 | Osman |  |
SCENE V.
Apartment in the Seraglio.KIOSEM
sola.
To what End serve myself corroding Cares?
Whilst Osman gains th'Affection of the Court,
The Populace, and ev'ry Order—Amurath,
My Son, neglected, dreams away his Life,
Or immaturely falls—for fall he must,
E'er Osman's Head can hold his Crown secure:
Then what if I by subtile Stratagem,
To save my Amurath, bring Death on Osman;
The Janizaries, cover'd with Disgrace,
Resent his Treatment in the late Campaign—
I'll fix my Spies, observe their ev'ry Action,
Sow Discord by Degrees, fill them with Terror,
And raise 'twixt him and them such Jealousy,
As from the slightest Rumour may be blown,
36
Then this new Mistress stings me to the Soul;
Her Temper may drive Osman to Extremities.—
Mirza's my own; I mould her pliant Nature;
But should this Favourite, this Aphendina
Prevail against her, I'm reduc'd indeed—
If Amurath reigns, the Pow'r is lodg'd with me:
If Osman—Perish th'abject, dastard Thought!
Better meet Death, attempting Sov'reignty,
Than linger Life in absolute Subjection:
For Life's no Life for me, devoid of Power.
[Enter Bassa of Bosnia
O! ever welcome, dearest Friend, Bassa!
Your Presence dissipates my Cares—A Spirit
So adequate as yours to great Designs,
May raise your Princess 'bove the Frowns of Fate.
BASSA.
Madam, you may command—
KIOSEM.
Attend me, Bassa!
[Exeunt.
| Osman | |