Jul. O Egilona! were thine also feigned?

Abd. Say, lovely queen, neglectful of thy charms Turned he his eyes toward the young Covilla? Did he pursue her to the mad excess Of breaking off her vows to Sisabert, And marrying her, against the christian law?

Muza. Did he prefer her so?

Abd. Could he prefer To Egilona—

p. 114Egil. Her! the child Covilla? Eternal hider of a foolish face— Incapable of any thing but shame— To me? old man! to me? O Abdalazis! No: he but followed with slow pace my hate. And cannot pride check these unseemly tears!

p. 114

[To herself. Goes.

Muza. The most offended, an offended woman, A wife, a queen, is silent on the deed.

Abd. Thou disingenuous and ignoble man, Spreading these rumours! sending into exile All those their blighting influence injured most: And whom? thy daughter and adopted son, The chieftains of thy laws and of thy faith. Call any witnesses, proclaim the truth, And set, at last, thy heart, thy fame, at rest.

Jul. Not, if I purposed or desired to live, My own dishonour would I e’er proclaim Amid vindictive and reviling foes.

Muza. Calling us foes, avows he not his guilt? Condemns he not the action we condemn, p. 115Owning it his, and owning it dishonour? ’Tis well my cares prest forward, and struck home.

p. 115

Jul. Why smilest thou? I never saw that smile But it portended an atrocious deed.

Muza. After our manifold and stern assaults, With every tower and battlement destroyed, The walls of Ceuta still were strong enough—

[Stops.

[Julian hastily.

Jul. For what? who boasted now her brave defence, Or who forbad your entrance, after peace?

Muza. None: for who could? their engines now arose To throw thy sons into the arms of death. For this erect they their proud crests again. Mark him at last turn pale before a Moor.

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