Alroy

B >> Benjamin Disraeli >> Alroy

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The Caliph returned.

'Thy pardon, brave Scherirah; in these moments my friends will pardon
lapse of courtesy.'

'Your Highness is too considerate.'

'You see, Scherirah, how the wind blows, brave heart. There's much to
do, no doubt. I am in sad want of some right trusty friend, on whose
devoted bosom I can pillow all my necessities. I was thinking of sending
you against this Arslan, but perhaps 'tis better that I should go
myself. These are moments one should not seem to shrink, and yet we know
not how affairs may run; no, we know not. The capital, the surrounding
province: one disaster and these false Moslemin may rise against us. I
should stay here, but if I leave Scherirah, I leave myself. I feel that
deeply; 'tis a consolation. It may be that I must fall back upon the
city. Be prepared, Scherirah. Let me fall back upon supporting friends.
You have a great trust. Oh! use it wisely! Worthily I am sure you must
do.'

'Your Highness may rest assured I have no other thought but for your
weal and glory. Doubt not my devotion, Sire. I am not one of those
mealy-mouthed youths, full of their own deeds and lip-worship, Sire, but
I have a life devoted to your service, and ready at all times to peril
all things.'

'I know that, Scherirah, I know it; I feel it deeply. What think you of
these movements?'

'They are not ill combined, and yet I doubt not your Majesty will prove
your fortunes most triumphant.'

'Think you the soldiery are in good cue?' 'I'll answer for my own.
They are rough fellows, like myself, a little too blunt, perhaps, your
Highness. We are not holiday guards, but we know our duty, and we will
do it.'

'That's well, that's all I want. I shall review the troops before I
go. Let a donative be distributed among them; and, 'by-the-bye, I have
always forgotten it, your legion should be called the Legion of Syria.
We owe our fairest province to their arms.'

'I shall convey to them your Highness' wish. Were it possible, 'twould
add to their devotion.'

'I do not wish it. They are my very children. Sup at the Serail
to-night, Scherirah. We shall be very private. Yet let us drink together
ere we part. We are old friends, you know. Hast not forgotten our ruined
city?'

Alroy entered the apartment of Schirene. 'My soul! thou knowest all?'

She sprang forward and threw her arms around his neck.

'Fear not, my life, we'll not disgrace our Queen. 'Twill be quick work.
Two-thirds of them have been beaten before, and for the new champion,
our laurels must not fade, and his blood shall nourish fresh ones.'

'Dearest, dearest Alroy, go not thyself, I pray thee. May not Asriel
conquer?'

'I hope so, in my company. For a time we part, a short one. 'Tis our
first parting: may it be our last!'

'Oh! no, no, no: oh! say not we must part.'

'The troops are under arms; to-morrow's dawn will hear my trumpet.'

'I will not quit thee, no! I will not quit thee. What business
has Schirene without Alroy? Hast thou not often told me I am thy
inspiration? In the hour of danger shall I be wanting? Never! I will not
quit thee; no, I will not quit thee.'

'Thou art ever present in my thoughts, my soul. In the battle I shall
think of her for whom alone I conquer.'

'Nay, nay, I'll go, indeed I must, Alroy. I'll be no hindrance, trust
me, sweet boy, I will not. I'll have no train, no, not a single maid.
Credit me, I know how a true soldier's wife should bear herself. I'll
watch thee sleeping, and I'll tend thee wounded, and when thou goest
forth to combat I'll gird thy sabre round thy martial side, and whisper
triumph with victorious kisses.'

'My own Schirene, there's victory in thine eyes. We'll beat them, girl.'

'Abidan, doubly false Abidan! would he were doubly hanged! Ere she
died, the fatal prophetess foretold this time, and gloated on his future
treachery.'

'Think not of him.'

'And the Karasmian; think you he is very strong?' 'Enough, love, for our
glory. He is a potent warrior: I trust that Abner will not rob us of our
intended victory.'

'So you triumph, I care not by whose sword. Dost go indeed to-morrow?'

'At break of dawn. I pray thee stay, my sweet!' 'Never! I will not quit
thee. I am quite prepared. At break of dawn? 'Tis near on midnight now.
I'll lay me down upon this couch awhile, and travel in my litter. Art
sure Alp Arslan is himself in the field?'

'Quite sure, my sweet.'

'Confusion on his crown! We'll conquer. Goes Asriel with us?' 'Ay!'

'That's well; at break of dawn. I'm somewhat drowsy. Methinks I'll sleep
awhile.'

'Do, my best heart; I'll to my cabinet, and at break of dawn I'll wake
thee with a kiss.'

The Caliph repaired to his cabinet, where his secretaries were occupied
in writing. As he paced the chamber, he dictated to them the necessary
instructions.

'Who is the officer on guard?'

'Benaiah, Sire.'

'I remember him. He saved me a broken skull upon the Tigris. This is for
him. The Queen accompanies us. She is his charge. These papers for the
Vizir. Let the troops be under arms by daybreak. This order of the
day for the Lord Asriel. Send this instantly to Hamadan. Is the Tatar
despatched to Medad? 'Tis well. You have done your duty. Now to rest.
Pharez?'

'My lord.'

'I shall not sleep to-night. Give me my drink. Go rest, good boy. I have
no wants. Good night.'

'Good night, my gracious lord!'

'Let me ponder! I am alone. I am calm, and yet my spirit is not quick.
I am not what I was. Four-and-twenty hours ago who would have dreamed of
this? All at stake again! Once more in the field, and struggling at once
for empire and existence! I do lack the mighty spirit of my former days.
I am not what I was. I have little faith. All about me seems changed,
and dull, and grown mechanical. Where are those flashing eyes and
conquering visages that clustered round me on the battle eve, round me,
the Lord's anointed? I see none such. They are changed, as I am. Why!
this Abidan was a host, and now he fights against me. She spoke of the
prophetess; I remember that woman was the stirring trumpet of our ranks,
and now where is she? The victim of my justice! And where is he, the
mightier far, the friend, the counsellor, the constant guide, the master
of my boyhood; the firm, the fond, the faithful guardian of all my
bright career; whose days and nights were one unbroken study to make me
glorious? Alas! I feel more like a doomed and desperate renegade than
a young hero on the eve of battle, flushed with the memory of unbroken
triumphs!

'Hah! what awful form art thou that risest from the dusky earth before
me? Thou shouldst be one I dare not name, yet will: the likeness of
Jabaster. Away! why frownest thou upon me? I did not slay thee. Do I
live, or dream, or what? I see him, ay! I see thee. I fear thee not, I
fear nothing. I am Alroy.

'Speak, oh speak! I do conjure thee, mighty spectre, speak. By all the
memory of the past, although 'tis madness, I do conjure thee, let me
hear again the accents of my boyhood.'

'_Alroy, Alroy, Alroy_!'

'I listen, as to the last trump.'

'_Meet me on the plain of Nehauend._'

''Tis gone! As it spoke it vanished. It was Jabaster! God of my fathers,
it was Jabaster! Life is growing too wild. My courage is broken! I
could lie down and die. It was Jabaster! The voice sounds in my ear like
distant thunder: "_Meet me on the plain of Nehauend_." I'll not fail
thee, noble ghost, although I meet my doom. Jabaster! Have I seen
Jabaster! Indeed! indeed! Methinks I'm mad. Hah! What's that?'

An awful clap of thunder broke over the palace, followed by a strange
clashing sound that seemed to come from one of the chambers. The walls
of the Serail rocked.

'An earthquake!' exclaimed Alroy. 'Would that the earth would open and
swallow all! Hah! Pharez, has it roused thee, too? Pharez, we live in
strange times.'

'Your Highness is very pale.'

'And so art thou, lad! Wouldst have me merry? Pale! we may well be pale,
didst thou know all. Hah! that awful sound again! I cannot bear it,
Pharez, I cannot bear it. I have borne many things, but this I cannot.'

'My lord, 'tis in the Armoury.'

'Run, see. No, I'll not be alone. Where's Benaiah? Let him go. Stay with
me, Pharez, stay with me. I pray thee stay, my child.'

Pharez led the Caliph to a couch, on which Alroy lay pale and trembling.
In a few minutes he inquired whether Benaiah had returned.

'Even now he comes, Sire.'

'Well, how is it?'

'Sire! a most awful incident. As the thunder broke over the palace, the
sacred standard fell from its resting-place, and has shivered into a
thousand pieces. Strange to say, the sceptre of Solomon can neither be
found nor traced.'

'Say nothing of the past, as ye love me, lads. Let none enter the
Armoury. Leave me, Benaiah, leave me, Pharez.'

They retired. Alroy watched their departure with a glance of
inexpressible anguish. The moment that they had disappeared, he flew to
the couch, and throwing himself upon his knees, and, covering his face
with his hands, burst into passionate tears, and exclaimed, 'O! my God,
I have deserted thee, and now thou hast deserted me!'

Sleep crept over the senses of the exhausted and desperate Caliph. He
threw himself upon the divan, and was soon buried in profound repose. He
might have slept an hour; he awoke suddenly. From the cabinet in which
he slept, you entered a vast hall, through a lofty and spacious
arch, generally covered with drapery, which was now withdrawn. To the
astonishment of Alroy, this presence-chamber appeared at this moment
to blaze with light. He rose from his couch, he advanced; he perceived,
with feelings of curiosity and fear, that the hall was filled with
beings, terrible indeed to behold, but to his sight more terrible than
strange. In the colossal and mysterious forms that lined the walls
of the mighty chamber, and each of which held in its extended arm a
streaming torch, he recognised the awful Afrites. At the end of the
hall, upon a sumptuous throne, surrounded by priests and courtiers,
there was seated a monarch, on whom Alroy had before gazed, Solomon the
Great! Alroy beheld him in state and semblance the same Solomon, whose
sceptre the Prince of the Captivity had seized in the royal tombs of
Judah.

The strange assembly seemed perfectly unconscious of the presence of the
child of Earth, who, with a desperate courage, leant against a column of
the arch, and watched, with wonder, their mute and motionless society.
Nothing was said, nothing done. No one moved, no one, even by gesture,
seemed sensible of the presence of any other apparition save himself.

Suddenly there advanced from the bottom of the hall, near unto Alroy,
a procession. Pages and dancing girls, with eyes of fire and voluptuous
gestures, warriors with mighty arms, and venerable forms with ample
robes and flowing beards. And, as they passed, even with all the
activity of their gestures, they made no sound; neither did the
musicians, whereof there was a great band playing upon harps and
psalteries, and timbrels and cornets, break, in the slightest degree,
the almighty silence.

This great crowd poured on in beautiful order, the procession never
terminating, yet passing thrice round the hall, bowing to him that was
upon the throne, and ranging themselves in ranks before the Afrites.

And there came in twelve forms, bearing a great seal: the stone green,
and the engraven characters of living flame, and the characters were
those on the talisman of Jabaster, which Alroy still wore next to his
heart. And the twelve forms placed the great seal before Solomon, and
humbled themselves, and the King bowed. At the same moment Alroy was
sensible of a pang next to his heart. He instantly put his hand to the
suffering spot, and lo! the talisman crumbled into dust.

The procession ceased; a single form advanced. Recent experience alone
prevented Alroy from sinking before the spectre of Jabaster. Such was
the single form. It advanced, bearing the sceptre. It advanced, it knelt
before the throne, it offered the sceptre to the crowned and solemn
vision. And the form of Solomon extended its arm, and took the sceptre,
and instantly the mighty assembly vanished!

Alroy advanced immediately into the chamber, but all was dark and
silent. A trumpet sounded. He recognised the note of his own soldiery.
He groped his way to a curtain, and, pulling it aside, beheld the first
streak of dawn.

Once more upon his charger, once more surrounded by his legions, once
more his senses dazzled and inflamed by the waving banners and the
inspiring trumpets, once more conscious of the power still at his
command, and the mighty stake for which he was about to play, Alroy in a
great degree recovered his usual spirit and self-possession. His energy
returned with his excited pulse, and the vastness of the impending
danger seemed only to stimulate the fertility of his genius.

He pushed on by forced marches towards Media, at the head of fifty
thousand men. At the end of the second day's march, fresh couriers
arrived from Abner, informing him that, unable to resist the valiant
and almost innumerable host of the King of Karasme, he had entirely
evacuated Persia, and had concentrated his forces in Louristan. Alroy,
in consequence of this information, despatched orders to Scherirah, to
join him with his division instantly, and leave the capital to its fate.

They passed again the mountains of Kerrund, and joined Abner and the
army of Media, thirty thousand strong, on the river Abzah. Here Alroy
rested one night, to refresh his men, and on the ensuing morn pushed on
to the Persian frontier, unexpectedly attacked the advanced posts of Alp
Arslan, and beat them back with great loss into the province. But the
force of the King of Karasme was so considerable, that the Caliph did
not venture on a general engagement, and therefore he fell back, and
formed in battle array upon the neighbouring plain of Nehauend, the
theatre of one of his earliest and most brilliant victories, where he
awaited the hourly-expected arrival of Scherirah.

The King of Karasme, who was desirous of bringing affairs to an issue,
and felt confident in his superior force, instantly advanced. In two or
three days at farthest, it was evident that a battle must be fought that
would decide the fate of the East.

On the morn ensuing their arrival at Nehauend, while the Caliph was out
hunting, attended only by a few officers, he was suddenly attacked by
an ambushed band of Karasmians. Alroy and his companions defended
themselves with such desperation that they at length succeeded in
beating off their assailants, although triple their number. The leader
of the Karasmians, as he retreated, hurled a dart at the Caliph, which
must have been fatal, had not a young officer of the guard interposed
his own breast, and received the deadly wound. The party, in confusion,
returned with all speed to the camp, Alroy himself bearing the expiring
victim of desperate loyalty and military enthusiasm.

The bleeding officer was borne to the royal pavilion, and placed upon
the imperial couch. The most skilful leech was summoned; he examined the
wound, but shook his head. The dying warrior was himself sensible of his
desperate condition. His agony could only be alleviated by withdrawing
the javelin, which would occasion his immediate decease. He desired to
be left alone with his Sovereign.

'Sire!' said the officer, 'I must die; and I die without a pang. To die
in your service, I have ever considered the most glorious end. Destiny
has awarded it to me;, and if I have not met my fate upon the field
of battle, it is some consolation that my death has preserved the most
valuable of lives. Sire! I have a sister.'

'Waste not thy strength, dear friend, in naming her. Rest assured I
shall ever deem thy relatives my own.'

'I doubt it not. Would I had a thousand lives for such a master! I have
a burden on my conscience, Sire, nor can I die in peace unless I speak
of it.'

'Speak, speak freely. If thou hast injured any one, and the power or
wealth of Alroy can redeem thy oppressed spirit, he will not spare, he
will not spare, be assured of that.'

'Noble, noble master, I must be brief; for, although, while this javelin
rests within my body, I yet may live, the agony is great. Sire, the deed
of which I speak doth concern thee.'

'Ay!'

'I was on guard the day Jabaster died.'

'Powers of heaven! I am all ear. Speak on, speak on!'

'He died self-strangled, so they say?'

'So they ever told me.'

'Thou art innocent, thou art innocent! I thank my God, my King is
innocent!'

'Rest assured of that, as there is hope in Israel. Tell me all.'

'The Queen came with the signet ring. To such authority I yielded way.
She entered, and after her, the Lord Honain. I heard high words! I heard
Jabaster's voice. He struggled, yes! he struggled; but his mighty form,
wounded and fettered, could not long resist. Foul play, foul play, Sire!
What could I do against such adversaries? They left the chamber with
a stealthy step. Her eyes met mine. I never could forget that fell and
glittering visage.'

'Thou ne'er hast spoken of this awful end?'

'To none but thee. And why I speak it now I cannot tell, save that it
seems some inspiration urges me; and methinks they who did this may do
even feller works, if such there be.'

'Thou hast robbed me of all peace and hope of peace; and yet I thank
thee. Now I know the worth of life. I have never loved to think of that
sad day; and yet, though I have sometimes dreamed of villainous work,
the worst were innocence to thy dread tale.'

'Tis told; and now I pray thee secure thy secret, by drawing from my
agonised frame this javelin.'

'Trusty heart, 'tis a sad office.'

'I die with joy if thou performest it.'

''Tis done.'

'God save Alroy.'

While Alroy, plunged in thought, stood over the body of the officer,
there arose a flourish of triumphant music, and a eunuch, entering
the pavilion, announced the arrival of Schirene from Kerrund. Almost
immediately afterwards, the Princess descending from her litter, entered
the tent; Alroy tore off his robe, and threw it over the corpse.

'My own,' exclaimed the Princess, as she ran up to the Caliph. 'I have
heard all. Be not alarmed for me. I dare look upon a corpse. You know I
am a soldier's bride. I am used to blood.'

'Alas!'

'Why so pale? Thou dost not kiss me! Has this unhinged thee so? 'Tis a
sad deed; and yet tomorrow's dawn may light up thousands to as grim a
fate. Why? thou tremblest! Alas! kind soul! The single death of this
fond, faithful heart hath quite upset my love. Yet art thou used to
battle. Why! this is foolishness. Art not glad to see me? What, not one
smile! And I have come to fight for thee! I will be kissed!'

She flung herself upon his neck. Alroy faintly returned her embrace, and
bore her to a couch. He clapped his hands, and two soldiers entered and
bore away the corpse.

'The pavilion, Schirene, is now fitter for thy presence. Rest thyself; I
shall soon return.' Thus speaking, he quitted her.

He quitted her; but her humbled look of sorrowful mortification pierced
to his heart. He thought of all her love and all her loveliness, he
called to mind all the marvellous story of their united fortunes. He
felt that for her and her alone he cared to live, that without her quick
sympathy, even success seemed unendurable. His judgment fluctuated in
an eddy of passion and reason. Passion conquered. He dismissed from his
intelligence all cognizance of good and evil; he determined, under all
circumstances, to cling ever to her; he tore from his mind all memory
of the late disclosure. He returned to the pavilion with a countenance
beaming with affection; he found her weeping, he folded her in his arms,
he kissed her with a thousand kisses, and whispered between each kiss
his ardent love.

'Twas midnight. Schirene reposed in the arms of Alroy. The Caliph, who
was restless and anxious for the arrival of Scherirah, was scarcely
slumbering when the sound of a voice thoroughly aroused him. He looked
around; he beheld the spectre of Jabaster. His hair stood on end, his
limbs seemed to loosen, a cold dew crept over his frame, as he gazed
upon the awful form within a yard of his couch. Unconsciously he
disembarrassed his arms of their fair burden, and, rising on the couch,
leant forward.

'_Alroy, Alroy, Alroy_!'

'I am here.'

'_To-morrow Israel is avenged!_'

'Who is that?' exclaimed the Princess, wakening.

In a frenzy of fear, Alroy, quite forgetting the spectre, turned
and pressed his hand over her eyes. When he again looked round the
apparition was invisible.

'What wouldst thou, Alroy?'

'Nothing, sweet! A soldier's wife must bear strange sights, yet I would
save you some. One of my men, forgetful you were here, burst into my
tent in such a guise as scarce would suit a female eye. I must away, my
child. I'll call thy slaves. One kiss! Farewell! but for a time.'

'"To-morrow Israel will be avenged." What! in Karasmian blood? I have
no faith. No matter. All is now beyond my influence. A rushing destiny
carries me onward. I cannot stem the course, nor guide the vessel. How
now! Who is the officer on guard?'

'Benomi, Sire, thy servant.'

'Send to the Viceroy. Bid him meet me here. Who is this?'

'A courier from the Lord Scherirah, Sire, but just arrived. He passed
last night the Kerrund mountains, Sire, and will be with you by the
break of day.'

'Good news. Go fetch Abner. Haste! He'll find me here anon. I'll visit
the camp awhile. Well, my brave fellows, you have hither come to conquer
again with Alroy. You have fought before, I warrant, on the plain of
Nehauend. 'Tis a rich soil, and shall be richer with Karasmian gore.'

'God save your Majesty! Our lives are thine.'

'Please you, my little ruler,' said a single soldier, addressing Alroy;
'pardon my bluntness, but I knew you before you were a Caliph.'

'Stout heart, I like thy freedom. Pr'ythee say on.'

'I was a-saying, I hope you will lead us in the charge to-morrow. Some
say you will not.'

'They say falsely.'

'I thought so. I'll ever answer for my little ruler, but then the
Queen?'

'Is a true soldier's wife, and lives in the camp.'

'That's brave! There, I told you so, comrades; you would not believe
me, but I knew our little ruler before you did. I lived near the gate at
Hamadan, please your Highness: old Shelomi's son.'

'Give me thy hand; a real friend. What is't ye eat here, boys? Let me
taste your mess. I'faith I would my cook could dress me such a pilau!
Tis admirable!'

The soldiers gathered round their chieftain with eyes beaming with
adoration. 'Twas a fine picture, the hero in the centre, the various
groups around, some conversing with him, some cooking, some making
coffee, all offering him by word or deed some testimonial of their
devotion, and blending with that devotion the most perfect frankness.

'We shall beat them, lads!'

'There is no fear with you, you always conquer.'

'I do my best, and so do you. A good general without good troops is
little worth.'

'I'faith that's true. One must have good troops. What think you of Alp
Arslan?'

'I think he may give us as much trouble as all our other enemies
together, and that's not much.'

'Brave, brave! God save Alroy!'

Benomi approached, and announced that the Viceroy was in attendance.

'I must quit you, my children,' said Alroy. 'We'll sup once more
together when we have conquered.'

'God save you, Sire; and we will confound your enemies.'

'Good night, my lads. Ere the dawn break we may have hot work.'

'We are ready, we are ready. God save Alroy.'

'They are in good cue, and yet 'twas a different spirit that inspired
our early days. That I strongly feel. These are men true to a leader who
has never failed them, and confident in a cause that leads to plunder.
They are but splendid mercenaries.

No more. Oh! where are now the fighting men of Judah! Where are the men
who, when they drew their scimitars, joined in a conquering psalm of
holy triumph! Last eve of battle you would have thought the field a
mighty synagogue. Priests and altars, flaming sacrifices, and smoking
censers, groups of fiery zealots hanging with frenzy on prophetic lips,
and sealing with their blood and holiest vows a solemn covenant to
conquer Canaan. All is changed, as I am. How now, Abner? You are well
muffled!'

'Is it true Scherirah is at hand?'

'I doubt not all is right. Would that the dawn would break!'

'The enemy is advancing. Some of their columns are in sight. My scouts
have dodged them. They intend doubtless to form upon the plain.'

'They are in sight, eh! Then we will attack them at once ere they
are formed. Rare, rare! We'll beat them yet. Courage, dear brother.
Scherirah will be here at dawn in good time, very good time: very, very
good time.'

'I like the thought'

'The men are in good heart. At break of dawn, charge with thirty
thousand cavalry upon their forming ranks. I'll take the right, Asriel
the left. It shall be a family affair, dear Abner. How is Miriam?'

'I heard this morn, quite well. She sends you her love and prayers. The
Queen is here?'

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