Alm. Stay, Spaniard, stay; depart not from my eyes: That moment that I lose your sight, she dies. To look on you, I'll grant a short reprieve.
Cort. O make your gift more full, and let her live! I dare not go; and yet how dare I stay!— Her I would save, I murder either way.
Cyd. Can you be so hard-hearted to destroy
My ripening hopes, that are so near to joy?
I just approach to all I would possess:
Death only stands 'twixt me and happiness.
Alm. Your father, with his life, has lost his throne: Your country's freedom and renown is gone. Honour requires your death; you must obey.
Cyd. Do you die first, and shew me then the way.
Alm. Should you not follow, my revenge were lost.
Cyd. Then rise again, and fright me with your ghost.
Alm. I will not trust to that; since death I chuse,
I'll not leave you that life which I refuse:
If death's a pain, it is not less to me;
And if 'tis nothing, 'tis no more to thee.
But hark! the noise increases from behind;
They're near, and may prevent what I designed;
Take there a rival's gift. [Stabs her.
Cort. Perdition seize thee for so black a deed.
Alm. Blame not an act, which did from love proceed:
I'll thus revenge thee with this fatal blow;
[Stabs herself.
Stand fair, and let my heart-blood on thee flow.