Soliman.
Ah! was he so? how durst thou then, ungracious councillor,
First cause me murder such a worthy man,
And after tempt so virtuous a woman?
Be this therefore the last that e'er thou speak.
Janissaries, take him straight unto the block;
Off with his head, and suffer him not to speak.
[Exit Brusor.
And now, Perseda, here I lay me down,
And on thy beauty still contemplate,
Until mine eyes shall surfeit by my gazing.
But stay, let me see what paper is this.
[Then he takes up a paper, and reads in it as followeth—
Tyrant, my lips were sauc'd[431] with deadly poison,
To plague thy heart that is so full of poison.
What, am I poison'd? Then, Janissaries,
Let me see Rhodes recover'd ere I die.
Soldiers, assault the town on ev'ry side;
Spoil all, kill all; let none escape your fury.
[Sound an alarm to the fight.
Say, Captain, is Rhodes recovered again?
Captain.
It is, my lord, and stoops to Soliman.