University of Virginia Library

Boabdelin, Abenamar, Guards.
Boab.
Advise, or aid, but do not pity me;
No Monarch born can fall to that degree.
Pity descends from Kings to all below;
But can no more then fountains upward flow.
Witness just heav'n, my greatest grief has been
I could not make your Almahide a Queen.

Aben.
I have too long th'effects of Fortune known,
Either to trust her smiles, or fear her frown.
Since in their first attempt you were not slain,
Your safety bodes you yet a second reign.
The people, like a headlong torrent goe;
And, every dam, they break, or overflow:
But unoppos'd, they either loose their force,
Or wind in volumes to their former course.

Boab.
In walls we meanly must our hopes inclose,
To wait our friends, and weary out our foes,
While Almahide
To lawless Rebels is expos'd a prey,
And forc'd the lustful Victor to obey.

Aben.
One of my blood, in rules of Vertue bred!
Think better of her; and I believe she's dead.

To them Almanzor.
Boab.
We are betray'd; the Enemy is here;
We have no farther room to hope or fear.

Almanz.
It is indeed Almanzor whom you see,
But he no longer is your Enemy.
You were ungrateful, but your foes were more;
What your injustice lost you, theirs restore.
Make profit of my vengeance while you may,
My two-edg'd sword can cut the other way.
I am your fortune; but am swift like her,
And turn my hairy front if you defer:
That hour when you delib'rate is too late:
I point you the white moment of your fate.

Aben.
Believe him sent as Prince Abdalla's spy;
He would betray us to the Enemy.

Alman.
Were I like thee, in cheats of State grown old,
(Those publick Markets were for foreign gold
The poorer Prince is to the Richer sold;)
Then thou might'st think me fit for that low part:
But I am yet to learn the Statesman's art.
My kindness and my hate unmask'd I wear;
For friends to trust, and Enemies to fear.
My hearts so plain,
That men on every passing thought may look,
Like fishes gliding in a Chrystal brook:
When troubled most, it does the bottom show,
'Tis weedless all above; and rockless all below.

Aben.
'Ere he be trusted let him first be try'd,
He may be false who once has chang'd his side.

Almanz.
In that you more accuse your selves than me:
None who are injur'd can unconstant be.
You were unconstant; you who did the wrong;
To do me justice does to me belong.
Great Souls by kindness onely can be ti'd;
Injur'd again, again i'le leave your side.
Honour is what my self and friends I owe;
And none can loose it who forsake a foe.
Since, then, your Foes now happen to be mine,
Though not in friendship we'll in int'rest join.
So while my lov'd revenge is full and high,
Il'e give you back your Kingdom by the by.

Boabdelin
embracing him.
That I so long delai'd what you desire
Was not to doubt your worth, but to admire.

Alman.
This Councellor an old mans caution shows,
Who fears that little he has left, to loose:
Age sets to fortune; while youth boldly throw's.
But let us first your drooping Souldiers cheere:
Then seek out danger, 'ere it dare appear.
This hour I fix your Crown upon your brow,
Next hour fate gives it; but I give it now.

Exeunt.