so I an't! for he kissed me too, and I never said a word of it. Friend. Well, my dear, he's to be married to your sister now. Pol. Is he? And won't you get somebody to marry me, papa? You have been promising me a husband a great while, and I'm tired of old John, the butler. Ail. Ay, my dear, I dare swear you'll lose no time-But, come, brother, let us now go in-[ have got rid of my wife-I have forsworn quacks and physic-and I hope I shall have the satisfaction to see our friends contented. [Exeunt omnes. Enter OSMYN and ELMIRA. you back to Georgia, you did not avail yourself of his generosity. Elm. True; but his munificence, and, above all, the tenderness and love he expressed to me since, have reconciled me to this place, and I vainly thought my charms could have attached him to me. Osm, Why then complain? You still possess his heart. Already you have been twice honour Osm. Tell me, what right have you to be dis-ed with the imperial handkerchief. contented? Elm. When first I came within these walls, I found myself a slave; and the thoughts of being shut up for ever here, terrified me to death: my tears flowed incessantly. Solyman was moved with them, and solemnly promised to restore me to my liberty, my parents, and my country. Osm. And yet, when the Sultan agreed to send Elm. His heart! does not this place contain a hundred beauties, who equally share his love? Tell the Sultan I'm determined, and ready to accept the first opportunity of returning to my friends and country. Osm. I shall procure you an answer this morning-But, hark! the Sultan approaches. [Exit ELMIRA The curtain is drawn, and the Sultan enters, preceded by Mutes, &c. [A grand March played.] Sul. Osmyn. Osm. The humblest of your slaves attends. [Bows to the ground. Sul. My friend, quit this style of servitude; I am weary of it. Osm. And of the seraglio, too, sir? Osm. Shall the Sultana Elmira throw herself at your highness's feet, then? Sul. Let her come-And, do you hear, Osmyn? go to the apartment of that Persian slave you spoke of yesterday, she that sings so well, and send her hither. Osm. I will, most sublime Sultan. [Exit OSMYN. Enter ELMIRA. She kneels. Sul. It is even so—and yet, upon reflection, I Sul. I know before-hand, that you come to cannot tell why, unless that, having been accus-upbraid me-We have not met so often lately, as tomed to the noise of camps, and the business of our mutual inclinations would have made agree war, I know not how to relish pleasures, which, able; but don't attribute that to coldness, which though varied, appear insipid, through the ease has been the unavoidable consequence of affairs and tranquillity with which they are attained.--the business of the divan has taken up so much Your voice used to charm me. of my time. OSMYN sings. Behold yonder zephyr, how lightly it blows! Then still let your pleasure variety crown, 'Mongst the different beauties that rove up and down, Court the charms of the fair, of the bluck, of the brown, They're the flowers that embellish the garden of love. Sul. I have often told you I am not touched with mere caressing machines, who are taught to love or fear by interest. Osm. And yet, your highness must confess, your servant has neglected nothing perfectly to content, particularly in one object he procured you. Sul. Who is that? Osm. The Circassian beauty-the Sultana Elmira. Sul. And truly, she possesses all the charms that can adorn her sex. Osm. You thought so once. Sul. Positively-why should you doubt it? Osm. Your word is my law. But, sir, there is matter I must acquaint you with: I cannot manage the seraglio; and, by the beard of Heli, I would rather quit the helm I can no longer guide. That English slave, lately brought here, is quite ungovernable; she is sure to do every thing she is forbid; she makes a joke of our threats, and answers our most serious admonitions with a laugh: Besides, she is at variance with the rest of the women, and shows them such an example, that I cannot longer rule them. Sul. That is your business-I will have them all agree. How do you call her? Osm. Since she has been here, we have called her Roxalana. Sul. Well-you must endeavour to bring her to reason. Elm. I don't presume to complain; for your image is so imprinted on my heart, that you are always present to my mind. Sul. [Impatiently.] Nay, dear Elmira, I have not the least doubt. Elm. How does my sovereign like this robe which I have put on, on purpose to please him? Sul. Oh, [Yawning.] Elmira, you love music I have sent for the Persian slave, who, I am told, sings so well; if she answers the description, she will afford you entertainment. Elm. I want none, when you are presentyour company suffices for every thing. Sul. Yonder comes our singer. Enter ISMENA. Ism. [Kneeling.] Your slave attends your pleasure. [The Sultan makes a sign to the Eunuchs, who bring two stools, and beckon ELMIRA to sit. Elm. This is an honour I did not expect. [Taking her seat. ISMENA sings. Blest hero, who, in peace and war, [While ISMENA sings, SOLYMAN takes Sul. Beautiful Ismena, methought that song did not so well express the effects of love-Madam, [To ELMIRA.] we will hear her again-I never heard any thing so charming-her voice is exquisite-What do you think of her? Elm. If she hears all this, 'twill make her vain --I cannot bear all this-I am ready to burst with indignation and anger. [Aside and Exit. Sul. There is something in this slave that interests me in her favour; she shall be received among the sultana's attendants, and by that means we shall have an opportunity of hearing her often-[Turning, perceives ELMIRA gone.] But where's the sultana? I did not perceive she had left us-Follow her, Ismena, and endeavour to amuse her. [Exit ISMENA. Ror. Well, Heaven be praised, at least here is something like a human figure. You are, sir, I suppose, the sublime Sultan, whose slave I have the honour to be: if so, pray oblige me so far, as to drive from your presence that horrid ugly creature there; for he shocks my sight.-[To OSMYN.] Do you hear? Go! Sul. [Gravely.] They complain, Roxalana, of your irreverent behaviour; you must learn to treat the officers of our seraglio, whom we have set over you, with more deference. All in this place, honour their superiors, and obey in silence. Ror. In silence!--and obey! is this a sample of your Turkish gallantry ?---You must be vastly loved indeed, if you address women in that strain. Sul. Consider, you are not now in your own country. Ror. No, indeed; you make me feel the difference severely-There, reigns ease, content, and liberty; every citizen is himself a king,where the king is himself a citizen. Sul. Have a humour more gentle and pliable; I advise you to alter your behaviour for very good reasons; and it is for your good: there are very rigorous laws in the seraglio for such as are refractory. Rox. Upon my word, you have made a very delicate speech, and I admire the gravity with which it was uttered. Sut. Roxalana, I am serious. Osm. What does your highness think now? Did I tell you the truth? out air, and measure light to us; he won't let us walk in the gardens, lest it should rain men upon us; and, if it did, 'tis a blessing we've been long wishing for. Osm. There now! don't she go on at a fine rate? Rox. Don't mind that ugly creature, but listen to me. If you follow my counsel, I shall make you an accomplished prince-I wish to make you let the doors of the seraglio be thrown open— beloved-Let your window-bars be taken down let inclination alone keep your women within it; and, instead of that ugly, odious creature there, send a handsome smart young officer to us every morning; one that will treat us like ladies, and lay out the pleasure of the day. [While she is speaking, SOLYMAN admires her. Sul. [To OSMYN.] Did you ever see so expressive a countenance.-[To ROXALANA.] Have you any more to say? Ror. Yes, sir, this- -To desire you will not mind him, but attend to me-Men were not born to advise—the thing is expressly the contrary— We women have certainly ten thousand times more sense-Men, indeed! Men were born for no other purpose under heaven, but to amuse us; and he, who succeeds best, perfectly answers the end of his creation. Now, sir, farewell. If I find you profit by my first lesson, I may, perhaps, be tempted to give you another. [Exit. Osm. Did you ever hear the like, sir?-Her insolence is not to be borne. Sul, I think it amusing. Osm. I shall certainly lose all my authority in the seraglio, if she is not corrected. Sul. 'Tis a girl—a fool of a disposition, that chastisement would make worse. Go after her, Osmyn; bid her come back and drink sherbet with me. Ror. Oh, whispering-What is it that monster says?-that what-do-you-call him, that good-for-I nothing amphibious animal, who follows us like sheep here, and is for ever watching us with his frightful glaring eyes, as if he would devour usIs this the confidante of your pleasures-the guardian of our chastity?—I must do him the justice to confess, that if you give him money for making himself hated, he certainly does not steal his wages. We can't step one step but he is after us; by and by, I suppose, he will weigh Osm. Sherbet with you! sir? [Goes on the throne, takes a pipe. OSMYN sings. Ali! Ali! Ali! Ali! Laws, customs, prophet, emperor, Will sink down all before her. [Exit, Sul. Well, for my life, I can't get the better of my astonishment at hearing a slave talk in so extraordinary a manner-[Smokes.] And the more think of it, my astonishment is the greaterShe's not handsome, that is, what is called a beauty; yet her little nose, cocked in the air, her laughing eyes, and the play of her features, have an effect altogether-Elmira has something more soft and more majestic-yet, methinks, Ĭ bave a mind to sift Roxalana's character; mere curiosity, and nothing else. It is the first time we have seen in this place a spirit of caprice and independence. I'll try, at least, what she'll say to me farther-There can be no harm to divert myself with her extravagance. Enter OSMYN. Osm. I have delivered your message. Sul. Delivered my message! Where's Roxalana? Osm. In her chamber, where she has locked herself in. Sul. No matter for her being in her chamber. What did she say? Osm. Treasure of Light, said I-through the key-hole-I come from the Sublime Sultan to kiss the dust beneath your feet, and desire you will come and drink sherbet with him. She answered, through the key-hole, Go tell your master, I have no dust on my feet, and I don't like sherbet. Sul. In effect, Osmyn, the fault is yoursyou took your time ill, as you commonly doYou should have waited some time-don't you owe her respect? Osm. And after this, would you have her come again? Sul. Perhaps I would. Osm. Shall I fetch the Sultana Elmira, too? Sul. What's the meaning of this, Osmyn? I tell you once more, go and bring me Roxalana. [Curtain moves. Osm. Who is it that meddles with the great curtain? Sul. Who is it lifts that portal there? Rox. [Coming from behind.] "Tis I. Sul. You! and how dare you take that liberty? Osm. Ay, how dare you?-Don't you know, 'tis death for any to enter there but the Sultan, without being conducted? Sul. Come, come; she's not acquainted with the customs of the seraglio; so let it pass. Roxalana, I beg your pardon-I am afraid he has disturbed you now, Ror. Oh, it is only what I expected-You Turks are not reckoned very polite-In my country, a gallant waits upon a lady; but the custom is quite different here, I find- -[Sultan offers her the pipe, she strikes it down.] What, do you think I smoke? Sul. How's this! Does your insolence go so far? Ror. What! angry before a woman? I'm quite ashamed of you, Sul. This is not to be suffered-and yet, there's something so foolish in it too-Come hither, Roxalana, I want to speak to you. Rox. No, I thank you; I am very well where I am. Sul, Tell me then, is it in this light manner women behave in England? Ror. Pretty near it. Sul. And suppose I should for orce forget your national vivacity, would it make you more cautious for the future?-Come, give me your hand; and you may imagine I have forgot all you have said to me, you. I told you Ror. So much the worse for a great many good things; I see my frankness is disagreeable but you must grow used to it. Don't you think yourself very happy to find a friend in a slave? one that will teach you how to love, too; for 'tis in my country love is in its element. It is there all life and tenderness, because it is free; and yet, even there, a husband beloved, is next to a prodigy. If it be then so difficult to love a husband, what must it be to love a master? I am your friend; I tell you truth: and do you know why you dislike to hear it? because it is a language your ears are unaccustomed to-But I don't mind that; I shall make you well acquainted with it-Happy would it be for every prince, had they a friend near them to tell them the truth! Sul. But you must treat me with respect. Rox. I treat you with respect ! that would be worse still. Sul. Indeed! Rox. Oh, your notions are horrid-I shall correct you. Sul. Correct me! In what, pray? Ror. In what concerns you. Sul. She is the strangest mortal, sure?—But let's have no more of this. Ror. Nay, though you don't take my lessons as patiently as I could wish, I hope you are not displeased with me? I should be sorry to offend you. Sul. You may easily avoid it then. Rox. It will be nothing in time. Sul. Why, won't you consider who I am, and who you are? Rox. Who I am, and who you are! Yes, sir, I do consider very well, that you are the Grand Sultan; I am your slave; but I am also a freeborn woman, prouder of that than all the pomp and splendour eastern monarchs can bestow. Sul. As far as I can perceive, then, you would be very glad to get away from me? life. Rox. You never were more right in your Sul. Well, but if I endeavour to render the seraglio agreeable to you-if I study to make you happy, might you not, in your turn, try to deserve my favour. me Ror. No. Sul. Do you speak that sincerely? Sul. And yet there is something that whispers |