But to be punished and forgiven. Here, strike; Of these your rash, and ill-timed exclamations. I bare my breast to meet your just revenge. Gar. The eastern gate is to the foe betrayed,

Zara. I have not leisure now to take so poor Who, but for heaps of slain that choak the pas. A forfeit as thy life; somewhat of high,

sage, And more important fate, requires my thought. Had entered, long ere now, and borne down all When I've concluded on myself, if I

Before them, to the palace walls. Unless Think fit, I'll leave thee my command to die. The king in person animate our men, Regard me well; and dare not to reply

Granada's lost; and to confirm this fear, To what I give in charge: for I'm resolved. The traitor Perez, and the captive Moor, Give order that the two remaining mutes Are through a postern fled, and joined the foe. Attend me instantly, with each a bowl

Gons. Would all were false as that! for whom Of such ingredients mixed, as will, with speed,

you call Benumb the living faculties, and give

The Moor, is dead. That Osmyn was Alphonso; Most easy and inevitable death.—

In whose heart's blood this poniard yet is warm. Yes, Osmyn, yes ; be Osmyn or Alphonso, Gar. Impossible; for Osmyn was, while flying, I'll give thee freedom, if thou dar'st be free: Pronounced aloud by Perez for Alphonso. Such liberty as I embrace myself,

Gons. Enter that chamber, and convince your Thou shalt partake. Since fates no more afford,

eyes, I can but die with thee, to keep my word. How much report has wronged your easy

faith. [Exeunt.

(GARCIA goes is.

Alon. My lord, for certain truth, Perez is filed; SCENE II.-Opening, shews the Prison. And has declared, the cause of his revolt

Was to revenge a blow the king had given him. Enter GONSALEZ disguised like a mute, with a Gar. (Returning.) Ruin and horror! Oh, dagger.

heart-wounding sight! Gon. Nor centinel, nor guard! the doors un- Gons. What says my son? What ruin? Ha! barred!

what horror? And all as still, as at the noon of night!

Gar. Blasted my eyes, and speechless be my Sure death already has been busy here.

tongue, There lies my way; that door, too, is unlocked. Rather than or to see, or to relate

(Looking in. This deed—Oh, dire mistake! Oh, fatal blow! Ha! sure he sleeps-all's dark within, save what The kingA lamp, that feebly lifts a sickly flame,

Gons. Alon. The king! By fits reveals—his face seems turned, to favour Gar. Dead, weltering, drowned in blood. Th' attempt: I'll steal and do it unperceived. See, see, attired like Osmyn, where he lies! What noise! somebody coming! is't Alonzo ?

(They look in Nobody. Sure he'll wait without — I would Oh, whence, or how, or wherefore was this done? 'Twere done I'll crawl, and sting him to the But what imports the manner or the cause? heart,

Nothing remains to do, or to enquire, Then cast my skin, and leave it there to answer't. But that we all should turn our swords against

(Goes in. Ourselves, and expiate, with our own, his blocelo

Gons. Oh, wretch! Oh, cursed, rash, deluded Enter GARCIA and ALONZO.

fool ! Gar. Where, where, Alonzo, where's my fa- On me, on me turn your avenging swords. ther? where

I, who have spilt my royal master's blood, The king ? Coufusion! all is on the rout! Should make atoneinent by a death as horrid, All's lost, all ruined by surprise and treachery.

And fall beneath the band of mine own son. Where, where is he? Why dost thou mislead Gar. Ha! what ! atone this murder with a me?

greater! Alon. My lord, he entered but a moment The horror of that thought has damped my rage. since,

The earth aiready groans to bear this deed; And could not pass me unperceived—What hoa! Oppress her not, nor think to stain her face My lord, my lord! What hoa ! my lord Gonsa- With more unnatural blood. Murder my father! lez!

Better with this to rip up my own bowels,

And bathe it to the hilt, in far less damnable Enter GONSALEZ, bloody.

Self-murder. Gons. Perdition choak your clamours—whence Gons. Oh, my son! from the blind dotage this rudeness?

Of a father's fondness these ills arose. Garcia!

For thee I've been ambitious, base, and bloody: Gar. Perdition, slavery, and death,

For thee I've plunged into this sea of sin; Are entering now our doors. Where is the king? Stemming the tide with only one weak hand, What means this blood; and why this face of While the other bore the crown (to wreathe thy horror?

brown) Gons. No matter-give me first to know the Whose weight has sunk me, ere I reached the cause

ed:

Gar. Fatal ambition ! Hark! the foe is enter-| And purpose, being changed from life to death,

Shout. Has also wrought this chilling change of temper.
The shrillness of that shout speaks them at hand. Or does my heart bode more? What can it, more
We have no time to search into the cause Than death?
Of this surprising, and most fatal error.

Let them set down the bowls, and warn Alphonso What's to be done! the king's death known, That I am here-so. You return, and find would strike

(Mutes going in,
The few remaining soldiers with despair, The king; tell him, what he required, I've done,
And make them yield to mercy of the conqueror. And wait his coming to approve the de d.
Alon. My lord, I've thought how to conceal

[Erit Selim.
the body.
Require me not to tell the means, till done,

Enter Mutes. Lest you forbid what you may then approve. Zara. What have you seen ? Ha! wherefore (Goes in. Shout.

stare you thus, Gons. They shout again! Whate'er he means [The Mutes return, and look affrighted. to do,

With haggard eyes? Why are your arms across? 'Twere fit the soldiers were amused with hopes, Your heavy and desponding heads hung down? And, in the mean time, fed with expectation What is't you more than speak in these sad signs ? To see the king in person at their head. Give me more ample knowledge of this m urning.

Gar. Were it a truth, I fear 'tis now too late. (They go to the Scene, which opening, she But I'll omit no care, but haste and try,

perceives the Body. Or to repel their force, or bravely die.

Ha! prostrate! bloody! headless! Oh-I'm lost. (Exit GARCIA. Oh, Osmyn! Oh, Alphonso ! Cruel fate! Re-enter ALONZO.

Cruel, cruel, oh, more than killing object !

I came prepared to die, and see thee die-
Gons. What hast thou done, Alonzo ? Nay, came prepared myself to give thee death-
Alon. Such a deed,

But cannot bear to find thee thus, my OsmynAs but an hour ago I'd not have done,

Oh, this accursed, this base, this treacherous Though for the crown of universal empire.

king! But what are kings, reduced to common clay? Or who can wound the dead? I have from the

Enter SELIM. body

Sel. I've sought in vain, for no where can the Severed the head, and in an obscure corner Disposed it, muffled in the mute's attire,

Be foundLeaving to view of them who enter next,

Zara. Get thee to hell, and seek him there. Alone the undistinguishable trunk ;

(Stabs him. Which may be stili mistaken by the guards His hellish rage had wanted means to act, For Osmyn, if, in seeking for the king,

But for thy fatal and pernicious counsel. They chance to find it.

Sel. You thought it better then-but I'm rea Gons. 'Twas an act of horror,

warded. And of a piece with this day's dire misdeeds. The mute you sent, by some mischance was seen, But 'tis no time to ponder or repent.

And forced to yield your letter with his life'; Haste thee, Alonzo, haste thee hence, with speed, I found the dead and bloody body stripped To aid my son. I'll follow, with the last My tongue faulters, and my voice fails—IsinkReserve, to reinforce his arms: at least, Drink not the poison-for Alphonso is—(Dies. I shall make good, and shelter, his retreat. Zara. As thou art now and I shall quickly be.

(Ereunt severally. 'Tis not that he is dead; for 'twas decreed

We both should die. Nor is't that I survive; Enter Zara, followed by Selim, and two Mules I have a certain remedy for that. bearing the boals.

But oh, he died unknowing in my heart ! Zara. Silence and solitude are every where. He knew I loved, but knew not to what height; Through all the gloomy ways, and iron doors, Nor that I meant to fall before his eyes, That hither lead, nor human face nor voice A martyr, and a victim to my vows ; Is seen or heard. A dreadful din was wont Insensible of this last proof he's gone. To grate the sense, when entered here, from Yet fate alone can rob his mortal part groans,

Of sense: his soul still sees, and knows each purAnd howls of slaves condemned; from clink of

pose, chains,

And fixed event, of my persisting faith. And crash of rusty bars and creaking hinges : Then wherefore do I pause! Give me the bowl. And ever and anon the sight was dashed

(A Mute kneels, and gires one of the Bouls. With frightful faces, and the meagre looks Hover a moment, yet, thou gentle spirit, Of grim and ghastly executioners.

Soul of my love, and I will wait thy flight. Yet more this stillness terrifies my soul, This to our mutual bliss, when joined above. Than did that scene of complicated horrors.

(Drinks. It may be, that the cause of this my errand Oh, friendly draught, already in my heart!

king

up,

Cold, cold; my veins are icicles and frost. I'll drink my glad acknowledgment-
I'll creep into his bosom, lay me there;

Leon. Oh, hold,
(over us close-or I shall chill his breast, For mercy's sake! Upon my knee I beg -
And fright him from my arıns-See, see, he slides Alm. With thee the kneeling world should bey
Etill farther from me; look, he hides his face,

in vain. I cannot feel it-quite beyond my reach, Seest thou not there? Behold who prostrate lies, Oh, now he's gone, and all is dark- (Dies. And pleads against thee; who shall then prevail? (The Mutes kneel, and mourn over her. Yet I will take a cold and parting leave

From his pale lips; I'll kiss him ere I drink, Enter ALMERIA and LEONORA.

Lest the rank juice should blister on my mouth, Alm. Oh, let me seek him in this horrid cell ! And stain the colour of my last adieu. For in the tomb, or prison, I alone

Horror! a headless trunk! nor lips nor face, Must hope to find him.

(Coming near the body, starts and lets fch Leon. Heavens! what dismal scene

the cup: Of death is this? The eunuch, Selim, slain ! But spouting veins, and mangled flesh! Oh, Oh! Alm. Shew me, for I am come in search of death;

Enter ALPHONSO, HELI, PEREZ, with GARCIA But want a guide ; for tears have dimmed my prisoner. Guards and Attendants. sight,

Alph. Away, stand off! Where is she? let me Leon. Alas, a little farther, and beho!d

fly, Zara all pale and dead! two frightful men, Save her from death, and snatch her to my heart! Who seem the murderers, kneel weeping by; Alm. Oh! Feeling remorse, too late, for what they've done. Alph. Forbear; my arms alone shall hold her But, oh, forbear-lift up your eyes no more; But haste away, fly from this fatal place, Warm her to life, and wake her into gladness. Where miseries are multiplied ; return, Oh, let'me talk, to thy reviving sense, Return, and look not on; for there's a dagger The words of joy and peace; warm thy cold Ready to stab the sight, and make your eyes

beauties Rain blood

With the new-flushing ardour of my cheek; Alm. Oh, I foreknow, foresee that object. Into thy lips pour the soft trickling balm Is it at last then so? Is he then dead?

Of cordial sighs; and reinspire thy bosom What! dead at last? quite, quite, for ever dead ? With the breath of love. Shine, awake, Almeria! There, there, I see him; there he lies, the blood Give a new birth to thy long-shaded eyes, Yet bubbling from his wounds-Oh, more than Then double on the day reflected light. savage!

Alm. Where am I? 'Heaven! what does this Had they or hearts or eyes, that did this deed?

dream intend? Could eyes endure to guide such cruel hands?

Alph. Oh, may'st thou never dream of less de Are not my eyes guilty alike with theirs,

light, That thus can gaze, and yet not turn to stone ? Nor ever wake to less substantial joys ! -I do not weep! The springs of tears are Alm. Given me again from death! Oh, all ye dried ;

powers, And of a sudden I am calm, as if

Confirm this miracle! Can I believe All things were well; and yet my husband's mur. My sight against my sight? and shall I trust dered!

That sense, which, in one instant, shews him dead Yes, yes, I know to mourn! I'll sluice this heart, And living ?-Yes, I will; l've been abused The source of woe, and let the torrent loose. With apparitions and affrighting phantoms: -Those men have left to weep! they look on This is my lord, my life, my only husband; me!

I have him now, and we no more will part. I hope they murder all on whom they look. My father, too, shall have compassionBehold me well; your bloody hands have erred, Alph. Oh, my heart's comfort ! 'tis not given And wrongfully have slain those innocents ;

to this I am the sacrifice designed to bleed,

Frail life to be entirely blessed. Even now, And come prepared to yield my throat-They In this extremest joy my soul can taste, shake

Yet I am dashed to think that thou must weep; Their heads, in sign of grief and innocence ! Thy father fell where he designed my death.

(They point at the bowl on the ground. Gonsalez and Alonzo, both of wounds And point? What mean they? Ha! a cup; Oh, Expiring, have, with their last breath, confessed well

The just decree of Heaven, which on themselves I understand what medicine has been here. Has turned their own most bloody purposes. Oh, poble thirst ! yet greedy to drink all- Nay, I must grant, 'tis fit you should be thus-Oh, for another draught of death - What

(She weeps mean they?

Let them remove the body from her sight.[They point at the other cup. JIl-fated Zara! Ha! a cup! Alas! Ha ! point again ! 'tis there, and full, I hope. Thy error then is plain! but I were flint Thanks to the liberal hand that filled thee thus! | Not to o'erflow in tribute to thy memory.

Oh, Garcia!

Still in the paths of honour persevere,
Whose virtue has renounced thy father's crimes, And not from past or present ills despair;
Seest thou how just the hand of Heaven has For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
been?

And, though a late, a sure reward succeeds.
Let us, who through our innocence survive,',

[E.reunt omnes

EPILOGUE.

SPOKEN BY ALMERIA.

The tragedy thus done, I am, you know, That surgeons wait on trials in a court:
No more a princess, but in statu quo;

For innocence condemn’d they've no respect,
And now as unconcern'd this mourning wear, Provided they've a body to dissect.
As if indeed a widow or an heir.

As Sussex men, that dwell upon the shore,
I've leisure now, to mark your ser’ral faces, Look out when storms arise, and billows roar, )
And know each critic by his sour grimaces. Devoutly praying, with uplifted hands,
To poison plays, I see them where they sit, That some well-laden ship may strike the sands,
Scatter'd like ratsbane up and down the pit ; To whose rich cargo they may make pretence,
While others watch, like parish searchers hir’d, And fatten on the spoils of providence;
To tell of what disease the play expir’d. So critics throng to see a new play split,
Oh, with what joy they run to spread the news And thrive and prosper on the wrecks of wit.
Of a damn'd poet and departed muse!

Small hope our poet from these prospects draws;
But if he scape, with what regret they're seiz'd! And therefore to the fair commends his cause.
And how they're disappointed, when they're Your tender hearts to mercy are inclin’d,
pleas'd!

With whom he hopes this play will favour find,
Critics to plays for the same end resort, Which was an off'ring to the sex design’d.

1

TAMERLANE.

BY

ROWE,

1

PROLOGUE

Of all the muse's various labours, none Till Heav'n, the growing evil to redress,
Have lasted longer, or have higher flown, Sent Tamerlane to give the world a peace.
Than those that tell the fame by ancient heroes The hero rous'd, asserts the glorious cause,
won.

And to the field the cheerful soldier draws.
With pleasure, Rome, and great Augustus, heard Around, in crowds, his valiant leaders wait,
* Arms and the man sung by the Mantuan bard. Anxious for glory, and secure of fate;
In spite of time, the sacred story lives,

Well pleas'd, once more, to venture on his side And Cæsar and his empire still survives. And prove that faith again, which had so off Like him (though much unequal to his flame)

been tried. Our author makes a pious prince his theme: The peaceful fathers, who in senates meet, High with the foremost names, in arms he stood, Approve an enterprise so jųst, so great; Had fought, and suffer'd, for his country's good, While with their prince's arms, their voice thus Yet sought not fame, but peace, in fields of

join'd, blood.

Gains half the praise of having sav'd mankind. Safe under him his happy people sat,

Ev'n in a circle, where, like this, the fair And griev'd, at distance, for their neighbour's Were met, the bright assembly did declare, fate;

Their house, with one consent, were for the Whilst with success a Turkish monarch crown'd,

war;
Like spreading flame, deform’d the nations round; Each urg'd her lover to unsheath his sword,
With sword and fire he forc'd his impious way And never spare a man who broke his word.
To lawless pow'r, and universal sway.

Thus fir'd, the brave on to the danger press; Some abject states, for fear, the tyrant join, Their arms were crown'd abroad with just suc Others, for gold, their liberties resign,

cess, And venal princes sold their right divine; And blest at home with beauty and with peaces

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

MEN.

HALY, confidant of Bajazet.
TAMERLANE, emperor of Tartary,

Dervise.
BAJAZET, emperor of the Turks.
AXALLA, friend to Tamerlane,

WOMEN.
MONESES, a captive prince.
STRAŢOCLES, his friend,

ARPAsia, forced to wed by Bajazet,
Prince of TANAIS.

SELIMA, daughter to Bajazet.
OMAR, a Tartarian lord.
Mirvan,

Parthian and Tartarian Soldiers. Mutes ber
ZAMA,
} Courtiers.

longing to Bajazet. Other Attendants SCENE,-Tamerlane's Camp, near Angoria, in Galatia,