ACT · IV

ACT · IVZAPEL and SALA, meeting.SALA.Whattidings, Zapel? I have been all day away,And had no word.ZAPEL.There’s none of good to tell.She hath neither ate nor slept.1650Sa.Will she not eat?Za.Nothing.Sa.’Tis the third day.Za.Nor will she sleep.She fights ’gainst sleep, as if ’twere death. Like oneThat must keep watch against its soft approaches,Sitting upon her couch with head inclinedShe mourneth to herself, and ’twixt her sighsWhat words may be distinguished overlookHer own distress, and squander their lamentsUpon an unknown sorrow, which she saysEnwraps the world. Or sometimes she will sing1660The melancholy strains which she hath heardThe Christian captives use.Sa.’Tis a brain-sickness:Miserable.Za.And ever, when I have tried to cheer her,Hath she rebuked me, as she is wont; but gently,And bid me leave her: Then to meet her humourI have gone, but made occasion to return,Bringing such simple food as best she likes,Freshly prepared to tempt her; and with tearsI pray her but to taste: yet she endures,And saith, 'I thank thee, Zapel: tho’I eat not,1670Thy skill is not misspent stretching the rackThat proves my constancy. I prithee, girl,Set fresh and fresh before me.’Hearing thisI weep for pity: but she saith, 'Be sureI shall not taste thy dishes, till one eatWho is now denied.’Sa.Doth she not speak his name?Za.Rarely and reverently, as a name of God.Then I am sent to learn the last; if yetHe lives, and whether he hath spoke of her. This morn,As I returned from such unhappy quest,1680She gave me this: See, ’tis a letter for him....[Shewing letter.Sa.Thou darest!Za.O sir, the piteous prayer she made,Kneeling and clasping me about the knees,Went to my heart. But now I have it I fearTo have broke the king’s command. I prithee take it.Sa.Give’t me.[Takes.Za.To see her thus, Allah forgive me,I wish well to the infidel. What wordShall I take back?Sa.Say truth. I will deliver it.And tell her prince Enrique is returned:He is camped a league away, and in such force1690As makes me hope I may persuade the kingTo yield to his demand. Since there’s this hope,Bid her preserve her strength bravely, nor thusPrejudge God’s will. His blessing aid thy words.[Exit Zapel.I said there’s hope. ’Twas hope that bade me lie,For none I see. And this is misery,To cherish consolations, and be happyDoing the loathèd thing. Am I contentTo bear a letter of Almeh’s to her lover?1699Allah is great. My best desire is onlyTo save her,—my one hope that the prince should yield:And no persuasion but her love will move him.This letter will entreat him; I must carry it.Enter King.KING.Sala, make haste: a herald from Enrique.This to me: Read. Edward of PortugalIs dead. His eldest son being but a babe,A regency now governs, and the rulersAre prince Enrique and this Ferdinand.The other I cannot read, and ’tis addressedTo Ferdinand. I doubt not that it urges1710Acceptance of my terms and quick return.Sa.I pray it be so. Is it your pleasure, sire,To speak with Ferdinand?K.Ay, fetch him hither.The dog being master now may change his mind.Sa.And will you see him in his shameful dress?K.Nay, that is past:—his own, and with his sword.Sa.And his despatch; shall I not bear it to him?K.Ay. Give it him; take it. Stay. (Aside.) I never knowWhat it may say. Better to try him firstWithout its knowledge. Should I fail ’twere timeTo use it then. (To Sala.) Give it me. I’ll keep it back.What is this other paper?[Seeing A.'s letter.1721Sa.I pray, my liege,Ask not.K.I’ll know.Sa.I pray you trust me, sire.K.Trust thee! what means this?Sa.’Tis a forbidden paper.’Twould anger you to see it.K.By heaven, I am angeredBefore I see it. What is it thou wouldst hide?Sa.It is a letter which I have interceptedFrom Almeh to the prince. If you have pityOn your own flesh, beseech you, let me use itAs I judge fit.1729K.And well discovered now.By God, wouldst thou play carrier? Give it to me.Sa.It hath not been five minutes in my hands.K.And shall not be. (Takes.) Go fetch the prince.Sa.If you should read it, sire, and find thereinMessages of such softness as might meltThe stubbornness of Ferdinand, I pray you,For her sweet sake that writ it, let it goAnd do its errand.K.Go thou and do thine.[Exit Sala.Will he too plot against me! Let us seeWhat style she dares.Thy death, O my beloved,1740Already is avenged.—O very tenderly,And most determined.—Willingly I sufferWhat pains of thine I may. ’Tis all my joyTo have taken neither food nor restSince first thou wert deprived; nor will I takeTill thou be respited.—Why this might move him.Oh, if thou diest!—Ah, great heavens,What read I here? Now I see all. Baptized!Baptized in secret by thy countrymen.Baptized! Then let her perish. She is dead.1750I cast her off.Till now I hid this from thee,Doubting my worthiness.—He doth not know it.He shall not know. None shall know. We will die.I will slay all. I will go down to the grave,And plead my cause before the holy angels,Whether it may be permitted for a princess,Against her father and faith....—Nay, is’t not writThere is there no vain discourse nor charge of sin,But pleasure to the faithful? And I to dieWith house and kingdom shamed! How would my crownShine ’mong the blessed caliphs, and the martyrs1761Who fell in fight upon the road of God?How would they look upon me,If ’mong their moonbright scimitars I came,My child’s blood on my head? and she not there,The fair flower of my life, the bud of grace,Which my long-withering and widowed treeHeld to the face of heaven,Now from my own trunk by my own hands torn.Better the bole be split: heaven’s lightning rend me:1770All curses seize me. Almeh, thou must not die.Re-enter Sala.Sa.Prince Ferdinand will come.K.Is he not here?Sa.He comes.K.Why look’st thou thus upon me, Sala?Sa.Because, sire, thou’st dishonoured me, and slainA noble warrior, who gave me life.K.Slain him!Sa.Ay, king: except thou raise the dead.For tho’he breathes, ’tis with such failing gaspsAs mastering death allows to his sure prey.K.Thou art over-fearful; three days without foodShould make him weak and faint, but not to death.1780Nay, I am determined now he shall not die.Food will restore him. Set me here a tableWith meat and drink: here in the garden set it,And he shall eat at once. See it be done,And quickly.Sa.Sire, I obey: tho’’tis too late.[Exit.During the King’s following speech, servants come in with table, etc., which they set down, and go out.K.He must not die, since only by his lifeI can save Almeh: and ’tis not too late.The sight of food will tempt, the taste restore him:He will yield. I have here too what will move him,This letter; were he built of Atlas stone,1790For Almeh’s sake he must relent. I know,I see what must be done. I can consent:For such alliance with an ancient foeIs honourable. Peace between the realms,Happiness to both houses—bought may beWith sacrifice on my side—yet there’s prideOn both to balance: and, this way refused,’Tis hell and death. And he will thank me too.He is brave and noble; and the stoutest foesAre won to stoutest friendship. See, he comes.Enter Fer., upborne between two Moorish soldiers.1800Prince Ferdinand, our quarrel comes to end.A message has arrived from prince Enrique.Your brother Edward, that was king, is dead.Wherefore the power which I have used on theeI now relax. I have a gentler purposeAnd a persuasion thou mayst guess; while thou,Owing no loyalty but to thyself,I am well assured wilt not be slow to meet me.Sit with me first and eat: when thou’rt restoredWe will compose these matters at our leisure:Which done, and peace agreed, thou mayst return1811In time to pay thy brother’s memoryThe sorrow it deserves: and in his placeGovern the Portuguese. See, there’s thy life,Thy strength and restoration. Sit and eat.FERDINAND.I feel no hunger, sire. The time is pastWhen thou couldst save my life.K.Despair not.Fer.Nay,I do not know the word.K.This is despair.Come, sit and eat.Fer.I say the wish is past.K.Dost thou not then believe? See in this paperWrit to thyself. (Gives.)1820(Aside.) Life doth not tempt this man.The call to rule his people yet may move him.What readst thou now therein?Fer.What thou hast said.My brother Edward’s soul rest in God’s peace!K.Is nought else in thy paper?Fer.Ay, there’s more.I’d not conceal it. Prince Enrique writes,If I return not to his camp to-night,He comes himself in force to rescue me.K.Trust not to such deliverance.Fer.Nay, O king:For cometh he at even or at morn,1830To-morrow or to-day, he cometh late.My eves and morns are passed, and my deliveranceIs nearer than his coming: yet for that,Tho’I shall see him not when he doth come,Not the less will he come; for so he saith.K.Thou wilt not eat and live?Fer.I thank thee, sire.K.(to attendants). Set the prince in the chair, and all go out;And send the guard within.[They obey. As they go out they take with them the sentinel from the pit gate. From this point the stage gradually begins to darken to end of act.Now, prince, we are left alone, eat what I give thee.[Puts food towards him.Fer.Why should I eat?K.(pouring).Myself I pour the wine.Drink with me. ’Tis thy life.1840Fer.Why should I live?K.Canst thou not guess? I’ll tell thee then, and speakNot as a foe. Thy will hath conquered mine;And if I wronged thee, thou hast wronged me more.Thou hast loved my daughter, and strangely won her loveAway from him whom for my son I had chosen,And pillar of my house: thou hast driven awayMy best ally, and left my kingdom naked:—For this thy death would be but fair revenge.And there’s a secret cause why I should hate theeAbove all this: thou hast suborned my daughter:1851She hath denied her faith. See there: (gives letter) see there,What she hath writ. Read all. Seest thou not now?’Tis true, she kills herself; she dies for thee.Yet I’ll forgive thee; tho’she is none of mine,Apostate, disobedient.—Yet for herI will forgive thee. See, ’tis for her sakeI pray thee eat.Fer.Too late, ’twould be too late.K.Say not too late: that word is death. Thou’rt brave.Tho’not for me, yet for her sake I bid theeEat, drink, and live. So she may live, and thou—1861The altitude of thrones may overlookSuch differences—I give her thee to wife.Save us, I pray.Fer.What hear I? wouldst thou thenHave given me in good faith Almeh to wife?[Makes motions towards food.K.And will. Ay, drink.Fer.And Ceuta?K.That is mine,Her price.Fer.(thrusting things from him). Ah, never.K.Dost thou then refuse?Fer.It cheereth death to spend my last breath thus.K.Sittest thou there balanced ’twixt death and life,Daintily making choice, and to my offer1870Of all that God could grant thee, life and love,Wrung from me by my sorrow, to my shamePreferrest the Christian hell? O InfidelApostatizing dog, lest now thy mouthShould find the power to gasp one broken speechOf triumph over me, die at my hand.Death shall not rob me of thy blood that’s left.[Stabs Fer. across the table.Thus let thy brother find thee, if I failTo send him also thither, where thou goestTo thine idolatrous and thieving sires.[Exit.Enter from pit Chorus.... Twilight.Chorus(inter se).1880We come with laboured breathClimbing from underground:—In fear we creep and quake:—What voice with furious sound,Choking in wrath outspakeThe names of blood and death?—Who is here?—Look around.—Hearken!—the broken moanOf the ever-murmuring seaReaches my ear alone—1890Come forward, ye may dare,All is quite still and free.—Ah, stay! behold him there,That sitteth with his headUpon his breast bent low—The prince—the prince.—Forbear,He sleepeth.—Nay, I fear,Now may the truth strike deadMy terror—step thou near—Gently.—Alas! woe, woe,1900Woe, woe, woe, woe, he is dead.He sits dead in his chair.See at his heart, where yetThe murderous wound is wet.—Our prince, our prince is dead—They have slain him in their spite—Ai, ai, ai, ai! Who nowCan save us? We are lost men, friends; we are lost—And thou, who saidst that we should live to fight,Where are thy arms? Didst thou not make a boast1910That thou couldst see God’s will?—We are quite forsaken,Forgotten—(1.) Refrain, refrain. Can God forget?Ch.Who could refrain? Alas! Hath not long woeCrushed us so low?—Ah me! This is our pain.—Now we deplore, alas!—Hell and despair!—Now it is plain—O woe—we are no moreWhat once we were.—(1.) Renew your courage, and devote your careIn solemn duty to the dead. UpraiseThis noble corpse, and bear it to the bower;1920Where, roofed by rose and jasmine, it may lieHid from the dews of swift descending night.Take ye the feet, while I uplift the head,And, grasping in the midst, ye, by his robe,Bear him with slow accommodated step,Where we may best dispose his limbs in peace.[Exeunt bearers with Fer.'s body to bower.Bearers.Alas, ah! noble prince,What burial wilt thou have?Far from where thy fathers lie,In a heathen grave,1930If grave they give thee at all.Yet will thy country mourn;And where victorious banners hang,And hymns of Christian joy are sung,Upraise thine empty tomb.The others.We see our fate to-night. Thus shall we die.—If thus they treated him, how shall we fare?—Who bids us hope?—There is no hope, no hope:I’ll mask my thought no more.Bearers re-enter from bower.Ch.(1.) (Who has Fer.'s letter and sword.)We are saved! we are saved!Ch.How saved?—How so?—Tell us!—(1.)This letter here.1940Ch.What letter? say.(1.)’Tis from the prince Enrique.Ch.Read! read!(1.)’Tis written to prince Ferdinand,In our home speech. ’Twas in his grasp.Ch.Read! read!(1.)Unless I have thee in my camp to-night,At morn I rescue thee.Ch.Where is the camp?(1.) A league hence to the west, he writes.Ch.Alas!Now they have slain his brother he will not come.—Or, should he come, then in the siege he makesHunger will slay us all.—(1.)Hark then to me. (Stage darkens more.)He lying so near we may escape to him.1950Ch.How shall we escape?—The guards upon the wallsWould see us.—They would send pursuit of horseTo cut us down.—(1.)Not now. I said not now;But later in darkest night.Ch.And how to escape?(1.) See here the prince’s sword: with this in handTo creep at midnight on our sentinel,And slay him: then in darkness unperceivedTo climb out o’er the wall.Ch.Now sayst thou well.(1.) Ye trust me now?Ch.Ay, ay: if thou canst kill him.(1.) Obey me, and I will lead you forth to-night.1960Ch.What to do?(1.)Hush ye! Our careless sentinelMust soon return. Let him not see us here.Begone, and some take up this food and wine,Which we may share below to help our strength,Hiding it 'neath your garments, as do IThe sword. With silent step troop to your shades.[Exeunt. As they go out the stage darkens quite.Re-enter K. and Sala, Left. There is light on them from the doorway, where they stand awhile.K.Come forth and see!Sa.The night hath wrapped thy deedIn fourfold darkness, that I should not see.K.Thine eyes are straitened by the light within:’Tis not so dark but we shall see anon.1970Sa.I have loved thee, sire, so well: served thee so long....K.What sayst thou?Sa.I complain ’tis ill-repaid.I am ill-repaid.K.Sala!Sa.Prince FerdinandHad given me life.K.Stay. Why harbourest thou stillThat grudge against me? Didst thou read her letterI gave thee?Sa.I did.K.Thou didst: and canst not guess?To save her life I yielded. I consentedTo make this man my son. If he would liveAnd give up Ceuta, then I promised himAlmeh to wife.Sa.What hear I?K.When he refused,I smote him through.Sa.Refused!1980K.There where he sits.Sa.Can this be truth?K.Ay, by the prophet. Ha!He is gone.Sa.Nay, none is here.K.He hath yet found strengthTo crawl away to die. ’Twill not be far.Hark! heardst thou that? Again.[Sighing heard.Sa.’Twas some one sighed.K.’Twas that way, Sala: seek about.Sa.The moonIs up, but curtained by yon inky cloud,Cannot shine forth. Let me go fetch a lantern.K.Go, go. I will watch here.[Exit Sala.Why should I fear?I’ll draw my sword. (Calling.) Ferdinand!1990(The sighing again.) If thou canst speak, say where thou art.Answer me: Dost thou live? nay, sigh not so.If yet thou livest I think I would abate. (The sighing.)Now ’tis here, now ’tis there. Thank heaven, the moon:(Moon appears, and shews ghost of Ferdinand midway back.)I see him. He stands upright! Prince Ferdinand!He walketh from me. Stay. I bid thee stand,—By heaven, or I will slay thee. Villain, traitor![Goes after ghost, makes a lunge at him, and ghost vanishes.Re-enter Sala.Sa.What noise is that? What, sire: with thy sword drawn!K.Didst thou not see him?Sa.The Prince?K.Ay.Sa.Was it the princeYou spake with?K.Ay, he lives.Sa.And drew you upon him?2000K.I called to him, Sala, and he made away:I followed him to stay him.Sa.Thank God, he lives.You did not strike him.K.Nay, I struck him not.Sa.’Tis now like day. I see him nowhere, sire.K.He hath hid himself. Look, Sala; search about.I’ll sit awhile. See; why the food is gone,The food that he refused. He hath eaten all.His weakness was but feigned.Sa.I’ll search about.K.He stood and walked upright as if unhurt.Yet how, unless he be a devil in fleshCould he have 'scaped my mortal thrust?2010Sa.(in the arbour).Alas!He is here, he is dead.K.How now! he is dead?[Goes to arbour.Sa.(coming out).He is slain.May heaven forgive thee! (Aside.) Murdered, most basely murdered,And by this shifty, inconsiderate king.Murdered for pride; because he would not takeThe gift that was begrudged. Oh, Almeh, Almeh,Thou hadst a noble and a gentle lover.K.(re-entering). How came he there, Sala? How could I see him?’Tis true he is dead and cold.Sa.The Christian captivesHave caused our error. They have eaten the food,2020And laid their prince’s body in the bower:It was their sighing that we heard, re-echoedFrom the deep pit.K.By heaven,I saw him, Sala, when the moon shone out:He stood upright before me; while I spokeHe walked away.

ZAPEL and SALA, meeting.

SALA.

Whattidings, Zapel? I have been all day away,And had no word.

Whattidings, Zapel? I have been all day away,

And had no word.

ZAPEL.

There’s none of good to tell.She hath neither ate nor slept.

There’s none of good to tell.

She hath neither ate nor slept.

1650Sa.Will she not eat?

Sa.Will she not eat?

Za.Nothing.

Sa.’Tis the third day.

Za.Nor will she sleep.She fights ’gainst sleep, as if ’twere death. Like oneThat must keep watch against its soft approaches,Sitting upon her couch with head inclinedShe mourneth to herself, and ’twixt her sighsWhat words may be distinguished overlookHer own distress, and squander their lamentsUpon an unknown sorrow, which she saysEnwraps the world. Or sometimes she will sing1660The melancholy strains which she hath heardThe Christian captives use.

Za.Nor will she sleep.

She fights ’gainst sleep, as if ’twere death. Like one

That must keep watch against its soft approaches,

Sitting upon her couch with head inclined

She mourneth to herself, and ’twixt her sighs

What words may be distinguished overlook

Her own distress, and squander their laments

Upon an unknown sorrow, which she says

Enwraps the world. Or sometimes she will sing

The melancholy strains which she hath heard

The Christian captives use.

Sa.’Tis a brain-sickness:Miserable.

Sa.’Tis a brain-sickness:

Miserable.

Za.And ever, when I have tried to cheer her,Hath she rebuked me, as she is wont; but gently,And bid me leave her: Then to meet her humourI have gone, but made occasion to return,Bringing such simple food as best she likes,Freshly prepared to tempt her; and with tearsI pray her but to taste: yet she endures,And saith, 'I thank thee, Zapel: tho’I eat not,1670Thy skill is not misspent stretching the rackThat proves my constancy. I prithee, girl,Set fresh and fresh before me.’Hearing thisI weep for pity: but she saith, 'Be sureI shall not taste thy dishes, till one eatWho is now denied.’

Za.And ever, when I have tried to cheer her,

Hath she rebuked me, as she is wont; but gently,

And bid me leave her: Then to meet her humour

I have gone, but made occasion to return,

Bringing such simple food as best she likes,

Freshly prepared to tempt her; and with tears

I pray her but to taste: yet she endures,

And saith, 'I thank thee, Zapel: tho’I eat not,

Thy skill is not misspent stretching the rack

That proves my constancy. I prithee, girl,

Set fresh and fresh before me.’Hearing this

I weep for pity: but she saith, 'Be sure

I shall not taste thy dishes, till one eat

Who is now denied.’

Sa.Doth she not speak his name?

Za.Rarely and reverently, as a name of God.Then I am sent to learn the last; if yetHe lives, and whether he hath spoke of her. This morn,As I returned from such unhappy quest,1680She gave me this: See, ’tis a letter for him....

Za.Rarely and reverently, as a name of God.

Then I am sent to learn the last; if yet

He lives, and whether he hath spoke of her. This morn,

As I returned from such unhappy quest,

She gave me this: See, ’tis a letter for him....

[Shewing letter.

Sa.Thou darest!

Za.O sir, the piteous prayer she made,Kneeling and clasping me about the knees,Went to my heart. But now I have it I fearTo have broke the king’s command. I prithee take it.

Za.O sir, the piteous prayer she made,

Kneeling and clasping me about the knees,

Went to my heart. But now I have it I fear

To have broke the king’s command. I prithee take it.

Sa.Give’t me.[Takes.

Za.To see her thus, Allah forgive me,I wish well to the infidel. What wordShall I take back?

Za.To see her thus, Allah forgive me,

I wish well to the infidel. What word

Shall I take back?

Sa.Say truth. I will deliver it.And tell her prince Enrique is returned:He is camped a league away, and in such force1690As makes me hope I may persuade the kingTo yield to his demand. Since there’s this hope,Bid her preserve her strength bravely, nor thusPrejudge God’s will. His blessing aid thy words.

Sa.Say truth. I will deliver it.

And tell her prince Enrique is returned:

He is camped a league away, and in such force

As makes me hope I may persuade the king

To yield to his demand. Since there’s this hope,

Bid her preserve her strength bravely, nor thus

Prejudge God’s will. His blessing aid thy words.

[Exit Zapel.

I said there’s hope. ’Twas hope that bade me lie,For none I see. And this is misery,To cherish consolations, and be happyDoing the loathèd thing. Am I contentTo bear a letter of Almeh’s to her lover?1699Allah is great. My best desire is onlyTo save her,—my one hope that the prince should yield:And no persuasion but her love will move him.This letter will entreat him; I must carry it.Enter King.

I said there’s hope. ’Twas hope that bade me lie,

For none I see. And this is misery,

To cherish consolations, and be happy

Doing the loathèd thing. Am I content

To bear a letter of Almeh’s to her lover?

Allah is great. My best desire is only

To save her,—my one hope that the prince should yield:

And no persuasion but her love will move him.

This letter will entreat him; I must carry it.

Enter King.

KING.

Sala, make haste: a herald from Enrique.This to me: Read. Edward of PortugalIs dead. His eldest son being but a babe,A regency now governs, and the rulersAre prince Enrique and this Ferdinand.The other I cannot read, and ’tis addressedTo Ferdinand. I doubt not that it urges1710Acceptance of my terms and quick return.

Sala, make haste: a herald from Enrique.

This to me: Read. Edward of Portugal

Is dead. His eldest son being but a babe,

A regency now governs, and the rulers

Are prince Enrique and this Ferdinand.

The other I cannot read, and ’tis addressed

To Ferdinand. I doubt not that it urges

Acceptance of my terms and quick return.

Sa.I pray it be so. Is it your pleasure, sire,To speak with Ferdinand?

Sa.I pray it be so. Is it your pleasure, sire,

To speak with Ferdinand?

K.Ay, fetch him hither.The dog being master now may change his mind.

K.Ay, fetch him hither.

The dog being master now may change his mind.

Sa.And will you see him in his shameful dress?

K.Nay, that is past:—his own, and with his sword.

Sa.And his despatch; shall I not bear it to him?

K.Ay. Give it him; take it. Stay. (Aside.) I never knowWhat it may say. Better to try him firstWithout its knowledge. Should I fail ’twere timeTo use it then. (To Sala.) Give it me. I’ll keep it back.What is this other paper?[Seeing A.'s letter.

K.Ay. Give it him; take it. Stay. (Aside.) I never know

What it may say. Better to try him first

Without its knowledge. Should I fail ’twere time

To use it then. (To Sala.) Give it me. I’ll keep it back.

What is this other paper?[Seeing A.'s letter.

1721Sa.I pray, my liege,Ask not.

Sa.I pray, my liege,

Ask not.

K.I’ll know.

Sa.I pray you trust me, sire.

K.Trust thee! what means this?

Sa.’Tis a forbidden paper.’Twould anger you to see it.

Sa.’Tis a forbidden paper.

’Twould anger you to see it.

K.By heaven, I am angeredBefore I see it. What is it thou wouldst hide?

K.By heaven, I am angered

Before I see it. What is it thou wouldst hide?

Sa.It is a letter which I have interceptedFrom Almeh to the prince. If you have pityOn your own flesh, beseech you, let me use itAs I judge fit.

Sa.It is a letter which I have intercepted

From Almeh to the prince. If you have pity

On your own flesh, beseech you, let me use it

As I judge fit.

1729K.And well discovered now.By God, wouldst thou play carrier? Give it to me.

K.And well discovered now.

By God, wouldst thou play carrier? Give it to me.

Sa.It hath not been five minutes in my hands.

K.And shall not be. (Takes.) Go fetch the prince.

Sa.If you should read it, sire, and find thereinMessages of such softness as might meltThe stubbornness of Ferdinand, I pray you,For her sweet sake that writ it, let it goAnd do its errand.

Sa.If you should read it, sire, and find therein

Messages of such softness as might melt

The stubbornness of Ferdinand, I pray you,

For her sweet sake that writ it, let it go

And do its errand.

K.Go thou and do thine.[Exit Sala.Will he too plot against me! Let us seeWhat style she dares.Thy death, O my beloved,1740Already is avenged.—O very tenderly,And most determined.—Willingly I sufferWhat pains of thine I may. ’Tis all my joyTo have taken neither food nor restSince first thou wert deprived; nor will I takeTill thou be respited.—Why this might move him.Oh, if thou diest!—Ah, great heavens,What read I here? Now I see all. Baptized!Baptized in secret by thy countrymen.Baptized! Then let her perish. She is dead.1750I cast her off.Till now I hid this from thee,Doubting my worthiness.—He doth not know it.He shall not know. None shall know. We will die.I will slay all. I will go down to the grave,And plead my cause before the holy angels,Whether it may be permitted for a princess,Against her father and faith....—Nay, is’t not writThere is there no vain discourse nor charge of sin,But pleasure to the faithful? And I to dieWith house and kingdom shamed! How would my crownShine ’mong the blessed caliphs, and the martyrs1761Who fell in fight upon the road of God?How would they look upon me,If ’mong their moonbright scimitars I came,My child’s blood on my head? and she not there,The fair flower of my life, the bud of grace,Which my long-withering and widowed treeHeld to the face of heaven,Now from my own trunk by my own hands torn.Better the bole be split: heaven’s lightning rend me:1770All curses seize me. Almeh, thou must not die.

K.Go thou and do thine.[Exit Sala.

Will he too plot against me! Let us see

What style she dares.Thy death, O my beloved,

Already is avenged.—O very tenderly,

And most determined.—Willingly I suffer

What pains of thine I may. ’Tis all my joy

To have taken neither food nor rest

Since first thou wert deprived; nor will I take

Till thou be respited.—Why this might move him.

Oh, if thou diest!—Ah, great heavens,

What read I here? Now I see all. Baptized!

Baptized in secret by thy countrymen.

Baptized! Then let her perish. She is dead.

I cast her off.Till now I hid this from thee,

Doubting my worthiness.—He doth not know it.

He shall not know. None shall know. We will die.

I will slay all. I will go down to the grave,

And plead my cause before the holy angels,

Whether it may be permitted for a princess,

Against her father and faith....—Nay, is’t not writ

There is there no vain discourse nor charge of sin,

But pleasure to the faithful? And I to die

With house and kingdom shamed! How would my crown

Shine ’mong the blessed caliphs, and the martyrs

Who fell in fight upon the road of God?

How would they look upon me,

If ’mong their moonbright scimitars I came,

My child’s blood on my head? and she not there,

The fair flower of my life, the bud of grace,

Which my long-withering and widowed tree

Held to the face of heaven,

Now from my own trunk by my own hands torn.

Better the bole be split: heaven’s lightning rend me:

All curses seize me. Almeh, thou must not die.

Re-enter Sala.

Sa.Prince Ferdinand will come.

K.Is he not here?

Sa.He comes.

K.Why look’st thou thus upon me, Sala?

Sa.Because, sire, thou’st dishonoured me, and slainA noble warrior, who gave me life.

Sa.Because, sire, thou’st dishonoured me, and slain

A noble warrior, who gave me life.

K.Slain him!

Sa.Ay, king: except thou raise the dead.For tho’he breathes, ’tis with such failing gaspsAs mastering death allows to his sure prey.

Sa.Ay, king: except thou raise the dead.

For tho’he breathes, ’tis with such failing gasps

As mastering death allows to his sure prey.

K.Thou art over-fearful; three days without foodShould make him weak and faint, but not to death.1780Nay, I am determined now he shall not die.Food will restore him. Set me here a tableWith meat and drink: here in the garden set it,And he shall eat at once. See it be done,And quickly.

K.Thou art over-fearful; three days without food

Should make him weak and faint, but not to death.

Nay, I am determined now he shall not die.

Food will restore him. Set me here a table

With meat and drink: here in the garden set it,

And he shall eat at once. See it be done,

And quickly.

Sa.Sire, I obey: tho’’tis too late.[Exit.

During the King’s following speech, servants come in with table, etc., which they set down, and go out.

K.He must not die, since only by his lifeI can save Almeh: and ’tis not too late.The sight of food will tempt, the taste restore him:He will yield. I have here too what will move him,This letter; were he built of Atlas stone,1790For Almeh’s sake he must relent. I know,I see what must be done. I can consent:For such alliance with an ancient foeIs honourable. Peace between the realms,Happiness to both houses—bought may beWith sacrifice on my side—yet there’s prideOn both to balance: and, this way refused,’Tis hell and death. And he will thank me too.He is brave and noble; and the stoutest foesAre won to stoutest friendship. See, he comes.

K.He must not die, since only by his life

I can save Almeh: and ’tis not too late.

The sight of food will tempt, the taste restore him:

He will yield. I have here too what will move him,

This letter; were he built of Atlas stone,

For Almeh’s sake he must relent. I know,

I see what must be done. I can consent:

For such alliance with an ancient foe

Is honourable. Peace between the realms,

Happiness to both houses—bought may be

With sacrifice on my side—yet there’s pride

On both to balance: and, this way refused,

’Tis hell and death. And he will thank me too.

He is brave and noble; and the stoutest foes

Are won to stoutest friendship. See, he comes.

Enter Fer., upborne between two Moorish soldiers.

1800Prince Ferdinand, our quarrel comes to end.A message has arrived from prince Enrique.Your brother Edward, that was king, is dead.Wherefore the power which I have used on theeI now relax. I have a gentler purposeAnd a persuasion thou mayst guess; while thou,Owing no loyalty but to thyself,I am well assured wilt not be slow to meet me.Sit with me first and eat: when thou’rt restoredWe will compose these matters at our leisure:Which done, and peace agreed, thou mayst return1811In time to pay thy brother’s memoryThe sorrow it deserves: and in his placeGovern the Portuguese. See, there’s thy life,Thy strength and restoration. Sit and eat.

Prince Ferdinand, our quarrel comes to end.

A message has arrived from prince Enrique.

Your brother Edward, that was king, is dead.

Wherefore the power which I have used on thee

I now relax. I have a gentler purpose

And a persuasion thou mayst guess; while thou,

Owing no loyalty but to thyself,

I am well assured wilt not be slow to meet me.

Sit with me first and eat: when thou’rt restored

We will compose these matters at our leisure:

Which done, and peace agreed, thou mayst return

In time to pay thy brother’s memory

The sorrow it deserves: and in his place

Govern the Portuguese. See, there’s thy life,

Thy strength and restoration. Sit and eat.

FERDINAND.

I feel no hunger, sire. The time is pastWhen thou couldst save my life.

I feel no hunger, sire. The time is past

When thou couldst save my life.

K.Despair not.

Fer.Nay,I do not know the word.

Fer.Nay,

I do not know the word.

K.This is despair.Come, sit and eat.

K.This is despair.

Come, sit and eat.

Fer.I say the wish is past.

K.Dost thou not then believe? See in this paperWrit to thyself. (Gives.)1820(Aside.) Life doth not tempt this man.The call to rule his people yet may move him.What readst thou now therein?

K.Dost thou not then believe? See in this paper

Writ to thyself. (Gives.)

(Aside.) Life doth not tempt this man.

The call to rule his people yet may move him.

What readst thou now therein?

Fer.What thou hast said.My brother Edward’s soul rest in God’s peace!

Fer.What thou hast said.

My brother Edward’s soul rest in God’s peace!

K.Is nought else in thy paper?

Fer.Ay, there’s more.I’d not conceal it. Prince Enrique writes,If I return not to his camp to-night,He comes himself in force to rescue me.

Fer.Ay, there’s more.

I’d not conceal it. Prince Enrique writes,

If I return not to his camp to-night,

He comes himself in force to rescue me.

K.Trust not to such deliverance.

Fer.Nay, O king:For cometh he at even or at morn,1830To-morrow or to-day, he cometh late.My eves and morns are passed, and my deliveranceIs nearer than his coming: yet for that,Tho’I shall see him not when he doth come,Not the less will he come; for so he saith.

Fer.Nay, O king:

For cometh he at even or at morn,

To-morrow or to-day, he cometh late.

My eves and morns are passed, and my deliverance

Is nearer than his coming: yet for that,

Tho’I shall see him not when he doth come,

Not the less will he come; for so he saith.

K.Thou wilt not eat and live?

Fer.I thank thee, sire.

K.(to attendants). Set the prince in the chair, and all go out;And send the guard within.

K.(to attendants). Set the prince in the chair, and all go out;

And send the guard within.

[They obey. As they go out they take with them the sentinel from the pit gate. From this point the stage gradually begins to darken to end of act.

Now, prince, we are left alone, eat what I give thee.

[Puts food towards him.

Fer.Why should I eat?

K.(pouring).Myself I pour the wine.Drink with me. ’Tis thy life.

K.(pouring).Myself I pour the wine.

Drink with me. ’Tis thy life.

1840Fer.Why should I live?

Fer.Why should I live?

K.Canst thou not guess? I’ll tell thee then, and speakNot as a foe. Thy will hath conquered mine;And if I wronged thee, thou hast wronged me more.Thou hast loved my daughter, and strangely won her loveAway from him whom for my son I had chosen,And pillar of my house: thou hast driven awayMy best ally, and left my kingdom naked:—For this thy death would be but fair revenge.And there’s a secret cause why I should hate theeAbove all this: thou hast suborned my daughter:1851She hath denied her faith. See there: (gives letter) see there,What she hath writ. Read all. Seest thou not now?’Tis true, she kills herself; she dies for thee.Yet I’ll forgive thee; tho’she is none of mine,Apostate, disobedient.—Yet for herI will forgive thee. See, ’tis for her sakeI pray thee eat.

K.Canst thou not guess? I’ll tell thee then, and speak

Not as a foe. Thy will hath conquered mine;

And if I wronged thee, thou hast wronged me more.

Thou hast loved my daughter, and strangely won her love

Away from him whom for my son I had chosen,

And pillar of my house: thou hast driven away

My best ally, and left my kingdom naked:—

For this thy death would be but fair revenge.

And there’s a secret cause why I should hate thee

Above all this: thou hast suborned my daughter:

She hath denied her faith. See there: (gives letter) see there,

What she hath writ. Read all. Seest thou not now?

’Tis true, she kills herself; she dies for thee.

Yet I’ll forgive thee; tho’she is none of mine,

Apostate, disobedient.—Yet for her

I will forgive thee. See, ’tis for her sake

I pray thee eat.

Fer.Too late, ’twould be too late.

K.Say not too late: that word is death. Thou’rt brave.Tho’not for me, yet for her sake I bid theeEat, drink, and live. So she may live, and thou—1861The altitude of thrones may overlookSuch differences—I give her thee to wife.Save us, I pray.

K.Say not too late: that word is death. Thou’rt brave.

Tho’not for me, yet for her sake I bid thee

Eat, drink, and live. So she may live, and thou—

The altitude of thrones may overlook

Such differences—I give her thee to wife.

Save us, I pray.

Fer.What hear I? wouldst thou thenHave given me in good faith Almeh to wife?

Fer.What hear I? wouldst thou then

Have given me in good faith Almeh to wife?

[Makes motions towards food.

K.And will. Ay, drink.

Fer.And Ceuta?

K.That is mine,Her price.

K.That is mine,

Her price.

Fer.(thrusting things from him). Ah, never.

K.Dost thou then refuse?

Fer.It cheereth death to spend my last breath thus.

K.Sittest thou there balanced ’twixt death and life,Daintily making choice, and to my offer1870Of all that God could grant thee, life and love,Wrung from me by my sorrow, to my shamePreferrest the Christian hell? O InfidelApostatizing dog, lest now thy mouthShould find the power to gasp one broken speechOf triumph over me, die at my hand.Death shall not rob me of thy blood that’s left.

K.Sittest thou there balanced ’twixt death and life,

Daintily making choice, and to my offer

Of all that God could grant thee, life and love,

Wrung from me by my sorrow, to my shame

Preferrest the Christian hell? O Infidel

Apostatizing dog, lest now thy mouth

Should find the power to gasp one broken speech

Of triumph over me, die at my hand.

Death shall not rob me of thy blood that’s left.

[Stabs Fer. across the table.

Thus let thy brother find thee, if I failTo send him also thither, where thou goestTo thine idolatrous and thieving sires.[Exit.

Thus let thy brother find thee, if I fail

To send him also thither, where thou goest

To thine idolatrous and thieving sires.[Exit.

Enter from pit Chorus.... Twilight.

Chorus(inter se).

1880We come with laboured breathClimbing from underground:—In fear we creep and quake:—What voice with furious sound,Choking in wrath outspakeThe names of blood and death?—Who is here?—Look around.—Hearken!—the broken moanOf the ever-murmuring seaReaches my ear alone—1890Come forward, ye may dare,All is quite still and free.—Ah, stay! behold him there,That sitteth with his headUpon his breast bent low—The prince—the prince.—Forbear,He sleepeth.—Nay, I fear,Now may the truth strike deadMy terror—step thou near—Gently.—Alas! woe, woe,1900Woe, woe, woe, woe, he is dead.He sits dead in his chair.

We come with laboured breath

Climbing from underground:—

In fear we creep and quake:—

What voice with furious sound,

Choking in wrath outspake

The names of blood and death?—

Who is here?—Look around.—

Hearken!—the broken moan

Of the ever-murmuring sea

Reaches my ear alone—

Come forward, ye may dare,

All is quite still and free.—

Ah, stay! behold him there,

That sitteth with his head

Upon his breast bent low—

The prince—the prince.—Forbear,

He sleepeth.—Nay, I fear,

Now may the truth strike dead

My terror—step thou near—

Gently.—Alas! woe, woe,

Woe, woe, woe, woe, he is dead.

He sits dead in his chair.

See at his heart, where yetThe murderous wound is wet.—Our prince, our prince is dead—They have slain him in their spite—Ai, ai, ai, ai! Who nowCan save us? We are lost men, friends; we are lost—And thou, who saidst that we should live to fight,Where are thy arms? Didst thou not make a boast1910That thou couldst see God’s will?—We are quite forsaken,Forgotten—(1.) Refrain, refrain. Can God forget?

See at his heart, where yet

The murderous wound is wet.—

Our prince, our prince is dead—

They have slain him in their spite—

Ai, ai, ai, ai! Who now

Can save us? We are lost men, friends; we are lost—

And thou, who saidst that we should live to fight,

Where are thy arms? Didst thou not make a boast

That thou couldst see God’s will?—We are quite forsaken,

Forgotten—(1.) Refrain, refrain. Can God forget?

Ch.Who could refrain? Alas! Hath not long woeCrushed us so low?—Ah me! This is our pain.—Now we deplore, alas!—Hell and despair!—Now it is plain—O woe—we are no moreWhat once we were.—

Ch.Who could refrain? Alas! Hath not long woe

Crushed us so low?—Ah me! This is our pain.—

Now we deplore, alas!—Hell and despair!—

Now it is plain—O woe—we are no more

What once we were.—

(1.) Renew your courage, and devote your careIn solemn duty to the dead. UpraiseThis noble corpse, and bear it to the bower;1920Where, roofed by rose and jasmine, it may lieHid from the dews of swift descending night.Take ye the feet, while I uplift the head,And, grasping in the midst, ye, by his robe,Bear him with slow accommodated step,Where we may best dispose his limbs in peace.

(1.) Renew your courage, and devote your care

In solemn duty to the dead. Upraise

This noble corpse, and bear it to the bower;

Where, roofed by rose and jasmine, it may lie

Hid from the dews of swift descending night.

Take ye the feet, while I uplift the head,

And, grasping in the midst, ye, by his robe,

Bear him with slow accommodated step,

Where we may best dispose his limbs in peace.

[Exeunt bearers with Fer.'s body to bower.

Bearers.Alas, ah! noble prince,What burial wilt thou have?Far from where thy fathers lie,In a heathen grave,1930If grave they give thee at all.Yet will thy country mourn;And where victorious banners hang,And hymns of Christian joy are sung,Upraise thine empty tomb.

Bearers.Alas, ah! noble prince,

What burial wilt thou have?

Far from where thy fathers lie,

In a heathen grave,

If grave they give thee at all.

Yet will thy country mourn;

And where victorious banners hang,

And hymns of Christian joy are sung,

Upraise thine empty tomb.

The others.We see our fate to-night. Thus shall we die.—If thus they treated him, how shall we fare?—Who bids us hope?—There is no hope, no hope:I’ll mask my thought no more.

The others.We see our fate to-night. Thus shall we die.—

If thus they treated him, how shall we fare?—

Who bids us hope?—There is no hope, no hope:

I’ll mask my thought no more.

Bearers re-enter from bower.

Ch.(1.) (Who has Fer.'s letter and sword.)We are saved! we are saved!

Ch.(1.) (Who has Fer.'s letter and sword.)

We are saved! we are saved!

Ch.How saved?—How so?—Tell us!—

(1.)This letter here.

1940Ch.What letter? say.

Ch.What letter? say.

(1.)’Tis from the prince Enrique.

Ch.Read! read!

(1.)’Tis written to prince Ferdinand,In our home speech. ’Twas in his grasp.

(1.)’Tis written to prince Ferdinand,

In our home speech. ’Twas in his grasp.

Ch.Read! read!

(1.)Unless I have thee in my camp to-night,At morn I rescue thee.

(1.)Unless I have thee in my camp to-night,

At morn I rescue thee.

Ch.Where is the camp?

(1.) A league hence to the west, he writes.

Ch.Alas!Now they have slain his brother he will not come.—Or, should he come, then in the siege he makesHunger will slay us all.—

Ch.Alas!

Now they have slain his brother he will not come.—

Or, should he come, then in the siege he makes

Hunger will slay us all.—

(1.)Hark then to me. (Stage darkens more.)He lying so near we may escape to him.

(1.)Hark then to me. (Stage darkens more.)

He lying so near we may escape to him.

1950Ch.How shall we escape?—The guards upon the wallsWould see us.—They would send pursuit of horseTo cut us down.—

Ch.How shall we escape?—The guards upon the walls

Would see us.—They would send pursuit of horse

To cut us down.—

(1.)Not now. I said not now;But later in darkest night.

(1.)Not now. I said not now;

But later in darkest night.

Ch.And how to escape?

(1.) See here the prince’s sword: with this in handTo creep at midnight on our sentinel,And slay him: then in darkness unperceivedTo climb out o’er the wall.

(1.) See here the prince’s sword: with this in hand

To creep at midnight on our sentinel,

And slay him: then in darkness unperceived

To climb out o’er the wall.

Ch.Now sayst thou well.

(1.) Ye trust me now?

Ch.Ay, ay: if thou canst kill him.

(1.) Obey me, and I will lead you forth to-night.

1960Ch.What to do?

Ch.What to do?

(1.)Hush ye! Our careless sentinelMust soon return. Let him not see us here.Begone, and some take up this food and wine,Which we may share below to help our strength,Hiding it 'neath your garments, as do IThe sword. With silent step troop to your shades.

(1.)Hush ye! Our careless sentinel

Must soon return. Let him not see us here.

Begone, and some take up this food and wine,

Which we may share below to help our strength,

Hiding it 'neath your garments, as do I

The sword. With silent step troop to your shades.

[Exeunt. As they go out the stage darkens quite.

Re-enter K. and Sala, Left. There is light on them from the doorway, where they stand awhile.

K.Come forth and see!

Sa.The night hath wrapped thy deedIn fourfold darkness, that I should not see.

Sa.The night hath wrapped thy deed

In fourfold darkness, that I should not see.

K.Thine eyes are straitened by the light within:’Tis not so dark but we shall see anon.

K.Thine eyes are straitened by the light within:

’Tis not so dark but we shall see anon.

1970Sa.I have loved thee, sire, so well: served thee so long....

Sa.I have loved thee, sire, so well: served thee so long....

K.What sayst thou?

Sa.I complain ’tis ill-repaid.I am ill-repaid.

Sa.I complain ’tis ill-repaid.

I am ill-repaid.

K.Sala!

Sa.Prince FerdinandHad given me life.

Sa.Prince Ferdinand

Had given me life.

K.Stay. Why harbourest thou stillThat grudge against me? Didst thou read her letterI gave thee?

K.Stay. Why harbourest thou still

That grudge against me? Didst thou read her letter

I gave thee?

Sa.I did.

K.Thou didst: and canst not guess?To save her life I yielded. I consentedTo make this man my son. If he would liveAnd give up Ceuta, then I promised himAlmeh to wife.

K.Thou didst: and canst not guess?

To save her life I yielded. I consented

To make this man my son. If he would live

And give up Ceuta, then I promised him

Almeh to wife.

Sa.What hear I?

K.When he refused,I smote him through.

K.When he refused,

I smote him through.

Sa.Refused!

1980K.There where he sits.

K.There where he sits.

Sa.Can this be truth?

K.Ay, by the prophet. Ha!He is gone.

K.Ay, by the prophet. Ha!

He is gone.

Sa.Nay, none is here.

K.He hath yet found strengthTo crawl away to die. ’Twill not be far.Hark! heardst thou that? Again.[Sighing heard.

K.He hath yet found strength

To crawl away to die. ’Twill not be far.

Hark! heardst thou that? Again.[Sighing heard.

Sa.’Twas some one sighed.

K.’Twas that way, Sala: seek about.

Sa.The moonIs up, but curtained by yon inky cloud,Cannot shine forth. Let me go fetch a lantern.

Sa.The moon

Is up, but curtained by yon inky cloud,

Cannot shine forth. Let me go fetch a lantern.

K.Go, go. I will watch here.[Exit Sala.Why should I fear?I’ll draw my sword. (Calling.) Ferdinand!1990(The sighing again.) If thou canst speak, say where thou art.Answer me: Dost thou live? nay, sigh not so.If yet thou livest I think I would abate. (The sighing.)Now ’tis here, now ’tis there. Thank heaven, the moon:

K.Go, go. I will watch here.[Exit Sala.

Why should I fear?

I’ll draw my sword. (Calling.) Ferdinand!

(The sighing again.) If thou canst speak, say where thou art.

Answer me: Dost thou live? nay, sigh not so.

If yet thou livest I think I would abate. (The sighing.)

Now ’tis here, now ’tis there. Thank heaven, the moon:

(Moon appears, and shews ghost of Ferdinand midway back.)

I see him. He stands upright! Prince Ferdinand!He walketh from me. Stay. I bid thee stand,—By heaven, or I will slay thee. Villain, traitor!

I see him. He stands upright! Prince Ferdinand!

He walketh from me. Stay. I bid thee stand,—

By heaven, or I will slay thee. Villain, traitor!

[Goes after ghost, makes a lunge at him, and ghost vanishes.

Re-enter Sala.

Sa.What noise is that? What, sire: with thy sword drawn!

K.Didst thou not see him?

Sa.The Prince?

K.Ay.

Sa.Was it the princeYou spake with?

Sa.Was it the prince

You spake with?

K.Ay, he lives.

Sa.And drew you upon him?

2000K.I called to him, Sala, and he made away:I followed him to stay him.

K.I called to him, Sala, and he made away:

I followed him to stay him.

Sa.Thank God, he lives.You did not strike him.

Sa.Thank God, he lives.

You did not strike him.

K.Nay, I struck him not.

Sa.’Tis now like day. I see him nowhere, sire.

K.He hath hid himself. Look, Sala; search about.I’ll sit awhile. See; why the food is gone,The food that he refused. He hath eaten all.His weakness was but feigned.

K.He hath hid himself. Look, Sala; search about.

I’ll sit awhile. See; why the food is gone,

The food that he refused. He hath eaten all.

His weakness was but feigned.

Sa.I’ll search about.

K.He stood and walked upright as if unhurt.Yet how, unless he be a devil in fleshCould he have 'scaped my mortal thrust?

K.He stood and walked upright as if unhurt.

Yet how, unless he be a devil in flesh

Could he have 'scaped my mortal thrust?

2010Sa.(in the arbour).Alas!He is here, he is dead.

Sa.(in the arbour).Alas!

He is here, he is dead.

K.How now! he is dead?[Goes to arbour.

Sa.(coming out).He is slain.May heaven forgive thee! (Aside.) Murdered, most basely murdered,And by this shifty, inconsiderate king.Murdered for pride; because he would not takeThe gift that was begrudged. Oh, Almeh, Almeh,Thou hadst a noble and a gentle lover.

Sa.(coming out).He is slain.

May heaven forgive thee! (Aside.) Murdered, most basely murdered,

And by this shifty, inconsiderate king.

Murdered for pride; because he would not take

The gift that was begrudged. Oh, Almeh, Almeh,

Thou hadst a noble and a gentle lover.

K.(re-entering). How came he there, Sala? How could I see him?’Tis true he is dead and cold.

K.(re-entering). How came he there, Sala? How could I see him?

’Tis true he is dead and cold.

Sa.The Christian captivesHave caused our error. They have eaten the food,2020And laid their prince’s body in the bower:It was their sighing that we heard, re-echoedFrom the deep pit.

Sa.The Christian captives

Have caused our error. They have eaten the food,

And laid their prince’s body in the bower:

It was their sighing that we heard, re-echoed

From the deep pit.

K.By heaven,I saw him, Sala, when the moon shone out:He stood upright before me; while I spokeHe walked away.

K.By heaven,

I saw him, Sala, when the moon shone out:

He stood upright before me; while I spoke

He walked away.

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