The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02
Dryden, John
English literature
_Capt_. I come:--Seignior, think you are lord
here, and command all freely.
[_Exeunt Captain and Pirates_.
_Rod_. He does well to bid me think so: I am of opinion
We are fallen into huckster's hands.
_1 Serv_. Indeed he talked suspiciously enough;
He half denied to land us.
_Rod_. These, Pedro, are your confiding men--
_2 Serv_. I think them still so.
_Rod_. Would I were from them.
_2 Serv_. 'Tis impossible
To attempt it now; you have not strength enough
To walk.
_Rod_. That venture must be mine: We're lost,
If we stay here to-morrow.
_2 Serv_. I hope better.
_1 Serv_. One whom I saw among 'em, to my knowledge,
Is a notorious robber.
_2 Serv_. He looked so like a gentleman, I could
not know him then.
_Rod_. What became of Julia when I fell?
_1 Serv_. We left her weeping over you, till we
Were beaten off; but she, and those with her,
Were gone when we returned.
_Rod_. Too late I find,
I wronged her in my thoughts. I'm every way
A wretched man:--
Something we must resolve on, ere we sleep;
Draw in the bed, I feel the cold.
[_Bed drawn in. Exeunt_.
SCENE II.
_Enter GONSALVO, MANUEL, HIPPOLITO and
AMIDEO_.
_Hip_. Nay, 'tis too true; for, peeping through a chink,
I saw Don Roderick lying on a bed,
Not dead, as we supposed, but only hurt;
So waited on as spoke him master here.
_Man_. Was there ever so fatal an adventure!
To fly into that very ship, for refuge,
Where the only person, we would shun, commands!
This mischief is so strange, it could not happen,
But was the plot and juggle of our fate,
To free itself, and cast the blame on us.
_Gons_. This is not yet our fortune's utmost malice;
The gall remains behind. This ship was that,
Which yesterday was mine; I can see nothing
Round me, but what's familiar to my eyes;
Only the persons new: Which makes me think,
Twas seized upon by Roderick, to revenge
Himself on me.
_Man_. Tis wonderful indeed.
_Amid_. The only comfort is, we are not known;
For when we entered it was dark.
_Hip_. That comfort
Is of as short continuance as the night;
The day will soon discover us.
_Man_. Some way must be invented to get out.
_Hip_. Fair Julia, sadly pining by herself.
Sits on her bed; tears falling from her eyes,
As silently as dews in dead of night.
All we consult of must be kept from her:
That moment, that she knows of Roderick's life,
Dooms us to certain death.
_Man_. 'Tis well considered.
_Gons_. For my part, were not you and she concerned,
I look upon my life, like an estate,
So charged with debts, it is not worth the keeping.
We cannot long be undiscovered by them;
Let us then rush upon them on the sudden,
(All hope of safety placed in our despair)
And gain quick victory, or speedy death.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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