TAMERLANE.
23
Baj.Curse upon the Stars,That fated us to different Scenes of Slaughter!Oh! could my Sword have met thee!———
Tam.Thou hadst then,As now, been in my Power, and held thy LifeDependant on my Gift.———Yes Bajazet,I bid thee, Live.———So much my Soul disdains,That thou should'st think, I can fear ought but Heav'n:Nay more; could'st thou forget thy brutal fierceness,And form thy self to Manhood, I would bid thee,Live, and be still a King, that thou may'st learnWhat Man should be to Man, in War remembringThe Common Tye, and Brotherhood of Kind.This Royal Tent, with such of thy Domesticks,As can be found, shall wait upon thy Service;Nor will I use my Fortune, to demandHard Terms of Peace, but such as thou may'st offerWith Honour, I with Honour may receive*,[*Tamerlane sings to an Officer, who unbinds Bajazet.
Baj.Ha! say'st thou'—no!———our Prophets Vengeance blast me,If thou shalt buy my Friendship with thy Empire.Damnation on thee! thou smooth, fawning Talker!Give me again my Chains, that I may curse thee,And gratifie my Rage: Or, if thou wilt,Be a vain Fool, and play with thy Perdition,Remember I'm thy Foe, and hate thee deadly.Thy Folly on thy Head!
Tam.Be still my Foe;Great Minds (like Heav'n) are pleas'd in doing good,Tho' the ungrateful Subjects of their FavoursAre barren in return: Thy stubborn PrideThat spurns the gentle Office of Humanity,Shall, in my Honour own, and thy despite,I have done, as I ought. Vertue still doesWith Scorn, the Mercenary World regard,Where abject Souls do good, and hope Reward:
Above
