idame.
Strike, my lord.
zamti.
I shudder at the thought.
idame.
O cruel Zamti,
Strike here, and then—
zamti.
I will—now follow me.
[Attempts to stab himself
idame.
[Laying hold of his arm
You must not—here, my lord—
SCENE VI.
genghis, octar, idame, zamti.
Guards.
genghis.
O heaven! disarm him.
[Guards disarm him.
What would ye do?
idame.
We would have freed ourselves
From misery and thee.
zamti.
Thou wilt not envy us
The privilege to die.
genghis.
Indeed I will:
O power supreme, thou witness of my wrongs
And of my weakness, thou who hast subdued
So many kings for me, shall I at last
Be worthy of thy goodness?—Zamti, thou
Still triumphest o’er me; she whom I adored,
Thy wife, had rather die by thy loved hand
Than live with Genghis: but ye both shall learn
To bear my yoke, perhaps yet more.
idame.
What sayest thou?
zamti.
For what new scene of inhumanity
Are we reserved?
idame.
Why is our fate concealed?
genghis.
Be not impatient; ye shall know it soon.
Ye’ve done me ample justice, be it mine
Now to return it: I admire you both;
You have subdued me, and I blush to sit
On Cathay’s throne, whilst there are souls like yours
So much above me; vainly have I tried
By glorious deeds to build myself a name
Among the nations; you have humbled me,
And I would equal you: I did not know
That mortals could be masters of themselves;
That greatest glory I have learned from you:
I am not what I was; to you I owe
The wondrous change; I come to reunite,
To save, and to protect you: watch, Idame,
Your prince’s tender years; to thee I give
The precious charge, by right of conquest mine;
Hereafter I will be a father to him:
At length you may confide in Genghis; once
I was a conqueror, now I am a king.
[To Zamti.
Zamti, be thou our law’s interpreter,
And make the world as good and pure as thou art;
Teach reason, justice, and morality,
And let the conquered rule the conquerors;
Let wisdom reign, and still direct our valor;
Let prudence triumph over strength; her king
Will set the example, and your conqueror
Henceforth shall be obedient to your law.
idame.
What do I hear?
zamti.
Thou art indeed our king,
And we shall bless thy sway.
idame.
What could inspire
This great design, and work this change?
genghis.
Thy virtues.
End of the Fifth and Last Act.
BRUTUS
SCENE I.
SCENE I.
SCENE I.
SCENE