ACT · II

ACT · IIALMEH and ZAPEL listening. The Christian Captives are singing at back among the trees.Chorus.Jesudulcis memoria,Dans vera cordis gaudia;Sed super mel et omniaEjus dulcis præsentia.ZAPEL.How strange a moan!ALMEH.Hush, Zapel, hush: go in.420Leave me. Stay, I will go with thee so farThat they shall think we both are gone. This way.Almeh and Zapel go aside. Exit Zapel. Almeh enters arbour.Chorus.Jesu decus angelicum,In aure dulce canticum,In ore mel mirificum,In corde nectar cælicum.Nil canitur suavius,Nil auditur jucundius,Nil cogitatur dulcius,Quam Jesu Dei filius.430Al.(aside). They sing of Jesus, whom they make their god,I understand no more: only their praiseIs sweeter than whatever I have heardIn mosque or sacred temple, or the chantOf holy pilgrims, that beguile the road.I’ll learn what they will tell me of their hymns,And whence they have this music. Ah, they see me.Sir, pray withdraw not thus. Step on this terrace;Hence may you view the sea. Your helpless lotI pity; and if indeed I have any power440To ease the pains of your captivity,’Tis but a debt I owe you for the pleasureYour music wakes within me. Come this way.Ch.Lady, we thank thy grace and gentleness:But yonder grove contents us, in the shadeWhere if we walked retired, we shall not strainThe privilege we prize.Al.Why, since I ask,Take courage, come. There’s none will see but I.Ch.We dare not disobey.Al.Come forward, hither.I bid you all for pleasure as my friends.450And ye could much delight me, would ye tellWhat theme ye lately sang: for though sweet musicNeeds no interpretation, yet the thoughtThat gives occasion to the smile of loveIs dear itself; and I am like a loverWondering what fancy ’twas, that bred a strainOf such deliberate joy.Ch.Forbid the thought,Lady: the sea, with whose expansive sightThou thoughtest to rejoice our prisoned eyes,Doth not dissever us from our lost homes460With wider deeper gulf, than that which liesBetwixt our souls and thine. Thou mayst not know.Al.I know ye sang of Jesus.Ch.And knowing that,Wouldst thou know more?Al.Ay, tell me.Ch.Praised be God!Al.I envy you your skill. I prithee tell meWhat was’t ye sang.Ch.The praise of Jesus’name.’Tis what all nature sings; the whole creationCeaseth not, nor is silent in his praise:Neither God’s angels, nor the spirit of manWith speech directed unto him, nor things470Animate nor inanimate, by the mouthOf them that meditate thereon: which praiseMusic hath perfected, and that we useLess for his glory, than that thence our soulsMay from their weariness arise to him,In whom is our refreshment and true strength.Al.I pray you sing again.Ch.If thou wilt hear,We will sing more.O Jesu mi dulcissime,O spes spirantis animæ,Te quærunt piæ lacrymæ,Et clamor mentis intimæ.482Al.Music ne’er found a better speech. I prayCould I sing with you? Could I learn your art?Ch.Thou hast the master-secret, loving it.Al.Many have that: and I can sing alone,But ne’er have learned your many-voicèd skill.Ch.That is the maker’s art: the song being made,’Tis to sing strictly, and to teach thy phraseConfident rivalry, as if thou knewest490Thy passion was the deepest, and could blendThe wandering strains in closer harmony.Al.Make me your pupil. How should I begin?[Drums and trumpets without.Ch.The king!Al.Break off, my father is returned;Lest he should enter here, haste to your bounds,And be not seen. There will I visit you,Or bid you forth again.Ch.We thank thee, lady.Re-enter Zapel, hurriedly.Za.My lady, hast thou heard?Al.What is it, Zapel?Za.The infidels are routed, and the kingIs coming from the field with Tarudante,500Prince of Morocco, and between them rideThe two chief captains of the unbelievers,Princes of Portugal: be Allah praised.Ch.Alas! O woe, alas! Forgive us, lady,That thus we weep before thee.Al.Nay, be sureI pity you myself, and could not blameYour natural grief. But ’tis the vice of war,That whatsoever side hath victory,The misery is alike, nor in the advantageIs aught to compensate the evil done.May God give strength to right!510Ch.Amen, Amen!(To Z.) Pray, lady, didst thou say Prince FerdinandWas taken?Za.Ye may question him himself;Talk not with me.Al.I beg you, friends, be gone:Ye must not stay.Ch.We will depart and mournWithin our sultry pit.[Exeunt.Al.My father comes?Za.He is at the gate.Al.Whate’er thou’st seen or heardBetween me and these hapless prisoners,See that thou tell not.Za.’Tis an accursed thing.Al.’Tis not for thee to judge, but do my bidding.Za.And thou shouldst trust me better.Al.I do trust thee,And therefore bid thee thus.521Za.And I obey.Al.Is not this Ferdinand they spoke of, heWhose chivalry we thank for Sala’s life?Za.That’s he.Al.Then I shall see this red-crossed knight,The noblest of them all. The general saidHe was of angel fairness: then he is cousinTo the emperor of England.Za.Thou shalt seeA Moor worth fifty Christian Portuguese,His conqueror, thy lover Tarudante,Heir of Morocco.530Al.Silence: see they come.Enter King with Tarudante and Ferdinand, followed by Enrique and Sala.Za.(to A.). There’s Tarudante.Al.(aside).There is Ferdinand.KING(to T.).Now, noble prince, thou hast overcome our foes;This is thy second battlefield, whereonThy love may win like conquest as thy sword.Pitch here thy tent, and make thy war in peace.Forget the reeking and gore-dappled plainMid scent of pinks and jasmin, and the flushOf oleander and full-blooded rose.See, I will lead thee to the virgin fortressThat thou mayst kneel to take. Come hither, Almeh:541Here is the prince thy lover. Tarudante,Behold her whom I offer thee for queen.Al.(aside, coming forward). Now of these two might I but choose.K.Come, daughter,Put off this modesty.Al.(aside).My eyes refuse him.TARUDANTE.Lady, forgive my boldness in desiringWhat I had never seen. Thy beauty’s fame,The high nobility of this allianceLed me so far; but now I have seen, I seeI must be bolder, or renounce my boldness,550That begged a grace so far beyond my thought.Al.I should be much ashamed, prince, if thy suit,Which seeks the honour of my father’s house,Stumbled at my unworthiness: but praiseOf pictures,—and mere beauty is no more,—Exalteth but the maker. May the daysThou spendest here with us be rich in peace.[Going.FERDINAND(aside to En.).By heaven, the devil is gentle to these Moors:They match our folk in beauty as in arms.K.Stay, Almeh, stay![Almeh turns.ENRIQUE(to F.).These be the Spanish Arab: such a race560Sprang never from the sooty loins of Ham.Al.(to K.). Excuse me, sire, I pray.[Exit with Zapel.Fer.(to En.). Devil or angel or Arab, she hath stolen my soul.Tar.Such perfect grace, such speech and modestyOutbid my fancy; I would fight thy battlesFor twenty years to call thy treasure mine.K.I say she is thine, and she is my only child.SALA(aside).And I must hear this spoken, and hold my peace.K.So now, prince Ferdinand, the chance of warIn making thee my captive gives me power570To dictate terms which shall content us all.Thou shalt go free—that is my gift to thee:—But in return for that,—my profit this,—I will have Ceuta; ’tis an ancient town,By name and people African, and heldBy followers of the prophet from the dayWhen truth unconquerable like a floodOf sunlight dawned on the benighted west.Thy father robbed it from us, and I askThat thou restore it. ’Tis thy ransom, prince.580The king, thy brother, will not grudge to yieldTo me, a king, part of mine own, which heWrongfully came by; if so, he may buy thee,His natural own, his flesh and blood, whom IConquered in self-defence. I’ll keep thee here,Till I may know his will: and to learn thatI’ll send thy brother home, the prince Enrique,To bear him, with what speed he may, the tidingsOf thy defeat, captivity, and the termsOf thy release. Look not so sorrowful.590Fer.I thank your majesty for just rebukeOf my discourtesy. By selfish gloomI mar my entertainment, and belieMy gratitude for kindness to me shewnSince I was prisoner.K.No thanks for that:Nor seek I to impose a countenanceUpon thy proper feeling. Yet if nowThou’rt sad, I spake in vain.Fer.’Tis for my faultAnd ill-success I am sad—to have lost my troop,Or led them to the fate of those whose rescue600They thought to be—not for my private case,Wherein your terms of ransom but make hopeImpossible: the cession of a townUnder the king’s protection, and therewithThe peril of so many Christian souls,The desecration of our hallowed churches,The abandonment of loyal loving subjectsUnto the heavy yoke which Islam laysOn true believers. No king would give earTo such a compact: and your claim falls short;For what you have urged doth not lay bare the root.611Ceuta is African, but not for thatMahommedan: this thirsty continentHad drunk the truth for full four hundred yearsBefore your prophet’s birth; and now we fightTo win back from Mahommet what he tookBy force from Christ.K.What matters it to meWhat happened in the days of ignorance?’Tis written in our book, that the whole worldShall feel our sword.Fer.’Tis writ in ours, that theyWho take the sword, shall perish by the sword.621K.Surely ’twas truly spoken of yourselves.Yet will I make no change, but my demandShall urge upon the king your brother; heWill thank me for it.Sa.Now, my gracious master,Let me befriend our foe. ’Tis four days sinceI was his prisoner, and he set me free.This claim the prince most generously puts by;Let us not pass it over: let him tooGo find another army: we meanwhile630Have ample force to march against the town.K.And why should blood be spent where ink will serve?’Twere thankless answer to our good allyTo put fresh pains upon him, and not useHis full sufficient victory.Tar.My liege,I’ll serve thee as a son, and to that titleWould prove my fitness.Sa.(aside).By thine absence prove it.K.And if thou, son, wouldst dally now with war,Rather than grasp the hours of peace and love,What shall I think?Tar.That threat must stay me here.K.Ay, stay; and I will solve thy scruple thus,641Good Sala. By the laws of chivalryThou wouldst do to thy foe as he to thee:But Ferdinand is not thy prisoner,Nor can be spared: his brother, prince Enrique,Whom thou didst truly capture,—tho’my purposeWas to require his promise to return,—Him will I give his freedom for thy sake:If he return he shall not be detained.En.I thank your majesty: but for my part650I am but a traveller, that took occasionOf this adventure to inspect your land.I pray make me the hostage; I am contentWith any treatment, might I come to seeYour city of Fez, and from your southward folkLearn their opinion of the Libyan coast,Which some aver is circled by one seaFrom where we stand to Suez.K.And so it were,658I care no more than doth a caterpillar:What could that serve? If thou’rt a man of peace,The fitter then for our ambassador.En.’Tis not for me to choose, and you may trust meTo urge the king to treat upon your terms.I carry them most gladly.Fer.(to K.). Now, I pray,Do as my brother begs: let him be hostage,And make me messenger: I will return.K.Nay, nay. I doubt thee not: but ’tis my willThee to keep, not thy brother.Fer.Then, my Enrique,I make appeal to thee. Urge not these termsOn Edward: tell him rather I am myself,670And could not live ashamed.K.I swear thou wrongst me,And temptest me to use thee ill. No more.Begone, Enrique; I shall look to theeFor amicable settlement. Go therefore,And tell thy king I hold your brother hereTill he surrender Ceuta. As for thee,Prince Ferdinand; thy word shall be thy chain:Give me but that, and thou shalt have the freedomOf all this castle.Fer.I give’t your majesty.K.’Tis well: so all are suited. And thou, Enrique,Make thy best speed.680En.I go, your majesty.Fer.(to E.). Thou know’st my mind.—En.(to F.). In any case I will deliver thee.K.No words. Begone, I pray.En.So fare you well.[Exit.K.(to T.). And now, Morocco, come within: I’ll show theeWhatever preparation in thine honourIs ordered; hoping it may so content thee,That thou wilt reconsider of thy threatTo leave us with the moon.Tar.What here I have seen,Might I not take it with me when I go,690Would hold me fast until the day of doom.Sa.(aside). And may the day of doom come ere thou take it![Exeunt K. and T.(To F.) Most generous prince, forgive me.Fer.I thank thee, Sala.Sa.I pressed the king so far as I may dare.He hath a temper to resent advice,Which urged, will rather drive him from the matterIt looks to favour, than assist him towards it.I must find other paths for my goodwill.Deem me thy servant: and o’erlook the wrongI seem to have done thee, being again constrainedTo fight against thee.700Fer.Say no more, my friend.We serve our kings. Thou didst defeat our peopleBy numbers, merely numbers. I prithee tell meThe name of your princess.Sa.Almeh.Fer.BetrothedAlready to the prince my conqueror?Sa.The thing is new. Thou know’st as much as I.Fer.The prince is fortunate.Sa.So is the kingIn his alliance.Fer.Is the marriage thenBetween the kingdoms rather than the parties?Sa.If ’twas your war that hath determined it.710Fer.It were a strained ungentle consequence,That I should sail from Portugal to forceA lover on this lady’s inclination.Sa.I were like grieved.Fer.Her beauty far exceedsAll that I thought to find. In my own countryOur court holds not her equal.Sa.I believe it.Fer.And if her mind be as her speech, endowed....Sa.Thou owest her so much praise for kindnessesDone to your prisoned countrymen.Fer.Ah, Sala,Where be these captives kept? if thou wouldst help me,I pray thee bring me in time where I may see them.I must speak with them.721Sa.That is easy, prince.Behind these garden grounds is a deep pit,Used as a quarry once; steep hanging sidesOf rock it hath, that hewn away belowAre inaccessible to any footSave the soft lizard, that hath made his homeAmong the clefts with scorpions and snakes,And on the scorching ledges basks all day.’Tis there these Christians lie. One way there is730Climbing by solid steps of native stone,That comes up to the ground. Between those rocksThou seest the iron gate, and by the gateThe sentinel that keeps it. I would guide theeTo see thy countrymen; but there’s no needTo make the hard descent; for once a day,At prayer and pity of our good princess,’Tis granted them to come and walk aboveIn shadow of yon balmy cypress grove,That skirts the northern brink: and but for this,740Their sole refreshment, all were like to have diedOf woe, and scant food, and the daily strokeShelterless of the hot meridian sun.Fer.Alas!What fault of theirs deserved such punishment?Sa.That they refused confession of the prophet.Fer.To acknowledge him were to renounce their faith.That is no wrong.Sa.Whether it be wrong or no,’Tis not my will they undergo these pains.Fer.I pray thee lead me to them, if thou mayst.Sa.Nay, bide thou here, I will throw back the gate,750And bid them forth: and for thy less constraintWill then depart.[Goes to back, and exit.Fer.Such courtesy and cruelty in oneI never thought to have met, nor found on earthSo fair a prison, with an angel in it,And no hope of deliverance. Now I seeNature hath vainly lavished on these MoorsBravery and beauty and all gifts of pride;And left them barbarous for lack of thee,Sweet Pity, of human sorrow born: ’tis thouDost raise man ’bove the brutes: ’tis thou dost make760His heart so singular, that he alone,Himself commiserating, against heavenPushes complaint, and finds within his heartRoom for all creatures, that like him are bornTo suffer and perish.Enter Captives from gate; they run to Ferdinand as they see him.Chor.Hail, mighty Ferdinand!—Hail, generous prince!—BeholdThy countrymen enslaved.—What hope? what hope? O say—770Arm of our fatherland,What mercy may be told?—Com’st thou to set us free?—Are we already saved?—Or is it true, the boastWe hear, the triumph-song?—And art thou too as we,—(O miserable day)—Faln into the enemy’s hand?—And com’st thou thus alone?780Thine army slain and lost,—The cause of Christ o’erthrown.—What hope? what hope? O say.—Fer.My friends, the worst is true. Trust still in God.Ch.Alas! have all our prayers been made in vain?Fer.Despair not yet.Ch.What hope then dost thou bring?Fer.I bring you courage, friends. I come to shareYour prison, since I cannot set you free.Ch.Alas! thou too art captive. All is lost.—But if thou share our prison, shall we share790Thy ransom also, when thou goest free?Fer.I have no ransom, friends, that ye could share.Ch.No ransom!Fer.Nay, no ransom.Ch.Not for thee?Fer.But such a ransom as cannot be paid.Ch.So great?Fer.Ay, even so great, that ye yourselvesWould not consent to share.Ch.Tell us the sum.Fer.’Tis to surrender Ceuta to the Moor.Now are ye silent.Ch.We are flesh and blood.Fer.Say ye?Ch.The stones of Ceuta cannot bleed,The walls of Ceuta would not pine as we.800Fer.Then take them for example: be as they:Lament not, pine not.Ch.Rank we now as stones?Fer.Stones, but not Ceuta’s stones; they if they bledWould spout heroic blood: royally therewithWere they baptised, ere they might wear the cross.I was a babe then: but the nurse that rockedMy cradle sang it: How the youthful prince,Edward my brother, led the assault and foughtWith hundreds hand to hand: how in the ships,Watching the combat, the old king himselfCould no more be restrained, but forth descending,811For envy of the fight, with agèd handsClambered upon the walls, and by his sonDealt wary strokes of death: till o’er the heapsOf his own slain, out of his robber nestSala ben Sala fled.Ch.Long live the king!Fer.Since that day hath the fame ceased? Hath not CeutaBeen as Christ’s tourney, where the nationsHave clapped their hands to see a few brave knightsHold Africa at bay, and in the field820Conquer whole armies of the unbelievers?Ch.Praised be God!Fer.I made an oath to matchMy brother’s praise.Ch.Alas! what fate withheldGod’s favour from our arms?—We who set outTo do him honour, and to plant the crossOn Tangiers’. as it stands on Ceuta’s walls?—The foe lay watching for us, like a lionDescended from the mountains.Fer.On that dayI led your battle; and when ye were taken,I fled but to retrieve the day. I found830A second army; I sought out the foe,And overcame him: and the furious Sala,Faln in my hands, I feared not to set freeAs herald of my triumph. I was here: I had comeEven to this castle, when behold, swarmingInnumerable from the hills around,The horsemen of Morocco!

ALMEH and ZAPEL listening. The Christian Captives are singing at back among the trees.

Chorus.

Jesudulcis memoria,Dans vera cordis gaudia;Sed super mel et omniaEjus dulcis præsentia.

Jesudulcis memoria,

Dans vera cordis gaudia;

Sed super mel et omnia

Ejus dulcis præsentia.

ZAPEL.

How strange a moan!

ALMEH.

Hush, Zapel, hush: go in.420Leave me. Stay, I will go with thee so farThat they shall think we both are gone. This way.

Hush, Zapel, hush: go in.

Leave me. Stay, I will go with thee so far

That they shall think we both are gone. This way.

Almeh and Zapel go aside. Exit Zapel. Almeh enters arbour.

Chorus.Jesu decus angelicum,In aure dulce canticum,In ore mel mirificum,In corde nectar cælicum.

Chorus.Jesu decus angelicum,

In aure dulce canticum,

In ore mel mirificum,

In corde nectar cælicum.

Nil canitur suavius,Nil auditur jucundius,Nil cogitatur dulcius,Quam Jesu Dei filius.

Nil canitur suavius,

Nil auditur jucundius,

Nil cogitatur dulcius,

Quam Jesu Dei filius.

430Al.(aside). They sing of Jesus, whom they make their god,I understand no more: only their praiseIs sweeter than whatever I have heardIn mosque or sacred temple, or the chantOf holy pilgrims, that beguile the road.I’ll learn what they will tell me of their hymns,And whence they have this music. Ah, they see me.Sir, pray withdraw not thus. Step on this terrace;Hence may you view the sea. Your helpless lotI pity; and if indeed I have any power440To ease the pains of your captivity,’Tis but a debt I owe you for the pleasureYour music wakes within me. Come this way.

Al.(aside). They sing of Jesus, whom they make their god,

I understand no more: only their praise

Is sweeter than whatever I have heard

In mosque or sacred temple, or the chant

Of holy pilgrims, that beguile the road.

I’ll learn what they will tell me of their hymns,

And whence they have this music. Ah, they see me.

Sir, pray withdraw not thus. Step on this terrace;

Hence may you view the sea. Your helpless lot

I pity; and if indeed I have any power

To ease the pains of your captivity,

’Tis but a debt I owe you for the pleasure

Your music wakes within me. Come this way.

Ch.Lady, we thank thy grace and gentleness:But yonder grove contents us, in the shadeWhere if we walked retired, we shall not strainThe privilege we prize.

Ch.Lady, we thank thy grace and gentleness:

But yonder grove contents us, in the shade

Where if we walked retired, we shall not strain

The privilege we prize.

Al.Why, since I ask,Take courage, come. There’s none will see but I.

Al.Why, since I ask,

Take courage, come. There’s none will see but I.

Ch.We dare not disobey.

Al.Come forward, hither.I bid you all for pleasure as my friends.450And ye could much delight me, would ye tellWhat theme ye lately sang: for though sweet musicNeeds no interpretation, yet the thoughtThat gives occasion to the smile of loveIs dear itself; and I am like a loverWondering what fancy ’twas, that bred a strainOf such deliberate joy.

Al.Come forward, hither.

I bid you all for pleasure as my friends.

And ye could much delight me, would ye tell

What theme ye lately sang: for though sweet music

Needs no interpretation, yet the thought

That gives occasion to the smile of love

Is dear itself; and I am like a lover

Wondering what fancy ’twas, that bred a strain

Of such deliberate joy.

Ch.Forbid the thought,Lady: the sea, with whose expansive sightThou thoughtest to rejoice our prisoned eyes,Doth not dissever us from our lost homes460With wider deeper gulf, than that which liesBetwixt our souls and thine. Thou mayst not know.

Ch.Forbid the thought,

Lady: the sea, with whose expansive sight

Thou thoughtest to rejoice our prisoned eyes,

Doth not dissever us from our lost homes

With wider deeper gulf, than that which lies

Betwixt our souls and thine. Thou mayst not know.

Al.I know ye sang of Jesus.

Ch.And knowing that,Wouldst thou know more?

Ch.And knowing that,

Wouldst thou know more?

Al.Ay, tell me.

Ch.Praised be God!

Al.I envy you your skill. I prithee tell meWhat was’t ye sang.

Al.I envy you your skill. I prithee tell me

What was’t ye sang.

Ch.The praise of Jesus’name.’Tis what all nature sings; the whole creationCeaseth not, nor is silent in his praise:Neither God’s angels, nor the spirit of manWith speech directed unto him, nor things470Animate nor inanimate, by the mouthOf them that meditate thereon: which praiseMusic hath perfected, and that we useLess for his glory, than that thence our soulsMay from their weariness arise to him,In whom is our refreshment and true strength.

Ch.The praise of Jesus’name.

’Tis what all nature sings; the whole creation

Ceaseth not, nor is silent in his praise:

Neither God’s angels, nor the spirit of man

With speech directed unto him, nor things

Animate nor inanimate, by the mouth

Of them that meditate thereon: which praise

Music hath perfected, and that we use

Less for his glory, than that thence our souls

May from their weariness arise to him,

In whom is our refreshment and true strength.

Al.I pray you sing again.

Ch.If thou wilt hear,We will sing more.

Ch.If thou wilt hear,

We will sing more.

O Jesu mi dulcissime,O spes spirantis animæ,Te quærunt piæ lacrymæ,Et clamor mentis intimæ.

O Jesu mi dulcissime,

O spes spirantis animæ,

Te quærunt piæ lacrymæ,

Et clamor mentis intimæ.

482Al.Music ne’er found a better speech. I prayCould I sing with you? Could I learn your art?

Al.Music ne’er found a better speech. I pray

Could I sing with you? Could I learn your art?

Ch.Thou hast the master-secret, loving it.

Al.Many have that: and I can sing alone,But ne’er have learned your many-voicèd skill.

Al.Many have that: and I can sing alone,

But ne’er have learned your many-voicèd skill.

Ch.That is the maker’s art: the song being made,’Tis to sing strictly, and to teach thy phraseConfident rivalry, as if thou knewest490Thy passion was the deepest, and could blendThe wandering strains in closer harmony.

Ch.That is the maker’s art: the song being made,

’Tis to sing strictly, and to teach thy phrase

Confident rivalry, as if thou knewest

Thy passion was the deepest, and could blend

The wandering strains in closer harmony.

Al.Make me your pupil. How should I begin?

[Drums and trumpets without.

Ch.The king!

Al.Break off, my father is returned;Lest he should enter here, haste to your bounds,And be not seen. There will I visit you,Or bid you forth again.

Al.Break off, my father is returned;

Lest he should enter here, haste to your bounds,

And be not seen. There will I visit you,

Or bid you forth again.

Ch.We thank thee, lady.

Re-enter Zapel, hurriedly.

Za.My lady, hast thou heard?

Al.What is it, Zapel?

Za.The infidels are routed, and the kingIs coming from the field with Tarudante,500Prince of Morocco, and between them rideThe two chief captains of the unbelievers,Princes of Portugal: be Allah praised.

Za.The infidels are routed, and the king

Is coming from the field with Tarudante,

Prince of Morocco, and between them ride

The two chief captains of the unbelievers,

Princes of Portugal: be Allah praised.

Ch.Alas! O woe, alas! Forgive us, lady,That thus we weep before thee.

Ch.Alas! O woe, alas! Forgive us, lady,

That thus we weep before thee.

Al.Nay, be sureI pity you myself, and could not blameYour natural grief. But ’tis the vice of war,That whatsoever side hath victory,The misery is alike, nor in the advantageIs aught to compensate the evil done.May God give strength to right!

Al.Nay, be sure

I pity you myself, and could not blame

Your natural grief. But ’tis the vice of war,

That whatsoever side hath victory,

The misery is alike, nor in the advantage

Is aught to compensate the evil done.

May God give strength to right!

510Ch.Amen, Amen!(To Z.) Pray, lady, didst thou say Prince FerdinandWas taken?

Ch.Amen, Amen!

(To Z.) Pray, lady, didst thou say Prince Ferdinand

Was taken?

Za.Ye may question him himself;Talk not with me.

Za.Ye may question him himself;

Talk not with me.

Al.I beg you, friends, be gone:Ye must not stay.

Al.I beg you, friends, be gone:

Ye must not stay.

Ch.We will depart and mournWithin our sultry pit.[Exeunt.

Ch.We will depart and mourn

Within our sultry pit.[Exeunt.

Al.My father comes?

Za.He is at the gate.

Al.Whate’er thou’st seen or heardBetween me and these hapless prisoners,See that thou tell not.

Al.Whate’er thou’st seen or heard

Between me and these hapless prisoners,

See that thou tell not.

Za.’Tis an accursed thing.

Al.’Tis not for thee to judge, but do my bidding.

Za.And thou shouldst trust me better.

Al.I do trust thee,And therefore bid thee thus.

Al.I do trust thee,

And therefore bid thee thus.

521Za.And I obey.

Za.And I obey.

Al.Is not this Ferdinand they spoke of, heWhose chivalry we thank for Sala’s life?

Al.Is not this Ferdinand they spoke of, he

Whose chivalry we thank for Sala’s life?

Za.That’s he.

Al.Then I shall see this red-crossed knight,The noblest of them all. The general saidHe was of angel fairness: then he is cousinTo the emperor of England.

Al.Then I shall see this red-crossed knight,

The noblest of them all. The general said

He was of angel fairness: then he is cousin

To the emperor of England.

Za.Thou shalt seeA Moor worth fifty Christian Portuguese,His conqueror, thy lover Tarudante,Heir of Morocco.

Za.Thou shalt see

A Moor worth fifty Christian Portuguese,

His conqueror, thy lover Tarudante,

Heir of Morocco.

530Al.Silence: see they come.

Al.Silence: see they come.

Enter King with Tarudante and Ferdinand, followed by Enrique and Sala.

Za.(to A.). There’s Tarudante.

Al.(aside).There is Ferdinand.

KING(to T.).

Now, noble prince, thou hast overcome our foes;This is thy second battlefield, whereonThy love may win like conquest as thy sword.Pitch here thy tent, and make thy war in peace.Forget the reeking and gore-dappled plainMid scent of pinks and jasmin, and the flushOf oleander and full-blooded rose.See, I will lead thee to the virgin fortressThat thou mayst kneel to take. Come hither, Almeh:541Here is the prince thy lover. Tarudante,Behold her whom I offer thee for queen.

Now, noble prince, thou hast overcome our foes;

This is thy second battlefield, whereon

Thy love may win like conquest as thy sword.

Pitch here thy tent, and make thy war in peace.

Forget the reeking and gore-dappled plain

Mid scent of pinks and jasmin, and the flush

Of oleander and full-blooded rose.

See, I will lead thee to the virgin fortress

That thou mayst kneel to take. Come hither, Almeh:

Here is the prince thy lover. Tarudante,

Behold her whom I offer thee for queen.

Al.(aside, coming forward). Now of these two might I but choose.

K.Come, daughter,Put off this modesty.

K.Come, daughter,

Put off this modesty.

Al.(aside).My eyes refuse him.

TARUDANTE.

Lady, forgive my boldness in desiringWhat I had never seen. Thy beauty’s fame,The high nobility of this allianceLed me so far; but now I have seen, I seeI must be bolder, or renounce my boldness,550That begged a grace so far beyond my thought.

Lady, forgive my boldness in desiring

What I had never seen. Thy beauty’s fame,

The high nobility of this alliance

Led me so far; but now I have seen, I see

I must be bolder, or renounce my boldness,

That begged a grace so far beyond my thought.

Al.I should be much ashamed, prince, if thy suit,Which seeks the honour of my father’s house,Stumbled at my unworthiness: but praiseOf pictures,—and mere beauty is no more,—Exalteth but the maker. May the daysThou spendest here with us be rich in peace.[Going.

Al.I should be much ashamed, prince, if thy suit,

Which seeks the honour of my father’s house,

Stumbled at my unworthiness: but praise

Of pictures,—and mere beauty is no more,—

Exalteth but the maker. May the days

Thou spendest here with us be rich in peace.[Going.

FERDINAND(aside to En.).

By heaven, the devil is gentle to these Moors:They match our folk in beauty as in arms.

By heaven, the devil is gentle to these Moors:

They match our folk in beauty as in arms.

K.Stay, Almeh, stay![Almeh turns.

ENRIQUE(to F.).

These be the Spanish Arab: such a race560Sprang never from the sooty loins of Ham.

These be the Spanish Arab: such a race

Sprang never from the sooty loins of Ham.

Al.(to K.). Excuse me, sire, I pray.

[Exit with Zapel.

Fer.(to En.). Devil or angel or Arab, she hath stolen my soul.

Tar.Such perfect grace, such speech and modestyOutbid my fancy; I would fight thy battlesFor twenty years to call thy treasure mine.

Tar.Such perfect grace, such speech and modesty

Outbid my fancy; I would fight thy battles

For twenty years to call thy treasure mine.

K.I say she is thine, and she is my only child.

SALA(aside).

And I must hear this spoken, and hold my peace.

K.So now, prince Ferdinand, the chance of warIn making thee my captive gives me power570To dictate terms which shall content us all.Thou shalt go free—that is my gift to thee:—But in return for that,—my profit this,—I will have Ceuta; ’tis an ancient town,By name and people African, and heldBy followers of the prophet from the dayWhen truth unconquerable like a floodOf sunlight dawned on the benighted west.Thy father robbed it from us, and I askThat thou restore it. ’Tis thy ransom, prince.580The king, thy brother, will not grudge to yieldTo me, a king, part of mine own, which heWrongfully came by; if so, he may buy thee,His natural own, his flesh and blood, whom IConquered in self-defence. I’ll keep thee here,Till I may know his will: and to learn thatI’ll send thy brother home, the prince Enrique,To bear him, with what speed he may, the tidingsOf thy defeat, captivity, and the termsOf thy release. Look not so sorrowful.

K.So now, prince Ferdinand, the chance of war

In making thee my captive gives me power

To dictate terms which shall content us all.

Thou shalt go free—that is my gift to thee:—

But in return for that,—my profit this,—

I will have Ceuta; ’tis an ancient town,

By name and people African, and held

By followers of the prophet from the day

When truth unconquerable like a flood

Of sunlight dawned on the benighted west.

Thy father robbed it from us, and I ask

That thou restore it. ’Tis thy ransom, prince.

The king, thy brother, will not grudge to yield

To me, a king, part of mine own, which he

Wrongfully came by; if so, he may buy thee,

His natural own, his flesh and blood, whom I

Conquered in self-defence. I’ll keep thee here,

Till I may know his will: and to learn that

I’ll send thy brother home, the prince Enrique,

To bear him, with what speed he may, the tidings

Of thy defeat, captivity, and the terms

Of thy release. Look not so sorrowful.

590Fer.I thank your majesty for just rebukeOf my discourtesy. By selfish gloomI mar my entertainment, and belieMy gratitude for kindness to me shewnSince I was prisoner.

Fer.I thank your majesty for just rebuke

Of my discourtesy. By selfish gloom

I mar my entertainment, and belie

My gratitude for kindness to me shewn

Since I was prisoner.

K.No thanks for that:Nor seek I to impose a countenanceUpon thy proper feeling. Yet if nowThou’rt sad, I spake in vain.

K.No thanks for that:

Nor seek I to impose a countenance

Upon thy proper feeling. Yet if now

Thou’rt sad, I spake in vain.

Fer.’Tis for my faultAnd ill-success I am sad—to have lost my troop,Or led them to the fate of those whose rescue600They thought to be—not for my private case,Wherein your terms of ransom but make hopeImpossible: the cession of a townUnder the king’s protection, and therewithThe peril of so many Christian souls,The desecration of our hallowed churches,The abandonment of loyal loving subjectsUnto the heavy yoke which Islam laysOn true believers. No king would give earTo such a compact: and your claim falls short;For what you have urged doth not lay bare the root.611Ceuta is African, but not for thatMahommedan: this thirsty continentHad drunk the truth for full four hundred yearsBefore your prophet’s birth; and now we fightTo win back from Mahommet what he tookBy force from Christ.

Fer.’Tis for my fault

And ill-success I am sad—to have lost my troop,

Or led them to the fate of those whose rescue

They thought to be—not for my private case,

Wherein your terms of ransom but make hope

Impossible: the cession of a town

Under the king’s protection, and therewith

The peril of so many Christian souls,

The desecration of our hallowed churches,

The abandonment of loyal loving subjects

Unto the heavy yoke which Islam lays

On true believers. No king would give ear

To such a compact: and your claim falls short;

For what you have urged doth not lay bare the root.

Ceuta is African, but not for that

Mahommedan: this thirsty continent

Had drunk the truth for full four hundred years

Before your prophet’s birth; and now we fight

To win back from Mahommet what he took

By force from Christ.

K.What matters it to meWhat happened in the days of ignorance?’Tis written in our book, that the whole worldShall feel our sword.

K.What matters it to me

What happened in the days of ignorance?

’Tis written in our book, that the whole world

Shall feel our sword.

Fer.’Tis writ in ours, that theyWho take the sword, shall perish by the sword.

Fer.’Tis writ in ours, that they

Who take the sword, shall perish by the sword.

621K.Surely ’twas truly spoken of yourselves.Yet will I make no change, but my demandShall urge upon the king your brother; heWill thank me for it.

K.Surely ’twas truly spoken of yourselves.

Yet will I make no change, but my demand

Shall urge upon the king your brother; he

Will thank me for it.

Sa.Now, my gracious master,Let me befriend our foe. ’Tis four days sinceI was his prisoner, and he set me free.This claim the prince most generously puts by;Let us not pass it over: let him tooGo find another army: we meanwhile630Have ample force to march against the town.

Sa.Now, my gracious master,

Let me befriend our foe. ’Tis four days since

I was his prisoner, and he set me free.

This claim the prince most generously puts by;

Let us not pass it over: let him too

Go find another army: we meanwhile

Have ample force to march against the town.

K.And why should blood be spent where ink will serve?’Twere thankless answer to our good allyTo put fresh pains upon him, and not useHis full sufficient victory.

K.And why should blood be spent where ink will serve?

’Twere thankless answer to our good ally

To put fresh pains upon him, and not use

His full sufficient victory.

Tar.My liege,I’ll serve thee as a son, and to that titleWould prove my fitness.

Tar.My liege,

I’ll serve thee as a son, and to that title

Would prove my fitness.

Sa.(aside).By thine absence prove it.

K.And if thou, son, wouldst dally now with war,Rather than grasp the hours of peace and love,What shall I think?

K.And if thou, son, wouldst dally now with war,

Rather than grasp the hours of peace and love,

What shall I think?

Tar.That threat must stay me here.

K.Ay, stay; and I will solve thy scruple thus,641Good Sala. By the laws of chivalryThou wouldst do to thy foe as he to thee:But Ferdinand is not thy prisoner,Nor can be spared: his brother, prince Enrique,Whom thou didst truly capture,—tho’my purposeWas to require his promise to return,—Him will I give his freedom for thy sake:If he return he shall not be detained.

K.Ay, stay; and I will solve thy scruple thus,

Good Sala. By the laws of chivalry

Thou wouldst do to thy foe as he to thee:

But Ferdinand is not thy prisoner,

Nor can be spared: his brother, prince Enrique,

Whom thou didst truly capture,—tho’my purpose

Was to require his promise to return,—

Him will I give his freedom for thy sake:

If he return he shall not be detained.

En.I thank your majesty: but for my part650I am but a traveller, that took occasionOf this adventure to inspect your land.I pray make me the hostage; I am contentWith any treatment, might I come to seeYour city of Fez, and from your southward folkLearn their opinion of the Libyan coast,Which some aver is circled by one seaFrom where we stand to Suez.

En.I thank your majesty: but for my part

I am but a traveller, that took occasion

Of this adventure to inspect your land.

I pray make me the hostage; I am content

With any treatment, might I come to see

Your city of Fez, and from your southward folk

Learn their opinion of the Libyan coast,

Which some aver is circled by one sea

From where we stand to Suez.

K.And so it were,658I care no more than doth a caterpillar:What could that serve? If thou’rt a man of peace,The fitter then for our ambassador.

K.And so it were,

I care no more than doth a caterpillar:

What could that serve? If thou’rt a man of peace,

The fitter then for our ambassador.

En.’Tis not for me to choose, and you may trust meTo urge the king to treat upon your terms.I carry them most gladly.

En.’Tis not for me to choose, and you may trust me

To urge the king to treat upon your terms.

I carry them most gladly.

Fer.(to K.). Now, I pray,Do as my brother begs: let him be hostage,And make me messenger: I will return.

Fer.(to K.). Now, I pray,

Do as my brother begs: let him be hostage,

And make me messenger: I will return.

K.Nay, nay. I doubt thee not: but ’tis my willThee to keep, not thy brother.

K.Nay, nay. I doubt thee not: but ’tis my will

Thee to keep, not thy brother.

Fer.Then, my Enrique,I make appeal to thee. Urge not these termsOn Edward: tell him rather I am myself,670And could not live ashamed.

Fer.Then, my Enrique,

I make appeal to thee. Urge not these terms

On Edward: tell him rather I am myself,

And could not live ashamed.

K.I swear thou wrongst me,And temptest me to use thee ill. No more.Begone, Enrique; I shall look to theeFor amicable settlement. Go therefore,And tell thy king I hold your brother hereTill he surrender Ceuta. As for thee,Prince Ferdinand; thy word shall be thy chain:Give me but that, and thou shalt have the freedomOf all this castle.

K.I swear thou wrongst me,

And temptest me to use thee ill. No more.

Begone, Enrique; I shall look to thee

For amicable settlement. Go therefore,

And tell thy king I hold your brother here

Till he surrender Ceuta. As for thee,

Prince Ferdinand; thy word shall be thy chain:

Give me but that, and thou shalt have the freedom

Of all this castle.

Fer.I give’t your majesty.

K.’Tis well: so all are suited. And thou, Enrique,Make thy best speed.

K.’Tis well: so all are suited. And thou, Enrique,

Make thy best speed.

680En.I go, your majesty.

En.I go, your majesty.

Fer.(to E.). Thou know’st my mind.—

En.(to F.). In any case I will deliver thee.

K.No words. Begone, I pray.

En.So fare you well.[Exit.

K.(to T.). And now, Morocco, come within: I’ll show theeWhatever preparation in thine honourIs ordered; hoping it may so content thee,That thou wilt reconsider of thy threatTo leave us with the moon.

K.(to T.). And now, Morocco, come within: I’ll show thee

Whatever preparation in thine honour

Is ordered; hoping it may so content thee,

That thou wilt reconsider of thy threat

To leave us with the moon.

Tar.What here I have seen,Might I not take it with me when I go,690Would hold me fast until the day of doom.

Tar.What here I have seen,

Might I not take it with me when I go,

Would hold me fast until the day of doom.

Sa.(aside). And may the day of doom come ere thou take it!

[Exeunt K. and T.

(To F.) Most generous prince, forgive me.

Fer.I thank thee, Sala.

Sa.I pressed the king so far as I may dare.He hath a temper to resent advice,Which urged, will rather drive him from the matterIt looks to favour, than assist him towards it.I must find other paths for my goodwill.Deem me thy servant: and o’erlook the wrongI seem to have done thee, being again constrainedTo fight against thee.

Sa.I pressed the king so far as I may dare.

He hath a temper to resent advice,

Which urged, will rather drive him from the matter

It looks to favour, than assist him towards it.

I must find other paths for my goodwill.

Deem me thy servant: and o’erlook the wrong

I seem to have done thee, being again constrained

To fight against thee.

700Fer.Say no more, my friend.We serve our kings. Thou didst defeat our peopleBy numbers, merely numbers. I prithee tell meThe name of your princess.

Fer.Say no more, my friend.

We serve our kings. Thou didst defeat our people

By numbers, merely numbers. I prithee tell me

The name of your princess.

Sa.Almeh.

Fer.BetrothedAlready to the prince my conqueror?

Fer.Betrothed

Already to the prince my conqueror?

Sa.The thing is new. Thou know’st as much as I.

Fer.The prince is fortunate.

Sa.So is the kingIn his alliance.

Sa.So is the king

In his alliance.

Fer.Is the marriage thenBetween the kingdoms rather than the parties?

Fer.Is the marriage then

Between the kingdoms rather than the parties?

Sa.If ’twas your war that hath determined it.

710Fer.It were a strained ungentle consequence,That I should sail from Portugal to forceA lover on this lady’s inclination.

Fer.It were a strained ungentle consequence,

That I should sail from Portugal to force

A lover on this lady’s inclination.

Sa.I were like grieved.

Fer.Her beauty far exceedsAll that I thought to find. In my own countryOur court holds not her equal.

Fer.Her beauty far exceeds

All that I thought to find. In my own country

Our court holds not her equal.

Sa.I believe it.

Fer.And if her mind be as her speech, endowed....

Sa.Thou owest her so much praise for kindnessesDone to your prisoned countrymen.

Sa.Thou owest her so much praise for kindnesses

Done to your prisoned countrymen.

Fer.Ah, Sala,Where be these captives kept? if thou wouldst help me,I pray thee bring me in time where I may see them.I must speak with them.

Fer.Ah, Sala,

Where be these captives kept? if thou wouldst help me,

I pray thee bring me in time where I may see them.

I must speak with them.

721Sa.That is easy, prince.Behind these garden grounds is a deep pit,Used as a quarry once; steep hanging sidesOf rock it hath, that hewn away belowAre inaccessible to any footSave the soft lizard, that hath made his homeAmong the clefts with scorpions and snakes,And on the scorching ledges basks all day.’Tis there these Christians lie. One way there is730Climbing by solid steps of native stone,That comes up to the ground. Between those rocksThou seest the iron gate, and by the gateThe sentinel that keeps it. I would guide theeTo see thy countrymen; but there’s no needTo make the hard descent; for once a day,At prayer and pity of our good princess,’Tis granted them to come and walk aboveIn shadow of yon balmy cypress grove,That skirts the northern brink: and but for this,740Their sole refreshment, all were like to have diedOf woe, and scant food, and the daily strokeShelterless of the hot meridian sun.

Sa.That is easy, prince.

Behind these garden grounds is a deep pit,

Used as a quarry once; steep hanging sides

Of rock it hath, that hewn away below

Are inaccessible to any foot

Save the soft lizard, that hath made his home

Among the clefts with scorpions and snakes,

And on the scorching ledges basks all day.

’Tis there these Christians lie. One way there is

Climbing by solid steps of native stone,

That comes up to the ground. Between those rocks

Thou seest the iron gate, and by the gate

The sentinel that keeps it. I would guide thee

To see thy countrymen; but there’s no need

To make the hard descent; for once a day,

At prayer and pity of our good princess,

’Tis granted them to come and walk above

In shadow of yon balmy cypress grove,

That skirts the northern brink: and but for this,

Their sole refreshment, all were like to have died

Of woe, and scant food, and the daily stroke

Shelterless of the hot meridian sun.

Fer.Alas!What fault of theirs deserved such punishment?

Fer.Alas!

What fault of theirs deserved such punishment?

Sa.That they refused confession of the prophet.

Fer.To acknowledge him were to renounce their faith.That is no wrong.

Fer.To acknowledge him were to renounce their faith.

That is no wrong.

Sa.Whether it be wrong or no,’Tis not my will they undergo these pains.

Sa.Whether it be wrong or no,

’Tis not my will they undergo these pains.

Fer.I pray thee lead me to them, if thou mayst.

Sa.Nay, bide thou here, I will throw back the gate,750And bid them forth: and for thy less constraintWill then depart.[Goes to back, and exit.

Sa.Nay, bide thou here, I will throw back the gate,

And bid them forth: and for thy less constraint

Will then depart.[Goes to back, and exit.

Fer.Such courtesy and cruelty in oneI never thought to have met, nor found on earthSo fair a prison, with an angel in it,And no hope of deliverance. Now I seeNature hath vainly lavished on these MoorsBravery and beauty and all gifts of pride;And left them barbarous for lack of thee,Sweet Pity, of human sorrow born: ’tis thouDost raise man ’bove the brutes: ’tis thou dost make760His heart so singular, that he alone,Himself commiserating, against heavenPushes complaint, and finds within his heartRoom for all creatures, that like him are bornTo suffer and perish.

Fer.Such courtesy and cruelty in one

I never thought to have met, nor found on earth

So fair a prison, with an angel in it,

And no hope of deliverance. Now I see

Nature hath vainly lavished on these Moors

Bravery and beauty and all gifts of pride;

And left them barbarous for lack of thee,

Sweet Pity, of human sorrow born: ’tis thou

Dost raise man ’bove the brutes: ’tis thou dost make

His heart so singular, that he alone,

Himself commiserating, against heaven

Pushes complaint, and finds within his heart

Room for all creatures, that like him are born

To suffer and perish.

Enter Captives from gate; they run to Ferdinand as they see him.

Chor.Hail, mighty Ferdinand!—Hail, generous prince!—BeholdThy countrymen enslaved.—What hope? what hope? O say—770Arm of our fatherland,What mercy may be told?—Com’st thou to set us free?—Are we already saved?—Or is it true, the boastWe hear, the triumph-song?—And art thou too as we,—(O miserable day)—Faln into the enemy’s hand?—And com’st thou thus alone?780Thine army slain and lost,—The cause of Christ o’erthrown.—What hope? what hope? O say.—

Chor.Hail, mighty Ferdinand!—

Hail, generous prince!—Behold

Thy countrymen enslaved.—

What hope? what hope? O say—

Arm of our fatherland,

What mercy may be told?—

Com’st thou to set us free?—

Are we already saved?—

Or is it true, the boast

We hear, the triumph-song?—

And art thou too as we,—

(O miserable day)—

Faln into the enemy’s hand?—

And com’st thou thus alone?

Thine army slain and lost,—

The cause of Christ o’erthrown.—

What hope? what hope? O say.—

Fer.My friends, the worst is true. Trust still in God.

Ch.Alas! have all our prayers been made in vain?

Fer.Despair not yet.

Ch.What hope then dost thou bring?

Fer.I bring you courage, friends. I come to shareYour prison, since I cannot set you free.

Fer.I bring you courage, friends. I come to share

Your prison, since I cannot set you free.

Ch.Alas! thou too art captive. All is lost.—But if thou share our prison, shall we share790Thy ransom also, when thou goest free?

Ch.Alas! thou too art captive. All is lost.—

But if thou share our prison, shall we share

Thy ransom also, when thou goest free?

Fer.I have no ransom, friends, that ye could share.

Ch.No ransom!

Fer.Nay, no ransom.

Ch.Not for thee?

Fer.But such a ransom as cannot be paid.

Ch.So great?

Fer.Ay, even so great, that ye yourselvesWould not consent to share.

Fer.Ay, even so great, that ye yourselves

Would not consent to share.

Ch.Tell us the sum.

Fer.’Tis to surrender Ceuta to the Moor.Now are ye silent.

Fer.’Tis to surrender Ceuta to the Moor.

Now are ye silent.

Ch.We are flesh and blood.

Fer.Say ye?

Ch.The stones of Ceuta cannot bleed,The walls of Ceuta would not pine as we.

Ch.The stones of Ceuta cannot bleed,

The walls of Ceuta would not pine as we.

800Fer.Then take them for example: be as they:Lament not, pine not.

Fer.Then take them for example: be as they:

Lament not, pine not.

Ch.Rank we now as stones?

Fer.Stones, but not Ceuta’s stones; they if they bledWould spout heroic blood: royally therewithWere they baptised, ere they might wear the cross.I was a babe then: but the nurse that rockedMy cradle sang it: How the youthful prince,Edward my brother, led the assault and foughtWith hundreds hand to hand: how in the ships,Watching the combat, the old king himselfCould no more be restrained, but forth descending,811For envy of the fight, with agèd handsClambered upon the walls, and by his sonDealt wary strokes of death: till o’er the heapsOf his own slain, out of his robber nestSala ben Sala fled.

Fer.Stones, but not Ceuta’s stones; they if they bled

Would spout heroic blood: royally therewith

Were they baptised, ere they might wear the cross.

I was a babe then: but the nurse that rocked

My cradle sang it: How the youthful prince,

Edward my brother, led the assault and fought

With hundreds hand to hand: how in the ships,

Watching the combat, the old king himself

Could no more be restrained, but forth descending,

For envy of the fight, with agèd hands

Clambered upon the walls, and by his son

Dealt wary strokes of death: till o’er the heaps

Of his own slain, out of his robber nest

Sala ben Sala fled.

Ch.Long live the king!

Fer.Since that day hath the fame ceased? Hath not CeutaBeen as Christ’s tourney, where the nationsHave clapped their hands to see a few brave knightsHold Africa at bay, and in the field820Conquer whole armies of the unbelievers?

Fer.Since that day hath the fame ceased? Hath not Ceuta

Been as Christ’s tourney, where the nations

Have clapped their hands to see a few brave knights

Hold Africa at bay, and in the field

Conquer whole armies of the unbelievers?

Ch.Praised be God!

Fer.I made an oath to matchMy brother’s praise.

Fer.I made an oath to match

My brother’s praise.

Ch.Alas! what fate withheldGod’s favour from our arms?—We who set outTo do him honour, and to plant the crossOn Tangiers’. as it stands on Ceuta’s walls?—The foe lay watching for us, like a lionDescended from the mountains.

Ch.Alas! what fate withheld

God’s favour from our arms?—We who set out

To do him honour, and to plant the cross

On Tangiers’. as it stands on Ceuta’s walls?—

The foe lay watching for us, like a lion

Descended from the mountains.

Fer.On that dayI led your battle; and when ye were taken,I fled but to retrieve the day. I found830A second army; I sought out the foe,And overcame him: and the furious Sala,Faln in my hands, I feared not to set freeAs herald of my triumph. I was here: I had comeEven to this castle, when behold, swarmingInnumerable from the hills around,The horsemen of Morocco!

Fer.On that day

I led your battle; and when ye were taken,

I fled but to retrieve the day. I found

A second army; I sought out the foe,

And overcame him: and the furious Sala,

Faln in my hands, I feared not to set free

As herald of my triumph. I was here: I had come

Even to this castle, when behold, swarming

Innumerable from the hills around,

The horsemen of Morocco!

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