For where, alas, should we our flight begin?
| The foe's without; our parents are within. | 95 |
BENZ. I'll fly to you, and you shall fly to me:
Our flight but to each other's arms 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.
ABDELM. They're Lyndaraxa's brothers; for her
sake,
Their lives and pardon my request I make.
BOAB. Then, Zulema and Hamet, live; but know,
Your lives to Abdelmelech's suit you owe.
ZUL. The grace received so much my hope ex-
| ceeds | 5 |
If this great mercy you did well bestow.
BOAB. You, Abdelmelech, haste before 'tis night,
| And close pursue my brother in his flight. | 10 |
Exeunt ABDELMELECH, ZULEMA, HAMET.
Enter ALMANZOR, ALMAHIDE, and ESPERANZA.
But see, with Almahide
The brave Almanzor comes, whose conquering
sword
That crown, it once took from me, has restored.
How can I recompence so great desert!
ALMANZ. I bring you, sir, performed in every
| part, | 15 |
Without a rival, absolute you reign.
Yet though, in justice, this enough may be,
It is too little to be done by me:
| I beg to go | 20 |
To chase these misbelievers from our walls.
I cannot breathe within this narrow space;
My heart's too big, and swells beyond the place.
BOAB. You can perform, brave warrior, what you
| please; | 25 |
Already we are free, and conquerors.
ALMANZ. Accept, great king, tomorrow, from my
hand,
| The captive head of conquered Ferdinand. | 30 |
| You shall not only what you lost regain, | |
| But o'er the Biscayn mountains to the main, | |
| Extend your sway, where never Moor did reign. |
ABEN. What, in another, vanity would seem,
| Appears but noble confidence in him; | 35 |
He moves eccentric, like a wand'ring star,
Whose motion's just, though 'tis not regular.
| BOAB. It is for you, brave man, and only you, | 40 |
I must be left ungrateful in the end:
Yet somewhat I would pay,
| Before my debts above all reck'ning grow, | 45 |
But you --
Are conscious to yourself of such desert,
That of your gift I fear to offer part.
ALMANZ. When I shall have declared my high
| request, | 50 |
But rather much o'er-rate the service done.
BOAB. Give wing to your desires, and let 'em fly,
| Secure they cannot mount a pitch too high. | 55 |
ALMANZ. (putting one knee on the ground). Em-
boldened by the promise of a prince,
I ask this lady now with confidence.
| BOAB. You ask the only thing I cannot grant. | 60 |
(The KING and ABENAMAR look amazedly on
each other.)
But, as a stranger, you are ignorant
Of what by public fame my subjects know;
She is my mistress.
ABEN. -- And my daughter too.
ALMANZ. Believe, old man, that I her father knew:
| What else should make Almanzor kneel to you? | 65 |
| Nor doubt, sir, but your right to her was known: | |
| For had you had no claim but love alone, | |
| I could produce a better of my own. |
ALMAH. (softly to him). Almanzor, you forget my
last request:
Your words have too much haughtiness ex-
| pressed. | 70 |
ALMANZ. (to her). I was too far transported by my
love.
Forgive me; for I had not learned to sue
To anything before, but heav'n and you.
| Sir, at your feet, I make it my request -- | 75 |
(To the KING. First line kneeling: second,
rising, and boldly.)
Though, without boasting, I deserve her best;
For you her love with gaudy titles sought,
But I her heart with blood and dangers bought.
BOAB. The blood which you have shed in her
defence
-33-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: British Dramatists from Dryden to Sheridan.
Contributors: George Henry Nettleton - Editor, Arthur Eillicot Case - Editor.
Publisher: Boston ; Houghton Mifflin company,..
Place of publication: Boston; New York.
Publication year: 1939.
Page number: 33.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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