Benz. No, Ozmyn, no; it is a much less ill Your father's greater right does mine remove: Ozm. Nothing but death my vows can give me back: They are not yours to give, nor mine to take. your vows resign, My love or virtue could dispense with mine. I would extinguish your unlucky fire, To make you happy in some new desire: I can preserve enough for me and you, And love, and be unfortunate, for two. Ozm. In all that's good and great You vanquish me so fast, that in the end I shall have nothing left me to defend. From every post you force me to remove; But let me keep my last entrenchment, love. Benz. Love then, my Ozmyn; I will be content [Giving her hand. To make you wretched by your own consent: Live poor, despised, and banished for my sake, And all the burden of my sorrows take; For, as for me, in whatsoe'er estate, While I have you, I must be fortunate. Ozm. Thus then, secured of what we hold most dear, (Each other's love) we'll go-I know not where. For where, alas, should we our flight begin? The foe's without; our parents are within. Benz. I'll fly to you, and you shall fly to me; Our flight but to each other's arms shall be. To providence and chance permit the rest; Let us but love enough, and we are blest. [Exeunt. VOL. IV. SCENE II. Enter BOABDELIN, ABENAMAR, ABDELMELECH, Guards: ZULEMA and HAMET, Prisoners. Abdelm. They are Lyndaraxa's brothers; for her sake, Their lives and pardon my request I make. Boab. Then, Zulema and Hamet, live; but know, Your lives to Abdelmelech's suit you owe. Zul. The grace received so much my hope exceeds, That words come weak and short to answer deeds. You've made a venture, sir, and time must shew, If this great mercy you did well bestow. Boab. You, Abdelmelech, haste before 'tis night, And close pursue my brother in his flight. [Exeunt ABDELMELECH, ZULEMA, and HAMET. Enter ALMANZOR, ALMAHIDE, and ESPERANZA. But see, with Almahide The brave Almanzor comes, whose conquering sword The crown, it once took from me, has restored. How can I recompence so great desert! Almanz. I bring you, sir, performed in every part, My promise made; your foes are fled or slain ; Yet though, in justice, this enough may be, I beg to go, Where my own courage and your fortune calls, To chase these misbelievers from our walls. I cannot breathe within this narrow space; Fate listens to your voice, and then decrees. Now I no longer fear the Spanish powers; ; from my The captive head of conquered Ferdinand. I must be left ungrateful in the end : Before my debts above all reckoning grow, To keep me from the shame of what I owe. Are conscious to yourself of such desert, That of your gift I fear to offer part. Almanz. When I shall have declared my high request, So much presumption there will be confest, Boab. Give wing to your desires, and let 'em fly, Almanz. Emboldened by the promise of a prince, [Putting one knee to the ground. I ask this lady now with confidence. Boab. You ask the only thing I cannot grant. [The King and ABENAMAR look amazedly on each other. But, as a stranger, you are ignorant Of what by public fame my subjects know; Aben. And my daughter too. Almanz. Believe, old man, that I her father knew: What else should make Almanzor kneel to you?Nor doubt, sir, but your right to her was known: For had you had no claim but love alone, I could produce a better of my own. Almah. [softly to him.] Almanzor, you forget my last request: Your words have too much haughtiness expressed. Forgive me; for I had not learned to sue [To the King. [First line kneeling: second, rising, and boldly. Though, without boasting, I deserve her best; For you her love with gaudy titles sought, But I her heart with blood and dangers bought. Boab. The blood, which you have shed in her defence, Shall have in time a fitting recompence: Name but your price, and you shall soon be paid. Almanz. My price!-why, king, you do not think you deal With one who sets his services to salę? And know, I think myself above reward. Boab. Then sure you are some godhead; and our care Must be to come with incense and with prayer. Almanz. As little as you think yourself obliged, You would be glad to do't, when next besieged. But I am pleased there should be nothing due; For what I did was for myself, not you. Boab. You with contempt on meaner gifts look down; And, aiming at my queen, disdain my crown. Thou sworst by Alha, and hast broke thy oath. Boab. My patience more than pays thy service past; But now this insolence shall be thy last. Stay thou with all thy subjects here; but know, [Takes ALMAHIDE's hand. Boab. Fall on; take; kill the traitor. [The Guards fall on him; he makes at the King through the midst of them, and falls upon him; they disarm him, and rescue the King. Almanz. -Base and poor, |