Chapter 14

_Enter_ ALMAHIDE _and_ ESPERANZA.

_Esper._ Affected modesty has much of pride; That scarf he begged, you could not have denied; Nor does it shock the virtue of a wife, When given that man, to whom you owe your life.

_Almah._ Heaven knows, from all intent of ill 'twas free, Yet it may feed my husband's jealousy; And for that cause I wish it were not done.

_To them_ BOABDELIN, _and walks apart._

See, where he comes, all pensive and alone; A gloomy fury has o'erspread his face: 'Tis so! and all my fears are come to pass.

_Boab._ Marriage, thou curse of love, and snare of life, [_Aside_ That first debased a mistress to a wife! Love, like a scene, at distance should appear, But marriage views the gross-daubed landscape near. Love's nauseous cure! thou cloyest whom thou should'st please; And, when thou cur'st, then thou art the disease. When hearts are loose, thy chain our bodies ties; Love couples friends, but marriage enemies. If love like mine continues after thee, 'Tis soon made sour, and turned by jealousy; No sign of love in jealous men remains, But that which sick men have of life--their pains.

_Almah._ Has my dear lord some new affliction had? [_Walking to him._ Have I done any thing that makes him sad?

_Boab._ You! nothing: You! But let me walk alone.

_Almah._ I will not leave you till the cause be known: My knowledge of the ill may bring relief.

_Boab._ Thank ye; you never fail to cure my grief! Trouble me not, my grief concerns not you.

_Almah._ While I have life, I will your steps pursue.

_Boab._ I'm out of humour now; you must not stay.

_Almah._ I fear it is that scarf I gave away.

_Boab._ No, 'tis not that; but speak of it no more: Go hence! I am not what I was before.

_Almah._ Then I will make you so; give me your hand! Can you this pressing and these tears withstand?

_Boab._ Oh heaven, were she but mine, or mine alone! [_Sighing, and going off from her._ Ah, why are not the hearts of women known! False women to new joys unseen can move; There are no prints left in the paths of love, All goods besides by public marks are known; But what we most desire to keep, has none.

_Almah._ Why will you in your breast your passion crowd, [_Approaching him._ Like unborn thunder rolling in a cloud? Torment not your poor heart, but set it free, And rather let its fury break on me. I am not married to a god; I know, Men must have passions, and can bear from you. I fear the unlucky present I have made!

_Boab._ O power of guilt! how conscience can upbraid! It forces her not only to reveal, But to repeat what she would most conceal!

_Almah._ Can such a toy, and given in public too--

_Boab._ False woman, you contrived it should be so. That public gift in private was designed The emblem of the love you meant to bind. Hence from my sight, ungrateful as thou art! And, when I can, I'll banish thee my heart. [_She weeps._

_To them_ ALMANZOR _wearing the Scarf. He sees her weep._

_Almanz._ What precious drops are those, Which silently each other's track pursue, Bright as young diamonds in their infant dew? Your lustre you should free from tears maintain, Like Egypt, rich without the help of rain. Now cursed be he who gave this cause of grief; And double cursed, who does not give relief!

_Almah._ Our common fears, and public miseries, Have drawn these tears from my afflicted eyes.

_Almanz._ Madam, I cannot easily believe It is for any public cause you grieve. On your fair face the marks of sorrow lie; But I read fury in your husband's eye: And, in that passion, I too plainly find That you're unhappy, and that he's unkind.

_Almah._ Not new-made mothers greater love express Than he, when with first looks their babes they bless; Not Heaven is more to dying martyrs kind, Nor guardian angels to their charge assigned.

_Boab._ O goodness counterfeited to the life! O the well-acted virtue of a wife! Would you with this my just suspicions blind? You've given me great occasion to be kind! The marks, too, of your spotless love appear; Witness the badge of my dishonour there. [_Pointing to_ ALMANZOR'S _scarf._

_Almanz._ Unworthy owner of a gem so rare! Heavens! why must he possess, and I despair? Why is this miser doomed to all this store; He, who has all, and yet believes he's poor?

_Almah._ [_to_ ALMANZ.] You're much too bold, to blame a jealousy So kind in him, and so desired by me. The faith of wives would unrewarded prove, Without those just observers of our love. The greater care the higher passion shows; We hold that clearest we most fear to lose. Distrust in lovers is too warm a sun, But yet 'tis night in love when that is gone; And in those climes which most his scorching know, He makes the noblest fruits and metals grow.

_Almanz._ Yes; there are mines of treasure in your breast, Seen by that jealous sun, but not possest. He, like a devil, among the blest above, Can take no pleasure in your heaven of love. Go, take her; and thy causeless fears remove; [_To the King._ Love her so well, that I with rage may die: Dull husbands have no right to jealousy: If that's allowed, it must in lovers be.

_Boab._ The succour, which thou bring'st me, makes thee bold: But know, without thy aid, my crown I'll hold; Or, if I cannot, I will fire the place, Of a full city make a naked space. Hence, then, and from a rival set me free! I'll do, I'll suffer any thing but thee.

_Almanz._ I wonnot go; I'll not be forced away: I came not for thy sake; nor do I stay. It was the queen who for my aid did send; And 'tis I only can the queen defend: I, for her sake, thy sceptre will maintain; And thou, by me, in spite of thee, shalt reign.

_Boab._ Had I but hope I could defend this place Three days, thou should'st not live to my disgrace So small a time; Might I possess my Almahide alone, I would live ages out ere they were gone. I should not be of love or life bereft; All should be spent before, and nothing left.

_Almah._ [_to_ BOAB.] As for your sake I for Almanzor sent, So, when you please, he goes to banishment. You shall, at last, my loyalty approve: I will refuse no trial of my love.

_Boab._ How can I think you love me, while I see That trophy of a rival's victory? I'll tear it from his side.

_Almanz._ I'll hold it fast As life, and when life's gone, I'll hold this last; And if thou tak'st it after I am slain, I'll send my ghost to fetch it back again.

_Almah._ When I bestowed that scarf, I had not thought, Or not considered it might be a fault; But, since my lord's displeased that I should make So small a present, I command it back. Without delay the unlucky gift restore; Or, from this minute, never see me more.

_Almanz._ The shock of such a curse I dare not stand: [_Pulling it off hastily, and presenting it to her._ Thus I obey your absolute command. [_She gives it to the King._ Must he the spoils of scorn'd Almanzor wear?-- May Turnus' fate be thine, who dared to bear The belt of murdered Pallas! from afar Mayest thou be known, and be the mark of war! Live, just to see it from thy shoulders torn By common hands, and by some coward worn. [_An alarm within._

_Enter_ ABDELMELECH, ZULEMA, HAMET, ABENAMAR; _their swords drawn._

_Abdelm._ Is this a time for discord or for grief? We perish, sir, without your quick relief. I have been fooled, and am unfortunate; The foes pursue their fortune and our fate.

_Zul._ The rebels with the Spaniards are agreed.

_Boab._ Take breath; my guards shall to the fight succeed.

_Aben._ [_to_ ALMANZOR.] Why stay you, sir? the conquering foe is near: Give us their courage, and give them our fear.

_Hamet._ Take arms, or we must perish in your sight.

_Almanz._ I care not: perish: for I will not fight, I wonnot lift an arm in his defence: And yet I wonnot stir one foot from hence. I to your king's defence his town resign; This only spot, whereon I stand, is mine.-- Madam, be safe, and lay aside your fear, [_To the Queen_ You are as in a magic circle here.

_Boab._ To our own valour our success we'll owe. Haste, Hamet, with Abenamar to go; You two draw up, with all the speed you may, Our last reserves, and yet redeem the day. [_Exeunt_ HAMET _and_ ABENAMAR _one way, the King the other, with_ ABDELMELECH, _&c. Alarm within._

_Enter_ ABDELMELECH, _his sword drawn._

_Abdelm._ Granada is no more! the unhappy king Venturing too far, ere we could succour bring, Was by the duke of Arcos prisoner made, And, past relief, is to the fort conveyed.

_Almanz._ Heaven, thou art just! go, now despise my aid.

_Almah._ Unkind Almanzor, how am I betrayed! Betrayed by him in whom I trusted most! But I will ne'er outlive what I have lost. Is this your succour, this your boasted love! I will accuse you to the saints above! Almanzor vowed he would for honour fight, And lets my husband perish in my sight. [_Exeunt_ ALMAHIDE _and_ ESPERANZA.

_Almanz._ Oh, I have erred; but fury made me blind; And, in her just reproach, my fault I find! I promised even for him to fight, whom I-- But since he's loved by her, he must not die. Thus, happy fortune comes to me in vain, When I myself must ruin it again.

_To him_ ABENAMAR, HAMET, ABDELMELECH, ZULEMA, _Soldiers._

_Aben._ The foe has entered the Vermillion towers; And nothing but the Alhambra now is ours.

_Almanz._ Even that's too much, except we may have more; You lost it all to that last stake before. Fate, now come back; thou canst not farther get; The bounds of thy libration here are set. Thou know'st this place, And, like a clock wound up, strik'st here for me; Now, Chance, assert thy own inconstancy, And, Fortune, fight, that thou may'st Fortune be!-- They come: here, favoured by the narrow place, [_A noise within._ I can, with few, their gross battalion face. By the dead wall, you, Abdelmelech, wind; Then charge, and their retreat cut off behind. [_Exeunt._ [_An alarm within._

_Enter_ ALMANZOR _and his Party, with_ ABDALLA _prisoner._

_Almanz._ You were my friend: and to that name I owe [_To_ ABDAL. The just regard, which you refused to show. Your liberty I frankly would restore, But honour now forbids me to do more. Yet, sir, your freedom in your choice shall be, When you command to set your brother free.

_Abdal._ The exchange, which you propose, with joy I take; An offer easier than my hopes could make. Your benefits revenge my crimes to you, For I my shame in that bright mirror view.

_Almanz._ No more; you give me thanks you do not owe: I have been faulty, and repent me now. But, though our penitence a virtue be, Mean souls alone repent in misery; The brave own faults when good success is given, For then they come on equal terms to heaven. [_Exeunt._