blessing of a Monarch's love Almah Did he my freedome to his life prefer And shall I wed Almanzor's Murderer No Sir I cannot to your will submit Your way 's too rugged for my tender feet Aben. You must be driv'n where you refuse to go And taught by force your happiness to know Almahide smiling scornfully To force me Sir is much unworthy you And when you would impossible to do If force could bend me you might think with shame That I debas'd the blood from whence I came My soul is soft which you may gently lay In your loose palm but when t is prest to stay Like water it deludes your grasp and slips away Boab. I finde I must revoke what I decreed Almanzors death my Nuptials must precede Love is a Magick which the Lover tyes But charms still end when the Magician dyes Go let me hear my hated Rival's dead To his guards And to convince my eyes bring back his head Almah Go on I wish no other way to prove That I am worthy of Almanzor's love We will in death at least united be I 'le shew you I can dye as well as he Boab. What should I do when equally I dread Almanzor living and Almanzor dead Yet by your promise you are mine alone Almah How dare you claim my faith and break your own Aben. This for your vertue is a weak defence No second vows can with your first dispence Yet since the King did to Almanzor swear And in his death ingrateful may appear He ought in justice first to spare his life And then to claim your promise as his wife Almah What ' ere my secret inclinations be To this since honor ties me I agree Yet I declare and to the world will own That far from seeking I would shun the Throne And with Almanzor lead an humble life There is a private greatness in his wife Boab. That little love I have I hardly buy You give my Rival all while you deny Yet Almahide to let you see your pow'r Your lov'd Almanzor shall be free this hour You are obey'd but t is so great a grace That I could wish me in my Rivals place Exeunt King Abenamarâ— Almah How blest was I before this fatal day When all I knew of love was to obey 'T was life becalm'd without a gentle breath Though not so cold yet motionless as death A heavy quiet state but love all strife All rapid is the Hurrican of life Had love not shown me I had never seen An Excellence beyond Boabdelin I had not ayming higher lost my rest But with a vulgar good been dully blest But in Almanzor having seen what 's rare Now I have learnt too sharply to compare And like a Fav'rite quickly in disgrace Just know the value ' ere I loose the place To her Almanzor bound and guarded Almanz. I see the end for which I 'me hither sent looking down To double by your sight my punishment There is a shame in bonds I cannot bear Far more than death to meet your eyes I fear Almahide unbinding him That shame of long continuance shall not be The King at my intreaty sets you free Alman The King my wonder 's greater than before How did he dare my freedom to restore He like some Captive Lyon uses me He runs away before he sets me free And takes a sanctuary in his Court I 'll rather loose my life than thank him for 't Alm. If any subject for your thanks there be The King expects 'em not you ow 'em me Our freedoms through each others hands have past You give me my revenge in winning last Almanz. Then fate commodiously for me has done To loose mine there where I would have it won Almah Almanzor you too soon will understand That what I win is on anothers hand The King who doom'd you to a cruel fate Gave to my pray'rs both his revenge and hate But at no other price would rate your life Then my consent and oath to be his wife Almanz. Would you to save my life my love betray Here take me bind me carry me away to the Guards Kill me I 'll kill you if you disobey Almah That absolute command your love does give I take and charge you by that pow'r to live Alman When death the last of comforts you refuse Your pow'r like Heav'n upon the damn'd you use You force me in my being to remain To make me last and keep me fresh for pain When all my joys are gone What cause can I for living longer give But a dull lazy habitude to live Almah Rash men like you and impotent of will Give chance no time to turn but urge her still She wou'd repent you push the quarrel on And once because she went she must be gone Alman She shall not turn what is it she can do To recompence me for the loss of you Almah Heav'n will reward your worth some better way At least for me you have but lost one day Nor is 't a real loss which you deplore You sought a heart that was ingag'd before 'T was a swift love which took you in his way Flew only through your heart but made no stay 'T was but a dream where truth had not a place A scene of fancy mov'd so swift a pace And shifted that you can but think it was Let then the short vexatious Vision pass Alman My joyes indeed are dreams but not my pain 'T was a swift ruin but the marks remain When some fierce fire lays goodly buildings wast Would you conclude There had been none because the burning's past Almah It was your fault that fire seiz'd all your brest You should have blown up some to save the rest But t is at worst but so consum'd by fire As Cities are that by their falls rise high'r Build Love a Nobler Temple in my place You 'l find the fire has but inlarg'd your space Alman Love has undone me I am grown so poor I sadly view the ground I had before But want a stock and ne'r can build it more Almah Then say what Charity I can allow I would Contribute if I knew but how Take friendship or if that too small appear Take love which Sisters may to Brothers bear Alman A Sisters love that is so pall'd a thing What pleasure can it to a Lover bring 'T is like thin food to men in feavours spent Just keeps alive but gives no nourishment What hopes what fears what transports can it move 'T is but the Ghost of a departed Love Almah You like some greedy Cormorant devour All my whole life can give you in an hour What more I can do for you is to dy And that must follow if you this deny Since I gave up my love that you might live You in refusing life my sentence give Alman Far from my brest be such an impious thought Your death would loose the quiet mine had sought I 'll live for you in spight of misery But you shall grant that
I want the heart to see the dismal sight Selin You are my principal invited ghest Whose eies I would not onely feed but feast You are to smile at his last groaning breath And laugh to see his eye-balls rowle in death To judge the lingring Souls convulsive strife VVhen thick short breath catches at parting life Benz. And of what Marble do you think me made Selin VVhat can you be of just revenge afraid Benz. He kill'd my Brother in his won defence Pity his youth and spare his innocence Selin Art thou so soon to pardon murder won Can he be innocent who kill'd my son Abenamar shall mourn as well as I His Ozmyn for my Tarifa shall die But since thou plead'st so boldly I will see That Justice thou woud'st hinder done by thee Gives her his sword Here take the sword and do a Sisters part Pierce his fond Girl Or I will pierce thy heart Ozmyn To his commands I joyn my own request All wounds from you are welcome to my brest Think onely when your hand this act has done It has but finish'd what your eies begun I thought with silence to have scorn'd my doom But now your noble pity has ore'come Which I acknowledge with my latest breath The first who ' ere began a love in death Benz. to Selin Alas what aid can my weak hand afford You see I tremble when I touch a sword The brightness dazles me and turnes my sight Or if I look 't is but to aim less right Ozmy I 'le guide the hand which must my death convay My leaping heart shall meet it half the way Selin to Benz. VVaste not the precious time in idle breath Benz. Let me resign this instrument of death giving the sword to her father and then pulling it back Ah no I was too hasty to resign 'T is in your hand more mortal then in mine To them Hamet Ham. The King is from th' Alhambra beaten back And now preparing for a new attacque To favour which he wills that instantly You reinforce him with a new supply Selin to Benz. Think not although my duty calls me hence That with the breach of yours I will dispence ' Ere my return see my commands you do Let me find Ozmin dead and kill'd by you Gazul and Reduan attend her still And if she dares to fail perform my will Exeunt Selin and Hamet Benzayda looks languishing on him with her sword down Gazul and Reduan standing with drawn swords by her Ozmin Defer not fair Benzaiida my death Looking on you I should but live to sigh away my breath My eyes have done the work they had to do I take your Image with me which they drew And when they close I shall dye full of you Benz. When Parents their Commands unjustly lay Children are priviledg'd to disobey Yet from that breach of duty I am clear Since I submit the penalty to bear To dye or kill you is th'alternative Rather then take your life I will not live Ozm. This shows th' excess of generosity But Madam you have no pretence to die I should defame th' Abencerrage's Race To let a Lady suffer in my place But neither could that life you would bestow Save mine nor do you so much pity owe To me a stranger and your houses foe Benz. From whence-soe're their Hate our Houses drew I blush to tell you I have none for you 'T is a Confession which I should not make Had I more time to give or you to take But since death's near and run's with so much force We must meet first and intercept his course Ozmyn Oh how unkind a comfort do you give Now I fear death again and wish to live Life were worth taking could I have it now But 't is more good than Heav'n can e're allow To one man's portion to have life and you Benz. Sure at our Births Death with our meeting Planets danc'd above Or we were wounded by a Mourning Love Shouts within Redu The noise returns and doubles from behind It seems as if two adverse Armies joyn'd Time presses us Gaz. If longer you delay We must though loath yours Fathers Will obey Ozm. Haste Madam to fulfil his hard Commands And rescue me from their ignoble Hands Let me kiss yours when you my wound begin Then easie Death will slide with pleasure in Benz. Ah gentle Soldiers some short time allow To Gaz. and Red. My Father has repented him e're now Or will repent him when he finds me dead My clue of Life is twin'd with Ozmyn's Thred Red. 'T is fatal to refuse her or obey But where is our excuse what can we say Benz. Say any thing Say that to kill the Guiltless you were loath Or if you did say I would kill you both Gaz. To disobey our Orders is to die I 'le do 't who dare oppose it Red. That dare I. Reduan stands before Ozmyn and fights with Gazul Benzayda unbinds Ozmyn and gives him her Sword Benz. Stay not to see the issue of the Fight Red. kils Gaz. But haste to save your self by speedy flight Ozmyn kneeling to kiss her hand Did all Mankind against my Life conspire Without this Blessing I would not retire But Madam can I goe and leave you here Your Fathers anger now for you I fear Consider you have done too much to stay Benz. Think not of me but fly your self away Red. Haste quickly hence the Enemies are nigh From every part I see our Soldiers fly The Foes not onely our Assailants beat But fiercely sally out on their Retreat And like a Sea broke loose come on amain To them Abenamar and a party with their swords drawn driving in some of the Enemies Aben. Traytors you hope to save your selves in vain Your forfeit Lives shall for your Treason pay And Ozmyn's Blood shall be reveng'd this day Ozmyn kneeling to his Father Ozmyn No Sir your Ozmyn lives and lives to own A Fathers piety to free his Son Abenamar embracing him Aben. My Ozmyn O thou blessing of my age And art thou safe from their deluded rage Whom must I praise for thy Deliverance Was it thy Valour or the work of Chance Ozmyn Nor Chance nor Valour could deliver me But 't was a noble Pity set me free My Liberty and Life And what your Happiness you 're pleas'd to call We to this charming Beauty owe it all Abenam to her Instruct me visible Divinity Instruct me by what Name to worship thee For to thy Vertue I would Altars raise Since thou art much above all humane praise But see Enter Almanzor his sword bloody leading in Almahide attended by Esperanza My other blessing Almahide is here I le to the King and tell him she is neer You Ozmyn on your fair deliverer wait And with your private Joys the publick Celebrate Exeunt Almanzor Almahide Esperanza Alman The work is done now Madam you are free At least if I can give you Liberty But you have Chains which you your self have chose And oh
Heav'n when we meet if fatal it must be To one spare him and cast the Lot on me They retiree Lynd. Ah what a noble Conquest were this Heart I am resolv'd I 'le try my utmost Art In gaining him I gain that Fortune too Which he has Wedded and which I but Wooe I 'le try each secret passage to his mind And Loves soft Bands about his Heart-strings wind Not his vow'd Constancy shall scape my snare While he without resistance does prepare I 'le melt into him e're his Love 's aware She makes a gesture of invitation to Almanzor who returns again Lynd. You see Sir to how strange a remedy A persecuted Maid is forc'd to fly Who much distrest yet scarce has confidence To make your noble pity her defence Almanz. Beauty like yours can no protection need Or if it sues is certain to succeed To whate're Service you ordain my hand Name your Request and call it your Command Lynd. You cannot Sir but know that my ill Fate Has made me lov'd with all th' effects of Hate One Lover would by force my person gain Which one as guilty would by force detain Rash Abdelmelechs Love I cannot prize And fond Abdalla's passion I despise As you are brave so you are prudent too Advise a wretched Woman what to do Almanz. Have courage Fair one put your trust in me You shall at least from those you hate be free Resign your Castle to the King's Command And leave your Love-concernments in my hand Lynd. The King like them is fierce and faithless too How can I trust him who has injur'd you Keep for your self and you can grant no less What you alone are worthy to possess Enter brave Sir for when you speak the word These Gates will open of their own accord The Genius of the place its Lord will meet And bend its tow'ry forehead to your feet That little Cittadel which now you see Shall then the head of Conquer'd Nations be And every Turret from your coming rise The Mother of some great Metropolis Almanz. 'T is pity words which none but Gods should hear Should loose their sweetness in a Soldiers Ear I am not that Almanzor whom you praise But your fair Mouth can fair Idea's raise I am a wretch to whom it is deny'd T' accept with Honour what I wish with Pride And since I fight not for my self must bring The fruits of all my Conquests to the King Lynd. Say rather to the Queen to whose fair Name I know you vow the Trophies of your Fame I hope she is as kind as she is fair Kinder then unexperienc'd Virgins are To their first Loves though she has lov'd before And that first innocence is now no more But in revenge she gives you all her Heart For you are much too brave to take a part Though blinded by a Crown she did not see Almanzor greater than a King could be I hope her Love repairs her ill made choice Almanzor cannot be deluded twice Almanz. No not deluded for none count their gains Who like Almanzor franckly give their pains Lynd. Almanzor do not cheat your self nor me Your Love is not refin'd to that degree For since you have desires and those not blest Your Loveâ—s uneasie and at little rest Almanz. 'T is true my own unhappiness I see But who alas can my Physician be Love like a lazy Ague I endure Which fears the Water and abhors the Cure Lynd. 'T is a Consumption which your life does waste Still flatt'ring you with hope till help be past But since of cure from her you now despair You like consumptive Men should change your Air. Love some-where else 't is a hard remedy But yet you owe your self so much to try Almanz. My Love 's now grown so much a part of me That Life would in the Cure endanger'd be At least it like a Limb cut off would show And better dye than like a Cripple goe Lynd. You must be brought like mad Men to their cure And darkness first and next new Bonds endure Do you dark absence to your self ordain And I in Charity will find the Chain Almanz. Love is that madness which all Lovers have But yet 't is sweet and pleasing so to Rave 'T is an Enchantment where the reason 's bound But Paradice is in th' enchanted ground A Palace void of Envy Cares and Strife Where gentle hours delude so much of Life To take those Charms away and set me free Is but to send me into misery And Prudence of whose Cure so much you boast Restores those Pains which that sweet Folly lost Lynd. I would not like Philosophers remove But show you a more pleasing shape of Love You a sad sullen froward Love did see I 'le show him kind and full of gayety In short Almanzor it shall be my care To show you Love for you but saw Despair Almanz. I in the shape of Love Despair did see You in his shape would show Inconstancy Lynd. There 's no such thing as Constancy you call Faith ties not Hearts 't is Inclination all Some Wit deform'd or Beauty much decay'd First constancy in Love a Vertue made From Friendship they that Landmark did remove And falsly plac'd it on the bounds of Love Let th' effects of change be onely try'd Court me in jest and call me Almahide But this is onely Council I impart For I perhaps should not receive your heart Almanz Fair though you are As Summer mornings and your Eyes more bright Than Starrs that twinckle in a winters night Though you have Eloquence to warm and move Cold age and praying Hermites into Love Though Almahide with scorn rewards my care Yet than to change 't is nobler to despair My Love 's my Soul and that from Fate is free 'T is that unchang'd and deathless part of me Lynd. The Fate of Constancy your Love pursue Still to be faithful to what 's false to you Turns from him and goes off angrily Almanz. Ye Gods why are not Hearts first pair'd above But some still interfere in others Love E're each for each by certain marks are known You mould 'em off in haste and drop 'em down And while we seek what carelesly you sort You sit in State and make our pains your sport Exeunt on both sides ACT. IV. SCENE Abenamar and servants Aben. HAst and conduct the Pris'ner to my sight Exit servant and immediately enters with Selin bound Aben. Did you according to my orders write to Selin And have you summon'd Ozmyn to appear Selin I am not yet so much a slave to fear Nor has your Son deserv'd so ill of me That by his death or bonds I would be free Aben. Against thy life thou dost the sentence give Behold how short a time thou hast to live Selin Make haste and draw the Curtain while you may You but shut out the twilight of my day Beneath the burden of my age I bend You kindly ease me ' ere my Journey 's end To them
enough to walk alone Abdall In curst ambition I no rest should find But must for ever loose my peace of mind Zul Methinks that peace of mind were bravely lost A Crown what 're we give is worth the cost Abdal Justice distributes to each man his right But what she gives not should I take by might Zulem If Justice will take all and nothing give Justice methinks is not distributive Abdal Had fate so pleas'd 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 Hector'd by the brave If Fate weaves common Thrid he 'l 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 Zulema Your way is plain the Death of Tarifa Does on the King our Zegry's hatred draw Though with our Enemies in show we close 'T is 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 pow'r maintains And in him each Abencerrago reigns Abdalla 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 Then you were born a Monarch's eldest Son Abdal To sharp ey'd reason this would seem untrue But reason I through Loves false Optiques view Zul Loves mighty pow'r has led me Captive too I am in it unfortunate as you Abdalla Our Loves and fortunes shall together go Thou shalt be happy when I first am so Zul The Zegry's at old Selin's house are met Where in close Council for revenge they sit There we our common int'rest will unite You their revenge shall own and they your right One thing I had forgot which may import I met Almanzor coming back from Court But with a discompos'd and speedy pace A fiery colour kindling all his face The King his Pris'ners freedom has deny'd And that refusal has provok'd his pride Abdal Would he were ours I 'le try to guild th ' injustice of the cause And court his valour with a vast applause Zulema The bold are but the Instruments o' th' wise They undertake the dangers we advise And while our fabrick with their pains we raise We take the profit and pay them with praise Exeunt ACT. III. Almanzor Abdalla Alman THat he should dare to do me this disgrace Is Fool or Coward writ upon my face Refuse my Pris'ner I such means will use He shall not have a Pris'ner to refuse Abdal He said you were not by your promise ty'd That he absolv'd your word when he deny'd Almanz. He break my promise and absolve my vow 'T is more than Mahomet himself can do The word which I have giv'n shall stand like Fate Not like the King 's that weathercock of State He stands so high with so unfixt a mind Two Factions turn him with each blast of wind But now he shall not veer my word is past I 'll take his Heart by th' roots and hold it fast Abdal You have your Veng'ance in your hand this hour Make me the humble Creature of your pow'r The Cranadins will gladly me obey Tir'd with so base and impotent a sway And when I shew my Title you shall see 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 my self I fight I weigh the cause But Friendship will admit of no such Laws That weighs by th'lump and when the cause is light Puts kindness in to set the Ballance right True I would wish my friend the juster side But in th'unjust my kindness more is try'd 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 The vulgar greatness too much idolize But haughty Subjects it too much despise Almanz. I onely speak of him Whom Pomp and Greatness sit so loose about That he wants Majesty to fill 'em out Abdal Haste then and lose no time The business must be enterpriz'd this night We must surprize the Court in its delight Almanz. For you to Will for me 't is to obey But I wou'd give a Crown in open day And when the Spaniards their Assault begin At once beat those without and these within Exit Almanzo Enter Abdelmelech Abdelm. Abdalla hold there 's some what I intend To speak not as your Rival but your Friend Abdal If as a Friend I am oblig'd to hear And what a Rival says I cannot fear Abdelm. Think brave Abdalla what it is you do Your Quiet Honour and our Friendship too All for a fickle Beauty you foregoe Think and turn back before it be too late Behold in me th' example of your Fate I am your Sea-mark and though wrack'd and lost My Ruines stand to warn you from the Coast. Abdal Your Councels noble Abdelmelech move My reason to accept 'em not my Love Ah why did Heav'n leave Man so weak defence To trust frail reason with the rule of Sence 'T is over-pois'd and kick'd up in the Air While sence weighs down the Scale and keeps it there Or like a Captive King 't is born away And forc'd to count'nance it s own Rebels sway Abdelm. No no our Reason was not vainly lent Nor is a slave but by its own consent If Reason on his Subjects Triumph wait An easie 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 Syren'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 seiz'd my Will I 'm not my self since from her sight I went I lean my Trunck that way and there stand bent As one who in some frightful Dream would shun His pressing Foe labours in vain to run And his own slowness in his sleep bemoans With thick short Sighs weak Cries and tender Groans So I Abdelm. Some Friend in Charity should shake And rowse and call you loudly till you wake Too well I know her blandishments to gain Usurper-like till setled in her Reign Then proudly she insults and gives you cares And jealousies short hopes and long despairs To this hard yoke you must hereafter bow Howe're 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
mind And pardon her who does assurance want So much she blushes when she cannot grant Abdal Yes you may blush and you have cause to weep Is this the faith you promis'd me to keep Ah yet if to a Lover you will bring No succour give your succour to a King Lynd. A King is he whom nothing can withstand Who men and money can with ease command A King is he whom fortune still does bless He is a King who does a Crown possess If you would have me think that you are he Produce to view your marks of Soveraignty But if your self alone for proof you bring You 're but a single person not a King Abdal Ingrateful Maid did I for this rebel I say no more but I have lov'd too well Lynd. Who but your self did that Rebellion move Did I ' ere promise to receive your Love Is it my fault you are not fortunate I love a King but a poor Rebel hate Abdal VVho follow Fortune still are in the right But let me be protected here this night Lynd. The place to morrow will be circled round And then no way will for your flight be found Abdalla I hear my Enemies just coming on trampling within Protect me but one hour till they are gone Lind. They 'l know you have been here it cannot be That very hour you stay will ruine me For if the foe behold our Enterview I shall be thought a Rebel too like you Haste hence and that your flight may prosperous prove I 'le recommend you to the pow'rs above Exit Lyndaraxa from above Abdal She 's gone ah faithless and ingrateful maid I fear some tread and fear I am betrai'd I 'll to the Spanish King and try if he To count'nance his own right will succour me There is more faith in Christian Dogs than thee Exit Ozmyn Benzayds Abenamar Benz. I wish To merit all these thanks I could have said My pity onely did his vertue aid 'T was pity but 't was of a Lovesick Maid His manly suffering my esteem did move That bred Compassion and Compassion Love Ozmin 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 pow'rful reasons led At least in justice she might wish me dead Aben. But why thus long do you her name conceale Ozmyn To gain belief for what I now reveal E'ven thus prepar'd 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 onely man I hate Two Contradictions twisted in a fate Ozmyn The mutual hate which you and Selin bore Does but exalt her generous pity more Could she a brothers death forgive to me And cannot you forget her family Can you so ill requite the life I owe To reckon her who gave it still your foe It lends too great a luster to her line To let her vertue ours so much out-shine Aben. Thou giv'st her line th' advantage which they have By meanly taking of the life they gave Grant that it did in her a pity show But would my Son be pity'd by a foe She has the glory of thy act defac'd Thou kild'st her brother but she triumphs last Poorly for us our Enmity would cease When we are beaten we receive a peace Benz. If that be all in which you disagree I must confess 't was Ozmyn conquer'd me Had I beheld him basely beg his life I should not now submit to be his wife But when I saw his courage death control I paid a secret homage to his Soul And thought my cruel father much too blame Since Ozmyn's vertue his revenge did shame Aben. What constancy canst thou ' ere hope to finde In that unstable and soon conquer'd mind What piety canst thou expect from her Who could forgive a Brothers Murderer Or what obedience hop'st thou to be pay'd From one who first her father disobey'd Ozmyn Nature that bids us Parents to obey Bids parents their commands by Reason weigh And you her vertue by your praise did own Before you knew by whom the act was done Aben. Your reasons speak too much of insolence Her birth 's a crime past pardon or defence Know that as Selin was not won by thee Neither will I by Selins daughter be Leave her or cease henceforth to be my Son This is my will and this I will have done Exit Abenamar Ozmyn It is a murdring will That whirls along with an impetuous sway And like chain-shot sweeps all things in its way He does my honour want of duty call To that and love he has no right at all Benz. No Ozmyn no it is much less ill To leave me than dispute a Fathers will If I had any title to your love Your fathers greater right does mine remove Your vows and faith I give you back agen Since neither can be kept without a sin Ozmyn Nothing but death my vows can give me back They are not yours to give nor mine to take Benz. Nay think not though I could your vows resign My love or vertue could dispence with mine I would extinguish your unlucky fire To make you happy in some new desire I can preserve enough for me and you And love and be unfortunate for two Ozmyn In all that 's good and great You vanquish me so fast that in the end I shall have nothing left me to defend From every Post you force me to remove But let me keep my last retrenchment Love Benz. Love then my Ozmyn I will be content giving her hand To make you wretched by your own consent Live poor despis'd and banish'd for my sake And all the burden of my sorrows take For as for me in what soe're estate While I have you I must be fortunate Ozmyn Thus then secur'd of what we hold most dear Each others love we 'll go I know not where For where alas should we our flight begin The foes without our parents are within Benz. I 'le fly to you and you shall fly to me Our flight but to each others armes shall be To providence and chance permit the rest Let us but love enough and we are blest Exeunt Enter Boabdelin Abenamar Abdelmelech Guard Zulema and Hamet prisoners Abdel. They 're Lindraxa's brothers for her sake Their lives and pardon my request I make Boab. Then Zulema and Hamet live but know Your lives to Abdelmelechs sute you owe. Zul The grace receiv'd so much my hope exceeds That words come weak and short to answer deeds You 've made a venture Sir and time must show If this great mercy you did well bestow Boabd You Abdelmelech haste before 't is night And close pursue my Brother in his flight Exeunt Abdelmelech Zulema Hamet Enter Almanzor Almahide and Esperanza But
Benz. I fear to ask yet would from doubt be freed Is Selin Captive Sir or is he dead Zul I grieve to tell you what you needs must know He is a Pris'ner to his greatest Foe Kept with strong guards in the Almambra Tour Without the reach ev'n of Almanzor's pow'r Ozmyn With grief and shame I am at once opprest Zul You vvill be more vvhen I relate the rest To you I from Abenamar am sent To Ozmyn And you alone can Selin's death prevent Give up your self a Pris'ner in his stead Or e're to morrow's dawn believe him dead Benz. E're that appear I shall expire with grief Zul Your action swift your Council must be brief Lynd. While for Abdalla's freedom we prepare You in each others Brest unload your care Exeunt all but Ozmyn and Benzayda Benz. My wishes contradictions must imply You must not goe and yet he must not dye Your Reason may perhaps th' extremes unite But there 's a mist of Fate before my sight Ozm. The two Extremes too distant are to close And Human Wit can no mid-way propose My duty therefore shows the neerest way To free your Father and my own obey Benz. Your Father whom since yours I grieve to blame Has lost or quite forgot a Parents name And when at once possest of him and you Instead of freeing one will murder two Ozm. Fear not my Life but suffer me to goe What cannot onely Sons with Parents do 'T is not my death my Father does pursue He onely would withdraw my Love from you Benz. Now Ozmyn now your want of Love I see For would you goe and hazard loosing me Ozm. I rather would ten thousand Lives forsake Nor can you e're believe the doubt you make This night I with a chosen Band will goe And by surprize will free him from the Foe Benz. What Foe ah whether would your Vertue fall It is your Father whom the Foe you call Darkness and Rage will no distinction make And yours may perish for my Fathers sake Ozm. Thus when my weaker Vertue goes astray Yours pulls it back and guides me in the way I 'le send him word my being shall depend On Selin's Life and with his Death shall end Benz. 'T is that indeed would glut your Fathers rage Revenge on Ozmyn's Youth and Selin's age Ozm. What e're I plot like Sisyphus in vain I heave a stone that tumbles down again Benz. This Glorious work is then reserv'd for me He is my Father and I le set him free These Chains my Father for my sake does wear I made the fault and I the pains will bear Ozm. Yes you no doubt have merited those pains Those hands those tender Limbs were made for chains Did I not love you yet it were too base To let a Lady suffer in my place Those proofs of Vertue you before did show I did admire but I must envy now Your vast ambition leaves no Fame for me But grasps at universal Monarchy Benz. Yes Ozmyn I shall still this Palm pursue I will not yield my Glory ev'n to you I 'le break those bonds in which my Father 's ty'd Or if I cannot break 'em I 'le divide What though my Limbs a Womans weakness show I have a Soul as Masculine as you And when these Limbs want strength my Chains to wear My Mind shall teach my body how to bear Exit Benzayda Ozm. What I resolve I must not let her know But Honour has decreed she must not goe What she resolves I must prevent with care She shall not in my Fame or Danger share I 'le give strict Order to the Guards which wait That when she comes she shall not pass the Gate Fortune at last has run me out of breath I have no refuge but the arms of death To that dark Sanctuary I will goe She cannot reach me when I lie so low SCENE The Albayzin Enter on the one side Almanzor Abdalla Abdelmelech Zulema Hamet On the other side the Duke of Arcos Boabdelin Lyndaraxa and their party After which the Barrs are opened and at the same time Boabdelin and Abdalla pass by each other each to his party when Abdalla is past on the other side the Duke of Arcos approaches the Barrs and calls to Almanzor Arc. The hatred of the brave with battails ends And Foes who fought for Honour then are Friends I love thee brave Almanzor and am proud To have one hour when Love may be allowd This hand in sign of that esteem I plight We shall have angry hours enough to fight Giving his hand Almanz. The Man who dares like you in fields appear And meet my Sword shall be my Mistriss here If I am proud 't is onely to my Foes Rough but to such who Vertue would oppose If I some fierceness from a Father drew A Mothers Milk gives me some softness too Arcos Since first you took and after set me free Whether a sence of Gratitude it be Or some more secret motion of my mind For which I want a name that 's more then kind I shall be glad by what e're means I can To get the friendship of so brave a man And would your unavailing valour call From aiding those whom Heav'n has doom'd to fall We owe you that respect Which to the Gods of Foes besieg'd was shown To call you out before we take your Town Almanz. Those whom we love we should esteem 'em too And not debauch that Vertue which we wooe Yet though you give my Honour just offence I 'le take your kindness in the better sence And since you for my safety seem to fear I to return your Bribe should wish you here But since I love you more then you do me In all events preserve your Honour free For that 's your own though not your destiny Arcos Were you oblig'd in Honour by a Trust I should not think my own proposals just But since you fight for an unthankful King What loss of Fame can change of parties bring Almanz. It will and may with justice too be thought That some advantage in that change I sought And though I twice have chang'd for wrongs receiv'd That it was done for profit none believ'd The Kings Ingratitude I knew before So that can be no cause of changing more If now I stand when no reward can be 'T will show the fault before was not in me Arcos Yet there is one reward to valour due And such it is as may be sought by you That beaut'ous Qneen whom you can never gain While you secure her Husbands Life and Raign Almanz. Then be it so let me have no return Here Lyndaraxa comes neer and hears them From him but Hatred and from her but Scorn There is this comfort in a noble Fate That I deserve to be more fortunate You have my last resolve and now farewell My boding Heart some Mischief does foretell But what it is Heav'n will not let me know I 'me sad to death that I must be your Foe Arcos
a servant with Ozmyn Ozmyn kneels Aben. to Selin It is enough my promise makes you free Resign your bonds and take your liberty Ozmyn Sir you are just and welome are these bands 'T is all th' inheritance a son demands Selin Your goodness O my Ozmyn is too great I am not weary of my fetters yet Already when you move me to resign I feel 'em heavier on your feet than mine Another Souldier or Servant Sold. A youth attends you in the outter room Who seems in hast and does from Ozmyn come Aben. Conduct him in Ozm. Sent from Benzayda I fear to me To them Benzayda in the habit of a man Benz. My Ozmyn here Ozmyn Benzaida 't is she Go youth I have no business for thee here to her Go to th' Albayzin and attend me there I 'le not be long away I prithee goe By all our Love and frindship Ben. Ozmyn no. I did not take on me this bold disguise For ends so low to cheat your watchmens eies When I attempted this it was to doe An Action to be envy'd ev'n by you But you alas have been too diligent And what I purpos'd fatally prevent Those chains which for my father I would bear I take with less content to find you here Except your father will that mercy show That I may wear 'em both for him and you Aben. I thank thee fortune thou hast in one hour Put all I could have ask'd thee in my pow'r My own lost wealth thou giv'st not only back But driv'st upon my Coast my Pyrats wrack Selin With Ozmyns kindness I was griev'd before But yours Benzaida has undone me more Aben. to Sold. Go fetch new fetters and the daughter binde Ozm. Be just at least Sir though you are not kind Benzayda is not as a Pris'ner brought But comes to suffer for anothers fau't Aben. Then Ozmyn mark that justice which I doe I as severely will exact from you The father is not wholly dead in me Or you may yet revive it if it be Like tapers new blown out the fumes remain To catch the light and bring it back again Benzaida gave you life and set you free For that I will restore her liberty Ozmyn Sir on my knees I thank you Aben. Oxmyn hold One part of what I purpose is untold Consider then it on your part remains When I have broke not to resume your chains Like an Indulgent father I have pai'd All debts which you my Prodigal have made Now you are clear break off your fond design Renounce Benzaida and be wholly mine Ozmyn Are these the termes is this the liberty Ah Sir how can you so inhumane be My duty to my life I will prefer But life and duty must give place to her Aben. Consider what you say for with one breath You disobey my will and give her death Ozmyn Ah cruel father what do you propose Must I then kill Benzaida or must loose I can do neither in this wretched state The least that I can suffer is your hate And yet that 's worse than death Ev'n while I sue And choose your hatred I could dye for you Break quickly heart or let my blood be spilt By my own hand to save a fathers guilt Benz. Hear me my Lord and take this wretched life To free you from the fear of Ozmyns wife I beg but what with ease may granted be To spare your son and kill your Enemy Or if my death 's a grace too great to give Let me my Lord without my Ozmyn live Far from your sight and Ozmin's let me goe And take from him a Care from you a foe Ozmyn How my Benzaida can you thus resign That love which you have vow'd so firmly mine Can you leave me for life and liberty Ben. What I have done will show that I dare dy But I 'le twice suffer death and go away Rather than make you wretched by my stay By this my father's freedom will be won And to your father I restore a Son Selin Cease cease my children your unhappy strife Selin will not be ransom'd by your life Barbarian thy old foe defyes thy rage to Aben. Turn from their Youth thy malice to my Age. Ben. Forbear dear father for your Ozmyn's sake Do not such words to Ozmyn's father speak Ozm. Alas 't is counterfeited rage he strives But to divert the danger from our lives For I can witness Sir and you might see How in your person he consider'd me He still declin'd the Combate where you were And you well know it was not out of fear Ben. Alas my Lord where can your vengeance fall Your justice will not let it reach us all Selin and Ozmin both would suff'rers be And punishment's a favour done to me If we are foes since you have pow'r to kill 'T is gen'rous in you not to have the will But are we foes look round my Lord and see Point out that face which is your Enemy Would you your hand in Selins blood embrue Kill him unarm'd who arm'd shun'd killing you Am I your foe since you detest my line That hated name of Zegry I resign For you Benzayda will her self disclaim Call me your daughter and forget my name Selin This vertue wou'd even Savages subdue And shall it want the pow'r to vanquish you Ozmyn It has it has I read it in his eyes 'T is now not anger 't is but shame denyes A shame of errour that great spirits find Which keeps down vertue strugling in the mind Aben. Yes I am vanquish'd the fierce conflict's past And shame it self is novv ore'come at last 'T was long before my stubborn Mind was won But melting once I on the suddain run Nor can I hold my headlong kindness more Than I could curb my cruel Rage before Runs to Benz. and embraces her Benzayda 't was your Vertue vanquish'd me That could alone surmount my Cruelty Runs to Selin and unbinds him Forgive me Selin my neglect of you But men just waking scarce know what they do Ozm. O Father Benz. Father Aben. Dare I own that name Speak speak it often to remove my shame They all embrace him O Selin O my Children let me goe I have more kindness then I yet can show For my recov'ry I must shun your sight Eyes us'd to darkness cannot bear the light He runs in they following him SCENE The Albayzin Almanzor Abdelmelech Soldiers Almanz. 'T is War again and I am glad 't is so Success shall now by force and courage goe Treaties are but the combats of the Brain Where still the stronger loose and weaker gain Abdelm. On this Assault brave Sir which we prepare Depends the Sum and Fortune of the War Encamp'd without the Fort the Spaniard lies And may in spight of us send in supplies Consider yet e're we attacque the place What 't is to storm it in an Armies face Almanz. The minds of Heroes their own measures are They stand exempted from the rules of War One Loose one Sallye of
remains in the Sultana's cause I here am ready to fulfil the Laws Selin The Law is fully satisfy'd and we Pronounce the Queen and Abdelmelech free Abdelm. Heav'n thou art just The Iudges rise from their seats and goe before Almanzor to the Queens Scaffold he unbinds the Queen and Abdelmelech they all goe off the people showting and the Trumpets sounding the while Boab. Before we pay our thanks or show our joy Let us our needful Charity employ Some skilful Surgeon speedily be found T' apply fit Remedies to Ozmyn's wound Benzayda running to Ozmyn That be my charge my Linnen I will tear Wash it with Tears and bind it with my Hair Ozm. With how much pleasure I my pains endure And bless the wound which causes such a cure Exit Ozmyn led by Benzayda and Abenamar Boab. Some from the place of Combat bear the slain Next Lyndaraxa's death I should ordain But let her who this mischief did contrive For ever banish'd from Granada live Lynd. Thou shou'dst have punish'd more or not at all By her thou hast not ruin'd thou shalt fall aside The Zegry's shall revenge their branded Line Betray their Gate and with the Christians joyn Exit Lynd. with Alabez the Bodies of her Brothers are born after her Almanzor Almahide Esperanza re-enter to the King Almah The thanks thus paid which first to Heav'n were due My next Almanzor let me pay to you Somewhat there is of more concernment too Which 't is not fit you should in publick know First let your wounds be dress'd with speedy care And then you shall th' important Secret share Almanz. When e're you speak Were my wounds mortal they should still bleed on And I would listen till my life were gone My Soul should ev'n for your last accent stay And then shoot out and with such speed obey It shou'd not bait at Heav'n to stop its way Exit Almanzor Boab. 'T is true Almanzor did her Honour save aside But yet what private business can they have Such freedom vertue will not sure allow I cannot clear my heart but must my brow He approaches Almahide Welcome again my Vertuous Loyal Wife Welcome to Love to Honour and to Life Goes to salute her she starts back You seem As if you from a loath'd embrace did goe Almah Then briefly I will speak since you must know What to the World my future Acts will show But hear me first and then my reasons weigh 'T is known how Duty led me to obey My Fathers choice and how I since did live You Sir can best your testimony give How to your aid I have Almanzor brought When by rebellious Crowds your life was sought Then how I bore your causeless Jealousie For I must speak and after set you free When you were Pris'ner by the chance of war These sure are proofs of Love Boab I grant they are Almah And cou d you then O cruelly unkind So ill reward such tenderness of mind Could you denying what our Laws afford The meanest subject on a Traytors word Unheard condemn and suffer me to goe To death and yet no common pity show Boab. Love fill'd my heart ev'n to the brim before And then with too much jealousie boil'd o're Almah Be 't Love or Jealousie t is such a Crime That I 'm forewarn'd to trust a second time Know then my Pray'rs to Heav'n shall never cease To crown your Arms in War your Wars with Peace But from this day I will not know your Bed Though Almahide still lives your wife is dead And with her dies a Love so pure and true It could be kill'd by nothing but by you Exit Almahide Boab. Yes you will spend your life in Pray'rs for me And yet this hour my hated Rival see She might a Husbands Jealousie forgive But she will onely for Almanzor live It is resolv'd I will my self provide That vengeance which my useless Laws deny'd And by Almanzor's death at once remove The Rival of my Empire and my Love Exit Boabdelin Enter Almahide led by Almanzor and follow'd by Esperanza she speaks entring Almah How much Almanzor to your aid I owe Unable to repay I blush to know Yet forc'd by need e're I can clear that score I like ill debtors come to borrow more Almanz. Your new Commands I on my knees attend I was created for no other end Born to be yours I do by Nature serve And like the lab'ring Beast no thanks deserve Almah Yet first your Vertue to your succor call For in this hard Command you 'll need it all Almanz. I stand prepar'd and whatsoe're it be Nothing is hard to him who loves like me Almah Then know I from your Love must yet implore One proof that you would never see me more Almanzor starting back I must confess For this last stroke I did no Guard provide I could suspect no Foe was neer that side From Winds and thickning Clouds we Thunder fear None dread it from that quarter which is cleer And I would fain believe 't is but your Art To shew You knew where deepest you could wound my Heart Almah So much respect is to your passion due That sure I could not practise Arts on you But that you may not doubt what I have sed This hour I have renounc'd my Husbands Bed Judge then how much my Fame would injur'd be If leaving him I should a Lover see Almanz. If his unkindness have deserv'd that Curse Must I for loving well be punish'd worse Almah Neither your Love nor Merits I compare But my unspotted Name must be my care Almanz. I have this day establish'd its renown Almah Would you so soon what you have rais'd throw down Almanz. But Madam Is not yours a greater Guilt To ruine him who has that Fabrique built Almah No Lover should his Mistriss Pray'rs withstand Yet you contemn my absolute Command Almanz. 'T is not contempt When your Command is issu'd out too late 'T is past my pow'r and all beyond is fate I scarce could leave you when to Exile sent Much less when now recall'd from banishment For if that heat your glances cast were strong Your Eyes like Glasses Fire when held so long Almah Then since you needs will all my weakness know I love you and so well that you must goe I am so much oblig'd and have withal A Heart so boundless and so prodigal I dare not trust my self or you to stay But like frank gamesters must forswear the play Almanz. Fate thou art kind to strike so hard a blow I am quite stun'd and past all feeling now Yet can you tell me you have pow'r and will To save my life and at that instant kill Alm. This had you stay'd you never must have known But now you goe I may with honour own Almanz. But Madam I am forc'd to disobey In your defence my honour bids me stay I promis'd to secure your life and throne And heav'n be thank'd that work is yet undone Alma I here make