Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade a Tragedy |
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| 4. | SCENE FOURTH. |
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 | Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade |  |
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SCENE FOURTH.
MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, ZOGANUS.ZOGANUS
(prostrating himself).
Great Sultan!
MAHOMET
(signing to him to rise).
Instant give your tidings!
Did the Foe think the burning Fleet was theirs?
ZOGANUS.
They did, dread Sultan! and such consternation,
As their looks shew'd, I never saw before.
The Governor receiv'd your gracious message
With much dislike; though he oppos'd, the Council
Acceded to your terms: Count Cilley sway'd them.
They went, in form, to bring the Princess to us.
Long time we waited in the audience-hall.
Back came Count Cilley: passion shook his frame,
Aside he took me: “We're betray'd,” said he;
“Take your dismission peaceably, retire.—
“When your first troops have reach'd the City gate
“Halt, and expect your just revenge from me.
“Let that commend me to your Sultan's friendship.”
MAHOMET.
Dispatch—What means this many-worded mystery?
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Then came the Council, and with thanks dismiss'd us.
The Princess had just own'd herself the Wife
Of bold Corvinus.—
MAHOMET
(in a rage).
How! said'st thou his Wife?
Corvinus' Wife? This Father and this Son
Cast a more deadly shade upon my glory,
Than curs'd Al Zackum on Hell's barren plain.
ZOGANUS.
Sultan! you triumph over both—
MAHOMET
(half drawing his sabre).
Peace, Slave!
On thy life, say not I triumph! In love,
Revenge, and glory, they impede my course.
But for their swords, my conquests had outstripp'd
The victories of mighty Alexander :
Ere at his age arriv'd, the world had own'd
Me for its Lord supreme; for like young Ammon,
The world alone can bound my daring views:
But these Hungarian Chiefs arrest my speed;
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Mahomet too had come, and seen, and conquer'd;
Swifter than Fame, had she ten thousand tongues,
Could speak his deeds. The haughty Eastern Empire
In ruin lies beneath my feet: I'll reap
Like harvest in the West. Immortal Cæsar!
In thy Imperial Rome I will be crown'd :
I'll plant the Crescent, where thy Eagles soar'd,
And conquer Worlds to rule upon thy Throne.
ZOGANUS.
O, mighty Sultan! wilt thou hear thy Slave?
MAHOMET.
Yes; if thou canst but make me know I triumph
O'er these aspiring Men. Gods! that such Heroes,
Worthy to cope with Me, and cross my fortune,
Should fight for a boy King, a coward boy!—
If they be fallen, then speak; if not, away!
Away! for my chafed soul is rous'd, and thirsts
To wreak its vengeance. Speak! say! If I triumph
O'er these destructive foes? And if I do,
(Strikes his forehead)
By heaven, I grieve—There's not a Hero left,
Worthy to meet my prowess in the field,
If these be overthrown .
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Hear first my tale;
Then, Sultan! of your triumph judge.
MAHOMET.
Proceed.—
ZOGANUS.
We halted at the city gate. A man
Of noble port advanc'd. “Count Cilley sends me;
Follow.”—We did; and to a Temple, close
Bordering upon the inner rampart wall,
He led us. Kneeling, at an Altar there,
Alone, we saw a beauteous, female form.
“That,” said the stranger, “is Count Cilley's gift
“To Mahomet. That is his Niece, the Princess.”
MAHOMET
(drawing his sabre).
Is she my conquest, Slave? Else, by this sword,
Thou art but dust.
(Zoganus terrified kneels.)
ZOGANUS.
Dread Emperor! she is:
(Mahomet, with his sabre, motioning to him to rise, he rises.)
Weeping, and trembling, hither she approaches.
When our whole train had pass'd the city gate,
Corvinus fell upon our rear. I left
The skirmish to the conduct of Mesetes;
Whilst I, with your fair prize, the trenches gain'd.
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His towering helmet glittering midst our troops.
MAHOMET
(to Mustapha).
Mesetes may want aid: see to the field.
(Exit Mustapha.
Enter an Aga.
AGA
(to Zoganus).
Abdalla sends to say, the female prisoner
Waits at the outside of his Highness' guard.
MAHOMET.
Bid him conduct her to our presence instantly.
(Exit Aga.)
Thou hast thy master's thanks for this good service.
(Exit Zoganus.)
Alexander and Julius Cæsar were the models which Mahomet strove to imitate. Homer, Quintius Curtius, and Cæsar's Commentaries, were his favourite studies. He was master of all the learning of his time, and understood six or seven different languages. At this period, he was in the twenty-fifth year of his age.
| Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade | |