 | Almida |  |
SCENE I.
Tancred, Loredan. Knights. A warlike march. Tancred's arms borne before him.LOREDAN.
The valour of thy arm, most noble knight,
Has robb'd us of a brave and glorious warrior,
Whose breast beat fervent with his country's love,
Nor was his courage to thy own inferior.
Reveal thy name, thy destiny.
TANCRED.
In a pensive and melancholy attitude.
Orbassan
Learn'd it in death, and to the shades below
My fatal secret and my hatred bore.
Seek not to penetrate my gloomy fate;
Accept my services, it matters not
Who, or from whence I am.
LOREDAN.
Remain unknown,
Since such thy wish. The daring Saracen
His impious ensigns in our plains displays;
Defend with us our laws and sacred faith.
Our best support is lost, do thou replace him,
And in thy valour give us back our hero.
TANCRED.
My sword is yours; in Syracusa's cause
I join sincere; nay, Solyman, perhaps,
More than the state, is my deep enemy;
More than you can, I hate him—but no more—
Behold me ready.
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Thou shalt head our troops:
Expect from Syracuse all that the warmth
Of boundless gratitude can offer merit.
TANCRED.
Such is my fate—that gratitude were vain,
Bestow'd on one, whose woes have made him thankless;
This heart rejects it—these ill-fated walls
Hold nothing henceforth that can tempt my wishes.
If I can serve you—if I die unhappy,
I court nor pity, nor reward, nor glory,
Vengeance alone—yes, Solyman shall feel me!
LOREDAN.
Your hopes are ours, time urges. Let us go
To the important business of this day;
Let all our thoughts be turn'd: and you, my lord,
Shall instant be advis'd, when to that post,
Where the foe hopes, but vainly, soon to force us,
'Tis proper to repair. Now on the point,
In the vile blood of infidels to bathe,
Our thirsty swords, all other cares must yield.
[Exit Loredan.
TANCRED.
My only wish is death, and great revenge.
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