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A TRAGEDY.
293

Which soon shall in a Turkish haram shine?
The Emp'ror heeds it not.

HEUGHO (stamping with his foot).

Dog, but I heed it!

And were the floating remnant of a wreck,
With the sea bellowing round it, all that now
Remain'd of the eastern empire, I thereon,
Until the last wave wash'd us from its side,
Would humbly offer to brave Constantine
The homage due to mine imperial lord.
Out on thee, paltry hind! go fetch them hither.
(Exit Officer.

STRANGER.

This is the hour, you say, when Constantine,

Like a tir'd woodman from his daily toil,
Unclasps his girded breast; and with his friends
Enjoys his social meal right cheerfully
For one so overshadow'd with dark fate.
I am a stranger here, and, by your leave,
I fain would tarry still to have one view
Of his most noble countenance.

HEUGHO.

Thou'rt welcome.

And, gentle stranger, thou wilt see a prince,
Who ably might have reign'd, had not his heart
To the soft shades of friendly intercourse
Still turn'd, as to its true and native place.
A prince with loving friends, but lacking troops: