University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Damaral's Palace.
Enter Hali.
HALI.
The lark, when high in his aërial flight,
Arrested by the practis'd fowler's voice,
Will sink unconscious of the fatal net
Spread for his ruin. Not a beast that ranges
In licens'd freedom the wild wilderness
But may be trammell'd by the hunter's art:
And man, imperious man, who thus subdues
All meaner natures, let a bait be offer'd
Of pow'r to tempt his wayward appetite,
Sinks from his fancied eminence, and falls
The poor degraded victim of temptation.
The haughty Damaral himself, that hero,
That demi-god, he whose resistless sword
Spread through the Turkish legions wide dismay,
Caught by a wanton female's vain allurements,
Bows to her sway, and supplicates for ruin.
'Tis ready for him—the deep mine is charg'd,
And nought is wanting but the needful hand
To apply the match.—Would Omar but arrive
To second my bold effort—

Enter Almeida.
ALMEIDA.
Hast thou heard
One Omar, envoy from the Turkish Sultan,
Hath reach'd our harbour?

HALI.
Omar, didst thou say?
(Aside)
By heav'n! he comes propitious to my purpose—
(To Almeida)
Omar!—I know him not.—Is it yet bruited
What is his mission's object?

ALMEIDA.
If report
Speak justly of his purpose, he's empower'd
For the surrender of our guest to treat.
But who are these?

Enter Raymond and Omar.
RAYMOND.
I come from our Grand-Master,
To impart to Damaral what has late occurr'd,
And for this envoy from the Turkish camp
To ask short parlance with the captive Hali.

ALMEIDA.
Damaral will give thee audience. For the rest,
Behold the captive Hali.

OMAR.
Art thou he,
To whom the fair Ismena was intrusted?

HALI.
I have that charge.

OMAR.
I would impart to thee—
Your favour, gallant knights! I've that to say
Which female delicacy renders sacred.

RAYMOND.
Take thy full license—say whate'er thou will'st—
I will to Damaral straight, and then rejoin thee.

ALMEIDA.
This way, good Raymond—

[Exeunt Raymond and Almeida.
HALI.
Doubly art thou welcome!
Our harvest's ripe, and waited but thy hand
To reap it fully. Precious are the moments
Which fortune gives us. Let them not be lost.
Com'st thou to treat for our release?

OMAR.
Such is
The simulated purpose of my mission.
As thou hast prosper'd, I must act. Instruct me—
Shall I urge on my suit, or, to gain time—

HALI.
Give him no time—for, if he once reflect,
Our project will be vain.—Give him no time—
Press home thy suit, and leave the rest to me.
But soft—his friend returns.—I've more to say,
Which calls for privacy—

Enter Almeida.
HALI
(to Omar).
Thy words are sage,
And shall be graven in thy servant's heart.
(To Almeida)
Save thee, good sir.

ALMEIDA.
I pray you rest within.
While in our hospitality ye share,
Ye may what yet remains at ease discuss.

OMAR.
We thank thee for thy kindness—pray lead on.

[Exeunt.