 | The Conquest of Granada |  |
85
ACT. II.
SCENE A Wood.Ozmyn and Benzayda.
Ozm.
'Tis true that our protection here has been
Th'effect of Honour in the Spanish Queen.
But, while I as a friend continue here,
I, to my Country, must a Foe appear.
Benz.
Think not my Ozmyn, that we here remain
As friends, but Pris'ners to the Pow'r of Spain.
Fortune dispences with your Countryes right;
But you desert your honour in your flight:
Ozm.
I cannot leave you here, and go away;
My Honour's glad of a pretence to stay.
A noise within follow, follow, follow—
Enter Selin; his sword drawn; as pursued.
Selin.
I am pursu'd, and now am spent and done;
My limbs suffice me not with strength to run.
And, if I could, alas, what can I save;
A year, the dregs of life too, from the grave.
[sits down on the ground.
Here will I sit, and here attend my fate;
With the same hoary Majesty and State
As Rome's old Senate for the Galls did wait.
Ben.
It is my father; and he seems distrest:
Ozmyn.
My honour bids me succour the opprest:
That life he sought, for his I'le freely give;
We'll dye together; or together live.
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I'le call more succour, since the Camp is near;
And fly on all the wings of Love and fear.
Exit Benz.
Enter Abenamar and four or five Moors.
He looks; and finds Selin.
Aben.
Ye've liv'd, and now behold your latest hour.
Selin.
I scorn your malice, and defy your pow'r.
A speedy death is all I ask you now;
And that's a favour you may well allow.
Ozmyn;
shewing himself.
Who gives you death shall give it first to me;
Fate cannot separate our destiny.
knows his father.
My father here! then Heav'n it self has laid
The snare, in which my vertue is betray'd.
Aben.
Fortune, I thank thee, thou hast kindly done,
To bring me back that fugitive my Son.
In armes too; fighting for my Enemy!
I'le do a Roman justice; thou shalt dy.
Ozm.
I beg not, you my forfeit life would save:
Yet add one Minute to that breath you gave.
I disobey'd you; and deserve my fate,
But bury in my grave two houses hate.
Let Selin live; and see your Justice done
On me, while you revenge him for his Son:
Your mutual malice in my death may cease;
And equal loss perswade you both to peace.
Aben.
to a Sold.
Yes; justice shall be done, on him and thee:
Haste; and dispatch 'em both immediately.
Ozmyn.
If you have honour, (since you Nature want)
For your own sake my last Petition grant:
And kill not a disarm'd, defenceless foe:
Whose death your cruelty, or fear will show.
My Father cannot do an Act so base:
My Father! I mistake: I meant, who was!
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Go, then, dispatch him first who was my Son.
Ozmyn.
Swear but to save his life, I'le yield my own;
Aben.
Nor tears, nor pray'rs thy life, or his shall buy.
Ozmyn
putting himself before Selin.
Then Sir, Benzaida's father shall not dye.
And, since he'le want defence when I am gone,
I will, to save his life, defend my own.
Aben.
This justice Parricides like thee should have:
Aben. and his party attacque them both. Ozmyn parryes his fathers thrusts; and thrusts at the others.
Enter Benzayda, with Abdalla, the Duke of Arcos, and Spaniards.
Benz.
O help my father, and my Ozmyn save.
Abdal.
Villains, that death you have deserv'd, is near.
Ozmyn
stops his hand.
Stay Prince; and know I have a father here.
I were that Parricide of whom he spoke
Did not my piety prevent your stroke.
Arcos
to Aben.
Depart, then, and thank Heav'n you had a Son:
Aben.
I am not with these shows of duty won.
Ozm.
to his father.
Heav'n know's I would that life you seek, resign,
But, while Benzayda lives it is not mine.
Will you yet pardon my unwilling crime!
Aben.
By no intreaties; by no length of time
Will I be won: but, with my latest breath,
I'le curse thee here: and haunt thee after death.
Exit Abenamar with his party.
Ozmyn
kneeling to Selin.
Can you be merciful to that degree
As to forgive my Fathers faults in me?
Can you forgive
The death of him I slew in my defence;
And, from the malice, separate th'offence.
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In short, now kill me, Sir, or pardon me.
Offers him his sword.
In this your silence my hard fate appears!
Selin.
I'le answer you, when I can speak for tears.
But, till I can—
Imagine what must needs be brought to pass:
Embraces him.
My heart's not made of Marble, nor of Brass.
Did I for you a cruel death prepare,
And have you—have you, made my life your care!
There is a shame contracted by my faults,
Which hinders me to speak my secret thoughts.
And I will tell you (when that shame's remov'd,)
You are not better by my Daugher lov'd.
Benzaida be your's—I can no more.
Ozmyn
embracing his knees.
Blest be that breath which does my life restore.
Benz.
I hear my father now; these words confess
That name; and that indulgent tenderness.
Selin.
Benzaida, I have been too much to blame;
But, let your goodness expiate for my shame;
You, Ozmyn's vertue did in chains adore;
And part of me was just to him before.
My Son!
[to him.
Ozmyn.
My father!
Selin.
Since by you I live,
I, for your sake, your family forgive.
Let your hard father still my life pursue;
I hate not him, but for his hate to you:
Ev'n that hard father yet may one day be
By kindness vanquish'd as you vanquish'd me.
Or, if my death can quench to you his rage,
Heav'n makes good use of my remaining age.
Abdal.
I grieve your joyes are mingled with my cares.
But all take interest in their own affairs:
And therefore I must ask how mine proceed.
Selin.
They now are ripe; and but your presence need:
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Yet to your better Fortunes will be kind:
For, hearing that the Christians own your cause,
From thence th'assurance of a Throne she draws.
And, since Almanzor, whom she most did fear
Is gone; she to no Treaty will give ear;
But sent me her unkindness to excuse.
Abdal.
You much surprize me with your pleasing news.
Selin.
But, Sir, she hourly does th'assault expect:
And must be lost, if you her Aid neglect.
For Abdelmelech loudly does declare
He'll use the last extremities of War;
Since she refus'd the Fortress to resigne.
Abdal.
The charge of hast'ning this Relief be mine.
Selin.
This, while I undertook, whether beset
Or else by chance, Abenamar I met;
Who seem'd in haste returning to the Town.
Abdal.
My Love must in my diligence be shown.
And as my pledge of Faith to Spain, this hour
I'le put the Fortress in your Masters pow'r.
[To Arcos.
Selin.
An open way from hence to it there lies.
And we with ease may send in large supplies,
Free from the shot and Sallies of the Town;
Arcos.
Permit me, Sir, to share in your renown;
First to my King I will impart the news,
And then draw out what Succors we shall use.
Exit Duke of Arcos.
Abdal.
Grant that she loves me not, at least I see
[aside.
She loves not others, if she loves not me.
'Tis Pleasure when we reap the fruit of Pain;
'Tis onely Pride to be belov'd again.
How many are not lov'd who think they are;
Yet all are willing to believe the Fair:
And, though 'tis Beauties known and obvious Cheat,
Yet Man's self-love still favours the deceit.
Exit Abdalla.
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Farewell, my Children; equally so dear
That I my self am to my self less neer.
While I repeat the dangers of the War,
Your mutual safety be each others care.
Your Father, Ozmyn, till the War be done,
As much as Honour will permit, I'le shun.
If by his sword I perish; let him know
It was because I would not be his Foe.
Ozmyn.
Goodness and Vertue all your Actions guide,
You onely erre in choosing of your side.
That party I with Honour cannot take;
But can much less the care of you forsake.
I must not draw my sword against my Prince,
But yet may hold a Shield in your defence.
Benzayda, free from danger here shall stay:
And for a Father, and a Lover, pray.
Benz.
No, no; I gave not on those terms my Heart,
That from my Ozmyn I should ever part.
That Love I vow'd when you did death attend
'Tis just that nothing but my death should end.
What Merchant is it who would stay behind,
His whole stock ventur'd to the Waves and Wind.
I'le pray for both; but both shall be in sight;
And Heav'n shall hear me pray, and see you fight.
Selin.
No longer, Ozmyn, combat a design,
Where so much Love and so much vertue joyn.
Ozmyn
to her.
Then Conquer, and your Conquest happy be
Both to your self, your Father, and to me.
With bended knees our freedom we'll demand
Of Isabel, and mighty Ferdinand.
Then, while the paths of Honour we pursue,
We'll int'rest Heav'n for us, in right of you.
Exeunt
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[An Alarm within; then Soldiers running over the Stage.
Enter Abdelmelech victorious with Soldiers.
Abdel.
'Tis won, 'tis won; and Lyndaraxa, now,
Who scorn'd to Treat, shall to a Conquest bow.
To every sword I free Commission give;
Fall on, my Friends, and let no Rebel live.
Spare onely Lyndaraxa; let her be
In Triumph led to grace my Victory.
Since, by her falshood she betray'd my Love,
Great as that falshood my Revenge shall prove.
Enter Lyndaraxa, as affrighted; attended by women.
Go take th'Enchantress, bring her to me bound.
Lynd.
Force needs not, where resistance is not found:
I come, my self to offer you my hands;
And, of my own accord, invite your bands.
I wish'd to be my Abdelmelechs Slave;
I did but wish, and easie Fortune gave.
Abdel.
O, more then Woman, false! but 'tis in vain.
Can you e're hope to be believ'd again?
I'le sooner trust th'Hyæna than your smile;
Or, than your Tears, the weeping Crocodile.
In War and Love none should be twice deceiv'd;
The fault is mine if you are now believ'd.
Lynd.
Be overwise, then, and too late repent;
Your Crime will carry its own punishment.
I am well pleas'd not to be justify'd:
I owe no satisfaction to your pride.
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To have it said, I never own'd a Flame.
Abdel.
'Tis true; my pride has satisfy'd it self:
I have at length escap'd the deadly shelf.
Th'excuses you prepare will be in vain,
Till I am fool enough to love again.
Lynd.
Am I not lov'd!
Abdel.
I must, with shame, avow
I lov'd you once; but do not love you now.
Lynd.
Have I for this betray'd Abdalla's Trust!
You are to me as I to him unjust.
[Angrily.
Abdel.
'Tis like you have done much for love of me,
Who kept the Fortress for my Enemy.
Lynd.
'Tis true, I took the Fottress from his hand;
But, since, have kept it in my own Command.
Abdel.
That act your foul Ingratitude did show.
Lynd.
You are th'ungrateful, since 'twas kept for you.
Abdel.
'Twas kept indeed; but not by your intent,
For all your kindness I may thank th'event.
Blush, Lindaraxa for so grosse a cheat;
'Twas kept for me when you refus'd to Treat!
[Ironically.
Lynd.
Blind Man! I knew the weakness of the place:
It was my plot to do your Arms this Grace:
Had not my care of your renown been great,
I lov'd enough to offer you to Treat.
She who is lov'd must little Letts create.
But you bold Lovers are to force your Fate.
This force you us'd my Maiden blush will save;
You seem'd to take what secretly I gave.
I knew we must be Conquer'd; but I knew
What Confidence I might repose in you.
I knew you were too grateful to expose
My Friends and Soldiers to be us'd like Foes.
Abdel.
Well; though I love you not, their lives shall be
Spar'd out of Pity and Humanity.
[To a Soldier.
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Lynd.
Then must I to your pity owe my peace!
Exit the Alferez.
Is that the tender'st term you can afford!
Time was, you wou'd have us'd another word.
Abdel.
Then, for your Beauty I your Soldiers spare;
For though I do not love you, your are fair.
Lynd.
That little Beauty, why did Heav'n impart
To please your Eyes, but not to move your Heart!
I'le shrowd this Gorgon from all humane view;
And own no Beauty, since it charms not you!
Reverse your Orders, and our Sentence give;
My Soldiers shall not from my Beauty live.
Abdel.
Then, from our Friendship they their lives shall gain;
Though love be dead, yet friendship does remain.
Lynd.
That friendship which from wither'd Love does shoot,
Like the faint Herbage of a Rock, wants root.
Love is a tender Amity, refin'd:
Grafted on friendship it exalts the kind.
But when the Graff no longer does remain
The dull Stock lives; but never bears again.
Abdel.
Then, that my Friendship may not doubtful prove,
(Fool that I am to tell you so,) I love.
You would extort this knowledge from my Brest;
And tortur'd me so long that I confest.
Now I expect to suffer for my Sin;
My Monarchy must end; and yours begin.
Lynd.
Confess not Love, but spare your self that shame:
And call your Passion by some other name.
Call this assault, your Malice, or your Hate;
Love owns no acts so disproportionate.
Love never taught this insolence you show,
[Alferez.
To Treat your Mistriss like a conquer'd Foe,
Is this th'obedience which my Heart should move!
This usage looks more like a Rape than Love.
Abdel.
What proof of Duty would you I should give?
Lynd.
'Tis Grace enough to let my Subjects live:
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Spoil, riflle, pillage, any thing but kill.
In short, Sir, use your fortune as you please;
Secure my Castle, and my person seize—
Let your true men my Rebels hence remove;
I shall dream on; and think 'tis all your love.
Abdel.
You know too well my weakness and your pow'r.
Why did Heav'n make a fool a Conquerour!
She was my slave; till she by me was shown
How weak my force was, and how strong her own.
Now she has beat my pow'r from every part;
Made her way open to my naked heart:
[To a Sold.
Go, strictly charge my Souldiers to retreat:
Those countermand who are not enter'd yet.
On peril of your lives leave all things free.
Exit Souldier.
Now, Madam, love Abdalla more than me.
I only ask, in duty, you would bring
The keys of our Albazin to the King:
I'le make your terms as gentle as you please.
Trumpets sound a charge within: and Souldiers shout.
What shouts; and what new sounds of war are these?
Lind.
Fortune, I hope, has favour'd my intent
[aside.
Of gaining time; and welcome succours sent.
Enter Alferez.
Alf.
All's lost; and you are fatally deceiv'd:
The foe is enter'd: and the place reliev'd.
Scarce from the walls had I drawn off my men
When, from their Camp, the Enemy rush'd in:
And Prince Abdalla enter'd first the gate.
Abdel.
I am betray'd; and find it now too late.
[to her.
When your proud Soul to flatt'ries did descend,
I might have known it did some ill portend.
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When winds shift often, and no cause appears.
You, by my bounty live—
Your Brothers, too, were pardon'd for my sake,
And this return your gratitude does make.—
Lind.
My Brothers best their own obligements know;
Without your charging me with what they owe.
But, since you think th'obligement is so great,
Il'e bring a friend to satisfie my debt.
looking behind.
Abdel.
Thou shalt not triumph in thy base design,
Though not thy fort, thy person shall be mine.
He goes to take her; she runs and cries help:
Enter Abdalla, Arcos, Spaniards. Abdelmelech retreats fighting: and is pursued by the adverse party off the Stage.
An Alarm within.
Enter again Abdalla and the Duke of Arcos, with Lyndaraxa.
Arcos.
Bold Abdelmelech twice our Spaniards fac'd;
Though much outnumbred; and retreated last.
Abdalla
to Lyndar.
Your Beauty, as it moves no common fire,
So it no common courage can inspire.
As he fought well, so had he prosper'd too,
If, Madam, he like me, had fought for you.
Lind.
Fortune, at last has chosen with my eies;
And, where I would have giv'n it, plac'd the prize.
You see, Sir, with what hardship I have kept
This precious gage which in my hands you left.
But 'twas the love of you which made me fight.
And gave me Courage to maintain your right
Now, by Experience you my faith may find;
And are to thank me that I seem'd unkind.
When your malicious fortune doom'd your fall
My care restrain'd you, then, from loosing all.
Against your destiny I shut the Gate:
And Gather'd up the Shipwracks of your fate.
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From throwing all upon a loosing hand.
Abdal.
My love makes all your Acts unquestion'd go:
And sets a Soveraign stamp on all you doe.
Your Love, I will believe with hoodwink'd eyes;
In faith, much merit in much blindness lies.
But now, to make you great as you are fair,
The Spaniards an Imperial Crown prepare.
Lin.
That gift's more welcome, which with you I share:
Let us no time in fruitless courtship loose,
But sally out upon our frighted Foes.
No Ornaments of pow'r so please my eies
As purple, which the blood of Princes, dies.
Exeunt. He leading her.
Scene, The Alhambra.
Boabdelin, Abenamar, Almahide; Guards, &c.
The Queen wearing a Scarfe.
Abenamar.
My little journey has successfull been;
The fierce Almanzor will obey the Queen.
I found him, like Achilles on the shore,
Pensive, complaining much, but threatning more.
And, like that injur'd Greek, he heard our woes:
Which, while I told, a gloomy smile arose
From his bent brows; and still, the more he heard,
A more severe and sullen joy appear'd.
But, when he knew we to despair were driv'n,
Betwixt his teeth he mutter'd thanks to Heav'n.
Boab.
How I disdain this aid; which I must take
No for my own, but Almahida's sake.
Aben.
But, when he heard it was the Queen who sent;
That her command repeal'd his banishment,
He took the summons with a greedy joy,
And ask'd me how she would his sword employ?
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From her fair mouth with joy to take his doom.
Boab.
Oh that I had not sent you! though it cost
My Crown; though I and it, and all were lost!
Aben.
While I to bring this news, came on before,
I met with Selin—
Boab.
I can hear no more.
Enter Hamet.
Hamet.
Almanzor is already at the gate
And throngs of people on his entrance wait.
Boab.
Thy news does all my faculties surprize,
He bears two Basilisks in those fierce eyes.
And that tame Demon, which should guard my throne,
Shrinks at a Genius greater than his own.
Exit Boabdelin, with Aben. and Guards.
Enter Almanzor; seing Almahide approach him, he speaks.
Alman.
So Venus moves when to the thunderer
In smiles or tears she would some sute prefer.
When with her Cestos girt—
And drawn by Doves, she cuts the liquid skies,
And kindles gentle fires where 'ere she flies:
To every eye a Goddess is confest:
By all the Heav'nly Nation she is blest,
And each with secret joy admits her to his brest.
To her bowing.
Madam, your new Commands I come to know:
If yet you can have any where I goe:
If to the Regions of the dead they be,
You take the speediest course, to send by me.
Almah.
Heav'n has not destin'd you so soon to rest:
Heroes must live to succour the distrest.
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To serve such beauty all mankind should live:
And, in our service, our reward you give:
But, stay me not in torture, to behold
And ne're enjoy: as from anothers gold;
The Miser hastens in his own defence,
And shuns the sight of tempting excellence;
So, having seen you once so killing fair,
A second sight were but to move despair.
I take my eies from what too much would please.
As men in feavors famish their disease.
Almah.
No; you may find your Cure an easier way,
If you are pleas'd to seek it; in your stay.
All objects loose by too familiar view,
When that great charm is gone of being new.
By often seeing me, you soon will find
Defects so many in my face and mind,
That to be free'd from Love you need not doubt;
And, as you look'd it in, you'll look it out.
Almanz.
I, rather, like weak armies should retreat;
And so prevent my more entire defeat.
For your own sake in quiet let me goe:
Press not too far on a despairing foe:
I may turn back; and arm'd against you move
With all the furious trayn of hopeless love.
Almah.
Your honour cannot to ill thoughts give way;
And mine can run no hazard by your stay.
Almanz.
Do you, then, think I can with patience, see
That sov'raign good possest, and not by me?
No; I all day shall languish at the sight;
And rave on what I do not see, all night.
My quick imagination will present
The Scenes and Images of your Content:
When to my envy'd Rival you dispence
Joyes too unruly, and too fierce for sence.
Almahide,
These are the day-dreams which wild fancy yields
Empty as shaddows are, that fly o're fields.
O, whether would this boundless fancy move!
'Tis but the raging Calenture of Love.
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And see, in Seas, imaginary Land.
Cool Groves, and Flow'rs Meads, and while you think
To walk, plunge in, and wonder that you sink.
Alman.
Love's Calenture too well I understand;
But sure your Beauty is no Fairy Land!
Of your own Form a Judge you cannot be;
For, Glow-worm-like, you shine, and do not see:
Almah.
Can you think this, and would you go away?
Alman.
What recompence attends me if I stay?
Almah.
You know I am from recompence debarr'd;
But I will grant you merit a reward.
Your Flame's too noble to deserve a Cheat;
And I too plain to practise a Deceit.
I no return of Love can ever make;
But what I ask is for my Husband's sake,
He, I confess, has been ungrateful too;
But he and I are ruin'd if you goe.
Your Vertue to the hardest proof I bring:
Unbrib'd, preserve a Mistress and a King.
Alman.
I'le stop at nothing that appears so brave;
I'le do't: and now I no Reward will have.
You've given my Honour such an ample Field
That I may dye, but that shall never yield.
Spight of my self I'le Stay, Fight, Love, Despair;
And I can do all this, because I dare.
Yet I may own one suit.—
That Scarfe, which since by you it has been born
Is Blest, like Relicks, which by Saints were worn:
Almah.
Presents like this my Vertue durst not make
But that 'tis giv'n you for my Husbands sake.
[Gives the Scarfe.
Alman.
This Scarfe, to Honourable Raggs I'le wear:
As conqu'ring Soldiers tatter'd Ensigns bear.
But oh how much my Fortune I despise,
Which gives me Conquest, while she Love denies.
Exeunt.
| The Conquest of Granada | |