The Sultaness :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Sultaness

A Tragedy

Johnson, Charles (1679-1748)

THE SULTANESS:

Act III.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

Act III.

SCENE I.

Atalida, Zara.
Ata.
Can it be, Zara? Is his Pardon seal'd?

Zara.
A Slave dispatch'd this Moment from Roxana,
Brought back the joyful Vizier to her Presence:
He pass'd along with eager hasty Steps.

Ata.
What did he say? What is determin'd Zara?

Zara.
He spoke not, but a Flush of sudden Transport
Sat on his Face, and told the pleasing Change.
Roxana has revers'd her harsh Decree:
And now perhaps the Nuptials are preparing.

Ata.
Soft Peace, and tender Love—Ye flattering Joys
That fed my credulous Hopes: Farewel for ever:
Hold my too painful Heart! do'st thou repent
The noble Deed: Have I not done my Duty?

Zara.
What new Alarms? What Terrors now possess you?

Ata.
What Charms, what new Engagements have oblig'd her
To this so sudden, and unlook'd for Change?
What! Will he marry her?

Zara.
I know not Madam;
But if he buys his Freedom at that Price,
If he performs what your Commands enjoin'd,
If he shou'd wed her—

Atal.
Ha! what say'st thou? Wed her!

Za.
How! do you then repent the generous Means
Which only can preserve the Prince's Life.

Ata.
No, no, I know what 'tis I ought to do;

These jealous Sentiments croud on my Thoughts:
Yes, he must wed her; that alone can save
The Life of Bajazet; 'twas my Desire,
My last, dear, pious Wish, that he might live:
One Comfort have I left, one pleasing Thought,
That I shall die worthy my Royal Master.

Zara.
How die! why shou'd you mention Death, my Princess?

Atal.

I've lost my Love!—What have I more to loose?
Is there a Danger or a Fear remaining?
Oh! can'st thou think my Death wou'd be an Evil,
Which thus prevents an endless Train of Woes?
He lives!—enough!—He lives by my Request.
What then have I to do with Grief or Joy?
And yet, alass! may I not justly think,
When I have offer'd up this Sacrifice,
This Heart: That Bajazet will drop a Tear,
And wish my Faith had found a happier Lot.

Yet hold—I'll hear from Bajazet my Doom:
He shall pronounce it.

Zara.
Hide your ill-tim'd Grief;
It will betray you both: Behold, Atalida!
The Vizier comes; let him inform your Doubts.

SCENE II.

Atalida, Zara, Acomat.
Acom.

Once more the Lovers are agreed: A Calm
Succeeds this Storm, and all our Fears are vanish'd:
The Sultaness, disarm'd of all her Rage,
Prepares to shew the wond'ring Populace
The Standard of our Holy Mahomet,
Which Bajazet must bear; while I stand forth,
And tell our Mussulmen why this dread Signal
Is now produc'd; and fill their Minds with Terrors:

It will prepare this Change.—The unthinking Crowd
Are govern'd only by their Ears and Eyes.—

—Yet, Madam, now permit me to renew
The Memory of what my Zeal was promis'd.
Expect not from a Soldier, worn in Arms,
Those soft Endearments with which beardless Boys
Move our green Virgins Hearts;—No, Royal Maid,
If this firm Breast has ever been employ'd
In Cares for you, worthy my Age and Honour,
If a long Vassalage; if constant Services,
Such as all owe to your immortal Name,
May speak.—

Ata.
You shall have Time to count your Merits,
—Well then, you say these Lovers are transported?

Acom.
You know what Pleasures fill the ravish'd Minds
Of two fond Hearts, charm'd with each others Beauty.

Ata.
Yes!—but I was at first surpriz'd to hear
This unexpected Change; this sudden Turn.
He will espouse her then?

Acom.
So I believe.
I left th'unhappy Couple, as I thought,
Complaining, cross'd, fall'n out with Love and Fortune;
Strait I retir'd, and in a Brigantine
Resolv'd to save my self and my few Friends;
When just as we embarq'd, a Slave recall'd me,
And brought me back with Joy to the Seraglio
There I beheld the blushing Lovesick Queen,
Attending to her youthful Hero's Words,
Her Ears and Eyes were lost in Bajazet;
With Extasy she heard him plead his Pardon.
The silent Court gaz'd awful on the Prince,
While he declar'd his Love:—Within that Circle
Immovable I waited on her Looks,
When she with Eyes, that show'd her ravish'd Heart,
Gave him her Hand, the Pledge of future Faith,
Which he receiv'd.—

Ata.
Alas!—My tortur'd Soul!
This was too much.—

[Aside.]
Acom.

When now they both perceiv'd me,
Vizier, said she, behold your Prince and mine;
Brave Acomat, receive him as your Lord.
Go; Let th'Imperial Honours be prepar'd,
The joyful People wait to attend their Sovereign,
Beneath the sacred Banner to the Temple.

Prostrate I fell before his Godlike Presence,
And kiss'd his Robe;—Then, as my Duty prompted,
I flew to bring you this transporting News.
My Duty, Madam, will excuse my haste;
I must await our new-created Sultan,
And six th'Imperial Turbant on his Brow.

SCENE III.

Atalida, Zara.
Ata.
Let us be gone; let us retire, my Zara,
We will not interrupt their Bridal Joys.

Zora.
Can you then think?—

Ata.

I know not what to think;
Dost thou believe I will behold these Nuptials?
The Prince is safe; Roxana is appeas'd:
Alas! I little thought that Bajazet—
But why should I complain? 'twas my Desire:
Has he not readily fulfill'd my Will?
Yet am I much surpriz'd, to find the Prince
Cou'd plead with such persuasive Eloquence,
A Cause to which his Soul seem'd so averse:
Then jealous of his Faith, and firm to Honour,
He cou'd not bear to feign one guilty Word.
And yet perhaps his Words were cold and forc'd,
To sooth Roxana's Rage, as I requested.
Perhaps tho' they were forc'd, her eager Love
Believ'd the little that he said sincere.
Perhaps his generous Heart, at last was mov'd,

When he beheld her sacrifice her All;
Her Faith, her Love, her Power, and Pride to save him.
Perhaps he thought, by Gratitude subdu'd:
And conscious of the Debt;—No, Zara, no,
That Thought has fix'd ten Thousand Daggers here.

Alas! how fruitful is my jealous Mind,
In Reasons that distract and tear my Bosom.

Zara.
Yet he's not crown'd, nor has he yet espous'd her.
Wait the Success with Patience.

Ata.

My dear Zara,
When I prevail'd on him to see Roxana,
I did not give up all my Interest in him.
Cou'd I believe after that tender Passion,
Which warm'd our mutual Souls; this Interview
Wou'd give him Joy and Transport?—No, my Zara,
My jealous Heart wrongs him and tortures me.

Yet why was I shut out from all his Councils?
Have I so little Share in Bajazet?
Why does he not attend himself, and plead
His Cause in Person?—No, he dares not see me,
He cannot bear his Heart's too just Reproaches,
And therefore 'tis he shuns my hated Presence.

And yet 'tis fit it shou'd be thus—My Eyes
Wou'd wound him; they in spight of me wou'd talk
Of Gratitude, of Friendship, Faith, and Love.
He ne'er shall see me more—

Zara.
—Behold the Prince.

SCENE IV.

Bajazet, Atalida, Zara.
Baj.
'Tis done, I spoke, your Orders are obey'd!
You have no more to fear: My Life is safe;
And I might be most happy if wrong'd Faith
And injur'd Honour did not check my Joys.
Yes, if this Heart, which now with secret Pangs
Reproaches me, cou'd pardon like Roxana:

But I am now no Slave, my Bonds are off,
Thus Master of my Freedom, and my Sword;
No more my Silence, nor thy trembling Tongue,
Shall combate with a guilty Woman's Passion:
Embattled, arm'd, I'll meet this Tyrant Brother,
There in the tented Field, in noble Dangers,
Let us contend for this Imperial Prize.
Hah! what do I see?—Why dost thou weep,
Dost thou repine at my unjust Success?

Ata.

No, Sir, I murmur not at your Success,
Heav'n, Righteous Heaven, who wrought this Wonder for you,
Knows with what Prayers and Tears I ask'd your Life,
And while I breathe, your Eyes must witness for me,
Your Dangers only busied all my Cares.

I sacrifice my Life without Regret.
Indeed if those good Angels who preside
O'er virtuous Love, had listen'd to my Vows,
I might have hop'd for a more happy Death;
These Eyes wou'd ne'er have seen you wed my Rival.
What, was there then no other Way to melt
Her stubborn Rage, no lower Price than Marriage?
Yes, you have amply recompenc'd her Love;
Yet this sweet Thought will comfort me in Death,
That 'twas by my Command; for Love of me,
You mov'd her Heart—at least so I believ'd.

Baj.

Why dost thou vainly thus disturb thy Peace?
Why dost thou talk of Love and Marriage Joys?
Has One injurious Accent wrong'd my Faith?
Has my Heart feign'd one Falshood to preserve us?

Roxana's Warmth expounded my Return,
A certain Proof of Love: She cast her Eyes
In Passion on me—while in Tears of Joy
She vow'd eternal Faith; her forward Speech
Prevented all my Words, and answer'd for me?
She gave into my Hands her Life and Fortune,
And founded on my Gratitude the Hope,

The certain Hope of future Love and Marriage.
I blush'd to see her credulous Heart deceive her;
A Flame so tender, so unmerited,
Gave me Confusion;—which the blinded Queen
Believ'd to rise from an Excess of Passion.
My Silence was perfidious, I betray'd her;
And 'tis my Crime, that in that cruel Moment,
I guarded to the last my guilty Tongue,
To save my Love.

Ata.
Forgive my doubting Mind,
If she believ'd you hers, might I not tremble?
Millions of Fears fill each important Moment,
And croud my buisy Brain when thou art absent,
Ev'n now my Love I fear!

Baj.

'Tis most unjust,
Thus when my Heart, pierc'd with its own Upbraidings,
Retires to thy lov'd Bosom for Relief,
To beat it back again:—Unkind Atalida!
Dost thou afflict me with a broken Heart?
And Death, and injur'd Faith?—I see thy Fears,
Thy jealous Fears prevail o'er all my Vows,
And paint me to thy Fancy false and perjur'd:

It is not to be born! here let us fix,
Let us remove these Colours; they delude
And torture us, while we deceive Roxana.
Let us appear before the haughty Queen,
Such as we are; such as our Fate has made us:
One Heart, one Soul; let us stand up in Vertue,
And brave our guilty Fortune;—I'll declare
What I have said was all pretended, feign'd,
To hide our mutual Passion.—But she comes,
Roxana comes: Now thou shalt see, my Love,
With what a steady Mind I'll meet my Fate.

Ata.
Good Heav'n! what must I do? Oh Bajazet,
If thou didst ever love me; if my Life,
My Peace, my Honour, e'er were dear to thee.
I beg thee do not undeceive her now.
She's here; remember Prince.—

SCENE V.

Bajazet, Roxana, Atalida.
Roxa.
The Time is come,
The happy Moment is at last arriv'd,
Now rang'd beneath our holy Prophet's Banner,
The whole Seraglio calls you to the Throne;
The numerous Slaves who fill this awful Palace,
Assembled by my Orders, wait my Will:
Accept these Subjects which my Love presents,
The first in duteous Homage to my Lord.
Ah, cou'dst thou think, my Friend, that so much Love,
[To Atalida.]
Cou'd ever have succeeded so much Rage?
Did I not vow this Day shou'd be his last,
That I wou'd never hear, or see him more?
The Vow that Love occasion'd, Love has broke;
I saw his Mind disorder'd and confus'd,
I pardon'd all, the Nuptials are preparing,
I know him Noble, and believe his Word.

Baj.
Yes, I have promis'd, I have given my Faith,
Never to live unmindful of the Debt,
The mighty Debt my Gratitude must pay;
I've sworn in ever-living Truth and Duty,
To thank you with my Services, and Life;
And if this Price can pay or purchase ought,
I'm free; if not, I must remain your Slave.

SCENE VI.

Roxana, Atalida.
Rox.
Amazement! Heav'n! what is it strikes my Soul?
Illuding Vision! Do these Eyes deceive me?
Were not his Looks o'ercast with Discontent,
His Words all frozen, and his Accent cold?

Alas! I thought his Love sincere and fix'd,
What! does he then repent my Rage appeas'd?
How long! how long! will thy rash Love delude thee?
Hah! You were talking with him; tell me, Madam,
How were his Thoughts employ'd?

Ata.
On Love and You.

Roxa.
On me!—You see he throws away his Life,
Rather than counterfeit a Moment's Passion.
But say wherefore when Joy shou'd be the Subject,
Why when all Eyes and Hearts were fill'd with Transport?
Did he retire to wail with you his Fortune?
Perhaps you can explain the mournful Cause,
That thus (Oh Righteous Alha) blasts my Hopes.

Ata.
I did not mark this melancholy Air,
It has not cross'd my unobserving Eyes.
He weary'd me with talking o'er your Bounties;
Now while you enter'd, ev'n now his Heart,
His grateful Heart, was full of Love and You.
Shou'd he seem otherwise, no wonder, Madam,
This solemn Hour, big with his future Weal,
This sacred Crisis of his Fate and Fortune,
May ask for Solitude and serious Thinking;
A passing Care may overcast his Mind,
And for a Moment cloud his chearful Brow.

Roxa.
Madam, you plead his Cause with great Address!

Ata.
What other Reasons can—

Roxa.
Enough! enough!—
I know your Reasons better than you think;
Leave me:—I too have need of Solitude;
I have my Cares and Fears, like Bajazet.
Oh leave me for a Moment to my Thoughts.

SCENE VII.

Roxana
Alone.
Which way shall I interpret what I see?
I am deceiv'd, betray'd; they both have held
A guilty, loving, curs'd Intelligence:

Why did the Blood forsake her guilty Cheeks?
Why shou'd she start and tremble? Why should he
Behold me with Astonishment and Horror?
To what unworthy Shame am I condemn'd!
Is this then the Reward of all my Love?
Have all my waking Cares and sleepless Nights,
My Plots, my dark Intrigues, my Breach of Faith,
My violated Vows and hated Treasons,
Serv'd only to promote a Rival's Interest?
Yet I may wrong my self, and him, and her,
And this may be th'Illusion of my Fears;
Wou'd she solicit with such a Zeal a Marriage,
Which must for ever root up all her Hopes?
Or cou'd his generous Heart repay me thus?
It cannot be; I fright my self with Shadows:
And yet, alas! dost thou not know too well
Love's Empire; what is Gratitude or Duty?
Those Ties shou'd bind thy Heart to Amurat,
If I consult my Reason then—Who's there?

SCENE VIII.

Roxana, Zatima.
Zat.
Your Pardon, Madam, that I thus presume
Uncall'd to break into your private Moments;
A Slave is from the Army just arriv'd.
The Port that opens on the Sea was clos'd;
But when the Mutes, who guarded it, beheld
Their Sultan's Orders, they obey'd and trembled:
And to my great Surprize, this Slave was Orcan.

Roxa.
Orcan!

Zat.
Yes he, our Sultan's faithful Creature,
That executes without Remorse his Will.
Africk, his Native Country, never bred
A Soul and Body more of one Complexion,
His sullen Mind gleams thro' his darken'd Visage:
I have detain'd him in the next Apartment,
Till I receiv'd your Pleasure.

Rox.

Zatima,
What can his Orders bear? What can I answer?
'Tis certain the disturb'd and jealous Sultan,
A second Time demands his Brother's Head,
But still that Blow must be by my Command;
For all within this Palace yet are mine.
But ought I, shou'd I now defend his Life?
Is Amurat, or Bajazet, my Lord?
The one I have betray'd, the other me;
Time presses, Doubts perplex me, teach, advise:
What's to be done? With artful Guile these Lovers
Conceal their Hearts, but Love cannot be hid.

If the dumb Voice her tuneful Aid denies,
It eloquently lightens in our Eyes;
If both are silent, the strong Passion breaks
Its rapid Way; each Sigh and Motion speaks;
Ev'n now Love's Power does my whole Soul employ,
And my torn Heart will know no other Joy.

The End of the Third ACT.