_Bend._ Night wastes apace; when, when will he appear!
_Ham._ He only waits your summons.
_Bend._ Haste their coming.
Let secrecy and silence be enjoined
In their close march. What news from the lieutenant?
_Ham._ I left him at the gate, firm to your interest,
To admit the townsmen at their first appearance.
_Bend._ Thus far 'tis well: Go, hasten Mustapha. [_Exit_ HAMET.
_Enter_ ORCHAN, _the third Servant._
O, Orchan, did I think thy diligence
Would lag behind the rest!--What from the Mufti?
_Orc._ I sought him round his palace; made inquiry
Of all the slaves; in short, I used your name,
And urged the importance home; but had for answer,
That, since the shut of evening, none had seen him.
_Bend._ O the curst fate of all conspiracies!
They move on many springs; if one but fail,
The restiff machine stops. In an ill hour he's absent;
'Tis the first time, and sure will be the last,
That e'er a Mufti was not in the way,
When tumults and rebellion should be broached.
Stay by me; thou art resolute and faithful;
I have employment worthy of thy arm. [_Walks._
_Enter_ MULEY-ZEYDAN.
_Mul. Zeyd._ You see me come, impatient of my hopes,
And eager as the courser for the race:
Is all in readiness?
_Bend._ All but the Mufti.
_Mul. Zeyd._ We must go on without him.
_Bend._ True, we must;
For 'tis ill stopping in the full career,
Howe'er the leap be dangerous and wide.
Pages:
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437