Maurice. And ye like slaves, that have destroy'd their master,
But know not yet what freedom means; how holy
And just a thing it is! He's a fallen foe!
Come, come, forgive him!
All. No, by Mahomet!
Francesco. O mercy, mercy! talk to them of mercy! 80
Old Man. Mercy to thee! No, no, by Mahomet!
Maurice. Nay, Mahomet taught mercy and forgiveness.
I am sure he did!
Old Man. Ha! Ha! Forgiveness! Mercy!
Maurice. If he did not, he needs it for himself!
Alhadra. Blaspheming fool! the law of Mahomet 85
Was given by him, who framed the soul of man.
This the best proof—it fits the soul of man!
Ambition, glory, thirst of enterprize,
The deep and stubborn purpose of revenge,
With all the boiling revelries of pleasure— 90
These grow in the heart, yea, intertwine their roots
With its minutest fibres! And that Being
Who made us, laughs to scorn the lying faith,
Whose puny precepts, like a wall of sand,
Would stem the full tide of predestined Nature! 95
Naomi (who turns toward Francesco with his sword). Speak!