University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Night. Prison—A clouded moon; Otho seen gazing upon it in an attitude of profound contemplation. Clank of fetters heard as he unfolds his arms and stretches his hands towards the skies. No light in the prison.
(Enter Keeper and Selim unobserved.)
Otho.
Farewell! farewell!

Selim.
(Faintly)
Stranger!

Otho.
Who speaks?

Selim.
Selim, my Lord. (To the keeper)
Guard the door—
I've seen the prince.

Otho.
The prince!

Selim.
No mercy—

Otho.
Mercy!— (Advancing)
—Who talks to me of mercy—here!—
See you these chains?— (shakes them)
—hear you their iron clank?
Who bade thee cry to Irman? Who has dared
To ask that boy for mercy?—and for me!
Did I restore thee to thy home for that?
Who sent thee, boy?

Selim.
My heart—

Otho.
Thy heart!—no, no—thou art mistaken, boy;
It was a wish to burden mine— (going to the window)


Selim.
O, no!—'twas gratitude—

Otho.
(Turning suddenly)
Aye—so it was!—'twas boyish gratitude;
This augurs well—thou hast a noble heart;
It could not beat in freedom while in debt.

Selim.
(Faintly)
I do not merit this rebuke, my Lord.

Otho.
Boy!—boy! I love thee for it. 'Twas no sneer.—
There never heaved a noble bosom yet,
But felt itself in slavery—and the worst!
When gratitude oppressed it. He who gives,
Gives chains;—and he who takes, receives those chains,
They ne'er again are equals here on earth.
But leave me—I forgive thee, for thy prayers.
Farewell, for aye!—
May'st thou be happy, boy,
And live in slavery!—'tis a boisterous world—
And greatness, like the tempest—must be pinioned:
Or it will bear destruction in its path,
And shake the thrones of earth!

(Turns to the window.)
Selim.
(Attempting to touch his hand)
Farewell! farewell!

Otho.
(Extending his hand in emotion, which Selim catches to his lips)
Yes, boy,—farewell!—I would not now rebuke
One heart on earth, that loved me, tho', like thine
It crushed my own with kindness.

(Selim retires slowly in tears.)
Selim.
(Without turning)
Farewell!

Otho.
Selim!

Selim.
My Lord!

Otho.
Would'st thou atone for this?

Selim.
(Eagerly)
How my lord!

Otho.
Bear that signet to the princess Ala—

Selim.
The princess Ala!

Otho.
Aye,—if thou hast courage—to the princess!
To her alone—and that, this very night,
Though thou should'st seek her in her bridal chamber.

Selim.
But—my Lord—

Otho.
Selim—give me the ring—

Selim.
No, no—it shall be done—this night—

Otho.
This is her nuptial night!—

Selim.
It is, my Lord—

Otho.
Begone!
(Exit Selim.)
(Otho, solus.)
Can it be possible!
Am I the boy
That gave such glorious promise in his summer?
The hope of princes and of multitudes!
Fearless and generous as the lion's whelp:
Abandoned to my fate!—By men I've trained—
By earth, and heaven!
A savage outlaw—here!
Ye, who have made me thus—my father! mother!
My destiny on you—on you, abide!
My deeds are yours—and ye must answer them!
For I was made for honourable war;
And overflowed with gratitude to heaven
My heart was full of princely dreams and hopes;
The tilting ground, my course,—the mountain chase
My pastime;—and the trumpet's rending voice;
All the consuming minstrelsy of war!
Were mine!—and all my heart and soul were theirs!
Young knights were my companions; and I rode
As proud a barb;—a plume that blazed as high—
As bright a harness—and a blade as red—
As any of my youthful comrades—but—
[OMITTED]
—Oh, God!—I was a bastard
[OMITTED]
My father!—mother!—Ye, who have produced me!
I would not curse ye—but—my bursting heart—
Ye, in your wantonness have damned your child!
[OMITTED]
My father!—mother!—I arraign ye both!
Would I could wake ye from your dreadful sleep!
Would I might join ye at the Eternal's bar!—
I will!—Oh, come!—appear! appear!—
Oh, no, no, no!
I must be humble first—must be resigned;
Must bless the foot that tramples me in earth—
Away! away!—I know ye all—away!
I'll to my couch and dream.

(Exit to an inner apartment.)