Actus Quarti ACT V. SCENE I. Enter the Emperour Barnagasso chain'd Zaraida Zanhaga and Guards Zaraida in disshevell'd hair intreats the Emperour Zar. OH spare him spare him spare my Husband's Life His Blood can't make you Beautiful to me 'T will paint you worse than horrid Monsters are Why will you kill him then O cruel King Is that the way to Love because he 's mine He dyes how can I love his Murderer My Eyes are weak they cannot look on Blood That colour makes me weep my Heart 's so soft Like our quick plant from a rude touch it flyes But kindly opens to the gentle hand More mercy and less Blood might do much more Aside Oh! I d say any thing to save his Life Which I have brought to such a shameful Death Oh could we now but dye with Honour I were blest Bar. Forgive me love if I reproach thee now My Friend too who disswaded me from Death See what your pray'rs have done I was unjust When I would end this miserable Life Oh my Prophetick fears are true 't was once My own to dye the happy minute fled Unheeded by the slighted Friend will ne're return Now lead me where you please to death which ne're Can come too soon to a wise man lead on Zar. Why hast you so my Lord Death is not slow To come can you leave me for death Emp. My Love admits of no delay speak Fair Accept my flame and he shall live live great But for your self good Gods the Earth shall groan Millions of Slaves shall sweat in her rich veins Slaves who are born and dye in Golden Mines Their e'ry stroke shall cleave an Empire forth The rough form'd â—ass shall loose it 's close embrace The Embryo Gold shall from the Womb be torn And shall by curious art be form'd a new By pray'rs or force I will enjoy your charms Zar. Vain Promises you ask so high a price The Universe's now worth what I must give Bar. Vain Promises you ask so high a price The Universe's now worth what I must give Bar. Spare all thy tears Zaraida spare thy sighs My life 's not worth the Ransom he requires Zar. Oh cruel King are you a Man yet bear Unmov d what bent the stormy Winds and Seas My face alone could calm their Rage but now Nor that nor tears nor sighs can move your Breast My voice has lost it's sweetness now Oh call The Winds and Waves call them not cruel now No more be they accurst for they were kind Much kinder than the cursed Monster Man Em. 'T is you are cruel now curse on 't I could Force her Love but then I 've imperfect joy Aside Have you thought To Zar. Zar. Yes I have thought Emp. And what is the result Zar. That if one crime can sink a Soul to Hell Where will thy World of Murders hurry thee Emp. To Heav'n poor fool where should great Jamoan go Zar. What for Murder Emp. Ask thy self that if common Murder sinks Where must thou go whose hands are dipp'd In a fond Husbands Blood Bar. Why dost thou sport Almighty justice thus Think'st thou such slight evasions weigh with Heav'n Emp. If they weigh here I look no further Aside How can you call me cruel yet endure Your Husbands limbs by drawing Engines stretch'd His Veins drawn fine as silken wefts His Blood inflam'd by journeyiâ—â— on now finds A longer course renew'd and now it's dams Broke down irregularly runs forc'd up To the last limits of that little world It under dyes the white with scarlet streakes The snowy Corps blushes at the disgrace Can you bear this without reluctancy Zar. Oh do you know so well the pains o' th' rack And yet can cruelly design him there Emp. And now he curses Heav'n that made him young For life in youth is rivetted more close To the Inwrapping Flesh Now he roars loud with more than Lyons rage And now he flings his Body forward on The rack provoking Death who bears his taunts And servilely attends my nod O life Wretched indeed when Death so terrible To Humane thoughts is languish'd for Bar. Were it yet more wretched I have a Soul To bear it all cease then to threat and do Emp. The burning Vessel now boyls o're he foams And froths at mouth he struggles with the choaking stench His Eye-balls strain'd crack their suspending threads And from their splinter'd jaggy roots a deluge flows Nature quite tir'd with passion raves no more Yet still the Body huggs th' unwilling Soul In fond Embraces locks the Spirit fast Thristing for Separation Can you be Yet unmov'd at this description Alas You little know the thousand pains he bears Zar. O Gualata Now I feel I fear for you My Female-Courage trembles at the thoughts Yet I 'll not shrink a jot from Virtues Rules Nor give this Beauty to that Tyrants Arms Tho at my first Embrace thy pains should cease Bar. Where are ye Gods if the loud fall of two Such mighty wrecking Orbs can't rouze your souls Awake nor let a Mortal brave ye thus Em. Think Can you bear to see him piece-meal torn His angry flesh wrench'd from th' unwilling bones His Bowels ript while Life yet shivers there His big heart dancing in a Sea of Blood Shall first be mash'd then thrown into his Face Zar. I cannot think it thought startles at it Em. I 'll aid your barren Imagination I 'll lead you where your eyes shall straight behold That horrour which your lagging fancy could not reach Zar. Hold hold tho all your arts can't make me yield I 've heard enough to dye farewell Swoons Bar. That thou wert dead indeed there all my fears Would end the weary Soul retires for ease Em. By Heav'ns a lucky opportunity Bear her to the Royal Bed and him to Death Bar. Oh stay no pow'r shall force me hence till she Revive Zaraida Curse on my weak Voice Why was 't not loud as Whirl-winds Tempests roar Oh that my Chains could ring a loud alarm To wake the sleeping Gods and her Where Father where Oh that my Teeth my Nails could straitway dig Quite through this Globe to find the wand'ring God! What shall I do to save her from his Lust I 'll wake or crush her Soul out with my weight Rushes upon her Zar. Oh Barnagasso Am I once more here Thus let my Kisses breath my Soul into Waking gets between his Arms. Your Body that we may together dye Bar. Oh Love nor Hell nor Heav'n shall part us now Emp. Then Earth shall Guards force her from him or Racks Unheard of be your Fate unbind him first He struggles Then force her from her hold As they unbind him he snatches a Sword and holds her in his left hand Bar. Now I am loose no Power shall bind my Hands again Em. Curse on my Dalliance it has ruin'd all Bar. See King my Fate is now my own but I Will live live to revenge my self by Heav'ns 'T is ominous 't is the
shall center in our selves But I am yet in th'dark what juggle has Been play'd and to what end they feign'd our Deaths Daf. Entering That Mystery my self alone can clear And first thus kneeling I for Pardon sue To this offended Heav'n 't was by the Kings command I to each other feign'd your Deaths he hop'd That diffâ—rent Passions ruleing in your Breasts Despair in yours and Female Pride in hers Something might be effected to his wish VVhat caus'd me to unravle his designs And backward tread my steps this Lady knows She sure will Pardon Crimes her self has caus'd Za. And can reward the Virtues too take all That gratitude and best esteem can give Takes him up Bar. Triumph Triumph my Soul let thy Vast joy reach the last borders of the World From either side with double force rebound And meeting make a Whirlpool with your Streams Which may suck in each heart to joy with me Yet further if it be in Nature further go If not inspire ev'n Nothing with my Joy Let Nothing be endu'd with Apprehension vast To rouze it's new form'd Soul at my Alarm Shake off its drowsie fit and help to push The rolling Heaven on What! what can be Joy enough when my Zaraida Lives Ring Your Eternal Clangours for the great News The Goddess Lives whom we Blasphem'd with Death And gen'rous honour flourishes in you Embraceing her passionatly and him Enter to them the Emperour talking to Zanhaga Em. Now for my Plot if she be VVoman it Succeeds Death to my hopes he here Seeing Bar. Da. The Emperour Then I am lost indeed Em. Dye Traytour early base nor shall my Blood Stabs Daf. That trickles in thy Veins excuse this Crime Ev'n that I 'll Sacrifice to Love I 'll have Thy Bowels ript search if thou hast a Heart Or thou' rt no Victim for this Deity Da. Oh you will find Zaraida there her looks Will awe your Sacrilegious Hands yet take Take cruel King my Heart The only part of her you e're can have Bar. Oh for a Sword to end this Tyrants Life Revenge at once my Friend and Right my Love Fate I accept thy gift and thank thee thus Snatches Dafila's Sword and runs at the Emp. but is hindered by the Guard Oh feeble Arm unfit thy Masters Soul Or all his Guards could not have hind'red thee Yet I will watch a Time when tho' unarm'd I 'll seize the Blood hounds Throat again prevented Gods I submit Em. Secure this Mad-man Ev'n you his Father must confess his Crime Deserv'd the Blow I gave Zan Poor Boy his fault Indeed was great and yet in one so young Aside But 't is not fit my Frowns disclose my thoughts Till time afford a Season for Revenge To Zar. Zar. Sweet Youth how often hast thou urg'd his suit With Pray'rs as earnest as most Pious Souls To their expected Heaven give tho I Thy Master loath'd yet thy Devotion was So great that were my Breast but capable Of any Love but what Gualata gave Thou only thou could'st enter there Ingrate Find now some way to satisfie his Ghost Em. Consent but to be mine and he shall live I 'll force unravel'd Nature to disclose Some wondrous secret to cement his Wounds Da. Too late thou vaunt'st thy Pow'r trust me tho I. Deserv'd my Fate 't was base in you to give it me Oh! Bear me to that Heavn ' of weeping Chrystal That Heav'n which my fond soul would never leave But a less lov'd one calls me hence farewel Dyes Em. Convey him hence such objects suit not Love The ruling Passion of my Breast Guards carry off Daf. Bar. Ev'n yet rash King your may regain your Honour Restore what you 've unjustly ta'en this Fair She is my due oh I deserve her not For where 's the Man e're merited Divinity Yet since the Gods have joyn'd our Hearts so close What Pow'r dare part us now part us said I Oh Zaraida while I 've a Hand an Arm Embraces her Ill never leave thee more nay tho my Limbs By some disastrous Chance were from my Body torn Yet my bare am'rous Trunk would kindly bend And make a hold for thee some part of me Would soon transform into a Sword and hew The Monster down that durst divide our Souls Zar. Teach me my Lord how to return your love I 've nothing new but Misery to give Bar. Oh thou art always ravishingly new Embraces her Zar. How can you hug your Ruin in your Arms Oh shake me shake me off this Viper off Give up this Fatal Beauty to Despair Let me not draw your Ruine down with mine Bar. Cease your harsh Sounds or I shall think you changâ—d That would be new indeed new Misery Em. My small remains of Pity struggle now But Love puts in his Claim and tears my Breast Teach her to yield or me to Love no more Bar. I will support your honour it shall o're look Your Lust Gygantick grown I 'll be your Friend Tho often Injur'd be what you should be And I will yet forget 'em all forget If possible you ever wrong'd this tender Flow'r Zar. Nay Love will plead sure that can't be deny'd Hear me 't is the first time I ever pray'd To you how often have you begg'd this Boon In vain despise it not now it is giv'n I will not call you Tyrant Monster now No you shall be a God and I 'll adore Your Deity if you will grant my wish I ask not Kingdoms keep them all 't is but Gualata's Liberty and mine forbear To stop the peaceful Current of our Joys Permit us wander where our wills shall lead We 'll seek for shelter in some Mountains Root Where Nature as fore-seeing our Distress A rev'rend Cave has form'd there we 'll retire And be securely blest with Mutual Love No Monarch will invade that Throne no Arms The quiet calm of Sacred Love disturb Sure you will grant me this this which makes me Richer than Heav'n and not Impoverishes you Em. Trust me her words strike through my very Soul My feeble honour reinforc'd by these All conq'ring helps assays to lead the way Now all the fogs of lewd Debauches fly And ev'ry stenching Vapour is exhal'd Honour alone now seems to keep the Field And I could almost give her up but Love Resumes my Heart and drives th' Usurper thence The Combat's hot he fights and now retreats Now Strong now weak and now Triumphant sits Proclaiming with a Tyrants Voice his â—aws Whilst humbled Honour but in whispers speaks Give up Zaraida ha give what to whom Zaraida to the Man I hate as Hell Forbid it Love I hear not Honour now Like drowning Men this was its last effort To rear its sinking head above the Floods And now 't is lost for ever ever gone No your Proposal I retort to you Take all your Crowns your Kingdoms take 'em back But my Zaraida shall be mine Bar. Hold off bold sacrilegious Wretch Tempt not Thy Fate lest naked as I am some
God Make ev'n these hands the Ministers of Death Give me a Sword be you too arm'd for Love Zaraida shall like Vict'ry doubtful hang And to the Man who most deserves her fall Oh glorious cause Worthy such Swords as ours The Day seems mark'd by fate for such a War The expecting Gods to their last limits come Deeply concern'd for Souls so like their own 'T were not good manners to delay the sport When such spectators wait come bring the Swords And let the Royal Fight begin Emp. 'T is an unequal Game I set my Crown To nought sure you forget you 're Pris'ner here A Bankrupt both in honour and Estate 'T is not for you who at my Mercy breath To hope so brave a Death as from this Arm I scorn to lift my Sword against my Slave Bar. If I 'm a Slave you could not make me one Emp. Under my Auspices my Soldiers fought They servilely perform'd what I inspir'd Bar. Excuses ne're are wanting when the will is gone Thus Cowards always Reason wrest Emp. Were I that thing what hinder'd me t o've forc'd This Lady long e're this and Murder'd you Bar. Because thou art that thing for tho 't were base Yet there 's a boldness in it thou 'rt a Stranger to Emp. The World shall find I am not base to Heav'n Who best decides this cause refer the Priest Shall in my Court inquire it's will while we Expect to whom just Heav'n this Fair will give Mean time free access I allow to both Zanhaga bid the Priest his Gods prepare That hint's enough this seeming Piety Aside Secures their hearts whom pity might mislead My General too who loves this Prince must yield to Heaven Exit Zar. If Heav'n be Heav'n we shall be happy yet Bar. We will be happy or in Life or Death Exit cum Zar. Manet Zanhaga Solus Yes he shall Solve your Doubts the Priest shall give Zaraida to your Arms but you shall n'ere Enjoy that Gift Gualata and your self Stand in my way My Son 's my Darling's Death Shan't long be Unreveng'd True I was fir'd By my Ambition to attempt a Crown before But now Revenge too eggs me on his blood Shall be the Oyl to whet my blunted hopes I 'll soon prepare the Priest to serve the King His Parrot-Gods shall speak but what I Teach And my own Thoughts his Pratling Daemons Preach Exit Finis Actus Secundi ACT III. SCENE I. SCENE the Priests Apartment Enter the Emperour Em. THus far has Love unbounded hurry'd me The rapid Flood breaks through opposing Dams Bears down each Fence that dares dispute its way All Disappointments but increase its force Each blow new Vigour gives each fall Infuses fresh Recruits to ev'ry part Tenacious of his hold he hugs me close Whilst smother'd honour struggles but in vain Shall I be forc'd to mortifie my flame Because some servile Priests has joyn'd their hands What tho her folly too unites their hearts My Priest shall streight untye this Mystick Knot And make ev'n Heav'n repeal its former Act. What ho within there Marabou come forth And ease a Monarch's Breast Enter Priest Zanhaga c. Zan. You have your Cue be faithful to your Trust And your Reward shall far exceed desire Em. Behold you who the Heavenly secret know Behold me both a Monarch and a Slave I to whose Nod all Africa submit Can stoop to kneel at a weak Womans feet She tho' a Captive scorns to look on me My very Crown 's a Bawble in her eyes Too poor to play with whilst the Captive Prince Tho' robb'd of all his Glories gluts in Joys Which but to tast my self would be Dethron'd And I had pluck'd ere this th' unwilling Rose But some remaining dregs of honour hinder'd me This is the Plague torments your Monarch's Soul Now see if Hell or Heav'n afford a Cure Here the Emperour sits while the Priest begins the Incantation ARise ye Fiends of Hell arise You who for freedom groan Who long lost Earth bemoan Come with fresh Objects feed your eyes You who for Sins on Earth are bound To Swim in Coldest Streams Still dying never Dead are found Come warm you by my Flames I 'll Chafe you till you 'r happy too I 'll Thaw your Blood if it Congeale I 'll mend your blue and bleaky hue Your skin tho chopp'd and scarr'd I 'll heale The cutting Winds that Whistling blow From dazling Mountains of driv'n Snow Shall cease their Orders to obey If you 'll prepare and come away Chorus of Priests Come to our Monarch give Advice Arise ye Fiends of Hell arise Four Infernal Spirits Arise all in White and Sing WE come we come Great Marabou We watch thy pleasing Call Our stiff'ned Joynts are supple now You warm the coldest Hell 1st Male Spirit If Love disturb this Monarch's Breast 'T is fit he should enjoy What e're can please th' unruly Guest And force her if she fly 1st Female Gualata Dead she 'll yield of course Dull Lovers we despise She but expects the pleasing force To give down all her Joys My Lover was for Piety Conscience and Lov'd wag'd Wars His coldness Damn'd himself and me Or we had both been Stars 2d Male Behold me once a Mortal Wight In an Old Beldain's Arms For Love of Gold I drudg'd all Night And rose at all Alarms But yet 't was cold 't was coldly done Nor did it ought avail Then force the young the fair nor run The Risque to freeze in Hell 2d Female I to an Aged Fool did Charm Who only hugg'd me close My Maiden-head in Hell can't warm Nor Virtue-heat infuse Chorus of Infernals Then force the Fair nor longer crave But let Gualata die By this your self and her you 'll save From Winters Misery Chorus of Priests and Infernals For they who quench'd their am'rous flames Are Damn'd to Freeze in Coldest Streams Priest SINGS HEar you in Heav'ns blue Regions hear You who have once been Men And for your Virtues swim in Air To make my Phoebus train How happy you warm'd by his Beams Your Balls of Fire ye Guard Each Spirit guides his Orb of Flames Proud of his hot reward You who 've obey'd Almighty Love Inur'd to Amorous Wars For which in Flames you wanton rove Pleas'd with your Subject Stars You who prefix each Mortals Doom And know each Miscreants Fate Say will ye cut the Pris'ners Loom Or give a longer Da'e Chorus of Priests Come come relate The Captives Fate Or Life or Death Bring in a Breath If Love must yield And quit the Field Or Beauty Bend. Descend ye Lords of Air descend Descend in a Machine to proper Musick 4 Heav'nly Spirits All Sing YOur Crown 's not safe if he should Live The God's are unappeas'd His Blood 's our due in vain you strive With Blood alone we 're pleas'd Chorus of Coel. For you the Sun has sent her here Destroy the Prince and force the Fair. Say Hell Shall it be so Yes Wee 're for it
one side of the Stage while this Song 's sung within Sung by Mr. Freeman Ease with soft Sleep your weary Eyes Refresh your Spirits till you rise While Musick shall your dreams surprize To me your fatal Birth is due Doom'd by that God you never knew To dye on Seas where you were Tost And thrown on Sooty Africk's Coast Where falsely you to Creatures pray And leave that God your God's obey Give not so soon to th' hungry Grave That Beauty he profusely gave 'T is brave to bear with Misery Break not his Laws nor strive to dye When he sees fit he 'll set you free Bar. How strange her Fancy works What Fear suggests Death seems too dreadful to her tender years I 'll bear me to relieve her troubl'd thoughts Exit SCENE Drawn discovers Zaraida Asleep on the Couch her Mothers Ghost by her Ghost Descends Zar. Stop not your Airs blest Shade yet if you must Go tell Gualata that we must not Dye In her sleep Enter Barnagasso to her Bar. What fast Asleep she 's gone to rest t'inure Her thoughts to Death How Beautiful she lyes Coming forward And feeds each Sence with exquisite delights Oh she has a continu'd round of Joys Which sharpen not abate desire Why Heaven Why was this sweetest Beauty wretched made Oh! that some pitying God would seal my Eyes With hers be both for ever ever seal'd How sweet she breaths I 'll catch the blest perfume And with soft Kisses I 'll awake my Fair. Kisses her she starts Zar. Where Where my Barganasso Where am I Bar. Oh you are in a tender Husbands Arms Zar. There hold me till I have recover'd strength To tell you how I have labour'd in my Sleep When I had left you full resolv'd on Death My Sences frighted at the leap you meant Here I retir'd to ease my burden'd Mind Expecting you Sleep scarce had clos'd my Eyes When a Pale Ghost appear'd and Sung such Airs As both Instructed and Delighted too Bar. I heard a Voice my Love and thought 't was yours Such Harmony is in your Thoughts and Words That Musick comes unfelt from both in Dreams You Chant such Airs as Charm the Drowsy'st Dead Zar. How could I Dream of what I never thought My Soul was gone to rest had left to think Ev'n thought it self was weary'd into sleep It was no Dream caus'd by unsetl'd Thoughts How could I think of what I never knew My Lord it was a Ghost the unknown God Forbids our deaths you cannot must not dye Bar. That proves it but a Dream the Child of Fear You form'd the danger great for succour flew To Thoughts extravagantly wild and gross Is there a God above our Glorious Sun The mighty Deity now jealous grown Checks the rude Question Oh my Zaraida Let not our crimes draw down more thunderbolts And yet forgive me Heav'n I wish we could But be they such as end at once not Plagues That ling'ring keep us cruelly alive Zar. What is it your despair would urge you to Bar. I would secure my self and you from shame The lustful King back'd by the Cunning Priest Prepares for Force How can you bear the thought of this Zar. Oh never never I 'll be only yours Bar. I know you 'd dye e're think of change but pow'r Too weakly answers to our will his Slaves Are train'd to Rapes perhaps I too must view The deed if mortal eyes can bear what would Deprive the Sun himself of sight Oh Heav'ns If there be yet a way to save my Love Shew it me point it out to my dark Soul For Humane Wisdom's at a loss to help us Zar. Trust Heav'n that sure will guard my Innocence Bar. 'T is too presumptious to lye down at ease And leave the Gods to work our freedom out No let 's employ the little time we have To live in searching after death for death 's The only means can save us now inclos'd By miseries on every side besieg'd In vain I search no Nook no Cranny's found No passage left unguarded to escape but death Prepare my fairest Love for we must dye Oh that so sweet a thing should want a Name That 's soft enough t' express how sweet it is Zar. I 'm ever your obedient Wife but death 's So terrible it shakes my heart yet worse Much worse 't would be to part How must we dye Bar. Some death that 's quick for I expect with fear Each moment when they 'll force thee from my Arms Our Minutes are as dear as Miser's Gold We have not time to starve our Souls away Hell will o retake us ere that 's done but hold Here 's one says he 's my Friend if he speak true He 'll not deny the Passport which I want Enter to them the General Barsiloa Gen. Forgive my abseuce which my place requir'd I 've heard what cheats were us'd in th' Oracle And fearing the effects of just despair I 'm come to bid you think of Life of Love In spite of Priests you shall be great again Bar. I Laugh to see you shoot so wide o' th' mark Yet if you mean by bravely dying to be great I 'm yours no Priest indeed can hinder that Gen. No you shall live blest both with liberty and love Bar. Perhaps my Father 's heard my earnest Pray'r And sends thee to point out a way to live Speak if I can have honourable Life I must not dye death would be a rashness then Much unbecoming Barnagasso's Soul Gen. Know then in Tombu ther'e 's a Law preserv'd These many years by Sacred care enroll'd By the First King e're wore the Imperial Crown By this the General who Victorious comes From Foreign Wars is Priviledg'd to Ask What his extreamest wishes prompt him to Ev'n to the Crown h 'as won Bar. Are these your mighty hopes credulous Man Why didst thou sound so brave a Charge to raise My Spirits high with expectation vast Then sink 'em down unable to sustain their weight Think'st thou a Law can bar his hot desires He who can trample on Divine Commands May safely break such Mothy Bonds as these Gen. Still has it been inviolable kept With fresh repeated Oaths he Swore to grant What e're Ambition with red Vict'ry flusht Could Ask if I would Lead his Armys on Bar. You Argue weaker still so lame his Oaths Observ'd he 'd sooner keep another Mans. Gen. But 't is his Interest That will go far He knows the Soldiers are at my Command Prone to resent my injuries as their own What tho' he 's amorous he loves his Crown Too well to lose it for a moments sport Bar. That argument I confess were strong For Fear works wonders had he not such helps As ne're can fail to buoy his Spirits up A States-man burning Lust and a damn'd Priest If he 's a Coward spite of these 't is strange Oh! I 've consider'd well whatever look'd The least resembling hope and find no Ground To Anchor in but Death
immediate Death Gen. What shall I do to save so brave a Man Bar. Give me a Sword disswade me not from Death When life 's a burden grown think not I 'd dye If I could live as Barnagasso should If you 're my Friend as I can hardly doubt Relieve my wants and charitably help To end that Life which I cannot preserve Gen. Defer it but a moment more till I Can sound the King then if I fail 't is time Enough to dye a minute is not much Bar. Should I let slip this moment Heav'n affords Perhaps why do I say perhaps I 'm sure 'T will never never come again Zar. Nay now my Lord you 're too unjust to me And to your self to slight so great a boon Despair when there is room for Hope is mean And what is mean can never enter here Death is unlawful as you said your self While life can honourably be preserv'd Come we will joyn our Forces and intreat A short Reprieve can you deny your Wife Gen. Can you deny your Friend who begs you Live Zar. My Lord I 'm not acquainted yet with death Stay but an hour you will not leave me sure Gen. How can you need such Courtship to your Life And to a happy one if Heav'n can make it so Pointing to her Zar. We conquer see he yields he melts apace Bar. Do with me what you please but much I fear Zar. What my Lord Bar. That we shall live to Curse this weak neglect Ex. cum Zar. The General at the other Door SCENE Changes to the Emperour's Apartment Enter the Emperour and Zanhaga Em. Did he so haughtily reject my Gift Zan. He bad me say he was prepar'd for Fate Em. Then Fate shall be prepar'd for him or false Or true the Oracle shall now take place Away repenting thoughts Remorse avaunt Methinks I see his Soul already wing'd Bring me the Royal Bowl Zanhaga quick I 'll drink its happy Voyage through th' Air Zan. And Ill drink yours now Fate thou' rt kind indeed Exit and Returns with Two Bowls Em. This 't is to be a King and fortunate Were I Gualata now I were to dy Zan. And were I either of you so were I. Aside Em. Come give it me Ill drink this Health tho death Were mixt inseparably with the Draught Drinks Zan. Aside That would not I tho' Heav'n should follow it If Poyson causes Death he guesses well However there 's no Robbery he gets a Star And I his Crown he 's pleas'd and so am I. Em. Zanhaga I forgot you should have drank of mine Zan. My Lord this Bowl is rich enough for me How wond'rous kind he is Now I am great Drinks Gualato Tombu are my own And all by Wit by Politicks refin'd How I could hug my self and how applaud Aside That brave ambition which has urg'd me on Emp. Come my Zanhaga 't is not fit Death wait Love calls upon me to destroy this King And reap from thence what Love and Beauty bring As they are going out the General enters and stops ' em Gen. I beg your Majesty to hear my suit Emp. What is it Barsiloa speak I 'll hear Gen. 'T is in behalf of the whole Empire of Your self to punish whom the Gods would change The course of Nature rain cold Winter down A freezing Hell on scorching Africa If Blood so Innocent be rashly spilt Em. What tends it that way then Aside Speak I'm in hast Gen. I beg the gallant Prisâ—ner may be freed And his fair Wife giv'n to her Husbands arms Emp. Why ask'st thou not my Crown as well thou may'st And sooner should succeed proud insolence Darest thou oppose thy self to me and Heav'n Who has requir'd his Death and Doom'd her mine Away I 'll hear no more such suits lead on Gen. My Lord 't is what our Laws allow my self Who made 'em Slaves now beg they may be free Emp. Those Laws one King has made another may Revoke Zanhaga sure this cannot be your Son Zan. I know not if he be my Son a few Hours more and he shall be my Slave Aside Gen. You can't but know the forgeries of the Priest To the Emp. His curs'd abuse of Sacred Rites inflames All Africk with a Pious Rage if he Must dye t were better far you tell the World The true the only cause say he 's the rub To your hoâ—â—ust Proclaim in Tombu's Streets Gualata dyes that you may act the Beast Securely with his Wife this would be great Tho wicked yet 't is better than to skulk Behind a poor pretence of Fates commands Which you your self have countenanc'd the Priest To forge there is some Vertue in a bold Attempt but a mean action adds that sin To Cruelty and dwindles you to nothing straight Em. Oh Love how poor a God art thou whose chains So much debase whom they Subject my Slave Sees in my Face my heart and braves me now Zan My Lord 't is time Fates orders were obey'd Emp. I thank thee thou hast rowz'd Revenge and Love My Thunder first shall crush this Prince then you Gen. 'T is not big words can fright your General Have you forgot Stay Sir when first the War Broke out when Gualata all Revengeful flew To right his injur'd Honour and his Love Remember Sir what fears your Army seiz'd Even you your self Who now can Thunder trembled then not Flags By Winds more mov'd you almost shook your Soul away What had become of your bravados then Had I not undertook the desp'rate charge Kind Pray'rs and tears were paid me then I thought 'em true curst fool I did I lead Your Troops where I 've unfortunately won Conquer'd the best of Men have chain'd a God For such is Barnagasso to our World And now to be deny'd the common right Is base and I return ingrate to you Emp. Audacious Villian hence Blaspheme no more With thy vile Tongue my Sacred Majesty But that thy Fathers Services now plead Aloud my Royal Blood too which thou shar'st For Mercy begs thou Traytour hadst been dead Loath too I am t' imbrue my hands afresh In the same Purple Flood I spilt this day A thousand things now force me t' excuse thee The time calls on me for a nobler act To glut in Blood of Kings not Slaves yet e're I go to give th' aspiring Soul some check I spurn thee Traytour from my presence thus Exit cum Zan. Manet Barsiola Solus Gen. Is that to check thou art in love indeed Have I for this endur'd the Toyls of War Left a Luxurious Court for a rough Camp Forc'd my just heart to fight for Lust my Soul To sweat and drudge to pamper him for Rapes And am I spurn'd at last for my Reward My slighted wounds gape in their Masters face Revenge revenge they cry I 'll right my self By force my forming brain chalks out the way Which I must tread hast then e're 't is too late To right thy self and to prevent his Fate Exit Finis
first time I ve grasp'd A Manly Sword this day this age of Slavery Zan. This comes of slipping when occasion serves How e're I 'm sure of him tho t'other lives Aside Em. See how amaz'd the Cowards look seize him Bar. Come on I shall at least dye nobly now Em. What Noise is that Noise within Enter Officer in hast Off. Fly Sacred Sir preserve your Life The General enrag'd at his Repulse Has with a Rebell 's Fury forc'd our Gates None dare oppose my self but hardly scap'd The rolling Flood to warn you of the War Bar. Oh my brave Friend How have I wrong'd thy honesty Em. In vain is Flight I must sustain the shock Enter Barsiloa c. Gen. Fall on fall on I have not time to Embrace Thee now anon I shall let us dispatch Bar. Come Love inspire my Heart while I engage This Emperour cruel and Coward too They Fight beat the Emperour off and clear the Stage Re-Enter the Emperour Zanhaga and 2 Guards as in Flight Em. Ha! they have play'd me foul I feel besides My Wounds a Murdering Enemy within The boyling Caldron roars barb'd Irons prick My tender'st part bear me to th' Briny-Flood There let me plunge this Flaxen Taper down Wade through the dark Abyss to quench my Blaze Zan. Help me to bear him up Em. Wide wide Earth burst ope thy chilling womb In thy cold Cisterns let me bathe my Flame Build me a Throne in Aquilunda's Pool Turn here the Zaira's course I 'll gape awide Through me it's Channel lyes it shall come forth Swift liquid Flame painted with my Hearts-blood Zan. Trust me I weep to see my Master thus Em. That I could cleave to Hell dig in rich Mines Of Winter I 'd feed on Cakes of Ice The Subterranean Field should hiss should slame Ev'n Snow should burn so catching is my Plague Off I 'll to Hell the happyest Heaven is Hell Zan. How cold he feels Emp. I have my wish I freeze But here Zaraida comes ' st not a word She takes me for her Lord Who is' t dares hold me Barnagasso here Dye fond Fool. Stabs Zan. Now I 'm King again let Trumpets sound For Mighty Jamoan Great Tombu Lives Ha! What hast thou done Kill d thy best Friends Zan. Mourn not for I 've been before-hand with you Know 't was I Poyson'd you to gain your Crown I Brib'd the Priest to give the Pris'ner Death That I might wear a Triple Diadem I can't repent were it to do again And the Temptation half so fair I 'd do 't Make hast you cannot live I 'll wait rhee at the Portal Dyes Emp. I shall o'rtake thee e're thou fly'st so far Curs'd Zanhaga my Blood will weigh thee down Oh Love prepare my Starry Throne My Soul is wing'd and as my Body sinks she mounts Dyes Enter Barnagasso the General Zaraida c. Bar. This way th' astonish'd King retir'd behold Seeing them Triumphant Death How were these murders done Offi. The King was Poyson'd as Zanhaga e're His Death Confess'd by him he too had brib'd The Priest to speak your Fate the King depriv'd Of Reason by the Operating Draught Mistaking him for you destroy'd him Bar. They should have fall'n by me alone but I Submit to th' Will of Heav'n take hence the Dead Guards take them off I cannot must not pity 'em and 't is Not in my Nature to Insult to you Who with your timely aid maintain'd what I Begun I give my Thanks in this Embrace And as the next of Blood salute you Tombu's King Gen 'T is in your Love I glory more than in My Crown which so ignobly does descend My Fathers crimes have made me great I fought Not to be King but to relieve so brave A Man to be your Friend I 've not deserv'd That Name yet I 'll assume it thus Embraces Bar. Zar. 'T were vain to offer at a payment of Our debts to Heav'n which had reduc'd us to The worst Extreams and snatcht us thence to joys Unthought of unexpected bliss Heav'n has Appear'd so partial for our good that 't were A Sin to doubt its further care ev'n our Misfortunes seem but the kind Tryals of A pious mind our grief a purging flame And now all Innocent we 'll live most blest Bar. Most blest indeed in my Zaraida's Love Embraceing her What wonders were for our Deliv'rance wrought Let none hereafter at misfortunes pine Let none despair that hear our story told Let each unhappy Man his Misery With patience bear for Heav'n at last will set him Free FINIS
quite forget we ever Mortals were Exeunt Finis Actus Primi ACT II. SCENE I. A Pleasant Grove at the farther end Zaraida is discover'd on a Couch she rises and comes forward Zara. WHy should I Weep Can Tears call back his Soul Or force mine out to him In vain I grieve Where is thy Body smooth as Ebony And softer than the tender'st yielding Virgins skins Thy Limbs are undistinguish'd torn thy heart Oh that they'd pierc'd thee there forgive my Wish That I too might have Dy'd no Difference now Between the Monarch and the Slave Yes this The Pile confess'd thy Worth and groan'd beneath thy weight The Flame thy Royal Ensign sep'rate burn'd Nor mix'd its purer Blaze with common streams But proud of t 's God like Load pierc'd through the expanded Air Thou Brightest Saint now use thy Musick Speech Intreat my Father Sun to take me hence While I joyn with thee in such Airs Divine As never fail'd to move the listning God SONG here which ended Enter Dafila A Messenger from Hell in stead of Heaven Daf. Sure I am Monstrous that you start aside And leave your Angel-strains when I Appear Your Silence tells me I 've been rude disturb'd Your pious Offerings to an Earthly Saint 'T is true my Ears were blest but Heavn ' till I Had seen you too imperfect was Za. 'T is base t'insult o're my Religious Grief When Gods Afflict Men should not add their scorn Daf. Is it Insulting when the Pious Votary In hallow'd Censers serves Devotion up If this be Scorn then I confess I 'm base Kneels For Knees and Tears shall foree your pity down Za. In vain fond Youth you plead the cause of Vice Such Vertue should not kneel for such a King Da. Oh hear me For my self I beg not him Won't you reward that Innocence you praise She avoids him Why do you fly my Virgin-Touch the Flame Burns not so pure in Temples as my Breast And like that too mine to its Heaven Aspires Oh stay Coy Fair yet stay and hear me speak Ev'n Heavn ' will hear tho it refuse to grant Perhaps you think me of Ignoble Stock And on that Errour ground your Scorn my Streams From Royal Fountains flow my Veins are rich And swell with pure unmixt Caelestial Blood Za. I stay too long my Widdow'd ears and heart Must never more or hear or think of Love She strives to get loose he holds her Da. 'T is true I 've no Crowns to lay before you Nor Thousand Slaves to wait my least Command Yet I 've a Sword shall hew you out a Throne Or Altar rather for so fair a Saint My Brother General too will lend his Arm Inur'd to Victory Za. Were you in Love You 'd strive to please and not oppose my Will Daf. Can nothing move your cruel Brest yet stay I 've yet a Charm to lure your Heart give me Those Favours you can justly grant And while you sing soft Airs to Barnagasso's praise I ll ecchoe nothing back but Barnagasso's Name No sound shall reach your Ears but Barnagasso Za. Rise artful Youth thou cunning Innocence Thou 'st stroke the darling note my Heart revives Oh there 's such Musick in that Name enough To bend me from my stiff reserve yes now I 'll think I 'll hear nay talk of Love again But of a lost one there my Woe returns I 've a Request which you must not deny Pauses Da. Speak for I can deny you nothing say Is' t in my power already I am Wing'd Swifter than Light'ning to perform your Will Has any Villain wrong'd your Honour say Tho' 't were our Emperour himself he dyes This little Arm guided by Avenging Heav'n Shall Wonders do to expiate my former Guilt Za. 'T will try your Love indeed ' mongst all the Slaves Is there not one that knew my Husband well One in whose Breast he could repose his Griefs Could you find such a one I should be blest Da. Aside Oh I could please her beyond measure now What hinders then My Duty that I 've lost In Pleading for my self Can I pretend To Love yet harbour in my Breast a Foe To that soft Passion No she shall be serv'd Yes there is such a one so dear he was To your Dead Lord he knew each Thought each Sigh Not Barnagasso to himself more Conscious was Like a True Friend he waited him to Death And did the last Kind Offices perform Za. May I not see him Oh he 'll sooth my Grief With Mournful Tales of Barnagasso's Death Tell me How oft he call'd upon Zaraida how VVhen he lay Gasping in his latest Breath Zaraida prest you shan't deny me this Daf. Aside It shall be so the Invention pleases me Surprizes give a relish to the Bliss Duty be gone Love in my Master now Expect a while and doubt not but I 'll bring The Man you most desire Exit Za. Him whom I most desire indeed for since My Husband 's Dead Where can I lull my Cares Asleep but in that Breast himself did trust Ah Barnagasso that I 'd dy'd for thee And yet I dare not must not wish ev'n that For were it so yet we should have parted And that 's the only Hell I 'd shun She retires aside Enter Dafila with Barnagasso at one end of the Stage Daf. Divert your Grief in these Coole Shades you 'll find Your little Jaylor's not Tyrannical My Duty calls me hence Bar. Kind Youth farewell Goes behind the Scene All are not Monsters in this Affrick Court. Barnagasso Coming Forward Bar. Oh Zaraida Wer 't thou as happy as I am wretched I should be happy too Ha! Is it possible Or do I Dream Seeing her And speak but what I wish Thou Brightest Vision that Assum'st the Lovely'st Shape on Earth or Heav'n Speak and in rev'rence to the form you bear Thus bending to the Earth my open Ears Kneels Shall suck with greedy thirst the welcome Sounds Za. It must be he yes he himself no Ghost What stays me then to undeceive us both Rise Barnagasso rise I am your Zaraida Take me and satisfie your self I 'm she Runs into his Arms. Your constant fondest Wife Bar. Oh raptures too Divine The sudden joy o're pow'rs my Spirits depress'd With the weight of whole Heaven but thy kind warmth Imbraces her Calls back my retiring Blood thy Kisses breath A Soul into thy Image it enlivens In my fond heart and almost talks of Love Oh Zaraida so close I ll press thee in these Arms All that behold shall think I grew to thee Za. Closer yet closer to my Breast my Lord Each sense confesses you my Arms that oft In am'rous twines have lock d my Husband fast Now fall of course into their wonted place Bar. Oh judge not of my passion by my VVords Those sounds are yet unknown that can express My Bliss My silent Exstasies declare My Soul wrap't far beyond Tumultuous Joys Oh we 'll repeat the life of Love and all Our happiness