_Alm_. The love you shew but hastes her death the more. _Cort_. I'll run, and help to force the inner door. [_Is going in haste_. _Alm_. Stay, Spaniard, stay; depart not from my eyes: That moment that I lose your sight, she dies. To look on you, I'll grant a short reprieve. _Cort_. O make your gift more full, and let her live! I dare not go; and yet how dare I stay!-- Her I would save, I murder either way. _Cyd_. Can you be so hard-hearted to destroy My ripening hopes, that are so near to joy? I just approach to all I would possess: Death only stands 'twixt me and happiness. _Alm_. Your father, with his life, has lost his throne: Your country's freedom and renown is gone. Honour requires your death; you must obey. _Cyd_. Do you die first, and shew me then the way. _Alm_. Should you not follow, my revenge were lost. _Cyd_. Then rise again, and fright me with your ghost. _Alm_. I will not trust to that; since death I chuse, I'll not leave you that life which I refuse: If death's a pain, it is not less to me; And if 'tis nothing, 'tis no more to thee. But hark! the noise increases from behind; They're near, and may prevent what I designed; Take there a rival's gift. [_Stabs her_. _Cort_. Perdition seize thee for so black a deed. _Alm_. Blame not an act, which did from love proceed: I'll thus revenge thee with this fatal blow; [_Stabs herself_. Stand fair, and let my heart-blood on thee flow. _Cyd_. Stay, life, and keep me in the cheerful light! Death is too black, and dwells in too much night. Thou leav'st me, life, but love supplies thy part, And keeps me warm, by lingering in my heart: Yet dying for him, I thy claim remove; How dear it costs to conquer in my love! Now strike: That thought, I hope, will arm my breast. _Alm_. Ah, with what differing passions am I prest! _Cyd_. Death, when far off, did terrible appear; But looks less dreadful as he comes more near. _Alm_. O rival, I have lost the power to kill; Strength hath forsook my arm, and rage my will: I must surmount that love which thou hast shown; Dying for him is due to me alone. Thy weakness shall not boast the victory, Now thou shalt live, and dead I'll conquer thee: Soldiers, assist me down. [_Exeunt from above, led by Soldiers, and enter both, led by_ CORTEZ. _Cort_. Is there no danger then? [_To_ CYDARIA. _Cyd_. You need not fear My wound; I cannot die when you are near. _Cort_. You, for my sake, life to Cydaria give; [_To_ ALM. And I could die for you, if you might live. _Alm_. Enough, I die content, now you are kind; Killed in my limbs, reviving in my mind: Come near, Cydaria, and forgive my crime. [CYDARIA _starts back_. You need not fear my rage a second time: I'll bathe your wounds in tears for my offence. That hand, which made it, makes this recompence. [_Ready to join their hands_. I would have joined you, but my heart's too high: You will, too soon, possess him when I die. _Cort_. She faints; O softly set her down.