University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

The Sultana Queen's, near Constantinople.
Mirza, Phesalie, and Ladies Attendants.
MIRZA.
The Mask is now thrown off—Mirza no longer
Reign's in her Sov'reign's Heart—Cruel Reverse!
O Flattery, curst Flatt'ry! Thou'st undone me—
Ye crouching Sycophants! constant Attendants
On ev'ry rising Star, ye've undone me;
Ye puft your pois'nous Blasts into my Senses,
Till Pride had swell'd me to the matchless Creature,
Your servile serpent Tongues reported me,
As worthy of great Osman's constant Love.
O Phesalie! my Spring of Glory's faded,
I'm lost—for ever lost to Love and Osman.

PHESALIE.
Who could have apprehended such a Change?

MIRZA.
That Part was mine; but giddy Joys prevented.
'Twas I receiv'd his Virgin Obligations;
Nor has he ever yet been false to me:
Mirror of Constancy! compar'd with Emperors,
Whose Wills insatiate have roam'd at large.
Had he done thus, I'd been like other Odalisks
Enjoy'd, repudiated, without a Sigh;
But elevate with Hope of Love's Endurance,
My Fall precipitate the more confounds me—

First LADY.
Is't certain, this fair Lady, Aphendina's
Conducted hither to the Sultan's Bed?

Second LADY.
So the Report; the Camp resounds with it.

PHESALIE.
This Love is not of Yesterday's Creation;
This is a smother'd Flame, burst out again—

MIRZA.
Or rather never smother'd—My Reflections
Recall to Mind Scenes past Reiteration;
When in my Arms the noble Osman slumber'd,
Oft would he start, and catch, and waking, sigh—
Then slumb'ring, groan again, whole Nights together.
I might have thought of Aphendina then;
But my own Joys were so superlative—

First LADY.
Hark! 'tis the Sound of Trumpets in the Camp.

[Trumpets sound.
Second LADY.
They sound again—and nearer too.

[Sound again.
MIRZA.
O! hide me,
'Tis this new Mistress—Cover me, ye Mountains—
Conceal my just Confusion in your Bowels,
And never more let Mirza see the Light.

PHESALIE.
Too true, I fear, these Sounds proclaim the Joy
Of her Arrival.

MIRZA.
Close my Tent—I'm ill,
And must be private—Sure Osman won't impose
On me the hateful Task of Gratulation.

[Scene closes.

SCENE II.

The Mufti's Tent.
Aphendina enters at one Door, Ashad at the other; the Attendants cross the Stage, and leave them.
ASHAD.
Our Prophet succour thee, my dearest Child;
[Embracing.
Confirm thy Virtue, and thy Innocence.

APHENDINA.
Alas! my Father; pardon my Surprize
And Ecstacy at meeting you again,
After an Absence never known before;
It adds new Life and Vigour to my Spirits,
And spreads abundant Joy o'er all my Senses.

ASHAD.
A Word, my Daughter: You receiv'd my Letter,
Together with the Sultan's?

APHENDINA.
Sir, I did;
And in Compliance with them both, am here.

ASHAD.
You're prudent, Daughter—You've had good Instructions:
Let them not fail you in the Time of Trial.
Be virtuous, Child—You know the Sultan's Power:
I say be virtuous—or be no more.
[Exit Ashad.

Enter Sultan and Attendants, who pass: He runs to her.
[Musick without.
OSMAN.
Thou blooming Maid! this Meeting glads my Soul.

APHENDINA.
Most mighty Emperor! your high Command
Hath brought your meanest Slave to kiss your Feet.
[Going to embrace her, she kneels.
My best Acknowledgments fall short in Worth
Of noble Osman's Favour to his Handmaid.

OSMAN.
Arise, my Fair One! 'tis too mean for you
[Raises her.
To prostrate even to the Sultan's Person.
You I esteem my Equal—All to you
Shall with like Ardour bend, as to myself;
But you to no Man—May I be resolv'd?
Does thy fond Heart dilate with rising Joy,
And bound with Ecstasy at Osman's Name?
Say, do'st Thou love?—Thy Blush confest it once.

APHENDINA.
If t'have known aught, when you were absent from me,
Save joyless Days, and ever restless Nights;
If Pray'rs, and Sighs, and Wishes for your Safety,
Haunting Repose—oft forc'd the starting Tear:
If these were Love, if these the Lover's Pangs,
I then avow the Flame; with Joy confess,
The Grave itself can't extirpate my Passion.

OSMAN.
Kind Heav'n then smiles upon the happy Osman!
[Kneeling, kisses her Hand.
I can no more—Still love me, Aphendina!

APHENDINA.
My Emperor at my Feet! It must not be.
Sir, you confound me by this Condescension:
I cannot suffer it.

OSMAN.
My Love, I rise.
But, O! declare, what Transports fill thy Breast,
When my fond Breathings tell thee, Osman loves.

APHENDINA.
Could I delineate the Joys of Paradise,
Then might I paint thy Aphendina's Bliss.
How has my Soul been shock'd! when tortur'd Fancy,
Presenting to my View the hostile Field,
I saw your Highness foremost in the Ranks,
Amid the Din and Tumult of the War!
Your innate Valour might have led you on
To some destructive Enterprize, and robb'd
The World—and Aphendina of her Osman.

OSMAN.
[Exit Aphendina.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

The Seraglio.
Mirza and Phesalie.
MIRZA.
I've heard too much of it already, Phesalie,
My Palace, say you? rather call it my Dungeon;
My Joys are wholly center'd in the Sultan.
Where is the Love, at least the Complaisance,
He ever shew'd, when absent but a Day?
He never fail'd to visit me the first;
Now two long tedious Hours have been consum'd
In fruitless Waiting—'Twas not always thus.

PHESALIE.
My Queen, Imagination oft misleads,
Paints in so lively Colours fancied Ills,
That even Doubts are heighten'd into Truths.

MIRZA.
Call not a Doubt what's too, too evident:
He bore himself so lofty at the Camp,
He scarcely deign'd to cast an Eye toward me.

[Enter Kiosem.
KIOSEM.
I may intrude perhaps—You seem engag'd?
Can Mirza pardon my Officiousness?

MIRZA.
Kiosem, ever welcome, can't intrude;
The Niceties of Time lose all Distinction,
In Friendships so cemented as our own.

KIOSEM.
My Queen! your Goodness over-runs my Thanks;
Something of private Import may forbid;
Permit me to retire.

MIRZA.
No, Stay, my Kiosem;
Only what busy babbling Fame reports,
Furnishes hateful Matter for our Theme.

KIOSEM.
Forgive me, Mirza, if I guess the Subject:
'Tis just as I suspected; his Intent
Was only to decoy th'imperious Thing,
The lofty Aphendina to his Lure:
On her he lavishes the rich Profuse,
Vouchsafing you a Pittance of his Love.

MIRZA.
Heavens! Can I pass such Disregard unmov'd,
And tamely sink beneath this Load of Insult!

KIOSEM.
'Tis plain, he's glad the Prince your Son is dead,
T'abrogate your Pow'r with more Facility,
And raise his towering Mistress on your Ruin:
But let the giddy Creature swell with Pride,
Your Majesty's Appearance will eclipse her,
Unless, to save the Minx's Reputation,
You are forbid the Presence, or confin'd.

MIRZA.
I dread th'Event; Heav'n only knows my Fate!

KIOSEM.
And should know her's, were I Sultana Queen;
Madam, you bear your Wrongs too patiently:
Exert your Influence, he'll repent his Change:
Spread Whispers of the Sultan's bad Designs;
Her private Favours—Stir up the Odalisks
To apparent Slights; disperse your Emissaries
Among the Soldiery; leave nought untry'd,
Your Injuries demand Redress—be resolute.

MIRZA.
I'm much indebted to my Kiosem's Zeal;
Her Words revive the Languor of my Hopes:
As the firm Buttress, with benign Support,
Sustains the Glories of some Memphian Pile;
So Kiosem's Friendship stays my threatn'd Fall,
And guards her Mirza from impending Ruin.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Royal Apartments.
Osman sitting musing.
OSMAN.
E'er I repose, I'll try this charming Maid;
Her firm Adherence to the Cause of Virtue
Inflames my restless Soul with fierce Desire,
More pungent than the Scenes of foul Debauchery
Could ever raise i'th'most abandon'd Breast;
And I must compass her at all Events.
I'd willingly not thwart the Empire's Laws,
Which do inhibit Marriage to the Sultan;
But better they were cross'd, than I undone—
I'll offer her whate'er Ambition's Lust,
Whate'er unbounded Luxury can crave;
And if her Virtue's Proof 'gainst these Temptations,
She's only qualified to grace my Throne,
And nuptial Rites shall constitute her Empress.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Apartment in the Seraglio.
KIOSEM
sola.
To what End serve myself corroding Cares?
Whilst Osman gains th'Affection of the Court,
The Populace, and ev'ry Order—Amurath,
My Son, neglected, dreams away his Life,
Or immaturely falls—for fall he must,
E'er Osman's Head can hold his Crown secure:
Then what if I by subtile Stratagem,
To save my Amurath, bring Death on Osman;
The Janizaries, cover'd with Disgrace,
Resent his Treatment in the late Campaign—
I'll fix my Spies, observe their ev'ry Action,
Sow Discord by Degrees, fill them with Terror,
And raise 'twixt him and them such Jealousy,
As from the slightest Rumour may be blown,
(By adding proper Fuel) to Rebellion.
Then this new Mistress stings me to the Soul;
Her Temper may drive Osman to Extremities.—
Mirza's my own; I mould her pliant Nature;
But should this Favourite, this Aphendina
Prevail against her, I'm reduc'd indeed—
If Amurath reigns, the Pow'r is lodg'd with me:
If Osman—Perish th'abject, dastard Thought!
Better meet Death, attempting Sov'reignty,
Than linger Life in absolute Subjection:
For Life's no Life for me, devoid of Power.
[Enter Bassa of Bosnia
O! ever welcome, dearest Friend, Bassa!
Your Presence dissipates my Cares—A Spirit
So adequate as yours to great Designs,
May raise your Princess 'bove the Frowns of Fate.

BASSA.
Madam, you may command—

KIOSEM.
Attend me, Bassa!

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

The Mufti's Palace.
Osman, Ashad, and Aphendina.
ASHAD.
Your Highness overloads my House with Honours;
I leave you, Sir; but good, my Lord, remember—

[Exit Mufti.
OSMAN.
Urg'd by my Passion for thy heav'nly Form,
Adorn'd with Virtues, ev'ry Excellence,
Behold an humble Suitor in your Osman.
—Accord, my Aphendina, to my Views—
Abate the Rigour of the Mufti's Precepts,
In my Apartments (Treasury of Blessings)
Command whate'er can gratify Desire.
I come not now, my Love, to be refus'd,
But to accept the Tender of your Person.
Admit, my Fair, the Gift invaluable;
Yet think, Oh think! thy Osman grants his All—
Himself, his Love, his Faith, his Constancy;
Which by our Prophet, whom I here invoke!
Shall never swerve from beauteous Aphendina;
But fixt as th'Earth's Poles, remain invariable.
Then speak me happy—say you follow me;
Give Osman Life, and bless him with Compliance.

APHENDINA.
Osman, the Conflict jarring in my Mind,
Rends me with Agony ne'er felt before;
I see beyond the present pleasing Instant,
Bright as the Noon-tide Ray—but ah! the Clouds
Of black Remorse and Infamy o'ercast
It's setting Day—Osman consider well
E'er you resolve on what I ne'er can grant.

OSMAN.
Can Aphendina thus protract my Pain!
Can she imagine I can live and love,
And doat upon those Charms without Fruition?
Thou lov'st me not; at least with equal Ardor.
You glory in your Emp'ror's Condescension;
You set no farther Price on Osman's Love,
Than to adorn the Train of your Admirers,
Or you'd not thus oppose his Happiness.

APHENDINA.
Alas! too well you know the Beatings here,
Or you'd not thus distress me—Oh! Osman,
Plunge—bury this in Aphendina's Breast;
[Pointing to his Scimitar.
But do not kill me with ungentle Terms.
It cannot be, but Osman knows I love—
Nor is't the Emperor, Aphendina covets;
But Osman—freed from the Impediment,
Of lordly Empire, now the only Bar,
Betwixt my Wishes and their free Completion.

OSMAN.
No more reproach me, dearest Aphendina;
My fierce Despair converts to burning Rage,
Those tender Sentiments, my Heart abounds with,
On the least Opposition to my Hopes.
O! Aphendina, could you feel my Transport
At e'vry yielding Speech, or Glance from you;
'Twould plead my Pardon for a Word misplac'd.
But say, thou rigid Fair! my Soul's Delight!
Propose some Method to allay my Passion,
If you're determin'd never to relent.

APHENDINA.
And is it Osman who would learn of me;
O! spare me on the sad ungrateful Subject;
Think not my Love's less ardent than my Lord's:
But Laws of State clashing with Virtue's Rules,
Leave no Alternative for our Felicity.
Let us resolve inviolable Faith;
Let us repeat the Resolution daily;
Be ever anxious for our mutual Peace;
Love each other, for—that we love, nor Law,
Nor Virtue's Cause will then be injur'd;
This, this, my Lord's, the Height of my Ambition.

OSMAN.
Were Virtue's Cause trusted to Thee alone,
Bright Seraph! 'twould have many more Admirers;
E'en Vice itself would study Condemnation,
But to receive its Sentence from thy Lips:
You shall hear more, when I've consider'd it.

[Exit Osman and enter As
ASHAD.
Daughter, his Highness left you discontented;
His down-cast Look, and Solemness of Pace,
Denote an inward Struggle in his Mind:
I fear his Power will now command Obedience.

APHENDINA.
It cannot be, it derogates from Osman;
'Tis too ignoble for his generous Soul:
E'en in his brightest Ecstasies of Love,
Not the least Syllable has e'er transpir'd
Discordant to the purest Virgin's Ear,
His ev'ry Act attests the sacred Flame;
My Vows accompany him—
[Exit Ashad.
Where can th'Excess
Of Love 'twixt me and Osman terminate?
O! where—it cannot linger thus for ever.
I dread, he'll think it a sufficient Honour
For me to wait his Pleasure at the Palace:
If I decline—ah! may he not compel?
Ill fated Maid! how speedy the Transition,
From Love to Hate, as varying Passion drives—
What's the Result then? I'm confin'd, abus'd,
Grow wretched, feed on Discontent, and die.
If Death then to my Suff'rings must succeed,
An icipating Death, avoids my Injuries.
Surely 'twere better Choice, than soil my Honour—
I'll ne'er consent, my Virtue is my own;
No shall the dazzling Charms of gorgeous Pomp,
Have Weight to sink me into pageant Greatness;
I'll rise superior to the glitt'ring Toys
Of specious Love, and spurn its guilty Joys.