ACT III. SCENE I.

_Enter_ ALMANZOR _and_ ABDALLA.

_Almanz._ That he should dare to do me this disgrace!-- Is fool, or coward, writ upon my face? Refuse my prisoner!--I such means will use, He shall not have a prisoner to refuse.

_Abdal._ He said, you were not by your promise tied; That he absolved your word, when he denied.

_Almanz._ He break my promise, and absolve my vow! 'Tis more than Mahomet himself can do!-- The word, which I have given, shall stand like fate; Not like the king's, that weather-cock of state. He stands so high, with so unfixed a mind, Two factions turn him with each blast of wind: But now, he shall not veer! my word is past; I'll take his heart by the roots, and hold it fast.

_Abdal._ You have your vengeance in your hand this hour; Make me the humble creature of your power: The Granadines will gladly me obey; (Tired with so base and impotent a sway) And, when I shew my title, you shall see, I have a better right to reign than he.

_Almanz._ It is sufficient that you make the claim; You wrong our friendship when your right you name. When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause; But friendship will admit of no such laws: That weighs by the lump; and, when the cause is light, Puts kindness in to set the balance right. True, I would wish my friend the juster side; But, in the unjust, my kindness more is tried: And all the opposition I can bring, Is, that I fear to make you such a king.

_Abdal._ The majesty of kings we should not blame, When royal minds adorn the royal name; The vulgar, greatness too much idolize, But haughty subjects it too much despise.

_Almanz._ I only speak of him, Whom pomp and greatness sit so loose about, That he wants majesty to fill them out.

_Abdal._ Haste, then, and lose no time!-- The business must be enterprised this night: We must surprise the court in its delight.

_Almanz._ For you to will, for me 'tis to obey: But I would give a crown in open day; And, when the Spaniards their assault begin, At once beat those without, and these within. [_Exit_ ALMANZ.

_Enter_ ABDELMELECH.

_Abdelm._ Abdalla, hold!--There's somewhat I intend To speak, not as your rival, but your friend.

_Abdal._ If as a friend, I am obliged to hear; And what a rival says I cannot fear.

_Abdelm._ Think, brave Abdalla, what it is you do: Your quiet, honour, and our friendship too, All for a fickle beauty you forego. Think, and turn back, before it be too late. Behold in me the example of your fate: I am your sea-mark; and, though wrecked and lost, My ruins stand to warn you from the coast.

_Abdal._ Your counsels, noble Abdelmelech, move My reason to accept them, not my love. Ah, why did heaven leave man so weak defence, To trust frail reason with the rule of sense! 'Tis over-poised and kicked up in the air, While sense weighs down the scale, and keeps it there; Or, like a captive king, 'tis borne away, And forced to countenance its own rebels' sway.

_Abdelm._ No, no; our reason was not vainly lent; Nor is a slave, but by its own consent: If reason on his subject's triumph wait, An easy king deserves no better fate.

_Abdal._ You speak too late; my empire's lost too far: I cannot fight.

_Abdelm._ Then make a flying war; Dislodge betimes, before you are beset.

_Abdal._ Her tears, her smiles, her every look's a net. Her voice is like a Syren's of the land; And bloody hearts lie panting in her hand.

_Abdelm._ This do you know, and tempt the danger still?

_Abdal._ Love, like a lethargy, has seized my will. I'm not myself, since from her sight I went; I lean my trunk that way, and there stand bent. As one, who, in some frightful dream, would shun His pressing foe, labours in vain to run; And his own slowness, in his sleep, bemoans, With thick short sighs, weak cries, and tender groans, So I--

_Abdelm._ Some friend, in charity, should shake, And rouse, and call you loudly till you wake. Too well I know her blandishments to gain, Usurper-like, till settled in her reign; Then proudly she insults, and gives you cares, And jealousies, short hopes, and long despairs. To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow, Howe'er she shines all golden to you now.

_Abdul._ Like him, who on the ice Slides swiftly on, and sees the water near, Yet cannot stop himself in his career, So am I carried. This enchanted place, Like Circe's isle, is peopled with a race Of dogs and swine; yet, though their fate I know, I look with pleasure, and am turning too. [LYNDARAXA _passes over the Stage._

_Abdelm._ Fly, fly, before the allurements of her face, Ere she return with some resistless grace, And with new magic cover all the place.

_Abdal._ I cannot, will not,--nay, I would not fly: I'll love, be blind, be cozened till I die; And you, who bid me wiser counsel take, I'll hate, and, if I can, I'll kill you for her sake.

_Abdelm._ Even I, that counselled you, that choice approve: I'll hate you blindly, and her blindly love. Prudence, that stemmed the stream, is out of breath: And to go down it is the easier death.

LYNDARAXA _re-enters, and smiles on_ ABDALLA. [_Exit_ ABDALLA.

_Abdelm._ That smile on Prince Abdalla seems to say, You are not in your killing mood to day: Men brand, indeed, your sex with cruelty, But you are too good to see poor lovers die. This god-like pity in you I extol; And more, because, like heaven's, 'tis general.

_Lyndar._ My smile implies not that I grant his suit: 'Twas but a bare return of his salute.

_Abdelm._ It said, you were engaged, and I in place; But, to please both, you would divide the grace.

_Lyndar._ You've cause to be contented with your part, When he has but the look, and you the heart.

_Abdelm._ In giving but that look, you give what's mine: I'll not one corner of a glance resign. All's mine; and I am covetous of my store: I have not love enough, I'll tax you more.

_Lyndar._ I gave not love; 'twas but civility: He is a prince; that's due to his degree.

_Abdelm._ That prince you smiled on is my rival still, And should, if me you loved, be treated ill.

_Lyndar._ I know not how to show so rude a spite.

_Abdelm._ That is, you know not how to love aright; Or, if you did, you would more difference see Betwixt our souls, than 'twixt our quality. Mark, if his birth makes any difference, If to his words it adds one grain of sense. That duty, which his birth can make his due, I'll pay, but it shall not be paid by you: For, if a prince courts her whom I adore, He is my rival, and a prince no more.

_Lyndar._ And when did I my power so far resign. That you should regulate each look of mine?

_Abdelm._ Then, when you gave your love, you gave that power.

_Lyndar._ 'Twas during pleasure, 'tis revoked this hour. Now, call me false, and rail on womankind,-- 'Tis all the remedy you're like to find.

_Abdelm._ Yes, there's one more; I'll hate you, and this visit is my last.

_Lyndar._ Do't, if you can; you know I hold you fast: Yet, for your quiet, would you could resign Your love, as easily as I do mine.

_Abdelm._ Furies and hell, how unconcerned she speaks! With what indifference all her vows she breaks! Curse on me, but she smiles!

_Lyndar._ That smile's a part of love, and all's your due: I take it from the prince, and give it you.

_Abdelm._ Just heaven, must my poor heart your May-game prove, To bandy, and make children's play in love? [_Half crying._ Ah! how have I this cruelty deserved? I, who so truly and so long have served! And left so easily! oh cruel maid! So easily! it was too unkindly said. That heart, which could so easily remove, Was never fixed, nor rooted deep in love.

_Lyndar._ You lodged it so uneasy in your breast, I thought you had been weary of the guest. First, I was treated like a stranger there; But, when a household friend I did appear, You thought, it seems, I could not live elsewhere. Then, by degrees, your feigned respect withdrew; You marked my actions, and my guardian grew. But I am not concerned your acts to blame: My heart to yours but upon liking came; And, like a bird, whom prying boys molest, Stays not to breed, where she had built her nest.

_Abdelm._ I have done ill, And dare not ask you to be less displeased; Be but more angry, and my pain is eased.

_Lyndar._ If I should be so kind a fool, to take This little satisfaction which you make, I know you would presume some other time Upon my goodness, and repeat your crime.

_Abdelm._ Oh never, never, upon no pretence; My life's too short to expiate this offence.

_Lyndar._ No, now I think on't, 'tis in vain to try; 'Tis in your nature, and past remedy. You'll still disquiet my too loving heart: Now we are friends 'tis best for both to part. [_He takes her hand._

_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, ESPERANZA, _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._

II.

_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 love 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.

_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. [_Exit 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 bereft, 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, being 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. So may your arms success in battle find; So may the mistress of your vows be kind, If you have any; or, if you have none, So may your liberty be still your own!

_Almanz._ Yes, I will turn my face, but not my mind: You bane and soft destruction of mankind, What would you have with me?

_Almah._ I beg the grace [_Unveiling._ You would lay by those terrors of your face. Till calmness to your eyes you first restore, I am afraid, and I can beg no more.

_Almanz._ [_Looking fixedly on her._] Well; my fierce visage shall not murder you. Speak quickly, woman; I have much to do.

_Almah._ Where should I find the heart to speak one word? Your voice, sir, is as killing as your sword. As you have left the lightning of your eye, So would you please to lay your thunder by.

_Almanz._ I'm pleased and pained, since first her eyes I saw, As I were stung with some tarantula. Arms, and the dusty field, I less admire, And soften strangely in some new desire; Honour burns in me not so fiercely bright, But pale as fires when mastered by the light: Even while I speak and look, I change yet more, And now am nothing that I was before. I'm numbed, and fixed, and scarce my eye-balls move: I fear it is the lethargy of love! 'Tis he; I feel him now in every part: Like a new lord he vaunts about my heart; Surveys, in state, each corner of my breast, While poor fierce I, that was, am dispossessed. I'm bound; but I will rouse my rage again; And, though no hope of liberty remain, I'll fright my keeper when I shake my chain. You are-- [_Angrily._

_Almah._ I know I am your captive, sir.

_Almanz._ You are--You shall--And I can scarce forbear--

_Almah._ Alas!

_Almanz._ 'Tis all in vain; it will not do: [_Aside._ I cannot now a seeming anger show: My tongue against my heart no aid affords; For love still rises up, and choaks my words.

_Almah._ In half this time a tempest would be still.

_Almanz._ 'Tis you have raised that tempest in my will. I wonnot love you; give me back my heart; But give it, as you had it, fierce and brave. It was not made to be a woman's slave, But, lion-like, has been in desarts bred, And, used to range, will ne'er be tamely led. Restore its freedom to my fettered will, And then I shall have power to use you ill.

_Almah._ My sad condition may your pity move; But look not on me with the eyes of love:-- I must be brief, though I have much to say.

_Almanz._ No, speak; for I can hear you now all day. Her sueing sooths me with a secret pride: [_Softly._ A suppliant beauty cannot be denied: [_Aside._ Even while I frown, her charms the furrows seize; And I'm corrupted with the power to please.

_Almah._ Though in your worth no cause of fear I see, I fear the insolence of victory; As you are noble, sir, protect me then From the rude outrage of insulting men.

_Almanz._ Who dares touch her I love? I'm all o'er love: Nay, I am love; love shot, and shot so fast, He shot himself into my breast at last.

_Almah._ You see before you her, who should be queen, Since she is promised to Boabdelin.

_Almanz._ Are you beloved by him? O wretched fate, First that I love at all; then, loved too late! Yet, I must love!

_Almah._ Alas, it is in vain; Fate for each other did not us ordain. The chances of this day too clearly show That heaven took care that it should not be so.

_Almanz._ Would heaven had quite forgot me this one day! But fate's yet hot-- I'll make it take a bent another way. [_He walks swiftly and discomposedly, studying._ I bring a claim which does his right remove; You're his by promise, but you're mine by love. 'Tis all but ceremony which is past; The knot's to tie which is to make you fast. Fate gave not to Boabdelin that power; He wooed you but as my ambassador.

_Almah._ Our souls are tied by holy vows above.

_Almanz._ He signed but his: but I will seal my love. I love you better, with more zeal than he.

_Almah._ This day I gave my faith to him, he his to me.

_Almanz._ Good heaven, thy book of fate before me lay, But to tear out the journal of this day: Or, if the order of the world below Will not the gap of one whole day allow, Give me that minute when she made her vow! That minute, ev'n the happy from their bliss might give; And those, who live in grief, a shorter time would live. So small a link, if broke, the eternal chain Would, like divided waters, join again.-- It wonnot be; the fugitive is gone, Prest by the crowd of following minutes on: That precious moment's out of nature fled, And in the heap of common rubbish laid, Of things that once have been, and are decayed.

_Almah._ Your passion, like a fright, suspends my pain; It meets, o'erpowers, and beats mine back again: But as, when tides against the current flow, The native stream runs its own course below, So, though your griefs possess the upper part, My own have deeper channels in my heart.

_Almanz._ Forgive that fury which my soul does move; 'Tis the essay of an untaught first love: Yet rude, unfashioned truth it does express; 'Tis love just peeping in a hasty dress. Retire, fair creature, to your needful rest; There's something noble labouring in my breast: This raging fire, which through the mass does move, Shall purge my dross, and shall refine my love. [_Exeunt_ ALMAHIDE _and_ ESPERANZA. She goes, and I like my own ghost appear; It is not living when she is not here.

_To him_ ABDALLA _as King, attended._

_Abdal._ My first acknowledgments to heaven are due; My next, Almanzor, let me pay to you.

_Almanz._ A poor surprise, and on a naked foe, Whatever you confess, is all you owe; And I no merit own, or understand That fortune did you justice by my hand: Yet, if you will that little service pay With a great favour, I can shew the way.

_Abdal._ I have a favour to demand of you; That is, to take the thing for which you sue.

_Almanz._ Then, briefly, thus: when I the Albayzyn won, I found the beauteous Almahide alone, Whose sad condition did my pity move; And that compassion did produce my love.

_Abdal._ This needs no suit; in justice, I declare. She is your captive by the right of war.

_Almanz._ She is no captive then; I set her free; And, rather than I will her jailor be, I'll nobly lose her in her liberty.

_Abdal._ Your generosity I much approve; But your excess of that shows want of love.

_Almanz._ No, 'tis the excess of love which mounts so high, That, seen far off, it lessens to the eye. Had I not loved her, and had set her free, That, sir, had been my generosity; But 'tis exalted passion, when I show I dare be wretched, not to make her so: And, while another passion fills her breast, I'll be all wretched rather than half blest.

_Abdal._ May your heroic act so prosperous be, That Almahide may sigh you set her free.

_Enter_ ZULEMA.

_Zul._ Of five tall towers which fortify this town, All but the Alhambra your dominion own: Now, therefore, boldly I confess a flame, Which is excused in Almahide's name. If you the merit of this night regard, In her possession I have my reward.

_Almanz._ She your reward! why, she's a gift so great, That I myself have not deserved her yet; And therefore, though I won her with my sword, I have, with awe, my sacrilege restored.

_Zul._ What you deserve I'll not dispute, because I do not know; This only I will say, she shall not go.

_Almanz._ Thou, single, art not worth my answering: But take what friends, what armies thou canst bring; What worlds; and, when you are united all, Then will I thunder in your ears,--She shall.

_Zul._ I'll not one tittle of my right resign.-- Sir, your implicit promise made her mine; When I, in general terms, my love did show, You swore our fortunes should together go.

_Abdal._ The merits of the cause I'll not decide, But, like my love, I would my gift divide. Your equal titles then no longer plead; But one of you, for love of me, recede.

_Almanz._ I have receded to the utmost line, When, by my free consent, she is not mine: Then let him equally recede with me, And both of us will join to set her free.

_Zul._ If you will free your part of her, you may; But, sir, I love not your romantic way. Dream on, enjoy her soul, and set that free; I'm pleased her person should be left for me.

_Almanz._ Thou shalt not wish her thine; thou shalt not dare To be so impudent, as to despair.

_Zul._ The Zegrys, sir, are all concerned to see How much their merit you neglect in me.

_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 pursue, I grieve, my friend, the chance should fall on you; But when you hear what reason I can urge--

_Almanz._ None, none that your ingratitude can purge. Reason's a trick, when it no grant affords; It stamps the face of majesty on words.

_Abdal._ Your boldness to your services I give: Now take it, as your full reward,--to live.

_Almanz._ To live! If from thy hands alone my death can be, I am immortal, and a god to thee. If I would kill thee now, thy fate's so low, That I must stoop ere I can give the blow: But mine is fixed so far above thy crown, That all thy men, Piled on thy back, can never pull it down: But, at my ease, thy destiny I send, By ceasing from this hour to be thy friend. Like heaven, I need but only to stand still. And, not concurring to thy life, I kill. Thou canst no title to my duty bring; I'm not thy subject, and my soul's thy king. Farewell. When I am gone, There's not a star of thine dare stay with thee: I'll whistle thy tame fortune after me; And whirl fate with me wheresoe'er I fly, As winds drive storms before them in the sky. [_Exit._

_Zul._ Let not this insolent unpunished go; Give your commands; your justice is too slow. [ZULEMA, HAMET, _and others are going after him._

_Abdal._ Stay, and what part he pleases let him take: I know my throne's too strong for him to shake. But my fair mistress I too long forget; The crown I promised is not offered yet. Without her presence all my joys are vain, Empire a curse, and life itself a pain. [_Exeunt._