 | The Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese |  |
7
ACT II.
SCENE I.
A Vault under the Castle.Armusia, Sosa, Emanuel, and two more in Disguise, some of 'em with lighted Matches.
Arm.
Our prosperous Passage was a lucky Omen,
The Sea and Wind strove which should most befriend us.
Where lies our Boat?
So.
Safe lodg'd within the Reeds behind the Enemies Castle.
Arm.
These Merchant's Habits too have done us service:
Unquestion'd thus I've travel'd thro the Town,
View'd all the Tyrant's Magazines; got knowledge
Ev'n of the Prison,
Where the King's dungeon'd, and the Power that guards it.
So.
You attempt strong Work.
Arm.
Courage is strong; besides a Monarch's Fate's in't;
Yet lose or win, there's no retiring now.
Thus far our Game holds fair, as Merchants we
Have hir'd this Vault, and stow'd those Mattled Wares,
That soon will blow it up.
Em.
The Trains are laid, Sir.
Arm.
Come nearer then,
That no false Ear may reach us; o're this Vault
The Castle stands, where the proud Governor
Has stor'd his Arms and Treasure, next to that
The Prison where the injur'd King is kept.
The Fire I've brought shall break out into Flames
That all the Island shall stand wond'ring at.
When the Town's full of Fright, and all employ'd
To quench the Flames, then fly we to the Prison,
And push for the King's Rescue.
So.
Fortune speed us!
Arm.
Let us be worthy of it by our Courage,
And so take leave, but keep still within sight,
Till the Flames rise, then meet to do or dye.
Fail not, dear Fire, and Powder, hold your Nature;
8
Redeem a King, and serve a matchless Fair,
Assist my Love, and make one happy Pair.
Exeunt severally.
Scene the Town of Ternate.
Enter Governour and one of his Captains.
Gov.
No, Captain, for those Troops, we need 'em not,
The Town is strong enough to stand their Furies.
D'you think they dare attempt to free the King?
Cap.
Perhaps by Treaty,
But sure by Force they will not prove so forward.
Gov.
Well, wou'd I had the Princess, I must have her,
In spight of all her scorn.—Hark! what's that?
A noise is heard like the springing of a Mine.
That Noise there, it went with a violence.
Cap.
Some Wall, belike, Sir, is fallen suddenly.
Within.
Fire, Fire!
Gov.
I hear another Tune, 'tis loud and dreadful.
Look up into the Town, how bright the Air shews!
Exit Cap.
Upon my Life some sudden Fire—The Bell too.
The Bell rings.
Enter 1. Citizen.
1 Cit.
Fire, Fire!
Gov.
Where? Where?
1 Cit.
Suddenly taken in a Merchant's Vault, Sir,
It blazes fearfully! help! help, good People.
Re-enter Captain.
Cap.
Your Magazine's a fire, Sir, help, help, suddenly,
All will be lost.
Gov.
Raise all the Garrison.
Enter other Citizens.
Gov.
The Flames increase! help, help dear Citizens.
Freedom and Wealth to him that helps!
Fling Wine, fling any Thing, I'll see it recompens'd.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter 2d Citizen.
2.
Fire, Fire! What, my Brats hanging still about me! get you gone, you
young Bastards, go, go and plunder!
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3.
I heard 'em cry Fire, I wish I knew where 'tis, I'm deadly cold.
2.
Oh Neighbour, run, save your Goods, your House is a Fire.
3.
I don't care, I've got the Key in my Pocket.
SCENE changes to a Prison, and a prospect of Fire.
Enter Armusia and his Company breaking open a Door.
Arm.
So, thou art open, keep the Way clear behind still,
Now for the place where the King lies.
Em.
'Tis here, Sir.
Arm.
Force open the Door; quick, while the Guards are scatter'd.
All's in disorder—The Fire rages on—
Oh 'tis a glorious blaze—Ha! a miserable object!
(The King is discover'd.
Yet by his manly Face he shows a King.
King.
Why stare ye on me?
You cannot put on Faces to fright me:
In death, I'm still a King.
Arm.
Quick, break the Chain!
(They take off his Chains and put a Sword into his hand.
Oh Barb'rous Wretches thus to use a Prince.
King.
What does this mean?
Arm.
Sir, we are Friends, and come to set you free!
King.
Heaven! thou art gracious.
Enter Guard.
Arm.
Ha! the Guard! Charge 'em!
[They fight two Parties of Guards who at last fly.
They fly! the day is ours! the King is free.
King.
Thou gen'rous stranger, what art thou! Some Angel sure.
Oh! if thou art a man, let me embrace thee?
Command my Pow'r, my Life.
Arm.
Your Love, no more, Sir.
But now let's hence! haste to the Boat,
[They go with the King.
Then to Tidore, there, there is my Reward.
10
Possess'd of that, I shall think India poor.
There is no Wealth but she: She's Crowns, and Scepters,
Health, Freedom, Life, the Empire of the Globe;
Nay, more, she's—she's the Woman I adore,
And with Armusia that outweighs the World.
[Exeunt.
Enter several Townsmen.
1.
What, is the Fire out, or past the worst yet?
2.
'Tis out, Neighbour, but whether past the worst or no, I know not.
I never so bestirr'd my self since I was a Man. I have been burnt at both ends
like a Squib. I liv'd two long hours in the Fire. The Flame at last got
down into my Throat, and broke out again I don't know where. I fry'd like
a burnt Marrow-Bone.—If they had not clap'd in a dozen Buckets on this
goodly Tenement of mine, I had flam'd up like any Tavern Brush, and been
one of the seven Stars by this Time.
3.
Well, of all the seven Elements, ware fire, say I.
2.
Seven Elements, quoke he! why, you talk as if the Fire had scar'd you
out of your seven Sences! I tell ye there are but four Elements: Water and
Malt are two of 'em; and Fire and Brimstone, the other. They've past thro'
me a little too lately, I thank 'em.
3.
Hold, I say, there's a fifth Element, right Brandy.
2.
Thou art drunk?
3.
Right then, now I'm in my Element.
1.
Ay, Neighbour, if ev'ry Man had wrought as you did.
2.
Why, I stole nothing, you slandring Cuckold you. That Son of a Batchelor
is always back-biting a man to his face. I'd have you to know, I
scorn your words. 'Tis well known I get my living at my Finger's ends, and
that too I get out of the Fire, as a man may say.
3.
How many Rogues were there pretending to help remove Goods, and
ran away with 'em.
2.
Ay, those unconscionable Rogues! I hate 'em. I hate a Thief.
1.
But is there not a deal of damage done?
2.
Only some six score houses burnt, that's all, Neighbour—
Come let's go home, and fright our Wives, for we look like Devils!
away! yonder comes our Governor, a worse Plague than the Fire, he has
beams enough yet standing to hang us all.
[Exeunt.
11
Go.
Fool'd with a Fire! Oh I cou'd tear my Limbs.
The King is scap'd, fled, past Recovery,
All, all my hopes of Love and Greatness lost.
Shall I give over then? No, Spight, Ambition,
Revenge, and fiercer Love forbid it. Rather,
I'll venture all, and, in disguise, unknown,
Crown my Foe's Fortune, or retrieve my own.
[Exit.
The Scene changes to the King's Palace in Tidore, thro' which is discovered a Fleet of Ships of War.
Enter Ruidias.
Rui.
Love bids me dare, but reason bids delay.
Our strength is now too small for such a Siege.
Yet I must on, the Princess Fires my Soul,
And though she seems to favour my addresses
Unless I free the King I must despair.
Well then, I'll die, or do't—We'll now embark—
[Shouts at a distance.
What means that Shout?
Enter Piniero.
Pini.
Where are you, Sir? Oh you're undone, prevented.
The King's releas'd, he's coming in his Barge,
That met him nigh the Port.
Rui.
Impossible! who should redeem him?
The Princes are all here.
Pini.
'Tis done, Sir.
Rui.
It cannot be! Done! who dares do it?
[Shout again.
Enter Quisara, Panura, and other Attendants.
Qui.
Can it be possible! The King returning!
Freed by a Stranger! Oh my Fatal Vow!
Rui.
Grief strikes me dumb!
Qui.
I thought none but Ruidias cou'd have freed him.
Is there another like him in the World?
But Oh! Surprise and Grief betray me, and I lose
The Sister's gladness in the Lover's sorrow.
Oh Brother! cou'd I have thought I shou'd have shed a Tear
12
Rui.
Oh Princess!
Qui.
The general Joy comes on,
[Shout again.
And I must meet it, but oh with what comfort?
Enter King attended with a numerous Train, Trumpets, Kettledrums and Music. Armusia, Sosa, Emanuel with him, Bakam, and Syana on each side with their Attendants and Guards.
King.
Rise my Sister!
I am not welcome yet, till you embrace me.
Qui.
My Royal Brother! Oh I'm lost in Pleasure,
To see you safe again.
Rui.
Sir, I rejoyce to see you here restor'd,
But must repine, that 'twas not by my means:
'Twas a brave Deed, I envy him that did it:
Yet had it mist, my project had not fail'd.
King.
I thank you, noble Sir, I know you love me.
Ba.
I have an Army, Sir,
That wou'd have scour'd your Tyrant and his Country.
I'm sorry you're releas'd, and wish you in your Dungeon again,
That I might bring you hither at my Armies Head.
Sya.
I have done nothing, Sir, and therefore think it
Convenient to say little of what my Love design'd.
King.
I like your Modesty—My gen'rous Friends,
I thank you all; I know it griev'd ye
To hear my Misery: But this Man, Princes,
I must thank heartily indeed.
This wondrous Man, even from the Grave of Sorrow,
Has rais'd me up to Freedom, Life, and Empire.
Oh Sister, if there may be thanks for this,
Or any thing near Recompense, invent it.
Arm.
You are too Noble, Sir, there is Reward,
Reward above my Action too, by Millions;
A Recompense, so Rich, so Great, so Glorious
I durst not dream it mine, but that 'twas promis'd
Before the Face of Heaven.
King.
O speak it, speak it, bless me with the Knowledge;
Make me a happy man,
For still methinks I am a Prisoner,
And feel no Liberty, till that is found.
13
It is—(But first to Heav'n and you I bend,
If either can forgive the high Demand)
It is your Sister, Royal Sir, She's mine.
I claim her, by her own Word, and her Honour:
It was her open Promise to the Man
That durst redeem you—Beauty set me on,
And Fortune crowns my hopes, if She receive me.
King.
Receive you, Sir—Why, Sister! ha! turn from him?
Stand as you knew not me, nor what he has ventur'd?
My dearest Sister!
Arm.
O Sir, your Pardon,
There is a blushing Modesty
That holds her back; Virgins are nice to Love;
I wou'd not have her forc'd; give her fair liberty:
Ladies of her soft Nature, if compell'd,
Turn into Fears, and fly ev'n their own Wishes.
King.
Look on him, Princess, is there such another?
Qui.
Sir, I confess,
My Word is pass'd, and he by that has purchas'd;
But yet be pleas'd to give me Time to be
Acquainted with his Merit: we are Strangers,
And Love, like Pow'r, must pass thro Ceremonies,
E're it can fix in Virgin's hearts.
King.
Be speedy.
You will respect your Word: I know you will:
I'll be your Pledge, my Hero: Come, my Sister,
Let's see what Welcome you can give a Prisoner,
And what kind Looks a Friend—
Thus in my Arms once more.
Arm.
You make me blush, Sir.
King.
Let this Day see our whole Court crown'd with Pleasure.
An Entertainment of Music and Dancing.
Several Shepherds advance and express their Joy.
Shepherd.
This glorious Day, let Pleasures flow;
Now Love and Hymen jar no more:
Ye Sports, appear, let Sorrow cease below!
Hither repair, the Golden Age restore.
Let Mortals share the Blessings of the Skies,
See Jove for ever cease to rove,
And own, tho' Nuptial Fewds arise,
No Joys can Vye with Lawful Love.
14
Happy he who wisely chose
To taste of Love without his Woes.
“Happy She whose Charms improve
“The soft Delights of Harmless Love.
CHORUS.
Change may raise a wanton Fire,
But Truth can best improve Desire,
And Kindles, never to expire.
Two Shepherds.
Cease, ye Rovers, cease to Range
Pleasure revels least in Change.
Wandring still, and still uneasy,
Nought can fix ye, nought can please ye;
While True Love, like Heav'nly Joys,
Never dies, and never cloys.
A Shepherdess.
“From drooping Minds let Sorrow fly,
“Joy must reign, and Anguish die.
“Souls who grieve for Coy Denying,
“Hearts now raging, Wretches dying,
“Know, that Lovers who pursue,
“Soon or late the Fair subdue.
“Blame your Fear when you despair,
“Not the wishing dying Fair.
A Shepherd.
All the Pleasures, Hymen brings
Lawful Sweets, and chast Desires,
All the Pleasures Hymen brings,
Flow from ever-living Springs,
And never-dying Fires.
A Shepherdess.
The Jolly Swains
That were roving o're the Plains
From all Regions hither fly,
To claim kind Hymen's gentle Tye.
With their wanton Motions courting
Some lovely Maid
Whose Eyes persuade
To soft Delights, and am'rous Sporting.
Enter Swains and Shepherdesses, who dance,
Grand CHORUS.
Love's Flame divinely burns:
The Golden Age returns.
Jove, Juno, and Cupid, and Hymen agree,
All Hearts thus are bless'd, and less happy when free.
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Lead on! Sister, your hand to my Deliverer.
Arm.
Oh let me first approach it with a Kiss,
Thus trembling with Extremity of Bliss.
Wisely, bright Princess, you allay the Joy,
Still slowly Bless, and leasurely Destroy.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese | |