Almanz. I stand prepared; and whatsoe'er it be, Nothing is hard to him, who loves like me.

Almah. Then know, I from your love must yet implore

One proof:—that you would never see me more.
Almanz. I must confess,
[Starting back:
For this last stroke I did no guard provide;

I could suspect no foe was near that side.

From winds and thickening clouds we thunder fear, None dread it from that quarter which is clear; And I would fain believe, 'tis but

To shew

your art

You knew where deepest you could wound my heart.

Almah. So much respect is to your passion due, That sure I could not practise arts on you. But that you may not doubt what I have said, This hour I have renounced my husband's bed: Judge, then, how much my fame would injured be, If, leaving him, I should a lover see.

Almanz. If his unkindness have deserved that

curse,

compare,

Must I, for loving well, be punished worse?
Almah. Neither your love nor merits I
But my unspotted name must be my care.
Almanz. I have this day established its renown.
Almah. Would you so soon, what you have raised,
throw down?

Almanz. But, madam, is not yours a greater guilt, To ruin him, who has that fabric built?

Almah. No lover should his mistress' prayers withstand,

Yet you contemn my absolute command.

Almanz. "Tis not contempt,

When your command is issued out too late; 'Tis past my power, and all beyond is fate.

I scarce could leave you, when to exile sent,
Much less when now recalled from banishment;
For if that heat your glances cast were strong,
Your eyes, like glasses, fire, when held so long.
Almah. Then, since you needs will all my weak-
ness know,

I love you; and so well, that you must go.
I am so much obliged, and have withal
A heart so boundless and so prodigal,

I dare not trust myself, or you, to stay,

But, like frank gamesters, must forswear the play. Almanz. Fate, thou art kind to strike so hard a blow:

I am quite stunned, and past all feeling now.
Yet can you tell me you have power and will
To save my life, and at that instant kill?

Almah. This, had you staid, you never must have known;

But, now you go, I may with honour own.

Alman. But, madam, I am forced to disobey: In your defence my honour bids me stay.

I promised to secure your life and throne,
And, heaven be thanked, that work is yet undone.
Almah. I here make void that promise which you
made,

For now I have no farther need of aid.

That vow, which to my plighted lord was given,
I must not break, but may transfer to heaven:
I will with vestals live:

There needs no guard at a religious door;
Few will disturb the praying and the poor.

Almanz. Let me but near that happy temple stay, And through the grates peep on you once a day; To famished hope I would no banquet give: I cannot starve, and wish but just to live. Thus, as a drowning man

Sinks often, and does still more faintly rise,
With his last hold catching whate'er he spies;
So, fallen from those proud hopes I had before,
Your aid I for a dying wretch implore.

Almah. I cannot your hard destiny withstand,

BOABDELIN, and Guards above.

But slip, like bending rushes, from your hand.
Sink all at once, since you must sink at last.
Almanz. Can you that last relief of sight remove,
And thrust me out the utmost line of love!
Then, since my hopes of happiness are gone,
Denied all favours, I will seize this one.

[Catches her hand, and kisses it. Boab. My just revenge no longer I'll forbear: I've seen too much; I need not stay to hear.

Almanz. As a small shower

[Descends.

To the parched earth does some refreshment give, So, in the strength of this, one day I'll live:

A day, -a year,

an age,—for ever, now; [Betwixt each word he kisses her hand by force ; she struggling.

I feel from every touch a new soul flow.

[She snatches her hand away.

My hoped eternity of joy is past!

'Twas insupportable, and could not last.

Were heaven not made of less, or duller joy,
"Twould break each minute, and itself destroy.

Enter King and Guards, below.

Boab. This, this, is he, for whom thou didst deny To share my bed:-Let them together die.

Almah. Hear me, my lord.

Boab. Your flattering arts are vain:

Make haste, and execute what I ordain.

[To the Guards.

Almanz. Cut piece-meal in this cause,
From every wound I should new vigour take,
And every limb should new Almanzors make.

[He puts himself before the Queen; the Guards
attack him, with the King.

Enter ABDELMELECH.

Abdelm. What angry god, to exercise his spite,

[To the King. Has arm'd your left hand, to cut off your right? [The King turns, the fight ceases.

The foes are entered at the Elvira gate:
False Lyndaraxa has the town betrayed,
And all the Zegrys give the Spaniards aid.
Boab. O mischief, not suspected nor foreseen!
Abdelm. Already they have gained the Zacatin,
And thence the Vivarambla place possest,
While our faint soldiers scarce defend the rest.
The duke of Arcos does one squadron head,
The next by Ferdinand himself is led.

Almah. Now, brave Almanzor, be a god again; Above our crimes and your own passions reign. My lord has been by jealousy misled,

To think I was not faithful to his bed.

I can forgive him, though my death he sought,
For too much love can never be a fault.

Protect him, then; and what to his defence
You give not, give to clear my innocence.
Almanz. Listen, sweet heaven, and all

above,

Take rules of virtue from a mortal love!

ye

blessed

You've raised my soul; and if it mount more high,

"Tis as the wren did on the eagle fly.

Yes, I once more will my revenge neglect,
And, whom you can forgive, I can protect.

Boab. How hard a fate is mine, still doomed to

shame!

I make occasions for my rival's fame!

[Exeunt. An alarm within.

Enter FERDINAND, ISABELLA, Don ALONZO
D'AGUILAR; Spaniards and Ladies.

K. Ferd. Already more than half the town is gained,

But there is yet a doubtful fight maintained.

Alonz. The fierce young king the entered does attack,

And the more fierce Almanzor drives them back. K. Ferd. The valiant Moors like raging lions fight;

Each youth encouraged by his lady's sight.

Q. Isabel. I will advance with such a shining train,

That Moorish beauties shall oppose in vain.
Into the press of clashing swords we'll go,
And, where the darts fly thickest, seek the foe.
K. Ferd. May heaven, which has inspired this
generous thought,

Avert those dangers you have boldly sought!
Call up more troops; the women, to our shame,
Will ravish from the men their part of fame.

[Exeunt ISABELLA and Ladies.

Enter ALABEZ, and kisses the King's hand. Alabez. Fair Lyndaraxa, and the Zegry line, Have led their forces with your troops to join: The adverse part, which obstinately fought, Are broke, and Abdelmelech prisoner brought. K. Ferd. Fair Lyndaraxa, and her friends, shall

find

The effects of an obliged and grateful mind.