SCENE I. _The Prison.

Haswell _and the female Prisoner discovered_.

_Haswell._ Rather remain in this loathsome prison!--refuse the blessing offered you!--the blessing your pleased fancy formed so precious you durst not even trust its reality!

_Pris._ No--while my pleased _fancy_ only saw the prospect, I own it was delightful; but now reason beholds it within my reach, the view is changed--and what, in the gay dream of fond delirium, seemed a blessing, in my waking hours of sad reflection would prove the most severe of punishments.

_Has._ Explain--what is the cause that makes you think thus?

_Pris._ A cause that has alone for fourteen years made me resigned to a fate like this.--When you first mentioned my release from this drear place, my wild ideas included, with the light, all that had ever made the light a blessing--'twas not the _sun_ I saw in my mad transport, but a lost husband filled my roving fancy--'twas his idea that gave the colours of the world their beauty, and made me fondly hope to grasp its sweets.

_Has._ A husband!

_Pris._ But the world that I was wont to enjoy with him--to see again without him--every well-known object would wound my mind with dear remembrances for ever lost, and make my freedom torture.

_Has._ But yet----

_Pris._ Oh! on my knees a thousand times I have thanked Heaven that _he_ partook not of this dire abode--that he shared not with me my hard usage!--a greater blessing I possess'd from that, than all his loved society cou'd have given--but in a happy world, where smiling nature pours her boundless gifts!--oh! there his loss wou'd be unsufferable.

_Has._ Do you lament him dead?

_Pris._ Yes--or, like me, a prisoner--else he wou'd have sought me out--have sought his Arabella!--[Haswell _starts_.]--Why do you start?

_Has._ Are you a Christian?--an European?

_Ara._ I am.

_Has._ The name made me suppose it.--I am shocked that----the Christian's sufferings--[_Trying to conceal his surprise._]--but were you made a prisoner in the _present_ Sultan's reign?

_Ara._ Yes, or I had been set free on his ascent to the throne; for he gave pardon to all the enemies of the slain monarch: but I was taken in a vessel, where I was hurried in the heat of the battle with a party of the late Emperor's friends--and all the prisoners were by the officers of the present Sultan sent to slavery, or confined, as I have been, in hopes of ransom from their friends.

_Has._ And did never intelligence or inquiry reach you from your husband?

_Ara._ Never.

_Has._ Never?

_Ara._ I once was informed of a large reward for the discovery of a female Christian, and, with boundless hopes, asked an interview with the messenger; but found, on inquiry, _I_ could not answer his description, as he _secretly_ informed me it was the Sultan who made the search for one _he himself_ had known and dearly loved.

_Has._ Good Heaven!--[_Aside._]--You then conclude your husband dead?

_Ara._ I do;--or, like me, by some mischance, taken with the other party, and having no friend to plead his cause before the Emperor, whom he served----

_Has._ _I_'ll plead it--should I ever chance to find him--but, ere we can hope for other kindness, you must appear before the Sultan--thank him for the favour which you now decline, and tell the cause why you cannot accept it.

_Ara._ Alas! almost worn out with sorrow--an object of affliction as I am--in pity, excuse me--present my thanks--my humble gratitude--but pardon my attendance.

_Has._ Nay, you must go--it is necessary--I will accompany you to him.--Retire a moment; but when I send, be ready.

_Ara._ I shall obey. [_She bows obediently, and exit._

[_As_ Haswell _comes down_, Elvirus _places himself in his path_--Haswell _stops, looks at him with an austere earnestness, which_ Elvirus _observing, turns away his face_.

_Elv._ Nay, reproach me--I can bear your anger, but do not let me meet your eye--Oh! it is more awful, now I know who you are, than if you had kingdoms to disperse, or could deal instant death.--[Haswell _looks on him with a manly firmness, then walks on_, Elvirus _following him_.]--I do not plead for my father now.--Since what has passed, I only ask forgiveness.

_Has._ Do you forgive yourself?

_Elv._ I never will.

_Enter_ Keeper.

_Keep._ One of our prisoners, who, in his cell, makes the most pitious moans, has sent to entreat that Mr. Haswell will not leave this place till he has heard his complaints and supplications.

_Has._ Bring me to him. [_Going._

_Elv._ Nay, leave me not thus--perhaps never to see you more!----

_Has._ You shall see me again--in the mean time, reflect on what you merit. [_Exit with_ Keeper.

_Elv._ And what is that?--Confusion!--and yet, he says, I am to see him again--speak with him.--Oh! there's a blessing to the most abandoned, a divine propensity (they know not why) to commune with the virtuous! [_Exit._