understood no public hate
Hath brought him to Marseilles; nor seeks he The ruin of his country, but aims only To wreak a private wrong: and if from you He may have leave and liberty to decide it In single combat, he'll give up good pledges, If he fall in the trial of his right,
We shall weigh anchor, and no more molest This town with hostile arms.
Beauf. sen. Speak to the man,
If in this presence he appear to you, To whom you bring this challenge.
Capt. 'Tis to you.
Beauf. sen. His father!
Montr. Can it be?
Beauf. jun. Strange and prodigious !
Malef. sen. Thou seest I stand unmoved: were thy voice thunder,
It should not shake me; say, what would the viper? Capt. The reverence a father's name may chalAnd duty of a son no more remember'd, [lenge, He does defy thee to the death.
Capt. And with his sword will prove it on thy Thou art a murderer, an atheist ; [head, And that all attributes of men turn'd furies, Cannot express thee: this he will make good, If thou dar'st give him meeting.
Malef. sen. Dare I live!
Dare I, when mountains of my sins o'erwhelm me, At my last gasp ask for mercy! How I bless Thy coming, captain; never man to me Arrived so opportunely; and thy message, However it may seem to threaten death, Does yield to me a second life in curing My wounded honour. Stand I yet suspected As a confederate with this enemy, Whom of all men, against all ties of nature, He marks out for destruction! you are just, Immortal Powers, and in this merciful;
And it takes from my sorrow, and my shame For being the father to so bad a son,
In that you are pleased to offer up the monster To my correction. Blush and repent, As you are bound, my honourable lords, Your ill opinions of me. Not great Brutus, The father of the Roman liberty,
With more assured constancy beheld
His traitor sons, for labouring to call home The banish'd Tarquins, scourged with rods to death, Than I will shew, when I take back the life This prodigy of mankind received from me. Beauf. sen. We are sorry, monsieur Malefort, for our error,
And are much taken with your resolution; But the disparity of years and strength, Between you and your son, duly consider'd, We would not so expose you.
Malef. sen. Then you kill me, Under pretence to save me.
O my lords, As you love honour, and a wrong'd man's fame, Deny me not this fair and noble means
To make me right again to all the world. Should any other but myself be chosen To punish this apostata with death, You rob a wretched father of a justice That to all after times will be recorded.
I wish his strength were centuple, his skill equal To my experience, that in his fall
He may not shame my victory! I feel The powers and spirits of twenty strong men in me. Were he with wild fire circled, I undaunted Would make way to him.-As you do affect, sir, My daughter Theocrine; as you are My true and ancient friend; as thou art valiant ; And as all love a soldier, second me
[They all sue to the Governor. In this my just petition. In your looks I see a grant, my lord.
Beauf. sen. You shall o'erbear me ; And since you are so confident in your cause, Prepare you for the combat.
Malef. sen. With more joy
Than yet I ever tasted: by the next sun,
The disobedient rebel shall hear from me,
And so return in safety. [To the Captain.] My
To all my service.—I will die, or purchase Rest to Marseilles; nor can I make doubt, But his impiety is a potent charm,
To edge my sword, and add strength to my arm. [Exeunt.
SCENE I.-An open space without the City.
Enter three Sea Captains.
2 Capt. He did accept the challenge, then? 1 Capt. Nay more,
Was overjoy'd in't; and, as it had been A fair invitement to a solemn feast,
And not a combat to conclude with death,
He cheerfully embraced it.
3 Capt. Are the articles
Sign'd to on both parts?
1 Capt. At the father's suit,
With much unwillingness the governor Consented to them.
2 Capt. You are inward with
Our admiral; Could you yet never learn What the nature of the quarrel is, that renders The son more than incensed, implacable, Against the father?
1 Capt. Never; yet I have,
As far as manners would give warrant to it, With my best curiousness of care observed him. I have sat with him in his cabin a day together,
Yet not a syllable exchanged between us.
Sigh he did often, as if inward grief And melancholy at that instant would Choke up his vital spirits, and now and then A tear or two, as in derision of
The toughness of his rugged temper, would Fall on his hollow cheeks, which but once felt, A sudden flash of fury did dry up; And laying then his hand upon his sword,
He would murmur, but yet so as I oft heard him, We shall meet, cruel father, yes, we shall; When I'll exact, for every womanish drop Of sorrow from these eyes, a strict accompt Of much more from the heart.
2 Capt. 'Tis wondrous strange.
3 Capt. And past my apprehension.
1 Capt. Yet what makes
The miracle greater, when from the maintop A sail's descried, all thoughts that do concern Himself laid by, no lion, pinch'd with hunger, Rouses himself more fiercely from his den, Than he comes on the deck; and there how wisely He gives directions, and how stout he is In his executions, we, to admiration, Have been eyewitnesses: yet he never minds The booty when 'tis made ours; but as if The danger, in the purchase of the prey, Delighted him much more than the reward, His will made known, he does retire himself To his private contemplation, no joy Express'd by him for victory.
Enter MALEFORT jun.
2 Capt. Here he comes,
But with more cheerful looks than ever yet I saw him wear.
Malef. jun. It was long since resolved on, Nor must I stagger now [in't.] May the cause, That forces me to this unnatural act
Be buried in everlasting silence,
And I find rest in death, or my revenge!
To either I stand equal. Pray you, gentlemen, Be charitable in your censures of me, And do not entertain a false belief That I am mad, for undertaking that Which must be, when effected, still repented. It adds to my calamity, that I have
Discourse and reason, and but too well know I can nor live, nor end a wretched life,
But both ways I am impious. Do not, therefore, Ascribe the perturbation of my soul
To a servile fear of death: I oft have view'd All kinds of his inevitable darts,
Nor are they terrible. Were I condemn'd to leap From the cloud-cover'd brows of a steep rock, Into the deep; or, Curtius like, to fill up,
For my country's safety, and an after-name,
A bottomless abyss, or charge through fire,
It could not so much shake me, as th' encounter Of this day's single enemy.
1 Capt. If you please, sir, You may shun it, or defer it.
Malef. jun. Not for the world:
Yet two things I entreat you; the first is, You'll not enquire the difference between Myself and him, which as a father once I honour'd, now my deadliest enemy; The last is, if I fall, to bear my body
Far from this place, and where you please inter I should say more, but by his sudden coming I am cut off.
Under your command, and you have seen me fight,
And handsomely, though I say it; and if now, At this downright game, I may but hold your I'll not pull down the side. [cards,
Malef. sen. I rest much bound To your so noble offers, and I hope
Shall find your pardon, though I now refuse them; For which I'll yield strong reasons, but as briefly As the time will give me leave. For me to borrow (That am supposed the weaker) any aid From the assistance of my second's sword, Might write me down in the black list of those That have nor fire nor spirit of their own; But dare, and do, as they derive their courage From his example, on whose help and valour They wholly do depend. Let this suffice, In my excuse for that. Now, if you please, On both parts, to retire to yonder mount, Where you, as in a Roman theatre, May see the bloody difference determined, Your favours meet my wishes.
Malef. jun. 'Tis approved of By me; and I command you And leave me to my fortune.
[To his Captains.] [Lead the way,
Beauf. jun. I would gladly Be a spectator (since I am denied To be an actor) of each blow and thrust, And punctually observe them.
Malef. jun. You shall have
All you desire; for in a word or two
I must make bold to entertain the time, If he give suffrage to it.
Malef. sen. Yes, I will;
I'll hear thee, and then kill thee: nay, farewell. Malef. jun. Embrace with love on both sides, Leave deadly hate and fury. [and with us
Malef. sen. From this place You ne'er shall see both living. Belg. What's past help, is Beyond prevention.
[They embrace on both sides, and take leave severally of the father and son.
Malef. sen. Now we are alone, sir;
And thou hast liberty to unload the burthen Which thou groan'st under. Speak thy griefs. Malef. jun. I shall, sir;
But in a perplex'd form and method, which You only can interpret: Would you had not A guilty knowledge in your bosom, of The language which you force me to deliver, So I were nothing! As you are my father, I bend my knee, and, uncompell'd, profess My life, and all that's mine, to be your gift; And that in a son's duty I stand bound To lay this head beneath your feet, and run All desperate hazards for your ease and safety: But this confest on my part, I rise up, And not as with a father, (all respect, Love, fear, and reverence cast off,) but as A wicked man I thus expostulate with you. Why have you done that which I dare not speak,
And in the action changed the humble shape Of my obedience, to rebellious rage,
And insolent pride? and with shut eyes con- To run my bark of honour on a shelf [strain'd me I must not see, nor, if I saw it, shun it?
In my wrongs nature suffers, and looks backward, And mankind trembles to see me pursue
What beasts would fly from. For when I advance This sword, as I must do, against your head, Piety will weep, and filial duty mourn,
To see their altars which you built up in me, In a moment razed and ruin'd. That you could (From my grieved soul I wish it) but produce, To qualify, not excuse, your deed of horror, One seeming reason, that I might fix here, And move no further!
Malef. sen. Have I so far lost
A father's power, that I must give account Of my actions to my son? or must I plead As a fearful prisoner at the bar, while he That owes his being to me sits a judge To censure that, which only by myself Ought to be question'd? mountains sooner fall Beneath their valleys, and the lofty pine Pay homage to the bramble, or what else is Preposterous in nature, ere my tongue In one short syllable yield satisfaction To any doubt of thine; nay, though it were A certainty disdaining argument !
Since, though my deeds wore hell's black livery, To thee they should appear triumphal robes, Set off with glorious honour, thou being bound To see with my eyes, and to hold that reason, That takes or birth or fashion from my will. Malef. jun. This sword divides that slavish Malef. sen. It cannot : [knot. It cannot, wretch; and if thou but remember From whom thou hadst this spirit, thou dar'st not hope it. [thee
Who train'd thee up in arms but I? Who taught Men were men only when they durst look down With scorn on death and danger, and contemn'd All opposition, till plumed Victory
Had made her constant stand upon their helmets? Under my shield thou hast fought as securely As the young eaglet, cover'd with the wings
Of her fierce dam, learns how and where to prey. All that is manly in thee, I call mine; But what is weak and womanish, thine own. And what I gave, since thou art proud, ungrateful, Presuming to contend with him, to whom Submission is due, I will take from thee. Look, therefore, for extremities, and expect not I will correct thee as a son, but kill thee As a serpent swollen with poison; who surviving A little longer, with infectious breath, Would render all things near him, like itself, Contagious. Nay, now my anger's up, Ten thousand virgins kneeling at my feet, And with one general cry howling for mercy, Shall not redeem thee.
Malef. jun. Thou incensed Power, Awhile forbear thy thunder! let me have No aid in my revenge, if from the grave My mother
Malef. sen. Thou shalt never name her more. [They fight. BEAUFORT junior, MONTREVILLE, BELGARDE, and the three Sea Captains, appear on the Mount. Beauf. jun. They are at it.
2 Capt. That thrust was put strongly home. Montr. But with more strength avoided. Belg. Well come in ;
He has drawn blood of him yet: well done, old 1 Capt. That was a strange miss. Beauf. jun. That a certain hit.
[Young MALEFORT is slain. Belg. He's fallen, the day is ours! 2 Capt. The admiral's slain. Montr. The father is victorious! Belg. Let us haste
To gratulate his conquest.
Capt. We to mourn The fortune of the son.
Beauf. jun. With utmost speed Acquaint the governor with the good success, That he may entertain, to his full merit, The father of his country's peace and safety.
[They retire. Malef. sen. Were a new life hid in each
I would search, and find it :' and howe'er to some I may seem cruel thus to tyrannize
Upon this senseless flesh, I glory in it.- That I have power to be unnatural, Is my security; die all my fears,
And waking jealousies, which have so long Been my tormentors! there's now no suspicion : A fact, which I alone am conscious of, Can never be discover'd, or the cause That call'd this duel on, I being above All perturbations; nor is it in
The power of fate, again to make me wretched. Re-enter BEAUFORT junior, MONTREVILLE, BELGARDE, and the three Sea Captains.
Beauf. jun. All honour to the conqueror ! who My friend of treachery now? [dares tax
Belg. I am very glad, sir,
You have sped so well: but I must tell you thus
To put you in mind that a low ebb must follow Your high-swoll'n tide of happiness, you have This honour at a high price. [purchased
Malef. 'Tis, Belgarde, Above all estimation, and a little To be exalted with it cannot savour Of arrogance. That to this arm and sword Marseilles owes the freedom of her fears, Or that my loyalty, not long since eclipsed, Shines now more bright than ever, are not things To be lamented; though, indeed, they may Appear too dearly bought, my falling glories Being made up again, and cemented With a son's blood. 'Tis true, he was my son, While he was worthy; but when he shook off His duty to me, (which my fond indulgence, Upon submission, might perhaps have pardon'd,) And grew his country's enemy, I look'd on him As a stranger to my family, and a traitor Justly proscribed, and he to be rewarded That could bring in his head. I know in this That I am censured rugged, and austere, That will vouchsafe not one sad sigh or tear Upon his slaughter'd body: but I rest Well satisfied in myself, being assured that Extraordinary virtues, when they soar
Too high a pitch for common sights to judge of, Losing their proper splendor, are condemn'd For most remarkable vices.
Beauf. jun. 'Tis too true, sir,
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