University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

—Almanzor amd Amru.
Amru.
This is the place, and through this narrow gate
Fatima will admit us to the city;
This is the hour she promis'd:—soon, Almanzor,
The time will come for all thy fortitude.

Alm.
When justice aids me, I have nought to fear;
At least I'll die an honourable death,
Nor shall the traitor see his power secure,
Until some wretch of his has felt my steel.
But why does she delay? ah! some misfortune,
I fear, has happen'd to my dear Fatima.
Dost thou not hear those distant, hollow sounds?
I fear the work of ruin has begun,
I fear it is too late to be successful.
Ah, listen! they are louder! heard'st thou not
A shout like this, “success to noble Zamor?”
Oh, I am gone forever!

Amru.
No! my friend,
Be not dishearten'd by that distant sound;
Thy fancy aids thee, No! it is not real.

Alm.
I heard the shout and am forever ruin'd;
But never, never will I close these eyes,
Till on some traitor's head I take revenge.

Amru.
But there's a sound more welcome to thy ears:
Didst thou not hear a woman's gentle tread?

Alm.
Ah yes, and more; see there! the gates are opening!
Fatima, lovely angel! comes to save me!
[Enter Fatima.
Dearest of womankind! my only love!
My friend, while all the world is join'd against me.
Ah can my tongue pronounce the thanks I owe,
Can I express in words what here I feel?
[Pointing to his breast.
Ah no, my angel! but forgive Almanzor,
What nature's self refuses to allow him.

Fat.
I know, my love, how strong is thy affection;
But this is not a time to talk of love:
The sword of death is hanging o'er our heads
By the most slender hair; delay is fatal,
This fleeting hour, if lost, is lost forever.
See'st thou not yonder how the watch-fires twinkle
Upon the distant tow'rs? perhaps some traitor
Has mark'd us out, and doom'd us to destruction.
Come, let us to the work, that saves thy father
From the assassin, and his throne from Zamor.

Alm.
But, dearest love, what shall Almanzor do,
How can I aid my father in his peril?

Fat.
Follow thy dear Fatima, she will lead thee,
Where thou canst easiest strike the happy blow.

Alm.
Where is the place?

Fat.
In yonder square the guards
Are drawn in arms before thy father's palace;
Already have they join'd the accursed traitor,
But thou must follow me before those guards!
Yes, though each soldier's sabre be unsheath'd
To drain thy heart's blood; though each spear be ready
To pierce Almanzor's bosom, thou must go
And throw thyself upon their clemency;
Must throw thyself before them, beg, intreat
Their pity on a wretched prince like thee;
Beg them have pity on an aged father;
Beg them by every pray'r and strong entreaty
To save him from the base assassin's dagger:
If they are steel'd to pity, then command them,
In great Abdallah's name, to ground their arms:
Tell them, thou art their prince; that thou hast led them
Even to the deadliest breach, and when destruction
Was yawning round, hast fearlessly exclaim'd,
“Onward, my soldiers, for the brave will conquer”.
If this will not avail, address their pride;
Tell them of all the victories they have won,
Tell them of all the glory that surrounds them,
Tell them how fair and spotless is their fame;
And then remind them of the deed they do:
Remind them of their treason, which forever
Will shroud their brightest fame in infamy;
Tell them succeeding ages will exclaim,
“These men were brave, undaunted in the field
And first and foremost in the ranks of battle,
But they were traitors, mean and dastard traitors!”
If they are deaf to this, present thy bosom
And bid them stab thy heart.

Alm.
Angelic woman!
Almanzor will most willingly obey thee.

Fat.
Then let us hasten, hear'st thou not that sound?
That is the signal for the work of death.

SCENE II.

Zamor,
Solus.
This is the road that leads me to revenge!
Here I will strike the final, fatal blow,
Here I will end my hatred,—vengeance now
Shall drink her fill, and be appeas'd. Abdallah!
Little thou think'st what treason lurks around thee,
Little thou know'st the blow, that I am aiming
Against thy life; oh! I shall be successful;
I read it plainly in my prosperous fortune;
I read it in the darkness of this hour,
So friendly to the murderer and assassin:
This is the hour, when sin is all awake
And active, this the time for blood and vengeance;
Now I can strike the deadly blow securely,
Now nothing stays me from my dark revenge.
Why should I fear then?—at the darkest midnight,
When all was still around, I've heard the lion
Pacing with silent step the desert sands
To seize his prey—have heard the serpent hiss
Close by my ear, and yet, I have not startled;
Ev'n in the midnight tempest, when the sound
Was one continual roar, the sky one flash,
And every soldier's spear was tipt with lightning,
I've stood unmov'd, nor felt one fibre quiver.
And shall I, in this hour when all is still
And dark, when all the army waits to aid me,
Shall I now tremble? hark! but conscience whispers,
“Has not Abdallah been thy friend and patron,
Did he not raise thee from the ranks and make thee
A prince; and canst thou now destroy his life?”
Conscience, thy plea is vain; indeed he rais'd me
From poverty to fortune, but 'twas all
To heap disgrace upon my head; by heav'n!
I'd rather always be a worm and crawl
Beneath Abdallah's foot, than thus be rais'd
To glory, but to meet this foul disgrace:
It was no kindness, no! but it was cruel,
Thus to torment me; I will be reveng'd!
Abdallah! help thee if thou canst; by Alla!
I'll make this poniard pierce thy very heart.
But do I hesitate? No, vengeance! vengeance!
Inspirit me to do the bloody deed:
Remember my disgrace; revenge! revenge!
On, on, and put the tyrant to the sword.

SCENE III.

Zethan and the guards drawn up.
Zeth.
Soldiers! let every man of you be ready
To aid the hero in his enterprize;
Prepare your sabres for an instant action,
Should fate demand it, strike the blow with vigour,
'Tis the last blow of victory or death.

[Enter Almanzor.]
All.
Almanzor!

Alm.
Yes, Almanzor comes before you,
And begs you to secure him from destruction.
Yes, I entreat you, guards, by all that heav'n
Or earth contains, to aid me 'gainst the traitor.

All.
No aid for thee! already we've decided.

Alm.
Is this your kindness, soldiers! to your prince,
To one, who long has been your benefactor,
By whom the choicest gifts have been bestow'd
In rich profusion on your thankless heads?
Can you not pity one, who pitied you?
Can you rebel against your king and master,
And with such deeds as this repay his kindness?
How will you feel to see me mangled, butcher'd
And weltering in my gore? will no compunction
Harass your bosoms, will the sight be pleasant,
Or will you weep to see Almanzor's corpse?

Zeth.
Whine on, thou boy; think'st thou we've hearts like women?

Alm.
Know I'm thy prince! Know I am great Almanzor!
Treat not Granada's prince with such disdain;
I bid you ground your arms and learn submission.

Zeth.
Thinkst thou we listen to such idle words?

Alm.
Remember I have often been your leader,
Think of the deeds of valour we have done,
When hand in hand we fought our country's foes.
And shall my valour be forgotten quite,
Can't it at least excite your admiration?
What is in Zamor more than in Almanzor?
He's brave and so am I; he fears not death,
Nor shall Almanzor ever start at dying.
But is he not the son of fickle fortune,
Blown by the sudden breath of prosperous deeds
To all his glory, while I am a prince,
From a long line of brave and glorious kings,
Nobly descended?

Zeth.
Talk no more of that!
What care we for the splendour of a crown;
It is the valorous soul, that makes one noble.

Alm.
Soldiers! remember well the sack of Murcia!
Think how we mounted o'er that horrid breach,
Where every shape of death was visible!
Did you behold me tremble? did you mark
The slightest perturbation in my features?
And when the Spaniards, in their latest fury
Of desperation, rous'd their utmost strength
And drove it full against our band of heroes,
When every man of you shrunk back with fear,
Did I then yield an inch? no, tho' the bravest
Then shook like cowards, I withstood the foe,
And by my firmness gain'd that glorious day.
Look at me and admire your valiant leader!
Him, who was fearless, when you all were cowards,
And learn to be submissive to his word.

All.
Remove him from our sight! he'll change our purpose.

Alm.
I'll never leave this place, till I prevail.
No, traitors, you shall never pass this limit,
But o'er my corpse. Oh! are you not asham'd
Of this vile treason? shall your well-earn'd fame
Be darken'd by such hellish deeds as this?
Spurn, spurn the traitor, who would shroud your glory
In treason, rise superior to his pow'r
And show the world the brave are ever faithful.

All.
Leave us! nor longer shake our fix'd design.

Alm.
No, I will never leave you till I die,
You ne'er shall drive me from this point, till death
Has clos'd my eyes forever: can you think,
Base rebels! that I tremble at your sabres?
I fear not death! come on with all your rage,
I stand a rock unmov'd amid your fury;
Here is my bosom, 'tis Almanzor's bosom,
Let him, who chooses, pierce it to the heart.

All.
This is too much; no, we will never harm thee.
Hail to the Prince, the noble, brave Almanzor;
Death to the traitor, who would make us rebels
And shade our fame with an eternal gloom.

SCENE IV.

Abdallah,
Solus.
Avaunt! thou vision, from my tortur'd brain
And rack my soul no more; canst thou not leave me
One short repose, or wilt thou always sting me?
Ah there thou standst all crimson'd o'er with blood!
There is the wound, this cruel hand inflicted,
Gaping within thy breast! why lookst thou so
Relentless on a wretched, childless father?
Oh leave me now, let me enjoy repose.
No, never! furies haunt this feverish brain
And goad me on to madness; gracious heav'n!
Have mercy on my agonizing heart.
Alzira! art thou come again to sting me?
Why standst thou there so ghastly and so pale,
Why point'st thou to that dark and deathly wound?
But dearest child, could I destroy thy life,
Thou, who wert once the best of earth-born daughters,
Who lov'd me once so fondly? have compassion,
I pray thee, on thy miserable parent,
Oh soften down that stern relentless brow
And give me but one smile; no! thou canst never
Pardon that cruel, hell-inspired murder.
But hast thou in thy hand that bloody dagger,
By which I slew thee? ah I see the drops
Trickle along its blade! oh give it me
And let it pierce my heart! my dear Alzira,
So lovely once, so merciful and kind,
Grant me but this request and let me lay
My aged head in thy untimely tomb.
Ah no, thou frown'st! the angel of despair
To poor Abdallah; why that darken'd brow
And fiercely flashing eye? Say, have thy charms
Been alter'd to a fiend's unhallow'd features?
Why look'st thou now so wild? why dost thou beckon?
Ah whither would'st thou lead thy wretched father?

Zamor.
To hell, thou murdering king!

[who had previously appeared at the door and listened to Abdallah.]
Abd.
Child of my heart!
Is that thy voice, or is it but a dream?
Oh what a horror thrills along my brain!
But it was more than phantasy, 'twas real;
I heard a voice, oh 'twas an awful sound.
But there she comes again, frowning and gloomy,
Ah see, she shakes the crimson, gory dagger
And beckons me to follow. Oh Alzira!
Where would'st thou lead thy parent now?

Zamor.
To hell!
[Then rushes on the stage.
Prepare to die, thou murderer of thy daughter,
This instant! well may visions haunt thy brain
And goad thee on to madness; but look up!
Here's no ideal dagger, here's no vision,
That glares before thy sight, but here is steel,
Sharp, vengeful steel, that soon will drink thy blood.

Abd.
Oh art thou Zamor, or some vile assassin?

Zamor.
Yes, I am Zamor, once thy mighty hero,
The stay and prop of thy dissolving throne.
Look at me, gray-hair'd ingrate, and remember
How thou didst break my sword! could'st thou suppose,
That I would pardon thee that foul disgrace?
No, vengeance is too sweet to be forgotten.

Abd.
Zamor, wert thou not once a faithful prince,
Hast thou not promis'd to forget that deed,
The unhappy deed, I did through ignorance,
As thou didst own to me?

Zamor.
I pardon thee!
Let heaven and hell unite in fond affection,
Before I pardon or forget an injury.
Little thou know'st the spirit of a Moor,
To trust in one, who promises forgiveness,
No! thou must die, that I may be reveng'd!

Abd.
Die by the hands of such a wretch as thou?

Zamor.
Yes, even by Zamor's hand thou now must die.

Abd.
Alzira, shield the bosom of thy father!

Zamor.
Call to the winds for aid! Alzira's dead,
And murder'd by that cruel hand of thine.

Abd.
Oh, wretched monarch! murderer of my daughter.
Almanzor! oh my son!

Zamor.
Call to the winds!
They'll hear thee sooner than thy son Almanzor;
His corpse is welt'ring on yon field of battle,
And know, my sabre clove his skull in twain.

Abd.
Thou slew'st Almanzor! Oh, thou child of hell!
Save me, my guards, from such a barbarous monster!

Zamor.
Call, call again! thy guards have all deserted,
And flock'd around my standard. Take thy sceptre
And costly crown! can they defend thee now,
Ah! can they ward away this deadly blow?

[Prepares to strike.
Abd.
This is the consummation of my woes!
My wife is dead; Alzira lost and guilty,
And murder'd by my hand.

Zamor.
Alzira's innocent,
She's innocent and spotless as an angel;
The thing I told thee was a lie of mine,
To drive thee on to be her murderer.

Abd.
Satan, art thou incarnate

Zamor.
If thou think'st so,
'Tis all the same to me: so take this dagger,
[Stabs him.
And ne'er forget, 'tis dangerous and dreadful
To rouse the insatiate fury of a tiger.

Abd.
Ah, this is my reward for all my kindness!
I nurs'd thee, and thou now hast been a scorpion,
And stung me to the heart.

Zamor.
And thou didst rouse
[Abdallah dies.
That scorpion's fury by thy proud injustice.

[Fatima enters.
Fat.
Villain! hast thou destroy'd him? 'tis too late,
Oh, 'tis too late to save my dearest king.

Zamor.
Stand off, thou feeble woman, nor insult me;
Provoke me not or thou shalt feel my vengeance.

Fat.
Strike, monster! if thou pleasest, kill me now,
And let me die beside my honour'd king.

Zamor.
I kill a woman, I who oft have slaughter'd
Whole troops of enemies; say, shall my dagger
Be stain'd by such unmanly blood as thine?

Fat.
Hero! great as thou art, thou now canst lift
Thy dagger 'gainst the breast of helpless age,
Can'st slay the fetter'd pris'ner in his dungeon,
And stab the sleeping monarch on his couch.

Zamor.
Insult me not, thou worm! rouse not my wrath,
Or I will bid the assassin pierce thy heart.

Fat.
Pierce it thyself, thou art the chief assassin!
Pierce it thyself! thou bloody, lurking coward!
'Tis the last bosom, thou shalt ever wound.

Zamor.
Desist! canst thou believe I'd stab a woman?
No, greater deeds than that await me now.

Fat.
Go! go to death! destruction yawns around thee,
Exult in thy success, but ere the sun
Has lighted up again the vault of heaven,
Thy corpse shall be the prey of dogs and vultures,
Thy name the hiss and obloquy of all.

Zamor.
Cease! cease thy croakings, nor disturb me more.

[Exit.
Fat.
There he has gone to triumph and to die.
Little he knows the dark and dreadful tempest,
That threatens sudden to o'erwhelm his fortunes;
But he must shout a moment and then fall,
Fall to be hated and despis'd forever.
Oft have I look'd upon that splendid hero;
Oft have I seen him hail'd by all the nation,
Their brave and noble saviour; fortune wove
A wreath of stars to circle round his brow,
And glory mark'd him for her brightest son:
But pride and mad ambition, urg'd him on
To deeds of cruelty, of perfidy
And blackest guilt; these darken'd his renown
And blasted all the honours of his name.
[Addressing Abdallah's corpse.
But thou shalt live, tho' murder'd by the hand,
Thou nurs'd so tenderly; yes, thou shalt live
Secure within the memories of thy people,
And thou shalt be reveng'd! for now, even now,
Almanzor's sword is lifted 'gainst the wretch,
The ungrateful wretch, who dar'd destroy thy life.

SCENE V.

OFFICERS.
Zamor.
[Rushing on with a bloody dagger.
The deed is done!

All.
All hail the hero Zamor.

Zamor.
The deed is done! Soldiers, the proud Abdallah
Now welters in his gore; come and receive
Your freedom from my hands; I've slain the tyrant,
This good right hand has done the noble deed;
Ibrahim, I tell thee it was nobly done.

Ibrah.
My Lord! Granada now should ring with joy.
Abdallah, he who ground us to the dust,
Whom every soldier, every citizen,
Hated with all their souls, Abdallah's dead!
And thou shalt take his place. Long live our King!

All.
Long live the noble, valiant hero, Zamor!

Zamor.
My friends in arms, accept my warmest thanks
For your good will thus strongly manifested;
Believe me, all my life and all my strength
Has always, and will ever be devoted
To you alone; I've fought, I've bled, I've conquer'd,
For you, my soldiers, you, my dearest people:
Should you demand it, I resign my life
To make you happy, and I take this sceptre,
Not for my own advantage, (I had rather
Be but a soldier, than the greatest monarch,)
But for the people's: Here my faithful Ibrahim,
Be next to me! Alhouran, take this sword
And lead my brave ten thousand! valiant Omar,
To you I give in charge the city walls.
Come here, my friends! let's mount to pow'r together!
Let's show the world the greatness of our souls.

Ibrah.
My Lord! this day we break the people's fetters
And ope the prison's dark and dreary dungeons.

Zamor.
Yes, lead them forth, let them enjoy their freedom.
Ibrahim, my boy! 'twill make us popular,
[Aside to Ibrahim.
And serve to bind their chains more close around them.

[Almanzor rushes on with a drawn sword, and exclaims,]
Die! worst of miscreants, die!

Zamor.
The spirit of Almanzor! help me, Mahomet!

Alm.
Help thee, thou wretch! he'll help thee to thy grave.

[They fight, and Almanzor disarms Zamor.]
Zamor.
Spare me! Oh, spare me, but one scanty moment!

Alm.
Spare thee! thou hard unfeeling tyrant! never!
Thou hadst no mercy, I'll have none for thee;
Die! traitor, die! and live with fiends forever.
[Stabs him.—Turning to the Officers.
Were you, with Zamor, traitors 'gainst my father!

Officers.
We were, my lord, but canst thou not forgive us?

Alm.
Yes, I forgive; from Zamor take example,
From that vile wretch, who dar'd attempt my life,
And stab me in the very hour of victory!
But heaven prevented him and staid his hand;
He wounded me, but still I live.

Ibrah.
Almanzor!
Say art thou not a spirit sent to punish
Our daring treason? oh, have mercy on us!

Alm.
Thy conscience stings thee, traitor! yes, thou tremblest
At shadows; fear me then, who am a man.
I tell thee, Ibrahim, I am no spirit;
Almanzor lives, Almanzor stands before thee,
The same, who fought so bravely in the field,
The same, who led his soldiers on to victory.
Repent and be submissive, I have power
And will exert it 'gainst the stubborn traitor.
The army, which you fondly hop'd would aid you
In all your dark designs, is loyal still;
You have no stay, they all exclaim unceasing,
“Long live Almanzor! death to guilty Zamor.”
Where is your hope, even if I am a man?
Where can you cling? Oh, Ibrahim! it is madness
To stand one moment longer 'gainst my power.
Submit, and I'll forgive your daring crimes,
Oppose me, you shall feel my burning vengeance!

[Enter Amru accompanied by Guards, Soldiers, &c.]
Amru.
Almanzor, hast thou then subdued the traitor,
And conquer'd by thy valiant arm alone?
Oh, I could pour my very soul before thee
In songs of highest joy and exultation.
Shall I proclaim thee monarch of Granada,
And bid these soldiers hail thee as their king?
Hail, king Almanzor.

Soldiers.
Hail, our noble king.

Alm.
This is the best reward I can enjoy.
Oh, gracious heaven! to thee I render up
My heart and soul, for thou hast sav'd my life
And throne—but oh, my father!

Amru.
Oh, Almanzor,
Comfort thyself, thy father rests in peace,
And sweetly sleeps beyond the reach of harm.

Alm.
Now let us offer to the God of heaven
Our warmest thanks, and humbly bow before him;
And let us know, ruin and death await
The ambitious wretch, who dares o'erturn a state.