_Fer._ Ay, there’s more. I’d not conceal it. Prince Enrique writes, If I return not to his camp to-night, He comes himself in force to rescue me. _K._ Trust not to such deliverance. _Fer._ Nay, O king: For cometh he at even or at morn, To-morrow or to-day, he cometh late. 1830 My eves and morns are passed, and my deliverance Is nearer than his coming: yet for that, Tho’I shall see him not when he doth come, Not the less will he come; for so he saith. _K._ Thou wilt not eat and live? _Fer._ I thank thee, sire. _K._ (_to attendants_). Set the prince in the chair, and all go out; And send the guard within. [_They obey. As they go out they take with them the sentinel from the pit gate. From this point the stage gradually begins to darken to end of act._ Now, prince, we are left alone, eat what I give thee. [_Puts food towards him._ _Fer._ Why should I eat? _K._ (_pouring_). Myself I pour the wine. Drink with me. ’Tis thy life. _Fer._ Why should I live? 1840 _K._ Canst thou not guess? I’ll tell thee then, and speak Not as a foe. Thy will hath conquered mine; And if I wronged thee, thou hast wronged me more. Thou hast loved my daughter, and strangely won her love Away from him whom for my son I had chosen, And pillar of my house: thou hast driven away My best ally, and left my kingdom naked:— For this thy death would be but fair revenge. And there’s a secret cause why I should hate thee Above all this: thou hast suborned my daughter: She hath denied her faith. See there: (_gives letter_) see there, 1851 What she hath writ. Read all. Seest thou not now? ’Tis true, she kills herself; she dies for thee. Yet I’ll forgive thee; tho’she is none of mine, Apostate, disobedient.—Yet for her I will forgive thee. See, ’tis for her sake I pray thee eat. _Fer._ Too late, ’twould be too late. _K._ Say not too late: that word is death. Thou’rt brave. Tho’not for me, yet for her sake I bid thee Eat, drink, and live. So she may live, and thou— The altitude of thrones may overlook 1861 Such differences—I give her thee to wife. Save us, I pray. _Fer._ What hear I? wouldst thou then Have given me in good faith Almeh to wife? [_Makes motions towards food._ _K._ And will. Ay, drink. _Fer._ And Ceuta? _K._ That is mine, Her price. _Fer._ (_thrusting things from him_). Ah, never. _K._ Dost thou then refuse? _Fer._ It cheereth death to spend my last breath thus.