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TAMERLANE.
Thy Giver, and his Gifts are both beneath me.
Ax.Enough of War the wounded Earth has known;Weary at length, and wasted with destruction,Sadly she rears her ruin'd Head, to shewHer Cities humbled, and her Countries spoil'd,And to her mighty Masters sues for Peace.Oh! Sultan! by the Power Divine I swear!With Joy I would resign the savage TrophiesIn Blood and Battle gain'd, could I attoneThe fatal Breach 'twixt thy self and Tamerlane;And think a Soldier's Glory well bestow'd,To buy Mankind a Peace.
Baj.And what art thou?That dost presume to mediate 'twixt the RageOf angry Kings?
Ax.A Prince, born of the noblest,And of a Soul that answers to that Birth,That dares not but do well. Thou dost put onA forc'd Forgetfulness, thus not to know me,A Guest so lately to thy Court, then meetingOn gentler Terms,———
Sel.Could ought efface the MeritOf brave Axalla's Name, yet when your DaughterShall tell, how well, how nobly she was us'd;How light this gallant Prince made all her Bondage;Most sure the Royal Bajazet will own,That Honour stands indebted to such Goodness,Nor can a Monarch's Friendship more than pay it.
Baj.Ha! Know'st thou that fond Girl—Go—'tis not well—And when thou could'st descend to take a BenefitFrom a vile Christian, and thy Father's Foe,Thou did'st an Act dishonest to thy Race;Henceforth, unless thou mean'st to cancell allMy Share in thee, and write thy self a Bastard:Dye, Starve, know any Evil, any Pain,Rather than taste a Mercy from these Dogs.
[weepingSel.Alas! Axalla!
Ax.Weep not lovely Maid;
I
