University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Seraglio.
Mirza and Phesalie.
MIRZA.
I've heard too much of it already, Phesalie,
My Palace, say you? rather call it my Dungeon;
My Joys are wholly center'd in the Sultan.
Where is the Love, at least the Complaisance,
He ever shew'd, when absent but a Day?
He never fail'd to visit me the first;
Now two long tedious Hours have been consum'd
In fruitless Waiting—'Twas not always thus.

PHESALIE.
My Queen, Imagination oft misleads,
Paints in so lively Colours fancied Ills,
That even Doubts are heighten'd into Truths.

MIRZA.
Call not a Doubt what's too, too evident:
He bore himself so lofty at the Camp,
He scarcely deign'd to cast an Eye toward me.

[Enter Kiosem.
KIOSEM.
I may intrude perhaps—You seem engag'd?
Can Mirza pardon my Officiousness?

MIRZA.
Kiosem, ever welcome, can't intrude;
The Niceties of Time lose all Distinction,
In Friendships so cemented as our own.

KIOSEM.
My Queen! your Goodness over-runs my Thanks;
Something of private Import may forbid;
Permit me to retire.

MIRZA.
No, Stay, my Kiosem;
Only what busy babbling Fame reports,
Furnishes hateful Matter for our Theme.

KIOSEM.
Forgive me, Mirza, if I guess the Subject:
'Tis just as I suspected; his Intent
Was only to decoy th'imperious Thing,
The lofty Aphendina to his Lure:
On her he lavishes the rich Profuse,
Vouchsafing you a Pittance of his Love.

MIRZA.
Heavens! Can I pass such Disregard unmov'd,
And tamely sink beneath this Load of Insult!

KIOSEM.
'Tis plain, he's glad the Prince your Son is dead,
T'abrogate your Pow'r with more Facility,
And raise his towering Mistress on your Ruin:
But let the giddy Creature swell with Pride,
Your Majesty's Appearance will eclipse her,
Unless, to save the Minx's Reputation,
You are forbid the Presence, or confin'd.

MIRZA.
I dread th'Event; Heav'n only knows my Fate!

KIOSEM.
And should know her's, were I Sultana Queen;
Madam, you bear your Wrongs too patiently:
Exert your Influence, he'll repent his Change:
Spread Whispers of the Sultan's bad Designs;
Her private Favours—Stir up the Odalisks
To apparent Slights; disperse your Emissaries
Among the Soldiery; leave nought untry'd,
Your Injuries demand Redress—be resolute.

MIRZA.
I'm much indebted to my Kiosem's Zeal;
Her Words revive the Languor of my Hopes:
As the firm Buttress, with benign Support,
Sustains the Glories of some Memphian Pile;
So Kiosem's Friendship stays my threatn'd Fall,
And guards her Mirza from impending Ruin.

[Exeunt.