Count Julian, she replied, hath none but me, And it hath, therefore, been his heart’s desire To see his ancient line by me preserved. This was their covenant when in fatal hour For Spain, and for themselves, in traitorous bond Of union they combined. My father, stung To madness, only thought of how to make His vengeance sure; the Prelate, calm and cool, When he renounced his outward faith in Christ, Indulged at once his hatred of the King, His inbred wickedness, and a haughty hope, Versed as he was in treasons, to direct The invaders by his secret policy, And at their head, aided by Julian’s power, Reign as a Moor upon that throne to which The priestly order else had barr’d his way. The African hath conquer’d for himself; But Orpas coveteth Count Julian’s lands, And claims to have the covenant perform’d. Friendless, and worse than fatherless, I come To thee for succour. Send me secretly, ... For well I know all faithful hearts must be At thy devotion, ... with a trusty guide To guard me on the way, that I may reach Some Christian land, where Christian rites are free, And there discharge a vow, alas! too long, Too fatally delay’d. Aid me in this For Roderick’s sake, Pelayo! and thy name Shall be remember’d in my latest prayer. Be comforted! the Prince replied; but when He spake of comfort, twice did he break off The idle words, feeling that earth had none For grief so irremediable as hers. At length he took her hand, and pressing it, And forcing through involuntary tears A mournful smile affectionate, he said, Say not that thou art friendless while I live! Thou couldst not to a readier ear have told Thy sorrows, nor have ask’d in fitter hour What for my country’s honour, for my rank, My faith, and sacred knighthood, I am bound In duty to perform; which not to do Would show me undeserving of the names Of Goth, Prince, Christian, even of Man. This day Lady, prepare to take thy lot with me, And soon as evening closes meet me here. Duties bring blessings with them, and I hold Thy coming for a happy augury, In this most aweful crisis of my fate. X. RODERICK AND FLORINDA.