University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Enter ALMEIDA.
[Guards seise Hamet.
ALMEIDA.
Desist, inhuman murderer, nor deeper plunge
Thy soul in guilt.

ALMORAN.
Ah, Almeida here!
Now see if thou escape a second time.

HAMET.
Off, ruffians, off. Art thou a coward now?

ALMORAN.
I will not take thy life, nor hear thee rail,
But thus assert an elder brother's right.

ALMEIDA.
What right, thou violating man?—What right?
To whom hast thou a right?—And is it thus
Thy horrid reign begins?—Is this, vain boaster—
Thou large of promise, but of deeds, penurious—
Is this the first great act of Persia's king?

ALMORAN.
Now thank the gods!

ALMEIDA.
For what dost thank them?
That yet, forbearing, they suspend the thunder,
And do not send the ready light'ning forth
To crush thee, proudly blooming in thy crimes.
But death were lenity—live on despis'd—
Live, to endure th'extremities of shame,
The pangs of conscience, and the realm's contempt,
The people's hatred, and thy own reproach.

ALMORAN.
Full dearly shall these base aspersions cost thee:
This instant seise, and bear her to our palace.

[They seise her.
HAMET.
Oh! by the gods I charge thee—
It is your prince—your future queen.

ALMORAN.
Caled, along.

[Guards drag her.
ALMEIDA.
Invisible power of nature, truth, and justice—
If ever innocence—how the ruffians tear me—
I will not go—ye shall not—Hamet—
[Drops on her knees.
Oh, Hamet, Hamet—

[Dragged off.
HAMET.
In pity, brother—on my knees—
Oh!—murd'rous—barbarous—cruel—

[Torn away.
ALMORAN.
The lady once secur'd, be Hamet free.

[Exeunt.