Act II

Scene I. — A room in the Citadel.

Rainier, Aymer, Knights, assembled in council.

A Knight. What! with our weary and distracted bands

To dare another field! Nay, give them rest.

Rai. (impatiently.) Rest! and that sleepless thought——

Knight. These walls have strength

To baffle siege. Let the foe gird us in—

We must wait aid; our soldiers must forget

That last disastrous day.

Rai. (coming forward.) If they forget it, in the combat’s press

May their spears fail them!

Knight. Yet, bethink thee, chief.

Rai. When I forget it——how! you see not, knights!

Whence we must now draw strength. Send down your thoughts

Into the very depths of grief and shame,

And bring back courage thence! To talk of rest!

How do they rest, unburied on their field,

Our brethren slain by Gaza? Had we time

To give them funeral rites? and ask we now

Time to forget their fall? My father died—

I cannot speak of him! What! and forget

The infidel’s fierce trampling o’er our dead?

Forget his scornful shout? Give battle now,

While the thought lives as fire lives!—there lies strength!

Hold the dark memory fast! Now, now—this hour!

—Aymer, you do not speak!

Aym. (starting.) Have I not said?

Battle!—yes, give us battle!—room to pour

The troubled spirit forth upon the winds,

With the trumpet’s ringing blast! Way for remorse!

Free way for vengeance!

All the Knights. Arm! Heaven wills it so!

Rai. Gather your forces to the western gate!

Let none forget that day! Our field was lost,

Our city’s strength laid low—one mighty heart

Broken! Let none forget it!

[Exeunt.