Pedro the Cruel
The light that burst in with the opening door,
Would have revealed it.
Pedro.Thou art more to me
Than twice a hundred victories! Yet indeed
I am a conqueror and a King to-day—
Victory abroad, and love at home. Oh see,
Maria, never yet was King so blest.
Maria. Now tell me everything. Tell me, my Lord,
Where is Alonzo Coronel?
Pedro. He is dead.
Maria. What, did he perish in th' assault?
Pedro. Not so;
He fell into our hands and was despatched
Before my eyes.
Maria.Ah, that was not thy doing!
Where Albuquerque is, there the tender foot
Of mercy has no place.
Pedro. Yet by my soul
I almost longed to save him. Never knight,
Though a false traitor, was so proudly brave.
When all was lost, when thro' the breach my men
Stormed in behind my banner, like a flood,
He scorned to lift a hand in vain appeal.
He mad« no prayer for mercy; he was found
Bowing his haughty head before the Mass,
And asked no favour save a speedy death.
Would have revealed it.
Pedro.Thou art more to me
Than twice a hundred victories! Yet indeed
I am a conqueror and a King to-day—
Victory abroad, and love at home. Oh see,
Maria, never yet was King so blest.
Maria. Now tell me everything. Tell me, my Lord,
Where is Alonzo Coronel?
Pedro. He is dead.
Maria. What, did he perish in th' assault?
Pedro. Not so;
He fell into our hands and was despatched
Before my eyes.
Maria.Ah, that was not thy doing!
Where Albuquerque is, there the tender foot
Of mercy has no place.
Pedro. Yet by my soul
I almost longed to save him. Never knight,
Though a false traitor, was so proudly brave.
When all was lost, when thro' the breach my men
Stormed in behind my banner, like a flood,
He scorned to lift a hand in vain appeal.
He mad« no prayer for mercy; he was found
Bowing his haughty head before the Mass,
And asked no favour save a speedy death.
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