_Al._ Death, said he? He would slay him! My gentlest prince! O bloody spirit of war, That hast no ear where any pitiful plea Might dare to knock.—Alas, my dismal blindness! I am but as others are, selfish, O selfish, That thought myself in converse with the skies; So shamed, so small in spirit. What is my love, My yesterday’s desire, but death to him? And what to me? What but an empty fancy 1370 Nursed against reason? which I cling to now In spite of duty. Duty ... Ah, I remember I had a childish fondness for that name, Dreamed I would serve God willingly. But now, Now ’tis impossible.... Now if I serve, I do his bidding with unwilling will; Yet must I do it. _Re-enter Ferdinand._ _Fer._ Princess, I come to beg.... Alas! thy sorrow Shews me a greater care. _Al._ Nay; ask thy wish. _Fer._ ’Tis changed to learn thy grief, and why that brightness, 1380 That shone to cheer my life, now clouds with rain. _Al._ Each hath his private grief, prince: why should I Be wondered at, or questioned of my tears? Enough the world is sad, and I am sad. _Fer._ A twofold error, lady: the world is gay, And thou art half its splendour. When I first Beheld thee in this earthly paradise, What wondrous jewels, thought I, God hath strewn About the world, which in our count of it Stand out of reckoning, being unseen. _Al._ And then 1390 If I was light of spirit, I knew not why; Now,—but thou speakest of some favour: tell me. _Fer._ Since my request is guilty of my coming,— ’Twas for my countrymen: to-day the gate Hath not been opened to them. _Al._ I am happy, prince, Their woes are ended. Ere thou camest hither The king was here; and in his kindest mood Granted their liberty. _Fer._ Thy prayers, lady, Must be the sweetest incense that from earth Perfumes God’s mercy-seat: He bends to soften The heart that thou beseechest. _Al._ Stay, ’tis thus. 1401 They are given to me to grace my bridal. _Fer._ How! Thy bridal? _Al._ When I am married where thou knowest, The prisoners shall be mine. _Fer._ And when thy bridal? _Al._ Whene’er Morocco, that is come to woo me, Shall ask to wed me. _Fer._ Lady, forbid me not. It needs no skill to read thy sorrow now: For coldly speak’st thou, and with trembling tongue— _Al._ What think’st thou then? _Fer._ Forgive me, if I am bold: Thou dost not love him thou art bid to wed. 1410 _Al._ That were my blame, since he is worthy of me.