The prophet's eye beheld; nay, more th His honour and his truth! Rightly thou 'Tis I who snatch him from thee. Flor. Not from me- It is from life you snatch him! Let him ea Hem. Can I do that? Flor. Do anything but perish. 1 reck not of myself; but I have heard, Hemeya, be a Christian, or you perish! Hem. It is not hard to die; thou, thou alone Art all that makes life worth the keeping to me. Mal. I will not think a well-wrought tear or twe Can make thee base again. Hem. [To Malec.] Within thy bosom I'll bury all my face; for, if I dare To gaze upon her charms, they will unman me. Flor. And dost thou scorn to look upon Florinda And am I spurned so far? once 'twas otherwise; Now I am fit for scorn! Hem. Florinda! Mal. Hold! Weigh not your country with a woman's tears. And flattered, and adored, until at last We own our nature's folly ;-then you spurn, Mal. Are you a man? áre you his son Whose heart ne'er felt a throb but for his country? Hem. Look here, and pity me! behold this face, Where shines a soul so pure, so sweet a spiritCan I renounce her? tell me if I can! im, my Florinda! lift those eyes, Hemeya, so kind again, and wilt thou live? Stay near my heart, and, as I press thee .hus, ▪ longer feel this agony : an resign thee. Worthless Moor! es my poniard tremble in my grasp? You shall not tear him into death. [Crosses, c. [Aside.] I cannot do it-yet, must I behold of Moorish kings a woman's slave? o rouse him still. Traitor! Perfidious traitor! Traitor! and, if there be a name more foul, e! Spare him, spare him! dost thou see s frame trembles, and what agony ped upon his face? Oh, pity him! I do, indeed, I spurn him for his weakness; oman, have a caree-leave him, renounce him, . I can resign Hemeya's heart, nnot give his life; nay, tell me, Malec, ho have loved him, watched his tenderest youth, old him in your heart-would you consent ld him up to burning martyrdom, ast him in the raging furnace persecution lights with blasts of hell? 7. Better that he should perish r. Dost thou say so? dst plunge him in destruction? wouldst thou see him the torments of a ling'ring death, Gomez and Pescara stood beside, ut themselves upon his agonies? al. Woman, thou hast employed thy sex's cunning, make my friend a villain; but beware, I will break thy spells; I will unloose charméd threads thou wind'st around his soul. Flor. I will renounce him! you, perchance, desire, Let him but speak it, and a cloister's cell I ask for nothing but Hemeya's safety, Hem. Leave me! never! Mal. [Draws his dagger.] Then it is done! prophet, behold the deed! Strengthen my trembling hand; it is for freedom, [He pauses for an instant, and, after a struggle, ex- I cannot do it! I am myself a coward. [Lets the dagger fall.-Hemeya and Florinda start. Hem. Abhorred, detested villain ! Mal. Call me coward, For that I feel I am; 'twas Heaven itself [Crosses, c. That bade me strike, and nature conquered me. Hem. Cursed be the creed that can make murder holy! Thee! thee! Florinda-here, within my arms! Ha! was it here thou would'st have plunged the poniard? Mal. Do not think The blow was destined for her heart alone- I had been brave enough to do the deed [Exit, L. heed not what he says; I can but tl ink steel was aimed against thy life. nd that alone could blot thine image here. ut Murder trembled as it gazed upon thee ;not strike; thy beauty, like a charm, his grasp! Heaven sets its seal upon thee, ecrates thy form! Oh! what bright wonders red in thy face, when e'en the Prophet compel him to the bloody deed, c's hand could shudder! Thou then wilt ne'er → Florinda for the cruel faith ild have pierced a heart that beats for thee? <! I'm blest!-and see, my father comes, e witness of Florinda's bliss. Enter ALVAREz, r. To Hemeya.] I come to seek you, for the goreous temple ed with the church's brightest pomp; -usands wait your presence, to begin - of adjuration. Is my fate so near its hard completion? It is well ast consented, else the fiercest fires quisition kindles for the Moors, en thy portion. Then lose not an instant; Lim, my father, else he will go back. [Crosses him over to Alvarez. To-night a priest shall join your wedded hands. . And let that thought alone possess my soul! the verge of ruin I will gaze bright vision that all ires me on, eads me to the gulf; I'll turn my eyes ds the star-studded heaven, where still it shines I am sinking. Yes, when I behold thee, ience is scarce a rebel to thy charms. Florinda; do not forget if I dare be guilty, 'tis for thee! [Exeunt Alvarez and Hemeya, B r. I am happy now~~ A beam of angel-bliss falls on my heart, [The gates of the Inquisition open-the bell tells twice. What do I see? Enter GOMEZ, PESCARA, aad INQUISITORS, from the inte rior of the edifice, U. E. The Inquisition's servants-Gomez, Pescara ! [Rushes up wildly and exultingly to the Inquisitors. Gom. [Advancing towards her.] Who art thou, Pes. Forgive her, holy father, for she seems [Goes up to her.] The fair Florinda! Flor. Pardon me, I know not what I said. [Exeunt Gomez and Inquisitors, K. Flor. He sends him forth To look upon the wretch from whom your eyes Flor. My lord, 'tis not my purpose to offend you: Tell me, what cause has calle 1 these men of death Pes. Ay, 'tis your sex's vice; when curiosity |