University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A COURT IN THE CASTLE.
Enter Abdallah, followed by an officer.
Abdallah.
Command a council? without my concurrence
Already dares she queen it? Haste! and say
You found me indispos'd; and wave the meeting.
—While to the lords you urge—not my excuse,
But frame one from Almeyda.—
Shouldst thou suggest an intellectual wand'ring,
Which makes her say and unsay, it were apt.
Thou art discerning, and do'st understand me—
She is too young to follow her own guidance,
While that of others wrings her!
[Exit Officer.
Have I waded
Thro' many an artifice, and many an horror,
Seen time and circumstance mature my views,
To let a haughty, foolish woman, cross me?
—Hah!—might I not improve my own suggestion,
And work her high-wrought passions into phrenzy?

Enter Hamet.
Hamet.
My Lord, ev'n now, a young Castilian presses
Importunately to address the queen—
I heeded well your wish, and studious sought
To learn his embassy; but, or prepared,
By those who sent him, or his own discretion,
He foil'd my skill.

Abdallah.
Thou win'st for life my favour—
Search, and some curious billet, love-inscrib'd
Will tell the mighty secret.—

Hamet.
Nought is found,
Above his own degree—nor arms, nor letters—
Save but a ring; which he at first deliver'd;
The guard incautious sent it to the Queen,
Who wills to see him.

Abdallah.
Ah! there's more in this!—
Careful conceal that I have been inform'd,
And lead Almeyda to the hall of audience.
There, thro' the secret lattice, I may hear,
A tale of import—be thyself at hand—
—Now, now, Orasmyn, comes thy fortune's crisis.

[Exeunt severally.