_Almanz._ Oh, I have erred; but fury made me blind; And, in her just reproach, my fault I find! I promised even for him to fight, whom I-- But since he's loved by her, he must not die. Thus, happy fortune comes to me in vain, When I myself must ruin it again. _To him_ ABENAMAR, HAMET, ABDELMELECH, ZULEMA, _Soldiers._ _Aben._ The foe has entered the Vermillion towers; And nothing but the Alhambra now is ours. _Almanz._ Even that's too much, except we may have more; You lost it all to that last stake before. Fate, now come back; thou canst not farther get; The bounds of thy libration here are set. Thou know'st this place, And, like a clock wound up, strik'st here for me; Now, Chance, assert thy own inconstancy, And, Fortune, fight, that thou may'st Fortune be!-- They come: here, favoured by the narrow place, [_A noise within._ I can, with few, their gross battalion face. By the dead wall, you, Abdelmelech, wind; Then charge, and their retreat cut off behind. [_Exeunt._ [_An alarm within._ _Enter_ ALMANZOR _and his Party, with_ ABDALLA _prisoner._ _Almanz._ You were my friend: and to that name I owe [_To_ ABDAL. The just regard, which you refused to show. Your liberty I frankly would restore, But honour now forbids me to do more. Yet, sir, your freedom in your choice shall be, When you command to set your brother free. _Abdal._ The exchange, which you propose, with joy I take; An offer easier than my hopes could make. Your benefits revenge my crimes to you, For I my shame in that bright mirror view. _Almanz._ No more; you give me thanks you do not owe: I have been faulty, and repent me now. But, though our penitence a virtue be, Mean souls alone repent in misery; The brave own faults when good success is given, For then they come on equal terms to heaven. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.--_The Albayzyn._ _Enter_ OZMYN _and_ BENZAYDA. _Benz._ I see there's somewhat which you fear to tell; Speak quickly, Ozmyn, is my father well? Why cross you thus your arms, and shake your head? Kill me at once, and tell me he is dead. _Ozm._ I know not more than you; but fear not less; Twice sinking, twice I drew him from the press: But the victorious foe pursued so fast, That flying throngs divided us at last. As seamen parting in a general wreck, When first the loosening planks begin to crack; Each catches one, and straight are far disjoined, Some borne by tides, and others by the wind; So, in this ruin, from each other rent, With heaved-up hands we mutual farewells sent: Methought his eyes, when just I lost his view, Were looking blessings to be sent to you. _Benz._ Blind queen of Chance, to lovers too severe, Thou rulest mankind, but art a tyrant there! Thy widest empire's in a lover's breast: Like open seas, we seldom are at rest. Upon thy coasts our wealth is daily cast; And thou, like pirates, mak'st no peace to last.