_Jam_.
They are incompetent Witnesses, his own Creatures, And will swear any thing for half a Royal.
_Offi_.
Silence.
_Assist_.
Proceed.
_Bar_.
Upon this strong assurance He did enjoy his wishes to the full, Which satisfied, and then with eyes of Judgement (Hood-wink'd with Lust before) considering duly The inequality of the Match, he being Nobly descended, and allyed, but she Without a name, or Family, secretly He purchas'd a Divorce, to disanul His former Contract, Marrying openly The Lady _Violante_.
_Jac_.
As you sit here The Deputy of the great King, who is The Substitute of that impartial Judge, With whom, or wealth, or titles prevail nothing, Grant to a much wrong'd Widow, or a Wife Your patience, with liberty to speak In her own Cause, and let me face to face To this bad man, deliver what he is: And if my wrongs, with his ingratitude ballanc'd, Move not compassion, let me die unpitied; His Tears, his Oaths, his Perjuries, I pass o're; To think of them is a disease; but death Should I repeat them. I dare not deny, (For Innocence cannot justifie what's false) But all the Advocate hath alledged concerning His falshood, and my shame, in my consent, To be most true: But now I turn to thee, To thee _Don Henrique_, and if impious Acts Have left thee blood enough to make a blush, I'le paint it on thy cheeks. Was not the wrong Sufficient to defeat me of mine honour, To leave me full of sorrow, as of want, The witness of thy lust left in my womb, To testifie thy falshood, and my shame?
But now so many years I had conceal'd Thy most inhumane wickedness, and won This Gentleman, to hide it from the world, To Father what was thine (for yet by Heaven, Though in the City he pass'd for my husband, He never knew me as his wife.)
_Assist_.
'Tis strange: Give him an Oath.
_Oct_.
I gladly swear, and truly.
_Jac_.
After all this (I say) when I had born These wrongs, with Saint-like patience, saw another Freely enjoy, what was (in Justice) mine, Yet still so tender of thy rest and quiet, I never would divulge it, to disturb Thy peace at home; yet thou most barbarous, To be so careless of me, and my fame, (For all respect of thine in the first step To thy base lust, was lost) in open Court To publish my disgrace? and on record, To write me up an easie-yielding wanton?
I think can find no precedent: In my extreams, One comfort yet is left, that though the Law Divorce me from thy bed, and made free way To the unjust embraces of another, It cannot yet deny that this thy Son (Look up _Ascanio_ since it is come out) Is thy legitimate heir.
_Jam_.
Confederacie!
A trick (my Lord) to cheat me; e're you give Your Sentence, grant me hearing.
_Assist_.
New Chimera's?
_Jam_.
I am (my Lord) since he is without Issue, Or hope of any, his undoubted heir, And this forg'd by the Advocate, to defeat me Of what the laws of _Spain_ confer upon me, A meer Imposture, and conspiracie Against my future fortunes.
_Assist_.
You are too bold.
Speak to the cause _Don Henrique_.
_Hen_.
I confess, (Though the acknowledgment must wound mine honour,) That all the Court hath heard touching this Cause, (Or with me, or against me) is most true: The later part my Brother urg'd, excepted: For what I now doe, is not out of Spleen (As he pretends) but from remorse of conscience And to repair the wrong that I have done To this poor woman: And I beseech your Lordship To think I have not so far lost my reason, To bring into my familie, to succeed me, The stranger--Issue of anothers Bed, By proof, this is my Son, I challenge him, Accept him, and acknowledge him, and desire By a definitive Sentence of the Court, He may be so recorded, and full power To me, to take him home.
_Jac_.
A second rape To the poor remnant of content that's left me, If this be granted: and all my former wrongs Were but beginnings to my miseries, But this the height of all: rather than part With my _Ascanio_, I'le deny my oath, Profess my self a Strumpet, and endure What punishment soe're the Court decrees Against a wretch that hath forsworn her self, Or plai'd the impudent whore.
_Assist_.
This tastes of passion, And that must not divert the course of Justice; _Don Henrique_, take your Son, with this condition You give him maintenance, as becomes his birth, And 'twill stand with your honour to doe something For this wronged woman: I will compel nothing, But leave it to your will. Break up the Court: It is in vain to move me; my doom's pass'd, And cannot be revok'd.--
[_Exit_.
_Hen_.
There's your reward.
_Bar_.
More causes, and such Fees. Now to my Wife, I have too long been absent: Health to your Lordship.
[_Exit_.
_Asc_.
You all look strangely, and I fear believe This unexpected fortune makes me proud, Indeed it do's not: I shall ever pay you The duty of a son, and honour you Next to my Father: good my Lord, for yet I dare not call you, uncle, be not sad, I never shall forget those noble favours You did me being a stranger, and if ever I live to be the master of a fortune, You shall command it.
_Jam_.
Since it was determin'd I should be cozen'd, I am glad the profit Shall fall on thee, I am too tough to melt, But something I will do.
_Hen_.
'Pray you take leave Of your steward (gentle Brother) the good husband That takes up all for you.
_Jam_.
Very well, mock on, It is your turn: I may have mine--
[_Exit_.
_Oct_.
But do not Forget us, dear _Ascanio_.
_Asc_.