Go-the good Christian waits-conduct him | Whence can we hope it, in this curs'd seraglio? to her;
Zara expects thee-What she wills, obey. [Exit OSMAN. Oras. Ho! Christian enter!- -wait a moment here.
Thank Heaven, it is not, then, unlawful To see you, yet once more, my lovely sister! Not all so happy!-We, who met but now, Shall never meet again-for Lusignan- We shall be orphans still, and want a father. Zar. Forbid it, Heaven!
Ner. His last sad hour's at handThat flow of joy, which follow'd our discovery,
Too strong and sudden for his age's weakness, Wasting his spirits, dried the source of life, And nature yields him up to time's demand. Shall he not die in peace?-Oh! let no doubt 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
Shall you distrust a truth 1 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 firm your claim;
Wash you from guilt, and open Heaven be- fore you. [borne, Swear, swear by all the woes we all have 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 Chris- tian!
Now, tell me what this mystic faith requires. Ner. To hate the happiness of Osman's throne, [woes, And love that God, who, through his maze of 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!
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
My pains, my fears, my wishes, and my power: At once a stranger to my secret fate, This holy priest with his mysterious blessing; I am I will be Christian-will receive 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 mas- ter,
Found a protector, generous as great, Has touch'd his heart, and given him all her
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 Heaven, 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
How has he loved 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 re- [ceive, 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. Igo-Farewell-farewell, unhappy sis- Zar. I am alone-and now be just, my heart, [Exit NERESTAN. 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? Am 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, [Heaven! To thy hard laws I render up my soul: But, oh! demand it back-for now 'tis Os- man's.
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 tri- umph.
Zar. Oh, what a wretch am I! Oh, grief! Oh, love!
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
Zar. Instruct me, Heaven!
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? Heaven knows this marriage would have been Zar. My lord, my sovereign! a bliss
Not from the grandeur of your throne, that Above my humble hopes :-yet, witness love! 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; Have left a proffer'd world, to follow you That slighting Asia's thrones I might alone And bless'd with ample room for peace and Through deserts, uninhabited by men, But, as it is- -these Christians- How start two images into thy thoughts, Osm. Christians! What! [love: as the Christians and my love! Zar. That good old Christian, reverend Lu- Now dying, ends his life and woes together. signan, Osm. Well, let him die-What has thy heart
Thus pressing and thus tender, from the death Of an old wretched Christian ?-Thank our prophet,
Thou art no Christian.-Educated here, Sweet as thy pity shines, 'tis now mistimed. Thy happy youth was taught our better faith: What! though an aged sufferer dies unhappy, Why should his foreign fate disturb our joys? Zar. Sir, if you love me, and would have
That I am truly dear- me think
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-
Osm. What!-Is that the voice Of Zara?
Zar. Oh, I cannot bear his frown. Osm. Of Zara!
To give you but a seeming cause for anger; Zar. It is dreadful to my heart, There is a painful terror in your eye Pardon my grief-Alas! I cannot bear it; That pierces to my soul-hid from your sight And gather force to speak of my despair. I go to make a moment's truce with tears,
Osm. I stand immoveable, like senseless marble;
Horror had frozen my suspended tongue; Of power to tell her that she shock'd my soul. And an astonish'd silence robb'd my will Spoke she to me?-Sure I misunderstood her. Could it be me she left ?-What have I seen!
Orasmin, what a change is here!-She's gone, And I permitted it, I know not how. Oras. Perhaps you but accuse the charming Of innocence, too modest oft in love. [fault
My too bold confidence repell'd my caution— An infidel! a slave!-a heart like mine Reduc'd to suffer from so vile a rival! [ing? But tell me, didst thou mark 'em at their part- Did'st 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. Let not your angry apprehension urge 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:
How rightly didst thou judge?-Zara shall
And thank thy honest service--After all, Might she not have some cause for tears, [her? Claim no concern in--but the grief it gives What an unlikely fear-from a poor slave, Who goes to-morrow, and, no doubt, who wishes,
Nay, who resolves to see these climes no more. Oras. Why did you, Sir, against our country's
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: I 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 form'd 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
Sel. What, will you then regret the glorious loss,
And hazard thus a victory bravely won, Zar. Inhuman victory!-thou dost not This love so powerful, this sole joy of life, know This first, best hope of earthly happiness, 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.-
Sel. Ah! despair not; Trust your eternal helper, and be happy.
Zar. Why- -what has Osman done that he
[it? Has Heaven so nobly form'd his heart to hate Generous and just, beneficent and brave, Were he but Christian-What can man be
I wish, methinks, this reverend priest was [soul: To free me from these doubts, which shake my Yet know not why 1 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' comfort.
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 | That I at once renounce you and adore
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. Żar. You do not know the noble heart of Osman.
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.
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 an
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! Osm. What is it love to force yourself to 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; Yet see!-you did but weep, and have resum'd me!
Proud as I am- -I must confess, one wish Zara, thy tears were form'd to teach disdain, Evades my power- -the blessing to forget you.
That softness can disarm it.'l'is 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 [made
Oh! spare the needless pains-art was not 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
[me? Is it some Christian plot grown ripe against Zar. Lives there a wretch so vile as to be
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! [wish Now, when her hopes have wings, and every 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 bles- sing; [love! To see her eyes, through tears, shine mystic 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
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- -Shame on your flattering distance
[Advancing, and snatching the letter. Be honest-and approach me like a subject Who serves the prince, yet not forgets the
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
Have apprehension that out-reaches mine! Why should they tremble thus ?-'tis done and now, [Opens the letter. Fate, be thy call obey'd-Orasmin, markThere 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! [Zara?
Are we awake? Heardst thou? Can this be 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, unconscious of this shame! Oras. Never did prince receive so bold a
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 [know
Beneath his native infamy-Did she not What I have done, what suffer'd for her sake? Oras. Could you, my gracious lord! forgive my zeal, You would-
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