ACT V. SCENE I.

ALMANZOR _solus._

I have outfac'd myself; and justified, What I knew false, to all the world beside. She was as faithless as her sex could be; And, now I am alone, she's so to me. She's fallen! and, now, where shall we virtue find? She was the last that stood of womankind. Could she so holily my flames remove, And fall that hour to Abdelmelech's love? Yet her protection I must undertake; Not now for love, but for my honour's sake, That moved me first, and must oblige me still: My cause is good, however her's be ill. I'll leave her, when she's freed; and let it be Her punishment, she could be false to me.

_To him_ ABDELMELECH, _guarded._

_Abdelm._ Heaven is not heaven, nor are there deities There is some new rebellion in the skies. All that was good and holy is dethroned, And lust and rapine are for justice owned.

_Almanz._ 'Tis true; what justice in that heaven can be, Which thus affronts me with the sight of thee? Why must I be from just revenge debarred? Chains are thy arms, and prisons are thy guard: The death, thou diest, may to a husband be A satisfaction; but 'tis none to me. My love would justice to itself afford; But now thou creep'st to death below my sword.

_Abdelm._ This threatening would show better were I free.

_Almanz._ No; wert thou freed, I would not threaten thee; This arm should then--but now it is too late! I could redeem thee to a nobler fate. As some huge rock, Rent from its quarry, does the waves divide, So I Would souse upon thy guards, and dash them wide: Then, to my rage left naked and alone, Thy too much freedom thou should'st soon bemoan: Dared like a lark, that, on the open plain Pursued and cuffed, seeks shelter now in vain; So on the ground wouldst thou expecting lie, Not daring to afford me victory. But yet thy fate's not ripe; it is decreed, Before thou diest, that Almahide be freed. My honour first her danger must remove, And then revenge on thee my injured love. [_Exeunt severally._