 | Mahomet The Imposter |  |
29
ACT III.
SCENE I.
ZAPHNA and PALMIRA.ZAPHNA.
Alcanor claim a private Conference with us!
What has he to unfold?
Pal.
I tremble, Zaphna.
Zaph.
Time press'd too, did he say?
Pal.
He did; then cast
A Look so piercing on me, it o'erwhelm'd
My Face with deep Confusion; this he mark'd,
Then, starting, left me.
Zaph.
[Aside.]
Hah! This gives me Fear
That Mirvan's Jealousies are too well grounded;
But I must not distract her tender Bosom
With visionary Terrors. [To Pal.]
Both in private?
Pal.
In private both.
Zaph.
Her Virtue, and my Life! [Apart.]
It cannot be; so reverend a Form
Could ne'er be Pander to such black Devices.
Pal.
But let us shun it, Zaphna; much I fear
Alcanor has deceiv'd us; dread the Treach'ry
Of this blood-thirsty Senate. Trust me, Zaphna,
They've sworn the Extirpation of our Faith,
Nor care by what vile means—
Zaph.
My Soul's best Treasure,
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Is up in Arms, regardless of my own;
Shun thou Alcanor's Presence. I would meet him
Intrepid instantly, but Duty calls
To more important Deeds. This Hour, Palmira,
Mirvan, by order of our royal Pontiff,
Prepares to solemnize some Act of Worship
Of a more hallow'd and mysterious kind,
Than will admit of vulgar Eye. Myself
Alone am honour'd to assist.
Pal.
Alone!
Zaph.
Yes, to devote myself by solemn Vow
For some great Act, of which my Fair's the Prize.
Pal.
What Act?
Zaph.
No matter, since my lov'd Palmira
Shall be the glorious Recompence.—
Pal.
Oh Zaphna!
Methinks I do not like this secret Vow!
Why must not I be present? Were I with thee
I should not be so anxious; I'd then guard thee
'Gainst ought that offer'd in the shape of Danger.
For, trust me, Zaphna, my Affection for thee
Is of that pure, disinterested nature,
So free from Passion's Taint, I've no one Wish
To have thee more than thus; have thee my Friend,
Share thy lov'd Converse, wait upon thy Welfare,
And view thee with a Sister's spotless Eye.
Zaph.
Angelick Excellence!
Pal.
And, let me tell thee,
This Mirvan, this fierce Mirvan gives me Terrors;
So far from tendring Consolation to me,
His Theme is Blood and Slaughter; as I met him,
His Eyes flam'd Fury, whilst in dubious Phrase
He thus bespoke me—“The Destroying-Angel
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“Some glorious Deed for thee, yet hid in Darkness;
“Learn an implicit Rev'rence for its Will,
“And above all, I warn thee, fear for Zaphna.
Zaph.
What could he mean? Can I believe, Alcanor,
Thy fair Deportment but a treach'rous Mask?
Perhaps in those bless'd Moments, when once more
I felt the Sunshine of Palmira's Smiles,
My Soul, wrapt up in its own Transport, full,
Too full to let in any Stranger-Thought,
Forgetting all its Griefs, and all its Fears,
O'erlook'd the artful Windings of his Heart;
For, since, I've held me happy in his Friendship,
And Bondage wore the Livery of Choice.
But this was wrong, and henceforth I will hate him
With double Zeal for thus seducing me.
Yet, spite of all the Rage that ought to fire me
Against this Rebel to our Faith and Prophet,
'Tis hard to hate, where one's inclin'd to love.
Pal.
How has Heav'n fraught our love-link'd Hearts, my Zaphna,
With the same Thoughts, Aversions, and Desires!
But for thy Safety, and our dread Religion
That thunders Hatred to all Infidels,
With great Remorse I should accuse Alcanor.
Zaph.
Let us shake off this vain Remorse, Palmira,
Resign ourselves to Heav'n, and act its Pleasure.
The Hour is come that I must pledge my Vow.
Doubt not but the Supreme, who claims this Service,
Will prove propitious to our chaste Endearments.
Farewel, my Love; I fly to gain the Summit
Of Earth's Felicity—to gain Palmira.
[Exit.
Pal.
Where'er I turn me here, 'tis all Suspicion!
What means this Vow! Mirvan, I like thee not.
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Ev'n Mah'met's Self I dread whilst I invoke him!
Like one benighted 'midst a Place of Tombs,
I gaze around me, start at ev'ry Motion,
And seem hem'd in by visionary Spectres.
All righteous Pow'r, whom trembling I adore,
And blindly follow! O deliver me
From these Heart-rending Terrors.—Ha! who's here!
Enter MAHOMET.
'Tis he! 'tis Mahomet himself; kind Heav'n
Has sent him to my Aid—My gracious Lord,
Protect the dear, dear Idol of my Soul;
Save Zaphna, guard him from—
Mah.
From what?—Why Zaphna?
Whence this vain Terror? Is he not with us?
Pal.
O Sir, you double now my Apprehensions.
Those broken Accents, and that eager Look,
Shew you have Anguish smothering at the Heart,
And prove, for once, that Mahomet's a Mortal.
Mah.
[Apart.]
Hah! I shall turn a Traitor to myself—
O Woman! Woman!—Hear me; ought I not
To be enrag'd at thy profane Attachment?
How could thy Breast, without the keenest Sting,
Harbour one Thought not dictated by me?
Is that young Mind, I took such Toil to form,
Turn'd an Ingrate and Infidel at once?
Away, rebellious Maid—
Pal.
What dost thou say,
My Royal Lord? Thus prostrate at your Feet,
Let me implore Forgiveness, if in ought
I have offended; talk not to me thus;
A Frown from thee, my Father and my King,
Is Death to poor Palmira. Say then, Mahomet,
Didst thou not deign to justify his Choice?
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To tender me his Vows?
Mah.
[Apart.]
His Vows! Perdition!
How the soft Trait'ress racks me!—Rise, Palmira.—
[Apart.]
Down, Rebel Love! I must be calm.—Come hither;
Beware, rash Maid, of such imprudent Steps,
They lead to Guilt. What wild, pernicious Errors
Mayn't the Heart yield to, if not greatly watch'd!
Pal.
In loving Zaphna, sure it cannot err;
There's nothing wild, nothing pernicious—
Mah.
How!
This Theme delights you—
Pal.
I must own it does.
Yes, my great Master; for I still have thought
That Heav'n itself approv'd of my Affection,
And gave a Sanction to our mutual Ardours.
From Heav'n, you oft' have told us, ev'ry Bent
And proper Tendency of Nature Springs.
Heav'n knows not change, how can it then to-day
Condemn a Passion Yester's Sun approv'd?
Can what was Virtue once be now a Crime?
Can I be guilty—
Mah.
Yes—toward me you are—
You! nurs'd from Infancy beneath my Eye,
Child of my Care, and Pupil of my Faith!
You, whom my partial Fondness still distinguish'd
From all the captive Youth that grac'd my Triumphs;
And You, who now without my Leave, permit
A Slave to bear thee from my Sight for ever.
Pal.
No, we both live, nay more, would die for Thee:
And, O my Lord, if all that Earth can offer
Of Grandeur, Opulence, or Pleasure, e'er
Shall make me deaf to Gratitude's Demands,
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And plead for double Vengeance on my Treach'ry.
Mah.
[Apart.]
Zaphna again! Furies, I shall relapse!
And make her Witness of my Weakness.
Pal.
Sir!
What sudden Start of Passion arms that Eye!
Mah.
O, nothing; pray retire awhile; take Courage,
I'm not at all displeas'd; 'twas but to sound
The Depth of thy young Heart. I praise thy Choice.
Trust then thy dearest Int'rest to my Bosom:
But know, your Fate depends on your Obedience.
If I have been a Guardian to your Youth,
If all my lavish Bounties past weigh aught,
Deserve the future Blessings which await you.
Howe'er the Voice of Heav'n dispose of Zaphna,
Confirm him in the Path where Duty leads,
That he may keep his Vow, and merit thee.
Pal.
Distrust him not, my Sov'reign; noble Zaphna
Disdains to lag in Love or Glory's Course.
Mah.
Enough of Words—
Pal.
As, boldly, I've avow'd
The Love I bear that Hero at your Feet,
I'll now to him, and fire his gen'rous Breast,
To prove the Duty he has sworn to thee.
[Exit Palmira.
MAHOMET alone.
Mah.
Confusion! must I, spite o'me, be made
The Confident of her incestuous Passion?
What could I say? Such sweet Simplicity
Lur'd down my Rage, and innocently wing'd
The Arrow through my Heart. And shall I bear this?
Be made the Sport of curst Alcanor's House;
Check'd in my rapid Progress by the Sire,
Supplanted in my Love by his rash Boy,
And made a gentle Pander to the Daughter?
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Enter MIRVAN.
Mir.
Now, Mahomet's the Time to seize on Mecca,
Crush this Alcanor, and enjoy Palmira.
This Night the old Enthusiast offers Incense
To his vain Gods in sacred Caaba.
Zaphna, who flames with Zeal for Heav'n and Thee,
May be won o'er to seize that lucky Moment.
Mah.
He shall; it must be so; he's born to act
The glorious Crime; and let him be, at once,
The Instrument and Victim of the Murder.
My Law, my Love, my Vengeance, my own Safety,
Have doom'd it so.—But, Mirvan, dost thou think
His youthful Courage, nurs'd in Superstition,
Can e'er be work'd—
Mir.
I tell thee, Mahomet,
He's tutor'd to accomplish thy Design.
Palmira too, who thinks thy Will is Heav'n's,
Will nerve his Arm to execute thy Pleasure.
Love and Enthusiasm blind her Youth:
They're still most zealous who're most ignorant.
Mah.
Didst thou engage him by a solemn Vow?
Mir.
I did, with all th'Enthusiastick Pomp
Thy Law enjoins; then, gave him, as from thee,
A consecrated Sword to act thy Will.
O, he is burning with religious Fury!
But hold, he comes—
Enter ZAPHNA.
Mah.
Child of that awful and tremendous Pow'r,
Whose Laws I publish, whose Behests proclaim,
Listen, whilst I unfold his sacred Will.
'Tis thine to vindicate his Ways to Man,
'Tis thine his injur'd Worship to avenge.
Zaph.
Thou Lord of Nations, Delegate of Heav'n,
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O say, in what can Zaphna prove his Duty?
Instruct me how a frail earth-prison'd Mortal
Can or avenge, or vindicate a God.
Mah.
By thy weak Arm he deigns to prove his Cause:
And launch his Vengeance on blaspheming Rebels.
Zaph.
What glorious Action, what illustrious Danger
Does that Supreme, whose Image thou, demand?
Place me, O place me in the Front of Battle,
'Gainst Odds innumerable; try me there.
Or, if a single Combat claim my Might,
The stoutest Arab may step forth, and see
If Zaphna fail to greet him as he ought.
Mah.
O greatly said, my Son; 'tis Inspiration!
But heed me; 'tis not by a glaring Act
Of human Valour, Heav'n has will'd to prove thee;
This Infidels themselves may boast, when led
By Ostentation, Rage, or Brute-like Rashness.
To do whate'er Heav'n gives in sacred Charge,
Nor dare to sound its fathomless Decrees,
This, and This only's meritorious Zeal.
Attend, adore, obey; thou shall't be arm'd
By Death's remorseless Angel, which awaits me.
Zaph.
Speak out, pronounce: What Victim must I offer?
What Tyrant, Sacrifice? Whose Blood requir'st thou?
Mah.
The Blood of a detested Infidel,
A Murderer, a Foe to Heav'n and Me.
A Wretch who slew my Child, blasphemes my God,
And like a huge Colossus bears a World
Of impious Opposition to my Faith;
The Blood of curst Alcanor.
Zaph.
I!—Alcanor!
Mah.
What! dost thou hesitate! rash Youth, beware;
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Far, far from me be those audacious Mortals,
Who for themselves would impiously judge,
Or see with their own Eyes; who dares to think,
Was never born a Proselyte for me.
Know who I am: Know, on this very Spot,
I've charg'd thee with the just Decree of Heaven.
And when that Heav'n requires of thee no more
Than the bare Off'ring of its deadliest Foe,
Nay, thy Foe too, and mine, why thou dost balance,
As thy own Father were the Victim claim'd!
Go, vile Idolater, false Mussulman,
Go seek another Master; a new Faith.
Zaph.
O Mahomet—
Mah.
Just when the Prize is ready,
When fair Palmira's destin'd to thy Arms—
But what's Palmira? or what's Heav'n to thee,
Thou poor, weak Rebel to thy Faith and Love?
Go, serve, and cringe to our detested Foe.
Zaph.
O pardon, Mahomet; methinks I hear
The Oracle of Heav'n—it shall be done.
Mah.
Obey then, strike, and for his impious Blood,
Palmira's Charms and Paradise be thine.
[Apart to Mirvan.]
Mirvan, attend him close, and let thy Eyes
Be fix'd on ev'ry Movement of his Soul.
[Exeunt.
ZAPHNA alone.
Zaph.
Soft, let me think—this Duty wears the Face
Of something more than monstrous—pardon Heav'n!
To sacrifice an innocent old Man,
Weigh'd down with Age, unsuccour'd, and unarm'd!
When I am Hostage for his Safety too—
No matter, Heav'n has chose me for the Duty,
My Vow is pass'd, and must be straight fulfill'd.
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Spirits of Vengeance, by whose ruthless Hands
The haughty Tyrants of the Earth have bled,
Come to my Succour; to my flaming Zeal
Join your determin'd Courage; from this Breast
Banish the Stripling Pity. And thou, Angel
Of Mahomet, exterminating Angel,
That mow'st down Nations to prepare his Passage,
Give me the Scorpion's Rage, the Basilisk's Eye,
That I may look, and look till I can murder.
Hah! who comes here?
Enter ALCANOR.
Alc.
Whence, Zaphna, that deep Gloom,
That like a blasting Mildew on the Ear
Of promis'd Harvest, blackens o'er thy Visage?
Grieve not that here, thro' Form, thou art confin'd:
I hold thee not as Hostage, but as Friend,
And make thy Safety Partner with my own.
Zaph.
[Apart.]
And make my Safety Partner with thy own!
Alc.
The bloody Carnage, by this Truce suspended
For a few Moments, like a Torrent check'd
In its full Flow, will with redoubled Strength
Bear all before it.—I must say no more;
But, Zaphna, trust me this, my Heart is touch'd
To think that thou'rt in Mecca, 'midst thy Foes,
Sworn Foes to Mahomet, and all his Friends.
For when Confusion reigns, and Insurrection
With indiscriminating Fury stalks
Through ev'ry Street, what Mercy can be hop'd?
In this impending Scene of publick Horror,
Be then, dear Youth, these Mansions thy Asylum.
I'll be thy Hostage now, and with my Life
Will answer that no Mischief shall befal thee.
I know not why, but thou art precious to me.
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Heav'n, Duty, Gratitude, Humanity!
[Apart.
What did'st thou say, Alcanor? Did'st thou say,
That thy own Roof should shield me from the Tempest?
That thy own Life stood Hostage for my Safety?
Alc.
Why thus amaz'd at my Compassion for thee?
I am a Man myself, and that's enough
To make me feel the Woes of other Men,
And labour to redress 'em.—Sacred Powers,
Root from your fair Creation those dire Fiends,
Who place their Joy in Plunder and Oppression.
Zaph.
[Apart.]
What Melody these Accents make! My Soul
Turns its each Faculty into Attention;
And whilst my own Religion spurs to murder,
His Precepts of Humanity prevail.
[To Alc.]
Can then a Foe to Mah'met's sacred Law,
Be Virtue's Friend?
Alc.
Thou know'st but little, Zaphna,
If thou dost think true Virtue is confin'd
To Climes or Systems; no, it flows spontaneous,
Like Life's warm Stream throughout the whole Creation,
And beats the Pulse of ev'ry healthful Heart.
Thy tender Spirit, by this Tyrant form'd,
Holds all but Mussulmans for Criminals.
Thou look'st on me with Horror, ere thou know'st me;
Whilst barb'rous Prejudice with Yoke of Iron
Weighs down thy Reason, warps thy honest Soul,
And turns thy Actions counter to thy Will.
How canst thou, Zaphna, worship for thy God
A Being claiming cruelty and Murders
From his Adorer's? Such is thy Master's God—
Zaph.
[Apart.]
O my relenting Soul! thou'rt almost thaw'd
From thy Resolve.—I pray you, Sir, no more;
Talk me not into Treason against Heav'n,
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Peace, Reason, Peace!
Oft' has our Prophet said, thy earth-sprung Dictates,
Like the bewild'ring Meteor of the Night,
Delude the Wretch who trusts their flatt'ring Shine.
Alc.
[Apart.]
The more I view him, talk with him, observe
His Understanding tow'ring 'bove his Age;
His Candor, which ev'n Bigottry can't smother;
And all the radiant undissembled Virtues
Which emanate from his accomplish'd Soul;
The more my Breast takes Int'rest in his Welfare.
[To Zaphna.]
Zaphna, come near—I oft have thought to ask thee,
To whom thou ow'st thy Birth; whose gen'rous Blood
Swells thy young Veins, and mantles at thy Heart.
Zaph.
That dwells in Darkness, no one friendly Beam
Ere gave me glimpse from whom I am descended.
The Camp of Godlike Mahomet has been
My Cradle, and my Country; whilst of all
His captive Infants no one more has shar'd
The Sunshine of his Clemency and Care.
Alc.
I do not blame thy Gratitude, young Man.
But why was Mahomet thy Benefactor?
Why was not I? I envy him that Glory.
Heav'ns! it reflects such Lustre on himself,
As half atones for his attrocious Crimes.
Why then, this impious Man has been a Father
Alike to thee, and to the fair Palmira.
Zaph.
Oh!
Alc.
What's the Cause, my Zaphna, of that Sigh,
And all that Language of a smother'd Anguish?
Why didst thou snatch away thy cordial Eye,
That shone on me before?
Zaph.
[Apart.]
O my torn Heart!
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Of my near blunted Purpose.
Alc.
Come, my Friend:
The Flood-gates of Destruction soon thrown ope,
Will pour in Ruin on that Curse of Nations.
If I can save but thee, and fair Palmira,
From this o'erflowing Tide, let all the rest
Of his abandon'd Minions be the Victims
For your Deliverance—I must save your Blood.
Zaph.
[Apart.]
Just Heav'n! and is't not I must shed his Blood?
Alc.
Nay, tremble, if thou dar'st to hesitate—
Follow me straight.
Enter PHARON.
Pha.
Alcanor, read that Letter,
Put in my Hands this Moment by an Arab
With utmost Stealth, and Air bespeaking somewhat
Of high Importance.
Alc.
[Reads.]
Whence is this?—Hercides!
Cautious, my Eyes! be sure you're not mistaken
In what you here insinuate. Gracious Heav'n!
Will then thy Providence at length o'er-rule
My wayward Fate, and by one matchless Blessing,
Sweeten the Suff'rings of a Three-score Years!
[After looking, for some time, earnestly at Zaphna.
Follow me.
Zaph.
Thee!—But Mahomet—
Alc.
Thy Life
And all its future Bliss dwells on this Moment:
Follow, I say.
[Exeunt Alcanor and Pharon.
Enter MIRVAN and his Attendants hastily on the other side of the Stage.
Mir.
[To Zaph.]
Traitor, turn back; what means
This Conference with the Foe? To Mahomet
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Zaph.
[Apart.]
Where am I? Heav'n's! How shall I now resolve!
How act! A Precipice on ev'ry side
Awaits me, and the first least Step's Perdition.
Mir.
Young Man our Prophet brooks not such Delay;
Go, stop the Bolt that's ready to be launch'd
On thy rebellious Head.
Zaph.
Yes, and renounce
This horrid Vow, that's Poison to my Soul.
[Exit with Mirvan, &c.
Re-enter ALCANOR and PHARON.
Alc.
Where is this Zaphna?—But he flies me still:
In vain I call in all the softning Arts
Of Pity, Love, and Friendship to engage him:
His Breast is sear'd by that Impostor's Precepts
'Gainst all who bid Defiance to his Laws.
But, Pharon, did'st thou mark the baneful Gloom,
The somewhat like Reluctance, Rage, and Pity,
That blended sat upon his pensive Brow?
Pha.
I did; There's something at his Heart—
Alc.
There is—
Would I could fathom it! This Letter, Pharon,
His Aspect, Age; the Transport that I taste
When he is near me; the Anxiety
His Absence gives, do too much Violence
To my distracted Sense. Hercides here
Desires to see me; 'twas his barbarous Hands
That robb'd me of my Children; They are living,
He tells me, under Mahomet's Protection;
And he has something to unfold, on which
Their Destiny and mine depends. This Zaphna
And young Palmira, Vassals of that Tyrant,
Are ignorant from whom they are descended.
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My Wishes mock me. Sinking with my Grief,
I blindly catch at ev'ry flatt'ring Error,
And supplicate Deception's Self for Succour.
Pha.
Hope, but yet fear, Alcanor; think, my Chief,
How many Infants from their Parent's torn,
E'er conscious whose they are, attend that Tyrant,
Drink in his Dictates, place their Being in him,
And deem him an infallible Dispenser
Of Heaven's Decisions—
Alc.
Well, no matter, Pharon.
At Noon of Night conduct Hercides hither:
Thy Master, in th'adjoining Fane, once more
Will importune the Gods with Prayers and Incense,
That he may save his Friends, and see his Children.
Pha.
Thou shalt not find thy Pharon slack in ought,
That tends to thy Deliverance from this Anguish.
[Exit Pharon.
Alc.
Just Heav'n, if by erroneous Thought or Act,
I have drawn down your fierce Displeasure on me,
Point me to Right; I'll onward to its Goal
With double Energy; will expiate all,
That in the Days of Ignorance might offend.
Only restore my Children to my Care,
Give to my craving Arms my hapless Children,
That I may form them, turn 'em back from Wrong,
Weed their young Minds of those pernicious Errors
The Arch-Impostor has implanted in 'em;
Train 'em in Virtue's School, and lead them on
To Deeds of Glorious and Immortal Honour.
[Exit.
End of the Third Act.
| Mahomet The Imposter | |