And promises a day to this dark dwelling? Is it my love? Zara. Oh, that thy heart had taught Thy tongue that saying! Osm. Zara! I am betrayed By my surprise. Have I done this? Tell me, am I so cursed? Osm. Time may have still one fated hour to come, [Lifting her veil. Which, winged with liberty, might overtake Occasion past. Zara. What does my face displease thee? That, having seen it, thou dost turn thy eyes Away, as from deformity and horror? If So, this sable curtain shall again Be drawn, and I will stand before thee, seeing, rage Has loaded thee with chains and galling irons. Well dost thou scorn me, and upbraid my false ness; Could one who loved, thus torture whom she loved? No, no, it must be hatred, dire revenge, I bear my fortunes with so low a mind, Or, Zara. Swift as occasion, I Myself will fly; and earlier than the morn, Wake thee to freedom. Now 'tis late; and yet Some news few minutes past arrived, which secmed To shake the temper of the king-Who knows Osm. I have not merited this grace; Zara. Thou canst not owe me more, nor have I more To give, than I have already lost. But now, [Exit. Osm. This woman has a soul, Of godlike mould, intrepid and commanding, And challenges, in spite of me, my best Esteem; to this, she's fair, few more can boast Of personal charms, or with less vanity Might hope to captivate the hearts of kings; But she has passions which outstrip the wind, And tear her virtues up, as tempests root The sea. I fear, when she shall know the truth, My life, my health, my liberty, my all! How run into thy arms, withheld by fetters? And pinioned, like a thief or murderer? Thou toldst me thou wouldst think how we might A torture! Yet such is the bleeding anguish Alm. Oh, say not so! Though 'tis because thou lovest me. Do not say, In vain, with the remorseless chains, which gnaw Osm. Oh! O Alm. Give me that sigh. Why dost thou heave, and stifle in thy griefs? With such a dagger as then stuck my heart. me more Than knowing thou hast felt it. Tell it me, Thou givest me pain with too much tenderness. Osm. And thy excessive love distracts my sense. Oh, wouldst thou be less killing, soft, or kind, Grief could not double thus his darts against me. Alm. Thou dost me wrong, and grief, too, robs my heart, If there he shoot not every other shaft; Osm.” Oh, thou hast searched too deep: That piece-meal grind, are beds of down and balm To that soul-racking thought. Alm. Then I am cursed Indeed, if that be so! if I am thy torment, Oh, that thy words had force to break those bonds, As they have strength to tear this heart in sunder; So shouldst thou be at large from all oppression. Am I, am I of all thy woes the worst? Osm. My all of bliss, my everlasting life, Soul of my soul, and end of all my wishes, Why dost thou thus unman me with thy words, And melt me down to mingle with thy weepings? Why dost thou ask? Why dost thou talk thus piercingly? Thy sorrows have disturbed thy peace of mind, And thou dost speak of miseries impossible. Alm. Didst not thou say, that racks and wheels were balm, And beds of ease, to thinking me thy wife? Or hell-born malice, can invent, extort Burns dim, and glimmers with expiring light. woes; Is this our marriage-bed? are these our joys? Alm. No; not that The extremest malice of our fate can hinder : Osm. Oh, thou dost talk, my love, as one re solved, Because not knowing danger. But look forward; Think of to-morrow, when thou shalt be torn From these weak, struggling, unextended arms: Think how my heart will heave, and eyes will strain, To grasp and reach what is denied To follow thee, my separating soul. Then will I smear these walls with blood, disfigure And dash my face, and rive my clotted hair, Alm. Heart-breaking horror! Osm. Then Garcia shall lie panting on thy bo som, Luxurious, revelling amidst thy charms; Hell! hen! have I not cause to rage and rave? Which, shot into my breast, now melt and chill Conduct you forth, as not perceiving her, Confusion in his face, and grief in hers! How shall I search into this mystery? Strike, damp, deaden her charms, and kill his eyes; Perdition catch them both, and ruin part them. Osm. This charity to one unknown, and thus [Aloud to Almeria as she goes out. Distressed, Heaven will repay; all thanks are poor. [Exit Almeria. Zara. Damned, damned dissembler! Yet I will be calm, Choak in my rage, and know the utmost depth Osm. At your return so soon, and unexpected! Zara. I did not know the princess' favourite, Your pardon, sir-mistake me not; you think I am angry; you are deceived. I came to set You free; but shall return much better pleased, To find you have an interest superior. Osm. You do not come to mock my miseries? Zara. I do. Osm. I could at this time spare your mirth. And will indulge it now. What miseries? To have contending queens, at dead of night, Osm. Come, it is too much. Osm. How, madam! Zara. Thou liest, for now I know for whom thou wouldst live. Osm. Then you may know for whom I would die. Zara. Hell! hell! Yet I will be calm-Dark and unknown be trayer! But now the dawn begins, and the slow hand Of fate is stretched to draw the veil, and leave Thee bare, the naked mark of public view, Osm. You may be still deceived, 'tis in my power Zara. Ha! sayest thou-but I will prevent it→→ Who waits there? As you will answer it, look this slave [To the guard. Attempt no means to make himself away. I have been deceived. The public safety now Requires he should be more confined, and none, No, not the princess, suffered or to see Or speak with him. I will quit you to the king, Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent The base injustice thou hast done my love: Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past distress, And all those ills which thou so long hast mourn ed; Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned [Exeunt. SCENE I.—A Room of State. ZARA and SELIM. ACT IV. Zara. THOU hast already racked me with thy stay; Therefore require me not to ask thee twice: Reply at once to all. What is concluded? Sel. Your accusation highly has incensed The king, and were alone enough to urge The fate of Osmyn; but, to that, fresh news Is since arrived, of more revolted troops. 'Tis certain Heli, too, is fled, and with him (Which breeds amazement and distraction) some Who bore high offices of weight and trust, Both in the state and army. This confirms The king in full belief of all you told him Concerning Osmyn, and his correspondence With them who first began the mutiny. Wherefore a warrant for his death is signed; And order given for public execution. Zara. Ha! haste thee! fly, prevent his fate and mine; Find out the king, tell him I have of weight, And, as to your revenge, not his own interest, Zara. What shall I say, invent, contrive, advise? Something to blind the king, and save his life, Oh! 'tis more grief but to suppose his death, blood. Sel. My life is yours, nor wish I to preserve it, But to serve you. I have already thought. Zara. Forgive my rage; I know thy love and truth. But say, what's to be done, or when, or how, On Osmyn's death; too quick a change of mercy Sel. Your own request is enough, However, for a colour, tell him, you Have cause to fear his guards may be corrupted, I can no more, the king is here. Obtain Enter KING, GONSALEZ, and PEREZ. The ignoble curs that yelp to fill the cry, Gons. Might I presume, learn more King. Then be it so. Stay, soldier; they shall suffer with the Moor. Are none of those returned who followed Heli? Gons. None, sir. Some papers have been since discovered In Roderigo's house, who fled with him, course. Of the same nature divers notes have been Zara. Ha! hearest thou that? Is Osmyn then Oh, Heaven! a thousand things occur at once Gons. 'Tis not impossible. Yet it may be, King. Pardon, fair excellence, this long ne- | To cast beneath your feet the crown you have glect: An unforeseen, unwelcome hour of business, Than your high courage suffers you to see; Is passed; if you revoke it not, he dies. On your life, take heed That only Zara's mutes, or such who bring Zara. 'Tis well. By what I heard upon your Her warrant, have admittance to the Moor. entrance, I find I can unfold what yet concerns King. Give order strait, that all the prisoners die. Zara. Forbear a moment, somewhat more I have, Worthy your private ear, and this your mini ster. King. Let all, except Gonsalez, leave the room. [Exeunt Perez, &c. Zara. I am your captive, and you've used me nobly; And, in return of that, though otherwise King. Is treason, then, so near us as our guards? Zara. Most certain; though my knowledge is not yet So ripe, to point at the particular men. King. What is to be done? Zara. That, too, I will advise. I have, remaining in my train, some mutes, In the grand signior's court. These, from their infancy, Are practised in the trade of death; and shall (As there the custom is) in private strangle Osmyn, Gons. My lord, the queen advises well. mains In me, that can be worthy so great services? Zara. They, and no other, not the princess' self. [Exit Perez. Gons. That interdiction, so particular, Pronounced with vehemence, against the princess, Should have more meaning than appears barefaced. This king is blinded by his love, and heeds The last restraint: you hardly can suspect Zara. I've heard her charity did once extend So far, to visit him, at his request. Gons. Ha! Her words and actions are obscure and double, King. What dost thou think, Gonsalez? |