Alabez. But, marching by the Vivarambla place, The combat carried a more doubtful face: In that vast square the Moors and Spaniards met, [Is going out: Shouts within are heard,-Vic- But these loud clamours better news presage. Enter the DUKE OF ARCOS, and Soldiers; their Swords drawn and bloody. D. Arcos. Granada now is yours; and there remain No Moors, but such as own the power of Spain. 'Till from our queen we needful succour found: At the same time Did Lyndaraxa with her troops appear, And, while we charged the front, engaged the rear: Then fell the king, slain by a Zegry's hand. K. Ferd. How could he such united force withstand? D. Arcos. Discouraged with his death, the Moorish powers Fell back, and, falling back, were pressed by ours; But as, when winds and rain together crowd, His forcé at once I envied and admired, And rushing forward, where my men retired, K. Ferd. You hazarded too far Your person, and the fortune of the war. D. Arcos. Already both our arms for fight did bare, Already held them threatening in the air, When heaven (it must be heaven) my sight did guide To view his arm, upon whose wrist I spied Again the voice withheld him from my death; 66 Spare, spare his life," it cried, "who gave thee breath!" Once more he stopped; then threw his sword away; K. Ferd. O blessed event! D. Arcos. The Moors no longer fought; But all their safety by submission sought: Mean time my son grew faint with loss of blood, And on his bending sword supported stood; Yet, with a voice beyond his strength, he cried, "Lead me to live or die by Almahide." K. Ferd. I am not for his wounds less grieved than you: For, if what now my soul divines prove true, You lost, when by my father forced to fly. D. Arcos. His sister's beauty did my passion move, (The crime for which I suffered was my love.) Our marriage known, to sea we took our flight: There, in a storm, Almanzor first saw light. On his right arm a bloody heart was graved, (The mark by which, this day, my life was saved :) The bracelets and the cross his mother tied About his wrist, ere she in childbed died. How we were captives made, when she was dead, And how Almanzor was in Afric bred, Some other hour you may at leisure hear, For see, the queen in triumph does appear. Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, LYNDARAXA, Ladies, Moors and Spaniards mixed as Guards, ABDELMELECH, ABENAMAR, SELIN, Prisoners. K. Ferd. [embracing Q. Isabel.] All stories which Granada's conquest tell, Shall celebrate the name of Isabel. Your ladies too, who, in their country's cause, Abdelm. O heaven, that I should live to see this day! Lyndar. You murmur now, but you shall soon obey. I knew this empire to my fate was owed; And, when I mount, my foot shall know thy head. Abdelm. (Stabbing her with a poniard.) This first shall know thy heart. Lyndar. O! I am slain! Abdelm. Now, boast thy country is betrayed to K. Ferd. Look to the lady!--Seize the murderer! Abdelm. (Stabbing himself.) I do myself that justice. I did her. Thy blood I to thy ruined country give, [To LYNDAR. But love too well thy murder to out-live. Forgive a love, excused by its excess, Which, had it not been cruel, had been less. Condemn my passion, then, but pardon me, And think I murdered him who murdered thee. [Dies. Lyndar. Die for us both; I have not leisure now; A crown is come, and will not fate allow: Let not that ugly skeleton appear! Sure destiny mistakes; this death's not mine; [To the Moors. Bow quickly down, and your submission show.-J [They bow. I'm pleased to taste an empire ere I go. [Dies. Selin. She's dead, and here her proud ambition ends. Aben. Such fortune still such black designs attends. K. Ferd. Remove those mournful objects from our eyes, And see performed their funeral obsequies. [The bodies are carried off. Enter ALMANZOR and ALMAHIDE, OZMYN and BENZAYDA; ALMAHIDE brought in a chair; ALMANZOR led betwixt Soldiers. ISABELLA salutes ALMAHIDE in dumb show. D. Arcos. (Presenting ALMANZOR to the King.) See here that son, whom I with pride call mine; And who dishonours not your royal line. K. Ferd. I'm now secure, this sceptre, which I gain, Shall be continued in the power of Spain; [To ALMANZ. While in this blood I see how dear it cost. |