Zoa. My life, my soul, my husband. Raym. Ha! this I look'd not for. (Aside.) Pot. Fear not-her whole sex could not move him. Zoa. You will not speak to me. Nay, now I see The cause; your joy can find no words. Yet speak: Come, you look weary. 'Neath our orange tree, Upon the dry turf, you shall sleep, and I Will watch you; whilst the soft winds gently shake The o'er-blown blossoms on your perfum'd rest. Raym. I cannot bear it. Tel. He relents. (Aside.} Raym. My wife! We must this moment part. -Pot. (To TELICO.) He'll keep his word. Raym. Hear me, Zoa. I must, ere sunset, (for my word is pass'd) To prison. Zoa. Be it so; there will I dwell. Raym. Perhaps to death! For when you took this hand, and kiss'd it first, Have I not on the sky-roof'd mountain slept, Rock'd by the whirlwind; and when loud and dark Amidst the various tumult of my soul, Have I not felt the sweetness of thy presence? Is it not thine and shall dwell alone? you 'Tis such a place that cries aloud for comfort. What charm can comfort bring to man like woman? What woman like a wife? Let me go with you. Raym. It cannot be. Tel. Pot. She moves him e'en to tears. (Aside.) Yet he is fix'd. Zoa. I will but watch thee with unwinking eye; And if a tear upon thy cheek should light, I'll kiss it gently off, and still forbear to wake thee. Raym. I cannot bear it. Telico !-Potowmak! Tear us asunder. (They part them.) Will you basely stand And see your chief dishonour'd by a woman ? Farewell. My manhood never shrunk till now. (Aside.) Be kind and gentle to her. Oh! farewell! [Exit. Zoa. (Breaking indignantly from the Creeks.) Zoa is never wont to force her love Where 'tis not welcome. Yet, 'tis somewhat strange; I ask with him to share captivity, And he refuses me. Pot. (To TELICO.) It strikes her deeply : Withdraw the Creeks, and leave us. [They retire. POTOWMAK and Zos. Zoa. And why am I forbidden to partake His bread and water, and his scanty straw; And " 'tis a place ill fitted to my sex:" As if I had a soul to be dismay'd With what these Spaniards can inflict. 'Tis strange, There must be something more. Pot. He must return, Forsooth, to take his honour out of pawn. Zoa. What can he mean? Pot. Zoa. To sell us. Fie upon thee! Pot. The governor has offer'd him large bribes. Zoa. Yes, but his soul is larger. Pot. Soon he'll have two, or fame belies him much. 'Tis said she loves him; language cannot paint it; 'Tis certain that she visits him in prison. Zoa. Thou art a man of truth; oh, do not mock me. Pot. As I've a soul 'tis true. But mark me right, I do not say 'tis love: I only vouch That she, alone, by stealth, to his dark cell, Zoa. His wife! the wife of Raymond! What am I? Say, is she very beautiful? His wife! And brave, and young; tall, or of middle stature; Of what bewitching colour are her eyes→ (POTOWMAK shews her the picture he took from FLORIO. Is that she? Pot. It wants but breath to be her living self. Pot. Zoa. 'Tis Raymond's. Came it from her? Pot. I know not that: but fearing he might damage Or lose the thing, he gave it me in charge. Zoa. Let me look on it. (Takes it.) What a face is here! How fresh the red and white of her complexion: The parting locks that hang on either side The song of his own country. This white hand- A thousand witcheries to charm him from me. I never thought how foul I look'd till now. Pot. What, do you weep? With bare suspicion weep. What, tho' she steals to his dungeon-that's no proof Of warmth beyond esteem. And for that bauble, |