This hour I throw ye off, and entertain Per. My service has not merited those titles. Man. Darest thou reply? take that thy service? thine! What's thy whole life, thy soul, thy all, to my [Strikes him. One moment's ease? Hear my command; and look That thou obey, or horror on thy head. Drench me thy dagger in Alphonso's heart: Why dost thou start? Resolve, or— Sir, I will. Per. Man. 'Tis well-that when she comes to set him free, His teeth may grin, and mock at her remorse. [PEREZ going. Stay thee I've farther thought I'll add to this, Enter ZARA and SELIM. [Exeunt. Zara. The mute not yet returned !—ha, 'twas the king! The king that parted hence! frowning he went; His eyes like meteors rolled, then darted down Their red and angry beams; as if his sight Would, like the raging dog-star, scorch the earth, And kindle ruin in its course. Dost think He saw me? Sel. Yes: but then, as if he thought His eyes had erred, he hastily recalled The imperfect look, and sternly turned away. Zara. Shun me when seen! I fear thou hast undone me. Thy shallow artifice begets suspicion, And like a cobweb veil, but thinly shades The face of thy design; alone disguising What should have ne'er been seen; imperfect mischief! Not his pursuing voice; even where thou think'st In executing puzzled, lame and lost. Sel. Avert it, Heaven, that you should ever suffer I needs must fail; impute not as a crime But to be punished and forgiven. Here, strike! A forfeit as thy life: somewhat of high And more important fate requires my thought. Think fit, I'll leave thee my command to die. Of such ingredients mixed, as will with speed Benumb the living faculties, and give Most easy and inevitable death. Yes, Osmyn, yes; be Osmyn or Alphonso, I'll give thee freedom, if thou darest be free: Thou shalt partake. Since fates no more afford, SCENE II. The Inside of the Prison. Enter GONZALES alone, disguised like a Mute, with a dagger. Gon. Nor sentinel, nor guard! the doors unbarred! And all as still as at the noon of night! Sure death already has been busy here. There lies my way, that door too is unlocked. [Looks in. By fits reveals. His face seems turned, to favour Enter GARCIA and ALONZO. [Goes in. Gar. Where? where Alonzo? where's my father? The king! Confusion! all is on the rout! All's lost, all ruined by surprise and treachery. [where Where, where is he? why dost thou thus mislead me? Re-enter GONZALEZ, bloody. Gon. Perdition choke your clamours !--whence this Garcia ! Perdition, slavery and death, [rudeness? Are entering now our doors. Where is the king? What means this blood? and why this face of horror? Gon. Would all were false as that; for whom you call Gon. Enter that chamber, and convince your eyes, How much report has wronged your easy faith. [GARCIA goes in. Alon. My lord, for certain truth, Perez is fled; Re-enter GARCIA. Gar. Ruin and horror! O heart-wounding sigl.t! Gon. What says my son? what ruin? ha, what horror? Gar. Blasted my eyes, and speechless be my tongue! Rather than or to see, or to relate This deed. The king- O dire mistake! O fatal blow! Gon. Alon. The king! Gar. Dead, weltering, drowned in blood. See, see, attired like Osmyn, where he lies! [They look in. O whence, or how, or wherefore was this done? But what imports the manner, or the cause? But that we all should turn our swords against Gon. O wretch! O cursed, and rash, deluded fool! I, who have spilt my royal master's blood, Gar. Ha! what? atone this murder with a greater? Gon. O my son! from the blind dotage Of a father's fondness these ills arose; For thee I've been ambitious, base, and bloody: The shrillness of that shout speaks 'ern at hand. Of this surprising and most fatal error. [A shout. What's to be done? the king's death known, will strike The few remaining soldiers with despair, And make 'em yield to mercy of the conqueror. Alon. My lord, I've thought how to conceal the body; Require me not to tell the means till done, [Goes in. More shouting. |