Ind. As briefly will I clear my innocence :
Your alter'd brother died in my defence.
Those tears you saw, that tenderness I show'd,
Were just effects of grief and gratitude.
He died my convert.

Aur. But your lover too:
I heard his words, and did your actions view;
You seem'd to mourn another lover dead :
My sighs you gave him, and my tears you shed.
But, worst of all,
Your gratitude for his defence was shown:
It proved you valued life, when I was gone.

Ind. Not that I valued life, but fear'd to die : Think that my weakness, not inconstancy. Aur. Fear shew'd you doubted of your own in

tent: And she, who doubts, becomes less innocent. Tell me not you could fear; Fear's a large promiser; who subject live To that base passion, know not what they give. No circumstance of grief you did deny ; And what could she give more, who durst not die ?

Ind. My love, my faith.

Aur. Both so adulterate grown, When mix'd with fear, they never could be known. I wish no ill might her I love befal; But she ne'er loved, who durst not venture all. Her life and fame should my concernment be; But she should only be afraid for me.

Ind. My heart was yours; but, oh! you left it here, Abandon’d to those tyrants, hope and fear. If they forced from me one kind look, or word, Could you not that, not that small part afford ?

Aur. If you had loved, you nothing yours could

call;

Giving the least of mine, you gave him all.

8

True love's a miser; so tenacious grown,
He weighs to the least grain of what's his own ;
More delicate than honour's nicest sense,
Neither to give nor take the least offence.
With, or without you, I can have no rest :
What shall I do? you're lodged within my breast :
Your image never will be thence displaced ;
But there it lies, stabb’d, mangled, and defaced.

Ind. Yet to restore the quiet of your heart,
There's one way left.

Aur. Oh, name it.

Ind. Tis to part. Since perfect bliss with me you cannot prove, I scorn to bless by halves the man I love. Aur. Now you distract me more: Shall then the

day, Which views my triumph, see our loves decay? Must I new bars to my own joy create ? Refuse myself what I had forced from fate? What though I am not loved ? Reason's nice taste does our delights destroy : Brutes are more bless'd, who grossly feed on joy.

Ind. Such endless jealousies your love pursue, I can no more be fully bless'd than you. I therefore

go,

to free us both from pain : I prized your person, but your crown disdain. . Nay, even my own I give it you; for, since I cannot call Your heart my subject, I'll not reign at all. [Exit. Aur. Go: Though thou leav’st me tortured on

the rack, 'Twixt shame and pride, I cannot call thee back.She's guiltless, and I should submit; but oh! When she exacts it, can I stoop so low? Yes; for she's guiltless; but she's haughty too. Great souls long struggle ere they own a crime: She's gone ; and leaves me no repenting time.

I'll call her now ; sure, if she loves, she'll stay ; Linger at least, or not go far away.

[Looks to the door, and returns. For ever lost! and I repent too late. My foolish pride would set my whole estate, Till, at one throw, I lost all back to fate. To him the Emperor, drawing in INDAMORA:

Attendants. Emp. It must not be, that he, by whom we live, Should no advantage of his gift receive. Should he be wholly wretched ? he alone, In this bless'd day, a day so much his own ?

[T. IND. I have not quitted yet a victor's right : I'll make you happy in your own despite. I love you still ; and, if I struggle hard To give, it shews the worth of the reward.

Ind. Suppose he has o'ercome; must I find place Among his conquer'd foes, and sue for grace ? Be pardon'd, and confess I loved not well? What though none live my innocence to tell, I know it: 'Truth may own a generous pride : I clear myself, and care for none beside.

Aur. Oh, Indamora, you would break my heart! Could you resolve, on any terms, to part ? I thought your love eternal : Was it tied So loosely, that a quarrel could divide ? I grant that my suspicions were unjust; But would you leave me, for a small distrust ? Forgive those foolish words [Kneeling to her. They were the froth my raging folly moved, When it boild up: I knew not then I loved ; Yet then loved most. Ind. to Aur. You would but half be blest!

(Giving her hand, smiling.

Aur. Oh do but try
My eager love: I'll give myself the lie.
The very hope is a full happiness,
Yet scantly measures what I shall possess.
Fancy itself

, even in enjoyment, is
But a dumb judge, and cannot tell its bliss.

Emp. Her eyes a secret yielding do confess,
And promise to partake your happiness.
May all the joys I did myself pursue,
Be raised by her, and multiplied on you !
A Procession of Priests, Slaves following, and, last,

MELESINDA in white.
Ind. Alas! what means this pomp?

Aur. 'Tis the procession of a funeral vow,
Which cruel laws to Indian wives allow,
When fatally their virtue they approve;
Cheerful in flames, and martyrs of their love.

Ind. Oh, my foreboding heart! the event I fear :
And see! sad Melesinda does appear.

Mel. You wrong my love; what grief do I betray?
This is the triumph of my nuptial day,
My better nuptials; which, in spite of fate,
For ever join me to my dear Morat.
Now I am pleased; my jealousies are o'er :
He's mine; and I can lose him now no more.

Emp. Let no false shew of fame your reason blind.
Ind. You have no right to die; he was not kind.
Mel. Had he been kind, I could no love have

shown:
Each vulgar virtue would as much have done.
My love was such, it needed no return;
But could, though he supplied no fuel, burn.
Rich in itself, like elemental fire,
Whose pureness does no aliment require.
In vain you would bereave me of my lord ;
For I'will die :-Die is too base a word,

I'll seek his breast, and, kindling by his side, Adorn’d with flames, I'll mount a glorious bride.

[Exit. Enter NOURMAHAL, distracted, with ZAYDA.

Zay. She's lost, she's lost! but why do I complain For her, who generously did life disdain ! Poison'd, she raves The envenom'd body does the soul attack; The envenom’d soul works its own poison back.

Nour. I burn, I more than burn; I am all fire.
See how my mouth and nostrils flame expire !
I'll not come near myself-
Now I'm a burning lake, it rolls and flows;
I'll rush, and pour it all upon my foes.
Pull, pull that reverend piece of timber near:
Throw't on--'tis dry-'twill burn-
Ha, ha! how my old husband crackles there !
Keep him down, keep him down; turn him about:
I know him,-he'll but whiz, and strait go out.
Fan me, you winds: What, not one breath of air ?
I'll burn them all, and yet have flames to spare.
Quench me: Pour on whole rivers. 'Tis in vain :
Morat stands there to drive them back again :
With those huge billows in his hands, he blows
New fire into my head : My brain-pan glows.
See ! see! there's Aureng-Zebe too takes his part ;
But he blows all his fire into my heart.*

Aur. Alas, what fury's this?
Nour. That's he, that's he!

[Staring upon him, and catching at him.
I know the dear man's voice :
And this my rival, this the cursed she.
They kiss; into each other's arms they run :
Close, close, close! must I see, and must have none?