That still is left us, and on that we'll feed, There we will feast and smile on past distress, Osm. Oh, thou dost talk, my love, as one resolv'd, Think how I am, when thou shalt wed with Garcia ! "Alm. Heart-breaking horror? Osm. Then Garcia shall lie panting on thy bosom, Luxurious, revelling amidst thy charms; "And thou per-force must yield, and aid his transport." Hell! Hell! have I not cause to rage and rave? What are all racks, and wheels, and whips to this? "Are they not soothing softness, sinking ease, "And wafting air to this?" Oh, my Almeria ! What do the damn'd endure, but to despair, But knowing Heav'n, to know it lost for ever? Alm. Oh, I am struck; thy words are bolts of ice, Which shot into my breast, now melt and chill me. "I chatter, shake, and faint with thrilling fears. "No, hold me not- -Oh, let us not support, "But sink each other, deeper yet, down, down, "Where levell'd low, no more we'll lift our eyes, "But prone, and dumb, rot the firm face of earth "With rivers of incessant scalding rain." Enter ZARA, PEREZ, SELIM. Zar. Somewhat of weight to me requires his free dom. Dare you dispute the king's command? Behold The royal signet. Per. I obey; yet beg Your majesty one moment to defer Your ent'ring, 'till the princess is return'd From visiting the noble prisoner. Zar. Ha! What say'st thou ? Osm. We are lost! undone! discover'd! 440 "Retire, my life, with speed-Alas, we're seen:" Speak of compassion, let her hear you speak Of interceding for me with the king; Say somewhat quickly to conceal our loves, Alm. -I cannot speak. Osm. Let me Conduct you forth, as not perceiving her, But till she's gone; then bless me thus again. Zar. Trembling and weeping as he leads her forth! Confusion in his face, and grief in hers! 450 'Tis plain I've been abus'd-" Death and destruc tion ! "How shall I search into this mystery? “The bluest blast of pestilential air "Strike, damp, deaden her charms, and kill his eyes;" Perdition catch 'em both, and ruin part 'em. Osm. This charity to one unknown, and thus [Aloud to Almeria as she goes out. Distress'd, Heav'n will repay; all thanks are poor. [Exit Almeria. Zar. Damn'd, damn'd dissembler! Yet I will be calm, Choak in my rage, and know the utmost depth Zar. And so unwish'd, unwanted too it seems. You're grown a favourite since last we parted; Zar. I did not know the princess' favourite. Osm. You do not come to mock my miseries? Osm. I could at this time spare your mirth. F Zar. I know thou couldst; but I'm not often pleas'd. And will indulge it now. What miseries? Who would not be thus happily confin'd, To be the care of weeping majesty ; To have contending queens at dead of night, Forsake their down, to wake with wat❜ry eyes, And watch like tapers o'er your hours of rest? Oh, curse! I cannot hold Osm. Come, 'tis too much. Zar. Villain! Osm. How, madam! Zar. Thou shalt die. Osm. I thank you. 480 Zar. Thou ly'st, for now I know for whom thou'dst live. Osm. Then you may know for whom I'd die. Zar. Hell! Hell! Yet I'll be calm-Dark and unknown betrayer! Of Fate is stretch'd to draw the veil, and leave Osm. You may be still deceiv'd, 'tis in my pow'rChain'd as I am, to fly from all my wrongs And free myself, at once, from misery, And you of me, Zar. Ha! say'st thou-but I'll prevent it Who waits there? As you will answer it, look this slave [To the guard. Attempt no means to make himself away. I've been deceiv'd. The public safety now 500 Requires he should be more confin'd, and none, Or speak with him. I'll quit you to the king. [Exeunt. THOU hast already rack'd me with thy stay; Sel. Your accusation highly has incens'd |