University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Sultana Queen's Apartments.
Mirza and two Odalisks.
MIRZA.
You urge in vain, Osman is not to blame;
A softer Creature Nature never form'd:
What tho' my Woes sit heavily upon me,
Can she prevent them? it was Osman's Will:
She prides not over me, but sooths my Grief
With ev'ry friendly Art, which not prevailing,
Commixes Tears with mine in mere Compassion.

First ODALISK.
A very Crocodile! fie on your Weakness:
No doubt, she laughs in private at your Woe;
Sly, crafty Authoress of your Undoing;
Quit her, and follow Kiosem's Advice.

MIRZA.
I cannot contradict my Sense so grosly:
In plain, I love her; nay, I could adore her;
But Osman interposes to my Mind—
O Love! O Friendship! cruel—tender Names!
Whence have you Pow'r to rack the human Frame,
And torture't thus with agonizing Pain!
Anger—Revenge—those Monsters of the Mind,
Are petty Tyrants, when compar'd with you.
Unhappy Mirza! can't forget her Osman,
Nor hate her Rival, tho' they have undone her.
[Exit Mirza.

Second ODALISK.
Her Prejudice is fix'd beyond Remove;
How shall we mention it to Kiosem?

First ODALISK.
She's never at a Loss, or wants a Means
To bring about the most amazing Things;
We must inform her of it, or we're undone.

[Exeunt.