A.CT IV.

MUSTAPHA's HOUSE.

Halyma and Laura.

HALYMA.

THE holy virgin, (whom thou haft taught me
To adore) approves thy pious zeal, and
Hears thy pray'r. 'Tis fhe has fent thy husband
To blefs thy fight---to calm thy fears---and to
Support thee in this awful scene.

LAURA.

Yet my

Halyma, you can't conceive how much my
Dread is heighten'd, by his dear, his wifh'd for
Prefence. Should he fall-what will be life and
Liberty to me!

HALYMA.

Supprefs these fears, and

Dry thy tearful eyes. Should my father now
Surprise you thus, he'd think 'twas hate to him.
Occafion'd this'twould drive him to commit

Some

1

Some dreadful deed. O think if you

fhould plant

Sufpicion in his breast, 'twould blast our hopes And ruin us for ever.

Has not your

Friend as much to fear as you? On Egmond's

Fate depends my own.

Mifers do their gold,

Hide then your grief, as

LAURA.

Heroic maid- -By

Thy example taught, I'll hide, at least I'll
Strive to hide my terrors, and I'll wear a
Chearful face an hour's fufpence is all we
Have to fuffer- after that 'twill all be

Certainty

our heroes now are met, and Fix their last refolves-O guide us fafe, thou Pow'r fupreme! That grateful I may offer

Up my thanks, my praifes at thine altar,
And introduce this virgin profelyte

Into the bofom of our holy church.

HALYMA.

Amen! my heav'nly infpir'd teacher-Oh!
What recompence can I return for fuch
Unbounded favours-- my happiness on
Earth, and all my hopes hereafter, I owe
To thee what fhall I fay-
how testify
The fulness of my foulby what dear
Tender name, fhall I addrefs you?

LAURA.

Call me fifter, or more than fifter, friend,

!

HALYMA.

HALYMA.

O my Leonifa-I had once a

Secret joy, in meditating on a

Sifter's name-but heaven has otherwife
Ordain'd, and Hafan must be wretched now.
O friend! How will hé fupport the killing
News-I know his inmoft foul- it will nip
His bloom of life and drive him to despair.
LAURA.

Think not fo, my Halyma-our holy
Priests, infpir'd from above, in words divine,
Will pour the balm of comfort on his foul,
Affuage his griefs, and heal his ev'ry care.

Enter Mustapha.

MUSTAPHA.

Ah! fhe's here, I thank thee, prophet, this fpot
Was deftin'd for my triumph-
now my blood
Tumultuous rushes thro' my veins ! why should
I wait for her confent--I'll fnatch this bright
Occafion, and force her trembling to my
Will-the hour, the place remote, confpire to
Crown my joys, nor tears nor pray'rs fhall move me.
Hafan loves her too, I saw it in his
Looks that's another spur to urge me on!
Love, revenge, and jealoufy, will steel my
Heart against the powerful eloquence of
Her mufic-breathing voice, and awful look!
Halyma, leave us-I would confer with
Laura here alone to your chamber, and

Expect

Expect me foon; I'll fee you e'er I go

To reft.

HALYMA.

I obey, Sir-alas ! my friend.

LAURA.

[Exit Halyma.

Your leave, Sir, I would attend your daughter.

MUSTAPHA.

I'd have you stay, I've matters to impart
Require immediate answer

my fon has

Told you that to night I am refolv'd to-
LAURA.

Why will you perfevere, O Sir, I have
A thousand times repeated, that I am
Another's by ties divine and human!

MUSTAPHA.

Another's, what Hafan's? thou hypocrite
Laura, be warn'd, for by my foul I fwear
My son shall perish in your fight, if you

Perfift to thwart me.

LAURA.

Sir-my

You wrong me, Sir

Vows are plighted to a Chriftian-Hafan

Nor you can e'er be mine.

MUSTAPHA.

Ha! doft thou fcreen

Him then, and dar'ft to brave me to my face? 'Tis well, too long my bliss I have deférr'd; Now prepare to meet me, inftant in my

Chamber.

Chamber. Or by Mecca! I'll fend my flaves

To drag you there.

LAURA.

Your fon-I vow I never will be his!

MUSTAPHA.

'Tis falfe, but I'll prevent your schemes, this hour You shall be mine, your prophet faves you not! LAURA.

Have mercy defer it till to-morrow!
MUSTAPHA.

To night, by Mahomet I have fworn this night
To revel in your arms therefore prepare
Nor waste your precious moments!

LAURA.

Thus kneeling

At your feet, mercy I crave, have piry

MUSTAPHA.

Away, thou plead'ft in vain, as well thou might'st

Attempt to change the course of nature

to

Turn yon current that conftant runs from the
Atlantic to our Eastern fea-now will

I reap a golden harveft-therefore, my
Love, comply, and meet my joys, nor dash my
Hopes with tears and cold reluctance !

LAURA.

Heavens

Is there no pitying faint, nor man, to

Help me

O Ricardo, where art thou now!

Ꭲ .

MUSTAPHA