[A court in the castle. Enter Abdallah, followed by an officer.]
Abdallah
Command a council? without my concurrence!
Already dares she queen it? Haste! and say
You found me indispos'd; and wave the meeting.
—While to the lords you urge—not my excuse,
But frame one from Almeyda.—
Shouldst thou suggest an intellectual wand'ring,
Which makes her say and unsay, it were apt.
Thou art discerning, and do'st understand me—
She is too young to follow her own guidance,
While that of others wrings her!
[Exit Officer.]
Have I waded
Thro' many an artifice, and many an horror,
Seen time and circumstance mature my views,
To let a haughty, foolish woman, cross me?
—Hah!—might I not improve my own suggestion,
And work her high-wrought passions into frenzy?
[Enter Nourassin.]
Nourassin
Heard you, my lord, the summons from the queen?
Abdallah
Ay—and, a moment after, her excuse.—
Would I had heard of aught more rational!
Noble Nourassin! I have here sad struggles.
The ties of blood, my son's fond passion for her,
Those graces that might touch the coldest heart,
All bid me hide the truth my duty claims.—
—Her sudden starts—Her wild apostrophes
To the Castilian traitors, as we hail'd her,
Struck all like me with wonder!
Nourassin
In a woman,
Those flights of fancy, tinctur'd with romance,
Are but an added charm.
Abdallah
Of fancy, saidst thou?
Alas, of erring reason!—Now, by starts,
With more than mortal eloquence, she speaks;
Then sudden breaks forth into incoherence,
While we in vain would catch the fleeting sense.
Nourassin
Conceive you it to be a sudden wand'ring,
Or grafted on her childhood? Yet, if so,
How could Ramirez guard so well the secret?
Abdallah
'Twas a rich secret to him! For Almeyda,
What vast advantages have we not yielded?
—Yet, since at intervals she is herself,
And bears the noblest stamp of gracious nature,
'Twere dangerous to present her to the vulgar,
Whose eyes perform the office of more senses,
And seem to hear, as well as see. A day
Will make the truth apparent; or destroy her! [aside.]
Spare me the painful office of reporting
What I have thus disclos'd! spare, too, her lover!
Nourassin
My presence shall not wound him.—I will hasten
To tell this mournful news.
[Exit Nourassin.]
Abdallah
So! Now I breathe,
And well must use the interval I've gain'd!
[Enter Orasmyn.]
What, still with folded
arms, and downcast eyes!
Watching the hourly lengthening of thy shadow,
When thou shouldst win an empire?
Orasmyn
Win an angel!—
And could I win her, by a love as pure
As angels might inspire, I were most happy!
Abdallah
Oh! be less heav'nly in your adoration,
If you would ever gain an earthly mistress.
Orasmyn
Harsh as she is, I cannot treat her lightly.
—Undone already by officious kindness,
I think no more of self—but of Almeyda!
—Oh, see you not the charm sublime of greatness,
Break thro' the weak constraints of sex and bondage,
And, like the lights that shine against the Pole,
Illumine ev'n her coldness? Wherefore make me
A poor condition with a soul so noble,
Or fetter thus her choice?
Abdallah
Do I hear thee!
Orasmyn
Believe me, Sir, I speak my warmest feeling!
—Endu'd with ev'ry pow'r to grace her rank,
Once place Almeyda on the throne she's born to;
Give that superior nature all its scope;
Her duty to her people, and herself—
The pow'r, the privilege, the pride of blessing,
Will waken, fill, dilate, her gen'rous heart,
Chase thence the cherish'd idol of her childhood,
And leave her judgment free! Alonzo, then,
Envi'd Alonzo! will no more engross her.
Abdallah
Ah! say'st thou? Is Alonzo then her idol?
That was a stretch of policy beyond me—
Orasmyn
—Pardon a jealousy self-love produced—
Alonzo bears a name, may well alarm
A slighted lover—
Abdallah
Would'st thou too deceive me?
Alonzo—Oh! that single word expounds,
Volumes of soft finesses, female wiles,
All her aversion to the match propos'd,
And all her foolish fondness for Castile!
—Who with her heart her own would scorn Orasmyn?
Orasmyn
Ev'n were it so, 'tis but her nature's weakness.
Her country, her religion, and her laws,
All, have forever torn her from Alonzo!
—Nor do I think so meanly of myself,
But that a latent hope still lingers here,
One day to win her.
Abdallah
Were she aught but woman
Thou might'st succeed; but that sex, fix'd as fate,
In hatred, and in love, yields not to reason.
A sigh, a tear, a folly, or a wish,
Annihilates in them each sense of duty,
Each feeling, but for self, and for their idol.
—'Tis true, their passions they can change like garments,
And as fantastically; but ne'er yet
Adopted either, save from some caprice.
Orasmyn [with
disdain.]
If the most charming half of the creation
Is born thus faulty, man might surely rest
Content with superiority, nor claim
The meanness of a triumph!
[Exit.]
Abdallah
Most accurs'd,
Be ever this romantick, wayward, passion!
Giv'n to subdue the crested pride of manhood,
And lay us creeping at the feet of beauty—
—Already has it cost me all his duty,
All his esteem—yet still his heart demands her.
And spite of these heroic, gen'rous, struggles,
Self-love, co-operating with ambition,
Will make him glad one day, my way to win her.
[Enter Hamet.]
Hamet
My Lord, ev'n now, a young Castilian presses
Importunately to address the Queen—
I heeded well your wish, and studious sought
To learn his embassy; but, or prepared,
By those who sent him, or his own discretion,
He foil'd my skill.
Abdallah
Thou win'st for life my favour—
Search, and some curious billet, love-inscrib'd
Will tell the mighty secret.—
Hamet
Nought is found,
Above his own degree—nor arms, nor letters—
Save but a ring; which he at first deliver'd;
The guard incautious sent it to the Queen,
Who wills to see him.
Abdallah
Ah! there's more in this!—
Careful conceal that I have been inform'd,
And lead Almeyda to the hall of audience.
There, thro' the secret lattice, I may hear,
A tale of import—be thyself at hand—
—Now, now, Orasmyn, comes thy fortune's crisis.
[Exeunt severally.]
Scene 2
[The hall of audience. Enter Almeyda, gazing on a ring.]
Almeyda
Oh! fond memorial of delightful days,
For ever vanish'd! in this little mirror
A thousand fairy visions pass along,
Of love, and bliss!—upon Alonzo's hand,
Mine playful fix'd thee!—ah! why art thou here?
—Com'st thou the pledge of safety, and of triumph,
Or the cold legacy of parting nature?
—Oh! still belov'd! tho' in the grave I seek thee,
Thus I accept thy gift!—a bridal token!—
Attends the messenger?
Alonzo [entering
disguised.]
He waits thy pleasure.—
Almeyda [starting.]
Support me heav'n! for ah! that voice should claim,
Long, long, acquaintance with this beating heart!
—But the charm'd sense in many a various visage,
Traces a likeness to the one ador'd,
And hears, in ev'ry voice, the darling sound!
Alonzo
Almeyda!
Almeyda [fainting.]
Oh grief!—oh agony!—oh nameless horror!
Alonzo.Lift up
thine eyes, my soul! and, like Alonzo,
From this embrace derive a new existence!
Almeyda [springing from him in terror.]
How com'st thou here? What evil genius led thee
To cross yon fatal river?
Alonzo
He who led
Leander, through the deep in midnight horror,
—But in his welcome; he forgot his danger
—
Almeyda
Ah! thine is yet unknown—fly, haste, oh leave me!
Where waits thy train?
Alonzo
Amid the slaughter'd Murcians.
Pride, pomp, and glory, yield to my Almeyda!
In vain would time, or distance, wrest her from me,
She, she alone, can shield me in the war,
Or nerve my arm at the fierce battle's onset.
—I knew untold her danger—knew her fate
Required a desperate conquest! that atchiev'd,
I breath'd not till I should o'ertake my father!
—Judge of my feelings when I cross'd his train,
Retiring from this castle—duty—honour
Renown itself gave way to love, and thee—
—I left my officers the pleasing task
T'announce my triumph; and in mean disguise
Unaided, and alone, thus reach'd thy presence.
—Ah! wherefore reach'd it? Since thine eye repels me?
No more the fond companion to my childhood,
No more the worship'd idol of my youth!
Queen of Granada, now thou stand'st before me!
—Perhaps—yet own it not—Orasmyn's love?—
Almeyda
Alonzo, I will not debase myself,
So far as to reproach thee; yet my heart
Feels all the shock of being thus distrusted!
Alas! these childish tears defeat my purpose!—
Fain would I chide thee—fain would I correct
A littleness I fear'd not in thy nature,
Because it never mingled in my own—
But love prevails, and in that leading passion,
All others melt away!
Alonzo
Thus soul of softness!
Thus ever speak!—thus ever fill my heart,
With love, with happy love, and I'll contract,
Whole ages of existence to one moment!
—Mem'ry shall treasure ev'ry hallow'd word,
A charm, a precious charm, against ill-fortune.
—Still in my ear will float that only sound,
To drown ambition's trump, and death's deep summons.
Almeyda
Could I forget thy danger, my Alonzo,
Soft as thy own would be my soul's delirium.
Alonzo
What joy have I in love, save love itself?
But ah! has life beside so sweet a charm?
Where else can mem'ry pause without regret,
Where else imagination turn unwearied!—
—Is there one passion in the human heart,
Absorbs the rest, save love—love, mighty love,
Comprizing in the golden now, at once
The future, and the past, excludes satiety—
'Tis the rich essence of each gaudy flower,
Scatter'd t'adorn the rugged paths of life,
Almeyda
Oh, hours! oh, days! which never must return
When thus thy accents charm'd me!—my Alonzo,
Thou think'st thou see'st me on my father's throne,
Whole nations smiling when I deign to smile,
Or at my frown dismay'd—how would'st thou feel
If this bright vision vanish'd—if these halls,
O'er-arch'd with gilded roofs, and gaudy sculpture,
Presented only an imperial prison?
How, if the radiant ensigns of dominion,
Shrunk into chains?—Alas! more truly such,
Than e'er I wore when in thy father's palace!
—Here in Granada—mid my royal kindred,
By councils flatter'd, and an army hail'd!
Almeyda, is a solitary wretch,
No being sympathizes with save you—
You, only you, of all the vast creation!
Alonzo
Whom can'st thou fear, my love, when I am near thee?
Almeyda
Heav'ns think'st thou for myself, I feel this pang?
For thee, for thee, alone, my nature shudders!
Life has no charm but what your presence gives it,
Nor death a fear but that your danger causes!
—And, ah! that danger fearfully appals me!
Cold chills ev'n at this moment counteract,
The joy, the tender joy, I take to see thee!
Alonzo
Art thou not sov'reign? Who shall over-rule thee?
Almeyda
That tyrant who alone permitted thee,
To cross this fatal barrier; which alive
Thou never shalt repass!—thou hast not known him.
Cow'rs not the dove whene'er the vulture hovers,
And shrink not I before the fierce Abdallah?
Ere yet he knew my soul's most tender part
Ere thy name reach'd him how has he appall'd me!
—I would have been thy fortune, my Alonzo,
But was ordain'd thy fate!
Alonzo
Were this fear just,
(Tho' surely 'tis thy fancy's wild creation)
Yet were I safe—alone, and unsuspected,
Have I approach'd thee; and alike unknown
May I retreat—recall once more my father;
Assert the pow'r our victory has given us,
And dictate to this insolent Abdallah!
Abdallah [rushing on with guards.]
Arrest this slave! we'll see who henceforth dictates!
Almeyda [clasping his knees.]
Ere yet you speak!—Ere yet that dreadful voice,
Denounces all your aspect threatens, pause!
Oh, pause! and listen to the voice of nature!
Thro' me Almanzor calls; through me he bids,
Ev'n from the grave commands thee to be humane!
Abdallah
Would'st thou arrest the sentence on these lips,
Avow at once compliance with my will—
—Wilt thou divide thy throne with my Orasmyn,
And shun to death this minion?
Almeyda
Ah, too sure,
Were these sad eyes to shut him out for ever,
Yet would my heart retain to death his image,
And my last sigh be, like my first, Alonzo's!
Alonzo [raising Almeyda.]
My soul's best treasure! spare this waste of softness!
Almeyda
Yet, yet, can I condemn thee to the grave?
Seal the black sentence to a ruthless tyrant,
And blight thy youth just blossoming to glory?
—Hear me, Abdallah—leave me but myself;
And take, oh! take, my rich inheritance!
The dire inheritance that has undone me!—
I ask but to retain a vain remembrance
Of him whose life I sue for—
Abdallah
I have said—
Nor can aught change my purpose.
Alonzo
Sweet Almeyda,
Degrade not me by this humiliation!—
—I was not born to supplicate a tyrant;
Who poorly plays upon thy sexes weakness.
—Abdallah knows too well the rights of nations,
A father's feelings and a King's resentment,
To dare assail my life.—
Abdallah
Ah! say'st thou, youth?
Art thou so new to life, univers'd in policy,
To think the world need witness our decrees?
Thou, thou thyself, hast shewn me all my pow'r,
Did I not learn from thy own lips, ev'n now,
Unknown, and unassisted, thou art here?
Here, in Granada's confines—in a fortress,
Where tongueless ministers perform my will,
Amid the murky horrors of the night,
And hollow rocks inter the nameless victim!
—Ev'n now death yawns beneath thy feet, a word,
A look, of mine, consigns thee to oblivion!
Almeyda
While I survive?—Ah! how dar'st thou presume it?
—His name—his fate, should echo thro' the world
—
To his dear mem'ry, I'd devote my days,
And live but to avenge him.—
Abdallah
Thou too brave me!
Know thou shalt live in vain—thy feeble voice
Tho' truth-inspir'd, as was the Dardan maids,
Like her's shall cry unheeded; nor can aught,
Save him, or thee, but instant, prompt, obedience.
Almeyda
Oh! my too timid heart!—speak, lov'd Alonzo—
There is a brutal fierceness in his nature,
Which mine was born to shrink from!—busy fancy,
Fills up the bloody outline he has drawn,
And sees thee breathless!—murder'd!—
Alonzo
Thus behold me—
Ere to prolong an ignominious being,
I urge thee to debase a noble nature,
Or break a vow to me indissoluble!
Abdallah [to the guards.]
Drag hence this slave—untold ye know the rest.
[Alonzo is dragg'd off and Almeyda falls at the feet of Abdallah.]
Almeyda
Oh! yet have mercy!—hear in time my cries!—
[She rises with majesty.]
Insulting tyrant!—dread my desperation!
If thy malignity assail a life,
To which that wildly throbbing in this bosom,
Is valueless, nor fear, nor pride, shall bound me;
I will not rest, till I have found a means
To make my vengeance like thine own—consummate.
Abdallah
Thou art too kind to warn me of thy purpose—
Learn first by what enchantment thou shalt pass
The bounds my pow'r prescribes thee—in these chambers
Unpitied—unassisted—shalt thou rage,
Till thou hast found some surer way to move me.
—The officer on guard?
[Enter Hamet, and afterwards Abra.]
Hamet, approach—
Thou know'st my temper—if thy life be dear
Guard well the Queen's apartment; nor allow
One being to pass out—not ev'n herself—
—Reasons too cogent for thy knowledge, urge,
This seemingly strict measure—
Almeyda
You are human!
Oh, hear! yet hear one word.—
Abdallah [fiercely to
Hamet.]
Have I not spoken?
[Hamet retires.]
Thou see'st my pow'r —
Almeyda
Burst, burst, at once my heart!
This conflict is too mighty!—do not leave me,
[sees Abdallah returning.]
For dreadful as the sight is, I can never,
Never, survive the moment of thy going—
—As yet he breathes—as yet my soul
dares cherish
The feeble hope that binds her down to suffer?
—Harsh as thou look'st—yet nature must have giv'n
thee,
Affections, in their turn, as exquisite,
As those that rend these heartstrings—can'st thou then
Oh! can'st thou blight my youth with such a sorrow?
—Precipitate me early to the grave,
And mark life's little interval with frenzy?
—Speak, tell me, thou wilt save him?
Orasmyn [speaks entering.]
That sweet voice,
Strikes on the heart thy cruelty has chill'd,
And, like the lyre of Orpheus, charms the dead!
—In tears Almeyda?—Wherefore this prostration?
Almeyda [with
frenzy.]
—He's murder'd!—lost!—no earthly pow'r
can save him!
The fiat is pronounc'd, and he must perish!—
—Ah! is it you Orasmyn?—give me language,
May touch this human rock into a heart!
Abdallah
Leave us, my son—
Orasmyn
My Lord, I pray your pardon.
Abdallah [to her mysteriously.]
I have not to apprize thee of the terms;
Wilt thou comply?
Orasmyn
Oh! weep not thus, but speak;
Rack me no more with nameless apprehensions,
Tell me Almeyda, all thy griefs, thy fears.
Almeyda
Thou art my grief—my fear—'tis thou destroy'st
me.
Abdallah
Imperious woman! in this hour of peril
Still dar'st thou thwart me; and of all the ways
That might incense me to thy hope's destruction,
Thou'st ta'en the surest.—
Almeyda
I am yet a novice,
In suff'ring, and in sorrow—those sad lessons
Mark'd not my bondage—I came home to learn them.
Alas! to what a home!—I pray you take,
Since I, it seems, must court you to your pleasure,
The crown I have been mock'd with!
Orasmyn
Add not insult,
To that deep scorn I never knew to merit!
Almeyda
Then he indeed is lost, and hope is extinct—
—Ev'n like a falling star, athwart the night,
It drops thus to the earth—too much—too much
Life—reason—all are gone.
[Abra and Orasmyn support her]
Abdallah
'Twere well I seiz'd,
This moment to withdraw; ere yet Alonzo
Can ascertain his rank, or further cross me!
—Nor dare I now trust him—this hateful passion
[looking towards Orasmyn.]
Fills up his ev'ry thought, and wins him from me.
[Exit.]
Orasmyn [to Abra.]
Whence sprung this unintelligible transport?
Abra
Ev'n now, my Lord, I enter'd; nor from aught
Can guess its cause—the Queen receiv'd a stranger,
Who importun'd her for a private audience!
Almeyda [starting
wildly.]
Who, who would let him pass?—the deed is doing?
The fearful, bloody deed!—and tears avail not!
—Ev'n the green earth gives signs of desolation—
And the wild winds cry havock—oh! thou dear one!
Have I for this from infancy ador'd thee,
Have been by thee ador'd?—Yet never wedded,
Never affianc'd—never—one fond thought,
Perhaps took flight ere breath'd into a vow,
And lives emblazon'd in the eternal record!
Orasmyn
Allow me to partake, to soothe, this anguish
—
Oh! give me but to know its secret cause!
Almeyda
Thou soothe it?—Thou partake it?—Mighty
Alla!
This is but a refinement on misfortune—
Thou, thou thyself art its first cause
—thy love,
Thy selfish, thy ambitious love, undoes me!
Mine had been else a common misery—
—But I'll have such revenge—I have not fashion'd
The mass of horrors floating in this brain,
Yet thou besure shalt share them;—hark! he groans
And the dark deed's accomplish'd! pain, or grief,
No more shall reach him—they are all my own
And I am theirs!—
Orasmyn
Oh! this will end in madness,
I burst with vague despair, and apprehension!
Who was this stranger?—Whence his embassy?
Whom mourn'st thou thus?
Almeyda
Whom? Is there then another,
Of soul so perfect, and of form so noble?
No, not in the vast circle of creation—
—Ah!—are those tears?—then thou perhaps art human!
Fly, save him, save him—bring him instant hither,
E're yet the life-blood blacken in his cheek,
E're yet those eyes are seal'd in utter darkness,
And I'll forget the past, will pardon all,
Will worship his preserver!—vain—vain prayer
Thou art Abdallah's son!—the dire inheritor,
Of his obdurate nature!—hence, abhor'd!
Oh! for some depth the sun may never pierce,
Where I can waste my being in lamenting!
[Exit.]
Orasmyn
Danger, and death, I've fac'd in many a form
I've leap'd into the deadly breach; and seen
An host of jav'lins quiv'ring at this bosom,
But never knew I fear, despair, till now!
—Follow thy hapless Queen, and in thy soothings
Have better fortune!—agoniz'd—bewilder'd—
[Exit Abra.]
I dread I know not what
—yet I observ'd
A strangeness in my father's quick departure!
—Too well I know t'atchieve a darling purpose,
He would o'erleap the bounds of truth, and justice.
—Perhaps this youth—yet that's impossible—
Oh! that Almeyda, would enough esteem me,
To trust me with her sorrows!
[Exit.]
[Re-enter Almeyda, leaning on Abra.]
Almeyda
He is gone
Nor can I profit by returning reason,
To win his aid!—Ah! wherefore should I win it?
Alonzo, now exists but in my memory;
Yet here I seek him—here shall ever wander,
Ev'n as the spirits of the dead revisit,
The spot where they have buried all their treasure.
Here fancy pictures to the mental eye,
That graceful form, while yet it was corporeal!
Here last I heard that voice!—oh! might it break,
The bound 'twixt immortality, and life,
To charm with heav'n's own eloquence my woes!
Abra
Beseech you, Madam, moderate
this grief,
The Prince's life is safe!
Almeyda
Safe with Abdallah?
Abra
His son, with gen'rous fervour shar'd your sorrow,
And loves you too well, to desert its object.
Almeyda
Abra, Orasmyn yet has love to learn—
Love turns abhorrent from an act of violence,
Too deeply wounded with a sorrowing sigh—
—Love! 'tis our all-refining touch of heav'n;
Whose kindling emulation ever gives,
A self-exacted eminence of goodness,
To vulgar minds unknown!
Abra
Yet is he safe—
Ne'er will my brother sacrifice his honour,
Much as he loves Orasmyn, fears Abdallah,
Or stain his soul with murder—
Almeyda
Ah! thy brother?
Is then the officer on guard thy brother?
Abra
Rais'd early to distinction by Abdallah,
Under himself he governs in this castle,
To him you are in charge—
Almeyda
Oh! Abra, hear me!
If e'er your features blossom'd into beauty,
Beneath the animating eye of love!
If e'er the throbbing tenant of your bosom,
Felt the soft impulse of a generous passion,
If you would not behold your heart's dear choice,
Like mine, the victim of some horrid treason,
And be yourself a miserable maniac,
Oh win your brother, to release Alonzo!
Abra
Alas! too highly he regards his honor!
Nor dare I tempt it.—
Almeyda
Call him instant hither!
Abra
He will not yield—sweet Princess, be intreated.
Almeyda
Obey me—nor reply—a weak blind hope.
[Exit Abra.]
Still, like the busy
mole, essays to work,
Its slow way thro' the heavy weight fall'n here.
(presses her hand on her forehead.
[Re-enter Abra with Hamet.]
Thou guardian of my life
in its best treasure!
Tell me, Alonzo lives?
Hamet
He lives—as yet—
Almeyda
As yet—Oh heav'n!
Hamet
Alas! it is too sure,
He totters on eternity's dark verge,
Unconscious of his danger—this steep rock
Thro' many a winding path is scoop'd in dens,
Unknown—impenetrable—one o'erhangs,
An arm, which parting from the Guadalquiver,
Deep-plunging seeks an undiscover'd course.—
—There, thro' a fearful chasm wild nature wrought,
Full many a victim to the fears of state,
Has sunk into oblivion.—
Almeyda
Mighty Alla!
The savage utter'd then but the mere truth.
—Thus will assuredly Alonzo perish,
Unless thou save him!
Hamet
Me!—impossible!
Yet think not ought shall win me to destroy him.
Almeyda
Oh! venture not to say thou want'st the pow'r
Lest sudden frost should burst this swelling heart.
Hamet
I cannot, dare not disobey Abdallah;
Whose bounty first distinguish'd, still rewards me.
Almeyda
And cannot I distinguish—I reward?
Oh! let me know Alonzo safe, and free,
And thou shalt find I dare assert my rights,
Ev'n till I awe Abdallah!
Hamet
Never—never—
His nature's fierce—obdurate—uncontroulable—
—Death in its simplest form to man is dreadful,
But when forerun by agony—by torture—
And were I once to wrong his confidence—
Almeyda
Do not I too, know well his barb'rous nature?
—Hast thou a fear applies not to Alonzo?
Thus must he suffer—thus must he expire,
Unless thou'rt won—Alas! that I could barter,
This vain, vain pageantry of regal pow'r,
To be but one hour Hamet.—
Hamet
My touch'd heart,
Ev'n bleeds with sympathy.—
Almeyda
'Tis prophanation,
To mingle in the anguish thou reliev'st not—
—Said I an hour? A few short moments,
Would waft you o'er the river; and once landed
Nor could Abdallah, nor his vengeance reach you!
—Ramirez, gracious Monarch, would reward,
Protect—adore his son's deliverer!
A grateful nation eye thee with delight,
While thy pure conscience would each plaudit echo!
Ev'n she who sues, one day with pride might call thee,
To fame, to wealth, to greatness!
Hamet
Did not duty—
Almeyda
Know'st thou one duty stronger than humanity?—
That awful principle by heav'n implanted,
To still the raging of th'impetuous passions,
Or lead the swelling current up to virtue!
—Oh! then be warn'd! and as thou dye in peace,
List to the voice of heav'n that speaks thro' me!
Hamet [kneeling.]
Endu'd of heav'n! it does indeed inspire thee!
And be my life, or long, or short, it waits
Henforward on thy will!
Almeyda [leaning over him.]
Oh! be it crown'd,
With ev'ry grace, and glory,—may no pain,
No sorrow touch the heart that melts with mercy,
But such a blessedness possess it here,
As makes this life the foretaste of a better!
—Oh! from what dire extremes this virtue saves me!
Did I not say, my Abra, I would win him?
Now tell me, Hamet, how thou'lt save my love?
Hamet
The will once fix'd, I do not want the pow'r;
—To me each gate, each dungeon, freely opens;
I will prepare a boat, and when the night
Spreads her dark mantle o'er a drowsy world,
I'll thither lead the Prince, and share his flight.
Almeyda
My guardian angel! who like him benign,
Receiv'st thy sole reward in conscious goodness!
[pauses.]
—If (and my heart
forebodes some new affliction)
He should deceive me—that would ascertain it—
Hamet, I have consider'd—and must see him—
Hamet
The pris'ner Madam?
Almeyda
Ay the Prince Alonzo?
Hamet
You cannot mean it?
Almeyda
Never more intently!
If thou hast pow'r to free him; thou hast pow'r
To guide me to his dungeon!
Hamet
Through his guards,
And many a vaulted lab'rinth long, and lonely,
How should our beauteous sov'reign pass securely?
Almeyda
I'll dare the chance!—thy sister's veil shall
hide
The splendor of these vestments—now begone,
With circumspection plan Alonzo's flight,
Then haste, and lead me to him—
Hamet.
You must rule—
Yet much I dread this needless enterprise!
—Oh! sister, you've destroy'd me!
[Exit.]
Almeyda
Heed him not!
Ne'er will thy Queen desert who truly serves her!
—Oh! Abra, in the hour of mortal peril,
Should'st thou be born to suffer like Almeyda,
May one as gen'rous as thyself arise,
To save thee from a pang more keen than dying!
END OF ACT III
