Therefore be firm, be patient!-There is strength, When red swords meet in lightning!—But our task So that our blood make but the millionth part The banner of her faith!-Think but on this, Father, farewell. GARCIAS. [Exeunt GARCIAS and his followers. HERNANDEZ. These men have earthly ties And bondage on their natures!-To the cause Of God, and Spain's revenge, they bring but half Hath call'd to be th' awakener of a land, Should have his soul's affections all absorbed In that majestic purpose, and press on To its fulfilment, as a mountain-born And mighty stream, with all its vassal-rills, Sweeps proudly to the ocean, pausing not To dally with the flowers. Hark! What quick step Comes hurrying through the gloom at this dead hour? ELMINA enters. ELMINA. Are not all hours as one to misery?—Why Should she take note of time, for whom the day And night have lost their blessed attributes Of sunshine and repose? HERNANDEZ. I know thy griefs; But there are trials for the noble heart Wherein its own deep fountains must supply On the green shore, by him who perishes ELMINA. Think thou not I sought thee but for pity. I am come For that which grief is privileged to demand With an imperious claim, from all whose form, Whose human form, doth seal them unto suffering! Father! I ask thine aid. HERNANDEZ. There is no aid For thee or for thy children, but with Him ELMINA. There is no aid!-Art thou a man of God? Art thou a man of sorrow-(for the world Doth call thee such)—and hast thou not been taught By God and sorrow-mighty as they are, To own the claims of misery? HERNANDEZ. Is there power With me to save thy sons ?-Implore of Heaven! ELMINA. Doth not Heaven work its purposes by man? Are e'en as oracles HERNANDEZ. And therefore?-Speak! The noble daughter of Pelayo's line Hath nought to ask, unworthy of the name Which is a nation's heritage.-Dost thou shrink? ELMINA. Have pity on me, father!—I must speak That, from the thought of which, but yesterday, I had recoiled in scorn!-But this is past. Oh! we grow humble in our agonies, And to the dust-their birth-place-bow the heads HERNANDEZ. These are no times for weakness. On our hills ELMINA. Look not upon me thus !-I have no power On their majestic line!-My sons! my sons! When earth's young flowers were opening to the sun, HERNANDEZ. By yielding up the city? ELMINA. Rather say By meeting that which gathers close upon us And famine, and the sword? HERNANDEZ. How long?-While he, Who shadows forth his power more gloriously |