Enter ZEMBUCA, KORAC, and Guard, with AL Zem. Convey her to the tower that flanks the northern entrance, over the dry moat. Ko. Not there! not there! "Tis dangerous, should the foe strike there. Zem. I care not; from that tower she shall behold the downfall of the rebel Selim.‹ Alm. Een lead me where you please; Selim, my beloved Selim! has escaped thy tyrant grasp, and I shall now possess, even in death, a joy beyond thy power to deprive me of.. Zem. You know your orders-obey them. (ALMAZAIDE is led off-ZEMBUCA perceives - BUFFARDO hiding himself behind the p29ot Troops): -Buffardo! Villain! (BUFFARDO shrinks from him, terrified) Should you have aided Selim in his flight, you pay the forfeit with your life. Buf. Impossible! my life is bespoke already, by the Captain of the Janissaries-Oh, yes, I'm provided for. Zem. When you are return'd, we shall enquire further-Now, follow me, to punish treason, and subdue rebellion! Exit with Troops. Buf. When I'm return'd, hey? If ever I'm returned, it shan't be in the list of killed and wounded I'll be one of the missing my accommodating conscience is terribly bother'd; but if I can save my life, and retain my place, its all the same to me which party gets into power. SCENE THE LAST. The exterior of the Fortress-the body of the building, with Ramparts and Towers extending in perspective up the Stage-A Moat, dry, occupies the centre-a Drawbridge raised over it-steps on the right ascend to a Water-sluice, shut. In the distance, various buildings appertaining to the Pa lace and Fortress, beyond which are Mountains, with a Minaret on one of their summits. The appearance, early dawn; the whole exhibiting a striking effect of repose and grandeur. ALMAZAIDE is seen in a grated window of the Tower that flanks the Bridge. Music, low and mournful, accompanies the opening. KORAC appears at the Portal, and looks around the various parts as in search-notices ALMAZAIDEMusic ceases. Ko. Yes, in that Tower she is immur'd, the very Tower I warn'd them to attack; 'tis true, I may release her, but to pass the moat without our friends to aid us!-it must not be attemptedmy heart misgives me, if Ebra should have lost that packet to the Shiek Mohammed, Whe (EBRA appears at the Bridge Platformo 22970 Round, round to the portal! 194098 & (KORAC crosses the Stage, as EBRA goes from Platform the Drawbridge slowly descends, and MIRZA cautiously passes, securing it ou the oppo site side with bolts, and disengaging the chains. Konac opening the Gates admits EBRA);} Ko. On one word all depends. Ebral Tis donet-Lisagia oli ha da A 1A Ko. Do they advance?ows 983 no med 1 Ehra. Rapidly. Ko. Can we be assur'd of their approach? Ebra. Yes,-Mirza! (MIRZA appears at the Gate to them). Ko. Hush! not so loud-How did you pass the Sentinels ? Mir. I encounter'd none-all is confusion within the Fortress-no man knows his stationI have secur'd the Bridge-no power of theirs within can raise it. Ko. Say, Ebra, has Selim join'd the Shiek Mohammed ? Ebra. He has. Ko. Zembuca's star grows pale! Ebra. The news contain'd in that packet, spread like wild-fire thro' the ranks, and all proclaim'd the Aga, Sultan! Ko. Indeed! then is my atonement made. Korac is no longer burthen'd with a load of guilt. Ebra. What mean you? Ko. That paper was the dying confession of the Vizier Ali, signed by his own hand, in the presence of Zembuca and myself. Mirz. What did it disclose ? Ko. A secret, that I too long have keptUrged by false pride, and a vile thirst of power, he, in their infancy, exchanged his own offspring for the heir of our last Monarch Selim is that heir, Zembuca, Ali's son. [Distant Drum And the Beacon appearsin flames on the Hill.] Ebra. Ah! the signal!They come I see them on the mountains. Ko. The time is apt! now prepare to receive the captive Almazaide. [Exit KORAC to the Portal, on the Fortress side. (MIRZA and EBRA retire behind steps that lead to the Sluice A Soldier on the Bridge sounds a horn, which is answer'd within -ZEMBUCA on the Ramparts-From the time EBBA exclaims, "They come !" Music indicating March, strikes very piano, increas ing forte; but as the dialogue allows, according to the approach of the troops) Zem. Up with the Drawbridge. Sent. We cannot raise it-the works are da maged. Zem. Cut it away instantly. (The Bridge is cut away, and falls into the Moat). [Music, louder.] Zem. Now let all retire, and lie conceal'd within the walls-these slaves shall still believe us unprepar'd, and rush upon destruction." [Exit. Ebra. The bridge destroy'd! Mirz. Then is their retreat cut off. (KORAC, with ALMAZAIDE, enters from the Portal, and stop in despair at the edge of the Moat). Ko. The bridge cut down! What is to be done? Ah I see a plank amid the fragmentsFear not, Almazaide: I will release you from this tyrant's grasp, or perish in the attempt. (KORAC, holding by the chains that had supported the Bridge, swings himself over the Moat He takes a plank from the fragments of the Bridge, which being insufficient to reach across, he props it with his shoulder, while ALMAZAIDE advances, and leaps the remaining space into the arms of SELIM, who appears on the Platform. During this, ZEMBUCA's following speech is heard-The moment ALMAZAIDE is across, KORAC drops the plank, and those in pursuit appear-KORAC seen climbing to the Platform-SELIM retires with ALMAZAIDE). Zem. Korac's voice! Almazaide too! Guards! follow (Enters in front of the Stage). On your lives secure them. Curse on them, they escape! how Off. The enemy are close upon us, the outposts are driven in, and they have enter'd the eastern gate. Zem. March them to the moat beneath; there let our soldiers lie in ambush. Traitor! Ko. (Having gained the Platform) Traitor I am none; thou art the traitor; thou hast filled the seat of mercy with cruelty and oppression rebell'd against our Prophet's laws, and against thy law ful Sovereign-Selim! (Soldiers appear in the Moat-MIRZA and EBRA advance from behind the steps). DATA Ebra. Do you observe? Zembuca's men have occupied the moat,-if we are overpower'd,Mirz The moat then we may still assist our friends, bin i da se b Ebra. Ah! The sluice! the sluice! com 729 Mirz. Now, you rascals! I'll cool your cou-f rage! (Rushing up steps). Help, Ebra, help! Η |