Page:Cross, or, The Spanish champion.pdf/11

9 his hand, said that the future happiness of his countrymen depended solely upon this arm. Alvar started, and Murad lost no time in trying to soothe and tempt his awakened soul, by placing before him the aggrandizement and power which awaited the executing, at the same time, what would yield such happiness to his country, and even stamp virtue upon the deed: then, hastily placing a dagger in his hand, emphatically added, "That it was the only means of making multitudes happy, by the sacrifice of one." The horror which this excited in the breast of Alvar, robbed him of all reflection, and he instantly dashed the dagger on the earth. The countenance of Murad kindled with rage and disappointment, in conscious guilt he rolled his glaring eye-balls from the face of Alvar, and fixed them with a downcast look; while his deeply agitated bosom prompted the destruction of this virtuous warrior. Alvar beheld, with returning thought, the convulsive gusts of passion which shook the frame of Murad, and his prudence sought to quell them. Seizing, therefore, the dagger, and submissively returning it, he thus addressed him: “Mighty conqueror! let the enemies of Murad perish in the open field of contention; and never may the secret dagger, in the breast of his adversary, stab his own glory." The furious soul of Murad was abashed at this generous sentiment of Alvar, and the crimsoned fury of his countenance was instantly changed to a deadly paleness.

Recovering himself, he eagerly raised Alvar, and embracing him, apologized for this pretended trial which he had put him to; highly extolled the purity of his heart, nor failed to add how much the result had raised him in his own; and, on departing, assured him of new and increasing favours. But Alvar had too well noticed his B2