 | Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade |  |
28
SCENE THIRD.
CORVINUS, COUNT CILLEY, THE GOVERNOR MICHAEL ZILUGO.CORVINUS.
(In complete armour: his casque gold, the crest a raven, a large plume of black feathers waving over it. Speaking to an Officer as he enters.)
Campestran is not here. In his own chapel,
Or in the council-hall, Ernesto! seek him.
Zilugo! will the Council grant my prayer,
Empower me to avenge, or save my Father?
COUNT CILLEY.
We mourn his fate, but must avoid to share it.
CORVINUS.
Matchless ingratitude! Desert Huniades!
So oft his Country's tutelary God?
Is this the last, brave battle he shall fight?
ZILUGO.
My Lord! the Council is but just assembled;
Hope in their justice for your Father's rescue.
Corvinus, have you heard the Turkish embassy?
CORVINUS.
With grief, with indignation, I have heard it;
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The giddy people think it of advantage,
And joyful shout “Our Princess will redeem us.”
A Turkish marriage is most vile disgrace.
We will not tamely wear the chains of Mahomet;
This shameful union never shall take place.
COUNT CILLEY.
Speech so peremptory becomes you not,
Young Lord! I think compliance will be prudent.
CORVINUS.
Heavens! to this spoiler would you give the Princess?
His sword yet reeks with his Sultana's blood ,
Wantonly slain, by his own hand, to shew
His whole, astonish'd court, he could in cruelty
Exceed whatever monster yet debas'd
The nature, or disgrac'd the name of man.
Hence let us drive this fierce, imperial ruffian,
Or nobly perish in the just attempt.
Let him the city storm; it shall be sav'd,
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Leave him of my defeat a sad memorial,
A trophy, which shall make my victor mourn.
COUNT CILLEY
(very sarcastically).
For tilts and tournaments, vain-glorious stripling!
Save idle gallantry.
CORVINUS.
Injurious Prince!
That stripling's sword has gain'd a coat of mail,
Which malice cannot pierce. My past success
Warrants my present hopes.
COUNT CILLEY
(going out).
Think not to risk
Belgrade, and slaughter thousands at thy will.
Exit Count Cilley.
This alludes to the fate of the Sultaness Irene. Mahomet, being told that the Janizaries, and the great officers murmured, that he spent so much time in her company, and were ready to revolt, assembled the Divan, and brought Irene before them; and after severely reproaching them for daring to murmer at his attachment to her, he, to shew them that he was master over his affections, twisted his hand in her hair which hung flowing over her shoulders, and with one blow of his seymitar struck off her head, to the horror and surprise of all present. KNOLLES, p. 353.
| Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade | |