SCENE IV.
AMURATH
solus.
How cumb'rous is the State of Royalty?
Was it not gilded o'er with Name of Majesty,
What Man would gorge the Bait? What! tho' the Voice
Of Millions shouted Amurath? hail'd me Emperor!
Vain is the Joy, vain is the popular Puff.
Some Hours past they did as much for Osman:
Heav'n knows I sought it not, nor had I Cause;
Osman was ever great; his gen'rous Soul
Disdain'd the murd'rous Maxims of our State,
And scorn'd by Fratricide, t'ensure his Reign.
O! Osman, thy unhappy Fate imbitters
The Gust of Empire; but a Time will come,
Thy Wrongs shall be redress'd.
[Enter a Eunuch, presents a Letter.
Ha! from Ashad:
[Reads.
“Was I Stranger to my Emperor's Goodness, I should
not have presumed, to lay this undoubted Truth at his
Feet. The Greatness of Amurath's Soul can't countenance
enormous Villainy.—The Life of Osman is
in immediate Danger thro' the Artifices of Daut.—
O! Royal Sir! reflect on his Concern for you, and fly
to his Relief.
Ashad.”
O! Villain, Villain! most abandon'd Villain!
[Exit.
