and made them put forth a vigour that proved victorious in the war with France. Dr. Brown was preparing to accept of an invitation from the Empress of Russia to superintend her public plans of education, when he was seized with a fit of lunacy, and put a period to his own existence. FROM THE TRAGEDY OF BARBAROSSA. ACT II. Selim, the son of the deceased Prince of Algiers, admitted in disguise into the palace of the usurper Barbarossa, and meeting with Othman, his secret friend. Persons.-Barbarossa, Selim, Othman. Bar. Most welcome, Othman. Behold this gallant stranger. He hath done Rivals departed day. [Exeunt BAR. and ALA. Selim. What anxious thought Rolls in thine eye, and heaves thy labouring breast? 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 not perceive the savage lines of blood Selim. Start not from me. My dagger thirsts not but for regal blood- 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, unmoved, behold the murdering ruffian, Smeared with my prince's blood!-Go, tell the tyrant, Othman defies his power; that, tired with life, Oth. All men loved him. He was of such unmixed and blameless quality, I have deceived this tyrant Barbarossa: 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! 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. 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 Oth. No time can blot The memory of his sweet majestic mien, Which, rushing on his mother, Selim slew. 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! Selim, Rise, faithful Othman. Thus let me thank thy truth! [Kneels. [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.- That death he meant to bring. The ruffian wore 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 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! 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 not Thou 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 |