Buf. That's right-it isn't every day that such good things fall, as it were, into a person's mouth. (Eating).

Ebra. But the voice-that alone will betray.

1

(Aside). Buf. And, if you can but contrive to hold your tongue so long, and muffle yourself up in a cloak, nobody will see, or hear you so you needn't be afraid of your character. I assure you, Zembuca has a great regard for you in that respect.

Ebra. Why, to be sure, it is a great temptation; but I'm afraid when I get there, you'll only make a fool of me.

Buf. No, no, I'll take care of that; one of my trade's quite enough.

Ebra. Then, if I were to go

Buf The Sultan would give you as warm an embrace, as I do this jug of liquor. (Drinking). Ebra. Well, then, I'll put on the cloak of an old Dervise that sometimes lodges here.

Buf. That's a good thought of yours. Do, put it on, and I'll drink" Success to the sham Dervise, and may his cloak answer every inten tion of the wearer." (Drinks). A

Ebra. Thank you, Buffardo, thank you heartily.

Buf. But make haste, or by the time you are disguis'd as a Dervise, I shall be disguis'd in liquor.

Ebra. Don't look at me while I put on my dress.

Buf. O, no-decency, decency, my dear! 9 Ebra. When I say-" Ready!" you may look, but I shall not speak another word after(Pause) -Ready!

Buf. So am I. (Rising). Come, that's the most

substantial joke I've had to-day. (He sees SELIM in disguise, EBRA having entered the Closet). By the beard of Mahomet, you look a strapper, in that dress but its no wonder, I'm grown very high myself since I got into the road to prefer ment-so, come along, my love-come along, my charmer. [Exeunt.

Ko. Once more, for the last time, I'll probe Zembuca's heart! If any spark of honour yet remain, I'll rouse it to a flame; but, should I find him lost indeed to every sense of feeling and of shame, I may behold his fall without a pang.

Enter BUFFARDO, conducting SELIM.

Buf. This way, this way;-now, if his high mightiness the Sultan doesn't say I've done the thing neatly, I say he's no judge of an Ambassador that's all.

τις

Ko. Buffardo! who hast thou conducted to this forbidden spot? Know you not the punish

ment?

Buf. Hold your tongue; its only a tit-bit for

the Sultan,

Selim. Korac here! Could I discover myself!

Buf. (To SELIM) That's right-imitate the right-imide). gruff voice of a man, and you'll not be discover'd. This is a worthy Dervise, come to advise with the Sultan

(While BUFFARDO turns to KORAC, SELIM opens the Cloak, and discloses himself—A Scarf drops from the folds).

Ko. Ah! is it so?

Buf. Yes, it is so indeed

you may well be surprised at seeing such a person here.

Bless

your soul, its only the little blue-eyed Ebra! Zembuca has taken a fancy to her, and made me plenipotentiary on the occasion.

Ko. I comprehend-your companion would attend on Almazaide. (SELIM bows).

Buf. Ah! that's a very good excuse.

Ko. Come, I'll lead the stranger iu; Zembuca is in his closet, where no one but myself is privileged to enter.

Buf. Ah! now I've done the work, you want to touch the reward-hey?

Ko. Do not believe it. I promise, that whatever recompense Zembuca may think you merit, shall be yours alone.

Buf. Well, go along with him, Ebra, and don't tremble so-bless you, the danger's over now. (SELIM crosses to KORAC.)-Korac will soon shew you the person you came to see-won't you, Korac?

Ko. That I will, be confident.

[Exeunt KORAC, with SELIM. Buf. Come, I think the Sultan will shower his rewards upon me pretty thick for that job! What have we here? A scarf. (Picking up the Scarf which SELIM dropt).-A General's scarf! Here's more luck-then Selim was in the cottage, and this has stuck in the folds of Ebra's cloak. I'll be after him directly-if I should find him-ten thousand sequins! and no fces to pay-Oh Lord! 'twill make a man of me-ten thousand sequins!

[Music.]

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

A splendid Apartment in the Seraglio-Steps ascend to an Archway in the centre, through which appear a Balcony and Veranda-DarkThe front is brilliantly illuminated-Lively Music heard, and Almazaidė, splendidly dressed, advances from the Veranda. As she closes the Curtains with which the Archway is hung, the Music ceases.

Alm. To escape is hopeless! the veranda leads into the gardens of the Harem, surrounded by walls and lined with sentinels-here then I must await my destiny-yet think not, Zembuca, these glittering toys, these false and fleeting pleasures. can ever win me to thy arms! Oh, Selim! Selim fly to the rescue of the wretched Almazaide-leave me not to wear the garb of vice, while virtue swells my heart.

Enter KORAC, from Veranda.

Ko. Alone! 'tis fortunate!

Alm. Who art thou?

Ko. The friend of Almazaide.

Alm. Alınazaide has no friend, but Allah and her Selim.

Ko. Yes, one more-Korac. Nay, doubt me not-Selim is at hand, in safety, and unknown. Alm. Selim! Selim, said you? Noble-minded man! what hast thou risk'd to save me?

Ko. That which thy noble Selim gave-my life! For his sake, for your own, be careful; one incautious word would now destroy us-be patient-be confident-and when the time best serves-Korac the slave, shall make this tyrant tremble!

Alm. Oh, fear me not; but where, where is my lord, my life?

Ko. He waits at the veranda; I have removed the guard, and will conduct him to you.

[Bugle heard without.]

(Going.)

Alm. Undone ! undone! it is the Sultan. Ko. Hush! 'tis too late; I cannot now apprise him of his danger.

[Bugle again, and Music without.]

-Be calm, and leave the rest to me.
[Music louder.]

Dancers advance, and Attendants-Lastly,
ZEMBUCA.

Zem. By Mahomet, she blooms as fair as when my eager love first sued to win her smiles! Beauteous Almazaide, let all remembrance of the past be buried in oblivion, and live henceforth for joy, and for thy Prince!

Alm. Who can absolve the pledge of faith,who can absolve the plighted vows to Allah, and my affianced husband?

Zem. Still this obdurate folly!

Alm. Oh, Prince! restore him, and I bless thee! (Kneeling).

Zem. You know the terms-accept them. Alm. Never! My heart is Selim's, but my honor is mine own! still shall you find me firm in my faith to him-invulnerable to thee.

Zem. Presumptuous girl! yet, even in her anger lovely!-Come, haughty fair-one, mar not the present hour with frowns, but weigh the difference between a vassal's grovelling love, and Zembuca's favour.

(ZEMBUCA advances to ALMAZAIDE-she catches the eye of KORAC, and takes the