_K._ ’Tis thus. I make their liberty A gift to thee the day thou shalt be married To Tarudante. _Al._ Ah! _K._ The smile that came So quickly to thy face hath fled again. Is the condition hard? _Al._ ’Tis like denial. _K._ Denial! _Al._ To do the thing I never wished, 1320 And if I wished lies not in me to do. _K._ Thou dost not wish, sayst thou? It lies not in thee? _Al._ ’Tis true I do not wish this marriage, sire. _K._ Well, well. To wish to leave thy home and me Were undesired: but to obey my will, To trust thy welfare to my guidance, girl; Not to oppose my dictates.... _Al._ Truly, father, I have found as little occasion to oppose, As I have power to stand against thy will. 1329 _K._ I know it, child: but for that hold thee to blame: Thou hast not wished: ’tis in thy power to wish. Marriage thou dost not wish: but thou must wish What is my will; which to make more thine own I add this boon. Was’t not thy chief desire? Dost thou not thank me? _Al._ Alas.... _K._ ’Tis no small gift, the lives of fifty men. _Al._ Tell me, sire; with the captives dost thou reckon Prince Ferdinand of Portugal? _K._ I knew Thou wouldst ask this, and am content to grant it. See how I yield. I will go fetch thy lover: 1340 Be ready to receive him: what thou dost Ruleth his happiness as well as mine, And theirs whose life I give thee. Await him here. [_Going._ _Al._ Stay, father, stay! _K._ Well, child! _Al._ (_aside_). It cannot be: I dare not tell— _K._ What wouldst thou say? _Al._ I know not. I have not well understood; not yet considered. _K._ What is there to consider? _Al._ Dost thou promise The Christian captives and prince Ferdinand Shall all, the day I am married, be set free? _K._ I do. _Al._ And if I marry not Morocco, 1350 What is their fate? _K._ They die; unless the prince Surrender Ceuta to me. _Al._ O sire, the prince Spared Sala’s life: thou owest as much to him: Thou mayst not kill him. _K._ See, if that’s a scruple, How thou mayst gratify thyself and Sala. I put this in thy power. Canst not thou thank me, And smile on Tarudante? _Al._ I thank thee, sire. If I seemed not to thank thee, ’twas the effect Of suddenness, nothing but suddenness. I am glad to do it. _K._ I knew thou wouldst be glad. 1360 I shall go fetch thy lover. I shall not grudge These hogs for him. [_Exit._