University of Virginia Library

ACT III

SCENE I.

Zegry, Ormin.
Zegry.
The night approacheth, it is time to put
This letter with my hope into thy hands:
Work on her Slave, and act discreetly, that
She take this diamond from thee, afterward
Vse all the skill thou hast to know the secrets
Of her disdainfull Mistresse, and consider
That I expect at thy return to hear
The sentence of my life, or of my death.

Ormin.
Cruell commandment, whereunto I see
My felf reduc'd!—
aside.
One word, Sir, ere I go,
Think well upon it yet, what hope have you?
Your importunities will increase her anger,
And you should do much better, If I durst
To tell you so, henceforth to free your self
Of this unworthy Empire; as love is
The price of love, so hate should alwaies be
The recompense of hate, and of contempt.
Your soul's are too ill suited to unite,
Love loseth his power in Antipathies,
And tis an equall crime, Sir, in a contrary
Effect, to hate who Loves us, or to love
Who hates us.

Zegry.
Oh! speak no more on't unto me:
My evill's invincible, and my soul feels
Too sensibly the charms which doe destroy me;
To overcome my griefs, which have no equals
I seek some gentle succour, and not counsel,
My chain, alas! is too strong, and my heart
Too weak, as not to yeild unto the torrent
Which carries me away.

Ormin.
O rigorous Fate!—
aside.
But if all your indeavours ate in vain,
If fierce Fatima still persist in her
Former disdains—

Zegry.
What pleasure dost thou take
T'increase my troubles? hide her rigours to me
And speak but of her charms: my heart is try'd
By torments great enough, it need not be
afflicted with an evill not yet arriv'd.
flatter my weaknes, though therein thou shew
Thy self lesse faithfull, if thou dost desire
To interest thy self in my misfortunes.

ORMIN.
Sir, if your eyes could penetrate into
The secrets of my heart, you would soon find
How great an interest I take in them,
And that if your lot lay within my power,
Your pleasures should soon passe your hope, I call
The Prophet, so much honoured amongst us,
To witnes, that I feel the counterstroaks
Of all your troubles, that I'm grieved for them
As much as you, and tremble in like manner,
Lastly that you are dearer to me far
Then you imagine, that my happines
Depends on the successe of your amours,
And that it is for you alone my heart
Makes its devotions.

Zegry.
Grant it gracious Heaven
That thy zeal happily succeed in touching
In my behalf the soul of that ingratefull:
My sister hath already been with her,
And I believe she hath not fail'd to speak
To her for me, their friendship flatters me;
And gives me leave to hope that who esteems
The sister, may in time cherish the brother.
Adiew, perform thy duty, and return
With speed to calm the tempests of my spirit.
—Exit Zegry.

Ormin.
I will indeavour with permission of
The holy Prophet, to hear such successe
As I desire.

SCENE II.

Ormim.
alone.
Whereto shall I resolve me in this sad
Extremity? shall I sollicit now
My Rivall gainst my self in the behalf
Of an ingratfull Master that doth wrong me?
And though he appeares blind to my disadvantage,
Shall I approve my self so more then he?
What shall I presse th'effect of what I fear?
Shall I give him content at my sad cost,
By a constraint so cruell? and shall I
Become my self the faithfull Minister
Of the injustices which he doth do me?
No, no, let us not serve with so much heat
To trouble us yet with a new misfortune,
A person who cost me so many tears:
If I must die, at least let me not give
Arms for to peirce my heart; o'th contrary,
Let me act so, that he may hope for nothing
From fair Fatima, let me without scruple
Betray this false one, and deprive him of
A good which would become so fa'tal to me.
I should ground all the hope thats left unto me
Vpon the losse of his. But how is this,
That at these words I tremble with affright?
I find my heart already riseth up
Against me in behalf of this false Master.
Alas! how cruel and perfidious
Soer he be, I cannot fail of faith
To wards him, but must love, and serve him truly.
'Tis so resolv'd, my anger must give place
Vnto the love that raigneth in my bosom:
An ill example never justisies
A crime: let us deliberate no more;
But what's the noise I hear? it is Fatima
That passeth, and Charifa follows her.

SCENE III.

FATIMA, CHARIFA, ORMIN
FATIMA.
This foul contemps which Zaida offers me
Provokes me highly, so far was this false one
From hindering Adibar to visit her,
(As she engag'd herself in promise to me)
That she accepted kindly of his hand,
To disoblige me; tis an injury
Of such a nature as requires reveng.

CHARIFA.
The affront is known unto your self, you saw it
With your own eyes, and to speak truely Madame,
The injustice is extream.

FATIMA.
Know that my anget
Is so too; let us enter, it is late,
This night shall give us counsell.

ORMIN.
I'l go one,
And stay no longer, las! I dare not open
My mouth, nor keep it shut. Love, I beseech thee,
Mingle at least some good in the great masse.
Of my misfortunes, graunt that in demanding
All things of her, she grant me nothing for
him.—
aside.
Madame, shall I find so much goodnes from you
As to allow me the sweet liberty
To leave this letter heer in your fair hands?
It commeth from a Louer the most passionate
Of all those which the Lustre of your eyes.
Hath made slaves; and who, not withstanding all
The love wherewith his soul is seis'd, hath griven you
Some cause of plaint.

FATIMA.
Of plaint! ist Adibar
That writes vnto me? Softly to Charifa.

CHARIFA.
Without doubt tis he,
My heart doth tell me so.

FATIMA.
What would that false one
Desire of me?

ORMIN.
How cruell is this sweetnes
To me?—
aside.
The end of his desires is to
Appear before you, highly to detest
His insolēt crime, he would expresse the trouble
Wherewirh his soul is press'd, to the Divinity
Iustly offended, and receive in making
His fault worthy to be forgot, a pardon.
Or death at your fair feet.

FATIMA.
I desire not
His death; but I would have him live and hope;
How late soever his repentance comes,
I love it, and 't is welcome. My heart is
Already pacified by thy discourse.

ORMIN.
I have for my misfortune, too well sped.—

(aside.
FATIMA.
Let see with what, air, in this letter he
Vtters his thought, we will go in to read it,
And to give answer; since he is no longer
Obstinate in his coldnes, I will send
His pardon sign'd and seal'd.

ORMIN.
How full of joy
Will Zegry be at my return?

FATIMA.
What say you?
Zegry.

ORMIN.
Tis he that sends me, he will kisse
The words where with y'ave flatter'd him.

Fatima tearing his letter.
FATIMA.
This is
My answer, go, and carry it unto him.
Exit Fatima.

SCENE IV.

ORMIN, CHARIFA.
ORMIN.
This in equality astonisheth
And puzleth me,—Charifa!

CHARIFA.
No, good night.

ORMIN.
Hear me, I pray thee.

CHARIFA.
I take no delight
To talk with fools

ORMIN.
Stay yet a little.

CHARIFA.
I have not the leisure.
Adieu, fair prater!

ORMIN.
Be not so ungentle.
My hād shall speak gould, to supply my mouth

CHARIFA.
I don't believe thee.

ORMIN.
Believe the event.
From Zegry take this diamond.

CHARIFA.
To betraye,
And sell my Mistresse? God defend, I will not
Receive it.

Ormin.
Be not such a simple creature.

Charifa.
I take it then to please thee, but accept it
Vnto a good intent: the stone's not false,
At least I think so.

Ormin.
Thou mayst be assur'd on't,
Tis very fair, and perfect.

Charifa.
Pardon me,
My words might seem t'imply a doubt, that I
Suspected thee, but I am innocent.

Ormin.
Wilt thou not tell me by what fatall errour
Thy mistresse humour chang'd so suddenly?
And how it came, that only at the name
Of Zegry her heart presently grew cold,
Although enflam'd with my discourse before?

Charifa.
I love thee but too well; and if rhou wilt
Be secret, I'l discover unto thee
This secret of importance, this hid mistery.

ORMIN.
Thou wilt oblige me much, speak, I'm discreet.
And will concea'lt as closely as thy selfe.

Charifa.
Fatima then loves Adibar asmuch
As she doth hate thy Master; but for her,
Adibar by a pleasant fair return
Hath no, lesse coldnes then thy master love.
Thou knowst that thou art not yet known of her,
And that love oftentimes troubleth the brain:
Hence was it, that at first she did believe
That Adibar sent thee to speak to her;
But since she knew her errour, she was mad;
I hear a noise, let us speak soft I fear
We should be heard.

SCENE. V.

ALABEZ, ORMIN, CHARIFA.
Alabez.
The Devill! where thinks my Master
That I should meet with Ormin? it is night
And I can't find my way.

Charifa.
Prethee be still.

Ormin.
Let me alone. thy honour is not much
In danger with me.

Charifa.
Foh! my diamond
Is fallen from my finger.

Ormin.
Without doubt
The grasse conceals it from our sight.

Charifa.
We may
Seek it a good while ere we find it heer.

Ormin.
Yes in this manner, I'le go fetch a light,
Exit Ormin.

SCENE VI.

ALABEZ, CHARIFA.
Charifa.
Return I've found it.—

taking him for Ormin.
ALABEZ.
I should know that voice;
It is Charifa, strange! what might she do
So late heer in these woods? I will approach
A little neerer.—

aside.
CHARIFA.
Thou but jests with me,
Kisse me no more, if thou dost, I'l retire.

ALABEZ:
A rare piece this! I must hear all.

CHARIFA.
Yes really,
Promise me to be quiet, or I'l leave thee.
This is a little too much liberty
At first, I am a maid that stands upon
My reputation, and fear evill tongues,
I hold my honour very precious to me.

ALABEZ.
Thou seek'st to lose it, and invitest him
To take it from thee.—

aside.
CHARIFA.
What thou speakest not
A word unto me.

ALABEZ.
Excellent adventure!

CHARIFA.
How doth thy heart sigh, and thy close mouth murmur?
Those liberties, for all what I have said,
May be excus'd, if thou will marry me;
Thou know'st that one must marry, to love well
And if I please thee.—

ALABEZ.
Oh? what impudence?

CHARIFA.
What say'st thou?

Alabez.
I am much surpris'd, by Heaven.

Charifa.
What! answerest thou nothing? should this be
Through a contempt? I think that I'm not yet
So torn by time, as not to be thought worthy
To be considered; thou knowest well
Alabez, if I would have had that fellow.
My marriage with him had been already
Concluded, but that is a lowt, and hath not
The art to please me as thou hast, his faults
Are more considered by me, then his services.

ALABEZ.
The impudent jeers at me to my face.

CHARIFA.
That troublesome never did any thing
Which pleased me, he hath a sottish spirit,
And silly carriage; if the fool should marry me
I would not passe my word that he should not
Be one of those which every one points at
With finger, which permit their neighbours to
Think their wives fair, ād which we commōly
Call cuckoulds.

SCENE VII.

ORMIN, CHARIFA, ALABEZ.
Ormin.
See heer, I have brought you light.

CHARIFA.
What have I done? this is a grosse mistake

ALABEZ.
What think'st thou; have not I much cause to be
Well satisfied? I have done nothing then
That ever pleas'd thee, I've a sottish spirit
And silly carriage. Thou shouldst die with shame.

Charifa.
Why? prethee? I have utteted but a truth.

ALABEZ.
But a truth, traitresse, o thou brazen face!
What! If I married thee, thou dangerous beast
I should be of the number of those people
Which we call cuckoulds? thy impertinent tongue
Lied a hundred times, I'd rather chuse
A rope then such a bed fellow:

Ormin.
Whence springs
Your quarrel?

ALABEZ:
Peace a while, I shall in good time
Talk with you, friend, companion of ill luck

Ormin putting out the candle.
Ormin.
We must be gone, there's nothing to be gotten
But blows heer by a fool.—

Exeunt Ormin and Charifa.

SCENE VIII.

Almansor, Gasvl, Alabez, Adibar.
ALMANSOR.
Goe see whence comes this noise.

ALABEZ.
Oh have I met thee,—
giving Gasul a buffett.
precious Apostle?

GASVL.
How base traitor!

ALABEZ.
Pardon me,
I took thee for another, in good faith:
I sought a raskal that escaped me,
To whom I did intend that injury
But I shall soon o'rtake him without running.
Exit Alabe.

ALMANSOR.
Hast learnt the cause of those cōfused rumours?

GASVI.
No, but I have beene beaten by a person,
Who afterward made me excuses for't.

ALMANSOR.
The house is not far of, give order to
The voices to advance, and bid them sing
Neer to that Little wood.

Adibar appearing on the other side:
ADIAAR.
See, friends, the place
Where Zasda dwels, if you are ready now
Begin immediately.

The first song.
Ye deserts, and dark-cells
Where night and silence dwells
You whom I trust with my sad cares.

GASVL.
This voice belongs not to our company.

ALMANSOR.
This Stanza finish'd, let us be prepar'd
To sing forthwith the ayr which I compos'd

Second Song.
Ye brooks, and Zephirs sweet,
Which heer in Spring-time meet
To water and perfume these plains

ADIBAR.
What insolēt voice troubles our confort heer?
Th'affront shal not passe without punishment

ADIBAR.
Who art thou that dar'st heer to trouble me?

ALMANSOR.
My name is too well known to be conceal'd,
I'm call'd Almansor.

ADIBAR.
Fear, fear then mine anger.
I'm Adibar, thy greatest Enemy
Who to meet thee, have made some weary steps
Vnto no purpose; now when least I sought thee
I've found thee; tell me, how comes it that thou
Takest a licence to besiege my Mistresse
With so much insolence? dost visit her,
As friend unto her brother, or as Lover
And servant unto her?

Almansor,
Content thy self
To understand that as the brothers friend,
The Sister doth accept my setvices,
And that I reverence her: assure thy self
That if I were so happy as to be
Her Lover, I should be discret enough,
Not to acquaint thee with it.

Adibar.
These refinings,
And juglings which thou usest to defend thee,
Cannot withdraw thee from my just revenge,
Thou shalt die.—

Drawes
Almansor.
Rather fear that my sword heer—
drawes.
Peircing thy heart, quēnch thy love in thy blood.

SCENE IX.

Zegry, Adibar, Almansor.
ZEGRY.
For bear, and moderate this barbarous fury,
What means this, friends?

Adibar.
Nothing, since we are parted.

ZEGRY.
Oh, ist you Adibar?

ALMANSOR.
This is not the Song
Which I desire.

Adibar.
Zegry, thou dost me wtong.

ZEGRY.
What cause, dear friend, could animate thee so?
Permit me, I beseech you having parted you,
To reconcile you too at the same time:
I take an interest in your debats:
Let me know therfor what your differnce is.

Adibar.
Zegry in vaine you interpose your felf
To hinder the proceeding, my revengt
Is just, and your cares but prolong his life
For some few minures.—
Exit Adibar.

SCENE. X.

ZEGRY, ALMANSOR.
ZEGRY.
Deare Almansor tell me
Whence comes so strong a hate between you two?
Relate the cause on't,

ALMANSOR.
Tis not worth the labour;
This petty difference which troubles thee,
Should be determined ere known.

ZEGRY.
In vain
Thou dost persist to hide this secret from me:
Almansor, I ghesse at it; sure, some Beauty
Embroils you; I've heard heer two different consorts.
The rest I do divine.

ALMANSOR.
Friend, I confesse it;
We both at one time gave our Evering Musick
To one and the same Mistresse.

ZEGRY.
May not I
Know her name, Friend?

ALMANSOR.
Heavens how am I put to t?
Should I tell him that I adore his sister?—

aside.
ZEGRY.
Friend, this reservednes suits not that name,
I did not hide my amours for Fatima
From thee.

ALMANSOR.
He hath already promised
His sister; Im confounded; if I dare
To name her, what will he not say?—

aside.
ZEGRY.
This confus'd silence should su fficiently
Instruct me that he doth adore Fatima,
And dares not tell it me—
aside.
What! shall I not
Know then what object hath subjected thee?

ALMANSOR.
Her fair name uttered would make us enemies,
Instead of doing thee a courtesy
I should do thee an injury; adiew;
Dispense me to say more on't.

ZEGRY.
How is this!
Wilt thou not go unto my house?

ALMANSOR.
Excuse me,
This night I am engag'd by promise to
Lodge at Gomella's.

ZEGRY.
How! Gomella's, sayst thou?

ALMANSOR.
Yes, I fear that he stays for me, adiew,
I'ue promised him, and I can't fail my word.
Exit Almansor.

Zegry alone.
ZEGRY.
The traitor Loves Fatima: and intends
To marry her: to judge on't otherwise,
Is to abuse my self; yes owing me,
His life, he makes use of it to destroy me;
But he that could save it, can also ruine it;
And his death loudly shall proclaime to all
That the same arm which serves the innocent,
Can punish the ingratefull insolent.