Hamet. Your slighting Zulema, this very hour Will take ten thousand subjects from your power. Almanz. What are ten thousand subjects such as they? If I am scorned-I'll take myself away. Abdal. Since both cannot possess what both pur sue, I grieve, my friend, the chance should fall on you; But when you hear what reason I can urge Almans. None, none that your ingratitude can purge. Reason's a trick, when it no grant affords; Abdal. Your boldness to your services I give: If from thy hands alone my death can be, If I would kill thee now, thy fate's so low, Piled on thy back, can never pull it down: There's not a star of thine dare stay with thee: [Exit. Zul. Let not this insolent unpunished go; Give your commands; your justice is too slow. [ZULEMA, HAMET, and others are going af ter him. Abdel. Stay, and what part he pleases let him take: I know my throne's too strong for him to shake. ACT IV. SCENE I. [Exeunt. Enter BOABDELIN, ABENAMAR, and Guards. Boab. Advise, or aid, but do not pity me: No monarch born can fall to that degree. Pity descends from kings to all below; But can, no more than fountains, upward flow. Witness, just heaven, my greatest grief has been, I could not make your Almahide a queen. Aben. I have too long the effects of fortune known, Either to trust her smiles, or fear her frown. close, To wait our friends, and weary out our foes: To lawless rebels is exposed a prey, And forced the lustful victor to obey. Aben. One of my blood, in rules of virtue bred! Think better of her, and believe she's dead. Enter ALMANZOR. Boab. We are betrayed, the enemy is here; We have no farther room to hope or fear. Almanz. It is indeed Almanzor whom you see, But he no longer is your enemy. You were ungrateful, but your foes were more; Almanz. Were I, like thee, in cheats of state grown old, (Those public markets, where, for foreign gold, Then thou mightst think me fit for that low part; That men on every passing through may look, When troubled most, it does the bottom shew, Almanz. In that you more accuse yourselves than me; None who are injured can inconstant be. shows, Who fears that little, he has left, to lose: SCENE II. Enter LYNDARAXA. Lyndar. O, could I read the dark decrees of fate, That I might once know whom to love, or hate! For I myself scarce my own thoughts can guess, So much I find them varied by success. As in some weather-glass, my love I hold; Which falls or rises with the heat or cold.I will be constant yet, if fortune can; I love the king,-let her but name the man. 3 Enter HALYMA. Hal. Madam, a gentleman, to me unknown, Desires that he may speak with you alone. Lyndar. Some message from the king.—Let him appear. Enter ABDELMELECH; who throws off his dis- Abdelm. I see you are amazed that I am here: Lyndar. Your danger brings this trouble in my eyes. But what affair this 'venturous visit drew? Abdelm. The greatest in the world,—the seeing you. Lyndar. The courage of your love I so admire, That, to preserve you, you shall straight retire. [She leads him to the door. Go, dear! each minute does new dangers bring; You will be taken; I expect the king. Abdelm. The king!-the poor usurper of an hour: To leave him, ere his short dominion end: stow; But, if his reign be short, I need not go. Abdelm. My danger in the attempt is very small; And, if he loves you, yours is none at all. |