'Scap'd to our camp. From him we learn'd, the ty rant, With rage redoubled, for the fight prepares; [Flourish of Trumpets. Enter TAMERLANE, GUARDS, and other. ATTENDANTS. Tam. Yet, yet a little, and destructive slaughter Shall rage around, and mar this beauteous prospect; Pass but an hour, which stands betwixt the lives Of thousands and eternity. What change Shall hasty death make in yon glitt'ring plain ? Oh, thou fell monster, war! that in a moment Lay'st waste the noblest part of the creation, The boast and masterpiece of the great Maker, That wears in vain th' impression of his image, Unprivileg'd from thee. Health to our friends, and to our arms success, [To the PRINCE, ZAMA, and MIRVAN. Such as the cause for which we fight deserves! Prince. Nor can we ask beyond what Heav'n be stows, Preventing still our wishes. See, great sir, The universal joy your soldiers wear, Omen of prosp'rous battle. B Impatient of the tedious night, in arms 136 Tam. Yes, prince, I mean to give a loose to war. This morn Axalla, with my Parthian horse, wi Arrives to join me. He, who, like a storm, Swept, with his flying squadrons, all the plain Between Angoria's walls and yon tall mountains, [Flourish of Trumpets. Zama. These trumpets speak his presence Enter AXALLA, who kneels to TAMERLANE. Ax. My emperor! My ever royal master! Enter SELIMA, MONESES, Prisoners; GUARDS, This earnest of your fortune. See, my lord, Tam. This is indeed to conquer, And well to be rewarded for thy conquest; Sel. Most renown'd in war, [Kneeling to TAMERLANE. Look with compassion on a captive maid, Though born of hostile blood; nor let my birth, Deriv'd from Bajazet, prevent that mercy Which every subject ofi your fortune finds. War is the province of ambitious man, Tam. [Raising her.] Rise, royal maid! the pride Pays homage, not receives it, from the fair. Yet, though our frowning battles menace death Sel. Where shall my wonder and my praise begin? Let thy beauty's safety Be my Axalla's care; in whose glad eyes, I read what joy the pleasing service gives him. Worthy our knowledge? Ax. This brave man, my lord, [To AXALLA. [Pointing to MONESES. With long resistance held the combat doubtful. His party, press'd with numbers, soon grew faint, And would have left their charge an easy prey; Whilst he alone, undaunted at the odds, Though hopeless to escape, fought well and firmly; Nor yielded, till o'ermatch'd by many hands, He seem'd to shame our conquest, whilst he own'd it. Tam. Thou speak'st him as a soldier should a soldier, Just to the worth he finds. I would not war [TO MONESES. Why art thou, then, a friend to Bajazet? Man. If human wisdom Could point out every action of our lives, Tam. The brave meet every accident With equal minds. Think nobler of thy foes, Mon. Far, far from that: I rather hold it grievous That I was forc'd ev'n but to seem your enemy; Moves me to flatter for precarious life, Or ill-bought freedom, when I swear by Heav'n! It should be Tamerlane. Tam. A noble freedom Dwells with the brave, unknown to fawning sycophants, And claims a privilege of being believ❜d. I take thy praise as earnest of thy friendship. Mon. Still you prevent the homage I should offer." Oh, royal sir! let my misfortunes plead, And wipe away the hostile mark I wore. I was, when not long since my fortune hail'd me, Bless'd to my wish, I was the Prince Moneses; Tam, Ev'n that! that princly tie should bind thee to me, If virtue were not more than all alliance. Mon. I have a sister, oh, severe remembrance! Is poor to my soul's meaning. From our infancy, Tam. Let majesty no more be held divine, Then passing near the frontiers to the court, (Which waited for her nuptials) were surpris'd, And made the captives of the tyrant's pow'r. Soon as we reach'd his court, we found our usage Beyond what we expected, fair and noble: "Twas then the storm of your victorious arms Look'd black, and seem'd to threaten, when he press'a me |