Illumin'd by the taper's dazzling beam,
Rivals departed day.

[Exeunt BARBAROSSA and ALADIN. Selim. What anxious thought [breast? Rolls in thine eye, and heaves thy lab'ring Why join'st thou not the loud excess of joy, That riots through the palace?

Oth. Dar'st thou tell me,

On what dark errand thou art here?
Selim. I dare.

Dost thou not perceive the savage lines of blood
Deform my visage? Read'st not in mine eye
Remorseless fury? I am Selim's murd'rer.
Oth. Selim's murd❜rer!
Selim. Start not from me.

My dagger thirsts not but for regal blood-
Why this amazement?

Oth. Amazement! No-'tis well: 'tis as it
should be-

He was indeed a foe to Barbarossa.

Selim. And therefore to Algiers. Was it not so?

Why dost thou pause? What passion shakes thy frame?

Oth. Fate, do thy worst! I can no more dissemble;

Can I unmov'd behold the murd'ring ruffian, Smear'd with my prince's blood? Go, tell the tyrant,

Othman defies his power; that, tired with life, He dares his bloody hand, and pleads to die. Selim. What, didst thou love this Selim? Oth. All men lov'd him.

He was of such unmix'd and blameless quality,
That envy, at his praise, stood mute, nor dar'd
To sully his fair name! Remorseless tyrant!
Selim. I do commend thy faith. And since
thou lov'st him,

I'll whisper to thee, that with honest guile
I have deceiv'd this tyrant, Barbarossa:
Selim is yet alive.

Oth. Alive!

Selim. Nay, more

Selim is in Algiers.

Oth. Impossible!

Selim. Nay, if thou doubt'st, I'll bring him

hither, straight.

Oth. Not for an empire!

| And why that ardent gaze? Thou canst not doubt me!

Oth. Ah, no! I see thy sire in every line.How did my prince escape the murd'rer's hand? Selim. I wrench'd the dagger from him; and

gave back

That death he meant to bring. The ruffian wore The tyrant's signet.-Take this ring, he cried, The sole return my dying hand can make thee For its accurs'd attempt: this pledge restor'd, Will prove thee slain. Safe may'st thou see Algiers,

Unknown to all.-This said, th' assassin died. Oth. But how to gain admittance, thus unknown?

Selim. Disguis'd as Selim's murderer I come : Th' accomplice of the deed: the ring restor'd, Gain'd credence to my words.

Oth. Yet, ere thou cam'st, thy death was rumour'd here.

Selim. I spread the flatt'ring tale, and sent it hither;

That babbling rumour, like a lying dream, Might make belief more easy. Tell me, Oth

man,

And yet I tremble to approach the theme,-
How fares my mother? does she still retain
Her native greatness?

Oth. Still:-In vain the tyrant
Tempts her to marriage, though with impious
Of death or violation.
[threats

Selim. May kind Heaven

Strengthen her virtue, and by me reward it!
When shall I see her, Othman?
Oth. Yet, my prince,

I tremble for thy presence.
Selim. Let not fear

Sully thy virtue: 'tis the lot of guilt [fear?
To tremble. What hath innocence to do with
Oth. Still my heart
[walls!
Forebodes some dire event.-O quit these
Selim. Not till a deed be done, which every
Shall tremble when he hears.
Oth. What means my prince?
Selim. To take just vengeance for a father's

blood,

[tyrant

A mother's sufferings, and a people's groans. Oth. Alas, my prince! thy single arm is

Into the tiger's den.

Selim. But I'll bring him

Hid in such deep disguise, as shall deride
Suspicion, though she wear the lynx's eyes.
Not even thyself couldst know him.

Oth. Yes, sure: too sure, to hazard such an awful trial.

Selim. Yet seven revolving years, worn out In tedious exile, may have wrought such change Of voice and feature, in the state of youth, As might elude thine eye.

Oth. No time can blot

The mem'ry of his sweet majestic mien,
The lustre of his eye! besides, he wears
A mark indelible, a beauteous scar,
Made on his forehead by a furious pard,
Which, rushing on his mother, Selim slew.
Selim. A scar?

Oth. Ay, on his forehead.

Selim. What, like this! [Lifting his turban.
Oth. Whom do I see?-am I awake?-my
prince!
[Kneels.

My honour'd, honour'd king!
Selim. Rise faithful Othman :

Thus let me thank thy truth! [Embraces him.
Oth. O happy hour!

Selim. Why dost thou tremble thus? Why grasp my hand?

[weak [shines,

Selim. Therefore I come, Clad in this murd'rer's guise.-Ere morning This, Othman !-this-shall drink the tyrant's [Shows a dagger. Oth. Heaven shield thy life.-Let caution Thy zeal! [rule

blood.

Selim. Nay, think not that I come Blindly impell'd by fury or despair: For I have seen our friends, and parted now

From Sadi and Almanzor.

Oth. Say-what hope? My soul is all attentionSelim. Mark me, then ;

their chain

Oth. Brave prince, beware! Her joy's or fear's excess, would sure betray Thou shalt not see her, till the tyrant perish! Selim. I must.-I feel some secret impulse urge me. [view, Who knows that 'tis not the last parting interWe ever shall obtain?

Oth. Then, on thy life,

Do not reveal thyself.-Assume the name
Of Selim's friend; sent to confirm her virtue,
And warn her that he lives.

Selim. It shall be so: I yield me to thy will. Oth. Thou greatly daring youth! May angels watch,

And guard thy upright purpose! That Algiers
May reap the blessings of a virtuous reign,
And all thy godlike father shine in thee!
Selim. Oh, thou hast rous'd a thought, on
which revenge
[here,-
Mounts with redoubled fire !-Yes, here, even
Beneath this very roof, my honour'd father
Shed round his blessings, till accursed
treach'ry

Stole on his peaceful hour! O, blessed shade!
[Kneels.
If yet thou hover'st o'er thy once lov'd clime,
Now aid me to redress thy bleeding wrongs!
Infuse thy mighty spirit in my breast,
Thy firm and dauntless fortitude, uuaw'd
By peril, pain, or death! that, undismay'd,
I may pursue the just intent, and dare

Or bravely to revenge, or bravely die. [Exeunt.

And sighs, and lamentations, choke the voice, And quench the flame of love!

Irene. Yet, virtuous prince,

Though love be silent, gratitude may speak. Hear, then, her voice, which warns thee from these walls.

Mine be the grateful task, to tell the queen
Her Selim lives. Ruin and death enclose thee.
O, speed thee hence, while yet destruction
sleeps!

Selim. Would it were possible!
Irene. What can prevent it?
Selim. Justice! Fate, and justice!
A murder'd father's wrongs!
Irene. Justice, said'st thou?

That word hath struck me, like a peal of thun-
der!
[love,
Thine eye, which wont to melt with gentle
Now glares with terror! Thy approach by
night-
Imeanour,
Thy dark disguise, thy looks and fierce de-
Yes, all conspire to tell me, I am lost!
Ah! prince, take heed! I have a father too!
Think, Selim, what Irene must endure,
Should she be guilty of a father's blood.
Selim. Come on, then. Lead me to him.
Glut thine eye

With Selim's blood

Irene. Was e'er distress like mine! O, Selim, can I see my father perish! Quit, O quit these walls! [means, Heaven will ordain some gentler, happier To heal thy woes! Thy dark attempt is big With horror and destruction! Generous prince! Resign thy dreadful purpose, and depart! Selim. May not I see Zaphira, ere I go? Thy gentle pity will not, sure, deny us The mournful pleasure of a parting tear? Irene. Go, then, and give her peace. But fly these walls

[pair Drive me to madness; yet-to save a father! As soon as morning shines. Else, though desO, Selim! spare my tongue the horrid sentence!

Fly! ere destruction seize thee. [Exit IRENE. Selim. Death and ruin!

Must I then fly? what! coward-like, betray My father, mother, friends! Vain terrors, hence!

Danger looks big to fear's deluded eye:
But courage, on the heights and steeps of fate,
Dares snatch her glorious purpose from the
edge

Of peril; and, while sick'ning caution shrinks,
Or, self-betray'd, falls headlong down the
steep,
Calm resolution, unappall'd, can walk
The giddy brink, secure. Now to the queen.
How shall I dare to meet her, thus unknown!
How stifle the warm transports of my heart,
That pants at her approach!
Who waits Zaphira?

Zaphira,

And pour'd the balm of peace into her breast: Think not these tears unnerve me, valiant friends;

They have but harmoniz'd my soul; and wak'd
All that is man within me, to disdain
Peril, or death-What tidings from the city?
Sudi. All, all, is ready. Our confed'rate
friends

Burn with impatience, till the hour arrive. Selim. What is the signal of th' appointed hour?

Sadi. The midnight watch gives signal of our meeting:

And when the second watch of night is rung, The work of death begins.

Selim. Speed, speed, ye minutes!
Now let the rising whirlwind shake Algiers,
And justice guide the storm! Scarce two
hours hence-

Sadi. Scarce more than one.
Selim. Oh, as ye love my life,

Let your zeal hasten on the great event:
The tyrant's daughter found, and knew me
And half suspects the cause.

[here,

Oth. Too daring prince,
Retire with us! her fears will sure betray thee!
Selim. What! leave my helpless mother
here a prey

To cruelty and lust-I'll perish first:
This very night the tyrant threatens violence:
I'll watch his steps: I'll haunt him through
the palace:

And, should he meditate a deed so vile,
I'll hover o'er him, like an unseen pestilence,
And blast him in his guilt!

Sadi. Intrepid prince!

Worthy of empire!-Yet accept my life, My worthless life: do thou retire with I will protect Zaphira.

Sadi. Gallant prince, Bravely resolv'd!

Selim. But is the city quiet?

Sadi. All, all, is hush'd. Throughout the empty streets,

Nor voice nor sound; as if th' inhabitants,
Like the presaging herds, that seek the covert
Ere the loud thunder rolls, had inly felt
And shunn'd th' impending uproar.

Oth. There is a solemn horror in the night, too, [nature: That pleases me; a general pause through The winds are hush'd

Sadi. And as I pass'd the beach, The lazy billow scarce could lash the shore: No star peeps through the firmament of heaven

Selim. And lo! where eastward, o'er the

Selim. Think'st thou, Sadi, That, when the trying hour of peril comes, Selim will shrink into a common man! Worthless were he to rule, who dares not

claim

Pre-eminence in danger. Urge no more:
Here shall my station be; and, if I fall,
O, friends, let me have vengeance!-Tell me
Where is the tyrant?

[now,

Oth. Revelling at the banquet. Selim. 'Tis good. Now tell me how our powers are destin'd?

Sadi. Near every port, a secret band is posted:

By these, the watchful sentinels must perish:
The rest is easy; for the glutted troops
Lie drown'd in sleep.

Almanzor, with his friends, will circle round
The avenues of the palace. Othman and I
Will join our brave confederates (all sworn
To conquer or to die,) and burst the gates
Of this foul den. Then, tremble, Barbarossa!
Selim. Oh, how the approach of this great
hour
[you,
Fires all my soul! but, valiant friends, I chargé
Reserve the murd'rer to my just revenge;
My poignard claims his blood.
Oth. Forgive me, prince!
[Irene-
Forgive my doubts-Think-should the fair
Selim. Thy doubts are vain. I would not
spare the tyrant,
[feet;
Though the sweet maid lay weeping at my
Nay, should he fall by any hand but mine,
By Heaven I'd think my honour'd father's
blood
[strong!
Scarce half reveng'd! My love, indeed, is

Where the most pitying angel in the skies,
That now looks on us from his bless'd abode
Would wish that we should spare.

Oth. So may we prosper,
As mercy shall direct us!
Selim. Farewell, friends!
Sadi. Intrepid prince, farewell!

[Exeunt OTHMAN and SADI.
Selim. Now sleep and silence
Brood o'er the city.-The devoted sentinel
Now takes his lonely stand, and idly dreams
Of that to-morrow he shall never see.
In this dread interval, O busy thought,
From outward things descend into thyself!
Search deep my heart! bring with thee awful
conscience,

[hour And firm resolve! that, in th' approaching Of blood and horror, I may stand unmov'd; Nor fear to strike where justice calls, nor dare To strike where she forbids! [Exit.