The Works of David Mallet Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1759 Excerpt: ... foe. Mufti. Mufti. '.. % i / Ha say'st thou?--Mustapha the favorite soa Of our redoubted lord his eldest hope Sole pledge the bright Circassian left his fondness How will she root him from a father's love, Who holds him dear for virtues that renown, And dignify himself? The prince has fought His battles with success: and is siistain'd By troops that know his worth; that idolize His fame and fortune. Rustan. Thou hast flrmm'd his crimes. These are, with reason are, the mighty object Of Roxolana's hate. But would'st thou know, How she may drive him from his father's bosom? This boasted courage she admires exalts With all th' insidious lavishness of praise, And will applaud the stripling into ruin Mufti. Such foes indeed most surely aim their blow, Who praife to wound, and honor to destroy. Rustan. My influence waits on hers. You know she gave Her daughter to my bed. Whate'er I hold, Or grasp in distant hope, is hers alone: And, as my fairest fortunes, all my aims With hers are blended intimate and deep. If Mustapha succeeds his royal sire, She falls for ever sinks from what she is, Empress and consort os unbounded sway, Dower'd and declar'd so--sinks into a slave Her sons too--can a parent bear the thought? Her sons must bleed Her blooming Zanger sirst, Child of her love, a certain victim falls To that dire policy, which founds the throne Of each ascending prince in brother's blood. She must destroy, or perish. In such case, Necessity is justice. Mufti. True, my lord. Custom, the deity of half mankind, All-powerful o'er the soul, on whom opinion Waits with obsequious blindness, hath made sacred Such dreadful deeds; and bids our eastern world Hold them in venerable estimation. This, to your purpos'd vengeance, may give sanction: But what will give s...