That still is left us, and on that we'll feed,
As on the leavings of calamity.

✓ There we will feast and smile on past distress,
And hug, in scorn of it, our mutual ruin.

Osm. Oh, thou dost talk, my love, as one resolv'd, Because not knowing danger. But look forward; Think of to-morrow, when thou shalt be torn From these weak, struggling, unextended arms: Think how my heart will heave, and eyes will strain, To grasp and reach what is deny'd my hands: "Think how the blood will start, and tears will gush, "To follow thee, my separating soul." Think how I am, when thou shalt wed with Garcia! Then will I smear these walls with blood, disfigure And dash my face, and rive my clotted hair, ✓ Break on the flinty floor my throbbing breast, And grovel with gash'd hands to scratch a grave, " Stripping my nails to tear this pavement up." 340 And bury me alive.

"Alm. Heart-breaking horror?

Osm. Then Garcia shall lie panting on thy bosom, Luxurious, revelling amidst thy charms;

"And thou per-force must yield, and aid his tran

sport."

Hell! Hell! have I not cause to rage and rave ? What are all racks, and wheels, and whips to this? "Are they not soothing softness, sinking ease, "And wafting air to this?" Oh, my Almeria ! What do the damn'd endure, but to despair, But knowing Heav'n, to know it lost for ever?

Alm. Oh, I am struck; thy words are bolts of ice, Which shot into my breast, now melt and chill me. " I chatter, shake, and faint with thrilling fears. "No, hold me not-Oh, let us not support, "But sink each other, deeper yet, down, down, "Where levell'd low, no more we'll lift our eyes, "But prone, and dumb, rot the firm face of earth " With rivers of incessant scalding rain."

Enter ZARA, PEREZ, SELIM.

Zar. Somewhat of weight to me requires his free

dom.

Dare you dispute the king's command? Behold
The royal signet.

Per. I obey; yet beg

Your majesty one moment to defer

Your ent'ring, 'till the princess is return'd

From visiting the noble prisoner.

Zar. Ha!

What say'st thou ?

Osm. We are lost! undone! discover'd!

" Retire, my life, with speed

440

Alas, we're seen;"

Speak of compassion, let her hear you speak
Of interceding for me with the king;

Say somewhat quickly to conceal our loves,
If possible

Alm. I cannot speak.

Osm. Let me

Conduct you forth, as not perceiving her,
But till she's gone; then bless me thus again.

Zar. Trembling and weeping as he leads her forth! Confusion in his face, and grief in hers!

450

'Tis plain I've been abus'd" Death and destruc

tion!

- "How shall I search into this mystery?

"The bluest blast of pestilential air

- "Strike, damp, deaden her charms, and kill his eyes;" Perdition catch 'em both, and ruin part 'em.

Osm. This charity to one unknown, and thus

[Aloud to Almeria as she goes out.

Distress'd, Heav'n will repay; all thanks are poor. [Exit Almeria.

Zar. Damn'd, damn'd dissembler! Yet I will be
calm,

Choak in my rage, and know the utmost depth
Of this deceiverYou seem much surpris'd. 460
Osm. At your return so soon and unexpected!
Zar. And so unwish'd, unwanted too it seems.
Confusion! Yet I will contain myself.
You're grown a favourite since last we parted;
Perhaps I'm saucy and intruding

Osm. Madam!

Zar. I did not know the princess' favourite.
Your pardon, sir mistake me not; you think
I'm angry; you're deceiv'd. I came to set
You free; but shall return much better pleas'd,
To find you have an interest superior.

Osm. You do not come to mock my miseries ?
Zar. I do.

Osm. I could at this time spare your mirth.

F

Zar. I know thou couldst; but I'm not often pleas'd,

And will indulge it now. What miseries?
Who would not be thus happily confin'd,
To be the care of weeping majesty;
To have contending queens at dead of night,
Forsake their down, to wake with wat'ry eyes, 480
And watch like tapers o'er your hours of rest?
Oh, curse! I cannot hold

Osm. Come, 'tis too much.

Zar. Villain!

Osm. How, madam!

Zar. Thou shalt die.

Osm. I thank you.

Zar. Thou ly'st, for now I know for whom thou'dst

live.

Osm. Then you may know for whom I'd die.
Zar. Hell! Hell!

Yet I'll be calm-Dark and unknown betrayer!
But now the dawn begins, and the slow hand
Of Fate is stretch'd to draw the veil, and leave
Thee bare, the naked mark of public view.

Osm. You may be still deceiv'd, 'tis in my pow'r-
Chain'd as I am, to fly from all my wrongs
And free myself, at once, from misery,

And you of me.

Zar. Ha! say'st thou but I'll prevent itWho waits there? As you will answer it, look this [To the guard.

slave

Attempt no means to make himself away.
I've been deceiv'd. The public safety now

500

Requires he should be more confin'd, and none,
No, not the princess; suffer'd or to see

Or speak with him. I'll quit you to the king.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base injustice thou hast done my love :
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past distress,
And all those ills which thou so long hast mourn'd;
Heav'n has no rage like love to hatred turn'd,
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorn'd.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV. SCENE I.

A Room of State. ZARA, SELIM.

Zara.

Thou hast already rack'd me with thy stay;
Therefore require me not to ask thee twice :
Reply at once to all. What is concluded ?

Sel. Your accusation highly has incens'd
The king, and were alone enough to urge
The fate of Osmyn; but to that, fresh news
Is since arriv'd, of more revolted troops.
'Tis certain Heli, too, is fled, and with him
(Which breeds amazement and distraction) some
Who bore high offices of weight and trust,
Both in the state and army. This confirms
The king in full belief of all you told him
Concerning Osmyn, and his correspondence
With them who first began the mutiny.