SCENE V.
Gengis, Octar, Osman, Soldiers.
Gengis.
Too far they push my right of victory.
Sheath'd be the sword, and slaughter check its course!
And henceforth let the vanquish'd breathe secure!
Terror I sent before me, but bring peace.
The Child of Kings destroy'd shall glut my rage:
In his blood will I choak the fatal seeds
Of dark conspiracy and bold rebellion,
Which such weak phantoms of a prince inspire.
His fathers are all fallen: he must follow.
Let the kings die, the subjects all shall live.
Cease to destroy those noble monuments,
Respect those sacred prodigies of art,
And let them stand as the rewards of valour.
Cease to commit to flames and desolation
Those learned scrolls, the Archives of the Laws,
And all those works of genius, you despise.
From error if they sprung, that error's useful;
It makes the people docil and obedient.
Octar, I destine you to bear my banners
Where the sun rises from his watry bed.
[To one of his followers.
In conquer'd India, humble in its ruin,
Of my decrees be thou th'interpreter;
While in the West my victor sons shall fly
From Samarcand's proud walls to Tanais' banks.
Away: Octar remain.
