VOLUME ONE

LONDON:

Printed for J. Knapton, C. Hitch and L. Hawes, J. and R. Tonson, S. Crowder and Co. W. Bathoe, T. Lownds, T. Caslon, and G. Kearsly.

M.DCC.LXI.

THE

PROLOGUE.

By a GENTLEMAN.

Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD.

Dramatis Personæ.

THE

Perjur'd Husband.

ACT I. SCENE I.

The Curtains fly up, and discover a Mask in Pizalto's House. Pizalto, Lady Pizalta, Lucy; Ludovico talking to Lady Pizalta; Bassino and Aurelia talking together; Florella and other Maskers. A Spanish Entry. While the Dance is performing, enter Armando, and gives Bassino two Letters, which he opens and reads. Lady Pizalta and Lucy advance to the Front of the Stage. L. Piz. Oh! Lucy, I'm undone—— That Stranger there has charm'd my Heart: I feel The Pow'r of conquering Love; quick, quickly tell me, What shall I do to ease this racking Passion? Lucy. Nay, Madam, I fancy your Passion has little Occasion for Lenitives; it blazes so violently at first, 'tis like to be soon extinguish'd. L. Piz. Dear Lucy, don't trifle with me; but contrive, imagine, do any thing, to bless thy Love-sick Mistress with the Sight of that dear Man: And as an Earnest of further Rewards, here, take this——[Gives her a Ring. Lucy. Madam, I receive your Commands with much Joy, but your Present with more——[Aside.] I'll try what this projecting Brain can do, and if you step into

the next Room, I'll soon give you an Account of my Proceedings. [Exit L. Pizalta. Bass. Ye Gods! What have I done, that you pursue me thus? Why did you e'er decree that I should wed A Wife I now must hate? Why did I see The bright Aurelia? Why am I thus torn 'Twixt Love and Duty? Oh! what Pangs, what Torments My Soul endures! Oh! my Aurelia! [Exeunt omnes, but Lucy & Ludov. Lucy pulling Ludovico by the Sleeve. Lucy. Sir, Sir, one Word with you. Lud. Your Business—— Lucy. May one ask you a civil Question, and be resolv'd? Lud. Hum—A civil Question, sayst thou? What's it, prithee, a Night's Lodging? If so, pull off thy Mask, and I'll resolve thee instantly——But I never strike Bargains in the Dark. Lucy. I don't know, Sir, but it may tend to that, by way of Proxy, at the long-run: But at present my Commission reaches no further than to know your Lodgings; if any Thing comes on't, I fancy 'twill not displease you. Lud. (Aside.) Hum——This is but a Pettifogger in Intrigues, I find——Egad, I'm like to be pretty well employ'd during the Carnival——Well, considering I am

a Stranger here, this Hit may be a lucky one, and the Lady handsome——Egad, I'll fancy her so at least, wer't but for the Pleasure of Expectation. Lucy. What are you studying, Sir? Are you so long resolving whether you shall accept a Lady's Favour, or no? Lud. No, faith, Child: I am not over-scrupulous in those Matters——Let her be but Woman, and we shan't disagree——And so thou mayst tell her——There's a Direction for thee. [Tears the Superscription of a Letter and gives it her. [Exit Ludovico. Lucy. Frank and easy, a la mode de Paris——Well, these indifferent Sparks charm more than all your cringing Fops——Now for my Business—Let me see—I'll to my Lady, she'll write; I'll carry the Letter, and the Devil will turn Saint, if I don't bring 'em together, and merit a further Recompence. By Coupling many have their Fortunes made; I only want Preferment, not my Trade. [Exit Lucy. SCENE II. The Scene changes to Bassino's Lodgings, and discovers the Count in his Night-gown, a Table with Lights, and Letters lying on the Table.

Bass. All Things lie hush'd in peaceful Silence here: All but Bassino's Mind——Oh! happy he Who lives secure and free from Love's Alarms. But happier far, who, Master of himself, Ranges abroad without that Clog, a Wife. Oh! rigorous Laws impos'd on Free-born Man! On Man, by bounteous Nature first design'd The Sovereign Lord of all the Universe! Why must his generous Passion thus be starv'd, And be confined to one alone? The Woman, whom Heaven sent as a Relief, To ease the Burden of a tedious Life, And be enjoy'd when summon'd by Desire, Is now become the Tyrant of our Fates. [Takes up a Letter. But hold, Bassino! whither does thy Passion Hurry thy wandering Reason: Let this Letter Re-call the Fugitive, and fix thy Senses On duteous Love——A Wife, so young, so fair, So excellent, whose Charms not three Months since Did fire thy Soul; a Wife, who dotes on thee; A Wife to whom thou sworest eternal Love—— By Heaven, I swear again I will be true. This Thought again restores my Peace of Mind—— No, charming Wife; no dear Placentia, no,

Thou shalt not beg in vain: I will return [Kisses the Letter. But who comes here—My Friend Armando? Enter Armando. Arm. Dear Friend, I heard The Conflict of your Passion, and my Joys Are now compleat, since Virtue gains the Day. Bass. Yes, dear Armando, the Conflict is o'er, And I'm resolv'd to fly to my Placentia. Arm. Cherish that Thought: By Heaven your Resolution Transports my Soul with Joy! A kind, a virtuous Wife waits your Embraces; A Wife, who like a Turtle mourns the Absence Of her dear Mate. Haste then, my Friend, to drive That Cloud of Sorrow which o'ercasts her Mind, And, like the Sun, dispel her gloomy Thoughts. Bass. Thanks for your Counsel—— You like a God support my feeble Virtue. This very Morning I'll prepare for Turin, Where Time and Absence will deface the Image Of that bewitching Beauty, which now haunts My tortur'd Mind—Yet, first I'll take my Leave Of this fair Charmer——And Heaven grant That I may see her unconcern'd—— Arm. My Lord, what d'you mean? Have you well weigh'd the Danger of this Visit? Bass. What danger can there be?

Arm. Danger! my Lord—Consider well how feeble Our Reason is against the Pow'r of Beauty—— Bass. My Resolution's firm; no Charm can shake it. Arm. If not her Beauty, fear her Syren Tongue; fear her endearing Prayers, her fond Reproaches, Her tender Sighs, her Vows, her trickling Tears. Nay—if all these prove vain, fear her Despair, A Woman, an abandon'd Woman's Rage. Bass. Were there more Dangers, yet I'll stand 'em all; My Honour bids me pay this parting Visit: My Heart shall have no Share in what I'll speak. Trust me this once, and be yourself a Witness, Bassino can controul unlawful Love.—— Arm. My Lord, 'tis with Regret I see you go, May Heaven assist you in this dangerous Strife. SCENE III. Aurelia's Chamber; she in an Undress with Florella. Aur. No more of that—Cease thy ungrateful Suit, Alonzo is a Man I cannot love; I own he's witty, generous, and brave; Has all the Charms that Nature can bestow To fire a Woman's Heart——Yet I'm insensible, His very Sight chills all my trembling Spirits; Therefore, name him no more—I charge thee do not.

Flor. Madam, I've done—Yet shall I be permitted To ask a Question? Are you then resolved Ne'er to admit a Passion in your Breast? Aur. Oh! Dear Florella, press not a Confession, Which but too well my Eyes themselves disclose. Alas! I love—I love to such Excess, That tho' I know I'm lov'd again, my Mind Is still perplex'd with Doubts and jealous Fears. Flor. You love and are belov'd! Then sure you reach The Height of human Bliss, and bounteous Heaven Can scarce give more——But who's the happy Man; Is it not Count Bassino? Aur. Oh! charming Name; there's Musick in that Sound! Yes, Count Bassino is the Man I love. Canst thou now blame my Coldness to Alonzo? Flor. Forgive me, Madam, if I dare presume To speak my Sentiments: I must confess Bassino is a Man of excellent Virtue; His Education at the Court of Savoy Has still refin'd what he receiv'd from Nature; His Person too is charming—— And, what most Women court, he has a Title—— But then consider, you are unacquainted With his Estate, and tho' his Equipage Denotes an ample Fortune, yet we see

Many a Stranger here during the Carnival, Who makes a Figure here by industrious Gaming. As for Alonzo, he was born at Venice, Of noble Parents; his Estate, a large one—— Even from his Youth you had his amorous Wishes, And as he grew in Years his Love increas'd: You lov'd him too——Nay, which is more, your Father Approv'd your mutual Loves, and at his Death Bequeath'd you to Alonzo. Aur. Oh! my Florella, thou hast rouz'd a Thought, Which will for ever break Aurelia's Rest. I know my Father's Tenderness to me Made him confirm Alonzo's Suit, for then I lov'd Alonzo—— But were my gentle Father still alive, I'm sure he would not cross my Inclinations, But, Oh! name not my Father; I cannot bear The sad Remembrance of so great a Loss. [Weeps. Flor. But fear you not t'offend his peaceful Ghost, By breaking with the Man he destin'd yours? Aur. 'Tis not my Fault: and just Heaven must forgive What Heaven decrees——Yes, 'tis my cruel Stars That made my Heart inconstant to Alonzo, 'Tis with Regret I break my plighted Faith; In vain I strive to check my new-born Love,

I cannot, cannot live without Bassino. Flor. Madam, I wish your Passion ne'er prove fatal, But much I fear this inauspicious Match. Enter Bassino, Armando. Aur. May Heaven avert th' unlucky Combination Of our presaging Thoughts: For, know, I tremble too— But here's the man that will dispel my Fears. Arm. to Bass. My Lord, remember To keep your Resolution. Bass. to Arm. Yes—I will keep it—[To Aur.] Madam, you will pardon A Morning Visit, when you know what Reasons Press'd me to fix it on this early Hour.—— By Letters from the Court I was last Night Commanded to return with Speed to Turin, And thence let out for France, to represent My Sovereign Liege in solemn Embassy. This Day I must prepare to take my Journey, Tho' 'tis with killing Grief I leave my dear, My fair Aurelia——[To Arm.] Now, my Armando. Arm. My Lord, 'tis well: But still be on your Guard, The dreadful Shock comes on—— Aur. This Day be gone! What means my Lord! Oh! Heaven, My boding Fears are come to pass: I see A Cloud of Woes just ready to o'erwhelm me. Is't possible! how can that Form divine

Harbour such Treachery! Is then Bassino false? Say, perjur'd Man, how often did you swear This happy Day should make you mine for ever! How can you now forget your solemn Vows? Why have I met with this inhuman Usage? Bass. Madam, my Prince's Orders Are absolute: My Honour is concern'd. Aur. Must a vain Title be preferr'd to Love? But no—You never lov'd——'twas base Deceit. Curs'd, curs'd dissembling Men! Their flattering Tongues Can feign a Passion that will look like Love, Till by Degrees they get us in their Power; Then with bold Impudence they draw the Vizor, And shew the Cheat that mock'd our credulous Hopes. Faithless Bassino, How oft you swore your Love could ne'er expire: How oft you swore one Smile of mine had Charms, Even above the Glories of a Crown. Those were the Oaths I fondly did believe; Those Words convey'd a Poison to my Heart, And even now I feel its mighty Force: My Head turns giddy, and my trembling Knees Betray their sinking Burden—— Alas! I faint, I die—— [She faints, Bassino runs and embraces her. Bass. Oh! stay, my Love, my Life, my Soul, my all:

The Conflict's past, and I am thine again, But she is breathless! Oh! ye rigorous Gods, Give back her Soul, or let my own be plung'd To dark Elysium——Oh! my dear Aurelia! [Hugs her. Arm. Is this your Resolution? By Heaven, I blush To call you Friend. Your Wife, my Lord, remember Your Wife—— Bass. Curse on that Name—— Urge me no more to follow your Chimeras, Lest you oblige me to break off that Friendship You blush to own——Oh! my Aurelia! Arm. aside. How sweet is treacherous Vice! how eagerly Fond Man pursues his Ruin! All Arguments were vain——yet still one Way remains, Which cannot fail, to stop the Progress of this impious Love. His Wife, by my Direction, comes to Venice: Her Sight will soon awake his slumbering Virtue, At least it will retrieve Aurelia's Senses. [Exit Armando. Aur. recovering. Where am I? Where's my Lord, my false Bassino? Bass. Here, here, my Soul, my charming Dear. Aur. thrusts him off. Hold off—Approach me not— urge not my Rage, Or with this Dagger I'll revenge my Wrongs On thy perfidious Heart——But, oh! his Heart's too hard,

Even for temper'd Steel—Therefore I'll sheath it here. [Offers at her Breast: Bassino snatches the Dagger, and throws himself at her Feet in a distracted Manner. Bass. Oh! hold——forbid it Gods! I am the Cursed Cause, and I must die. Oh! who could bear my Load of mortal Woe! Ye heavenly Powers bestow the Stroke of Grace, And rack Bassino: Let your vengeful Thunder Now crush my guilty Head——Or thou, Oh! Parent Earth, Open thy Bosom, and conceal my Crime. [Tears the Ground. Aur. Is he then mine again! [Falls down. Look up, my Lord, my Love, my Life! My dear Bassino! 'Tis Aurelia calls. Let me for ever fold thee in my Arms, And beg thoul't never speak of parting more. [Embraces him. Both rise and embrace in an Extasy. Bass. Oh! never, never—— The Poles shall meet, the Sun and Moon invert Their wonted Motion e're I part from thee. I fondly try'd how much I was belov'd, And since you're true, my Bliss is now compleat. Aur. Was't but a Trial? then my Griefs are vanish'd, And I am lost in Joy——Bassino's mine. [They embrace again.

Bass. Thine, thine for ever: And this happy Day, Shall end Aurelia's Fears——Ha—— This Day, said I, but where's Placentia then? My Wife Placentia! Little does she think What Baseness I intend—Oh! racking Thought! But 'tis resolv'd, I'll change nor think no more: I'll try to plunge, and reach the blissful Shore; And if I sink, yet still this Hope's my Friend, I'll snatch my Treasure e're my Course I end. [Aside. Aur. My Lord, what makes you pause? Bass. The ravishing Thoughts of mighty Joys to come Kept me in Extasy and made me dumb; When on thy snowy Breast dissolv'd I lie, What Monarch can there be more blest than I? [Bassino leads her off with a languishing Air. Enter Alonzo. Alon. Sure, if my Eyes deceive me not, I saw Aurelia with the Count just parting hence: Dissolv'd in Love, and languishing they seem'd. Damnation—— I cannot bear the Thought—I'll after 'em. Alonzo going. Enter Florella. Flor. aside. Ha——Alonzo here! I must prevent a Discovery. Alon. Florella here! she comes opportunely——she may inform me of what I yet but fear——Good-morrow,

Florella: How fares my Love, my dear Aurelia? Flor. Signior, Good-morrow; you are an early Visitant. Alon. Not for a Man in Love; but answer me, How does Aurelia? Flor. Well in Health——Only she's now and then in a little Fit of Melancholy, such as usually proceeds from timorous Doubts about that dreadful State of Matrimony. You know the Time draws nigh that gives her to your Arms. Alon. By Heaven! 'Tis an Age, there's six Days yet to come. Flor. An Age, indeed, if he knew all. [Aside. Alon. But haste, Florella; lead me to my Dear, She only can contract that tedious Age Of lingring Pain, and sooth it with her Smiles. Say, is she alone? Flor. Yes——No—— Oh! Heaven! What shall I say? [Aside. She, she's a—— Alon. Ha——What means this faultering Answer? All's not right, and my Suspicion's true. Flor. Signior, my Lady is not drest, and I shall displease her, in admitting even you, without her Leave. Alon. Ha——not drest——Take heed you mock me not; Nor think to blind me with your feign'd Excuse: For in your guilty Face I read the Truth.

Come, tell me who's with her? is't not Bassino? Flor. aside. Oh! Heaven! What shall I say? Alon. Nay, nay, no Study: Lying will not do: I saw 'em part from hence, just now I saw 'em. Harkee, sweet Mistress, how long have you practis'd This subtle Trade? I find you're much improv'd. Hell and Damnation——quickly, tell me What did Bassino give for his Admittance? I'll double the Reward—but she's not drest for me—— Oh! damn'd, damn'd Sex! Flor. Signior, what do you mean? Alon. To see Aurelia——see her instantly—— Nay by Heaven! I will: All Opposition's vain: For by th' avenging Power of Love I swear, Tho' in Bassino's Arms, I'll drag her thence, Only to cast her from my Sight for ever: Nor shall he live to triumph in my Shame. What tho' the Marriage Rites be not perform'd, Yet I may call her Wife. Her Father gave her to me: And her own Vows have fix'd my Heart in her's. Must then Alonzo be deny'd Admittance, Under that poor Pretence that she's not drest? Whilst base Bassino lies dissolv'd in Pleasures On her perfidious Breast——Oh! killing Thought!

She makes my Name of Husband infamous, Even before the Priest has join'd our Hands. I'll in, and if th' Affront I tamely bear, May Heaven deny me at my latest Prayer. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Ludovico's Lodgings. Ludovico solus. Lud. Who waits? Enter Mountaine. Mount. Did you call, Sir? Lud. Mountaine, run to Signiora Ronquilla, and tell her I have done with her for ever, if she does not send this Evening the hundred Ducats she promised to lend me——And harkee, as you come back, acquaint Signiora Cornara I shall be busy To-morrow, and desire she will put off her Visit till another Day. [Knocking at the Door. Mount. Sir, there's somebody at the Door. Lud. See who 'tis. Mount. Sir, a Gentlewoman desires to speak with you. Lud. A Gentlewoman! admit her——Well, 'Tis a great Fatigue to oblige the whole Sex. Enter Lucy. Oh! what News from your Lady? Lucy. This will inform you, Sir. [Gives him a Letter. Lud. reads. Hum, hum, a Letter——Tho' it may seem improper for one of my Sex to make the first Step in an Amour, yet you ought to consider, that the rigorous

Confinement we are under all the Year round, may, in some Measure, excuse the Liberties we take during the Carnival. If you have the Courage to meet me, I shall be at four in the Afternoon in the Piazza d'Espagna, invisible to all but yourself.——Well, I believe all Women in Venice are wild for Gallants. Lucy. Sir, what Answer shall I return to my Lady? Lud. aside. Egad——I am in Doubt whether I shall throw my Time away on this Intrigue or no——Harkee Child, step into the next Chamber, and I'll answer your Message instantly—— [Exit Lucy. Let me see——[Reads in his Table-Book] Monday, at Two in the Afternoon, I am to meet Signiora Belleza at her Nurse's——She's a pretty Rogue, and so I'll go—At Three of the Clock, Signiora Dorinda, the Senator's Wife, at the Indian House——Pshaw, she's an old Acquaintance,——I shan't go——At half an Hour past Three, the Countess Wrinkle, who presented me with a Gold-hilted Sword——Silly Fool! does she think I'll bestow one of my Visits on an old shrivelled Piece of

Antiquity, for a trifling Present, not worth above three-score Pistoles——At a Quarter past Four, my Semstress Dorothy Steenkirk, who supplies me with Linen,—Oh! this Visit may be put off for a new Intrigue—And so I'll acquaint the Messenger. [Exit Ludovico. The End of the First Act.

ACT II. SCENE I.

A Chamber in Signior Pizalto's House. Enter Lady Pizalta, Lucy. Lady Piz. Did you deliver my Letter to Ludovico, Lucy? Lucy. Madam, I did; I found him in his Study, reading the Lover's Watch, which he swears does not at all agree with his Constitution. He hates Injunctions of Love, like those of Penance: For the one, says he, is no more pleasurable to the Body, than the other beneficial to the Soul. L. Piz. What a fine Gallant I'm like to have with these Principles! Well——what did he say to a Summons from a Woman of my Quality? Did it not make him wish the Time of Assignation were sooner than the Appointment in the Letter? Lucy. He first hum'd over your Billet; and pausing a while, he desired me to stay for an Answer in a next Room; then coming to me, he ask'd me what Countrywoman you were? For, said he, if she should prove an old Acquaintance, I would use her damnably—But when I had assured him you never saw the Outside of these Walls, he began to have that Desire which all Men have to a new Face. L. Piz. Very well; and what then?