Keep. He will speak as soon as he sees me—he has sent a petition to the Sultan about his father, and never fails to inquire if a reply is come. [They approach—Elvirus starts, and comes forward]
Elv. [To Haswell] Sir, do you come from the Court? has the Sultan received my humble supplication? Can you tell?—softly—let not my father hear you speak.
Has. I come but as a stranger, to see the prison.
Elv. No answer yet, keeper?
Keep. No—I told you it was in vain to write—they never read petitions sent from prisons—their hearts are hardened to such worn-out tales of sorrow.
[Elvirus turns towards his Father and weeps.
Has. Pardon me, Sir—but what is the request you are thus denied?
Elv. Behold my father! but three months has he been confined here; and yet—unless he breathes a purer air—O, if you have influence at Court, Sir, pray represent what passes in this dreary prison—what passes in my heart.——My supplication is to remain a prisoner here, while my father, released, shall be permitted to retire to humble life; and never more take arms in a cause the Sultan may suspect—which engagement broken, my life shall be the forfeit.—Or if the Sultan wou'd allow me to serve him as a soldier—
Has. You would fight against the party your father fought for?
Elv. [Starting.] No—but in the forests—or on the desert sands—amongst those slaves who are sent to battle with the wild Indians—there I wou'd go—and earn the boon I ask——or in the mines—