p. 57

Ramiro and Osma enter from opposite sides.

Ramiro

Osma

Ram. Where is the king? his car is at the gate, His ministers attend him, but his foes Are yet more prompt, nor will await delay.

Osma. Nor need they—for he meets them as I speak—

Ram. With all his forces—or our cause is lost. Julian and Sisabert surround the walls—

Osma. Surround, sayst thou? enter they not the gates?

Ram. Perhaps ere now they enter.

Osma. Sisabert Brings him our prisoner.

Ram. They are friends! they held A parley; and the soldiers, when they saw Count Julian, lower’d their arms and hail’d him king.

Osma. How? and he leads them in the name of king?

p. 58Ram. He leads them; but amidst that acclamation He turn’d away his head, and called for vengeance.

p. 58

Osma. In Sisabert, and in the cavalry He led, were all our hopes.

Opas. Woe, woe is theirs Who have no other.

Osma. What are thine? obey The just commands of our offended king, Conduct him to the tower [58]—off—instantly. Ramiro, let us haste to reinforce—

Ram. Hark! is the king defeated? hark!

Osma. I hear Such acclamation as from victory Arises not, but rather from revolt, Reiterated, interrupted, lost. Favour like this his genius will retrieve By time, or promises, or chastisement, Which-e’er he choose—the speediest is the best— p. 59His danger and his glory let us share; ’Tis ours to serve him.

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