 | The Impostor |  |
57
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Mahomet's Pavillion.To Mahomet enter Palmyra.
Maho.
Palmyra here!—Come to my arms, my daughter.
Pal.
If I must lose your love—your blessing, sir,
Is yet a boon, which sure I have not forfeited
By any lapse of duty.
[Kneels.
Maho.
Loved and bless'd,
Thou art thyself the blessing of the Prophet;
More loved, than ever father loved a child.
[Embraces.
Pal.
You did refuse to ransom me—preferr'd
A foreign issue to your own Palmyra;
Although to poise the lightness of my worth,
The tender father added, in exchange,
The purchase of a realm.
Maho.
He is a villain—
Sopheian is a dog!
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I know not that—
He has proved a gentle parent to your daughter;
The best of parents!
Maho.
How?
Pal.
O, pardon, sir!
If I have err'd, my guilt will stand reproved
In your excess of goodness. I am come
An earnest suitor to you.
Maho.
Say, fair pleader.
Pal.
That of your bounty you would straight remit
Those children to their sire, with all due circumstance,
That may approve their birth.
Maho.
An hour shall send
My latest answer.
Pal.
Let it be a kind one—
Maho.
Trust me, he shan't repine.
Pal.
Thus let me thank you.
[Bends her knee.
And shall I bear him back this kind assurance?
Maho.
Not so, my child—you stay with us.
Pal.
Alas!—
My lord forgets his daughter is a captive.
Maho.
I here strike off all chains, save of my love—
And that's a dear retention.
Pal.
But, my lord,
Can you strike off the chains of honour too,
That bind me to return?
Maho.
I can, Palmyra;
Nor may the chance of battle give Sopheian
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To me thy parent.
Pal.
Such Sopheian's plea
For his own children.
Maho.
He's an infidel,
A wretch anathemized! Compact and faith
With such a one, is impious.
Pal.
Ah, my father!
If Heaven's best worshippers make light of faith,
Is it with sinners we should hope to find
The sacred obligation?
Maho.
Ha!—no more—
Hast thou cast off respect and fair obedience—
All duty?
Pal.
Whom, my lord, shall I obey—
My first, or latter Prophet? You once told me,
That truth, faith, virtue, honour, were immutable,
Eternal in their natures: if you now
Would change that system, when may I expect
Another variation, and so onward,
'Till I am lost to all?
Maho.
Confound the lecture—
[Aside.
I grieve, my child, that weighty avocations
Intrude upon our converse—Do thy pleasure—
I did but trifle—
[Exit Mahomet.
SCENE II.
To Palmyra, enter Zaphna.Zaph.
Here! Art thou here, Palmyra?—O my charmer—
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Like a glad morning, to dispel the horrors,
Wherewith I stood beset!—But say, my love—
Hast thou considered, in Sopheian's conduct,
Aught of uncommon tenderness—beyond
What thy superior worth might claim from friendship,
Tho' that is much?
Pal.
Yes, Zaphna—yet, no more
Than my own heart did warrant me to answer;
Tho' that was likewise much.
Zaph.
Of secret glance,
Complexion hurried, incoherent speech;
Sudden emotions half suppress'd, revealing
What they do seek to hide?
Pal.
No—never—Yes,
Something of this—yet little that I mark'd—
Sure nothing that could speak to thy suspicions—
Why wouldst thou put me to ill thoughts, my Zaphna?
Zaph.
Didst thou hear aught touching a secret embassy,
Sent by Sopheian to the Prophet?
Pal.
When?
Zaph.
Within this hour.
Pal.
Indeed!—no, nothing of it.
Zaph.
Nor aught of terms intended?
Pal.
Not a syllable—
What terms?
Zaph.
Suppose his faith, his crown, his people, offer'd
For one rich jewel that out-prizes all.
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What jewel, Zaphna?
Zaph.
Even thyself, my love!
Pal.
It cannot be.
Zaph.
But if it should—how then?—
Shall I not—
Pal.
What?
Zaph.
Transfix the traitor's heart?
Pal.
Alas!
Zaph.
Stab, tear the robber of my peace?
Pal.
Ah, Zaphna!
My thoughts are driven amid a thousand terrors.
Zaph.
Peace to thy breast, my sweet!—'tis but conjecture.
I have a hasty summons from thy father,
And must attend—
Pal.
O think, till thy return,
No joy can enter where Palmyra sojourns.
Zaph.
Thy Zaphna's life shall wholly be employed,
To trade for comforts, and unlade the freight
Still where his soul hath anchor.
Pal.
Fare thee well—
My ever loved, my friend, my father now—
Farewell, my only Zaphna!
[Exit Palmyra.
SCENE III.
To Zaphna Hercides.Hercid.
Soft, Zaphna!—I must cross thy haste—
Zaph.
What's toward?
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That I would ask of thee—I do adjure thee,
By all my watchful cares, which, from thy infancy,
Have been matured into a father's fondness,
I do adjure thee, tell me—
Zaph.
What, Hercides?
Hercid.
Why hath an hour thus robb'd thee of thyself?
Honour, late blown, and open in thy aspect,
Shrinks like a famish'd wretch; while, from the light,
Thine eye turns inward, cleaving to the gloom,
That broods upon thy soul.
Zaph.
Oh—
Hercid.
Speak, my hero—
My son, my precious Zaphna!
Zaph.
Thou'lt be secret—
Hercid.
Close as the tomb, the marble seal of silence.—
Zaph.
The Prophet thus—Sopheian hath blasphemed
Heaven and the law—
Hercid.
Proceed.
Zaph.
And Heaven hath doom'd
His fall, dreadful, and sudden—
Hercid.
Ha! by what means?
Zaph.
Even of this hand, Hercides.
Hercid.
Merey, mercy!
O the eternal powers!—did Mahomet
Enjoin—what, Mahomet—thine arm for this?—
Most horrid!
Zaph.
Yes—thou seem'st amazed!
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Beware—
He comes—be silent—O beware, my Zaphna!
[Exit Hercides.
SCENE IV.
To Zaphna enter Mahomet.Maho.
Zaphna, attend—and hear the leaf of Heaven
Denounced on thy rebellious head, outcast
From grace, and from the law!
Zaph.
What means my lord?
Maho.
My spirit went along—I did behold thee
Pale, trembling, weak, unworthy of the arm
Elected from above.
Zaph.
O, had you seen
My pangs and struggles too—to pierce this heart,
Had been repose to what I felt! And then,
He spoke and look'd such things, such melting goodness!
It seem'd as Heaven did not enjoin, but were
Itself to feel the stab.
Maho.
'Tis therefore, Zaphna,
The thunder-stone just launching to o'erwhelm thee,
Hath slumber'd in the hand. For O, already
Thou art enough undone—This night was doom'd
To love and to Palmyra.
Zaph.
To Palmyra?
Maho.
This night to love—the morrow was ordain'd
To glory and to empire.
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O, my lord,
[Kneels.
Is there no place for pardon?
Maho.
Zaphna, Zaphna!—
To think but what a flood-gate Heaven prepared,
To pour his blessings on thee!
Zaph.
O, my master!
But for one trial—for one hour's repeal—
I go, I run, I fly to execute
The thunder of thy word.
Maho.
Rise, rise—my prayer
Hath pull'd thy pardon down—The time was not—
Thy arm was check'd—The reprobate must fall,
Spite of his late address and feign'd submission,
Even at the altar of his gods—those idols,
In whose polluted and accursed name,
He did blaspheme our Heaven!
Zaph.
It shall be done.
Maho.
Enough—that street directs thee to the Caaba.
In the next hour he prays—
Zaph.
He dies!
Enter Caab.
Maho.
Well, Caab,
Hast thou prepared our banquet?
Caab.
All is ready.
Maho.
Bid Omar, Abubeker, Abdoramen,
And old Hercides, to the feast—Be speedy—
[Exit Caab.
Zaphna, be firm!
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O, doubt it not, my lord.
Maho.
Remember, that the Power who giveth life,
With equal right may institute the means
Of death to all men.
Zaph.
It is just!
Maho.
And yet,
Thou dost not seem to relish—
Zaph.
True, great Prophet!
I had rather slay a host of men in battle,
Than one within his ward—But what were merit,
If duty did not sway o'er inclination?
Maho.
Did not great Brutus bend in salutation,
When, for his dearer country, he did stab
The dearest of his friends?—To serve her nation,
Heber's renowned wife betray'd the faith
She gave to flying Sisera; and, through
The temples of her sleeping guest, enforced
The inhospitable nail—And shall they act,
Beyond what Heaven's appointed champion may,
Arm'd by divine injunction?
Zaph.
Do not fear it.—
SCENE V.
To them enter Omar, Abubeker, Abdoramen, Hercides, Caab.The Scene opens and discovers a table with a bowl and chalice.
Maho.
Health to our friends, associates of the faith,
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To spread his laws on earth! Sit, sit, my brothers.
Hercid.
Ha! that chalice there—I do not like its sanctity—
I knew a wretch once honour'd with that cup,
Whose following banquet was in Heaven—I fear,
I fear me, Zaphna, thou art not intended
To be a frequent guest.
[Aside, while the rest take their places: they all sit.
Maho.
Now to consult, how nations, yet unconquer'd,
May soonest be subjected—there's our bent;
First to subdue, and then reform; the purpose
That consecrates our sword!—to this high mission
Let's drink a social pledge—Zaphna, my son,
Take thou the cup of honour—nor conceive
That those of riper years, but greener zeal,
Envy thy proud appointment!—Here, my friends,
To Zaphna the young leader of our arms,
Health, glory, and success—Ha! Traitors—what!
Which of you?—Where's the wretch?—
[Takes the bowl, and Zaphna the cup: as they both lift them to their lips, Mahomet starts up suddenly, and lets the bowl spill, while Hercides dashes the cup out of Zaphna's hands. All the company rise in amazement.
Omar.
What means our Sultan?
Maho.
As I held up the goblet to my lips,
Some slave among you took his poniard forth,
And struck it to my heart.
Caab.
The Heavens defend—
There is no poniard here.
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A sudden phantasie!—
Some short indisposition!—Break we up—
We shall soon meet—My friends, farewell to all—
Zaphna, you know your province!—This way, Caab.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
Hercides advances, and the scene shuts.Hercid.
O fool, O villain that I am—curs'd caitiff—
A witless villain!—might I not have found him?
Heaven can't be with him—no, 'tis gross to sense!
That I could be so deep a mole—so hoodwinkt—
Muffled to be bemired in guilt—O this
Entangling fiend, this ambient arch impostor!
My master, my dear master first betray'd,
His treasures plunder'd, and his smiling babes
Rent from his bosom!—this—Yet what is this,
To what ensues?—Mercy!—I overheard them—
The young and noble son wrought by yon tempter
To massacre a father—his reward,
The incestuous knowledge of a sister—Heaven!
Wer't thou but open to the eve of penitence!—
How'ere, it is enough—the present burden.
I'll to Sopheian—I'll confess, unfold
The freight of my offences—further guilt
Can only serve to sink a lower hell,
And deepen my damnation!—
[Exit.
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SCENE VII.
The Caaba.Enter Mahomet and Caab.
Maho.
Caab, my cloak—henceforth it is thine own—
An honourable badge of our affection!
Thy observation's just; there's no sure footing
On the loose warrant of this giddy boy.
Caab.
No true dependence.
Maho.
Did he gorge our posset?
Caab.
I saw it in his lips.
Maho.
'Tis well—there's one provided—and for t'other,
Rather than fail, myself will be the surety
Of his eternal rest—Do thou and Omar
Keep near, and wait the issue.
Caab.
Yet, be cautious—
Maho.
Fear not—Away.
[Exit Caab.
Sopheian once removed,
The force of the remaining world can't lift
Another bar like him to my ambition—
What's this I feel—this new intruder here?
Who cries, Forbear!—and would erect himself
Against our great supremacy of reason?
I'll none of thee, thou meddling counsellor!
Away—This is the hour—
Behind yon altar—there I may retire,
And watch the prompt occasion.
[Goes behind the altar.
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SCENE VIII.
Enter Sopheian.Soph.
Adieu ye idols of my daily worship,
False objects of true incense, cordial prayer—
Alas, how ill directed!—Never more
Shall your waste altar from Sopheian's hand
Receive the warm oblation.
Enter Hercides on the opposite side.
What art thou?
Hercid.
A villain—whom the Heavens, to save Sopheian,
Have turn'd to quick contrition—know you not
Hercides?
Soph.
How!—Hercides?
Hercid.
Soft, my master—
This way, for mercy's sake!—I must be short—
Perdition is about us—Haste, O haste!
[Exeunt.
SCENE IX.
Enter Zaphna, looking about.Zaph.
He must be here—I held him in mine eye—
Yes,—in his sanctum yonder—Ah, poor victim!
What can thy prayers or faithless gods avail,
When such a foe hath enter'd?—How is this?—
Although religion, love, and empire, urge me,
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I have no stomach to't—I have been told,
That o'er the instant of some horrid act,
Voices not human have been heard to scream
Their nightly omens—spectred visages
Glared on the eye—and sudden lakes of blood
Have risen athwart the process!—
What a deep gloom dwells here to help devotion,
To awe the spirits down, and give the blood
Its reverential thrill!—My soul is caught—
Or is it cowardice that would unthread
These sinews from their bent?—It must be done.
O, never holy priest, when on the altar
He laid the lamb, that turn'd a piteous eye,
Look'd gently up, and bleated for compassion,
E'er struck with like reluctance—Yet it must—
No more of torturing doubts, of dread suspension—
What must be done—once done—and all is finish'd!
[Goes in behind the altar, and after some time returns.
What should I think?—
He did prevent my merit of its meaning;
And made, what Heaven appointed for a murder,
Mere self-defence—He aim'd his poniard well—
But from his hand I wrench'd the levell'd steel,
Struck the blow home, and cast him on the pavement.
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SCENE X.
Enter Hercides.Hercid.
Zaphna, beware!—I must be sudden—
If thou shouldst meet Sopheian, touch him not—
He is thy father!
Zaph.
Ha!—
Hercid.
Thy father, Zaphna—
Thine and Palmyra's father! The impostor
Did know it, when he urged thee to the parricide—
Ye are the twain, of whom, when in your infancy,
He robb'd your gracious sire, the prince of Mecca;
Himself the prince of devils! Hie thee hence—
Adieu—we must not be observ'd together.
[Exit Hercides.
Zaph.
How the earth shakes!—what sudden night comes on!
Where am I?—on the brink!—the flames beneath
Shew where to plunge—Catch me, ye circling fiends!
Wrap me with fiery scorpions! torture, tear
The hell-taught parricide!—
Is he among you? find him, search him out—
No Prophet here!—Come hell—come thou along—
And we will sweep him into such perdition,
That our's shall be Heaven, from whence to look
On his deep hell beneath!
[Exit Zaphna.
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SCENE XI.
Enter on one side Caab, on the other Omar.Caab.
Saw you the Prophet, Omar?
Omar.
No—not a creature pass'd, where I kept watch.
Caab.
I saw Sopheian, and young Zaphna enter,
But not a soul return.
Omar.
Hear you that groan?
Caab.
I think the Prophet's voice.
SCENE XII.
To them enter Mahomet, feebly leaning on the altar, with a dagger in his breast; they run to him, and support him on each side.Omar.
Alas, our sultan!
Caab.
Ah, my royal master!
Maho.
Gently—O gently, friends!—
I totter on the steepy ridge of life,
And the least shove precipitates my being
Down, down, the deep immense—To say, to say,
When, where, and what's before me—'tis a language
New, wond'rous, horrible!—to human ears
Impossible to utter—
Time's but a hinge, whereon mortality,
A narrow portal, turns—behind, before,
Lies the wide main of being!—O, I launch—
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'Tis all my universe!—For mercy, Oh—
Down reaching through the infinite abyss,
To catch, to catch me, e'er I fall—Oh—
[Dies.
Omar.
So—then our prophecying farce is over—
Caab.
Omar, not so—our Prophet cannot die—
Say he's retired—in vision—or in trance—
Any invention that may serve to prop
Our new erected empire—Let us shade
His great remains; with utmost privacy
Convey him hence; and swear to hold this accident
A secret from the world.
[Exeunt.
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
| The Impostor | |