The verge 'twixt mortal and immortal beings. The pangs, the throes, the agonizing struggles Dar. [Aside.] Suppose I now Despatch him!-Right-What need to stay for or ders? I wish I durst!-Yet what I dare I'll do. Your jewels, christian-You'll not need these trifles [Searching him. Pho. I pray thee, slave, stand off-My soul's too busy To lose a thought on thee. Enter ABUDAH. Abu. What's this?-forbear! Who gave thee leave to use this violence? [Takes the Jewels from him, and lays them on a Table. Dar. [Aside.] Deny'd my booty! curses on his head! Was not the founder of our law a robber? Why, 'twas for that I left my country's gods, Abu. What, dost thou mutter? Daran, withdraw, and better learn thy duty. Phocyas, perhaps thou know'st me not Pho. I know [Exit DARAN. Thy name Abudah, and thy office here, The second in command. What more thou art, E Abu. True, for thou yet Know'st not I am thy friend. Pho. Is't possible? Thou speak'st me fair. Abu. What dost thou think of life? Pho. I think not of it; death was in my thoughts. On hard conditions, life were but a load, And I will lay it down. Abu. Art thou resolv'd? Pho. I am, unless thou bring'st me better terms Than those I have rejected. Abu. Think again. Caled by me once more renews that offer. Pho. Thou say'st thou art my friend: Why dost To shake the settled temper of my breast? Abu. The general knows thee brave, and 'tis for that He seeks alliance with thy noble virtues. Pho. He knows me brave!-Why does he then thus treat me? No; he believes I am so poor of soul, I would be bought his slave..But, go, tell him, Abu. Why wilt thou wed thyself to misery, To loose thy bands ?-The light divine, whose beams Pierc'd through the gloom of Hera's sacred cave, And there illumin'd the great Mahomet, Pho. But whither must I follow ?-answer that. How far from Caaba first, that hallow'd temple, Why did I conquer in another cause, Yet now am here Abu. I'll tell thee-thy good angel Has seiz'd thy hand unseen, and snatch'd thee out We've heard what army is design'd to march Now too thou might'st revenge thy wrongs-so Caled Pho. Conquest?-Revenge!-Hold, let me think- Revenge! O, what revenge? Bleed on, my wounds, Than all that I can suffer?-But, Eudocia― Abu. Hear me once more, "Tis all I have to offer; mark me now! Caled has sworn Eudocia shall be safe. Pho. Ha! safe-but how! A wretched captive too! Abu. He swears she shall be free, she shall be thine. Pho. Then I am lost indeed Abu. The time draws near, and I must quickly leave thee; But first reflect, that, in this fatal night, made, Perhaps unknown, some barb'rous soldier's prey; Or brutal fury Pho. Oh-this pulls my heart strings! [Falls. Earth open-save me, save me from that thought. Abu. Nay, do not plunge thyself in black despair; Look up, poor wretch, thou art not shipwreck'd yet, Behold an anchor; am not I thy friend? Pho. [Rising.] Ha! Who, what art thou? [Raving. My friend that's well; but, hold-are all friends honest? What's to be done?-Hush, hark! what voice is that? Abu. There is no voice; 'tis yet the dead of night, The guards, without, keep silent watch around us. Pho. Again-it calls—'tis she-O, lead me to her— Abu. Thy passion mocks thee with imagin'd sounds. Pho. Sure 'twas Eudocia's voice, cry'd out-Forbear, What shall I do?—O, Heaven! Abu. Heaven shows thee what. Nay, now it is too late; see, Caled comes With anger on his brow. Quickly withdraw Pho. [Rising.] What do I see? Damascus! conquest! ruin! rapes and murder! Villains!-Is there no more- -O, save her, save her! [Exeunt PHOCY AS and ABUDAH. Enter CALED and DARAN. Dar. Behold, on thy approach, they shift their ground. Cal. Tis as thou say'st; he trifles with my mercy. Dar. Speak, shall I fetch his head ? Cal. No, stay you here, I cannot spare thee yet. Raphan, go thou. [To an OFFICEr. Dar. The captains wait thy orders. Ready to march? Dar. They are. Cal. Mourn, thou haughty city! [Exit RAPHAN. The bow is bent, nor canst thou 'scape thy doom. Who turns his back henceforth, our prophet curse him! Dar. But who commands the trusty bands of Mecca? Thou know'st their leader fell in the last fight. Cal. 'Tis true; thou, Daran, well deservs't that I've mark'd what a keen hatred, like my own, |