Ozm. To prove these Zegrys, like false traitors, lie:

Which, like true knights, we will maintain, or die. Selin. [to ALMAH.] Madam, do you for champions take these two,

By their success to live or die?

Almah. I do.

Selin. Swear on the Alcoran your cause is right; And Mahomet so prosper you in fight.

[They kiss the Alcoran. [OZMYN and BENZAYDA embrace, and take leave in dumb show; while LYNDARAXA speaks to her Brother.

Lyndar. If you o'ercome, let neither of them live, But use with care the advantages I give:

One of their swords in fight shall useless be;
The bearer of it is suborned by me.

[She and BENZAYDA retire.
Alabez. Now, principals and seconds, all advance,
And each of you assist his fellow's chance.
Selin. The wind and sun we equally divide,
So let the event of arms the truth decide.
The chances of the fight, and every wound,
The trumpets, on the victor's part, resound.

[The Trumpets sound; ALMANZOR and ZULEMA meet and fight; OZMYN and HAMET. After some passes, the sword of OzмYN breaks; he retires, defending himself, and is wounded; the Zegrys' Trumpets sound their advantage. ALMANZOR, in the mean time, drives ZULEMA to the farther end of the Stage, till, hearing the Trumpets of the adverse Party, he looks back, and sees OZMYN's misfortune; he makes at ZvLEMA just as OzмYN falls, in retiring, and HAMET is thrusting at him.

1

Hamet. [to OzMYN, thrusting.] Our difference now shall soon determined be.

Almanz. Hold, traitor, and defend thyself from

me.

[HAMET leaves OzмYN (who cannot rise), and both he and ZULEMA fall on ALMANZOR, and press him; he retires, and HAMET, advancing first, is run through the body, and falls. The Queen's Trumpets sound. ALMANZOR pursues ZULEMA. Lyndar. I must make haste some remedy to find:Treason, Almanzor, treason! look behind.

[ALMANZOR looks behind him to see who calls, and ZULEMA takes the advantage, and wounds him; the Zegrys' Trumpets sound; ALMANZOR turns upon ZULEMA, and wounds him; he falls. The Queen's Trumpets sound.

Almanz. Now triumph in thy sister's treachery. [Stabbing him. Zul. Hold, hold! I have enough to make me die. But, that I may in peace resign my breath, I must confess my crime before my death. Mine is the guilt; the queen is innocent: I loved her, and, to compass my intent, Used force, which Abdelmelech did prevent. The lie my sister forged; but, O! my fate Comes on too soon, and I repent too late. Fair queen, forgive; and let my penitence Expiate some part of

Almah. Even thy whole offence!

[Dies,

Almanz. [to the Judges.] If aught remains in the sultana's cause,

I here am ready to fulfil the laws.

Selin. The law is fully satisfied, and we Pronounce the queen and Abdelmelech free. Abdelm. Heaven, thou art just!

[The Judges rise from their seats, and go before ALMANZOR to the Queen's Scaffold; he unbinds

the Queen and ABDELMELECH; they all go off, the People shouting, and the Trumpets sounding the while.

Boab.

Before we pay our thanks, or show our

joy,

Let us our needful charity employ.

Some skilful surgeon speedily be found,
To apply fit remedies to Ozmyn's wound.
Benz. [running to Ozм.] That be my charge;
my linen I will tear;

Wash it with tears, and bind it with my hair.
Ozm. With how much pleasure I my pains en-

dure,

And bless the wound which causes such a cure! [Exit Ozм. led by BENZ. and ABEN. Boab. Some from the place of combat bear the slain.

Next Lyndaraxa's death I should ordain:

But let her, who this mischief did contrive,
For ever banished from Granada live.

Lyndar. Thou shouldst have punished more, or not at all:

By her thou hast not ruined, thou shalt fall.
The Zegrys shall revenge their branded line,
Betray their gate, and with the Christians join.

[Aside. [Exit LYNDARAXA with ALABEZ; the bodies of her Brothers are borne after her.

ALMANZOR, ALMAHIDE, and ESPERANZA, re-enter to the King.

Almah. The thanks thus paid, which first to heaven were due,

My next, Almanzor, let me pay to you:
Somewhat there is of more concernment too,
Which 'tis not fit you should in public know,

First let your wounds be dressed with speedy care,
And then you shall the important secret share.
Almanz. Whene'er you speak,

Were my wounds mortal, they should still bleed on;
And I would listen till my life were gone:
My soul should even for your last accent stay,
And then shout out, and with such speed obey,
It should not bait at heaven to stop its way.

[Exit ALMANZ.
Boab. 'Tis true, Almanzor did her honour save,
But yet what private business can they have?
Such freedom virtue will not sure allow;

I cannot clear my heart, but must my brow. [Aside.
[He approaches ALMAHIDE.
Welcome, again, my virtuous, loyal wife;
Welcome to love, to honour, and to life!

You seem

[Goes to salute her, she starts back.

As if you from a loathed embrace did go!

Almah. Then briefly will I speak, since you must know

What to the world my future acts will show:
But hear me first, and then my reasons weigh.
"Tis known, how duty led me to obey

My father's choice; and how I since did live,
You, sir, can best your testimony give.
How to your aid I have Almanzor brought,
When by rebellious crowds your life was sought;
Then, how I bore your causeless jealousy,
(For I must speak) and after set you free,
When you were prisoner in the chance of war:
These, sure, are proofs of love.

Boab. I grant they are.

Almah. And could you then, O cruelly unkind! So ill reward such tenderness of mind?

Could you, denying what our laws afford
The meanest subject, on a traitor's word,

Unheard, condemn, and suffer me to go

To death, and yet no common pity show!

Boab. Love filled my heart even to the brim before;

And then, with too much jealousy, boiled o'er.
Almah. Be't love or jealousy, 'tis such a crime,
That I'm forewarned to trust a second time.
Know, then, my prayers to heaven shall never cease,
To crown your arms in war, your wars with peace;
But from this day I will not know your bed:
Though Almahide still lives, your wife is dead;
And with her dies a love so pure and true,
It could be killed by nothing but by you.

[Exit ALMAH. Boab. Yes; you will spend your life in prayers

for me,

And yet this hour my hated rival see.
She might a husband's jealousy forgive;
But she will only for Almanzor live.
It is resolved; I will myself provide

That vengeance, which my useless laws denied;
And, by Almanzor's death, at once remove
The rival of my empire, and my love. [Erit BOAB.

Enter ALMAHIDE, led by ALMANZOR, and followed by ESPERANZA; she speaks, entering.

Almah. How much, Almanzor, to your aid I owe, Unable to repay, I blush to know;

Yet, forced by need, ere I can clear that score,
I, like ill debtors, come to borrow more.

Almanz. Your new commands I on my knees attend:

I was created for no other end.

Born to be yours, I do by nature serve,

And, like the labouring beast, no thanks deserve. Almah. Yet first your virtue to your succour call, For in this hard command you'll need it all.