University of Virginia Library

SCENE, The Magitians Cave.
Enter Montezuma, High Priest.
Mont.
Not that I fear the utmost Fate can do,
Come I th'event of doubtful War to know,
For Life and Death are things indifferent,
Each to be chose as either brings content;
My motive from a Nobler cause does spring,
Love rules my heart, and is your Monarchs King;
I more desire to know Almeria's mind,
Then all that Heaven has for my state design'd.

High Pr.
By powerful Charms which nothing can withstand,
I'le force the Gods to tell what you demand.
Charm,
Thou Moon, that aid'st us with thy Magick might,
And yea small Starrs, the scattered seeds of light,
Dart your pale beams into this gloomy place,
That the sad powers of the Infernal race
May read above what's hid from Humane Eyes,
And in your walks, see Empires fall and rise.
And ye Immortal Souls, that once were Men,
And now resolv'd to Elements agen,
That wait for Mortal frames in depths below,
And did before what we are doom'd to do;
Once, twice, and thrice, I wave my Sacred wand,
Ascend, ascend, ascend at my command.

An Earthy Spirit rises.
Spir.
In vain, O mortal men your Prayers implore
The aid of powers below, that want it more:
A God more strong, who all the gods commands,
Drives us to exile from our Native Lands;
The Air swarms thick with wandring Deities,
Which drowsily like humming Beetles rise
From our lov'd Earth, where peacefully we slept,
And far from Heaven a long possession kept.
The frighted Satyrs that in Woods delight,
Now into Plains with prick'd up Ears take flight;
And scudding thence, while they their horn-feet ply
About their Syres the little Silvans cry.
A Nation loving Gold must rule this place,
Our Temples Ruine, and our Rites Deface:
To them, O King, is thy lost Scepter given,
Now mourn thy fatal search, for since wise Heaven
More ill then good to Mortals does dispence,
It is not safe to have too quick a sense.

Descends.
Mont.
Mourn they who think repining can remove
The firm decrees of those that rule above;
The brave are safe within, who still dare dye,
When e're I fall I'le scorn my destiny.
Doom as they please my Empire not to stand,
I'le grasp my Scepter with my dying hand.

High Pr.
Those Earthy Spirits black and envious are,
I'le call up other gods of form more fair:
Who Visions dress in pleasing Colours still,
Set all the good to show, and hide the ill.
Kalib ascend, my fair-spoke servant rise,
And sooth my Heart with pleasing Prophecies.

Kalib ascends all in White in the shape of a Woman and Sings.
Kalib.
I look'd and saw within the Book of Fate,
Where many days did lower,
When lo one happy hour
Leapt up, and smil'd to save thy sinking State;
A day shall come when in thy power
Thy cruel Foes shall be;
Then shall thy Land be free,
And thou in Peace shall Raign:
But take, O take that opportunity,
Which once refus'd will never come again.

Descends.
Mont.
I shall deserve my Fate if I refuse
That happy hour which Heaven allots to use;
But of my Crown thou too much care do'st take,
That which I value more, my Lov's at stake.

High Pr.
Arise ye subtle Spirits that can spy,
When Love is enter'd in a Females eye;
You that can read it in the midst of doubt,
And in the midst of frowns can find it out;
You that can search those many corner'd minds,
Where Womans crooked fancie, turns, and winds;
You that can Love explore, and truth impart,
Where both lye deepest hid in Womans heart,
Arise.—

The Ghosts of Traxalla and Acacis arise, they stand still and point at Montez.
High Pr.
I did not for these Ghastly Visions send,
Their sudden coming does some ill portend:
Begon,—begon,—they will not dis-appear,
My Soul is seiz'd with an unusual fear.

Mont.
Point on, point on, and see whom you can fright,
Shame and Confusion seize these shades of night;
Ye thin and empty forms am I your sport?
They smile.
If you were flesh—
You know you durst not use me in this sort.

The Ghost of the Indian Queen rises betwixt the Ghosts with a Dagger into her Breast.
Mont.
Ha!
I feel my Hair grow stiff, my Eye-balls rowl,
This is the only form could shake my Soul.

Ghost.
The hopes of thy succesless Love resign,
Know Montezuma, thou art only mine;
For those that here on Earth their passion show,
By death for Love, receive their right below.
Why doest thou then delay my longing Arms?
Have Cares, and Age, and Mortal life such Charms!
The Moon grows sickly at the sight of day,
And early Cocks have summon'd me away:
Yet I'le appoint a meeting place below,
For there fierce winds o're dusky Vallies blow,
Whose every puff bears empty shades away,
Which guidless in those dark Dominions stray.
Just at the entrance of the Fields below,
Thou shalt behold a tall black Poplar grow,
Safe in its hollow trunk I will attend,
And seize thy Spirit when thou doest descend.

Descends.
Mont.
I'le seize thee there, thou Messenger of Fate,
Would my short Life had yet a shorter date!
I'm weary of this flesh which holds us here,
And dastards manly Souls with hope and fear;
These heats and colds still in our breasts make War,
Agues and Feavers all our passions are.

Exeunt.