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At the end of the celebration, Seyd-Pasha orders that Medora be conducted to his private rooms in the
palace. Throwing off their dervish disguise, the corsairs threaten Seyd-Pasha with their daggers; Conrad and
Medora embrace.
The corsairs are engrossed in their plundering of Seyd-Pasha’s palace. Gulnare comes running in, pursued by
Birbanto, she rushes up to Medora and begs for her help. Conrad takes Gulnare’s part, meanwhile Medora
recognizes Birbanto as her kidnapper and informs Conrad of his treacherous action. Laughing, Birbanto
denies her accusation; in confirmation of her words, Medora points out to Conrad the wound she inflicted on
Birbanto by stabbing him in the arm. Conrad is about to shoot the traitor, but Medora and Gulnare restrain
him and Birbanto runs off shouting threats.
Medora, giddy with weakness and nervous tension, is on the point of fainting but, with assistance from
Gulnare and Conrad, she regains consciousness and, at their request, is about to follow them when, suddenly,
Seyd-Pasha’s guards burst into the hall. The corsairs are routed, Conrad is disarmed and sentenced to death.
Seyd-Pasha is victorious.
Act III Scene 4
Seyd-Pasha’s wedding
Seyd-Pasha’s private rooms in the palace. Seyd-Pasha gives orders that preparations get underway for his
wedding to Medora. He proposes to Medora who indignantly turns him down. Conrad in chains is led
to his execution. Medora, seeing the terrible plight of her loved one, begs Seyd-Pasha to show him mercy.
Seyd-Pasha promises to pardon Conrad on the condition that Medora, of her own free will, agrees to be his.
Medora is at her wit’s end and, in despair, she accepts Seyd-Pasha’s terms.
Left on their own, Conrad hurries over to Medora who tells him on what condition Seyd-Pasha has agreed
to free him. Conrad rejects the nefarious condition and they decide to die together. Gulnare who has been
observing them suggests a plan; the lovers agree to it and thank her profusely.
Seyd-Pasha returns. Medora informs him she accepts his terms. Overjoyed, Seyd-Pasha gives orders that
Conrad be freed from all form of persecution and that preparations be put in hand for the wedding ceremony.
The wedding procession approaches, the bride is covered by a veil. At the end of the ceremony, Seyd-Pasha
gives the bride his arm, and puts a ring on her finger. The dances of the odalisques bring the wedding to
an end.
Left alone with Seyd-Pasha Medora tries to entice him with her dances, but it is quite obvious that she can’t
wait for the hour of her delivery. Catching sight of the pistol in Seyd-Pasha’s belt, she says it frightens her
and asks him to take it off. Seyd-Pasha does as he is asked and hands the pistol to Medora. Her fear increases
at the sight of the dagger, also tucked in his belt. To calm her down once and for all, Seyd-Pasha pulls the
dagger free and gives it to her. He then tries to embrace her but, dancing, Medora slips nimbly from his
grasp. Seyd-Pasha falls at her feet and, imploring her love, gives her his handkerchief. As if for a joke, she
ties his hands up with it and he, amused, laughs at her prank. On the stroke of midnight, Conrad appears.
Seyd-Pasha is horrified when he sees Medora hand over his dagger to Conrad; he wants to call for help
but Medora aims the pistol at him and says she will kill him if he so much as opens his mouth. Seyd-Pasha
doesn’t dare utter a word, meanwhile Medor and Conrad quickly escape.
Seyd-Pasha tries to free himself. Gulnare comes running in and, feigning horror, unties his hands. Seyd-
Pasha summons his guard and orders them to pursue the fugitives. Three shots of the cannon bring the news
that the corsairs’ ship has set sail. Seyd-Pasha has a violent fit of temper: his beloved wife has been abducted.
“I’m your wife”, says Gulnare, and, pointing to her wedding finger she adds, “This is your ring!” Seyd-Pasha
is left in a state of shock.