Thomas Otway

“ Where are my sons? come near, my Polydore! Your brother—where's Castalio? Serv. My lord, I've search'd, as you commanded, all the house! He and Monimia are not to be found. Acas. Not to be found? then where are all my friends? 'Tis well— I hope they'll pardon an unhappy fault My unmannerly infirmity has made! Death could not come in a more welcome hour; For I'm prepar'd to meet him; and, methinks, Would live and die with all my friends about me. Enter Castalio. Cas. Angels preserve my dearest father's life! Oh! may he live till time itself decay, Till good men wish him dead, or I offend him! ”

“ When I'm unchaste, may heaven reject my prayers; O more, to make me wretched, may you know it! Cham. Oh then, Monimia, art thou dearer to me Than all the comforts ever yet bless'd man. But let not marriage bait thee to thy ruin. Trust not a man; we are by nature false, Dissembling, subtle, cruel, and unconstant: When a man talks of love, with caution trust him; But if he swears, he'll certainly deceive thee. I charge thee, let no more Castalio sooth thee; Avoid it, as thou wouldst preserve the peace Of a poor brother, to whose soul thou'rt precious. ”

“ But, O Monimia! when thou hast banish'd me, No creeping slave, though tractable and dull As artful woman for her ends would choose, Shall ever dote as I have done. Mon. Castalio, stay! we must not part. I find My rage ebbs out, and love flows in apace. These little quarrels love must needs forgive. Oh! charm me with the music of thy tongue, I'm ne'er so blest as when I hear thy vows, And listen to the language of thy heart. ”

“ I cannot die in peace till I have seen him. Enter Castalio. Cas. Who talks of dying, with a voice so sweet That life's in love with it? Mon. Hark! 'tis he that answers. Where art thou? Cas. Here, my love. Mon. No nearer, lest I vanish. Cas. Have I been in a dream then all this while? And art thou but the shadow of Monimia: Why dost thou fly me thus? Mon. Oh! were it possible that we could drown In dark oblivion but a few past hours, We might be happy. Cas. Is't then so hard, Monimia, to forgive A fault, when humble love, like mine, implores thee? For I must love thee, though it prove my ruin. ”

“ By my sword, I would not see thee wrong'd, and bear it vilely: Though I have pass'd my word she shall have justice. Cas. Justice! to give her justice would undo her. Think you this solitude I now have chosen, Wish'd to have grown one piece With this cold day, and all without a cause? Enter Chamont. Cham. Where is the hero, famous and renown'd For wronging innocence, and breaking vows; Whose mighty spirit, and whose stubborn heart, No woman can appease, nor man provoke? Acas. I guess, Chamont, you come to seek Castalio? Cham. I come to seek the husband of Monimia. ”

“ Cruel as tigers o'er their trembling prey! I feel him in my breast; he tears my heart, And at each sigh he drinks the gushing blood! Must I be long in pain? Enter Chamont. Cham. In tears, Monimia! Mon. Whoe'er thou art, Leave me alone to my belov'd despair! Cham. Lift up thy eyes, and see who comes to cheer thee! Tell me the story of thy wrongs, and then See if my soul has rest, till thou hast justice. Mon. My brother! Cham. Yes, Monimia, if thou think'st That I deserve the name, I am thy brother. Mon. O Castalio! Cham. ”

“ The common cheat of beggars; every day They flock about our doors, pretend to gifts Of prophecy, and telling fools their fortunes. Cham. Oh! but she told me such a tale, Monimia, As in it bore great circumstance of truth: Castalio and Polydore, my sister. Mon. Ha! Cham. What, alter'd? does your courage fail you? Now, by my father's soul, the witch was honest. Answer me, if thou hast not lost them Thy honour at a sordid game? Mon. I will, I must, so hardly my misfortune loads me:— That both have offer'd me their love's most true. Cham. And 'tis as true too they have both undone thee. ”

“ Talk not of love, my lord, I must not hear it. Pol. Who can behold such beauty, and be silent? Desire first taught us words. Man, when created, At first alone long wander'd up and down Forlorn and silent as his vassal beasts: But when a heav'n-born maid, like you, appear'd, Strange pleasures fill'd his eyes and fir'd his heart, Unloos'd his tongue, and his first talk was love. ”

“ We ne'er must meet again—— Cas. Ne'er meet again? Mon. No, never. Cas. Where's the power On earth, that dares not look like thee, and say so? Thou art my heart's inheritance: I serv'd A long and faithful slavery for thee; And who shall rob me of the dear-bought blessing? Mon. Time will clear all; but now let this content you: Heaven has decreed, and therefore I've resolv'd (With torment I must tell it thee, Castalio) Ever to be a stranger to thy love, In some far distant country waste my life, And from this day to see thy face no more. Cas. Why turn'st thou from me? I'm alone already. ”

“ To you, great judges, in this writing age, The sons of wit, and patrons of the stage, With all those humble thoughts, which still have sway'd His pride much doubting, trembling and afraid Of what is to his want of merit due, And aw'd by every excellence in you, The author sends to beg you will be kind, And spare those many faults you needs must find. ”

“ What says Serina? canst thou love a soldier? One born to honour, and to honour bred? One that has learn'd to treat e'en foes with kindness, To wrong no good man's fame, nor praise himself? Ser. Oh! name not love, for that's ally'd to joy; And joy must be a stranger to my heart, When you're in danger. May Chamont's good fortune Render him lovely to some happier maid! ”

“ Well, my lord Polydore, I guess your business, And read th' ill-natur'd purpose in your eyes. Pol. If to desire you, more than misers wealth, Or dying men an hour of added life; If softest wishes, and a heart more true Than ever suffer'd yet for love disdain'd, Speak an ill nature ”

“ Castalio, I have doubts within my heart, Which you, and only you, can satisfy. Will you be free and candid to your friend? Cas. Have I a thought my Polydore should not know? What can this mean? Pol. Nay, I'll conjure you too, By all the strictest bonds of faithful friendship, To show your heart as naked in this point, As you would purge you of your sins to heav'n. And should I chance to touch it near, bear it With all the suff'rance of a tender friend. Cas. As calmly as the wounded patient bears The artist's hand, that ministers his cure. ”

“ I'll find some place where adders nest in winter, Loathsome and venomous; where poisons hang Like gums against the walls: there I'll inhabit, And live up to the height of desperation. Desire shall languish like a with'ring flower, Horrors shall fright me from those pleasing harms, And I'll no more be caught with beauty's charms. ”

“ Cham. So may this arm Throw him to th' earth, like a dead dog despis'd. Lameness and leprosy, blindness and lunacy, Poverty, shame, pride, and the name of villain, Light on me, if, Castalio, I forgive thee! Mon. Nay, now, Chamont, art thou unkind as he is! Didst thou not promise me thou wouldst be calm? Keep my disgrace conceal'd? Alas, I love him still; and though I ne'er Clasp him again within these longing arms, Yet bless him, bless him, gods, where'er he goes! Enter Acasto. Acas. Sure some ill fate is tow'rds me; in my house I only meet with oddness and disorder. ”

“ No flattery, boy! an honest man can't live by't; It is a little sneaking art, which knaves Use to cajole and soften fools withal. If thou hast flattery in thy nature, out with't, Or send it to a court, for there 'twill thrive. Cas. Your lordship's wrongs have been So great, that you with justice may complain; But suffer us, whose younger minds ne'er felt Fortune's deceits, to court her, as she's fair: Were she a common mistress, kind to all, Her worth would cease, and half the world grow idle. ”

“ Which way can ruin reach the man that's rich, As I am, in possession of thy sweetness? Mon. Oh! I'm his wife! Pol. What says Monimia? Mon. I am Castalio's wife! Pol. His marry'd, wedded, wife? Mon. Yesterday's sun Saw it perform'd! Pol. My brother's wife? Mon. As surely as we both Must taste of misery, that guilt is thine. Pol. Oh! thou may'st yet be happy! Mon. Couldst thou be Happy, with such a weight upon thy soul? Pol. It may be yet a secret—I'll go try To reconcile and bring Castalio to thee! Whilst from the world I take myself away, And waste my life in penance for my sin. ”

“ By the reverenc'd soul Of that great honest man that gave me being, Tell me but what thou know'st concerns my honour, And, if I e'er reveal it to thy wrong, May this good sword ne'er do me right in battle! May I ne'er know that blessed peace of mind, That dwells in good and pious men like thee! ”

“ Where is the danger near me? Mon. I fear you're on a rock will wreck your quiet, And drown your soul in wretchedness for ever. A thousand horrid thoughts crowd on my memory. Will you be kind, and answer me one question? Pol. I'd trust thee with my life; on that soft bosom Breathe out the choicest secrets of my heart, Till I had nothing in it left but love. Mon. Nay, I'll conjure you, by the gods and angels, By the honour of your name, that's most concern'd, To tell me, Polydore, and tell me truly, Where did you rest last night? Pol. Within thy arms. Mon. 'Tis done. ”

“ Sir, in my younger years with care you taught me That brave revenge was due to injur'd honour: Oppose not then the justice of my sword, Lest you should make me jealous of your love. Cham. Into thy father's arms thou fly'st for safety, Because thou know'st that place is sanctify'd With the remembrance of an ancient friendship. Cas. I am a villain, if I will not seek thee, Till I may be reveng'd for all the wrongs Done me by that ungrateful fair thou plead'st for. Cham. She wrong'd thee? By the fury in my heart, Thy father's honour's not above Monimia's ”

“ Castalio! Cas. My Polydore, how dost thou? How does our father? is he well recover'd? Pol. I left him happily repos'd to rest: He's still as gay as if his life was young. But how does fair Monimia? Cas. Doubtless, well: A cruel beauty, with her conquest pleas'd, Is always joyful, and her mind in health. Pol. Is she the same Monimia still she was? May we not hope she's made of mortal mould? Cas. She's not woman else: Though I'm grown weary of this tedious hoping; We've in a barren desart stray'd too long. Pol. Yet may relief be unexpected found, And love's sweet manna cover all the field. ”

“ And consequently all must be betrayed. Monimia!—she breathes!—Monimia! Mon. Well—— Let mischiefs multiply! let every hour Of my loath'd life yield me increase of horror! O let the sun, to these unhappy eyes, Ne'er shine again, but be eclips'd for ever! May every thing I look on seem a prodigy, To fill my soul with terrors, till I quite Forget I ever had humanity, And grow a curser of the works of nature! Pol. What means all this? Mon. O Polydore! if all The friendship e'er you vow'd to good Castalio Be not a falsehood ”

“ Polydore runs on Castalio's sword. Pol. Now my Castalio is again my friend. Cas. What have I done? my sword is in thy breast. Pol. So would I have it be, thou best of men, Thou kindest brother, and thou truest friend! Cas. Ye gods! we're taught that all your works are justice: Ye're painted merciful, and friends to innocence: If so, then why these plagues upon my head? Pol. Blame not the heav'ns, 'tis Polydore has wrong'd thee; I've stain'd thy bed; thy spotless marriage joys Have been polluted by thy brother's lust. Cas. By thee? ”

“ Cham. I could embrace thee for that very notion: If thou didst love my father, I could think Thou wouldst not be an enemy to me. Chap. I can be no man's foe. Cham. Then pr'ythee, tell me; Think'st thou the lord Castalio loves my sister? Chap. Love your sister? Cham. Ay, love her. Chap. Either he loves her, or he much has wrong'd her. Cham. How wrong'd her? have a care; for this may lay A scene of mischief to undo us all. But tell me, wrong'd her, saidst thou? Chap. Ay, sir, wrong'd her. Cham. This is a secret worth a monarch's fortune: What shall I give thee for't? ”

“ Fine speeches are the instruments of knaves, Or fools, that use them when they want good sense. But honesty Needs no disguise or ornament. ”

“ Young soldier, you've not only studied war; Courtship, I see, has been your practice too, And may not prove unwelcome to my daughter. Cham. Is she your daughter? then my heart told true, And I'm at least her brother by adoption; For you have made yourself to me a father, And by that patent I have leave to love her. Ser. Monimia, thou hast told me men are false, Will flatter, feign, and make an art of love: Is Chamont so? no, sure, he's more than man; Something that's near divine, and truth dwells in him. Acas. Thus happy, who would envy pompous pow'r, The luxury of courts, or wealth of cities? ”