_D. Arcos._ The hatred of the brave with battles ends, And foes, who fought for honour, then are friends. I love thee, brave Almanzor, and am proud To have one hour when love may be allowed. This hand, in sign of that esteem, I plight; We shall have angry hours enough to fight. [_Giving his hand._ _Almanz._ The man who dares, like you, in fields appear, And meet my sword, shall be my mistress here. If I am proud, 'tis only to my foes; Rough but to such who virtue would oppose. If I some fierceness from a father drew, A mother's milk gives me some softness too. _D. Arcos._ Since first you took, and after set me free, (Whether a sense of gratitude it be, Or some more secret motion of my mind, For which I want a name that's more than kind) I shall be glad, by whate'er means I can, To get the friendship of so brave a man; And would your unavailing valour call, From aiding those whom heaven has doomed to fall. We owe you that respect, Which to the gods of foes besieged was shown, To call you out before we take your town. _Almanz._ Those whom we love, we should esteem them too, And not debauch that virtue which we woo. Yet, though you give my honour just offence, I'll take your kindness in the better sense; And, since you for my safety seem to fear, I, to return your bribe, should wish you here. But, since I love you more than you do me, In all events preserve your honour free; For that's your own, though not your destiny. _D. Arcos._ Were you obliged in honour by a trust, I should not think my own proposals just; But since you fight for an unthankful king, What loss of fame can change of parties bring? _Almanz._ It will, and may with justice too be thought, That some advantage in that change I sought. And though I twice have changed for wrongs received, That it was done for profit none believed. The king's ingratitude I knew before; So that can be no cause of changing more. If now I stand, when no reward can be, 'Twill show the fault before was not in me. _D. Arcos._ Yet there is a reward to valour due, And such it is as may be sought by you; That beauteous queen, whom you can never gain, While you secure her husband's life and reign. _Almanz._ Then be it so; let me have no return [_Here_ LYNDARAXA _comes near, and hears them._ From him but hatred, and from her but scorn. There is this comfort in a noble fate, That I deserve to be more fortunate. You have my last resolve; and now, farewell: My boding heart some mischief does foretell; But what it is, heaven will not let me know. I'm sad to death, that I must be your foe. _D. Arcos._ Heaven, when we meet, if fatal it must be To one, spare him, and cast the lot on me. [_They retire._