Hassan. Allah, forbid! Thou art dear to old Hassan as the breath of life, and while life lingers he will serve thee. Zuleika. Then must thou aid me in a deed of mercy. Who doth keep watch to-night before the tent of the young Greek? Hassan. Mine is the watch. Wherefore dost thou seek to know? Zuleika. Hassan, thou hast sworn to serve me. I have a boon to ask of thee. Hassan. Speak, lady! thy slave doth listen. Zuleika. Thou knowest that with the morning sun Mohammed hath sworn Cleon shall die. Such is the fierce anger he doth bear his foe he hath refused all mercy and scorned to listen to the prayers of the young prince who hath journeyed hither at peril of his own life to place himself in the power of the king as hostage for his father. Hassan. It is indeed most true. Poor youth! Zuleika. 'Tis of him I would speak to thee. Mohammed, angered at his boldness, hath, as thou knowest, guarded him in yonder tent, denying him his last sad prayer to speak once more in life with his father. Oh, Hassan, what must be the agony of that young heart to see the hours swift speeding by, and know no hope. Hassan. What wouldst thou have me do? Zuleika. Lead him to his father; give him the consolation of folding to his breast the beloved one to save whose life he hath sacrificed his own. Hassan. Dear mistress, thou art dreaming, and cannot know the danger of so rash a deed. Bethink thee of Mohammed's anger, the almost certain doom of such as dare to brave his mighty will. I pray thee let not thy noble heart lead thee astray. Thou canst not save him, and will but harm thyself. Zuleika. Hassan, thy love and true devotion, I well know, doth prompt thee to thus counsel, and in thy fear for me thou dost forget to think of mercy or of pity. I thank thee; but thou canst not move me from my firm resolve. Again I ask thee, Wilt thou aid me? Hassan [_falling at her feet_]. Pardon, but I cannot. Heed, I implore thee, the counsel of thy faithful servant, and trust to the wisdom these gray hairs have brought. Thou art young and brave, but believe me, maiden, dangers of which thou dost not dream beset the path, and I were no true friend did I not warn thee to beware. Do not tempt me; I cannot aid thee to thy ruin. Zuleika. Then will I go alone. I will brave the peril, and carry comfort to a suffering soul [_turns to go_; Hassan _catches her robe_]. Hassan. Maiden! once more let thy slave entreat. Thy father places faith in me. I am the captive's guard. Zuleika. Peace, Hassan, peace; if life be then so dear to thee, and thy duty to thy king greater than that thou dost owe to thy fellow-man, Allah forbid that I should tempt thee to forget it. But did death look me in the face, I would not tarry now. Hassan. And thou wouldst seek the captive's cell? Zuleika. This very hour. Soon it will be too late. Hassan. Thou knowest not the way,--soldiers guard every turn. Oh, tarry till the dawn, I do implore thee.