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MONTEBESA.

All this is good; hast thou no more to tell?

SERVANT.

Alas! I have; for, by his spearmen guarded,

Loaded with chains, most rueful to behold,
Comes Samarkoon. For now it doth appear,
That he, enleagued with robbers, was the spoiler,
Who beat the gallant train of Ehleypoolie,
And bore away their prize.

MONTEBESA.

Oh, this is dreadful! Clouds o'erlappmg clouds

Are weaving o'er our house an evil woof,—
A fearful canopy. It was to us
That ominous sign was sent, but few days past,
When Boodhoo's rays, beneath the noon's blue dome
With shiv'ring motion gleam'd in streaky brightness,
Surpassing mid-day splendour. Woe is me!
I saw it not unmoved; but little thought,
Ah! little thought of misery like this.

Enter Juan de Creda.

Welcome, De Creda; thou in hour of need

Art ever wise and helpful. Dost thou know
Of this most strange event? Of Samarkoon
As lawless spoiler by Rasinga conquer'd,
And led——