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Ser. Are the horsemen ready to bear off Catharine? Ism. They have their orders, my lord. [Retires up. Ser. [To Officers.] Strike off his chains, and bring your prisoner forth. [To Ismael, who goes off, R.] Do you conduct the lady hither.

[A trap opened, c., Officers descend, and return immediately with Cohenberg.

Coh. For what new indignities am I reserved?

Enter ISMAEL, with CATHARINE, R.

Cat. (R.) Where will our miseries end?

Ser. Hear me, Christian: had the chance of battle made you my prisoner, I should have treated you as a soldier; but you have degraded yourself into a spy, and ignominious death is, by the law of nations, your reward. Yet life and liberty may still be yours, on one condition. Coh. And, if that one should be unworthy, learn, though life and liberty are dearer to me than all the treasures of your eastern world, I have a gem within my keeping more valuable far-my honour! which I scorn to barter[Muffled drums, L.

Ser. Hark! that is thy knell; when thrice those sounds, within a few short moments, shall have passed upon thy obstinacy, that instant is thy last.--Attend: this night thy Austrians mean to attack my fort-let the deceivers be deceived: deliver them to my sword-renounce your Christian faith-do this, and, in my sultan's name, I promise you power, wealth, honour, your Catharine-all your wishes can desire.

Coh. My Catharine! she is a reward so truly great, that

Cat. Hear me, Cohenberg: should an unmanly tenderness towards me make thee forget thy faith, thy king, thy country, and thyself, that instant, though that instant be my last, I'll tear thee, coward, from my bleeding heart, and cast thee off for ever.

Ser. Ah! Appear, then, ye ministers of death.

Enter four Slaves, 1.. with bowstring. Muffled drum again, L. Now, Christian, this moment is thy last.

Coh. Oh, heavens !

Ser. Obey my orders strictly.-Hence with her.

[To Ismael.

Cat. To torture--death-my Cohenberg, remember me! [Exit, forced off by Ismael and Eunuchs, R.

Coh. In life and death, my Catharine.-Come, tyrant, give me the fatal bowstring, and end at once this pageant of thy cruelty. Thy threats I boldly despise; thy offers I tread beneath my feet; and, though this worthless frame may fall beneath thee, fixed as the founded rock my soul shall stand, firm to my God, my country, and my king.

Ser. Well, put this boasted courage to the proof. [Death-roll heard. Coh. [Kneels.] Preserve my Catharine, heaven!

[Slaves put the bowstring round his neck.

Ser. Despatch him, slaves.

Coh. Good angels, guard my Catharine.

[Alarums, drums, and trumpets, L. Ser. Distraction, we are betrayed! [Exit into the Fort. Coh. Off, off, ye slaves!

[Charge-trumpets, drums, &c., L. Enter ANSLEM, PETER, and Austrian Soldiers, L.—Anslem gives Cohenberg a sword-Slaves run off, R.-the Turks are driven from the Ramparts-the Turkish flug is struck-the Austrian, hoisted over the Turkish flag. Re-enter Peasants, LEOPOLD, PETER, Soldiers, ANSLEM, COHENBERG, &c.

Coh. The villain has escaped me in the throng.—But oh, my Catharine! no where to be found!

Pet. A Turkish soldier told me, even now, some horsemen bore her over yonder plain.

Coh. Ha! over yonder plain! follow.

FINALE.

[Exit into the Fort.

Now Victory has, like a mistress kind,
Put an end to all our quarrels ;
In a brimming cup our joys we'll find,-
From the vine we'll pluck our laurels.
Let us drink as we fight,-with loud huzzas
We'll charge and scorn all shrinking,
Till our wine, like the foe, retreats apace,
And we show our valour in drinking.

END OF ACT II.

ACT III.

SCENE I.-Inside of the Seraskier's Tent, L.

Enter FATIMA and LILLA, from Tent, L.-Lilla attired in an elegunt Turkish habit.

Fat. Then you are resolved to leave us, Lilla? Lil. Yes, your ladyship; that I will, as soon as I can. Fat. And are you not sorry to part with your fine clothes, and quit the pleasures of the seraglio?

Lil. Pleasures, madam, what are they?

Fat. Why, it is our pleasure to obey his highness the Seraskier, who is our lord and husband.

Lil. And have you no other husband?
Fat. Why, that's a very odd question.

Li. Nay, I beg pardon; but I understand there are five-and-twenty of you.

Fat. Nay, nay.-I ought not to be sorry at your going, or for the beautiful stranger leaving us. I have hitherto been the Seraskier's favourite, and you are two dangerous rivals. Oh, here she comes.

Enter CATHARINE, from the Tent, L.

Well,

Cat. (L.) This intelligence of Cohenberg's safety gives me new life; now let fortune do her worst! Fatima, are the sentinels bribed to let us pass?

Fat. (c.) I gave Selim the gold, as you desired, who doubtless has obeyed your orders.

Cat. Well, Lilla, you are to be my guide: you are sure of the way?

Lil. (R.) Yes, my lady; I dare say we shall be safe. [Trembling.

Cat. You tremble.

Lil. No, my lady-yes-no-ye-yes-I believe I am a little afraid.

Cat. Oh, for shame, Lilla. You a lover! considerLil. Now, pray, madam, talk finely to me, as you did a little while ago, and don't let me think of difficulties. Cat. Difficulties? They are the test of virtue, the spur to courage; the noble mind would lose half its splendour, were it not for the pleasure of surmounting difficulties.

[Drums and trumpets sound to urms, x.

D

Enter Austrian Soldiers and Peasants, L.-Lilla, Fatima, and Catharine, run off, L. U. E.-The Soldiers tear down the tent, and carry it off in pieces, L. S. E.

SCENE II-Inside of Cohenberg's House.

Enter First Soldier and LILLA, veiled, L.

First Sol. Pray walk this way; our colonel will be so glad to see you.

Lil. Indeed, sir, he won't.

First Sol. I beg your ladyship's pardon; but, though bred in the ranks, I know good manners.

Lil. Then I wish you would be good mannerly enough to quit the room, and leave me alone.

[Soldier bows and exit, R. Yus. [Without, L.] Come along, Michael.

Lil. Oh, heavens! that wretch, Yuseph! What shall I do? Though, perhaps, he won't know me in this dress. [Drops her veil, and retires up, R. Enter YUSEPH, dressed as an Austrian Officer, followed by an Austrian Soldier and MICHAEL, L.

Yus. Pray don't disturb the noble colonel; but, when his honour is quite at leisure, let his honour know, that I humbly want to offer my congratulations-my name is Herfoon Joseph Wolfgang Baumbork Blandenkerstoon Schavartzenbergen. [Exit Soldier, R.

Mic. Why, hey-day! I thought your name had been Ben Jacoub Ben Mustapha.

Yus. Ay, that was my Turkish title; but it won't do now the Austrians are our masters. I think I have got a good name, hey, Michael?

Mic. Yes; and, as you never had a good name before, I hope you will keep it, now you've got it.

Yus. Ha, ha! very well; you are a sharp lad, Michael; I'll recommend you to the colonel, when I am appointed to some post of great emolument under him; you shall be my deputy, and do all the business for me -and I'll take all the money. [Aside. Mic. So I will. I have often considered where the deuce you could conceal your riches.

Yus. Ay, that's a secret I mean to let you into; for I don't think my hoards are quite safe in this time of warlike combustion. We'll remove them, Michael..

Mic. Where are they? [Lilla listening. Yus. You know the burying-ground about a mile off, which the Turks hold so sacred. In the middle of the ground stands a high and spacious tomb; there I have hid it but mum !

Re enter First Soldier, R.

First Sol. [To Lilla.] Our colonel is not at home, madam; but I shall be happy to attend your ladyship. Yus. (c.) Hark ye, my lad [To Soldier], who is this pretty piece of camp-furniture, eh?

First S. Hush! 'tis our colonel's lady; I was the first who saw her here, and expect to be made a corporal for it. [Exit, R.

Yus. Oh, oh! then I know my cue. [Aside to Michael.] Leave us, Michael, [Exit Michael, L.-To Lilla, bowing.] How happy are we all to see your ladyship returned. The colonel is a most amiable creature; he does me the honour to live in my house-it was mine yesterday. Indeed, he forgot to ask my leave, but true politeness overlooks trifles-he must have a number of pretty things at his disposal. Oh, if ever I should live to be appointed a commissary-if your ladyship would but stand my friend-Pray is your ladyship fond of jewels?

Lil. [Aside.] If I speak, he'll know my voice.

Yus. I have some of the most beautiful pearls here. which I should be proud to present to your ladyship. [Offers a casket.

Lil. [Aside.] I believe I had best take them, to prevent further questions. [Takes the casket. Yus. [Aside.] She is used to bribery, I see.

Enter First Soldier, R.

The colonel is not yet arrived, madam: till he does, I shall be proud to obey the wife of our noble commander. Lil. [Discovers herself, c.] I am not his wife, sir. Yus. Why, heyday! zounds, this is my wife that ought to be.

Lil. No, I'll not be the wife of any of you; but, since you say, sir, you will obey my commands, pray be kind enough to turn that wicked old rogue of a justice out of the house.

First S. Turn him out! Oh, I and my fellow soldier will do that in the drawing of a trigger. [Exit, R. Yus. Turn me out of the house! that's a damned good

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