Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade :: :: University of Virginia Library

Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade

a Tragedy

Brand, Hannah

HUNIADES; OR, THE SIEGE OF BELGRADE:

Act Fourth.

10.

11.

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Act Fourth.

SCENE FIRST

—THE TENT OF MAHOMET.

A magnificent Tent, occupying the greatest part of the stage, in width; its form circular. The outer tent forming a hall of audience. Two doors, at the back of the tent, conducting to the interior part of it. In the middle, between the two doors, a splendid Throne, with a canopy over it; the drapery of the canopy hanging from a large crescent, representing gems. At each side of the tent, near the front, a rich sofa. The side scenes about the tent trees. The scene behind the tent the Turkish Camp; a crescent on the top of each tent.

The scene drawing discovers Mustapha, seated on one of the sofas. An Aga enters the tent, holding his right hand motionless on his breast, according to the Turkish manner of salutation.

AGA.
Chusanes waits without.

MUSTAPHA.
Conduct him hither.

(Exit Aga.

SCENE SECOND.

MUSTAPHA, CHUSANES.
CHUSANES.
Impatient of my messenger's delay,
I come before he brings me leave of audience.

MUSTAPHA.
You will not gain it yet; for disappointment,
Rage, and revenge, possess the Sultan's soul
By turns. His pride is wounded at the thought
Of that disgrace, his fame will now sustain,
Unless Belgrade should fall, by storm, or stratagem.
Now, whilst he vents his rage, he will not see you.

CHUSANES.
My orders from his Highness are imperfect:
And, I suspect, the business of this night
Teems with no common danger to our arms.
Why does he now negotiate for this Princess?

MUSTAPHA.
If she be gain'd, these Christian Dogs will rest
Secure of peace: and, when they find our Fleet
Was burnt, but to molest Huniades,
They will impute this marriage to our fears.
They will exult: but when in midnight wine,
Supine they're drown'd, and unprepar'd to meet us,

Then shall we thunder, at their half-arm'd walls,
With all our mighty war: at once assault,
And level, their high towers, ere they have time
To weep their falling.

CHUSANES.
Should they this intent
Suspect, and much I fear they will, we're caught
In our own toils. This policy may fail,
They may refuse the Princess to our Sultan.
Then great advantage does this parley give them.
Ere we can storm, Huniades may land;
Though half our host is gone to stop this Christian.
But what are legions 'gainst this favour'd mortal?
Whose prophet sends him signs, and prodigies ,
To affright and terrify the stoutest hearts.
Our soldiers tremble at his hated Voice:
'Tis as the blast of Israfel's dread Trump,
To their astonish'd ears: They fly before him,
With the same fatal speed, as will the accursed,
Over the sword-edg'd Sirat , when fallen Eblis
Despairing drives them. Our selected men,
Even the Oglani, I beheld at Vascape
Desert our mighty Prophet's holy standard,
By Christian hands defil'd, led on to havock
By fierce Huniades; who, o'er fourscore thousand,

Of the brave Faithful, there exulting triumph'd;
And with a puny army, far less numerous
Than our great Sultan's train , when in the field,
To unbend his mind, he takes his hunting sport.

MUSTAPHA.
Victorious Mahomet now leads the Faithful.
Shall this Belgrade resist that mighty arm,
Which raz'd Imperial Constantine's proud towers?

CHUSANES.

Another destiny, now frowning, threats us.
Our Fleet was burnt but to prevent its capture;
And, if the Christians, thinking it their fleet,
Should yield to peace, our standard from their towers
May wave; yet if our terms should be refus'd,
The event is doubtful; they can still defy us.
What 'vantage, by a month's blockade, is gain'd?
If, at this time, they knew but their own strength,
What shall we gain? The Christian Dervis aids them:
Corvinus too, that Son of fierce Huniades,
In strength, and years, our youthful Sultan's peer,
Is in Belgrade: his fame and courage equal
His veteran Sire's.—What hope of conquest then

O'er Men whom, singly, we have found invincible?
Their valour claims that victory, which Heaven
To them predestinates. In vain we strive;
We cannot stem the tide, nor stand its force.—

Will you not tell the Sultan, that his slave
Waits for his further orders?

MUSTAPHA.
As my life
I value, in his present mood, I dare not
Venture, unsummon'd, to appear before him.
“Let none approach me till Zoganus comes,”
Were his commands.

CHUSANES.
One, privileg'd like you,
Might, in such exigence, dispense with orders,
And disobey the injunctions passion gave.
You are the only man who can control him.

MUSTAPHA.
I never dar'd but once : nor dare I now.
It were as safe to face the cannon's mouth,
When its fierce blast sends forth pernicious deaths,
As seek the Sultan in his ireful mood.
Alas! his passions know no wholesome bounds.
Nature has left her noblest work imperfect,
In mighty Mahomet's splendid, savage soul.

The bad success of the enterprise against Belgrade was attributed to the appearance of two Comets on the concluding days of that memorable Siege. See D'Ohsson's Hist. Gen. of the Othoman Empire, vol. I. p. 246.

See Sale's Translation of the Koran.

The Sultan Amurath had seven thousand Falconers, and seven thousand Huntsmen; and at the head of ten thousand men, Huniades defeated the whole Turkish army, commanded by Amurath in person. At Vascape, at the head of fifteen thousand men, he defeated an army of eighty thousand Turks: and for this signal victory, Te Deum was sung for three days throughout Hungary.

See Knolles, p. 351.

SCENE THIRD.

MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, CHUSANES.
(Mahomet enters from the left hand door of the inner tent; Chusanes prostrates himself; Mustapha offers to retire.)
MAHOMET.
Mustapha, stay! (To Chusanes.)
Rise, slave! (To Mustapha.)
What, no Zoganus?—
Is there no messenger?

MUSTAPHA.
Great Sultan, no!

MAHOMET.
Curse on his tardiness, and negligence,
Which disappoint my hopes, and keep my soul
In this suspense.

MUSTAPHA.
He doubtless waits to come
In greater pomp, and bring the Princess forth
In state, attended by her Lords and Chiefs.

MAHOMET.
Hah! say'st thou so.—Be they as princes feasted;
Till night has thrown her starry mantle o'er
Our warring hosts. (To Chusanes.)
Then give them chains, not death.
Belgrade shall be their ransom, they my hostages.

Soul of my Father Amurath! I swear,
The affront thy arms sustain'd from this proud City,
Thy Son shall see aveng'd. This fierce Huniades,
Who drove thee hence, with shame, and fell defeat,
Shall round thy tomb be dragg'd, a second Hector.
Curse on his glory, it obscures my own.
Though giant terrour's self stalks in my van,
And bows the trembling Nations ere I strike;
Yet he resists the conqueror of the East,
Stops my career, and bids my fame stand still.
By force, or stratagem, Belgrade shall yield,
And suffer for this obstinate resistance;
For all the pangs my wounded pride has felt,
For all I still may feel, should dismal overthrow
Disgrace my arms—I will not think it can;
For if I do, I shall grow mad with rage.

MUSTAPHA.
If this strong City can be overthrown,
You gain the Realm, of which it is the key.
Surely they'll give their Princess to our Emperor?

MAHOMET.
But I must send, and sue, for this Agmunda;
I, who had will'd, amidst the smoking ruins
Of proud Belgrade, as royal spoil, to seize her.
I fear these Christian Dogs are not deceiv'd,
And that they know the blazing fleet is mine.
But yet, Belgrade! thy towers shall kiss the ground.

MUSTAPHA.
All that men dare attempt, your troops will do;
Inspir'd, and aided, by your great example.

MAHOMET.
Chusanes, have our orders been obey'd;
And does each Chieftain know his post of honour?
Is all in readiness to storm the City?

CHUSANES.
All that the mighty Sultan has commanded;
And his Slave waits to know his further orders.

MAHOMET.
Let fires throughout the camp, ready for midnight,
Be prepar'd. Plant the ordnance 'gainst the postern,
North of the Eastern tower; for there I deem
The wall is most assailable. Let Tura
Lead on the main assault; and his worst troops
First climb the scaling ladders. To the left,
Let Isa Beg lead on the Tartar slaves.
To the command of that brave veteran, Cali,
Appoint five thousand chosen Janizaries,
To back the assault, and drive the caitiffs on.
He dies, who turns his back, or breaks the ranks.

CHUSANES.
What is the signal for our troops to leave
The outer camp?

MAHOMET.
The word be “Mahomet,”
Let all, in silence, march without the lines;
And then, from host to host, the word be “Amurath,”
And instant let the cover'd fires blaze forth,
To light them to their fame. To-morrow, tell them,
Ere the Sun gilds the East, their conquering Sultan,
Bearing the holy Prophet's sacred standard,
Will view their glorious deeds, and aid their prowess.
Should any dire mishap o'ertake our purpose,
Let “Duma” be the word to spread the alarm.
Within yon Grove, see my rear-guard be posted.
Be my ten thousand troops all night in arms;
That, if aught intervene, before day dawns,
Worthy my Sword, all may be ready for me.

CHUSANES.
Say, what reward shall victory bring the Faithful?

MAHOMET.

Three days I give the Town to their sole pillage;
With power of life and death o'er ev'ry citizen:
And to each Captain, choice of twenty slaves,
Amongst their Merchants. But their Princely Nobles,
For me, and my Bashaws, must be reserv'd.

Now send a summons, to the City walls,
To know, why our Ambassadors are thus
Detain'd?

(Chusanes goes out, and instantly returns, as meeting Zoganus; he conducts him in, and then retires.)

SCENE FOURTH.

MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, ZOGANUS.
ZOGANUS
(prostrating himself).
Great Sultan!

MAHOMET
(signing to him to rise).
Instant give your tidings!
Did the Foe think the burning Fleet was theirs?

ZOGANUS.
They did, dread Sultan! and such consternation,
As their looks shew'd, I never saw before.
The Governor receiv'd your gracious message
With much dislike; though he oppos'd, the Council
Acceded to your terms: Count Cilley sway'd them.
They went, in form, to bring the Princess to us.
Long time we waited in the audience-hall.
Back came Count Cilley: passion shook his frame,
Aside he took me: “We're betray'd,” said he;
“Take your dismission peaceably, retire.—
“When your first troops have reach'd the City gate
“Halt, and expect your just revenge from me.
“Let that commend me to your Sultan's friendship.”

MAHOMET.
Dispatch—What means this many-worded mystery?

ZOGANUS.
Then came the Council, and with thanks dismiss'd us.
The Princess had just own'd herself the Wife
Of bold Corvinus.—

MAHOMET
(in a rage).
How! said'st thou his Wife?
Corvinus' Wife? This Father and this Son
Cast a more deadly shade upon my glory,
Than curs'd Al Zackum on Hell's barren plain.

ZOGANUS.
Sultan! you triumph over both—

MAHOMET
(half drawing his sabre).
Peace, Slave!
On thy life, say not I triumph! In love,
Revenge, and glory, they impede my course.
But for their swords, my conquests had outstripp'd
The victories of mighty Alexander :
Ere at his age arriv'd, the world had own'd
Me for its Lord supreme; for like young Ammon,
The world alone can bound my daring views:
But these Hungarian Chiefs arrest my speed;

Else, like the first, intrepid, godlike Cæsar,
Mahomet too had come, and seen, and conquer'd;
Swifter than Fame, had she ten thousand tongues,
Could speak his deeds. The haughty Eastern Empire
In ruin lies beneath my feet: I'll reap
Like harvest in the West. Immortal Cæsar!
In thy Imperial Rome I will be crown'd :
I'll plant the Crescent, where thy Eagles soar'd,
And conquer Worlds to rule upon thy Throne.

ZOGANUS.
O, mighty Sultan! wilt thou hear thy Slave?

MAHOMET.
Yes; if thou canst but make me know I triumph
O'er these aspiring Men. Gods! that such Heroes,
Worthy to cope with Me, and cross my fortune,
Should fight for a boy King, a coward boy!—
If they be fallen, then speak; if not, away!
Away! for my chafed soul is rous'd, and thirsts
To wreak its vengeance. Speak! say! If I triumph
O'er these destructive foes? And if I do,
(Strikes his forehead)
By heaven, I grieve—There's not a Hero left,
Worthy to meet my prowess in the field,
If these be overthrown .

ZOGANUS.
Hear first my tale;
Then, Sultan! of your triumph judge.

MAHOMET.
Proceed.—

ZOGANUS.
We halted at the city gate. A man
Of noble port advanc'd. “Count Cilley sends me;
Follow.”—We did; and to a Temple, close
Bordering upon the inner rampart wall,
He led us. Kneeling, at an Altar there,
Alone, we saw a beauteous, female form.
“That,” said the stranger, “is Count Cilley's gift
“To Mahomet. That is his Niece, the Princess.”

MAHOMET
(drawing his sabre).
Is she my conquest, Slave? Else, by this sword,
Thou art but dust.

(Zoganus terrified kneels.)
ZOGANUS.
Dread Emperor! she is:
(Mahomet, with his sabre, motioning to him to rise, he rises.)
Weeping, and trembling, hither she approaches.
When our whole train had pass'd the city gate,
Corvinus fell upon our rear. I left
The skirmish to the conduct of Mesetes;
Whilst I, with your fair prize, the trenches gain'd.

Corvinus still maintains the fight; I saw
His towering helmet glittering midst our troops.

MAHOMET
(to Mustapha).
Mesetes may want aid: see to the field.

(Exit Mustapha.
Enter an Aga.
AGA
(to Zoganus).
Abdalla sends to say, the female prisoner
Waits at the outside of his Highness' guard.

MAHOMET.
Bid him conduct her to our presence instantly.
(Exit Aga.)
Thou hast thy master's thanks for this good service.

(Exit Zoganus.)

See Sale's Translation of the Koran.

Alexander and Julius Cæsar were the models which Mahomet strove to imitate. Homer, Quintius Curtius, and Cæsar's Commentaries, were his favourite studies. He was master of all the learning of his time, and understood six or seven different languages. At this period, he was in the twenty-fifth year of his age.

This, through life, was Mahomet's ambition, and he would have accomplished it, had he not been killed at the siege of Otranto in Italy.

Mahomet said this when informed of the death of Huniades.

SCENE FIFTH.

MAHOMET, THE PRINCESS.
(The Aga conducting the Princess; a Guard enters with her; an untwisted turban covering her face as a veil: the Aga takes it off, and then retires.)
MAHOMET
(as the veil is taking off the Princess).
This is a prize well worth a kingdom's contest!

PRINCESS.
Prince! I thy justice claim. The faith of Nations
Is, by thy treacherous servants, violated.
A Truce protected them; but they profan'd
Its sanctity; and from an Altar tore me.
Redress this wrong; give me safe conduct back.

MAHOMET.
Princess! I would forego my throne, my life,
Sooner than part with her, whose charms would add
Splendour to Empire, Paradise to earth.
My faithful servants' zeal deserves my praise;
I sent them for thee; sent them for my Bride.

PRINCESS.
Thy Bride! Alas! thou know'st not, Prince, the wrong
I have sustain'd; I'm torn from all my soul
Esteems; from all my anguish'd heart holds dear;
Torn, from each social bliss, from life, from joy,
From honour, from the Husband of my love.
Restore me then, to all these sacred ties,
By thy own Christian Mother , I conjure thee!

MAHOMET.
No ties exist which can withstand my claims.
What Husband, Princess! That mean slave, Corvinus,
Shall not exult in such a beauteous Wife,

Radiant with youth, and love's attractive grace;
More fair than are the Daughters of our Paradise;
Worthy to share in Mahomet's soft retirement,
When war relaxes his stern brow, and gives
An interval of peace, to taste repose:
Then will he joyful wear Agmunda's chains;
And own, no other Deity, but Love.
Oh, to possess thy heart! that when I come
From conquest, thou may'st fly to meet me, chide
My thirst for fame, yet glory in my laurels:
Then tell me, how thou hadst thought, lov'd, dreamt of me.—
I hail thee, charming Princess! my Sultana;
Sweet partner of my Imperial bed and throne;
For, by the Soul of my great Father Amurath,
By this good Sword, I swear ne'er to resign—

(During the greatest part of this speech, the Princess seems absorbed in deep thought, and solemn grief; her eyes bent on the ground. When Mahomet says, “ne'er to resign—” with a sudden burst of anguish and terrour, as of one awaked in a fright, she throws herself at the Sultan's feet.)

PRINCESS.
End not thy oath, I solemnly adjure thee!

MAHOMET
(offering to raise her, she rises).
'Tis sworn already, I cannot resign thee;
For by my Father's Soul the Oath was sworn,
And 'tis so sacred, did our Prophet live,
Not he himself could with the Vow dispense.
Thou shalt exult in Mahomet's ardent love,
Thy every wish prevented, thy whole life
One splendid feast of sumptuous delight.

PRINCESS.
Since the sole benefit I could accept,
Thou dost refuse; know, in the whole, wide range,
Of all thy power, thou hast nought left to give,
Worthy Agmunda's thanks, except a grave.

MAHOMET.
No, beauteous Scorner! no; a tomb ill suits
Thy youth. Whole ages of delight await us;
Thou my Sultana, I thy humble Slave.

PRINCESS.
I am the Wife of an illustrious Hero:
My hand and heart are to Corvinus given.
Respect the sacred tie of nuptial Faith.

MAHOMET.
Fate has dissolv'd it. For you are my Slave.

Taken in war. When you refus'd my nuptials,
The truce was void. Fate has decreed you mine.

PRINCESS.
My Faith is pledg'd. I never can be yours.
Your prophet, Sultan! has forbidden marriage
With one who is a wife.—Revere his law.

MAHOMET.
With a free woman, marriage is forbidden.
But my bond Slave , although her Husband live,
I by my Law may wed.

PRINCESS.
Or Slave, or free,
I am Corvinus' Wife. Marriage with thee,
E'en if I were thy Slave, my Law would punish.

MAHOMET.
Renounce thy Christian Worship;—own our Prophet.

PRINCESS,
(Regarding Mahomet for a moment with haughtiness and contempt).
Forsake my everlasting Hope!—For what?
The privilege to quit a noble Husband,
Whom I adore for his unblemish'd honour,

A gallant Youth who is his Country's bulwark?
Forsake my God! that I may wed a Tyrant,
Whom my soul spurns at, and my heart abhors!

MAHOMET.
What's thy resistance, to a Monarch's power?
Thy scorn may, to resentment, turn my love.
Thou hast forgotten then, that I am Mahomet?
Whose frown annihilates the wretch it lights on;
Whose least displeasure is such certain Death,
The stoutest Warriour trembles to excite it.

PRINCESS,
(With a swiftness, as if some sudden illumination of thought at that instant struck her).
I, with unspeakable contempt, behold it.
Scoff at this dreaded tyrant, who could send
Thousands of slaves, beneath a lying embassy,
To seize one Woman. Heavens! Art thou a Prince?
Where, is the honour, that should grace thy rank,
And give its brightest splendour to a throne?
Thou base, dishonourable, treacherous, coward!

MAHOMET,
(Half drawing his sabre, but sheathing it as he speaks).
Audacious Fair! that coward's power can crush thee;
Make thy proud soul, with fear, shrink shuddering,
And, prostrate in the dust, implore his mercy.

PRINCESS.
Derision, and not fear, thy taunts inspire.

Dismay and terrour, come they at thy beck?
Behold! a Woman braves, a woman scorns thee.
Her Soul superiour, lords it o'er thy Spirit;
Which aw'd, and cow'ring, droops before its greater.
Thou, Mahomet! Thou! appall'd shrink'st shudd'ring,
(Mahomet lays his hand on his sabre.)
Before a Christian foe, before thy Captive.—
The Daughter of that sceptred Ancestry,
The constant scourge of thy barbarian Race,
Protected by thy fear, defies thy sword;
Disdains thy mercy; she would shew thee none:
The axe of Justice on thy neck should fall,
And rid mankind of Thee! their dire disgrace.
Know, trembling coward! that I fear thee not.
Thou dar'st not take my life.

(Mahomet in a rage draws his sabre, having kept his hand upon it during the latter part of this speech, advancing to strike the Princess, she advances.)
MAHOMET,
(Turning away, and dropping the point of his sabre, leans upon it).
I will not kill her.

(The instant that the Princess perceives that he will not kill her, she retreats from him.)
PRINCESS.
Tyrant! art thou in abjectness, so sunk,
That thou hast not one generous vice? Hast thou

No manly rage 'gainst an insulting enemy?
Rouse thee to anger, Prince! Do not, when scoff'd,
And coward call'd, forego a signal vengeance.
Wreak thy revenge against an insolent foe,
Who lives, but to revile thee.

MAHOMET.
At thy call,
I wake to rage, resentment, and revenge.
Soon I'll repay thee this vindictive scorn.
I see thy drift, Agmunda! Thou would'st die,
And me, the instrument of death, would make.
Thou bidd'st me vengeance take,—and I will take it.
(Sheaths his sabre. Terrour takes possession of the Princess's countenance for an instant.)
For thou shalt live. I'll seize by force, proud Woman!
Those charms which vainly I have stoop'd to sue for.

(Mahomet advances to seize her; she draws the Dagger from her bosom that Corvinus had given her as the pledge of his loyalty to her Brother. Retreating as she speaks, holding the Dagger fast clenched in her hand, in readiness to strike it into her bosom. Mahomet starts at seeing it, and, perceiving her intention to stab herself, does not advance.)
PRINCESS
(with a resolute, solemn voice).
This Dagger guards my Husband's honour, Sultan.
If thou approach, I strike it to my heart.
Death from dishonour saves me, and from thee.

(Mahomet advances a step, she extends her hand to strike, he retires.)
Prince! I dare pay that awful debt to Virtue,
Which I to Nature owe. And I will die,
On the most slight suspicion of Dishonour:
The moment that alarms my wakeful fears,
Remember—is my last.

MAHOMET,
(Striving to restrain his rage, and disappointment).
To save thy life,
I promise, that thy honour shall be safe.

PRINCESS.
Sultan! I thank thee. O! relent, and make
The life thou deign'st to save, a blessing to me.
Redeem thy honour, and retrieve thy glory;
Win, by thy noble conduct, my esteem;
Yet, yet, be just; permit me to depart!

MAHOMET
(with gloomy haughtiness).
Unless thou wilt, this hour, consent to wed me,
Thou art my Slave no longer.

PRINCESS
(with joy and exultation).
Unbounded gratitude,
My heart repays thee, noble, generous, Sultan!
May joy, like mine, irradiate ev'ry gloom,
That dark despair upon thy mind may cast.

MAHOMET
(fiercely).
Forbear thy thanks.—For since, imprudent Princess!
Thou dar'st disdain my love, I here resign thee.—
Thou art my Slave no longer—I bestow thee
Upon the vilest Tartar in my camp:
The prince thou scorn'st makes thee a reptile's slave.
(The Princess raising her dagger.)
(Mahomet hastily.)
Thy honour shall be safe—fifty brave Janizaries
Shall be thy guard, to keep thee from all danger.
In this, thy bondage, there is no dishonour.
It is affliction only, such affliction—
(Looking at her with the most taunting scorn.)
As Christian Slaves must patient bear, and live.

PRINCESS,
(With extreme anguish, looking up to Heaven).
This—is affliction's iron hand indeed.
All gracious heaven! for my one, deep offence,
Let this dire retribution make atonement.
In mercy, guard me from my own despair;
And give me fortitude to meet my fate!

(Panting with terrour, she supports herself by the drapery of the tent.)
MAHOMET.
Art thou then, obstinately bent, to brave me?
(With entreaty, mingled with admiration.)
Think of thy youth, the graces of thy form,
Thy ev'ry elegance, thy winning charms,

Have pity on thyself! Doom not thy beauty,
To a curs'd fate, that chills my heart with horrour.
Wilt thou not deign to deprecate thy doom?

PRINCESS.
If there be aught of human in thy heart,
Say, by what virtuous means I may awaken it.

Mary, the Daughter of George, the Despot of Servia.

The following is the Oath of the Turkish Sultans. “By the Immortal God, by the four hundred Prophets, by Mahomet, by my Father's Soul, by my own Children, by the Sword wherewith I am girt, I solemnly swear to perform what I have now promised.” This Oath was sworn by Mahomet at the sacking of Constantinople, 1453, three years before the Era of this Tragedy, when he promised the soldiers, that if they could take the City, they should have the spoil of it for three days.

“Ye are also forbidden to take to wife free women who are married, except those women whom your right hand shall possess as Slaves.” Sale's Translation of the Koran, p. 63.

SCENE SIXTH.

MAHOMET, THE PRINCESS, MUSTAPHA.
(Mustapha comes in sight on the same side on which the Princess stands; but does not enter the tent.)
MAHOMET.
Guards! (They appear.)
To the inner tent conduct the Princess:
Let none presume, on pain of instant death,
Her sacred person to approach uncall'd.
(To the Princess.)
This order may suffice, to hush thy fears.
Retire, and let repose thy spirits calm.
Have pity on thyself, nor seal thy doom.

PRINCESS
(retiring to the inner tent).
Sultan! reflect, nor force me to accept it.

(The Aga of the Guards opens the door of the inner tent on the right-hand side: the Guards
99

range themselves on the same side with the Sultan, so that the Princess may enter the tent without passing near them. When entered, the door of the tent closes; the Guards retire.)

SCENE SEVENTH.

MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA.
MUSTAPHA.
Sultan! the Christian Dervis is thy prisoner,
And waits without. The Christians still maintain
The fight, led by Corvinus.

MAHOMET.
Curse on his courage!
Ten thousand sequins shall reward the man
Who kills Corvinus. This proclaim. Return,
And here, before the Princess, say he's slain:
Or true, or false, I have a rich revenge:
But add such circumstance, as may gain credence
To what thou say'st.—
(Exit Mustapha.)
She must, she shall be mine.
What an exalted soul Agmunda owns:
My spirit never was so mated yet,
Envy and admiration both contend,
And love, and hate, alternate, swell my breast.

100

(To the Guards at the side scene.)
Conduct the Christian Dervis to our presence,
He shall persuade the Princess.

SCENE EIGHTH.

MAHOMET, CAMPESTRAN (in Chains).
MAHOMET.
Art thou Campestran?

CAMPESTRAN
(proudly).
I am.

MAHOMET.
Better it would become thy Prophet's Minister
To preach of peace, than, clad in priestly vestments,
The torch of Discord waving in thy hand,
Thus to run madding, wild, from clime to clime,
Leading enthusiasts to certain death;
Battening our vultures with thy pious fools.
Attend to heavenly cares; leave arms, and war,
To Monarchs and to Heroes. Priest! I want
A peaceful service from thee; reward awaits thee,
If thou succeed.

CAMPESTRAN.
With Infidels I hold
No fellowship. From me expect no service.

101

MAHOMET.
Thou art my Slave.

CAMPESTRAN.
The prisoner of thy arms,
I know I am.

MAHOMET.
Thy life is in my hands.

CAMPESTRAN.
Take it; a Christian warrior fears not death;
Nor looks for noble treatment from base Mahomet.

MAHOMET.
And dost thou know me, yet insult my power?

CAMPESTRAN.
Thy power, thou lawless Ravager! and Thee,
My soul regards, as Heaven's afflicting scourge.
Gaunt famine, pestilence, and spotted plague,
And curs'd, imperial Plunderers, like thyself,
Are but its instruments of wrath, to visit
Bad men's impiety. Heaven's end obtain'd,
Then are your waves of desolation stay'd;
Ye shall not pass the bounds of its behests.
Thy crimes accomplish'd, yet thou shalt not triumph.
The partner, in thy ruffian treachery,
Has paid the forfeit of His two-fold guilt;
Zilugo's sword has punish'd Cilley's treason;

102

He dies, first victim to the injur'd Princess.
Restore her then, and thus avert thy punishment.

MAHOMET.

Till thou canst rail the eagle to forsake
Her sky-built aerie, for the wren's humble nest,
Thou dost but lose thy pains to lesson me.

Say, does thy Prophet's Law permit thee death,
By thy own hands?

CAMPESTRAN.
No: it forbids all murder.

MAHOMET.
Instruct thy Princess better, in her duty;
She dares uplift her hand against her life.
Rail forth thy Law to her. For if she die
By her own hand, thou shalt expire in torments.
(Mahomet goes to the door of the inner Tent, which is opened at his approach; the Princess seen sitting on a sofa, weeping.)
Princess! thy warrior Dervis is my slave;
Here, I allow thee to hold converse with him.

(Campestran goes towards the inner Tent, the Princess, seeing him, comes forward, the dagger in her hand.)

103

SCENE NINTH.

MAHOMET, THE PRINCESS, CAMPESTRAN.
PRINCESS.
O holy father! much I grieve to see thee!
Exhaustless is, I fear, my cup of woe;
And thousands, of the baleful draught, drink with me.
Say, does my Hero live?

CAMPESTRAN.
Corvinus lives.
(The Princess looks up with thankfulness, to Heaven.)
Long by his side I fought: He still maintains
The sight, with more than human strength. His arm
The sword of Justice wields; 'tis Heav'n's own sword,
And he, vicegerent of the wrath of Heaven,
Exterminates, from earth, its scoffing foes.
He will avenge the insult done to Thee,
And to the Faith of Nations, by thy capture.

PRINCESS.
Thou God of battles! in a cause thus just,
Raise thy strong arm and buckler on his side!
Ye sainted Spirits of my royal Fathers,
Implore the Throne of Mercy for this Hero,
And save the guardian Genius of your Race!

104

SCENE TENTH.

MAHOMET, THE PRINCESS, CAMPESTRAN, MUSTAPHA.
(Mustapha enters, and lays the Sword and Casque of Corvinus at the feet of Mahomet.)
MUSTAPHA.
Our Prophet fights the mighty Sultan's cause.

MAHOMET.
Whose Sword and Casque are these?

MUSTAPHA.
They are the spoils
Of fallen Corvinus—whom Mesetes slew.

PRINCESS.
Oh!—

(falls fainting into Campestran's arms.)
CAMPESTRAN,
(Supporting the Princess, and raising his eyes to Heaven).
O! send her strength proportion'd to her woes!
(The Princess recovering, looks earnestly at the Sword and Casque, and lifts the Dagger to kill herself: Campestran stays her hand, and continues.)
Rely on Heaven! nor rashly shed thy blood:

105

For life, or death, are not in mortals' choice.
Bow down thy soul with patience to this grief;
And, as this separation wounds thy spirit,
Let not thy rebel hand eternal make it,
And lose the hope, in realms of bliss, to meet
The worthy object of thy love on earth.
Resign this Dagger.—

PRINCESS.
No: as 'twas Honour's pledge,
It shall be Honour's guardian.

MAHOMET.
Princess! thy faith,
According to thy Law, is disengag'd.
Consent, that by thy Christian Rites, Campestran
Shall now unite us.

PRINCESS.
Never, will I consent!
Never! Corvinus! to thy Tomb I'm wedded!
(To the Sultan.)
O, let me see him! that the sight may end me!
Then give us the same grave: And spare Belgrade;
Her matrons, virgins, and her tender infants;
And my last breath shall praise and bless thy mercy.

MAHOMET.
If thou wouldst have thy ardent prayers prevail,
And save thy native City from my wrath,
By all that's sacred, to a Christian's soul,

106

Thou first must swear, not to attempt thy life;
And, in this very hour, be my Sultana:
Or else, with fire and sword, this night, Belgrade
Receives my troops; and sates my great revenge.
To-morrow thou shalt see thy City delug'd
With blood; her Nobles, in thy presence, slain.
Thou shalt behold my hated foe, Corvinus,
Piece-meal devour'd, by our fierce ravening dogs:
No other sepulchre will Mahomet grant him.

CAMPESTRAN.
This godlike youth, shall he not find a grave?

MAHOMET.
Ask that obdurate Fair, who gives remorseless
Her Husband's mangled corpse to vile dishonour,
Her Country to the sword: it is her will.
Corvinus was my foe; as such, I treat him.
Belgrade contains no friends who fight my cause;
I plunge no sword into my Country's bosom;
Nor sentence thousands to indulge my scorn.

PRINCESS.
Show Mercy, Prince! as thou wouldst wish to find it;
Nor ask a price thou wouldst disdain to pay.
Think on the chance of War, and nobly use
The power, which Heaven, in vengeance to this Land,
Ordains thy desolating sword to gain.
(Kneels.)
Think, if some treacherous turn of human fate,

107

Should thus bow down thy struggling mind to earth;
Thus humbled, thus abas'd, in abject woe,
If mercy thou wouldst hope, O, grant it now!
By me the sorrowing People, thus implore thee;
Their anguish'd souls, thus humbled to the dust,
They deprecate thy rage, and sue for mercy.

MAHOMET.
Did the whole Heavenly Hierarchy kneel,
Unmov'd I'd act the purpose of my soul.
(Campestran raises, and supports the Princess.)
But, on the terms I proffer'd, will I spare:
Thou art the sovereign of thy Country's Fate.
Live; and be partner of my bed and throne:
Else, thy obdurate scorn shall wake more crimes,
Than war's inventive cruelty yet knows.
Pronounce the Doom—If mercy be thy will,
Urge not my rugged soul, by vain resistance;
Lest thou shouldst rouse a storm beyond control.
If thou wilt yield, this moment is thy own;
The next, may be too late, e'en for repentance.

(He walks away from the Princess.)
PRINCESS.
Thy justice, Heaven! o'ertakes me for my perjury;
For my transgression my brave Husband falls.
Though great my fault, yet dire, beyond compare,
On me, thy over-whelming justice comes.
Yet, awful Power! if sufferings can for crimes
Atone, sure mine may hope to find remission.

108

Let this dread expiation clear my guilt,
Make me so pure, that I may prove a victim,
Acceptable to thee, and save my country still.
(Mahomet approaches.)
O! Mahomet! I'll be ransom for this People;
I swear, till Heaven shall call my spirit hence,
I will bear life, nor free me from its load.
And,—if thou still insist to force my hand,
I'll sacrifice myself—nay,—even to Thee;
But thou must swear to give my Country peace,
On fair and honourable, Princely Terms;
Nor ask another Victim than myself;
Must swear to grant my Husband's corpse a grave;
And once again permit me to review
My native palace, give me three, sad days,
To take a last farewell, and see entomb'd
The Husband of my love.

MAHOMET.
I swear to grant
All thou hast ask'd; but on this one condition,
Instant be mine. If thou attempt thy life,
Thou doom'st Belgrade to an unheard-of vengeance.
Princess! retire. Thou Dervis with her go,
And, on thy life, protect her from herself.
Prepare thy nuptial rites; I will but give
The orders which befit this change, then come
And take my bride, my fair, my bright Sultana.

(The Princess, supported by Campestran, goes into the inner tent; stopping at the Sword and Casque as she passes them.

109

SCENE ELEVENTH.

MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA.
MAHOMET.
Vengeance, and love! ye both are in my power!

MUSTAPHA.
Corvninus, though disarm'd, was not o'ercome;
Sav'd by his troops, who gave their lives for his.
Within our trenches they maintain their ground,
Corvinus still is foremost in the fight.
He will not yield; nor can he now retreat:
Dearly he sells his life, and like Corvinus.

MAHOMET.
Come, I will see him fall. When dauntless heroes
Firm, meet their fate, they are more great than monarchs,
Whom favouring fortune crowns with easy conquests:
They are a sight for Gods to view, and praise.

(Exeunt.)

End of the Fourth Act.