_2 Rabble._ Why, to see one another in the dark; and to make holiday at midnight. _Muf._ You are met, as becomes good Mussulmen, to settle the nation; for I must tell you, that, though your tyrant is a lawful emperor, yet your lawful emperor is but a tyrant. _Ant._ What stuff he talks! _Must._ 'Tis excellent fine matter, indeed, slave Antonio! He has a rare tongue! Oh, he would move a rock, or elephant! _Ant._ What a block have I to work upon! [_Aside._]--But still, remember the jewels, sir; the jewels. _Must._ Nay, that's true, on the other side; the jewels must be mine. But he has a pure fine way of talking; my conscience goes along with him, but the jewels have set my heart against him. _Muf._ That your emperor is a tyrant, is most manifest; for you were born to be Turks, but he has played the Turk with you, and is taking your religion away. _2 Rabble._ We find that in our decay of trade. I have seen, for these hundred years, that religion and trade always go together. _Muf._ He is now upon the point of marrying himself, without your sovereign consent: And what are the effects of marriage? _3 Rabble._ A scolding domineering wife, if she prove honest; and, if a whore, a fine gaudy minx, that robs our counters every night, and then goes out, and spends it upon our cuckold-makers. _Muf._ No; the natural effects of marriage are children: Now, on whom would he beget these children? Even upon a Christian! O, horrible! how can you believe me, though I am ready to swear it upon the Alcoran! Yes, true believers, you may believe, that he is going to beget a race of misbelievers. _Must._ That's fine, in earnest; I cannot forbear hearkening to his enchanting tongue. _Ant._ But yet remember-- _Must._ Ay, ay, the jewels! Now again I hate him; but yet my conscience makes me listen to him. _Muf._ Therefore, to conclude all, believers, pluck up your hearts, and pluck down the tyrant. Remember the courage of your ancestors; remember the majesty of the people; remember yourselves, your wives, and children; and, lastly, above all, remember your religion, and our holy Mahomet. All these require your timeous assistance;--shall I say, they beg it? No; they claim it of you, by all the nearest and dearest ties of these three P's, self-preservation, our property, and our prophet.--Now answer me with an unanimous cheerful cry, and follow me, who am your leader, to a glorious deliverance. _Omnes._ A Mufti, a Mufti! [_Following him off the stage._ _Ant._ Now you see what comes of your foolish qualms of conscience; the jewels are lost, and they are all leaving you. _Must._ What, am I forsaken of my subjects? Would the rogue purloin my liege people from me!--I charge you, in my own name, come back, ye deserters, and hear me speak. _1 Rabble._ What, will he come with his balderdash, after the Mufti's eloquent oration? _2 Rabble._ He's our captain, lawfully picked up, and elected upon a stall; we will hear him.