[]BARBAROSSA. A TRAGEDY. As it is Perform'd at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane.
LONDON: Printed for J. and R. TONSON and S. DRAPER in the Strand. MDCCLV. [Price 1 s. 6 d.
PROLOGUE,
[]Written by Mr. GARRICK, and ſpoken by him in the Character of a Country Boy.
Meaſter! Meaſter!
IS not my Meaſter here among you, pray?
Nay, ſpeak—my Meaſter wrote this fine new Play—
The Actor-Folks are making ſuch a Clatter!
They want the Pro-log—I know nought o'th' Matter!
He muſt be there among you—look about—
A Weezen, pale-fac'd Man, do—find him out—
Pray, Meaſter, come—or all will fall to Sheame
Call Miſter—hold—I muſt not tell his Name.
Law! what a Croud is here! what Noiſe and Pother!
Fine Lads and Laſſes! one o' top o't'other.
[Pointing to the Rows of Pit and Gallery.]
I cou'd for ever here with Wonder geaze!
I ne'er ſaw Church ſo full in all my Days!—
Your Servunt, Surs!—what do you laugh for? Eh!
You donna take me ſure for one o'th' Play?
You ſhou'd not flout an honeſt Country-Lad,—
You think me fool, and I think you half mad:
You're all as ſtrange as I, and ſtranger too,
And, if you laugh at me, I'll laugh at you.
[Laughing.
I donna like your London Tricks, not I,
And ſince you've rais'd my Blood, I'll tell you why?
And if you wull, ſince now I am before ye,
For want of Pro-log, I'll relate my Story.
I came from Country here to try my Fate,
And get a Place among the Rich and Great;
But troth I'm ſick o' th' Journey I ha' ta'en,
I like it not—wou'd I were whoame again.
Firſt, in the City I took up my Station,
And got a Place with one of th' Corporation,
A round big Man—he eat a plagy deal,
Zooks! he'd have beat five P [...]oomen at a Meal!
But long with him I cou'd not make abode,
For, cou'd you think't?—He eat a great Sea-Toad!
It came from Indies—'twas as big as me,
He call'd it Belly-patch, and Capapce:
Law! how I ſtar'd!—I thought,—who knows, but I,
For want of Monſters, may be made a Pye;
Rather than tarry here for Bribe or Gain,
I'll back to whoame, and Country-Farc again.
I left Toad-eater; then I ſarv'd a Lord,
And there they promis'd!—but ne'er kept their Word.
While 'mong the Great, this Geaming Work the Trade is,
They mind no more poor Servants, than their Ladies.
[]A Lady next, who lik'd a ſmart young Lad,
Hir'd me forthwith—but, troth, I thought her mad.
She turn'd the World top down, as I may ſay,
She chang'd the Day to Neet, the Neet to Day!
I was ſo ſheam'd with all her freakiſh Ways,
She wore her Gear ſo ſhort, ſo low her Stays—
Fine Folks ſhew all for Nothing now-a-Days!
Now I'm the Poet's Man—I find with Wits,
There's Nothing ſartain—Nay, we eat by Fits.
Our Meals, indeed, are ſlender,—what of that?
There are but three on's—Meaſter, I, and Cat.
Did you but ſee us all, as I'm a Sinner,
You'd ſearcely ſay, which of the three is thinner.
My Wages all depend on this Night's Piece,
But ſhou'd you find that all our Swans are Geeſe!
E'feck I'll truſt no more to Meaſter's Brain,
But pack up all, and whiſtle whoame again.
EPILOGUE,
Written by Mr. GARRICK.
Spoken by Mr. WOODWARD in the Character of a fine Gentleman.
Enter.—ſpeaking without.
PSHAW!—damn your Epilogue—and hold your Tongue—
Shall we of Rank be told what's right and wrong?
Had you ten Epilogues you ſhou'd not ſpeak 'em,
Tho' he had writ 'em all in Linguum Grecum.
I'll do't by all the Gods!—(you muſt excuſe me)
Tho' Author, Actors, Audience, all abuſe me!
To the Audience.
Behold a Gentleman!—and that's enough!—
Laugh if you pleaſe—I'll take a Pinch of Snuff!
I come to tell you—(let it not ſurpriſe you)
That I'm a Wit—and worthy to adviſe you.—
How could you ſuffer that ſame Country Booby,
That Pro-logue ſpeaking Savage,—that great Looby,
To talk his Nonſenſe?—give me Leave to ſay
'Twas low—damn'd low!—but ſave the Fellow's Play—
Let the poor Devil eat,—allow him that,
And give a Meal to Meaſter, Mon, and Cat,
But why attack the Faſhions?—Senſeleſs Rogue!—
We have no Joys but what reſult from Vogue:
The Mode ſhou'd all Controll—nay, ev'ry Paſſion,
Senſe, Appetite, and all, give way to Faſhion;
[] I hate as much as he, a Turtle-Feaſt,
But 'till the preſent Turtle-Rage has ceas'd,
I'd ride a hundred Miles to make myſelf a Beaſt.
I have no Ears,—yet Op'ras I adore!—
Always prepar'd to die—to ſleep—no more!
The Ladies too were carp'd at, and their Dreſs,
He wants 'em all ruff'd up like good Queen Beſs!
They are, forſooth, too much expos'd, and free—
Were more expos'd, no ill Effects I ſee,
For more, or leſs, 'tis all the ſame to me.
Poor Gaming too, was mauld among the reſt,
That precious Cordial to a high-life Breaſt!
When Thoughts ariſe I always game, or drink,
An Engliſh Gentleman ſhou'd never think—
The Reaſon's plain, which ev'ry Soul might hit on—
What trims a Frenchman, overſets a Briton;
In us Reflection breeds a ſober Sadneſs,
Which always ends in Politicks or Madneſs:
I therefore now propoſe—by your Command,
That Tragedies no more ſhall cloud this Land;
Send o'er your Shakeſpears to the Sons of France,
Let them grow grave—Let us begin to dance!
Baniſh your gloomy Scenes to foreign Climes,
Reſerve alone to bleſs theſe golden Times,
A Farce or two—and Woodward's Pantomimes!
The Author of the Prologue and Epilogue, would not have publiſh'd them had it not been cuſtomary to print them with the Play. He is very ſenſible that they can have little or no Merit in the Reading, their Effect wholly depending upon the Characters which ſpeak them, and the Novelty of introducing them. They were likewiſe written at a very ſhort Warning, for the Author of the Play, had not provided theſe uſual, and therefore neceſſary, Parts of the Performance, which Mr. GARRICK thought proper to provide at all Events.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
[]- BARBAROSSA,
- Mr. Moſſop.
- ACHMET,
- Mr. Garrick.
- OTHMAN,
- Mr. Havard.
- SADI,
- Mr. Davies.
- ALADIN,
- Mr. Uſher.
- OFFICER,
- Mr. Mozeen.
- SLAVE,
- Mr. Walker.
- ZAPHIRA,
- Mrs. Cibber.
- IRENE,
- Miſs Macklin.
- SLAVE,
- Miſs Minors.
OFFICERS, ATTENDANTS, and SLAVES.
SCENE, the Royal Palace of ALGIERS. TIME, a few Hours about Midnight.
ADVERTISEMENT.
‘"TRAGEDY, as it was anciently compoſed, hath been ever held the graveſt, moraleſt, and moſt profitable of all other Poems. Hence Philoſophers, and other graveſt Writers, as, Cicero, Plutarch, and others, frequently cite out of Tragic Poets, both to adorn and illuſtrate their Diſcourſe The Apoſtle Paul himſelf, thought it not unworthy to inſert a Verſe of a Greek Poet into the Text of Holy Scripture.—Heretofore, Men in higheſt Dignity have laboured, not a little, to be thought able to compoſe a Tragedy. Of that Honour Dionyſius the Elder, was no leſs ambitious, than be⯑fore, of his attaining to the Tyranny. Auguſtus Caeſar alſo had begun his Ajax, but unable to pleaſe his own Judg⯑ment, left it unfiniſhed. Sencca the Philoſopher, is by ſome thought the Author of thoſe Tragedies, at leaſt the beſt of them that go under that Name. Gregory Nazianzen, a Father of the Church, thought it not unbeſeeming the Sanctity of his Perſon to write a Tragedy, which is intitled, Chriſt Suffering. This is mentioned, to vindicate Tragedy from the ſmall Eſteem, or rather Infamy, which in the Account of many, it undergoes at this Day,"’
So ſar the great Milton: who ſtrengthen'd theſe Examples by his own. The Author hath nothing more to add, ſave only, that he hath aimed to write this Piece, in its eſſential Parts, according to the Model of ancient Tragedy, ſo far as modern Ideas and Manners wou'd permit. And he is ſo gratefully ſenſſble of that favourable Reception it hath met with from the Public, that in every future Attempt, he will aſſuredly labour to merit their farther Regarcs, by keeping in his Eye the ſame great Originals.
[]BARBAROSSA.
ACT 1.
Enter OTHMAN and a SLAVE.
OTHMAN.
A Stranger, ſay'ſt thou, that inquires of OTHMAN?
SLAVE.
He does; and waits Admittance.
OTHMAN.
Did he tell
His Name and Quality?
SLAVE.
That, he declined:
But call'd himſelf thy Friend.
OTHMAN.
Where didſt thou ſee him?
SLAVE.
Ev'n now, while Twilight clos'd the Day, I ſpy'd him
Muſing amid' the Ruins of yon Tow'r
That overhangs the Flood. On my Approach,
With Aſpect ſtern, and Words of Import dark,
He queſtion'd me of OTHMAN. Then the Tear
[10] Stole from his Eye. But when I talk'd of Pow'r
And courtly Honours here conferr'd on thee,
His Frown grew darker: All I wiſh'd, he cry'd,
Is to confer with him, and then to die.
OTHMAN.
What may this mean?—Conduct the Stranger to me.
[Exit Slave.
Perhaps ſome worthy Citizen, return'd
From voluntary Exile to ALGIERS,
Once known in happier Days.
Enter SADI.
Ah, SADI here!
My honor'd Friend!
SADI.
Stand off—pollute me not.
Theſe honeſt Arms, tho' worn with Want, diſdain
Thy gorgeous Trappings, earn'd by foul Diſhonour.
OTHMAN.
Forbear thy raſh Reproaches: for beneath
This Habit, which to thy miſtaken Eye
Beſpeaks my Guilt, I wear a Heart as true
As SADI's to my King.
SADI.
Why then beneath
This curſed Roof, this black Uſurper's Palace,
Dar'ſt thou to draw infected Air, and live
The Slave of Inſolence! Why lick the Duſt
Beneath his Feet, who laid ALGIERS in Ruin?
But Age, which ſhou'd have taught thee honeſt Caution,
Has taught thee Treachery!
OTHMAM.
Miſtaken Man!
Cou'd Paſſion prompt me to licentious Speech
Like thine—
SADI.
[9]Peace, falſe one! Peace! The Slave to Pow'r
Still wears a pliant Tongue.—O Shame to dwell
With Murder, Luſt, and Rapine!—Did he not
Come from the Depths of BARCA's Solitude,
With fair Pretence of Faith and firm Alliance?
Did not our grateful King, with open Arms,
Receive him as his Gueſt? O fatal Hour!
Did he not then with hot, adult'rous Eye,
Gaze on the Queen ZAPHIRA? Yes, 'twas Luſt,
Luſt gave th' infernal Whiſper to his Soul,
And bade him Murder, if he wou'd enjoy!
O, complicated Horrors! hell-born Treach'ry!
Then fell our Country, when good SELIM dy'd!
Yet thou, pernicious Traitor, unabaſh'd
Can'ſt wear the Murd'rer's Badge.
OTHMAN.
Yet hear me, SADI—
SADI.
What can Diſhonour plead?
OTHMAN.
Yet blame not Prudence.
SADI.
Prudence! the ſtale Pretence of ev'ry Knave!
The Traitor's ready Maſk!
OTHMAN.
Yet ſtill I love thee:
Yet unprovok'd by thy intemperate Zeal.
Bethink thee!—might I not inſult thy Flight
With the Foul Names of Fear or Perfidy?
Didſt thou not fly, when BARBAROSSA's Sword
Reek'd with the Blood of thy brave Countrymen?
What then did I?—Beneath this hated Roof,
In Pity to my widow'd Queen—
SADI.
In Pity?
OTHMAN.
[10]Yes, SADI: Heav'n is Witneſs, Pity ſway'd me.
SADI.
Words, Words! Diſſimulation all, and Guilt!
OTHMAN.
With honeſt Guile I did inroll my Name
In the black Liſt of BARBAROSSA's Friends:
In hope, that ſome propitious Hour might riſe,
When Heav'n would daſh the Murd'rer from his Throne,
And give young SELIM to his orphan'd People.
SADI.
Indeed! can'ſt thou be true?
OTHMAN.
By Heav'n, I am.
SADI.
Why then diſſemble thus?
OTHMAN.
Have I not told thee?
I held it vain, to ſtem the Tyrant's Pow'r
By the weak Sallies of an ill-tim'd Rage.
SADI.
Enough: I find thee honeſt: And with Pride
Will join thy Councils. This, my faithful Arm,
Waſted with Miſery, ſhall gain new Nerves
For brave Reſolves. Can aught, my Friend, be done?
Can aught be dar'd?
OTHMAN.
We groan beneath the Scourge.
This very Morn, on falſe Pretence of Vengeance,
For the foul Murder of our honor'd King,
Five guiltleſs Wretches periſh'd on the Rack.
Our long-lov'd Friends, and braveſt Citizens,
Self-baniſh'd to the Deſart, mourn in Exile:
While the fell Tyrant lords it o'er a Crew
Of abject Sycophants, the needy Tools
Of Pow'r uſurp'd; and a degen'rate Train
Of Slaves in Arms.
SADI.
[11]O my devoted Country!—
But ſay, the widow'd Queen—my Heart bleeds for her.
OTHMAN.
If Pain be Life, ſhe lives: But in ſuch Woe,
As Want and Slavery might view with Pity,
And bleſs their happier Lot! Hemm'd round by Terrors,
Within this cruel Palace, once the Seat
Of ev'ry Joy, thro' ſev'n long tedious Years,
She weeps her murder'd Lord, her exil'd Son,
Her People fall'n: the Murd'rer of her Lord,
Returning now from Conqueſt o'er the MOORS,
Tempts her to Marriage; ſpurr'd at once by Luſt,
And black Ambition. But with noble Firmneſs,
Surpaſſing the female, ſhe rejects his Vows,
Scorning the horrid Union. Meantime he,
With ceaſeleſs Hate, purſues her exil'd Son;
And—Oh! deteſted Monſter!
[He weeps.
SADI.
Yet more Deeds
Of Cruelty! Juſt Heaven!
OTHMAN.
His Rage purſues
The virtuous Youth, ev'n into foreign Climes.
Ere this, perhaps, he bleeds. A murd'ring Ruffian
Is ſent to watch his Steps, and plunge the Dagger
Into his guiltleſs Breaſt.
SADI.
Is this thy Faith!
Tamely to witneſs to ſuch Deeds of Horror!
Give me thy Poignard; lead me to the Tyrant.
What tho' ſurrounding Guards—
OTHMAN.
Repreſs thy Fury.
Thou wilt alarm the Palace, wilt involve
Thyſelf, thy Friend, in Ruin. Haſte thee hence;
[12] Haſte to the Remnant of our loyal Friends,
And let maturer Councils rule thy Zeal.
SADI.
Yet let us ne'er forget our Prince's Wrongs.
Remember, OTHMAN, (and let Vengeance riſe)
How in the Pangs of Death, and in his Gore
Welt'ring, we found our Prince! The deadly Dagger
Deep in his Heart was fix'd! His royal Blood,
The Life-blood of his People, o'er the Bath
Ran purple! O remember! and revenge!
OTHMAN.
Doubt not my Zeal. But haſte and ſeek our Friends.
Near to the weſtern Port ALMANZOR dwells,
Yet unſeduc'd by BARBAROSSA's Pow'r.
He will diſcloſe to thee, if aught be heard
Of SELIM's Safety, or (what more I dread)
Of SELIM's Death. Thence beſt may our Reſolves
Be drawn hereafter. But let Caution guide thee.
For in theſe Walks, where Tyranny and Guilt
Uſurp the Throne, wakeful Suſpicion dwells,
And ſquint-ey'd Jealouſy, prone to pervert
Ev'n Looks and Smiles to Treaſon.
SADI.
I obey thee.
Near to the weſtern Port, thou ſay'ſt.
OTHMAN.
Ev'n there.
Cloſe by the blaſted Palm-tree, where the Moſque
O'erlooks the City. Haſte thee hence, my Friend.
I wou'd not have thee found within theſe Walls.
[Flouriſh.
And hark—theſe warlike Sounds proclaim th' Approach
Of the proud BARBAROSSA, with his Train.
Begone—
SADI.
May dire Diſeaſe and Peſtilence
[13] Hang o'er his Steps!—Farewel—Remember, OTHMAN,
Thy Queen's, thy Prince's, and thy Country's Wrongs.
[Exit SADI.
OTHMAN.
When I forget them, be Contempt my Lot!
Yet, for the Love I bear them, I muſt wrap
My deep Reſentments in the ſpecious Guiſe
Of Smiles, and fair Deportment.
Enter BARBAROSSA, Guards, &c.
BARBAROSSA.
Valiant OTHMAN,
Are theſe vile Slaves impal'd?
OTHMAN.
My Lord, they are.
BARBAROSSA.
Did not the Rack extort Confeſſion from them?
OTHMAN.
They dy'd obdurate: while the melting Crowd
Murmur'd out Pity for their Groans and Anguiſh.
BARBAROSSA.
Curſe on their womaniſh Hearts! what, pity Slaves
Whom my ſupreme Decree condemn'd to Torture?
Are you not all my Slaves, to whom my Nod
Gives Life or Death?
OTHMAN.
To doubt thy Will, is Treaſon.
BARBAROSSA.
I love thee, faithful OTHMAN: But why ſits
That Sadneſs on thy Brow? For oft' I find thee
Muſing and ſad; while Joy for my Return,
My Sword victorious, and the MOOR to'erthrown,
Reſounds thro' all my Palace.
OTHMAN.
Mighty Warrior!
The Soul, intent on Offices of Love,
[14] Will oft' neglect, or ſcorn the weaker Proof
Which Smiles or Speech can give.
BARBAROSSA.
Well: Be it ſo.
To guard ALGIERS from Anarchy's Miſrule,
I ſway the regal Scepter. Who deſerves,
Shall meet Protection: And who merits not,
Shall meet my Wrath in Thunder.—But 'tis ſtrange,
That when with open Arms, I wou'd receive
Young SELIM; wou'd reſtore the Crown, which Death
Reft from his Father's Head.—He ſcorns my Bounty;
Shuns me with ſullen and obdurate Hate,
And proudly kindles War in foreign Climes,
Againſt my Power, who ſav'd his bleeding Country.
OTHMAN.
'Tis ſtrange indeed—
Enter ALADIN.
ALADIN.
Brave Prince, I bring thee Tydings
Of high Concernment to ALGIERS and Thee.
Young SELIM is no more.
OTHMAN.
Indeed!
BARBAROSSA.
Indeed!—why that Aſtoniſhment?
He was our bittereſt Foe.
OTHMAN.
So periſh all
Thy cauſeleſs Enemies!
BARBAROSSA.
What ſays the Rumour?
How dy'd the Prince, and where?
ALADIN.
The Rumour tells,
That flying to ORAN, he there begg'd Succours
From FERDINAND of SPAIN, t'invade ALGIERS.
BARBAROSSA.
[15]From Chriſtian Dogs!
OTHMAN.
How! league with Infidels!
ALADIN.
And there held Council with the haughty SPANIARD,
To conquer and dethrone thee: But in vain:
For in a dark Encounter with two Slaves,
Wherein the one fell by his dauntleſs Valour,
SELIM at length was ſlain.
BARBAROSSA.
Ungrateful Boy!
Oft' have I courted him to meet my Kindneſs;
But ſtill in vain: he ſhun'd me like a Peſtilence:
Nor cou'd I e'er behold him, ſince the Down
Cover'd his manly Cheek.—How many Years
Number'd he?
OTHMAN.
I think, ſcarce thirteen, when his Father dy'd,
And now, ſome twenty.
BARBAROSSA.
OTHMAN, now for Proof
Of undiſſembled Service.—Well I know,
Thy long-experienc'd Faith hath plac'd thee high
In the Queen's Confidence: The Crown I wear
Yet totters on my Head, till Marriage-Rites
Have made her mine. OTHMAN, ſhe muſt be won.
Plead thou my Cauſe of Love: Bid her dry up
Her fruitleſs Tears: Paint forth her long Delays,
Wake all thy Eloquence: Make her but mine,
And ſuch unſought Reward ſhall crown thy Zeal,
As ſhall out-ſoar thy Wiſhes.
OTHMAN.
Mighty King,
Where Duty bids, I go.
BARBAROSSA.
[16]Then haſte thee, OTHMAN,
Ere yet the Rumour of her Son's Deceaſe
Hath reach'd her Ear; ere yet the mournful Tale
Hath whelm'd her in a new Abyſs of Woe,
And quench'd all ſoft Affection, ſave for him.
Tell her, I come, borne on the Wings of Love!—
Haſte—fly—I follow thee.
[Exit OTHMAN.
Now ALADIN.
Now Fortune bears us to the wiſh'd-for Port:
We ride ſecure, on her moſt proſp'rous Billow.
This was the Rock I dreaded. Doſt not think
Th' Attempt was greatly daring?
ALADIN.
Ay; and neceſſary.
What booted it, to cut the old Serpent off,
While the young Adder neſted in his Place?
BARBAROSSA.
True: We have conquer'd now. ALGIERS is mine,
Without a Rival. Thus great Souls aſpire;
And boldly ſnatch at Crowns, beyond the Reach
Of coward Conſcience.—Yet I wonder much,
OMAR returns not: OMAR, whom I ſent
On this high Truſt. I fear, 'tis he hath fal'n.
Didſt thou not ſay, two Slaves encounter'd SELIM?
ALADIN.
Ay, two: 'tis rumour'd ſo.
BARBAROSSA.
And that one fell?
ALADIN.
Ev'n ſo: By SELIM's Hand: while his Companion
Planted his happier Steel in SELIM's Heart.
BARBAROSSA.
OMAR, I fear, is fal'n. From my Right-Hand
I gave my Signet to the truſty Slave:
And bade him ſend it, as the certain Pledge
[17] Of SELIM's Death; if Sickneſs or Captivity,
Or wayward Fate, ſhou'd thwart his quick Return.
ALADIN.
The Rumour yet is young; perhaps foreruns
The truſty Slave's Approach.
BARBAROSSA.
We'll wait th' Event.
Meantime give out, that now the widow'd Queen
Hath dry'd her Tears, prepar'd to crown my Love
By Marriage-Rites: Spread wide the flatt'ring Tale:
For if Perſuaſion win not her Conſent,
Pow'r ſhall compel.
ALADIN.
It is indeed a Thought,
Which Prudence whiſpers.
BARBAROSSA.
Thou, brave ALADIN,
Haſt been the firm Companion of my Deeds:
Soon ſhall my Friendſhip's Warmth reward thy Faith.—
This Night my Will devotes to Feaſt and Joy,
For Conqueſt o'er the MOOR. Hence, ALADIN:
And ſee the Night-Watch cloſe the Palace round.
[Exit ALADIN.
Now to the Queen. My Heart expands with Hope.
Let high Ambition flouriſh: In SELIM's Blood
Its Root is ſtruck: From this, the riſing Stem
Proudly ſhall branch o'er AFRIC's Continent,
And ſtretch from Shore to Shore.
Enter IRENE.
What, drown'd in Tears? ſtill with thy Folly thwart
Each purpoſe of my Soul? When Pleaſures ſpring
Beneath our Feet, thou ſpurn'ſt the proffer'd Boon,
To dwell with Sorrow.—Why theſe ſullen Tears?
IRENE.
Let not theſe Tears offend my Father's Eye:
They are the Tears of Pity. From the Queen
I come, thy Suppliant.
BARBAROSSA.
[18]On ſome rude Requeſt.
What wou'dſt thou urge?
IRENE.
Thy dread Return from War,
And proffer'd Love, have open'd ev'ry Wound
The ſoft and lenient Hand of Time had clos'd.
If ever gentle Pity touch'd thy Heart,
Now let it melt! Urge not thy harſh Command
To ſee her! Her diſtracted Soul is bent
To mourn in Solitude. She aſks no more.
BARBAROSSA.
She mocks my Love. How many tedious Years
Have I endur'd her Coyneſs? Had not War,
And great Ambition, call'd me from ALGIERS,
Ere this, my Pow'r had reap'd what ſhe denies.
But there's a Cauſe, which touches on my Peace,
And bids me brook no more her falſe Delays.
IRENE.
O frown not thus! Sure, Pity ne'er deſerv'd
A Parent's Frown! Then look more kindly on me.
Let thy conſenting Pity mix with mine,
And heal the Woes of weeping Majeſty!
Unhappy Queen!
BARBAROSSA.
What means that guſhing Tear?
IRENE.
Oh never ſhall IRENE taſte of Peace,
While poor ZAPHIRA mourns!—
BARBAROSSA.
Is this my Child?
Perverſe and ſtubborn!—As thou lov'ſt thy Peace,
Dry up thy Tears. What! damp the general Triumph,
That echoes through ALGIERS! which now ſhall pierce
The vaulted Heav'n, as ſoon as Fame ſhall ſpread
Young SELIM's Death, my Empire's bittereſt Foe.
IRENE.
[19]O generous SELIM!
BARBAROSSA.
Ah! There's more in this!
Tell me, IRENE: On thy Duty, tell me:
As thou doſt wiſh, I wou'd not caſt thee off,
With an incenſed Father's Curſes on thee,
Now tell me why, at this deteſted Name,
Afreſh thy Sorrow ſtreams?
IRENE.
Yes, I will tell thee.
For he is gone! and dreads thy Hate no more!
My Father knows, that ſcarce five Moons are paſt,
Since the MOORS ſeiz'd, and ſold me at ORAN,
A hopeleſs Captive in a foreign Clime!
BARBAROSSA.
Too well I know, and rue the fatal Day.
But what of this?
IRENE.
Why ſhou'd I tell, what Horrors
Did then beſet my Soul?—Oft' have I told thee,
How 'midſt the Throng, a Youth appear'd: His Eye
Bright as the Morning Star!
BARBAROSSA.
And was it SELIM?
Did he redeem thee?
IRENE.
With unſparing Hand
He paid th' allotted Ranſom: And o'crbade
Av'rice and Appetite. At his Feet I wept,
Diſſolv'd in Tears of Gratitude and Joy.
But when I told my Quality and Birth,
He ſtarted at the Name of BARBAROSSA;
And thrice turn'd pale. Yet, with Recovery mild,
Go to ALGIERS, he cry'd; protect my Mother,
And be to Her, what SELIM is to Thee.—
[20] Ev'n ſuch, my Father, was the gen'rous Youth,
Who, by the Hands of bloody, bloody Men,
Lies number'd with the dead.
BARBAROSSA.
Amazement chills me!
Was this thy unknown Friend, conceal'd from me?
Falſe, faithleſs Child!
IRENE.
Cou'd Gratitude do leſs!
He ſaid thy Hate purſu'd him; thence conjur'd me,
Not to reveal his Name.
BARBAROSSA.
Thou treacherous Maid!
To ſtoop to Freedom from thy Father's Foe!
IRENE.
Alas, my Father!
He never was thy Foe.
BARBAROSSA.
What!—plead for SELIM!
Away. He merited the Death he found.
Oh Coward! Traitreſs to thy Father's Glory!
Thou ſhou'dſt have liv'd a Slave,—been ſold to Shame,
Been baniſh'd to the Depth of howling Deſarts,
Been aught but what thou art, rather than blot
A Father's Honour, by a Deed ſo vile:—
Hence, from my Sight.—Hence, thou unthankful Child!
Beware thee! Shun the Queen: nor taint her Ear
With SELIM's Fate. Yes, ſhe ſhall crown my Love;
Or by our Prophet, ſhe ſhall dread my Pow'r.
[Exit BARBAROSSA.
IRENE.
Unhappy Queen!
To what new Scenes of Horror art thou doom'd!
O cruel Father! Hapleſs Child! whom Pity
Compels to call him cruel!—Gen'rous SELIM!
Poor injur'd Queen! who but intreats to die
In her dear Father's Tents! Thither, good Queen,
[21] My Care ſhall ſpeed thee, while Suſpicion ſleeps.
What tho' my frowning Father pour his Rage
On my defenceleſs Head? Yet Innocence
Shall yield her firm Support; and conſcious Virtue
Gild all my Days. Cou'd I but ſave ZAPHIRA,
Let the Storm beat. I'll weep and pray, till ſhe
And Heav'n forget, my Father e'er was cruel.
ACT II.
[22]ZAPHIRA and female Slaves diſcover'd.
ZAPHIRA.
WHEN ſhall I be at Peace!—O, righteous Heav'n,
Strengthen my fainting Soul, which fain wou'd riſe
To Confidence in thee!—But Woes on Woes
O'erwhelm me! Firſt my Huſband! now, my Son!
Both dead! both ſlaughter'd by the bloody Hand
Of BARBAROSSA! Sweet Content, farewel!
Farewel, ſweet Hope! Grief is my Portion here!
O dire Ambition! what infernal Pow'r
Unchain'd thee from thy native Depth of Hell,
To ſtalk the Earth with thy deſtructive Train,
Murder and Luſt! to waſte domeſtic Peace,
And ev'ry Heart-felt Joy!
Enter OTHMAN.
O faithful OTHMAN!
Our Fears were true! My SELIM is no more!
OTHMAN.
Has then the fatal Story reach'd thine Ear?
Inhuman Tyrant!
ZAPHIRA.
Strike him, Heav'n with Thunder!
Nor let ZAPHIRA doubt thy Providence.
OTHMAN.
'Twas what we fear'd. Accuſe not Heav'n's high Will,
Nor ſtruggle with the ten-fold Chain of Fate,
That links thee to thy Woes! O, rather yield,
And wait the happier Hour, when Innocence
Shall weep no more. Reſt in that pleaſing Hope,
And yield thyſelf to Heav'n.—My honor'd Queen,
The King—
ZAPHIRA.
[23]Whom ſtil'ſt thou King?
OTHMAN.
'Tis BARBAROSSA.
He means to ſee thee—
ZAPHIRA.
Curſes blaſt the Tyrant!
Does he aſſume the Name of King?
OTHMAN.
He does.
ZAPHIRA.
O Title vilely purchas'd! by the Blood
Of Innocence! By Treachr'y and Murder!
May Heav'n incens'd pour down its Vengeance on him;
Blaſt all his Joys, and turn them into Horror;
Till Phrenzy riſe, and bid him curſe the Hour
That gave his Crimes their Birth! My faithful OTHMAN,
My ſole ſurviving Prop! Can'ſt thou deviſe
No ſecret Means, by which I may eſcape
This hated Palace! with undaunted Step
I'd roam the Waſte, to reach my Father's Vales
Of dear MUTIJA!—Can no means be found,
To fly theſe black'ning Horrors that ſurround me?
OTHMAN.
That Hope is vain! The Tyrant knows thy Hate.
Hence, Day and Night, his watchful Guards ſurround thee,
Impenetrable as Walls of Adamant.
Curb then thy mighty Griefs: Juſtice and Truth
He mocks as Shadows: Rouſe not then, his Anger:
Let ſoft Perſuaſion and mild Eloquence,
Redeem that Liberty, which ſtern Rebuke
Wou'd rob thee of for ever.
ZAPHIRA.
Cruel Taſk!
For Royalty to bow,—an injur'd Queen
[24] To kneel for Liberty! And, Oh! to whom!
Ev'n to the Murd'rer of her Lord and Son!
O periſh firſt, ZAPHIRA! Yes, I'll die!
For what is Life to me! My dear, dear Lord!
My hapleſs Child! Yes, I will follow you.
OTHMAN.
Wilt thou not ſee him, then?
ZAPHIRA.
I will not, OTHMAN.
Or if I do, with bitter Imprecation,
More keen than Poiſon ſhot from Serpents Tongues,
I'll pour my Curſes on him!
OTHMAN.
Will ZAPHIRA
Thus meanly ſink in Woman's fruitleſs Rage,
When ſhe ſhould wake Revenge?
ZAPHIRA.
Revenge?—O tell me—
Tell me but how! what can a helpleſs Woman!
OTHMAN.
Gain but the Tyrant's leave, and reach thy Father:
Pour thy Complaints before him: Let thy Wrongs
Kindle his Indignation, to purſue
This vil e Uſurper, till unceaſing War
Blaſt his ill-gotten Pow'r.
ZAPHIRA.
[Riſing.
Ah!—ſay'ſt thou, OTHMAN?
Thy Words have ſhot like Lightning through my Frame;
And all my Soul's on Fire!—Thou faithful Friend!
Yes; with more gentle Speech I'll ſooth his Pride;
Regain my Freedom; ſeek my Father's Tents;
There paint my countleſs Woes. His kindling Rage
Shall wake the Vallies into honeſt Vengeance:
The ſudden Storm ſhall pour on BARBAROSSA;
And ev'ry glowing Warrior ſteep his Shaft
In deadlier Poiſon, to revenge my Wrongs.
OTHMAN.
[25]There ſpoke the Queen. But as thou lov'ſt thy Freedom,
Touch not on SELIM's Fate. Thy Soul will kindle,
And Paſſion mount in Flames that will conſume thee.
ZAPHIRA.
My murder'd Son! yes, to revenge thy Death,
I'll ſpeak a Language which my Heart diſdains.
OTHMAN.
Peace, Peace! The Tyrant comes: Now, injur'd Queen,
Plead for thy Freedom, hope for juſt Revenge,
And check each riſing Paſſion!
[Exit OTHMAN.
Enter BARBAROSSA.
BARBAROSSA.
Hail, ſov'reign Fair! Thrice honor'd Queen! in whom
Beauty and Majeſty conſpire to charm!
Behold the Conqu'ror, whoſe deciding Voice
Can ſpeak the Fate of Kingdoms, at thy Feet
Lies conquer'd by thy Pow'r!
ZAPHIRA.
O BARBAROSSA!
No more the Pride of Conqueſt e'er can charm
My widow'd Heart! With my departed Lord
My Love lies bury'd! I ſhould meet thy Flame
With ſullen Tears, and cold Indifference.
Then turn thee to ſome happier Fair, whoſe Heart
May crown thy growing Love, with Love ſincere;
For I have none to give!
BARBAROSSA.
Love ne'er ſhou'd die:
'Tis the Soul's Cordial: 'Tis the Fount of Life;
Therefore ſhou'd ſpring eternal in the Breaſt.
One Object loſt, another ſhou'd ſucceed.
And all our Life be Love.
ZAPHIRA.
Urge me no more:—Thou might'ſt with equal Hope
[26] Woo the cold Marble weeping o'er a Tomb,
To meet thy Wiſhes! But if gen'rous Love
Dwell in thy Breaſt, vouchſafe me Proof ſincere:
Give me ſafe Convoy to my native Vales
Of dear MUTIJA, where my Father reigns.
BARBAROSSA.
O blind to proffer'd Bliſs! what, fondly quit
This lofty Palace, and the envy'd Pomp
Of Empire, for an Arab's wand'ring Tent!
Where the mock Chieftain leads his vagrant Tribes
From Plain to Plain, as Thirſt or Famine ſways;
Obſcurely vain; and faintly ſhadows out
The Majeſty of Kings!—Far other Joys
Here ſhall attend thy Call: The winged Bark
For thee ſhall traverſe Seas; and ev'ry Clime
Be tributary to ZAPHIRA's Charms.
To Thee, exalted Fair, ſubmiſſive Realms
Shall bow the Neck; and ſwarthy Kings and Queens,
From the far-diſtant NIGER and the NILE,
Drawn captive at my conqu'ring Charriot-Wheels,
Shall kneel before thee.
ZAPHIRA.
Pomp and Pow'r are Toys,
Which ev'n the Mind at eaſe may well diſdain.
But, ah! what Mockery is the tinſel Pride
Of Splendor, when by waſting Woes, the Mind
Lies deſolate within!—Such, ſuch, is mine!
O'erwhelm'd with Ills, and dead to ev'ry Joy
Envy me not this laſt Requeſt, to die
In my dear Father's Tents!
BARBAROSSA.
Thy Suit is vain—
ZAPHIRA.
Thus kneeling, at thy Feet—!
BARBAROSSA.
Thou thankleſs Fair!
Thus to repay the Labours of my Love!
Had I not ſiez'd the Throne when SELIM dy'd,
[27] Ere this, thy Foes had laid ALGIERS in Ruin:
I check'd the warring Pow'rs, and gave you Peace.
ZAPHIRA.
Peace doſt thou call it! what can worſe be fear'd
From the War's Rage, than Violence and Blood?
Have not unceaſing Horrors mark'd thy Reign?
Thro' ſev'n long Years, thy ſlaught'ring Sword hath reek'd
With guiltleſs Blood.
BARBAROSSA.
With guiltleſs Blood?—Take heed—
Rouſe not my ſlumb'ring Rage: Nor vindicate
Thy Country's Guilt and Treaſon.
ZAPHIRA.
Where Violence reigns, there Innocence is Guilt,
And Virtue, Treaſon.—Know, ZAPHIRA ſcorns
Thy Menace.—Yes,—thy ſlaught'ring Sword hath reek'd
With guiltleſs Blood. Thro'thee, Exile and Death
Have thin'd ALGIERS. Is this thy boaſted Peace?
So might the Tyger boaſt the Peace he brings
When he o'erleaps by Stealth, and waſtes the Fold.
BARBAROSSA.
Ungrateful Queen! I'll give thee Proof of Love,
Beyond thy Sex's Pride! But make thee mine,
I will deſcend the Throne, and call thy Son
From Baniſhment to Empire.
ZAPHIRA.
Oh, my Heart!
Can I bear this!—
Inhuman Tyrant! Curſes on thy Head!
May dire Remorſe and Anguiſh haunt thy Throne,
And gender in thy Boſom fell Deſpair!
Deſpair as deep as mine!
BARBAROSSA.
What means ZAPHIRA?
What means this Burſt of Grief?
ZAPHIRA.
Thou fell Deſtroyer!
[28] Had not Guilt ſteel'd thy Heart, awak'ning Conſcience
Wou'd flaſh Conviction on thee, and each Look,
Shot from theſe Eyes, be arm'd with Serpent-Horrors,
To turn thee into Stone!—Relentleſs Man!
Who did the bloody Deed? Oh, tremble Guilt,
Where'er thou art!—Look on me!—Tell me, Tyrant,—
Who ſlew my blameleſs Son?
BARBAROSSA.
What envious Tongue,
My Foe, hath dar'd to taint my Name with Slander?
This is the Rumour of ſome coz'ning Slave,
Who thwarts my Peace. Believe it not, ZAPHIRA.
Thy SELIM lives: nay more, he ſoon ſhall reign,
If thou conſent to bleſs me.
ZAPHIRA.
Never! Oh, never—Sooner wou'd I roam
An unknown Exile thro' the torrid Climes
Of AFRIC, ſooner dwell with Wolves and Tygers,
Than mount with thee my murder'd SELIM's Throne!
BARBAROSSA.
Raſh Queen, forbear! Think on thy Captive-State:
Remember, that within theſe Palace-Walls,
I am omnipotent: That every Knee
Bends at my dread Approach: That Shame and Honour,
Reward and Puniſhment, await my Nod,
The Vaſſals of my Pleaſure.—Yield thee then:
Avert the gath'ring Horrors that ſurround thee,
And dread my Pow'r incens'd.
ZAPHIRA.
Dares thy licentious Tongue pollute mine Ear
With that foul Menace?—Tyrant! Dread'ſt thou not
Th' all ſeeing Eye of Heav'n, its lifted Thunder,
And all the red'ning Vengeance which it ſtores
For Crimes like thine?—Yet know, thy Threats are vain.
Tho' robb'd by thee of ev'ry dear Support;
No Tyrant's Threat can awe the free-born Soul,
That greatly dares to Die.
[Exit ZAPHIRA.
BARBAROSSA.
[29]Where ſhould ſhe learn the Tale of SELIM's Death?
Cou'd OTHMAN dare to tell it? If he did,
My Rage ſhall ſweep him, ſwifter than the Whirlwind,
To inſtant Death!—Curſe on her Steadineſs!
She lords it o'er my Heart. There is a Charm
Of Majeſty in Virtue, that diſarms
Reluctant Pow'r, and bends the ſtruggling Will
From her moſt firm Reſolve.
Enter ALADIN.
Oh, ALADIN!
Timely thou com'ſt, to eaſe my lab'ring Thought,
That ſwells with Indignation and Deſpair.
This ſtubborn Woman—
ALADIN.
What, unconquer'd ſtill?
BARBAROSSA.
The News of SELIM's Fate hath reach'd her Ear.
Whence could this come?
ALADIN.
I can reſolve thy Doubt.
A female Slave, Attendant on ZAPHIRA,
O'erheard the Meſſenger who brought the Tale,
And gave it to her Ear.
BARBAROSSA.
Perdition ſieze her!
No Threat can move, nor Promiſe now allure
Her haughty Soul: Nay, ſhe defies my Pow'r:
And talks of Death, as if her female Form
Inſhrin'd ſome Hero's Spirit.
ALADIN.
Let her Rage foam.
I bring thee Tydings that will eaſe thy Pain.
BARBAROSSA.
Say'ſt thou?—Speak on—O give me quick Relief!—
ALADIN.
The gallant Youth is come, who ſlew her Son.
BARBAROSSA.
[30]Who? OMAR!
ALADIN.
No: Unhappy OMAR fell
By SELIM's Hand. But ACHMET, whom he join'd
His brave Aſſociate, ſo the Youth bids tell thee,
Reveng'd his Death by SELIM's.
BARBAROSSA.
Gallant Youth!
Bears he the Signet?
ALADIN.
Aye.
BARBAROSSA.
That ſpeaks him true.—Conduct him, ALADIN.
[Exit ALADIN.
This is beyond my Hope. The ſecret Pledge
Reſtor'd, prevents Suſpicion of the Deed,
While it confirms it done.
Enter ACHMET and ALADIN.
ACHMET.
Hail mighty BARBAROSSA! As the Pledge
[Kneels.
Of SELIM's Death, behold thy Ring reſtor'd:
That Pledge will ſpeak the reſt.
BARBAROSSA.
Riſe, valiant Youth!
But firſt, no more a Slave—I give thee Freedom.
Thou art the Youth whom OMAR (now no more)
Join'd his Companion in this brave Attempt?
ACHMET.
I am.
BARBAROSSA.
Then tell me how you ſped.—Where found ye
That Inſolent!
ACHMET.
We found him at ORAN,
Plotting deep Miſchiefs to thy Throne and People.
BARBAROSSA.
[31]Well ye repaid the Traitor.—
ACHMET.
As we ought.
While Night drew on, we leapt upon our Prey.
Full at his Heart brave OMAR aim'd the Poignard,
Which SELIM ſhunning, wrench'd it from his Hand,
Then plung'd it in his Breaſt. I haſted on.
Too late to ſave, yet I reveng'd my Friend:
My thirſty Dagger, with repeated Blow,
Search'd ev'ry Artery: They fell together,
Gaſping in Folds of mortal Enmity;
And thus in Frowns expir'd.
BARBAROSSA.
Well haſt thou ſped.
Thy Dagger did its Office, faithful ACHMET;
And high Reward ſhall wait thee.—One thing more—
Be the Thought fortunate!—Go, ſeek the Queen.
For know the Rumour of her SELIM's Death
Hath reach'd her Ear: Hence dark Suſpicions riſe,
Squinting at me. Go, tell her, that thou ſaw'ſt
Her Son expire; that with his dying Breath,
He did conjure her to receive my Vows,
And give her Country Peace.—That, ſure will lull
Suſpicion. ALADIN, that ſure will win her.
ALADIN.
'Tis wiſely thought.—It muſt.
Enter OTHMAN.
BARBAROSSA.
Moſt welcome, OTHMAN.
Behold this gallant Stranger. He hath done
The State good Service. Let ſome high Reward
Await him, ſuch as may o'erpay his Zeal.
Conduct him to the Queen; for he hath Tidings
Worthy her Ear, from her departed Son;
Such as may win her Love.—Come, ALADIN:
The Banquet waits our Preſence: Feſtal Joy
[32] Laughs in the mantling Goblet; and the Night,
Illumin'd by the Taper's dazzling Beam,
Rivals departed Day.
[Ex. BARB. and ALAD.
ACHMET.
What anxious Thought
Rowls in thine Eye, and heaves thy lab'ring Breaſt?
Why join'ſt thou not the loud Exceſs of Joy,
That riots thro' the Palace?
OTHMAN.
Dar'ſt thou tell me,
On what dark Errand thou art here?
ACHMET.
I dare.
Doſt thou not ſee the ſavage Lines of Blood
Deform my Viſage? Read'ſt not in mine Eye
Remorſeleſs Fury?—I am SELIM's Murd'rer.
OTHMAN.
His Murd'rer!
ACHMET.
Start not from me.
My Dagger thirſts not but for regal Blood.
Why this Amazement?
OTHMAN.
Amazement?—No—'Tis well:—'tis as it ſhould be—
He was indeed a Foe to BARBAROSSA.
ACHMET.
And therefore to ALGIERS:—Was it not ſo?—
Why doſt thou pauſe? What Paſſion ſhakes thy Frame?
OTHMAN.
Fate, do thy worſt!—I can no more diſſemble!—
Can I unmov'd behold the murd'ring Ruſſian,
Smear'd with my Prince's Blood!—Go, tell the Tyrant,
OTHMAN defies his Pow'r; that tir'd with Life
He dares his bloody Hand, and pleads to die.
ACHMET.
What, didſt thou love this SELIM?
OTHMAN.
All Men lov'd him.
[33] He was of ſuch unmix'd and blameleſs Quality,
That Envy, at his Praiſe ſtood mute, nor dar'd
To ſully his fair Name! Remorſeleſs Tyrant!
ACHMET.
I do commend thy Faith. And ſince thou lov'ſt him,
I'll whiſper to thee, that with honeſt Guile
I have deceiv'd this Tyrant BARBAROSSA:
SELIM is yet alive.
OTHMAN.
Alive!
ACHMET.
Nay, more—
SELIM is in ALGIERS.
OTHMAN.
Impoſſible!
ACHMET.
Why, if thou doubt'ſt, I'll bring him hither, ſtraight.
OTHMAN.
Not for an Empire!
Thou might'ſt as well bring the devoted Lamb
Into the Tyger's Den.
ACHMET.
Nay, but I'll bring him
Hid in ſuch deep Diſguiſe, as ſhall deride
Suſpicion, tho' ſhe wear the Lynx's Eye:
Not ev'n thyſelf couldſt know him.
OTHMAN.
Yes, ſure: too ſure, to hazard ſuch an awful Trial!
ACHMET.
Yet ſeven revolving Years, worn out
In tedious Exile, may have wrought ſuch Change
Of Voice and Feature, in the State of Youth,
As might elude thine Eye.
OTHMAN.
No Time can blot
The Mem'ry of his ſweet majeſtic Mien,
The Luſtre of his Eye! Nay, more, he wears
[34] A Mark indelible, a beauteous Scar,
Made on his Forehead by a ſurious Pard,
Which ruſhing on his Mother, SELIM ſlew.
ACHMET.
A Scar!
OTHMAN.
Ay, on his Forehead.
ACHMET.
What, like this?
[Lifting his Turban.
OTHMAN.
Whom do I ſee!—am I awake!—my Prince!
[Kneels.
My honor'd, honor'd King!
SELIM.
Riſe, faithful OTHMAN.
Thus let me thank thy Truth!
[Embraces him.
OTHMAN.
Oh, happy Hour!
SELIM.
Why doſt thou tremble thus? Why graſp my Hand?
And why that ardent Gaze? Thou canſt not doubt me?
OTHMAN.
Ah, no! I ſee thy Sire in ev'ry Line.—
How did my Prince eſcape the Murd'rer's Hand?
SELIM.
I wrench'd the Dagger from him; and gave back
That Death he meant to bring. The Ruſſian wore
The Tyrant's Signet:—Take this Ring, he cry'd,
The ſole Return my dying Hand can make thee
For its accurs'd Attempt: This Pledge reſtor'd,
Will prove thee ſlain: Safe may'ſt thou ſee ALGIERS,
Unknown to all.—This ſaid, th'Aſſaſſin dy'd.
OTHMAN.
But how to gain Admittance, thus unknown?
SELIM.
Diſguis'd as SELIM's Murderer I come:
Th' Accomplice of the Deed: The Ring reſtor'd,
Gain'd Credence to my Words.
OTHMAN.
[35]Yet e'er thou cam'ſt, thy Death was rumour'd here.
SELIM.
I ſpread the flatt'ring Tale, and ſent it hither;
That babbling Rumour, like a lying Dream,
Might make Belief more eaſy. Tell me, OTHMAN,—
And yet I tremble to approach the Theme,—
How fares my Mother? does ſhe ſtill ſuſtain
Her native Greatneſs?
OTHMAN.
Still: In vain the Tyrant
Tempts her to Marriage, tho' with impious Threats
Of Death or Violation.
SELIM.
May kind Heav'n
Strengthen her Virtue, and by me reward it!
When ſhall I ſee her, OTHMAN?
OTHMAN.
Yet, my Prince,
I tremble for thy Preſence.
SELIM.
Let not Fear
Sully thy Virtue: 'Tis the Lot of Guilt
To tremble. What hath Innocence to do with Fear.
OTHMAN.
Yet think—ſhould BARBAROSSA—
SELIM.
Dread him not—
Thou know'ſt, by his Command, I ſee ZAPHIRA.
And wrapt in this Diſguiſe, I walk ſecure,
As if from Heav'n ſome guardian Pow'r attending,
Threw ten-fold Night around me.
OTHMAN.
Still my Heart
Forebodes ſome dire Event!—O quit theſe Walls!
SELIM.
Not till a Deed be done, which ev'ry Tyrant
Shall tremble when he hears.
OTHMAN.
[36]What means my Prince?
SELIM.
To take juſt Vengeance for a Father's Blood,
A Mother's Suff'rings, and a People's Groan.
OTHMAN.
Alas, my Prince! Thy ſingle Arm is weak
To combat Multitudes
SELIM.
Therefore I come,
Clad in this Murd'rer's Guiſe—Ere Morning ſhines,
This, OTHMAN—this—ſhall drink the Tyrant's Blood.
[Shews a Dagger.
OTHMAN.
Heav'n ſhield thy precious Life—Let Caution rule
Thy headlong Zeal!
SELIM.
Nay, think not that I come
Blindly impell'd by Fury or Deſpair:
For I have ſeen our Friends, and parted now
From SADI and ALMANZOR.
OTHMAN.
Say—what Hope?
My Soul is all Attention.—
SELIM.
Mark me, then.
A choſen Band of Citizens this Night
Will ſtorm the Palace; while the glutted Troops
Lie drench'd in Surfeit; the confed'rate City,
Bold thro' Deſpair, have ſworn to break their Chain
By one wide Slaughter. I, meantime, have gain'd
The Palace, and will wait th' appointed Hour,
To guard ZAPHIRA from the Tyrant's Rage,
Amid' the deathful Uproar.
OTHMAN.
Heav'n protect thee—
'Tis dreadful—What's the Hour!
SELIM.
I left our Friends
[37] In ſecret Council. Ere the dead of Night
Brave SADI will report their laſt Reſolves.—
Now lead me to the Queen.—
OTHMAN.
Brave Prince, beware!
Her Joy's or Fear's exceſs, wou'd ſure betray thee.
Thou ſhalt not ſee her, till the Tyrant periſh!
SELIM.
I muſt.—I feel ſome ſecret Impulſe urge me.
Who knows that 'tis not the laſt parting Interview,
We ever ſhall obtain?
OTHMAN.
Then, on thy Life,
Do not reveal thyſelf.—Aſſume the Name
Of SELIM's Friend; ſent to confirm her Virtue,
And warn her that he lives.
SELIM.
It ſhall be ſo: I yield me to thy Will.
OTHMAN.
Thou greatly daring Youth! May Angels watch,
And guard thy upright Purpoſe! That ALGIERS
May reap the Bleſſings of thy virtuous Reign,
And all thy Godlike Father ſhine in thee!
SELIM.
Oh, thou haſt rowz'd a Thought, on which Revenge
Mounts with redoubled Fire!—Yes, here, ev'n here—
Beneath this very Roof, my honor'd Father
Shed round his Bleſſings, till accurſed Treach'ry
Stole on his peaceful Hour! O, bleſſed Shade!
If yet thou hov'reſt o'er thy once lov'd-Clime,
Now aid me to redreſs thy bleeding Wrongs!
Infuſe thy mighty Spirit into my Breaſt,
Thy firm and dauntleſs Fortitude, unaw'd
By Peril, Pain, or Death! that undiſmay'd,
I may purſue the juſt Intent; and dare
Or bravely to Revenge, or bravely Die.
[Exeunt.
ACT III.
[38]Enter IRENE.
CAN Air-drawn Viſions mock the waking Eye,
Sure 'twas his Image!—Yet, his Preſence here—
After full Rumour had confirm'd him dead!—
Beneath this hoſtile Roof to court Deſtruction!
It ſtaggers all Belief! Silent he ſhot
Athwart my View, amid' the glimmering Lamps,
With ſwift and Ghoſt-like Step, that ſeem'd to ſhun
All human Converſe. This way, ſure he mov'd.
But Oh, how chang'd! He wears no gentle Smiles,
But Terror in his Frown. He comes.—'Tis He:—
For OTHMAN points him hither, and departs.
Diſguis'd, he ſeeks the Queen: Secure, perhaps,
And heedleſs of the Ruin that ſurrounds him.
O generous SELIM! can I ſee thee thus;
And not forewarn ſuch Virtue of its Fate!
Forbid it Gratitude!
Enter SELIM.
SELIM.
Be ſtill, ye Sighs!
Ye ſtruggling Tears of filial Love, be ſtill.
Down, down fond Heart!
IRENE.
Why, Stranger, doſt thou wander here?
SELIM.
Oh, Ruin!
[Shunning her.]
IRENE.
Bleſt, is IRENE! Bleſt if SELIM lives!
SELIM.
[39]Am I betray'd!
IRENE.
Betray'd! to whom? To Her
Whoſe grateful Heart would ruſh on Death to ſave thee!
SELIM.
It was my Hope,
That Time had veil'd all Semblance of my Youth,
And thrown the Maſk of Manhood o'er my Viſage.—
Am I then known?
IRENE.
To none, but Love and Me.—
To me, who late beheld thee at ORAN;
Who ſaw thee here, beſet with unſeen Peril,
And flew to ſave the Guardian of my Honour.
SELIM.
Thou Sum of ev'ry Worth! Thou Heav'n of Sweet⯑neſs!
How cou'd I pour forth all my Soul before thee,
In Vows of endleſs Truth!—It muſt not be!—
This is my deſtin'd Goal!—The Manſion drear,
Where Grief and Anguiſh dwell! where bitter Tears,
And Sighs, and Lamentations, choak the Voice,
And quench the Flame of Love!
IRENE.
Yet, virtuous Prince,
Tho' Love be ſilent, Gratitude may ſpeak.
Hear then her Voice, which warns thee from theſe Walls.
Mine be the grateful Taſk, to tell the Queen,
Her SELIM lives. Ruin and Death incloſe thee.
O ſpeed thee hence, while yet Deſtruction ſleeps!
SELIM.
Too generous Maid! Oh, Heav'n! that BARBAROSSA
Shou'd be IRENE's Father.
IRENE.
Injur'd Prince!
Loſe not a Thought on me! I know thy Wrongs,
[40] And merit not thy Love. No, learn to hate me.
Or if IRENE e'er can hope ſuch Kindneſs,
Firſt pity, then forget me!
SELIM.
When I do,
May Heav'n pour down its righteous Vengeance on me!
IRENE.
Hence! haſte thee, hence!
SELIM.
Wou'd it were poſſible!
IRENE.
What can prevent it?
SELIM.
Juſtice! Fate, and Juſtice!
A murder'd Father's Wrongs!
IRENE.
Ah, Prince, take heed!
I have a Father too!
SELIM.
What did I ſay?—my Father?—not my Father.—
Can I depart till I have ſeen ZAPHIRA?—
IRENE.
Juſtice, ſaid'ſt thou?
That Word hath ſtruck me, like a Peal of Thunder!
Thine Eye, which wont to melt with gentle Love,
Now glares with Terror! Thy Approach by Night—
Thy dark Diſguiſe, thy Looks, and fierce Demenor,
Yes, all conſpire to tell me, I am loſt!
Think, SELIM, what IRENE muſt indure,
Shou'd ſhe be guilty of a Father's Blood!
SELIM.
A Father's Blood!
IRENE.
Too ſure. In vain thou hid'ſt
Thy dire Intent! Forbid it, Heav'n, IRENE
[41] Shou'd ſee Deſtruction hov'ring o'er her Father,
And not prevent the Blow!
SELIM.
Is this thy Love,
Thy Gratitude to him who ſav'd thy Honour?
IRENE.
'Tis Gratitude to him who gave me Life:
He who preſerv'd me claims the ſecond Place.
SELIM.
Is he not a Tyrant, Murderer?
IRENE.
O ſpare my Shame! I am his Daughter ſtill!
SELIM.
Wou'dſt thou become the Partner of his Crimes?
IRENE.
Forbid it Heav'n!—Yet I muſt ſave a Father!
SELIM.
Come on then. Lead me to him. Glut thine Eye
With SELIM's Blood—
IRENE.
Was e'er Diſtreſs like mine!
O SELIM can I ſee my Father Periſh!—
Wou'd I had ne'er been born!
[Weeps.
SELIM.
Thou virtuous Maid!
My Heart bleeds for thee!
IRENE.
Quit, O quit theſe Walls!
Heav'n will ordain ſome gentler, happier Means,
To heal thy Woes! Thy dark Attempt is big
With Horror and Deſtruction! Generous Prince!
Reſign thy dreadful Purpoſe, and depart!
SELIM.
May not I ſee ZAPHIRA, ere I go?
Thy gentle Pity will not, ſure, deny us
The mournful Pleaſure of a parting Tear?
IRENE.
[42]Go, then, and give her Peace. But fly theſe Walls,
As ſoon as Morning ſhines:—Elſe, tho' Deſpair
Drive me to Madneſs;—yet—to ſave a Father!—
O SELIM! ſpare my Tongue the horrid Sentence!—
Fly! ere Deſtruction ſeize thee!
[Exit IRENE.
SELIM.
Death and Ruin!
Muſt I then fly?—what!—Coward-like betray
My Father, Mother, Friends?—Vain Terrors, hence!
Danger looks big, to Fear's deluded Eye.
But Courage, on the Heights and Steps of Fate,
Dares ſnatch her glorious Purpoſe from the Edge
Of Peril: and while ſick'ning Caution ſhrinks,
Or ſelf-betray'd, falls headlong down the Steep;
Calm Reſolution, unappal'd, can walk
The giddy Brink, ſecure.—Now to the Queen.—
How ſhall I dare to meet her thus unknown!
How ſtifle the warm Tranſports of my Heart,
Which pants at her Approach!—Who waits ZAPHIRA!—
Enter a female SLAVE.
SLAVE.
Whence this Intruſion, Stranger? at an Hour
Deſtin'd to Reſt?
SELIM.
I come, to ſeek the Queen,
On matter of ſuch Import, as may claim
Her ſpeedy Audience.
SLAVE.
Thy Requeſt is vain.
Ev'n now the Queen hath heard the mournful Tale
Of her Son's Death, and drown'd in Grief ſhe lies.
Thou canſt not ſee her.
SELIM.
Tell the Queen, I come
On Meſſage from her dear, departed Son;
And bring his laſt Requeſt.
SLAVE.
[43]I'll haſte to tell her.
With all a Mother's tend'reſt Love ſhe'll fly,
To meet that Name.
[Exit SLAVE.
SELIM.
O ill-diſſembling Heart!—My ev'ry Limb
Trembles with grateful Terror!—Wou'd to Heav'n,
I had not come! Some Look, or ſtarting Tear,
Will ſure betray me.—Honeſt Guile aſſiſt
My fault'ring Tongue!
Enter ZAPHIRA.
ZAPHIRA.
Where is this pious Stranger?—
Say, generous Youth, whoſe Pity leads thee thus
To ſeek the weeping Manſions of Diſtreſs!
Didſt thou behold in Death my hapleſs Son?
Didſt thou receive my SELIM's parting Breath?
Did he remember me?
SELIM.
Moſt honor'd Queen!
Thy Son,—Forgive theſe guſhing Tears, which flow
To ſee Diſtreſs like thine!
ZAPHIRA.
I thank thy Pity!
'Tis generous thus to feel for others Woe.—
What of my Son? Say, didſt thou ſee him die?
SELIM.
By BARBAROSSA's dread Command I come,
To tell thee, that theſe Eyes alone beheld
Thy Son expire.
ZAPHIRA.
Oh Heav'n!—my deareſt Child!
SELIM.
That ev'n in Death, the pious Youth remember'd
His royal Mother's Woes.
ZAPHIRA.
Where, where was I?
[44] Relentleſs Fate!—that I ſhou'd be deny'd
The mournful Privilege, to ſee him die!
To claſp him in the Agony of death,
And catch his parting Soul! O tell me all,
All that he ſaid and look'd: Deep in my Heart
That I may treaſure ev'ry parting Word,
Each dying Whiſper of my dear, dear Son?
SELIM.
Let not my Words offend.—What if he ſaid,
Go, tell my hapleſs Mother, that her Tears
Have ſtream'd too long: Then bid her weep no more:
Bid her forget the Huſband and the Son,
In BARBAROSSA's Arms!
ZAPHIRA.
O, falſe as Hell!
Thou art ſome creeping Slave to BARBAROSSA,
Sent to ſurprize my unſuſpecting Heart!
Falſe Slave, begone!—My Son betray me thus!—
Cou'd he have e'er conceiv'd ſo baſe a Purpoſe,
My Griefs for him ſhou'd end in great Diſdain!—
But he was brave; and ſcorn'd a Thought ſo vile!
Wretched ZAPHIRA! How art thou become
The Sport of Slaves!—O Griefs incurable!
SELIM.
Yet hope for Peace, unhappy Queen! Thy Woes
May yet have end.
ZAPHIRA.
Why weep'ſt thou Crocodile?
Thy treach'rous Tears are vain.
SELIM.
My Tears are honeſt.
I am not what thou think'ſt.
ZAPHIRA.
Who art thou then!
SELIM.
Oh, my full Heart!—I am—thy Friend, and SELIM's.
I come not to inſult but heal thy Woes.—
[45] Now check thy Heart's wild Tumult, while I tell thee—
Perhaps—thy Son yet lives.
ZAPHIRA.
O gracious Heav'n!
Do I not dream? ſay, Stranger,—didſt thou tell me,
Perhaps my SELIM lives?—What do I aſk?
Fond, fond, and fruitleſs Hope!—What mortal Pow'r
Can e'er re-animate his mangled Coarſe,
Shoot Life into the cold and ſilent Tomb,
Or bid the ruthleſs Grave give up its Dead!
SELIM.
O pow'rful Nature, thou wilt ſure betray me!
[Aſide.
Thy SELIM lives: For ſince his rumour'd Death,
I ſaw him at ORAN.
ZAPHIRA.
Is not then, my SELIM dead?
SELIM.
He is not.
ZAPHIRA.
Didſt thou not ſay, thou ſaw'ſt my ſon expire?
Didſt not ev'n now relate his dying Words?
SELIM.
It was an honeſt Falſhood, meant to prove
ZAPHIRA's unſtain'd Virtue.
ZAPHIRA.
Why—but OTHMAN—
OTHMAN affirm'd that my poor Son was dead:
And I have heard, the Murderer is come,
In triumph o'cr his dear and innocent Blood.
SELIM.
I am that Murderer.—Beneath this Guiſe
I ſpread th' abortive Tale of SELIM's Death,
And haply won the Tyrant's Confidence.
Hence gain'd Acceſs: And from thy SELIM tell thee,
SELIM yet lives; and honours all thy Virtues.
ZAPHIRA.
O generous Youth, who art thou?—From what Clime
[46] Comes ſuch exalted Virtue, as dares give
A Pauſe to Griefs like mine!—As dares approach,
And prop the Ruin tott'ring on its Base,
Which ſelfiſh Caution ſhuns!—Oh, ſay—who art thou?
SELIM.
A friendleſs Youth, ſelf-baniſh'd with thy Son;
Long his Companion in Diſtreſs and Danger:
One who rever'd thy Worth in proſp'rous Days:
And more reveres thy Virtue in Diſtreſs.
ZAPHIRA.
O tell me truly then—mock not my Woes,
But tell me truly,—does my SELIM live?
SELIM.
He does, by Heav'n!
ZAPHIRA.
And does he ſtill remember
His Father's Wrongs, and mine!
SELIM.
He bade me tell thee,
That in his Heart indelibly are ſtamp'd
His Father's Wrongs, and Thine: That he but waits
'Till awful Juſtice may unſheath her Sword,
And Luſt and Murder tremble at her Frown!
'That till th' Arrival of that happy Hour,
Deep in his Soul the hidden Fire ſhall glow,
And his Breaſt labour with the great Revenge!
ZAPHIRA.
Eternal Bleſſings crown my virtuous Son!
I feel my Heart revive! Here, Peace once more
Begins to dawn.
SELIM.
Much honor'd Queen, farewel.
ZAPHIRA.
Not yet,—not yet;—indulge a Mother's Love!
In thee, the kind Companion of his Griefs,
Methinks I ſee my SELIM ſtand before me.
Depart not yet. A thouſand fond Requeſts
[47] Croud on my Mind. Wiſhes, and Pray'rs and Tears,
Are all I have to give. O bear him theſe!
SELIM.
Take Comfort then; for know thy Son, o'erjoy'd
To reſcue thee, wou'd bleed at ev'ry Vein!—
Bid her, he ſaid, yet hope we may be bleſt!
Bid her remember that the Ways of Heav'n,
Tho' dark, are juſt: That oft' ſome Guardian Pow'r
Attends unſeen, to ſave the innocent!
But if high Heav'n decrees our Fall,—O bid her
Firmly to wait the Stroke; prepar'd alike
To live or die! and then he wept, as I do.
ZAPHIRA.
O righteous Heav'n! Thou haſt at length o'erpay'd
My bitt'reſt Pangs; if my dear SELIM lives,
And lives for me!—hear my departing Pray'r!
[Kneels.
O ſpare my Son!—Protect his tender Years!
Be thou his Guide through Dangers and Diſtreſs!
Soften the Rigours of his cruel Exile,
And lead him to his Throne!—when I am gone,
Bleſs thou his peaceful Reign! Oh, early bleſs him
With the ſweet Pledges of connubial Love;
That he may win his Virtue's juſt Reward,
And taſte the Raptures which a Parent's Heart
Reaps from a Child like him! Not for myſelf,—
But my dear Son,—accept my parting Tears!
[Exit ZAPHIRA.
SELIM.
Now, ſwelling Heart,
Indulge the Luxury of Grief! Flow Tears!
And rain down Tranſport in the Shape of Sorrow!
Yes, I have ſooth'd her Woes; have found her Noble:
And to have giv'n this Reſpite to her Pangs,
O'erpays all Pain and Peril!—Pow'rful Virtue!
How infinite thy Joys, when ev'n thy Griefs
Are pleaſing!—Thou, ſuperior to the Frowns
[48] Of Fate, can'ſt pour thy Sunſhine o'er the Soul,
And brighten Woe to Rapture!
Enter OTHMAN and SADI.
Honor'd Friends!
How goes the Night?
SADI.
'Tis well nigh Midnight.
OTHMAN.
What—in Tears, my Prince?
SELIM.
But Tears of Joy: For I have ſeen ZAPHIRA,
And pour'd the Balm of Peace into her Breaſt:
Think not theſe Tears unnerve me, valiant Friends:
They have but harmoniz'd my Soul; and wak'd
All that is Man within me, to diſdain
Peril, or Death.—What Tydings from the City?
SADI.
All, all is ready. Our confed'rate Friends
Burn with Impatience, till the Hour arrive.
SELIM.
What is the Signal of th' appointed Hour?
SADI.
The Midnight Watch gives Signal of our Meeting:
And when the ſecond Watch of Night is rung,
The work of Death begins.
SELIM.
Speed, ſpeed ye Minutes!
Now let the riſing Whirlwind ſhake ALGIERS,
And Juſtice guide the ſtorm! Scarce two Hours hence.—
SADI.
Scarce more than one.
SELIM.
But as ye love my Life,
Let your Zeal haſten on the great Event:
The Tyrant's Daughter found, and knew me here;
And half ſuſpects the Cauſe.
OTHMAN.
[49]Too daring Prince,
Retire with us! Her Fears will ſure betray thee!
SELIM.
What? leave my helpleſs Mother, here, a Prey
To Cruelty and Luſt?—I'll periſh firſt:
This very Night the Tyrant threatens Violence:
I'll watch his Steps: I'll haunt him thro' the Palace:
And, ſhou'd he meditate a Deed ſo vile,
I'll hover o'er him like an unſeen Peſtilence,
And blaſt him in his Guilt!
SADI.
Intrepid Prince!
Worthy of Empire!—Yet accept my Life,
My worthleſs Life: Do thou retire with OTHMAN;
I will protect ZAPHIRA.
SELIM.
Think'ſt thou, SADI,
That when the trying Hour of Peril comes,
SELIM will ſhrink into a common Man!
Worthleſs were he to rule, who dares not claim
Pre-eminence in Danger. Urge no more.
Here ſhall my Station be: And if I fall,
O Friends, let me have Vengeance!—Tell me now,
Where is the Tyrant?
OTHMAN.
Revelling at the Banquet.
SELIM.
'Tis good.—Now tell me, how our Pow'rs are deſtin'd?
SADI.
Near ev'ry Port, a ſecret Band is poſted:
By theſe the watchful Centinels muſt periſh:
The reſt is eaſy: For the glutted Troops
Lie drown'd in Sleep; the Dagger's cheapeſt Prey.
ALMANZOR, with his Friends, will circle round
The Avenues of the Palace. OTHMAN and I
Will lead our brave Confederates (all ſworn
[50] To conquer or to die) and burſt the Gates
Of this foul Den. Then tremble BARBAROSSA!
SELIM.
Oh, how the near Approach of this great Hour
Fires all my Soul! But, valiant Friends, I charge you,
Reſerve the Murd'rer to my juſt Revenge;
My Poignard claims his Blood.
OTHMAN.
Forgive me, Prince!
Forgive my Doubts!—Think—ſhou'd the fair IRENE—
SELIM.
Thy Doubts are vain. I wou'd not ſpare the Tyrant,
Tho' the ſweet Maid lay weeping at my Feet!
Nay, ſhou'd he fall by any Hand but mine;
By Heav'n, I'd think my honor'd Father's Blood
Scarce half reveng'd! My Love indeed is ſtrong!
But Love ſhall yield to Juſtice!
SADI.
Gallant Prince!
Bravely reſolv'd!
SELIM.
But is the City quiet?
SADI.
All, all is huſh'd. Throughout the empty Streets,
Nor Voice, nor Sound. As if th' Inhabitants,
Like the preſaging Herds that ſeek the Covert
Ere the loud Thunder rowls, had inly felt
And ſhun'd th' impending Uproar.
OTHMAN.
There is a ſolemn Horror in the Night too,
That pleaſes me: A general Pauſe thro' Nature:
The Winds are huſh'd—
SADI.
And as I paſs'd the Beach,
The lazy Billow ſcarce cou'd laſh the Shore:
Nor Star peeps thro' the Firmament of Heav'n—
SELIM.
[51]And lo—where Eaſtward, o'er the ſullen Wave,
The waining Moon, depriv'd of half her Orb,
Riſes in Blood: Her Beam, well-nigh extinct,
Faintly contents with Darkneſs—
[Bell tolls.
Hark!—what meant
That tolling Bell?
OTHMAN.
It rings the Midnight Watch.
SADI.
This was the Signal—
Come, OTHMAN, we are call'd: The paſſing Minutes
Chide our Delay: Brave OTHMAN, let us hence.
SELIM.
One laſt Embrace!—nor doubt, but crown'd with Glory,
We ſoon ſhall meet again. But oh, remember
Amid' Tumult's Rage, remember Mercy!
Stain not a righteous Cauſe with guiltleſs Blood!
Warn our brave Friends, that we unſheath the Sword,
Not to deſtroy, but ſave! Nor let blind Zeal,
Or wanton Cruelty, e'er turn its Edge
On Age or Innocence! Or bid us ſtab,
Where the moſt pitying Angel in the Skies
That now looks on us from his bleſt Abode,
Wou'd wiſh that we ſhou'd ſpare.
OTHMAN.
So may we proſper,
As Mercy ſhall direct us!
SELIM.
Farewel, Friends!
SADI.
Intrepid Prince, Farewel!
[Ex. OTH. and SADI.
SELIM.
Now Sleep and Silence
Brood o'er the City.—The devoted Centinel
Now takes his lonely ſtand; and idly dreams,
Of that to-morrow, which ſhall never come!
[52] In this dread Interval, O buſy Thought,
From outward Things deſcend into thyſelf!
Search deep my Heart! Bring with thee awful Conſcience▪
And firm reſolve! That in th' approaching Hour
Of Blood and Horror, I may ſtand unmov'd,
Nor fear to ſtrike where Juſtice calls, nor dare
To ſtrike where ſhe forbids!—Why bear I then
This dark, inſidious Dagger?—'Tis the Badge
Of vile Aſſaſſins; of the Coward Hand
That dares not meet its Foe!—Deteſted Thought!
Yet,—as foul Luſt and Murder, tho' on Thrones
Triumphant, ſtill retain their hell-born Quality;
So Juſtice, groaning beneath countleſs Wrongs,
Quits not her ſpotleſs and celeſtial Nature;
But in th' unhallow'd Murderer's Diſguiſe,
Can ſanctify this Steel!
Then be it ſo:—Witneſs, ye Pow'rs of Heav'n,
That not from you, but from the Murd'rer's Eye,
I wrap myſelf in Night!—To you I ſtand
Reveal'd in Noon-tide Day!—Oh, cou'd I arm
My Hand with War! Then like to you, array'd
In Storm and Fire, my ſwift-avenging Thunder
Shou'd blaſt this Tyrant. But ſince Fate denies
That Privilege, I'll ſieze on what it gives:
Like the deep-cavern'd Earthquake, burſt beneath him,
And whelm his Throne, his Empire, and himſelf,
In one prodigious Ruin!
ACT IV.
[53]Enter IRENE and ALADIN.
IRENE.
BUT didſt thou tell him, ALADIN, my Fears
Brook no Delay?
ALADIN.
I did.
IRENE.
Why comes he not!
Oh, what a dreadful Dream!—'Twas ſurely more
Than troubled Fancy: Never was my SouI
Shook with ſuch hideous Phantoms!—Still he lingers!
Return, return: and tell him that his Daughter
Dies, till ſhe warn him of his threatning Ruin!
ALADIN.
Behold, he comes.
[Exit ALADIN.
Enter BARBAROSSA.
BARBAROSSA.
Thou bane of all my Joys!
Some gloomy Planet ſurely rul'd thy Birth!
Ev'n now thy ill-tim'd Fear ſuſpends the Banquet,
And damps the feſtal Hour.
IRENE.
Forgive my Fear!
BARBAROSSA.
What Fear, what Phantom hath poſſeſs'd thy Brain?
IRENE.
Oh guard thee from the Terrors of this Night.
For Terror lurks unſeen.
BARBAROSSA.
[54]What Terror? ſpeak.
Wou'dſt thou unman me into female Weakneſs?—
Say, what thou dread'ſt, and why? I have a Soul
To meet the blackeſt Dangers undiſmay'd.
IRENE.
Let not my Father check with ſtern Rebuke
The warning Voice of Nature. For ev'n now,
Retir'd to Reſt, ſoon as I clos'd mine Eyes,
A horrid Viſion roſe—Methought I ſaw
Young SELIM riſing from the ſilent Tomb:
Mangled and Bloody was his Coarſe: his Hair
Clotted with Gore; his glaring Eyes on Fire!
Dreadful he ſhook a Dagger in his Hand.
By ſome myſterious Pow'r he roſe in Air.
When lo,—at his Command, this yawning Roof
Was cleft in Twain, and gave the Phantom Entrance!
Swift he deſcended with terrific Brow,
Ruſh'd on my guardleſs Father at the Banquet,
And plung'd his furious Dagger in thy Breaſt!
BARBAROSSA.
Wou'dſt thou appal me by a brain-ſick Viſion?
Get thee to Reſt.—Sleep but as ſound till Morn,
As SELIM in his Grave ſhall ſleep for ever,
And then no haggard Dreams ſhall ride thy Fancy!
IRENE.
Yet hear me, deareſt Father!
BARBAROSSA.
To the Couch!
Provoke me not.—
IRENE.
What ſhall I ſay, to move him!
Merciful Heav'n, inſtruct me what to do!
Enter ALADIN.
BARBAROSSA.
What mean thy Looks?—why doſt thou gaze ſo wildly?
ALADIN.
[55]I haſted to inform thee, that ev'n now,
Rounding the Watch, I met the brave ABDALLA,
Breathleſs with Tydings of a Rumour dark,
Which runs throughout the City, that young SELIM
Is yet alive—
BARBAROSSA.
May Plagues conſume the Tongue
That broach'd the Falſhood!—'Tis not poſſible—
What did he tell thee further?
ALADIN.
More he ſaid not:
Save only, that the ſpreading Rumour wak'd
A Spirit of Revolt.
IRENE.
O gracious Father!—
BARBAROSSA.
The Rumour lies.—And, yet, your Coward Fears
Infect me!—What!—ſhall I be terrify'd
By midnight Viſions?—Can the troubled Brain
Of Sleep out-ſtretch the Reaſon's waking Eye?
I'll not believe it.
ALADIN.
But this gath'ring Rumour—
Think but on that, my Lord!
BARBAROSSA.
Infernal Darkneſs
Swallow the Slave that rais'd it!—Yet, I'll do
What Caution dictates.—Hark thee. ALADIN—
Slave, hear my Will.—See that the Watch be doubled—
Seek out this ſtrange Achmet; and forthwith
Let him be brought before me.
IRENE.
O my Father!
I do conjure thee, as thou lov'ſt thy Life,
Retire, and truſt thee to thy faithful Guards—
See not this Achmet!
BARBAROSSA.
[56]Not ſee him?—Death and Torment!—
Think'ſt thou, I fear a ſingle Arm that's mortal?
Not ſee him?—Forthwith bring the Slave before me.—
If he prove falſe,—if hated SELIM live,
I'll heap ſuch Vengeance on him—
IRENE.
Mercy! Mercy!
BARBAROSSA.
Mercy,—To whom?
IRENE.
To me:—and to thyſelf:
To him—to all—Thou think'ſt I rave; yet true
My Viſions are, as ever Prophet utter'd,
When Heavn inſpires his Tongue!
BARBAROSSA.
Ne'er did the Moon-ſtruck Madman rave with Dreams
More wild than thine!—Get thee to reſt; e'er yet
Thy Folly wake my Rage.—Call ACHMET hither.
IRENE.
Thus proſtrate on my Knees!—O ſee him not.
SELIM is dead:—Indeed the Rumour lies!—
There is no Danger near:—Or, if there be,
ACHMET is innocent!
BARBAROSSA.
Off, frantic Wretch!
This Ideot-Dream hath turn'd her Brain to Madneſs!
Hence—to thy Chamber, till returning Reaſon
Hath calm'd this Tempeſt.—On thy Duty hence!
IRENE.
Yet hear the Voice of Caution!—Cruel Fate!
What have I done!—Heav'n ſhield my deareſt Father!
Heav'n ſhield the innocent!—Undone IRENE!
Whate'er th' Event, thy Doom is Miſery.
[Exit IRENE.
BARBAROSSA.
Her Words are wrapt in Darkneſs.—ALADIN,
Forthwith ſend ACHMET hither.—Mark him well.—
[57] His Countenance and Geſture.—Then with ſpeed,
Double the Centinels.
[Exit ALADIN.
Infernal Guilt!
How doſt thou riſe in ev'ry hideous Shape,
Of Rage and Doubt, Suſpicion and Deſpair,
To rend my Soul! more wretched far than they,
Made wretched by my Crimes!—Why did I not
Repent, while yet my Crimes were delible!
Ere they had ſtruck their Colours thro' my Soul,
As black as Night or Hell!—'Tis now too late!—
Hence then, ye vain Repinings!—Take me all,
Unfeeling Guilt! O baniſh, if thou canſt,
This fell Remorſe, and ev'ry fruitleſs Fear!
Be this my Glory,—to be great in Evil!
To combat my own Heart, and, ſcorning Conſcience,
Riſe to exalted Crimes!
Enter SELIM.
Come hither, Slave:—
Hear me, and tremble:—Art thou what thou ſeem'ſt?
SELIM.
Ha!—
BARBAROSSA.
Do'ſt thou pauſe?—By Hell, the Slave's confounded!
SELIM.
That BARBAROSSA ſhou'd ſuſpect my Truth!
BARBAROSSA.
Take heed! For by the hov'ring Pow'rs of Vengeance,
If I do find thee treach'rous, I will doom thee
To Death and Torment, ſuch as human Thought
Ne'er yet conceiv'd! Thou com'ſt beneath the Guiſe
Of SELIM's Murderer.—Now tell me:—Is not
That SELIM yet alive?
SELIM.
SELIM alive!
BARBAROSSA.
Perdition on thee! Doſt thou echo me!
Anſwer me quick, or Die!
[Draws his Dagger.
SELIM.
[58]Yes, freely ſtrike.—
Already haſt thou giv'n the fatal Wound,
And pierc'd my Heart with thy unkind Suſpicion!
Oh, cou'd my Dagger find a Tongue, to tell
How deep it drank his Blood!—But ſince thy Doubt
Thus wrongs my Zeal,—Behold my Breaſt—ſtrike here—
For bold is Innocence.
BARBAROSSA.
I ſcorn the Taſk.
[Puts up his Dagger.
Time ſhall decide thy Doom.—Guards, mark me well.
See that ye watch the Motions of this Slave:
And if he meditates t'eſcape your Eye,
Let your good Sabres cleave him to the Chine.
SELIM.
I yield me to thy Will, and when thou know'ſt
That SELIM lives, or ſeeſt his hated Face,
Then wreak thy Vengeance on me.
BARBAROSSA.
Bear him hence.—
Yet, on your Lives, await me within Call.—
I will have deeper Inquiſition made:
Haply ſome Witneſs may confront the Slave,
And drag to Light his Falſhood.
[Exeunt SELIM and Guards.
Call ZAPHIRA.
[Exit a SLAVE.
If SELIM lives—then what is BARBAROSSA?
My Throne's a Bubble, that but floats in Air,
Till Marriage-Rites declare ZAPHIRA mine.—
Fool that I am! To wait the weak Effects
Of ſlow Perſuaſion: when unbounded Pow'r
Can give me all I wiſh!—Slave, hear my Will,—
Fly,—bid the Prieſt prepare the Marriage-Rites.
Let Incenſe riſe to Heav'n; and choral Songs
Attend ZAPHIRA to the nuptial Bed.
[Exit SLAVE.
I will not brook Delay.—By Love and Vengeance,
This Hour decides her Fate!
[59]Enter ZAPHIRA.
Well, haughty Fair.—
Hath Reaſon yet ſubdu'd thee? Wilt thou hear
The Voice of Love?
ZAPHIRA.
Why doſt thou vainly urge me?
Thou know'ſt my fix'd Reſolve.
BARBAROSSA.
Can aught but Phrenzy
Ruſh on Perdition?
ZAPHIRA.
Therefore ſhall no Pow'r
E'er make me thine.
BARBAROSSA.
Nay, ſport not with my Rage:
Tho' yon ſuſpected Slave affirms him dead;
Yet Rumour whiſpers, that young SELIM lives.
ZAPHIRA.
Cou'd I but think him ſo! my earneſt Pray'r
Shou'd riſe to Heav'n, to keep him far from thec!
BARBAROSSA.
Therefore, leſt Treach'ry undermine my Pow'r,
Know, that thy final Hour of Choice is come!
ZAPHIRA.
I have no Choice.—Think'ſt thou I e'er will wed
The Murderer of my Lord?
BARBAROSSA.
Take heed, raſh Queen!
Tell me thy laſt Reſolve.
ZAPHIRA.
Then hear me, Heav'n!
Hear all ye Pow'rs that watch o'er Innocence!
Angels of Light! And thou, dear honor'd Shade
Of my departed Lord! attend, while her [...]
I ratify with Vows my laſt Reſolve!
If e'er I wed this Tyrant Murderer,
If I pollute me with this horrid Union,
[60] Black as Adultery or damned Inceſt,
May ye, the Miniſters of Heav'n, depart,
Nor ſhed your Influence on the guilty Scene!—
May Horror blacken all our Days and Nights!
May Diſcord light the Nuptial Torch! And riſing
From Hell, may ſwarming Fiends in Triumph howl
Around th' accurſed Bed!
BARBAROSSA.
Begone, Remorſe!—
Guards do your Office: Drag her to the Altar.
Heed not her Tears or Cries.—What?—dare ye doubt?
Inſtant obey my Bidding;—or, by Hell,
Torment and Death ſhall overtake you all!
[Guards go to ſeize ZAPHIRA.
ZAPHIRA.
O ſpare me!—Heav'n protect me!—O my Son,
Wert thou but here, to ſave thy helpleſs Mother!—
What ſhall I do!—Undone, undone ZAPHIRA!
Enter SELIM.
SELIM.
Who call'd on ACHMET?—Did not BARBAROSSA
Require me here?
BARBAROSSA.
Officious Slave, retire!
I call'd thee not.
ZAPHIRA.
O kind and gen'rous Stranger, lend thy Aid!
O reſcue me from theſe impending Horrors!
Heav'n will reward thy Pity!
BARBAROSSA.
Drag her hence!
SELIM.
Pity her Woes, O mighty BARBAROSSA!
BARBAROSSA.
Rouze not my Vengeance, Slave!
SELIM.
Oh, hear me, hear me!
[Kneels.
BARBAROSSA.
[61]Curſe on thy forward Zeal!—
SELIM.
Yet, yet have Mercy.
[Lays hold of BARBAROSSA's Garment.
BARBAROSSA.
Preſuming Slave, begone!
[Strikes SELIM.
SELIM.
Nay, then,—die Tyrant.
[Riſes, and aims to ſtab BARBAROSSA.
BARBAROSSA wreſts his Dagger from him.
BARBAROSSA.
Ah, Traitor, have I caught thee.—Hold—forbear—
[To Guards who offer to kill SELIM.
Kill him not yet.—I will have greater Vengeance.—
Perfidious Wretch, who art thou?—Bring the Rack:
Let that extort the Secrets of his Heart.
SELIM.
Thy impious Threats are loſt! I know that Death
And Torments are my Doom.—Yet, ere I die,
I'll ſtrike thy Soul with Horror.—Off, vile Habit!—
Let me emerge from this dark Cloud that hides me,
And make my Setting glorious!—If thou dar'ſt,
Now view me!—Hear me, Tyrant!—while with Voice
More dreadful than of Thunder, I proclaim,
That he who aim'd the Dagger at thy Heart,
Is SELIM!
ZAPHIRA.
O Heav'n! my Son! my Son!
[She faints.
SELIM.
Unhappy Mother!
[Runs to embrace her.
BARBAROSSA.
Tear them aſunder.
[Guards ſeparate them.
SELIM.
Barb'rous, barb'rous Ruffians!
BARBAROSSA.
Slaves, ſeize the Traitor.
[They offer to ſeize him.
SELIM.
[62]Off, ye vile Slaves! I am your King!—Retire,
And tremble at my Frowns! That is the Traitor;
That is the Murd'rer, Tyrant, Raviſher: Seize him,
And do your Country Right!
BARBAROSSA.
Ah, Coward Dogs!
Start ye at Words!—or ſeize him, or by Hell,
This Dagger ends you all.
[They ſeize him.
SELIM.
'Tis done!—Doſt thou revive, unhappy Queen!
Now arm thy Soul with Patience!
ZAPHIRA.
My dear Son!—
Do I then live, once more to ſee my SELIM!—
But Oh—to ſee thee thus!—
[Weeping.
SELIM.
Canſt thou behold
Her ſpeechleſs Agonies, and not relent!
BARBAROSSA.
At length Revenge is mine!—Slaves, force her hence!
This Hour ſhall crown my Love.
ZAPHIRA.
O Mercy, Mercy!
SELIM.
Lo! BARBAROSSA! thou at length haſt conquer'd!
Behold a hapleſs Prince, o'erwhelm'd with Woes,
[Kneels.
Proſtrate before thy Feet!—Not for myſelf
I plead!—Yes, plunge the Dagger in my Breaſt!
Tear, tear me piecemeal! But, O ſpare ZAPHIRA!—
Yet, yet relent! force not her Matron Honour!
Reproach not Heav'n!—
BARBAROSSA.
Have I then bent thy Pride?
Why, this is Conqueſt ev'n beyond my Hope!—
Lie there, thou Slave! lie, till ZAPHIRA's Cries
Arouze thee from thy Poſture!
SELIM.
Doſt thou inſult my Griefs?—unmanly Wretch!—
[63] Curſe on the Fear that cou'd betray my Limbs,
[Riſing.
My Coward Limbs, to this diſhoneſt Poſture!
Long have I ſcorn'd, I now defy thy Pow'r.
BARBAROSSA.
I'll put thy boaſted Virtue to the Trial.—
Slaves, bear him to the Rack.
ZAPHIRA.
O ſpare my Son!
Sure filial Virtue never was a Crime!
Save but my Son!—I yield me to thy Wiſh!—
What do I ſay!—The Marriage Vow—O Horror!
This Hour ſhall make me thine!—
SELIM.
What! doom thyſelf
The guilty Partner of a Murderer's Bed,
Whoſe Hands yet reek with thy dear Huſband's Blood!—
To be the Mother of deſtructive Tyrants,
The Curſes of Mankind!—By Heav'n, I ſwear,
The guilty Hour that gives thee to the Arms
Of that deteſted Murderer, ſhall end
This hated Life!—
BARBAROSSA.
Or yield thee, or he dies!—
ZAPHIRA.
The Conflict's paſt.—I will reſume my Greatneſs:
We'll bravely die, as we have liv'd, with Honour!
[Embracing.
SELIM.
Now, Tyrant, pour thy fierceſt Fury on us:—
Now ſee, deſpairing Guilt! that Virtue ſtill
Shall conquer, tho' in Ruin.
BARBAROSSA.
Drag them hence:
Her to the Altar:—SELIM to his Fate.
ZAPHIRA.
O SELIM! O my Son!—Thy Doom is Death!
Wou'd it were mine!
SELIM.
[64]Wou'd I cou'd give it thee!
Is there no Means to ſave her! Lend, ye Guards,
Ye Miniſters of Death, in Pity lend
Your Swords, or ſome kind Weapon of Deſtruction!—
Sure the moſt mournful Boon, that ever Son
Aſk'd for the beſt of Mothers!
ZAPHIRA.
Deareſt SELIM!
BARBAROSSA.
I'll hear no more.—Guards, bear them to their Fate.
[Guards ſeize them.
SELIM.
One laſt Embrace!
Farewel! Farewel for ever!
[Guards ſtruggle with them.
ZAPHIRA.
One Moment yet!—Pity a Mother's Pangs!—
O SELIM!
SELIM.
O my Mother!
[Exeunt SELIM and ZAPHIRA.
BARBAROSSA.
My deareſt Hopes are blaſted!—What is Pow'r;
If ſtubborn Virtue thus out-ſoar its Flight!
Yet he ſhall die.—and ſhe—
Enter ALADIN.
ALADIN.
Heav'n guard my Lord!
BARBAROSSA.
What mean'ſt thou, ALADIN?
ALADIN.
A Slave arrived,
Says that young SELIM lives: Nay, ſomewhere lurks
Within theſe Walls.
BARBAROSSA.
The lurking Traitor's found,
Convicted, and diſarm'd.—Ev'n now he aim'd
This Dagger at my Heart.
ALADIN.
[65]Audacious Traitor!
The Slave ſays further, that he brings thee Tydings
Of dark Conſpiracy, now hov'ring o'er us:
And claims thy private Ear.
BARBAROSSA.
Of dark Conſpiracy?
Where?—Among whom?
ALADIN.
The ſecret Friends of SELIM,
Who nightly haunt the City.
BARBAROSSA.
Curſe the Traitors!
Now ſpeed thee ALADIN.—Send forth our Spies:
Explore their Haunts. For, by th' infernal Pow'rs,
I will let looſe my Rage.—The furious Lion
Now foams indignant, ſcorning Tears and Cries.
Let SELIM forthwith die.—Come, mighty Vengeance!
Stir me to Cruelty! The Rack ſhall groan
With new-born Horrors!—I will iſſue forth,
Like Midnight-Peſtilence! My Breath ſhall ſtrew
The Streets with Dead; and Havock ſtalk in Gore.
Hence, Pity!—Feed the milky Thought of Babes:
Mine is of bloodier Hue.
ACT V.
[66]Enter BARBAROSSA and ALADIN.
BARBAROSSA.
IS the Watch doubled? Are the Gates ſecur'd
Againſt Surprize?
ALADIN.
They are, and mock th' Attempt
Of Force or Treachery.
BARBAROSSA.
This whiſper'd Rumour
Of dark Conſpiracy, on further Inqueſt,
Seems but a falſe Alarm. Our Spies, ſent out,
And now return'd from Search, affirm that Sleep
Has wrap'd the City.
ALADIN.
But while SELIM lives,
Deſtruction lurks within the Palace Walls;
Nor Bars, nor Centinels can give us Safety.
BARBAROSSA.
Right, ALADIN. His Hour of Fate approaches.—
How goes the Night?
ALADIN.
The ſecond Watch is near.
BARBAROSSA.
'Tis well:—Whene'er it rings the Traitor dies.
So hath my Will ordain'd.—I'll ſeize th' Occaſion,
While I may fairly plead my Life's Defence.
ALADIN.
True: For he aim'd his Dagger at thy Heart.
BARBAROSSA.
He did. Hence Juſtice, uncompell'd, ſhall ſeem
To lend her Sword, and do Ambition's Work.
ALADIN.
[67]His bold Reſolves have ſteel'd ZAPHIRA's Breaſt
Againſt thy Love: Thence he deſerves to die.
BARBAROSSA.
And Death's his Doom.—Yet, firſt the Rack ſhall rend
Each Secret from his Heart; unleſs he give
ZAPHIRA to my Arms, by Marriage-Vows,
With full Conſent; ere yet the ſecond Watch
Toll for his Death.—Curſe on this Woman's Weakneſs!
I yet wou'd win her Love! Haſte, ſeek out OTHMAN:
Go, tell him, that Deſtruction and the Sword
Hang o'er young SELIM's Head, if ſwift Compliance
Plead not his Pardon.
[Exit. ALADIN.
Stubborn Fortitude!
Had he not interpos'd, Succeſs had crown'd
My Love, now hopeleſs.—Then let Vengeance ſeize him.
Enter IRENE.
IRENE.
Now hear me!
IRENE.
[68]Might Pity plead!
BARBAROSSA.
What!—plead for Treachery?
IRENE.
Yet Pity might beſtow a milder Name.
Woud'ſt thou not love the Child, whoſe Fortitude
Shou'd hazard Life for thee?—Oh, think on that:—
The noble Mind hates not a virtuous Foe:
His gen'rous Purpoſe was to ſave a Mother!
BARBAROSSA.
Damn'd was his Purpoſe: And accurſt art Thou,
Whoſe Perfidy wou'd ſave the dark Aſſaſſin,
Who ſought thy Father's Life!—Hence, from my Sight.
IRENE.
Oh, never, till thy Mercy ſpare my SELIM!
BARBAROSSA.
Thy SELIM?—Thine?
IRENE.
Thou know'ſt—by Gratitude
He's mine.—Had not his generous Hand redeem'd me,
What then had been IRENE?
BARBAROSSA.
Faithleſs Wretch!
Unhappy Father! whoſe perfidious Child
Leagues with his deadlieſt Foe; and guides the Dagger
Ev'n to his Heart!—Perdition catch thy Falſhood!
And is it thus, a thankleſs Child repays me,
For all the Guilt in which I plung'd my Soul,
To raiſe her to a Throne!
IRENE.
O ſpare theſe Words,
More keen than Daggers to my bleeding Heart!
Let me not live ſuſpected!—Deareſt Father!—
Behold my Breaſt! write thy Suſpicions here:
Write them in Blood; But ſpare the gen'rous Youth,
Who ſav'd me from Diſhonour!
BARBAROSSA.
[69]By the Pow'rs
Of great Revenge: thy fond Intreaties ſeal
His inſtant Death.—In him, I'll puniſh thee.—
Away!
IRENE.
Yet hear me! Ere my tortur'd Soul
Ruſh on ſome Deed of Horror!
BARBAROSSA.
Seize her, Guards.—
Convey the frantic Ideot from my Preſence:
See that ſhe do no Violence on herſelf.
IRENE.
O SELIM!—generous Youth!—how have my Fears
Betray'd thee to Deſtruction!—Slaves, unhand me!—
Think ye, I'll live to bear theſe Pangs of Grief,
Theſe Horrors that oppreſs my tortur'd Soul?—
Inhuman Father!—Generous, injur'd Youth!—
Methinks I ſee thee ſtretch'd upon the Rack,
Hear thy expiring Groans!—O Horror! Horror!
What ſhall I do to ſave him!—Vain, alas!
Vain are my Tears and Pray'rs!—At leaſt, I'll die.
Death ſhall unite us yet!
[Exit IRENE and Guards.
BARBAROSSA.
O Torment, Torment!
Ev'n in the midſt of Pow'r!—the vileſt Slave
More happy far than I!—The very Child,
Whom my Love cheriſh'd from her infant Years,
Conſpires to blaſt my Peace!—O falſe Ambition,
Thou lying Phantom! whither haſt thou lur'd me!
Ev'n to this giddy Height; where now I ſtand,
Forſaken, comfortleſs! with not a Friend
In whom my Soul can truſt!
Enter ALADIN.
Haſt thou ſeen OTHMAN?
He will not, ſure, conſpire againſt my Peace.
ALADIN.
[70]He's fled my Lord. I dread ſome lurking Ruin.
The Centinel on Watch ſays, that he paſs'd
The Gate, ſince Midnight, with an unknown Friend:
And as they paſs'd, OTHMAN in Whiſpers ſaid,
"Now farewel, bloody Tyrant."
BARBAROSSA.
Slave, thou ly'ſt.
He did not dare to ſay it. Or, if he did,
Pernicious Slave, why doſt thou wound my Ear
By the foul Repitition?—Gracious Pow'rs,
Let me be calm!—O my diſtracted Soul!—
How am I rent in Pieces!—OTHMAN fled!—
Why then may all Hell's Curſes follow him!—
What's to be done? Some Miſchief lurks unſeen.
ALADIN.
Prevent it then—
BARBAROSSA.
By SELIM's inſtant Death—
ALADIN▪
Ay, doubtleſs.
BARBAROSSA.
Is the Rack prepar'd?
ALADIN.
'Tis ready.
Along the Ground he lies, o'erwhelm'd with Chains.
The Miniſters of Death ſtand round; and wait
Thy laſt Command.
BARBAROSSA.
Once more I'll try to bend
His ſtubborn Soul.—Conduct me forthwith to him:
And if he now diſdain my profer'd Kindneſs,
Deſtruction ſwallows him!
[Exeunt.
SELIM diſcover'd in Chains, Executioners, Officer, &c. and Rack.
SELIM.
I pray you, Friends,
When I am dead, let not Indignity
[71] Inſult theſe poor Remains. See them interr'd
Cloſe by my Father's Tomb! I aſk no more.
OFFICER.
They ſhall.
SELIM.
How goes the Night?
OFFICER.
Thy Hour of Fate,
The ſecond Watch is near.
SELIM.
Let it come on;
I am prepar'd.
Enter BARBAROSSA.
BARBAROSSA.
So—raiſe him from the Ground.—
[They raiſe him.
Perfidious Boy! Behold the juſt Rewards
Of Guilt and Treachery!—Didſt thou not give
Thy forfeit Life, whene'er I ſhould behold
SELIM's deteſted Face?
SELIM.
Then take it, Tyrant.
BARBAROSSA.
Didſt thou not aim thy Dagger at my Heart?
SELIM.
I did.
BARBAROSSA.
Yet Heav'n defeated thy Intent;
And ſav'd me from the Dagger.
SELIM.
'Tis not ours,
To queſtion Heav'n. Th' Intent and not the Deed
Is in our Pow'r: and therefore who dares greatly,
Does greatly.
BARBAROSSA.
Yet bethink thee, ſtubborn Boy,
What Horrors now ſurround thee—
SELIM.
[72]Think'ſt thou, Tyrant,
I came ſo ill prepar'd?—Thy Rage is weak,
Thy Torments pow'rleſs o'er the ſteady Mind:
He who cou'd bravely dare, can bravely ſuffer.
BARBAROSSA.
Yet, lo, I come, by Pity led, to ſpare thee.
Relent, and ſave ZAPHIRA!—For the Bell
Ev'n now expects the Centinel, to toll
The Signal of thy Death.
SELIM.
Let Guilt like thine
Tremble at Death: I ſcorn his darkeſt Frown.
Hence, Tyrant, nor prophane my dying Hour!
BARBAROSSA.
Then take thy Wiſh.
[Bell tolls.
There goes the fatal Knell.
Thy Fate is ſeal'd.—Not all thy Mother's Tears,
Nor Pray'rs, nor Eloquence of Grief, ſhall ſave thee,
From inſtant Death. Yet ere th' Aſſaſſin die,
Let Torment wring each Secret from his Heart.
The Traitor OTHMAN's fled;—Conſpiracy
Lurks in the Womb of Night, and threatens Ruin.
Spare not the Rack, nor ceaſe, till it extort
The lurking Treaſon; and this Murd'rer call
On Death, to end his Woes.
[Exit BARBAROSSA.
SELIM.
Come on then.
[They bind him.
Begin the Work of Death.—what! bound with Cords,
Like a vile Criminal!—O, valiant Friends,
When will ye give me Vengeance!
Enter IRENE.
IRENE.
Stop, O ſtop!
Hold your accurſed Hands!—On me, on me,
Pour all your Torments!—How ſhall I approach thee!
SELIM.
[73]Theſe are thy Father's Gifts!—Yet thou art guiltleſs:
Then let me take thee to my Heart, thou beſt
Moſt amiable of Women!
IRENE.
Rather curſe me,
As the Betrayer of thy Virtue!
SELIM.
Ah!
IRENE.
'Twas I—my Fears, my frantic Fears betray'd thee!
Thus falling at thy Feet! may I but hope
For Pardon ere I die!
SELIM.
Hence, to thy Father!
IRENE.
Never, O never!—Crawling in the Duſt,
I'll claſp thy Feet, and bathe them with my Tears!
Tread me to Earth! I never will complain;
But my laſt Breath ſhall bleſs thee!
SELIM.
Lov'd IRENE!
What hath my Fury done?
IRENE.
Indeed, 'twas hard!
But I was born to Sorrow!
SELIM.
Melt me not.
I cannot bear thy Tears;—They quite unman me!
Forgive the Tranſports of my Rage!
IRENE.
Alas!
The Guilt is mine:—Canſt thou forgive thoſe Fears
That firſt awak'd Suſpicion in my Father!
Thoſe Fears that have undone thee!—Heav'n is witneſs,
They meant not Ill to thee!
SELIM.
[74]None; none, IRENE!
No; 'twas the generous Voice of filial Love:
That, only, prompted thee to ſave a Father.
Yes; from my inmoſt Soul I do approve
That Virtue which deſtroys me.
IRENE.
Canſt thou, then,
Forgive and pity me?
SELIM.
I do,—I do.
IRENE.
On my Knees,
Thus let me thank thee, generous, injur'd Prince!—
Oh Earth and Heav'n! That ſuch unequal'd Worth
Shou'd meet ſo hard a Fate!—That I—That I—
Whom his Love reſcu'd from the Depth of Woe,
Shou'd be th' accurſt Deſtroyer!—Strike, in Pity;
And end this hated Life!
SELIM.
Ceaſe, dear IRENE.
Submit to Heav'n's high Will.—I charge thee live;
And to thy utmoſt Pow'r, protect from Wrong
My helpleſs, friendleſs, Mother!
IRENE.
With my Life
I'll ſhield her from each Wrong.—That Hope alone
Can tempt me to prolong a Life of Woe!
SELIM.
O my ungovern'd Rage!—To frown on Thee!
Thus let me expiate the cruel Wrong,
[Embracing.
And mingle Rapture with the Pains of Death!
OFFICER.
No more.—Prepare the Rack.
IRENE.
Stand off, ye Fiends!
Here will I cling. No Pow'r on Earth ſhall part us.
Till I have ſav'd my SELIM!
[A Noiſe.
OFFICER.
[75]Hark! what Noiſe
Strikes on mine Ear?
[A Noiſe.
SELIM.
Again!
ALADIN.
[Without.
Arm, arm!—Treach'ry and Murder!
[Executioners go to ſeize SELIM.
SELIM.
Off Slaves!—Or I will turn my Chains to Arms,
And daſh you Piece-meal!—For I have heard a Sound,
Which lifts my tow'ring Soul to ATLAS' Height,
That I cou'd prop the Skies.
ALADIN.
Where is the King?
The Foe pours in: The Palace Gates are burſt:
The Centinels are murder'd! Save the King!
They ſeek him thro' the Palace!
OFFICER.
Death and Ruin!
Follow me, Slaves, and ſave him.
[Ex. OFFICER and EXECUTIONER.
SELIM.
Now, bloody Tyrant! Now, thy Hour is come!
IRENE.
What means yon mad'ning Tumult?—O my Fears!—
SELIM.
Vengeance at length hath pierc'd theſe guilty Walls,
And walks her deadly Round!
IRENE.
Whom doſt thou mean? my Father?
SELIM.
Yes: Thy Father;
Who murder'd mine!
IRENE.
Is there no room for Mercy?
O SELIM! by our Love!—
SELIM.
[76]Thy Tears are vain!
Vain were thy Eloquence, tho' thou didſt plead
With an Archangel's Tongue!
IRENE.
Spare but his Life!
SELIM.
Heav'n knows I pity thee. But he muſt bleed;
Tho' my own Life-Blood, nay, tho' thine, more dear,
Shou'd iſſue at the Wound!
IRENE.
Muſt he then die?
Let me but ſee my Father, ere he periſh!
Let me but pay my parting Duty to him!—
[Claſh of Swords.
Hark!—'twas the Claſh of Swords! Heav'n ſave my Father!
O cruel, cruel SELIM!
[Exit IRENE.
SELIM.
Curſe on this ſervile Chain, that binds me faſt,
In pow'rleſs Ignominy; while my Sword
Shou'd hunt its Prey, and cleave the Tyrant down!
OTHMAN.
[Without.
Where is the Prince!
SELIM.
Here, OTHMAN, bound to Earth!—
Set me but free!—O curſed, curſed Chain!
Enter OTHMAN and Party, who free SELIM.
OTHMAN.
O my brave Prince!—Heav'n favours our Deſign.
[Embraces him.
Take that:—I need not bid thee uſe it nobly.
[Giving him a Sword.
SELIM.
Now, BARBAROSSA, let my Arm meet thine:
'Tis all I aſk of Heav'n!
[Exit SELIM.
OTHMAN.
Guard ye the Prince—
[Part go out.
Purſue his Steps.—Now this Way let us turn,
And ſeek the Tyrant.
[Exeunt OTHMAN, &c.
[77]SCENE changes to the open Palace.
Enter BARBAROSSA.
BARBAROSSA.
Empire is loſt, and Life: Yet brave Revenge
Shall cloſe my Life in Glory.
Enter OTHMAN.
Have I found thee,
Diſſembling Traitor?—Die!—
OTHMAN.
Long hath my Wiſh,
Pent in my ſtruggling Breaſt, been robb'd of Utterance.
Now Valour ſcorns the Maſk.—I dare thee, Tyrant!
And arm'd with Juſtice, thus wou'd meet thy Rage,
Tho' thy red right Hand graſp'd the pointed Thunder!
Now, Heav'n decide between us!
[They fight.
BARBAROSSA.
Coward!
OTHMAN.
Tyrant!
BARBAROSSA.
Traitor!
OTHMAN.
Infernal Fiend, thy Words are fraught with Falſe⯑hood,
To combat Crimes like Thine, by Force or Wiles,
Is equal Glory.
[BARBAROSSA falls.
BARBAROSSA.
I faint! I die!—O Horror!
Enter SELIM and SADI.
SELIM.
The Foe gives Way: Sure this Way went the Storm.
Where is the Tyger fled?—What do I ſee?
SADI.
ALGIERS is free!
OTHMAN.
This Sabre did the Deed!
SELIM.
[78]I envy thee the Blow!—Yet Valour ſcorns
To wound the fallen.—But if Life remain,
I will ſpeak Daggers to his guilty Soul!—
Hoa! BARBAROSSA! Tyrant! Murderer!
'Tis SELIM, SELIM calls thee!
BARBAROSSA.
Off, ye Fiends!
Torment me not!—O, SELIM, art thou there!—
Swallow me Earth! Bury me deep, ye Mountains!
Accurſed be the Day that gave me Birth!
Oh, that I had never wrong'd thee!
SELIM.
Doſt thou then
Repent thee of thy Crimes!—He does! He does!
He graſps my Hand! See the repentant Tear
Starts from his Eye!—Doſt thou indeed repent?—
Why then I do forgive thee: From my Soul
I freely do forgive thee!—And if Crimes,
Abhorr'd as thine, dare plead to Heav'n for Mercy,—
May Heav'n have Mercy on thee!
BARBAROSSA.
Gen'rous SELIM!
Too good,—I have a Daughter! Oh, protect her!—
Let not my Crimes!—
[Dies.
OTHMAN.
There fled the guilty Soul!
SELIM.
Haſte to the City,—ſtop the Rage of Slaughter.
Tell my brave People, that ALGIERS is free;
And Tyranny no more.
[Exeunt SLAVES.
SADI.
And, to confirm
The glorious Tydings, ſoon as Morning ſhines,
Be his dead Carcaſe dragg'd throughout the City,
A Spectacle of Horror!
SELIM.
Curb thy Zeal.
Let us be Brave, not Cruel: Nor diſgrace
[79] Valour, by barb'rous and inhuman Deeds.
Black was his Guilt: and he hath paid his Life,
The Forfeit of his Crimes. Then ſheath the Sword:
Let Vengeance die,—Juſtice is ſatisfy'd!
Enter ZAPHIRA.
ZAPHIRA.
What mean theſe Horrors!—whereſoe'er I turn
My trembling Steps, I find ſome dying Wretch,
Welt'ring in Gore!—And doſt thou live, my SELIM!
SELIM.
Lo, there he lies!
ZAPHIRA.
The bloody Tyrant ſlain!
O righteous Heav'n!
SELIM.
Behold thy valiant Friends,
Whoſe Faith and Courage have o'erwhelm'd the Pow'r
Of BARBAROSSA. Here, once more, thy Virtues
Shall dignify the Throne and bleſs thy People.
ZAPHIRA.
Juſt are thy Ways, O Heav'n!—Vain Terrors hence;
Once more ZAPHIRA'S bleſt!—My virtuous Son,
How ſhall I e'er requite thy boundleſs Love!
Thus let me ſnatch thee to my longing Arms,
And on thy Boſom weep my Griefs away!
SELIM.
O happy Hour!—happy, beyond the Flight
Ev'n of my ardent Hope!—Look down, bleſt Shade,
From the bright Realms of Bliſs!—Behold thy Queen
Unſpotted, unſeduc'd, unmov'd in Virtue.
Behold the Tyrant proſtrate at my Feet!
And to the Mem'ry of thy bleeding Wrongs,
Accept this Sacrifice!
ZAPHIRA.
My generous SELIM!
SELIM.
Where is IRENE?
SADI.
[80]With Looks of Wildneſs, and diſtracted Mien,
She ſought her Father where the Tumult rag'd:
She paſs'd me, while the Coward ALADIN
Fled from my Sword: and as I cleft him down,
She fainted at the Sight.
OTHMAN.
But ſtraight recover'd,
ZAMOR, our truſty Friend, at my Command,
Convey'd the weeping fair one to her Chamber.
SELIM.
Thanks to thy generous Care:—Come, let us ſeek
Th' afflicted Maid.
ZAPHIRA.
Her Virtues might attone
For her Father's Guilt!—Thy Throne be hers:
She merits all thy Love.
SELIM.
Then haſte, and find her.—o'er her Father's Crimes
Pity ſhall draw her Veil; nay, half abſolve them,
When ſhe beholds the Virtues of his Child!—
Now let us thank th' eternal Pow'r: convinc'd,
That Heav'n but tries our Virtue by Affliction:
That oft' the Cloud which wraps the preſent Hour,
Serves but to brighten all our future Days!
FINIS.