Chapter 49

_Enter_ ODMAR _with soldiers_, GUYOMAR, _and_ ALIBECH _bound_.

_Odm_. Fate is more just than you to my desert, And in this act you blame, heaven takes my part.

_Guy_. Can there be gods, and no revenge provide?

_Odm_. The gods are ever of the conquering side: She's now my queen; the Spaniards have agreed, I to my father's empire shall succeed.

_Alib_. How much I crowns contemn, I let thee see, Chusing the younger, and refusing thee.

_Guy_. Were she ambitious, she'd disdain to own The pageant pomp of such a servile throne; A throne, which thou by parricide dost gain, And by a base submission must retain.

_Alib_. I loved thee not before; but, Odmar, know, That now I hate thee, and despise thee too.

_Odm_. With too much violence you crimes pursue, Which if I acted, 'twas for love of you. This, if it teach not love, may teach you fear: I brought not sin so far, to stop it here. Death in a lover's mouth would sound but ill: But know, I either must enjoy, or kill.

_Alib_. Bestow, base man, thy idle threats elsewhere, My mother's daughter knows not how to fear. Since, Guyomar, I must not be thy bride, Death shall enjoy what is to thee denied.

_Odm_. Then take thy wish--

_Guy_. Hold, Odmar, hold: My right in Alibech I will resign; Rather than see her die, I'll see her thine.

_Alib_. In vain thou wouldst resign, for I will be, Even when thou leav'st me, constant still to thee: That shall not save my life: Wilt thou appear Fearful for her, who for herself wants fear?

_Odm_. Her love to him shows me a surer way: I by her love her virtue must betray.--[_Aside_. Since, Alibech, you are so true a wife, [_To her_. 'Tis in your power to save your husband's life: The gods, by me, your love and virtue try; For both will suffer, if you let him die.

_Alib_. I never can believe you will proceed To such a black, and execrable deed.

_Odm_. I only threatened you; but could not prove So much a fool, to murder what I love: But in his death I some advantage see: Worse than it is I'm sure it cannot be. If you consent, you with that gentle breath Preserve his life: If not, behold his death. [_Holds his sword to his breast_.

_Alib_. What shall I do!

_Guy_. What, are your thoughts at strife About a ransom to preserve my life? Though to save yours I did my interest give, Think not, when you were his, I meant to live.

_Alib_. O let him be preserved by any way: But name not the foul price which I must pay. [_To_ ODM.

_Odm_. You would, and would not,--I'll no longer stay. [_Offers again to kill him_.

_Alib_. I yield, I yield; but yet, ere I am ill, An innocent desire I would fulfil: With Guyomar I one chaste kiss would leave, The first and last he ever can receive.

_Odm_. Have what you ask: That minute you agree To my desires, your husband shall be free. [_They unbind her, she goes to her husband_.

_Guy_. No, Alibech, we never must embrace. [_He turns from her_. Your guilty kindness why do you misplace? 'Tis meant to him, he is your private choice; I was made yours but by the public voice. And now you leave me with a poor pretence, That your ill act is for my life's defence.

_Alib_. Since there remains no other means to try, Think I am false; I cannot see you die.

_Guy_. To give for me both life and honour too, Is more, perhaps, than I could give for you. You have done much to cure my jealousy, But cannot perfect it unless both die! For since both cannot live, who stays behind Must be thought fearful, or, what's worse, unkind.

_Alib_. I never could propose that death you chuse; But am, like you, too jealous to refuse. [_Embracing him_. Together dying, we together show That both did pay that faith, which both did owe.

_Odm_. It then remains I act my own design: Have you your wills, but I will first have mine. Assist me, soldiers-- [_They go to bind her: She cries out_.

_Enter_ VASQUEZ, _and two Spaniards_.

_Vasq_. Hold, Odmar, hold! I come in happy time To hinder my misfortune, and your crime.

_Odm_. You ill return the kindness I have shown.

_Vasq_. Indian, I say, desist.

_Odm_. Spaniard, be gone.

_Vasq_. This lady I did for myself design: Dare you attempt her honour, who is mine?

_Odm_. You're much mistaken; this is she, whom I Did with my father's loss, and country's buy: She, whom your promise did to me convey, When all things else were made your common prey.

_Vasq_. That promise made, excepted one for me; One whom I still reserved, and this is she.

_Odm_. This is not she; you cannot be so base.

_Vasq_. I love too deeply to mistake the face: The vanquished must receive the victor's laws.

_Odm_. If I am vanquished, I myself am cause.

_Vasq_. Then thank yourself for what you undergo.

_Odm_. Thus lawless might does justice overthrow.

_Vasq_. Traitors, like you, should never justice name.

_Odm_. You owe your triumphs to that traitor's shame. But to your general I'll my right refer.

_Vasq_. He never will protect a ravisher: His generous heart will soon decide our strife; He to your brother will restore his wife. It rests we two our claim in combat try, And that with this fair prize the victor fly.

_Odm_. Make haste, I cannot suffer to be long perplext; Conquest is my first wish, and death my next. [_They fight, the Spaniards and Indians fight_.

_Alib_. The gods the wicked by themselves o'erthrow: All fight against us now, and for us too! [_Unbinds her husband_.

[_The two Spaniards and three Indians kill each other,_ VASQUEZ _kills_ ODMAR, GUYOMAR _runs to his brothers sword_.

_Vasq_. Now you are mine; my greatest foe is slain. [_To_ AL.

_Guy_. A greater still to vanquish does remain.

_Vasq_. Another yet! The wounds, I make, but sow new enemies, Which from their blood, like earth-born brethren, rise.

_Guy_. Spaniard, take breath: Some respite I'll afford, My cause is more advantage than your sword.

_Vasq_. Thou art so brave--could it with honour be, I'd seek thy friendship more than victory.

_Guy_. Friendship with him, whose hand did Odmar kill! Base as he was, he was my brother still: And since his blood has washed away his guilt. Nature asks thine for that which thou hast spilt. [_They fight a little and breathe_, ALIBECH _takes up a sword and comes on_.

_Alib_. My weakness may help something in the strife.

_Guy_. Kill not my honour to preserve my life: [_Staying her_. Rather than by thy aid I'll conquest gain, Without defence I poorly will be slain.

[_She goes back, they fight again_, VASQUEZ _falls_.

_Guy_. Now, Spaniard, beg thy life, and thou shalt live.

_Vasq_. 'Twere vain to ask thee what thou canst not give; My breath goes out, and I am now no more; Yet her, I loved, in death I will adore. [_Dies_.

_Guy_. Come, Alibech, let us from hence remove. This is a night of horror, not of love. From every part I hear a dreadful noise, The vanquished crying, and the victor's joys. I'll to my father's aid and country's fly, And succour both, or in their ruin die. [_Exeunt_.