_Al._ If ’tis my father’s will, and if the prince Be earnest in his courtship ...
_Al._ My wish can count but little: but my wish Is not for this nor any other marriage.
_Sa._ Thou hast yielded to the thought. Would I had died On Ferdinand’s sword; or that his ear had ne’er Heard my ill-fated name, Sala, far happier Chained in a Spanish galley, than set free 390 To find thee in a rival’s arms.
_Sa._ Thou hast taken in hand This cursèd portrait: held it ...
_Sa._ Gazed on it, fondled it: a pictured boy! Thy champion.
_Al._ And what, pray, wouldst thou have had me do?
_Sa._ What do? Never to have taken it: refused it: scorned it: Cast it beneath thy feet: trodden it to atoms.
_Al._ Thou wrongst me, Sala, now: thou art overcome With fasting and much fighting.
_Sa._ O, I am wronged 400 To have the temper of my passion judged As hunger or fatigue. Here is thy picture, Thy lover. Take it back. Farewell. I go, But not to eat or rest. Almeh, farewell: I would have died for thee.
_Sa._ ’Tis farewell: but not unkindness, Lest thou shouldst say my last word was unkindness, I will go seek the king, and shall persuade him Ere I depart to grant the Christian captives The little liberty which thou hast asked: 410 Then to the war; wherein I pray that heaven Hath laid my death: if anywhere on earth Within my reach, I’ll find it. O farewell. The Angels guard thee. [_Going._
_ALMEH and ZAPEL listening. The Christian Captives are singing at back among the trees._
_Jesu dulcis memoria, Dans vera cordis gaudia; Sed super mel et omnia Ejus dulcis præsentia._
Hush, Zapel, hush: go in. Leave me. Stay, I will go with thee so far 420 That they shall think we both are gone. This way.
_Almeh and Zapel go aside. Exit Zapel. Almeh enters arbour._
CHORUS. _Jesu decus angelicum, In aure dulce canticum, In ore mel mirificum, In corde nectar cælicum._
_Nil canitur suavius, Nil auditur jucundius, Nil cogitatur dulcius, Quam Jesu Dei filius._
_Al._ (_aside_). They sing of Jesus, whom they make their god, 430 I understand no more: only their praise Is sweeter than whatever I have heard In mosque or sacred temple, or the chant Of holy pilgrims, that beguile the road. I’ll learn what they will tell me of their hymns, And whence they have this music. Ah, they see me. Sir, pray withdraw not thus. Step on this terrace; Hence may you view the sea. Your helpless lot I pity; and if indeed I have any power To ease the pains of your captivity, 440 ’Tis but a debt I owe you for the pleasure Your music wakes within me. Come this way.