William Congreve

“ Look round; Joy is not here, nor Cheerfulness.
You have pursu'd Misfortune, to its Dwelling,
Yet look for Gaiety and Gladness there.
ZARA. Inhumane! why, why dost thou wrack me thus?
And with Perverseness, from the Purpose, answer?
What is't to me, this House of Misery?
What Joy do I require? if thou dost mourn,
I come to mourn with thee; to share thy Griefs,
And give thee in Exchange my Love.
OSM. O that's the greatest Grief- I am so poor,
I have not wherewithal to give again.
ZARA. Thou hast a Heart, though 'tis a savage one ”

“ And are, like Lumber, to be left and scorn'd.
OSM. Why was I made the Instrument, to throw
In Bonds, the Frame of this exalted Mind?
ZARA. We may be free; the Conquerour is mine;
In Chains unseen, I hold him by the Heart,
And can unwind, or strain him as I please.
Give me thy Love, I'll give thee Liberty.
OSM. In vain you offer, and in vain require
What neither can bestow. Set free your self,
And leave a Slave the Wretch that would be so.
ZARA. Thou canst not mean so poorly, as thou talk'st. ”

“ Am I more loathsome to thee, than the Grave,
That thou dost seek to shield thee there, and shun
My Love? But to the Grave I'll follow thee-
He looks not, minds not, hears not; barbarous Man,
Am I neglected thus? Am I despis'd? ”

“ O call not to my Mind what you have done,
It sets a Debt of that Account before me,
Which shews me Bankrupt even in Hopes. ”

“ To my Alphonso's Soul. O Joy too great!
O Extasie of Thought! Help me, Anselmo;
Help me, Alphonso; take me, reach thy Hand;
To thee, to thee I call, to thee, Alphonso:
O Alphonso.
[OSMYN ascending from the Tomb.]
OSM. Who calls that wretched thing, that was Alphonso?
ALM. Angels, and all the Host of heaven, support me!
OSM. Whence is that Voice, whose Shrilness, from the Grave,
And growing to his dead Father's Shrowd, roots up Alphonso?
ALM. Mercy and Providence! O speak to it,
Speak to it quickly, quickly ”

“ To seek you, where I knew your Grief would lead you,
To lament Anselmo.-
OSM. There are no Wonders, or else all is Wonder.
HEL. I saw you on the Ground, and rais'd you up.
I saw Almeria-
OSM. I saw her too, and therefore saw not thee. ”

“ Thou hast wept much, Alphonso; and, I fear,
Too much lamented me.
OSM. Wrong not my Love, to say too much.
No more, my Life; talk not of Tears or Grief;
Affliction is no more, now thou art found.
Why dost thou weep, and hold thee from my Arms,
My Arms which ake to fold thee fast, and grow
To thee with twining? Come, come to my Heart.
ALM. I will, for I should never look enough.
They would have marry'd me; but I had sworn
To Heav'n and thee, and sooner wou'd have dy'd-
OSM. Perfection of all Truth!
ALM. Indeed I wou'd- Nay, I wou'd tell thee all,
If I cou'd speak ”

“ And thought I heard thy Spirit call Alphonso;
I thought I saw thee too; but O, I thought not
I indeed shou'd see thee-
ALM. But still, how cam'st thee hither? how thus?- Ha!
What's he, that like thy self, is started here
E're seen?
OSM. Where? ha! what do I see? Antonio here?
My Friend too safe!
HEL. Most happily, in finding you thus bless'd.
ALM. More Miracles! Antonio too escap'd!
OSM. And twice escap'd, both from the Wreck of Seas
And Rage of War: For in the Fight I saw
Him fall.
HEL. But fell unhurt, a Prisoner as your self,
And as your self made free ”

“ Are false, or still the Marble Door remains
Unclos'd; the Iron Grates that lead to Death
Beneath, are still wide stretch'd upon their Hinge,
And staring on us with unfolded Leaves.
ALM. Sure 'tis the friendly Yawn of Death for me ”