Muf. It cannot be;
For matrimony being the dearest point
Of law, the people have it all by heart: 
A cheat on procreation will not pass. 
Besides, [In a higher tone.] the offence is so exorbitant,
To mingle with a misbelieving race,
That speedy vengeance would pursue your crime,
And holy Mahomet launch himself from heaven,
Before the unready thunderbolts were formed.
                          [Emperor, taking him by the throat with one
                           hand, snatches out his sword with the
                           other, and points it to his breast.

Emp. Slave, have I raised thee to this pomp and power,
To preach against my will?—­Know, I am law;
And thou, not Mahomet’s messenger but mine!—­
Make it, I charge thee, make my pleasure lawful;
Or, first, I strip thee of thy ghostly greatness,
Then send thee post to tell thy tale above. 
And bring thy vain memorials to thy prophet,
Of justice done below for disobedience.

Muf. For heaven’s sake hold!—­The respite of a moment!—­ To think for you—­

Emp. And for thyself.

Muf. For both.

Bend. Disgrace, and death, and avarice, have lost him! [Aside.

Muf. ’Tis true, our law forbids to wed a Christian;
But it forbids you not to ravish her. 
You have a conqueror’s right upon your slave;
And then the more despite you do a Christian,
You serve the prophet more, who loathes that sect.

Emp. O, now it mends; and you talk reason, Mufti.—­
But, stay!  I promised freedom to Sebastian;
Now, should I grant it, his revengeful soul
Would ne’er forgive his violated bed.

Muf. Kill him; for then you give him liberty:  His soul is from his earthly prison freed.

Emp. How happy is the prince who has a churchman, So learned and pliant, to expound his laws!

Bend. Two things I humbly offer to your prudence.

Emp. Be brief, but let not either thwart my love.

Bend. First, since our holy man has made rape lawful,
Fright her with that; Proceed not yet to force: 
Why should you pluck the green distasteful fruit
From the unwilling bough,
When it may ripen of itself, and fall?

Emp. Grant her a day; though that’s too much to give Out of a life which I devote to love.

Bend. Then, next, to bar All future hopes of her desired Sebastian, Let Dorax be enjoined to bring his head.

Emp. [To the Mufti.] Go, Mufti, call him to receive his orders.—­ [Exit Mufti. I taste thy counsel; her desires new roused, And yet unslaked, will kindle in her fancy, And make her eager to renew the feast.

Bend. [Aside.] Dorax, I know before, will disobey: 
There’s a foe’s head well cropped.—­
But this hot love precipitates my plot,
And brings it to projection ere its time.