His lofty port, his voice in vain disguised, Sal. Atten. Thy royal brother! Sal. Whom? Bring him instantly. [Exit ATTENDANT. Now, with his spēcious, smooth, persuasive tongue, To dissipate my anger. He shall die. [Enter ATTENDANT and MALEK ADHEL. Leave us together. [Exit ATTENDANT.] [Aside.] I should know that form. Now summon all thy fortitude, my soul, Nor, though thy blood cry for him, spare the guilty! Malek Adhel. Behold it, then! Sal. Mal. Ad. A brother's! Sal. I see a traitor's visage. No! Saladin owns no kindred with a villain. Mal. Ad. O, patience, Heaven. Had any tongue but thine Uttered that word, it ne'er should speak another. Sal. And why not now? Can this heart be more pierced By Malek Adhel's sword than by his deeds? Oh, thou hast made a desert of this bosom! 1 Săľ a din, the hero of this dramatic piece, was born in 1137. He became Sultan of Egypt and Syria in 1168, from which period he is noted for his wars with the Christian crusaders. He died at Damascus in 1193, leaving a brother and seventeen sons to share his power and conquests. Christians and Saracens have vied with each other in writing panegyrics on the justice, valor, generosity, and political wisdom of this prince, who possessed the art, not simply of acquiring power, but of devoting it to the good of his subjects. Henceforth I turn me from the sweets of love : I am thy brother, then; but late thou saidst Sal. Was it traitor? True! Thou hast betrayed me in my fondèst hopes! Think'st thou I'm softened? By Mahomet! these hands Fall from them at thy fate! O monster, monster! Is excellent to thee, for in his form The impulse of his nature may be read; Oh, what a wretch art thou? Oh! can a term 'Tis but a little while to hear thee, Saladin ; And, bursting at thy feet, this heart will prove Its penitence, at least. Too noble for a traitor! The bowstring is A more appropriate finish! Thou shalt die! Mal. Ad. And death were welcome at another's mandate! What, what have I to live for? Be it so, If that, in all thy armies, can be found They're eager for the office. Perfidy, Mal. Ad. Defer not then their wishes. Saladin, [Aside.] For, oh! the more I look upon that face, And vengeance it shall have! What, ho! who waits there? [Enter ATTENDANT. Atten. Did your highness call? II. [Exit ATTENDANT. 183. THE SARACEN BROTHERS. PART SECOND. ALEK ADHEL. Now, Săl'adin, MA The word is given, I have nothing more Without thy love, thy honor, thy esteem, Thy harshness made him carry to the grave? Sal. Speak, then; but ask thyself if thou hast reason To look for much indulgence here. Mal. Ad. I have not! Yet will I ask for it. We part forever ; This is our last farewell; the king is satisfied; Oh, torturing recollection!-one kind word From the loved tongue which once breathed naught but kindness. Still silent? Brother! friend! beloved companion Of all my youthful sports!-are they forgotten? Strike me with deafness, make me blind, O Heaven! Smile at my agonies! nor hear that voice Pronounce my doom, which would not say one word, For the last time, and call him— Sal. [seizing his hand.] Brother! brother! Mal. Ad. [breaking away.] Now, call thy followers. Death has not now a single pang in store. Proceed! I'm ready. Sal. Oh, art thou ready to forgive, my brother? To pardon him who found one single error, One little failing, mid a splendid throng Of glorious qualities Mal. Ad. Oh, stay thee, Saladin ! To carry thy forgivenèss to the grave. Cries loudly for the blood of Malek Adhel. Pleased by my fate to add one other leaf Sal. [Going. Thou shalt not. [Enter ATTENDANT. Atten. My lord, the troops assembled by your order [To Atten.] Thine shalt. The other first shall lop it from the body. Sal. They teach the Emperor his duty well. Tell them he thanks them for it. Tell them, too, Atten. O joyful news! I haste to gladden many a gallant heart, Sal. These men, the meanèst in society, Oh, these can cast aside their vowed allegiance, Call back one danger which thou hast not shared, Which thy resistless kindness hath not soothed, |