[_Exeunt_ ALMAHIDE _and_ ESPERANZA.
She goes, and I like my own ghost appear;
It is not living when she is not here.

_To him_ ABDALLA _as King, attended._

_Abdal._ My first acknowledgments to heaven are due;
My next, Almanzor, let me pay to you.

_Almanz._ A poor surprise, and on a naked foe,
Whatever you confess, is all you owe;
And I no merit own, or understand
That fortune did you justice by my hand:
Yet, if you will that little service pay
With a great favour, I can shew the way.

_Abdal._ I have a favour to demand of you;
That is, to take the thing for which you sue.

_Almanz._ Then, briefly, thus: when I the Albayzyn won,
I found the beauteous Almahide alone,
Whose sad condition did my pity move;
And that compassion did produce my love.

_Abdal._ This needs no suit; in justice, I declare.
She is your captive by the right of war.

_Almanz._ She is no captive then; I set her free;
And, rather than I will her jailor be,
I'll nobly lose her in her liberty.

_Abdal._ Your generosity I much approve;
But your excess of that shows want of love.

_Almanz._ No, 'tis the excess of love which mounts so high,
That, seen far off, it lessens to the eye.
Had I not loved her, and had set her free,
That, sir, had been my generosity;
But 'tis exalted passion, when I show
I dare be wretched, not to make her so:
And, while another passion fills her breast,
I'll be all wretched rather than half blest.

_Abdal._ May your heroic act so prosperous be,
That Almahide may sigh you set her free.

_Enter_ ZULEMA.

_Zul._ Of five tall towers which fortify this town,
All but the Alhambra your dominion own:
Now, therefore, boldly I confess a flame,
Which is excused in Almahide's name.
If you the merit of this night regard,
In her possession I have my reward.

_Almanz._ She your reward! why, she's a gift so great,
That I myself have not deserved her yet;
And therefore, though I won her with my sword,
I have, with awe, my sacrilege restored.

_Zul._ What you deserve
I'll not dispute, because I do not know;
This only I will say, she shall not go.

_Almanz._ Thou, single, art not worth my answering:
But take what friends, what armies thou canst bring;
What worlds; and, when you are united all,
Then will I thunder in your ears,--She shall.

_Zul._ I'll not one tittle of my right resign.--
Sir, your implicit promise made her mine;
When I, in general terms, my love did show,
You swor