The tragedy of Mustapha, the son of Solyman the Magnificent written by the Right Honourable the Earl of Orrery.

THE THIRD ACT.

Enter Mustapha, Rustan, Pyrrhus.

Rust.

TIS, Sir, the Sultans will to have it so.

Must.

Toward's Syria! and to morrow must I go? The order is severe, and I am sent, Not to a fair retreat, but banishment. My memory is ill if I have done Ought that should make a Father hate a Son.

Rust.

Great Sir, take heed lest you his kindness blame, He sends you not to exile, but to fame; His Asian Armies will be led by you: Whilst he the West, you must the East subdue: Since for high valour and for conduct too, The publick voice allows that each of you Is for the spacious worlds whole Conquest fit, Why here should both subdue but part of it?

Must.

You hold me up too high when I am prais'd, I like a Meteor waste by being rais'd; I am already by my Friends undone, Praising the little Battels I have won; And I the Persians should subdue in vain, Losing a Father when I Persia gain.

Pyrrh.

Your Father this distemper should approve, Since you but jealous are of him you love.

Rust.

If his displeasure hastens you away, Do not increase it by desire to stay; Or if his jealous love sent this command, Yet do not inconvenient love withstand.

Pyrrh.

Which way soever you consider it, You should approve his orders and submit.

Must.

I'm debter to you both; leave me a while That I may grief and duty reconcile.

Rust.

You'l be defended against all offence, Adding but patience to your innocence.

Exeunt Rustan, Pyrrhus.

Enter Zanger observing him.

Must.

Fortune did never in one day design For any heart, four torments great as mine; I to my Friend and Brother Rival am; She, who did kindle, would put out my flame;

I from my Fathers anger must remove, And that does banish me from her I love; If, of these Four, the least a burden be, Oh how shall I support the other three?

Zang.

Can my dear Mustapha a grief admit, And not let Zanger know the cause of it?

Must.

I having Zangers Friendship how could Fate Destroy my peace but by my Fathers hate? Time does too long with the afflicted last, But now in my affliction moves too fast; To morrow from to day will quickly grow, And I to morrow must tow'rds Syria go, Unless your pow'r with Roxolana can Revoke the order sent by Solyman.

Zang.

Depart to morrow! no, let time run on; My Mother stays, and you are yet not gone. Sir, are you not of Zangers friendship sure? And can you mourn for ills which he may cure? But why do you aloud your grief deplore, When I am silent, though I suffer more? If by your foes you are to Syria sent, You'l there in Armies gain by Banishment: Persia, not you, th' event of this should fear, Since by that hatred which does send you there You will prevail as Victor of the field; But Love stays me, where like his slave I yield.

Must.

The highest glory conquest can bestow I would not purchase by my leaving you.

Zang.

To any Deity, but Love, men come With open glory to their Martyrdom; But I must perish and conceal my flame, As if to be his Martyr were a shame.

Must.

Yet no affliction, Zanger, can transcend The grief of being banish'd from a Friend.

Zang.

My grief much greater is, whilst I remain Near her I love, and am not lov'd again, Oh my dear Mustapha! when you have seen The Tears and Beauties of th'Hungarian Queen; Her Tears forbidding whom her Eyes invite, Whilst she appears the joy and grief of fight; Whilst empty hope does rise but to decline; Then you will think your sorrows less then mine.

Must.

Alas! you saw not more then I did see; She who did conquer you, ha's conquer'd me; And now I may my grief to yours prefer, Since I am banish'd both from you and her▪

Zang.

Ha! Did you see her, Sir, and see her so, That from my friend you did my Rival grow?

You made your visit in a fatal hour.

Must.

You know her eyes▪ and can you doubt their power In blaming me you will detract from them; As those who do the conquer'd much condemn, Do then disparage him who overcame; Since all may yield to Worthies without shame▪ None could her force resist, and how could I Then chuse but yield? for none can from her flye.

Zang.

Though we but seldom the subdu'd condemn When we the Victors conduct much esteem; Yet they are less excus'd if they did know, From others harms, the forces of the Foe.

Must.

If, Zanger, freedom of confession may The anger due to an offence allay, Then I acknowledge I my visit made, That from your Love I might the Queen disswade; Yet 'twas in fear, lest whilst you did pursue Your Love your Mother might abandon you: But if you had beheld that breaking light, Which like a sudden dawn surpriz'd my sight, Love would have seem'd 'gainst friendship a less sin, Then not to love against her eyes had been; I struggl'd much e're I his Fetters wore; But that resistance show'd her power the more; And where resistance could not conquest stay, It was discretion quickly to obey.

Zang.

Yet we may just to one another prove; You are the Heir to Empire, I to Love; You as the Eldest may the Scepter bear, You first the world did see, I first saw her; And as I no invasion would design Against your right, so you should leave me mine.

Must.

If by meer sight we may possession take, How vain is that long Love which Lovers make? None but the sleepy can their fortune doubt; Men need but rise betimes and look about: But she must be by merits claim possest, And he who loves her most, deserves her best.

Zang.

Deserves her! This all injuries exceeds; Her, by your words you wrong, me by your deeds; He of her Love unworthy does appear, Who does but think that he can merit her; It may of her, ev'n as of Heaven be said, Which, though attain'd, is never merited; If loving her can any merit be, Who is the man that dares contend with me?

Must.

I am the man who silence all that boast How much they love; for I love more and most;

And will not such a wretched Lover be, As meerly to depend on courtesie. He who declares that he no merit has, Then when he loves, does heedlesly disgrace Her whom he thinks he highly does prefer, By saying, that no Love can merit her; As if her Vertue could not soon improve To her own value all that dare make Love. Love makes both sexes equal and but one; A Cottage-Lover may deserve a Throne. Love is, like Valour, still improv'd by praise, And whilst I thus Love's merit highly raise: I would not the rewards of it destroy; The beauty whom I love I must enjoy.

Zang.

Did ever Love assume a shape like this? Or Passion talk with such an Emphasis? Your sence of Banishment does dang'rous grow, It sends your reason from you e're you go.

Must.

Zanger, you may my Banishment approve, Because my absence may promote your Love.

Zang.

Affliction makes men wise, but seldom vain: You fear your absence more than her disdain. The Empress strait still in your cause appear, And get you License to continue here; And since you height of Love as merit boast, Make good your claim by daring to love most.

Must.

What destiny ordain'd me to contend Against so brave a Rival and a Friend? And yet my passion I must still pursue: Let Love which makes my fault, excuse it too.

Exeunt several wayes.

Enter Solyman, Rustan, Pyrrhus.

Soly.

Were my Commands with such surprize receiv'd?

Pyrrh.

He seem'd as much amaz'd as he was griev'd.

Rust.

Wonder and grief did his condition fit, Though each did seem to th' other opposite; Wonder inferr'd he knew not his offence, But so much grief disgrac'd his innocenc••.

Pyrrh.

Yet grieving for a punishment from you, He does but pay that sorrow which is due.

Rust.

When your dislike does up to anger climb, You reach too high for an intended crime; Such grief as his no fiction could admit.

Soly.

I may believe he did not counterfeit; For having on my stage begun his part, I call'd him off e're he could show his Art.

Rust.

Can he, who is so highly born and bred, Walk under ground, and be by Traytors led?

Soly.

From ha••mless Child-hood I with render care Did breed him up to all the harms of War; I taught him, that unguarded innocence Serv'd but to tempt the powerful to offence; That none are safe from wrongs, but when so strong As alwaies to be able to do wrong; That only valour is true faith, and those Do most trust Heav'n who alwaies life expose; I taught him Vertue, and to love her so As tame Philosophers durst never do; Enduring for her sake the pangs of power, And all the toyls that make a Conquerour: Fo•• none but Chiefs who firmly these endure, Can reach such pow'r as may the good secure: I taught him such a greatness as might be From all the yokes of Subjects counsel free: None but our Prophet Empire understood, Which, when 'tis bounded, ceases to be good; His Sword did two Usurping Saints devour; Forbidding ev'n the Saints to share his power: He blest Heav'ns King who Monarchy first made, And prais'd him cause he no companion had. All this I taught my Son; but when we give Our young Successours counsel how to live, They are in haste, thinking we do them wrong, And we their lives mis-spend when we live long.

Enter Roxolana.

Rox.

Forgive me, Sultan, if I boldly sue In Natures cause between your Son and you; Those orders which to Mustapha you sent, His filial kindness takes for Banishment, When you your Successours so far remove, Reason may make him jealous of your Love; I'le answer for the kindness of his grief, And you'l want pity if he wants relief.

Soly.

Alas! 'tis far above a Womans art To reach the height of an aspiring heart: He who by craft, my Armies love procures, Can never want the cunning to gain yours.

Rox.

Seduce your Armies love! no humane skill Can do it, and, I hope, he wants the will.

Soly.

The Nations whom I lead will not seem strange, If they, like other Nations long for change; For men of what they have soon weary grow, When they the utmost value of it know;

And long to change plain things, which they possess; For that which hope does gild with promises.

Rox.

Be to your self and to your Army just: You should their love and your own merit trust. Prodigious jealousie, how can it shoot And spring to such a height without a root?

Soly.

It may a wh••le be hidden from your eye; For roots are deepest where the trees are high. Rustan and Pyrrhus can direct your sight; But they a Curtain draw before the light.

Rox.

Perhaps they find what they are loth to see; Vertue in others may offensive be To some, who when it is to lustre grown Are jealous that it may Eclipse their own. Sultan, no Curtain can be drawn so wide, That it the Sun can from the people hide: The world is full of Mustapha's renown.

Rust.

Yet we offend in telling what is known.

Rox.

You injure him whose vertues you conceal▪

Rust.

We need not shew what does it self reveal.

Soly.

I tax them not that they his Vertue hide, But they conceal the danger of his pride: His race of glory is too soon begun.

Rox.

None blame the early rising of the Sun, Not wish for Clouds his lustre to disgrace.

Soly.

But if he shines too fully in my face, I'le draw a Curtain and his lustre hide; His glory shall not make me turn aside. The shining Mustapha must change his Sphear; He threatens me worse than a Comet here.

Rox.

Can Solyman by those forsaken be Whom he so often led to Victory?

Soly.

They by the many Battels I have won, Think all the stock of my success is gone: Though fortune often grac'd me in the field, And many favours hung upon my shield; Yet now cold looks men to my winter bring, Whilst they rejoyce at my Successour's spring: Fortune they think is to his youth in debt, And what she pays to him they hope to get.

Rox.

Though glory may a while his youth mis-guide, Yet he has duty to correct his pride, Nature does give him counsel against this.

Soly.

Pride is more natural then duty is; Duty is only taught by care and Art, Pride is by nature planted in the heart: He who to Empire hastily aspires, Is only counsell'd by his own desires;

And thinks all crimes which help him to a Crown Are then absolv'd when he does put it on.

Rox.

I fear you have discover'd more then I Discern'd, who on your judgement must rely; Therefore, in care of you, I beg he may For a few dayes have liberty to stay: That license is to narrow time confin'd: If he has any publick crime design'd, He must by many hands assisted be: Crouds are inconstant and want secresie: If guilty, why should you his death delay? If innocent, he then may safely stay: Your anger ought to kill where it does touch; His Exile is too little or too much.

Pyrrh.

When in few dayes this secret shall look out, Punish his crime, or else suppress his doubt.

Rust.

Be pleas'd t' allow what th' Empress does advise, And seem to wink, whilst we imploy our Spies; Your doubts will just appear, or quickly cease, Excuse your anger, or restore your peace: Let not the Prince, whilst thus suspected flie Beyond the reach and terrour of your eye.

Soly.

Go, I'le consider e're I change his doom; I'le reckon what is past, and what may come. Oh Roxolana! Fate in vain bestows

Exeunt Ru∣stan, Pyrrhus.

Continual Conquests o're my open Foes; Whilst it a tumult raises in my brest, Fiercer than all those Wars I have supprest. Justice perswades what nature fain would shun. Pity a father who must hare his Son.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Queen and Zanger.

Zang.

He who can all his love contain in words, Has such a heart as little love affords.

Queen.

He has too much for those who none return: You know my sorrow, and for whom I mourn: From such a guilty person you should flie As does the duty want by grief to die.

Zang.

I would not in my wishes covet more Then to change fates with him whom you deplore: You crown'd him with your love when he did live, And to his death your life in sorrow give. But, Madam, why will you so highly grieve, For one more happy dead, than I who live? You are in this unjuster then your Fate, Wasting your sorrows on the fortunate.

Heav'n did his death design to make it known That you a blessing are too great for one. The Christian world did to your beauty bow, Which o're our larger world must govern now.

Queen.

In pity and in prudence, Sir, forbear, To speak what my discretion should not hear.

Zang.

Lovers high thoughts to wonders are inclin'd; And boundless thoughts suit not with speech confin'd. I wonder much how he, whom you bemoan, Having your love, could not defend your Throne; And how by any force he was supprest, Whilst with the influ'ence of your favour blest. But, Madam, now his losses you repair, For you revenge all his defeats in War; Fate did deny his Sword success in fight, Only by that to do your beauty right.

Queen.

Your raising me by your depressing him, May find my hatred seeking my esteem.

Enter Mustapha.

Zang.

Ha! I employ'd my Mother for his stay, And Rival-like he hastens me away; But I'm past hope, and need no Rival fear.

Must.

This visit without leave may rude appear: Yet, Madam, when you shall vouchsafe to know That I to morrow must tow'rds Syria go; Th' opininion of my rudeness you'l re-call: I must attend you now or not at all. Think on a Lovers sorrow, who removes From seeing and from serving what he loves; Whilst he suspects those blessings are design'd For a more happy Rival left behind; Do but allow your pity to allay That sorrow which your love might take away.

Zang.

Madam, if this request successful be Then I shall need your pity more than he: I am destroy'd if this be not deny'd, For pity is to love too near ally'd. Loves wounds are safe when of your pity sure; The wounds you pity you desire to cure.

Must.

Your love does make you cruel when you plead Against that pity which your Friend does need.

Zang.

Your Love in high injustice does delight, Pleading to get your Friend's and Brother's right.

Must.

You have declar'd that Love no right can show But what a Mistress freely does bestow.

Zang.

As of the fair new world he claim'd a right Who chanc'd to have it first within his sight;

So, since to me she did the first appear, I claim the right of a Discoverer.

Must.

The first Discov'rer only saw the shore; The second claim'd possession seeing more. In your first seeing, and then loving her, The favour of your fortune did appear, Not greatness of your love; for all, like you, Having but eyes to see, would love her too. You but the beauty of her face did find; I made the rich discovery of her mind. You of the borders of Elizium boast, Her mind is all the Inland to that Coast. I by a second voyage finding more Of beauty then was ever found before; More in it to be lov'd and worshipp'd too, Must therefore love her more then you can do.

Zang.

Amongst the Priests of Love there Casuists be, Who Love's Religion vex with Sophystry; But I for sacrifice bring such a heart As Nature offers in disdain of Art.

Queen.

Princes no more. You both but vainly strive To be possest of what I should not give; That which I should not give, you should not take, Nor prize my Love when Duty I forsake: It is in me impiety to stay. Detain not whom the dead does call away.

She offers to go out, Zanger stays her.

Zang.

Stay, Madam. When the Clouds of grief are gone, Which cannot darken long so bright a Sun, Let Zanger in his love so happy be That none may happier prove in yours then he: If you to any others suit incline Then my Successours Love disgraces mine. This is not envy, but does rather show I prize my love because 'tis given to you.

Must.

True Friendship, Madam, cannot yield to this; If you reject my Love, accept of his; Next to your Love the blessing I would chuse Is that my Friend may gain what I must lose.

Zang.

I am amaz'd at what you seem to do; Let me not bear Loves wounds and Friendships too.

Must.

Only those Lovers should be counted true Who Beauties int'rest, not their own pursue; Who nobly would, when by their fortune crost, Have others get what to themselves is lost. None but the Fiends can wish Heav'n empty were Because they cannot get possession there.

Zang.

This gallantry does reconcile in you The utmost of revenge and friendship too;

Revenge appears most sensible and high In placing favours on an Enemy. Forgive me if that style I undergo; He who a Rival is, is then a Foe. Friendship till now did ne're so high ascend As to endure a Rival in a Friend. In one bright Sphear we may together move, Whilst you excel in Friendship, I in Love. But having paid what to my Love was due, Let me discharge my debt of Friendship too. Madam, I thus would expiate my crime; That which he beg'd for me I beg for him. Tracing his steps how can I surer tread? I'le follow Vertue which I should have led.

Queen.

This which you Beauty call so much offends, When it does Rivals make of two such friends, That I, by drowning it, will give relief To your unequall'd Friendship and my grief.

[She weeps.

Zang.

Against that Beauty why should you repine Which makes our Friendship with such lustre shine?

Must.

You wrong the world when you your beauty wrong; That and the Sun to all the world belong.

Queen.

My grief is greater then I should endure; I'le flye from wounds I make and cannot cure.

Exit, and they gaze after

Must.

Oh, Zanger, look not after her so long! Through all her clouds her lustre is too strong.

Zang.

As courage of weak Towns, in their defence Against strong Armies, is held insolence, So I, resisting Fate in this assault, May make ev'n fortitude become a fault.

Enter Achmat, and whispers Zanger.

Achm.

The Empress, Sir, commanded me to say She has prevail'd, and Mustapha shall stay.

Zang.

Leave us, we shall her pleasure strait attend.

[Exit. Achmat.

Must.

What froward message does my fortune send?

Zang.

Sir, you are timely eas'd of half your fear. My Mother says that you shall tarry here. Since I have this procur'd you may allow Your self to think that I will keep my vow. I have in Friendship vow'd not to survive The fatal day on which you cease to live. And 'tis a work more difficult and high To help a Rival then it is to dye.

Must.

I know you'l keep your vow; and I some sign Have giv'n that I shall faithful prove to mine.

I vow'd, if by succession I should gain Th' Imperial Scepter, you should with me reign. And since in Love's nice int'rest I comply (Whose Empire is secur'd by jealousie, And where each Lover strives to rule alone) I can admit a Rival in my Throne.

[They Embrace, Exeunt.

Enter Thuracus, Viche, Cleora.

Viche.

Ha! Will she leave the Camp? who can prepare Counsel for changes which so sudden are?

Thur.

My Lord, her resolution must seem strange; But, as 'tis sudden, so it soon may change: She did by me a second offer make; Urging the Empress instantly to take The keys of Buda, our revolting Town; Hoping by quitting that to keep the Crown.

Viche.

What was the answer which the Empress made?

Thur.

She summon'd all the glory that she had; Then said, she would not from the Queen receive A Present till she could a greater give. And then declar'd, her Sultan ought and must Esteem that faith which did his honour trust; That he by conquest should proceed no more; And what his glory took it should restore.

Enter Cardinal, and Queen.

Cleora.

The Cardinal seems thoughtful, and the Queen Does feel more sorrow then she would have seen.

Exeunt Thuracus, Viche, Cleora,

Card.

But when pursu'd will you from refuge run, And Sanctuaries shut against your Son? Your Infant, whilst from proffer'd love you flye, Must meet the hatred of your Enemy. Rustan has long your Royal house abhorr'd; And he is now to former pow'r restor'd: The storm which from the Empress he endur'd Has his foundation try'd and strength secur'd.

Queen.

When you the Princes proffer'd loves commend You seem to Empire, not to me, a Friend: And when your King I in his Grave forsake, I lose more love then you would have me take.

Card.

Be taught by Nature; she forsakes the Dead; Your precious Tears you but on ashes shed, Which now an Urn keeps sacred, but they must By wand'ring Winds be blown with common dust. Nature does turn her looks from Death's ill Face; Where ruine does not Natures strength disgrace,

But by the slightness of man's Fabrick shows (Which time ev'n with a touch soon overthrows) That she made flowr's intending they should fade; And Mourners erre when Nature they upbraid. It is at once Idolatry and Pride To place on Altars what she throws aside. Love only to the living does belong: Loving the dead you all the living wrong; And both betray and lose love's int'rest when You love the dead who cannot love agen.

Queen.

But is there to the dead no sorrow due?

Card.

What useful is grows only fit for you. Grieve not for one made useless being gone; But favour those who may restore your Throne.

Queen.

Since both the Princes do alike pretend, VVhich to my favour will you most commend? If I must Love, and shall be taught by you▪ I cannot, sure, be counsell'd to love two.

Card.

But you may favour both, and may disguise Or shew your Love as int'rest shall advise.

Queen.

I cannot int'rest by such arts improve, Seeming to favour whom I do not Love: Nor with two Faces severally invite From both what I in neither can requite.

Card.

Yet do not both for want of loving lose; But suddenly consider which to chuse. In gainging Zanger you the Empress gain; But Mustapha must by succession reign.

Queen.

Each is sufficient to restore my Throne. But, whilst for Empire you are studious grown, You nothing for the other world prepare. My Lord, take Heav'n a little in your care. How can I ought of Love from Princes hear, VVho scorn those Altars where I kneel with fear?

Card.

They their Religion did by Conquest make; And will no Rules but from their conqu'rors take. If they, till taught, can never truth discern They must be conquer'd to be made to learn: And since no Pow'r but Love can them subdue, Madam, they must be overcome by you. But she who will o'recome in Love's fair field Must by her yielding make her Lover yield.

Queen.

My Lord, your Purple Robe has study'd well. Must I this way convert an Infidel?

Card.

Love is perswasive and will soonest teach.

Queen.

They both can to the top of Empire reach, But cannot soar to our Religions height.

Card.

By trusting Mustapha you'l teach him Faith▪

Enter Cleora.

Cleora.

My Lord, Prince Mustapha is in your Tent.

Card.

Madam, my thoughts are with true duty bent To serve your Throne. Do not kind Fortune lose When she presents you two great Lotts to chuse.

[Exit Cardinal.

Queen.

Without a Clue I'm in a lab'rynth left: And where even Hope is of her Eyes bereft, With Noble Zanger Mustapha contends, They strive as Rivals and they yield as Friends: I injure one if I the other chuse; And keeping either I the Sultan lose. Flying from both I from my refuge run; And by my staying shall destroy my Son. Them for their false Religion I eschew Though I have found their Vertue ever true. And when Religion sends my thoughts above, This Card'nal calls them down and talks of Love. And simple Love (which does as little know State-int'rest as Religion ought to do) He would, bold with Ambition lead through all The dark and crooked walks where Serpents crawl. His Priests to what he counsels gravely bow; Whilst other Priests condemn what those allow: Those would by Pious craft r••store our loss; These scorn the Crescent should redeem the Cross. Zeal against Policy maintains debate; Heav'n gets the better now, and now the State. The Learned do by turns the Learn'd confute, Yet all depart unalter'd by dispute. The Priestly Office cannot be deny'd; It wears Heav'ns Liv'ry and is made our Guide. But why should we be punish'd if we stray, When all our Guides dispute which is the way?