 | The Sultaness |  |
8
SCENE II.
Acomat, Osmyn, Roxana, Atalida, Zatima and Zara.Acomat
to Roxana.
Truth does at last accord with publick Fame:
Osmyn has seen the Sultan and his Army.
Proud Amurat, dissatisfy'd and cruel,
Has lost the Soldiers Hearts; they loudly call
For Bajazet to Reign. The Persian Armies
Are on their March, the Battles soon must join.
Perhaps ev'n now, on Babylon's wide Plain,
The mingling Squadrons bleed. Let us declare
For Bajazet, and save our sinking Nation.
The People idolize his very Name;
They know his Virtue is his only Crime:
I have inflam'd their giddy Minds with Rumours,
That Amurat disdains this antient City,
And will remove his Presence and his Throne
Far from Bysantium. Now, Roxana, now,
Produce the Sultan's Bloody Orders. Haste,
Show to the Peoples longing Eyes a Prince,
Whose Godlike Form intitles him to Empire.
Rox.
'Tis well! I will perform what I have promis'd
Brave Acomat, assemble all your Friends;
And let me know their final Resolutions.
I'll see the Prince once more. I know not yet,
But he disdains that Empire which I offer:
For his cold Heart seems not to court my Bounty.
Go, and return with Speed.
| The Sultaness | |