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Show M U S T A P H A. , SCENE II. Roxolana, Mufti, Ruftan. Ruftan. This tumult threaten'd more Than even m y fears furmiz'd. Already were Thofe: daring traitors pour'd around the grove That fhades this tent ; a mighty hoft in armi, Outragious, clamouring high for Muftapha, And menacing perdition to his foes j But chief to me. Roxolana. Audacious flaves ! but on. Ruftan. In that nice moment, Solyman appear'd Superior and unmov'd. At fight of him, A fp^ce they ftooi confounded and appall'd. Mufti. T h e multitude unaw'd is infoknt; Once feiz'd with fear, contemptible and vain. Ruftan. Yet, Mufti, when they call their eyes abroad On their o w n gathered ftrength, rekindled rage Spoke loud their madnefs in tempeftuous fhouti, And mingled uproar. I beheld from far T h e various horror ; how at once they rag'd, At once kept filence ;and, a3 th warting paffions By turns prevaii'd, were dreadful and difmay'd ! Roxolana. What follow'd this t* Ruftan. Juft then but I could wifti T o have that pirt untold the Prince ruflfd in, His look, with grief and anger deep imprefs'd, 3? His bofom naked to their f w o r d s - .« Strike here ; Here point ybur rage, he cry'd. I, only I A m guilty- if your impious arms have dar d, In violation of th' allegiance due From fubjeas, chief from me, to menace him W h o reigns fupreme o'er all." Mufti. W h y did they not, O Prophet ! fairly take him at his word r Ruftan. This, with ftrong tranfport utter'd, and enfore'd By burfting tears, which indignation fhed, Amax'd, abafh'd them into feir and fhame. ^t'once they crouded round the rais'd tribunal ; Threw down their arms at once, and proftrate begg'd For pardon, or for death. 1 would not dwell Upon the fequel. Muftapha's demeanor Has won anew his father's heart, and wrought A firmer reconcilement. Roxolana. Wrought our ruin ; If this be fo. Mufti. Anenterprize like ours, Rais'd to this fateful point, muft be accomplifn d Or crufbits authors, Ruftan There is no return. N o ; we muft on, muft pafs the perilous flood : T o venturebackward from this depth, we rifque Inevitable finking. Roxolana, H a ! it dawns: Thy counfel, Mufti, breaks upon m y thought, Like morning o'er the fhades of night. W e yet Shall counterwork our fate. This paper too, Even from the friends of Muftaphaprocur'd, M a y ferve to urge his fate. Tbe Sultsn comes. Retire, my Lords Stay, Ruftan: I may want Thy prefent aid. N o w recolUCt thy ioul, And fecond what I fay. SCENE |