That only Zara's mutes, or such who bring King. Retire. 160 [Exit Perez. Gons. That interdiction so particular Pronounc'd with vehemence against the princess, Should have more meaning than appears barefac'd. This king is blinded by his love, and heeds It not. [Aside.]-Your majesty sure might have spar'd Gons. Ha! King. How! She visit Osmyn! What, my daughter? Sel. Madam, take heed; or you have ruin'd all. Zar. And after did solicit you on his Behalf.. King. Never. You have been misinform'd. Zar. 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. 181 [Exit Zara and Selim. Gons. 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. King. What dost thou think, Gonsalez ? [Aside. Are we not much indebted to this fair one? Gons. I am a little slow of credit, sir, 200 King. Yet that there's truth in what she has 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. Gons. I grant it, sir; and doubt not, but in rage 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? Tho' t'were 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? Gons. If Osmyn be, as Zara has related, Alphonso's friend, 'tis not impossible But she might wish, on his account, to see him. 220 King. Say'st thou By Heav'n, thou hast rous'd a thought, That like a sudden earthquake shakes my frame. And plots in private with this hellish Moor. 'Twere not amiss to question her a little, Enter ALMERIA and LEONORA. King. Your coming has prevented me, Almeria; I had determined to have sent for you. Let your attendant be dismiss'd; I have [Leonora retires. To talk with you. Come near; why dost thou shake? 240 Alm. All days to me Henceforth are equal: this, the day of death, One hated line of more extended woe. King. Whence is thy grief? Give me to know the cause; And look thou answer me with truth; for know Gons. Dear madam, speak, or you'll incense the king. Alm. What is't to speak? Or wherefore should I speak? What mean these tears but grief unutterable? King. They are the dumb confessions of thy mind; They mean thy guilt, and say thou wert confed'rate Oh, impious parricide! Now canst thou speak? 260 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 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, King. Vile equivocating wretch! 280 With innocence! Oh, patience! hear-she owns it! Confesses it! By Heav'n, I'll have him rack'd, Torn, mangled, flay'd, impal'd-all pains and tortures That wit of man, or dire revenge can think, Shall he, accumulated, underbear. Alm. Oh, I am lost.—There fate begins to wound. King. Hear me, then; if thou canst reply; know, traitress, I'm not to learn that curs'd Alphonso lives; Nor am I ignorant what Osmyn is Alm. Then all is ended, and we both must die. Since thou'rt reveal'd, alone thou shalt not die. And yet alone would I have dy'd, Heav'n knows, Repeated deaths, rather than have reveal'd thee. “Yes, all my father's wounding wrath, tho' each "Reproach cuts deeper than the keenest sword, "And cleaves my heart, I would have borne it all, Nay all the pains that are prepar'd for thee; "To the remorseless rack I wou'd have giv'n "This weak and tender flesh, to have been bruis'd 66 Ꮐ |