AMICO ROSA INIMICO SPINA  portrait, possibly of Sir William Lower   

THE NOBLE INGRATITUDE.  
A PASTORAL-TRAGI-COMEDY.  
By Sr. WILLIAM LOWER Knight.  Amico Rosa, Inimico Spina. 
HAGE, Imprinted by john Ramzey, 1659.   

To her MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA.  
MADAM,  
Were I not fully persuaded that this Dramatic Piece in the Original is one of the best that hath been presented upon the French Stage, I should not have presumed to offer the Copy to the best of Queens, and indeed the most Judicious of Women: If I have failed in my judgement of the Authors work, I am indisputably right in the Character of my Patroness: Your Majesty's goodness in pardoning this presumption, and in approving the Plot and Language of the Play in my Version, hath begotten this future ambition in me, to publish it under the favour of your Royal protection, which will secure it indubitably from the malevolent censures of any ignorant, arrogant, or malignant person whatsoever. If in the intervals of your high contemplations your serious thoughts shall descend to divert them a little, as before, so now after the Dedication and Impression, in reading those Scenes, I must ever esteem it an unparalleled honour to me, who am,  
MADAM, Your Majesty's most humble, most obedient, and most faithful Servant William Lower   

PROLOGUE.  
BEfore I entered, I was told what now  
I see deciphered upon every brow;  
A sullen sadness, and close murmurs say,  
" The Title is enough to damn the Play  
" The Bill condemns before the Action, Pox  
" Upon the Poet with his Paradox,  
" Noble Ingratitude, o barbarous sound!  
" Virtue will die to see that Monster crowned:  
Strange voices these, strange censures from the wits,  
For such he take you, every one that sits  
Spectator here usurps a privilege,  
Which is unjust, before he hears, to judge,  
Wise, and just juries, who in every cause  
Strictly observe the custom of the Laws,  
The bottom sound, and ne'er their verdicts bring  
Upon the superficies of a thing;  
They weigh the ground of matters well, and ne'er  
Proceed to sentence till they see all clear;  
Have patience then a little, and suspend  
Your judgements till you see us at the end  
Of the fifth Act; three hours will soon be passed,  
In Scenes and Songs the minutes fly too fast;  
Then if we don't maintain our Paradox,  
Let me be shamed, and sit three hours i' th' stocks  
For punishing your patience; if the crime  
Deserves more rigour, let a longer time  
Of penance be prescribed me there; but I  
Hope from your judgements, justice, clemency,  
A nobler sentence, and that you'll allow  
Me next a Laurel wreath to crown my brow.   

ACTORS.  

ZELINDA, Daughter to Lindarache, disguised like a man under the name of Ormin, in the habit of a Slave.  
ZEGRY, Master to Zelinda, and Lover of Fatima.  
ALABEZ, Second Slave to Zegry.  
CHARIFA, Woman-Slave to Fatima.  
FATIMA, Mistress to Zegry, and in Love with Adibar.  
ABENCERAGE, under the name of Almansor, Brother to Zelinda.  
ZAIDA, Sister to Zegry.  
MEDINA, Woman-Slave to Zaida.  
ADIBAR, Lover of Zaida.  
GAZUL, Slave to Abencerage.  
GOMELLA, Father to Fatima.  
LINDARACHE, Mother to Zelinda, and to Abencerage.   The Scene is in the Forest of Argier.  

THE NOBLE INGRATITUDE. A Tragicomedy.  

ACT. I.  

SCENE I, ORMIN alone.  
CHarming abode, delightful solitude,  
Fair places where I first received my life  
And love, old trees, clear brooks, whose shade and murmur  
Speak pity for my sorrowful adventure,  
Sweet Zephirs, Echo, nocks, and silent forests,  
Be witnesses all of my secret griefs:  
I am no more now that Zelinda sometime  
Adored by the worthiest Lovers of  
The country round about; alas! I serve  
Under the habit of a Slave, a traitor  
With an unparralelded fidelity,  
Traitor in Love, I mean, not otherwise,  
A Hero, but ingrateful, one who slatters me  
In my extreme misfortune, yet would hate me,  
If he knew that I Love him. Gentle trees,  
Happy are you, although the rigorous Winter  
Useth you hardly, for when the fair Spring  
Maketh the cold to cease, you suddenly  
Resume your anciet verdure, and at harvest,  
Upon your branches we see fruits, where formerly  
Hung Icicles: my fortune's not so good;  
Each of the seasons have ' twice changed, since Love  
Resolved to afflict me, all which time  
I've languished continually, and could not  
Pretend to the repose my heart hath lost:  
He whom I love with so much constancy  
Is false and fleeting; o Gods! here he comet.   

SCENE. II.  ZEGRY, ORMIN. ZEGRY. 
Ormin, I sought thee.  ORMIN. 
Sir, I sought you also.  ZEGRY. 
Know that to morrow we will departed hence.  ORMIN. 
What! will you leave so soon your native country,  
These cottages, these woods and these fair meadows?  ZEGRY. 
I have not hid from thee that in those places  
I love the sweet Fatima, a rich Masterpiece  
Of Heaven, and hoped to see that Beauty here  
So cherished and adored; but I have learned  
That she is now at Tunis with her Father;  
And though this happy residence may be said  
To be a second Paradise, I cannot  
See any fair thing here, since she is absent.  ORMIN. 
How happy is Fatima, and how miserable  
Am I!— aside.  ZEGRY. 
How grievous is her absence to  
My amorous soul! to render me by her,  
To morrow by the break of day we'll take  
Our way for Tunis, I shall be too happy,  
If I may see her, and I do believe  
That she will bear some part too in my joy;  
She had no little trouble, I perceived,  
For my departure last, and without doubt  
I'm not indifferent to her.  ORMIN. 
Certainly  
Her flame will not be quenched.  ZEGRY. 
That's all my hope.  ORMIN. 
And that is all my fear— aside.   

SCENE III.  ALABEZ, ZEGRY, ORMIN. ALABEZ. 
Cheer up, cheer up,  
Smother your sighs, I have a counter poison  
For all your sorrows.  ZEGRY. 
Speak it then without  
Holding us long in trouble.  ALABEZ. 
Give me leave.  
First, if you please, to take a little breath.  ZEGRY. 
Speak then?  ALABEZ. 
I'm not disposed yet.  ZEGRY. 
Oh thou makest me.  
Suffer too much? tell it unto us quickly.  ALABEZ. 
You might die with it.  ZEGRY. 
Is't then some misfortune  
Sent me by destiny?  ALABEZ. 
I say agiane.  
You might die with it, but 'twould be with joy;  
Fatima yesterday late in the evening  
Arrived in these quarters.  ZEGRY. 
Is it possible,  
Fatima?  ALABEZ. 
Yes, assure you, I have seen her.  ZEGRY. 
Perhaps thou art deceived.  ALABEZ. 
I am no ass.  
I did observe her well, and knew her perfectly.  
Her Slave, who was my Mistress formerly,  
Entered just now with her into that wood.  ZEGRY. 
Good Gods? do I not see her?  ALABEZ. 
Yes, that's she  
Which passeth by.  ZEGRY. 
What lustre hath her eye,  
What grace her gate?  ORMIN. 
Alas?  ZEGRY. 
I see a thousand new charms there.  ALABEZ. 
Are you besotted? will you not salute her?  ZEGRY. 
No, to perform that compliment, I'll give her  
A visit, when I shall have without doubt  
My soul less in disorder.  ALABEZ. 
For m● part,  
Who do not love so daintily, I will,  
Without deferring it, make my address.  ZEGRY. 
Without discovering ourselves, we may  
From hence know by the usage of the servant,  
In what esteem the Master is at present.   

SCENE IU.  ALABEZ, CHARIFA, FATIMA, ZEGRY, ORMIN. ALABEZ. 
SWeet Beauties welcome, from what quarters come you?  CHARIFA. 
What means this insolent? Go on your way  ALABEZ. 
How's this? instead of kisses and embraces,  
As I expected, I am quarrel▪ d with:  
Charifa, whence this change?  CHARIFA. 
Begun, and leave us.  ALABEZ. 
Thou actest well the scornful.  FATIMA. 
What's that follow  
Which follows us?  CHARIFA. 
'tis an impertinent,  
Whom I know not.  ALABEZ. 
I am much changed then  
Since this last voyage; but thy soul is chaged  
And not my visage, without doubt thy Mistress  
Hath better eyes, and more wit; she will know  
An old, and a familiar acquaintance.  FATIMA. 
who are you then?  ALABEZ. 
My Master's Slave.  FATIMA. 
What Master?  ALABEZ. 
Should you not know him neither?  
Is his name razed out of your memory?  FATIMA. 
Assuredly, Charifa, this man's mad.  ALABEZ. 
How, Madam, is it possible you can  
Forget the valiant Zegry?  FATIMA. 
Zegry?  ZEGRY. 
Heaven?  
What strange inconstancy is this? who ever  
Can have imagined it?— aside.  ALABEZ. 
That noble and illustrious successor  
Of those brave warriors who even in Spain  
Have gathered Laurels, and brought home fair spoils,  
Madam, your faithful Lover, Zaida's brother.  FATIMA. 
Oh! I remember him.  ZEGRY. 
False, and Ingrateful!  ALABEZ. 
You ask not how he doth.  FATIMA. 
What interest  
Have I in his sweet person? happily  
He's dead.  ALABEZ. 
He is indeed.  FATIMA. 
We are all mortal;  
The Prophet hath his soul.  CHARIFA. 
A faithful servant  
Would have accompanied his Master; why  
Art thou not dead too?  ALABEZ. 
Only to enrage thee.  
Zegry discovering himself.  ZEGRY. 
The Prophet hath his soul, o false Fatima!  
Is't thus you do express your goodness to me?  
Deceitful object, my return, I see,  
Displeaseth you, who would despise me dead,  
Must hate me living, I disturb with pleasure  
That faithless joy which the delightful news  
Of my feigned death procured you: I live still  
Ingrateful, but I live no more for you:  
My passion is transformed all into fury:  
As much as I loved you, I now despise you:  
My heart shakes of so rigorous a yoke:  
Love raiseth no more sighs, nor fires within me,  
Only I sigh that I used so much care  
To please you, and if I burn yet, it is  
With anger, not with love.  ORMIN. 
Oh this success  
Answereth my wishes fully?— aside.  FATIMA. 
This confession  
Surpriseth, but no way afflicteth me;  
My first discourse should make you understand  
That I'm not very tender hearted to you,  
And, me thinks, after such a clear contempt  
As was expressed there you might believe  
Nothing should trouble me that comes from you,  
Unless your amorous address: I have  
A thousand other Lovers braver far  
Than you, and therefore I deign not to put you  
In the rank of my conquests.  ZEGRY. 
Sure, your pride  
Is greater than your beauty, the charm is  
Dissolved wherein I formerly was held;  
'tis true, I sometime thought you beautiful;  
But I was amorous, and therefore not  
To be believed, having now my spirit  
No more disordered, you cease to be fair  
And I to be abused, whereas you  
Pleased me formerly, it was because  
It is impossible for me, when I  
Am loved, to be insensible.  FATIMA. 
I love you?  
Heaven! what a strange opinion is this?  
I never had but strong aversion for you.  
All your endeavours served but to displease me;  
But though I hated you, I loved your Sister,  
And t▪ was for her sake that I feigned to have  
Some pity for your passions; her prayer  
A hundred times restained my hate, you swore  
That your days did depend upon my sight,  
And yielding unto her desites I did  
Enforce mine eyes to smile, when my heart frowned,  
To the end not to be cause of your death.  ZEGRY. 
Your eyes have never made a mortal wound.  FATIMA. 
Take heed that your do not revive again,  
One Only of my looks darted more gently,  
Can change this violent anger into love;  
But I am very nice of such a look,  
It is too rich a price, Sir, for your conquest  
I limit my desires to see you never,  
Adieu, become wise, and leave me in peace.  — Exit Fatima.  

SCENE. V  ZEGRY, ALABEZ, ORMIN. ZEGRY. 
YEs false Fatima, I will become wise,  
Thy contempt is unjust, but mine is lawful:  
Since thou pretendest but to make thee hated,  
I will obey thee, thy unworthy trophy,  
My heart shall be no more, his charms are broken,  
His flames are quenched; Alabez, follow her  
Close at the heels, even unto her house;  
But have a care not to discover thee.  ORMIN. 
Her pride's unjust, and not to be endured;  
Your change herein is but too equitable,  
O how well should you do to free your heart  
From the imperious captivity  
Of such a cruel conqueror, you are  
Born with too many fair advantages,  
To obtain nothing but eternal wrongs;  
There are Sir, other beauties in the world  
Which would be glad to share their flame with yours,  
To imitate your sighs, and which would tell you  
That the resplendent honour of a crown  
Is beneath that to be beloved of  
An object that one loves Contempt in love  
Deserves to be repaid with contempt,  
And who refuseth, is not worthy of,  
For the most part, the person that's refused.  ZEGRY. 
How great my griefs are, and how grievous is  
This proud contempt? o light, and wavering Sex!  
O black ingratitude! since love began  
To trouble Lovers, was there ever torment  
Equal to mine? I feel my heart infected  
With all imaginary griefs.  ORMIN, 
Oh? Sir,  
Believe me, I know some that are much more  
To be lamented, and if what I know  
Were revealed to you, you should have great cause  
Of comfort by it.  ZEGRY. 
Oh speak, and divert  
The grief which doth oppress me. oftentimes  
A wretch is pleased in his misery  
When he sees that he suffers not alone.  ORMIN. 
O love, I pray thee make his heart grow tender  
At the recital of the evil which he  
Hath caused me, oh make him Sensible  
Of my sad sufferings?— a side.  
A young Beauty, Sir,  
Whose name and birth, if you please I'll conceal  
Through decency, only thus much I'll tell you,  
That she was near to me and loved me dear,  
Scarce yet attained to the fifteenth year,  
When love and marriage was proposed to her,  
And she commanded to expect for husband  
A man too lovely, and to much beloved;  
And who for his part was so fare from being  
Warmed with a mutual flame, that he unlawfully  
Took an affection for another object:  
His faithful Lover with grief understood it  
But yet a worse misfortune afterward  
Surprised her, th' ingrateful brak th' accord  
Of the approaching marriage, and departed  
For a long voyage without seeing her;  
I can assure you that her grief was quick,  
And anger ardent after this affront;  
But yet her anger was less than her love:  
Although, th' inconstant left her, she retained him  
Still in her soul, and valuing not her sex,  
Nor fearing death, i▪ th' habit of a man  
She followed his steps.  Zegry meditating ZEGRY. 
O barbarous rigour!  
O lamentable passion!  ORMIN. 
You will be  
More touched when you shall know the rest: scarce was she  
Embarked on the sea, when by a new,  
And worse misfortune certain infamous rovers  
Surprised her vessel, and not long time after  
They sold her unto that ingrateful man,  
Who falsely and unworthly forsook her:  
And so at last it happened that Fortune  
Aswell as Love would put her into chains:  
But she still without changing heart, or habit,  
Found sweetness in this double slavery;  
Far from desiring to be free, she followed  
Her faithless friend into his native country,  
And fearing not to be discovered,  
Served this deceitful Master without hope,  
Endeavoured to please him, and therein  
Prospered so well, that he esteemed her zeal,  
And concealed nothing from her; but this kindness  
Was not a cure, but corrosive to her grief,  
Because it made her privy to the happiness  
Her Rival did enjoy in the affection  
Of him she loved, who every day protested  
Unto her, that rather than lose her love,  
He'd lose his life.  Zegry still meditating. ZEGRY. 
Unparalleled punishment!  
Cruel injustice!  ORMIN. 
Gods! he groweth tender,  
Love be propitious to me,— aside.  
Sir, what say you,  
Is not she more than you to be lamented?  
Compared to her torments, your afflictions  
Are sweet. You answer not.  ZEGRY. 
Yes, yes, I grant it  
I ought to hate her, but I've too much weakness:  
Oh fair Fatima!  ORMIN. 
Oh my hard misfortune!  ZEGRY. 
Ormin, what charms she hath?  ORMIN. 
You answer nothing  
To what I said.  ZEGRY. 
What spak'st thou to me of?  ORMIN. 
Of a young maid  
Oppressed and injured in love.  ZEGRY. 
My thoughts  
Were otherwise employed, and troubled,  
I heard thee not, at least I have forgotten.  ORMIN. 
You seemed to compassionate her grief,  
And her misfortune very much.  ZEGRY, 
Alas!  
I only thought upon my proper grief.  ORMIN, 
What! shall th' ingrateful and cruel Fatima  
Although she quits your heart thus, have the glory  
To live still in your memory? oh no,  
Banish her thence; but if you'll think of her,  
To ease your evils a little, employ your thought  
Only to think of her defects; remember  
That she's too proud, and fancy to yourself  
That she's not fair enough, to hold so noble  
And such a faithful Lover as you are,  
That there is nothing charming in her eyes,  
Nor in her cheeks, that her proportion,  
Her posture, stature, gate, and carriage  
Have nothing commendable, that her wit—  ZEGRY 
Ormin, no more, I cannot suffer yet  
She should be injured; that ingrateful Beauty,  
Who laughs with scorn at my sad languishment,  
Hath no defect at all but her fierce rigour;  
And I fear that in spite of this defect,  
My violent love will triumph o'er mine anger.  ORMIN. 
What, shall Fatima be so proud, and you  
So humble? shall she be composed of Ice,  
And you of fire? must you persist to love her,  
When she despiseth you? oh fall no more  
Into that fatal error. It belongs, Sir  
But to low spirits to suffer without hate,  
Such a contempt; to leave what flieth us,  
Is little trouble, and when hope is quenched,  
Love should be querched also.  ZEGRI. 
What thou sayest,  
Ormin, is very true, I should indeed  
Fellow Fatima in her lightness to me,  
I should in her unkindness trace her steps,  
I should be as insensible as she's  
Severe and rigorous, my flam'es an error,  
I do confess it, but I love this error,  
Thy faithful counsels are not seasonable,  
Love hath not yet given place unto my reason,  
I'm born to languish, and to die for her;  
Although she be ingrateful she is not  
The less fair for it.  ORMIN. 
The false hope that flattered me  
Fled in a moment; miserable Lover,  
And too unjust!— a side   

SCENE VI.  ALMANSOR, ZEGRY, ORMIN. ALMANSOR. 
FRiend, I am very joyful  
To meet thee.  ZEGRY. 
My content is still complete,  
When I behold thy face, as in thy absence,  
Nothing seems sweet unto me: Now I see  
thou'rt habited like us, this garment is  
Well made.  ALMANSOR. 
I took it just now in th'apartment  
I have in thy abode.  ZEGRY. 
This Shepherd's habit  
Becomes thee rarely; but for an Almansor,  
It is too much abasement.  ALMANSOR. 
Sure the habit  
Takes nothing from the lustre of the merit,  
In imitating thee, I cannot err;  
Thee, whose heart is as noble as thy race,  
And unto whose aid in an eminent danger  
I own my life.  ZEGRY. 
The Shepherds of this wood  
And fair Campania, are descended from  
Those Heros, who in time passed conquered Spain  
From those renowned Moors, whose great exploits  
Made the Kings of a hundred Christian people  
Tremble for fear, and who seeing Tunis conquered  
By Charles the fifth, conserve here in these places  
Their glory and their freedom, secretly  
Dispose the hearts of the most Zealous Kings  
To drive the Christias from this desolate country,  
And are in readiness to join themselves,  
And to increase the first fair levies which  
Shall be employed on such an expedition.  ALMANSOR. 
I know that this fair deserts like a Court:  
But hast thou heard yet that Gomella is  
Returned here? suffer me at present, Zegry,  
To leave thee, he is my familiar friend,  
And I own him a visit.  ZEGRY. 
Then thou knowst  
Fatima.  ALMANSOR. 
Yes, that Beauty hath received  
The light from brave Gomella; friend adieu,  
I will return to thee with speed, excuse me  
At present, I must speak with him upon  
A business of importance.— Exit Almansor.   

SCENE VII.  ZEGRY ORMIN. ZEGRY. 
A business of importance? oh that word  
Redoubleth my affliction; to marry  
Fatima, without doubt, is his design:  
Oh Heave? hast thou ordained that, to make up  
The full proportion of my misery,  
My dearest friend should rob me of my Mistress?  
Alas! if this be true, grief, sure will kill me;  
Dear Ormin, let us use our best endeavour  
To hinder this misfortune; I expect  
My only remedy from thy advice.  
The most resplendent wit yieldeth to thine  
In point of knowledge, I have observed in thee  
Something that's great, and extraordinary;  
Thy judgement charms me, and thy care surpriseth me.  ORMIN. 
Sir, IceIce your Slave, and glory to be so.  ZEGRY. 
No, no, I make thee free, henceforth be thou  
Thy Master's friend.  ORMIN. 
The sweetest liberty  
Pleaseth my fancy less than the chains which  
I bear for you.  ZEGRY 
This zeal so little common,  
Makes me grow tender, and amazeth me.  
Quit, quit thy fetters, Ormin, I command it,  
Be free.  ORMIN 
Since 'tis your pleasure, I obey;  
Alas! what have I said, Love, can I be  
At liberty, when my heart is not free?   
The end of the first Act.   

ACT II.  

SCENE I.  FATIMA, ZAIDA, CHARIFA, MEDINA. FATIMA. 
ENter again, sweet Zaida, ceremony  
Between us should be banished, wherefore will you  
Trouble yourself unnecessarily?  ZAIDA. 
Since you will have it so, I'll go no further.  FATIMA. 
I may assure myself then ere we part,  
That Adibar shall have no free admittance  
To your society, I have already  
Told you, that formerly he loved me;  
But now I know that you give laws to him  
And I have cause to hope that, if you scorn him,  
He may return unto his first subjection.  ZAIDA. 
Fatima, be assured that he shall be  
Repulsed, his love will be but troublesome;  
But if you love me, forget not to feign  
Some kindness for my brother; I beseech you  
For my sake give him cause to hope a little.  FATIMA. 
Adieu, I promise you that at next meeting  
I will receive him better.— Exit Fatima.   

SCENE II.  ZAIDA, MEDINA. ZAIDA. 
WHat thinkest thou  
Of fair Fatima, and of her request?  MEDINA. 
I think that Adibar is not a person  
To be despised.  ZAIDA. 
True, but I am too proud  
T'accept a heart that hath been conquered  
By any other, and would now be mine  
Trough an inconstancy, but if I durst  
To love—  MEDINA. 
Why stop you, Madam?  ZAIDA. 
Oh Medina!  
I must not speak the rest.  MEDINA. 
But I divine it;  
You are in love, and I have cause to judge  
That it is with Almansor, that fair stranger  ZAIDA. 
Who, I in love with him?  MEDINA. 
Why not, I pray you,  
Is that a crime?  ZAIDA. 
Oh do not name that love,  
Which is no other but a fair esteem.  MEDINA. 
There is so little difference between  
Esteem and love, that often times we take then  
One for the other, and are so deceived.  ZAIDA. 
I cannot but remember that my brother  
In his last voyage did conclude my marriage  
In Argier, that he who's designed to be  
My husband, is here shortly to arrive,  
And that my heart ought to reserve itself  
Wholly for him. Besides in thy opinion.  
Would it not argue a great weakness in me  
To love this stranger, though my brother's friend.  
Who hath not been above a month among u●  
And whose desert as yet's unknown unto me  MEDINA. 
Seeing this Stranger, who's not of the vulgate,  
Deserves to be caressed of your brother,  
There's reason to believe that he deserves  
To be your Lover, and I can't conceive  
Why your mouth will conceal the flame which is  
So clearly for him in your eyes and countenance.  
As often as he cometh with your brother  
To visit you, your looks seem to be fixed  
Wholly one him, and at the same time also  
I observed often that the stranger eyed you  
With the same ardour.  ZAIDA. 
Prithee, speak in earnest,  
Didst see him to behold me oftentimes?  MEDINA. 
You ask it me with very much impressement:  
I do believe in less time than an hour,  
That you have questioned me upon this point  
More than a hundred times; your curiosity  
Gives me a full assurance that his looks  
Displease you not, nor wound your modesty  ZAIDA. 
Alas! can one in justice be offended,  
To be beloved?  MEDINA. 
If his love pleaseth you, I think his person  
Will please you equally.  ZAIDA. 
I consider him  
Without interpreter; but perhaps, he loves  
Elsewhere, and I may be unpleasing to him.  MEDINA. 
Madam, although you fain would cover it,  
This fond suspicion publisheth your flame,  
jealousy always is daughter of love.  ZAIDA. 
would it pleased Heaven, that he were free, and that  
He thought me fair, But I see him come forth  
Gomella's house, I'll satisfy myself  
In sounding of his soul, upon this bank  
I will repose myself, and feign to sleep.  MEDINA. 
what's your design? I cannot comprehend it.  ZAIDA. 
Withdraw, anon thou'lt understand it better.   

SCENE III.  ALMANSOR ZAIDA. ALMANSOR. 
Gomella is expecting his return.  
In visit, here I may conveniently  
Dream of my new love: Heaven! do I not see  
Under that flourishing shade the beauteous subject  
Of my sad sufferings? Love in this encounter  
Seemeth to flatter me sufficiently;  
It is the lovely Zaida without doubt:  
How sweetly, and with what tranquillity  
Doth that fair one repose, whilst wretched I  
Languish with the disease which she procures me?  
Surely she cannot hear me now, I may  
Speak at this present unto her of love,  
And not offend her; but alas! the rigour  
Of my sad destiny is great, when I  
Presume to speak, I fear that she may hear me.  
You that have taught me the true use of sighs,  
Dear object of my joy and of my griefs;  
Suffer my amorous and silent soul.  
T▪ express its secret passion before you,  
And to complain here of a thousand evils  
Which you have made me suffer, yet unkrown  
Unto yourself: and you resplendent sources  
Of all my fires, from whence I have derived  
Such violent heats, fair charming eyes, the authors  
Of my captivity, enjoy the rest,  
Which your have taken from me: If I see  
The poppies which shut up your lids, be not  
Offended that you lose your lights, the Sun  
Is subject to the same eclipse, and can  
No more than you, dispense himself thereof.  Zaida feigning herself in a dream. ZAID. 
Almansor.  ALM. 
Sure, she dreams.  ZAIDA. 
Oh! rigorous torment!  
To burn, to languish, and not dare to speak it,  
Alas!  ALMANSOR. 
O Heaven! what hear I?  ZAIDA 
We resent  
One and the same heat.  ALMANSOR. 
Oh! that it were true!  ZAIDA. 
My modesty, excuse me.  ALMANSOR. 
O favourable sleep!  ZAIDA. 
Cruel constraints!  
When shall we be content, when shall our plaints  
Have end?  ALMANSOR. 
In this great ecstasy of joy,  
All my respects are vain; to give her thanks.  
I'll kiss her fair hands.— He kisseth her hands.  ZAIDA. 
Hold, insolent; whence doth proceed this boldness?— feigning to awake,  ALMANSOR. 
What have I done?— aside.  
I came to give you thanks.  ZAIDA. 
For what?  ALMANSOR. 
'tis for your goodness.  ZAIDA. 
Now, I know not:  
I'm sure I never gave you any matter  
For this acknowledgement, who ever will  
Consult th' appearance of the thing, shall find  
That I have much indifference for you;  
But though I had less, was it fit to trouble  
My rest, in making your acknowledgement?  ALMANZOR. 
Excuse my transport, beauteous Shepherdess,  
If I had less loved, I had been less guilty;  
In this occasion a Wary Lover  
Would have expressed little love in showing  
Too much respect; and whatsoer my crime be,  
It would be pardoned, if you slept still;  
But, alas! my good fortune is soon changed,  
I find that you awake but to afflict me,  
Your eyes in taking unto them again  
Their grace and lustre, take unto them also  
At the same time their usual cruelty.  
And that most charming hope which I so little  
Enjoyed, vanished with your sleep.  ZAIDA. 
This is  
An ill expression of yourself, that word  
Of hope gives me astonishment, I never  
Gave it, nor took it yet from any person.  ALMANZOR. 
If I might dare to credit your discourse,  
At least you had not an aversion for me,  
Nothing would be equal to my good fortune,  
You would not find my presence trouble some,  
I should be used better, I should be  
Esteemed and possibly—  ZAIDA. 
Proceed.  ALMANZOR. 
I might be  
Beloved.  ZAIDA. 
Beloved! of whom; if you magine  
Of me, you are mistaken.  ALMAZOR. 
Notwithstanding  
You honoured me so much to tell me so:  
If I may but believe your voice, I have  
Place in your heart, you are my witness and  
My judge both at one time; oh disavow not  
That  sentence, that fair Oracle  
proceeding from an adorable mouth,  
Those words so full of charms pronounced in sleep,  
Which promised me blessings sosoon vanished  ZAIDA. 
I dreamt, Almansor, and you are not ignorant  
That a dream oftentimes is a deceiver,  
And still a lie.  ALMANSOR. 
True, a dream is my glory;  
But I have passions which are real truths,  
The flame with in mine eyes hath appeared to you  
Too clear, to be concealed, and the coldness  
Which you express unto me, quencheth not  
My love, altbough it ruineth my hope.  ZAIDA. 
This love comes very late, and really  
I'm troubled at it, you know well that I  
Am otherwise engaged.  ALMANSOR. 
Alas! I cannot  
Deny but I have heard say that a Lover  
Favoured of Heaven is to come shortly here  
To take you from mine eyes, I know you love him  
Before you see him, therefore I'll not trouble  
Your pleasures, nor his joy: how great soever  
His happiness be, I do intent to suffer it  
Without complaining of you, but withal  
I do intent to die. As soon as you  
Shall departed hence upon the fatal voyage  
Ordained, where your happy marriage  
Must be accomplished, Know, at the same time,  
That you shall see me in my griefs excess  
Depart to go unto the grave, where those  
Remains of fire which sparkle in my bosom,  
Atter my death shall still yet warm my ashes.  
ZAID; Fortune doth owe you, Sir, a happier lot  
ALM: My good or evil lot depends on you.  
All other favours would be troublesome:  
Lastly I do adore you, and not fortune.  ZAIDA. 
What expect you from me in the condition  
Wherein I am?  ALMANSOR. 
Immortal heats and torments;  
I still must love without hope to be loved.  ZAIDA. 
Who loves much, may hope to be loved likewise.  ALMANSOR. 
What may I hope one day for better usage?  ZAIDA. 
Consult with your fidelity upon it.  
ALM: Your soul appeareth too insensible  
To love.  
ZAID: A constant Lover may do much;  
The first refusal ought not to astonish  
Any one that hath love enough to give it.  ALMANSOR. 
Oh this is plain enough to my glad sense!  ZAIDA. 
The blood strikes up unto my brow; alas!  
I've said too much, and now I blush for shame on't.  
ALM: This glorious confession rendereth me  
Too happy and content.  
ZAID: Dreams sometimes are not  
Without effect; but the Sun hath already  
Finished his career, let us go in  
Yet further to discourse upon this matter  
I fear that troublesome.   

SCENE IU.  ADIBAR, ZAIDA, ALMANSOR, ADIBAR. 
Without too much ambition may I hope  
The honour to take you by the fair hand  
The one is free, may I presume to kiss it?  ZAIDA. 
I have no need, Sir, of your services.  ADIBAR. 
They may be worth a Strangers, notwithstanding  
Your scorn of me.  ZAIDA. 
In thinking to oblige me,  
You may displease me, by this odd expression.  ADIBAR. 
The Prophet, who knows how I reverence you,  
Knows also how far forth I fear your anger,  
And the cares which I take, should well assure you,  
That I come here but for to honour you:  
May I aside declare a secret to you?  
Of some importance?  ZAIDA. 
Nothing is so important  
As decency, which in th' opinion  
Of every one, allows we not the Liberty  
To hear the secrets of such as you are.  ADIBAR. 
I desire nothing of you what another  
Doth not obtain.  ZAIDA. 
His discourse pleaseth me,  
And yours I hate.  ALMANSOR. 
You take an unfit time  
To tell your secrets, to the indiscreet  
Love seldom is propitious; th' incivility  
Which your pride doth express, is an ill means  
To gain esteem.  ADIBAR. 
I am not here to take  
Lessons from you.  ALMANSOR. 
I give them to your equals  
To all intents and purposes.  ADIBAR. 
This passion.  
Which carries you away, convicteth you,  
And doth excuse me of the incivility  
Wherewith your error charge me; a man  
Better instructed, to avoid suspicion,  
Would have retired himself out of respect;  
You are too gross; but as you are a Stranger,  
I ought to bear a little with your ignorance.  ZAIDA. 
You have the faults which you condemn in him;  
This Stranger doth oblige me, and you trouble me.  ADIBAR. 
Yet you should take away your hand from him— to Zaida.  ALMANSOR. 
If she should do it, you would be in danger.  ADIBAR. 
In quitting her, you might run to your death.  ALMNASOR. 
I respect Zaida, you I do despise.  ADIBAR. 
If by the same respect I were not stopped,  
In my revenge, your punishment should soon  
Fellow your insolence.  Zaida quitting, Almansors hand. ZAIDA. 
These hasty motions  
Are sorry passtimes for me; by this violence  
I know that neither of you doth respect me,  
But both offend me.  ALMMANSOR. 
Do you take  
Your hand from me to answer his desires?  
My Rival will become too proud at this:  
Should you affronted me wit design to please him?  ZAIDA. 
By what right also am I bound to give  
You satisfaction?  ADIBAR. 
Madam, I beseech you,  
Use no constraint to your free inclination  
In my behalf, I know which of us two  
Pleaseth you best, I yield to him in fortune,  
And perhaps too in merit, his discourse  
Is acceptable, mine is hateful to you;  
Of this truth I cannot be ignorant;  
Therefore to th' end I may not trouble you,  
I will retire me, my respect for you  
Is stronger than the jealousy, wherewith  
My amorous soul is justly seized now,  
And I will force all my resentiments for you,  
Yea even to hate myself, if you should hate me.  
Let here my happy Rival without trouble  
Discourse with you, establish, if you please,  
His happiness at the expense of mine;  
But take this into your consideration  
That Adibar, who quits you with regret,  
Though the least loved, is not the least discreet.  ZAIDA. 
Where go you Adibar? come back again.  ADIBAR. 
My absence will oblige you.  ZAIDA. 
No, once more  
I say come back again; if you esteem me,  
You will return, to take away suspicions  
Opposed to my glory, lend me, pray you,  
Your hand, and lead me back.— he gives her his hand.  ALMANSOR. 
Oh! I cannot  
Suffer this cruel injury.  ZAIDA. 
Almansor,  
Stay I command you, on pain of my hate.  ALMANZOR. 
Hear me a word or two,  ZAIDA. 
I can't be moved.  
Reason I hear, and duty is my guide.  Exeunt Zaida and Adibar.  

SCENE V.  ALMANZOR. 
What unexpected cl●● 〈◊〉 thunder's this,  
Which ruineth my joy thus with my hope?  
Reason I hear, and duty is my guide;  
My constancy, at these words giveth place  
To my despair; and duty is my guide  
No, cruel Zaida in following Adibar,  
'tis Love that guides you: but what! I may be  
Too rash in censuring her so; perhaps  
She doth enforce herself in quitting me,  
And doth prefer my Rival here before me,  
To take off all suspicion of our love.  
She loves, she loves me; oh! what say I, fool?  
without doubt she hath left me through contempt.  
Love, like to fickle Fortune is inconstant,  
His Empire, doth resemble his who doth  
Command the sea, where nothing is secure,  
To day a calm, to morrow a sad storm,  
And every minute, the most fortunate  
Upon that element, may fear a change.  
Even in the Port, We often suffer Shipwreck:  
These are sad truths, whereof I need not doubt:  
But what maketh my Slave so hastily  
T'address his steps unto me?   

SCENE VI.  ALMANSOR, GAZUL. ALMANZOR. 
Hast thou found  
Gomella?  GAZUL. 
Yes, Sir. and I think that he  
Advanceth here with large steps to embrace yo●▪  ALMANSOR. 
'tis that which my care should prevent.  GAZUL. 
Must I  
Withdraw whilst you discourse?  ALMANSOR. 
Yes, and be sure  
Thou fail not to prepare for me a consort  
Of Music.  GAZUL. 
How a consort, Sir, so late?  ALMANSOR. 
Go quickly, and without reply.   

SCENE VII.  GOMELLA, ALMANSOR. GOMELLA. 
Oh! Sir,  
How glad am I to see you here again?  ALMANSOR. 
My joy in seeing you is no less great:  
But speak we of my mother.  GOMELLA. 
Stay her coming;  
To morrow without fail she arrives here  
Unknown.  ALMANSOR. 
Unknown! and why dares she not to be see●▪  GOMELLA. 
The secret only you must know from her,  ALMANSOR. 
Comes not my Sister?  GOMELLA. 
You must not expect her.  ALMANSOR. 
Where is her residence?  GOMELLA. 
I cannot tell you.  ALMANSOR. 
How's this, Gomella, what can I imagine  
In the uncertainty wherein you leave me?  
I am astonished at this proceeding;  
Your obscure language is a clear presage  
Of a concealed misfortune: Oh! my Sister  
Is dead, I need not doubt it.  GOMELLA. 
Her death is not  
The evil which should attrist you.  ALMANSOR. 
What, is't then  
Happened unto her?  GOMELLA. 
No, but something worse.  ALMANSOR. 
That word is not sufficient to clear me:  
Shall I not know why I received an order  
To departed from Tremissa where I was  
Brought up, to come with all speed to these quarters,  
T'address myself to you with confidence,  
To change my true name of Abencerage  
Into that of Almansor, and to have  
A care not to reveal my family?  GOMELLA 
Upon this point I must shut up my mouth;  
IceIce not allowed to say more unto you.  
It is you Mothers absolute injunction,  
And request to me; have but patience  
Until to morrow, when you shall be satisfied  
From her own mouth; but the Sun, I perceive  
Already groweth pale before the Moon.  
Enter into my cot, and take with me  
A poor repast.  ALMANSOR. 
I do desire to be  
Dispensed thereof now, if it pleaseth you.  GOMELLA. 
Where will you go?  ALMANSOR. 
Zegry expecteth me  
On my engagement at his house to night.  GOMELLA. 
Zegry, what say you, what charm doth oblige you  
To answer so ill to Abencerage name,  
To that debate, which for a thousand reason  
Is, between your two houses, as it were,  
Hereditary?  ALMANSOR. 
A far juster duty  
Inviteth me to love him: but for him,  
I'd lost my life in Cairo, treacherous enemies  
Encompassed me round, and had he not  
Succoured me speedily, I had been murdered  
His name, which I knew well without discovering  
Mine own, disturbed my new born amity;  
But his, goodness for me, his cares, his kindness  
Soon dissipated all those old resentements;  
And so in order to the friendship which  
Conjoined us, at last we came together  
Into this country, where I was obliged  
By the same friendship to lodge no where else  
But at home with him.  
GOM: Oh Heaven! but proceed.  ALMANSOR. 
You know his Sister: at first sight of her,  
I was her servant: by a powerful charm  
Whose art she only knows, her fair eyes paid  
But one look for the purchase of my heart;  
And if the God of marriage.—  GOMELLA. 
Soft, hold there.  
Take heed you flatter not yourself with such  
A fatal hope, destroy your passions,  
Or you destroy your honour.  ALMANSOR. 
How, my honour?  GOMELLA. 
Yes, Sir, your honour, what! doth this discourse  
Surprise and trouble you?  ALMANSOR. 
I fear the name  
Of an ingrateful person.  GOMELLA. 
Fear that also  
Of a low spirited one; these shameful motion  
Do wound your duty.  ALMANSOR. 
May I not know how?  GOMELLA. 
To morrow, when you see your Mother here,  
You shall be satisfied, in the mean time,  
Hate both the Sister, and the brother.  
ALM: Hate them?  
I who have been so much obliged unto them?  
No, no, I swear—  
GOM: Swear not but let us enter;  
Your mind will change, when you have heard th'adventure.   
The end of the Second Act.   

ACT III,  

SCENE I.  ZEGRY, ORMIN. ZEGRY. 
THe night approacheth, it is time to put  
This letter with my hope into thy hands:  
Work on her Slave, and act discreetly, that  
She take this diamond from thee, afterward  
Use all the skill thou hast to know the secrets  
Of her disdainful Mistress, and consider  
That I expect at thy return to hear  
The sentence of my life, or of my death.  ORMIN. 
Cruel commandment, whereunto I see  
Myself reduced!— aside.  
One word, Sir, ere I go.  
Think well upon it yet, what hope have you?  
Your importunities will increase her anger,  
And you should do much better, If I durst  
To tell you so, henceforth to free yourself  
Of this unworthy Empire; as love is  
The price of love, so hate should always be  
The recompense of hate, and of contempt.  
Your soul's are too ill suited to unite,  
Love loseth his power in Antipathies,  
And 'tis an equal crime, Sir, in a contrary  
Effect, to hate who Loves us, or to love  
Who hates us.  ZEGRY. 
Oh! speak no more on it unto me:  
My evill's invincible, and my soul feels  
Too sensibly the charms which do destroy me;  
To overcome my griefs, which have no equals  
I seek some gentle succour, and not counsel,  
My chain, alas! is too strong, and my heart  
Too weak, as not to yield unto the torrent  
which carries me away.  ORMIN. 
O rigorous Fate!— aside.  
But if all your endeavours eaten in vain,  
If fierce Fatima still persist in her  
Former disdains—  ZEGRY. 
what pleasure dost thou take  
T'increase my troubles? hid her rigours to me  
And speak but of her charms: my heart is tried  
By torments great enough, it need not be  
afflicted with an evil not yet arrived.  
flatter my weakness, though therein thou show  
Thyself less faithful, if thou dost desire  
To interest thyself in my misfortunes.  ORMIN. 
Sir, if your eyes could penetrate into  
The secrets of my heart, you would soon find  
How great an interest I take in them,  
And that if your lot lay within my power.  
Your pleasures should soon pass your hope, I call  
The Prophet, so much honoured amongst us,  
To witness, that I feel the counterstroaks  
Of all your troubles, that IceIce grieved for them  
as much as you, and tremble in like manner,  
Lastly that you are dearer to me far  
Then you imagine, that my happiness  
Depends on the success of your amours,  
And that it is for you alone my heart  
Makes its devotions.  ZEGRY. 
Grant it gracious Heaven  
That thy zeal happily succeed in touching  
In my behalf the soul of that ingrateful:  
My sister hath already been with her,  
And I believe she hath not failed to speak  
To her for me, their friendship flatters me;  
And gives me leave to hope that who esteems  
The sister, may in time cherish the brother.  
Adieu, perform thy duty, and return  
With speed to calm the tempests of my spirit.  — Exit Zegry. ORMIN. 
I will endeavour with permission of  
The holy Prophet, to hear such success  
As I desire.   

SCENE II.  ORMIM alone. 
WHereto shall I resolve me in this sad  
Extremity? shall I solicit now  
My Rival 'gainst myself in the behalf  
Of an ingrateful Master that doth wrong me?  
And though he appears blind to my disadvantage,  
Shall I approve myself so more than he?  
What shall I press th'effect of what I fear?  
Shall I give him content at my sad cost,  
By a constraint so cruel? and shall I  
Become myself the faithful Minister  
Of the injustices which he doth do me?  
No, no, let us not serve with so much heat  
To trouble us yet with a new misfortune,  
A person who cost me so many tears:  
If I must die, at least let me not give  
Arms for to pierce my heart; o'th' contrary,  
Let me act so, that he may hope for nothing  
From fair Fatima, let me without scruple  
Betray this false one, and deprive him of  
A good which would become so fa'tal to me.  
I should ground all the hope that's left unto me  
Upon the loss of his. But how is this,  
That at these words I tremble with affright?  
I find my heart already riseth up  
Against me in behalf of this false Master.  
Alas! how cruel and perfidious  
Soer he be, I cannot fail of faith  
To wards him, but must love, and serve him truly.  
'Tis so resolved, my anger must give place  
Unto the love that reigneth in my bosom:  
An ill example never justisies  
A crime: let us deliberate no more;  
But what's the noise I hear? it is Fatima  
That passeth, and Charifa follows her.   

SCENE III.  FATIMA, CHARIFA, ORMIN FATIMA. 
THis foul contemps which Zaida offers me  
Provokes me highly, foe far was this false one  
From hindering Adibar to visit her,  
(As she engaged herself in promise to me)  
That she accepted kindly of his hand,  
To disoblige me; 'tis an injury  
Of such a nature as requires revenge.  CHARIFA. 
The affront is known unto yourself, you saw it  
With your own eyes, and to speak truly Madam,  
The injustice is extreme.  FATIMA. 
Know that my anget  
Is so too; let us enter, it is late,  
This night shall give us counsel.  ORMIN. 
I'll go one,  
And stay no longer, 'las! I dare not open  
My mouth, nor keep it shut. Love, I beseech thee,  
Mingle at least some good in the great mass.  
Of my misfortunes, grant that in demanding  
All things of her, she grant me nothing for  
him.— aside.  
Madame, shall I find so much goodness from you  
As to allow me the sweet liberty  
To leave this letter here in your fair hands?  
It cometh from a Lover the most passionate  
Of all those which the Lustre of your eyes.  
Hath made slaves; and who, not withstanding all  
The love where with his soul is seized, hath griven you  
Some cause of plaint.  FATIMA. 
Of plaint list Adibar  
That writes unto me? Softly to Charifa.  CHARIFA. 
Without doubt 'tis he,  
My heart doth tell me so.  FATIMA. 
What would that false one  
Desire of me?  ORMIN. 
How cruel is this sweetness  
To me?— aside.  
The end of his desires is to  
Appear before you, highly to detest  
His insolent crime, he would express the trouble  
Wherewith his soul is pressed, to the Divinity  
justly offended, and receive in making  
His fault worthy to be forgot, a pardon.  
Or death at your fair feet.  FATIMA. 
I desire not  
His death; but I would have him live and hope;  
How late soever his repentance comes,  
I love it, and it is welcome. My heart is  
Already pacified by thy discourse.  ORMIN. 
I have for my misfortune, too well sped.— aside.  FATIMA. 
Let's see with what, air, in this letter he  
Utters his thought, we will go in to read it,  
And to give answer; since he is no longer  
Obstinate in his coldness, I will send  
His pardon signed and sealed.  ORMIN. 
How full of joy  
Will Zegry be at my return?  FATIMA. 
What say you? Zegry.  ORMIN. 
'tis he that sends me, he will kiss  
The words where with  flattered him.  Fatima tearing his letter. FATIMA. 
This is  
My answer, go, and carry it unto him.— Exit Fatima.   

SCENE IU.  ORMIN, CHARIFA. ORMIN. 
THis in equality astonisheth  
And puzleth me,— Charifa!  CHARIFA. 
No, good night.  ORMIN. 
Hear me, I pray thee.  CHARIFA. 
I take no delight  
To talk with fools  ORMIN. 
Stay yet a little.  CHARIFA. 
I have not the leisure.  
Adieu, fair prater!  ORMIN. 
Be not so ungentle.  
My hand shall speak gold, to supply my mouth  CHARIFA. 
I don't believe thee.  ORMIN. 
Believe the event.  
From Zegry take this diamond.  CHARIFA. 
To betray,  
And sell my Mistress? God defend, I will not  
Receive it.  ORMIN. 
Be not such a simple creature.  CHARIFA. 
I take it then to please thee, but accept it  
Unto a good intent: the stone's not false,  
At least I think so:  ORMIN. 
Thou mayst be assured on't,  
'tis very fair, and perfect.  CHARIFA. 
Pardon me,  
My words might seem t'imply a doubt, that I  
Suspected thee, but I am innocent.  ORMIN. 
Wilt thou not tell me by what fatal error  
Thy mistress humour changed so suddenly?  
And how it came, that only at the name  
Of Zegry her heart presently grew cold,  
Although inflamed with my discourse before?  CHARIFA. 
I love thee but too well; and if thou wilt  
Be secret, I'll discover unto thee  
This secret of importance, this hid mystery.  ORMIN. 
Thou wilt oblige me much, speak, I'm discreet.  
And will concea'lt as closely as thyself.  CHARIFA. 
Fatima then loves Adibar as much  
Ass she doth hate thy Master; but for her,  
Adibar by a pleasant fair return  
Hath not, less coldness than thy master love.  
Thou know'st that thou art not yet known of her,  
And that love oftentimes troubleth the brain:  
Hence was it, that at first she did believe  
That Adibar sent thee to speak to her;  
But since she knew her error, she was mad;  
I hear a noise, let us speak soft I fear  
We should be heard.   

SCENE. V  ALABEZ, ORMIN, CHARIFA. ALABEZ. 
THe Devil! where thinks my Master  
That I should meet with Ormin? it is night  
And I can't find my way.  CHARIFA. 
Prithee be still.  ORMIN. 
Let me alone, thy honour is not much  
In danger with me.  CHARIFA. 
Foh! my diamond  
Is fallen from my singer.  ORMIN. 
Without doubt  
The grass conceals it from our sight.  CHARIFA. 
We may  
Seek it a good while ere we find it here.  ORMIN. 
Yes in this manner, I'll go fetch a light, Exit Ormin.   

SCENE VI.  ALABEZ, CHARIFA. CHARIFA. 
Return I've found it.— taking him for Ormin.  ALABEZ. 
I should know that voice;  
It is Charifa, strange! what might she do  
So late here in these woods? I will approach  
A little nearer.— aside.  CHARIFA. 
Thou but jests with me,  
Kiss me no more, if thou dost, I'll retire.  ALABEZ: 
A rare piece this! I must hear all.  CHARIFA. 
Yes really,  
Promise me to be quiet, or I'll leave thee.  
This is a little too much liberty  
At first, I am a maid that stands upon  
My reputation, and fear evil tongues,  
I hold my honour very precious to me.  ALABEZ. 
Thou seekest to lose it, and invitest him  
To take it from thee.— aside.  CHARIFA. 
What thou speakest not  
A word unto me.  ALABEZ. 
Excellent adventure!  CHARIFA. 
How doth thy heart sigh, and thy close mouth murmur?  
Those liberties, for all what I have said,  
May be excused, if thou will marry me;  
Thou knowst that one must marry, to love well  
And if I please thee.—  ALABEZ. 
Oh? what impudence?  CHARIFA. 
What sayest thou?  ALABEZ. 
I am much surprised, by Heaven.  CHARIFA. 
What! answerest thou nothing? should this be  
Through a contempt? I think that I'm not yet  
So torn by time, as not to be thought worthy  
To be considered; thou knowest well  
Alabez, if I would have had that fellow.  
My marriage with him had been already  
Concluded, but that is a lout, and hath not  
The art to please me as thou hast, his faults  
Are more considered by me, than his services.  ALABEZ. 
The impudent jeers at me to my face.  CHARIFA. 
That troublesome never did any thing  
Which pleased me, he hath a sottish spirit,  
And silly carriage; if the fool should marry me  
I would not pass my word that he should not  
Be one of those which every one points at  
With finger, which permit their neighbours to  
Think their wives fair, and which we commonly  
Call cuckoulds.   

SCENE VII.  ORMIN, CHARIFA, ALABEZ. ORMIN. 
SEe here, I have brought you light.  CHARIFA. 
What have I done? this is a gross mistake.  ALABEZ. 
What thinkest thou; have not I much cause to be  
Well satisfied? I have done nothing then  
That ever pleased thee, I've a sottish spirit  
And silly carriage. Thou shouldst die with shame.  CHARIFA. 
Why? prithee? I have utteted but a truth.  ALABEZ. 
But a truth, traitress, o thou brazen face!  
What! If I married thee, thou dangerous beast  
I should be of the number of those people  
Which we call cuckoulds? thy impertinent tongue  
Lied a hundred times, I'd rather choose  
A rope then such a bed fellow:  ORMIN. 
Whence springs  
Your quarrel?  ALABEZ. 
Peace a while, I shall in good time  
Talk with you, friend, companion of ill luck  Ormin putting out the candle. ORMIN. 
We must be gone, there's nothing to be gotten  
But blows here by a fool.— Exeunt Ormin and Charifa.   

SCENE VIII.  ALMANSOR, GASUL, ALABEZ, ADIBAR. ALMANSOR. 
Go see whence comes this noise.  ALABEZ. 
Oh have I met thee,— giving Gasul a buffet.  
precious Apostle?  GASUL. 
How base traitor!  ALABEZ. 
Pardon me,  
I took thee for another, in good faith:  
I sought a ras kal that escaped me,  
To whom I did intent that injury  
But I shall soon o'er take him without running.  Exit Alabe. ALMANSOR. 
Hast learned the cause of those confused rumours?  GASUL. 
No, but I have been beaten by a person,  
Who afterward made me excuses for't.  ALMANSOR. 
The house is not far of, give order to  
The voices to advance, and bid them sing  
Near to that Little wood.  Adibar appearing on the other side: ADIAAR. 
See, friends, the place  
Where Zasda dwells, if you are ready now.  
Begin immediately.  

The first song.  
YE deserts, and dark cells  
Where night and silence dwells  
You whom I trust with my sad cares.   GASUL. 
This voice belongs not to our company.  ALMANSOR, 
This Stanza finished, let us be prepared  
To sing forthwith the air which I composed.  
Ye deserts and dark cells,  
Where night and silence dwells,  
You whom I trust with my sad cares,  
With all my deaths, and my despairs,  
Rocks, forests, and thick Shades,  
Which the Sun ne'er invades,  
You in whose bosoms I enclose  
My love, my sighs, my plaints, and wees:  
Alas! when will you be  
Keepers of my felicity?  

Second Song.  
Ye brooks, and Zephirs sweet,  
Which here in Springtime meet  
To water and perfume these plains   ADIBAR. 
What insolent voice troubles our comfort here.?  
Th'affront shall not pass without punishment  
Ye Brooks, and Zephirs sweet,  
Which here in Springtime meet  
To water and perfume these plains  
Frequented by the amorous Swains  
Favour me not to flow  
Oblige me not to blow,  
Until my tears their course have spent,  
And my sighs given my greess fult vent,  
Then in your Channels glide,  
And winds breathe, as before, in pride.  ADIBAR. 
Who art thou that darest here to trouble me?  ALMANSOR. 
My name is too well known to be concealed.  
I'm called Almansor.  ADIBAR. 
Fear, fear then mine anger.  
I'm Adibar, thy greatest Enemy  
Who to meet thee, have made some weary steps  
Unto no purpose; now when least sought 〈…〉  
I've found thee; tell me, how comes it 〈◊〉  
Takest a licence to besiege my Mistress  
With so much insolence? dost visit her,  
As friend unto her brother, or as Lover  
And servant unto her?  ALMANSOR, 
Content thyself  
To understand that as the brother's friend,  
The Sister doth accept my setvices,  
And that I reverence her: assure thyself  
That if I were so happy as to be  
Her Lover, I should be discreet enough,  
Not to acquaint thee with it.  ADIBAR. 
These refinings,  
And juggle which thou usest to defend thee,  
Cannot withdraw thee from my just revenge,  
Thou shalt die.— Draws  ALMANSOR. 
Rather fear that my sword here— draws.  
Piercing thy heart, quench thy love in thy blood.   

SCENE IX.  ZEGRY, ADIBAR, ALMANSOR. ZEGRY. 
FOr bear, and moderate this barbarous fury,  
What means this, friends?  ADIBAR. 
Nothing, since we are parted.  ZEGRY. 
Oh, is't you Adibar?  ALMANSOR. 
This is not the Song  
Which I desire.  ADIBAR. 
Zegry, thou dost me wrong.  ZEGRY. 
What cause, dear friend, could animate thee so?  
Permit me, I beseech you having parted you,  
To reconcile you too at the same time:  
I take an interest in your debats:  
Let me know therefore what your differnce is.  ADIBAR. 
Zegry in vain you interpose yourself  
To hinder the proceeding, my revengt  
Is just, and your cares but prolong his life  
For some few minures.— Exit Adibar.   

SCENE. X.  ZEGRY, ALMANSOR. ZEGRY. 
Dear Almansor tell me  
Whence comes so strong a hate between you two?  
Relate the cause on't,  ALMANSOR. 
'tis not worth the labour;  
This petty difference which troubles thee,  
Should be determined ere known.  ZEGRY. 
In vain  
Thou dost persist to hid this secret from me:  
Almansor, I guess at it; sure, some Beauty  
Embroils you; I've heard here two different consorts.  
The rest I do divine.  ALMANSOR. 
Friend, I confess it;  
We both at one time gave our Evering Music  
To one and the same Mistress.  ZEGRY. 
May not I  
Know her name, Friend?  ALMANSOR. 
Heavens how am I put to▪ t?  
Should I tell him that I adore his sister?— aside.  ZEGRY. 
Friend, this reservedness suits not that name,  
I did not hid my amours for Fatima  
From thee.  ALMANSOR. 
He hath already promised  
His sister; I'm confounded; if I dare  
To name her, what will he not say?— aside.  ZEGRY. 
This confused silence should sufficiently  
Instruct me that he doth adore Fatima,  
And dares not tell it me— aside.  
What! shall I not  
Know then what object hath subjected thee?  ALMANSOR. 
Her fair name uttered would make us enemies,  
Instead of doing thee a courtesy  
I should do thee an injur●; adieu;  
Dispense me to say more on't.  ZEGRY. 
How is this!  
Wilt thou not go unto my house?  ALMANSOR 
Exouse me,  
This night I am engaged by promise to  
Lodge at Gomella's.  ZEGRY. 
How! Gomella's, sayest thou?  ALMANSOR. 
Yes, I fear that he stays for me, adieu,  
I promised him, and I can't fail my word. Exit Almansor.  Zegry alone. ZEGRY 
The traitor Loves Fatima: and intends  
To marry her: to judge on't otherwise,  
Is to abuse myself; yes owing me,  
His life, he makes use of it to destroy me;  
But he that could save it, can also ruin it;  
And his death loudly shall proclaim to all  
That the same arm which serves the innocent,  
Can punish the ingrateful insolent.   
The End of the third Act.   

ACT IU.  

SCENE I.  ALMANSOR, GOMELLA ALMANSOR. 
YOu shall not go alone to meet my mother,  
I▪ l follow you, Gomella.  GOMELLA 
That needs not  
Her order doth oblige you to expect her  
Here at my house.  ALMANSOR. 
But nature doth impose  
A stronger law upon me.  GOMELLA. 
Sir she hath not  
Understood of your coming yet, your sight  
Will be too sudden a surprise, for bear  
Till I acquaint her with it.  ALMANSOR 
I expect  
No blame in this encounter; If I should  
Surprise her, it would be delightfully:  GOMELLA. 
Seeing you will, let's go together then.  ALMANSOR. 
I do but what I ought.  GOMELLA. 
I speak my thoughts.  ALMANSOR. 
Zegry comes forth his house; before I go,  
I must embrace him.  GOMELLA. 
Stay, you may not do it.  ALMANSOR. 
Constraint's unjust, as much as it is cruel:  
Ought I to fly a friend so dear, so faithful?  
Suffer me to speak to him, and I'll follow you  
Immediately.  GOMELLA. 
I cannot, for I have an express order  
Unto the contrary.— Exeunt.   

SCENE II.  ZEGRY, ORMIN. ZEGRY. 
ORmin, didst thou observe how carefully  
That traitor shunned me assoon as he saw me?  
Didst mark how he was troubled at first,  
How he advanced, a step or two to Wards me,  
And then went back again, how he resigned  
The place unto me in confusion,  
Pressed with the stings of his ingratitude?  ORMIN. 
What ever I observed, it can never  
Enter into my thought Almansor should  
Be guilty of so base and black a crime;  
And though in show I find him culpable,  
I esteem him incapable to commit  
Any base act; he still appeared unto me  
A person of much honour, and too jealous  
Thereof, so ill t'imploy the life which he  
Holdeth of you: besides I find within me  
A certain secret instinct which I  
Can't comprehend, that when I should accuse him,  
Forceth me to defend him.  ZEGRY. 
Seeing me  
To cheris'h that too much beloved Ingrateful,  
Thou art accustomed also to caresse him.  
I can't believe, neither that he betrays me,  
Nor can I doubt on't, that's my punishment.  
And those sweet motions, which I scarce can banish,  
Aggravate his offence, instead of lessening it:  
judge then how much I am to be lamented  
In this condition, the only good  
That rests to me, is to fear nothing more.  
Fortune would not afflict me here by halfs;  
I lose a Mistress, and a friend together:  
Both injure me, and I have so much weakness,  
That I can't hate the Mistress, nor the Friend;  
But couldst thou yesterday learn from Charifa  
Why fair Fatima hath so much contempt  
Within her bosom for me? thou hast told me  
That Adibar doth charm her, but thou hast not  
Told me from whence her hatred doth proceed.  ORMIN. 
Fatima, if I may believe what hath  
Been told me, always did abhor you for  
Vnfaithfullnes, she hath some reason to  
Believe you false, and this is that as far  
As I can understand, which doth oblige her  
To be so cruel to you.  ZEGRY. 
False, sayest thou?  
I never was so.  ORMIN. 
She hath understood though,  
That a maid called Zelinda, fair enough,  
Very young, and of an illustrious family,  
And who received sometime many services  
From you, being almost on the point to see you  
Her husband, and when all things were disposed  
And ready for the marriage was foully  
Forsaken by you and despised; it seems  
That this example toucheth, and doth teach her  
That who can once, can change a thousand times.  ZEGRY. 
Ormin, this change is no inconstancy.  ORMIN. 
It would be very hard to prove it innocent:  ZEGRY. 
Without doubt this pretended marriage  
Made a great noise; but I will tell thee all  ORMIN. 
What will th'ing ratefull say?— aside  ZEGRY: 
Before that marriage was concluded which  
Was to unite us to Abencerage blood,  
And by that means at last to quench the heat  
Of an old hatred, fair Fatima was  
Already Mistress of my heart; to make me  
Take a new chain, Zelinda, whom they offered me  
In my opinion, was not fair enough:  
So that I saw her without loving her:  
Her feeble Beauty could not shake the fetters  
Which tied me, yet I endeavoured  
To have some kindness for her, but her eyes  
Or my heart were not strong enoug to work it;  
And if I did her any services,  
It was but in design to please my parents:  
Fatima there fore is to blame to think  
That I am false: since I had never love  
For any but for her.  ORMIN. 
Alas! I need not  
Doubt more of his contempt! I was inquisitive  
To know too much, and now I do repent it.— aside.  ZEGRY. 
This is a truth, which easily can be ptoved?  
But how comes it my sister, sup so soon?   

SCENE III.  ZAIDA, MEDINA, ZEGRT, ORMIN. ZAIDA, 
Brother, have you received th' intelligence  
Is given me of the death of him which was  
Designed for my husband?  ZEGRY. 
Yes, I've heard it;  
It is too true, he died in Argier  
O'th' spotted fever.  ZAIDA. 
I'm unhappy by it;  
But you are near your joy, and may discourse  
Of marriage and love.  ZEGRY. 
Oh, Sister, rather  
Say that I must no longer now discourse  
Of love nor Marriage: say that I must punish  
A base and an ingrateful spirit with death  
One that hath wickedly betrayed my friendship:  
Fury alone presides now in my soul,  
And I must think nor speak of any thing  
But of destroying a perfidious wretch.  ZAIDA. 
Who is that traitor? let me know, I pray you,  
What signal crime provoketh you so highly.  ZEGRY. 
Thou knowst too well the Author of my injury  
His name's Almansor, his love is his crime,  ZAIDA. 
His love! what hear I?  ZEGRY. 
Sister, 'tis too true.  
His insolent love hath stirred up mine anger.  ZAIDA. 
He knoweth that Almansor loveth me,  
And that is it enrageth him.— aside.  ZEGRY. 
His death,  
Is just, add he shall die, base, and ingrateful!  ZAIDA. 
Brother, you should examine without passion  
All that which might be of a friend suspected,  
And we should never judge of his offence  
But with much care and much indulgence: always  
Almansor htth appeared too generous  
To mingle any foul or unjust thing  
In his affections; and he oweth you  
Too much, to have a thought to wrong a friend  
That saved his life.  ZEGRY. 
Sister, thou dost oblige me;  
Thy arguments with little contradiction  
Disarm all my resentments quite; Almansor  
Is so dear to me, that how ere he wrongs me,  
Thou wilt do me a couttesie, to stop  
My anger.  ZAIDA. 
Perhaps, you have accused him unjustly.  ZEGRY. 
Would that it pleased Heaven I were abused!  
But alas! my suspicion is too just,  
I'll tell't thee now; he loveth  ZAIDA. 
Who?  ZEGRY. 
Fatima:  ZAIDA. 
How! should he love Fatima? really  
That crime is black:  ZEGRY. 
The better to assure thee on't, 'tis best  
Thou go to visit her, I do believe  
Thou'lt understand from her that he adores her,  
And that he's false to me.  ZAIDA. 
Tranitor! Inconstant!  
Pernicious Spirit!  ZEGRY. 
But, Sister, Why appear you  
So troubled in your eyes and countenance?  ZAIDA. 
The trouble of mine eyes clearly denotes  
That my heart feels the evils which your friend doth you,  
Your friend, what hay I said? that name suits ill  
With his condition, if he be your Rival,  
He's not your friend. Go persently to quench  
His life and Love, and wash away the crimes  
Of his soul in his blood.  ZEGRY. 
No, Sister, no;  
We should examine without passion  
All that which might be of a friend suspected,  
And one should never judge of his offence  
But with much care and much indulgence; always  
Almansor hath appeared too generous,  
To mingle any foul, or  thing  
In his affections; and he oweth me  
Too much, to have a thought to wrong a friend  
That saved his life.  ZAIDA. 
In what an error are you?  ZEGRY. 
If I am in an error, I received it  
From you: these were your sentiments, good Sister,  
And shall be mine.  ZAIDA. 
Then knew I not his crime;  
But now that it is plain, take your revenge,  
I will no more restrain you.  ZEGRY. 
Stop me rather;  
Condemn my anger, not my amity.  
In favour of Almansor I would be  
Abused; I will accuse him, but I would  
That others should excuse him, I speak of  
Revenge, but seek it not, and threaten only  
But to the end to have my arm restrained.  
His passion, perhaps, may be condemn▪ d  
Unjustly: possibly i● might be born.  
Before our friendship, and, perhaps Fatima  
Answereth unto it, and that to unite them,  
Gomellas' orders do invite him here;  
If it be so, to free myself from crime,  
Sister, 'tis just I yield Fatima to him:  
I'll break my chains, and with a settled heart  
Will make the pleasures of my friend mine own.  ZAIDA. 
what strange abuse, what secret charm thus softens  
Your heart in the behalf of an Ingrateful:  
He owes his life unto you: ought he not  
T'acquit himself to wards you by all possible  
Endeavours? if he be our Rival, can you  
Without much weakness tamely give him up  
Your Mistress? if he be your friend, as you  
Esteem him, ought he not to give you up  
The object which you love.  ZEGRY. 
Without reply  
Go presently to visit fair Fatima:  
And fail not fully to inform yourself  
Of their intelligence.— Exit Zegry.  MEDINA ZAIDA. MEDINA. 
YOu astonish me;  
I can't conceive how one can love a man,  
And press his death.  ZAIDA. 
Oh! say not that I love  
Such an ingrateful and inconstant wretch:  
Believe that if I have fires, they are fires  
Of rage, and that my heart will ne'er be qui●●  
Till this perfidious Lover be a sacrifice  
To my just anger.  MEDINA. 
But you weep, Madam.  ZAIDA. 
True, I weep, Medina:  
If that false one should perish, I should die;  
I feel that rage and tenderness, hate and love  
Triumph by Turns within me: I'm his Enemy  
And yet I am his Lover, when my anger  
Increaseth, th'other Kinder passion springs:  
And though that he be lovely, and hath falsely  
Betrayed me, I can neither love, nor hate him  MEDINA. 
Madam, speak softer, you will else be heard.  
Adibar comes to wards us.  ZAIDA. 
I'll not stay.   

SCENE V.  ADIBAR, ZAIDA, MEDINA. ADIBAR. 
Zaida, where go you with my heart?  ZAIDA. 
I pray you,  
Leave me alone, and do not trouble me,  
Adieu.  ADIBAR. 
●eceive my services.  ZAIDA, 
● have  
●o need of them.  ADIBAR. 
● do beseech you, hear me.  ZAIDA. 
You must excuse me, I have other business.  ADIBAR. 
With a look only, consolate my griefs;  
●is you I seek.  ZAIDA. 
And 'tis you that I fly.  ADIBAR. 
How! treat you such a faithful I over so?  ZAIDA. 
Fatima there will be less cruel to you.  ADIBAR. 
Mock not at her, Fatima is as fair,  
Although less proud than you.   

SCENE VI.  FATIMA, ZAIDA, ADIBAR, CHARIFA, MEDINA. FATIMA. 
What Adibar  
Still with this scornful? my revenge is just.  
'Tis time that it break forth. Zaida, I find you  
In such a black and heavy melancholy,  
That I lose the design which brought me hither:  
Shall I dare speak of dances, revels, feasts,  
And of a marriage in the condition  
Wherein you are?  ZAIDA. 
What say you, of a marriage?  FATIMA. 
Since you press me,  
You shall know all; know that my Father ha●  
Provided one for me.  ZAIDA. 
For you, Fatima?  FATIMA. 
Yes, Zaida, and she bufimes is well forwar●  ZAIDA. 
In your contents I claim an interest:  
I should be glad to know your Lover's name.  FATIMA. 
He's an accomplish▪ d man, noble, and bra●●  
And of a charming presence, and rare meri●▪  
I doubt not but you will approve the choice  
My Father hath made of him.  ZAIDA. 
How she makes me  
Languish to meet death?— aside.  
Well, who is the man?  FATIMA. 
You know him very well;  
He made long time his ordinary residence  
At home with you; your brother Zegrys frie●●  
Have I yet said enough?  ZAIDA. 
Tell me his name too.  FATIMA, 
Divine you not that he is called Almansor!  ZAIDA. 
I can no more, but faint and die.— aside.  FATIMA 
How she  
Is change▪ d, she feels my pain, and I'm revenged  ADIBAR. 
I have much interest in this event.  ZAIDA. 
This match without doubt cannot choose but please you.  FATIMA. 
True, I am not of those who through a maxim  
Of I know not, what modesty, blush at marriage  
As if it were a crime, feign to sigh at it,  
And yet in secret are sad at the heart,  
If it should not be consummate. I assure you.  
Upon this point I not dissemble with you:  
I no way hate the Lover that▪ s designed me,  
I prise his love, his services, his merit  
At a high rate, and if he loves me much,  
He is no less beloved.  ZAIDA. 
It seemeth then,  
He loves you very much.  FATIMA. 
I can't express it:  
He lives but for me, breatheth but for me:  
I am the sole original of his good  
Or evil fortune when he sees me not,  
He is in torments, and when hazard bring me  
Unto his sight, again, I have great cause  
To fear that he might die with sudden joy;  
Lastly if any truth be in his oaths,  
All other beauties are contemptible to him.  ZAIDA. 
Oh Heaven! what hear I, where am I? oh traitor!  
Ingrateful wretch!— aside.  
But could you so soon love him  
Before you knew him?  FATIMA. 
I cannot be blame▪ d  
For this quick love, I saw in him at first  
All things that might induce a maid to love  
Besides herein I execute the order  
My Father doth ordain, I willingly  
Obey his will; and since he hath chosen him  
For son in law and for support, I think  
That he is worthy of it, and conform  
Myself unto him.  ZAIDA. 
But what are your thoughts  
Of Adibar?  ADIBAR. 
I dare not to pretend  
To her passed goodness more.  FATIMA. 
He deserved not  
The honour of my love; he changed first,  
And I change at my turn.  ZAIDA. 
He was not always  
Unworthy to please you; can you forget him.  FATIMA. 
Yes, and with much justice, and reason too,  
He is to me the most ingrateful person  
Upon the earth; his contempt was unjust,  
But mine is not so. Let us cease to speak  
Of that inconstant Lover; I will pay him  
Hatred for hatred, contempt for contempt.  
Let us again talk of our marriage,  
And let me know if I may have the honour  
To see you there,  ZAIDA. 
Excuse me, IceIce oppress▪ d  
With a great pain, which is redoubled  
Since your discourse, so that I'm rendered  
Incapable to be present there, and am  
Enforced to quit you at this very instant.  ADIBAR 
I wait you; suffer me to pay the service  
I own you.— He leads her by the arm?  ZAIDA, 
I am forced through my weakness  
To accept your support.— Exeunt Zaida & Adibar   

SCENE VII.  FATIMA, CHARIFA. FATIMA, 
ZAida feels my disease, but Adibar  
Flies me: herein my revenge is complete,  
Though my hope be destroyed.  CHARIFA. 
You have lost nothing  
By that, Almansor's worth a thousand of him  FATIMA. 
judge better of my plaint, what I have said  
Is but a fiction; I perceive Medina  
And thou are intimate, she could not choose  
But tell thee that Almansor's very dear  
To the ingrateful Zaida, this I heard  
From thy own mouth.  CHARIFA. 
Well.  FATIMA. 
This devise of mine,  
In feigning that Almansor was to marry me,  
Is to revenge me of her for admitting,  
Contrary to her promise, my false Lover  
To address courtship to her, and to punish her  
For the evils which she hath procured me.  CHARIFA. 
How cunning are you! this deceit is notable.   

SCENE VIII.  ADIBAR FATIMA. FATIMA. 
HOw! quit so soon the object of your heart?  ADIBAR. 
I studied more her rest then my content.  FATIMA. 
You appear seized with an extreme sadness.  ADIBAR. 
I cannot see that suffer which I love  
Without grief.  FATIMA. 
Zaida sure, repulsed you.  ADIBAR. 
My respect only put me of, and not  
Her cruelty,  FATIMA. 
If she were just, or generous  
She would despise a lover that's unsaithfull.  ADIBAR. 
I were to blame, if I should complain of her.  FATIMA. 
Almansers' fortune is more sweet with me.  ADIBAR. 
I'm to well satisfied, to be jealous of it.  FATIMA. 
You do but flatter you with a vain hope,  
Zaida hath but disdain, and hate for you.  ADIBAR. 
Her hate and her disdain are ended now;  
And our hearts speedily shall be united  
By marriage.  FATIMA. 
But Sir, you may be mistaken  
In your account, and hope; do you not know  
That Zaida's promised?  ADIBAR. 
Rather you may be  
Deceived in this point: perhaps you know not  
That he who was to marry her, is dead.  FATIMA. 
How is he dead?  ADIBAR. 
Yes Madam, and fair Zaida  
Propitious at last, will render justice  
To my devout affection, and did  
Assure me when I took my leave of her  
That she would marry me, if I could get  
Her brother to consent unto't; adieu;  
To obtain this so dear and precious Beauty,  
I must address me to her brother, and  
Solicit my best friends.— Exit Adibar.   

SCENE IX.  FATIMA, CHARIFA. FATIMA. 
WHat have I done?  
Alas! my fiction hath only serve▪ d  
To dispose Zaida to deprive me of  
My Lover.  CHARIFA. 
Madam.—  FATIMA. 
Leave me; in a fate  
So sad as this, every thing hurts, destroys,  
And makes me desperate.  CHARIFA, 
Will you not hear me?  FATIMA. 
No, I hear nothing but the fury which  
Reigns in my confefed spirits, grief seizeth me  
And anger doth transport me.  CHARIFA. 
Madam, comfort you.  FATIMA. 
Oh that I were dead! cease to comfort me  
In such a just despair put me to bed,  
Or in my grave there to lie buried.   
The End of the fourth Act.   

ACT V.  

SCENE I.  GOMELLA, LINDARACHE, ALMANSOR. GOMELLA. 
YOu see the cote where I make my abode.  LINDARACHE. 
Sir, if you please, I shall desire to be  
Private a while here with my son, and presently  
I'm yours.  ALMANSOR. 
Oh Madam, oh dear Mother,  
In this blessed time shall I obtain the honour  
Of your embracements?  LINDERACHE. 
Stay, Abencerage,  
Know our dishonour first, and show thyself  
My son before I embrace thee, I was mother  
Of two fair children, when a Ravisher  
Stole away both my Daughter, and thy Sister.  ALMANSOR. 
Good God what do you tell me?  LINDARACHE 
That thy Sister  
Is ravished.  ALMANSOR. 
Name but the Ravisher,  
And he is dead.  LINDERACHE. 
Come, now embrace me, Son, this saying makes me  
Believe that Heaven hath given thee me for to  
Revenge me.  ALMANSOR. 
Let me know his name, I swear  
By th' holy Prophet, that his blood shall wash  
The injury, and that this arm of mine  
Shall sacrifice him in stautly unto you.  LINDARACHE 
Thou shall know all, harken, and let me speak:  
Thou art not ignorant of the enmity.  
which reigned for many ages twixt the houses  
O'th' Zegries, and of the Abencerages:  
Now thou must know that on th' opinion  
Conceived that a marriage would put end  
To this contention, my daughter was  
Designed for wife to Zegry; every thing  
Was ready, and the day appointed, when  
Through an aversion, or rather through  
Contempt, the treacherous Zegry flying our  
Alliance, hastily embark'ed himself  
For Argser: and to add unto our griefs,  
Assoon as this report was spread, my daughter  
Was seen no more.  ALMANSOR. 
O Heaven! who should be cause  
Of this misfortune?  LINDERACHE. 
Read this letter here,  
It will inform thee fully  Almansor reads the Letter. 
LETTER.  
YOu, from whom, I received my breath,  
Know that a sad fate worse than death  
Is happened to me, all our name  
In my loss bear an equal shame:  
The false and cruel Zegry is  
The Author of my miseries;  
For he it it that by his charms  
Hath taken me out of your arms.  
Zelinda.  ALMANSOR 
What have I heard!  LINDERACHE. 
Abominable truths.  ALMANLOR. 
Zegry her ravisher! oh fatal news!  LINDERACHE. 
In this misfortune I had so much judgement  
To hid this our dishonour, and her rape:  
By the advice of the illustrious.  
And wise Gomella, I spread every where  
The rumour of her death, and sent thee order  
At the same time to departed from Tremissa  
And to come here: lastly in Tunis staying  
Thy coming, I passed an unknown life  
In tears and lamentation: and seeing  
The time of thy return to be at hand,  
I came here to this fatal residence:  
I find thee, and my grief is charmed already,  
To see my just rage in thy soul imprinted,  
And thy brave arm disposed to take revenge,  
And to deprive that wretch of life, who hath  
Deprived us of honour.  ALMAOSOR. 
Oh how many  
Afflictions seize! my heart!  LINDARACHE. 
'tis time to punish,  
Not to deplore, in such a fatal fortune  
Express thy grief by bloody brave effects  
Of rage and courage, vain regrets, and sighs  
Suit with my sex, revenge belongs to thee.  
Thou knowest the offender, go repair  
Th' offence: I would not have reserved for thee  
Th' Employment, if I could revenge myself  
Without thee; and I had already seen  
The punishment of Zegry, If I would  
Have us▪ d Gomellas service; thy arm only  
Must wash the stam of from tby brow; take all  
The revenge to thee, as th' affront's all thine:  
See me no more until thou hast revenged  
Thy Sister, Go, seek, find and punish fully  
Her barbarous ravisher; adieu, perform  
Thy duty, and make thyself to appear  
A worthy branch of that ill strions' stock  
Of Heros, from whose loins thou art descended;  
To end our common miseries and fears,  
Go thou to shed blood, I go to shed tears.— Exit Lindarache.   

SCENE II.  ALMANSOR alone. ALMANSOR. 
OH heard extremities! oh cruel violence!  
Alas! the friend that doth oblige me, is  
The enemy that wrongs me; I own then  
My safety unto him that robs me of  
My honour, and the man that saved the brother  
Hath ruined the Sister! in this case  
What counsel should I take? shall I become  
Ingrateful, or be infamous, shall I  
Break the bond of a holy amity?  
Shall I let forth the blood which preserved mine,  
That blood in which love will that I have Interest?  
And to say all, the blood of my fair Mistress?  
She comes forth, and without doubt aimeth here  
Honour will that I fly, but Love restrains me:   

SCENE III.  ALMANSOR, ZAIDA, MEDINA. ZAIDA. 
HE dares not to advance, his crime intimidates him.  
We will pass by the traitor, without speaking  
A word.  ALMANSOR. 
Dear object of all my affections,  
Charm of my Spirits!  ZAIDA. 
Surely, you are mistaken.  
You would speak to some other.  ALMANSOR. 
Suffer me  
T'express my passion unto your fair eyes,  
Love,—  ZAIDA. 
You take me without doubt for Fatima.  ALMANSOR. 
How for Fatima; this wotd doth acquaint me  
Confusedly with the unjust suspicion  
From whence this change springs: possibly you have  
Believed that I seck to please her, seeing  
The league that it between me, and her Father;  
But Heaven, and Love my conqueror, be witness,  
That your fair Image wholly doth possess  
My heart, that to remove you thence, Fatima  
Is altogether incapable, that I look on  
All that is lovely in her without love  
And that as sensible only of the darts  
Of your rare beauties, I confine my thoughts  
And actions to civilities for her.  ZAIDA. 
How do you look upon Fatima then  
With an indifference?— Let me see how far  
His impudence will go— aside.  ALMANSOR. 
Can you doubt of it? you that have tied all  
My senses with such sweet and pressing bonds?  
Can you suspect with any justice, Madam  
My heart of treachery, my oaths of falls hood,  
And believe that my soul hath so much blackness,  
As to betray my Mistress, my friend,  
And my Deliverer? could you imagine,  
Without being deceiv▪ d, that having once  
Beheld you, one could love elsewhere? oh no:  
For me to be inflamed with a new fire  
You are too charming, and I'm too much charmed.  ZAIDA, 
Too much charmed, monster of perfidiousness?  
Wilt thou abuse me then after thou hast  
Betrayed me, and with an unworthy love  
Carried away, wilt thou join impudence  
To infidelity?  ALMANSOR 
To infidelity,  
What say you, Zaida? this discourse confounds me.  ZAIDA. 
I see it plainly, wretch; were't thou less wicked,  
Thou wouldst be less confounded; an ingrateful  
Still blusheth at reproaches.  ALMANSOR. 
An ingrateful?  ZAIDA. 
Doth that word trouble thee? and fearest thou  
The name of an ingrateful person more  
Than foul ingratitude itself?  ALMANSOR. 
I know not  
The cause of this your anger, should I never  
So much examine me, I still should find  
My conscience innocent.  ZAIDA. 
In thy account then  
'tis nothing to deceive a maid, to wrong  
Thy friend, to fail thy faith, to love Fatima,  
Lastly  ALMANSOR, 
I, say you?  ZAIDA, 
Yes, thee  ALMANSOR. 
Oh! believe me,  
I love her not.  ZAIDA. 
Darest thou to say it yet?  
Dost thou not love her when thou dost adore her?  
Thy false equivocations cannot here  
Abuse me, I know that thou art to morrow  
To marry her.  ALMANSOR. 
To matry her! o Heaven, believe it not,  
I swear.  ZAIDA, 
No, no, forbear, I believe not  
The oaths of one that's perjured, every one,  
Knows of this marriage,  ALMANSOR. 
Who told it you?  ZAIDA. 
A certain person.  ALMANSOR 
Whosoever it be,  
That certain person lied. Tell me his name,  
And my just anger presently shall carry him  
The reward of his false intelligence.  ZAIDA. 
Go punish then Fatima, it was she  
Herself that told it me.  ALMANSOR 
Oh give less credit,  
Adorni able Wonder, to such false discourses.  ZAIDA. 
Good God who ever saw such impudence?  ALMANSOR. 
The marriage which she hath forged, is  
A falsity; bear witness thou dread Master  
Of Heaven that this I speak is truth; but if  
I lie, let thy hand with a thunderbolt  
Strike me unto the centre of the earth:  
Let my name be forever odious,  
If the fire which I feel proceedeth not  
wholly from your fair eyes, and if my heart  
Ever conceived for Fatima any thing  
Beyond a weak esteem.  ZAIDA. 
I must sift yet  
This brazen face more throughly.— aside.  
How wilt thou prove  
The truth of thy assertion?  ALMANSOR, 
I can produce.  
A hundred proofs to disabuse you presently.  ZAIDA. 
I'll have but one, and that too very easy;  
To put an end to the suspicions,  
Which I ve conceived of thee, give me forthwith  
Both thy hand and thy faith.  ALMANSOR. 
I give it you  
With an excess of you.— but what would I,  
Give her a hand that must destroy her brother,  
And plung itself in his most noble blood?— aside  ZAIDA. 
What dost thou answer me so ill for such  
Rare bounties? dost thou murmur to thyself,  
Grow pale and study, as if thou resent'st ill  
What I propose.  ALMANSOR. 
Madam, clean contrary  
I was raped with th'unexpected honour,  
And happiness wherewith I saw me filled,  
And th'excess of my joy transported me:  
I fear through my obedience to betray you,  
To make detraction to speak against you,  
And to treat Zegry too unciviliy  
In giving without his consent my hand  
And faith; but this weak fear yields to my flame  
Duty prevails not now upon my soul,  
And cannot take from me the glorious purpose  
Of giving you my heart and hand together.  ZAIDA. 
Thou thinkest on't too late, my mind is changed,  
And ne'er shall change again, know that I feigned,  
Only to try thee, that excess of goodness,  
And thy fires for Fatima presently  
Burst forth.  ALMANSOR. 
Oh! I had never any for her!  ZAIDA. 
Thy deceit 's plain enough, IceIce very well  
Assured of this fatal matiage:  
When I pressed thee to pass thy faith unto me,  
I faw that thy remorses for Fatima  
Accused thee, and thy confusion  
Confirmed me in my belieft that she  
Received the faith which I demanded of thee.  ALMANSOR. 
I offer it unto you.  ZAIDA. 
No thou caused not  
Dispose of it. Thou hast already given it,  
And wilt abuse me.  ALMANSOR. 
You abuse yourself  
With too much wariness.  ZAIDA. 
Hast thou the boldness  
To reply yet? Go, go to thy Fatima,  
To morrow is your marriage day, I know it.  
She hath affections for thee, since thou hast  
Refused me.  ALMANSOR. 
Hear me, I do beseech you.  ZAIDA, 
No, no? that were too great a weakness in me:  
Know that I leave thee, ne'er too see thee more.  
A secret poison's hid in the discourse  
Of an Ingrateful person, and each word  
Atraitor speaks, destroys worse than the sword.  Exit Zaida.  

SCENE IU.  ALMANSOR, alone. ALMANSOR. 
STrange success, this! How is my soul possessed  
Still with new troubles? must I suffer then  
The punishment of a fault which I have not  
Committed? when revenge doth press me to  
Destroy a friend, must I at the same time  
Destroy a Mistress too? must I lose Zaida?  
Yes my heart, I must lose her presently,  
Since in depriving her of a dear brother,  
My arm will draw her hate and anger on me:  
I should hence forth no longer be so soft,  
'tis time to think of Zegrys' death, he must  
Pay his blood to repair the honout which  
He robs me of. This Enemy so dear  
Must die, and I must sacrifice him to me;  
He comes: at his approach some tender motions  
Oppose my just resentments, and indeed  
Render them weak, my friendship combateth  
The anger that possesseth me, my tenderness  
Is less weak, and my fury is less strong.  
He saved my life, he ravished my Sister;  
Shall I go to embrace him, or to kill him?   

SCENE V.  ZEGRY, ORMIN, ALMANSOR. ZEGRY. 
AT last I've met with him that wrongeth me.  
Ormin leave us alone.  ORMIN. 
I will retire me.  
Into this thicket secretly to see  
What passeth, I doubt there will be a quarrel:— aside.  ALMANSOR. 
You appear troubled.  ZEGRY. 
I've much cause to be so.  ALMANSOR. 
What troubles you so much?  ZEGRY. 
A wretch, a Traitor,  
Whose crime gives me an infinite regret,  
And doth deserve more than a single death  
To punish it.  ALMANSOR. 
May I serve you herem?  ZEGRY. 
Yes, I can't finish my revenge without thee.  ALMANSOR. 
Zegry, you can dispose of all my blood.  ZEGRY. 
It is an offer which I can▪ t refuse.  ALMANSOR. 
Who is th' affronter?  ZEGRY. 
Thou art extreme bold:  
knowst thou not, traitor, that it is thyself?  ALMANSOR. 
I?  ZEGRY, 
Thou; ne'er seem to wonder at the thing.  
Only defend thy .  ALMANSOR embracing him. ALMANSOR. 
How much am I.  
Indebted to thee for this sudden passion,  
'tis now the chief point of thy amity:  
Thy anger doth oblige me, though it wrongs me.  
I had already in my heart resolu▪ d  
The design of thy death, and justly too:  
My arm was ready for it, when inspite  
Of all my fury, at thy first approach  
My heart grew tender, and had been reduced  
To balance the fierce darts which I had levelled  
Against thee, if thy furious transport  
Had not called home my choler unto me,  
And banished my tenderness.  ZEGRY. 
I'll hear  
No more discourse, once again guard thy   ALMANSOR. 
So fierce a fight can't but be sweet unto me  
Honour solicits me more justly to it  
Then thee, but let me know at least the cause  
That doth provoke thee; I will make it plainly  
appear that thou complainest wrongfully,  
And justify myself in Killing thee.  ZEGRY. 
How! feignst thou to be ignorant, and instead  
Of making a confession, dost thou threaten me?  
Thy base crime groweth greater by thy boldness.  ALMANSOR. 
Let me at jast know what that base crime is.  ZEGRY. 
Consult thy conscience, and thou shalt know it,  
It will instruct thee that with a false heart  
In recompense of all my kindness to thee  
Thou robst me of my Mistress, and that  
Through treacheries which cannot be excused,  
Thou art to marry her to morrow privately.  ALMANSOR. 
If I am criminal, assure thyself,  
It is not in this point: I never did  
Look on Fatima with desires of love;  
Only thou mayst reproach my heart for having  
Sight for thy Sister without thy consent.  ZEGRY. 
How! dost thou love her?  ALMANSOR. 
No, no, it would be  
An extreme error, I say, I adore her,  
I dare not say I love her. That which I  
Resent now for her beauties doth surpass  
The thing that's called Love.  ZEGRY. 
By this confession,  
Dear friend, thou hast restored life unto me.  
My griefs and troubles now are waited on  
By an excess of pleasure; Zaida is  
Too happy, and her thoughts could never hope  
A more illustrious husband: she is free.  
The Lover unto whom I gave my word,  
Hath seen his destiny determined  
By death, and my repose shall fully be  
Settled to meet a brother in the person  
Of my most dear friend.  ALMANSOR. 
What thou offerest me  
Should be most dear unto me; but dost thou  
Know him whom thou mak●st choice of for thy brother?  ZEGRY. 
I think, I do; thy country is Tremissa,  
Thy name, Almansor, and thy family  
Is noble and illustrious; and if I  
May believe thee, thy greatest glory is  
To be my friend.  ALMANSOR. 
Thou knowst me but by half yet;  
I was born here, and born thy enemy,  
More than one just and honest motive doth  
Engage me to thy ruin; not to hold thee  
Long in suspense, I am Abencerage.  ZEGRY. 
Abencerage.  ORMIN. 
O Heaven!— aside.  ALMANSOR. 
That wotd doth tell thee.  
Our difference, and my duty.  ZEGRY. 
I aswell  
Know as thyself the mutual hatred which  
In our two houses seems almost as 'ttwere  
To be immortal; but thy blood which now  
Thou owest to my succour, should for me  
Stop the course of it in thy soul; and though  
My friendship seems to stagger on this point,  
I will content myself to hate thy name,  
And love thy person. Yes, pursue thy love  
Unto my Sister; by a marriage  
We may be tied with new knots, and by  
That holy flame, the irreligious heat  
Of that so old, and fatal enmity,  
Will be extinct.  ALMANSOR. 
This marriage would be sweet,  
But I can't think of it till by thy death  
I have revenged myself upon thee.  ZEGRY. 
How!  ALMANLOR. 
It is not that which thou believest provoke me,  
Thy name I hate not, but I hate thy person,  
And I cannot but in thy blood repair  
The wrong which ●hou hast done me.  ZEGRY. 
I?  ALMANSOR. 
Yes, Thou.  
How ill thou actest the astonished,  
Thy base crime groweth greater by thy boldness.  ZEGRY. 
Let me at last know what that base crime is.  ALMANSOR. 
Consult this letter, read, and thou sha● know it.  ZEGRY reads. 
YOu, from whom I derive my birth,  
Know that a sad fate worse than death  
Is happened to me; all our name  
In my loss bear an equal shame;  
The false and cruel Zegry is  
The Author of my miseries,  
For he it is that by his charms  
Hath taken me out of your arms.  
Zelinda.  ORMIN. 
Without doubt they will both mistake themselves.  ZEGRY. 
I cannot comprehend this dark Aenigma.  ALMANSOR. 
It is too plain to me here that my sister  
Zelinda giveth us to understand  
That thou art her base ravisher.  ZEGRY. 
Canst thou  
Suspect me of so foul an action?  ALMANSOR. 
Canst thou deny it, traitor? and can I Believe it?  ZEGRY. 
Hear me but a word or two.  ALMANSOR. 
It would be to no purpose, guard thyself,  
I'll hear no more.  ZEGRY. 
How! dares the man that owes me  
His life, to assault mine?  ALMANSOR. 
That obligation  
Cannot divert me from my just revenge:  
Thou wronght'st my safety, and my sister's rape,  
And so much as life is less dear than honour,  
So much an affront which reflects upon it,  
Carries it in my soul upon a benefit,  
And I am less afraid to be ingrateful,  
Then to be infamous; but let us leave  
Discourse, and come to action.  ZEGRY. 
Stay, Ingrateful,  
Stay yet a little.  ORMIN. 
Help, Oh help;   

SCENE VI.  And the last. ADIBAR, ZAIDA, MEDINA, ALABEZ, LINDARACHE, GOMELLA, FATIMA, CHARIFA, ALMANSOR, ZEGRY, ORMIN, GASUL. ZAIDA. 
WHat noife  
Is this I hear?  LINDARACHE. 
what rumour is raised up?  ADIBER. 
Hold, hold!  LINDARACHE. 
No, no, go on,  
My son, finish thy work.  GOMELLA. 
Their quarrel, Adibar,  
Cannot be taken up, therefore let's leave it  
To be decided.  ADIBER. 
No, such a third person  
As I, shall never suffer them to fight,  
And to look on.  GOMELLA. 
Well then, defend yourself.  
We't fight all four.  Ormin to Almansor. ORMIN. 
Oh! brother rather lift  
Your arm up against me, I'in guilty only,  
Zegry is innocent,  LINDARACHE. 
Whom do I see?  ORMIN. 
you see Zelinda your unfortunate Daughter,  
Who left your family to follow Zegry;  
And who in changing fate and habit only,  
Can not enforce her soul to the least change:  
My heart which was pleased in slavery  
By him, forgot itself in following.  
Somewhat too constantly this fleeting Lover;  
But having known him to be taken with  
Another Object. I feared in discovering  
Myself, to draw upon me his contempt,  
And would still suffer the same violence,  
If his own interest broke not my silence.  LINDERACHE. 
Oh, Daughter!  ALMANSOR. 
Oh! my Sister!  ZEGRY. 
Fair Zelinda,  
Revenge yourself, I mourn you, I accuse  
Myself, and yield my bosom to your stroke.  ORMIN. 
Zegry, You need not to fear any thing  
From my resentments, if you pity me,  
I am not to be pitied  ZEGRY. 
I blush  
That after so much goodness as you have  
Expressed to me, I have but one soul  
Too give you; and if the consent of your  
Parents and friends will be propitious to us,  
There's nothing can impede our marriage.  LINDARACHE 
This marriage is the chief of all my wishes.  ALMANSOR. 
Friend, thou canst make me happy too, thy Sister  
Dependeth on thee, thou knowst, I adore her.  ZEGRY. 
I offered her unto thee, a while since,  
And now I do again with height of joy.  ZAIDA. 
All my suspicions are extinguished,  
And you must know that following my duty,  
I follow my desires; but Adibar  
Will complain of it.  ADIBAR. 
Madam, y'are deceiv▪ d,  
When I lose all hope, I lose all my flame:  
And to express unto you that I do not  
Resent it, I will sacrifice my heart  
In flames of love to that fair Saint, for whom  
I burned formerly; Gomella. may I  
Hope your incomparable Daughter?  GOMELLA. 
Adibar,  
My family is honoured by your choice.  
Fatima, take your husband from my hand.  FATIMA. 
Such pleasing orders I shall willingly  
Obey.  ZEGRY. 
Come, let us go unto the Mosquè  
Together, to give thanks unto the goodness  
Of Heaven that set an end to our misfortunes,  
And made appear by this happy success,  
That one may be ingrate, yet generous.    
FINIS.   

EPILOGUE  
THe Prologue promised something for the Play  
Under a penalty, I come to pay  
What he engaged for, not to beg applause,  
But, if we have transgressed the Comic laws,  
To suffer punishment; Beauties, to you  
First I address me for the Poets due;  
He seeks but justice from your Ivory hands,  
As you like or dislike he falls or stands:  
Smile on the piece, and no man dares to frown,  
Your vote sways both the Cavalier and Clown:  
Yours are the leading voices, in your looks  
We read our fortune better than in books;  
Y▪ are pleased, for Heaven's displayed in smiles, so thi●▪  
I need say nothing to you,, gentlemans.   

ERRA●A.  
Page the 8. last Line, for comet, read comes. Page the 13. Line the 2. for follow, read fellow. Page the 21 Line the 7. for unworthly. read unworthily. Page the 24. Line the 11th, for querched, read quenched. Page the 29. Line the 8. for trough read through. Page the 39 Line the 16. for wit read with. Page the 74 Line the 6. for she, read the.