Streams like a snow-wreath. That snould be The king!- Gon. Her. Was it not told us how he sent, of late, To the Cid's tomb, e'en for the silver cross, Gon. (springing up joyfully). My king! my king! [He sinks back into ELMINA's arms. Her. Abdullah falls! He falls: The man of blood !-the spoiler !—he hath sunk They give way, To cover him from vengeance !-Lo! they fly! Are scattered, e'en as leaves upon the wind! Woe to the sons of Afric! Let the plains, And the vine-mountains, and Hesperian seas, Take their dead unto them!-that blood shall wash Gon. (attempting to raise himself). Set me free! Her. Gon. O, blest in death! Now, charge once more : God is with Spain, and Santiago's sword Is reddening all the air!-Shout forth "Castile!" Elm. [He dws. Look on me yet! Speak one farewell, my husband!-must thy voice (A sound of triumphant music is heard, and many A Cit. Hush your triumphal sounds, although ye come E'en as deliverers !-But the noble dead, And those that mourn them, claim from human hearts Elm. (rising proudly). No, swell forth, Castile! Echoes to ring through Spain!-How, know ye not Her [They raise the body. Ay, 'tis thus Elm. To that last home of glory. She that wears In her deep heart the memory of thy love, Shall thence draw strength for all things, till the God Whose hand around her hath unpeopled earth, Looking upon her still and chastened soul, Call it once more to thine! (To the Castilians.) Awake, I say, Tambour and trumpet, wake! And let the land Nobles, Soldiers, Messengers, Vassals, Peasants, &c. &c SCENE-Palermo. ACT I. SCENE I.-A Valley, with Vineyards and Cottages. Groups of Peasants- PROCIDA disguised as 1st Pea. Ay, this was wont to be a festal time In days gone by! I can remember well The old familiar melodies that rose But the light hearts so joyously, At break of morn, from all our purple hills, 2d Pea. Of revelry within the palaces, There is no voice Yes! there are sounds And the fair castles of our ancient lords, Where now the stranger banquets. Ye may hear From thence the peals of song and laughter rise 3d Pea Alas! we sat, In happier days, so peacefully beneath The olives and the vines our fathers reared, E'en to the earth. We are bowed Pea's. Child. My father, tell me when Shall the gay dance and song again resound Amidst our chestnut-woods, as in those days Of which thou'rt wont to tell the joyous tale? 1st Pea. When there are light and reckless hearts once more In Sicily's green vales. Alas! my boy, Men meet not now to quaff the flowing bowl, To hear the mirthful song, and cast aside The weight of work-day care: they meet to speak Pro. (from the background.) Ay, it is well So to relieve the o'erburthened heart, which pants An Old Pea. What deep voice It was our guest's, Came with that startling tone? Ist Pea. The stranger pilgrim who hath sojourned here Since yester-morn. Good neighbours mark him well: Whose glance looks through the heart. His mien accords Ill with such vestments. How he folds around him His pilgrim-cloak, e'en as it were a robe Of knightly ermine! That commanding step Should have been used in courts and camps to move. Old Pea. Nay, rather, mark him not; the times Old Pea. Peace! we are beset By snares on every side, and we must learn In silence and in patience to endure. Talk not of vengeance, for the word is death. Pro. (coming forward indignantly.) The word is death! That thou shouldst cling to it thus? thou abject thing! And stamped with servitude. What is it life Some of the Peas. Away, away! Leave us, for there is danger in thy presence. Pro. Why, what is danger? Are there deeper ills To fear or shrink from-therefore, be ye strong! A Youth (coming forward.) No, no! say on, say on! Pea. Thou hast a hope to give us Pro. If that indeed There is hope For all who suffer with indignant thoughts Which work in silent strength. What! think ye Heaven Pea. Had we but arms and leaders, we are men Pro. [Exit PROCIDA. |