Would sacrifice her love, and break her vow, Not out of love, but interest, acts alone, 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 From any other man as soon as you. But make me seek new paths to happiness. assures. Lyndar. Perhaps not love you,-but I will be yours. [He offers to take her hand, and kiss it. Stay, sir, that grace I cannot yet allow, Before you set the crown upon my brow. That favor which you seek, 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; Father! That impious thought has shocked my mind: How bold our passions are, and yet how blind! She's gone; and now, Methinks there is less glory in a crown: When farther off, inclines, but not attracts. Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be me. Betwixt my love and virtue I am tossed; Zul. I met my sister, but I do not see My waiting virtue stayed but for thy call: 'Tis plain that she, who, for a kingdom, now Had I but only dared to be a king! Abdal. I hope you only would my honor I'm loth to think you virtue's enemy. Virtue intrudes, with her lean holy face, Let her with anchorites, not with lovers, lie; Abdal. Reason was given to curb our Zul. Reason but shows a weak physician's skill; Gives nothing, while the raging fit does last, But stays to cure it, when the worst is past. Reason's a staff for age, when nature's gone; X But youth is strong enough to walk alone. 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. The weak low spirit fortune makes her slave; But she's a drudge when hectored by the brave: If fate weaves common thread, he'll change the doom, 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 favor 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, 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. Not like the king's, that weathercock 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 passed; 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: You wrong our friendship when your right you name. Abdal. Our loves and fortunes shall to- When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause, gether go; Thou shalt be happy, when I first am so. Zul. The Zegrys at old Selin's house are met, Where, in close council, for revenge they sit: There we our common interest will unite; You their revenge shall own, and they your right. One thing I had forgot which may import: I'll try to gild the injustice of his cause, They undertake the dangers we advise: And, while our fabric with their pains we raise, We take the profit, and pay them with praise. [Exeunt. ACT III SCENE I 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; 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; That he wants majesty to fill 'em 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; 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, honor, and our friendship too, 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 'em, not my love. Ah, why did heaven leave man SO weak defence, To trust frail reason with the rule of sense! 'Tis overpoised 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 rebel's 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 Siren'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, labors in vain to run; So I Abdelm. Some friend, in charity, should shake, And rouse, and call you loudly till you wake. 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. Abdal. 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 covers 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: 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. 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 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. Yet, for your quiet, would you could resign Abdelm. Furies and hell, how uncon- But, if you'll freely pardon me, I'll try. Lyndar. And, till you that submissive servant prove, I neve. can conclude you truly love. To them the King, ALMAHIDE, ABENAMAR, Boab. Approach, my Almahide, my charm- With what indifference all her vows she Blessing of peace, and recompence of war. This night is yours; and may your life still breaks! Curse on me, but she smiles! be Lyndar. That smile's a part of love, and The same in joy, though not solemnity. all's your due: I take it from the prince, and give it you. To bandy, and make children's play in love? I thought you had been weary of the guest. where. Then, by degrees, your feigned respect withdrew; You marked my actions, and my guardian grew. But I am not concerned your acts to blame: Abdelm. I have done ill, And dare not ask you to be less displeased; This little satisfaction which you make, My life's too short to expiate this offence. 'Tis in your nature, and past remedy, And, when I talk with Prince Abdalla next, SONG I Beneath a myrtle shade, Which love for none but happy lovers made, Phyllis, the object of my waking thought. more sweet. II From the bright vision's head A careless veil of lawn was loosely spread: Her hands, her lips, did love inspire; Fancy, the kinder mistress of the two, THE ZAMBRA DANCE. (Far be the omen, though) my love I'll guide. man; Let him look up, and perish if he can. [Exit. [After the dance, a tumultuous noise of drums An alarm nearer: then enter ALMANZOR and and trumpets. To them OzмYN; his sword drawn. Ozm. Arm, quickly, arm; yet all, I fear, too late; The enemy's already at the gate. SELIN at the head of the Zegrys; Almanz. We have not fought enough; they And I am grieved the noble sport is done. Boab. The Christians are dislodged; what This only man, of all whom chance did foe is near? Ozm. The Zegrys are in arms, and almost here: The streets with torches shine, with shout- And Prince Abdalla is proclaimed the king. Aben. The Alhambra yet is safe in my Retreat you thither, while their shock we bring [Pointing to OZMYN. To meet my arms, was worth the conquering. His brave resistance did my fortune grace; So slow, so threatening 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; Boab. I cannot meanly for my life pro- | And with a convoy send him safe away. vide; I'll either perish in't, or stem this tide. To guard the palace, Ozmyn, be your care: Abdelm. And I with these will bold Al- [Exeunt all but the Ladies. An alarm 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! [Exit a Guard. To them HAMET and others. Hamet. The king by me salutes you; and, to show That to your valor 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'errates 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 To-morrow for thy certain death prepare; Ozmyn. Thy idle menaces I do not fear: [A shout within, and clashing of swords afar Patience, the noblest fortitude, is left. The sound goes farther off, and faintly dies; Beat faster, drums, and mingle deaths more I'll to the turrets of the palace go, [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 Heaven never meant misfortune to that face. |