Boab. O heaven, what do I hear!
Almanz. Let her go on.
Lyndar. And how,—then murmured in a bigger tone
Another voice,—and how should it be known?
This hour is from your court attendants free;
The king suspects Almanzor, but not me.
Zul. I find her drift; Hamet, be confident; [At the door.
Second her words, and fear not the event.
Zulema and Hamet enter. The King embraces them.
Boab. Welcome, my only friends;—behold in me,
O kings, behold the effects of clemency!
See here the gratitude of pardoned foes!
That life, I gave them, they for me expose!
Hamet. Though Abdelmelech was our friend before,
When duty called us, he was so no more.
Almanz. Damn your delay!—you torturers, proceed!
I will not hear one word but Almahide.
Boab. When you, within, the traitor's voice did hear,
What did you then?
Zul. I durst not trust my ear;
But, peeping through the key-hole, I espied
The queen, and Abdelmelech by her side;
She on the couch, he on her bosom lay;
Her hand about his neck his head did stay,
And from his forehead wiped the drops away.