_Muza_. We, who were enemies, would not inquire Too narrowly what reasons urged thy wrath Against thy sovran lord; beneath his flag The christians first assailed us from these shores, And we seized gladly the first aid we found To quell a wealthy and a warlike king. We never held to thee the vain pretence That ’twas thy quarrel our brave youth espoused, Thine, who hast wrought us much disgrace and woe. From perils and from losses, here we rest And drink of the fresh fountain at our feet, Not madly following such illusive streams As overspread the dizzy wilderness, And vanish from the thirst they have seduced. Ours was the enterprise, the land is ours: What gain we by our toils if he escape Whom we came hither solely to subdue? _Jul._ Is there no gain to live in amity? _Muza_. The gain of traffickers and idle men; Courage and zeal expire upon such calms. Further, what amity can Moors expect When you have joined your forces? _Jul._ From the hour That he was vanquished, I have laid aside All power, all arms. _Muza_. How can we trust thee, once Deceived, and oftener than this once despised? Thou camest hither with no other aim Than to deprive Roderigo of his crown For thy own brow. _Egil._ Julian, base man, ’tis true. He comes a prince, no warrior, at this hour. _Muza_. His sword, O queen, would not avail him now. _Abd._ Julian, I feel less anger than regret. No violence of speech, no obloquy, No accusation shall escape my lips: Need there is none, nor reason, to avoid My questions: if thou value truth, reply. Hath not Roderigo left the town and camp? Hath not thy daughter? _Egil._ —Past the little brook Toward the Betis—from a tower I saw The fugitives, far on their way; they went Over one bridge, each with arm’d men—not half A league of road between them—and had join’d, But that the olive-groves along the path Concealed them from each other; not from me: Beneath me the whole level I surveyed, And, when my eyes no longer could discern Which track they took, I knew it from the storks Rising in clouds above the reedy plain. _Muza_. Deny it, if thou canst. _Jul._ I order’d it. _Abd._ None could beside: lo! things in such a mass Falling together on observant minds, Create suspicion and establish proof: Wanted there fresh—why not employ our arms? Why go alone? _Muza_. To parley, to conspire, To reunite the Spaniards, which we saw, To give up treaties, close up enmities, And ratify the deed with Moorish blood. _Jul._ Gladly would Spain procure your safe return, Gladly would pay large treasures, for the aid You brought against oppression—