ACT I.
Scene I.—Before the gates of a city in Palestine.
Urban, Priests, Citizens, at the gates. Others
looking from the walls above.
Urb. (to a Citizen on the walls above.)
You see their lances glistening? You can tell
The way they take?
Cit. Not yet. Their march is slow;
They have not reach'd the jutting cliff, where first
The mountain path divides.
Urb. And now?
Cit. The wood
Shuts o'er their track. Now spears are flashing out—
It is the banner of De Chatillon.
(Very slow and mournful military music without.)
This way! they come this way!
Urb. All holy saints
Grant that they pass us not! Those martial sounds
Have a strange tone of sadness! Hark, they swell
Proudly, yet full of sorrow.
Rainier de Chatillon enters with knights,
soldiers, &c.
Welcome, knights!
Ye bring us timely aid! men's hearts were full
Of doubt and terror. Brave De Chatillon!
True soldier of the Cross! I welcome thee;
I greet thee with all blessing! Where thou art
There is deliverance!
