Chapter 7

ALMEH and ZAPEL.ALMEH.Whynever came we here before? To thinkI have lived for eighteen years shut up in Fez,Hemmed by the sandy desert, and all the whileThere was the sea! To have never seen the sea!ZAPEL.If thou hadst ever seen it, where were nowThy joy? ’tis novelty makes the delight.To them that in this castle dwell, the seaIs as the desert was to us at Fez.Al.Custom will dull the sense of any pleasure.10But set them down at Fez, would they not pine?There’s life in the air. ’Twixt yon blue roomy domeAnd watery pavement the young winds charge forthStored with refreshment: now we taste the springsMan’s spirit should drink, the very mountain torrentOf heaven, that were content to slake our throats’Immortal thirst at stagnant pools. What, Zapel,Is the limit of our stay? now I am here,I would abide for ever.Za.I know as littleAs thou. The king, thy sire, came here to fight20The unbelievers: when they are beaten backWe shall go home. But why he sent for theeI cannot guess.Al.Last night I know not, Zapel,Whether I slept or waked,—Za.Nor could I sleep.Al.But as I lay and listened to the sea,I plainly heard a waft of singing voices,That rose and fell and died anon away,Whiling the dark with some sweet lullaby.Za.Why, ’twas the Christian captives that thou heardst.Al.Ah! prisoners in the castle: I had forgot:’Twas told me. And they are Christians! Can it beThey sing so sweetly?31Za.Nay, I call it not sweet.’Tis sadder than the moaning of the windTo hear them praise their god.Al.True, it was sad:Unearthly it seemed. Now more than ever, Zapel,I am glad I came; if there be Christians here,And I may come to see them. All my lifeI have heard strange things of them, and wondered muchWhat they were like. I’ll speak with them.Za.Ha! ha!Al.Why not?Za.They lie chained in a noisome pit,Where ’tis impossible to come.40Al.Who be they?What is their fault?Za.They are captives in the war.Al.My father doth not use his captives so.Za.They are unbelievers.Al.True: yet that’s no crimeBut what they might impute to us. Were weIn their hands fallen, thus cut off from our homes,’Twere cruel to be tortured for the faith.Za.They are worthless dogs.Al.Alas! is all my teachingSo cast away upon thy boorish soul?Pity makes brethren of our enemies.Za.Forgive me, lady; I spoke in haste; and yet—I would that thou couldst think as I.51Al.Indeed,That were attainment. Vex me not, I bid thee;But plan with me how I may see these captives:Were’t but to have them sing to me I’d do it:But curiosity and pity alikeMove me. If man is cruel, ’tis woman’s partTo ease the suffering which she cannot hinder.Za.How wouldst thou see them?Al.I shall ask my fatherTo grant them, if it be but once a day,60To walk at liberty within the walls.Za.’Tis pity Sala is not here.Al.Thy meaning?Za.The general hath the keeping of the castle,And he would work thy way in any wish,Howe’er preposterous.Al.And thou sayst not ill.Sala is approachable and kind at heart:’Tis pity he is away.[Trumpets heard without.Za.Here comes the king;He bade me shew thee hither in the garden,And here will look to find thee.Al.Go, I bid thee,And tell him that I am here.[Exit Zapel.70Now shall I know why I was sent for hither.Would ’twere to take this castle for my own,With no more retinue than might sufficeTo till this garden, and to cook my food.I’d win these Christian captives to my serviceFor ministers and minstrels; ay, and theyShould row me on the water. I’d have my booksIn the northern tower, where set on high my lamp,Forestalling darkness with its seaward ray,Sailors should look for, and on tranquil nights80Hear solemn music faintly, and believeThere was enchantment. Could I have my will,So would I live. And where’s the gain to beThe daughter of a king, if every wishNearest one’s heart is of like course denied,As to the meanest peasant ... when one word,One nod could grant it?Enter King.KING.Almeh! my rose of June!Queen of my gardens, flower of all my kingdom!Al.Honour be thine, my sire.K.I bring thee joy.Hast thou not wondered why I sent for thee?Al.Why was it? I long to know.90K.(giving).See for thyself.Al.A picture!K.’Tis a portrait.Al.And of whom?K.Dost thou not guess who this young Kaled is:This high and dauntless brow, this stalwart arm,Keen eye and martial poise?Al.If this be he,Who made of late entreaty for my hand,Prince Tarudante ...K.A happy omen. Ay,Look, girl, and love him, for he wooes thee wellWith all Morocco.Al.Yet I cannot loveThy wish to banish me so far.K.Thy marriage100Will bring Morocco nearer, and renewOur old alliance: for thy valiant loverComes not with gold to woo thee, but sharp steel.His flag is black, his ceremonious trainAre twenty thousand horsemen sworn to avengeThe Prophet.... Ceuta will be mine.Al.Ah, sire!I like not love that comes with war to woo.K.But war that shall bring peace, whose lasting oliveMay not be sceptred in my hand, untilThis fallen jewel be set back in my crown.110Thy marriage with Morocco shall wipe outThe old dishonour that hath vexed my reign.Al.And yet doth Ceuta, sire, in all thy kingdomRank as a little town.K.Thou art a woman;How can I show thee? This anemone,’Tis beautiful, nor canst thou say its graceResides in this part nor in that: but look;I pluck a petal from it.—Thou beholdestMy kingdom without Ceuta. Wouldst thou wishTo set this back unto the perfect flower?Al.How could I do it?120K.I must tell thee all.Our ancestors, thou knowest, blest be their names,Long ruled in Spain, and made that coign of the earthThe glory of all; but to the peaceful artsTurning their genius when they sat to rule,Their prudence slept: for that half-barbarous race,Whom conquering they had spared, grew up more aptIn arms, and rising ’gainst our easy folkO’erthrew and dispossest them;—and, not contentTo have driven us out of Spain, pursued us hither,130Where in our southern bounds we lived retiredBehind the ocean as an ample shield.’Twas in thy grandsire’s time, ere thou wert born,They did this wrong; the boastful PortugueseSwoln with malevolence,—why should I say it?—King Joam and his sons, all unprovoked,For we had oaths of peace, attacked us hereWith sudden treacherous assault, and seizedCeuta, our strongest barrier thitherward.Impregnable we deemed it, and indeed140Impregnable have found it ’gainst ourselvesFor twenty years besieging it in vain.Then should this shame, unbearable to us,Prove but incitement to our foes, a footholdFor further wresting. Two months have not passedSince that a new Armada sailed from TagusAgainst Tangiers, and both by land and seaBeleaguering would have reft that city too,And added my dishonour to my father’s,Had not Ben Sala’s generalship o’ermatched150Their most infernal malice. Praised be Allah!They fell, they fled; and such as fled not lieDead on our sands, or in our dungeons chained.Al.Are those the captives in the castle pit?K.Ay, but thou breakst my tale;—mark what I tell.—The victory mine, I looked to make fair peace,And would have given my prisoners in exchangeFor Ceuta; but the prince of Portugal,Behind those walls retired, refused the ransom;And gathering reinforcement hath come forth160To devastate the country. ’Tis ’gainst himThat Sala marched five days ago. MeanwhileMorocco, who was treating for thy hand,Heard tidings of our war, and having nowAn armament collected ’gainst the tribes,Has turned it to my rescue. ’Twas for thisI sent for thee; in furtherance of thy marriage;Hoping thereby to bind him in the termsI have to tell thee. However Sala fare,And hitherto no news comes from his camp,170’Twere no achievement worthy of TarudanteTo make dispersal of a broken foe:I shall propose a greater enterprise;I’ll say ’Thou wilt not grudge to sweep the boundsOf the fair realm, whose heiress thou wouldst wed.Make we this compact—Win me Ceuta backAnd drive the idolaters across the sea,Ere thou take home my daughter for thy queen.’Al.But doth Morocco, sire, know I am here?K.Nay, nor myself knew, when I sent for thee,180How ’twould fall out: ’twas timed most happily.Al.But coming not to woo, may he not findOffence in the constraint; as I confessI feel to lay it on him, tho’my lover?K.Nay, nay, girl; he is in earnest; meet him frankly;’Tis by his love thou shalt restore my town.Enter Messenger.MESSENGER.News from the army, Sire.K.Thou lookest black:What is it? speak.Mess.O mighty king, ’tis ill.Sala ben Sala’s forces were attackedAt nightfall by the Christians. In the dark190Was battle waged. By morn what men remainedAnd all the camp were captive.K.God forbid!Five thousand men were there: be none escaped?Mess.Such as in darkness fled.K.And fledst thou thence?Mess.The general sent me on.K.And what of him?Mess.The dawn discovered him, when all was lost,Fighting on foot upon a little hill,Surrounded by the foe; when seeing no hope,He made surrender to the Christian leader,Who gave him liberty. Thus far to tell200He bade, and that he followed speedily.K.When will he come?Mess.Sire, tho’I used all duty,He hath overtaken me and dismounts without.K.Go, wait upon him.[Exit Messenger.Accursed be the seedOf these idolaters. Five thousand men,The best in Fez: the right arm of my powerLost in one night. Five thousand men were there.Ah! by God’s holiest names!Al.Thank heaven, dear father,The best is saved, if Sala be escaped.K.True, girl: and from the ill there’s good to come:210Their victory will lead these devils on.Ay, they will come. They know not of Morocco;They run into a trap.Al.Will you make peace?K.God bids us smite these hogs: I would that hellWere deeper to receive them.Enter Sala.Sala ben Sala, peace be with thee!SALA.The peace of heaven be thine, my king!K.Thou comestMost swiftly from the battle.Sa.With less hasteThan needed; but fatigue and wounds delayed me.What see I? The princess here! Alas, alas!O my disaster!220Al.Now I thank God, Sala,That thou’rt alive.Sa.To such shame is not good.Sire, while there’s time, escape; and leave me hereTo hold the castle for thee as I may.K.Have thou no fear, Sala. My daughter, go:Leave us alone: or better sit thou there,And hear what Sala tells: and, Sala, thouBegin the tale, for which thy messengerHath well prepared my ear. Here is thy seat.Sa.Hear then, my liege, what happened, as I tell.(Aside.) Yet how to tell my shame in Almeh’s ears?—231’Tis the fifth day since thou didst send me forthAgainst the Christian bands, which as we learnedHarassed the plains of Ceuta.—Thither I marchedFour thousand strong, besides our cavalryAnd bowmen: Here and there some small encountersDrove back the foe within the gates, and thenI made return, establishing the countryAnd strengthening the garrisons, nor heardThat any greater force had come afield:240When yesterday at noon our scouts espiedThe flash of arms and dust of troops movingAmong the hills: thither we turned our face,And had no fear but for the foe’s escape,Nor guessed how much the lurking enemyOutmatched our weakened numbers. What surprise,—I blame myself,—then, when our scouts came inAt sunset with the tidings that the foe,Whom we thought flying from us, held the passAgainst our coming. Straight I chose a spot250Such as we might defend, and there encamped,And would have stayed till morn, when suddenlyThe stragglers on our rear were driven inBy horse that fell upon our flank; and soonI heard our front engaged. The moon to them,—That was our peril,—the accursed yellow moonExposed our camp, while in the shadowy glensThe night hid their attack: our dispositionWas else not ill. Taking sufficient force,I turned to clear the rear; but in the darkMet with great numbers. How we fought God knows,261Surrounded on all hands. If any fledI cannot guess: but battling there till dawn,I saw at daybreak there were left with meBut hundreds against thousands. Then to saveThe needless slaughter, I gave up my swordUnto the Christian leader, FerdinandOf Portugal; nor ever had here returnedTo speak of the disaster, but that prince,Clement as valiant, questioned courteously270My name, and hearing it returned my sword,And bidding me choose out from all his suiteWhat horse I fancied,—for my own was killed,—He raised his helm, and said,‘Go free, brave Sala; ride and tell thy kingWe follow thee to rescue from his handsThe prisoners he withholds:’ That is my tale.Allah is great, and what he doth to-dayTo-morrow he may undo.K.This courteous ChristianIs but a fool: for had he kept thee fast,280He might have had his men in thy exchange.Sa.No less now must thou grant them.K.No, by God.Hark, Sala: these few days thou hast been awayHave brought me from the east four times the forceWhich thou ill-fatedly hast lost. MoroccoLies camped a short league hence, and in his tentsAre twenty thousand men.Sa.Morocco is here?K.Said I not well? Is he not one to meetThese Christians? Let them come. How many be they?Sa.Eight, maybe, or nine thousand. Where’s Morocco?290K.At Alcabar. When look they to be here?Sa.They have no thought we can oppose their host,And will not hasten.K.We will be ready for them.Prepare to leave by noon: thou must collectWhat men thou canst. I will go write my summonsTo Tarudante. Stay: I have not enquiredWhat are thy wounds.Sa.Nothing that should forbidImmediate service: food, an hour of restWill make me fit.K.In three hours be thou ready.[Exit.Al.Go thou within, Sala; and rest thee now.Or wilt thou first take food?300Sa.There’s time enough.Bid me not hence, my rest and food are here.How cam’st thou hither?Al.The king sent for me.Sa.And why? Thee in the camp! O beauteous Almeh,Dost thou think vilely of me, that the ChristianSurprised and overcame me? If I had knownThat thou wast here ...Al.Stay, Sala: thou wilt hurtThy soldiership. I doubt not FerdinandIs a most worthy foe: I rather fearHe hath a quality unconquerable.310Sa.Ha! then I am scorned.Al.I mean he is generous:He set thee free. Couldst thou not match that deed?Sa.As friend or foe I would outmatch him bravely.Nay but to see him in his angel-fairnessProvoked my emulation, and I vowedSome day to kill his horse, and take his sword,And cry him quit.Al.Still thou’rt for war: ’twere betterRepay him with the gift that he demands,These miserable captives.Sa.I would have done so.But thou didst hear the king refuse. He is sworn320To grant no terms till Ceuta be restored.Our law moreover doth forbid this traffic,To exchange our captives with the infidels.Al.But hast thou then thyself, Sala, no powerTo do them any kindness; or for meWilt thou not grant them so much libertyAs to walk in the garden once a day?If I might speak with them I might do somewhatTo pay the debt we owe their general;And to speak truth, for my own sake I ask it.Sa.How for thy sake?330Al.I wish to hear them sing.Sa.How could that please? Who told thee that they sing?Al.’Twas last night, Sala, as I lay long awakeDreamily hearkening to the ocean murmur,Softer than silence, on mine ears there stoleA solemn sound of wailful harmony:So beautiful it was that first I thoughtThis castle was enchanted, as I have readIn eastern tales; or else that ’twas the songOf people of this land, who make the sea340Their secret god, and at midnight ariseTo kneel upon the shore, and his divinityTrouble with shrilling prayer: or then it seemedA liquid-voicèd choir of spirits that swamUpon the ocean surface, harp in hand,Swelling their hymns with his deep undersong.That was the Christian captives.Sa.’Twas the nightSoftened their wails to sweetness: as the space’Twixt hell and heaven makes the cries of the damnedMusic to the angels.Al.Sala, ’tis not the king,350’Tis thou art cruel; thou hast a heart of hate.Sa.O nay, a heart of love. I would not countDishonour, Almeh; I would be at peaceWith shame and infidels and all the world,Wouldst thou be mine.Al.Now, if my father heard thee!Thou dar’st much, thinking that I cannot tell:Which if I have never done, ’tis that I am lothTo lose so old a friend; ’tis pain to seeThat as I am grown from childhood, thou art grownFrom friendship, and for loving me too muchMust love me now no more.360Sa.Ah! what is that?A portrait in thy hand? Nay show it me.Why dost thou blush? Who is the happy oneThou carriest thus to gaze on?Al.Look and see.Sa.’Tis Tarudante. O thou faithless Almeh,To speak of friendship who hast never told meThou hast a lover. Now I see the causeWhy thou art here. This boy.—’Tis a smooth cheek,A pretty picture. Ah! wert thou not shamedTo slight me for a sprinkling of grey hair370About my temples, thou wouldst never thusHave hid thy passion.Al.Tho’thou hast stolen from meA privilege to love me, I deny theeThe liberty to judge me and reprove.Sa.Ever, when thou hast bidden my love be dumb,My tongue hath been obedient: but my anger,My jealousy will speak. How gottest thou this?Al.Question not so, or I will never tell.Sa.Have pity, Almeh, and tell me.Al.Then ’tis thus.My father gave it me this very hour,380As herald of the prince whom it portrays.He comes on double mission, first to fightAgainst our foes ...Sa.Hast thou consented, Almeh?Al.If ’tis my father’s will, and if the princeBe earnest in his courtship ...Sa.Ah! thou dost wish it.Al.My wish can count but little: but my wishIs not for this nor any other marriage.Sa.Thou hast yielded to the thought. Would I had diedOn Ferdinand’s sword; or that his ear had ne’erHeard my ill-fated name, Sala, far happier390Chained in a Spanish galley, than set freeTo find thee in a rival’s arms.Al.O shame!How have I yielded?Sa.Thou hast taken in handThis cursèd portrait: held it ...Al.Nay, I pray.Sa.Gazed on it, fondled it: a pictured boy!Thy champion.Al.I bid thee think....Sa.A painted image!Al.And what, pray, wouldst thou have had me do?Sa.What do?Never to have taken it: refused it: scorned it:Cast it beneath thy feet: trodden it to atoms.Al.Thou wrongst me, Sala, now: thou art overcomeWith fasting and much fighting.400Sa.O, I am wrongedTo have the temper of my passion judgedAs hunger or fatigue. Here is thy picture,Thy lover. Take it back. Farewell. I go,But not to eat or rest. Almeh, farewell:I would have died for thee.Al.Nay, go not thusUnkindly.Sa.’Tis farewell: but not unkindness,Lest thou shouldst say my last word was unkindness,I will go seek the king, and shall persuade himEre I depart to grant the Christian captives410The little liberty which thou hast asked:Then to the war; wherein I pray that heavenHath laid my death: if anywhere on earthWithin my reach, I’ll find it. O farewell.The Angels guard thee.[Going.Al.I bid thee go not thus.

ALMEH and ZAPEL.ALMEH.

ALMEH and ZAPEL.

ALMEH.

Whynever came we here before? To thinkI have lived for eighteen years shut up in Fez,Hemmed by the sandy desert, and all the whileThere was the sea! To have never seen the sea!

Whynever came we here before? To think

I have lived for eighteen years shut up in Fez,

Hemmed by the sandy desert, and all the while

There was the sea! To have never seen the sea!

ZAPEL.

If thou hadst ever seen it, where were nowThy joy? ’tis novelty makes the delight.To them that in this castle dwell, the seaIs as the desert was to us at Fez.

If thou hadst ever seen it, where were now

Thy joy? ’tis novelty makes the delight.

To them that in this castle dwell, the sea

Is as the desert was to us at Fez.

Al.Custom will dull the sense of any pleasure.10But set them down at Fez, would they not pine?There’s life in the air. ’Twixt yon blue roomy domeAnd watery pavement the young winds charge forthStored with refreshment: now we taste the springsMan’s spirit should drink, the very mountain torrentOf heaven, that were content to slake our throats’Immortal thirst at stagnant pools. What, Zapel,Is the limit of our stay? now I am here,I would abide for ever.

Al.Custom will dull the sense of any pleasure.

But set them down at Fez, would they not pine?

There’s life in the air. ’Twixt yon blue roomy dome

And watery pavement the young winds charge forth

Stored with refreshment: now we taste the springs

Man’s spirit should drink, the very mountain torrent

Of heaven, that were content to slake our throats’

Immortal thirst at stagnant pools. What, Zapel,

Is the limit of our stay? now I am here,

I would abide for ever.

Za.I know as littleAs thou. The king, thy sire, came here to fight20The unbelievers: when they are beaten backWe shall go home. But why he sent for theeI cannot guess.

Za.I know as little

As thou. The king, thy sire, came here to fight

The unbelievers: when they are beaten back

We shall go home. But why he sent for thee

I cannot guess.

Al.Last night I know not, Zapel,Whether I slept or waked,—

Al.Last night I know not, Zapel,

Whether I slept or waked,—

Za.Nor could I sleep.

Al.But as I lay and listened to the sea,I plainly heard a waft of singing voices,That rose and fell and died anon away,Whiling the dark with some sweet lullaby.

Al.But as I lay and listened to the sea,

I plainly heard a waft of singing voices,

That rose and fell and died anon away,

Whiling the dark with some sweet lullaby.

Za.Why, ’twas the Christian captives that thou heardst.

Al.Ah! prisoners in the castle: I had forgot:’Twas told me. And they are Christians! Can it beThey sing so sweetly?

Al.Ah! prisoners in the castle: I had forgot:

’Twas told me. And they are Christians! Can it be

They sing so sweetly?

31Za.Nay, I call it not sweet.’Tis sadder than the moaning of the windTo hear them praise their god.

Za.Nay, I call it not sweet.

’Tis sadder than the moaning of the wind

To hear them praise their god.

Al.True, it was sad:Unearthly it seemed. Now more than ever, Zapel,I am glad I came; if there be Christians here,And I may come to see them. All my lifeI have heard strange things of them, and wondered muchWhat they were like. I’ll speak with them.

Al.True, it was sad:

Unearthly it seemed. Now more than ever, Zapel,

I am glad I came; if there be Christians here,

And I may come to see them. All my life

I have heard strange things of them, and wondered much

What they were like. I’ll speak with them.

Za.Ha! ha!

Al.Why not?

Za.They lie chained in a noisome pit,Where ’tis impossible to come.

Za.They lie chained in a noisome pit,

Where ’tis impossible to come.

40Al.Who be they?What is their fault?

Al.Who be they?

What is their fault?

Za.They are captives in the war.

Al.My father doth not use his captives so.

Za.They are unbelievers.

Al.True: yet that’s no crimeBut what they might impute to us. Were weIn their hands fallen, thus cut off from our homes,’Twere cruel to be tortured for the faith.

Al.True: yet that’s no crime

But what they might impute to us. Were we

In their hands fallen, thus cut off from our homes,

’Twere cruel to be tortured for the faith.

Za.They are worthless dogs.

Al.Alas! is all my teachingSo cast away upon thy boorish soul?Pity makes brethren of our enemies.

Al.Alas! is all my teaching

So cast away upon thy boorish soul?

Pity makes brethren of our enemies.

Za.Forgive me, lady; I spoke in haste; and yet—I would that thou couldst think as I.

Za.Forgive me, lady; I spoke in haste; and yet—

I would that thou couldst think as I.

51Al.Indeed,That were attainment. Vex me not, I bid thee;But plan with me how I may see these captives:Were’t but to have them sing to me I’d do it:But curiosity and pity alikeMove me. If man is cruel, ’tis woman’s partTo ease the suffering which she cannot hinder.

Al.Indeed,

That were attainment. Vex me not, I bid thee;

But plan with me how I may see these captives:

Were’t but to have them sing to me I’d do it:

But curiosity and pity alike

Move me. If man is cruel, ’tis woman’s part

To ease the suffering which she cannot hinder.

Za.How wouldst thou see them?

Al.I shall ask my fatherTo grant them, if it be but once a day,60To walk at liberty within the walls.

Al.I shall ask my father

To grant them, if it be but once a day,

To walk at liberty within the walls.

Za.’Tis pity Sala is not here.

Al.Thy meaning?

Za.The general hath the keeping of the castle,And he would work thy way in any wish,Howe’er preposterous.

Za.The general hath the keeping of the castle,

And he would work thy way in any wish,

Howe’er preposterous.

Al.And thou sayst not ill.Sala is approachable and kind at heart:’Tis pity he is away.[Trumpets heard without.

Al.And thou sayst not ill.

Sala is approachable and kind at heart:

’Tis pity he is away.[Trumpets heard without.

Za.Here comes the king;He bade me shew thee hither in the garden,And here will look to find thee.

Za.Here comes the king;

He bade me shew thee hither in the garden,

And here will look to find thee.

Al.Go, I bid thee,And tell him that I am here.[Exit Zapel.70Now shall I know why I was sent for hither.Would ’twere to take this castle for my own,With no more retinue than might sufficeTo till this garden, and to cook my food.I’d win these Christian captives to my serviceFor ministers and minstrels; ay, and theyShould row me on the water. I’d have my booksIn the northern tower, where set on high my lamp,Forestalling darkness with its seaward ray,Sailors should look for, and on tranquil nights80Hear solemn music faintly, and believeThere was enchantment. Could I have my will,So would I live. And where’s the gain to beThe daughter of a king, if every wishNearest one’s heart is of like course denied,As to the meanest peasant ... when one word,One nod could grant it?

Al.Go, I bid thee,

And tell him that I am here.[Exit Zapel.

Now shall I know why I was sent for hither.

Would ’twere to take this castle for my own,

With no more retinue than might suffice

To till this garden, and to cook my food.

I’d win these Christian captives to my service

For ministers and minstrels; ay, and they

Should row me on the water. I’d have my books

In the northern tower, where set on high my lamp,

Forestalling darkness with its seaward ray,

Sailors should look for, and on tranquil nights

Hear solemn music faintly, and believe

There was enchantment. Could I have my will,

So would I live. And where’s the gain to be

The daughter of a king, if every wish

Nearest one’s heart is of like course denied,

As to the meanest peasant ... when one word,

One nod could grant it?

Enter King.

KING.

Almeh! my rose of June!Queen of my gardens, flower of all my kingdom!

Almeh! my rose of June!

Queen of my gardens, flower of all my kingdom!

Al.Honour be thine, my sire.

K.I bring thee joy.Hast thou not wondered why I sent for thee?

K.I bring thee joy.

Hast thou not wondered why I sent for thee?

Al.Why was it? I long to know.

90K.(giving).See for thyself.

K.(giving).See for thyself.

Al.A picture!

K.’Tis a portrait.

Al.And of whom?

K.Dost thou not guess who this young Kaled is:This high and dauntless brow, this stalwart arm,Keen eye and martial poise?

K.Dost thou not guess who this young Kaled is:

This high and dauntless brow, this stalwart arm,

Keen eye and martial poise?

Al.If this be he,Who made of late entreaty for my hand,Prince Tarudante ...

Al.If this be he,

Who made of late entreaty for my hand,

Prince Tarudante ...

K.A happy omen. Ay,Look, girl, and love him, for he wooes thee wellWith all Morocco.

K.A happy omen. Ay,

Look, girl, and love him, for he wooes thee well

With all Morocco.

Al.Yet I cannot loveThy wish to banish me so far.

Al.Yet I cannot love

Thy wish to banish me so far.

K.Thy marriage100Will bring Morocco nearer, and renewOur old alliance: for thy valiant loverComes not with gold to woo thee, but sharp steel.His flag is black, his ceremonious trainAre twenty thousand horsemen sworn to avengeThe Prophet.... Ceuta will be mine.

K.Thy marriage

Will bring Morocco nearer, and renew

Our old alliance: for thy valiant lover

Comes not with gold to woo thee, but sharp steel.

His flag is black, his ceremonious train

Are twenty thousand horsemen sworn to avenge

The Prophet.... Ceuta will be mine.

Al.Ah, sire!I like not love that comes with war to woo.

Al.Ah, sire!

I like not love that comes with war to woo.

K.But war that shall bring peace, whose lasting oliveMay not be sceptred in my hand, untilThis fallen jewel be set back in my crown.110Thy marriage with Morocco shall wipe outThe old dishonour that hath vexed my reign.

K.But war that shall bring peace, whose lasting olive

May not be sceptred in my hand, until

This fallen jewel be set back in my crown.

Thy marriage with Morocco shall wipe out

The old dishonour that hath vexed my reign.

Al.And yet doth Ceuta, sire, in all thy kingdomRank as a little town.

Al.And yet doth Ceuta, sire, in all thy kingdom

Rank as a little town.

K.Thou art a woman;How can I show thee? This anemone,’Tis beautiful, nor canst thou say its graceResides in this part nor in that: but look;I pluck a petal from it.—Thou beholdestMy kingdom without Ceuta. Wouldst thou wishTo set this back unto the perfect flower?

K.Thou art a woman;

How can I show thee? This anemone,

’Tis beautiful, nor canst thou say its grace

Resides in this part nor in that: but look;

I pluck a petal from it.—Thou beholdest

My kingdom without Ceuta. Wouldst thou wish

To set this back unto the perfect flower?

Al.How could I do it?

120K.I must tell thee all.Our ancestors, thou knowest, blest be their names,Long ruled in Spain, and made that coign of the earthThe glory of all; but to the peaceful artsTurning their genius when they sat to rule,Their prudence slept: for that half-barbarous race,Whom conquering they had spared, grew up more aptIn arms, and rising ’gainst our easy folkO’erthrew and dispossest them;—and, not contentTo have driven us out of Spain, pursued us hither,130Where in our southern bounds we lived retiredBehind the ocean as an ample shield.’Twas in thy grandsire’s time, ere thou wert born,They did this wrong; the boastful PortugueseSwoln with malevolence,—why should I say it?—King Joam and his sons, all unprovoked,For we had oaths of peace, attacked us hereWith sudden treacherous assault, and seizedCeuta, our strongest barrier thitherward.Impregnable we deemed it, and indeed140Impregnable have found it ’gainst ourselvesFor twenty years besieging it in vain.Then should this shame, unbearable to us,Prove but incitement to our foes, a footholdFor further wresting. Two months have not passedSince that a new Armada sailed from TagusAgainst Tangiers, and both by land and seaBeleaguering would have reft that city too,And added my dishonour to my father’s,Had not Ben Sala’s generalship o’ermatched150Their most infernal malice. Praised be Allah!They fell, they fled; and such as fled not lieDead on our sands, or in our dungeons chained.

K.I must tell thee all.

Our ancestors, thou knowest, blest be their names,

Long ruled in Spain, and made that coign of the earth

The glory of all; but to the peaceful arts

Turning their genius when they sat to rule,

Their prudence slept: for that half-barbarous race,

Whom conquering they had spared, grew up more apt

In arms, and rising ’gainst our easy folk

O’erthrew and dispossest them;—and, not content

To have driven us out of Spain, pursued us hither,

Where in our southern bounds we lived retired

Behind the ocean as an ample shield.

’Twas in thy grandsire’s time, ere thou wert born,

They did this wrong; the boastful Portuguese

Swoln with malevolence,—why should I say it?—

King Joam and his sons, all unprovoked,

For we had oaths of peace, attacked us here

With sudden treacherous assault, and seized

Ceuta, our strongest barrier thitherward.

Impregnable we deemed it, and indeed

Impregnable have found it ’gainst ourselves

For twenty years besieging it in vain.

Then should this shame, unbearable to us,

Prove but incitement to our foes, a foothold

For further wresting. Two months have not passed

Since that a new Armada sailed from Tagus

Against Tangiers, and both by land and sea

Beleaguering would have reft that city too,

And added my dishonour to my father’s,

Had not Ben Sala’s generalship o’ermatched

Their most infernal malice. Praised be Allah!

They fell, they fled; and such as fled not lie

Dead on our sands, or in our dungeons chained.

Al.Are those the captives in the castle pit?

K.Ay, but thou breakst my tale;—mark what I tell.—The victory mine, I looked to make fair peace,And would have given my prisoners in exchangeFor Ceuta; but the prince of Portugal,Behind those walls retired, refused the ransom;And gathering reinforcement hath come forth160To devastate the country. ’Tis ’gainst himThat Sala marched five days ago. MeanwhileMorocco, who was treating for thy hand,Heard tidings of our war, and having nowAn armament collected ’gainst the tribes,Has turned it to my rescue. ’Twas for thisI sent for thee; in furtherance of thy marriage;Hoping thereby to bind him in the termsI have to tell thee. However Sala fare,And hitherto no news comes from his camp,170’Twere no achievement worthy of TarudanteTo make dispersal of a broken foe:I shall propose a greater enterprise;I’ll say ’Thou wilt not grudge to sweep the boundsOf the fair realm, whose heiress thou wouldst wed.Make we this compact—Win me Ceuta backAnd drive the idolaters across the sea,Ere thou take home my daughter for thy queen.’

K.Ay, but thou breakst my tale;—mark what I tell.—

The victory mine, I looked to make fair peace,

And would have given my prisoners in exchange

For Ceuta; but the prince of Portugal,

Behind those walls retired, refused the ransom;

And gathering reinforcement hath come forth

To devastate the country. ’Tis ’gainst him

That Sala marched five days ago. Meanwhile

Morocco, who was treating for thy hand,

Heard tidings of our war, and having now

An armament collected ’gainst the tribes,

Has turned it to my rescue. ’Twas for this

I sent for thee; in furtherance of thy marriage;

Hoping thereby to bind him in the terms

I have to tell thee. However Sala fare,

And hitherto no news comes from his camp,

’Twere no achievement worthy of Tarudante

To make dispersal of a broken foe:

I shall propose a greater enterprise;

I’ll say ’Thou wilt not grudge to sweep the bounds

Of the fair realm, whose heiress thou wouldst wed.

Make we this compact—Win me Ceuta back

And drive the idolaters across the sea,

Ere thou take home my daughter for thy queen.’

Al.But doth Morocco, sire, know I am here?

K.Nay, nor myself knew, when I sent for thee,180How ’twould fall out: ’twas timed most happily.

K.Nay, nor myself knew, when I sent for thee,

How ’twould fall out: ’twas timed most happily.

Al.But coming not to woo, may he not findOffence in the constraint; as I confessI feel to lay it on him, tho’my lover?

Al.But coming not to woo, may he not find

Offence in the constraint; as I confess

I feel to lay it on him, tho’my lover?

K.Nay, nay, girl; he is in earnest; meet him frankly;’Tis by his love thou shalt restore my town.

K.Nay, nay, girl; he is in earnest; meet him frankly;

’Tis by his love thou shalt restore my town.

Enter Messenger.

MESSENGER.

News from the army, Sire.

K.Thou lookest black:What is it? speak.

K.Thou lookest black:

What is it? speak.

Mess.O mighty king, ’tis ill.Sala ben Sala’s forces were attackedAt nightfall by the Christians. In the dark190Was battle waged. By morn what men remainedAnd all the camp were captive.

Mess.O mighty king, ’tis ill.

Sala ben Sala’s forces were attacked

At nightfall by the Christians. In the dark

Was battle waged. By morn what men remained

And all the camp were captive.

K.God forbid!Five thousand men were there: be none escaped?

K.God forbid!

Five thousand men were there: be none escaped?

Mess.Such as in darkness fled.

K.And fledst thou thence?

Mess.The general sent me on.

K.And what of him?

Mess.The dawn discovered him, when all was lost,Fighting on foot upon a little hill,Surrounded by the foe; when seeing no hope,He made surrender to the Christian leader,Who gave him liberty. Thus far to tell200He bade, and that he followed speedily.

Mess.The dawn discovered him, when all was lost,

Fighting on foot upon a little hill,

Surrounded by the foe; when seeing no hope,

He made surrender to the Christian leader,

Who gave him liberty. Thus far to tell

He bade, and that he followed speedily.

K.When will he come?

Mess.Sire, tho’I used all duty,He hath overtaken me and dismounts without.

Mess.Sire, tho’I used all duty,

He hath overtaken me and dismounts without.

K.Go, wait upon him.[Exit Messenger.Accursed be the seedOf these idolaters. Five thousand men,The best in Fez: the right arm of my powerLost in one night. Five thousand men were there.Ah! by God’s holiest names!

K.Go, wait upon him.[Exit Messenger.

Accursed be the seed

Of these idolaters. Five thousand men,

The best in Fez: the right arm of my power

Lost in one night. Five thousand men were there.

Ah! by God’s holiest names!

Al.Thank heaven, dear father,The best is saved, if Sala be escaped.

Al.Thank heaven, dear father,

The best is saved, if Sala be escaped.

K.True, girl: and from the ill there’s good to come:210Their victory will lead these devils on.Ay, they will come. They know not of Morocco;They run into a trap.

K.True, girl: and from the ill there’s good to come:

Their victory will lead these devils on.

Ay, they will come. They know not of Morocco;

They run into a trap.

Al.Will you make peace?

K.God bids us smite these hogs: I would that hellWere deeper to receive them.

K.God bids us smite these hogs: I would that hell

Were deeper to receive them.

Enter Sala.

Sala ben Sala, peace be with thee!

SALA.

The peace of heaven be thine, my king!

K.Thou comestMost swiftly from the battle.

K.Thou comest

Most swiftly from the battle.

Sa.With less hasteThan needed; but fatigue and wounds delayed me.What see I? The princess here! Alas, alas!O my disaster!

Sa.With less haste

Than needed; but fatigue and wounds delayed me.

What see I? The princess here! Alas, alas!

O my disaster!

220Al.Now I thank God, Sala,That thou’rt alive.

Al.Now I thank God, Sala,

That thou’rt alive.

Sa.To such shame is not good.Sire, while there’s time, escape; and leave me hereTo hold the castle for thee as I may.

Sa.To such shame is not good.

Sire, while there’s time, escape; and leave me here

To hold the castle for thee as I may.

K.Have thou no fear, Sala. My daughter, go:Leave us alone: or better sit thou there,And hear what Sala tells: and, Sala, thouBegin the tale, for which thy messengerHath well prepared my ear. Here is thy seat.

K.Have thou no fear, Sala. My daughter, go:

Leave us alone: or better sit thou there,

And hear what Sala tells: and, Sala, thou

Begin the tale, for which thy messenger

Hath well prepared my ear. Here is thy seat.

Sa.Hear then, my liege, what happened, as I tell.(Aside.) Yet how to tell my shame in Almeh’s ears?—231’Tis the fifth day since thou didst send me forthAgainst the Christian bands, which as we learnedHarassed the plains of Ceuta.—Thither I marchedFour thousand strong, besides our cavalryAnd bowmen: Here and there some small encountersDrove back the foe within the gates, and thenI made return, establishing the countryAnd strengthening the garrisons, nor heardThat any greater force had come afield:240When yesterday at noon our scouts espiedThe flash of arms and dust of troops movingAmong the hills: thither we turned our face,And had no fear but for the foe’s escape,Nor guessed how much the lurking enemyOutmatched our weakened numbers. What surprise,—I blame myself,—then, when our scouts came inAt sunset with the tidings that the foe,Whom we thought flying from us, held the passAgainst our coming. Straight I chose a spot250Such as we might defend, and there encamped,And would have stayed till morn, when suddenlyThe stragglers on our rear were driven inBy horse that fell upon our flank; and soonI heard our front engaged. The moon to them,—That was our peril,—the accursed yellow moonExposed our camp, while in the shadowy glensThe night hid their attack: our dispositionWas else not ill. Taking sufficient force,I turned to clear the rear; but in the darkMet with great numbers. How we fought God knows,261Surrounded on all hands. If any fledI cannot guess: but battling there till dawn,I saw at daybreak there were left with meBut hundreds against thousands. Then to saveThe needless slaughter, I gave up my swordUnto the Christian leader, FerdinandOf Portugal; nor ever had here returnedTo speak of the disaster, but that prince,Clement as valiant, questioned courteously270My name, and hearing it returned my sword,And bidding me choose out from all his suiteWhat horse I fancied,—for my own was killed,—He raised his helm, and said,‘Go free, brave Sala; ride and tell thy kingWe follow thee to rescue from his handsThe prisoners he withholds:’ That is my tale.Allah is great, and what he doth to-dayTo-morrow he may undo.

Sa.Hear then, my liege, what happened, as I tell.

(Aside.) Yet how to tell my shame in Almeh’s ears?—

’Tis the fifth day since thou didst send me forth

Against the Christian bands, which as we learned

Harassed the plains of Ceuta.—Thither I marched

Four thousand strong, besides our cavalry

And bowmen: Here and there some small encounters

Drove back the foe within the gates, and then

I made return, establishing the country

And strengthening the garrisons, nor heard

That any greater force had come afield:

When yesterday at noon our scouts espied

The flash of arms and dust of troops moving

Among the hills: thither we turned our face,

And had no fear but for the foe’s escape,

Nor guessed how much the lurking enemy

Outmatched our weakened numbers. What surprise,—

I blame myself,—then, when our scouts came in

At sunset with the tidings that the foe,

Whom we thought flying from us, held the pass

Against our coming. Straight I chose a spot

Such as we might defend, and there encamped,

And would have stayed till morn, when suddenly

The stragglers on our rear were driven in

By horse that fell upon our flank; and soon

I heard our front engaged. The moon to them,

—That was our peril,—the accursed yellow moon

Exposed our camp, while in the shadowy glens

The night hid their attack: our disposition

Was else not ill. Taking sufficient force,

I turned to clear the rear; but in the dark

Met with great numbers. How we fought God knows,

Surrounded on all hands. If any fled

I cannot guess: but battling there till dawn,

I saw at daybreak there were left with me

But hundreds against thousands. Then to save

The needless slaughter, I gave up my sword

Unto the Christian leader, Ferdinand

Of Portugal; nor ever had here returned

To speak of the disaster, but that prince,

Clement as valiant, questioned courteously

My name, and hearing it returned my sword,

And bidding me choose out from all his suite

What horse I fancied,—for my own was killed,—

He raised his helm, and said,

‘Go free, brave Sala; ride and tell thy king

We follow thee to rescue from his hands

The prisoners he withholds:’ That is my tale.

Allah is great, and what he doth to-day

To-morrow he may undo.

K.This courteous ChristianIs but a fool: for had he kept thee fast,280He might have had his men in thy exchange.

K.This courteous Christian

Is but a fool: for had he kept thee fast,

He might have had his men in thy exchange.

Sa.No less now must thou grant them.

K.No, by God.Hark, Sala: these few days thou hast been awayHave brought me from the east four times the forceWhich thou ill-fatedly hast lost. MoroccoLies camped a short league hence, and in his tentsAre twenty thousand men.

K.No, by God.

Hark, Sala: these few days thou hast been away

Have brought me from the east four times the force

Which thou ill-fatedly hast lost. Morocco

Lies camped a short league hence, and in his tents

Are twenty thousand men.

Sa.Morocco is here?

K.Said I not well? Is he not one to meetThese Christians? Let them come. How many be they?

K.Said I not well? Is he not one to meet

These Christians? Let them come. How many be they?

Sa.Eight, maybe, or nine thousand. Where’s Morocco?

290K.At Alcabar. When look they to be here?

K.At Alcabar. When look they to be here?

Sa.They have no thought we can oppose their host,And will not hasten.

Sa.They have no thought we can oppose their host,

And will not hasten.

K.We will be ready for them.Prepare to leave by noon: thou must collectWhat men thou canst. I will go write my summonsTo Tarudante. Stay: I have not enquiredWhat are thy wounds.

K.We will be ready for them.

Prepare to leave by noon: thou must collect

What men thou canst. I will go write my summons

To Tarudante. Stay: I have not enquired

What are thy wounds.

Sa.Nothing that should forbidImmediate service: food, an hour of restWill make me fit.

Sa.Nothing that should forbid

Immediate service: food, an hour of rest

Will make me fit.

K.In three hours be thou ready.[Exit.

Al.Go thou within, Sala; and rest thee now.Or wilt thou first take food?

Al.Go thou within, Sala; and rest thee now.

Or wilt thou first take food?

300Sa.There’s time enough.Bid me not hence, my rest and food are here.How cam’st thou hither?

Sa.There’s time enough.

Bid me not hence, my rest and food are here.

How cam’st thou hither?

Al.The king sent for me.

Sa.And why? Thee in the camp! O beauteous Almeh,Dost thou think vilely of me, that the ChristianSurprised and overcame me? If I had knownThat thou wast here ...

Sa.And why? Thee in the camp! O beauteous Almeh,

Dost thou think vilely of me, that the Christian

Surprised and overcame me? If I had known

That thou wast here ...

Al.Stay, Sala: thou wilt hurtThy soldiership. I doubt not FerdinandIs a most worthy foe: I rather fearHe hath a quality unconquerable.

Al.Stay, Sala: thou wilt hurt

Thy soldiership. I doubt not Ferdinand

Is a most worthy foe: I rather fear

He hath a quality unconquerable.

310Sa.Ha! then I am scorned.

Sa.Ha! then I am scorned.

Al.I mean he is generous:He set thee free. Couldst thou not match that deed?

Al.I mean he is generous:

He set thee free. Couldst thou not match that deed?

Sa.As friend or foe I would outmatch him bravely.Nay but to see him in his angel-fairnessProvoked my emulation, and I vowedSome day to kill his horse, and take his sword,And cry him quit.

Sa.As friend or foe I would outmatch him bravely.

Nay but to see him in his angel-fairness

Provoked my emulation, and I vowed

Some day to kill his horse, and take his sword,

And cry him quit.

Al.Still thou’rt for war: ’twere betterRepay him with the gift that he demands,These miserable captives.

Al.Still thou’rt for war: ’twere better

Repay him with the gift that he demands,

These miserable captives.

Sa.I would have done so.But thou didst hear the king refuse. He is sworn320To grant no terms till Ceuta be restored.Our law moreover doth forbid this traffic,To exchange our captives with the infidels.

Sa.I would have done so.

But thou didst hear the king refuse. He is sworn

To grant no terms till Ceuta be restored.

Our law moreover doth forbid this traffic,

To exchange our captives with the infidels.

Al.But hast thou then thyself, Sala, no powerTo do them any kindness; or for meWilt thou not grant them so much libertyAs to walk in the garden once a day?If I might speak with them I might do somewhatTo pay the debt we owe their general;And to speak truth, for my own sake I ask it.

Al.But hast thou then thyself, Sala, no power

To do them any kindness; or for me

Wilt thou not grant them so much liberty

As to walk in the garden once a day?

If I might speak with them I might do somewhat

To pay the debt we owe their general;

And to speak truth, for my own sake I ask it.

Sa.How for thy sake?

330Al.I wish to hear them sing.

Al.I wish to hear them sing.

Sa.How could that please? Who told thee that they sing?

Al.’Twas last night, Sala, as I lay long awakeDreamily hearkening to the ocean murmur,Softer than silence, on mine ears there stoleA solemn sound of wailful harmony:So beautiful it was that first I thoughtThis castle was enchanted, as I have readIn eastern tales; or else that ’twas the songOf people of this land, who make the sea340Their secret god, and at midnight ariseTo kneel upon the shore, and his divinityTrouble with shrilling prayer: or then it seemedA liquid-voicèd choir of spirits that swamUpon the ocean surface, harp in hand,Swelling their hymns with his deep undersong.That was the Christian captives.

Al.’Twas last night, Sala, as I lay long awake

Dreamily hearkening to the ocean murmur,

Softer than silence, on mine ears there stole

A solemn sound of wailful harmony:

So beautiful it was that first I thought

This castle was enchanted, as I have read

In eastern tales; or else that ’twas the song

Of people of this land, who make the sea

Their secret god, and at midnight arise

To kneel upon the shore, and his divinity

Trouble with shrilling prayer: or then it seemed

A liquid-voicèd choir of spirits that swam

Upon the ocean surface, harp in hand,

Swelling their hymns with his deep undersong.

That was the Christian captives.

Sa.’Twas the nightSoftened their wails to sweetness: as the space’Twixt hell and heaven makes the cries of the damnedMusic to the angels.

Sa.’Twas the night

Softened their wails to sweetness: as the space

’Twixt hell and heaven makes the cries of the damned

Music to the angels.

Al.Sala, ’tis not the king,350’Tis thou art cruel; thou hast a heart of hate.

Al.Sala, ’tis not the king,

’Tis thou art cruel; thou hast a heart of hate.

Sa.O nay, a heart of love. I would not countDishonour, Almeh; I would be at peaceWith shame and infidels and all the world,Wouldst thou be mine.

Sa.O nay, a heart of love. I would not count

Dishonour, Almeh; I would be at peace

With shame and infidels and all the world,

Wouldst thou be mine.

Al.Now, if my father heard thee!Thou dar’st much, thinking that I cannot tell:Which if I have never done, ’tis that I am lothTo lose so old a friend; ’tis pain to seeThat as I am grown from childhood, thou art grownFrom friendship, and for loving me too muchMust love me now no more.

Al.Now, if my father heard thee!

Thou dar’st much, thinking that I cannot tell:

Which if I have never done, ’tis that I am loth

To lose so old a friend; ’tis pain to see

That as I am grown from childhood, thou art grown

From friendship, and for loving me too much

Must love me now no more.

360Sa.Ah! what is that?A portrait in thy hand? Nay show it me.Why dost thou blush? Who is the happy oneThou carriest thus to gaze on?

Sa.Ah! what is that?

A portrait in thy hand? Nay show it me.

Why dost thou blush? Who is the happy one

Thou carriest thus to gaze on?

Al.Look and see.

Sa.’Tis Tarudante. O thou faithless Almeh,To speak of friendship who hast never told meThou hast a lover. Now I see the causeWhy thou art here. This boy.—’Tis a smooth cheek,A pretty picture. Ah! wert thou not shamedTo slight me for a sprinkling of grey hair370About my temples, thou wouldst never thusHave hid thy passion.

Sa.’Tis Tarudante. O thou faithless Almeh,

To speak of friendship who hast never told me

Thou hast a lover. Now I see the cause

Why thou art here. This boy.—’Tis a smooth cheek,

A pretty picture. Ah! wert thou not shamed

To slight me for a sprinkling of grey hair

About my temples, thou wouldst never thus

Have hid thy passion.

Al.Tho’thou hast stolen from meA privilege to love me, I deny theeThe liberty to judge me and reprove.

Al.Tho’thou hast stolen from me

A privilege to love me, I deny thee

The liberty to judge me and reprove.

Sa.Ever, when thou hast bidden my love be dumb,My tongue hath been obedient: but my anger,My jealousy will speak. How gottest thou this?

Sa.Ever, when thou hast bidden my love be dumb,

My tongue hath been obedient: but my anger,

My jealousy will speak. How gottest thou this?

Al.Question not so, or I will never tell.

Sa.Have pity, Almeh, and tell me.

Al.Then ’tis thus.My father gave it me this very hour,380As herald of the prince whom it portrays.He comes on double mission, first to fightAgainst our foes ...

Al.Then ’tis thus.

My father gave it me this very hour,

As herald of the prince whom it portrays.

He comes on double mission, first to fight

Against our foes ...

Sa.Hast thou consented, Almeh?

Al.If ’tis my father’s will, and if the princeBe earnest in his courtship ...

Al.If ’tis my father’s will, and if the prince

Be earnest in his courtship ...

Sa.Ah! thou dost wish it.

Al.My wish can count but little: but my wishIs not for this nor any other marriage.

Al.My wish can count but little: but my wish

Is not for this nor any other marriage.

Sa.Thou hast yielded to the thought. Would I had diedOn Ferdinand’s sword; or that his ear had ne’erHeard my ill-fated name, Sala, far happier390Chained in a Spanish galley, than set freeTo find thee in a rival’s arms.

Sa.Thou hast yielded to the thought. Would I had died

On Ferdinand’s sword; or that his ear had ne’er

Heard my ill-fated name, Sala, far happier

Chained in a Spanish galley, than set free

To find thee in a rival’s arms.

Al.O shame!How have I yielded?

Al.O shame!

How have I yielded?

Sa.Thou hast taken in handThis cursèd portrait: held it ...

Sa.Thou hast taken in hand

This cursèd portrait: held it ...

Al.Nay, I pray.

Sa.Gazed on it, fondled it: a pictured boy!Thy champion.

Sa.Gazed on it, fondled it: a pictured boy!

Thy champion.

Al.I bid thee think....

Sa.A painted image!

Al.And what, pray, wouldst thou have had me do?

Sa.What do?Never to have taken it: refused it: scorned it:Cast it beneath thy feet: trodden it to atoms.

Sa.What do?

Never to have taken it: refused it: scorned it:

Cast it beneath thy feet: trodden it to atoms.

Al.Thou wrongst me, Sala, now: thou art overcomeWith fasting and much fighting.

Al.Thou wrongst me, Sala, now: thou art overcome

With fasting and much fighting.

400Sa.O, I am wrongedTo have the temper of my passion judgedAs hunger or fatigue. Here is thy picture,Thy lover. Take it back. Farewell. I go,But not to eat or rest. Almeh, farewell:I would have died for thee.

Sa.O, I am wronged

To have the temper of my passion judged

As hunger or fatigue. Here is thy picture,

Thy lover. Take it back. Farewell. I go,

But not to eat or rest. Almeh, farewell:

I would have died for thee.

Al.Nay, go not thusUnkindly.

Al.Nay, go not thus

Unkindly.

Sa.’Tis farewell: but not unkindness,Lest thou shouldst say my last word was unkindness,I will go seek the king, and shall persuade himEre I depart to grant the Christian captives410The little liberty which thou hast asked:Then to the war; wherein I pray that heavenHath laid my death: if anywhere on earthWithin my reach, I’ll find it. O farewell.The Angels guard thee.[Going.

Sa.’Tis farewell: but not unkindness,

Lest thou shouldst say my last word was unkindness,

I will go seek the king, and shall persuade him

Ere I depart to grant the Christian captives

The little liberty which thou hast asked:

Then to the war; wherein I pray that heaven

Hath laid my death: if anywhere on earth

Within my reach, I’ll find it. O farewell.

The Angels guard thee.[Going.

Al.I bid thee go not thus.

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