DEMETRIUS. Farewell, unhappy maid may every joy And when, contemptuous of imperial pow'r, SCENE VI. [IRENE walks at a distance from her attendants.] Against the head, which innocence secures, Turn'd backwards by the pow'rful breath of Heav'n. Well pleas'd to search the treasures of remembrance, And live her guiltless moments o'er anew! Come, let us seek new pleasures in the palace, [To her attendants, going off. Till soft fatigue invite us to reposé. SCENË VII. [Enter MUSTAPHA, meeting and stopping her.] Fair Falsehood, stay. MUSTAPHA: IRENE. What dream of sudden power Has taught my slave the language of command! MUSTAPHA. Who calls for pardon from a wretch condemn'd? IRENE. Thy look, thy speech, thy action, all is wildness- MUSTAPHA. Who charges guilt! Ask of thy heart; attend the voice of Conscience- Review this day. IRENE. Whate'er thy accusation, The Sultan is my judge. MUSTAPHA. That hope is past; Hard was the strife of justice and of love; But now 'tis o'er, and justice has prevail'd. Know'st thou not Cali? know'st thou not Demetrius? IRENE. Bold slave, I know them both-I know them traitors. MUSTAPHA. Perfidious!-yes-too well thou know'st them traitors. IRENE. Their treason throws no stain upon Irene. MUSTAPHA. The Sultan knows it, He knows how near apostasy to treason But 'tis not mine to judge-I scorn and leave thee. go, lest vengeance urge my hand to blood, I To blood too mean to stain a soldier's sabre. [Exit Mustapha. IRENE, to her attendants. Go, blust'ring slave-He has not heard of Murza. 1 SCENE VIII. Enter HASAN, CARAZA, with Mutes, who throw the black robe upon IRENE, and sign to her attendants to withdraw. HASAN. Forgive, fair Excellence, th' unwilling tongue, IRENE. What wild mistake is this! Take hence with speed Your robe of mourning, and your dogs of death. Quick from my sight, you inauspicious monsters, Nor dare henceforth to shock Irene's walks. HASAN. Alas! they come commanded by the Sultan, IRENE. Are these the rapid thunderbolts of war, Securely sleeps, and in delightful dreamst Smiles at the threat'nings of defeated rage. L CARAZA. We come, bright Virgin, though relenting Nature IRENE. Whence is this rage? what barb'rous tongue has wrong'd me? What fraud misleads him? or what crimes incense? HASAN. Expiring Cali nam'd Irene's chamber, IRENE. Irene's chamber! From my faithful bosom CARAZA, "Tis ours, alas! to punish, not to judge, Not call'd to try the cause, we heard the sentence, Ordain'd the mournful messengers of death. IRENE. Some ill-designing statesman's base intrigue! Confess |