At length, dear Prince, the fateful hour is come
That Heav'n has kept in store to grant you freedom.
No longer am I bound; this very day
Can I accomplish what my love has plann'd.
It is not mine t' assure an easy triumph,
Nor place a tranquil sceptre in your hands;
But all I can I do, as I have promised:
I arm your valour 'gainst your enemies,
And from your head remove a threatening danger;
Your own firm courage will achieve the rest.
Osman has seen the army, and their hearts
Are yours, and those who represent our law
Conspire with us, Achmet will answer for
Stamboul; and, as you know, I hold submissive
The officers, the eunuchs and the crowd
Of slaves, who guard the precincts of the palace;
Long have they bought my favour by their silence,
Their very lives are placed at my disposal.
Start now upon that grand career of glory
Which I have open'd to your high ambition.
The course that you will run involves no crime;
Thus only may you 'scape th' assassin's hand.
You will but follow an example set
By other sultans who have reign'd before you.
But for a fair beginning let us hasten
To seal at once your happiness and mine
Show to the world that in assisting you
To wield the sceptre I have served my husband:
Let marriage with a sacred bond unite us,
And justify the faith so freely giv'n.
Ah, Madam, what is this that you propose?
What secret hindrance mars our happiness?
You needs must know the pride of royal state-
Spare me the pain of being more explicit.
I know that ever since one of your sultans,
Proving the fury of a barbarous foe,
Beheld his wife bound to the victor's car,
And by all Asia dragg'd along in triumph,
Few who succeeded him have deign'd to take
The name of husband, jealous for their honour.
But love to such vain laws disowns obedience;
And, not to quote more humble instances,
Great Solyman (than whom none of your sires,
Whose conquering arms struck all the earth with dread,
Raised to so high a pitch the Turkish pow'r),
Casting on Roxelana eyes of love,
Forgot the pride that was his ruling passion,
And made her share alike his couch and throne,
Though to that rank she had no other claim
Than much adroitness and some little beauty.
But then compare his matchless might
With weakness like my own. Great Solyman
Held undisputed sway o'er land and sea.
Egypt reduced to yield complete submission;
Rhodes, that strong rock of Ottoman dominion,
Where all her brave defenders found their grave;
The Danube's savage banks forced to obey him;
The bounds of Persian empire far withdrawn;
The burning sands of Africa subdued;
These hush'd all opposition to his will.
But what am I? Dependent on the people
And on the troops, indebted to misfortune
For all my fame.
While doubtful yet of empire,
Proscribed and threaten'd, shall I those offend
To whom I sue? Will they believe our dangers
And troubles true, seeing us steep'd in pleasures?
Speak not to me of Solyman, but think
Rather of hapless Othman's recent murder.
The janizary chiefs, in their revolt
Seeking fair pretext for their bloody schemes,
Deem'd themselves authorised to take his life
For marrying as you would have me do.
The time may come when, in their hearts establish'd, may with safety dare to act more boldly.
We must not be too hasty; deign to place me
Firmly upon the throne, then will I show
My gratitude.
I see my own imprudence,
And recognise your admirable foresight.
Not the least danger can escape your notice
To which my too impatient love might lead;
You fear to face dishonour thence resulting,
And since you tell me so I must believe it.
But have you thought, if marriage bind us not
Together, what worse perils you incur?
How, without me, your way is hedged around you,
And it behoves you most to win my favour?
That it is I who hold the palace gates,
Who can for you unlock them, or for ever
Shut them against you? That your life is mine;
That on my love your very breath depends;
And, had you lack'd this love which you reject,
That you would, in a word, be now no more?
Yes, I owe all to you. And I had reason
To think the only glory that you sought
Was to behold the triumph of my cause,
And hear me pay you my acknowledgment.
I feel the obligation and confess it,
Respectful homage ever shall confirm it.
The life that you have giv'n is at your service.
But would you still—
Nay, I wish nothing more.
With forced excuses trouble me no longer;
I see how far your thoughts from mine are parted;
Ungrateful as you are, I will not urge
Compliance farther. To that abject state
Return, from which I saved you.
Is wanting yet of his indifference?
My ardour meets from him no warm response.
What place has love in all his calculations?
Ah, I can see your schemes. Do what I may,
You think I've risk'd too much to throw you over;
That I am bound to you by bands too strong
For me to part my interests from yours.
But sure am I your brother still is kind,
You know he loves me, and, despite his wrath,
I can appease him with a traitor's blood:
To justify myself your death suffices,
And I will see to it this very moment.
Yet hear me, Bajazet, I feel I love you:
You must not let me go. Why court destruction?
Still doth the way lie open to repentance.
Drive not a frenzied lover to despair.
If but one word escape me, you are lost.
'Tis in your hands, and you can take it from me; It may be that my death, serving your wishes, And winning Amurath's pardon, may restore you The place that in his heart you held before.
His heart, say you? E'en were it Amurath's wish,
And hope were lost of reigning in your own,
A sweet delusion long and fondly cherish'd,
Think
you that I could entertain such thoughts,
Or live henceforth unless I live for you?
Lo, in your cruel hands myself have placed
Arms to destroy so weak a wretch as I;
Enjoy your triumph. All the proud disdain
That I assumed just now, I own it false;
My only happiness on you depends,
Your death will be the signal for my own.
Sad fruit of all my care to save your life!
At last I hear you sigh, and see you troubled :
Come, hide it not.
Ah, would that I could speak!
What is it that I hear? What say you, Sir?
Ha! you have secrets then I may not learn!
Your feelings are too sacred to be shown
Madam, 'tis yours once more To make your choice; open for me to empire A lawful road, or slay me-I am ready.
This is too much! you shall be satisfied.
Ho, guards there, enter!
You may return, for I have naught to tell you,
Save that I bow to Amurath's sov'reign sway.
Go. Let the palace gates henceforth be lock'd,
And all be order'd as it was aforetime.
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