To one, whom, had she never known, she had Been happy. Why, why was that heav'nly creature Abandon'd o'er to love what Heav'n forsakes? Why does she follow, with unwearied steps, One, who has tir'd misfortune with pursuing? "One driven about the world, like blasted leaves “And chaff, the sport of adverse winds; 'till late, "At length imprison'd in some cleft of rock, "On earth it rests, and rots to silent dust." Heli. Have hopes, and hear the voice of better fate. I've learn'd there are disorders ripe for mutiny Among the troops, who thought to share the plunder, Which Manuel to his own use and avarice Converts. This news has reach'd Valentia's frontiers, Where many of your subjects, long oppress'd With tyranny, and grievous impositions, Are risen in arms, and call for chiefs to head And lead them to regain their rights and liberty. Osm. By Heav'n thou’ast rous'd me from my lethargy, The spirit which was deaf to my own wrongs, And the loud cries of my dead father's blood, "Deaf to revenge-nay, which refus'd to hear "The piercing sighs and murmurs of my love "Yet unenjoy'd; what not Almeria could "Revive or raise," my people's voice has waken'd. Heli. Our posture of affairs, and scanty time My lord, require you should compose yourself. My soul is up in arms, ready to charge E And bear amidst the foe with conqu'ring troops. I hear 'em call to lead 'em on to liberty, 80 My ears, and reach the Heav'ns. Where is the king? Heli. Abate this ardour, Sir, or we are lost. "Our posture of affairs and scanty time, "My lord, require you should compose yourself, "And think on what we may reduce to practice." Zara, the cause of your restraint, may be The means of liberty restor❜d. That gain'd, Occasion will not fail to point out ways For your escape. Mean time, I've thought already. Where not far off some malcontents hold council When they shall know you live, assist your cause. 101 "sight "Would hold thee here, and clog thy expedition. "Within I found it, by my father's hand " 'Twas writ; a pray'r for me, wherein appears "Paternal love prevailing o'er his sorrows; "Such sanctity, such tenderness, so mix'd "With grief, as would draw tears from inhumanity. "Heli. The care of Providence sure left it there, "To arm your mind with hope. Such piety "Was never heard in vain. Heav'n has in store "For you those blessings it withheld from him. "In that assurance live; which time, I hope, "And our next meeting will confirm.” Osm. Farewel, My friend; the good thou dost deserve, attend thee. [Exit Heli. I've been to blame, and question'd with impiety The care of Heav'n. Not so my father bore More anxious grief. This should have better taught me; "This lesson, in some hour of inspiration 120 By him set down, when his pure thoughts were "borne, "Like fumes of sacred incense o'er the clouds, "And wafted thence, on angel's wings, thro' ways "Of light, to the bright Source of all. For there "He in the book of prescience saw this day; "And waking to the world and mortal sense, "Left this example of his resignation," This his last legacy to me: which, here, I'll treasure as more worth than diadems, Zar. What! does my face displease thee? That, having seen it, thou dost turn thy eyes Away, as from deformity and horror? If so, this sable curtain shall again Be drawn, and I will stand before thee, seeing, 140 Oh, no! thou canst not, for thou seest me now, "Well dost thou scorn me, and upbraid my false ness; "Could one who lov'd, thus torture whom she lov'd? "No, no, it must be hatred, dire revenge, "And detestation, that could use thee thus. "Tell me, and thou shalt see how I'll revenge "Thee on this false one, how I'll stab and tear "This heart of flint, 'till it shall bleed; and thou "Shalt weep for mine, forgetting thy own miseries." Osm. You wrong me, beauteous Zara, to believe I bear my fortunes with so low a mind, "As still to meditate revenge on all 161 "Whom chance, or fate, working by secret causes, Have cast me down to this low being. Or So kindly of my fault, to call it madness? Oh, give that madness yet a milder name, And call that passion love. Osm. Give it a name, Or being, as you please, such I will think it. Zar. Oh, thou dost wound me more with this thy goodness, Than e'er thou couldst with bitterest reproaches; Osm. Yet I could wish Zar. Haste me to know it; what? my 180 Osm. That at this time I had not been this thing. Zar. What thing? Osm. This slave. E j |