University of Virginia Library

Scena Secunda.

Enter Baiazet, takes Asmehemides by the hand, a Courtier belonging to Mahometes.
Baia.
Leaue vs; Wee would be priuate with our friend,
'Tis thou must doo't sweet Asmehemides,
Mahomates and thou are two neere friends;
He will suspect in others close deceit,
Thee, for thy generous vertues he will stand
With obuious embracements to receiue
Into his bosome; whither when thou art
Wound in, be sure to strike him through the heart.
I am offended, 'tis just piety
To sacrifice his body at the shrine
Of my displeasure, doe it, I am thine.

Asmehem.
Were he as deare to mee, as the halfe part
Of mine owne bodie, as the breath I draw;
I'de doe this charge: wee mortalls must obey
When Gods command, and Emperors are they.

Exit
Baia.
So willing to be damn'd? had I adjoyn'd
Some vertuous office, surely he would then
Haue said, that good deedes are not deedes of men.
But let them goe; Mahometes must dye,
And for my other boy fierce Selymus
The boysterous hand of warre must snatch him hence,
My other sonne Corcutus liues immur'd
Within Minerua's cloister, thus I cleare,
A path through which Achomates shall runne
Vp to my throne when all their hopes are done.

Exit