The Mourning Bride Read Online

It may be I'm deceiv'd.

But why that needless Caution of the Princess?

What if she had seen Osmyn? tho' 'twere strange.

But if she had, what was't to her? unless

She fear'd her stronger Charms, might cause the Moor's

Affection to revolt.

KING.

I thank thee Friend.

There's Reason in thy Doubt, and I am warn'd.

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

GONSALEZ.

If Osmyn be, as Zara has related,

Alphonsos Friend; 'tis not impossible,

But she might wish on his Account to see him.

KING.

Say'st thou? by Heav'n thou hast arous'd a Thought,

That like a sudden Earth-quake, shakes my Frame;

Confusion! then my Daughter's an Accomplice,

And plots in Private with this hellish Moor.

GONSALEZ.

That were too hard a Thought – but see she comes.

'Twere not amiss to question her a little,

And try howe'er, if I've divin'd aright.

If what I fear be true, she'll be concern'd

For Osmyn's Death, as he's Alphonso's Friend.

Urge that, to try if she'll sollicite for him.

Enter Almeria and Leonora.

KING.

Your coming has prevented me Almeria;

I had determin'd to have sent for you.

Let your Attendant be dismiss'd; I have

Exit Leonora.

To talk with you. Come near, why dost thou shake?

What mean those swollen and redfleck'd Eyes, that look

As they had wept in Blood, and worn the Night

In waking Anguish? why this, on the Day

Which was design'd to celebrate thy Nuptials?

But that the Beams of Light, are to be stain'd

With reeking Gore, from Traytors on the Rack:

Wherefore I have deferr'd the Mariage Rites,

Nor shall the guilty Horrours of this Day

Prophane that Jubilee.

ALMERIA.

All Days, to me,

Henceforth are equal; this the Day of Death,

To Morrow, and the next, and each that follows,

Will undistinguish'd roll, and but prolong

One hated Line of more extended Woe.

KING.

Whence is thy Grief? give me to know the Cause,

And look thou answer me with truth: for know,

I am not unacquainted with thy Falshood.

Why art thou mute? base and degenerate Maid!

GONSALEZ.

Dear Madam, speak, or you'll incense the King.

ALMERIA.

What is to speak? or wherefore should I speak?

What means these Tears, but Grief unutterable?

KING.

Yes, Guilt; they are the dumb Confessions of

Thy guilty Mind; and say thou wert Confederate

With damn'd Conspirators, to take my Life.

O Impious Parricide! now canst thou speak?

ALMERIA.

O Earth, behold, I kneel upon thy Bosom,

And bend my flowing Eyes, to stream upon

Thy Face, imploring thee that thou wilt yield;

Open thy Bowels of Compassion, take

Into thy Womb the last and most forlorn

Of all thy Race. Hear me, thou common Parent;

– I have no Parent else –– be thou a Mother,

And step between me and the Curse of him,

That was – that was, but is no more a Father.

But brands my Innocence with horrid Crimes,

And for the tender Names of Child and Daughter,

Now calls me Murderer, and Parricide.

KING.

Rise, I command thee rise – and if thou would'st

Acquit thy self of those detested Names,

Swear thou hast never seen that foreign Dog,

Now doom'd to die, that most accursed Osmyn.

ALMERIA.

Never, but as with Innocence, I might,

And free of all bad Purposes. So Heav'ns

My Witness.

KING.

Vile equivocating Wretch!

With Innocence? Death and Perdition, she

Confesses it. By Heav'n I'll have him racked,

Torn, mangl'd, flay'd, impal'd –– all Pains and Tortures

That Wit of Man, and dire Revenge can think,

Shall he accumulated under-bear.

ALMERIA.

Oh I am lost –– there, Fate begins to wound.

KING.

Hear me; then, if thou canst, reply, know Traitress,

I'm not to learn that curs'd Alphonso lives;

Nor am I Ignorant what Osmyn is –

ALMERIA.

Then all is ended, and we both must die

Since thour't reveal'd, alone thou shalt not die.

And yet alone would I have dy'd, Heav'n knows,

Repeated Deaths, rather than have revealed thee.

Yes, all my Father's wounding Wrath, tho' each

Reproach cuts deeper than the keenest Sword,

And cleaves my Heart; I would have born it all,

Nay, all the Pains that are prepar'd for thee:

To the remorsless Rack I would have given

This weak and tender Flesh, to have been bruis'd

And torn, rather than have reveal'd thy being.

KING.

Hell, Hell! do I hear this, and yet endure!

What dar'st thou to my Face avow thy Guilt?

Hence, e'er I curse –– fly my just Rage with speed;

Lest I forget us both, and spurn thee from me.

ALMERIA.

And yet a Father! think I am your Child.

Turn not your Eyes away –– look on me kneeling;

Now curse me if you can, now spurn me off.

Did ever Father curse his kneeling Child!

Never: For always Blessings crown that Posture.

Nature inclines, and half-way meets that Duty,

Stooping to raise from Earth the filial Reverence;

For bended Knees, returning folding Arms,

With Prayers and Blessings, and paternal Love.

O hear me then, thus crawling on the Earth –

KING.

Be thou advis'd, and let me go while yet

The light Impression thou hast made, remains.

ALMERIA.

No, never will I rise, nor loose this Hold,

'Till you are mov'd, and grant that he may live.

KING.

Ha! who may live? take heed, no more of that.

For on my Soul he dies, tho' thou, and I,

And all should follow to partake his Doom.

Away, off, let me go, – Call her Attendants.

Enter Leonora and Attendants.

ALMERIA.

Drag me, harrow the Earth with my bare Bosom.

I'll not let go, 'till you have spar'd my Husband.

KING.

Ha! what say'st thou? Husband! Husband! Damnation!

What Husband? which? who?

ALMERIA.

He, he is my Husband.

KING.

Poyson and Daggers! who?

ALMERIA.

O –

Faints.

GONSALEZ.

Help, support her.

ALMERIA.

Let me go, let me fall, sink deep –– I'll dig,

I'll dig a Grave, and tear up Death; I will;

I'll scrape 'till I collect his rotten Bones,

And cloath their Nakedness with my own Flesh;

Yes, I will strip off Life, and we will change:

I will be Death; then tho' you kill my Husband,

He shall be mine, still and for ever mine.

KING.

What Husband? who? whom do'st thou mean?

GONSALEZ.

Alas, she raves!

ALMERIA.

O that I did, Osmyn, he is my Husband.

KING.

Osmyn!

ALMERIA.

Not Osmyn, but Alphonso is my Dear,

And wedded Husband – Heav'n, and Air, and Seas;

Ye Winds and Waves, I call ye all to witness.

KING.

Wilder than Winds or Waves thy self do'st rave.

Should I hear more; I too should catch thy Madness.

Yet somewhat she must mean of dire Import,

Which I'll not hear, 'till I am more at peace.

Watch her returning Sense, and bring me Word:

And look that she attempt not on her Life.

Exit King.

ALMERIA.

O stay, yet stay, hear me, I am not mad.

I would to Heav'n I were –– he's gone!

GONSALEZ.

Have Comfort.

ALMERIA.

Curst be that Tongue, that bids me be of Comfort;

Curst my own Tongue, that cou'd not move his Pity.

Curst these weak Hands, that cou'd not hold him here;

For he is gone to doom Alphonso's Death.

GONSALEZ.

Your too excessive Grief, works on your Fancy,

And deludes your Sense. Alphonso, if living,

Is far from hence, beyond your Father's Power.

ALMERIA.

Hence, thou detested, ill-tim'd Flatterer;

Source of my Woes: thou and thy Race be curs'd;

But doubly thou, who could'st alone have Policy,

And Fraud, to find the fatal Secret out,

And know that Osmyn was Alphonso.

GONSALEZ.

Ha!

ALMERIA.

Why dost thou start? what dost thou see, or hear?

Was it the doleful Bell, toling for Death?

Or dying Groans from my Alphonso's Breast?

See, see, look yonder! where a grizled, pale

And ghastly Head, glares by, all smear'd with Blood,

Gasping as it would speak: and after it,

Behold a damp, dead Hand has drop'd a Dagger;

I'll catch it – hark! a Voice cries Murder! 'tis

My Father's Voice; hollow it sounds, and from

The Tomb it calls – I'll follow it, for there

I shall again behold my dear Alphonso.

Exit with attendants.

GONSALEZ.

She's greatly griev'd; nor am I less surpriz'd.

Osmyn Alphonso! no; she over-rates

My Policy, I ne'er suspected it:

Nor now had known it, but from her mistake.

Her husband too! Ha! where is Garcia then?

And where the Crown that shou'd descend on him,

To grace the Line of my Posterity?

Hold, let me think – if I shou'd tell the King –

Things come to this Extremely? his Daughter

Wedded already – what if he should yield?

Knowing no Remedy, for what is past;

And urg'd by Nature pleading for his Child,

With which he seems to be already shaken.

And tho' I know he hates beyond the Grave

Anselmo's Race; yet if –– that If concludes me.

To doubt, when I may be assur'd, is Folly.

But how prevent the Captive Queen, who means

To set him free? Ay, now 'tis plain; O well

Invented Tale! he was Alphonso's Friend.

This subtle Woman will amuze the King,

If I delay –– 'twill do –– or better so.

One to my Wish. Alonzo, thou art welcome.

Enter Alonzo.

ALONZO.

The King expects your Lordship.

GONSALEZ.

'Tis no matter.

I'm not i'th' Way at Present, good Alonzo.

ALONZO.

If't please your Lordship, I'll return, and say

I have not seen you.

GONSALEZ.

Do, my best Alonzo.

Yet stay, I would – but go; anon will serve –

Yet I have that, requires thy speedy help.

I think thou would'st not stop to do me Service.

ALONZO.

I am your Creature.

GONSALEZ.

Say thou art my Friend.

I've seen thy Sword do noble Execution.

ALONZO.

All that it can, your Lordship shall command.

GONSALEZ.

Thanks; and I take thee at thy Word. Thou'st seen

Among the followers of the Captive Queen,

Dumb Men, that make their Meaning known by Signs.

ALONZO.

I have, my Lord.

GONSALEZ.

Could'st thou procure with speed,

And privacy, the wearing Garb of one

Of those, tho' purchas'd by his Death; I'd give

Thee such Reward, as should exceed thy Wish.

ALONZO.

Conclude it done. Where shall I wait your Lordship?

GONSALEZ.

At my Appartment. Use thy utmost Diligence;

Away, I've not been seen – haste good Alonzo.

Exit Alonzo.

So, this can hardly fail. Alphonso slain,

The greatest Obstacle is then remov'd.

Almeria widow'd, yet again may wed;

And I yet fix the Crown on Garcia's Head.

Exit.

The End of the Fourth Act.

Act V.

Scene I.

A Room of State.

Enter King, Perez, and Alonzo.

KING.

Not to be found? in an ill hour he's absent.

None, say you, none? what not the Fav'rite Eunuch?

Nor she her self, nor any of her Mutes

Have yet required admittance?

PEREZ.

None, my Lord.

KING.

Is Osmyn so dispos'd, as I commanded?

PEREZ.

Fast bound in double chains, and at full length

He lies supine on earth; as easily

She might remove the fix'd foundation, as

Unlock the rivets of his bonds.

KING.

'Tis well.

A Mute appears, and seeing the King retires.

Ha! seize that Mute; Alonzo, follow him.

Exit Alonzo.

Entring he met my Eyes, and started back,

Frighted, and fumbling one hand in his Bosom,

As to conceal th' Importance of his Errand.

Alonzo re-enters with a Paper.

ALONZO.

O bloody Proof, of obstinate Fidelity!

KING.

What dost thou mean?

ALONZO.

Soon as I seiz'd the Man,

He snatch'd from out his Bosom this –– and strove

With rash and greedy haste, at once to cram

The Morsel down his throat. I catch'd his Arm,

And hardly wrench'd his Hand to wring it from him;

Which done, he drew a Ponyard from his side,

And on the instant, plung'd it in his Breast.

KING.

Remove the Body thence, 'ere Zara see it.

ALONZO.

I'll be so bold to borrow his Attire;

'Twill quit me of my Promise to Gonsalez.

Exit.

PEREZ.

Whate'er it is the King's Complexion turns.

KING.

How's this? my mortal Foe beneath my Roof!

Having read the Letter.

O, give me Patience, all ye Powers! no, rather,

Give me Rage, Rage, implacable Revenge,

And treble Fury – Ha! who's there?

PEREZ.

My Lord.

KING.

Hence, Slave, how dar'st thou bide, to watch and pry

Into how poor and mean a thing, a King descends;

How like thy self when Passion treads him down?

Ha! stir not, on thy Life: For thou wert fix'd,

And planted here to see me gorge this Bait,

And lash against the Hook –– by Heav'n you're all

Rank Traytors; thou art with the rest combin'd;

Thou knew'st that Osmyn was Alphonso, knew'st

My Daughter privately conferr'd with him,

And wert the Spy and Pander to their Meeting.

PEREZ.

By all that's holy, I'm amaz'd –

KING.

Thou lyest.

Thou art Accomplice too much with Zara; here

Where she sets down ––

reading

still will I set thee free –

That somewhere is repeated –– I have power

O'er them that are thy Guards –– Mark that thou Traytor.

PEREZ.

It was your Majesty's Command, I should

Obey her Order –

KING reading.

– And still will I set

Thee free, Alphonso – Hell! curs'd, curs'd Alphonso!

False perfidious Zara! Strumpet Daughter!

Away begon thou feeble Boy, fond Love,

All Nature, Softness, Pity and Compassion,

This hour I throw ye off, and entertain

Fell hate, within my breast, Revenge and Gall.

By Heav'n I'll meet, and counterwork this Treachery.

Hark thee, Villain, Traitor – answer me Slave.

PEREZ.

My Service has not merited those Titles.

KING.

Dar'st thou reply? Take that – thy Service? thine?

Strikes him.

What's thy whole Life, thy Soul, thy All, to my

One moment's Ease? Hear my Command; and look

That thou obey, or Horrour on thy Head.

Drench me thy Dagger in Alphonso's Heart.

Why dost thou start? Resolve to do't, or else –

PEREZ.

My Lord, I will.

KING.

'Tis well –– that when she comes to set him free,

His Teeth may grin, and mock at her Remorse.

Perez going.

– Stay thee –– I've farther thought –– I'll add to this,

And give her Eyes yet greater Disappointment.

When thou hast ended him, bring me his Robe;

And let the Cell where she'll expect to see him,

Be dark'ned, so as to amuze the Sight.

I'll be conducted thither –

But see she comes; I'll shun th'Encounter; do

Thou follow, and give heed to my Directon.

Exeunt.

Enter Zara, and Selim.

ZARA.

The Mute not yet return'd! 'tis strange. Ha! 'twas

The King that parted hence; frowning he went;

His Eyes like Meteors roll'd, then darted down

Their red and angry Beams; as if his Sight

Would, like the raging Dog-star, scorch the Earth,

And kindle Ruine in its Course. Think'st thou

He saw me not?

SELIM.

He did: But then as if

His Eyes had err'd, he hastily recall'd

Th' imperfect Look, and sternly turn'd away.

ZARA.

Shun me when seen! I fear thou hast undone me.

Thy shallow Artifice begets Suspicion,

And, like a Cobweb-Veil, but thinly shades

The Face of thy Design; alone disguising

What should have ne'er been seen; imperfect Mischief!

Thou like the Adder, venomous and deaf,

Hast stung the Traveller; and, after, hear'st

Not his pursuing Voice: ev'n where thou think'st

To hide, the rustling Leaves, and bended Grass

Confess, and point the Path which thou hast crept.

O Fate of Fools! officious in Contriving;

In executing, puzzled, lame and lost.

SELIM.

Avert it, Heav'n, that you should ever suffer

For my Defect; or that the Means which I

Devis'd to serve, should ruine your Design!

Prescience is Heav'ns alone, not giv'n to Man.

If I have fail'd in what, as being a Man,

I needs must fail; impute not as a Crime,

My Nature's want; but punish Nature in me:

I plead not for a Pardon, and to live,

But to be punish'd and forgiven. Here, strike;

I bare my Breast to meet your just Revenge.

ZARA.

I have not leisure, now, to take so poor

A Forfeit as thy Life: Somewhat of high

And more important Fate, requires my Thought.

When I've concluded on my self, if I

Think fit, I'll leave thee my Command to die.

Regard me well; and dare not to reply

To what I give in Charge: for I'm resolv'd.

Instruct the two remaining Mutes, that they

Attend me instantly, with each a Bowl

Of those Ingredients mix'd, as will with speed

Benumn the living Faculties, and give

Most easie and inevitable Death.

Yes, Osmyn, yes; be Osmyn or Alphonso,

I'll give thee Freedom, if thou dar'st be free:

Such Liberty as I embrace my self,

Thou shalt partake. Since Fates no more afford;

I can but die with thee to keep my Word.

Exeunt.

[Scene II]

Scene changes to the Prison.

Enter Gonsalez, disguis'd like a Mute, with a Dagger.

GONSALEZ.

Nor Centinel, nor Guard! the Doors unbarr'd!

And all as still, as at the Noon of Night!

Sure Death already has been busie here.

There lies my way, that Door is too unlock'd.

Looks in.

Ha! sure he sleeps –– all's dark within, save what

A Lamp that feebly lifts a sickly Flame,

By fits reveals –– his Face seems turn'd to favour

Th' Attempt: I'll steal, and do it unperceiv'd.

What Noise! some body coming? 'st, Alonzo?

No body? sure he'll wait without –– I would

'Twere done –– I'll crawl and sting him to the Heart;

Then cast my Skin, and leave it there to answer it.

Goes in.

Enter Garcia and Alonzo.

GARCIA.

Where? where? Alonzo, where's my Father? where

The King? Confusion, all is on the Rout!

All's lost, all ruin'd by Surprize and Treachery.

Where, where is he? Why dost thou thus mislead me?

ALONZO.

My Lord, he enter'd, but a moment since,

And could not pass me unperceiv'd – What, hoa?

My Lord, My Lord, what, hoa? My Lord Gonsalez?

Enter Gonsalez, bloody.

GONSALEZ.

Perdition choak your Clamours – whence this Rudeness?

Garcia!

GARCIA.

Perdition, Slavery, and Death,

Are entring now our Doors. Where is the King?

What means this Blood? and why this Face of Honour?

GONSALEZ.

No matter –– give me first to know the Cause

Of these your rash and ill-tim'd Exclamations.

GARCIA.

The Eastern Gate is to the Foe betray'd,

Who but for heaps of Slain, that choak the Passage,

Had enter'd long 'ere now, and born down all

Before 'em, to the Pallace Walls. Unless

The King in Person animate our Men,

Granada's lost; and to confirm this Fear,

The Traytor Perez, and the Captive Moor,

Are through a Postern fled, and join the Foe.

GONSALEZ.

Would all were false as that; for whom you call

The Moor, is dead. That Osmyn was Alphonso;

In whose Hearts Blood this Ponyard yet is warm.

GARCIA.

Impossible; for Osmyn flying, was

Proclaim'd aloud by Perez, for Alphonso.

GONSALEZ.

Enter that Chamber, and convince your Eyes,

How much Report has wrong'd your easie Faith.

Garcia goes in.

ALONZO.

My Lord, for certain truth, Perez is fled;

And has declar'd the Cause of his Revolt,

Was to Revenge a Blow the King had giv'n him.

GARCIA returning.

Ruine and Horrour! O heart-wounding sight!

GONSALEZ.

What says my Son? what Ruine? ha? what Horrour?

GARCIA.

Blasted my Eyes, and speechless be my Tongue,

Rather than or to see, or to relate

This Deed – O dire Mistake! O fatal Blow!

The King –

GONSALEZ, ALONZO.

The King!

GARCIA.

Dead, welt'ring, drown'd in Blood.

See, see, attir'd like Osmyn, where he lies.

They go in.

O whence, or how, or wherefore was this done?

But what imports the Manner, or the Cause?

Nothing remains to do, or to require,

But that we all should turn our Swords, against

Our selves, and expiate with our own his Blood.

GONSALEZ.

O Wretch! O curs'd, and rash, deluded Fool!

On me, on me, turn your avenging Sword.

I who have spilt my Royal Master's Blood,

Should make atonement by a Death as horrid;

And fall beneath the Hand of my own Son.

GARCIA.

Ha! what? atone this Murther with a greater!

The Horrour of that Thought, has damp'd my Rage.

The Earth already groans to bear this Deed;

Oppress her not, nor think to stain her Face

With more unnatural Blood. Murder my Father!

Better with this to rip up my own Bowels,

And bathe it to the Hilt, in far less damnable

Self-Murder.

GONSALEZ.

O my Son, from the blind Dotage

Of a Father's Fondness, these Ills arose;

For thee I've been ambitious, base, and bloody:

For thee I've plung'd into this Sea of Sin;

Stemming the Tide, with one weak Hand, and bearing

With the other, the Crown, to wreath thy Brow,

Whose weight has sunk me 'ere I reach'd the Shore.

GARCIA.

Fatal Ambition! Hark! the Foe is enter'd:

Shout.

The shrilness of that Shout speaks 'em at hand.

We have no time to search into the Cause

Of this surprizing and most fatal Errour.

What's to be done? the King's Death known, will strike

The few remaining Soldiers with Despair,

And make 'em yield to Mercy of the Conquerour.

ALONZO.

My Lord, I've thought how to conceal the Body;

Require me not to tell the Means, till done,

Lest you forbid; what then you may approve.

Goes in.

GONSALEZ.

They shout again! Whate'er he means to do

Shout.

'Twere fit the Soldiers were amuz'd, mean time,

With Hopes, and fed with Expectation of

The King's immediate Presence at their Head.

GARCIA.

Were it a Truth, I fear 'tis now too late.

But I'll omit no Care, nor Haste; and try

Or to repell their Force, or bravely die.

Exit.

GONSALEZ.

What hast thou done, Alonzo?

ALONZO.

Such a Deed,

As but an hour ago, I'd not have done,

Tho' for the Crown of Universal Empire.

But what are Kings reduc'd to common Clay?

Or who can wound the Dead? – I've from the Body,

Sever'd the Head; and in a Corner of

The Room, dispos'd it muffled in the Mute's

Attire; leaving alone to View, the bloody

And undistinguishable Trunk:

Which may be still mistaken by the Guards,

For Osmyn, if in seeking for the King,

They chance to find it.

GONSALEZ.

'Twas an Act of Horrour;

And of a piece with this Day's dire Misdeeds.

But 'tis not yet the time to ponder, or

Repent. Haste thee, Alonzo, hence, with speed,

To aid my Son. I'll follow with the last

Reserve, to re-inforce his Arms: at least

I shall make good, and shelter his Retreat.

Exeunt.

Enter Zara, follow'd by Selim, and Two Mutes bearing the Bowls.

ZARA.

Silence and Solitude are ev'ry where!

Thro' all the Gloomy Ways, and Iron Doors

That hither lead, nor Humane Face, nor Voice

Is seen, or heard. A dreadful Din was wont

To grate the Sense, when entred here; from Groans,

And Howls of Slaves condemn'd; from Clink of Chains,

And Crash of rusty Bars, and crocking Hinges:

And ever and anon, the Sight was dash'd

With frightful Faces, and the meagre Looks

Of grim and gashly Executioners.

Yet, more, this Stilness terrifies my Soul,

Than did that Scene of complicated Horrors.

It may be, that the Cause, and Purpose of

My Errand, being chang'd from Life to Death,

Has also wrought this chilling Change of Temper.

Or does my Heart bode more? what can it more

Than Death? –

Let 'em set down the Bowls, and warn Alphonso

That I am here –– so. You return and find

Mutes go in.

The King; tell him, what he requir'd, I've done:

And wait his coming to approve the Deed.

Exit Selim.

What have you seen? Ha! wherefore stare you thus,

The Mutes return and look affrighted.

With haggar'd Eyes? why are your Arms a-cross

Your heavy and desponding Heads hung down?

Why is't you more than speak in these sad Signs?

Give me more ample Knowledge of this Mourning.

They go to the Scene which opens and shews the Body.

Ha! prostrate! bloody! headless! O –– start Eyes,

Split Heart, burst ev'ry Vein, at this dire Object:

At once dissolve and flow; meet Blood with Blood;

Dash your encountering Streams, with mutual Violence,

'Till Surges roll, and foaming Billows rise,

And curl their Crimson Heads, to kiss the Clouds!

– Rain, rain ye Stars, spout from your burning Orbs

Precipitated Fires, and pour in sheets,

The blazing Torrent on the Tyrant's Head;

Scorch and consume the curst perfidious King.

Enter Selim.

SELIM.

I've sought in vain, the King is no where, to

Be found –

ZARA.

Get thee to Hell, and seek him there.

Stabs him.

His hellish Rage had wanted Means to act,

But for thy fatal and pernicious Counsel.

SELIM.

You thought it better then –– but I'm rewarded.

The Mute you sent, by some Mischance was seen,

And forc'd to yield your Letter with his Life:

I found the dead and bloody Body strip'd –

My Tongue faulters, and my Voice fails –

Drink not the Poyson – for Alphonso is –

Dies.

ZARA.

As thou art now – And I shall quickly be.

'Tis not that he is dead; for 'twas decreed

We both should die. Nor is't that I survive;

I have a Remedy for that. But Oh,

He dy'd unknowing in my Heart.

He knew I lov'd, but knew not to what height:

Nor that I meant to fall before his Eyes,

A Martyr and a victim to my Vows:

Insensible of this last Proof he's gone.

Yet Fate, alone can rob his mortal Part

Of Sense: His Soul still sees, and knows each Purpose,

And fix'd event of my persisting Faith.

Then, wherefore do I pause? –– give me the Bowl.

A Mute kneels and gives one of the Bowls.

Hover a Moment, yet, thou gentle Spirit,

Soul of my Love, and I will wait thy flight.

This, to our mutual Bliss when joyn'd above.

Drinks.

O friendly Draught, already in my Heart!

Cold, cold; my Veins are Icicles and Frost.

I'll creep into his Bosom, lay me there;

Cover us close –– or I shall chill his Breast,

And fright him from my Arms – See, see, he slides

Still further from me; look, he hides his Face,

I cannot feel it – quite beyond my reach.

O now he's gone, and all is dark –

Dies.

The Mutes kneel and mourn over her.

Enter Almeria and Leonora.

ALMERIA.

O let me seek him in this horrid Cell;

For in the Tomb or Prison, I alone

Must hope to find him.

LEONORA.

Heav'ns! what dismal Scene

Of Death, is this? The Eunuch Selim slain!

ALMERIA.

Shew me, for I am come in search of Death;

But want a Guide: for Tears have dim'd my Sight.

LEONORA.

Alas, a little farther, and behold

Zara all pale and dead! two frightful Men,

Who seem the Murderers, kneel weeping by:

Feeling Remorse too late, for what they've done.

But O forbear –– lift up your Eyes no more;

But haste away, fly from this Fatal Place,

Where Miseries are multiply'd; return

And look not on; for there's a Dagger that

Will stab the Sight, and make your Eyes rain Blood.

ALMERIA.

O I fore-see that Object in my Mind.

Is it at last then so? is be then dead?

What dead at last, quite, quite, for ever dead?

There, there I see him; there he lies, the Blood

Yet bubling from his Wounds – O more than savage!

Had they or Hearts, or Eyes, that did this Deed?

Could Eyes endure to guide such cruel Hands?

Are not my Eyes guilty alike with theirs,

That thus can gaze, and yet not turn to Stone?

– I do not weep! The Springs of Tears are dry'd;

And of a suddain I am calm, as if

All things were well: and yet my Husband's murder'd!

Yes, yes, I know to mourn; I'll sluce this Heart,

The Source of Woe, and let the Torrent loose.

– Those Men have left to weep; and look on me!

I hope they murder all on whom they look.

Behold me well; your bloody Hands have err'd,

And wrongfully have put to Death those Innocents:

I am the Sacrifice design'd to bleed;

And come prepar'd to yield my Throat –– they shake

Their Heads in Sign of Grief and Innocence!

They point at the Bowl on the Ground.

And point! what mean they; Ha! a Cup. O well

I understand what Medicine has been here.

O noble Thirst! and yet too greedy to

Drink all – O for another Draught of Death,

They point to the other Cup.

Ha! point again? 'tis there, and full I hope.

O thanks the liberal Hand that fill'd thee thus;

I'll drink my glad Acknowledgment –

LEONORA.

O hold

For Mercy's sake; upon my Knees – forbear –

ALMERIA.

With Thee, the kneeling World should beg in vain

Seest thou not there, who prostrate lies;

And pleads against thee? who shall then prevail?

Yet I will take a cold and parting Leave,

From his pale Lips; I'll kiss him e'er I drink,

Lest the rank Juice should blister on my Mouth,

And stain the Colour of my last Adieu.

Horrour! a headless Trunk! nor Lips nor Face,

Coming nearer the Body, starts and lets fall the Cup.

But spouting Veins, and mangled Flesh! O, O.

Enter Alphonso, Heli, Perez, with Garcia Prisoner, Guards and Attendants.

ALPHONSO.

Away, stand off, where is she? let me fly,

Save her from Death, and snatch her to my Heart.

ALMERIA.

Oh –

ALPHONSO.

Forbear; my Arms alone shall hold her up:

Warm her to Life, and wake her into Gladness.

O let me talk to thy reviving Sense,

The Words of Joy and Peace; warm thy cold Beauties,

With the new-flushing Ardour of my Cheek;

Into thy Lips, pour the soft trickling Balm

Of cordial Sighs; and re-inspire thy Bosom

With the Breath of Love. Shine, awake, Almeria,

Give a new Birth to thy long-shaded Eyes,

Then double on the Day reflected Light.

ALMERIA.

Where am I? Heav'n! what does this Dream intend?

ALPHONSO.

O may'st thou never dream of less Delight;

Nor ever wake to less substantial Joys.

ALMERIA.

Giv'n me again from Death! O all ye Powers

Confirm this Miracle! can I believe

My Sight, against my Sight? and shall I trust

That Sense, which in one Instant shews him dead

And living? yes, I will; I've been abus'd

With Apparitions and affrighting Fantoms:

This is my Lord, my Life, my only Husband;

I have him now, and we no more will part.

My Father too shall have Compassion –

ALPHONSO.

O my Heart's Comfort; 'tis not given to this

Frail Life, to be entirely bless'd. Even now,

In this extreamest Joy my Soul can taste,

Yet am I dash'd to think that thou must weep;

Thy Father fell, where he design'd my Death.

Gonsalez and Alonzo, both of Wounds

Expiring, have with their last Breath, confess'd

The just Decrees of Heav'n, in turning on

Themselves, their own most bloody Purposes.

Nay, I must grant, 'tis fit you shou'd be thus –

She weeps.

Let 'em remove the Body from her Sight.

Ill-fated Zara! Ha! a Cup? alas!

Thy Errour then is plain: but I were Flint

Not to o'er-flow in Tribute to thy Memory.

She shall be Royally interr'd. O Garcia,

Whose Virtue has renounc'd thy Father's Crimes,

Seest thou, how just the Hand of Heav'n has been?

Let us that thro' our Innocence survive,

Still in the Paths of Honour persevere;

And not from past or present Ills Despair:

For Blessings ever wait on vertuous Deeds;

And tho' a late, a sure Reward succeeds.

Exeunt Omnes.

Epilogue

Spoken by Mrs.