genghis, idame, octar, osman.
Guards.
idame.
My lord, I came not to solicit pardon,
My forfeit life is yours, I ask not for it:
Why should I wish for years of added woe?
But spare a guiltless infant.
genghis.
Rise, Idame,
Fate conquers all, it has deceived us both.
If heaven hath raised a poor inhabitant
Of Scythia, once the object of your scorn,
To power, and splendor, you have naught to fear:
The emperor never will avenge the wrongs
Of Temugin; but public good demands
The royal victim; ’tis a sacrifice
Which must be made: for your own son, myself
Will be his guard: I promise to protect him.
idame.
Then I am happy.
genghis.
But inform me, madam,
What is this fraud, this mystery between you?
For I must know it all.
idame.
O spare the wretched.
genghis.
Have I not cause to hate this Zamti?
idame.
You,
My lord?
genghis.
I’ve said too much.
idame.
Restore my child,
You’ve promised it.
genghis.
His pardon must depend
On you alone: you know I have been injured,
My favors scorned, my orders disobeyed:
Who is this Zamti, this respected lord,
This husband? in that name alone comprised
Is every guilt: what charms has he to boast
Who braves me thus?
idame.
He was my only comfort,
My joy, my happiness, the best of men;
He served his God, his country, and his king.
genghis.
How long, Idame, have you been united?
idame.
Ever since the fatal time, when wayward fortune
Espoused thy cause, and gave a tyrant power
To scourge mankind.
genghis.
I understand you, madam,
E’er since the time you mean, when I was scorned
By a proud beauty, when this country first
Deserved the chains which it was doomed to wear.
SCENE III.
genghis, octar, osman.
On one side of the stage.
idame, and zamti.
On the other, Guords.
genghis.
What sayest thou, slave? hast thou delivered up
The emperor’s son?
zamti.
I have, my lord, ’tis done:
I have fulfilled my duty.
genghis.
Well thou knowest
Nor fraud, nor insolence escape my vengeance:
If thou hast dared to hide him from my wrath,
He must be found, his death shall follow thine.
[To the guards.
Seize and destroy that infant.
zamti.
Wretched father!
idame.
Stay, cruel tyrant, stay, is this your pity,
Is this your promise?
genghis.
I have been deceived;
Explain the mystery, madam, or he dies.
idame.
I’ll tell thee all; and if it be a crime
To follow nature, and obey her laws,
If still thy cruel spirit thirsts for blood,
Let all your anger light on me, but spare
The noble Zamti: to our mutual care
The emperor entrusted his dear son:
Thou knowest too well what scenes of horrid slaughter
Followed thy cruel victory, and marked
Thy steps with blood; that might have satisfied
A less inhuman conqueror: when thy slaves
Demanded our last hope, the royal heir,
My generous Zamti, faithful to his king,
To duty gave up all, and sacrificed
His son, nor listened to the powerful voice
Of nature; I admired that patriot firmness
I had not strength to imitate: alas!
I am a mother, how could I consent
To my child’s death? my terrors, my despair,
My rage, my anguish, all too plainly spoke
What Zamti strove to hide: behold, my lord,
The wretched father, he deserves your pity:
So does my guiltless infant: punish me,
And me alone: forgive me, dearest Zamti,
Forgive a mother’s tenderness, forgive
A wife that loves thee and would save thy son.
zamti.
I have forgiven thee, and, thank heaven, my king,
The royal infant’s safe.
genghis.
’Tis false; begone,
And find him, traitor, or thou diest; atone
For thy past crimes.
zamti.
The crime were to obey
A tyrant, but my royal master’s voice
Cries from the tomb, and bids me tell thee, Genghis,
Thou art my conqueror, but not my king:
Were Zamti born thy subject, he had been
Most faithful to thee: I have sacrificed
My son, and thinkest thou I can fear to die?
genghis.
[To the guard.
Away with him.
idame.
O stay.
genghis.