University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

ALMORAN, HAMET, OMAR.
HAMET.
Welcome, thrice welcome, on this happy day,
For ever, ever welcome to these arms.

[embrace.
ALMORAN.
Yon Heav'n alone can tell how much I thank thee;
And yet I feel the tinge of glowing shame
Burn on my cheek as I embrace my brother.
Indeed I've been to blame, forgive me, Omar;
Brother, speak for me—I have us'd him harshly.

OMAR.
O think me what I am, I ask no more.

ALMORAN.
Thou art a friend, and still wilt bear my failings.

HAMET.
Did I not tell thee, Omar, he would act,
Ev'n as thou see'st, a brother's tenderest part.
But love is full of fears. I fear'd myself—
At first I fear'd thee, but when riper thought
Recall'd to view the associate and the friend;
The dear companion of my early cradle,
Sharer in ev'ry sport, in every toy,
Deposit lov'd of every little care,
I chid my cruelty, and all was well.

ALMORAN.
And yet, my Hamet, could'st thou guess the pangs,
The trying agonies, this conquest cost me,
Then thou indeed would pity.

HAMET.
Generous friend,
O do not wound me thus, my other self.
What shall I do, 'twixt two extremes I'm torn,
And nature strains the chords of love and friendship
With too severe a hand.

ALMORAN.
Hamet, no!
Here, in the presence of the faithful Omar,
My flame I sacrifice to purer fires.
Dear as she is, my brother, take Almeida,
Lead undisturb'd the virgin to the altar,
And from this hand receive thy charming bride.

HAMET.
Oh, Almoran, with unexampled greatness
Thy virtue soars above me—Still my elder:

ALMORAN.
But wherefore waste we thus the precious moments,
Even now the jocund, joy announcing note,
Harmonious calls thee to the scene of bliss;
Love's vermeil blushes, height'ned by a charm,
Which kind disorder wakes in every feature,
Now bloom around Almeida; while her eye
Shines ardent forth to chide the tardy Hamet.

HAMET.
With a tumultuous heart I wait the summons.
Come then, oh come, my father and my friend,
Together let us seek the heavenly maid—
Together lead her to the sacred altar;
There thou, before the gay assembled throng,
Kindly presiding o'er the nuptial rites,
Shall, with a brother's gentle privilege,
And like a parent, give her to my arms.

[Exeunt.