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proffer'd hand of the Sultan, who leads her to an Ottoman, which has been placed by the Attendants at the side).

Ko. That's well. Now could I but reach the veranda, and prevent his entrance. Zem. Korac, stand near us.

(KORAC looks anxiously towards the Archway, bows, and crosses to ZEMBUCA). -Commence your revelry.

[A Ballet is here performed.]

Zem. 'Tis well!—give me the cup.
(The Attendants step forward with Wine-
The Dancers are so dispersed, as to face
the Sultan, and to leave the Archway ex-
posed. At the instant ZEMBUCA turns
and offers the Cup to ALMAZAIDE, she
utters a cry of terror, and falls back.
KORAC springs up the Steps, and forces
back SELIM, who has suddenly appeared,
and throwing open the remaining part of
the Drapery, turns to answer the surprise
of ZEMBUCA).

Zem. Why this alarm?

Ko. The heat of the apartment, nothing more-a deadly paleness overspread her features, and I hasten'd to remove the cause.

Zem. She faints! look to her.

Ko. Those curtains now withdrawn, all will be well.

Alm. Surely I beheld the features of

Ko. Of Zembuca-behold, he is still here! Alm. I am unused to midnight revelry-so please you, I would be alone.

Zem. Speak, and you command. I leave you 5 to repose let all retire. (All retire).

E

But avoid reflections on the past; wear now Zembuca ever in thy heart.

[Exit.

Alm. I could not have been deceiv'd.
[Music-KORAC advances to the Archway.}

Sel. Almazaide!

SELIM enters.

Alm. It is it is my Selim!

(They fly to each other's embrace.-Music increases to violence, and ZEMBUCA heard). Zem. (Without). Let none pass in, or out the fortress!

Ko. Zembuca's voice!

Alm. Fly, Selim, fly to the veranda!

Ko. 'Tis in vain, the garden is beset by troops.

Zem. (Without). Let every post be doubly guarded-this is the Scarf of Selim!

Ab. (Without). We found it in the apartment of Buffardo.

Zem. (Entering). Indeed, treacherous villain ! then 'twas he admitted--A stranger! seize on the traitor.

[Musick.]

(They secure him-his Cloak falls off). ---Selim!

Sel. Ay, deceitful tyrant! Selim, thy injured friend! Come, lead me to my fate!-Thy tyranny may triumph for a while, but the day of retribution will ere long arrive, and hurl destruction on thy guilty head.

Zem. Drag him to his death.

Ko. (Aside to ALMAZAIDE). 'Tis our last hope!

(Draws his scymitar).-The chains of death are. on him.

Zem. Korac, I will not trust, thee,-thou art treacherous!

Ko. Not so-I too have been deceiv'd.

Zem. Away! to prison !

Ko. To prison!

Alm. Spare, oh spare my Selim, and let Almazaide die!

[Music.]

(ALMAZAIDE struggles to accompany SELIM, who runs to the veranda-armed men rush forward, and prevent his escapeALMAZAIDE faints in the arms of ZEMBUCA, and KORAC raises his scymitar over the head of SELIM-Curtam falls).

END OF ACT I.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

The Net-Maker's Cottage.

EBRA discovered at a Table-A Lamp burningEffect of Moon-light through the Window. [Music expressive.]

(EBRA listens-Music ceases).

Ebra. I am again deceiv'd! each step I hear, exhausted patience makes me believe my husband's What can have happen'd? I dread, I fear the worst; but this suspense is terrible Oh, my poor Mirza! the Aga too :-no tidings: yet of him perhaps they are alike involved, and-(KORAC appears at the Window).

Ko. 'St! 'st!

Ebra. Again! I could not be mistaken!
Ko. Fear not 'tis Korac (Looking in).
Ebra. Welcome, welcome!

KORAC enters.

Yet Mirza, but I dare not inquire

Ko. Are you alone?

Ebra. Quite.

Ko. Then all is safe-Advance !—

MIRZA enters.

Mirz. Ebra! my dear Ebra!

Ebra. Oh, joy! joy! (running to him). But how! tell me, where is the Aga?

Mirz. In the tyrant's fangs.

Ebra. But you

Mirz. Have been rescued by Korac.

Ko. Quick, close the window-(EBRA closes it)-We have no time to waste in explanationSelim must be released 'tis a desperate enterprise; but with my aid, Mirza must attempt it. Mirz. Willingly.

Ebra. (Advancing). No, no! I have endured too much already-While we may in safety, let us quit this place for ever.

Mirz. And leave our friends to perish!

Ebra. Oh! Korac if it was in your power to release my husband, why not, at the same moment, have given Selim liberty?

Ko. Mirza was in my custody, and his escape will not be known till day-break; but Zembuca (though still secure in my fidelity) knows me for the friend of Selim, and with jealous eye watches me at every turn. The Aga's prison lies in that part of the fortress which overhangs the river; and, to reach it undiscover'd, was impossible. Mirz. How then do you propose?

Ko. Pass in a boat across-land on the opposite shore, and I will meet you on the walls. Mirz. It shall be done.

Ebra. But, how to scale them?

Mirz. Easily, leave that to me, with your as-. sistance I have enough netting in the loft above, to ascend a minaret.

Ko. 'Tis well; but that I be sure of your may approach, let your boy chaunt the Boatman's Evening Song-meanwhile, and 'tis a serious charge, you, Ebra, must convey this packet to the Shiek Mohammed. (Giving packet).

+ Ebra. He that now commands the Janissaries? Ko. The same; he lies encamped eastward of

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