The Indian Emperor/Act III/Scene III

by John Dryden

SCENE III.

They go out, the Scene changes to the Indian Country, they return.

Cort. Now you are safe, you have my outguards past.

Orb. Then here I take my leave.

Cort. Orbellan, no;
When you return, you to Cydaria go;
I'll send a message.

Orb. Let it be exprest;
I am in haste.

Cort. I'll write it in your breast

[Draws.

Orb. What means my rival?

Cort. Either fight or die,
I'll not strain honour to a point too high;
I saved your life, and keep it if you can,
Cydaria shall be for the bravest man;
On equal terms you shall your fortune try,
Take this, and lay your flint-edged weapon by;

[Gives him a sword.

I'll arm you for my glory, and pursue
No palm, but what's to manly virtue due.
Fame, with my conquest, shall my courage tell,
This you shall gain, by placing love so well.

Orb. Fighting with you, ungrateful I appear.

Cort. Under that shadow, thou wouldst hide thy fear:
Thou wouldst possess thy love at thy return,
And in her arms my easy virtue scorn.

Orb. Since we must fight, no longer let's delay;
The moon shines clear and makes a paler day.

[They fight, Orbellan is wounded in the hand, his sword falls out of it.

Cort. To courage, even of foes, there's pity due;
It was not I, but fortune, vanquished you:

[Throws his sword again.

Thank me with that, and so dispute the prize,
As if you fought before Cydaria's eyes.

Orb. I would not poorly such a gift requite;
You gave me not this sword to yield, but fight:

[He strives to hold it, but cannot.

But see, where yours has forced its bloody way;
My wounded hand my heart does ill obey.

Cort. Unlucky honour, that control'st my will!
Why have I vanquished, since I must not kill?
Fate sees thy life lodged in a brittle glass,
And looks it through, but to it cannot pass.

Orb. All I can do is frankly to confess,—
I wish I could, but cannot, love her less:
To swear I would resign her, were but vain,
Love would recall that perjured breath again;
And in my wretched case, 'twill be more just,
Not to have promised, than deceive your trust
Know, if I live once more to see the town,
In bright Cydaria's arms my love I'll crown.

Cort. In spite of that, I give thee liberty,
And with thy person leave thy honour free;
But to thy wishes move a speedy pace,
Or death will soon o'ertake thee in the chase.—
To arms, to arms; fate shows my love the way,
I'll force the city on thy nuptial day.

Exeunt severally.