Alone does Celindaja the coward crowd implore, "Oh, save him, save him, generous friends, give back to me my Moor." She stands upon the balcony and from that lofty place Would fling herself upon the stones to save him from disgrace. Her mother round the weeping girl has flung her withered arm. "O fool," she whispers in her ear, "in Mary's name be calm!" Thou madly rushest to thy death by this distracted show. Surely thou knowest well this truth, if anyone can know, How arms and reason powerless prove To turn the purpose of a king in love. Then came a message of the King, in which the monarch said That a house wherein his kindred dwelt must be a prison made. Then Celindaja, white with rage: "Go to the King and say I choose to be my prison-house for many and many a day, The memory of Azarque, in which henceforth I live: But the treachery of a monarch my heart will not forgive. For the will of one weak woman shall never powerless prove To turn the foolish purpose of a king who is in love. "Alas for thee, Toledo! in former times they said That they called thee for vengeance upon a traitor's head. But now 'tis not on traitors, but on loyal men and true That they call to thee for vengeance, which to caitiff hearts are due. And Tagus gently murmurs in his billows fresh and free And hastens from Toledo to reach the mighty sea." E'er she said more, they seized the dame, and led her to the gate, Where the warden of the castle in solemn judgment sate. THE LOVERS OF ANTEQUERA