 | Xarifa |  |
SCENE II.
HAMADchained in a dungeon.
How short were years of ill, sure, palpable,
To hours of this suspense!—Oh! my Xarifa!
Did I say mine?—Mine never, never more
Till hideous Death unite us!—Death, whose hand
Must dash the roses from that cheek! deface
What all fond nature's care but once could form
Of fair! of lovely!—steal the melting lustre
From those dear eyes!—for ever seal those lips,
Cold, pale, and motionless!—Hold! ruthless power!
And is it thus thou wilt present my bride—
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ESPERANZA.
My lord!
HAMAD.
Kind Esperanza!—Speak—Oh speak!
And yet I dread to hear!—Is my Xarifa—
ESPERANZA.
From her I come. She bids thee be of comfort.
She bids thee live!—live if thou hold'st her dear,
Yet fly Granada's walls.
HAMAD
(pointing to his chains).
Can I obey?
ESPERANZA.
Hamad, thou can'st. Ev'n now thy chains will fall,
And, free as nature made thee, thou may'st range
The wide world o'er in liberty and peace.
HAMAD.
Is Hamad fetter'd by no chains but these?
What hand shall loose the bonds of strong affection
In childhood woven—closer knit by time?
What giant arm shall from this bosom heave
The load dishonour heaps?—Impel the spirit
With renovated spring to range the world?
To me—the desert world—Xarifa lost!
Disgraced—condemn'd—I cannot—will not fly!
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Not so. Restored to fame, to royal favour,
E'en now the officers of state attend
To loose thy chains.—They must not find me here.
HAMAD.
A moment stay, thou niggard of thy speech!
Oh, when the finest chord of all that make
The bosom's harmony is snapt asunder,
The touch of joy but wakes harsh dissonance.
Then with one word attune my soul, and say—
Say—she still loves!
ESPERANZA.
Too well she proves her love!
No farther ask—But live!—She thus commands—
And fly!—Oh fly!
[Exit.
HAMAD.
Restored to fame and honour!
Xarifa true!—Yet that I fly enjoin'd!
Enter Alhamut and Officers of State, &c. They loose Hamad's chains, and Alhamut presents him his sword.
ALHAMUT.
'Tis King Abdallah's will that Albin Hamad,
The flower of Moorish knights, receive his sword,
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Which forced applause from the astonish'd foe.
HAMAD.
Oh, let me at my monarch's feet—
(Aside, checking himself).
But no—
He loved her—Gods! what dreadful thought has flash'd
Athwart my madd'ning brain?—Away—away,
Dastard suspicion! No—he spoke me fair.
(To Alhamut, &c.)
Thanks, my good friends, thanks for your courtesy:
I pray you leave me.
[They go.
Peace, tumultuous thoughts!
[A Mute lingers behind, and puts the scroll into Hamad's hand—he reads it eagerly.
She bids me rescue her!—Now all is clear—
Thy words of mystery, good Esperanza,
Were love's own language!—Yes, she bids me live,
And live for her!—She bids me fly these walls,
But with her fly! with her in native freedom
Range the wide world in liberty and peace!
[Exit.
| Xarifa | |