in the cause of virtue,-seeking to make me great, you have made me base.

Zem. Do you defend the Aga?

Ko. I would protect him!-Zembuca, hear me-When I became your prisoner, and your servant, I had fallen in battle beneath the arm of your much-injur'd friend, the Aga Selim. I was wounded, and without hope; but compassion rose in the bosom of my conqueror, and scorning to strike his fallen enemy, he preserved me. At his own peril he bore me from from the field in safety, and to yourself resigned me, to be your slave. "Tis true, you lighten'd the chains of servitude, for you found my ministry useful, and I became your confidant-remember-your confidant!-In your presence and in mine, the late Vizier Ali expired-to his last moments we both were privy, and you now possess the Throne of Persia. I have been faithful, for you had made me your friend, and I felt gratitude. I was your slave too, and therefore bound to secrecy ; but slaves have feeling, which, when tyranny grows wanton with them, can speak in voice of awful admonition to the oppressor. Your commands in sorrowing duty I perform, but never never shall the heart of Korac forget its gratitude to Selim, for the life he saved,

Zem. Indeed! I'll rid you of the burthen then -This paper waits your signature-when 'tis done, give it to my hand again.

Ko. I shall obey-Fortunate chance!-Could I but send my own in place of this-I must attempt it, or the noble Selim's lost.

Enter ABDALLAH.

[Exit.

Ab. The superintendant of the slaves, and 'purse-bearer to the lower household, waits without, to salute your Highness on his appointment.

Zem. The man who served the late Vizier as jester?

Ab. The same; but 'tis my duty to forewarn your Highness, that, tho' unfit to fill his former station, he retains a freedom and a levity of speech, that ill becomes a royal presence.

Zem. No matter, admit him. [Exit ABDAL. Fools that talk most, deceive the least. I may have employment for him..

Enter BUFFARDO, attended.

Zem. A dull visage for a jester-Are you a man of merriment?

Buf. No, truly, not I; your Highness has made me a purse-bearer, and that's a serious business. I was merry only I was merry only while I had no

money,

.

Zem. What is your name?

Buf. Buffardo.

Zem. And what weighty consideration induced you to change your mode of life?

Buf. 'Twas the want of a weighty consideration;-my pockets were empty, so was my stomach-Your Highness has fill'd them both-I thank you.

Zem. Can you be honest?

Buf, Certainly;-you have made it worth my while.

Zem. What can you do?

Buf. Every thing you bid me.

Zem. That shall be proved ;-but are you qua lified?

Buf. For a place at court? quite. I can take. good care of myself, make a long speech about nothing, nod my head as if there was something in it, and attend dinners at the shortest notice.

Zem. Why did you not apply to be my jester ?

Buf. I knew better-There is no want of fools

at court.

Zem. Will you be always in readiness?

Buf. When there is any thing to be given

away.

Zem. I give but little to such as thou art.

Buf. If you give only to the wise, your Mar jesty gives little indeed."

Zem. All about my person are wise.

Buf. Then you must be very thinly attended. Zem. Well, I admit you on trial.

Buf. Oh, bless you!

Zem. Take him hence, and attire him as be comes his station-Go, fellow, and learn to imitate your superiors.

Buf. Let me once slip into the robes of office, 1 soon imitate them-I'll get a deputy to do my work, but take special care to receive the salary myself. Lead on, slaves.

[Exit BUFFARDO, ABDALLAH, &c. (ZEMBUCA speaks with ABDALLAH as KORAC enters at the side, with papers).

Ko. Now, Allah, prosper my design-they are superscribed alike; but, should he readZem. So, are my orders executed?-that dispatch

Ko Is here, Sir-shall I deliver it?

(Crosses ZEMBUCA, and prepares to change the papers).

Zem. Hold! let me see it.

(KORAC delivers it, and in his agitation, drops the false paper).

Right! it contains the doom of Selim. Let it be forwarded without delay. (Retiring).' Ko. All's safe!.

(Putting the real paper in his bosom).

Ab. (Advancing to the paper). Mighty Sultan! Ko. (Perceiving it). Ah!

Zem. What now?

(Stamps his foot upon it).

Ab. Here is a paper, Sir.

Ko. That-that I carelessly let fall. (Picks it up, and shews it to ZEMBUCA)-Your dispatch. Zem. "To Selim." (Reading).

Ko." Late Aga of the Janissaries"-With my official signature.

Zem. "Tis well.

[Exit ZEM. Ko. (To ABDALLAH). Away instantly-forward that paper-'tis by the Sultan's order-begone. [Exit Attendant. My project has succeeded-I have preserved my friend.-Prophet of the Just! thy spirit still di

rect me!

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Interior of Mirza's Cottage-A large Window in the back-A Door near the centre, and a Closet on the other side: the whole Apartment picturesque, being occupied by the various Implements of Net-making, &c.-River and Fortress seen through the Window.

[Music].

Enter EBRA, with Mesh and Netting-needle, as at work.

Ebra. (Throwing down her work). Just midday, and Mirza not come home! Why does he stay? Whenever he carries his nets to the paJace, I am never easy till he returns. He hates Zembuca so cordially, and speaks his mind so freely, that I fear the indiscretion of his tongue

may betray the secret workings of his heart. Would he were returned.

[Music.]

Mirz. (As he enters). Wife! Ebra!
Ebra. Ah, my dear Mirza, why did

so long?

why did you stay

Mir. To hear the news-there's the old work going on at the palace.

Ebra. Indeed! you tremble.

Mir. Do I? 'tis with rage then. The Aga Selim is banished, and Almazaide, whom he was to marry when he returned from the wars, penn'd up in the Harem. This Zembuca is the people's Scourge, not their blessing; even Korac, his chief friend and favourite, turns upon him at last.

Ebra. Mirza, remember, you are only a poor Net-maker:-This is no business of yours.

Mirz. No business of mine! 't is every honest man's business, however humble his station, to set his face against tyranny and oppression. But come, let's to dinner, for I am vex'd and weary. Ebra. It is all prepar'd.

(A knock at the Door).

Mirz. Who can that be?

Ebra. Tis at our door.

Mirz. Who knocks?

Voice. Enquire not, but open, I entreat you. Be speedy, or I am lost!

Ebra. 'Tis the cry of distress.

Mirz. The cry of distress!-open the door. [Music]

(EBRA opens the door, and SELIM enters-A Dervise's cloak, in which he is wrapp'd, falls back, and discovers his person. He

C.