ELMINA. Thy daughter on my bosom laid her head, GONZALEZ (bending over XIMENA's body). A little while before me, oh, my child! Why should the traveller weep to part with those And spread his couch beside them? ELMINA. Must it be Henceforth enough that once a thing so fair GONZALEZ (still gazing upon XIMENA). To slumber in the shadow, blessed child! Of a yet stainless altar, and beside And thou 'rt laid A sainted warrior's tomb !-Oh, fitting place For thee to yield thy pure heroic soul Back unto him that gave it!--And thy cheek Yet smiles in its bright paleness! ELMINA. Hadst thou seen The look with which she pass'd! GONZALEZ (still bending over her). Like joy to view thy beautiful repose! Too much of horror, in one crowded hour, To weep for aught, so gently gather'd hence! -Oh! man leaves other traces! ELMINA (suddenly starting). It returns On my bewilder'd soul !-Went ye not forth -Where are my sons? GONZALEZ (solemnly). We were too late! ELMINA. Hast thou nought else to tell me? GONZALEZ. Too late! I brought back From that last field the banner of my sires, And my own death-wound. ELMINA. Thine! GONZALEZ. Another hour Shall hush its throbs forever. I go hence, And with me ELMINA. No!-Man could not lift his hands -Where hast thou left thy sons? GONZALEZ. I have no sons. ELMINA. What hast thou said? GONZALEZ. That now there lives not one To wear the glory of mine ancient house, When I am gone to rest. ELMINA (throwing herself on the ground, and speaking in a low hurried voice). In one brief hour, all gone!—and such a death! —I see their blood gush forth!—their graceful heads— We strive with fierce impatience, which but lays Our own frail spirits prostrate? (After a long pause.) Now I know Thy hand, my God!—and they are soonest crush'd That most withstand it!-I resist no more. (She rises.)-A light, a light springs up from grief and death, Which with its solemn radiance doth reveal Why we have been thus tried! GONZALEZ. Then I may still Fix my last look on thee, in holy love, Parting, but yet with hope! ELMINA (falling at his feet). Canst thou forgive ? -Oh, I have driven the arrow to thy heart, And borne the pang in silence!—I have cast As an unvalued gem upon the waves, Whence thou hast snatch'd it back, to bear from earth, All stainless, on thy breast.-Well hast thou doneBut I-canst thou forgive ? GONZALEZ. I have stood upon that verge Within this hour whence mortals fall, And learn'd how 'tis with one whose sight grows dim, And whose foot trembles on the gulf's dark side. In pity and in love. ELMINA. Death!-And thou too Art on thy way!-Oh, joy for thee, high heart! |