“ Omar is now the second of mankind; A place of honor yet remains for thee, If prudent thou wilt yield, and own a master: What we have been thou knowest, and what we are: The multitude are ever weak and blind, Made for our use, born but to serve the great, But to admire, believe us, and obey: Reign then with us, partake the feast of grandeur, No longer deign to imitate the crowd, But henceforth make them tremble. ZOPIR. Tremble thou, And Mahomet, with all thy hateful train: Thinkest thou that Mecca’s faithful chief will fall At an impostor’s feet, and crown a rebel? ”
Voltaire
Summary
“Mahomet — Act I”, is a work by Voltaire. It explores elements such as Thinkest, Where'er and Zopir.
Quotes from Mahomet — Act I (Voltaire)
“ ZOPIR. And shall a factious rebel offer peace Who should have sued for pardon? gracious gods! Will ye permit him to usurp your power, And suffer Mahomet to rule mankind? Dost thou not blush, vile minion as thou art, To serve a traitor? hast thou not beheld him Friendless and poor, an humble citizen, And ranking with the meanest of the throng? ”
“ ZOPIR. Thinkest thou Zopir Will basely sell his honor and his country, Will blast his name with infamy for wealth, The foul reward of guilt, or that Palmira Will ever own a tyrant for her master? She is too virtuous e’er to be the slave Of Mahomet, nor will I suffer her To fall a sacrifice to base impostors Who would subvert the laws, and undermine The safety and the virtue of mankind. ”
