into reflections upon the manner in which such an event was to be
produced: was he to return immediately into Barbary, and under some
disguise endeavour to see, and persuade her to abandon her country? or
was he to pursue his voyage to Brazil, commence and conclude his attempt
at recovering Portugal, honorably negociate for her hand, and wed her
only when he had a throne to share with her? the last project was most
in character with a generous Prince, and he resolved to adopt it.
By the former scheme, he might indeed earlier and more certainly secure
Aziek, but then it would be selfishly tempting her to share exile,
difficulties, dangers, perhaps ultimately disappointment or death: by
the latter, he would merely delay domestic blessings to ensure their
permanence; and reflecting on the delicacy of her character, he felt
assured that years must elapse ere she could yield her heart to any
other affection, or obey the customs of her country by wedding a man to
whom she was indifferent.
These considerations reconciled him to the prospect of removing for a
while yet further from her, and the bliss he hoped hereafter to bestow,
gave him such exquisite delight in contemplation, that even the
guardian angel of Kara Aziek must have smiled with satisfaction on
reading the reveries of Sebastian.
“Yes Aziek!” he tenderly repeated, folding her letter to his breast, “we
shall meet again, even in this faithless world! A time will come when
thou only wilt reign in my heart: to appreciate thy tenderness, to know
thy unrivalled excellence, it has been necessary for me to learn what
dæmons charm under the forms of women. Ah! who is there like thee?”
At this impassioned question Sebastian sunk into a train of thought, in
which he remained absorbed till morning shot her first beam into the
cavern.
No sooner was there light enough to trace the characters made on the
vellum, than he hastened to read what he believed would reanimate all
his hopes and resolutions: who can describe the dismay which seized
upon him when he found this letter contained Kara Aziek’s eternal
farewel?
To procure his freedom and restoration to Donna Gonsalva, this generous
friend had consented to become the wife of a Grandee who had long
solicited her of her father: by this time she was his and living far
from Morocco. Immurred within the walls of a Harem, her noble and
delicate soul had no other enjoyment left than the conviction of having
sacrificed herself for the sake of him she loved.
It was not from passionate complaint or studied explanation of her
feelings, that Sebastian gathered the extent of her generosity--no--her
relation was simple and brief, yet she was forced to tell him, that by
marrying the Basha of Syria she was binding herself to the customs of
his nation, and rendering it impossible for her to retain a male friend.
Sebastian was too well aware of her repugnance to such heartless
connections, not to divine instantly, that his liberty had been offered
only on such cruel terms.
Here then was the explanation of that mysterious sadness which had
overwhelmed Kara Aziek several days before his departure: doubtless she
had then been struggling against that virtuous horror which every woman
ought to feel who meditates yielding her vows and her person to a man
she cannot love.
The lock of her hair was now in the hand of Sebastian, his eyes were
intently fixed on it, without his seeing or thinking of it; the complete
distinction of all his hopes was contained in this fatal letter; the
bright vision of gratitude had vanished, and misery’s last blow stunned
both thought and feeling.
Such a benumbing influence was on him, that he remained nearly on the
same spot from sunrise to sunset without food or sleep, or the
consciousness of wanting either.
It happened that towards evening a sudden storm drove some countrymen
into the cavern for shelter. The noise they made roused Sebastian; on
seeing him, they naturally concluded that he had taken refuge from the
same motive with themselves; and entering into conversation with him, he
learnt that there was then a vessel in the bay of Setuval bound for
Brazil. He no longer contemplated with lively emotions a voyage to the
new world, but he was sick of that which he inhabited; and to the
wretched, change of place seems ever desirable. He accompanied the men
to Setuval, where he fortunately procured a passage in the ship
described, and she sailed at midnight.
While the vessel was tossing among the turbulent waves of the Atlantic,
Portugal’s self-exiled monarch had leisure to arrange those events,
which by their painful rapidity had unsettled his reason: he gave up
the hope of happiness; with a moody smile he gave up the hope of
blessing his benefactress; but still it was not possible for him to
abandon the expectation of regaining his rights, and with them the power
of benefiting others. For him there was no middle station; he must
either mount again to empire, or sink to utter desolation; and it was
only in the active duties of sovereignty that he could lose the
remembrance of his present sufferings.
Since Kara Aziek was lost,--and alas! how sad to think she was
self-condemned for his sake! private affections had no claim on him,
except indeed in the person of Gaspar, (for the worth of Don Emanuel was
yet to be proved.) What a sterile scene did life then present! he
pondered over the present and the future, till his heart took so deep a
print from despair, as to make him wildly doubt whether he had ever
known what happiness was.
In this state he was ill-adapted to share in the noisy garrulity of his
fellow voyagers; he shunned their society, sitting retired in an obscure
part of the vessel, from the deck of which he seemed to be stupidly
watching her track through the waters.
It was on the sixth morning after their departure from Setuval, that the
clearing away the thick mist discovered a Turkish galley which had been
blown out to sea, striving to re-gain her course, and bearing up towards
the straits: the captain of the Brazilman being a fellow of an
adventurous spirit, proposed giving the infidel chase; though his vessel
was inferior in size and weight of metal, the hope of a rich booty
animated his sailors: by general consent their track was altered; they
crowded sail, and soon came alongside the galley, whose heavy
decorations impeded her motion.
The infidel perceiving flight impossible, resigned himself to necessity,
and prepared for action.
At the first broadside, Sebastian, who had hitherto sat desperately
inattentive to the hasty preparations, started up; his brave heart,
roused at the alarm of war, and every nerve was braced; but suddenly
recollecting those reflections in Barbary which had prompted him to vow
he would never wantonly draw the offensive sword, he cast himself again
on the deck, where he lay inactive.
His limbs shook with an internal struggle; the sailors supposed he
trembled from fear; but as the balls showered over him, they changed
their opinion, and pronounced him mad.
Though the Portuguese were lavish of their blood and their ammunition,
they were no match for an experienced enemy: he manœuvred his vessel
with a quickness and dexterity which soon gave him so decided a
superiority, that the Brazilman, in despair, ordered his crew to strike.
At that command Sebastian sprung from the deck, threw himself before
the colours, and exhorted the sailors to defend them from infidel hands;
then seizing a weapon, he rushed forward to the most exposed station.
It was no longer for mere conquest, but for liberty, for the honour of
the Christian name, and the Portuguese flag, that he was about to fight:
his eyes now flashed with their former fire, his figure seemed to
dilate, and his inspiring voice roused and inflamed every heart. Used to
command, and theoretically skilled in naval tactics, he was unconscious
that he alone gave orders, that those orders were instantly approved and
obeyed: the captain had just knowledge sufficient to perceive that he
had got one on board, to whom war was familiar, and he therefore
suffered his people to follow the dictates of their new leader.
The Turk fought ably; his vessel skilfully worked, and favoured by the
wind, for a long time bade defiance to every effort at boarding her; her
shot and fireballs hailed through the rigging of the Brazilman, but
happily the wind fell, and the Portuguese rapidly throwing out their
grappling-irons, succeeded in fastening her along-side.
The remembrance of former combats, and the fire of native valour, now
shone on the brow of Sebastian: like a blaze of lightning he flamed on
the enemy’s deck; his voice, his looks, his gestures, called on others
to follow; in one moment he fell with the force of a thunderbolt amongst
the infidels, whom his powerful arm crushed and scattered in every
direction. After a short, yet desperate resistance, the Turkish captain
cast a gloomy look over the blood and devastation around him, then
dropping the point of his sword, he delivered it to Sebastian.
The King having returned the captain’s sword, flew from place to place
to stop any wanton slaughter; destruction then ceased. The commander of
the Brazilman eyed him with gathering discontent; “What share do you
expect of the booty?” he asked sourly. “None,” returned Sebastian, “I
ask only care and compassion for these wounded men.”
The gentleness of his manner testified sincerity, and well-pleased to be
so cheaply served, the captain promised prompt obedience. While they
were speaking, the shrieks of a woman were heard from below; at that
sound Sebastian sprung over a heap of arms, and leaped down into the
cabin: there he beheld a group of women clinging together, as if seeking
to protect the entrance of an inner room where a lady had fainted. At
his decisive voice, some sailors who had alarmed them, fell back; his
intrepidity had gained their admiration, and admiration is quickly
followed by submission.
“My friends, we do not war with women!” he exclaimed, in a tone of noble
reproof; the men blushed and withdrew. Pleased with the effect of his
ascendancy, the young monarch hastily fastened the door, and advanced
respectfully; sobbing, the ladies prostrated themselves at his feet:
touched with their distress, he tried to re-assure them, while he
approached the one who had fainted, and was lying wrapt up in her shawl
at full length upon the floor of the inner cabin.
Bending one knee to the ground, he raised her gently, and in doing so
discomposed her veil; trembling, agitated, almost transported, he lifted
hastily the long black hair that her fall had disordered, and beheld the
soft features of Kara Aziek. “Gracious God! am I awake?” he exclaimed,
gazing on her, and clasping her to his breast. The consternation of her
attendants at this bold action was painted in their faces; Sebastian
regarded them not, he held Kara Aziek still, calling on her to revive
and behold her protector in him.
Did that voice, so beloved, penetrate the dull ear of insensibility?
Aziek opened her eyes, and they met those of Sebastian fixed tenderly
upon her: doubtful rapture flashed over her countenance, she sprang up,
drew quickly back, looked at him an instant, then uttering a joyful cry,
precipitated herself into the dear arms she had quitted.
This was not the action of one conscious of belonging to another:
Sebastian was exalted to the extremest point of human felicity;
happiness, lost happiness, he now clasped in the form of Kara Aziek, and
enjoyed in the certainty of being able to confer it. “We part no
more--we part no more!” he repeated.
Bewildered in a maze of delight, and merely conscious that the looks and
voice of Sebastian breathed love like her own, Aziek forgot awhile every
obstacle between them; her tears and sighs mingled with his, as she
rested on his bosom with the sweet serenity of a pure heart, sure of
loving and being beloved; his name, coupled with endearing epithets,
breathed repeatedly from her lips, and her soft arms returned the
pressure of his: at length, starting and trembling, she averted her
eyes, and pronounced the name of Donna Gonsalva.
Indignation alone appeared on the brow of Sebastian; in a few words he
detailed her perfidy and his own disappointment, and was about to paint
to the horror-struck Aziek his new wishes, when voices at the door of
the outer cabin called him away.
It was the captain of the Brazilman with his mate: Sebastian hastened to
demand respect for Kara Aziek. He informed them that in their fair
prisoner he had discovered a Moorish lady, to whom he had once been
indebted for liberty; “I owe her my life,” he said, “and I will defend
her with my life: her sex and situation ought to ensure her generous
treatment. I hope and believe they will; but if not, this arm shall
either protect or avenge her.”
“And a rare strong arm it is,” replied the captain, “we’ll keep to
windward of it, be sure. He sha’nt overhaul the lady, only what we find
in the money way is lawful prize; has she no coin nor jewels to pay the
men for civilly treating her and the rest of the women?”
Sebastian had not time to reply before Aziek herself appeared; she came
forth from her cabinet surrounded by her maids: her unsteady step and
tearful eyes were directed towards him, for whom alone she feared when
the voice of what she thought violence reached her ear. Struck with an
apprehension of being discovered, Sebastian hastily told her in Moresco,
that his rank was unknown, and that these men commanded there.
Aziek turned frightfully pale, she trembled, and leaned on him for
support; the captain advanced bowing, his eyes fixed on her glittering
armlets, spoke a language easily understood, she hastened to take them
off and present them to him: at the same time she pointed to some large
chests, the keys of which one of her maids laid at his feet.
During the examination of these chests, Aziek remained leaning on
Sebastian, lost in painful conjectures upon his mysterious disguise:
alas! was he a prisoner also! yet, how then could he have power to
succour her? She turned her eyes on his countenance; the sunny look that
met hers, the smoothed brow, and entrancing smile, promised permanent
protection. What could she dread, when the looks of him she loved bade
her dismiss apprehension?
Satisfied with a casket of jewels and several purses of gold coin, the
mercenary seaman shut the boxes; “We shall leave you and the lady to
yourselves,” said the captain, “that you may try to reconcile her to a
voyage to Brazil; if she don’t like that, she may go to Portugal in the
prize: settle that as she pleases.
“Whoever you are, friend, with your coarse doublet, you’re a strange
brave fellow, and have a right to share our gains, and so if you like
women better than money, there’s a whole lot of ’em for you.”
“I take you at your word,” interrupted the King, “these are my prizes.”
The men withdrew laughing, and Sebastian again alone with Kara Aziek,
(her women having retired into the inner chamber,) proceeded to satisfy
those anxious inquiries which her eloquent eyes had so long been making.
He briefly detailed the circumstances of his return to Portugal, the
conduct of his supposed friends, the intentions with which he was
leaving it when he read her farewel letter; he painted the emotions that
letter excited, with all the force of tender gratitude.
“Such were, such are my feelings, Kara Aziek;” he added, throwing
himself at her feet, “I am again what I was when your generous pity
first succoured me--a beggar, and a fugitive--one who must soon be every
thing or nothing:--it remains for you to decide on the dearest part of
my destiny. Speak your wishes, and they shall be obeyed; if they be to
fulfil your engagement with the Basha, I will myself conduct you to him;
but if a friendship more sacred even than love--a gratitude exalted to
adoration--every sentiment in short, except passion itself; if these may
touch you--if you can condescend to accept a heart yet smarting with a
former wound--a heart that shudders at love, yet where your image is
worshipped and cherished--”
“O say no more!--no more, beloved Sebastian!” interrupted Kara Aziek,
hiding her blushes and tears on his shoulder, “thou knowest too well,
that to be permitted to dwell but on the threshold of that noble heart,
is happiness to Kara Aziek.”
How eloquent was the silence which followed these few words! how did the
blissful sighs breathed by each, seem to incorporate their souls, and
blend their destinies for ever!
It was long ere either of them could recover sufficiently to converse
with calmness; when they did so, Aziek timidly explained her situation.
She informed Sebastian that her hand had been frequently sought by the
Basha of Syria, a relation of her father’s, but having avowed an
invincible repugnance to marriage, (at least to marriage as it exists in
Mahomeddan countries,) her indulgent father had forborne any
importunity: his wishes however, were for the union, and seizing the
opportunity afforded by her zeal for the supposed Fabian, he offered his
liberty as the reward of her compliance.
At first, shocked and terrified, Kara Aziek utterly rejected the terms;
every delicate and tender feeling revolted from the hateful prospect of
submitting to the caresses of a man whom she remembered from her infancy
as one with whom her heart could have no commune; far sooner would she
have laid her head on the block for the dear sake of him she loved: but
when she witnessed the failure of his hopes after the departure of
Gaspar, and beheld his profound, and corroding melancholy; when she
thought of his passion for Donna Gonsalva, and fancied her pining
over his loss, her tender soul shook with irresolution, she
hesitated--reflected--struggled with her repugnance--renewed those
struggles, and at length determined upon the sacrifice.
Ravished with her consent, El Hader did not give her time to retract, he
released the Christian, and immediately dispatched messengers to his
kinsman: the Basha Ibrahim was at that time with the Sultan his master
at Constantinople; he sent from thence a sumptuous galley, laden with
presents for his young bride, and it was on its return with the
self-devoted victim, that Providence threw them into the hands of the
Portuguese.
To Kara Aziek the event did indeed appear an especial act of Providence,
since beyond her fondest hopes it not only restored Sebastian to her,
but re-united them at the very period in which they were priviledged
never to part again. In her secret mind she did not regret the loss of
his throne, for it was with Sebastian divested of power and grandeur,
that her heart had first been woven: accustomed to profound retirement,
her inexperienced nature shrunk from the vast sphere of duties which
surrounded sovereignty; it seemed as if the love of one little heart
would be lost in so wide an ocean: she looked with partial eyes to a
scene of narrower views; to a home, private yet not unuseful, where the
social virtues might have full room to expand and to adorn what they
supported.
It was an amiable weakness in Kara Aziek, yet it was a weakness, to
desire only that situation in which her love would be always felt, and
always necessary; she judged rightly, that power and luxury are not
friendly to the existence of any sentiment which is devoid of
selfishness.--In accompanying Sebastian to Brazil, she hoped that he
might be induced to resign his ungrateful people altogether, endeavour
to forget his former state, and find in the bosoms of Affection and
Friendship those calm delights which are never the companions of high
responsibility.
To dwell with him any where, to see him, to hear him continually,--what
joy did not such a prospect afford! Life seemed too short to her
impassioned heart for the complete enjoyment of so much
happiness.--Never, indeed, did woman love like Kara Aziek: it must be
remembered, however, that her attachment concentrated all the ardour of
her nature; the habits of her country did not suffer the growth even of
friendship; she had no sisters, no brothers--and hitherto she had lived
devoid of any other sentiment than that of duty towards her father.
As Sebastian contemplated the mixed expression of her ever-varying
countenance, his enraptured feelings assured him that in her’s his soul
had met its partner; but he sighed to think they should have met so
late, when _his_ exhausted heart had no longer love to bestow.
Excessive tenderness, admiration and gratitude, contending with as
lively emotions of timidity and apprehension, by turns sparkled in
Aziek’s eyes, or suffused her cheek; the aspen-like tremor of her voice
thrilled the susceptible King: it was now that for the first time he
felt the full sweetness of love, in the perfect conviction of giving
happiness to the beloved object; devoid of this conviction all its other
enjoyments are lifeless.--Cold as ice were the sensations awakened by
the beauty of Gonsalva when compared with this heart-penetrating,
ennobling glow! he looked back on them with amazement, and with
something of that joy with which a man recals a danger from which he has
recently escaped.
These new feelings enabled him to speak of the perfidious woman with
composure; to Kara Aziek this calmness was animating; for though at one
moment she believed herself indeed rewarded by his preference, at
another she trembled lest Sebastian were self-deceived, and might
hereafter find gratitude and esteem but feeble substitutes for love.
Having calmed the fears and satisfied the scruples of his gentle friend,
Sebastian remembered that humanity had other claims upon him; the
ascendancy he had gained over the captain and crew by his valour and
disinterestedness, rendered him in some degree answerable to himself for
the treatment of the Turkish prisoners; he therefore reluctantly quitted
Kara Aziek.
By his advice the Brazil trader consented to send all the Turkish
sailors, with their commander, into the first neutral port, whence they
might easily find a conveyance home, and in that port the prize might be
advantageously sold. It required all the King’s rhetoric to persuade his
companion that it was merciless to push advantage to its uttermost
verge, by insisting upon a ransom for all the prisoners; the man was a
long time in perceiving that there was any merit in being generous to
infidels.
Sebastian’s mingled arguments and persuasions at length succeeded; and
the prize, manned by a few stout sailors, headed by the mate, was
ordered to convey her former owners to Cadiz, in Spain, that country
being then in amity with the Turks.
Concluding that the women were forcibly detained by the captors, the
Turkish commander thought it unwise to contest about such immaterial
objects; so making a profound obeisance to his conqueror, he suffered
him, undisturbed, to lead Kara Aziek and her maids from their cabin to
that of the Portuguese vessel: in a few minutes after, the galley
hoisted sail and bore away before the wind for the shores of Andaluzia.
Anxious to obtain every accommodation for Kara Aziek, Sebastian thought
it needful to inform the captain that he could reward him amply for
every attention he might bestow, and that on landing at Brazil he would
prove his truth by actions: having simply announced himself a Portuguese
officer and a friend of Don Emanuel de Castro, he insured the respect
and submission of all the sailors. His remonstrances had now the force
of commands, and the Moorish ladies were permitted to live as retired in
their cabin, as they might have done in Morocco.
Into their apartments no one intruded except Sebastian and Barémel: that
faithful animal, interesting from the peculiar circumstances under which
he had recognized his master, was constantly fed and caressed by the
gentle Aziek; he formed the amusement of her women, whose simple minds
sought no higher recreation than that of seeing him fetch and
carry:--but to her he was an object of affection.
Often, while looking at Barémel, and pondering on the incidents his
figure recalled, she shuddered at the incomprehensible conduct of Donna
Gonsalva, and had to remember that Sebastian witnessed her depravity ere
she could persuade herself of that depravity’s existence.