Jul. Never by me.
Muza. False then were thy reproaches, false thy grief.
Jul. O Egilona! were thine also feigned?
Abd. Say, lovely queen, neglectful of thy charms
Turned he his eyes toward the young Covilla?
Did he pursue her to the mad excess
Of breaking off her vows to Sisabert,
And marrying her, against the Christian law?
Muza. Did he prefer her so?
Abd. Could he prefer
To Egilona—
Egi. Her! the child Covilla?
Eternal hider of a foolish face,
Incapable of anything but shame,
To me? old man! to me? O Abdalazis!
No: he but followed with slow pace my hate.
And cannot pride check these unseemly tears.
[Goes.
Muza. The most offended, an offended woman,
A wife, a queen, is silent on the deed.
Abd. Thou disingenuous and ignoble man,
Spreading these rumours! sending into exile
All those their blighting influence injured most:
And whom? thy daughter and adopted son,
The chieftains of thy laws and of thy faith.
Call any witnesses, proclaim the truth,
And set, at last, thy heart, thy fame, at rest.