Like a lion turns the warrior, Back the hero full of fury Sent a deep and mortal wound : Mute and lifeless on the ground. With a thousand Moors surrounded, Near him fighting great Alonzo Furious press the hostile squadron, Where yon rock the plain o'ershadows 40 45 50 55 ? 60 ***In the Spanish original of the foregoing ballad, follow a few more stanzas, but being of inferior merit were not translated. "Renegado" properly signifies an apostate; but it is sometimes used to express an infidel in general; as it seems to do above in ver. 21, &c. The image of the "Lion," &c. in ver. 37, is taken from the other Spanish copy, the rhymes of which end in ia, viz. XVII. ALCANZOR AND ZAYDA, A Moorish Tale, IMITATED FROM THE SPANISH. THE foregoing version was rendered as literal as the nature of the two languages would admit. In the following a wider compass hath been taken. The Spanish poem that was chiefly had in view, is preserved in the same history of the Civil wars of Granada, f. 22, and begins with these lines. "Por la calle de su dama SOFTLY blow the evening breezes. In yon palace lives fair Zaida, Waiting for the appointed minute, Stopping now, now moving forwards, Hope and fear alternate teize him, Lovely seems the moon's fair lustre 5 10 15 When all silvery bright she rises, To the fainting seaman's eyes, But a thousand times more lovely To her longing lover's sight Is it true, the dreadful story, Which thy damsel tells my page, Thou wilt sell thy bloom to age? If 'tis true now plainly tell me, Deeply sigh'd the conscious maiden, Our fond friendship is discover'd, Well are known our mutual vows : All my friends are full of fury ;. Storms of passion shake the house. VOL. I. *Alla" is the Mahometan name of God. Ν 20 25 30 35 10 45 50 Threats, reproaches, fears surround me, Long have rent our house and thine; Win this tender heart of mine? Well thou know'st how dear I lov'd thee Tho' I fear'd my haughty father Well thou know'st what cruel chidings Oft I've from my mother borne ; I no longer may resist them; This weak frame I must resign. Yet think not thy faithful Zaida Can survive so great a wrong; Farewell then, my dear Alcanzor! Soon, lov'd youth, some worthier maiden Sometimes tell her how thy Zaida Died for thee in prime of youth.” -To him all amaz'd, confounded, Deep he sigh'd, then cry'd," O Zaida! 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 Canst thou think I thus will lose thee? Canst thou, wilt thou yield thus to them? This fond heart shall bleed to save thee, ""Tis in vain, in vain, Alcanzor, Spies surround me, bars secure : Hark, I hear my father storming! THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK. |