ACT · V

ACT · VMoonlight. ALMEH entering, followed by ZAPEL.ZAPEL.2070Mylady, I pray come back.The night is sharp and cold: thou art not cladTo encounter its brisk sting.ALMEH.Nay, I must breathe.I fell into a stifling slumber, Zapel;And woke affrighted in a sweat of terror.Za.For heaven’s sake, lady, let thy spirit be soothed:Thou killest thyself.Al.Air, air! that from the thousand frozen fountsOf heaven art rained upon the drowsy earth,And gathering keenness from the diamond ways2080Of faery moonbeams visitest our worldTo make renewal of its jaded life,Breathe, breathe! ’Tis drunken with the stolen scentsOf sleeping pinks: heavy with kisses snatchedFrom roses, that in crowds of softest snowDream of the moon upon their blanchèd bowers.I drink, I drink.Za.If thou wilt tarry here,Let me go fetch thy cloak.Al.Where is my father?Za.He is not in the castle.Al.Where is Sala?I must speak with him.Za.They are both sallied forthTo assault the Christian camp.2090Al.O then ’twas trueThe noise I heard. They are fighting: ’twas the guns,The shouts I heard. I thought ’twas in my ears.—I have had strange visions, Zapel, these last days:’Twere past belief what I have seen and heard.I’ll tell thee somewhat when I have time—O love,If thou wouldst be my muse,I would enchant the sun;And steal the silken hues,Whereof his light is spun:2100And from the whispering wayOf the enarching airLook with the dawn of dayUpon the countries fair.Za.See, I will fetch thy cloak.[Exit.Al.This is the reasonWhy all’s so quiet. Sweet peace, thou dost lie.Men steal forth silently to kill: they creep,That they may spring to murder. Who would think,Gazing on this fair garden, as it liethLulled by the moonlight and the solemn music2110Made everlastingly by the grave sea,That ’twas a hell of villany, a dungeonOf death to its possessors. Death.—Za.(re-entering). Here is thy cloak.Al.Away! what dost thou think,Zapel, of death? I’ll tell thee. Nay, I promiseI’ve much to tell.—Thou’st heard, when one is dead,An angel comes to him where he lies buried,And bids him sit upright, and questions himOf Islam and Mohammet. ’Tis not so.For in my dream I saw the spirits of men2120Stand to be judged: along the extended lineOf their vast crowd in heaven, that like the seaSwayed in uncertain sheen upon the boundsOf its immensity, nor yet for thatTrespassed too far upon the airy shores,I gazed. The unclouded plain, whereon we stood,Had no distinction from the air above,Yet lacked not foothold to that host of spirits,In all things like to men, save for the brightnessOf incorruptible life, which they gave forth.2130Wondering at this I saw another marvel:They were not clothed nor naked, but o’er eachA veil of quality or colour thrownShewed and distinguished them, with bickering glanceAnd gemlike fires, brighter or undiscerned.As when the sun strikes on a sheet of foamThe whole is radiant, but the myriad globesAre red or green or blue, with rainbow lightCaught in the gauzy texture of their coats,—So differed they. Then, as I gazed, and saw2140The host before me was of men, and IIn a like crowd of women stood apart,The judgment, which had tarried in my thought,Began: from out the opposèd line of menHundreds came singly to the open fieldTo take their sentence. There, as each stepped forth,An angel met him, and from out our bandBeckoned a woman spirit, in whose joyOr gloom his fate was written. Nought was spoken,And they who from our squadron went to judge2150Seemed, as the beckoning angel, passionless.Woman and man, ’twas plain to all that sawWhich way the judgment went: if they were blessed,A smile of glory from the air around themGathered upon their robes, and music soundedTo guide them forward: but to some it happedThat darkness settled on them. As a manWho hears ill tidings wraps his cloak about him,For grief, and shrouds his face, not to be seen;So these by their own robes were swallowed up,Which thinned to blackness and invisible darkness,And were no more. Thus, while I wondered much2162How two fates could be justly mixed in one,Behold a man for whom the beckoning angelCould find no answering woman, and I watchedWhat sentence his should be; when I myselfWas 'ware that I was called. A radiant spiritWaited for me. I saw prince Ferdinand:—Go tell him that I am here.Za.I cannot, lady.Al.The king and Sala are gone forth to fight:2170There’s none can know. Be not afraid. Obey,Za.Alas! alas!Al.Why dost thou stand and wail?Za.Oh, I would serve thee; alas! but ’tis too late.Al.Too late! how is’t too late? If he were dead....Za.Lady, bear up, I pray thee: for ’tis sureThy dream betrayed the truth.Al.The truth! Alas!Thou dost believe he is dead. Why, folly, thinkHow could I then be living? It could not beThat I, a feeble woman, full of faintingsAnd fears, were more enduring to outlast2180The pangs of hunger than is he, a manWhom hardship hath inured. Nay, while I liveHe must be living.Za.True it is he is dead.Al.Thou art suborned: thou liest, thou dost.Confess.Za.O nay.Al.Now God have pity, or thou hast lied.But thou hast lied. Didst thou not say the kingSent for him forth? Didst thou not know the cause?His brother has returned in force to take him.Didst thou not see the dungeon door set wide?And dar’st lie thus?Za.(aside).Alas! what can I say?(To A.) Here is a chair: I pray thee sit awhile,I will go find him if I may.2191Al.(aside).She lied.Now she will fetch him. (To Za.) Where’s the seat?Za.Here, here.Al.I am dizzy. Lead me to it. Go fetch the prince.Za.Be comforted.Al.Who hath sat here, I say?Who hath sat here?Za.Prithee be comforted.Al.If this should be!Za.Verily we are God’s,And unto Him return.Al.Thou, thou! Begone.Stay, Zapel, here: give me my cloak. I am cold.Since I must die ... think not this strange, I pray.Bring food to me.2200Za.Thank God. ’Tis the sea airHath quickened thee.Al.Thinkst thou that vexèd monsterHath any physic in his briny breathFor grief like mine?Za.Lady, have better heart.Why, thou must live. When once thy tears have fallenThou wilt be comforted.Al.How should I weep?Bid men weep who with their light-hearted sinMake the world’s misery: bid women weep2208Who have been untrue to love and hope: but I,Why should I weep? Begone: bring me food here.Za.O that I am glad to do. Thank God for this.[Exit.Al.Why did she lie to me? Had they a plotTo make me think he is dead? Sala’s my friend:Sala sent word of hope: and if he livesAll may be saved. Nay, if he be not gone,If yet he is in the castle, I may find him.I’ll give him food: we will steal forth together:I have marked the way: and by the rocks of the shoreWe may lie hid till we may reach the camp.Now would I had kept my strength. Had I foreseenThis chance.... There’s none about. ’Tis not too late.[Noise of guns and fighting heard.I may dare call. Prince Ferdinand! Good heart,What noise of battle. Pray God he be not there.2223Against my sire now I pray God: I prayOur men be driven back: yet not too soon.Ferdinand! Ferdinand! Heaven grant there’s noneTo hear but he: and he will never hear meCalling so fearfully, so faintly.... Alas!Better to seek him. Since he is not within,He must be in this garden. He will have soughtSome shelter from the night.—Ah! the arbour ...there....[Goes to arbour.Why, here. Wake, Ferdinand, wake! Come, ’tis I,We may escape. Come. Nay, this cannot be.Ah, God!—not this. Have pity; undo it, revoke;O let thy hand for once undo.Thou mightest, O Thou mightest. Ah, how cold.Oh! oh! he is murdered. Blood, his blood. ’Tis true.Dead, and my dream, my fate, my love; ’tis done.The end. Nay, God, as Thou art God, I trust Thee;Take me with him. Here in this bower of death2240I leave my body,—to this pitiless worldOf hate: and to thy peaceful shores of joyI arise. O Ferdinand! me thou didst love.Thou didst kiss, once ... and these thy lips so coldI kiss once more. I have no fear: I come.[Dies, falling on Ferdinand’s body.Scuffling at back of stage, the guard runs forward, followed by the Chorus.GUARD.Some fiend hath pierced my back in the dark.CHORUS.Hey, fellow;Silence, or I will slay thee. ’Tis well; he is dead.——Silently, silently.—Stay, stay. Which way?—Here o’er the wall.—Hark thou, there’s fighting there—Our men have driven them back—we be too late.—They will return—See where they climb the wall.[The shouting and firing are grown quite near, and some figures are seen through the trees scaling the wall from without.2251Ch.Who be they? See, they are swarming in the castle—Our men, ’tis they. We are saved.—Make not too sure—Best hide among the trees—Hide, hide.—I’ll takeThe pagan’s scimitar.[They retire among trees.Enter left through the door a few Moorish soldiers, followed by the king, whom Enrique pursues.SOLDIERS.To the walls! to the walls!—Too late—they are here.ENRIQUE(to K.).Thy sword. Give up thy sword.KING.Curse thee. I defy thee.En.Thy sword, or I shall slay thee.K.Never.Ho! villains, rally. ’Tis the prince Enrique.Kill him, and save me.En.A rescue! a rescue!K.Die,2259Accursed infidel: but ere thou die....[The soldiers set on Enrique with the king.This hand that slayeth thee, hath slain thy brother.En.May God forgive thee if thou speak truth.The Captives rush out from the trees and overpower the soldiers, the armed of them kill the king as he fights with Enrique.Ch.A rescue!Revenge—revenge.K.Ha! treachery, ho! I am slain.[Falls dead.En.Now who be ye?Ch.Your own men, Prince; the captives.En.Praised be God! ye have saved my life.The Christian soldiers who were scaling the wall now come forward.CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.Victory! victory!The castle is taken.En.Some go seize the towers.Make speed: there may be men we know not of.Take store of ammunition.[Some run off.Enter more Christian soldiers by door(L.),leading Sala prisoner.1st Soldier.Here is the general taken.En.Sala ben Sala!2270Sa.’Tis I.En.Give me thy sword.Sa.I give it thee.[Gives.En.Is the day ours?Sa.The night is yours.En.I pray,What force is in the castle?Sa.There is none.Where is the king?En.See thou. But where’s my brother?Sa.What! slain! the king!En.I bade him render his sword:But, when he saw I stood alone before him,He made a rally of some beaten menWho had fled with him; and so provoked his deathAt the hands of his own prisoners, who ranUpon him from the trees and cut him down.2280Sa.By their hands fell he on this spot?En.’Twas so.Sa.O justest stroke of fate. ’Twas here he slewThe prince thy brother.En.Tell me not, I pray,That brag of his was true.Sa.Alas, ’tis true.En.My brother is dead! Ferdinand, Ferdinand!Sa.Thy grief is as my shame.En.Eternal shame.He who spared thee: your royal prisoner,Murdered.Sa.Forbear. I’ll lead thee where he lies.See thou, he is in the bower.En.(approaching bower). Ah! my brave brother!Is thy proud spirit no more? But what is this?2290Who is this woman that with eager armsEmbraceth his pale corpse?Sa.(pressing forward). How sayst thou? Almeh.Dead, dead.En.Not so, she is warm.Sa.Almeh. Sweet’st AlmehO nay, she is dead. Ah, loveliest child of earth,Is thy young bloom perished? Alas! alas!Is this thy end? O miserable king,What hast thou done?Chorus.Alma is dead! Alma the fair!—By love of Ferdinand whelmed in his fate.—Lament her, O lament.(1.) Joy of our heavy prison;Ch.Rescued too late—Beauty too fair. (1.) Ah! surely in earth’s prison....2302Ch.A mortal as immortal made—O unforeseen her end! Lament, lament!(1.) Our woe is a storm, our hope the fringe of a shade,The smile of a cloud by tempest rent.Ch.A dawn in vain arisen—Alma is dead:And we, to our superfluous prayerPermitted still, our lives have won,—2310Shaking in fear to be untimely undone,—By long misdoing undone, unworthy who were;—Saved by her, but saved too late.Alma the fair,Our Alma is dead.En.What mean these words?Sa.O prince,The woes so suddenly befallen us hereMake a long tale. In brief, these whom thou seestEmbraced in death, were drawn in life togetherBy love’s o’ermastering bond. Fate’s stroke at meIs that I live to tell it.2320En.And was’t for thatThy king slew Ferdinand?Sa.That was not all:For Satan did persuade our thwarteous kingTo make a godless bargain of their loves:He would have given his daughter to the PrinceAs Ceuta’s price. When he refused, ’twas thenIn pride and wrath he slew him.En.Alas, my brother.Inflexible in honour against thyself.If but for a day thou hadst seemed to make consent,All had been well.Sa.Not well for him. He lived2330And died with tongue as faithful as his soul.Ch.He tells not all. Maybe he doth not know.En.What’s more to tell?Ch.O sir, the princess here,Who loved thy brother, learned the faith of us.Her name is Alma. She is a Christian.Sa.Yea,’Tis true. I knew it. I would have hidden it from thee.In this we are shamèd most. Prince FerdinandConquered us here. His love and not his armsWove our disaster.Ch.Love and faith have conquered.2339Yet did his sword no less avenge his death.See, prince, ’tis here, wet with the murderer’s blood.It savèd thee. For this we may rejoice:And that we shall return.En.Ye shall return. But now ’tis not an hourFor your rejoicing. Still your tongues. And, Sala,It lies with thee in place of thy king deadTo treat with me. Here is thy sword: and thus[Giving.I wipe out debt; knowing that thou hast beenGenerous and faithful to my hapless brother.Let us make peace. Possess you what was yours2350Before this war: I shall lead back my troops,Nor vex your kingdom further. But I claimThe body of your princess, to interIn Christian ground. One grave shall hold these lovers.Sa.I would not separate them,—Heaven be my witness,—But shouldst thou bury Almeh in some spotWhereto I might not come, there’s nothing leftFor Sala on this earth but still to fight,To gain possession of that holy tomb.En.Fear not, for I will have their sepulchreIn Ceuta, and there to thee it shall be grantedTo enter when thou wilt.2361Sa.I loved her, prince,Before thy brother.En.For myself, I vowNe’er to draw sword again. I count all daysThat ever I spent in arms lost to my life.Man’s foe is ignorance: and the true soldierMay sit at home, and in retirement winKingdoms of knowledge; or to travel forthAnd make discovery of earth’s bounds, and learnWhat nations of his fellows God hath set2370In various countries; and by what safe roadsThey may knit peaceful commerce,—this is well,And this hath been my choice. To shed man’s bloodBrings but such ills on man as here ye see.To save my brother and these Christian captivesI drew this sword, which thus I sheathe againFor ever.Ch.Thou wilt lead us home.En.Peace! peace!So much is saved. Now have ye mournful dutyUnto the dead. Bring ye these lovers in.Let there be no more speech.

Moonlight. ALMEH entering, followed by ZAPEL.

ZAPEL.

2070Mylady, I pray come back.The night is sharp and cold: thou art not cladTo encounter its brisk sting.

Mylady, I pray come back.

The night is sharp and cold: thou art not clad

To encounter its brisk sting.

ALMEH.

Nay, I must breathe.I fell into a stifling slumber, Zapel;And woke affrighted in a sweat of terror.

Nay, I must breathe.

I fell into a stifling slumber, Zapel;

And woke affrighted in a sweat of terror.

Za.For heaven’s sake, lady, let thy spirit be soothed:Thou killest thyself.

Za.For heaven’s sake, lady, let thy spirit be soothed:

Thou killest thyself.

Al.Air, air! that from the thousand frozen fountsOf heaven art rained upon the drowsy earth,And gathering keenness from the diamond ways2080Of faery moonbeams visitest our worldTo make renewal of its jaded life,Breathe, breathe! ’Tis drunken with the stolen scentsOf sleeping pinks: heavy with kisses snatchedFrom roses, that in crowds of softest snowDream of the moon upon their blanchèd bowers.I drink, I drink.

Al.Air, air! that from the thousand frozen founts

Of heaven art rained upon the drowsy earth,

And gathering keenness from the diamond ways

Of faery moonbeams visitest our world

To make renewal of its jaded life,

Breathe, breathe! ’Tis drunken with the stolen scents

Of sleeping pinks: heavy with kisses snatched

From roses, that in crowds of softest snow

Dream of the moon upon their blanchèd bowers.

I drink, I drink.

Za.If thou wilt tarry here,Let me go fetch thy cloak.

Za.If thou wilt tarry here,

Let me go fetch thy cloak.

Al.Where is my father?

Za.He is not in the castle.

Al.Where is Sala?I must speak with him.

Al.Where is Sala?

I must speak with him.

Za.They are both sallied forthTo assault the Christian camp.

Za.They are both sallied forth

To assault the Christian camp.

2090Al.O then ’twas trueThe noise I heard. They are fighting: ’twas the guns,The shouts I heard. I thought ’twas in my ears.—I have had strange visions, Zapel, these last days:’Twere past belief what I have seen and heard.I’ll tell thee somewhat when I have time—O love,If thou wouldst be my muse,I would enchant the sun;And steal the silken hues,Whereof his light is spun:2100And from the whispering wayOf the enarching airLook with the dawn of dayUpon the countries fair.

Al.O then ’twas true

The noise I heard. They are fighting: ’twas the guns,

The shouts I heard. I thought ’twas in my ears.

—I have had strange visions, Zapel, these last days:

’Twere past belief what I have seen and heard.

I’ll tell thee somewhat when I have time—O love,

If thou wouldst be my muse,

I would enchant the sun;

And steal the silken hues,

Whereof his light is spun:

And from the whispering way

Of the enarching air

Look with the dawn of day

Upon the countries fair.

Za.See, I will fetch thy cloak.[Exit.

Al.This is the reasonWhy all’s so quiet. Sweet peace, thou dost lie.Men steal forth silently to kill: they creep,That they may spring to murder. Who would think,Gazing on this fair garden, as it liethLulled by the moonlight and the solemn music2110Made everlastingly by the grave sea,That ’twas a hell of villany, a dungeonOf death to its possessors. Death.—

Al.This is the reason

Why all’s so quiet. Sweet peace, thou dost lie.

Men steal forth silently to kill: they creep,

That they may spring to murder. Who would think,

Gazing on this fair garden, as it lieth

Lulled by the moonlight and the solemn music

Made everlastingly by the grave sea,

That ’twas a hell of villany, a dungeon

Of death to its possessors. Death.—

Za.(re-entering). Here is thy cloak.

Al.Away! what dost thou think,Zapel, of death? I’ll tell thee. Nay, I promiseI’ve much to tell.—Thou’st heard, when one is dead,An angel comes to him where he lies buried,And bids him sit upright, and questions himOf Islam and Mohammet. ’Tis not so.For in my dream I saw the spirits of men2120Stand to be judged: along the extended lineOf their vast crowd in heaven, that like the seaSwayed in uncertain sheen upon the boundsOf its immensity, nor yet for thatTrespassed too far upon the airy shores,I gazed. The unclouded plain, whereon we stood,Had no distinction from the air above,Yet lacked not foothold to that host of spirits,In all things like to men, save for the brightnessOf incorruptible life, which they gave forth.2130Wondering at this I saw another marvel:They were not clothed nor naked, but o’er eachA veil of quality or colour thrownShewed and distinguished them, with bickering glanceAnd gemlike fires, brighter or undiscerned.As when the sun strikes on a sheet of foamThe whole is radiant, but the myriad globesAre red or green or blue, with rainbow lightCaught in the gauzy texture of their coats,—So differed they. Then, as I gazed, and saw2140The host before me was of men, and IIn a like crowd of women stood apart,The judgment, which had tarried in my thought,Began: from out the opposèd line of menHundreds came singly to the open fieldTo take their sentence. There, as each stepped forth,An angel met him, and from out our bandBeckoned a woman spirit, in whose joyOr gloom his fate was written. Nought was spoken,And they who from our squadron went to judge2150Seemed, as the beckoning angel, passionless.Woman and man, ’twas plain to all that sawWhich way the judgment went: if they were blessed,A smile of glory from the air around themGathered upon their robes, and music soundedTo guide them forward: but to some it happedThat darkness settled on them. As a manWho hears ill tidings wraps his cloak about him,For grief, and shrouds his face, not to be seen;So these by their own robes were swallowed up,Which thinned to blackness and invisible darkness,And were no more. Thus, while I wondered much2162How two fates could be justly mixed in one,Behold a man for whom the beckoning angelCould find no answering woman, and I watchedWhat sentence his should be; when I myselfWas 'ware that I was called. A radiant spiritWaited for me. I saw prince Ferdinand:—Go tell him that I am here.

Al.Away! what dost thou think,

Zapel, of death? I’ll tell thee. Nay, I promise

I’ve much to tell.—Thou’st heard, when one is dead,

An angel comes to him where he lies buried,

And bids him sit upright, and questions him

Of Islam and Mohammet. ’Tis not so.

For in my dream I saw the spirits of men

Stand to be judged: along the extended line

Of their vast crowd in heaven, that like the sea

Swayed in uncertain sheen upon the bounds

Of its immensity, nor yet for that

Trespassed too far upon the airy shores,

I gazed. The unclouded plain, whereon we stood,

Had no distinction from the air above,

Yet lacked not foothold to that host of spirits,

In all things like to men, save for the brightness

Of incorruptible life, which they gave forth.

Wondering at this I saw another marvel:

They were not clothed nor naked, but o’er each

A veil of quality or colour thrown

Shewed and distinguished them, with bickering glance

And gemlike fires, brighter or undiscerned.

As when the sun strikes on a sheet of foam

The whole is radiant, but the myriad globes

Are red or green or blue, with rainbow light

Caught in the gauzy texture of their coats,—

So differed they. Then, as I gazed, and saw

The host before me was of men, and I

In a like crowd of women stood apart,

The judgment, which had tarried in my thought,

Began: from out the opposèd line of men

Hundreds came singly to the open field

To take their sentence. There, as each stepped forth,

An angel met him, and from out our band

Beckoned a woman spirit, in whose joy

Or gloom his fate was written. Nought was spoken,

And they who from our squadron went to judge

Seemed, as the beckoning angel, passionless.

Woman and man, ’twas plain to all that saw

Which way the judgment went: if they were blessed,

A smile of glory from the air around them

Gathered upon their robes, and music sounded

To guide them forward: but to some it happed

That darkness settled on them. As a man

Who hears ill tidings wraps his cloak about him,

For grief, and shrouds his face, not to be seen;

So these by their own robes were swallowed up,

Which thinned to blackness and invisible darkness,

And were no more. Thus, while I wondered much

How two fates could be justly mixed in one,

Behold a man for whom the beckoning angel

Could find no answering woman, and I watched

What sentence his should be; when I myself

Was 'ware that I was called. A radiant spirit

Waited for me. I saw prince Ferdinand:—

Go tell him that I am here.

Za.I cannot, lady.

Al.The king and Sala are gone forth to fight:2170There’s none can know. Be not afraid. Obey,

Al.The king and Sala are gone forth to fight:

There’s none can know. Be not afraid. Obey,

Za.Alas! alas!

Al.Why dost thou stand and wail?

Za.Oh, I would serve thee; alas! but ’tis too late.

Al.Too late! how is’t too late? If he were dead....

Za.Lady, bear up, I pray thee: for ’tis sureThy dream betrayed the truth.

Za.Lady, bear up, I pray thee: for ’tis sure

Thy dream betrayed the truth.

Al.The truth! Alas!Thou dost believe he is dead. Why, folly, thinkHow could I then be living? It could not beThat I, a feeble woman, full of faintingsAnd fears, were more enduring to outlast2180The pangs of hunger than is he, a manWhom hardship hath inured. Nay, while I liveHe must be living.

Al.The truth! Alas!

Thou dost believe he is dead. Why, folly, think

How could I then be living? It could not be

That I, a feeble woman, full of faintings

And fears, were more enduring to outlast

The pangs of hunger than is he, a man

Whom hardship hath inured. Nay, while I live

He must be living.

Za.True it is he is dead.

Al.Thou art suborned: thou liest, thou dost.Confess.

Al.Thou art suborned: thou liest, thou dost.

Confess.

Za.O nay.

Al.Now God have pity, or thou hast lied.But thou hast lied. Didst thou not say the kingSent for him forth? Didst thou not know the cause?His brother has returned in force to take him.Didst thou not see the dungeon door set wide?And dar’st lie thus?

Al.Now God have pity, or thou hast lied.

But thou hast lied. Didst thou not say the king

Sent for him forth? Didst thou not know the cause?

His brother has returned in force to take him.

Didst thou not see the dungeon door set wide?

And dar’st lie thus?

Za.(aside).Alas! what can I say?(To A.) Here is a chair: I pray thee sit awhile,I will go find him if I may.

Za.(aside).Alas! what can I say?

(To A.) Here is a chair: I pray thee sit awhile,

I will go find him if I may.

2191Al.(aside).She lied.Now she will fetch him. (To Za.) Where’s the seat?

Al.(aside).She lied.

Now she will fetch him. (To Za.) Where’s the seat?

Za.Here, here.

Al.I am dizzy. Lead me to it. Go fetch the prince.

Za.Be comforted.

Al.Who hath sat here, I say?Who hath sat here?

Al.Who hath sat here, I say?

Who hath sat here?

Za.Prithee be comforted.

Al.If this should be!

Za.Verily we are God’s,And unto Him return.

Za.Verily we are God’s,

And unto Him return.

Al.Thou, thou! Begone.Stay, Zapel, here: give me my cloak. I am cold.Since I must die ... think not this strange, I pray.Bring food to me.

Al.Thou, thou! Begone.

Stay, Zapel, here: give me my cloak. I am cold.

Since I must die ... think not this strange, I pray.

Bring food to me.

2200Za.Thank God. ’Tis the sea airHath quickened thee.

Za.Thank God. ’Tis the sea air

Hath quickened thee.

Al.Thinkst thou that vexèd monsterHath any physic in his briny breathFor grief like mine?

Al.Thinkst thou that vexèd monster

Hath any physic in his briny breath

For grief like mine?

Za.Lady, have better heart.Why, thou must live. When once thy tears have fallenThou wilt be comforted.

Za.Lady, have better heart.

Why, thou must live. When once thy tears have fallen

Thou wilt be comforted.

Al.How should I weep?Bid men weep who with their light-hearted sinMake the world’s misery: bid women weep2208Who have been untrue to love and hope: but I,Why should I weep? Begone: bring me food here.

Al.How should I weep?

Bid men weep who with their light-hearted sin

Make the world’s misery: bid women weep

Who have been untrue to love and hope: but I,

Why should I weep? Begone: bring me food here.

Za.O that I am glad to do. Thank God for this.

[Exit.

Al.Why did she lie to me? Had they a plotTo make me think he is dead? Sala’s my friend:Sala sent word of hope: and if he livesAll may be saved. Nay, if he be not gone,If yet he is in the castle, I may find him.I’ll give him food: we will steal forth together:I have marked the way: and by the rocks of the shoreWe may lie hid till we may reach the camp.Now would I had kept my strength. Had I foreseenThis chance.... There’s none about. ’Tis not too late.[Noise of guns and fighting heard.I may dare call. Prince Ferdinand! Good heart,What noise of battle. Pray God he be not there.2223Against my sire now I pray God: I prayOur men be driven back: yet not too soon.Ferdinand! Ferdinand! Heaven grant there’s noneTo hear but he: and he will never hear meCalling so fearfully, so faintly.... Alas!Better to seek him. Since he is not within,He must be in this garden. He will have soughtSome shelter from the night.—Ah! the arbour ...there....[Goes to arbour.Why, here. Wake, Ferdinand, wake! Come, ’tis I,We may escape. Come. Nay, this cannot be.Ah, God!—not this. Have pity; undo it, revoke;O let thy hand for once undo.Thou mightest, O Thou mightest. Ah, how cold.Oh! oh! he is murdered. Blood, his blood. ’Tis true.Dead, and my dream, my fate, my love; ’tis done.The end. Nay, God, as Thou art God, I trust Thee;Take me with him. Here in this bower of death2240I leave my body,—to this pitiless worldOf hate: and to thy peaceful shores of joyI arise. O Ferdinand! me thou didst love.Thou didst kiss, once ... and these thy lips so coldI kiss once more. I have no fear: I come.[Dies, falling on Ferdinand’s body.Scuffling at back of stage, the guard runs forward, followed by the Chorus.GUARD.Some fiend hath pierced my back in the dark.CHORUS.Hey, fellow;Silence, or I will slay thee. ’Tis well; he is dead.——Silently, silently.—Stay, stay. Which way?—Here o’er the wall.—Hark thou, there’s fighting there—Our men have driven them back—we be too late.—They will return—See where they climb the wall.[The shouting and firing are grown quite near, and some figures are seen through the trees scaling the wall from without.2251Ch.Who be they? See, they are swarming in the castle—Our men, ’tis they. We are saved.—Make not too sure—Best hide among the trees—Hide, hide.—I’ll takeThe pagan’s scimitar.[They retire among trees.Enter left through the door a few Moorish soldiers, followed by the king, whom Enrique pursues.SOLDIERS.To the walls! to the walls!—Too late—they are here.ENRIQUE(to K.).Thy sword. Give up thy sword.KING.Curse thee. I defy thee.En.Thy sword, or I shall slay thee.K.Never.Ho! villains, rally. ’Tis the prince Enrique.Kill him, and save me.En.A rescue! a rescue!K.Die,2259Accursed infidel: but ere thou die....[The soldiers set on Enrique with the king.This hand that slayeth thee, hath slain thy brother.En.May God forgive thee if thou speak truth.The Captives rush out from the trees and overpower the soldiers, the armed of them kill the king as he fights with Enrique.Ch.A rescue!Revenge—revenge.K.Ha! treachery, ho! I am slain.[Falls dead.En.Now who be ye?Ch.Your own men, Prince; the captives.En.Praised be God! ye have saved my life.The Christian soldiers who were scaling the wall now come forward.CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.Victory! victory!The castle is taken.En.Some go seize the towers.Make speed: there may be men we know not of.Take store of ammunition.[Some run off.Enter more Christian soldiers by door(L.),leading Sala prisoner.1st Soldier.Here is the general taken.En.Sala ben Sala!2270Sa.’Tis I.En.Give me thy sword.Sa.I give it thee.[Gives.En.Is the day ours?Sa.The night is yours.En.I pray,What force is in the castle?Sa.There is none.Where is the king?En.See thou. But where’s my brother?Sa.What! slain! the king!En.I bade him render his sword:But, when he saw I stood alone before him,He made a rally of some beaten menWho had fled with him; and so provoked his deathAt the hands of his own prisoners, who ranUpon him from the trees and cut him down.2280Sa.By their hands fell he on this spot?En.’Twas so.Sa.O justest stroke of fate. ’Twas here he slewThe prince thy brother.En.Tell me not, I pray,That brag of his was true.Sa.Alas, ’tis true.En.My brother is dead! Ferdinand, Ferdinand!Sa.Thy grief is as my shame.En.Eternal shame.He who spared thee: your royal prisoner,Murdered.Sa.Forbear. I’ll lead thee where he lies.See thou, he is in the bower.En.(approaching bower). Ah! my brave brother!Is thy proud spirit no more? But what is this?2290Who is this woman that with eager armsEmbraceth his pale corpse?Sa.(pressing forward). How sayst thou? Almeh.Dead, dead.En.Not so, she is warm.Sa.Almeh. Sweet’st AlmehO nay, she is dead. Ah, loveliest child of earth,Is thy young bloom perished? Alas! alas!Is this thy end? O miserable king,What hast thou done?Chorus.Alma is dead! Alma the fair!—By love of Ferdinand whelmed in his fate.—Lament her, O lament.(1.) Joy of our heavy prison;Ch.Rescued too late—Beauty too fair. (1.) Ah! surely in earth’s prison....2302Ch.A mortal as immortal made—O unforeseen her end! Lament, lament!(1.) Our woe is a storm, our hope the fringe of a shade,The smile of a cloud by tempest rent.Ch.A dawn in vain arisen—Alma is dead:And we, to our superfluous prayerPermitted still, our lives have won,—2310Shaking in fear to be untimely undone,—By long misdoing undone, unworthy who were;—Saved by her, but saved too late.Alma the fair,Our Alma is dead.En.What mean these words?Sa.O prince,The woes so suddenly befallen us hereMake a long tale. In brief, these whom thou seestEmbraced in death, were drawn in life togetherBy love’s o’ermastering bond. Fate’s stroke at meIs that I live to tell it.2320En.And was’t for thatThy king slew Ferdinand?Sa.That was not all:For Satan did persuade our thwarteous kingTo make a godless bargain of their loves:He would have given his daughter to the PrinceAs Ceuta’s price. When he refused, ’twas thenIn pride and wrath he slew him.En.Alas, my brother.Inflexible in honour against thyself.If but for a day thou hadst seemed to make consent,All had been well.Sa.Not well for him. He lived2330And died with tongue as faithful as his soul.Ch.He tells not all. Maybe he doth not know.En.What’s more to tell?Ch.O sir, the princess here,Who loved thy brother, learned the faith of us.Her name is Alma. She is a Christian.Sa.Yea,’Tis true. I knew it. I would have hidden it from thee.In this we are shamèd most. Prince FerdinandConquered us here. His love and not his armsWove our disaster.Ch.Love and faith have conquered.2339Yet did his sword no less avenge his death.See, prince, ’tis here, wet with the murderer’s blood.It savèd thee. For this we may rejoice:And that we shall return.En.Ye shall return. But now ’tis not an hourFor your rejoicing. Still your tongues. And, Sala,It lies with thee in place of thy king deadTo treat with me. Here is thy sword: and thus[Giving.I wipe out debt; knowing that thou hast beenGenerous and faithful to my hapless brother.Let us make peace. Possess you what was yours2350Before this war: I shall lead back my troops,Nor vex your kingdom further. But I claimThe body of your princess, to interIn Christian ground. One grave shall hold these lovers.Sa.I would not separate them,—Heaven be my witness,—But shouldst thou bury Almeh in some spotWhereto I might not come, there’s nothing leftFor Sala on this earth but still to fight,To gain possession of that holy tomb.En.Fear not, for I will have their sepulchreIn Ceuta, and there to thee it shall be grantedTo enter when thou wilt.2361Sa.I loved her, prince,Before thy brother.En.For myself, I vowNe’er to draw sword again. I count all daysThat ever I spent in arms lost to my life.Man’s foe is ignorance: and the true soldierMay sit at home, and in retirement winKingdoms of knowledge; or to travel forthAnd make discovery of earth’s bounds, and learnWhat nations of his fellows God hath set2370In various countries; and by what safe roadsThey may knit peaceful commerce,—this is well,And this hath been my choice. To shed man’s bloodBrings but such ills on man as here ye see.To save my brother and these Christian captivesI drew this sword, which thus I sheathe againFor ever.Ch.Thou wilt lead us home.En.Peace! peace!So much is saved. Now have ye mournful dutyUnto the dead. Bring ye these lovers in.Let there be no more speech.

Al.Why did she lie to me? Had they a plot

To make me think he is dead? Sala’s my friend:

Sala sent word of hope: and if he lives

All may be saved. Nay, if he be not gone,

If yet he is in the castle, I may find him.

I’ll give him food: we will steal forth together:

I have marked the way: and by the rocks of the shore

We may lie hid till we may reach the camp.

Now would I had kept my strength. Had I foreseen

This chance.... There’s none about. ’Tis not too late.[Noise of guns and fighting heard.

I may dare call. Prince Ferdinand! Good heart,

What noise of battle. Pray God he be not there.

Against my sire now I pray God: I pray

Our men be driven back: yet not too soon.

Ferdinand! Ferdinand! Heaven grant there’s none

To hear but he: and he will never hear me

Calling so fearfully, so faintly.... Alas!

Better to seek him. Since he is not within,

He must be in this garden. He will have sought

Some shelter from the night.—Ah! the arbour ...there....[Goes to arbour.Why, here. Wake, Ferdinand, wake! Come, ’tis I,We may escape. Come. Nay, this cannot be.Ah, God!—not this. Have pity; undo it, revoke;O let thy hand for once undo.Thou mightest, O Thou mightest. Ah, how cold.Oh! oh! he is murdered. Blood, his blood. ’Tis true.Dead, and my dream, my fate, my love; ’tis done.The end. Nay, God, as Thou art God, I trust Thee;Take me with him. Here in this bower of death2240I leave my body,—to this pitiless worldOf hate: and to thy peaceful shores of joyI arise. O Ferdinand! me thou didst love.Thou didst kiss, once ... and these thy lips so coldI kiss once more. I have no fear: I come.

there....[Goes to arbour.

Why, here. Wake, Ferdinand, wake! Come, ’tis I,

We may escape. Come. Nay, this cannot be.

Ah, God!—not this. Have pity; undo it, revoke;

O let thy hand for once undo.

Thou mightest, O Thou mightest. Ah, how cold.

Oh! oh! he is murdered. Blood, his blood. ’Tis true.

Dead, and my dream, my fate, my love; ’tis done.

The end. Nay, God, as Thou art God, I trust Thee;

Take me with him. Here in this bower of death

I leave my body,—to this pitiless world

Of hate: and to thy peaceful shores of joy

I arise. O Ferdinand! me thou didst love.

Thou didst kiss, once ... and these thy lips so cold

I kiss once more. I have no fear: I come.

[Dies, falling on Ferdinand’s body.

Scuffling at back of stage, the guard runs forward, followed by the Chorus.

GUARD.

Some fiend hath pierced my back in the dark.

CHORUS.

Hey, fellow;Silence, or I will slay thee. ’Tis well; he is dead.——Silently, silently.—Stay, stay. Which way?—Here o’er the wall.—Hark thou, there’s fighting there—Our men have driven them back—we be too late.—They will return—See where they climb the wall.

Hey, fellow;

Silence, or I will slay thee. ’Tis well; he is dead.—

—Silently, silently.—Stay, stay. Which way?—

Here o’er the wall.—Hark thou, there’s fighting there—

Our men have driven them back—we be too late.—

They will return—See where they climb the wall.

[The shouting and firing are grown quite near, and some figures are seen through the trees scaling the wall from without.

2251Ch.Who be they? See, they are swarming in the castle—Our men, ’tis they. We are saved.—Make not too sure—Best hide among the trees—Hide, hide.—I’ll takeThe pagan’s scimitar.[They retire among trees.

Ch.Who be they? See, they are swarming in the castle—

Our men, ’tis they. We are saved.—Make not too sure—

Best hide among the trees—Hide, hide.—I’ll take

The pagan’s scimitar.[They retire among trees.

Enter left through the door a few Moorish soldiers, followed by the king, whom Enrique pursues.

SOLDIERS.

To the walls! to the walls!—Too late—they are here.

To the walls! to the walls!—

Too late—they are here.

ENRIQUE(to K.).

Thy sword. Give up thy sword.

KING.

Curse thee. I defy thee.

En.Thy sword, or I shall slay thee.

K.Never.Ho! villains, rally. ’Tis the prince Enrique.Kill him, and save me.

K.Never.

Ho! villains, rally. ’Tis the prince Enrique.

Kill him, and save me.

En.A rescue! a rescue!

K.Die,2259Accursed infidel: but ere thou die....

K.Die,

Accursed infidel: but ere thou die....

[The soldiers set on Enrique with the king.

This hand that slayeth thee, hath slain thy brother.

En.May God forgive thee if thou speak truth.

The Captives rush out from the trees and overpower the soldiers, the armed of them kill the king as he fights with Enrique.

Ch.A rescue!Revenge—revenge.

Ch.A rescue!

Revenge—revenge.

K.Ha! treachery, ho! I am slain.[Falls dead.

En.Now who be ye?

Ch.Your own men, Prince; the captives.

En.Praised be God! ye have saved my life.

The Christian soldiers who were scaling the wall now come forward.

CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.

Victory! victory!The castle is taken.

Victory! victory!

The castle is taken.

En.Some go seize the towers.Make speed: there may be men we know not of.Take store of ammunition.[Some run off.

En.Some go seize the towers.

Make speed: there may be men we know not of.

Take store of ammunition.[Some run off.

Enter more Christian soldiers by door(L.),leading Sala prisoner.

1st Soldier.Here is the general taken.

En.Sala ben Sala!

2270Sa.’Tis I.

Sa.’Tis I.

En.Give me thy sword.

Sa.I give it thee.[Gives.

En.Is the day ours?

Sa.The night is yours.

En.I pray,What force is in the castle?

En.I pray,

What force is in the castle?

Sa.There is none.Where is the king?

Sa.There is none.

Where is the king?

En.See thou. But where’s my brother?

Sa.What! slain! the king!

En.I bade him render his sword:But, when he saw I stood alone before him,He made a rally of some beaten menWho had fled with him; and so provoked his deathAt the hands of his own prisoners, who ranUpon him from the trees and cut him down.

En.I bade him render his sword:

But, when he saw I stood alone before him,

He made a rally of some beaten men

Who had fled with him; and so provoked his death

At the hands of his own prisoners, who ran

Upon him from the trees and cut him down.

2280Sa.By their hands fell he on this spot?

Sa.By their hands fell he on this spot?

En.’Twas so.

Sa.O justest stroke of fate. ’Twas here he slewThe prince thy brother.

Sa.O justest stroke of fate. ’Twas here he slew

The prince thy brother.

En.Tell me not, I pray,That brag of his was true.

En.Tell me not, I pray,

That brag of his was true.

Sa.Alas, ’tis true.

En.My brother is dead! Ferdinand, Ferdinand!

Sa.Thy grief is as my shame.

En.Eternal shame.He who spared thee: your royal prisoner,Murdered.

En.Eternal shame.

He who spared thee: your royal prisoner,

Murdered.

Sa.Forbear. I’ll lead thee where he lies.See thou, he is in the bower.

Sa.Forbear. I’ll lead thee where he lies.

See thou, he is in the bower.

En.(approaching bower). Ah! my brave brother!Is thy proud spirit no more? But what is this?2290Who is this woman that with eager armsEmbraceth his pale corpse?

En.(approaching bower). Ah! my brave brother!

Is thy proud spirit no more? But what is this?

Who is this woman that with eager arms

Embraceth his pale corpse?

Sa.(pressing forward). How sayst thou? Almeh.Dead, dead.

Sa.(pressing forward). How sayst thou? Almeh.

Dead, dead.

En.Not so, she is warm.

Sa.Almeh. Sweet’st AlmehO nay, she is dead. Ah, loveliest child of earth,Is thy young bloom perished? Alas! alas!Is this thy end? O miserable king,What hast thou done?

Sa.Almeh. Sweet’st Almeh

O nay, she is dead. Ah, loveliest child of earth,

Is thy young bloom perished? Alas! alas!

Is this thy end? O miserable king,

What hast thou done?

Chorus.

Alma is dead! Alma the fair!—By love of Ferdinand whelmed in his fate.—Lament her, O lament.

Alma is dead! Alma the fair!—

By love of Ferdinand whelmed in his fate.—

Lament her, O lament.

(1.) Joy of our heavy prison;Ch.Rescued too late—Beauty too fair. (1.) Ah! surely in earth’s prison....

(1.) Joy of our heavy prison;Ch.Rescued too late—

Beauty too fair. (1.) Ah! surely in earth’s prison....

2302Ch.A mortal as immortal made—O unforeseen her end! Lament, lament!

Ch.A mortal as immortal made—

O unforeseen her end! Lament, lament!

(1.) Our woe is a storm, our hope the fringe of a shade,The smile of a cloud by tempest rent.

(1.) Our woe is a storm, our hope the fringe of a shade,

The smile of a cloud by tempest rent.

Ch.A dawn in vain arisen—Alma is dead:And we, to our superfluous prayerPermitted still, our lives have won,—2310Shaking in fear to be untimely undone,—By long misdoing undone, unworthy who were;—Saved by her, but saved too late.Alma the fair,Our Alma is dead.

Ch.A dawn in vain arisen—

Alma is dead:

And we, to our superfluous prayer

Permitted still, our lives have won,—

Shaking in fear to be untimely undone,—

By long misdoing undone, unworthy who were;—

Saved by her, but saved too late.

Alma the fair,

Our Alma is dead.

En.What mean these words?

Sa.O prince,The woes so suddenly befallen us hereMake a long tale. In brief, these whom thou seestEmbraced in death, were drawn in life togetherBy love’s o’ermastering bond. Fate’s stroke at meIs that I live to tell it.

Sa.O prince,

The woes so suddenly befallen us here

Make a long tale. In brief, these whom thou seest

Embraced in death, were drawn in life together

By love’s o’ermastering bond. Fate’s stroke at me

Is that I live to tell it.

2320En.And was’t for thatThy king slew Ferdinand?

En.And was’t for that

Thy king slew Ferdinand?

Sa.That was not all:For Satan did persuade our thwarteous kingTo make a godless bargain of their loves:He would have given his daughter to the PrinceAs Ceuta’s price. When he refused, ’twas thenIn pride and wrath he slew him.

Sa.That was not all:

For Satan did persuade our thwarteous king

To make a godless bargain of their loves:

He would have given his daughter to the Prince

As Ceuta’s price. When he refused, ’twas then

In pride and wrath he slew him.

En.Alas, my brother.Inflexible in honour against thyself.If but for a day thou hadst seemed to make consent,All had been well.

En.Alas, my brother.

Inflexible in honour against thyself.

If but for a day thou hadst seemed to make consent,

All had been well.

Sa.Not well for him. He lived2330And died with tongue as faithful as his soul.

Sa.Not well for him. He lived

And died with tongue as faithful as his soul.

Ch.He tells not all. Maybe he doth not know.

En.What’s more to tell?

Ch.O sir, the princess here,Who loved thy brother, learned the faith of us.Her name is Alma. She is a Christian.

Ch.O sir, the princess here,

Who loved thy brother, learned the faith of us.

Her name is Alma. She is a Christian.

Sa.Yea,’Tis true. I knew it. I would have hidden it from thee.In this we are shamèd most. Prince FerdinandConquered us here. His love and not his armsWove our disaster.

Sa.Yea,

’Tis true. I knew it. I would have hidden it from thee.

In this we are shamèd most. Prince Ferdinand

Conquered us here. His love and not his arms

Wove our disaster.

Ch.Love and faith have conquered.2339Yet did his sword no less avenge his death.See, prince, ’tis here, wet with the murderer’s blood.It savèd thee. For this we may rejoice:And that we shall return.

Ch.Love and faith have conquered.

Yet did his sword no less avenge his death.

See, prince, ’tis here, wet with the murderer’s blood.

It savèd thee. For this we may rejoice:

And that we shall return.

En.Ye shall return. But now ’tis not an hourFor your rejoicing. Still your tongues. And, Sala,It lies with thee in place of thy king deadTo treat with me. Here is thy sword: and thus

En.Ye shall return. But now ’tis not an hour

For your rejoicing. Still your tongues. And, Sala,

It lies with thee in place of thy king dead

To treat with me. Here is thy sword: and thus

[Giving.

I wipe out debt; knowing that thou hast beenGenerous and faithful to my hapless brother.Let us make peace. Possess you what was yours2350Before this war: I shall lead back my troops,Nor vex your kingdom further. But I claimThe body of your princess, to interIn Christian ground. One grave shall hold these lovers.

I wipe out debt; knowing that thou hast been

Generous and faithful to my hapless brother.

Let us make peace. Possess you what was yours

Before this war: I shall lead back my troops,

Nor vex your kingdom further. But I claim

The body of your princess, to inter

In Christian ground. One grave shall hold these lovers.

Sa.I would not separate them,—Heaven be my witness,—But shouldst thou bury Almeh in some spotWhereto I might not come, there’s nothing leftFor Sala on this earth but still to fight,To gain possession of that holy tomb.

Sa.I would not separate them,—Heaven be my witness,—

But shouldst thou bury Almeh in some spot

Whereto I might not come, there’s nothing left

For Sala on this earth but still to fight,

To gain possession of that holy tomb.

En.Fear not, for I will have their sepulchreIn Ceuta, and there to thee it shall be grantedTo enter when thou wilt.

En.Fear not, for I will have their sepulchre

In Ceuta, and there to thee it shall be granted

To enter when thou wilt.

2361Sa.I loved her, prince,Before thy brother.

Sa.I loved her, prince,

Before thy brother.

En.For myself, I vowNe’er to draw sword again. I count all daysThat ever I spent in arms lost to my life.Man’s foe is ignorance: and the true soldierMay sit at home, and in retirement winKingdoms of knowledge; or to travel forthAnd make discovery of earth’s bounds, and learnWhat nations of his fellows God hath set2370In various countries; and by what safe roadsThey may knit peaceful commerce,—this is well,And this hath been my choice. To shed man’s bloodBrings but such ills on man as here ye see.To save my brother and these Christian captivesI drew this sword, which thus I sheathe againFor ever.

En.For myself, I vow

Ne’er to draw sword again. I count all days

That ever I spent in arms lost to my life.

Man’s foe is ignorance: and the true soldier

May sit at home, and in retirement win

Kingdoms of knowledge; or to travel forth

And make discovery of earth’s bounds, and learn

What nations of his fellows God hath set

In various countries; and by what safe roads

They may knit peaceful commerce,—this is well,

And this hath been my choice. To shed man’s blood

Brings but such ills on man as here ye see.

To save my brother and these Christian captives

I drew this sword, which thus I sheathe again

For ever.

Ch.Thou wilt lead us home.

En.Peace! peace!So much is saved. Now have ye mournful dutyUnto the dead. Bring ye these lovers in.Let there be no more speech.

En.Peace! peace!

So much is saved. Now have ye mournful duty

Unto the dead. Bring ye these lovers in.

Let there be no more speech.

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