Near him fighting great Alonzo

Stout resists the Paynim bands;
From his slaughter'd steed dismounted

50

Firm intrench'd behind him stands.

Furious press the hostile squadron,

Furious he repels their rage:
Loss of blood at length enfeebles:

Who can war with thousands wage!

Where yon rock the plain o'ershadows,
Close beneath its foot retir'd,

Fainting sunk the bleeding hero,
And without a groan expir'd.

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. 57, is taken from the other Spanish copy, the rhymes of which end in IA, viz.

1

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
'Passeando se anda, &c.'

SOFTLY blow the evening breezes,
Softly fall the dews of night;
Yonder walks the Moor Alcanzor,
Shunning every glare of light.

In yon palace lives fair Zaida,

Whom he loves with flame so pure:
Loveliest she of Moorish ladies;
He a young and noble Moor.

Waiting for the appointed minute,

Oft he paces to and fro;

Stopping now, now moving forwards,

Sometimes quick, and sometimes slow.

3

10

Hope and fear alternate teize him,

Oft he sighs with heart-felt care-
See, fond youth, to yonder window
Softly steps the timorous fair.

Lovely seems the moon's fair lustre
To the lost benighted swain,

When all silvery bright she rises,

Gilding mountain, grove, and plain.

Lovely seems the sun's full glory

To the fainting seaman's eyes,
When some horrid storm dispersing

O'er the wave his radiance flies.

15

20

But a thousand times more lovely

To her longing lover's sight
Steals half seen the beauteous maiden
Thro' the glimmerings of the night.

Tip-toe stands the anxious lover,
Whispering forth a gentle sigh:

Alla keep thee, lovely lady;

Tell me, am I doom'd to die?

Is it true the dreadful story,

Which thy damsel tells my page,

That seduc'd by sordid riches

Thou wilt sell thy bloom to age?

VOL. I.

*Alla is the Mahometan name of God.

61

25

30

35

45

An old lord from Antiquera
Thy stern father brings along;
But canst thou, inconstant Zaida,
Thus consent my love to wrong?

If 'tis true now plainly tell me,

Nor thus trifle with my woes ;

Hide not then from me the secret,

Which the world so clearly knows.

Deeply sigh'd the conscious maiden,
While the pearly tears descend:
Ah! my lord, too true the story;
Here our tender loves must end.

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.

Threats, reproaches, fears surround me;
My stern father breaks my heart:
Alla knows how dear it costs me,
Generous youth, from thee to part.

Ancient wounds of hostile fury

Long have rent our house and thine; Why then did thy shining merit

Win this tender heart of mine ?

40

Well thou know'st how dear I lov'd thee

Spite of all their hateful pride,

Tho' I fear'd my haughty father
Ne'er would let me be thy bride.

Well thou know'st what cruel chidings
Oft I've from my mother borne ;

65

Can survive so great a wrong; Well my breaking heart assures me That my woes will not be long.

75

Farewell then, my dear Alcanzor!

Farewell too my life with thee!

Take this scarf a parting token;

When thou wear'st it think on me.

80

Soon, lov'd youth, some worthier maiden

Shall reward thy generous truth; Sometimes tell her how thy Zaida Died for thee in prime of youth.