University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

Almanzor, Abdalla.
Alman.
That he should dare to do me this disgrace!
Is Fool or Coward writ upon my face?
Refuse my Pris'ner! I such means will use
He shall not have a Pris'ner to refuse.

Abdal.
He said you were not by your promise ty'd;
That he absolv'd your word when he deny'd.

Almanz.
He break my promise and absolve my vow!
'Tis more than Mahomet himself can do.
The word which I have giv'n shall stand like Fate;
Not like the King's, that weathercock of State.
He stands so high, with so unfixt a mind,
Two Factions turn him with each blast of wind.
But now he shall not veer: my word is past:
I'll take his Heart by th'roots, and hold it fast.

Abdal.
You have your Veng'ance in your hand this hour,
Make me the humble Creature of your pow'r:
The Granadins will gladly me obey;
(Tir'd with so base and impotent a sway.)
And when I shew my Title, you shall see
I have a better right to Reign, than he.

Almanz.
It is sufficient that you make the claim:
You wrong our Friendship when your Right you name.
When for my self I fight, I weigh the cause;
But Friendship will admit of no such Laws:
That weighs by th'lump, and, when the cause is light,
Puts kindness in to set the Ballance right.
True, I would wish my friend the juster side:
But in th'unjust my kindness more is try'd.
And all the opposition I can bring,
Is, that I fear to make you such a King.

Abdal.
The Majesty of Kings we should not blame,
When Royal minds adorn the Royal name:
The vulgar, greatness too much idolize,
But haughty Subjects it too much despise.

Almanz.
I onely speak of him,
Whom Pomp and Greatness sit so loose about,
That he wants Majesty to fill 'em out.

Abdal.
Haste, then, and lose no time—
The business must be enterpriz'd this night:
We must surprize the Court in its delight.

Almanz.
For you to Will, for me 'tis to obey;
But I would give a Crown in open day:
And, when the Spaniards their Assault begin,
At once beat those without, and these within.
Exit Almanzor.

Enter Abdelmelech.
Abdelm.
Abdalla, hold; there's somewhat I intend
To speak, not as your Rival, but your Friend.

Abdal.
If as a Friend, I am oblig'd to hear;
And what a Rival says I cannot fear.

Abdelm.
Think, brave Abdalla, what it is you do:
Your Quiet, Honour, and our Friendship too,
All for a fickle Beauty you foregoe.
Think, and turn back before it be too late;
Behold, in me th'example of your Fate.
I am your Sea-mark, and though wrack'd and lost,
My Ruines stand to warn you from the Coast.

Abdal.
Your Councels, noble Abdelmelech, move
My reason to accept 'em; not my Love.
Ah, why did Heav'n leave Man so weak defence
To trust frail reason with the rule of Sence!
'Tis over-pois'd and kick'd up in the Air,
While sence weighs down the Scale; and keeps it there,
Or, like a Captive King, 'tis born away:
And forc'd to count'nance its own Rebels sway.

Abdelm.
No, no; our Reason was not vainly lent;
Nor is a slave but by its own consent,
If Reason on his Subjects Triumph wait,
An easie King deserves no better Fate.

Abdal.
You speak too late; my Empire's lost too far,
I cannot fight.

Abdelm.
Then make a flying War,
Dislodge betimes before you are beset.

Abdal.
Her tears, her smiles, her every look's a Net.
Her voice is like a Syren's of the Land;
And bloody Hearts lie panting in her hand.

Abdelm.
This do you know, and tempt the danger still?

Abdal.
Love like a Lethargy has seiz'd my Will.
I'm, not my self, since from her sight I went;
I lean my Trunck that way; and there stand bent.
As one, who in some frightful Dream, would shun
His pressing Foe, labours in vain to run;
And his own slowness in his sleep bemoans,
With thick short Sighs, weak Cries, and tender Groans,
So I—

Abdelm.
Some Friend in Charity, should shake
And rowse, and call you loudly till you wake.
Too well I know her blandishments to gain,
Usurper-like, till setled in her Reign;
Then proudly she insults, and gives you cares
And jealousies; short hopes, and long despairs.
To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow;
Howe're she shines all Golden to you now.

Abdal.
Like him, who on the ice—
Slides swiftly on, and sees the water near,
Yet cannot stop himself in his Carrear:
So am I carry'd. This enchanted place,
Like Cyrce's Isle, is peopled with a Race
Of dogs and swine, yet, though their fate I know,
I look with pleasure and am turning too.

Lyndaraxa passes over the Stage.
Abdelm.
Fly, fly, before th'allurements of her face;
'Ere she return with some resistless grace,
And with new magique covers all the place.

Abdalla.
I cannot, will not; nay I would not fly;
I'le love; be blind, be cousen'd till I dye.
And you, who bid me wiser Counsel take,
I'le hate, and if I can, I'le kill you for her sake,

Abdel.
Ev'n I that counsell'd you, that choice approve,
I'le hate you blindly, and her blindly love:
Prudence, that stemm'd the stream, is out of breath;
And to go down it, is the easier death.

Lyndaraxa re-enters and smiles on Abdalla.
Exit Abdalla.
Abdelm.
That smile on Prince Abdalla, seem's to say
You are not in your killing mood to day,
Men brand, indeed, your sex with Cruelty,
But you'r too good, to see poor Lovers dye.
This Godlike pity in you I extoll;
And more, because, like heav'ns, 'tis general.

Lynd.
My smile implies not that I grant his suit:
'Twas but a bare return of his salute.

Abdelm.
It said, you were ingag'd and I in place:
But to please both, you would divide the grace:

Lynd.
You've cause to be contented with your part:
When he has but the look, and you the heart.

Abdel.
In giving but that look, you give what's mine:
I'le not one corner of a glance resign:
All's mine; and I am cov'tous of my store:
I have not love enough; I'le tax you more.

Lindarax.
I gave not love; 'twas but Civility,
He is a Prince; that's due to his Degree.

Abdel.
That Prince you smil'd on is my Rival still:
And shou'd, if me you lov'd, be treated ill.

Lynd.
I know not how to show so rude a spight.

Abdel.

Lynd.
And when did I my pow'r so far resigne,
That you should regulate each Look of mine?

Abdel.
Then, when you gave your Love you gave that pow'r.

Lynd.
'Twas during pleasure, tis revok'd this hour.
Now call me false, and rail on Woman-kind,
'Tis all the remedy you're like to find.

Abdel.
Yes, there's one more,
I'le hate you; and this visit is my last.

Lynd.
Do't, if you can; you know I hold you fast.
Yet, for your quiet, would you could resigne
Your love, as easily as I do mine.

Abdel.
Furies and Hell, how unconcern'd she speaks!
With what indifference all her Vows she breaks!
Curse on me but she smiles.

Lynd.
That smile's a part of Love; and all's your due:
I take it from the Prince, and give it you.

Abdel.
Just heav'n, must my poor heart your May-game prove
To bandy, and make Childrens play in Love.
Half crying.
Ah how have I this Cruelty deserv'd,
I who so truly and so long have serv'd!
And left so easily! oh cruel Maid.
So easily! 'twas too unkindly said.
That Heart which could so easily remove,
Was never fix'd, nor rooted deep in Love.

Lynd.
You Lodg'd it so uneasie in your Brest,
I thought you had been weary of the Guest.
First I was Treated like a stranger there;
But, when a Houshold Friend I did appear,
You thought, it seems, I could not live elsewhere.
Then, by degrees, your feign'd respect withdrew:
You mark'd my Actions; and my Guardian grew.
But, I am not concern'd your Acts to blame:
My heart to yours, but upon liking came.
And, like a Bird, whom prying Boys molest,
Stays not to Breed, where she had built her Nest.

Abdel.
I have done ill—
And dare not ask you to be less displeas'd:
Be but more Angry, and my Pain is eas'd.

Lynd.
If I should be so kind a Fool to take
This little Satisfaction which you make,
I know you would presume some other time
Upon my Goodness, and repeat your Crime.

Abdel.
Oh never, never: upon no pretence:
My Life's too short to expiate this Offence.

Lynd.
No; now I think on't, 'tis in vain to try;
'Tis in your Nature, and past remedy.
You'll still disquiet my too loving Heart:
Now we are friends 'tis best for both to part.

[Taking her Hand.
Abdel.
By this—will you not give me leave to swear?

Lind.
You wou'd be perjur'd if you should I fear.
And when I talk with Prince Abdalla next
I with your fond Suspitions shall be vext.

Abdel.
I canot say I'le conquer Jealousie:
But if you'll freely pardon me, I'le try.

Lynd.
And, till you that submissive Servant prove,
I never can conclude you truly love.

To them, the King, Almahide, Abenamar, Esperanza, Guards, Attendants.
King.
Approach, my Almahide, my charming fair;
Blessing of Peace, and recompence of War.
This Night is yours; and may your Life still be
The same in Joy, though not Solemnity.

The Zambra Dance.
After the Dance, a tumultuous noise of Drums and Trumpets.
To them Ozmyn; his Sword drawn.
Oz.
Arm, quickly, arm, yet all, I fear too late:
The Enemy's already at the Gate.

K. Boab.
The Christians are dislodg'd; what Foe is near?

Ozm.
The Zegry's are in Arms, and almost here.
The Streets with Torches shine, with Shoutings ring,
And Prince Abdalla is proclaim'd the King.
What Man cou'd do I have already done,
But Bold Almanzor fiercely leads 'em on.

Abenam.
Th'Alhambra yet is safe in my Command,
[To the King.
Retreat you thither while their shock we stand.

Boab.
I cannot meanly for my life provide:
Ile either perish in't, or stemm this Tyde.
To guard the Palace, Ozmyn, be your care.
If they o'recome, no sword will hurt the fair.

Ozm.
I'le either dye, or I'le make good the place.

Abdel.
And I, with these, will bold Almanzor face.

Exeunt all but the Ladies.
An Alarm within.
Almah.
What dismal Planet did my Triumphs light:
Discord the Day, and Death does rule the Night:
The noise, my Soul does through my Sences wound.

Lynd.
Me thinks it is a noble, sprightly Sound.
The Trumpets clangor, and the clash of Arms!
This noyse may chill your Blood, but mine it warms:
[Shouting and clashing of Swords within.
We have already past the Rubicon.
The Dice are mine: now Fortune for a Throne.
A shout within, and clashing of swords afar off.
The sound goes farther off; and faintly dies,
Curse of this going back, these ebbing cryes!
Ye Winds waft hither sounds more strong, and quick:
Beat faster, Drums, and mingle Deaths more thick.
I'le to the Turrets of the Palace goe,
And add new fire to those that fight below.
Thence, Hero-like, with Torches by my side,
(Farr be the Omen, though,) my Love I'le guide.
No; like his better Fortune I'le appear:
With open Arms, loose Vayl, and flowing Hair,
Just flying forward from my rowling Sphere.
My Smiles shall make Abdalla more then Man;
Let him look up and perish if he can.

[Exit.
An Alarm, nearer: then Enter Almanzor; and Selin, in the head of the Zegrys. Ozmyn Pris'ner.
Almanz.
We have not fought enough; they fly too soon:
And I am griev'd the noble sport is done.
This onely man of all whom chance did bring
[Pointing to Ozmyn.
To meet my Arms, was worth the Conquering.
His brave resistance did my Fortune grace;
So slow, so threatning forward he gave place.
His Chains be easie and his Usage fair.

Selin.
I beg you would commit him to my care.

Alm.
Next, the brave Spaniard free without delay:
And with a Convoy send him safe away.

[Exit. a Guard.
To them Hamet and others
Hamet.
The King by me salutes you: and, to show
That to your Valour he his Crown does owe,
Would, from your Mouth I should the Word receive;
And, that to these, you would your Orders give.

Alm.
He much o're-rates the little I have done.

Almanzor goes to the door, and there seems to give out Orders, by sending People several ways.
Selin
to Ozmin.
Now to revenge the Murder of my Son.
To morrow for thy certain death prepare:
This night I onely leave thee to despair.

Ozmyn.
Thy idle Menaces I do not fear:
My business was to die, or conquer here.
Sister, for you I grieve I could no more:
My present State betrays my want of pow'r.
But, when true Courage is of force bereft,
Patience, the noblest Fortitude, is left.

[Exit cum Selin.
Alma.
Ah, Esperanza, what for me remains
But Death; or, worse than Death, inglorious Chains!

Esper.
Madam, you must not to Despair give place;
Heav'n never meant misfortune to that Face.
Suppose there were no justice in your cause,
Beauty's a Bribe that gives her Judges Laws.
That you are brought to this deplor'd estate,
Is but th'ingenious Flatt'ry of your Fate;
Fate fears her Succor like an Alms to give:
And would, you, God-like from your self should live.

Almah.
Mark but how terrible his Eyes appear!
And yet there's something roughly noble there,
Which, in unfashion'd Nature, looks Divine;
And like a Gemm does in the Quarry shine.

Almanzor returns; she falls at his feet being veyld.
Almah.
Turn, Mighty Conqu'ror, turn your Face this way,
Do not refuse to hear the wretched pray.

Almanz.
What business can this Woman have with me?

Almah.
That of th'afflicted to the Deity.
So may your Arms success in battels find:
So may the Mistris of your vows be kind,
If you have any; or, if you have none,
So may your Liberty be still your own.

Almanz.
Yes, I will turn my face; but not my mind:
You bane, and soft destruction of mankind,
What would you have with me?

Almahide.
I beg the grace
[unveyling.
You would lay by those terrours of your face.
Till calmness to your eyes you first restore
I am afraid, and I can beg no more.

Almanzor
looking fixedly on her.
Well; my fierce visage shall not murder you:
Speak quickly, woman; I have much to do.

Almah.
Where should I finde the heart to speake one word,
Your voice, Sir, is as killing as your sword.
As you have left the lightning of your eye,
So would you please to lay your thunder by!

Alman.
I'me pleas'd and pain'd since first her eyes I saw,
As I were stung with some Tarantula:
Armes, and the dusty field I less admire;
And soften strangely in some new desire.
Honour burns in me, not so fiercely bright;
But pale, as fires when master'd by the light.
Ev'n while I speak and look, I change yet more;
And now am nothing that I was before.
I'm numm'd, and fix'd and scarce my eye balls move;
I fear it is the Lethargy of Love!
'Tis he; I feel him now in every part:
Like a new Lord he vaunts about my Heart,
Surveys in state each corner of my Brest,
While poor fierce I, that was, am dispossest.
I'm bound; but I will rowze my rage again:
And though no hope of Liberty remaine,
I'll fright my Keeper when I shake my chaine.
You are—

[angrily.
Almah.
I know I am your Captive, Sir:

Alman.
You are—You shall—And I can scarce forbear—

Almah.
Alas!

Almanz.
'Tis all in vain; it will not do:
[aside.
I cannot now a seeming anger show:
My Tongue against my heart no aid affords,
For Love still rises up, and choaks my words.

Almah.
In half this time a tempest would be still.

Almanz.
'Tis you have rais'd that tempest in my will,
I wonnot love you, give me back my heart.
But give it as you had it, fierce and brave:
It was not made to be a womans slave:
But Lyon-like has been in desarts bred;
And, us'd to range, will ne're be tamely led.
Restore its freedom to my fetter'd will
And then I shall have pow'r, to use you ill.

Almah.
My sad condition may your pity move;
But look not on me with the eyes of Love.—
I must be brief, though I have much to say.

Almanz.
No, speak: for I can hear you now, all day.
Her suing sooths me with a secret pride:
[softly.
A suppliant beauty cannot be deni'd:
[aside.
Ev'n while I frown, her charms the furrows seize;
And I'm corrupted with the pow'r to please.

Almah.
Though in your worth no cause of fear I see;
I fear the insolence of Victory:
As you are Noble, Sir, protect me then,
From the rude outrage of insulting men.

Almanz.
Who dares touch her I love? I'm all o're love:
Nay, I am Love; Love shot, and shot so fast,
He shot himself into my brest at last.

Almah.
You see before you, her who should be Queen,
Since she is promis'd to Boabdelin.

Almanz.
Are you belov'd by him! O wretched fate,
First that I love at all; then, love too late!
Yet, I must love!

Almah.
Alas it is in vain;
Fate for each other did not us ordain.
The chances of this day too clearly show
That Heav'n took care that it should not be so.

Almanz.
Would Heav'n had quite forgot me this one day,
But fate's yet hot—
I'le make it take a bent another way.
[He walks swiftly and discomposedly studying.
I bring a claim which does his right remove:
You're his by promise, but you're mine by Love.
'Tis all but Ceremony which is past:
The knots to tie which is to make you fast.
Fate gave not to Boabdelin that pow'r:
He woo'd you, but as my Ambassadour.

Almah.
Our Souls are ty'd by holy Vows above.

Almanz.
He sign'd but his: but I will seal my love.
I love you better; with more Zeale then he.

Almah.
This day—
I gave my faith to him, he his to me.

Almanz.
Good Heav'n thy book of fate before me lay,
But to tear out the journal of this day.
Or, if the order of the world below
Will not the gap of one whole day allow,
Give me that Minute when she made her vow.
“That Minute, ev'n the happy, from their bliss might give:
“And those who live in griefe, a shorter time would live.
So small a link, if broke, th'eternal chain
Would, like divided waters, joyn again.
It wonnot be; the fugitive is gone;
Prest by the crow'd of following Minutes on:
That precious Moment's out of Nature fled:
And in the heap of common rubbish layd,
Of things that once have been, and are decay'd.

Almah.
Your passion, like a fright suspends my pain:
It meets, 'ore-powr's, and bears mine back again.
But, as when tydes against the Current flow,
The Native stream runs its own course below:
So, though your griefs possess the upper part,
My own have deeper Channels in my heart.

Almanz.
Forgive that fury which my Soul does move,
'Tis the Essay of an untaught first love.
Yet rude, unfashion'd truth it does express:
'Tis love just peeping in a hasty dress.
Retire, fair Creature to your needful rest;
There's something noble, lab'ring in my brest:
This raging fire which through the Mass does move,
Shall purge my dross, and shall refine my Love.
Exeunt Almahide, and Esperanza.
She goes; And I, like my own Ghost appear:
It is not living, when she is not here.

To him Abdalla as King, attended.
Abdal.
My first acknowledgments to heav'n are due:
My next, Almanzor, let me pay to you.

Alm.
A poor surprize and on a naked foe.
What ever you confess, is all you owe.
And I no merit own or understand
That fortune did you justice by my hand.
Yet, if you will that little service pay
With a great favour, I can shew the way.

Abdal.
I have a favour to demand of you;
That is to take the thing for which you sue.

Alman.
Then, briefly, thus; when I th'Albayzyn won,
I found the Beauteous Almahide alone:
Whose sad condition did my pity move:
And that compassion did produce my love.

Abdal.
This needs no sute; in justice, I declare
She is your Captive by the right of war.

Alm.
She is no Captive, then; I set her free.
And rather then I will her Jaylour be,
'Ile Nobly loose her, in her liberty.

Abdal.
Your generosity I much approve,
But your excess of that, shows want of Love.

Alman.
No, 'tis th'excess of love, which mounts so high
That, seen far off, it lessens to the eye.
Had I not lov'd her, and had set her free
That, Sir, had been my generosity:
But 'tis exalted passion when I show
I dare be wretched not to make her so.
And, while another Passion fils her brest,
I'le be all wretched rather then halfblest.

Abdalla.
May your heroique Act so prosperous be,
That Almahide may sigh you set her free.

Enter Zulema.
Zulema.
Of five tall tow'rs which fortifie this Town,
All but th'Alhambra your dominion own.
Now therefore boldly I confess a flame
Which is excus'd in Almahida's name.
If you the merit of this night regard,
In her possession I have my reward.

Almanz.
She your reward! why she's a gift so great—
That I my self have not deserv'd her yet.
And therefore, though I wonn her with my sword,
I have, with awe, my sacrilege restor'd.

Zul.
What you deserve—
Ile not dispute because I do not know,
This, onely I will say, she shall not goe.

Almanz.
Thou, single, art not worth my answering,
But take what friends, what armyes thou canst bring;
What worlds; and when you are united all,
Then, I will thunder in your ears,—she shall.

Zul.
I'le not one tittle of my right resign;
Sir, your implicite promise made her mine.
When I in general terms my love did show,
You swore our fortunes should together goe.

Abdalla.
The merits of the cause I'le not decide,
But, like my love, I would my gift divide.
Your equal titles, then, no longer plead;
But one of you, for love of me recede.

Alm.
I have receded to the utmost line,
When, by my free consent, she is not mine.
Then let him equally recede with me,
And both of us will join to set her free.

Zul.
If you will free your part of her you may;
But, Sir, I love not your Romantique way.
Dream on; enjoy her Soul; and set that free;
I'me pleas'd her person should be left for me.

Alman.
Thou shalt not wish her thine; thou shalt not dare
To be so impudent, as to despair.

Zul.
The Zegrys, Sir, are all concern'd to see
How much their merit you neglect in me.

Hamet.
Your slighting Zulema, this very hour
VVill take ten thousand Subjects from you'r pow'r.

Almanz.
VVhat are ten thousand subjects such as they;
If I am scorn'd—I'le take my self away.

Abdalla.
Since both cannot possess what both pursue;
I grieve, my friend, the chance should fall on you.
But when you hear what reasons I can urge—

Almanz.
None, none that your ingratitude can purge.
Reason's a trick, when it no grant affords:
It stamps the face of Majesty on words.

Abdal.
Your boldness to your services I give:
Now take it as your full reward to live.

Almanz.
To live!
If from thy hands alone my death can be,
I am immortal; and a God, to thee.
If I would kill thee now, thy fate's so low
That I must stoop 'ere I can give the blow.
But mine is fix'd so far above thy Crown,
That all thy men
Pil'd on thy back can never pull it down.
But at my ease thy destiny I send,
By ceasing from this hour to be thy friend.
Like Heav'n I need but onely to stand still;
And, not concurring to thy life, I kill,
Thou canst no title to my duty bring:
I'm not thy Subject, and my Soul's thy King.
Farewell, when I am gone
There's not a starr of thine dare stay with thee:
I'le whistle thy tame fortune after me.
And whirl fate with me wheresoe're I fly,
As winds drive storms before 'em in the sky.

Exit.
Zulema.
Let not this Insolent unpunish'd goe;
Give your Commands; your Justice is too slow.

Zulema, Hamet and others, are going after him.
Abdal.
Stay: and what part he pleases let him take;
I know my Throne's too strong for him to shake.
But my fair Mistriss I too long forget:
The Crown I promis'd is not offer'd yet.
Without her presence, all my Joys are vain;
Empire a Curse; and life it self a pain.

Exeunt.