And what I am in sight of th' awful God,
I dare not think; when I am gone, my friend,
O! let a good man's prayers to heav'n ascend,
For an offending spirit?—Pray for me.
What thinkst thou? altho' an outcast here,
May not some heavenly mercy still be found?
Ros. Thou wilt find mercy—my beloved Basil—
It cannot be that thou shouldst be rejected.
I will with bended knee—I will implore—
It choaks mine utterance—I will pray for thee—
Bas. This comforts me—thou art a loving friend.
(A noise without.)
Ros. (to Off, without.) What noise is that?
Enter Valtomer.
Valt. to Ros. My lord, the soldiers all insist to enter.
What shall I do? they will not be denied:
They say that they will see their noble gen'ral.
Bas. Ah, my brave fellows! do they call me so?
Ros. Then let them come.
(Enter soldiers, who gather round Basil, and look mournfully upon him; he holds out his hand to them with a faint smile.)
Bas. My gen'rous soldiers, this is kindly meant.
I'm low i'the dust; God bless you all, brave hearts!
1st Sol. And God bless you, my noble, noble gen'ral!
We'll never follow such a leader more.
