ACT V.

Enter SirLuke,followed by LadyTremor.

Sir Luke.I am out of all patience—and all temper—did you ever hear of such a compleat impertinent coxcomb? Talk, talk, talk, continually! and referring to me on all occasions! "Such a man was a brave General—another a great Admiral," and then he must tell a long story about a siege, and ask me if it did not make my bosom glow!

Lady.It had not that effect upon your face, for you were as white as ashes.

Sir Luke.Aye, you did not see yourself, while he was talking of grandfathers and great grandfathers—if you had—

Lady.I was not white, I protest.

Sir Luke.No—but you were as red as scarlet.

Lady.And you ought to have resented the insult, if you saw me affected by it—Oh! some men wou'd have given him such a dressing—

Sir Luke.Yes, my dear, if your uncle the frisseur had been alive, he wou'd have given him a dressing, I dare say.

Lady.Sir Luke, none of your impertinence; you know I can't nor won't bear it—neither will I wait for Lord Flint's resentment on Mr. Twineall—No, I desire you will tell him to quit this roof immediately.

Sir Luke.No, my dear—no, no—you must excuse me—I can't think of quarrelling with a gentleman in my own house.

Lady.Was it your own house to day at dinner when he insulted us? and would quarrel then?

Sir Luke.No—that was a friend's house—and I make it a rule never to quarrel in my own house—a friend's house—in a tavern—or in the streets.

Lady.Well, then, I would quarrel in my own house—a friend's house—a tavern—or in the streets—if any one offendedme.

Sir Luke.O, my dear, I have no doubt of it—no doubt, in the least.

Lady.But, at present, it shall be in my own house,—and I will tell the gentleman to quit it immediately.

Sir Luke.Very well, my dear—pray do.

Lady.I suppose, however, I may tell him I have your authority to bid him go?

Sir Luke.Tell him I have no authority—none in the world over you—but that you will do as you like.

Lady.I can't tell him so—he won't believe it.

Sir Luke.Why not? you often tell me so, andmakeme believe it too.

Lady.Here the gentleman comes—go away for a moment.

Sir Luke.With all my heart, my dear.

[Going in a hurry.

Lady.I'll give him a few hints, that he must either change his mode of behaviour, or leave us.

Sir Luke.That's right—but don't be too warm—or if he should be very impertinent, or insolent—(I hear Aurelia's voice in the next room) callher, and I dare say she'll come and take your part.

[Exit SirLuke.

EnterTwineall.

Twi.I positively could pass a whole day upon that stair-case—those reverend faces—I presume they are the portraits of some of your Ladyship's illustrious ancestors.

Lady.Sir! Mr. Twineall—give me leave to tell you—

[In a violent passion.

Twi.The word illustrious, I find, displeases you—pardon me—I did not mean to make use of so forcible an epithet—I know the delicacy of sentiment, which cannot bear the reflection that a few centuries only shou'd reduce from royalty, one, whose dignified deportment seems to have been formed for that resplendent station.

Lady.The man is certainly mad!——Mr. Twineall—

Twi.Pardon me, Madam—I own I am an enthusiast on these occasions—the dignity of blood—

Lady.You have too much, I am sure—do, have a little taken from you.

Twi.Gladly wou'd I lose every drop that fills these plebeian veins, to be enobled by the smallest——

Lady.Pray, Sir, take up your abode in some other place.

Twi.Madam![Surprised.

Lady.Your behaviour, Sir—

Twi.If my friend had not given me the hint, damn me if I shou'd not think her down right angry.[Aside.

Lady.I can scarce contain my rage at being so laugh'd at.[Aside.

Twi.I'll mention the wig——this is the time—[Aside.] Perhaps you may resent it, Madam—but there is a favour—

Lady.A favour, Sir! is this a time to ask a favour?

Twi.To an admirer of antiquity, as I am.

Lady.Antiquity again!

Twi.I beg pardon——but——a wig, Ma'am—

Lady.A what?[Petrified.

Twi.A wig.[Bowing.

Lady.Oh! oh! oh! [Choaking.] this is not to be borne—this is too much—ah! ah! [Sitting down, and going into fits.] a direct, plain, palpable, and unequivocal attack upon my family—without evasion or palliative.—I can't bear it any longer.—Oh! oh!—[Shrieking.

Twi.Bless my soul, what shall I do? what's the matter?

Sir Luke.[Without.] Maids! maids! go to your mistress—that good-for-nothing fellow is doing her a mischief.

EnterAurelia.

Aur.Dear Madam, what is the matter?

Enter SirLuke,and stands close to the scenes.

Lady.Oh! oh![Crying.

Sir Luke.How do you do now, my dear?

Twi.Upon my word, Sir Luke—

Sir Luke.O, Sir, no apology—it does not signify—never mind it—I beg you won't put yourself to the trouble of an apology—it is of no kind of consequence.

Lady.What do you mean, Sir Luke?[Recovered.

Sir Luke.To shew proper philosophy, my dear, under the affliction I feel for your distress.

Lady.[ToAurelia.] Take Twineall out of the room.

Aur.Mr. Twineall, her Ladyship begs you'll leave the room, till she is a little recovered.

Twi.Certainly. [Bows respectfully to her Ladyship, and exit withAurelia.

Sir Luke.I thought what you wou'd get by quarrelling—fits—and tears.

Lady.And you know, Sir Luke, if you had quarrelled, you wou'd have been in the same situation. [Rising from her seat.] But, Sir Luke, my dear, Sir Luke, show yourself a man of courage but on this occasion.—

Sir Luke.My dear, I wou'd do as much for you as I wou'd for my own life—but damn me if I think I could fight to save that.

Enter LordFlint.

Lord.Lady Tremor, did the servant say you were very well, or very ill?

Lady.Oh, my Lord, that insolent coxcomb, the honourable Mr. Twineall—

Lord.Oh, I am very glad you put me in mind of it—I dare say I shou'd have forgot it else, notwithstanding I came on purpose.

Lady.Forgot what?

Lord.A little piece of paper here, [Pulling out a parchment.] but it will do a great deal—has he offended you?

Lady.Beyond bearing.

Lord.I am glad of it, because it gives double pleasure to my vengeance—he is a disaffected person, Madam—boldly told me he doubted the Sultan's right to the throne—I have informed against him, and his punishment is at my option—I may have him imprisoned; shot; sent to the gallies; or his head cut off—but which does your Ladyship chuse?—Which ever you please is at your service.[Bowing.

Lady.[Rising and curtsying.] O, they are all alike to me; which ever you please, my Lord.

Sir Luke.What a deal of ceremony!—how cool they are about it.

Lord.And why not cool, Sir; why not cool?

Sir Luke.O, very true—I am sure it has froze me.

Lord.I will go instantly, for fear it shou'd slip my memory, and put this paper into the hands of proper officers—in the mean time, Sir Luke, if you can talk with your visitor, Mr. Twineall, do—inquire his opinion of the Sultan's rights—ask his thoughts, as if you were commissioned by me—and, while he is revealing them to you, the officers shall be in ambush, surprise him in the midst of his sentiments, and bear him away to—

[Twinealllooking in.

Twi.May I presume to inquire how your Ladyship does?

Lady.O, yes—and pray walk in—I am quite recovered.

Lord.Lady Tremor, I bid you good day for the present.

Sir Luke.[Following him to the door.] Your Lordship won't forget?

Lord.No—depend upon it, I shall remember.

Sir Luke.Yes—and make some other people remember too.

[Exit LordFlint.

Twi.Is his Lordship gone? I am very sorry.

Sir Luke.No—don't be uneasy, he'll soon be back.

EnterHaswell.

Sir Luke.Mr. Haswell, I am glad to see you.

Has.I told her Ladyship I would call in the evening, Sir Luke; and so I have kept my word—I wanted too to speak with my Lord Flint, but he was in such a hurry as he passed me, he wou'd hardly let me ask him how he did.—I hope your Ladyship is well this afternoon.

[Bows toTwineall—SirLukeexit at the door toAureliaandElvirus.

Twi.Pardon me, Mr. Haswell, but I almost suspect you heard of her Ladyship's indisposition, and therefore paid this visit; for I am not to learn your care and attention to all under affliction.

Has.[Bows gravely.] Has your Ladyship been indisposed then?

Lady.A little—but I am much better.

Twi.Surely, of all virtues, charity is the first! it so protects our neighbour!

Has.Do not you think, Sir,patiencefrequently protects him as much?

Twi.Dear Sir—pity for the poor miserable—

Has.Is oftener excited than the poor and miserable are aware of.

[Looking significantly at him.

Sir Luke.[From the room whereAureliaandElvirusare.] Nay, Sir, I beg you will walk into this apartment—Aurelia, introduce the gentleman to Lady Tremor.

Lady.Who has she with her?

Has.Aurelia!—O! I have not seen her I know not when—and besides my acquaintance with her relations in England, there is a frank simplicity about her that—

Enter SirLuke, Aurelia,andElvirus.

Sir Luke.You shou'd have introduced the gentleman before—I assure you, Sir, [ToElvirus.] I did not know, nor shou'd I have known, if I had not accidentally come into the room.

[Haswellstarts, on seeingElvirus.

Sir Luke.[To LadyTremor.] A relation of Aurelia's—a Mr. Glanmore, my dear, just arrived from England; who call'd to pass a few minutes with us, before he sets off to the part of India he is to reside in. [ElvirusandAureliaappear in the utmost embarrassment and confusion.

Lady.I hope, Sir, your stay with us will not be so short as Sir Luke has mentioned?

Elv.Pardon me, Madam, it must—the caravan, with which I travel, goes off this evening, and I must accompany it.

Has.[Aside.] I doubted before; but the voice confirms me.

[Looking onElvirus.

Lady.Why, you only arrived this morning, did you, Mr. Glanmore? you came passenger in the same ship, then, with Mr. Twineall?

Twi.No, Madam—Sir, I am very sorry we had not the pleasure of your company on board of us.[ToElvirus.

Sir Luke.You had;—Mr. Glanmore came over in the Mercury—did not you tell me so, Sir?

[Elvirusbows.

Twi.Bless my soul, Sir! I beg your pardon—but surely that cannot be—I got acquainted with every soul on board of us—every creature—all their connections—and I can scarcely suppose you were of the number.

Sir Luke.[Aside.] How impertinent he is to this gentleman too! O! that I had but courage to knock him down.

Elv.[ToTwineall.] Perhaps, Sir—

Aur.Yes, I dare say, that was the case.

Twi.What was the case, Madam?

Sir Luke.Wha—wha—wha—[Mimicks.] that is not good breeding.

Has.Why do you blush, Aurelia?

Aur.Because [Hesitating.] this gentleman——came over in the same ship with Mr. Twineall.

Sir Luke.And Ican'tsay I wonder at your blushing.

Twi.Why then positively, Sir, I thought I had known every passenger——and surely—

Lady.Mr. Twineall, your behaviour puts me out of all patience—did you not hear the gentleman say he came in the same vessel; and is not that sufficient?

Twi.Perfectly, Madam—perfectly—but I thought there might be some mistake.

Elv.And there is, Sir—you find you are mistaken.

Lady.I thought so.——

Has.[ToElvirus.] And youdidcome in the same vessel?

Elv.Sir, doyoudoubt it?

Has.Doubt it?

Elv.Dare not doubt it.—[Trembling and confused.

Has.Dare not?

Elv.No, Sir, dare not.[Violently.

Aur.Oh, heavens!

Sir Luke.[ToAurelia.] Come, my dear, you and I will get out of the way.

[Retiring with her.

Lady.O, dear!—for heaven's sake!—Mr. Twineall, this is your doing.

Twi.Me, Madam!——

Has.I beg the company's pardon—but [ToElvirus.] a single word with you, Sir, if you please.

Lady.Dear Mr. Haswell——

Has.Trust my prudence and forbearance, Madam—I will but speak a word in private to this gentleman.—[HaswelltakesElvirusdown to the bottom of the stage; the rest retire.

Has.Are you, or are you not, an impostor?

Elv.I am—I am—but do not you repeat my words—Do notyousay it.[Threatening.

Has.What am I to fear?

Elv.Fearme—I cannot lie with fortitude; but I can——Beware of me.

Has.Iwillbeware of you, and so shall all my friends.

Elv.Insolent, insulting man.—[With the utmost contempt.

LadyTremorand the rest come down.

Lady.Come, come, gentlemen, I hope you are now perfectly satisfied about this little nonsense.—Let us change the subject.—Mr. Haswell, have you been successful before the Sultan for any of those poor prisoners you visited this morning?

Sir Luke.Aye; Meanright told me he saw you coming from them with your long cloak; and said he shou'd not have known you, if somebody had not said it was you.

[Elviruslooks with surprise, confusion, and repentance.]

Lady.But what success with the Sultan?

Has.He has granted me the pardon and freedom of any six I shall present as objects of his mercy.

Lady.I sincerely rejoice.—Then the youth and his father, whom you felt so much for, I am sure, will be in the number of those who share your clemency.

[Haswellmakes no reply, and after a pause]—

Elv.[With the most supplicatory tone and manner.] Sir—Mr. Haswell—O, heavens!

Sir Luke.Come, Mr. Haswell, this young man seems sorry he has offended you—forgive him.

Lady.Aye, do, Mr. Haswell—are you sorry, Sir?

Elv.O! wounded to the heart—and, without his pardon, see nothing but despair.

Lady.Good heavens!

Has.Sir Luke, my Lord Flint told me he was coming back directly—pray inform him I had business elsewhere, and cou'd wait no longer.[Exit.

Elv.O! I'm undone.

Lady.Follow him, if you have any thing to say?

Elv.Idarenot—I feel the terror of his just reproach.

Lady.Did you know him in England?

Aur.Dear Madam, will you suffer me to speak a few words——

[Aside to LadyTremor.

Sir Luke.Aye; leave her and her relation together, and let us take a turn in the garden with Mr. Twineall.—I'm afraid his Lordship will be back before we have drawn him to say more on the subject, for which he will be arrested.

Lady.You are right.

Sir Luke.Mr. Twineall, will you walk this way?—That young lady and gentleman wish to have a little conversation.

Twi.O, certainly, Sir Luke, by all means.

[Exeunt SirLukeand Lady.

[ToElvirus.] I am extremely sorry, Sir, you kept your bed during the voyage: I shou'd else have been most prodigiously happy in such good company.[Exit.

Aur.Why are you thus agitated? It was wrong to be so impetuous—but such regret as this——

Elv.Hear the secret I refused before—my father is a prisoner for life.

Aur.Oh, heavens! then Mr. Haswell was the only man——

Elv.And he had promised me—promised me, with benevolence, his patronage—but the disguise he wore when I first saw him, led me to mistake him now—made me expose my falsehood, my infamy, and treat his honour'd person with abuse.

Aur.Aye; let his virtues make you thus repent; but let them also make you hope forgiveness.

Elv.Nay, he is just, as well as compassionate—and for detected falsehood——

Aur.You make me tremble.

Elv.Yet he shall hear my story—I'll follow him, and obtain his pity, if not his pardon.

Aur.Nay, supplicate for that too—and you need not blush, or feel yourself degraded, tokneeltohim, for he wou'd scorn the pride that triumphs over the humbled.[Exeunt.

SCENE II.The Garden.Enter SirLuke, Twineall,and LadyTremor.

Twi.Why, really, Sir Luke, as my Lord has given you charge to sound my principles, I must own they are just such as I delivered to him.

Sir Luke.Well, Mr. Twineall, I only wish you to be a little more clear—we will suppose the present Sultan no impostor—yet what pretensions do you think theotherfamily——

Twi.That I'll make clear to you at once—or if my reasons arenotvery clear, they are at least verypositive, and that you know is the same thing.—This family—no—that family—the family that reigned before this—this came after that—they came before. Now every one agrees that this family was always—so and so—[whispering.]—and that the other was always—so and so—[whispering.]—in short, every body knows that one of them had always a very suspicious—you know what——

Sir Luke.No, I don't.

Twi.Pshaw—pshaw—every body conjectures what—and though it was never said in so many words, yet it was always supposed—and though there never has been any proof, yet there have been things much more strong—and for that very reason, Sir William—(Sir Luke, I mean—I beg your pardon)—for that very reason—(I can't think what made me call you Sir William)—for that very reason—(Oh, I was thinking of Sir William Tiffany)—for that very reason, say people what they will—that, thatmust be their opinion—but then where is the man who will speak his thoughts freely as I have done?

Enter Guards, who had been listening at a distanceduring this speech.

Sir Luke.[Starting.] Bless my soul, gentlemen, you made my heart jump to my very lips.

Guard.[ToTwineall.] Sir, you are our prisoner, and must go with us.

Twi.Gentlemen, you are mistaken—I had all my clothes made in England, and 'tis impossible the bill can have followed me already.

Guard.Your charge, is something against the state.

Twi.Against the state?—You are mistaken—it cannot be me.

Guard.No—there is no mistake.—[Pulling out a paper.]—You are here called Henry Twineall.

Twi.But if they have left outhonourable, it can't be me——I am the Honourable Henry Twineall.

Sir Luke.Aye, that you are to prove before your judges.

Guard.Yes, Sir—and we are witnesses of the long speech you have just now been making.

Twi.And pray, gentlemen, did you know what I meant by it?

Guard.Certainly.

Twi.Why, then, upon my soul, it was more than I did—I wish I may be sacrificed——

Sir Luke.Well, well, you aregoingto be sacrificed—Don't be impatient.

Twi.But, gentlemen—Sir Luke!

[The Guards seize him.

Lady.Dear Mr. Twineall, I am afraid you will have occasion for the dignity of all my ancestors to support you under this trial.

Sir Luke.And have occasion for all my courage too.

Twi.But, Sir—but, gentlemen——

Sir Luke.Oh! I wou'd not be in your coat, fashionable as it is, for all the Sultan's dominions.

[Exit SirLukeand Lady—Twineall,andGuards—separately.

SCENE I.The Prison.Haswelland the female Prisoner discovered.

Haswell.Rather remain in this loathsome prison!—refuse the blessing offered you!—the blessing your pleased fancy formed so precious you durst not even trust its reality!

Pris.No—while my pleasedfancyonly saw the prospect, I own it was delightful; but now reason beholds it within my reach, the view is changed—and what, in the gay dream of fond delirium, seemed a blessing, in my waking hours of sad reflection would prove the most severe of punishments.

Has.Explain—what is the cause that makes you think thus?

Pris.A cause that has alone for fourteen years made me resigned to a fate like this.—When you first mentioned my release from this drear place, my wild ideas included, with the light, all that had ever made the light a blessing—'twas not thesunI saw in my mad transport, but a lost husband filled my roving fancy—'twas his idea that gave the colours of the world their beauty, and made me fondly hope to grasp its sweets.

Has.A husband!

Pris.But the world that I was wont to enjoy with him—to see again without him—every well-known object would wound my mind with dear remembrances for ever lost, and make my freedom torture.

Has.But yet——

Pris.Oh! on my knees a thousand times I have thanked Heaven thathepartook not of this dire abode—that he shared not with me my hard usage!—a greater blessing I possess'd from that, than all his loved society cou'd have given—but in a happy world, where smiling nature pours her boundless gifts!—oh! there his loss wou'd be unsufferable.

Has.Do you lament him dead?

Pris.Yes—or, like me, a prisoner—else he wou'd have sought me out—have sought his Arabella!—[Haswellstarts.]—Why do you start?

Has.Are you a Christian?—an European?

Ara.I am.

Has.The name made me suppose it.—I am shocked that——the Christian's sufferings—[Trying to conceal his surprise.]—but were you made a prisoner in thepresentSultan's reign?

Ara.Yes, or I had been set free on his ascent to the throne; for he gave pardon to all the enemies of the slain monarch: but I was taken in a vessel, where I was hurried in the heat of the battle with a party of the late Emperor's friends—and all the prisoners were by the officers of the present Sultan sent to slavery, or confined, as I have been, in hopes of ransom from their friends.

Has.And did never intelligence or inquiry reach you from your husband?

Ara.Never.

Has.Never?

Ara.I once was informed of a large reward for the discovery of a female Christian, and, with boundless hopes, asked an interview with the messenger; but found, on inquiry,Icould not answer his description, as hesecretlyinformed me it was the Sultan who made the search for onehe himselfhad known and dearly loved.

Has.Good Heaven!—[Aside.]—You then conclude your husband dead?

Ara.I do;—or, like me, by some mischance, taken with the other party, and having no friend to plead his cause before the Emperor, whom he served——

Has.I'll plead it—should I ever chance to find him—but, ere we can hope for other kindness, you must appear before the Sultan—thank him for the favour which you now decline, and tell the cause why you cannot accept it.

Ara.Alas! almost worn out with sorrow—an object of affliction as I am—in pity, excuse me—present my thanks—my humble gratitude—but pardon my attendance.

Has.Nay, you must go—it is necessary—I will accompany you to him.—Retire a moment; but when I send, be ready.

Ara.I shall obey.

[She bows obediently, and exit.

[AsHaswellcomes down, Elvirusplaceshimself in his path—Haswellstops, looksat him with an austere earnestness, whichElvirusobserving, turns away his face.

Elv.Nay, reproach me—I can bear your anger, but do not let me meet your eye—Oh! it is more awful, now I know who you are, than if you had kingdoms to disperse, or could deal instant death.—[Haswelllooks on him with a manly firmness, then walks on, Elvirusfollowing him.]—I do not plead for my father now.—Since what has passed, I only ask forgiveness.

Has.Do you forgive yourself?

Elv.I never will.

EnterKeeper.

Keep.One of our prisoners, who, in his cell, makes the most pitious moans, has sent to entreat that Mr. Haswell will not leave this place till he has heard his complaints and supplications.

Has.Bring me to him.[Going.

Elv.Nay, leave me not thus—perhaps never to see you more!——

Has.You shall see me again—in the mean time, reflect on what you merit.

[Exit withKeeper.

Elv.And what is that?—Confusion!—and yet, he says, I am to see him again—speak with him.—Oh! there's a blessing to the most abandoned, a divine propensity (they know not why) to commune with the virtuous![Exit.

SCENE II.The first Prison Scene.Enter secondKeeper, Haswellfollowing.

Has.Where is the poor unfortunate?

2d Keep.Here, Sir.

Has.Am I to behold greater misery still?—a still greater object of compassion?

[SecondKeeperopens a door, andTwineallentersa prisoner, in one of the prison dresses.

Has.What have we here?

Twi.Don't you know me, Mr. Haswell?

Has.I beg your pardon, Sir—I beg your pardon—but is it?—is it?——

Twi.Why, Mr. Haswell—if you don't know me, or won't know me, I shall certainly lose my senses.

Has.O, I know you—know you very well.

Twi.What, notwithstanding the alteration in my dress?—there was a hard thing!

Has.O, I'll procure you that again—and, for all things else, I'm sure you will have patience.

Twi.O, no, I can't—upon my soul I can't.—I want a little lavender water—My hair is in such a trim too!—No powder—no brushes——

Has.I will provide you with them all.

Twi.But who will you provide to look at me, when I am dress'd?

Has.I'll bring all your acquaintance.

Twi.I had rather you wou'd take me to see them.

Has.Pardon me.

Twi.Dear Mr. Haswell!—Dear Sir!—Dear friend!—What shall I call you?—Only say what title you like best, and I'll call you by it directly—I always did love to please every body—and I am sure at this time I stand more in need of a friend than ever I did in my life.

Has.What has brought you here?

Twi.Trying to get a place.

Has.A place?

Twi.Yes; and you see I have got one—and a poor place it is!—in short, Sir, my crime is said to be an offence against the state; and they tell me no friend on earth but you can get that remitted.

Has.Upon my word, the pardons I have obtained are for so few persons—and those already promised——

Twi.O, I know I am no favourite of yours—you think me an impertinent, silly, troublesome fellow, and that my conduct in life will be neither of use to my country nor of benefit to society.

Has.You mistake me, Sir—I think such glaring imperfections as yours will not be of so much disadvantage to society as those of a less-faulty man.—In beholding your conduct, thousands shall turn from the paths of folly, to which fashion, custom, nature, (or call it what you will) impels them;—therefore, Mr. Twineall, if not pity for your faults, yet a concern for the good effect they may have upon the world (shou'd you be admitted there again) will urge me to solicit your return to it.

Twi.Sir, you have such powers of oratory—what a prodigious capital quality!—and I doubt not but you are admired by the world equally for that——

EnterMessengertoHaswell.

Mess.Sir, the Sultan is arrived in the council chamber, and has sent me.[Whispers.

Has.I come.—Mr. Twineall, farewell for the present.

[Exit withMessenger.

Twi.Now, what was that whisper about?—Oh, heavens! perhaps my death in agitation.—I have brought myself into a fine situation!—done it by wheedling too!

2d Keep.Come, your business with Mr. Haswell being ended, return to your cell.[Roughly.

Twi.Certainly, Sir—certainly!—O, yes!—How happy is this prison in having such a keeper as you!—so mild, so gentle—there is something about you,—I said, and I thought the moment I had thehappinessof meeting you here,—Dear me!—what wou'd one give for such a gentleman as him in England!—You wou'd be of infinite service to some of our young bucks, Sir.

2d Keep.Go to your cell—go to your cell.[Roughly.

Twi.This world wou'd be nothing without elegant manners, and elegant people in all stations of life.—[EnterMessenger,who whispers secondKeeper.]—Another whisper![Terrified.

2d Keep.No; come this way.—The judge is now sitting in the hall, and you must come before him.

Twi.Before the judge, Sir—O, dear Sir!—what, in this deshabille?—in this coat?—Dear me!—but to be sure one must conform to customs—to the custom of the country where one is.—[He goes to the door, and then stops.]—I beg your pardon, Sir—wou'd not you chuse to go first?

2d Keep.No.

Twi.O![Exeunt.

SCENE III.The Council Chamber.EnterSultan, Haswell,andGuards.

Has.Sultan, I have out-run your bounty in my promises; and one poor, unhappy female——

Sul.No—you named yourself the number to release, and it is fixed—I'll not increase it.

Has.A poor, miserable female——

Sul.Am I less miserable than she is?—And who shall release me from my sorrows?

Has.Then let me tell you, Sultan, she is above your power to oblige, or to punish.—Ten years, nay more, confinement in a drear cell has been no greater punishment to her, than had she lived in a pleasant world without the man she loved.

Sul.Hah!

Has.And freedom offered she rejects with scorn, because he is not included in the blessing.

Sul.You talk of prodigies!—[He makes a sign for the Guards to retire, and they exit.]—and yet I once knew a heart equal to this description.

Has.Nay, will you see her?—Witness yourself the fact?

Sul.Why do I tremble?—My busy fancy presents an image——

Has.Yes, tremble, indeed![Threatening.

Sul.Hah! have a care—what tortures are you preparing for me?—My mind shrinks at the idea.

Has.Your wife you will behold—whom you have kept in want, in wretchedness, in a damp dungeon, for these fourteen years, because you wou'd not listen to the voice of pity.——Dread her look—her frown—not for herself alone, but for hundreds of her fellow sufferers—and while your selfish fancy was searching, with wild anxiety, for heryouloved, unpitying, you forgot others might love like you.

Sul.O! do not bring me to a trial which I have not courage to support.

Has.She attends without—I sent for her to thank you for the favour she declines.—Nay, be composed—she knowsyounot—cannot, thus disguised as the Sultan.

[ExitHaswell.

Sul.Oh! my Arabella! could I have thought that your approach wou'd ever impress my mind with horror!—or that, instead of flying to your arms with all the love I bear you, terror and dread shou'd fix me a statue of remorse.

EnterHaswell,leadingArabella.

Has.Here kneel, and return your thanks.

Sul.My Arabella! worn with grief and anguish![Aside.

Ara.[Kneeling to theSultan.] Sultan, the favour you wou'd bestow, I own, and humbly thank you for.

Sul.Gracious Heaven!

[In much agitation.

Ara.But as I am now accustomed to confinement, and the idea of all the world can give, cannot inspire a wish that warms my heart to the enjoyment—I supplicate permission to transfer the blessing you have offered, to one of those who may have friends to welcome their return from bondage, and so make freedom precious.—I have none to rejoice atmyrelease—none to lament my destiny while a prisoner.—And were I free, in this vast world (forlorn and friendless) 'tis but a prison still.

Sul.What have I done?—[Throwing himself on a sopha with the greatest emotion.

Has.Speak to him again.—He repents of the severity with which he has caused his fellow creatures to be used.—Tell himyouforgive him.

Ara.[Going to him.] Believe me, Emperor, I forgive all who have ever wronged me—all who have ever caused my sufferings.—Pardonyou!—Alas! I have pardoned even those who tore me from my husband!—Oh, Sultan! all the tortures you have made me suffer, compared to such a pang as that—did I say I had forgiven it?—Oh! I am afraid—afraid I have not yet.

Sul.Forgive it now, then, for he is restored.—[Taking off his turban.]—Behold him in the Sultan, and once more seal his pardon.—[She faints onHaswell.]—Nay, pronounce it quickly, or my remorse for what you have undergone, will make my present tortures greater than any my cruelties have ever yet inflicted.

Ara.[Recovering.] Is this the light you promised?—[ToHaswell.]—Dear precious light!—Is this my freedom? to which I bind myself a slave for ever.—[Embracing theSultan.]—Was Iyourcaptive?—Sweet captivity!—more precious than an age of liberty!

Sul.Oh, my Arabella! through the amazing changes of my fate, (which I will soon disclose) think not but I have searched fortheewith unceasing care; but the blessing to behold you once again was left for my kind monitor alone to bestow.——Oh, Haswell! had I, like you, made others' miseries my concern, like you sought out the wretched, how many days of sorrow had I spared myself as well as others—for I long since had found my Arabella.

Ara.Oh, Heaven! that weighest our sufferings with our joys, and as our lives decline seest in the balance thy blessings far more ponderous than thy judgements—be witness, I complain no more of what I have endured, but find an ample recompence this moment.

Has.I told you, Sir, how you might be happy.

Sul.——Take your reward—(to a heart like yours, more valuable than treasure from my coffers)—this signet, with power to redress thewrongsof all who suffer.

Has.Valuable indeed!——

Ara.[ToHaswell.] Oh, virtuous man!—to rewardtheeare we made happy—to give thy pitying bosom the joy to see us so, has Heaven remitted its intended punishment of continued separation.

Sul.Come, my beloved wife!—come to my palace—there, equally, my dearest blessing, as when the cottage gave its fewer joys—and in him [ToHaswell.] we not only find our present happiness, but dwell securely on our future hopes—for here, I vow, before he leaves our shores, I will adopt every measure he shall point out—and that period of my life whereon he shall lay his censure, that will I fix apart for penitence.—[ExitSultanandArabella.—Haswellbows to Heaven with thanks.

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