In the moment of passion, I led them from rebellion against our common king to victory against our common foe.
That duty done, I come unscathed from the sword of the Christian to bare my neck to the bowstring of my friend.

Alone, untracked, unsuspected, I have entered thy palace to prove to the sovereign of Granada, that the defendant of his throne is not a rebel to his will.

Now summon the guards--I have done." "Muza!" said Boabdil, in a softened voice, while he shaded his face with his hand, "we played together as children, and I have loved thee well: my kingdom even now, perchance, is passing from me, but I could almost be reconciled to that loss, if I thought thy loyalty had not left me." "Dost thou, in truth, suspect the faith of Muza Ben Abil Gazan ?" said the Moorish prince, in a tone of surprise and sorrow.

"Unhappy king! I deemed that my services, and not my defection, made my crime." "Why do my people hate me?
why do my armies menace ?" said Boabdil, evasively; "why should a subject possess that allegiance which a king cannot obtain ?" "Because," replied Muza, boldly, "the king has delegated to a subject the command he should himself assume.

Oh, Boabdil!" he continued, passionately--"friend of my boyhood, ere the evil days came upon us,--gladly would I sink to rest beneath the dark waves of yonder river, if thy arm and brain would fill up my place amongst the warriors of Granada.