Aben. Fortune, I thank thee! thou hast kindly done,
To bring me back that fugitive, my son;
In arms too? fighting for my enemy!—
I'll do a Roman justice,—thou shalt die!
Ozm. I beg not you my forfeit life would save;
Yet add one minute to that breath you gave.
I disobeyed you, and deserve my fate;
But bury in my grave two houses' hate.
Let Selin live; and see your justice done
On me, while you revenge him for his son:
Your mutual malice in my death may cease,
And equal loss persuade you both to peace.
Aben. Yes, justice shall be done on him and thee.—
Haste and dispatch them both immediately. [To a soldier.
Ozm. If you have honour,—since you nature want,—
For your own sake my last petition grant;
And kill not a disarmed, defenceless foe,
Whose death your cruelty, or fear, will show.
My father cannot do an act so base:—
My father!—I mistake;—I meant, who was.
Aben. Go, then, dispatch him first who was my son!
Ozm. Swear but to save his life, I'll yield my own.
Aben. Nor tears, nor prayers, thy life, or his, shall buy.
Ozm. Then, sir, Benzayda's father shall not die!— [Putting himself before Selin.
And, since he'll want defence when I am gone,
I will, to save his life, defend my own.
Aben. This justice, parricides, like thee, should have!— [Aben. and his party attack them both. Ozm. parries his father's thrusts, and thrusts at the others.
Enter Benzayda, with Abdalla, the Duke of Arcos, and Spaniards.