Show me authority in honor's garb, And I will down upon the humblest knee But shall I reverence pride, and hate, and rapine? Will turn to bitterest gall, and the o'ercharged heart Hoh. (Going to the side scene.) My servants, there, Seize the Count Alasco (Two of the Baron's servants enter.) I here proclaim him rebel to the state. Alas. (Drawing and putting himself on his defense.) Slaves! At your peril, venture on my sword! Wal. My lord! my lord! this is my house-my castle; You do not-cannot-mean this violation: Beneath the sanctuary of a soldier's roof, Hoh. But not his sovereign's; You would not screen a traitor from the law! In safety. Here my honor guards him. Hoh. Ha! Your loyalty, my friend, seems rather nice, Wal. Yes, the loyalty That is not nice, in honor and good faith, May serve the tool—the slave-the sycophant— But does not suit the soldier. Hoh. Colonel Walsingham, My station must prescribe my duty here:-(To the attendants.) Bear hence your prisoner, and await my orders. Wal. (Drawing and interposing.) Ha! touch him, ruffians, on your lives! By heaven! This arm has not yet lost its vigor. Hence Hence, miscreants, from my presence, lest my rage Forget that you are unworthy of my sword. (The Baron motions his attendants to retire.) My lord, this is an outrage on my honor- And hoped a worn-out soldier might have found Fit refuge, in the winter of his age, Beneath thy sheltering virtues; but no more: You've heard the charge, and as you may, must answer it. It had been death to hear it: But, thank heaven! Indignant triumphs o'er unjust reproach, For this lord This minion of usurped authority, He knows I hold him less in fear than scorn, SELECTION XXIX. SALADIN-MALEK ADHEL—ATTENDANT.-Anonymous. Attendant. A stranger craves admittance to your highness. Saladin. Whence comes he? Atten. That I know not Enveloped in a vestment of strange form, Atten. Thy royal brother. Sal. Bring him instantly. (Exit Attendant.) (Enter Attendant, and Malek Adhel.) Sal. Leave us together. (Exit Attendant.) (Aside.) I should know that form. Now summon all thy fortitude, my soul, Nor, though thy blood cry for him, spare the guilty. Malek Adhel. Behold it, then! Sal. I see a traitor's visage. Mal. Ad. A brother's. Sal. No Saladin owns no kindred with a villain. Mal. Ad. Oh, patience, heaven! Had any tongue but thine Uttered that word, it ne'er should speak another. Sal. And why not now? Can this heart be more pierced By Malek Adhel's sword than by his deeds? Oh, thou hast made a desert of this bosom! For open candor, planted sly disguise; For confidence, suspicion; and the glow Of generous friendship, tenderness, and love, For ever banished. Whither can I turn, When he by blood, by gratitude, by faith, By every tie bound to support, forsakes me? Who, who can stand, when Malek Adhel falls? Henceforth I turn me from the sweets of love, The smiles of friendship-and this glorious world, In which all find some heart to rest upon, Shall be to Saladin a cheerless voidHis brother has betrayed him! Mal. Ad. Thou art softened; I am thy brother then; but late thou saidst- Thou hast betrayed me in my fondest hopes. Thinkest thou I'm softened? By Mohammed, these hands Should crush these aching eyeballs, ere a tear Fall from them at thy fate!-Oh monster, monster! Is excellent to thee, for in his form The impulse of his nature may be read,— But thou, so beautiful, so proud, so noble, Mal. Ad. Go on, go on; "Tis but a little while to hear thee, Saladin, And, bursting at thy feet, this heart will prove Its penitence at least. Sal. That were an end Too noble for a traitor; the bowstring is Mal. Ad. And death were welcome at another's mandate! What, what have 1 to live for? Be it so, If that in all thy armies can be found Sal. Oh, doubt it not! They're eager for the office. Perfidy, Mal. Ad. Defer not then their wishes. Saladin, This voice seemed grateful to thine ear, accede Sal. This very hour! (Aside.) For oh! the more I look upon that face, And vengeance it shall have! What ho! who waits there? (Enter Attendant.) Atten. Did your highness call? Sal. Assemble quickly My forces in the court!-tell them they come Silent obedience from his followers. (Exit Attendant.) The word is given-I have nothing more Without thy love, thy honor, thy esteem, The last request which e'er was his to utter, Sal. Speak then; but ask thyself if thou hast reason Mal. Ad. I have not! Yet will I ask for it. We part for ever; This is our last farewell; the king is satisfied; From the loved tongue which once breathed naught but kindness. Still silent? Brother!-friend-beloved companion Of all my youthful sports-are they forgotten? Strike me with deafness, make me blind, Oh heaven! Smile at my agonies-nor hear that voice Pronounce my doom, which would not say one word, Sal. (Seizing his hand.) Brother! brother!- Death has not now A single pang in store. Proceed! I'm ready. Sal. Oh, art thou ready to forgive, my brother, To pardon him who found one single error, One little failing 'mid a splendid throng Of glorious qualities Mal. Ad. Oh stay thee, Saladin! grave. I did not ask for life-I only wished |