Abdelm. By this—Will you not give me leave to

swear? Lyndar. You would be perjured if you should, I

fear: And, when I talk with Prince Abdalla-next, I with your fond suspicions shall be vext.

Abdelm. I cannot say I'll conquer jealousy, But, if you'll freely pardon me, I'll try. Lyndar. And, till you that submissive servant

prove, I never can conclude you truly love. To them, the King, ALMAHIDE, ABENAMAR, Espe

RANZA, Guards, Attendants.
Boab. Approach, my Almahide, my charming

fair,

Blessing of peace, and recompence of war.
This night is yours; and may your life still be
The same in joy, though not solemnity.

THE ZAMBRA DANCE.

SONG.

I. Beneath a myrtle shade, Which love for none but happy lovers made, I slept; and straight my love before me brought Phyllis, the object of my waking thought.. Undressed she came my flames to meet, While love strewed flowers beneath her feet; Flowers which, so pressed by her, became more sweet.

From the bright vision's head
A careless veil of lawn was loosely spread:

From her white temples fell her shaded hair,
Like cloudy sunshine, not too brown nor fair ;
Her hands, her lips, did lore inspire;
Her every grace my heart did fire:
But most her eyes, which languished with desire.

III.
Ah, charming fair, said I,
How long can you my bliss and yours deny ?
By nature and by love, this lonely shade
Was for revenge of suffering lovers made.
Silence and shades with love agree;
Both shelter you and favour me:
You cannot blush, because I cannot see.

IV.
No, let me die, she said,
Rather than lose the spotless name of maid! ----
Faintly, methought, she spoke ; for all the while
She bid me not believe her, with a smile.
Then die, said I: She still denied;
And is it thus, thus, thus, she cried,
You use a harmless maid ?-and so she died !

V.
I waked, and straight I knew,
I loved so well, it made my dream prove true:
Fancy, the kinder mistress of the two,
Fancy had done what Phyllis would not do!
Ah, cruel nymph, cease your disdain,
While I can dream you scorn in vain,-
Asleep or waking you must ease my pain.
· [After the dance, a tumultuous noise of drums

and trumpets.

what press of the prove to

To them Ozmyn; his sword drawn. Ozm. Arm, quickly arm; yet all, I fear, too late; The enemy's already at the gate. Boab. The Christians are dislodged; what foe is.

near? Ozm. The Zegrys are in arms, and almost here: The streets with torches shine, with shoutings ring, And Prince Abdalla is proclaimed the king. What man could do, I have already done, But bold Almanzor fiercely leads them on. Aben. The Alhambra yet is safe in my command;

[To the King. Retreat you thither, while their shock we stand,

Boab. I cannot meanly for my life provide;
I'll either perish in't, or stem this tide.
To guard the palace, Ozmyn, be your care:
If they o'ercome, no sword will hurt the fair.

Ozm. I'll either die, or I'll make good the place.
Abdelm. And I with these will bold Almanzor

face.

[Exeunt all but the Ladies. An alarum within. Almah. What dismal planet did my triumphs

light! Discord the day, and death does rule the night: The noise my soul does through my senses wound. · Lyndar. Methinks it is a noble, sprightly sound, The trumpet's clangor, and the clash of arms! This noise may chill your blood, but mine it warms.

[Shouting and clashing of swords within. We have already passed the Rubicon; The dice are mine; now, fortune, for a throne!

[A shout within, and clashing of swords afar

off. The sound goes farther off, and faintly dies; Curse of this going back, these ebbing cries!

Ye winds, waft hither sounds more strong and

quick; Beat faster, drums, and mingle deaths more thick. I'll to the turrets of the palace go, And add new fire to those that fight below: Thence, hero-like, with torches by my side, (Far be the omen, though) my love will guide. No; like his better fortune I'll appear, With open arms, loose veil, and flowing hair, Just flying forward from my rolling sphere: My smiles shall make Abdalla more than man; Let him look up, and perish if he can. [Exit. An alarum nearer: Then Enter ALMANZOR and

SELIN, at the head of the Zegrys; OzMYN

Prisoner. Almanz. We have not fought enough; they fly

too soon; And I am grieved the noble sport is done. This only man, of all whom chance did bring

[Pointing to Ozmyn. To meet my arms, was worth the conquering. His brave resistance did my fortune grace; So slow, so threatning forward he gave place. His chains be easy, and his usage fair.

Selin. I beg you would commit him to my care. Almanz. Next, the brave Spaniard free without

delay; And with a convoy send him safe away.

[Éxit a Guard. To them Hamet and others. Hamet. The king by me salutes you; and, to show That to your valour he his crown does owe, Would from your mouth I should the word receive, And that to these you would your orders give.

Almanz. He much o'er-rates the little I have done.

[ALMANZOR goes to the door, and there seems

to give out orders, by sending people several

ways. Selin to Ozmyn. Now, to revenge the murder of

my son,
To morrow for thy certain death prepare; )
This night I only leave thee to despair.

Ozmyn. Thy idle menaces I do not fear:
My business was to die or conquer here.
Sister, for you I grieve I could no more:
My present state betrays my want of power;
But, when true courage is of force berefi,
Patience, the only fortitude, is left.

Exit with SELIN.
Almah. Ah, Esperanza, what for me remains
But death, or, worse than death, inglorious chains !

Esper. Madam, you must not to despair give place;
Heaven never meant misfortune to that face.
Suppose there were no justice in your cause,
Beauty's a bribe that gives her judges laws.
That you are brought to this deplored estate,
Is but the ingenious flattery of your fate;
Fate fears her succour, like an alms, to give;
And would you, God-like, from yourself should live.

Almah. Mark but how terribly his eyes appear!
And yet there's something roughly noble there,
Which, in unfashioned nature, looks divine,
And, like a gem, does in the quarry shine.

[ALMANZOR returns ; she falls at his feet, be

ing veiled. Almah. Turn, mighty conqueror, turn your face

this way, Do not refuse to hear the wretched pray ! Almanz. What business can this woman have

with me? Almah. That of the afflicted to the Deity. VOL. IV.

.