It cannot, wretch; and thou but remember From whom thou hadst this spirit, thou dar'st not hope it. Who train'd thee up in arms, but I? who taught thee Men were men only when they durst look down Had made her constant stand upon their helmets ? But what is weak and womanish, thine own. As a serpent swollen with poison; who surviving Would render all things near him, like itself, Mal. jun. Thou incensed Power, Awhile forbear thy thunder! let me have Mal. sen. Thou shalt never name her more [They fight, and the son is slain. Mal. sen. Die all my fears, And waking jealousies, which have so long Been my tormentors! there's now no suspicion : Can never be discover'd, or the cause All perturbations; nor is it in The power of fate, again [to] make me wretched. THE PARLIAMENT OF LOVE, A COMEDY: BY THE SAME AUTHOR. CLEREMOND takes an oath to perform his mistress LEONORA's pleasure. She enjoins him to kill his best friend. He invites MONTROSE to the field, under pretence of wanting him for a second: then shows, that he must fight with him. Cler. This is the place. Mont. An even piece of ground, Without advantage; but be jocund, friend: Cler. I need not, So well I am acquainted with your valour, you encouragement; and should I add, Your power to do, which Fortune, howe'er blind, Hath ever seconded, I cannot doubt But victory still sits upon your sword, And must not now forsake you. Mont. You shall see me Come boldly up: nor will I shame your cause, Cler. 'Tis not to be question'd: That which I would entreat, (and pray you grant it,) Is, that you would forget your usual softness, Mont. When we encounter A noble foe, we cannot be too noble. Cler. That I confess; but he that's now to oppose you, A most ungrateful wretch, (the name's too gentle, Mont. You describe A monster to me. Cler. True, Montrose, he is so. Afric, though fertile of strange prodigies, So sold to hell and mischief, that a traitor Cramm'd with the purest grain, suffers his parents, Mont. I ne'er heard Of such a cursed nature; if long-lived, He would infect mankind; rest you assured, Cler. And expect As little from him; blood is that he thirsts for, Not honourable wounds. Mont. I would I had him Within my sword's length ! Cler. Have thy wish: thou hast ! X. [CLEREMOND draws his sword. 161 L Nay, draw thy sword and suddenly: I am Would with more horror strike the pale-cheek'd stars Than all those dreadful words which conjurors use, The essence that was his, and entertain'd Mont. To my knowledge I never wrong'd her. Cler. Yes, in being a friend To me; she hated my best friend, her malice Which others fled from ?-'Tis in vain to mourn now, When there's no help; and therefore, good Montrose, Rouse thy most manly parts, and think thou stand'st now A champion for more than king or country; Remember, too, the baseness of the wrong Without reply, have at thee! Mont. See, how weak [They fight, CLEREMOND falls. An ill cause is! you are already fallen: Cler. Fool, use thy fortune : And so he counsels thee, that, if he had Changed places, instantly would have cut thy throat, Or digg'd thy heart out. Mont. In requital of That savage purpose, I must pity you; Witness these tears, not tears of joy for conquest, But of true sorrow for your misery. Live, O live, Cleremond, and, like a man, Make use of reason, as an exorcist To cast this devil out, that does abuse you; A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS, BY THE SAME AUTHOR. OVERREACH, (a cruel extortioner) treats about marrying his daughter with LORD LOVELL. LOVELL. OVERREACH. Over. To my wish; we are private. I come not to make offer with my daughter |