Chapter 5

MUZA _enters with_ EGILONA.

_Roderigo is going out when Muza enters_—_starts back on seeing Egilona_.

[_Muza, sternly_, _to Egilona_, _who follows_.

_Muza_. Enter, since ’tis the custom in this land.

[_Egilona_, _passing Muza disdainfully_, _points to Abdalazis, and says to Julian_—

_Egil._ Is this our future monarch, or art thou?

_Jul._ ’Tis Abdalazis, son of Muza, prince Commanding Africa, from Abyla To where Tunisian pilots bend the eye O’er ruin’d temples in the glassy wave. Till quiet times and ancient laws return, He comes to govern here.

_Rod._ To-morrow’s dawn Proves that.

_Muza_. What art thou?

[_Roderigo_, _drawing his sword_.

_Rod._ King.

_Abd._ Amazement!

_Muza_. Treason!

_Egil._ O horror!

_Muza_. Seize him.

_Egil._ Spare him! fly to me!

_Jul._ Urge me not to protect a guest, a herald— The blasts of war roar over him unfelt.

_Egil._ Ah fly, unhappy!

_Rod._ Fly! no, Egilona— Dost thou forgive me? dost thou love me? still?

_Egil._ I hate, abominate, abhor thee—go, Or my own vengeance—

[_Roderigo points with his own to the drawn swords of Muza and Abdalazis_, _who look with malice towards Julian_, _takes his hand_, _and seems inviting to attack them_. _Julian casts his hand away_.

_Rod._ Julian!—

_Jul._ Hence, or die.