Tarik. Turn, and behold him! who is now confounded? Ye who awaited him, where are ye? speak— Is some close comet blazing o’er your tents? Muza! Abdalazis! princes, conquerors, Summon, interrogate, command, condemn.

Muza. Justly, don Julian—but respect for rank Allays resentment, nor interrogates Without due form—justly may we accuse This absence from our councils, from our camp; This loneliness in which we still remain p. 107Who came invited to redress your wrongs. Where is the king?

p. 107

Jul. The people must decide.

Muza. Imperfectly, I hope, I understand Those words, unworthy of thy birth and age.

Jul. O chieftain, such have been our gothic laws.

Muza. Who then amid such turbulence is safe?

Jul. He who observes them: ’tis no turbulence, It violates no peace: ’tis surely worth A voice, a breath of air, thus to create By their high will the man, form’d after them In their own image, vested with their power, To whom they trust their freedom and their lives.

Muza. They trust! the people! God assigns the charge, Kings open but the book of destiny And read their names, all that remains for them The mystic hand from time to time reveals. Worst of idolaters! idolater Of that refractory and craving beast Whose den is in the city, at thy hand I claim our common enemy, the king.

p. 108Jul. Sacred from justice then! but not from malice!

p. 108

Tarik. Surrender him, my friend: be sure his pains Will not be soften’d.

Jul. ’Tis beyond my power.

Tarik. Tomorrow—if in any distant fort He lies tonight: send after him.

Jul. My faith Is plighted, and he lives—no prisoner.

Egil. I knew the truth.

Abd. Now, Tarik, hear and judge.

[Abdalazis to Julian.

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