The Revenge A Tragedy

Excerpt

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.BATTLEMENTS, WITH A SEA PROSPECT.

Enter Zanga.

Zan.Whether first nature, or long want of peace,Has wrought my mind to this, I cannot tell;But horrors now are not displeasing to me:[thunder.I like this rocking of the battlements.Rage on, ye winds; burst, clouds; and, waters, roar!You bear a just resemblance of my fortune,And suit the gloomy habit of my soul.Enter Isabella.Who's there? My love!Isa.Why have you left my bed?Your absence more affrights me than the storm.Zan.The dead alone in such a night can rest,And I indulge my meditation here.Woman, away. I choose to be alone.Isa.I know you do, and therefore will not leave you;Excuse me, Zanga, therefore dare not leave you.Is this a night for walks of contemplation?Something unusual hangs upon your heart,And I will know it: by our loves, I will.Ask I too much to share in your distress?Zan.In tears? thou fool! then hear me, and be plung'dIn hell's abyss, if ever it escape thee.To strike thee with astonishment at once—I hate Alonzo. First recover that,And then thou shalt hear further.Isa.Hate Alonzo!I own, I thought Alonzo most your friend,And that he lost the master in that name.Zan.Hear then. 'Tis twice three years since that great man(Great let me call him, for he conquer'd me)Made me the captive of his arm in fight.He slew my father, and threw chains o'er me,While I with pious rage pursu'd revenge.I then was young; he plac'd me near his person,And thought me not dishonour'd by his service.One day (may that returning day be night,The stain, the curse, of each succeeding year!)For something, or for nothing, in his prideHe struck me. (While I tell it, do I live?)He smote me on the cheek—I did not stab him,For that were poor revenge—E'er since, his follyHas strove to bury it beneath a heapOf kindnesses, and thinks it is forgot.Insolent thought! and like a second blow!Affronts are innocent, where men are worthless;And such alone can wisely drop revenge.Isa.But with more temper, Zanga, tell your story;To see your strong emotions startles me.Zan.Yes, woman, with the temper that befits it.Has the dark adder venom? So have IWhen trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel me!For from that day, that day of my dishonour,From that day have I curs'd the rising sun,Which never fail'd to tell me of my shame.From that day have I bless'd the coming night,Which promis'd to conceal it; but in vain;The blow return'd for ever in my dream.Yet on I toil'd, and groan'd for an occasionOf ample vengeance; none has yet arriv'd.Howe'er, at present, I conceive warm hopesOf what may wound him sore in his ambition,Life of his life, and dearer than his soul.By nightly march he purpos'd to surpriseThe Moorish camp; but I have taken careThey shall be ready to receive his favour.Failing in this, a cast of utmost moment,Would darken all the conquests he has won.Isa.Just as I enter'd, an express arriv'd.Zan....