Page:Sebastian of Portugal.pdf/3

1st Cit.—What wouldst thou say?

2d Cit.—That which may scarce, in perilous times like these,
Be said in safety. Hast thou look'd within
Those stately palaces? Were they but peopled
With the high race of warlike nobles, once
Their princely lords, think'st thou, good friend, that now
They would be glittering with this hollow pomp,
To greet a conqueror's entrance?

3d Cit.—Thou say'st well.
None but a land, forsaken of its chiefs,
Had so been lost and won.

4th Cit.—The lot is cast;
We have but to yield. Hush! for some stranger comes.
Now, friends, beware!

1st Cit.—Did the king pass this way
At morning, with his train?

2d Cit.—Aye; saw you not
The long and rich procession?

(Sebastian enters, with Gonzalez and Zamor.)

Seb. (to Gon.)—This should be
The night of some high festival. E’en thus
My beautiful city to the skies sent up,
From her illumin'd fanes and towers, a voice
Of gladness, welcoming our first return
From Afric's coast. Speak thou, Gonzalez; ask
The cause of this rejoicing. To my heart
Deep feelings rush, so mingled and so fast,
My voice perchance might tremble.

Gon.—Citizens!
What festal night is this, that all your streets
Are throng'd, and glittering thus?

1st Cit.—Hast thou not heard
Of the king's entry, in triumphal pomp,
This very morn?

Gon.—The king!—triumphal pomp! Thy words are dark.

Seb.—Speak yet again! mine ears
Ring with strange sounds!–Again!

1st Cit.—I said the king,
Philip of Spain, and now of Portugal,
This morning enter'd, with a conqueror's train,
Our city's royal palace, and for this
We hold our festival.

Seb.—Thou said'st—the king!
His name?—I heard it not.

Cits. Philip of Spain.

Seb.—Philip of Spain!—We slumber, till arous'd
By th' earthquake's bursting shock!—Hath there not fall'n