these few sparks of virtue which remain;
Then all, who shall my headlong passion see,
Shall curse my crimes, and yet shall pity me.

[_Exeunt_.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--_A prison_.

_Enter_ ALMERIA _and an Indian; they speak entering_.

_Ind_. A dangerous proof of my respect I show.

_Alm_. Fear not, Prince Guyomar shall never know:
While he is absent let us not delay;
Remember 'tis the king thou dost obey.

_Ind_. See where he sleeps.

[CORTEZ _appears chained and laid asleep_.

_Alm_.--Without, my coming wait;
And, on thy life, secure the prison gate.

[_Exit Indian_.

[_She plucks out a dagger, and approaches him_.

Spaniard, awake: thy fatal hour is come:
Thou shalt not at such ease receive thy doom.
Revenge is sure, though sometimes slowly paced:
Awake, awake, or, sleeping, sleep thy last.

_Cort_. Who names revenge?

_Alm_.--Look up, and thou shalt see.

_Cort_. I cannot fear so fair an enemy.

_Alm_. No aid is nigh, nor canst thou make defence:
Whence can thy courage come?

_Cort_.--From innocence.

_Alm_. From innocence? let that then take thy part.
Still are thy looks assured--have at thy heart!
[_Holds up the dagger_.
I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear'st some charm,
[_Goes back_.
Or some divinity holds back my arm.
Why do I thus delay to make him bleed?
[_Aside_.
Can I want courage for so brave a deed?
I've shook it off; my soul is free from fear.
[_Comes again_.
And I can now strike any where--but here:
His scorn of death, how strangely does it move!
A mind so haughty who could chuse but love!
[_Goes off_.
Plead not a charm, or any god's command,
Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand:
In spite of me I love, and see, too late,
My mother's pride must find my mother's fate.
--Thy country's foe, thy brother's murderer,--
For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear:
It w'onnot be,--if I once more come on,
[_Coming on again_.
I shall mistake the breast, and pierce my own.

[_Comes with her dagger down_.

_Cort_. Does your revenge maliciously forbear
To give me death, 'till 'tis prepared by fear?
If you delay for that, forbear or strike,
Foreseen and sudden death are both alike.

_Alm_. To show my love would but increase his pride:
They have most power, who most their passions hide.
[_Aside_.
Spaniard, I must confess, I did expect
You could not meet your death with such neglect;
I will defer it now, and give you time:
You may repent, and I forget your crim