Abd. Few words, and indistinct: repentant sobs
Filled the whole space; the taper in his hand,
Lighting two small dim lamps before the altar,
He gave to Opas—at the idol’s feet
He laid his crown, and wiped his tears away:
The crown reverts not, but the tears return.
Egil. Yes, Abdalazis! soon, abundantly.
If he had only called upon my name,
Seeking my pardon ere he looked to heaven’s,
I could have—no! he thought not once on me!
Never shall he find peace or confidence;
I will rely on fortune and on thee
Nor fear my future lot: sure, Abdalazis,
A fall so great can never happen twice,
Nor man again be faithless, like Roderigo.
Abd. Faithless he may be still, never so faithless.
Fainter must be the charms, remote the days,
When memory and dread example die,
When love and terror thrill the heart no more,
And Egilona is herself forgotten.
ACT V. SCENE 4.
Julian enters.
Tarik. Turn, and behold him! who is now confounded?
Ye who awaited him, where are ye? speak—
Is some close comet blazing o’er your tents?
Muza! Abdalazis! princes, conquerors,
Summon, interrogate, command, condemn.
Muza. Justly, don Julian—but respect for rank
Allays resentment, nor interrogates
Without due form—justly may we accuse
This absence from our councils, from our camp;
This loneliness in which we still remain
Who came invited to redress your wrongs.
Where is the king?
Jul. The people must decide.
Muza. Imperfectly, I hope, I understand
Those words, unworthy of thy birth and age.
Jul. O chieftain, such have been our gothic laws.