Part 10 (1/2)

JUL. I value not the ma.s.s that makes my sword, Yet while I use it I rely on it.

Rod. Julian, thy gloomy soul still meditates - Plainly I see it--death to me--pursue The dictates of thy leaders, let revenge Have its full sway, let Barbary prevail, And the pure creed her elders have embraced: Those placid sages hold a.s.sa.s.sination A most compendious supplement to law.

JUL. Thou knowest not the one, nor I the other, Torn hast thou from me all my soul held dear!

Her form, her voice, all, hast thou banished from me; Nor dare I, wretched as I am! recall Those solaces of every grief, erewhile.

I stand abased before insulting crime - I falter like a criminal myself.

The hand that hurled thy chariot o'er its wheels, That held thy steeds erect and motionless As molten statues on some palace-gates, Shakes, as with palsied age, before thee now.

Gone is the treasure of my heart, for ever, Without a father, mother, friend, or name.

Daughter of Julian--such was her delight - Such was mine too! what pride more innocent, What, surely, less deserving pangs like these, Than springs from filial and parental love!

Debarred from every hope that issues forth To meet the balmy breath of early life, Her saddened days, all, cold and colourless, Will stretch before her their whole weary length Amid the sameness of obscurity.

She wanted not seclusion, to unveil Her thoughts to heaven, cloister, nor midnight bell; She found it in all places, at all hours: While, to a.s.suage my labours, she indulged A playfulness that shunned a mother's eye, Still, to avert my perils, there arose A piety that, even from ME, retired.

ROD. Such was she! what am I! those are the arms That are triumphant when the battle fails.

O Julian, Julian! all thy former words Struck but the imbecile plumes of vanity; These, through its steely coverings, pierce the heart.

I ask not life nor death; but, if I live, Send my most bitter enemy to watch My secret paths, send poverty, send pain - I will add more--wise as thou art, thou knowest No foe more furious than forgiven kings.

I ask not then what thou wouldst never grant: May heaven, O Julian, from thy hand receive A pardoned man, a chastened criminal.

JUL. This further curse hast thou inflicted; wretch, I cannot pardon thee.

ROD. Thy tone, thy mien, Refute those words.

JUL. No--I can NOT forgive.

ROD. Upon my knee, my conqueror, I implore - Upon the earth, before thy feet--hard heart!

JUL. Audacious! hast thou never heard that prayer And scorned it? 'tis the last thou shouldst repeat.

Upon the earth! upon her knees! O G.o.d!

ROD. Resemble not a wretch so lost as I: Be better; Oh! be happier; and p.r.o.nounce it.

JUL. I swerve not from my purpose: thou art mine, Conquered; and I have sworn to dedicate, Like a torn banner on my chapel's roof, Thee to that power from whom thou hast rebelled.

Expiate thy crimes by prayer, by penances.

ROD. Hasten the hour of trial, speak of peace.

Pardon me not, then--but with purer lips Implore of G.o.d, who WOULD hear THEE, to pardon.

JUL. Hope it I may--p.r.o.nounce it--O Roderigo!

Ask it of him who can; I too will ask, And, in my own transgressions, pray for thine.

ROD. One name I dare not -

JUL. Go--abstain from that, I do conjure thee: raise not in my soul Again the tempest that has wrecked my fame; Thou shalt not breathe in the same clime with her.

Far o'er the unebbing sea thou shalt adore The eastern star, and--may thy end be peace.

FOURTH ACT.--SECOND SCENE.

RODERIGO goes: HERNANDO enters.

HER. From the prince Tarik I am sent, my lord.

JUL. A welcome messager, my brave Hernando.