LESSON II.-THE SARACEN BROTHERS. SALADIN-MALEK ADHEL-ATTENDANT. Attendant. A stranger craves admittance to your highness. Saladin. Whence comes he? Attendant. That I know not. Enveloped with a vestment of strange form, Attendant. Thy royal brother! Saladin. Bring him instantly. [Exit Attendant.] Now, with his specious, smooth, persuasive tongue, Fraught with some wily subterfuge, he thinks 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! [Aloud.] Well stranger, speak; but first unveil thyself, For Saladin must view the form that fronts him. Malek Adhel. Behold it, then! Saladin. I see a traitor's visage. Malek Adhel. A brother's! Saladin. No! Saladin owns no kindred with a villain. Malek Adhel. Oh, patience, Heaven! Had any tongue but thine Uttered that word, it ne'er should speak another. Saladin. And why not now? Can this heart be more pierced By Malek Adhel's sword than by his deeds? Malek Adhel. Thou art softened; I am thy brother, then; but late thou saidst- Saladin. Was it traitor? True! Thou hast betrayed me in my fondest hopes! No, nor imprinted on that specious brow; But on this breaking heart the name is stamped, Thinkest thou I'm softened? By Mohammed! these hands Fall from them at thy fate! Oh monster, monster! Is excellent to thee; for in his form The impulse of his nature may be read; Malek Adhel. Go on! go on! "Tis but a little time to hear thee, Saladin; And, bursting at thy feet, this heart will prove Its penitence, at least. Saladin. That were an end Too noble for a traitor! The bowstring is A more appropriate finish! Thou shalt die! Malek Adhel. 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 An executing hand. Saladin. Oh, doubt it not! They're eager for the office. Perfidy, So black as thine, effaces from their minds All memory of thy former excellence. Malek Adhel. Defer not, then, their wishes. Saladin, If e'er this form was joyful to thy sight, his voice seemed grateful to thine ear, accede To my last prayer: Oh, lengthen not this scene, Saladin. This very hour! [Aside.] For oh! the more I look upon that face, In all the brother's weakness; yet such guilt- And vengeance it shall have! What ho! who waits there? To view the death of yonder bosom traitor. And bid them mark, that he who will not spare His brother when he errs, expects obedience [Enter Attendant.] Silent obedience-from his followers. [Exit Attendant.] The word is given; I have nothing more To fear from thee, my brother. About to crave a miserable life. I am not Without thy love, thy honor, thy esteem, Life were a burden to me. Think not, either, The last request which e'er was his to utter Thy harshness made him carry to the grave? Saladin. Speak, then; but ask thyself if thou hast reason To look for much indulgence here. This is our last farewell; the king is satisfied; The judge has spoke the irrevocable sentence. None sees, none hears, save that Omniscient Power, I ask one single pressure of thy hand; From that stern eye one solitary tear 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! Let me not see this unforgiving man Smile at my agonies! nor hear that voice Pronounce my doom, which would not say one word, Would soothe the struggles of departing life! Look on my face-thou canst not spurn me then ; For the last time, and call him— Saladin. [Seizing his hand.] Brother! brother! Malek Adhel. [Breaking away.] Now call thy followers; Death has not now A single pang in store. Proceed! I'm ready. Saladin. 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 Malek Adhel. Oh, stay thee, Saladin ! I did not ask for life. I only wished Cries loudly for the blood of Malek Adhel. Q What cost them many a weary hour to gain, Pleased by my fate to add one other leaf To thy proud wreath of glory. [Going.] Saladin. Thou shalt not. [Enter Attendant.] Attendant. My lord, the troops assembled by your order Tumultuous throng the courts. The prince's death Not one of them but vows he will not suffer. The mutes have fled; the very guards rebel. Malek Adhel. Oh faithful friends! [To Attendant.] Thine shall. The other first shall lop it from the body. Saladin. They teach the emperor his duty well. Tell them he thanks them for it. Tell them, too, Attendant. Oh joyful news! I haste to gladden many a gallant heart, Saladin. These men, the meanest in society, Call back one danger which thou hast not shared, Which thy resistless kindness hath not soothed, Or thy gay smile and converse rendered sweeter I, who have thrice in the ensanguined field, When death seemed certain, only uttered-"Brother!" Saladin and his foes, and that brave breast Dauntless exposed to many a furious blow Intended for my own-I could forget That 'twas to thee I owed the very breath Which sentenced thee to perish! Oh, 'tis shameful! Malek Adhel. By these tears I can! Oh brother! from this very hour a new, A glorious life commences! I am all thine! Again the day of gladness or of anguish May this sword fence thee in the bloody field. My heart, my soul, my sword, are thine forever!-New Monthly Mag. LESSON III.-OUR COUNTRY AND OUR HOME. THERE is a land, of every land the pride; In every clime, the magnet of his soul, Where shall that land-that spot of earth be found`? JAMES MONTGOMERY. LESSON IV. THE GIPSY FORTUNE-TELLER. 1. "HARK, my maiden, and I'll tell you, All the things that e'er befell you, And the secret of your heart. 2. "How that you love some one-don't you'? Won't you hear, my maiden, won't you'? 3. "Ah, you cheat, with words of honey, You tell stories, that you know! |