_Odm_. I long have staid for this solemnity, To make my passion public. _Guy_. So have I. _Odm_. But from her birth my soul has been her slave; My heart received the first wounds which she save: I watched the early glories of her eyes, As men for daybreak watch the eastern skies. _Guy_. It seems my soul then moved the quicker pace; Yours first set out, mine reached her in the race. _Mont_. Odmar, your choice I cannot disapprove; Nor justly, Guyomar, can blame your love. To Alibech alone refer your suit, And let her sentence finish your dispute. _Alib_. You think me, sir, a mistress quickly won. So soon to finish what is scarce begun: In this surprise should I a judgment make, 'Tis answering riddles ere I'm well awake: If you oblige me suddenly to chuse, The choice is made, for I must both refuse: For to myself I owe this due regard, Not to make love my gift, but my reward. Time best will show, whose services will last. _Odm_. Then judge my future service by my past. What I shall be, by what I was, you know: That love took deepest root, which first did grow. _Guy_. That love, which first was set, will first decay; Mine, of a fresher date, will longer stay. _Odm_. Still you forget my birth. _Guy_. But you, I see, Take care still to refresh my memory. _Mont_. My sons, let your unseemly discord cease, If not in friendship, live at least in peace. Orbellan, where you love, bestow your wreath. _Orb_. My love I dare not, even in whispers, breathe. _Mont_. A virtuous love may venture any thing. _Orb_. Not to attempt the daughter of my king. _Mont_. Whither is all my former fury gone? Once more I have Traxalla's chains put on, And by his children am in triumph led: Too well the living have revenged the dead! _Alm_. You think my brother born your enemy; He's of Traxalla's blood, and so am I. _Mont_. In vain I strive. My lion-heart is with love's toils beset; Struggling I fall still deeper in the net. Cydaria, your new lover's garland take, And use him kindly for your father's sake. _Cyd_. So strong an hatred does my nature sway. That, spite of duty, I must disobey: Besides, you warned me still of loving two; Can I love him, already loving you? _Enter a Guard hastily_. _Mont_. You look amazed, as if some sudden fear Had seized your hearts; is any danger near? _1 Guard_. Behind the covert, where this temple stands, Thick as the shades, there issue swarming bands Of ambushed men, whom, by their arms and dress, To be Taxallan enemies I guess. _2 Guard_. The temple, sir, is almost compassed round. _Mont_. Some speedy way for passage must be found. Make to the city by the postern gate, I'll either force my victory, or fate; A glorious death in arms I'll rather prove, Than stay to perish tamely by my love. [_Exeunt_. _An alarm within. Enter_ MONTEZUMA, ODMAR, GUYOMAR, ALIBECH, ORBELLAN, CYDARIA, ALMERIA, _as pursued by Taxallans_. _Mont_. No succour from the town? _Odm_. None, none is nigh.