 | The Siege of Rhodes : The Second Part |  |
48
The Fifth Act.
The Scene is chang'd to a Prospect of Rhodes by night, and the Grand Masters Palace on Fire.Enter Solyman, Pirrhus, Rustan.
Soly.
Look Pirrhus, Look! what means that sudden light,
Which casts a paleness o're the face of Night?
The Flame shews dreadfull, and ascends still higher?
Pirrh.
The Rhodian Masters Palace is on Fire!
Rust.
A greater from Saint Georges Tower does shine!
Soly.
Chance it would seem, but does import design!
Enter Mustapha.
Must.
Their Flagg of Treaty they have taken in!
Soly.
Dare they this ending Warr again begin?
Pirrh.
They feed their flames to light their forces out!
Rust.
And now, seem sallying from the French Redoubt!
Must.
Old Orcan takes already the Alarm!
Soly.
Need they make fires to keep their Courage warm?
Pirrh.
The English now advance!
Soly.
Let them proceed!
Their Cross is bloody, and they come to bleed.
Set all the Turn-pikes open, let them in!
Those Island Gamesters may,
49
Behold fair stakes, and try what they can winn.
[Exeunt omnes.
Enter Villerius, Alphonso, Admiral, Marshal.
Vill.
Burn, Palace, burn! Thy flame more beautious grows
Whilst higher it ascends.
That now must serve to light us to our Foes
Which long has lodg'd our Friends.
Alph.
It serves not only as a light
To guide us in so black a Night;
But to our Enemies will terrour give.
Mar.
Who (seeing we so much destroy,
What we in triumph did enjoy,
That now we know not where to Live)
Will strait conclude that boldly we dare Dye.
Vill.
And those, who to themselves lov'd life deny,
Want seldome Pow'r to aid their will
When they would others kill.
Adm.
Speak both of killing and of saving too.
The utmost that our Valour now can do
Is when, by many Bassas, Pris'ners ta'ne,
We freedome for distrest Ianthe gain.
Alph.
A Jewel too sufficient to redeem
Great Solyman were he in Chains with them.
Vill.
Here spread our Front! Our Rear is all come forth.
We lead Two Thousand Rhodian Knights;
All skill'd in various Fights:
Fame's Role contains no names of higher worth.
In whispers give command
To make a stand!
Adm.
Stand!
within.
1
Stand!
2
Stand!
3
Stand!
50
Divide our Knights, and all their Martial Train!
Alph.
Let me by Storm the Sultan's Quarter gain.
Adm.
My Lot directs my Wing to Mustapha.
Mar.
To Pirrhus, o're his Trench, I'le force my way.
Vill.
Our honour bids us give a brave defeat;
Whilst Prudence leaves Reserves for a Retreat.
All Lovers are concern'd in what we do.
Loves Crown depends on you, on you, and you.
Love's Bow is not so fatal as my Sword.
Alph.
As mine.
Adm.
And mine.
Together.
Ianthe is the Word.
[Exeunt.
A Symphony expressing a Battail is play'd awhile.
Enter Solyman.
Soly.
More Horse! more Horse, to shake their Ranks!
Bid Orchan haste to gaul their Flanks.
Few Rhodian Knights, making their several stands,
Out-strike Assemblies of our many Hands.
Enter Mustapha, Rustan.
Must.
Morat, and Valiant Zangiban are slain.
Rust.
But Orcan does their yielded ground regain.
Soly.
Our Crescents shine not in the shade of Night.
But now the Crescent of the Sky appears;
Our valour rises with her lucky light;
And all our Fighters blush away their fears.
51
Pirrh.
More Pikes! and pass the French! fall in! fall in!
That we may gain the day e're day begin.
Soly.
Advance with all our Guards! This doubtfull strife
Less grieves me than our odds
Of number against Rhodes;
By which we honour lose to rescue Life.
[Exeunt.
A Symphany sounds a Battail again.
The Scene Returns to the Town Besieg'd.
Enter Villerius, Marshal.
Vill.
Send back! send back! to quench our fatal fire!
E're Morning does advance we must retire;
Justly asham'd to let the days great Light
Shew what a little we have done to Night.
Enter Admiral.
Adm.
We have been Shipwrackt in a Midnight storm;
Who hither came (Great Master) to perform
Such deeds as might have given us cause to boast.
Mar.
We found the Night too black,
And now no use can make
Of Day but to discern that we are lost.
52
Can thy great Courage mention our deseat
Whilst any Life is left to make retreat?
Adm.
It is a just rebuke.
Vill.
Where is the Duke?
Adm.
Long tir'd with Valour's toils, and in his Breast
O're charg'd with Lovers griefs, he sought for rest.
To Fames eternal Temple he is gone.
And I may fear
Is enter'd there,
Where Death does keep the narrow Gate,
And lets in none
But those whom painfull Honour brings,
Many, without, in vain for entrance wait,
With warrants seal'd by mighty Kings.
Vill.
Villerius never yet by Turkish Swords
Was cut so deep as by thy wounding words.
Is that great Youth, the Prince of Lovers, slain?
Adm.
Who knows how much of Life he does retain?
Twice I reliev'd him from the double force
Of Zangibans old foot, and Orcan's Horse.
My strength was over-pow'rd; he still bent
To follow Honour to the Sultan's Tent.
Mar.
Alphonso's Story has this sodain end:
Ianthe may a longer fate attend.
Vill.
Of Lifes chief hope we are bereft.
Go rally all whom Death has left.
Let our remaining Knights make good the Peer.
Our hearts will serve to beat,
Unheard, a stoln Retreat.
Adm.
But shall we leave Ianthe Captive here?
Vill.
I'le to our Temple force our way;
And there for her redemption pray:
Her freedome now depends on our return.
In Temples we shall nothing gain
From Heav'n, whilst we of loss complain:
Wee'l for our Crimes, not for our Losses, mourn.
[Exeunt.
53
Soly.
Let us no more the Rhodians flight pursue;
Who since below our anger, need our care.
Compassion is to vanquisht Valour due
Which was not cruel in successfull Warr.
Pirrh.
Our Sultan does his pow'r from Heav'n derive,
'Tis rais'd above the reach of human force:
It could not else with soft compassion thrive:
For few are gain'd or mended by remorse.
The world is wicked grown, and wicked men
(Since jealous still of those whom they have harm'd)
Are but enabled to offend agen
When they are pardon'd and left arm'd.
Enter Mustapha, Rustan.
Must.
The Rhodians will no more in Arms appear:
They now are lost before they lose their Town.
Rust.
They may their Standards hide and Ensigns tear:
For what's the Body when the Soul is gone?
Must.
The Pris'ner whom in doubtfull fight we took
(Who long maintain'd the strife,
For freedome more than life)
Is young Alphonso, the Sicilian Duke.
Soly.
Fortune could never find, if she had Eyes,
A Present for me which I more would prize.
[Enter Haly.
Haly.
Your Bosom-slave (the Creature which your pow'r
Has made in all the world the greatest Wife)
Did all this dang'rous Night kneel and implore
That Heav'n would give you length of happy life,
In measure to your breadth of spreading Fame,
And to the heighth of Ottamans high name.
54
Tell Roxolana I esteem her love
So much that I her anger fear;
And whilst with passion I the one approve
The other I with temper bear.
Haly.
She charg'd me not to undertake t'express
With how much grief her Eyes did melt
When she this Night your dangers felt;
Nor how much joy she shew'd at your Success.
She hears that you have Pris'ner took
The bold Sicilian Duke:
And begs he may be strait at her dispose;
That you may try how she can use your Foes.
Soly.
This furious Rhodian Sally could not be
Provokt but by his Jealousie of me.
Must.
He wanted honour who could yours suspect.
Pirrh.
The rash, by Jealousie, themselves detect.
Soly.
His jealousie shall meet with punishment.
Convay him strait to Roxolana's Tent.
[Exit Pirrhus.
But, Haly, know, the fair Ianthe must
Be safe, and free, who did my honour trust.
You want no Mutes, nor can they want good skill
To torture or dispatch those whom they Kill.
But since this Duke's renown did spread and rise
(Who in attempt at Night
Has often scap'd my sight)
Take care that I may see him e're he Dyes.
[Exeunt several ways.
55
Enter Ianthe in her Night Dress.
Iant.
In this Pavilion all have been alarm'd.
The Eunuchs, Mutes, and very Dwarfs were arm'd.
The Rhodians have a fatal Sally made;
And many now, to shun
The griefs of Love, are run
Through nights dark walks to Death's detested shade.
An Eunuch lately cry'd, Alphonso's slain;
Now others change my grief,
And give some small relief,
By new report that he's but Pris'ner ta'ne.
Where, my afflicted Lord,
Is thy victorious Sword?
For now (though 'twas too weak to rescue thee)
It might successfull grow
If thy triumphant Foe
Would make an end of Love by ending me.
Enter Roxolana.
Roxol.
How fares my Rival, the Sicilian Flow'r?
Iant.
As wet with Tears as Roses in a show'r.
Roxol.
I brought you Presents when I saw you last.
Iant.
Presents? If you have more,
Like those you brought before,
They come too late, unless they make great haste.
Roxol.
Are you departing without taking leave?
Iant.
I would not you, nor can your Guards deceive.
56
You'l pay a farewell to a civil Court?
Iant.
Souls make their parting Ceremonies short.
Roxol.
The Present which the Sultan sent before
(Who means to vex your bashfulness no more)
Was to your Lips, and that you did refuse:
But this is to your Ear. I bring you news.
Iant.
I hear, my Lord and Rhodes have been too blame.
Roxol.
It seems you keep intelligence with Fame:
Or with some frighted Eunuch, her swift Post;
Who often has from Camps to Cities brought
The dreadfull News of Battails lost
Before the Field was fought.
Iant.
Then I may hope this is a false alarm;
And Rhodes has neither done nor taken harm.
Roxol.
You may believe Alphonso is not slain.
Iant.
Blest Angel, speak! Nor is he Pris'ner ta'ne?
Roxol.
He is a Pris'ner, and is given to me.
Iant.
Angels are kind, I know you'l set him free.
Roxol.
He has some Wounds, plac'd nobly in his Breast.
Iant.
You soon take back the comfort you have given.
Roxol.
They are not deep, and are securely drest.
Iant.
Now you are good agen! O heal them Heav'n!
Roxol.
In Heav'n, Ianthe, he may mercy find,
He must go thither, and leave you behind.
Iant.
I hope I shall discern your looks less strange;
And your expressions not so full of change.—
Roxol.
Weep'st thou for him, whose sawcy Jealousie
Durst think the Sultan could be false to me?
Iant.
Though his offence makes him unfit to live,
I hope it is no crime in me to grieve.
Roxol.
Soft Fool! bred up in narrow Western Courts;
Which are by Subjects storm'd like Paper-Forts:
Italian Courts, fair Inns for forein Posts;
Where little Princes are but civil Hosts.
Think'st thou that she, who does wide Empire sway,
Can breed such storms as Lovers show'rs allay?
Can half the World be govern'd by a Mind
57
Iant.
Where are those virtuous Vows you lately seal'd?
Roxol.
I did enjoyn they should not be reveal'd.
Iant.
But could you mean they should be broken too?
Roxol.
Those Seals were counterfeit, and pass
For nothing, since my Sealing was
But to a Christian when I seal'd to you.
Iant.
Seal'd by your pretious Lipps? What is so sure
As that which makes the Sultan's heart secure?
You to Religion many Temples rere;
Justice may find one Lodging in your breast.
Roxol.
Religion is but publique fashion here;
And Justice is but private interest.
Nature our Sex does to revenge incite;
And int'rest counsels us to keep our own.
Were you not sent to rule with me at Night?
Love is as shy of Partners as the Throne.
Haly, prepare the Pris'ner; he must Dye.
[Enter Haly.
Iant.
If any has offended, it is I.—
O think! think upward on the Thrones above.
Disdain not mercy, since they mercy love.
If mercy were not mingled with their pow'r,
This wretched world could not subsist an how'r.
Excuse his innocence; and seize my life!
Can you mistake the Husband for the Wife?
Roxol.
Are Christian Wives, so true, and wondrous kind?
Ianthe, you can never change my Mind:
For I did ever mean to keep my Vow:
Which I renew, and seal it faster now.—
[Kisses her.
The Sultan franckly gave thy Lord to me;
And I as freely render him to thee.
Iant.
To all the world be all your virtues known
More than the Triumphs of your Sultans Throne.
Roxol.
Send in her Lord, to calm her troubled Breast.
Exeunt Roxolana, Haly, several ways.
Iant.
Now his departing life may stay;
58
They were not deep, and are securely Drest.
Enter Haly, Alphonso, his Arms bound.
Haly.
Fate holds your Dice; and here expect the Cast.
Your chance, if it be bad, will soon be past.
[Exit.
Alph.
My doom contains not much diversity.
To live, to dye, to be a slave, or free?
Death summs up all! by Dying we remove
From all the frowns of Pow'r, and griefs of Love.
Ianthe, are you here?
I will dismiss my fear.
Deaths dreaded Journey I
Have ended e're I Dye.
Death does to Heav'n the virtuous lead;
Which I enjoy ere I am Dead.
For it is Heav'n to me where e're thou art,
And those who meet in Heav'n shall never part.
Iant.
Stay, stay, Alphonso! you proceed too fast;
For I am chang'd since you beheld me last.
In Rhodes I wholly did my self resign
To serve your pow'r, but you are now in mine.
And that you may perceive how soon I can
Melt the Obdurate heart of Solyman;
Let this confirm your restless Jealousie:
You came in bound, and thus I make you free.—
[Unbinds him.
Alph.
By this, Ianthe, you express no more
Dominion o're me than you had before.
In Rhodes I was a Subject to your will:
Your smiles preserv'd me, and your frowns did Kill.
Iant.
I know your Tongue too well; which should deceive,
One who had Study'd all the Art
Of Love rather than her whose heart
59
But now you know, that though you are unbound,
Yet still your walk is on the Sultans ground.
Alph.
Ianthe, you are chang'd indeed
If, cruelly, you thus proceed.
Iant.
In tracing human Story we shall find
The cruel more successfull than the kind.
Whilst you are here submitted to my sway,
It safe discretion were to make you pay
For all those Sighs and Tears my Heart and Eyes
Have lost to make you lose your Jealousies.
But I was bred in Natures simple School;
And am but Loves great Fool,
With whom you rudely play,
And strike me hard, then stroke the pain away.—
How are your Wounds? I hope you find them slight?
Alph.
They scarce will need the rip'ning of a Night:
Unless, severe Ianthe, you
By chiding me, their pains renew.
Iant.
Was it not Jealousie which brought you here?
Alph.
It was my love, conducted by my fear.
Fear of your safety, not of virtue, made
The Rhodians, by surprize, this Camp invade.
In hope, by bringing home great Pris'ners, we
Might set the Rhodians greater Mistress free.
Iant.
The safety of Ianthe was not worth
That courage which mis-led the Rhodians forth.
The worlds Contagion, Vice, could ne'r infect
The Sultans heart: but when you did suspect
His favours were too great for me to take,
You then, Alphonso, did unkindly make
My merit small; as if you knew
There was to that but little due.
Or if he wicked were,
What danger could you fear?
Since Virtues force all vicious pow'r controles.
Lucrece a Ponyard found, and Porcia Coals.
60
How low to your high virtue shall I fall?
Iant.
What chance attended in this fatal Night
The Master, Marshal, and the Admiral?
Alph.
I lost them in the thickest Mist of Fight.
Yet did from Haly this short comfort get
That they to Rhodes have made a brave Retreat.
As Love's great Champions we must them adore.
Iant.
Be well, Alphonso, I will chide no more.
Enter Solyman, Roxolana, Mustapha, Pirrhus, Haly, Rustan.
Soly.
Haly, I did declare that I would see
The jealous Pris'ner e're he Dy'd.
Roxol.
Look there! you are obey'd. Yet pardon me
Who, e're you pardon'd him, did make him free.
Soly.
In this I have your virtue try'd.
If Roxolana thus revengeless proves
To him whom such a beautious Rival loves,
It does denote she Rivals can endure,
Yet think she still is of my heart secure.
Duke, this Example of her trust may be
A cure for your distrustfull thoughts of me.
You may imbark for the Sicilian Coast;
And there possess your Wife when Rhodes is lost.
Alph.
Since freedome, which is more than Life, you give
To him, who durst not ask you leave to Live;
I cannot doubt your bounty when I crave
That, granting freedome, you will Honour save.
My honour I shall lose, unless I share
In Rhodes, the Rhodians worst effects of Warr.
To Sicily let chaste Ianthe steer;
And sing long Stories of your virtue there:
Whilst, by your mercy sent, to Rhodes I go,
To be in Rhodes your Suppliant, not your Foe.
61
Alphonso, I have honour too;
Which calls me back to Rhodes with you.
Were this, through tenderness, by you deny'd
For soft concerns of Life,
Yet gracious Solyman will ne'r divide
The Husband from the Wife.
Soly.
Both may to Rhodes return: But it is just
That you, who nobly did my honour trust,
(Without my Pass, or plighted Word)
Should more by your advent'rous visit get
Than Empires int'rest would afford,
Or you expected when you came to Treat.
Go back Ianthe; make your own
Conditions boldly for the Town.
I am content it should recorded be,
That, when I vanquisht Rhodes, you Conquer'd me.
Iant.
Not Fames free Voice, nor lasting Numbers can
Disperse, or keep, enough of Solyman.
Soly.
From Lovers Beds, and Thrones of Monarchs, fly
Thou ever waking Madness, Jealousie.
And still, to Natures Darling, Love
(That all the World may happy prove)
Let Giant-Virtue be the watchfull Guard,
Honour, the cautious Guide, and sure reward:
Honour, adorn'd in such a Poets Song
As may prescribe to Fame
What loyal Lovers name
Shall farr be spread, and shall continue long.
[Exeunt omnes.
| The Siege of Rhodes : The Second Part | |