The Works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02

by John Dryden

ACT IV.

SCENE I.—A prison.

Enter ALMERIA and an Indian; they speak entering.

Ind. A dangerous proof of my respect I show.

Alm. Fear not, Prince Guyomar shall never know: While he is absent let us not delay; Remember 'tis the king thou dost obey.

Ind. See where he sleeps.

[CORTEZ appears chained and laid asleep.

Alm.—Without, my coming wait; And, on thy life, secure the prison gate.

[Exit Indian.

[She plucks out a dagger, and approaches him.

Spaniard, awake: thy fatal hour is come:
Thou shalt not at such ease receive thy doom.
Revenge is sure, though sometimes slowly paced:
Awake, awake, or, sleeping, sleep thy last.

Cort. Who names revenge?

Alm.—Look up, and thou shalt see.

Cort. I cannot fear so fair an enemy.

Alm. No aid is nigh, nor canst thou make defence: Whence can thy courage come?

Cort.—From innocence.

Alm. From innocence? let that then take thy part.
Still are thy looks assured—have at thy heart!
[Holds up the dagger.
I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear'st some charm,
[Goes back.
Or some divinity holds back my arm.
Why do I thus delay to make him bleed?
[Aside.
Can I want courage for so brave a deed?
I've shook it off; my soul is free from fear.
[Comes again.
And I can now strike any where—but here:
His scorn of death, how strangely does it move!
A mind so haughty who could chuse but love!
[Goes off.
Plead not a charm, or any god's command,
Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand:
In spite of me I love, and see, too late,
My mother's pride must find my mother's fate.
—Thy country's foe, thy brother's murderer,—
For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear:
It w'onnot be,—if I once more come on,
[Coming on again.
I shall mistake the breast, and pierce my own.

[Comes with her dagger down.

Cort. Does your revenge maliciously forbear To give me death, 'till 'tis prepared by fear? If you delay for that, forbear or strike, Foreseen and sudden death are both alike.

Alm. To show my love would but increase his pride:
They have most power, who most their passions hide.
[Aside.
Spaniard, I must confess, I did expect
You could not meet your death with such neglect;
I will defer it now, and give you time:
You may repent, and I forget your crime.

Cort. Those, who repent, acknowledge they do ill: I did not unprovoked your brother kill.

Alm. Petition me, perhaps I may forgive.

Cort. Who begs his life does not deserve to live.

Alm. But if 'tis given, you'll not refuse to take?

Cort. I can live gladly for Cydaria's sake.

Alm. Does she so wholly then possess your mind?
What if you should another lady find,
Equal to her in birth, and far above
In all that can attract, or keep your love,
Would you so doat upon your first desire,
As not to entertain a nobler fire?

Cort. I think that person hardly will be found,
With gracious form and equal virtue crowned:
Yet if another could precedence claim,
My fixed desires could find no fairer aim.

Alm. Dull ignorance! he cannot yet conceive:
To speak more plain, shame will not give me leave.
[Aside.
—Suppose one loved you, whom even kings adore:
[To him.
Who, with your life, your freedom would restore,
And add to that the crown of Mexico:
Would you, for her, Cydaria's love forego?

Cort. Though she could offer all you can invent, I could not of my faith, once vowed, repent.

Alm. A burning blush has covered all my face;
Why am I forced to publish my disgrace?
What if I love? you know it cannot be,
And yet I blush to put the case—'twere me.
If I could love you with a flame so true,
I could forget what hand my brother slew—
—Make out the rest—I am disordered so,
I know not farther what to say or do:
—But answer me to what you think I meant.

Cort. Reason or wit no answer can invent: Of words confused who can the meaning find?

Alm. Disordered words show a distempered mind.

Cort. She has obliged me so, that could I chuse, I would not answer what I must refuse. [Aside.

Alm. His mind is shook—suppose I loved you, speak, Would you for me Cydaria's fetters break?

Cort. Things, meant in jest, no serious answer need.

Alm. But, put the case that it were so indeed.

Cort. If it were so,—which but to think were pride,—
My constant love would dangerously be tried:
For since you could a brother's death forgive,
He, whom you save, for you alone should live:
But I, the most unhappy of mankind,
Ere I knew yours, have all my love resigned:
'Tis my own loss I grieve, who have no more:
You go a-begging to a bankrupt's door.
Yet could I change, as sure I never can,
How could you love so infamous a man?
For love, once given from her, and placed in you,
Would leave no ground I ever could be true.

Alm. You construed me aright—I was in jest:
And, by that offer, meant to sound your breast;
Which since I find so constant to your love,
Will much my value of your worth improve.
Spaniard, assure yourself you shall not be
Obliged to quit Cydaria for me:
'Tis dangerous though to treat me in this sort,
And to refuse my offers, though in sport. [Exit.

Cort. In what a strange condition am I left?
More than I wish I have, of all I wish bereft!
In wishing nothing, we enjoy still most;
For even our wish is, in possession, lost:
Restless, we wander to a new desire,
And burn ourselves, by blowing up the fire:
We toss and turn about our feverish will,
When all our ease must come by lying still:
For all the happiness mankind can gain
Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
[Goes in, and the scene closes upon him.

SCENE II.—Chamber-royal.

Enter MONTEZUMA, ODMAR, GUYOMAR, and ALIBECH.

Mont. My ears are deaf with this impatient crowd.

Odm. Their wants are now grown mutinous and loud: The general's taken, but the siege remains; And their last food our dying men sustains.

Guy. One means is only left. I to this hour
Have kept the captive from Almeria's power;
And though, by your command, she often sent
To urge his doom, do still his death prevent.

Mont. That hope is past: Him I have oft assailed;
But neither threats nor kindness have prevailed;
Hiding our wants, I offered to release
His chains, and equally conclude a peace:
He fiercely answered, I had now no way
But to submit, and without terms obey:
I told him, he in chains demanded more
Than he imposed in victory before:
He sullenly replied, he could not make
These offers now; honour must give, not take.

Odm. Twice have I sallied, and was twice beat back: What desp'rate course remains for us to take!

Mont. If either death or bondage I must chuse, I'll keep my freedom, though my life I lose.

Guy. I'll not upbraid you, that you once refused Those means, you might have then with honour used; I'll lead your men, perhaps bring victory: They know to conquer best, who know to die. [Exeunt MONTEZUMA and ODMAR.

Alib. Ah me, what have I heard! stay, Guyomar, What hope you from this sally you prepare?

Guy. A death, with honour, for my country's good: A death, to which yourself designed my blood.

Alib. You heard, and I well know the town's distress,
Which sword and famine both at once oppress:
Famine so fierce, that what's denied man's use,
Even deadly plants, and herbs of poisonous juice,
Wild hunger seeks; and, to prolong our breath,
We greedily devour our certain death:
The soldier in th' assault of famine falls:
And ghosts, not men, are watching on the walls.
As callow birds—
Whose mother's killed in seeking of the prey,
Cry in their nest, and think her long away;
And at each leaf that stirs, each blast of wind,
Gape for the food, which they must never find:
So cry the people in their misery.

Guy. And what relief can they expect from me?

Alib. While Montezuma sleeps, call in the foe:
The captive general your design may know:
His noble heart, to honour ever true,
Knows how to spare as well as to subdue.

Guy. What I have heard I blush to hear: And grieve,
Those words you spoke I must your words believe.
I to do this! I, whom you once thought brave,
To sell my country, and my king enslave?
All I have done by one foul act deface,
And yield my right to you, by turning base?
What more could Odmar wish that I should do,
To lose your love, than you persuade me to?
No, madam, no, I never can commit
A deed so ill, nor can you suffer it:
'Tis but to try what virtue you can find
Lodged in my soul.

Alib. I plainly speak my mind;
Dear as my life my virtue I'll preserve,
But virtue you too scrupulously serve:
I loved not more than now my country's good,
When for its service I employed your blood:
But things are altered, I am still the same,
By different ways still moving to one fame;
And by disarming you, I now do more
To save the town, than arming you before.

Guy. Things good or ill by circumstances be, In you 'tis virtue, what is vice in me.

Alib. That ill is pardoned, which does good procure.

Guy. The good's uncertain, but the ill is sure.

Alib. When kings grow stubborn, slothful, or unwise, Each private man for public good should rise.

Guy. Take heed, fair maid, how monarchs you accuse:
Such reasons none but impious rebels use:
Those, who to empire by dark paths aspire,
Still plead a call to what they most desire;
But kings by free consent their kingdoms take,
Strict as those sacred ties which nuptials make;
And whate'er faults in princes time reveal,
None can be judge where can be no appeal.

Alib. In all debates you plainly let me see
You love your virtue best, but Odmar me:
Go, your mistaken piety pursue:
I'll have from him what is denied by you;
With my commands you shall no more be graced.
Remember, sir, this trial was your last.

Guy. The gods inspire you with a better mind;
Make you more just, and make you then more kind!
But though from virtue's rules I cannot part,
Think I deny you with a bleeding heart:
'Tis hard with me whatever choice I make;
I must not merit you, or must forsake:
But, in this strait, to honour I'll be true,
And leave my fortune to the gods and you.

Enter Messenger privately.

Mess. Now is the time; be aiding to your fate;
From the watch-tower, above the western-gate,
I have discerned the foe securely lie,
Too proud to fear a beaten enemy:
Their careless chiefs to the cool grottoes run,
The bowers of kings, to shade them from the sun.

Guy. Upon thy life disclose thy news to none; I'll make the conquest or the shame my own. [Exeunt GUYOMAR and Messenger.

Enter ODMAR.

Alib. I read some welcome message in his eye:
Prince Odmar comes: I'll see if he'll deny.—
Odmar, I come to tell you pleasing news;
I begged a thing, your brother did refuse.

Odm. The news both pleases me, and grieves me
too;
For nothing, sure, should be denied to you:
But he was blessed who might commanded be;
You never meant that happiness to me.

Alib. What he refused, your kindness might bestow, But my commands, perhaps, your burden grow.

Odm. Could I but live till burdensome they prove, My life would be immortal as my love. Your wish, ere it receive a name, I grant.

Alib. 'Tis to relieve your dying country's want;
All hopes of succour from your arms is past,
To save us now you must our ruin haste;
Give up the town, and, to oblige him more.
The captive general's liberty restore.

Odm. You speak to try my love; can you forgive So soon, to let your brother's murderer live?

Alib. Orbellan, though my brother, did disgrace,
With treacherous deeds, our mighty mother's race;
And to revenge his blood, so justly spilt,
What is it less than to partake his guilt?
Though my proud sister to revenge incline,
I to my country's good my own resign.

Odm. To save our lives, our freedom I betray—
Yet, since I promised it, I will obey;
I'll not my shame nor your commands dispute;
You shall behold your empire's absolute. [Exit.

Alib. I should have thanked him for his speedy grant,
And yet, I know not how, fit words I want:
Sure I am grown distracted in my mind;—
That joy, this grant should bring, I cannot find:
The one, denying, vexed my soul before;
And this, obeying, has disturbed me more:
The one, with grief, and slowly, did refuse,
The other, in his grant, much haste did use:
—He used too much—and, granting me so soon,
He has the merit of the gift undone:
Methought with wondrous ease he swallowed down
His forfeit honour, to betray the town:
My inward choice was Guyomar before,
But now his virtue has confirmed me more—
I rave, I rave, for Odmar will obey,
And then my promise must my choice betray.
Fantastic honour, thou hast framed a toil
Thyself, to make thy love thy virtue's spoil. [Exit.

SCENE III.

_A pleasant grotto discovered; in it a fountain spouting; round about it Vasquez, Pizarro, and other Spaniards, lying carelessly unarmed, and by them many Indian women, one of which sings the following song.

SONG.

Ah fading joy! how quickly art thou past!
Yet we thy ruin haste.
As if the cares of human life were few,
We seek out new:
And follow fate, which would too fast pursue.

See, how on every bough the birds express,
In their sweet notes, their happiness.
They all enjoy, and nothing spare;
But on their mother nature lay their care:
Why then should man, the lord of all below,
Such troubles chuse to know,
As none of all his subjects undergo?

Hark, hark, the waters, fall, fall, fall,
And with a murmuring sound
Dash, dash, upon the ground,
To gentle slumbers call.

After the song two Spaniards arise, and dance a saraband with castanietas: At the end of which Guyomar and his Indians enter, and, ere the Spaniards can recover their swords, seize them.

Guy. Those, whom you took without, in triumph bring; But see these strait conducted to the king.

Piz. Vasquez, what now remains in these extremes?

Vasq. Only to wake us from our golden dreams.

Piz. Since by our shameful conduct we have lost
Freedom, wealth, honour, which we value most,
I wish they would our lives a period give:
They live too long, who happiness out-live.

[Spaniards are led out.

1 Ind. See, sir, how quickly your success is spread; The king comes marching in the army's head.

Enter Montezuma, Alibech, Odmar discontented.

Mont. Now all the Gods reward and bless my son. [Embracing. Thou hast this day thy father's youth outdone.

Alib. Just heaven all happiness upon him shower, Till it confess its will beyond its power.

Guy. The heavens are kind, the Gods propitious
be,
I only doubt a mortal deity:
I neither fought for Conquest, nor for fame,
Your love alone can recompence my flame.

Alib. I gave my love to the most brave in war; But that the king must judge.

Mont.—'Tis Guyomar.

[Soldiers shout, A Guyomar, &c.

Mont. This day your nuptials we will celebrate;
But guard these haughty captives 'till their fate:
Odmar, this night to keep them be your care,
To-morrow for their sacrifice prepare.

Alib. Blot not your conquest with your cruelty.

Mont. Fate says, we are not safe unless they die:
The spirit, that foretold this happy day,
Bid me use caution and avoid delay:
Posterity be juster to my fame;
Nor call it murder, when each private man
In his defence may justly do the same:
But private persons more than monarchs can:
All weigh our acts, and whate'er seems unjust,
Impute not to necessity, but lust.

[Exeunt MONTEZUMA, GUYOMAR and ALIBECH.

Odm. Lost and undone! he had my father's voice,
And Alibech seemed pleased with her new choice:
Alas, it was not new! too late I see,
Since one she hated, that it must be me.
—I feel a strange temptation in my will
To do an action, great at once and ill:
Virtue, ill treated, from my soul is fled;
I by revenge and love am wholly led:
Yet conscience would against my rage rebel—
Conscience, the foolish pride of doing well!
Sink empire, father perish, brother fall,
Revenge does more than recompence you all.
Conduct the prisoners in.

Enter VASQUEZ, and PIZARRO.

Spaniards, you See your own deplored estate:
What dare you do to reconcile your fate?

Vasq. All that despair, with courage joined, can do.

Odm. An easy way to victory I'll shew;
When all are buried in their sleep or joy,
I'll give you arms, burn, ravish, and destroy;
For my own share one beauty I design;
Engage your honour that she shall be mine.

Piz. I gladly swear.

Vasq.—And I; but I request That, in return, one, who has touched my breast, Whose name I know not, may be given to me.

Odm. Spaniard, 'tis just; she's yours, whoe'er she be.

Vasq. The night comes on: if fortune bless the bold, I shall possess the beauty.

Piz. I the gold. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.—A Prison.

CORTEZ discovered bound: ALMERIA talking with him.

Alm. I come not now your constancy to prove; You may believe me when I say I love.

Cort. You have too well instructed me before In your intentions, to believe you more.

Alm. I'm justly plagued by this your unbelief, And am myself the cause of my own grief: But to beg love, I cannot stoop so low; It is enough that you my passion know: 'Tis in your choice; love me, or love me not; I have not yet my brother's death forgot. [Lays hold on the dagger.

Cort. You menace me and court me in a breath: Your Cupid looks as dreadfully as death.

Alm. Your hopes, without, are vanished into smoke: Your captains taken, and your armies broke.

Cort. In vain you urge me with my miseries:
When fortune falls, high courages can rise;
Now should I change my love, it would appear
Not the effect of gratitude, but fear.

Alm. I'll to the king, and make it my request,
Or my command, that you may be releast;
And make you judge, when I have set you free,
Who best deserves your passion, I, or she.

Cort. You tempt my faith so generous a way,
As without guilt might constancy betray:
But I'm so far from meriting esteem,
That, if I judge, I must myself condemn;
Yet having given my worthless heart before,
What I must ne'er possess, I will adore:
Take my devotion then this humbler way;
Devotion is the love which heaven we pay.
[Kisses her hand.

Enter CYDARIA.

Cyd. May I believe my eyes! what do I see! Is this her hate to him, his love to me! 'Tis in my breast she sheaths her dagger now. False man, is this thy faith? is this thy vow? [To him.

Cort. What words, dear saint, are these I hear you use? What faith, what vows, are those which you accuse?

Cyd. More cruel than the tyger o'er his spoil;
And falser than the weeping crododile:
Can you add vanity to guilt, and take
A pride to hear the conquests, which you make?
Go, publish your renown; let it be said,
You have a woman, and that loved, betrayed.

Cort. With what injustice is my faith accused! Life, freedom, empire, I at once refused; And would again ten thousand times for you.

Alm. She'll have too great content to find him true;
And therefore, since his love is not for me,
I'll help to make my rival's misery. [Aside.
Spaniard, I never thought you false before:
[To him.
Can you at once two mistresses adore?
Keep the poor soul no longer in suspence,
Your change is such as does not need defence.

Cort. Riddles like these I cannot understand.

Alm. Why should you blush? she saw you kiss my hand.

Cyd. Fear not; I will, while your first love's denied,
Favour your shame, and turn my eyes aside;
My feeble hopes in her deserts are lost:
I neither can such power nor beauty boast:
I have no tie upon you to be true,
But that, which loosened yours, my love to you.

Cort. Could you have heard my words!

Cyd.—Alas, what needs To hear your words, when I beheld your deeds?

Cort. What shall I say? the fate of love is such,
That still it sees too little or too much.
That act of mine, which does your passion move,
Was but a mark of my respect, not love.

Alm. Vex not yourself excuses to prepare: For one, you love not, is not worth your care.

Cort. Cruel Almeria, take that life you gave; Since you but worse destroy me, while you save.

Cyd. No, let me die, and I'll my claim resign; For while I live, methinks, you should be mine.

Cort. The bloodiest vengeance, which she could pursue, Would be a trifle to my loss of you.

Cyd. Your change was wise: for, had she been denied,
A swift revenge had followed from her pride:
You from my gentle nature had no fears,
All my revenge is only in my tears.

Cort. Can you imagine I so mean could prove, To save my life by changing of my love?

Cyd. Since death is that which naturally we shun, You did no more than I, perhaps, had done.

Cort. Make me not doubt, fair soul, your constancy; You would have died for love, and so would I.

Alm. You may believe him; you have seen it proved.

Cort. Can I not gain belief how I have loved? What can thy ends, malicious beauty, be: Can he, who kill'd thy brother, live for thee?

[A noise of clashing of swords. [VASQUEZ within, Indians against him.

Vasq. Yield, slaves, or die; our swords shall force our way.
[Within.

Ind. We cannot, though o'er-powered, our trust betray.
[Within.

Cort. 'Tis Vasquez's voice, he brings me liberty.

Vasq. In spite of fate I'll set my general free; [Within. Now victory for us, the town's our own.

Alm. All hopes of safety and of love are gone:
As when some dreadful thunder-clap is nigh,
The winged fire shoots swiftly through the sky,
Strikes and consumes, ere scarce it does appear,
And by the sudden ill prevents the fear:
Such is my state in this amazing woe,
It leaves no power to think, much less to do.
—But shall my rival live, shall she enjoy
That love in peace, I laboured to destroy? [Aside.

Cort. Her looks grow black as a tempestuous wind; Some raging thoughts are rolling in her mind.

Alm. Rival, I must your jealousy remove, You shall, hereafter, be at rest for love.

Cyd. Now you are kind.

Alm.—He whom you love is true: But he shall never be possest by you.

[Draws her dagger, and runs towards her.

Cort. Hold, hold, ah barbarous woman! fly, oh fly!

Cyd. Ah pity, pity, is no succour nigh!

Cort. Run, run behind me, there you may be sure, While I have life, I will your life secure. [CYDARIA gets behind him.

Alm. On him, or thee,—light vengeance any where [She stabs and hurts him. —What have I done? I see his blood appear!

Cyd. It streams, it streams from every vital part: Was there no way but this to find his heart?

Alm. Ah! cursed woman, what was my design! This weapon's point shall mix that blood with mine!

[Goes to stab herself, and being within his reach he snatches the dagger.

Cort. Now neither life nor death are in your power.

Alm. Then sullenly I'll wait my fatal hour.

Enter VASQUEZ and PIZARRO, with drawn swords.

Vasq. He lives, he lives.

Cort.—Unfetter me with speed; Vasquez, I see you troubled that I bleed: But 'tis not deep, our army I can head.

Vasq. You to a certain victory are led; Your men, all armed, stand silently within: I with your freedom did the work begin.

Piz. What friends we have, and how we came so strong, We'll softly tell you as we march along.

Cort. In this safe place let me secure your fear:
[To CYDARIA.
No clashing swords, no noise can enter here.
Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be,
As Halcyons brooding on a winter sea.

Cyd. Leave me not here alone, and full of fright,
Amidst the terrors of a dreadful night:
You judge, alas, my courage by your own;
I never durst in darkness be alone:
I beg, I throw me humbly at your feet.

Cort. You must not go where you may dangers meet. The unruly sword will no destinction make; And beauty will not there give wounds, but take.

Alm. Then stay and take me with you; tho' to be
A slave to wait upon your victory.
My heart unmoved can noise and horror bear:
Parting from you is all the death I fear.

Cort. Almeria, 'tis enough I leave you free: You neither must stay here, nor go with me.

Aim. Then take my life, that will my rest restore: 'Tis all I ask, for saving yours before.

Cort. That were a barbarous return of love.

Alm. Yet, leaving it, you more inhuman prove. In both extremes I some relief should find; Oh! either hate me more, or be more kind.

Cort. Life of my soul, do not my absence mourn:
But chear your heart in hopes of my return.
[To CYD.
Your noble father's life shall be my care;
And both your brothers I'm obliged to spare.

Cyd. Fate makes you deaf, while I in vain implore;—
My heart forebodes, I ne'er shall see you more:
I have but one request,—when I am dead,
Let not my rival to your love succeed.

Cort. Fate will be kinder than your fears foretell; Farewell, my dear.

Cyd.—A long and last farewell: —So eager to employ the cruel sword? Can you not one, not one last look afford!

Cort. I melt to womanish tears, and if I stay,
I find my love, my courage will betray;
Yon tower will keep you safe, but be so kind
To your own life, that none may entrance find.

Cyd. Then lead me there.—[He leads her. For this one minute of your company, I go, methinks, with some content to die.

[Exeunt CORTEZ, VASQUEZ, PIZARRO, and CYDARIA.

Alm. Farewell, O too much lov'd, since lov'd in vain! What dismal fortune does for me remain! Night and despair my fatal footsteps guide; That chance may give the death which he denied. [Exit.

CORTEZ, VASQUEZ, PIZARRO, and SPANIARDS return again.

Cort. All I hold dear I trust to your defence; [To Piz. Guard her, and on your life, remove not hence. [Exeunt CORTEZ and VASQUEZ. Piz. I'll venture that.— The Gods are good; I'll leave her to their care, Steal from my post, and in the plunder share. [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I.—A chamber royal, an Indian hammock discovered in it.

Enter ODMAR with soldiers, GUYOMAR, and ALIBECH bound.

Odm. Fate is more just than you to my desert, And in this act you blame, heaven takes my part.

Guy. Can there be gods, and no revenge provide?

Odm. The gods are ever of the conquering side: She's now my queen; the Spaniards have agreed, I to my father's empire shall succeed.

Alib. How much I crowns contemn, I let thee see, Chusing the younger, and refusing thee.

Guy. Were she ambitious, she'd disdain to own
The pageant pomp of such a servile throne;
A throne, which thou by parricide dost gain,
And by a base submission must retain.

Alib. I loved thee not before; but, Odmar, know, That now I hate thee, and despise thee too.

Odm. With too much violence you crimes pursue,
Which if I acted, 'twas for love of you.
This, if it teach not love, may teach you fear:
I brought not sin so far, to stop it here.
Death in a lover's mouth would sound but ill:
But know, I either must enjoy, or kill.

Alib. Bestow, base man, thy idle threats elsewhere,
My mother's daughter knows not how to fear.
Since, Guyomar, I must not be thy bride,
Death shall enjoy what is to thee denied.

Odm. Then take thy wish—

Guy. Hold, Odmar, hold: My right in Alibech I will resign; Rather than see her die, I'll see her thine.

Alib. In vain thou wouldst resign, for I will be,
Even when thou leav'st me, constant still to thee:
That shall not save my life: Wilt thou appear
Fearful for her, who for herself wants fear?

Odm. Her love to him shows me a surer way:
I by her love her virtue must betray.—[Aside.
Since, Alibech, you are so true a wife, [To her.
'Tis in your power to save your husband's life:
The gods, by me, your love and virtue try;
For both will suffer, if you let him die.

Alib. I never can believe you will proceed To such a black, and execrable deed.

Odm. I only threatened you; but could not prove So much a fool, to murder what I love: But in his death I some advantage see: Worse than it is I'm sure it cannot be. If you consent, you with that gentle breath Preserve his life: If not, behold his death. [Holds his sword to his breast.

Alib. What shall I do!

Guy. What, are your thoughts at strife
About a ransom to preserve my life?
Though to save yours I did my interest give,
Think not, when you were his, I meant to live.

Alib. O let him be preserved by any way: But name not the foul price which I must pay. [To ODM.

Odm. You would, and would not,—I'll no longer stay. [Offers again to kill him.

Alib. I yield, I yield; but yet, ere I am ill,
An innocent desire I would fulfil:
With Guyomar I one chaste kiss would leave,
The first and last he ever can receive.

Odm. Have what you ask: That minute you agree To my desires, your husband shall be free. [They unbind her, she goes to her husband.

Guy. No, Alibech, we never must embrace. [He turns from her. Your guilty kindness why do you misplace? 'Tis meant to him, he is your private choice; I was made yours but by the public voice. And now you leave me with a poor pretence, That your ill act is for my life's defence.

Alib. Since there remains no other means to try, Think I am false; I cannot see you die.

Guy. To give for me both life and honour too,
Is more, perhaps, than I could give for you.
You have done much to cure my jealousy,
But cannot perfect it unless both die!
For since both cannot live, who stays behind
Must be thought fearful, or, what's worse, unkind.

Alib. I never could propose that death you chuse; But am, like you, too jealous to refuse. [Embracing him. Together dying, we together show That both did pay that faith, which both did owe.

Odm. It then remains I act my own design: Have you your wills, but I will first have mine. Assist me, soldiers— [They go to bind her: She cries out.

Enter VASQUEZ, and two Spaniards.

Vasq. Hold, Odmar, hold! I come in happy time To hinder my misfortune, and your crime.

Odm. You ill return the kindness I have shown.

Vasq. Indian, I say, desist.

Odm. Spaniard, be gone.

Vasq. This lady I did for myself design: Dare you attempt her honour, who is mine?

Odm. You're much mistaken; this is she, whom I
Did with my father's loss, and country's buy:
She, whom your promise did to me convey,
When all things else were made your common prey.

Vasq. That promise made, excepted one for me; One whom I still reserved, and this is she.

Odm. This is not she; you cannot be so base.

Vasq. I love too deeply to mistake the face: The vanquished must receive the victor's laws.

Odm. If I am vanquished, I myself am cause.

Vasq. Then thank yourself for what you undergo.

Odm. Thus lawless might does justice overthrow.

Vasq. Traitors, like you, should never justice name.

Odm. You owe your triumphs to that traitor's shame. But to your general I'll my right refer.

Vasq. He never will protect a ravisher:
His generous heart will soon decide our strife;
He to your brother will restore his wife.
It rests we two our claim in combat try,
And that with this fair prize the victor fly.

Odm. Make haste, I cannot suffer to be long perplext; Conquest is my first wish, and death my next. [They fight, the Spaniards and Indians fight.

Alib. The gods the wicked by themselves o'erthrow: All fight against us now, and for us too! [Unbinds her husband.

[The two Spaniards and three Indians kill each other, VASQUEZ kills ODMAR, GUYOMAR runs to his brothers sword.

Vasq. Now you are mine; my greatest foe is slain. [To AL.

Guy. A greater still to vanquish does remain.

Vasq. Another yet! The wounds, I make, but sow new enemies, Which from their blood, like earth-born brethren, rise.

Guy. Spaniard, take breath: Some respite I'll afford, My cause is more advantage than your sword.

Vasq. Thou art so brave—could it with honour be, I'd seek thy friendship more than victory.

Guy. Friendship with him, whose hand did Odmar kill! Base as he was, he was my brother still: And since his blood has washed away his guilt. Nature asks thine for that which thou hast spilt. [They fight a little and breathe, ALIBECH takes up a sword and comes on.

Alib. My weakness may help something in the strife.

Guy. Kill not my honour to preserve my life:
[Staying her.
Rather than by thy aid I'll conquest gain,
Without defence I poorly will be slain.

[She goes back, they fight again, VASQUEZ falls.

Guy. Now, Spaniard, beg thy life, and thou shalt live.

Vasq. 'Twere vain to ask thee what thou canst not give; My breath goes out, and I am now no more; Yet her, I loved, in death I will adore. [Dies.

Guy. Come, Alibech, let us from hence remove.
This is a night of horror, not of love.
From every part I hear a dreadful noise,
The vanquished crying, and the victor's joys.
I'll to my father's aid and country's fly,
And succour both, or in their ruin die. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.—A Prison.

MONTEZUMA, Indian High Priest, bound; PIZARRO, Spaniards with swords drawn, a Christian Priest.

Piz. Thou hast not yet discovered all thy store.

Mont. I neither can nor will discover more; The gods will punish you, if they be just; The gods will plague your sacrilegious lust.

Chr. Priest. Mark how this impious heathen justifies
His own false gods, and our true God denies:
How wickedly he has refused his wealth,
And hid his gold, from christian hands, by stealth:
Down with him, kill him, merit heaven thereby.

Ind. High Pr. Can heaven be author of such cruelty?

Piz. Since neither threats nor kindness will prevail, We must by other means your minds assail; Fasten the engines; stretch 'em at their length, And pull the straitened cords with all your strength. [They fasten them to the rack, and then pull them.

Mont. The gods, who made me once a king, shall know,
I still am worthy to continue so:
Though now the subject of your tyranny,
I'll plague you worse than you can punish me.
Know, I have gold, which you shall never find;
No pains, no tortures, shall unlock my mind.

Chr. Pr. Pull harder yet; he does not feel the rack.

Mont. Pull 'till my veins break, and my sinews crack.

Ind. High Pr. When will you end your barbarous cruelty? I beg not to escape, I beg to die.

Mont. Shame on thy priesthood, that such prayers can bring!
Is it not brave, to suffer with thy king?
When monarchs suffer, gods themselves bear part;
Then well mayest thou, who but my vassal art:
I charge thee, dare not groan, nor shew one sign;
Thou at thy torments dost the least repine.

Ind. High Pr. You took an oath, when you received the crown,
The heavens should pour their usual blessings down;
The sun should shine, the earth its fruits produce,
And nought be wanting to your subjects' use:
Yet we with famine were opprest, and now
Must to the yoke of cruel masters bow.

Mont. If those above, who made the world, could be Forgetful of it, why then blamest thou me?

Chr. Pr, Those pains, O prince, thou sufferest now, are light
Compared to those, which, when thy soul takes flight,
Immortal, endless, thou must then endure,
Which death begins, and time can never cure.

Mont. Thou art deceived; for whensoe'er I die,
The Sun, my father, bears my soul on high:
He lets me down a beam, and mounted there,
He draws it back, and pulls me through the air:
I in the eastern parts, and rising sky,
You in heaven's downfal, and the west must lie.

Chr. Pr. Fond man, by heathen ignorance misled, Thy soul destroying when thy body's dead: Change yet thy faith, and buy eternal rest.

Ind. High Pr. Die in your own, for our belief is best.

Mont. In seeking happiness you both agree,
But in the search, the paths so different be,
That all religions with each other fight,
While only one can lead us in the right.
But till that one hath some more certain mark,
Poor human kind must wander in the dark;
And suffer pain eternally below,
For that, which here we cannot come to know.

Chr. Pr. That, which we worship, and which you believe,
From nature's common hand we both receive:
All, under various names, adore and love
One Power immense, which ever rules above.
Vice to abhor, and virtue to pursue,
Is both believed and taught by us and you:
But here our worship takes another way—

Mont. Where both agree, 'tis there most safe to stay: For what's more vain than public light to shun, And set up tapers, while we see the sun?

Chr. Pr. Though nature teaches whom we should adore, By heavenly beams we still discover more.

Mont. Or this must be enough, or to mankind
One equal way to bliss is not designed;
For though some more may know, and some know less,
Yet all must know enough for happiness.

Chr. Pr. If in this middle way you still pretend To stay, your journey never will have end.

Mont. Howe'er, 'tis better in the midst to stay, Than wander farther in uncertain way.

Chr. Pr. But we by martyrdom our faith avow.

Mont. You do no more than I for ours do now.
To prove religion true—
If either wit or sufferings would suffice,
All faiths afford the constant and the wise:
And yet even they, by education swayed,
In age defend what infancy obeyed.

Chr. Pr. Since age by erring childhood is misled, Refer yourself to our unerring head.

Mont. Man, and not err! what reason can you give?

Chr. Pr. Renounce that carnal reason, and believe.

Mont. The light of nature should I thus betray, 'Twere to wink hard, that I might see the day.

Chr. Pr. Condemn not yet the way you do not know; I'll make your reason judge what way to go.

Mont. 'Tis much too late for me new ways to take, Who have but one short step of life to make.

Piz. Increase their pains, the cords are yet too slack.

Chr. Pr. I must by force convert him on the rack.

Ind. High Pr. I faint away, and find I can no more: Give leave, O king, I may reveal thy store, And free myself from pains, I cannot bear.

Mont. Think'st thou I lie on beds of roses here, Or in a wanton bath stretched at my ease? Die, slave, and with thee die such thoughts as these. [High Priest turns aside, and dies.

Enter CORTEZ attended by Spaniards, he speaks entering.

Cort. On pain of death, kill none but those who fight;
I much repent me of this bloody night:
Slaughter grows murder when it goes too far,
And makes a massacre what was a war:
Sheath all your weapons, and in silence move,
'Tis sacred here to beauty, and to love.
Ha—[Sees MONT.
What dismal sight is this, which takes from me
All the delight, that waits on victory!
[Runs to take him off the rack.
Make haste: How now, religion, do you frown?
Haste, holy avarice, and help him down.
Ah, father, father, what do I endure
[Embracing MONT.
To see these wounds my pity cannot cure!

Mont. Am I so low that you should pity bring,
And give an infant's comfort to a king?
Ask these, if I have once unmanly groaned;
Or aught have done deserving to be moaned.

Cort. Did I not charge, thou shouldst not stir from hence?
[To Piz.
But martial law shall punish thy offence.
And you, [To the Christian Priest.
Who saucily teach monarchs to obey,
And the wide world in narrow cloisters sway;
Set up by kings as humble aids of power,
You that which bred you, viper-like, devour,
You enemies of crowns—

Chr. Pr. Come, let's away, We but provoke his fury by our stay.

Cort. If this go free, farewell that discipline,
Which did in Spanish camps severely shine:
Accursed gold, 'tis thou hast caused these crimes;
Thou turn'st our steel against thy parent climes!
And into Spain wilt fatally be brought,
Since with the price of blood thou here art bought.

[Exeunt Priest and PIZARRO. [CORTEZ kneels by MONTEZUMA, and weeps.

Cort. Can you forget those crimes they did commit?

Mont. I'll do what for my dignity is fit:
Rise, sir, I'm satisfied the fault was theirs:
Trust me, you make me weep to see your tears:
Must I chear you?

Cort. Ah heavens!

Mont. You're much to blame;
Your grief is cruel, for it shows my shame,
Does my lost crown to my remembrance bring:
But weep not you, and I'll be still a king.
You have forgot, that I your death designed,
To satisfy the proud Almeria's mind:
You, who preserved my life, I doomed to die.

Cort. Your love did that, and not your cruelty.

Enter a Spaniard.

Span. Prince Guyomar the combat still maintains,
Our men retreat, and he their ground regains:
But once encouraged by our general's sight,
We boldly should renew the doubtful fight.

Cort. Remove not hence, you shall not long attend; [To MONTEZUMA. I'll aid my soldiers, yet preserve my friend.

Mont. Excellent man! [Exeunt CORTEZ, &c. But I, by living, poorly take the way To injure goodness, which I cannot pay.

Enter ALMERIA.

Alm. Ruin and death run armed through every street;
And yet that fate, I seek, I cannot meet:
What guards misfortunes are and misery!
Death, that strikes all, yet seems afraid of me.

Mont. Almeria here! Oh turn away your face! Must you be witness too of my disgrace?

Alm. I am not that Almeria whom you knew,
But want that pity I denied to you:
Your conqueror, alas, has vanquished me;
But he refuses his own victory:
While all are captives in your conquered state,
I find a wretched freedom in his hate.

Mont. Couldst thou thy love on one who scorned thee lose?
He saw not with my eyes, who could refuse:
Him, who could prove so much unkind to thee,
I ne'er will suffer to be kind to me.

Alm. I am content in death to share your fate; And die for him I love, with him I hate.

Mont. What shall I do in this perplexing strait! My tortured limbs refuse to bear my weight: [Endeavouring to walk, not being able. I cannot go to death to set me free; Death must be kind, and come himself to me.

Alm. I've thought upon't: I have affairs below,
[ALM. musing.
Which I must needs despatch before I go:
Sir, I have found a place where you may be, [To him.
(Though not preserved) yet, like a king, die free;
The general left your daughter in the tower,
We may a while resist the Spaniards' power,
If Guyomar prevail.

Mont. Make haste and call; She'll hear your voice, and answer from the wall.

Alm. My voice she knows and fears, but use your own; And, to gain entrance, feign you are alone. [ALM. steps behind.

Mont. Cydaria!

Alm. Louder.

Mont. Daughter!

Alm. Louder yet.

Mont. Thou canst not, sure, thy father's voice forget.

[He knocks at the door, at last CYDARIA looks over the balcony.

Cyd. Since my love went, I have been frighted so,
With dismal groans, and noises from below;
I durst not send my eyes abroad, for fear
Of seeing dangers, which I yet but hear.

Mont. Cydaria!

Cyd. Sure, 'tis my father calls.

Mont. Dear child, make haste;
All hope of succour, but from thee, is past:
As when, upon the sands, the traveller
Sees the high sea come rolling from afar,
The land grow short, he mends his weary pace,
While death behind him covers all the place:
So I, by swift misfortunes, am pursued,
Which on each other are, like waves, renewed.

Cyd. Are you alone?

Mont. I am.

Cyd. I'll strait descend; Heaven did you here for both our safeties send.

[CYDARIA descends and opens the door, ALMERIA rushes betwixt with MONTEZUMA.

Cyd. Almeria here! then I am lost again. [Both thrust.

Alm. Yield to my strength, you struggle but in vain. Make haste and shut, our enemies appear.

[CORTEZ and Spaniards appear at the other end.

Cyd. Then do you enter, and let me stay here.

[As she speaks, ALMERIA overpowers her, thrusts her in, and shuts.

Cort. Sure I both heard her voice and saw her face:
She's like a vision vanished from the place.
Too late I find my absence was too long;
My hopes grow sickly, and my fears grow strong.

[He knocks a little, then MONTEZUMA, CYDARIA, and ALMERIA, appear above.

Alm. Look up, look up, and see if you can know Those, whom in vain you think to find below.

Cyd. Look up, and see Cydaria's lost estate.

Mont. And cast one look on Montezuma's fate.

Cort. Speak not such dismal words as wound my ear;
Nor name death to me, when Cydaria's there.
Despair not, sir; who knows but conquering Spain
May part of what you lost restore again?

Mont. No, Spaniard; know, he who, to empire born,
Lives to be less, deserves the victor's scorn:
Kings and their crowns have but one destiny:
Power is their life; when that expires, they die.

Cyd. What dreadful words are these!

Mont. Name life no more;
'Tis now a torture worse than all I bore;
I'll not be bribed to suffer life, but die,
In spite of your mistaken clemency.
I was your slave, and I was used like one;
The shame continues when the pain is gone:
But I'm a king while this is in my hand—[His sword.
He wants no subjects, who can death command:
You should have tied him up, t'have conquered me;
But he's still mine, and thus he sets me free.
[Stabs himself.

Cyd. Oh, my dear father!

Alm. When that is forced, there yet remain two more. [The Soldiers break open the first door, and go in. We shall have time enough to take our way, Ere any can our fatal journey stay.

Mont. Already mine is past: O powers divine,
Take my last thanks: no longer I repine;
I might have lived my own mishap to mourn,
While some would pity me, but more would scorn!
For pity only on fresh objects stays,
But with the tedious sight of woes decays.
Still less and less my boiling spirits flow;
And I grow stiff, as cooling metals do.
Farewell, Almeria. [Dies.

Cyd. He's gone, he's gone, And leaves poor me defenceless here alone.

Alm. You shall not long be so: Prepare to die, That you may bear your father company.

Cyd. O name not death to me! you fright me so,
That with the fear I shall prevent the blow:
I know, your mercy's more than to destroy
A thing so young, so innocent as I.

Cort. Whence can proceed thy cruel thirst of blood,
Ah, barbarous woman? Woman! that's too good,
Too mild for thee: There's pity in that name,
But thou hast lost thy pity with thy shame.

Alm. Your cruel words have pierced me to the heart; But on my rival I'll revenge my smart.

Cort. Oh stay your hand; and, to redeem my fault,
I'll speak the kindest words—
That tongue e'er uttered, or that heart e'er thought.
Dear—lovely—sweet—

Alm. This but offends me more; You act your kindness on Cydaria's score.

Cyd. For his dear sake let me my life receive.

Alm. Fool, for his sake alone you must not live: Revenge is now my joy; he's not for me, And I'll make sure he ne'er shall be for thee.

Cyd. But what's my crime?

Alm. 'Tis loving where I love.

Cyd. Your own example does my act approve.

Alm. 'Tis such a fault I never can forgive.

Cyd. How can I mend, unless you let me live? I yet am tender, young, and full of fear, And dare not die, but fain would tarry here.

Cort. If blood you seek, I will my own resign: O spare her life, and in exchange take mine!

Alm. The love you shew but hastes her death the more.

Cort. I'll run, and help to force the inner door. [Is going in haste.

Alm. Stay, Spaniard, stay; depart not from my eyes: That moment that I lose your sight, she dies. To look on you, I'll grant a short reprieve.

Cort. O make your gift more full, and let her live! I dare not go; and yet how dare I stay!— Her I would save, I murder either way.

Cyd. Can you be so hard-hearted to destroy
My ripening hopes, that are so near to joy?
I just approach to all I would possess:
Death only stands 'twixt me and happiness.

Alm. Your father, with his life, has lost his throne: Your country's freedom and renown is gone. Honour requires your death; you must obey.

Cyd. Do you die first, and shew me then the way.

Alm. Should you not follow, my revenge were lost.

Cyd. Then rise again, and fright me with your ghost.

Alm. I will not trust to that; since death I chuse,
I'll not leave you that life which I refuse:
If death's a pain, it is not less to me;
And if 'tis nothing, 'tis no more to thee.
But hark! the noise increases from behind;
They're near, and may prevent what I designed;
Take there a rival's gift. [Stabs her.

Cort. Perdition seize thee for so black a deed.

Alm. Blame not an act, which did from love proceed:
I'll thus revenge thee with this fatal blow;
[Stabs herself.
Stand fair, and let my heart-blood on thee flow.

Cyd. Stay, life, and keep me in the cheerful light!
Death is too black, and dwells in too much night.
Thou leav'st me, life, but love supplies thy part,
And keeps me warm, by lingering in my heart:
Yet dying for him, I thy claim remove;
How dear it costs to conquer in my love!
Now strike: That thought, I hope, will arm my breast.

Alm. Ah, with what differing passions am I prest!

Cyd. Death, when far off, did terrible appear; But looks less dreadful as he comes more near.

Alm. O rival, I have lost the power to kill;
Strength hath forsook my arm, and rage my will:
I must surmount that love which thou hast shown;
Dying for him is due to me alone.
Thy weakness shall not boast the victory,
Now thou shalt live, and dead I'll conquer thee:
Soldiers, assist me down.

[Exeunt from above, led by Soldiers, and enter both, led by CORTEZ.

Cort. Is there no danger then? [To CYDARIA.

Cyd. You need not fear My wound; I cannot die when you are near.

Cort. You, for my sake, life to Cydaria give; [To ALM. And I could die for you, if you might live.

Alm. Enough, I die content, now you are kind;
Killed in my limbs, reviving in my mind:
Come near, Cydaria, and forgive my crime.
[CYDARIA starts back.
You need not fear my rage a second time:
I'll bathe your wounds in tears for my offence.
That hand, which made it, makes this recompence.
[Ready to join their hands.
I would have joined you, but my heart's too high:
You will, too soon, possess him when I die.

Cort. She faints; O softly set her down.

Alm. 'Tis past!
In thy loved bosom let me breathe my last.
Here, in this one short moment that I live,
I have whate'er the longest life could give. [Dies.

Cort. Farewell, thou generous maid: Even victory,
Glad as it is, must lend some tears to thee;
Many I dare not shed, lest you believe [To CYD.
I joy in you less than for her I grieve.

Cyd. But are you sure she's dead?
I must embrace you fast, before I know,
Whether my life be yet secure, or no:
Some other hour I will to tears allow,
But, having you, can shew no sorrow now.

Enter GUYOMAR and ALIBECH bound, with Soldiers.

Cort. Prince Guyomar in bonds! O friendship's shame! It makes me blush to own a victor's name. [Unbinds him, CYDARIA, ALIBECH.

Cyd. See, Alibech, Almeria lies there; But do not think 'twas I that murdered her.

[ALIBECH kneels, and kisses her dead sister.

Cort. Live, and enjoy more than your conqueror: [To GUYOMAR. Take all my love, and share in all my power.

Guy. Think me not proudly rude, if I forsake
Those gifts I cannot with my honour take:
I for my country fought, and would again,
Had I yet left a country to maintain:
But since the gods decreed it otherwise,
I never will on its dear ruins rise.

Alib. Of all your goodness leaves to our dispose,
Our liberty's the only gift we chuse:
Absence alone can make our sorrows less;
And not to see what we can ne'er redress.

Guy. Northward, beyond the mountains, we will go,
Where rocks lie covered with eternal snow,
Thin herbage in the plains and fruitless fields,
The sand no gold, the mine no silver yields:
There love and freedom we'll in peace enjoy;
No Spaniards will that colony destroy.
We to ourselves will all our wishes grant;
And, nothing coveting, can nothing want.

Cort. First your great father's funeral pomp provide: That done, in peace your generous exiles guide; While I loud thanks pay to the powers above, Thus doubly blest, with conquest, and with love. [Exeunt.

EPILOGUE

BY A MERCURY.

To all and singular in this full meeting,
Ladies and gallants, Phoebus sends ye greeting.
To all his sons, by whate'er title known,
Whether of court, or coffee-house, or town;
From his most mighty sons, whose confidence
Is placed in lofty sound, and humble sense,
Even to his little infants of the time,
Who write new songs, and trust in tune and rhyme:
Be't known, that Phoebus (being daily grieved
To see good plays condemned, and bad received)
Ordains, your judgment upon every cause,
Henceforth, be limited by wholesome laws.
He first thinks fit no sonnetteer advance
His censure, farther than the song or dance.
Your wit burlesque may one step higher climb,
And in his sphere may judge all doggrel rhyme:
All proves, and moves, and loves, and honours too;
All that appears high sense, and scarce is low.
As for the coffee-wits, he says not much;
Their proper business is to damn the Dutch:
For the great dons of wit—
Phoebus gives them full privilege alone,
To damn all others, and cry up their own.
Last, for the ladies, 'tis Apollo's will,
They should have power to save, but not to kill:
For love and he long since have thought it fit,
Wit live by beauty, beauty reign by wit.