D. Arcos. His sister's beauty did my passion move,
(The crime for which I suffered was my love.)
Our marriage known, to sea we took our flight:
There, in a storm, Almanzor first saw light.
On his right arm a bloody heart was graved,
(The mark by which, this day, my life was saved:)
The bracelets and the cross his mother tied
About his wrist, ere she in childbed died.
How we were captives made, when she was dead,
And how Almanzor was in Afric bred,
Some other hour you may at leisure hear,
For see, the queen in triumph does appear.
Enter Queen Isabella, Lyndaraxa, Ladies, Moors and Spaniards mixed as Guards, Abdelmelech, Abenamar, Selin, Prisoners.
K. Ferd. [embracing Q. Isabel.]
All stories which Granada's conquest tell,
Shall celebrate the name of Isabel.
Your ladies too, who, in their country's cause,
Led on the men, shall share in your applause;
And, for your sakes, henceforward I ordain,
No lady's dower shall questioned be in Spain,
Fair Lyndaraxa, for the help she lent,
Shall, under tribute, have this government.
Abdelm. O heaven, that I should live to see this day!
Lyndar. You murmur now, but you shall soon obey.
I knew this empire to my fate was owed;
Heaven held it back as long as e'er it could;
For thee, base wretch, I want a torture yet— [To Abdelm.
I'll cage thee; thou shalt be my Bajazet.
I on no pavement but on thee will tread;
And, when I mount, my foot shall know thy head.
Abdelm. (Stabbing her with a poniard.)
This first shall know thy heart.
Lyndar. O! I am slain!
Abdelm. Now, boast thy country is betrayed to Spain.
K. Ferd. Look to the lady!—Seize the murderer!
Abdelm. (Stabbing himself.)
I do myself that justice I did her.
Thy blood I to thy ruined country give, [To Lyndar.
But love too well thy murder to out-live.
Forgive a love, excused by its excess,
Which, had it not been cruel, had been less.
Condemn my passion, then, but pardon me,
And think I murdered him who murdered thee. [Dies.