Page:Sebastian of Portugal.pdf/3



1st Cit.—What wouldst thou say?

2d Cit.—That which may scarce, in perilous times like these, Be said in safety. Hast thou look'd within Those stately palaces? Were they but peopled With the high race of warlike nobles, once Their princely lords, think'st thou, good friend, that now They would be glittering with this hollow pomp, To greet a conqueror's entrance?

3d Cit.—Thou say'st well. None but a land, forsaken of its chiefs, Had so been lost and won.

4th Cit.—The lot is cast; We have but to yield. Hush! for some stranger comes. Now, friends, beware!

1st Cit.—Did the king pass this way At morning, with his train?

2d Cit.—Aye; saw you not The long and rich procession?

(Sebastian enters, with Gonzalez and Zamor.)

''Seb. (to Gon.)''—This should be The night of some high festival. E’en thus My beautiful city to the skies sent up, From her illumin'd fanes and towers, a voice Of gladness, welcoming our first return From Afric's coast. Speak thou, Gonzalez; ask The cause of this rejoicing. To my heart Deep feelings rush, so mingled and so fast, My voice perchance might tremble.

Gon.—Citizens! What festal night is this, that all your streets Are throng'd, and glittering thus?

1st Cit.—Hast thou not heard Of the king's entry, in triumphal pomp, This very morn?

Gon.—The king!—triumphal pomp! Thy words are dark.

Seb.—Speak yet again! mine ears Ring with strange sounds!–Again!

1st Cit.—I said the king, Philip of Spain, and now of Portugal, This morning enter'd, with a conqueror's train, Our city's royal palace, and for this We hold our festival.

Seb.—Thou said'st—the king! His name?—I heard it not.

Cits. Philip of Spain.

Seb.—Philip of Spain!—We slumber, till arous'd By th' earthquake's bursting shock!—Hath there not fall'n