flict this trial upon me, to know thy slave. I bend subservient to thy will I embrace thy pleasure-Zulema loves, and is beloved by Ali Sheing-Alla, crown their loves with a diadem immortal.' "Murmurs of applause ran through the whole divan-Bensadi placed his daughter's hand in mine-and Zantma dropped a tear of illumined joy upon his breast a tear of piety and gratitude. "The nuptial rites were soon performed: the Soldan was present and assisted at the rites: the whole country spoke of his unparalleled generosity, and our marriage-day was a day of joy to the inhabitants of Bedamoora, for the Soldan extended his munificence to the most humble and lowly of his people. All was mirth and festivity. What heart but rejoiced? Oh, What raptures were mine! "Not long did the sun of our joy shine in an unclouded sky. "The Christians, with an increase of force from all the nations of Europe, came against us, firing towns and vil lages in their progress, and putting every living thing to the sword. Inhuman wretches! ye came to our shores to enlighten-was it rather to destroy-to satisfy your accursed thirst for blood? "All Asia was in arms to repel their force. I followed to the war; and Zulema, with warlike ardour, determined to accompany me. Alas! what perils did she sustain for me-how endure the moist and burning heat-traversing vast and trackless deserts for me! Alla gave her fortitude for the undertaking, and she overcame all the terrors, all the inconveniences and difficulties attending such a march, that she might be by my side. "We now arrived at Gudingooma, where the Christians were encamped; and instantly prepared to give them battle. "A new-created vigour animated my bosom, added to the martial fire that before had nerved me in the fight for a beloved wife. I fought: and when the action commenced, and the air-cleaving arrow whistled across the field, I sighed the name of Zulema, and drawing my sharp-edged sabre, rushed to the conflict: breathing, as I aimed each destructive blow, for Zulema, my country, and my king! Christians gasped beneath my blood-besmeared scymitar-their eyeballs rolled in the agony of death, and still I pursued my mad career, delighting in the havoc that I made, and followed by a band of steady patriots, who bore destruction in their powerful hand. "At length, I was severed from them by a christian troop, which hemmed me in on every side. I now saw certain death before me; and I resolved to fall worthy the son of Zantma, worthy of such a father the father of his people. There was no hope. Fierce and thickly I dealt my blows; but, overpowered by numbers, I sunk upon the ground, bloody, and severely wounded. 66 6 Zulema,' still my trembling lips repeated. And now the pointed sword was reared against my breast. In this moment of life and death, a female's screams were heard her locks hung dishevelled on her shoulders-she burst through the crowd. All powerful Alla! it was Zulema. She flung herself upon my bosom, and exclaimed, Now, barbarians, strike! strike through the hearts of both! O, Ali Sheing, my husband, we will die together.' 6 "Stab the pagan wretches,' cried a soldier, rearing his weapon. Let them not live to breathe their impious prayers. Stab them, I say.' 66 • Who dares to lift an arm against the defenceless?' cried a young knight, interfering. Coward, learn, that he who seeks for triumph, triumphs most in being merciful to a fallen foe. Begone,' he exclaimed, with much energy; and for the future, shew valour in temperance.' "The soldier drew back, abashed: with a murmur they retired, and Zulema flew, wild with joy, into the arms of our deliverer. She embraced him, thung herself at his feet, and bathed them with her tears. The generous Christian raised her from the ground: in the warmth of his heart, united our hands, and immediately hurried away, bidding us instantly quit the fatal field, where the Christian cross waved in the pride of victory, and the crescent, the banner of the faithful yielded. Our troops were put to the route; and it is needless to repeat to you, the successful advances of the Christians, who, in each ensuing engagement, slaughtered our people, and committed great havoc. "At length, they drove us back to Bedamoora, where they still prevailed; and our Soldan perished in the conflict. His death was a grievous blow, that struck deep to the hearts of his subjects. They loved him, and with the firm resolution to die or conquer, determined to revenge his death: a speedy-raised army now opposed the Christians, not so numerous as the former ones, but with the fire of desperation in their bosoms, that threatened to consume empires for its darling gratification. In this action Zantma and Bensadi perished; but the Christians gave way, and at length were defeated. With immense loss, they flew in every direction: Richard the Lion was wounded; and shortly after, they evacuated our shores. "Now then peace, and her thousand blessings, smiled upon us; we poured forth our hearts to the high and mighty Alla, in gratitude, and devoted two moons to prayer and rejoicing. The brother of the late Soldan was proclaimed throughout the empire. Six moons more were now devoted to festive mirth. Oh, what a heart of joy was mine! Zulema loved me-mutual were the endearments we lavished upon each other; and Alla crowned our transports with a lovely boy. Nine moons were wasted since we first tasted of connubial bliss, and Zulema gave to my arms a boy, fresh as the morn, lovely in complexion, like the golden sun. "But to be less prolix in my narration, which I shall now hastily draw to a conclusion; I shall but inform you, that Zulema and myself awoke to a new felicity. "At this time, the Soldan declared it his pleasure, that the christian prisoners, taken in the newly-closed war, should make a forfeit of their lives. I pitied the fate of the poor misguided wretches. Zulema wept when the dreadful news reached her ear, but it was not in our power to award the impending flow; and then, again, did they not come into our shores to subjugate and oppress? "The day was appointed, which soon arrived, and hundreds of wretched Christians manacled, were led forth to perish in consuming flames. They passed beneath the window of our dwelling: agony was in their countenances; their hands were crossed upon their breasts. They passed us with slow and disordered step, with the broad scimitar of our countrymen opposed to their necks. Many there were that preferred that death to the one prepared for them, and rushed upon the cruel weapon raised against their lives. Zulema, almost fainting, hung upon my bosom; and one brought up the rear of the solemn procession, who smiled on death, but it was no smile of insensibility-he did not go vaunting to his fate. There was in the midst of all, a majesty and solemnity in his demeanour, a noble spirit in his countenance, which defied all torture. Gracious Heaven! I looked upon him. Zulema burst from my arm, and we both involuntarily exclaimed, "All powerful Alla, our deliverer!' "For, a time I was paralized: the pulsation of my heart was thick: recollection flashed across my brain. I could not see my preserver perish, and I flew to save him. The Soldan heard my prayers, and the prisoner was remanded back to prison. This prisoner was no other than Lord Adelfred, the preserver of my life-your lord, and the rightful Baron of Llanbedder. Gracious Alla, thou didst give me the pow er to save HIM, who, in my distress, saved me. Upon my knees I thanked thee for it, thou great adorable: thou heardst me. suade Adelfred to embrace our faithhe was inflexible; and my heart owned his rectitude, fully persuaded, that is the true religion which a man is born in. "In this interval of time, Zulema blessed me with four children: lovely in innocence; the first that could lisp I taught to bless the name of Adelfred. And now an opportunity presented itself for us to favour his escape; but, ah! how could we part? Five years' intercourse had so closely wound him round our hearts, that to separate would be to deprive us of one of our strongest holds to life. To me, Adelfred was a second Zulema; to Zulema, a second Ali Sheing. "A few days after this event, Zulema and myself, with the Soldan's permission, visited Lord Adelfred in his confinement: he recognised us with brim-full heart-he flew towards me, while mine overflowed with tears.Zulema held him in her arms. Painful was this interview. Our hearts were variously overwhelmed, tears of mingled joy and anguish, flowed at the same instant down our cheeks, engendered by the same emotions of love and gratitude: needless would it be to recount the many stratagems I formed for his emancipation. I sought the Soldan, but "Wonder not, that we who differed he turned a deaf ear to my entreaties. so widely in our faith, could be in friend"The life of the abandoned Chris-ship so firm: our hearts were good, and tian I have spared,' he cried, at your solicitation: he lives! but never shall he taste of liberty until he embraces our faith.' 66 6 Impossible!' I cried. Surely you cannot so determine. Oh! mighty Soldan, give this Christian liberty:shew how merciful you are inclined to be, and teach the frigid nations of Europe, by your example, honour, generosity, and nobleness of conduct. Oh! most wise Soldan, set your prisoner at large; free to depart, to tell his pallid countrymen how widely differ the sons of Asia, from the cold-blooded children of the north to tell them that Alla will protect our faith-that the monarch whom we love, mild in his justice, resigns the power to destroy, for the nobler means of conquering by mercy.' 66 : I have declared my will,' he cried; dare not to dispute it.' "Again I urged, but in vain. Zulema sought the palace: the Soldan saw her-her prayers and entreaties almost subdued his breast: but firm in his determination, he left her; and a second time, she was denied admittance to his presence. Now then, no resource was left-we flew to the dungeon where he was confined, and mingled our tears with his. Five years' intercourse ripened our friendship. Vain was it to per the same sun shone upon us; we loved each other, and religion never made a part of our conversation; we prayed in secret, and the God of either sanctioned our orisons, and blessed us. "Adelfred discovered a small aperture in his cell, which led to some courts in the palace; he had explored them, but it was impossible to escape by their means, they being always locked and guarded. He informed me of this: his wasted form made an impression on my heart; I determined to assist him in his émancipation, and acquainted Zulema with my resolution. Zulema shed tears of regret, but acquiesced, and the night was fixed upon for his departure. I got the keys' of the palace gates from the keeper, who did not fear to trust me with them, and procuring a disguise for Adelfred, at midnight, when stars innumerable laced the heavens, descended to his dungeon. "All was profound silence: we embraced each other, as we thought, for the last time.-Adelfred hurried on his disguise, and we reached the gates unmolested. "Noble and generous Ali,' he cried, grasping my hand: Alla! Alla! it was cold as death; his voice faltered, and he hung upon my shoulder, statue-like, and motionless. In this attitude a sen who presented a Stand,' he cried, tinel discovered us, "Ali Sheing,' I returned; the Soldan's friend-the friend of my country.'-' Pass on,' was returned for answer; and we escaped without discovery. "Adelfred parted with tearful eyes, from Zulema, who was alike overwhemed with grief; and bidding adieu to Bedamoora he retired to a cavern in a rock, which I discovered to him, at two miles distance, waiting the ensuing night to aid his escape to the sea-shore. I pressed him to my heart-Zulema bedewed his cheek with her tears-but we were forced to separate, and he flew from us in an agony of mind almost insupportable. "The next day, the prisoner was discovered to have fled, and instantly suspicion fell on me. Bound in chains, I was dragged to the Soldan's presence. Above dissimulation I scorned to deny facts urged against me. I confessed the whole of my contrivance in the plot, but scorned to betray my friend. I defied torture. I would not give up the place of his concealment; and the Soldan, enraged, gave me liberty on this condition; that if I did not surrender the prisoner the ensuing day, I should lose my head. I left his presence with the firmest determination to act with honour towards my friend; and rather sacrifice my life than him. "Instantly I flew to the cavern where I had directed him, and informed him of the whole. He urged me to fly-to leave my nation, my country, and Zulema. In my despair, I half consented. Again he urged, pictured to me the possibility of meeting Zulema in a christian land-laid down a plan so plausible, that I consented to his views, and hurried with him to the nearest shore, where, instantly getting on board a small boat, we set sail for other lands; the one overjoyed, when morning dawned, to find himself so far out at sea-the other, with aching heart, on beholding his country's shore decrease in size, as the swift vessel mounted over the wave. "We had provided ourselves with provisions were prepared for a long voyage. Adelfred was light and gay; but the more I thought, the more I became dejected. Melancholy now occupied my bosom: I thought on Zulema -on my orphaned children, orphaned by the flight of a fugitive father, until distracted by my feelings, my brain was almost turned, and I was more an inanimate corpse than a being on the earth. "In this situation, we arrived at an European port, where a seafaring man undertook our safe conduct to Britain. We arrived in Wales: you know the rest.” * The infidel ceased. He had often wept during his interesting narrative; and Iserlt hastened to dry his tears. 66 Great, indeed, have been your sufferings, Ali," cried the designing wretch; "sufferings which the warmth of your own heart has led you to." "Oh, could I once more press the fond Zulema to my breast!" “Think on it no more, Ali; she is lost to you for ever," interrupted Iserlt. Then after a pause." But I will not aggravate your misery, by opening your eyes to the treachery of Adelfred." "Treachery!" "Pardon, pardon-I have said too much. Dwell not upon my words; they have been uttered in haste; and-" "Treachery!" repeated Ali. "Answer me but this question," rejoined Iserlt: "Does Adelfred favour you now, as when he was dependant upon your mercy? Seeks he now to repose his griefs in your bosom, as when imprisoned at Bendamoora?— There was he not all love? Does he avoid you now? See you no change : or is he still the same ?" A new light beamed through the brain of Ali. He paused-his eye sparkled with angry fire-then, checking the suspicious thoughts, he cried, "No no, it cannot be: Adelfred is still the same." 66 Say you so? Oh, blessed Ali, blessed in thy ignorance! Live, live, and love! Cherish in thy bosom friend ship for the deceitful Adelfred: friendship to be scorned. But, in thy blindness, thou shalt feel no pang of rejected love thy sensibility shall not be wounded by the keen dagger of favours ill returned." "Adelfred saved my life." "He had no incitement but his own heart-I was prompted by gratitude and affection." "Oh, noble Ali, what a soul hast thou! By Heaven, thy wrongs bear me beyond myself. My veins swell with my boiling blood. Rancour and hate ennerves my arm to vengeance. Thou, Ali, art all truth-Adelfred all deception. He keeps thee, like a slave, in his train-rewards thy virtue with a yoke of bondage. Thou art his friend no longer, but his menial-the slave whom he values, not for services done, but as part of his pomp, his equipage." "Iserlt, thou drivest me mad.—It cannot be it is impossible. Adelfred -yet, arouse thee, Ali Sheing-" Passion choaked his speech-wildly his eye balls glared. 66 Revenge!" cried Iserlt. Insulted honour swelled the chest of Ali Sheing. "Thou god of Asia," he exclaimed, "if Adelfred be true, to my heart I'll clasp him with sincerity-if false, I'll compass the earth for a deep and firm revenge." Iserlt daily worked upon the passions of the poor Moor, who, half-inclined to think the noble Adelfred false, misconstrued every act; and from the rooted sorrow that preyed upon his mind, drew out a conclusion of services at an end, and cold dislike. ed abroad, that Elfrida still lived. Many affirmed that she was confined in one of the dungeons of the castle, by Owain. These reports met the eye of Adelfred, who totally discredited them. The conduct of Owain, spite of the malignant reports that met his ear, appeared to him untainted; and upon this ground Iserlt raised his structure.-The time drew near to accomplish his death: the wavering Moor must be surprised into the act. Iserlt had sounded him to the bottom of his heart; and found, that giving him time to reflect, was only losing what, by his inflated conversation, he had gained. Iserlt dared not prevail upon the Moor to stab Adelfred in the castle, fearful lest his schemes should fail, and the whole mischief be turned upon himself. Ali Sheing was only to be rouzed to commit the act by a sense of his wrongs. Deliberation blunted his dagger's point; and Iserlt determined to draw, by some design, Lord Adelfred to the vaults of the castle, where he might be instantly dispatched without the hopes of rescue, and Owain becoming the judge of the murderer, should doom him to instant death: thus discovery would be frustrated, and he become the rightful Baron of Llanbedder. For this purpose, Iserlt addressed an anonymous letter to Adelfred, which he took care to drop in his path;-and in it he requested him not to place too great a reliance in the virtues of Owain, who had deceived him; and informed him that the report of Elfrida's being alive was not without foundation;that she still lived, and was, by his traitorous cousin, confined in one of the vaults beneath the castle. It concluded by desiring him to be secret-and when the mid-night bell tolled, to descend to the caverns, where he would find a friend ready to conduct him to the arms of her he loved. Great was the soul of Ali Sheing; he scorned an explanation with him whom he thought his foe. Often would his rolling eye-balls declare his anger in the presence of the dejected Adelfred. And now the designing Iserlt prepared At first, Adelfred could not believe for the final blow. Owain constantly what his eyes beheld. Again he read corresponded with him from the monk- it-a third-a fourth time. "Can it ish convent, whither he had taken be possible!" he exclaimed. "No! sanctuary, and gained every intelligence no! it is a treacherous artifice of some necessary to his views. It was rumour-designing villain, disgraced by my cou |