 | The Sultaness |  |
SCENE II.
Atalida, Zara, Acomat.Acom.
Once more the Lovers are agreed: A Calm
Succeeds this Storm, and all our Fears are vanish'd:
The Sultaness, disarm'd of all her Rage,
Prepares to shew the wond'ring Populace
The Standard of our Holy Mahomet,
Which Bajazet must bear; while I stand forth,
And tell our Mussulmen why this dread Signal
Is now produc'd; and fill their Minds with Terrors:
It will prepare this Change.—The unthinking Crowd
Are govern'd only by their Ears and Eyes.—
Succeeds this Storm, and all our Fears are vanish'd:
The Sultaness, disarm'd of all her Rage,
Prepares to shew the wond'ring Populace
The Standard of our Holy Mahomet,
Which Bajazet must bear; while I stand forth,
And tell our Mussulmen why this dread Signal
Is now produc'd; and fill their Minds with Terrors:
25
Are govern'd only by their Ears and Eyes.—
—Yet, Madam, now permit me to renew
The Memory of what my Zeal was promis'd.
Expect not from a Soldier, worn in Arms,
Those soft Endearments with which beardless Boys
Move our green Virgins Hearts;—No, Royal Maid,
If this firm Breast has ever been employ'd
In Cares for you, worthy my Age and Honour,
If a long Vassalage; if constant Services,
Such as all owe to your immortal Name,
May speak.—
The Memory of what my Zeal was promis'd.
Expect not from a Soldier, worn in Arms,
Those soft Endearments with which beardless Boys
Move our green Virgins Hearts;—No, Royal Maid,
If this firm Breast has ever been employ'd
In Cares for you, worthy my Age and Honour,
If a long Vassalage; if constant Services,
Such as all owe to your immortal Name,
May speak.—
Ata.
You shall have Time to count your Merits,
—Well then, you say these Lovers are transported?
Acom.
You know what Pleasures fill the ravish'd Minds
Of two fond Hearts, charm'd with each others Beauty.
Ata.
Yes!—but I was at first surpriz'd to hear
This unexpected Change; this sudden Turn.
He will espouse her then?
Acom.
So I believe.
I left th'unhappy Couple, as I thought,
Complaining, cross'd, fall'n out with Love and Fortune;
Strait I retir'd, and in a Brigantine
Resolv'd to save my self and my few Friends;
When just as we embarq'd, a Slave recall'd me,
And brought me back with Joy to the Seraglio
There I beheld the blushing Lovesick Queen,
Attending to her youthful Hero's Words,
Her Ears and Eyes were lost in Bajazet;
With Extasy she heard him plead his Pardon.
The silent Court gaz'd awful on the Prince,
While he declar'd his Love:—Within that Circle
Immovable I waited on her Looks,
When she with Eyes, that show'd her ravish'd Heart,
Gave him her Hand, the Pledge of future Faith,
Which he receiv'd.—
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Alas!—My tortur'd Soul!
This was too much.—
[Aside.]
Acom.
When now they both perceiv'd me,
Vizier, said she, behold your Prince and mine;
Brave Acomat, receive him as your Lord.
Go; Let th'Imperial Honours be prepar'd,
The joyful People wait to attend their Sovereign,
Beneath the sacred Banner to the Temple.
Vizier, said she, behold your Prince and mine;
Brave Acomat, receive him as your Lord.
Go; Let th'Imperial Honours be prepar'd,
The joyful People wait to attend their Sovereign,
Beneath the sacred Banner to the Temple.
Prostrate I fell before his Godlike Presence,
And kiss'd his Robe;—Then, as my Duty prompted,
I flew to bring you this transporting News.
My Duty, Madam, will excuse my haste;
I must await our new-created Sultan,
And six th'Imperial Turbant on his Brow.
And kiss'd his Robe;—Then, as my Duty prompted,
I flew to bring you this transporting News.
My Duty, Madam, will excuse my haste;
I must await our new-created Sultan,
And six th'Imperial Turbant on his Brow.
| The Sultaness | |