University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

OSMYN with OMAR in Chains.
GUARDS WITH THEIR SABRES DRAWN.
ALMORAN, OMAR, OSMYN.
ALMORAN.
Well, proud philosopher, is this thy virtue?
Dost thou at length go forth to preach rebellion?
Lo! thy reward.

OMAR.
And what, vain man, is thine?
In thy own toils entangled, sham'd, defeated!
Treason and Omar never can be join'd—
What thou hast styl'd rebellion, he calls justice!
And, deeming that a virtue—glories in it.

ALMORAN.
Thou dost, audacious? Then say, rude boaster,
What hast thou gain'd by all this wond'rous virtue,
But ignominious chains, that now enfold thee?
And the tremendous death which waits to seise thee.

OMAR.
Thou hast miscounted, sultan, of my gains,
Nor can thy most malignant tyranny
Blast the bright wreathe that waits to crown my triumph.
I've acted as became me—That's a victory
Thou ne'er wilt know.

ALMORAN.
Insensate moralist!
Conduct him, Osmyn, instant to his cell,
Within the traitor's cave enclose the dotard,
And leave him to his fate.

[Going.
OMAR.
A moment stop!
I deign to ask it as a parting favour.
Unmov'd I heard my sentence, Almoran,
Unmov'd shall brave whate'er thy pride inflicts,
To stop the pulse that soon, without thy aid,
Would cease to beat; yet a last pray'r remains;
Let thine own eye survey me in my fall;
Let thine own eye attest th' unruffled calmness
With which old Omar lays down weary being;
And though he could not teach thee how to live,
Let him yet teach thee—what it is to die.

[Going.
ALMORAN.
Exulting slave. Death shall not be thy lot,
Convey the traitor, Osmyn, from our presence;
Double his weight of fetters; bind them hard;
Let every crevice that admits the light,
And ev'ry wholesome gale of heavenly air,
Save what may chain the rebel down to life,
To ling'ring, hated life, be fast repell'd.—
See thou obey, or tremble for thyself.
Remember, I am Almoran, whose power
Can in a moment crush thee.—Hence!—Dispatch.

[Exit.