Part 15

ISMERON _asleep.--Enter_ ZEMPOALLA.

_Zemp_. Ho, Ismeron, Ismeron! He stirs not; ha, in such a dismal cell Can gentle sleep with his soft blessings dwell? Must I feel tortures in a human breast, While beasts and monsters can enjoy their rest? What quiet they possess in sleep's calm bliss! The lions cease to roar, the snakes to hiss, While I am kept awake, Only to entertain my miseries. Or if a slumber steal upon my eyes, Some horrid dream my labouring soul benumbs And brings fate to me sooner than it comes. Fears most oppress when sleep has seized upon The outward parts, and left the soul alone. What envied blessings these cursed things enjoy! Next to possess, 'tis pleasure to destroy. Ismeron! ho, Ismeron, Ismeron! [_Stamps_.

_Ism_. Who's that, that with so loud and fierce a call Disturbs my rest?

_Zemp_. She, that has none at all, Nor ever must, unless thy powerful art Can charm the passions of a troubled heart.

_Ism_. How can you have a discontented mind, To whom the gods have lately been so kind?

_Zemp_. Their envious kindness how can I enjoy, When they give blessings, and the use destroy?

_Ism_. Dread empress, tell the cause of all your grief; If art can help, be sure of quick relief.

_Zemp_. I dreamed, before the altar that I led A mighty lion in a twisted thread; I shook to hold him in so slight a tie, Yet had not power to seek a remedy: When, in the midst of all my fears, a clove, With hovering wings, descended from above, Flew to the lion, and embraces spread, With wings, like clasping arms, about his head, Making that murmuring noise that cooing doves Use, in the soft expression of their loves; While I, fixed by my wonder, gazed to see So mild a creature with so fierce agree: At last the gentle dove turned from his head, And, pecking, tried to break the slender thread, Which instantly she severed, and released From that small bond the fierce and mighty beast, Who presently turned all his rage on me, And, with his freedom, brought my destiny.

_Ism_. Dread empress, this strange vision you relate Is big with wonder, and too full of fate, Without the god's assistance, to expound. In those low regions, where sad night hangs round The drowsy vaults, and where moist vapours steep The god's dull brows, that sways the realm of sleep; There all the informing elements repair, Swift messengers of water, fire, and air, To give account of actions, whence they came, And how they govern every mortal frame; How, from their various mixture, or their strife, Are known the calms and tempests of our life: Thence souls, when sleep their bodies overcome, Have some imperfect knowledge of their doom. From those dark caves those powers shall strait appear; Be not afraid, whatever shapes they wear.

_Zemp_. There's nothing, thou canst raise, can make me start; A living form can only shake my heart.

_Ism_. _You twice ten hundred deities, To whom we daily sacrifice; You powers, that dwell with fate below, And see what men are doomed to do; Where elements in discord dwell; Thou god of sleep, arise and tell Great Zempoalla what strange fate Must on her dismal vision wait._

_Zemp_. How slow these spirits are! Call, make them rise, Or they shall fast from flame and sacrifice.

_Ism_. Great empress, Let not your rage offend what we adore, And vainly threaten, when we must implore. Sit silently, and attend-- While my powerful charms I end.

_By the croaking of the toad, In their caves that make abode; Earthy Dun that pants for breath, With her swelled sides full of death; By the crested adders' pride, That along the clifts do glide; By thy visage fierce and black; By the death's-head on thy back; By the twisted serpents placed For a girdle round thy waist; By the hearts of gold that deck Thy breast, thy shoulders, and thy neck: From thy sleepy mansion rise, And open thy unwilling eyes, While bubbling springs their music keep, That use to lull thee in thy sleep._

_God of Dreams rises_.

_God_. Seek not to know what must not be revealed; Joys only flow where fate is most concealed: Too busy man would find his sorrows more, If future fortunes he should know before; For, by that knowledge of his destiny, He would not live at all, but always die. Enquire not, then, who shall from bonds be freed, Who 'tis shall wear a crown, and who shall bleed: All must submit to their appointed doom; Fate and misfortune will too quickly come: Let me no more with powerful charms be pressed; I am forbid by fate to tell the rest.

[_The god descends_.

_Zemp_. Stay, cozener, thou, that hat'st clear truth like light, And usest words dark as thy own dull night. You tyrant gods, do you refuse to free The soul, you gave, from its perplexity? Why should we in your mercies still believe, When you can never pity, though we grieve? For you have bound yourselves by harsh decrees; And those, not you, are now the deities. [_Sits down sad_.

_Ism_. She droops under the weight of rage and care: You spirits, that inhabit in the air, With all your powerful charms of music, try To bring-her soul back to its harmony.

SONG SUNG BY AERIAL SPIRITS.

_Poor mortals, that are clogged with earth below, Sink under love and care, While we, that dwell in air, Such heavy passions never know. Why then should mortals be Unwilling to be free From blood, that sullen cloud, Which shining souls does shroud? Then they'll shew bright, And like us light, When leaving bodies with their care, They slide to us and air_.

_Zemp_. Death on these trifles! Cannot your art find Some means, to ease the passions of the mind? Or, if you cannot give a lover rest, Can you force love into a scornful breast?

_Ism_. Tis reason only can make passions less; Art gives not new, but may the old increase; Nor can it alter love in any breast, That is with other flames before possessed.

_Zemp_. If this be all your slighted arts can do, I'll kindle other flames, since I must burn, And all their temples into ashes turn.

_Ism_. Great queen--

_Zemp. If you would have this sentence staid, Summon their godheads quickly to your aid, And presently compose a charm, that may Love's flames into the stranger's breast convey, The captive stranger, he whose sword and eyes Wheree'er they strike, meet ready victories: Make him but burn for me, in flames like mine, Victims shall bleed, and feasted altars shine: If not-- Down go your temples, and your gods shall see They have small use of their divinity. [_Exeunt_.

## ACT IV.

## SCENE I.--_The scene opens, and discovers_ MONTEZUMA

_sleeping in prison_.

_Enter_ TRAXALLA _leading in_ ORAZIA.

_Trax_. Now take your choice, and bid him live or die; To both shew pity, or shew cruelty: 'Tis you that must condemn, I'll only act; Your sentence is more cruel than my fact.

_Oraz_. You are most cruel, to disturb a mind, Which to approaching fate was so resigned.

_Trax_. Reward my passion, and you'll quickly prove There's none dare sacrifice what I dare love. Next to thee, stranger; wake, and now resign The bold pretences of thy love to mine, Or in this fatal minute thou shalt find--

_Mont_. Death, fool; in that thou may'st be just and kind: 'Twas I that loved Orazia, yet did raise The storm, in which she sinks: Why dost thou gaze, Or stay thy hand from giving that just stroke, Which, rather than prevent, I would provoke? When I am dead, Orazia may forgive; She never must, if I dare wish to live.

_Oraz_. Hold, hold--O Montezuma, can you be So careless of yourself, but more of me? Though you have brought me to this misery, I blush to say I cannot see you die.

_Mont_. Can my approaching fate such pity move? The gods and you at once forgive and love.

_Trax_. Fond fool, thus to mis-spend that little breath I lent thee to prevent, not hasten, death: Let her thank you she was unfortunate, And you thank her for pulling on your fate; Prove to each other your own destinies. [_Draws_.

_Enter_ ZEMPOALLA _hastily, and sets a dagger to_ ORAZIA'S _breast._

_Zemp_. Hold, hold, Traxalla, or Orazia dies.-- O, is't Orazia's name that makes you stay? 'Tis her great power, not mine, that you obey. Inhuman wretch, dar'st thou the murderer be Of him, that is not yet condemned by me?

_Trax_. The wretch, that gave you all the power you have, May venture sure to execute a slave; And quench a flame your fondness would have burn, Which may this city into ashes turn, The nation in your guilty passion lost; To me ungrateful, to your country most: But this shall be their offering, I their priest.

_Zemp_. The wounds, thou giv'st, I'll copy on her breast: Strike, and I'll open here a spring of blood, Shall add new rivers to the crimson flood. How his pale looks are fixed on her!--'tis so. Oh, does amazement on your spirits grow? What, is your public love Orazia's grown? Could'st thou see mine, and yet not hide thy own? Suppose I should strike first, would it not breed Grief in your public heart to see her bleed?

_Trax_. She mocks my passion; in her sparkling eyes Death, and a close dissembled fury lies: I dare not trust her thus. [_Aside_.]--If she must die, The way to her loved life through mine shall lie.

[_He puts her by, and steps before_ ORAZIA; _and she runs before_ MONTEZUMA.

_Zemp_. And he, that does this stranger's fate design, Must, to his heart, a passage force through mine.

_Trax_. Can fair Orazia yet no pity have? 'Tis just she should her own preserver save.

_Zemp_. Can Montezuma so ungrateful prove To her, that gave him life, and offers love?

_Oraz_. Can Montezuma live, and live to be Just to another, and unjust to me? You need not be ungrateful; can she give A life to you, if you refuse to live?-- Forgive my passion; I had rather see You dead, than kind to any thing but me.

_Mont_. O, my Orazia! To what new joys and knowledge am I brought! Are death's hard lessons by a woman taught? How to despise my fate I always knew; But ne'er durst think, at once, of death and you: Yet since you teach this generous jealousy, I dare not wish your life, if I must die. How much your love my courage does exceed! Courage alone would shrink to see you bleed!

_Zemp_. Ungrateful stranger! thou shalt please thy eyes, And gaze upon Orazia while she dies!-- I'll keep my vow!--It is some joy to see, That my revenge will prove my piety.

_Trax_. Then both shall die!--We have too long withstood, By private passions urged, the public good.

_Zemp_. Sure he dissembles; and, perhaps, may prove My ruin, with his new ambitious love: Were but this stranger kind, I'd cross his art, And give my empire, where I gave my heart. [_Aside_. Yet, thou ungrateful man, Let thy approaching ruin make thee wise.

_Mont_. Thee, and thy love, and mischief, I despise!

_Zemp_. What shall I do? Some way must yet be tried;-- What reason can she use whom passions guide!

[_Aside. Trax_. Some black designs are hatching now:--False eyes Are quick to see another's treacheries.

[_Aside. Zemp_. Rash stranger, thus to pull down thy own fate!

_Mont_. You, and that life you offer me, I hate.

_Enter Jailor_.

_Zemp_. Here, jailor, take--What title must he have? Slave, slave!--Am I then captive to a slave?-- Why art thou thus unwilling to be free?

_Mont_. Death will release me from these chains, and thee.

_Zemp_. Here, jailor, take this monster from my sight, And keep him where it may be always night. Let none come near him; if thou dost, expect To pay thy life, the price of the neglect.

_Mont_. I scorn thy pity, and thy cruelty; And should despise a blessing sent from thee.

_Zemp_. O, horror to my soul! take him away!-- My rage, like dammed-up streams, swelled by some stay, Shall, from this opposition, get new force, And leave the bound of its old easy course.-- Come, my Traxalla, let us both forgive, And in these wretches' fates begin to live. The altars shall be crowned with funeral boughs, Peace-offerings paid,--but with unquiet vows. [_Exeunt_ ZEMP. _and_ TRAX.

_Oraz_. How are things ordered, that the wicked should Appear more kind and gentle than the good? Her passion seems to make her kinder prove, And I seem cruel through excess of love: She loves, and would prevent his death; but I, That love him better, fear he should not die. My jealousy, immortal as my love, Would rob my grave below, and me above, Of rest.--Ye gods, if I repine, forgive! You neither let me die in peace, nor live.

_Enter_ ACACIS, _Jailor, and Indian_.

_Jail_. They are just gone, sir.

_Aca_. 'Tis well: Be faithful to my just design, And all thy prince's fortune shall be thine. [_Exit_ ACACIS.

_Ind_. This shall to the empress. [_Exit Indian_.

_Oraz_. What can this mean!-- 'Twas Prince Acacis, if I durst believe My sight; but sorrow may like joy deceive: Each object different from itself appears, That comes not to the eyes, but through their tears.

_Enter_ ACACIS, _bringing in_ MONTEZUMA. Ha!--

_Aca_. Here, sir, wear this again;--[_Gives a sword_. Now follow me.

_Mont_. So, very good;-- I dare not think, for I may guess amiss; None can deceive me while I trust in this. [_Exeunt_.

## SCENE II.

_Enter_ ORAZIA, _conducted by two Indians with their swords drawn;_ MONTEZUMA, ACACIS _whispering another Indian_.

_Aca_. Think what a weight upon thy faith I lay.

_Ind_. I ne'er did more unwillingly obey.

_Aca_. First, Montezuma, take thy liberty; Thou gavest me freedom, here I set thee free: We're equal now. Madam, the danger's great Of close pursuit; to favour your retreat, Permit we two a little while remain Behind, while you go softly o'er the plain.

_Oraz_. Why should I go before?--What's your intent?-- Where is my father?--Whither am I sent?

_Aca_. Your doubts shall soon be cleared. Conduct her on. [_Exit_ ORAZIA.

So, Montezuma, we are now alone. That which my honour owed thee I have paid; As honour was, so love must be obeyed. I set Orazia, as thy captive, free; But, as my mistress, ask her back from thee.

_Mont_. Thou hast performed what honour bid thee do: But friendship bars what honour prompts me to.-- Friends should not fight.

_Aca_. If friendship we profess, Let us secure each others happiness: One needs must die, and he shall happy prove In her remembrance, t'other in her love. My guards wait near; and, if I fail, they must Give up Orazia, or betray their trust.

_Mont_. Suppose thou conquer'st, would'st thou wander o'er The south-sea sands, or the rough northern shore, That parts thy spacious kingdom from Peru, And, leaving empire, hopeless love pursue?

_Aca_. By which of all my actions could you guess, Though more your merit, that my love was less? What prize can empire with Orazia bear? Or, where love fills the breast, what room for fear?

_Mont_. Let fair Orazia then the sentence give, Else he may die whom she desires to live.

_Aca_. Your greater merits bribe her to your side; My weaker title must by arms be tried.

_Mont_. Oh, tyrant love! how cruel are thy laws! I forfeit friendship, or betray thy cause: That person, whom I would defend from all The world, that person by my hand must fall.

_Aca_. Our lives we to each others friendship owe; But love calls back what friendship did bestow: Love has its cruelties, but friendship none; And we now fight in quarrels not our own. [_Fight.

Enter_ ORAZIA.

_Oraz_. What noise is this?-- Hold, hold! what cause could be so great, to move This furious hatred?--

_Mont_. 'Twas our furious love.--

_Aca_. Love, which I hid till I had set you free, And bought your pardon with my liberty; That done, I thought, I less unjustly might With Montezuma, for Orazia, fight; He has prevailed, and I must now confess His fortune greater, not my passion less; Yet cannot yield you, till his sword remove A dying rival, that holds fast his love.

_Oraz_. Whoever falls, 'tis my protector still, And then the crime's as great, to die as kill.-- Acacis, do not hopeless love pursue; But live, and this soft malady subdue.

_Aca_. You bid me live, and yet command me die! I am not worth your care;--Fly, madam, fly! (While I fall here unpitied) o'er this plain, Free from pursuit, the faithless mountains gain; And these I charge, As they would have me think their friendship true, Leave me alone, to serve, and follow you: Make haste, fair princess, to avoid that fate, Which does for your unhappy father wait.

_Oraz_. Is he then left to die, and shall he see Himself forsaken, ere his death, by me?

_Mont_. That would you do?

_Oraz_. To prison I'll return, And there, in fetters, with my father mourn.

_Mont_. That saves not his, but throws your life away.

_Oraz_. Duty shall give what nature once must pay.

_Aca_. Life is the gift, which heaven and parents give, And duty best preserves it, if you live.

_Oraz_. I should but further from my fountain fly, And, like an unfed stream, run on and die: Urge me no more, and do not grieve to see Your honour rivalled by my piety. [_She goes softly of, and often looks back_.

_Mont_. If honour would not, shame would lead the way; I'll back with her.

_Aca_. Stay, Montezuma, stay!-- Thy rival cannot let thee go alone, My love will bear me, though my blood is gone.

[_As they are going off,_

_Enter_ ZEMPOALLA, TRAXALLA, _the Indian that went to tell her, and the rest, and seize them_.

_Zemp_. Seize them!--

_Aca_. Oh, Montezuma, thou art lost.

_Mont_. No more, proud heart, thy useless courage boast!-- Courage, thou curse of the unfortunate! That canst encounter, not resist, ill fate.

_Zemp_. Acacis bleeds!-- What barbarous hand has wounded thus my son?

_Mont_. 'Twas I; by my unhappy sword 'twas done.-- Thou bleed'st, poor prince, and I am left to grieve My rival's fall.

_Trax_. He bleeds, but yet may live.

_Aca_. Friendship and love my failing strength renew; I dare not die, when I should live for you; My death were now my crime, as it would be My guilt to live when I have set you free: Thus I must still remain unfortunate, Your life and death are equally my fate.

ORAZIA _comes back_.

_Oraz_. A noise again!--alas, what do I see! Love, thou didst once give place to piety: Now, piety, let love triumph awhile;-- Here, bind my hands: Come, Montezuma, smile At fortune; since thou sufferest for my sake, Orazia will her captive's chains partake.

_Mont_. Now, fate, thy worst.

_Zemp_. Lead to the temple straight, A priest and altar for these lovers wait: They shall be joined, they shall.

_Trax_. And I will prove Those joys in vengeance, which I want in love.

_Aca_. I'll quench your thirst with blood, and will destroy Myself, and, with myself, your cruel joy. Now, Montezuma, since Orazia dies, I'll fall before thee, the first sacrifice; My title in her death shall exceed thine, As much as, in her life, thy hopes did mine: And when with our mixed blood the altar's dyed, Then our new title let the gods decide. [_Exeunt_.

## ACT V. SCENE I.

_The Scene opens, and discovers the Temple of the Sun, all of gold, and four Priests, in habits of white and red feathers, attending by a bloody altar, as ready for sacrifice.

Then enter the Guards_, ZEMPOALLA, _and_ TRAXALLA; _Inca_, ORAZIA, _and_ MONTEZUMA,_ bound. As soon as they are placed, the Priest sings_.

SONG.

_You to whom victory we owe, Whose glories rise By sacrifice, And from our fates below; Never did your altars shine Feasted with blood so near divine; Princes to whom we bow, As they to you:-- Thus you can ravish from a throne, And, by their loss of power, declare your own._

_Zemp_. Now to inflict those punishments, that are Due to the authors of invasive war; Who, to deceive the oppressed world, like you, Invent false quarrels to conceal the true.

_Inca_. My quarrel was the same, that all the gods Must have to thee, if there be any odds Betwixt those titles that are bad or good, To crowns descended, or usurped by blood:-- Swell not with this success; 'twas not to thee, But to this man, the gods gave victory.

_Mont_. Since I must perish by my own success, Think my misfortunes more, my crimes the less; And so, forgiving, make me pleased to die, Thus punished for this guilty victory.

_Inca_. Death can make virtue easy; I forgive: That word would prove too hard, were I to live; The honour of a prince would then deny, But in the grave all our distinctions die.

_Mont_. Forgive me one thing yet; to say, I love, Let it no more your scorn and anger move; Since, dying in one flame, my ashes must Embrace and mingle with Orazia's dust.

_Inca_. Name thy bold love no more, lest that last breath, Which should forgive, I stifle with my death.

_Oraz_. Oh, my dear father! Oh, why may not I, Since you gave life to me, for you now die?

_Mont_. 'Tis I, that wrought this mischief, ought to fall A just and willing sacrifice for all. Now, Zempoalla, be both just and kind, And, in my fate, let me thy mercy find: Be grateful, then, and grant me that esteem, That as alive, so dead, I may redeem.

_Oraz_. O, do not for her cruel mercy move; None should ask pity but from those they love.

[_Weeps_.

_Inca_. Fond girl! to let thy disobedient eyes Show a concern for him, whom I despise.

_Oraz_. How love and nature may divide a breast, At once by both their powers severely prest! Yet, sir, since love seems less, you may forgive; I would not have you die, nor have him live; Yet if he dies, alas! what shall I do? I cannot die with him, and live with you.

_Mont_. How vainly we pursue this generous strife,

## Parting in death more cruel than in life!--

Weep not, we both shall have one destiny; As in one flame we lived, in one we'll die.

_Trax_. Why do we waste in vain these precious hours? Each minute of his life may hazard ours: The nation does not live whilst he enjoys His life, it is his safety that destroys. He shall fall first, and teach the rest to die.

_Zemp_. Hold!-- Who is it that commands;--ha! you, or I?-- Your zeal grows saucy!--sure, you may allow Your empress freedom first to pay her vow.

_Trax_. She may allow--a justice to be done By him, that raised his empress to her throne.

_Zemp_. You are too bold,--

_Trax_. And you too passionate.

_Zemp_. Take heed, with his, you urge not your own fate.-- For all this pity is now due to me.

_Mont_. I hate thy offered mercy more than thee.

_Trax_. Why will not then the fair Orazia give Life to herself, and let Traxalla live?

_Mont_. Orazia will not live, and let me die; She taught me first this cruel jealousy.

_Oraz_. I joy that you have learned it!-- That flame not like immortal love appears. Where death can cool its warmth, or kill its fears.