ou ask me to retract. I will not swerve
from the truth. You have, and you know you have, and so does that vile
parasite by your side know that you have a wen under your left arm." I
was faint with the pain, and my voice was weak and trembling.

"Proceed," said the sultan.

When I had received thirty blows, I fainted with the agony, and the
sultan ordered them to desist. "I trust, Zara, you are now sufficiently
punished for your disobedience." But I heard him not; and when the
sultan perceiving that I did not reply, looked at me, his heart melted.
He felt how arbitrary, how cruel he had been. The Circassian went to
him; he ordered her, in a voice of thunder, to be gone, me to be unbound
by the other ladies, laid on the sofa, and restoratives to be procured.
When I came to my senses, I found myself alone with the sultan. "Oh
Zara," said he, as the tears stood in his eyes, "why did you tempt me
thus--why were you so obstinate?"

"My lord," answered I, in a feeble voice, "leave your slave and go to
those who can teach their tongues to lie. I have never deceived you,
although I may have displeased you. I have loved you with fidelity and
truth. Now that you have witnessed what I can suffer rather than be
guilty of falsehood, you ought to believe me. Take my life, my lord,
and I will bless you; for I have lost you, and with you I have lost more
than life."

"Not so, Zara," replied the sultan; "I love you more than ever."

"I am glad to hear you say so, my lord, although it is now of no avail.
I am no longer yours, and never will be. I am unfit to be yours; my
person has been contaminated by the touch of Ethiopian slaves--it has
been polluted by the hand of the executioner--it has been degraded by a
chastisement due only to felons. Oblige me, as a last proof of your
kindness, by taking a life which is a burthen to me."

Despot as he was, the sultan was much moved; he was mortified at having
yielded to his temper, and his passionate affection for me had returned.
He intreated my pardon, shed tears over me, kissed my swelled feet, and
humiliated himself so much, that my heart relented--for I loved him
dearly still.

"Zara," exclaimed he, at last, "will you not forgive me?"

"When, my lord, have I ever shown myself jealous? True love is above
jealousy. This evening, to please you, although I have lately been
neglected, did I not request your new favourite to meet you? In return,
I was grossly insulted by n