When some fierce fire lays goodly buildings waste, Would you conclude There had been none, because the burning's past? Almah. It was your fault that fire seized all your breast; You should have blown up some to save the rest: I sadly view the ground I had before, But want a stock, and ne'er can build it more. I would contribute if I knew but how. Take friendship; or, if that too small appear, . Take love, which sisters may to brothers bear. Almanz. A sister's love! that is so palled a thing, What pleasure can it to a lover bring? "Tis like thin food to men in fevers spent; Just keeps alive, but gives no nourishment. What hopes, what fears, what transports can it move? "Tis but the ghost of a departed love. Almah. You, like some greedy cormorant, devour All my whole life can give you in an hour. What more I can do for you is to die, And that must follow, if you this deny. Since I gave up my love, that you might live, Almanz. Far from my breast be such an impious Your death would lose the quiet mine had sought. I'll live for you, in spite of misery; But you shall grant that I had rather die. I'll be so wretched, filled with such despair, Almah. Adieu, then, O my soul's far better part! Your image sticks so close, That the blood follows from my rending heart. For, since a last must come, the rest are vain, Yet shivering underneath your gate I stay; One look Not one I cannot go before 'tis day. [She beckons him to be gone. Farewell: Whate'er my sufferings be Within, I'll speak farewell as loud as she: I will not be out-done in constancy. [She turns her back. Then like a dying conqueror I go; I walk encumbered with a weight of love. As he goes off, the KING meets him with ABENAMAR; they stare at each other without saluting. Boab. With him go all my fears: A guard there wait, And see him safe without the city gate. To them ABDELMELECH. Now, Abdelmelech, is my brother dead? Abdelm. Th' usurper to the Christian camp is fled; Whom as Granada's lawful king they own, And vow, by force, to seat him on the throne. Mean time the rebels in the Albayzyn rest; Which is in Lyndaraxa's name possest. Boab. Haste and reduce it instantly by force. Abdelm. First give me leave to prove a milder course. She will, perhaps, on summons yield the place. Boab. We cannot to your suit refuse her grace. [One enters hastily, and whispers ABENAMAR. Aben. How fortune persecutes this hoary head! My Ozmyn is with Selin's daughter fled. But he's no more my son: My hate shall like a Zegry him pursue, "Till I take back what blood from me he drew. Boab. Let war and vengeance be to-morrow's care; But let us to the temple now repair. A thousand torches make the mosque more bright: You should not tyrannize on love, but wait. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. Success, which can no more than beauty last, And hopes you will not find him less a man. For, at both houses, 'twas a sickly year! |