No More Learning

_ I would accept it; and, to shew 'tis true,
From any other man as soon as you.

_Abdal. _ Your sharp replies make me not love you less;
But make me seek new paths to happiness. --
What I design, by time will best be seen:
You may be mine, and yet may be a queen.
When you are so, your word your love assures.

_Lyndar. _ Perhaps not love you,--but I will be yours. --
[_He offers to take her hand, and kiss it. _
Stay, sir, that grace I cannot yet allow;
Before you set the crown upon my brow. --
That favour which you seek,
Or Abdelmelech, or a king, must have;
When you are so, then you may be my slave.
[_Exit; but looks smiling back on him. _

_Abdal. _ Howe'er imperious in her words she were,
Her parting looks had nothing of severe;
A glancing smile allured me to command,
And her soft fingers gently pressed my hand:
I felt the pleasure glide through every part;
Her hand went through me to my very heart.
For such another pleasure, did he live,
I could my father of a crown deprive. --
What did I say? --
Father! --That impious thought has shocked my mind:
How bold our passions are, and yet how blind! --
She's gone; and now,
Methinks, there is less glory in a crown:
My boiling passions settle, and go down.
Like amber chafed, when she is near, she acts;
When farther oft, inclines, but not attracts.

_Enter_ ZULEMA.

Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be
That friend thou seem'st, assist me against me.
Betwixt my love and virtue I am tossed;
This must be forfeited, or that be lost.
I could do much to merit thy applause,--
Help me to fortify the better cause;
My honour is not wholly put to flight,
But would, if seconded, renew the fight.

_Zul. _ I met my sister, but I do not see
What difficulty in your choice can be:
She told me all; and 'tis so plain a case,
You need not ask what counsel to embrace.

_Abdal. _ I stand reproved, that I did doubt at all;
My waiting virtue staid but for thy call:
'Tis plain that she, who, for a kingdom, now
Would sacrifice her love, and break her vow,
Not out of love, but interest, acts alone,
And would, even in my arms, lie thinking of a throne.

_Zul. _ Add to the rest, this one reflection more:
When she is married, and you still adore,
Think then,--and think what comfort it will bring,--
She had been mine,
Had I but only dared to be a king!

_Abdal. _ I hope you only would my honour try;
I'm loth to think you virtue's enemy.

_Zul. _ If, when a crown and mistress are in place,
Virtue intrudes, with her lean holy face,
Virtue's then mine, and not I virtue's foe.
Why does she come where she has nought to do?
Let her with anchorites, not with lovers, lie;
Statesmen and they keep better company.

_Abdal. _ Reason was given to curb our head-strong will.

_Zul. _ Reason but shews a weak physician's skill;
Gives nothing, while the raging fit does last,
But stays to cure it, when the worst is past.
Reason's a staff for age, when nature's gone;
But youth is strong enough to walk alone,

_Abdal. _ In cursed ambition I no rest should find,
But must for ever lose my peace of mind.

_Zul. _ Methinks that peace of mind were bravely lost;
A crown, whate'er we give, is worth the cost.

_Abdal. _ Justice distributes to each man his right;
But what she gives not, should I take by might?

_Zul. _ If justice will take all, and nothing give,
Justice, methinks, is not distributive.

_Abdal. _ Had fate so pleased, I had been eldest born,
And then, without a crime, the crown had worn! --

_Zul. _ Would you so please, fate yet a way would find;
Man makes his fate according to his mind.
The weak low spirit, fortune makes her slave;
But she's a drudge, when hectored by the brave:
If fate weaves common thread, he'll change the doom,
And with new purple spread a nobler loom.

_Abdal. _ No more! --I will usurp the royal seat;
Thou, who hast made me wicked, make me great.

_Zul. _ Your way is plain: the death of Tarifa
Does on the king our Zegrys' hatred draw;
Though with our enemies in show we close,
'Tis but while we to purpose can be foes.
Selin, who heads us, would revenge his son;
But favour hinders justice to be done.
Proud Ozmyn with the king his power maintains,
And, in him, each Abencerrago reigns.

_Abdal. _ What face of any title can I bring?

_Zul. _ The right an eldest son has to be king.
Your father was at first a private man,
And got your brother ere his reign began;
When, by his valour, he the crown had won,
Then you were born a monarch's eldest son.

_Abdal. _ To sharp-eyed reason this would seem untrue;
But reason I through love's false optics view.

_Zul. _ Love's mighty power has led me captive too;
I am in it unfortunate as you.

_Abdal. _ Our loves and fortunes shall together go;
Thou shalt be happy, when I first am so.

_Zul. _ The Zegrys at old Selin's house are met,
Where, in close council, for revenge they sit:
There we our common interest will unite;
You their revenge shall own, and they your right.
One thing I had forgot, which may import:
I met Almanzor coming back from court,
But with a discomposed and speedy pace,
A fiery colour kindling all his face:
The king his prisoner's freedom has denied,
And that refusal has provoked his pride.

_Abdal. _ 'Would he were ours! --
I'll try to gild the injustice of his cause,
And court his valour with a vast applause.

_Zul. _ The bold are but the instruments o'the wise;
They undertake the dangers we advise:
And, while our fabric with their pains we raise,
We take the profit, and pay them with praise. [_Exeunt. _


ACT III. SCENE I.

_Enter_ ALMANZOR _and_ ABDALLA.

_Almanz. _ That he should dare to do me this disgrace! --
Is fool, or coward, writ upon my face?
Refuse my prisoner! --I such means will use,
He shall not have a prisoner to refuse.

_Abdal. _ He said, you were not by your promise tied;
That he absolved your word, when he denied.

_Almanz. _ He break my promise, and absolve my vow!
'Tis more than Mahomet himself can do! --
The word, which I have given, shall stand like fate;
Not like the king's, that weather-cock of state.
He stands so high, with so unfixed a mind,
Two factions turn him with each blast of wind:
But now, he shall not veer! my word is past;
I'll take his heart by the roots, and hold it fast.

_Abdal. _ You have your vengeance in your hand this hour;
Make me the humble creature of your power:
The Granadines will gladly me obey;
(Tired with so base and impotent a sway)
And, when I shew my title, you shall see,
I have a better right to reign than he.

_Almanz. _ It is sufficient that you make the claim;
You wrong our friendship when your right you name.
When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause;
But friendship will admit of no such laws:
That weighs by the lump; and, when the cause is light,
Puts kindness in to set the balance right.
True, I would wish my friend the juster side;
But, in the unjust, my kindness more is tried:
And all the opposition I can bring,
Is, that I fear to make you such a king.

_Abdal. _ The majesty of kings we should not blame,
When royal minds adorn the royal name;
The vulgar, greatness too much idolize,
But haughty subjects it too much despise.

_Almanz. _ I only speak of him,
Whom pomp and greatness sit so loose about,
That he wants majesty to fill them out.

_Abdal. _ Haste, then, and lose no time! --
The business must be enterprised this night:
We must surprise the court in its delight.

_Almanz. _ For you to will, for me 'tis to obey:
But I would give a crown in open day;
And, when the Spaniards their assault begin,
At once beat those without, and these within. [_Exit_ ALMANZ.

_Enter_ ABDELMELECH.

_Abdelm. _ Abdalla, hold! --There's somewhat I intend
To speak, not as your rival, but your friend.

_Abdal. _ If as a friend, I am obliged to hear;
And what a rival says I cannot fear.

_Abdelm. _ Think, brave Abdalla, what it is you do:
Your quiet, honour, and our friendship too,
All for a fickle beauty you forego.
Think, and turn back, before it be too late.
Behold in me the example of your fate:
I am your sea-mark; and, though wrecked and lost,
My ruins stand to warn you from the coast.

_Abdal. _ Your counsels, noble Abdelmelech, move
My reason to accept them, not my love.
Ah, why did heaven leave man so weak defence,
To trust frail reason with the rule of sense!
'Tis over-poised and kicked up in the air,
While sense weighs down the scale, and keeps it there;
Or, like a captive king, 'tis borne away,
And forced to countenance its own rebels' sway.

_Abdelm. _ No, no; our reason was not vainly lent;
Nor is a slave, but by its own consent:
If reason on his subject's triumph wait,
An easy king deserves no better fate.

_Abdal. _ You speak too late; my empire's lost too far:
I cannot fight.

_Abdelm. _ Then make a flying war;
Dislodge betimes, before you are beset.

_Abdal. _ Her tears, her smiles, her every look's a net.
Her voice is like a Syren's of the land;
And bloody hearts lie panting in her hand.

_Abdelm. _ This do you know, and tempt the danger still?

_Abdal. _ Love, like a lethargy, has seized my will.
I'm not myself, since from her sight I went;
I lean my trunk that way, and there stand bent.
As one, who, in some frightful dream, would shun
His pressing foe, labours in vain to run;
And his own slowness, in his sleep, bemoans,
With thick short sighs, weak cries, and tender groans,
So I--

_Abdelm. _ Some friend, in charity, should shake,
And rouse, and call you loudly till you wake.
Too well I know her blandishments to gain,
Usurper-like, till settled in her reign;
Then proudly she insults, and gives you cares,
And jealousies, short hopes, and long despairs.
To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow,
Howe'er she shines all golden to you now.

_Abdul. _ Like him, who on the ice
Slides swiftly on, and sees the water near,
Yet cannot stop himself in his career,
So am I carried. This enchanted place,
Like Circe's isle, is peopled with a race
Of dogs and swine; yet, though their fate I know,
I look with pleasure, and am turning too.
[LYNDARAXA _passes over the Stage. _

_Abdelm. _ Fly, fly, before the allurements of her face,
Ere she return with some resistless grace,
And with new magic cover all the place.

_Abdal. _ I cannot, will not,--nay, I would not fly:
I'll love, be blind, be cozened till I die;
And you, who bid me wiser counsel take,
I'll hate, and, if I can, I'll kill you for her sake.

_Abdelm. _ Even I, that counselled you, that choice approve:
I'll hate you blindly, and her blindly love.
Prudence, that stemmed the stream, is out of breath:
And to go down it is the easier death.

LYNDARAXA _re-enters, and smiles on_ ABDALLA. [_Exit_ ABDALLA.

_Abdelm. _ That smile on Prince Abdalla seems to say,
You are not in your killing mood to day:
Men brand, indeed, your sex with cruelty,
But you are too good to see poor lovers die.
This god-like pity in you I extol;
And more, because, like heaven's, 'tis general.

_Lyndar. _ My smile implies not that I grant his suit:
'Twas but a bare return of his salute.

_Abdelm. _ It said, you were engaged, and I in place;
But, to please both, you would divide the grace.

_Lyndar. _ You've cause to be contented with your part,
When he has but the look, and you the heart.

_Abdelm. _ In giving but that look, you give what's mine:
I'll not one corner of a glance resign.
All's mine; and I am covetous of my store:
I have not love enough, I'll tax you more.

_Lyndar. _ I gave not love; 'twas but civility:
He is a prince; that's due to his degree.

_Abdelm. _ That prince you smiled on is my rival still,
And should, if me you loved, be treated ill.

_Lyndar. _ I know not how to show so rude a spite.

_Abdelm. _ That is, you know not how to love aright;
Or, if you did, you would more difference see
Betwixt our souls, than 'twixt our quality.
Mark, if his birth makes any difference,
If to his words it adds one grain of sense.
That duty, which his birth can make his due,
I'll pay, but it shall not be paid by you:
For, if a prince courts her whom I adore,
He is my rival, and a prince no more.

_Lyndar. _ And when did I my power so far resign.
That you should regulate each look of mine?

_Abdelm. _ Then, when you gave your love, you gave that power.

_Lyndar. _ 'Twas during pleasure, 'tis revoked this hour.
Now, call me false, and rail on womankind,--
'Tis all the remedy you're like to find.

_Abdelm. _ Yes, there's one more;
I'll hate you, and this visit is my last.

_Lyndar. _ Do't, if you can; you know I hold you fast:
Yet, for your quiet, would you could resign
Your love, as easily as I do mine.

_Abdelm. _ Furies and hell, how unconcerned she speaks!
With what indifference all her vows she breaks!
Curse on me, but she smiles!

_Lyndar. _ That smile's a part of love, and all's your due:
I take it from the prince, and give it you.

_Abdelm. _ Just heaven, must my poor heart your May-game prove,
To bandy, and make children's play in love? [_Half crying. _
Ah!
how have I this cruelty deserved?
I, who so truly and so long have served!
And left so easily! oh cruel maid!
So easily! it was too unkindly said.
That heart, which could so easily remove,
Was never fixed, nor rooted deep in love.

_Lyndar. _ You lodged it so uneasy in your breast,
I thought you had been weary of the guest.
First, I was treated like a stranger there;
But, when a household friend I did appear,
You thought, it seems, I could not live elsewhere.
Then, by degrees, your feigned respect withdrew;
You marked my actions, and my guardian grew.
But I am not concerned your acts to blame:
My heart to yours but upon liking came;
And, like a bird, whom prying boys molest,
Stays not to breed, where she had built her nest.

_Abdelm. _ I have done ill,
And dare not ask you to be less displeased;
Be but more angry, and my pain is eased.

_Lyndar. _ If I should be so kind a fool, to take
This little satisfaction which you make,
I know you would presume some other time
Upon my goodness, and repeat your crime.

_Abdelm. _ Oh never, never, upon no pretence;
My life's too short to expiate this offence.

_Lyndar. _ No, now I think on't, 'tis in vain to try;
'Tis in your nature, and past remedy.
You'll still disquiet my too loving heart:
Now we are friends 'tis best for both to part. [_He takes her hand. _

_Abdelm. _ By this--Will you not give me leave to swear?

_Lyndar. _ You would be perjured if you should, I fear:
And, when I talk with Prince Abdalla next,
I with your fond suspicions shall be vext.

_Abdelm. _ I cannot say I'll conquer jealousy,
But, if you'll freely pardon me, I'll try.

_Lyndar. _ And, till you that submissive servant prove,
I never can conclude you truly love.

_To them, the_ KING, ALMAHIDE, ABENAMAR, ESPERANZA, _Guards,
Attendants. _

_Boab. _ Approach, my Almahide, my charming fair,
Blessing of peace, and recompence of war.
This night is yours; and may your life still be
The same in joy, though not solemnity.

THE ZAMBRA DANCE.

SONG.

I.

_Beneath a myrtle shade,
Which love for none, but happy lovers made,
I slept; and straight my love before me brought
Phyllis, the object of my waking thought.
Undressed she came my flames to meet,
While love strewed flowers beneath her feet;
Flowers which, so pressed by her, became more sweet. _

II.

_From the bright vision's head
A careless veil of lawn was loosely spread:_
_From her white temples fell her shaded hair
Like cloudy sunshine, not too brown nor fair;
Her hands, her lips, did love inspire;
Her every grace my heart did fire:
But most her eyes, which languished with desire. _

III.

_Ah, charming fair, said I,
How long can you my bliss and yours deny?
By nature and by love, this lonely shade
Was for revenge of suffering lovers made.
Silence and shades with love agree;
Both shelter you and favour me:
You cannot blush, because I cannot see. _

IV.

_No, let me die, she said,
Rather than lose the spotless name of maid! --
Faintly, methought, she spoke; for all the while
She bid me not believe her, with a smile.
Then die, said I: She still denied;
And is it thus, thus, thus, she cried,
You use a harmless maid? --and so she died! _

V.

_I waked, and straight I knew,
I loved so well, it made my dream prove true:
Fancy, the kinder mistress of the two,
Fancy had done what Phyllis would not do!
Ah, cruel nymph, cease your disdain,
While, I can dream you scorn in vain,--
Asleep or waking you must ease my pain. _
[After the dance, a tumultuous noise of drums
and trumpets.

_To them_ OZMYN; _his sword drawn. _

_Ozm. _ Arm, quickly arm; yet all, I fear, too late;
The enemy's already at the gate.

_Boab. _ The Christians are dislodged; what foe is near?

_Ozm. _ The Zegrys are in arms, and almost here:
The streets with torches shine, with shoutings ring,
And Prince Abdalla is proclaimed the king.
What man could do, I have already done,
But bold Almanzor fiercely leads them on.

_Aben. _ The Alhambra yet is safe in my command; [_To the King. _
Retreat you thither, while their shock we stand.

_Boab. _ I cannot meanly for my life provide;
I'll either perish in't, or stem this tide.
To guard the palace, Ozmyn, be your care:
If they o'ercome, no sword will hurt the fair.

_Ozm. _ I'll either die; or I'll make good the place.

_Abdelm. _ And I with these will bold Almanzor face.
[_Exeunt all but the Ladies. An alarum within. _

_Almah. _ What dismal planet did my triumphs light!
Discord the day, and death does rule the night:
The noise my soul does through my senses wound.

_Lyndar. _ Methinks it is a noble, sprightly sound,
The trumpet's clangor, and the clash of arms!
This noise may chill your blood, but mine it warms.
[_Shouting and clashing of swords within. _
We have already passed the Rubicon;
The dice are mine; now, fortune, for a throne!
[_A shout within, and clashing of swords afar off. _
The sound goes farther off, and faintly dies;
Curse of this going back, these ebbing cries!
Ye winds, waft hither sounds more strong and quick;
Beat faster, drums, and mingle deaths more thick.
I'll to the turrets of the palace go,
And add new fire to those that fight below:
Thence, hero-like, with torches by my side,
(Far be the omen, though) my love will guide.
No; like his better fortune I'll appear,
With open arms, loose veil, and flowing hair,
Just flying forward from my rolling sphere:
My smiles shall make Abdalla more than man;
Let him look up, and perish if he can. [_Exit. _

_An alarum nearer: Then Enter_ ALMANZOR _and_ SELIN, _at the head of
the Zegrys_; OZMYN _Prisoner. _

_Almanz. _ We have not fought enough; they fly too soon;
And I am grieved the noble sport is done.
This only man, of all whom chance did bring [_Pointing to_ OZMYN.
To meet my arms, was worth the conquering.
His brave resistance did my fortune grace;
So slow, so threatning forward he gave place.
His chains be easy, and his usage fair.

_Selin. _ I beg you would commit him to my care.

_Almanz. _ Next, the brave Spaniard free without delay;
And with a convoy send him safe away. [_Exit a Guard. _

_To them_ HAMET _and others. _

_Hamet. _ The king by me salutes you; and, to show
That to your valour he his crown does owe,
Would from your mouth I should the word receive,
And that to these you would your orders give.

_Almanz. _ He much o'er-rates the little I have done.
[ALMANZOR _goes to the door, and there seems to give out
orders, by sending people several ways. _

_Selin_ to _Ozmyn. _ Now, to revenge the murder of my son,
To morrow for thy certain death prepare;
This night I only leave thee to despair.

_Ozmyn. _ Thy idle menaces I do not fear:
My business was to die or conquer here.
Sister, for you I grieve I could no more:
My present state betrays my want of power;
But, when true courage is of force bereft,
Patience, the only fortitude, is left. [_Exit with_ SELIN.

_Almah. _ Ah, Esperanza, what for me remains
But death, or, worse than death, inglorious chains!

_Esper. _ Madam, you must not to despair give place;
Heaven never meant misfortune to that face.
Suppose there were no justice in your cause,
Beauty's a bribe that gives her judges laws.
That you are brought to this deplored estate,
Is but the ingenious flattery of your fate;
Fate fears her succour, like an alms, to give;
And would you, God-like, from yourself should live.

_Almah. _ Mark but how terribly his eyes appear!
And yet there's something roughly noble there,
Which, in unfashioned nature, looks divine,
And, like a gem, does in the quarry shine.
[ALMANZOR _returns; she falls at his feet, being
veiled. _

_Almah. _ Turn, mighty conqueror, turn your face this way,
Do not refuse to hear the wretched pray!

_Almanz. _ What business can this woman have with me?

_Almah. _ That of the afflicted to the Deity.
So may your arms success in battle find;
So may the mistress of your vows be kind,
If you have any; or, if you have none,
So may your liberty be still your own!

_Almanz. _ Yes, I will turn my face, but not my mind:
You bane and soft destruction of mankind,
What would you have with me?

_Almah. _ I beg the grace [_Unveiling. _
You would lay by those terrors of your face.
Till calmness to your eyes you first restore,
I am afraid, and I can beg no more.

_Almanz. _ [_Looking fixedly on her. _]
Well; my fierce visage shall not murder you.
Speak quickly, woman; I have much to do.

_Almah. _ Where should I find the heart to speak one word?
Your voice, sir, is as killing as your sword.
As you have left the lightning of your eye,
So would you please to lay your thunder by.

_Almanz. _ I'm pleased and pained, since first her eyes I saw,
As I were stung with some tarantula.
Arms, and the dusty field, I less admire,
And soften strangely in some new desire;
Honour burns in me not so fiercely bright,
But pale as fires when mastered by the light:
Even while I speak and look, I change yet more,
And now am nothing that I was before.
I'm numbed, and fixed, and scarce my eye-balls move:
I fear it is the lethargy of love!
'Tis he; I feel him now in every part:
Like a new lord he vaunts about my heart;
Surveys, in state, each corner of my breast,
While poor fierce I, that was, am dispossessed.
I'm bound; but I will rouse my rage again;
And, though no hope of liberty remain,
I'll fright my keeper when I shake my chain.
You are-- [_Angrily. _

_Almah. _ I know I am your captive, sir.

_Almanz. _ You are--You shall--And I can scarce forbear--

_Almah. _ Alas!

_Almanz. _ 'Tis all in vain; it will not do: [_Aside. _
I cannot now a seeming anger show:
My tongue against my heart no aid affords;
For love still rises up, and choaks my words.

_Almah. _ In half this time a tempest would be still.

_Almanz. _ 'Tis you have raised that tempest in my will.
I wonnot love you; give me back my heart;
But give it, as you had it, fierce and brave.
It was not made to be a woman's slave,
But, lion-like, has been in desarts bred,
And, used to range, will ne'er be tamely led.
Restore its freedom to my fettered will,
And then I shall have power to use you ill.

_Almah. _ My sad condition may your pity move;
But look not on me with the eyes of love:--
I must be brief, though I have much to say.

_Almanz. _ No, speak; for I can hear you now all day.
Her sueing sooths me with a secret pride: [_Softly. _
A suppliant beauty cannot be denied: [_Aside. _
Even while I frown, her charms the furrows seize;
And I'm corrupted with the power to please.

_Almah. _ Though in your worth no cause of fear I see,
I fear the insolence of victory;
As you are noble, sir, protect me then
From the rude outrage of insulting men.

_Almanz. _ Who dares touch her I love? I'm all o'er love:
Nay, I am love; love shot, and shot so fast,
He shot himself into my breast at last.

_Almah. _ You see before you her, who should be queen,
Since she is promised to Boabdelin.

_Almanz. _ Are you beloved by him? O wretched fate,
First that I love at all; then, loved too late!
Yet, I must love!

_Almah. _ Alas, it is in vain;
Fate for each other did not us ordain.
The chances of this day too clearly show
That heaven took care that it should not be so.

_Almanz. _ Would heaven had quite forgot me this one day!
But fate's yet hot--
I'll make it take a bent another way.
[_He walks swiftly and discomposedly, studying. _
I bring a claim which does his right remove;
You're his by promise, but you're mine by love.
'Tis all but ceremony which is past;
The knot's to tie which is to make you fast.
Fate gave not to Boabdelin that power;
He wooed you but as my ambassador.

_Almah. _ Our souls are tied by holy vows above.

_Almanz. _ He signed but his: but I will seal my love.
I love you better, with more zeal than he.

_Almah. _ This day
I gave my faith to him, he his to me.

_Almanz.