ous
be,
I only doubt a mortal deity:
I neither fought for Conquest, nor for fame,
Your love alone can recompence my flame.

_Alib_. I gave my love to the most brave in war;
But that the king must judge.

_Mont_.--'Tis Guyomar.

[_Soldiers shout_, A Guyomar, &c.

_Mont_. This day your nuptials we will celebrate;
But guard these haughty captives 'till their fate:
Odmar, this night to keep them be your care,
To-morrow for their sacrifice prepare.

_Alib_. Blot not your conquest with your cruelty.

_Mont_. Fate says, we are not safe unless they die:
The spirit, that foretold this happy day,
Bid me use caution and avoid delay:
Posterity be juster to my fame;
Nor call it murder, when each private man
In his defence may justly do the same:
But private persons more than monarchs can:
All weigh our acts, and whate'er seems unjust,
Impute not to necessity, but lust.

[_Exeunt_ MONTEZUMA, GUYOMAR _and_ ALIBECH.

_Odm_. Lost and undone! he had my father's voice,
And Alibech seemed pleased with her new choice:
Alas, it was not new! too late I see,
Since one she hated, that it must be me.
--I feel a strange temptation in my will
To do an action, great at once and ill:
Virtue, ill treated, from my soul is fled;
I by revenge and love am wholly led:
Yet conscience would against my rage rebel--
Conscience, the foolish pride of doing well!
Sink empire, father perish, brother fall,
Revenge does more than recompence you all.
Conduct the prisoners in.

_Enter_ VASQUEZ, _and_ PIZARRO.

Spaniards, you See your own deplored estate:
What dare you do to reconcile your fate?

_Vasq_. All that despair, with courage joined, can do.

_Odm_. An easy way to victory I'll shew;
When all are buried in their sleep or joy,
I'll give you arms, burn, ravish, and destroy;
For my own share one beauty I design;
Engage your honour that she shall be mine.

_Piz_. I gladly swear.

_Vasq_.--And I; but I request
That, in return, one, who has touched my breast,
Whose name I know not, may be given to me.

_Odm_. Spaniard, 'tis just; she's yours, whoe'er she
be.

_Vasq_. The night comes on: if fortune bless the bold,
I shall possess the beauty.

_Piz_. I the gold. [_Exeunt_.

SCENE IV.--_A Prison_.

CORTEZ _discovered bound:_ ALMERIA _talking with him_.

_Alm_. I come not now your constancy to prove;
You may believe me when I say I love.

_Cort_. You have too well instructed me before
In your intentions, to believe you