Chapter XXIX: 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 yours 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, 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.

_Piz_. Increase their pains, the cords are yet too slack.

_Chr. Pr_. I must by force convert him on the rack.

_Ind. High Pr_. I faint away, and find I can no more: Give leave, O king, I may reveal thy store, And free myself from pains, I cannot bear.

_Mont_. Think'st thou I lie on beds of roses here, Or in a wanton bath stretched at my ease? Die, slave, and with thee die such thoughts as these. [_High Priest turns aside, and dies_.

_Enter_ CORTEZ _attended by Spaniards, he speaks entering_.

_Cort_. On pain of death, kill none but those who fight; I much repent me of this bloody night: Slaughter grows murder when it goes too far, And makes a massacre what was a war: Sheath all your weapons, and in silence move, 'Tis sacred here to beauty, and to love. Ha--[_Sees_ MONT. What dismal sight is this, which takes from me All the delight, that waits on victory! [_Runs to take him off the rack_. Make haste: How now, religion, do you frown? Haste, holy avarice, and help him down. Ah, father, father, what do I endure [_Embracing_ MONT. To see these wounds my pity cannot cure!

_Mont_. Am I so low that you should pity bring, And give an infant's comfort to a king? Ask these, if I have once unmanly groaned; Or aught have done deserving to be moaned.

_Cort_. Did I not charge, thou shouldst not stir from hence? [_To_ Piz. But martial law shall punish thy offence. And you, [_To the Christian Priest_. Who saucily teach monarchs to obey, And the wide world in narrow cloisters sway; Set up by kings as humble aids of power, You that which bred you, viper-like, devour, You enemies of crowns--

_Chr. Pr_. Come, let's away, We but provoke his fury by our stay.

_Cort_. If this go free, farewell that discipline, Which did in Spanish camps severely shine: Accursed gold, 'tis thou hast caused these crimes; Thou turn'st our steel against thy parent climes! And into Spain wilt fatally be brought, Since with the price of blood thou here art bought.

[_Exeunt Priest and_ PIZARRO. [CORTEZ _kneels by_ MONTEZUMA, _and weeps_.

_Cort_. Can you forget those crimes they did commit?

_Mont_. I'll do what for my dignity is fit: Rise, sir, I'm satisfied the fault was theirs: Trust me, you make me weep to see your tears: Must I chear you?

_Cort_. Ah heavens!

_Mont_. You're much to blame; Your grief is cruel, for it shows my shame, Does my lost crown to my remembrance bring: But weep not you, and I'll be still a king. You have forgot, that I your death designed, To satisfy the proud Almeria's mind: You, who preserved my life, I doomed to die.

_Cort_. Your love did that, and not your cruelty.

_Enter a Spaniard_.

_Span_. Prince Guyomar the combat still maintains, Our men retreat, and he their ground regains: But once encouraged by our general's sight, We boldly should renew the doubtful fight.

_Cort_. Remove not hence, you shall not long attend; [_To_ MONTEZUMA. I'll aid my soldiers, yet preserve my friend.

_Mont_. Excellent man! [_Exeunt_ CORTEZ, &c. But I, by living, poorly take the way To injure goodness, which I cannot pay.

_Enter_ ALMERIA.

_Alm_. Ruin and death run armed through every street; And yet that fate, I seek, I cannot meet: What guards misfortunes are and misery! Death, that strikes all, yet seems afraid of me.

_Mont_. Almeria here! Oh turn away your face! Must you be witness too of my disgrace?

_Alm_. I am not that Almeria whom you knew, But want that pity I denied to you: Your conqueror, alas, has vanquished me; But he refuses his own victory: While all are captives in your conquered state, I find a wretched freedom in his hate.

_Mont_. Couldst thou thy love on one who scorned thee lose? He saw not with my eyes, who could refuse: Him, who could prove so much unkind to thee, I ne'er will suffer to be kind to me.

_Alm_. I am content in death to share your fate; And die for him I love, with him I hate.

_Mont_. What shall I do in this perplexing strait! My tortured limbs refuse to bear my weight: [_Endeavouring to walk, not being able_. I cannot go to death to set me free; Death must be kind, and come himself to me.

_Alm_. I've thought upon't: I have affairs below, [ALM. _musing_. Which I must needs despatch before I go: Sir, I have found a place where you may be, [_To him_. (Though not preserved) yet, like a king, die free; The general left your daughter in the tower, We may a while resist the Spaniards' power, If Guyomar prevail.

_Mont_. Make haste and call; She'll hear your voice, and answer from the wall.

_Alm_. My voice she knows and fears, but use your own; And, to gain entrance, feign you are alone. [ALM. _steps behind_.

_Mont_. Cydaria!

_Alm_. Louder.

_Mont_. Daughter!

_Alm_. Louder yet.

_Mont_. Thou canst not, sure, thy father's voice forget.

[_He knocks at the door, at last_ CYDARIA _looks over the balcony_.

_Cyd_. Since my love went, I have been frighted so, With dismal groans, and noises from below; I durst not send my eyes abroad, for fear Of seeing dangers, which I yet but hear.

_Mont_. Cydaria!

_Cyd_. Sure, 'tis my father calls.

_Mont_. Dear child, make haste; All hope of succour, but from thee, is past: As when, upon the sands, the traveller Sees the high sea come rolling from afar, The land grow short, he mends his weary pace, While death behind him covers all the place: So I, by swift misfortunes, am pursued, Which on each other are, like waves, renewed.

_Cyd_. Are you alone?

_Mont_. I am.

_Cyd_. I'll strait descend; Heaven did you here for both our safeties send.

[CYDARIA _descends and opens the door_, ALMERIA _rushes betwixt with_ MONTEZUMA.

_Cyd_. Almeria here! then I am lost again. [_Both thrust_.

_Alm_. Yield to my strength, you struggle but in vain. Make haste and shut, our enemies appear.

[CORTEZ _and Spaniards appear at the other end_.

_Cyd_. Then do you enter, and let me stay here.

[_As she speaks,_ ALMERIA _overpowers her, thrusts her in, and shuts_.

_Cort_. Sure I both heard her voice and saw her face: She's like a vision vanished from the place. Too late I find my absence was too long; My hopes grow sickly, and my fears grow strong.

[_He knocks a little, then_ MONTEZUMA, CYDARIA, _and_ ALMERIA, _appear above_.

_Alm_. Look up, look up, and see if you can know Those, whom in vain you think to find below.

_Cyd_. Look up, and see Cydaria's lost estate.

_Mont_. And cast one look on Montezuma's fate.

_Cort_. Speak not such dismal words as wound my ear; Nor name death to me, when Cydaria's there. Despair not, sir; who knows but conquering Spain May part of what you lost restore again?

_Mont_. No, Spaniard; know, he who, to empire born, Lives to be less, deserves the victor's scorn: Kings and their crowns have but one destiny: Power is their life; when that expires, they die.

_Cyd_. What dreadful words are these!

_Mont_. Name life no more; 'Tis now a torture worse than all I bore; I'll not be bribed to suffer life, but die, In spite of your mistaken clemency. I was your slave, and I was used like one; The shame continues when the pain is gone: But I'm a king while this is in my hand--[_His sword_. He wants no subjects, who can death command: You should have tied him up, t'have conquered me; But he's still mine, and thus he sets me free. [_Stabs himself_.

_Cyd_. Oh, my dear father!

_Alm_. When that is forced, there yet remain two more. [_The Soldiers break open the first door, and go in_. We shall have time enough to take our way, Ere any can our fatal journey stay.

_Mont_. Already mine is past: O powers divine, Take my last thanks: no longer I repine; I might have lived my own mishap to mourn, While some would pity me, but more would scorn! For pity only on fresh objects stays, But with the tedious sight of woes decays. Still less and less my boiling spirits flow; And I grow stiff, as cooling metals do. Farewell, Almeria. [_Dies_.

_Cyd_. He's gone, he's gone, And leaves poor me defenceless here alone.

_Alm_. You shall not long be so: Prepare to die, That you may bear your father company.

_Cyd_. O name not death to me! you fright me so, That with the fear I shall prevent the blow: I know, your mercy's more than to destroy A thing so young, so innocent as I.

_Cort_. Whence can proceed thy cruel thirst of blood, Ah, barbarous woman? Woman! that's too good, Too mild for thee: There's pity in that name, But thou hast lost thy pity with thy shame.

_Alm_. Your cruel words have pierced me to the heart; But on my rival I'll revenge my smart.

_Cort_. Oh stay your hand; and, to redeem my fault, I'll speak the kindest words-- That tongue e'er uttered, or that heart e'er thought. Dear--lovely--sweet--

_Alm_. This but offends me more; You act your kindness on Cydaria's score.

_Cyd_. For his dear sake let me my life receive.

_Alm_. Fool, for his sake alone you must not live: Revenge is now my joy; he's not for me, And I'll make sure he ne'er shall be for thee.

_Cyd_. But what's my crime?

_Alm_. 'Tis loving where I love.

_Cyd_. Your own example does my act approve.

_Alm_. 'Tis such a fault I never can forgive.

_Cyd_. How can I mend, unless you let me live? I yet am tender, young, and full of fear, And dare not die, but fain would tarry here.

_Cort_. If blood you seek, I will my own resign: O spare her life, and in exchange take mine!

_Alm_. The love you shew but hastes her death the more.

_Cort_. I'll run, and help to force the inner door. [_Is going in haste_.

_Alm_. Stay, Spaniard, stay; depart not from my eyes: That moment that I lose your sight, she dies. To look on you, I'll grant a short reprieve.

_Cort_. O make your gift more full, and let her live! I dare not go; and yet how dare I stay!-- Her I would save, I murder either way.

_Cyd_. Can you be so hard-hearted to destroy My ripening hopes, that are so near to joy? I just approach to all I would possess: Death only stands 'twixt me and happiness.

_Alm_. Your father, with his life, has lost his throne: Your country's freedom and renown is gone. Honour requires your death; you must obey.

_Cyd_. Do you die first, and shew me then the way.

_Alm_. Should you not follow, my revenge were lost.

_Cyd_. Then rise again, and fright me with your ghost.

_Alm_. I will not trust to that; since death I chuse, I'll not leave you that life which I refuse: If death's a pain, it is not less to me; And if 'tis nothing, 'tis no more to thee. But hark! the noise increases from behind; They're near, and may prevent what I designed; Take there a rival's gift. [_Stabs her_.

_Cort_. Perdition seize thee for so black a deed.

_Alm_. Blame not an act, which did from love proceed: I'll thus revenge thee with this fatal blow; [_Stabs herself_. Stand fair, and let my heart-blood on thee flow.

_Cyd_. Stay, life, and keep me in the cheerful light! Death is too black, and dwells in too much night. Thou leav'st me, life, but love supplies thy part, And keeps me warm, by lingering in my heart: Yet dying for him, I thy claim remove; How dear it costs to conquer in my love! Now strike: That thought, I hope, will arm my breast.

_Alm_. Ah, with what differing passions am I prest!

_Cyd_. Death, when far off, did terrible appear; But looks less dreadful as he comes more near.

_Alm_. O rival, I have lost the power to kill; Strength hath forsook my arm, and rage my will: I must surmount that love which thou hast shown; Dying for him is due to me alone. Thy weakness shall not boast the victory, Now thou shalt live, and dead I'll conquer thee: Soldiers, assist me down.

[_Exeunt from above, led by Soldiers, and enter both, led by_ CORTEZ.

_Cort_. Is there no danger then? [_To_ CYDARIA.

_Cyd_. You need not fear My wound; I cannot die when you are near.

_Cort_. You, for my sake, life to Cydaria give; [_To_ ALM. And I could die for you, if you might live.

_Alm_. Enough, I die content, now you are kind; Killed in my limbs, reviving in my mind: Come near, Cydaria, and forgive my crime. [CYDARIA _starts back_. You need not fear my rage a second time: I'll bathe your wounds in tears for my offence. That hand, which made it, makes this recompence. [_Ready to join their hands_. I would have joined you, but my heart's too high: You will, too soon, possess him when I die.

_Cort_. She faints; O softly set her down.

_Alm_. 'Tis past! In thy loved bosom let me breathe my last. Here, in this one short moment that I live, I have whate'er the longest life could give. [_Dies_.

_Cort_. Farewell, thou generous maid: Even victory, Glad as it is, must lend some tears to thee; Many I dare not shed, lest you believe [_To_ CYD. I joy in you less than for her I grieve.

_Cyd_. But are you sure she's dead? I must embrace you fast, before I know, Whether my life be yet secure, or no: Some other hour I will to tears allow, But, having you, can shew no sorrow now.

_Enter_ GUYOMAR _and_ ALIBECH _bound, with Soldiers_.

_Cort_. Prince Guyomar in bonds! O friendship's shame! It makes me blush to own a victor's name. [_Unbinds him,_ CYDARIA, ALIBECH.

_Cyd_. See, Alibech, Almeria lies there; But do not think 'twas I that murdered her.

[ALIBECH _kneels, and kisses her dead sister_.

_Cort_. Live, and enjoy more than your conqueror: [_To_ GUYOMAR. Take all my love, and share in all my power.

_Guy_. Think me not proudly rude, if I forsake Those gifts I cannot with my honour take: I for my country fought, and would again, Had I yet left a country to maintain: But since the gods decreed it otherwise, I never will on its dear ruins rise.

_Alib_. Of all your goodness leaves to our dispose, Our liberty's the only gift we chuse: Absence alone can make our sorrows less; And not to see what we can ne'er redress.

_Guy_. Northward, beyond the mountains, we will go, Where rocks lie covered with eternal snow, Thin herbage in the plains and fruitless fields, The sand no gold, the mine no silver yields: There love and freedom we'll in peace enjoy; No Spaniards will that colony destroy. We to ourselves will all our wishes grant; And, nothing coveting, can nothing want.

_Cort_. First your great father's funeral pomp provide: That done, in peace your generous exiles guide; While I loud thanks pay to the powers above, Thus doubly blest, with conquest, and with love. [_Exeunt_.