First. Our country robes are dear.

Second. And like dear friends,
May chance to prove most perilous informers.

[A third Moresco, Naomi, advances from out the circle.

Naomi. Woman! may Alla and the prophet bless thee! [335]
We have obey'd thy call. Where is our chief?
And why didst thou enjoin the Moorish garments?

Alhadra (lifting up [raising Remorse] her eyes, and looking round on the circle).
Warriors of Mahomet, faithful in the battle,
My countrymen! Come ye prepared to work
An honourable deed? And would ye work it [340]
In the slave's garb? Curse on those Christian robes!
They are spell-blasted; and whoever wears them,
His arm shrinks wither'd, his heart melts away,
And his bones soften!

Naomi. Where is Ferdinand?

Alhadra (in a deep low voice). This night I went from forth my house, and left [345]
His children all asleep; and he was living!
And I return'd, and found them still asleep—
But he had perish'd.

All. Perished?

Alhadra. He had perish'd!
Sleep on, poor babes! not one of you doth know
That he is fatherless, a desolate orphan! [350]
Why should we wake them? Can an infant's arm
[[580]] Revenge his murder?

One to Another. Did she say his murder?