And add new terrors to the face of death. Was this the maid whose love I bought with empire? Just as the rack forc'd out his struggling soul, Mus. His breath prolong'd but to detect her treason, Then in short sighs forsook his broken frame. Mah. Decreed to perish in Irene's chamber! There had she lull'd me with endearing falsehoods,. Clasp'd in her arms, or slumb'ring on her breast, And bar'd my bosom to the ruffian's dagger. SCENE IV. HASAN, CARAZA, MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, MURZA, ABDALLA. Mur. Forgive, great Sultan! that, by fate prevented, I bring a tardy message from Irene. Mah. Some artful wile of counterfeited love! Mus. The Greek Demetrius! whom th' expiring Bassa Declar'd the chief associate of his guilt! Mah. A chosen troop-to intercept-Demetrius- Those trembling limbs--Speak out, thou shiv'ring traitor. Mah. Who? the dead Irene? Was she then guiltless! has my thoughtless rage Doom'd her to death unpity'd and unheard, [To Hasan and Caraza. Ye blind officious ministers of folly, One hour had freed me from the fatal errour! Mah. What hadst thou lost by slighting those commands? Thy life perhaps-Were but Irene spar'd, Well if a thousand lives like thine had perish'd; Rush to the war, display thy dreadful banners, Mah. Robb'd of the maid with whom I wish'd to triumph, Those groves, whose shades embower'd the dear Irene, Heard her last cries, and fann'd her dying beauties, Shall hide me from the tasteless world for ever. [Mahomet goes back, and returns. Yet, ere I quit the sceptre of dominion, Let one just act conclude the hateful day. Hew down, ye guards, those vassals of distraction, [Pointing to Hasan and Caraza. Those hounds of blood, that catch the hint to kill; Car. Then hear, great Mahomet, the voice of truth. Mah. Hear, shall I hear thee! didst thou hear Irene? Car. Hear but a moment. Mah. Thou might'st have liv'd, for thou hadst spar'd Irene. Car. I heard her, pitied her, and wish'd to save her. Mah. And wish'd-be still thy fate to wish in vain. Car. I heard, and soften'd, till Abdalla brought Her final doom, and hurried her destruction. Hadst thou heard a moment, Mah. Abdalla brought her doom! Abdalla brought it! The wretch, whose guilt, declar'd by tortur'd Cali, My rage and grief had hid from my remembrance : Abdalla brought her doom! Has. Abdalla brought it, While yet she begg'd to plead her cause before thee. He seiz'd her melting in the fond appeal, And stopp'd the heav'nly voice that call'd on me. [Exit Mahomet; Abdalla is dragged off. SCENE XIII. HASAN, CARAZA, MUSTAPHA, MURZA. MUSTAPHA to MURZA. What plagues, what tortures, are in store for thee, Behold the model of consummate beauty, Torn from the mourning earth by thy neglect. Mur. Such was the will of Heav'n--A band of Greeks That mark'd my course, suspicious of my purpose, Breathless, amaz'd, and on the guarded beach Mus. So sure the fall of greatness, rais'd on crimes! So fix'd the justice of all conscious Heav'n! When haughty guilt exults with impious joy, Weak man with erring rage may throw the dart, But Heav'n shall guide it to the guilty heart. EPILOGUE. BY SIR WILLIAM YONGE. MARRY a Turk! a haughty, tyrant king! 'Tis true, the fellow's handsome, straight, and tall, But how the devil should he please us all! My swain is little-true-but, be it known, My pride's to have that little all my own. Men will be ever to their errours blind, Where woman's not allow'd to speak her mind. I swear this Eastern pageantry is nonsense, And for one man-one wife's enough of conscience. In vain proud man usurps what's woman's due; For us alone, they honour's paths pursue: Inspir'd by us, they glory's heights ascend; Woman the source, the object, and the end. Though wealth, and pow'r, and glory, they receive, These are all trifles to what we can give. For us the statesman labours, hero fights, Bears toilsome days, and wakes long tedious nights; And,, when blest peace has silenc'd war's alarms,. Receives his full reward in Beauty's arms. |