SIEGE OF VALENCIA.
181
ELMINA.
Thou 'rt worn with toil—but take no rest to-night!
The western gate!—Its watchers have been won—
The Christian city hath been bought and sold!
They will admit the Moor!
GONZALEZ.
Brave men and tried so long!—Whose work was this?
ELMINA.
To see their children perish?
GONZALEZ.
Was thine?
ELMINA.
I tell thee, Heaven, which made all holy things,
Made nought more holy than the boundless love
Which fills a mother's heart!—I say, 'tis woe
Enough, with such an aching tenderness,
To love aught earthly!—and in vain! in vain!
—We are press'd down too sorely!
