e our fortunes should together go.

_Abdal._ The merits of the cause I'll not decide,
But, like my love, I would my gift divide.
Your equal titles then no longer plead;
But one of you, for love of me, recede.

_Almanz._ I have receded to the utmost line,
When, by my free consent, she is not mine:
Then let him equally recede with me,
And both of us will join to set her free.

_Zul._ If you will free your part of her, you may;
But, sir, I love not your romantic way.
Dream on, enjoy her soul, and set that free;
I'm pleased her person should be left for me.

_Almanz._ Thou shalt not wish her thine; thou shalt not dare
To be so impudent, as to despair.

_Zul._ The Zegrys, sir, are all concerned to see
How much their merit you neglect in me.

_Hamet._ Your slighting Zulema, this very hour
Will take ten thousand subjects from your power.

_Almanz._ What are ten thousand subjects such as they?
If I am scorned--I'll take myself away.

_Abdal._ Since both cannot possess what both pursue,
I grieve, my friend, the chance should fall on you;
But when you hear what reason I can urge--

_Almanz._ None, none that your ingratitude can purge.
Reason's a trick, when it no grant affords;
It stamps the face of majesty on words.

_Abdal._ Your boldness to your services I give:
Now take it, as your full reward,--to live.

_Almanz._ To live!
If from thy hands alone my death can be,
I am immortal, and a god to thee.
If I would kill thee now, thy fate's so low,
That I must stoop ere I can give the blow:
But mine is fixed so far above thy crown,
That all thy men,
Piled on thy back, can never pull it down:
But, at my ease, thy destiny I send,
By ceasing from this hour to be thy friend.
Like heaven, I need but only to stand still.
And, not concurring to thy life, I kill.
Thou canst no title to my duty bring;
I'm not thy subject, and my soul's thy king.
Farewell. When I am gone,
There's not a star of thine dare stay with thee:
I'll whistle thy tame fortune after me;
And whirl fate with me wheresoe'er I fly,
As winds drive storms before them in the sky. [_Exit._

_Zul._ Let not this insolent unpunished go;
Give your commands; your justice is too slow.
[ZULEMA, HAMET, _and others are going after him._

_Abdal._ Stay, and what part he pleases let him take:
I know my throne's too strong for him to shake.
But my fair mistress I too long forget;
The crown I promised is not offered yet.
Wi