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 Shall plume her charms, and, with attentive watch, 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 DEMETRIUS. Forgive, my Fair; 'tis life, 'tis nature, calls: ASPASIA. Tis madness to provoke superfluous danger, ABDALLA. Fly, wretch, while yet my pity grants thee flight; DEMETRIUS. Once more I dare thy sword; behold the prize, Behold I quit her to the chance of battle. : [Quitting Aspasia. ABDALLA. 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. [Exit Murza. This lucky stratagem shall charm the Sultan, [Aside. Secure his confidence, and fix his love. DEMETRIUS. Behold a boaster's worth! Now snatch, my fair, The happy moment; hasten to the shore, ASPASIA. In vain. I listen to th' inviting call Of freedom and of love; my trembling joints, Forsake Forsake a wretch abandon'd to despair, 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 Here let me tend her with officious care, ASPASIA. Oh! rather, scornful of flagitious greatness, IRENE. My soul attends thy voice, and banish'd Virtue DEMETRIUS. Remember peace and anguish are before thee, And honour and reproach, and Heav'n and Hell. 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, [Seizing her hand. Ye Christian captives, follow me to freedom: A galley waits us, and the winds invite. And learn the rev'rence due to Turkey's Queen: Fly, slaves, and call the Sultan to my rescue. |