_Abdelm._ 'Tis won, 'tis won! and Lyndaraxa, now, Who scorned to treat, shall to a conquest bow. To every sword I free commission give; Fall on, my friends, and let no rebel live. Spare only Lyndaraxa; let her be In triumph led, to grace my victory. Since by her falsehood she betrayed my love, Great as that falsehood my revenge shall prove.-- _Enter_ LYNDARAXA, _as frightened, attended by women._ Go, take the enchantress, bring her to me bound! _Lyndar._ Force needs not, where resistance is not found: I come, myself, to offer you my hands; And, of my own accord, invite your bands. I wished to be my Abdelmelech's slave; I did but wish,--and easy fortune gave. _Abdelm._ O, more than woman false!--but 'tis in vain.-- Can you ere hope to be believed again? I'll sooner trust the hyaena, than your smile; Or, than your tears, the weeping crocodile. In war and love none should be twice deceived; The fault is mine if you are now believed. _Lyndar._ Be overwise, then, and too late repent; Your crime will carry its own punishment. I am well pleased not to be justified; I owe no satisfaction to your pride. It will be more advantage to my fame, To have it said, I never owned a flame. _Abdelm._ 'Tis true, my pride has satisfied itself: I have at length escaped the deadly shelf. The excuses you prepare will be in vain, Till I am fool enough to love again. _Lyndar._ Am I not loved? _Abdelm._ I must with shame avow, I loved you once;--but do not love you now. _Lyndar._ Have I for this betrayed Abdalla's trust? You are to me, as I to him, unjust. [_Angrily._ _Abdelm._ 'Tis like you have done much for love of me, Who kept the fortress of my enemy. _Lyndar._ 'Tis true, I took the fortress from his hand; But, since, have kept it in my own command. _Abdelm._ That act your foul ingratitude did show. _Lyndar._ You are the ungrateful, since 'twas kept for you. _Abdelm._ 'Twas kept indeed; but not by your intent: For all your kindness I may thank the event. Blush, Lyndaraxa, for so gross a cheat: 'Twas kept for me,--when you refused to treat! [_Ironically._ _Lyndar._ Blind man! I knew the weakness of the place: It was my plot to do your arms this grace. Had not my care of your renown been great, I loved enough to offer you to treat. She, who is loved, must little lets create; But you bold lovers are to force your fate. This force, you used, my maiden blush will save; You seemed to take, what secretly I gave. I knew we must be conquered; but I knew What confidence I might repose in you. I knew, you were too grateful to expose My friends, and soldiers, to be used like foes. _Abdelm._ Well, though I love you not, their lives shall be Spared out of pity and humanity.-- Alferez, [_To a Soldier._] go, and let the slaughter cease. [_Exit the Alferez._