DEMETRIUS. Or meanly fraudulent or madly gay, Urg'd me to dash it to the ground, untouch'd, ASPASIA. What cry? The stratagem? Did then Abdalla— DEMETRIUS. At once a thousand passions fir'd his cheek! ASPASIA. Why did you stay, deserted and betray'd? DEMETRIUS. Amazement seiz'd us, and the hoary bassa ASPASIA. Oh Greece! renown'd for science and for wealth, DEMETRIUS. Though disappointment blast our general scheme, [Enter Abdalla. SCENE IV. IRENE, ASPASIA, DEMETRIUS, ABDALLA. ABDALLA. At length, the prize is mine-The haughty maid, DEMETRIUS. Cease this wild roar of savage exultation; ASPASIA. Forbear, Demetrius, 'tis Aspasia calls thee; What now remains? DEMETRIUS. ASPASIA. It now remains to fly! DEMETRIUS. Shall, then, the savage live, to boast his insult; ABDALLA. Infatuate loiterer, has fate, in vain, VOL. I. H DEMETRIUS. Forgive, my fair; 'tis life, 'tis nature calls: ASPASIA. "Tis madness to provoke superfluous danger, And cowardice to dread the boast of folly. ABDALLA. Fly, wretch, while yet my pity grants thee flight; Leave but this maid, resign a hopeless claim, DEMETRIUS. Once more I dare thy sword; behold the prize, ABDALLA. [Quitting Aspasia. Well may'st thou call thy master to the combat, [Exit, hastily, Abdalla. SCENE V. ASPASIA, IRENE, DEMETRIUS. IRENE. Abdalla fails; now, fortune, all is mine. [Aside. [To one of her attendants. Despatch his guards to stop the flying traitors, While I protract their stay. Be swift and faithful. This lucky stratagem shall charm the sultan, DEMETRIUS. [Exit Murza. [Aside. Behold a boaster's worth! Now snatch, my fair, ASPASIA. In vain I listen to th' inviting call Of freedom and of love; my trembling joints, DEMETRIUS. Let us not struggle with th' eternal will, Come, haste and live-Thy innocence and truth IRENE. Press not her flight, while yet her feeble nerves Still labours with imaginary woe; Here let me tend her with officious care, ASPASIA. Oh! rather, scornful of flagitious greatness, Leave slav'ry, guilt, and infamy behind. IRENE. My soul attends thy voice, and banish'd virtue DEMETRIUS. Remember, peace and anguish are before thee, ASPASIA. Content with freedom, and precarious greatness. DEMETRIUS. Now make thy choice, while yet the pow'r of choice IRENE. Stay in this dubious twilight of conviction, DEMETRIUS. But, since none knows the danger of a moment, Let kind compulsion terminate the contest. [Seizing her hand. Ye christian captives, follow me to freedom: A galley waits us, and the winds invite. Whence is this violence? IRENE. |