Muza. Tarik. Abdalazis.
Muza. To have first landed on these shores, appears
Transcendent glory to the applauded Tarik.
Tarik. Glory, but not transcendent, it appears,
What might in any other.
Muza. Of thyself
All this vain boast?
Tarik. Not of myself—’twas Julian.
Against his shield the refluent surges rolled,
While the sea-breezes threw the arrows wide,
And fainter cheers urged the reluctant steeds.
Muza. That Julian, of whose treason I have proofs,
That Julian, who rejected my commands
Twice, when our mortal foe besieged the camp,
And forced my princely presence to his tent.
Tarik. Say rather, who without one exhortation,
One precious drop from true believer’s vein,
Marched, and discomfited our enemies.
I found in him no treachery—Hernando,
Who, little versed in moody wiles, is gone
To lead him hither, was by him assigned
My guide, and twice in doubtful fight his arm
Protected me—once on the hights of Calpe,
Once on the plain, when courtly jealousies
Tore from the bravest and the best his due,
And gave the dotard and the coward command:
Then came Roderigo forth—the front of war
Grew darker—him, equal in chevalry,
Julian alone could with success oppose.
Abd. I doubt their worth who praise their enemies.
Tarik. And theirs doubt I who persecute their friends.
Muza. Thou art in league with him.