SCENE XI. HASAN, CARAZA, MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, ABDALLA. МАНОМЕТ. Where's this fair traitress? Where's this smiling mischief, Whom neither vows could fix, nor favours bind? HASAN. Thine orders, mighty sultan, are perform'd, MAHOMET. Your hasty zeal defrauds the claim of justice, Was this the maid, whose love I bought with empire? Play'd on her cheek-So shone the first apostate- Just as the rack forc'd out his struggling soul, MUSTAPHA, His breath prolong'd, but to detect her treason, MAHOMET. Decreed to perish in Irene's chamber! There had she lull'd me with endearing falsehoods, SCENE XII. HASAN, CARAZA, MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, MURZA. Forgive, great sultan, that, by fate prevented, MAHOMET. Some artful wile of counterfeited love! MURZA. The queen requested, that a chosen troop MUSTAPHA. The Greek, Demetrius! whom th' expiring bassa MAHOMET. A chosen troop-to intercept-Demetrius The queen requested-Wretch, repeat the message; Or but one moment's pause betray confusion, Those trembling limbs-Speak out, thou shiv'ring traitor. The queen requested MURZA. MAHOMET. Who? the dead Irene? Was she then guiltless! Has my thoughtless rage Destroy'd the fairest workmanship of heav'n! [To Hasan and Caraza. Ye blind, officious ministers of folly, CARAZA. Your fierce impatience forc'd us from your presence, MAHOMET. What hadst thou lost, by slighting those commands? MUSTAPHA. Great is thy woe! But think, illustrious sultan, Rush to the war, display thy dreadful banners, MAHOMET. Robb'd of the maid, with whom I wish'd to triumph, No more I burn for fame, or for dominion; Success and conquest now are empty sounds, Those groves, whose shades embower'd the dear Irene, Shall hide me from the tasteless world for ever. [Mahomet goes back, and returns. Yet, ere I quit the sceptre of dominion, Let one just act conclude the hateful day— Hew down, ye guards, those vassals of destruction, [Pointing to Hasan and Caraza. Those hounds of blood, that catch the hint to kill, CARAZA. Then hear, great Mahomet, the voice of truth. MAHOMET. Hear! shall I hear thee! didst thou hear Irene? Hear but a moment. CARAZA. MAHOMET. Hadst thou heard a moment, Thou might'st have liv'd, for thou hadst spar'd Irene. CARAZA. I heard her, pitied her, and wish'd to save her. MAHOMET. And wish'd-be still thy fate to wish in vain. CARAZA. I heard, and soften'd, till Abdalla brought MAHOMET. Abdalla brought her doom! Abdalla brought it! HASAN. Abdalla brought it, While yet she begg'd to plead her cause before thee. MAHOMET. O, seize me, madness-Did she call on me! He seiz'd her melting in the fond appeal, And stopp'd the heav'nly voice that call'd on me. [Exit Mahomet; Abdalla is dragged off. SCENE XIII. HASAN, CARAZA, MUSTAPHA, MURZA. MUSTAPHA to MURZA. What plagues, what tortures, are in store for thee, Behold the model of consummate beauty, MURZA. Such was the will of heav'n-A band of Greeks, MUSTAPHA. So sure the fall of greatness, rais'd on crimes! Weak man, with erring rage, may throw the dart, VOL. I. I |