Thy voice would be a trumpet in the mountains, Dost thou not understand me? Hem. Speak! can I free my people? can I rend Our shameful bonds asunder, and revenge? Mal. Canst thou? Hem. Do not command me not to love; But, if there be a road to liberty, Provided death, with his uplifted dart, Stand at its entrance-speak! is there a way? We'd hew one in the rock!-there is a way. [Crosses, L. Mal. I fear thee still. I fear thy wav'ring nature. And by thy father's sacred memory— By all thy people's wrongs-by Allah's name- Enter FLORINDA, R. Flor. [Interrupting him.] Hold! what is it that I see! Hem. A wretch ! Mal. Swear! quickly swear, before a woman's art Turns thee to that a woman's self should Flor. What should he swear? Mal. Forever to renounce thee! spurn. Flor. Ay! let him, if he will; let him renounce me. I will not say that I am hardly used, Nor load him with my love! I can bear all, Except to see him perish. Mal. Swear, Hemeya, never to be a Christian! Flor. Hold, for heaven's mercy! Hem. Bright angel, art thou come to save, or damn me? Flor. I'm come to tell the perils that surround thee. Cruel, unkind Hemeya! I perceive The power that Malec holds upon thy soul. But yesterday, e'en at the cloister's gates, You vowed you would renounce the world for me. Mal. Ay! what is worth much more than all the world, More than the crescent diadem that shines On Selim's turbaned brow! more than the heaven The prophet's eye beheld; nay, more than thee— His honour and his truth! Rightly thou hast said 'Tis I who snatch him from thee. Flor. Not from me- It is from life you snatch him! Let him leave me, Never behold me more! Hem. Can I do that? Flor. Do anything but perish. 1 reck not of myself; but I have heard, Hemeya, be a Christian, or you perish! Hem. It is not hard to die; thou, thou alone Art all that makes life worth the keeping to me. Mal. I will not think a well-wrought tear or two Can make thee base again. Hem. [To Malec.] Within thy bosom I'll bury all my face; for, if I dare To gaze upon her charms, they will unman me. Flor. And dost thou scorn to look upon Florinda? And am I spurned so far? once 'twas otherwise; Now I am fit for scorn! Hem. Florinda! Mal. Hold! Weigh not your country with a woman's tears. And flattered, and adored, until at last We own our nature's folly ;-then you spurn, Mal. Are you a man? are you his son Whose heart ne'er felt a throb but for his country? Hem. Look here, and pity me! behold this face, Where shines a soul so pure, so sweet a spiritCan I renounce her? tell me if I can! Look on him, my Florinda! lift those eyes, Flor. Hemeya, Art thou so kind again, and wilt thou live? Hem. Stay near my heart, and, as I press thee thus, I shall no longer feel this agony : I never can resign thee. Mal. Worthless Moor! Why does my poniard tremble in my grasp? Flor. You shall not tear him into death. [Crosses, c. Mal. [Aside.] I cannot do it—yet, must I behold Hem. Traitor! Mal. Traitor! and, if there be a name more foul, Apostate! Flor. Spare him, spare him! dost thou see How his frame trembles, and what agony Is stamped upon his face? Oh, pity him! Mal. I do, indeed, I spurn him for his weakness; But, woman, have a care-leave him, renounce him, Or else Flor. I can resign Hemeya's heart, But cannot give his life; nay, tell me, Malec, You who have loved him, watched his tenderest youth, And hold him in your heart-would you consent To yield him up to burning martyrdom, And cast him in the raging furnace That persecution lights with blasts of hell? Mal. Better that he should perish Flor. Dost thou say so? Wouldst plunge him in destruction? wouldst thou see him In all the torments of a ling'ring death, Mal. Woman, thou hast employed thy sex's cunning, To make my friend a villain; but beware, Else I will break thy spells; I will unloose The charmed threads thou wind'st around his soul. Flor. I will renounce him! you, perchance, desire, I ask for nothing but Hemeya's safety, Hem. Leave me! never! Mal. [Draws his dagger.] Then it is done! prophet, behold the deed! Strengthen my trembling hand; it is for freedom, [He pauses for an instant, and, after a struggle, ex- [Lets the dagger fall.-Hemeya and Florinda start. Hem. Abhorred, detested villain ! [Crosses, c. That bade me strike, and nature conquered me. Hem. Cursed be the creed that can make murder holy! Thee! thee! Florinda-here, within my arms! Ha! was it here thou would'st have plunged the poniard? I see the reeking murderer Mal. Do not think The blow was destined for her heart alone- I had been brave enough to do the deed [Exit, L. Hem. I heed not what he says; I can but think His cursed steel was aimed against thy life. Flor. And that alone could blot thine image here. Hem. But Murder trembled as it gazed upon thee ;He could not strike; thy beauty, like a charm, Unnerved his grasp! Heaven sets its seal upon thee, And consecrates thy form! Oh! what bright wonders Are gathered in thy face, when e'en the Prophet Could not compel him to the bloody deed, And Malec's hand could shudder! Flor. Thou then wilt ne'er Renounce Florinda for the cruel faith That would have pierced a heart that beats for thee? Enter ALVAREZ, R. Alv. [To Hemeya.] I come to seek you, for the gorgeous temple Is kindled with the church's brightest pomp; The rite of adjuration. Hem. Is my fate so near its hard completion? Thou hast consented, else the fiercest fires The Inquisition kindles for the Moors, Had been thy portion. Flor. Then lose not an instant ; Take him, my father, else he will go back. [Crosses him over to Alvarez. Alv. To-night a priest shall join your wedded hands. Hem. And let that thought alone possess my soul! Upon the verge of rain I will gaze On the bright vision that allures me on, And leads me to the gulf; I'll turn my eyes Tow'rds the star-studded heaven, where still it shines While I am sinking. Yes, when I behold thee, Conscience is scarce a rebel to thy charms. I go, Florinda; do not forget That, if I dare be guilty, 'tis for thee! [Exeunt Alvarez and Hemeya, R. Flor. I am happy now |