[A noise—enter a part of the Morescoes; and from the opposite side of the stage a Moorish Seaman.
Moorish Seaman. The boat is on the shore, the vessel waits.
Your wives and children are already stow'd;
I left them prattling of the Barbary coast,
Of Mosks, and minarets, and golden crescents. 65
Each had her separate dream; but all were gay,
Dancing, in thought, to finger-beaten timbrels!
[Enter Maurice and the rest of the Morescoes dragging in Francesco.
Francesco. O spare me, spare me! only spare my life!
An Old Man. All hail, Alhadra! O that thou hadst heard him
When first we dragg'd him forth! [Then turning to the band.
Here! in her presence—— 70
[He advances with his sword as about to kill him. Maurice leaps in and stands with his drawn sword between Francesco and the Morescoes.
Maurice. Nay, but ye shall not!
Old Man. Shall not? Hah? Shall not?
Maurice. What, an unarm'd man?
A man that never wore a sword? A priest?
It is unsoldierly! I say, ye shall not!
Old Man (turning to the bands). He bears himself most like an insolent Spaniard! 75