University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Mosque, magnificently illuminated. A splendid marriage procession. Xarifa, supported by Moorish ladies, seems scarcely able to advance. When the procession has entered the Mosque, Alhamut and Ali remain.
ALHAMUT.
I will not to the Mosque; nor wilt thou, Ali,
If on thy brow I read thy thought aright.

ALI.
No, truly; why should we be there, to cringe
Before the Aben-zurrah's haughty daughter,
Who from the giddy throne prepares to frown
Annihilation on the Zegri race?

ALHAMUT.
With what deep art Moraizel long conceal'd
The serpent in his bosom hatch'd to sting us!

ALI.
Yes, feigning still his daughter was betrothed
To Albin Hamad. But when time is ripe,
The youth is sent where sure destruction waits;
And now, condemn'd to death, the trusting fool—

ALHAMUT.
No, Ali, no! the Aben-zurrah's daughter,
Ere yet the crown was on her brow, had tasted
The sweets of sovereignty. O'erturn'd at will
Granada's laws! extended royal pardon,
Condemn'd—protected—with the practised grace
Of long accustom'd sway.

ALI.
What mean thy words?

ALHAMUT.
The royal nuptials solemnized, I bear
The mandate for young Hamad's liberation.
And see this scroll! these magic words have power
To topple from her height this meteor queen.

ALI
(reads).
“If thou would'st rescue her thou lov'st, repair
“With speed of thought to the Alhambra gardens.
“A Mute will loiter near the orange grove,
“And point the secret way.”—How may this work?

ALHAMUT.
This by a faithful hand to Hamad given!—
He loves!—is bold—nor will suspect the snare.
My office gives me access to the gardens—
Dost thou not guess the rest? Love's twilight hour!
The gardens sacred to the queen!

ALI.
Enough.
Mad jealousy, in fierce Abdallah's breast,
Will colour high the picture to our wish.

ALHAMUT.
Come on, my friend!

ALI.
I will not quit thy side,
But share each danger that may free the Zegris
From the detested Aben-zurrah's sway.

[They go.