IRENA, A TRAGEDY.
LICENSED,
October 13. 1664.
Roger L'Estrange.
LONDON, Printed by Robert White for Octavian Pulleyn Junior, at the sign of the Bible in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North-door. 1664.
Drammatis Personae.
- MAhomet the Second, surnam'd the Great, Emperour of the Turks.
- Carazias, Mahomet's Lievtenant General in Europe:
- Mustapha Bassa, who had bin educated and brought up with Mahomet.
- Zoganus, Caly Bassa, Mahometes, three other Bassa's.
- The Aga of the Ianizaries.
- Osman, and Murat, two Ianizaries.
- An Eunuch
- [Page]Justinianus, Generall to the late Greek Emperour Constantinus Palaeologus.
- Honorius, Friend to Justinianus.
- Irena, and Perinthia, Two Ladies.
- Guards and Attendants.
The Scene, Constantinople.
The Prologue.
IF by your faces I can guess; to day,
I fear but ill success attends our Play.
Your looks me-thinks to me seems so severe,
As if that none but Criticks now were here.
And we've small hopes our Play should take; There sits
So many here, that are, or would be, Wits.
Y're lately grown so critically wise,
There's scarce a Play that's writ, but you despise.
And to speak truth, Nothing almost can be
From your dislik, or from your censure, free.
Such Fate our Authour fears; I heard him guess,
And swear his Play would have the like success;
But yet he say's, He cares not; for he writ
Not to gain praise, or to be call'd a wit:
The motives which induc'd him for to write
This Play, he say's, was most for your delight.
He hopes for that, if for no other cause,
(Though undeserv'd) you'll give him your Applause.
And hopes you'll pardon all the faults you find,
Since that to recreate you 'twas design'd.
IRENA, A Tragedie.
ACT. I. SCEN. I.
Enter Osman, and Murat, two Janizaries.
Osman.
HA! my eyes deceive me, or that should be
Murat my old Companion; 'tis he, I'le to him.
Murat, 'tis long since last I saw your face,
You're now most welcome to your friends embrace.
How is't old Comerade, methinks th'art thriven,
And art grown fat by the Wars, What news I pray
From th' Army?
Murat.
Why little, And that I suppose you are
Not ignorant of, For th'art of the Emperours
Guards (as I take it), And you Courtiers seldom
Want Intelligence.
To relate to you what Battles we have fought,
What Towns, and Castles we have taken, and
What valliant actions our Great Bassa
Carazias (under whose command I was)
Perform'd against our Enemies, were but
To tell you what you know already.
But may not I take liberty, and make
[Page 2]The same demand to you, and ask what news
At Court, What Enterprise is next providing
For us? Whither we shall have Wars with Persia, or no,
Or with some other Prince? Or what Beauty
In all the Seraglio is now so happy,
As to please our Glorious Sultan?
Osman.
Our news at Court is such I shame to tell it,
Nor indeed durst I, but that 'tis now grown
Common, And not the Great-ones only, but
The Mean-ones too take liberty to talk
Their pleasure; And though it be discretion
In us Courtiers, to be both deaf, and blind,
Neither to hear, nor see our Prince's faults,
Much less discover 'em; But if we do,
Rather to praise 'em as Vertues, then to
Disparage 'em as Vices; yet all men
So dislike our Sultans present actions,
That none that are true friends, and that desire
Increase, and Prosperity to our Empire,
Can hold their peace.
Murat.
Thou strik'st me with amazement Osman, Nor
Can I believe, but that all the actions
Of our Sultan tends to the glory of
His Empire; but thou know'st I have been absent
This twelve-month from the Court, and been in places
Where (by reason of their distance) we could
Have but small Intelligence. Our Bassa
Being commanded to go and carry
War into the Enemies Country, lest they
Should have assisted the Grecian Emperour,
And so diverted, or hindred the intended
Enterprize, of our Great Emperour
On this Imperial City.
Therefore, good Osman, Pray, do you relate
What wonder's this concerns our Empire's fate.
Osman.
Since you desire it, I will—
I think I shall not need to rehearse to
You all those remarkable accidents
[Page 3]Which happen'd during the siege of this great
City of Constantinople.
What assaults we gave to the besieged,
With how much valour perform'd on our part,
And with how much obstinacy, and resistance
On theirs, and how that at last (after a
Long, and tedious siege) we won the Town by
An assault, And that which facilitated
Our conquest (as afterwards we understood)
Was, that Justinianus the Emperours
Valiant General, having receiv'd some
Wounds (in the defence of a breach we had
Made i'the wall) through effusion of
Blood was forc'd to retire; which much
Discouraged his men who (believing 'em
Mortal, as indeed they were, for his body
Was afterwards found amongst the dead)
Immediately fled, and by their flight
Left us not only possest of the Breach,
But of the City too.
And that the Emperour Constantinus
Palaeologus himself striving to escape
Amongst the rest was trod to death.
These things I say I need not insist upon
They being sufficiently known. Fame
Having related'em to all the world,
Nor do I think you ignorant of 'em.
Murat.
No Osman, all this I know, having heard
The same related by some persons that
Resorted from your Army, to our Camp.
But pray go on.
Osman.
The City thus being taken, our men
Had the plunder granted 'em as a reward
For all those miseries they had indur'd
Before it.
One Souldier more ventrous then the rest entring boldly
Into a stately Palace (wherewith this
City abounds) found it by all deserted
[Page 4]Only (as afterwards himself related)
In an upper room he found some women.
And amongst the rest one extreamly fair,
And who by the costliness of her habit,
And the respect the others pay'd her, seem'd
To be their Mistriss, who immediately
Upon the Souldiers approach (apprehending
Some violence) fell into a swound.
The Souldier (not caring for the others)
Seiz'd on her as this Prisoner, and as
A prey beyond his expectation.
And carrying her to his Quarters, there
Recover'd her.
But finding her to be so fair a Creature
And far unfit to yield to his unruly,
And brutish appetite (incourag'd through
Hope of a great reward) presented her
To the Sultan: who at first, although
He was taken with her form, seem'd not much
To mind her, He being then imploy'd
About giving orders for the securing
Of the City; but committed her to
The charge of one of his chief Eunuchs.
But scarce had a month expir'd, and he
Taken some order, towards the settling,
And establishing in peace, and quietness
His new conquered Empire:
But he bethought himself of Beautious
Irena (for so she's call'd) who's fair Image
Soly possest his thoughts, and having sent
For her to his presence, found her not only
To exceed those past Idaea's he had
Taken of her, when she was orecome
With fear, and grief, but even Imagination
Its self. And although she wore a sorrow
On her face that well exprest the trouble
Of her mind;
Yet like as glorious Phoebus, when a mist
[Page 5]Oreclouds his beautious, and resplendent face,
His golden rayes, and beams does then appear,
Less bright, than in a Skie serene and clear.
So her fair eyes, and face, though now o'recast
With clouds of fear, and grief, yet those once past,
Her pristine beauty gain'd again might she,
Ador'd be for the Sea-born Deity,
And might contend for Beauties Empire then,
With that fair Queen, ador'd by Gods, and Men.
The Sultan at this second interview
Seem'd far more amaz'd, than at the first,
Admiring to see so many excellencies,
And perfections meet together in this
Fair creature, believing her rather to be
Some coelestial Apparition,
Than a terrestial Creature.
For certainly Nature ne're form'd a piece
More divinely rare. Having had his eyes
Fixt a long time on her fair visage,
He at last broke silence to this effect.
Madam (said he) pardon the rudeness of
A Prince, who being wholly taken up
With admiration of your divine
Perfections, has so far forgot himself,
As to continue so long silent, and
Without rendring to you those honours that
Are due to so Excellent a Person
She reply'd, That she was altogether
Unworthy to receive such favours
From so great a Prince, and that since by her
Cruel Fate, and the chance of War, she was
Now become his slave, she was not so far
Ignorant of what either belong'd to
Her present condition, or misfortune,
But that she knew, how ill it did agree
With her present state, to admit of such
Complements from so great a Monarch.
And so after some other discourse had
[Page 6]Past between 'em, the Emperour caus'd her
To be conducted to one of the most
Stately appartments in all the Palace.
And gave strict command that she should be
Respected as his Sultaness, not his slave.
Since that time, he has made addresses of
Affection to her, but, as they say (who
Have leave to come near e'm) she continues
Yet chast, and will not so much as indure
To hear of any thing that tends to her
Dishonour; And that which is most strange,
Is the power she has o're the Sultan.
For by her beauty she does so charm up
All his Passions, that he dares not so much
As once think of attempting that by violence,
Which he cannot obtain by fair means, and Submission.
Nay Love, that Tyrannical, and Imperious
Passion, so predominates, and tyrannizeth
O're his Reason, that he now seems to have
Buried in oblivion all his former
Desires of Empire, and of Glory;
And seems now to fix his thoughts on nothing,
But on the fair Irena's Image.
All those former designs of War, and conquering
Empires, are now laid by; his chief design
Is now to please his Mistress.
The Souldiers, once the only objects of his
Delight, are now grown, the objects of his Scorn.
And that Army once for discipline, and
Valour, the terrour, and admiration
Of the whole world, is now by Licentiousness,
And Liberty, Ease, and Rest, grown the scorn,
And derision of all Nations.
Nor is it easie to represent to you
How much the Sultan's present humour is
Resented and dislik'd of, not only
[Page 7]By the Bassa's, and other Superiour
Officers, but also by the Janizaries,
And other inferiour Souldiers too.
So that unless it please Heaven to cause
Some sudden alteration in our
Sultan's humour, 'tis to be fear'd they will
Break out into some rash, and sudden tumult.
And perhaps in their rage, and fury, act
Those things that they will afterwards themselves
Repent of. For they talk high already, and
Begin publickly to report that he
Is unworthy to govern 'em, and that
It would be well done to deprive him of
The Government, and to bestow on Prince
Bajazet his Son, both his Empire, and His Throne.
And 'tis to be more than fear'd, that these black
Clouds of discontent, are but the dismal
Portents of an ensuing storm.
And his condition is so much the more
Deplorable, since that he is not able
To discern his own danger; for Love so
Blinds his reason, that he cannot perceive
It himself. And there's none that dare be so bold,
And ventrous, as to declare it to him.
For whose 'ere should go about to attempt
It, would draw an inevitable ruine
On himself.
This, Murat, is our present wretched condition,
And if it please not Heaven speedily
To divert that threatning storm, that now hangs
O're our heads, we are like to be most miserable,
And act that against our selves, which the
United power of our Enemies could never do.
Thus then you see how Love conspires with fate,
Both for to ruine, and destroy our state.
Murat.
I must confess, Osman, you story is
Strange, and full of wonder. For who could e're
[Page 8]Believe so strange an alteration
In our Sultan's warlike humour;
And that Love should e're find room in a breast
Like his, that was prepossest so much before
With ambition, and desire of glory.
But by this we may see, That Princes too,
As well as persons of a lower rank,
Are subject to that Tyrannical Passion.
Nor can all the Divinity that we
Attribute to 'em, defend 'em from those
Frailties, which we by the weakness of our
Nature are subject to.
And though they are all other Pow'rs above,
Yet they are subject to the Pow'r of Love.
Osman.
'Tis a fatal truth that we now find
Confirm'd by sad experience; else who
Would have believ'ed that our glorious Sultan,
On whose frown, or smile depended the fate
Of Nations, should thus tamely have yielded.
Up his Liberty to a Womans eyes.
Or that his generous soul could ever have
Been thus subjected, and made Beauties slave.
But Murat let's go, the Bassa's appear,
This is no place for us, whilst they are here.
Exeunt.
ACT. I. SCEN. II.
Enter Carazias, Caly Bassa, Mustapha, Zoganus, Mahometes and the Aga of the Janezaries.
Caraz.
THe news you tell me seems to me so strange,
That, Generous Friends, I ask your pardon, if
That as yet I want Faith to credit it.
Caly Bassa.
Nay, 'tis so strange to us, that had we not
Been present, and been eye-witnesses of our
Emperours weakness, we might have had
[Page 9]Just cause to suspect, that it had been some
Inchantment to delude our senses.
Mahometes.
But now it is so evident made out,
That there's no room at all more left for doubt.
Zogan.
How I could curse those Destinies, and Powers
That rule our Empires fate, When I consider
How they suffer a Womans beauty thus
To Ecclipse all our former glory.
For what a shame and dishonour 'tis to
All our former glorious actions to see
How those conquering Ensigns, which when display'd
Hurl'd terrour on the world, are now fur'ld up
And lay'd as Trophees at a Womans feet.
What pitty 'tis, those Banners that did brave
The world, should pay such homage to a slave!
Aga.
Nay sure no mortal Beauty could ere have power
Thus to bewitch our Sultan's senses,
I rather believe 'tis some Infernal
Spirit, conjur'd up (by our Enemies)
From Hells Lowest Regions, to take
This pleasing form, and shape upon 'um, thus
To delude our Sultan.
But since that he continues in such a
Lethargy, And that 'tis Equally
Impossible for us, or sense
Of honour, to awake him,
'Tis fit (since that the safety of the State
Requires it) we should have recourse to other
Means then those we have try'd already.
Nor do I fear to say, that 'tis dishonourable
For us to be govern'd by a Prince, that
Cannot govern himself.
For how can he with Justice punish those
Crimes in us, which he is guilty of himself.
Let's then magnanimously go with one
Accord, and assault the Palace, and there
By force pull this fair Slave from out his arms,
And offer her up a victim to our
[Page 10]Neglected honour.
That done, Ler's deprive him of the goverment,
And bestow the Empire on Prince Bajazet
His Son. For after such actions perform'd
As these we must ne're expect the Sultan's
Pardon. The Prince will be easily induc'd
To pardon us, when he considers that
T'was we that plac'd him in the throne.
But if he should deny it, Have not we
Arms in our hands, to make our owns conditions.
Nor is what I propound hard to be effected;
For we shall find resistance from none,
Except from some Persons whom the Emperours
Presence may make valiant.
The Janizaries, and Souldiers are already
Highly incens'd. And the People (weary
Of his government) desire nothing
More than change.
Why then, Let us our several int'rests joyn,
Our's and the States, Let's all in one combine.
The State can't suffer more than it indures,
Desp'rate diseases must have desp'rate cures.
Zoga.
Generous Aga, Your counsail I approve
As truly noble, and such as the present
Necessity of affairs require.
And I dare ingage that there are none here
Of such degenerate spirits, but that does
Esteem, and approve it to be
Worthy a Person, whom that no respect,
Can cause his Countries safety to neglect.
And for my self I am resolv'd to aid
You, both with my Life, and fortune.
And I will cause, disasters to prevent,
The Euxine troops to second your intent.
Caraz.
And I to yours, the Asian troops will joyn,
To shew that your consent agrees with mine.
Caly Bassa.
And I'le be ready; but appoint the hour,
To serve you with my Interest, and pow'r.
Maho.
Since that the Empires safety lyes at stake,
I'le boldly follow in th'assault you make.
Aga.
Then let's strait go, each to those several
Troops committed to our charge, and prepare 'em
This night t'assault the Palace.
Come let's away, and make all sure,
The Janizaries I'le secure.
Great actions seldome but are crost,
And by delay are alwayes lost.
Come Generous Friends, Come let's away—
Must.
Stay first, and hear what I can say—
What fury, nay what madness, Brave Companions,
Does now possess your brains? Do you consider
What you go about, or against whom you
Take up arms? Will you then turn Rebels to
That Prince, to whom you owe both your Lives and
Fortunes; And through whose fortune, and conduct
You have Victorious been in two and
Thirty Battails. And although I cannot
Excuse, or at least defend, his late
Effeminate actions, yet consider
That 'tis an excess of Love, and that that
Passion ever predominates, and usurps
It's power most, over noble and
Generous souls.
Besides he is our Emperour to whom
We have all sworn allegiance.
And, Pray let's take heed lest (by breaking of
Our oaths) we draw down heavens vengeance on
Our heads. For certainly if heaven punishes
Those perjuries, we commit towards common
And Inferiour Persons; Much more it will
Revenge, those we commit towards Princes.
Consider too, what a shame and reproach
It will be to all our former glory,
If that now at Last, after having conquer'd
Twelve Kingdoms, and two Empires, we should make
Use of our victorious Arms to dispossess
[Page 12]Our natural Prince of's Throne.
No, Generous Friends, Let's ne're leave such a stain
Upon our memories; Let's rather try
To perswade him to conquer his foolish
Passion, And to leave this fair Greek, And again
To lead us forth against our Enemies,
To obtain new Victories, and Triumphs.
Zoga.
Mustapha, I think it something strange
This counsail should proceed from you, who are
So well acquainted with his fierce, and cruell
Nature, And how Implacable he is
To forgive those that offend him: For who
Think you amongst us, is so weary of
His own Life, As that he dares to declare
To him, that which you propound?
Must.
If that be all, since the Empires safety
Does require it, I dare do it.
Aga.
If you have a mind to give the Mutes
Imployment, you may.
But if you valew so little your own
Life, yet give us leave to set a higher
Price on ours, than to be rul'd by your
Foolish counsail.
Caraz.
No Mustapha, ne're think with your dull Rhetorick
To make us alter what we have decreed.
Caly Bassa.
You may as soon force Nature to uncreate
The world, And turn it into Chaos, as
To divert us from our fixt resolution.
Must.
Methinks 'tis strange that Loyalty should find
No more a lodging in your breasts, sure she
Has left the Earth, and with Astraea
Is fled to heaven. Consider how in
Nature 'tis preposterous for the members
To conspire against the head, which if it
But miscarries all the rest must perish—
Aga.
Curse on this Dull Philosophie—
Come let's away, the State requires our swords,
Let's spend the time in action, not in words.
Exeunt omnes praeter Mustapha.
Actus I. Scena III.
Mustapha solus.
Must.
What strange Fate attends on Princes actions?
Who would have thought this Sultan, lately ador'd
By these Perfidious Bassa's as if he
Had been some Deity, (and to whom they
Are beholding for all their present greatness)
Should so by one weak action, make 'em lose
The good opinion they had of him,
As that they now dare take up arms against him!
How miserable are those Princes, that
When they commit faults can find none that dares
Be so Loyall as to declare it to 'em
This their treacherous design, an if not
Speedily prevented, will be the Emperours Ruine.
And since none dares be so bold, and faithfull,
As to declare to him his weakness, and
The danger he is in, I'le do it
My self.
The familiarity that has formerly
Been between us, as being educated,
And brought up together, and the favour
Wherewith he has since been pleas'd to honour
Me, makes me hope to be succesfull.
And though I know his nature (when crost) to
Be stern, and cruell, yet if I should miscarry
I shall have this honour entail'd upon
My memory, That I dyed a Sacrifice
To my Prince, and Countreys safety.
For, should I not declare it to him,
I might justly be supected to have
Had a hand in their design.
"For he that knows of Treason, and conceals it,
"Is as much a Traytor as he that acts it.
[Page 14]"No, I resolve that I will that reveal,
"Which would be treachery for to conceal;
"And what Perfidious men these Bassa's are
"I'le straitwayes to the Emperour declare.
Exit.
Actus I. Scena IV.
Enter Mahomet, and an Eunuch.
Maho.
Have you been with the fair Irena, and
Deliver'd to her the message I commanded?
Eun.
Your Majesties commands I have obey'd.
Maho.
And how did she receive the fair Present
That I sent her?
Eun.
She seem'd much pleas'd, and with an air mixt both
With modesty and sweetness commanded
Me to render your Majesty humble
Thanks.
Maho.
'Tis well, withdraw —
Exit Eun.
I cannot but admire at my strange fate,
When I consider how that now of late
I am become Love's Votary, and must be
Contented with that foolish Boy's decree.
For is't not strange, that I whose power does awe
The world, should thus from Love receive a Law?
For who'd have thought, that e're a heart like mine,
It's Liberty to Beauty should resign?
Or that my haughty courage ere should have
Pay'd such submission to a Beauteous slave?
But yet Alas, when I my heart a prize
Yielded to fair Irena's beauteous Eyes,
I did become her slave, and straitwayes wore
Those chains, and fetters, she did wear before.
Yet I Esteem't more glorious for to be
Her slave, than to possess my Monarchie.
For what avails it me that I possess
So vast an Empire, for can that makes less
The sense of my misfortunes; since no part
[Page 15]That I can claim in fair Irena's heart.
And since the fair Irena proves unkind,
Can that give ease to my afflicted mind?
No, I with all my Greatness ne're could move
Either, as yet, her Pity, or her Love.
Nor dare I venture that by force to take,
Which to surrender yet I cannot make.
For strait those radiant beams shot from her Eyes
Makes me to quit my bold design, and tyes
Up all my Passions; And strait she unarms
Me of my fury, by her powerfull charms.
But yet I'le try if from her I can gain,
Ought that may ease, or mitigate my pain.
To which if she consent, then she shall be
Both Mistris of my Empire, and of Me.
Exit.
ACT. II. SCEN. I.
Enter Justinianus solus.
Just.
WHen I consider to what various
Accidents, and disasters mans Life is
Subject to, I cannot but admire what
Strange Vicissitudes there are in fate.
And wonder more how they are brought about,
The less I can their hidden cause find out.
For who'd have thought, That I, a Person
Lately so happy, that I thought my self
Above the reach of Fortune, And durst have
Defied the malice of that Inconstant
Goddess, Thinking it beyond her power
To make me miserable; Find my self
Now so wretched, that 'tis my greatest
Torment to think I have been happy.
Lately I was possest of all I could
Desire, High in my Prince's favour,
[Page 16]Belov'd of by the People:
But that, which I esteem'd above the rest,
I held a place in fair Irena's brest.
For I with Justice there could claim a part,
Since I had then some int'rest in her heart.
But now at once I am depriv'd of all
my past felicity.
My Prince slain by those Barbarians that
Now possess the Empire, The people enslaved,
And (that which grieves me most) the fair Irena
Is become the Sultan's Mistris, And though
I have been curious to make inquiry
How he uses her, And cannot hear but
That, as yet, he treats her nobly, with that
Respect, which both her birth, and beauty claims:
Yet I have reason to suspect that 'tis
Not his Generosity, but his Lust
Exacts this treatment from him.
And though it were Impious to mistrust
Her vertue, yet who knows whether this
Barbarian, when he has vainly try'd
All fair means, will not have recourse to foul.
And ravish that from her by force, which he
Cannot obtain by Love —
Ah how that fatall thought stirs up my fainting
Courage, and makes me resolve to act, what
I have too long defer'd —
This Barbarous Rivall he must die,
I'le sacrifice him to my Just revenge,
And though environ'd with millions of his guards
Yet I will force a passage to his heart —
"He that despiseth his own Life, is alwayes
Master of an others —
Enter Honorius, and espies Justinianus.
Hon.
Just Heaven! I'st not an apparition
That deludes my senses, or can that be
Justinianus!
Just.
Ha, am I awake? or do I dream?
[Just. espies Hon.
Can that be Honorius?
Hon.
Ne're doubt if that you are Justinianus,
But that I am Honorius.
Just.
Let me embrace my generous Friend — Embraces him.
'Tis yet some comfort to me amidst all
My misfortunes, that Heaven grants me the
Happiness, again to see you.
Hon.
Noble Justinianus, my Joy is
So great, and so excessive, to see you
Alive, and safe, That I want Expressions
To utter it. And it makes me think that
Heaven has yet in store, some unexpected
Blessing for us, since after those many,
And confident reports of your death, I
Now find you living.
But, pray do me the favour as to relate
To me, by what strange fate you were preserv'd
From the ruins of that fatal day, in
Which we lost both our Prince, and Empire;
And in which it was reported that
You were slaine.
Just.
'Twas by a fate as strange, as unexpected
But I desire your Pardon, if that first
I make inquiry, what information
You can give me concerning fair Irena:
For although I hear the Sultan treats her
Nobly, yet I cannot learn it but from
Persons, that are wholly at his devotion.
Hon.
All that I can hear, either concerning
Your fair Mistriss, or my own, Is that they
Are both in the Palace, and that
My Perinthia is bestow'd of by
The Sultan, to wait on your Irena.
Just.
What is fair Perinthia your beautious
Mistris then in the Palace too, and
With Irena?
Hon.
Yes, so I hear, For by an Eunuch (whom
[Page 18]I have corrupted) I am inform'd that
She was this morning sent by the Sultan
As a Present to fair Irena. He
Further tells me that Irena uses
Often to walk in the Palace Garden.
And say's, he thinks she may walk there
This Evening, and take Perinthia
With her, which if she does the Eunuch ha's
Promiss'd to bring me word, and shew me
A way, that undiscover'd I may enter
In the Garden.
Just.
Dear Friend, do me the favour as to take
Me along with you.
Hon.
I shall esteem my self most happy to
Enjoy your company, and fear no danger
Being so accompanied.
Just.
But shall we not find out some way; and means
To free these Ladies from this Tyrants power?
Just now, I had design'd to go and kill
The Sultan, in the midst of all his guards;
And either to have free'd Irena, or
Have perish'd in th' attempt.
Hon.
What force had you to doe't?
Just
None but my self.
Dispair, and the fear that he might offer
To her some violence, made me take that
Resolution.
Hon.
Then Justinianus, Let me take leave
To tell you, that your design relish'd more
Of Fury and Dispair, then of true Valour,
And discretion. For suppose you had kill'd
The Sultan, yet of necessitie, you
Must have perish'd.
And then you had left the fair Irena
Behind, amidst a thousand dangers.
For who knows an if that you had slaine the
Sultan, to what danger you had expos'd her.
For let me tell you, 'Tis only his power.
[Page 19]That does protect her.
For the Bassa's and Souldiers, mad and incens'd
To see the Emperour thus to abandon
All his designs of enlarging of the
Empire, and to see him thus passionately
Dote on fair Irena; Talk that 'tis fit
He should be dispossest of the government,
And Throne, and that she should be offer'd up
A sacrifice to appease their fury.
But I have found out a way (less dangerous,
And more probable than yours) to free both
Irena and Perinthia from such danger.
Just.
Pray, make me so happy as to acquaint
Me with it, and withall inform me how
You escap'd when the City was taken.
Hon.
I will You know, that fatal day in which
The City was lost, I was (by you as
Being General) commanded to defend
That quarter of the City assign'd by
The Sultan for Zoganus to assault,
And which was distant far from yours.
Having long time defended it against
Their furious assault, and (if modesty
Permit me to say so) with success, For
Twice had they gain'd the top, And fixt their
Crescents on the wall, and twice were they beaten off.
In this condition were Affairs, when word
Was brought me, that you by reason of some
Wounds you had receiv'd were forc'd to retire,
And that in your absence, the Turks had forc'd
Your men to quit the breach, that you defended,
And were entring in the City. This news
So allarm'd me, that strait I drew off some
Of my chiefest men (though leaving behind
Me a number able to defend the
Wall against the Enemy) And marcht towards
The breach, with an intent to have regain'd
What we had lost.
[Page 20]But alas, I quickly found how impossible
It was to perform that Resolution,
For I found that the Turks were already
Enter'd in such numbers in the City,
That was impossible to expel 'em.
Which made me change my first design, and
Resolve to go and defend Perinthia
From their violence and fury.
But I found such a Panick fear possess
My men, and such a throng both of Souldiers,
And of People that fled, and the Turks so
Fast persuing e'm, that 'twas impossible
To perform what I had intended.
Grief, and dispair to see that all was lost,
Made me so careless of my self, that I
Having rallied together some few of
My Friends, I charg'd a whole body of the
Enemies, and despair made us fight so
Valiantly, that we put 'em to the rout.
But in that action I receiv'd so many
Wounds, that I fell down for dead:
And all my friends could do, was, to make a
Fair retreat, and carry off my body.
One of them propounded to carry me
To a house, of his scituated in a
Wood, some three Leagues distant from the City,
So conceal'd both by Art, and Nature, that
The Turks in all the time that they had lain
Before the City, could never find it out.
Thither having carried me, they search'd
My wounds, and found that though they would require
Long time for cure, yet they were not mortal.
'Twas there alas, I heard that sad and fatal
News, how that the Emperour had bin trod
To death i'the crowd, and that you were slain'd.
And though during the time my wounds retain'd
Me there, I frequently sent to see, if
I could learn any thing concerning fair
[Page 21]Perinthia, what was become of her.
Yet I could never hear any thing that
Could assure me whether she were dead, or
Living.
Which made so deep an impression on my mind
And caus'd in me such a melancholly
That it much retarded the healing of
My wounds, But being at last recover'd,
I resolv'd to go to the City my self,
And try if Fortune would favour me more
Than she had done my messengers.
But 'twas so long before that I could hear
Any thing concerning Perinthia,
That I began to despair of ere hearing
Of her.
Till at last 'twas my happy fate, the other
Day, by bribing of an Eunuch that belongs
To the Emperour's Seraglio, to
Hear Perinthia was there, and that
She had been taken prisoner when the
City was taken, and by reason of
Her beauty, presented to the Sultan,
Who is so taken with fair Irena's
Perfections, that he neglects all others.
You may imagine how I was overjoy'd
To hear this news, that she was alive, and
Safe, whom I had almost given over
Either for dead, or lost. But yet it was
Some mitigation to my joy, to hear
She was in the Seraglio; out of
Which I knowing it was impossible
By fair means to get her, resolv'd to do't
By force, and to deliver both Irena,
An Perinthia from the Sultan's power.
And having declar'd my design to my
Friends; I found 'em all ready to serve me
Both with their lives and fortunes.
And this night we have design'd to assault
[Page 22]The Palace, and, having freed Frena,
And Perinthia, to make an escape
Into the Dominions of some Christian
Prince, and there (lest we might engage that State
In war) conceal both our names and persons.
This is the way I told you of, that I
Had found out to free our Mistresses from
Danger.
Just.
I cannot but both approve, and applaud
Your design as truly generous; and
Must confess 'tis both less dangerous and more
Probable to take effect, than mine.
But pray, What number may our Friends amount
To?
Hon.
Why, about some five hundred, All stout, and
Valiant persons, having bin formerly
Most Officers under you: And if you
Please but to command us, and lead us on,
I doubt not the success.
Just.
No Generous Friend that were to be
Injurious to you, and to deprive
You of the glory of the Action.
And though your General once, yet your heroick
Resolution to free Irena, obliges
Me now to be your servant.
Hon.
Noble Justinianus, you are oblig'd
By Honour to be our Chief. For 'tis not
Fit since you are alive, and safe, that any
Should have the glory to deliver fair
Irena, but your self.
Just.
If on that score my Honour be engag'd
Then yours Honorius is engag'd like mine;
Nor is it fit any should have the honour
To free the fair Perinthia, but your self.
Hon.
Since then our honours are equally engag'd,
Let's equally participate in the
Glory. And since you'l not accept of the
Whole command, yet be pleas'd to be
[Page 23]My Partner.
Just.
Since you will have it so, I'le not contest.
Hon.
Now Justinianus, I must beg your
Pardon, and leave you for some few minutes.
For just now, when I had the happy fortune
To find you, I was going to meet the
Eunuch, who is to meet me, and to bring
Me word, If that Irena and Perinthia
Walk this Evening in the Palace Garden.
But I fear I have trespass'd upon his
Patience, and made him stay too long.
Just.
Nay, let me not Honorius detain
You, from a business that so much concerns
Us both. But may not I go with you?
Hon.
I cannot tell if't be convenient,
The Eunuch may perhaps be shie
To declare any thing to any but my self,
Till I've dispos'd him to it.
Just.
You are i'th right;
But when, and where shall I meet you again?
Hon.
Meet me within this half hour without
The Western gate. And in the mean time I'le dispose
The Eunuch to grant you may go along with me.
Just.
Well generous friend adieu,
I will not fail to meet you.
Exit. Hon.
Fortune, be but propitious now, and kind,
And Poets never more shall feign thee blind.
But strait again they shall those Eyes restore
Which they so boldly took from thee before.
Exit. Just.
Act. II. Scen. II.
Enter Irena and Perinthia.
Ire.
Dear Perinthia, I am so glad to see
You, that, if my misfortunes can admit
Of any Joy, 'tis to see you alive,
And safe.
Per.
And I Irena am so orejoy'd to
See you, That though Joy has bin long absent,
And a stranger to this breast, yet it now
Claims possession here.
Pointing at her breast.
Ire.
The Sultan could never have made to me
A more acceptable Present, than when
He bestow'd you on me.
Per.
'Twas a happiness that fate had reserv'd
For me, in midst of all my misfortunes,
Which are so many, and so various,
That they surpass Expression —
Nor is it possible that I should be
Ever excell'd, I think in misery.
For surely 'tis beyond the power of fate,
Ere to make any so unfortunate.
Ire.
Ah Perinthia, did I think it fit
My griefs could of comparisons admit,
The griefs which my oppressed heart endures
Not onely equals, but furpasses yours.
Per.
Can grief Irena in your breast have part
When you're possess'd of the great Sultan's heart.
And he who does with fear the world surprize,
Yields himself captive to your conqu'ring Eyes.
Ire.
Alas Perinthia, 'tis against my mind,
That I the Sultan thus my captive find.
But did not you Justinianus know,
And the respect that gallant man I owe,
And what from me is to his merits due
Per.
Yes, and th' affection too, he had for you.
Ire.
Unkind Perinthia, Can you then suspect
That I should thus his memory neglect?
Per.
'Love when the Object's absent, soon decay's;
But when once dead, seldom it lasts ten-dayes.
Ire.
Which of my Actions did you ever see,
Makes you suspect me of inconstancie?
No, no Perinthia, never think I can
Admit of Love; But for that generous Man.
And though he's dead, yet I will alway's strive
To keep him here, within my heart alive.
Per.
Your resolution Madam needs I must
Confess, is no less gen'rous than 'tis Just.
Pardon me Dear Irena, 'Twas not that
I suspected either your Vertue, or
Your Constancy, that I thus put you to
The trial, but only to be witness
Of that my self, which fame so much repor's
To your advantage.
And pray Irena, since that we have time,
And are alone, Do me the favour to
Acquaint me how first you came into the
Sultan's power, and how he has since us'd
You: For although I've heard the same by fame related,
Yet she reports things so variously
That there's no credit to be given to
Her relations.
And since we've bin long absent, Let's relate,
What's yet unknown to us of either's fate.
Ire.
Pray then do you begin.
Per.
To comply with your desires, I will—
Since that you knew the affection the Brave
Honorius bore me, I need not to declare
To you that that, is the sad cause of my
Misfortunes; you know that I had commands
By all my friends lai'd on me (as Persons
Extreamly desirous to see our Families
United) to use him with that civility,
And respect, which both his Birth, and Virtue
[Page 26]Claim'd.
Ire.
You had bin unjust, an if you had
Deny'd it.
Per.
Alas, how needless were those Injunctions,
Honorius merits spoke so highly for
Him, that I must have bin ingrateful to
Have refus'd him the first place in my affections.
Nor was there any thing wanting to perfect
Our happiness, but onely the celebration
Of the Hymenaeal rites, which were to be
Perform'd within a few dayes:
When malicious Fate envying our prosperity
Sent the Sultan with an Army to besiege
This City.
And Honorius thought he was oblig'd by
Honour to deprive himself of that happiness
(Which he said he should receive by my embraces)
As long as his Country was in danger.
Ire.
'Twas a most Heroick resolution,
And worthy of Himself.
Per.
You know that during the siege he behav'd
Himself so valiantly, that in that dismal day
In which the Sultan won the City, He
Had one of the most dangerous quarters
Committed to his trust, Which he defended
Bravely, till hearing of Justinianus's
Misfortune, he attempted generously,
(though unfortunately to himself) to
Assist him. For in that action I was
Told (by one that saw him fall) my Dear Honorius
Perisht.
Alas Irena! 'tis impossible
For me to express to you the grief which
The loss of this brave Person caus'd in my
Afflicted breast.
All those pangs and griefs that departing-souls indure,
Are nothing in comparison of what
I suffer'd, when first I heard this fatal
[Page 27]News, It so stupify'd me that it made
Me forget the sense and misery of
My own condition.
For when the City was won, I was made
Prisoner to an Officer, who fancying
Somthing of Beauty in me, Presented
Me to the Sultan, who strait commanded
Me to the Seraglio; where I have
Since remain'd, till yesterday the Sultan
Coming there to make choise of some to wait
On you; 'twas my happy fortune he judg'd
Me worthy of that honour, and by an
Eunuch sent me to you.
Ire.
'Twas a happiness transcended my expectations!
Per.
Now Irena, am not I truly miserable?
For can fate inflict a greater punishment
Than (by Death) to make an eternal divorce,
And seperation betwixt us, and the
Object of our Love.
And now methinks that Life seems tedious
To me, since I'm depriv'd of all that made
Me love it.
And from my breast Joy is for ever fled,
Since that my Dear Honorius now is dead.
Ire.
Perinthia, 'tis sad what you relate,
I pitie and compassionate your fate.
For now I find by cruel fate's Decree
That our misfortunes in some sort agree.
Per.
You see Irena, I've perform'd my part,
Let me now know what 'tis afflicts your heart.
For when we know what is each others grief,
Perhaps we may each other give relief.
Ire.
Although that relation will but renew
My griefs, yet 'tis but Justice I should keep
My promise. —
You know, Perinthia, that my Father, Prince
Theodosius, finding that it had not
Pleas'd Heaven to bless him with any male.
[Page 28]Issue, but that all the hopes of our now
Almost-extinct Family surviv'd in me,
Made it his chiefest care to see me match'd
Into some Noble Family, and to
Some Person that in his judgment might not
Be unworthy of me.
And having with a careful eye survey'd
Those Persons whom either Birth, or Merits
Might make pretenders to me, found none,
So worthy to enjoy that Title as
Justinianus, A Person whose vertues,
And merits were as eminent, as his
Birth was illustrious, being neerly ally'd
In several respects to the Imperial
Family; And who for some Victories lately
Obtain'd against the Empires Enemies,
Was, at the age of four and twenty years,
Made Generalissimo by the Emperour,
And highly in his favour.
Perin.
'Twas but what was due to his deserts.
Ire.
On this brave person my Father resolv'd
To bestow me; the rather too, because
He had heard, that he had long secretly
Affected me.
It is not easie to represent to
You how I was overjoy'd, when I found
My Father's judgment, agree with my choice.
For I had long before yielded up my heart
To Justinianus's high merits.
Per.
Or else you had bin ungrateful.
Ire.
Nothing now was wanting, but the Nuptial
Ceremonies to compleat our felicitie.
When perverse Fate (as a Prologue to my
Future miseries) took away my Father:
Who before he died made the Emperour
My Guardian, and with his last breath commanded
Me ne're to marry any, but
Justinianus.
[Page 29]The Emperour (after he had allow'd
Me to dry up those tears which Nature
Did require for the loss of so neer a
Relation) mindful of the promise which
He had made my dying Father, resolv'd
To celebrate the marriage;
When Fate again, resolv'd to cross
Our happiness, seiz'd Justinianus
With a violent disease, and during
His sickness the Emperour was
So unfortunate, as to lose all those
Advantages which he had gain'd before.
And the Sultan persuing his good fortune,
Came and besieg'd this City.
Justinianus, now at length recover'd,
Long time couragiously defended the
City 'gainst their fury; till at last,
You know, the Enemy having made a
Breach in the wall, resolv'd to give a general
Assault. Justinianus long time defended
The breach bravely, till at length having receiv'd
Several wounds, he was forc'd to retire.
But hearing that th' Enemy in his absence
Had gain'd the breach, he again return'd, and
Having long fought valiantly, at length opprest
With numbers, was forc'd to fall a Sacrifice
To their revenge.
Per.
Alas when I heard it, how did I deplore
The loss of that gallant Person!
Ire.
Ah Perinthia, it surpasses my expression
To relate to you with what grief I receiv'd
This fatal news: Let it suffice to tell
You, that grief so seiz'd on all my senses
That I immediately fell into a swound.
But O Heaven, how was I amaz'd, when
I came to my self, to see a Souldier
With his sword drawn enter into my Chamber!
Who approaching the Bed whereon I lay,
[Page 30]Took me up in his arms; which action, together
With his fierce aspect, so frighted me, that
I fell into a second swound.
But imagine Dear Perinthia, with what
Amazement I was strook, when returning
Again to life, I found my self in a
Strange place, and saw none neer me, but three or
Four rude Souldiers. But the grief that I conceiv'd
For Justinianus's Death was so great,
That I was insensible of my own danger.
Per.
Alas Irena, how I pity the
Condition you were then in!
Ire.
The Souldier at first (as I understood
By their whisp'ring) had a design t' attempt
My Honour, but being ore'rul'd by his
Companions perswasions (who guest me of
Some quality) and the hopes of a reward,
Resolv'd to present me to the Sultan.
Next day (for 'twas then late) they resolv'd to
Put their Design in execution; and carrying me
With e'm, presented me to the Sultan,
Who being then imploy'd in State-affairs,
Sent me by an Eunuch to the Seraglio;
Where I continued about a moneth, till
One day sending for me to his presence,
He pretended to find in me those perfections,
Which I want, and somthing that pleas'd his fancy.
And since protests that we have changed conditions,
And that he is become my captive, and my slave.
And uses me (to do him Justice) with
All civility, and respect, In hopes
To gain my affection. But Justinianus's
Image, and the sense of what I ow his
Memory, is so deeply imprinted in
My heart, that 'tis impossible that I
Should ere affect any other.
For though he's Dead, yet he retains that part,
Which Living, he had alway's in my heart.
Per.
By what that you relate, alas I find,
Fortune has bin to both alike unkind.
Ire.
Our fates have such similitude, that we
Are both ally'd by Love, and Destiny.
Per.
In other ills we may hope for a cure,
But here we must continually indure.
Ire.
Yet let us patiently to Heaven submit,
And let's resign to what the Fates think fit.
'Tis our duty, Perhaps the Pow'rs above
Will grant us ease by Death, though not by Love.
Exeunt.
Actus II. Scena III.
Enter Osman, and Murat.
Osm.
Murat, I fear I shall a Prophet prove,
And that that black Cloud, which has long hung ore
Our heads, will now at last dissolve into
A sudden Storm.
Murat.
What in probabilitie can be else
Expected, For we have receiv'd Orders
From our Bassa to be ready this night
To assault the Palace.
Osman.
And we too, have receiv'd the like Orders from our Aga.
Murat.
I could wish it were otherwise, and that
Our Sultan could be reclaim'd by other means,
Less violent.
Osman.
I could wish so too; but there are few of
Our opinion, for the Janizaries.
And Souldiers are all so insenc'd with the
Sultans late weaknesses, that it is an eafie
Matter for the Bassa's, to blow up those
Sparks of discontent quickly into a flame,'
The more easily to obtain their own ambitious
Ends.
Murat
I pitie the Empire's sad condition,
[Page 32]And hope, Fate will yet prevent our ruine.
Osman.
I, so do I too. 'But 'tis wisdom to
Bear that patiently, which is not in our
Power to prevent.
'Those hopes are vain, we to our selves create,
When they resist, what is decreed by Fate.
Excunt.
Act. III. Scen. I.
Enter Mahomet and Irena.
Maho.
When, fair Irena, shall I pity find,
Will you be alwayes cruelly incli'nd?
Shall pity never in your breast have part,
Will you then wound, and never cure my heart?
Ire.
Alas how you mistake, that is in me
Vertue, which you it seems call Cruelty.
And it is far beyond my pow'r I'm sure,
To cure those wounds, which you say you endure.
Maho.
'Tis strange, that you whose radiant Eyes thus have
The pow'r to kill, should want the pow'r to save.
Ire.
What you attribute to my Eyes, is more
Than ere I knew that they could do before.
Maho.
You cannot sure, but needs must know their pow'r,
When they enslave new hearts thus every hou'r.
Ire.
An if they do, 'tis not by any Skill,
Or Art I use; 'tis much against my will.
Maho.
Nature alas in you has too much part,
That you should be beholding unto Art.
But shall not I your heart to pity move,
Since 'tis impossible to gain your love?
Shall I ner'e find that pity which I want?
Ire.
Why do you ask that which I cannot grant.
Maho.
Why, what is't that hinders you?
Ire.
Honour.
Maho.
Honour, why, that is but a vain, and
Emptie word, And far too weak, If you consent
[Page 33]To hinder my felicity.
Divine Irena, do but you prove kind
And I will take that scruple from your mind.
I'le make you my Sultana, you shall be
Both Mistress of the prostrate World, and Me.
And in the Empire you shall have a part.
Equal to that, which you have in my heart.
Ire.
If such rewards you'l give then you may find,
Objects more worthy, and perhaps more kind.
Maho.
No, there is none to whom such honor's due,
Unless Irena, that it be to you.
Compar'd to you, all other Beauties seem,
Objects not fit, nor worthy my esteem.
Fair Irena, do but ease me o'those
Pains (which for your sake I endure) and I
Will bestow my Throne upon you, and make
You sole Empress o' the world.
Ire.
I'm not ambitious, Sir.
Maho.
Ah Madam, Do but think who 'tis that asks
Your pity. 'Tis he that doth command the world,
And on whose frown or smile the world's fate depends,
As his does now on yours.
Nor do I take any Joy in the spacious
Empire I possess, and to see my self
So great a Monarch, But onely that I
May be the more worthy to enjoy the
Title of fair Irena's servant.
Ire.
Great Prince, it misbecomes my State to have
Such Servants, and 'tis a Title too unworthy
For you.
Maho.
'Tis a Title Madam, that I'm more proud
Of, than all my former Conquests.
Divine Irena, do but consider
How miserable I am like to be,
If that you deny to compassionate my
Sufferings. For since that first I receiv'd
Your coelestial Image i' my heart,
Your divine perfections has made such an
[Page 34]Impression on my mind, that there's nothing
In the world, which in my esteem
I vallue equivolent to your own fair Self.
All what was formerly dear unto me,
As Empire, and desire of Glory, seems
Now things below my estimation.
All my ambitious desires tend now
To gain your Love. And, should you deny me
That happiness, you'd make me for ever
Miserable.
Ire.
Alas, it lies not in my power: I hope
You'l be more wise than so to settle your
Affection, on such an unworthy Object.
Maho.
Ah Irena, wrong not your own Beauty so,
To say the Object is unworthy.
Nature when she form'd you, resolv'd to shew
Us her Master-piece, And bestow'd on you
All that she hath of Excellence, and all
That may be wish'd for in a Woman.
For all those perfections, which she has confus'dly,
And disorderly bestowed on others,
Meet all in you, as in their Center.
And in your fair Eyes, she has plac'd a vivacity,
And lustre that far excels all others.
And methinks the Sun, when in it's height of Glory,
Seems dull unto those brighter Beams shot from
Your beauteous Eyes.
Ire.
I see, you're pleas'd to Complement,
There's no such brightness, nor lustre i'my Eyes,
Nor am I Mistris o'those perfections,
Which you attribute to me.
Maho.
No, what I speak is real —
You're Mistris of so many perfections,
That they exceed my relation.
Nature's too blame, she form'd you with such Art,
In your fair breast, to place a cruel Heart.
Enter an Eunuch.
Eun.
Without, Great Sir, the Bassa Mustapha waits,
And humbly craves that he may be admitted
Into your sacred Presence;
And say's, he has a Secret to reveal,
Which from all others he must yet conceal.
Maho.
Aside.
What should this mean—
Surely it must be o'some consequence,
Else hee'd not be thus importunate.
And he was ever faithful —
Tell him, that he should stay a little,
And I'le come to him strait.
Exit Eunuch.
Madam, you see for some time I must leave
You; But when I return again, I hope
I shall find you in a better humour:
And hope you'll then accept, when next we meet
Of th' Empire, I now prost rate at your feet.
Exit Mahomet. manet Irena.
Irena sola.
Ire.
The Sultan thinks, that Empire I admire,
That I'm ambitious, and a Throne desire.
But he shall find that those his hopes are vain,
And that I can his profer'd Throne disdain.
Empire's a charm too weak to work on me,
When I'm resolv'd to keep my Loyaltie.
Dear Justinianus, I yet too well know
What 'tis that to your memorie I owe,
Ere to give leave Ambition here should rest,
And to admit a Monster in my breast,
Pointing to her breast.
For your dear sake, I can with ease despise
Those flatt'ring glories offer'd to my eyes.
And though I must confess, Our sex is frail,
And Greatness somtimes does with us prevail;
Yet, I resolve, though I a woman bee,
That I'le preserve my Loyalty to thee.
And let this be an Argument to move
Men to believe, Our Sex can constant prove.
Act. III. Scen. II.
Enter Justinianus, and Honorius, In the Palace Garden.
Hon.
So the Eunuch has perform'd his part, and
We are I think, enter'd undiscover'd in
The Garden.
Just.
I wonder, Irena and Perinthia are not here.
Hon.
'Tis yet soon,
This is the time, and this the place in which
The Eunuch told us they would walk
This Evening —
But stay, I hear some noise —
Hears a noise.
Perhaps they're coming, Let's retire behind
They retire behind some hedges.
These hedges, till we make further discov'ry.
Enter Irena and Perinthia.
Per.
Did the Sultan, Madam, offer you his Throne,
And were you so generous to refuse it.
Ire.
Yes Perinthia, what could I do less?
I was oblig'd both by Love and Honour
To refuse it. For I resolve to keep
A firm, and inviolable constancy
To the memory of my dear Justinianus:
Nor will I ere give cause for to mistrust
But that I'le to his memory prove just.
And though he's dead, yet his memory
Keeps too strong possession i'my heart,
That I should ere admit an other there.
Just.
Fortune, for this I thank thee, I cannot
He speaks this from behind the hedge.
Be truly miserable, if she continues
Constant.
Per.
Dear Irena, I grow emulous
O' your Vertue.—
To refuse a Crown, when freely offer'd
Only to observe a Punctilio
Of Love, and Constancy, to a Person
Who is dead (and consequently out of
A capacity, ere to give you thanks)
Is an action so Heroick, and so
Generous, that I believe your Vertue may
Find many admirers, but few imitators.
Ire.
I hope that my example will be a means
To stir up others, on the like occasion,
To be my Imitators.
Would not you Perinthia, an if the
Sultan should offer you, what he does me,
And on the like conditions, refuse it
To preserve your Loyaltie to
Your Honorius?
Per.
Yes Irena, I would not onely (like you)
Refuse, and reject with disdain, the Throne
The Sultan should offer me; But, like you,
Resolve ever to preserve my affection
Constant to my Honorius.
Hon.
How happy am I i'this Ladies affection
He speaks this aside, & from behind the hedge.
I did ever believe her generous,
But this transcends imagination:
Ire.
I see Perinthia, that Love, and Gratitude
Equally ballances our thoughts;
And that we have an equal sence, of what
We ow their memories.
What would I give, that now their generous souls,
Had knowledge o'th constant affection
We still bear 'em?
Per.
An if that it be true that Souls
Departed from their bodies, have knowledg
Of what happens here below, I doubt not
But they know how constant we are to 'em.
Ire.
Ah, that Heaven would but permit that their
[Page 38]Souls might now from their blest abodes
But come, and visit us; methinks 'twould be
Some mitigation to our misfortunes.
Per.
That would but disturb the rest, and tranquillity
Their pe [...]ef souls do now enjoy, and but
Serve to affright us.
Just.
Now Honorius, is our time,
They come from behind the hedges, and present themselves to Ire. and Per.
Let's discover our selves.
Per.
But Heaven what is't I see —
They espy them.
Am I awake — or do I dream—
Or am I in Elizium!
Ire.
O ye Coelestial Powers, sure you've heard
My prayers, and sent their Ghosts to visit us.
What's ere thou art, that thus com'st to disturb us,
To Just.
Th'ast taken such a pleasing form, and shape
Upon thee, and so void of horror, that
I cannot be affrighted.
Just.
Madam, be not deceiv'd, we are no Ghosts,
But Persons preserv'd by Heaven for your
Deliverance.
We are really Justinianus and Honorius.
Ire.
Ah, sure it cannot be —
The blessing is too great, and too improbable
To be real —
I fear 'tis some Illusion.
Just.
Madam, 'tis no Illusion, but real
What you see, we were by Heaven preserv'd
From those ruines, which you think overwhelm'd
Us, and were not slain (as you imagine)
When the City was taken.
Per.
Can it then be that my Honorius lives?
Hon.
Dear Perinthia, can it be that Fate
Grants me again the happiness to see
You, after so long a separation?
Per.
Ah my Honorius, Heaven now rewards
Me for all those griefs and miseries, which
The report o' your death caus'd in
My afflicted breast.
Hon.
And all those torments which your loss,
And separation caus'd in me are now
Forgotten, since now again I see you.
Ire.
Aside.
The Joy that I conceive is now so great
That it transcends Expression—
And it so fills my breast, 'tis past allay,
I know not what to do, nor what to say.
Joy so transports me, that it strikes me mute;
No Language can with such a passion sute.
Dear Justinianus, tell me by what strange
Means, that you escap'd; I cannot conceive
It to have bin less than miraculous.
Come, Pray begin—
I am impatient till that you relate,
What there is yet of hidden i'your Fate.
Just.
Madam, your commands (like Oracles) it
Were impious to disobey.
You know Madam, that unhappy day in
Which the City was taken, I undertook
To defend the Breach the Enemy had
Made i'th wall:
And that in its defence, having receiv'd
Many wounds, and lost much blood, I was forc'd
(More through my friends perswasions, than my own
Inclination) to retire.
But alas, I had soon cause to curse that
Resolution.
For my men as long as I was with 'em
Had defended the breach bravely, and out-done
Belief: But as soon as I was gone (possest
With a belief that my wounds were mortal)
They turn'd their backs, and fled.
I was quickly advertiz'd of this disaster.
And too soon (though too late to prevent it)
Saw the folly I had committed.
Rage, and dispair so possest me, that I
Had scarce patience to stay till that my wounds
Were bound up, But that I would return, to
[Page 40]See if things were in that desperate condition
They were represented to me.
But alas, I found the danger greater
Than I imagin'd. I found such swarms
Of Turks enter'd in the Breach, that it was
Impossible to save the Town.
having got together as many Souldiers,
As the confusion, and disorder things
Were then in, would permit me, and being
Neer the Palace, I went directly thither;
To know what was become of the Emperour;
But there 'twas told me he was fled, but none
Knew whither.
From thence Madam (Love being predominant
O're all my other passions) I resolv'd
To go, and defend you; But I found such
A number of Turks in my way, that it
Was not in my power to perform what
I had resolv'd, and I quickly found that
I was incompass'd on all sides, so that
It was impossible to escape.
My men (to whom despair added new courage)
Fought it out bravely, and fell most before
My face, and at last weakned with wounds and
Loss of blood, I was forc'd my self to fall.
Pre.
Yes Justinianus, I heard you fell,
But bravely, and like your self;
But pray, proceed.
Just.
Towards Evening the Turks fell to stripping
The dead Bodies, And 'twas my happy fate
To be stript by a Janizary, who
(Being more charitable than generally
Those kind of persons are) finding some symptoms
Of life yet remaining in me, and guessing
Me by my habits, to be of no inferiour
Quality, resolv'd if possible to save
My life; and carrying me to his quarters
(He himself having some skill in Chirurgery)
[Page 41]Search'd my wounds, and finding that although
They were deep, and many, yet none were mortal,
He us'd means to bring me to my self, which
He soon effected.
But how was I amaz'd, when returning
To my Senses, I found my self in a bed,
In a strange place, and my wounds bound up!
I soon call'd to remembrance what was past,
And the grief which I conceiv'd for the danger
I apprehended you were in, and to
See my self a Prisoner, made such a violent
Impression on my mind, that (if I had
Not bin hinder'd) I would have torn
Up my wounds.
The Janizary, apprehending that
My dispair proceeded from the belief
I had, that I had lost my Liberty,
Told me, 'Twas true, by right of war I was
His prisoner; but promis'd me, that, as soon
As I was cur'd, he would give me my liberty,
And set me free; which he accordingly
Perform'd.
I was much pleas'd to find such humanity
In a Barbarian. I ask'd him if
He could tell me any-tidings of the
Emperour, or of you Madam. He told
Me, that as yet he could not tell any-thing
Of the Emperour; And for you, he said
He did not know you, and was ignorant
Who you were. But he promis'd me he would
Make inquiry. Next day he went out, and when
He return'd, he brought me word that the Emperor
Was slain; But said of you he could hear no
News.
But ah, how did this fatal News afflict
Me! how did I curse my self for being
The cause of these disasters, and for retiring
From the Breach!
[Page 42]Grief so seiz'd on me, that it much hindred
The healing o'my wounds, and much prolong'd
My cure, which I think the Janizary
Had scarce ever effected, had not I
Heard that you had bin presented to the
Sultan, and that you were in the Palace, and were safe.
'Twas only the hope I had by some means or other,
To free you from the Sultans power, made
Me submit to those means that were us'd for
My recovery.
I heard what a Passion he has for you,
And though your Vertue secur'd me, that I
Did not doubt a change i' your affections;
Yet I was affraid that he might use force,
And offer you some violence; which thoughts
Much distracted, and perplext my mind.
As soon as I was recover'd, I try'd
To give you notice I was living;
But I found that impossible, your Guards
Were too vigilant, and too faithful to be
Corrupted, and I could find none whom I
Durst trust.
I made diligent inquiry to see
If I could hear what was become of you
To Hon.
Brave Friend,
To Per.
and of you Madam: But could ne'rHear what was become of either of you
Till to day it was my happy fortune
To meet with Honorius, who told me,
Fair Perinthia, you were here.
Per.
Honorius sure has good intelligence
To have notice of it so soon. For I
Was but this morning sent by the Sultan
To Irena.
Hon.
'Twas by an Eunuch Madam that waits on
You, that I was inform'd of it.
Ire.
Justinianus before you proceed further,
Clear me of two Doubts which possess me.
And first pray tell me, how you, two, whose faces
[Page 43]Are so well known i'this City, can walk
About the streets undiscover'd?
Just.
When we walk about the streets Madam, we
Have disguises, which to that purpose we
Alwayes carry about us.
Besides, our death has bin so confidently
Reported, that none suspects us living.
Ire.
You've clear'd me of the one, now clear me of
The other; How could you conceal your self
From the Janizary? did not he in
All the time you were with him demand your
Name?
Just.
Yes he did often, and was very inquisitive
To know who I was, But I alwayes conceal'd
My true name and quality from him,
And put him off with some feign'd story.
Ire.
You've satisfy'd my curiositie,
Pray go on.
Just.
Ah Madam, 'tis beyond expression to
Relate to you all those torments, which your
Absence and separation caus'd i'my
Troubled breast —
There was no Grief, no Passion to which I
Was not subject to.
But now since I've again the happiness
To enjoy your presence, all my griefs and
Sufferings are buried in oblivion.
Like as the Sun (long absent) at last breaks
Through a Cloud, and with its rayes both comforts
And enlightens all the lower world;
And by its splendid Beams chases away
Dark Clouds and Mists, and makes a glorious day:
So your fair Eyes whose radiant Beams excel
The others brightness, quickly doth expel
Those Clouds of Grief, and sadness which dwelt here,
Pointing to his breast.
But which now vanish, since that you appear.
Ire.
Justinianus, I am glad to find
My Eyes has yet such influence o're your mind.
Just.
In a heart Madam, that once yields its self
Their Captive, they alwayes keep possession—
But I'le proceed—
Fortune, I think, now at last weary with
Tormenting me, resolves again to make
Me happy. For 'twas my good fortune
This day, by a happy, and unexpected Fate
To meet with my generous Friend Honorius,
(Whom I thought dead) who told me that he had
Contriv'd and design'd a brave and generous
Resolution, to restore you to your
Liberties, having to that end made
A Combination with all his Friends this
Night to assault the Palace; And
By force to free you from the Sultan's power.
And that he might give you notice of his
Design, he has corrupted an Eunuch
That attends you, who told us that you would
Walk here this Evening, and shew'd us a way
That we might enter undiscover'd
I' the Garden.
And hither we are come to know, if you'll
Be pleas'd to condescend to what, that we
Resolve to execute.
Ire.
Yes Justinianus, you've my consent;
I think your design to be noble, and
Generous, and worthy the affection you
Alwayes profest to bear us.
Nor do I think it can reflect upon
Our Honours, for us to trust our selves to
The conduct of Persons, whom all our Friends
Design'd to be our Husbands.
And I dare engage, Perinthia's thoughts
Agrees with mine.
Per.
You may Madam; I repose such
A confidence in Honorius's vertue,
That I dare follow him throughout the world.
Hon.
Madam, I hope I shall ne'r give you cause
[Page 45]By any of my Actions for to lose
The good Opinion you have of me.
Ire.
But Justinianus, Pray tell me, an if
Your enterprize (as I hope it will) succeeds;
Whither will you conveigh us? what retreat
Have you chosen? For doubtless the Sultan
Will cause diligent search to be made for
Us.
Just.
Madam, we have a Vessel i' the Port
That there waits for us, ready to convey
Us into the Dominions of some Christian Prince.
Hon.
And there, If you please to consent; we will
Conceal both our Names and Persons, Lest we
Might draw the Sultan's revenge upon that
State.
Ire.
I like your Counsel well,
And think 'tis best we follow it.
Hon.
Justinianus, 'Tis time that we withdraw.
The time now draws neer that I appointed
To meet my generous Friends.
Just.
When you will, I'le wait on you—
Madam, we have appointed to meet those
Friends we have engag'd in our design, to
Consult about the Action we are to
Perform this night, and now the hour draws neer,
So that we must be forc'd (though much against
Our wills) to depart; But if you please to
Do us the favour to meet us here within this
Two hours, we'll wait on you again, and take some further
Resolution, concerning our Escape.
Ire.
Well, we'll not fail to meet you,
'Tis best you now depart, for although these
Walks be so secret, yet to stay here too long,
Is unsafe, and there might be danger in't.
Just.
Madam, we must now take our leaves,
Within two hour's well not fail to
Wait on you.
Ire.
Nor we to meet you.
Per.
My Dear Honorius, adieu.
Hon.
Ah how rigid would this parting seem,
Were I not in hopes quickly to return!
Adieu my dear Perinthia.
Exeunt Just. & Hon.
Ire.
You see Perinthia, things have chang'd their face.
'Tis good our ills with patience to embrace.
The Fates are pleas'd you see, when we resign,
And do submit to what that they design.
Per.
'Tis a reward sent from the Pow'rs above
Because we were so constant in our Love.
Ire.
Come, Let's go in, and pray those Pow'rs to bless
Their Enterprize, And crown it with success.
Exeunt.
Act. III. Scen. III.
Enter Aga.
Aga.
I fear this Mustapha will discover
Our design, And then should it not succeed
I am lost for ever—
Who know's what influence the Sultans presence
May have upon the Souldiers —?
The Guards told me they went this way, and alone;
I le follow, and endeavour to hear their discourse.
Enter Mahomet, and Mustapha.
Maho.
What villains are these Bassa's, did you represent
To 'em the hainousness o' their crime?
Must.
Yes Great Sir, I did,
And us'd all those Arguments which I thought
Might be conducive to disswade 'em from
Their treacherous resolution.
But alas, I found 'twas vain;
Rebellion had taken too strong possession
I' their breasts, and chac'd Loyalty from thence.
Maho.
Does the cause of this their Conspiracy
(Which seems so monstrous, and so Gyant-like)
[Page 47]Proceed from th' affection I have for
Fair Irena? Is that the cause on't?
Must.
That is the pretence—
Traytors never want a pretence
'To colour their Designs;
And that which encourages 'em to execute
Their Treachery, Is that they know
The Souldiers and People (alwayes severe
Censurers of their Prince's actions) are
Displeas'd and incens'd to see you lay by
All thoughts o'f inlarging o'the Empire;
And thus passionately to affect the
Fair and beauteous Irena, whom they
Imagine to be the cause of that alteration
They have lately observ'd i'your Heroick nature.
And therefore threaten her destruction,
And to sacrifice her to their revenge,
And have resolv'd that she shall die —
Maho.
Heaven! what is't I hear, Irena die—
Dare such base slaves threaten her precious life?
Was ever such a villany invented—
But I'le provide tortures, and torments for 'em
Black, and horrid as their crimes.
Must.
Let not, great Prince, Passion over-rule
Your reason. Consider if—
Maho.
What should I consider—
Should I let these villains assault my Palace,
And by force ravish my Mistris from out
My arms, And tamely suffer the affront?
No Mustapha, Patience were here
No Vertue, but a Crime.
They shall all die—
Their Lives are too poor a sacrifice to
Appease my anger, and to expiate
Their offence.
Enter Aga and conceals himself.
Must.
Great Sultan, do but Consider if it
Is in your pow'r to act, what you design.
The Souldiers and People are all at their
[Page 48]Devotion, and I suspect your Guards too:
For the Aga is the chief Fomenter,
And Agent in this Conspiracie.
'Tis he that is the wheel that gives motion
To all the rest.
Aga.
I thought this villain would nominate me:
Aside.
How bravely he sets me forth!
Maho.
I have long suspected him for a knave.
The Office I have bestowed upon him.
Has made him too proud, and too ambitious.
He I resolve shall die—
Aga.
Shall I so—
But I'le prevent my ruine with your own.
Aside.
Maho.
But Mustapha, is't not strange that
These perfidious slaves dares be so audacious
As to censure any o' my Actions;
And to accuse me of Vices they are
Themselves possest of.
Does it become them (my slaves and vassals)
To intermeddle, and condemn
Their Prince's Actions?
Must.
'Princes actions are alwayes expos'd to Censure.
Persons, the higher they are elevated
In qualitie, the more their actions are
Observ'd.
Maho.
'Tis true—
Subjects behold their Princes faults
Through a Multiplying-glass, which makes 'em
Seem far greater then they are.
But what way shall I find out to stop this
Breach, before it be too wide?
Must.
Alas, I fear 'tis grown too wide already,
And that 'tis now past remedy.
I know but one way left t' appease their fury;
But I fear you'll think the remedy, worse
Than the disease.
Maho.
What is't? speak freely.
Must.
'Tis my Loyalty (Majestick Sultan)
And your Command, makes me so bold to tell
You, That I think there is no other remedy
Left to appease their fury, but by your
Forsaking of Irena.
Maho.
Forsake Irena—What Mustapha, would you
Counsel me to an action so unjust?
Must.
Necessity makes actions Just.
'Tis just, Because 'tis necessary.
Maho.
Would you have me expose Irena to
Their fury—No, I'le first perish, and let
The Empire sink, before that I'le perform
So degenerous an action.
Must.
Alas great Sir, you misapprehend,
And misconstruct my meaning: I would not
Have you expose Irena to their fury;
But have you to conquer your own affection
Let it not be said, that He who
Has conquer'd so many Kingdoms,
Could not subdue a foolish Passion.
And though at first it may seeme hard, and difficult,
Yet Time (the common Physician to all
Diseases) will at length afford you cure.
Irena
is a Beautie, from whose charms,
You'l be better preserv'd by absence, then
By resistance. And your Souldiers, an if
They be not imploy'd abroad, will imploy
Themselves at home. 'Tis idleness, and want
Of Martial discipline that makes 'em now
Thus insolent.
Follow the example of your illustrious
Othoman-Ancestors, And lead 'em again
Forth, to enlarge your Empire, and to obtain
New Conquests. Make it appear—
Maho.
Mustapha, no more: I don't approve your
Counsell—Their fury must be allay'd by
Other means, than those which you propounded.
Kneels.
Must.
If in ought, Great Prince, I have offend
You, I humbly beg your pardon.
'Twas my Loyaltie, and your Danger, made
Me take the Libertie t' express my thoughts
Thus freely.
Maho.
Although it be dang'rous for Subjects to
Intermeddle i'their Prince's Affairs,
Yet your Loyaltie has obtain'd your pardon.
Rise Mustapha, and follow me.
He rises.
Aside.
I must go studie, to find out some way,
This their Rebellious Furie to allay.
'Tis easier far Rebellions to prevent,
Than in their heat to hinder their intent.
Exeunt Mahomet, & Mustapha: manet Aga.
Actus III. Scena IV.
Aga solus.
Aga.
So, 'tis well I was here to hear this their
Discourse. I thought what it would come to,
And that this Mustapha would discover
Our Design to the Sultan, none else
I knew durst do't — If it succeeds, 'tis well;
If not, then what becomes of me? My death's
Resolv'd already!
"Ills when known, may be prevented;
But are most dang'rous, when we are
Ignorant of 'em.
"Rocks, and shelfs hid under water
"Deceive the skilful'st Pilots.
The Sultan hath resolv'd my Death; But I
Resolve, his death shall secure my life.
"Self-preservation is a Principle infus'd
"By Nature in our hearts, as soon as we
"Are born.
My safetie, and Revenge, Ile joyn together.
I have long labour'd to be reveng'd for
The affront the Sultan did me, when he
Bestow'd on Mustapha a place that was
Promis'd me, and that was due only to
My merits. And Fortune now furnishes
Me with occasions to second my desires.
'Tis that, makes me so eagerly to
Stir up the Bassa's, and Souldiers
To Rebellion.
"The Sultan now shall find how dangerous 'tis
"For Princes to be ungrateful.
[Page 52]For by his Death, which I resolve, I'le strive
To be reveng'd, and save my self alive.
Exit.
ACT. IV. SCEN: I.
Enter Mahomet.
Maho.
MY mind is so perplext with care, and grief,
That I had need of all my courage
To sustain the weight of my misfortunes:
Yet, 'tis not the apprehension I have
For my own, But for the fair Irena's
Danger, that thus abates my courage.
How ill somtimes do Princes place their favours!
I have raiz'd these Villains to that height, they
Now dare attempt to pull me from my Throne.
Perfidious slaves, cannot I affect
The fair Irena; but must they envie
My felicitie, and threaten her destruction?
Ah, how it torments me, to think I have
No power, nor can find out no way to be
Reveng [...]d, or to hinder their treacherous
Intentions.
To forsake Irena! alas, 'tis impossible,
But if it were not, I'd rather perish,
Than to be guilty of so black a Crime,
As to expose this Soul-in-chanting Fair-one
To their fury.
To lose my Empire, and to be depriv'd
Of the Fruit of all my Conquests, by such
Perfidious Villains, does not a little
Trouble me.
Nor can my Fancy, as yet, find out means
To help me out of two such great Extreams.
To lose Irena, then my Love is crost;
And if I lose my Empire, I am lost.
Such ills as these, my mind does so amuze,
I know not yet, Which of these ills to chuse.
Love, and Ambition agitates my mind
With equal Fury, And like to two
Impetuous winds, when they meet together
I'the Ocean, Each strives for mast'ry.
State-Int'rest say's, Ambition here should sway
Pointing to his breast.
But Honour say's, That Love I should obey.
For I'm oblig'd by Honour to protect
Irena, though she does my Love neglect.
Love gains the field in this contentious strife;
'Ile save Irena, or I'le lose my life.
Act. IV. Scen. II.
Enter Carazias, Zoganus, Caly-Bassa, Mahometes, and the Aga of the Janizaries.
Aga.
Generous Friends, I find you have bin zealous
I'th' Empires cause, And that by your endeavours
The Souldiers are all unanimously agreed
T' assault the Palace.
Zog.
We've perform'd our Duty,
And are now resolv'd to make th' Empire an
Amends, that we've suffered so effeminate
A Prince to govern it so long.
Maho.
And to recover the Glory we've lost.
Caly.
But shall we dispossess the Sultan of
His Throne—
Aga.
Yes, what else? Do you think it can be safe
For us (after we've perform'd what we intend)
To leave him in a capacity to
Revenge himself of the affront which he
Conceives we do him. No, we must
Not only deprive him of the Government,
But too secure his Person.
Aside.
I must not tell them, that I mean to kill him,
That would betray my malice, and revenge.
Caraz.
Have you sent Prince Bajazet
Notice of our Design.
Aga.
No, 'Tis time enough after its
Execution.
Caraz.
But how an if he should reject what we
Propound, And refuse the Throne we offer
Him?
Aga.
Refuse it—No, he's not such a fool.
The Othoman-Princes are too desirous
Of Sov'raigntie, to refuse a Throne
When offer'd.
Caly.
But what's become of Mustapha,
Where's he?
Aga.
Why he has bin with the Sultan
"To discover to him our Design; From whom,
"If it succeeds not, we must expect
"The worst effects of Fury.
Zog.
I ever doubted, Mustapha would prove
A villain, and discover our Design.
But 'tis no matter as long as we have force
To execute what we resolve.
Aga.
And let's not now delay it.
The Sultan now knows of our Design,
And will endeavour to prevent it.
And if he should present himself to the
Souldiers (from whom he has bin long absent)
Who knows what effects his Presence
Might produce?
Zog.
That seems improbable.
He knows the Souldiers are discontented,
And breathe nothing, but fury, and revenge.
I do not think he'll be so vent'rous—
Aga.
Not be so vent'rous —
What danger is there his courage dares not
Venture on?
Have we not seen him run head-long into
Dangers, as great as this?
"Despair makes Cowards valiant,
And will it not, think you, rouze up
His sleeping courage?
Zoga.
Perhaps it may—
But do you think we shall find resistance?
Aga.
From none, but from some of his domestick
Servants, The Guards are all at my Devotion.
Maho.
If we shall find such small resistance,
And since the Guards will give us free access.
What need we assault the Palace, with such
[Page 56]Numbers?
Aga.
'Tis necessary to shew that 'tis not
An action of our own; But that the whole
Army is consenting.
Zog.
'Tis best I think that we' go first
To Irena's Lodgings, and offer her
Up a Victim to the Empires safetie.
That done, Let's secure the Sultans person.
Caraz.
You counsel wisely —
Night with her sable curtains
Does now ore-spread the Air,
'Tis now time that we put our Design
In execution.
Aga.
Actions of this Nature, the sooner they're
Perform'd, the better; and the safer.
Let's not now defer it any longer;
All things are now in readiness, and the
Souldiers only want our presence
To countenance the action.
Should we but delay it, they might lose that
Eagerness and fury of revenge that we've
Inspir'd into 'em.
Zog.
No, come; Let's go,
Before their conrage cools.
Delay's are dang'rous—
Caly.
But where shall we meet
To joyn our Troops together?
Aga.
Where — Why in the open place
Before the Palace. No place
Is more convenient.
Caly.
And in what time?
Aga.
Why? within an hour at furthest.
Caly.
Well, without fail, I'le meet you.
Zog.
And so will I.
Caraz.
Nor will I fail.
Maho.
Nor I—
But are you sure the Guards will give us access?
Aga.
Yes, for that I'le engage,
Lave that to my care. But come let's go.
Aside.
So, things go well as yet, and Fate conspires
To second my intention, and desires.
Exeunt omnes.
Act. IV. Scen. III.
Enter Mahomet and Irena.
Maho.
Madam be ruled, Let's fly, and let's not stay,
Lest that we perish by our own delay.
Ire.
What gen'rous Sultan, can you fly, and yield,
When y'are a Conquerour, to slaves the field?
Where's now your courage, that you can allow
These slaves to snatch the Lawrel from your brow?
Maho.
My courage faints, and dares not now appear:
But 'tis for you, not for my self I fear.
Ire.
Take care to save your Self, and as for me,
Leave that to Fate, and my own Destinie.
Maho.
Leave you Irena! no, that cannot be;
If you miscarry, What becomes of me?
Ire.
Why, is't upon my Fate, that you intend
Your safetie, or your ruine, should depend?
Should I miscarry, yet the loss is small;
But if You lose your Empire, you lose all.
Therefore once more, Let me the favour crave
You'd take less care for me, more That to save.
Maho.
Ah, think not that my thoughts are so abject,
That, to save That, I should my Love neglect.
'Tis not my Empires loss causes my grief,
If I lose that, my Sword can give relief.
New Empires I can gain, but not subdue
The grief, and passion that I have for you.
'Tis Love, not Empire, has the greatest part
In all the grief that now afflicts my heart.
Ire.
Ambition only in your heart should rest,
'Tis a fit passion for a Monarch's breast.
Maho.
Though I have Love, yet I've Ambition too,
But 'tis not to gain Empire, but gain You.
Irena is a Beauty so Divine,
I'd freely part with all, to make her mine.
But Heav'n! what is't I say, when Fate denies
That I am worthy such a glorious prize?
For she's above my merits; I can gain,
Nor pretend nothing from her, but disdain.
Ire.
Irena is unworthy to have part
In (or possess) so great a Monarch's heart.
And though you're pleasd to think that she's above,
Yet she's too low an Object for your Love.
Maho.
What Object is there i'the world, that's higher
To which that my ambition can aspire?
Ire.
To Glory and Renown, and to obtain
What may to you immortal Honour gain;
Those are fit Objects, and are worthy you:
But let not Love your gen'rous heart subdue.
Your Face shew's that y'are troubled, I suspect
That 'tis not Love, but Fear does you deject.
For shame let not your Slaves rebellious pow'r
Deprive you of your Conquests in an hour;
And let not that by Treason be undon,
Which you by many Victories have won.
Call up your courage, and forbear to give
These slaves such pow'r, But still a Monarch live.
Maho.
Aside.
What a Heroick Spirit here does rest,
And is contain'd within this Lady's breast?
Sure, she's my Better-Genius that is sent,
Mine, and my Empires ruine to prevent.
Your Courage, and your Beautie I admire;
Each equally my breast with Love inspire.
But Madam, you mistake, that is not Fear
Which on my Visage now seems to appear.
Danger could never yet my heart surprize,
Were you but safe, I could with ease despise
These Bassa [...]s threats; My courage is above
[Page 59]All other dangers, but th'assaults of Love.
Wou'd you prove kind, I cou'd my Throne defend,
And make my fate upon my sword depend.
And wou'd you but accept what is your due,
I'd then defend it, to bestow't on you.
To neglect what you scorn, how can I chuse?
You both my Person, and my Throne refuse.
Were I so happy, that you would but give
Me yet some comfort, I'd a Monarch live:
The malice of my Stars, I'd then defie,
And on Irena for my Fate rely.
Then Madam, see that you have pow'r alone
To make me happy, and to save my Throne.
Ire.
It is beyond my pow'r to effect
What you imagine, or your Throne protect.
You speak as if I'd pow'r to create
Some new Decrees, or alter those of Fate.
Maho.
'Tis not the Fates, But your fair Eyes that be
The only Rulers of my Destinie.
Ire.
I now begin to pity you, 'Tis Love
I see that makes your Reason thus to rove:
It is a Passion too unworthy you,
"A generous mind Love ought not to subdue.
Maho.
Yet Love's a Passion we too often find,
That lodges most within a gen'rous mind.
Ire.
'Tis true: But 'tis our own consent, and will,
That makes us subject to so great an ill.
Maho.
Ah, 'tis not in our choice, but 'tis above
Our pow'r to hinder the decrees of Love.
We oftentimes our selves know not the cause,
Why we are subject to his rigid Law's.
"To resist his Decrees is vain, Love's darts
Can quickly force Obedience from our hearts.
No humane pow'r is able to withstand
Against the pow'r and force of Love's command.
But Madam, I must now again renew
My late request, and that Design persue.
[Page 60]He that ne're us'd to ask, does now implore
You'd mind your danger, and your safetie more:
And once again intreats you (since the night
Will favour us) not to delay our flight.
Ire.
Danger persues those that do from it fly
Let's stay, and let's on our own Fates rely.
Maho.
Madam, be not so obstinately bent
To your own ruine, thus to give consent.
I've told you of the danger you are in,
But must not now commit so great a sin
As grant your stay, That were but to expose
You to the rage, and fury of your foes.
Ire.
Why, do you think our flight can make us free
From what's decreed for us by destiny.
Maho.
No, "But again, we ought not to neglect
"Those means our selves, Heav'n gives, us to protect.
When Nature is distemper'd, we then chuse
Physitians help, and not their aid refuse.
And since th'approaching danger is so near,
Give him that does adore you leave to fear:
And though you will not flie, yet grant, I may
Conceal your Person, to secure your stay.
Ire.
That may prolong my pain not cure the wound;
If you miscarry, I shall soon be found.
No, if my ruine be by Heav'n decreed
That cannot hinder, but it must succeed.
Maho.
If then to neither you will give consent,
Your ruine I must other-wayes prevent.
Since to my Counsel you no ear afford,
I'le strive for to protect you by my Sword.
Then Madam come, I must at once secure
You, and my self, from what we might indure.
Exeunt.
Act. IV. Scen. IV.
Enter Perinthia.
Per.
What strange confusion's here, what new alarms
Does make the Souldiers thus to be in Arms?
All's so disorder'd, as if Fate resolv'd
The world should now to Chaos be dissolv'd.
It seems so horrid, and so strange to me,
I can't imaginewhat the cause should be:
Unless (which Heav'n I hope will yet prevent)
The Sultan has discover'd our intent.
Just Heav'n forbid, such Fate should us attend,
Grant our mis-fortunes now may have an end.
Enter Irena.
But here's Irena; since she does appear
She'll soon dispel, or soon increase my fear.
Ah Madam! You come in a fit time to
Resolve me of those Doubts which now perplex]
My breast.
Ire.
What is't, Perinthia, troubles you?
Per.
Alas, I fear we are undone;
And that envious Fate has to the Sultan
Discover'd our Design.
But Madam, You I know can soon declare,
If we have cause to hope, or to dispair.
Ire.
As yet we've cause to hope;
The Sultan knows nothing of it.
Per.
What's the reason then, that the Guards are all
In Arms, and that there's such a Confusion
'I the Palace, and things so out of Order.
Ire.
Why, it seems the Bassa's and Souldiers,
Enrag'd to see the Sultan doat on me,
And to neglect all his former Designs,
Have conspir'd against him, and resolve to
[Page 62]Deprive him of his Throne, and me of my
Life.
Per.
What treacherous Rascals are these Bassa's?
Ire.
This Design the Sultan came just now to
Acquaint me with, and to counsel me either
By flight, or by concealment to avoy'd
Their Furie.
Per.
And which have you chosen Madam?
Ire.
Neither.
Per.
What, Dear Irena, do you then Resolve?
Ire.
To stay Madam, and rely upon the promise
Of Justinianus and Honorius.
For should I either flie, or conceal my self,
I should deprive them of their expectation.
Per.
Why Madam, should you for that, be accessary
To your own danger? Perhaps this Design
May prevent theirs. Cannot you fly, and give
Them notice of your retreat: Methinks this
Should be a means to escape both from the
Sultan and Bassa's.
Ire.
It might, could the Sultan be perswaded
To stay behind.
Per.
What, Madam? Will he go with you, and leave
His Empire a prey to his Rebellious Subjects?
Cannot the Power you have over him
Perswade him to the contrarie?
Ire.
No, but suppose it could, whom have I that
I durst have trusted to acquaint Justinianus
With my retreat; For had I consented,
I should have bin forc'd to have departed
Instantly away.
Per.
Madam, if that were all, I would have don't.
Ire.
Yo've don't? No, dear Perinthia, had I gon,
You must have gone along.
Or else it wou'd but have perplext my mind,
Should I have gone, and left you here behind:
What comfort could I have enjoy [...]d in my
[Page 63]Own security; If you had bin expos'd
To danger. But to prevent that, and not
To disappoint Justinianus, and Honorius
(Whom we've engag'd to meet) I have
Endeavour'd to inflame the Sultan's breast
With Honour and Revenge. Hoping that whil'st
He persues the preservation of his
Empire, I shall have more libertie to enjoy
My self, and facilitate our escape.
Per.
You've done discreetly Madam, and I hope
That same Providence that has preserv'd us
From so many dangers will still watch over us.
Ire.
We have no reason to mistrust it.
Since Heav'n has already (as an earnest
Of our future happiness) granted that
We have found those Persons living, whom we
Thought dead.
Per.
Fortune has long bin cruel, but I trust
It will prove kind at last, and now be just.
Ire.
If their Design (on which that I rely)
Succeeds, I dare its Malice then defie.
Per.
I hope it will, and hope that these Bassa's
Rebellion, will serve to further, and not
To hinder their Design. For in the disorder,
And confusion things are now in, it will be
An easie matter to escape: And the
Sultan will be otherwise imploy'd than
To make persuit after us.
I hope, things will succeed better then we
Expect.
Ire.
I wish they may—
Fortune, and Love, I hope will both combine
To aid, and second that which we design,
Per.
They're two blind Pow'rs, or else if they could see,
To favour us, then they would soon agree.
Ire.
Our Cause is just. And though they have no eyes,
Yet they have Justice, they are Dieties.
[Page 64]'Twere impious to think ought else could rest
Or find a place in a Coelestial breast.
But come, the Time is not yet expir'd
In which we appointed to meet 'em;
Let's retire into the next room, and sing;
Or else by too much reflecting on our
Present condition, I shall grow melancholy.
Per.
What you think fit, I must consent to.
They retire into the next room, and sing.
Song.
Coelestial Pow'rs that rule above,
And that incline our hearts to Love,
Since you've bin cruel, now be kind,
And grant that we some ease may find.
Grant that our hearts opprest with grief
May now at length find some relief.
Fair Paphian Queen, to whose bright eyes,
The Gods themselves became a prize:
Ah, Let's intreat thee, pray thy Son
To finish what he has begun.
For Love's a flame that may grow less,
If not recruited by success.
Great God of Love, whose pow'rful Dart
At once wounds both the Mind, and Heart:
Ease us from what we still indure,
From future storms, let's be secure:
And we'll proclaim Love then to be
Of all the greatest Dietie. ‖
The Song ended, they enter again.
Ire.
So now, I think 'tis time that we retire,
Delay perhaps might make our Hopes exspire.
Per.
I hope not so: of its success by Heav'n,
We have already some assurance giv'n.
Ire.
If Fate proves kind, then it will soon dispel
Those fears, which in our troubl'd breasts now dwell.
But dear Perinthia come, I fear we may
Make things succeed amiss, by our delay.
Exeunt.
Act. IV. Scen. V.
Enter Mahomet.
Maho.
I'm lately grown so wretched, that the more
I think on my condition, I deplore
My own misfortunes; and they are so new,
I cannot yet imagine they are true,
But think 'tis some Chimaera form'd by night,
Which only serv's my senses to affright.
To day when Glorious Phoebus rose, he saw
The world without controul receive my Law.
None durst dispute, nor, then, none durst withstand,
But all obey'd, to what I did command.
I then was happy, had Fate but supprest
Those Flames of Love, which still torment my breast;
Or had Irena prov'd but kind, and cur'd
Me of those pains, which for her I indur'd.
To perfect my felicity, the aid
Was only wanting of that beautious Maid.
But now I'm made so wretched by my Fate,
That I'm scarce known for what I was of late.
Strange changes i'my fate, there is begun,
Betwixt the rising, and the setting Sun.
But these complaints are womanish in me,
Revenge would with my Courage more agree.
Were but Irena safe, I'de go, and kill
These Bassa's, and my own revenge fulfill.
But since she is unsafe; Those thoughts as yet
Do more of Valour, then of Love admit.
[Page 66]I'le once again go to her, and I'le trie,
If yet Irena will consent to flie.
Which if she does, I then in a short time
Will gather force, to punish their bold crime.
But if from flying she does still refrain,
I'le try what by my presence I can gain
Upon the Souldiers. For perhaps I may
Make 'em lay down their Arms, and yet obey,
But if this fails, with those few Guards I have
I'le strive, Irena and my self to save.
In her defence I'le die, or I'le prevent
These villains of their black and base intent.
'Twill be a comfort, if Fate grants that I
In her defence, may yet have leave to die:
And in my death I shall far happier prove
Then ever I have yet been in my Love.
Actus IV. Scena VI.
Enter the Aga in a disguise.
Aga.
So, I am now at last escap'd from the Bassa's
(Who will now quickly assault the Palace),
And am come here to act my own revenge.
This disguise has as yet preserv'd me from
Discov'ry, 'twas well I enter'd in
The Palace by a private way, Or else
Perhaps I had run some danger. I find
Some alteration here, some of those Guards
I trusted most, and that guarded Irena's
Lodgings, I find displac'd, And other of
Mustapha's Souldiers admitted i' their rooms.
And though we've force to execute our resolution,
Yet I fear that either the Sultan's presence,
Or his promises, may make 'em (how resolute
Soever now they seem) to lay down their
Arms: Should this happen (which my own guilt makes
Me to suspect) then I am lost; Have not
I heard the Sultan to resolve my death?
And were not I a fool, that having means
Now to preserve my self, and be reveng'd
If I should be accessary to my own ruine?
No; now is the time of my revenge,
And I'le not defer it.
I have here hard-by, four or five Persons
(In whom I dare confide) disguis'd like my self:
Assisted by these, I'le watch an opportunitie,
And go and kill the Sultan. And then I'le
Give out, he perish'd i'th' assault.
He being dead, my fears will too die with him;
And with young Bajazet (before that I
Lay down my Arms) I'le make my own conditions.
Sultan, your Fate is now resolv'd; 'tis I
[Page 68]That am the Ruler of your destiny.
Your ruine now so firmly is decreed
Fate cannot alter, but it must succeed.
Exit.
ACT. V. SCEN: I.
Enter Mahomet in the Palace Garden.
Maho.
THese villains still in treacherie combine,
And now resolve to act what they design
The time draws neer, The day has run its race
And Cynthia now supplies her Brother's place.
Their crime's so Monstrous, that they fear the light,
And dare not act their Treason but by night.
Irena's generous too, and seems to run
To meet those dangers, I wou'd have her shun.
But I have given to Mustapha command;
Their pow'r and their furie to withstand,
Whil'st by my presence, I strive to prevent
Their horrid Crime, and frustrate their intent —
Ha! What noise is that I hear —
Hears a noise.
Methinks I perceive some Persons coming
Towards me.
The Moon's pale beams affords me light enough
To discover they are Women.
And if I'm not deceiv'd, 'tis Irena,
And Perinthia, 'Tis so —
What makes she now here at this time of night?
Just now I left her in her Chamber,
It cannot sure be fear that drives her forth,
She was then so resolute.
What should be the cause on't I can't imagine;
But I'le conceal my self, whats'ere it be
Conceals himself.
Till that the Cause either I hear or see.
Enter Irena and Perinthia.
Ire.
But for the Sultan's Coming to me,
We had bin here before.
The time is now expir'd, And yet I see
None here; sure somthing is fallen out
Unexpected, that makes 'em stay so long.
Per.
Persons when they're imploy'd about
Occasions of this Nature, cannot keep
Their promise to a minute,
But I dare engage, it will not be long
Ere they come.
Ire.
In the mean while,
Let's retire into that Arbour,
And sing.
Per.
Well agreed.
They retire into an Arbour, and sing.
Song.
Though to our Sex 'tis that Love owes,
'What of his pow'r the world yet knowes;
And 'tis our eyes that does inspire
Mens hearts with Love, and with desire:
Wer't not for us, the world would be
Enter Just. and Hon They listen to the Song.
Both from Lov's pow'r and Empire free.
Yet Love still with his golden Darts
Ne're spares to wound our tender hearts.
We're rob'd by that ungrateful Boy,
Both of our Freedome, and our Joy.
He ne're considers 'tis our Eyes
That gains him such a glorious Prize.
Then let's not Lovers make dispair,
But be as kind, as we are fair;
Since from Love's Empire, nor his pow'r
We cannot free our selves an hou'r.
Beautie's a shield too weak to prove
Defence, against the Darts of Love,
Just.
This Musick far excels that o'the Sphears,
Methinks I'm ravish'd with Coelestial harmony.
Hon.
Where two Coelestial voyces so combine,
The Musick cannot chuse, but be Divine.
Just.
Come, Let's go to 'em.
Ire. and Per. come out of the Arbour
But see, they're here.
Madam, I hope we've not made you stay here
To Irena.
Long; If we have, we humbly beg your pardon.
Maho.
Aside.
Ha! Who are these, I grow suspitious;
But I'le conceal my self, till that I make
Further discovery.
Ire.
There needs no pardon, where there's no offence.
I attributed your stay to your occasions,
Not to your neglect.
Hon.
Our Occasions did indeed take us up
More time then we imagin'd, else we had
Waited on you sooner.
Per.
The time's not long expir'd,
You've bin prettie punctual.
What, are all things now in readiness?
Hon.
Madam, they are; Our Friends only expects
Our return for to assault the Palace.
Maho.
Ha! What is't I hear — Assault the Palace—
Aside.
Are these in League too with the Bassa's?
Ire.
But what need you put it to the hazard
Of an Assault, and tempt your Fate, Can't you
Convey us out, by the way you enter in?
Just.
No Madam, that's impossible—
The Garden is (as you know) moated round
And has but one door, which is strongly guarded.
We are forc'd to slide o're the Moat by a rope,
Which from this side the Eunuch throws us,
And which we fasten to the other side
O'the Moat, and then climb o're the Wall
By a Ladder of ropes.
Our intent is first to fall upon those Guards
That keep the Garden door, and so to force
Our passage through the Garden to your lodgings.
[Page 71]The disorder, and confusion things are now in
Will much facilate our design.
The Bassa's, and Souldiers, incens'd to see
The Sultan to adore you, are now
Upon the point to assault the Palace.
And these villains, these Barbarians,
Dares be so impious as to threaten
Your destruction, which we by our speedy
Assault hope to prevent.
Ire.
The Sultan told me of the Bassa's intentions,
And would have had me either have fled,
Or conceal'd my self to avoid their furie;
But I refus'd it, knowing that then I
Should have disappointed you.
Maho.
Aside.
Heav'n, what is't I hear? was it to go
Along with these villains, that she refus'd it?
Was it for these she slighted my affection?
I can contain no longer, I must go to 'em.
Discovers himself, and goes to 'em Irena spies the Sultan
Ire.
The Sultan! O Heav'n we are undone.
Per.
Ah cruel Fate, nothing but this accident
Could make us miserable.
Ma.
Whos'ere you are that intrude thus boldly
To Iust. and Hon. pointing to Ire.
Into this Ladies company, your Lives
Shall pay the forfeit of your presumption:
Speak, Who are you? What's your names?
Just.
My name (proud Sultan) I was ne're asham'd
To own; 'Tis Justinianus.
Hon.
And mine Honorius.
Maho.
Aside.
Heav'n, What's my offence,
That you raise up my dead enemies
(Together with my Subjects) to conspire
My ruine.
Were not you slain?
Just.
No, you see we are alive,
And alive to dispute these Ladies with you.
Irena's mine, and so long as I have life,
Layes his hand upon his sword.
And can rule this, she must ne're be yours.
Maho.
Audacious villain, Irena must be mine,
[Page 72]For she shall ne're be yours.
I'le make you quit your bold pretensions
Together with your Life.
Ho Guards! Who's there?—
Enter Aga disguis'd, with 4 or 5 more. Just. and Hon. draw. Discovers himself.
Here, kill these slaves —
Aga.
'Tis you that first must die.
Maho.
Ha! betray'd—
Villains, dare you attempt my Life?
Aga.
Yes, you resolv'd my death!
I over-heard your Discourse;
But I'le prevent your Design —
Maho.
Ho Mustapha —
Aga.
Nay, ne're call, he's other-ways imploy'd,
There's none neer to assist you, You must die.
Maho.
I'le sell my life then dearly—
Draws and fights.
Just.
Come, let's not stand idle, and be Spectators
To Hon.
Of this unequal Combat—
Sultan, you shall find those lives
You would have took from us,
We'll now imploy to defend yours.
See this victim, I offer to your revenge —
Kills the Aga. Maho and Hon. kill two of the others, the rest fly.
Maho.
Generous men pardon the first transports
Of my passion, You've preserv'd a Life
Shall be at your devotion, and you've oblig'd
A Prince, that will not be ungrateful.
I know not how to recompence the generosity you've shown;
But I'le studie to find out a reward,
Equall to your deserts.
Just.
Great Prince, what we've done, we were oblig'd
By Honour to perform; But if you think
It merits an acknowledgment, Grant us,
As a reward, the disposal of these Ladies;
And let me carry the fair Irena
Where I think fit.
Maho.
Alas! Ask what you will besides,
And I will grant it, Ask half my Empire,
And you shall have it freely. But to part
With Irena, alas, it lies not in my pow'r;
[Page 73]I cannot grant it— Pray ask somthing else.
Just.
All else I scorn —
Know that Irena's mine, by her Father's,
Her Prince's, and her own Election.
Know, I have pow'r besides to force that from you,
Which now I ask.
Maho.
I know your pow'r, and scorn it:
Were I not oblig'd by gratitude, your threats
Should not force Irena from me.
Madam, is't true that you affect Justinianus?
To Irena.
Ire.
I were unjust, an if I should deny it:
I so affect him, that 'tis impossible
I should ere affect an other.
Maho.
Noble Justinianus, give me but leave
To trie, if I can dispose my heart to shake off
Irena's Fetters, and forget her Charm's!
And I'le endeavour to yield to your desires.
Just. bows and retires with the rest to a corner of the Stage and whispers.
What a strange and cruel Law
Does my hard Destiny impose upon me
Either I must forsake Irena, or be
Ungrateful to the Preserver of my Life.
To forsake Irena (Ah, cruel Fate!)
'Tis a Task my heart cannot yet submit to.
Yet when I consider how gen'rously
He expos'd to danger that Life
I wou'd have took from him, to defend mine:
And how he reveng'd me on the Perfidious
Aga, I must confess I owe him
No common effects of Gratitude.
Irena loves my Rival, and by her own
Confession, can ne're affect an other:
And I could ne're yet gain the least int'rest
In her heart. 'Tis wisdome, and discretion
To quit that gen'rously, which we can't preserve.
Should I deny him he has pow'r to force
Her from me, and I no pow'r to defend her.
The Bassa's will now quickly assault the Palace;
And they on the other side threaten her
[Page 74]Destruction; And I had rather see her in
A gen'rous Rival's Arms, then see her expos'd
To the fury of those Slaves.
I'le strive to subdue my Passion,
And bestow her on his merits.
Justinianus was gen'rous, and sav'd my Life,
And I'le be gen'rous, and bestow Irena on him.
'Tis his gen'rosity has vanquish'd me:
Thus to be conquer'd is no shame, I yield;
But 'tis to gratitude I quit the field.
Goes to 'em.
Madam, 'tis no easie matter
To Irena.
For a Person captivated by your fair Eyes
To regain his Liberty, and yield up his
Pretensions to his Rival! 'Tis a task
Too hard for frail Humanitie:
But the Obligations I have to Justinianus
Are so great, that they cannot be cancell'd
But by a generositie as great as his.
Takes Irena by the band and presents her to Just.
Here, Justinianus, receive from me
The fair Irena; you sav'd my Life,
And I bestow upon you the thing
I most esteem.
Just.
'Tis a gift (Great Sultan) I more esteem,
Then if you had bestow'd your Throne upon me.
I want words to thank you, but my actions
Shall express my gratitude.
Ire.
Gen'rous Prince, you've oblig'd a Lady, that
Though she could never yet affect your Person,
Yet she now adores your Vertue.
You've obtain'd more glory by thus conquering
Of your self, then 'ere you did by triumphing
O're your enemies.
Maho.
Was it because my Rival you did Love,
To Irena.
That I your heart to Love, could never move.
Ire.
My Love long since was to his merits due,
But I retain Respect great Prince for you:
For by your gen'rous actions now I find
That Honour has a place within your mind.
Enter Mustapha.
Must.
Ha! Who are these?
The Aga kill'd—
Maho.
Yes Mustapha, Heav'n
Has reveng'd me on that Traytor
By the hand of that valiant Person.
Pointing to Just.
Must.
Make haste, Great Sir, by your presence to allay
The Souldier's fury, or all will soon be lost.
The Bassa's has assaulted the Palace,
The Guards gave 'em free access, and those that
Defend Irena's Lodgings, will be too weak
To make any long resistance, unless
The others fury be speedily prevented.
Maho.
Go, Mustapha, incourage 'em
To hold out till I come to 'em:
Tell 'em, I'le be with 'em strait.
Exit Must.
Just.
Great Prince, Let not this
Their treacherie alarm you.
Those Forces we thought to have imploy'd
Against you, shall now be imploy'd to serve you.
I have here hard-by five hundred valiant
And able Souldiers; Most of 'em has bin formerly
Officers under me; They are all in readiness,
And only wait my return. With these
I doubt not but to stop the Bassa's furie.
Maho.
Brave Justinianus, you lay
So many Obligations on me, that
I shall ne're be able to requite you;
I accept your gen'rous offer.
Hon.
Command the Garden-door
For to be open'd, that through the Garden
We may enter in the Palace!
Maho.
Here take this Ring, and this:
Gives him a Ring, and a Table-book, in which he first writes.
These will procure you entrance.
Just.
But what shall we do to secure
These Ladies?
Maho.
Take you no care for that,
I'le engage my life to secure 'em
Till your return. But pray make haste.
Just.
We'll make all haste imaginable.
Exit Just. and Hon.
Enter Mustapha hastily.
Must.
For Heav'ns sake Great Sir, make haste,
And save your self, for all's lost.
The Bassa's, and Souldiers assaulted us
With such fury, that we were forc'd to yield.
They now seek up and down the Palace for
Irena, And vow that 'tis only her blood
That must appease their furie.
Maho.
Curs'd villains—
Aside.
Heav'n! How shall I keep my promise,
Stamps.
And preserve Irena; Justinianus cannot
Yet return—stay, Is there no way yet left
To preserve Irena, and my Empire;
Let me consider—Ha!
Studies.
'Twill do, They scarce e're saw her, and may
Be easily deceiv'd—
Mustapha, heark ye—
Whispers Must.
Make haste, and do as I command.
Must.
Your Commands shall be
With diligence perform'd.
Exit. Must.
Maho.
Madam, since your safety, and my promise
To Irena.
Does require it: Be pleas'd that I may conceal you
(Till Justinianus's return) in a Vault
Here in this Garden, a place so secret,
That 'tis not known to any, but my self.
Whil'st by my project I appease their strife,
And save at once my Empire, and your Life,
Exeunt.
Act. V. Scen. II.
Enter Zoganus, Carazias, Caly-bassa, Mahometes, and Souldiers with their Swords drawn.
Zog.
Where's this Sorceress, this Syren,
That thus inchants the Sultan?
Caraz.
Nay, Where's the Sultan too?
Caly.
And the Aga, Where's he?
Mahometes.
They're all vanish'd sure.
Caraz.
I begin for to suspect the Aga,
We have not seen him since we began th' Assault
I fear he takes the Sultan's part.
Zog.
An if he does,
He shall not scape our vengeance—
But come, Let's not delay, but seek 'em,
Lest they escape us.
Exeunt.
Enter Mahomet and Mustapha.
Maho.
Have you done, as I commanded?
Are things in readiness?
Must.
Your commands Great Sultan, I've obey'd.
Maho.
Come then, and follow me;
And be sure you make fast all the doors
That none come neer us,
Excunt.
Enter Carazias, Zoganus, Caly-Bassa, Mahometes; and Souldiers with their Swords drawn, as before, below. And enter above in a Belcony, The Sultan with a Slave attir'd like Irena, and vail'd Mustapha. The Body of Aga, is brought upon the Belcony.
Caraz.
'Tis strange that they should all escape us,
And that we can find none.
Zog.
This Irena sure's a Witch,
And has cast some Mist before our eyes.
[Page 78]Else we've search'd so diligently for 'em,
'T 'was impossible they should escape us.
Mahometes.
The Sultan, Irena, the Aga
And Mustapha, all fled, I wonder that we
Should meet with none!
Maho.
See here perfidious villains, the Persons
From above.
That you seek.
Omnes.
Ha!
They look up amaz'd, and espie the Sultan, and the rest.
Caraz.
The Sultan!
Zoga.
And Irena!
Mahometes
There's Mustapha, and the Aga too!
Caly.
Ha! The Aga's dead.
Mahomet.
Yes, villains; he has receiv'd the reward
Due to his Treachery;
'Tis what you must expect.
Mahometes.
How came he dead?
To his companions
Zog.
Nay, let's not dispute that,
But let's revenge his Death:
Let's break open the doors, and kill
Offers to force the doors.
Irena in the Sultan's Arms.
Mahomet.
Hold Traytors —
See here, insolent slaves, cannot I affect
Turns up her vail.
This fair Creature, this Master-piece of Nature:
But must you murmure, turn Rebells, and threaten
Her destruction?
Who made you the Judges of my actions?
What villain is there amongst you all,
That, had he so Divine a Creature in his possession,
But would be unwilling to part with her?
Speak, in the word of a Prince, I give you
Libertie, freely to express your thoughts.
Caraz.
She's fair beyond imagination,
Aside to his companions.
I cannot blame him.
Zog.
Nor I, for affecting so Divine a Creature.
Mahometes.
I never thought Irena half so fair.
Caly.
She surpasses all that I ever saw.
Maho.
I see you are amaz'd, your silence,
And your whispers, declare you are asham'd
[Page 79]Of your Rebellion, And that you rather
Approve, then condemn my actions.
But I'le make you know, base slaves,
That you've bin deceiv'd in me.
Ambition (that Imperious Mistris of
Pointing to his breast.
Heroick Souls) reigns only here, And she
Will not admit a Rivall in my heart.
That I can conquer my other Passions,
Let this perswade ye—
Stab's the slave.
Nay, been't amaz'd at what I have perform'd;
'Tis you that forc'd me to this cruel action.
Let this example strike a terrour in you,
And think, that he that could thus sacrifice
The Person he ador'd, Because you thought her
An obstacle to his glory; Will not stick
To be reveng'd on his perfidious Subjects.
Think but what Oblations, I ought to offer
To appease the Ghost of this unfortunate fair-One,
And to expiate the Crime you've forc'd me
To commit. 'Tis only your speedy laying down your Arms,
And returning to your obedience can obtain
Pardon for your offence.
Such an action may appease the Furie
Of your incens'd Prince, and discharge you
From the infamy, which your black Rebellion
Has contracted on you;
Yet think not that this Action, nor this Language
Proceeds from fear, know I have pow'r
(If you persist still in your treacherie)
To force Obedience from you.
Omnes.
Ha! What noise is that?
A shout within.
Mahomet,
Surely, Justinianus and Honorius
Are now come.
Must.
'Tis not unlikely.
Enter a Souldier.
Sol.
Make haste to succour us, or we are lost:
To the Bassa's.
We are assaulted so furiously (by enemies
Whom we know not) that we are forc'd to give
Ground. They crie, Long live the Sultan Mahomet,
And assault us like so many Devils;
Nor can our number ought prevail against 'em.
Mahometes.
Well, go; we'll be with you strait:
Exit Sold.
This report agrees with the Sultan's last words.
Zog.
I cannot imagine from whence this aid
Should come, unless it comes from Heav'n.
Caly.
I fear, Heav'n will punish us for our
Treacherie, Let's implore the Sultans mercie,
And return to our Obedience.
The Sultan himself has kill'd Irena,
Who was the cause of our Rebellion;
And as the cause, so the Effects should cease.
Maho.
Their faces denotes that they're troubled,
To Must.
And I hope a happy change.
Must.
I do not doubt, but they'll return again
To their Obedience.
Caraz.
The sooner we submit, the easier
To his companions.
We shall obtain our pardon.
Zog.
Let's not then defer it—
Carazias,
do you speak for us: you us'd
To have some int'rest with the Sultan.
Caraz.
Well, since you will have it so, I will—
That we've offended you (Dread Soveraign)
To Mahomet.
Our Actions has but too clearly manifested,
And we acknowledg that we have deserv'd
The greatest punishments that the rage
Of our justly displeas'd Prince
Could inflict upon us.
Our crim's so horrid, that we almost despair
Of Pardon; And we've no other way
Left to obtain it, then by prostrating
[Page 81]Our selves at your Royal feet, and imploring
They kneel.
Of your mercy. Think how much more noble 'tis
For a Prince to save, then to destroy his Subjects.
Such an Act of Clemency will oblige us
For the future, never to be disloyal.
That our Repentance is not feign'd, but real,
Lead us but forth against our Enemies,
And our Actions shall confirm it:
And we will endeavour by their blood
To wash off the stain that's now upon us—
Mahomet.
Rise, for this once I pardon you:
They rise.
But if e're you prove again disloyal,
Ne're hope for pardon.
You would have Wars, And I'le lead you forth
In dangers, where the stoutest of you
Shall be affraid to follow me.
Caraz.
Great Prince, Lead us but forth,
And never doubt our courage, for we
Will either die, or conquer.
The Pardon you've granted us, has so oblig'd us,
That we confess, Great Mahomet
Is as Gen'rous, as he's Just.
Enter Justinianus, Honorius, and Souldiers, with their Swords drawn.
Just.
Who dares dispute it?
To the Bassa's.
Zog.
Not we, we do confess it.
Just.
An if you did not,
I'd force you to confess it.
Caly.
Sure these are those
The Souldier spoke of.
Aside.
Just.
Great Sultan! wherein
To the Sultan.
Can we now serve you?
Maho.
Brave Men, you've kept your word,
From above to Just. and Hon.
And I'm beholding to you both for my life,
And Empire, you need not now imploy your Valour
To reduce these Bassa's to Obedience.
[Page 82]They have promis'd me to return, and never more
To be disloyal; And on that promise
I've pardon'd 'em their past Transgression:
Stay but a little, and I'le come to you.
Exeunt Sult. Must. carrying out the body of the Slave.
Just.
Ha! What Ladie's that Mustapha carries out?
'Tis like Irena.
Hon.
'Tis like her; But 'tis not she,
But who's e're she's, she's either dead or wounded:
But here's the Sultan, he'l inform us.
Enter Mahomet.
Just.
What Lady's that Great Sir,
The Bassa Mustapha carried away but now,
And that seems either dead, or wounded?
Mahomet.
Let me but send these away,
Aside to Just. and Hon. To the Bassa's.
And I'le inform you.
Go, and since you stir'd up the Souldiers to
Rebellion, reduce 'em again to obedience,
And settle all disorders.
Caraz.
Our Diligence
Shall manifest our Obedience.
Exeunt Bassa's.
Maho.
Now I'le tell you who that woman was:
You were no sooner gon, but word was brought me
That the Bassa's had forc'd the Guards to yield
And hunted up and down the Palace for Irena,
Vowing, that if they found her, they would kill her.
Imagine how this perplext me; I knew
You could not return so soon, and I knew
Not how to keep the promise I had made you,
Nor long to conceal Irena from their furie.
At last I be thought me of this strategem.
Yesterday as I was looking out of a window
Of the Palace, I espide a most beauteous slave,
(And who methought resembled much Irena)
For a notorious crime she had committed
[Page 83]Drag'd along to Execution.
The resemblance which (in my fancie) she
Had with Irena, mov'd me to suspend
The Execution, and command her back to prison.
And as Irena's danger then was great,
"The danger adding quickness to conceit,
I call'd to mind this slave.
And gave Mustapha command to disguise
Himself, and go and take the Key's of the
Prison from the Jaylor, and take from thence
The fair Slave, attire her like Irena,
And bring her to me. Thinking (as afterwards
It happen'd) that the Bassa's, who had seldome
(Or scarce ever) seen Irena, might be easily
Deceiv'd, and mistake the counterfeit, for
The true one; Hoping by this Slave's death,
(As you see 'tis happend) to appease their
Rebellion, And at once to save my Empire,
And Irena's Life.
Just.
But Irena, and Perinthia,
Where are they?
Maho.
I was forc'd (to save 'em from the Souldiers
Furie) to conceal 'em in a Vault, in
The Garden. But I have sent Mustapha
To fetch em hither, and he'll strait be here.
Just.
Come, Lets go meet em.
Hon.
See, They're here.
Act. V. Scen. III.
Enter to 'em Mustapha, Irena, and Perinthia.
Maho.
Go to the Bassa's Mustapha, and see
To Must.
If that their words do with effects agree.
See if their Arms they have, as yet laid down,
And if they've from disorders freed the Town.
Exit. Must. To Irena.
Just.
Madam, you're safe I see, and now I must
Confess, that Fortune is both kind, and just.
Ire.
I'm safe 'tis true, But I'm perplext to know,
That 'tis an others ruine makes me so.
Mustapha has related to me
The Slave's sad story —
I pitie her sad Fate, that she should be
So miserable, to have dy'd for me.
Would it had lay'n in my pow'r
To have sav'd her life —
Just.
To recall what is past, is now too late:
I envie, not compassionate, her Fate.
Maho.
I had no other way left to prevent
The Bassa's furie, or their dire intent.
She dy'd, the Empire, and your life to save;
She had a Fate too glorious for a Slave.
Hon.
Her death was requisite to save th' Empire —
As things then stood, it was the only way
The Sultan had, their furie to allay.
Ire.
Wer't not for that, it wou'd yet grieve me more,
If she had only dy'd upon my score.
Maho.
Though Madam, now all seems to be appeas'd
And that I hope their furie now is ceas'd.
And though I'le shortly settle things so well,
That for the future they shall ne're rebell:
Yet for the present, as things stand, I must
Not give 'em the least cause for to mistrust
The cheat I've put upon 'em, that would be
[Page 85]Abrave pretext to be reveng'd on me.
To prevent this, Madam I must desire
That you'd be pleas'd for some-time to retire
From Court, whil'st I so settle all things here
That without danger you may then appear:
And though your absence will afflict my breast,
Yet I am forc'd to make you this request.
Ire.
It is (Great Prince) as requisite, as due,
And 'tis the same I would have made to you.
I'le strait absent my self, without delay,
To prevent what might happen by my stay.
To your request, you see that I incline,
Be now as generous, and grant me mine.
And give me leave to go with Justinianus.
Maho.
Whither is it Madam you intend to go?
Ire.
To Italy Great Sir, tis his intent
To carry me, if you please to consent.
Just.
We'll there conceal our names, that we may be
Both from suspition, and discov'ry free.
Ire.
The Bassa's think me kill'd, and ne're shall know
To their delusion I my safety owe.
Maho.
Madam, although't be hard, and that my heart
With you, so soon, can scarce consent to part.
Yet your request I grant, for though 't be still
Against my self, I must obey your will.
Your absence too may be a means to cure
Me of those torments, which I still indure.
For though by gratitude my Lov's supprest,
Yet there remains some sparks within my breast.
Love is a flame, when kindl'd by your Eyes,
That is more lasting, nor so soon it dyes;
Now I'm resolv'd to court the wars again,
And by diversion strive to cure my pain.
Per.
Since to Irena you have bin so free,
Be pleas'd Great Prince to grant the like to me;
And give me liberty to go with my Honorius.
Maho.
I'm to him so oblig'd, Madam, I grant
What you request; But 'tis too small, I want
[Page 86]Something that's sitter for his valiant deeds.
Hon.
'Tis a reward my Service far exceeds.
Maho.
But fair Perinthia, is't not true, confess,
That brave Honorius does your Heart possess.
Per.
His vertues (Generous Sultan) are so known,
I need not blush that Passion for to own:
Nor do I think it merits an excuse,
Since 'tis his Vertues does my Love produce.
Maho.
Then Madam, give me leave for to bestow,
What both of us to his great Merits ow:
And let me have the Honour to unite,
What to devide, Fate long has took delight.
Receive Brave-Man what's to your merits due,
To Hon.
'Tis a reward by Heav'n design'd for you.
Receive from me her hand, and for her heart,
Presents her hand to him.
You hear, already you enjoy that part.
Hon.
Majestick Sultan, you've bestow'd that on me,
Which obliges me for ever to you.
Honour and Vertue equally do rest,
And find a Lodging in your gen'rous breast.
Enter Mustapha.
Must.
There's none (Great Sultan) dares your pow'r withstand,
The Souldiers now obey what you command.
The Bassa's keep their promise, and allow
Those very actions, they condemn'd but now:
The Town is quiet, no disorder more,
And things are now just as they were before.
Maho.
I'm glad to hear, all is appeas'd so well,
But since 'twas Ease, that made 'em thus rebell,
Peloponesus I will strait invade,
And thence I'le lead 'em to besiege Belgrade.
But Mustapha, 'tis fitting you should be
Rewarded, for your so great Loyaltie:
The Visier's place is vacant, And 'tis due
That place should be supply'd by none but you:
Your merits do deserve it, And I here,
[Page 87]Of all my Empire, make you Grand-Visier.
Must.
What I have done, Duty oblig'd me to,
Th'reward's too great for me, But worthy you.
Maho.
Now Justinianus, Let me yet once more
Bestow that on you, which I did before.
It is a gift can't be too often giv'n:
Can we receive blessings too oft from Heav'n?
Here once more receive the fair Irena
Presents Irena to him.
From me.
Just.
And once more (upon my knees) I thank you,
And must confess (Great Prince) as is most due,
That all my happiness I ow to You.
Ire.
Irena too (Brave Sultan) must confess,
That 'tis to you, she owes her happiness.
In my esteem you alwayes had a part,
Now next your Rivall, you possess my heart.
Maho.
Since I enjoy that happiness, I will
(Though not your Lover) be your Servant still:
And he that rules the world, shall yield to you
What's to your Vertue, and your Beautie due.
Per.
May you still prosp'rous and successfull be,
To Maho.
Because you've bin so gen'rous to me:
Hon.
Your Vertues are so great, That busie Fame
Shall now relate no wonders, but your name.
Maho.
I lose my Mistris, but Fate makes amends,
For what I lose in Love, I gain in friends.
Fate has bin cruell, but at last we may,
After a stormie, hope a glorious day.
Exeunt omnes.
The Epilogue.
THE Play now being ended, I am come,
Sent by the Author, for to know his doome:
Ladies 'tis to your Censure He'll submit,
And swears none else shall judge what he has writ.
He vow's that Priviledge is only due
To your fair Sex; He writ it to please you.
Yet he'd not have you think, 'tis his intent
To gain your Favours by a Complement.
He swears he's guilty, and convicted stands,
Till that his Pardon's sign'd by your fair hands.
You are his Judges, and if he be crost
Once by your Votes, his hope for ever's lost.
And though he hopes that you will think it fit
To pardon him, since that he does submit;
Yet he still doubts, if he shall Pardon find,
Till that he hears it by your Hands is sign'd.
FINIS.