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. "Sayavedra, que lo oyera, "Como un leon rebolbia." XVII. ALCANZOR AND ZAYDA, A MOORISH TALE, IMITATED FROM THE SPANISH. HE 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 66 Passeando se anda," &c. OFTLY blow the evening breezes, In yon palace lives fair Zaida, 5 Loveliest she of Moorish ladies; He a young and noble Moor. Waiting for the appointed minute, Hope and fear alternate teize him, Lovely seems the moon's fair lustre But a thousand times more lovely Tip-toe stands the anxious lover, 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 ? * Alla is the Mahometan name of God. 10 75 20 25 30 35 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, Our fond friendship is discover'd, Storms of passion shake the house. Threats, reproaches, fears surround me; Ancient wounds of hostile fury Long have rent our house and thine; Why then did thy shining merit Well thou know'st how dear I lov'd thee Tho' I fear'd my haughty father Spite of all their hateful pride, Ne'er would let me be thy bride. Well thou know'st what cruel chidings 65 Oft I've from my mother borne; What I've suffered here to meet thee I no longer may resist them; This weak frame I must resign. Yet think not thy faithful Zaida Can survive so great a wrong; Well my breaking heart assures me That my woes will not be long. Farewell then, my dear Alcanzor! When thou wear'st it think on me. Soon, lov'd youth, some worthier maiden Sometimes tell her how thy Zaida -To him all amaz'd, confounded, Canst thou think I thus will lose thee? 70 75 80 85 90 Canst thou, wilt thou yield thus to them? O break forth, and fly to me! This fond heart shall bleed to save thee, These fond arms shall shelter thee. 95 |