Cyd. Stay, life, and keep me in the cheerful light!
Death is too black, and dwells in too much night.
Thou leav'st me, life, but love supplies thy part,
And keeps me warm, by lingering in my heart:
Yet dying for him, I thy claim remove;
How dear it costs to conquer in my love!
Now strike: That thought, I hope, will arm my breast.
Alm. Ah, with what differing passions am I prest!
Cyd. Death, when far off, did terrible appear; But looks less dreadful as he comes more near.
Alm. O rival, I have lost the power to kill;
Strength hath forsook my arm, and rage my will:
I must surmount that love which thou hast shown;
Dying for him is due to me alone.
Thy weakness shall not boast the victory,
Now thou shalt live, and dead I'll conquer thee:
Soldiers, assist me down.
[Exeunt from above, led by Soldiers, and enter both, led by CORTEZ.
Cort. Is there no danger then? [To CYDARIA.
Cyd. You need not fear My wound; I cannot die when you are near.
Cort. You, for my sake, life to Cydaria give; [To ALM. And I could die for you, if you might live.
Alm. Enough, I die content, now you are kind;
Killed in my limbs, reviving in my mind:
Come near, Cydaria, and forgive my crime.
[CYDARIA starts back.
You need not fear my rage a second time:
I'll bathe your wounds in tears for my offence.
That hand, which made it, makes this recompence.
[Ready to join their hands.
I would have joined you, but my heart's too high:
You will, too soon, possess him when I die.
Cort. She faints; O softly set her down.