University of Virginia Library

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,
My Heart is wounded, and that Death thou seest,
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.

Baj.
'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.