What if I now go throw me at his feet,
And tell him there sincerely what I am?

Sel. Consider that might cost your brother's life,
Expose the Christians, and betray you all.

Zar. You do not know the noble heart of Osman.
Sel. I know him the protector of a faith,
Sworn enemy to ours;- -The more he loves,
The less will he permit you to profess
Opinions which he hates: to-night the priest,
In private introduc'd, attends you here;
You promis'd him admission-

Zar. Would I had not!

I promis'd, too, to keep this fatal secret;
My father's urg'd command requir'd it of me;
I must obey, all dangerous as it is;
Compell❜d to silence, Osman is enrag'd,

Made it a virtue to be lost in love;

When, without blushing, I indulg'd my flame,
And every day still made you dearer to me.
You taught me, madam, to believe my love
Rewarded and return'd-nor was that hope,
Methinks, too bold for reason. Emperors
Who choose to sigh devoted at the feet

Of beauties, whom the world conceive their slaves,
Have fortune's claim, at least, to sure success:
But 'twere prophane to think of power in love.

F

Dear as my passion makes you, I deline

Possession of her charms, whose heart's another's. You will not find me a weak, jealous lover,

By coarse reproaches, giving pain to you,

And shaming my own greatness-wounded deeply,
Yet shunning and disdaining low complaint,
I come to tell you-

Zar. Give my trembling heart

A moment's respite —

Osm." That unwilling coldness

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"Is the just prize of your capricious lightness; "Your ready arts may spare the fruitless pains "Of colouring deceit with fair pretences; "I would not wish to hear your slight excuses; "I cherish ignorance, to save my blushes." Osman in every trial shall remember That he is emperor.- -Whate'er I suffer, 'Tis due to honour that I give up you, And to my injur'd bosom take despair, Rather than shamefully possess you sighing, Convinc'd those sighs were never meant for me— Go, madam—you are free-from Osman's pow'r— Expect no wrongs, but see his face no more.

Zar. At last, 'tis come-the fear'd, the murd'ring

moment

Is come- -and I am curs'd by earth and heaven! [Throws herself on the ground.

If it is true that I am lov'd no more

If you-
Osm. It is too true, my fame requires it;
It is too true, that I unwilling leave you:

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That I at once renounce you and adore-
Zara!you weep!

Zar. If I am doom'd to loose you,

If I must wander o'er an empty world,
Unloving and unlov'd-Oh! yet, do justice
To the afflicteddo not wrong me doubly:
Punish me, if 'tis needful to your peace,

But say not, I deserv'd it-" This, at least, "Believe for not the greatness of your soul "Is truth more pure and sacred- -no regret "Can touch my bleeding heart, for I have lost "The rank of her you raise to share your throne. "I know I never ought to have been there; "My fate and my defects require I lose you." But ah! my heart was never known to Osman. May Heav'n that punishes for ever hate me, If I regret the loss of aught but you.

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Osm. Rise-" rise, this means not love?" "Zar. Strike- -Strike me, Heaven!" Osm. What is it love to force yourself to wound The heart you wish to gladden? But I find Lovers least know themselves; for I believ'd, That I had taken back the power I gave you; Yet see!—you did but weep, and have resum'd me! Proud as I am- -I must confess, one wish Evades my power—the blessing to forget you. Zara-thy tears were form'd to teach disdain, That softness can disarm it.

-'Tis decreed.

I must for ever love-but from what cause,

If thy consenting heart partakes my fires,

Art thou reluctant to a blessing meant me?
Speak! "Is it levityor, is it fear?
"Fear of a power that, but for blessing thee,

"Had, without joy, been painful.”—Is it artifice? Oh! spare the needless pains-Art was not made For Zara.. -Art, however innocent,

Looks like deceiving—I abhorr'd it ever.
Zar. Alas! I have no art; not even enough
To hide this love, and this distress you give me.

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Osm. New riddles! Speak with plainness to my soul; What canst thou mean?

Zar. I have no power to speak it.

Osm. Is it some secret dangerous to my state?
Is it some Christian plot grown ripe against me?
Zar. Lives there a wretch so vile as to betray you!
Osman is bless'd beyond the reach of fear :

Fears and misfortunes threaten only Zara.
Osm. Why threaten Zara?

Zar. Permit me, at your feet,

Thus trembling, to beseech a favour from you.

Osm. A favour! Oh, you guide the will of Osman. Zar. Ah! would to Heav'n our duties were united, "Firm as our thoughts and wishes!" But this day; But this one sad, unhappy day, permit me,

Alone, and far.divided from your eye,

To cover my distress, lest you, too tender, Should see and share it with me-from to-morrow, I will not have a thought conceal'd from you. 180 "Osm. What strange disquiet, from what stranger

cause!

"Zar. If I am really bless'd with Osman's love,

"He will not then refuse this humble prayer."
Osm. If it must be, it must.-Be pleas'd, my will
Takes purpose from your wishes; and consent
Depends not on my choice, but your decree:
Go but remember how he loves, who thus
Finds a delight in pain, because you give it.

Zar. It gives me more than pain to make you feel it. Osm. And can you, Zara, leave me?

Zar. Alas! my lord!

[Exit Zara. Osm. [Alone.] It should be yet, methinks, too soon

to fly me !

Too soon, as yet, to wrong my easy faith.

The more I think, the less I can conceive,

What hidden cause should raise such strange despair!
Now, when her hopes have wings, and every wish
Is courted to be lively!-When I love,

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And joy and empire press her to their bosom; "When not alone belov'd, but ev'n a lover: "Professing and accepting; bless'd and blessing; "To see her eyes, through tears, shine mystic love! ""Tis madness! and I were unworthy power, "To suffer longer the capricious insult!” Yet, was I blameless ?-No-I was too rash; I have felt jealousy, and spoke it to her ; I have distrusted her-and still she loves: Gen'rous atonement that!" and 'tis my duty "To expiate, by a length of soft indulgence, "The transports of a rage, which still was love. "Henceforth, I never will suspect her false; "Nature's plain power of charming dwells about her,