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Open the door, I must and ••ill have entrance unto the Prince my brother, as y•••• love your life and safety and that Ladies ••••nor, whom you are lodg'd in amorous twi••••s▪ with, do not deny me entrance to you, I am Abra••••n, your loyal brother Abrahen.
'Tis his voice,
and there can be no danger in't, Caropia, be not dismaid, though w'are to him discover'd. your fame shall taste no blemish by't. Now brother, 'tis something rude in you, thus violently to presse upon our privacies.
My affection shall be my Advocate, and plead my care of your lov'd welfare, as you love your honour, haste from this place, or you'l betray the Lady to ruin most inevitable. Her husband has notice of your being here, and's comming on wings of jealousie and desperate rage to intercept you in your close delights. In breif, I over heard a trusty Servant of his ith'Camp come and declare your highnesse was private with Caropia: at which tidings the sea with greater haste when vext with tempests, so sudden and boystrous, flies not towards the shore, then he intended homewards. He by this needs must have gain'd the City; for with all my power I hasted hitherward, that by your absence you might prevent his veiw of you.
Why? the slave dare not invade my person, had he found me in fair Caropias armes: 'twould be ignoble, now I have caus'd her danger, should I not defend her from his violence. I'le stay though he come arm'd with thunder.
That will be a certain means to ruin her: To me count that cure, I'le stand between the Lady, and Mura's fury, when your very sight, giving fresh fire to th'injury, will incense him 'gainst her beyond all patience.
Nay, besides his violent wrath breaking through his allegiance, may riot on your person. Dear my Lord withdraw your self, there may be some excuse when you are absent thought on, to take off Mura's suspition: by our loves, depart I do beseech you. Hapless I was born to be most miserable.
You shall over-rule me▪ Better it is for him with unhallowed hands
to act a sacriledg on our Prophets tom then to profane this purity with the le•••••• offer of injurie; be careful Abrahen, to thee I leave my heart. Farwel Car••••ia, your tears inforce my absence.
Pray hast my Lord lest you should meet the inrag'd Mur. now Madam where are the boasted glories of that v••••tue, which like a faithful Fort withstood m•• bat••••ries? demolish'd now, and ruin'd they app••••r; like a fair building toter'd from its b•••••• by an unruly whirlewind, and are no instead of love the objects of my pitie
I'me bound to thank you Sir ••et credit me; my sin's so pleasing't 'cannot meet re••••••ntance. Were Mura here, and arm'd with al•• the horrors ••age could invest his powers with; n••t forgiven Hermits with greater peace shal hast t•• death, then I to be the Martyr of this cause, which I so love and reverence.
'Tis a noble and wel becoming constancie, and merits a lover of those Supreme eminent graces, that do like ful winds swel the glorious Sails of Abilqualit's dignitie and beautie! yet Madam, let me tel you, though I could not envie my brothers happinesse, if he could have enjoy'd your priceless love with safetie, free from discoverie, I am afflicted beyond a moderate sorrow, that my youth which with as true a zeal, courted your love, should appear so contemptible to receive a killing scorn from you: yet I forgive you, and do so much respect your peace, I wish you had not sin'd so carelessly to be betray'd ith' first fruitions of your wishes to your suspicious husband.
'Tis a fate Sir, which I must stand, though it come dress'd in flames, killing as circular fire, and as prodigious as death presaging Comets: there's that strength in love, can change the pitchie face of dangers to pleasing formes, make ghastly fears seeme beauteous; and I'me resolv'd, since the sweet Prince is free
from Mura's anger, which might have been fatal if he should here have found him, unresistless I dare his utmost fury.
'Twil bring death with't sure as stifling dampe; and 'twere much pitie so sweet a beautie should unpitied fall, betrai'd to endlesse infamie; your husband knowes only that my brother in your chamber was entertained; the servant that betrayed you, curse on his diligence, could not affirm he saw you twin'd together: yet it is death by the law, you know, for any Ladie at such an hour, and in her husbands absence▪ to entertain a stranger.
'Tis considered Sir, and since I cannot live to enjoy his love, I'le meet my death as willingly as I met Abilqualit's dear embraces.
That were too severe a crueltie. Live Caropia, til the kind destinies take the loath'd Mura to their eternal Mansions, til he fal either in war a sacrifice to fortune, or else by stratagem take his destruction from angry Abilqualit, whose fair Empresse you were created for: there is a mean yet to save th' opinion of your honour spotlesse, as that of Virgin innocence, nay to preserve, (though he doth know (as certainly he must do) my Brother have injoy'd thee) thee stil precio••s in his deluding fancie.
Let me adore you if you can give effect to your good purpose. But tis impossible.
With as secure an ease 't shal be accomplish'd as the blest desires of uncross'd lovers: you shal with one breath dissolve these mists that with contagious darknesse threaten the lights both of your life and honour. Affirm my brother ravish'd you.
How my Lord?
Obtained by violence entry into your chamber where his big lust seconded by force, despight of yours and your Maids weak resistance surpris'd your honor: when 't shall come to question,
my brother cannot so put off the truth, he owes his own affection and your whiteness, but ••o acknowledg it a rape.
And so by saving mine, betray his fame and safety, to the lawes danger, and your fathers justice, which with impartial doome will most severely sentence the Prince, although his son.
Your fears and too affectionate tendernesse will ruine all that my care has builded. Sure, Mesithes has (as my charge injoin'd him) made relation
Furies, where is this lustful Prince, and this lascivious Strumpet? ha Abrahen, here?
Good•• Cozen Mura, be not so passionate, it is your Prince has wrought your injury; resolve to bear your crosses like a man: the great'st afflictions should have the greatest fortitude in their suff'rings from minds resolv'd and noble. 'Las poor Ladie, 'twas not her fault; his too unruly lust 'tis, has destroi'd her puritie.
Ha, in tears! Are these the liverie of your fears and penitence, or of your sorrows (minion) for being rob'd so soon of your Adulterer?
Fie, your passion is too unmannerly; you look upon her with eyes of rage, when you with grief and pitie ought to surveigh her innocence. My Brother, degenerate as he is from worth, and meerly the beast of lust, (what ••fiends would fear to violate) has with rude insolence destroyed her honor, ••y him inhumane ravished,
Good Sir be so merciful as to set free a wretch from loath'd mortalitie, whose lifes so great and hateful burden now sh'as lost her honor: 'Twil be a friendly charitie to deliver her from the torment of it.
That I could contract the soul of universal rage
into this swelling heart, that it might be as ful of poisonous anger as a dragons when in a toile insnar'd. Caropia ravished! Me thinks the horror of the sound should fright to everlasting ruine, the whole world, start natures Genius.
Gentle Madam, pray withdraw your self, your sight, til I have wrought a cure upon his temper, wil but adde to his affliction.
You're as my good Angel, I'll follow your directions.
Cozen Mura, I thought a person of your masculine temper, in dangers fostred, where perpetual terrors have been your play-fellowes, would not have resented with such effeminate passion a disgrace, though ne're so huge and hideous.
I am tame, collected now in all my faculties, which are so much oppress'd with injuries, they've lost the anguish of them: can you think, Sir, when all the winds fight, the inrag'd billows that use to imprint on the black lips of clouds a thousand brinie kisses, can lie stil, as in a lethargie? that when baths of oyl are pou••'d upon the wild irregular flames in populous Cities, that they'll then extinguish? Your mitigations adde but seas to seas, give matter to my fires to increase their burning, and I ere long enlightned by my anger shall be my owne pile, and consume to ashes.
Why, then I see indeed your injuries have ravished hence your reason and discourse, and left you the meere prostitute of passion. Can you repaire the ruins you lament so with these exclaimes? was ever dead man call'd to life again by fruitful sighs? or can your rage reedifie Caropias honour, slain and betrai'd by his foul lust? Your manhood, that heretofore has thrown you on all dangers, me thinks should prompt you to a noble vengance, which you may safely prosecute with Justice, to which this crime, although he be a Prince,
Renders him liable.
Yes, I'le have justice or I'le awake the sleepy Deities, or like the ambitious Gyants wage new wars with heaven it self, my wrongs shall steel my courage, and on this vicious Prince like a fierce Sea-breach my just wak'd rage shall riot till it sink in the remorcelesse eddie, sink where time shall never find his name but with disgrace to taint his hatefull memory.
This wildnesse neither befit your wisdom nor your courage, which should with setled and collected thoughts walk on to noble vengeance. He before was by our plots proscrib'd to death and ruine to advance me to the Empire; now with ease we may accomplish our designs
Would heaven I nere had given consent, o'recome by love to you to have made a forfeit on my allegiance, tis a just punishment, I by him am wrong'd, whom for your sake I fearlesse sought to ruin.
Are you repentant grown, Mura? this softnese? ill suits a person of your great resolves, on whom my fortunes have such firm dependance. Come, let Caropia's fate in••••ke thy vengeance to gain full mastry o're all other passions, leave not a corner in the spacious heart unfurnish'd of a noble rage, which now will be an attribute of glorious justice: the law you know with loss of sight doth punish all rapes, though on mean persons; and our father is so severe a Justicer, not blood can make a breach upon his faith to justice. Besides, we have already made him dangerous in great Almanzors thoughts, and being delinquent he needs must suffer what the meanest offender merits for such a trespass.
I'me awake now, the lethargy of horror and amaze that did obscure my reason, like those dul and lazy vapors that o'reshade the Sun, vanish, and it resumes its native brightness. And now I would not but this devil Prince had done this act upon Caropia's whiteness,
••••nce't yeilds you free access unto the Empire, The deprivall of's sight do's render him incapable of future soveraignty.
Thou'rt in the right, and hast put on manly considerations: Caropia (since shee's in her will untainted) ha's not forgon her honor: he dispatc'd once, as we will have him shortly,'t shall go hard else▪ a tenant to his marble, thou agen•• wedded in peace maist be to her pure vertues, and live their happy owner.
I'le repair to great Almanzor instantly, and if his partial piety do descend to pitty, I will awake the Executioner of justice, death, although in sleep more heavy than he can borrow from his natural coldness; on this good sword I'le wear my causes justice till he do fall its sacrifice.
But be sure you do't with cunning secresie, perhaps, should he have notice of your just intentions, he would repair to th' Army, from which safegard our best force could not pluck him without danger to the whole Empire.
Doubt not but I'le manage with a discreet severity my vengeance, invoke Almanzors equity with sudden and private haste.
Mean time I will go put a new design in practice that may be much conducing to our purpose. Like clocks, one wheele another on must drive, affairs by diligent labor only thrive.
No quarrelling good Couzens, le••ft it be with t••e glass, 'cause 'tis not of size sufficient to gi••e you a magnificent draught. You will have ••••ighting work enough•• when you're i'th' wars, do n••t fall out among your selves.
Not pledg my peerlesse Mistresse health? Souldier, thou'••t mortall, if thou refuse it.
Come, come, he shall pledg it, and 'twere a Tun. Why, w'are all as dull as dormise in our liquor: Here's a health to the Prince Abilqualit.
Let go round: I'ld drink't, were it an Ocean of warm bloud flowing from th'enemie. Pray, good my Lord what news is stirring?
It should seem, Souldier, thou canst not read; otherwise the learn'd Pamphlets that flie about the streets, would satisfie thy curiositie with news; they'r true ones, full of discreet intelligence.
Cosens, shal's have a Song? here is a Souldier in's time hath sung a dirge unto the foe oft in the field.
Captain, I have a new one, the Souldiers Joy 'tis call'd.
That is an harlot. Preethee be musicall, and let us taste the sweetnesse of thy voice.
Whist, give attention.
How does your Lordship like it?
Very well. And so here's to thee. There's no drum beats yet, and 'tis cleer day; some hour hence 'twill be
'Twas wel done, Mesithes! and trust me, I shal find an apt reward, both for thy care and cunning. Prethee hast to Lord Simanthes, and deliver this note to him with best diligence, my dear Eunuch; thou'rt halfe the soul of Abrahen:
I was borne to be intituled your most humble vassal; I'll hast to the Lord Simanthes.
How he cringes! These youths that want the instruments of Manhood, are very supple in the hams.
Good-morrow to noble Lord Selinthus: what companions have you got here thus early?
Blades of metal, tall men of war, and't please your Grace, of my own blood and family, men who gather'd a ••allad on the enemies ground, and eaten it in bold defiance of him; and not a Souldier here but's an Achylles, valiant as stoutest Mirmidon.
And they never had juster cause to show their valor; the Prince my dearest brother, their Lord General's became a forfeit to the stern laws rigour; and 'tis imagin'd, our impartial father, wil sentence him to lose his eyes.
Marry heaven defend, for what, and 't like your Grace!
For a fact which the severe law punishes with loss of natures precious lights; my tears wil scarce permit me utter 't: for a rape committed on the fair wife of Mura.
Was it for nothing else, and please your Grace? ere he shal lose an eie for such a trifle, or have a haire diminish'd, we wil lofe our heads; what, hoodwink men like sullen hawks for doing deeds of nature! I'me asham'd the law is such an Ass.
Some Eunuch Judg, that could not be acquainted with the sweets due to concupiscencial parts, invented this law, I'll be hang'd else. 's Life, a Prince, and such a hopeful one, to lose his eyes, for satisfying the hunger of the stomack beneath the wast, is crueltie prodigious, not to be suffer'd in a common-wealth of ought but geldings.
'Tis vain to sooth our hopes with these delusions, he wil suffer less he be reskued. I would have you therfore
if you ow any service to the Prince, my much lamented brother, to attend without least tumult 'bout the Court, and if there be necessity of your ayd, I'le give you notice when to imploy it.
Sweet Prince, wee'l swim in blood to do thee or thy brother service. Each man provide their weapons.
You will win my brothers love for ever, nay my father, though hee'l seem angry to behold his justice deluded, afterwards when his rage is past, will thank you for your loyalties: Pray be there with all speed possible, by this my brothers commanded 'fore my father, I'le go learn the truth, and give you notice: pray be secret and firm to your resolves.
For him that flinches in such a cause, I'le have no more mercy on him. Heres Tarifa
You will not do this, Mura!
How Tarifa? will you defend him in an act so impious? Is't fit the drum should cease his surly language, when the bold Souldiers marches, or that I should passe o're this affront in quiet silence, which Gods and men invoke to speedy vengeance? which I will have, or manhood shall be tame as Cowardice.
It was a deed so barbarous, that tr••th it self blushes as well as justice to hear it mention'd: but consider Mura, he is our Prince, the Empires hope, and pillar of great Almanzors age How far a publick regard should be prefer'd before your private desire of vengeance! which if you do purchace from our impartial Emperors equity, his loss of sight, and so of the succession, will not restore Caropia to the honor
he ravish't from her. But so foule the cause is, I rather should lament the Princes folly than plead in his behalf.
'Tis but vain, there is your warrant, as you are high Marshal, to summon him to make his speedy appearance 'fore the Tribunall of Almanzor; so pray you execute your office.
How one vice can like a small cloud when't breaks forth in showers, black the whole heaven of vertues! O my Lord,
Willingly, what's my offence, Tarifa?
Would you knew not, I did presage your too unruly passions would hurry you to some disast'rons act, but ne're imagin'd you'd have been so lost to masculine honor, to commit a rape on that unhappy object of your love, whom now y'ave made the spoil of your foul lust, the much wrong'd wife of Mura.
Why, do's Mura charge me with his Caropia's rape?
This warrant sent by your angry father, testifies he means to appeach you of it.
'Tis my fortune, all natural motions when they approach their end, hast to draw to't with accustom'd swiftnesse. Rivers with greedier speed run neere their out-falls, than at their springs. But I'me resolv'd, let what happen that will, I'le stand it, and defend Carpoia's honor, though mine own I ruin; Who dares not dye to justifie his love, deserves not to enjoy her. Come, Tarifa, what e're befall, I'me resolute. He dies glorious, that falls loves innocent sacrifice.