Alm. No aid is nigh, nor canst thou make defence: Whence can thy courage come?
Cort.—From innocence.
Alm. From innocence? let that then take thy part.
Still are thy looks assured—have at thy heart!
[Holds up the dagger.
I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear'st some charm,
[Goes back.
Or some divinity holds back my arm.
Why do I thus delay to make him bleed?
[Aside.
Can I want courage for so brave a deed?
I've shook it off; my soul is free from fear.
[Comes again.
And I can now strike any where—but here:
His scorn of death, how strangely does it move!
A mind so haughty who could chuse but love!
[Goes off.
Plead not a charm, or any god's command,
Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand:
In spite of me I love, and see, too late,
My mother's pride must find my mother's fate.
—Thy country's foe, thy brother's murderer,—
For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear:
It w'onnot be,—if I once more come on,
[Coming on again.
I shall mistake the breast, and pierce my own.
[Comes with her dagger down.
Cort. Does your revenge maliciously forbear To give me death, 'till 'tis prepared by fear? If you delay for that, forbear or strike, Foreseen and sudden death are both alike.
Alm. To show my love would but increase his pride:
They have most power, who most their passions hide.
[Aside.
Spaniard, I must confess, I did expect
You could not meet your death with such neglect;
I will defer it now, and give you time:
You may repent, and I forget your crime.
Cort. Those, who repent, acknowledge they do ill: I did not unprovoked your brother kill.
Alm. Petition me, perhaps I may forgive.
Cort. Who begs his life does not deserve to live.
Alm. But if 'tis given, you'll not refuse to take?