Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/40

 

SCENE III.

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ZOPIR, PALMIRA, PHANOR.

ZOPIR.

Phanor,

What wouldst thou?

PHANOR.

At the city gate that leads

To Moad’s fertile plain, the valiant Omar
Is just arrived.

ZOPIR.

Indeed; the tyrant’s friend,

The fierce, vindictive Omar, his new convert,
Who had so long opposed him, and still fought
For us!

PHANOR.

Perhaps he yet may serve his country,

Already he hath offered terms of peace;
Our chiefs have parleyed with him, he demands
An hostage, and I hear they’ve granted him
The noble Seid.

PALMIRA.

Seid? gracious heaven!

PHANOR.

Behold! my lord, he comes.

ZOPIR.

Ha! Omar here!

There’s no retreating now, he must be heard;
Palmira, you may leave us.—O ye gods
Of my forefathers, you who have protected