the city. The contents of that will urge the soldiers with resistless motives to espouse the cause of Selim, and ere the sun appears, Zembuca falls, unpitied and despised, and we are slaves to tyranny no longer. Ebra. Indeed! that hope inspires my heart with more than woman's courage. (KORAC, having open'd the Door, returns). Ko. Stay, one thing I had forgot-the tower that flanks the northern entrance, is the weakest part of the fortress-bid him strike there. Ebra. I will be sure on't. (BUFFARDO takes advantage of KORAC's opening the Door, enters, and conceals himself behind the Curtain). Ko. Farewell! success be with you. Ebra. Oh, doubt it not! Success must be with those who fight for freedom. [Exit KORAC. (BUFFARDO being exposed, runs behind the Curtain). Mirz. Now follow, and help me to prepare ; the tide ebbs fast, and we have no time to lose. Ebra. I am ready; come. ལ ། (During her dialogue with KORAC, Ebra secures the Packet, and Exit, following MIRZA-BUFFARDO then sneaks forward). Buf. Oh yes, 'tis Selim, sure enough any fool can see that, though he has drest himself up in Ebra's clothes. The dog looks well enough in petticoats, and if their voices were not so different, I might have been deceiv'd. But how came Mirza here? Oh! I suppose the Sultan prefers the company of his wife-Here he is again. (Retreats). IT. Enter MIRZA with a Bag-EBRA dragging a heap of Netting, to which is attached loops. Mirz. Now, Ebra, place it in the bag. Buf. Ebra! Why it is Ebra! then, who the devil have I taken to the palace? (Aside). Ebra. I must be careful not to entangle it. Mirz. But how did you contrive to get Selim into the Seraglio? Ebra. Oh-ha! ha! I sent him, muffled up in the Dervise dress, with that fool Buffardo. (BUFFARDO expresses amazement). Mirz. Indeed! then the scarf by which he was discover'd, must have dropt by accident; it was found in Buffardo's apartment, whom they search'd for in vain. His punishment, at best, would have been a sound whipping, and the loss of his ears; but, having left the palace, 'tis a chance now if he escapes the bowstring. (BUFFARDO expresses great horror). Ebra. Poor fellow! Then I suppose, by this time, he is too anxious about his neck, to think much of his ears. Mirz. Zembuca swears vengeance on him, and the only chance to escape, is to return, and prove his innocence-Ah! (MIRZA goes to the Closet, and takes a Poniard from it-As he closes the door, he sees BUFFARDO's legs beneath the Curtain, and starts forward). Ebra. Mirza! (Amazed at the action). Mirz. Hush! we are observ'd, betray'd !—We must leave the house instantly. (A distant Drum heard). Ebra. A drum! (In terror, looking through the Lattice).-Ah! I see guards approaching. Buf. Guards!-Oh lord! Mirz. Guards! be silent; no doubt in search of that fool Buffardo-'tis, no affair of ours. I must hasten to the boat-Come, wife, 'tis a clear night, and you shall along with me. Be sure you lock the door,-fast bind, safe find, they say; so, stick to the old proverb. (During the latter speech, MIRZA places the Poniard in his Belt-throws the Bag over his shoulder, and is assisted eagerly by EBRA, who glances her eye round the room, in search of the object of their alarm-They go out, and lock the door). [The Drum heard at intervals.} Buf. After attempting to open the door, advances). Fast bind, fast find-blocks and bowstrings! they'll find me! Oh, Mahomet! if you ever took pity on a miserable Mussulman, now's your time they are coming this way-coming for my ears! perhaps, for my head! Oh, if I could but transfer my punishment with my place, how gladly would I deliver up the seals of office! [Loud knock-Music.] (BUFFARDO rushes up the Stairs-The latticework of the Window and Door are forced, with a crash-HASEM enters with Guards-By his direction, they separate in search-While he examines the Apartment, BUFFARDO drops across the Window). Has. (Seeing him rise and run). He escapes! (Guards enter). Follow, follow to the bridge (They rush after in pursuit). ! [Music, hurrying and expressive.] 03 SCENE II. The Shore beneath the Walls of the FortressA Platform, with a Watch-tower-The Water-gate of the Fortress in the middle distance, beyond which, other parts of the Building-A bright Moon-light-A Sentinel on Guard.-After Symphony, which commences as the Scene is disclosed, Pull away, pull away! the stream is deep; - Sent. Who's there? Ko. A friend. Sent. The word? Ko. Zembuca ! (Music The Relief enters-Guard is re- My voice shall keep time to the murmuring oar, Ko. Tis the signal! 'Tis Mirza ! Once past the Sentinel, he is safe. One stanza of the Boatman's Song omitted after the first representation. F [The Boat appears behind the Platform.] All is yet well-he lands-advances. (MIRZA appears-As the Sentinel makes a turn on the Parade, he observes him). Sent. How's this! a stranger beneath the walls! Stand! who are you? Mirz. A friend, Sent. What are you? Mirz. A fisherman. Sent. What have you there? Mirz. The produce of my labour. Mirz. Impossible. Sent. How! Mriz. The Officer of the Janissaries told me I might pass unmolested. Sent. Indeed! then you know the watch-word -Let me hear it. Mirz. The watch-word! S'death! I know it not-Korac forgot to apprize me. Sent. The word, I say! Ko. Zembuca, (From the Wall),(MIRZA looks around amazed). Sent. What said you? Mirz. Didn't you hear? Zem-Zembuca — (MIRZA observes KORAC, who leaves the WallA shot is heard without, repeated at a distance -Drum, at the sound of which, the Sentinel runs out.-MIRZA throws the Netting over the Battlement, and ascends the wall, the Net serving as a ladder-As he draws it after him, BUFFARDO rushes across the Stage, looking back in terror, as if pursued. As the Guards enter, MIRZA having drawn up the Net, disappears from the wall, and the Music which has accom |