Alroy: The Prince of the Captivity

  CHAPTER X.

  _The Fall of Alroy_

  SHE comes not yet! her cheerful form, not yet it sparkles in ourmournful sky. She comes not yet! the shadowy stars seem sad andlustreless without their Queen. She comes not yet!'

  '_WE ARE THE WATCHERS OF THE MOON,[78] AND LIVE IN LONELINESS TO HERALDLIGHT._'

  'She comes not yet! her sacred form, not yet it summons to our holyfeast. She comes not yet! our brethren far wait mute and motionless thesaintly beam. She comes not yet!'

  '_WE ARE THE WATCHERS OF THE MOON, AND LIVE IN LONELINESS TO HERALDLIGHT_.'

  'She comes, she comes! her beauteous form sails with soft splendour inthe glittering air. She comes, she comes! The beacons fire, and tell thenation that the month begins! She comes, she comes!'

  '_WE ARE THE WATCHERS OF THE MOON, TO TELL THE NATION THAT THE MONTHBEGINS_.'

  Instantly the holy watchers fired the beacons on the mountain top, andanon a thousand flames blazed round the land. From Caucasus to Lebanon,on every peak a crown of light.

  'Sire! a Tatar has arrived from Hamadan, who will see none but thyself.I have told him your Highness was engaged, and sent him to the LordHonain; but all denial is lost upon him. And as I thought perhaps theLady Miriam----'

  'From Hamadan? You did well, Pharez. Admit him.'

  The Tatar entered.

  'Well, Sir; good news, I hope!'

  'Sire, pardon me, the worst. I come from the Lord Abner, with orders tosee the Caliph, and none else.'

  'Well, Sir, you see the Caliph. Your mission? What of the Viceroy?'

  'Sire, he bade me tell thee, that, the moment the beacon that announcedthe Feast of the New Moon was fired on Caucasus, the dreaded monarch ofKarasme, the great Alp Arslan, entered thy kingdom, and now overruns allPersia.'

  'Hah! and Abner?'

  'Is in the field, and prays for aid.'

  'He shall have it. This is indeed great news! When left you Hamadan?'

  'Night and day I have journeyed upon the swiftest dromedary. The thirdmorn sees me at Bagdad.'

  'You have done your duty. See this faithful courier be well tended,Pharez. Summon the Lord Honain.'

  'Alp Arslan! Hah! a very famous warrior. The moment the beacon wasfired. No sudden impulse then, but long matured. I like it not.'

  'Sire,' said Pharez, re-entering, 'a Tatar has arrived from thefrontiers of the province, who will see none but thyself. I have toldhim your Highness was deeply busied, and as methinks he brings but thesame news, I----'

  ''Tis very likely; yet never _think_, good Pharez. I'll see the man.'The Tatar entered.

  'Well, Sir, how now! from whom?'

  'From Mozul. The Governor bade me see the Caliph and none else, and tellyour Highness that the moment the beacon that announced the Feast of theNew Moon was fired on the mountains, the fell rebel Abidan raised thestandard of Judah in the province, and proclaimed war against yourMajesty.'

  'In any force?'

  'The royal power keeps within their walls.'

  'Sufficient answer. Part of the same movement. We shall have sometrouble. Hast summoned Honain?'

  'I have, Sire.'

  'Go, see this messenger be duly served, and, Pharez, come hither: letnone converse with them. You understand?'

  'Your Highness may assure yourself.'

  'Abidan come to life. He shall not escape so well this time. I must seeScherirah. I much suspect----what's this? More news!'

  A third Tatar entered.

  'May it please your Highness, this Tatar has arrived from the Syrianfrontier.'

  'Mischief in the wind, I doubt not. Speak out, knave!'

  'Sire! pardon me; I bear but sad intelligence.'

  'Out with the worst!'

  'I come from the Lord Medad.'

  'Well! has he rebelled? It seems a catching fever.'

  'Ah! no, dread Sire, Lord Medad has no thought but for thy glory. Alas!alas! he has now to guard it against fearful odds. Lord Medad bade mesee the Caliph and none else, and tell your Highness, that the momentthe beacon which announced the Feast of the New Moon was fired onLebanon, the Sultan of Roum and the old Arabian Caliph unfurled thestandard of their Prophet, in great array, and are now marching towardsBagdad.'

  'A clear conspiracy! Has Honain arrived? Summon a council of the Vizirsinstantly. The world is up against me. Well! I'm sick of peace. Theyshall not find me napping!'

  'You see, my lords,' said Alroy, ere the council broke up, 'we mustattack them singly. There can be no doubt of that. If they join, we mustcombat at great odds. 'Tis in detail that we must route them. I willmyself to Persia. Ithamar must throw himself between the Sultan andAbidan, Medad fall back on Ithamar. Scherirah must guard the capital.Honain, you are Regent. And so farewell. I shall set off to-night.Courage, brave companions. 'Tis a storm, but many a cedar survives thethunderbolt.'

  The council broke up.

  'My own Scherirah!' said the Caliph, as they retired, 'stay awhile.I would speak with you alone. Honain,' continued Alroy, following theGrand Vizir out of the chamber, and leaving Scherirah alone, 'Honain, Ihave not yet interchanged a word with you in private. What think you ofall this?'

  'Sire, I am prepared for the worst, but hope the best.'

  ''Tis wise. If Abner could only keep that Karasmian in check! I am aboutto speak with Scherirah alone. I do suspect him much.'

  'I'll answer for his treason.'

  'Hah! I do suspect him. Therefore I give him no command. I would nothave him too near his old companion, eh? We will garrison the city withhis rebels.'

  'Sire, these are not moments to be nice. Scherirah is a valiant captain,a very valiant captain, but lend me thy signet ring, I pray thee, Sire.'

  Alroy turned pale.

  'No, Sir, it has left me once, and never shall again. You have touchedupon a string that makes me sad. There is a burden on my conscience,why, or what, I know not. I am innocent, you know I am innocent,Honain!'

  'I'll answer for your Highness. He who has enough of the milk of humankindness to spare a thing like Scherirah, when he stands in his way, maywell be credited for the nobler mercy that spared his better.'

  'Ah me! there's madness in the thought. Why is he not here? Had Ibut followed; tush! tush! Go see the Queen, and tell her all that hashappened. I'll to Scherirah.'

  The Caliph returned.

  'Thy pardon, brave Scherirah; in these moments my friends will pardonlapse of courtesy.'

  'Your Highness is too considerate.'

  'You see, Scherirah, how the wind blows, brave heart. There's much todo, no doubt. I am in sad want of some right trusty friend, on whosedevoted bosom I can pillow all my necessities. I was thinking of sendingyou against this Arslan, but perhaps 'tis better that I should gomyself. These are moments one should not seem to shrink, and yet we knownot how affairs may run; no, we know not. The capital, the surroundingprovince: one disaster and these false Moslemin may rise against us. Ishould stay here, but if I leave Scherirah, I leave myself. I feel thatdeeply; 'tis a consolation. It may be that I must fall back upon thecity. Be prepared, Scherirah. Let me fall back upon supporting friends.You have a great trust. Oh! use it wisely! Worthily I am sure you mustdo.'

  'Your Highness may rest assured I have no other thought but for yourweal and glory. Doubt not my devotion, Sire. I am not one of thosemealy-mouthed youths, full of their own deeds and lip-worship, Sire, butI have a life devoted to your service, and ready at all times to perilall things.'

  'I know that, Scherirah, I know it; I feel it deeply. What think you ofthese movements?'

  'They are not ill combined, and yet I doubt not your Majesty will proveyour fortunes most triumphant.'

  'Think you the soldiery are in good cue?' 'I'll answer for my own.They are rough fellows, like myself, a little too blunt, perhaps, yourHighness. We are not holiday guards, but we know our duty, and we willdo it.'

  'That's well, that's all I want. I shall review the troops before Igo. Let a donative be distributed among them; and, 'by-the-bye, I havealways
forgotten it, your legion should be called the Legion of Syria.We owe our fairest province to their arms.'

  'I shall convey to them your Highness' wish. Were it possible, 'twouldadd to their devotion.'

  'I do not wish it. They are my very children. Sup at the Serailto-night, Scherirah. We shall be very private. Yet let us drink togetherere we part. We are old friends, you know. Hast not forgotten our ruinedcity?'

  Alroy entered the apartment of Schirene. 'My soul! thou knowest all?'

  She sprang forward and threw her arms around his neck.

  'Fear not, my life, we'll not disgrace our Queen. 'Twill be quick work.Two-thirds of them have been beaten before, and for the new champion,our laurels must not fade, and his blood shall nourish fresh ones.'

  'Dearest, dearest Alroy, go not thyself, I pray thee. May not Asrielconquer?'

  'I hope so, in my company. For a time we part, a short one. 'Tis ourfirst parting: may it be our last!'

  'Oh! no, no, no: oh! say not we must part.'

  'The troops are under arms; to-morrow's dawn will hear my trumpet.'

  'I will not quit thee, no! I will not quit thee. What businesshas Schirene without Alroy? Hast thou not often told me I am thyinspiration? In the hour of danger shall I be wanting? Never! I will notquit thee; no, I will not quit thee.'

  'Thou art ever present in my thoughts, my soul. In the battle I shallthink of her for whom alone I conquer.'

  'Nay, nay, I'll go, indeed I must, Alroy. I'll be no hindrance, trustme, sweet boy, I will not. I'll have no train, no, not a single maid.Credit me, I know how a true soldier's wife should bear herself. I'llwatch thee sleeping, and I'll tend thee wounded, and when thou goestforth to combat I'll gird thy sabre round thy martial side, and whispertriumph with victorious kisses.'

  'My own Schirene, there's victory in thine eyes. We'll beat them, girl.'

  'Abidan, doubly false Abidan! would he were doubly hanged! Ere shedied, the fatal prophetess foretold this time, and gloated on his futuretreachery.'

  'Think not of him.'

  'And the Karasmian; think you he is very strong?' 'Enough, love, for ourglory. He is a potent warrior: I trust that Abner will not rob us of ourintended victory.'

  'So you triumph, I care not by whose sword. Dost go indeed to-morrow?'

  'At break of dawn. I pray thee stay, my sweet!' 'Never! I will not quitthee. I am quite prepared. At break of dawn? 'Tis near on midnight now.I'll lay me down upon this couch awhile, and travel in my litter. Artsure Alp Arslan is himself in the field?'

  'Quite sure, my sweet.'

  'Confusion on his crown! We'll conquer. Goes Asriel with us?' 'Ay!'

  'That's well; at break of dawn. I'm somewhat drowsy. Methinks I'll sleepawhile.'

  'Do, my best heart; I'll to my cabinet, and at break of dawn I'll wakethee with a kiss.'

  The Caliph repaired to his cabinet, where his secretaries were occupiedin writing. As he paced the chamber, he dictated to them the necessaryinstructions.

  'Who is the officer on guard?'

  'Benaiah, Sire.'

  'I remember him. He saved me a broken skull upon the Tigris. This is forhim. The Queen accompanies us. She is his charge. These papers for theVizir. Let the troops be under arms by daybreak. This order of theday for the Lord Asriel. Send this instantly to Hamadan. Is the Tatardespatched to Medad? 'Tis well. You have done your duty. Now to rest.Pharez?'

  'My lord.'

  'I shall not sleep to-night. Give me my drink. Go rest, good boy. I haveno wants. Good night.'

  'Good night, my gracious lord!'

  'Let me ponder! I am alone. I am calm, and yet my spirit is not quick.I am not what I was. Four-and-twenty hours ago who would have dreamed ofthis? All at stake again! Once more in the field, and struggling at oncefor empire and existence! I do lack the mighty spirit of my former days.I am not what I was. I have little faith. All about me seems changed,and dull, and grown mechanical. Where are those flashing eyes andconquering visages that clustered round me on the battle eve, round me,the Lord's anointed? I see none such. They are changed, as I am. Why!this Abidan was a host, and now he fights against me. She spoke of theprophetess; I remember that woman was the stirring trumpet of our ranks,and now where is she? The victim of my justice! And where is he, themightier far, the friend, the counsellor, the constant guide, the masterof my boyhood; the firm, the fond, the faithful guardian of all mybright career; whose days and nights were one unbroken study to make meglorious? Alas! I feel more like a doomed and desperate renegade thana young hero on the eve of battle, flushed with the memory of unbrokentriumphs!

  'Hah! what awful form art thou that risest from the dusky earth beforeme? Thou shouldst be one I dare not name, yet will: the likeness ofJabaster. Away! why frownest thou upon me? I did not slay thee. Do Ilive, or dream, or what? I see him, ay! I see thee. I fear thee not, Ifear nothing. I am Alroy.

  'Speak, oh speak! I do conjure thee, mighty spectre, speak. By all thememory of the past, although 'tis madness, I do conjure thee, let mehear again the accents of my boyhood.'

  '_Alroy, Alroy, Alroy_!'

  'I listen, as to the last trump.'

  '_Meet me on the plain of Nehauend._'

  ''Tis gone! As it spoke it vanished. It was Jabaster! God of my fathers,it was Jabaster! Life is growing too wild. My courage is broken! Icould lie down and die. It was Jabaster! The voice sounds in my ear likedistant thunder: "_Meet me on the plain of Nehauend_." I'll not failthee, noble ghost, although I meet my doom. Jabaster! Have I seenJabaster! Indeed! indeed! Methinks I'm mad. Hah! What's that?'

  An awful clap of thunder broke over the palace, followed by a strangeclashing sound that seemed to come from one of the chambers. The wallsof the Serail rocked.

  'An earthquake!' exclaimed Alroy. 'Would that the earth would open andswallow all! Hah! Pharez, has it roused thee, too? Pharez, we live instrange times.'

  'Your Highness is very pale.'

  'And so art thou, lad! Wouldst have me merry? Pale! we may well be pale,didst thou know all. Hah! that awful sound again! I cannot bear it,Pharez, I cannot bear it. I have borne many things, but this I cannot.'

  'My lord, 'tis in the Armoury.'

  'Run, see. No, I'll not be alone. Where's Benaiah? Let him go. Stay withme, Pharez, stay with me. I pray thee stay, my child.'

  Pharez led the Caliph to a couch, on which Alroy lay pale and trembling.In a few minutes he inquired whether Benaiah had returned.

  'Even now he comes, Sire.'

  'Well, how is it?'

  'Sire! a most awful incident. As the thunder broke over the palace, thesacred standard fell from its resting-place, and has shivered into athousand pieces. Strange to say, the sceptre of Solomon can neither befound nor traced.'

  'Say nothing of the past, as ye love me, lads. Let none enter theArmoury. Leave me, Benaiah, leave me, Pharez.'

  They retired. Alroy watched their departure with a glance ofinexpressible anguish. The moment that they had disappeared, he flew tothe couch, and throwing himself upon his knees, and, covering his facewith his hands, burst into passionate tears, and exclaimed, 'O! my God,I have deserted thee, and now thou hast deserted me!'

  Sleep crept over the senses of the exhausted and desperate Caliph. Hethrew himself upon the divan, and was soon buried in profound repose. Hemight have slept an hour; he awoke suddenly. From the cabinet in whichhe slept, you entered a vast hall, through a lofty and spaciousarch, generally covered with drapery, which was now withdrawn. To theastonishment of Alroy, this presence-chamber appeared at this momentto blaze with light. He rose from his couch, he advanced; he perceived,with feelings of curiosity and fear, that the hall was filled withbeings, terrible indeed to behold, but to his sight more terrible thanstrange. In the colossal and mysterious forms that lined the wallsof the mighty chamber, and each of which held in its extended arm astreaming torch, he recognised the awful Afrites. At the end of thehall, upon a sumptuous throne, surrounded by priests and courtiers,there was seated a monarch, on whom Alroy had before gazed, So
lomon theGreat! Alroy beheld him in state and semblance the same Solomon, whosesceptre the Prince of the Captivity had seized in the royal tombs ofJudah.

  The strange assembly seemed perfectly unconscious of the presence of thechild of Earth, who, with a desperate courage, leant against a column ofthe arch, and watched, with wonder, their mute and motionless society.Nothing was said, nothing done. No one moved, no one, even by gesture,seemed sensible of the presence of any other apparition save himself.

  Suddenly there advanced from the bottom of the hall, near unto Alroy,a procession. Pages and dancing girls, with eyes of fire and voluptuousgestures, warriors with mighty arms, and venerable forms with amplerobes and flowing beards. And, as they passed, even with all theactivity of their gestures, they made no sound; neither did themusicians, whereof there was a great band playing upon harps andpsalteries, and timbrels and cornets, break, in the slightest degree,the almighty silence.

  This great crowd poured on in beautiful order, the procession neverterminating, yet passing thrice round the hall, bowing to him that wasupon the throne, and ranging themselves in ranks before the Afrites.

  And there came in twelve forms, bearing a great seal: the stone green,and the engraven characters of living flame, and the characters werethose on the talisman of Jabaster, which Alroy still wore next to hisheart. And the twelve forms placed the great seal before Solomon, andhumbled themselves, and the King bowed. At the same moment Alroy wassensible of a pang next to his heart. He instantly put his hand to thesuffering spot, and lo! the talisman crumbled into dust.

  The procession ceased; a single form advanced. Recent experience aloneprevented Alroy from sinking before the spectre of Jabaster. Such wasthe single form. It advanced, bearing the sceptre. It advanced, it kneltbefore the throne, it offered the sceptre to the crowned and solemnvision. And the form of Solomon extended its arm, and took the sceptre,and instantly the mighty assembly vanished!

  Alroy advanced immediately into the chamber, but all was dark andsilent. A trumpet sounded. He recognised the note of his own soldiery.He groped his way to a curtain, and, pulling it aside, beheld the firststreak of dawn.

  Once more upon his charger, once more surrounded by his legions, oncemore his senses dazzled and inflamed by the waving banners and theinspiring trumpets, once more conscious of the power still at hiscommand, and the mighty stake for which he was about to play, Alroy in agreat degree recovered his usual spirit and self-possession. His energyreturned with his excited pulse, and the vastness of the impendingdanger seemed only to stimulate the fertility of his genius.

  He pushed on by forced marches towards Media, at the head of fiftythousand men. At the end of the second day's march, fresh couriersarrived from Abner, informing him that, unable to resist the valiantand almost innumerable host of the King of Karasme, he had entirelyevacuated Persia, and had concentrated his forces in Louristan. Alroy,in consequence of this information, despatched orders to Scherirah, tojoin him with his division instantly, and leave the capital to its fate.

  They passed again the mountains of Kerrund, and joined Abner and thearmy of Media, thirty thousand strong, on the river Abzah. Here Alroyrested one night, to refresh his men, and on the ensuing morn pushed onto the Persian frontier, unexpectedly attacked the advanced posts of AlpArslan, and beat them back with great loss into the province. But theforce of the King of Karasme was so considerable, that the Caliph didnot venture on a general engagement, and therefore he fell back, andformed in battle array upon the neighbouring plain of Nehauend, thetheatre of one of his earliest and most brilliant victories, where heawaited the hourly-expected arrival of Scherirah.

  The King of Karasme, who was desirous of bringing affairs to an issue,and felt confident in his superior force, instantly advanced. In two orthree days at farthest, it was evident that a battle must be fought thatwould decide the fate of the East.

  On the morn ensuing their arrival at Nehauend, while the Caliph was outhunting, attended only by a few officers, he was suddenly attacked byan ambushed band of Karasmians. Alroy and his companions defendedthemselves with such desperation that they at length succeeded inbeating off their assailants, although triple their number. The leaderof the Karasmians, as he retreated, hurled a dart at the Caliph, whichmust have been fatal, had not a young officer of the guard interposedhis own breast, and received the deadly wound. The party, in confusion,returned with all speed to the camp, Alroy himself bearing the expiringvictim of desperate loyalty and military enthusiasm.

  The bleeding officer was borne to the royal pavilion, and placed uponthe imperial couch. The most skilful leech was summoned; he examined thewound, but shook his head. The dying warrior was himself sensible of hisdesperate condition. His agony could only be alleviated by withdrawingthe javelin, which would occasion his immediate decease. He desired tobe left alone with his Sovereign.

  'Sire!' said the officer, 'I must die; and I die without a pang. To diein your service, I have ever considered the most glorious end. Destinyhas awarded it to me;, and if I have not met my fate upon the fieldof battle, it is some consolation that my death has preserved the mostvaluable of lives. Sire! I have a sister.'

  'Waste not thy strength, dear friend, in naming her. Rest assured Ishall ever deem thy relatives my own.'

  'I doubt it not. Would I had a thousand lives for such a master! I havea burden on my conscience, Sire, nor can I die in peace unless I speakof it.'

  'Speak, speak freely. If thou hast injured any one, and the power orwealth of Alroy can redeem thy oppressed spirit, he will not spare, hewill not spare, be assured of that.'

  'Noble, noble master, I must be brief; for, although, while this javelinrests within my body, I yet may live, the agony is great. Sire, the deedof which I speak doth concern thee.'

  'Ay!'

  'I was on guard the day Jabaster died.'

  'Powers of heaven! I am all ear. Speak on, speak on!'

  'He died self-strangled, so they say?'

  'So they ever told me.'

  'Thou art innocent, thou art innocent! I thank my God, my King isinnocent!'

  'Rest assured of that, as there is hope in Israel. Tell me all.'

  'The Queen came with the signet ring. To such authority I yielded way.She entered, and after her, the Lord Honain. I heard high words! I heardJabaster's voice. He struggled, yes! he struggled; but his mighty form,wounded and fettered, could not long resist. Foul play, foul play, Sire!What could I do against such adversaries? They left the chamber witha stealthy step. Her eyes met mine. I never could forget that fell andglittering visage.'

  'Thou ne'er hast spoken of this awful end?'

  'To none but thee. And why I speak it now I cannot tell, save that itseems some inspiration urges me; and methinks they who did this may doeven feller works, if such there be.'

  'Thou hast robbed me of all peace and hope of peace; and yet I thankthee. Now I know the worth of life. I have never loved to think of thatsad day; and yet, though I have sometimes dreamed of villainous work,the worst were innocence to thy dread tale.'

  'Tis told; and now I pray thee secure thy secret, by drawing from myagonised frame this javelin.'

  'Trusty heart, 'tis a sad office.'

  'I die with joy if thou performest it.'

  ''Tis done.'

  'God save Alroy.'

  While Alroy, plunged in thought, stood over the body of the officer,there arose a flourish of triumphant music, and a eunuch, enteringthe pavilion, announced the arrival of Schirene from Kerrund. Almostimmediately afterwards, the Princess descending from her litter, enteredthe tent; Alroy tore off his robe, and threw it over the corpse.

  'My own,' exclaimed the Princess, as she ran up to the Caliph. 'I haveheard all. Be not alarmed for me. I dare look upon a corpse. You know Iam a soldier's bride. I am used to blood.'

  'Alas!'

  'Why so pale? Thou dost not kiss me! Has this unhinged thee so? 'Tis asad deed; and yet tomorrow's dawn may light up thousands to as grim afate. Why? thou tremblest! Alas! kind soul! The si
ngle death of thisfond, faithful heart hath quite upset my love. Yet art thou used tobattle. Why! this is foolishness. Art not glad to see me? What, not onesmile! And I have come to fight for thee! I will be kissed!'

  She flung herself upon his neck. Alroy faintly returned her embrace, andbore her to a couch. He clapped his hands, and two soldiers entered andbore away the corpse.

  'The pavilion, Schirene, is now fitter for thy presence. Rest thyself; Ishall soon return.' Thus speaking, he quitted her.

  He quitted her; but her humbled look of sorrowful mortification piercedto his heart. He thought of all her love and all her loveliness, hecalled to mind all the marvellous story of their united fortunes. Hefelt that for her and her alone he cared to live, that without her quicksympathy, even success seemed unendurable. His judgment fluctuated inan eddy of passion and reason. Passion conquered. He dismissed from hisintelligence all cognizance of good and evil; he determined, under allcircumstances, to cling ever to her; he tore from his mind all memoryof the late disclosure. He returned to the pavilion with a countenancebeaming with affection; he found her weeping, he folded her in his arms,he kissed her with a thousand kisses, and whispered between each kisshis ardent love.

  'Twas midnight. Schirene reposed in the arms of Alroy. The Caliph, whowas restless and anxious for the arrival of Scherirah, was scarcelyslumbering when the sound of a voice thoroughly aroused him. He lookedaround; he beheld the spectre of Jabaster. His hair stood on end, hislimbs seemed to loosen, a cold dew crept over his frame, as he gazedupon the awful form within a yard of his couch. Unconsciously hedisembarrassed his arms of their fair burden, and, rising on the couch,leant forward.

  '_Alroy, Alroy, Alroy_!'

  'I am here.'

  '_To-morrow Israel is avenged!_'

  'Who is that?' exclaimed the Princess, wakening.

  In a frenzy of fear, Alroy, quite forgetting the spectre, turnedand pressed his hand over her eyes. When he again looked round theapparition was invisible.

  'What wouldst thou, Alroy?'

  'Nothing, sweet! A soldier's wife must bear strange sights, yet I wouldsave you some. One of my men, forgetful you were here, burst into mytent in such a guise as scarce would suit a female eye. I must away, mychild. I'll call thy slaves. One kiss! Farewell! but for a time.'

  '"To-morrow Israel will be avenged." What! in Karasmian blood? I haveno faith. No matter. All is now beyond my influence. A rushing destinycarries me onward. I cannot stem the course, nor guide the vessel. Hownow! Who is the officer on guard?'

  'Benomi, Sire, thy servant.'

  'Send to the Viceroy. Bid him meet me here. Who is this?'

  'A courier from the Lord Scherirah, Sire, but just arrived. He passedlast night the Kerrund mountains, Sire, and will be with you by thebreak of day.'

  'Good news. Go fetch Abner. Haste! He'll find me here anon. I'll visitthe camp awhile. Well, my brave fellows, you have hither come to conqueragain with Alroy. You have fought before, I warrant, on the plain ofNehauend. 'Tis a rich soil, and shall be richer with Karasmian gore.'

  'God save your Majesty! Our lives are thine.'

  'Please you, my little ruler,' said a single soldier, addressing Alroy;'pardon my bluntness, but I knew you before you were a Caliph.'

  'Stout heart, I like thy freedom. Pr'ythee say on.'

  'I was a-saying, I hope you will lead us in the charge to-morrow. Somesay you will not.'

  'They say falsely.'

  'I thought so. I'll ever answer for my little ruler, but then theQueen?'

  'Is a true soldier's wife, and lives in the camp.'

  'That's brave! There, I told you so, comrades; you would not believeme, but I knew our little ruler before you did. I lived near the gate atHamadan, please your Highness: old Shelomi's son.'

  'Give me thy hand; a real friend. What is't ye eat here, boys? Let metaste your mess. I'faith I would my cook could dress me such a pilau!Tis admirable!'

  The soldiers gathered round their chieftain with eyes beaming withadoration. 'Twas a fine picture, the hero in the centre, the variousgroups around, some conversing with him, some cooking, some makingcoffee, all offering him by word or deed some testimonial of theirdevotion, and blending with that devotion the most perfect frankness.

  'We shall beat them, lads!'

  'There is no fear with you, you always conquer.'

  'I do my best, and so do you. A good general without good troops islittle worth.'

  'I'faith that's true. One must have good troops. What think you of AlpArslan?'

  'I think he may give us as much trouble as all our other enemiestogether, and that's not much.'

  'Brave, brave! God save Alroy!'

  Benomi approached, and announced that the Viceroy was in attendance.

  'I must quit you, my children,' said Alroy. 'We'll sup once moretogether when we have conquered.'

  'God save you, Sire; and we will confound your enemies.'

  'Good night, my lads. Ere the dawn break we may have hot work.'

  'We are ready, we are ready. God save Alroy.'

  'They are in good cue, and yet 'twas a different spirit that inspiredour early days. That I strongly feel. These are men true to a leader whohas never failed them, and confident in a cause that leads to plunder.They are but splendid mercenaries.

  No more. Oh! where are now the fighting men of Judah! Where are the menwho, when they drew their scimitars, joined in a conquering psalm ofholy triumph! Last eve of battle you would have thought the field amighty synagogue. Priests and altars, flaming sacrifices, and smokingcensers, groups of fiery zealots hanging with frenzy on prophetic lips,and sealing with their blood and holiest vows a solemn covenant toconquer Canaan. All is changed, as I am. How now, Abner? You are wellmuffled!'

  'Is it true Scherirah is at hand?'

  'I doubt not all is right. Would that the dawn would break!'

  'The enemy is advancing. Some of their columns are in sight. My scoutshave dodged them. They intend doubtless to form upon the plain.'

  'They are in sight, eh! Then we will attack them at once ere theyare formed. Rare, rare! We'll beat them yet. Courage, dear brother.Scherirah will be here at dawn in good time, very good time: very, verygood time.'

  'I like the thought'

  'The men are in good heart. At break of dawn, charge with thirtythousand cavalry upon their forming ranks. I'll take the right, Asrielthe left. It shall be a family affair, dear Abner. How is Miriam?'

  'I heard this morn, quite well. She sends you her love and prayers. TheQueen is here?'

  'She came this eve. Quite well.'

  'She must excuse all courtesy.'

  'Say nothing. She is a soldier's wife. She loves thee well, dear Abner.'

  'I know that. I hope my sword may guard her children's throne.'

  'Well, give thy orders. Instant battle, eh?'

  'Indeed I think so.'

  'I'll send couriers to hurry Scherirah. All looks well. Reserve theguard.'

  'Ay, ay! Farewell, dear Sire. When we meet again, I trust your enemiesmay be your slaves!'

  At the first streak of dawn the Hebrew cavalry, with the exceptionof the Guard, charged the advancing columns of the Karasmians withirresistible force, and cut them in pieces. Alp Arslan rallied histroops, and at length succeeded in forming his main body in good order.Alroy and Asriel led on their divisions, and the battle now becamegeneral. It raged for several hours, and was on both sides wellmaintained. The slaughter of the Karasmians was great, but their sterncharacter and superior numbers counterbalanced for a time all theimpetuosity of the Hebrews and all the energy of their leaders. Thisday Alroy threw into the shade all his former exploits. Twelve times hecharged at the head of the Sacred Guard, and more than once penetratedto the very pavilion of Alp Arslan.

  In vain he endeavoured singly, and hand to hand, to meet that famouschieftain. Both monarchs fought in the ranks, and yet Fate decidedthat their scimitars should never cross. Four hours before noon, it wasevident to Alroy, that, unless Scherirah arrived, he c
ould not prevailagainst the vast superiority of numbers. He was obliged early to callhis reserve into the field, and although the number of the slain onthe side of Arslan exceeded any in the former victories of the Hebrews,still the Karasmians maintained an immense front, which was constantlysupplied by fresh troops. Confident in his numbers, and aware of theweakness of his antagonists, Arslan contented himself with acting on thedefensive, and wearying his assailants by resisting their terrible andrepeated charge.

  For a moment, Alroy at the head of the Sacred Guard had withdrawn fromthe combat. Abner and Asriel still maintained the fight, and the Caliphwas at the same time preparing for new efforts, and watching withanxiety for the arrival of Scherirah. In the fifth hour, from aneminence he marked with exultation the advancing banners of hisexpected succours. Confident now that the day was won, he announced theexhilarating intelligence to his soldiers; and, while they were excitedby the animating tidings, led them once more to the charge. It wasirresistible; Scherirah seemed to have arrived only for the pursuit,only in time to complete the victory. What then was the horror, theconsternation of Alroy, when Benaiah, dashing up to him, informedhim that the long-expected succours consisted of the united forces ofScherirah and Abidan, and had attacked him in the rear. Human geniuscould afford no resource. The exhausted Hebrews, whose energies had beentasked to the utmost, were surrounded. The Karasmians made a general andsimultaneous advance. In a few minutes the Hebrew army was thrown intoconfusion. The stoutest warriors threw away their swords in despair.Every one thought only of self-preservation. Even Abner fled towardsHamadan. Asriel was slain. Alroy, finding it was all over, rushed to hispavilion at the head of about three hundred of the guards, seized thefainting Schirene, threw her before him on his saddle, and cutting hisway through all obstacles, dashed into the desert.

  For eight-and-forty hours they never stopped. Their band was soonreduced one-third. On the morning of the third day they dismountedand refreshed themselves at a well. Half only regained their saddles.Schirene never spoke. On they rushed again, each hour losing someexhausted co-mate. At length, on the fifth day, about eighty strong,they arrived at a grove of palm-trees. Here they dismounted. And Alroytook Schirene in his arms, and the shade seemed to revive her. Sheopened her eyes, and pressed his hand and smiled. He gathered her somedates, and she drank some water.

  'Our toils will soon be over, sweetest,' he whispered to her; 'I havelost everything but thee.'

  Again they mounted, and, proceeding at a less rapid pace, they arrivedtowards evening at the ruined city, whither Alroy all this time hadbeen directing his course. Dashing down the great street, they at lengthentered the old amphitheatre. They dismounted. Alroy made a couch withtheir united cloaks for Schirene. Some collected fuel, great storeof which was found, and kindled large fires. Others, while it was yetlight, chased the gazelles, and were sufficiently fortunate to providetheir banquet, or fetched water from the well known to their leader.In an hour's time, clustering round their fires in groups, and sharingtheir rude fare, you might have deemed them, instead of the discomfitedand luxurious guards of a mighty monarch, the accustomed tenants of thiswild abode.

  'Come, my lads,' said Alroy, as he rubbed his hands over the ascendingflame, 'at any rate, this is better than the desert.'

  After all his exertions, Alroy fell into profound and dreamless sleep.When he awoke, the sun had been long up. Schirene was still slumbering.He embraced her, and she opened her eyes and smiled.

  'You are now a bandit's bride,' he said. 'How like you our new life?'

  'Well! with thee.'

  'Rest here, my sweetest: I must rouse our men, and see how fortunespeeds.' So saying, and tripping lightly over many a sleeping form, hetouched Benaiah.

  'So! my brave captain of the guard, still napping! Come! stir, stir.'

  Benaiah jumped up with a cheerful face. 'I am ever ready, Sire.'

  'I know it; but remember I am no more a king, only a co-mate. Away withme, and let us form some order.'

  The companions quitted the amphitheatre and reconnoitred the adjoiningbuildings. They found many stores, the remains of old days, mats, tents,and fuel, drinking-bowls, and other homely furniture. They fixed upona building for their stable, and others for the accommodation of theirband. They summoned their companions to the open place, the scene ofHassan Subah's fate, where Alroy addressed them and explained to themhis plans. They were divided into companies; each man had his allottedduty. Some were placed on guard at different parts; some were sent outto the chase, or to collect dates from the Oasis; others led the horsesto the contiguous pasture, or remained to attend to their domesticarrangements. The amphitheatre was cleared out. A rude but convenientpavilion was formed for Schirene. They covered its ground withmats, and each emulated the other in his endeavours to study heraccommodation. Her kind words and inspiring smiles animated at the sametime their zeal and their invention.

  They soon became accustomed to their rough but adventurous life. Itsnovelty pleased them, and the perpetual excitement of urgent necessityleft them no time to mourn over their terrible vicissitudes. While Alroylived, hope indeed never deserted their sanguine bosoms. And such wasthe influence of his genius, that the most desponding felt that to bediscomfited with him, was preferable to conquest with another. They werea faithful and devoted band, and merry faces were not wanting when atnight they assembled in the amphitheatre for their common meal.

  No sooner had Alroy completed his arrangements than he sent forthspies in all directions to procure intelligence, and especially tocommunicate, if possible, with Ithamar and Medad, provided that theystill survived and maintained themselves in any force.

  A fortnight passed away without the approach of any stranger; at the endof which, there arrived four personages at their haunt, not very welcometo their chief, who, however, concealed his chagrin at their appearance.These were Kisloch the Kourd, and Calidas the Indian, and theirinseparable companions, the Guebre and the Negro.

  'Noble Captain,' said Kisloch, 'we trust that you will permit us toenlist in the band. This is not the first time we have served under yourorders in this spot. Old co-mates, i'faith, who have seen the best andthe worst. We suspected where you might be found, although, thanks tothe ever felicitous invention of man, it is generally received that youdied in battle. I hope your Majesty is well,' added Kisloch, bowing toSchirene.

  'You are welcome, friends,' replied Alroy; 'I know your worth. You haveseen, as you say, the best and the worst, and will, I trust, see better.Died in battle, eh! that's good.'

  ''Tis so received,' said Calidas.

  'And what news of our friends?'

  'Not over good, but strange.'

  'How so?'

  'Hamadan is taken.'

  'I am prepared; tell me all.'

  'Old Bostenay and the Lady Miriam are borne prisoners to Bagdad.'

  'Prisoners?'

  'But so; all will be well with them, I trow. The Lord Honain is in highfavour with the conqueror, and will doubtless protect them.'

  'Honain in favour?'

  'Even so. He made terms for the city, and right good ones.'

  'Hah! he was ever dexterous. Well! if he save my sister, I care not forhis favour.'

  'There is no doubt. All may yet be well, Sir.'

  'Let us act, not hope. Where's Abner?'

  'Dead.'

  'How?'

  'In battle.'

  'Art sure?'

  'I saw him fall, and fought beside him.'

  'A soldier's death is all our fortune now. I am glad he was notcaptured. Where's Medad, Ithamar?'

  'Fled into Egypt.'

  'We have no force whatever, then?'

  'None but your guards here.'

  'They are strong enough to plunder a caravan. Honain, you say, infavour?'

  'Very high. He'll make good terms for us.'

  'This is strange news.'

  'Very, but true.'

  'Well! you are welcome! Share our fare; 'tis rough, and somewhat scanty;but we have feasted, a
nd may feast again. Fled into Egypt, eh?'

  'Ay! Sir.'

  'Schirene, shouldst like to see the Nile?'

  'I have heard of crocodiles.'

  If the presence of Kisloch and his companions were not very pleasingto Alroy, with the rest of the band they soon became great favourites.Their local knowledge, and their experience of desert life, made themvaluable allies, and their boisterous jocularity and unceasing merrimentwere not unwelcome in the present monotonous existence of the fugitives.As for Alroy himself, he meditated an escape to Egypt. He determinedto seize the first opportunity of procuring some camels, and then,dispersing his band, with the exception of Benaiah and a few faithfulretainers, he trusted that, disguised as merchants, they might succeedin crossing Syria, and entering Africa by Palestine. With these plansand prospects, he became each day more cheerful and more sanguine asto the future. He had in his possession some valuable jewels, which hecalculated upon disposing of at Cairo for a sum sufficient for all hispurposes; and having exhausted all the passions of life while yet ayouth, he looked forward to the tranquil termination of his existence insome poetic solitude with his beautiful companion.

  One evening, as they returned from the Oasis, Alroy guiding the camelthat bore Schirene, and ever and anon looking up in her inspiring face,her sanguine spirit would have indulged in a delightful future.

  'Thus shall we pass the desert, sweet,' said Schirene. 'Can this betoil?'

  'There is no toil with love,' replied Alroy.

  'And we were made for love, and not for empire,' rejoined Schirene.

  'The past is a dream,' said Alroy. 'So sages teach us; but, until weact, their wisdom is but wind. I feel it now. Have we ever lived inaught but deserts, and fed on aught but dates? Methinks 'tis verynatural. But that I am tempted by the security of distant lands, I couldremain here a free and happy outlaw. Time, custom, and necessity formour natures. When I first met Scherirah in these ruins, I shrank withhorror from degraded man; and now I sigh to be his heir. We must notthink!'

  'No, love, we'll only hope,' replied Schirene; and they passed throughthe gates.

  The night was beautiful, the air was still warm and sweet. Schirenegazed upon the luminous heavens. 'We thought not of these skies whenwe were at Bagdad,' she exclaimed; 'and yet, my life, what was thebrightness of our palaces compared to these? All is left to us that manshould covet, freedom, beauty, and youth. I do believe, ere long, Alroy,we shall look back upon the wondrous past as on another and a lowerworld. Would that this were Egypt! Tis my only wish.'

  'And it shall soon be gratified. All will soon be arranged. A few briefdays, and then Schirene will mount her camel for a longer ride than justto gather dates. You'll make a sorry traveller, I fear!'

  'Not I; I'll tire you all.'

  They reached the circus, and seated themselves round the blazing fire.Seldom had Alroy, since his fall, appeared more cheerful. Schirene sangan Arab air to the band, who joined in joyous chorus. It was lateere they sought repose; and they retired to their rest, sanguine andcontented.

  A few hours afterwards, at the break of dawn, Alroy was roused fromhis slumbers by a rude pressure on his breast. He started; a ferocioussoldier was kneeling over him; he would have spurned him; he found hishand manacled. He would have risen; his feet were bound. He looked roundfor Schirene, and called her name; he was answered only by a shriek.The amphitheatre was filled with Karasmian troops. His own men weresurprised and overpowered. Kisloch and the Guebre had been on guard. Hewas raised from the ground, and flung upon a camel, which was instantlytrotted out of the circus. On every side he beheld a wild scene ofdisorder and dismay. He was speechless from passion and despair.The camel was dragged into the desert. A body of cavalry instantlysurrounded it, and they set off at a rapid pace. The whole seemed thework of an instant.

  How many days had passed Alroy knew not. He had taken no account oftime. Night and day were to him the same. He was in a stupor. But thesweetness of the air and the greenness of the earth at length partiallyroused his attention. He was just conscious that they had quitted thedesert. Before him was a noble river; he beheld the Euphrates fromthe very spot he had first viewed it in his pilgrimage. The strongassociation of ideas called back his memory. A tear stole down hischeek; the bitter drop stole to his parched lips; he asked the nearesthorseman for water. The guard gave him a wetted sponge, with which hecontrived with difficulty to wipe his lips, and then he let it fall tothe ground. The Karasmian struck him.

  They arrived at the river. The prisoner was taken from the camel andplaced in a covered boat. After some hours they stopped and disembarkedat a small village. Alroy was placed upon an ass with his back to itshead. His clothes were soiled and tattered. The children pelted him withmud. An old woman, with a fanatic curse, placed a crown of paper onhis brow. With difficulty his brutal guards prevented their victimfrom being torn to pieces. And in such fashion, towards noon of thefourteenth day, David Alroy again entered Bagdad.

  The intelligence of the capture of Alroy spread through the agitatedcity. The Moolahs bustled about as if they had received a freshdemonstration of the authenticity of the prophetic mission. All theDervishes began begging. The men discussed affairs in the coffee-houses,and the women chatted at the fountains.[79]

  'They may say what they like, but I wish him well,' said a fair Arab,as she arranged her veil. 'He may be an impostor, but he was a veryhandsome one.'

  'All the women are for him, that's the truth,' responded a companion;'but then we can do him no good.'

  'We can tear their eyes out,' said a third.

  'And what do you think of Alp Arslan, truly?' inquired a fourth.

  'I wish he were a pitcher, and then I could break his neck,' said afifth.

  'Only think of the Princess!' said a sixth.

  'Well! she has had a glorious time of it,' said a seventh.

  'Nothing was too good for her,' said an eighth.

  'I like true love,' said a ninth.

  'Well! I hope he will be too much for them all yet,' said a tenth.

  'I should not wonder,' said an eleventh.

  'He can't,' said a twelfth, 'he has lost his sceptre.'

  'You don't say so?' said a thirteenth.

  'It is too true,' said a fourteenth.

  'Do you think he was a wizard?' said a fifteenth. 'I vow, if there benot a fellow looking at us behind those trees.'

  'Impudent scoundrel!' said a sixteenth. 'I wish it were Alroy. Let usall scream, and put down our veils.'

  And the group ran away.

  Two stout soldiers were playing chess[80] in a coffee-house.

  'May I slay my mother,' said one, 'but I cannot make a move. I foughtunder him at Nehauend; and though I took the amnesty, I have half a mindnow to seize my sword and stab the first Turk that enters.'

  ''Twere but sheer justice,' said his companion. 'By my father'sblessing, he was the man for a charge. They may say what they like, butcompared with him, Alp Arslan is a white-livered Giaour.'

  'Here is confusion to him and to thy last move. There's the dirhem, Ican play no more. May I slay my mother, though, but I did not think hewould let himself be taken.'

  'By the blessing of my father, nor I; but then he was asleep.'

  'That makes a difference. He was betrayed.'

  'All brave men are. They say Kisloch and his set pocket their fiftythousand by the job.'

  'May each dirhem prove a plague-spot!'

  'Amen! Dost remember Abner?'

  'May I slay my mother if I ever forget him. He spoke to his men like somany lambs. What has become of the Lady Miriam?'

  'She is here.'

  'That will cut Alroy.'

  'He was ever fond of her. Dost remember she gained Adoram's life?'

  'Oh! she could do anything next to the Queen.'

  'Before her, I say, before her. He has refused the Queen, he neverrefused the Lady Miriam.'

  'Because she asked less.'

  'Dost know it seemed to me that things never went on so well afterJab
aster's death?'

  'So say I. There was a something, eh?'

  'A sort of a peculiar, as it were, kind of something, eh?'

  'You have well described it. Every man felt the same. I have oftenmentioned it to my comrades. Say what you like, said I, but slay mymother if ever since the old man strangled himself, things did not seem,as it were, in their natural propinquity. 'Twas the phrase I used.'

  'A choice one. Unless there is a natural propinquity, the best-arrangedmatters will fall out. However, the ass sees farther than his rider, andso it was with Alroy, the best commander I ever served under, all thesame.'

  'Let us go forth and see how affairs run.'

  'Ay, do. If we hear any one abuse Alroy, we'll cleave his skull.'

  'That will we. There are a good many of our stout fellows about; wemight do something yet.'

  'Who knows?'

  A subterranean dungeon of the citadel of Bagdad held in its gloomylimits the late lord of Asia. The captive did not sigh, or weep, orwail. He did not speak. He did not even think. For several days heremained in a state of stupor. On the morning of the fourth day, healmost unconsciously partook of the wretched provision which his gaolersbrought him. Their torches, round which the bats whirled and flappedtheir wings, and twinkled their small eyes, threw a ghastly glare overthe nearer walls of the dungeon, the extremity of which defied thevision of the prisoner; and, when the gaolers retired, Alroy was incomplete darkness.

  The image of the past came back to him. He tried in vain to penetratethe surrounding gloom. His hands were manacled, his legs also wereloaded with chains. The notion that his life might perhaps have beencruelly spared in order that he might linger on in this horrible stateof conscious annihilation filled him with frenzy. He would have dashedhis fetters against his brow, but the chain restrained him. He flunghimself upon the damp and rugged ground. His fall disturbed a thousandobscene things. He heard the quick glide of a serpent, the creepingretreat of the clustering scorpions, and the swift escape of the dashingrats. His mighty calamities seemed slight when compared with these pettymiseries. His great soul could not support him under these noisome anddegrading incidents. He sprang, in disgust, upon his feet, and stoodfearful of moving, lest every step should introduce him to some newabomination. At length, exhausted nature was unable any longer tosustain him. He groped his way to the rude seat, cut in the rocky wall,which was his only accommodation. He put forth his hand. It touched theslimy fur of some wild animal, that instantly sprang away, itsfiery eyes sparkling in the dark. Alroy recoiled with a sensation ofwoe-begone dismay. His shaken nerves could not sustain him under thisbase danger, and these foul and novel trials. He could not refrain froman exclamation of despair; and, when he remembered that he was now farbeyond the reach of all human solace and sympathy, even all human aid,for a moment his mind seemed to desert him; and he wrung his hands inforlorn and almost idiotic woe. An awful thing it is, the failure ofthe energies of a master-mind. He who places implicit confidence in hisgenius will find himself some day utterly defeated and deserted. 'Tisbitter! Every paltry hind seems but to breathe to mock you. Slow,indeed, is such a mind to credit that the never-failing resource can atleast be wanting. But so it is. Like a dried-up fountain, the perennialflow and bright fertility have ceased, and ceased for ever. Then comesthe madness of retrospection.

  Draw a curtain! draw a curtain! and fling it over this agonisinganatomy.

  The days of childhood, his sweet sister's voice and smiling love, theirinnocent pastimes, and the kind solicitude of faithful servants, all thesoft detail of mild domestic life: these were the sights and memoriesthat flitted in wild play before the burning vision of Alroy, androse upon his tortured mind. Empire and glory, his sacred nation, hisimperial bride; these, these were nothing. Their worth had vanished withthe creative soul that called them into action. The pure sympathiesof nature alone remained, and all his thought and grief, all hisintelligence, all his emotion, were centred in his sister.

  It was the seventh morning. A guard entered at an unaccustomed hour,and, sticking a torch into a niche in the wall, announced that a personwas without who had permission to speak to the prisoner. They were thefirst human accents that had met the ear of Alroy during his captivity,which seemed to him an age, a long dark period, that cancelled allthings. He shuddered at the harsh tones. He tried to answer, but hisunaccustomed lips refused their office. He raised his heavy arms, andendeavoured to signify his consciousness of what had been uttered. Yet,indeed, he had not listened to the message without emotion. He lookedforward to the grate with strange curiosity; and, as he looked, hetrembled. The visitor entered, muffled in a dark caftan. The guarddisappeared; and the caftan falling to the ground, revealed Honain.

  'My beloved Alroy,' said the brother of Jabaster; and he advanced, andpressed him to his bosom. Had it been Miriam, Alroy might have atonce expired; but the presence of this worldly man called back hisworldliness. The revulsion of his feelings was wonderful. Pride, perhapseven hope, came to his aid; all the associations seemed to counselexertion; for a moment he seemed the same Alroy.

  'I rejoice to find at least thee safe, Honain.'

  'I also, if my security may lead to thine.'

  'Still whispering hope!'

  'Despair is the conclusion of fools.'

  'O Honain! 'tis a great trial. I can play my part, and yet methinks'twere better we had not again met. How is Schirene?'

  'Thinking of thee.'

  'Tis something that she can think. My mind has gone. Where's Miriam?'

  'Free.'

  'That's something. Thou hast done that. Good, good Honain, be kind tothat sweet child, if only for my sake. Thou art all she has left.'

  'She hath thee.'

  'Her desolation.'

  'Live and be her refuge.'

  'How's that? These walls! Escape? No, no; it is impossible.'

  'I do not deem it so.'

  'Indeed! I'll do anything. Speak! Can we bribe? can we cleave theirskulls? can we----'

  'Calm thyself, my friend. There is no need of bribes, no need ofbloodshed. We must make terms.'

  'Terms! We might have made them on the plain of Nehauend. Terms! Termswith a captive victim?'

  'Why victim?'

  'Is Arslan then so generous?'

  'He is a beast, more savage than the boar that grinds its tusks withinhis country's forests.'

  'Why speakest thou then of hope?'

  'I spoke of certainty. I did not mention hope.'

  'Dear Honain, my brain is weak; but I can bear strange things, or elseI should not be here. I feel thy thoughtful friendship; but indeed thereneed no winding words to tell my fate. Pr'ythee speak out.'

  'In a word, thy life is safe.'

  'What! spared?'

  'If it please thee.'

  'Please me? Life is sweet. I feel its sweetness. I want but little.Freedom and solitude are all I ask. My life spared! I'll not believeit. Thou hast done this deed, thou mighty man, that masterest all souls.Thou hast not forgotten me; thou hast not forgotten the days gone by,thou hast not forgotten thine own Alroy! Who calls thee worldly is aslanderer. O Honain! thou art too faithful!'

  'I have no thought but for thy service, Prince.'

  'Call me not Prince, call me thine own Alroy. My life spared! 'Tiswonderful! When may I go? Let no one see me. Manage that, Honain. Thoucanst manage all things. I am for Egypt. Thou hast been to Egypt, hastthou not, Honain?'

  'A very wondrous land, 'twill please thee much.'

  'When may I go? Tell me when I may go. When may I quit this dark andnoisome cell? 'Tis worse than all their tortures, dear Honain. Air andlight, and I really think my spirit never would break, but thishorrible dungeon---- I scarce can look upon thy face, sweet friend. 'Tisserious.'

  'Wouldst thou have me gay?'

  'Yes! if we are free.'

  'Alroy! thou art a great spirit, the greatest that I e'er knew, haveever read of. I never knew thy like, and never shall.'

  'Tush, tush, sweet friend, I am a broken
reed, but still I am free. Thisis no time for courtly phrases. Let's go, and go at once.'

  'A moment, dear Alroy. I am no flatterer. What I said came from myheart, and doth concern us much and instantly. I was saying thou hast nocommon mind, Alroy; indeed thou hast a mind unlike all others. Listen,my Prince. Thou hast read mankind deeply and truly. Few have seen morethan thyself, and none have so rare a spring of that intuitive knowledgeof thy race, which is a gem to which experience is but a jeweller, andwithout which no action can befriend us.'

  'Well, well!'

  'A moment's calmness. Thou hast entered Bagdad in triumph, and thou hastentered the same city with every contumely which the base spirit of ourrace could cast upon its victim. 'Twas a great lesson.'

  'I feel it so.'

  'And teaches us how vile and valueless is the opinion of ourfellow-men.'

  'Alas! 'tis true.'

  'I am glad to see thee in this wholesome temper. 'Tis full of wisdom.'

  'The miserable are often wise.'

  'But to believe is nothing unless we act. Speculation should onlysharpen practice. The time hath come to prove thy lusty faith in thisphilosophy. I told thee we could make terms. I have made them. To-morrowit was doomed Alroy should die--and what a death! A death of infinitetorture! Hast ever seen a man impaled?'[81]

  'Hah!'

  'To view it is alone a doom.'

  'God of Heaven!'

  'It is so horrible, that 'tis ever marked, that when this direfulceremony occurs, the average deaths in cities greatly increase. 'Tisfrom the turning of the blood in the spectators, who yet from someungovernable madness cannot refrain from hurrying to the scene. I speakwith some authority. I speak as a physician.'

  'Speak no more, I cannot endure it.'

  'To-morrow this doom awaited thee. As for Schirene----'

  'Not for her, oh! surely not for her?'

  'No, they were merciful. She is a Caliph's daughter. 'Tis not forgotten.The axe would close her life. Her fair neck would give slight trouble tothe headsman's art. But for thy sister, but for Miriam, she is a witch,a Jewish witch! They would have burnt her alive!'

  'I'll not believe it, no, no, I'll not believe it: damnable, bloodydemons! When I had power I spared all, all but----ah, me! ah, me! whydid I live?'

  'Thou dost forget thyself; I speak of that which was to have been,not of that which is to be. I have stepped in and communed with theconqueror. I have made terms.'

  'What are they, what can they be?'

  'Easy. To a philosopher like Alroy an idle ceremony.'

  'Be brief, be brief.'

  'Thou seest thy career is a great scandal to the Moslemin. I mark theirweakness, and I have worked upon it. Thy mere defeat or death will notblot out the stain upon their standard and their faith. The public mindis wild with fantasies since Alroy rose. Men's opinions flit to and frowith that fearful change that bodes no stable settlement of states.None know what to cling to, or where to place their trust. Creeds aredoubted, authority disputed. They would gladly account for thy successby other than human means, yet must deny thy mission. There also is thefame of a fair and mighty Princess, a daughter of their Caliphs, whichthey would gladly clear. I mark all this, observe and work upon it. So,could we devise some means by which thy lingering followers could be forever silenced, this great scandal fairly erased, and the public framebrought to a sounder and more tranquil pulse, why, they would concedemuch, much, very much.'

  'Thy meaning, not thy means, are evident.'

  'They are in thy power.'

  'In mine? 'Tis a deep riddle. Pr'ythee solve it.'

  'Thou wilt be summoned at to-morrow's noon before this Arslan. Therein the presence of the assembled people who are now with him as much asthey were with thee, thou wilt be accused of magic, and of intercoursewith the infernal powers. Plead guilty.'

  'Well! is there more?'

  'Some trifle. They will then examine thee about the Princess. It isnot difficult to confess that Alroy won the Caliph's daughter by anirresistible spell, and now 'tis broken.'

  'So, so. Is that all?'

  'The chief. Thou canst then address some phrases to the Hebrewprisoners, denying thy Divine mission, and so forth, to settle thepublic mind, observe, upon this point for ever.'

  'Ay, ay, and then----?'

  'No more, except for form. (Upon the completion of the conditions,mind, you will be conveyed to what land you please, with such amount oftreasure as you choose.) There is no more, except, I say, for form, Iwould, if I were you ('twill be expected), I would just publicly affectto renounce our faith, and bow before their Prophet.'

  'Hah! Art thou there? Is this thy freedom? Get thee behind me, tempter!Never, never, never! Not a jot, not a jot: I'll not yield a jot. Weremy doom one everlasting torture, I'd spurn thy terms! Is this thy highcontempt of our poor kind, to outrage my God! to prove myself the vilestof the vile, and baser than the basest? Rare philosophy! O Honain! wouldwe had never met!'

  'Or never parted. True. Had my word been taken, Alroy would ne'er havebeen betrayed.'

  'No more; I pray thee, sir, no more. Leave me.'

  'Were this a palace, I would. Harsh words are softened by a friendlyear, when spoken in affliction.'

  'Say what they will, I am the Lord's anointed. As such I should havelived, as such at least I'll die.'

  'And Miriam?'

  'The Lord will not desert her: she ne'er deserted Him.'

  'Schirene?'

  'Schirene! why! for her sake alone I will die a hero. Shall it be saidshe loved a craven slave, a base impostor, a vile renegade, a villainousdealer in drugs and charms? Oh! no, no, no! if only for her sake, hersweet, sweet sake, my end shall be like my great life. As the sun Irose, like him I set. Still the world is warm with my bright fame, andmy last hour shall not disgrace my noon, stormy indeed, but glorious!'

  Honain took the torch from the niche, and advanced to the grate. Itwas not fastened: he drew it gently open, and led forward a veiled andfemale figure. The veiled and female figure threw herself at the feet ofAlroy, who seemed lost to what was passing. A soft lip pressed his hand.He started, his chains clanked.

  'Alroy!' softly murmured the kneeling female.

  'What voice is that?' wildly exclaimed the Prince of the Captivity. 'Itfalls upon my ear like long-forgotten music. I'll not believe it. No!I'll not believe it. Art thou Schirene?'

  'I am that wretched thing they called thy bride.'

  'Oh! this indeed is torture! What impalement can equal this sharpmoment? Look not on me, let not our eyes meet! They have met before,like to the confluence of two shining rivers blending in one greatstream of rushing light. Bear off that torch, sir. Let impenetrabledarkness cover our darker fortunes.'

  'Alroy.'

  'She speaks again. Is she mad, as I am, that thus she plays with agony?'

  'Sire,' said Honain advancing, and laying his hand gently on the arm ofthe captive, 'I pray thee moderate this passion. Thou hast some faithfulfriends here, who would fain commune in calmness for thy lastingwelfare.'

  'Welfare! He mocks me.'

  'I beseech, thee, Sire, be calm. If, indeed, I speak unto that greatAlroy whom all men fear and still may fear, I pray remember, 'tis notin palaces or in the battle-field alone that the heroic soul can conquerand command. Scenes like these are the great proof of a superior soul.While we live, our body is a temple where our genius pours forth itsgodlike inspiration, and while the altar is not overthrown, the deitymay still work marvels. Then rouse thyself, great Sire; bethink theethat, a Caliph or a captive, there is no man within this breathing worldlike to Alroy. Shall such a being fall without a struggle, like somepoor felon, who has naught to trust to but the dull shuffling accidentof Chance? I, too, am a prophet, and I feel thou still wilt conquer.'

  'Give me my sceptre, then, give me the sceptre! I speak to the wrongbrother! It was not thou, it was not thou that gavest it me.'

  'Gain it once more. The Lord deserted David for a time; still hepardoned him, and still he died a king.'
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  'A woman worked his fall.'

  'But thee a woman raises. This great Princess, has she not suffered too?Yet her spirit is still unbroken. List to her counsel: it is deep andfond.'

  'So was our love.'

  'And is, my Alroy!' exclaimed the Princess. 'Be calm, I pray thee! Formy sake be calm; I am calm for thine. Thou hast listened to all Honainhas told thee, that wise man, my Alroy, who never erred.

  'Tis but a word he counsels, an empty word, a most unmeaning form. Butspeak it, and thou art free, and Alroy and Schirene may blend againtheir glorious careers and lives of sweet fruition. Dost thou notremember when, walking in the garden of our joy, and palled with empire,how often hast thou sighed for some sweet isle unknown to man, wherethou mightst pass thy days with no companion but my faithful self, andno adventures but our constant loves? O my beloved, that life may stillbe thine! And dost thou falter? Dost call thyself forlorn with suchfidelity, and deem thyself a wretch, when Paradise with all itsbeauteous gates but woos thy entrance? Oh! no, no, no, no! thou hastforgot Schirene: I fear me much, thy over-fond Schirene, who doats uponthy image in thy chains more than she did when those sweet hands ofthine were bound with gems and played with her bright locks!'

  'She speaks of another world. I do remember something. Who has sent thismusic to a dungeon? My spirit softens with her melting words. Myeyes are moist. I weep! 'Tis pleasant. Sorrow is joy compared with mydespair. I never thought to shed a tear again. My brain is cooler.'

  'Weep, weep, I pray thee weep; but let me kiss away thy tears, my soul!Didst think thy Schirene had deserted thee? Ah! that was it that mademy bird so sad. It shall be free, and fly in a sweet sky, and feed onflowers with its faithful mate. Ah me! I am once more happy with my boy.There was no misery but thy absence, sweet! Methinks this dungeon is ourbright kiosk! Is that the sunbeam, or thy smile, my love, that makes thewalls so joyful?'

  'Did I smile? I'll not believe it.'

  'Indeed you did. Ah! see he smiles again. Why this is freedom! There isno such thing as sorrow. Tis a lie to frighten fools!'

  'Why, Honain, what's this? 'Twould seem I am really joyful. There'sinspiration in her very breath. I am another being. Nay! waste notkisses on those ugly fetters.'

  'Methinks they are gold.'

  They were silent. Schirene drew Alroy to his rough seat, and gentlyplacing herself on his knees, threw her arms round his neck, and buriedher face in his breast. After a few minutes she raised her head, andwhispered in his ear in irresistible accents of sweet exultation, 'Weshall be free to-morrow!'

  'To-morrow! is the trial so near?' exclaimed the captive, with anagitated voice and changing countenance. 'To-morrow!' He threw Schireneaside somewhat hastily, and sprang from his seat. 'To-morrow! would itwere over! To-morrow! Methinks there is within that single word the fateof ages! Shall it be said to-morrow that Alroy---- Hah! what art thouthat risest now before me? Dread, mighty spirit, thou hast come in timeto save me from perdition. Take me to thy bosom, 'tis not stabbed. Theydid not stab thee. Thou seest me here communing with thy murderers. Whatthen? I am innocent. Ask them, dread ghost, and call upon their fiendishsouls to say I am pure. They would make me dark as themselves, but shallnot.'

  'Honain, Honain!' exclaimed the Princess in a terrible whisper as sheflew to the Physician. 'He is wild again. Calm him, calm him. Mark! howhe stands with his extended arms, and fixed vacant eyes, muttering mostawful words! My spirit fails me. It is too fearful.'

  The Physician advanced and stood by the side of Alroy, but in vainattempted to catch his attention. He ventured to touch his arm. ThePrince started, turned round, and recognising him, exclaimed in ashrieking voice, 'Off, fratricide!'

  Honain recoiled, pale and quivering. Schirene sprang to his arm. 'Whatsaid he, Honain? Thou dost not speak. I never saw thee pale before. Artthou, too, mad?'

  'Would I were!'

  'All men are growing wild. I am sure he said something. I pray thee tellme what was it?'

  'Ask him.'

  'I dare not. Tell me, tell me, Honain!'

  'That I dare not.'

  'Was it a word?'

  'Ay! a word to wake the dead. Let us begone.'

  'Without our end? Coward! I'll speak to him. My own Alroy,' sweetlywhispered the Princess, as she advanced before him.

  'What, has the fox left the tigress! Is't so, eh? Are there nojudgments? Are the innocent only haunted? I am innocent! I did notstrangle thee! He said rightly, "Beware, beware! they who did this maydo even feller deeds." And here they are quick at their damned work.Thy body suffered, great Jabaster, but me they would strangle body andsoul!'

  The Princess shrieked, and fell into the arms of the advancing Honain,who bore her out of the dungeon.

  After the fall of Hamadan, Bostenay and Miriam had been carriedprisoners to Bagdad. Through the interference of Honain, theirimprisonment had been exempted from the usual hardships, but theywere still confined to their chambers in the citadel. Hitherto all theendeavours of Miriam to visit her brother had been fruitless. Honainwas the only person to whom she could apply for assistance, and he, inanswer to her importunities, only regretted his want of power to aidher. In vain had she attempted, by the offer of some remaining jewels,to secure the co-operation of her guards, with whom her loveliness andthe softness of her manners had already ingratiated her. She had notsucceeded even in communicating with Alroy. But after the unsuccessfulmission of Honain to the dungeon, the late Vizier visited the sister ofthe captive, and, breaking to her with delicate skill the intelligenceof the impending catastrophe, he announced that he had at lengthsucceeded in obtaining for her the desired permission to visit herbrother; and, while she shuddered at the proximity of an event forwhich she had long attempted to prepare herself, Honain, with somemodifications, whispered the means by which he flattered himself that itmight yet be averted. Miriam listened to him in silence, nor couldhe, with all his consummate art, succeed in extracting from her theslightest indication of her own opinion as to their expediency. Theyparted, Honain as sanguine as the wicked ever are.

  As Miriam dreaded, both for herself and for Alroy, the shock of anunexpected meeting, she availed herself of the influence of Honainto send Caleb to her brother, to prepare him for her presence, and toconsult him as to the desirable moment. Caleb found his late masterlying exhausted on the floor of his dungeon. At first he would not speakor even raise his head, nor did he for a long time apparently recognisethe faithful retainer of his uncle. But at length he grew milder, andwhen he fully comprehended who the messenger was, and the object of hismission, he at first seemed altogether disinclined to see his sister,but in the end postponed their meeting for the present, and, pleadinggreat exhaustion, fixed for that sad interview the first hour of dawn.

  The venerable Bostenay had scarcely ever spoken since the fall of hisnephew; indeed it was but too evident that his faculties, even if theyhad not entirely deserted him, were at least greatly impaired. He neverquitted his couch; he took no notice of what occurred. He evinced nocuriosity, scarcely any feeling. If indeed he occasionally did mutter anobservation, it was generally of an irritable character, nor truly didhe appear satisfied if anyone approached him, save Miriam, fromwhom alone he would accept the scanty viands which he ever appeareddisinclined to touch. But his devoted niece, amid all her harrowingaffliction, could ever spare to the protector of her youth a placidcountenance, a watchful eye, a gentle voice, and a ready hand. Herreligion and her virtue, the strength of her faith, and the inspirationof her innocence, supported this pure and hapless lady amid all herundeserved and unparalleled sorrows.

  It was long past midnight; the young widow of Abner reposed upon a couchin a soft slumber. The amiable Beruna and the beautiful Bathsheba, thecurtains drawn, watched the progress of the night.

  'Shall I wake her?' said the beautiful Bathsheba. 'Methinks the starsare paler! She bade me rouse her long before the dawn.'

  'Her sleep is too benign! Let us not wake her,' replied the amiableBeruna. 'We rouse her only to sorrow.'
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  'May her dreams at least be happy;' rejoined the beautiful Bathsheba.'She sleeps tranquilly, as a flower.'

  'The veil has fallen from her head,' said the amiable Beruna. 'I willreplace it lightly on her brow. Is that well, my Bathsheba?'

  'It is well, sweet Beruna. Her face shrouded by the shawl is like apearl in its shell. See! she moves!'

  'Bathsheba!'

  'I am here, sweet lady.'

  'Is it near dawn?'

  'Not yet, sweet lady; it is yet night. It is long past the noon ofnight, sweet lady; methinks I scent the rising breath of morn; but still'tis night, and the young moon shines like a sickle in the heavenlyfield, amid the starry harvest.'

  'Beruna, gentle girl, give me thy arm. I'll rise.'

  The maidens advanced, and gently raising their mistress, supported herto the window.

  'Since our calamities,' said Miriam, 'I have never enjoyed such tranquilslumber. My dreams were slight, but soothing. I saw him, but he smiled.Have I slept long, sweet girls? Ye are very watchful.'

  'Dear lady, let me bring thy shawl. The air is fresh----'

  'But sweet; I thank thee, no. My brow is not so cool as to need acovering. 'Tis a fair night!'

  Miriam gazed upon the wide prospect of the moonlit capital. The elevatedposition of the citadel afforded an extensive view of the mighty groupsof buildings-each in itself a city, broken only by some vast and hoodedcupola, the tall, slender, white minarets of the mosques, or the blackand spiral form of some lonely cypress--through which the rushingTigris, flooded with light, sent forth its broad and brilliant torrent.All was silent; not a single boat floated on the fleet river, not asolitary voice broke the stillness of slumbering millions. She gazedand, as she gazed, she could not refrain from contrasting the presentscene, which seemed the sepulchre of all the passions of our race,with the unrivalled excitement of that stirring spectacle which Bagdadexhibited on the celebration of the marriage of Alroy. How differentthen, too, was her position from her present, and how happy! The onlysister of a devoted brother, the lord and conqueror of Asia, the brideof his most victorious captain, one worthy of all her virtues, and whoseyouthful valour had encircled her brow with a diadem. To Miriam, exaltedstation had brought neither cares nor crimes. It had, as it were, onlyrendered her charity universal, and her benevolence omnipotent. Shecould not accuse herself, this blessed woman--she could not accuseherself, even in this searching hour of self-knowledge--she could notaccuse herself, with all her meekness, and modesty, and humility, ofhaving for a moment forgotten her dependence on her God, or her duty toher neighbour.

  But when her thoughts recurred to that being from whom they were indeedscarcely ever absent; and when she remembered him, and all his life,and all the thousand incidents of his youth, mysteries to the world, andknown only to her, but which were indeed the prescience of his fame, andthought of all his surpassing qualities and all his sweet affection,his unrivalled glory and his impending fate, the tears, in silent agony,forced their way down her pale and pensive cheek. She bowed her headupon Bathsheba's shoulder, and sweet Beruna pressed her quivering hand.

  The moon set, the stars grew white and ghastly, and vanished one by one.Over the distant plain of the Tigris, the scene of the marriage pomp,the dark purple horizon shivered into a rich streak of white and orange.The solemn strain of the Muezzin sounded from the minarets. Some oneknocked at the door. It was Caleb.

  'I am ready,' said Miriam; and for a moment she covered her face withher right hand. 'Think of me, sweet maidens; pray for me!'

  Leaning on Caleb, and lighted by a gaoler, bearing torches, Miriamdescended the damp and broken stairs that led to the dungeon. Shefaltered as she arrived at the grate. She stopped, and leant against thecold and gloomy wall. The gaoler and Caleb preceded her. She heard thevoice of Alroy. It was firm and sweet. Its accents reassured her. Calebcame forth with a torch, and held it to her feet; and, as he bent down,he said, 'My lord bade me beg you to be of good heart, for he is.'

  The gaoler, having stuck his torch in the niche, withdrew. Miriamdesired Caleb to stay without. Then, summoning up all her energies, sheentered the dreadful abode. Alroy was standing to receive her. Thelight fell full upon his countenance. It smiled. Miriam could no longerrestrain herself. She ran forward, and pressed him to her heart.

  'O, my best, my long beloved,' whispered Alroy; 'such a meeting indeedleads captivity captive!'

  But the sister could not speak. She leant her head upon his shoulder,and closed her eyes, that she might not weep.

  'Courage, dear heart; courage, courage!' whispered the captive. 'IndeedI am happy!'

  'My brother, my brother!'

  'Had we met yesterday, you would have found me perhaps a little vexed.But to-day I am myself again. Since I crossed the Tigris, I know notthat I have felt such self-content. I have had sweet dreams, dearMiriam, full of solace. And, more than dreams, the Lord has pardoned me,I truly think.'

  'O, my brother! your words are full of comfort; for, indeed, I too havedreamed, and dreamed of consolation. My spirit, since our fall, hasnever been more tranquil.'

  'Indeed I am happy.'

  'Say so again, my David; let me hear again these words of solace!'

  'Indeed, 'tis very true, my faithful friend. It is not spoken inkind mockery to make you joyous. For know, last eve, whether the Lordrepented of his wrath, or whether some dreadful trials, of which I willnot speak, and wish not to remember, had made atonement for my manifoldsins, but so it was, that, about the time my angel Miriam sent hersoothing message, a feeling of repose came over me, such as I long havecoveted. Anon, I fell into a slumber, deep and sweet, and, instead ofthose wild and whirling images that of late have darted from my brainwhen it should rest, glimpses of empire and conspiracy, snatches offierce wars and mocking loves, I stood beside our native fountain'sbrink, and gathered flowers with my earliest friend. As I placed thefragrant captives in your flowing locks, there came Jabaster, thatgreat, injured man, no longer stern and awful, but with benignantlooks, and full of love. And he said, "David, the Lord hath marked thyfaithfulness, in spite of the darkness of thy dungeon." So he vanished.He spoke, my sister, of some strange temptations by heavenly aidwithstood. No more of that. I awoke. And lo! I heard my name stillcalled. Full of my morning dream, I thought it was you, and I answered,"Dear sister, art thou here?" But no one answered; and then, reflecting,my memory recognised those thrilling tones that summoned Alroy inJabaster's cave.' 'The Daughter of the Voice?' 'Even that sacredmessenger. I am full of faith. The Lord hath pardoned me. Be sure ofthat.'

  'I cannot doubt it, David. You have done great things for Israel; no onein these latter days has risen like you. If you have fallen, you wereyoung, and strangely tempted.'

  'Yet Israel, Israel! Did I not feel a worthier leader will yet arise, myheart would crack. I have betrayed my country!'

  'Oh no, no, no! You have shown what we can do and shall do. Your memoryalone is inspiration. A great career, although baulked of its end, isstill a landmark of human energy. Failure, when sublime, is not withoutits purpose. Great deeds are great legacies, and work with wondroususury. By what Man has done, we learn what Man can do; and gauge thepower and prospects of our race.'

  'Alas! there is no one to guard my name. 'Twill be reviled; or worse,'twill be forgotten.'

  'Never! the memory of great actions never dies. The sun of glory, thoughawhile obscured, will shine at last. And so, sweet brother, perchancesome poet, in some distant age, within whose veins our sacred blood mayflow, his fancy fired with the national theme, may strike his harp toAlroy's wild career, and consecrate a name too long forgotten?'

  'May love make thee a prophetess!' exclaimed Alroy, as he bent down hishead and embraced her. 'Do not tarry,' he whispered. ''Tis better thatwe should part in this firm mood.'

  She sprang from him, she clasped her hands. 'We will not part,' sheexclaimed, with energy; 'I will die with thee.'

  'Blessed girl, be calm! Do not unman me.'

  'I am calm. See! I do not
weep. Not a tear, not a tear. They are all inmy heart.'

  'Go, go, my Miriam, angel of light. Tarry no longer; I pray thee go. Iwould not think of the past. Let all my mind be centred in the present.Thy presence calls back our bygone days, and softens me too much. Myduty to my uncle. Go, dear one, go!'

  'And leave thee, leave thee to----Oh! my David, thou hast seen, thouhast heard----Honain?'

  'No more; let not that accursed name profane those holy lips. Raise notthe demon in me.'

  'I am silent. Yet 'tis madness! Oh! my brother, thou hast a fearfultrial.'

  'The God of Israel is my refuge. He saved our fathers in the fieryfurnace. He will save me.'

  'I am full of faith. I pray thee let me stay.'

  'I would be silent; I would be alone. I cannot speak, Miriam. I ask onefavour, the last and dearest, from her who has never had a thought butfor my wishes; blessed being, leave me.'

  'I go. O Alroy, farewell! Let me kiss you. Again, once more! Let mekneel and bless you. Brother, beloved brother, great and gloriousbrother, I am worthy of you: I will not weep. I am prouder in this dreadmoment of your love than all your foes can be of their hard triumph!'

  Beruna and Bathsheba received their mistress when she returned to herchamber. They marked her desolate air. She was silent, pale, and cold.They bore her to her couch, whereon she sat with a most listless andunmeaning look; her quivering lips parted, her eyes fixed upon theground in vacant abstraction, and her arms languidly folded beforeher. Beruna stole behind her, and supported her back with pillows, andBathsheba, unnoticed, wiped the slight foam from her mouth. Thus Miriamremained for several hours, her faithful maidens in vain watching forany indication of her self-consciousness.

  Suddenly a trumpet sounded.

  'What is that?' exclaimed Miriam, in a shrill voice, and looking up witha distracted glance.

  Neither of them answered, since they were aware that it betokened thegoing forth of Alroy to his trial.

  Miriam remained in the same posture, and with the same expression ofwild inquiry. Another trumpet sounded, and after that a shout of thepeople. Then she raised up her arms to heaven, and bowed her head, anddied.

  'Has the second trumpet sounded?'

  'To be sure: run, run for a good place. Where is Abdallah?'

  'Selling sherbet in the square. We shall find him. Has Alroy comeforth?'

  'Yes! he goes the other way. We shall be too late. Only think ofAbdallah selling sherbet!'

  'Father, let me go?'

  'You will be in the way; you are too young; you will see nothing. Littleboys should stay at home.'

  'No, they should not. I will go. You can put me on your shoulders.'

  'Where is Ibrahim? Where is Ali? We must all keep together. We shallhave to fight for it. I wish Abdallah were here. Only think of hisselling sherbet!'

  'Keep straight forward. That is right. It is no use going that way. Thebazaar is shut. There is Fakreddin, there is Osman Effendi. He has got anew page.'

  'So he has, I declare; and a very pretty boy too.'

  'Father, will they impale Alroy alive?'

  'I am sure I do not know. Never ask questions, my dear. Little boysnever should.'

  'Yes, they should. I hope they will impale him alive. I shall be sodisappointed if they do not.'

  'Keep to the left. Dash through the Butchers' bazaar: that is open. Allright, all right. Did you push me, sir?'

  'Suppose I did push you, sir, what then, sir?'

  'Come along, don't quarrel. That is a Karasmian. They think they are todo what they like. We are five to one, to be sure, but still there isnothing like peace and quiet. I wish Abdallah were here with his stoutshoulders. Only think of his selling sherbet!'

  The Square of the Grand Mosque, the same spot where Jabaster met Abidanby appointment, was the destined scene of the pretended trial of Alroy.Thither by break of day the sight-loving thousands of the capital hadrepaired. In the centre of the square, a large circle was described bya crimson cord, and guarded by Karasmian soldiers. Around this theswelling multitude pressed like the gathering waves of ocean, but,whenever the tide set in with too great an impulse, the savageKarasmians appeased the ungovernable element by raising theirbattle-axes, and brutally breaking the crowns and belabouring theshoulders of their nearest victims. As the morning advanced, theterraces of the surrounding houses, covered with awnings, were crowdedwith spectators. All Bagdad was astir. Since the marriage of Alroy,there had never been such a merry morn as the day of his impalement.

  At one end of the circle was erected a magnificent throne. Half waybetween the throne and the other end of the circle, but further back,stood a company of negro eunuchs, hideous to behold, who, clothed inwhite, and armed with various instruments of torture, surrounded theenormous stakes, tall, thin, and sharp, that were prepared for the finalceremony.

  The flourish of trumpets, the clash of cymbals, and the wild beat of thetambour, announced the arrival of Alp Arslan from the Serail. An avenueto the circle had been preserved through the multitude. The royalprocession might be traced as it wound through the populace, by thesparkling and undulating line of plumes of honour, and the dazzlingforms of the waving streamers, on which were inscribed the names ofAllah and the Prophet. Suddenly, amid the bursts of music, andthe shouts of the spectators, many of whom on the terraces humbledthemselves on their knees, Alp Arslan mounted the throne, around whichranged themselves his chief captains, and a deputation of the Mullahs,and Imams, and Cadis, and other principal personages of the city.

  The King of Karasme was tall in stature, and somewhat meagre in form. Hewas fair, or rather sandy-coloured, with a red beard, and blue eyes,and a flat nose. The moment he was seated, a trumpet was heard in thedistance from an opposite quarter, and it was soon understood throughoutthe assembly that the great captive was about to appear.

  A band of Karasmian guards first entered the circle, and rangedthemselves round the cord, with their backs to the spectators. Afterthem came fifty of the principal Hebrew prisoners, with their handsbound behind them, but evidently more for form than security. To thesesucceeded a small covered wagon drawn by mules, and surrounded byguards, from which was led forth, his legs relieved from their manacles,but his hands still in heavy chains, David Alroy!

  A universal buzz of blended sympathy, and wonder, and fear, and triumpharose, throughout the whole assembly. Each man involuntarily stirred.The vast populace moved to and fro in agitation. His garments soiled andtattered, his head bare, and his long locks drawn off his forehead, paleand thin, but still unsubdued, the late conqueror and Caliph of Bagdadthrew around a calm and imperial glance upon those who were but recentlyhis slaves.

  The trumpets again sounded, order was called, and a crier announced thathis Highness Alp Arslan, the mighty Sovereign of Karasme, their Lord,Protector, and King, and avenger of Allah and the Prophet, against allrebellious and evil-minded Jews and Giaours, was about to speak. Therewas a deep and universal silence, and then sounded a voice high as theeagle's in a storm.

  'David Alroy!' said his conqueror, 'you are brought hither this dayneither for trial nor for judgment. Captured in arms against yourrightful sovereign, you are of course prepared, like other rebels, foryour doom. Such a crime alone deserves the most avenging punishments.What then do you merit, who are loaded with a thousand infamies, whohave blasphemed Allah and the Prophet, and, by the practice of magicarts and the aid of the infernal powers, have broken the peace ofkingdoms, occasioned infinite bloodshed, outraged all law, religion, anddecency, misled the minds of your deluded votaries, and especially by adirect compact with Eblis, by horrible spells and infamous incantations,captivated the senses of an illustrious Princess, heretofore famous forthe practice of every virtue, and a descendant of the Prophet himself.

  'Behold these stakes of palm-wood, sharper than a lance! The mostterrible retribution that human ingenuity has devised for the guiltyawaits you. But your crimes baffle all human vengeance. Look forwardfor your satisfactory reward to those infernal powers by wh
ose darkco-operation you have occasioned such disasters. Your punishment ispublic, that all men may know that the guilty never escape, and that,if your heart be visited by the slightest degree of compunction foryour numerous victims, you may this day, by the frank confession of theirresistible means by which you seduced them, exonerate your victimsfrom the painful and ignominious end with which, through your influencethey are now threatened. Mark, O assembled people, the infinite mercyof the Vicegerent of Allah! He allows the wretched man to confess hisinfamy, and to save by his confession, his unfortunate victims. I havesaid it. Glory to Allah!'

  And the people shouted, 'He has said it, he has said it! Glory to Allah!He is great, he is great! and Mahomed is his prophet!'

  'Am I to speak?' enquired Alroy, when the tumult had subsided. Themelody of his voice commanded universal attention.

  Alp Arslan nodded his head in approbation.

  'King of Karasme! I stand here accused of many crimes. Now hear myanswers. 'Tis said I am a rebel. My answer is, I am a Prince as thouart, of a sacred race, and far more ancient. I owe fealty to no one butto my God, and if I have broken that I am yet to learn that Alp Arslanis the avenger of His power. As for thy God and Prophet, I know notthem, though they acknowledge mine. 'Tis well understood in everypolity, my people stand apart from other nations, and ever will, inspite of suffering. So much for blasphemy; I am true to a deep faithof ancient days, which even the sacred writings of thy race stillreverence. For the arts magical I practised, and the communion withinfernal powers 'tis said I held, know, King, I raised the standard ofmy faith by the direct commandment of my God, the great Creator of theuniverse. What need of magic, then? What need of paltering with pettyfiends, when backed by His omnipotence? My magic was His inspiration.Need I prove why, with such aid, my people crowded round me? The timewill come when from out our ancient seed, a worthier chief will rise,not to be quelled even by thee, Sire.

  'For that unhappy Princess of whom something was said (with no greatmercy, as it seemed to me), that lady is my wife, my willing wife; thedaughter of a Caliph, still my wife, although your stakes may make hersoon a widow. I stand not here to account for female fancies. Believeme, Sire, she gave her beauty to my raptured arms with no persuasionsbut such as became a soldier and a king. It may seem strange to theeupon thy throne that the flower of Asia should be plucked by one so vileas I am. Remember, the accidents of Fortune are most strange. I was notalways what I am. We have met before. There was a day, and that toonot long since, when, but for the treachery of some knaves I mark here,Fortune seemed half inclined to reverse our fates. Had I conquered, Itrust I should have shown more mercy.'

  The King of Karasme was the most passionate of men. He had made a speechaccording to the advice and instructions of his councillors, who hadassured him that the tone he adopted would induce Alroy to confess allthat he required, and especially to vindicate the reputation of thePrincess Schirene, who had already contrived to persuade Alp Arslan thatshe was the most injured of her sex. The King of Karasme stamped thriceon the platform of his throne, and exclaimed with great fire, 'By mybeard, ye have deceived me! The dog has confessed nothing!'

  All the councillors and chief captains, and the Mullahs, and theImams, and the Cadis, and the principal personages of the city werein consternation. They immediately consulted together, and, after muchdisputation, agreed that, before they proceeded to extremities, it wasexpedient to prove what the prisoner would not confess. A venerableSheikh, clothed in flowing robes of green, with a long white beard,and a turban like the tower of Babel, then rose. His sacred reputationprocured silence while he himself delivered a long prayer, supplicatingAllah and the Prophet to confound all blaspheming Jews and Giaours, andto pour forth words of truth from the mouths of religious men. Andthen the venerable Sheikh summoned all witnesses against David Alroy.Immediately advanced Kisloch the Kourd, to whom, being placed in aneminent position, the Cadi of Bagdad drawing forth a scroll from hisvelvet bag, read a deposition, wherein the worthy Kisloch stated that hefirst became acquainted with the prisoner, David Alroy, in some ruins inthe desert, the haunt of banditti, of whom Alroy was the chief; thathe, Kisloch, was a reputable merchant, and that his caravan had beenplundered by these robbers, and he himself captured; that, on the secondnight of his imprisonment, Alroy appeared to him in the likeness of alion, and on the third, of a bull with fiery eyes; that he was in thehabit of constantly transforming himself; that he frequently raisedspirits; that, at length, on one terrible night, Eblis himself came ingreat procession, and presented Alroy with the sceptre of Solomon BenDaoud; and that the next day Alroy raised his standard, and soon aftermassacred Hassan Subah and his Seljuks, by the visible aid of manyterrible demons.

  Calidas the Indian, the Guebre, and the Negro, and a few congenialspirits, were not eclipsed in the satisfactory character of theirevidence by the luminous testimony of Kisloch the Kourd. Theirresistible career of the Hebrew conqueror was undeniably accountedfor, and the honour of Moslem arms and the purity of Moslem faith wereestablished in their pristine glory and all their unsullied reputation.David Alroy was proved to be a child of Eblis, a sorcerer, and a dealerin charms and magical poisons. The people listened with horror and withindignation. They would have burst through the guards and torn him inpieces, had not they been afraid of the Karasmian battle-axes. So theyconsoled themselves with the prospect of his approaching tortures.

  The Cadi of Bagdad bowed himself before the King of Karasme, andwhispered at a respectful distance in the royal ear. The trumpetssounded, the criers enjoined silence, and the royal lips again moved.

  'Hear, O ye people, and be wise. The chief Cadi is about to readthe deposition of the royal Princess Schirene, chief victim of thesorcerer.'

  And the deposition was read, which stated that David Alroy possessed,and wore next to his heart, a talisman, given him by Eblis, the virtueof which was so great that, if once it were pressed to the heart of anywoman, she was no longer mistress of her will. Such had been the unhappyfate of the daughter of the Commander of the Faithful.

  'Is it so written?' enquired the captive.

  'It is so written,' replied the Cadi, 'and bears the imperial signatureof the Princess.'

  'It is a forgery.'

  The King of Karasme started from his throne, and in his rage nearlydescended its steps. His face was like scarlet, his beard was like aflame. A favourite minister ventured gently to restrain the royal robe.

  'Kill the dog on the spot,' muttered the King of Karasme.

  'The Princess is herself here,' said the Cadi, 'to bear witness to thespells of which she was a victim, but from which, by the power of Allahand the Prophet, she is now released.'

  Alroy started!

  'Advance, royal Princess,' said the Cadi, 'and, if the deposition thouhast heard be indeed true, condescend to hold up the imperial hand thatadorned it with thy signature.'

  A band of eunuchs near the throne gave way; a female figure veiled toher feet appeared. She held up her hand amid the breathless agitation ofthe whole assembly; the ranks of the eunuchs again closed; a shriek washeard, and the veiled figure disappeared.

  'I am ready for thy tortures, King,' said Alroy, in a tone of deepdepression. His firmness appeared to have deserted him. His eyes werecast upon the ground. Apparently he was buried in profound thought, orhad delivered himself up to despair.

  'Prepare the stakes,' said Alp Arslan.

  An involuntary, but universal, shudder might be distinguished throughthe whole assembly.

  A slave advanced and offered Alroy a scroll. He recognised the Nubianwho belonged to Honain. His former minister informed him that he wasat hand, that the terms he offered in the dungeon might even yet begranted; that if Alroy would, as he doubted not, as he entreated him,accept them, he was to place the scroll in his bosom, but that ifhe were still inexorable, still madly determined on a horrible andignominious end, he was to tear the scroll and throw it in to the arena.Instantly Alroy took the scroll, and with great energy tore it into athousand p
ieces. A puff of wind carried the fragments far and wide.The mob fought for these last memorials of David Alroy, and this littleincident occasioned a great confusion.

  In the meantime the negroes prepared the instruments of torture and ofdeath.

  'The obstinacy of this Jewish dog makes me mad,' said the King ofKarasme to his courtiers. 'I will hold some parley with him before hedies.' The favourite minister entreated his sovereign to be content;but the royal beard grew so red, and the royal eyes flashed forth suchterrible sparks of fire, that even the favourite minister at length gaveway.

  The trumpet sounded, the criers called silence, and the voice of AlpArslan was again heard.

  'Thou dog, dost see what is preparing for thee? Dost know what awaitsthee in the halls of thy master Eblis? Can a Jew be influenced even byfalse pride? Is not life sweet? Is it not better to be my slipper-bearerthan to be impaled?'

  'Magnanimous Alp Arslan,' replied Alroy in a tone of undisguisedcontempt; 'thinkest thou that any torture can be equal to therecollection that I have been conquered by thee?'

  'By my beard, he mocks me!' exclaimed the Karasmian monarch, 'he defiesme! Touch not my robe. I will parley with him. Ye see no farther than ahooded hawk, ye sons of a blind mother. This is a sorcerer; he hath yetsome master spell; he will yet save himself. He will fly into the air,or sink into the earth. He laughs at our tortures.' The King of Karasmeprecipitately descended the steps of his throne, followed by hisfavourite minister, and his councillors, and chief captains, and theCadis, and the Mullahs, and the Imams, and the principal personages ofthe city.

  'Sorcerer!' exclaimed Alp Arslan, 'insolent sorcerer! base son of a basemother! dog of dogs! dost thou defy us? Does thy master Eblis whisperhope? Dost thou laugh at our punishments? Wilt thou fly into theair? wilt thou sink into the earth? eh, eh? Is it so, is it so?' Thebreathless monarch ceased, from the exhaustion of passion. He tore hisbeard out by the roots, he stamped with uncontrollable rage.

  'Thou art wiser than thy councillors, royal Arslan; I do defy thee.My master, although not Eblis, has not deserted me. I laugh at thypunishments. Thy tortures I despise. I shall both sink into the earthand mount into the air. Art thou answered?'

  'By my beard,' exclaimed the enraged Arslan, 'I am answered. Let Eblissave thee if he can;' and the King of Karasme, the most famous masterof the sabre in Asia, drew his blade like lightning from its sheath,and took off the head of Alroy at a stroke. It fell, and, as it fell, asmile of triumphant derision seemed to play upon the dying featuresof the hero, and to ask of his enemies, 'Where now are all yourtortures?'[82]