_Cort_. Make me not doubt, fair soul, your constancy; You would have died for love, and so would I. _Alm_. You may believe him; you have seen it proved. _Cort_. Can I not gain belief how I have loved? What can thy ends, malicious beauty, be: Can he, who kill'd thy brother, live for thee? [_A noise of clashing of swords_. [VASQUEZ _within, Indians against him_. _Vasq_. Yield, slaves, or die; our swords shall force our way. [_Within_. _Ind_. We cannot, though o'er-powered, our trust betray. [_Within_. _Cort_. 'Tis Vasquez's voice, he brings me liberty. _Vasq_. In spite of fate I'll set my general free; [_Within_. Now victory for us, the town's our own. _Alm_. All hopes of safety and of love are gone: As when some dreadful thunder-clap is nigh, The winged fire shoots swiftly through the sky, Strikes and consumes, ere scarce it does appear, And by the sudden ill prevents the fear: Such is my state in this amazing woe, It leaves no power to think, much less to do. --But shall my rival live, shall she enjoy That love in peace, I laboured to destroy? [_Aside_. _Cort_. Her looks grow black as a tempestuous wind; Some raging thoughts are rolling in her mind. _Alm_. Rival, I must your jealousy remove, You shall, hereafter, be at rest for love. _Cyd_. Now you are kind. _Alm_.--He whom you love is true: But he shall never be possest by you. [_Draws her dagger, and runs towards her_. _Cort_. Hold, hold, ah barbarous woman! fly, oh fly! _Cyd_. Ah pity, pity, is no succour nigh! _Cort_. Run, run behind me, there you may be sure, While I have life, I will your life secure. [CYDARIA _gets behind him_. _Alm_. On him, or thee,--light vengeance any where [_She stabs and hurts him_. --What have I done? I see his blood appear! _Cyd_. It streams, it streams from every vital part: Was there no way but this to find his heart? _Alm_. Ah! cursed woman, what was my design! This weapon's point shall mix that blood with mine! [_Goes to stab herself, and being within his reach he snatches the dagger_. _Cort_. Now neither life nor death are in your power. _Alm_. Then sullenly I'll wait my fatal hour. _Enter_ VASQUEZ _and_ PIZARRO, _with drawn swords_. _Vasq_. He lives, he lives. _Cort_.--Unfetter me with speed; Vasquez, I see you troubled that I bleed: But 'tis not deep, our army I can head. _Vasq_. You to a certain victory are led; Your men, all armed, stand silently within: I with your freedom did the work begin. _Piz_. What friends we have, and how we came so strong, We'll softly tell you as we march along. _Cort_. In this safe place let me secure your fear: [_To_ CYDARIA. No clashing swords, no noise can enter here. Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be, As Halcyons brooding on a winter sea. _Cyd_. Leave me not here alone, and full of fright, Amidst the terrors of a dreadful night: You judge, alas, my courage by your own; I never durst in darkness be alone: I beg, I throw me humbly at your feet.