YDA _looks languishing on him, with her
sword down_; GAZUL _and_ REDUAN _standing
with drawn swords by her._

_Ozm._ Defer not, fair Benzayda, my death:
Looking on you,
I should but live to sigh away my breath.
My eyes have done the work they had to do:
I take your image with me, which they drew;
And, when they close, I shall die full of you.

_Benz._ When parents their commands unjustly lay,
Children are privileged to disobey;
Yet from that breach of duty I am clear,
Since I submit the penalty to bear.
To die, or kill you, is the alternative;
Rather than take your life, I will not live.

_Ozm._ This shows the excess of generosity;
But, madam, you have no pretence to die.
I should defame the Abencerrages race,
To let a lady suffer in my place.
But neither could that life, you would bestow,
Save mine; nor do you so much pity owe
To me, a stranger, and your house's foe.

_Benz._ From whencesoe'er their hate our houses drew,
I blush to tell you, I have none for you.
'Tis a confession which I should not make,
Had I more time to give, or you to take:
But, since death's near, and runs with so much force,
We must meet first, and intercept his course.

_Ozm._ Oh, how unkind a comfort do you give!
Now I fear death again, and wish to live.
Life were worth taking, could I have it now;
But 'tis more good than heaven can e'er allow
To one man's portion, to have life and you.

_Benz._ Sure, at our births,
Death with our meeting planets danced above,
Or we were wounded by a mourning love!-- [_Shouts within._

_Red._ The noise returns, and doubles from behind;
It seems as if two adverse armies joined.--
Time presses us.

_Gaz._ If longer you delay,
We must, though loth, your father's will obey.

_Ozm._ Haste, madam, to fulfil his hard commands.
And rescue me from their ignoble hands.
Let me kiss yours, when you my wound begin,
Then easy death will slide with pleasure in.

_Benz._ Ah, gentle soldiers, some short time allow!
[_To_ GAZ. _and_ RED.
My father has repented him ere now;
Or will repent him, when he finds me dead.
My clue of life is twined with Ozmyn's thread.

_Red._ 'Tis fatal to refuse her, or obey.--
But where is our excuse? what can we say?

_Benz._ Say any thing.
Say, that to kill the guiltless you were loth;
Or if you did, say, I would kill you both.

_Gaz._ To disobey our orders