CALI. 
Let prudence, ere the suit be farther urg’d,
Impartial weigh the pleasure with the danger. 
A little longer, and she’s thine for ever.

DEMETRIUS. 
Prudence and love conspire in this request,
Lest, unacquainted with our bold attempt,
Surprise o’erwhelm her, and retard our flight.

CALI. 
What I can grant, you cannot ask in vain—­

DEMETRIUS. 
I go to wait thy call; this kind consent
Completes the gift of freedom and of life. [Exit Dem.

SCENE IV.

CALI, ABDALLA.

ABDALLA. 
And this is my reward—­to burn, to languish,
To rave, unheeded; while the happy Greek,
The refuse of our swords, the dross of conquest,
Throws his fond arms about Aspasia’s neck,
Dwells on her lips, and sighs upon her breast. 
Is’t not enough, he lives by our indulgence,
But he must live to make his masters wretched?

CALI. 
What claim hast thou to plead?

ABDALLA. 
The claim of pow’r,
Th’ unquestion’d claim of conquerors and kings!

CALI. 
Yet, in the use of pow’r, remember justice.

ABDALLA. 
Can then th’ assassin lift his treach’rous hand
Against his king, and cry, remember justice? 
Justice demands the forfeit life of Cali;
Justice demands, that I reveal your crimes;
Justice demands—­but see th’ approaching sultan! 
Oppose my wishes, and—­remember justice.

CALI. 
Disorder sits upon thy face—­retire.

[Exit Abdalla; enter Mahomet.

SCENE V.

CALI, MAHOMET.

CALI. 
Long be the sultan bless’d with happy love! 
My zeal marks gladness dawning on thy cheek,
With raptures, such as fire the pagan crowds,
When, pale and anxious for their years to come,
They see the sun surmount the dark eclipse,
And hail, unanimous, their conqu’ring god.

MAHOMET. 
My vows, ’tis true, she hears with less aversion;
She sighs, she blushes, but she still denies.

CALI. 
With warmer courtship press the yielding fair: 
Call to your aid, with boundless promises,
Each rebel wish, each traitor inclination,
That raises tumults in the female breast,
The love of pow’r, of pleasure, and of show.

MAHOMET. 
These arts I try’d, and, to inflame her more,
By hateful business hurried from her sight,
I bade a hundred virgins wait around her,
Sooth her with all the pleasures of command,
Applaud her charms, and court her to be great.

[Exit Mahomet.

SCENE VI.

CALI, solus.