University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter HAMET (in a mute's habit)
Stand! Who approaches?
What step forbidden, thus intrusive—Hamet?

HAMET.
Yes, traitor, Hamet. Where is that inhuman
That forces Hamet to assume these robes,
And seize upon his sacred rights by stealth?
Where is that king?—that monster-brother—Speak!
Where, villain, is Abdallah?—Where Almeida?
Answer me straight—behold this scymeter—
Delay will make me desperate.

OSMYN.
Abdallah
Still is safe.—Oh! ask, dread king, no more.

HAMET.
Equivocating slave, my heart is broke;
Loos'd is the chord that ty'd it to my breast.
Tell me each atom of the damning truth,
Or—

OSMYN.
Thus compell'd, my lord—She's there.

[Points to the seraglio.
HAMET.
There!

OSMYN.
My heart bleeds for him.—Even there, my lord;
In that seraglio—

HAMET.
Seraglio! What?
My destin'd bride?—Almeida—Persia's mistress?
Has he then turn'd her to the train of victims,
Mix'd her soft purity with venal beauty,
Stain'd the pure blossom of our virtuous joys,
And like the hapless sacrifice of riot—
Oh, nature! nature! this—I cannot bear it.

[Bursts in tears.
OSMYN.
No, gracious sovereign, 'tis the sultan's orders,
That far apart—

HAMET.
Ope not thy villain lips.
Already have they more than murther'd me—Ha!
I'll weep no more. How did the monster dare?
And thou the accursed slave that brought her hither;
And this the hell that holds my stolen treasure.
Oh! give me strength of armies, righteous powers!
Sinew my arm with force omnipotent,
That I may hit the centre of his heart;
Then to you—Blast, blast me not sweet heavens,
[Going to stab Osmyn.
Keep me, kind gods—Oh! keep my hands from blood.
Ha! wilt thou force him on me—Nay then, thus—
Thus let me meet the robber ere he plunders—

[Seeing Almoran.