Almanz. I only speak of him,
Whom pomp and greatness sit so loose about,
That he wants majesty to fill them out.

Abdal. Haste, then, and lose no time!-
The business must be enterprised this night:
We must surprise the court in its delight.

Almanz. For you to will, for me 'tis to obey :
But I would give a crown in open day;
And, when the Spaniards their assault begin,
At once beat those without, and these within.

[Exit ALMANZ.
Enter ABDELMELECH.
Abdelm. Abdalla, hold !—There's somewhat I in-

tend
To speak, not as your rival, but your friend.

Abdal. If as a friend, I am obliged to hear;
And what a rival says I cannot fear.

Abdelm. Think, brave Abdalla, what it is you do:
Your quiet, honour, and our friendship too,
All for a fickle beauty you forego.
Think, and turn back, before it be too late.
Behold in me the example of your fate:
I am your sea-mark; and, though wrecked and lost,
My ruins stand to warn you from the coast.

Abdal. Your counsels, noble Abdelmelech, move
My reason to accept them, not my love.
Ah, why did heaven leave man so weak defence,
To trust frail reason with the rule of sense!
'Tis over-poised and kicked up in the air,
While sense weighs down the scale, and keeps it

there;
Or, like a captive king, 'tis borne away,
And forced to countenance its own rebels' sway.

Abdelm. No, no; our reason was not vainly lent; Nor is a slave, but by its own consent;

.

If reason on his subject's triumph wait,
An easy king deserves no better fate.
Abdal. You speak too late; my empire's lost too

far:
I cannot fight.

Abdelm. Then make a flying war; Dislodge betimes, before you are beset.

Abdal. Her tears, her smiles, her every look's a net. Her voice is like a Syren's of the land; And bloody hearts lie panting in her hand.. Abdelm. This do you know, and tempt the dan

ger still? Abdal. Love, like a lethargy, has seized my will. I'm not myself, since from her sight I went; I lean my trunk that way, and there stand bent. As one, who, in some frightful dream, would shun His pressing foe, labours in vain to run; And his own slowness, in his sleep, bemoans, With thick short sighs, weak cries, and tender

groans, So I

Abdelm. Some friend, in charity, should shake, And rouse, and call you loudly till you wake. Too well I know her blandishments to gain, Usurper-like, till settled in her reign; Then proudly she insults, and gives you cares, And jealousies, short hopes, and long despairs. To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow, Howe'er she shines all golden to you now.

Abdal. Like him, who on the ice Slides swiftly on, and sees the water near, Yet cannot stop himself in his career, So am I carried. This enchanted place, Like Circe's isle, is peopled with a race Of dogs and swine; yet, though their fate I know, I look with pleasure, and am turning too.

[LYNDARAXA passes over the Stage.

Abdelm. Fly, fly, before the allurements of her

: face, Ere she return with some resistless grace, And with new magic cover all the place.

Abdal. I cannot, will not,-nay, I would not I'll love, be blind, be cozened till I die; And you, who bid me wiser counsel take, I'll haté, and, if I can, I'll kill you for her sake. Abdelm. Even I, that counselled you, that choice

approve: I'll hate you blindly, and her blindly love. Prudence, that stemmed the stream, is out of breath; And to go down it is the easier death.

LYNDARAXA re-enters, and smiles on ABDALLA.

[Exit ABDALLA. Abdelm. That smile on Prince Abdalla seems to

say, You are not in your killing mood to day: Men brand, indeed, your sex with cruelty, But you are too good to see poor lovers die, This god-like pity in you I extol; And more, because, like heaven's, 'tis general. Lyndar. My smile implies not that I grant his

suit: 'Twas but a bare return of his salute.

Abdelm. It said, you were engaged, and I in place; But, to please both, you would divide the grace. Lyndar. You've cause to be contented with your

part, When he has but the look, and you the heart. : Abdelm. In giving but that look, you give what's

mine:
I'll not one corner of a glance resign.
All's mine; and I am covetous of my store:
I have not love enough, I'll tax you more.

VY

Lyndar. I gave not love; 'twas but civility : He is a prince; that's due to his degree. Abdelm. That prince you smiled on is my rivali

still, And should, if me you loved, be treated ill.

Lyndar. I know not how to show so rude a spite.
Abdelm. That is, you know not how to love

aright;
Or, if you did, you would more difference see
Betwixt our souls, than 'twixt our quality.
Mark, if his birth makes any difference,
If to his words it adds one grain of sense.
That duty, which his birth can make his due,
I'll pay, but it shall not be paid by you:
For, if a prince courts her whom I adore,
He is my rival, and a prince no more.

Lyndar. And when did I my power so far resign,
That you should regulate each look of mine?
Abdelm. Then, when you gave your love, you

gave that power. Lyndar. 'Twas during pleasure, 'tis revoked this

hour.
Now, call me false, and rail on womankind,
'Tis all the remedy you're like to find.

Abdelm. Yes, there's one more;
I'll hate you, and this visit is my last.
Lyndar. Do't, if you can; you know I hold you

fast:
Yet, for your quiet, would you could resign
Your love, as easily as I do mine.
Abdelm. Furies and hell, how unconcerned she

speaks! With what indifference all her vows she breaks! " Curse on me, but she smiles ! Lyndar. That smile's a part of love, and all's your

due: I take it from the prince, and give it you.

Abdelm. Just heaven, must my poor heart your

May-game prove,
To bandy, and make children's play in love?

[Half crying.
Ah! how have I this cruelty deserved
I, who so truly and so long have served!
And left so easily! oh cruel maid!
So easily! it was too unkindly said.
That heart, which could so easily remove,
Was never fixed, nor rooted deep in love.

Lyndar. You lodged it so uneasy in your breast,
I thought you had been weary of the guest.
First, I was treated like a stranger there;
But, when a household friend I did appear,
You thought, it seems, I could not live elsewhere.
Then, by degrees, your feigned respect withdrew;
You marked my actions, and my guardian grew.
But I am not concerned your acts to blame :
My heart to yours but upon liking came;
And, like a bird, whom prying boys molest,
Stays not to breed, where she had built her nest.

Abdelm. I have done ill,
And dare not ask you to be less displeased;
Be but more angry, and my pain is eased.

Lyndar. If I should be so kind a fool, to take
This little satisfaction which you make,
I know you would presume some other time
Upon my goodness, and repeat your crime.

Abdelm. Oh never, never, upon no pretence; My life's too short to expiate this offence. • Lyndar. No, now I think on't, 'tis in vain to

try; 'Tis in your nature, and past remedy. You'll still disquiet my too loving heart: Now we are friends 'tis best for both to part.

[He takes her hand.