Briefly receive; a day or two, at the most, Shall make me fit to take my leave of Tunis, Or give me lost for ever.

Grim. Days nor years,

Provided that my stay may do you service,
But to me shall be minutes.

Fran. I much thank you :

In this small scroll you may in private read
What my intents are; and, as they grow ripe,
I will instruct you further: in the mean time
Borrow your late distracted looks and gesture;
The more dejected you appear, the less
The viceroy must suspect you.

Grim. I am nothing,

But what you please to have me be.
Fran. Farewell, sir.

Be cheerful, master, something we will do,
That shall reward itself in the performance;
And that's true prize indeed.

Mast, I am obedient.

Beatst. And I: there's no contending.

[Exeunt GRIM. Mast. Boatsw, and Sailors.

Fran. Peace to you all!

Prosper, thou Great Existence, my endeavours,
As they religiously are undertaken,
And distant equally from servile gain,

Enter PAULINA, CARAZIE, and MANTO.
Or glorious ostentation!-I am heard,
In this blest opportunity, which in vain

I kag have waited for. I must shew myself.
0, she has found me! now if she prove right,
All hope will not forsake us.

SCENE III.-A Hall in ASAMBEG's Palace. Enter ASAMBEG, MUSTAFHA, Aga, and Capiaga. Asam. What we commanded, see perform'd; In all things to be punctual. [and fail not Aga. We shall, sir. [Exeunt Aga, and Capiaga. Musta. 'Tis strange, that you should use such circumstance

To a delinquent of so mean condition.

Asam. Had he appeared in a more sordid shape Than disguised greatness ever deign'd to mask in, The gallant bearing of his present fortune Aloud proclaims him noble.

Musta. If you doubt him

To be a man built up for great employments,
And, as a cunning spy, sent to explore

The city's strength, or weakness, you by torture
May force him to discover it.

Asam. That were base;

Nor dare I do such injury to virtue

And bold assured courage; neither can I
Be won to think, but if I should attempt it,
I shoot against the moon. He that hath stood

The roughest battery, that captivity
Could ever bring to shake a constant temper;
Despised the fawnings of a future greatness,
By beauty, in her full perfection, tender'd;
That hears of death as of a quiet slumber,
And from the surplusage of his own firmness,
Can spare enough of fortitude, to assure
A feeble woman; will not, Mustapha,
Be alter'd in his soul for any torments
We can afflict his body with.

Musta. Do your pleasure:

I only offer'd you a friend's advice,
But without gall or envy to the man
That is to suffer. But what do you determine

Of poor Grimaldi? the disgrace call'd on him,
I hear, has run him mad.

Asam. There weigh the difference

In the true temper of their minds. The one,
A pirate, sold to mischiefs, rapes, and all
That make a slave relentless and obdurate,
Yet, of himself wanting the inward strengths
That should defend him, sinks beneath compassion
Qr pity of a man whereas this merchant,
Acquainted only with a civil life;
Arm'd in himself, intrench'd and fortified
With his own virtue, valuing life and death
At the same price, poorly does not invite
A favour, but commands us do him right;
Which unto him, and her we both once honour'd
As a just debt, I gladly pay ;-they enter.
Now sit we equal hearers.

It differs little from hanging; I cry at it.

Vitel. See, where my bride appears! in what
full lustre !

As if the virgins that bear up her train
Had long contended to receive an honour
Above their births, in doing her this service.
Nor comes she fearful to meet those delights,
Which, once past o'er, immortal pleasures follow.
I need not, therefore, comfort or encourage
Her forward steps; and I should offer wrong
To her mind's fortitude, should I but ask
How she can brook the rough high-going sea,
Over whose foamy back our ship, well rigg'd
With hope and strong assurance, must transport us.
Nor will I tell her, when we reach the haven,
Which tempests shall not hinder, what loud wel-

Each country hath its own peculiar rites:
Some, when they are to die, drink store of wine,
Which, pour'd in liberally, does oft beget
A bastard valour, with which arm'd, they bear
The not-to-be declined charge of death
With less fear and astonishment: others take
Drugs to procure a heavy sleep, that so
They may insensibly receive the means
That casts them in an everlasting slumber;
Others-

Re-enter GAZET, with water.
O welcome!

Asam. Now the use of yours?

:

Vitel. The clearness of this is a perfect sign Of innocence and as this washes off Stains and pollutions from the things we wear; Thrown thus upon the forehead, it hath power To purge those spots that cleave upon the mind, [Sprinkles it on her face.

If thankfully received.

Asam. "Tis a strange custom.

Vitel. How do you entertain it, my Donusa? Feel you no alteration, no new motives, No unexpected aids, that may confirm you In that to which you were inclined before?

Don. I am another woman;-till this minute

I never lived, nor durst think how to die.
How long have I been blind! yet on the sudden,
By this blest means, I feel the films of error
Ta'en from my soul's eyes. O divine physician!
That hast bestow'd a sight on me, which Death,
Though ready to embrace me in his arms,
Cannot take from me: let me kiss the hand
That did this miracle, and seal my thanks
Upon those lips from whence these sweet words
vanish'd,

That freed me from the cruellest of prisons,
Blind ignorance and misbelief. False prophet!
Impostor Mahomet!

Asam. I'll hear no more,

You do abuse my favours; sever them:
Wretch, if thou hadst another life to lose,
This blasphemy deserved it ;-instantly
Carry them to their deaths.

Vitel. We part now, blest one,

To meet hereafter in a kingdom, where
Helf's malice shall not reach us.

Paul. Ha ha! ha!

Asam. What means my mistress?
Paul. Who can hold her spleen,

When such ridiculous follies are presented,

statu

I am no more mine own, but yours.

And, if you please, will try her.
Don. At your peril;

There is no further danger can look towards me. Paul. This only then-canst thou use means to carry

This bake meat to Vitelli ?

Mant. With much ease;

I am familiar with the guard; beside,

It being known it was I that betray'd him,
My entrance hardly will of them be question'd.
Paul. About it then. Say, that 'twas sent to
him

From his Donusa: bid him search the midst of it,
He there shall find a cordial.
Mant. What I do

Shall speak my care and faith.

Don. Good fortune with thee!
Paul. You cannot eat?
Don. The time we thus abuse
We might employ much better.
Paul. I am glad

[Exit.

To hear this from you. As for you, Carazie,
If our intents do prosper, make choice, whether
You'll steal away with your two mistresses,
Or take your fortune.

Car. I'll be gelded twice first;
Hang him that stays behind.

Paul. I wait you, madam.

Were but my brother off, by the command

Of the doting viceroy, there's no guard dare stay

SCENE VI.-A Room in the Black Tower. Enter VITELLI, Aga and Guard, at the door. Vitel. Paulina to fall off thus! 'tis to me More terrible than death, and, like an earthquake, Totters this walking building, such I am; And in my sudden ruin would prevent, By choaking up at once my vital spirits, This pompous preparation for my death. But I am lost; that good man, good Francisco, Deliver'd me a paper, which till now

I wanted leisure to peruse.

Aga. This Christian

[Reads the paper.

Fears not, it seems, the near approaching sun, Whose second rise he never must salute.

Enter MANTO with the baked-meat.

1 Guard. Who's that?

2 Guard. Stand.

Aga. Manto!

Mant. Here's the viceroy's ring,

Gives warrant to my entrance; yet you may
Partake of anything I shall deliver.

'Tis but a present to a dying man,

Sent from the princess that must suffer with him.
Aga. Use your own freedom.
Mant. I would not disturb
This his last contemplation.

SCENE VII.-An upper Room in the same.

Enter VITELLI with the baked-meat.

Vit. There's something more in this than means A hungry appetite, which I must discover. [to cloy She will'd me search the midst: thus, thus I pierce it. [thread! -Ha! what is this? a scroll bound up in packWhat may the mystery be? [Reads.

Son, let down this packthread at the west window of the castle. By it you shall draw up a ladder of ropes, by which you may descend: your dearest Donusa with the

rest of your friends below attend you. Heaven prosper you!

O best of men! he that gives up himself
To a true religious friend, leans not upon
A false deceiving reed, but boldly builds
Upon a rock; which now with joy I find
In reverend Francisco, whose good vows,
Labours, and watchings, in my hoped-for freedom,
Appear a pious miracle. I come,

I come with confidence; though the descent
Were steep as hell, I know I cannot slide,
Being call'd down by such a faithful guide.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.- A Room in ASAMBEG's Palace.
Enter ASAMBEG, MUSTAPHA, and Janizaries.
Asam. Excuse me, Mustapha, though this
night to me

Appear as tedious as that treble one

[hours

Was to the world, when Jove on fair Alcmena
Begot Alcides. Were you to encounter
Those ravishing pleasures, which the slow-paced
(To me they are such) bar me from, you would,
With your continued wishes, strive to imp
New feathers to the broken wings of time,
And chide the amorous sun, for too long dalliance
In Thetis' watery bosom.

Musta. You are too violent

In your desires, of which you are yet uncertain;
Having no more assurance to enjoy them,
Than a weak woman's promise, on which wise men
Faintly rely.

Asam. Tush! she is made of truth;
And what she says she will do, holds as firm
As laws in brass, that know no change: [A cham-
ber shot off] What's this?
Some new prize brought in, sure-
Enter Aga hastily.

Aga. With all their train,

And choicest jewels, are gone safe aboard:
Their sails spread forth, and with a fore-right gale
Leaving our coast, in scorn of all pursuit,
As a farewell, they shew'd a broadside to us.
Asam. No more.

Musta. Now note your confidence!
Asam. No more.

O my credulity! I am too full

Of grief and rage to speak. Dull, heavy fool!
Worthy of all the tortures that the frown
Of thy incensed master can throw on thee,
Without one man's compassion! I will hide
This head among the desarts, or some cave
Fill'd with my shame and me; where I alone
May die without a partner in my moan.

I did discharge the trust imposed upon me,
Being your guardian.

Beil. 'Tis with truth acknowledged.

Cham. The love I then bore to you, and desire
To do you all good offices of a friend,
Continues with me, nay, increases, lady;
And, out of this assurance, I presume,

What, from a true heart, I shall now deliver,
Will meet a gentle censure.

Bell. When you speak,

Whate'er the subject be, I gladly hear.

Cham. To tell you of the greatness of your state, And from what noble stock you are derived, Were but impertinence, and a common theme, Since you well know both. What I am to speak of, Touches you nearer; therefore, give me leave To say, that, howsoever your great bounties, Continual feasting, princely entertainments, May gain you the opinion of some few Of a brave generous spirit, (the best harvest That you can hope for from such costly seed,) You cannot yet, amongst the multitude, Since, next unto the princes of the blood, The eyes of all are fix'd on you,) but give Some wounds, which will not close without a scar, To your fair reputation, and good name; In suffering such a crew of riotous gallants, Not of the best repute, to be so frequent

Both in your house and presence; this, 'tis rumour'd,

Little agrees with the curiousness of honour,
Or modesty of a maid.

Bell. Not to dwell long

Upon my answer, I must thank your goodness,
And provident care, that have instructed me
What my revenues are, by which I measure
How far I may expend; and yet I find not
That I begin to waste; nor would I add
To what I now possess. I am myself;
And for my fame, since I am innocent here,
This, for the world's opinion!

Cham. Take heed, madam.

That [world's] opinion, which you slight, confirms This lady for immodest, and proclaims

Another for a modest; whereas the first

Ne'er knew what loose thoughts were, and the
Had never a cold dream.

Bell. I dare not argue:
But what means to prevent this?
Cham. Noble marriage.

[praised second

Bell. Pardon me, sir; and do not think I scorn Your grave advice, which I have ever followed, Though not pleased in it.

Would you have me match with wealth? I need it
Or hunt for honour, and increase of titles? [not:
In truth, I rest ambitious of no greater
Than what my father left. Or do you judge
My blood to run so high, that 'tis not in
Physic to cool me? I yet feel no such heat:
But when, against my will, it grows upon me,
I'll think upon your counsel.

Cham. If you resolve, then,
To live a virgin, you have
To which you may retire, and ha-
To