Q. Isabel. And yet that soul, which bears itself so high, If fame be true, admits a sovereignty. This queen, in her fair eyes, such fetters brings, As chain that heart, which scorns the power of kings. Almah. Little of charm in these sad eyes appears; If they had any, now 'tis lost in tears. A crown, and husband, ravished in one day!— Q. Isabel. Have courage, madam; heaven has joys in store, To recompence those losses you deplore. Almah. I know your God can all my woes redress ; To him I made my vows in my distress: And, what a misbeliever vowed this day, Though not a queen, a Christian yet shall pay. Q. Isabel. (Embracing her.) That christian name you shall receive from me, And Isabella of Granada be. Benz. This blessed change we all with joy receive; And beg to learn that faith which you believe. Q. Isabel. With reverence for those holy rites prepare; And all commit your fortunes to my care. If K. Ferd. to Almah. You, madam, by that crown you lose, may gain, you accept, a coronet of Spain, Of which Almanzor's father stands possest. Q. Isabel. to Almah. May you in him, and he in you, be blest! Almah. I owe my life and honour to his sword; But owe my love to my departed lord. Almanz. Thus, when I have no living force to dread, Fate finds me enemies amongst the dead. I'm now to conquer ghosts, and to destroy Almah. You've yet a greater foe than these can be, Virtue opposes you, and modesty. Almanz. From a false fear that modesty does grow, And thinks true love, because 'tis fierce, its foe. I'll pull up all the sluices of the flood, And love, within, shall boil out all my blood. success, While I have power to be your patroness. [Gives him ALMAHIDE's hand. Almah. Madam, I never can dispute your power, Or as a parent, or a conqueror; But, when my year of widowhood expires, Almanz. Move swiftly, sun, and fly a lover's pace; Leave weeks and months behind thee in thy race! K. Ferd. Mean time, you shall my victories pur sue, The Moors in woods and mountains to subdue. Almanz. The toils of war shall help to wear each day, And dreams of love shall drive my nights away.- [Exeunt. VOL. IV. THEY, who have best succeeded on the stage, *The characters alluded to are Cobb, the water bearer, in "Every Man in his Humour;" and Captain Otter, in " Epicæne, or the Silent Woman," whose humour it was to christen his drinking cups by the names of Horse, Bull, and Bear. DEFENCE OF THE EPILOGUE; OR, AN ESSAY ON THE DRAMATIC POETRY THE promises of authors, that they will write again, are, in effect, a threatening of their readers with some new impertinence; and they, who perform not what they promise, will have their pardon on easy terms. It is from this consideration, that I could be glad to spare you the trouble, which I am now giving you, of a postscript, if I were not obliged, by many reasons, to write somewhat concerning our present plays, and those of our predecessors on the English stage. The truth is, I have so far engaged myself in a bold epilogue to this play, wherein I have somewhat taxed the former writing, that it was necessary for me either not to print it, or to show that I could defend it. Yet I would so maintain my opinion of the present age, as not to be wanting in my veneration for the past: |