Selin. This virtue would even savages subdue;
And shall it want the power to vanquish you?
Ozm. It has, it has; I read it in his eyes;
'Tis now not anger, 'tis but shame denies;
A shame of error, that great spirits find,
When keeps down virtue struggling in the mind.
Aben. Yes, I am vanquished! The fierce conflict's past,
And shame itself is now o'ercome at last.
'Twas long before my stubborn mind was won;
But, melting once, I on the sudden run;
Nor can I hold my headlong kindness more,
Than I could curb my cruel rage before. [Runs to Benz., and embraces her.
Benzayda, 'twas your virtue vanquished me;
That could alone surmount my cruelty. [Runs to Selin, and unbinds him.
Forgive me, Selin, my neglect of you;
But men, just waking, scarce know what they do.
Ozm. O father!
Benz. Father!
Aden. Dare I own that name!
Speak, speak it often, to remove my shame. [They all embrace him.
O Selin, O my children, let me go!
I have more kindness than I yet can show.
For my recovery I must shun your sight;
Eyes used to darkness cannot bear the light. [He runs in, they following him.
SCENE II.—The Albayzyn.
Enter Almanzor, Abdelmelech, Soldiers.
Almanz. 'Tis war again, and I am glad 'tis so;
Success shall now by force and courage go.
Treaties are but the combat of the brain,
Where still the stronger lose, and weaker gain.
Abdelm. On this assault, brave sir, which we prepare,
Depends the sum and fortune of the war.
Encamped without the fort the Spaniard lies,
And may, in spite of us, send in supplies.
Consider yet, ere we attack the place,
What 'tis to storm it in an army's face.