University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Public Place of Assembly.
Enter Garcia, Lords and Citizens.
Gar.
You left her highness safe?

A Lord.
In a good citizen's house,
Recovering from the terror and fatigue
Of the morn's perilous doings.

Gar.
At her sight
The popular heart will throb exultingly,
With uncontrollable passion—all must die!

Enter Alvaro and others.
Alv.
All! all!
Rachel is in the snare; and the cursed Jew,
Clad in his priestly vestments, even now
Enter'd the Temple: there the troops are placed;
But, with a fierce reluctance, one and all
Wince 'neath the gall of Hebrew government:
By St. Iago! they'll not stir a man!

Gar.
Is the king forth?

Alv.
An hour ago.

Gar.
Enough!
Quick; let the signal-bell of Mary's Church
Peal death to every Jew in Arragon!

[Exeunt some.
Alv.
Great glee, great glee is in Alvaro's heart!
I long to grapple with these scoundrel Hebrews.

Gar.
My country! wipe the sorrow from thine eye;
Mantle thy native cheek with native smiles—
Blush out thy pleasure!—and from Jewish graves
Start up again in Christian liberty!

[Exeunt.