University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An Apartment in Damaral's Palace.
Enter Damaral.
DAMARAL.
Almeida come not yet!—I cannot bear
This ling'ring torture.—To pursue the villain
E'en now I tried, but shame and conscience struck me,
And drove me back.—I'm fallen abject low,
To skulk and tremble with a traitor's fear!
Enter Almeida.
How now?—Hast dragg'd him hither?

ALMEIDA.
No, my lord.

DAMARAL.
Then thou hast slain him?

ALMEIDA.
Slain him? Good my lord,
You talk'd not of his death: you bad me seek him,
And to our sov'reign's palace we pursued him.
He had been there—

DAMARAL.
Had been?—Where is he now?

ALMEIDA.
After a brief and private conference
With our new ruler, he again went forth,
And hasten'd tow'rds the bastion of Auvergne.

DAMARAL.
Why cam'st thou back? Why did'st thou not pursue him?

ALMEIDA.
I sent some followers after him, instructed
Without delay to bring him to thy presence,
Whilst I return'd to tell thee what had pass'd:
But, as he went in diligence, 'tis likely
He may, ere they could reach him, have gone forth.

DAMARAL.
'Tis well.—I would be private.—
[Exit Almeida.
Gone forth, said he?
Why aye—it may be—nay, it must be so.
What should prevent him, licens'd as he was,
Bearing commission too from Villiers' self?
Beyond all doubt he's gone, and all is safe.—
Safe?—Oh no, no! What can be safe, when thus
I have committed honour, fame, and conscience
To a perfidious slave?—Say he were true,
Secret as Erebus, that in the caves
Of dark unfathom'd ocean my offence
Were buried instantly, though from the world
My shame may be conceal'd, can I—oh thought
Destructive of my peace!—Can I e'er silence
Th'upbraiding monitor, which to my soul
Will speak the fatal truth?—Blush, Damaral, blush!
Seek out some far sequester'd nook, where ne'er
Can penetrate the eye or reach the voice
Of mortal man; there shroud thy shame, there shrink
From conscious guilt—Who's that?—What brings thee here?

Enter Ismena.
ISMENA.
If to thy presence thus I come uncall'd,
'Tis as a penitent to ask forgiveness.
Oh! could'st thou know the workings of my soul—

DAMARAL.
I am more calm than when I parted from thee,
But dare not trust myself to look upon thee.
Thy mask of candour is not now more fair,
Than it was erst, when, false and treacherous,
Thou stung'st the bosom that had shelter'd thee.

ISMENA.
I wear that mask no longer. No! for ever
I cast away disguise, and dare be honest.
Oh gracious Damaral! if thy noble heart
Be open to sweet mercy, hear my story,
And, though thou may'st not pardon, pity me!
Torn from the guardians of my early youth,
Within the walls of a seraglio rear'd,
I learnt no arts but those which pleasure taught,
And was enjoin'd no duty but obedience.
My sov'reign's will became his servant's law:
When he ordain'd to send me forth to prove thee,
I deem'd myself distinguish'd by his choice;
But, when I knew thee, when I found thee noble,
And grac'd with each heroic quality,
Which can exalt the man or deck the soldier,
My soul revolted at the foul design;
Virtue resum'd her empire o'er my heart,
And urg'd me to confess my fault and save thee.

DAMARAL.
I lov'd thee once—I will not chide thee now:
And he, whose peace thou'st ruin'd, thus forgives thee!
The heart, which can resist thy pow'rful pleadings,
Is more or less than human.

ISMENA.
Gen'rous man!
Is my fault pardon'd?—Witness, righteous heav'n!
And bless me as my penitence is true!

Enter Almeida.
ALMEIDA.
The council is conven'd. On urgent matters
Thy presence is requir'd.

DAMARAL.
Know'st thou if Hali
Be yet come back?

ALMEIDA.
As he went forth to treat
On business of grave import, 'tis unlikely
He should return so quickly.

DAMARAL.
Thou hast reason.
Report that instantly I will attend them.
[Exit Almeida.
Farewell, Ismena! let no recollection
Of former errors pang thy feeling breast.
I have forgotten them.

ISMENA.
My heart's too full
To thank thee as I ought. May ev'ry blessing
Light on thee and preserve thee!—But beware—
Beware of Hali!

[Exeunt severally.