Aben. [to Almanzor.]
Why stay you, sir? the conquering foe is near:
Give us their courage, and give them our fear.
Hamet. Take arms, or we must perish in your sight.
Almanz. I care not: perish: for I will not fight,
I wonnot lift an arm in his defence:
And yet I wonnot stir one foot from hence.
I to your king's defence his town resign;
This only spot, whereon I stand, is mine.—
Madam, be safe, and lay aside your fear, [To the Queen
You are as in a magic circle here.
Boab. To our own valour our success we'll owe.
Haste, Hamet, with Abenamar to go;
You two draw up, with all the speed you may,
Our last reserves, and yet redeem the day. [Exeunt Hamet and Abenamar one way, the King the other, with Abdelmelech, &c. Alarm within.
Enter Abdelmelech, his sword drawn.
Abdelm. Granada is no more! the unhappy king
Venturing too far, ere we could succour bring,
Was by the duke of Arcos prisoner made,
And, past relief, is to the fort conveyed.
Almanz. Heaven, thou art just! go, now despise my aid.
Almah. Unkind Almanzor, how am I betrayed!
Betrayed by him in whom I trusted most!
But I will ne'er outlive what I have lost.
Is this your succour, this your boasted love!
I will accuse you to the saints above!
Almanzor vowed he would for honour fight,
And lets my husband perish in my sight. [Exeunt Almahide and Esperanza.
Almanz. Oh, I have erred; but fury made me blind;
And, in her just reproach, my fault I find!
I promised even for him to fight, whom I—
But since he's loved by her, he must not die.
Thus, happy fortune comes to me in vain,
When I myself must ruin it again.
To him Abenamar, Hamet, Abdelmelech, Zulema, Soldiers.