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 Long absent, and you bring a troubled eye Back with you. Gaston! heard you aught of him?

Gas. Whom means my lord?

Rai. (impatiently.) Old man, you know too well— Aymer, my brother.

Gas. I have seen him.

Rai. How! Seen him! Speak on.

Gas. Another than my chief Should have my life before the shameful tale!

Rai. Speak quickly.

Gas. In the desert, as I journey'd back, A band of Arabs met me on the way, And I became their captive. Till last night—

Rai. Go on! Last night?

Gas. They slumber'd by their fires— I could not sleep; when one—I thought him one O' the tribe at first—came up and loosed my bonds, And led me from the shadow of the tents, Pointing my way in silence.

Rai. Well, and he— You thought him one o' the tribe.

Gas. Ay, till we stood In the clear moonlight forth;—and then, my lord——

Rai. You dare not say 'twas Aymer?

Gas. Woe and shame! It was, it was!

Rai. In their vile garb too?

Gas. Yes, Turban'd and robed like them.

Rai. What!—did he speak?

Gas. No word, but waved his hand, Forbidding speech to me.

Rai. Tell me no more!— Lost, lost—for ever lost! He that was rear'd Under my father's roof with me, and grew Up by my side to glory!—lost! Is this My work?—who dares to call it mine? And yet, Had I not dealt so sternly with his soul In its deep anguish—What! he wears their garb I' the face of heaven? You saw the turban on him? You should have struck him to the earth, and so Put out our shame for ever!

Gas. Lift my sword Against your father's son!

Rai. My father's son! Ay, and so loved!—that yearning love for him Was the last thing death conquer'd! See'st thou there? [The banner of the Cross is raised on the fortress The very banner he redeem'd for us I' the fight at Cairo! No! by yon bright sign, He shall not perish! This way—follow me— I'll tell thee of a thought.