SCENE I.--_A prison_. _Enter_ ALMERIA _and an Indian; they speak entering_. _Ind_. A dangerous proof of my respect I show. _Alm_. Fear not, Prince Guyomar shall never know: While he is absent let us not delay; Remember 'tis the king thou dost obey. _Ind_. See where he sleeps. [CORTEZ _appears chained and laid asleep_. _Alm_.--Without, my coming wait; And, on thy life, secure the prison gate. [_Exit Indian_. [_She plucks out a dagger, and approaches him_. Spaniard, awake: thy fatal hour is come: Thou shalt not at such ease receive thy doom. Revenge is sure, though sometimes slowly paced: Awake, awake, or, sleeping, sleep thy last. _Cort_. Who names revenge? _Alm_.--Look up, and thou shalt see. _Cort_. I cannot fear so fair an enemy. _Alm_. No aid is nigh, nor canst thou make defence: Whence can thy courage come? _Cort_.--From innocence. _Alm_. From innocence? let that then take thy part. Still are thy looks assured--have at thy heart! [_Holds up the dagger_. I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear'st some charm, [_Goes back_. Or some divinity holds back my arm. Why do I thus delay to make him bleed? [_Aside_. Can I want courage for so brave a deed? I've shook it off; my soul is free from fear. [_Comes again_. And I can now strike any where--but here: His scorn of death, how strangely does it move! A mind so haughty who could chuse but love! [_Goes off_. Plead not a charm, or any god's command, Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand: In spite of me I love, and see, too late, My mother's pride must find my mother's fate. --Thy country's foe, thy brother's murderer,-- For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear: It w'onnot be,--if I once more come on, [_Coming on again_. I shall mistake the breast, and pierce my own. [_Comes with her dagger down_. _Cort_. Does your revenge maliciously forbear To give me death, 'till 'tis prepared by fear? If you delay for that, forbear or strike, Foreseen and sudden death are both alike. _Alm_. To show my love would but increase his pride: They have most power, who most their passions hide. [_Aside_. Spaniard, I must confess, I did expect You could not meet your death with such neglect; I will defer it now, and give you time: You may repent, and I forget your crime. _Cort_. Those, who repent, acknowledge they do ill: I did not unprovoked your brother kill. _Alm_. Petition me, perhaps I may forgive. _Cort_. Who begs his life does not deserve to live. _Alm_. But if 'tis given, you'll not refuse to take? _Cort_. I can live gladly for Cydaria's sake. _Alm_. Does she so wholly then possess your mind? What if you should another lady find, Equal to her in birth, and far above In all that can attract, or keep your love, Would you so doat upon your first desire, As not to entertain a nobler fire? _Cort_. I think that person hardly will be found, With gracious form and equal virtue crowned: Yet if another could precedence claim, My fixed desires could find no fairer aim.