But misery is very apt to talk : C. Bald. What can you say? Is there in eloquence, can there be in words, A reparation of the injuries, The great calamities, that you have brought C. Bald. Speak it again; Say still you are undone; and I will hear you, Isa. Would my ruin please you? C. Bald. Beyond all other pleasures. Isa. Then you are pleased-for I am most undone. And sent it to my wishes: these grey hairs I lost with Biron all the joys of life: At last have left us: now bereft of all, To save us both from sinking. Oh, my child! [Both kneel to him. Let the resemblance of a once-loved son As you will need to be forgiven too, Forget our faults, that Heaven may pardon yours! C. Bald. How dare you mention Heaven? Call to mind Your perjured vows; your plighted, broken faith To Heav'n, and all things holy; were you not Devoted, wedded to a life recluse, The sacred habit on, profess'd and sworn, The sacrilegious wretch, that robs the shrine, Isa. There, there, began my woes. He had no hand to bring you back again, Isa. Not for myself-for I am past the hopes C. Bald. I almost pity the unhappy child: But being yours Isa. Look on him as your son's ; And let his part in him answer for mine. Oh, save, defend him, save him from the wrongs That fall upon the poor! C. Bald. It touches me And I will save him-[Snatches the child's hand.]—But to keep him safe, Never come near him more. Isa. What! take him from me? No, we must never part ;-[Pulls the child away from him]-'tis the last hold Of comfort I have left; and when he fails I live but in my child, No, let me pray in vain, and beg my bread C. Bald. (R.) Then have your child, and feed him with your prayers. Away! Isa. Then Heaven have mercy on me! [Exit, with child, L. C. Bald. You rascal slave, what do I keep you for? How came this woman in ? Samp. [Both advance.] Why, indeed, my lord, I did as good as tell her before, my thoughts upon the matter B C. Bald. Did you so, sir? Now then tell her mine: Tell her I sent you to her. There's one more to provide for. Begone, go all together. Take any road but this to beg or starve in, but never, never see me more. [Exit into his house. SAMPSON and NURSE remain a short time at c. then exeunt, L. weeping. END OF ACT I. ACT II. SCENE I.-The Street. Enter VILLERO., R. and CARLOS, L. meet at c Thou pitiest them-though Baldwin-but I spare him Car. My Villeroy, the fatherless, the widow, I must not think on't, lest my friendship stagger Have reconciled my bosom to its task. Vil. (R. C.) Advantage! think not I intend to raise An interest from Isabella's wrongs. Your father may have interested ends In her undoing; but my heart has none; Her happiness must be my interest, And that I would restore. Car. (L. c.) Why, so I mean. These hardships, that my father lays upon her, But he will have his way. Since there's no hope May alter the condition of her thoughts, And make for you. Vil. She is above her fortune. Car. Try her again. Women commonly love According to the circumstances they are in. Vil. Common women may. No, though I live but in the hopes of her, Of what I wish, than have the blessing mine, When a clear gen'rous choice bestows her on me, I would not have it, but to value it. Car. Take your own way; remember, what I offer'd Came from a friend. Vil. I understand it so. I'll serve her for herself, without the thought Of a reward. Car. Agree that point between you. {Crossing to L. [Exit, L. If you marry her any way, you do my business. I must keep up appearances with her too. [Exit, R. SCENE II.-A Room in ISABELLA's House. ISABELLA sitting, and NURSE discovered. ISABELLA'S Son at play on her R. Isa. Sooner, or later, all things pass away, Swallows distinction first, that made us foes; Nurse. Good madain, be comforted. [Weeping. Isa. [Rises.] Do I deserve to be this outcast wretch, Abandon'd thus, and lost? But 'tis my lot, I will not for myself: let me bear all The violence of your wrath; but spare my child : They are; they must; a general ruin falls Poor Nurse, by being near me. Nurse. I can work, or beg, to do you service. What I have been, I might the better bear What I am destined to. Wild hurrying thoughts Enter SAMPSON, L. Samp. Why, truly, very little to the purpose: like a Jew as he is, he says you have had more already than the jewels are worth: he wishes you would rather think of redeeming 'em, than expect any more money upon 'em. [Exit SAMPSON, L, Isa. So:-poverty at home, and debts abroad! My present fortune bad; my hopes yet worse! What will become of me! This ring is all I have left of value now; "Twas given me by my husband; his first gift Upon our marriage: I've always kept it With my best care, the treasure next my life: And now but part with it to support life, Which only can be dearer. [Takes off the ring.] Take it, Nurse, "Twill stop the cries of hunger for a time; Take care of it: Manage it as the last remaining friend That would relieve us. [Exit NURSE, L.] Heav'n can only tell Where we shall find another [goes back and sits.] My dear boy' [Embraces him The labour of his birth was lighter to me [Rises |