 | Don Sebastian, King of Portugal |  |
Act IV.
Scene 1.
Benducar's Pallace in the Castle of Alcazar.Bend.
My future Fate, the colour of my life,
(Solus.
My all depends on this important hour:
This hour my Lott is weighing in the Scales,
And Heav'n, perhaps, is doubting what to do.
Almeyda and a Crown, have push'd me forward;
'Tis fix'd, the Tyrant must not ravish her:
He and Sebastian stand betwixt my hopes;
He most; and therefore first to be dispatch'd.
These and a thousand things are to be done
In the short compass of this rowling Night,
And nothing yet perform'd,
None of my Emissaries yet return'd.
Enter Haly—First Servant.
Oh Haly, thou hast held me long in pain.
What hast thou learnt of Dorax? is he dead?
Haly,
Two hours I warily have watch'd his Palace;
All doors are shut, no Servant peeps abroad;
Some Officers with striding hast pass'd in,
While others outward went on quick dispatch;
Sometimes hush'd silence seem'd to reign within;
Then Cries confus'd, and a joint clamour follow'd;
Then Lights went gliding by, from room to room,
And shot like thwarring Meteors cross the house:
Not daring farther to enquire: I came
With speed, to bring you this imperfect news.
His mournful Friends, summon'd to take their leaves,
Are throng'd about his Couch, and sit in Council,
What those Caballing Captains may design,
I must prevent,
By being first in Action.
To Muley Zeydan fly with speed, desire him
To take my last instructions; tell th'importance
And hast his presence here.
It shou'd have burnt its passage, not have linger'd
In the blind Labyrinths and crooked turnings
Of human Composition; now it moves
Like a slow Fire that works against the Wind,
As if his stronger Stars had interpos'd.
From Mustafa, what Message?
Hamet,
The streets are thicker in this noon of Night:
Than at the Mid-day Sun: a drowzy horrour
Sits on their Eyes, like fear not well awake,
The Bees drive out upon each others backs,
T'imboss their Hives in clusters; all ask news:
Their busie Captain runs the weary round
To whisper Orders; and commanding silence
Makes not noise cease; but deafens it to murmurs.
Bend.
Night wasts apace: when, when will he appear?
Hamet,
He only waits your Summons.
Bend.
Hast their coming.
Let secrecy and silence be enjoin'd
In their close march: what news from the Lieutenant?
Hamet,
I left him at the Gate, firm to your Interest,
T'admit the Townsmen at their first appearance.
Enter Orchan the Third Servant.
Wou'd lag behind the rest? what from the Mufti?
Orchan,
I sought him round his Palace; made enquiry
Of all the Slaves: in short, I us'd your name
And urg'd th'importance home; but had for answer
That since the shut of Evening none had seen him.
Bend.
O the curst fate of all Conspiracies!
They move on many Springs, if one but fail
The restiff Machine stops.—In an ill hour he's absent;
'Tis the first time, and sure will be the last
That e'er a Mufti was not in the way,
When Tumult and Rebellion shou'd be broach'd.
Stay by me; thou art resolute and faithful;
I have Employment worthy of thy Arm.
(Walks.
Enter Muley Zeydan.
Muley Zeyd.
You see me come impatient of my hopes,
And eager as the Courser for the Race:
Is all in readiness?
Bend.
All but the Mufti.
Mul. Zeyd.
We must go on without him.
Bend.
True we must;
For 'tis ill stopping in the full Career,
How e'er the leap be dangerous and wide.
Orchan
looking out.
I see the blaze of Torches from afar;
And hear the trampling of thick beating feet;
This way they move.
Bend.
No doubt the Emperour.
We must not be surpriz'd in Conference.
Trust to my management the Tyrants death;
The Officer who guards the Gate is yours;
When you have gain'd that Pass, divide your Force;
Your self in Person head one chosen half,
And march t'oppress the Faction in Consult
With dying Dorax: Fate has driv'n 'em all
Into the Net: you must be bold and sudden:
Spare none, and if you find him strugling yet
With pangs of Death, trust not his rowling Eyes
And heaving gasps; for Poison may be false,
The home-thrust of a friendly Sword is sure.
Mul. Zeyd.
Doubt not my Conduct: they shall be surpriz'd;
Mercy may wait without the Gate one Night,
At Morn I'll take her in.—
Bend.
Here lies your way,
You meet your Brother there.
Mul. Zeyd.
May we ne'er meet:
For, like the Twins of Leda, when I mount
He gallops down the Skies.—
Exit Muley Zeyd.
Bend.
He comes: now Heart
Be rib'd with Iron for this one attempt:
Set ope thy Sluces, send the vigorous bloud
Through every active Limb for my relief:
Then, take thy rest within thy quiet Cell,
For thou shalt drum no more.
Enter Muley Moluch and Guards attending him.
Mul. Mol.
What news of our Affairs, and what of Dorax?
Is he no more? say that, and make me happy.
Bend.
May all your Enemies be like that Dog,
Whose parting Soul is lab'ring at the Lips.
Mul. Mol.
The People, are they rais'd?
Bend.
And Marshall'd too;
Just ready for the March.
Mul. Mol.
Then I'm at ease.
The Night is yours, the glitt'ring Hoast of Heav'n
Shines but for you; but most the Star of Love,
That twinckles you to fair Almeyda's Bed.
Oh there's a joy, to melt in her embrace,
Dissolve in pleasures;
And make the gods curse Immortality,
That so they cou'd not dye.
But haste, and make 'em yours.
Mul. Mol.
I will; and yet
A kind of weight hangs heavy at my Heart;
My flagging Soul flyes under her own pitch;
Like Fowl in air too damp, and lugs along,
As if she were a body in a body,
And not a mounting substance made of Fire.
My Senses too are dull and stupifi'd,
Their edge rebated; sure some ill approaches,
And some kind Spirit knocks softly at my Soul,
To tell me Fate's at hand.
Bend.
Mere Fancies all.
Your Soul has been beforehand with your Body,
And drunk so deep a Draught of promis'd bliss,
She slumbers o'er the Cup; no danger's near,
But of a Surfeit at too full a Feast.
Mul. Mol.
It may be so; it looks so like the Dream
That overtook me at my waking hour
This Morn; and Dreams they say are then divine,
When all the balmy Vapors are exhal'd,
And some o'er-pow'ring God continues sleep.
'Twas then methought Almeyda, smiling, came
Attended with a Train of all her Race,
Whom in the rage of Empire I had murther'd.
But now, no longer Foes, they gave me Joy
Of my new Conquest, and with helping hands
Heav'd me into our Holy Prophet's arms,
Who bore me in a purple Cloud to Heav'n.
Bend.
Good Omen, Sir, I wish you in that Heaven
Your Dream portends you.
Which presages death.—
[Aside.
Thou too wert there;
And thou methought didst push me from below,
With thy full force to Paradise.
Bend.
Yet better.
Mul. Mol.
Ha! What's that grizly Fellow that attends thee?
Bend.
Why ask you Sir?
Mul. Mol.
For he was in my Dream;
And help'd to heave me up.
Bend.
With Pray'rs and Wishes;
For I dare swear him honest.
Mul. Mol.
That may be;
But yet he looks Damnation.
Bend.
You forget,
The Face wou'd please you better: Do you love,
And can you thus forbear?
Mul. Mol.
I'll head my People;
Then think of dalliance, when the danger's o'er.
My warlike Spirits work now another way;
And my Soul's tun'd to Trumpets.
Bend.
You debase your self,
To think of mixing with th'ignoble Herd.
Let such perform the servile Work of War,
Such who have no Almeyda to enjoy.
What shall the People know their God-like Prince
Skulk'd in a nightly Skirmish? Stole a Conquest,
Headed a Rabble, and profan'd his Person,
Shoulder'd with Filth, born in a tide of Ordure,
And stifled with their rank offensive Sweat?
Mul. Mol.
I am off again: I will not prostitute
The Regal Dignity so far, to head 'em.
Bend.
There spoke a King.
Dismiss your Guards to be employ'd elsewhere
In ruder Combats: You will want no Seconds
In those Alarms you seek.
Mul. Mol.
Go joyn the Crowd;
[to the Guards.
Benducar; thou shalt lead 'em, in my place.
[Exeunt Guards.
The God of Love once more has shot his Fires
Almeyda now returns with all her Charms;
I feel her as she glides along my Veins,
And dances in my Blood: So when our Prophet
Had long been ham'ring in his lonely Cell,
Some dull, insipid, tedious Paradise,
A brisk Arabian Girl came tripping by;
Passing she cast at him a side-long glance,
And look'd behind in hopes to be pursu'd:
He took the hint, embrac'd the flying Fair;
And having found his Heav'n, he fix'd it there.
[Exit Mul. Mol.
Bend.
That Paradise thou never shalt possess.
His death is easie now, his Guards are gone;
And I can sin but once to seize the Throne.
All after Acts are sanctify'd by pow'r.
Orchan.
Command my Sword and Life.
Bend.
I thank thee Orchan,
And shall reward thy Faith: This Master Key
Frees every Lock, and leads us to his Person:
And shou'd we miss our blow, as Heav'n forbid,
Secures retreat: Leave open all behind us;
And first set wide the Mufti's Garden Gate,
Which is his private passage to the Palace.
For there our Mutineers appoint to meet,
And thence we may have aid. Now sleep ye Stars
That silently o'erwatch the fate of Kings;
Be all propitious Influences barr'd,
And none but murd'rous Planets mount the Guard.
[Exit with Orcha
A Night Scene of the Mufti's Garden.
Enter the Mufti alone, in a Slave's habit, like that of Antonio.
Mufti,
This 'tis to have a sound Head-piece; by this I have
got to be chief of my Religion; that is, honestly speaking, to
teach others what I neither know nor believe my self. For
Policy of this night: I have mew'd up my suspected Spouse
in her Chamber. No more Embassies to that lusty young
Stallion of a Gardiner. Next my habit of a Slave; I have
made my self as like him as I can, all but his youth and vigor;
which when I had, I pass'd my time as well as any of my Holy
Predecessors. Now walking under the Windows of my Seraglio,
if Johayma look out, she will certainly take me for Antonio,
and call to me; and by that I shall know what Concupiscence
is working in her; she cannot come down to commit
Iniquity, there's my safety; but if she peep, if she put her
Nose abroad, there's demonstration of her pious Will: And
I'll not make the first precedent for a Church-man to forgive
Injuries.
Enter Morayma running to him with a Casket in her hand, and embracing him.
Mor.
Now I can embrace you with a good Conscience; here
are the Pearls and Jewels, here's my Father.
Muf.
I am indeed thy Father; but how the Devil didst thou
know me in this disguise? And what Pearls and Jewels dost thou
mean?
Mor.
going back.
—What have I done, and what will now
become of me!
Muf.
Art thou mad, Morayma?
Mor.
I think you'll make me so.
Muf.
Why, what have I done to thee? Recollect thy self,
and speak sense to me.
Mor.
Then give me leave to tell you, you are the worst of
Fathers.
Muf.
Did I think I had begotten such a Monster? Proceed my
dutiful Child, proceed, proceed.
Mor.
You have been raking together a mass of Wealth, by
indirect and wicked means; the Spoils of Orphans are in these
Jewels, and the Tears of Widows in these Pearls.
Muf.
Thou amazest me!
I wou'd do so. This Casket is loaded with your Sins;
'tis the Cargo of Rapines, Simony, and Extortions; the Iniquity
of thirty Years Muftiship, converted into Diamonds.
Muf.
Wou'd some rich rayling Rogue would say as much to
me, that I might squeeze his Purse for scandal.
Mor.
No Sir, you get more by pious Fools than Raylers,
when you insinuate into their Families, manage their Fortunes
while they live, and beggar their Heirs by getting Legacies
when they dye. And do you think I'll be the receiver of
your Theft? I discharge my Conscience of it: Here take again
your filthy Mammon, and restore it you had best to the true
Owners.
Muf.
I am finely documented by my own Daughter.
Mor.
And a great credit for me to be so: Do but think
how decent a Habit you have on, and how becoming your
Function to be disguis'd like a Slave, and eves-dropping under
the Womens Windows, to be saluted, as you deserve it
richly, with a Piss-pot: If I had not known you casually
by your shambling gate, and a certain reverend awkardness
that is natural to all of your Function, here you had been
expos'd to the laughter of your own Servants; who have
been in search of you through your whole Seraglio, peeping
under every Petticoat to find you.
Muf.
Prithee Child reproach me no more of human Failings;
they are but a little of the pitch and spots of the World
that are still sticking on me; but I hope to scour 'em out
in time: I am better at bottom than thou think'st; I am
not the Man thou tak'st me for.
Mor.
No, to my sorrow Sir you are not.
Muf.
It was a very odd beginning, tho methought, to see
thee come running in upon me with such a warm embrace;
prithee what was the meaning of that violent hot Hug?
Mor.
I am sure I meant nothing by it, but the zeal and
affection which I bear to the Man of the World, whom I
may love lawfully.
Muf.
But thou wilt not teach me at this age the nature of
a close Embrace?
No indeed; for my Mother in Law complains,
that you are past teaching: But if you mistook my innocent
Embrace for Sin, I wish heartily it had been given where it
wou'd have been more acceptable.
Muf.
Why, this is as it shou'd be now: Take the Treasure
again, it can never be put into better hands.
Mor.
Yes, to my knowledg but it might. I have confess'd
my Soul to you, if you can understand me rightly; I never
disobey'd you till this night, and now since through the violence
of my Passion, I have been so unfortunate, I humbly
beg your pardon, your blessing, and your leave, that upon
the first opportunity I may go for ever from your sight;
for Heaven knows, I never desire to see you more.
Muf.
Wiping his Eyes.
Thou mak'st me weep at thy unkindness;
indeed dear Daughter we will not part.
Mor.
Indeed dear Daddy but we will.
Muf.
Why if I have been a little pilfering, or so, I take it
bitterly of thee to tell me of it; since it was to make thee
rich; and I hope a Man may make bold with his own Soul,
without offence to his own Child: Here take the jewels again,
take 'em I charge thee upon thy Obedience.
Mor.
Well then, in vertue of Obedience I will take 'em;
but on my Soul, I had rather they were in a better hand.
Muf.
Meaning mine, I know it.
Mor.
Meaning his whom I love better than my life.
Muf.
That's me again.
Mor.
I wou'd have you think so.
Muf.
How thy good nature works upon me; well I can do
no less than venture damning for thee, and I may put fair for
it, if the Rabble be order'd to rise to Night.
Enter Antonio in an Affrican rich habit.
Ant.
What do you mean my Dear, to stand talking in this
suspicious place, just underneath Johayma's Window? (to the
Mufti)
You are well met Comerade, I know you are the friend
of our flight? are the horses ready at the postern gate?
Antonio, and in disguise! now I begin to smell a rat.
Ant.
And I another, that out-stinks it; false Morayma, hast
thou thus betray'd me to thy Father!
Mor.
Alas, I was betray'd my self: He came disguis'd like
you, and I poor Innocent ran into his hands.
Muf.
In good time you did so; I laid a trap for a Bitch Fox,
and a worse Vermine has caught himself in it: you wou'd fain
break loose now, though you left a limb behind you; but I
am yet in my own Territories and in call of Company, that's
my comfort.
No; I have a trick left to put thee past thy squeeking:
I have giv'n thee the quinzey; that ungracious tongue shall
Preach no more false Doctrin.
Mor.
What do you mean? you will not throttle him? consider
he's my Father.
Ant.
Prithee let us provide first for our own safety; if I
do not consider him, he will consider us with a vengeance
afterwards.
Mor.
You may threaten him for crying out, but for my
sake give him back a little cranny of his Wind-pipe, and some
part of Speech.
Ant.
Not so much as one single Interjection: Come away
Father-in-Law, this is no place for Dialogues, when you are
in the Mosque you talk by hours, and there no Man must interrupt
you; this is but like for like, good Father-in-Law;
now I am in the Pulpit 'tis your turn to hold your tongue.
Nay if you will be hanging back, I shall take care you
shall hang forward.
(Pulls him along the Stage; with his Sword at his reins.)
Mor.
T'other way to the Arbour with him; and make hast
before we are discover'd.
If I only bind and gag him there, he may commend
me hereafter for civil usage; he deserves not so much favour
by any action of his life.
Mor.
Yes, pray bate him one, for begetting your Mistress.
Ant.
I wou'd, if he had not thought more of thy Mother
than of thee; once more come along in silence, my Pythagorean
Father-in-Law.
Joh.
At the Balcony.—A Bird in a Cage may peep at least;
though she must not fly; what bustle's there beneath my Window?
Antonio by all my hopes, I know him by his habit; but
what makes that Woman with him, and a Friend, a Sword
drawn, and hasting hence? this is no time for silence: Who's
within, call there, where are the Servants, why Omar, Abedin,
Hassan and the rest, make hast and run into the Garden; there
are Thieves and Villains; arm all the Family, and stop 'em.
[Antonio turning back.
O that Schriech Owl at the Window! we shall be pursu'd
immediatly; which way shall we take?
(Morayma giving him the Casket.)
'Tis impossible to escape them; for the way to our Horses
lyes back again by the House; and then we shall meet 'em
full in the teeth; here take these Jewels; thou may'st leap
the Walls and get away.
Ant.
And what will become of thee then poor kind Soul?
Mor.
I must take my fortune; when you are got safe into
your own Country, I hope you will bestow a sigh on the memory
of her who lov'd you!
Ant.
It makes me mad, to think how many a good night
will be lost betwixt us! take back thy Jewels; 'tis an empty
Casket without thee; besides I shou'd never leap well with
the weight of all thy Fathers sins about me, thou and they
had been a bargain.
Mor.
Prithee take 'em, 'twill help me to be reveng'd on him.
Ant.
No; they'll serve to make thy peace with him.
I hear 'em coming; shift for your self at least; remember
I am yours for ever.
(Servants crying this way, this way, behind the Scenes.)
Ant.
And I but the empty shadow of my self without thee!
farewel Father-in-Law, that shou'd have been, if I had not
been curst in my Mothers belly—Now which way fortune.—
(Runs amazedly backwards and forwards.)
Servants
within.
Follow, follow, yonder are the Villains.
Ant.
O here's a gate open; but it leads into the Castle; yet
I must venture it.
[Going out.
(A shout behind the Scenes where Antonio is going out)
Ant.
There's the Rabble in a Mutiny; what is the Devil up
at Midnight!—however 'tis good herding in a Crowd.
[Runs out.
(Mufti runs to Morayma and lays hold on her, then snatches away the Casket.)
Muf.
Now, to do things in order, first I seize upon the Bag,
and then upon the Baggage: for thou art but my flesh and
blood, but these are my Life and Soul.
Mor.
Then let me follow my flesh and blood, and keep to
your self your Life and Soul.
Muf.
Both or none; come away to durance.
Mor.
Well, if it must be so, agreed; for I have another
trick to play you; and thank your self for what shall follow.
[Enter Servants.
Joh.
From above. One of them took through the private
way into the Castle; follow him be sure, for these are yours
already.
Mor.
Help here quickly Omar Abedin; I have hold on the
Villain that stole my jewels; but 'tis a lusty Rogue, and he
will prove too strong for me; what, help I say, do you not
know your Masters Daughter?
Now if I cry out they will know my voice; and
then I am disgrac'd for ever: O thou art a venomous Cockatrice!
Mor.
Of your own begetting.
[The Servants seize him.
First Servant.
What a glorious deliverance have you had
Madam from this bloody-minded Christian!
Mor.
Give me back my Jewels, and carry this notorious
Malefactor to be punish'd by my Father.
I'll hunt the other dry-foot.
(Takes the Jewels and runs out after Antonio at the same Passage.)
First Servant.
I long to be handselling his hide, before
we bring him to my Master.
Second Servant.
Hang him, for an old Covetous Hypocrite:
he deserves a worse punishment himself for keeping us so
hardly.
First Servant.
Ay, wou'd he were in this Villains place;
thus I wou'd lay him on, and thus.
[Beats him.
Second Servant.
And thus wou'd I revenge my self of my
last beating,
(He beats him too, and then the rest.)
Muf.
Oh, oh, oh!
First Servant.
Now supposing you were the Mufti, Sir,—
[Beats him again.
Muf.
The Devil's in that supposing Rascal; I can bear no
more; and I am the Mufti: Now suppose your selves my
Servants, and hold your hands; an anointed halter take you
all.
First Servant.
My Master! you will pardon the excess of
our zeal for you, Sir, indeed we all took you for a Villain,
and so we us'd you.
Mufti.
Ay so I feel you did; my back and sides are abundant
testimonies of your zeal. Run Rogues, and bring me
back my Jewels, and my Fugitive Daughter: run I say.
First Servant.
Sir, the Castle is in a most terrible combustion;
you may hear 'em hither.
Muf.
'Tis a laudable commotion: The voice of the Mobile
is the voice of Heaven. I must retire a little, to strip me of the
Slave, and to assume the Mufti; and then I will return: for the
piety of the People must be encouraged; that they may help
me to recover my Jewels, and my Daughter.
Exit Mufti and Servants.
Scene changes to the Castle-yard, and discovers Antonio Mustafa, and the Rabble shouting, they come forward.
Ant.
And so at length, as I inform'd you, I escap'd out of
his covetous clutches; and now fly to your illustrious feet for
my protection.
Must.
Thou shalt have it, and now defie the Mufti. 'Tis
the first Petition that has been made to me since my exaltation
to Tumult; in this second Night of the Month Abib, and in
the year of the Hegyra; the Lord knows what year; but 'tis
no matter; for when I am settled, the Learned are bound to
find it out for me: for I am resolv'd to date my Authority over
the Rabble, like other Monarchs.
Ant.
I have always had a longing to be yours again; though
I cou'd not compass it before, and had design'd you a Casket
of my Masters jewels too; for I knew the Custom, and wou'd
not have appear'd before a Great Person, as you are, without
a present: But he has defrauded my good intentions, and basely
robb'd you of 'em, 'tis a prize worth a Million of Crowns,
and you carry your Letters of mark about you.
Must.
I shall make bold with his Treasure, for the support
of my New Government.
What do these vile Ragga-muffins so near our Person? your savour
is offensive to us; bear back there, and make room for honest
Men to approach us; these fools and knaves are always impudently
deserving, bear back I say.
[They make a wider Circle.
That's dutifully done; now shout to show your Loyalty.
(A great shout.)
Hear'st thou that, Slave Antonio? these obstreperous
Villains shout, and know not for what they make a
noise. You shall see me manage 'em, that you may judge
what ignorant Beasts they are. For whom do you shout
now? who's to Live and Reign? tell me that the wisest of
you.
First Rabble.
Even who you please Captain.
Must.
La you there; I told you so.
Second Rabble.
We are not bound to know who is to Live
and Reign; our business is only to rise upon command, and
plunder.
Third Rabble.
Ay, the Richest of both Parties; for they
are our Enemies.
Must.
This last Fellow is a little more sensible than the rest;
he has enter'd somewhat into the merits of the Cause.
First Rabble.
If a poor Man may speak his mind, I think,
Captain, that your self are the fittest to Live and Reign, I
mean not over, but next and immediatly under the People;
and thereupon I say, A Mustafa, A Mustafa.
(All Cry)
A Mustafa, A Mustafa.
Must.
I must confess the sound is pleasing, and tickles the
ears of my Ambition; but alas good People, it must not be:
I am contented to be a poor simple Vice-Roy; but Prince Muley-Zeydan
is to be the Man: I shall take care to instruct him
in the arts of Government; and in his duty to us all: and
therefore mark my Cry: A Muley-Zeydan, A Muley-Zeydan.
(All Cry)
A Muley-Zeydan, A Muley-Zeydan.
Must.
You see Slave Antonio, what I might have been.
Antonio.
I observe your Modesty.
Must.
But for a foolish promise I made once to my Lord
Benducar, to set up any one he pleas'd.
Ant.
Here's the Old Hypocrite again; now stand your
ground, and bate him not an inch. Remember the Jewels,
the Rich and Glorious Jewels; they are destin'd to be yours,
by virtue of Prerogative.
Must.
Let me alone to pick a quarrel, I have an old grudge
to him upon thy account.
Good People, here you are met together.
First Rabble.
Ay, we know that without your telling, but
why are we met together, Doctor? for that's it which no body
here can tell.
Second Rabble.
Why to see one another in the Dark; and
to make Holy-day at Midnight.
Muf.
You are met, as becomes good Musulmen; to settle
the Nation; for I must tell you, that though your Tyrant is
a lawful Emperor, yet your lawful Emperor is but a Tyrant.
Ant.
What stuff he talks!
Must.
'Tis excellent fine matter indeed, Slave Antonio; he
has a rare tongue; Oh, he wou'd move a Rock of Elephant!
Ant.
Aside.
What a Block have I to work upon,
But still remember the Jewels, Sir, the Jewels.
Must.
Nay that's true on t'other side: the Jewels must be
mine; but he has a pure fine way of talking; my Conscience
goes along with him, but the Jewels have set my heart against
him.
Muf.
That your Emperor is a Tyrant is most manifest; for
you were born to be Turks, but he has play'd the Turk with
you; and is taking your Religion away.
Second Rabble.
We find that in our decay of Trade; I have
seen for these hunder'd years, that Religion and Trade always
go together.
He is now upon the point of Marrying himself,
without your Sovereign consent; and what are the effects of
Marriage?
Third Rabble.
A scoulding, domineering Wife, if she prove
honest; and if a Whore, a fine gawdy Minx, that robs our
Counters every Night, and then goes out, and spends it upon
our Cuckold-makers.
Mufti.
No, the natural effects of Marriage are Children:
Now on whom wou'd he beget these Children? Even upon
a Christian! Oh horrible; how can you believe me, though
I am ready to swear it upon the Alcoran! Yes, true Believers,
you may believe me, that he is going to beget a Race
of Misbelievers.
Must.
That's fine, in earnest; I cannot forbear hearkening
to his enchanting Tongue.
Ant.
But yet remember.—
Must.
Ay, Ay, the Jewels! Now again I hate him; but yet
my Conscience makes me listen to him.
Mufti,
Therefore to conclude all, Believers, pluck up your
Hearts, and pluck down the Tyrant: Remember the Courage
of your Ancestors; remember the Majesty of the People; remember
your selves, your Wives and Children; and lastly,
above all, remember your Religion, and our holy Mahomet; all
these require your timous assistance; shall I say they beg it? No,
they claim it of you, by all the nearest and dearest Tyes of
these three P's Self-Preservation, our Property, and our Prophet.
Now answer me with an unanimous chearful Cry, and
follow me, who am your Leader to a glorious Deliverance.
(All cry, A Mufti, A Mufti, and are following him off the Stage.)
Ant.
Now you see what comes of your foolish Qualms of
Conscience: The Jewels are lost, and they are all leaving you.
Must.
What am I forsaken of my Subjects? Wou'd the Rogue
purloin my liege People from me! I charge you in my own Name
come back ye Deserters; and hear me speak.
1st. Rabble,
What will he come with his Balderdash, after
the Mufti's eloquent Oration?
He's our Captain, lawfully pick'd up, and
elected upon a Stall; we will hear him.
Omnes,
Speak Captain, for we will hear you.
Must.
Do you remember the glorious Rapines and Robberies
you have committed? Your breaking open and gutting
of Houses, your rummaging of Cellars, your demolishing of
Christian Temples, and bearing off in triumph the superstitious
Plate and Pictures, the Ornaments of their wicked Altars,
when all rich Moveables were sentenc'd for idolatrous, and all
that was idolatrous was seiz'd? Answer first for your remembrance,
of all these sweetnesses of Mutiny; for upon those
Grounds I shall proceed.
Omnes,
Yes we do remember, we do remember.
Must.
Then make much of your retentive Faculties. And
who led you to those Hony-Combs? Your Mufti? No, Believers,
he only preach'd you up to it; but durst not lead you;
he was but your Counsellor, but I was your Captain; he only
lood you, but 'twas I that led you.
Omnes,
That's true, that's true.
Ant.
There you were with him for his Figures.
Must.
I think I was, Slave Antonio. Alas I was ignorant of
my own Talent.—Say then, Believers, will you have a Captain
for your Mufti? Or a Mufti for your Captain? And further
to instruct you how to Cry, Will you have a Mufti, or no Mufti?
Omnes,
No Mufti, no Mufti.
Must.
That I laid in for'em, Slave Antonio.—
Do I then spet upon your Faces? Do I discourage Rebellion,
Mutiny, Rapine, and Plundering? You may think I do, Believers,
but Heaven forbid: No, I encourage you to all these laudable
Undertakings; you shall plunder, you shall pull down the Government;
but you shall do this upon my Authority, and not
by his wicked Instigation.
3d. Rabble,
Nay, when his turn is serv'd, he may preach up
Loyalty again, and Restitution, that he might have another
Snack among us.
1st. Rabble,
He may indeed; for 'tis but his saying 'tis Sin, and
then we must restore; and therefore I wou'd have a new Religion,
the rest mollifi'd, and there shou'd be little or no Sin remaining.
Omnes,
Another Religion, a new Religion, another Religion.
Must.
And that may easily be done, with the help of a little
Inspiration: For I must tell you, I have a Pigeon at home, of
Mahomet's own breed; and when I have learnt her to pick
Pease out of my Ear, rest satisfi'd 'till then, and you shall have
another. But now I think on't, I am inspir'd already, that 'tis
no Sin to depose the Mufti.
Ant.
And good reason; for when Kings and Queens are to be
discarded, what shou'd Knaves do any longer in the pack?
Omnes,
He is depos'd, he is depos'd, he is depos'd.
Must.
Nay, if he and his Clergy will needs be preaching up
Rebellion, and giving us their Blessing, 'tis but justice they
shou'd have the first fruits of it.—Slave Antonio, take him into
custody; and dost thou hear, Boy, be sure to secure the little
transitory Box of Jewels: If he be obstinate, put a civil Question
to him upon the Rack, and he squeaks I warrant him.
Ant.
seizing the Mufti.
Come my quondam Master, you and
I must change Qualities.
Mufti,
I hope you will not be so barbarous to torture me, we
may preach Suffering to others, but alas, holy Flesh is too well
pamper'd to endure Martyrdom.
Must.
Now, late Mufti, not forgetting my first Quarrel to
you, we will enter our selves with the Plunder of your Palace:
'tis good to sanctifie a Work, and begin a God's name.
1st. Rabble,
Our Prophet let the Devil alone with the last Mob.
Mob.
But he takes care of this himself.
As they are going out enter Benducar leading Almeyda: He with a Sword in one hand; Benducar's Slave follows with Muly-Moluch's Head upon a Spear.
Not so much hast Masters; come back again: you are so bent
upon mischief, that you take a man upon the first word of
Plunder. Here's a sight for you: the Emperour is come upon
his head to visit you.
[Bowing]
Most Noble Emperour, now
I hope you will not hit us in the teeth, that we have pull'd you
down, for we can tell you to your face, that we have exalted
you.
[They all shout.]
[Benducar to Almeyda apart.
Think what I am, and what your self may be,
In being mine: refuse not proffer'd Love that brings a Crown.
[Almeyda to him.
I have resolv'd,
And these shall know my thoughts.
Bend.
to her.
On that I build.— (He comes up to the Rabble.)
Joy to the People for the Tyrants Death!
Oppression, Rapine, Banishment and Bloud
Are now no more; but speechless as that tongue
That lyes for ever still.
How is my grief divided with my joy,
When I must own I kill'd him! bid me speak,
For not to bid me, is to disallow
What for your sakes is done.
Mustafa.
In the name of the People we command you speak:
But that pretty Lady shall speak first; for we have taken somewhat
of a likeing to her Person, be not afraid Lady to speak to
these rude Ragga-muffians: there's nothing shall offend you,
unless it be their stink, and please you.
[Making a Legg.
Almeyda.
Why shou'd I fear to speak who am your Queen?
My peacefull Father sway'd the Scepter long;
And you enjoy'd the Blessings of his Reign,
While you deserv'd the name of Affricans.
Then not commanded, but commanding you,
Fearless I speak: know me for what I am.
Bend.
How she assumes! I like not this beginning.
[aside
Almeyda.
I was not born so base, to flatter Crowds,
And move your pitty by a whining tale:
Your Tyrant would have forc'd me to his Bed;
But in th'attempt of that foul brutal Act,
These Loyall Slaves secur'd me by his Death.
[Pointing to Ben.
Makes she no more of me then of a Slave?
[aside.
Madam, I thought I had instructed you
[to Alm.
To frame a Speech more suiting to the times:
The Circumstances of that dire design,
Your own despair, my unexpected ayd,
my Life endanger'd by his bold defence,
And after all, his Death, and your Deliv'rance,
Were themes that ought not to be slighted o're.
Mustafa.
She might have pass'd over all your petty businesses
and no great matter: But the Raising of my Rabble is an
Exploit of consequence; and not to be mumbled up in silence
for all her pertness.
Almeyda.
When force invades the gift of Nature, Life,
The eldest Law of nature bids defend:
And if in that defence, a Tyrant fall, his Death's his Crime not ours:
Suffice it that he's Dead: all wrongs dye with him;
When he can wrong no more I pardon him:
Thus I absolve my self; and him excuse,
Who sav'd my life, and honour; but praise neither.
Benducar.
'Tis cheap to pardon, whom you would not pay;
But what speak I of payment and reward?
Ungratefull Woman, you are yet no Queen;
Nor more than a proud haughty Christian slave:
As such I seize my right.
[going to lay hold on her.
[Almyda drawing a Dagger.
Dare not to approach me;
Now Affricans,
He shows himself to you; to me he stood
Confest before, and own'd his Insolence
T'espouse my person, and assume the Crown,
Claym'd in my Right: for this he slew your Tyrant;
Oh no, he only chang'd him for a worse;
Imbas'd your Slavery by his own vileness,
And loaded you with more ignoble bonds:
Then think me not ungratefull, not to share,
Th'Imperial Crown with a presuming Traytor.
He says I am a Christian; true I am,
But yet no Slave: If Christians can be thought,
Unfit to govern those of other Faith,
Benducar.
I have not patience; she consumes the time
In Idle talk, and owns her false Belief:
Seize her by force, and bear her hence unheard.
[Almeyda to the People.
No, let me rather dye your sacrifice
Than live his Tryumph;
I throw my self into my Peoples armes;
As you are Men compassionate my wrongs,
And as good men Protect me.
[Antonio aside To Mustafa.
Something must be done to save her.
This is all address'd to you Sir: She singled
you out with her eye, as Commander in chief of the Mobility.
Mustafa.
Think'st thou so Slave Antonio?
Antonio.
Most certainly Sir; and you cannot in honour but
protect her, Now look to your hits, and make your fortune.
Mustafa.
Methought indeed she cast a kind leer towards me:
Our Prophet was but just such another Scoundrell as I am, till
he rais'd himself to power, and consequently to Holyness, by
marrying his masters Widow: I am resolved I'le put forward
for my self: for why should I be my Lord Benducars Fool and
Slave, when I may be my own fool and his Master?
Benducar.
Take her into possession, Mustafa.
Mustafa.
That's better Counsell than you meant it: Yes I
do take her into possession, and into protection too: what say
you, Masters, will you stand by me?
Omnes.
One and all; One and all.
Benducar.
Hast thou betray'd me Traytor?
Mufti speak & mind 'em of Religion.
[Mufti shakes his head.
Mustafa.
Alas the poor Gentleman has gotten a cold, with
a Sermon of two hours long, and a prayer of four: and besides,
if he durst speak, mankind is grown wiser at this time
of day, than to cut one anothers throats about Religion. Our
Mufti is a Green coat, and the Christians is a black coat; and
we must wisely go together by the ears, whether green or black
shall sweep our spoils.
[Drums within and shouts.
Benducar.
Now we shall see whose numbers will prevail:
The Conquering Troups of Muley Zeydan, come
To crush Rebellion, and espouse my Cause.
We will have a fair Tryall of Skill for't, I can tell
him that. When we have dispatch'd with Muley Zeydan, your
Lordship shall march in equall proportions of your body, to the
four gates of the City; and every Tower shall have a Quarter
of you,
[Antonio draws them up and takes Almeyda by the hand
[Shouts again and Drums.
Enter Dorax and Sebastian attended by Affrican Soldiers and Portugueses. (Almeyda and Sebastian run into each others armes and both speak together.
Seb. and Alm.
My Sebastian! My Almeyda!
Alm.
Do you then live?
Seb.
And live to love thee ever.
Bend.
How! Dorax and Sebastian still alive!
The Moors and Christians joyn'd! I thank thee Prophet.
Dorax.
The Citadell is ours; and Muley Zeydan
Safe under Guard, but as becomes a Prince.
Lay down your armes: such base Plebeian bloud
Would only stain the brightness of my Sword,
And blunt it for some nobler work behind.
Must.
I suppose you may put it up without offence to any
man here present? For my part, I have been Loyall to my
Soveraign Lady: though that Villain Benducar, and that Hypocrite
the Mufti, would have corrupted me; but if those
two scape publick Justice, then I and all my late honest Subjects
here, deserve hanging.
[Benducar to Dorax.]
I'm sure I did my part to poyson thee,
What Saint soe're has Sodder'd thee again.
A Dose less hot had burst through ribs of Iron.
Muf.
Not knowing that, I poyson'd him once more,
And drench'd him with a draught so deadly cold
That, had'st not thou prevented, had congeal'd
The channell of his bloud, and froze him dry.
Bend
Thou interposing Fool, to mangle mischief,
And think to mend the perfect work of Hell.
Dorax.
Thus, when Heaven pleases, double poysons cure.
I will not tax thee of Ingratitude
Death he deserv'd indeed, but not from thee.
But fate it seems reserv'd the worst of men
To end the worst of Tyrants.
Go bear him to his fate.
And send him to attend his Masters Ghost.
Let some secure my other poys'ning Friend,
Whose double dilligence preserv'd my life.
Ant.
You are fall'n into good hands, Father in law; your
sparkling Jewells, and Morayma's eyes may prove a better
bail than you deserve.
Muf.
The best that can come of me, in this condition, is
to have my life begg'd first, and then to be begg'd for a Fool
afterwards.
[Exit Antonio with the Mufti, and at the same time Benducar is carry'd off.
[Dorax to Mustafa.]
You and your hungry herd depart untouch'd;
For Justice can not stoop so low, to reach
The groveling sin of Crowds: but curst be they
Who trust revenge with such mad Instruments,
Whose blindfold bus'ness is but to destroy:
And like the fire Commission'd by the Winds,
Begins on sheds, but rouling in a round,
On Pallaces returns. Away ye skum,
That still rise upmost when the Nation boyls:
Ye mungrill work of Heaven, with humane shapes,
Not to be damn'd, or sav'd, but breath, and perish,
That have but just enough of sence, to know
The masters voice, when rated, to depart.
[Exeunt Mustafa and Rabble.
[Almeyda kneeling to him
With gratitude as low, as knees can pay
To those blest holy Fires, our Guardian Angells,
Receive these thanks; till Altars can be rais'd.
[Dorax raising her up
Arise fair Excellence, and pay no thanks,
Till time discover what I have deserv'd.
Seb.
More then reward can answer.
If Portugall and Spain were joyn'd to Affrique,
If Universall Monarchy were mine,
Here should the gift be plac'd.
Dorax.
And from some hands I shou'd refuse that gift:
Be not too prodigall of Promises;
But stint your bounty to one only grant,
Which I can ask with honour.
Seb.
What I am
Is but thy gift, make what thou canst of me.
Secure of no Repulse.
Dorax
to Sebastian:
Dismiss your Train.
[To Almeyda.
You, Madam, please one moment to retire.
[Sebastian signes to the Portugueses to go off. Almeyda bowing to him, goes off also: The Affricans follow her.
Dorax
To the Captain of his Guard.
With you one word in private.
[Goes out with the Captain.
Sebastian
Solus.
Reserv'd behaviour, open Nobleness,
A long misterious Track of a stern bounty.
But now the hand of Fate is on the Curtain,
And draws the Scene to sight.
Re-enter Dorax, having taken off his Turbant and put on a Peruque Hat and Crevat.
Dorax.
Now do you know me?
Seb.
Thou shouldst be Alonzo.
Dorax.
So you shou'd be Sebastian:
But when Sebastian ceas'd to be himself,
I ceas'd to be Alonzo.
Seb.
As in a Dream.
I see thee here, and scarce believe mine eyes.
Dorax.
Is it so strange to find me, where my wrongs,
And your Inhumane Tyranny have sent me?
Think not you dream: or, if you did, my Injuries
Shall call so loud; that Lethargy should wake;
And Death should give you back to answer me.
A Thousand Nights have brush'd their balmy wings
Over these eyes, but ever when they clos'd,
Your Tyrant Image forc'd 'em ope again,
And dry'd the dewes they brought.
By manly Vengence to redeem my fame;
And that once clear'd, eternall sleep is welcome.
Sebast.
I have not yet forgot I am a King:
Whose Royall Office is redress of Wrongs:
If I have wrong'd thee, charge me face to face;
I have not yet forgot I am a Soldier.
Dorax.
'Tis the first Justice thou hast ever done me.
Then, though I loath this Womans War of tongues,
Yet shall my Cause of Vengeance first be clear
And, Honour, be thou Judge.
Sebast.
Honour befriend us both.
Beware, I warn thee yet, to tell thy griefs
In terms becoming Majesty to hear:
I warn thee thus, because I know thy temper
Is Insolent and haughty to Superiours:
How often hast thou brav'd my peacefull Court,
Fill'd it with noisy brawls, and windy boasts;
And, with past service, nauseously repeated,
Reproach'd ev'n me thy Prince?
Dorax.
And well I might, when you forgot reward,
The part of Heav'n in Kings: for punishment
Is Hangmans work, and drudgery for Devils.
I must and will reproach thee with my service,
Tyrant, (it irks me so to call my Prince.)
But just resentment and hard usage coyn'd
Th'unwilling word; and grating as it is
Take it, for 'tis thy due.
Sebast.
How Tyrant?
Dorax.
Tyrant.
Sebast.
Traytour? that name thou canst not Eccho back
That Robe of Infamy, that Circumcision
Ill hid beneath that Robe, proclaim thee Traytor:
And, if a Name
More foul than Traytor be, 'tis Renegade.
Dorax.
If I'm a Traytor, think and blush, thou Tyrant,
Whose Injuries betray'd me into treason.
Effac'd my Loyalty, unhing'd my Faith,
All these, and all my yet unfinish'd Crimes,
When I shall rise to plead before the Saints,
I charge on thee, to make thy damning sure.
Sebast.
Thy old presumptuous Arrogance again,
That bred my first dislike, and then my loathing.
Once more be warn'd, and know me for thy King.
Dorax.
Too well I know thee; but for King no more:
This is not Lisbonne, nor the Circle this,
Where, like a Statue, thou hast stood besieg'd,
By Sycophants and Fools, the growth of Courts:
Where thy gull'd eyes, in all the gawdy round,
Met nothing but a lye in every face;
And the gross flattery of a gaping Crowd,
Envious who first should catch, and first applaud
The Stuff of Royall Nonsence: when I spoke,
My honest homely words were carp'd, and censur'd,
For want of Courtly Stile: related Actions,
Though modestly reported, pass'd for boasts:
Secure of Merit if I ask'd reward,
Thy hungry Minions thought their rights invaded,
And the bread snatch'd from Pimps and Parasits.
Enriquez answer'd, with a ready lye,
To save his King's, the boon was begg'd before.
Sebast.
What sayst thou of Enriquez? now by Heaven
Thou mov'st me more by barely naming him,
Than all thy foul unmanner'd scurril taunts.
Dorax.
And therefore 'twas to gaul thee, that I nam'd him:
That thing, that nothing, but a cringe and smile;
That Woman, but more dawb'd; or if a man,
Corrupted to a Woman: thy Man Mistress.
Sebast.
All false as Hell or thou.
Dorax.
Yes; full as false
As that I serv'd thee fifteen hard Campaignes,
And pitch'd thy Standard in these Forreign Fields:
By me thy greatness grew; thy years grew with it,
But thy Ingratitude outgrew 'em both.
Sebast.
I see to what thou tend'st, but tell me first
If love produc'd not some, and pride the rest?
Dorax.
Why Love does all that's noble here below;
But all th'advantage of that love was thine.
For, coming fraughted back, in either hand
With Palm and Olive, Victory and Peace,
I was indeed prepar'd to ask my own:
(For Violante's vows were mine before:)
Thy malice had prevention, ere I spoke:
And ask'd me Violante for Enriquez.
Seb.
I meant thee a reward of greater worth:
Dor.
Where justice wanted, could reward be hop'd?
Could the robb'd Passenger expect a bounty,
From those rapacious hands who stript him first?
Seb.
He had my promise, e're I knew thy love,
Dor.
My Services deserv'd thou should'st revoke it.
Seb.
Thy Insolence had cancell'd all thy Service:
To violate my Laws, even in my Court,
Sacred to peace, and safe from all affronts;
E'ven to my face, as done in my despight,
Under the wing of awfull Majesty
To strike the man I lov'd!
Dor.
Even in the face of Heaven, a place more Sacred,
Would I have struck the man, who propt by power,
Would Seize my right, and rob me of my Love:
But, for a blow provok'd by thy Injustice,
The hasty product of a just despair,
When he refus'd to meet me in the field,
That thou shoud'st make a Cowards Cause thy own!
Seb.
He durst; nay more desir'd and begg'd with tears,
To meet thy Challenge fairly: 'twas thy fault
To make it publique; but my duty, then,
To interpose; on pain of my displeasure,
Betwixt your Swords,
Dor.
On pain of Infamy
He should have disobey'd.
Seb.
Th'Indignity thou didst, was ment to me;
Thy gloomy eyes were cast on me, with scorn,
But that thou didst not dare to lift thy hands
Against Annointed power: so was I forc'd
To do a Soveraign justice to my self;
And spurn thee from my presence.
Dor.
Thou hast dar'd
To tell me, what I durst not tell my self:
I durst not think that I was spurn'd, and live;
And live to hear it boasted to my face.
All my long Avarice of honour lost,
Heap'd up in Youth, and hoarded up for Age;
Has honours Fountain then suck'd back the stream?
He has; and hooting Boys, may dry-shod pass,
And gather pebbles from the naked Foord.
Give me my Love, my Honour; give 'em back:—
Give me revenge; while I have breath to ask it.—
Seb.
Now, by this honour'd Order which I wear,
More gladly would I give, than thou dar'st ask it:
Nor shall the Sacred Character of King
Be urg'd, to shield me from thy bold appeal.
If I have injur'd thee, that makes us equall:
The wrong, if done, debas'd me down to thee.
But thou hast charg'd me with Ingratitude:
Hast thou not charg'd me; speak?
Dor.
Thou know'st I have:
If thou disown'st that Imputation, draw,
And prove my Charge a lye.
Seb.
No; to disprove that lye, I must not draw:
Be conscious to thy worth, and tell thy Soul
What thou hast done this day in my defence:
To fight thee, after this, what were it else,
Than owning that Ingratitude thou urgest?
That Isthmus stands betwixt two rushing Seas;
Which, mounting, view each other from afar;
And strive in vain to meet.
Dor.
I'le cut that Isthmus.
Thou know'st I meant not to preserve thy Life,
But to reprieve it, for my own revenge.
Now draw; I should be loath to think thou dar'st not:
Beware of such another vile excuse.
Seb.
O patience Heaven!
Dor.
Beware of Patience too;
That's a Suspicious word: it had been proper
Before thy foot had spurn'd me; now 'tis base:
Yet, to disarm thee of thy last defence,
I have thy Oath for my security:
The only boon I begg'd was this fair Combat:
Fight or be Perjur'd now; that's all thy choice.
[Sebas. drawing:
Now I can thank thee as thou wouldst be thank'd:
Never was vow of honour better pay'd,
If my true Sword but hold, than this shall be.
The sprightly Bridegroom, on his Wedding Night,
More gladly enters not the lists of Love.
Why 'tis enjoyment to be summon'd thus.
Go: bear my Message to Henriquez Ghost;
And say his Master and his Friend reveng'd him.
Dor.
His Ghost! then is my hated Rivall dead?
Seb.
The question is beside our present purpose;
Thou seest me ready; we delay too long.
Dor.
A minute is not much in eithers Life,
When their's but one betwixt us; throw it in,
And give it him of us, who is to fall.
Sebast.
He's dead: make hast, and thou mayst yet o're take him.
Dor.
When I was hasty, thou delay'st me longer.
I prethee let me hedge one moment more
Into thy promise; for thy life preserv'd:
Be kind; and tell me how that Rivall dy'd,
Whose Death next thine I wish'd.
Seb.
If it would please thee thou should'st never know:
But thou, like Jealousy, enquir'st a truth,
Which, found, will torture thee: He dy'd in Fight:
Fought next my person; as in Consort fought:
Kept pace for pace, and blow for every blow;
Save when he heav'd his Shield in my defence;
And on his naked side receiv'd my wound.
Then, when he could no more, he fell at once:
And made a Bulwark of it for his Prince.
Dor.
I never can forgive him such a death!
Seb.
I prophecy'd thy proud Soul could not bear it.
Now, judge thy self, who best deserv'd my Love.
I knew you both; (and durst I say) as Heaven
Foreknew among the shining Angell host
Who would stand firm, who fall.
Dor.
Had he been tempted so, so had he fall'n;
And so, had I been favour'd, had I stood.
Seb.
What had been is unknown; what is appears;
Confess he justly was preferr'd to thee.
Dor.
Had I been born with his indulgent Stars,
My fortune had been his, and his been mine.
O, worse than Hell! what Glory have I lost,
And what has he acquir'd, by such a death!
I should have fallen by Sebastians side;
My Corps had been the Bulwark of my King.
His glorious end was a patch'd work of fate,
Ill sorted with a soft effeminate life:
It suited better with my life than his
So to have dy'd: mine had been of a peice,
Spent in your service, dying at your feet.
Seb.
The more effeminate and soft his life,
The more his fame, to struggle to the field,
And meet his glorious fate: Confess, proud Spirit,
(For I will have it from thy very mouth)
That better he deserv'd my love than thou.
Dor.
O, whether would you drive me! I must grant,
Yes I must grant, but with a swelling Soul,
Henriquez had your Love with more desert:
For you he fought, and dy'd; I fought against you;
Through all the mazes of the bloudy field,
Hunted your Sacred life; which that I miss'd
Was the propitious errour of my fate,
Not of my Soul; my Soul's a Regicide.
Seb.
Thou might'st have given it a more gentle name:
[more calmly.]
Thou meant'st to kill a Tyrant, not a King:
Dor.
Can I speak!
Alas, I cannot answer to Alonzo:
No, Dorax cannot answer to Alonzo:
Alonzo was too kind a name for me.
Then, when I fought and conquer'd with your Armes,
In that blest Age I was the man you nam'd:
Till rage and pride debas'd me into Dorax;
And lost like Lucifer, my name above.
Seb.
Yet, twice this day I ow'd my life to Dorax.
Dor.
I sav'd you but to kill you; there's my grief.
Seb.
Nay, if thou can'st be griev'd, thou can'st repent:
Thou coud'st not be a Villain, though thou woud'st:
Thou own'st too much, in owning thou hast err'd;
And I too little who provok'd thy Crime.
Dor.
O stop this headlong Torrent of your goodness:
It comes too fast upon a feeble Soul,
Half drown'd in tears, before; spare my confusion:
For pitty spare, and say not, first, you err'd.
For yet I have not dar'd, through guilt and shame,
[Falls at his feet]
To throw my self beneath your Royall feet.
Now spurn this Rebell, this proud Renegade:
'Tis just you should, nor will I more complain.
Seb.
Indeed thou shoud'st not ask forgiveness first,
[taking him up.
But thou preventst me still, in all that's noble.
Yet I will raise thee up with better news:
Thy Violante's heart was ever thine;
Compell'd to wed, because she was my Ward,
Her Soul was absent when she gave her hand:
Nor could my threats, or his pursuing Courtship,
Effect the Consummation of his Love:
So, still indulging tears, she pines for thee,
A Widdow and a Maid.
Dor.
Have I been cursing Heav'n while Heav'n blest me!
I shall run mad with extasy of joy:
What, in one moment, to be reconcil'd
To Heaven, and to my King, and to my Love!
But pitty is my Friend, and stops me short,
Seb.
Art thou so generous too, to Pitty him?
Nay, then I was unjust to love him better.
Embracing him.
Here let me ever hold thee in my arms:
And all our quarrells be but such as these,
Who shall love best, and closest shall embrace:
Be what Enriquez was; be my Alonzo.
Dor.
What, my Alonzo sayd you? my Alonzo!
Let my tears thank you; for I cannot speak:
And if I cou'd,
Words were not made to vent such thoughts as mine.
Seb.
Thou canst not speak, and I can ne're be silent.
Some Strange reverse of Fate must, sure attend
This vast profusion, this extravagance
Of Heaven, to bless me thus. 'Tis Gold so pure
It cannot bear the Stamp, without allay.
Be kind, ye Powers, and take but half away:
With ease the gifts of Fortune I resign;
But, let my Love, and Friend, be ever mine.
Exeunt
| Don Sebastian, King of Portugal | |