Victorious Love: A TRAGEDY, As it is ACTED at the THEATRE-ROYAL in Drewry-Lane. Written by Mr. William Walker. Heu! quamvis puerum me quoque vexat amor. LONDON, Printed for Ralph Smith at the Bible under the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1698. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY To the HONOURABLE James Kendal, Esq; One of the LORDS of the ADMIRALTY. THERE is a secret Pleasure as well as Awe in addressing to those above us, we flatter ourselves that from their height we receive some addition to our own, that we are like Vapours drawn up by their Influence; it satisfies our Ambition, the most prevailing Passion of the most elevated Souls, but when, besides the advantages of Birth and Fortune, they have all the powers of the Soul in full Perfection, its Operations, Harmonious, piercing Wit, quick Apprehension, unerring Judgement, qualified with the most candid Temper inclineing to overlook the defects of their Inferiors, all these crowned with the most engaging graces of an agreeable inviting Conversation, than our Souls are truly ravished, 'tis then we really are what we cannot express. How then must I be ecstasied when blessed with that Eloquence which charmed the Savage Indians, with Orphean strains infused a Soul into the Barbarous World? What greater proof of all your Virtues, than his Most Sacred Majesty's choice of you to represent his Royal Person in an Island which none but you could govern? Whose Inhabitants are by Nature brave and generous, but by their unhappy distance from our World deprived of all advantages by Learning and Polite Converse, so that they required a Philosopher as well as Politician for their head. How wisely you discharged that office their Improvements demonstrate, their noble fortifications speak you as great a Warrior as your judicious Laws and prudent Management a Politician, and both the most lively Image of your Royal Master: But what commands at once our Thanks and Admiration, is, that you Civilised the People, Grafted good Breeding on this unpolisht stock, Refined their Principles in Religion, Policy and Manners, and by your own most Instructive Example made 'em indeed Humane: You Informed the Ignorant, Confirmed the Wise, with your winning Behaviour brought over even Prejudice, and with a becoming Grandeur curbed those insolent Seditious Spirits whom no King could govern nor no God could please; this indeed was a Master-stroke which we must admire without presuming to comprehend. To whom then should my poor Offspring sue for Protection but to him in whom all Virtues meet that are Essential to a Patron? You honoured me with your presence at its Representation, and 'twas my ambition it should be as happy in the Press as upon the Stage, which has drawn upon you the inconucnience of a Dedication; so dangerous is it to countenance a young Poet who upon one favour builds his pretensions to another: That which most emboldened me was the great Esteem you have ever expressed for my Father, this made me presume you would protect his Son; but I forget while I beg your Patronage I should also beg your Pardon for detaining you with such a trifle from Affairs of the greatest moment, and that I may not persist in my rudeness I beg leave to assure you, I am with all Sincerity, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, William Walker. London, the 14th July, 1698. The Preface. I Know nothing can better Excuse my attempt to Write, than that it Soothed and Indulged my Melancholy in my Solitary Retreat. Thus, by my Grief. Instructed, I began; but e re I had Finished the Third Act, the unhappy posture of my Afairs, with other Distractions, scon Incapacitated me for so great a Work as Tragedy; so that I Abruptly broke off, and threw it aside; but, soon Resumed my Task, and, in Four days finished the Two remaining Acts. The Whole cost me Three Weeks; for which small loss of Time (if the Severer sort will have it so) I am sufficiently Recompensed by the Kind Reception it met with among those whom I designed to please; which has almost made me vain enough to imagine, had it been Exposed in Winter, and in the Favourite House, I had succeeded beyond my expectation. I hear yet of no Objections against the Play; which confirms me in my former hopes, that the Critics would overlook me, as below their Consideration; and indeed many may be made and I ne'er hear of 'em, not having the happiness to be Intimate with any of the Critics, or to Converse with those that are: They satisfy the utmost of my Ambition, if they but grant, there is an Air of Nature shines through the Play; and that I am guilty of no Monstrous Absurdities. What other Imperfections there are, my Age will, I hope, (at least to savourable judges) excuse. I am blamed for suffering my Play to be Acted at the Theatre-Royal, accused of Foolish Presumption, in setting my weak Shoulders to Prop this Declining Fabric, and of affronting the Town, in Favouring whom they Discountenance: This is a heavy Charge, and such as I never dreamt of, nor am able to clear myself from, but by solemnly Professing none of these Grating Motives induced me to it. It has indeed been my Fate to be swayed more by Affection than Interest. I hear some are displeased I appeared in my Play myself, esteeming it below me: but how a Gentleman demeans himself more, in Acting for his Diversion, than in Hunting, or any other Gentile Recreation, where ever Mechanics are admitted with equal Freedom, is above my reach: It is hard I alone should be Censured, when I was not without Precedents, and they with success too, tho' they were Parrots to others, I only to myself: I was advised to it by several of my Friends, Men of very good Quality, and, I'm sure, of more Honour, than to persuade a Gentleman to any thing below him. However, if I'm in the wrong, I'm not so Opiniastre to oppose my single Judgement to that of the whole Town, but submit. I am Obliged to Silvius (tho' unknown) for his undeserved Panagericks, which I have Published, not out of Vanity, but that the Applause it Merits, and I hope will meet with, may tempt him to discover himself, that I may know my Benefactor. W. W. TO Mr. Walker, On his PLAY, called, VICTORIOUS LOVE. AS some bold Knight (his late Adventure lost) With Blows and Wounds his Bloody Fame to boast, Leans with Regret— On the next Oak his yet unylelding Load; But if he hears the Clash of Arms abroad, Starts— shakes his broken Lance, and dares the road; Wild as the Forest which he leaves, to aid Some Brother Champion, or relieve some Maid; So I, my Friend, who late maintained the Charms Of my loved Muse, now ravished from my Arms, Roused by your Combat, to assist you flew; In vain— all Conquer who can Fight like you. Go bravely on insult thy Giant Foes 'Slight their huge bulk it now no larger grows. Like Mars you only could this Earth born Rage oppose. All that they could, they did, this Fame's your own, You stood the shock of Numbers, you alone; And there 'tis Conquest not to be o'erthrown. Tho' Biggots talk, strike boldly on, and win, Where Wits make War, such fools will venture in. Let not raised Pride engross the Poet's hill, It has two Tops, one must be yours— it will. Unthinking Bards, or for some cause unknown, Raised up a Tyrant they can ill pull down. And yet great Dryden lives— Thus from true Worship blinded Pagans strayed, Formed Idol Gods that damned them, yet obeyed. Pursue your course, and a lost Stage maintain, In Wits wide Empire none shall Monarch Reign. Can any one, you must all else excel, So very young, you writ so very well. Silvius. Prologue, Sent by a Friend, Between a Tragedian and a Comedian. Trag. Enters. AS murmuring Oceans lulled to Peaceful ease. Com. Mimics. As murmuring Oceans lulled to Peaceful ease. Trag. What means the fool? Com. To play the fool and please: You bring a tedious simile so flat Of Oceans, winds and waves, with the Devil knows what, And think to please with stile so great and gaudy— Trag. What would you say, Sir? Com. Why I'd speak bawdy. A smutty whim still the whole Audience takes, Whim pleases Fools, and smuttyness the Rakes. Trag. Nor Rakes, nor Fools, my business is to fear. Com. Then faith good Sir you have no business here. Trag. To please the fair was my intended Rule. Com. Leave that to me, I best can play the Fool. Trag. What! a buffoon Prologue to deep Tragic fear? Com. 'Tis new. Trag. So is Nonsense. Com. No, not here. Wit whets like Wine which before Meals we quaff, To make the Lady's cry, first make 'em laugh. Trag. Zounds Sir the Poet sent you here to trick me. Com. You and the Poet both are Coxcombs, snick me. Trag. Then may his Play be damned, I humbly crave it. Com. Don't damn. Trag. Damn it. Com. Don't swear. Trag. Damn it. Com. Save it. [Exeunt repeating the last line. Epilogue, By the same Gentleman, Spoke by Mrs. Cross. TO Sing, to Court, to Dress, to Fence, to Dance, All draw their Rules from niceties of France; Our Author too 'cause great Molliere did Play Must Mimic France, and play the fool to day. To write of Love so young we hear of few, He at Eighteen dares Writ and Act it too. As to the Hero I cant justly tell, But faith he acts the Lover pretty well, His Africans he makes a Hell of Snow, For what Torments us most we reckon so, And Cold's the greatest Plague those Mortals know. He says he for my sake this Play decreed, Then I for his sake beg it may succeed. Since then this Infects by my Influence bred Destroy it not the third Entry's made. My Deity must bend to an Ignoble Fate, Unless I can Preserve what I Create. But if you should, I make no curse but this, May your dear Love-Intriegues go all amiss, The Men be hot as our Hell, the Lady's cold as his SONG. Sung by Mrs. CROSS. MYrtillo Dead, and I a Slave! What Sorrow can suffice? Madness assist a Wretch to rave, And Fountains fill my Eyes. But, ah! what Pomp of Woe can prove, The just Endearments of our Love? II. One Soul our Bodies did enclose, One Tomb shall hold our Dust: He perished by relentless Foes, I follow, to be Just. For, ah! no Pangs, or pompous Grief, Can bring him back, or me Relief. III. His Lips, those withered Roses now, I'll kiss again to Life; And sacred keep my Nuptial Vow, Or die, and end the Strife. For, ah! what sighing Notes can show Myrtillo's Worth, or Sylvia's Woe? Printed and Sold by Ralph Smith, at the Bible under the Royal Exchange. Hymens' Praeludia; or, Loves Masterpiece; being that so much Admired Romance, Entitled, Cleopatra, in Twelve Parts; Elegantly Rendered in English, by Robert Loveday. The Humorous Lieutenant; or, The Generous Enemies, A Comedy. DRAMATIS PERSONAE. MEN. Jamoan. Emperor of Tombut, Barnagasso. King of Gualata, Zanhaga. Uncle to the Emperor, Barsiloa. His Son, the General, Dafila. His Second Son, a Youth, Marabou. Priest of the Sun. WOMEN. Zaraida. An European Shipwrecked, Mrs. Cross. an Infant at Gualata, Officer, Guard, Musicians, Spirits, etc. SCENE the Banze, or Palace of Tombut. Time, the same with that of the Representation. ACT I. SCENE I Enter Zanhaga and Dafila. Zan. WEll Dafila, How do you like the Charge The King, my Nephew; has preferred you to? How fares the Beauteous Captive? Say my Son. Daf. Deaf to all Joys but those she finds in Love: Whole Crowds of Courtiers snarling, gaze upon me, And Whispering, Curse the Partial Emperor; Then swelling; call me Awkward Boy, and with Their angry Brows threaten to foil my Youth. Zan. Your Innocence, my Child, which moved him to Repose this Trust in you, will keep you safe. Daf. Like new-fledg d Birds, untaught to fly, I strive, And fain would bear me through the yielding Air; I leap but fearfully from Shrub to Shrub, Nor dare I trust the Unknown Heaven; Father, You must direct my early Flights; take, take Me on your Wing, and teach me how to beat Secure in this uncertain Wavering Air. Zan. What shall I teach thee, say my Dafila? Daf. Since then the King can deign to look on me, That I may not disgrace his Trust too far, As my poor Ignorance, unused to Courts, Must needs, unless you help; tell me, for I Have nought distinctly heard, clear my dark thoughts, Relate the source, and progress of these Wars, What could induce our Mighty Emperor To War upon Gualata's King, whom Fame Reports as Bounteous as a God? Zan. 'Twas Love seduced our Monarch's heart, The strongest passion, and the weakest too: There was an infant Shipwrecked at Gualata, So wondrous fair, our afric stood amazed; Africa, so used to Wonders, gazed at this; Our Master, grown in Love, dispatched an Embassy Of their Old King, Senega, then alive, Demanding her, he was denied; her heart Was to young Barnagasso deep engaged, Who then resided there; the King not wont To be refused, Swore to revenge th' Affront; Yet Cunning in his Rage, hid his Designs, And, like a Serpent, circled in his Head, Where ev'ry Passion as in Council sat In the deepest centre; but soon sallied forth, And as she passed by Tombu's Frontiers to her Lord, Surprised this Fair, who since in Tombu Mourns. Daf. How did young Barnagasso brook this Rape? Zan. His grief denied the common Outlet, tears, Like Waters penned in hollow Caverns shook, His Frame, then with an Earthquakes force, Tore wide its narrow bounds, and burst the Deluge forth With which overwhelmed, amidst his Guards Thrice the brave Hero sunk; but soon he risen, For rallying Reason wiped the Woman from his eyes, And bold Revenge alone his thoughts employed. Daf. For Injured Beauty, and a Ravished Wife Revenge is surely just, but pray proceed. Zan. The good old King had long indulged his ease, His years had long excused him Wars rough toils; Yet now touched with his Darlings wrongs, he grieved That he had been, but was no more, his Age Reflected on the Battles which his youth had won, With envious Pride surveyed his Wounds, inspired by these, Like one in Renovating Juices steeped, His Soul roused from its Lethargy, shook off Inglorious ease, and boldly called for War; But Fate designed his Soul for rest, he died; And with his Crown Entailed the War On Barnagasso, which he lead eager on resolved, To hazard all for her Relief: But soon your Brother stopped this Rapid Flood, O'repow'rd with numbers this Invading King, Whom now in Triumph he to Tombu leads, Daf. By Heaven's this Story Warms, and Cools me too; My Youthful blood boils at the Thoughts of War, And yet I'm cold, to think our Emperor Should force such softness from her Virgin Flame, How glorious would it be to curb his Love, And give her Body where her Soul is placed? Zan. You show yourself a Novice every way, This Fair unknown has such Inviting Charms As may excuse the boldest Ravisher. Daf. Oh, Father, you mistake, her Eyes would turn His savage heart, he'd Adoration pay To that Fair Shrine which he could not pollute. Zan. Yours is Aereal love, not fit for Kings, Whose grosser appetites descend so low, That but to purchase for themselves a moment's bliss, They'd sacrifice the quiet of another's life; But you should check my Boy this cheating flame, Should this be known, your head must answer it. Daf. 'Tis hard to die for what we cannot help, All Sects are pleased their God should be adored, Why then should mighty Jamoan disallow my love? Zan. Take heed, you're in the Court, where even your looks Are too severely scanned, no word but's screwed To a forced meaning: I must to the King, Whom I begin to view with envious Eyes, The growing mischief rolls disjointed here, [Aside. Pointing to his Head. And wants a moment's thought to ripen it; My Child stay not long after me, the King Expects you, to make up the Court to day. Exit. Dafila, Solus. Daf. Is it a fault to love in one so young? What pity 'tis so sweet a bliss should not Be lawful too! Why does my duty bid me hold When I design no ill? What crime can I Commit, who only strive to please? yet Heaven Pardon my years, if you will count it Sin, All youths have their one fault, and love is mine. Exit. SCENE drawn discovers the Emperor on an Imperial Throne, Zanhaga, Dafila (who enters in the midst of the dance) etc. a Warlike Dance ended they come forward. Emp. Sound there, sound louder yet your brazen notes, Let every accent reach the Thrones above, Stop our bright Father with repeated charms, Let him look down, and see his sporting Son Crowned a victorious King a mortal God. Zan. What more could he himself have done? From his high hopes you hurled young Gualata down, And in exchange for Sceptres, gave him chains. Emp. My wearied People by his chains I freed, afric no more shall tremble with alarms, Nor Babes be hushed with Barnagasso's name, Cursed be that name, more cursed my General, Who spared his life; What hindr'ed him to've lopped The haughty boy, and made my joys complete? But there's a spiteful Daemon haunts my rest, Which in my greatest sweets still mingles gall, And makes even Nectar poison to my taste. Zan. Curse on his pleading honour say I too, It breaks my well wrought measures, all my Arts, And when by studied politics I've won A Crown, his airy notions idly throw The jewel from him. Emp. ——— Had cursed Gualata died, I needed not have feigned that lie, with which I would delude Zaraida's heart, flattered My love with hopes, that she despairing ere To see him more, might cast her eye's with pity down On me; 'tis true my heart, unused to shifts, Started within me at the base design, My Monarch Soul, disdained th'unworthy trick, But love prevailed, and I by Proxy told The Lie, which my own tongue refused; tell me How did Zaraida take the news you bore? Daf. I found her in a thoughtful posture laid, Where nothing that but looked like joy appeared, She listened carefully to th' tale I told, And ever as I mentioned Barnagasso, dropped, A Sigh, let fall a tear, which were he dead, Might bribe the Gods to give him back again; With doubtful answers her fond hopes, I fed, Till wearied with uncertainty, she begged me give The blow, as Fate had sent it her; But when I feigned the story of his death, I used such apt expressions, to deceive Her faith, that she dissolve d in tears, retired, And told me, they were so entirely one, She could not long be after him. Emp. Some tribute she should pay his memory, She loved him not at once, nor can at once Forget the amorous play thing: but her pride Will soon o'ercome her grief, she ll think on me, And rather choose a Sceptre, than a Grave. Daf. Much I fear it! her love's too resolute. Emp. Your Son, Zanhaga, is the fittest youth For Court intrigues, so innocent his face, None could suspect a Serpent in such fruit, Then he's so faithful to his Master's trust. That I'll employ him once more in a secret. Daf. 'Tis strange he thus should praise my innocence. Yet teach me to be false, in Childhood too. Emp. He shall to Gualata the same story tell, With which he first abused. Zaraida's ears? Who knows what his despair may urge him to? Zan. Oh 'tis a brave design! pursue it home, For I shall reap the fruits of all your toil. [Aside. Daf. How soon vice creeps in each unguarded breast? 'Twas his commands that made me Villian first, Now for myself I'm tempted to be one, If Barnagasso die, my Youth, and Innocence, May win Zaraida for myself, not him, Whose love she hates as Hell; My Lord, the General. Seeing him. Warlike Music, enter the General, knelt to the Emperor. Emp. Welcome my Soldier to thy Monarch's arms, Thou faithful Prop to my declining Throne, My grateful blood, so near a kin to yours, Leaps, and is fired at every kind embrace, Eager to force its banks, as who should say, Let our divided Streams in the fame channel run. Gen. Such gratitude, were I again to fight, Would doubly edge my Sword, new vigour give To ev'ry stroke, my Weapons animate And sure to conquer Barnagasso, I Should need it all. Emp. You speak of this Gualata, as indeed a Man. Gen. Or rather God, Oh had you seen him, when Adorned with plumes, fit for the royal sports Of War, he led his willing Squadrons on, So gracefully in order ranged his Troops, His beauty and his Sword were Rivals grown, And both were deep imbrued in humane gore, Oft on those heaps which he himself had made, He'd wishing gaze to find the hottest work, And then like Lightning flew, to share the sport: His men, as each were wronged with him, spurred on, And hoped a noble harvest from this Sun, While he, as he disdained he were not Giant born, Mowed all around, and made a pile of dead, On which he mounting viewed the murdering game; Thus the defects of Nature he supplied: But Fortune— Emp. —— Cease your praise harangue no more. But let me see this wonder of a Man. Enter, lead in by the General, Barnagasso, he looks haughtily at the Emperor. Emp. How great he looks! he braves me in his chains! Were he encircled round with flattering crowds, What could he more? Can misery so glorious be? What shall I do to bend his haughty Soul? [Aside. My Resolutions sicken at this sight, At ev'ry look my weaker genius shrinks, I must be gone; Zanhaga; follow me. Exit. cum Zan. Manent, Barnagasso, the General, Dafila, etc. Bar. Is that your Emperor? Gen. He is; the darling Substitute of Heaven. Bar. Then Gods may be deceived as well as men, What is he mute, to awe the common rout To a mistaken reverence of their King, Is he then forced To cheat his People to obey? I pity him. Gen. I know not what could call him hence so soon, But Monarch's motions are above our reach. Bar. How he betrayed his fear, when in the midst Of peace, not daring to proclaim a war, He basely stole my love? he can't repent, A Coward ne'er can be an honest Man. Gen. He can't indeed; but Jamoans brave, he scorns To owe his safety to these Chains, they speak Too much a Monarch's fear: [Vnbinding him. Bar. A Man to Empire born, bred up to all That could endow a Royal Breast, yet stoop So low as Treachery; my honest heart's Unwilling to believe't, and yet, when I Behold my tender, charming Wife, from my Soft bosom torn, were he yet more than King, Were he a God, yet he is base as Hell: 've often mourned my fate, have pitied me, [To the General. Can you not bless me with a sight of her I love? Methinks I'd not forego the World, till I Had ta'en my leave of that Divinity, Say, can your rigid honour grant me this? Gen. Dispair not Sir of love, or liberty, The King, tho' he indulges every vice, In loathed debauches reason quite enervated, And in lose Riots has unmanned his Soul, Yet there are hours, when honour may be heard, Such Eloquence can never plead in vain; Believe me Sir I'll be your faithful Friend. Bar. Oh! I believe and know thee honest, but The King, the cursed King enjoys my Love, He grasps her in his arms, insatiate Goat! Even now! now! whilst I wishing stand, he gluts; Perhaps, oh! damn th'intruding thought! h'as forced Her to his bed; lead me, Friend, lead me now, This hour's the best, show me where Hell and Heavn's So near, they touch, I'll rush between, and like A Tygress seize my robbing prey, tear out His heart, but he has none; Oh! misery! Gen. Compose yourself, trust me the danger's less Than you have formed it; to me he has owned, That when refused, he has designed to force; Some secret power has chilled his hot desires, Nature herself, as with its Ecstasy Surcharged, denied Compliance to his Will. Bar. Oh Zaraida! the Power that sent thee here, Will preserve thee, there all my hopes are placed. Gen. Rest there secure, I have a thousand doubts To be resolved, about this fair one's Birth; Inform me, if she Be old Senega's Daughter, say what Arts He used, to make her so Divinely fair. Bar. Oh! I will tell thee all, with the same joy That I beheld her first, Will I repeat The pleasing tale— My dying Father left Me an Infant to my Uncle's care, he took Me to his Court, where faithful Tutors did Instruct my Youth; one day we walked abroad, As 'twas their custom to divert my Mind, And their harsh Precepts sweeten with delights; There as I wantoned near the bounding Seas, Where afric is no more, I saw, stay! let Me form the glorious Pageant! Now! it comes! Like a young Prophet in's first dream of bliss, I feel the inspiring God my fancy move; And my returning thoughts crowd to inform my Tongue. Daf. Such joy your words your air express methinks I see this Sea-born Goddess mount the Waves. Bar. The floating thing draws near rapt with the sight, I plunge into the Flood, spite of my Guards, And use my tender Arms as Nature taught; And now I reach the meeting Bark, I see the fair, Rocked by the gentle Waves asleep she lay, A thousand graces blessed the smiling Babe, Officious Loves about her Beauties played, Which shoot themselves at once into my Breast: And now I take her in my eager arms, Like a young God I waft this Goddess o'er, So light was Heaun ' to Barnagasso's Arms! Gen. Were there no Spirits to attend this Saint? Did Heaven this Paradise ungarded leave? Bar. Two Men there were, they died; the Babe was loved, And bred by good Senega, as his Child, For he had none. I was her Companion, In harmless sports we often spent the day. Till we had played each other into Love, He blessed this flame; at last I Married her; Yes in the face of Heaven I Married her: A joy too great to last! For now! cursed brood! My Subjects grown Rebellious, forced me leave This fair, She all joy was coming to my Arms, When cursed Tombu! but I've done, the rest you know; Tears must have way since she is mine no more. [Weeps. Daf. Now is the time t'obey our Emperor, Sure Love and Duty can excuse one crime. [Aside weeps: Bar. See the poor Youth at my misfortune weeps! Daf. Who will not weep, that knows Zaraida's dead? Bar. Dead! 'tis impossible; By Heauns! 'tis false, Her Father Sun would be obscured by grief, But why should he? Oh no, he'll shine for joy That she his Emanation is returned. Gen. Thou tenderest fair! That heart indeed is Hard, that cannot weep even Blood, for thee! Bar. But say, for now I can hear any thing; Inform my Soul, how did that fair one die? Daf. Long had our Emperor solicited in vain, For joys, which you alone were to Possess, Till wearied with delay, and hopeless To work her to comply, he laid aside His Arts, and the bold Ravisher appeared, Cloaked with the veil of Love no more; resolved T'enjoy by force, what he could never win; But the chaste Maid snatched from his Guards a Sword, And rather chose to die, than live a Slave to Lust; Who can forbear to weep at this? Bar. Yes I will weep, but fruitless tears no more, Large drops of liquid flame my eye's shall pour, The scalding deluge shall parch up my Skin, As this consumes without, despair shall gnaw within; But I must yet one act of justice do, Rid at one stroke, the World, and me, of woe; By me this lustful Royal Beast shall die, I'll plunge his Soul in endless Misery, That done, I'll bask me in some open Vale, And let her Sun my Vapour Soul exhale, Where with Zaraida I shall happy Reign, In bliss refined, in Pleasure free from pain; We'll live Divinely on our Amorous fare, And quite forget we ever Mortals were. [Exeunt. Finis Actus Primi. ACT II. SCENE I. A Pleasant Grove, at the farther end Zaraida is discovered on a Couch, she rises and comes forward. Zara. WHy should I Weep? Can Tears call back his Soul? Or force mine out to him? In vain I grieve. Where is thy Body smooth as Ebony, And softer than the tenderest yielding Virgins skins? Thy Limbs are undistinguished torn; thy heart, Oh that they'd pierced thee there! forgive my Wish, That I too might have Died! no Difference now Between the Monarch and the Slave? Yes this, The Pile confessed thy Worth, and groaned beneath thy weight; The Flame, thy Royal Ensign, separate burned; Nor mixed its purer Blaze with common streams; But proud of 't's God like Load, pierced through the expanded Air: Thou Brightest Saint, now use thy Music Speech, Entreat my Father Sun to take me hence; While I join with thee in such Airs Divine, As never failed to move the listening God. SONG here, which ended, Enter Dafila. A Messenger from Hell, in stead of Heaven! Daf. Sure I am Monstrous, that you start aside, And leave your Angel-strains when I Appear. Your Silence tells me, I've been rude, disturbed Your pious Offerings to an Earthly Saint. 'Tis true, my Ears were blessed; but Heaun ', till I Had seen you too, imperfect was. Za. 'Tis base t'insult o'er my Religious Grief, When Gods Afflict, Men should not add their scorn Daf. Is it Insulting, when the Pious Votary In hallowed Censers serves Devotion up? If this be Scorn, than I confess I'm base [Knelt. For Knees, and Tears, shall foree your pity down. Za. In vain, fond Youth, you plead the cause of Vice; Such Virtue should not kneel for such a King. Da. Oh hear me! For myself I beg, not him, Won't you reward that Innocence you praise? [She avoids him. Why do you fly my Virgin-Touch? the Flame Burns not so pure in Temples, as my Breast, And like that too mine to its Heaven Aspires; Oh stay, Coy Fair, yet stay, and hear me speak! Even Heaun ' will hear, though it refuse to grant: Perhaps you think me of Ignoble Stock, And, on that Error, ground your Scorn; my Streams From Royal Fountains flow, my Veins are rich, And swell with pure, unmixed, Celestial Blood. Za. I stay too long, my Widowed ears and heart, Must never more, or hear, or think of Love. She strives to get lose, he holds her. Da. 'Tis true, I've no Crowns to lay before you, Nor Thousand Slaves to wait my least Command; Yet I've a Sword shall hue you out a Throne, Or Altar rather, for so fair a Saint; My Brother General too will lend his Arm Enured to Victory— Za. Were you in Love You'd strive to please, and not oppose my Will; Daf. Can nothing move your cruel Breast? yet stay, I've yet a Charm to lure your Heart, give me Those Favours you can justly, grant, And while you sing soft Airs to Barnagasso's praise, I ll echo nothing back but Barnagasso's Name; No sound shall reach your Ears, but Barnagasso. Za. Rise artful Youth, thou cunning Innocence, Thou'st struck the darling note, my Heart revives, Oh there's such Music in that Name! enough To bend me from my stiff reserve; yes now I'll think, I'll hear, nay talk of Love again; But of a lost one! there my Woe returns! I've a Request, which you must not deny. [Pauses. Da. Speak, for I can deny you nothing: say Is't in my power? already I am Winged, Swifter than , to perform your Will. Has any Villain wronged your Honour? say, Tho' 'twere our Emperor himself, he dies: This little Arm, guided by Avenging Heaven, Shall Wonders do, to expiate, my former Gild. Za. 'Twill try your Love indeed, 'mongst all the Slaves; Is there not one that knew my Husband well? One, in whose Breast, he could repose his Griefs? Can you find such a one, I should be blessed. Da. Aside. Oh I could please her beyond measure now! What hinders then? My Duty? that I've lost In Pleading for myself: Can I pretend To Love, yet harbour in my Breast a Foe To that soft Passion? No: she shall be served: Yes, there is such a one, so dear he was To your Dead Lord, he knew each Thought, each Sigh: Not Barnagasso to himself more Conscious was; Like a True Friend, he waited him to Death, And did the last Kind Offices perform. Za. May I not see him? Oh he'll soothe my Grief With Mournful Tales of Barnagasso's Death! Tell me How oft he called upon Zaraida; how, When he lay Gasping, in his latest Breath Zaraida pressed; you shan't deny me this. Daf. [Aside. It shall be so; the Invention pleases me; Surprises give a relish to the Bliss; Duty be gone, Love in my Master now; Expect a while, and doubt not but I'll bring The Man you most desire. [Exit. Za. Him whom I most desire indeed; for, since My Husband's Dead, Where can I lull my Cares Asleep, but in that Breast himself did trust? Ah Barnagasso! that I'd died for thee! And yet I dare not, must not wish even that; For were it so, yet we should have parted; And that's the only Hell I'd shun. [She retires aside. Enter Dafila with Barnagasso, at one end of the Stage. Daf. Divert your Grief in these Cool Shades, you'll find Your little Jaylor's not Tyrannical. My Duty calls me hence. Bar. Kind Youth farewell. Goes behind the Scene. All are not Monsters in this Africa Court. Barnagasso Coming Forward. Bar. Oh Zaraida! Were't thou as happy, as I am wretched, I should be happy too. Ha! Is it possible! Or do I Dream? [Seeing her. And speak but what I wish? Thou Brightest Vision, that Assum'st the Lovely'st Shape on Earth, or Heaven, Speak, and in reverence to the form you bear, Thus bending to the Earth, my open Ears [Knelt Shall suck with greedy thirst the welcome Sounds. Za. It must be he! yes he himself! no Ghost! What stays me then to undeceive us both? Rise, Barnagasso, rise, I am your Zaraida, Take me, and satisfy yourself I'm she, Runs into his Arms. Your constant, fondest Wife. Bar. Oh raptures too Divine! The sudden joy o'er powers my Spirits depressed, With the weight of whole Heaven, but thy kind warmth Embraces her. Calls back my retiring Blood, thy Kisses breathe A Soul into thy Image, it enlivens In my fond heart, and almost talks of Love: Oh Zaraida, so close I ll press thee in these Arms, All that behold, shall think I grew to thee! Za. Closer, yet closer to my Breast my Lord! Each sense confesses you, my Arms that oft In amorous twines have lock d my Husband fast, Now fall of course into their wont place. Bar. Oh judge not of my passion by my Words! Those sounds are yet unknown that can express My Bliss: My silent Exstasies declare My Soul wrapped far beyond Tumultuous Joys; Oh we'll repeat the life of Love, and all Our happiness shall centre in ourselves. But I am yet in th'dark what juggle has Been played, and to what end they feigned our Deaths. Daf. Entering. That Mystery myself alone can clear, And first thus kneeling, I for Pardon sue To this offended Heaven; 'twas by the Kings command I to each other feigned your Deaths, he hoped, That different Passions ruleing in your Breasts, Despair in yours, and Female Pride in hers, Something might be effected to his wish; What caused me to unraule his designs, And backward tread my steps, this Lady knows; She sure will Pardon Crimes herself has caused. Za. And can reward the Virtues too, take all That gratitude and best esteem can give. [Takes him up. Bar. Triumph! Triumph my Soul! let thy Vast joy reach the last borders of the World, From either side with double force rebound, And meeting, make a Whirlpool with your Streams, Which may suck in each heart, to joy with me; Yet further, if it be in Nature further go; If not, inspire even Nothing with my Joy. Let Nothing be endued with Apprehension vast, To rouse its new formed Soul at my Alarm, Shake off its drowsy fit, and help to push The rolling Heaven on: What! what can be Joy enough when my Zaraida Lives! Ring Your Eternal Clangors for the great News, The Goddess Lives! whom we Blasphemed with Death, And generous honour flourishes in you. [Embracing her passionately and him. Enter to them the Emperor talking to Zanhaga. Em. Now for my Plot, if she be Woman, it Succeeds. Death to my hopes! he here! [see Bar. Da. The Emperor! Then I am lost indeed! Em. Die Traitor, early base, nor shall my Blood [Stabs Daf. That trickles in thy Veins, excuse this Crime, Even that I'll Sacrifice to Love, I'll have Thy Bowels ripped, search if thou hast a Heart, Or thou'rt not Victim for this Deity. Da. Oh you will find Zaraida there! her looks Will awe your Sacrilegious Hands, yet take Take cruel King my Heart, The only part of her you e'er can have. Bar. Oh for a Sword to end this Tyrant's Life! Revenge at once my Friend, and Right my Love! Fate I accept thy gift, and thank thee thus, Snatches Dafila's Sword, and runs at the Emp. but is hindered by the Guard. Oh feeble Arm! unfit thy Master's Soul! Or all his Guards could not have hindered thee, Yet I will watch a Time, when, tho' unarmed, I'll seize the Blood hounds Throat, again prevented! Gods! I submit! Em. Secure this Madman; Even you his Father must confess, his Crime Deserved the Blow I gave. Zanthia Poor Boy, his fault Indeed was great, and yet in one so young— [Aside. But 'tis not fit my Frowns disclose my thoughts, Till time afford a Season for Revenge. [Too Zar. Zar. Sweet Youth! how often hast thou urged his suit, With Prayers as earnest, as most Pious Souls To their expected Heaven give, though I, Thy Master loathed, yet thy Devotion was, So great, that were my Breast but capable Of any Love, but what Gualata gave, Thou, only thou couldst enter there. Ingrate! Find now some way to satisfy his Ghost. Em. Consent but to be mine, and he shall live, I'll force unravelled Nature to disclose Some wondrous secret, to cement his Wounds. Da. Too late thou vauntest thy Power, trust me, though I. Deserved my Fate, 'twas base in you to give it me: Oh! Bear me to that Heaun ' of weeping Crystal! That Heaven! which my fond soul would never leave, But a less loved one calls me hence farewel! [Dies. Em. Convey him hence, such objects suit not Love, The ruling Passion of my Breast. Guards carry off Daf. Bar. Even yet rash King, your may regain your Honour, Restore what 've unjustly ta'en, this Fair; She is my due, oh▪ I deserve her not; For where's the Man e'er merited Divinity? Yet since the Gods have joined our Hearts so close, What Power dare part us now! part us! said I? Oh Zaraida, while I've a Hand, an Arm, [Embraces her. Ill never leave thee more! nay, though my Limbs, By some disastrous Chance, were from my Body torn, Yet my bare amorous Trunk would kindly bend, And make a hold for thee, some part of me Would soon transform into a Sword, and hue The Monster down, that durst divide our Souls. Zar. Teach me my Lord, how to return your love, I've nothing new but Misery to give! Bar. Oh thou art always ravishingly new! [Embraces her. Zar. How can you hug your Ruin in your Arms? Oh shake me, shake me off! this Viper off! Give up this Fatal Beauty to Despair, Let me not draw your Ruin down with mine. Bar. Cease your harsh Sounds, or I shall think you changed, That would be new indeed, new Misery! Em. My small remains of Pity struggle now, But Love puts in his Claim, and tears my Breast; Teach her to yield, or me to Love no more. Bar. I will support your honour, it shall o'er look Your Lust, Gygantick grown, I'll be your Friend, Tho often Injured, be what you should be, And I will yet forget 'em all, forget, If possible, you ever wronged this tender Flower. Zar. Nay Love will plead, sure that can't be denied; Hear me, 'tis the first time I ever prayed To you, how often have you begged this Boon In vain? despise it not now it is given; I will not call you Tyrant, Monster now, No you shall be a God, and I'll adore Your Deity, if you will grant my wish; I ask not Kingdoms, keep them all, 'tis but Gualata's Liberty and mine, forbear To stop the peaceful Current of our Joys, Permit us wander where our wills shall lead, We'll seek for shelter in some Mountain's Root, Where Nature, as foreseeing our Distress, A reverend Cave has formed; there we'll retire, And be securely blessed with Mutual Love; No Monarch will invade that Throne, no Arms The quiet calm of Sacred Love disturb, Sure you will grant me this, this, which makes me Richer than Heaven and not Impoverishes you. Em. Trust me her words strike through my very Soul, My feeble honour, reinforced by these All conquering helps assays to lead the way; Now all the fogs of lewd Debauches fly, And every staunching Vapour is exhaled, Honour alone now seems to keep the Field, And I could almost give her up, but Love Resumes my Heart, and drives th' Usurper thence; The Combat's hot, he fights, and now retreats, Now Strong, now weak, and now Triumphant sits, Proclaiming with a Tyrant's Voice his Laws; Whilst humbled Honour, but in whispers speaks, Give up Zaraida, ha'! give what? to whom! Zaraida to the Man I hate as Hell! Forbidden it Love! I hear not Honour now, Like drowning Men, this was its last effort, To rear its sinking head above the Floods, And now 'tis lost for ever! ever gone! No, your Proposal I retort to you, Take all your Crowns, your Kingdoms, take 'em back, But my Zaraida shall be mine! Bar. Hold off bold sacrilegious Wretch! Tempt not Thy Fate, lest naked as I am, some God, Make even these hands the Ministers of Death. Give me a Sword, be you too armed for Love; Zaraida shall like victory doubtful hang, And to the Man who most deserves her fall; Oh glorious cause! Worthy such Swords as ours; The Day seems marked by fate for such a War! The expecting Gods to their last limits come, Deeply concerned for Souls so like their own; 'Twere not good manners to delay the sport When such spectators wait; come bring the Swords, And let the Royal Fight begin. Emp. 'Tis an unequal Game, I set my Crown To nought, sure you forget you're Prisoner here, A Bankrupt both in honour, and Estate; 'Tis not for you who at my Mercy breath, To hope so brave a Death as from this Arm; I scorn to lift my Sword against my Slave. Bar. If I'm a Slave, you could not make me one. Emp. Under my Auspexes my Soldiers fought, They servilely performed what I inspired. Bar. Excuses ne'er are wanting, when the will is gone; Thus Cowards always Reason wrest, Emp. Were I that thing, what hindered me to've forced This Lady long e'er this, and Murdered you? Bar. Because thou art that thing, for though 'twere base, Yet there's a boldness in it, thou 'rt a Stranger to. Emp. The World shall find I am not base, to Heaven, Who best decides, this cause refer, the Priest Shall in my Court inquire its will, while we Expect, to whom just Heaven this Fair will give: Mean time free access I allow to both. Zanhaga bid the Priest his Gods prepare. That hint's enough this seeming Piety, [Aside. Secures their hearts whom pity might misled: My General too, who loves this Prince, must yield to Heaven. [Exit Zar. If Heaven be Heaven, we shall be happy yet. Bar. We will be happy, or in Life, or Death. [Exit cum Zar. Manet, Zanhaga, Solus. Yes, he shall Solve your Doubts, the Priest shall give Zaraida to your Arms, but you shall ne'er Enjoy that Gift: Gualata, and yourself Stand in my way: My Son's, my Darling's Death Shan't long be Unrevenged: True, I was fired; By my Ambition, to attempt a Crown before: But now Revenge too eggs me on his blood Shall be the Oil to whet my blunted hopes: I'll soon prepare the Priest to serve the King. His Parrot-Gods shall speak but what I Teach, And my own Thoughts his Prattling Daemons Preach. [Exit. Finis Actus Secundi. ACT III. SCENE I. SCENE the Priest's Apartment. Enter the Emperor. Em. THus far has Love unbounded hurried me! The rapid Flood breaks through opposing Dams, Bears down each Fence, that dares dispute its way; All Disappointments but increase its force; Each blow new Vigour gives each fall Infuses fresh Recruits to every part, Tenacious of his hold he hugs me close; Whilst smothered honour struggles but in vain, Shall I be forced to mortify my flame: Because some servile Priests has joined their hands, What though her folly too unites their hearts, My Priest shall straight untie this Mystic Knot, And make even Heaven repeal its former Act. What ho! within there! Marabou! come forth, And ease a Monarch's Breast. Enter Priest, Zanhaga, etc. Zan. You have your Cue! be faithful to your Trust, And your Reward shall far exceed desire. Em. Behold you who the Heavenly secret know, Behold me both a Monarch, and a Slave; I to whose Nod all Africa submit, Can stoop to kneel at a weak Woman's feet: She, tho' a Captive, scorns to look on me, My very Crown's a Bauble in her eyes; Too poor to play with, whilst the Captive Prince, Tho' robbed of all his Glories, gluts in Joys, Which but to taste, myself would be dethroned: And I had plucked ere this th' unwilling Rose, But some remaining dregs of honour hindered me; This is the Plague torments your Monarch's Soul, Now see if Hell or Heaven afford a Cure. Here the Emperor sits, while the Priest gins the Incantation. ARise ye Fiends of Hell! arise; You who for freedom groan, Who long lost Earth, bemoan; Come, with fresh Objects, feed your eyes; You, who for Sins on Earth, are bound To Swim in Coldest, Streams; Still dying, never Dead are found; Come, warm you by my Flames: I'll Chafe you till you're happy too; I'll Thaw your Blood if it Congeal I'll mend your blue and bleaky hue; Your skin, though chopped, and scared I'll heal. The cutting Winds, that Whistling blow From dazzling Mountains of driven Snow, Shall cease their Orders, to obey, If you'll prepare, and come away. Chorus of Priests. Come to our Monarch, give Advice, Arise ye Fiends of Hell! arise. Four Infernal Spirits Arise, all in White, and Sing. WE come! we come, Great Marabou! We watch thy pleasing Call; Our stiff'ned Joints are supple now, You warm the coldest Hell. 1st. Male Spirit. If Love disturb this Monarch's Breast, 'Tis fit he should enjoy What e'er can please th'unruly Guest, And force her if she fly. 1st. Female. Gualata Dead, she'll yield of course, Dull Lover's we despise; She but expects the pleasing force, To give down all her Joys. My Lover was for Piety, Conscience, and Loved waged Wars; His coldness Damned himself, and me; Or we had both been Stars. 2d. Male. Behold me once a Mortal Wight, In an Old Beldain's Arms; For Love of Gold I drudged all Night, And risen at all Alarms: But yet 'twas cold! 'twas coldly done! Nor did it ought avail; Then force the young, the fair, nor run The Risque to freeze in Hell. 2d. Female. I to an Aged Fool did Charm, Who only hugged me close; My Maidenhead in Hell can't warm, Nor Virtue-heat infuse. Chorus of Infernals. Then force the Fair, nor longer crave, But let Gualata die: By this yourself, and her, you'll save, From Winter's Misery. Chorus of Priests and Infernals. For they who quenched their amorous flames, Are Damned to Frieze in Coldest Streams. Priest SINGS. HEar! you in heavens blue Regions, hear! You who have once been Men; And for your Virtues swim in Air, To make my Phoebus' train. How happy you! warmed by his Beams, Your Balls of Fire ye Guard; Each Spirit guides his Orb of Flames, Proud of his hot reward. You 've obeyed Almighty Love, Enured to Amorous Wars, For which in Flames you wanton rove, Pleased with your Subject Stars; You who prefix each Mortals Doom, And know each Miscreants Fate: Say, will ye cut the Prisoners Loom, Or give a longer Da'e? Chorus of Priests. Come, come relate, The Captives Fate, Or Life, or Death, Bring in a Breath; If Love must yield, And quit the Field, Or Beauty Bend. Descend! ye Lords of Air, descend! Descend in a Machine to proper Music, 4 Heavenly Spirits. All Sing. YOur Crown's not safe if he should Live, The God's are unappeased, His Blood's our due; in vain you strive, With Blood alone we're pleased. Chorus of Coel. For you the Sun has sent her here, Destroy the Prince, and force the Fair. Say, Hell, Shall it be so? Yes, we're for it below; Caelest. We above are for't too. Both. Well then it must be so; What Mortal can withstand What Heaven and Hell command? Pr. Then must Gualata die? Spir. Yes Gualata must die. Pr. And must Zaraida yield? Spir. Yes Zaraida must yield. Pr. What if she should deny? Spir. Then force her to comply. Dance here, which ended, the Caeles. ascend, and Infernal decend singing. Emp. It shall be so, I love to see the Gods Jocose, a sign they're pleas d to serve my Love: The Captive King shall die, as fate Commands; And what my Father sent me shall be mine. Zan. 'Tis fit your Majesty should please yourself. The Ghost of Dafila rises between 'em. Daf. Is it so Father? but you're mine no more, My Soul disdams to pay my Body's Debt. Pr. Good heavens! what make he straggling here uncalled? Gho. Uncalled indeed by thee, as were all Spirits else, For since your own can serve, why should you trouble us? Thy cheat's too gross, to pass on Heavenly Minds Scarce had I passed the lagging hindmost Stars, When lo our Mighty God my Voyage stop; My Priest, said he, forgetting all respect To Right, preferring present Gold to future Heaven, Reverses my decrees, and wrists my Will, Divides those hearts I've joined and takes the fair From Barnagasso, whom my Soul admires; Hast! to my loved Gualata haste, thence high, And to the Emperor declare my Will, Tell him the Fair must be Gualata's Wife: Thus spoke the God, I all Obedience flew, And now my Soul is eager to return, I must be gone, resolve t'obey, or die. Zan. Poor superstitious Boy! Pri. O that my Charms Can bind his Soul in Hell for this affront. Emp. This Boy has shocked my Soul, in vain I love, If Heaven oppose, in vain are all my Arts: And yet, for he was Treacherous on Earth, Perhaps he but deceives me now; the Priest Sings most melodious to my Ears, his Voice Like a deluding Siren leads me on, Avert the Omen Heaven! but this is true, This I am sures a Ghost, the Boy I killed, Whom thwarted Heaven has on this errand sent, The others are but counterfeited shapes, Spirits too complaisant to cross my Will; But shall I lose her for a Childish Ghost? Her whom I love? No, it is fixed, this Night I'll grasp the Fair; how then shall Heaun ' be served? As far as Love permits I will obey; Go tell the Prince what Fate commands, yet that My Mercy intercedes, if he will yield her mine. [Too Zan. That part o'th' Oracle, his Life, I'll spare; If not, this night he must submit to Fate. [Exeunt severally. SCENE changes to another Apartment of the Palace. Enter Barnagasso and Zaraida. Bar. How happy my Zaraida are we! thus— Beloved of Heaven, when Guardian Spirits watch, And Gods grow careful of our lives? what harm Can hurt us now, since they detect the cheat? Let Priests damn on, kind Heaven will ward the blow. Zar. All their masked Spirits are impostors found, Their mystic clew kind Heaven untwists, the youth, How wisely Heaven appoints its Instruments! Who served us when alive, serves us in death. Oh we will gratefully our Tribute pay, Or Crowned, or Chained, we will Religious be, But did this Messenger no more disclose? Bar. He seemed to hope, yet doubted Fates decree, He bade me be myself, in all Distress, Let Honour lead my thoughts, he said no more, Nor needed he. This was advice enough, Fear not my Love, no power can part us now, Hell dare not, and sure Heaven will never change. Zar. Here comes one will endeavour it, Enter to them Zanhaga. Bar. Well how has Heaven disposed of me? am I To live or die? Say thou Ambassador. Zan. 'Tis true, both Hell, and Heaven, have marked you dead, Nay have required it, as the only means To save ourselves, but yet our gracious King, Unused to Cruelty, dares to offend On Mercy's side, and mitigate your Doom. Thus says our Monarch, if the Fair will yield, I will Restore your Crowns, and be your Friend; Nor think this hard, since Fate designed her mine, And asks your Life for your Presumptuous Love: But that he spares, demanding only her. Bar. Can he at once both give, and take my Life? Thinks he the Body lives without the Soul? Hence Trifler, with thy self-refuting speech; But say, was it not fear extorted this, Which now you lay on Mercy? was there not A Boy, who gave the lie to your false Oracles? A most unwelcome Guest at your repast? Zan. Since you misconstrue thus my Master's Love, Hear what his Mercy when Rejected can; Tho Heaven itself should justify your claim, He'd still go on, and force her to his Bed. Lay hold on Mercy it be too late; Or she must yield this Night, or you must die. Zar. Where! where's the King! my tears shall bend his mind, Oh I will do what honour can permit, To save my Dear, my Barnagasso's like, Bar. Is it then possible you'll leave me thus? Zar. You are unkind my Lord to mention it. Bar. Stay then, and bear with me what Heaven appoints; Back to your King, this answer give, tell him He knows me not, or he had spared his gift, I can as bravely spurn those Lands, as he can give: As for Zaraida, tell him nought of her, Lest he should think I could be so debased, As but to? ve asked myself, to part with her. Alas! though in a Storm, we often throw The nearest Jewel o'er, we still preserve ourselves. And what art thou but my immediate self? [Embaces her. Go, tell thy Master, I'm prepared for Fate; Yes I will die, but how, is yet to be resolved. [Exit cum Zaraida. Manent, Zanhaga, Solus. Zan. The manner of your Death's not much to me, So you but die; I thirst not after Blood, But as a servile ladder to my hopes, Which I have now infallibly disposed, And shall by night have reached the top, what now Remains since you're secure, but Jamoans life? That ta'en, each Loyal head shall strait be lopped, I'll throw this Rubbish in to drink their Blood, Lest as Fools say, my Throne should slipp'ry be; This Mortar shall cement my walls, not Blood Of Bulls more sure, Fate prosper this design, And Victims Blood shall make your Altars shine. [Exit. Finis Auctus Tertii. ACT iv SCENE I. SCENE continues. Enter Barnagasso, Solus. Bar. IF Death but ends Despair, why all this noise? Were it indeed to cease to be, to leave This gaudy something, be resolved to enough? Yet were it better than unhappy life. He, who enjoys a pleasing Privacy, We count most Blessed, because he's at quiet there? And what is quiet, but the next degree To nought? but one step further, there's nothing. Nothing is quiet in Perfection. A voice! Zaraida sings our Elegies! [Voice within. I'll listen to her Airs, but I should not, For they're so sweet, they'll draw me from my thoughts Of Death, and charm me back to Life again. He retires to one side of the Stage while this Song's sung within. Sung by Mr. Freeman. Ease with soft Sleep your weary Eyes, Refresh your Spirits till you rise, While Music shall your dreams surprise. To me your fatal Birth is due, Doomed by that God you never knew. To die on Seas, where you were Tossed, And thrown on Sooty Africk's Coast, Where falsely you to Creatures pray, And leave that God, your God's obey: Give not so soon to th' hungry Grave, That Beauty he profusely gave: 'Tis brave to bear with Misery, Break not his Laws, nor strive to die, When he sees fit, he'll set you free. Bar. How strange her Fancy works! What Fear suggests! Death seems too dreadful to her tender years! I'll bear me, to relieve her troubled thoughts. [Exit. SCENE Drawn, discovers Zaraida Asleep on the Couch, her Mother's Ghost by her. Ghost Descends. Zar. Stop not your Airs, blessed Shade! yet if you must, Go tell Gualata, that we must not Die▪ [In her sleep. Enter Barnagasso to her. Bar. What fast Asleep! she's gone to rest t'inure Her thoughts to Death; How Beautiful she lies! [Coming forward And feeds each Sense with exquisite delights! Oh she has a continued round of Joys! Which sharpen, not abate desire; Why Heaven! Why was this sweetest Beauty wretched made? Oh! that some pitying God would seal my Eyes With hers! be both for ever, ever sealed! How sweet she breathes! I'll catch the blessed perfume, And with soft Kisses I'll awake my Fair. [Kisses her, she starts. Zar. Where! Where! my Barganasso, Where am I? Bar. Oh you are in a tender Husbands Arms! Zar. There hold me, till I have recovered strength. To tell you how I have laboured in my Sleep. When I had left you full resolved on Death, My Senses frighted at the leap you meant, Here I retired, to ease my burdened Mind, Expecting you; Sleep scarce had closed my Eyes, When a Pale Ghost appeared, and Sung such Airs, As both Instructed, and Delighted too. Bar. I heard a Voice, my Love, and thought 'twas yours, Such Harmony is in your Thoughts, and Words, That Music comes unfelt from both, in Dreams You Chant such Airs, as Charm the Drowsy'st Dead. Zar. How could I Dream of what I never thought? My Soul was gone to rest, had left to think, Even thought itself was wearied into sleep; It was no Dream caused by unsettled Thoughts, How could I think of what I never knew? My Lord; it was a Ghost, the unknown God Forbids our deaths, you cannot, must not die. Bar. That proves it but a Dream, the Child of Fear, You formed the danger great, for succour flew To Thoughts extravagantly wild and gross. Is there a God above our Glorious Sun? The mighty Deity now jealous grown, Checks the rude Question; Oh my Zaraida! Let not our crimes draw down more thunderbolts, And yet, forgive me Heaven! I wish we could: But be they such, as end at once, not Plagues That lingering, keep us cruelly alive! Zar. What is it your despair would urge you to? Bar. I would secure myself, and you from shame: The lustful King, backed by the Cunning Priest, Prepares for Force; How can you bear the thought of this? Zar. Oh never, never! I'll be only yours. Bar. I know you'd die think of change, but power Too weakly answers to our will; his Slaves Are trained to Rapes, perhaps I too must view The deed, if mortal eyes can bear what would Deprive the Sun himself of sight; Oh heavens! If there be yet a way to save my Love, Show it me, point it out to my dark Soul, For Humane Wisdom's at a loss to help us. Zar. Trust Heaven, that sure will guard my Innocence. Bar. 'Tis too presumptuous to lie down at ease, And leave the Gods to work our freedom out; No: let's employ the little time we have To live, in searching after death; for death's The only means can save us now; enclosed By miseries, on every side besieged. In vain I search, no Nook, not Cranny's sound, No passage left unguarded to escape, but death. Prepare, my fairest Love, for we must die: Oh that so sweet a thing should want a Name That's soft enough, t'express how sweet it is! Zar. I'm ever your obedient Wife; but death's So terrible, it shakes my heart, yet worse, Much worse 'twould be to part; How must we die? Bar. Some death that's quick, for I expect with fear, Each moment, when they'll force thee from my Arms: Our Minutes are as dear as Miser's Gold; We have not time to starve our Souls away, Hell will o retake us ere that's done; but hold! Here's one says he's my Friend, if he speak true, He'll not deny the Passport which I want. Enter to them the General Barsiloa. Gen. Forgive my abseuce, which my place required, I've heard what cheats were used in th'Oracle, And fearing the effects of just despair; I'm come to bid you think of Life, of Love; In spite of Priests you shall be great again. Bar. I Laugh to see you shoot so wide o'th' mark; Yet if you mean by bravely dying, to be great, I'm yours; no Priest indeed can hinder that. Gen. No, you shall live; blessed both with liberty and love. Bar. Perhaps my Father's heard my earnest Prayer, And sends thee to point out a way to live. Speak, if I can have honourable Life, I must not die, death would be a rashness then, Much unbecoming Barnagasso's Soul. Gen. Know then, in Tombu, there's a Law, preserved These many years by Sacred care, enroled By the First King e'er wore the Imperial Crown, By this, the General who Victorious comes From Foreign Wars, is Privileged to Ask, What his extremest wishes prompt him to, Even to the Crown h'as won. Bar. Are these your mighty hopes? credulous Man! Why didst thou sound so brave a Charge, to raise My Spirits high with expectation vast; Then sink 'em down, unable to sustain their weight? Thinkest thou a Law can bar his hot desires? He, who can trample on Divine Commands, May safely break such Mothy Bonds as these. Gen. Still has it been inviolable kept: With fresh repeated Oaths he Swore, to grant, What e'er Ambition, with red victory flushed, Can Ask, if I would Led his Arms on. Bar. You Argue weaker still; so lame his Oaths Observed; he'd sooner keep another Mans. Gen. But 'tis his Interest That will go far; He knows the Soldiers are at my Command, Prone to resent my injuries, as their own; What though he's amorous, he loves his Crown Too well, to lose it for a moment's sport. Bar. That argument I confess were strong, For Fear works wonders, had he not such helps, As ne'er can fail to buoy his Spirits up, A Statesman, burning Lust, and a damned Priest, If he's a Coward spite of these, 'tis strange. Oh! I've considered well whatever looked The least resembling hope, and find no Ground To Anchor in, but Death, immediate Death. Gen. What shall I do to save so brave a Man? Bar. Give me a Sword, dissuade me not from Death, When life's a burden grown, think not I'd die, If I could live as Barnagasso should. If you're my Friend, as I can hardly doubt; Relieve my wants, and charitably help To end that Life, which I cannot preserve. Gen. Defer it but a moment more, till I Can sound the King, then if I fail, 'tis time Enough to die, a minute is not much, Bar. Should I let slip this moment Heaven affords, Perhaps, why do I say perhaps? I'm sure 'Twill never, never come again. Zar. Nay now my Lord you're too unjust to me, And to yourself, to slight so great a boon; Despair when there is room for Hope, is mean, And what is mean, can never enter here; Death is unlawful, as you said yourself, While life can honourably be preserved; Come we will join our Forces, and entreat A short Reprieve, can you deny your Wife? Gen. Can you deny your Friend, who begs you Live? Zar. My Lord I'm not acquainted yet with death, Stay but an hour, you will not leave me sure. Gen. How can you need such Courtship to your Life, And to a happy one, if Heaven can make it so? [Pointing to her. Zar. We conquer, see he yields! he melts apace! Bar. Do with me what you please, but much I fear; Zar. What my Lord? Bar. That we shall live to Curse this weak neglect. [Ex. cum Zar. [The General at the other Door. SCENE Changes to the Emperor's Apartment. Enter the Emperor and Zanhaga. Em. Did he so haughtily reject my Gift? Zan. He bade me say he was prepared for Fate. Em. Then Fate shall be prepared for him; or false, Or true, the Oracle shall now take place. Away repenting thoughts! Remorse avaunt, Methinks I see his Soul already winged; Bring me the Royal Bowl, Zanhaga, quick, I'll drink its happy Voyage through th'Air. Zan. And Ill drink yours; now Fate thou'rt kind indeed. [Exit, and Returns with Two Bowls. Em. This 'tis to be a King, and fortunate: Were I Gualata now, I were to die. Zan. And were I either of you, so were I. [Aside. Em. Come, give it me, Ill drink this Health, though death Were mixed inseparably with the Draught. [Drinks. Zan. Aside. That would not I, tho' Heaven should follow it, If Poison causes Death, he guesses well; However, there's no Robbery, he gets a Star, And I his Crown, he's pleased, and so am I Em. Zanhaga, I forgot, you should have drank of mine. Zan. My Lord, this Bowl is rich enough for me. How wondrous kind he is! Now I am great— [Drinks. Gualato, Tombu, are my own; And all by Wit, by Politics refined; How I could hug myself! and how applaud [Aside. That brave ambition, which has urged me on! Emp. Come my Zanhaga, 'tis not fit Death wait, Love calls upon me to destroy this King, And reap from thence what Love, and Beauty bring. As they are going out, the General enters and stops 'em. Gen. I beg your Majesty to hear my suit. Emp. What is it Barsiloa? speak, I'll hear. Gen. 'Tis in behalf of the whole Empire, of Yourself, to punish whom the Gods would change The course of Nature, rain cold Winter down, A freezing Hell on scorching Africa, If Blood so Innocent be rashly spilt. Em. What tends it that way then? (Aside) Speak I'm in haste. Gen. I beg the gallant prisoner may be freed, And his fair Wife given to her Husband's arms. Emp. Why ask'st thou not my Crown? as well thou may'st, And sooner should succeed, proud insolence! Darest thou oppose thyself to me, and Heaven, Who has required his Death, and Doomed her mine? Away, I'll hear no more such suits; lead on. Gen. My Lord, 'tis what our Laws allow; myself Who made 'em Slaves, now beg they may be free. Emp. Those Laws one King has made, another may Revoke: Zanhaga, sure this cannot be your Son! Zan. I know not if he be my Son; a few Hours more and he shall be my Slave. (Aside. Gen. You can't but know the forgeries of the Priest, [To the Emp. His cursed abuse of Sacred Rites inflames All Africa with a Pious Rage; if he Must die; 'ttwere better far, you tell the World The true, the only cause; say he's the rub To your ho●●ust: Proclaim in Tombu's Streets, Gualata dies, that you may act the Beast Securely with his Wife; this would be great, Tho wicked, yet 'tis better than to skulk Behind a poor pretence of Fates commands, Which you yourself have countenanced the Priest To forge; there is some Virtue in a bold Attempt, but a mean action adds that sin To Cruelty, and dwindles you to nothing strait. Em. Oh Love! how poor a God art thou! whose chains So much debase whom they Subject, my Slave Sees in my Face my heart, and braves me now. Zanthia My Lord 'tis time Fates orders were obeyed, Emp. I thank thee, thou hast roused Revenge, and Love, My Thunder first shall crush this Prince, than you. Gen. 'Tis not big words can fright your General, Have you forgot?— Stay Sir, when first the War Broke out, when Gualata all Revengeful flew, To right his injured Honour, and his Love? Remember Sir what fears your Army seized, — Even you yourself, Who now can Thunder, trembled then; not Flags By Winds more moved; you almost shook your Soul away. What had become of your bravadoes then, Had I not undertaken the charge? Kind Prayers, and tears were paid me then, I thought 'em true, cursed fool! I did— I lead Your Troops, where I've unfortunately won, Conquered the best of Men, have chained a God. For such is Barnagasso to our World, And now to be denied the common right; Is base, and I return ingrate to you. Emp. Audacious Villian! hence! Blaspheme no more With thy vile Tongue my Sacred Majesty; But that thy Father's Services now plead Aloud, my Royal Blood too, which thou sharest, For Mercy begs, thou Traitor hadst been dead; Loath too I am t'imbrue my hands afresh, In the same Purple Flood I spilt this day; A thousand things now force me t'excuse thee, The time calls on me for a nobler act, To glut in Blood of Kings, not Slaves; yet I go, to give th'aspiring Soul some check; I spurn thee Traitor from my presence thus. Exit cum Zan. Manet Barsiola Solus. Gen. Is that to check; thou art in love indeed! Have I for this endured the Toils of War, Left a Luxurious Court for a rough Camp? Forced my just heart to fight for Lust, my Soul To sweat and drudge to pamper him for Rapes? And am I spurned at last for my Reward? My slighted wounds gape in their Master's face, Revenge, revenge, they cry— I'll right myself By force, my forming brain chalks out the way Which I must tread— hast then e'er 'tis too late, To right thyself, and to prevent his Fate. [Exit. Finis Actus Quarti. ACT V SCENE I. Enter the Emperor, Barnagasso chained, Zaraida, Zanhaga, and Guards, Zaraida in disshevelled hair entreats the Emperor. Zar. OH spare him! spare him! spare my Husband's Life, His Blood can't make you Beautiful to me, 'Twill paint you worse than horrid Monsters are, Why will you kill him then? O cruel King! Is that the way to Love? because he's mine, He dies, how can I love his Murderer? My Eyes are weak, they cannot look on Blood, That colour makes me weep: my Heart's so soft, Like our quick plant from a rude touch it flies, But kindly opens to the gentle hand; More mercy, and less Blood might do much more; [Aside. Oh! I d say any thing to save his Life; Which I have brought to such a shameful Death; Oh could we now but die with Honour, I were blessed? Bar. Forgive me love, if I reproach thee now, My Friend too who dissuaded me from Death; See what your prayers have done, I was unjust When I would end this miserable Life; Oh my Prophetic fears are true! 'twas once My own to die, the happy minute fled Unheeded by, the slighted Friend will ne'er return. Now lead me where you please, to death, which ne'er Can come too soon to a wise man; lead on. Zar. Why hast you so my Lord? Death is not slow To come, can you leave me for death? Emp. My Love admits of no delay, speak Fair, Accept my flame, and he shall live, live great; But for yourself, good Gods! the Earth shall groan, Millions of Slaves shall sweat in her rich veins, Slaves who are born, and die in Golden Mines; Their ev'ry stroke shall cleave an Empire forth, The rough formed pass shall lose it's close embrace, The Embryo Gold shall from the Womb be torn, And shall by curious art be formed a new, By prayers, or force, I will enjoy your charms. Zar. Vain Promises! you ask so high a price, The Universe's now worth what I must give. Bar. Vain Promises! you ask so high a price, The Universe's now worth what I must give. Bar. Spare all thy tears, Zaraida spare thy sighs, My life's not worth the Ransom he requires. Zar. Oh cruel King are you a Man, yet bear Unmov d what bent the stormy Winds and Seas? My face alone could calm their Rage; but now Nor that, nor tears, nor sighs, can move your Breast. My voice has lost its sweetness now, Oh call The Winds and Waves, call them not cruel now, No more be they accursed, for they were kind, Much kinder than the cursed Monster Man. Em. 'Tis you are cruel now, curse on't! I could Force her Love, but then I've imperfect joy. [Aside ——— Have you thought? [Too Zar. Zar. Yes I have thought. Emp. And what is the result? Zar. That if one crime can sink a Soul to Hell, Where will thy World of Murders hurry thee? Emp. To Heaven poor fool, where should great Jamoan go? Zar. What for Murder? Emp. Ask thyself that; if common Murder sinks, Where must thou go, whose hands are dipped In a fond Husband's Blood? Bar. Why dost thou sport Almighty justice thus? Thinkest thou such slight evasions weigh with Heaven? Emp. If they weigh here, I look no further. [Aside. How can you call me cruel? yet endure Your Husband's limbs by drawing Engines stretched, His Veins drawn fine as silken wefts; His Blood inflamed by journeying on, now finds. A longer course renewed, and now its dams Broke down, irregularly runs, forced up To the last limits of that little world, It under dies the white with scarlet streaks; The snowy Corpse blushes at the disgrace; Can you bear this without reluctancy! Zar. Oh do you know so well the pains o'th' rack, And yet can cruelly design him there Emp. And now he curses Heaven, that made him young, For life in youth is riveted more close To the Inwrapping Flesh. Now he roars loud with more than Lion's rage, And now he flings his Body forward on The rack, provoking Death, who bears his taunts, And servilely attends my nod, O life! Wretched indeed, when Death, so terrible To Humane thoughts, is languished for! Bar. Were it yet more wretched, I have a Soul To bear it all, cease then to threat, and do. Emp. The burning Vessel now boils o'er, he foams, And froths at mouth, he struggles with the choking stench; His Eyeballs strained crack their suspending threads, And from their splintered jaggy roots a deluge flows. Nature quite tired with passion, raves no more; Yet still the Body hugs th' unwilling Soul, In fond Embraces locks the Spirit fast, Thirsting for Separation; Can you be Yet unmoved at this description? Alas! You little know the thousand pains he bears. Zar. O Gualata! Now I feel, I fear for you, My Female-Courage trembles at the thoughts; Yet I'll not shrink a jot from Virtues Rules, Nor give this Beauty to that Tyrant's Arms, Tho at my first Embrace, thy pains should cease. Bar. Where are ye Gods if the loud fall of two Such mighty wrecking Orbs can't rouse your souls? Awake, nor let a Mortal brave ye thus. Em. Think, Can you bear to see him piecemeal torn? His angry flesh wrenched from th' unwilling bones? His Bowels ripped, while Life yet shivers there? His big heart, dancing in a Sea of Blood, Shall first be mashed, then thrown into his Face. Zar. I cannot think it, thought startles at it. Em. I'll aid your barren Imagination; I'll lead you, where your eyes shall strait behold That horror, which your lagging fancy could not reach. Zar. Hold! hold! though all your arts can't make me yield, I've heard enough to die! farewell! [Swoons. Bar. That thou wert dead indeed! there all my fears Would end; the weary Soul retires for ease. Em. By heavens a lucky opportunity! Bear her to the Royal Bed, and him to Death. Bar. Oh stay! no power shall force me hence, till she Revive, Zaraida! Curse on my weak Voice! Why was't not loud as Whirlwinds, Tempests roar? Oh that my Chains could ring a loud alarm. To wake the sleeping Gods and her! Where Father! where! Oh that my Teeth, my Nails could straightway dig Quite through this Globe, to find the wandering God What shall I do to save her from his Lust? I'll wake, or crush her Soul out with my weight. [Rushes upon her. Zar. Oh Barnagasso! Am I once more here! Thus let my Kisses breathe my Soul into Waking, gets between his Arms. Your Body, that we may together die. Bar. Oh Love! nor Hell, nor Heaven shall part us now. Emp. Then Earth shall; Guards force her from him, or Racks Unheard of be your Fate— unbind him first; [He struggles. Then force her from her hold. As they unbind him, he snatches a Sword, and holds her in his left hand. Bar. Now I am lose, no Power shall bind my Hands again. Em. Curse on my Dalliance it has ruined all! Bar. See King, my Fate is now my own; but I Will live, live to revenge myself, by heavens! 'Tis ominous, 'tis the first time I ve grasped A Manly Sword this day, this age of Slavery. Zan. This comes of slipping, when occasion serves, How e'er I'm sure of him, though t'other lives. [Aside. Em. See how amazed the Cowards look! seize him. Bar. Come on, I shall at least die nobly now. Em. What Noise is that? [Noise within. Enter Officer in haste. Off. Fly, Sacred Sir preserve your Life; The General enraged at his Repulse, Has, with a rebel's Fury, forced our Gates, None dare oppose; myself but hardly scaped The rolling Flood, to warn you of the War. Bar. Oh my brave Friend! How have I wronged thy honesty▪ Em. In vain is Flight; I must sustain the shock. Enter Barsiloa, etc. Gen. Fall on, fall on; I have not time to Embrace Thee now, anon I shall; let us dispatch. Bar. Come, Love, inspire my Heart, while I engage This Emperor! cruel; and Coward too! They Fight, beat the Emperor off, and clear the Stage. Re-Enter the Emperor, Zanhaga, and 2 Guards, as in Flight. Em. Ha! they have played me foul; I feel, besides My Wounds, a Murdering Enemy within: The boiling Cauldron roars, barbed Irons prick My tenderest part; bear me to th' Briny-Flood, There let me plunge this Flaxen Taper down; Wade through the dark Abyss to quench my Blaze. Zan. Help me to bear him up. Em. Wide, wide Earth! burst open thy chilling womb! In thy cold Cisterns let me bathe my Flame; Build me a Throne in Aquilunda's Pool; Turn here the Zaira's course, I'll gape awide, Through me its Channel lies; it shall come forth Swift liquid Flame, painted with my Heartsblood. Zan. Trust me, I weep to see my Master thus. Em. That I could cleave to Hell! dig in rich Mines. Of Winter! I'd feed on Cakes of Ice. The Subterranean Field should hiss, should slame, Even Snow should burn; so catching is my Plague! Off! I'll to Hell, the happiest Heaven is Hell. Zan. How cold he feels: Emp. I have my wish, I frieze. But here Zaraida comes, ' saint not a word; She takes me for her Lord; Who is't dares hold me? Barnagasso here! Die fond Fool. [Stabs Zan. Now I'm King again! let Trumpet's sound! For Mighty Jamoan, Great Tombu, Lives. Ha! What hast thou done! Kill d thy best Friends. Zan. Mourn not, for I've been beforehand with you: Know, 'twas I Poisoned you to gain your Crown: I Bribed the Priest, to give the Prisoner Death, That I might wear a Triple Diadem. I can't repent, were it to do again, And the Temptation half so fair, I'd do't. Make haste, you cannot live, I'll wait rhee at the Portal. [Dies. Emp. I shall o'ertake thee e'er thou fliest so far; Cursed Zanhaga! my Blood will weigh thee down: Oh Love! prepare my Starry Throne; My Soul is winged, and as my Body sinks, she mounts. [Dies. Enter Barnagasso, the General, Zaraida, etc. Bar. This way th'astonished King retired; behold [Seeing them. Triumphant Death! How were these murders done? Offi. The King was Poisoned, as Zanhaga, His Death Confessed, by him, he too had bribed The Priest to speak your Fate; the King deprived Of Reason, by the Operating Draught, Mistaking him for you, destroyed him. Bar. They should have fallen by me alone, but I Submit to th' Will of Heaven, take hence the Dead. Guards take them off. I cannot, must not pity 'em, and 'tis Not in my Nature to Insult, to you Who with your timely aid maintained what I Begun, I give my Thanks in this Embrace, And, as the next of Blood, salute you Tombu's King. Gen: 'Tis in your Love I glory more, than in My Crown, which so ignobly does descend; My Father's crimes have made me great; I fought Not to be King, but to relieve so brave A Man, to be your Friend, I've not deserved That Name, yet I'll assume it thus. Embraces Bar. Zar. 'Twere vain to offer at a payment of Our debts to Heaven, which had reduced us to The worst Extremes, and snatched us thence to joys Unthought of, unexpected bliss; Heaven has Appeared so partial for our good, that 'twere A Sin to doubt its further care; even our Misfortunes seem but the kind Trials of A pious mind, our grief, a purging flame; And now all Innocent we'll live, most blessed. Bar. Most blessed indeed in my Zaraida's Love, [Embracing her. What wonders were for our deliverance wrought! Let none hereafter at misfortunes pine, Let none despair, that hear our story told; Let each unhappy Man his Misery With patience bear, for Heaven at last will set him Free. FINIS.