King. 'Tis well-that when she comes to set him free, His teeth may grin, and mock at her remorse. [Perez going. Stay thee I have farther thought-I will add to this, And give her eyes yet greater disappointment: I will be conducted thither-mark me well- thou Enter ZARA and SELIM. Zara. The mute not yet returned! ha! it was the king, The king that parted hence! frowning he went; Sel. Yes: but then, as if he thought Thy shallow artifice begets suspicion, mischief! Thou, like the adder, venomous and deaf, Sel. Avert it, Heaven, that you should ever suffer But to be punished and forgiven. Here, strike; I bare my breast, to meet your just revenge. Zara. I have not leisure now to take so poor A forfeit as thy life; somewhat of high, And more important fate, requires my thought. When I have concluded on myself, if I Think fit, I will leave thee my command to die. Regard me well; and dare not to reply To what I give in charge; for I am resolved. Give order that the two remaining mutes Attend me instantly, with each a bow! Of such ingredients mixed, as will, with speed, Benumb the living faculties, and give Most easy and inevitable death. Yes, Osmyn, yes; be Osmyn or Alphonso, I will give thee freedom, if thou darest be free: Such liberty as I embrace myself, Thou shalt partake. Since fates no more afford; I can but die with thee, to keep my word. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Opening, shews the Prison. Enter GONSALEZ disguised like a Mute, with a dagger. Gon. Nor centinel, nor guard! the doors unbarred! And all as still, as at the noon of night! Then cast my skin, and leave it there to answer Enter GARCIA and ALONZO. Gar. Where, where, Alonzo, where's my father? where The king? Confusion! all is on the rout! Alon, My lord, he entered but a moment since, And could not pass me unperceived-What hoa! My lord, my lord! What hoa! my lord Gonsalez! Enter GONSALEZ, bloody. Gons. Perdition choak your clamours-whence this rudeness? Garcia ! Gar. Perdition, slavery, and death, Are entering now our doors. Where is the king? What means this blood; and why this face of horror? Gons. No matter-give me first to know the cause Of these your rash, and ill-timed exclamations. Gar. The eastern gate is to the foe betrayed, Who, but for heaps of slain that choak the pas sage, Had entered, long ere now, and borne down all The Moor, is dead. That Osmyn was Alphonso; Pronounced aloud by Perez for Alphonso. Gons. Enter that chamber, and convince your eyes, How much report has wronged your easy faith. [Garcia goes in. Alon. My lord, for certain truth, Perez is fled; And has declared, the cause of his revolt Was to revenge a blow the king had given him. Gar. [Returning.] Ruin and horror! Oh, heart-wounding sight! Gons. What says my son? What ruin? Ha! what horror? Gar. Blasted my eyes, and speechless be my tongue, Rather than or to see, or to relate This deed-Oh, dire mistake! Oh, fatal blow! The king Gons. Alon. The king! Gar. Dead, weltering, drowned in blood. See, see, attired like Osmyn, where he lies. [They look in. On me, on me turn your avenging swords. The horror of that thought has damped my rage. Gons. Oh, my son! from the blind dotage While the other bore the crown (to wreath thy brow), Whose weight has sunk me, ere I reached the shore. Gar. Fatal ambition! Hark! the foe is entered: (Shout. The shrillness of that shout speaks them at hand. We have no time to search into the cause Of this surprising, and most fatal error. What's to be done? the king's death known, would strike The few remaining soldiers with despair, Require me not to tell the means, till done, to do, Severed the head, and in an obscure corner Gons. 'Twas an act of horror; [Exeunt severally. Enter ZARA, followed by SELIM, and two Mutes bearing the bowls. Zara. Silence and solitude are every where. Through all the gloomy ways, and iron doors, That hither lead, nor human face nor voice Is seen or heard. A dreadful din was wont To grate the sense, when entered here, from groans, And howls of slaves condemned; from clink of chains, And crash of rusty bars and creaking hinges! Let them set down the bowls, and warn Alphonso Enter Mutes. Zara. What have you seen? Ha! wherefore stare you thus, [The mutes return, and look affrighted. With haggard eyes? Why are your arms across? Your heavy and desponding heads hung down? Why is it you more than speak in these sad signs? Give me more ample knowledge of this mourning. [They go to the scene, which openeng, she perceives the body. Ha! prostrate! bloody! headless! Oh lost. Oh, Osmyn! Oh, Alphonso! Cruel fate! Cruel, cruel, oh, more than killing object! I came prepared to die, and see thee die I'm A martyr, and a victim to my vows. And fixed event, of my persisting faith. [A mute kneels, and gives one of the bowls. Hover a moment, yet, thou gentle spirit, Soul of my love, and I will wait thy flight. This to our mutual bliss, when joined above. [Drinks. Oh, friendly draught, already in my heart. slides Still farther from me; look, he hides his face, I cannot feel it-quite beyond my reach,— Oh, now he's gone, and all is dark [Dies. [The mutes kneel, and mourn over her. Enter ALMERIA and LEONORA. Alm. Oh, let me seek him in this horrid cell; For in the tomb, or prison, I alone Must hope to find him. Leon. Heavens! what dismal scene of death is this? The eunuch, Selim, slain! Alm. Shew me, for I am come in search of death; But want a guide; for tears have dimmed my sight. Leon. Alas, a little farther, and behold Zara all pale and dead! two frightful men, Nay, came prepared myself to give thee death-Who seein the murderers, kneel weeping by; But cannot bear to find thee thus, my OsmynOh, this accursed, this base, this treacherous king! Enter SELIM. Feeling remorse, too late, for what they've done. Sel. I've sought in vain, for no where can the Ready to stab the sight, and make your eyes king Be found Zara. Get thee to hell, and seek him there. [Stabs him. His hellish rage had wanted means to act, The mute you sent, by some mischance was seen, Rain blood Alm. Oh, I foreknow, foresee that object. Had they or hearts or eyes, that did this deed? -I do not weep! The springs of tears are And of a sudden I am calm, as if All things were well; and yet my husband's murdered! Yes, yes, I know to mourn! I'll sluice this heart, The source of woe, and let the torrent loose. -Those men have left to weep! they look on me! Seest thou not there? Behold who prostrate lies, And pleads against thee; who shall then prevail? Yet I will take a cold and parting leave From his pale lips; I'll kiss him ere I drink, Lest the rank juice should blister on my mouth, And stain the colour of my last adieu. Horror! a headless trunk! nor lips nor face, [Coming near the body, starts and lets fall the cup. But spouting veins, and mangled flesh! Oh, Oh! Enter ALPHONSO, HELI, PEREZ, with GARCIA prisoner. Guards and Attendants. Alph. Away, stand off! Where is she? let me fly, Save her from death, and snatch her to my heart. Alm. Ob! Alph. Forbear; my arms alone shall hold her up, Warm her to life, and wake her into gladness. The words of joy and peace; warm thy cold beauties With the new-flushing ardour of my cheek; Into thy lips pour the soft trickling balm Alm. Where am I? Heaven! what does this dream intend? Alph. Oh, may'st thou never dream of less delight, Nor ever wake to less substantial joys! Alm. Given me again from death! Oh, all ye powers, Confirm this miracle! Can I believe Alph. Oh, my heart's comfort; 'tis not given to this Frail life to be entirely blessed. Even now, Let them remove the body from her sight. Whose virtue has renounced thy father's crimes, Seest thou how just the hand of Heaven has been? Let us, who through our innocence survive, [Exeunt omnes. SCENE I-Before Tamerlane's Tent. Enter the PRINCE of TANAIS, ZAMA, and MIR VAN. As if it said, 'Go forth, and be my champion, Pr. No lust of rule, the common vice of kings, Pr. HAIL to the sun! from whose returning Ill hid beneath religion's specious name, light The cheerful soldier's arms new lustre take, Zam. Our Asian world, Mir. Well has our holy Alla marked him out, E'er drew his temperate courage to the field: Mir. So rich his soul, in every virtuous grace, Pr. Pleased with the gentle manners of that prince, Our mighty lord is lavish of his friendship; |