That law, which dooms adultresses to die, Almanz. And how dare you, who from my bounty live, Intrench upon my love's prerogative? Your courage in your own concernments try; Ozm. I knew not you thus far her cause would own, And must not suffer you to fight alone: Lyndar. Of all mankind, Almanzor has least right In her defence, who wrong'd his love, to fight. Almanz. Tis false: she is not ill, nor can she be; She must be chaste, because she's loved by me. Zul. Dare you, what sense and reason prove, deny? Almanz. When she's in question, sense and reason lie. Zul. For truth, and for my injured sovereign, Ozm. So foul a falsehood, whoe'er justifies, [Takes a ring from his finger. Hamet. I take it; and despise a traitor's rage. Boab. The combat's yours.--A guard the lists surround; Then raise a scaffold in the encompassed ground, For Almahide must die, if I am slain; my rival I the conquest gain. Or for ACT V. SCENE I. ALMANZOR Solus. I have outfac'd myself; and justified, What I knew false, to all the world beside. She was as faithless as her sex could be; And, now I am alone, she's so to me. [Exeunt. She's fallen! and, now, where shall we virtue find? She was the last that stood of womankind. Could she so holily my flames remove, And fall that hour to Abdelmelech's love? To him ABDELMELECH, guarded. Abdelm. Heaven is not heaven, nor are there deities; There is some new rebellion in the skies. All that was good and holy is dethroned, Which thus affronts me with the sight of thee? My love would justice to itself afford; But now thou creep'st to death below my sword. Abdelm. This threatening would show better were I free. Almanz. No; wert thou freed, I would not threaten thee; This arm should then-but now it is too late! As some huge rock, Rent from its quarry, does the waves divide, Would souse upon thy guards, and dash them wide: Then, to my rage left naked and alone, Thy too much freedom thou should'st soon be moan: Dared like a lark, that, on the open plain But yet thy fate's not ripe; it is decreed, SCENE II., [Exeunt severally. The SCENE changes to the Vivarambla, and appears filled with Spectators; a Scaffold hung with black. Enter the QUEEN guarded, with ESPERANZA. Almah. See how the gazing people crowd the place, All gaping to be filled with my disgrace. [A shout within. That shout, like the hoarse peals of vultures, rings, Or think her chastity its own defence. Esper. Leave then that shadow, and for succour To Him we serve, the Christian's Deity. Almah. Thou Power unknown, if I have erred, My infancy was taught what I believe. And all my days, which thou shalt add, be thine! Enter the KING, ABENAMAR, LYNDARAXA, BENZAYDA: then ABDELMELECH guarded; and after him SELIN and ALABEZ, as Judges of the Field. Boab. You, judges of the field, first take your place. The accusers and accused bring face to face. Almah. What! not one tender look, one passing Farewell, my much unkind, but still loved lord! Lest it should fright some other from your bed; Some happier maid,—yet none could love you more. But may you never think me innocent, Lest it should cause you trouble to repent. Boab. 'Tis pity so much beauty should not live; [Aside. Yet I too much am injured, to forgive. [Goes to his seat. Trumpets: Then enter two Moors, bearing two naked swords before the accusers ZULEMA and HAMET, who follow them. The Judges seat themselves; the QUEEN and ABDELMELECH are led to the Scaffold. Alabez. Say for what end you thus in arms ap pear; What are your names, and what demand you here? Like loyal subjects in these lists we stand, Hamet. For whom, in witness of what both have Bound by our duty, we appeach the queen Zul. Which, like true knights, we will maintain, Alabez. Swear on the Alcoran your cause is right, And Mahomet so prosper you in fight. [They touch their foreheads with the Alcoran, and bow. Trumpets on the other side of the Stage; two Moors, as before, with bare swords before ALMANZOR and OZMYN. Selin. Say for what end you thus in arms appear; What are your names, and what demand you here? Almanz. Ozmyn is his, Almanzor is my name; We come as champions of the queen's fair fame. |