 | The Island-Princess |  |
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A Grove.An Idol, and Altar of Thor, at distance.
Enter King and Governour.
King.
I am ungrateful, and a wretch, (persuade me not)
Forgetful of the mercy he shew'd me,
The timely noble Pity. Why shou'd I,
Why should I make him die, who set me free?
Why shou'd it come from me? Why, I command it?
Will not all Tongues, and Truths call me ungrateful?
Gov.
Had the offence been aim'd at you, 'tis certain
It had been in you power, and your discretion,
To have turn'd it into Mercy, and forgiven it;
It then had shew'd a vertuous point of Gratitude.
Timely and nobly paid; But since the Cause
Concerns the Honour of the Gods, their Title,
'Tis in their Wills, their Mercies, or Revenges:
And these Revolts in you show plain Rebellion.
King.
They are mild and pitiful.
Gov.
To those Repent.
King.
Their Natures soft, and tender.
Gov.
To true Hearts,
That feel compunction for their Trespasses:
This pair defies 'em still, threaten destruction
And demolition to their Arms and Worship;
Therefore take heed, Sir, that you be not found,
And mark'd a favourer of their Dishonour:
They use no common Justice.
King.
You say right.
But see; behold the Pomp of Death comes on!
What shall I do to merit of this Man.
I'll once more try if I can fairly win 'em.
King.
Once more, Armusia,
Because I love you tenderly and dearly,
And wou'd be glad to win you mine; I wish you,
Ev'n from my heart, I wish and wooe you—
Arm.
What, Sir?
Take heed how you persuade me falsly, then you hate me;
Take heed how you intrap me.
King.
I advise you,
And tenderly and truly I advise you,
Both for your Souls health and your safety.
Arm.
Stay,
And name my Soul no more; she is too precious,
Too glorious for your flatteries; too secure too.
Gov.
Consider the reward, Sir, and the honour
That is prepar'd, the Glory you shall grow to.
Arm.
They are not to be considered in these Cases,
Not to be nam'd when Souls are question'd;
They are vain and flying Vapours: Touch my Life,
'Tis ready for you, put it to what Test
It shall please you, I am patient; but for the rest—
Gov.
We must use Tortures then.
Arm.
Your worst, and painfull'st
I am joyful to accept.
Gov.
You must our sharpest;
For such has been your hate against our Deities,
Deliver'd openly; your threats, and scornings;
And either your Repentance must be mighty,
Which is your free Conversion to our Customs,
Or equal punishment, which is your life, Sir.
Arm.
I am glad I have it for you; take it, Priest,
And all the Misery that shall attend it:
Let the Gods glut themselves with Christian Blood,
It will be ask'd again, and so far follow'd,
Your Gods of Gold shall melt and sink before it;
You Altars and your Temples shake to nothing,
And you, false Worshippers, blind Fools of Ceremonies,
Shall seek for Holes to hide your heads and fears in;
For Seas to swallow you from this Destruction;
Darkness to dwell about you and conceal you.
Gov.
Make the Fires ready,
And bring the several Tortures out.
Quis.
Stand fast, Sir,
And fear 'em not; you that have stept so nobly
Into this pious Tryal, start not now:
Keep on your way, a Virgin will assist you,
A Virgin, won by your fair constancy,
And glorying that she is won, so will die with you.
Arm.
Let me begin my Triumph;
Come, clap your Terrors on.
Quis.
All your fell Tortures;
For there is nothing he shall suffer, Brother,
I swear by my new Faith, which is most sacred,
And I will keep it so, but I will follow in,
And follow to a scruple of affliction.
In spite of all your Gods, without prevention.
Gov.
S'Death, she amazes me!
King.
What shall be done now?
Gov.
They must die both,
And suddenly, they will corrupt all else.
Go you in, Sir, I'll see the Execution.
King.
'Tis cruel;
You injur'd Powers, that I permit you justice;
But for the sight—
Gov.
You are excus'd for that,
I'll bear that Torture for you; good Sir, in;
You see all's ready, Sir, and we must strike
Before your Eyes else.
King.
Well, what must be!
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
Arms, Arms, Sir;
Seek for defence, the Castle Plays, and Thunders,
Our Town Rocks, and our Houses fly in Air,
The people die for fear; General Ruidias
Has sent t'inform us, he'll not leave a Stone,
No, not the memory there has stood a City,
Unless Armusia be deliver'd fairly.
King.
Father, what can our Gods do for us now?
Gov.
Ruidias do this! what, to free Armusia,
His Rival? 'tis impossible.
Mess.
This was his Summons,
Which still you hear him Thunder from the Fort.
Gov.
Wou'd I were safe at home again.
[Aside.
Come, Sir,
Leave me to see the Execution done,
While you return and fortifie the Palace:
Nothing but mischief, till th'incensed Powers
Are satisfied with these Blasphemers Blood;
Earthquakes and Hurricanes will seize us next:
Dispatch, dispatch there.
King.
By Heaven I'll rule in this: they shall not die,
Till I have seen this furious Storm allay'd,
Bear back the Prisoners to the Palace, Guards;
All to your charge, how desperately they Thunder!
[Ex.
Arm.
Brave Ruidias, this is like a Souldier,
A Portuguese and Christian, to do favours
Without the form of promise.
Quis.
'Tis but a debt of Honour nobly paid.
Gov.
Plague on your bellowing.
[Exeunt.
1.
Bless us, what a Thundring is here! What Fire-spitting!
We can't drink but the Cans are maul'd out of our hands.
2.
I wou'd they wou'd maul our scores too. A flame of
their Guns, how devilishy they bounce! and how the Bullets
borrow the side of a House here, and there another, and
mend those up again with another Ward!
3.
I had the roof of my House taken off with a Chainshot,
and half an hour after, I found another standing in
the room on't.
4.
We shall make a wonderful Siege on't, if we talk at
this rate.
2.
You think he lyes now: why, I have seen a Steeple
taken off, and another clapt i'th-place, with twenty Men
ringing the Bells in't.
4.
Thou Boy!
1.
Why then, we shall not know our own Streets
again.
2.
Nor where to pay our Duties. I hope I shou'd love
Chain-shot the better as long as I live, for that good turn,
i'Faith: I know not, it may fall out so; for these Guns
make strange work. Here flies a Powdring tub; and there
the Soldiers go together by the Ears, for the Meat in't:
There flies the Roast-meat, spit and all: here a Barrel pisses
Vinegar.
4.
A Vengeance fire 'em all.
1.
They fire fast enough; they need no help.
4.
Are these the Portugal Bulls? How loud they Bellow?
2.
Their Horns are wonderful strong, they push down
Palaces; they toss our little habitations like Whelps; like
Trundle-tails, with their Heels upwards: All the Windows
in the Town dance Trenchmore; 'Tis like to prove
a blessed Age for Glasiers; I met a Hand and a Letter in't,
in great hast; and by and by, a Leg running after it, as if
the hand had forgot part of its errand.
Heads fly like Foot-balls every where: What shall
we do?
2.
I care not, my Shop's cancell'd, and all the Pots and
Pipkins vanished; there was a single Bullet and they, together
by the Ears, you would have thought Tom Tumbler,
and all his Troop of Devils had been there.
1.
Well, for my part, I'll to the Temple and pray for you all:
I tell you Neighbours, I trouble Heaven so seldom, that sure
I may be heard, when I come. For I begin to like this Portugals
Kerson Religion: What can these Worm-eaten Gods
of ours do for us?
4.
Worm-eaten Gods! I tell you, Neighbour, you do
our Gods wrong, and me wrong: I made 'em of the best
season'd Timber the Island wou'd afford.
3.
But do the Cannon Bullets think there is no Law?
4.
No, nor Gospel neither; Law, prithee run to a Granado,
when it comes piping hot out of a Mortar-piece into
the Town, and tell it there's Law; 'twill scratch they face
for thee, worse than e'er thy Wife did. Law! I do but
think, what Lanes a Chain-shot wou'd make in the Law!
And how like an Ass a Judge wou'd sit upon the Bench,
with his head shot off.
3.
Let's to the King, and get this Gentleman deliver'd
handsomely, by this hand there's no walking above ground
else.
2.
By this Leg, (let me swear nimbly by it, for I know
not how long) if I were out o'th'Town, if I came in again
to fetch my Breakfast, I'd give 'em leave to cram me with
a Portugal Pudding. But come Neighbours, our best way
will be to go to the Insurance-Office and compound: I am
a Fencer; I'll give 'em one Arm, to secure t'other. Thou
art a Dancing-Master; thou shalt give thy Head to secure
thy Heels.
3.
Why my Head?
2.
Because that's of least use to thee, of any thing about
thee: So every Man shall give away the rest of his Body,
to Insure the Limbs that are of most use in his calling.
Pym.
Art' sure it was the blind Priest?
Pan.
Yes, most certain,
He has provok'd all this: The King is merciful,
And wondrous loving, but he fires him on still,
And when he cools inrages him; I know it:
Threatens new Vengeance, and the Gods fierce Justice,
When he but looks with fair Eyes on Armusia;
Will lend him no time to relent; my Royal Mistress,
She has entertain'd a Christian hope.
Pym.
Speak truly.
Pan.
Nay 'tis most true; but Lord, how he lies at her,
And threatens her, and flatters her, and damns her;
And I fear, if not speedily prevented;
If she continues stout, both shall be executed.
Pym.
I'll kiss thee for this News: Nay, poor Panura,
If thou wilt give me leave, I'll get thee with Christian;
The best way to convert thee.
Pan.
Make me believe so.
Pym.
I will I'faith: But which way cam'st thou hither?
The Palace is close guarded and barricado'd.
Pan.
I came through a private Vault, which few there know of,
It rises in a Temple not far hence,
Close by the Castle here.
Pym.
How—To what end?
Pan.
A good one,
To give you knowledge of my new born Mistress,
And in what doubt Armusia stands:
Think any present means, or hope, to stop 'em
From their fell ends. The Princes are come in too,
And they are hard'ned also.
Pym.
The damn'd Priest.—
Pan.
Sure he's a cruel Man? Methinks Religion
Shou'd teach more temperate Lessons.
Pym.
He, the Firebrand!
He dare to touch at such fair Lives as theirs are!
Well, Prophet, I Prophecy I shall catch you,
Wilt thou do one thing bravely?
Pan.
Any good I am able.
Pym.
And by thy own white hand, swear thou art Vertuous,
And a brave Wench, durst thou but guide me presently
Through the same Vault thou cam'st into the Palace,
And those I shall appoint, such as I shall think fit.
Pan.
Yes, I will do it, and suddenly and truly.
Pym.
I would fain behold this Prophet.
Pan.
Now I have you.
And I shall bring you where you shall behold him,
Alone too, and unfurnish'd of Defences:
That shall be my Care; but you must not betray me.
Pym.
Dost think we are so base? Such slavish Rogues?
Pan.
I do not,
And you shall see how fairly I'll work for you.
Pym.
I must needs steal that Priest,
Steal him, and hang him.
Pan.
Do any thing to remove his Mischiefs, strangle him.
Pym.
Come, Prithee.
Pan.
You'll offer me no foul Play.
The Vault is dark.
Pym.
'Twas well remembred.
Pan.
And you may—.
But I hold you honest.
Pym.
Honest enough, I'll warrant thee.
Pan.
I am but a poor weak Wench; and what with the Place,
And your Perswasion Sir,—But I hope you will not.
You know we are often Cozen'd.
Pym.
If thou dost fear me,
Why dost thou put me in mind?
Pan.
To let you know, Sir,
Though it be in your Power, and things fitting to it,
Yet a true Gentleman—
Pym.
I know what he'll do?
Come, and remember me, and I'll answer thee;
I'll answer to the full: wee'll call at the Castle,
And then, my good guide, do thy Will, 'shalt find me
A very tractable Man.
I hope I shall, Sir.
Exeunt.
Enter Bakam, Syana, and Soldiers.
Bak.
Let my Men guard the Gates.
Sya.
And mine the Temple,
For fear the honour of our Gods shou'd suffer;
And on your lives be watchful.
Bak.
And be Valiant,
And lets see if these Portugals dare enter,
What their high hearts dare do; let's see how readily
The great Ruidias will redeem his Countryman:
He speaks proud Words and Threatens.
Sya.
He is approv'd, Sir,
And will put fair for what he promises:
I cou'd wish friendlier Terms;
Yet for our Liberties, and for our Gods,
We are bound in our best Services,
Even in the hazard of our Lives.
Enter the King above.
King.
Come up, Princes,
And give your Counsels, and your helps; the Fort still
Plays fearfully upon us, beats our buildings,
And turns our People wild with fears.
Bak.
Send for the Prisoner, and give us leave to argue.
[Ex. Bakam and Syana.
Enter Ruidias, Emanuel, Christophero, Pedro with Soldiers.
Rui.
Come on nobly,
And let the Fort Play still: we are strong enough
To look upon 'em, and return at pleasure;
It may be on our view they will return him.
Eman.
How the People stare!
And some cry, some pray, and some curse heartily;
But it is the King—
I cannot blame their Wisdom.
They are all above, Armusia chain'd and bound too!
O, these are thankful Squires.
Bak.
Hear Ruidias:
Command thy Cannon instantly to cease,
No more to trouble the afflicted People,
Or suddenly Armusia's head goes off,
As suddenly as said:
Stay and be Temperate.
Arm.
Do nothing that's dishonourable, brave Ruidias;
Let not the care of me restrain your Valour;
Pursue 'em still, they are base malicious People.
King.
Be not thus desperate.
Arm:
I scorn your courtesies,
Strike when you dare, a fair aim guide the Gunner,
And may he still let fly with Fortune. Friend,
Do me the honour of a Souldiers Funeral,
The last fair Christian Rites, see me i'th'ground;
Then make these Idol Temples burn;
On their scorn'd Gods erect my Monument;
Touch not the Princess, as you are a Souldier.
Quis.
Your fate, Sir, must be mine; one Life, one Death.
King.
Be wise, and beg for Truce yet.
Rui.
Let our Cannon Answer.
Shoot again.
King.
So resolute! Draw all our Forces out,
And make the General Assault.
As the Guards Sally, they are met by Pymero and his Party, who bring the Governour.
Pym.
No, no, go on;
Look here's your God and Prophet.
King.
Heaven, I'm amaz'd! How came he taken?
Pym.
I conjur'd for him, King;
I'm a sure Cur at an old blind Prophet,
A Terrier I; I Earth'd him, and then Snapt him
Em.
By your good favour, Sir, we stole him,
Ev'n from the next Chamber to you.
King.
I am amaz'd at these mens courage, Guards,
Rescue our Prophet first, then storm the Fort.
Pym.
Come, come, begin, King,
Begin this bloody contest, when you please,
Your Minion first shall go to th'Dogs:
And yet I scorn my Sword should touch the Rascal.
We'll tear him piece-meal thus before you—Ha!
[Pulls of the Governours false Hair and Beard.
King.
How's this?
Art thou a Prophet? What a dangerous Mist
Have I been wrapt in! Noble Ruidias,
Our strife is at an end; I was abus'd,
My dear Armusia, O my injur'd Sister,
What shall I urge in my defence? Ruidias,
Descend in peace, and meet me, on a Kings word.
King and his Company, Ruidias and his, come down upon the Stage.
Pym.
This is a precious Prophet! Why, Don Governour,
What makes you here? how long have you taken Orders?
King.
I can't speak for wonder.
Gov.
I had paid you all,
But Fortune plaid the Jade.
King.
Generous Souls!
Y'have half persuaded me to be a Christian.
Once more, Armusia, let me do you justice.
Rui.
Which I, Sir, needs must own, tho' once your Rival.
Arm.
Brave Ruidias,
You have in Honour started now beyond me,
'Twas my Ambition but to quit the score.
Rui.
And Fortune made me blest with the occasion.
King.
To Prison with that wretch, there let him howl
His Island we shall seize into our Hands,
His Father and himself have both usurpt it,
And kept it by Oppression; the Town and Castle
(In which I lay my self most miserably,
Till my most honourable Friend redeem'd me)
Signior Pymero, I bestow on you;
The rest of next Command upon these Gentlemen,
And on you all, my Love.
Arm.
I am o'er-prest with Fortune, past my Merit.
King.
Our Court and Island, Sir, shall share your Joy;
Our interests are one; let Mirth and Triumph,
And Universal gladness freely flow.
What ever false and subtile men dare cast,
Just Heav'n on Vertue show'rs rewards at last.
| The Island-Princess | |