TAMERLANE.
37
There is no more to give thee, O, Axalla.[Bajazet leads out Selima, she looking back on Axalla.
Ax.'Tis what I fear'd, Fool that I was t'obey:The Coward Love, that could not bear her Frown,Has wrought his own Undoing. Perhaps, ev'n now,The Tyrant's Rage prevails upon her Fears.Fiercely he storms, she weeps, and sighs, and trembles,But swears at length, to think on me no more.He bad me take her.———But oh! gracious Honour!Upon what Terms? My Soul yet shudders at it,And stands, but half recover'd of her Fright.The Head of Tamerlane! monstrous Impiety!Bleed, bleed to Death, my Heart, be Virtue's Martyr.Oh, Emperor, I own I ought to give theeSome nobler Mark, than dying, of my Faith.Then let the Pains I feel my Friendship prove,[Exit Axalla.'Tis easier far to die, than cease to love.
SCENE II. Tamerlane's Camp.
Enter severally Moneses, and Prince of Tanais,
Mon.If I not press untimely on his leisure,You would much bind a Stranger to your Service,To give me means of Audience from the Emperor.
Pr.Most willingly, tho' for the present MomentWe must entreat your stay; he holds him private.
Mon.His Council, I presume,———
Pr.No; the AffairIs not of Earth, but Heav'n—a Holy Man,(One whom our Prophet's Law calls such) a DerviseKeeps him in Conference.
Mon.Hours of Religion,Especially of Prince's, claim a Reverence,Nor will be interrupted.
Pr.
