 | The Conquest of Granada by the Spaniards |  |
13
ACT. II.
Abdalla, Abdelmelech, Ozmyn, Zulema, Hamet, as returning from the Sally.Abdal.
This happy day does to Granada bring
A lasting peace; and triumphs to the King:
The two fierce factions will no longer jarr,
Since they have now been brothers in the war:
Those, who apart in Emulation fought,
The common danger to one body brought;
And to his cost the proud Castillian finds
Our Moorish Courage in united minds.
Abdelmel.
Since to each others ayd our lives we owe,
Loose we the name of Faction and of foe,
Which I to Zulema can bear no more,
Since Lindaraxa's beauty I adore.
Zul.
I am oblig'd to Lindaraxa's charms
Which gain the conquest I should loose by Arms;
And wish my Sister may continue fair
That I may keep a good,
Of whose possession I should else despair.
Ozmyn.
While we indulge our common happiness
He is forgot by whom we all possess;
The brave Almanzor to whose arms we owe
All that we did, and all that we shall do;
Who, like a Tempest that out rides the wind,
Made a just battle 'ere the bodies joyn'd.
Abdalla.
His Victories we scarce could keep in view,
Or polish 'em so fast as he rough drew.
Abdel.
Fate after him, below with pain did move,
And Victory could scarce keep pace above.
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And lost the tale, and took 'em by the great.
To them Almanzor, with the Duke of Arcos prisoner.
Hamet.
See here he comes,
And leads in Triumph him who did command
The vanquish'd Army of King Ferdinand:
Almanzor
to the Duke of Arcos.
Thus far your Masters arms a fortune find
Below the sweld ambition of his mind:
And Alha shuts a mis-believers raign
From out the best and goodliest part of Spain.
Let Ferdinand Calabrian Conquests make
And from the French contested Millan take,
Let him new worlds discover to the old,
And break up shining Mountains big with Gold,
Yet he shall finde this small Domestique foe
Still sharp, and pointed to his bosome grow.
Duke of Arc.
Of small advantages too much you boast,
You beat the outguards of my Masters hoast:
This little loss in our vast body, shews
So small, that half have never heard the news.
Fame's out of breath 'ere she can fly so farr
To tell 'em all, that you have 'ere made warr.
Almanz.
It pleases me your Army is so great:
For now I know there's more to conquer yet.
By Heav'n I'le see what Troops you have behinde;
I'le face this Storm that thickens in the winde:
And, with bent forehead, full against it goe,
Till I have found the last and utmost foe.
Duke.
Believe you shall not long attend in vain;
To morrow's daun shall cover all your Plain.
Bright Arms shall flash upon you from afar;
A wood of Launces, and a moving warr.
But I, unhappy in my bands, must yet
Be onely pleas'd to hear of your defeat:
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Till conquering Ferdinand has broke my chain.
Almanz.
Vain man, thy hopes of Ferdinand are weak!
I hold thy chain too fast for him to break.
But since thou threatn'st us, I'le set thee free,
That I again may fight and conquer thee.
Duke.
Old as I am I take thee at thy word,
And will tomorrow thank thee with my sword.
Almanz.
I'le go and instantly acquaint the King:
And suddain orders for thy freedom bring.
Thou canst not be so pleas'd at Liberty,
As I shall be to find thou darst be free.
Exeunt Almanzor, Arcos; and the rest; excepting only Abdalla and Zulema.
Abdalla.
Of all those Christians who infest this town,
This Duke of Arcos is of most renown.
Zulema.
Oft have I heard, that in your Fathers reign,
His bold Advent'rers beat the Neighbring Plain;
Then, under Ponce Leon's name he fought,
And from our Triumphs many Prizes brought.
Till in disgrace, from Spain at length he went,
And since, continued long in banishment.
Abdalla.
But see, your beauteous Sister does appear.
[To them Lindaraxa.
Zulema.
By my desire she came to find me here:
Zulema and Lindaraxa whisper; then Zulema goes out; and Lindaraxa is going after.
Abdalla.
Why, fairest Lindaraxa, do you fly
[staying her.
A Prince, who at your feet is proud to dye?
Lindaraxa.
Sir I should blush to own so rude a thing,
[staying.
As 'tis to shun the Brother of my King.
Abdal.
In my hard fortune I some ease should find
Did your disdain extend to all Mankind.
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That you give others what I beg in vain.
Lindar.
Take my Esteem, if you on that can live,
For, franckly, Sir, 'tis all I have to give.
If, from my heart you ask or hope for more,
I grieve the place is taken up before.
Abdal.
My Rivall merits you.
To Abdelmelech I will Justice doe,
For he wants Worth who dares not praise a Foe.
Lind.
That for his Vertue, Sir, you make defence,
Shows in your own a Noble confidence:
But him defending, and excusing me,
I know not what can your advantage be.
Abdal.
I fain would ask, ere I proceed in this,
If, as by choice, you are by promise, his?
Lindar.
Th'Engagement only in my Love does lye;
But that's a knot which you can ne're untye.
Abdal.
When Cities are besieg'd and treat to yeild,
If there appear Relievers from the Field,
The Flagg of Parley may be taken down,
Till the success of those without be known.
Lindar.
Though Abdelmelech has not yet possest,
Yet I have seal'd the Treaty for my brest.
Abdal.
Your Treaty has not ty'd you to a day,
Some chance might break it, would you but delay:
If I can judge the Secrets of your heart,
Ambition in it has the greatest part;
And wisdome then will shew some difference
Betwixt a private Person and a Prince.
Lindar.
Princes are Subjects still:—
Subject and Subject can small diff'rence bring:
The diff'rence is 'twixt Subjects and a King.
And since, Sir, you are none, your hopes remove;
For less then Empire I'le not change my love.
Abdal.
Had I a Crown, all I should prize in it,
Should be the pow'r to lay it at your feet.
Lin.
Had you that Crown which you but wish not hope,
Then I, perhaps, might stoop, and take it up.
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You shall be still a private Man with me.
Abdall.
If I am King, and if my Brother dye—
Lindar.
Two if's, scarce make one possibility.
Abd.
The rule of happiness by reason scan;
You may be happy with a Private man.
Lindar.
That happiness I may enjoy, 'tis true;
But then that Private man must not be you.
Where e're I love, I'm happy in my choice;
If I make you so, you shall pay my price.
Abdall.
Why wou'd you be so great?
Lindar.
Because I've seen
This day, what 'tis to hope to be a Queen.
Heav'n, how y'all watch'd each motion of her Eye:
None could be seen while Almahide was by;
Because she is to be her Majesty.
Why wou'd I be a Queen! because my Face
Wou'd wear the Title with a better grace.
If I became it not, yet it wou'd be
Part of your duty, then, to Flatter me.
These are not half the Charms of being great:
I wou'd be somewhat—that I know not yet:
Yes; I avowe th'ambition of my Soul,
To be that one, to live without controul:
And that's another happiness to me
To be so happy as but one can be.
Abdall.
Madam, (because I would all doubts remove,)
Wou'd you, were I a King, accept my Love?
Lind.
I wou'd accept it; and to show 'tis true;
From any other man as soon as you.
Abdall.
Your sharp replies make me not love you less;
But make me seek new paths to Happiness.
What I design, by time will best be seen.
You may be mine; and yet may be a Queen:
When you are so, your Word your Love assures.
Lind.
Perhaps not love you—but I will be yours.
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Stay Sir; that grace I cannot yet allow;
Before you set the Crown upon my Brow.
That favour which you seek—
Or Abdelmelech, or a King must have,
When you are so, then you may be my slave.
Exit: but looks smiling back on him.
Abdal.
How 'ere imperious in her words she were,
Her parting looks had nothing of severe.
A glancing smile allur'd me to command;
And her soft fingers gently prest my hand.
I felt the pleasure glide through every part;
Her hand went through me to my very heart.
For such another pleasure did he live,
I could my Father of a Crown deprive.
What did I say!
Father! that impious thought has shock'd my mind:
How bold our Passions are, and yet how blind!
She's gone; and now
Methinks there is less glory in a Crown;
My boyling passions settle and goe down:
Like Amber chaf't, when she is near she acts,
When farther off, inclines, but not attracts.
To him Zulema.
Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be
That friend thou seem'st, assist me against me.
Betwixt my love and vertue I am tost;
This must be forfeited or that be lost:
I could do much to merit thy applause;
Help me to fortify the better cause.
My Honour is not wholly put to flight.
But would, if seconded, renue the fight.
Zul.
I met my sister; but I do not see
What difficulty in your choice can be:
She told me all; and 'tis so plain a case
You need not ask, what council to embrace.
Abdalla.
I stand reprov'd, that I did doubt at all;
My waiting Vertue stay'd but for thy call:
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Would sacrifice her love, and break her vow,
Not out of Love but int'rest, acts alone,
And wou'd, Ev'n in my arms, lie thinking of a throne.
Zulema.
Add to the rest this one reflection more,
When she is married, and you still adore,
Think then, and think what comfort it will bring,
She had been mine—
Had I but onely dar'd to be a King!
Abdalla.
I hope you only would my honour try;
I'm loath to think you vertue's enemy.
Zulema.
If, when a Crown and Mistress are in place,
Vertue intrudes with her lean holy face;
Vertues then mine, and not I vertues foe;
Why does she come where she has nought to do?
Let her with Anchorit's not with Lovers lye;
States-men and they keep better Company.
Abdal.
Reason was giv'n to curb our headstrong will:
Zulema.
Reason but shews a weak Physitians skill:
Gives nothing while the raging fit does last.
But stayes to cure it when the worst is past.
Reason's a staff for age, when Nature's gone;
But Youth is strong enough to walk alone.
Abdall.
In curst ambition I no rest should find;
But must for ever loose my peace of mind.
Zul.
Methinks that peace of mind were bravely lost;
A Crown, what're we give, is worth the cost.
Abdal.
Justice distributes to each man his right,
But what she gives not should I take by might?
Zulem.
If Justice will take all and nothing give,
Justice, methinks, is not distributive.
Abdal.
Had fate so pleas'd, I had been eldest born;
And then, without a Crime, the Crown had worn.
Zul.
Would you so please, Fate yet a way would find;
Man makes his fate according to his mind.
The weak low Spirit Fortune makes her slave;
But she's a drudge, when Hector'd by the brave.
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And with new purple spread a Nobler loom.
Abdal.
No more;—I will usurp the Royal Seat;
Thou who hast made me wicked, make me great.
Zulema.
Your way is plain; the Death of Tarifa
Does, on the King, our Zegry's hatred draw;
Though with our Enemies in show we close,
'Tis but while we to purpose can be foes.
Selin, who heads us, would revenge his Son;
But favour hinders justice to be done.
Proud Ozmyn with the king his pow'r maintains:
And, in him, each Abencerrago reigns.
Abdalla.
What face of any title can I bring?
Zul.
The right an eldest Son has to be King.
Your Father was at first a private man;
And got your brother 'ere his reign began.
When, by his Valour, he the Crown had won,
Then you were born, a Monarch's eldest Son.
Abdal.
To sharp ey'd reason this would seem untrue;
But reason, I through Loves false Optiques view.
Zul.
Loves mighty pow'r has led me Captive too:
I am in it, unfortunate as you.
Abdalla.
Our Loves and fortunes shall together go,
Thou shalt be happy when I first am so.
Zul.
The Zegry's at old Selin's house are met;
Where in close Council, for revenge they sit,
There we our common int'rest will unite;
You their revenge shall own, and they your right.
One thing I had forgot which may import;
I met Almanzor coming back from Court.
But with a discompos'd and speedy pace,
A fiery colour kindling all his face:
The King his Pris'ners freedom has deny'd:
And that refusal has provok'd his pride.
Abdal.
Would he were ours!
I'le try to guild th'injustice of the cause;
And court his valour with a vast applause.
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The bold are but the Instruments o'th'wise:
They undertake the dangers we advise.
And while our fabrick with their pains we raise,
We take the profit, and pay them with praise.
Exeunt.
| The Conquest of Granada by the Spaniards | |