_Almanz._ The king! my wonder's greater than before; How did he dare my freedom to restore? He like some captive lion uses me; He runs away before he sets me free, And takes a sanctuary in his court: I'll rather lose my life than thank him for't. _Almah._ If any subject for your thanks there be, The king expects them not, you owe them me. Our freedoms through each other's hands have past; You give me my revenge in winning last. _Almanz._ Then fate commodiously for me has done; To lose mine there where I would have it won. _Almah._ Almanzor, you too soon will understand, That what I win is on another's hand. The king (who doomed you to a cruel fate) Gave to my prayers both his revenge and hate; But at no other price would rate your life, Than my consent and oath to be his wife. _Almanz._ Would you, to save my life, my love betray? Here; take me; bind me; carry me away; Kill me! I'll kill you if you disobey. [_To the Guards._ _Almah._ That absolute command your love does give, I take, and charge you by that power to live. _Almanz._ When death, the last of comforts, you refuse, Your power, like heaven upon the damned, you use; You force me in my being to remain, To make me last, and keep me fresh for pain. When all my joys are gone, What cause can I for living longer give, But a dull, lazy habitude to live? _Almah._ Rash men, like you, and impotent of will, Give chance no time to turn, but urge her still; She would repent; you push the quarrel on, And once because she went, she must be gone. _Almanz._ She shall not turn; what is it she can do, To recompense me for the loss of you? _Almah_, Heaven will reward your worth some better way: At least, for me, you have but lost one day. Nor is't a real loss which you deplore; You sought a heart that was engaged before. 'Twas a swift love which took you in his way; Flew only through your heart, but made no stay: 'Twas but a dream, where truth had not a place; A scene of fancy, moved so swift a pace, And shifted, that you can but think it was;-- Let then, the short vexatious vision pass. _Almanz._ My joys, indeed, are dreams; but not my pain: 'Twas a swift ruin, but the marks remain. When some fierce fire lays goodly buildings waste, Would you conclude There had been none, because the burning's past? _Almah._ It was your fault that fire seized all your breast; You should have blown up some to save the rest: But 'tis, at worst, but so consumed by fire, As cities are, that by their fall rise higher. Build love a nobler temple in my place; You'll find the fire has but enlarged your space. _Almanz._ Love has undone me; I am grown so poor, I sadly view the ground I had before, But want a stock, and ne'er can build it more. _Almah._ Then say what charity I can allow; I would contribute if I knew but how. Take friendship; or, if that too small appear, Take love,--which sisters may to brothers bear.