University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE, A Prison.
Enter Almeria and an Indian they speak entring.
Ind.
A dangerous proof of my respect I show.

Alm.
Fear not, Prince Guyomar shall never know:
While he is absent let us not delay;
Remember 'tis the King thou doest obey.

Ind.
See where he sleeps.

[Cortez appears Chain'd and laid asleep.
Alm.
—Without my coming wait:
And on thy Life secure the Prison Gate.—
[She plucks out a Dagger and approaches him.
Spaniard awake: thy Fatal hour is come:
Thou shalt not at such ease receive thy Doom.
Revenge is sure, though sometimes slowly pac'd,
Awake, awake, or sleeping sleep thy last.

Cort.
Who names Revenge?

Alm.
—Look up and thou shalt see.

Cort.
I cannot fear so fair an Enemy.

Alm.
No aid is near, nor canst thou make defence:
Whence can thy Courage come?

Cort.
—From Innocence.

Alm.
From Innocence? let that then take thy part,
Still are thy looks assur'd,—have at thy Heart:
[Hold up the Dagger.
I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear'st some Charm,
[Goes back.
Or some Divinity holds back my Arm.
Why do I thus delay to make him Bleed,
[Aside.
Can I want Courage for so brave a Deed?
I've shook it off; my Soul is free from fear,
[Comes again.
And I can now strike any where,—but here:
His scorn of Death how strangely does it move!
A mind so haughty who could chuse but Love!
[Goes off.
Plead not a Charm, or any gods command,
Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand:
In spight of me I Love, and see too late
My Mothers Pride must find my Mothers Fate:
—Thy Country's Foe, thy Brother's Murtherer,
For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear:
I w'onnot be if I once more come on,
[coming on again.
I shall mistake the Breast, and pierce my own.

[Comes with her Dagger down.
Cort.
Does your revenge maliciously forbear
To give me Death, till 'tis prepar'd by fear?
If you delay for that, forbear or strike,
Fore-seen and sudden death are both alike.

Alm.
To show my Love would but increase his Pride:
They have most power who most their passions hide.
[Aside.
Spaniard, I must confess I did expect
You could not meet your Death with such neglect;
I will defer it now, and give you time:
You may Repent, and I forget your Crime.

Cort.
Those who repent acknowledge they did ill:
I did not unprovok'd your Brother Kill.

Alm.
Petition me, perhaps I may forgive.

Cort.
Who begs his Life does not deserve to Live.

Alm.
But if 'tis given you'l not refuse to take?

Cort.
I can Live gladly for Cydaria's sake.

Alm.
Does she so wholy then possess your mind?
What if you should another Lady find,
Equal to her in birth, and far above
In all that can attract, or keep your Love,
Would you so doat upon your first desire
As not to entertain a Nobler Fire?

Cort.
I think that person hardly will be found,
With Gracious form and equal Vertue Crown'd:
Yet if another could precedence claim,
My fixt desires could find no fairer Aim.

Alm.
Dull ignorance, he cannot yet conceive:
To speak more plain shame will not give me leave.
[Aside.
—Suppose one lov'd you whom even Kings adore:
[To him
Who with your Life, your Freedom would restore,
And adde to that the Crown of Mexico:
Would you for her, Cydaria's Love fore-go?

Cort.
Though she could offer all you can invent,
I could not of my Faith, once vow'd repent.

Alm.
A burning blush has cover'd all my face:
Why am I forc'd to publish my disgrace?
What if I Love, you know it cannot be,
And yet I blush to put the case 'twere me.
If I could Love you, with a flame so true
I could forget what hand my Brother slew?—
—Make out the rest,—I am disorder'd so
I know not farther what to say or do:
—But answer me to what you think I meant.

Cort.
Reason or Wit no answer can invent:
Of words confus'd who can the meaning find?

Alm.
Disordered words show a distemper'd mind.

Cort.
She has oblig'd me so, that could I chuse,
I would not answer what I must refuse.

[Aside.
Alm.
—His mind is shook;—suppose I lov'd you, speak,
Would you for me Cydaria's Fetters break?

Cort.
Things meant in Jest, no serious answer need.

Alm.
But put the case that it were so indeed.

Cort.
If it were so, which but to think were Pride,
My constant Love would dangerously be try'd:
For since you could a Brothers death forgive,
He whom you save for you alone should live:
But I the most unhappy of mankind,
E're I knew yours, have all my Love resign'd:
'Tis my own loss I grieve, who have no more;
You go a begging to a Bankrupts door.
Yet could I change, as sure I never can,
How could you Love so Infamous a Man?
For Love once given from her, and plac'd in you,
Would leave no ground I ever could be true.

Alm.
You construed me aright,—I was in Jest:
And by that offer meant to sound your breast;
Which since I find so constant to your Love,
Will much my value of your worth improve.
Spaniard assure your self you shall not be
Oblig'd to quit Cydaria for me:
'Tis dangerous though, to treat me in this sort,
And to refuse my offers, though in sport.
Exit Almeria.

Cort.
In what a strange Condition am I left,
Cort. solus.
More then I wish I have, of all I wish bereft!
In wishing nothing we enjoy still most;
For even our wish is, in possession lost:
Restless we wander to a new desire,
And burn our selves by blowing of the Fire:
We toss and turn about our Feaverish will,
When all our ease must come by lying still:
For all the happiness Mankind can gain
Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.

Goes in and the Scene closes upon him.

SCENE II.

Chamber Royal.
Enter Montezuma, Odmar, Guyomar, Alibech.
Mont.
My Ears are deaf with this impatient crowd:

Odm.
Their wants are now grown Mutinous and loud:
The General's taken, but the Siege remains;
And their last Food our dying Men sustains.

Guy.
One means is only left, I to this hour,
Have kept the Captive from Almeria's power:
And though by your command she often sent
To urge his doom, do still his death prevent.

Mont.
That hope is past: him I have oft assayl'd,
But neither threats nor kindness have prevail'd;
Hiding our wants, I offerd to release
His Chains, and equally conclude a Peace:
He fiercely answer'd I had now no way
But to submit, and without terms obey:
I told him, he in Chains demanded more
Then he impos'd in Victory before:
He sullenly reply'd, he could not make
These offers now; Honour must give, not take.

Odm.
Twice have I sallyed, and was twice beat back:
What desp'rate course remains for us to take!

Mont.
If either Death or Bondage I must chuse,
I'll keep my Freedom, though my life I lose.

Guy.
I'll not upbraid you that you once refus'd
Those means, you might have then with Honour us'd:
I'll lead your Men, perhaps bring Victory:
They know to Conquer best, who know to Dye.

[Exeunt Montezuma, Odmar.
Alib.
Ah me, what have I heard! stay Guyomar,
What hope you from this Sally you prepare?

Guy.
A death, with Honour for my Countries good:
A death, to which your self design'd my blood.

Alib.
You heard, and I well know the Towns distress,
Which Sword and Famine both at once oppress:
Famine so fierce, that what's deny'd Mans use
Even deadly Plants, and Herbs of pois'nous juice
Wild hunger seeks; and to prolong our breath,
We greedily devour our certain death:
The Souldier in th'assault of Famine falls;
And Ghosts not Men are watching on the walls.
As Callow Birds—
Whose Mother's kill'd in seeking of their prey,
Cry in their Nest, and think her long away;
And at each leaf that stirs, each blast of wind,
Gape for the Food which they must never find:
So cry the people in their misery.

Guy.
And what relief can they expect from me?

Alib.
While Montezuma sleeps, call in the Foe:
The Captive General your design may know:
His Noble heart, to Honour ever true;
Knows how to spare as well as to subdue.

Guy.
What I have heard I blush to hear: and grieve
Those words you spoke I must your words believe;
I to do this! I, whom you once thought brave,
To sell my Countrey, and my King Enslave?
All I have done by one foul act deface,
And yield my right to you by turning base?
What more could Odmar wish that I should do
To lose your Love, then you perswade me to?
No, Madam, no, I never can commit
A deed so ill, nor can you suffer it:
'Tis but to try what Vertue you can find
Lodg'd in my Soul.

Alib.
I plainly speak my Mind;
Dear as my Life my Vertue I'll preserve:
But Vertue you too scrupulously serve:
I lov'd not more then now my Countries good,
When for it's service I employ'd your Blood:
But things are alter'd, I am still the same,
By different ways still moving to one fame;
And by dis-arming you, I now do more
To save the Town, then arming you before.

Guy.
Things good or ill by circumstances be,
In you 'tis Vertue, what is Vice in me.

Alib.
That ill is pardon'd which does good procure.

Guy.
The good's uncertain, but the ill is sure.

Alib.
When Kings grow stubborn, slothful, or unwise,
Each private man for publick good should rise;
As when the Head distempers does endure,
Each several part must join t'effect the cure.

Guy.
Take heed, Fair Maid, how Monarchs you accuse:
Such reasons none but impious Rebels use:
Those who to Empire by dark paths aspire,
Still plead a call to what they most desire;
But Kings by free consent their Kingdoms take,
Strict as those Sacred Ties which Nuptials make;
And what e're faults in Princes time reveal,
None can be Judge where can be no Appeal.

Alib.
In all debates you plainly let me see
You love your Vertue best, but Odmar me:
Go, your mistaken Piety pursue:
I'll have from him what is deny'd by you;
With my Commands you shall no more be grac'd,
Remember, Sir, this trial was your last.

Guy.
The gods inspire you with a better mind;
Make you more just, and make you then more kind:
But though from Vertues rules I cannot part,
Think I deny you with a Bleeding Heart:
'Tis hard with me what ever choice I make;
I must not merit you, or must forsake:
But in this streight, to Honour I'le be true,
And leave my Fortune to the gods and you.

Enter a Messenger Privately.
Mess.
Now is the time; be aiding to your Fate;
From the Watch-Tower, above the Western Gate,
I have discern'd the Foe securely lye,
Too proud to fear a beaten Enemy:
Their careless Chiefs to the cool Grottoes run,
The Bowers of Kings, to shade them from the Sun.

Guy.
Upon thy life disclose thy news to none;
I'le make the Conquest or the shame my own.

[Exit Guyomar and Messenger.
Enter Odmar.
Alib.
I read some welcome message in his Eye,
Prince Odmar comes: I'le see if he'l deny.
Odmar I come to tell you pleasing News,
I beg a thing your Brother did refuse.

Odm.
The News both pleases me and grieves me too;
For nothing, sure, should be deny'd to you:
But he was blest that might commanded be;
You never meant that happiness to me.

Alib.
What he refus'd your kindness might bestow,
But my Commands, perhaps, your burden grow.

Odm.
Could I but live till burdensome they prove,
My Life would be immortal as my Love.
Your wish, e're it receive a name I grant.

Alib.
'Tis to relieve your dying Countries want;
All hopes of succour from your Arms is past,
To save us now you must our Ruine haste;
Give up the Town, and to oblige him more,
The Captive General's liberty restore.

Odm.
You speak to try my Love, can you forgive
So soon, to let your Brother's Murderer live?

Alib.
Orbellan, though my Brother, did disgrace
With treacherous Deeds, our Mighty Mothers Race;
And to revenge his Blood, so justly spilt,
What is it less then to partake his guilt?
Though my Proud Sister to revenge incline,
I to my Country's good my own resign.

Odm.
To save our Lives our Freedom I betray—
—Yet since I promis'd it I will obey;
I'le not my Shame nor your Commands dispute:
You shall behold your Empire's absolute.
[Exit Odmar.

Alib.
I should have thank'd him for his speedy grant;
And yet I know not how, fit words I want:
Sure I am grown distracted in my mind,
That joy this grant should bring I cannot find:
The one, denying, vex'd my Soul before;
And this, obeying, has disturb'd me more:
The one, with grief, and slowly did refuse,
The other, in his grant, much haste did use:
—He us'd too much—and granting me so soon,
He has the merit of the gift undone:
Methought with wondrous case, he swallow'd down
His forfeit Honour, to betray the Town:
My inward choice was Guyomar before,
But now his Vertue has confirm'd me more—
—I rave, I rave, for Odmar will obey,
And then my promise must my choice betray.
Fantastick Honour, thou hast fram'd a toyl
Thy self, to make thy Love thy Vertues spoyl.
[Exit Alibech.

SCENE III.

A pleasant Grotto discover'd: in it a Fountain spouting; round about it Vasquez, Pizarro, and other Spaniards lying carelesly un-arm'd, and by them many Indian Women, one of which Sings the following Song.
[Indian Woman]
SONG.

After the Song two Spaniards arise and Dance a Saraband with Castanieta's: at the end of which, Guyomar and his Indian's enter, and e're the Spaniards can recover their Swords, seize them.
Guy.
Those whom you took without in Triumph bring,
But see these streight conducted to the King.

Piz.
Vasquez, what now remains in these extreams?

Vasq.
Only to wake us from our Golden Dreams.

Piz.
Since by our shameful conduct, we have lost
Freedom, Wealth, Honour, which we value most,
I wish they would our Lives a Period give:
They Live too long who Happiness out-live.

[Spaniards are led out.
1 Ind.
See, Sir, how quickly your success is spread:
The King comes Marching in the Armies head.

Enter Montezuma, Alibech, Odmar, Discontented.
Mont.
Now all the gods reward and bless my Son:
[Embracing.
Thou hast this day, thy Fathers Youth out-done.

Alib.
Just Heaven such Happiness upon him shower,
Till it confess it's will beyond it's power.

Guy.
The heavens are kind, the gods propitious be,
I only doubt a Mortal Deity:
I neither Fought for Conquest, nor for Fame,
Your Love alone can recompence my Flame.

Alib.
I gave my Love to the most brave in War;
But that the King must Judge.

Mont.
—'Tis Guyomar.

[Souldiers shout, A Guyomar, &c.
Mont.
This day your Nuptials we will Celebrate;
But guard these haughty Captives till their Fate:
Odmar, this night to keep them be your care,
To morrow for their Sacrifice prepare.

Alib.
Blot not your Conquest with your Cruelty.

Mont.
Fate says we are not safe unless they Dye:
The Spirit that fore-told this happy day,
Bid me use Caution, and avoid delay:
Posterity be juster to my Fame;
Nor call it Murder, when each private Man
In his defence may justly do the same:
But private persons more then Monarchs can:
All weigh our Acts, and what e're seems unjust,
Impute not to Necessity, but Lust.

[Exeunt Montezuma, Guyomar, and Alibech.
Odm.
Lost and undone! he had my Fathers voice,
And Alibech seem'd pleas'd with her new choice:
Alas, it was not new! too late I see
Since one she hated, that it must be me.—
—I feel a strange Temptation in my will
To do an action, great at once and ill:
Vertue ill treated, from my Soul is fled;
I by Revenge and Love am wholly led:
Yet Conscience would against my rage Rebel—
—Conscience, the foolish pride of doing well!
Sink Empire, Father Perish, Brother Fall,
Revenge does more then recompence you all.
—Conduct the Pris'ners in—
Spaniards, you see your own deplor'd Estate:
What dare you do to reconcile your Fate?

Enter Vasquez, Pizarro.
Vasq.
All that Despair, with Courage joyn'd can do.

Odm.
An easie way to Victory I'le show:
When all are Buried in their Sleep or Joy,
I'le give you Arms, Burn, Ravish, and Destroy;
For my one share one Beauty I design,
Engage your Honours that she shall be mine.

Piz.
I gladly Swear.

Vasq.
—And I; but I request
That, in return, one who has touch'd my breast,
Whose name I know not, may be given to me.

Odm.
Spaniard 'tis just; she's yours who e're she be.

Vasq.
The night comes on; if Fortune bless the bold
I shall possess the Beauty.

Piz.
I the Gold.

[Exeunt Omnes,

SCENE IV.

A Prison.
Cortez discovered, bound by one Foot, Almeria talking with him.
Alm.
I come not now your constancy to prove,
You may believe me when I say I Love.

Cort.
You have too well instructed me before,
In your intentions to believe you more.

Alm.
I'm justly plagu'd by this your unbelief,
And am my self the cause of my own grief;
But to beg Love, I cannot stoop so low;
It is enough that you my passion know:
'Tis in your choice; Love me, or Love me not,
I have not yet my Brother's Death forgot.

Lays hold on the Dagger.
Cort.
You Menace me and Court me in a breath:
Your Cupid looks as dreadfully as Death.

Alm.
Your hopes, without, are vanish'd into smoak:
Your Captains taken, and your Armies broke.

Cort.
In vain you urge me with my miseries:
When Fortune falls high Courages can rise.
Now should I change my Love, it would appear
Not the effect of gratitude, but fear.

Alm.
I'le to the King, and make it my Request,
Or my Command that you may be releast;
And make you Judge, when I have set you free,
Who best deserves your passion, I, or she.

Cort.
You tempt my Faith so generous a way,
As without guilt might constancy betray:
But I'm so far from meriting esteem,
That if I Judge, I must my self Condemn;
Yet having given my worthless heart before,
What I must not possess I'le still adore;
Take my devotion then this humbler way;
Devotion is the Love which Heaven we pay.

[Kisses her hand.
Enter Cydaria.
Cyd.
May I believe my Eyes! what do I see!
Is this her Hate to him, his Love to me!
'Tis in my Breast she sheaths her Dagger now.
False Man, is this the Faith? is this the Vow?

[To him.
Cort.
What words, dear Saint, are these I hear you use?
What Faith, what Vows are these which you accuse?

Cyd.
More cruel then the Tyger o're his spoyl;
And falser then the Weeping Crocodile:
Can you adde Vanity to Guilt, and take
A Pride to hear the Conquests which you make?
Go publish your Renown, let it be said
You have a Woman, and that Lov'd, betray'd.

Cort.
With what injustice is my Faith accus'd?
Life, Freedom, Empire, I at once refus'd;
And would again ten thousand times for you.

Alm.
She'l have too great content to find him true;
And therefore since his Love is not for me,
I'le help to make my Rivals misery.
[Aside.
Spaniard, I never thought you false before:
[To him.
Can you at once two Mistresses adore?
Keep the poor Soul no longer in suspence,
Your change is such as does not need defence.

Cort.
Riddles like these I cannot understand!

Alm.
Why should you blush? she saw you kiss my hand.

Cyd.
Fear not, I will, while your first Love's deny'd,
Favour your shame, and turn my Eyes aside;
My feeble hopes in her deserts are lost:
I neither can such power nor beauty boast:
I have no tye upon you to be true
But that which loosned yours, my Love to you.

Cort.
Could you have heard my words!

Cyd.
—Alas, what needs
To hear your words, when I beheld your deeds?

Cort.
What shall I say! the Fate of Love is such,
As still it sees too little or too much.
That act of mine which does your passion move
Was but a mark of my Respect, not Love.

Alm.
Vex not your self excuses to prepare:
For one you love not is not worth your care.

Cort.
Cruel Almeria take that life you gave;
Since you but worse destroy me, while you save.

Cyd.
No, let me dye, and I'le my claim resign;
For while I live, methinks you should be mine.

Cort.
The Bloodiest Vengeance which she could pursue,
Would be a triffle to my loss of you.

Cyd.
Your change was wise: for had she been deny'd,
A swift Revenge had follow'd from her Pride:
You from my gentle Nature had no Fears,
All my Revenge is only in my Tears.

Cort.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove,
To save my Life by changing of my Love?

Cyd.
Since Death is that which Nat'rally we shun,
You did no more then I, perhaps, had done.

Cort.
Make me not doubt, Fair Soul, your constancy;
You would have dy'd for Love, and so would I.

Alm.
You may believe him; you have seen it prov'd.

Cort.
Can I not gain belief how I have Lov'd?
What can thy ends, Inhumane Creature be:
Can he who kill'd thy Brother live for thee?

[A noyse of Clashing of Swords.
[Vasquez within, Indians against him.
Vasq.
Yield Slaves or dye; our Swords shall force our way.

[within.
Ind.
We cannot, though o're-powr'd, our trust betray.

[within.
Cort.
'Tis Vasquez voice, he brings me Liberty.

Vasq.
In spight of Fate I'le set my General Free:
[within.
Now Victory for us, the Town's our own.

Alm.
All-hopes of safety and of love are gone:
As when some dreadful Thunder-clap is nigh,
The winged Fire shoots swiftly through the Skie,
Strikes and Consumes e're scarce it does appear,
And by the sudden ill, prevents the fear:
Such is my state in this amazing wo;
It leaves no pow'r to think, much less to do:
—But shall my Rival Live, shall she enjoy
That Love in Peace I labour'd to destroy?

[Aside.
Cort.
Her looks grow black as a Tempestuous wind;
Some raging Thoughts are rowling in her mind.

Alm.
Rival, I must your jealous Thoughts remove,
You shall, hereafter, be at rest for Love.

Cyd.
Now you are kind.

Alm.
—He whom you Love is true:
But he shall never be possest by you.

[Draws her Dagger, and runs towards her.
Cort.
Hold, hold, ah Barbarous Woman! flye, oh flye!

Cyd.
Ah pity, pity, is no succour nigh!

Cort.
Run, run behind me, there you may be sure,
While I have Life I will your Life secure.

[Cydaria gets behind him.
Alm.
On him or thee light Vengeance any where:
[She stabs and hurts him.
—What have I done? I see his blood appear!

Cyd.
It streams, it streams from every Vital part:
Was there no way but this to find his Heart?

Alm.
Ah! Cursed Woman, what was my design!
At least this Weapon both our Blood shall joyn.

[Goes to stab her self, and being within his reach he snatches the Dagger.
Cort.
Now neither Life nor Death are in your power.

Alm.
Then sullenly I'le wait my Fatal hour.

Enter Vasquez and Pizarro with drawn Swords.
Vasq.
He Lives, he Lives.

Cort.
—Unsetter me with speed;
Vasquez, I see you troubled that I bleed:
But 'tis not deep, our Army I can head.

Vasq.
You to a certain Victory are led;
Your Men all Arm'd, stand silently within,
I with your Freedom, did the work begin.

Piz.
What Friends we have, and how we came so strong,
We'l softly tell you as we March along.

Cort.
In this safe place let me secure your fear:
[To Cydaria.
No Clashing Swords, no Noyse can enter here.
Amidst our Arms as quiet you shall be
As Halcyons Brooding on a Winter Sea.

Cyd.
Leave me not here alone, and full of fright,
Amidst the Terrors of a Dreadful night:
You judge, alas, my Courage by your own,
I never durst in Darkness be alone:
I beg, I throw me humbly at your Feet.—

Cort.
You must not go where you may dangers meet.
Th'unruly Sword will no distinction make:
And Beauty will not there give Wounds but take.

Alm.
Then stay and take me with you; though to be
A Slave to wait upon your Victory.
My Heart unmov'd, can Noyse and Horrour bear:
Parting from you is all the Death I fear.

Cort.
Almeria, 'tis enough I leave you free:
You neither must stay here, nor go with me.

Alm.
Then take my Life, that will my rest restore:
'Tis all I ask for saving yours before.

Cort.
That were a Barbarous return of Love.

Alm.
Yet leaving it you more inhumane prove:
In both extreams I some relief should find:
Oh either hate me more, or be more kind.

Cort.
Life of my Soul do not my absence Mourn:
But chear thy Heart in hopes of my return.
[To Cydaria.
Thy Noble Father's Life shall be my care;
And both thy Brothers I'm oblig'd to spare.

Cyd.
Fate makes you Deaf while I in vain implore,
My Heart forebodes I ne'r shall see you more:
I have but one request, when I am Dead
Let not my Rival to your Love succeed.

Cort.
Fate will be kinder then your Fears fore-tell;
Farewel my Dear.

Cyd.
—A long and last farewel:
—So eager to imploy the cruel Sword;
Can you not one, not one last look afford!

Cort.
I melt to Womanish Tears, and if I stay,
I find my Love my Courage will betray;
Yon Tower will keep you safe, but be so kind
To your own Life that none may entrance find.

Cyd.
Then lead me there—
[He leads her.
For this one Minute of your Company,
I go methinks, with some content to Dye.

[Exeunt Cortez, Vasquez, Pizarro, Cydaria.
Alm.
Farewel, O too much Lov'd, since Lov'd in vain!
[Sola.
What Dismal Fortune does for me remain!
Night and Despair my Fatal Foot-steps guide;
That Chance may give the Death which he deny'd.

[Exit.
[Cortez, Vasquez, Pizarro, and Spaniards, return again.
Cort.
All I hold dear, I trust to your defence;
[To Pizarro.
Guard her, and on your Life, remove not hence.

[Exeunt Cortez, and Vasquez.
Piz.
I'le venture that—
The gods are good; I'le leave her to their care,
Steal from my Post, and in the Plunder share.

[Exit.