dejected, comfortless, In sack-cloth; the white ashes on his head Dropt as he smote his breast—he gathered up, Replaced them all, groan’d deeply, looked to heaven, And held them, like a treasure, with claspt hands.

p. 104

Egil. O! was Roderigo so abased?

Muza. ’Twas he. Now, Egilona, judge between your friends And enemies—behold what wretches brought The king, thy lord, Roderigo, to disgrace.

Egil. He merited—but not from them—from me This, and much worse: had I inflicted it, I had rejoiced—at what I ill endure.

p. 105Muza. For thee, for thee alone, we wished him here, But other hands released him—

p. 105

Abd. —With what aim Will soon appear to those discerning eyes.

Egil. I pray thee, tell what past until that hour.

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.

p. 106Abd. 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.

p. 106

ACT V. SCENE 4.

Julian enters.

Julian

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