Blush that thou art Almanzor's conqueror.

[ALMAHIDE wrings her hands, then turns and veils her face.

Farewell, my Almahide!

Life of itself will go, now thou art gone,
Like flies in winter, when they lose the sun.

[ABENAMAR whispers the King a little, then
speaks aloud.

Aben. Revenge, and taken so secure a way, Are blessings which heaven sends not every day. Boab. I will at leisure now revenge my wrong; And, traitor, thou shalt feel my vengeance long: Thou shalt not die just at thy own desire, But see my nuptials, and with rage expire.

Almanz. Thou darest not marry her while I'm in sight:

With a bent brow thy priest and thee I'll fright;
And in that scene,
Which all thy hopes and wishes should content,
The thought of me shall make thee impotent.

[He is led off by Guards.
Boab. As some fair tulip, by a storm oppressed,
[To ALMAH.

Shrinks up, and folds its silken arms to rest;
And, bending to the blast, all pale and dead,
Hears, from within, the wind sing round its head,—
So, shrouded up, your beauty disappears :
Unveil, my love, and lay aside your fears.

The storm, that caused your fright, is passed and done.

[ALMAHIDE unveiling, and looking round for ALMANZOR.

Almah. So flowers peep out too soon, and miss

the sun. [Turning from him. Boab. What mystery in this strange behaviour

lies?

Almah. Let me for ever hide these guilty eyes,

Which lighted my Almanzor to his tomb;
Or, let them blaze, to show me there a room.
Boab. Heaven lent their lustre for a nobler end;
A thousand torches must their light attend,
To lead you to a temple and a crown.
Why does my fairest Almahide frown?
Am I less pleasing then I was before,
Or, is the insolent Almanzor more?

Almah. I justly own that I some pity have,
Not for the insolent, but for the brave.

Aben. Though to your king your duty you neglect,

Know, Almahide, I look for more respect:
And, if a parent's charge your mind can move,
Receive the blessing of a monarch's love.
Almah. Did he my freedom to his life prefer,
And shall I wed Almanzor's murderer?
No, sir; I cannot to your will submit;
Your way's too rugged for my tender feet.

Aben. You must be driven where you refuse to go; And taught, by force, your happiness to know. Almah. To force me, sir, is much unworthy you, [Smiling scornfully. And, when you would, impossible to do.

If force could bend me, you might think, with shame,

That I debase the blood from whence I came.
My soul is soft, which you may gently lay
In your loose palm; but, when 'tis pressed to stay,
Like water, it deludes your grasp, and slips away.
Boab. I find I must revoke what I decreed:
Almanzor's death my nuptials must precede.
Love is a magic which the lover ties;
But charms still end when the magician dies.
Go; let me hear my hated rival's dead;
[To his Guard,
And, to convince my eyes, bring back his head.

Almah. Go on: I wish no other way to prove That I am worthy of Almanzor's love. We will in death, at least, united be: I'll shew you I can die as well as he.

Boab. What should I do! when equally I dread Almanzor living and Almanzor dead!

Yet, by your promise, you are mine alone.

Almah. How dare you claim my faith, and break your own?

Aben. This for your virtue is a weak defence: No second vows can with your first dispense. Yet, since the king did to Almanzor swear, And in his death ungrateful may appear, He ought, in justice, first to spare his life, And then to claim your promise as his wife. Almah. Whate'er my secret inclinations be,, To this, since honour ties me, I agree: Yet I declare, and to the world will own, That, far from seeking, I would shun the throne, And with Almanzor lead a humble life: There is a private greatness in his wife. Boab. That little love I have, I hardly buy; You give my rival all, while you deny: Yet, Almahide, to let you see your power, Your loved Almanzor shall be free this hour. You are obeyed; but 'tis so great a grace, That I could wish me in my rival's place.

[Exeunt KING and ABENAMAR. Almah. How blessed was I before this fatal day, When all I knew of love, was to obey! "Twas life becalmed, without a gentle breath; Though not so cold, yet motionless as death. A heavy quiet state; but love, all strife, All rapid, is the hurricane of life. Had love not shewn me, I had never seen An excellence beyond Boabdelin.

I had not, aiming higher, lost my rest;
But with a vulgar good been dully blest:
But, in Almanzor, having seen what's rare,
Now I have learnt too sharply to compare ;
And, like a favourite quickly in disgrace,
Just knew the value ere I lost the place.

To her ALMANZOR, bound and guarded.

Almanz. I see the end for which I'm hither sent, To double, by your sight, my punishment. There is a shame in bonds I cannot bear; Far more than death, to meet your eyes I fear. Almah. That shame of long continuance shall

not be:

[Unbinding him. The king, at my entreaty, sets you free.

Almanz. The king! my wonder's greater than before;

How did he dare my freedom to restore?
He like some captive lion uses me;
He runs away before he sets me free,
And takes a sanctuary in his court:
I'll rather lose my life than thank him for't.

Almah. If any subject for your thanks there be,
The king expects them not, you owe them me.
Our freedoms through each other's hands have
past;

You give me my revenge in winning last.

Almanz. Then fate commodiously for me has done;

To lose mine there where I would have it won.
Almah. Almanzor, you too soon will understand,
That what I win is on another's hand.

The king (who doomed you to a cruel fate)
Gave to my prayers both his revenge and hate;
But at no other price would rate your life,
Than my consent and oath to be his wife.

Alman. Would you, to save my life, my love

betray?

Here; take me; bind me; carry me away;
Kill me! I'll kill you if you disobey.

[To the Guards. Almah. That absolute command your love does give,

I take, and charge you by that power to live. Almanz. When death, the last of comforts, you refuse,

Your power, like heaven upon the damned, you use;
You force me in my being to remain,

To make me last, and keep me fresh for pain.
When all my joys are gone,

What cause can I for living longer give,
But a dull, lazy habitude to live?

Almah. Rash men, like you, and impotent of will,
Give chance no time to turn, but urge her still;
She would repent; you push the quarrel on,
And once because she went, she must be gone.
Almanz. She shall not turn; what is it she can
do,

To recompense me for the loss of you?

Almah, Heaven will reward your worth some bet

ter way:

At least, for me, you have but lost one day.
Nor is't a real loss which you deplore;

You sought a heart that was engaged before.
"Twas a swift love which took you in his way;
Flew only through your heart, but made no stay:
"Twas but a dream, where truth had not a place;
A scene of fancy, moved so swift a pace,
And shifted, that you can but think it was;—
Let, then, the short vexatious vision pass.
Almanz. My joys, indeed, are dreams; but not
my pain:

"Twas a swift ruin, but the marks remain.