O'er a dead warrior! Where's the slanderer? Speak!
A Citizen enters hastily.
Cit. Haste to the walls! De Chatillon hath slain
The Paynim chief! [They all go out.
Aym. Why should they shrink? I, I should ask the night
To cover me! I that have flung my name
Away to scorn! Hush! am I not alone?
[Listening eagerly.
There's a voice calling me—a voice i' the air—
My father's!—'Twas my father's! Are the dead,
Unseen, yet with us? Fearful!
(Loud shouts without, he rushes forward exultingly.)
'Tis the shout
Of victory! We have triumph'd!—We! my place
Is midst the fallen!
[Music heard, which approaches, swelling into
a triumphant march. Knights enter in procession,
with banners, torch-bearers, &c. The gates
of the church are thrown open, and the altar,
tombs, &c. within, are seen illuminated.
Knights pass over, and enter the church.
One of them takes a torch, and lifts it
to Aymer's face in passing. He strikes it
down with a sword; then, seeing Rainier
approach, drops the sword, and covers his face.
Aym. (grasping Rainier by the mantle, as he is about to pass.)
Brother! forsake me not!
Rai. (suddenly drawing his sword, and showing it him.) My sword is red
With victory and revenge! Look—dyed to the hilt!
—We fought—and where were you!
Aym. Forsake me not!
Rai. (pointing with his sword to the tombs within the church.)
Those are proud tombs! The dead, the glorious dead,
Think you they sleep, and know not of their sons
In the mysterious grave? We laid him there!
—Before the ashes of your father, speak!
Have you abjured your faith?
Aym, (indignantly.) Your name is mine—your blood—and you ask this!
Wake him to hear me answer!—Have you? No!
—You have not dared to think it.
[Breaks from him, and goes out.
Rai. (entering the church, and bending over one of the tombs.) Not yet lost!
Not yet all lost! He shall be thine again!
So shalt thou sleep in peace!
