University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A room in Xavier's house.
Enter Xavier and Reuben.
Xav.
The Christians rise against it, and my power
Sits quailing now: that courier was despatch'd
At sunrise, was he not?

Reu.
He was, sir; even at dawn.

Xav.
And with him bore that signet of the king
I furnish'd stealthily?

Reu.
He has it with him.

Xav.
On that man's speed, the fortunes and the lives
Of all of Israel that's in Arragon
Hang as in agony. Swift be his horse!
For tho' he do out-gallop the wild wind—
Fly like a leaf along the hurricane,
He shall not ride with that rapidity
Our need cries out for. I've one more resource:
The princess fled the palace; she's waylaid,
And in an hour shall be my prisoner,
Despite the guard of Garcia, unto whom
I know she goes for refuge: then, my child
Hath her life sure; or a fair princess bleeds for't.

Reu.
A bold manœuvre!—thou art ever sage.

Xav.
Summon a thousand of my well-arm'd Jews!
Let them surround my house, that once encaged,
The royal bird escape not: see it done!
I'll to the palace, ere the storm comes on:
The rabble will scarce dare molest their king?

Reu.
I'll have the thousand station'd in an hour.

Xav.
In less! in less!—an hour is half an age,
When in an hour life with all time may part!
[Exit Reuben.
I've been too sudden: I had thought my power
Grew with a deeper root, than thus to bend
So crouchingly to the first storm that rises
To threat its branching sovereignty. Awhile,
And Rachel had been Queen of Arragon!—
The very marriage-day was fixed in secret!—
This hasty levy, by the king and her
Urg'd 'gainst my better sense, looks perilous:
God grant it prove not Israel's overthrow!

Re-enter Reuben.
Reu.
Xavier, the multitude surround the palace,
Headed by Garcia and Alvaro:—well?—
Some cry Alphonso! Xavier! some—some, Rachel!
Death to the Jews! shout some—(sharp plagues upon 'em!)
O, we are lost; all our rich profits' gone:
We shall be flay'd of our great fortunes now.

Xav.
Silence! base, bearded merchant: hast thou summon'd
Some thousand friends, as I commanded thee?

Reu.
Ay; they are mustering now.

Xav.
Quick let them be!
I'll seek no palace, then! but gaol a princess;
And tho' a Rachel outweighs twenty such—
One royal life may be the bond of her's.

[Exeunt.