Zar. Yet thus, thus fall'n, thus levell'd with the vilest, If I have gain'd thy love, 'tis glorious ruin; A queen; for what are riches, empire, power, The steps on which we tread, to rise and reach Our wish; and that obtain'd, down with the scaf folding Of sceptres, crowns, and thrones; they've serv'd their end, And are, like lumber, to be left and scorn'd. Osm. Why was I made the instrument to throw In bonds the frame of this exalted mind? Zara. We may be free; the conqueror is mine In chains unseen I hold him by the heart, Osm. In vain you offer, and in vain require ; 400 Zar. Thou canst not mean so poorly as thou talk'st. Zar. Not who thou art : But what this last ingratitude declares, This groveling baseness-Thou say'st true, I know That to have lov'd thee makes me yet more lost, Traitor, monster, cold, and perfidious slave; A slave not daring to be free; nor dares “'Tis that, I know; for thou dost look, with eyes "Sparkling desire, and trembling to possess. "I know my charms have reach'd thy very soul, "And thrill'd thee through with darted fires; but "thou "Dost fear so much, thou dar'st not wish.” The king! There, there's the dreadful sound, the king's thy rival! Sel. Madam, the king is here, and entering now. Zar. As I could wish; by Heav'n I'll be reveng'd. Enter the KING, PEREZ, and Attendants. King. Why does the fairest of her kind withdraw Her shining from the day, to gild this scene Of death and night? Ha! what disorder's this? Somewhat I heard of king and rival mention'd. What's he that dares be rival to the king, Or lift his eyes to like where I adore ? Zar. There, he, your prisoner, and that was my slave. King. How better than my hopes! Does she accuse him? Zar. Am I become so low by my captivity, And do your arms so lessen what they conquer, That Zara must be made the sport of slaves? And shall the wretch, whom yester sun beheld Waiting my nod, the creature of my pow'r, Presume to-day to plead audacious love, [Aside. And build bold hopes on my dejected fate ? King. Better for him to tempt the rage of Heav'n, And wrench the bolt red-hissing from the hand Of him that thunders, than but to think that insolence. " 'Tis daring for a god." Hence to the wheel 440 With that Ixion, who aspires to hold Divinity embrac'd; to whips and prisons Drag him with speed, and rid me of his face. [Guards seize Osmyn, and exeunt. Zar. Compassion led me to bemoan his state, Whose former faith had merited much more: And, through my hopes in you, I undertook He should be set at large! thence sprung his insolence, And what was charity, he constru'd love. King. Enough; his punishment be what you please. But let me lead you from this place of sorrow, To one where young delights attend," and joys, "Yet new, unborn, and blooming in the bud, "Which wait to be full-blown at your approach, "And spread, like roses, to the morning sun :" Where ev'ry hour shall roll in circling joys, And love shall wing the tedious-wasting day. Life, without love, is load; and time stands still : What we refuse to him, to death we give; And then, then only, when we love, we live. [Exeunt. BUT now, ACT III. SCENE I. A Prison. OSMYN with a Paper. and I was clos'd within the tomb That holds my father's ashes; and but now, Where he was pris'ner, I am too imprison'd. This paper; what it is this light will shew, [Reading. 'If my Alphonso live, restore him, Heav'n ; 'Give me more weight, crush my declining years 'With bolts, with chains, imprisonment and want; But bless my son, visit not him for me. It is his hand; this was his pray'r-yet more : Let ev'ry hair, which sorrow by the roots [Reading. 'Tears from my hoary and devoted head, 'Be doubled in thy mercies to my son : Not for myself, but him, hear me, all-gracious'Tis wanting what should follow-Heav'n should follow, But 'tis torn off-Why shou'd that word alone Be torn from this petition? 'Twas to Heav'n, 20 But Heav'n was deaf, Heav'n heard him not; but thus, Thus as the name of Heav'n from this is torn, So did it tear the ears of mercy from 2 His voice, shutting the gates of pray'r against him. If piety be thus debarr'd access On high, and of good men the very best Is singled out to bleed, and bear the scourge, Ere reason can be born. "Reason, the power Enter HELI. Heli. The time's too precious to be spent in telling. The captain influenc'd by Almeria's power, Gave order to the guards for my admittance. 40 As I am. Tell me, may I hope to see her? Heli. You may. Anon, at midnight, when the king Is gone to rest, and Garcia is retir'd, "(Who takes the privilege to visit late, "Presuming on a bridegroom's right)" she'll come. Osm. She'll come; 'tis what I wish, yet what I fear. She'll come; but whither, and to whom? Oh, Heav'n ! To a vile prison, and a captiv'd wretch; |