University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

The Curtain flies up, to the sound of Flutes, and Hoboys, and discovers the River Phasis, several little gilded Boats, with Musick in them; a walk of Trees, the length of the House; Lights fixed in Chrystal Candelsticks to the Branches; several Persons in the walk, as in Attention; Homais, and Ismael, come forwards to the front; the Camp is supposed to be near the Scene.
Ism.
Well did I Prophecy, my conquering Goddess,
When first you made me Slave to all your Charms;
Joyn'd Extasie to Transport, and left me
Panting with your Beauties, that they were call'd
To better Fortune than my Arms—Not that
My Prince can more Adore than I—But
He wears Crowns, to make his Love more shining;
O, I shall turn my dazled sight away,
When I behold him Feasting on your Charms,
And burn with Envy, more than he for Love.

Hom.
Late, when he urged me on the unwelcome Theam,
If I was un-enjoy'd by the Protector,
I Swore such things as set his doubts aside;
Then seeking for what sweets my Lips cou'd give,
My eager Arms unknowing prest him close,
Forgetful of feign'd Vertue, or Ambition;
This rais'd his Longings to their utmost height,
That answering all my burning Looks with his,
And intermingling fervent Sighs and Kisses,
Not vast Imagination can define
(Tho' boundless as luxurious Woman's wishes)
Those Joys which dye upon my Breath unutterable.

Ism.
But must your first Adorer have no Favours?
Will he not be allow'd sometimes a Taste,
Some small remains of former Heavenly Bounty?
Methinks you shou'd not sure so far forget
Those Moments, Sacred to our Love and me,
When close you graspt me, at your new found Joys;
An Unbeliever till you prov'd the wonder,
And felt the mighty Extasie approach;
Then Swore, what ever Royal Lover shou'd
Succeed, you never wou'd forget the first
Discoverer.

Hom.
Nor do I, Ismael, for I'le serve your Fortunes,
But for my Heart, the Prince is there already;
Now in my Arms shou'd I receive another,
The load wou'd be unpleasing.

Ism.
I'll give you leave to fancy I am him;
For whilst I press you close, and feel your Charms,
No Circumstance can make the joy uneasie.

Hom.
Oh, did you know the difference,
Between a new born Passion, and a former,
Nothing remains, but Memory and Wonder;
Not the least warmth of kind desire or joy,
Nay scarce can we believe, or make that Faith
A Miracle, how we cou'd doat, as they reproach we did,
How Love so much, that which at present seems unlovely.

Ism.
When Time has worn the gaudy gilding off,
The Sacred Varnish that your liking gives;
He then will seem forlorn and stale as me,
An Object less for Love than Wonder.

Hom.
Impossible, he's here, for evermore,
Fixt in my Heart immovable, immortally,
The Lord of all its changes and desires,
Nor can revolving time present my Eyes
An Excellence, to tempt their Faith from him,
The greatest Excellence.

Ism.
Madam, you speak, as eager Lovers use:
Shew me but one, who tho' inconstant as
The rising winds, or flowing Seas, still
Swears not Fealty to the reigning Object,
Nay fancies he shall surely keep it too,
Tho' he has broke ten thousand Vows before;
Took new Desires, new Faith, for every Fair,
And loath'd as much as ever he had lik'd;
'Tis one great Point of Love, first to impose
Upon our own Belief, so self deceiv'd,
Are better sitted to deceive another.

Enter Acmat.
Hom.
Wave we this Argument, till time decide it;
'Tis most remote and cross to our Affairs,
That should not dally now, but execute;
For e're your Stars begin to disappear,
There must be Mischief wrought of such a hue,
As, tho' black in it self, will brighten me.

Acm.
The Means is here, wisely you have conceiv'd,
[Shews a Vial.
Whilst Bassima has Life your Throne will be
Unsetled, for tho' the Prince may wish her Death,
Her Royal Birth will scarce permit it on
Suspicion, and he wou'd cover all his
Walks with Justice; but say that he should doom
Her after, this makes but surer work.

Hom.
'Till ten is all the time we can call ours,
And there's but scanty Sand, 'till that Arrives
The Opium's force will be expir'd by then,
When he awakes, he will be seiz'd with Rage
And Jealousy, to find me absent; nay,
In the Camp too: What will he say? late, tho'
It be, he'll venture here, and much I fear,
Will seize his Right, to the Confusion of
My hopes for ever.

Acm.
Nor has the Princess Selima, as yet,
The Engine on which all our Mischief turns,
Found a propitious Hour, to tell her Wrongs;
Tho' now as I departed, your Lover stopt,
And ask'd for Princess Homais; uneasily
He cast his Eyes, in search of yours, and seems
Unentertain'd, 'till he can meet them:
Soon as your Charms appear, they'l make their Way,
And draw him farther from the Clinging Croud;
Then let your Sister lay that stamp, as sends
Your Enemies to rest, and makes you rise a Queen.

Hom.
This asks more time than Fate will now allow;
Draw near, my Lord, I would not speak too loud,
The Walks of Kings are full of Ears and Eyes,
The Princess falls my Victim to Ambition:
The Visier to revenge and disappointment,
And both are shuffled hence to make your part
Of Greatness, I wou'd not shine without you,
Could the Old Prince but keep 'em Company,
Whil'st Acmat holds the Princess Cup.
How easie 'twere to hush a sleeping Man,
And send him to his Bed of Rest for ever.

Acm.
None but your self could have so well contriv'd;
It saves a tedious, sure Expostulation,
Between Levan and him—To you the shame
And Dread of the Reproach, h'as plaid his part too long;
'Twere time he left the Stage to other Actors.

Ism.
Madam, I understand you well, but Swear
First, if I do do this (for much it shocks my Soul,
To be my self the Ruffian) Swear,
Charmer, Swear by those bright Eyes that light me
To my Ruin; thou that can'st damn the Race of
Mankind with a Look, and make 'em start to
Crimes they most detested—Swear by this Kiss,
Which steals my Vertue from me—And turns thy
Lover to a murdrous Villain—
To bless my longing Arms with their first Joys,
And let me find Reward and Heav'n in yours.

Hom.
I swear, my Love, by this repeated Kiss;
But lose no time, an Old Man has
Not Blood to spare, besides 'twould make a noise,
His Breath but stopt, will do the Work and pass
As a Lethargick Fit, to them who knew
His Sleep, but not the Cause.

Ism.
I'le use the Prince's Name for my Admittance.
When next you see me, know the Task is done,
Your Eyes shall guide the way to him;
Light in the Dark, and steel my fainting Arm:
But go my Charmer, find your Monarch out,
And set your Sisters Task—whilst I prepare for mine.

[Exit.
Hom.
He's in the Walk, and see, he draws this way,
My Sister with him too! Nay then the Ice
Is broke, and I must venture over.

Enter Levan and Selima, attended by a full Court.
Lev.
Said you, so kind to him, so cold to me;
Her Marriage an uneasie Bondage,
And my Embrace a loathsom Pennance:
This Hour I cut the Gordian Knot asunder;
Nor in my Arms will more enfold the Sorceress;
O Woman fair, only to outward show.
VVell have the Pens of Men and Angels
Been employ'd to paint your Snares!
Well, have the Saints and Fathers taught us to
Beware those Shining Evils, and as we
Love our Souls, avoid their Faithless Charms.

Hom.
You shou'd not sure, for one, condemn us all?
For there are Women, who have Truth and Constancy,
As bright and lasting as the noblest Male;
And 'tis a Miracle to my Belief,
How Princess Bassima cou'd break them both to you.

Sel.
Ay, Madam, there my Wonder meets with yours,
How she could wrong a Prince of so much Worth,
Were she not hotter than the Flames of Hell,
Or the Infernal shee's that yell below;
His Youth and Vigour might have quencht her Fever.

Hom.
But are you sure 'tis true, methinks I would
Not willingly believe our Rank held one so bad.

Sel.
These Ears and Eyes beheld and heard them both;
How after she had vomited her Black
And Infamous assurances of Hatred
To her Lord; he took the Adultress in his Arms:
The Serpent, who unhissing, sought to sting him;
And having prais'd, and kiss'd her Close, beg'd that
This Evening Walk might fix their last Resolves.

Lev.
And so it shall, but Blood must be the Cement,
I'le hear no more, reserve it for her Judges,
And plead thou then, that they may find her guilty:
My Rage is mounted to that height already,
That should I hear it once again Repeated,
Without their Aid, I should Condemn and Execute.
My Lord,
Assemble straight the Council, and say, I
Will be instantly amongst them;
[To one of the Courtiers, who goes out.
Let the Ambassador from Abca, sit
Upon the Bench, in Osman's room, he represents
Her Father's Person, and shall not say she
Fell without his Hearing.

Hom.
I've heard indeed,
The Amorous Visier, e're the Battle past,
Surpriz'd the Princess and her Court within
A Forest, e're yet the chance of War was cast,
Or fate determin'd; which to make the Vanquisht,
All know the value of a Prize like that;
The Only Daughter of our Monarch Foe;
He weigh'd it too, but with the Lover's Reason,
Which will have all things sacrific'd to Love,
And therefore only made her Heart his Prize:
In Gallantry he left her Person free,
And promis'd soon to visit her in Abca,
There to receive Reward for this important service.

Lev.
That Article alone will cost his Head:
A Royal Prisoner should not be releast,
But by a Nation's Voice, they both are doom'd;
And if there be but Justice in our Land,
He shall not live to see to Morrow's Sun.

Sel.
His Head, alas! said you, his Head, my Lord?
No, let the Curst Adultress fall—
The gaudy Bait that tempted his weak Faith,
Proud to be made the Royal Eagle's prey;
But do not take his Life, let him be banisht
From all Eyes but mine:
My Arms shall be the Chains to hold him close,
That he may never trouble you no more.

Lev.
All that my Honour will permit, I'le do,
'Till then, prepare to meet the Council:
Come Beautious Homais, this Hour is due to
Justice; all the rest of Life to love.

[Exeunt cum suis, manet Selima.]
Sel.
As her intents were ill, so be her Fate,
I must not pity one that ruines me.
But see my Traytor Husband coming here,
This then's the Meeting Place, she'll not be
Absent long, oh for the Bolts from Jupiter's
High Hand, that I might strike their Infamy,
And sink the Syren with unerring Thunder.

Enter the Visier Osman.
Osm.
The Princess Homais settled in our Court,
If not by Love undone, I shou'd by spight;
Than Womans Malice, nothing is so sure:
If we with disappointment meet their Charms,
Once treat their proffer'd Love, with Cheapness,
Or throw the melting Snow-Ball from our Hands,
'Till kindly warmth has turn'd it to a Thaw;
Their Indignation falls like hail around us,
Nor never cease the Storm, 'till Dearth ensue.
This at another time would meet my Care,
When Passion reign'd less Mistress of my Reason;
Of Honour, and of all, now careless grown,
Wounded by Love, no other Power I own;
Thus blindly to my own Destruction run,
Knowing those Ills, which yet I cannot shun,
For with Loves Power, my wretched State's undone.

Sel.
Ah Traytor, thou art Blind indeed, not to
Avoid the Person, thou like me hast injur'd.

Osm.
My dearest Selima, I saw you not.

Sel.
Trust me, I credit you in this;
But where's the Princess, Traytor?

Osm.
What Princess, Madam?

Sel.
O! proper stuff to cheat a Womans Ear,
But not a wrong'd one, steel'd like me
To both your Ruins.

Osm.
These are Riddles—What, because you
Heard me argue with my self concerning
Princess Homais, your Jealousy's reviv'd;
I tell you now, as I have often said,
That of all Womenkind, she is the last
And worst in my Esteem.

Sel.
O I see well the dark Confusion of thy Soul;
How the Blood flushes to your guilty Face,
Then sinks again, and leaves pale Fear behind.
Dost thou not Curse a Wife's Prerogative,
The hard Confinement which that Tie imposes,
Where Law and Conscience speaks against Desire?
Had I not Evidence too strong to be disprov'd,
Your self would witness most against you.

Osm.
If I betray Surprize, 'tis that and absence,
Long as mine, should not have cured Suspicion;
When by our Nuptial Vow, I swear, I have
Declin'd her Sight, because I wou'd your Jealousie.

Sel.
In this thou wrongst my Wit as well as Love:
O for the Power of Heaven, to search thy Heart,
Each guilty Corner of that faithless Breast;
I wou'd to sight of all explore thy Fraud,
Fix my avenging Hand upon thy baseness,
And make thee stand their Object, as thou'rt mine.

Osm.
One of your Woman's fits, I'le leave you to them,
When you're in better temper, I am for you,
'Till then Reason is lost, as well as Innocence.

Sel.
Take thy way, mine leads to death of Bassima;
I go to plead my Wrongs, and her Adultery,
Where if the Council find you not, doom both
To suffer largely, as your Sins, yet Heaven's
High hand, will surely search and Punish.

Osm.
I thought I heard you name her Majesty.

Sel.
Yes, Traytor; know I saw and heard thee all,
When at the Castle thou didst break my Heart,
In seeking hers, dy'd for her guilty Love,
Whilst I am lost for thine.

Osm.
Then you have heard a most unhappy Pair;
Much Innocent, and much Unfortunate;
And well can tell your self, there's nothing past
In wrong of those Embraces due to you.

Sel.
Traytor, the Treason's level'd at my Heart,
Woud'st take me in thy Arms, and wish it her:
Kiss me in Thought how much her Kiss exceeds;
Absent to Love, tho' present to your sight:
O the bare Name, wrackt me to that degree,
That I will fly, to make her Judges strike.

Osm.
Stir not, I charge you, from this fatal place,
For she is innocent as Angels are,
[Kneels on her Robe.
Free from the stain, or wish of Evil:
I, only I, am Criminal—
Wouldst thou have Vengeance, wreck it on thy Lord,
But spare, O spare her inoffending Charms,
And take thy Husband's Life.

Sel.
O Heaven, she comes! See, Gods, the guilty fair;
Come to the Adult'rous Meeting with my Lord;
My aking Senses wo'not bear the sight:
Loose me, I will be gone, unless like Lightning
I cou'd blast ye both, turn all her Beauties
To that Monstrous Hue, as shou'd
Bespeak her Fiend in Form, as well as Mind.

[Exit.
Enter the Princess Bassima attended.
Bass.
'Tis an unusual Gallantry, my Lord,
To find a Husband at his Lady's Feet:
I fain would count it as a lucky Omen,
Wou'd you but aid, as I design, we need
Not fear no ill, leave this unhappy Land,
And make the Abcan Court your own,
My Father shall receive you next his Heart,
And what his Kingdom can command, shall be
At your dispose.

Osm.
O Fate, now are thy Ministers at work,
That scatter Death, and Mischief round the Globe:
Ah Princess, Guiltless as thou art Charming,
These are not times for Vertue to succed;
See how my Eyes rain Tears, to speak your Wrongs,
My Wife, inrag'd with Jealousie, desires your Death,
And now is parted to declare in Council,
With unthought Aggravations, all the
Story of our wretched Loves.

Bass.
My Destiny was striving hard for Light,
And now it breaks upon us.

Osm.
But, Madam, there remains one means of safety,
Whilst yet the Council are in close Debate,
We'll get the start of time, and fly to Abca;
My Horses, fleet as Wind, will reach that Court
Before to Morrow setting Sun.

Bass.
What me, my Lord?
Can you believe so poorly of me,
To think that I would sell my Fame for Life,
And fly with him, who they declare my Lover?
No, were ten thousand Deaths now arm'd against me,
Contending which should first present me Fate,
I would sustain them all, or more, as far
As Life and my Capacity extended,
Rather than seek this guilty means of safety.

Osm.
Then fly without me, I'le procure a Servant,
Diligent and faithful to attend you;
Take any means, so you preserve your Life,
Tho' I no more should prove so blest to see you:
I'le to the Port, direct my utmost speed;
Levan, both fears and owns the Ottoman
Authority; if I ingage the Sultan
On our side, you need not doubt the Arbitration.

Bass.
Still would they say, we were combin'd together,
And tho' at present parted, knew to meet again.
No, tho' unhappy, I will trust my Fate;
She strikes but once, tho' she be ne're so sure,
Death is the end, ordain'd for mortal Life;
And if it meets us half upon the Road,
It saves the labour of the rest.

Enter the Prince of Libardion alone.
P. of Li.
Innocent and Wretched Lovers, I have
Much to say, and narrow time to speak:
Now in the Walk, thus muffl'd as you see,
Unknown, I have attended Homais's steps;
My leasure shall explain the rest, for now
She prides it as she goes, and fancies all
Our Heads beneath; your Majesty must take
My Castle as your Refuge; a Chariot
Waits not far, but whilst the weighty matter
On the Bench, has drawn the Croud to leave the
Walk thus empty: Aid me, my Lord, to seize
My Wife by force; when she is taken from
My Nephew's Eyes, he may to yours do justice.

Osm.
Ten thousand Blessings load your Age for this,
I wait your Highness.

[Exeunt P. of L. and Osman.
Bass.
Life, what art thou, that we are fond to keep
Thee; the wretched, who do daily worse than Die,
Yet would live worse, so they might still preserve thee?
What we shall be, when dead, kills us whilst living:
O unseen Destiny! What-e're thou art,
Reveal thy self, and kill us not with doubts:
[Shrieks within.
Hark, they have got the Princess; must I go?
How will the World Condemn thee for this flight,
And yet I take it with my Husband's Unkle;
One deeply wrong'd like me, the Cause is common:
Now should I fall 'till time has clear'd my Vertue,
My Fame must perish with me: The Standard
Which the World condemns, or clears us by,
Is not our Inocence, but our Success.

Enter the Prince of Libardian.
P. of Li.
Madam, the Tray'tress is secur'd;
Thus far Justice has met success,
The Omen's good, be the event the same,
And we will write my Honour and your Fame.

[Exeunt omnes.