Thy anger could not pierce thus to my heart.
Ösm. Yet I could wish-

Zara. Haste me to know it: what?

Osm. And thy excessive love distracts my

sense.

O, wouldst thou be less killing, soft, or kind,

Osm. That at this time I had not been this Grief could not double thus his darts against me

thing.

Zara. What thing?

Osm. This slave.

Zara. O, heav'n; my fears interpret
This thy silence; somewhat of high concern,
Long fashioning within thy lab'ring mind,
And now just ripe for birth, my rage has ruin'd.
Have I done this? Tell me, am I so curs'd?
Osm. Time may have still one fated hour

to come,

Which, wing'd with liberty, might overtake
Occasion past.

Zora. Swift as occasion, I
Myself will fly; and earlier than, the morn
Wake thee to freedom.

Osm. I have not merited this grace;
Nor, should my secret purpose take effect,
Can I repay, as you require, such benefits.
Zara. Thou canst not owe me more, nor
have I more

To give than I've already lost. But now,
So does the form of our engagements rest,
Thou hast the wrong till I redeem thee hence;
That done, I leave thy justice to return
My love. Adieu!

Osm. This woman has a soul

[Exit.

Alm. Thou dost me wrong, and grief too
robs my heart,

If there he shoot not ev'ry other shaft:
Thy second self should feel each other wound,
And woe should be in equal portions dealt.
I am thy wife-

Osm. O, thou hast search'd too deep!
There, there I bleed! there pull the cruel cords,
That strain my cracking nerves; engines and
wheels,

That piecemeal grind, are beds of down and
balm

To that soul-racking thought.
Alm. Then I am curs'd

Indeed, if that he so; if I'm thy torment,
Kill me, then. kill me, dash me with thy chains,
Tread on me:

Am I, am I of all thy woes the worst?

Osm. My all of bliss, my everlasting life,
Soul of my soul, and end of all my wishes,
Why dost thou thus unman me with thy words,
And melt me down to mingle with thy weep-
ings?

Why dost thou ask? Why dost thou talk thus
piercingly?
Thy sorrows have disturb'd thy peace of mind,

Of godlike mould, intrepid and commanding, And thou dost speak of miseries impossible.

And challenges, in spite of me, my best
Esteem.

But she has passions which outstrip the wind,
And tear her virtues up, as tempests root
The sea. I fear, when she shall know the truth,
Some swift and dire event of her blind rage
Will make all fatal. But behold she comes,
For whom I fear, to shield me from my fears,
The cause and comfort of my boding heart.
Enter ALMERIA.

Alm. Didst not thou say that racks and wheels were balm

And beds of ease, to thinking me thy wife?
Osm. No, no; nor should the subtlest pains
that hell,

Or hell-born malice can invent, extort
A wish or thought from me to have thee other.
But wilt thou know what barrows up my heart?
Thou art my wife-nay, thou art yet my bride!
The sacred union of connubial love
Yet unaccomplish'd.

Is this dark cell a temple for that god?
Or this vile earth an altar for such off'rings?
This den for slaves, this dungeon damp'd with

My life, my health, my liberty, my all!
How shall I welcome thee to this sad place?
How speak to thee the words of joy and
transport?
How run into thy arms withheld by fetters? Is this to call thee mine? O hold, my heart!
Or take thee into mine, while I'm thus man-To call thee mine! Yes; thus, e'en thus to call

acled

And pinion'd like a thief or murderer?
Shall I not hurt or bruise thy tender body,
And stain thy bosom with the rust of these
Rude irons? Must I meet thee thus, Almeria?
Alm. Thus, thus; we parted, thus to meet
again.

Thou told'st me thou wouldst think how we
might meet

To part no more-Now we will part no more;
For these thy chains, or death, shall join us ever.
Osm. Oh! O-

Alm. Give me that sigh.

Why dost thou heave, and stifle in thy griefs?
Thy heart will burst, thy eyes look red and

start;

Give thy soul way, and tell me thy dark thought. Osm. For this world's rule, I would not wound thy breast

woes

Thee mine, were comfort, joy, extremest ecstasy.
But, O, thou art not mine, not e'en in misery;
And 'tis deny'd to me to be so bless'd,
As to be wretched with thee.

Because not knowing danger. Butlook forward;
Think of to-morrow, when thou shalt be torn
From these weak, struggling, unextended arms:
Think how my heart will heave, and eyes will
strain,

To grasp and reach what is deny'd my hands:
Think how I am, when thou shalt wed with
Garcia !

With such a dagger as then struck my heart.
Alm. Why? why? To know it, cannot Then will I smear these walls with blood,

wound me more,

Than knowing thou hast felt it. Tell it me-And dash my
Thou giv'st me pain with too much tenderness. Break on this

disfigure

face, and rive my clotted hair. flinty floor my throbbing breast.

And grovel with gash'd hands to scratch a grave, | And will indulge it now. What miseries?
And bury me alive.
Who would not be thus happily confin'd
To be the care of weeping majesty?

Alm. Heart-breaking horror!
Osm. Then Garcia shall lie panting on thy To have contending queens, at dead of night,
Forsake their down, to wake with wat'ry eyes,
And watch like tapers o'er your hour of rest.
O curse! I cannot hold-

bosom,

Luxurious, revelling amidst thy charms;
Hell! hell! have I not cause to rage and rave?
What are all racks, and wheels, and whips
to this?

O my Almeria!

What do the damn'd endure, but to despair,
But knowing heav'n, to know it lost for ever?
Alm. O am struck, thy words are bolts
of ice,
Which shot into my breast now melt and
chill me,

Enter ZARA, PEREZ, and SElim.
Zara. Somewhat of weight to me requires
his freedom.

Dare you dispute the king's command? Behold
The royal signet.
[Aside to Perez.

Per. I obey; yet beg

Your majesty one moment to defer
Your entring, till the princess is return'd
from visiting the noble prisoner.

Zara. Ila!

What say'st thou?

[Aside to Zara.

Osm. Come, 'tis too much.
Zara, Villain!

Osm. How, madam?
Zara. Thou shalt die.
Osm. I thank you.

Zara. Thou liest, for now I know for whom
thou'dst live.

Osm. Then you may know for whom I'd die.
Zara. Hell!" hell!

Yet I'll be calm-Dark and unknown betrayer!
But now the dawn begins, and the slow hand
Of fate is stretch'd to draw the veil, and leave
Thee bare, the naked mark of public view.

Osm. You may be still deceiv'd; 'tis in my

look this slave

[Aside to Perez. Osm. We are lost! undone, discover'd! Speak of compassion, let her hear you. speak Of interceding for me with the king; Say something quickly to conceal our loves,No, not the princess, suffer'd or to see, If possible[Aside to Almeria.

[To the Guard. Attempt no means to make himself away. i've been deceiv'd. The public safety now Requires he should be more confin'd, and none,

Alm. I cannot speak..

Osm. Let me

[Aside to Osmyn.

Conduct you forth, as not perceiving her,
But till she's gone; then bless me thus again.

Or speak with him: I'll quit you to the king.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base injustice thou hast done my love;
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past distress,
And all those ills which thou so long hast
mourn'd,

[Aside to Almeria. Heav'n has no rage like love to hatred turn'd, Zara. Trembling and weeping as he leads Nor hell a fury like a woman scorn'd.

her forth!

Confusion in his face, and grief in hers!
'Tis plain I've been abus'd-
Perdition catch 'em both, and ruin part 'em.

[Aside. Osm. This charity to one unknown, and thus [Aloud to Almeria, as she is going. Distress'd, heav'n will repay: all thanks are poor. [Exit Almeria. Zara. Damn'd, damn'd dissembler! Yet I will be calm,

Osm. At your return so soon and unexpected!
Zara. And so unwish'd, unwanted too it

ACT IV.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I-A Room of State.

Enter ZARA and SELIM.

Zara. Thou hast already rack'd me with thy stay;

Therefore require me not to ask thee twice: Reply at once to all. What is concluded? Sel. Your accusation highly has incens'd The king, and were alone enough to urge Choke in my rage, and know the utmost depth The fate of Osmyn; but to that, fresh news Of this deceiver [Aside] You seem much Has since arriv'd, of more revolted troops. surpris'd. Tis certain Heli too is fled, and with him (Which breeds amazement and distraction) Who bore high offices of weight and trust, Both in the state and army. This confirms The king in full belief of all you told him Concerning Osmyn, and his correspondence With them who first began the mutiny. Wherefore a warrant for his death is sign'd; And order given for public execution.

some

Zara. Ha! haste thee! fly, prevent his fate
and mine;

Find out the king, tell him I have of weight
More than his crown t' impart, ere Osmyn die.
Sel. It needs not, for the king will straight
be here,

And as to your revenge, not his own int'rest,
Pretend to sacrifice the life of Osmyn.

Zara. What shall I say? Invent, contrive, Have I? Yet 'twere the lowest baseness, now advise To yield him up-No, I will still conceal him, Somewhat to blind the king, and save his life And try the force of yet more obligations. In whom I live. Devise the means to shun it, [Aside. Quick; or, by heav'n, this dagger drinks thy Gon. 'Tis not impossible. Yet it may be That some impostor has usurp'd his name. Sel. My life is yours, nor wish I to pre-Your beauteous captive, Zara, can inform If such a one, so 'scaping, was receiv'd At any time in Albucacim's court.

blood.

serve it,

But to serve you. I have already thought.
Zara. Forgive my rage; I know thy love

and truth.

But say, what's to be done? or when, or bow,
Shall I prevent or stop the approaching danger?
Sel. You must still seem most resolute and
fix'd

On Osmyn's death; too quick a change of
mercy

Might breed suspicion of the cause. Advise
That execution may be done in private,
Zara. On what pretence?

Set. Your own request's enough.
However, for a colour, tell him you
Have cause to fear his guards may be cor-
rupted,

And some of them bought off to Osmyn's
interest,

Who, at the place of execution, will
Attempt to force his way for an escape;
The state of things will countenance all
picions.

King. Pardon, fair excellence, this long neg

lect;

An unforeseen, unwelcome hour of business,
Has thrust between us and our while of love;
But wearing now apace with ebbing sand,
Will quickly waste and give again the day.
Zara. You're to secure: the danger is more
imminent

Than your high courage suffers you to see:
While Osmyn lives, you are not safe.
King. His doom

Is pass'd if you revoke it not, he dies.
Zara. 'Tis well. By what I heard upon
your entrance,

I find I can unfold what yet concerns
You more. One who did call himself Alphonso
Was cast upon my coast, as is reported,
And oft had private conference with the ling;
To what effect I knew not then: but he,
sus-Alphonso, secretly departed, just

Then offer to the king to have him strangled
In secret by your mutes: and get an order,
That none but mutes may have admittance
to him.

I can no more, the king is here. Obtain
This grant-and I'll acquaint you with the
[Exit.

rest.

Enter KING, GONSALEZ, and Perez. King. Bear to the dungeon those rebellious slaves:

But for their leaders, Sancho and Ramirez,

Let 'em be led away to present death.

Perez, see it perforin'd.

Gon. Might I presume,

Their execution better were deferr'd,

About the time our arms embark'd for Spain,
What I know more is, that a triple league
Of strictest friendship was profest between
Alphonso, Heli, and the traitor Osmyn.

King. Public report is ratified in this.
Zara, And Osmyn's death requir'd of strong
necessity.

King. Give order straight that all the pris'-
ners die,

Zara. Forbear a moment, somewhat more
I have

Worthy your private ear, and this your mi

nister.

King. Let all, except Gonsalez, leave the room. [Exeunt Perez, etc. Zara. I am your captive, and you've us'd &nobly;

Till Osmyn die. Mean time we may learn more And in return of, though otherwise

Of this conspiracy.

King. Then be it so.

Stay, soldier; they shall suffer with the Moor.
Are none return'd of those that follow'd Heli?
Gon. None, sir. Some papers have been
since discover'd

In Roderigo's house, who fled with him,
Which seem to intimate, as if Alphonso
Were still alive, and arming in Valencia:
Which wears indeed this colour of a truth,
They who have fled have that way bent their

course.

Of the same nature divers notes have been
Dispers'd t' amuse the people; whereupon
Some ready of belief, have rais'd this rumour:
That being sav'd upon the coast of Afric,
He there disclos'd himself to Albucacim,
And by a secret compact made with him,
Open'd and urg'd the way to this invasion;
While he himself, returning to Valencia
In private, undertook to raise this tumult.
Żara. Ha! hear'st thou that? Is Osmyn then
Alphonso?

O certain death for him, as sure despair
For me, if it be known-If not, what hope

Your enemy,

I think it fit to tell you, that your guards
Are tainted: some among 'em have resolv'd
To rescue Osmyn at the place of death.

King. Is treason then so near us as

our

guards?
Zara. Most certain; though my knowledge
is not yet

So ripe, to point at the particular men.
King. What's to be done?
Zara. That too I will advise.

I have remaining in my train some mutes,
A present once from the sultana queen,
In the grand signior's court. These from their
infancy

Are practis'd in the trade of death; and shall
(As there the custom is) in private strangle
Osmyn.

Gon. My lord, the queen advises' well.
King. What off'ring, or what recompense

remains

In me, that can be worthy so great services?
To cast beneath your feet the crown you've
sav'd,
Though on the head that wears it, were too little.

Zura. Of that hereafter; but, mean time, What if she had seen Osmyn? though 'twere

'tis fit
mitted

You give strict charge that none may be

To see the pris'ner, but such mutes as I
Shall send.

Od

King. Who waits there?

your life take heed,

strange;

ad-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?

Gon. If Osmyn be, as Zara has related, That only Zara's mutes, or such who bring Her warrant, have admittance to the Moor.Alphonso's friend, 'tis not impossible Zara. They, and no other, not the princess' But she might wish on his account to see him. King. Say'st thou? By heaven thou hast rous'd a thought,

self.

Per. Your majesty shall be obey'd.
King. Retire.

frame. my [Exit Perez. That like a sudden earthquake shakes Confusion! then my daughter's an accomplice, And plots in private with this hellish Moor. Gon. That were too hard a thought—but see she comes

Gon. That interdiction so particular, Pronoune'd with vehemence against the princess, Should have more meaning than appears barefac'd.

The king is blinded by his love, and heeds
It not [Aside]--Your majesty sure might have

spar'd

The last restraint; you hardly can suspect
The princess is confed'rate with the Moor.
Zara. I've heard, her charity did once extend
So far, to visit him, at his request.

Gon. Bat

King, How? She visit Osmyn! What, my

daughter?

I had determin'd to have sent for you.
Sel. Madam, take heed; or you have ruin'd Let your attendant be dismiss'd; I have
[Aside to Zara,
Zara. And after did solicit you on his
Behalf-

Her words and actions are obscure and double,
Sometimes concur and sometimes disagree:
I like it not.

King. What dost thou think, Gonsalez;
Are we not much indebted to this fair one?
Gon. I am a little slow of credit, sir,
In the sincerity of women's actions.
Methinks this lady's hatred to the Moor
Disquiets her too much; which makes it seem
As if she'd rather that she did not hate him.
I wish her mutes are meant to be employ'd
As she pretends-I doubt it now-Your guards
Corrupted! how? by whom? who told her so?
Ith' evening Osmyn was to die; at midnight
She begg'd the royal signet to release him;
I'th' morning he must die again; ere noon
Her mutes alone must strangle him, or he'll
Escape. This put together suits not well.
King. Yet that there's truth in what she has
discover'd,

Is manifest from every circumstance.

[Leonora retires. To talk with you. Come near; why dost thou shake?

What mean those swoln and red-fleck'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 traitors on the rack?
Wherefore I have deferr'd the marriage-rites,
Nor shall the guilty horrors of this day
Prophane that jubilee.

Alm. 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 falsehood.
Why art thou mute? base and degenerate maid!
Gon. Dear madam, speak, or you'll incense

the king.

should

Alm. What is't to speak? or wherefore speak? What mean these tears, but grief unutterable? King. They are the dumb confessions of thy mind;

They mean thy guilt; and say thou wert con

fed'rate

With damn'd conspirators to take my life.

This tumult, and the lords who fled with Heli, O impious parricide! now can'st thou speak? Are confirmation-that Alphonso lives,

Agrees expressly too with her report.

Alm. O earth, behold I kneel upon thy bosom, And bend my flowing eyes, to stream upon

Gon. I grant it, sir; and doubt not, but in 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!

But why that needless caution of the princess?—I have no parent elsc-be thou a mother,

And step between me and the curse of him,
Who was who 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-and, if thou
wouldst

Acquit thyself of those detested names,
Swear thou hast never seen that foreign dog,
Now doom'd to die, that most accursed Osmyn.
Alm. Never, but as with innocence I might,
And free of all bad purposes: so heav'n's
My witness.

King. Vile equivocating wretch!
With innocence! O patience! hear-she owns

it!

Confesses it! By heav'n, I'll have him rack'd,
Torn, mangl'd, flay'd, impal'd-all pains and

tortures

Alm. O stay, yet stay; hear
mad.
would to heaven I were-he's gone.
Gon. Have comfort.

Alm. Cursed be that rogue that bids me be
of comfort!

Cursed my own tongue, that could not move his pity!

That wit of man and dire revenge can think,
Shall be, accumulated, under-bear.
Alm. O, I am lost-there fate begins to Cursed these weak hands, that could not hold

King. Hear me; then, if thou canst, reply: For he is gone to doom Alphonso's death. Gon. Your too excessive grief works on

know, traitress,

I'm not to learn that curs'd Alphonso lives:
Nor am I ignorant what Osmyn is-
Alm. Then all is ended, and we both must

die.

Since thou'rt reveal'd, alone thou shalt not die:
And yet alone would I have died, heav'n knows,
Repeated deaths, rather than have reveal'd thee.
King, Hell! hell! do I hear this, and yet
endure!

your fancy, And deludes your sense. Alphonso, if living, Is far from hence, beyond your father's power. Alm. Hence, thou detested ill-tim'd flatterer! Source of my woes! thou and thy race be curs'd!

But doubly thou, who couldst alone have po-
licy

And fraud, to find the fatal secret out,
And know that Osmyn was Alphonso!

Gon. Ha!

Alm. Why dost thou start? what dost thou see or hear?

What, dar'st thou to my face avow thy guilt?
Hence, ere I curse-fly my just rage with speed;
Lest I forget us both and spurn thee from me.
Alm. And yet a father! think I am your child.
Turn not your eyes away-look on me kneeling; Is it the doleful bell, tolling for death?
Now curse me if you can, now spurn me off. Or dying groans from my Alphonso's breast?
Did ever father curse his kneeling child? See, see; look yonder, where a grizzled, pale,
Never; for always blessings crown that posture. And ghastly head glares by, all smear'd with
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. Alm. 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, though thou and I,
And all should follow to partake his doom.
Away, off, let me go-Call her attendants.

Re-enter LEONORA and Women.
Alm. Drag me, harrow the earth with my
bare bosom,

Fil not let go till you have spar'd my husband.
King. Ha! husband! Which? who?
Alm. He, he is my husband.
King. Who?

Alm. 0

[Faints.

Let me go, let me fall, sink deep-I'll dig,
I'll dig a grave, and tear up death; I will;
Yes, I will strip off life, and we will change:
I will be death; then, though you kill my
husband,

He shall be mine still, and for ever mine.
King. What husband? whom dost thou

mean?

Gon. She raves!

blood,

Gasping as it would speak; and after see!
Behold a damp dead hand has dropp'd a dagger:
I'll catch it-Hark! a voice cries murder! ah!
My father's voice! hollow it sounds, and calls
Me from the tomb-I'll follow it; for there
I shall again behold my dear Alphonso.

[Exeunt Almeria and Leonora. Gon. She's greatly griev'd: nor am I less surpris'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 should descend on
him,

To grace the line of my posterity?
Hold, let me think-if I should tell the king-
Things come to this extremity; 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 though 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 amuse the king,