Bound to Sallee, I fell into the hands
Of Chriftians. The Captain was a Briton.
We all expected bonds, and everlasting
Slavery--what could we elfe? But mark---this
Gen'rous man-he foon reviv'd our hearts.
For mildly thus, the god-like Captain spoke.
Britons, who enjoy the fweets of glorious
Liberty, would not debar mankind the
Equal bleffing---merchants you feem, (a name
Thrice honoured in our trading land) not
Pyrates---therefore you all are free-but if
Hereafter any chriftian falls into
Your hands, remember this---depart in peace.
What and fo difmifs'd you?
You call them gen'rous---I call them fools.
Thofe ifland dogs are fam'd for pitiful
Humanity --and where is their reward?
Dup'd and defpis'd on earth---what is their hope
Hereafter?---why let their prophet fave them---
My flaves are Spaniards, Hali.---Curse on their
Race! They now enjoy those happy plains which
Our forefathers long poffefs'da people
Whose breasts, juftice or mercy never felt-
And mine is steel'd like theirs and if I catch
Them
Them tripping, by Mahomet I fwear-(at
Whofe awful name I humbly bend) they all
Shall fuffer---under religion's cloak, they
Meet to night---perhaps to maffacre their
Lords and mafters, I know them treacherous,
Bafe, bloody, cruel-but, Hali, I will
Watch them well; I have fpies upon them now.
HALI.
Do not rafhly interrupt their holy
Ceremony on groundlefs fears-to night
They dedicate to pray'r; to-morrow they
Return to work; to-morrow-fly! fly ye
Hours, and ope the eastern gate of heaven-
And bring my Halyma in all the bloom
Of youth and beauty to blefs my arms—then
Gallop apace. And let yon filver moon
Illume the face of Ebon-fcepter'd night!
ACHMET.
See there the folly of unbridled youth-
They wish for things impoffible for time
To be annihilated; for faith in
Woman---e'er I would whine and figh for them,
I'd change my form, with any beaft, that roves
Our fpacious defarts-wherefore fhould they be
Sought with tears and flattery? Are they not,
Hali, made fubfervient to our nod?
Tho' in this cuftom bred, I must abhor
What treat the nobleft work of heaven, As not with human fouls endow'd.I tell
Thee, Achmet, their lovely forms with fo much
Elegance and beauty grac'd, were fram'd to
Humanize our ruder fex, and soften
Us to manhood. By heaven! I think the
Place, that holds her, facred--and I enter
With fuch devotion, as holy pilgrims
Mecca, when they vifit our Prophet's tomb.
ACHMET.
They're gew gaws, Hali, for one idle hour
Of dalliance, then thrown afide and chang'd
'For others. Our holy Mahomet, (whom
Error ne'er mifguided,) amongft his first
Of Laws, adopted this-To take---enjoy---
And to difcard at pleasure. But thou would'st
Change his tenets -alter his decrees-and
'Think'ft to find felicity in one.-——I
Tell thee, Hali, 'tis childish and abfurd!
Achmet, the custom that you plead is vile-
Look round and fee its dire effects.
Of mutual love, and conjugal delight,
Which fhould attend the union of the hearts.
Diftruft and jealousy prey on your minds,
And blast your joys. ***
Thefe maxims Chriftians hold.
I'll follow them in these.
As fuch, my Hali, I efteem you now.
Then I am bleft, if Halyma confents-
MUSTAPHA.
She fhall confent-and Laura fhall confent-
To-night's the utmoft that we'll wait. They must
They fhall be our's to-morrow. Achmet, I've
Follow'd your advice---the guards are doubled---
Tho' I can't think the flaves will dare to rife,
Yet caution's always right. Let us move hence.
[Exeunt.
The back Scene opens, and fhews the ruin'd Church.
Morris, and feven other Chriftian flaves.
FIRST SLAVE.
Sure 'tis the time that Egmond fix'd to meet.
SECOND SLAVE.
The hour is part-I fear we are betray'd.
I fear it not-I came prepar'd for death,
Or liberty- -Either I'll willingly
Embrace. Death, my friends, has not thofe terrors
To a free-born mind, as abject flav'ry.
No more than you I fear to die, but yet
Would wish to live: The hour appointed when
We were to receive our arms and final
Orders from our leaders, paft, caus'd that doubt.
The brave can never dread-They boldly meet
Their fate. Remember why we've inet, and let
Fear, that inmate of a coward, be banish'd
From our thoughts. Let us refolve, that if the
Worft fhould happen, not to quit each other.
THIRD SLAVE.
Come let us fwear no wiles, no promises
Of pardon, fhall draw us from this temple,
Should we be difcover'd-But fighting fide
By fide, as fellow Chriftians, fall and die.
All the Slaves.
Now let's embrace and bravely meet
Our doom. Hark! along the winding paffage,' Methinks I hear the fteps of hafty feet.
Be on your guard. But let not fear betray
I've been detain'd beyond my time, but all
Is fafe. Heaven who doubtlels favours our
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