Page:The Siege of Valencia.pdf/213

Sooner than e'en this anguish! Life is best
Thrown from us in such moments.
[Voices heard at a distance.

HERNANDEZ.

Hush! what strain

Floats on the wind?

GARCIAS.

'Tis the Cid's battle song!

What marvel hath been wrought?
[Voices approaching heard in chorus.

    The Moor is on his way!
With the tambour peal and the tecbir shout,
And the horn o'er the blue seas ringing out,
    He hath marshall'd his dark array!

Ximena enters, followed by the Citizens, with the
Banner.

XIMENA.

Is it too late?—My father, these are men

Through life and death prepared to follow thee
Beneath this banner!—Is their zeal too late?
—Oh! there 's a fearful history on thy brow!
What hast thou seen?

P