University of Virginia Library

SCENE EIGHTH.

MAHOMET, CAMPESTRAN (in Chains).
MAHOMET.
Art thou Campestran?

CAMPESTRAN
(proudly).
I am.

MAHOMET.
Better it would become thy Prophet's Minister
To preach of peace, than, clad in priestly vestments,
The torch of Discord waving in thy hand,
Thus to run madding, wild, from clime to clime,
Leading enthusiasts to certain death;
Battening our vultures with thy pious fools.
Attend to heavenly cares; leave arms, and war,
To Monarchs and to Heroes. Priest! I want
A peaceful service from thee; reward awaits thee,
If thou succeed.

CAMPESTRAN.
With Infidels I hold
No fellowship. From me expect no service.

MAHOMET.
Thou art my Slave.

CAMPESTRAN.
The prisoner of thy arms,
I know I am.

MAHOMET.
Thy life is in my hands.

CAMPESTRAN.
Take it; a Christian warrior fears not death;
Nor looks for noble treatment from base Mahomet.

MAHOMET.
And dost thou know me, yet insult my power?

CAMPESTRAN.
Thy power, thou lawless Ravager! and Thee,
My soul regards, as Heaven's afflicting scourge.
Gaunt famine, pestilence, and spotted plague,
And curs'd, imperial Plunderers, like thyself,
Are but its instruments of wrath, to visit
Bad men's impiety. Heaven's end obtain'd,
Then are your waves of desolation stay'd;
Ye shall not pass the bounds of its behests.
Thy crimes accomplish'd, yet thou shalt not triumph.
The partner, in thy ruffian treachery,
Has paid the forfeit of His two-fold guilt;
Zilugo's sword has punish'd Cilley's treason;
He dies, first victim to the injur'd Princess.
Restore her then, and thus avert thy punishment.

MAHOMET.

CAMPESTRAN.
No: it forbids all murder.

MAHOMET.
Instruct thy Princess better, in her duty;
She dares uplift her hand against her life.
Rail forth thy Law to her. For if she die
By her own hand, thou shalt expire in torments.
(Mahomet goes to the door of the inner Tent, which is opened at his approach; the Princess seen sitting on a sofa, weeping.)
Princess! thy warrior Dervis is my slave;
Here, I allow thee to hold converse with him.

(Campestran goes towards the inner Tent, the Princess, seeing him, comes forward, the dagger in her hand.)