 | The Sultaness |  |
13
Act. II.
Bajazet, Roxana.Roxa.
Prince! the determin'd Hour at length is come,
Reserv'd by Heav'n and me to give you Freedom.
Nothing restrains me; now, this very Moment,
I'll perfect the Design my Love has form'd.
I give into your Hands a mighty Empire:
But what I give, your Virtue must maintain.
Dangers will threaten; but the Hero's Soul
Shines forth with double Lustre when oppos'd.
Reserv'd by Heav'n and me to give you Freedom.
Nothing restrains me; now, this very Moment,
I'll perfect the Design my Love has form'd.
I give into your Hands a mighty Empire:
But what I give, your Virtue must maintain.
Dangers will threaten; but the Hero's Soul
Shines forth with double Lustre when oppos'd.
Osmyn has seen the Army—they are yours:
The pious grave Expounders of our Laws
Have made your Cause, Religion;—Acomat
Commands this City: He's your faithful Creature.
That Crowd of Slaves and Mutes who guard this Palace,
Depend upon my Nod—All Things are ready:
Bravely repulse your Brother's murthering Hand,
And wear his Crown. The Sons of Mahomet
Have oft ascended thus the Prophet's Seat.
The pious grave Expounders of our Laws
Have made your Cause, Religion;—Acomat
Commands this City: He's your faithful Creature.
That Crowd of Slaves and Mutes who guard this Palace,
Depend upon my Nod—All Things are ready:
Bravely repulse your Brother's murthering Hand,
And wear his Crown. The Sons of Mahomet
Have oft ascended thus the Prophet's Seat.
One Favour I request; one only Pledge,
For all this wond'rous Waste of Faith and Honour:
That you'll vouchsafe to let the hoary Mufti,
By sacred Wedlock, authorize my Conduct,
And sanctify the Faith my Love has given:
So shall the World applaud me when they see
What I perform'd for you, was for my Husband.
For all this wond'rous Waste of Faith and Honour:
That you'll vouchsafe to let the hoary Mufti,
By sacred Wedlock, authorize my Conduct,
And sanctify the Faith my Love has given:
So shall the World applaud me when they see
What I perform'd for you, was for my Husband.
Baj.
How, Madam!
Roxa.
Wherefore do you start, my Lord?
Is there a Bar between us and our Joys?
Baj.
You know our Empire, jealous of its Pow'r,
—Yet let me not repeat the ungrateful Law.
14
I know when barb'rous Bajazet dethron'd
Young Ibrahim,—the captive Emperor
Beheld his Spouse chain'd to the Victor's Car,
And drag'd thro' Asia to adorn his Triumph.
Since then, the Sultans, jealous of their Honour,
Rarely submitted to the Nuptial Rites.
But Love's a God-like Passion, that disdains
Cold Policy and the dull Forms of State.
Great Solyman, your glorious Ancestor,
From whose triumphant Sword the vanquish'd Globe
Receiv'd its Laws,—ev'n he, this Solyman
Confess'd the Pow'r of Roxilana's Eyes.
Fir'd with her Charms, at once the gen'rous Prince
Rais'd the fair Grecian to his Bed and Throne.
Baj.
'Tis true; but when you look on me, Roxana,
Think what I am, and what was Solyman:
He Glorious, Great, in the full Tide of Pow'r;
Ægypt, subdu'd, acknowledg'd him her Lord;
Rhodes, the stout Barrier to our growing Empire,
Bow'd to his Sword; from Persia to the Danube,
The conquer'd Nations trembled at his Name.
Think what I am, and what was Solyman:
He Glorious, Great, in the full Tide of Pow'r;
Ægypt, subdu'd, acknowledg'd him her Lord;
Rhodes, the stout Barrier to our growing Empire,
Bow'd to his Sword; from Persia to the Danube,
The conquer'd Nations trembled at his Name.
But what am I? a Slave, who live by Bounty;
Friendless, proscrib'd, immur'd within these Walls;
And only known to be, by my Misfortunes.
Friendless, proscrib'd, immur'd within these Walls;
And only known to be, by my Misfortunes.
Shou'd I once loose those Hearts I seek to gain,
Will they, when they shall see us sunk in Pleasures,
Believe my Dangers, or your Tears sincere?
Will they, when they shall see us sunk in Pleasures,
Believe my Dangers, or your Tears sincere?
Deceive me not by Solyman's Example,
But think on Osman's Murther, wretched Osman:
His fatal Marriage justify'd the Deed,
And authoriz'd Rebellion.—Yet a while
Let us attend—First give me Pow'r and Freedom,
And leave my Gratitude to pay the Debt.
But think on Osman's Murther, wretched Osman:
His fatal Marriage justify'd the Deed,
And authoriz'd Rebellion.—Yet a while
Let us attend—First give me Pow'r and Freedom,
And leave my Gratitude to pay the Debt.
Roxa.
I understand you, Sir;—I am too rash;
I see, nothing escapes your prudent Foresight.
Well have you weigh'd ev'n the minutest Danger,
In which my thoughtless Passion wou'd engage you.
You coldly talk of Laws, of Honour, Fame;
And raise imaginary distant Dangers.
I see, nothing escapes your prudent Foresight.
Well have you weigh'd ev'n the minutest Danger,
In which my thoughtless Passion wou'd engage you.
15
And raise imaginary distant Dangers.
But have you too foreseen the certain Ruin
That waits your Disobedience to my Will.
Know then, 'tis me you are to please or fear.
Remember, that this Palace is your Prison;
That I am sov'reign Mistress of your Fate;
That you must cease to Live, when I to Love.
That waits your Disobedience to my Will.
Know then, 'tis me you are to please or fear.
Remember, that this Palace is your Prison;
That I am sov'reign Mistress of your Fate;
That you must cease to Live, when I to Love.
Baj.
I hold my Life from you; and I believe
You think it for your Glory to preserve me.
When you have plac'd the Scepter in my Hand,
My Heart, my Tongue shall own a just Allegiance;
That duteous Homage, that respectful Friendship,
Which Gratitude demands. 'Tis true, my Life
Is yours; but wou'd you wish—
Roxa.
No! Bajazet;
Cease to torment me with thy forc'd Respect.
I will no longer press you to consent.
Hence, then; retire; back to that joyless Prison,
Whence my vain Love had freed a thankless Slave.
What means my struggling Heart?—Can I demand
A stronger Proof than cold Indifference?
Is he once mov'd tho' he beholds my Heart
Torn with distracting Pangs!—No; unconcern'd,
Unwarm'd, he tamely reasons with my Passion.
Cease to torment me with thy forc'd Respect.
I will no longer press you to consent.
Hence, then; retire; back to that joyless Prison,
Whence my vain Love had freed a thankless Slave.
What means my struggling Heart?—Can I demand
A stronger Proof than cold Indifference?
Is he once mov'd tho' he beholds my Heart
Torn with distracting Pangs!—No; unconcern'd,
Unwarm'd, he tamely reasons with my Passion.
I see thy Purposes; thou idly hop'st,
That, thus intangl'd in one Treason with thee,
I cannot, dare not, disengage our Interests.
But know, thy Brother loves me still.—His Heart
Is bound in mine.—Thy Death will sooth his Rage;
And with thy Blood I'll expiate my Guilt.
That, that alone, will justify my Conduct!
It shall be done.—Thou dy'st, this very Now.
That, thus intangl'd in one Treason with thee,
I cannot, dare not, disengage our Interests.
But know, thy Brother loves me still.—His Heart
Is bound in mine.—Thy Death will sooth his Rage;
And with thy Blood I'll expiate my Guilt.
That, that alone, will justify my Conduct!
It shall be done.—Thou dy'st, this very Now.
Oh! Bajazet, I feel, I feel I love thee!
Do not destroy us Both! Let me not go,
Drive me not out to Rage, to wild Depair!
If one rash Word, a Signal shou'd escape me,
Urg'd by thy cruel Usage, thou art lost.
Do not destroy us Both! Let me not go,
Drive me not out to Rage, to wild Depair!
If one rash Word, a Signal shou'd escape me,
Urg'd by thy cruel Usage, thou art lost.
16
No, take my Life; obey your Sultan's Orders.
My credulous Brother will reward the Crime,
And keep you still the Favourite of his Heart.
Roxa.
His Heart! his Heart! injurious Bajazet!
Canst thou believe, when I have lost the hopes
Of reigning in thy Breast, I shall descend
To Amurat—And let a meaner Passion
Wear out—or but deform thy Image here?
Canst thou believe, when I have lost the hopes
Of reigning in thy Breast, I shall descend
To Amurat—And let a meaner Passion
Wear out—or but deform thy Image here?
No, no, my Life is wreath'd in thine; 'tis thine:
I furnish thee with Arms against my self.
I prithee do not triumph o'er my Weakness:
Alas, my Rage was all Excess of Fondness!
On thee depends my Life; on thee my Death.
What is it stirs you thus,—your lab'ring Breast
Is full—say Bajazet.
I furnish thee with Arms against my self.
I prithee do not triumph o'er my Weakness:
Alas, my Rage was all Excess of Fondness!
On thee depends my Life; on thee my Death.
What is it stirs you thus,—your lab'ring Breast
Is full—say Bajazet.
Baj.
'Tis not the Loss
Of Life or Empire—but, I must speak.
Roxa.
How then? What say you! there's some hidden Cause,
Some dreadful Secret, which I know not yet:
Whatever Shape it wears, produce it; speak!
Baj.
Madam, the Choice is easie: Either raise
Your Pris'ner—and conduct him to the Throne;
Or I attend the Word, receive your Victim.
Roxa.
Enough, 'tis done!—You shall be satisfy'd.
A Guard there.—
SCENE II.
Roxana, Acomat, Bajazet.Roxa.
Vizier, I have chang'd my Thoughts.
Remember, Sultan Amurat's your Master.
Close all the Palace Gates, double the Guards;
And on your Life let none presume to enter
Without the accustom'd Orders.
17
SCENE III.
Acomat, Bajazet.Acom.
Bajazet!
My Prince! What do I hear? I stand confounded!
What have you done? All, all our Hopes are ruin'd!
Whence this Disorder?—Whom shall I accuse?
Oh! Heav'n!—
Baj.
The fatal Moment is arriv'd.
Roxana is offended: Vengeance follows.
You and your Friends must think of some Retreat.
I know how far my Friendship has expos'd you,
And hop'd one Day to recompence your Love:
But 'tis no more.
Acom.
Whence rose this sudden Change!
But now the whole Seraglio was in Peace;
And now the Tempest roars, and wrecks us all.
Baja.
She has commanded me to wed her.
Acom.
How!
Our Priests will there oppose her; yet, I think,
The Custom is not authoriz'd by Reason;
And shou'd be laid aside, when Self-defence
And Safety of the State plead strong against it.
Baja.
Then must I to a Bond-Maid owe my Crown?
Acom.
Yet, Solyman, victorious Solyman.
Not press'd like you, with Dangers, deign'd to wed
His Captive Maid.
Baj.
He was not bound like me:
What he perform'd, proceeded from his Choice:
His Slave, 'tis true, found Favour in his Eyes:
No base Necessity impos'd the Yoak;
But, free from Obligations, Love alone
Made her a generous Present of his Heart.
Acom.
But yet, you love Roxana?
Baj.
My Dear Vizier,
18
Which points upon me, is my least Misfortune.
Oh! that my Sword were drawn! that in the Field
The bloody Field, we might contend like Men
For this Imperial Prize!—Brave Acomat,
Might I yet warm your Heart with such a Hope!
Alass! I have but ill repaid your Love.
Acom.
Yes; if we perish now, you are the Cause.
Speak but one Word to save your self and us;
But one kind Look wou'd calm Roxana's Brow.
The Janizaries watchful, wait my Word;
The Priests, who rule at Will the giddy People,
Attend to guide you thro' the sacred Port,
Where first our Sultans make their Royal Entry.
Baj.
Oh! Vizier, Acomat; if e're thy Prince
Was dear to thee, preserve me from this Debt,
This heavy Load of hated Benefits:
Let me not owe my Glory and my Life
To a vain Woman—Summon all thy Friends;
Force the Seraglio—Thou shalt see thy Bajazet
Bleeding, and cover'd o'er with glorious Wounds,
Push thro' her num'rous Guards of Mutes and Eunuchs.
Acom.
Constant they wait around, and watch each Motion.
Oh! be assur'd, she will secure her Vengeance;
And on the first Alarm, your Life is lost;
Thus all our Zeal to serve you, will be fruitless.
Promise to wed Roxana.—The fond Woman
Will trust your Word; and when you're free—
Baj.
How, Vizier!
Acom.
Nay, redden not, nor check me with your Brow.
What! Know you not the Sons of Ottoman
Descend not to keep Faith with Slaves—Those Heroes,
Your Ancestors, who, by the Right of Arms
Rul'd half the Globe, were Masters of their Oaths;
And the State's Interest was their only Law.
This holy Throne of Mahomet was founded
On violated Leagues, and broken Treaties.
19
'Tis base, 'tis most inglorious, Vizier!—No;
Dishonour waits on Perfidy. The Valiant
Shou'd blush to think a Falshood: 'Tis the Crime
Of Cowards—
Acom.
Prince, my Soul applauds and loves you:
I must admire that Vertue which destroys me.
See, fair Atalida:—that beauteous Maid
Will join with me to save you from your self.
SCENE IV.
Bajazet, Atalida, Acomat.Ata.
Leave us, brave Acomat; and try to moderate
Roxana's Rage. She now prepares her Vengeance:
She has herself, beheld the Palace Gates
All clos'd; and we within, remain her Pris'ners.
Try all thy Eloquence; exert thy Skill:
Haste: We have no Time to loose in idle Words.
SCENE V.
Bajazet, Atalida.Baj.
'Tis fix'd, Atalida; 'tis certain now,
That I must die, or never more be yours.
Why, am I held in these unworthy Bonds,
And tortur'd thus, to perish by Degrees?
Oh! beauteous Maid, behold th'unhappy Fruit
Of counterfeited Love!—This I foretold:
But you wou'd have it so—Hide, hide your Passion:
Oh! let not the Sultana see your Tears;
They will betray you; hence; preserve your Life.
Ata.
No, Bajazet:—Your Love, your Fondness for me,
Too long have struggled with your Fate in vain.
I come determin'd, to surrender all
I hold most dear: Leave me, and reign; Roxana
20
Baj.
What say'st thou? Leave thee!
Ata.
'Tis my Request.—I have consulted here;
My Heart resolves it:—Tho' ten thousand Pangs,
Ten thousand jealous Torments rend my Bosom,
My Heart resolves it: Once I thought with Horror,
That I cou'd bear your Death, but not a Rival:
Your Death (forgive the Weakness of my Love)
Did not then seem the greatest Evil to me.
But now 'tis present to my View;—my Soul
Sinks under it;—and I can bear, my Lord,
Never to hear or see you, so you live.
My Heart resolves it:—Tho' ten thousand Pangs,
Ten thousand jealous Torments rend my Bosom,
My Heart resolves it: Once I thought with Horror,
That I cou'd bear your Death, but not a Rival:
Your Death (forgive the Weakness of my Love)
Did not then seem the greatest Evil to me.
But now 'tis present to my View;—my Soul
Sinks under it;—and I can bear, my Lord,
Never to hear or see you, so you live.
I know, with what a constant, steddy Mind
You dare confront your Fate: I know your Heart
Wou'd, with a pleasing Pride, give your last Breath
For me:—and dying so, confirm your Love.
Alass, alass! my Heart is trembling, fearful;
I must not, cannot, dare not see you die.
Oh! measure your Misfortunes by my Courage!
Expose me not to Trials too severe;
Too quick for Sense.
You dare confront your Fate: I know your Heart
Wou'd, with a pleasing Pride, give your last Breath
For me:—and dying so, confirm your Love.
Alass, alass! my Heart is trembling, fearful;
I must not, cannot, dare not see you die.
Oh! measure your Misfortunes by my Courage!
Expose me not to Trials too severe;
Too quick for Sense.
Baja.
What will become of thee,
When I shall celebrate these fatal Nuptials?
Ata.
Ask not, my Lord, what will become of me?
Whatever is my Fate, I will submit:
And, midst my flowing Tears, enjoy this Comfort,
That you yet live, and live at my Request.
Baj.
And think'st thou to effect thy cruel Purpose:
Know thy Commands to make me false, are Crimes
Wou'd sink me down beneath the meanest Slave,
Shou'd I obey 'em—Think Atalida,
Our Loves from Infancy to Age have ripen'd
By just Degrees; fond of the secret Blessing,
We joy'd in Silence o're our mutual Treasure.
How often have I sworn eternal Constancy!
No; let Roxana seek another Bond-Man.
What! shall I wed her to preserve my Life?
A Life that has no Comfort but in thee.
21
While poor Atalida, too sensible
Of her triumphant Rival's Pow'r, resigns,
(Oh! glorious Maid, worthy thy Godlike Race!)
Resigns her Heart, her Life, to save her Lover.
No: Let the Sultaness command my Life:
Oh! can'st thou think I will redeem it thus?
Ata.
Yet, you may live,—and not be false to me.
Baj.
Say, then, Atalida; propose the Means.
Ata.
Roxana loves you; spite of all her Rage,
She loves you.—Gently soften her Despair.
Suppose your Words and Looks shou'd give her Hopes,
That you one Day—
Baj.
I never can consent:
Vertue forbids it; and it must not be.
'Tis true, I hop'd (but vain are all my Hopes)
One Day, discharg'd of this inglorious Bondage,
To shine in Arms; by Toils and manly Dangers,
To assert my Lineage, and deserve to reign.
Yet neither Love nor Glory tempt my Soul
To use unworthy Means: No, my Atalida;
I will no more dissemble with her Love:
I'll to Roxana; bid her hope no more.
I must prevent thy most unjust Desires,
Which nothing, but thy Fondness can excuse.
Farewel, Atalida; remember Bajazet
Dies constant to his Honour and his Love.
Ata.
No, barb'rous Man, you shall not go alone:
I'll lead the fatal Way: If we must perish,
Roxana's Hand shall join us both in Death.
Yes; I'll instruct her in the dreadful Secret:
Her Jealousy will drink with eager Thirst
My Blood—and I deserve to die her Victim.
Baj.
Oh! Heaven! what would you do?
Ata.
Cruel! unkind!
Can you believe, I am less sensible
Than you, of what is due to Love and Vertue?
Oft as my falt'ring Tongue has feign'd this Tale
22
So often has the rising Blood o'respread
My guilty Cheeks: Will you not once attempt
What I so many Times perform'd for you?
Her Heart already, Sir, has seal'd your Pardon:
One tender Word will soften all her Rage.
I mark'd her; when with Love and Anger torn,
I saw the struggling Passions combat in her;
Still Love prevail'd, and over-rul'd her Rage.
Do not destroy your self; give her a Hope;
But one uncertain Hope, and you disarm her.
Oh! save your Life and mine!—must I then kneel,
And beg of Bajazet, my Love, to save me?
Baj.
'Tis well—you have prevail'd—once more, my Tongue
Shall contradict my Heart.—Oh! righteous Heav'n!
Where! where shall I find Words?
Ata.
That Heaven, you mention,
Angels of Light, the Genii of the Just;
Those Guardian Saints, who watchful, guide the Hearts
Of virtuous Lovers; all will dictate to you.
Away; I must no more appear between you:
Your Grief or mine, wou'd certainly betray us.
Be gone!—Remember that my Life is yours.
It must be done!—and tho' my Soul recoils
At the Deceit! yet still it must be done.
Angels of Light, the Genii of the Just;
Those Guardian Saints, who watchful, guide the Hearts
Of virtuous Lovers; all will dictate to you.
Away; I must no more appear between you:
Your Grief or mine, wou'd certainly betray us.
Be gone!—Remember that my Life is yours.
It must be done!—and tho' my Soul recoils
At the Deceit! yet still it must be done.
While Bajazet's hard Sentence I remove,
I wreck my Vertues, to preserve my Love.
I wreck my Vertues, to preserve my Love.
The End of the Second ACT.
| The Sultaness | |