Rule my o'ermastered soul. What can you say ? Hal. You should have found it, If not in duty, in despair.-You know Our Spanish tyrants spurn, as well as hate us— That e'en a Moorish prince should wed Florinda? Hem. And must love on forever. Love is a fire self-fed, and dʊes not need Ham. What avails it? Even if she love, she never could be yours- Hal. Weak and degenerate passion! Would that the agéd Moor, to whom your father He lingers from Grenada. Would he were here, Hem. [Going.] Fare you well! Crosses, R. Hal. Where wouldst thou go? 'tis midnight's silent hour. Nightly you wander forth. No couch now strews Hem. This is my hour, My only hour of joy.. Haly, I go To stand beside her lattice; there, sometimes, I see the light that from the casement shines, Of lovers, till the morning. [Shout, R.] Hark! Of far-off tumult murmurs on mine ear, Ham. Behold, the sky Doth redden in the black horizon's verge; A strong unnatural light streams o'er the dark, And mocks the dawn of morn. Enter a Moor, r. [Fire-bell heard. Moor. My lord, the palace of Count Alvarez Stands inwrapt in fire! Hem. Florinda? speak! Moor. She has not yet been seen. Hem. Oh, heavens, Florinda !. [Exeunt, R. SCENE II-A Street in Grenada. Enter ALVAREZ, L., supported by two SERVANTS. Alv. Where is my child? where is my child, Florinda? Where do you drag me? let me go! unhand me! Let me go back and die! unnatural men, You should not force the father from the child. 1st Ser. The thought is frenzy! from the rolling smoke You scarce were ta'en alive! and here we lead you To breathe the fresh'ning air; you shall not go; Alv. Oh, my daughter! Enter a SPANIARD, L. Speak-tell me-speak! [Exit, L. Span. Your daughter has appeared The multitude in speechless horror stands. Alv. [Kneeling.] Hear, and record my oath! he that shall bear Florinda to my arms, shall win her hand, And be inheritor of all my treasures; And, if I break that oath, the heaviest curse Fall on my head! What's that I hear? [A loud shout is heard, L Enter a SPANIARD, L.—after a short pause. Span. My lord, a desp'rate man with furious force Bursts through the gathered thousands, scales the walls, And plunges through the flame. Alv. Oh, heaven reward him! [Another shout, L. That sound sends life again through every vein, And my heart bounds [Voices without, L.] She is saved! she is saved! Alv. O heaven! Lead me from hence, and let me sce my child. [Exeunt, L. SCENE III-A Garden adjoining the Palace of Alvarez part of which appears already consumed and blackened. Enter HEMEYA, L. U. E., bearing Florinda in his arms. Hem. I feel thy pressure in my heart—I have thee— I clasp thee here, while all my senses rush In the full throb of rapture! all my being Seems gathered in the pulse that beats to thee: Flor. Hemeya! Heaven, let me thank thee, that this generous man Has saved me! I will look on thee, Hemeya!- faint; I cannot speak;-but I am grateful to thee. Oh, pardon me, If for one moment of delirious joy, I held thee to my heart; but here, behold, I did not know you loved me. Flor. I confess that I am grateful to thee. Of chilling gratitude; in the dread moment Hem. Why would Florinda, She who is made of gentleness and pity, That glimpse of op'ning heaven? Flor. Because Florinda Scarce to her shuddering heart had dared to tell, What she has told to thee! I ne'er can wed thee, And what a pang it is to love thee still! Dost thou not know my father frowns upon thee? Dost thou not know I never can be thine? Yet, wretched that I am, I have revealed What I must blush to think of.-But he comes, Enter ALVAREZ, L., crosses, c. Alv. My child! Hem. Yes, take her, clasp her to your heart, And as that heart beats with a father's transport, Moor as I am, don't blame me that I love her. |