University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

CHANGES TO A GROVE NEAR, PRESENTING AN OUTSIDE VIEW OF THE MOSQUE, BUT DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE TOMBS.
HAMET, ALMEIDA, OMAR.
HAMET.
Still onward, friend, to where yon branching palms
Embow'r the shrubs beneath. There, lov'd Almeida,
Awhile shalt thou remain with virtuous Omar,
'Till I explore some yet unbribed Iman,
That straight may foil the wicked arts of Ali.
This way, my love—I will with speed return.
[Hamet goes with them to the upper wing, and returns.
The time admits not of delay—When fraud's on foot
And guilt is once detected—Ha!—by heav'n!
[looking out.
Ev'n in this sacred privacy he haunts me—
The man on earth my soul would wish to shun—
I would avoid thee.

[To Almoran entering.
ALMORAN.
I know thou would'st;
But Almoran forbids.

HAMET.
Does Almoran?
Does Almoran forbid? And who is he
That thus presumes, with mock prerogative,
To bar the passage of the injur'd Hamet?
And hath this mighty monarch been reduc'd
To poor hypocrisy, and foul contrivance?
Is the rich blood of Solyman debas'd
To mix with mercenaries, who can forge
Upon the gods they worship? Shame upon thee!

ALMORAN.
Tempt me no further, boy; thy life's at stake.

[puts his hand on his sabre.
HAMET.
Yes, draw thy sabre—rise upon the friend;
Convert the sultan to the common stabber:
Assail—oh glorious—Hamet while unarm'd—
The only moment thou wouldst dare to meet him.

ALMORAN.
Hah—would'st dare—

HAMET.
Tyrant, I said so—dare.
Hast thou not stoop'd to despicable frauds,
To vile deceits, and arts of little cunning,
Beneath thy manhood, ev'n beneath thy pride—
To arts which cowards practice—mark it—cowards.
When did the brave—the brave are ever generous—
When did the brave man skulk in the disguise
Of priestly prodigies, or bribe a slave
To traffick with his function—sell his gods—
“Stand calmly by to see the pageant pass,”
And tear the trembling virgin from the altar.

ALMORAN.
Villain, forbear.

HAMET.
Nay, more than virgin yet more sacred,
The appointed wife—Yes, royal ravisher,
Fraudful to steal thy brother's wife away.
Ha!—were thy ruffians ready—Oh, insidious!

Enter CALED with guards.
[They offer to seise Hamet, Almoran prevents.
ALMORAN.
Caled, forbear. Now then, Insulter,
In manly scorn of all thy base aspersions,
The outrag'd Almoran, to thy confusion,
Ev'n on thy heart shall PROVE his want of courage.
There, vaunting insolent, defend thyself—
[Throws his sabre to Hamet and takes Caled's.
Now try thy boasted bravery.

HAMET.
Thanks to thy wounded pride for this one virtue.

[Prepare to fight.