r subjects first; then let us go,
And pour their common rage upon the foe.

_Boab._ [_to the Factions._]
Lay down your arms, and let me beg you cease
Your enmities.

_Zul._ We will not hear of peace,
Till we by force have first revenged our slain.

_Abdelm._ The action we have done we will maintain.

_Selin._ Then let the king depart, and we will try
Our cause by arms.

_Zul._ For us and victory.

_Boab._ A king entreats you.

_Almanz._ What subjects will precarious kings regard?
A beggar speaks too softly to be heard:
Lay down your arms! 'tis I command you now.
Do it--or, by our prophet's soul I vow,
My hands shall right your king on him I seize.
Now let me see whose look but disobeys.

_All._ Long live king Mahomet Boabdelin!

_Almanz._ No more; but hushed as midnight silence go:
He will not have your acclamations now.
Hence, you unthinking crowd!--
[_The Common People go off on both parties._
Empire, thou poor and despicable thing,
When such as these make or unmake a king!

_Abdal._ How much of virtue lies in one great soul, [_Embracing him._
Whose single force can multitudes controul! [_A trumpet within._

_Enter a Messenger._

_Messen._ The Duke of Arcos, sir,
Does with a trumpet from the foe appear.

_Boab._ Attend him; he shall have his audience here.

_Enter the Duke of_ ARCOS.

_D. Arcos._ The monarchs of Castile and Arragon
Have sent me to you, to demand this town.
To which their just and rightful claim is known.

_Boab._ Tell Ferdinand, my right to it appears
By long possession of eight hundred years:
When first my ancestors from Afric sailed,
In Rodrique's death your Gothic title failed.

_D. Arcos._ The successors of Rodrique still remain,
And ever since have held some part of Spain:
Even in the midst of your victorious powers,
The Asturias, and all Portugal, were ours.
You have no right, except you force allow;
And if yours then was just, so ours is now.

_Boab._ 'Tis true from force the noblest title springs;
I therefore hold from that, which first made kings.

_D. Arcos._ Since then by force you prove your title true,
Ours must be just, because we claim from you.
When with your father you did jointly reign,
Invading with your Moors the south of Spain,
I, who that day the Christians did command,
Then took, and brought you bound to Ferdinand.

_Boab._ I'll hear no more; defer what you would say;
In private we'll discourse some other