TAMERLANE.
13
Ax.Oh! name it! say!———
Sel.Forego your right of War,And render me this instant to my Father.
Ax.Impossible!———The Tumult of the Battle,That hastes to join, cuts off all means of CommerceBetwixt the Armies.
Sel.Swear then to perform it,Which way soe'er the chance of War determines,On my first instance.
Ax.By the sacred MajestyOf Heav'n, to whom we kneel, I will obey thee;Yes, I will give thee this severest ProofOf my Soul's vow'd Devotion, I will part with thee(Thou Cruel, to command it!) I will part with thee,As Wretches, that are doubtful of Hereafter,Part with their Lives, unwilling, loth, and fearful,And trembling at Futurity. But is there nothing,No small return that Honour can affordFor all this waste of Love?
Sel.The Gifts of CaptivesWear somewhat of constraint; and generous MindsDisdain to give, where freedom of the ChoiceDoes but seem wanting.
Ax.What! not one kind Look? [* Trumpets.Then thou art chang'd indeed. * Hark! I am summon'd,And thou wilt send me forth like one unbless'd;Whom Fortune has forsaken, and ill FateMarkt for Destruction. Thy surprising ColdnessHangs on my Soul, and weighs my Courage down;And the first feeble Blow I meet shall raze meFrom all remembrance: Nor is Life or FameWorthy my Care, since I am lost to thee. [Going.
Sel.Ha! Goest thou to the Fight?———
Ax.I do.———Farewel!———
Sel.What! and no more! A Sigh heaves in my Breast,And stops the struggling Accents on my Tongue,Else, sure, I should have added something more,And made our parting softer.
Ax.
