You must have patience: and not enter, sir; And, having made him heir, he's loth your presence Fer. Francisco may be honest, yet methinks It would become his love to interpose. I dare not. "If thou dost hope I should take off this curse, Enter confessor and servant. Make haste, good father, and if heaven deny Fer. Do your holy office. Those fond philosophers that magnify Our human nature, and did boast we had To cells, and unfrequented woods, they knew not Enter physician and Francisco. Is teeming with new fears.-Ha! is he dead? [Exit. [Exit. Remitted Remitted to this confessor, whose office Fer. Is he not merciful to Fernando yet? Phy. I find he takes no pleasure To hear you named: Francisco to us all Fer. And not one left for me? Oh take me in, Fran. We must have patience, brother, it was no Fer. That was some kindness yet, Francisco: but If unawares a chance direct my weary If Do not despise me, 'cause I was thy brother. Enter confessor. Fran. Leave these imagin'd horrors, I must not Live when my brother is thus miserable. Fer. There's something in that face looks comfortably. Conf. Your father, sir, is dead. His will to make Francisco the sole master of his fortunes Is now irrevocable: a small pension He hath given you for life, which, with his blessing, Fer. Ha! blessing! speak it again, good father. His anger, and prevail'd; your father hath Fer. Fer. I am new created by his charity. Fran. His will in all things I obey, and yours, With all due obsequies his funeral. Fer. Why you alone obey? I am your brother: My father's eldest son, though not his heir. Fran. It pleas'd my father, sir, to think me worthy If you can look on matters without envy. Fer. I may live here, Francisco! Enter a gentleman with a letter. Conditions! I would not understand I find my father was not dead fill now. ? Croud not, you jealous thoughts, so thick into Fernando tells Felisarda that his father is dead. A tale, will make thee sad: but I must tell it. Fel. One dead, That lov'd not me? this carries, sir, in nature No killing sound:115 I shall be sad to know I did 115 Like the reply of Manoah in Samson Agonistes: "Sad, but not saddest, the desolation of a hostile city." I did deserve an enemy, or he want A charity at death. Fer. Thy cruel enemy, And my best friend, hath took eternal leave, And 's gone, to heaven, I hope: excuse my tears; For I did love my father. Fel. Ha! your father? memory; Fer. Yes, Felisarda, he is gone, that in The morning promis'd many years, but death Hath in few hours made him as stiff, as all The winds and winter had thrown cold upon him, And whisper'd him to marble. Francisco offers to restore Fernando his birth-right. Fernando dares not take it. FRANCISCO. FERNANDO. DON CARLOS. Fran. What demands Fernando? Fer. My inheritance, wrought from me Of wealth, the love and promise of two hearts. Wither at soul, and robb'd by thee of that Fran. 'Tis not sure Fernando, but his passion (that obeys not Should Should dare the appeal, and make Fernando see Fer. He that thrives wonder By wicked art, has confidence to dress Fran. I need no guard, I know Thou dar'st not kill me. Fer. Dare I not? Fran. And name Thy cause: 'tis thy suspicion, not Francisco, With all my title to your land. Car. How is that? Fran. Let him receive it at his peril. Fer. Ha! Fran. It was my father's act, not mine: he trembled To hear his curse alive; what horror will His conscience feel, when he shall spurn his dust, And call the reverend shade from his blest seat To this bad world again, to walk and fright him! Fer. Can this be more than a dream? Fran. (Gives him the will) Sir, you may cancel it. But think withal, How you can answer him that's dead, when he Shall charge your timorous soul for this contempt His last bequest, and breath, that seal'd your blessings! Fer. (Returns the will) Here; and may it prosper, (Is going) |