But to each lure, a court throws out, descend, Zul. Those kings, who to their wild demands consent, Teach others the same way to discontent. Aben. The name of commonwealth is popular; But there the people their own tyrants are. Boab. But kings, who rule with limited command, Have players' sceptres put into their hand. Power has no balance, one side still weighs down, And either hoists the commonwealth or crown; And those, who think to set the scale more right, By various turnings but disturb the weight. Aben. While people tug for freedom, kings for power, Both sink beneath some foreign conqueror: Then subjects find too late they were unjust, To them ABDELMELECH. Abdelm. The tumult now is high, and dangerous grown: The people talk of rendering up the town; And swear that they will force the king's consent. Boab. What counsel can this rising storm prevent? Abdelm. Their fright to no persuasions will give ear: There's a deaf madness in a people's fear. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Their fury now a middle course does take; To yield the town, or call Almanzor back. Boab. I'll rather call my death.Go, and bring up my guards to my I'll punish this outrageous insolence. defence: Åben. Since blind opinion does their reason sway, You must submit to cure them their own way. You to their fancies physic must apply; Give them that chief on whom they most rely. Under Almanzor prosperously they fought; Almanzor, therefore, must with prayers be brought Enter a second Messenger. 2 Mess. Haste all you can their fury to assuage: You are not safe from their rebellious rage. Enter a third Messenger. 3 Mess. This minute, if you grant not their desire, They'll seize your person, and your palace fire. Abdelm. Your danger, sir, admits of no delay. Boub. In tumults people reign, and kings obey.Go and appease them with the vow I make, That they shall have their loved Almanzor back. [Exit ABDEL. Almanzor has the ascendant o'er my fate; [A shout of acclamations within. Aben. These shouts proclaim the people satisfied. Boab. We for another tempest must provide. To promise his return as I was loth, So I want power now to perform my oath. Ere this, for Afric he is sailed from Spain. Aben. The adverse winds his passage yet detain; I heard, last night, his equipage did stay At a small village, short of Malaga. Boab. Abenamar, this evening thither haste; Desire him to forget his usage past: Use all your rhetoric, promise, flatter, pray. To them ALMAHIDE, attended. Aben. Good fortune shows you yet a surer way : Nor prayers nor promises his mind will move; 'Tis inaccessible to all, but love. Boab. Oh, thou hast roused a thought within my breast, That will for ever rob me of my rest. Or why have I alone that wretched taste, Even sin itself has not a charm for me. And nothing but a king could be so curst. Almah. What sadness sits upon your royal heart? Have you a grief, and must not I have part? All creatures else a time of love possess; Man only clogs with cares his happiness: And, while he should enjoy his part of bliss, With thoughts of what may be, destroys what is. Boab. You guess aright; I am oppressed with grief, And 'tis from you that I must seek relief. [To the company. Leave us; to sorrow there's a reverence due: Sad kings, like suns eclipsed, withdraw from view. [The Attendants go off, and chairs are set for the King and Queen. cf Rehears Almah. So, two kind turtles, when a storm is nigh, Boab. Suppose your country should in danger be; Almah. It were too little to resign my breath: Must yet do more; for it must kill me too. Almah. I see to what your speech you now direct; I have no room, but for your image, here. Boab. This, Almahide, would make me cease to mourn, Were that Almanzor never to return: Their safety, through my ruin, I pursue; I banished him for ever from my sight. His banishment was to my virtue due; I Boab. To your entreaties he will yield alone, Almah. In his return, too sadly I foresee Boab. Cursed be that fatal hour when I was born! [Letting go her hand, and starting up. You love, you love him; and that love reveal, Almah. This sudden change I do not understand, Almah. You please me well, that in one common fate You wrap yourself, and me, and all your state, |