his way for an Escape The State of things will countenance all Suspicions Then offer to the King to have him strangl'd In secret by your Mutes and get an Order That none but Mutes may have Admittance to him I can no more the King is here Obtain This Grant and I 'll acquaint you with the rest Enter King Gonsalez Garcia Perez King Bear to the Dungeon those Rebellious Slaves Th' ignoble Currs that yelp to fill the Cry And spend their Mouths in barking Tyranny But for their Leaders Sancho and Ramirez Let 'em be led away to present Death Perez see it perform'd Gons Might I presume Their Execution better were deferr'd Till Osmyn die Mean time we may learn more Of this Conspiracy King Then be it so Stay Soldier they shall suffer with the Moor. Are none return'd of those who follow'd Heli Gons None Sir Some Papers have been since discover'd In Roderigo's House who fled with him Which seem to intimate as if Alphonso Still alive were arming in Valentia Which wears indeed this Colour of a Truth They who are fled have that way bent their course Of the same Nature divers Notes have been Dispers'd t'amuze the People whereupon Some ready of Belief have rais'd this Rumour That being sav'd upon the Coast of Africk He there disclos'd himself to Albucacim And by a secret Compact made with him Open'd the Way to this Invasion While he himself returning to Valentia In private undertook to raise this Tumult Zara. Ha! hear'st thou that Is Osmyn then Alphonso O Heav'n a thousand things occur To my Remembrance now that make it plain O certain Death for him as sure Despair For me if it be known If not what Hope Have I Yet 't were the lowest Baseness now To yield him up No I will still conceal him And try the Force of yet more Obligations Gons 'T is not impossible Yet it may be That some Impostor has usurp'd his Name Your beauteous Captive Zara can inform If such a one so ' scaping was receiv'd At any time in Albucacim's Court King Pardon fair Excellence this long Neglect An unforeseen unwelcome Hour of Business Has thrust between us and our while of Love But wearing now a-pace with ebbing Sand Will quickly waste and give again the Day Zara. You 're too secure The Danger is more imminent Than your high Courage suffers you to see While Osmyn lives you are not safe King His Doom Is pass'd if you revoke it not he dies Zara. 'T is well By what I heard upon your Entrance I find I can unfold what yet concerns You more One that did call himself Alphonso Was cast upon my Coast as is reported And oft had private Conference with the King To what Effect I knew not then But that Alphonso privately departed just About the time our Arms embark'd for Spain What I know more is That a tripple League Of strictest Friendship was profess'd between Alphonso Heli and the Traytour Osmyn King Publick Report is ratify'd in this Zara. And Osmyn's Death requir'd of strong necessity King Give Order strait that all the Pris'ners die We will our self behold the Execution Zara. Forbear a Moment somewhat more I have Worthy your private Ear and this your Minister King Let all else void the Room Garcia give Order For doubling all our Guards Command that our Militia are in Arms We will anon Ride forth and view the Order of our Troops Exeunt Garcia Perez and Attendants Zara. I am your Captive and you 've us'd me Nobly And in return of that though otherwise Your Enemy I have discover'd Osmyn His private Practice and Conspiracy Against your State and fully to discharge My self of what I 've undertaken now I think it fit to tell you that your Guards Are tainted some among 'em have resolv'd To rescue Osmyn at the Place of Death King Is Treason then so near us as our Guards Zara. Most certain though my Knowledge is not yet So ripe to point at the particular Men. King What 's to be done Zara. That too I will advise I have remaining in my Train some Mutes A Present once from the Sultana Queen In the Grand Signior's Court These from their Infancy Are practis'd in the Trade of Death and shall As there the Custom is in private strangle Osmyn Gons My Lord the Queen advises well King What Off'ring or what Recompence remains In me that can be worthy so great Services To cast beneath your Feet the Crown you 've sav'd Though on the Head that wears it were too little Zara. Of that hereafter but mean time 't is fit You order none may have Admittance to The Pris'ner but such Messengers as I Shall send King Who waits there Enter Perez On your Life take heed That only Zara's Mutes or such who bring Her Warrant have Admittance to the Moor. Zara. They and no other not the Princess self Perez Your Majesty shall be obey'd King Retire Ex. Perez Gons That Interdiction so particular Pronounc'd with Vehemence against the Princess Should have more Meaning than appears bare-fac'd The King is blinded by his Love and heeds It not Your Majesty sure might have spared That last restraint you hardly can suspect The Princess is Confederate with the Moor. Zara. I 've heard her Charity did once extend So far to visit him at his request Gonsa Ha! King How she visit Osmin What my Daughter Sel. Madam take heed or you have ruin'd all Zara. And after did solicite you on his behalf King Never You have been mis-inform'd Zara. Indeed Then 't was a Whisper spread by some Who wish'd it so a common Art in Courts I will retire and instantly prepare Instruction for my Ministers of Death Exeunt Zara and Selim. Gons There 's somewhat yet of Mystery in this Her Words and Actions are obscure and double Sometimes concur and sometime disagree I like it not King What dost thou think Gonsalez Are we not much indebted to this fair one Gons I am a little slow of Credit Sir In the Sincerity of Womens Actions Methinks this Lady's Hatred to the Moor Disquiets her too much which makes it seem As if she 'd rather that she did not hate him I wish her Mutes are meant to be employ'd As she pretends I doubt it now Your Guards Corrupted how by whom who told her so I' th' Evening Osmyn was to die at Mid-night She beg'd the Royal Signet to release him I' th' Morning he must die again e're Noon Her Mutes alone must strangle him or he 'll Escape This put together suits not well King Yet that there 's Truth in what she has discover'd Is manifest from every Circumstance This Tumult and the Lords who fled with Heli Are Confirmation That Alphonso lives Agrees expresly too with her Report Gons I grant it Sir and doubt not but in Rage Of Jealousie she has discover'd what She now repents It may be I 'm deceiv'd But why that needless Caution of the Princess What if she had seen Osmyn
had err'd he hastily recall'd Th' imperfect Look and sternly turn'd away Zara. Shun me when seen I fear thou hast undone me Thy shallow Artifice begets Suspicion And like a Cobweb-Veil but thinly shades The Face of thy Design alone disguising What should have ne'er been seen imperfect Mischief Thou like the Adder venomous and deaf Hast stung the Traveller and after hear'st Not his pursuing Voice ev'n where thou think'st To hide the rustling Leaves and bended Grafs Confess and point the Path which thou hast crept O Fate of Fools officious in Contriving In executing puzzled lame and lost Sel. Avert it Heav'n that you should ever suffer For my Defect or that the Means which I Devis'd to serve should ruine your Design Prescience is Heav'ns alone not giv'n to Man If I have fail'd in what as being a Man I needs must fail impute not as a Crime My Nature's want but punish Nature in me I plead not for a Pardon and to live But to be punish'd and forgiven Here strike I bare my Breast to meet your just Revenge Zara. I have not leisure now to take so poor A Forfeit as thy Life Somewhat of high And more important Fate requires my Thought When I 've concluded on my self If I Think fit I 'll leave thee my Command to die Regard me well and dare not to reply To what I give in Charge for I 'm resolv'd Instruct the two remaining Mutes that they Attend me instantly with each a Bowl Of those Ingredients mix'd as will with speed Benumn the living Faculties and give Most easie and inevitable Death Yes Osmyn yes be Osmyn or Alphonso I 'll give thee Freedom if thou dar'st be free Such Liberty as I embrace my self Thou shalt partake Since Fates no more afford I can but die with thee to keep my Word Exeunt Scene changes to the Prison Enter Gonsalez disguis'd like a Mute with a Dagger Gons Nor Centinel nor Guard the Doors unbarr'd And all as still as at the Noon of Night Sure Death already has been busie here There lies my way that Door is too unlock'd Looks in Ha! sure he sleeps all 's dark within save what A Lamp that feebly lifts a sickly Flame By fits reveals his Face seems turn'd to favour Th' Attempt I 'll steal and do it unperceiv'd What Noise some body coming ' st Alonzo No body sure he 'll wait without I would 'T were done I 'll crawl and sting him to the Heart Then cast my Skin and leave it there to answer it Goes in Enter Garcia and Alonzo Gar. Where where Alonzo where 's my Father where The King Confusion all is on the Rout All 's lost all ruin'd by Surprize and Treachery Where where is he Why dost thou thus mislead me Alonz. My Lord he enter'd but a moment since And could not pass me unperceiv'd What hoa My Lord my Lord what hoa My Lord Gonsalez Enter Gonsalez bloody Gons Perdition choak your Clamours whence this Rudeness Garcia Gar. Perdition Slavery and Death Are entring now our Doors Where is the King What means this Blood and why this Face of Horrour Gons No matter give me first to know the Cause Of these your rash and ill-tim'd Exclamations Gar. The Eastern Gate is to the Foe betray'd Who but for heaps of Slain that choak the Passage Had enter'd long ' ere now and born down all Before 'em to the Pallace Walls Unless The King in Person animate our Men Granada's lost and to confirm this Fear The Traytor Perez and the Captive Moor Are through a Postern fled and join the Foe Gons Would all were false as that for whom you call The Moor is dead That Osmyn was Alphonso In whose Hearts Blood this Ponyard yet is warm Gar. Impossible for Osmyn flying was Proclaim'd aloud by Perez for Alphonso Gons Enter that Chamber and convince your Eyes How much Report has wrong'd your easie Faith Garcia goes in Alonz. My Lord for certain truth Perez is fled And has declar'd the Cause of his Revolt Was to Revenge a Blow the King had giv'n him Gar. returning Ruine and Horrour O heart-wounding sight Gons What says my Son what Ruine ha what Horrour Gar. Blasted my Eyes and speechless be my Tongue Rather than or to see or to relate This Deed O dire Mistake O fatal Blow The King Gons Alonz. The King Gar. Dead welt'ring drown'd in Blood See see attir'd like Osmyn where he lies They go in O whence or how or wherefore was this done But what imports the Manner or the Cause Nothing remains to do or to require But that we all should turn our Swords against Our selves and expiate with our own his Blood Gons O Wretch O curs'd and rash deluded Fool On me on me turn your avenging Sword I who have spilt my Royal Master's Blood Should make atonement by a Death as horrid And fall beneath the Hand of my own Son Gar. Ha! what atone this Murther with a greater The Horrour of that Thought has damp'd my Rage The Earth already groans to bear this Deed Oppress her not nor think to stain her Face With more unnatural Blood Murder my Father Better with this to rip up my own Bowels And bathe it to the Hilt in far less damnable Self-Murder Gons O my Son from the blind Dotage Of a Father's Fondness these Ills arose For thee I 've been ambitious base and bloody For thee I 've plung'd into this Sea of Sin Stemming the Tide with one weak Hand and bearing With the other the Crown to wreath thy Brow Whose weight has sunk me ' ere I reach'd the Shore Gar. Fatal Ambition Hark! the Foe is enter'd Shout The shrilness of that Shout speaks 'em at hand We have no time to search into the Cause Of this surprizing and most fatal Errour What 's to be done the King's Death known will strike The few remaining Soldiers with Despair And make 'em yield to Mercy of the Conquerour Alonz. My Lord I 've thought how to conceal the Body Require me not to tell the Means till done Lest you forbid what then you may approve Goes in Shout Gons They shout again Whate'er he means to do 'T were fit the Soldiers were amuz'd mean time With Hopes and sed with Expectation of The King 's immediate Presence at their Head Gar. Were it a Truth I fear 't is now too late But I 'll omit no Care nor Haste and try Or to repell their Force or bravely die Exit Gons What hast thou done Alonzo Alonz. Such a Deed As but an hour ago I 'd not have done Tho' for the Crown of Universal Empire But what are Kings reduc'd to common Clay Or who can wound the Dead I 've from the Body Sever'd the Head and in a Corner of The Room dispos'd it muffled in the Mute's Attire leaving alone to View the bloody And undistinguishable Trunk Which may be still mistaken by the Guards For Osmyn if in seeking for the King They chance to find it Gons 'T was an
Heart But double double Weight of Woe to mine For with him Garcia comes Garcia to whom I must be sacrific'd and all the Faith And Vows I gave my Dear Alphonso basely Violated No it shall never be for I will die first Die ten thousand Deaths Look down look down Kneels Alphonso hear the Sacred Vow I make Leave for a Moment to behold Eternal Bliss And bend thy Glorious Eyes to Earth and me And thou Anselmo if yet thou art arriv'd Thro' all Impediments of purging Fire To that bright Heav'n where my Alphonso reigns Behold thou also and attend my Vow If ever I do yield or give consent By any Action Word or Thought to wed Another Lord may then just Heav'n show'r down Unheard of Curses on me greater far If such there be in angry Heav'ns Vengeance Than any I have yet endur'd and now Rising Methinks my Heart has some Relief Having Discharg'd this Debt incumbent on my Love Yet one Thing more I would engage from thee Leo. My Heart my Life and Will are only yours Alm. I thank thee 'T is but this anon when all Are busied in the General Joy that thou Wilt privately with me Steal forth and visit good Anselmo's Tomb. Leon. Alas I fear some fatal Resolution Alm. No on my Life my Faith I mean no Violence I feell I 'm more at large Since I have made this Vow Perhaps I would repeat it there more solemnly 'T is that or some such Melancholy Thought Upon my Word no more Leon. I will attend you Enter Alonzo Alon. The Lord Gonsalez comes to tell your Highness Of the Kings approach Alm. Conduct him in Exit Alon. That 's his Pretence I know his Errand is To fill my Ears with Garcia's valiant Deeds And with his Artful Tongue to gild and magnifie His Sons Eâ—â—â—oits But I am arm'd with Ice around my Heart Not to be warm'd with Words nor idle Eloquence Enter Gonsalez Bowing very Humbly Gons Be every Day of your long Life like this The Sun bright Conquest and your brighter Eyes Have all conspir'd to blaze promiscuous Light And bless this Day with most unequal Lustre Your Royal Father my Victorious Lord Loaden with Spoils and ever-living Lawrel Is entring now in Martial Pomp the Pallace Five Hundred Mules precede his solemn March Which groan beneath the Weight of Moorish Wealth Chariots of War adorn'd with glittering Gems Succeed and next a Hundred neighing Steeds White as the fleecy Rain on Alpine Hills That bound and foam and champ the Golden Bit As they disdain'd the Victory they grace Prisoners of War in shining Fetters follow And Captains of the Noblest Blood of Affrick Sweat by his Chariot Wheel and lick and grind With gnashing Teeth the Dust his Tryumphs raise The swarming Populace spread every Wall And cling as if with Claws they did enforce Their Hold thro' clifted Stones stretching and stâ—ring As they were all of Eyes and every Limb Would feed his Faculty of Admiration While you alone retire and shun this Sight This Sight which is indeed not seen tho' twice The Multitude should gaze In Absence of your Eyes Alm. My Lord my Eyes ungratefully behold The gilded Trophies of exterior Honours Nor will my Ears be charm'd with sounding Words Or pompous Phrase the Pageantry of Souls But that my Father is return'd in Safety I bend to Heav'n with Thanks and Humble Praiâ—â—â— Gons Excellent Princess But 't is a Task unfit for my weak Age With dying Words to offer at your Praise Garcia my Son your Beauties lowest Slave Has better done In proving with his Sword upon your Foes The Force and Influence of your matchless Charms Alm. I doubt not of the Worth of Garcia's Deeds Which had been brave tho' I had ne'er been born Leon. Madam the King Florish. Alm. My Women I would meet him Attendants to Almeria enter in Mourning Symphony of Warlike Musick Enter the King attended by Garcia and several Officers Files of Prisoners in Chains and Guards who are ranged in Order round the Stage Almeria meets the King and kneels afterwards Gonsalez kneels and kisses the King's Hand while Garcia does the same to the Princess King Almeria rise My best Gonsalez rise What Tears my good old Friend Gons But Tears of Joy To see you thus has fill'd My Eyes with more Delight than they can hold King By Heav'n thou lov'st me and I 'm pleas'd thou do'st Take it for Thanks Old Man That I rejoice To see thee weep on this Occasion But some Here are who seem to mourn at our Success How is it Almeria that you meet our Eyes Upon this solemn Day in these sad Weeds You and yours are all in opposition To my Brightness like Daughters of Affliction Alm. Forgive me Sir if I offend The Year which I have vow'd to pay to Heav'n In Mourning and strict Life for my Deliverance From Death and Wreck of the tempestuous Sea Wants yet to be expired King Your Zeal to Heav'n is great so is your Debt Yet something too is due to me who gave That Life which Heav'n preserv'd A Day bestow'd In Filial Duty had aton'd and giv'n A Dispensation to your Vow No more 'T was weak and wilful and a Woman's Errour Yet upon thought it doubly wounds my sight To see that Sable worn upon the Day Succeeding that in which our deadliest Foe Hated Anselmo was interr'd By Heav'n It looks as thou didst mourn for him Just as Thy senseless Vow appear'd to bear its Date Not from that Hour wherein thou wert preserv'd But that wherein the curs'd Alphonso perish'd Ha! what thou dost not weep to think of that Gons Have patience Royal Sir the Princess weeps To have offended you If Fate decreed One 'pointed Hour should be Alphonso's Loss And her Deliverance Is she to blame King I tell thee she 's to blame not to have feasted When my first Foe was laid in Earth such Enmity Such Detestation bears my Blood to his My Daughter should have revell'd at his Death She should have made these Pallace Walls to shake And all this high and ample Roof to ring With her Rejoicings What to mourn and weep Then then to weep and pray and grieve By Heav'n There 's not a Slave a shackled Slave of mine But should have smil'd that Hour through all his Care And shook his Chains in Transport and rude Harmony Gons What she has done was in excess of Goodness Betray'd by too much Piety to seem As if she had offended King To seem is to commit at this Conjuncture I wonnot have the seeming of a Sorrow seen To day Retire divest your self with speed Of that offensive black on me be all The Violation of your Vow You stand excused that I command it Gar. kneeling Your Pardon Sir if I presume so far As to remind you of your gracious Ptomise King Rise Garcia I forgot Yet stay Almeria Alm. O my boding Heart What is your Pleasure Sir King Draw near and give your hand and Garcia yours
again Zara. Thou hast a Heart though 't is a savage one Give it me as it is I ask no more For all I 've done and all I have endur'd For saving thee when I beheld thee first Driv'n by the Tide upon my Country's Coast Pale and expiring drench'd in briny Waves Thou and thy Friend till my Compassion found thee Compassion scarce will it own that Name so soon So quickly was it Love for thou wert Godlike Ev'n then Kneeling on Earth I loos'd my Hair And with it dry'd thy wat'ry Cheeks chafing Thy Temples till reviving Blood arose And like the Morn vermilion'd o'er thy Face O Heav'n how did my Heart rejoice and ake When I beheld the Day-break of thy Eyes And felt the Balm of thy respiring Lips Osm. O call not to my Mind what you have done It sets a Debt of that Account before me Which shews me Bankrupt even in my Hopes Zara. The faithful Selim and my Women know The Dangers which I ' tempted to conceal you You know how I abus'd the credulous King What Arts I us'd to make you pass on him When he receiv'd you as the Prince of Fez And as my Kinsman honour'd and advanc'd you O why do I relate what I have done What did I not Was 't not for you this War Commenc'd not knowing who you were nor why You hated Manuel I urg'd my Husband On to this Invasion where he was lost Where all is lost and I am made a Slave Look on me now from Empire fall'n to Slavery Think on my Suff'ring first then look on me Think on the Cause of all then view thy self Reflect on Osmyn and then look on Zara The fall'n the lost the Captive Zara. What then is Osmyn Osm. A fatal Wretch a huge stupendous Ruine That tumbling on its Prop crush'd all beneath And bore contiguous Pallaces to Earth Zara. Yet thus thus fall'n thus levell'd with the vilest If I have gain'd thy Love 't is Glorious Ruine Ruine 't is still to reign and to be more A Queen for what are Riches Empire Power But larger Means to gratifie the Will The Steps on which we tread to rise and reach Our Wish and that obtain'd down with the Scaffolding Of Sceptres Crowns and Thrones they 've serv'd their End And are like Lumber to be left and scorn'd Osm. Why was I made the Instrument to throw In Bonds the Frame of this exalted Mind Zara. We may be free the Conquerour is mine In Chains unseen I hold him by the Heart And can unwind or strain him as I please Give me thy Love I 'll give thee Liberty Osm. In vain you offer and in vain require What neither can bestow Set free your self And leave a Slave the Wretch that would be so Zara. Thou canst not mean so poorly as thou talk'st Osm. Alas you know me not Zara. Not who thou art But what this last Ingratitude declares This groveling Baseness Thou say'st true I know Thee not for what thou art yet wants a Name But something so unworthy and so vile That to have lov'd thee makes me yet more lost Than all the Malice of my other Fate Traytour Monster cold and perfidious Slave A Slave not daring to be free nor dares To love above him for 't is dangerous 'T is that I know for thou dost look with Eyes Sparkling Desire and trembling to possess I know my Charms have reach'd thy very Soul And thrill'd thee through with darted Fires but thou Dost fear so much thou dar'st not wish The King There there 's the dreadful Sound the King 's thy Rival Selim. Madam the King is here Zara. As I could wish by Heav'n I 'll be reveng'd Enter the King Perez and Attendants King Why does the Fairest of her Kind withdraw Her shining from the Day to gild this Scene Of Death and Night Ha! what Disorder's this Somewhat I heard of King and Rival mention'd What 's he that dares be Rival to the King Or lift his Eyes to like where I adore Zara. There he your Prisoner and that was my Slave King How better than my Hopes does she accuse him Aside Zara. Am I become so low by my Captivity And do your Arms so lessen what they conquer That Zara must be made the Sport of Slaves And shall the Wretch whom yester Sun beheld Waiting my Nod the Creature of my Lord And me presume to day to plead audacious Love And build bold Hopes on my dejected Fate King Better for him to tempt the Rage of Heav'n And wrench the Bolt'red-hissing from the Hand Of him that thunders than but think that Insolence 'T is daring for a God Hence to the Wheel With that Ixion who aspires to hold Divinity embrac'd to Whips and Prisons Drag him with speed and rid me of his Face Guards carry off Osmyn Zara. Compassion led me to bemoan his State Whose former Faith had merited much more And through my Hopes in you I promis'd Freedom From his Chains thence sprung his Insolence And what was Charity he constru'd Love King Enough his Punishment be what you please But let me lead you from this Place of Sorrow To one where young Delights attend and Joys Yet new unborn and blooming in the Bud That wait to be full-blown at your Approach And spread like Roses to the Morning Sun Where ev'ry Hour shall roll in circling Joys And Love shall wing the tedious-wasting Day Life without Love is Load and Time stands still What we refuse to him to Death we give And then then only when we love we live Ex. Omnes The End of the Second Act. ACT III. SCENE I. A Prison Enter Osmyn alone with a Paper Osm. BUT now and I was clos'd within the Tomb That holds my Father's Ashes and but now Where he was Pris'ner I am too imprison'd Sure 't is the Hand of Heav'n that leads me thus And for some Purpose points out these Remembrances In a dark Corner of my Cell I found This Paper what it is this Light will show Reading If my Alphonso Ha! If my Alphonso live restore him Heav'n Give me more Weight crush my declining Years With Bolts with Chains Imprisonment and Want But bless my Son visit not him for me It is his Hand this was his Pray'r yet more Reading Let ev'ry Hair which Sorrow by the Roots Tears from my hoary and devoted Head Be doubled in thy Mercies to my Son Not for my self but him hear me all-gracious 'T is wanting what should follow Heav'n Heav'n shou'd follow But 't is torn off why should that Word alone Be torn from his Petition 'T was to Heav'n But Heav'n was deaf Heav'n heard him not but thus Thus as the Name of Heav'n from this is torn So did it tear the Ears of Mercy from His Voice shutting the Gates of Pray'r against him If Piety be thus debarr'd Access On high and of good Men the very best Is singled out to bleed and bear the Scourge What is Reward or what is Punishment But who
will I smear these Walls with Blood dash my Disfigur'd Face and rive my clotted Hair Break on the flinty Ground my throbbing Breast And grovel with gash'd Hands to scratch a Grave Stripping my Nails to tear this Pavement up And bury me alive where I will bite the Ground 'Till gorg'd with suffocating Earth Alm. O dismal Cruelty heart-breaking Horrour Osm. Then Garcia shall lie panting on thy Bosom Luxurious revelling amidst thy Charms And thou perforce must yield and aid his Transport Hell Hell have I not Cause to rage and rave What are all Racks and Wheels and Whips to this Are they not soothing Softness sinking Ease And wasting Air to this O my Almeria What do the Damn'd endure but to despair But knowing Heav'n to know it lost for ever Alm. O I am struck thy Words are Bolts of Ice Which shot into my Breast now melt and chill me I chatter shake and faint with thrilling Fears No hold me not O let us not support But sink each other lower yet down down Where levell'd low no more we 'll lift our Eyes But prone and dumb rot the firm Face of Earth With Rivers of incessant scalding Rain Enter Zara Perez and Selim. Zara. Somewhat of weight to me requires his Freedom Dare you dispute the King's Command Behold The Royal Signet Perez I obey yet beg Your Majesty one Moment to defer Your entring till the Princess is return'd From visiting the Noble Prisoner Exit Perez Zara. Ha! What saist thou Osm. We are lost undone discover'd Retire my Life with speed Alas we 're seen Speak of Compassion let her hear you speak Of interceding for me with the King Say somewhat quickly to conceal our Loves If possible Alm. I cannot speak Osm. Let me Conduct you forth as not perceiving her But till she 's gone then bless me thus again Zara. Trembling and weeping as he leads her forth Confusion in his Face and Grief in hers 'T is plain I 've been abus'd Death and Destruction How shall I search into this Mystery The bluest Blast of Pestilential Air Strike damp deaden her Charms and kill his Eyes Perdition catch 'em both and Ruine part ' em Osm. This Charity to one unknown and in Distress Heav'n will repay all Thanks are poor Exit Almeria Zara. Damn'd damn'd Dissembler Yet I will be calm Choak in my Rage and know the utmost depth Of this Deceiver you seem much surpriz'd Osm. At your return so soon and unexpected Zara. And so unwish'd unwanted too it seems Confusion yet I will contain my self You 're grown a Favourite since last we parted Perhaps I 'm sawcy and Intruding Osm. Madam Zara. I did not know the Princess Favourite Your Pardon Sir mistake me not you think I 'm angry you 're deceiv'd I came to set You free But shall return much better pleas'd To find you have an Interest superiour Osm. You do not come to mock my Miseries Zara. I do Osm. I could at this time spare your Mirth Zara. I know thou could'st but I 'm not often pleas'd And will indulge it now What Miseries Who would not be thus happily confin'd To be the Care of weeping Majesty To have contending Queens at dead of Night Forsake their down to wake with wat'ry Eyes And watch like Tapers o'er your Hours of Rest. O Curse I cannot hold Osm. Come 't is much Zara. Villain Osm. How Madam Zara. Thou shalt die Osm. I thank you Zara. Thou ly'st for now I know for whom thou 'dst live Osm. Then you may know for whom I 'd die Zara. Hell Hell Yet I 'll be calm Dark and unknown Betrayer But now the Dawn begins and the slow Hand Of Fate is stretch'd to draw the Veil and leave Thee bare the naked Mark of Publick View Osm. You may be still deceiv'd 't is in my Power Zara. Ha! Who waits there Enter Perez As you 'll answer it take heed This Slave commit no Violence upon Himself I 've been deceiv'd The publick Safety Requires he should be more confin'd and none No not the Princess â—elf permitted to Confer with him I 'll quit you to the King Vile and ingrate too late thou shalt repent The base Injustice thou hast done my Love Yes thou shalt know spite of thy past Distress And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn'd Heav'n has no Rage like Love to Hatred turn'd Nor Hell a Fury like a Woman scorn'd Exeunt Omnes The End of the Third Act. ACT IV. SCENE I. A Room of State Enter Zara and Selim. Zara. THou hadst already rack'd me with thy stay Therefore require me not to ask thee twice Reply at once to all What is concluded Selim. Your Accusation highly has incens'd The King and were alone enough to urge The Fate of Osmyn but to that fresh News Is since arrived of more revolted Troops 'T is certain Heli too is fled and with him Which breeds Amazement and Distraction some Who bore high Offices of Weight and Trust Both in the State and Army This confirms The King in full belief of all you told him Concerning Osmyn's corresponding with The Heads of those who first began the Mutiny Wherefore a Warrant for his Death is sign'd And Order given for publick Execution Zara. Ha! haste thee fly prevent his Fate and mine Find out the King tell him I have of Weight More than his Crown t' impart ' ere Osmyn die Selim. It needs not for the King will strait be here And as to your Revenge not his own Int'rest Pretend to sacrifice the Life of Osmyn Zara. What shall I say Invent contrive advise Somewhat to blind the King and save his Life In whom I live Spite of my Rage and Pride I am a Woman and a Lover still O 't is more Grief but to suppose his Death Than still to meet the Rigour of his Scorn From my Despair my Anger had its source When he is dead I must despair for ever For ever that 's Despair it was Distrust Before Distrust will ever be in Love And Anger in Distrust both short-liv'd Pains But in Despair and ever-during Death No Term no Bound but Infinite of Woe O Torment but to think what then to bear Not to be born devise the means to shun it Quick or by Heav'n this Dagger drinks thy Blood Selim. My Life is yours nor wish I to preserve it But to serve you I have already thought Zara. Forgive my Rage I know thy Love and Truth But say what 's to be done or when or how Shall I prevent or stop th' approaching Danger Selim. You must still seem most resolute and fix'd On Osmyn's Death too quick a Change of Mercy Might breed Suspicion of the Cause Advise That Execution may be done in private Zara. On what Pretence Selim. Your own Request 's enough However for a Colour tell him you Have Cause to fear his Guards may be corrupted And some of them bought off to Osmyn's Int'rest Who at the Place of Execution will Attempt to force
tho' 't were strange But if she had what was 't to her unless She fear'd her stronger Charms might cause the Moor's Affection to revolt King I thank thee Friend There 's Reason in thy Doubt and I am warn'd But think'st thou that my Daughter saw this Moor Gons If Osmyn be as Zara has related Alphonso's Friend 't is not impossible But she might wish on his Account to see him King Say'st thou by Heav'n thou hast arous'd a Thought That like a sudden Earth-quake shakes my Frame Confusion than my Daughter 's an Accomplice And plots in Private with this hellish Moor. Gons That were too hard a Thought but see she comes 'T were not amiss to question her a little And try howe'er if I 've divin'd aright If what I fear be true she 'll be concern'd For Osmyn's Death as he 's Alphonso's Friend Urge that to try if she 'll sollicite for him Enter Almeria and Leonora King Your coming has prevented me Almeria I had determin'd to have sent for you Let your Attendant be dismiss'd I have Exit Leonora To talk with you Come near why dost thou shake What mean those swollen and redfleck'd Eyes that look As they had wept in Blood and worn the Night In waking Anguish why this on the Day Which was design'd to celebrate thy Nuptials But that the Beams of Light are to be stain'd With reeking Gore from Traytors on the Rack Wherefore I have deferr'd the Mariage Rites Nor shall the guilty Horrours of this Day Prophane that Jubilee Alm. All Days to me Henceforth are equal this the Day of Death To Morrow and the next and each that follows Will undistinguish'd roll and but prolong One hated Line of more extended Woe King Whence is thy Grief give me to know the Cause And look thou answer me with truth for know I am not unacquainted with thy Falshood Why art thou mute base and degenerate Maid Gonsa Dear Madam speak or you 'll incense the King Alm. What is to speak or wherefore should I speak What means these Tears but Grief unutterable King Yes Guilt they are the dumb Confessions of Thy guilty Mind and say thou wert Confederate With damn'd Conspirators to take my Life O Impious Parricide now canst thou speak Alm. O Earth behold I kneel upon the Bosom And bend my flowing Eyes to stream upon Thy Face imploring thee that thou wilt yield Open thy Bowels of Compassion take Into the Womb the last and most forlorn Of all thy Race Hear me thou common Parent I have no Parent else be thou a Mother And step between me and the Curse of him That was that was but is no more a Father But brands my Innocence with horrid Crimes And for the tender Names of Child and Daughter Now calls me Murderer and Parricide King Rise I command thee rise and if thou would'st Acquit thy self of those detested Names Swear thou hast never seen that foreign Dog Now doom'd to die that most accursed Osmyn Alm. Never but as with Innocence I might And free of all bad Purposes So Heav'ns My Witness King Vile equivocating Wretch With Innocence Death and Perdition she Confesses it By Heav'n I 'll have him rack'd Torn mangl'd flay'd impal'd all Pains and Tortures That Wit of Man and dire Revenge can think Shall he accumulated under-bear Alm. Oh I am lost there Fate begins to wound King Hear me then if thou canst reply know Traitress I 'm not to learn that curs'd Alphonso lives Nor am I Ignorant what Osmyn is Alm. Then all is ended and we both must die Since thour' t reveal'd alone thou shalt not die And yet alone would I have dy'd Heav'n knows Repeated Deaths rather than have revealed thee Yes all my Father's wounding Wrath tho' each Reproach cuts deeper than the keenest Sword And cleaves my Heart I would have born it all Nay all the Pains that are prepar'd for thee To the remorsless Rack I would have given This weak and tender Flesh to have been bruis'd And torn rather than have reveal'd thy being King Hell Hell do I hear this and yet endure What dar'st thou to my Face avow thy Guilt Hence e'er I curse fly my just Rage with speed Lest I forget us both and spurn thee from me Alm. And yet a Father think I am your Child Turn not your Eyes away look on me kneeling Now curse me if you can now spurn me off Did ever Father curse his kneeling Child Never For always Blessings crown that Posture Nature inclines and half-way meets that Duty Stooping to raise from Earth the filial Reverence For bended Knees returning folding Arms With Prayers and Blessings and paternal Love O hear me then thus crawling on the Earth King Be thou advis'd and let me go while yet The light Impression thou hast made remains Alm. No never will I rise nor loose this Hold 'Till you are mov'd and grant that he may live King Ha! who may live take heed no more of that For on my Soul he dies tho' thou and I And all should follow to partake his Doom Away off let me go Call her Attendants Enter Leonora and Attendants Alm. Drag me harrow the Earth with my bare Bosom I 'll not let go 'till you have spar'd my Husband King Ha! what say'st thou Husband Husband Damnation What Husband which who Alm. He he is my Husband King Poyson and Daggers who Alm. O Faints Gons Help support her Alm. Let me go let me fall sink deep I 'll dig I 'll dig a Grave and tear up Death I will I 'll scrape 'till I collect his rotten Bones And cloath their Nakedness with my own Flesh Yes I will strip of Life and we will change I will be Death then tho' you kill my Husband He shall be mine still and for ever mine King What Husband who whom do'st thou mean Gons Alas she raves Alm. O that I did Osmyn he is my Husband King Osmyn Alm. Not Osmyn but Asphonso is my Dear And wedded Husband Heav'n and Air and Seas Ye Winds and Waves I call ye all to witness King Wilder than Winds or Waves thy self do'st rave Should I hear more I too should catch thy Madness Yet somewhat she must mean of dire Import Which I 'll not hear 'till I am more at peace Watch her returning Sense and bring me Word And look that she attempt not on her Life Exit King Alm. O stay yet stay hear me I am not mad I would to Heav'n I were he 's gone Gons Have Comfort Alm. Curst be that Tongue that bids me be of Comfort Curst my own Tongue that cou'd not move his Pity Curst these weak Hands that cou'd not hold him here For he is gone to doom Alphonso's Death Gonsa Your too excessive Grief works on your Fancy And deludes your Sense Alphonso if living Is far from hence beyond your Father's Power Alm. Hence thou detested ill-tim'd Flatterer Source of my Woes thou and thy Race be curs'd But doubly thou who could'st alone