Seim. 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 !
Thou might'st as well bring the devoted lamb
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 could'st 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 memory 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 ! My honoured, honoured king!

[Kneels. 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 ? And why that ardent gaze? Thou can’st not doubt

me!

Oth. Ah, no! I see thy sire in every

line. How did my prince escape the murderer's hand? Selim. I wrenched 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 accursed attempt: this pledge restored, Will prove thee slain : Safe may'st thou see Algiers, Unknown to all.' This said, the assassin died.

Oth. But how to gain admittance thus unknown?

Selim. Disguised as Selim's murderer I come : The accomplice of the deed: the ring restored, Gained credence to my words. Oth. Yet ere thou cam’st, thy death was rumoured

here. Selim. I spread the flattering tale, and sent it hither, That babbling rumour, like a lying dream, Might make belief more easy. Tell me, Othman, 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 threats Of death or violation.

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
To tremble. What hath innocence to do with fear?

Oth. Yet think-should Barbarossa

Selim. Dread him notThou know'st by his command I see Zaphira ; And wrapt in this disguise, I walk secure, As if from heaven some guarding power attending, Threw ten-fold night around me. Oth. Still

my

heart Forebodes some dire event!-O quit these walls !

Selim. Not till a deed be done, which every tyrant Shall tremble when he hears.

FROM THE SAME.

Enter OTHMAN and SADI, friend to OTHMAN.

Selim, HONOURED friends!
How goes the night?

Sadi. 'Tis well-nigh midnight.
Oth. What-In tears, my prince?

Selim. But tears of joy: for I have seen Zaphira, And poured the balm of peace into her breast : Think not these tears unnerve me, valiant friends, They have but harmonized my soul; and waked

All that is man within me, to disdain
Peril, or death.-What tidings from the city?

Sadi. All, all is ready. Our confederate friends Burn with impatience, till the hour arrive.

Selim. What is the signal of the 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. But is the city quiet ?
Sadi. All, all-is hushed. Throughout the empty

streets,
Nor voice, nor sound. As if the inhabitants,
Like the presaging herds, that seek the covert
Ere the loud thunder rolls, had inly felt
And shunned the impending uproar.

Oth. There is a solemn horror in the night, too, That pleases me: a general pause through nature: The winds are hushed

Sadi. And, as I passed the beach, The lazy billow scarce could lash the shore: No star peeps through the firmament of heavenSelin. And, lo! where eastward, o'er the sullen

The waning moon, deprived of half her orb,
Rises in blood: her beam, well-nigh extinct,
Faintly contends with darkness-

[Bell tolls. Hark |--what meant That tolling bell?

Oth. It rings the midnight watch.

Sadi. This was the signal Come, Othman, we are called: the passing minutes Chide our delay; brave Othman, let us hence, Selim. One last embrace !--nordoubt, but, crowned

with glory, We soon shall meet again. But, oh, remember, Amid the tumult's rage, remember mercy ! Stain not a righteous cause with guiltless blood ! Warn our brave friends, that we unsheath the sword, Not to destroy, but save! nor let blind zeal, Or wanton cruelty, e'er turn its edge On age or innocence ! or bid us strike Where the most pitying angel in the skies, That now looks on us from his blest 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 Oth, and SADI,

VOL. v.