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Disturb his parting moments with distrust;
Let me, when I return to close his eyes,
Compose his mind's impatience too, and tell him,
You are confirm'd a Christian!-

Zar. Oh! may his soul enjoy, in earth and heaven,

Eternal rest; nor let one thought, one sigh,
One bold complaint of mine recall his cares!
But you have injur'd me, who still can doubt.-
What! am I not your sister? and shall you
Refuse me credit? You suppose me light;
You, who should judge my honour by your own,
Shall you distrust a truth I dar'd avow,
And stamp apostate on a sister's heart!
Ner. Ah! do not misconceive me-
-If I err'd,
Affection, not distrust, misled my fear;
Your will may be a Christian, yet not you;
There is a sacred mark-a sign of faith,
A pledge of promise, that must firin your claim;
Wash you from guilt, and open Heaven before

you.

Swear, swear by all the woes we all have borne,
By all the martyr'd saints, who call you daughter,
That you consent, this day, to seal our faith,
By that mysterious rite which waits your call.
Zar. I swear by Heaven, and all its holy host,
Its saints, its martyrs, its attesting angels,
And the dread presence of its living author,
To have no faith but yours!-to die a Christian!
Now, tell me what this mystic faith requires.

Ner. To hate the happiness of Osman's throne, And love that god, who, through his maze of woes,

Has brought us all, unhoping, thus together.
For me--I am a soldier, uninstructed,]
Nor daring to instruct, though strong in faith:
But I will bring th' ambassador of Heaven,
To clear your views, and lift you to your God.
Be it your task to gain admission for him.-
But where? from whom?-Oh! thou immortal
Power!

Whence can we hope it, in this curs'd seraglio?
Who is this slave of Osman? Yes, this slave!
Does she not boast the blood of twenty kings?
Is not her race the same with that of Lewis?
Is she not Lusignan's unhappy daughter?
A Christian, and my sister? yet a slave,
A willing slave!-I dare not speak more plainly.
Zar Cruel! go on-Alas you do not know me.
At once a stranger to my secret fate,
My pains, my fears, my wishes, and my power:
I am-I will be Christian-will receive
This holy priest with his mysterious blessing;
I will not do nor suffer aught unworthy
Myself, my father, or my father's race.
But, tell me- -nor be tender on this point,-
What punishment your Christian laws decree,
For an unhappy wretch, who, to herself
Unknown, and all abandon'd by the world,
Lost and enslav'd, has, in her sovereign master,
Found a protector, generous as great,
Has touch'd his heart, and given him all her
own?

Ner. The punishment of such a slave should be, Death in this world-and pain in that to come. Zar. I am that slave-strike here and save my shame.

Ner. Destruction to my hopes !-Can it be you? Zar. It is-Ador'd by Osman, I adore him: I'his hour the nuptial rites will make us one. Ner. What! marry Osman!-Let the world grow dark,

That the extinguish'd sun may hide thy shame' Could it be thus, it were no crime to kill thee. Zar. Strike, strike-I love him-yes, by Hea ven, I love him.

Ner. Death is thy due-but not thy due from

me:

Yet, were the honour of our house no bar――
My father's fame, and the too gentle laws
Of that religion which thou hast disgrac'd-
Did not the God thou quitt'st hold back my arm-
Not there I could not there-but, by my soul,
I would rush, desperate, to the Sultan's breast,
And plunge my sword in his proud heart who
damns thee.

Oh, shame! shame! shame! at such a time as this,

When Lewis, that awak'ner of the world,
Beneath the lifted cross makes Egypt pale,
And draws the sword of Heaven to spread our
faith;

Now to submit to see my sister doom'd
A bosom-slave to him whose tyrant heart
But measures glory by the Christians' wo.
Yes I will dare acquaint our father with it;
Departing Lusignan may live so long,
As just to hear thy shame, and die to 'scape it.
Žar. Stay-my too angry brother-stay-per-
haps,

Zara has resolution great as thine:
'Tis cruel and unkind.-Thy words are
crimes;

My weakness but misfortune. Dost thou suffer?
I suffer more;-Oh! would to Heaven this blood
Of twenty boasted kings would stop at once,
And stagnate in my heart!-It then no more
Would rush in boiling fevers thro' my veins,
And ev'ry trembling drop be fill'd with Osman.
How has he lov'd me! how has he oblig'd me!
I owe thee to him. What has he not done,
To justify his boundless power of charming?
For me, he softens the severe decrees

Of his own faith; and is it just that mine
Should bid me hate him, but because he loves me?
No I will be a Christian-but preserve
My gratitude as sacred as my faith;

If I have death to fear for Osman's sake,
It must be from his coldness, not his love.

Ner. I must at once condemn and pity thee;
I cannot point thee out which way to go,
But Providence will lend its light to guide thee.
That sacred rite, which thou shalt now receive,
Will strengthen and support thy feeble heart,
To live an innocent, or die a martyr.
Here, then, begin performance of thy vow;
Here, in the trembling horrors of thy soul,
Promise thy king, thy father, and thy God,
Not to accomplish these detested nuptials,
Till first the reverend priest has clear'd your eyes,
Taught you to know, and given you claim to
Heaven.
Promise me this-

Zar. So bless me, Heaven! I do.Go-hasten the good priest, I will expect him But first return-cheer my expiring father, Tell him I am, and will be all he wishes me: Tell him, to give him life, 'twere joy to die. Ner. I go-Farewell-farewell, unhappy sister. [Erit NERESTAN.

Zar. I am alone-and now be just, my heart, And tell me, wilt thou dare betray thy God? What am I? What am I about to be? Daughter of Lusignan-or wife to Osman?

Ain I a lover most, or most a Christian?
Would Selima were come: and yet 'tis just,
All friends should fly her who forsakes herself.
What shall I do?-What heart has strength to
bear

These double weights of duty?-Help me, Hea

ven !

To thy hard laws I render up my soul:
But, oh! demand it back-for now 'tis Osman's.

Enter OSMAN.

Osm. Shine out, appear, be found, my lovely
Zara!

Impatient eyes attend-the rites expect thee;
And my devoted heart no longer brooks
This distance from its soft'ner-all the lamps
Of nuptial love are lighted, and burn pure,
As if they drew their brightness from thy blushes.
The holy mosque is fill'd with fragrant fumes,
Which emulate the sweetness of thy breathing:
My prostrate people all confirm my choice,
And send their souls to Heaven in prayers for
blessings.

Thy envious rivals, conscious of thy right,
Approve superior charms, and join to praise thee;
The throne that waits thee, seems to shine more
richly,

As all its gems, with animated lustre,

Fear'd to look dim beneath the eyes of Zara.
Come, my slow love: the ceremonies wait thee;
Come, and begin from this dear hour my
umph.

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That I am truly dear

Osm. Heaven! if I love!
Zar. Permit me-
Osm. What?
Zar. To desire-
Osm. Speak out.

Zar. The nuptial rites
May be deferr'd till-

Ösm. What!-Is that the voice
Of Zara?

Zar. Oh, I cannot bear his frown.
Osm. Of Zara!

Zar. It is dreadful to my heart,
To give you but a seeming cause for anger;
Pardon my grief--Alas! I cannot bear it;
There is a painful terror in your eye
That pierces to my soul- hid from your sight
I go to make a moment's truce with tears,
And gather force to speak of my despair.

[Exit, disordered.

Osm. I stand immoveable, like senseless mar ble; tri-Horror had frozen my suspended tongue; And an astonish'd silence robb'd my will Of power to tell her that she shock'd my soul. Spoke she to me?-Sure I misunderstood her. Could it be me she left?-What have I seen?

Zar. Oh, what a wretch am I! Oh, grief!
Oh, love!

Osm. Come- come

Zar. Where shall I hide my blushes?

Osm. Blushes-here, in my bosom, hide 'em.
Zar. My Lord!

Osm. Nay, Zara-give me thy hand, and

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What I should say-Alas! I cannot speak.
Osm. Away-this modest, sweet, reluctant
trifling

But doubles my desires, and thy own beauties.
Zar. Ah, me!

Osm. Nay-but thou shouldst not be too cruel.
Zar. I can no longer bear it-Oh, my lord-
Osm. Ha!-What?-whence ?-how?
Zar. My lord, my sovereign!

Enter ORASMIN.

Orasmin, what a change is here!-She's gone,
And I permitted it, I know not how.

Oras. Perhaps you but accuse the charming
fault

Of innocence, too modest oft in love.

Osm. But why, and whence those tears?—
those looks that flight?

That grief so strongly stamp'd on every feature?
If it has been that Frenchman- -What a

thought!

How low, how horrid a suspicion that!
The dreadful flash at once gives light, and kills

me;

Heaven knows this marriage would have been a My too bold confidence repell'd my caution

bliss

Above my humble hopes:-yet, witness love!
Not from the grandeur of your throne, that bliss,
But from the pride of calling Osman mine.
Would you had been no emperor, and I
Possess'd of power and charms deserving you;
That slighting Asia's thrones I might alone
Have left a proffer'd world, to follow you
Through deserts, uninhabited by men,

An infidel! a slave!-a heart like mine
Reduc'd to suffer from so vile a rival!
But tell me, didst thou mark 'em at their parting?
Didst thou observe the language of their eyes?
Hide nothing from me- -Is my love betray'd?
Tell me my whole disgrace: nay, if thou trem-
blest,

I hear thy pity speak, though thou art silent.
Oras. I tremble at the pangs I see you suffer.

And bless'd with ample room for peace and love: Let not your angry apprehension urge
But, as it is- -these Christians-

Osm. Christians! What!

How start two images into thy thoughts,
So distant as the Christians and my love!
Zar. That good old Christian, reverend Lu-
signan,

Now dying, ends his life and woes together.
Osm. Well, let him die-What has thy heart
to feel,

Thus pressing and thus tender, from the death

Your faithful slave to irritate your anguish;
I did, 'tis true, observe some parting tears;
But they were tears of charity and grief;
I cannot think there was a cause deserving
This agony of passion—

Osm. Why no I thank thee-
Orasmin, thou art wise. It could not be
That I should stand expos'd to such an insult.
Thou know'st, had Zara meant me the offence,
She wants not wisdom to have hid it better:

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[he

Indulge him with a second leave to come?
He said he should return once more to see her.
Osm. Return! the traitor! he return!-Dares
Presume to press a second interview?
Would he be seen again?-He shall be seen;
But dead. I'll punish the audacious slave,
To teach the faithless fair to feel my anger.
Be still, my transports; violence is blind:
know my heart at once is fierce and weak;
I feel that I descend below myself;
Zara can never justly be suspected;
Her sweetness was not formed to cover treason;
Yet, Osman must not stoop to woman's follies;
Their tears, complaints, regrets, and reconcile-
ments,

With all their light, capricious roll of changes
Are arts too vulgar to be tried on me.
It would become me better to resume
The empire of my will. Rather than fall
Beneath myself, I must, how dear soe'er
It costs me, rise-till I look down on Zara!-
Away but mark me-these seraglio doors,
Against all Christians be they henceforth shut,
Close as the dark retreats of silent death.

[Exit ORASMIN. What have I done, just Heaven! thy rage to move, 'That thou shouldst sink me down, so low to love? [Exit.

ACT IV.

SCENE I-ZARA and SELIMA.

Sel. Ah, Madam! how at once I grieve your fate,

And how admire your virtue !-Heaven permits, And Heaven will give you strength, to bear misfortune;

To break these chains, so strong and yet so dear. Zar. Oh, that I could support the fatal struggle!

Sel. Th' Eternal aids your weakness, sees your will,

Directs your purpose, and rewards your sorrows. Zar. Never had wretch more cause to hope he does.

Sel. What though you here no more behold your father?

There is a Father to be found above,
Who can restore that father to his daughter.
Zar. But I have planted pain in Osman's bo-

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Is yet less powerful in my heart than Heaven.
To him who made that heart I offer it;
There, there, I sacrifice my bleeding passion;
I pour before him every guilty tear;
I beg him to efface the fond impression,
And fill with his own image all my soul:
But, while I weep and sigh, repent and pray,
Remembrance brings the object of my love,
And every light illusion floats before him.
I see, I hear him, and again he charms;
Fills my glad soul, and shines 'twixt me and
Heaven!

Oh, all ye royal ancestors! Oh, father!
Mother! You Christians, and the Christians'
God!

You who deprive me of this generous lover!
If you permit me not to live for him,
Let me not live at all, and I am bless'd:
Let me die innocent; let his dear hand
Close the sad eyes of her he stoop'd to love,
And I acquit my fate, and ask no more.
But he forgives me not- -regardless now,
Whether, or how I live, or when I die :
He quits me, scorns me and I yet live on,
And talk of death as distant.-

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Has Heaven so nobly form'd his heart to hate it? Generous and just, beneficent and brave,

Were he but Christian--What can man be more?

I wish, methinks, this reverend priest was come To free me from these doubts, which shake my soul:

Yet know not why I should not dare to hope,
That Heaven, whose mercy all confess and feel.
Will pardon and approve th' alliance wish'd:
Perhaps it seats me on the throne of Syria,
To tax my power for these good Christians' com-
fort.

Thou know'st the mighty Saladine, who first
Conquer'd this empire from my father's race,
Who, like my Osman, charm'd th' admiring
world,

Drew breath, though Syrian, from a Christian mother.

Sel.

What mean you, Madam? Ah! you do

not see

Zar. Yes, yes I see it all; I am not blind:
I see my country and my race condemn me:
I see that, spite of all, I still love Osman.
What if I now go throw me at his feet,
And tell him there sincerely what I am?

Sel. Consider that might cost your brother's life,

Expose the Christians, and betray you all.
Zar. You do not know the noble heart of Os-

man.

Sel. I know him the protector of a faith Sworn enemy to ours;— -The more he loves, The less will he permit you to profess Opinions which he hates: to-night the priest, In private introduc'd, attends you here; You promis'd him admission

Zar. Would I had not!

I promis'd, too, to keep this fatal secret;
My father's urg'd command requir'd it of me
I must obey, all dangerous as it is;
Compell'd to silence, Osman is enrag'd,
Suspicion follows, and I lose his love.

Enter OSMAN.

Yet see!-you did but weep, and have resum'd

me!

Osm. Madam! there was a time when my Proud as I am-I must confess, one wish

charm'd heart

Made it a virtue to be lost in love;

When, without blushing, I indulg'd my flame,
And every day still made you dearer to me.
You taught me, Madam, to believe my love
Rewarded and return'd-nor was that hope,
Methinks, too bold for reason. Emperors,
Who choose to sigh devoted at the feet

Of beauties, whom the world conceive their slaves,

Have fortune's claim, at least, t' ensure success:
But 'twere profane to think of power in love.
Dear as my passion makes you, I decline
Possession of her charms whose heart 's another's.
You will not find me a weak, jealous lover,
By coarse reproaches giving pain to you,
And sharing my own greatness-wounded
deeply,

Yet shunning and disdaining low complaint,
I come -to tell you

Zar. Give my trembling heart

A moment's respite

Osm. That unwilling coldness

Is the just prize of your capricious lightness;
Your ready arts may spare the fruitless pains
Of colouring deceit with fair pretences;
I would not wish to hear your slight excuses;
I cherish ignorance, to save my blushes.
Osman in every trial shall remember
That he is emperor.- -Whate'er I suffer,
'Tis due to honour that I give up you,
And to my injur'd bosom take despair,
Rather than shamefully possess you sighing,
Convinc'd those sighs were never meant for me-
Go, Madam--you are free-from Osman's

power

Expect no wrongs, but see his face no more.

Zar. At last, 'tis come-the fear'd, the murdering moment

Is come and I am curs'd by earth and Heaven! [Throws herself on the ground. If it is true that I am lov'd no more

If you

Osm. It is too true, my fame requires it; It is too true, that 1 unwilling leave you: That I at once renounce you and adore—— Zara!-you weep!

Zar. If I am doom'd to lose you, If I must wander o'er an empty world, Unloving and unlov'd--Oh! yet, do justice To th' afflicted--do not wrong me doubly: Punish me, if 'tis needful to your peace, But say not, I deserv'd it-This, at least, Believe for not the greatness of your soul Is truth more pure and sacred--no regret Can touch my bleeding heart, for I have lost The rank of her you raise to share your throne I know I never ought to have been there; My fate and my defects require I lose you. But ah! my heart was never known to Osman. May Heaven that punishes, for ever hate me, If I regret the loss of aught but you. Osm. Rise-rise, this means not love! Zar. Strike- -Strike me, Heaven!

Evades my power-the blessing to forget you
Zara, thy tears were form'd to teach disdain,
That softness can disarm it.'Tis decreed.
I must for ever love-but from what cause,
If thy consenting heart partakes my fires,
Art thou reluctant to a blessing meant me?
Speak! Is it levity-or, is it fear?

Fear of a power that, but for blessing thee,
Had, without joy, been painful.- Is it artifice?
Oh! spare the needless pains-art was not made
For Zara-Art, however innocent,
Looks like deceiving-I abhorr'd it ever.

Zar. Alas! I have no art; not even enough To hide this love, and this distress you give me. Osm. New riddles! Speak with plainness to my soul:

What canst thou mean?

Zar. I have no power to speak it.

Osm. Is it some secret dangerous to my state? Is it some Christian plot grown ripe against me! Zar. Lives there a wretch so vile as to betray

you!

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Takes purpose from your wishes; and consent
Depends not on my choice, but your decree:
Go- -but remember how he loves, who thus
Finds a delight in pain, because you give it.
Zar. It gives me more than pain to make you
feel it.

Osm. And- -can you, Zara, leave me ?
Zar. Alas! my lord!
[Exit ZARA.
Osm. [Alone.] It should be yet, methinks, too
soon to fly me!

Too soon as yet to wrong my easy faith.
The more I think, the less I can conceive,
What hidden cause should raise such strange
despair!

Now, when her hopes have wings, and every

wish

Is courted to be lively!-When I love,
And joy and empire press her to their bosom;
When not alone belov'd, but even a lover:
Professing and accepting; bless'd and blessing;

Osm. What is it love to force yourself to To see her eyes, through tears, shine mystic love!

wound

The heart you wish to gladden? But I find Lovers least know themselves; for I believ'd, That I had taken back the power I gave you;

'Tis madness! and I were unworthy power,
To suffer longer the capricious insult!
Yet, was I blameless ?-No-I was too rash;
I have felt jealousy, and spoke it to her;

I have distrusted her-and still she loves:
Generous atonement that! and 'tis my duty
To expiate, by a length of soft indulgence,
The transports of a rage, which still was love.
Henceforth, I never will suspect her false;
Nature's plain power of charming dwells about
her,

And innocence gives force to every word.
I owe full confidence to all she looks,

For in her eye shines truth, and every beam
Shoots confirmation round her. I remark'd,
Even while she wept, her soul a thousand times
Sprung to her lips, and long'd to leap to mine,
With honest, ardent utterance of her love.-
Who can possess a heart so low, so base,
To look such tenderness, and yet have none?

Enter MELIDOR with ORASMIN.

Mel. This letter, great disposer of the world! Address'd to Zara, and in private brought, Your faithful guards this moment intercepted, And humbly offer to your sovereign eye.

Osm. Come nearer, give it me.-To Zara!Rise.

Bring it with speed

distance

-Shame on your flattering

[Advancing, and snatching the letter. Be honest-and approach me like a subject Who serves the prince, yet not forgets the man. Me! One of the Christian slaves, whom late your bounty

Releas'd from bondage, sought with heedful guile, Unnotic'd to deliver it.-Discover'd

He waits, in chains, his doom from your decree. Osm. Leave me! I tremble, as if something fatal

Were meant me from this letter-should I read it?

Oras. Who knows but it contains some happy

truth

That may remove all doubts, and calm your heart. Osm. Be it as 'twill-it shall be read-my hands

now,

Have apprehension that outreaches mine!
Why should they tremble thus ?-'tis done-and
[Opens the letter.
Fate, be thy call obey'dOrasmin, mark-
There is a secret passage toward the mosque;
That way you might escape; and, unperceiv'd,
Fly your observers, and fulfil our hope;
Despise the danger, and depend on me,
Who wait you, but to die if you deceive.
Hell! tortures! death! and woman!-What,
Orasmin!

Are we awake? Heardst thou? Can this be
Zara?

Oras. Would I had lost all sense-for what I
heard

Has cover'd my afflicted heart with horror.
Osm. Thou seest how I am treated!
Oras. Monstrous treason!

To an affront like this you cannot-must not
Remain insensible-You, who but now,
From the most slight suspicion, felt such pain,
Must in the horror of so black a guilt,
Find an effectual cure, and banish love.

Osm. Seek her this instant-go, Orasmin, fly-
Show her this letter-bid her read and tremble:
Then in the rising horrors of her guilt,
Stab her unfaithful breast, and let her die.

Say, while thou strik'st-Stay, stay, return and

pity me;

I will think first a moment-Let that Christian
Be straight confronted with her-Stay-I will,
I will-I know not what!Would I were dead
Would I had died, unsconscious of this shame!

Oras. Never did prince receive so bold a wrong.
Osm. See here detected this infernal secret!
This fountain of her tears, which my weak heart
Mistook for marks of tenderness and pain!
Why! what a reach has woman to deceive!
Under how fine a veil of grief and fear
Did she purpose retirement till to-morrow!
And I, blind dotard! gave the fool's consent,
Sooth'd her, and suffer'd her to go!-She
parted,

Dissolv'd in tears; and parted to betray me! Oras. Reflection serves but to confirm her guilt.

At length resume yourself; awaken thought; Assert your greatness; and resolve like Osman.

Osm. Nerestan, too-Was this the boasted
honour

Of that proud Christian, whom Jerusalem
Grew loud in praising! whose half envied virtue
I wonder'd at myself; and felt disdain
To be but equal to a Christian's greatness!
And does he thank me thus; base infidel!
Honest, pretending, pious, praying villain?
Yet Zara is a thousand times more base,
More hypocrite, than he! A slave! a wretch!
So low, so lost, that even the vilest labours,
In which he lay condemn'd, could never sink him
Beneath his native infamy- -Did she not know
What I have done, what suffer'd-for her sake?
Oras. Could you, my gracious lord! forgive my
zeal,

You would

Osm. I know it-thou art right-I'll see her- I'll tax her in thy presence;-I'll upbraid her— I'll let her learn-Go-find, and bring her to me. What can you wish to say? Oras. Alas, my lord! disorder'd as you are,

Osm. I know not, now

But I resolve to see her-lest she think
Her falsehood has, perhaps, the power to grieve

me.

Oras. Believe me, Sir, your threatenings, your complaints,

What will they produce, but Zara's tears
To quench this fancied anger! Your lost heart,
Seduc'd against itself, will search but reasons
To justify the guilt, which gives it pain;
Rather conceal from Zara this discovery;
And let some trusty slave convey the letter,
Re-clos'd to her own hand-then shall you learn,
Spite of her frauds, disguise, and artifice,
The firmness or abasement of her soul.
Osm. Thy counsel charms me!

it now.

We'll about

"Twill be some recompense, at least, to see Her blushes, when detected.

Oras. Oh, my lord!

-for your heart

I doubt you in the trial-
Osm. Distrust me not-my love, indeed, is
weak,

But honour and disdain more strong than Zara.
Here, take this fatal letter-choose a slave
Whom yet she never saw, and who retains
His tried fidelity-Despatch-begone-

[Exit ORASMIN Now, whither shall I turn my eyes and steps,

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