ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

An open place in the City.

Enter CALED and DARAN meeting.

Caled. Soldier, what news? thou look'st as thou

wert angry.

Dar. And, durst I say it, so, my chief, I am; I've spoke--If it offends, my head is thine, Take it, and I am silent.

Cal. No, say on.

I know thee honest, and perhaps I guess
What knits thy brews in frowns-

Dar. Is this, my leader,

A conquer'd city?-View yon vale of palms :
Behold the vanquish'd christian triumph still,
Rich in his flight, and mocks thy barren war.
Cal. The vale of palms !

Dar. Beyond those hills, the place
Where they agreed this day to meet and halt,
To gather all their forces; there disguis'd,
Just now I've view'd their camp-O, I could curse
My eyes for what they've seen.

Cal. What hast thou seen?

Dar. Why, all Damascus :- -All its souls, its life,

Its heart blood, all its treasure, piles of plate,
Crosses enrich'd with gems, arras and silks,

And vests of gold, unfolded to the sun,
That rival all his lustre !

Cal. How!

Dar. 'Tis true.

The bees are wisely bearing off their honey,
And soon the empty hive will be our own.

Cal. So forward too! Curse on this foolish treaty ! Dar. Forward

warn'd.

-it looks as if they had been fore

By Mahomet, the land wears not the face

Of war, but trade! and thou wouldst swear its merchants

Were sending forth their loaded caravans

To all the neighb'ring countries.

Cal. Dogs infidels ! 'tis more than was allow'd! Dar. And shall we not pursue them-Robbers! thieves !

That steal away themselves, and all they're worth, And wrong the valiant soldier of his due ?

Cal. [Aside.] The caliph shall know this-he shall.
Abudah,

This is thy coward bargain—I renounce it,
Daran, we'll stop their march, and search.

Dar. And strip

Cal. And kill.

Dar. That's well. And yet I fear

Abudah's christian friend

Cal. If possible,

He should not know of this. No, nor Abudah :
By the seven heavens, his soul's a christian too!
And 'tis by kindred instinct he thus saves

Their cursed lives, and taints our cause with mercy.
Dar. I knew my general would not suffer this,
Therefore I've troops prepar'd without the gate;
Just mounted for pursuit. Our Arab horse
Will in few minutes reach the place; yet still
I must repeat my doubts-that devil Phocyas

Will know it soon-I met him near the gate:
My nature sickens at him, and forbodes
I know not what of ill.

Cal. No more, away

With thy cold fears-we'll march this very instant, And quickly make this thriftless conquest good: The sword too has been wrong'd, and thirsts for blood. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Valley full of Tents; Baggage and Harness lying up and down amongst them. The Prospect terminating with Palm Trees and Hills at a Distance.

Enter EU MENES, with OFFICERS and ATTENDANTS.

Eum. [Entering.] Sleep on-and angels be thy guard!-soft slumber

Has gently stole her from her griefs awhile,

Let none approach the tent-Are out guards plac'd On yonder hills? [To an OFFICEr.

Offi. They are.

Eum. [Striking his Breast.] Damascus, O-

Still art thou here !-Let me intreat you, friends,
To keep strict order; I have no command,
And can but now advise you.

Offi. You are still Our head and leader.

We're all prepar'd to follow you.

Eum. I thank you.

The sun will soon go down upon our sorrows,
And, till to-morrow's dawn, this is our home:

2

Eum. Entering. guard Lias gently stole he

en noge approach the nyouder hillst hey are