Scene 3.

BAJAZET, ACHMET.

ACHMET.

Prince, what is this I hear with strange surprise?
What will become of you, and what of me?

Whence comes this change? and whom am I to blame?
Good Heav'ns!

BAJAZET.

'Tis only right that you should know. Roxana is offended,—burns for vengeance: Our mutual compact is for ever broken. Vizier, I warn you, to yourself take heed; Act as seems best, and count no more on me.

What?

ACHMET.

BAJAZET.

You and yours, some place of refuge seek;
My friendship can afford you naught but peril.
I hoped one day to have repaid you better;
But must not think it more-the bubble's burst.

ACHMET.

What is this rock on which your hopes are wreck'd?
Just now I left all peaceful in the palace;

What is this madness that has seized your minds ?

BAJAZET.

She wishes me to wed her, Achmet.

ACHMET.

Well,

'Tis true that wish accords not with the custom That sultans use. But is that rule so strict That you should lose your life to follow it?

What law more sacred than to save yourself?
To snatch from certain death the royal blood
Of Othman that in you alone survives?

BAJAZET.

Nay, the last drop would be too dearly purchased, Were it to be preserved by cowardice.

ACHMET.

Why let your mind conceive so dark a picture ?
Was Solyman's renown tarnish'd by marriage?
Yet Solyman himself was never menaced
By danger so apparent as yourself.

BAJAZET.

These very dangers make the chief disgrace
Of such a marriage, prompted by mere love
Of life. It was not so with Solyman:
His slave found favour in her master's eyes,
No dire necessity imposed its yoke,

But freely did he offer heart and hand.

And yet you love her?

ACHMET.

BAJAZET

Achmet, 'tis enough;

Less than you think I murmur at my fate.
Must I not deem dishonour worse than death,
Which in your steps I follow'd while a youth,
And learn'd to calmly face, when for no fault
I lay in prison. Amurath to my eyes

Has many a time the headsman's axe presented;
She will but end a life of ceaseless trouble.
Alas, and if with some regret I quit it—
Forgive me, Achmet; I have cause to pity
Hearts that with kind attachment, ill rewarded,
Made me the object of their every thought.

ACHMET.

You only are to blame, Prince, if we perish;
Speak but a word, and you can save us all.
All the brave janizaries here remaining,
The holy ministers of our religion,

And those who, honour'd for their good example,
Direct the currents of the public favour,

Wait to conduct you to the sacred gate

Thro' which new sultans make their first appearance.

BAJAZET.

If then so dear they hold me, my brave Achmet,
Let them protect me from Roxana's pow'r,
Ay, and, if need be, break into the palace,
And with their valiant aid effect my rescue.
I would go forth cover'd with wounds and blood
Sooner than loaded with that odious name,
Her husband. In the tumult and confusion
Despair may arm me in my own defence;
And, fighting boldly, I may give you time
To reach my side and prove your loyalty.

ACHMET.

The utmost expedition well might fail
To thwart Roxana's violent revenge.
Then what would all such fiery zeal have done,
Save to involve your friends in fruitless guilt?
Promise; and, when no longer danger threatens,
'Tis yours to give your word what weight you will.

This to me, Achmet!

BAJAZET.

ACHMET.

Never blush: the sons

Of Othman are not bound to keep their oaths

Like common slaves. Take counsel of those heroes,
Who made their swords the measure of their rights

As of their faith, and march'd to victories
World-wide, State policy their only law;

Half of this sacred empire rests on pledges
Lavishly given, sparingly fulfill'd.

Pardon my warmth.

BAJAZET.

Yes, I am well aware

How far they push'd the interest of the State;
But these same heroes freely spent their blood,
And scorn'd to purchase life by perfidy.

ACHMET.

O dauntless courage, but too firm and faithful!
Which wins my admiration, tho' it end
In ruin. Must a scruple then destroy-
But some good angel sends us Atalide.

Scene 4.

BAJAZET, ATALIDE, ACHMET.

ACHMET.

Ah, Madam! Come, unite your pray'rs with mine, Or he is lost.

ATALIDE.

'Tis that which brings me here.

But leave us, Achmet. Bent on his destruction, Roxana means to shut the palace gates.

In any case be within easy call,

There may be reason for a quick return.

Scene 5.

BAJAZET, ATALIDE.

BAJAZET.

Now is the moment come when I must leave you,
Heav'n has our common stratagem confounded,
No weapon can ward off its latest blow;

I should have died, or have resign'd your love.
Vainly have we contrived to mask our feelings,
And nothing gain'd but to defer my death.
I told you how 't would be, but to your wish
Consented, and postponed your grief as long
As might be. In return, fair Atalide,

Obey me now, avoid Roxana's presence,

Hide from her eyes the tears that would betray you,
And let us part; delay is dangerous.

ATALIDE.

No, Prince. Your kindness to a hapless maid

Has long enough resisted Fate's decrees.

Your wish to spare me costs you far too dear;

You must submit. Leave me, and mount the throne.

Leave you!

BAJAZET.

ATALIDE.

'Tis my desire and well consider'd.
True is it that a thousand jealous thoughts
Have surged within me, and I could not bear
That Bajazet should live, yet not be mine;
And often as I pictured to myself
The hateful triumph of my happy rival,
Your death appear'd (pardon a lover's frenzy)
Less fraught with anguish to my tortured heart.
But then there was not shown to my sad eyes
The fatal stroke ready to fall; I saw not,
As now I see, my Bajazet prepared
To bid his Atalide a last farewell.