 | The Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese |  |
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.
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.
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 Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese | |