One Morisco to another. Did she say his murder ? Alhad. Murdered by a Christian! [They all at once draw their sabres. Alhad. [To NAOMI, who advances from the circle.] Brother of Zagri, fling away thy sword; This is thy chieftain's! [He steps forward to take it.] Dost thou dare receive it? For I have sworn by Allah and the Prophet, No tear shall dim these eyes—this woman's heart Naomi. He dies, by Allah! All. [Kneeling.] By Allah! Alhad. This night your chieftain armed himself, And hurried from me. But I followed him At distance, till I saw him enter-there! Naomi. The cavern? Alhad. Yes, the mouth of yonder cavern. Rush by with flaring torch; he likewise entered. And once methought I heard the clash of swords! And soon the son of Valdez reappeared: He flung his torch towards the moon in sport, And seemed as he were mirthful; I stood listening, Impatient for the footsteps of my husband! Naomi. Thou calledst him? Alhad. I crept into the cavern— "Twas dark and very silent. [Then wildly.] What saidst thou? No, no! I did not dare call Isidore, Lest I should hear no answer. A brief while, Of that for which I came. After that pause- And yet another groan, which guided me Into a strange recess, and there was light, Its flame burned dimly o'er a chasm's brink. I spake; and whilst I spake, a feeble groan Came from that chasm! it was his last-his death-groan! Naomi. Comfort her, Allah! Alhad. I stood in unimaginable trance, And agony that cannot be remembered, But I had heard his last, my husband's death-groan! Alhad. I looked far down the pit My sight was bounded by a jutting fragment; And it was stained with blood. Then first I shrieked, Spirit of Isidore, thy murderer lives! Away, away! All. Away, away! [She rushes off, all following. Lord Byron. MANFRED. The Coliseum. THE stars are forth, the moon above the tops I linger yet with Nature, for the Night I learned the language of another world. The trees which grew along the broken arches A noble wreck in ruinous perfection! While Cæsar's chambers and the Augustan halls And thou didst shine, thou rolling moon, upon All this, and cast a wide and tender light, MARINO FALIERO, DOGE OF VENICE. The Execution of MARINO FALIERO. The Court of the Ducal Palace.- The Doge enters in his ducal robes, in procession with the Council of Ten and other Patricians, attended by the Guards, till they arrive at the top of the "Giants' Staircase" (where the Doges took the oaths); the Executioner is stationed there with his sword.—On arriving, a Chief of the Ten takes off the ducal cap from the Doge's head. Doge. So, now the Doge is nothing, and at last I am again Marino Faliero : 'Tis well to be so, though but for a moment. Here was I crowned, and here, bear witness, Heaven! That shining mockery, the ducal bawble, One of the Ten. Thou tremblest, Faliero! Benintende. Faliero! hast thou aught further to commend, Compatible with justice, to the senate? Doge. I would commend my nephew to their mercy, My consort to their justice; for methinks My death, and such a death, might settle all Ben. They shall be cared for; Even notwithstanding thine unheard-of crime. Ben. And who were they who fell in such a cause? Agis and Faliero! Ben. Hast thou more To utter or to do ? Doge. May I speak? Ben. Thou mayst; But recollect the people are without, Beyond the compass of the human voice. my banner, loved it, |