Miscellaneous Plays/Constantine Paleologus Act 3

by Joanna Baillie

ACT III.

SCENE I. The Turkish Camp; the tent of Mahomet, who is discovered sitting alone in the eastern manner, with a great sheet of parchment spread out before him, which he is considering attentively.

MAHOMET (after tracing some lines with a pen or pencil).

Ho, Osmir! art thou here?

Enter Osmir.

Come hither, vizir; follow with thine eye

The various dispositions of this plan
Which for our grand attack I here have traced.
God and the Prophet being on our side,
That mingled broil of fierce and dreadful fight
Which shall not cease till from the list of nations
This eastern empire, with its long told line
Of paltry Cæsars, be expung'd and blank,
Shall not be long delay'd.

OSMIR.

All things must yield unto the towering spirit

And comprehensive genius of your highness.
Permit your slave.(Looking over the plan.)
Conceiv'd, indeed, with deep and wond'rous skill!

But mighty lord, if that a worm may speak,
Your van, methinks, is of a motley class,
The vile refuge and garbage of the camp;
Are mussulmen led on in glory's path
By such as these?

MAHOMET (smiling fiercely).

No; but brave mussulmen o'er such as these

May step to glory's path. Garbage, I trust,
Is good enough for filling ditches up.
Some thousand carcases, living and dead,
Of those who first shall glut the en'my's rage,
Push'd in, pell-mell, by those who press behind,
Will rear for us a bridge to mount the breach
Where ablest engineers had work'd in vain.

OSMIR.

This did escape my more contracted thoughts.

And here your highness stations Georgian troops:
Are they sure men in such important service?

MAHOMET (smiling again).

Ay, sure as death; here is my surety for them.

See'st thou what warriors in the rear are plac'd,
With each a cord and hatchet in his hand?
Those grizly hangmen, in their canvass sleeves,
Fight for me better than an armed band
Of christian knights full cap-apée.—Look o'er it:
Something, perchance, may have escap'd my thoughts.

OSMIR (after again examining it).

No; every thing is consummately plann'd.—

But, mighty sultan, this old officer,
Whom you have station'd here with your new troops,
Is not to be relied on.

MAHOMET.

How so, Osmir?

OSMlR.

It is suspected that he has receiv'd

The en'my's gold; one thing, at least, is certain,
He has had private meetings with the foe.

MAHOMET.

What! art thou sure of this?—Send for him quickly.

The fool midst blocks and bowstrings has so long
His base head tott'ring worn, he thinks, no doubt,
It needs must be his own. Send for him quickly,
And see that which is needful done upon him.

(Drawing the pen sternly across the name on the plan.)

There; from the world of living things I blot him;

Another takes his place. (Giving a paper to Osmir.)
These are the usual orders for the night;
Assemble thou the sev'ral officers,
And give to each his own partic'lar charge.

OSMIR.

Your slave obeys.(Exit.

MAHOMET (alone, after musing for a little while).

Have I done well to give this hoary vet'ran,

Who has for thirty years fought in our wars,

To the death-cord unheard? (Sternly, after pausing a short space.)

I have done well.

In my disguised rounds, but two nights since,
List'ning at his tent door, I heard him speak
Words that methought approach'd to slight esteem
Of my endowments and capacity.

Yes, he is guilty. (After walking up and down several times he opens another scroll.)

But I will fear no treason: here is that

On which I may rely. In mortal man
I have no trust: they are all hollow slaves,
Who tremble and detest, and would betray.
But on the fates, and the dark secret powers,
So say those sure unerring calculations

Of deep astrology, I may depend. (Sitting down again, and considering the scroll.)

Ay, it must needs be so: this conslellation

In close conjunction with the warrior's star,
Trac'd back in magic numbers three times three,
And nine times nine, and added three again,
Unto the hour of my nativity,
Makes it infallible. Here have I mark'd it

With mine own science, num'ral, learn'd, and sure.
Ha! ha! your foolish christians now believe
Men's future fortunes are by wizards seen,
In airy forms pourtray'd, like mimick shows,
And trust thereto with fond simplicity.

(Othoric, who about the middle of this speech has made his appearance from behind the curtain of the tent, disguised like a Turk, but without a turban, now, stealing close up to Mahomet, lifts up his dagger to strike.)

What do I hear?

OTHORIC.

It is thy fate, blind Turk, uncalculated.

(Striking.)

MAHOMET (parrying the blow with his sheathed scimitar, which he afterwards draws.)

Ho! help without! treason and parricide!

Ho! guards without, I say? (Guards rush in, and Othoric is seized, after defending himself desperately.)

MAHOMET.

(To Othoric.) Who art thou? What dark tyrant set thee on

To do this murderous and horrid deed?

OTHORIC.

And think'st thou such deeds horrid?—But I came

To act and not to speak.

MAHOMET.

Say rather, villain, to be acted on.

Do racks and burning iron please thee well
That thou should'st earn them with such desp'rate pains.

(To the Guards.) Stretch out his arms, and let me look on them. (Looking at his arms, and surveying him all over, he shrinks back as from a danger escaped, and then smiles grimly.)

There will be tough work on those sinewy limbs

When they are dealt with.—Lead the traitor off.
I will give orders for his fate ere long.
(To Othoric, who is about to speak.)
Thou shalt not speak: I hate thy horrible face.

Lead him away? (Exit Othoric and Guards, met by Petronius and Marthon, who enter as they are going out.)

PETRONIUS.

What prisoner is this they lead along?

MAHOMET.

A dark assassin in my tent conceal'd,

Whose daring hand ev'n now aim'd at my life,

PETRONIUS (casting up his eyes to heaven).

The life of great and godlike Mahomet!

It makes my blood turn cold.

MARTHON.

I too am stunn'd, and tremble at the thought.

MAHOMET.

Yes, all may tremble who in the dark purpose

Have part or knowledge had.

PETRONIUS and MARTHON (both alarmed).

What means my lord?

(Mahomet walks several times across the stage with angry strides, whilst they look fearfully upon one another, and then going sternly up to them.)

MAHOMET.

I know the base transactions of last night:

Ye stuff'd my gold into the dirty palms
Of those who shook their torches in the air,
And cried long live brave Paleologus.
I know it all: think ye with upcast looks,
And mumm'ry such as this, to blind mine eyes?

PETRONIUS (falling on his knees).

As there's a God in heav'n, to you, great sultan!

We have been true!(Marthon kneels also.)

MAHOMET.

Up, crouching slaves! when men so bred as you are

Thus lowly kneel, my very soul abhors them.

PETRONIUS.

Your death, great monarch, were to Paleologus

Triumph and safety, but to us swift ruin.

MARTHON.

And shall suspicions so improbable

Fall upon us, who in your secret service
Have dangers brav'd, and from your hands alone
Look for the recompense?

PETRONIUS.

If we last night have fail'd———

MAHOMET (stamping with his foot).

I will not hear you!

Enter Osmir.

Osmir, know'st thou this horrible attempt?

OSMIR.

I do great prince, and bless the Prophet's arm

That has preserv'd you. What base enemy
Has arm'd the desp'rate villain?

MAHOMET.

Petronius here and his smooth Grecian friend

Throw accusation on the emperor.

OSMIR.

This moment in your camp there is arriv'd

An embassage of his most honour'd friends,
Sent by the emperor to treat of peace.

MAHOMET.

At this unlikely hour?

OSMIR.

Yes, time now presses, and, as I should guess,

The hopes of succour from those friendly vessels
That vainly have attempted through your fleets
To force a passage, raising short liv'd joy
Full soon extinguish'd, has to this late hour
Delay'd their coming.
Hope gone, they now are humbled suitors. Here,
Within your power, you have the chiefest men
Of the brave friends on whom he most depends;
This does not look like preconcerted plots
Of secret murder, at this very hour
To be attempted.

MAHOMET.

No, Osmir, there is reason in thy words.

OSMIR.

But if your highness thinks it is expedient,

I will straightway arrest them.

MAHOMET (after hesitating).

No, no; they are brave men; I will receive them

As a brave enemy should do. Go say,
That by the morning's dawn they shall have audience;
And th' open camp, with wide-mouth'd cannon cloth'd,
And all my lofty garniture of war,
Shall be my hall of state. Secure those men

Until my farther orders. (Pointing to Petronius and Marthon, and exit, followed by Osmir. Remain Petronius and Marthon guarded.)

FIRST GUARD.

Come on, my masters, we'll conduct you safely.

MARTHON (to Petronius).

Is it to plunge me in this dreadful gulf

That your curs'd lessons have seduc'd my youth?

PETRONIUS.

Upbraid me not. I have not for myself

A better fate reserv'd. But we are noble
And of high lineage; fear not, for the sultan
Will still respect us.

SECOND GUARD.

Ay, so belike he will; your noble heads

May with the royal scimitar be chopt,
If he is much inclin'd to honour you.
Some men ere now, in other sultans' days,
Have been so honour'd. (Exeunt.)

SCENE II. An open space in the camp, with the Janizaries and Turkish troops drawn up in order. Cannon and warlike engines seen mixed with the tents. A flourish of trumpets; enter Mahomet, with Osmir and his train, and places himself in a chair of state near the front of the stage. Another flourish of trumpets, and enter Othus, Justiniani and Rodrigo, with a small train of Attendants, walking slowly up the stage.

MAHOMET (to Osmir, as they come forward).

These men approach us with a hardy step,

Nor wear the suppliant's humbled brow. Come they

To sue or to command us? (To Othus and the other deputies, who make obeisance to him.)

You are permitted to declare your errand.

If your hard-lesson'd chief, more prudent grown,
Will now resign his proud imperial city
Into the hands to whom high heaven's decree,
And power on earth resistless, soon shall give it,
I will receive that which he cannot hold
With grace and favour.

OTHUS.

High heaven's decrees are known to mortal man

But in th' event fulfill'd; and for earth's power,
The cannon flanked cohorts, and wide front
Of far extended numbers, shew it not
To him, who in the small and secret fortress,

E'en of one brave man's breast, more help discovers,
Oft in th' astounding hour of the storm's pitch,
Than in an armed host. Imperial Constantine
Will live or die within his city's walls
As may become their master.—Nevertheless,
He will so far to hard necessity———

MAHOMET.

I hear no more: your words are ineffectual,

And fall as powerless as the ruffian's sword,
Whom now, within my tent, your royal master,
Compell'd no doubt by hard necessity,
Has hired to murder me.

JUSTINIANI (stepping boldly forward).

Sultan, thou sittest where thou safely may'st

Say what thou wilt, therefore of all mankind
Thou most art bound to say but what is meet.
Put those accusing words that thou had utter'd
Into the mouth of any other Turk,
Wore he a giant's form, for in your camp
I know that such there be, and I will prove it,
With this good soldier's arm, a cursed falsehood.

OTHUS (to Justiniani, pulling him back).

Thou art not wise.—Great sultan hear me speak.

If any base attack upon your life
Has been attempted, let the murd'rous villain,
If still he breathes, be here before us brought.
In presence of your highness we will question him:

Perchance he will confess what secret foe
Has arm'd his daring hand.

MAHOMET (after giving orders to a guard in dumb show, who immediately goes out).

Your suit is granted.

These men speak boldly, vizir.(Aside to Osmir.)

OSMIR (aside to Mahomet).

They shrink not from the proof.

Enter Othoric fettered and guarded.

MAHOMET (to Othoric).

As thou may'st hope a mitigated doom,

I here command thee that thou truly answer
Whate'er those Roman deputies demand.

OTHORIC.

I do not hope a mitigated doom,

And therefore, sultan, cannot be commanded:
But if this brave man here will question me,
(Pointing to Rodrigo.)
For in his presence I do feel my spirit
To manhood's height brac'd up, I'll truly answer,
Tho' every word did in my sinews fix
The burning pincer's tooth.

RODRIGO.

Ha! Othoric art thou not? the strong Hungarian?

OTHORIC (smiling).

Ay, thou remembered my name—I thank thee—

It pleases me to think thou'lt ne'er forget it.
Ask what thou wilt, and I will answer thee;
Bid me do what thou wilt, and I will do it,
Barring the hindrance of these chains.

RODRIGO.

Thanks to thee!

Then, whatsoe'er the sultan asks of thee,
Answer him truly. He will point his questions
Where his suspicion points.

OTHORIC.

I will obey.

MAHOMET (sternly).

Who hired thee, thou bold and hard-brow'd villain,

Such horrid deed to do?

OTHORIC.

I have been twice hir'd, mighty Mahomet,

To do fell deeds, in which I've lack'd performance.

MAHOMET.

And who first hired thee?

OTHORIC.

Thyself.

MAHOMET.

Base traitor!

Dar'st thou belie me to my very face?

OTHORIC.

That I belie thee not be this my token;

My hire was given to me by Petronius,
Told from a sable bag, on whose seal'd mouth
Thy scymitar and crescent were impress'd.

OTHUS.

Petronius!

OTHORIC.

Yes, that smooth, subtle Greek.

MAHOMET.

He hir'd thee not to take the life of Constantine?

OTHORIC.

True; I was hir'd for wasteful insurrection,

Not for delib'rate murder. Tho' most wretched,
A stranger, grip'd by hard necessity,
The price he gave me ne'er had bought this arm
To such an act.

MAHOMET.

And who did hire thee for this second deed,

Which thou must needs delib'rate murder call?

OTHORIC.

'Twas Constantine.

JUSTINIANI.

Thou liest, foul, artful villain!

MAHOMET.

Peace I command! ye shall not interrupt him.

'Twas Constantine that hir'd thee?

OTHORIC.

Yes, great sultan!

But not with gold, and he himself, I ween,
Unconscious of the act.

MAHOMET.

What did he bribe thee with?

OTHORIC.

With that which does but seldom prove the means

Of like corruption—gen'rous admiration
Of noble manly virtue. I beheld him,
Like a brave stag encompass'd by base curs,
And it did tempt me.—Other bribe than this
Have I had none; and to no mortal ear
Did I reveal my purpose.

(Mahomet puts his hand on his forehead and seems disturbed, whilst the deputies hold up their hands exultingly.)

RODRIGO (to Othoric).

O for a galley mann'd with such as thou art,

Therewith to face a hundred armed ships,
Creatur'd with meaner life!
Yet thou must die, brave heart! yet thou must die.
Thou hast done that which in no circumstance
Man's hand may do, and therefore thou must perish,
But I'll remember thee: thy name is Othoric:
I will remember thee.

OSMIR (to Mahomet, who covers his face and seems disturbed, after a pause).

Your highness gives no orders to your slave

Touching the prisoner.

MAHOMET (uncovering his face angrily).

His crime is plain: death be his instant doom.

OSMIR.

And in what mode? or simple or with pains?

MAHOMET.

Distract me not.

OTHORIC.

Vizir, be not so hasty.

I bear with me what will redeem my life,
And gain the sultan's pardon.

OSMIR.

Ah! thinkest thou to gain him with that bribe

Which Constantine gave thee? (shaking his head.)

OTHORIC.

No, not with that. I wear upon this arm

A potent band, with subtile magic wrought,
That, wheresoe'er 'tis on my body rubb'd
With mutter'd words which I alone do know,
Maketh the part firm and invulnerable
To sword, or bullet, or the arrow's point—
To all offensive things. Believe me not,
But see the proof.—Relieve mine arms, I pray,
That I may shew this wonder.

MAHOMET.

Unlock his fetters: if he tamper with us,

His tortures are enhanced.

OTHORIC (to the guard who stands next him, after he has been unfettered, and at the same time uncovering his left arm.)

Young Turk, thou wear'll a dagger by thy side;

To shew that I am made as other men,
Of flesh and blood as soft and sensitive,
When with no charm secur'd, thrust it, I pray thee,
Into this nerved flesh. Nay, do not shrink,
For I shrink not.

MAHOMET.

Do it, thou timid slave!

(The guard slightly wounds Othoric's arm with the point of the dagger.)

OTHORIC.

You see it is an arm of flesh and blood;

And so you'll find my body in all parts,
Thrust where you will.—But mark me; wheresoe'er
I rub this band, your weapons have no power.

(Opening his breast and rubbing it with a bracelet which he takes from his arm, at the same time muttering some mystical words to himself.)

Now try if e'er the stoutest arm amongst you,

With pike, or spear, or keenly-temper'd blade,
Can pierce this charmed breast.

MAHOMET (to an Attendant).

Attempt it, brawny slave; thine arm is strong.

(To Osmir.) Give him a stronger weapon.—Now the proof! (The slave receiving a sword from Osmir, runs with full force upon Othoric, who falls down, pierced through the breast and utters a convulsive laugh as he expires.)

RODRIGO (exultingly).

O, bravely done, thou spirit of true proof!

JUSTINIANI.

Yes, nobly has he shunn'd the degradation

Of slavish punishment.

OTHUS.

It was a lofty mind in a rude state

Of wild distorted virtue; cross the fancy
It stalks, a gloomy, dark, gigantic shade,
Angel or fiend we know not.

MAHOMET (aside to himself turning gloomily away).

And Constantine is serv'd by men like these!

OTHUS (to Mahomet).

Seeing that of this crime our royal master

Doth clearly stand acquitted, by your word,
Most mighty Mahomet, we are permitted
To state his wishes.

MAHOMET.

No, ambassadors;

I have already said I hear no more
Unless ye yield the city,—Leave ye have
In safety to return.—You and your chief
O'er a volcano's thinly-bridged gulf
Have ta'en your stand, and the dire crash is near.

OTHUS.

And with our chief in that tremendous ruin,

If it must be, we will sink lovingly.

JUSTINIANI.

We will sink honourably.

RODRIGO.

We will sink gloriously. Ay, by heaven's light,

And cheerly too, great sultan! (Passing the body of Othoric as they turn to go away.)

Thou noble wreck, thou wert rigg'd gallantly!

(Exeunt Othus, Justiniani, Rodrigo, and their attendants.)

MAHOMET (coming forward to the front of the stage, and standing for some time in a thoughtful posture much disturbed).

And Constantine is serv'd by men like these!

OSMIR (to slaves, pointing to the body of Othoric).

Take up the carcase of that savage ruffian,

And stick it on a stake for vulture's food.

MAHOMET (turning round angrily).

No, reptiles! let it have a soldier's grave.

OSMIR.

This is exceeding mercy; nevertheless,

Your orders, mighty prince, shall be obey'd
By those who are as dust beneath your feet.

MAHOMET.

Yes, I do know that I shall be obey'd

By those who are——I am begirt with slaves.

(Turning away, and stamping on the ground as he walks.)

Mine enemy is serv'd by men like these!

I will give orders with all pressing speed
That now my grand attack forthwith be made:
What next may be attempted by such foes
Who will presume to guess.

OSMIR.

That is the safest counsel.

(Exeunt Mahomet, tossing his arms and muttering as he goes out.)

END OF THE THIRD ACT.