Untitled - OUDL Home

416 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT iv
Zara. What shall I say? Invent, contrive, advise,
Somewhat to blind the king, and save his life
In whom I live. Spite of my rage and pride,
I am a woman, and a lover still.
O, 'tis more grief but to suppose his death,
Than still to meet the rigour of his scorn.
From my despair my anger had its source;
When he is dead I must despair for ever.
For ever! that's despair—it was distrust
Before; distrust will ever be in love,
And anger in distrust, both short-lived pains.
But in despair, and ever-during death,
No term, no bound, but infinite of woe.
0 torment, but to think! what then to bear!
Not to be borne.—Devise the means to shun it,
Quick, or by Heaven this dagger drinks thy blood!
Sel. My life is yours, nor wish I to preserve it,
But to serve you. I have already thought.
Zara. Forgive my rage; I know thy love and truth.
But say, what's to be done? or when, or how,
Shall I prevent, or stop the approaching danger?
Sel. You must still seem more resolute and fixed
On Dsmyn's death; too quick a change of mercy
Might breed suspicion of the cause. Advise
That execution may be done in private.
Zara. On what pretence?
Sel. Your own request's enough.
However, for a colour, tell him, you
Have cause to fear his guards may be corrupted,
And some of them bought off to Osmyn's interest,
Who, at the place of execution, will
Attempt to force his way for an escape.
The state of things will countenance all suspicions.
Then offer to the king to have him strangled
In secret by your mutes, and get an order,
That none but mutes may have admittance to him.
1 can no more, the king is here. Obtain
This grant—and I'll acquaint you with the rest.
Enter MANUEL, GDNSALEZ, PEREZ, and Guards.
Man. Bear to the dungeon those rebellious slaves,
The ignoble curs, that yelp to fill the cry,