Point me to right! I'll onward to its goal SCENE I-MAHOMET's apartment. MAHOMET alone. Mah. Ambition knows not conscience Well, this Zaphna Is fixed at length-I lessoned him so home, Enter MIRVAN. Mirvan, what news? Weed their young minds from those pernicious errors The arch-impostor has implanted in them, ACT IV. Mir. Oh, Mahomet, I fear the nice woven web Of our design's unravelled. Ere thy spirit Had re-inflamed young Zaphna with the thirst Of old Alcanor's blood, he had revealed The dreadful purpose to Hercides— Mah. Ha! [Erit. He's not her father, as she knows it not. SCENE II.-The temple. Mir. Hercides loves the youth, and Zaphna Enter ZAPHINA, with a drawn sword in his hand. still Has held him as a father. Mah. That I like not. What does Hercides say? thinks he with us? Mir. Oh no; he trembles at the very thought Of this dread scene, compassionates Alcanor, And Mah. He's but a half friend then, and a half friend Is not a span from traitor. Mirvan, Mirvan, with: Am I obeyed? Mir. Tis done. Mah. Then for the rest Or e'er the harbinger of morrow's dawn In thy own blood the secret must be drowned. Shall we accomplish this? Mir. We shall, my chief. Mah. What though I seize his life, from whom she sprung? What horrid sacrifice is this enjoined thee? Zaph. Oh, my guardian angel, How can assassination be a virtue? This great announcer of his heavenly will, Pal. Oh, tremble to examine. He sees our hearts-To doubt is to blaspheme. Zuph. Be steady, then, my soul, firm to thy purpose, And let religion steel thee against pity. Come forth, thou foe to Mahomet, and Heaven, And meet the doom thy rebel faith deserves! Come forth, Alcanor! Pal. Who, Alcanor! Pal. The good Alcanor? Zaph. Why do you call him good? Curse on his pagan virtues! he must die; And whispers to my heart-Zaphna, forbear! Zaph. Alas! my dear Palmira, I'm weak, and shudder at this bloody business. Help me, oh help, Palinira! I am torn, Distracted with this conflict. Zeal, horror, love, and pity, seize my breast, What can I teach thee in this strife of passions? Zaph. But then, to break through hospitality, And murder him, by whom we are protected! Pal. Oh, poor Alcanor! generous, good Alcanor! My heart bleeds for thee. Zaph. Know then, unless I act this horrid scene, Unless I plunge this dagger in the breast Of that old man, I must-I must Pal. What Zaph. Must, Palmira (Oh agonizing thought!) lose thee for ever. Pal. Am I the price of good Alcanor's blood? Zaph. So Mahomet ordains. Pul. Horrible dowry! And I'll fulfil its laws. This is the hour, Pal. I must follow; I will not, dare not, leave thee. I beg thee fly these walls; thou canst not bear This horrid scene-Oh, these are dreadful moments! Begone-quick-this way Pal. No, I follow thee, Retread thy every footstep, though they lead Zuph. Thou matchless maid!-to the dire [Exeunt. SCENE draws, and discovers the inner part of the temple, with a pagan altar and images; ALCANOR addressing himself to the idols. Alc. Eternal Powers! that deign to bless these mansions, Protectors of the sons of Ishmael, Crush, crush this blasphemous invader's force, And turn him back with shame! If power be your's, Oh! shield your injured votaries, and lay Enter ZAPHNA and PALMIRA. Pal. entering.] Act not this bloody deed! oh save him, save him! Zaph. Save him, and lose both paradise and thee! Pal. Hah, yon' he stands-Oh! Zaphna, all my blood is frozen at the sight! Alc. 'Tis in your own behalf that I implore The terrors of your might; swift, swiftly Pour vengeance on this vile apostate's head, Who dares profanely wrest your thunder from you, And lodge it with an unknown fancied god. now Pal. Hold, Zaphna! Pal. I cannot-cannot. Alc. But if, for reasons which dim-sighted mor tals Can't look into, you'll crown this daring rebel In store for me, at my last hour permit me Pal. His children, did he say? 3 X Alc. For this I'll at your altar pay my vows, And make it smoke with incense. [Retires behind the altar. Zaph. Now's the time; [Drawing his sword. Insulting Heaven, he flies to stones for refuge: Now let me strike! Pal. Stay but one moment, Zaphna. Zaph. To serve my God and king, and merit thee. [Breaking from Palmira. and going towards the altar, he starts, and stops short. Ha! what are ye, ye terrifying shades? What means this lake of blood, that lies before me? Pal. Oh Zaphna! let us fly these horrid roofs. Zaph. No, no- -Go on, ye ministers of death; Lead me the way: I'll follow ye. Pal. Stay, Zaphna! Heap no more horrors on me; I'm expiring Zaph. Be hushed-the altar trembles ! [Goes out behind the altar after Alcanor. Pal. What vows? Will Heaven receive a murderer's vows! For sure I'm such, whilst I prevent not murder. Why beats my heart thus? what soft voice is this, That's waken'd in my soul, and preaches mercy? Re-enter ZAPHNA. Zaph. Ha! where am I? Who calls me? where's Palmira? she's not here: What fiend has snatched her from me? Pal. Heavens ! he raves! Dost thou not know me, Zaphna! her, who lives For thee alone!-Why dost thou gaze thus on me? Zaph. Where are we? Pal. Hast thou then discharged The horrid duty? Zaph. What dost thou say? Pal. Alcanor——— Zaph. Alcanor! what Alcanor? Pal. Gracious Heaven, Look down upon him! Let's be gone, my Zaphna! Let's fly this place! Zaph. Oh, whither fly! to whom? D'ye see these hands? who will receive these hands? Pal. Oh, come, and let me wash them with my tears! The fell, fell dagger in his bosom, viewed [Throwing himself on the ground. The dire remembrance weighs me to the earthHere let me die Pal. Rise, my loved Zaphna! rise, Zaph. starting up.] I did fly at that blasting sight, Palmira, When drawing out the fatal steel he cast Oh! in the name of love, by all the ties, [ALCANOR comes from behind the altar, Zaph. Ha! look, Palmira, see what object's that, Which bears upon my tortured sight! Is't he? Or is't his bloody manes come to haunt us? Pal. 'Tis he himself, poor wretch! struggling with death, And feebly crawling towards us. Let me fly, And all my frame is struck and withered up Alc. My gentle maid, Pal. I could weep tears of blood, if that would serve thee. Alc. [Sitting down.] Zaphna, come hither; | Its bigot purpose; I hope to live to animate For what offence, or what one thought towards That anger or malevolence gave birth, Enter PHARON hastily, Pha. [Starting back.] Ha! 'tis too late, then. Thy martyred friend, by his distempered hand, Pha. Dire unnatural crime! Oh, wretched parricide!-behold thy father! Zaph. My father! Pal. Father! ha! Alc. Mysterious Heaven! Pha. Hercides, dying by the hand of Mirvan, Who slew him, lest he should betray the secret, Saw me approach, and, in the pangs of death, Cried, Fly and save Alcanor; wrest the sword 'From Zaphna's hands, if 'tis not yet too late, "That's destined for his death; then let him know, 'That Zaphna and Palmira are his children.' To root out a rapacious baneful crew, Come, thou infernal weapon, [Snatches the bloody sword. I'll wash off thy foul stain with the heart's blood Of that malignant sanctified assassin! [As Zuphna is going off, Mirvan and his followers enter, and stop him. Mir. Seize Zaphna, And load the traiterous murderer with chains! Alc. Heavens! what accumulated crimes are Zaph. Where is the monster? bear me instant to him, That I may blast him with my eye, may curse him Pal. That Zaphna and Palmira are his chil-With my last hesitating voice! dren! Dost hear that, Zaphna? Zaph. 'Tis enough, my fate! Canst thou aught more? Alc. Oh, nature! oh, my children! By what vile instigations wert thou driven, Zaph. [Falling at his father's feet.] Oh, I can- Restore me, sir, restore that damned weapon, Pal. [Kneeling.] Oh, my father! Strike here! the crime was mine; 'twas I alone, And joy to see them, though my life's the forfeit! Pal. Thou traitor! Did not thy own death-doing tongue enjoin Mir. Not mine, by Heaven! Mir. No; by our prophet, and his holy faith, , Mir. Off with him, [To the Soldiers. And see him well secured, till Mahomet Demands him of you. Pal. Villain, hold! [Laying hold of Zaphna. Zaph. Just, just reward of my credulity! Mir. No more-you must to Mahomet : Pul. [Aside.] Oh death! deliver me from such Mir. If you would aught to save the destined Follow me to the prophet; you may move him [To the soldiers who hold Zaphna. You this way. SCENE I. Enter MAHOMET and MIRVAN. ACT V. Mir. Safe in a dungeon, where he dies apace. Mah. WRONG will be ever nursed and fed A deadly draught of poison. with blood! Mah. What a senseless machine Mir. This moment he expired, and Mecca's youth In vain lament their chief. To the mad crowd That gathered round, good Ali and myself (Full of thy dauntless heavenly-seeming spirit) Disclaimed the deed, and pointed out the arm Of righteous Heaven, that strikes for Mahomet. Think ye, we cried (with eyes and hands upreared), Think ye our holy prophet would consent To such a crime, whose foulness casts a blot man, And only wished he'd died among the faithful, And slept with Ibrahim. Mah. Excellent Mirvan! Mir, We, then, both at large Descanted on thy clemency and bounty. On that the silent and desponding crowd Broly out in murmurs, plaints, and last in shouts, And cach mechanic grew a mussulman. Mah. Oh, worthy to deceive and awe the Second to Mahomet! let me embrace thee- To back our clemency? Mir. Omar commands Their nightly march through unsuspected paths, And with the morn appears. Mah. At sight of them, The weak remaining billows of this storm Mah. I would be kind, and let him die deccived, Nor know that parent-blood defiles his soul. Mah. Unhappy Zaphna! Something like pity checks me for thy death. Give a new paradise to all mankind, And let remorse of conscience be the hell Mir. My noble lord, Palmira is at hand, and waits your pleasure. Mah. At hand! How, Mirvan, couldst thou let me talk On themes of guilt, when that pure angel's near? Mir. The weeping fair, led on by flattering hope Of Zaphna's life, attends your sacred will: Enter PALMIRA with attendants. Pal. apart.] Where have they led me? Methinks each step I take, the mangled corse Of my dear father (by poor Zaphna mangled) Lies in my way, and all I see is blood-[Starting. 'Tis the impostor's self!-Burst, heart, in silence. Mah. Maid, lay aside this dread. Palmira's fate And that of Mecca by my will is fixed. Pal. Oh, ever righteous Heaven! canst thou suffer |