The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06
Dryden, John
English literature
Look down, ye blessed above, look down:
Oh! save us, save as, and our state restore;
For pity, pity, pity, we implore:
For pity, pity, pity, we implore._
[_The Procession goes off; and shout within. Then_
_Enter_ LORENZO, _who kneels to_ ALPHONSO.
_Bert._ [_To Alph._] A joyful cry; and see your son
Lorenzo. Good news, kind heaven!
_Alph._ [_To Lor._]
O welcome, welcome! is the general safe?
How near our army? when shall we be succoured?
Or, are we succoured? are the Moors removed?
Answer these questions first, and then a thousand more;
Answer them all together.
_Lor._ Yes, when I have a thousand tongues, I will.
The general's well; his army too is safe,
As victory can make them. The Moors' king
Is safe enough, I warrant him, for one.
At dawn of day our general cleft his pate,
Spite of his woollen night-cap: a slight wound;
Perhaps he may recover.
_Alph._ Thou reviv'st me.
_Ped._ By my computation now, the victory was gained before the
procession was made for it; and yet it will go hard but the priests
will make a miracle of it.
_Lor._ Yes, faith; we came like bold intruding guests,
And took them unprepared to give us welcome.
Their scouts we killed, then found their body sleeping;
And as they lay confused, we stumbled o'er them,
And took what joint came next, arms, heads, or legs,
Somewhat indecently. But when men want light,
They make but bungling work.
_Bert._ I'll to the queen,
And bear the news.
_Ped._ That's young Lorenzo's duty.
_Bert._ I'll spare his trouble.--
This Torrismond begins to grow too fast;
He must be mine, or ruined. [_Aside, and Exit._
_Lor._ Pedro a word:--[_whisper._]
_Alph._ How swift he shot away! I find it stung him,
In spite of his dissembling.
[_To Lorenzo._] How many of the enemy are slain?
_Lor._ Troth, sir, we were in haste, and could not stay
To score the men we killed; but there they lie:
Best send our women out to take the tale;
There's circumcision in abundance for them. [_Turns to_ PEDRO _again._
_Alph._ How far did you pursue them?
_Lor._ Some few miles.--
[_To Pedro_] Good store of harlots, say you, and dog-cheap?
Pedro, they must be had, and speedily;
I've kept a tedious fast. [_Whisper again._
_Alph._ When will he make his entry? he deserves
Such triumphs as were given by ancient Rome:
Ha, boy, what say'st thou?
_Lor._ As you say, sir, that Rome was very ancient.
[_To Pedro._] I leave the choice to you; fair, black, tall, low,
Let her but have a nose; and you may tell her,
I am rich in jewels, rings, and bobbing pearls,
Plucked from Moors' ears.
_Alph._ Lorenzo.
_Lor._ Somewhat busy
About affairs relating to the public.--
A seasonable girl, just in the nick now-- [_To Pedro._
[_Trumpets within._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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