Death did at length so many slain forget, And lost the tale, and took them by the great. Enter ALMANZOR, with the Duke of ARCOS, Hamet. Sec, here he comes, And leads in triumph him, who did command Below the swelled ambition of his mind; D. Arcos. Of small advantages too much you boast; You beat the out-guards of my master's host: So small, that half have never heard the news. D. Arcos. Believe, you shall not long attend in vain: To-morrow's dawn shall cover all the plain; A wood of lances, and a moving war. But I, unhappy, in my bonds, must yet I hold thy chain too fast for him to break. D. Arcos. Old as I am, I take thee at thy word, [Exeunt ALMANZOR, ARCOS, and the rest, excepting only ABDALLA and ZULEMA. Abdal. Of all those Christians who infest this town, This duke of Arcos is of most renown. Zul. Oft have I heard, that, in your father's reign, His bold adventurers beat the neighbouring plain; Then under Ponce Leon's name he fought, And from our triumphs many prizes brought; Till in disgrace from Spain at length he went, And since continued long in banishment. Abdal. But, see, your beauteous sister does appear. Enter LYNDARAXA. Zul. By my desire she came to find me here. [Staying her. A prince, who at your feet is proud to die? Lyndar. Sir, I should blush to own so rude a thing, [Staying. As 'tis to shun the brother of my king. Abdal. In my hard fortune, I some ease should find, Did your disdain extend to all mankind. But give me leave to grieve, and to complain, That you give others what I beg in vain. Lyndar. Take my esteem, if you on that can live; For, frankly, sir, 'tis all I have to give: If from my heart you ask or hope for more, I grieve the place is taken up before. Abdal. My rival merits you. To Abdelmelech I will justice do; For he wants worth, who dares not praise a foe. Lyndar. That for his virtue, sir, you make defence, Shows in your own a noble confidence. But him defending, and excusing me, I know not what can your advantage be. Lyndar. The engagement only in my love does lie, But that's a knot which you can ne'er untie. If there appear relievers from the field, Lyndar. Though Abdelmelech has not yet possest, Yet I have sealed the treaty in my breast. Abdal. Your treaty has not tied you to a day; And wisdom, then, will shew some difference, Lyndar. Princes are subjects still. Subject and subject can small difference bring: And since, sir, you are none, your hopes remove; For less than empire I'll not change my love. Abdal. Had I a crown, all I should prize in it, Then I, perhaps, might stoop, and take it up. Abdal. If I am king, and if my brother die,- Lyndar. That happiness I may enjoy, 'tis true; But then that private man must not be you. Where'er I love, I'm happy in my choice; If I make you so, you shall pay my price. Abdal. Why would you be so great? Lyndar. Because I've seen, This day, what 'tis to hope to be a queen.Heaven, how you all watched each motion of her eye! None could be seen while Almahide was by, Why would I be a queen? Because my face To be that one to live without controul! To be so happy as but one can be. Abdal. Madam,—because I would all doubts re move, Would you, were I a king, accept my love? Lyndar. I would accept it; and, to shew 'tis true, From any other man as soon as you. Abdal. Your sharp replies make me not love you But make me seek new paths to happiness.→→ [He offers to take her hand, and kiss it. Or Abdelmelech, or a king, must have; When you are so, then you may be my slave. [Exit; but looks smiling back on him. Abdal. Howe'er imperious in her words she were, Her parting looks had nothing of severe; A glancing smile allured me to command, And her soft fingers gently pressed my hand: I felt the pleasure glide through every part; Her hand went through me to my very heart. I could my father of a crown deprive.--- Father! That impious thought has shocked my mind: How bold our passions are, and yet how blind!— Methinks, there is less glory in a crown: |