University of Virginia Library

SCENE X.

The Court before the Seraglio.
Osman, Vizier, Aphendina, Ussain, talking at an open Window. Enter Janizaries, calling aloud for the Vizier and Treasurer.
OSMAN.
Ho! what's the Meaning of this Insolence?

[From the Window.
ALY AGA.
Send us the Head of Dilaver Vizier,

OSMAN.
Your Arrogance will claim the Sultan's next.

ALY.
Descend, and answer for our Injuries.

OSMAN.
Arm, arm, my Friends; I'll make a Sally on 'em:
Their Menaces are worse to me than Death.

APHENDINA.
My Lord! my Lord! expose not that dear Life,
They may be pacify'd; be calm, my Osman;
The Uproar is so loud, they cannot hear you:
Sign but a Writing with your Hand, my Lord,
Assuring them the Journey's laid aside,
And of your friendly Disposition to 'em,
They'll be entreated, and return to Duty.

OSMAN.
My dearest Princess! I had sooner died,
[Writes and throws it.
Than any other had extorted this.
I know their Perfidy, this won't content 'em,
This Shew of Fear, but heightens their Demand.

VIZIER.
Great Sir! the Hazard of your sacred Person,
May be prevented by exposing mine;
I cannot wish to die a nobler Victim:
These dang'rous Tumults scarce subside again,
But by the Sacrifice of a Vizier.
Then what am I, to have a Wish for Safety?

OSMAN.
Thou art a worthy Man, nor fear'st to die.
[Embracing.
Myself am honest—and I fear as little:
A gallant Man disdains to die by Proxy;
No, if their Aim is Blood, let it be mine.

VIZIER.
At least deposing me, make Ussain Vizier;
Let him descend, and try his Art to gain 'em.

OSMAN.
If this you would advise me, be it so.

USSAIN.
I shall not dread t'expose my Life to serve you.
[Ussain descends.
Most noble Aly! deign to hear my Message;
His Highness has depos'd Dilaver Vizier;
The Seal's committed to my Care: Your Injuries
In open Conference shall be discuss'd.
[Enter Kiosem's two Eunuchs.
Choose of your Chiefs, twelve Deputies To-morrow—
Charg'd with Demands—Myself will give them Audience,
And settle all Things to our mut'al Interests.

ALY.
What we demand, my Lord, is antient Freedom,
A due Regard t'our venerable Order,
And that his Highness will forego his Journey.

USSAIN.
Aly! We shan't be long adjusting this;
It is his Highness's Pleasure so to be.

ALY.
Then we'll withdraw, and nominate our Proxies.

[Kiosem's Eunuchs to the Janizaries, aside.
First EUNUCH.
What! will your Leader leave you in the Toil?

SECOND.
Is it for this your Force hath been collected?

FIRST.
Can any Man believe but you're undone?

SECOND.
They wait but Time to bring th'Arabians on you,
And other African and Asian Troops.

FIRST.
You can't conceive, their Hearts inclin'd to Peace.

SECOND.
You shall be seconded by noble Hands.

FIRST.
Depose this Osman, this projecting Sultan;
We've Blood enough, as yet, of Ottoman.

SECOND.
To indicate this is the Sense above;
Here, take these Gifts, in Token of their Favour,
[Distributes Money.
It shall be Ten-fold, when the Work is done.

ALY.
File off—a Treaty is agreed upon.

[Janizaries Cabal.
First JANIZARY.
With whom?

SECOND.
For what?

THIRD.
We choose you not our Judge,
But temporary Leader.—

FOURTH.
We'll retire.
When what conven'd us here, is executed.

[Break in.
FIRST.
Here's the Disturber of the Empire's Peace.

SECOND.
We'll have his Head.

[Find Dilaver, and kill him.
THIRD.
This is another of 'em.

[Kill Kisler Aga.
FOURTH.
Destroy 'em all, let not a Man escape.

FIFTH.
March with their Heads in Triumph to our Friends;
The Night approaching, let's return To-morrow.

SIXTH.
Now, Aly, lead us off, we'll follow you,
And place young Amurath upon the Throne.

ALY.
He that commands a Multitude's their Tool,
And must be subject, if he means to rule.