Almanz. And how dare you, who from my bounty live,
Intrench upon my love's prerogative?
Your courage in your own concernments try;
Brothers are things remote, while I am by.
Ozm. I knew not you thus far her cause would own,
And must not suffer you to fight alone:
Let two to two in equal combat join;
You vindicate her person, I her line.
Lyndar. Of all mankind, Almanzor has least right
In her defence, who wrong'd his love, to fight.
Almanz. 'Tis false: she is not ill, nor can she be;
She must be chaste, because she's loved by me.
Zul. Dare you, what sense and reason prove, deny?
Almanz. When she's in question, sense and reason lie.
Zul. For truth, and for my injured sovereign,
What I have said, I will to death maintain.
Ozm. So foul a falsehood, whoe'er justifies,
Is basely born, and, like a villain, lies.
In witness of that truth, be this my gage. [Takes a ring from his finger.
Hamet. I take it; and despise a traitor's rage.
Boab. The combat's yours.—A guard the lists surround;
Then raise a scaffold in the encompassed ground,
And, by it, piles of wood; in whose just fire,
Her champions slain, the adultress shall expire.