But, though his ruin be as sure as fate, Your proof of love to me would come too late. if you love me, show it now. "Tis easy; if Lyndar. It is because I love you, I refuse; Abdelm. You would in vain dissemble love to me; But, since the affair is great, I will advise. [Is going. Lyndar. Stay; you too swift an exposition make. If I should go, since Zulema will stay, I should my brother to the king betray. Abdelm. There is no fear; but, if there were, I see You value still your brother more than me.- [Is going again. Lyndar. Your faithless dealings you may blush to tell: [Weeping. This is a maid's reward, who loves too well. [He looks back. Remember that I drew my latest breath, In charging your unkindness with my death. Abdelm. [coming back.] Have I not answered all you can invent, Even the least shadow of an argument? Lyndar. You want not cunning what you please. to prove, But my poor heart knows only how to love; [Wringing her hands. But, oh, that I should love so false a man! can. Lyndar. I'll hear no more; your breach of faith is plain: You would with wit your want of love maintain. They, who love truly, cannot argue well.— Leave me alone to mourn my misery; I cannot cease to love you, but I'll die. [Leans her head on his arm. Abdelm. What man but I so long unmoved could hear Such tender passion, and refuse a tear!— [Weeping. Lyndar. I fear your feigned repentance comes too late; I die, to see you still thus obstinate: But yet, in death my truth of love to show, Abdelm. By heaven, you shall not go! I will not be O'ercome in love or generosity. All I desire, to end the unlucky strife, Abdelm. Swear, then, you never will my rival's be. Lyndar. Nay, pr'ythee, this is harder than be fore. Name any thing, good dear, but that thing more. I know you false, yet in your snares I fall; Because I love to keep you jealous still. In your suspicion I your passion find; my Halyma. O, madam, the new king is drawing near! Lyndar. Haste quickly hence, lest he should find you here! Abdelm. How much more wretched than I came, I more my weakness and your falsehood know; tell: And yet I love thee, for a subject, well.— I will attend till time this throne secure; [Music without. Music! and, I believe, addressed to me. SONG. I. IVherever I am, and whatever I do, II. When Phyllis I see, my heart bounds in my breast, III. Should a king be my rival in her I adore, IV. Alas! I discover too much of my love, And she too well knows her own power! She makes me each day a new martyrdom prove, And makes me grow jealous each hour: But let her each minute torment my poor mind, I had rather love Phyllis, both false and unkind, Than ever be freed from her power. Enter ABDALLA, with guards. Abdal. Now, madam, at your feet a king you see; Or, rather, if you please, a sceptered slave: "Tis just you should possess the power you gave. Had love not made me yours, I yet had been But the first subject to Boabdelin. Thus heaven declares the crown I bring your due; And had forgot my title, but for you. Lyndar. Heaven to your merits will, I hope, be kind; But, sir, it has not yet declared its mind. Abdal. All, but the Alhambra, is within my power; And that my forces go to take this hour. Lyndar. When, with its keys, your brother's head you bring, I shall believe you are indeed a king. Abdal. But since the events of all things doubt ful are, And, of events, most doubtful those of war; |