ELMINA. This to me! -Bring your inspiring war-notes, and your sounds Will his heart echo them?-But if thy words GONZALEZ. Then, by her, Who there looks on thee in the purity Of her devoted youth, and o'er whose name No blight must fall, and whose pale cheek must ne'er From the quick feeling of dishonour.-Speak! ELMINA. And canst thou name them? My sons! GONZALEZ. Proudly!-Better far They died with all the promise of their youth, And the fair honour of their house upon them, Than that with manhood's high and passionate soul To fearful strength unfolded, they should live, And pining, in the silence of a woe, Which from the heart shuts daylight ;-o'er the shame Of those who gave them birth!-But thou couldst ne'er Forget their lofty claims! ELMINA (wildly). "Twas but for them! "Twas for them only !-Who shall dare arraign There are dark moments of all hearts and lives, GONZALEZ. Thou, whom I have loved With such high trust, as o'er our nature threw A glory, scarce allow'd ;-what hast thou done? -Ximena, go thou hence! ELMINA. No, no! my child! There's pity in thy look!-All other eyes Are full of wrath and scorn!-Oh! leave me not! GONZALEZ. That I should live to see thee thus abased! -Yet speak?-What hast thou done? ELMINA. Look to the gate! Thou 'rt worn with toil-but take no rest to-night! GONZALEZ. They have been won ! Brave men and tried so long!-Whose work was this? ELMINA. Think'st thou all hearts like thine?-Can mothers stand To see their children perish? Was thine? GONZALEZ. Then the guilt ELMINA. -Shall mortal dare to call it guilt? I tell thee, Heaven, which made all holy things, GONZALEZ (in a low desponding voice). Is struck to worthless ashes!-In my soul That once look'd bright with truth! -Why then I have gain'd What men call wisdom!-A new sense, to which All tales that speak of high fidelity, And holy courage, and proud honour, tried, Throw the sword down for ever? Is there aught Now the bright hues drop off its loveliest things, ΧΙΜΕΝΑ. Turn unto me, thy child! Father! look up! GONZALEZ. Thy face is fair; And hath been unto me, in other days, As morning to the journeyer of the deep; But now-'tis too like hers! ELMINA (falling at his feet). Woe, shame and woe, Are on me in their might !-forgive, forgive! GONZALEZ (starting up). Doth the Moor deem that I have part or share, [Exit GONZALEZ. ELMINA. Ximena, dost thou scorn me? XIMENA. I have found In mine own heart too much of feebleness, Hid, beneath many foldings, from all eyes But His whom nought can blind;-to dare do aught ELMINA. Blessings light On thy fair head, my gentle child, for this! |