To stop their maws with disobedient slaves. They could not have with more observance waited: Are all so quick, they seem to have but one motion, To catch my flying words. Only the alcayde Shuns me; and, with a grim civility, Bows, and declines my walks. Emp. A renegade: I know not more of him, but that he's brave, Seb. My liberty; For were even paradise itself my prison, In former beings; or, struck out together, [Turning to ALMEYDA. Emp. This again! And yet she lives, and only lives to upbraid me! Seb. What honour is there in a woman's death! Wronged, as she says, but helpless to revenge; Strong in her passion, impotent of reason, Too weak to hurt, too fair to be destroyed, Mark her majestic fabric; she's a temple Sacred by birth, and built by hands divine; Nor is the pile unworthy of the god. Emp. She's all that thou canst say, or I can think; But the perverseness of her clamourous tongue Strikes pity deaf. Seb. Then only hear her eyes! Though they are mute, they plead; nay, more, command; For beauteous eyes have arbitrary power. The she's even of the savage herd are safe; And when they snarl or bite, have no return Emp. Were she not she, and I not Muley-Moluch, She's mistress of inevitable charms, For all but me; nor am I so exempt, But that I know not what I was to say But I am too obnoxious to my friends, And swayed by your advice. Seb. Sir, I advised not; By heaven, I never counselled love, but pity. Emp. By heaven thou didst; deny it not, thou didst : For what was all that prodigality Of praise, but to inflame me? Seb. Sir Emp. No more ; Thou hast convinced me that she's worth my love. Seb. Was ever man so ruined by himself? [Aside. Alm. Thy love! That odious mouth was never framed To speak a word so soft: Name death again, for that thou canst pronounce Emp. Such if I were, yet rugged lions love, And grapple, and compel their savage dames.Mark, my Sebastian, how that sullen frown, [She frowns. Like flashing lightning, opens angry heaven, And, while it kills, delights!---But yet, insult not Too soon, proud beauty! I confess no love. Seb. No, sir; I said so, and I witness for you, Not love, but noble pity, moved your mind: Interest might urge you too to save her life; For those, who wish her party lost, might murmur At shedding royal blood. Emp. Right, thou instruct'st me; Interest of state requires not death, but marriage, To unite the jarring titles of our line. Seb. Let me be dumb for ever; all I plead, [Aside. Like wildfire thrown against the winds, returns With double force to burn me. Emp. Could I but bend, to make my beauteous foe The partner of my throne, and of my bed Alm. Still thou dissemblest; but, I read thy heart, And know the power of my own charms; thou lov'st, And I am pleased, for my revenge, thou dost. Emp. And thou hast cause. Alm. I have, for I have power to make thee wretched. Be sure I will, and yet despair of freedom. And 'tis below my greatness to disown it; me; Thou canst not stir a hand to touch my life: Do not I see thee tremble, while thou speak'st? And take the distaff; for thy soul's my slave. heart! I could as soon Stop a spring-tide, blown in, with my bare hand, As this impetuous love:-Yes, I will wed thee; In spite of thee, and of myself, I will. Alm. For what? to people Africa with monsters, So, if you smile, the loudness of my rage Alm. See how thou art deceived; I am a Christian: 'Tis true, unpractised in my new belief, Emp. "Tis but a specious tale, to blast my hopes, Seb. Then, thus adjured, On a king's word 'tis truth, but truth ill-timed; Alm. Now learn, by this, The little value I have left for life, Emp. I thank thee, woman; Thou hast restored me to my native rage, Seb. Know, Muley Moluch, when thou darest attempt Emp. Beware! I would not be provoked to use A conqueror's right, and therefore charge thy silence. If thou wouldst merit to be thought my friend, I leave thee to persuade her to compliance: If not, there's a new gust in ravishment, Which I have never tried. Bend. They must be watched; For something I observed creates a doubt. [Aside. [Exeunt Emp. and BEND. Seb. I've been too tame, have basely borne my wrongs, And not exerted all the king within me: I heard him, O sweet heavens! he threatened rape; In common causes, and desert the best? |