University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Solyman, Emira.
Solyman.
In change of place there is no change of pain.
Contending passions urging each its claim,
Tear up my bosom with intestine war.
Shall treason go unpunish'd? Shall I dip
My hands in filial blood? O fatal choice!
O cruel conflict! Have I liv'd till now
A parent—not a murderer? Must I late,
When my white age is bending to the grave,
Pollute me with that stain?—O Mustapha!
Thou hast undone my fame—
What bright unknown
Attracts my eyes, and charms away my rage.
Fancy not fairer paints those heaven-born maids,
Daughters of paradise, for ever young,
For ever blooming; who on beds of flowers,
By streams of living waters, soft repose
To crown th' immortal bliss of happy souls
With raptures unconceiv'd—She kneels! and weeps!

Emira.
O royal Solyman—

Solyman.
Say, beauteous maid,
What may this posture mean?

Emira.
Supreme of monarchs,
Renown'd for virtues, greatly good and just,
Let not a helpless stranger plead in vain!
I beg for mercy.

Solyman.
Mercy? Can thy youth,
Can charms like thine want honor? want protection?
You must not kneel.

Emira.
Unhappy Mustapha—

Solyman.
Ha! what of him?

Emira.
Is innocent, my Lord;
Is clear of every crime against a father,
Whom more than life he loves.

Solyman.
This would be scan'd.
You know him then.

Emira.
Believe these streaming eyes;
Truth is not fairer, nor is faith more loyal.
O by your just renown, by all your hopes
Of peace on earth, of paradise on high,
Be timely warn'd: revoke the dreadful doom,
That, giving him to death, will ruin you!
Will kill your sweet repose of heart for ever!

Solyman.
Amazement all!—Thy words, thy mournful action
Confound my thought. Say, speak, how is the fate
Of Mustapha thy care?

Emira.
O Solyman!
O father of th'unhappy—

Solyman.
O my soul!
What can she mean?—Go on.

Emira.
O pardon him!
Have pity on us both!—I am—his wife—

Solyman.
Confusion!—wife!

Emira.
Arm not your eye with anger.
If 'tis a crime—revenge it all on me:
And in my gushing blood—

Solyman.
Rack me no more.
Resume thy senses: tell me who thou art.

Emira.
Alas, my Lord, you tremble with your passion.
But hear me with indulgence—By the love
I bear your son; th' observant faith we both
Profess for Solyman—all may be well.
I bring the noblest dowry to his arms;
Peace to your realms, a potent monarch's friendship
On happy terms obtain'd.

Solyman.
Am I awake?
Speak, speak, and ease my soul.

Emira.
I am—

Solyman.
Well, say.

Emira.
The Sophy's daughter.

Solyman.
Ha!

Emira.
The eldest born
Of Persia—

Solyman.
Hell and horror! heard I true?
Of Persia? daughter of my mortal foe?—
At length his treasons all are come to light—
Perfidious! lying slave!

Emira.
O no, my Lord:
By him who sees the soul, he is not false.
He never knew a thought—

Solyman.
Away—he dies!
Should I and all my kingdoms perish with him.
What hoa—Conduct her to the womens' tent:
Let Roxolana keep her safe.—'Tis done.
The conflict's ended. Osman—