Thou nam'st a man beyond a monk's discerning, Der. He is a Christian; there our law condemns him, Altho' he were ev'n all thou speak'st, and more. Tam. 'Tis false; no law divine condemns the virtuous, For differing from the rules your schools devise. Der. Why hold'st thou captive a believing mo narch? Now, as thou hop'st to 'scape the prophet's curse, With force united, to destroy the Christians. Tam. "Tis well-I've found the cause that mov'd thy zeal. What shallow politician set thee on, In hopes to fright me this way to compliance? Der. I have but one resort. Now aid me, prophet. [Aside. Yet I have somewhat further to unfold; shippers, Tam. No, villain, Heav'n is watchful o'er its wor[Wresting the Dagger from him. And blasts the murderer's purpose. Think, thou wretch! Think on the pains that wait thy crime, and tremble When I shall doom thee Der. 'Tis but death at last; And I will suffer greatly for the cause Enthusiasm thus makes villains martyrs. [Pausing.] It shall be so-To die! 'twere a reward- Hence! from my sight-It shocks my soul to think Enter MONESES. [Exit DERVISE. Mon. Oh, emperor! before whose awful throne Th' afflicted never kneel in vain for justice, [Kneeling to TAMERLANE. Here let me fall before your sacred feet, And groan out my misfortunes, till your pity, Speak, as to a king, the sacred name Where pow'r is lodg'd, for righteous ends alone. Tam. I well remember, When, ere the battle join'd, I saw thee first, Thou canst demand from friendship? Ask, and have it. Mon. First, oh! let me entreat your royal good ness; Forgive the folly of a lover's caution, Mon. There was Moneses lost. Too sure my heart (From the first mention of her wondrous charms) Presag'd it could be only my Arpasia. Tam. Arpasia! didst thou say? Mon. Yes, my Arpasia. Tam. Sure I mistake, or fain I would mistake thee; I nam'd the queen of Bajazet, his wife. Mon. His queen! his wife! He brings that holy title To varnish o'er the monstrous wrongs he has done me. Tam. Alas! I fear me, prince, thy griefs are just; Thou art, indeed, unhappy Mon. Can you pity me, And not redress? Oh, royal Tamerlane! [Kneeling. Thou succour of the wretched, Let thy justice Restore me my Arpasia; Tam. Unhappy, royal youth, why dost thou ask The violation of a first enjoyment?——— Tam. Let thy virtue Stand up and answer to these warring passions, Come, droop no more, thou shalt with me pursue Thy words are as the breath of angels to me. Tam. This dull despair Is the soul's laziness. Rouse to the combat, And thou art sure to conquer. War shall restore thee; The sound of arms shall wake thy martial ardour, And cure this amorous sickness of thy soul, The boy, fond love, Is nurs'd and bred in sloth, and too much ease; But if the trumpets echo from afar, On silken winds sublime he cuts the air, Scar'd at the noise and clangour of the war. [Exeunt. 縣 ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. BAJAZET'S Tent. Enter HALY and the DERVISE. Haly. To 'scape with life from an attempt like this, Demands my wonder justly. Der. True, it may; But 'tis a principle of his new faith; "Tis what his Christian favourites have inspir'd, Haly. The prophet and our master will reward Thy zeal in their behalf; but speak thy purpose. Der. Just ent'ring here I met the Tartar general, Fierce Omar. Haly. He commands, if I mistake not, This quarter of the ariny, and our guards? E |