 | The Sultaness |  |
44
Act V.
SCENE I.
Atalida.
Alass! I search in vain!—Oh! Bajazet,
Where art thou? Gone!—For ever gone from me!
Why am I left within these Walls alone?
My beating Heart boads Mischief.—All is lost!
[Searching for the Letter.
Where art thou? Gone!—For ever gone from me!
Why am I left within these Walls alone?
My beating Heart boads Mischief.—All is lost!
Ah! what avail'd it thee to hide with Care,
And close his fatal Letter in thy Bosom.
Roxana's Presence scatter'd all thy Spirits:
Her Voice, her Menaces, her bloody Orders
Enfeebl'd my weak Frame, and struck me dead.
And close his fatal Letter in thy Bosom.
Roxana's Presence scatter'd all thy Spirits:
Her Voice, her Menaces, her bloody Orders
Enfeebl'd my weak Frame, and struck me dead.
The Women, her too faithful Ministers,
Are vanish'd all!—What will become of me?
Ye cruel, barb'rous Hands! Is this your Succour?
I dearly purchase your inhuman Aid!
Are vanish'd all!—What will become of me?
Ye cruel, barb'rous Hands! Is this your Succour?
I dearly purchase your inhuman Aid!
A deep and awful Silence guards this Place,
And Horrors dwell around!—Alass! Atalida,
What hast thou now to fear? What more to loose?
My Bajazet is dead!—or dies this Moment!
And thou thy Rival's Pris'ner! Hark! the Doors
Fly open!—Now; now I shall learn his Fate.
And Horrors dwell around!—Alass! Atalida,
What hast thou now to fear? What more to loose?
My Bajazet is dead!—or dies this Moment!
And thou thy Rival's Pris'ner! Hark! the Doors
Fly open!—Now; now I shall learn his Fate.
SCENE II.
Roxana, Atalida, Zatima.Roxa.
Retire!
Ata.
Madam, if you cou'd pardon—
Roxa.
Hence!
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Guards, take your Pris'ner.
SCENE III.
Roxana, Zatima.Roxa.
All Things are prepar'd,
Fierce Orcan, and the Mutes expect their Victim.
Yet am I still the Mistress of his Fate;
And can defer it:—But, shou'd he attempt
One Step beyond his Bounds, he dies.—Say, Zatima,
How did he take my Message? Will he come?
Zat.
Suspecting not his Destiny so near,
He seem'd with Pleasure to obey the Summons,
And now a Slave conducts him to your Presence.
Roxa.
—Abject,—and poor of Spirit! justly scorn'd!
And only fit to be deceiv'd!—Can'st thou
Submit to let him come; and bear again
To see him triumph over all thy Weakness?
Think'st thou to frighten, or perswade his Soul?
Or shou'd he yield, can'st thou consent to pardon?
No, no!—Too long he has abus'd my Fondness!
I will no more attempt his harden'd Heart:
No!—Let him perish quick!—But see; he comes.
SCENE IV.
Roxana, Bajazet.Roxa.
I shall not tire you, Prince, with vain Reproaches;
The Moments are too precious to be lost.
You know what I have done.—To say no more
You live:—And I repine not, that my Love,
My Benefits, cou'd merit no Regard.
Tho', to a noble Mind, such lavish Kindness
And such uncommon Love might have their Weight,
And partly recompence the want of Charms.
The Moments are too precious to be lost.
You know what I have done.—To say no more
You live:—And I repine not, that my Love,
My Benefits, cou'd merit no Regard.
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And such uncommon Love might have their Weight,
And partly recompence the want of Charms.
But, it surprizes me, you e'er cou'd think
Falshood and Treachery were fit Returns
For so much Faith and Love; that you cou'd stood
To feign a Passion which your Heart ne'er felt.
Falshood and Treachery were fit Returns
For so much Faith and Love; that you cou'd stood
To feign a Passion which your Heart ne'er felt.
Baj.
How, Madam! I!—
Roxa.
Yes, You! No more; no more:
Strive not with Words to varnish o're thy Guilt;
Nor let thy perjur'd Lips prophane that Passion,
Which thou do'st only feel for thy Atalida.
Baj.
Atalida!—What idle busy Tongue—
Roxa.
Read:—And deny that Writing if you can.
Baj.
I have no more to say.—These Lines, Roxana,
Reveal the Secret of a hapless Passion.
How often have you seen my labouring Breast
Ready to burst with Sighs: I durst not vent!
I love her; I confess it: And my Heart,
Engag'd even in my Childhood, cou'd admit
No foreign Guest.
Roxa.
Tortures! Distraction! Death!
Well, Sir; go on, go on: but still remember,
The Time is short: This Moment is your last.
Baj.
You offer'd me at once, both Life and Empire:
Cou'd I reject such Offers?—You believ'd
(What most you wish'd) That I must love the Giver;
I saw your Error, and forbore to check it.
What cou'd I more?—When you disclos'd your Passion,
And once had deign'd to parley with your Slave:
Your Safety then requir'd I shou'd comply.
How ill this Fraud became me, you can witness.
How oft have you reproach'd my guilty Silence?
The more I saw my promis'd Hopes advance,
The more I pity'd you, and blam'd my self.
Cou'd I reject such Offers?—You believ'd
(What most you wish'd) That I must love the Giver;
I saw your Error, and forbore to check it.
What cou'd I more?—When you disclos'd your Passion,
And once had deign'd to parley with your Slave:
Your Safety then requir'd I shou'd comply.
How ill this Fraud became me, you can witness.
How oft have you reproach'd my guilty Silence?
The more I saw my promis'd Hopes advance,
The more I pity'd you, and blam'd my self.
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Yet Heav'n, that searches all my Thoughts, does know,
I should not have repaid with empty Vows
This mighty Debt.—No, Madam, if Success
Had open'd to my Gratitude the Means,
I amply shou'd have recompenc'd your Bounty,
I shou'd have crown'd your most aspiring Wishes:
That you your self might say—
I should not have repaid with empty Vows
This mighty Debt.—No, Madam, if Success
Had open'd to my Gratitude the Means,
I amply shou'd have recompenc'd your Bounty,
I shou'd have crown'd your most aspiring Wishes:
That you your self might say—
Roxa.
What coud'st thou do?
What can'st thou give, vain Man, besides thy Heart?
Think'st thou thy idle Vows can profit me?
Dost thou not then remember who I am?
The Sultaness, great Amurat's Vicegerent!
Who rule, beneath his Influence, half the Globe!
(And what I ne'er must hope to find in thee)
The Sovereign of his Heart!—Thus rais'd in Power,
Dost thou believe I will abase my self
To herd with Slaves? scorn'd of the Man I crown,
And live upon my hated Rival's Smiles!
What can'st thou give, vain Man, besides thy Heart?
Think'st thou thy idle Vows can profit me?
Dost thou not then remember who I am?
The Sultaness, great Amurat's Vicegerent!
Who rule, beneath his Influence, half the Globe!
(And what I ne'er must hope to find in thee)
The Sovereign of his Heart!—Thus rais'd in Power,
Dost thou believe I will abase my self
To herd with Slaves? scorn'd of the Man I crown,
And live upon my hated Rival's Smiles!
But I have done—the Moments waste. Once more
Resolve my Doubts.—Behold the Sultan's Orders,
The Mutes attend.—Wilt thou yet live and reign?
Determine:—Speak:—Reply.
Resolve my Doubts.—Behold the Sultan's Orders,
The Mutes attend.—Wilt thou yet live and reign?
Determine:—Speak:—Reply.
Baja.
Obey the Sultan.
Rexa.
No, Bajazet!—I will defeat thy Pride!
Thy haughty Soul aspires to perish for her!
For curst Atalida.—But she shall die.
The Mutes shall strain the fatal Cords before thee:
Thou shalt behold each captivating Feature,
Deform'd and swoln with suffocating Blood.
When she is gone, I may possess thy Love.
On these Conditions you obtain your Pardon.
Follow me, and live.
Baj.
Cruel, bloody Woman!
I'll not accept it but to punish thee:
To shew the World how I abhor thy Pride:
To make a great Example of thy Crimes,
And leave thy Name a Curse to future Ages.
I'll not accept it but to punish thee:
To shew the World how I abhor thy Pride:
To make a great Example of thy Crimes,
And leave thy Name a Curse to future Ages.
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Wretch that I am! abandon'd to Distraction!
Oh, let me not provoke you by my Frenzy
To ruin her! Alas, she is innocent
Of all my Rage, my Falshood, my Injustice!
Far from preventing your intended Nuptials:
She has conjur'd me to renounce her Love,
And give my self to you.—Be just, Roxana,
And separate her Vertues from my Crimes.
Let your whole store of Vengeance fall on me:
Haste; execute my Brother's bloody Orders,
And let me die, at least, before I hate you.
The cruel Sultan does not ask her Life.
Oh, spare her then! Grant this my last Request;
Add this one Boon to all your former Kindness,
If ever, Madam, I was dear—
Oh, let me not provoke you by my Frenzy
To ruin her! Alas, she is innocent
Of all my Rage, my Falshood, my Injustice!
Far from preventing your intended Nuptials:
She has conjur'd me to renounce her Love,
And give my self to you.—Be just, Roxana,
And separate her Vertues from my Crimes.
Let your whole store of Vengeance fall on me:
Haste; execute my Brother's bloody Orders,
And let me die, at least, before I hate you.
The cruel Sultan does not ask her Life.
Oh, spare her then! Grant this my last Request;
Add this one Boon to all your former Kindness,
If ever, Madam, I was dear—
Roxa.
No more!
A Guard there! Take your Pris'ner!—Never more
Perfidious Man, shalt thou behold my Face!
SCENE V.
Roxana, Zatima.Zat.
Atalida requests once more to see you;
She begs she may be heard but one short Moment:
She urges Bus'ness, Madam, that concerns
Your sacred Life and Safety.—
Roxa.
Let her come!
Haste, Zatima, and follow Bajazet;
Be thou the Witness of my just Revenge,
And bring me early Notice of his Death.
SCENE VI.
Roxana, Atalida.Ata.
Madam, I come not now to counterfeit,
To act the Friend, and to abuse your Goodness:
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I come to speak the Secret of my Heart,
To own my Crime, and yield to your Resentments.
Yes, Madam, I confess I have deceiv'd you.
Urg'd by my Love, when e're I saw the Prince,
Far from obeying you, in all I said,
In all I did, I study'd to betray you;
I lov'd him young, and won his Heart betimes,
E're yet we knew, alass, what 'twas to love!
The Sultaness, his Mother, joyn'd us both,
And, dying, ratify'd the fatal Union.
Roxa.
Do'st thou then hope to move me by this Tale?
Deceitful Woman!
Ata.
Yet vouchsafe to hear me;
You lov'd him since,—and happy had it been
Both for your Peace and mine, had you but known
My Heart, or I been ignorant of yours.
I cannot, Madam, disavow my Guilt;
I swear by Heaven, that sees my just Confusion,
By all the immortal Race of Ottoman,
My God-like Ancestors, who now in me
Lye prostrate at your Feet; by them I swear
That Bajazet stands clear of all my Falshood.
His Eyes at last were open to your Charms;
His Heart was sensible to all your Bounties:
My Jealousy was busy to pervert
His generous Purpose, and to injure you.
I practis'd every Art to sap his Virtue;
By turns I try'd Reproaches, Tears and Rage;
Accus'd him with my Death; gave him no Rest,
Till I this Day, this most ill-fated Day,
Wrested fresh Pledges from him of his Love;
Made him retract his Faith, his Vows to you,
And drove, him headlong to our mutual Ruin.
Roxa.
How! then—I thought—No, no! it cannot be;
I see your Drift, your little Arts are vain;
No longer I believe; no longer you deceive.
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You may believe me, I resign the Prince;
Impute his past Indifference all to me,
And think he will at last repay your Ardor.
When I am gone, the cause of his Unkindness;
No jealous Fears will interrupt your Loves.
Impute his past Indifference all to me,
And think he will at last repay your Ardor.
When I am gone, the cause of his Unkindness;
No jealous Fears will interrupt your Loves.
Yet, Madam, though my Crime does merit Death,
Let not my Sentence be pronounc'd by you.
Remember he once lov'd me, and who knows,
Shou'd you approach him crimson'd with my Blood,
But it may wound his yet too tender Heart;
Give him Distaste, and fill his Soul with Horror.
You may intrust your Vengeance to my Hands;
For I am grown impatient after Death,
And shall be speedy to perform your Will.
Let not my Sentence be pronounc'd by you.
Remember he once lov'd me, and who knows,
Shou'd you approach him crimson'd with my Blood,
But it may wound his yet too tender Heart;
Give him Distaste, and fill his Soul with Horror.
You may intrust your Vengeance to my Hands;
For I am grown impatient after Death,
And shall be speedy to perform your Will.
Go, Madam, go, and reign with Bajazet,
Crown the young Hero, and confirm him yours;
Secure his Life, I'll answer for my Death.
Go, Madam: I shall Rival you no more,
So shall your Happiness be undisturb'd,
And I, at least, be past all Sense of Sorrow.
Crown the young Hero, and confirm him yours;
Secure his Life, I'll answer for my Death.
Go, Madam: I shall Rival you no more,
So shall your Happiness be undisturb'd,
And I, at least, be past all Sense of Sorrow.
Roxa.
I merit not this mighty Sacrifice:
I shall be just to you and to my self.
Far from dividing you from Bajazet,
I mean this Day to join you both for ever.
Rise, Madam, you shall see once more your Prince.
Shouting and a confus'd Noise without.
But—hah—What means this unexpected Tumult?
SCENE VII.
Roxana, Atalida, Zatima.Zat.
Haste, Madam, shew your self, and stem this Torrent;
It bears upon us.—All is in Disorder;
The Rebel Acomat commands the Palace,
He and his impious Friends have forc'd their Passage
With rude Assaults, profaning the Seraglio;
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Inactive stand, as doubtful of their Duty,
And think the Vizier authoriz'd by you.
Roxa.
Audacious Traitor! Zatima, do thou
(As thou shalt answer for her with thy Life)
Secure my Captive; while I fly to quell
this daring Treason, and assert my Power.
SCENE VIII.
Atalida, Zatima.Ata.
Alas! I know not what to hope or fear;
Nor whom to favour in my secret Wishes!
Nor whom to favour in my secret Wishes!
If e'er thy Mind was touch'd with soft Compassion,
Assist a Wretch that pants and gasps for Comfort.
I do not ask thee to betray thy Mistress—
Oh Zatima! When didst thou see the Prince?
May I yet hope he lives?
Assist a Wretch that pants and gasps for Comfort.
I do not ask thee to betray thy Mistress—
Oh Zatima! When didst thou see the Prince?
May I yet hope he lives?
Zat.
Unhappy Princess!
I dare no more but pity your Misfortunes.
Ata.
Has then Roxana sentenc'd him to die?
Zat.
I must be secret, and approve my Faith.
Ata.
Insulting Zatima! perverse of Mind!
Say only whether Bajazet yet lives.
Zat.
Shou'd I reply, my Life must pay the Forfeit.
Ata.
Oh, 'tis too much!—strike here, and give full Proof
Of thy curs'd Zeal to serve a Tyrant's Will,
Transfix this Heart, more wounded by thy Silence;
Slave to a Slave! and both alike inhuman!
Haste, spill the Blood for which Roxana thirsts,
And shew thy self accomplish'd for her Service.
Of thy curs'd Zeal to serve a Tyrant's Will,
Transfix this Heart, more wounded by thy Silence;
Slave to a Slave! and both alike inhuman!
Haste, spill the Blood for which Roxana thirsts,
And shew thy self accomplish'd for her Service.
In vain thou stand'st my Guard, I'll force my Way:
Stand off!—I'll see my Bajazet, or perish.
Stand off!—I'll see my Bajazet, or perish.
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SCENE IX.
Atalida, Acomat, Zatima.Acom.
Where! where is Bajazet? Instruct me Madam!
Shall I yet live to save him?
Ata.
Oh my Fears!
Acom.
Already have I travers'd the Seraglio.
Courageous Osmyn leads on half my Friends;
The rest have seconded my bold Attempts.
Still as I pass, I meet a Herd of Dastards,
No Foes, but flying Slaves and fearful Women.
Ata.
Alas; I cannot learn his Destiny;
This Slave alone can tell—
Acom.
Speak Traitress, speak:
Tempt not my Vengeance! lead me to the Prince.
SCENE X.
Atalida, Acomat, Zatima, Zara.Zara.
Madam—
Ata.
What bring'st thou, Zara?
Zara.
Cease to fear,
Your Rival, your once dreaded Foe is dead.
Ata.
The Sultaness!
Zara.
And what will more surprize you,
She fell by Orcan:—Orcan gave the Blow.
Ata.
How! Orcan!
Zara.
Failing in his curs'd Design
On Bajazet, his Fury fell on her.
Ata.
Oh Righteous Heav'n! then Vertue is thy Care,
He lives! he lives! Run Vizier and assist him;
Fly, bring him back to Life, to Love and Empire.
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Behold where Osmyn comes! He saw the Deed,
And may in every Circumstance inform you.
SCENE XI.
Atalida, Acomat, Zara, Osmyn.Acomat.
Say, is Roxana dead?
Osm.
I saw the Assassin
Draw the warm reeking Poniard from her Breast;
Orcan, to whom the Secret was intrusted,
Made shew of Friendship to insure her Ruin.
It seems the Sultan had dispatch'd him hither
To sacrifice the Lovers, one by one—
As we advanc'd our Arms, he cry'd aloud,
“Ye Mussulmen, behold your Sultan's Orders,
“Fall prostrate, and adore the sacred Signet;
“Hence ye profane, and quit this holy Palace.
Draw the warm reeking Poniard from her Breast;
Orcan, to whom the Secret was intrusted,
Made shew of Friendship to insure her Ruin.
It seems the Sultan had dispatch'd him hither
To sacrifice the Lovers, one by one—
As we advanc'd our Arms, he cry'd aloud,
“Ye Mussulmen, behold your Sultan's Orders,
“Fall prostrate, and adore the sacred Signet;
“Hence ye profane, and quit this holy Palace.
Thus having spoke, he left the Sultaness
Weltring in Blood upon the Marble Pavement;
Then, marching forwards, with his goary Hands
Full in our Sight, display'd the fatal Mandate
That authoriz'd his Murders. Stung with Rage,
We rush'd upon him, and with lifted Sabres
Aveng'd on him the Death of—Bajazet.
Weltring in Blood upon the Marble Pavement;
Then, marching forwards, with his goary Hands
Full in our Sight, display'd the fatal Mandate
That authoriz'd his Murders. Stung with Rage,
We rush'd upon him, and with lifted Sabres
Aveng'd on him the Death of—Bajazet.
Ata.
Of Bajazet!
Acom.
What say'st thou?
Osm.
He is dead,
Knew you not this?
Atal.
Oh Heaven!—
Osm.
The Sultaness!
Lost in her Fears, distrustful of your Succours,
Abandon'd to her Mutes his precious Life:
In vain I felt his Corps for vital Warmth;
Breathless he lay upon a Heap of Slain,
Grasping a Sabre deeply drench'd in Blood:
A Croud of Slaves, enobled by his Hand,
Accompany'd his Fall, and like a Hero
He brav'd his Foes, and triumph'd even in Death.
Lost in her Fears, distrustful of your Succours,
Abandon'd to her Mutes his precious Life:
In vain I felt his Corps for vital Warmth;
Breathless he lay upon a Heap of Slain,
Grasping a Sabre deeply drench'd in Blood:
A Croud of Slaves, enobled by his Hand,
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He brav'd his Foes, and triumph'd even in Death.
But, Sir, since all is lost, we must be speedy
To save our selves, and make a quick Retreat.
To save our selves, and make a quick Retreat.
Acom.
My cruel Stars! to what am I reduc'd!
Madam, I feel your Loss in Bajazet;
It wou'd be fruitless now to offer Comfort;
Indulge your Fears, and give a loose to Sorrow.
Madam, I feel your Loss in Bajazet;
It wou'd be fruitless now to offer Comfort;
Indulge your Fears, and give a loose to Sorrow.
Life is not worth my Care; but I must live
To save my Friends, intangled in my Guilt.
To save my Friends, intangled in my Guilt.
For you, fair Princess, whose disastrous Love
Wou'd melt the most obdurate Mind to pity;
If in some distant Climate you wou'd lose
The said Remembrance of this mournful Place;
My faithful Friends shall wait upon your Will,
And guide you wheresoe're your Wishes lead:
Wou'd melt the most obdurate Mind to pity;
If in some distant Climate you wou'd lose
The said Remembrance of this mournful Place;
My faithful Friends shall wait upon your Will,
And guide you wheresoe're your Wishes lead:
Think, Madam, while I yet command this Palace.
Ata.
Then farewel all!—My groundless Jealousies,
My base Suspicions, my capricious Fears,
And wicked Arts, have murder'd Bajazet.
Roxana and the Sultan both are Guiltless.
Have I then lov'd thee, only to destroy thee?
And can I bear the racking Thought and live!
—Enough, Atalida!—It must not be—
O ye immortal Spirits of his Race!
That hop'd to live again in Bajazet,
Whose Glory and Repose I have prophan'd:
Thou, Mother, who first gav'st his Heart to me,
Presaging Blessings from our early Loves:
Thou injur'd Vizier; you despairing Friends,
And thou Roxana—all assist my Purpose;
Urge on the Rage of my distracted Soul,
And take, at last, the Vengeance which I owe.
[Kills her self.
Osm.
Wrest from her Hand the Poniard.
Ata.
I have done.
Zara.
Alas! she faints; she dies.
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Unhappy Maid!
It had been cruel to prevent the Stroke,
Since Death alone cou'd finish thy Misfortunes.
Ata.
Oh Bajazet! receive me, I am thine.
Zara.
Oh, my lov'd Princess!
Acom.
Our Companions wait;
The Galleys stand prepar'd; we must be gone.
Osmyn, do thou convey the Lovers hence;
Let their Remains be plac'd on Board my Vessel;
I will my self, in happier Climes, erect
Their lasting Monument; 'tis fit one Tomb
Should hold them both, whom Love and Fate have join'd.
The Galleys stand prepar'd; we must be gone.
Osmyn, do thou convey the Lovers hence;
Let their Remains be plac'd on Board my Vessel;
I will my self, in happier Climes, erect
Their lasting Monument; 'tis fit one Tomb
Should hold them both, whom Love and Fate have join'd.
The Tyrant shall not, with a barbarous Pride,
His glorious Brother's mangled Corps deride:
In other Worlds Roxana shall despair,
And soft Atalida no Rival fear:
She of her faithful Bajazet possess'd,
Shall find, what greatly was on Earth confess'd,
In endless Paradise is greatly blest.
His glorious Brother's mangled Corps deride:
In other Worlds Roxana shall despair,
And soft Atalida no Rival fear:
She of her faithful Bajazet possess'd,
Shall find, what greatly was on Earth confess'd,
In endless Paradise is greatly blest.
FINIS.
| The Sultaness | |