(Except from The Sultan’s Sergaglio by Bill Wavepike)
Act 3 : Scene 1
In the Dungeon of the Corsairs
(Enter Hasan, Chief Slave Breaker)
Hasan
Alas! That such misfortune should befall
The noble dungeon of Hasan, O Woe!
Time comes once more my duty to fulfill
And select again the maid unfortunate
Who shalt our Sultan, grim and full of wrath
Serve in chains, in silks bedecked most lovely
And take her place within his Highness’ harem.
And yet, though within this dungeon darkest
Full fifty christian maids in chains reside,
To learn with lash the slave girl’s lovely art,
Not one I dare to his Majesty show
Though each be young and nubile virgins yet.
Alas, the tortures I upon them serve
Shall be repaid tenfold upon myself,
If I should fail my dread master’s command.
(Peal of trumpets and cannon sound)
But what is this I hear through windows barred?
The cannon and trumpet loudly doth announce
The new return of my corsair brethren!
Perhaps they hath brought back some dainty prize!
And so shall prove my looked for salvation!
To the window go I and see the thing.
Aye! Tis my brother corsair Mustafa,
Captain of the fiercest Barbary Corsairs.
He comes in triumph to my very door,
Leading in coffle his prisoners fair.
(Enter Mustafa, his Corsairs, leading Katherine bound.)
Mustafa
See now how in triumph I return! And
Lead before me captive maidens fair!
Full fifty days at sea we spent in vain
Until by fortune’s most capricious chance,
Poseidon's zephyr hath brought unto us
this prize-
(Katherine is brought forward and presented)
-within the hold she was concealed.
A treasure greater then ever I took,
In all my years of roving on the waves.
She shall a prize for our grim Sultan make
And secure for us our richest rewards.
Into your hands entrust this maiden fair
To see her place and duties learn’ed true.
Her fate: a harem slave hath now been set.
See not she this escapeth or I swear
Thy punishment most gruesome it shall be!
(Depart Mustafa with Corsairs)
Hasan
(Aside) Never hath so fair and radiant a star
Lit the murk and gloom of dungeon so dark.
See how her shining eyes moisten with tears,
Her soft voice sigh and bemoan her cruel fate.
And yet must I my wicked trade perform,
Her spirit yet unbroken she must yield
Unto my whips and chains until she kneel
And a lowly slaves lot she will accept.
This dungeon a school, I a headmaster
These implements her demanding tutors.
She shall not leave afore each lesson’s learned.
But swift, now the maiden speaks-
Katherine
-O Alas!
To find myself within so dark a place!
All hope of joy now from my bosom flies!
Cursed be the wind that from my love sped me
Into the clutches of corsairs most foul!
A fool I was and now a slave shall be
To kneel and wait upon a master cruel.
Kind sir, pray tell me what I fear to know.
Whom my fate it be to belong to now!
Hasan
(Aside) The maid doth don a brave and noble face
Yet see I how she with terror trembles.
Cursed be the news I must deliver
And so the doom of this poor made declare.
(To Katherine) Tis the Sultan thou art bound-
Katherine
-O! Alas!
My heart doth shrink upon this evil news!
Tis not a maid alive who does not fear
The evil reputation of that man!
His cruel licentious ways are now reviled
Throughout the four corners of Christendom!
Yet can it be this man I must now serve?
O cruel fates hath not I yet some escape?
Have pity! My jailer thou art and yet
Canst thou condemn me to such a cruel doom?
Hasan
Hold they tongue maiden! Seek not with thy words
To turn me from my duty, though it be
Cruel to harm so lovely a form as thou!
(Aside) How many maidens hath I taught to bow
And bear the slave’s collar with mild mien?
No pity had I for any of them
And yet this maid-But soft she speaks again!
Katherine
Though biddest me silent captive be
Yet my heart doth move me to plead, my captor
With all my soul do I beg of thee-
Hasan
-Hold!
(Hasan steps forward to gag Katherine.)
Katherine
Villain! Shalt Thou cruelly muzzle-Mmmpphh-Hmmpphh!
Hasan
This rude rag shall for a scold’s brank service
And stifle thou entreaties piteous.
Katherine
Mmm mmmpphh! HmmmMmmpphh!! MmmmHmmmMmmHpphh!!! HmmMmmMppphh!!!
Hasan
(Aside) Tis well done and not a moment too soon.
Me thinks another word from that fair tongue
Would all my spirit herein overthrow.
Duties and corsair brethren I’d forget
All for the thought of this poor creature here.
Forget I not the job I am given
Nor the cruel rewards should I my task forsake.
Steel thy heart, Hasan and mercy thou forget
Until this maiden has been taught her place!
A slave girl for the Sultan she shall be!
(To Katherine) Come tis time for thy lessons to begin!
(Exit Hasan leading Katherine.)
End Scene