_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-- _Has._ Give me your name--I will, at least, present your suit--and, perhaps-- _Elv._ Sir! do you think it is likely? Joyful hearing! _Has._ Nay, be not too hasty in your hopes--I cannot _answer_ for my success. [_Repeats_] "Your father humbly implores to be released from prison--and, in his stead, _you_ take his chains--or, for the Sultan's service, fight as a slave, or dig in his mines?" _Elv._ Exactly, Sir--that is the petition--I thank you, Sir. _Keep._ You don't know, young man, what it _is_ to dig in mines--or fight against foes, who make their prisoners die by unheard-of tortures. _Elv._ _You_ do not know, Sir, what it _is_,--to see a parent suffer. _Has._ [_Writing_] Your name, Sir? _Elv._ Elvirus Casimir.-- _Has._ Your father's? _Elv._ The same--one who followed agriculture in the fields of Symria--but, induced by the call of freedom-- _Has._ How? have a care. _Elv._ No--his son, by the call of nature, supplicates his freedom. _Keep._ The rebel, you find, breaks out. _Elv._ [_Aside to the Keeper._] Silence--silence! he forgives it--don't remind him of it--don't undo my hopes. _Has._ I will serve you if I can. _Elv._ And I will merit it--indeed I will--you shall not complain of me--I will be-- _Has._ Retire--I trust you. [Elvirus _bows lowly, and retires_.] _Keep._ Yonder cell contains a female prisoner. _Has._ A female prisoner! _Keep._ Without a friend or comforter, she has existed there these many years--nearly fifteen.