The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05
Dryden, John
English literature
_Sold._ And he, they mean to kill, is brave himself, and of a nation I
much love.
_Per._ Come on then. [_Both draw. To_ HAR.] Villain, thou diest, thy
conscience tells thee why; I need not urge the crime.
[_They assault him._
_Har. Jun._ Murder! I shall be basely murdered; help!
_Enter_ TOWERSON.
_Tow._ Hold, villains! what unmanly odds is this? Courage, whoe'er
thou art; I'll succour thee. [TOWERSON _fights with_ PEREZ, _and_
HARMAN _with the Lieutenant, and
drive them off the stage._
_Har. Jun._ Though, brave unknown, night takes thee from my knowledge,
and I want time to thank thee now, take this, and wear it for my sake;
[_Gives him a ring._] Hereafter I'll acknowledge it more largely.
[_Exit._
_Tow._ That voice I've heard; but cannot call to mind, except it be
young Harman's. Yet, who should put his life in danger thus? This ring
I would not take as salary, but as a gage of his free heart who left
it; and, when I know him, I'll restore the pledge. Sure 'twas not far
from hence I made the appointment: I know not what this Dutchman's
business is, yet, I believe, 'twas somewhat from my rival. It shall go
hard, but I will find him out, and then rejoin the company. [_Exit._
_Re-enter_ HARMAN _Junior, and_ FISCAL.
_Fisc._ The accident was wondrous strange: Did you neither know your
assassinates, nor your deliverer?
_Har. Jun._ 'Twas all a hurry; yet, upon better recollecting of
myself, the man, who freed me, must be Towerson.
_Fisc._ Hark, I hear the company walking this way; will you withdraw?
_Har. Jun._ Withdraw, and Isabinda coming!
_Fisc._ The wood is full of murderers; every tree, methinks, hides one
behind it.
_Har. Jun._ You have two qualities, my friend, that sort but ill
together; as mischievous as hell could wish you, but fearful in the
execution.
_Fisc._ There is a thing within me, called a conscience which is not
quite o'ercome; now and then it rebels a little, especially when I am
alone, or in the dark.
_Har. Jun._ The moon begins to rise, and glitters through the trees.
_Isab._ [_Within._] Pray let us walk this way; that farther lawn,
between the groves, is the most green and pleasant of any in this
isle.
_Har. Jun._ I hear my siren's voice, I cannot stir from hence.--Dear
friend, if thou wilt e'er oblige me, divert the company a little, and
give me opportunity a while to talk alone with her.
_Fisc._ You'll get nothing of her, except it be by force.
_Har. Jun._ You know not with what eloquence love may inspire my
tongue: The guiltiest wretch, when ready for his sentence, has
something still to say.
_Fisc._ Well, they come; I'll put you in a way, and wish you good
success; but do you hear? remember you are a man, and she a woman; a
little force, it may be, would do well.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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