University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The Entrance to the Temple in the Palace.
Enter Armusia, Emanuel, Sofa, and two other Portuguese Gentlemen.
Arm.
We're now in those delicious Eastern Climes
Where ev'ry Wind diffuses balmy sweets.
The Treasure of the Sun dwells here; each Tree,
As if it envy'd the Old Paradice,
Strives to bring forth Immortal Fruit. The Spices,
Renewing Nature, can preserve her Beauties
Untainted in the Grave. The very Rivers as we float along
Throw up their Pearls. The very Rivers as we float along
Teems with the Birth of Gemms, and dazzling Riches:
Nothing that bears a Life but brings a Treasure.

Em.
To wander, with us, Sir, you left betimes
Your Country, tho' the darling of its Court.

Arm.
We Portuguese with ease now journey thro' the Globe.
New worlds disclose their Beauties and their Prides to our embraces,
And we the first of Nations find these wonders.
But of 'em all, this Island boasts the greatest;
A Princess whom all Nature's Blessings grace.
The very Sun, I think, respects her Charms;
Nor dares affect 'em with the common gloom.

Em.
So lately Landed, and already struck! Beware, Armusia!

Arm.
Your Councel comes too late—Let's find the General,
Our Countryman, Ruidias—

So.
'Tis rumour'd, Sir, he loves her.

Arm.
Ha!—Yet I must on, in spight of Reason's Laws,
He meanly loves, whom fancied distance awes;
Like a bright Star, she's fix'd and shines on high,
But Love has wings, and to her Orb I'll fly.

Enter Piniero, Christophero.
Chri.
You're early here, Piniero.

Pini.
Not so early, Sir.
But I've already seen our Watch reliev'd.
And bid our Guards be careful of their Charge.
The Fort is all our strength in these Spice Islands.

Chri.
And sure our common safety
Requires strict watch upon our Treach'rous Neighbours.

Pini.
Their late attempt is yet too fresh among us,
In which against the Laws of Arms and Nations
The Governor of Ternate seiz'd by stealth
This Island's Monarch, our confederate King,
While for Diversion coasting in his Barge.

Chri.
His Royal Sister, the admir'd Quisara,
Has shew'd a noble mind, and tender'st Love
To her unhappy Brother and the nobler
Because his Fall wou'd raise her to a Throne.

Pini.
Such Charms and Virtue with just admiration
Have robb'd the Neighbouring Courts, and fill'd her
Palace with Royal Suiters—
Our General is in among 'em too, and has the start, 'tis thought.

Chri.
But have you seen Armusia,
The handsome Portuguese arriv'd here lately?
I fear he'll spoil his game, Piniero.

Pini.
A Man of noble Promise,
Without Reserv'dness Grave, and doubtless Valiant,
For he that dares come hither dares fight any where.
But hold—
We're in the Palace of the Island,
Not our own Fort. D'ye mark these Preparations?
Those doors lead to the Temple, where the Princess
Has summon'd all her Lovers to assemble;
But to what Purpose we are yet to learn.

Chri.
But who are chief?

Pini.
That swelling vanity, the King of Bakam.
The next Syana's Prince; but, what's the greatest wonder,
The haughty Governor, our Enemy,
He that surprized the King, to gain the Sister,
Is under formal Hostages arriv'd.—

Enter Armusia, and his Companions.
Pini.
You're welcome, to Tidore, Sir!
Know there is nothing in our power to serve you,
But you may freely challenge.

Arm.
Sir, we thank you, and rest your Servants.

Chri.
Brave Armusia, you never saw this Court before—
But hark, the Signal's given, and see the Pageants enter.

Enter the King of Bakam, Syana, and Governour with their respective Attendants.
Arm.
These sure are Islanders.

Pini.
And Princes.

Arm.
What may he be that bears so proud a Port?

Pini.
The King of Bakam, Sir, a mere Barbarian—
This is Syana's Prince—and that the Governour
Who seiz'd the King, and keeps him Prisoner.—

Ba.
Away, ye Trifles;
Am I in Competition with such Toys!

Sy.
You speak loud, Sir.

Ba.
Young man, I will speak louder.
Can any man but I deserve her favour?
Ye petty Princes!

Sy.
Thou proud vain Thing, whom Nature—

Ba.
I contemn Thee, and that Fort-keeping Fellow.

Go.
Ha!

Ba.
Keep thy Rank, Thing, with thy own petty Peers—
Call out the Princess?

Go.
Dost thou know me, Bladder?
Art thou acquainted with my Nature?
What can'st thou merit?

Ba.
Merit! I'm above it.
Honour's my Servant, Fortune is my Slave.
I slight ye, Insects: had not the vain People
Bestowed some Titles on ye, I shou'd forget your Names.

Sy.
Sir, talk less, that men may think you can do more.

Ba.
Why, I can talk and do.
I tell you, only I deserve the Princess,
And make good, only I, if you dare, you,
Or you, Syana's Prince.—

Sy.
Here lies my Proof.

Go.
I'll be short with you.

The Temple opens, an Altar is discovered, and Priests near it. Enter Ruidias, Quisara in state, with her Attendants.
Rui.
For shame forbear, ye Princes; rule your angers:
You violate the Freedom of this Place,
The State and Royalty—

Go.
He's well content I see, so I have done.

Qui.
You wrong me, and my Court, contentious Princes.
Comes your Love drest in violence to seek us?
Is't fit our Palace, and this Sacred Place
Shou'd be polluted with your bloody Rage?
He that loves me, loves my Commands; be temperate,
Or be no more what you profess, my Servants.

Omn.
We are calm as Peace.

Arm.
What Command she carries,
And what a sparkling Majesty flies from her!

Qui.
Since you're for Action, I shall find you danger:
But not this way: 'Tis not this mean Contention
Among your selves, nor Courtship to my Face
Who best can Love, or who can flatter most
Shall guide my choice; he that will hope my Favour
Must win me with his merit.

Omn.
Propose the way.

Qui.
First I shall call our Gods to witness what I promise,
Now give me hearing. 'Tis well known to you,
The King my Brother is Pris'ner to this Man.
Were I Ambitious there I'd let him die;
And wear his Crown; but greatness cannot tempt me
To forget Nature, and a King's Distress.
Therefore the Man that wou'd be known my Lover
Must first redeem my Brother, or seek another Mistress.

Arm.
Divine Creature!

Chri.
A dang'rous task; how they stand gazing all!

Qui.
I grant ye, this will be no easie work,
But the Reward is certain—Ruidias cold!
Perhaps you doubt me, Princes.
He that shall free the King, shall be my Husband.
By that most bright and Sacred Shrine, I swear,
Before these Holy Men I here proclaim it.
No stirring yet?

[Looks on Ruidias.
Rui.
If, Madam, to attempt this Royal Rescue
Thro' all forms of Danger
Might crown your hope, I had not lost this Minute;
But here, where Conduct must keep Pace with Courage,
The starting fiery Will is rein'd with Torment
To Judgment's flower march.

Qui.
Take your own Method.

Ba.
Madam, believe him here. I'll raise an Army,
Shall bring him to you, Island, Fort and all,
And fix it here.

Sy.
What may be, Madam,
And what my Pow'r can promise, I engage.

Go.
Ha; Ha!
Madam, their Pow'r and Arts are all too weak,
'Tis only in my Will to give your Wishes.
I seiz'd your Brother to secure you mine.
Then thus the Treaty's finisht! Take your Prisoner,
And make me yours, close Prisoner to these Arms:
Say but the word, your Brother shall be render'd quick as your wishes.

Qui.
Know, base Ravisher,
I hate both you, your Country, and your Love.
Heav'n knows how dear I prize his Liberty;
But e're I wou'd so basely buy his Freedom,
I'd study to forget he was my Brother.
By Force you took him; he that wou'd possess me,
Must fetch him back by Force, or ne're succeed.

Arm.
Noble Spirit!

Gov.
Be Wise, and use me better.

Qui.
I say by Force, and suddenly—so return, Sir;
And glad we have kept Faith for your safe Passage.

Gov.
How's this?

Pini.
Your hopes are great, good Governor.

Gov.
Am I then made a Property?
I'll check this Pride. This neglect of me
Shall cost your Brother dear.
For, as till now I've us'd him like a King,
He now shall in a Dungeon fetter'd lye,
Darkness and lingring Death for his Companions.
And let me see who dares attempt his Rescue.
Farewell: And when you find him thus, lament your scorn.
Nay, I shall make you kneel to take my Offer.
Exit Governour.

Qui.
Provoking Insolence! he dares you, Princes.
Your Honour now's concern'd. Haste, joyn your Powers;
When Majesty's thus wrong'd all Princes shou'd revenge.
Oh that I were a Man to lead you on,
To free a King, and punish that Barbarian,
That Tyrant, who by treach'rous Force wou'd gain
What ev'n submissive Truth can scarce obtain.

[Exit Quisara with her Train, Bak. and Sya.
Rui.
We must resolve and speedily. Walk with me Gentlemen.

Eexit Rui. Christ. and Pin.
Manent Armusia, Emanuel, and Sosa.
Em.
Now, Sir, you stand as you were charm'd.

Arm.
O Sosa, O Emanuel!

So.
What now?

Arm.
This Captive King! What an Action
Would this be to put forwards, Friends! What glory

Em.
And what an everlasting Wealth to crown it!

Arm.
To step into't while they are thinking.

So.
Sir, 'tis impossible; The Fort's impregnable.

Arm.
No more, dissuade me not, for I will rule in this.

So.
If it must be—

Arm.
Stay not for second Thoughts—Oh! She's an Angel!
At least we can attempt; our very Fate
Will sometimes be the Theme of her Discourse,
And I would dye ten thousand thousand Deaths
To have her talk of me—
Love, Love with all his Fires has shot himself
Into my Soul, and urges on to dare.
Shou'd we succeed, how vast is the Reward!
Come on, my Friends!—For such a Prize 'tis wise to hazard all;
Blest if we Live, and Glorious tho' we Fall.

Exeunt.