_Guy_. One means is only left. I to this hour Have kept the captive from Almeria's power; And though, by your command, she often sent To urge his doom, do still his death prevent. _Mont_. That hope is past: Him I have oft assailed; But neither threats nor kindness have prevailed; Hiding our wants, I offered to release His chains, and equally conclude a peace: He fiercely answered, I had now no way But to submit, and without terms obey: I told him, he in chains demanded more Than he imposed in victory before: He sullenly replied, he could not make These offers now; honour must give, not take. _Odm_. Twice have I sallied, and was twice beat back: What desp'rate course remains for us to take! _Mont_. If either death or bondage I must chuse, I'll keep my freedom, though my life I lose. _Guy_. I'll not upbraid you, that you once refused Those means, you might have then with honour used; I'll lead your men, perhaps bring victory: They know to conquer best, who know to die. [_Exeunt_ MONTEZUMA _and_ ODMAR. _Alib_. Ah me, what have I heard! stay, Guyomar, What hope you from this sally you prepare? _Guy_. A death, with honour, for my country's good: A death, to which yourself designed my blood. _Alib_. You heard, and I well know the town's distress, Which sword and famine both at once oppress: Famine so fierce, that what's denied man's use, Even deadly plants, and herbs of poisonous juice, Wild hunger seeks; and, to prolong our breath, We greedily devour our certain death: The soldier in th' assault of famine falls: And ghosts, not men, are watching on the walls. As callow birds-- Whose mother's killed in seeking of the prey, Cry in their nest, and think her long away; And at each leaf that stirs, each blast of wind, Gape for the food, which they must never find: So cry the people in their misery. _Guy_. And what relief can they expect from me? _Alib_. While Montezuma sleeps, call in the foe: The captive general your design may know: His noble heart, to honour ever true, Knows how to spare as well as to subdue. _Guy_. What I have heard I blush to hear: And grieve, Those words you spoke I must your words believe. I to do this! I, whom you once thought brave, To sell my country, and my king enslave? All I have done by one foul act deface, And yield my right to you, by turning base? What more could Odmar wish that I should do, To lose your love, than you persuade me to? No, madam, no, I never can commit A deed so ill, nor can you suffer it: 'Tis but to try what virtue you can find Lodged in my soul. _Alib_. I plainly speak my mind; Dear as my life my virtue I'll preserve, But virtue you too scrupulously serve: I loved not more than now my country's good, When for its service I employed your blood: But things are altered, I am still the same, By different ways still moving to one fame; And by disarming you, I now do more To save the town, than arming you before.