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390 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT I
Gar. Dsmyn, who led the Moorish horse; but he,
Great sir, at her request, attends on Zara.
Man. He is your prisoner; as you please dispose him.
Gar. I would oblige him, but he shuns my kindness;
And with a haughty mien, and stern civility,
Dumbly declines all offers: if he speak,
'Tis scarce above a word; as he were born
Alone to do, and did disdain to talk;
At least, to talk where he must not command.
Man. Such sullenness, and in a man so brave,
Must have some other cause than his captivity.
Did Zara, then, request he might attend her?
Gar. My lord, she did.
Man. That, joined with his behaviour,
Begets a doubt. I'd have 'em watched; perhaps
Her chains hang heavier on him than his own.
Enter ZARA and OSMYN bound, conducted by PEREZ and a
Guard, and attended by SELIM and several Mutes and
Eunuchs in a train.
What welcome and what honours, beauteous Zara,
A king and Conqueror can give, are yours.
A conqueror indeed, where you are won;
Who with such lustre strike admiring eyes,
That had our pomp been with your presence graced,
The expecting crowd had been deceived; and seen
Their monarch enter not triumphant, but
In pleasing triumph led; your beauty's slave.
Zara. If I on any terms could condescend,
To like captivity, or think those honours
Which conquerors in courtesy bestow,
Of equal value with unborrowed rule,
And native right to arbitrary sway;
I might be pleased, when I behold this train
With usual homage wait. But when I feel
These bonds, I look with loathing on myself;
And scorn vile slavery, though doubly hid
Beneath mock-praises, and dissembled state.
Man. Those bonds! 'twas my command you should be
free.
How durst you, Perez, disobey?
Per. Great sir,