John Dryden - Delphi Poets Series

by John Dryden

  Who, with four hundred foot and forty horse,

  Dare boldly go a new-found world to force.

  Piz. Our men, though valiant, we should find too few,

  But Indians join the Indians to subdue;

  Taxallan, shook by Montezuma’s powers,

  Has, to resist his forces, called in ours.

  Vasq. Rashly to arm against so great a king, I hold not safe; nor is it just to bring A war, without a fair defiance made.

  Piz. Declare we first our quarrel; then invade.

  Cort. Myself, my king’s ambassador, will go; Speak, Indian guide, how far to Mexico?

  Ind. Your eyes can scarce so far a prospect make,

  As to discern the city on the lake;

  But that broad causeway will direct your way,

  And you may reach the town by noon of day.

  Cort. Command a party of our Indians out,

  With a strict charge, not to engage, but scout:

  By noble ways we conquest will prepare;

  First, offer peace, and, that refused, make war.

  [Exeunt.

  SCENE II. — A Temple.

  The High Priest with other Priests. To them an Indian.

  Ind. Haste, holy priest, it is the king’s command.

  High Pr. When sets he forward?

  Ind. He is near at hand.

  High Pr. The incense is upon the altar placed,

  The bloody sacrifice already past;

  Five hundred captives saw the rising sun,

  Who lost their light, ere half his race was run.

  That which remains we here must celebrate;

  Where, far from noise, without the city gate,

  The peaceful power that governs love repairs,

  To feast upon soft vows and silent prayers.

  We for his royal presence only stay,

  To end the rites of this so solemn day.

  [Exit Ind.

  Enter MONTEZUMA; his eldest son, ODMAR; his daughter, CYDARIA; ALMERIA, ALIBECH, ORBELLAN, and Train. They place themselves.

  High Pr. On your birthday, while we sing

  To our gods and to our king,

  Her, among this beauteous quire,

  Whose perfections you admire,

  Her, who fairest does appear,

  Crown her queen of all the year,

  Of the year and of the day,

  And at her feet your garland lay.

  Odm. My father this way does his looks direct; Heaven grant, he give it not where I suspect!

  [MONTEZUMA rises, goes about the Ladies, and at length stays at ALMERIA, and bows.

  Mont. Since my Orazia’s death, I have not seen A beauty, so deserving to be queen As fair Almeria.

  Alm. Sure he will not know [To her brother and sister, aside. My birth I to that injured princess owe, Whom his hard heart not only love denied, But in her sufferings took unmanly pride.

  Alib. Since Montezuma will his choice renew,

  In dead Orazia’s room electing you,

  ‘Twill please our mother’s ghost that you succeed

  To all the glories of her rival’s bed.

  Alm. If news be carried to the shades below, The Indian queen will be more pleased, to know, That I his scorns on him, who scorned her, pay.

  Orb. Would you could right her some more noble way!

  [She turns to him, who is kneeling all this while.

  Mont. Madam, this posture is for heaven designed, [Kneeling. And what moves heaven I hope may make you kind.

  Alm. Heaven may be kind; the gods uninjured live.

  And crimes below cost little to forgive:

  By thee, inhuman, both my parents died;

  One by thy sword, the other by thy pride.

  Mont. My haughty mind no fate could ever bow, Yet I must stoop to one, who scorns me now: Is there no pity to my sufferings due?

  Alm. As much as what my mother found from you.

  Mont. Your mother’s wrongs a recompence shall meet; I lay my sceptre at her daughter’s feet.

  Alm. He, who does now my least commands obey, Would call me queen, and take my power away.

  Odm. Can he hear this, and not his fetters break?

  Is love so powerful, or his soul so weak?

  I’ll fright her from it. — Madam, though you see

  The king is kind, I hope your modesty

  Will know, what distance to the crown is due.

  Alm. Distance and modesty prescribed by you!

  Odm. Almeria dares not think such thoughts as these.

  Alm. She dares both think and act what thoughts she please. Tis much below me on his throne to sit; But when I do, you shall petition it.

  Odm. If, sir, Almeria does your bed partake, I mourn for my forgotten mother’s’ sake.

  Mont. When parents’ loves are ordered by a son, Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.

  Odm. In all I urge, I keep my duty still, Not rule your reason, but instruct your will.

  Mont. Small use of reason in that prince is shown, Who follows others, and neglects his own.

  [ALMERIA to ORBELLAN and ALIBECH, who are this while whispering to her.

  Alm. No, he shall ever love, and always be The subject of my scorn and cruelty.

  Orb. To prove the lasting torment of his life,

  You must not be his mistress, but his wife.

  Few know what care an husband’s peace destroys,

  His real griefs, and his dissembled joys.

  Alm. What mark of pleasing vengeance could be shown,

  If I, to break his quiet, lose my own?

  Orb. A brother’s life upon your love relics,

  Since I do homage to Cydaria’s eyes:

  How can her father to my hopes be kind,

  If in your heart he no example find?

  Alm. To save your life I’ll suffer any thing,

  Yet I’ll not flatter this tempestuous king;

  But work his stubborn soul a nobler way,

  And, if he love, I’ll force him to obey.

  I take this garland, not as given by you,

  [To MONT.

  But as my merit and my beauty’s due.

  As for the crown, that you, my slave, possess,

  To share it with you would but make me less.

  Enter GUYOMAR hastily.

  Odm. My brother Guyomar! methinks I spy Haste in his steps, and wonder in his eye.

  Mont. I sent thee to the frontiers; quickly tell The cause of thy return; are all things well?

  Guy. I went, in order, sir, to your command,

  To view the utmost limits of the land:

  To that sea-shore where no more world is found,

  But foaming billows breaking on the ground;

  Where, for a while, my eyes no object met,

  But distant skies, that in the ocean set;

  And low-hung clouds, that dipt themselves in rain,

  To shake their fleeces on the earth again.

  At last, as far as I could cast my eyes

  Upon the sea, somewhat, methought, did rise,

  Like blueish mists, which, still appearing more,

  Took dreadful shapes, and moved towards the shore.

  Mont. What forms did these new wonders represent?

  Guy. More strange than what your wonder can invent.

  The object, I could first distinctly view,

  Was tall straight trees, which on the waters flew;

  Wings on their sides, instead of leaves, did grow,

  Which gathered all the breath the winds could blow:

  And at their roots grew floating palaces,

  Whose outblowed bellies cut the yielding seas.

  Mont. What divine monsters, O ye gods, were these, That float in air, and fly upon the seas! Came they alive, or dead, upon the shore?

  Guy. Alas, they lived too sure; I heard them roar.

  All turned their sides, and to each other spoke;

  I saw their words break out in fire and smoke.

  Sure ’tis t
heir voice, that thunders from on high,

  Or these the younger brothers of the sky.

  Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty flight;

  No mortal courage can support the fright.

  High Pr. Old prophecies foretel our fall at hand, When bearded men in floating castles land. I fear it is of dire portent.

  Mont. Go see

  What it foreshows, and what the gods decree.

  Meantime proceed we to what rites remain. —

  Odmar, of all this presence does contain,

  Give her your wreath, whom you esteem most fair.

  Odm. Above the rest I judge one beauty rare, And may that beauty prove as kind to me, [He gives ALIBECH the wreath. As I am sure fair Alibech is she.

  Mont. You, Guyomar, must next perform your part.

  Guy. I want a garland, but I’ll give a heart: My brother’s pardon I must first implore, Since I with him fair Alibech adore.

  Odm. That all should Alibech adore, ’tis true; But some respect is to my birthright due. My claim to her by eldership I prove.

  Guy. Age is a plea in empire, not in love.

  Odm. I long have staid for this solemnity, To make my passion public.

  Guy. So have I.

  Odm. But from her birth my soul has been her slave;

  My heart received the first wounds which she save:

  I watched the early glories of her eyes,

  As men for daybreak watch the eastern skies.

  Guy. It seems my soul then moved the quicker pace;

  Yours first set out, mine reached her in the race.

  Mont. Odmar, your choice I cannot disapprove;

  Nor justly, Guyomar, can blame your love.

  To Alibech alone refer your suit,

  And let her sentence finish your dispute.

  Alib. You think me, sir, a mistress quickly won.

  So soon to finish what is scarce begun:

  In this surprise should I a judgment make,

  ’Tis answering riddles ere I’m well awake:

  If you oblige me suddenly to chuse,

  The choice is made, for I must both refuse:

  For to myself I owe this due regard,

  Not to make love my gift, but my reward.

  Time best will show, whose services will last.

  Odm. Then judge my future service by my past. What I shall be, by what I was, you know: That love took deepest root, which first did grow.

  Guy. That love, which first was set, will first decay; Mine, of a fresher date, will longer stay.

  Odm. Still you forget my birth.

  Guy. But you, I see, Take care still to refresh my memory.

  Mont. My sons, let your unseemly discord cease, If not in friendship, live at least in peace. Orbellan, where you love, bestow your wreath.

  Orb. My love I dare not, even in whispers, breathe.

  Mont. A virtuous love may venture any thing.

  Orb. Not to attempt the daughter of my king.

  Mont. Whither is all my former fury gone?

  Once more I have Traxalla’s chains put on,

  And by his children am in triumph led:

  Too well the living have revenged the dead!

  Alm. You think my brother born your enemy; He’s of Traxalla’s blood, and so am I.

  Mont. In vain I strive.

  My lion-heart is with love’s toils beset;

  Struggling I fall still deeper in the net.

  Cydaria, your new lover’s garland take,

  And use him kindly for your father’s sake.

  Cyd. So strong an hatred does my nature sway.

  That, spite of duty, I must disobey:

  Besides, you warned me still of loving two;

  Can I love him, already loving you?

  Enter a Guard hastily.

  Mont. You look amazed, as if some sudden fear Had seized your hearts; is any danger near?

  Guard. Behind the covert, where this temple stands,

  Thick as the shades, there issue swarming bands

  Of ambushed men, whom, by their arms and dress,

  To be Taxallan enemies I guess.

  Guard. The temple, sir, is almost compassed round.

  Mont. Some speedy way for passage must be found.

  Make to the city by the postern gate,

  I’ll either force my victory, or fate;

  A glorious death in arms I’ll rather prove,

  Than stay to perish tamely by my love.

  [Exeunt.

  An alarm within. Enter MONTEZUMA, ODMAR, GUYOMAR, ALIBECH, ORBELLAN, CYDARIA, ALMERIA, as pursued by Taxallans.

  Mont. No succour from the town?

  Odm. None, none is nigh.

  Guy. We are inclosed, and must resolve to die.

  Mont. Fight for revenge, now hope of life is past But one stroke more, and that will be my last.

  Enter CORTEZ, VASQUEZ, PIZARRO, to the Taxallans: CORTEZ stays them, just falling on.

  Cort. Contemned? my orders broke even in my sight? Did I not strictly charge, you should not fight?

  [To his Indians.

  Ind. Your choler, general, does unjustly rise,

  To see your friends pursue your enemies.

  The greatest and most cruel foes we have,

  Are these, whom you would ignorantly save.

  By ambushed men, behind their temple laid,

  We have the king of Mexico betrayed.

  Cort. Where, banished virtue, wilt thou shew thy face,

  If treachery infects thy Indian race?

  Dismiss your rage, and lay your weapons by:

  Know I protect them, and they shall not die.

  Ind. O wondrous mercy, shewn to foes distrest!

  Cort. Call them not so, when once with odds opprest;

  Nor are they foes my clemency defends,

  Until they have refused the name of friends:

  Draw up our Spaniards by themselves, then fire

  Our guns on all, who do not strait retire.

  [To VASQ.

  Ind. O mercy, mercy! at thy feet we fall, [Indians kneeling. Before thy roaring Gods destroy us all: See, we retreat without the least reply; Keep thy Gods silent! if they speak we die.

  [The Taxallans retire.

  Mont. The fierce Taxatlans lay their weapons down, Some miracle in our relief is shewn.

  Guy. These bearded men in shape and colour be Like those I saw come floating on the sea.

  [MONT. kneels to CORT.

  Mont. Patron of Mexico, and God of wars, Son of the sun, and brother of the stars —

  Cort. Great monarch, your devotion you misplace.

  Mont. Thy actions shew thee born of heavenly race.

  If then thou art that cruel God, whose eyes

  Delight in blood, and human sacrifice,

  Thy dreadful altars I with slaves will store,

  And feed thy nostrils with hot reeking gore;

  Or if that mild and gentle God thou be,

  Who dost mankind below with pity see,

  With breath of incense I will glad thy heart;

  But if, like us, of mortal seed thou art,

  Presents of choicest fowls, and fruits I’ll bring,

  And in my realms thou shalt be more than king.

  Cort. Monarch of empires, and deserving more

  Than the sun sees upon your western shore;

  Like you a man, and hither led by fame,

  Not by constraint, but by my choice, I came;

  Ambassador of peace, if peace you chuse,

  Or herald of a war, if you refuse.

  Mont. Whence, or from whom, dost thou these offers bring?

  Cort. From Charles the Fifth, the world’s most potent king.

  Mont. Some petty prince, and one of little fame,

  For to this hour I never heard his name:

  The two great empires of the world I know,

  That of Peru, and this of Mexico;

  And since the earth none larger does afford,

  This Charles is some poor tribu
tary lord.

  Cort. You speak of that small part of earth you know;

  But betwixt us and you wide oceans flow,

  And watry desarts of so vast extent,

  That passing hither four full moons we spent.

  Mont. But say, what news, what offers dost thou bring From so remote, and so unknown a king?

  [While VASQUEZ speaks, CORTEZ spies the ladies and goes to them, entertaining CYDARIA with courtship in dumb shew.

  Vasq. Spain’s mighty monarch, to whom heaven thinks fit,

  That all the nations of the earth submit,

  In gracious clemency, does condescend

  On these conditions to become your friend.

  First, that of him you shall your sceptre hold;

  Next, you present him with your useless gold:

  Last, that you leave those idols you implore,

  And one true deity with him adore.

  Mont. You speak your prince a mighty emperor,

  But his demands have spoke him proud and poor;

  He proudly at my free-born sceptre flies,

  Yet poorly begs a metal I despise.

  Gold thou mayest take, whatever thou canst find,

  Save what for sacred uses is designed:

  But, by what right pretends your king to be

  The sovereign lord of all the world and me?

  Piz. The sovereign priest — Who represents on earth the power of heaven, Has this your empire to our monarch given.

  Mont. Ill does he represent the powers above,

  Who nourishes debate, not preaches love;

  Besides, what greater folly can be shewn?

  He gives another what is not his own.

  Vasq. His power must needs unquestioned be below,

  For he in heaven an empire can bestow.

  Mont. Empires in heaven he with more ease may give,

  And you, perhaps, would with less thanks receive;

  But heaven has need of no such viceroy here,

  Itself bestows the crowns that monarchs wear.

  Piz. You wrong his power, as you mistake our end, Who came thus far religion to extend.

  Mont. He, who religion truly understands, Knows its extent must be in men, not lands.

  Odm. But who are those that truth must propagate Within the confines of my father’s state?

  Vasq. Religious men, who hither must be sent

  As awful guides of heavenly government;

  To teach you penance, fasts, and abstinence,

  To punish bodies for the soul’s offence.

  Mont. Cheaply you sin, and punish crimes with ease,

  Not as the offended, but the offenders please;

  First injure heaven, and, when its wrath is due,

  Yourselves prescribe it how to punish you.