then J believe Thou do'st disguise the truth and read'st Ismenia When 't is subscrib'd Diana CLIDAMANT Oh fond jealous How long wilt thou thus be thy own tormenter MELINTUS Yet shew them me CLIDAMANT To cure thy troubled spirit J'l first o'rcome thy curiosity And since the discreet Lover what vain heat So ever presseth thee never shews thus His Mistress name MELINTUS But CLIDAMANT Quit those blind suspicions as soon As it is night I 'l go unto the Eccho Alone and with our noise I 'm all a fire To know what she will tell me in the mean time Let 's go unto the Nymph to seek Thersander MELINTUS softly To be more sure and to inform my self Yet fuller of thy faith in this my doubt I 'l to the Eccho too and â—ind it out The end of the second Act. ACTUS III. SCENA I. MELISSA DIANA MELISSA I Say to thee again that J receive Much pleasute at this news that thou Diana Art sister to the generous Thersander He hath inform'd me with the strange misfortune Which separated on the churlish Sea The Brother from the Sister in what place Upon a plank escaped from the wrack The storm remov'd him from the anger of Th' inraged Sea what countries he hath seen What pains and troubles he hath undergone Lastly he nam'd the happy fortune which Conducted him to us here I thank Heaven That made thee know him I 'm as sensible Of this content as thou canst be thy self He is so highly qualified that he 's worthy The name of King ye both shal find with me A Sanctuary and what ever fortune Ye have I will partake it good or bad My fortunes ye shall bare too so that all things Between us shall be common I believe Diana towards me will be so well Dispos'd of her part and that whatsoever Concerns me will touch her DIANA Madam I should Be barbarously ingratefull otherwise I still remember that being on the Shore Cast as a wretched wrack there by the floods Expecting every minute deaths approach I met with you my port and sanctuary Oh that I have not power for all this goodness T' express how much acknowledgement I have MELISSA Thou hast DIANA How Madam MELISSA In expecting nothing But death as I do now thou canst be to me At thy turn both my port and sanctuary Thou canst subdue the enemy that braves mâ— That of a Soveraign will make a slave He 's in thy power thou canst abate his courage DIANA What is that enemy which troubles you MELISSA He 's one whose Magick can enchant the arms Of the most Valiant he can draw tears from The most Heroick nothing is so strong Which he can't compass and without respect To any place or person whatsoever He equally distributeth his flames DIANA I know him not yet by this Character MELISSA How know'st thou not that tyrant of great Monarcks That famous Conqueror of Conquerours Who notwithstanding is but a blind child DIANA If J durst to express me J believe I know him MELISSA Speak it freely DIANA I 'm mistaken Or I have seen love painted in such colours Blind and a child yet a great Conquerour MELISSA 'T is the same love whereof I speak unto thee DIANA Who is the happy Lover that procures Your martyrdome MELISSA Alas could'st thou not spare me The shame to speak him cover gentle night Immediately those places and my brow With the same colour so to please my heat I love but let us finish since I 've said I love Thersander is my object DIANA What My Brother MELISSA He If his heart be a prize Not easie to be gain'd there 's nothing which I would spare for him I would arm to have him Nought should oppose me every obstacle J would o'rcome already by some words Which he observ'd not spoken by the bie My love was half expressed DIANA As he should not Dare to pretend unto so great an honour He would be criminal if he believed To understand you MELISSA Well then be thou here The mouth and true interpreter of my heart Express the kind heat of my timerous soul Tell him that I 'm a subject to his Laws That he may boldly fix his thoughts upon The person of Melissa and not fear To be condemn'd that his ambition May soar so high a pitch and not be check'd That he may sigh the same sighs with a King Husband thar heart for me to which mine aims But let him not think that it comes from me My honour would receive a prejudice By such a thought thou only shalt acquaint him With this as from thy self DIANA J understand you He must needs yield to this I 'l do your will MELISSA As soon as he appears I will retire me And from one of these places I shall hear Every word that you speak one to another In reference to my flame DIANA I should methinks Act with more freeness if J were to treat With him alone MELISSA No J will hear my self What he thinks of me J can best of all Trust mine own ears and eyes in this affair DIANA But Madam after all MELISSA Shepheardess The thing 's resolv'd thou need'st not say no more Untill he come J pray thee entertain These woods here with some air and let us see If the Eccho will answer to thy discourse DIANA Your prayer is a command some plaints of love Shall make the subject of it MELISSA What thou wilt DIANAS Song Ye Trees ye Rocks perfumed Valleys sweet And charming Zephirs murmuring fountains keep My griefs close in your bosome you alone Are witnesses unto my fires and mone Tell me if my sad heart not daring to Delare it it self at least may sigh its woe May sigh its woe Eccho Well then my sighs make no noise as pe passe The airy Regions only breath alas Vnto the â—eart that sent you forth since I Can't speak to thee dear object of my cry Let th' Ecco that 's attentive say for me That if I love as sure I do 't is thee 't is thee Eccho SCENA II. THERSANDER MELISSA DIANA THERSANDER DIana's here about her voice assures me MELISSA to DIANA softly Thy Brother comes here take this opportunity Be sure thou speak unto him loud enough Thou art my only hope I go from hence To hear and to observe thee DIANA softly We are undone Thersander will discover all in speaking THERSANDER 'T is now no longer time to utter sighs Let us resume our joy and dry our tears Crown our sad spirits with flowers and think no more of Our pass'd misfortunes let 's form our discourse Of the most pleasant thoughts and let us chat Of love DIANA Let me alone I 'l entertain thee Upon that subject THEERSANDER It belongs to me To speak of that and when I do consider With what darts in my heart DIANA I know it well 'T is of a longer date then from to day That I have read thy heart and I believe That never any one hath seen a
FATIMA I may assure my self then ere we part That Adibar shall have no free admittancâ— To your society I have already Told you that formerly he loved me But now I know that you give laws to 〈◊〉 And I have cause to hope that if you scorn 〈◊〉 He may return unto his first subjection ZAIDA Fatima be assur'd than he shall be Repuls'd his love will be but troublesomâ— But if you love me forget not to feign Some kindnes for my brother I beseech For my sake give him cause to hope a little FATIMA Adieu I promise you that at next meetinâ— I will receive him better Exit 〈◊〉 SCENE II. ZAIDA MEDINA ZAIDA WHat think'st thou Of fair Fatima and of her request MEDINA â— think that Adibar is not a person â—o be despis'd ZAIDA True but I am too proud T' accept a heart that hath been conquered By any other and would now be mine Trough an inconstancie but if I durst To love MEDINA Why stop you Madam ZAIDA Oh Medina I must not speak the rest MEDINA â—ut I divine it You are in love and I have cause to judge â—hat it is with Almansor that fair stranger ZAIDA Who I in love with him MEDINA â—hy not I pray you Is that a crime ZAIDA Oh do not name that love â—hich is no other but a fair esteem MEDINA There is so little difference between Esteem and love that oftentimes we take thâ— One for the other and are so deceiv'd ZAIDA I cannot but remember that my brother In his last voyage did conclude my marriagâ— In Argier that he who 's design'd to be My husband is heer shortly to arrive And that my heart ought to reserve it self Wholy for him Besides in thy opinion Would it not argue a great weaknes in me To love this stranger though my brothâ—â— friend Who hath not been above a moneth amonâ— And whose desert as yet 's unknown unto MEDINA Seeing this Stranger who 's not of the vulâ— Deserves to be caressed of your brother There 's reason to believe that he deserves To be your Lover and I can't conceive Why your mouth will conceal the flâ—â— which is So cleerly for him in your eyes and counâ—â—â—nance As often as he commeth with your brotheâ— To visit you your looks seem to be fix'd Wholy one him and at the same time also I observ'd often that the stranger ey'd you With the same ardour ZAIDA Prethee speak in earnest Did'st see him to behold me oftentimes MEDINA You ask it me with very much impresse mâ— I do believe in lesse time then an howr That you have question'd me upon this 〈◊〉 More then a hundred times your curiosity Gives me a full assurance that his looks Displease you not nor wound your modesty ZAIDA Alas can one in justice be offended To be belov'd MEDINA If his love pleaseth you I think his person Will please you equally ZAIDA I consider him Without interpreter but perhaps he loves Elsewhere and I may be unpleasing to him MEDINA Madam although you fain would cover it This fond suspition publisheth your flame Iealousy alwaies is daughter of love ZAIDA vvould it pleas'd Heaven that he were free and that He thought me fair But I see him come forth Gomella's house I 'l satisfy my self In sounding of his soul upon this bank I will repose my self and feign to sleep MEDINA VVhat 's your design I cannot comprehend it ZAIDA VVithdraw anon thou 't understand it better SCENE III. ALMANSOR ZAIDA ALMANSOR Gâ—mella is expecting his return In visit heer I may conveniently Dream of my new love Heaven do I not see Vnder that flourishing shade the beautious subject Of my sad sufferings Love in this encounter Seemeth to flatter me sufficiently It is the lovely Zaida without doubt How sweetly and with what tranquility Doth that fair one repose whil'st wretched Languish with the disease which she procures me Surely she cannot hear me now I may Speak at this present unto her of love And not offend her but alas the rigour Of my sad destiny is great when I Presume to speak I fear that she may hear me You that have taught me the true use of sighs Dear object of my joy and of my griefs Suffer my amorous and silent soul Tâ—expresse its secret passion before you And to complain heer of a thousand evills Which you have made me suffer yet unknown Vnto your self and you resplendent sources Of all my fires from whence I have derivâ—d Such violent heats fair charming eyes the authors Of my captivity enjoy the rest Which your have taken from me If I see The poppies which shut up your lids be noâ— Offended that you lose your lights the Sun Is subject to the same eclipse and can No more then you dispense himself thereof Zaida feigning her self in a dream ZAID Almansor ALM. Sure she dreams ZAIDA Oh! rigourous torment To burn to languish and not dare to speak it Alas ALMANSOR O Heaven what heare I ZAIDA We resent One and the same heat ALMANSOR Oh! that it were true ZAIDA My modesty excuse me ALMANSOR O favourable sleepâ— ZAIDA Cruel constraints When shal we be content when shall our plaints Have end ALMANSOR In this great extasie of joy All my respects are vain to give her thanks I 'l kisse her fair hands He kisseth her hands ZAIDA Hold insolent whence doth proceed this boldnes feigning to awake ALMANSOR What have I done aside I came to give you thanks ZAIDA For what ALMANSOR T is for your goodnes ZAIDA How I know not I 'm sure I never gave you any matter For this acknowledgment who ever will Consult th' apparence of the thing shal find That I have much indifference for you But though I had lesse was it fit to trouble My rest in making your acknowledgement ALMANZOR Excuse my transport beautious Shepheardesse If I had lesse lov'd I had been lesse guilty In this occasion a Wary Lover Would have expressed little love in shewing Too much respect and whatsoer my crime bâ— It would be pardoned if you slept stil But alas my good fortune is soon chang'd I find that you awake but to afflict me Your eyes in taking unto them again Their grace and lustre take unto them also At the same time their usual cruelty And that most charming hope which I so littlâ— Enjoyed vanish'd with your sleep ZAIDA This is An ill expression of your self that word Of hope gives me astonishment I never Gave it nor took it yet from any person ALMANZOR If I might dare to credit your discourse At least you had not an aversion for me Nothing would be equall to my good fortune You would not find my presence trouble so me I should be used better I should be Esteem'd and possibly ZAIDA Proceed ALMANZOR I might be Belov'd ZAIDA Belov'd of whom if you magine Of me you are mistaken ALMAZOR Notwithstanding You honored me so much to tell me so If I may but believe your voice I have Place in your
think thou art my friend deal plainly And freely with me art not thou that cruel That false and traiterous Rival THIMANTES Answer him Ismenia THERSANDER Well what wilt thou say at last ISMENIA Thersander hath for Rival in his love THERSANDER Speak whom ISMENIA Cleagenor THERSANDER Cleagenor Ismenia ha my joy sure is extream True I confess I love this Rival equal Unto my self and if he may be loved Of th' object whom I serve I will adore My chains without condemning her of rigour ISMENIA Thou hast lost nothing by this bout thy fortune May create envy fair Diana hath Yielded to Celia's portrait DIANA Softly Who to see Those decay'd features could have known that face But my love hath at last drawn them afresh Within my memory I must draw neer him And yield to my impatience THERSANDER to ISMENIA Pardon me I can't believe thee but here comes Diana See if her eys ha' n't the same cruelty Alwaies the same pride and the same disdain DIANA Ismenia I am come to tell thee something ISMENIA Me Celia THERSANDER How Celia ISMENIA Yes Celia THERSANDER Alas I 'm in an error 't is her eyes Her gate her countenance but not her heart ISMENIA 'T is she Thersander whom thou do'st behold It is her very self THERSANDER How is 't a custome To call forth from the bosom of the Grave Departed souls and by what priviledge Hath that God who at the eternal sleep Presides ordain'd her waking DIANA to THERSANDER Though thy faith Finds this point strange is not love strong enough To make thee to believe a Miracle Cleagenor sees me and knows me not How comes it is my Portrait false have J No more attractions see if 't be thy Celia At least if 't be not she it is no more That beauty which was late so cruel to thee Cleagenor THERSANDER My Celia DIANA Is it possible O Gods that J should see again what J Best love i' th' World THERSANDER Is it you that J see ISMENIA Take heed be moderate one may die with joy THIMANTES Ismenia follow this example here Grant only at this instant but a kisse To my impatience see at last Diana Ceaseth to be unkind ISMENIA What! doth the object rouse thee and th' example Provoke thy spirits thou wilt have but one kiss THIMANTES I will be satisfied ISMENIA Give me then Some verses or at least a nose-gay of The choicest flowers THIMANTES Ismenia I 'l not fail To bring them thee ISMENIA Then trouble not thy self The kisse is thine THIMANTES Wilt thou withhold from me So long what is my due ISMENIA It will be better When it is much expected and long'd for THERSANDER Behold my whole adventure in few words DIANA I 've made thee too a full description Of my misfortunes thou seest how I feign'd To give my grief full vent a Brothers death In weeping of my lovers THERSANDER What felicity Do I injoy now THIMANTES Use your utmost skil To make it lasting to you and beware of The fickleness of fortune and her wrongs THERSANDER What! have we yet any thing more to fear Is not that blind inconstant Goddess weary Of persecuting us THIMANTES Love is a child He must be govern'd well Diana's beauty Hath gain'd her lovers they may hurt Thersander Melintus hath a subtle wit and we Both know he loves Diana and besides Is jealous of her fear some foul play from him If thou appear his Rival he disposeth The spirit of Melissa at his pleasure When he shall see you serve as obstacle Unto his love he will take speedy order For your removal THERSANDER But to hinder him To hurt me I conceive Diana hath No lesse power on the spirit of the Nymph THIMANTES But if the Nymph loves thee as I observ'd Her heart expressed some such matter lately When at her last return home from the Games Her free confession to us all declar'd How much she did esteem thee but at last With such an esteem that love followed Close at the heels in plain terms and indeed Spoken by her of purpose if she loves thee I say as I 'm confirmed in that thought How wilt thou steer thy course ISMENIA 'T is very true Her discourse comes into my memory THERSANDER O Gods what 's this you utter DIANA For my part I begin to believe it and remember The passage too I fear all things from thence This is the only mischief we should shun ISMENIA What can she not do 'gainst your interests When your refuse shall come to arm her anger Against you Know that with a single word I' th twinckling of an eye too she can calm The floods and make a mutiny amongst them Call forth corrupted bodies from their graves Make their cold ashes speak and their pale ghosts To walk these were the secrets Zoroastres Taught whil'st he raign'd to his posterity She is descended from him and to give Her self content will make use of her art To serve her passion THERSANDER I know that her skill Extends to Magick Yes I fear her love With so much power and yield unto thy counsel Advise us what to do THIMANTES Disguise your selves Under the names of Brother and of Sister In the mean time we 'l spread abroad the rumor Of this event that every one shall hear it Within the Island THEERSANDER J approve this project DIANA My life lies on it ISMENIA I go to begin To lie unto Parthenia SCENA IV. PARTHENIA ISMENIA DIANA THERSANDER THIMANTES PARTHENIA ISmenia I would speak one word with thee but a moment ISMENIA Immediately when you have born a part In the contentment of this pair Diana Hath for the future no more cause to weep Heaven hath been pleasâ—d that she hath found her brother It is this happy Shepheard they acknowledge Each other PARTHENIA This event J must confess Confounds my spirit Thersander found her brother DIANA Yes Nymph it is the same For whom my grief was hitherto extream The Gods at length have heard my prayers and sighs THERSANDER Yes Madam they have granted our desires PARTHENIA J'm very glad on 't and my soul is ravish'd With this good fortune of our friends which makes Our lives content Diana will oblige me If she please at her leisure to inform me with the discovery but acquaint the Nymph Therewith and to that purpose go to see her THERSANDER We ow that duty to our Soveraign Exeunt Ther 's and Diana PARTHENIA In the mean time Ismenia and my self May entertain each other in discourse Thimantes J believe will not be jealous THIMANTES Let not a third come Madam and J fear Nothing from you Exit Thimantes PARTHENIA Ismenia J know not If J may safely tell a secret to thee Alas ISMENIA J know it well since the heart sighs When one would say J love and dares not speak it The heart at the nam'd point gives an Alas Have not J â—ell divin'd PARTHENIA Ismenia I do confess it see too if thou canst Divine the object that
Brother To love his sister so THERSANDER The love wherewith I am assaulted and would make thee see Exceeds that of a brother it begets Complaints and Sighs it driveth to despair And kills the love we bear unto a Sisteâ— Makes not so many sufferings but J love DIANA J divine whom thou burnest with desire To speak unto me here of Celiaâ—s love THERSANDER Thou do'st divine right J take a great pleasure To speak of it with thee methinks I see her Still when J look on thee how fit I find thee To be the faithfull guardian of my love Assur'd of thy fidelity and that Thy heart is alwaies mine DIANA Thou need'st not doubt it THERSANDER O my dear DIANA Brother I 'm not ignorant How dear I am unto thee THIMANTES Thy fair eyes DIANA How flatter and court thy sister By thy discourse THERSANDER I cannot speak unto thee Thou interrupt'st me still DIANA Th' advice is worth it and I 'l give rhee notice That from esteem they pass to love for thee That scarce arrivedst thou unto this place But thy good fortune without any trouble Gain'd thee the conquest of a heart for which Great Kings will envie thee it is Melissa's THERSANDER O Gods what dost thou say DIANA What doth astonish thee I see how thou art troubled to believe it This great heart finds no place yet in thy faith To make thee happy in 't I must imbrace thee She speaks softly to him in imbracing him The Nymph hears our discourse 't is fit thou feign She speaks loud again Wilt thou not yield to this excess of honour Think that thy Celia in this conjuncture Hath no resentment in her heart against thee Nor murmurs at it THERSANDER In this extasie Wherein I am through this excess of honour I 'm seeking of my self but cannot find me How dare to love the Nymph t' aspire to her No my ambition 's not so criminal DIANA Under those high respects J see thy love THERSANDER How can I otherwise express it Sister If the Nymph tempts me and will make a crime on 't It shall then have the name but of a lawfull Respect and if I see occasion T' express me further on this point this lawfull Respect shall bear the bolder name of love DIANA Brother it hath that name and J am ready To boast unto her her illustrious conquest But the Sun J perceive plungeth himself I' th' waters and the shadows seise the tops O' th' Mountains it is time now to betake me Unto Melissa but behold she comes Melissa comes forth from the place where she was hidden MELISSA What serious discourse have you together DIANA Our subject is of Love of Mistresses Of Servants and of Sighs MELISSA What! hath Thersander Already gotten him a Mistress THERSANDER Madam I have too little merit and address Besides to serve to honour and obey you I have no other thought our discourse was Your goodness for us which my heart shall ever Record as in a Register of Brass Where my acknowledgements shall never pass SCENA III. MELINTUS MELISSA DIANA THERSANDER MELINTVS calling HO Clidamant MELISSA It is enough let 's go I hear some noise and would not be seen here I' th' night Exeunt Melissa Diana Thersander MELINTUS continuing to call Ismenia Clidamant they hear But flie me and the night robs my sight of them But this is not Ismenia and I am Deceived much if I saw not the gate The stature and the gesture of Diana Yes Clidamant abus'd me with a lie Diana builds his fortune at my cost And that note which he would conceal from me Without doubt was subscrib'd with her fair hand Yes 't was Dianaes though he read Ismenia To spare my grief a little and my trouble How simple was J that J followed Not close upon his steps but soft methinks J hear a noise perhaps it may be he SCENA IV. CLIDAMANT MELINTUS CLIDAMANT O Night lend me thy silence make these woods To hold their peace in th' absence of the day And let no sound be heard here but my love At last I 'm happily delivered from A troublesome companion that would Obstruct my fortune that same jealous Shepheard Without respect and faith MELINTUS I 'm much oblig'd Unto thee for this noble character Thou giv'st me in despight of all my care And cunning thou art come without my company To see thy lovely Mistress CLIDAMANT I came here To meet another person for my Mistress I have already spoken with her fully MELINTUS Yes if mine eyes deceiv'd me not thou talkd'st Unto Diana and seeing me follow Ye both fled at one time these Woods conceal'd you CLIDAMANT Good Gods what saiest thou to me MELINTUS But I 'l be More wise another time and heed you better CLIDAMANT I understand not what this language means But this distrust doth me an injury Why covet'st thou t' accompany me thus Since th' object that expecteth me forbids it Desirest thou to publish secret passions Ismenia in thy sight gave me those Tables 'T is she that doth expect me at the place Appointed for Diana she knows nothing Of this invention if thou canst injoy That lovely Shepheardess and think not me Guilty of any treason I seek only Ismenia and shun society In this affair Shepheard retire thy self And leave my love in peace why wouldst thou do me So ill an office MELINTUS This appointed meeting Denotes some artifice I observ'd lately At our last Games the amorous commerce That pass'd between Diana and thy self So many kind respects such gentle glances And private whisperings forming the suspicion That still awakes me CLIDAMANT Cease to trouble me And thy self too unnecessarily Our discourse only was an effect of Civility I say again I leave Diana to thee oh how perfectly I hate those vain suspicions and condemn them MELINTUS Ismenia's very free she would have had Boldness enough to express her love by day Why should she make choice of the night to speak it Why dar'd she not to utter it in words But writ it to thee CLIDAMANT In vain jealous Shepheard Thou askest me that question all that I Can say unto thee is that I am sent for I cannot tell thee more if the occasion Be good or bad if J could satisfie thee Upon that point believ 't thou should'st excuse me MELINTUS I 'l follow thee where ere thou goest CLIDAMANT Oh Gods What a Tormentor have I MELINTUS I attend thee CLIDAMANT Then stay thou here I 'l leave the place unto thee I feign to withdraw to withdraw him also softly Exit MELINTUS What! leav'st thou me alone and cunningly Hid'st me those secrets which yet I must know Feign as much as thou wilt in spight of thee I will â—ind out to which of those two objects Thou giv'st thy faith and dost direct they vows I 'l be a witness of thy secret love Another shall inform me on 't Thimantes Will tell me all the Plot to him I 'l go And give him notice
MELISSA How hast thou then Dispos'd of Celia that reign'd o'r thy heart THERSANDER That affair's ordered well I 've put her interests Into my Sisters hands sh' 'ath promis'd me To make all fair of that side and will answer To me for her MELISSA Hast thou not boasted to me That her eyes were the object of thy love That for thy sake she cherished the light Of the alternate day and that they would Cover themselves with an eternal night If thou shouldst cease to live or to be faithfull Think well of thy part what th' ast promised Be firm be constant fail not in that point Consider not at all this supream greatness Stick to thine object love it for it self And have no interest for thy ambition Flatter thee with the honour to possess her Look only if she loves thee not if she Enricheth thee the beauty whom thou serv'st Should be thy crown all greatness whatsoever Should be esteem'd in thy accompt beneath it THERSANDER Ne'r doubt it Madam J shall have those thoughts Greatness shall never blind me so far forth As to oblige me to forget my love Which alwaies shall pure as the day â—tar burn Base interest shall never sully me DIANA I 'l tell my Brother now what I forgate To THERSANDER If thou know'st well to love know thou as wel To hold thy peace love like the other Gods Is not without his secrets he is serv'd Sometimes by hearts that can't express themselves Take heed how thou provoke his jealous power Adore his Altars but adore in silence For silence is a part of his Religion And oftentimes this fierce God is offended At his own name if any thing hereof Should be known in the Isle thou art undone Love without speaking of it that 's the law Which is imposed on thee she for her part Will love thee likewise use the secret well Melissa otherwise would die with grief J know th' excess of love wherewith thy soul Is filled but for thy own interest Put a seal on thy mouth MELISSA Yes have a care That none suspect our love I 'l take my time To publish it in the mean time I 'l study Thy setâ—lement and thy repose which makes That of my life this free confession now Would call up envy from her Cell and make Our greatest Hero's to dispute with thee What J have promis'd thee thine enemies Judge then how precious thy obedience is Since all thy good and happiness depends Upon thy silence THERSANDER Sure J should be strucken With a strange blindness if J observ'd not This your command J will obey so well That Madam even you your self shal doubt Whether J love or whether you J love MELISSA In the mean time thy sister shall assist me And have the ordering of our Amours Believe what she shall say since I will make her My only bosom friend unto whose trust J will commit the secrets of my heart THERSANDER J will make use of her in the same manner Enter Melintus he speaks to Melissa MELINTUS Madam a Jeweller that useth still To come unto the Games desires accesse Unto your presence MELISSA Cause him to come in This Sevil Merchant cometh every year To sell and traffick in the Island with us SCENA VI. MELISSA MERCATOR THERSANDER DIANA MELINTUS MELISSA SHall you remain sometime yet on our shore MERCATOR I stay but for your Passport to depart Every year Madam by your Highness bounty My traffick thrives so well that whatsoever Commodities I bring unto your Isle J carry nothing back you empty still My casket now I 'l shew you if you please such rarities as can be had no where But in my hands MELISSA Let 's see them MERCATOR Here 's a Diamond Darts flame of all sides MELISSA 'T is a sparkling stone I like his lustre MERCATOR Will you have it Madam MELISSA I 'l tell you presently shew all at once Then I shall soon chuse let me see that Coral MERCATOR The piece is very fair till now your Isle Hath never seen the like MELISSA And what 's that other MERCATOR A piece of Amber-greece Madam 't is rare And of great price I have pass'd divers Seas To purchase it alone 't is worth as much As all my casket DIANA For my part J cannot See any thing that 's new here MERCATOR Shepheardess This rope of Pearl is very rich and new 'T would make you look more fair more gay more sparkling MELISSA Without those Ornaments of Art she is Charming enough she needs no strange additions She maketh all our Shepheards die for love But for all this though you are fair without them I will bestow them on you if you like them What saies Diana DIANA Madam your great bounties MELISSA Lay them aside MERCATOR But Madam look upon This Master-piece of Art it is the Portrait In little of the King of Andalousia MELISSA He 's one of the best made that I have seen And who is this MERCATOR It is his favourite Nearchus sometime Prince of Pichery Who by a beauty fatal through her charms Gave up his arms and life unto his Rival A gallant Gentleman his name Cleagenor THERSANDER the first line softly May I believe good Gods how he observes me But are you certain of Nearehus death MERCATOR He return'd sorely wounded from the fight And died four daies after as all know MELISSA His valour seems yet painted in his face MERCATOR But he that conquer'd him had more by much Behold his Portrait THERSANDER softly Oh! what sheweth he MELISSA Is this that valiiant Cleagenor MERCATOR Yes 't is his picture THERSANDER softly O unlucky â—ccident MERCATOR Of all those that J had this only 's left me Th' offended King commanded me to carry them Unto all places where J went and traffick'd That so he might be known and then arrested For after this great Combat to secure His head from pursuit he took flight immediately MELISSA Thersander in my judgement nothing can Better resemble you J think your sister Will say as much THERSANDER Madam we see that Nature Sports sometimes in her works and makes some feitures In faces to resemble somewhat neerly MELISSA This Merchant I believe 's of my opinion MERCATOR Madam without doubt 't is Cleagenor THERSANDER The thing is little certain on the faith And bare ground of a Portrait MERCATOR Sir you are The very same I am confirmed now In my first thoughts all that which hitherto Hindered me to judge so was the name of Thersander and the habit of a Shepheard THERSANDER Who J Cleagenor MERCATOR Yes Sir J saw you The last yeer in the fortunate Isâ—â—nds and Not above four moneths since in Portugal Sevll's your native Country since you meet here Your safety to what purpose should you cover Those things with silence MELISSA Sure you need not blush Thersander at this fair acknowledgement THERSANDER I confess Madam that J blush a little Not that mine arm hath not done all that which It ought
charms there ALABEZ Are you besotted wil you not salute her ZEGRY No to perform that complement I 'le give her A visit when I shall have without doubt My soul lesse in disorder ALABEZ For mâ— part Who do not love so daintily I will Without deferring it make my addresse ZEGRY Without discovering our selves we may From hence know by the usage of the servant In what esteem the Master is at present SCENE IV. ALABEZ CHARIFA FATIMA ZEGRY ORMIN ALABEZ SWeet Beauties welcome from what quarters come you CHARIFA What means this insolent Go on your way ALABEZ How 's this instead of kisses and embraces As I expected I am quarrelâ—d with Charifa whence this change CHARIFA Begone and leave us ALABEZ Thou actest well the scornfull FATIMA What 's that follow Which followes us CHARIFA T is an impertinent Whom I know not ALABEZ I am much changed then Since this last voyage but thy soul is chaÌ„g'd And not my visage without doubt thy Mistresse Hath better eyes and more wit she will know An old and a familiar acquaintance FATIMA who are you then ALABEZ My Masters Slave FATIMA What Master ALABEZ Should you not know him neither Is his name raz'd out of your memory FATIMA Assuredly Charifa this man's mad ALABEZ How Madam is it possible you can Forget the valiant Zegry FATIMA Zegry ZEGRY Heaven What strange inconstancy is this who ever Could have imagin'd it aside ALABEZ That noble and illustrious successour Of those brave warriers who even in Spain Have gathered Lawrells and brought home faire spoils Madam your faithfull Lover Zaida's brother FATIMA Oh! I remember him ZEGRY False and Ingratefull ALABEZ You ask not how he doth FATIMA What interest Have I in his sweet person happily He 's dead ALABEZ He is indeed FATIMA We are all mortall The Prophet hath his soul. CHARIFA A faith full servant Would have accompanied his Master why Art thou not dead too ALABEZ Only to â—nrage thee Zegry discovering himself ZEGRY The Prophet hath his soul o false Fatima Is 't thus you do expresse your goodness to me Deceitfull object my return I see Displeaseth you who would despise me dead Must hate me living I disturb with pleasure That faithless joy which the delightfull news Of my feign'd death procur'd you I live still Ingratefull but I live no more for you Mâ— passion is transformâ—d all into fury As much as I lov'd you I now despise you My heart shakes of so rigourous a yoak Love raiseth no more sighs nor fires within me Only I sigh that I us'd so much care To please you and if I burn yet it is With anger not with love ORMIN Oh this successe Answereth my wishes fully aside FATIMA This confession Surpriseth but no way afflicteth me My first discourse should make you understand That I 'm not very tender hearted to you And me thinks after such a cleer contempt As was expressed there you might believe Nothing should trouble me that comes from you Vnless your amourous addresse I have A thousand other Lovers braver far Then you and therefore I daign not to put you In the rank of my conquests ZEGRY Sure your pride Is greater then your beauty the charm is Dissolv'd wherein I formerly was held T is true I sometime thought you beautifull But I was amourous and therefore not To be believed having now my spirit No more disordered you cease to be fair And I to be abused whereas you Pleased me formerly it was because It is impossible for me when I Am lov'd to be insensible FATIMA I love you Heaven what a strange opinion is this I never had but strong aversion for you All your indeavours serv'd but to displease me But though I hated you I lov'd your Sister And â—t was for her sake that I feign'd to have Some pitty for your passions her prayer A hundred times restainâ—d my hate you sware That your daies did depend upon my sight And yeelding unto her desites I did Enforce mine eyes to smile when my heart frown'd To the end not to be cause of your death ZEGRY Your eyes have never made a mortall wound FATIMA Take heed that your do not revive again One Only of my looks darted more gently Can change this violent anger into love But I am verie nice of such a look It is too rich a price Sir for your conquest I limit my desires to see you never Adieu become wise and leave me in peace Exit Fatima SCENE V. ZEGRY ALABEZ ORMIN ZEGRY YEs false Fatima I will become wise Thy contempt is unjust but mine is lawfull Since thou pretendest but to make thee hated I will obey thee thy unworthy trophy My heart shal be no more his charmes are broken His flames are quench'd Alabez follow her Close at the heels even unto her house But have a care not to discover thee ORMIN Her pride 's unjust and not to be endur'd Your change herein is but too equitable O how wel should you do to free your heart From the imperious captivity Of such a cruel conquerour you are Born with too many fair advantages To obtain nothing but eternall wrongs There are Sir other beauties in the world VVhich would be glad to share their flame with yours To imitate your sighs and which would tell you That the resplendent honour of a crown Is beneath that to be beloved of An object that one loves Contempt in love Deâ—erves to be repayed with contempt And who refuseth is not worthy of For the most part the person that 's refus'd ZEGRY How great my griefs are and how grievous is This proud contempt o light and wavering Sex O black ingratitude since love began To trouble Lovers was there ever torment Equall to mine I feel my heart infected VVith all imaginary griefs ORMIN Oh? Sir Believe me I know some that are much more To be lamented and if what I know VVere reveald to you you should have great cause Of comfort by it ZEGRY Oh speak and divert The grief which doth oppresse me oftentimes A wretch is pleased in his misery VVhen he sees that he suffers not alone ORMIN O love I pray thee make his heart grow tender At the recitall of the evill which he Hath caused me oh make him Sensible Of my sad sufferings aside A young Beauty Sir VVhose name and birth if you please I 'l conceal Through decency only thus much I'I tell you That she was neer to me and lov'd me deerly Scarce yet attained to the fifteenth yeer When love and marriage was proposed to her And she commanded to expect for husband A man too lovely and to much belov'd And who for his part was so farre from being Warmâ—d with a mutuall flame that he unlawfully Took an affection for another object His faithfull Lover with grief understood it But yet a worse misfortune afterward Surprised her th' ingratefull brak th' accord Of the approaching marriage and departed For a long voyage without seeing her I can assure you
sad storm And every minute the most fortunate Vpon that element may fear a change Even in the Port We often suffer Shipwrack These are sad truths whereof I need not doubt But what maketh my Slave so hastily T' addresse his steps unto me SCENE VI. ALMANSOR GAZUL ALMANZOR Hast thou found Gomella GAZVL. Yes Sir and I think that he AdvaÌ„ceth heer with large steps to embrace yoâ— ALMANSOR T is that which my care should prevent GAZVL. Must I Withdraw whilst you discourse ALMANSOR Yes and be sure Thou fail not to prepare for me a consort Of Musick GAZVL. How a consort Sir so late ALMANSOR SCENE VII GOMELLA ALMANSOR GOMELLA Oh! Sir How glad am I to see you heer again ALMANSOR My joy in seeing you is no lesse great But speak we of my mother GOMELLA Stay her comming To morrow without fail she arrives here Vnknown ALMANSOR Vnknown and why dares she not to be seâ— GOMELLA The secret only you must know from her ALMANSOR Comes not my Sister GOMELLA You must not expect her ALMANSOR Where is her residence GOMELLA I cannot tell you ALMANSOR How 's this Gomella what can I imagine In the uncertainty wherein you leave me I am astonished at this proceeding Your obscure language is a cleer presage Of a conceal d misfortune Oh! my Sister Is dead I need not doubt it GOMELLA Her death is not The evill which should attrist you ALMANSOR What is 't then Hapned vnto her GOMELLA No but something worse ALMANSOR That word is not sufficient to cleer me Shall I not know why I receiv'd an order To depart from â—â—â—missa where I was Brought up to come with al speed to these quarters Tâ—addresse my self to you with confidence To change my true name of Abencerage Into that of Almansor and to have A care not to reveale my family GOMELLA Vpon this point I must shut up my mouth Y m not allowed to say more unto you It is you Mothers absolute injunction And request to me have but patience Vntill to morrow when you shal be satisfied From her own mouth but the Sun I perceive Already groweth pale before the Moon Enter into my cot and take with me A poor repast ALMANSOR I doe desire to be Dispens'd thereof now if it pleaseth you GOMELLA VVhere will you go ALMANSOR Zegry expecteth me On my engagement at his house to night GOMELLA Zegry what say you what charm doth oblige you To answer so ill to Abencerage name To that debate which for a thousand reasons Is between your two houses as it were Hereditary ALMANSOR A far juster duty Inviteth me to love him but for him I 'd lost my life in Cairo treacherous enemies Encompassed me round and had he not Succoured me speedily I had been murthered His name which I knew well without discovering Mine own disturb'd my new born amity But his goodnes for me his cares his kindnes Soon dissipated all those old resentements And so in order to the friendship which Conjoined us at last we came together Into this country where I was oblig'd By the same frienship to lodge no where else But at home with him GOM Oh Heaven but proceed ALMANSOR You know his Sister at first sight of her I was her servant by a powerfull charm VVhose art she only knows her fair eyes paid But one look for the purchase of my heart And if the God of marriage GOMELLA Soft hold there Take heed you flatter not your self with such A fatall hope destroy your passions Or you destroy your honour ALMANSOR How my honour GOMELLA Yes Sir your honour what doth this discourse Surprise and trouble you ALMANSOR I fear the name Of an ingratefull person GOMELLA Fear that also Of a low spirited one these shamefull motioÌ„s Do wound your duty ALMANSOR May I not know how GOMELLA To morrow when you see your Mother here You shall be satisfied in the mean time Hate both the Sister and the brother ALM Hate them I who have been so much oblig'd unto them No no I swear GOM Swear not but let us entet Your mind will change when you have heard th' adventure The end of the Second Act. ACT III SCENE I. ZEGRY ORMIN ZEGRY THe night approacheth it is time to put This letter with my hope into thy hands Work on her Slave and act discreetly tâ—at She take this diamond from thee afterward Vse all the skill thou hast to know the secrets Of her disdainfull Mistresse and consider That I expect at thy return to hear The sentence of my life or of my death ORMIN Cruell commandment whereunto I see My felfreduc'd aside One word Sir ere I go Think well upon it yet what hope have you Your importunities will increase her anger And you should do much better If I durst To tell you so henceforth to free your self Of this unworthy Empire as love is The price of love so hate should alwaies be The recompense of hate and of contempt Your soul 's are too ill suited to unite Love loseth his power in Antipathies And t is an equall crime Sir in a contrary Effect to hate who Loves us or to love Who hates us ZEGRY Oh! speak no more on 't unto me My evill's invincible and my soul feels Too sensibly the charms which doe destroy me To overcome my griefs which have no equals I seek some gentle succour and not counsel My chain alas is too strong and my heart Too weak as not to yeild unto the torrent which carries me away ORMIN O rigorous Fate aside But if all your indeavours ate in vain If fierce Fatima still persist in her Former disdains ZEGRY what pleasure dost thou take T' increase my troubles hide her rigours to me And speak but of her charms my heart is tryâ—d By torments great enough it need not be afflicted with an evill not yet arriv'd flatter my weaknes though therein thou shew Thy self lesse faithfull if thou dost desire To interest thy self in my misfortunes ORMIN Sir if your eyes could penetrate into The secrets of my heart you would soon â—ind How great an interest I take in them And that if your lot lay within my power Your pleasures should soon passe your hope I call The Prophet so much honoured amongst us To witnesâ— that I feel the counterstroaâ—s Of all your troubles that I 'm grieved for them Asmuch as you and tremble in like manner Lastly that you are dearer to me far Then you imagine that my happines Depends on the successe of your amours And that it is for you alone my heart Makes its devotions ZEGRY Grant it gracious Heaven That thy zeal happily succeed in touching In my behalf the soul of that ingratefull My sister hath already been with her And I believe she hath not fail'd to speak To her for me their friendship flatters me And gives me leave to hope that who esteem The sister may in time cherish the brother Adiew perform thy duty and return With speed to calm the
tempests of my spirit Exit Zegry ORMIN I will indeavour with permission of The holy Prophet to hear such successe As I desire SCENE II. ORMIM alone WHereto shall I resolve me in this sad Extremity shall I sollicit now My Rivall gainst my self in the behalf Of an ingratfull Master that doth wrong me And though he appeares blind to my disadvantage Shall I approve my self so more then he What shall I presse th' effect of what I fear Shall I give him content at my sad cost By a constraint so cruell and shall I Become my self the faithfull Minister Of the injustices which he doth do me No no let us not serve with so much heat To trouble us yet with a new misfortune A person who cost me so many tears If I must die at least let me not give Arms for to peirce my heart o' th contrary Let me act so that he may hope for nothing From fair Fatima let me without scruple Betray this false one and deprive him of A good which would become so fa'tal to me I should ground all the hope that 's left unto me Vpon the losse of his But how is this That at these words I tremble with affright I find my heart already riseth up Against me in behalf of this false Master Alas how cruel and perfidious Soer he be I cannot fail of faith To wards him but must love and serve him truly 'T is so resolv'd my anger must give place Vnto the love that raigneth in my bosom An ill example never justifies A crime let us deliberate no more But what 's the noise I hear it is Fatima That passeth and Charifa follows her SCENE III. FATIMA CHARIFA ORMIN FATIMA THis foul contemps which Zaida offers me Provokes me highly â—o far was this false one From hindering Adibar to visit her As she engag'd herself in promise to me That she accepted kindly of his hand To disoblige me t is an injury Of such a nature as requires reveng CHARIFA The affront is known unto your self you saw it With your own eyes and to speak truely Madame The injustice is extream FATIMA Know that my anget Is so too let us enter it is late This night shall give us counsell ORMIN I 'l go one And stay no longer las I dare not open My mouth nor keep it shut Love I beseech thee Mingle at least some good in the great masse Of my misfortunes graunt that in demanding All things of her she grant me nothing for him aside Madame shall I find so much goodnes from you As to allow me the sweet liberty To leave this letter heer in your fair hands It commeth from a Louer the most passionate Of all those which the Lustre of your eyes Hath made slaves and who not withstanding all The love wherewith his soul is seis'd hath griven you Some cause of plaint FATIMA Of plaint i st Adibar That writes vnto me Softly to Charifa CHARIFA Wtihout doubt t is he My heart doth tell me so FATIMA What would that false one Desire of me ORMIN How cruell is this sweetnes To me aside The end of his desires is to Appear before you highly to detest His insoleÌ„t crime he would expresse the trouble Wherewirh his soul is press'd to the Divinity Iustly offended and receive in making His fault worthy to be forgot a pardon Or death at your fair feet FATIMA I desire not His death but I would have him live and hope How late soever his repentance comes I love it and 't is welcome My heart is Already pacified by thy discourse ORMIN I have for my misfortune too well sped aside FATIMA Le ts see with what air in this letter he Vtters his thought we will go in to read it And to give answer since he is no longer Obstinate in his coldnes I will send His pardon sign'd and seal'd ORMIN How full of joy Will Zegry be at my return FATIMA What say you Zegry ORMIN T is he that sends me he will kisse The words where with y 'ave flatter'd him Fatima tearing his letter FATIMA This is My answer go and carry it unto him Exit Fatima SCENE IV. ORMIN CHARIFA ORMIN THis in equality astonisheth And puzleth me Charifa CHARIFA No good night ORMIN Hear me I pray thee CHARIFA I take no delight To talk with fools ORMIN Stay yet a little CHARIFA I have not the leisure Adieu fair prater ORMIN Be not so ungentle My haÌ„d shall speak gould to supply my mouth CHARIFA I do'nt believe thee ORMIN Believe the event From Zegry take this diamond CHARIFA To betraye And sell my Mistresse God defend I will not Receive it ORMIN Be not such a simple creature CHARIFA I take it then to please thee but accept it Vnto a good intent the stone 's not false At least I think so ORMIN Thou mayst be assur'd on 't T is very fair and perfect CHARIFA Pardon me My words might seem t'imply a doubt that I Suspected thee but I am innocent ORMIN Wilt thou not tell me by what fatall errour Thy mistresse humour chang'd so suddenly And how it came that only at the name Of Zegry her heart presently grew cold Although enflam'd with my discourse before CHARIFA I love thee but too well and if rhou wilt Be secret I 'l discover unto thee This secret of importance this hid mistery ORMIN Thou wilt oblige me much speak I 'm discreet And will concea'lt as closely as thy selfe CHARIFA Fatima then loves Adibar asmuch As she doth hate thy Master but for her Adibar by a pleasant fair return Hath no lesse coldnes then thy master love Thou knowst that thou art not yet known of her And that love oftentimes troubleth the brain Hence was it that at first she did believe That Adibar sent thee to speak to her But since she knew her errour she was mad I hear a noise let us speak soft I fear We should be heard SCENE V. ALABEZ ORMIN CHARIFA ALABEZ THe Devill where thinks my Master That I should meet with Ormin it is night And I can't find my way CHARIFA Prethee be still ORMIN Let me alone thy honour is not much In danger with me CHARIFA Foh my diamond Is fallen from my finger ORMIN Without doubt The grasse conceals it from our sight CHARIFA We may Seek it a good while ere we find it heer ORMIN Yes in this manner I 'le go fetch a light Exit Ormin SCENE VI. ALABEZ CHARIFA CHARIFA Return I 've found it taking him for Ormin ALABEZ I should know that voice It is Charifa strange what might she do So late heer in these woods I will approach A little neerer aside CHARIFA Thou but jests with me Kisse me no more if thou dost I 'l retire ALABEZ A rare piece this I must hear all CHARIFA Yes really Promise me to be quiet or I 'l leave thee This is a little too much liberty At first I am a maid that stands upon My reputation and fear evill tongues
to stop My anger ZAIDA Perhaps you have accused him unjustly ZEGRY Would that it pleased Heaven I were abus'd But alas my suspition is too just I 'l tell 't thee now he loveth ZAIDA Who ZEGRY Fatima ZAIDA How should he love Fatima really That crime is black ZEGRY The better to assure thee on 't t is best Thou go to vissit her I do believe Thou 'lt vnderstand froÌ„ her that he adores her And that he 's false to me ZAIDA Traitor Inconstant Pernitious Spirit ZEGRY But Sister VVhy appear you So troubled in your eyes and countenance ZAIDA The trouble of mine eyes cleerly denotes That my heart feels the evils which your friend doth you Your frieÌ„d what haye I said that name suits ill With his condition if he be your Rivall He 's not your friend Goe persently to quench His life and Love and wash away the crimes Of his soul in his blood ZEGRY No Sister no We should examine without passion All that which might be of a friend suspected And one should never judge of his offence But with much care and much indulgence alwaies Almansor hath appear'd too generous To mingle any foul or vnjust thing In his affections and he oweth me Too much to have a thought to wroÌ„g a frieÌ„d That sau d his life ZAIDA In what an errour are you ZEGRY If I am in an errour I receiv'd it From you these were your sentiments good Sister And shall be mine ZAIDA Then knew I not his crime But now that it is plain take your revenge I will no more restrain you ZEGRY Stop me rather Condemn my anger not my amity In favour of Almansor I would be Abus'd I will accuse him but I would That others should excuse him I speak of Revenge but seek it not and threaten only But to the end to have my arme restrain'd His passion perhaps may be condemnâ—d Vnjustly possibly it might be born Before our friendship and perhaps Fatima Answereth unto it and that to unite them Gomellas orders do invite him heer If it be so to free my self from crime Sister t is just I yeild Fatima to him I 'l break my chains and with a setled heart Will make the pleasures of my friend mine own ZAIDA what strange abuse what secret charm thus softens Your heart in the behalf of an Ingratefull He owes his life unto you ought he not T' acquit him self to wards you by all possible Indeavours if he be our Rivall can you Without much weaknes tamely give him up Your Mistresse if he be your friend as you Esteem him ought he not to give you up The object which you love ZEGRY Without reply Go presently to visit fair Fatima And fail not fully to inform your self Of their intelligence Exit Zegry MEDINA ZAIDA MEDINA YOu astonish me I can't conceive how one can love a man And presse his death ZAIDA Oh! say not that I love Such an ingratefull and inconstant wreteh Believe that if I have fires they are fires Of rage and that my heart will ne'r be quiet Till this perfidious Lover be a sacrifice To my just anger MEDINA But you weep Madam ZAIDA True I weep Medina If that false one should perish I should die I feel that rage and tendernes hate and love Triumph by Turns within me I m his Enemy And yet I am his Lover when my anger Encreaseth th' other Kinder passion springs And though that he be louely and hath falsely Betray'd me I can neither love nor hate him MEDINA Madam speak softer you will elce be heard Adibar comes towards us ZAIDA I 'l not stay SCENE V. ADIBAR ZAIDA MEDINA ADIBAR Zaida where go you with my heart ZAIDA I pray you Leave me alone and do not trouble me Adieu ADIBAR Receive my services ZAIDA I have No need of them ADIBAR I do beseech you hear me ZAIDA You must excuse me I have other busines ADIBAR With a look onely consolate my griefs T is you I seek ZAIDA And t is you that I fly ADIBAR How treat you such a faithfull Lover so ZAIDA Fatima there will be lesse cruell to you ADIBAR Mock not at her Fatima is as fair Although lesse proud then you SCENE VI. FATIMA ZAIDA ADIBAR CHARIFA MEDINA FATIMA VVHat Adibar Still with this scornfull my revenge is just 'T is time that it break forth Zaida I find you In such a black and heavy melancholy That I lose the design whIch brought me hither Shall I dare speak of dances revels feasts And of a mariage in the condition Wherein your are ZAIDA What say you of a mariage FATIMA Since you presse me You shall know all know that my Father hath Provided one for me ZAIDA For you Fatima FATIMA Yes Zaida and she buâ—imes is well forward ZAIDA In your contents I claim an interest I should be glad to know your Lovers name FATIMA He 's an accomplishd man noble and brave And of a charming presence and rare merit I doubt not but you will approve the choice My Father hath made of him ZAIDA How she makes me Languish to meet death aside Well who is the man FATIMA You know him very well He made long time his ordinary residence At home with you your brother Zegrys frieÌ„d Have I yet said ynough ZAIDA Tell me his name too FATIMA Divine you not that he is call'd Almansor ZAIDA I can no more but faint and die aside FATIMA How she Is chang'd she feels my pain and I 'm reveng'd ADIBAR I have much interest in this event ZAIDA This match without doubt cannot chuse but please you FATIMA True I am not of those who through a maxime Of I know not what modesty blush at mariage As if it were a crime feign to sigh at it And yet in secret are sad at the heart If it should not be consummate I assure you Vpon this point I not dissemble with you I no way hate the Lover that 's design'd me I prize his love his services his merit At a high rate and if he loves me much He is no lesse bâ—lov'd ZAIDA It seemeth then He loves you very much FATIMA I can't expresse it He lives but for me breatheth but for me I am the sole original of his good Or evill fortune when he sees me not He is in torments and when hazard brings me Vnto his sight again I have great cause To fear that he might die with sudden joy Lastly if any truth be in his oaths All other beauties are contemptible to him ZAIDA Oh Heaven what hear I where am I Oh trator Ingratefull wretch aside But could you so soon love him Before yov knew him FATIMA I cannot be blam'd For this quick love I saw in him at first All things that might induce a maid to love Besides heerein I execute the order My Father doth ordain I willingly Obey his will and since he hath chosen him For son in law and for support I think That he is worthy of it and conform
for thee Th Imployment if I could revenge my self Without thee and I had already seen The punishment of Zegry If I would Have usâ—d Gomellas service thy arm only Must wash the stam of from tby brow take all The reuenge to thee as th' affront's all thine Seeme no more until thou hast reveng'd Thy Sister Goe seek find and punish fully Her barbarous ravisher adiew perform Thy duty and make thy self to appear A worthy branch of that illâ—strions stock Of Heros from whose loines thou art desceÌ„ded To end our common miseries and fears Go thou to shed blood I goe to shed tears Exit Lindarache SCENE II. ALMANSOR alone ALMANSOR OH heard extremitiâ—s oh cruel violence Alas the friend that doth oblige me is The enemy that wrongs me I owe then My safety unto him that robs me of My honour aÌ„d the man that sav'd the brother Hath ruined the Sister in this case What counsell should I take shall I become Ingratefull or be infamous shal I Break the bond of a holy amity Shal I let forth the blood which preserv'd mine That blood in which love will that I have Interest And to say all the blood of my fair Mistresse She comes forth and without doubt aymeth here Honour will that I fly but Love restrains me SCENE III. ALMANSOR ZAIDA MEDINA ZAIDA HE dares not to advance his crime intimidates him We will passe by the traitor without speaking A word ALMANSOR Deare object of all mâ— affections Charme of my Spirits ZAIDA Surely you are mistaken You would speak to some other ALMANSOR Suffer me T' expresse my passion unto your faire eyes Love ZAIDA You take me without doubt for Fatima ALMANSOR How for Fatima this woâ—d doth acquaint me Confusedly with the unjust suspition From whence this chang springs possibly you have Believed that I seck to please her seeing The league that it between me and her Father But Heaven and Love my conquerour be witnes That your fair Image wholy doth possesse My heart that to remove you thence Fatima Is altogether incapable that I look on Al that is lovely in her without love And that as sensible only of the darts Of your rare beauties I confine my thoughts And actions to civilities for her ZAIDA How do you look upon Fatima then With an indifference Let me see how far His impudence will go aside ALMANSOR Can you doubt of it you that have tied all My senses with such sweet and pressing bonds Can you suspect with any justice Madam My heart of treachery my oaths of falshood And believe that my soul hath so much blacknes As to betray my Mistresse my friend And my Deliverer could you imagine Without being deceivâ—d that having once Beheld you one could love elsewhere oh no For me to be inflam'd with a new fire You are too charming and I 'm too much charm'd ZAIDA Too much charm'd monster of perfidiousnes Wilt thou abuse me then after thou hast Betray'd me and with an unworthy love Carried away wilt thou join impudence To infidelity ALMANSOR To inâ—idelity What say you Zaida this discourse confounds me ZAIDA I see it plainly wretch wer 't thou lesse wicked Thou would'st be lesse confounded an ingratefull Still blusheth at reproaches ALMANSOR An ingratefull ZAIDA Doth that word trouble thee and fearest thou The name of an ingratefull person more Then foul ingratitude it self ALMANSOR I know not The cause of this your anger should I never So much examine me I still should find My conscience innocent ZAIDA In thy accompt then T is nothing to deceive a maid to wrong Thy friend to fail thy faith to love Fatima Lastly ALMANSOR I say you ZAIDA Yes thee ALMANSOR Oh â— believe me I love her not ZAIDA Dar'st thou to say it yet Dost thou not love her when thou dost adore her Thy false equivocations cannot heer Abuse me I know that thou art to morrow To marry her ALMANSOR To matry her o Heaven believe it not I swear ZAIDA No no forbeare I believe not The oaths of one that 's perjur'd every one Knows of this mariage ALMANSOR Who told it you ZAIDA A certaine person ALMANSOR Whosoe'r it be That certain person ly'd Tell me his name And my just anger presently shall carry him The reward of his false intelligence ZAIDA Goe punish then Fatima it was she Her self that told it me ALMANSOR Oh give lesse credit Ador able Wonder to such false discourses ZAIDA Good God! who ever saw such impudence ALMANSOR The mariage which she hath forged is A falsity bear witnesse thou dread Master Of Heaven that this I speak is truth but if I lie let thy hand with a thunderbolt Strike me unto the center of the earth Let my name be foreuer odious If the fire which I feel proceedeth not wholy from your fair eyes and if my heart Ever conceived for Fatima any thing Beyond a weak esteem ZAIDA I must sift yet This brazen face more throughly aside How wilt thou prove The truth of thy assertion ALMANSOR I can produce A hundred proofs to disabuse you presently ZAIDA I 'l have but one and that too very easie To put an end to the suspitions Which I 've coÌ„ceiv'd of thee give me forthwith Both thy hand and thy faith ALMANSOR I give it you With an excesse of yoy but what would I Give her a hand that must destroy her brother And plung it self in his most noble blood aside ZAIDA What dost thou answer me so ill for such Rare bounties dost thou murmur to thy selfe Grow pale and study as if thou resent'st ill What I propose ALMANSOR Madam clean contrary I was rap'd with th'unexpected honour And happines wherewith I saw me filled And th' excesse of my joy transported me I feare through my obedience to betray you To make detraction to speak against you And to treat Zegry too unciviliy In giving without his consent my hand And faith but this weak fear yeilds to my flame Duty prevails not now upon my soul And cannot take from me the glorious purpose Of giving you my heart and hand together ZAIDA Thou thinkest on 't too late my mind is chang'd And n'er shall chaÌ„ge again know that I feign'd Only to try thee that excesse of goodnes And thy fires for Fatima presently Burst forth ALMANSOR Oh! I had never any for her ZAIDA Thy deceit's plain enough I 'm very well Assured of this fatall mariage When I press'd thee to passe thy faith unto me I faw that thy remorses for Fatima Accused thee and thy confusion Confirmed me in my belieft that she Receiv'd the faith which I demanded of thee ALMANSOR I offer it unto you ZAIDA No thou caust not Dispose of it Thou hast already given it And wilt abuse me ALMANSOR You abuse your self Wiih too much warines ZAIDA Hast thou the boldnes To reply yet Go go to thy Fatima To morrow is your mariage day I know it She hath affections for thee fince thou hast Refused me ALMANSOR Hear
procures my grief Let me not speak him spare my cheeks those blushes ISMENIA I cannot a sigh carries not so far You love but what more is beyond my skil To understand unless your self unfold That sigh unto me by its cause PARTHENIA 'T is true I love ISMENIA But whom PARTHENIA 'T is ISMENIA Outwith't PARTHENIA Clidamant ISMENIA Behold a handsom way to name a Lover Ha! how you fear your lips should touch upon it One must draw 't word by word out of your mouth You have then but one lover really 'T is well as 't happens had you lists of them As I have which I name and reckon over Every hour of the day your bashfullness Would well become you love is a fair fruit But then it must be gathered modesty Leaves it to fall and wither but I pray you What will Melissa say to 't who intends To match her Neece to Thirsis PARTHENIA Oh! I hate That Thâ—rsis and shall be even in despair If the Nymph force me to observe my duty In that parâ—icular yet I would keep it Without disturbance if the love I bear To Clidamant should not return me his For to speak truly I am violent Where honour doth ingage me therefore would I Have his heart to be sounded and as I Find it dispos'd I should pursue my love Or quench my flame ISMENIA Speak unto him your self Nothing 's more easie PARTHENIA But Ismenia Thou hast a wit would help me if I should Speak to him he hath little understanding If he should not know that I first was taken And I should sin against the rule of maids To make such a confession ISMENIA You may write then PARTHENIA That is all one still the same point of honour Forbids it me my Letter would discover My love and make him boast thereof perhaps To my dishonour if he might have once That mark on 't in his hand ISMENIA Let him then Divine it if he be Astrologer PARTHENIA Treat not my passion thus with railery ISMENIA I must then serve you in it I perceive Well I 'l about it with my best invention I 'l write a Letter to him and invite him By a feign'd love as soon as it is night To meet me at the Eccho of the Garden To entertain us there PARTHENIA So in my absence Thou shalt discern his thought ISMENIA This business Concerns you Madam and requires your presence You shall speak softly to him and in those Sweet moments you shall understand much better What his thoughts are and thus you may your self To find out if he loves speak of your self PARTHENIA Thou wilt be present too ISMENIA Yes J ' l so well Contrive it that he shal believe undoubtedly That it is I that speak PARTHENIA But how can we Speak to the Eccho for thou know'st the Nymph As soon as it is night retires her self And then we cannot come there what devise now Hast thou that we may speak to him ISMENIA Cannot we Speak to him from the terrass which joins close Unto the Garden you know that you can Conveniently come there at any hour From your apartment 't is upon this ground And these conjunctures that I 've ta'n the plot For my invention PARTHENIA J admire thy wit T is wonderfull industrious and ready ISMENIA I 'l write the Letter here before your eyes Behold the paper for it PARTHENIA How these are Thy writing Tables ISMENIA They can speak of Passions Discreet and secret J ' l about my business And use my smoothest stile PARTHENIA Especially Appoint him wel the hour and place of meeting How redevable am J to thy wit For this great favour what do J not ow thee For this good office thou giv'st me again Life and repose ISMENIA See what J write unto him In two words for you they are very pressing And will ingage him to be take himself Unto the place appointed to know more PARTHENIA 'T is very well it rests now how to giv ' 't him ISMENIA Leave me the care of that but here he comes SCENA V. MELINTUS CLIDAMANT PARTHENIA ISMENIA MELINTUS to CLIDAMANT YEs J have heard Diana is his sister CLIDAMANT to PARTHENIA Madam Melintus and my self are going To seek Thersander to congratulare With him his happy meeting with his sister ISMENIA to CLIDAMANT seftly Thersander's happy and thou art no lesse Since thy good fortune offereth it self Unto thy hand from whence thou mai'st expect All that thou canst desire without that jealous PARTHENIA to ISMENIA Come let us go the Nymph expecteth us ISMENIA softly to CLIDAMANT Having no opportunity at present To speak unto thee read J think 't will please thee CLIDAMANT Read it J think 't will please thee what i' th name Of wonder doth she mean MELINTUS Take but the pain To open and to read it thou shalt find CLIDAMANT J think J may make thine eys witnesses Of what it doth contain there 's nothing in it Secret or serious Ismenia loves To jest and to be talk'd of and this is Some new piece of her wonted merry wit MELINTUS J am impatient prethee open it CLIDAMANT Let me see what divertisement is here Which she expounds good fortune what is this He reads List of my Lovers by an exact order Of Alphabet 'T is very well put of But so far forth as J can see yet neither Obseâ—ve J here Melintus or my self MELINTUS For my part J renounce there turn the leaf Go on CLIDAMANT reads Stanza's of Dorilas upon inconstancy 'T is true Ismenia thou art fair But more inconstant then the air And every Lover is a Mark Exposed to thy humourous dart As soon as he meets thy disdain He flies to death to cure his pain And makes but one large step in all From his bright glory to his fall With these defects yet thou canst charm But I 'l not love for fear of harm Yet J approve all things in thee Yea even to thy inconstancy And will not to incur thy hate Jealous Melintus imitate Whose humour every thing offends And nothing pleaseth but its ends CLIDAMANT Melintus what sai'st thou unto them MELINTUS J see for what design she put those Tables Into thy hand J call'd her cocket lately And that it seems provok'd her to rerurn me The injury with one of the same nature CLIDAMANT continues to read Sonnet of Silvio my most faithfull Lover A Madrigal of Thirsis what 's this follows Unto the Shepheard Clidamant CLIDAMANT Melintus Am J not purblinde see if this name doth Strike thine eyes thus like mine Melintus looking into the writing Tables MELINTUS Nothing 's more certain It is address'd to thee thou art more happy Then thou imagin'st CLIDAMANT reads As soon as the dark shadows of the night Hang o'r the light At th' Eccho of the Garden let us meet But be discreet 'T is love invites thee more anon When w' 're alone Ismenia Melintus would take the writing Tables MELINTUS Prethee let me see them Grant me this favour not
a quarrel with him to accoâ—d it Chuse of us two him whom thou think'st most faithfull I am content to stand unto my fortune ISMENIA Thimantes what say you THIMANTES J agree to 't ISMENIA to CLIDAMANT Then thus for him J do confess I love him A little but for thee nothing at all My mouth interprets truely what my heart thinks CLIDAMANT O the most fickle and most want on issue Of the inconstant sex thou lov'st a momenâ— J love a moment also ISMENIA Notwithstanding J have a secret to impart unto thee CLIDAMANT A Secret in thy heart loseth its name In less time then a minute without doubt ISMENIA Thou thought'st last night that I discours'd with thee At th' Eccho of the Garden CLIDAMANT Yes ISMENIA But what If thou wert then deceiv'd and that another In my place counterfeited there my voice CLIDAMANT What hast thou told me ISMENIA That which may be true CLIDAMANT J cannot comprehend it nor find thee Thou dost do nothing but deceive at all times And in all places thou canst turn thy heart And eyes into all sences how an other Possess my place ISMENIA What if by this advise J gained thee the heart of a fair Mistress One that 's illustrious and of noble blood And who after the Nymph hath the chief rank CLIDAMANT Well feign thy fill thou may'st speak what thou list I 'm henceforth in no humour but to laugh ISMENIA If by the greatest oaths wherein my honour Can be ingag'd thou wilt believe the truth Of what J told thee that another person Beside my self receiv'd thy vows last night J hope thou wilt find out some fitter Epithits Then false and wavering for me CLIDAMANT After such An obligation my charity Would sway me much ISMENIA Then solemnly J swear It was Parthenia in my place to whom Thou didst express thy love she borrowed My name and shape and thine eyes suffered This sweet imposture CLIDAMANT Still thou dost abuse me J knew thee by thy voice ISMENIA When we spake loud 'T was I that spake then presently Parthenia Advancing in my place discovered softly Her soul and thought unto thee after this Iudge if I have deserv'd from thee or no. CLIDAMANT How is it possible that she to whose High rank I should not dare t' aspire unto So much as in a thought that she to whom I durst not speak a word in way of plaint That she to whom my high respect conceal'd My amity should yet feel pitty for me Alas this cannot be 't is sin to think it ISMENIA Thou shalt see if I lie and how sh' esteems thee I wait her here CLIDAMANT Therein I should obtain The hight of my ambition for this favour Oh let me kiss thy hands and die with pleasure SCENA III. PARTHENIA ISMENIA CLIDAMANTES THIMANTES PARTHENIA WHat spectacle is this I see Ismenia Sports with my fortune if I trouble you I will retire continue that rare favour Who freely gives the hands may give the heart ISMENIA Ha! Madam really you are a novice In love I gave him intimation of The arriâ—fice we us'd and he at first Received my discourse with so much joy That he crav'd from me that civility Unto what jealous strange suspitions Are you drawn by this object he but aim'd To kiss my hand and you are like to die for 't Trouble your self no more thus to no purpose PARTHEIA Ismenia thou restor'st me life and rest I love thee Clidamant this jealous fit Methinks might well have spared me the shame Of telling it CLIDAMANT Fair Nymph believe PARTHENIA Bur let us Enter into this Wood. CLIDAMANT I wish the Eccho Sometimes a friend to Lovers would redouble My voice in saying to you that J love And make you to repeat my words J love PARTHENIA Ismenia be a faithful witness of Our chast amours and come along with us To hear what we discourse Thimantes be Discreet and secret THIMANTES Madam I 'm all silence See what a strange unnecessary evil Is that a jealous person doth sustain Foolish Melintus how thou art deceiv'd In thinking that Diana is the object Gf Clidamant's affection here she comes Discoursing with her brother J will leave them SCENA IV. DIANA THERSANDER DIANA LEt us consider what we are to do She loves thee infinitely and J have Command from her to speak to thee again In her behalf THERSANDER Advise me what to do DIANA Since the Nymph loves thee with such passion As I perceive she doth 't is fit thou flatter Her grief a little otherwise I fear That I shall lose thee after having found thee What mischief can she not do when provoked THERSANDER Since there needs but to feign all will succeed DIANA In the mean time Ismenia will be carefull To inquire for us when the Merchant-ship That 's bound for Sevill will be fully ready To set sail from the harbour we shall hire him To land us where we will till when our care Must be not to offend the Nymph for fear She ruine us she 'l presently be here She 's come already act the Lover well Dissemble handsomly therein consists All that we can expect SCENA V. MELISSA DIANA THERSANDER MELISSA A Word Diana Hast thou remov'd that fatal obstacle Which came to intetrupt the pleasant course Of my affections hast thou setled My lifes content and razed Celia Out of thy Brothers spirit DIANA His heart follows Where my voice and his glory calleth him And cheerfully yieldeth obedience To such sweet Laws MELISSA Blessed Interpreter Of a most ardent love hast thou advis'd hiâ— To keep it secret DIANA Only that point Madam J have forgotten but J will redeem it And tell him on 't before you if you please That I go for him MELISSA Go and bring him hither DIANA softly Feign handsomly unto her THERSANDER softly to Diana Fear it not I 'l speak before her but of you and to you And yet not make her jealous Then he saith to Melissa by whose side is Diana whom he looks upon THERSANDER aloud Could you doubt My heart should be so stupid and insensible Of my felicity how happy is My fortune and how gentle was the storm That gave me this bless'd port whereof great Kings Are jealous What proud Conqueror would not Submit and lay his arms down with himself At the fair feet of such a charming object A rude obdurate rock would be consum'd The coldest Marble would be kindled by it Yes Madam a fair eye but openeth Its lid here 't is day the nights black shadows Fly only from the Sun of those bright eyes Her fires too at the sight of them grow pale I must confess then Madam that J love them And that J live more in this beauteous object Then in my self my spirit is charmed with A happiness unparallell'd when J Think that J love them and am lov'd again MELISSA Come thou but feignest love do not abuse me THERSANDER O Gods what do you say Madam J love Or rather J adore
distract the spirit But those obnoxious weeds I never use But for their punishment that do offend me Have I not reason to maintain my rank In dignity and honour those that dare To brave me without doubt hazard themselves My scepter's guarded with enwreathed serpents Whose fearful aspects bid all keep aloof And threaten death to those that dare to touch it Thirsis hath felt their stings vvhat reason had he To be an enemy to his ovvn fortune And interest in foolishly refusing The honour of the name to be my Nephevv I will advance him and expect that he Shall yet accept this honourable title Of Husband to my Neece Parthenia Your colour changes but in vain you hide Your thoughts from me I can discover them I know that you love Clidamant and more What you design and what you do discourse But understand both one and t'other of you That I must be obey'd in what I will My power can force it take heed ye provoke not My anger if J may not be belov'd J will be fear'd PARTHENIA Madam MELISSA It is enough You know my prohibition CLIDAMANT I hope To bend her but at present let 's say nothing THIMANTES We all know your high rank and quality With reverence and respect so in that notion We imploy but our prayers to perswade you They are our onely arms be touched with them And dissipate these charms Thersander now Begins t' awake out of his fatal fit You 'l hear his plaints and clamours presently His cryes and his despair for his dear Mistress This is the hour wherein he is tormented This object without doubt before your eyes Will raise up pitty Madam in your heart His sighs will quench your anger and prevail Much more then we see he begins to move Madam you will be touch'd to hear him speak SCENA IV. THERSANDER DIANA MELISSA ISMENIA PARTHENIA CLIDAMANT THIMANTES THERSANDER by DIANAS body O Lamentable object why mine eyes Were ye not cover'd with eternal darkness That J might not have seen this fatal spectacle Oh! what cause have I to complain of fortune That my sleep is not the last sleep of death In the night of the Grave I should take rest And not be ty'd to die thus all my life I should be there but dust and this sad sight Should not have martyred my heart and eyes Yes my dear Mistress sometime my delight Thy sight is now my greatest punishment And in this sad estate wherein I see thee Thou which wert once my joy art now my grief Thy body 's but a trunk that gives me horror Thy head all over's smoaking with thy blood The graces lodge no more there I see death In every place where I saw love before How dost thou live no more then have I lost thee As soon as found thee hopes born and destroy'd With an immortal love fantosme of fortune Which lasts good but a day wealth too soon lost Brightness too soon put out excessive joy To which so many plaints so soon succeed Why in that splend or wherewith all you flatter'd My name did you promise so much unto me And give so little Fair eyes sometimes conquerous Whose lights are shut up in eternal night In spight of all my prayers call me not From death unto the light is 't possible That I can see here what Diana sees not No no I live no more since she is dead Yet my heart moves but this last strugling is But a small spark that 's left behind and shines A little after death 't is but a vapour An exaltation a wind a smâ—ak Last dying and last kindled I am coming To join with thee object of my desire To give thee soul for soul and sigh for sigh Death is my aid my hope is but in her I will express that I am faithful to thee In that not able to survive thy fate I put my self into the arms of death CLIDAMANT Madam you see how great his torment is And whereunto your hatred hath reduc'd him You see besides how far without proportion Of the crime to the punishment the power Of your inchantment goes these woods weep at it And these rocks which before heard no complaints Are pierc'd now with his cryes and become soft And sensible the Eccho likewise mourns And should you onely Madam be without Compassion for him MELISSA Yes without compassion Since he took pleasure alwaies to displease me I 'le please my self by a most just return Jn my revenge and never cease t' afflict him No think not that J will incline to pitty I 'm too much injur'd to be pacifi'd His sorrow makes my joy and I am glad To sâ—â— that by this famoâ—s punishment I shall establish my authority THIMANTES Diana's turn is now see he revives To weep her lover and immediately To follow him by the force of your Art Sad spectacle hearken unto her grief And ope your eyes and heart to her complaints Diana upon Thersanders body DIANA What my dear Lover art thou then but dust Alas thy mouth wants speech and thine eyes light But inspight of the plot which makes me sigh I have the happiness yet to lament thee Flow flow my tears and pour upon this object Torrents of flame not water there is nothing So cold in the dark bosom of the Grave Which the fire of these Rivers cannot warm Yes by my tears at last my cryes my plaints Dear ashes I will kindle you again Though cold now and extinguish'd like the Phenix I 'le raise you up again by force of sights Which you shall Eccho to me THIMANTES Madam can you Behold this sight and not be moved at it DIANA Love canst thou not answer to my desires Thou art a miracle thy self and therefore Methinks should'st do one art thou in the world No more a source of life oh canst thou not Restore my lover to me from whose armes They 'ave ravish'd him which of the Gods can call him Back from the gates of death if thou canst not My dear Cleagenor J pray thee answer me By these my tender sighs by Celia's name How 's this I can pronounce thy name and mine And yet O Gods thou answerest me nothing I see alas thy mouth and eyes still shut He 's dead and these names cannot touch him now Love since thou hast no power to suâ—cour me In that point as to make him live at least Make me to dye I come my faithful lover It is impossible I should survive thee I feel that my despair t' enjoy thee here Gives me to death my heart hath lost the spirits Which made it move J scarce can utter more Happy thy Celia if her death could give Thee life again if thy sleep might have end By mine and if I could with all my blood Redeem thine J have done my love is coming To meet thy flame and I expire upon thee The rest of my sad soul. CLIDAMANT What! is your heart Not touch'd yet with this object are you still
pardon and a favourable censure of the bould ambition which I have to entitle my selfe MADAM Your Highnesse most humble most obedient and most Faithfull Servant WILLIAM LOWER PROLOGUE To the Court. HA what divine shapes strike mine eyes and make My tongue to faulter and my limbs to shake Through a respestfull awe and reverence Which thus so strongly seyseth on my sense These are no Fantasmes such as we present But true Divinities from Heaven sent To grace our Earthly Theater then I Who cannot stand before such Majesty Fall on my knee and in this posture pray I may be heard to speak before the Play Madam to you then from whose beautious sight Those lesser Starrs derive their borroâ—ed light First I addresse me and although I 'm sent From the proud Poet with a complement To let you know that he protests and saith His Sceanes will please I cannot have that faith He swâ—ares that he prepares a Peece so rich In high conceptions that it will bewitch Your eyes and eares a Banket that may please The Danity Pallats of the Deities Vnheard of vanity I cannot chuse But undeceive you know t is an abuse You 'll meet â—ith no feast here since the chief dish Which he presents is neither flesh nor fish But a meere Fantasme garnish'd like a coarse Larded and serv'd up vvith some love discourse Vnsolid matter flourishes of vvitt And airy fancies in my judgment fit But for the publick Stage not to appeare Within the verge of this illustrious Sphere Where nothing but the quintescence of vvit Should dare to enter humbly I submit To your transcendent judgment my advise And wish it may be found more rash then wise For daign t' applaud the Play and I 'm content To suffer foâ— it any punishment t' Appease the Poett whose rage will be hot Vpon my head if you protect me not Auspitious Planets rule this night and shed Sweet influences on your board and bed ACTORS CARLOS Lover of Isabella and Friend to Fabritio CLARINA Woman to Isabella FABRITIO Lover of Climene CLIMENE Mistresse to Fabritio and to the Duke JACINTA Woman to Climene FERDINAND Duke of Ferrara VALERIO Captaine of the Dukes Guards ISABELLA Sister to Fabritio ALPHONSO Father to Fabritio and Isabella LICASTES Servant to Alphonso CELIN Servant to Carlos GUARDS Â The Scene is at Ferrara THE AMOUROUS FANTASME A TRAGI-COMEDY ACTUS PRIMUS SCENA PRIMA Carlos Clarina in a street Carlos ARt sure of it Clarina is it possible That Isabella now is sensible Of what I suffer for her and resents In my behalfe the fire which her faire eyes Have kindled in my heart Clarina Sir I assure you T is an undoubted truth which I receiv'd From her owne mouth Carlos I 'm much astonished With a successe so charming Clarina For my parte I wonder that you are astonish'd at it Is it so great a miracle I pray you To see a Mayd to chaung we have a mind Alternatelie to turne love into hatred Or hatred into love such an effect As this so common in our Sex should not Seeme strang unto you Isabella is Of age sufficient to feele the effect Both of the fire she kindles and o'th'evill Which she procures the end Sir of her coldnes Should not surprise you who gives love can easilie Take it againe and when a young heart never Hath loved any thing at the first fire That sparkles t is inflam'd my Mistresse is As sensible as faire you will be happie If you are faithfull Carlos But com'st thou by her order Clarina To speak truelie She willed me to speak as from my selfe But Sir your goodnes is a gage that makes me To tell you all t is by her expresse order That I have uttered this secret to you Of such importance but you must be silent And discreet if yov'll profit by the knowledge Carlos But may I not at least acquaint her brother With my good fortune he is bound by friendship To favour me and I should doe him wrong To disguise any thing to him Clarina Oh! Sir That 's it my Mistresse dreadeth believe me Above all things so farre you must be from Acquainting him therewith that you should feare Least he might have the least suspition of it Know you not yet that her inhumane Father Will not permit her to give you her hand That to uphould the splendour of his house He 'll rayse his Sonne unto his Daughters cost And as t is oâ—ten practis'd now a dayes To th' one designes his goods and to the other A Monasterie Carlos I know well that her Father Hath fuch a purpose but though he be of A nature so inhumane sure her brother Is not so barbarous we are tyed together By such faire bonds of friendship that I know He 'll mix his interests with mine Clarina If I May frelie speak my thoughts here I must tel you That interest can break the strongest bonds That commonlie men better keep their wealth Then their fidelitie and that there is No friend which they love equall with themselves Be sure you trust no person now a dayes Daunger still followes too much confidence The lesse a good is knowne the sweeter t is Lastly Sir keepe your secretts to your selfe My Mistresse doth desire it Corlos Oh! Clarina It is ynough there is no reason more In this point to examine now but I Obey without dispute the name of Friend Must yeild to that of Lover but shall I See our faire Mistresse by thy meanes this evening Clarina Sir it is verie late Carlos I know thy skill And thou know'st puts gould in her hand Clarina Yes your liberalities I 'le goe t'advertise her as you desire And presentlie returne if you will stay Either to bring you up or to persuade her To come downe to you Exit Clarina Carlos alone Carlos Oh how sweet it is To mollifie a hard and cruell heart How charming is Love when t is mutuall what high content what extasie of joy Feels a poore captive in his troubles when The hand that tames him helpes to beare his chaines A good gainâ—d easilie is not esteem'd The more it costs the more t is pretious Although th' Horizon's covered with darknes I easilie discerne the dore to open Doubtles t is Isabella I 'le advaunce SCENA SECUNDA Carlos Fabritio Carlos My happines is greater then I dar'd To fancie is I can't expresse unto you By what soe'r indeavour I can use The fullnss of my passion and my joy Fabritio Deare friend I doe beseech thee let us leave Vaine complements I know shy goodnes for me Carlos Good God! how I 'm confounded t is her brother Fabritio aside Fabritio Thou knowest then it seemes How highlie fortune is propitious to me My marâ—iage is concluded and agreed And thou com'st without doubt to wish me joy Carlos Friend Fabritio I 'm certaine it is this that brings thee hether Thou wilt congratulate my happines Carlos How readie and ingenious he is To draw me out of
dead with feare and weaknes SCENA QVARTA FABRITIO CLIMENE Fabritio comming out the Mine Fabritio THanks unto Carlos and in spight of destinie I hope to see Climene in this garden But to conceale the meanes on 't I must cover Most carefullie the opening of the Mine Those stones and those greene boughs will make the hole Invisible I need but seek the ingratefull Before I vent my anger I 'le reproach her With my passâ—d services with her inconstancie And her false oaths for feare my death should give her Some satisfaction and to th' end t' afflict her I will appeare unto her and protest That I will live yet to abhorre her yonder I see that faire Inconstant but alas I see her pale cold and in dying posture At this sad object which confoundeth me A tender pittie doth succeed my passion And if this pittie caus'd by her misfortune Is not yet love t is something sure that 's neere it Climene thou faire object of the flame which riseth up againe when almost dead Cast yet a languishing look upon Fabritio For all thy anger and inconstancie I never sought any reveng gainst thee Returne and if thou wilt not that I live At least with one sweet look honour my death I heare some comming I must hide my selfe If I should goe into the Mine againe There 's danger I might be surpris'd SCENA QUINTA The Duke Climene Duke I have heard stroaks which troubled me much The noise came from this side let us advaunce I see Climene who sleepes but alas Vnparalel'd misfortune she is dead And underneath a thick vaile her faire eyes Are shut up never to be opened Tyrannick destinie by what law is it That such a rare and exquisite beautie hath So tragicall a fate and that the Star Of my nativitie which hath produc'd My fires findes in its morne eternall night But I am in an errour Master peece Of all perfection fate is innocent And I alone am guiltie t is this arme This barbarous arme that hath tane hence my Mistresse In murthering my Rivall Climene Oh alas Duke She breathes she breaths and openeth her eyes Love be propitious to me Climene Is it thee My deare Fabritio Fantasme of my soule Sweet Shadow of my Lover what wilt thou Duke Her griefe distracts her judgment Climene Commest thou to reproach me suddenlie That thou hadst lived if thou had'st not seene me And that the fire sometime so faire which kindled Our hearts with mutuall love serv'd but to light thee To descend to the grave Duke You are mistaken Adoreable Climene Climene Tell me then The cause that brings thee Com'st thou to solissit My heart and arme a while yet to deferre My death unto the end to revenge thine Wil thou that this haÌ„d plung'd in the Dukes blood Make my destruction just and thine reveng'd Speak speak he shall not long be in condition To triumph in thy death in the midst of His Court and in the eyes of all Ferrara I 'le peirce the bosom of that barbarous Prince Duke My heart feares but the stroaks of your faire eyes Know me and recollect your wandering senses The excesse of your sorrow wrongs you much Climene Whom doe I see Duke A Prince that loveth you Climene What fatall accident what cruell destinie Presenteth me in stead of my Lover His murtherer Sir you must pardon me This langvage as a person highly injur'd I can no mor respect you is it possible You are not fullie satisfied yet In barbarouslie depriving me of him I lov'd more then my selfe but you must come To robb me of his Shadow Duke This vaine shadow You speake of is but an illusion Form'd by your feare and your affliction And when I 've dissipated from your fancie This fatall image you will finde that I Have more advauntaged then injur'd you For dead Fabritio please you to remember That t was your interest made me punish him The insolent discouâ—se which he held forth Carried me justlie to that violence If I had spar'd him I had injur'd you And if I had done lesse I had lesse lou'd Climâ—ne By â—his accompt then I 'm indebted to you For giving me the greatest of misfortunes In killing even before mine eyes the object Which I adore without whom the faire light Is odious to me you are much deceav'd In your pretentions you have gained nothing In ruining a Rivall and the art Whicch you use to asperse his reputation Can't hinder him to live with in my soule Though this death which I feel livelie with in me Had not express'd so much hate and contempt As you shew love and tendernes I should Have loved him so much as I hate you Duke I condemne not your just transports but beare them He was your Lover though he was my Rivall And I repent my rage in that I wrong'd Your charming Image printed in his soule I know that Rivall which was odious to me Pleased your faire eyes more then I his merit Was that which onelie rendered him guiltie I hated him for being too amiable But in that hate I fully did expresse My love to you in offering you a heart And with that heart a crowne But I offend you Your looks speak your disdaine not to provoke you I leave you and hope yet that you will one day Have lesse aversion for me Climene Time can never Cure my disease death onelie is its terme SCENA SEXTA Iacinta Fabritio Climene Fabritio I will approach I see the Duke retire My trouble is pass'd and Climene lives But heaven who cometh here againe to crosse me Iacinta to Climene Iacinta The Funerall is comming Climene What Fabritio's Fabritio It is Iacinta I need not for her Keep a loofe of aside Iacinta Yes Madame you may see The coffin which encloseth your dead Lover From your Balcony at this very instant His Father who intends to celebrate His mourning honoureth Fabritios death With funerall pompe and whilst they carrie him Vnto the Temple you may if you please See that unfortunate body passe Climene I will so It is my last desire Fabritio discovering himselfe Fabritio Enjoy it Madame Behould heere the unfortunate Fabritio Iacinta Heaven where shall I fly safely from this Fantasme I dare not stay Iacinta flyes away Climene What! will Iacinta leave me Iacinta I have no other Mistresse now but feare Fabritin houlding Climene Fabritio False and ingratefull Beautie doe you fly me This makes your lightnes To appeare too much If any justice yet raignes in your soule After you have betray'd me give me leave To complaine my misfortune Climene I betray you What doe I heare Heavens how astonish'd am I At this so strang event if I may heere Believe mine eyes it is the living portrait Of my Fabritio but if I believe His voice it is but a deceitfull Fantasme Of such a faitfull Lover Fabritio I am that verie Lover who against Your will could not in losing all his hope Lose his life too yes I
live yet Ingratefull And feare I live for you still in despight Of my just anger I know not what power Opposeth it in steed of murmurring I sigh and all the heat that rests with me Resembles anger lesse then love Climene Now I Begin againe to know Fabritio His heart in spight of him doth secretlie Render me justice and when the false mouth Condemnes me it seemes resolute in thought That I am faithfull Fabritio Faithfull oh it is Vnto the Dâ—ke that this speech is addressd He onelie is to hope for all your love Climenâ— Canst thou impute those base thoughts unâ—o me Fabritio They are truths if I may believe your oathes I should doubt yet of this extreem misfortune If I had understood it from the mouth Of any other but your selfe Climene An evill When it is knowne is easie to be cur'd I know thy errour cease to be abus'd If the last fatall evening I express'd â—ind words unto the Duke I did believe That I discours'd to thee and so upon That faith all that I said to him was wholie Intended unto theeâ— thy onelie Image Which can possesse my heart my memorie And all my senses with so much renowne Was onelie guiltie in that fatall moment If but a little blindnes may be said To be a crime in Love Fabritio Vnto a Lover Whose soule resignes it selfe unto suspitions Any excuse is good ynough and passeth A lye that pleaseth deceives pleaâ—antlie And everie thing is easilie believ'd Which is desir'd though all thy reasons were As false as faire so sweet it would be to me To see my fâ—ares to end and in my fancie To flatter the affliction which thou Might'st cause me that thou wouldst oblige me stronglie To make me yeild to be abus'd Climene Let thy heart be Free from those Low suspitions if thou wilt Absent thee I am readie heere to follow thee I 'le manesest unto thee everie where The cleâ—renes of my faith be it to live Or dye with thee let Heaven blesse or deceive Our expectations I 'le live satisfied Or dye content Fabritio What owe I Climene Thou ow'st nothing Nothing of thanks in following thy desires I follow my owne sentiments but how Wer 't thou secur'd Fabritio Fortune did favour me A straunger passing that night perished Instead of me and this Mine gives me meanes From Carlos house to enter into thine Climene Thou mayst a while heere entertaine thy thoughts In the meane I 'le goe to fetch my Iewells Passe underneath this arbor I believe I heare a noyse assoone as it is night I 'le come to thee againe SCENA SEPTIMA Iacinta Fabritio Fabritio IF I am not deceiv'd heere comes Iacinta Climene trusts her with her neerest secrets Forrune it seemes to day in everie point Will be sweet to me if I can oblige her To goe away with us Iacinta Scarce freed yet From my first feare I tremblinglie returne Vnto Climenes house Fabritio Was murthered through my meanes and without doubt He cometh to revenge himselfe upon me From th' other world my ruine were inevitable If I should meet that fearefull Ghost againe Fabritio Stay Iacinta T is the Spirit good God I dye with feare Oh Genrle Fantasme have compassion of me I doe confesse my fault and promise faithfullie N'er to betray you nor my Mistresse more Fabritio Strang but I must know more Disguise me nothing If thou dost Iacinta Touch me not then I beseech you And I will tell you all t is true â— alwaies Indeavoured â—o hurt you that I studyed To serve the Duke in his amours against you And that indead I was cause of your death Fabritio Pernstious spirit Iacinta Enter not into furie This is not all yet lend your eare I pray you I had forgot to tell you that the Duke By my advise this day hath fix'd upon Climenes rape and that this verie evening He will attempt this unjust enterprise Fabritio Horrid perfidiousnes Iacinta I have tould all my faults now may it please you That I leave you in peace for know that nothing Is so unpleasant to me as discourse With people of another World If you Were not dead you would be so good unto me To grant me pardon upon my repentance Fabritio It would not suite well with a generous spirit To punish a weake woman Goe Iacinta Monâ—ieur Fantasme God will receive your soule Exit Iacinta Fabritio The Duke this night Intends it seemes â—o take away Climene Heaven must my hope be yet againe destroy'd But my heart leaves it selfe to be assaulted With a vaine feare seeing I am belov'd What should I doubt nothing is strong ynough To disunite two hearts whieh love hath joyn'd This God doth miracles for those that be His faithfull Votaries and such are we The End of the third Act. ACTVS QVARTVS SCENA PRIMA Fabritio alone BEhould the hower wherein I hope to see The Beautie which my soule loves and adores The Sunne alreadie having run his course Darteth no more heere but a feeble light With his last rayes he now adornes the West He setts with glorie shines when he is lost And the fair remnants of his dying brightnes Maketh his fall and losse illustrious Pardon thou glorious Star whose splendour hurts mâ— If my hope comes when thy light vanisheth Ingenious Love to hurt me more assembles That masse of Instre which so charmeth me In faire Climenes eyes and presentlie Her looks wil give me brightnes which surpasseth That which thou takest from me But she stayes Heaven she neglects me she appeareth not The Moone is well advaunc'd and all my hope Dyes with the day this long delay denotes A fault of love I heare one walk and if My eyes are faithfull witnesses I see This miracle of Faire ones come at last SCENA SECUNDA Climene Fabritio Climene FAbritie Fabritio Heere faire subject of my flame Here 's he who is as â—aithfull as he 's happie Climene I did not think to have bene so long absent I feare that I have put thee to some trouble Fabritio Believe indead that to Fabritio The least remove of thy faire eyes is grievous I did expect thee sooner and to speak The truth resolved to complaine unto thee Vpon this point but to forget it quite It is sufficient that I see thee now I have no power to complaine before thee The present pleasure flattering my thought Takes wholie from me the remembrance Of my pass'd trouble Climene Since love forceth thee Not to accuse me the same passion Obligeth me too to excuse my selfe It was not the care of these Diamonds Wherewith I 'm loaden which caused my stay It onelie was the care to take a time Proper for our departure Fabritio Let 's referre The prosecution of this discourse Vnto another time and think we now To finish our designes and t'haste our flight I feare the stroaks yet of injurious chaunce She should be â—rusted least when she smiles most Climene Let 's haste I willinglie consent unto it I
heart you are my wltnesse and My judge both at one time oh disavow not That favorable sentence that fair Oracle Proceding from an adorable mouth Those words so full of charms pronounc'd in sleep Which promised me blessings so soon vanish'd ZAIDA I dreamt Almanser and you are not ignorant That a dream oftentimes is a deceiver And stil a lie ALMANSOR True a dream is my glorâ— But I have passions which are real truths The flame with in mine eyes hath appear'd to you Too cleer to be concealed and the coldnes Which you expresse unto me quencheth not My love although it ruineth my hope ZAIDA This love comes very late and really I 'm troubled at it you know wel that I Am otherwise engag'd ALMANSOR Alas I cannot Deny but I have heard say that a Lover Favoured of Heaven is to come shoâ—â—l heer To take you from mine eyes I know you love him Before you see him therefore I 'le not trouble Your pleasures nor his joy how great soever His happines be I do intend to suffer it VVithout complaining of you but withall I doe intend to die As soon as you Shall depart hence upon the fatal voyage Ordained where your happy mariage Must be accomplish'd Know at the same time That you shall see me in my griefs excesse Depart to go unto the grave where those Remains of fire which sparkle in my bosom After my death shall still yet warm my ashes ZAID Fortune doth ow you Sir a happier lot ALM My good or evill lot depends on you All other favours would be troublesome Lastly I do adore you and not fortune ZAIDA What expect you from me in the condition Wherein I am ALMANSOR Immortall heats and torments I still must love without hope to be loved ZAIDA Who loves much may hope to be loved likewise ALMANSOR What may I hope one day for better usage ZAIDA Consult with your fidelity upon it ALM Your soul appeareth too insensible To love ZAID A constant Lover may do much The first refusal ought not to astonish Any one that hath love enough to give it ALMANSOR Oh this is plain enough to my glad sense ZAIDA The blood strikes up unto my brow alas I 've said too much and now I blush for shame on 't ALM This glorious confession rendereth me Too happy and content ZAID Dreams sometimes are not VVithout effect but the Sun hath already Finished his career let us go in Yet further to discourse upon this matter I fear that troublesome SCENE IV. ADIBAR ZAIDA ALMANSOR ADIBAR Without too much ambition may I hope The honour to take you by the fair hand The one is free may I presume to kisse it ZAIDA I have no need Sir of your services ADIBAR They may be worth a Strangers notwithstanding Your scorn of me ZAIDA In thinking to oblige me You may displease me by this odd expression ADIBAR The Prophet who knows how I reverence you Knows also how far forth I fear your anger And the cares which I take should well assure you That I come heer but for to honour you May I aside declare a secret to you Of some importance ZAIDA Nothing ' is so important As decency which in th' opinion Of every one allowes we not the Liberty To hear the secrets of such as you are ADIBAR I desire nothing of you what another Doth not obtain ZAIDA His discourse pleaseth me And yours I hate ALMANSOR You take an unfit time To tell your secrets to the indiscreet Love seldome is propitious th incivility Which your pride doth expresse is an ill meaÌ„s To gain esteem ADIBAR I am not heer to take Lessons from you ALMANSOR I give them to your equals To all intents and purposes ADIBAR This passion Which carries you away convicteth you And doth excuse me of the incivility Wherewith your errour charged me a man Better instructed to avoid suspition Would have retir'd himself out of respect You are too grosse but as you are a Stranger I ought to bear a little with your ignorance ZAIDA You have â—he faults which you coÌ„demn in him This Stranger doth oblige me and you trouble me ADIBAR Yet you should take away your hand from him to Zaida ALMANSOR If she should do it you would be in danger ADIBAR In quitting her you might run to your death ALMNASOR I respect Zaida you I do despise ADIBAR If by the same respect I were not stop'd In my revenge your punishment should soon Follow your insolence Zaida quitting Almansors hand ZAIDA These hasty motions Are sorry passtimes for me by this violence I know that neither of you doth respect me But both offend me ALMMANSOR Do you take Your hand from me to answer his desires My Rivall will become too proud at this Should you affroÌ„t me wit design to please him ZAIDA By what right also am I bound to give You satisfaction ADIBAR Madam I beseech you Vse no constraint to your free inclination In my behalf I know which of us two Pleaseth you best I yeild to him in fortune And perhaps too in merit his discourse Is acceptable mine is hatefull to you Of this truth I cannot be ignorant Therefore to th' end I may not trouble you I will retire me my respect for you Is stronger then the jealousie wherewith My amourous soul is justly seised now And I will force all my resentiments for you Yea eveÌ„ to hate my self if you should hate me Let here my happy Rivall without trouble Discourse with you establish if you please His happines at the expense of mine But take this into your consideration That Adibar who quits you with regret Though the least lov'd is not the least discreet ZAIDA VVhere go you Adibar come back again ADIBAR My absence will oblige you ZAIDA No once more I say come back again if you esteem me You will return to take away suspitions Opposed to my glory lend me pray you Your hand and lead me back he gives her his hand ALMANSOR Oh! I cannot Suffer this cruell injury ZAIDA Almansor Stay I command you on pain of my hate ALMANâ—OR Hear me a word or two ZAIDA I can 't be mov'd Reason I hear and duty is my guide Exeunt Zaida and Adibar SCENE V. ALMANZOR What unexpected clap of thunder 's this Which ruineth my joy thus with my hope Reason I hear and duty is my guide My constancy at these words giveth place To my despair and duty is my guide No cruell Zaida in following Adibar T is Love that guides you but what I may be Too rash in censuring her so perhaps She doth enforce herself in quitting me And doth prefer my Rivall here before me To take off all suspition of our love She loves she loves me oh what say I fool without doubt she hath left me through contempt Love like to fickle Fortune is in constant His Empire doth resemble his who doth Command the sea where nothing is secure To day a calm to morrow a
the four corners of the World she rules So sweetly that crime onely feels her anger And as she is descended from the blood Of Zoroastres she knows well the vertue Of Herbs and th' influence of every star She understands the secret misteries Of Magick and sometimes makes use of it To serve her interests there is no Prince Nor Monarch that stands not in fear of her And suffereth her not to raign in peace For his own safety MERCATOR I know this Asyle And charming residence looks not with envy Upon the Court o' th' King of Portugal Besides I am not ignorant that the fair Ismenia drawn here by the sweet report Of these inchanting pleasures to enjoy them In quiet left the favour of her Queen And that this beauty by a sudden change Adds 〈…〉 lustre to this Paradise MELINTUS See where she comes Diana too with her I must in private speak unto this fair one An interest of love obligeth me Continually to make her my devotions MERCATOR Go Sir and prosper may your Saint prove sweet And gentle as those South-gales I expect In my embarkment Exit Mercator SCENA II. DIANA MELINTUS ISMENIA DIANA not seeing MELINTUS DIANA TRue I hate that horrid noise Now my free thought releas'd from such a trouble Enjoyes it self MELINTUS to DIANA So soon to quit the sports What was your fancy DIANA To avoid discourse That troubled me and here I meet with new MELINTUS Can such a subject as brings homage to you Produce th' effect you speak DIANA What doth not please me Both troubles and offends me MELINTUS You will one day Quit those disdainful rigours DIANA Yes when you Have neither hope nor love MELINTUS D' ye entertain Every one thus that loves you DIANA If he be such As you I use him just in the same manner MELINTUS Surely the Shepheard Clidamant speeds better DIANA 'T is then assuredly because he doth not Resemble you MELINTUS He entertain'd discourse With you in gentle whispers at the Sports DIANA I do confess it We talk'd of you and of your little skill MELINTUS Your subject was more serious without doubt DIANA What e'r it was yours I am sure offends me Remove this hated object from mine eyes Your presence will at last provoke my anger MELINTUS Can one displease you speaking of your Loves Thou Husband'st for him that so sweet discourse ISMENIA Every one knows that who but speaks Melintus Speaks jealous MELINTUS It is no secret what men think of thee Every one knows that who speaks but Ismenia Speaks cocket ISMENIA Really thou hast much reason To be afflicted at that late discourse Clidamant merits much and I 'le oblige him DIANA Leave us MELINTUS He doth expect you and I trouble you But wee 'l find out a way to cross his fortune Exit Melintus DIANA to ISMENIA He thinks that Clidaemant enjoys my love ISMENIA Thou hast no reason Shepheardess to draw him Out of his errour in the mean time wilt thou Not yield thee to the faithful services The prayers and tears of the devout Thersander Wilt thou not love him yet he that encourag'd By thy fair presence only to please thee Hath gain'd so many prizes who to give Thy anger no pretence though he loves much Can more be silent since the ardent flame Wherewith he burns for thee is only known To me unto Thimantes and thy self DIANA Ne'r speak unto me of it ISMENIA What! still cruel But hearken I will give thee an advise Shall touch thee whilst we may we should lay hold of The flying time he only maketh beauties And he destroys them in the lovely season That thine lasts use the gifts which nature gives thee Thou wilt one day lose this fair lustre which So charmeth hearts and be an object of Contempt as now thou art of adoration DIANA Rather that love whose Orator thou art Yet know'st his use so little doth times office 'T is he that withereth a face the cares The troubles and the griefs which by his means Possess a heart deface the lovely features And mow the flowers he is like time the Tyrant Of all things he in a few dayes dryes up Our Roses and our Lillies ISMENIA Shepheardess Such fear hath smal foundation quit this thought For thy own interest when love is once Lodg'd in the heart the ey hath then more light The face receiveth thence its full perfection Then we esteem us then we please our selves And know our utmost value we correct By art even to the least defect we call Our Glass to counsel in the ordering Our gate our carriage and our countenance There our eye cheers with smiles or kills with frowns Or faintly darts its glances or with strength Either to wound neer hand or further of Therefore once more for thy own interest I say unto thee love at least a little Thersander that adores thee DIANA Really Thou dost surprise me to speak thus unto me Thou that hast never yet had love nor thought Tending to that sick passion thou that mak'st So many Lovers only for thy glory Without remembring one of them thou that Pleasest thy self by turns in their discourse Thou that wilt gain all conserve thee nothing Thou sufferest Thimantes to adore thee To day but tell me wilt thou entertain His love to morrow ISMENIA I love but I have alwayes had my method In love the Lover that is troublesome Unto me is my Lover for a day I burn not yet for love nor do I sigh for 't I make a sport on 't still but ne'r a torment In thrusting no one of I 'm every day Attended by a multitude of servants That present courtship to me and all strive Who shall be formost on whom I command And raign as Princess they suppose they please me In putting up my praises when I go Unto the Temple they fail not to follow And carefully to tread in all my steps I am not pleas'd to see in such brave Shepheards A troop of slaves attending on my train I please them all in flattering their desires I 'm much delighted when I make them jealous Provided that their jealousy extend not So far as to betake themselves to arms For th' honour of my beauty◠this high point Of evidences might perhaps enrage Even all my other lovers DIANA Ha! how ill Thou know'st love and his maximes I behold Thy changes as so many crimes for my part If my heart were ta'ne with an object once I could not pass from love unto contempt I should be fix'd unto my first Idea And that God wholly should possess my thoughts ISMENIA Well then Diana love if thou think'st fit Beyond the grave and make so fair a fire Arise beneath thy ashes DIANA Oh alas ISMENIA What signify those sighs DIANA They signify The sorrow of the heart ISMENIA But whence proceeds That sorrow is it from thy brothers death Or from some lovers come deal plainly with me Dost thou not love Thersander yet at last DIANA No I
assure thee ISMENIA Speak I 'm very secret DIANA I 'le tell thee then in Sevil I receiv'd Both life and love Cleagenor Ismenia Is the name of the Conquerour whose image Is graven in my heart ISMENIA O Gods how this discourse Hath consened my thought I was about To give instructions but pursue DIANA Our parents Approv'd our love and the day for our marriage Already was appointed when Nearehus Provoked by an infamous desire Came to solicit me unlawfully In favour of his flame this favourite Unto the King after a passion painted And coloured with sighs called his presents To the assistance of his faith but this Proving effectless he resolv'd my ruin He came with open force to satisfy His beastly and unruly appetite And to that end would carry me away My Mother having notice at that instant Of his design made me to take a drink To frustrate it and then her subt'le policy Spread through the Town the rumour of my death Indeed the vertue of this drink procur'd me So long a sleep that it appear'd to be The sleep of death Nearchus terrified With this sad news came to behold it painted Upon my face remorse of conscience Within his heart then quarrel'd with his love His sad despair arm'd him to kill himself But whilst his soul was troubled herewith I was conveyed secretly into A Bark scarce had I yet finish'd my sleep But at my first waking I saw my self Upon the Sea My Mother then related The whole adventure to me and the secret Imposture of my feigned death when suddenly A storm brake the discourse horrour and death March'd on the floods alas what shall I say Our vessel being carried by the fury O' th' winds and waves was split upon a rock The several pieces floated on the waters I know not which o' th' Gods took care of me In putting one under my trembling hand Which making me pass on those moving graves Through the disturbed empire of the winds Carried me to the shore in all apparence Devoid of life here in this quiet Island Of Erithrea where Melissa raigns My body found a receptacle she Returning at that instant from the chase Perceiv'd it lying which th' enraged Sea Yet threatened on its banks and that same God Which would compleat his miracle inclin'd Her heart to pitty at this spectacle She causâ—d me to be carried to her Court It is unto her succour that I owe The remnant of my dayes here I first chang'd My name the better to assure my flight And so to disappoint Nearchus pursuit ISMENIA How Shepheardess is not thy Name Diana DIANA No Câ—lia was my true and only name But for my safety I made to Melissa A feign'd relation of the miseries Of my sad life since she receiv'd me Into her palace where I live with her And am now of her Court Seven times the Sun Hath finish'd his Carier since I have seen Or heard news of my mother ISMENIA Was Cleagenor Inform'd of all this DIANA Oh alas this is One of the points that causeth my affliction Cleagenor surprised by the same Imposture came to see me in my bed As in my grave I wonder that the noise Of his redoubled cryes brake not my sleep The heat to revenge me dry'd all his tears He found his rival and assaulted him They fought on equal terms Nearchus fell Under his arms for dead Cleagenor Was forc'd to fly t' avoid the fury of Th' offended King his sudden flight gave not My Mother oportunity t' inform him As she intended with the fiction Of my pretended death since his departure 'T is now seven years compleat in all which time I 've heard no news of him so that I know not Whether I mourn the living or the dead In the mean time to weep my fate more freely And to conceal my miserable fortune I feign'd a Brothers death ISMENIA I 'm sensible Of thy misfortune and will bear a part In thy sad grief if that will make it lesse I no more now condemne thy sighs nor tears But yet at last preserve thy beauty from Those murthering sorrows in this doubtfull case Fix thy fair thoughts upon some other object If death hath seiz'd thy Servant sure thou losest Too many tears and sighs or grant he live I st probable that he will keep his constancy For thee whom he thinks dead but here 's my Lover SCENA III. THIMANTES DIANA ISMENIA ISMENIA to THIMANTES WHat busines brings thee hither THIMANTES Here I come A little to divert my thought DIANA What thought THIMANTES 'T is a disease which doth assault my sense ISMENIA What i st without more circumstance THIMANTES My plaint Without words would express it at the sports Too many Shepheards had unto my grief Too long thy free ear and perhaps thy heart A World of people pressed round about thee The Shepheard Dorilas me thought discours'd Too long with thee I saw so many others Prostrated at thy foot ISMENIA Without more words Thimantes is become a jealous fool Since thou wilt love me learn to know me well Thimantes I am free and will no Master I 'le ne'r depend on any but my self Tell me I pray thee did I ever promise To speak to none but thee dost thou imagine So vainly that thou art the only Lover That serves me have not I yet some which ought To be conserv'd and amongst all the Shepheards Whose faith I have receiv'd if I should open My mouth and eyes on none of them but thee And that one of those dayes thy mind should change And mine change too as all this well may happen Would all the others jealous of this kindness Express'd to thee thus in particular Be still my Lovers though I had lost thee And if my liberty were not expos'd For all which of them would commiserate My fortune in thy losse I think upon Th' event of things which thou canst not assure At least if one quits me another takes me Consider if this humour pleaseth thee If thou canst serve me all thy life time thus And not be jealous if thou canst hope one day Both mouth and hand and happily the heart May flatter thy affection THIMANTES This way Seems very strange unto me but almost Every fair evening some appointed place Of meeting seems t' assure me of thy love Sufficiently and not to flatter me With frivolous hope ISMENIA Yet hitherto it is But airy words THIMANTES I hope all things from time In waiting for that day our names engraven In every place will speak my love Ismenia I promise ISMENIA But no more here comes Thersander That Shepheard whose enflamed heart thine eyes Hath rendered ashes DIANA Well Ismenia I leave you ISMENIA This is too much â—igour trust me At least afford the face if thou deny'st The heart SCENA IV. THERSANDER DIANA THIMANTES ISMENIA THERSANDER to DIANA OH stay dear object stay thou that art cause Of all my torments I have but one word To say before I dye