Representative English Dramas from Dryden to Sheridan

He's now content, in his own wrong, to buy. Which gain the conquest I should lose by Almanz. And he shall buy it dear what his he calls

arms;

And wish my sister may continue fair,

We will not give one stone from out these That I may keep a good, walls.

Boab. Take this for answer, then,— Whate'er your arms have conquered of my land,

I will, for peace, resign to Ferdinand.
To harder terms my mind I cannot bring;
But, as I still have lived, will die a king.
D. Arcos. Since thus you have resolved,
henceforth prepare

For all the last extremities of war:

My king his hope from heaven's assistance
draws.

Almanz. The Moors have heaven, and me,
to assist their cause.
[Exit ARCOS.

Of whose possession I should else despai..
Ozm. While we indulge our common hap-
piness,

He is forgot, by whom we all possess;
The brave Almanzor, to whose arms we owe
All that we did, and all that we shall do;
Who, like a tempest, that outrides the wind,
Made a just battle ere the bodies joined.
Abdelm. His victories we

keep in view,

scarce could

Or polish 'em so fast as he rough-drew.
Abdal. Fate, after him, below with pain
did move,

And victory could scarce keep pace above:
Death did at length so many slain forget,
And lost the tale, and took 'em by the great.
To them ALMANZOR with the DUKE OF ARCOS,
prisoner.

Hamet. See, here he comes,

And leads in triumph him who did command
The vanquished army of king Ferdinand.

Almanz. [to the DUKE OF ARCOS]. Thus far
your master's arms a fortune find
Below the swelled ambition of his mind;
And Allah shuts a misbeliever's reign
From out the best and goodliest part of
Spain.

Let Ferdinand Calabrian conquests make,
And from the French contested Milan take;
Let him new worlds discover to the old,
And break up shining mountains, big with
gold;

Yet he shall find this small domestic foe,
Still sharp and pointed, to his bosom grow.
D. Arcos. Of small advantages too much
you boast;

You beat the out-guards of my master's
host:

This little loss, in our vast body, shows
So small, that half have never heard the

news.

Fame's out of breath, ere she can fly so far,
To tell 'em all that you have e'er made war.
Almanz. It pleases me your army is so
great;

For now I know there's more to conquer yet.
By heaven, I'll see what troops you have
behind:

I'll face this storm, that thickens in the
wind;

And, with bent forehead, full against it go,
Till I have found the last and utmost foe.

D. Arcos. Believe, you shall not long at-
tend in vain:

To-morrow's dawn shall cover all your plain;
Bright arms shall flash upon you from afar,
A wood of lances, and a moving war.
But I, unhappy, in my bands, must yet
Be only pleased to hear of your defeat,

And with a slave's inglorious ease remain, Till conquering Ferdinand has broke my chain.

Almanz. Vain man, thy hopes of Ferdinand are weak!

I hold thy chain too fast for him to break.
But, since thou threaten'st us, I'll set thee
free,

That I again may fight, and conquer thee.
D. Arcos. Old as I am, I take thee at thy
word,

And will to-morrow thank thee with my
sword.

Almans. I'll go, and instantly acquaint
the king,

And sudden orders for thy freedom bring;
Thou canst not be so pleased at liberty
As I shall be to find thou dar'st be free.

[Exeunt ALMANZOR, ARCOS, and the rest, excepting only ABDALLA and ZULEMA. Abdal. Of all those Christians who infest this town,

This Duke of Arcos is of most renown.

Zul. Oft have I heard, that in your father's reign,

His bold adventurers beat the neighboring
plain;

Then under Ponce Leon's name he fought,
And from our triumphs many prizes brought;
Tili in disgrace from Spain at length he went,
And since continued long in banishment.
Abdal. But see, your beauteous sirter
does appear.

To them LYNDARAXA.

Zul. By my desire she came to find me here.

[ZULEMA and LYNDARAXA whisper; then ZULEMA goes out, and LYNDARAXA is going after.

Abdal.

Why, fairest Lyndaraxa, do you fly [Staying her. A prince, who at your feet is proud to die? Lyndar. Sir, I should blush to own so rude a thing, [Staying.

As 'tis to shun the brother of my king.
Abdal. In my hard fortune I some ease
should find,

Did your disdain extend to all mankind.
But give me leave to grieve, and to complain,
That you give others what I beg in vain.
Lyndar. Take my esteem, if you on that
can live;

For, frankly, sir, 'tis all I have to give:

If from my heart you ask or hope for more,
I grieve the place is taken up before.
Abdal. My rival merits you.-

To Abdelmelech I will justice do;

If there appear relievers from the field,
The flag of parley may be taken down,
Till the success of those without be known.
Lyndar. Though Abdelmelech has not yet
possest,

Yet I have sealed the treaty for my breast.
Abdal. Your treaty has not tied you to
a day;

Some chance might break it, would you but
delay.

If I can judge the secrets of your heart,
Ambition in it has the greatest part;
And wisdom, then, will show some difference
Betwixt a private person and a prince.

Lyndar. Princes are subjects still,— Subject and subject can small difference bring:

The difference is 'twixt subjects and a king.
And since, sir, you are none, your hopes re-

scan;

You may be happy with a private man.

Lyndar. That happiness I may enjoy, 'tis
true;

But then that private man must not be you.
Where'er I love, I'm happy in my choice;
If I make you so, you shall pay my price.
Abdal. Why would you be so great?
Lyndar. Because I've seen,

This day, what 'tis to hope to be a queen.
Heaven, how you all watched each motion
of her eye!

None could be seen while Almahide was by,
Because she is to be Her Majesty!-
Why would I be a queen? Because my face

For he wants worth, who dares not praise Would wear the title with a better grace. a foe.

Lyndar. That for his virtue, sir, you make
defence,

Shows in your own a noble confidence.
But him defending, and excusing me,

If I became it not, yet it would be
Part of your duty, then, to flatter me.
These are not half the charms of being great;
I would be somewhat-that I know not yet:
Yes! I avow the ambition of my soul,

To be that one, to live without control!
And that's another happiness to me,
To be so happy as but one can be.

Abdal. Madam, because I would all doubts remove,

Would you, were I a king, accept my love? Lyndar. I would accept it; and, to show 'tis true,

Would sacrifice her love, and break her vow,
Not out of love, but interest, acts alone,
And would, even in my arms, lie thinking of
a throne.

Zul. Add to the rest this one reflection

When she is married, and you still adore, Think then-and think what comfort it will bring

From any other man as soon as you.
Abdal. Your sharp replies make me not She had been mine,
love you less;

But make me seek new paths to happiness.
What I design, by time will best be seen:
You may be mine, and yet may be a queen.
When you are so, your word your love

assures.

Lyndar. Perhaps not love you, but I will be yours.

[He offers to take her hand, and kiss it. Stay, sir, that grace I cannot yet allow, Before you set the crown upon my brow. That favor which you seek,

Or Abdelmelech, or a king, must have; When you are so, then you may be my slave. [Exit; but looks smiling back on him. Abdal. Howe'er imperious in her words she were,

Her parting looks had nothing of severe;
A glancing smile allured me to command,
And her soft fingers gently pressed my hand:
I felt the pleasure glide through every part;
Her hand went through me to my very heart.
For such another pleasure, did he live,
I could my father of a crown deprive.
What did I say?—

Father! That impious thought has shocked my mind:

How bold our passions are, and yet how blind!

She's gone; and now,

Methinks there is less glory in a crown:
My boiling passions settle, and go down.
Like amber chafed, when she is near, she
acts;

When farther off, inclines, but not attracts.
To him ZULEMA.

Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be
That friend thou seem'st, assist me against

me.

Betwixt my love and virtue I am tossed;
This must be forfeited, or that be lost.
I could do much to merit thy applause;
Help me to fortify the better cause.
My honor is not wholly put to flight,
But would, if seconded, renew the fight.

Zul. I met my sister, but I do not see
What difficulty in your choice can be:
She told me all; and 'tis so plain a case,
You need not ask what counsel to embrace.
Abdal. I stand reproved, that I did doubt
at all;

My waiting virtue stayed but for thy call: 'Tis plain that she, who, for a kingdom, now

Had I but only dared to be a king!

Abdal. hope you only would my honor try;

I'm loth to think you virtue's enemy.

Zul. If, when a crown and mistress are in place,

Virtue intrudes, with her lean holy face, Virtue's then mine, and not I virtue's foe. Why does she come where she has nought to do?

Let her with anchorites, not with lovers, lie; Statesmen and they keep better company.

Abdal. Reason was given to curb our headstrong will.

Zul. Reason but shows a weak physician's skill;

Gives nothing, while the raging fit does last, But stays to cure it, when the worst is past. Reason's a staff for age, when nature's gone; But youth is strong enough to walk alone.

Abdal. In cursed ambition I no rest should find,

But must for ever lose my peace of mind. Zul. Methinks that peace of mind were

bravely lost.

A crown, whate'er we give, is worth the cost. Abdal. Justice distributes to each man his right;

But what she gives not, should I take by might?

Zul. If justice will take all, and nothing give,

Justice, methinks, is not distributive.

Abdal. Had fate so pleased, I had been eldest born,

And then, without a crime, the crown had

worn.

Zul. Would you so please, fate yet a way would find;

Man makes his fate according to his mind. The weak low spirit fortune makes her slave;

But she's a drudge when hectored by the brave:

If fate weaves common thread, he'll change the doom,

And with new purple spread a nobler loom. Abdal. No more!-I will usurp the royal seat;

Thou, who hast made me wicked, make me great.

Zul. Your way is plain: the death of Tarifa

Does on the king our Zegrys' hatred draw;

Though with our enemies in show we close, 'Tis but while we to purpose can be foes. Selin, who heads us, would revenge his son; But favor hinders justice to be done. Proud Ozmyn with the king his power maintains,

And in him each Abencerrago reigns.

Abdal. What face of any title can I bring?
Zul. The right an eldest son has to be
king.

Your father was at first a private man,
And got your brother ere his reign began:
When, by his valor, he the crown had won,
Then you were born, a monarch's eldest son.
Abdal. To sharp-eyed reason this would
seem untrue;

But reason I through love's false optics view.
Zul. Love's mighty power has led me
captive too;

I am in it unfortunate as you.

Not like the king's, that weathercock of

state.

He stands so high, with so unfixed a mind, Two factions turn him with each blast of wind:

But now, he shall not veer! My word is passed;

I'll take his heart by the roots, and hold it fast.

Abdal. You have your vengeance in your

hand this hour;

Make me the humble creature of your power:
The Granadines will gladly me obey
Tired with so base and impotent a sway;
And, when I show my title, you shall see
I have a better right to reign than he.
Almanz. It is sufficient that you make the
claim;

You wrong our friendship when your right
you name.

Abdal. Our loves and fortunes shall to- When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause, gether go;

Thou shalt be happy, when I first am so.

Zul. The Zegrys at old Selin's house are met,

But friendship will admit of no such laws: That weighs by the lump; and, when the cause is light,

Puts kindness in to set the balance right.

Where, in close council, for revenge they True, I would wish my friend the juster side;

sit:

There we our common interest will unite;
You their revenge shall own, and they your
right.

One thing I had forgot which may import:
I met Almanzor coming back from court,
But with a discomposed and speedy pace,
A fiery color kindling all his face:
The king his prisoner's freedom has denied,
And that refusal has provoked his pride.
Abdal. Would he were ours!—

I'll try to gild the injustice of his cause,
And court his valor with a vast applause.

Zul. The bold are but the instruments o'
the wise;

They undertake the dangers we advise:
And, while our fabric with their pains we
raise,

We take the profit, and pay them with praise.
[Exeunt.

ACT III
SCENE I

ALMANZOR and ABDALLA.

Almanz. That he should dare to do me
this disgrace!—

Is fool or coward writ upon my face?
Refuse my prisoner!-I such means will use,
He shall not have a prisoner to refuse.

Abdal. He said you were not by your
promise tied;

That he absolved your word, when he denied. Almanz. He break my promise and absolve my vow!

'Tis more than Mahomet himself can do! The word which I have given shall stand like fate;

But, in the unjust, my kindness more is tried:

And all the opposition I can bring,

Is that I fear to make you such a king.

Abdal. The majesty of kings we should
not blame,

When royal minds adorn the royal name;
The vulgar, greatness too much idolize,
But haughty subjects it too much despise.
Almanz. I only speak of him,
Whom pomp and greatness sit so loose

about,

That he wants majesty to fill 'em out.

Abdal. Haste, then, and lose no time!The business must be enterprised this night: We must surprise the court in its delight.

Almans. For you to will, for me 'tis to
obey:

But I would give a crown in open day;
And, when the Spaniards their assault begin,
At once beat those without, and these within.
[Exit ALMANZ.

Enter ABDELMELECH.

Abdelm. Abdalla, hold!-There's somewhat
I intend

To speak, not as your rival, but your friend.
Abdal. If as a friend, I am obliged to
hear;

And what a rival says I cannot fear.

Abdelm. Think, brave Abdalla, what it is
you do:

Your quiet, honor, and our friendship too,
All for a fickle beauty you forego.
Think, and turn back, before it be too late.
Behold in me the example of your fate:

I am your sea-mark; and, though wrecked
and lost,

My ruins stand to warn you from the coast. Abdal. Your counsels, noble Abdelmelech,

move

My reason to accept 'em, not my love.

Ah, why did heaven leave man so weak defence,

To trust frail reason with the rule of sense! 'Tis overpoised and kicked up in the air, While sense weighs down the scale, and keeps it there;

Or, like a captive king, 'tis borne away, And forced to countenance its own rebel's sway.

Abdelm. No, no; our reason was not vainly lent;

Nor is a slave, but by its own consent:
If reason on his subject's triumph wait,
An easy king deserves no better fate.

Abdal. You speak too late; my empire's lost too far:

And jealousies, short hopes and long despairs.

To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow,
Howe'er she shines all golden to you now.
Abdal. Like him, who on the ice
Slides swiftly on, and sees the water near,
Yet cannot stop himself in his career,
So am I carried. This enchanted place,
Like Circe's isle, is peopled with a race
Of dogs and swine; yet, though their fate
I know,

I look with pleasure, and am turning too.
[LYNDARAXA passes over the stage.
Abdelm. Fly, fly, before the allurements of
her face,

Ere she return with some resistless grace,

And with new magic covers all the place. Abdal. I cannot, will not,-nay, I would not fly:

I'll love, be blind, be cozened till I die;
And you, who bid me wiser counsel take,
I'll hate, and, if I can, I'll kill you for her
sake.

Abdelm. Even I, that counselled you, that choice approve:

I'll hate you blindly, and her blindly love. Prudence, that stemmed the stream, is out of breath;

And to go down it is the easier death. LYNDARAXA re-enters, and smiles on ABDALLA. [Exit ABDAlla.

Abdelm. That smile on Prince Abdalla seems to say,

You are not in your killing mood to-day:
Men brand, indeed, your sex with cruelty,
But you're too good to see poor lovers die.
This godlike pity in you I extol;
And more, because, like heaven's, 'tis general.
Lyndar. My smile implies not that I grant
his suit:

'Twas but a bare return of his salute.

Abdelm. It said, you were engaged, and I in place;

But, to please both, you would divide the

grace.

Lyndar. You've cause to be contented with your part,

When he has but the look, and you the heart. Abdelm. In giving but that look, you give what's mine:

I'll not one corner of a glance resign.
All's mine; and I am covetous of my store:
I have not love enough; I'll tax you more.
Lyndar. 1 gave not love; 'twas but
civility:

He is a prince; that's due to his degree.

Abdelm. That prince you smiled on is my rival still,

And should, if me you loved, be treated ill. Lyndar. I know not how to show so rude a spite.

Abdelm. That is, you know not how to love aright;

Or, if you did, you would more difference see
Betwixt our souls, than 'twixt our quality.
Mark, if his birth makes any difference,
If to his words it adds one grain of sense.
That duty which his birth can make his due
I'll pay, but it shall not be paid by you:
For, if a prince courts her whom I adore,
He is my rival, and a prince no more.

Lyndar. And when did I my power so far resign,

That you should regulate each look of mine? Abdelm. Then, when you gave your love, you gave that power.

Lyndar. 'Twas during pleasure, 'tis revoked this hour.

Now call me false, and rail on womankind,

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