with Torches by my side Farr be the Omen though my Love I 'le guide No like his better Fortune I 'le appear With open Arms loose Vayl and flowing Hair Just flying forward from my rowling Sphere My Smiles shall make Abdalla more then Man Let him look up and perish if he can Exit An Alarm nearer then Enter Almanzor and Selin in the head of the Zegrys Ozmyn Pris'ner Almanz. We have not fought enough they fly too soon And I am griev'd the noble sport is done This onely man of all whom chance did bring Pointing to Ozmyn To meet my Arms was worth the Conquering His brave resistance did my Fortune grace So slow so threatning forward he gave place Hâ—s Chains be easie and his Usage fair Selin I beg you would commit him to my care Alm. Next the brave Spaniard free without delay And with a Convoy send him safe away Exit a Guard To them Hamet and others Hamet The King by me salutes you and to show That to your Valour he his Crown does owe Would from your Mouth I should the Word receive And that to these you would your Orders give Alm. He much o're-rates the little I have done Almanzor goes to the door and there seems to give out Orders by sending People several ways Selin to Ozmin Now to revenge the Murder of my Son To morrow for thy certain death prepare This night I onely leave thee to despair Ozmyn Thy idle Menaces I do not fear My business was to die or conquer here Sister for you I grieve I could no more My present State betrays my want of pow'r But when true Courage is of force bereft Patience the noblest Fortitude is left Exit cum Selin Alma Ah Esperanza what for me remains But Death or worse than Death inglorious Chains Esper. Madam you must not to Despair give place Heav'n never meant misfortune to that Face Suppose there were no justice in your cause Beauty 's a Bribe that gives her Judges Laws That you are brought to this deplor'd estate Is but th' ingenious Flatt'ry of your Fate Fate fears her Succor like an Alms to give And would you God-like from your self should live Almah Mark but how terrible his Eyes appear And yet there 's something roughly noble there Which in unfashion'd Nature looks Divine And like a Gemm does in the Quarry shine Almanzor returns she falls at his feet being veyld Almah Turn Mighty Conqu'ror turn your Face this way Do not refuse to hear the wretched pray Almanz. What business can this Woman have with me Almah That of th' afflicted to the Deity So may your Arms success in battels find So may the Mistris of your vows be kind If you have any or if you have none So may your Liberty be still your own Almanz. Yes I will turn my face but not my mind You bane and soft destruction of mankind What would you have with me Almahide I beg the grace unveyling You would lay by those terrours of your face Till calmness to your eyes you first restore I am afraid and I can beg no more Almanzor looking fixedly on her Well my fierce visage shall not murder you Speak quickly woman I have much to do Almah Where should I finde the heart to speake one word Your voice Sir is as killing as your sword As you have left the lightning of your eye So would you please to lay your thunder by Alman I 'me pleas'd and pain'd since first her eyes I saw As I were stung with some Tarantula Armes and the dusty field I less admire And soften strangely in some new desire Honour burns in me not so fiercely bright But pale as fires when master'd by the light Ev'n while I speak and look I change yet more And now am nothing that I was before I 'm numm'd and fix'd and scarce my eye balls move I fear it is the Lethargy of Love 'T is he I feel him now in every part Like a new Lord he vaunts about my Heart Surveys in state each corner of my Brest While poor fierce I that was am dispossest I 'm bound but I will rowze my rage again And though no hope of Liberty remaine I 'll fright my Keeper when I shake my chaine You are angrily Almah Almah I know I am your Captive Sir Alman You are You shall And I can scarce forbear Almah Alas Almanz. 'T is all in vain it will not do aside I cannot now a seeming anger show My Tongue against my heart no aid affords For Love still rises up and choaks my words Almah In half this time a tempest would be still Almanz. 'T is you have rais'd that tempest in my will I wonnot love you give me back my heart But give it as you had it fierce and brave It was not made to be a womans slave But Lyon-like has been in desarts bred And us'd to range will ne're be tamely led Restore its freedom to my fetter'd will And then I shall have pow'r to use you ill Almah My sad condition may your pity move But look not on me with the eyes of Love I must be brief though I have much to say Almanz. No speak for I can hear you now all day Her suing sooths me with a secret pride softly A suppliant beauty cannot be deni'd aside Ev'n while I frown her charms the furrows seize And I 'm corrupted with the pow'r to please Almah Though in your worth no cause of fear I see I fear the insolence of Victory As you are Noble Sir protect me then From the rude outrage of insulting men Almanz. Who dares touch her I love I 'm all o're love Nay I am Love Love shot and shot so fast He shot himself into my brest at last Almah You see before you her who should be Queen Since she is promis'd to Boabdelin Almanz. Are you belov'd by him O wretched fate First that I love at all then love too late Yet I must love Almah Alas it is in vain Fate for each other did not us ordain The chances of this day too clearly show That Heav'n took care that it should not be so Almanz. Would Heav'n had quite forgot me this one day But fate 's yet hot I 'le make it take a bent another way He walks swiftly and discomposedly studying I bring a claim which does his right remove You 're his by promise but you 're mine by Love 'T is all but Ceremony which is past The knots to tie which is to make you fast Fate gave not to Boabdelin that pow'r He woo'd you but as my Ambassadour Almah Our Souls are ty'd by holy Vows above Almanz. He sign'd but his but I will seal my love I love you better with more Zeale then he Almah This day I gave my faith to him he his to me Almanz. Good Heav'n thy book of fate before me lay But to tear out the journal of this day Or if the order of the world below Will not the gap of one
a design Where so much Love and so much vertue joyn Ozmyn to her Then Conquer and your Conquest happy be Both to your self your Father and to me With bended knees our freedom we 'll demand Of Isabel and mighty Ferdinand Then while the paths of Honour we pursue We 'll int'rest Heav'n for us in right of you Exeunt SCENE The Albayzin An Alarm within then Soldiers running over the Stage Enter Abdelmelech victorious with Soldiers Abdel. 'T is won 't is won and Lyndaraxa now Who scorn'd to Treat shall to a Conquest bow To every sword I free Commission give Fall on my Friends and let no Rebel live Spare onely Lyndaraxa let her be In Triumph led to grace my Victory Since by her falshood she betray'd my Love Great as that falshood my Revenge shall prove Enter Lyndaraxa as affrighted attended by women Go take th' Enchantress bring her to me bound Lynd. Force needs not where resistance is not found I come my self to offer you my hands And of my own accord invite your bands I wish'd to be my Abdelmelechs Slave I did but wish and easie Fortune gave Abdel. O more then Woman false but 't is in vain Can you e're hope to be believ'd again I 'le sooner trust th' Hyaena than your smile Or than your Tears the weeping Crocodile In War and Love none should be twice deceivd The fault is mine if you are now believ'd Lynd. Be overwise thou and too late repent Your Crime will carry its own punishment I am well pleas'd not to be justify'd I owe no satisfaction to your pride It will be more advantage to my Fame To have it said I never own'd a Flame Abdel. 'T is true my pride has satisfy'd it self I have at length escap'd the deadly shelf Th' excuses you prepare will be in vain Till I am fool enough to love again Lynd. Am I not lov'd Abdel. I must with shame avow I lov'd you once but do not love you now Lynd. Have I for this betray'd Abdalla's Trust You are to me as I to him unjust Angrily Abdel. 'T is like you have done much for love of me Who kept the Fortress for my Enemy Lynd. 'T is true I took the Fottress from his hand But since have kept it in my own Command Abdel. That act your foul Ingratitude did show Lynd. You are th' ungrateful since 't was kept for you Abdel. 'T was kept indeed but not by your intent For all your kindness I may thank th' event Blush Lindaraxa for so grosse a cheat 'T was kept for me when you refus'd to Treat Ironically Lynd. Blind Man I knew the weakness of the place It was my plot to do your Arms this Grace Had not my care of your renown been great I lov'd enough to offer you to Treat She who is lov'd must little Let ts create But you bold Lovers are to force your Fate This force you us'd my Maiden blush will save You seem'd to take what secretly I gave I knew we must be Conquer'd but I knew What Confidence I might repose in you I knew you were too grateful to expose My Friends and Soldiers to be us'd like Foes Abdel. Well though I love you not their lives shall be Spar'd out of Pity and Humanity To a Soldier Alferez Goe and let the slaughter cease Lynd. Then must I to your pity owe my peace Exit the Alferez Is that the tender'st term you can afford Time was you wou'd have us'd another word Abdel. Then for your Beauty I your Soldiers spare For though I do not love you your are fair Lynd. That little Beauty why did Heav'n impart To please your Eyes but not to move your Heart I 'le shrowd this Gorgon from all humane view And own no Beauty since it charms not you Reverse your Orders and our Sentence give My Soldiers shall not from my Beauty live Abdel. Then from our Friendship they their lives shall gain Though love be dead yet friendship does remain Lynd. That friendship which from wither'd Love does shoot Like the faint Herbage of a Rock wants root Love is a tender Amity refin'd Grafted on friendship it exalts the kind But when the Graff no longer does remain The dull Stock lives but never bears again Abdel. Then that my Friendship may not doubtful prove Fool that I am to tell you so I love You would extort this knowledge from my Brest And tortur'd me so long that I confest Now I expect to suffer for my Sin My Monarchy must end and yours begin Lynd. Confess not Love but spare your self that shame And call your Passion by some other name Call this assault your Malice or your Hate Love owns no acts so disproportionate Love never taught this insolence you show Alferez To Treat your Mistriss like a conquer'd Foe Is this th' obedience which my Heart should move This usage looks more like a Rape than Love Abdel. What proof of Duty would you I should give Lynd. 'T is Grace enough to let my Subjects live Let your rude Souldiers keep possession still Spoil riflle pillage any thing but kill In short Sir use your fortune as you please Secure my Castle and my person seize Let your true men my Rebels hence remove I shall dream on and think 't is all your love Abdel. You know too well my weakness and your pow'r Why did Heav'n make a fool a Conquerour She was my slave till she by me was shown How weak my force was and how strong her own Now she has beat my pow'r from every part Made her way open to my naked heart To a Sold. Go strictly charge my Souldiers to retreat Those countermand who are not enter'd yet On peril of your lives leave all things free Exit Souldier Now Madam love Abdalla more than me I only ask in duty you would bring The keys of our Albazin to the King I 'le make your terms as gentle as you please Trumpets sound a charge within and Souldiers shout What shouts and what new sounds of war are these Lind. Fortune I hope has favour'd my intent aside Of gaining time and welcome succours sent Enter Alferez Alf. All 's lost and you are fatally deceiv'd The foe is enter'd and the place reliev'd Scarce from the walls had I drawn off my men When from their Camp the Enemy rush'd in And Prince Abdalla enter'd first the gate Abdel. I am betray'd and find it now too late to her When your proud Soul to flatt'ries did descend I might have known it did some ill portend The wary Seaman stormy weather fears When winds shift often and no cause appears You by my bounty live Your Brothers too were pardon'd for my sake And this return your gratitude does make Lind. My Brothers best their own obligements know Without your charging me with what they owe. But since you think th' obligement is so great I l'e bring a friend to satisfie my debt looking behind Abdel. Thou shalt not triumph in thy base design
Heav'n when we meet if fatal it must be To one spare him and cast the Lot on me They retiree Lynd. Ah what a noble Conquest were this Heart I am resolv'd I 'le try my utmost Art In gaining him I gain that Fortune too Which he has Wedded and which I but Wooe I 'le try each secret passage to his mind And Loves soft Bands about his Heart-strings wind Not his vow'd Constancy shall scape my snare While he without resistance does prepare I 'le melt into him e're his Love 's aware She makes a gesture of invitation to Almanzor who returns again Lynd. You see Sir to how strange a remedy A persecuted Maid is forc'd to fly Who much distrest yet scarce has confidence To make your noble pity her defence Almanz. Beauty like yours can no protection need Or if it sues is certain to succeed To whate're Service you ordain my hand Name your Request and call it your Command Lynd. You cannot Sir but know that my ill Fate Has made me lov'd with all th' effects of Hate One Lover would by force my person gain Which one as guilty would by force detain Rash Abdelmelechs Love I cannot prize And fond Abdalla's passion I despise As you are brave so you are prudent too Advise a wretched Woman what to do Almanz. Have courage Fair one put your trust in me You shall at least from those you hate be free Resign your Castle to the King's Command And leave your Love-concernments in my hand Lynd. The King like them is fierce and faithless too How can I trust him who has injur'd you Keep for your self and you can grant no less What you alone are worthy to possess Enter brave Sir for when you speak the word These Gates will open of their own accord The Genius of the place its Lord will meet And bend its tow'ry forehead to your feet That little Cittadel which now you see Shall then the head of Conquer'd Nations be And every Turret from your coming rise The Mother of some great Metropolis Almanz. 'T is pity words which none but Gods should hear Should loose their sweetness in a Soldiers Ear I am not that Almanzor whom you praise But your fair Mouth can fair Idea's raise I am a wretch to whom it is deny'd T' accept with Honour what I wish with Pride And since I fight not for my self must bring The fruits of all my Conquests to the King Lynd. Say rather to the Queen to whose fair Name I know you vow the Trophies of your Fame I hope she is as kind as she is fair Kinder then unexperienc'd Virgins are To their first Loves though she has lov'd before And that first innocence is now no more But in revenge she gives you all her Heart For you are much too brave to take a part Though blinded by a Crown she did not see Almanzor greater than a King could be I hope her Love repairs her ill made choice Almanzor cannot be deluded twice Almanz. No not deluded for none count their gains Who like Almanzor franckly give their pains Lynd. Almanzor do not cheat your self nor me Your Love is not refin'd to that degree For since you have desires and those not blest Your Loveâ—s uneasie and at little rest Almanz. 'T is true my own unhappiness I see But who alas can my Physician be Love like a lazy Ague I endure Which fears the Water and abhors the Cure Lynd. 'T is a Consumption which your life does waste Still flatt'ring you with hope till help be past But since of cure from her you now despair You like consumptive Men should change your Air. Love some-where else 't is a hard remedy But yet you owe your self so much to try Almanz. My Love 's now grown so much a part of me That Life would in the Cure endanger'd be At least it like a Limb cut off would show And better dye than like a Cripple goe Lynd. You must be brought like mad Men to their cure And darkness first and next new Bonds endure Do you dark absence to your self ordain And I in Charity will find the Chain Almanz. Love is that madness which all Lovers have But yet 't is sweet and pleasing so to Rave 'T is an Enchantment where the reason 's bound But Paradice is in th' enchanted ground A Palace void of Envy Cares and Strife Where gentle hours delude so much of Life To take those Charms away and set me free Is but to send me into misery And Prudence of whose Cure so much you boast Restores those Pains which that sweet Folly lost Lynd. I would not like Philosophers remove But show you a more pleasing shape of Love You a sad sullen froward Love did see I 'le show him kind and full of gayety In short Almanzor it shall be my care To show you Love for you but saw Despair Almanz. I in the shape of Love Despair did see You in his shape would show Inconstancy Lynd. There 's no such thing as Constancy you call Faith ties not Hearts 't is Inclination all Some Wit deform'd or Beauty much decay'd First constancy in Love a Vertue made From Friendship they that Landmark did remove And falsly plac'd it on the bounds of Love Let th' effects of change be onely try'd Court me in jest and call me Almahide But this is onely Council I impart For I perhaps should not receive your heart Almanz Fair though you are As Summer mornings and your Eyes more bright Than Starrs that twinckle in a winters night Though you have Eloquence to warm and move Cold age and praying Hermites into Love Though Almahide with scorn rewards my care Yet than to change 't is nobler to despair My Love 's my Soul and that from Fate is free 'T is that unchang'd and deathless part of me Lynd. The Fate of Constancy your Love pursue Still to be faithful to what 's false to you Turns from him and goes off angrily Almanz. Ye Gods why are not Hearts first pair'd above But some still interfere in others Love E're each for each by certain marks are known You mould 'em off in haste and drop 'em down And while we seek what carelesly you sort You sit in State and make our pains your sport Exeunt on both sides ACT. IV. SCENE Abenamar and servants Aben. HAst and conduct the Pris'ner to my sight Exit servant and immediately enters with Selin bound Aben. Did you according to my orders write to Selin And have you summon'd Ozmyn to appear Selin I am not yet so much a slave to fear Nor has your Son deserv'd so ill of me That by his death or bonds I would be free Aben. Against thy life thou dost the sentence give Behold how short a time thou hast to live Selin Make haste and draw the Curtain while you may You but shut out the twilight of my day Beneath the burden of my age I bend You kindly ease me ' ere my Journey 's end To them
mind And pardon her who does assurance want So much she blushes when she cannot grant Abdal Yes you may blush and you have cause to weep Is this the faith you promis'd me to keep Ah yet if to a Lover you will bring No succour give your succour to a King Lynd. A King is he whom nothing can withstand Who men and money can with ease command A King is he whom fortune still does bless He is a King who does a Crown possess If you would have me think that you are he Produce to view your marks of Soveraignty But if your self alone for proof you bring You 're but a single person not a King Abdal Ingrateful Maid did I for this rebel I say no more but I have lov'd too well Lynd. Who but your self did that Rebellion move Did I ' ere promise to receive your Love Is it my fault you are not fortunate I love a King but a poor Rebel hate Abdal VVho follow Fortune still are in the right But let me be protected here this night Lynd. The place to morrow will be circled round And then no way will for your flight be found Abdalla I hear my Enemies just coming on trampling within Protect me but one hour till they are gone Lind. They 'l know you have been here it cannot be That very hour you stay will ruine me For if the foe behold our Enterview I shall be thought a Rebel too like you Haste hence and that your flight may prosperous prove I 'le recommend you to the pow'rs above Exit Lyndaraxa from above Abdal She 's gone ah faithless and ingrateful maid I fear some tread and fear I am betrai'd I 'll to the Spanish King and try if he To count'nance his own right will succour me There is more faith in Christian Dogs than thee Exit Ozmyn Benzayds Abenamar Benz. I wish To merit all these thanks I could have said My pity onely did his vertue aid 'T was pity but 't was of a Lovesick Maid His manly suffering my esteem did move That bred Compassion and Compassion Love Ozmin O blessing sold me at too cheap a rate My danger was the benefit of fate To his father But that you may my fair deliverer know She was not only born our house's foe But to my death by pow'rful reasons led At least in justice she might wish me dead Aben. But why thus long do you her name conceale Ozmyn To gain belief for what I now reveal E'ven thus prepar'd you scarce can think it true The Saver of my life from Selin drew Her birth and was his Sister whom I slew Aben. No more it cannot was not must not be Upon my blessing say not it was she The daughter of the onely man I hate Two Contradictions twisted in a fate Ozmyn The mutual hate which you and Selin bore Does but exalt her generous pity more Could she a brothers death forgive to me And cannot you forget her family Can you so ill requite the life I owe To reckon her who gave it still your foe It lends too great a luster to her line To let her vertue ours so much out-shine Aben. Thou giv'st her line th' advantage which they have By meanly taking of the life they gave Grant that it did in her a pity show But would my Son be pity'd by a foe She has the glory of thy act defac'd Thou kild'st her brother but she triumphs last Poorly for us our Enmity would cease When we are beaten we receive a peace Benz. If that be all in which you disagree I must confess 't was Ozmyn conquer'd me Had I beheld him basely beg his life I should not now submit to be his wife But when I saw his courage death control I paid a secret homage to his Soul And thought my cruel father much too blame Since Ozmyn's vertue his revenge did shame Aben. What constancy canst thou ' ere hope to finde In that unstable and soon conquer'd mind What piety canst thou expect from her Who could forgive a Brothers Murderer Or what obedience hop'st thou to be pay'd From one who first her father disobey'd Ozmyn Nature that bids us Parents to obey Bids parents their commands by Reason weigh And you her vertue by your praise did own Before you knew by whom the act was done Aben. Your reasons speak too much of insolence Her birth 's a crime past pardon or defence Know that as Selin was not won by thee Neither will I by Selins daughter be Leave her or cease henceforth to be my Son This is my will and this I will have done Exit Abenamar Ozmyn It is a murdring will That whirls along with an impetuous sway And like chain-shot sweeps all things in its way He does my honour want of duty call To that and love he has no right at all Benz. No Ozmyn no it is much less ill To leave me than dispute a Fathers will If I had any title to your love Your fathers greater right does mine remove Your vows and faith I give you back agen Since neither can be kept without a sin Ozmyn Nothing but death my vows can give me back They are not yours to give nor mine to take Benz. Nay think not though I could your vows resign My love or vertue could dispence with mine I would extinguish your unlucky fire To make you happy in some new desire I can preserve enough for me and you And love and be unfortunate for two Ozmyn In all that 's good and great You vanquish me so fast that in the end I shall have nothing left me to defend From every Post you force me to remove But let me keep my last retrenchment Love Benz. Love then my Ozmyn I will be content giving her hand To make you wretched by your own consent Live poor despis'd and banish'd for my sake And all the burden of my sorrows take For as for me in what soe're estate While I have you I must be fortunate Ozmyn Thus then secur'd of what we hold most dear Each others love we 'll go I know not where For where alas should we our flight begin The foes without our parents are within Benz. I 'le fly to you and you shall fly to me Our flight but to each others armes shall be To providence and chance permit the rest Let us but love enough and we are blest Exeunt Enter Boabdelin Abenamar Abdelmelech Guard Zulema and Hamet prisoners Abdel. They 're Lindraxa's brothers for her sake Their lives and pardon my request I make Boab. Then Zulema and Hamet live but know Your lives to Abdelmelechs sute you owe. Zul The grace receiv'd so much my hope exceeds That words come weak and short to answer deeds You 've made a venture Sir and time must show If this great mercy you did well bestow Boabd You Abdelmelech haste before 't is night And close pursue my Brother in his flight Exeunt Abdelmelech Zulema Hamet Enter Almanzor Almahide and Esperanza But
and Duty cannot set me free Ev'n Sin it self has not a Charm for me Of marry'd Lovers I am sure the first And nothing but a King could so be curst Q. Almah What sadness sits upon your Royal Heart Have you a Grief and must not I have part All Creatures else a time of Love possess Man onely clogs with cares his happiness And while he shou'd enjoy his part of Bliss With thoughts of what may be destroys what is K. Boab. You guess'd aright I am opprest with grief And 't is from you that I must seek relief To the Company Leave us to sorrow there 's a rev'rence due Sad Kings like Suns Ecclips'd withdraw from view The Attendants goe off and Chairs are set for the King and Queen Almah So two kind Turtles when a storm is nigh Look up and see it gath'ring in the Skie Each calls his Mate to shelter in the Groves Leaving in murmures their unfinish'd Loves Perch'd on some dropping Branch they sit alone And Cooe and hearken to each others moan Boab. taking her by the hand Since Almahide you seem so kind a Wife What would you do to save a Husbands life Almah When Fate calls on that hard Necessity I 'll suffer death rather than you shall dye Boab. Suppose your Countrey should in danger be What would you undertake to set it free Almah It were too little to resign my Breath My own free Hand should give me nobler Death Boab. That Hand which would so much for Glory do Must yet do more for it must kill me too You must kill Me for that dear Countreys sake Or what 's all one must call Almanzor back Almah I see to what your Speech you now direct Either my Love or Vertue you suspect But know that when my person I resign'd I was too noble not to give my mind No more the shadow of Almanzor fear I have no room but for your Image here Boab. This Almahide would make me cease to mourn Were that Almanzor never to return But now my fearful People mutiny Their clamours call Almanzor back not I. Their safety through my ruine I pursue He must return and must be brought by you Almah That hour when I my Faith to you did plight I banish'd him for ever from my sight His banishment was to my Vertue due Not that I fear'd him for my self but you My Honour had preserv'd me innocent But I would your suspicion too prevent Which since I see augmented in your mind I yet more reason for his Exile find K. Boab. To your intreaties he will yield alone And on your doom depend my Life and Throne No longer therefore my desires withstand Or if desires prevail not my Command Q. Almah In his return too sadly I foresee Th' effects of your returning jealousie But your Command I prize above my life 'T is sacred to a Subject and a Wife If I have pow'r Almanzor shall return Boab. letting go her hand and starting up Curst be that fatal hour when I was born You love you love him and that love reveal By your too quick consent to his repeal My jealousie had but too just a ground And now you stab into my former wound Q. Almah This suddain change I do not understand Have you so soon forgot your own Command Boab. Grant that I did th' unjust injunction lay You should have lov'd me more then to obey I know you did this mutiny design But your Love-plot I 'le quickly countermine Let my Crown go he never shall return I like a Phoenix in my Nest will burn Almah You please me well that in one common Fate You wrap your Self and Me and all your State Let us no more of proud Almanzor hear 'T is better once to die than still to fear And better many times to dye than be Oblig'd past payment to an Enemy Boab. 'T is better but you wives still have one way When e're your Husbands are oblig'd you pay Almah Thou Heav'n who know'st it judge my innocence You Sir deserve not I should make defence Yet judge my Vertue by that proof I gave When I submitted to be made your Slave Boab. If I have been suspicious or unkind Forgive me many cares distract my mind Love and a Crown Two such excuses no one Man e're had And each of 'em enough to make me mad But now my Reason re-assumes its Throne And finds no safety when Almanzor's gone Send for him then I 'le be oblig'd and sue 'T is a less evil than to part with you I leave you to your thoughts but love me still Forgive my Passion and obey my Will Exit Boabdelin Almahide Sola My jealous Lord will soon to Rage return That Fire his Fear rakes up does inward burn But Heav'n which made me great has chose for me I must th' oblation for my People be I 'le cherish Honour then and Life despise What is not Pure is not for Sacrifice Yet for Almanzor I in secret mourn Can Vertue then admit of his return Yes for my Love I will by Vertue square My Heart 's not mine but all my Actions are I 'le like Almanzor act and dare to be As haughty and as wretched too as he What will he think is in my Message meant I scarcely understand my own intent But Silk-worm-like so long within have wrought That I am lost in my own Webb of thought Exit Almahide ACT. II. SCENE A Wood. Ozmyn and Benzayda Ozm. 'T Is true that our protection here has been Th' effect of Honour in the Spanish Queen But while I as a friend continue here I to my Country must a Foe appear Benz. Think not my Ozmyn that we here remain As friends but Pris'ners to the Pow'r of Spain Fortune dispences with your Countryes right But you desert your honour in your flight Ozm. I cannot leave you here and go away My Honour 's glad of a pretence to stay A noise within follow follow follow Enter Selin his sword drawn as pursued Selin I am pursu'd and now am spent and done My limbs suffice me not with strength to run And if I could alas what can I save A year the dregs of life too from the grave sits down on the ground Here will I sit and here attend my fate With the same hoary Majesty and State As Rome's old Senate for the Galls did wait Ben. It is my father and he seems distrest Ozmyn My honour bids me succour the opprest That life he sought for his I 'le freely give We 'll dye together or together live Benz. I 'le call more succour since the Camp is near And fly on all the wings of Love and fear Exit Benz. Enter Abenamar and four or five Moors He looks and finds Selin Aben. Ye've liv'd and now behold your latest hour Selin I scorn your malice and defy your pow'r A speedy death is all I ask you now And that 's a favour you may well allow Ozmyn shewing himself Who gives you death shall give
like Relicks which by Saints were worn Almah Presents like this my Vertue durst not make But that 't is giv'n you for my Husbands sake Gives the Scarfe Alman This Scarfe to Honourable Raggs I 'le wear As conqu'ring Soldiers tatter'd Ensigns bear But oh how much my Fortune I despise Which gives me Conquest while she Love denies Exeunt ACT. III. SCENE The Alhambra Almahide Esperanza Espe AFFected Modesty has much of Pride That scarfe he begg'd you could not have deny'd Nor does it shock the Vertue of a Wife When giv'n that man to whom you owe your life Almah Heav'n knows from all intent of ill 't was free Yet it may feed my Husbands jealousie And for that cause I wish it were not done To them Boabdelin and walks apart See where he comes all pensive and alone A gloomy Fury has o're-spread his Face 'T is so and all my Fears are come to pass Boabdelin aside Marriage thou curse of Love and snare of Life That first debas'd a Mistress to a Wife Love like a Scene at distance should appear But Marriage views the gross-daub'd Landschape neer Loves nauseous cure thou cloyst whom thou shoudst pleas And when thou cur'st then thou art the disease When Hearts are loose thy Chain our bodies tyes Love couples Friends but Marriage Enemies If Love like mine continues after thee 'T is soon made sowr and turn'd by Jealousie No sign of Love in jealous Men remains But that which sick men have of life their pains Almahide walking to him Has my dear Lord some new affliction had Have I done any thing that makes him sad Boab. You nothing You but let me walk alone Almah I will not leave you till the cause be known My knowledge of the ill may bring relief Boab. Thank ye You never faile to cure my grief Trouble me not my grief concerns not you Almah While I have life I will your steps pursue Boab. I 'me out of humour now you must not stay Almah I fear it is that Scarfe I gave away Boab. No 't is not that but speak of it no more Go hence I am not what I was before Almah Then I will make you so give me your hand Can you this pressing and these Tears withstand Boab sighing and going off from her O Heav'n were she but mine or mine alone Ah why are not the Hearts of Women known False Women to new joys unseen can move There are no prints left in the paths of Love All Goods besides by publick marks are known But what we most desire to keep has none Almah approaching him Why will you in your Brest your passion croud Like unborn Thunder rowling in a Cloud Torment not your poor Heart but set it free And rather let its fury break on me I am not married to a God I know Men must have Passions and can bear from you I fear th' unlucky Present I have made Boab. O pow'r of Guilt how Conscience can upbraid It forces her not onely to reveal But to repeat what she would most conceal Almah Can such a toy and giv'n in publick too Boab. False Woman you contriv'd it should be so That publick Gift in private was design'd The Embleme of the Love you meant to bind Hence from my sight ungrateful as thou art And when I can I 'le banish thee my heart she weeps To them Almanzor wearing the scarfe he sees her weep Almanz. What precious drops are those Which silently each others track pursue Bright as young Diamonds in their infant dew Your lustre you should free from tears maintain Like Egypt rich without the help of rain Now curst be he who gave this cause of grief And double curst who does not give relief Almah Our common fears and publick miseries Have drawn these tears from my afflicted eies Alman Madam I cannot easily believe It is for any publick cause you grieve On your fair face the marks of sorrow lie But I read fury in your Husbands eye And in that passion I too plainly find That you 'r unhappy and that he 's unkind Almah Not new-made Mothers greater love express Than he when with first looks their babes they bless Not Heav'n is more to dying Martyrs Kind Nor guardian Angels to their charge asign'd Boab. O goodness counterfeited to the life O the well acted vertue of a wife Would you with this my just suspitions blind You 've given me great occasion to be kind The marks too of your spotless love appear Witness the badge of my dishonor there Pointing to Almonzor's scarfe Almanz. Unworthy owner of a gemme so rare Heav'ns why must he possess and I despair Why is this Miser doom'd to all this store He who has all and yet believes he 's poor Almah to Almanz. You 'r much too bold to blame a jealousy So kind in him and so desir'd by me The faith of wives would unrewarded prove Without those just observers of our love The greater care the higher passion shows We hold that dearest we most fear to loose Distrust in Lovers is too warm a Sun But yet 't is Night in Love when that is gone And in those Clymes which most his scorching know He makes the noblest fruits and Metals grow Alman Yes there are mines of Treasure in your brest Seen by that jealous Sun but not possest He like a dev'l among the blest above Can take no pleasure in your Heaven of love Go take her and thy causless fears remove To the K. Love her so well that I with rage may dy Dull husbands have no right to jealousie If that 's allow'd it must in Lovers be Boab. The succor which thou bring'st me makes thee bold But know without thy ayd my Crown I 'le hold Or if I cannot I will fire the place Of a full City make a naked space Hence then and from a Rival set me free I 'le do I 'le suffer any thing but thee Almanz. I wonnot goe I 'le not be forc'd away I came not for thy sake nor do I stay It was the Queen who for my ayd did send And 't is I only can the Queen defend I for her sake thy Scepter will maintain And thou by me in spight of thee shalt raign Boab. Had I but hope I could defend this place Three daies thou shoud'st not live to my disgrace So small a time Might I possess my Almahide alone I would live ages out'ere they were gone I should not be of love or life bereft All should be spent before and nothing left Almahide to Boabdelin As for your sake for Almanzor sent So when you please he goes to banishment You shall at last my Loyalty approve I will refuse no tryal of my love Boab. How can I think you love me while I see That trophee of a Rivals Victory I 'le tear it from his side Almanz. I 'le hold it fast As life and when life 's gone I 'le hold this last And if thou tak'st it after I am slain I 'le send my
Benz. I fear to ask yet would from doubt be freed Is Selin Captive Sir or is he dead Zul I grieve to tell you what you needs must know He is a Pris'ner to his greatest Foe Kept with strong guards in the Almambra Tour Without the reach ev'n of Almanzor's pow'r Ozmyn With grief and shame I am at once opprest Zul You vvill be more vvhen I relate the rest To you I from Abenamar am sent To Ozmyn And you alone can Selin's death prevent Give up your self a Pris'ner in his stead Or e're to morrow's dawn believe him dead Benz. E're that appear I shall expire with grief Zul Your action swift your Council must be brief Lynd. While for Abdalla's freedom we prepare You in each others Brest unload your care Exeunt all but Ozmyn and Benzayda Benz. My wishes contradictions must imply You must not goe and yet he must not dye Your Reason may perhaps th' extremes unite But there 's a mist of Fate before my sight Ozm. The two Extremes too distant are to close And Human Wit can no mid-way propose My duty therefore shows the neerest way To free your Father and my own obey Benz. Your Father whom since yours I grieve to blame Has lost or quite forgot a Parents name And when at once possest of him and you Instead of freeing one will murder two Ozm. Fear not my Life but suffer me to goe What cannot onely Sons with Parents do 'T is not my death my Father does pursue He onely would withdraw my Love from you Benz. Now Ozmyn now your want of Love I see For would you goe and hazard loosing me Ozm. I rather would ten thousand Lives forsake Nor can you e're believe the doubt you make This night I with a chosen Band will goe And by surprize will free him from the Foe Benz. What Foe ah whether would your Vertue fall It is your Father whom the Foe you call Darkness and Rage will no distinction make And yours may perish for my Fathers sake Ozm. Thus when my weaker Vertue goes astray Yours pulls it back and guides me in the way I 'le send him word my being shall depend On Selin's Life and with his Death shall end Benz. 'T is that indeed would glut your Fathers rage Revenge on Ozmyn's Youth and Selin's age Ozm. What e're I plot like Sisyphus in vain I heave a stone that tumbles down again Benz. This Glorious work is then reserv'd for me He is my Father and I le set him free These Chains my Father for my sake does wear I made the fault and I the pains will bear Ozm. Yes you no doubt have merited those pains Those hands those tender Limbs were made for chains Did I not love you yet it were too base To let a Lady suffer in my place Those proofs of Vertue you before did show I did admire but I must envy now Your vast ambition leaves no Fame for me But grasps at universal Monarchy Benz. Yes Ozmyn I shall still this Palm pursue I will not yield my Glory ev'n to you I 'le break those bonds in which my Father 's ty'd Or if I cannot break 'em I 'le divide What though my Limbs a Womans weakness show I have a Soul as Masculine as you And when these Limbs want strength my Chains to wear My Mind shall teach my body how to bear Exit Benzayda Ozm. What I resolve I must not let her know But Honour has decreed she must not goe What she resolves I must prevent with care She shall not in my Fame or Danger share I 'le give strict Order to the Guards which wait That when she comes she shall not pass the Gate Fortune at last has run me out of breath I have no refuge but the arms of death To that dark Sanctuary I will goe She cannot reach me when I lie so low SCENE The Albayzin Enter on the one side Almanzor Abdalla Abdelmelech Zulema Hamet On the other side the Duke of Arcos Boabdelin Lyndaraxa and their party After which the Barrs are opened and at the same time Boabdelin and Abdalla pass by each other each to his party when Abdalla is past on the other side the Duke of Arcos approaches the Barrs and calls to Almanzor Arc. The hatred of the brave with battails ends And Foes who fought for Honour then are Friends I love thee brave Almanzor and am proud To have one hour when Love may be allowd This hand in sign of that esteem I plight We shall have angry hours enough to fight Giving his hand Almanz. The Man who dares like you in fields appear And meet my Sword shall be my Mistriss here If I am proud 't is onely to my Foes Rough but to such who Vertue would oppose If I some fierceness from a Father drew A Mothers Milk gives me some softness too Arcos Since first you took and after set me free Whether a sence of Gratitude it be Or some more secret motion of my mind For which I want a name that 's more then kind I shall be glad by what e're means I can To get the friendship of so brave a man And would your unavailing valour call From aiding those whom Heav'n has doom'd to fall We owe you that respect Which to the Gods of Foes besieg'd was shown To call you out before we take your Town Almanz. Those whom we love we should esteem 'em too And not debauch that Vertue which we wooe Yet though you give my Honour just offence I 'le take your kindness in the better sence And since you for my safety seem to fear I to return your Bribe should wish you here But since I love you more then you do me In all events preserve your Honour free For that 's your own though not your destiny Arcos Were you oblig'd in Honour by a Trust I should not think my own proposals just But since you fight for an unthankful King What loss of Fame can change of parties bring Almanz. It will and may with justice too be thought That some advantage in that change I sought And though I twice have chang'd for wrongs receiv'd That it was done for profit none believ'd The Kings Ingratitude I knew before So that can be no cause of changing more If now I stand when no reward can be 'T will show the fault before was not in me Arcos Yet there is one reward to valour due And such it is as may be sought by you That beaut'ous Qneen whom you can never gain While you secure her Husbands Life and Raign Almanz. Then be it so let me have no return Here Lyndaraxa comes neer and hears them From him but Hatred and from her but Scorn There is this comfort in a noble Fate That I deserve to be more fortunate You have my last resolve and now farewell My boding Heart some Mischief does foretell But what it is Heav'n will not let me know I 'me sad to death that I must be your Foe Arcos
walks at large a Pris'ner of the Mind Wills all his Crimes while Heav'n th' Indictment draws And pleading guilty justifies the Laws Let Fate be Fate the Lover and the Brave Are rank'd at least above the vulgar Slave Love makes me willing to my death to run And courage scorns the death it cannot shun Enter Almahide with a Taper Almah My Light will sure discover those who talk Who dares to interrupt my private Walk Almanz. He who dares love and for that love must dy And knowing this dares yet love on am I. Almah That love which you can hope and I can pay May be reciev'd and giv'n in open day My praise and my esteem you had before And you have bound you self to ask no more Almanz. Yes I have bound my self but will you take The forfeit of that bond which force did make Almah You know you are from recompence debarr'd But purest love can live without reward Almanz. Pure love had need be to it self a feast For like pure Elements 't will nourish least Almah It therefore yields the only pure content For it like Angels needs no Nourishment To eat and drink can no perfection be All Appetite implies Necessity Almanz. 'T were well if I could like a spirit live But do not Angels food to Mortals give What if some Daemon should my death foreshow Or bid me change and to the Christians goe Will you not think I merit some reward When I my love above my life regard Almah In such a case your change must be allow'd I would my self dispence with what you vow'd Almanz. Were I to dye that hour when I possess This minute should begin my happiness Almah The thoughts of death your passion would remove Death is a cold encouragement to love Alman No from my joyes I to my death would run And think the business of my life â—ell done But I should walk a discontented Ghost If flesh and blood were to no purpose lost Almah You love me not Almanzor if you did You would not ask what honour must forbid Alman And what is Honour but a Love well hid Almah Yes 't is the Conscience of an Act well done Which gives us pow'r our own desires to shun The strong and secret curb of headlong Will The self reward of good and shame of ill Almanz. These Madam are the Maximes of the Day When Honour 's present and when Lov 's away The duty of poor Honour were too hard In Arms all day at night to mount the Guard Let him in pity now to rest retire Let these soft hours be watch'd by warm desire Almah Guards who all day on painful duty keep In dangers are not priviledg'd to sleep Alman And with what dangers are you threaten'd here Am I alas a foe for you to fear See Madam at your feet this Enemy kneels Without your pity and your Love I die Almah Rise rise and do not empty hopes pursue Yet think that I deny my self not you Alman A happiness so nigh I cannot bear My loves too fierce and you too killing fair I grow enrag'd to see such Excellence If words so much disorder'd give offence My love 's too full of zeal to think of sence Be you like me dull Reason hence remove And tedious formes and give a loose to love Love eagerly let us be gods to night And do not with half yielding dash delight Almah Thou strong Seducer Opportunity Of womankind half are undone by thee Though I resolve I will not be misled I wish I had not heard what you had sed I cannot be so wicked to comply And yet am most unhappy to deny Away Alman I will not move me from this place I can take no denial from that face Almah If I could yield but think not that I will You and my self I in revenge should kill For I should hate us both when it were done And would not to the shame of life be wonn Alman Live but to night and trust to morrows mind ' Ere that can come there 's a whole life behind Methinks already crown'd with joyes I lie Speechless and breathless in an Extasie Not absent in one thought I am all there Still closs yet wishing still to be more near Almah Deny your own desires for it will be Too little now to be deni'd by me Will he who does all great all noble seem Be lost and forfeit to his own Esteem Will he who may with Heroes claim a place Belie that fame and to himself be base Think how August and god-like you did look When my defence unbrib'd you undertook But when an Act so brave you disavow How little and how mercenary now Almanz. Are then my Services no higher priz'd And can I fall so low to be despis'd Almah Yes for whatever may be bought is low And you your self who sell your self are so Remember the great Act you did this day How did your Love to Vertue then give way When you gave freedom to my Captive Lord That Rival vvho possest vvhat you ador'd Of such a deed vvhat price can there be made Think vvell is that an Action to be paid It vvas a Myracle of Vertue shovvn And vvonders are vvith vvonder paid alone And would you all that secret joy of mind Which great Souls onely in great actions find All that for one tumultuous Minute loose Alman I wou'd that minute before ages choose Praise is the pay of Heav'n for doing good But Loves the best return for flesh and blood Almah You 've mov'd my heart so much I can deny No more but know Almanzor I can dye Thus far my vertue yields if I have shown More Love than what I ought let this attone Going to stab herself Almanz. Hold hold Such fatal proofs of love you shall not give Deny me hate me both are just but live Your Vertue I will ne'r disturb again Nor dare to ask for fear I should obtain Almah 'T is gen'rous to have conquer'd your desire You mount above your wish and loose it higher There 's pride in vertue and a kindly heat Not feverish like your love but full as great Farewell and may our loves hereafter be But Image-like to heighten piety Almanz. 'T is time I should be gone Alas I am but half converted yet All I resolve I with one look forget And like a Lyon whom no Arts can tame Shall tear ev'n those who would my rage reclaime Exeunt severally Zulema and Hamet watch Almanzor and when he is gone go in after the Queen Enter Abdelmelech and Lyndaraxa Lynd. It is enough you 've brought me to this place Here stop and urge no further my disgrace Kill me in death your mercy will be seen But make me not a Captive to the Queen Abdelm. 'T is therefore I this punishment provide This only can revenge me on your pride Prepare to suffer what you shun in vain And know you now are to obey not raign Enter Almahide schrieking her hair loose she runs over the
remains in the Sultana's cause I here am ready to fulfil the Laws Selin The Law is fully satisfy'd and we Pronounce the Queen and Abdelmelech free Abdelm. Heav'n thou art just The Iudges rise from their seats and goe before Almanzor to the Queens Scaffold he unbinds the Queen and Abdelmelech they all goe off the people showting and the Trumpets sounding the while Boab. Before we pay our thanks or show our joy Let us our needful Charity employ Some skilful Surgeon speedily be found T' apply fit Remedies to Ozmyn's wound Benzayda running to Ozmyn That be my charge my Linnen I will tear Wash it with Tears and bind it with my Hair Ozm. With how much pleasure I my pains endure And bless the wound which causes such a cure Exit Ozmyn led by Benzayda and Abenamar Boab. Some from the place of Combat bear the slain Next Lyndaraxa's death I should ordain But let her who this mischief did contrive For ever banish'd from Granada live Lynd. Thou shou'dst have punish'd more or not at all By her thou hast not ruin'd thou shalt fall aside The Zegry's shall revenge their branded Line Betray their Gate and with the Christians joyn Exit Lynd. with Alabez the Bodies of her Brothers are born after her Almanzor Almahide Esperanza re-enter to the King Almah The thanks thus paid which first to Heav'n were due My next Almanzor let me pay to you Somewhat there is of more concernment too Which 't is not fit you should in publick know First let your wounds be dress'd with speedy care And then you shall th' important Secret share Almanz. When e're you speak Were my wounds mortal they should still bleed on And I would listen till my life were gone My Soul should ev'n for your last accent stay And then shoot out and with such speed obey It shou'd not bait at Heav'n to stop its way Exit Almanzor Boab. 'T is true Almanzor did her Honour save aside But yet what private business can they have Such freedom vertue will not sure allow I cannot clear my heart but must my brow He approaches Almahide Welcome again my Vertuous Loyal Wife Welcome to Love to Honour and to Life Goes to salute her she starts back You seem As if you from a loath'd embrace did goe Almah Then briefly I will speak since you must know What to the World my future Acts will show But hear me first and then my reasons weigh 'T is known how Duty led me to obey My Fathers choice and how I since did live You Sir can best your testimony give How to your aid I have Almanzor brought When by rebellious Crowds your life was sought Then how I bore your causeless Jealousie For I must speak and after set you free When you were Pris'ner by the chance of war These sure are proofs of Love Boab I grant they are Almah And cou d you then O cruelly unkind So ill reward such tenderness of mind Could you denying what our Laws afford The meanest subject on a Traytors word Unheard condemn and suffer me to goe To death and yet no common pity show Boab. Love fill'd my heart ev'n to the brim before And then with too much jealousie boil'd o're Almah Be 't Love or Jealousie t is such a Crime That I 'm forewarn'd to trust a second time Know then my Pray'rs to Heav'n shall never cease To crown your Arms in War your Wars with Peace But from this day I will not know your Bed Though Almahide still lives your wife is dead And with her dies a Love so pure and true It could be kill'd by nothing but by you Exit Almahide Boab. Yes you will spend your life in Pray'rs for me And yet this hour my hated Rival see She might a Husbands Jealousie forgive But she will onely for Almanzor live It is resolv'd I will my self provide That vengeance which my useless Laws deny'd And by Almanzor's death at once remove The Rival of my Empire and my Love Exit Boabdelin Enter Almahide led by Almanzor and follow'd by Esperanza she speaks entring Almah How much Almanzor to your aid I owe Unable to repay I blush to know Yet forc'd by need e're I can clear that score I like ill debtors come to borrow more Almanz. Your new Commands I on my knees attend I was created for no other end Born to be yours I do by Nature serve And like the lab'ring Beast no thanks deserve Almah Yet first your Vertue to your succor call For in this hard Command you 'll need it all Almanz. I stand prepar'd and whatsoe're it be Nothing is hard to him who loves like me Almah Then know I from your Love must yet implore One proof that you would never see me more Almanzor starting back I must confess For this last stroke I did no Guard provide I could suspect no Foe was neer that side From Winds and thickning Clouds we Thunder fear None dread it from that quarter which is cleer And I would fain believe 't is but your Art To shew You knew where deepest you could wound my Heart Almah So much respect is to your passion due That sure I could not practise Arts on you But that you may not doubt what I have sed This hour I have renounc'd my Husbands Bed Judge then how much my Fame would injur'd be If leaving him I should a Lover see Almanz. If his unkindness have deserv'd that Curse Must I for loving well be punish'd worse Almah Neither your Love nor Merits I compare But my unspotted Name must be my care Almanz. I have this day establish'd its renown Almah Would you so soon what you have rais'd throw down Almanz. But Madam Is not yours a greater Guilt To ruine him who has that Fabrique built Almah No Lover should his Mistriss Pray'rs withstand Yet you contemn my absolute Command Almanz. 'T is not contempt When your Command is issu'd out too late 'T is past my pow'r and all beyond is fate I scarce could leave you when to Exile sent Much less when now recall'd from banishment For if that heat your glances cast were strong Your Eyes like Glasses Fire when held so long Almah Then since you needs will all my weakness know I love you and so well that you must goe I am so much oblig'd and have withal A Heart so boundless and so prodigal I dare not trust my self or you to stay But like frank gamesters must forswear the play Almanz. Fate thou art kind to strike so hard a blow I am quite stun'd and past all feeling now Yet can you tell me you have pow'r and will To save my life and at that instant kill Alm. This had you stay'd you never must have known But now you goe I may with honour own Almanz. But Madam I am forc'd to disobey In your defence my honour bids me stay I promis'd to secure your life and throne And heav'n be thank'd that work is yet undone Alma I here make
thinking that his fears were vain He lifted up his thundring arm again Again the voice withheld him from my death Spare spare his life it cry'd who gave thee breath Once more he stop'd then threw his sword away Blest shade he said I hear thee I obey Thy sacred voice then in the sight of all He at my feet I on his neck did fall Ferd. O blest Event Arcos The Moors no longer fought But all their safety by submission sought Mean time my Son grew faint with loss of blood And on his bending sword supported stood Yet with a voice beyond his strength he cry'd Lead me to live or dye by Almahide K. Ferd. I am not for his wounds less griev'd than you For if what now my Soul divines prove true This is that son whom in his Infancy You lost when by my father forc'd to fly D. Arcos His Sisters beauty did my passion move The crime for which I suffer'd was my love Our marriage known to Sea we took our flight There in a storm Almanzor first saw light On his right Arm a bloody heart was grav'd The mark by which this day my life was sav'd The Bracelets and the Cross his mother ty'd About his wrist ' ere she in childbed dy'd How we were Captives made when she was dead And how Almanzor was in Africque bred Some other hour you may at leisure hear For see the Queen in triumph does appear Enter Qu. Isabel Lyndaraxa Ladies Moors and Spaniards mix'd as Guards Abdelmelech Abenamar Selin Pris'ners K. Ferdinand embracing Qu Isabel. All stories which Granada's Conquest tell Shall celebrate the name of Isabel. Your Ladies too who in their Countries cause Led on the men shall share in your applause And for your sakes henceforward I ordain No Ladies dow'r shall question'd be in Spain Fair Lyndaraxa for the help she lent Shall under Tribute have this Government Abdelm. O Heav'n that I should live to see this day Lynd. You murmur now but you shall soon obey I knew this Empyre to my fate was ow'd Heav'n held it back as long as ' ere it cou'd For thee base wretch I want a torture yet to Abdelm. I 'le cage thee thou shalt be my Bajazet I on no pavement but on thee will tread And when I mount my foot shall know thy head Abdelm. stabbing her with a Ponyard This first shall know thy heart Lind. Oh! I am slain Abdelm. Now boast thy Country is betray'd to Spain K. Ferd. Look to the Lady Seize the Murdere Abdelmelech stabbing himself I 'le do my self that Justice I did her Thy blood I to thy ruin'd Country give To Lynd. But love too well thy murther to out live Forgive a love excus'd by its excess Which had it not been cruel had been less Condemn my passion then but pardon me And think I murder'd him who murder'd thee dyes Lynd. Dye for us both I have not leysure now A Crown is come and will not fate allow And yet I fell something like death is near My guards my guards Let not that ugly skeleton appear Sure destiny mistakes this death 's not mine She dotes and meant to cut another line Tell her I am a Queen but 't is too late Dying I charge Rebellion on my fate Bow down ye slaves To the Moors Bow quickly down and your Submission show they bow I 'me pleas'd to taste an Empyre ' ere I goe dyes Selin She 's dead and here her proud ambition ends Aben. Such fortune still such black designs attends Ferd. Remove those mournful Objects from our eyes And see perform'd their funeral Obsequies The Bodies carried off Enter Almanzor and Almahide Ozmyn and Benzayda Almahide brought in a chair Almanzor led betwixt Souldiers Isabel salutes Almahide in dumb show Duke of Arcos presenting Almanzor to the King See here that Son whom I with pride call mine And who dishonours not your royal line K. Ferd. I 'me now secure this Scepter which I gain Shall be continu'd in the pow'r of Spain Since he who could alone my foes defend By birth and honour is become my friend Yet I can own no joy nor Conquest boast to Almanz. While in this blood I see how dear it cost Almanz. This honor to my veins new blood will bring Sreams cannot fail fed by so high a Spring But all Court-Customs I so little know That I may fail in those respects I owe. I bring a heart which homage never knew Yet it finds something of it self in you Something so kingly that my haughty mind Is drawn to yours because 't is of a kind Qu. Isabel. And yet that Soul which bears it self so high If fame be true admits a Soveraignty This Queen in her fair eyes such fetters brings As chain that heart which scorns the pow'r of Kings Almah Little of charm in these sad eyes appears If they had any now 't is lost in tears A Crown and Husband ravish'd in one day Excuse a grief I cannot choose but pay Q. Isab. Have Courage Madam heav'n has joyes in store To recompence those losses you deplore Qu. Almah I know your God can all my woes redress To him I made my vows in my distress And what a Misbeliever vow'd this day Though not a Queen a Christian yet shall pay Qu. Isabel embracing her That Christian name you shall receive from me And Isabella of Granada be Benz. This blessed change we all with joy receive And beg to learn that faith which you believe Qu. Isabel. With reverence for those holy rites prepare And all commit your fortunes to my care K. Ferd. to Almahide You Madam by that Crown you loose may gain If you accept a Coronet of Spain Of which Almanzor's father stands possest Qu. Isabel to Almahide May you in him and he in you be blest Qu. Almahide I owe my life and honour to his sword But owe my love to my departed Lord. Almanzor Thus when I have no living force to dread Fate find's me Enemies amongst the dead ' Ime now to conquer Ghosts and to destroy The strong impressions of a Bridale joy Almah You 've yet a greater Foe than these can be Vertue opposes you and Modesty Almanz. From a false fear that Modesty does grow And thinks true love because 't is fierce its foe 'T is but the wax whose seals on Virgins stay Let it approach Loves fire 't will melt away But I have liv'd too long I never knew When fate was conquer'd I must combate you I thought to climb the steep ascent of Love But did not think to find a foe above 'T is time to dye when you my bar must be Whose aid alone could give me Victory Without I 'le pull up all the sluces of the flood And Love within shall boyl out all my blood Q. Isab. Fear not your Love should find so sad success While I have pow'r to be your Patroness I am her Parent now and may command So much of duty as to give her hand gives him
non-sence who make it that he performs impossibilities they say that being a stranger he appeases two fighting factions when the Authority of their Lawful Soverign could not this is indeed the most improbable of all his actions but 't is far from being impossible Their King had made himself contemptible to his people as the History of Granada tells us and Almanzor though a stranger yet was already known to them by his gallantry in the Juego de toros his engagement on the weaker side and more especially by the character of his person and brave actions given by Abdalla just before and after all the greatness of the enterprize consisted onely in the daring for he had the Kings guards to second him but we have read both of Caesar and many other Generals who have not onely calm'd a Mutiny with a word but have presented themselves single before an Army of their enemies which upon sight of them has revolted from their own Leaders and come over to their trenches In the rest of Almanzors actions you see him for the most part victorious but the same fortune has constantly attended many Heroes who were not imaginary Yet you see it no Inheritance to him for in the first Part he is made a Prisoner and in the last defeated and not able to preserve the City from being taken If the History of the late Duke of Guise be true he hazarded more and perform'd not less in Naples than Almanzor is feign'd to have done in Granada I have been too tedious in this Apology but to make some satisfaction I will leave the rest of my Play expos'd to the Criticks without defence The concernment of it is wholly past from me and ought to be in them who have been favorable to it and are somewhat oblig'd to defend their own opinions That there are errors in it I deny not Aft opere in tanto fas est obrepere Somnum But I have already swept the stakes and with the common good fortune of prosperous Gamesters can be content to sit quietly to hear my fortune curst by some and my faults arraign'd by others and to suffer both without reply On Mr. Dryden's Play The Conquest of GRANADA TH' applause I gave among the foolish Croud Was not distinguish'd though I clap'd aloud Or if it had my judgment had been hid I clap'd for Company as others did Thence may be told the fortune of your Play Its goodness must be try'd another way Let 's judge it then and if we 've any skill Commend what 's good though we commend it ill There will be Praise enough yet not so much As if the world had never any such Ben Iohnson Beaumont Fletcher Shakespear are As well as you to have a Poets share You who write after have besides this Curse You must write better or you else write worse To equal only what was writ before Seems stoln or borrow'd from the former store Though blind as Homer all the Antients be 'T is on their shoulders like the Lame we see Then not to flatter th' Age nor flatter you Praises though less are greater when they 'r true You 'r equal to the best outdone by you Who had outdone themselves had they liv'd now Vaughan PROLOGUE to the First Part. Spoken by Mris. Ellen Guyn in a broad-brim'd hat and wast belt THis jeast was first of t'other houses making And five times try'd has never fail'd of taking For 't were a shame a Poet shoud be kill'd Vnder the shelter of so broad a shield This is that hat whose very sight did win yee To laugh and clap as though the Devil were in yee As then for Nokes so now I hope you 'l be So dull to laugh once more for love of me I 'll write a Play sayes one for I have got A broad-brim'd hat and wastbelt tow'rds a Plot. Sayes t'other I have one more large than that Thus they out-write each other with a hat The brims still grew with every Play they writ And grew so large they cover'd all the wit Hat was the Play 't was language wit and tale Like them that find Meat drink and cloth in Ale What dulness do these Mungrill-wits confess When all their hope is acting of a dress Thus two the best Comedians of the Age Must be worn out with being blocks o' th' Stage Like a young Girl who better things has known Beneath their Poets Impotence they groan See now what Charity it was to save They thought you lik'd what onely you forgave And brought you more dull sence dull sence much worse Than brisk gay Non-sence and the heavyer Curse They bring old Ir'n and glass upon the Stage To barter with the Indians of our Age. Still they write on and like great Authors show But 't is as Rowlers in wet gardens grow Heavy with dirt and gath'ring as they goe May none who have so little understood To like such trash presume to praise what 's good And may those drudges of the Stage whose fate Is damn'd dull farce more dully to translate Fall under that excise the State thinks fit To set on all French wares whose worst is wit French farce worn out at home is sent abroad And patch'd up here is made our English mode Hence forth let Poets ' ere allow'd to write Be search'd like Duellists before they fight For wheel-broad hats dull humour all that chasse Which makes you mourn and makes the Vulgar laugh For these in Playes are as unlawful Arms As in a Combat Coats of Mayle and Charms Persons Represented MEN. By Mahomet Boabdelin the last King of Granada Mr. Kynaston Prince Abdalla his Brother Mr. Lydall Abdelmelech chief of the Abencerrages Mr. Mohun Zulema chief of the Zegrys Mr. Harris Abenamar an old Abencerago Mr. Cartwright Selin an old Zegry Mr. Wintershall Ozmyn a brave young Abencerago son to Abenamar Mr. Beeston Hamet brother to Zulema a Zegry Mr. Watson Gomel a Zegry Mr. Powell Almanzor Mr. Hart. Ferdinand King of Spain Mr. Littlewood Duke of Arcos his General Mr. Bell. Don Alonzo d' Aguilar a Spanish Captain WOMEN By Almahide Queen of Granada Mrs. Ellen. Guyn Lyndaraxa Sister to Zulema a Zegry Lady Mrs. Marshall Benzayda daughter to Selin Mrs. Bowtell Esperanza slave to the Queen Mrs. Reeve Halyma slave to Lyndaraxa Mrs. Eastland Isabella Queen of Spain Mrs. Ieames Messengers Guards Attendants Men and Women The SCENE in Granada and the Christian Camp besieging it Almanzor and Almabide Or The CONQUEST OF Granada The First Part. Boabdelin Abenamar Abdelmelech Guards Boab. THus in the Triumphs of soft Peace I reign And from my Walls defy the Powr's of Spain With pomp and Sports my Love I celebrate While they keep distance attend my State Parent to her whose eyes my Soul inthrall To Aben. Whom I in hope already Father call Abenamar thy Youth these sports has known Of which thy age is now Spectator grown Judge-like thou sitst to praise or to arraign The flying skirmish of the
darted Cane But when fierce Bulls run loose upon the Place And our bold Moors their Loves with danger grace Then heat new bends thy slacken'd Nerves again And a short youth runs warm through every Vein Aben. I must confess th' Encounters of this day Warm'd me indeed but quite another way Not with the fire of Youth but gen'rous rage To see the glories of my Youthful age So far outdone Abdel. Castile could never boast in all its pride A pomp so splendid when the lists set wide Gave room to the fierce Bulls which wildly ran In Sierra Ronda ' ere the War began Who with high Nostrils Snuffing up the Wind Now stood the Champions of the Salvage kind Just opposite within the circled place Ten of our bold Abencerrages race Each brandishing his Bull-spear in his hand Did their proud Ginnets gracefully command On their steel'd heads their demy-Lances wore Small pennons which their Ladies colours bore Before this Troop did Warlike Ozmyn goe Each Lady as he rode saluting low At the chief stands with reverence more profound His well-taught Courser kneeling touch'd the ground Thence rais'd he sidelong bore his Rider on Still facing till he out of sight was gone Boab. You praise him like a friend and I confess His brave deportment merited no less Abdelm. Nine Bulls were launch'd by his victorious arm Whose wary Ginnet shunning still the harm Seem'd to attend the shock and then leap'd wide Mean while his dext'rous Rider when he spy'd The beast just stooping 'twixt the neck and head His Lance with never erring fury sped Aben. My Son did well and so did Hamet too Yet did no more then we were wont to do But what the stranger did was more then man Abdel. He finish'd all those Triumphs we began One Bull with curld black head beyond the rest And dew-laps hanging from his brawny chest With nodding front awhile did daring stand And with his jetty hoof spurn'd back the sand Then leaping forth he bellow'd out aloud Th' amaz'd assistants back each other crow'd While Monach-like he rang'd the listed field Some toss'd some goar'd some trampling down he kill'd Th' ignobler Moors from far his rage provoke VVith woods of darts which from his sides he shooke Mean time your valiant Son who had before Gain'd fame rode round to every Mirador Beneath each Ladies stand a stop he made And bowing took th' applauses which they paid Just in that point of time the brave unknown Approach'd the Lists Boab. I mark'd him when alone Observ'd by all himself observing none He enter'd first and with a graceful pride His fiery Arab dextrously did guide Who while his Rider every stand survay'd Sprung loose and flew into an Escapade Not moving forward yet with every bound Pressing and seeming still to quit his ground What after pass'd Was far from the Ventana where I sate To Abdel. But you were near and can the truth relate Abdel. Thus while he stood the Bull who saw this foe His easier Conquests proudly did forego And making at him with a furious bound From his bent forehead aim'd a double wound A rising Murmure ran through all the field And every Ladies blood-with fear was chill'd Some schriek'd while others with more helpful care Cry'd out aloud beware brave youth beware At this he turn'd and as the Bull drew near Shun'd and receiv'd him on his pointed Spear The Lance broke short the beast then bellow'd lowd And his strong neck to a new onset bow'd Th' undaunted youth Then drew and from his Saddle bending low Just where the neck did to the shoulders grow With his full force discharg'd a deadly blow Not heads of Poppies when they reap the grain Fall with more ease before the lab'ring Swayn Then fell this head It fell so quick it did even death prevent And made imperfect bellowings as it went Then all the Trumpets Victory did sound And yet their clangors in our shouts were drown'd A confus'd noise within Boab. Th' Alarm-bell rings from our Alhambra walls And from the Streets sound Drums and Ataballes Within a Bell Drumms Trumpets How now from whence proceed these new alarms To them a Messenger Mess. The two fierce factions are again in arms And changing into blood the dayes delight The Zegrys with the Abencerrages fight On each side their Allies and Friends appear The Maças here the Alabezes there The Gazuls with the Bencerrages joyn And with the Zegrys all great Gomels line Boab. Draw up behind the Vivarambla place Double my guards these factions I will face And try if all the fury they can bring Be proof against the presence of their King Exit Boabdelin The Factions appear At the head of the Abencerrages Ozmyn at the head of the Zegrys Zulema Hamet Gomel and Selin Abenamat and Abdelmelech joyned with the Abencerrages Zulema The faint Abencerrages quit their ground Press 'em put home your thrusts to every wound Abdelmelech Zegry on manly force our Line relyes Thine poorly takes th' advantage of surprize Unarm'd and much outnumber'd we retreat You gain no fame when basely you defeat If thou art brave seek nobler Victory Save Moorish blood and while our bands stand by Let two to two an equal combat try Hamet 'T is not for fear the Combat we refuse But we our gain'd advantage will not loose Zul In combating but two of you will fall And we resolve we will dispatch you all Ozmyn Wee 'l double yet th' exchange before we dye And each of ours two lives of yours shall buy Almanzor enter's betwixt them as they stand ready to engage Almanz. I cannot stay to ask which cause is best But this is so to me because opprest Goes to the Abencerrages To them Boabdelin and his Guards going betwixt them Boab. On your Allegiance I command you stay Who passes here through me must make his way My life 's the Isthmos through this narrow line You first must cut before those Sea's can joyn What fury Zegrys has possest your minds What rage the brave Abencerrages blinds If of your Courage you new proofs wou'd show Without much travel you may find a foe Those foes are neither so remote nor few That you shou'd need each other to pursue Lean times and foreign Warrs should minds unite When poor men mutter but they seldome sight O holy Alha that I live to see Thy Granadins assist their Enemy You fight the Christians battels every life You lavish thus in this intestine strife Does from our weak foundations take one prop Which helpt to hold our sinking Country up Ozmyn 'T is fit our private Enmity should cease Though injur'd first yet I will first seek peace Zulem No Murd'rer no I never will be won To peace with him whose hand has slain my Son Ozmyn Our Prophets curse On me and all th' Abencerrages light If unprovok'd I with your Son did fight Abdelmel A band of Zegry's ran within the Place Match'd with a Troop of thirty of our race Your Son and