University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Prison.
Enter Keeper and two or three Moors.
Keep.
I have many Men, and many great,
But must confess I never saw till now
A Person of such sufferance; he lies now
Where I would not have laid my Enemies Dog,
Where neither Light nor Comfort can approach him,
Nor Air nor Earth that's wholesome.

1 Moor.
'Tis most strange,
Load him with Irons, oppress him with Contempts,
Such are our Governours Orders; give him nothing
To feed Life, or so small 'tis next to nothing,
It moves not him, he smiles upon his Miseries,
And bears 'em with such strength, as if his Nature
Had been Nurst-up, and Foster'd with Calamities.

Keep.
He gives no ill words, curses not, repines not,
Blames nothing, hopes in nothing.

2. Moor.
And in the midst of all these Frights, fears nothing.

Keep.
He fears not, even when I my self shake for him,
As many times my pity will constrain me;
When other Souls that bear not half his Burden,
Shrink in their powers, and burst with their oppression,
Then will he Sing; wooe his Afflictions,
And Court them in sad Airs, as he wou'd wed'em.

[Open that Vault and give him Breath.
[King appears in Chains, his Head and Arms only above the Dungeon.
1. Moor.
What stubborn weight of Chains?

2. Moor.
Yet he looks temperately.
No wildness, no distemper'd touch upon him;
How constantly he Smiles, and how undaunted.

Keep.
Mark with what Majesty he heaves his Head up.
Hark now.

[Musick and Song.
1. Moor.
O charming Grief!

Keep.
Do not disturb him—
[Goes forward with the provisions.
Sir, your allowance from the Governour; wou'd 'twere more,
Or in my pow'r to make it handsomer.

King.
Do not transgress thy Charge, I take his bounty;
Fate hurts not him that bears a mind contented,
And hangs not on vain hopes, that may corrupt him.

Enter Governour.
Keep.
The Governour himself.

Gov.
What, at your Banquet?
And in such State, and with such change of Service?

King.
Nature's no Glutton, Sir; a little serves her.

Gov.
This Diet's wholesom then.

King.
I Beg no better.

Gov.
Give him less next,
These full Meals will oppress his Health; his Grace
Is of a tender Constitution.

King.
Mock on, it moves not me, Sir.
I cast your Mirth and Malice both behind me.

Gov.
You carry't handsomly. but tell me, Patience,
Do you not Curse the brave and Royal Lady,
Your gracious Sister? Do you not Dam her pity?
Dam twenty times a Day? Dam seriously?
Coud'st thou not wish her a Bastard, Whore, or that
Thou had'st no Sister?
Blaspheming Heav'n for making such a Mischief;
For giving Pow'r to Pride, and Will to Women?

King.
No, Tyrant, no, I love and Bless her for't;
And though her Scorn of Thee should heap upon me
As many Plagues as Air corrupted breeds;
As many Mischiefs, as the Hours have Minutes;
As many forms of Death, as doubt can Frame,
I still should Love her more; more Honour her.
All thou can'st lay upon me, cannot bend me,
Not even the stroak of Death, that I despise too.
So let Quisara always scorn thy Love;
As I for ever shall despise thy Cruelty.
Cou'd fear possess me thou shouldest ever Win her:
And that she is not Mistress of this Temper,
She is no Kin to me, and I contemn her.

Gov.
You are Valiant, Sir.

King.
Yes Sir, and Fortunate;
For he that holds my Constancy, still Conquers.

Gov.
You will relent for all this Talk, I fear not.

King.
You are Cozen'd;
Or if I were so weak, to be wrought to it,
I still should Curse her Heart, if she consented.

Gov.
You shall write, and entreat, or—

King.
Do thy outmost.
I'th' mid'st of all thy Tortures, I'll Laugh at thee;
And think thee not more Valiant, but more Villain:
Nothing thou hast done brave, but like a Thief
Atchiev'd by Craft, and kept by Cruelty.

Gov.
Down with him lower yet, there let him Murmur,
And see his Diet be so spare, and little,
He grow not thus High-hearted on't—I'll cool ye.
Give him no Liberty, let his Bands be doubled;
Let him not Sleep, nothing that's dear to Nature
Let him enjoy—yet take heed he Dies not;
Keep him as near Death, as wishing for't,
As possible: But let him not arrive to't.
I'll humble him,
[They sink the King down.
And her proud Heart, that stands on such defiance;
And let me see her Champions, that dare venture;
Her high and blustering Suiters—keep close Guard,
And as you prize your Lives, be diligent,
And what I charge, observe.

Omn.
We shall be Dutiful.

[Exeunt.