You free; but shall return much better pleas'd, To find you have an interest superior.

Osm. You do not come to mock my miseries? Zar. I do.

Osm. I could at this time spare your mirth. 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 watery 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.

Zar. Thou liest, 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!

But now the dawn begins, and the slow hand Of fate is stretch'd to draw the veil, and leave Thee bare, the naked mark of public view.

Osm. You may be still deceiv'd, 'tis in my

power

Chain'd as I am, to fly from all my wrongs,
And free myself, at once, from misery,
And you of me.

this slave

Zar. Ha! say'st thou-but I'll prevent itWho waits there? As you will answer it, look [To the guard. Attempt no means to make himself away. I've been deceiv'd. The public safety now Requires he should be more contin'd, and none,

No, not the princess, suffer'd or to see
Or speak with him. I'll quit you to the king.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base injustice thou hast done my love:
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past dis-
tress,

And all those ills which thou so long hast mourn'd;

Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turn'd, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorn'd.

ACT IV.

SCENE I-A Room of State.

ZARA and SELIM.

[Exeunt.

Find out the king, tell him I have of weight More than his crown t' impart ere Osmyn die. Sel. It needs not, for the king will straight

be here,

And, as to your revenge, not his own interest, Pretend to sacrifice the life of Osmyn.

Zur. What shall I say, invent, contrive, ad

vise ?

Somewhat to blind the king, and save his life,
In whom I live. Spite of my rage and pride,
I am a woman, and a lover still.
Oh! 'tis more grief but to suppose his death,
Than still to meet the rigour of his scorn.
From my despair my anger had its source;
When he is dead I must despair for ever.
For ever! That's despair-It was distrust
Before; distrust will ever be in love,
And anger in distrust; both short-lived pains.
But in despair, and ever-during death,
No term, no bound, but infinite of wo.
Oh, torment, but to think! what then to bear?
Not to be borne-Devise the means to shun
it,
[blood.
Quick; or by Heaven this dagger drinks thy
Sel. My life is yours, nor wish I to pre-

serve it,

But to serve you. I have already thought. Zar. Forgive my rage; I know thy love and

truth.

But say what's to be done, or when, or how Shall prevent or stop th' approaching danger?

Sel. You must still seem more resolute and

fix'd

[mercy On Osmyn's death; too quick a change of Might breed suspicion of the cause. Advise That execution may be done in private. Zar. On what pretence?

Sel. Your own request's enough. However, for a colour, tell him, you Have cause to fear his guards may be corrupted, [interest, And some of them bought off to Osmyn's Who at the place of execution will Attempt to force his way for an escape; The state of things will countenance all suspicions.

Then offer to the king to have him strangled In secret by your mutes; and get an order, That none but mutes may have admittance to

him.

I can no more, the king is here. Obtain
This grant, and I'll acquaint you with the rest.
Enter KING, GONSALEZ, and PEREZ.
King. Bear to the dungeon those rebellious
slaves,

Th' ignoble curs that yelp to fill the cry,
And spend their mouths in barking tyranny.
But for their leaders, Sancho and Ramirez,
Let them be led away to present death.
Perez, see it perform'd.

Gon. Might I presume, Their execution better were deferr'd Till Osmyn die. Meantime we may learn more Of this conspiracy.

King. Then be it so.

Stay, soldier; they shall suffer with the Moor. Are none return'd of those who follow'd Heli? Gon. None, Sir. Some papers have been

since discover'd

In Roderigo's house, who fled with him, Which seem'd to intimate, as if Alphonso Were still alive, and arming in Valentia, Which wears indeed the colour of a truth : They who are fled have that way bent their

course.

Of the same nature divers notes have been Dispers'd t' amuse the people; whereupon Some, ready of belief, have rais'd this ru

mour:

That, being sav'd upon the coast of Afric,
He there disclos'd himself to Albucacim,
And, by a secret compact made with him,
Open'd and urg'd the way to this invasion;
While he himself, returning to Valentia
In private, undertook to raise this tumult.
Zar. Ha! hear'st thou that? Is Osmyn then
Alphonso?

Oh, Heaven! a thousand things occur at

once

To my remembrance now, that make it plain.
Oh, certain death for him as sure despair
For me, if it be known- If not, what hope
Have I? Yet 'twere the lowest baseness now,
To yield him up-No, I will conceal him,
And try the force of yet more obligations.

Gon. "Tis not impossible. Yet it may be,
That some impostor has usurp'd his name.
Your beauteous captive, Zara, can inform,
If such a one, so 'scaping, was receiv'd
At any time in Albucacim's court.

King. Pardon, fair excellence, this long neglect:

An unforeseen, unwelcome hour of business,
Has thrust between us and our while of love;
But wearing now apace with ebbing sand,
Will quickly waste and give again the day.
Zar. You're too secure; the danger is more
imminent

Than your high courage suffers you to see;
While Osmyn lives you are not safe.
King. His doom

Is pass'd; if you revoke it not, he dies.
Zar. 'Tis well. By what I heard upon your

entrance

I find I can unfold what yet concerns
You more. One, who did call himself Al-
phonso,

Was cast upon my coast, as 'tis reported,
And oft had private conference with the king;
To what effect I knew not then: but he,
Alphonso, secretly departed, just

About the time our arms embark'd for Spain.
What I know more is, that a triple league
Of strictest friendship was profess'd between
Alphonso, Heli, and the traitor Osmyn.
King. Public report is ratified in this.
Zur. And Osmyn's death requir'd of strong
necessity.

King. Give order straight, that all the prisoners die.

Zar. Forbear a moment, somewhat more I have [ter. Worthy your private ear, and this your minisKing. Let all, except Gonsalez, leave the [Exit PEREZ, &c. Zar. I am your captive, and you've used me nobly;

room.

And in return of that, though otherwise
Your enemy, I have discover'd Osmyn,
His private practice and conspiracy
Against your state; and fully to discharge
Myself of what I've undertaken, now
I think it fit to tell you, that your guards
Are tainted; some among 'em have resolv'd
To rescue Osmyn at the place of death.
King. Is treason then so near us as our
guards?

Zar. Most certain; though my knowledge is not yet

So ripe, to point at the particular men.
King. What's to be done?

Zar. That too I will advise.

I have remaining in my train some mutes,
A present once from the sultana queen,
In the grand signior's court. These from their
infancy

Are practis'd in the trade of death; and shall (As there the custom is) in private strangle Osmyn.

Gon. My lord, the queen advises well. King. What offering, or what recompence remains

In me that can be worthy so great services? To cast beneath your feet the crown you've sav'd,

Though on the head that wears it, were too little.

Zar. Of that hereafter; but, mean time, 'tis fit

You give strict charge that none may be admitted

To see the prisoner, but such mutes as I
Shall send.

King. Who waits there?

Enter PEREZ.

King. On your life, take heed

That only Zara's mutes, or such who bring Her warrant, have admittance to the Moor. Zar. They, and no other, not the princess' self.

Per. Your majesty shall be obey'd. King. Retire. [Exit PEREZ. Gon. That interdiction so particular Pronounc'd with vehemence against the prin[fac'd. Should have more meaning than appears bareThis king is blinded by his love, and heeds It not. [Aside.]—Your majesty might sure have spar'd

cess,

The last restraint: you hardly can suspect
The princess is confederate with the Moor.

Zar. I've heard her charity did once extend So far, to visit him at his request.

Gon. Ha!

King. How! She visit Osmyn! What, my daughter?

Sel. Madam, take heed; or you have ruin'd all. [Aside.

Zar. And after did solicit you on his Behalf. King. Never. You have been misinform'd. Zur. Indeed! Then 'twas a whisper spread

by some

Who wish'd it so; a common art in courts.
I will retire, and instantly prepare
Instruction for my ministers of death.

[Exit ZARA and SELIN. Gon. There's somewhat yet of mystery in this;

Her words and actions are obscure and double,
Sometimes concur, and sometimes disagree:
I like it not.
Aside.

King. What dost thou think, Gonsalez?
Are we not much indebted to this fair one?
Gon. I am a little slow of credit, Sir,
In the sincerity of women's actions.
Methinks this lady's hatred to the Moor
Disquiets her too much; which makes it seem
As if she'd rather that she did not hate him.
I wish her mutes are meant to be employ'd
As she pretends-I doubt it now-Your guards
Corrupted! How? By whom? Who told her
so?

I' th' evening Osmyn was to die; at midnight
She begg'd the royal signet to release him;
I' th' morning he must die again; ere noon
Her mutes alone must strangle him, or he'll
Escape. This, put together, suits not well.

discover'd

Is manifest from every circumstance.
This tumult, and the lords who fled with Heli,
Are confirmation ; -that Alphonso lives,
Agrees expressly too, with her report.
Gon. I grant it, Sir; and doubt not, but
rage

Oh, impious parricide! Now canst thou speak? Alm. O earth, behold, I kneel upon thy

bosom,

Of jealousy, she has discover'd what
She now repents. It may be I'm deceiv'd.
But why that needless caution of the princess?
What if she had seen Osmyn? Though 'twere
strange;

But if she had, what was't to her? Unless
She fear'd her stronger charms might cause
the Moor's

Affection to revolt.

King. I thank thee, friend.

There's reason in thy doubt, and I am warn'd

But think'st thou that my daughter saw this Moor?

Gon. If Osmyn be, as Zara has related, Alphonso's friend, 'tis not impossible But she might wish, on his account, to see him. King. Say'st thou? By Heaven, thou hast rous'd a thought, [frame. That like a sudden earthquake shakes my Confusion! then my daughter's an accomplice, And plots in private with this hellish Moor. Gon. That were too hard a thought-but see,

she comes→→

"Twere not amiss to questioner a little,
And try howe'er, if I've divin'd aright.
If what I fear be true, she'll be concern'd
For Osmyn's death, as he's Alphonso's friend :
Urge that, to try if she'll solicit for him.

Enter ALMERIA and LEONORA.

King. Your coming has prevented me, Almeria;

I had determin'd to have sent for you.
Let your attendant be dismiss'd; I have

To talk with you. Come near; why dost thou [LEON. retires. shake?

that look

What mean those swoln and red-fleck'd eyes, [night As they had wept in blood, and worn the In waking anguish? Why this on the day Which was design'd to celebrate thy nuptials; But that the beams of light are to be stain'd With reeking gore, from traitors on the rack? Wherefore I have deferr'd the marriage-rites; Nor shall the guilty horrors of this day Profane that jubilee.

Alm. All days to me
Henceforth are equal: this, the day of death,
To-morrow, and the next, and each that fol-
lows,

Will undistinguish'd roll, and but prolong
One hated line of more extended wo.

King. Whence is thy grief? Give me to know the cause; [know, And look thou answer me with truth; for I am not unacquainted with thy falsehood. Why art thou mute? Base and degenerate maid! Gon. Dear Madam, speak, or you'll incense the king.

Alm. What is't to speak? Or wherefore should I speak

What means these tears but grief unutterable? King. They are the dumb confessions of thy mind;

They mean thy guilt, and say thou wert confederate

Into thy womb the last and most forlorn Of all thy race. Hear me, thou common parent

I have no parent else-be thou a mother, And step between me and the curse of him Who was who was, but is no more a father But brands my innocence with horrid crimes; And, for the tender names of child and daughter,

Now calls me murderer and parricide.

King. Rise, I command thee, rise,and if thou wouldst

Acquit thyself of these detested names,
Swear thou hast never seen that foreign dog,
Now doom'd to die, that most accursed Osmyn.
Alm. Never, but as with innocence I might,
And free of all bad purposes. So Heaven's
My witness.

King, Vile, equivocating wretch!
With innocence! Oh, patience! hear-she

owns it!

Confesses it! By Heaven, I'll have him rack'd, Torn, mangled, flay'd, impal'd-all pains and That wit of man, or dire revenge can think, Shall he, accumulated, underbear.

tortures

all

erence;

With prayers and blessings, and paternal love.
For bended knees returning folding arms,
Oh, hear me then, thus crawling on the earth-
King. Be thou advis'd, and let me go, while

yet

The light impression thou hast made remains

Alm. No, never will I rise, nor lose this hold, [live. 'Till you are mov'd and grant that he may King. Ha! who may live? Take heed! no more of that;

For on my soul he dies, though thou and I, And all should follow to partake his doom. Away, off, let me go--Call her attendants. [LEONORA and women return. Alm. Drag me; and harrow the earth with my bare bosom ;

I will not go till you have spar'd my husband.
King. Ha! What say'st thou ? Husband!
Husband! damnation!

What husband! Which? Who?
Alm. He, he is my husband.

King. Poison and daggers! Who?
Alm. Oh-

Gon. Help, support her."

[Faints.

Alm. Let me go, let me fall, sink deep-I'll dig,

I'll dig a grave and tear up death; I will;
I'll scrape, till I collect his rotten bones,
And clothe their nakedness with my own
flesh;

Yes, I will strip off life, and we will change:
I will be death! then, though you kill my

husband,

Alm. Curs'd be that tongue that bids me be of comfort;

Curs'd my own tongue, that could not move his pity;

Curs'd these weak hands that could not hold him here;

For he is gone to doom Alphonso's death.
Gon. Your too excessive grief works on your
fancy,

And deludes your sense. Alphonso, if living,
Is far from hence, beyond your father's power.
Alm. Hence, thou detested, ill-timed flat-
terer!
[curs'd;
Source of my woes: thou and thy race be
But doubly thou, who couldst alone have
And fraud to find the fatal secret out, [policy
And know that Osmyn was Alphonso.

Gon. Ha!

Gasping as it would speak; and after, see,
Behold, a damp, dead hand has dropp'd a
dagger:
I'll catch it-Hark! a voice cries murder! ah!
My father's voice! hollow it sounds, and calls
Me from the tomb-I'll follow it; for there
I shall again behold my dear Alphonso.
[Exeunt ALMERIA and LEONORA,
Gon. She's greatly griev'd; nor am I less
surpris'd.

Osmyn, Alphonso! No; she over-rates
My policy; I ne'er suspected it;
Nor now had known it, but from her mistake.
Her husband too! Ha! where is Garcia then?
And where the crown that should descend on
To grace the line of my posterity? [him,
Hold, let me think-If I should tell the king-
Things come to this extremity: his daughter
Wedded already-What if he should yield
Knowing no remedy for what is past,
And urg'd by nature pleading for his child,
With which he seems to be already shaken.
And though I know he hates beyond the grave
Anselmo's race; yet if-that if concludes me.
To doubt, when I may be assur'd, is folly.
But how prevent the captive queen, who
To set him free? Ay, now 'tis plain. O well
Invented tale! He was Alphonso's friend.
This subtle woman will amuse the king.
If I delay 'twill door better so.
One to my wish. Alonzo, thou art welcome.
Enter ALONZO.

means

Alon. The king expects your lordship.
Gon. 'Tis no matter.

I'm not i'the way at present, good Alonzo. Alon. If't please your lordship, I'll returs and say

I have not seen you.

Gon. Do, my best Alonzo.

Yet stay, I would-but go; anon will serve
Yet I have that requires thy speedy help.
I think thou wouldst not stop to do me service.
Alon. I am your creature.

Gon. Say, thou art my friend.

I've seen thy sword do noble execution. Alon. All that it can your lordship shall command.

Gon. Thanks; and I take thee at thy word. Thou'st seen,

Amongst the followers of the captive queen, Dumb men, who make their meaning known by signs.

Alon. I have, my lord.

[give

Use thy utmost

Gon. Couldst thou procure, with speed And privacy, the wearing garb of one Of those, though purchas'd by his death, I'd Thee such reward, as should exceed thy wish. Alon. Conclude it done. Where shall I wait your lordship? Gon. At my apartment. diligence; And say I've not been -Haste, good Alonzo. [Exit ALONZO. So, this can hardly fail. Alphonso slain, The greatest obstacle is then remov'd. Almeria widow'd, yet again may wed; And I yet fix the crown on Garcia's head.

ACT V.

seen-

SCENE I-A Room of State. Enter KING, PEREZ, and ALONZO.

[Erit

King. Not to be found! In an ill hour be's

absent.