_Oraz_. Hold, hold--O Montezuma, can you be So careless of yourself, but more of me? Though you have brought me to this misery, I blush to say I cannot see you die. _Mont_. Can my approaching fate such pity move? The gods and you at once forgive and love. _Trax_. Fond fool, thus to mis-spend that little breath I lent thee to prevent, not hasten, death: Let her thank you she was unfortunate, And you thank her for pulling on your fate; Prove to each other your own destinies. [_Draws_. _Enter_ ZEMPOALLA _hastily, and sets a dagger to_ ORAZIA'S _breast._ _Zemp_. Hold, hold, Traxalla, or Orazia dies.-- O, is't Orazia's name that makes you stay? 'Tis her great power, not mine, that you obey. Inhuman wretch, dar'st thou the murderer be Of him, that is not yet condemned by me? _Trax_. The wretch, that gave you all the power you have, May venture sure to execute a slave; And quench a flame your fondness would have burn, Which may this city into ashes turn, The nation in your guilty passion lost; To me ungrateful, to your country most: But this shall be their offering, I their priest. _Zemp_. The wounds, thou giv'st, I'll copy on her breast: Strike, and I'll open here a spring of blood, Shall add new rivers to the crimson flood. How his pale looks are fixed on her!--'tis so. Oh, does amazement on your spirits grow? What, is your public love Orazia's grown? Could'st thou see mine, and yet not hide thy own? Suppose I should strike first, would it not breed Grief in your public heart to see her bleed? _Trax_. She mocks my passion; in her sparkling eyes Death, and a close dissembled fury lies: I dare not trust her thus. [_Aside_.]--If she must die, The way to her loved life through mine shall lie. [_He puts her by, and steps before_ ORAZIA; _and she runs before_ MONTEZUMA. _Zemp_. And he, that does this stranger's fate design, Must, to his heart, a passage force through mine. _Trax_. Can fair Orazia yet no pity have? 'Tis just she should her own preserver save. _Zemp_. Can Montezuma so ungrateful prove To her, that gave him life, and offers love? _Oraz_. Can Montezuma live, and live to be Just to another, and unjust to me? You need not be ungrateful; can she give A life to you, if you refuse to live?-- Forgive my passion; I had rather see You dead, than kind to any thing but me. _Mont_. O, my Orazia! To what new joys and knowledge am I brought! Are death's hard lessons by a woman taught? How to despise my fate I always knew; But ne'er durst think, at once, of death and you: Yet since you teach this generous jealousy, I dare not wish your life, if I must die. How much your love my courage does exceed! Courage alone would shrink to see you bleed! _Zemp_. Ungrateful stranger! thou shalt please thy eyes, And gaze upon Orazia while she dies!-- I'll keep my vow!--It is some joy to see, That my revenge will prove my piety. _Trax_. Then both shall die!--We have too long withstood, By private passions urged, the public good.