_Almah._ Thou Power unknown, if I have erred, forgive! My infancy was taught what I believe. But if the Christians truly worship thee, Let me thy Godhead in thy succour see: So shall thy justice in my safety shine, And all my days, which thou shalt add, be thine! _Enter the_ KING, ABENAMAR, LYNDARAXA, BENZAYDA: _then_ ABDELMELECH _guarded; and after him_ SELIN _and_ ALABEZ, _as Judges of the Field._ _Boab._ You, judges of the field, first take your place.-- The accusers and accused bring face to face. Set guards, and let the lists be opened wide; And may just heaven assist the juster side! _Almah._ What! not one tender look, one passing word? Farewell, my much unkind, but still loved lord! Your throne was for my humble fate too high, And therefore heaven thinks fit that I should die. My story be forgot, when I am dead, Lest it should fright some other from your bed; And, to forget me, may you soon adore Some happier maid,--yet none could love you more. But may you never think me innocent, Lest it should cause you trouble to repent. _Boab._ 'Tis pity so much beauty should not live; [_Aside._ Yet I too much am injured, to forgive. [_Goes to his seat._ _Trumpets: Then enter two Moors, bearing two naked swords before the accusers_ ZULEMA _and_ HAMET, _who follow them. The Judges seat themselves; the_ QUEEN _and_ ABDELMELECH _are led to the Scaffold._ _Alabez._ Say for what end you thus in arms appear; What are your names, and what demand you here? _Zul._ The Zegrys' ancient race our lineage claims; And Zulema and Hamet are our names. Like loyal subjects in these lists we stand, And justice in our king's behalf demand. _Hamet._ For whom, in witness of what both have seen, Bound by our duty, we appeach the queen And Abdelmelech, of adultery. _Zul._ Which, like true knights, we will maintain, or die. _Alabez._ Swear on the Alcoran your cause is right, And Mahomet so prosper you in fight. [_They touch their foreheads with the Alcoran, and bow._ _Trumpets on the other side of the Stage; two Moors, as before, with bare swords before_ ALMANZOR _and_ OZMYN. _Selin._ Say for what end you thus in arms appear; What are your names, and what demand you here? _Almanz._ Ozmyn is his, Almanzor is my name; We come as champions of the queen's fair fame. _Ozm._ To prove these Zegrys, like false traitors, lie; Which, like true knights, we will maintain, or die. _Selin._ [_to_ ALMAH.] Madam, do you for champions take these two, By their success to live or die? _Almah._ I do. _Selin._ Swear on the Alcoran your cause is right; And Mahomet so prosper you in fight. [_They kiss the Alcoran._ [OZMYN _and_ BENZAYDA _embrace, and take leave in dumb show; while_ LYNDARAXA _speaks to her Brother._