Cal. And therefore I'll reward it.

Be that command now thine. And here—this sabre, Bless'd in the field by Mahomet himself,

At Caabar's prosp'rous fight, shall aid thy arm.

Dar. Thanks, my good chief; with this I'll better thank thee. [Taking the Scimitar. Cal. Myself will lead the troops of the black standard,

And at the eastern gate begin the storm.

Dar. But why do we not move? 'twill soon be day. Methinks I'm cold, and would grow warm with action. Cal. Then haste, and tell Abudah-O, thou'rt welcome!

Enter ABUDAH.

Thy charge awaits thee. Where's the stubborn captive?

Abu. Indeed he's brave. I left him for a moment In the next tent. He's scarcely yet himself. Cal. But is he ours?

Abu. The threats of death are nothing;

Though thy last message shook his soul, as winds
On the bleak hills bend down some lofty pine;
Yet still he held his root, till I found means,
Abating somewhat of thy first demand,
If not to make him wholly ours, at least
To gain sufficient to our end.

Cal. Say how?

Abu. Oft he inclin'd, oft started back; at last, When just consenting, for a while he paus'd, Stood fix'd in thought, and lift his eyes to heaven; Then, as with fresh recover'd force, cry'd out, Renounce my faith! Never-I answer'd, No, That now he should not do it.

Cal. How!

Abu. Yet hear,

For since I saw him now so lost in passion,
That must be left to his more temperate thoughts.

Mean time I urg'd, conjur'd, at last constrain'd him,
By all he held most dear, nay, by the voice
Of Providence, that call'd him now to save,

With her he lov'd, perhaps the lives of thousands,
No longer to resist his better fate,

But join his arms in present action with us,
And swear he would be faithful.

Cal. What, no more?

Then he's a christian still!

Abu. Have patience yet:

For if by him we can surprise the city-
Cal. Say'st thou ?

Abu, Hear what's agreed; but on the terms
That ev'ry unresisting life be spar'd.

I shall command some chosen faithful bands,
Phocyas will guide us to the gate, from whence
He late escap'd, nor do we doubt but there
With ease to gain admittance.

Cal. This is something.

And yet I do not like this half ally

Is he not still a christian ?—But no matter-
Mean time I will attack the eastern gate;
Who first succeeds gives entrance to the rest.
Hear all!-Prepare ye now for boldest deeds,
And know, the prophet will reward your valour.
Think that we all to certain triumph move;
Who falls in fight yet meets the prize above.
There, in the gardens of eternal spring,
While birds of Paradise around you sing,
Each, with his blooming beauty by his side,
Shall drink rich wines, that in full rivers glide,
Breathe fragrant gales o'er fields of spice that blow,
And gather fruits immortal as they grow;
Ecstatic bliss shall your whole powers employ,
And ev'ry sense be lost in ev'ry joy.

[Exeunt.

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

A great Square in the City, before the GOVERNOR'S Palace.

Enter ABUDAH, Saracen CAPTAINS and SOLDIERS; with EUMENES, HERBIS, and other CHRISTIANS, unarmed.

Eum. It must be so-farewell, devoted walls! To be surprised thus !-Hell, and all ye fiends, How did ye watch this minute for destruction! Herb. We've been betray'd by riot and debauch; Curse on the traitor guard.

Eum. The guard above,

Did that sleep too?

Abu. Christians, complain no more,

What you have ask'd is granted. Are ye men,
And dare ye question thus, with bold impatience,
Eternal justice!-Know, the doom from heaven
Falls on your towers, resistless as the bolt
That fires the cedars on your mountain tops.
Be meek, and learn with humble awe to bear
The mitigated ruin. Worse had follow'd,
Had ye oppos'd our numbers. Now you're safe;
Quarter and liberty are giv'n to all;

And little do ye think how much ye Owe
To one brave enemy, whom yet ye know not.

Enter ARTAMON, hastily.

Art. All's lost!-Ha!-Who are these?
Eum. All's lost, indeed.

Yield up thy sword, if thou wouldst share our safety. Thou com'st too late to bring us news.

Art. Oh! -no

The news, I bring, is from the eastern guard. Caled has forc'd the gate, and—but he's here. [A Cry without.] Fly, fly, they follow--Quarter, mercy, quarter!

Caled. [Without.] No quarter! Kill, I say. Are they not christians?

More blood! our prophet asks it.

Enter CALED, with DARAN.

What, Abudah!

Well met!

-But wherefore are the looks of peace?

Why sleeps thy sword!

Abu. Caled, our task is over.

Behold the chiefs! they have resign'd the palace.

Cal. And sworn t'obey our law !

Abu. No.

Cal. Then fall on.

Abu. Hold yet, and hear me-Heaven by me has spar'd

The sword its cruel task. On easy terms

We've gain'd a bloodless conquest.

Cal. I renounce it.

Curse on those terms! The city's mine by storm.

Fall on, I say

Abu. Nay, then, I swear ye

Cal. Ha!- -Who am I !

shall not.

Abu. The general—and I know

What reverence is your due.

[CALED gives signs to his Men to fall on.

Nay, he who stirs,

First makes his way thro' me. My honour's pledg'd; Rob me of that, who dares. [They stop.] I know thee,

Caled,

Chief in command; bold, valiant, wise, and faithful;

But yet, remember, I'm a mussulman ;

Nay, more, thou know'st, companion of the prophet, And what we vow is sacred.

Cal. Thou'rt a christian,

I swear thou art, and hast betray'd the faith,

Curse on thy new allies!

Abu. No more—this strife

But ill beseems the servants of the Caliph,
And casts reproach-

while :

-Christians, withdraw a

I pledge my life to answer the conditions

[Exeunt EUMEN ES, HERBIS, &c. Why, Caled, do we thus expose ourselves A scorn to nations that despise our law?

Thou call'st me christian- -What! Is it because I prize my plighted faith, that I'm a christian Come, 'tis not well, and if

Cal. What terms are yielded?

Abu. Leave to depart, to all that will; an oath
First given no more to aid the war against us,
An unmolested march. Each citizen

To take his goods, not more than a mule's burden;
The chiefs six mules, and ten the governor;
Beside some few slight arms for their defence
Against the mountain robbers.

Cal. Now, by Mahomet,
Thou hast equipp'd an army!
Abu. Canst thou doubt

The greatest part by far will chuse to stay,
Receive our law, or pay th' accustomed tribute?
What fear we then from a few wretched bands
Of scatter'd fugitives?—Besides, thou know'st
What towns of strength remain yet unsubdu'd.
Let us appear this once like generous victors,
So future conquests shall repay this bounty,
And willing provinces even court subjection.

Cal. Well-be it on thy head, if worse befall!
This once I yield-but see it thus proclaim'd