Enter ZULEMA. Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be And would, even in my arms, lie thinking of a throne. Zul. Add to the rest, this one reflection more: When she is married, and you still adore, Think then, and think what comfort it will bring,She had been mine, Had I but only dared to be a king! Abdal. I hope you only would my honour try; I'm loth to think you virtue's enemy. Zul. If, when a crown and mistress are in place, Virtue intrudes, with her lean holy face, Virtue's then mine, and not I virtue's foe. Why does she come where she has nought to do? Let her with anchorites, not with lovers, lie; Statesmen and they keep better company. Abdal. Reason was given to curb our head-strong will. Zul. Reason but shews a weak physician's skill; Gives nothing, while the raging fit does last, Abdal. In cursed ambition I no rest should find, But must for ever lose my peace of mind. Zul. Methinks that peace of mind were bravely lost; A crown, whate'er we give, is worth the cost. Abdal. Justice distributes to each man his right; But what she gives not, should I take by might? Zul. If justice will take all, and nothing give, Justice, methinks, is not distributive. Abdal. Had fate so pleased, I had been eldest born, And then, without a crime, the crown had worn!Zul. Would you so please, fate yet a way would find; Man makes his fate according to his mind. And with new purple spread a nobler loom. Abdal. No more!-I will usurp the royal seat; Thou, who hast made me wicked, make me great. Zul. Your way is plain: the death of Tarifa Does on the king our Zegrys' hatred draw: Though with our enemies in show we close, 'Tis but while we to purpose can be foes. Selin, who heads us, would revenge his son; But favour hinders justice to be done. Proud Ozmyn with the king his power maintains, And, in him, each Abencerrago reigns. Abdal. What face of any title can I bring? Zul. The right an eldest son has to be king. Your father was at first a private man, And got your brother ere his reign began: When, by his valour, he the crown had won, But reason I through love's false optics view. Zul. Love's mighty power has led me captive too; I am in it unfortunate as you. Abdal. Our loves and fortunes shall together go; Thou shalt be happy, when I first am so. Zul. The Zegrys at old Selin's house are met, I'll try to gild the injustice of his cause, Zul. The bold are but the instruments o'the wise; They undertake the dangers we advise : ACT III. SCENE I. Enter ALMANZOR and ABDalla. [Exeunt. Almanz. That he should dare to do me this dis grace! Is fool, or coward, writ upon my face? Refuse my prisoner!-I such means will use, 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; Make me the humble creature of your power: 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; Puts kindness in to set the balance right. 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, Abdal. Haste, then, and lose no time!- 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 in tend To speak, not as your rival, but your friend. Abdelm. Think, brave Abdalla, what it is Think, and turn back, before it be too late. you do: 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; |