The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05 — John Shaqi
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
_Isab._ Alas! you cannot take revenge; your countrymen
Are few, and those unarmed.
_Tow._ Though not on all the nation, as I would,
Yet I at least can take it on the man.
_Isab._ Leave me to heaven's revenge, for thither I
Will go, and plead, myself, my own just cause.
There's not an injured saint of all my sex,
But kindly will conduct me to my judge,
And help me tell my story.
_Tow._ I'll send the offender first, though to that place
He never can arrive: Ten thousand devils,
Damned for less crimes than he,
And Tarquin in their head, way-lay his soul,
To pull him down in triumph, and to shew him
In pomp among his countrymen; for sure
Hell has its Netherlands, and its lowest country
Must be their lot.
_Enter_ HARMAN _Junior, and_ FISCAL.
_Har. Jun._ 'Twas hereabout I left her tied. The rage of love renews
again within me.
_Fisc._ She'll like the effects on't better now. By this time it has
sunk into her imagination, and given her a more pleasing idea of the
man, who offered her so sweet a violence.
_Isab._ Save me, sweet heaven! the monster comes again!
_Har. Jun._ Oh, here she is.--My own fair bride,--for so you are, not
Towerson's,--let me unbind you; I expect that you should bind yourself
about me now, and tie me in your arms.
_Tow._ [_Drawing._]
No, villain, no! hot satyr of the woods,
Expect another entertainment now.
Behold revenge for injured chastity.
This sword heaven draws against thee,
And here has placed me like a fiery cherub,
To guard this paradise from any second violation.
_Fisc._ We must dispatch him, sir, we have the odds; And when he's
killed, leave me t'invent the excuse.
_Har. Jun._ Hold a little: As you shunned fighting formerly with me,
so would I now with you. The mischiefs I have done are past recal.
Yield then your useless right in her I love, since the possession is
no longer yours; so is your honour safe, and so is hers, the husband
only altered.
_Tow._ You trifle; there's no room for treaty here:
The shame's too open, and the wrong too great.
Now all the saints in heaven look down to see
The justice I shall do, for 'tis their cause;
And all the fiends below prepare thy tortures.
_Isab._ If Towerson would, think'st thou my soul so poor,
To own thy sin, and make the base act mine,
By chusing him who did it? Know, bad man,
I'll die with him, but never live with thee.
_Tow._ Prepare; I shall suspect you stay for further help,
And think not this enough.
_Fisc._ We are ready for you.
_Har. Jun._ Stand back! I'll fight with him alone.
_Fisc._ Thank you for that; so, if he kills you, I shall have him
single upon me. [_All three fight._
_Isab._ Heaven assist my love!
_Har. Jun._ There, Englishman, 'twas meant well to thy heart.
[TOWERSON _wounded._
_Fisc._ Oh you can bleed, I see, for all your cause.
_Tow._ Wounds but awaken English courage.
_Har. Jun._ Yet yield me Isabinda, and be safe.
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