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Show 424 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. the privilege of speaking freely, of drawing a picture of the blighted glory of his sovereign-of his Queen languishing in enforced retirement, apart from the lord of her heart-and of the fast-coming ruin of his whole kingdom. Alphonso is moved; he seems to waver. Zara perceiving this, and fearful of danger, meditates a scheme to save herself from falling from her " high and palmy state." Garcias, encouraged by the emotion which Alphonso betrays, conjures him to abandon a woman who has dishonoured and disgraced him by plunging him into the lowest abyss of disgraceful voluptuousness and luxurious pleasures. Alphonso is dreadfully agitated; the veil is half removed from his " mind's eye;" but-he still loves-he still adores, and is still the slave of his triumphant mistress. Morico attempts to encourage him, but is quelled into motionless silence by a single glance from the eye of Garcias, who now informs the King, as a last resource, that the people have revolted, and will only be appeased by the death of Zara!-This intelligence falls like a thunderbolt on the lovers' hearts ! Garcias adds, that, with the aid of a few chosen and influential friends, he has hitherto succeeded in curbing the popular tumult; but that, if Alphonso is desirous of insuring his own safety, he must again become a hero and a king, and remove Zara and her Moors from his society and his presence. H e points to a troop of armed Citizens, w h o have already forced admittance to the palace and are tumultuously rushing onward. By a single mandatory gesture he checks their further approach. The amazed Alphonso knows not how to act; he is agitated, undecided, and indignant. The Moors betray their fears. Zara perceiving herself powerless, at this |
