University of Virginia Library

THE FIFTH ACT.

Enter Solyman, Roxolana, Pyrrhus, Rustan.
Soly.
I will not stay to see him in my Throne:
I yet can reach him and will take him down,
Rustan has now my orders: he shall die.

Rox.
Excess of Justice turns to cruelty.

Soly.
Whilst but suspition did my breast invade
Your mediation could my wrath disswade;
But now his Treason is so certain grown
That I must take his life, or lose my own.
The name of Mustapha infects your breath.
Those who desire his life, design my death.

Rox.
Then, Sir, my intercession is unfit.
Yet pardon me if I with grief submit;
For it does too much cause of grief afford,
When Justice against Nature draws her Sword.

Soly.
His death is but deferr'd, because I stay
To send him to his Grave the safest way.

Rust.
Since you by Achmat did the Prince advise
That if he either loyal were or wise
He from the Camp should secretly retire,
And by his absence quench his raging fire.
It were convenient to you Achmat sent
With kindness to invite him to your Tent;
Pretending 'tis your will he should receive
Your counsel e're he does the Army leave.
But, Sir, since for your safety he must die
It should be done with speed and secrefie.

Pyrrh.
Else they may rescue him by open force.
His Train and Guards are Thirty Thousand Horse:
And he so much your Souldiers rules that they
Will scarce, but in your presence, you obey.

Soly.
Already his dark evening is begun:
He shall be sure to set before the Sun;
And never more shall rise to be ador'd,
But part in an Eclipse and be abhorr'd.
Send Achmat hither to avoid delay.

[Exeunt Rustan, Pyrrhus.
Rox.
Fate rises in your Brow! I dare not stay
To hear the bloody sentence you must give:
Horrour and pity in my bosome strive,
Remembring what to Mustapha is due,
And not to punish him would ruine you.

[Exit.
Soly.
We our compassion rather should extend
To strangers than to Sons when they offend:
With wrongs from strangers we may well dispence
Who nothing have receiv'd to recompence:
They onely are by common justice bound:
None are ingrate who have no favour found.
But Mustapha (unthankful for that care
Which bred him to deserve the Wreaths of War;
Whom all the Bonds of Nature could not tie)
Shall now, for Natures sake, unpity'd die.

[Exit.
Enter Mustapha, Zanger.
Must.
This counsel Achmat from the Sultan brought,
Whose favour I have now by Achmat sought;
Begging I may attend him e're I go,
And fully my suppos'd offences know.
If to this just request he does consent,
I may avoid my fatal Banishment,
And be deliver'd from a double grief
Whilst I to Love and Friendship give relief.

Zang.
I fear in your request by Achmas made
You have but sought the means to be betray'd.
And since against your self you now conspire
Who will oppose that Fate which you desire?
My Mother, in denying me access,
Does rashly your determin'd death confess.

Must.
Since only guilty minds have cause of fear
It does to me more probably appear
That even my Foes are likeli'er to abhor
Their mischiefs past then to consult of more.

Enter Achmat.
Achm.
The joys of conquest ever fill your breast.
The Mighty Sultan yields to your request;
Believes your love is in your message sent;
He trusts that love, and thinks you innocent.
His Cloud is vanish'd and his Brow so clear
That you may plainly read a Father there:
Sir, he does straight expect you in his Tent:
Improve his kindness whilst he does relent.

Must.
How like you now the way I did pursue?

[To Zanger.
Zang.
I think the change too sudden to be true.

Must.
If false, I then am but of life bereav'd:
'Tis worth my dying to be undeceiv'd.
And who would with a Father be in strife?
Rather then duty lose I'le lose my life.
Zanger, farewel! I leave, in leaving you,
The best of Friends and best of Brothers too.
Yet I shall take some glory in my death
Counting the worth of what I can bequeath.
And, to confirm my Legacy, I now
Freely release the rigour of your vow.
For if in th'upper world we ought can know
Of things which those we love transact below,
I shall rejoyce when I am thither gone,
That you possess my Mistriss and my Throne.

Zang.
Can you such gifts to one so worthless give
As after you will be content to live?
Ah Prince! If this discourse you should pursue,
Sorrow to me would kinder prove then you.

Must.
If in my Fate, Dear Zanger, you should share.
Who of the Queens concerns will take a care?
Think it her sute, not mine, which you deny.

Zang.
When you are dead, Honour will make me die.

Must.
I shall be strong enough for my defence,
Where nature pleads the cause of innocence.

Zang.
Methinks both these should all things overcome;
Yet Hope finds in my breast but little room.

Must.
I must not your Prophetick sorrows hear:
'Tis only Friendship which creates your fear.

[Exeunt.
Enter the Queen, Zarma.
Zarma.
One whom I lov'd enjoyn'd me to obey,
With faithful service, you and Mustapha,
And, Madam, I attend you now you are
Alone that all I know I may declare.

Queen.
I'le not ungrateful be for what you do:
I'le serve you in rewards and Friendship too.

Zarma.
I still have fear'd that Roxolana's love
To Zanger would his Brothers ruine prove;
But many proofs do now my thoughts convince
That she designs to save and serve the Prince:
For that effect she's to the Sultan gone;
But first commanded me to tell her Son
That he this evening in her Tent should stay
To speak with her concerning Mustapha.
The tumult in the Camp begins to cease,
And all put on the chearful looks of Peace.

Queen.
You tell me what I most desir'd to hear:
Which soon will free me from my grief and fear.

Zarma.
Since all things move to meet with your desire
Your Son has no occasion to retire.

Queen.
By your advice I may successful grow.

Zarma.
Still what I hear you instantly shall know.

[Exit Zarma.
Enter Cardinal, Thuracus, Viche, Cleora.
Queen.
My Lords, by Zarma (who is newly gone)
I hear the Sultan smiles upon his Son:
The Empress nobly has procur'd his peace:
The Chiefs of factions from their tumults cease,
And now for favour to her Tent resort.

Card.
I doubt all this is but a turn of Court.
Think not the Empress will her pow'r employ
T'establish him who must her Son destroy.

Queen.
Honour has in her Soul the highest place.

Card.
Nature has greater pow'r then Honour has.
But, Madam, whilst this seeming calm does last
You, with the Infant, should to Buda haste;
Which, now disloyal grown, will scarce with stand
The worst of all your Foes, King Ferdinand.
For whilst the Turk invades us from the East,
Th'un-christian King assaults us in the West.
With craft and wealth he has advan'd his pow'r.

Thur.
Madam, we now came from the Governour;
Who bad us tell you that he has surpriz'd
Three of King Ferd'nand's Officers disguis'd.

Viche.
With these there have been blank Commissions found:
Some of their faction we in Fetters bound.

Queen.
Before this danger does resistless grow
You must, with both these Lords, to Buda go.

Card.
Your presence, Madam, will be needful there.

Queen.
My promise will a while detain me here.

Card.
You'l then be left afflicted and alone.

Queen.
You leave me for my safety not your own.
Whilst I the rage of fortune here withstand
We may be ruin'd there by Ferdinand.
I must not be deny'd. Your being there
Will free me from a most important care.

Card.
Madam, my strict obedience makes me go.
All that does happen you shall hourly know.

[Exeunt Queen and Cleora one way, the Cardinal and Lords at the other door.
Enter Mustapha. The Guards and others, passing by him, shake their heads with sorrowful looks.
Must.
All shake their pensive heads in passing by
As if they did dislike my destiny.
Let him dispatch whom he intends to kill:
'Tis less to suffer death then fear it still.
Nor is the worst of deaths so bad a Fate
As still to live under a Fathers hate.
My torments are so many and so high
That only death can be my remedy.
Death will my Fathers jealousie remove
And free me ever from neglected love;
Whilst to my greatest guilt it puts an end
Of being Rival to so brave a Friend.
But even that comfort brings me sorrow too;
For death will then more then my Friendship do.
And if his kindness makes him keep his vow
He, dying, will the greater Friendship show.
He'l freely, for my sake, quitt life and love;
But cruel force does me from both remove.
In death his friendship will so clearly shine
That when I dye, he'l see the faults of mine:
For I, by Rivalship, was faulty grown
And death resigns what friendship should have done.
Enter six Mutes, one of them advances before the rest and kneels down, delivers Mustapha a black Box with a Parchment, the Sultan's Great Seal hanging at it in a black Ribbond. Then he holds up a Bow-string and makes signs that he should kneel and submit to the Sultan's sentence.
These are to adde new wings to my last hour.
I understand your signs and see your power.
Stand off. I with your bus'ness can dispence.
But your officious hast is an offence.
I will consider what I ought to do,
And dye to satisfie my self, not you.
They retire to the further end of the Stage.
Can I my duty show when I do ill,
Unjustly yielding to a Fathers will?
Sure we, by Natures gift, the right enjoy
To strive with those who would our lives destroy.
And when I tamely dye, without defence,
I teach the world to doubt my innocence.
But with my Father why should I debate?
My death he wishes and my life I hate.
Why should I make his anger higher rise
By striving to preserve what I despise?
[He beckens to the Mutes to come near him, and they advance.
Before I dye I'le to the Sultan show
My injur'd innocence, that he may know
My death will to the judging world proclaim
He is more guilty then he thinks I am.
When I have told him what I ought to say,
Then what he does command I will obey.—
[They all shake their heads in sign of denyal.
How, Slaves? am I refus'd? I will not dye
Till I have first obtain'd what you deny.

[The Mutes draw their Scemitars and assault him; he draws too and Kills two of them.
Enter Solyman.
Soly.
O Traytor! art thou such an Enemy
To thy high Blood, which is deriv'd from me,
That now, enforc'd by this new crime, I must
With my own hand mix it with common dust?
Against my pow'r thou dying art at strife,
To make thy death as guilty as thy life.

At the first hearing of Solyman's voice the Mates give over sighting, and at the end of Solyman's speech, Mustapha, kneeling, lays his Scemitar at the Sultan's feet.
Must.
The cause of my defence from their assault
Was that from you I might have learnt my fault.
Alas, what i'st I with that life should do
Which, Sir, is hated and proscrib'd by you?
All I endeavour'd by my life's defence
Was to gain time to shew my innocence.
I shun not dying, Sir, but to be held
Guilty, is dying after I am kill'd,
Losing the life of Fame when I am dead.

Soly.
A man condemn'd is not allow'd to plead.
I'le hear no more.

[Mustapha rises.
Must.
Then, Sir, to death I'le go.
I am too guilty since you think me so.
May not my servants do what must be done?
Let not your meanest Slaves destroy your Son.

Soly.
Though justice takes that life which he must lose
[Aside.
Yet Nature cannot this request refuse.
Go, lead him in, and let his Servants do
[To the Mutes.
That sudden justice which I left to you.

Must.
That cheerfulness with which to death I go
Some proof; Sir, of my innocence does show.
And since by death I would your hate remove
What would I not have done to gain your love?

[Exeunt Mustapha, and Mutes, Solyman looking after Mustapha whilst he is in sight.
Soly.
What I have now decreed does just appear:
But against Nature who can stop his Ear
Though she against the right of Justice stands?
My Heart does sigh for what my Tongue commands.

[Exit.
Enter Roxolana.
Rox.
Now the great deed is doing, or else done,
I have been cruel to preserve my Son.
That cruel deed which makes him th'Empires Heir
Heav'n, sure, forgives since it rewards my care.
And nothing now can ever make me grieve
But for his death by which my Son does live.

Enter Zarma.
Zarma.
Madam, the Guards are doubled ev'ry where.

Rox.
If Guards can make you safe what need you fear?

Zarma.
Your servants hide their looks, and fear to show
The griefs they feel, and dangers which they know.

Rox.
Zarma, be deaf to what you should not hear;
Or use your strength to what you ought to bear.
Easing your self, when you of grief complain,
To many others you transfer your pain.
[Enter Haly Weeping.
By your amazement and the tears you shed,
[To Haly.
You seem to tell me Mustapha is dead.

Haly.
Yes, and so dy'd, that the most fortunate
Would gladly for his Fame have had his Fate.
But, Madam, be suffic'd that he is dead.

Rox.
No, I dare hear both what he did and said.

Haly.
The Sultan his last suit could not deny;
Which was, that by his servants he might dye.
And each of those declar'd it a less crime
To kill himself then 'twas to Murder him.

Rox.
It shews he was with highest love esteem'd
When none would kill whom Solyman condemn'd.

Haly.
It turn'd our blood to tears when he did pray
To all, in vain, to take his life away.
He said aloud, can I so wretched prove
That your denyals must declare your love?
See what your guilty kindness drives me to;
Worse then my Father did, 'twill make me do.
One, whom he guilty thought, to death he sent;
But you will make me kill the innocent.
'Tis you have made your Prince unfortunate,
Who finds your love more cruel then his hate.
And now (afraid of nothing but delay)
He frowning said, unfriended Mustapha
Must be beholding to himself for death:
Then snatcht a Sword which straight he did unsheath.
Morat cry'd out, the Murd'rer's part I'le do;
'Tis fitter I should bear that guilt then you.
The Prince about his neck his Arms did spread
In sign of gratitude, and smiling said,
Is it not fit my wretched life should end
When he who kills me I esteem my Friend?

Rox.
He could not give more ornament to death
Then when so calmly he resign'd his breath.

Haly.
When griev'd Morat the fatal deed had done
(Which kindness made him do and others shun)
With haste he said, no Tears can be so good
To shed for such a loss as Tears of blood.
His hand then acts the second Tragick part
So on his own, as on his Masters heart.
But grief had wounded him so much before,
That scarce his Cemiter could wound him more.

Rox.
This was at once a duty and a crime.

Haly.
It made us pity first, then envy him.

Rox.
Call Zanger hither and return with speed.
But keep him ignorant of this dire deed.
[Exit Haly.
Brave Prince, if now thy Mother were alive,
She, by my sorrow, might be taught to grieve.
How soon thy death a miracle has done?
It makes me weep for what preserves my Son.

[Exeunt Roxolana, Zarma.
Enter Solyman.
Soly.
Forgot are now those Fields his Valour won,
Which did too soon his Head with Laurel crown!
His Virtue with his Foes he overthrew;
For, growing great, he straight grew guilty too.

Enter Zanger, who kneels; Solyman steps to him; and takes him up.
Zang.
I come at your command, by Achmat sent;
Who said, I should attend you in your Tent.

Soly.
Zanger, I, how did for your judgement send:
You are my minds Physician, Son, and Friend.
Tell me, can Mortal-Monarchs alwaies keep
The watch o're Empire set without some sleep?

Zang.
No man can live whom sleep does not repair;
Much less can Monarchs who are born to care.

Soly.
Behold then the revenge which I did take
On him who kept me many Months awake.

Zang.
My Brother dead? you have the world bereft
Of much more Virtue then is in it left!
'Twas Jealousie, not he (Oh dire mistake!)
Which did so many Months keep you awake;
And it was just that you, who in your Breast
Would jealousie admit should take no rest.
My speech is by this object overcome:
No grief is well exprest till it is dumb!
Zanger goes towards Mustapha.
Ah Loyal Prince! till death does close my Eyes,
Accept these Tears, my Friendships Sacrifice!

Soly.
Traytor, dost weep for one condemn'd by me?
This shews that thou as guilty art as he.
Desist, or thou shalt share in his just fate.

Zang.
That, Sir, will rather shew your love than hate.
Death is the only blessing I can find:
You think it just, and I shall think it kind.
I will his worth to all the world declare.

Soly.
He did aspire and grew too popular.

Zang.
Rustan, and Pyrrhus did his life pursue:
We their contrivance of this Murder knew:
And I desir'd him from your wrath to flie;
But in obedience he would stay to die.
For, but one day when banish'd from your sight,
VVas worse to him than Death's eternal night.
If in himself he any guilt had known,
He, with your leave, to Syria might have gone.
He told me still what he design'd or knew.

Soly.
His black designs he did conceal from you.

Zang.
Nothing could more his trust of Friendship prove
Then that we both th'Hungarian Queen did love:
And though he then my first pretensions knew,
Yet freely he confest he lov'd her too:
And when a Rival does his love reveal,
What can his cunning after that conceal?
How could you his unblemisht Vertue doubt?

Soly.
Have I not often heard my Armies shout
When he appear'd, and with applause so high
As if his presence brought them Victory?

Zang.
In that their errour and not his appear'd;
He with more grief then you their gladness heard.
By all the duty to a Father due,
And to our Prophet, Mustapha was true;
True as you Viziers have been false and wrought
You into wrong suggestions of his fault.

Soly.
Oh Heaven! my guilt now makes it an offence
To hear untimely of his innocence.
This truth (which now I may my torment call)
You should have sooner told, or not at all.

Zang.
Who could, without offending you, have thought
(When your kind message was by Achmat brought)
That 'twas a train laid for my Brothers life?
And yet my doubt with duty was at strife;
And doubt prevail'd, for sev'ral waies I try'd
To get admittance but was still deny'd.

Soly.
Zanger, to ease our griefs, let us agree
T'impute his Fate to our ill destinie.
Those who to death have made me send my Son,
Shall instantly in torture meet their own.
Let wisdom check your sorrow, and prepare
To be this day proclaim'd my Empire's Heir.

Zang.
But, Sir, religiously to me he swore
That, if the Turkish Crown he ever wore,
He to our bloody Law an end would give,
And I should safely in his bosome live.
My self I then by sacred promise ty'd
Not to out-live the day on which he dy'd.
And as I knew he nobly did design
To keep his vow, so I remember mine.
[He turns to Mustapha.
'Twas only love had strength enough t'invade
That mutual Friendship which we sacred made:
But now o're love I have the conquest got;
Though Love divided us, yet death shall not.—

[Zanger stabs himself and falls at Mustapha's Feet, Solyman runs to him.
Soly.
Hold, Zanger! hold!

Zang.
The happy wound is given
Which sends my Soul to Mustapha and Heaven.

Soly.
Friendship and cruelty alike have done;
For each of them has rob'd me of a Son.

Zang.
When, Sir, you have forgiv'n me for my death,
Grant what I ask with my departing breath:
Your dying Zanger begs th'Hungarian Crown
For th'injur'd Queen and for her guiltless Son.

Soly.
Shall I so little give for Zanger's sake,
Whose mighty mind would not my Empire take?

Zang.
Sir, for your gift in thankfulness I bend;
[Bows to him.
In death I serve my Mistress and my Friend.
He'l live in your esteem, she in her Throne.
Now all I had to do on Earth is done.
[Turns again to Mustapha.
Lo at your Feet, dear Friend, your Brother lies;
And where he took delight to live—he dies.

[Zanger dies.
Soly.
Fame in her Temple will adorn thy shrine.
No Roman Glory ever equall'd thine.
Zanger, in height of Youth, for Friendships sake,
Did rather die then proffer'd Empire take.
I would die too, but by revenge am staid
Due for you both, which shall be doubly paid.
My Viziers shall be first your sacrifice.
Nor is she safe who in my bosom lies.
For they, without her int'rest in the deed,
Durst not at last have urg'd me to proceed.
Turns to Mustapha.
Oh Mustapha! the worthy may in thee
The dang'rous state even of great vertue see.
Thine was to all the height and compass grown
That vertue e're could reach to get renown:
And the reward of it pernicious prov'd,
For I did punish thee for being lov'd.
Thy Mother was the first that e're possest
By Conquest the Dominion of my Breast:
And had thy mind been blotted and as black
As vertue would paint vice, yet for her sake,
(The brightest Beauty, and the softest Wife)
I might, alas, at least have sav'd thy life.
But I shall mourn too long; for whilst I stay,
To count thy wrongs, I thy revenge delay.

[Exit.
Enter Roxolana, Haly.
Rox.
How Haly! are you certain that my Son
Is to the Sultan's Great Pavilion gone?

Haly.
Achmat was for him by the Sultan sent;
And you will find him in the inner Tent.

Rox.
You should have brought him to consult with me
E're he had known his Brothers destinie.

Haly.
I humbly beg, this may be rather thought
Your servants great misfortune then his fault.

Rox.
[Exit Haly.
Roxolana goes towards the Scene, where she sees Mustapha, and Zanger with his Dagger in his hand, and then she starts back.

Enter the Queen.
Queen.
What voice of sorrow is alone so loud,
As if the cause had made the mourner proud?
For after noble Mustapha is slain
Who can enough, without my help complain?

Rox.
Ah Queen! add to your grief by looking there.
Zanger is dead, and his own Murderer.

Queen.
Zanger! I did not think Fate could have shown
(After it took away my King and Throne)
Another loss which could a grief impose
To make me weep as justly as for those.
Why did not Zanger fatal vertue lack
Since it did highest Friendship cruel make?
Grief grows too hard for our complaints alone
When the Worlds loss is greater then our own.

Rox.
Ah Mustapha! I hither came to grieve
[Aside.
That by thy death I made my Zanger live;
But he too soon for my offence has paid;
And I, thy Traytor, am by him betraid.
Madam, your tears will now injurious be;
[Turns to the Queen.
In grief, as honour, you out-rival me.

Queen.
You Zanger lov'd, then do not me reprove
Grieving for two who had no fault but love.

Enter Haly.
Rox.
Haly! If you come nearer you'l despise
All Glory and repent that you have Eyes.

Haly.
The Sultan, full of horrour, did relate
A Tragick story of such dismal fate
As keeps me from approaching out of fear
To see what it was cruelty to hear.
But these high sorrows are accompany'd
With others which compassion fain would hide.

Rox.
VVill Heav'n more weight on our affliction lay?

Haly.
Madam, the Guards and Train of Mustapha
Assault the Camp with their united Force,
And are assisted by Prince Zanger's Horse.
The Sultan, arm'd against this sudden rage,
Is now advanc'd their fury to asswage.

Rox.
O fatal strife where Victors nothing gain!

Haly.
The Viziers by his order are both slain.
Madam, to you, as Regent for your Son,
[Turns to the Queen.
The Sultan does present th'Hungarian Crown.
The old Moravian Troops are by command,
Prepar'd to march against King Ferdinand.
You, with your Son, may now to Buda go
To meet your Friends and to pursue your Foe.
Your Restoration he before design'd
When first the Empress with his purpose joyn'd:
But this dispatch he justly has confest
Is the effect of Zanger's last request.

Queen.
The looks of gratitude should chearful be;
But, Zanger, I am so oblig'd by thee,
As it occasion gives to make me mourn
That to the dead I nothing can return.

Rox.
Madam, the Sultan's bounty strait receive;
And, in your absence, trust me here to grieve.

Queen.
Madam, I'le with my Son to Buda go
And my last duty to his Father show:
Then in a shady Cloister will remain,
And, as a fatal Mourner, still complain
Of that which here both you and I have lost,
Where death does over love in triumph boast.
I shall undo my Son if I look back
On those whom I unwillingly forsake;
I'm more concern'd in what I leave behind
Then in the joys he shall in Buda find.

Rox.
Go, Madam, go, and hasten to your Throne!
Live to find Zanger's Friendship in your Son.
Be with much pow'r more happy then I prov'd;
Live to be fear'd, and yet continue lov'd.

Queen.
I'le flye from pow'r; but yours to the distrest
Has been a refuge and should be increast,
Till (when you weary grow) your suppliants sue
That Heav'n may be a refuge then to you.

[They Embrace.
[Exeunt Queen, and Haly.
Enter Zarma at the other door.
Zarma.
The Mufty is within, and bad me say
That he is sent to counsel you to pray.

Rox.
Why dost thou weep? I do not dying fear:
Thou griev'st because Grief's remedy is near.
I'le meet the Mufty, and for death prepare:
Lead me this way, for I would shun despair.

[She looks backwards towards the dead Bodies and goes from them.
Exeunt.
The Scene changes. Enter Achmat, Haly.
Achmat.
The tortur'd Viziers did their guilt confess;
And, e're they dy'd, accus'd the Sultaness:
Who to their first proposal did encline;
But by ambitious Rustan the design
(In hope to gain her favour) was begun;
And was pursu'd by her to save her Son.

Haly.
The Guards and noble Train of Mustapha
Have got renown though they have lost the day.

Achm.
Till Solyman in person did appear
They, in their fierce assault, Victorious were.
With Thirty Thousand Horse they brav'd the Field;
Of which Five Hundred are not left unkil'd.
He pardon'd those and pitty'd their offence;
But they so hated life and lov'd the Prince
That it was harder to preserve those few
Then 'twas t'o'recome the many whom we slew.
VVhen rumour (swift, though it flies low) had spread
Through all our Camp that Mustapha was dead,
And that his Friends, who had that battel fought,
VVere only for his safety hither brought.
Then the Victorious threw their Arms away,
And wept for those whom they did lately slay.
Some, who had kill'd their Sons, more tears did shed
For their own guilt, then that their Sons were dead;
Guilt wrought by Fate, which had their valour mov'd
Against that Prince whom they for valour lov'd.

Enter Solyman, Zarma.
Haly.
His Brows are full of Clouds, his Eyes of Fire;
There's dang'rous Thunder near: let us retire.

[Exeunt Achmat, Haly.
A Table, with Staandish, and a Chair upon the Stage.
Sol.
VVell, call her in; and do as I command.
You, with her VVomen, must be still at hand.
The Musty is of use; let him attend.
[Exit Zarma.
Thy progress, Love, was long, but it shall end.
By Beauty (which does even the wise delude)
The valiant ever soonest are subdu'd.
'Tis nature's snare, and in defiance laid;
For when least hidden we are most betray'd.
Beauties fair hand has many a mighty name
Too foully blotted in the Book of Fame.
Accursed Beauty! 'tis at last to thee
That Famous Chiefs have ow'd their infamie.
Oh what? has it not done, and may do still.

Enter Roxolana.
Rox.
I come to know Heav'ns pleasure in your will.

Soly.
Draw nearer then! Alas! be not afraid
When 'tis too late to fear. Speak, have you pray'd?
For you have much to lose, but more to save.
Have you been Penitent?

Rox.
Sultan, I have.

Soly.
You needed many Tears to wash away
The stains which have defil'd this bloody day.
Brave Mustapha, and Zanger too is dead;
These have deserv'd more Tears than you can shed,
Since all in Honour's list they did excel:
But in their cause full Thirty Thousand fell;
And twice that number were in Battel kill'd
By those who did deserve to gain the Field.

Rox.
Oh, Sultan, do not give me leave to speak;
But give that Heart, which loves you, leave to break!

Soly.
Let it intire a while, for my sake, last.
I would not now have mention'd what is past
But that 'tis justice and some kindness too
To shew sufficient cause for what I do,
Which else might cruel seem; for you must dye.

Rox.
When you bring death I will not ask you, why?

Soly.
It shews the civil greatness of your mind
When to your Punisher you can be kind:
But 'twill oblige me and become you too,
More then your fatal beauty e're did do,
If you so gracefully depart from life
As fits our Childrens Mother and my Wife.

Rox.
Perhaps I liv'd unworthy of your fame,
But none shall Roxolana's dying blame:
Yet I must grieve so as I ought to do
When I, by leaving life, depart from you.

Soly.
You may your little debts of kindness pay;
But I must be oblig'd another way,
Which will be first by your confession shown:
Confessing not what you, but I have done.

Rox.
Ah, Sir! most willingly I will confess
You found me in the Region of distress;
A Flow'r but newly sprung, and in the shade.
My growth I from your shining favour had.

Soly.
This, is not the confession I would hear,
It shews untimely gratitude or fear;
And makes me guilty of upbraiding you
With what Love's secret pow'r did make me do.
I aim not to be told what I have done
By loves perswasive force, and but to one;
For when you lov'd me too that debt was paid,
And debts, discharg'd, none justly can upbraid.

Rox.
Ah do not, Sir, forbid my thankfulness!

Soly.
You quite mistake the thing you should confess.
'Tis not what Love but Honour made me do
For all your Sex, and not alone for you.
Though the strict Laws of Ottoman's high Race
Did not allow our Sultans e're should grace
The Mothers of their Sons with priviledge
Of Marriage, yet your Sex I did oblige,
And lifted you above the scorns of life,
When I, by sacred forms, made you my Wife.

Rox.
This is but mention'd to augment the sence,
Which you suspect I want, of my offence.
Or else you shew me that I useless grow
Whilst I confess but what the people know.

Soly.
If what I did was then by Honour done
Let me that Honour keep when you are gone.
Let me the favour of your Sex retain:
Which since I justly did by Marriage gain
I would not lose it now by Deaths divorce,
Whilst they unjustly think I want remorse;
And that my justice is but cruelty,
Because my Wife does by my sentence die.

Rox.
Do but instruct me, Sultan, how I may;
In death, for all my life's offences pay?

Soly.
It is not fit our Priesthood or Divan
Should sit to judge the Wife of Solyman.
But yet the blood by your ambition spilt,
Cries out so loud 'gainst your audacious guilt,
That now my People, Armies, and the State,
Behold your Beauty with malicious hate:
And no expedient e're can satisfie
The justice they expect unless you die.
You only can to Heav'n for mercy trust.

Rox.
Sir, I will die, that they may find you just.

Soly.
But, that your Sex may ever think me so,
You must a form of process undergo
Which strict necessity does make me use.
You must, under your hand, your self accuse.
Which, as a true Record, may rescue me
From false opinions of my crueltie.

Rox.
Ah Sultan! This proceeding is severe!

Soly.
You nobly should your own impeachment bear
Least you a ruder from our Bashaws hear.
Go, Roxolana, sit, and write it down.

Rox.
I, with my crime, shall make my duty known.

[Leads her to the Table.
Soly.
Be brief and clear. Posterity should know
The hidden root which made your mischief grow.
When the first causes we of ills discern
We safely and with ease prevention learn.
You had your aids in the conspiracy;
My Viziers else had not been doom'd to die.
[He steps to her whilst she is writing.
What form do you in your confession use?

Rox.
Sultan! I wholly do my self accuse.
And yet the dying, sure, may blame the Dead
Who safely are by Death from danger freed:
Besides both they and I shall straight appear
Where Heaven's just Monarch will the injur'd hear.

Soly.
Accuse your self and let their guilt alone.

Rox.
If the contrivance was by them begun
May I not make of Truth peculiar use
And crimes extenuate when I shun excuse?

Soly.
Already is your whole contrition spent.
Leave off if you unwillingly repent.

[He offers to take up the Paper, She rises and holds it aside.
Rox.
Forgive, me Sultan, and I will proceed.

Soly.
Oh Heav'n! when she so much does pardon need
Can I deny it and endure to live?
I cannot be forgiv'n, if I forgive,
So much her crime all mercy does exceed;
For Mustapha and Zanger too is dead.
Make haste! write fully your ambition down
In changing the succession of my Crown.

Rox.
Pardon the Tears I on the Paper shed!
If I have written what you cannot read.

Soly.
Forgive her Heav'n here take my Handkercher
Dispatch! why do you pause?

Rox.
I'le hasten, Sir.
[She rises again.
But whilst I now my crime at full express
Let me a little speak in much distress.

Soly.
Your time forbids the tediousness of grief;
Complain not when you cannot have relief.
Yet you may speak. Take courage, but be brief.

Rox.
Sir, this confession a Record must be
To save you from imputed cruelty.
Heav'n give you, Sir, an everlasting fame,
And Heav'n perswade you to prevent my shame.
I have but little through ambition done;
Nature did more, and 'twas to save my Son.

Soly.
What did mysterious nature make you do?
Could you at once be kind and cruel too?
Farewel, you are relaps'd, worse then before.

Rox.
Sultan, I'le write, and I will speak no more.

[She sits down again.
Enter Haly.
Haly.
Sultan, I shew my Duty in my haste;
For with new Clouds your Camp is over-cast:
The Bloody bus'ness of this fatal day
Grows bloodi'r since the death of Mustapha.
The Janizaries, by their Aga led,
Accuse the Empress, and demand her Head.
Roxolana rises and seems disorder'd.
They have their grievance by their Aga sent,
And he attends at th'entrance of your Tent.

Soly.
They trust my yielding but shall feel my force.
Bid Achmat face them with my Syrian Horse.
You must your best disguise of Friendship wear,
And meet the Aga with the looks of fear,
Call him to Council, and disorder'd seem;
And when he is admitted, strangle him.
[Exit Haly.
These threatning Tumults only dang'rous are
To Monarchs who dare less then Subjects date.
Goes to Roxolana.
Sit down! is your confession finish'd yet?

Rox.
Sultan, it is.

Soly.
I'le read what you have writ.

She kneeling gives him the Paper.
Rox.
Sir, now I feel the torments of true fear,
Because your dangers great as mine appear.
Give to rude hands the life which I must lose,
If you defend it you your own expose.

Soly.
No, Roxolana, you shall calmly die.
You shall find justice, but no cruelty.
Your Women wait without; the Musty too:
What must be done they decently shall do.

Enter Haly and kneels.
Haly.
The sudden Tempest suddenly is past.
[She rises.
No Clouds can long before your lustre last.
With Tears the Janizaries now implore
That favour which their rage disdain'd before.
Sir, Achmat for the Aga's life does sue;
Which he repriev'd to have it sav'd by you:
It will a Triumph to the Army give
Who are with grief subdu'd.

Soly.
Go, let him live.

[Exit Haly.
Rox.
Ah Solyman! shall she who heretofore,
Still with success, for others did implore
Be now deni'd when for her self she sues?
I beg not what I ought, Sir, to refuse
If it were granted, your consent to live.
Oh take my life, but my offence forgive.

Soly.
Oh why did Heav'n such perfect beauty make
Yet let such beauteous things perfection lack?
Love against Justice in my bosom strives.
Let Justice pardon Love what Love forgives.
[He takes her up.
Rise, Roxolana, you shall mercy find.
But as when you were cruel you were kind,
So I will deeds by your Example do;
For I will now be kind and cruel too.

Rox.
Heav'n which begins to take your Clouds away,
Will from departing night make break of day.

Soly.
I give you life, and I forgive your crime;
Yet in this kindness I shall cruel seem.

Rox.
Oh stay, Sir, and but hear what I'le implore.

Soly.
Your doom is seal'd. I'le never see you more.

Rox.
Ah, Sir, you gave what I can ne're enjoy;
What you preserv'd you instantly destroy.

Soly.
Zarma! call all to look on my remorse;
And then be witnesses of our divorce.
Enter Zarma, four of Roxolana's Ladies, Achmat, Haly, the three Attendants of Mustapha and Zanger, eight of the Guard, and six Pages. The number on the Stage being now twenty four.
Take with your life perpetual Banishment.
Long may you live that you may much repent:
But from my sight be still so far remov'd,
As I may quite forget I ever lov'd.

Rox.
Ah, Sultan, do but hear what I can say!

Soly.
Oh cruelty, you kill me if you stay.

Rox.
I'le but forgiveness beg for love and grief
Since both offend you when they seek relief.

Soly.
Oh Heav'n! still will you speak?

Rox.
Sir, I'le depart,
And at your feet leave a forsaken heart.

[Exit.
Soly.
Farewel for ever, and to Love farewel!
I'le lock my Bosom up where Love did dwell;
I will to Beauty ever shut my eyes,
And be no more a Captive by surprize:
But Oh, how little I esteem a Throne
When Love, the Ornament of Pow'r is gone!

Exeunt omnes.