Part 21 (1/2)

Zuleika. Thou mayst indeed. Heaven were not more true than I will be unto my word. [Ha.s.san _pauses before the door_.]

Ha.s.san. Lady, the hours are fleeting. It were best to make good speed.

Zuleika. Ha.s.san, thou dost counsel aright; morn must not find me here.

[_To_ Ion.] Young Greek, thou knowest with the coming dawn thy father dies.

Ion. Ay, ere another moon doth rise that life, so dear to Greece, shall be no more; the heart that beat so n.o.bly at his country's call be still forever,--I know it well!

Zuleika. And hast thou no last word for him, no parting wish?

Ion. O maiden, my life were a glad sacrifice, so that I might for a single hour look on him,--for the last time say, ”My father, bless thy Ion.”

Zuleika. That hour shall be thine. Fold thyself in yonder cloak, and follow me.

Ion. Follow thee,--and whither?

Zuleika. To thy father's presence. Thou shalt spend with him the last hours of his earthly life. Stay not; this friendly gloom will ere long pa.s.s away.

Ion [_falling on his knees and catching her robe_]. Art thou my guardian angel? Oh, may the consolation thou hath poured into a suffering soul, fall like heaven's dew upon thine own; and if the prayers of a grateful heart bring hope and joy and peace, thy life shall bloom with choicest blessings. O maiden, how do I bless thee! [_Kisses her robe._]

Zuleika. Speak not of that,--kneel not to me, a mortal maiden. Thy grat.i.tude is my best reward. Ha.s.san, lead on!

Ha.s.san. Lady, I do thy bidding. First let me lead thee to a place of safety.

Zuleika. Nay, Ha.s.san, I tarry here,--thou canst return; I will await thee. Now make all speed,--away!

Ion. Let us hence; my heart can ill contain its joy. Oh, my father, shall I see thee, hear thy voice, feel thine arms once more about me, and die with thy blessing on my head. Heaven hath blessed my mission.

Zuleika. Shall we depart? The hour wanes.

Ion. I will follow whither thou shalt lead. But, stay! is there no danger unto thee? Will thy deed of mercy bring suffering to thee, my kind deliverer?

Zuleika. Fear not for me. Yet one pledge must I ask of thee on which my safety doth depend. 'Tis this: Swear that from the moment thou dost leave me until thou art again a prisoner here, though the path lie plain before thee thou wilt not fly.

Ion. I swear. Thou mayst trust me.

Zuleika. Yet once again. Breathe not to mortal ear the _means_ by which thou sought'st thy sire, and let the memory of this hour fade from thy heart forever. [Ion _bows a.s.sent_.] What pledge have I of thy secrecy, and of thy truth?

Ion. The word of a Greek is sacred, and were not my grat.i.tude my surest pledge to _thee_?

Zuleika. Pardon, I do trust. Now haste thee.

Ion [_pointing to his fetters_]. Thou dost forget I am a prisoner still.

Zuleika. Ha.s.san, unloose these fetters, and give the Greek his freedom.

[Ha.s.san _takes off the chains_; Ion _springs joyfully forward_.]

Ion. Now am I free again, and with the Turk's base fetters have I cast off my fears and my despair. Hope smiles upon me, and my father calls.