John Dryden - Delphi Poets Series

by John Dryden

  [Within.

  Ind. We cannot, though o’er-powered, our trust betray.

  [Within.

  Cort. ’Tis Vasquez’s voice, he brings me liberty.

  Vasq. In spite of fate I’ll set my general free; [Within. Now victory for us, the town’s our own.

  Alm. All hopes of safety and of love are gone:

  As when some dreadful thunder-clap is nigh,

  The winged fire shoots swiftly through the sky,

  Strikes and consumes, ere scarce it does appear,

  And by the sudden ill prevents the fear:

  Such is my state in this amazing woe,

  It leaves no power to think, much less to do.

  — But shall my rival live, shall she enjoy

  That love in peace, I laboured to destroy? [Aside.

  Cort. Her looks grow black as a tempestuous wind; Some raging thoughts are rolling in her mind.

  Alm. Rival, I must your jealousy remove, You shall, hereafter, be at rest for love.

  Cyd. Now you are kind.

  Alm. — He whom you love is true: But he shall never be possest by you.

  [Draws her dagger, and runs towards her.

  Cort. Hold, hold, ah barbarous woman! fly, oh fly!

  Cyd. Ah pity, pity, is no succour nigh!

  Cort. Run, run behind me, there you may be sure, While I have life, I will your life secure. [CYDARIA gets behind him.

  Alm. On him, or thee, — light vengeance any where [She stabs and hurts him. — What have I done? I see his blood appear!

  Cyd. It streams, it streams from every vital part: Was there no way but this to find his heart?

  Alm. Ah! cursed woman, what was my design! This weapon’s point shall mix that blood with mine!

  [Goes to stab herself, and being within his reach he snatches the dagger.

  Cort. Now neither life nor death are in your power.

  Alm. Then sullenly I’ll wait my fatal hour.

  Enter VASQUEZ and PIZARRO, with drawn swords.

  Vasq. He lives, he lives.

  Cort. — Unfetter me with speed; Vasquez, I see you troubled that I bleed: But ’tis not deep, our army I can head.

  Vasq. You to a certain victory are led; Your men, all armed, stand silently within: I with your freedom did the work begin.

  Piz. What friends we have, and how we came so strong, We’ll softly tell you as we march along.

  Cort. In this safe place let me secure your fear:

  [To CYDARIA.

  No clashing swords, no noise can enter here.

  Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be,

  As Halcyons brooding on a winter sea.

  Cyd. Leave me not here alone, and full of fright,

  Amidst the terrors of a dreadful night:

  You judge, alas, my courage by your own;

  I never durst in darkness be alone:

  I beg, I throw me humbly at your feet.

  Cort. You must not go where you may dangers meet. The unruly sword will no destinction make; And beauty will not there give wounds, but take.

  Alm. Then stay and take me with you; tho’ to be

  A slave to wait upon your victory.

  My heart unmoved can noise and horror bear:

  Parting from you is all the death I fear.

  Cort. Almeria, ’tis enough I leave you free: You neither must stay here, nor go with me.

  Aim. Then take my life, that will my rest restore: ’Tis all I ask, for saving yours before.

  Cort. That were a barbarous return of love.

  Alm. Yet, leaving it, you more inhuman prove. In both extremes I some relief should find; Oh! either hate me more, or be more kind.

  Cort. Life of my soul, do not my absence mourn:

  But chear your heart in hopes of my return.

  [To CYD.

  Your noble father’s life shall be my care;

  And both your brothers I’m obliged to spare.

  Cyd. Fate makes you deaf, while I in vain implore; —

  My heart forebodes, I ne’er shall see you more:

  I have but one request, — when I am dead,

  Let not my rival to your love succeed.

  Cort. Fate will be kinder than your fears foretell; Farewell, my dear.

  Cyd. — A long and last farewell: — So eager to employ the cruel sword? Can you not one, not one last look afford!

  Cort. I melt to womanish tears, and if I stay,

  I find my love, my courage will betray;

  Yon tower will keep you safe, but be so kind

  To your own life, that none may entrance find.

  Cyd. Then lead me there. — [He leads her. For this one minute of your company, I go, methinks, with some content to die.

  [Exeunt CORTEZ, VASQUEZ, PIZARRO, and CYDARIA.

  Alm. Farewell, O too much lov’d, since lov’d in vain! What dismal fortune does for me remain! Night and despair my fatal footsteps guide; That chance may give the death which he denied. [Exit.

  CORTEZ, VASQUEZ, PIZARRO, and SPANIARDS return again.

  Cort. All I hold dear I trust to your defence; [To Piz. Guard her, and on your life, remove not hence. [Exeunt CORTEZ and VASQUEZ. Piz. I’ll venture that. — The Gods are good; I’ll leave her to their care, Steal from my post, and in the plunder share. [Exit.

  ACT V.

  SCENE I. — A chamber royal, an Indian hammock discovered in it.

  Enter ODMAR with soldiers, GUYOMAR, and ALIBECH bound.

  Odm. Fate is more just than you to my desert, And in this act you blame, heaven takes my part.

  Guy. Can there be gods, and no revenge provide?

  Odm. The gods are ever of the conquering side: She’s now my queen; the Spaniards have agreed, I to my father’s empire shall succeed.

  Alib. How much I crowns contemn, I let thee see, Chusing the younger, and refusing thee.

  Guy. Were she ambitious, she’d disdain to own

  The pageant pomp of such a servile throne;

  A throne, which thou by parricide dost gain,

  And by a base submission must retain.

  Alib. I loved thee not before; but, Odmar, know, That now I hate thee, and despise thee too.

  Odm. With too much violence you crimes pursue,

  Which if I acted, ’twas for love of you.

  This, if it teach not love, may teach you fear:

  I brought not sin so far, to stop it here.

  Death in a lover’s mouth would sound but ill:

  But know, I either must enjoy, or kill.

  Alib. Bestow, base man, thy idle threats elsewhere,

  My mother’s daughter knows not how to fear.

  Since, Guyomar, I must not be thy bride,

  Death shall enjoy what is to thee denied.

  Odm. Then take thy wish —

  Guy. Hold, Odmar, hold: My right in Alibech I will resign; Rather than see her die, I’ll see her thine.

  Alib. In vain thou wouldst resign, for I will be,

  Even when thou leav’st me, constant still to thee:

  That shall not save my life: Wilt thou appear

  Fearful for her, who for herself wants fear?

  Odm. Her love to him shows me a surer way:

  I by her love her virtue must betray. — [Aside.

  Since, Alibech, you are so true a wife, [To her.

  ’Tis in your power to save your husband’s life:

  The gods, by me, your love and virtue try;

  For both will suffer, if you let him die.

  Alib. I never can believe you will proceed To such a black, and execrable deed.

  Odm. I only threatened you; but could not prove So much a fool, to murder what I love: But in his death I some advantage see: Worse than it is I’m sure it cannot be. If you consent, you with that gentle breath Preserve his life: If not, behold his death. [Holds his sword to his breast.

  Alib. What shall I do!

  Guy. What, are your thoughts at strife

  About a ransom to preserve my life?

  Though to save y
ours I did my interest give,

  Think not, when you were his, I meant to live.

  Alib. O let him be preserved by any way: But name not the foul price which I must pay. [To ODM.

  Odm. You would, and would not, — I’ll no longer stay. [Offers again to kill him.

  Alib. I yield, I yield; but yet, ere I am ill,

  An innocent desire I would fulfil:

  With Guyomar I one chaste kiss would leave,

  The first and last he ever can receive.

  Odm. Have what you ask: That minute you agree To my desires, your husband shall be free. [They unbind her, she goes to her husband.

  Guy. No, Alibech, we never must embrace. [He turns from her. Your guilty kindness why do you misplace? ’Tis meant to him, he is your private choice; I was made yours but by the public voice. And now you leave me with a poor pretence, That your ill act is for my life’s defence.

  Alib. Since there remains no other means to try, Think I am false; I cannot see you die.

  Guy. To give for me both life and honour too,

  Is more, perhaps, than I could give for you.

  You have done much to cure my jealousy,

  But cannot perfect it unless both die!

  For since both cannot live, who stays behind

  Must be thought fearful, or, what’s worse, unkind.

  Alib. I never could propose that death you chuse; But am, like you, too jealous to refuse. [Embracing him. Together dying, we together show That both did pay that faith, which both did owe.

  Odm. It then remains I act my own design: Have you your wills, but I will first have mine. Assist me, soldiers — [They go to bind her: She cries out.

  Enter VASQUEZ, and two Spaniards.

  Vasq. Hold, Odmar, hold! I come in happy time To hinder my misfortune, and your crime.

  Odm. You ill return the kindness I have shown.

  Vasq. Indian, I say, desist.

  Odm. Spaniard, be gone.

  Vasq. This lady I did for myself design: Dare you attempt her honour, who is mine?

  Odm. You’re much mistaken; this is she, whom I

  Did with my father’s loss, and country’s buy:

  She, whom your promise did to me convey,

  When all things else were made your common prey.

  Vasq. That promise made, excepted one for me; One whom I still reserved, and this is she.

  Odm. This is not she; you cannot be so base.

  Vasq. I love too deeply to mistake the face: The vanquished must receive the victor’s laws.

  Odm. If I am vanquished, I myself am cause.

  Vasq. Then thank yourself for what you undergo.

  Odm. Thus lawless might does justice overthrow.

  Vasq. Traitors, like you, should never justice name.

  Odm. You owe your triumphs to that traitor’s shame. But to your general I’ll my right refer.

  Vasq. He never will protect a ravisher:

  His generous heart will soon decide our strife;

  He to your brother will restore his wife.

  It rests we two our claim in combat try,

  And that with this fair prize the victor fly.

  Odm. Make haste, I cannot suffer to be long perplext; Conquest is my first wish, and death my next. [They fight, the Spaniards and Indians fight.

  Alib. The gods the wicked by themselves o’erthrow: All fight against us now, and for us too! [Unbinds her husband.

  [The two Spaniards and three Indians kill each other, VASQUEZ kills ODMAR, GUYOMAR runs to his brothers sword.

  Vasq. Now you are mine; my greatest foe is slain. [To AL.

  Guy. A greater still to vanquish does remain.

  Vasq. Another yet! The wounds, I make, but sow new enemies, Which from their blood, like earth-born brethren, rise.

  Guy. Spaniard, take breath: Some respite I’ll afford, My cause is more advantage than your sword.

  Vasq. Thou art so brave — could it with honour be, I’d seek thy friendship more than victory.

  Guy. Friendship with him, whose hand did Odmar kill! Base as he was, he was my brother still: And since his blood has washed away his guilt. Nature asks thine for that which thou hast spilt. [They fight a little and breathe, ALIBECH takes up a sword and comes on.

  Alib. My weakness may help something in the strife.

  Guy. Kill not my honour to preserve my life:

  [Staying her.

  Rather than by thy aid I’ll conquest gain,

  Without defence I poorly will be slain.

  [She goes back, they fight again, VASQUEZ falls.

  Guy. Now, Spaniard, beg thy life, and thou shalt live.

  Vasq. ‘Twere vain to ask thee what thou canst not give; My breath goes out, and I am now no more; Yet her, I loved, in death I will adore. [Dies.

  Guy. Come, Alibech, let us from hence remove.

  This is a night of horror, not of love.

  From every part I hear a dreadful noise,

  The vanquished crying, and the victor’s joys.

  I’ll to my father’s aid and country’s fly,

  And succour both, or in their ruin die. [Exeunt.

  SCENE II. — A Prison.

  MONTEZUMA, Indian High Priest, bound; PIZARRO, Spaniards with swords drawn, a Christian Priest.

  Piz. Thou hast not yet discovered all thy store.

  Mont. I neither can nor will discover more; The gods will punish you, if they be just; The gods will plague your sacrilegious lust.

  Chr. Priest. Mark how this impious heathen justifies

  His own false gods, and our true God denies:

  How wickedly he has refused his wealth,

  And hid his gold, from christian hands, by stealth:

  Down with him, kill him, merit heaven thereby.

  Ind. High Pr. Can heaven be author of such cruelty?

  Piz. Since neither threats nor kindness will prevail, We must by other means your minds assail; Fasten the engines; stretch ‘em at their length, And pull the straitened cords with all your strength. [They fasten them to the rack, and then pull them.

  Mont. The gods, who made me once a king, shall know,

  I still am worthy to continue so:

  Though now the subject of your tyranny,

  I’ll plague you worse than you can punish me.

  Know, I have gold, which you shall never find;

  No pains, no tortures, shall unlock my mind.

  Chr. Pr. Pull harder yet; he does not feel the rack.

  Mont. Pull ‘till my veins break, and my sinews crack.

  Ind. High Pr. When will you end your barbarous cruelty? I beg not to escape, I beg to die.

  Mont. Shame on thy priesthood, that such prayers can bring!

  Is it not brave, to suffer with thy king?

  When monarchs suffer, gods themselves bear part;

  Then well mayest thou, who but my vassal art:

  I charge thee, dare not groan, nor shew one sign;

  Thou at thy torments dost the least repine.

  Ind. High Pr. You took an oath, when you received the crown,

  The heavens should pour their usual blessings down;

  The sun should shine, the earth its fruits produce,

  And nought be wanting to your subjects’ use:

  Yet we with famine were opprest, and now

  Must to the yoke of cruel masters bow.

  Mont. If those above, who made the world, could be

  Forgetful of it, why then blamest thou me?

  Chr. Pr, Those pains, O prince, thou sufferest now, are light

  Compared to those, which, when thy soul takes flight,

  Immortal, endless, thou must then endure,

  Which death begins, and time can never cure.

  Mont. Thou art deceived; for whensoe’er I die,

  The Sun, my father, bears my soul on high:

  He lets me down a beam, and mounted there,

  He draws it back, and pulls me through the air:

  I in the eastern parts, and rising sky,

&
nbsp; You in heaven’s downfal, and the west must lie.

  Chr. Pr. Fond man, by heathen ignorance misled, Thy soul destroying when thy body’s dead: Change yet thy faith, and buy eternal rest.

  Ind. High Pr. Die in your own, for our belief is best.

  Mont. In seeking happiness you both agree,

  But in the search, the paths so different be,

  That all religions with each other fight,

  While only one can lead us in the right.

  But till that one hath some more certain mark,

  Poor human kind must wander in the dark;

  And suffer pain eternally below,

  For that, which here we cannot come to know.

  Chr. Pr. That, which we worship, and which you believe,

  From nature’s common hand we both receive:

  All, under various names, adore and love

  One Power immense, which ever rules above.

  Vice to abhor, and virtue to pursue,

  Is both believed and taught by us and you:

  But here our worship takes another way —

  Mont. Where both agree, ’tis there most safe to stay: For what’s more vain than public light to shun, And set up tapers, while we see the sun?

  Chr. Pr. Though nature teaches whom we should adore, By heavenly beams we still discover more.

  Mont. Or this must be enough, or to mankind

  One equal way to bliss is not designed;

  For though some more may know, and some know less,

  Yet all must know enough for happiness.

  Chr. Pr. If in this middle way you still pretend To stay, your journey never will have end.

  Mont. Howe’er, ’tis better in the midst to stay, Than wander farther in uncertain way.

  Chr. Pr. But we by martyrdom our faith avow.

  Mont. You do no more than I for ours do now.

  To prove religion true —

  If either wit or sufferings would suffice,

  All faiths afford the constant and the wise:

  And yet even they, by education swayed,

  In age defend what infancy obeyed.

  Chr. Pr. Since age by erring childhood is misled, Refer yourself to our unerring head.

  Mont. Man, and not err! what reason can you give?

  Chr. Pr. Renounce that carnal reason, and believe.

  Mont. The light of nature should I thus betray, ‘Twere to wink hard, that I might see the day.

  Chr. Pr. Condemn not yet the way you do not know; I’ll make your reason judge what way to go.

  Mont. ’Tis much too late for me new ways to take, Who have but one short step of life to make.