[SCENE changes to the mountains by moonlight. ALHADRA alone in a

Moorish dress, her eyes fixed on the earth. Then drop in one after another, from different parts of the stage, a considerable number of_ Morescoes, _all in their Moorish garments. They form a circle at a distance round ALHADRA. After a pause one of the_ Morescoes _to the man who stands next to him._

_First Moresco._ The law which forced these Christian dresses on us, 'Twere pleasant to cleave down the wretch who framed it.

_Second._ Yet 'tis not well to trample on it idly.

_First._ Our country robes are dear.

_Second._ And like dear friends, May chance to prove most perilous informers.

[_A third Moresco, NAOMI, advances from out the circle._

_Naomi._ Woman! may Alla and the prophet bless thee! We have obey'd thy call. Where is our chief? And why didst thou enjoin the Moorish garments?

_Alhadra (lifting up_ [_raising_ Remorse] _her eyes, and looking round on the circle)._ Warriors of Mahomet, faithful in the battle, My countrymen! Come ye prepared to work An honourable deed? And would ye work it In the slave's garb? Curse on those Christian robes! They are _spell_-blasted; and whoever wears them, His arm shrinks wither'd, his heart melts away, And his bones soften!

_Naomi._ Where is Ferdinand?

_Alhadra (in a deep low voice)._ This night I went from forth my house, and left His children all asleep; and he was living! And I return'd, and found them still asleep-- But he had perish'd.

_All._ Perished?

_Alhadra._ He had perish'd! Sleep on, poor babes! not one of you doth know That he is fatherless, a desolate orphan! Why should we wake them? Can an infant's arm Revenge his murder?

_One to Another._ Did she say his murder?

_Naomi._ Murder'd? Not murder'd?

_Alhadra._ Murder'd by a Christian!

[_They all, at once, draw their sabres._

_Alhadra (to Naomi, who on being addressed again advances from the circle)._ Brother of Zagri! fling away thy sword: This is thy chieftain's! [_He steps forward to take it._ Dost thou dare receive it? For I have sworn by Alia and the prophet, No tear shall dim these eyes, this woman's heart Shall heave no groan, till I have seen that sword Wet with the blood of all the house of Velez!

_Enter MAURICE._

_All._ A spy! a spy! [_They seize him._

_Maurice._ Off! off! unhand me, slaves!

[_After much struggling he disengages himself and draws his sword._

_Naomi (to Alhadra)._ Speak! shall we kill him?

_Maurice._ Yes! ye can kill a man, Some twenty of you! But ye are Spanish slaves! And slaves are always cruel, always cowards.

_Alhadra._ That man has spoken truth. Whence and who art thou?

_Maurice._ I seek a dear friend, whom for aught I know The son of Velez hath hired one of you To murder! Say, do ye know aught of Albert?

_Alhadra (starting)._ Albert?--three years ago I heard that name Murmur'd in sleep! High-minded foreigner! Mix thy revenge with mine, and stand among us.

[_MAURICE stands among the_ Morescoes.

_Alhadra._ Was not Osorio my husband's friend?

_Old Man._ He kill'd my son in battle; yet our chieftain Forced me to sheathe my dagger. See--the point Is bright, unrusted with the villain's blood!

_Alhadra._ He is your chieftain's murderer!

_Naomi._ He dies by Alla!

_All (dropping on one knee)._ By Alla!

_Alhadra._ This night a reeking slave came with loud pant, Gave Ferdinand a letter, and departed, Swift as he came. Pale, with unquiet looks, He read the scroll.

_Maurice._ Its purport?

_Alhadra._ Yes, I ask'd it. He answer'd me, 'Alhadra! thou art worthy A nobler secret; but I have been faithful To this bad man, and faithful I will be.' He said, and arm'd himself, and lit a torch; Then kiss'd his children, each one on its pillow, And hurried from me. But I follow'd him At distance, till I saw him enter _there_.

_Naomi._ The cavern?

_Alhadra._ Yes--the mouth of yonder cavern. After a pause I saw the son of Velez Rush by with flaring torch; he likewise enter'd-- There was another and a longer pause-- And once, methought, I heard the clash of swords, And soon the son of Velez reappear'd. He flung his torch towards the moon in sport, And seem'd as he were mirthful! I stood listening Impatient for the footsteps of my husband!

_Maurice._ Thou called'st him?

_Alhadra._ I crept into the cavern: 'Twas dark and very silent. [_Then wildly._ What said'st thou? No, no! I did not dare call, Ferdinand! Lest I should hear no answer. A brief while, Belike, I lost all thought and memory Of that for which I came! After that pause, O God! I heard a groan!--and follow'd it. And yet another groan--which guided me Into a strange recess--and there was _light_, A _hideous_ light! his torch lay on the ground-- Its flame burnt dimly o'er a chasm's brink. I spake--and while I spake, a feeble groan Came from that chasm! It was his last! his death groan!

_Maurice._ Comfort her, comfort her, Almighty Father!

_Alhadra._ I stood in unimaginable trance And agony, that cannot be remember'd, Listening with horrid hope to hear a groan! But I had heard his last--my husband's death-groan!

_Naomi._ Haste! let us go!

_Alhadra._ I look'd far down the pit. My sight was bounded by a jutting fragment, And it was stain'd with blood! Then first I shriek'd! My eyeballs burnt! my brain grew hot as fire! And all the hanging drops of the wet roof Turn'd into blood. I saw them turn to blood! And I was leaping wildly down the chasm When on the further brink I saw his sword, And it said, Vengeance! Curses on my tongue! The moon hath moved in heaven, and I am here, And he hath not had vengeance! Ferdinand! Spirit of Ferdinand! thy murderer lives! Away! away! [_She rushes off, all following._

END OF THE FOURTH ACT