University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A public Part of Granada.
Storming of the City heard. Spaniards and Moors in great confusion, fighting: the Moors driven off.—Muley Hassan and Zelima afterwards, with attendants.
MULEY HASSAN.
My friends, it is the Prophet's will these eyes
Should see, ere yet they close, Granada's realm—
Land of my fathers—fall!—My son! thou sleepest
The eternal sleep, not ev'n thy country's groans
May break!—I am resign'd!
[He kneels, and for a moment is wrapt in devotion.
While yet I reign'd,
I did not cause my people's tears to flow;
And at this awful moment, when I wait
The stroke of death, no form terrific gleams
Athwart my soul of one accusing Moor!

[The noise redoubles.
ZELIMA.
The dreadful tumult grows upon the ear!
Havoc and death approach!—My dear, dear father!
[Clinging to him.
They shall not tear thee from me—my last breath
Shall speak a blessing on thy parting child.
They come! they come!—Oh, hold me to thy heart!

Enter Selim.
SELIM.
The guard is forced!—Within the gates they rage,
The furious Spaniards!—Fly, my princess, fly!
Fly, good old man!
(Kneeling).
I was thy subject once,
And my heart owns thee still—Oh! if my arm
Could stay the stroke that threats thy reverend head,
One moment stay it—think'st thou I would fly?—
But they are thousands drunk with blood and conquest.

[Starts up, and exit.
Spaniards rush in, led by Garcia.
GARCIA.
This—this is he! the hoary infidel!
Drag him before victorious Ferdinand!

[They seize him.
A SPANIARD
(seizing ZELIMA).
This is a prize indeed!—Come on, fair Moor!

ZEZIMA
(struggling).
Save me, my father! save me from these ruffians!
Gonzalvo! Oh Gonzalvo! where art thou?

MULEY HASSAN.
Unhand her, villains! Leave the royal maid!

ZELIMA.
Save me!

MULEY HASSAN.
Can age, e'en palsied age, unnerve
The arm of him who hears a daughter's cry!
Oh, my heart's darling!—Brutal villains, off!
[He makes a violent effort, breaks from them, strikes down one, rescues his Daughter, is wounded by Garcia in the struggle, and sinks into Zelima's arms.
This trembling hand was arm'd with Heaven's might
To save a daughter!—Yes, I hold thee still—
Thanks to the Prophet!—Cling to me—I faint.

ZELIMA.
Oh gracious Allah! See—he bleeds—Help! help!

Enter Lara.
LARA.
Whence came that piercing shriek?—The Moorish princess!
Hold, ruffians, hold!—Hold in Gonzalvo's name!
[To Muley Hassan.
From him I come with grateful tidings, king,
Alas, I fear too late!—Recal thy spirit—
Peace to thy bleeding country!

MULEY HASSAN
(reviving).
Oh! I thank thee!
That word has life in't.—I can hear thy tale.
I bleed apace, but my firm spirit yet
Wings not its flight—
[To Zelima.
It hangs on all it loves,
And will not part.

LARA.
The tide of blood is stayed.
The heartless Moors, deprived of their Almanzor,
Yielded on all sides, when Gonzalvo's voice
Quarter proclaim'd, and check'd the hot pursuit
In the names of Ferdinand and Isabel.
In gentlest triumph see the victors come!

MULEY HASSAN.
I breathe more freely.

ZELIMA
(with rapture).
Yes, thy swimming eyes
Are lighted with new fire. Oh thou wilt live,
And bless thy daughter still!

MULEY HASSAN.
Yes, Zelima,
I grapple still with death, and will not yield.
A purpose to my parting soul most dear,
Supports me still a space against the course
Of nature—and I will—will yet—

Enter Ferdinand and Isabella, Gonzalvo, Spanish Nobles, &c.
GONZALVO
(kneeling, and raising MULEY HASSAN).
Oh, Muley Hassan! honour'd, reverend king!
What ruthless hand has done this?—Look on me,
Dear, good old man! and call me once thy son.

MULEY HASSAN
(joining their hands).
Protect her—Oh! my son!

ISABELLA.
Live, Muley Hassan!
Live to bless these, and see thy people blest!
The weal of fall'n Granada we commit
To thy Gonzalvo.

MULEY HASSAN.
Now I die content—
Thanks, generous victors!—Oh, my Zelima!
My pent soul flutters to be gone.—We must—
Yes, we must part.—I forced my spirit—stay
Awhile—and still—still would behold thee once—
Why dost thou vanish?—Why dost flit away?
My child—my child—I hope—I hope I die
Within thy arms. (Reaching, as if to seek her).

Oh! that I could feel thee!—
Press me—Oh! press me to thy heart, my child!

[Dies.
[After a pause Zelima lays her cheek to his face, and starting.
ZELIMA.
Hush! hush! was't not a breath of life that fann'd
My cheek?
[Laying her hand on his breast.
Oh no!—no, no—I may not hope—
Thy kind heart beats no more beneath my hand—
All, all is still!—My father! oh, my father!

[She leans over the body lost in grief, Gonzalvo supporting her. The Curtain drops.