University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Gengis, Idamè, Octar, Osman, Guards.
Idamè.
Kill, kill, my Lord, a most unhappy woman!
Revenge is all your own, and I expect it,
But, O preserve from death a guiltless child!

Gengis.
Take comfort, Madam; lay these fears aside—
I am amaz'd, I own, as well as you—
Fortune, that governs all, deceiv'd us both,
And much the times are chang'd. But tho' high Heaven,
Of a rough Scythian, whom you lately scorn'd,
Has made the Conqueror of subject Asia,
Be not dismay'd. Your Emperor forgets
Th'affronts which here were thrown on Temugin.
This last remainder of a hostile race,
To vict'ry and my throne I sacrifice.
The quiet of the state demands his life,
And he must fall a victim. But the death
Of your own child you need not fear: Myself
From danger will protect him.

Idamè.
O misfortune!

Gengis.
But of the truth I must be satisfied:
With what delusion they would blind my rage,
And how yourself and husband would deceive me.

Idamè.
O pity the distresses of the wretched!

Gengis.
You know I ought to hate this rash offender.

Idamè.
Hate him! my Lord.

Gengis.
I've said too much.

Idamè.
Restore,
O quick restore the infant to my arms!
You've promis'd me, and have pronounc'd his safety.

Gengis.
His safety's in your hands: my glory's scorn'd,
My orders all contemn'd, and pow'r disgrac'd:
You know the full extent of all my wrongs.
To take away the victim to my rage,
To disobey my sovereign command
Is poor offence, to all my former wrongs.
'Tis not the insult of to-day alone
That justifies my rage. Your husband—husband!
Hell! hell! that name alone demands my vengeance.
What is this husband, that beneath his sway
Could bend your captive heart? what is this slave
That thinks to brave my fury? Let him come.

Idamè.
My virtuous husband, now the wretched cause
Of all my grief, has serv'd his God and King
With honest love, and I was happy in him.

Gengis.
In him?—when did you form this curst alliance?

Idamè.
While far from our blest walls, your prosp'rous fate
Remotest nations to your arms subdued.

Gengis.
Ay, in that day that Gengis was despis'd;
That day, that calls for vengeance on you both,
And bids me China with my hate pursue.