 | The Noble Ingratitude |  |
SCENE VI.
FATIMA, ZAIDA, ADIBAR, CHARIFA, MEDINA.Fatima.
VVhat Adibar
Still with this scornfull? my revenge is just.
'Tis time that it break forth. Zaida, I find and heavy melancholy,
That I lose the design which brought me hither:
Shall I dare speak of dances, revels, feasts,
And of a mariage in the condition
Wherein you are?
74
What say you, of a mariage?
FATIMA.
Since you presse me,
You shall know all; know rhat my Father hath
Provided one for me.
Zaida,
For you, Fatima?
FATIMA.
Yes, Zaida, and the busines is well forward.
ZAIDA.
In your contents I claim an interest:
I should be glad to know your Lovers name,
FATIMA.
He's an accomplish'd man, noble, and brave
And of a charming presence, and rare merit:
I doubt not but you will approve the choice
My Father hath made of him.
ZAIDA.
How she makes me
Languish to meet death?—
aside.
Well, who is the man?
FATIMA.
You know him very well;
He made long time his ordinary residence
At home with you, your brother Zegrys friēd
Have I yet said ynough?
ZAIDA.
Tell me his name too.
FATIMA,
Divine you not that he is call'd Almansor!
ZAIDA,
I can no more, but faint and die.—
aside.
75
How she
Is chang'd, she feels my pain, and I'm reveng'd
AdibaR.
I have much interest in this event.
ZAIDA.
This match without doubt cannot chuse but please you.
FATIMA.
True, I am not of those who through a maxime
Of I know not, what modesty, blush at mariage
As if it were a crime, feign to sigh at it,
And yet in secret are sad at the heart,
If it should not be consummate. I assure you.
Vpon this point I not dissemble with you:
I no way hate the Lover that's design'd me,
I prize his love, his services, his merit
At a high rate, and if he loves me much,
He is no lesse belov'd.
ZAIDA.
It seemeth then,
He loves you very much.
FATIMA.
I can't expresse it:
He lives but for me, breatheth but for me:
I am the sole original of his good
Or evill fortune: when he sees me not,
He is in torments, and when hazard brings me
Vnto his sight, again, I have great cause
To fear that he might die with sudden joy;
Lastly if any truth be in his oaths,
All other beauties are contemptible to him.
76
Oh Heaven! what hear I, where am I? oh traitor!
Ingratefull wretch!—
aside.
But could you so soon love him
Before yov knew him?
FATIMA.
I cannot be blam'd
For this quick love, I saw in him at first
All things that might induce a maid to love:
Besides heerein I execute the order
My Father doth ordain, I willingly
Obey his will; and since he hath chosen him
For son in law and for support, I think
That he is worthy of it, and conform
My self unto him.
ZAIDA.
But what are your thoughts
Of Adibar?
Adibar.
I dare not to pretend
To her pass'd goodness more.
Fatima.
He deserv'd not
The honour of my love; he changed first,
And I change at my turn.
ZAIDA.
He was not alwaies
Vnworthy to please you; can you forget him?
Fatima.
Yes, and with much justice, and reason too,
He is to me the most ingratefull person
Vpon the earth; his contempt was unjust,
But mine is not so. Let us cease to speak
Of that inconstant Lover; I will pay him
Hatred for hatred, contempt for contempt.
77
And let me know if I may have the honour
To see you there,
ZAIDA.
Excuse me, I'm oppress'd
With a great pain, which is redoubled
Since your discourse, so that I'm rendered
Incapable to be present there, and am
Enforc'd to quit you at this very instant.
ADIBAR.
I wait you; suffer me to pay the service
I owe you.—
He leads her by the arm?
ZAIDA,
I am forced through my weaknes
To accept your support.
Exeunt Zaida & Adibar
| The Noble Ingratitude | |