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TAMERLANE.
Ax.Oh! I know,Thou hast a Tongue to charm the wildest Tempers.Herds would forget to graze, and Savage BeastsStand still, and lose their Fierceness, but to hear thee,As if they had Reflection, and by ReasonForsook a less Enjoyment for a greater.But oh! when I revolve each Circumstance,My Christian Faith, my Service closely boundTo Tamerlane my Master, and my Friend:Tell me (my Charmer) if my Fears are vain?Think what remains for me, if the fierce SultanShould doom thy Beauties to another's Bed.
Sel.'Tis a sad Thought, but to appease thy Doubts,Here, in the awful Sight of Heav'n, I vow,No Pow'r shall e'er divide me from thy Love,Ev'n Duty shall not force me to be false.My cruel Stars may tear thee from my Arms,But never from my Heart; and when the MaidsShall yearly come with Garlands of fresh Flow'rs,To mourn with pious Office o'er my Grave,They shall sit sadly down, and weeping tell,How well I lov'd, how much I suffer'd for thee,And while they grieve my Fate, shall praise my Constancy.
Ax.But see! the Sultan comes!———my beating HeartBounds with exulting Motion, Hope, and Fear,Fight with alternate conquest in my Breast.Oh! Can I give her from me? Yield her up?Now mourn thou God of Love, since Honour triumphs,And crowns his cruel Altars with thy Spoils.
Enter Bajazet.
Baj.To have a nauseous Courtesy forc'd on meSpight of my Will, by an insulting Foe,———Ha! they would break the Fierceness of my Temper,And make me supple for their slavish purpose:Curse on their fauning Arts; from Heav'n it selfI would not, on such Terms, receive a Benefit,
But
