The Empress of MOROCCO A TRAGEDY WITH Sculptures As it is Acted at the Duke's Theatre Written by Elkanah Settle Servant to his Majesty Primâ—…s da versibus annos Petr. Arb. LONDON Printed for William Cademan at the Popes-head in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange in the Strand 1673. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY EARL of Norwich and EARL-Marshal of ENGLAND c. My Lord THe Impudence of Scriblers in this Age has so corrupted the Original Designe of Dedications that before I dare tell you this trifle begs your Lordships Protection I ought first to Examine on what grounds I make the Attacque for now every thing that e're saw the Stage how modest soever it has been there without daring to shew ' its Face above three Dayes has yet the Arrogance to thrust it self into the World in Print with a Great Name before it Where the fawning Scribler shall compendiously say the factions of Critiques the Ill time of the Year and the worse Acting of the Players has prejudiced his Play but he doubts not but his Grace or his Honour 's more impartial Judgment will find that pardonable which the World has so Maliciously Censur'd that is as much as to say Sir You are the only Person at Court whose blind side I dare venture on not doubting but your good Nature will excuse what all the World except the Author has justly condemned Thus they esteem their Plays as the Fanaticks do their Religion the better for suffering Persecution and to disguise their Shame and prop their Feeble Writings they make Dedications when their Playes are Damn'd as the Dutch do Bonefires when their Navies are beaten be their Success never so bad they still write themselves Conquerors And thus a Dedication which was formeâ—…ly a Present to a Person of Quality is now made a Libel on him whilst the Poet either supposes his Patron to be so great a Sot to defend that in Print which he hist off the Stage Or else makes himself a greater in aâ—…king a Favour from him which he ne're expects to obtain However that which is an abuse to the Patron is a Complement to the Bookseller who whispers the Poet and tells him Sir Your Play had misfortune and all that but if you 'd but writâ—… a Dedication or Preface The Poet takes the hint picks out a person of Honour tell him he has a great deal of Wit gives us an account who writ â—…ense in the last Age supposing we cannot be Ignorant who writes it in This Disputes the nature of Verse Aâ—…swers a Cavil or two Quibles upon the Court Huffs the Critiques and the work 's done 'T is not to be imagin'd how far a Sheet of this goes to make a Book-seller Rich and a Poet Famous But my Lord whilst I trouble you with this kind of discourse I beg you would not think I design to give Rules to the Press as some of our Tribe have done to the Stage or that I find fault with their Dedications in Complement to my own No that 's a trick â—… do not pretend to Besides your particular Favours in the publick Honours you have condescended to grant this Play and the Author have heightned my sense of Gratitude beyond my Power of expressing it This Play which for no other Merit 〈◊〉 take Sanctuary here throws it self at your feet as your own the Story of which I owe to your Hands and your honourable Embassy into Africa And on that score I present it to your Patronage as the Jews made their Sacrifices which we read took fire from Heaven The Incense was lighted by that Divinity to whom it was offer'd nor is this all I may modestly boast of For besides it's noble Birth you gâ—…ve it a noble Education when you bred it up amongst Princes presenting it in a Court-Theatre and by persons of such Birth and Honour that they borrow'd no Greatness from the Characters they acted Thus has your Lordship shew'd your self so great a Friend to the Muses that as in former ages the Poet made the Patron When all that 's left of a Maecenas is that Horace gave him a Name Your influence on the Contrary makes the Poet and if this Play Live or have Success enough to preserve a Name 't is by being your Creature and enjoying your Smiles which is the highest Ambition of MY LORD Your Lordships most Obliged and most Obedient Servant Elkanah Settle The first Prologue at Court spoken by the Lady ELIZABETH HOWARD I Wish you only did expect to day A common Prologue to some usual Play For when young Ladies are to speak to Kings You look that they should say no Vulgar things 'T is below us what meaner Actors do Either â—…'excuse our selves or rail at You. Nor come you here as to the Common Pit With the lest hope of finding fault with Wit Loves gentler Thoughts possess the Men of Sense At lest it shall be so e're they go hence Gallants take warning then ' tâ—…s time to fear When Youth and Beauties on the Stage appear Those Charms else-where are pretty dangerous found But here we shoot upon a Rising Ground No Heart can scape we have a mind to hit Unless 't is guarded by some Eyes 'i th Pit To Hearts engag'd our power does not extend And therefore Sir to you we humbly bend To the King Yet from your Constancy we need not fear To all fair Nymphs you keep an open Ear. No watching Eyes those soft alluring Wiles Can hinder you from giving Gracious Smiles Now for the Men Their praise should next be shewn But that I think were better let alone Written by the Earl of Mulgrave The second Prologue at Court spoken by the Lady ELIZABETH HOWARD WIT has of late took up a Trick t' appear Unmannerly or at the best severe And Poets share the Fate by which we fall When kindly we attempt to please you all 'T is hard your scorn should against such prevail Whose ends are to divert you tho' they fail You Men would think it an ilnatur'd Jest Should we laugh at you when you did your best Then rail not here though you see reason for 't If Wit can find it self no better sport Wit is a very foolish thing at Court Wit 's bus'ness is to please and not to fright 'T is no Wit to be always in the right You 'l find it none who dare be so to night Few so ill-bred will venture to a Play To spy out Faults in what we Women say For us no matter what we speak but how How kindly can we say I hate you now And for the men if you 'l laugh at e'm do They mind themselves so much they 'l ne're mind you But why do I descend to lose a Prayer On those small Saints in Wit the God sits there To you Great Sir my Message hither tends From Youth and Beauty your Allies and Friends See my Credentials written in my Face They challenge your Protection in this place
to several antick Instruments â—…f Musick in the intervals of the Dance this Song is sung by a Moorish Priest and two Moorish Women the Chorus of it being performed by all the Moors 1. Stanza No Musick like that which Loyalty sings A Consort of Hearts at the Crowning of Kings There 's no such delightful and ravishing Strain As the Ecchoes and Shouts of Long Live and Reign Long live and reign long live and reign No Shouts so delightful as Long Live and Reign Long live and reign c. Chorus 2. Stanza No Homage like what from Loyalty springs Wee 'l kneel to our Gods but wee 'l die for our Kings We 'l pay that Devotion our Lives shall maintain No raising of Altars like Long Live and Reign Long live and reign long live and Reign No raising of Altars like Long Live and Reing Long live c. After the Dance King They have paid theirs now I my Debts will pay Sir the next Sun shâ—…ll see your Nuptial day We who would best great Services requite Do first our Friendships then our Bloods unite And that your Hands more solemnly may joine Our Royal Mothers Gift shall second mine Y. Queen Her gentle Breath already from just Fame Has kindly entertain'd your Glorious Name And in that Dress You as a Conqu'rour may To Her a more than welcome Visit pay King But since the Sorrows of the Mourning Queen For our late Father make Her keep unseen Let this conduct you Gives him a Ring Muly H. I am here more blest Than if I an Imperial Seaâ—… possest Whilst in your Breast an Empire I obtain to Mariamne Not only Kings but Gods unenvied reign Beauty would almost Infidels create Who beyond Love can wish a higher state Exeunt all but Abdelcador Abdelc Oh Charming Sex How vast a Circle does thy Magick take The highest Spirits humblest Lovers make All that Heroick Greatness which but now Made haughty Foes and stubborn Nations bow Turns Vassal to a Smile a Looks disguise Who conquer Thousands are one Womans Prize Fate sets Commanding Beauty in their way Beauty that has more God-like Pow'r than they Love o're the Hearts of yielding Heroes sports who 're Conquerours in Camps are Slaves in Courts Exit Finis Actus secundi Act the Third Scene the First Enter Muly Hamet Scene the Palace Muly H. 'T Is now our Royal Mothers Breath must bind That sacred tye of Love my King has sign'd And Providence has seal'd make Her but kind Exit Scene a Bed-Chamber The Scene opens and discovers Crimalhaz and Queen Mother sleeping on a Couch a Table standing by with Crimalhaz's Plume of Feathers and his Drawn Sword upon it Re-enter Muly Hamet Muly H. Laula in Crimalhaz his Arms asleep Ha! Does she thus for her dead Husband weep Oh fond and amorous Queen has Lust such Charms Can make Her fly to an Adulterâ—…rs Arms His Sword drawn for his Guard Spies the Sword But he shall die No He shall Wake and Know The Justice and the Hand that gives the Blow Should I descend to a Revenge so base His Death unarm'd my Glory would deface I will restore the Traytors Sword for still I have been taught to conquer those I kill Well as a Witness of his Crime his Sword I 'le take which when we meet shall be restor'd Then secretly but honourably too My Hand shall Act what to his Guilt is due For lest I should my Queens Disgrace proclaime I 'le right her Wrongs but I 'le conceal her Shame Exit The Scene changes to an Anti-Chamber Muly Hamet re-enters with the same Sword and in passing over the Stage is overtaken by the King King Muly Hamet stay Muly H. The King King What have you there Muly H. Curst Chance what shall I say aside King You thus appear T o've left the Field to gather Laurels here Who is the Man that has this Honour gain'd To be subdu'd by such a Gen'rous Hand Tell me Muly H. Your Royal Pardon King No proceed If you have kilâ—…'d him I forgive the Deed Who e're against You durst his Sword unsheath Has justly from your Hand deserv'd his Death Muly H. No Sir he lives and lives unvanquish'd too King How lives Muly H. Oh do not your Demands pursue Urge me no more nor force me to reveal The only thing my Honour would conceal King How Muly Hamet durst you act that thing You dare not utter to your Friend and King Muly H. My Kings Esteem I by my Silence lose And Speaking I his Mothers Shame expose aside King Speak if you can by Friendship be conjur'd Whose is it Mâ—…ly H. Sir 't is Crimalhaz his Sword King How Crimalhaz Are you not newly from Th' apartment of my Royal Mother come In what defenceless Garb did you surprise Him there that you disarm'd him with such ease We o're our Womens Honours set such Eies That the Seraglio all access denies Who enters there without my Signet dies Muly H. Her Shame too openly will be descry'd His Jealousie will find what I would hide aside King A sudden Fancy does my Breast inflame Something so strange as I want words to name But She 's my Mother and I dare not guess Yet She 's a Woman and I can no less Than start at Horrours which my Honour stain Confusion and was Crimalhaz the Man Muly H. Oh! Sir what has my forc'd Obedience don Against a Mother I 've incens'd a Son Your Princely Brow let no disorders change Let my Hand Sir Your disturb'd Peace revenge King No Muly Hamet has a Sword too good To be defil'd with an Adulterers Blood He t'an ignobler Fate shall be condemn'd I 'le make him infamous low and contemn'd Disrob'd of all his Titles he shall bleed Like a Crown'd Victim to an Altar led Whose Wreaths and Garlands to the fire are cast And then the naked Sacrifice falls last That sinking States-man undergoes the worst Of Deaths whose Honours and whose Pow'r dies first exit King Muly H. This was the only Chance could shake my Fame Oh weak Foundations of a Glorious Name I from the Field do a Crown'd Conqu'rour come To turn a base Informer here at home Yet nothing is so bright but has some Scars Men can throngh Glasses find out Spots in Stars Exit The Scene changes again to the Queen Mothers Bed-Chamber where She and Crimalhaz appear hand in hand She in a Morning Dress Crim. Love acts the part of tributary Kings As they pay homage to their Conquerour Our kind Embraces are but Offerings Of Tribute to triumphant Beauty's Pow'r Q. M. Great Spirits Rivals are to Gods and can Were all the World like me their Heav'n unman We'd antidate our Bliss not stay to move like Pageant-Saints to airy Seats above We'd here below enjoy our Chiefest Good And reap Delights which they ne're understood Crim. Ha! my Sword gon Madam we are betray'd Q. M. Whos 's he that dares our Privacy invade Crim. Some fatal Eye our interview has seen Q. M.
chose that Garb as what might best prevail To gain your Patience and their Swords Conceal But missing of your Blood your brave Escape Chang'd his intended Murder to a Rape Muly H. Hell and Damnation these curst Traytors seize But why against such Barb'rous Savages Do I in vain these useless Curses name They are such Brutes that they want Souls to damne No 'gainst my self I should my Curses bend Coward so ill my Princess to defend Abd. Oh Sir do not profane your Conq'ring Sword Their Numbers were too great to be o're-powr'd Muly H. How Numbers Abdelcader you mistake No Sir where Love and Beauty is at stake True Lovers of their Swords should make such Use As angry Heav'n of Threatning Earth-quakes does To shake whole Kingdoms make proud Cities fall Not to o're-throw one single Criminal Had they been Thousands more and each man there More Feirce than Lust more Valiant than Despair I should have Fought till I my Princess freed Though I had waded through the Blood I shed Abd. Sir the last words she spake that reacht my Ear Were that she did your passions Rashness fear And therefore from me bid you understand 'T is your kind Mariamnes last Command You ne're should see Morocco more lest there You should ēndanger what she prized too dear Muly. H. And am I banisht by my Princess too Fates ye have done all th' ill your Powers could do Great Minds the pride of Prodigals have Learn'd At loss of Pow'r or Crowns are unconcern'd But when they 're Misers 't is in Love alone Then their Hearts rend to see their Treasure gon Condemn'd never to see Morocco more Thus am I doom'd to quit all I Adore As prophane Sinners are from Altars driven Banish'd the Temple to be banisht Heaven Horrour and Tortures now my Jaylours be Who paints Damnation needs but Copy me For if Mankind the pains of Hell e're knew T' is when they lose a Mistress as I do Exeun◅ Scene the Third the Scene a Tent. Enter Queen Mother and young Queen Queen M. No more dear Madam Crimalhaz distrust The Emperour has found him kind and just His Entertainments and his Oaths have prov'd He has not from the paths of Honour mov'd And to appear extravagantly great He makes a splendid Mask his this nights Treat Y. Queen I 've been an Actor in such Comick Sport When in my Father Taffaletta's Court He took delight i' th' represented Spoyls Of Cyrus Cesar and Aeneas Toyles Queen M. Has Marriage and a Crown so chang'd your Will You could not act your youthful Pastimes still Could you your Greatness for one Night perswade To lay by Majesty for Masquerade Y. Queen I never yet did any thing so ill I ought to leave or good that is not still I seem inconstant if you think me Proud Inconstancy the guilt of th' untaught Crowd Madam I dare do any thing to show T' a Throne I change of Place not Passions owe. Q. Mother I can't suspect a goodness so Divine Well Madam since you fancy the Designe For your Diversion and your Kings I l'e ask This Boon that you 'd in person grace the Mask What Character and Part you shall present We will consult of farther in my Tent. Exeunt Enter King and Hametalhas Scene continues King Murder'd this Night and sleeping did you say Hamet Yes if for your escape Heaven finds no way King My Entertainments since my being here All shows of Loyalty and Friendship beare But does he in that Garb his guilt Disguise To take my Life by such a base Surprize Hamet Goodness may in Mens very Looks be Trackt But Traytors rarely look like what they Act Nor is this Treason Crimalhaz first Crime Your Fathers Bloud was sacrific'd by Him King By Crimalhaz my Royal Father Kill'd Hamet That Poyson which your Father drank He fill'd King Poyson'd ◅ How was this Murder hid till now And by what arts was it disclosed by You Enter Queen Mother Q. M. That were too long to tell th' unhappy Son This Night too must the Fathers Fortune run King Is there no Policy nor Art that may Prevent his Treason Q. M. Yes I 've found the Way Accept my Councel to preserve my Son I 'le save your Life your Empress and your Throne King But how Q. M. To you this Night he does a Mask present A smiling Prologue to his black intent And the intrigue of this Dramatique sport Is Orpheus his descent to Plutoes Court To fetch Furidice from th' infernal shade On this Foundation I 've this Structure lay'd I have in your Name given out To shun the trouble of the formal State Which does upon your Royal Person waite That this nights Pleasure may be freer made Your Self and Train will be in Masquerade Your Death being not designd before you sleep Till then you thus will undiscover'd keep And that your flight may be more safe and free Your Self and your fair Queen shall Masquers be You shall act Orpheus she Furidice When by the Masks design by Hells Command Furidice is given to Orpheus Hand You the last entry shall his Shape assume And in dumb show enter in Orpheus Roome Her then you shall lead out and in that Shape Pass through the Guards and to the Town Escape Ham. The Watches Orders are not strict you may Without disturbance at all houres find way Q. M. And that he may not miss you till you 're gon Beyond his Reach I when the Mask is done Will keep the Revels up till you 're secur'd From his sharp Malice and his sharper Sword King Bravely contriv'd Q. M. The Maskers who already are design'd To act those Parts are Mine and them I 'le bind To silence That this safely may be wrought She shall to Mine You to his Tent be brought They must be kept asunder for our work Aside Hamet How many Devils in one Woman lurk Aside King Madam in vain your Pity bids me Fly I am in duty bound to stay and Die Knowing how ill your Kindness hee 'l requite If he should find you Author of my Flight Q. M. Leave that to Providence but grant he shou'd He would not sure attempt a Womans Blood At least when he considers how t' was don A Mothers Piety to save a Son Hamet I 'le lead you where you may all eyes escape And privately put on this borrow'd shape Q. M. But in disguise see not one word you say Least speaking you the Emp'rours Voice betray Enter Young Queen Your Empress here I must instruct her too King I by our Loves conjure you to pursue What her kind Counsel orders to be don to the Y. Queen To save your Self a Husband and a Crown Exit K. Hametal Y. Q. What Task is that so strictly he enjoyns Q. M. This Night the Traytour Crimalhaz designs To Ravish You and when that fact is don To kill your Husband and possess his Throne Y. Q Oh my Amazement Q. M. Being inform'd what Pa◅t You act by his accursed
Traytors Executioner Good Gentle Kind give me the Dagger back For mine for His For Heav'n and Justice sake Cannot my Tears and Prayers your heart o'recome If my Request appear too burdensome Grant but this one that pointed Steel restore And I 'le not live to ask you any more Q. M. Oh cruel Queen What has your fury done That made You lose a Husband me a Son This Realm a King the World a Virtue grown Too fit for Heav'n but not to go so soon Y. Q. Mother it does a much less wonder seem That I 've kil'd him than that you blame the Crime Was it not You that arm'd me to this guilt Told me I should a Ravishers blood have split No 't was by your design my Husband fell You in this Masque have over-acted Hell Q. M. Alas she Raves See how her rage begins But madness always ushers in great Sins This is no News to that which she has don She was distracted ere the Masque begun Alone I saw her in a posture set As if she thought of something High and Great Strai't with a more than common rage inflam'd She mov'd star'd walk'd storm'd rag'd curst rav'd damn'd With a distorted look she tore her hair Unsheath'd her Dagger and gave Wounds to th' Air Her face discolour'd grew to a deep red As if her looks presag'd that blood she shed Then with an infant Rage more soft and mild She plaâ—…d with madness leap'd sung danc'd and smil'd Why did not Heav'n this Mystery unfold Her frantick Rage his Death too plain foretold Had I foreknown you did this blow design To strike his Heâ—…t you should have peirc'd through mine Y. Q. Think you there is a God or have a Soul That on my score dare such false crimes enroule I' st not enough that my dear Lord I flew But must be Actor and Designer too No barb'rous stepmother 't was you alone Guided that hand that kil'd your King and Son Q. M. Observe how idly her wild fancies walk But she who acts so ill as ill may talk who 'd think a thing so young so soft and Fair Could be so kind a Husbands Murderer But see when Heaven commands its gifts away The Wits and Sences lost the Soul may stray Y. Q. Oh perjur'd Woman how can you invent This feign'd disguise to appear innocent Q. M. 'T is pity Fate such Beauty should misplace So stain'd a Heart and yet so fair a Face Y. Q. Impostor speak if Conscience have a Seat In Traytors breasts was it not You whose Cheat And Cunning did my fatal hand engage At once t' a Murder and a Sacriledge To kill my King and rob mankind of more Vertue than ere dwelt in one Brest before Q. M. Divert thy Frenzy Child some other way Oh my dear Daughter try if you can Pray Y. Q. How she disowns that blood which she has spilt Treason with her is but a modest guilt Q. M. Our presence will but raise her Passion higher T' allay her frantick Rage let us retire But of your Queen see that strict care you keep Wait her to her repose try if shee 'd Sleep Sleeping some Angel may be kind And in a Dream t' her thoughts her guilt present That when this fit is o're she may Repent Here the Attendants carry off the King over whom the Young Queen Weeps Y. Q. Heav'ns since from You the power of Monarchs springs Sure you were bound t' have had more care of Kings Exeunt all but Q. Mother Crimalhaz and Hametalhaz Q. M. Now in her Death we must some way invent That of his blood we may seem Innocent First let her Face with some deep poys'nous Paint Discolour'd to a horrid black be stain'd Then say 't was as a mark of Vengeance given That she was blasted by the hand of Heaven And as a publick Spectacle expos'd Let her be in a burning pile inclos'd And whil'st the clouded Air reeks with the smoke Hire a magician by his art t' invoke A Train of Devils who in dreadful forms Waited by Earthquakes Thunder Winds and Storms Shall rove i' th' Air and with loud ecchoes houle As if they watcht to seize her flying Soul Thus will men think 't was only she that fram'd This Treason and that for the deed she 's Damn'd Crim. Bring back the Queen E're I see Justice don I with Morena will converse alone Enter Guards leading in the Young Queen Great Empress stay and hear my Story too How much I for an injur'd Queen dare do Discourses in whisper with the Queen Ham. The Emp'rours acting of the Masquers part His Murder and the management your Art And her feigned madness to our wish succeed Q. M. And more than this to have secur'd the Deed Had not Her hand struck home to back her Crime The Surgeons I had brib'd to poyson him 'T is not the blood of Sons nor Monarchs shakes Those resolutions which my Courage takes O're Fear and Vertue too I have this odds My Wâ—…ll's my King my Pleasures are my Gods Exâ—…nt Q. M. Ham. Manent Crimalhaz Y. Queen Crim. Sâ—…nce I 'm a Monarchs Heir may I not own An equal Title in his Love as Throne If you 'l accept so mean an Offering You shall not want a Lover nor a King My kindness shall supply Y. Q. Hold Do you mean This oâ—…er'd service to an injur'd Queen How Sir is my dead King so far remov'd That I am past remembrance that I lov'd Admit new Courtships and with the same Eye Behold a murder'd Soveraigns Ghost stand by I thought your profer'd kindness had been this T o've sentenced me to mix my blood with his T o've told me I should Die and dying have The Happiness of sleeping in His Grave Crim. Death is guilts due Yours is a gentler Doom You may enjoy my Throne but not his Tomb. I know your Innocence and Vertue You This fatal Deed from some false Copy drew And I begin to think your Mothers Heart Has Poyson in 't what-ere her looks impart But to revenge a Murder'd King I 'le â—…ound This Treason till the utmost Depth be found And to such pains the Authors I 'le condemne That to the World I 'le your lost Fame redeem Y. Q. A Kings Revenge so brave an act will be That you 'l at once Oblige both Heaven and Me. And his blest Spirit in the Skyes must owe A Debt which he has left unpaid below Crim. That trifling score one smile from you will quit And sure you are so kind to pay his Debt Y. Q. My Thanks are granted e're your Suite is heard Crim. I must have more than Thanks for a reward Y. Q. The Glory of the deed requites the pains Crim. But Glory only in your Favour Reigns Y. Q. That Breath I cannot must not understand Crim. Love needs but little art to be explain'd Y. Q. Love stop that barbrous Breath In a new Love I stab his Image and profane his Dust. Crim. But not to love