University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—Almanzor amd Amru.
Amru.
This is the place, and through this narrow gate
Fatima will admit us to the city;
This is the hour she promis'd:—soon, Almanzor,
The time will come for all thy fortitude.

Alm.
When justice aids me, I have nought to fear;
At least I'll die an honourable death,
Nor shall the traitor see his power secure,
Until some wretch of his has felt my steel.
But why does she delay? ah! some misfortune,
I fear, has happen'd to my dear Fatima.
Dost thou not hear those distant, hollow sounds?
I fear the work of ruin has begun,
I fear it is too late to be successful.
Ah, listen! they are louder! heard'st thou not
A shout like this, “success to noble Zamor?”
Oh, I am gone forever!

Amru.
No! my friend,
Be not dishearten'd by that distant sound;
Thy fancy aids thee, No! it is not real.

Alm.
I heard the shout and am forever ruin'd;
But never, never will I close these eyes,
Till on some traitor's head I take revenge.

Amru.
But there's a sound more welcome to thy ears:
Didst thou not hear a woman's gentle tread?

Alm.
Ah yes, and more; see there! the gates are opening!
Fatima, lovely angel! comes to save me!
[Enter Fatima.
Dearest of womankind! my only love!
My friend, while all the world is join'd against me.
Ah can my tongue pronounce the thanks I owe,
Can I express in words what here I feel?
[Pointing to his breast.
Ah no, my angel! but forgive Almanzor,
What nature's self refuses to allow him.

Fat.
I know, my love, how strong is thy affection;
But this is not a time to talk of love:
The sword of death is hanging o'er our heads
By the most slender hair; delay is fatal,
This fleeting hour, if lost, is lost forever.
See'st thou not yonder how the watch-fires twinkle
Upon the distant tow'rs? perhaps some traitor
Has mark'd us out, and doom'd us to destruction.
Come, let us to the work, that saves thy father
From the assassin, and his throne from Zamor.

Alm.
But, dearest love, what shall Almanzor do,
How can I aid my father in his peril?

Fat.
Follow thy dear Fatima, she will lead thee,
Where thou canst easiest strike the happy blow.

Alm.
Where is the place?

Fat.
In yonder square the guards
Are drawn in arms before thy father's palace;
Already have they join'd the accursed traitor,
But thou must follow me before those guards!
Yes, though each soldier's sabre be unsheath'd
To drain thy heart's blood; though each spear be ready
To pierce Almanzor's bosom, thou must go
And throw thyself upon their clemency;
Must throw thyself before them, beg, intreat
Their pity on a wretched prince like thee;
Beg them have pity on an aged father;
Beg them by every pray'r and strong entreaty
To save him from the base assassin's dagger:
If they are steel'd to pity, then command them,
In great Abdallah's name, to ground their arms:
Tell them, thou art their prince; that thou hast led them
Even to the deadliest breach, and when destruction
Was yawning round, hast fearlessly exclaim'd,
“Onward, my soldiers, for the brave will conquer”.
If this will not avail, address their pride;
Tell them of all the victories they have won,
Tell them of all the glory that surrounds them,
Tell them how fair and spotless is their fame;
And then remind them of the deed they do:
Remind them of their treason, which forever
Will shroud their brightest fame in infamy;
Tell them succeeding ages will exclaim,
“These men were brave, undaunted in the field
And first and foremost in the ranks of battle,
But they were traitors, mean and dastard traitors!”
If they are deaf to this, present thy bosom
And bid them stab thy heart.

Alm.
Angelic woman!
Almanzor will most willingly obey thee.

Fat.
Then let us hasten, hear'st thou not that sound?
That is the signal for the work of death.