Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/146

Ernon, whom Amida had informed of all,
Loved his prince, though ungrateful, and lamented his fall;
His generous, brave friends all stood ready at hand,
And of soldiers he headed a most resolute band.
Ernon tenderly wept when his prince he had found,
They armed in secret, marched in silence profound.
Amida addressed them, and her words could impart
The love of true glory to each abject slave's heart,
Alamon could both conduct and courage unite,
And a hero became when he first went to fight.
The Turk plunged in luxury, who nothing mistrusted,
Surprised by the vanquished, in his turn was worsted.
Alamon to the palace had in triumph advanced
At the time when the Turk by soft pleasure entranced,
Not having yet heard the dire turn of his fate,
Was with hopes of enjoying fair Amida elate.
His right he asserted, and took the Turk's place;
Then straight there appeared with a confident face,
The priest in whose air there appeared much resignment,
And the two knavish courtiers just broke from confinement;
Boasting that they did all, though their boasts were quite vain,
The influence they once had they hoped to maintain.
To prove cruel and spiteful cowards but seldom have failed,
The monk was for having Abdallah empaled.