stands marked, and ere thou canst give it thought, we'll bear thee to our haven on a neighbouring isle, unknown to Giaffir and his galliots.

Sel. Thou hast hit my purpose well-'tis him I would most avoid.

Hass. In that we are wholly with thee. Our brethren hold him little love. Curse on the tyrant! I hold him less. And but that we are weaker than his guards.(In a tone of threat.)

Sel. Then some hour hence. Hast thou marked within the garden his summer seat-'tis eastward of the Haram.

Hass. Well; for oft it stands a beacon to our homeward course-'tis but some little distance from the beach. Sel. The same-now within some moderate hail of this is the spot on which I'd meet my friends.

Hass. Be this then thy call. (Gives the whistle from his side.) Thou'lt find them at their post. They know its meaning.

Sel. If armed the better.

Hass. No fear of that. The Pacha's scouts are wary. We know with whom we have to deal.

Sel. But before our time shall come, this silken garb, unmeet for course like ours, I'll put aside; and exchange this boyish bauble for stuff of sterner purpose. (Placing his hand on the handle of his dagger.) Thy hand.Remember, eastward of the Haram. [Exit Selim: Hassan, and his comrades retire to the hut.

SCENE III. A Chamber of State as in Act I. Sc. 2. The PACHA and OSMAN BEY enter with their respective trains, bearing banners, &c. &c. on each side. Mar tial Music.

Packa. Potent lord, (to Osman) once more a hearty welcome to our roof. Command-all it can afford we cheerful offer and is freely thine.

Osman. Pacha, I thank thee. (Haughtily.)

Pacha. Our daughter too, eager to add her attentions to our noble guest, awaits us.

ZULEIKA enters veiled, attended by Leila, and the females of the HARAM. Music soft.

Osm. In this we are doubly welcomed. And Lady,

(to Zuleika) for so much honor, not only thanks but our best services are due. (Bowing lowly.) Zuleika returns the attention with her head half aside. But I pray thee, lovely fair one! let not thy countenance be wanting to bear accord to the honors that we are offered, for wanting that all will be wanting, and these gilded domes will prove less joyous than a peasant's dwelling. Let thy hand at least deny not this. (He takes her hand which is reluctantly given.)

Zul. As we are commanded, we trust, dread Sir, we shall not be wanting in the expression of our duty.

Osm. (Disengaging her hand, and with chagrin, aside.) Command! and duty!-By our Prophet! I like not such phrases they are ill-suited to the occasion, and come with icy coldness to my purpose. (Turning towards her) Lady, we are grateful, though we would aspire to higher instance of thy favor.

Zul. Truly, Lord, thou would'st then aspire to that which would but ill requite thee for thy labor.

Osman. (aside, with increased heat.) Say'st thou so! Beshrew me, but she puts my suit at nought. Azir! (Quickly, but in a subdued tone, to Azir.) Come nearer -Dost thou mark her cold regard ?

Azir. A mistake, my lord; 'tis but the coy reserve of maidenhood.

Osman. (impatiently) Withhold thy ill-timed doubts, I'm not in temper for them.

Pacha. (after observing Osman closely, aside.) He shows a vexed spirit. Her manner hath aroused him. I must know more of this. (addressing him) My lord, 'twere better we hold our further audience apart. (Osman bows assent.) Daughter, thou may'st retire to thy chamber. (Zuleika makes a low obeisance to both and retires, her attendants follow: soft music. The Pacha next makes a signal to the retinue, who follow in order: martial music. Osman appears thoughtful and abstracted.)

Pacha. Come, my lord, thou'rt thoughtful: thy host would know the cause.

in

Osman. Briefly he shall: that which awakens thought every man-a wife!

Pacha. Nay, now thou'rt jocular.

Osman. It suits well: an undertaking of hazard should

not be entered upon with despondency—I'm about to be married!

Pacha. Thy words are clothed with mystery. Surely thou hast not cause for doubt?

Osman. Doubt! oh, no; but in affairs of the heart, intrusions such as these will sometimes force their way, let reason oppose them as it will.

Pacha. (anxiously) Yet I would ask their reason.

Osman. So thou may'st of all but me. To ask a lover for a reason would indeed be superfluous: 'twould be to demand true music from an ill-strung lyre.

Pacha. Come, come, my noble guest, let me entreat thee to dismiss all fantasies like these: ill do they befit pretensions such as thine; indeed thou think'st too humbly of thyself.

Osman. It may be thus, so let them pass, I rest con

tent.

Pacha. Well dost thou determine, for can aught stand between thee and my daughter's love, all untutored as she is, with soul unsullied as the op'ning bud, on whose growing charms no vagrant eye has dared to light? Thou hast no rival in thy claim.

Osman. (with great animation) At that would Osman shrink? Pacha, mistake him not, for such he has a sword, and what thou namest would not damp, but stimulate his purpose.

Pacha. I can believe all this,

Osman. For should his lip be denied the cup, he'd taste a joy supreme to dash it from the lip of others. But we wander from our purpose: what I have to offer for thy daughter's hand thou knowest. In this affair, 'tis my motive to be brief.

Pacha. As with one of thy estate and power, it should be mine. Thy noble dowry well bespeaks thy dignity, and at once proclaims thee heir of truest blood to Carasman's proud race. The hour that sees Zuleika thine, confers the brightest lustre on our house.

Osman. Then be that hour the first that sees the morning sun, and let his declining course guide us to our home.

Pacha. As thou dost command, we hasten to obey. (addressing Haroun) Haroun ! bear this with speed unto

my daughter. Let our priests be summoned. Throw open my Serai, and let my household vie to give due splendor to the happy ritual. [Exit, his attendants following. Osman. Azir, again thy ear. (Azir closes towards him) Art thou honest ?

Azir. My lord!

Osman. Think'st thou, if thou art, that Zuleika's coldness springs from maiden fears?-No, by Mahomet! 'tis not so; 'tis the offspring of dislike; for when my searching eye snatched an unsteady glance of hers, unwilling thrown, there was seated on it all but such expression. Go, give thy dreams to one untutored in the sex-to some undiscerning boy, who waits to gain a lesson in the ways of

woman.

Azir. Yet pardon me, my lord, if I advance too far; thy suit, methought, was urged with more of command than courtesy at this her tender years might feel alarm.

Osman. No more! I give thee privilege to talk, but be careful that thou o'erstep not thy licence. Do I not come to Giaffir's board a bidden guest? Is she not mine by all a husband's right?

Azir. Who dare dispute it? thou hast the father's will. Osman. And I would have hers, though I could not stoop to gain it; my stubborn knee would falter at such office. Let those of other climes, the unimpassioned, and the slow in blood, strive with never-ending mawkish story to win the smile of their still colder fair; be it with us, our nature's privilege and the gift of more genial suns, but to command and have obedience !—And although the power to make this haughty fair one love may not be mine, I may be more successful with the rest-(Sarcastically) Thou know'st my meaning.

Azir. (aside) Or thy nature would belie thee.

Osman. Therefore let the Pacha, as he fears our hate, look to it. No sickly suitor comes to share his banquet, but one with appetite on edge impatient of delay. Tomorrow I would depart. [Exit, Azir following.

ACT III.

SCENE I. An inner Court of the Serai, with high and winding steps leading to the tower, or chamber of Zuleika, in which a light appears, the rest dark: distant martial music sounds, which concludes with three long and distinct rolls on the tambour.

Enter SELIM, disguised as a Galiongée or Turkish sailor.

Sel. Pray heaven she catch the sound! 'Tis fancy, or methinks yon drowsy roll halts on the ear in duller cadence than it was wont. Our way is perilous. (looking round) But if once we gain the outer gate, all will be well. Now then to ascend and seek my lovely charge. (Moves cautiously towards the steps which he ascends, then taps lightly at the door at the top, which is opened by ZULEIKA) They descend.)

Sel. Love! thy hand yet further-this way-now trust

to me.

Zul. On whom now but thee, oh Selim! can I trust? Sel. Yet surely, my best beloved, on none more safely. Zul. (looking anxiously round) Let me hear thy voice again-are we secure? is there not danger in our course?

Sel. Believe me, none. I've traced our ground, and know it safe in a moment we are without the walls, and shall reach the garden slope.

Zul. Oh! then, quickly let us speed.

Sel. But as we pass the battlement, let us be sparing of discourse; lest some guard more watchful than his fellows, catch the flying sound and mar our purpose.

Zul. Fear not that I hold thy caution well.

Sel. Come then-This arm thy shield, and Fortune our conductor, we have nought to dread. [Exit, leading her off.

SCENE II. A Chamber in the Serai.

Enter The PACHA, thoughtfully; HAROUN following. Pacha. 'Tis plain she loves him not-Perhaps some other object holds her heart, and would estrange it from my purpose. This must not be; nay, cannot be, if treason's in