 | The Sultaness |  |
11
SCENE IV.
Atalida and Zara.Ata.
Zara, 'Tis done, Atalida is lost.
Zara.
Yet think,—
Ata.
Alas, my Ruin lies before me:
And now my only Hope is my Despair.
Zara.
But recollect.
Ata.
Didst thou not hear Roxana?
How hard the Terms on which his Life depends!
She says the Prince shall perish or espouse her.
If he submits to wed her, (Killing Thought!)
How can I bear his Loss? Shou'd he refuse,
He dyes—Alas, how can I bear his Death?
Zara.
My Princess, you must still employ your Art
To feed Roxana's Passion with false Hopes.
Ata.
The Queen till now rely'd upon my Faith;
Contented by my Eyes to see the Prince,
And hear him by my Speech—Oh Zara! Friend!
I am to blame (tho' Love and Bajazet
Shou'd both excuse me) to betray Roxana.
Zara.
Think on your Rival's Power, and act with Caution.
Ata.
My Rival!—Heaven! What has the Tyrant's Power
To do in Love? Are not our Souls united?
Before this fatal Passion seiz'd Roxana,
I lov'd the Prince; his Wishes all were mine.
In early Infancy our Loves began,
And like Sepulchral Lamps, the sacred Flame
Has burnt in secret, clos'd within our Breasts,
'Tis true, I join'd with her in all her Cares
To save his Life: When she no sooner saw
The Godlike Man (as who unmov'd can see him)
But all her Pride was soften'd into Love.
Surpriz'd, he bow'd, and thank'd her for Regards
Unmerited, unsought; cou'd he do less?
But she, deluded by her eager Passion,
Mistook his Courtesy, and call'd it Love.
To do in Love? Are not our Souls united?
Before this fatal Passion seiz'd Roxana,
I lov'd the Prince; his Wishes all were mine.
In early Infancy our Loves began,
And like Sepulchral Lamps, the sacred Flame
Has burnt in secret, clos'd within our Breasts,
'Tis true, I join'd with her in all her Cares
To save his Life: When she no sooner saw
The Godlike Man (as who unmov'd can see him)
But all her Pride was soften'd into Love.
Surpriz'd, he bow'd, and thank'd her for Regards
12
But she, deluded by her eager Passion,
Mistook his Courtesy, and call'd it Love.
Me, she confided in; and plac'd me near him,
To breathe her Sighs, and warm his languid Heart.
Alass! my Fear to loose him will destroy him!
My lavish Tongue has prais'd him to our Ruin.
To breathe her Sighs, and warm his languid Heart.
Alass! my Fear to loose him will destroy him!
My lavish Tongue has prais'd him to our Ruin.
Zara.
Yet Bajazet, possess'd of Life and Empire,
May find a Time—
Ata.
I must avow my Weakness:
A thousand Jealousies disturb my Rest:
My Rival courts him with a Train of Honours;
Opposes Empire to my feeble Charms;
And tempts his Youth with all the Pomp of Glory.
—My only Bribes—are Sighs, and silent Tears.
Yet, Zara, 'twill be nobler to controul
These Sighs and Tears, and join to crown my Hero.
—It shall be so;—I'll counterfeit no more;
I'll plead his Cause in earnest. But Roxana
Will soon be undeceiv'd: That gallant Prince
Knows not to feign—Her disappointed Heart
Will ravage all, and turn to Hatred, Murther:
—Ah! whither will this wild Disorder drive me?
He must not die—Can'st thou deserve, fond Maid,
That he shou'd perish for thee?—
Zara.
—Oh! Conceal
These Tears, these jealous Pangs. They'll shew your Love.
Roxana's Interview with Bajazet
Will settle all your Doubts. Look up to Heav'n:
The Virtues of your Prince will still protect him.
Ata.
Oh! thou, who do'st thy righteous Justice prove
On Crimes of Falshood; if the Frauds of Love
Merit thy Wrath, yet soften the Decree;
Save him, and aim the vengeful Bolt at me.
| The Sultaness | |