IRENA, A TRAGEDY.  

licenced,  
October 13. 1664. Roger L'Estrange.   
LONDON, Printed by Robert White for Octavian Pulleyn Junior, at the sign of the Bible in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North-door. 1664.   

Drammatis Personae.  

MAhomet the Second, surnamed the Great, Emperour of the Turks.  
Carazias, Mahomet's lieutenant General in Europe:  
Mustapha Bassa, who had been educated and brought up with Mahomet.  
Zoganus, Caly Bassa, Mahometes, three other bassas.  
The Aga of the janissaries.  
Osman, and Murat, two janissaries.  
An Eunuch  
Justinianus, general to the late Greek Emperour Constantinus Palaeologus.  
Honorius, Friend to Justinianus.  
Irena, and Perinthia, Two Ladies.  
Guards and Attendants.   
The Scene, Constantinople.   

The Prologue.  

IF by your faces I can guess; to day,  
I fear but ill success attends our Play.  
Your looks me-thinks to me seems so severe,  
As if that none but critics now were here.  
And we've small hopes our Play should take; There sits  
So many here, that are, or would be, Wits.  
Y're lately grown so critically wise,  
There's scarce a Play that's writ, but you despise.  
And to speak truth, Nothing almost can be  
From your dislik, or from your censure, free.  
Such Fate our author fears; I heard him guess,  
And swear his Play would have the like success;  
But yet he says, He cares not; for he writ  
Not to gain praise, or to be called a wit:  
The motives which induced him for to writ  
This Play, he says, was most for your delight.  
He hopes for that, if for no other cause,  
( Though undeserved) you'll give him your Applause.  
And hopes you'll pardon all the faults you find,  
Since that to recreate you 'twas designed.    

IRENA, A tragedy.  


ACT. I. SCEN. I.  Enter Osman, and Murat, two janissaries. Osman. 
HA! my eyes deceive me, or that should be  
Murat my old Companion; 'tis he, I'll to him.  
Murat, 'tis long since last I saw your face,  
You're now most welcome to your friends embrace.  
How is't old Comerade, methinks th'art thriven,  
And art grown fat by the Wars, What news I pray  
From th' Army?  Murat. 
Why little, And that I suppose you are  
Not ignorant of, For th'art of the Emperours  
Guards( as I take it), And you Courtiers seldom  
Want Intelligence.  
To relate to you what Battles we have fought,  
What Towns, and Castles we have taken, and  
What valiant actions our Great Bassa  
Carazias( under whose command I was)  
performed against our Enemies, were but  
To tell you what you know already.  
But may not I take liberty, and make  
The same demand to you, and ask what news  
At Court, What Enterprise is next providing  
For us? Whither we shall have Wars with Persia, or no,  
Or with some other Prince? Or what Beauty  
In all the Seraglio is now so happy,  
As to please our Glorious Sultan?  Osman. 
Our news at Court is such I shane to tell it,  
Nor indeed durst I, but that 'tis now grown  
Common, And not the Great-ones only, but  
The Mean-ones too take liberty to talk  
Their pleasure; And though it be discretion  
In us Courtiers, to be both deaf, and blind,  
Neither to hear, nor see our princes faults,  
Much less discover 'em; But if we do,  
Rather to praise 'em as virtues, then to  
disparaged 'em as Vices; yet all men  
So dislike our Sultans present actions,  
That none that are true friends, and that desire  
Increase, and Prosperity to our Empire,  
Can hold their peace.  Murat. 
Thou strik'st me with amazement Osman, Nor  
Can I believe, but that all the actions  
Of our Sultan tends to the glory of  
His Empire; but thou know'st I have been absent  
This twelve-month from the Court, and been in places  
Where( by reason of their distance) we could  
Have but small Intelligence. Our Bassa  
Being commanded to go and carry  
War into the Enemies Country, lest they  
Should have assisted the graecian Emperour,  
And so diverted, or hindered the intended  
enterprise, of our Great Emperour  
On this Imperial City.  
Therefore, good Osman, Pray, do you relate  
What wonder's this concerns our Empire's fate.  Osman. 
Since you desire it, I will—  
I think I shall not need to rehearse to  
You all those remarkable accidents  
Which happened during the siege of this great  
City of Constantinople.  
What assaults we gave to the besieged,  
With how much valour performed on our part,  
And with how much obstinacy, and resistance  
On theirs, and how that at last( after a  
Long, and tedious siege) we won the Town by  
An assault, And that which facilitated  
Our conquest( as afterwards we understood)  
Was, that Justinianus the Emperours  
Valiant General, having received some  
Wounds( in the defence of a breach we had  
Made ithe wall) through effusion of  
Blood was forced to retire; which much  
Discouraged his men who( believing 'em  
Mortal, as indeed they were, for his body  
Was afterwards found amongst the dead)  
Immediately fled, and by their flight  
Left us not only possessed of the Breach,  
But of the City too.  
And that the Emperour Constantinus  
Palaeologus himself striving to escape  
Amongst the rest was trod to death.  
These things I say I need not insist upon  
They being sufficiently known. famed  
Having related'em to all the world,  
Nor do I think you ignorant of ' em.  Murat. 
No Osman, all this I know, having heard  
The same related by some persons that  
Resorted from your Army, to our Camp.  
But pray go on.  Osman. 
The City thus being taken, our men  
Had the plunder granted 'em as a reward  
For all those miseries they had endured  
Before it.  
One soldier more venturous then the rest entering boldly  
Into a stately Palace( wherewith this  
City abounds) found it by all deserted  
Only( as afterwards himself related)  
In an upper room he found some women.  
And amongst the rest one extremely fair,  
And who by the costliness of her habit,  
And the respect the others paid her, seemed  
To be their mistress, who immediately  
Upon the Souldiers approach( apprehending  
Some violence) fell into a swoon.  
The soldier( not caring for the others)  
seized on her as this Prisoner, and as  
A prey beyond his expectation.  
And carrying her to his Quarters, there  
recovered her.  
But finding her to be so fair a Creature  
And far unfit to yield to his unruly,  
And brutish appetite( encouraged through  
Hope of a great reward) presented her  
To the Sultan: who at first, although  
He was taken with her form, seemed not much  
To mind her, He being then employed  
About giving orders for the securing  
Of the City; but committed her to  
The charge of one of his chief Eunuchs.  
But scarce had a month expired, and he  
Taken some order, towards the settling,  
And establishing in peace, and quietness  
His new conquered Empire:  
But he bethought himself of beauteous  
Irena( for so she's called) who's fair Image  
Soly possessed his thoughts, and having sent  
For her to his presence, found her not only  
To exceed those past Idaea's he had  
Taken of her, when she was o'ercome  
With fear, and grief, but even Imagination  
Its self. And although she wore a sorrow  
On her face that well expressed the trouble  
Of her mind;  
Yet like as glorious Phoebus, when a mist  
Oreclouds his beauteous, and resplendent face,  
His golden rays, and beams does then appear,  
Less bright, than in a sky serene and clear.  
So her fair eyes, and face, though now o'recast  
With clouds of fear, and grief, yet those once past,  
Her pristine beauty gained again might she,  
adored be for the Sea-born Deity,  
And might contend for Beauties Empire then,  
With that fair Queen, adored by Gods, and Men.  
The Sultan at this second interview  
seemed far more amazed, than at the first,  
Admiring to see so many excellencies,  
And perfections meet together in this  
Fair creature, believing her rather to be  
Some celestial Apparition,  
Than a terrestrial Creature.  
For certainly Nature ne're formed a piece  
More divinely rare. Having had his eyes  
fixed a long time on her fair visage,  
He at last broken silence to this effect.  
Madam( said he) pardon the rudeness of  
A Prince, who being wholly taken up  
With admiration of your divine  
Perfections, has so far forgot himself,  
As to continue so long silent, and  
Without rendering to you those honours that  
Are due to so Excellent a Person  
She replied, That she was altogether  
Unworthy to receive such favours  
From so great a Prince, and that since by her  
Cruel Fate, and the chance of War, she was  
Now become his slave, she was not so far  
Ignorant of what either belonged to  
Her present condition, or misfortune,  
But that she knew, how ill it did agree  
With her present state, to admit of such  
compliments from so great a Monarch.  
And so after some other discourse had  
Past between 'em, the Emperour caused her  
To be conducted to one of the most  
Stately apartments in all the Palace.  
And gave strict command that she should be  
Respected as his Sultaness, not his slave.  
Since that time, he has made addresses of  
Affection to her, but, as they say( who  
Have leave to come near 'em) she continues  
Yet chast, and will not so much as endure  
To hear of any thing that tends to her  
Dishonour; And that which is most strange,  
Is the power she has o'er the Sultan.  
For by her beauty she does so charm up  
All his Passions, that he dares not so much  
As once think of attempting that by violence,  
Which he cannot obtain by fair means, and Submission.  
Nay Love, that Tyrannical, and Imperious  
Passion, so predominates, and tyrannizeth  
o'er his Reason, that he now seems to have  
butted in oblivion all his former  
Desires of Empire, and of Glory;  
And seems now to fix his thoughts on nothing,  
But on the fair Irena's Image.  
All those former designs of War, and conquering  
Empires, are now laid by; his chief design  
Is now to please his Mistress.  
The Souldiers, once the only objects of his  
Delight, are now grown, the objects of his Scorn.  
And that Army once for discipline, and  
Valour, the terror, and admiration  
Of the whole world, is now by Licentiousness,  
And Liberty, Ease, and Rest, grown the scorn,  
And derision of all Nations.  
Nor is it easy to represent to you  
How much the Sultan's present humour is  
Resented and disliked of, not only  
By the bassas, and other superior  
Officers, but also by the janissaries,  
And other inferior Souldiers too.  
So that unless it please Heaven to cause  
Some sudden alteration in our  
Sultan's humour, 'tis to be feared they will  
Break out into some rash, and sudden tumult.  
And perhaps in their rage, and fury, act  
Those things that they will afterwards themselves  
Repent of. For they talk high already, and  
Begin publicly to report that he  
Is unworthy to govern 'em, and that  
It would be well done to deprive him of  
The Government, and to bestow on Prince  
Bajazet his Son, both his Empire, and His Throne.  
And 'tis to be more than feared, that these black  
Clouds of discontent, are but the dismal  
Portents of an ensuing storm.  
And his condition is so much the more  
Deplorable, since that he is not able  
To discern his own danger; for Love so  
Blinds his reason, that he cannot perceive  
It himself. And there's none that dare be so bold,  
And venturous, as to declare it to him.  
For whose ' ere should go about to attempt  
It, would draw an inevitable ruin  
On himself.  
This, Murat, is our present wretched condition,  
And if it please not Heaven speedily  
To divert that threatening storm, that now hangs  
o'er our heads, we are like to be most miserable,  
And act that against ourselves, which the  
United power of our Enemies could never do.  
Thus then you see how Love conspires with fate,  
Both for to ruin, and destroy our state.  Murat. 
I must confess, Osman, you story is  
Strange, and full of wonder. For who could e're  
Believe so strange an alteration  
In our Sultan's warlike humour;  
And that Love should e're find room in a breast  
Like his, that was prepossessed so much before  
With ambition, and desire of glory.  
But by this we may see, That Princes too,  
As well as persons of a lower rank,  
Are subject to that Tyrannical Passion.  
Nor can all the Divinity that we  
Attribute to 'em, defend 'em from those  
Frailties, which we by the weakness of our  
Nature are subject to.  
And though they are all other powers above,  
Yet they are subject to the power of Love.  Osman. 
'Tis a fatal truth that we now find  
confirmed by sad experience; else who  
Would have believ'ed that our glorious Sultan,  
On whose frown, or smile depended the fate  
Of Nations, should thus tamely have yielded.  
Up his Liberty to a Womans eyes.  
Or that his generous soul could ever have  
Been thus subjected, and made Beauties slave.  
But Murat let's go, the bassas appear,  
This is no place for us, whilst they are here.  Exeunt.  

ACT. I. SCEN. II.  Enter Carazias, Caly Bassa, Mustapha, Zoganus, Mahometes and the Aga of the Janezaries. Caraz. 
THe news you tell me seems to me so strange,  
That, Generous Friends, I ask your pardon, if  
That as yet I want Faith to credit it.  Caly Bassa. 
Nay, 'tis so strange to us, that had we not  
Been present, and been eye-witnesses of our  
Emperours weakness, we might have had  
Just cause to suspect, that it had been some  
enchantment to delude our senses.  Mahometes. 
But now it is so evident made out,  
That there's no room at all more left for doubt.  Zogan. 
How I could curse those Destinies, and Powers  
That rule our Empires fate, When I consider  
How they suffer a Womans beauty thus  
To eclipse all our former glory.  
For what a shane and dishonour 'tis to  
All our former glorious actions to see  
How those conquering Ensigns, which when displayed  
hurled terror on the world, are now fur'ld up  
And laid as trophies at a Womans feet.  
What pitty 'tis, those Banners that did brave  
The world, should pay such homage to a slave!  Aga. 
Nay sure no mortal Beauty could ere have power  
Thus to bewitch our Sultan's senses,  
I rather believe 'tis some Infernal  
Spirit, conjured up( by our Enemies)  
From Hells Lowest Regions, to take  
This pleasing form, and shape upon 'em, thus  
To delude our Sultan.  
But since that he continues in such a  
Lethargy, And that 'tis Equally  
Impossible for us, or sense  
Of honour, to awake him,  
'Tis fit( since that the safety of the State  
Requires it) we should have recourse to other  
Means then those we have tried already.  
Nor do I fear to say, that 'tis dishonourable  
For us to be governed by a Prince, that  
Cannot govern himself.  
For how can he with Justice punish those  
Crimes in us, which he is guilty of himself.  
Let's then magnanimously go with one  
Accord, and assault the Palace, and there  
By force pull this fair Slave from out his arms,  
And offer her up a victim to our  
Neglected honour.  
That done, Ler's deprive him of the government,  
And bestow the Empire on Prince Bajazet  
His Son. For after such actions performed  
As these we must ne're expect the Sultan's  
Pardon. The Prince will be easily induced  
To pardon us, when he considers that  
T'was we that placed him in the throne.  
But if he should deny it, Have not we  
Arms in our hands, to make our owns conditions.  
Nor is what I propound hard to be effected;  
For we shall find resistance from none,  
Except from some Persons whom the Emperours  
Presence may make valiant.  
The janissaries, and Souldiers are already  
Highly incensed. And the People( weary  
Of his government) desire nothing  
More than change.  
Why then, Let us our several int'rests join,  
ours and the States, Let's all in one combine.  
The State can't suffer more than it endures,  
Desp'rate diseases must have desp'rate cures.  Zoga. 
Generous Aga, Your counsel I approve  
As truly noble, and such as the present  
Necessity of affairs require.  
And I dare engage that there are none here  
Of such degenerate spirits, but that does  
Esteem, and approve it to be  
Worthy a Person, whom that no respect,  
Can cause his Countries safety to neglect.  
And for myself I am resolved to aid  
You, both with my Life, and fortune.  
And I will cause, disasters to prevent,  
The Euxine troops to second your intent.  Caraz. 
And I to yours, the Asian troops will join,  
To show that your consent agrees with mine.  Caly Bassa. 
And I'll be ready; but appoint the hour,  
To serve you with my Interest, and power.  Maho. 
Since that the Empires safety lies at stake,  
I'll boldly follow in th'assault you make.  Aga. 
Then let's straight go, each to those several  
Troops committed to our charge, and prepare 'em  
This night t'assault the Palace.  
Come let's away, and make all sure,  
The janissaries I'll secure.  
Great actions seldom but are crost,  
And by delay are always lost.  
Come Generous Friends, Come let's away—  Must. 
Stay first, and hear what I can say—  
What fury, nay what madness, Brave Companions,  
Does now possess your brains? Do you consider  
What you go about, or against whom you  
Take up arms? Will you then turn Rebels to  
That Prince, to whom you owe both your Lives and  
Fortunes; And through whose fortune, and conduct  
You have Victorious been in two and  
Thirty battles. And although I cannot  
Excuse, or at least defend, his late  
Effeminate actions, yet consider  
That 'tis an excess of Love, and that that  
Passion ever predominates, and usurps  
It's power most, over noble and  
Generous souls.  
Besides he is our Emperour to whom  
We have all sworn allegiance.  
And, Pray let's take heed lest( by breaking of  
Our oaths) we draw down heavens vengeance on  
Our heads. For certainly if heaven punishes  
Those perjuries, we commit towards common  
And inferior Persons; Much more it will  
Revenge, those we commit towards Princes.  
Consider too, what a shane and reproach  
It will be to all our former glory,  
If that now at Last, after having conquered  
Twelve Kingdoms, and two Empires, we should make  
Use of our victorious Arms to dispossess  
Our natural Prince of's Throne.  
No, Generous Friends, Let's ne're leave such a slain  
Upon our memories; Let's rather try  
To persuade him to conquer his foolish  
Passion, And to leave this fair Greek, And again  
To led us forth against our Enemies,  
To obtain new Victories, and Triumphs.  Zoga. 
Mustapha, I think it something strange  
This counsel should proceed from you, who are  
So well acquainted with his fierce, and cruel  
Nature, And how Implacable he is  
To forgive those that offend him: For who  
Think you amongst us, is so weary of  
His own Life, As that he dares to declare  
To him, that which you propound?  Must. 
If that be all, since the Empires safety  
Does require it, I dare do it.  Aga. 
If you have a mind to give the Mutes  
employment, you may.  
But if you value so little your own  
Life, yet give us leave to set a higher  
Price on ours, than to be ruled by your  
Foolish counsel.  Caraz. 
No Mustapha, ne're think with your dull rhetoric  
To make us alter what we have decreed.  Caly Bassa. 
You may as soon force Nature to uncreate  
The world, And turn it into Chaos, as  
To divert us from our fixed resolution.  Must. 
Methinks 'tis strange that Loyalty should find  
No more a lodging in your breasts, sure she  
Has left the Earth, and with Astraea  
Is fled to heaven. Consider how in  
Nature 'tis preposterous for the members  
To conspire against the head, which if it  
But miscarries all the rest must perish—  Aga. 
Curse on this Dull philosophy—  
Come let's away, the State requires our swords,  
Let's spend the time in action, not in words.  Exeunt omnes praeter Mustapha.  

Actus I. Scena III.  Mustapha solus. Must. 
What strange Fate attends on Princes actions?  
Who would have thought this Sultan, lately adored  
By these Perfidious bassas as if he  
Had been some Deity,( and to whom they  
Are beholding for all their present greatness)  
Should so by one weak action, make 'em lose  
The good opinion they had of him,  
As that they now dare take up arms against him!  
How miserable are those Princes, that  
When they commit faults can find none that dares  
Be so loyal as to declare it to 'em  
This their treacherous design, an if not  
Speedily prevented, will be the Emperours ruin.  
And since none dares be so bold, and faithful,  
As to declare to him his weakness, and  
The danger he is in, I'll do it  
myself.  
The familiarity that has formerly  
Been between us, as being educated,  
And brought up together, and the favour  
Wherewith he has since been pleased to honour  
Me, makes me hope to be successful.  
And though I know his nature( when crost) to  
Be stern, and cruel, yet if I should miscarry  
I shall have this honour entailed upon  
My memory, That I dyed a Sacrifice  
To my Prince, and Countreys safety.  
For, should I not declare it to him,  
I might justly be supected to have  
Had a hand in their design.  
" For he that knows of Treason, and conceals it,  
" Is as much a traitor as he that acts it.  
" No, I resolve that I will that reveal,  
" Which would be treachery for to conceal;  
" And what Perfidious men these bassas are  
" I'll straitwayes to the Emperour declare.  Exit.  

Actus I. Scena IV.  Enter Mahomet, and an Eunuch. Maho. 
Have you been with the fair Irena, and  
delivered to her the message I commanded?  Eun. 
Your Majesties commands I have obeyed.  Maho. 
And how did she receive the fair Present  
That I sent her?  Eun. 
She seemed much pleased, and with an air mixed both  
With modesty and sweetness commanded  
Me to render your Majesty humble  
Thanks.  Maho. 
'Tis well, withdraw—  Exit Eun. 
I cannot but admire at my strange fate,  
When I consider how that now of late  
I am become Love's Votary, and must be  
Contented with that foolish boys decree.  
For is't not strange, that I whose power does awe  
The world, should thus from Love receive a Law?  
For who'd have thought, that e're a heart like mine,  
It's Liberty to Beauty should resign?  
Or that my haughty courage ere should have  
paid such submission to a Beauteous slave?  
But yet Alas, when I my heart a prise  
Yielded to fair Irena's beauteous Eyes,  
I did become her slave, and straitwayes wore  
Those chains, and fetters, she did wear before.  
Yet I Esteem't more glorious for to be  
Her slave, than to possess my monarchy.  
For what avails it me that I possess  
So vast an Empire, for can that makes less  
The sense of my misfortunes; since no part  
That I can claim in fair Irena's heart.  
And since the fair Irena proves unkind,  
Can that give ease to my afflicted mind?  
No, I with all my Greatness ne're could move  
Either, as yet, her Pity, or her Love.  
Nor dare I venture that by force to take,  
Which to surrender yet I cannot make.  
For straight those radiant beams shot from her Eyes  
Makes me to quit my bold design, and ties  
Up all my Passions; And straight she unarms  
Me of my fury, by her powerful charms.  
But yet I'll try if from her I can gain,  
Ought that may ease, or mitigate my pain.  
To which if she consent, then she shall be  
Both Mistris of my Empire, and of Me.  Exit.   


ACT. II. SCEN. I.  Enter Justinianus solus. Just. 
WHen I consider to what various  
Accidents, and disasters mans Life is  
Subject to, I cannot but admire what  
Strange Vicissitudes there are in fate.  
And wonder more how they are brought about,  
The less I can their hidden cause find out.  
For who'd have thought, That I, a Person  
Lately so happy, that I thought myself  
Above the reach of Fortune, And durst have  
Defied the malice of that Inconstant  
Goddess, Thinking it beyond her power  
To make me miserable; Find myself  
Now so wretched, that 'tis my greatest  
Torment to think I have been happy.  
Lately I was possessed of all I could  
Desire, High in my princes favour,  
beloved of by the People:  
But that, which I esteemed above the rest,  
I held a place in fair Irena's breast.  
For I with Justice there could claim a part,  
Since I had then some interest in her heart.  
But now at once I am deprived of all  
my past felicity.  
My Prince slain by those Barbarians that  
Now possess the Empire, The people enslaved,  
And( that which grieves me most) the fair Irena  
Is become the Sultan's Mistris, And though  
I have been curious to make inquiry  
How he uses her, And cannot hear but  
That, as yet, he treats her nobly, with that  
Respect, which both her birth, and beauty claims:  
Yet I have reason to suspect that 'tis  
Not his Generosity, but his Lust  
Exacts this treatment from him.  
And though it were Impious to mistrust  
Her virtue, yet who knows whether this  
Barbarian, when he has vainly tried  
All fair means, will not have recourse to foul.  
And ravish that from her by force, which he  
Cannot obtain by Love—  
Ah how that fatal thought stirs up my fainting  
Courage, and makes me resolve to act, what  
I have too long deferred—  
This Barbarous rival he must die,  
I'll sacrifice him to my Just revenge,  
And though environed with millions of his guards  
Yet I will force a passage to his heart—  
" He that despiseth his own Life, is always  
Master of an others—  Enter Honorius, and espies Justinianus. Hon. 
Just Heaven! ist not an apparition  
That deludes my senses, or can that be  
Justinianus!  Just. 
Ha, am I awake? or do I dream?  [ Just. espies Hon. 
Can that be Honorius?  Hon. 
Ne're doubt if that you are Justinianus,  
But that I am Honorius.  Just. 
Let me embrace my generous Friend— Embraces him.  
'Tis yet some comfort to me amid all  
My misfortunes, that Heaven grants me the  
Happiness, again to see you.  Hon. 
Noble Justinianus, my Joy is  
So great, and so excessive, to see you  
Alive, and safe, That I want Expressions  
To utter it. And it makes me think that  
Heaven has yet in store, some unexpected  
Blessing for us, since after those many,  
And confident reports of your death, I  
Now find you living.  
But, pray do me the favour as to relate  
To me, by what strange fate you were preserved  
From the ruins of that fatal day, in  
Which we lost both our Prince, and Empire;  
And in which it was reported that  
You were slain.  Just. 
'Twas by a fate as strange, as unexpected  
But I desire your Pardon, if that first  
I make inquiry, what information  
You can give me concerning fair Irena:  
For although I hear the Sultan treats her  
Nobly, yet I cannot learn it but from  
Persons, that are wholly at his devotion.  Hon. 
All that I can hear, either concerning  
Your fair mistress, or my own, Is that they  
Are both in the Palace, and that  
My Perinthia is bestowed of by  
The Sultan, to wait on your Irena.  Just. 
What is fair Perinthia your beauteous  
Mistris then in the Palace too, and  
With Irena?  Hon. 
Yes, so I hear, For by an Eunuch( whom  
I have corrupted) I am informed that  
She was this morning sent by the Sultan  
As a Present to fair Irena. He  
Further tells me that Irena uses  
Often to walk in the Palace Garden.  
And says, he thinks she may walk there  
This Evening, and take Perinthia  
With her, which if she does the Eunuch has  
Promiss'd to bring me word, and show me  
A way, that undiscovered I may enter  
In the Garden.  Just. 
Dear Friend, do me the favour as to take  
Me along with you.  Hon. 
I shall esteem myself most happy to  
Enjoy your company, and fear no danger  
Being so accompanied.  Just. 
But shall we not find out some way; and means  
To free these Ladies from this Tyrants power?  
Just now, I had designed to go and kill  
The Sultan, in the midst of all his guards;  
And either to have freeed Irena, or  
Have perished in th' attempt.  Hon. 
What force had you to do't?  Just 
None but myself.  
despair, and the fear that he might offer  
To her some violence, made me take that  
Resolution.  Hon. 
Then Justinianus, Let me take leave  
To tell you, that your design relished more  
Of Fury and despair, then of true Valour,  
And discretion. For suppose you had killed  
The Sultan, yet of necessity, you  
Must have perished.  
And then you had left the fair Irena  
Behind, amid a thousand dangers.  
For who knows an if that you had slain the  
Sultan, to what danger you had exposed her.  
For let me tell you, 'Tis only his power.  
That does protect her.  
For the bassas and Souldiers, mad and incensed  
To see the Emperour thus to abandon  
All his designs of enlarging of the  
Empire, and to see him thus passionately  
Dote on fair Irena; Talk that 'tis fit  
He should be dispossessed of the government,  
And Throne, and that she should be offered up  
A sacrifice to appease their fury.  
But I have found out a way( less dangerous,  
And more probable than yours) to free both  
Irena and Perinthia from such danger.  Just. 
Pray, make me so happy as to acquaint  
Me with it, and withall inform me how  
You escaped when the City was taken.  Hon. 
I will You know, that fatal day in which  
The City was lost, I was( by you as  
Being General) commanded to defend  
That quarter of the City assigned by  
The Sultan for Zoganus to assault,  
And which was distant far from yours.  
Having long time defended it against  
Their furious assault, and( if modesty  
Permit me to say so) with success, For  
Twice had they gained the top, And fixed their  
Crescents on the wall, and twice were they beaten off.  
In this condition were Affairs, when word  
Was brought me, that you by reason of some  
Wounds you had received were forced to retire,  
And that in your absence, the Turks had forced  
Your men to quit the breach, that you defended,  
And were entering in the City. This news  
So allarmed me, that straight I drew off some  
Of my chiefest men( though leaving behind  
Me a number able to defend the  
Wall against the Enemy) And marched towards  
The breach, with an intent to have regained  
What we had lost.  
But alas, I quickly found how impossible  
It was to perform that Resolution,  
For I found that the Turks were already  
entered in such numbers in the City,  
That was impossible to expel ' em.  
Which made me change my first design, and  
Resolve to go and defend Perinthia  
From their violence and fury.  
But I found such a panic fear possess  
My men, and such a throng both of Souldiers,  
And of People that fled, and the Turks so  
Fast pursuing 'em, that 'twas impossible  
To perform what I had intended.  
Grief, and despair to see that all was lost,  
Made me so careless of myself, that I  
Having rallied together some few of  
My Friends, I charged a whole body of the  
Enemies, and despair made us fight so  
Valiantly, that we put 'em to the rout.  
But in that action I received so many  
Wounds, that I fell down for dead:  
And all my friends could do, was, to make a  
Fair retreat, and carry off my body.  
One of them propounded to carry me  
To a house, of his situated in a  
Wood, some three Leagues distant from the City,  
So concealed both by Art, and Nature, that  
The Turks in all the time that they had lain  
Before the City, could never find it out.  
Thither having carried me, they searched  
My wounds, and found that though they would require  
Long time for cure, yet they were not mortal.  
'Twas there alas, I heard that sad and fatal  
News, how that the Emperour had been trod  
To death ithe crowd, and that you were slain'd.  
And though during the time my wounds retained  
Me there, I frequently sent to see, if  
I could learn any thing concerning fair  
Perinthia, what was become of her.  
Yet I could never hear any thing that  
Could assure me whether she were dead, or  
Living.  
Which made so deep an impression on my mind  
And caused in me such a melancholy  
That it much retarded the healing of  
My wounds, But being at last recovered,  
I resolved to go to the City myself,  
And try if Fortune would favour me more  
Than she had done my messengers.  
But 'twas so long before that I could hear  
Any thing concerning Perinthia,  
That I began to despair of ere hearing  
Of her.  
Till at last 'twas my happy fate, the other  
Day, by bribing of an Eunuch that belongs  
To the Emperour's Seraglio, to  
Hear Perinthia was there, and that  
She had been taken prisoner when the  
City was taken, and by reason of  
Her beauty, presented to the Sultan,  
Who is so taken with fair Irena's  
Perfections, that he neglects all others.  
You may imagine how I was overjoyed  
To hear this news, that she was alive, and  
Safe, whom I had almost given over  
Either for dead, or lost. But yet it was  
Some mitigation to my joy, to hear  
She was in the Seraglio; out of  
Which I knowing it was impossible  
By fair means to get her, resolved to do't  
By force, and to deliver both Irena,  
An Perinthia from the Sultan's power.  
And having declared my design to my  
Friends; I found 'em all ready to serve me  
Both with their lives and fortunes.  
And this night we have designed to assault  
The Palace, and, having freed Frena,  
And Perinthia, to make an escape  
Into the Dominions of some Christian  
Prince, and there( lest we might engage that State  
In war) conceal both our names and persons.  
This is the way I  told you of, that I  
Had found out to free our Mistresses from  
Danger.  Just. 
I cannot but both approve, and applaud  
Your design as truly generous; and  
Must confess 'tis both less dangerous and more  
Probable to take effect, than mine.  
But pray, What number may our Friends amount  
To?  Hon. 
Why, about some five hundred, All stout, and  
Valiant persons, having been formerly  
Most Officers under you: And if you  
Please but to command us, and led us on,  
I doubt not the success.  Just. 
No Generous Friend that were to be  
Injurious to you, and to deprive  
You of the glory of the Action.  
And though your General once, yet your heroic  
Resolution to free Irena, obliges  
Me now to be your servant.  Hon. 
Noble Justinianus, you are obliged  
By Honour to be our Chief. For 'tis not  
Fit since you are alive, and safe, that any  
Should have the glory to deliver fair  
Irena, but yourself.  Just. 
If on that score my Honour be engaged  
Then yours Honorius is engaged like mine;  
Nor is it fit any should have the honour  
To free the fair Perinthia, but yourself.  Hon. 
Since then our honours are equally engaged,  
Let's equally participate in the  
Glory. And since you'l not accept of the  
Whole command, yet be pleased to be  
My Partner.  Just. 
Since you will have it so, I'll not contest.  Hon. 
Now Justinianus, I must beg your  
Pardon, and leave you for some few minutes.  
For just now, when I had the happy fortune  
To find you, I was going to meet the  
Eunuch, who is to meet me, and to bring  
Me word, If that Irena and Perinthia  
Walk this Evening in the Palace Garden.  
But I fear I have trespassed upon his  
Patience, and made him stay too long.  Just. 
Nay, let me not Honorius detain  
You, from a business that so much concerns  
Us both. But may not I go with you?  Hon. 
I cannot tell if't be convenient,  
The Eunuch may perhaps be shie  
To declare any thing to any but myself,  
Till I've disposed him to it.  Just. 
You are i'th right;  
But when, and where shall I meet you again?  Hon. 
Meet me within this half hour without  
The Western gate. And in the mean time I'll dispose  
The Eunuch to grant you may go along with me.  Just. 
Well generous friend adieu,  
I will not fail to meet you.  Exit. Hon. 
Fortune, be but propitious now, and kind,  
And Poets never more shall feign thee blind.  
But straight again they shall those Eyes restore  
Which they so boldly took from thee before.  Exit. Just.  

Act. II. Scen. II.  Enter Irena and Perinthia. Ire. 
Dear Perinthia, I am so glad to see  
You, that, if my misfortunes can admit  
Of any Joy, 'tis to see you alive,  
And safe.  Per. 
And I Irena am so orejoy'd to  
See you, That though Joy has been long absent,  
And a stranger to this breast, yet it now  
Claims possession here. Pointing at her breast.  Ire. 
The Sultan could never have made to me  
A more acceptable Present, than when  
He bestowed you on me.  Per. 
'Twas a happiness that fate had reserved  
For me, in midst of all my misfortunes,  
Which are so many, and so various,  
That they surpass Expression—  
Nor is it possible that I should be  
Ever excelled, I think in misery.  
For surely 'tis beyond the power of fate,  
Ere to make any so unfortunate.  Ire. 
Ah Perinthia, did I think it fit  
My griefs could of comparisons admit,  
The griefs which my oppressed heart endures  
Not onely equals, but furpasses yours.  Per. 
Can grief Irena in your breast have part  
When you're possessed of the great Sultan's heart.  
And he who does with fear the world surprise,  
Yields himself captive to your conquering Eyes.  Ire. 
Alas Perinthia, 'tis against my mind,  
That I the Sultan thus my captive find.  
But did not you Justinianus know,  
And the respect that gallant man I owe,  
And what from me is to his merits due  Per. 
Yes, and th' affection too, he had for you.  Ire. 
Unkind Perinthia, Can you then suspect  
That I should thus his memory neglect?  Per. 
' Love when the Object's absent, soon decay's;  
But when once dead, seldom it lasts ten-dayes.  Ire. 
Which of my Actions did you ever see,  
Makes you suspect me of inconstancy?  
No, no Perinthia, never think I can  
Admit of Love; But for that generous Man.  
And though he's dead, yet I will always strive  
To keep him here, within my heart alive.  Per. 
Your resolution Madam needs I must  
Confess, is no less generous than 'tis Just.  
Pardon me Dear Irena, 'Twas not that  
I suspected either your virtue, or  
Your Constancy, that I thus put you to  
The trial, but only to be witness  
Of that myself, which famed so much repor's  
To your advantage.  
And pray Irena, since that we have time,  
And are alone, Do me the favour to  
Acquaint me how first you came into the  
Sultan's power, and how he has since used  
You: For although I've heard the same by famed related,  
Yet she reports things so variously  
That there's no credit to be given to  
Her relations.  
And since we've been long absent, Let's relate,  
What's yet unknown to us of either's fate.  Ire. 
Pray then do you begin.  Per. 
To comply with your desires, I will—  
Since that you knew the affection the Brave  
Honorius bore me, I need not to declare  
To you that that, is the sad cause of my  
Misfortunes; you know that I had commands  
By all my friends laid on me( as Persons  
extremely desirous to see our Families  
United) to use him with that civility,  
And respect, which both his Birth, and Virtue  
claimed.  Ire. 
You had been unjust, an if you had  
denied it.  Per. 
Alas, how needless were those Injunctions,  
Honorius merits spoken so highly for  
Him, that I must have been ingrateful to  
Have refused him the first place in my affections.  
Nor was there any thing wanting to perfect  
Our happiness, but onely the celebration  
Of the Hymenaeal rites, which were to be  
performed within a few dayes:  
When malicious Fate envying our prosperity  
Sent the Sultan with an Army to besiege  
This City.  
And Honorius thought he was obliged by  
Honour to deprive himself of that happiness  
( Which he said he should receive by my embraces)  
As long as his Country was in danger.  Ire. 
'Twas a most heroic resolution,  
And worthy of Himself.  Per. 
You know that during the siege he behaved  
Himself so valiantly, that in that dismal day  
In which the Sultan won the City, He  
Had one of the most dangerous quarters  
Committed to his trust, Which he defended  
Bravely, till hearing of Justinianus's  
Misfortune, he attempted generously,  
( though unfortunately to himself) to  
Assist him. For in that action I was  
 told( by one that saw him fall) my Dear Honorius  
perished.  
Alas Irena! 'tis impossible  
For me to express to you the grief which  
The loss of this brave Person caused in my  
Afflicted breast.  
All those pangs and griefs that departing-souls endure,  
Are nothing in comparison of what  
I suffered, when first I heard this fatal  
News, It so stupefied me that it made  
Me forget the sense and misery of  
My own condition.  
For when the City was won, I was made  
Prisoner to an Officer, who fancying  
something of Beauty in me, Presented  
Me to the Sultan, who straight commanded  
Me to the Seraglio; where I have  
Since remained, till yesterday the Sultan  
Coming there to make choice of some to wait  
On you; 'twas my happy fortune he judged  
Me worthy of that honour, and by an  
Eunuch sent me to you.  Ire. 
'Twas a happiness transcended my expectations!  Per. 
Now Irena, am not I truly miserable?  
For can fate inflict a greater punishment  
Than( by Death) to make an eternal divorce,  
And separation betwixt us, and the  
Object of our Love.  
And now methinks that Life seems tedious  
To me, since I'm deprived of all that made  
Me love it.  
And from my breast Joy is for ever fled,  
Since that my Dear Honorius now is dead.  Ire. 
Perinthia, 'tis sad what you relate,  
I pity and compassionate your fate.  
For now I find by cruel fate's Decree  
That our misfortunes in some sort agree.  Per. 
You see Irena, I've performed my part,  
Let me now know what 'tis afflicts your heart.  
For when we know what is each others grief,  
Perhaps we may each other give relief.  Ire. 
Although that relation will but renew  
My griefs, yet 'tis but Justice I should keep  
My promise.—  
You know, Perinthia, that my Father, Prince  
Theodosius, finding that it had not  
pleased Heaven to bless him with any male.  
Issue, but that all the hopes of our now  
Almost-extinct Family survived in me,  
Made it his chiefest care to see me matched  
Into some Noble Family, and to  
Some Person that in his judgement might not  
Be unworthy of me.  
And having with a careful eye surveyed  
Those Persons whom either Birth, or Merits  
Might make pretenders to me, found none,  
So worthy to enjoy that Title as  
Justinianus, A Person whose virtues,  
And merits were as eminent, as his  
Birth was illustrious, being nearly allied  
In several respects to the Imperial  
Family; And who for some Victories lately  
obtained against the Empires Enemies,  
Was, at the age of four and twenty years,  
Made Generalissimo by the Emperour,  
And highly in his favour.  Perin. 
'Twas but what was due to his deserts.  Ire. 
On this brave person my Father resolved  
To bestow me; the rather too, because  
He had heard, that he had long secretly  
affencted me.  
It is not easy to represent to  
You how I was overjoyed, when I found  
My Father's judgement, agree with my choice.  
For I had long before yielded up my heart  
To Justinianus's high merits.  Per. 
Or else you had been ungrateful.  Ire. 
Nothing now was wanting, but the Nuptial  
Ceremonies to complete our felicity.  
When perverse Fate( as a Prologue to my  
Future miseries) took away my Father:  
Who before he died made the Emperour  
My Guardian, and with his last breath commanded  
Me ne're to mary any, but  
Justinianus.  
The Emperour( after he had allowed  
Me to dry up those tears which Nature  
Did require for the loss of so near a  
Relation) mindful of the promise which  
He had made my dying Father, resolved  
To celebrate the marriage;  
When Fate again, resolved to across  
Our happiness, seized Justinianus  
With a violent disease, and during  
His sickness the Emperour was  
So unfortunate, as to lose all those  
Advantages which he had gained before.  
And the Sultan pursuing his good fortune,  
Came and besieged this City.  
Justinianus, now at length recovered,  
Long time courageously defended the  
City 'gainst their fury; till at last,  
You know, the Enemy having made a  
Breach in the wall, resolved to give a general  
Assault. Justinianus long time defended  
The breach bravely, till at length having received  
Several wounds, he was forced to retire.  
But hearing that th' Enemy in his absence  
Had gained the breach, he again return'd, and  
Having long fought valiantly, at length oppressed  
With numbers, was forced to fall a Sacrifice  
To their revenge.  Per. 
Alas when I heard it, how did I deplore  
The loss of that gallant Person!  Ire. 
Ah Perinthia, it surpasses my expression  
To relate to you with what grief I received  
This fatal news: Let it suffice to tell  
You, that grief so seized on all my senses  
That I immediately fell into a swoon.  
But O Heaven, how was I amazed, when  
I came to myself, to see a soldier  
With his sword drawn enter into my Chamber!  
Who approaching the Bed whereon I lay,  
Took me up in his arms; which action, together  
With his fierce aspect, so frighted me, that  
I fell into a second swoon.  
But imagine Dear Perinthia, with what  
Amazement I was strook, when returning  
Again to life, I found myself in a  
Strange place, and saw none near me, but three or  
Four rude Souldiers. But the grief that I conceived  
For Justinianus's Death was so great,  
That I was insensible of my own danger.  Per. 
Alas Irena, how I pity the  
Condition you were then in!  Ire. 
The soldier at first( as I understood  
By their whispering) had a design t' attempt  
My Honour, but being ore'rul'd by his  
Companions persuasions( who guest me of  
Some quality) and the hopes of a reward,  
resolved to present me to the Sultan.  
Next day( for 'twas then late) they resolved to  
Put their Design in execution; and carrying me  
With 'em, presented me to the Sultan,  
Who being then employed in State-affairs,  
Sent me by an Eunuch to the Seraglio;  
Where I continued about a month, till  
One day sending for me to his presence,  
He pretended to find in me those perfections,  
Which I want, and something that pleased his fancy.  
And since protests that we have changed conditions,  
And that he is become my captive, and my slave.  
And uses me( to do him Justice) with  
All civility, and respect, In hopes  
To gain my affection. But Justinianus's  
Image, and the sense of what I owe his  
Memory, is so deeply imprinted in  
My heart, that 'tis impossible that I  
Should ere affect any other.  
For though he's Dead, yet he retains that part,  
Which Living, he had always in my heart.  Per. 
By what that you relate, alas I find,  
Fortune has been to both alike unkind.  Ire. 
Our fates have such similitude, that we  
Are both allied by Love, and Destiny.  Per. 
In other ills we may hope for a cure,  
But here we must continually endure.  Ire. 
Yet let us patiently to Heaven submit,  
And let's resign to what the Fates think fit.  
'Tis our duty, Perhaps the powers above  
Will grant us ease by Death, though not by Love. Exeunt.   

Actus II. Scena III.  Enter Osman, and Murat. Osm. 
Murat, I fear I shall a Prophet prove,  
And that that black Cloud, which has long hung ore  
Our heads, will now at last dissolve into  
A sudden Storm.  Murat. 
What in probability can be else  
Expected, For we have received Orders  
From our Bassa to be ready this night  
To assault the Palace.  Osman. 
And we too, have received the like Orders from our Aga.  Murat. 
I could wish it were otherwise, and that  
Our Sultan could be reclaimed by other means,  
Less violent.  Osman. 
I could wish so too; but there are few of  
Our opinion, for the janissaries.  
And Souldiers are all so insenc'd with the  
Sultans late weaknesses, that it is an eafie  
Matter for the bassas, to blow up those  
Sparks of discontent quickly into a flamme, '  
The more easily to obtain their own ambitious  
Ends.  Murat 
I pity the Empire's sad condition,  
And hope, Fate will yet prevent our ruin.  Osman. 
I, so do I too. ' But 'tis wisdom to  
Bear that patiently, which is not in our  
Power to prevent.  
' Those hopes are vain, we to ourselves create,  
When they resist, what is decreed by Fate. Excunt.    


Act. III. Scen. I.  Enter Mahomet and Irena. Maho. 
When, fair Irena, shall I pity find,  
Will you be always cruelly incli'nd?  
Shall pity never in your breast have part,  
Will you then wound, and never cure my heart?  Ire. 
Alas how you mistake, that is in me  
virtue, which you it seems call Cruelty.  
And it is far beyond my power I'm sure,  
To cure those wounds, which you say you endure.  Maho. 
'Tis strange, that you whose radiant Eyes thus have  
The power to kill, should want the power to save.  Ire. 
What you attribute to my Eyes, is more  
Than ere I knew that they could do before.  Maho. 
You cannot sure, but needs must know their power,  
When they enslave new hearts thus every hou'r.  Ire. 
An if they do, 'tis not by any Skill,  
Or Art I use; 'tis much against my will.  Maho. 
Nature alas in you has too much part,  
That you should be beholding unto Art.  
But shall not I your heart to pity move,  
Since 'tis impossible to gain your love?  
Shall I ner'e find that pity which I want?  Ire. 
Why do you ask that which I cannot grant.  Maho. 
Why, what is't that hinders you?  Ire. 
Honour.  Maho. 
Honour, why, that is but a vain, and  
empty word, And far too weak, If you consent  
To hinder my felicity.  
Divine Irena, do but you prove kind  
And I will take that scruple from your mind.  
I'll make you my Sultana, you shall be  
Both Mistress of the prostrate World, and Me.  
And in the Empire you shall have a part.  
Equal to that, which you have in my heart.  Ire. 
If such rewards you'l give then you may find,  
Objects more worthy, and perhaps more kind.  Maho. 
No, there is none to whom such honor's due,  
Unless Irena, that it be to you.  
compared to you, all other Beauties seem,  
Objects not fit, nor worthy my esteem.  
Fair Irena, do but ease me o'those  
Pains( which for your sake I endure) and I  
Will bestow my Throne upon you, and make  
You sole Empress o' the world.  Ire. 
I 'm not ambitious, Sir.  Maho. 
Ah Madam, Do but think who 'tis that asks  
Your pity. 'Tis he that doth command the world,  
And on whose frown or smile the world's fate depends,  
As his does now on yours.  
Nor do I take any Joy in the spacious  
Empire I possess, and to see myself  
So great a Monarch, But onely that I  
May be the more worthy to enjoy the  
Title of fair Irena's servant.  Ire. 
Great Prince, it misbecomes my State to have  
Such Servants, and 'tis a Title too unworthy  
For you.  Maho. 
'Tis a Title Madam, that I'm more proud  
Of, than all my former Conquests.  
Divine Irena, do but consider  
How miserable I am like to be,  
If that you deny to compassionate my  
Sufferings. For since that first I received  
Your celestial Image i' my heart,  
Your divine perfections has made such an  
Impression on my mind, that there's nothing  
In the world, which in my esteem  
I value equivolent to your own fair Self.  
All what was formerly dear unto me,  
As Empire, and desire of Glory, seems  
Now things below my estimation.  
All my ambitious desires tend now  
To gain your Love. And, should you deny me  
That happiness, you'd make me for ever  
Miserable.  Ire. 
Alas, it lies not in my power: I hope  
You'l be more wise than so to settle your  
Affection, on such an unworthy Object.  Maho. 
Ah Irena, wrong not your own Beauty so,  
To say the Object is unworthy.  
Nature when she formed you, resolved to show  
Us her Master-piece, And bestowed on you  
All that she hath of Excellence, and all  
That may be wished for in a Woman.  
For all those perfections, which she has confus'dly,  
And disorderly bestowed on others,  
Meet all in you, as in their Center.  
And in your fair Eyes, she has placed a vivacity,  
And lustre that far excels all others.  
And methinks the Sun, when in it's height of Glory,  
Seems dull unto those brighter Beams shot from  
Your beauteous Eyes.  Ire. 
I see, you're pleased to compliment,  
There's no such brightness, nor lustre i'my Eyes,  
Nor am I Mistris o'those perfections,  
Which you attribute to me.  Maho. 
No, what I speak is real—  
You're Mistris of so many perfections,  
That they exceed my relation.  
Nature's too blame, she formed you with such Art,  
In your fair breast, to place a cruel Heart.  Enter an Eunuch. Eun. 
Without, Great Sir, the Bassa Mustapha waits,  
And humbly craves that he may be admitted  
Into your sacred Presence;  
And says, he has a Secret to reveal,  
Which from all others he must yet conceal.  Maho. 
Aside. 
What should this mean—  
Surely it must be o'some consequence,  
Else he'd not be thus importunate.  
And he was ever faithful—   
Tell him, that he should stay a little,  
And I'll come to him straight. Exit Eunuch.  
Madam, you see for some time I must leave  
You; But when I return again, I hope  
I shall find you in a better humour:  
And hope you'll then accept, when next we meet  
Of th' Empire, I now prost rate at your feet. Exit Mahomet. manet Irena.  Irena sola. Ire. 
The Sultan thinks, that Empire I admire,  
That I'm ambitious, and a Throne desire.  
But he shall find that those his hopes are vain,  
And that I can his proffered Throne disdain.  
Empire's a charm too weak to work on me,  
When I 'm resolved to keep my loyalty.  
Dear Justinianus, I yet too well know  
What 'tis that to your memory I owe,  
Ere to give leave Ambition here should rest,  
And to admit a Monster in my breast, Pointing to her breast.  
For your dear sake, I can with ease despise  
Those flattering glories offered to my eyes.  
And though I must confess, Our sex is frail,  
And Greatness sometimes does with us prevail;  
Yet, I resolve, though I a woman bee,  
That I'll preserve my Loyalty to thee.  
And let this be an Argument to move  
Men to believe, Our Sex can constant prove.   

Act. III. Scen. II.  Enter Justinianus, and Honorius, In the Palace Garden. Hon. 
So the Eunuch has performed his part, and  
We are I think, entered undiscovered in  
The Garden.  Just. 
I wonder, Irena and Perinthia are not here.  Hon. 
'Tis yet soon,  
This is the time, and this the place in which  
The Eunuch  told us they would walk  
This Evening—  
But stay, I hear some noise— Hears a noise.  
Perhaps they're coming, Let's retire behind They retire behind some hedges.  
These hedges, till we make further discov'ry.  Enter Irena and Perinthia. Per. 
Did the Sultan, Madam, offer you his Throne,  
And were you so generous to refuse it.  Ire. 
Yes Perinthia, what could I do less?  
I was obliged both by Love and Honour  
To refuse it. For I resolve to keep  
A firm, and inviolable constancy  
To the memory of my dear Justinianus:  
Nor will I ere give cause for to mistrust  
But that I'll to his memory prove just.  
And though he's dead, yet his memory  
Keeps too strong possession i'my heart,  
That I should ere admit an other there.  Just. 
Fortune, for this I thank thee, I cannot He speaks this from behind the hedge.  
Be truly miserable, if she continues  
Constant.  Per. 
Dear Irena, I grow emulous  
O' your virtue.—  
To refuse a Crown, when freely offered  
Only to observe a Punctilio  
Of Love, and Constancy, to a Person  
Who is dead( and consequently out of  
A capacity, ere to give you thanks)  
Is an action so heroic, and so  
Generous, that I believe your virtue may  
Find many admirers, but few imitators.  Ire. 
I hope that my example will be a means  
To stir up others, on the like occasion,  
To be my Imitators.  
Would not you Perinthia, an if the  
Sultan should offer you, what he does me,  
And on the like conditions, refuse it  
To preserve your loyalty to  
Your Honorius?  Per. 
Yes Irena, I would not onely( like you)  
Refuse, and reject with disdain, the Throne  
The Sultan should offer me; But, like you,  
Resolve ever to preserve my affection  
Constant to my Honorius.  Hon. 
How happy am I i'this Ladies affection He speaks this aside, & from behind the hedge.  
I did ever believe her generous,  
But this transcends imagination:  Ire. 
I see Perinthia, that Love, and Gratitude  
Equally balances our thoughts;  
And that we have an equal sense, of what  
We owe their memories.  
What would I give, that now their generous souls,  
Had knowledge oth constant affection  
We still bear ' em?  Per. 
An if that it be true that Souls  
Departed from their bodies, have knowledge  
Of what happens here below, I doubt not  
But they know how constant we are to ' em.  Ire. 
Ah, that Heaven would but permit that their  
Souls might now from their blessed abodes  
But come, and visit us; methinks 'twould be  
Some mitigation to our misfortunes.  Per. 
That would but disturb the rest, and tranquillity  
Their pe●●ef souls do now enjoy, and but  
Serve to affright us.  Just. 
Now Honorius, is our time, They come from behind the hedges, and present themselves to Ire. and Per.  
Let's discover ourselves.  Per. 
But Heaven what is't I see— They spy them.  
Am I awake— or do I dream—  
Or am I in elysium!  Ire. 
O ye celestial Powers, sure you've heard  
My prayers, and sent their Ghosts to visit us.  
What's ere thou art, that thus comest to disturb us, To Just.  
Th'ast taken such a pleasing form, and shape  
Upon thee, and so voided of horror, that  
I cannot be affrighted.  Just. 
Madam, be not deceived, we are no Ghosts,  
But Persons preserved by Heaven for your  
Deliverance.  
We are really Justinianus and Honorius.  Ire. 
Ah, sure it cannot be—  
The blessing is too great, and too improbable  
To be real—  
I fear 'tis some Illusion.  Just. 
Madam, 'tis no Illusion, but real  
What you see, we were by Heaven preserved  
From those ruins, which you think overwhelmed  
Us, and were not slain( as you imagine)  
When the City was taken.  Per. 
Can it then be that my Honorius lives?  Hon. 
Dear Perinthia, can it be that Fate  
Grants me again the happiness to see  
You, after so long a separation?  Per. 
Ah my Honorius, Heaven now rewards  
Me for all those griefs and miseries, which  
The report o' your death caused in  
My afflicted breast.  Hon. 
And all those torments which your loss,  
And separation caused in me are now  
Forgotten, since now again I see you.  Ire. 
Aside. 
The Joy that I conceive is now so great  
That it transcends Expression—  
And it so fills my breast, 'tis past alloy,  
I know not what to do, nor what to say.  
Joy so transports me, that it strikes me mute;  
No Language can with such a passion suit.   
Dear Justinianus, tell me by what strange  
Means, that you escaped; I cannot conceive  
It to have been less than miraculous.  
Come, Pray begin—  
I am impatient till that you relate,  
What there is yet of hidden i'your Fate.  Just. 
Madam, your commands( like Oracles) it  
Were impious to disobey.  
You know Madam, that unhappy day in  
Which the City was taken, I undertook  
To defend the Breach the Enemy had  
Made i'th wall:  
And that in its defence, having received  
Many wounds, and lost much blood, I was forced  
( More through my friends persuasions, than my own  
Inclination) to retire.  
But alas, I had soon cause to curse that  
Resolution.  
For my men as long as I was with 'em  
Had defended the breach bravely, and out-done  
Belief: But as soon as I was gone( possessed  
With a belief that my wounds were mortal)  
They turned their backs, and fled.  
I was quickly advertised of this disaster.  
And too soon( though too late to prevent it)  
Saw the folly I had committed.  
Rage, and despair so possessed me, that I  
Had scarce patience to stay till that my wounds  
Were bound up, But that I would return, to  
See if things were in that desperate condition  
They were represented to me.  
But alas, I found the danger greater  
Than I imagined. I found such swarms  
Of Turks entered in the Breach, that it was  
Impossible to save the Town.  
having got together as many Souldiers,  
As the confusion, and disorder things  
Were then in, would permit me, and being  
near the Palace, I went directly thither;  
To know what was become of the Emperour;  
But there 'twas  told me he was fled, but none  
Knew whither.  
From thence Madam( Love being predominant  
o'er all my other passions) I resolved  
To go, and defend you; But I found such  
A number of Turks in my way, that it  
Was not in my power to perform what  
I had resolved, and I quickly found that  
I was encompassed on all sides, so that  
It was impossible to escape.  
My men( to whom despair added new courage)  
Fought it out bravely, and fell most before  
My face, and at last weakened with wounds and  
Loss of blood, I was forced myself to fall.  Pre. 
Yes Justinianus, I heard you fell,  
But bravely, and like yourself;  
But pray, proceed.  Just. 
Towards Evening the Turks fell to stripping  
The dead Bodies, And 'twas my happy fate  
To be stripped by a query, who  
( Being more charitable than generally  
Those kind of persons are) finding some symptoms  
Of life yet remaining in me, and guessing  
Me by my habits, to be of no inferior  
Quality, resolved if possible to save  
My life; and carrying me to his quarters  
( He himself having some skill in Chirurgery)  
searched my wounds, and finding that although  
They were deep, and many, yet none were mortal,  
He used means to bring me to myself, which  
He soon effected.  
But how was I amazed, when returning  
To my Senses, I found myself in a bed,  
In a strange place, and my wounds bound up!  
I soon called to remembrance what was past,  
And the grief which I conceived for the danger  
I apprehended you were in, and to  
See myself a Prisoner, made such a violent  
Impression on my mind, that( if I had  
Not been hindered) I would have torn  
Up my wounds.  
The query, apprehending that  
My despair proceeded from the belief  
I had, that I had lost my Liberty,  
 told me, 'Twas true, by right of war I was  
His prisoner; but promised me, that, as soon  
As I was cured, he would give me my liberty,  
And set me free; which he accordingly  
performed.  
I was much pleased to find such humanity  
In a Barbarian. I asked him if  
He could tell me any-tidings of the  
Emperour, or of you Madam. He  told  
Me, that as yet he could not tell any-thing  
Of the Emperour; And for you, he said  
He did not know you, and was ignorant  
Who you were. But he promised me he would  
Make inquiry. Next day he went out, and when  
He return'd, he brought me word that the Emperor  
Was slain; But said of you he could hear no  
News.  
But ah, how did this fatal News afflict  
Me! how did I curse myself for being  
The cause of these disasters, and for retiring  
From the Breach!  
Grief so seized on me, that it much hindered  
The healing o'my wounds, and much prolonged  
My cure, which I think the query  
Had scarce ever effected, had not I  
Heard that you had been presented to the  
Sultan, and that you were in the Palace, and were safe.  
'Twas only the hope I had by some means or other,  
To free you from the Sultans power, made  
Me submit to those means that were used for  
My recovery.  
I heard what a Passion he has for you,  
And though your virtue secured me, that I  
Did not doubt a change i' your affections;  
Yet I was afraid that he might use force,  
And offer you some violence; which thoughts  
Much distracted, and perplexed my mind.  
As soon as I was recovered, I tried  
To give you notice I was living;  
But I found that impossible, your Guards  
Were too vigilant, and too faithful to be  
Corrupted, and I could find none whom I  
Durst trust.  
I made diligent inquiry to see  
If I could hear what was become of you  
To Hon. Brave Friend, To Per. and of you Madam: But could ne'er  
Hear what was become of either of you  
Till to day it was my happy fortune  
To meet with Honorius, who  told me,  
Fair Perinthia, you were here.  Per. 
Honorius sure has good intelligence  
To have notice of it so soon. For I  
Was but this morning sent by the Sultan  
To Irena.  Hon. 
'Twas by an Eunuch Madam that waits on  
You, that I was informed of it.  Ire. 
Justinianus before you proceed further,  
Clear me of two Doubts which possess me.  
And first pray tell me, how you, two, whose faces  
Are so well known i'this City, can walk  
About the streets undiscovered?  Just. 
When we walk about the streets Madam, we  
Have disguises, which to that purpose we  
always carry about us.  
Besides, our death has been so confidently  
Reported, that none suspects us living.  Ire. 
You've cleared me of the one, now clear me of  
The other; How could you conceal yourself  
From the query? did not he in  
All the time you were with him demand your  
Name?  Just. 
Yes he did often, and was very inquisitive  
To know who I was, But I always concealed  
My true name and quality from him,  
And put him off with some feigned story.  Ire. 
You've satisfied my curiosity,  
Pray go on.  Just. 
Ah Madam, 'tis beyond expression to  
Relate to you all those torments, which your  
Absence and separation caused i'my  
Troubled breast—  
There was no Grief, no Passion to which I  
Was not subject to.  
But now since I've again the happiness  
To enjoy your presence, all my griefs and  
Sufferings are butted in oblivion.  
Like as the Sun( long absent) at last breaks  
Through a Cloud, and with its rays both comforts  
And enlightens all the lower world;  
And by its splendid Beams chaces away  
Dark Clouds and Mists, and makes a glorious day:  
So your fair Eyes whose radiant Beams excel  
The others brightness, quickly doth expel  
Those Clouds of Grief, and sadness which dwelled here, Pointing to his breast.  
But which now vanish, since that you appear.  Ire. 
Justinianus, I am glad to find  
My Eyes has yet such influence o'er your mind.  Just. 
In a heart Madam, that once yields its self  
Their Captive, they always keep possession—  
But I'll proceed—  
Fortune, I think, now at last weary with  
Tormenting me, resolves again to make  
Me happy. For 'twas my good fortune  
This day, by a happy, and unexpected Fate  
To meet with my generous Friend Honorius,  
( Whom I thought dead) who  told me that he had  
contrived and designed a brave and generous  
Resolution, to restore you to your  
Liberties, having to that end made  
A Combination with all his Friends this  
Night to assault the Palace; And  
By force to free you from the Sultan's power.  
And that he might give you notice of his  
Design, he has corrupted an Eunuch  
That attends you, who  told us that you would  
Walk here this Evening, and shew'd us a way  
That we might enter undiscovered  
I' the Garden.  
And hither we are come to know, if you'll  
Be pleased to condescend to what, that we  
Resolve to execute.  Ire. 
Yes Justinianus, you've my consent;  
I think your design to be noble, and  
Generous, and worthy the affection you  
always professed to bear us.  
Nor do I think it can reflect upon  
Our Honours, for us to trust ourselves to  
The conduct of Persons, whom all our Friends  
designed to be our Husbands.  
And I dare engage, Perinthia's thoughts  
Agrees with mine.  Per. 
You may Madam; I repose such  
A confidence in Honorius's virtue,  
That I dare follow him throughout the world.  Hon. 
Madam, I hope I shall ne'er give you cause  
By any of my Actions for to lose  
The good Opinion you have of me.  Ire. 
But Justinianus, Pray tell me, an if  
Your enterprise( as I hope it will) succeeds;  
Whither will you convey us? what retreat  
Have you chosen? For doubtless the Sultan  
Will cause diligent search to be made for  
Us.  Just. 
Madam, we have a Vessel i' the Port  
That there waits for us, ready to convey  
Us into the Dominions of some Christian Prince.  Hon. 
And there, If you please to consent; we will  
Conceal both our Names and Persons, Lest we  
Might draw the Sultan's revenge upon that  
State.  Ire. 
I like your Counsel well,  
And think 'tis best we follow it.  Hon. 
Justinianus, 'Tis time that we withdraw.  
The time now draws near that I appointed  
To meet my generous Friends.  Just. 
When you will, I'll wait on you—  
Madam, we have appointed to meet those  
Friends we have engaged in our design, to  
Consult about the Action we are to  
Perform this night, and now the hour draws near,  
So that we must be forced( though much against  
Our wills) to depart; But if you please to  
Do us the favour to meet us here within this  
Two hours, we'll wait on you again, and take some further  
Resolution, concerning our Escape.  Ire. 
Well, we'll not fail to meet you,  
'Tis best you now depart, for although these  
Walks be so secret, yet to stay here too long,  
Is unsafe, and there might be danger in't.  Just. 
Madam, we must now take our leaves,  
Within two hours well not fail to  
Wait on you.  Ire. 
Nor we to meet you.  Per. 
My Dear Honorius, adieu.  Hon. 
Ah how rigid would this parting seem,  
Were I not in hopes quickly to return!  
Adieu my dear Perinthia.  Exeunt Just. & Hon. Ire. 
You see Perinthia, things have changed their face.  
'Tis good our ills with patience to embrace.  
The Fates are pleased you see, when we resign,  
And do submit to what that they design.  Per. 
'Tis a reward sent from the powers above  
Because we were so constant in our Love.  Ire. 
Come, Let's go in, and pray those powers to bless  
Their enterprise, And crown it with success. Exeunt.   

Act. III. Scen. III.  Enter Aga. Aga. 
I fear this Mustapha will discover  
Our design, And then should it not succeed  
I am lost for ever—  
Who know's what influence the Sultans presence  
May have upon the Souldiers—?  
The Guards  told me they went this way, and alone;  
I le follow, and endeavour to hear their discourse.  Enter Mahomet, and Mustapha. Maho. 
What villains are these bassas, did you represent  
To 'em the heinousness o' their crime?  Must. 
Yes Great Sir, I did,  
And used all those Arguments which I thought  
Might be conducive to dissuade 'em from  
Their treacherous resolution.  
But alas, I found 'twas vain;  
Rebellion had taken too strong possession  
I' their breasts, and chac'd Loyalty from thence.  Maho. 
Does the cause of this their Conspiracy  
( Which seems so monstrous, and so giantlike)  
Proceed from th' affection I have for  
Fair Irena? Is that the cause on't?  Must. 
That is the pretence—  
Traytors never want a pretence  
'To colour their Designs;  
And that which encourages 'em to execute  
Their Treachery, Is that they know  
The Souldiers and People( always severe  
Censurers of their princes actions) are  
displeased and incensed to see you lay by  
All thoughts o'f enlarging o'the Empire;  
And thus passionately to affect the  
Fair and beauteous Irena, whom they  
Imagine to be the cause of that alteration  
They have lately observed i'your heroic nature.  
And therefore threaten her destruction,  
And to sacrifice her to their revenge,  
And have resolved that she shall die—  Maho. 
Heaven! what is't I hear, Irena die—  
Dare such base slaves threaten her precious life?  
Was ever such a villainy invented—  
But I'll provide tortures, and torments for 'em  
Black, and horrid as their crimes.  Must. 
Let not, great Prince, Passion over-rule  
Your reason. Consider if—  Maho. 
What should I consider—  
Should I let these villains assault my Palace,  
And by force ravish my Mistris from out  
My arms, And tamely suffer the affront?  
No Mustapha, Patience were here  
No virtue, but a Crime.  
They shall all die—  
Their Lives are too poor a sacrifice to  
Appease my anger, and to expiate  
Their offence.  Enter Aga and conceals himself. Must. 
Great Sultan, do but Consider if it  
Is in your power to act, what you design.  
The Souldiers and People are all at their  
Devotion, and I suspect your Guards too:  
For the Aga is the chief Fomenter,  
And Agent in this conspiracy.  
'Tis he that is the wheel that gives motion  
To all the rest.  Aga. 
I thought this villain would nominate me: Aside.  
How bravely he sets me forth!  Maho. 
I have long suspected him for a knave.  
The Office I have bestowed upon him.  
Has made him too proud, and too ambitious.  
He I resolve shall die—  Aga. 
Shall I so—  
But I'll prevent my ruin with your own. Aside.  Maho. 
But Mustapha, is't not strange that  
These perfidious slaves dares be so audacious  
As to censure any o' my Actions;  
And to accuse me of Vices they are  
Themselves possessed of.  
Does it become them( my slaves and vassals)  
To intermeddle, and condemn  
Their princes Actions?  Must. 
' Princes actions are always exposed to Censure.  
Persons, the higher they are elevated  
In quality, the more their actions are  
observed.  Maho. 
'Tis true—  
Subjects behold their Princes faults  
Through a Multiplying-glass, which makes 'em  
Seem far greater then they are.  
But what way shall I find out to stop this  
Breach, before it be too wide?  Must. 
Alas, I fear 'tis grown too wide already,  
And that 'tis now past remedy.  
I know but one way left t' appease their fury;  
But I fear you'll think the remedy, worse  
Than the disease.  Maho. 
What is't? speak freely.  Must. 
'Tis my Loyalty( majestic Sultan)  
And your Command, makes me so bold to tell  
You, That I think there is no other remedy  
Left to appease their fury, but by your  
Forsaking of Irena.  Maho. 
Forsake Irena— What Mustapha, would you  
Counsel me to an action so unjust?  Must. 
Necessity makes actions Just.  
'Tis just, Because 'tis necessary.  Maho. 
Would you have me expose Irena to  
Their fury— No, I'll first perish, and let  
The Empire sink, before that I'll perform  
So degenerous an action.  Must. 
Alas great Sir, you misapprehend,  
And misconstruct my meaning: I would not  
Have you expose Irena to their fury;  
But have you to conquer your own affection  
Let it not be said, that He who  
Has conquered so many Kingdoms,  
Could not subdue a foolish Passion.  
And though at first it may seem hard, and difficult,  
Yet Time( the common Physician to all  
Diseases) will at length afford you cure.  Irena 
is a beauty, from whose charms,  
You'l be better preserved by absence, then  
By resistance. And your Souldiers, an if  
They be not employed abroad, will employ  
Themselves at home. 'Tis idleness, and want  
Of marshal discipline that makes 'em now  
Thus insolent.  
Follow the example of your illustrious  
Othoman-Ancestors, And led 'em again  
Forth, to enlarge your Empire, and to obtain  
New Conquests. Make it appear—  Maho. 
Mustapha, no more: I don't approve your  
counsel— Their fury must be allayed by  
Other means, than those which you propounded. Kneels.  Must. 
If in ought, Great Prince, I have offend  
You, I humbly beg your pardon.  
'Twas my loyalty, and your Danger, made  
Me take the liberty t' express my thoughts  
Thus freely.  Maho. 
Although it be dangerous for Subjects to  
Intermeddle i'their princes Affairs,  
Yet your loyalty has obtained your pardon.  
Rise Mustapha, and follow me. He rises.  
Aside. 
I must go study, to find out some way,  
This their Rebellious fury to alloy.  
'Tis easier far Rebellions to prevent,  
Than in their heat to hinder their intent.   Exeunt Mahomet, & Mustapha: manet Aga.  

Actus III. Scena IV.  Aga solus. Aga. 
So, 'tis well I was here to hear this their  
Discourse. I thought what it would come to,  
And that this Mustapha would discover  
Our Design to the Sultan, none else  
I knew durst do't— If it succeeds, 'tis well;  
If not, then what becomes of me? My death's  
resolved already!  
" Ills when known, may be prevented;  
But are most dangerous, when we are  
Ignorant of ' em.  
" Rocks, and shelfs hide under water  
" Deceive the skilful'st Pilots.  
The Sultan hath resolved my Death; But I  
Resolve, his death shall secure my life.  
" Self-preservation is a Principle infused  
" By Nature in our hearts, as soon as we  
" Are born.  
My safety, and Revenge, Ile join together.  
I have long laboured to be revenged for  
The affront the Sultan did me, when he  
bestowed on Mustapha a place that was  
promised me, and that was due only to  
My merits. And Fortune now furnishes  
Me with occasions to second my desires.  
'Tis that, makes me so eagerly to  
Stir up the bassas, and Souldiers  
To Rebellion.  
" The Sultan now shall find how dangerous 'tis  
" For Princes to be ungrateful.  
For by his Death, which I resolve, I'll strive  
To be revenged, and save myself alive. Exit.    


ACT. IV. SCEN: I.  Enter Mahomet. Maho. 

MY mind is so perplexed with care, and grief,  
That I had need of all my courage  
To sustain the weight of my misfortunes:  
Yet, 'tis not the apprehension I have  
For my own, But for the fair Irena's  
Danger, that thus abates my courage.  
How ill sometimes do Princes place their favours!  
I have raiz'd these Villains to that height, they  
Now dare attempt to pull me from my Throne.  
Perfidious slaves, cannot I affect  
The fair Irena; but must they envy  
My felicity, and threaten her destruction?  
Ah, how it torments me, to think I have  
No power, nor can find out no way to be  
Reveng●d, or to hinder their treacherous  
Intentions.  
To forsake Irena! alas, 'tis impossible,  
But if it were not, I'd rather perish,  
Than to be guilty of so black a Crime,  
As to expose this Soul-in-chanting Fair-one  
To their fury.  
To lose my Empire, and to be deprived  
Of the Fruit of all my Conquests, by such  
Perfidious Villains, does not a little  
Trouble me.   

Nor can my Fancy, as yet, find out means  
To help me out of two such great extremes.  
To lose Irena, then my Love is crost;  
And if I lose my Empire, I am lost.  
Such ills as these, my mind does so amuse,  
I know not yet, Which of these ills to choose.   

Love, and Ambition agitates my mind  
With equal Fury, And like to two  
Impetuous winds, when they meet together  
I'the Ocean, Each strives for mast'ry.   

State-Int'rest says, Ambition here should sway Pointing to his breast.  
But Honour says, That Love I should obey.  
For I'm obliged by Honour to protect  
Irena, though she does my Love neglect.  
Love gains the field in this contentious strife;  
' Ile save Irena, or I'll lose my life.    

Act. IV. Scen. II.  Enter Carazias, Zoganus, Caly-Bassa, Mahometes, and the Aga of the janissaries. Aga. 
Generous Friends, I find you have been zealous  
I'th' Empires cause, And that by your endeavours  
The Souldiers are all unanimously agreed  
T' assault the Palace.  Zog. 
We've performed our Duty,  
And are now resolved to make th' Empire an  
Amends, that we've suffered so effeminate  
A Prince to govern it so long.  Maho. 
And to recover the Glory we've lost.  Caly. 
But shall we dispossess the Sultan of  
His Throne—  Aga. 
Yes, what else? Do you think it can be safe  
For us( after we've performed what we intend)  
To leave him in a capacity to  
Revenge himself of the affront which he  
Conceives we do him. No, we must  
Not only deprive him of the Government,  
But too secure his Person.  
Aside. 
I must not tell them, that I mean to kill him,  
That would betray my malice, and revenge.   Caraz. 
Have you sent Prince Bajazet  
Notice of our Design.  Aga. 
No, 'Tis time enough after its  
Execution.  Caraz. 
But how an if he should reject what we  
Propound, And refuse the Throne we offer  
Him?  Aga. 
Refuse it— No, he's not such a fool.  
The Othoman-Princes are too desirous  
Of Sov'raigntie, to refuse a Throne  
When offered.  Caly. 
But what's become of Mustapha,  
Where's he?  Aga. 
Why he has been with the Sultan  
" To discover to him our Design; From whom,  
" If it succeeds not, we must expect  
" The worst effects of Fury.  Zog. 
I ever doubted, Mustapha would prove  
A villain, and discover our Design.  
But 'tis no matter as long as we have force  
To execute what we resolve.  Aga. 
And let's not now delay it.  
The Sultan now knows of our Design,  
And will endeavour to prevent it.  
And if he should present himself to the  
Souldiers( from whom he has been long absent)  
Who knows what effects his Presence  
Might produce?  Zog. 
That seems improbable.  
He knows the Souldiers are discontented,  
And breath nothing, but fury, and revenge.  
I do not think he'll be so venturous—  Aga. 
Not be so venturous—  
What danger is there his courage dares not  
Venture on?  
Have we not seen him run head-long into  
Dangers, as great as this?  
" Despair makes Cowards valiant,  
And will it not, think you, rouse up  
His sleeping courage?  Zoga. 
Perhaps it may—  
But do you think we shall find resistance?  Aga. 
From none, but from some of his domestic  
Servants, The Guards are all at my Devotion.  Maho. 
If we shall find such small resistance,  
And since the Guards will give us free access.  
What need we assault the Palace, with such  
Numbers?  Aga. 
'Tis necessary to show that 'tis not  
An action of our own; But that the whole  
Army is consenting.  Zog. 
'Tis best I think that we ' go first  
To Irena's Lodgings, and offer her  
Up a Victim to the Empires safety.  
That done, Let's secure the Sultans person.  Caraz. 
You counsel wisely—  
Night with her sable curtains  
Does now ore-spread the Air,  
'Tis now time that we put our Design  
In execution.  Aga. 
Actions of this Nature, the sooner they're  
performed, the better; and the safer.  
Let's not now defer it any longer;  
All things are now in readiness, and the  
Souldiers only want our presence  
To countenance the action.  
Should we but delay it, they might lose that  
Eagerness and fury of revenge that we've  
inspired into ' em.  Zog. 
No, come; Let's go,  
Before their conrage cools.  
Delay's are dangerous—  Caly. 
But where shall we meet  
To join our Troops together?  Aga. 
Where— Why in the open place  
Before the Palace. No place  
Is more convenient.  Caly. 
And in what time?  Aga. 
Why? within an hour at furthest.  Caly. 
Well, without fail, I'll meet you.  Zog. 
And so will I.  Caraz. 
Nor will I fail.  Maho. 
Nor I—  
But are you sure the Guards will give us access?  Aga. 
Yes, for that I'll engage,  
Lave that to my care. But come let's go.  
Aside. 
So, things go well as yet, and Fate conspires  
To second my intention, and desires.   Exeunt omnes.  

Act. IV. Scen. III.  Enter Mahomet and Irena. Maho. 
Madam be ruled, Let's fly, and let's not stay,  
Lest that we perish by our own delay.  Ire. 
What generous Sultan, can you fly, and yield,  
When y'are a conqueror, to slaves the field?  
Where's now your courage, that you can allow  
These slaves to snatch the laurel from your brow?  Maho. 
My courage faints, and dares not now appear:  
But 'tis for you, not for myself I fear.  Ire. 
Take care to save yourself, and as for me,  
Leave that to Fate, and my own destiny.  Maho. 
Leave you Irena! no, that cannot be;  
If you miscarry, What becomes of me?  Ire. 
Why, is't upon my Fate, that you intend  
Your safety, or your ruin, should depend?  
Should I miscarry, yet the loss is small;  
But if You lose your Empire, you lose all.  
Therefore once more, Let me the favour crave  
You'd take less care for me, more That to save.  Maho. 
Ah, think not that my thoughts are so abject,  
That, to save That, I should my Love neglect.  
'Tis not my Empires loss causes my grief,  
If I lose that, my Sword can give relief.  
New Empires I can gain, but not subdue  
The grief, and passion that I have for you.  
'Tis Love, not Empire, has the greatest part  
In all the grief that now afflicts my heart.  Ire. 
Ambition only in your heart should rest,  
'Tis a fit passion for a Monarch's breast.  Maho. 
Though I have Love, yet I've Ambition too,  
But 'tis not to gain Empire, but gain You.  
Irena is a Beauty so Divine,  
I'd freely part with all, to make her mine.  
But heaven! what is't I say, when Fate denies  
That I am worthy such a glorious prise?  
For she's above my merits; I can gain,  
Nor pretend nothing from her, but disdain.  Ire. 
Irena is unworthy to have part  
In( or possess) so great a Monarch's heart.  
And though you're pleased to think that she's above,  
Yet she's too low an Object for your Love.  Maho. 
What Object is there ithe world, that's higher  
To which that my ambition can aspire?  Ire. 
To Glory and Renown, and to obtain  
What may to you immortal Honour gain;  
Those are fit Objects, and are worthy you:  
But let not Love your generous heart subdue.  
Your Face shows that y'are troubled, I suspect  
That 'tis not Love, but Fear does you deject.  
For shane let not your Slaves rebellious power  
Deprive you of your Conquests in an hour;  
And let not that by Treason be undone,  
Which you by many Victories have won.  
Call up your courage, and forbear to give  
These slaves such power, But still a Monarch live.  Maho. 
Aside. 
What a heroic Spirit here does rest,  
And is contained within this Lady's breast?  
Sure, she's my Better-Genius that is sent,  
Mine, and my Empires ruin to prevent.   
Your Courage, and your beauty I admire;  
Each equally my breast with Love inspire.  
But Madam, you mistake, that is not Fear  
Which on my Visage now seems to appear.  
Danger could never yet my heart surprise,  
Were you but safe, I could with ease despise  
These Bassa●s threats; My courage is above  
All other dangers, but th'assaults of Love.  
would you prove kind, I could my Throne defend,  
And make my fate upon my sword depend.  
And would you but accept what is your due,  
I'd then defend it, to bestow't on you.  
To neglect what you scorn, how can I choose?  
You both my Person, and my Throne refuse.  
Were I so happy, that you would but give  
Me yet some comfort, I'd a Monarch live:  
The malice of my Stars, I'd then defy,  
And on Irena for my Fate rely.  
Then Madam, see that you have power alone  
To make me happy, and to save my Throne.  Ire. 
It is beyond my power to effect  
What you imagine, or your Throne protect.  
You speak as if I'd power to create  
Some new Decrees, or alter those of Fate.  Maho. 
'Tis not the Fates, But your fair Eyes that be  
The only Rulers of my destiny.  Ire. 
I now begin to pity you, 'Tis Love  
I see that makes your Reason thus to rove:  
It is a Passion too unworthy you,  
" A generous mind Love ought not to subdue.  Maho. 
Yet Love's a Passion we too often find,  
That lodges most within a generous mind.  Ire. 
'Tis true: But 'tis our own consent, and will,  
That makes us subject to so great an ill.  Maho. 
Ah, 'tis not in our choice, but 'tis above  
Our power to hinder the decrees of Love.  
We oftentimes ourselves know not the cause,  
Why we are subject to his rigid Law's.  
" To resist his Decrees is vain, Love's darts  
Can quickly force Obedience from our hearts.  
No human power is able to withstand  
Against the power and force of Love's command.  
But Madam, I must now again renew  
My late request, and that Design pursue.  
He that ne're used to ask, does now implore  
You'd mind your danger, and your safety more:  
And once again entreats you( since the night  
Will favour us) not to delay our flight.  Ire. 
Danger pursues those that do from it fly  
Let's stay, and let's on our own Fates rely.  Maho. 
Madam, be not so obstinately bent  
To your own ruin, thus to give consent.  
I've  told you of the danger you are in,  
But must not now commit so great a sin  
As grant your stay, That were but to expose  
You to the rage, and fury of your foes.  Ire. 
Why, do you think our flight can make us free  
From what's decreed for us by destiny.  Maho. 
No," But again, we ought not to neglect  
" Those means ourselves, heaven gives, us to protect.  
When Nature is distempered, we then choose  
Physitians help, and not their aid refuse.  
And since th'approaching danger is so near,  
Give him that does adore you leave to fear:  
And though you will not fly, yet grant, I may  
Conceal your Person, to secure your stay.  Ire. 
That may prolong my pain not cure the wound;  
If you miscarry, I shall soon be found.  
No, if my ruin be by heaven decreed  
That cannot hinder, but it must succeed.  Maho. 
If then to neither you will give consent,  
Your ruin I must otherways prevent.  
Since to my Counsel you no ear afford,  
I'll strive for to protect you by my Sword.  
Then Madam come, I must at once secure  
You, and myself, from what we might endure.  Exeunt.  

Act. IV. Scen. IV.  Enter Perinthia. Per. 
What strange confusion's here, what new alarms  
Does make the Souldiers thus to be in Arms?  
All's so disordered, as if Fate resolved  
The world should now to Chaos be dissolved.  
It seems so horrid, and so strange to me,  
I can't imaginewhat the cause should be:  
Unless( which heaven I hope will yet prevent)  
The Sultan has discovered our intent.  
Just heaven forbid, such Fate should us attend,  
Grant our mis-fortunes now may have an end.  Enter Irena. 
But here's Irena; since she does appear  
She'll soon dispel, or soon increase my fear.  
Ah Madam! You come in a fit time to  
Resolve me of those Doubts which now perplex]  
My breast.  Ire. 
What is't, Perinthia, troubles you?  Per. 
Alas, I fear we are undone;  
And that envious Fate has to the Sultan  
discovered our Design.  
But Madam, You I know can soon declare,  
If we have cause to hope, or to despair.  Ire. 
As yet we've cause to hope;  
The Sultan knows nothing of it.  Per. 
What's the reason then, that the Guards are all  
In Arms, and that there's such a Confusion  
' I the Palace, and things so out of Order.  Ire. 
Why, it seems the bassas and Souldiers,  
enraged to see the Sultan dote on me,  
And to neglect all his former Designs,  
Have conspired against him, and resolve to  
Deprive him of his Throne, and me of my  
Life.  Per. 
What treacherous Rascals are these bassas?  Ire. 
This Design the Sultan came just now to  
Acquaint me with, and to counsel me either  
By flight, or by concealment to avoy'd  
Their fury.  Per. 
And which have you chosen Madam?  Ire. 
Neither.  Per. 
What, Dear Irena, do you then Resolve?  Ire. 
To stay Madam, and rely upon the promise  
Of Justinianus and Honorius.  
For should I either fly, or conceal myself,  
I should deprive them of their expectation.  Per. 
Why Madam, should you for that, be accessary  
To your own danger? Perhaps this Design  
May prevent theirs. Cannot you fly, and give  
Them notice of your retreat: Methinks this  
Should be a means to escape both from the  
Sultan and bassas.  Ire. 
It might, could the Sultan be persuaded  
To stay behind.  Per. 
What, Madam? Will he go with you, and leave  
His Empire a prey to his Rebellious Subjects?  
Cannot the Power you have over him  
persuade him to the contrary?  Ire. 
No, but suppose it could, whom have I that  
I durst have trusted to acquaint Justinianus  
With my retreat; For had I consented,  
I should have been forced to have departed  
Instantly away.  Per. 
Madam, if that were all, I would have don't.  Ire. 
Yo've don't? No, dear Perinthia, had I gon,  
You must have gone along.  
Or else it would but have perplexed my mind,  
Should I have gone, and left you here behind:  
What comfort could I have enjoy●d in my  
Own security; If you had been exposed  
To danger. But to prevent that, and not  
To disappoint Justinianus, and Honorius  
( Whom we've engaged to meet) I have  
endeavoured to inflame the Sultan's breast  
With Honour and Revenge. Hoping that whilst  
He pursues the preservation of his  
Empire, I shall have more liberty to enjoy  
myself, and facilitate our escape.  Per. 
You've done discreetly Madam, and I hope  
That same Providence that has preserved us  
From so many dangers will still watch over us.  Ire. 
We have no reason to mistrust it.  
Since heaven has already( as an earnest  
Of our future happiness) granted that  
We have found those Persons living, whom we  
Thought dead.  Per. 
Fortune has long been cruel, but I trust  
It will prove kind at last, and now be just.  Ire. 
If their Design( on which that I rely)  
Succeeds, I dare its Malice then defy.  Per. 
I hope it will, and hope that these bassas  
Rebellion, will serve to further, and not  
To hinder their Design. For in the disorder,  
And confusion things are now in, it will be  
An easy matter to escape: And the  
Sultan will be otherwise employed than  
To make pursuit after us.  
I hope, things will succeed better then we  
Expect.  Ire. 
I wish they may—  
Fortune, and Love, I hope will both combine  
To aid, and second that which we design,  Per. 
They're two blind powers, or else if they could see,  
To favour us, then they would soon agree.  Ire. 
Our Cause is just. And though they have no eyes,  
Yet they have Justice, they are deities.  
'Twere impious to think ought else could rest  
Or find a place in a celestial breast.  
But come, the Time is not yet expired  
In which we appointed to meet 'em;  
Let's retire into the next room, and sing;  
Or else by too much reflecting on our  
Present condition, I shall grow melancholy.  Per. 
What you think fit, I must consent to.  They retire into the next room, and sing. 

Song.  

celestial powers that rule above,  
And that incline our hearts to Love,  
Since you've been cruel, now be kind,  
And grant that we some ease may find.  
Grant that our hearts oppressed with grief  
May now at length find some relief.   

Fair Paphian Queen, to whose bright eyes,  
The Gods themselves became a prise:  
Ah, Let's entreat thee, pray thy Son  
To finish what he has begun.  
For Love's a flamme that may grow less,  
If not recruited by success.   

Great God of Love, whose powerful Dart  
At once wounds both the Mind, and Heart:  
Ease us from what we still endure,  
From future storms, let's be secure:  
And we'll proclaim Love then to be  
Of all the greatest deity. ‖    The Song ended, they enter again. Ire. 
So now, I think 'tis time that we retire,  
Delay perhaps might make our Hopes expire.  Per. 
I hope not so: of its success by heaven,  
We have already some assurance given.  Ire. 
If Fate proves kind, then it will soon dispel  
Those fears, which in our troubled breasts now dwell.  
But dear Perinthia come, I fear we may  
Make things succeed amiss, by our delay.  Exeunt.  

Act. IV. Scen. V.  Enter Mahomet. Maho. 
I 'm lately grown so wretched, that the more  
I think on my condition, I deplore  
My own misfortunes; and they are so new,  
I cannot yet imagine they are true,  
But think 'tis some Chimaera formed by night,  
Which only serv's my senses to affright.  
To day when Glorious Phoebus rose, he saw  
The world without control receive my Law.  
None durst dispute, nor, then, none durst withstand,  
But all obeyed, to what I did command.  
I then was happy, had Fate but suppressed  
Those Flames of Love, which still torment my breast;  
Or had Irena proved but kind, and cured  
Me of those pains, which for her I endured.  
To perfect my felicity, the aid  
Was only wanting of that beauteous Maid.  
But now I'm made so wretched by my Fate,  
That I'm scarce known for what I was of late.  
Strange changes i'my fate, there is begun,  
Betwixt the rising, and the setting Sun.  
But these complaints are womanish in me,  
Revenge would with my Courage more agree.  
Were but Irena safe, I'd go, and kill  
These bassas, and my own revenge fulfil.  
But since she is unsafe; Those thoughts as yet  
Do more of Valour, then of Love admit.  
I'll once again go to her, and I'll try,  
If yet Irena will consent to fly.  
Which if she does, I then in a short time  
Will gather force, to punish their bold crime.  
But if from flying she does still refrain,  
I'll try what by my presence I can gain  
Upon the Souldiers. For perhaps I may  
Make 'em lay down their Arms, and yet obey,  
But if this fails, with those few Guards I have  
I'll strive, Irena and myself to save.  
In her defence I'll die, or I'll prevent  
These villains of their black and base intent.  
'Twill be a comfort, if Fate grants that I  
In her defence, may yet have leave to die:  
And in my death I shall far happier prove  
Then ever I have yet been in my Love.   

Actus IV. Scena VI.  Enter the Aga in a disguise. Aga. 
So, I am now at last escaped from the bassas  
( Who will now quickly assault the Palace),  
And am come here to act my own revenge.  
This disguise has as yet preserved me from  
Discov'ry, 'twas well I entered in  
The Palace by a private way, Or else  
Perhaps I had run some danger. I find  
Some alteration here, some of those Guards  
I trusted most, and that guarded Irena's  
Lodgings, I find displaced, And other of  
Mustapha's Souldiers admitted i' their rooms.  
And though we've force to execute our resolution,  
Yet I fear that either the Sultan's presence,  
Or his promises, may make 'em( how resolute  
Soever now they seem) to lay down their  
Arms: Should this happen( which my own guilt makes  
Me to suspect) then I am lost; Have not  
I heard the Sultan to resolve my death?  
And were not I a fool, that having means  
Now to preserve myself, and be revenged  
If I should be accessary to my own ruin?  
No; now is the time of my revenge,  
And I'll not defer it.  
I have here hard-by, four or five Persons  
( In whom I dare confided) disguised like myself:  
Assisted by these, I'll watch an opportunity,  
And go and kill the Sultan. And then I'll  
Give out, he perished i'th' assault.  
He being dead, my fears will too die with him;  
And with young Bajazet( before that I  
Lay down my Arms) I'll make my own conditions.  
Sultan, your Fate is now resolved; 'tis I  
That am the Ruler of your destiny.  
Your ruin now so firmly is decreed  
Fate cannot alter, but it must succeed.  Exit.   


ACT. V. SCEN: I.  Enter Mahomet in the Palace Garden. Maho. 
THese villains still in treachery combine,  
And now resolve to act what they design  
The time draws near, The day has run its race  
And Cynthia now supplies her Brother's place.  
Their crime's so Monstrous, that they fear the light,  
And dare not act their Treason but by night.  
Irena's generous too, and seems to run  
To meet those dangers, I would have her shun.  
But I have given to Mustapha command;  
Their power and their fury to withstand,  
whilst by my presence, I strive to prevent  
Their horrid Crime, and frustrate their intent—  
Ha! What noise is that I hear—  Hears a noise. 
Methinks I perceive some Persons coming  
Towards me.  
The Moon's pale beams affords me light enough  
To discover they are Women.  
And if I 'm not deceived, 'tis Irena,  
And Perinthia, 'Tis so—  
What makes she now here at this time of night?  
Just now I left her in her Chamber,  
It cannot sure be fear that drives her forth,  
She was then so resolute.  
What should be the cause on't I can't imagine;  
But I'll conceal myself, whats'ere it be  Conceals himself. 
Till that the Cause either I hear or see.  Enter Irena and Perinthia. Ire. 
But for the Sultan's Coming to me,  
We had been here before.  
The time is now expired, And yet I see  
None here; sure something is fallen out  
Unexpected, that makes 'em stay so long.  Per. 
Persons when they're employed about  
Occasions of this Nature, cannot keep  
Their promise to a minute,  
But I dare engage, it will not be long  
Ere they come.  Ire. 
In the mean while,  
Let's retire into that Arbour,  
And sing.  Per. 
Well agreed.  They retire into an Arbour, and sing. 

Song.  

Though to our Sex 'tis that Love owes,  
' What of his power the world yet knows;  
And 'tis our eyes that does inspire  
Mens hearts with Love, and with desire:  
were't not for us, the world would be  Enter Just. and Hon They listen to the Song. 
Both from loves power and Empire free.   

Yet Love still with his golden Darts  
Ne're spares to wound our tender hearts.  
We're robbed by that ungrateful Boy,  
Both of our freedom, and our Joy.  
He ne're considers 'tis our Eyes  
That gains him such a glorious prise.   

Then let's not Lovers make despair,  
But be as kind, as we are fair;  
Since from Love's Empire, nor his power  
We cannot free ourselves an hou'r.  
beauties a shield too weak to prove  
Defence, against the Darts of Love,    Just. 
This music far excels that o'the spheres,  
Methinks I 'm ravished with celestial harmony.  Hon. 
Where two celestial voices so combine,  
The music cannot choose, but be Divine.  Just. 
Come, Let's go to ' em. Ire. and Per. come out of the Arbour  
But see, they're here.  
Madam, I hope we've not made you stay here  To Irena. 
Long; If we have, we humbly beg your pardon.  Maho. Aside. 
Ha! Who are these, I grow suspicious;  
But I'll conceal myself, till that I make  
Further discovery.  Ire. 
There needs no pardon, where there's no offence.  
I attributed your stay to your occasions,  
Not to your neglect.  Hon. 
Our Occasions did indeed take us up  
More time then we imagined, else we had  
Waited on you sooner.  Per. 
The time's not long expired,  
You've been pretty punctual.  
What, are all things now in readiness?  Hon. 
Madam, they are; Our Friends only expects  
Our return for to assault the Palace.  Maho. 
Ha! What is't I hear— Assault the Palace— Aside.  
Are these in League too with the bassas?  Ire. 
But what need you put it to the hazard  
Of an Assault, and tempt your Fate, Can't you  
Convey us out, by the way you enter in?  Just. 
No Madam, that's impossible—  
The Garden is( as you know) moated round  
And has but one door, which is strongly guarded.  
We are forced to slide o'er the Moat by a rope,  
Which from this side the Eunuch throws us,  
And which we fasten to the other side  
O'the Moat, and then climb o'er the Wall  
By a Ladder of ropes.  
Our intent is first to fall upon those Guards  
That keep the Garden door, and so to force  
Our passage through the Garden to your lodgings.  
The disorder, and confusion things are now in  
Will much facilate our design.  
The bassas, and Souldiers, incensed to see  
The Sultan to adore you, are now  
Upon the point to assault the Palace.  
And these villains, these Barbarians,  
Dares be so impious as to threaten  
Your destruction, which we by our speedy  
Assault hope to prevent.  Ire. 
The Sultan  told me of the bassas intentions,  
And would have had me either have fled,  
Or concealed myself to avoid their fury;  
But I refused it, knowing that then I  
Should have disappointed you.  Maho. 
Aside. 
heaven, what is't I hear? was it to go  
Along with these villains, that she refused it?  
Was it for these she slighted my affection?  
I can contain no longer, I must go to ' em.  Discovers himself, and goes to 'em Irena spies the Sultan  Ire. 
The Sultan! O heaven we are undone.  Per. 
Ah cruel Fate, nothing but this accident  
Could make us miserable.  Ma. 
Whos'ere you are that intrude thus boldly  To just. and Hon. pointing to Ire. 
Into this Ladies company, your Lives  
Shall pay the forfeit of your presumption:  
Speak, Who are you? What's your names?  Just. 
My name( proud Sultan) I was ne're ashamed  
To own; 'Tis Justinianus.  Hon. 
And mine Honorius.  Maho. 
Aside. 
heaven, What's my offence,  
That you raise up my dead enemies  
( Together with my Subjects) to conspire  
My ruin.   
Were not you slain?  Just. 
No, you see we are alive,  
And alive to dispute these Ladies with you.  
Irena's mine, and so long as I have life,  lays his hand upon his sword. 
And can rule this, she must ne're be yours.  Maho. 
Audacious villain, Irena must be mine,  
For she shall ne're be yours.  
I'll make you quit your bold pretensions  
Together with your Life.  
Ho Guards! Who's there?— Enter Aga disguised, with 4 or 5 more. Just. and Hon. draw. Discovers himself.  
Here, kill these slaves—  Aga. 
'Tis you that first must die.  Maho. 
Ha! betrayed—  
Villains, dare you attempt my Life?  Aga. 
Yes, you resolved my death!  
I over-heard your Discourse;  
But I'll prevent your Design—  Maho. 
Ho Mustapha—  Aga. 
Nay, ne're call, he's other-ways employed,  
There's none near to assist you, You must die.  Maho. 
I'll sell my life then dearly—  Draws and fights. Just. 
Come, let's not stand idle, and be Spectators  To Hon. 
Of this unequal Combat—  
Sultan, you shall find those lives  
You would have took from us,  
We'll now employ to defend yours.  
See this victim, I offer to your revenge—  Kills the Aga. Maho and Hon. kill two of the others, the rest fly. Maho. 
Generous men pardon the first transports  
Of my passion, You've preserved a Life  
Shall be at your devotion, and you've obliged  
A Prince, that will not be ungrateful.  
I know not how to recompense the generosity you've shown;  
But I'll study to find out a reward,  
equal to your deserts.  Just. 
Great Prince, what we've done, we were obliged  
By Honour to perform; But if you think  
It merits an acknowledgement, Grant us,  
As a reward, the disposal of these Ladies;  
And let me carry the fair Irena  
Where I think fit.  Maho. 
Alas! Ask what you will besides,  
And I will grant it, Ask half my Empire,  
And you shall have it freely. But to part  
With Irena, alas, it lies not in my power;  
I cannot grant it— Pray ask something else.  Just. 
All else I scorn—  
Know that Irena's mine, by her Father's,  
Her princes, and her own Election.  
Know, I have power besides to force that from you,  
Which now I ask.  Maho. 
I know your power, and scorn it:  
Were I not obliged by gratitude, your threats  
Should not force Irena from me.  
Madam, is't true that you affect Justinianus?  To Irena. Ire. 
I were unjust, an if I should deny it:  
I so affect him, that 'tis impossible  
I should ere affect an other.  Maho. 
Noble Justinianus, give me but leave  
To try, if I can dispose my heart to shake off  
Irena's Fetters, and forget her Charm's!  
And I'll endeavour to yield to your desires.  Just. bows and retires with the rest to a corner of the Stage and whispers. 
What a strange and cruel Law  
Does my hard Destiny impose upon me  
Either I must forsake Irena, or be  
Ungrateful to the Preserver of my Life.  
To forsake Irena( Ah, cruel Fate!)  
'Tis a Task my heart cannot yet submit to.  
Yet when I consider how gen'rously  
He exposed to danger that Life  
I would have took from him, to defend mine:  
And how he revenged me on the Perfidious  
Aga, I must confess I owe him  
No common effects of Gratitude.  
Irena loves my Rival, and by her own  
Confession, can ne're affect an other:  
And I could ne're yet gain the least interest  
In her heart. 'Tis wisdom, and discretion  
To quit that gen'rously, which we can't preserve.  
Should I deny him he has power to force  
Her from me, and I no power to defend her.  
The bassas will now quickly assault the Palace;  
And they on the other side threaten her  
Destruction; And I had rather see her in  
A generous Rival's Arms, then see her exposed  
To the fury of those Slaves.  
I'll strive to subdue my Passion,  
And bestow her on his merits.  
Justinianus was generous, and saved my Life,  
And I'll be generous, and bestow Irena on him.  
'Tis his gen'rosity has vanquished me:  
Thus to be conquered is no shane, I yield;  
But 'tis to gratitude I quit the field.  Goes to ' em. 
Madam, 'tis no easy matter  To Irena. 
For a Person captivated by your fair Eyes  
To regain his Liberty, and yield up his  
Pretensions to his Rival! 'Tis a task  
Too hard for frail humanity:  
But the Obligations I have to Justinianus  
Are so great, that they cannot be cancelled  
But by a generosity as great as his.  Takes Irena by the band and presents her to Just. 
Here, Justinianus, receive from me  
The fair Irena; you saved my Life,  
And I bestow upon you the thing  
I most esteem.  Just. 
'Tis a gift( Great Sultan) I more esteem,  
Then if you had bestowed your Throne upon me.  
I want words to thank you, but my actions  
Shall express my gratitude.  Ire. 
generous Prince, you've obliged a Lady, that  
Though she could never yet affect your Person,  
Yet she now adores your virtue.  
You've obtained more glory by thus conquering  
Of yourself, then ' ere you did by triumphing  
o'er your enemies.  Maho. 
Was it because my Rival you did Love,  To Irena. 
That I your heart to Love, could never move.  Ire. 
My Love long since was to his merits due,  
But I retain Respect great Prince for you:  
For by your generous actions now I find  
That Honour has a place within your mind.  Enter Mustapha. Must. 
Ha! Who are these?  
The Aga killed—  Maho. 
Yes Mustapha, heaven  
Has revenged me on that traitor  
By the hand of that valiant Person.  Pointing to Just. Must. 
Make hast, Great Sir, by your presence to alloy  
The soldiers fury, or all will soon be lost.  
The bassas has assaulted the Palace,  
The Guards gave 'em free access, and those that  
Defend Irena's Lodgings, will be too weak  
To make any long resistance, unless  
The others fury be speedily prevented.  Maho. 
Go, Mustapha, encourage 'em  
To hold out till I come to 'em:  
Tell 'em, I'll be with 'em straight.  Exit Must. Just. 
Great Prince, Let not this  
Their treachery alarm you.  
Those Forces we thought to have employed  
Against you, shall now be employed to serve you.  
I have here hard-by five hundred valiant  
And able Souldiers; Most of 'em has been formerly  
Officers under me; They are all in readiness,  
And only wait my return. With these  
I doubt not but to stop the bassas fury.  Maho. 
Brave Justinianus, you lay  
So many Obligations on me, that  
I shall ne're be able to requited you;  
I accept your generous offer.  Hon. 
Command the Garden-door  
For to be opened, that through the Garden  
We may enter in the Palace!  Maho. 
Here take this Ring, and this:  Gives him a Ring, and a Table-book, in which he first writes. 
These will procure you entrance.  Just. 
But what shall we do to secure  
These Ladies?  Maho. 
Take you no care for that,  
I'll engage my life to secure 'em  
Till your return. But pray make hast.  Just. 
We'll make all hast imaginable.  Exit Just. and Hon. Enter Mustapha hastily. Must. 
For Heav'ns sake Great Sir, make hast,  
And save yourself, for all's lost.  
The bassas, and Souldiers assaulted us  
With such fury, that we were forced to yield.  
They now seek up and down the Palace for  
Irena, And vow that 'tis only her blood  
That must appease their fury.  Maho. 
cursed villains—  Aside. 
heaven! How shall I keep my promise,  Stamps. 
And preserve Irena; Justinianus cannot  
Yet return— stay, Is there no way yet left  
To preserve Irena, and my Empire;  
Let me consider— Ha!  Studies. 
'Twill do, They scarce e're saw her, and may  
Be easily deceived—  
Mustapha, hark ye—  Whispers Must. 
Make hast, and do as I command.  Must. 
Your Commands shall be  
With diligence performed.  Exit. Must. Maho. 
Madam, since your safety, and my promise  To Irena. 
Does require it: Be pleased that I may conceal you  
( Till Justinianus's return) in a Vault  
Here in this Garden, a place so secret,  
That 'tis not known to any, but myself.  
whilst by my project I appease their strife,  
And save at once my Empire, and your Life,  Exeunt.  

Act. V. Scen. II.  Enter Zoganus, Carazias, Caly-bassa, Mahometes, and Souldiers with their Swords drawn. Zog. 
Where's this Sorceress, this siren,  
That thus enchants the Sultan?  Caraz. 
Nay, Where's the Sultan too?  Caly. 
And the Aga, Where's he?  Mahometes. 
They're all vanished sure.  Caraz. 
I begin for to suspect the Aga,  
We have not seen him since we began th' Assault  
I fear he takes the Sultan's part.  Zog. 
An if he does,  
He shall not scape our vengeance—  
But come, Let's not delay, but seek 'em,  
Lest they escape us.  Exeunt. Enter Mahomet and Mustapha. Maho. 
Have you done, as I commanded?  
Are things in readiness?  Must. 
Your commands Great Sultan, I've obeyed.  Maho. 
Come then, and follow me;  
And be sure you make fast all the doors  
That none come near us,  Excunt. Enter Carazias, Zoganus, Caly-Bassa, Mahometes; and Souldiers with their Swords drawn, as before, below. And enter above in a Belcony, The Sultan with a Slave attired like Irena, and veiled Mustapha. The Body of Aga, is brought upon the Belcony. Caraz. 
'Tis strange that they should all escape us,  
And that we can find none.  Zog. 
This Irena sure's a Witch,  
And has cast some Mist before our eyes.  
Else we've searched so diligently for 'em,  
'T ' was impossible they should escape us.  Mahometes. 
The Sultan, Irena, the Aga  
And Mustapha, all fled, I wonder that we  
Should meet with none!  Maho. 
See here perfidious villains, the Persons  From above. 
That you seek.  Omnes. 
Ha!  They look up amazed, and espy the Sultan, and the rest. Caraz. 
The Sultan!  Zoga. 
And Irena!  Mahometes 
There's Mustapha, and the Aga too!  Caly. 
Ha! The Aga's dead.  Mahomet. 
Yes, villains; he has received the reward  
Due to his Treachery;  
'Tis what you must expect.  Mahometes. 
How came he dead?  To his companions Zog. 
Nay, let's not dispute that,  
But let's revenge his Death:  
Let's break open the doors, and kill  Offers to force the doors. 
Irena in the Sultan's Arms.  Mahomet. 
Hold Traytors—  
See here, insolent slaves, cannot I affect  Turns up her veil. 
This fair Creature, this Master-piece of Nature:  
But must you murmur, turn Rebells, and threaten  
Her destruction?  
Who made you the Judges of my actions?  
What villain is there amongst you all,  
That, had he so Divine a Creature in his possession,  
But would be unwilling to part with her?  
Speak, in the word of a Prince, I give you  
liberty, freely to express your thoughts.  Caraz. 
She's fair beyond imagination,  Aside to his companions. 
I cannot blame him.  Zog. 
Nor I, for affecting so Divine a Creature.  Mahometes. 
I never thought Irena half so fair.  Caly. 
She surpasses all that I ever saw.  Maho. 
I see you are amazed, your silence,  
And your whispers, declare you are ashamed  
Of your Rebellion, And that you rather  
Approve, then condemn my actions.  
But I'll make you know, base slaves,  
That you've been deceived in me.  
Ambition( that Imperious Mistris of  Pointing to his breast. 
heroic Souls) reigns only here, And she  
Will not admit a rival in my heart.  
That I can conquer my other Passions,  
Let this persuade ye—  Stab's the slave. 
Nay, been't amazed at what I have performed;  
'Tis you that forced me to this cruel action.  
Let this example strike a terror in you,  
And think, that he that could thus sacrifice  
The Person he adored, Because you thought her  
An obstacle to his glory; Will not stick  
To be revenged on his perfidious Subjects.  
Think but what Oblations, I ought to offer  
To appease the Ghost of this unfortunate fair-One,  
And to expiate the Crime you've forced me  
To commit. 'Tis only your speedy laying down your Arms,  
And returning to your obedience can obtain  
Pardon for your offence.  
Such an action may appease the fury  
Of your incensed Prince, and discharge you  
From the infamy, which your black Rebellion  
Has contracted on you;  
Yet think not that this Action, nor this Language  
Proceeds from fear, know I have power  
( If you persist still in your treachery)  
To force Obedience from you.  Omnes. 
Ha! What noise is that?  A shout within. Mahomet, 
Surely, Justinianus and Honorius  
Are now come.  Must. 
'Tis not unlikely.  Enter a soldier. Sol. 
Make hast to succour us, or we are lost:  To the bassas. 
We are assaulted so furiously( by enemies  
Whom we know not) that we are forced to give  
Ground. They cry, Long live the Sultan Mahomet,  
And assault us like so many Devils;  
Nor can our number ought prevail against ' em.  Mahometes. 
Well, go; we'll be with you straight:  Exit Sold. 
This report agrees with the Sultan's last words.  Zog. 
I cannot imagine from whence this aid  
Should come, unless it comes from heaven.  Caly. 
I fear, heaven will punish us for our  
treachery, Let's implore the Sultans mercy,  
And return to our Obedience.  
The Sultan himself has killed Irena,  
Who was the cause of our Rebellion;  
And as the cause, so the Effects should cease.  Maho. 
Their faces denotes that they're troubled,  To Must. 
And I hope a happy change.  Must. 
I do not doubt, but they'll return again  
To their Obedience.  Caraz. 
The sooner we submit, the easier  To his companions. 
We shall obtain our pardon.  Zog. 
Let's not then defer it—  Carazias, 
do you speak for us: you used  
To have some interest with the Sultan.  Caraz. 
Well, since you will have it so, I will—  
That we've offended you( Dread sovereign)  To Mahomet. 
Our Actions has but too clearly manifested,  
And we acknowledge that we have deserved  
The greatest punishments that the rage  
Of our justly displeased Prince  
Could inflict upon us.  
Our crim's so horrid, that we almost despair  
Of Pardon; And we've no other way  
Left to obtain it, then by prostrating  
ourselves at your Royal feet, and imploring  They kneel. 
Of your mercy. Think how much more noble 'tis  
For a Prince to save, then to destroy his Subjects.  
Such an Act of Clemency will oblige us  
For the future, never to be disloyal.  
That our Repentance is not feigned, but real,  
led us but forth against our Enemies,  
And our Actions shall confirm it:  
And we will endeavour by their blood  
To wash off the slain that's now upon us—  Mahomet. 
Rise, for this once I pardon you:  They rise. 
But if e're you prove again disloyal,  
Ne're hope for pardon.  
You would have Wars, And I'll led you forth  
In dangers, where the stoutest of you  
Shall be afraid to follow me.  Caraz. 
Great Prince, led us but forth,  
And never doubt our courage, for we  
Will either die, or conquer.  
The Pardon you've granted us, has so obliged us,  
That we confess, Great Mahomet  
Is as generous, as he's Just.  Enter Justinianus, Honorius, and Souldiers, with their Swords drawn. Just. 
Who dares dispute it?  To the bassas. Zog. 
Not we, we do confess it.  Just. 
An if you did not,  
I'd force you to confess it.  Caly. 
Sure these are those  
The soldier spoken of.  Aside. Just. 
Great Sultan! wherein  To the Sultan. 
Can we now serve you?  Maho. 
Brave Men, you've kept your word,  From above to Just. and Hon. 
And I 'm beholding to you both for my life,  
And Empire, you need not now employ your Valour  
To reduce these bassas to Obedience.  
They have promised me to return, and never more  
To be disloyal; And on that promise  
I've pardoned 'em their past Transgression:  
Stay but a little, and I'll come to you.  Exeunt Sult. Must. carrying out the body of the Slave. Just. 
Ha! What lady's that Mustapha carries out?  
'Tis like Irena.  Hon. 
'Tis like her; But 'tis not she,  
But who's e're she's, she's either dead or wounded:  
But here's the Sultan, he'l inform us.  Enter Mahomet. Just. 
What Lady's that Great Sir,  
The Bassa Mustapha carried away but now,  
And that seems either dead, or wounded?  Mahomet. 
Let me but sand these away,  Aside to Just. and Hon. To the bassas. 
And I'll inform you.  
Go, and since you stirred up the Souldiers to  
Rebellion, reduce 'em again to obedience,  
And settle all disorders.  Caraz. 
Our Diligence  
Shall manifest our Obedience.  Exeunt bassas. Maho. 
Now I'll tell you who that woman was:  
You were no sooner gon, but word was brought me  
That the bassas had forced the Guards to yield  
And hunted up and down the Palace for Irena,  
Vowing, that if they found her, they would kill her.  
Imagine how this perplexed me; I knew  
You could not return so soon, and I knew  
Not how to keep the promise I had made you,  
Nor long to conceal Irena from their fury.  
At last I be thought me of this strategem.  
Yesterday as I was looking out of a window  
Of the Palace, I espied a most beauteous slave,  
( And who methought resembled much Irena)  
For a notorious crime she had committed  
dragged along to Execution.  
The resemblance which( in my fancy) she  
Had with Irena, moved me to suspend  
The Execution, and command her back to prison.  
And as Irena's danger then was great,  
" The danger adding quickness to conceit,  
I called to mind this slave.  
And gave Mustapha command to disguise  
Himself, and go and take the Key's of the  
Prison from the Jaylor, and take from thence  
The fair Slave, attire her like Irena,  
And bring her to me. Thinking( as afterwards  
It happened) that the bassas, who had seldom  
( Or scarce ever) seen Irena, might be easily  
deceived, and mistake the counterfeit, for  
The true one; Hoping by this Slave's death,  
( As you see 'tis happened) to appease their  
Rebellion, And at once to save my Empire,  
And Irena's Life.  Just. 
But Irena, and Perinthia,  
Where are they?  Maho. 
I was forced( to save 'em from the Souldiers  
fury) to conceal 'em in a Vault, in  
The Garden. But I have sent Mustapha  
To fetch em hither, and he'll straight be here.  Just. 
Come, Lets go meet em.  Hon. 
See, They're here.   

Act. V. Scen. III.  Enter to 'em Mustapha, Irena, and Perinthia. Maho. 
Go to the bassas Mustapha, and see To Must.  
If that their words do with effects agree.  
See if their Arms they have, as yet laid down,  
And if they've from disorders freed the Town. Exit. Must. To Irena.  Just. 
Madam, you're safe I see, and now I must  
Confess, that Fortune is both kind, and just.  Ire. 
I 'm safe 'tis true, But I'm perplexed to know,  
That 'tis an others ruin makes me so.  
Mustapha has related to me  
The Slave's sad story—  
I pity her sad Fate, that she should be  
So miserable, to have died for me.  
Would it had lain in my power  
To have saved her life—  Just. 
To recall what is past, is now too late:  
I envy, not compassionate, her Fate.  Maho. 
I had no other way left to prevent  
The bassas fury, or their dire intent.  
She died, the Empire, and your life to save;  
She had a Fate too glorious for a Slave.  Hon. 
Her death was requisite to save th' Empire—  
As things then stood, it was the only way  
The Sultan had, their fury to alloy.  Ire. 
were't not for that, it would yet grieve me more,  
If she had only died upon my score.  Maho. 
Though Madam, now all seems to be appeased  
And that I hope their fury now is ceased.  
And though I'll shortly settle things so well,  
That for the future they shall ne're rebel:  
Yet for the present, as things stand, I must  
Not give 'em the least cause for to mistrust  
The cheat I've put upon 'em, that would be  
Abrave pretext to be revenged on me.  
To prevent this, Madam I must desire  
That you'd be pleased for some-time to retire  
From Court, whilst I so settle all things here  
That without danger you may then appear:  
And though your absence will afflict my breast,  
Yet I am forced to make you this request.  Ire. 
It is( Great Prince) as requisite, as due,  
And 'tis the same I would have made to you.  
I'll straight absent myself, without delay,  
To prevent what might happen by my stay.  
To your request, you see that I incline,  
Be now as generous, and grant me mine.  
And give me leave to go with Justinianus.  Maho. 
Whither is it Madam you intend to go?  Ire. 
To Italy Great Sir, tis his intent  
To carry me, if you please to consent.  Just. 
We'll there conceal our names, that we may be  
Both from suspicion, and discov'ry free.  Ire. 
The bassas think me killed, and ne're shall know  
To their delusion I my safety owe.  Maho. 
Madam, although't be hard, and that my heart  
With you, so soon, can scarce consent to part.  
Yet your request I grant, for though 't be still  
Against myself, I must obey your will.  
Your absence too may be a means to cure  
Me of those torments, which I still endure.  
For though by gratitude my loves suppressed,  
Yet there remains some sparks within my breast.  
Love is a flamme, when kindled by your Eyes,  
That is more lasting, nor so soon it dyes;  
Now I'm resolved to court the wars again,  
And by diversion strive to cure my pain.  Per. 
Since to Irena you have been so free,  
Be pleased Great Prince to grant the like to me;  
And give me liberty to go with my Honorius.  Maho. 
I 'm to him so obliged, Madam, I grant  
What you request; But 'tis too small, I want  
Something that's sitter for his valiant deeds.  Hon. 
'Tis a reward my Service far exceeds.  Maho. 
But fair Perinthia, is't not true, confess,  
That brave Honorius does your Heart possess.  Per. 
His virtues( Generous Sultan) are so known,  
I need not blushy that Passion for to own:  
Nor do I think it merits an excuse,  
Since 'tis his virtues does my Love produce.  Maho. 
Then Madam, give me leave for to bestow,  
What both of us to his great Merits owe:  
And let me have the Honour to unite,  
What to divide, Fate long has took delight.  
Receive Brave-Man what's to your merits due, To Hon.  
'Tis a reward by heaven designed for you.  
Receive from me her hand, and for her heart, Presents her hand to him.  
You hear, already you enjoy that part.  Hon. 
majestic Sultan, you've bestowed that on me,  
Which obliges me for ever to you.  
Honour and virtue equally do rest,  
And find a Lodging in your generous breast.  Enter Mustapha. Must. 
There's none( Great Sultan) dares your power withstand,  
The Souldiers now obey what you command.  
The bassas keep their promise, and allow  
Those very actions, they condemned but now:  
The Town is quiet, no disorder more,  
And things are now just as they were before.  Maho. 
I 'm glad to hear, all is appeased so well,  
But since 'twas Ease, that made 'em thus rebel,  
Peloponesus I will straight invade,  
And thence I'll led 'em to besiege Belgrade.  
But Mustapha, 'tis fitting you should be  
Rewarded, for your so great loyalty:  
The Visier's place is vacant, And 'tis due  
That place should be supplied by none but you:  
Your merits do deserve it, And I here,  
Of all my Empire, make you Grand-Visier.  Must. 
What I have done, Duty obliged me to,  
Th'reward's too great for me, But worthy you.  Maho. 
Now Justinianus, Let me yet once more  
Bestow that on you, which I did before.  
It is a gift can't be too often given:  
Can we receive blessings too oft from heaven?  
Here once more receive the fair Irena Presents Irena to him.  
From me.  Just. 
And once more( upon my knees) I thank you,  
And must confess( Great Prince) as is most due,  
That all my happiness I owe to You.  Ire. 
Irena too( Brave Sultan) must confess,  
That 'tis to you, she owes her happiness.  
In my esteem you always had a part,  
Now next your rival, you possess my heart.  Maho. 
Since I enjoy that happiness, I will  
( Though not your Lover) be your Servant still:  
And he that rules the world, shall yield to you  
What's to your virtue, and your beauty due.  Per. 
May you still prosperous and successful be, To Maho.  
Because you've been so generous to me:  Hon. 
Your virtues are so great, That busy famed  
Shall now relate no wonders, but your name.  Maho. 
I lose my Mistris, but Fate makes amends,  
For what I lose in Love, I gain in friends.  
Fate has been cruel, but at last we may,  
After a stormy, hope a glorious day. Exeunt omnes.     

The Epilogue.  

THE Play now being ended, I am come,  
Sent by the Author, for to know his doom:  
Ladies 'tis to your Censure He'll submit,  
And swears none else shall judge what he has writ.  
He vow's that privilege is only due  
To your fair Sex; He writ it to please you.  
Yet he'd not have you think, 'tis his intent  
To gain your Favours by a compliment.  
He swears he's guilty, and convicted stands,  
Till that his Pardon's signed by your fair hands.  
You are his Judges, and if he be crost  
Once by your Votes, his hope for ever's lost.  
And though he hopes that you will think it fit  
To pardon him, since that he does submit;  
Yet he still doubts, if he shall Pardon find,  
Till that he hears it by your Hands is signed.   
FINIS.