_Boab._ Grant that I did the unjust injunction lay, You should have loved me more than to obey. I know you did this mutiny design; But I'll your love-plot quickly countermine. Let my crown go; he never shall return; I, like a phoenix, in my nest will burn. _Almah._ You please me well; that in one common fate You wrap yourself, and me, and all your state. Let us no more of proud Almanzor hear: 'Tis better once to die, than still to fear; And better many times to die, than be Obliged, past payment, to an enemy. _Boab._ 'Tis better; but you wives have still one way: Whene'er your husbands are obliged, you pay. _Almah._ Thou, heaven, who know'st it, judge my innocence!-- You, sir, deserve not I should make defence. Yet, judge my virtue by that proof I gave, When I submitted to be made your slave. _Boab._ If I have been suspicious or unkind, Forgive me; many cares distract my mind: Love, and a crown! Two such excuses no one man e'er had; And each of them enough to make me mad: But now my reason reassumes its throne, And finds no safety when Almanzor's gone. Send for him then; I'll be obliged, and sue; 'Tis a less evil than to part with you. I leave you to your thoughts; but love me still! Forgive my passion, and obey my will. [_Exit_ BOABDELIN. ALMAHIDE _solus._ My jealous lord will soon to rage return; That fire, his fear rakes up, does inward burn. But heaven, which made me great, has chose for me, I must the oblation for my people be. I'll cherish honour, then, and life despise; What is not pure, is not for sacrifice. Yet for Almanzor I in secret mourn! Can virtue, then, admit of his return? Yes; for my love I will by virtue square; My heart's not mine, but all my actions are. I'll like Almanzor act; and dare to be As haughty, and as wretched too, as he. What will he think is in my message meant? I scarcely understand my own intent: But, silk-worm like, so long within have wrought, That I am lost in my own web of thought. [_Exit_ ALMAHIDE. ACT II. SCENE I.--_A Wood._ _Enter_ OZMYN _and_ BENZAYDA. _Ozm._ 'Tis true, that our protection here has been The effect of honour in the Spanish queen; But, while I as a friend continue here, I to my country must a foe appear. _Benz._ Think not, my Ozmyn, that we here remain As friends, but prisoners to the power of Spain. Fortune dispenses with your country's right; But you desert your honour in your flight. _Ozm._ I cannot leave you here, and go away; My honour's glad of a pretence to stay. [_A noise within,_--Follow, follow, follow!-- _Enter_ SELIN, _his sword drawn, as pursued._