 | The Knight of Rhodes |  |
ACT I.
SCENE I.
A public Place in Rhodes.Enter a Mob, some crying “a Villiers,” others “a Damaral.” To them enter Garcias.
GARCIAS.
What mean these clamours? Wherefore throng ye thus,
When proclamation has been made that all
Should keep good order, and not bar the way
Through which, when past th'election, our Grand-Master
Must with his noble cavalcade proceed?
Hence! and take heed to observe strict discipline.
[Exit Mob.
4
Raymond! What tidings?
RAYMOND.
All hath ended rightly.
Though still beleaguer'd closely by the Turk,
Our Order still though menac'd with destruction,
We now may confidently 'wait the issue.
Th'election falls on Villiers.
GARCIAS.
Heav'n be thank'd!
He is a gallant and a courteous knight,
Whose valour and experience yet may save us.
But say, good Raymond, how did his opponent,
The haughty Damaral, bear his disappointment?
RAYMOND.
As such a spirit, so untamable,
So fill'd with high and arrogant pretensions,
Might bear th'extinction of his cherish'd hope.
Soon as the herald had announc'd the name
Of Villiers as the sov'reign of our Order,
He cast a look of stern disdain around,
And, while our knights proceeded to enthrone
And swear allegiance to our new Grand-Master,
He proudly turn'd away, and left the temple.
(A trumpet sounds.
5
Warns us 'tis time to join the grand procession,
Which to his palace must escort the prince.
Let us away—we have no time to lose.
[Exeunt.
Enter Damaral and Almeida.
DAMARAL.
Talk not to me of patience! Try no more
To sooth by argument my spirit wounded
Past all endurance!—Am I thus repaid
For all my services?—Ungrateful Rhodes!
Have I, when others wanton'd in the lap
Of idle peace, for thee, untir'd, sustain'd
War's harsh aggression; have I, undismay'd,
Dar'd the rude ocean when the tempest rag'd,
And, reckless of my life, led on our host
To fame and vict'ry, to be slighted thus?
ALMEIDA.
Well hast thou prov'd thyself a worthy knight:
Yet, when the choice could fall on one alone—
DAMARAL.
And why not I that one?—Look to our archives,
Say, if among our Order's bravest champions
There stand a name than Damaral's more renown'd?
Ask the proud Turks who e'er like him could face them?
6
Which those who profit by them have forgotten.
ALMEIDA.
No, Damaral! no; they ne'er can be forgotten.
We, who have witness'd all thy brave exploits,
Do ample justice—
DAMARAL.
Yes! You pass me by,
You treat me with neglect, degrade me lower
Than him whom court intrigues, not warlike service,
Have dragg'd to notice. Yet you talk of justice!
ALMEIDA.
Though upon Villiers th'election fall—
DAMARAL.
On Villiers!—him!—As well may'st thou attempt
To tell me, that a weak and puling sea-boy
Can steer our gallies through th'Ægean gulf,
When the south wind tears up its foaming waves!
ALMEIDA.
Thou dost but wrong thyself and thy deserts,
Thus to inveigh against another's worth.
Think on the perils which encircle us:
The Turks with toil incessant urge the siege,
Each day they gain advantage over us,
While Europe's princes fail to send us succour.
7
Think on our perils? Little boots reflection,
When thus our means of safety are abandon'd.
Let those provide against them, who presume
In danger's hour our tott'ring state to guide.
I rule not here in Rhodes: one, doubtless far
More worthy of pre-eminence, is chosen,
Who can employ those arts my stubborn nature
Rejects with proud disdain. Let him see to it.
ALMEIDA.
This is no time for querulous complaint,
For nursing idle jealousies and feuds,
When danger presses and demands our swords.
But hark! The echoing trumpet's note proclaims
The installation of our chief is over,
And that in state, attended by his knights,
He this way comes.
DAMARAL.
Let him—I will not shun him—
I'll meet him here.
ALMEIDA.
Nay, prithee stand aside.
Leave him free passage.
DAMARAL.
Be it as thoud'st have it.
Now mark—behold—the proud procession comes.
8
VILLIERS.
Thanks, brave companions! Since your favouring voices
Have thus exalted me beyond my hopes,
Far, far indeed beyond my wish!—For who,
When adverse fortune low'rs, would court pre-eminence?
My best ambition shall be to maintain
Your fair opinion, and deserve your sanction.
RAYMOND.
Had we not known thy worth, had not experience
Borne ample witness to thy zeal and honour,
We had not fix'd on thee. Many are brave,
Many are active, provident and wise;
But one so deck'd with all the qualities
Adapted to our present exigence,
As him on whom our Order's choice has fall'n,
We know not.
DAVILA.
Happy is indeed the choice,
And most in this, that, by selecting thee,
We 'scape the pride and tyranny of Damaral.
VILLIERS.
Good Davila, forbear! The knight you speak of
9
In whom the virtues of our Order beam
With more than common lustre.
DAVILA.
Aye—he's valiant;
But rash, imperious, haughty—
DAMARAL
(advancing).
Is it thus
Thou dar'st traduce an absent warrior's name?
VILLIERS.
Illustrious Damaral! Do not let the day,
Which our religion bids us reckon holy,
Be tarnish'd by dissention. He did ill
To derogate from thy establish'd fame.
DAMARAL.
For him, I heed but little what he says:
The censure or approval of a boy
Touch not my reputation— (to Davila)
—murmur'st thou?
VILLIERS.
Cease—nor presume to urge this question farther.
Retire, young knight!—You, noble Damaral! Heed not
His hasty words. If, at the present moment,
I could repine at my unsought-for honours,
'Twould be that partial suffrages have deck'd me
With those distinctions which were more thy due.
10
That is a point we need not now discuss.—
Thou'rt chosen.
VILLIERS.
Credit me, we do thee justice.
We've all been witnesses of thy desert,
And speak no more than truth, when we confess
Our Order's safety, Rhodes's self, depend
On thy experienc'd worth. I've known thee long,
And would deserve thy friendship.
DAMARAL.
Friendship, say'st thou?
VILLIERS.
Did I respect thee less, I would not thus
Solicit thy regard. And why in vain—
DAMARAL.
'Twere better not to ask.—I cannot palter,
And chaffer civil speeches.—'Tis enough—
Enter Garcias (hastily).
GARCIAS.
Joy to our noble chieftain! May th'event
I come t'announce be a propitious omen!
Scarce had'st thou left the temple, when approaching
We saw Du Mesnil's galley, follow'd close
By a brave prize, from whose high topmast wav'd
11
In token of subjection, humbly droop'd.
She seems a carrack of no mean account.
E'en now triumphantly they reach the port;
(Shouts.)
And hark! fresh shouts of exultation tell
Th'arrival of the victor.
Enter Du Mesnil, Hali, Ismena, and other Turkish Captives.
VILLIERS.
Brave Du Mesnil!
Thrice welcome is thy presence. On the day,
When the free voices of my brother knights
Have call'd me to a station full of peril,
To see thee thus victorious is a pledge
Of future triumphs.
DU MESNIL.
May each enterprize,
Which thou shalt plan, be crown'd with equal fortune,
As that which by heav'n's guidance we achiev'd.
VILLIERS.
Thanks, gallant friend! Say, whence and what thy prize?
DU MESNIL.
As off the Samian coast I held my cruize,
This vessel I espied. I gave her chase,
O'ertook and captur'd her. Of those on board
12
Who, if report speak truly of her charms,
In grace and beauty far transcends her sex.
I have respected her too much, to say
If rumour do her justice; but behold her,
Veil'd as she was when she became my captive.
VILLIERS.
Damsel! though chance hath thrown thee on our mercy,
Here art thou safe. If our respectful service
Can mitigate captivity, command it.
ISMENA
(unveiling).
Heroic lords of this renowned isle,
Whose valour still withstands the mighty pow'r
Of our imperial Sultan, take my thanks!
Your slave, to freedom, friends and country lost,
Hath nothing else to offer.
DAMARAL
(aside).
What rare beauty!
(To Almeida)
Didst thou e'er witness such perfection?
ALMEIDA.
Never—
Whate'er of charms can dignify the sex
Seem in her form assembled.
VILLIERS.
By my life,
'Twill put his knightly honour to the proof,
13
I covet not the task.
DAVILA.
It were, in truth,
A service of more peril, than to face
Whole legions of her countrymen in arms.
VILLIERS
(to Damaral).
How say you, noble sir! You are not apt
To shrink from danger.
DAMARAL.
No! In flood or field
I court the post of danger.—But why turn
Your question upon me?—Am I a man
Fit for this courtly function?
VILLIERS.
If the function
Be that of honour, who so fit as Damaral?—
Now tell me, thou, (to Hali)
that stand'st beside the fair,
What is thy name, thy station and degree?
HALI.
My name is Hali. I was sent in charge
Of this fair damsel on my way tow'rds Cyprus,
By the command of my imperial master,
The Sultan Soliman, there to espouse her
To the illustrious Selim, who now mourns
The sad detention of his lovely bride,
14
VILLIERS.
Noble lady!
We war not with the fair, and, though proscrib'd
From marriage, venerate its sacred rights.
I will intrust thee to a loyal knight,
Whose high command thy safety shall insure,
And in whose courtesy thou may'st confide.
If noble Damaral would accept the charge—
DAMARAL.
What mean'st thou? I accept?
VILLIERS.
Nay, take me right.
How can a soldier's mistress be more safe,
Than in a soldier's care?—Give me thine ear.
[Villiers and Damaral retire.
HALI
(aside to Ismena).
Mark how good fortune meets us! This is happy
Beyond our fondest hope. Now spread your snares,
T'entrap the heart of that audacious Christian,
That Damaral, our Sultan's direst foe.
ISMENA.
He seems a gallant gentleman.
HALI.
He's that,
Which we must mould and model to our purpose—
15
And to my cost: so that he know not me,
All shall be right.
ISMENA.
How dignified his mien!
His air how noble!
HALI.
Why dost gaze upon him?
Thou heed'st me not.—'Tis the eventful moment,
Which must be seiz'd at once, or lost for ever.
See—they advance.—Now give your lures their scope.
VILLIERS.
Beauteous Ismena! I have urg'd a suit,
In which thy happy star has been propitious;
And now into the hands of this brave knight,
Than whom our Rhodian Order cannot boast
One of more noble bearing, I commend thee.
And now farewell awhile—my duty calls me.
Du Mesnil! lead us to the port; we long
To view the prize thy gallantry has won.
[Exeunt Villiers and train.
Manent Damaral, Hali, Almeida, and Ismena.
DAMARAL
(to himself).
So young, so paramount in ev'ry beauty
Which can adorn her sex? To me intrusted?
And why to me? Why am I singled forth?
16
See'st thou what mighty honours fall upon me?
Is it not high command, and glorious service,
To wait upon that beauteous piece of mischief,
To minister as her caprice may dictate,
And play th' obsequious keeper to a minion,
Whose spells and witchcrafts might ensnare a hermit?
Wilt not become me, think'st thou?
ALMEIDA.
I must wonder
That passion should thy better judgment cloud.
Had our new chief to thee preferr'd another,
Then might'st thou have complain'd; but when he chose thee—
DAMARAL.
Doubtless he had his reasons—aye, and strong ones.
He hath o'er-topt me. In the face of Rhodes,
Nay of all Christendom, he tow'rs above me,
And the first fruits of his ambitious growth
Are pois'nous to mine honour.
ALMEIDA.
Nay, my lord!
I pray you be more just.—Think not thus of him.
DAMARAL.
What other thoughts should occupy my soul,
Than the subversion of my fondest hope,
17
ALMEIDA.
No more of this.
See where the damsel, whom thou hast in charge,
With downcast eye thy courtesy awaits.
Her patient suff'rance and unrivall'd charms—
DAMARAL.
I note them but too well. In ev'ry glance
Temptation ambush'd lurks, each gesture teems
With sorcery. In the fair field of war
I heed not peril; 'tis familiar to me—
Here I'm a coward.—Take her to my palace,
Treat her with all thy wonted courtesy,
But let me not behold her.
HALI
(aside to Ismena).
Mark! he's going—
ISMENA.
My patron! my protector! will you leave me?
I thought I was intrusted to your charge.
Was I accepted only to be scorn'd,
And thrown aside as one not worth a thought?
DAMARAL.
Detain me not, I pray.—I've giv'n full order
For all that may befit thee. Ask—command—
Thy pleasure shall be absolute in all.
But I must hence; the pressure of the time
18
Be of good cheer.
ISMENA.
I would thou couldst remain!
I'm little us'd to supplicate for pity;
'Till now I never sued—
DAMARAL
(aside).
I'm lost for ever,
If she look so upon me!— (to Ismena)
—speak not thus—
My palace, wealth, and those who own my sway,
Are thine—command them as thou wilt, but let me
Not linger here.—Almeida, to thy charge!
HALI
(aside).
Now's the decisive moment. Follow up
Thy 'vantage, and the victory will be ours.
ISMENA.
What? Go'st thou? Then am I despis'd indeed!
Is this the gallantry of Christian warriors?
When I arrive in Cyprus, if they ask me
How captive ladies are receiv'd in Rhodes,
When Damaral, the noblest, bravest, best
Of all his knightly Order treats me thus,
What shall I say?
DAMARAL.
Tell them that Damaral,
Who never fled from battle, fled from thee.
19
What can you see in me that you should fly from?
The conqu'ring crescent flames not on my brow.
A harmless captive, what can I devise?
What mischief can you apprehend from me?
DAMARAL.
Infinite mischief!—Thou art much too fair,
And I too sensible of beauty's pow'r.
I would possess myself; for I am thrown
Far in the rear of fortune, and have need
Of all my constancy. But that is lost,
When I converse with thee.
ISMENA.
If you require it,
I will be silent; nothing will I do,
Nothing will meditate, that may disturb
Or check your efforts in your country's cause.
Go forth to combat; bathe your conqu'ring sword
In Turkish blood: I'll call no curses down,
I'll not invoke our Prophet to avenge
The widows and the orphans you have made.
DAMARAL.
Why now it is you shew me all my danger.
'Tis the sweet flatt'ry of those 'witching lips,
The love-inspiring lustre of those eyes,
20
I trust thee to a friend of tried discretion.
ISMENA.
Alas! your kindness might have sooth'd the sorrows
Of a sad captive cast upon your bounty.
You're doubtless noble; but there is a virtue
Of which you cannot boast, and that is pity.
Hadst thou been brought a pris'ner to my country,
And to my charge intrusted, I had not
To delegated care abandon'd thee.
DAMARAL.
Say'st thou?—I see resistance is in vain—
I am the captive—we exchange conditions—
You have prevail'd—I serve, and you command.
Almeida! let the guard conduct us on.
Those who are here attending, and all others,
Whose services Ismena may require,
Must be allow'd admission to her presence.
Come on, fair lady! I've no will but thine.
[Exeunt.
END OF ACT I.
| The Knight of Rhodes | |