Re-enter Ferdinand.Fer.Princess, I come to beg.... Alas! thy sorrowShews me a greater care.Al.Nay; ask thy wish.1380Fer.’Tis changed to learn thy grief, and why that brightness,That shone to cheer my life, now clouds with rain.Al.Each hath his private grief, prince: why should IBe wondered at, or questioned of my tears?Enough the world is sad, and I am sad.Fer.A twofold error, lady: the world is gay,And thou art half its splendour. When I firstBeheld thee in this earthly paradise,What wondrous jewels, thought I, God hath strewnAbout the world, which in our count of itStand out of reckoning, being unseen.1390Al.And thenIf I was light of spirit, I knew not why;Now,—but thou speakest of some favour: tell me.Fer.Since my request is guilty of my coming,—’Twas for my countrymen: to-day the gateHath not been opened to them.Al.I am happy, prince,Their woes are ended. Ere thou camest hitherThe king was here; and in his kindest moodGranted their liberty.Fer.Thy prayers, lady,Must be the sweetest incense that from earthPerfumes God’s mercy-seat: He bends to softenThe heart that thou beseechest.1401Al.Stay, ’tis thus.They are given to me to grace my bridal.Fer.How!Thy bridal?Al.When I am married where thou knowest,The prisoners shall be mine.Fer.And when thy bridal?Al.Whene’er Morocco, that is come to woo me,Shall ask to wed me.Fer.Lady, forbid me not.It needs no skill to read thy sorrow now:For coldly speak’st thou, and with trembling tongue—Al.What think’st thou then?Fer.Forgive me, if I am bold:1410Thou dost not love him thou art bid to wed.Al.That were my blame, since he is worthy of me.Fer.Nay, ’tis not that: but if I have guessed the truth,O if thou hast now consented, and wilt sellThyself for pity of these wretched men,Now I forbid the odious sacrifice.Perchance thou thinkest that these many soulsAgainst thy single welfare, must make upThe greater stake. Not so; they’re mites and scraps'Gainst thy immeasurable worth: a thousandWould not complete the thousandth part of thee;1421And were I where their base ill-natured willsObey me, thou shouldst tell them for thy slavesAs hairs upon thy head. ’Twere heavy tidingsThat thou shouldst love Morocco, and being so farWon to the faith, shouldst willingly renounceThy saintly liberty: but rather so,Than that by one thou lov’st not, against thy will,Thou shouldst be harnessed 'neath the common yoke.Al.My will is nothing, prince, and if Morocco1430Already hath three wives, I shall rank first.Fer.Monstrous! Wilt thou stoop to such servile change?Al.Unwittingly thou speak’st against thyself.Fer.Alas! what words have injured me with thee?Al.None: but thy fate is knit in one with theirs,Whose happiness thou bidst me now not weigh.Fer.On that day shall I too be given to thee?Al.Betray me not, I pray.Fer.O Mockery!What hast thou done?Al.The best for thee.Fer.For me!O nay. And for thyself?1439Al.Think not of me.Fer.Not think of thee! My very thoughts of heavenAre thoughts of thee. ’Tis now so short a time,Nor have I on my part any desertTo challenge favour at thy gracious hands,That I should dare to speak: nor any wordsThat man hath e’er invented, to combineIn sentences that mock mortality,Are proud enough to tell thee; therefore—I say in plainest speech, Almeh, I love thee.For thy goodwill I thank thee: but my fate,1450If thou dost love me not, or art another’s,—Life or death, misery and imprisonment,Slavery or freedom, count as little with me,As when I shall be dead, where I may lie.Say, if thou canst, thou lov’st me: and if not,Thou shalt at least have heard, and I have told,My tale; how to prince Ferdinand of PortugalThou didst appear the only being on earthWorth his devotion; that for thy possessingHe would have given all else, to live with thee1460As Christians use, in state of man and wife,Which God hath blessed.Al.No more, I pray no more.The graveyard ghosts are not so waste and deadAs is thy phantom picture.Fer.Dost thou love me?Al.Why ask me? Yet be this an hour of truth,Tho’all time lie. I love thee, Ferdinand,Even as thou lovest me; would be thy wife,To live alone with thee as Christians use.Fer.Almeh! Weep not. Fear nothing, if thou art mine.Al.I am nought that is not thine: only thy hopeI cannot share.1470Fer.How canst thou love and fear?See, I can teach thee how to trust in loveNow with this kiss.Re-enter King, Tarudante, and Sala.Al.(seeing K.). Away! My father! my father!K.What see I?Sa.(aside). Now could I slay him.K.(to Tar.).These white-faced ChristiansHave most uncultured manners. (To F.) By my soul,Prince Ferdinand, thou usest thy libertyWith small restraint. (To S.) Sala, conduct the princeInto the dungeon tower: see him there locked.Tar.(aside). ’Tis as I thought.K.Begone, I say: my passionBrooks not his presence.[Exit Sala with Ferdinand.Tar.(aside).But what word for her,The greater culprit?1480K.(to Al.).As for thee, my daughter,Retire thou too. Thy blush cannot be curedBut by this felon’s punishment. Moreover,Thou dost not well to walk even in these groundsUnveiled without attendant.[Exit Almeh.Tar.(aside).’Tis well said,Without attendant. (To K.) With us, your majesty,The women all go veiled.K.And so with usThe custom is approved, and general.But license hath been granted to my daughterAnd her attendants, when within the walls.1490Nor wilt thou find her modesty is touchedBy such concession. As for Ferdinand,Thou shalt decree his punishment.Tar.Nay, sire;I shall not ask that. I have here a letterWrit by my father, urging my return:He needs my troops. I look for your permissionTo take my leave to-night. As for the matterWhich brought me here, the services alreadyRendered your majesty have given meMuch pleasure, as the recital will my father,1500And should confirm our friendship. I confess’Tis disappointment to me that the leagueCannot be knit by marriage, and to have seenThe princess hath much sharpened my regret.Could she have loved me, I had held myselfNot so unworthy of her grace.K.Stay, stay.Pray misinterpret not this fool’s presumptionAs her consent.Tar.O nay.K.I see thou’rt wronged.I bear thee no ill-will for thy resentment:I should feel shame for thee wert thou not shamed:1510But all shall be atoned for: the unbelieverShall pay full penalty. Thou shalt decree it.Tar.Might that rest with me, I’d be quit of him;Deal courteously, and send him home to SpainTo wive among his kin.K.Be not so hasty.Make not so much of this. I promise theeAll shall be well. Stay, prince, and FerdinandShall lose his head this very day.Tar.Your majestyMistakes me; I cannot sue. My troops are warned.K.Cannot I stay thee? Now, by God, ill done.1520I am wronged, wronged.Tar.Farewell, sire: in such a sorenessFew words are wisest. What Allah forbidsMust be renounced. ’Tis of necessityI now depart. Yet should you need me again,Send, and I come. God’s peace be with you.[Exit.K.He is gone—Incredible! Consenting: I could not gloss it:Before my eyes, the eyes of Africa.Is this her secret? this her melancholy1528That cannot love? Treachery and apostasy!Or that sick passion is it, which some have sufferedFor things strange and detestable. I will see her:She shall renounce it.—Hola! (Calling.) Ho! within—No cure but that: immediate disavowal,Ere ’tis too late. O shame! (Calls.) Ho there, within!Enter Servant.(To servant.) Give word that the princess attend me here.[Exit servant.That devil knows; he looked as if he knew.And Sala knew it. ’Twas for this he urgedThe villain’s liberty. He shall go free....To hell ... and I will grant such libertyTo all who have seen him. There’s one hiding-place1540Where I may stow dishonour. But for her,My daughter; if yet perchance there is any spotIn all her heart untainted by this shameWhich I may reach, that natural pietyMay feel my yearning sorrow.... Tenderly,Re-enter Almeh.Tenderly must I work. Lo, where she comes,Her shameful head bowed down with consciousness.Come, Almeh, come; come nearer. See:Thy tender grace, thy beauty’s perfect flower,The vesture of thy being; all thy motions,1550Thoughts, and imaginations, thy desires,Fancies, and dreams; whate’er from day to dayThou art, and callst thyself, what is it allBut part of me? Art thou the beauteous branch,I am the gnarlèd trunk that bore and bears thee;The root that feeds. I call thee not to judgment;Only to save what most I prize, thy name,And mine: there’s one way that can be: MoroccoHath taken his leave: before he leave must thouBeg him to see thy injury avenged,1560And for thine honour’s sake must on thy kneesBid me revenge it. If on the same dayThe Christian prince insulted thee he die,And die at thy request, before the eyesThat saw thy shame, ere busy tongues can tellA tale in the ear, such speedy penaltyWill fright the scandal to a tale of terror,And save our name. Withal he is a prince,And that a prince should die may well atone.What sayst thou, child?Al.Bid me not speak.K.Thy tears1570And sobs I cannot read. I bid thee speak.Al.O father!K.Speak!Al.Thy words, recall thy words.K.What words?Al.Thy words of blood.K.Ah, Almeh! Almeh!Art thou my daughter?Al.O sire, on my kneesI beg.K.Well, what?Al.His life! his life!K.Ah, traitress.Al.Was not thy first condition hard enough,To save prince Ferdinand that I should marryAnother? and I consented: but when nowThou knowest I love him....K.Love him. Thou confessest!Al.I hid it from thee but to save his life;1580Now I avow it to save him. If thou’rt wronged,’Tis I have wronged thee: so if one must dieLet it be me.K.Then perish all of us.Al.Nay, why, when peace hath such a simple way,When kindness would cure all? If thou wouldst seeHow noble he is, how true....K.Silence! speak notWhat thou hast dared to think, lest I should curse thee.I in my house to see God’s holy lawsReversed; my blood contaminate abroadWith infidels! Fly quickly. What thou hast saidWill keep thee prisoned till thy heart is changed.1591Go to thy chamber. I will send thee soonPhysic to cure thee. From my sight! Away,Traitress, apostate.Al.O father, by thy love....K.Away! away!Al.By all God’s pity I pray thee:For pity of me.K.Begone, lest I should strike thee.Al.Strike me, and I will bear it. I did the wrong.Punish me and pardon. I only ask for him,Take not his life.K.The more thou pleadest for him,The more I hate him.Al.Heaven will soften thee.1600Thou must relent. Thou wilt not slay us both.K.Begone, I say.[Exit Almeh.May all the plagues of hellTorture these Christians evermore. I seeNo safe revenge. Kill him? and the worst believed?And he my hope of Ceuta? I cannot kill him.It needs considerate action. Hola there. (Calling.)I’ll speak with Sala. Hola there, hola!Enter Servant.Bid Sala attend me here.[Exit servant.And if he blame me,Because I harked not to him at the first,He will not thwart my resolution now,1610When policy and revenge are bound together.’Tis changed. The Christian now hath done a wrong,For which his death is due: I have my plan:I’ll starve him till he yield. I’ll force him to itBy chains and torture till his stubborn pridePay down his ransom humbly.Re-enter Sala.Sa.Peace be with you.K.The devil take thy mocking salutation.I have three matters for thee: attend. The firstIs that Morocco leaves us, and with himOur army is gone; whereon the second follows:Thou must send forth with speed to all the towns1621To levy succours; and thy forces here,Disordered in the war, visit thyself,Reform, and make report. The third is this,My will concerning Ferdinand,—and let thatBe first in thine attention;—’tis his death.My hospitality which he hath wronged,I now withhold ... to death—thou understandest?And more, ’tis death to any that shall give himA crust or drop of water: and I will change1630His entertainment. Set him in the stablesTo serve the grooms: put chains upon his feet:Appoint a guard to enforce his tasks, and makeMouleh their serjeant. For the executionI hold thee liable. Let not his lifeOutdrag three days. But hark: in spite of vengeance,And in remembrance of his claim on thee,He may go quit upon the old condition,Ceuta:—thou understandest? Go tell him this,The only hope my clemency allows,1640But of my provocation not a word.Be thou in time prepared to clear thyselfOf having known this mischief and concealed it.Sa.My liege....K.Begone and do my will. Thy wordsSave to persuade the prince. Speak not to me.It angers me to see thee. Go. I have done.[Exit Sala.Three days I said; three days. Within that time,Unless I have my town, I’ll be revenged.
Re-enter Ferdinand.Fer.Princess, I come to beg.... Alas! thy sorrowShews me a greater care.Al.Nay; ask thy wish.1380Fer.’Tis changed to learn thy grief, and why that brightness,That shone to cheer my life, now clouds with rain.Al.Each hath his private grief, prince: why should IBe wondered at, or questioned of my tears?Enough the world is sad, and I am sad.Fer.A twofold error, lady: the world is gay,And thou art half its splendour. When I firstBeheld thee in this earthly paradise,What wondrous jewels, thought I, God hath strewnAbout the world, which in our count of itStand out of reckoning, being unseen.1390Al.And thenIf I was light of spirit, I knew not why;Now,—but thou speakest of some favour: tell me.Fer.Since my request is guilty of my coming,—’Twas for my countrymen: to-day the gateHath not been opened to them.Al.I am happy, prince,Their woes are ended. Ere thou camest hitherThe king was here; and in his kindest moodGranted their liberty.Fer.Thy prayers, lady,Must be the sweetest incense that from earthPerfumes God’s mercy-seat: He bends to softenThe heart that thou beseechest.1401Al.Stay, ’tis thus.They are given to me to grace my bridal.Fer.How!Thy bridal?Al.When I am married where thou knowest,The prisoners shall be mine.Fer.And when thy bridal?Al.Whene’er Morocco, that is come to woo me,Shall ask to wed me.Fer.Lady, forbid me not.It needs no skill to read thy sorrow now:For coldly speak’st thou, and with trembling tongue—Al.What think’st thou then?Fer.Forgive me, if I am bold:1410Thou dost not love him thou art bid to wed.Al.That were my blame, since he is worthy of me.Fer.Nay, ’tis not that: but if I have guessed the truth,O if thou hast now consented, and wilt sellThyself for pity of these wretched men,Now I forbid the odious sacrifice.Perchance thou thinkest that these many soulsAgainst thy single welfare, must make upThe greater stake. Not so; they’re mites and scraps'Gainst thy immeasurable worth: a thousandWould not complete the thousandth part of thee;1421And were I where their base ill-natured willsObey me, thou shouldst tell them for thy slavesAs hairs upon thy head. ’Twere heavy tidingsThat thou shouldst love Morocco, and being so farWon to the faith, shouldst willingly renounceThy saintly liberty: but rather so,Than that by one thou lov’st not, against thy will,Thou shouldst be harnessed 'neath the common yoke.Al.My will is nothing, prince, and if Morocco1430Already hath three wives, I shall rank first.Fer.Monstrous! Wilt thou stoop to such servile change?Al.Unwittingly thou speak’st against thyself.Fer.Alas! what words have injured me with thee?Al.None: but thy fate is knit in one with theirs,Whose happiness thou bidst me now not weigh.Fer.On that day shall I too be given to thee?Al.Betray me not, I pray.Fer.O Mockery!What hast thou done?Al.The best for thee.Fer.For me!O nay. And for thyself?1439Al.Think not of me.Fer.Not think of thee! My very thoughts of heavenAre thoughts of thee. ’Tis now so short a time,Nor have I on my part any desertTo challenge favour at thy gracious hands,That I should dare to speak: nor any wordsThat man hath e’er invented, to combineIn sentences that mock mortality,Are proud enough to tell thee; therefore—I say in plainest speech, Almeh, I love thee.For thy goodwill I thank thee: but my fate,1450If thou dost love me not, or art another’s,—Life or death, misery and imprisonment,Slavery or freedom, count as little with me,As when I shall be dead, where I may lie.Say, if thou canst, thou lov’st me: and if not,Thou shalt at least have heard, and I have told,My tale; how to prince Ferdinand of PortugalThou didst appear the only being on earthWorth his devotion; that for thy possessingHe would have given all else, to live with thee1460As Christians use, in state of man and wife,Which God hath blessed.Al.No more, I pray no more.The graveyard ghosts are not so waste and deadAs is thy phantom picture.Fer.Dost thou love me?Al.Why ask me? Yet be this an hour of truth,Tho’all time lie. I love thee, Ferdinand,Even as thou lovest me; would be thy wife,To live alone with thee as Christians use.Fer.Almeh! Weep not. Fear nothing, if thou art mine.Al.I am nought that is not thine: only thy hopeI cannot share.1470Fer.How canst thou love and fear?See, I can teach thee how to trust in loveNow with this kiss.Re-enter King, Tarudante, and Sala.Al.(seeing K.). Away! My father! my father!K.What see I?Sa.(aside). Now could I slay him.K.(to Tar.).These white-faced ChristiansHave most uncultured manners. (To F.) By my soul,Prince Ferdinand, thou usest thy libertyWith small restraint. (To S.) Sala, conduct the princeInto the dungeon tower: see him there locked.Tar.(aside). ’Tis as I thought.K.Begone, I say: my passionBrooks not his presence.[Exit Sala with Ferdinand.Tar.(aside).But what word for her,The greater culprit?1480K.(to Al.).As for thee, my daughter,Retire thou too. Thy blush cannot be curedBut by this felon’s punishment. Moreover,Thou dost not well to walk even in these groundsUnveiled without attendant.[Exit Almeh.Tar.(aside).’Tis well said,Without attendant. (To K.) With us, your majesty,The women all go veiled.K.And so with usThe custom is approved, and general.But license hath been granted to my daughterAnd her attendants, when within the walls.1490Nor wilt thou find her modesty is touchedBy such concession. As for Ferdinand,Thou shalt decree his punishment.Tar.Nay, sire;I shall not ask that. I have here a letterWrit by my father, urging my return:He needs my troops. I look for your permissionTo take my leave to-night. As for the matterWhich brought me here, the services alreadyRendered your majesty have given meMuch pleasure, as the recital will my father,1500And should confirm our friendship. I confess’Tis disappointment to me that the leagueCannot be knit by marriage, and to have seenThe princess hath much sharpened my regret.Could she have loved me, I had held myselfNot so unworthy of her grace.K.Stay, stay.Pray misinterpret not this fool’s presumptionAs her consent.Tar.O nay.K.I see thou’rt wronged.I bear thee no ill-will for thy resentment:I should feel shame for thee wert thou not shamed:1510But all shall be atoned for: the unbelieverShall pay full penalty. Thou shalt decree it.Tar.Might that rest with me, I’d be quit of him;Deal courteously, and send him home to SpainTo wive among his kin.K.Be not so hasty.Make not so much of this. I promise theeAll shall be well. Stay, prince, and FerdinandShall lose his head this very day.Tar.Your majestyMistakes me; I cannot sue. My troops are warned.K.Cannot I stay thee? Now, by God, ill done.1520I am wronged, wronged.Tar.Farewell, sire: in such a sorenessFew words are wisest. What Allah forbidsMust be renounced. ’Tis of necessityI now depart. Yet should you need me again,Send, and I come. God’s peace be with you.[Exit.K.He is gone—Incredible! Consenting: I could not gloss it:Before my eyes, the eyes of Africa.Is this her secret? this her melancholy1528That cannot love? Treachery and apostasy!Or that sick passion is it, which some have sufferedFor things strange and detestable. I will see her:She shall renounce it.—Hola! (Calling.) Ho! within—No cure but that: immediate disavowal,Ere ’tis too late. O shame! (Calls.) Ho there, within!Enter Servant.(To servant.) Give word that the princess attend me here.[Exit servant.That devil knows; he looked as if he knew.And Sala knew it. ’Twas for this he urgedThe villain’s liberty. He shall go free....To hell ... and I will grant such libertyTo all who have seen him. There’s one hiding-place1540Where I may stow dishonour. But for her,My daughter; if yet perchance there is any spotIn all her heart untainted by this shameWhich I may reach, that natural pietyMay feel my yearning sorrow.... Tenderly,Re-enter Almeh.Tenderly must I work. Lo, where she comes,Her shameful head bowed down with consciousness.Come, Almeh, come; come nearer. See:Thy tender grace, thy beauty’s perfect flower,The vesture of thy being; all thy motions,1550Thoughts, and imaginations, thy desires,Fancies, and dreams; whate’er from day to dayThou art, and callst thyself, what is it allBut part of me? Art thou the beauteous branch,I am the gnarlèd trunk that bore and bears thee;The root that feeds. I call thee not to judgment;Only to save what most I prize, thy name,And mine: there’s one way that can be: MoroccoHath taken his leave: before he leave must thouBeg him to see thy injury avenged,1560And for thine honour’s sake must on thy kneesBid me revenge it. If on the same dayThe Christian prince insulted thee he die,And die at thy request, before the eyesThat saw thy shame, ere busy tongues can tellA tale in the ear, such speedy penaltyWill fright the scandal to a tale of terror,And save our name. Withal he is a prince,And that a prince should die may well atone.What sayst thou, child?Al.Bid me not speak.K.Thy tears1570And sobs I cannot read. I bid thee speak.Al.O father!K.Speak!Al.Thy words, recall thy words.K.What words?Al.Thy words of blood.K.Ah, Almeh! Almeh!Art thou my daughter?Al.O sire, on my kneesI beg.K.Well, what?Al.His life! his life!K.Ah, traitress.Al.Was not thy first condition hard enough,To save prince Ferdinand that I should marryAnother? and I consented: but when nowThou knowest I love him....K.Love him. Thou confessest!Al.I hid it from thee but to save his life;1580Now I avow it to save him. If thou’rt wronged,’Tis I have wronged thee: so if one must dieLet it be me.K.Then perish all of us.Al.Nay, why, when peace hath such a simple way,When kindness would cure all? If thou wouldst seeHow noble he is, how true....K.Silence! speak notWhat thou hast dared to think, lest I should curse thee.I in my house to see God’s holy lawsReversed; my blood contaminate abroadWith infidels! Fly quickly. What thou hast saidWill keep thee prisoned till thy heart is changed.1591Go to thy chamber. I will send thee soonPhysic to cure thee. From my sight! Away,Traitress, apostate.Al.O father, by thy love....K.Away! away!Al.By all God’s pity I pray thee:For pity of me.K.Begone, lest I should strike thee.Al.Strike me, and I will bear it. I did the wrong.Punish me and pardon. I only ask for him,Take not his life.K.The more thou pleadest for him,The more I hate him.Al.Heaven will soften thee.1600Thou must relent. Thou wilt not slay us both.K.Begone, I say.[Exit Almeh.May all the plagues of hellTorture these Christians evermore. I seeNo safe revenge. Kill him? and the worst believed?And he my hope of Ceuta? I cannot kill him.It needs considerate action. Hola there. (Calling.)I’ll speak with Sala. Hola there, hola!Enter Servant.Bid Sala attend me here.[Exit servant.And if he blame me,Because I harked not to him at the first,He will not thwart my resolution now,1610When policy and revenge are bound together.’Tis changed. The Christian now hath done a wrong,For which his death is due: I have my plan:I’ll starve him till he yield. I’ll force him to itBy chains and torture till his stubborn pridePay down his ransom humbly.Re-enter Sala.Sa.Peace be with you.K.The devil take thy mocking salutation.I have three matters for thee: attend. The firstIs that Morocco leaves us, and with himOur army is gone; whereon the second follows:Thou must send forth with speed to all the towns1621To levy succours; and thy forces here,Disordered in the war, visit thyself,Reform, and make report. The third is this,My will concerning Ferdinand,—and let thatBe first in thine attention;—’tis his death.My hospitality which he hath wronged,I now withhold ... to death—thou understandest?And more, ’tis death to any that shall give himA crust or drop of water: and I will change1630His entertainment. Set him in the stablesTo serve the grooms: put chains upon his feet:Appoint a guard to enforce his tasks, and makeMouleh their serjeant. For the executionI hold thee liable. Let not his lifeOutdrag three days. But hark: in spite of vengeance,And in remembrance of his claim on thee,He may go quit upon the old condition,Ceuta:—thou understandest? Go tell him this,The only hope my clemency allows,1640But of my provocation not a word.Be thou in time prepared to clear thyselfOf having known this mischief and concealed it.Sa.My liege....K.Begone and do my will. Thy wordsSave to persuade the prince. Speak not to me.It angers me to see thee. Go. I have done.[Exit Sala.Three days I said; three days. Within that time,Unless I have my town, I’ll be revenged.
Re-enter Ferdinand.
Re-enter Ferdinand.
Fer.Princess, I come to beg.... Alas! thy sorrowShews me a greater care.
Fer.Princess, I come to beg.... Alas! thy sorrow
Shews me a greater care.
Al.Nay; ask thy wish.
Al.Nay; ask thy wish.
1380Fer.’Tis changed to learn thy grief, and why that brightness,That shone to cheer my life, now clouds with rain.
Fer.’Tis changed to learn thy grief, and why that brightness,
That shone to cheer my life, now clouds with rain.
Al.Each hath his private grief, prince: why should IBe wondered at, or questioned of my tears?Enough the world is sad, and I am sad.
Al.Each hath his private grief, prince: why should I
Be wondered at, or questioned of my tears?
Enough the world is sad, and I am sad.
Fer.A twofold error, lady: the world is gay,And thou art half its splendour. When I firstBeheld thee in this earthly paradise,What wondrous jewels, thought I, God hath strewnAbout the world, which in our count of itStand out of reckoning, being unseen.
Fer.A twofold error, lady: the world is gay,
And thou art half its splendour. When I first
Beheld thee in this earthly paradise,
What wondrous jewels, thought I, God hath strewn
About the world, which in our count of it
Stand out of reckoning, being unseen.
1390Al.And thenIf I was light of spirit, I knew not why;Now,—but thou speakest of some favour: tell me.
Al.And then
If I was light of spirit, I knew not why;
Now,—but thou speakest of some favour: tell me.
Fer.Since my request is guilty of my coming,—’Twas for my countrymen: to-day the gateHath not been opened to them.
Fer.Since my request is guilty of my coming,—
’Twas for my countrymen: to-day the gate
Hath not been opened to them.
Al.I am happy, prince,Their woes are ended. Ere thou camest hitherThe king was here; and in his kindest moodGranted their liberty.
Al.I am happy, prince,
Their woes are ended. Ere thou camest hither
The king was here; and in his kindest mood
Granted their liberty.
Fer.Thy prayers, lady,Must be the sweetest incense that from earthPerfumes God’s mercy-seat: He bends to softenThe heart that thou beseechest.
Fer.Thy prayers, lady,
Must be the sweetest incense that from earth
Perfumes God’s mercy-seat: He bends to soften
The heart that thou beseechest.
1401Al.Stay, ’tis thus.They are given to me to grace my bridal.
Al.Stay, ’tis thus.
They are given to me to grace my bridal.
Fer.How!Thy bridal?
Fer.How!
Thy bridal?
Al.When I am married where thou knowest,The prisoners shall be mine.
Al.When I am married where thou knowest,
The prisoners shall be mine.
Fer.And when thy bridal?
Fer.And when thy bridal?
Al.Whene’er Morocco, that is come to woo me,Shall ask to wed me.
Al.Whene’er Morocco, that is come to woo me,
Shall ask to wed me.
Fer.Lady, forbid me not.It needs no skill to read thy sorrow now:For coldly speak’st thou, and with trembling tongue—
Fer.Lady, forbid me not.
It needs no skill to read thy sorrow now:
For coldly speak’st thou, and with trembling tongue—
Al.What think’st thou then?
Al.What think’st thou then?
Fer.Forgive me, if I am bold:1410Thou dost not love him thou art bid to wed.
Fer.Forgive me, if I am bold:
Thou dost not love him thou art bid to wed.
Al.That were my blame, since he is worthy of me.
Al.That were my blame, since he is worthy of me.
Fer.Nay, ’tis not that: but if I have guessed the truth,O if thou hast now consented, and wilt sellThyself for pity of these wretched men,Now I forbid the odious sacrifice.Perchance thou thinkest that these many soulsAgainst thy single welfare, must make upThe greater stake. Not so; they’re mites and scraps'Gainst thy immeasurable worth: a thousandWould not complete the thousandth part of thee;1421And were I where their base ill-natured willsObey me, thou shouldst tell them for thy slavesAs hairs upon thy head. ’Twere heavy tidingsThat thou shouldst love Morocco, and being so farWon to the faith, shouldst willingly renounceThy saintly liberty: but rather so,Than that by one thou lov’st not, against thy will,Thou shouldst be harnessed 'neath the common yoke.
Fer.Nay, ’tis not that: but if I have guessed the truth,
O if thou hast now consented, and wilt sell
Thyself for pity of these wretched men,
Now I forbid the odious sacrifice.
Perchance thou thinkest that these many souls
Against thy single welfare, must make up
The greater stake. Not so; they’re mites and scraps
'Gainst thy immeasurable worth: a thousand
Would not complete the thousandth part of thee;
And were I where their base ill-natured wills
Obey me, thou shouldst tell them for thy slaves
As hairs upon thy head. ’Twere heavy tidings
That thou shouldst love Morocco, and being so far
Won to the faith, shouldst willingly renounce
Thy saintly liberty: but rather so,
Than that by one thou lov’st not, against thy will,
Thou shouldst be harnessed 'neath the common yoke.
Al.My will is nothing, prince, and if Morocco1430Already hath three wives, I shall rank first.
Al.My will is nothing, prince, and if Morocco
Already hath three wives, I shall rank first.
Fer.Monstrous! Wilt thou stoop to such servile change?
Fer.Monstrous! Wilt thou stoop to such servile change?
Al.Unwittingly thou speak’st against thyself.
Al.Unwittingly thou speak’st against thyself.
Fer.Alas! what words have injured me with thee?
Fer.Alas! what words have injured me with thee?
Al.None: but thy fate is knit in one with theirs,Whose happiness thou bidst me now not weigh.
Al.None: but thy fate is knit in one with theirs,
Whose happiness thou bidst me now not weigh.
Fer.On that day shall I too be given to thee?
Fer.On that day shall I too be given to thee?
Al.Betray me not, I pray.
Al.Betray me not, I pray.
Fer.O Mockery!What hast thou done?
Fer.O Mockery!
What hast thou done?
Al.The best for thee.
Al.The best for thee.
Fer.For me!O nay. And for thyself?
Fer.For me!
O nay. And for thyself?
1439Al.Think not of me.
Al.Think not of me.
Fer.Not think of thee! My very thoughts of heavenAre thoughts of thee. ’Tis now so short a time,Nor have I on my part any desertTo challenge favour at thy gracious hands,That I should dare to speak: nor any wordsThat man hath e’er invented, to combineIn sentences that mock mortality,Are proud enough to tell thee; therefore—I say in plainest speech, Almeh, I love thee.For thy goodwill I thank thee: but my fate,1450If thou dost love me not, or art another’s,—Life or death, misery and imprisonment,Slavery or freedom, count as little with me,As when I shall be dead, where I may lie.Say, if thou canst, thou lov’st me: and if not,Thou shalt at least have heard, and I have told,My tale; how to prince Ferdinand of PortugalThou didst appear the only being on earthWorth his devotion; that for thy possessingHe would have given all else, to live with thee1460As Christians use, in state of man and wife,Which God hath blessed.
Fer.Not think of thee! My very thoughts of heaven
Are thoughts of thee. ’Tis now so short a time,
Nor have I on my part any desert
To challenge favour at thy gracious hands,
That I should dare to speak: nor any words
That man hath e’er invented, to combine
In sentences that mock mortality,
Are proud enough to tell thee; therefore—
I say in plainest speech, Almeh, I love thee.
For thy goodwill I thank thee: but my fate,
If thou dost love me not, or art another’s,—
Life or death, misery and imprisonment,
Slavery or freedom, count as little with me,
As when I shall be dead, where I may lie.
Say, if thou canst, thou lov’st me: and if not,
Thou shalt at least have heard, and I have told,
My tale; how to prince Ferdinand of Portugal
Thou didst appear the only being on earth
Worth his devotion; that for thy possessing
He would have given all else, to live with thee
As Christians use, in state of man and wife,
Which God hath blessed.
Al.No more, I pray no more.The graveyard ghosts are not so waste and deadAs is thy phantom picture.
Al.No more, I pray no more.
The graveyard ghosts are not so waste and dead
As is thy phantom picture.
Fer.Dost thou love me?
Fer.Dost thou love me?
Al.Why ask me? Yet be this an hour of truth,Tho’all time lie. I love thee, Ferdinand,Even as thou lovest me; would be thy wife,To live alone with thee as Christians use.
Al.Why ask me? Yet be this an hour of truth,
Tho’all time lie. I love thee, Ferdinand,
Even as thou lovest me; would be thy wife,
To live alone with thee as Christians use.
Fer.Almeh! Weep not. Fear nothing, if thou art mine.
Fer.Almeh! Weep not. Fear nothing, if thou art mine.
Al.I am nought that is not thine: only thy hopeI cannot share.
Al.I am nought that is not thine: only thy hope
I cannot share.
1470Fer.How canst thou love and fear?See, I can teach thee how to trust in loveNow with this kiss.
Fer.How canst thou love and fear?
See, I can teach thee how to trust in love
Now with this kiss.
Re-enter King, Tarudante, and Sala.
Re-enter King, Tarudante, and Sala.
Al.(seeing K.). Away! My father! my father!
Al.(seeing K.). Away! My father! my father!
K.What see I?
K.What see I?
Sa.(aside). Now could I slay him.
Sa.(aside). Now could I slay him.
K.(to Tar.).These white-faced ChristiansHave most uncultured manners. (To F.) By my soul,Prince Ferdinand, thou usest thy libertyWith small restraint. (To S.) Sala, conduct the princeInto the dungeon tower: see him there locked.
K.(to Tar.).These white-faced Christians
Have most uncultured manners. (To F.) By my soul,
Prince Ferdinand, thou usest thy liberty
With small restraint. (To S.) Sala, conduct the prince
Into the dungeon tower: see him there locked.
Tar.(aside). ’Tis as I thought.
Tar.(aside). ’Tis as I thought.
K.Begone, I say: my passionBrooks not his presence.[Exit Sala with Ferdinand.
K.Begone, I say: my passion
Brooks not his presence.[Exit Sala with Ferdinand.
Tar.(aside).But what word for her,The greater culprit?
Tar.(aside).But what word for her,
The greater culprit?
1480K.(to Al.).As for thee, my daughter,Retire thou too. Thy blush cannot be curedBut by this felon’s punishment. Moreover,Thou dost not well to walk even in these groundsUnveiled without attendant.[Exit Almeh.
K.(to Al.).As for thee, my daughter,
Retire thou too. Thy blush cannot be cured
But by this felon’s punishment. Moreover,
Thou dost not well to walk even in these grounds
Unveiled without attendant.[Exit Almeh.
Tar.(aside).’Tis well said,Without attendant. (To K.) With us, your majesty,The women all go veiled.
Tar.(aside).’Tis well said,
Without attendant. (To K.) With us, your majesty,
The women all go veiled.
K.And so with usThe custom is approved, and general.But license hath been granted to my daughterAnd her attendants, when within the walls.1490Nor wilt thou find her modesty is touchedBy such concession. As for Ferdinand,Thou shalt decree his punishment.
K.And so with us
The custom is approved, and general.
But license hath been granted to my daughter
And her attendants, when within the walls.
Nor wilt thou find her modesty is touched
By such concession. As for Ferdinand,
Thou shalt decree his punishment.
Tar.Nay, sire;I shall not ask that. I have here a letterWrit by my father, urging my return:He needs my troops. I look for your permissionTo take my leave to-night. As for the matterWhich brought me here, the services alreadyRendered your majesty have given meMuch pleasure, as the recital will my father,1500And should confirm our friendship. I confess’Tis disappointment to me that the leagueCannot be knit by marriage, and to have seenThe princess hath much sharpened my regret.Could she have loved me, I had held myselfNot so unworthy of her grace.
Tar.Nay, sire;
I shall not ask that. I have here a letter
Writ by my father, urging my return:
He needs my troops. I look for your permission
To take my leave to-night. As for the matter
Which brought me here, the services already
Rendered your majesty have given me
Much pleasure, as the recital will my father,
And should confirm our friendship. I confess
’Tis disappointment to me that the league
Cannot be knit by marriage, and to have seen
The princess hath much sharpened my regret.
Could she have loved me, I had held myself
Not so unworthy of her grace.
K.Stay, stay.Pray misinterpret not this fool’s presumptionAs her consent.
K.Stay, stay.
Pray misinterpret not this fool’s presumption
As her consent.
Tar.O nay.
Tar.O nay.
K.I see thou’rt wronged.I bear thee no ill-will for thy resentment:I should feel shame for thee wert thou not shamed:1510But all shall be atoned for: the unbelieverShall pay full penalty. Thou shalt decree it.
K.I see thou’rt wronged.
I bear thee no ill-will for thy resentment:
I should feel shame for thee wert thou not shamed:
But all shall be atoned for: the unbeliever
Shall pay full penalty. Thou shalt decree it.
Tar.Might that rest with me, I’d be quit of him;Deal courteously, and send him home to SpainTo wive among his kin.
Tar.Might that rest with me, I’d be quit of him;
Deal courteously, and send him home to Spain
To wive among his kin.
K.Be not so hasty.Make not so much of this. I promise theeAll shall be well. Stay, prince, and FerdinandShall lose his head this very day.
K.Be not so hasty.
Make not so much of this. I promise thee
All shall be well. Stay, prince, and Ferdinand
Shall lose his head this very day.
Tar.Your majestyMistakes me; I cannot sue. My troops are warned.
Tar.Your majesty
Mistakes me; I cannot sue. My troops are warned.
K.Cannot I stay thee? Now, by God, ill done.1520I am wronged, wronged.
K.Cannot I stay thee? Now, by God, ill done.
I am wronged, wronged.
Tar.Farewell, sire: in such a sorenessFew words are wisest. What Allah forbidsMust be renounced. ’Tis of necessityI now depart. Yet should you need me again,Send, and I come. God’s peace be with you.[Exit.
Tar.Farewell, sire: in such a soreness
Few words are wisest. What Allah forbids
Must be renounced. ’Tis of necessity
I now depart. Yet should you need me again,
Send, and I come. God’s peace be with you.[Exit.
K.He is gone—Incredible! Consenting: I could not gloss it:Before my eyes, the eyes of Africa.Is this her secret? this her melancholy1528That cannot love? Treachery and apostasy!Or that sick passion is it, which some have sufferedFor things strange and detestable. I will see her:She shall renounce it.—Hola! (Calling.) Ho! within—No cure but that: immediate disavowal,Ere ’tis too late. O shame! (Calls.) Ho there, within!
K.He is gone—
Incredible! Consenting: I could not gloss it:
Before my eyes, the eyes of Africa.
Is this her secret? this her melancholy
That cannot love? Treachery and apostasy!
Or that sick passion is it, which some have suffered
For things strange and detestable. I will see her:
She shall renounce it.—Hola! (Calling.) Ho! within—
No cure but that: immediate disavowal,
Ere ’tis too late. O shame! (Calls.) Ho there, within!
Enter Servant.
Enter Servant.
(To servant.) Give word that the princess attend me here.[Exit servant.That devil knows; he looked as if he knew.And Sala knew it. ’Twas for this he urgedThe villain’s liberty. He shall go free....To hell ... and I will grant such libertyTo all who have seen him. There’s one hiding-place1540Where I may stow dishonour. But for her,My daughter; if yet perchance there is any spotIn all her heart untainted by this shameWhich I may reach, that natural pietyMay feel my yearning sorrow.... Tenderly,
(To servant.) Give word that the princess attend me here.[Exit servant.
That devil knows; he looked as if he knew.
And Sala knew it. ’Twas for this he urged
The villain’s liberty. He shall go free....
To hell ... and I will grant such liberty
To all who have seen him. There’s one hiding-place
Where I may stow dishonour. But for her,
My daughter; if yet perchance there is any spot
In all her heart untainted by this shame
Which I may reach, that natural piety
May feel my yearning sorrow.... Tenderly,
Re-enter Almeh.
Re-enter Almeh.
Tenderly must I work. Lo, where she comes,Her shameful head bowed down with consciousness.Come, Almeh, come; come nearer. See:Thy tender grace, thy beauty’s perfect flower,The vesture of thy being; all thy motions,1550Thoughts, and imaginations, thy desires,Fancies, and dreams; whate’er from day to dayThou art, and callst thyself, what is it allBut part of me? Art thou the beauteous branch,I am the gnarlèd trunk that bore and bears thee;The root that feeds. I call thee not to judgment;Only to save what most I prize, thy name,And mine: there’s one way that can be: MoroccoHath taken his leave: before he leave must thouBeg him to see thy injury avenged,1560And for thine honour’s sake must on thy kneesBid me revenge it. If on the same dayThe Christian prince insulted thee he die,And die at thy request, before the eyesThat saw thy shame, ere busy tongues can tellA tale in the ear, such speedy penaltyWill fright the scandal to a tale of terror,And save our name. Withal he is a prince,And that a prince should die may well atone.What sayst thou, child?
Tenderly must I work. Lo, where she comes,
Her shameful head bowed down with consciousness.
Come, Almeh, come; come nearer. See:
Thy tender grace, thy beauty’s perfect flower,
The vesture of thy being; all thy motions,
Thoughts, and imaginations, thy desires,
Fancies, and dreams; whate’er from day to day
Thou art, and callst thyself, what is it all
But part of me? Art thou the beauteous branch,
I am the gnarlèd trunk that bore and bears thee;
The root that feeds. I call thee not to judgment;
Only to save what most I prize, thy name,
And mine: there’s one way that can be: Morocco
Hath taken his leave: before he leave must thou
Beg him to see thy injury avenged,
And for thine honour’s sake must on thy knees
Bid me revenge it. If on the same day
The Christian prince insulted thee he die,
And die at thy request, before the eyes
That saw thy shame, ere busy tongues can tell
A tale in the ear, such speedy penalty
Will fright the scandal to a tale of terror,
And save our name. Withal he is a prince,
And that a prince should die may well atone.
What sayst thou, child?
Al.Bid me not speak.
Al.Bid me not speak.
K.Thy tears1570And sobs I cannot read. I bid thee speak.
K.Thy tears
And sobs I cannot read. I bid thee speak.
Al.O father!
Al.O father!
K.Speak!
K.Speak!
Al.Thy words, recall thy words.
Al.Thy words, recall thy words.
K.What words?
K.What words?
Al.Thy words of blood.
Al.Thy words of blood.
K.Ah, Almeh! Almeh!Art thou my daughter?
K.Ah, Almeh! Almeh!
Art thou my daughter?
Al.O sire, on my kneesI beg.
Al.O sire, on my knees
I beg.
K.Well, what?
K.Well, what?
Al.His life! his life!
Al.His life! his life!
K.Ah, traitress.
K.Ah, traitress.
Al.Was not thy first condition hard enough,To save prince Ferdinand that I should marryAnother? and I consented: but when nowThou knowest I love him....
Al.Was not thy first condition hard enough,
To save prince Ferdinand that I should marry
Another? and I consented: but when now
Thou knowest I love him....
K.Love him. Thou confessest!
K.Love him. Thou confessest!
Al.I hid it from thee but to save his life;1580Now I avow it to save him. If thou’rt wronged,’Tis I have wronged thee: so if one must dieLet it be me.
Al.I hid it from thee but to save his life;
Now I avow it to save him. If thou’rt wronged,
’Tis I have wronged thee: so if one must die
Let it be me.
K.Then perish all of us.
K.Then perish all of us.
Al.Nay, why, when peace hath such a simple way,When kindness would cure all? If thou wouldst seeHow noble he is, how true....
Al.Nay, why, when peace hath such a simple way,
When kindness would cure all? If thou wouldst see
How noble he is, how true....
K.Silence! speak notWhat thou hast dared to think, lest I should curse thee.I in my house to see God’s holy lawsReversed; my blood contaminate abroadWith infidels! Fly quickly. What thou hast saidWill keep thee prisoned till thy heart is changed.1591Go to thy chamber. I will send thee soonPhysic to cure thee. From my sight! Away,Traitress, apostate.
K.Silence! speak not
What thou hast dared to think, lest I should curse thee.
I in my house to see God’s holy laws
Reversed; my blood contaminate abroad
With infidels! Fly quickly. What thou hast said
Will keep thee prisoned till thy heart is changed.
Go to thy chamber. I will send thee soon
Physic to cure thee. From my sight! Away,
Traitress, apostate.
Al.O father, by thy love....
Al.O father, by thy love....
K.Away! away!
K.Away! away!
Al.By all God’s pity I pray thee:For pity of me.
Al.By all God’s pity I pray thee:
For pity of me.
K.Begone, lest I should strike thee.
K.Begone, lest I should strike thee.
Al.Strike me, and I will bear it. I did the wrong.Punish me and pardon. I only ask for him,Take not his life.
Al.Strike me, and I will bear it. I did the wrong.
Punish me and pardon. I only ask for him,
Take not his life.
K.The more thou pleadest for him,The more I hate him.
K.The more thou pleadest for him,
The more I hate him.
Al.Heaven will soften thee.1600Thou must relent. Thou wilt not slay us both.
Al.Heaven will soften thee.
Thou must relent. Thou wilt not slay us both.
K.Begone, I say.[Exit Almeh.May all the plagues of hellTorture these Christians evermore. I seeNo safe revenge. Kill him? and the worst believed?And he my hope of Ceuta? I cannot kill him.It needs considerate action. Hola there. (Calling.)I’ll speak with Sala. Hola there, hola!
K.Begone, I say.[Exit Almeh.
May all the plagues of hell
Torture these Christians evermore. I see
No safe revenge. Kill him? and the worst believed?
And he my hope of Ceuta? I cannot kill him.
It needs considerate action. Hola there. (Calling.)
I’ll speak with Sala. Hola there, hola!
Enter Servant.
Enter Servant.
Bid Sala attend me here.[Exit servant.And if he blame me,Because I harked not to him at the first,He will not thwart my resolution now,1610When policy and revenge are bound together.’Tis changed. The Christian now hath done a wrong,For which his death is due: I have my plan:I’ll starve him till he yield. I’ll force him to itBy chains and torture till his stubborn pridePay down his ransom humbly.
Bid Sala attend me here.[Exit servant.
And if he blame me,
Because I harked not to him at the first,
He will not thwart my resolution now,
When policy and revenge are bound together.
’Tis changed. The Christian now hath done a wrong,
For which his death is due: I have my plan:
I’ll starve him till he yield. I’ll force him to it
By chains and torture till his stubborn pride
Pay down his ransom humbly.
Re-enter Sala.
Re-enter Sala.
Sa.Peace be with you.
Sa.Peace be with you.
K.The devil take thy mocking salutation.I have three matters for thee: attend. The firstIs that Morocco leaves us, and with himOur army is gone; whereon the second follows:Thou must send forth with speed to all the towns1621To levy succours; and thy forces here,Disordered in the war, visit thyself,Reform, and make report. The third is this,My will concerning Ferdinand,—and let thatBe first in thine attention;—’tis his death.My hospitality which he hath wronged,I now withhold ... to death—thou understandest?And more, ’tis death to any that shall give himA crust or drop of water: and I will change1630His entertainment. Set him in the stablesTo serve the grooms: put chains upon his feet:Appoint a guard to enforce his tasks, and makeMouleh their serjeant. For the executionI hold thee liable. Let not his lifeOutdrag three days. But hark: in spite of vengeance,And in remembrance of his claim on thee,He may go quit upon the old condition,Ceuta:—thou understandest? Go tell him this,The only hope my clemency allows,1640But of my provocation not a word.Be thou in time prepared to clear thyselfOf having known this mischief and concealed it.
K.The devil take thy mocking salutation.
I have three matters for thee: attend. The first
Is that Morocco leaves us, and with him
Our army is gone; whereon the second follows:
Thou must send forth with speed to all the towns
To levy succours; and thy forces here,
Disordered in the war, visit thyself,
Reform, and make report. The third is this,
My will concerning Ferdinand,—and let that
Be first in thine attention;—’tis his death.
My hospitality which he hath wronged,
I now withhold ... to death—thou understandest?
And more, ’tis death to any that shall give him
A crust or drop of water: and I will change
His entertainment. Set him in the stables
To serve the grooms: put chains upon his feet:
Appoint a guard to enforce his tasks, and make
Mouleh their serjeant. For the execution
I hold thee liable. Let not his life
Outdrag three days. But hark: in spite of vengeance,
And in remembrance of his claim on thee,
He may go quit upon the old condition,
Ceuta:—thou understandest? Go tell him this,
The only hope my clemency allows,
But of my provocation not a word.
Be thou in time prepared to clear thyself
Of having known this mischief and concealed it.
Sa.My liege....
Sa.My liege....
K.Begone and do my will. Thy wordsSave to persuade the prince. Speak not to me.It angers me to see thee. Go. I have done.
K.Begone and do my will. Thy words
Save to persuade the prince. Speak not to me.
It angers me to see thee. Go. I have done.
[Exit Sala.
[Exit Sala.
Three days I said; three days. Within that time,Unless I have my town, I’ll be revenged.
Three days I said; three days. Within that time,
Unless I have my town, I’ll be revenged.