_Muza_. To have first landed on these shores appears
Transcendent glory to the applauded Tarik.
_Tarik_. Glory, but not transcendent, it appears,
What might in any other.
_Muza_. Of thyself
All this vain boast?
_Tarik_. Not of myself—’twas Julian.
Against his shield the refluent surges rolled,
While the sea-breezes threw the arrows wide,
And fainter cheers urged the reluctant steeds.
_Muza_. That Julian, of whose treason I have proofs,
That Julian, who rejected my commands
Twice, when our mortal foe besieged the camp,
And forced my princely presence to his tent.
_Tarik_. Say rather, who without one exhortation,
One precious drop from true believer’s vein,
Marched, and discomfited our enemies.
I found in him no treachery. Hernando,
Who, little versed in moody wiles, is gone
To lead him hither, was by him assigned
My guide, and twice in doubtful fight his arm
Protected me: once on the heights of Calpé,
Once on the plain, when courtly jealousies
Tore from the bravest and the best his due,
And gave the dotard and the coward command:
Then came Roderigo forth—the front of war
Grew darker—him, equal in chivalry,
Julian alone could with success oppose.
_Abd._ I doubt their worth who praise their enemies.
_Tar._ And theirs doubt I who persecute their friends.
_Muza_. Thou art in league with him.
_Tar._ Thou wert, by oaths,
I am without them; for his heart is brave.
_Muza_. Am I to bear all this?
_Tar._ All this, and more:
Soon wilt thou see the man whom thou hast wronged,
And the keen hatred in thy breast concealed
Find its right way, and sting thee to the core.
_Muza_. Hath he not foiled us in the field; not held
Our wisdom to reproach?
_Tar._ Shall we abandon
All he hath left us in the eyes of men?
Shall we again make him our adversary
Whom we have proved so, long and fatally?
If he subdue for us our enemies,
Shall we raise others, or, for want of them,
Convert him into one against his will?