Enter ISMAEL, USEPH. PETER, LEOPOLD, and Chorus. So kindly, &c. Seras. Useph. Please your highness, here's a most unruly, obstropolous country felow, who has broken open a door, and attempted to knock down a magistrate; and all, forsooth, because he's under the influence of the tender passion; he is the most violent un-Chorus. mannerly Leop. It's false, I am not violent. Im. Aride to SERAS.] This poor fellow has an honest heart; the magistrate is a villain; the villagers are already disaffected to us; be careful how you act in this affair, my lord. Subdue them by your justice your clemency. Seras. To ISMAEL.] I will take your advice for the present, but I must have the girl, sooner or later. Hear me. Im. Silence; attend to his highness. Seras. You all know my affection for the good people of this village Leop. [Half ande.] The women, I believe, know it very well. Useph. Silence, sirrah! Seras. I consider you all as my children— Leop. [Aside. If he were to stay amongst us much longer the whole village would be his children in another generation. Useph. How dare you mutter, you reprobate? Seras.Whispers ISMAEL, who goes off:] I would willingly content you all, but that's impossible; let my sentence be publicly known. [The curtain at the back of the tent is drawn up; Ghita. Aside.] Now for some terrible sentence. Seras. And loved by her in return? Seras. Then marry her. Leop. Thanks to your highness. Seras. You are in love with Lilla, Useph? Seras. And not beloved by her? Useph. I fear not, my lord. Seras. Leopold has offered you an affront? Seras. You are a man of authority, and should set an example of moderation; you must forgive him. Leop. How do you like that, old one? Aside to USEPH. Lilla. That be my task; it is my duty and hap- piness. Seemingly condescending, Fet shall my scheme prevail Let love and truth prevail. Now justice shall prevail. ACT II. SCENE L-A Concent My plaint in no one piły moves, Save echo, who in plaints replies: Like me, depris'd of him she loves, With sympathy the counts my right. Pleas'd with the strain, the hapist mad Repeats the unaralling moon; And, while the lends her wothing aid, Laments my sorrows and her cun. Unhappy as I am, it is some consolation to me i Cohenberg knows my heart, and wid not wrong so far as to doubt my constancy. But sah, the raskier he treats me with respect, moga de still ignorant who I am. Enter SERASKIER. Seras. Alas! madam, shall I never have the piness of seeing you wear those studies warh prodigal in adorning you, meant as bet lan perfect your charms. Cath. I am your prisoner, sir; my indig swells whilst I avow it. Seras. I am your prisoner; does A 2* ́ sighCath. You are a soldier, sir; do not LEA character by insulting a defenceless b Enter ISMAEL. Ism. My lord, a deserter of no vul the Austrian camp, desires to be ad as. What are you? . An Austrian. as. What have you to communicate? 1. Colonel Cohenberg is not unknown to your less. th. [Aside.] What can be mean? -as. His character is not unknown to me: what . Your highness once wrote to him as to an exre of prisoners; consequently, know his hand. ras. Perfectly well. by the SERASKIER, who is between them. In the course of the duet, the Colonel makes an unsuccessful effort to give her a letter. Seras. Gives the Colonel a letter.] There is my answer; and by our holy prophet do I swear faithfully to perform each article. [The Colonel gives a letter to ĈATHERINE, unperceived by the SERASKIER. A Slave enters, snatches it from her, and presents it to the SERASKIER on his knee. What's this? [Reads.] "I have ventured into the Turkish camp in hopes of seeing you, my beloved Catherine." Ha! Catherine! th. [Aside.] I perceive some artifice; but what" This night I mean to storm the Seraskier's fort, and give you liberty.-Your true Cohenberg." What ho! a guard! ard does he run! 7. [Giving a letter.] Here, sir, is my commission. eras. Say, Christian, if I write, when may I Seize him. Enter ISMAEL and Guard. Cath. Hear me, my lord. Seras. No more, dissembler! Bear her away. Cath. My Cohenberg, I have undone thee. Seras. Away with her. [Erit Guards with CATH.j Slaves, on your lives I charge you, guard well this hypocrite, this liar. The Colonel, in great agitation, feels for his sword, which the Guards have taken from him, and missing it, clasps his hands in agony.] Deep in the darkest dungeon of the fort let him be chained; there shall he stay till his associates in perfidy shall come to burst his bonds, and storm the post I guard. Col. Alike I scorn thy menaces and taunts. I glory, though I failed, in the attempt. Heap cruelty on cruelty on me, I can bear it; my darkness is the ex-loss of Catherine's eyes, my chains the despair of seeing her; and death were transport to the pangs I feel in knowing her a slave to thee, barbarian! [Exit, guarded. ol. Within these few hours you may depend on ng me again. ath. [Aside.] Indeed! eras. Heavens! madam, how you are altered! ras. You take so warm an interest in his favour ath. There would be no fear of that, for well he ws his Catherine will not suffer him to have a Feras. I hardly comprehend you. But I must i my answer to Cohenberg's letter. [Sits down to e.] 'Tis done. Now, madam, if you have any 1hings to say in behalf of your friend, I'll be r secretary; continue those smiles, and you shall a Mussulman ean be as compia sant a lover as Christendom can boast. What shall I tell him? a.h. Tell him DUET.-SERASKIER and CATHERINE. Of plighted faith so truly kept, Of restless thoughts, that never slept, During this scene the Colonel and CATHERINE SESTETTO. SCENE II-A Wood. Enter ANSELM and Peasants. Ana. It is as I suspected. I am sure 'twas Colo Ghita. Lilla & Night thus from me concealing The form of him I love; Oh! let his voice, revealing His truth, my fears remote. nel Cohenberg I saw hurried to the fort. I fear the Seras. & Night thus from me concesing worst. of her I Oh! let her voice, revealing The truth, my fears remote, Oh, heavens! the Seraskier! A lover's accents hear; With sympathetic passion, Fond expectation cheer. Ah! should my husband hear w & } 4 What could poor Ghita do? What could poor Lilla do? Enter LEOPOLD and PETIL. Lilla! My love, I'm here. [Exeunt. Leop. & Peter. Peter. Hark! I'm sure there's some manar u. Ghita! Our husbands near us! DUET. Ghita. S Leop. & You're here! Peter. S Lilla & Kindly with fluttering pinions aid Ghita. Hus weary steps returning. So may thy wings (their wanton play No scorching sun oppressing) Still gladly fan the sultry day. And prove the summer's blessing. Ghita. Love they call a gentle passion, I prefer the jealous fashion; In fund nonsense tell their loves; Lilla. Let me in true pleasure's mirror Give me the calm, take you the storm. Lilla. Well, Ghita, now we are married, I hope our husbands will take their leave of jealousy. Ghita, Psha! Lilla, how often must I tell you jealousy follows love like a shadow. Lilla. Then love is a pretty thing and an ugly shadow. But I have seen my shadow often in the sun, and it appeared so tall and frightful that I am sure it couldn't be like me. But it begins to grow late, I wish our husbands would come home. Ghita. There are two men coming this way. Enter SERASKIER and ISMAEL, in long cloaks. Seras. [To ISMAEL.] Desire my followers to keep back. Ghita. [To LILLA.] See, they have wrapped themselves up in long cloaks that we shouldn't know Then, who is this so near? Honest peasants, homeward going I pray, are gua su knowing, Whether they be friends or foes? Jealous fears perplezing, Like whelming billows roll, And wreck my tortur'd soul. Begone; 'tis thy falsehood TO LILLA and GHITA Distracts my tortur'd woul Ah! can my dear suspect me ? My truth he cannot fear. Suspense, in clouds, shuts in the day, Hope, cheering star, afford thy ray Of silver light; and, to our eyes, Oh! bid thy bright creation rise. Exeunt SCENE IV.-Inside of Peter's House. Enter PETER and LEOPOLD, Peter. A pretty adventure this. Leop. Yes, a very pretty adventure, indeed Peter. How do you feel, Leopold! Leop. Oh! I'm composed, quite composed. Peter. For my part, I own I am in a passion Leop. Oh! then you are wrong, year trend; you are wrong, Peter. Peter. My suspicions are not easily reseca, bui now Leop. Oh! for shame, Peter, can't you be calm Death and d-n! can't you be cool? Peter. I confess I am angry, and— Leop. But you sha'n't be angry, I tell you. Yo must be cool; d-e! you shall. Peter. Must I? Leop. Yes. Peter. Why, then, I will; you know I am ab rally very peaceable. Leop. Peaceable! Here's a fellow, 1, would stand by quietly to have his horns fitted by my troth, if I must wear mine, I'll but them like a mad bull. Peter. Poor Leopold, he's angry with me Peter. Oh! here comes Lilla. Leop. Lilla, my dear, come here, I want to speak Leop. She has; therefore, have a care. Peter. [Aside to LEOP.] Now, Leopold, I tell you Leop. Be quiet, you fool; keep yourself calm. Leop. [To LILLA.] Come, why don't you speak? , these countrymen. Lilla. Ay, these countrymen-Who were they? Why don't you tell me? I am sure you know, Leop. I know! here's a pretty piece of business. Lilla. Well, if you won't tell me, Ghita will. Leop. Harkye! Lilla, I am convinced you are wrong; therefore, I insist on your confession. Lilla. Oh! you will have me confess? Leop. Yes, I will; therefore, recollect yourself, I will have it. I say, Peter, this is the way to manage a wife. You see I have carried my point. AIR.-LILLA. What can mean that thoughtful frown? Let them kindly look on me. La ra lal la! [During the song she dances slowly between PETER, LEOPOLD, and GHITA. Peter. I say, Leopold, this is the way to manage a wife; you see you have carried your point. Leop. Why, I-I-I don't know how it is, but ecod! she has danced me into a good humour, I think. Lilla. Now, Leopold, how could you serve me so? Why, Ghita says you have been laughing at her. Leop. Why, yes, I believe I am in a merry humour. Lilla. I don't think you are merry; you seem grumpy. Leop. Psha! no such thing; I am not grumpy. Ghita. Ah! you don't deserve the supper we have prepared for you. But come, Lilla, we must forgive 'em. Lilla. Well, if we must, we must. Brings the table with supper forward. Leop. [Aside to PETER.] Well, Peter, what do you think of this? Peter. [Aside to LEOP.] Why, for my part, I think it looks like innocence. Leop. So it does, so it does; but we'll watch them, though; so, mum! Peter. [All sit.] Egad! I never was happier in my life; come, let's have a toast. Lilla. Sit down, Leopold. Leop. I won't sit down. [Rises. Lilla. Nay, don't be angry; here's a merrythought for you. Leop, Eat it yourself, then. Lilla. You shall sit down. It is only the villagers amusing themselves: and you know, Leopold, that people of fashion often have music at supper. [SERASKIER sings without. Leop. Oh! choak your singing. Peter. Ah! Leopold, there's danger in that voice. Leop. Horribly melodious! Harkye! Peter, are you courageous? Peter. Tolerably so. Leop. Takes two swords, and gives one to PETER.] Here, then, take this sword, and follow me. We'll join the concert; and if I don't put these gallants out of tune, I'll be-It's astonishing how I continue to keep my temper [Exit with PETER. 4 E Lilla. What will become of us! Let's follow successfully, and Lilla is safe w Enter USEPH at a back door. [Exeunt. Useph. All quiet; then I'm sure Leopold can't be here; and I have such a dread of that d-d fellow, that-[Seeing the supper.] Eh! What have we here? a good supper, and nobody to eat it. I think my appetite returns, as my fright goes off. Egad! I'll pick a bit. There's nothing in the world I like better than a good supper, especially when anybody else pays for it. Ha, ha, ha! Eh! What's this? Holding a large slice of ham on his fork. Oh! the Christian dogs! what, eat pork! Oh, horrible! [Eats the ham eagerly.] Oh, fie! oh, fie! What have we here? Wine! worse and worse! Wine, indeed! How can people be so impious to drink—Drinks a large cupful.] Though, I believe a Mahometan may take a cup of wine when nobody sees him. Egad! I'll take another. Here's to the founder of the feast. Drinks.] Now, if I could but meet LillaGood cheer puts one in such excellent spirits, and makes one so valiant and so loving, that-[Pistols fire.] Oh, Lord! [Starts up.] They are firing pistols against the door. Oh, dear! oh, dear! What will become of me? [Goes to the door at the back.] Eh! this door is fast! Mercy on me! [Hides under the table. Enter PETER and GHITA. Ghita. Stay here, my dear Peter, if you love me; all opposition is fruitless. I am sure the Seraskier is amongst them. Peter. Poor Leopold! he'll be overpowered by numbers. Run up to the house-top, Ghita, and alarm the neighbours.-Exit GHITA.]-How unlucky that this accident should happen just at supper-time! Enter LEOPOLD. Ism. I fear, my lord, we shall expen proofs of their valour. Seras. To what am I to attribute the apprehensions, Ismael? Ism. My lord, I never before fought a vi was ashamed of. Seras. No more: it's time to think of Com Are the executioners prepared? Seras. Are the horsemen ready to bear rine ? Ism. They have their orders, my lord ! Seras. To the Guards.] Strike off his ca bring your prisoner forth. Do you ecc. tako hither. [To another Guanti or The Guards lift up a trap-door, one i returns with Colonel COHENBLA Col. To what new indignities am I r Enter Guard with CATHERINE Seras. Hear me, Christian: had the chicbattle made you my prisoner, I should have res you as a soldier; but you have degraded yourw into a spy, and an ignominious death is, by the a of nations, your reward; yet life or death, cae condition, may still be yours Col. And if that one should be unworthy, learn, though life and liberty are dearer to me than su 12treasures of your eastern world, I have a pe within my keeping, more valuable far,—my tumar which I scorn to barter for it. Muffed drama arv Seras. Hark! that is thy knell. Warn those sounds, within a few short moments, saa passed upon thy obstinacy, that instant is try at Attend: this night thy Austrians mean to a Leop. Confusion! they have carried off my Lilla. my fort. Let the deceivers be deceived: deurr Plague on my sword for failing me, when I might them to my sword. Renounce your Christian ane have rescued her; but I'll raise the neighbourhood, ship: do this; and, in my Sultan's name. [ promat and if I can but find that old scoundrel, Useph-you power, wealth, honour, your Catherine, Liver [Turns round, and sees USEPH.] Ha! villain, what brought you here? Useph. What brought me here? Why, I heard a riot, so I came to-to Leop. To what? Useph. Why, to quell it, and defend your house; and, besides, I came to wish you joy on your marriage, my dear friend. Leop. And how did you get into the house? Useph. I came through the garden, and in at the back-door, quietly and peaceably as a magistrate should do, and agreeably to my function. Peter. Yes, and you seem to have been eating some of our supper: was that agreeably to your function ? Leop. Ah! sirrah, who asked you to supper? Leop. Hold your tongue. Harkye, rascal! my Lilla's carried off; and I am almost sure that you are in the plot; so, come along, and if I find my suspicions right, I'll hang you on the next tree. [Exeunt. wishes can desire. Col. My Catherine! she is a reward so vainu un so truly great, that— Cath. Hear me, Cohenberg: should an country, and thy king, though that staat b Seras. [Aside.] Death to my hopes- Cath. This is the greatest mercy tha ca He dares to die, and I dare not live to set 25 honoured. Seras. [Muffled drums.] Appear, ye msim death. Enter Black Slaves. Seras. Bear her away! Col. In life and death, my Catherine Seras. Away with her! [Exu CATS. and end at once this pageant of thy cruelty Col. Come, tyrant, give me the fatal bre neath my feet; and, though this worthing she threats I boldly despise; thy offers thus I me |