OSMA. Nor need they--for he meets them as I speak.
RAM. With all his forces? or our cause is lost.
Julian and Sisabert surround the walls.
OSMA. Surround, sayst thou? enter they not the gates?
RAM. Perhaps ere now they enter.
OSMA. Sisabert
Brings him our prisoner.
RAM. They are friends! they held
A parley; and the soldiers, when they saw
Count Julian, lowered their arms and hailed him king?
OSMA. How? and he leads them in the name of king?
RAM. He leads them; but amid that acclamation
He turned away his head, and called for vengeance.
OSMA. In Sisabert, and in the cavalry
He led, were all our hopes.
OPAS. Woe, woe is theirs
Who have no other.
OSMA. What are thine? obey
The just commands of our offended king:
Conduct him to the tower--off--instantly.
[Guard hesitates: OPAS goes.
Ramiro, let us haste to reinforce -
RAM. Hark! is the king defeated? hark!
OSMA. I hear
Such acclamation as from victory
Arises not, but rather from revolt,
Reiterated, interrupted, lost.
Favour like this his genius will retrieve
By time, or promises, or chastisement,
Whiche'er line choose--the speediest is the best -
His danger and his glory let us share;
'Tis ours to serve him.
RAM. While he rules 'tis ours.
What chariot-wheels are thundering o'er the bridge?
OSMA. Roderigo's--I well know them.
RAM. Now, the burst
Of acclamation! now! again, again.
OSMA. I know the voices; they are for Roderigo.
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