 | The conquest of China, By the Tartars |  |
The Fourth ACT.
Scene the First.
Enter Amavanga and Vangona.Amav.
Why has hard Fate so strange a Subject chose,
To Make two Lovers meet like Mortal Foes?
I by Zungteus Hand, or he by mine,
Must on this place our dying Breaths Resigne.
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But she, whose Hand dares in a Single Fight
Maintain her Countries and an Empires Right,
Deserves the best and bravest of Mankind.
And though wild Chance him for your Foe design'd:
The Glory of the Deed takes off the Crime:
Fighting your Lover you best merit him.
Am.
Well since 'tis past Retreat—
I'le make this Glorious Tryal of my Love;
If Amavanga's Arme Victorious prove,
My King Reveng'd, and China's Peace restor'd,
I'le find this Second Subject for my Sword.
Points to her heart.
And if it be his Fate to kill, I'le try
If after me h'has Love enough to dy:
Then to the Skyes together we'l take Flight,
As Conqu'rours, and be Crown'd with Wreaths of Light.
Since for our Loves the World no Room has giv'n,
Dying we will Remove the Scene to Heav'n.
We'l Shine the brightest Pair that Reign Above;
No such twin-Stars, as those that dy in Love.
Enter Theinmingus, Zungteus, Palexus, and Tartars on one side.
King of China, Quitazo, Licungus, and Guards of Chineses on the other side.
Amavanga, Vangona, Zungteus, and Palexus with drawn Swords advance into the middle of the Stage. A Herauld with a large Parchment-Roll at the further end of the Stage faces the Audience.
Thein.
In Presence of both Armies, Heav'n, and you
I solemnly my former Oath Renew:
That at his Victory, and our Defeat
I from your Empire will in Peace Retreat:
To all those Articles contain'd I yield:
All your Demolish't Citys I'le rebuild.
King of China
If in this Fight Fate on our Champion frown,
We're Tributaries to the Tartar Crown
Thein.
The next thing is, it lies in your free Choice
To fight with Seconds, or without.—
Zung.
—Your Voice?
Are you for Seconds?
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—Seconds!—are Men grown
Such Cowards that they dare not dy alone?
Beasts fight in heards: and when Men are so Rude
To decide Quarrels by a Multitude;
When snatch't at by so many Hands, a way
So Savage, Honor's not a Prize, but Prey.
Palex.
But Sir by Custom, and by friendship's Laws,
We plead a Seconds Right in a Friends Cause.
Am.
Such Men true Friendship never understood,
Who basely with their own mix their Friends Blood.
Seconds! th'Invention of some Coward Hand,
By Customary Barb'rousness maintain'd;
Which all Heroick Spirits must disown,
Who borrow others Courage doubt their own.
Decrepit Age may with Brisk Seconds fight,
And Wink and Conquer, if their Arms hit right.
No Sir, I beg yours and these Monarchs leave,
That from our Single Hands they would their Fates receive.
Zung.
Agreed.
Thein. & King of China.]
Agreed.
Thein.
Draw off, and at the Trumpets sound
Prepare your Entries first, then choose your Ground.
Am.
Sir I request your Promise, if I fall
To let him give me Private Funeral.
[Pointing to Van.
After the Sound of Trumpets they Fight, and Amavanga falls.
The Tartars Shout.
Am.
Draw nearer, Sir, and know these Closing Eyes:
'Twou'd be unkind to dye in a Disguise.
Empty of Blood my Veins, with Love are fil'd;
I'm Charm'd even by that Courage—
I am kill'd.
Zung.
My Amavanga dead! and by my Hand!
Oh! Envious Gods with fatal Planet Raign'd
Ore this Black Day. Could any thing, but Hate
And Scorne to me, make you Embrace this Fate,
To Chuse your Murder from no Hand but this?
Am.
Hold Sir, t'accuse now I'm dying is
A Sound too harsh t'a breaking Lover's Heart.
So long a Farewell and unkindly Part!
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Think what Devotion to my King I owe.
Nothing but Loyalty and Honour's Laws
Engag'd me in this Great but Fatal Cause.
Do not Deplore my Fate, it is a Grace too High;
I've lost an Empire and deserve to dy.
My Conscious Soul do's all my stains recount,
And blush to look on Heav'n, where it would mount,
But if Heav'ns Mercy any Room can spare,
To let a Worthless Guest in habit there;
My Soul shall bear thy Image to the Sky,
I'l grasp thee till I reach Eternity;
And when I'm there; if Love so far can veiw:
Look up to me; as I'l look down to you.
[dyes.
Zung.
Her Sacrilegious Murder do's present
All Horrours, that Distraction can invent,
Or Tortur's yeild: My stagg'ring Frame's ill built;
And takes Convulsions from the Wounds she felt.
Palex.
Restrain your Passion, Let it ne'r be said,
You plaid the Lover in an Armies Head.
Zung.
Gods!—
Thein.
Now by the Justice of our stronger Cause
You must submit t'obey your Conqu'rours Laws.
K. of China.]
What I have sworn, I never dare call back.
Zung.
Then Sir that Oath you swore, 'tis I dare break.
Be still a Monarch—
[Tears the Articles
You shall not shrink thus tamely from a Throne,
Nor quit one Gemm that sparkles in a Crown.
Thein.
How Traytor!
Zung.
—No, I'm China's Mortal Foe:
But 'tis a Debt I to my Honour owe.
To give him back the forfeit of his Crown.
And to maintain his and my own Renown,
I'le stake my Life and Soul, and lend my Sword
To Guard that Throne my bounty has restor'd.
Thein.
Great Gods! what black Offences have I done,
To find so great a Traytor in a Son?
The Name of Son he ha's too long possest;
Direct your Swords at the bold Rebels Brest.
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First hear me Sir, and then my Life I'le yield.
To my Disgrace I have a Woman kill'd.
Alc.
A Woman!
Zung.
But it shall never stain my past Renown
To say I fought with Women for a Crown.
I set such Rate on Kings, though Enemies,
That though my mounting Pride at Empire flyes:
Yet my Ambition ha's this Virtue taught,
I scorne to wear a Crown so cheaply bought.
Once more then for my Honour and your own
Choose out a Manly Hand to Guard your Throne.
Choose out a Champion from your Armies Head;
With him once more my former Cause I'le plead.
Let our too Swords renew this great debate:
And turn the Scale of Empires by our Fate.
Quit.
Sir, Let my Hand that glorious Cause decide.
King of China.
Quitazo hold; that Suite must be deny'd.
No, I have found his Vertue so Sublime,
I dare not trust my Cause a Second time.
Zungteus ha's a mind so God-like, great,
And Generous, he can no Equal meet.
When e'r he fights, unmatch't he has the Odds;
Who fights with him makes War against the Gods.
For sure their Deities must take his side,
Whose Soul is to their Heav'n so near ally'd.
I'le trust my Fate to no more single Hands:
But bow to what this Conqu'rour Commands.
Zung.
If then you dare not trust a single Sword,
Be in you Pallace-Walls again secur'd.
The former Truce we made remains this Night:
And the next Morning's Sun Renews the Fight.
If through the Camp you doubt in your Retreat
Your Person's safety to the City Gate:
To You—
I and my Army shall this Homage pay,
Your Foes to morrow, but your Guards to day.
King of China.
Brave Conqu'rour—
Had you of this Days Fate th'Advantage took,
You from my Hand had China's Scepter struck.
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Who the Reward of Conquest can despise.
[Exit King of China attended.
Thein.
Zungteus Deeds, and Glories are above
The Payment of a King and Fathers Love.
I could call back my Youth, and wish to be
Thy Brother only, to act Deeds like thee.
Manent only Zungteus, Palexus, Vangona, who offers to carry off Amavanga.
Zung.
Hold your Rude Hands,—
And take me with her.
Vang.
'Twas our Queen's Last Will,
Which you are bound by Promise to fulfill,
That if 'twere by your Sword her Chance to fall,
My hand should give her private Funeral.
Zung.
Spight of my Vow, I'le follow her; for him,
Who commits Murder, Perjury's no Crime.
Nor is this all I'le do; for when I have
Attended my Dead Princess to her Grave,
By the same Instrument her Death has giv'n,
I'le send my Soul to wait on her to Heav'n.
But if the Stubborn God's refuse t'admit
A Profane Murderer into Heav'n's blest Seat;
A Banish't Ghost I'le wander through the Sky,
And Proclaim them worse Murderers than I.
Unknown my Hand did this black Crime commit,
But they both knew, and saw, and suffer'd it.
I'le follow her though all.—
[Enter a Tartar.
Tart.
Zungteus Hold.
Your Kindness by your Father is Control'd.
He for to Morrow's Fight do's now prepare,
Has call'd a Counsel and expects you there.
You straight to his Pavilion must retire.
Zung.
My Duty do's against my Love conspire.
My Father is too Old to understand
That Force which do's a Lover's thoughts command.
Fare-well brave Maid; a Grave's too narrow Room;
Oh that I thus might make my Arms thy Tomb!
Exit Vangona and her Attendants, carrying out Amavanga
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Now Love Commands, and Duty Raigns no more:
Love Calls, and Fathers now must wait: I'le be
Both Priest and Offering, great Saint, to thee.
[Offers to fall upon his Sword.
Palex.
Reflect on your Great Deeds, and as Great Birth;
And think how much it will Ecclipse your Worth,
When you give Fame or Envy leave to say,
That Grief a Womans Passion had the Pow'r
To kill a General and a Conquerour.
Whil'st his Faint Soul shrunk to'th lowest Ebb of Fear,
Chose Death to ease the Torment of a Tear.
Zung.
You know 'tis false, and the World knows it too,
Fame to my Death will give a name more due;
A Just and Expiating Sacrifice,
When by my Hand my Mistress Murd'rer dyes.
Pal.
T'excuse your Crime think how her Fall was wrought:
Her Death was her's, and not Zungteus Fault.
You sought but Conquest of an unknown Foe:
But since she did your Love and Person know,
And with that Knowledge with Zungteus sought,
She for your Murder, not your Conquest sought.
Death justly then her Malice doe's conclude,
As a Reward of her Ingratitude.
Zung.
How, impious man! Gods! do I live to find
Worse Monsters than my self amongst Mankind?
Unknown I to her heart a passage found:
Thy profane Breath her Living Fame do's wound.
Draw then thy Traitor's Sword, as I do mine.
Two greater Villains ne'r could Combat joyn.
Dear Amavanga, now look down and see
Me fall for Murder, him for Blasphemy.
Palex.
If any thing within my Heart you doubt,
Open my Veins, kind Sir, and let it out.
If ought you like not lodge within this Brest,
Destroy the Seat, that harbour's that ill Guest.
Zung.
No: you've disarm'd my Rage, and now I find
Your Love to me made you to her unkind.
But speak such words no more; Oh! do not wound
My trembling Sense with such another sound.
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Has Amavanga's Glorious Image brought,
Think nothing of her but what's great, and good.
Think of her as my Queen, that set in Blood.
Your Friend this Justice to her Fame implores,
Do not profane that Saint your Friend adores.
To so much Heav'n your pitty nor your praise,
Can never a too Glorious Altar raise.
No Language is too kind, nor stile too high,
To speak the Fame of Beauties, when they dy.
Enter Theinmingus.
Thein.
With Admiration I've a Witness been,
Of your loud Passion for the Vanquisht Queen.
Astonish'd Fame speaks high—
Zung.
—To speak more high,
I lov'd that Queen, and for her Love must dy.
Thein.
—Yes, Dy degenerate Boy,
Traytor! Is this a Language for my Son?
Wher's all the martial Tartar's Greatness gone?
Such an Effeminate design will shame
Thy sleeping Ancestors untainted Fame.
This Action, thy more Masc'line mothers Ghost
Will Blush at, and disturb her Crumbling Dust.
Zung.
Oh my hard Fate! is this a fathers Voice?
Thein.
Bid Crowns farewel, Embrace thy humbler Choice.
Thy poor low spirited Design, to Dy
Kill'd by a Wound—given by a Ladies Eye.
A Death worthy a Soldier.
Zung.
—Sir no more.
Can you place Crimes upon Devotions Score?
Am I the first Rais'd Altars to a Face?
And are none Lovers but the Vile and Base?
Think you Love's Power the Valiant cannot touch?
Thein.
The Great and Valiant feel't, but not too much.
None but a Fool a dang'rous Stranger takes,
And yields that Seat which his own Tyrant makes.
Zung.
It is a lawful Power not Tyranny,
That Sentences a Criminal to Dy.
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T'attone hers a Sacrifice too good?
Or is that Justice by your hand withstood?
Thein.
Thy Death with-held by me? No, 'tis a Sin,
To have that base corrupted Blood kept in.
After the Merit of so mean a Thought,
Oblige the World and me, and let it out.
And when 'tis mixt with dust, may thy just Fame
To thy lost Courage and thy slighted Name
With Pain keep up thy Memory, and say,
Thou couldst a Father and a King betray.
Desert a just Revenge, and Royal Cause,
And break thy Duty, Honour, Natures Laws;
And from a Conqueror turn a Womans slave,
To sleep with a cold Mistress in a Grave.
Zung.
Must all these stains be mine? No, Love retreat.
Duty and Honour now shall fill your Seat.
Love's Power grows weak in—its declining Cause,
From my bar'd Heart the Vanquish't Lord with-draws.
Now see your God-like Power, a Fathers Right:
Try my new modell'd Soul, shew me that Flight,
I dare not take, that Path I dare not tread,
Dangers I will not meet, and Glories lead.
Sound Loud your Trumpets, Wave your Ensigns high,
Go on, for my new Mistres, Victory;
Ruine and Blood shall all soft thoughts remove;
I'le be as great in Vengeance as in Love.
Exeunt.
SCENE the Second, a GROVE.
Enter Orunda in Disguise.
Orun.
By the assistance of this borrow'd shape
I from the Court have made a safe Escape.
I hope Lycungus follows my Command,
And th'Ambuscade of Murd'rer's are at hand.
This is th'appointed Hour, and this the Grove.
Alcinda once I bid thee Live and Love.
But now to meet him basely in Disguise,
To gain a Victory by a Surprize.
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And though I to so mean a Justice Fly,
That I to take thy Life thy Poisoner prove,
I Kill not halfe so poorly, as you Love.
Enter Quitazo, leading Alcinda in a Shepheardess's Habit.
Oh this blest Minute, they're already here!
What Wings has Love—when Love's Reward is near?
Well are they come, I will unseen retire,
And Laugh to see my subtle Train take Fire.
We, when our Jealousiy ha's Rais'd a Storm,
Can stare on Ruine in the blackest Form.
Retreats within.
Alc.
I've heard our Priests relate the wond'rous Loves
Of Nimphs and Rural Gods in Woods and Groves;
Made God's by Love, for ever Fair and Young,
And made Immortal only to Love long.
If there Inhabit here such Powers as these,
Whose gloomy Temples are those shady Trees;
Sure they'l be kind to us who hither come
Led by that influence, whence they assume
Their God-heads.
Quit.
—Oh Dear Madam do not fear
Their Frowns, the Deities are gentle here.
They are the Gods of Courts that Lovers spight,
Such as our Priests do paint in forms that fright,
Fitter to force Devotion than invite:
But here they are all mild obliging Powers,
They'l Treat our Loves with favourable Hours.
They can't do less: No Gods or Saints design,
To hurt what comes a Pilgrim to their shrine.
Alc.
But in this Dress do I not fond appear,
Thus to disguise my self to meet you here?
Quit.
Oh no; that signal favour you have giv'n,
Shews that your Kindness is al'y'd to Heav'n.
For thus in borrow'd Shapes the Gods of old
In Masquerade did their Love-Parleys hold.
In this Disguise you may securely Fly
From a Kings Pow'r and Jealous Princess Eye.
Farwel th'Alliance to a Throne; for now
Love Crowns the Soul, and Honour but the Brow.
Exeunt Quitazo and Alcinda, and Re-enter Orund.
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Am I suspected that they're gon so soon?
But where are all these Lazy Poisoners gone?
Perfidions Villaines, mercenary Slaves,
Had ye half that Rage, with which your Princess Raves,
You'd use more Hast to execute my will;
They will be gone ere I have Power to Kill.
Ho! Poysoners, Rebells, Slaves; Ye Gods be kind,
And to my Arm one Dart of Lightning lend,
That I may Reach her ere she's gone too far.
Enter a Company of Villains.
1 Vill.
Yonder she is—
—That must be she, that Face
Has Woman in't; Besides the Garb and Place
Confirm it; and 'tis now the safest Time:
The Silence of the Place protects the Crime.
Advance towards her.
Orund.
Why, Tardy Slaves, did you the Deed defer?
Or is't the Name of Murder makes you fear?
Traytors make hast.
1 Vill.
Well Madam, you shall know,
We are not in the Execution slow.
Orund.
Let it be quickly done, ere 'tis too late:
This happy Deed I with Impatience wait.
1 Vill.
If you're in Hast of Heaven, we should be rude
And guilty of a strange Ingratitude,
To stay you; rather than your Patience wrong,
Here take that Happiness, for which you long.
[Offers her a Bowl of Poison.
Orun.
Heav'ns!—
1 Vil.
Do you Pause? Madam, I understand
Your Modesty permits not your own Hand,
To do that Friendly Office; since you are
So Critical, we'l ease you of that care.
Orun.
Am I your sport? Rebels expound this Mask,
Or is th'abuse of Majesty a task—
For such Low Slaves?
1 Vil.
—Nay, Madam, if we thought
Your Curious Appetite dislik'd this Draught,
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If you dis-relish Poyson, we have Steel.
They draw their Daggers.
Orun.
I am your Princess, Murderer's, you'l find
That Present for Alcinda was design'd.
1 Vil.
Yes, and Alcinda shall this Present take.
Orun.
And am I she? Dull Slaves, are you awake?
1 Vil.
We are too well rewarded to mistake.
We know Life's sweet, and you (if we'l believe)
Are Prince or Princess, any thing to live.
Orun.
Will you not know me? then are you thus drest
In Earnest?
1 Vil.
Why is Poysoning a Jest?
Orun.
Can your Blind Rage?—
1 Vil.
You have no time to Pause;
Madam, your Life's too short t'enquire the Cause.
Orun.
I am your Queen; Rude Savage Villains, hold.
1 Vil.
Madam, we own no Soveraign but Gold.
Orun.
Traytors, stand off, help, Murder, Monsters, stay.
1 Vill.
We have no Will nor Leasure to obey.
If you Resist—
Orun.
I'le give you such Rewards, let me but Live—
1 Vill.
In vain you Ask what we want time to give.
Orund.
Oh do but hear; by all that's great and good.
1 Vill.
No: Prayers are things we never understood.
Orun.
Oh let me Speak—
1 Vill.
—You've Spoke your last.
If you'l speak more, first Dy,
Then send your Ghost to make us a Reply.
Orund.
Give me the Poyson: Rather than I will
Permit such mean hands should their Princess Kill,
I'le in my Murder my own Hand Engage,
Thus quench my Thirst of Blood, and end my Rage.
Drinks the Poyson.
The Villains Run away.
Ha, are the Poysoners gone? Can their Eyes shun
The Horrour of that Deed their hands have done?
Thus they, who some high Tow'r have undermin'd,
The Train once fir'd, and the great Blow design'd,
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Lest they should be Crush'd with it, when it Falls.
The subtile Poison through my Veins distills,
It sets me all on Flames, and burning kills.
But though my Life does in this Heat expire,
My Hearts a Martyr to a Nobler Fire.
Here in Quitazo's fancied Armes she Lies,
Who shuts his Image in her Closing Eyes.
Alcinda's Passion I in Death Out-vie,
Who Blest but with Imaginary Bliss can die.
Enter Lycungus with the former Villains.
1 Vil.
See the Works done; there's your Command fulfill'd.
Lyc.
'Tis well—Oh Curse! they have th'Prince is kill'd.
1 Vill.
The Princess—'Tis a Woman in disguise,
And 'tis by that Description that she Dies.
But if you have misguided us—
And 'tis some other Friend that wants a Grave,
You need but shew me her, I am your Slave.
Lyc.
By her rash Zeal to see her Rivall bleed,
Fate by mistake ha's her own Death Decreed.
1 Vil.
But what Acquaintance had I with that Face,
To know distinctions in so nice a Case?
Lyc.
From her own Mouth could you not understand?
Did she not bid you hold your Barb'rous hand?
Check your fierce Rage, she was the Princess?
1 Vill.
True—But
Had you been in her Case, if that would do,
You would have said, you'd been a Princess too.
Orun.
Oh false Lycungus—
Lycun.
I am not Author of this dire mischance,
But those dull Villains bruitish Ignorance.
1 Vill.
Yes Madam, but your Pardon I implore:
You're the first Princess I ere kill'd before.
Though murd'ring I have my profession made;
No Artist but may fail once in his Trade.
A damn'd dull, foolish—but Hang't let it die:
'Tis a mistake not worth your Memory.
Lyc.
This fatal Chance—
Orun.
—No more; I'm too near Heaven,
Not to have Mercy now; your Crime's forgiven,
49
T'express my Gratitude will smiling die.
Quitazo is not yet far from this place.
Through this Close Walk his wandring footsteps trace,
And bring him hither: Could I bless my sight
One Minute more ere 'tis all dark all night.
Lyc.
Madam I'le Find him out.
Orund.
But quick, make haste,
Ere the last Summons of my Death are past.
Enter Quitazo and Alcinda behind the Trees in the SCENE.
Lyc.
Kind Stars, yonder he walks.
[Exit with the Villains.
Orund.
Quitazo Stay,
In thy Lov'd Arms, let but my Soul take Wing,
And Death and Poison then shall want their sting.
If you'l direct but one kind Look this way,
My Gain's in Death my Loss of Life shall pay.
Enter Lycungus with Quitazo and Alcinda.
Quit.
Poison'd by her own Hand, and for my sake!
Lyc.
Yes Sir, by all the Guess that I can make.
Despair in Love doe's at no Horrours shake.
Orun.
Quitazo, my Quitazo.—
Quit.
Madam tell
By what Misfortunes so much Beauty fell.
What fatal Reason, nay what God durst see
And suffer such a Barb'rous Cruelty?
Her fainting Breath's retir'd again.
Orun.
No, I
Have Breath enough to tell you that I die;
And though my little beauty wanted power
To be th'unkind Quitazo's Conquerour,
VVhen I am Dying be not Cruel now;
Let me your Heart but for one hour subdue.
And Dead I shall not claim your being true.
Hers must your Love, and hers your pleasures be,
But dedicate a Sigh, a Tear, to me.
Kind Heaven, he weeps—Thus happy in the Charms
Of dying in my dear Quitazo's Armes;
My parting Soul, when it does upwards go,
Shall keep th'impression which it took below.
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I'le by my Joys on Earth make up my Heaven.
[Dies.
Quit.
Unhappy Princess, to bestow a heart
On one that had none left for thee; No part
Of thy too Prodigal Smiles paid back again!
Shee that deserv'd so much, so little win!
Thy Fall was Cruel, and my Fate was hard
To want the Power such Kindness to Reward.
Such Pious Griefs I'le pay thy Sacred Name;
Such Tears, as even thy Rival shall not blame.
Alc.
No, shed a thousand Tears, Dear Sir, You must.
It will indear my Love to see you just.
You can't enough Deplore her wretched Fate.
Bow down in Grief, and Sink under the Weight;
And when you're Drown'd in Sorrow, be the Pain
And Pleasure mine, to Raise you up again.
Farewel Dear Princess: when such Vertue dies,
It forces Pity from a Rivalls Eyes.
You for Quitazo Die, and in that Deed
My weaker Love and Merit do Exceed.
As you my Pity, so my Envy share.
When Story both our Passions shall Compare,
Fame on your Love must set the higher Rate,
As most Deserving, though less Fortunate.
Lyc.
There, seize the Poisoner. I've too long been blind:
Curse on my Innocence, that I could find
This Cheat no sooner—
Quit.
Heav'ns! What do I hear?
The Villains rush from behind the Scenes, and disarme and seize Quitazo & Alcinda.
Lyc.
The truth; thou art th'Princes Murd'rer.
Quit.
I Traytor!
Lyc.
Yes, you Traytor, tell me how
She of this Close and private Meeting knew?
How came she here, if not seduc'd by you?
Quit.
Mistaken Devil; I her Murderer!
What ever Fate or Planet brought her here,
I had no Knowledge of her coming.
Lyc.
No?
You love Life better, than to say you know.
No common Project could a General lead,
A VValk so far out of his Army's Head.
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'Tis very well, the Plot was wond'rous fine,
This close dark Place for such a Black Design.
Lyc.
Curse on false Tears. Inhumane Prisoner, cou'd
Your barb'rous Hand attempt your Princess Blood?
Quit.
No, Monster, but would Fate my Sword Resign,
And free my Arm, I'de make Attempts on thine.
Lyc.
Alcinda in Disguise an Actor too!
What man would e'r read Murder in that Brow?
How strangely Providence our Fates Commands!
The VVorlds great Princess Falls by such mean Hands.
Treason and Guilt o're Vertue getts the Odds,
And yet we must believe, that there are God's.
Quit.
Yes, there are Gods, and such as do design
Vengeance and Tortures for such Crimes as thine.
Lycun.
See my Commands with care Perform'd, and guard
This Prisoner to that Dungeon I prepar'd.
And be his Jaylors with strict Eyes till Night.
I dare not trust his Person to the Light.
His Sufferings his Army would Engage,
And for his Rescue th'Alarm'd Camp Engage:
But Night will aid what is unsafe by Day.
The Princess Body to the King Convey,
VVith her this Poysoner. From his Breath you shall
Receive your Sentence, and together fall
A Bloody Victim at her Funeral.
Quit.
Hold, Cruel Sir, Revoke that harsh Decree.
I was the Princess Murderer, not she.
Let me meet Tortures for my damn'd Offence,
But spare, Oh spare her injur'd Innocence.
Lyc.
He owns the Guilt. Who, but a loving fool,
VVou'd Damn his own to save a womans Soul?
Alc.
How from that Breath can such strang Words proceed?
No, Sir, 'tis false, he durst not think that Deed.
I know his Fancy's free from such ill Theames:
His thoughts as guiltless as an Infants dreames.
I know his Heart; for since it lodgeth here,
It can no Stranger be that dwells so near.
Quit.
Beleive her not, Fond Woman as she is,
The poison'd Princess fell my Sacrifice,
52
But let her Youth and pity'd Vertue be,
As from my Guilt, so from my Sentence free.
Lyc.
Fond Lover as you are, to save her head,
Your Kindness not her Innocence does plead,
The Acts of Lovers hold together still,
As Stars are in Conjunction good or ill,
Quit.
VVhat could her hand? Heaven in her sex ne'r built
So weak a Frame to lodge such weighty Guilt.
What Crimes has she to expiate? what stayn?
Unless her Love to me, to me perfidious Man,
Who wanted Eyes and Ears to be her Guard
Against thy Rage.
Lyc.
Her Death's too long deferr'd.
Away with them.
[exit Lycungus.
Quit.
Hold.
1 Vill.
Go.
Quit.
Take her not hence.
Your black Commission surely may dispence
This Charity to Martyr'd Innocence,
T'allow one Minute ere to Death we go.
Vill.
Aye Sir, As if I had nothing else to do;
A man of Business and Concern's like mine,
Should stay to hear two blub'ring Lovers whine.
Away.
Quit.
Hold Barb'rous Dogg: When thy damn'd Soul,
Shall in just Hells Eternal Torments howl,
In Vengeance may thy greatest Sufferings be,
To want that Pity thou deny'st to me.
1 Vil.
Are you so Brisk? Hence take her from his sight,
You and your Bug-bear Hell, you see, can't fright.
Vengeance, and Hell, and Devils did you say?
Quit.
Oh! no Sir; grant her but one Minutes stay,
And I'le Recall that Word: bless but our Eyes
With one kind parting Look before she Dyes:
And when our Souls shall Meet above; we'l pay
You Back this favour: To the Gods we'l say
Such kind things of you, speak your praise so high,
Till all your Murders, Treasons, Villany,
53
For this one pious Act shall be forgiven.
1. Vil.
Well, for so Short a stay I will be wonn:
Go, fool away a Minute, and have done
The Villains let'em loose.
Quit.
Farewell, most Injur'd of thy Sex, farewell.
When Shrieks of Screech Owls, or some fiend from Hell
Shall to my Eares thy Savage Murder tell:
Oh the fierce Horrors which must Seize my Soul:
When all this sweetness Dies, these Soft fires cool,
These Roses wither, and that charming breath
Stopt and untun'd by the harsh Hand of Death,
Shall all delight, all Harmony give ore!
When those Fair Eyes, take and give light no more;
Then, Oh! then what harsh doom's ordain'd for me?
Yet in that Plague this comfort I foresee;
Quitazo's destiny shall follow thine,
I too shall set that hour you cease to shine.
Alcin.
To make Death lighter yet, expect to see
Half of the well-come burden Borne by me.
When Death takes you, I'le follow my dear Lord;
With open Armes I'le rush upon the Sword,
Though it in Tortures comes, fates power defy;
On Constancy and me look Back, and Dy.
Exit, forced out by Villains.
Quit.
Others on Heaven in their Misfortunes call,
T'ask pardon for their Sins that Cause their fall:
But when my fortune a just Lover bears,
The Gods should ask his pardon, not he their's:
For 'tis a stain to their Eternall State
To Order such a Beauty such a Fate
[Exeunt
Enter King of China, and Lycungus.
King of China.
My Daughter poison'd for Alcinda's sake!
Could desperare Love this Barbarous progress take?
But since, kind Sir, you have disclos'd the fact,
And Seiz'd the Savage Poysoners in the Act;
See the Disguis'd Alcinda be secur'd;
Her distiny shall be a while defer'd;
Then Publickly let False Quitazo be
Proclaim'd a Traitour to the State and me.
54
I the whole Charge of China's power Commend.
When thus Degraded all his fame's expir'd,
His Sword rebated, and his power retir'd,
Let him be brought to me; Then for this fact
These Lovers shall be both together rackt.
Then, Dear Orunda, from thy Heav'n look down,
And see that Vengeance which attends my frown.
[Exit.
Lyc.
A Sawcy Murmur does my peace molest,
And Greatness preach to my uneasiy brest.
Why am I not already great? my hand
Bears this, and I an army do Command.
points to his Sword.
True; But we rarely our own greatness Spy,
When we see greater than our selves Stand by.
At that damp thought my fancy Hangs her wing
I am a General, but not a King.
But how are we less than Kings?
Or, Whence can they more Sense of Glory feel?
There's Brightness in a Crown, but Edge in Steel.
These Can Raise Majesty, Or pluck it down.
Swords have Securer titles than a Crown.
But though we Souldiers through the World strike Awe;
We make Obedience; but Kings give it Law.
And all the Trophies of a Conquering Sword
Do but build Temples, where their Name's ador'd.
Men dread the Voice of Thunder, but admire,
And Reverence the Gods that lend it fire.
Well, whether an Arm'd hand or a Crown'd Head
Be best or worst, if my designs succeed,
I will aspire to both; To ease my doubt,
Wear Sword and Crown, and find the difference out.
'Tis he puts Reason to the Surest Test,
Who tryes, and not disputes, which is the best.
[Exit
| The conquest of China, By the Tartars | |