Alm. She'll have too great content to find him true;
And therefore, since his love is not for me,
I'll help to make my rival's misery. [Aside.
Spaniard, I never thought you false before:
[To him.
Can you at once two mistresses adore?
Keep the poor soul no longer in suspence,
Your change is such as does not need defence.
Cort. Riddles like these I cannot understand.
Alm. Why should you blush? she saw you kiss my hand.
Cyd. Fear not; I will, while your first love's denied,
Favour your shame, and turn my eyes aside;
My feeble hopes in her deserts are lost:
I neither can such power nor beauty boast:
I have no tie upon you to be true,
But that, which loosened yours, my love to you.
Cort. Could you have heard my words!
Cyd.—Alas, what needs To hear your words, when I beheld your deeds?
Cort. What shall I say? the fate of love is such,
That still it sees too little or too much.
That act of mine, which does your passion move,
Was but a mark of my respect, not love.
Alm. Vex not yourself excuses to prepare: For one, you love not, is not worth your care.
Cort. Cruel Almeria, take that life you gave; Since you but worse destroy me, while you save.
Cyd. No, let me die, and I'll my claim resign; For while I live, methinks, you should be mine.