-And the bright locks that waved so joyously HERNANDEZ (with sudden exultation). On the white steed, and with the castled helm, And the pale cross, which from his breast-plate gleams On his mail'd bosom shines a broad white cross, And his long plumage through the darkening air GONZALEZ. That should be HERNANDEZ. The king! Was it not told us how he sent, of late, To the Cid's tomb, e'en for the silver cross, Which he who slumbers there was wont to bind GONZALEZ (springing up joyfully). My king! my king! Now all good saints for Spain !-My noble king! [He sinks back into ELMINA's arms. HERNANDEZ. He hath clear'd A pathway 'midst the combat, and the light In joy and glory, to the sweeping winds! -There seems a wavering through the paynim hosts— Castile doth press them sore-Now, now rejoice! What hast thou seen? GONZALEZ. HERNANDEZ. Abdullah falls! He falls! The man of blood!-the spoiler !-he hath sunk Avenged thy cause, Gonzalez! They give way, The Crescent's van is broken!-On the hills And the dark pine-woods may the infidel To cover him from vengeance!-Lo! they fly! Are scatter'd, e'en as leaves upon the wind! Woe to the sons of Afric!-Let the plains, Take their dead unto them!-that blood shall wash Our soil from stains of bondage. GONZALEZ (attempting to raise himself). Set me free! Come with me forth, for I must greet my king, After his battle-field! HERNANDEZ. Oh, blest in death! Chosen of Heaven, farewell!-Look on the Cross, And part from earth in peace! GONZALEZ. Now charge once more! God is with Spain, and Santiago's sword Is reddening all the air!-Shout forth Castile!' The day is ours!-I go; but fear ye not! Have won their first good field! [He dies. ELMINA. Look on me yet! Speak one farewell, my husband!-must thy voice Enter my soul no more !—Thine eye is fix'd— Now is my life uprooted,-and 'tis well. (A Sound of triumphant Music is heard, and many Castilian Knights and Soldiers enter.) A CITIZEN. Hush your triumphal sounds, although ye come E'en as deliverers!-But the noble dead, And those that mourn them, claim from human hearts Deep silent reverence. ELMINA (rising proudly). No, swell forth, Castile! Thy trumpet-music, till the seas and heavens, Swell on with victory's shout!-He will not hear Hath earth a sound more sad? HERNANDEZ. Lift ye the dead, And bear him with the banner of his race Waving above him proudly, as it waved O'er the Cid's battles, to the tomb, wherein [They raise the body. ELMINA. Aye, 'tis thus Thou shouldst be honour'd!—And I follow thee With an unfaltering and a lofty step, To that last home of glory. She that wears In her deep heart the memory of thy love Shall thence draw strength for all things, till the God, Looking upon her still and chasten'd soul, Call it once more to thine! (To the Castilians.) Awake, I say, Tambour and trumpet, wake!-And let the land Through all her mountains hear your funeral peal! [Exeunt omnes. |