University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

AN APARTMENT IN ALMORAN'S PALACE.
ALMORAN, OSMYN, CALED.
ALMORAN.
Then empire is our own; dominion courts
At length the smile of Almoran alone,
And proud Almeida, the Circassian maid,
Like some rich jewel, the reward of conquest,
Decreed to sparkle on the victor's brow,
Shall yield her beauties to these longing arms.

CALED.
Ali, dread king, industriously loyal,
Still plies the rabble with fomenting zeal,
And deaf of fair Almeida's eloquence,
The oaths of Hamet, and the arts of Omar,
Ev'n now the multitude tumultuous shout—
“We saw the altar flame, we heard the groans,
“And heav'n decrees to Almoran Almeida.”

ALMORAN.
See, Osmyn, that each soothing art be tried
To reconcile Almeida to our power:
Let Persia's utmost pride and pomps await her:
Breathe forth the soul of harmony around:
To his inventive mind who starts a joy
Unknown, be recompence adjudg'd. Let slaves
In splendid vassalage attend the fair,
Our future queen, the new, the lov'd sultana.
But, above all, beware no female forms
Obedient to our passion, or our pride,
That swell the chosen train of the seraglio,
Approach apartments sacred to Almeida.

CALED.
Monarch of nations, ever-glorious sultan,
Thus let me pay the debt of adoration.

[prostrates.
OSMYN.
Great ruler of the world, accept my homage.

[prostrates..
ALMORAN.
Hold, lavish Fortune, hold thy bounteous hand;
Too fast increase the thronging joys upon me,
And my soul labours with the soft oppression.
Rise, both rise—vicegerents of my greatness:
On ye, as my deputed delegates,
Henceforth devolve the shining toils of state;
All Persia's vulgar care's beneath the sultan:
Guard ye my paradise from all obtrusion,
Next in command to Almoran and fate.
Yet still beware—let strict fidelity
And nice obedience justify our favour;
Remember still—the breath that gives ye sway—
Th' immortal arm that raises, can destroy.

[Exit with Osmyn.