I only wish the king may grateful be, Almanz. Born, as I am, still to command, not sue, [Exeunt. ACT 'V. SCENE I. ABDALLA alone, under the walls of the Albayzyn. Abdal. While she is mine, I have not yet lost all, But in her arms shall have a gentle fall: Blest in my love, although in war o'ercome, I fly, like Antony from Actium, To meet a better Cleopatra here.- You of the watch! you of the watch! appear. Sold. [above.] Who calls below? What's your de mand? Abdal. 'Tis I: Open the gate with speed; the foe is nigh. Sold. What orders for admittance do you bring? 1. Abdal. Slave, my own orders; look, and know the king. Sold. I know you; but my charge is so severe, That none, without exception, enter here. Abdal. Traitor, and rebel! thou shalt shortly see Thy orders are not to extend to me. Lyndar. [above.] What saucy slave so rudely does exclaim, And brands my subject with a rebel's name? Abdal. He forced me; but the danger nearer draws: When I am entered, you shall know the cause. Lyndar. Entered! Why, have you any business here? you Abdal. I am pursued, the enemy is near. Lyndar. Are you pursued, and do thus delay To save yourself? Make haste, my lord, away. Abdal. Give me not cause to think you mock my grief: What place have I, but this, for my relief? Lyndar. This favour does your handmaid much oblige, But we are not provided for a siege: to weep. Is this the faith you promised me to keep? Ah yet, if to a lover you will bring Lyndar. A king is he, whom nothing can withstand; Who men and money can with ease command. Abdal. Ungrateful maid, did I for this rebel? Abdal. Who follow fortune, still are in the right; But let me be protected here this night. Lyndar. The place to-morrow will be circled round; And then no way will for your flight be found.Abdal. I hear my enemies just coming on; [Trampling within. Protect me but one hour, till they are gone. Lyndar. They'll know you have been here; it cannot be; That very hour you stay, will ruin me: I shall be thought a rebel too, like you. Haste hence; and, that your flight may prosperous prove, I'll recommend you to the powers above. [Exit LYND. from above. Abdal. She's gone: Ah, faithless and ungrateful maid! I hear some tread; and fear I am betrayed. [Exit. Enter OZMYN, BENZAYDA, and ABENAMAR. (To merit all these thanks) I could have said, 'Twas pity, but 'twas of a love-sick maid. His manly suffering my esteem did move; That bred compassion, and compassion love. Ozm. O blessing sold me at too cheap a rate! My danger was the benefit of fate. [To his father. But that you may my fair deliverer know, She was not only born our house's foe, But to my death by powerful reasons led; At least, in justice, she might wish me dead. Aben. But why thus long do you her name conceal? Ozm. To gain belief for what I now reveal: Even thus prepared, you scarce can think it true, The saver of my life from Selin drew Her birth; and was his sister whom I slew. Aben. No more; it cannot, was not, must not be: Upon my blessing, say not it was she. The daughter of the only man I hate! Two contradictions twisted in a fate! Ozm. The mutual hate, which you and Selin bore, Does but exalt her generous pity more. Could she a brother's death forgive to me, To reckon her, who gave it, still your foe? By meanly taking of the life they gave. Grant that it did in her a pity shew; Thou kill'dst her brother; but she triumphs last: And thought my cruel father much to blame, In that unstable, and soon conquered mind? Ozm. Nature, that bids us parents to obey, Leave her, or cease henceforth to be my son : Ozm. It is a murdering will, [Exit ABEN. That whirls along with an impetuous sway, And, like chain-shot, sweeps all things in its way. |