Lyndar. Die for us both; I have not leisure now;
A crown is come, and will not fate allow:
And yet I feel something like death is near,
My guards, my guards,—
Let not that ugly skeleton appear!
Sure destiny mistakes; this death's not mine;
She dotes, and meant to cut another line.
Tell her I am a queen;—but 'tis too late;
Dying, I charge rebellion on my fate.
Bow down, ye slaves:— [To the Moors.
Bow quickly down, and your submission show.— [They bow.
I'm pleased to taste an empire ere I go. [Dies.
Selin. She's dead, and here her proud ambition ends.
Aben. Such fortune still such black designs attends.
K. Ferd. Remove those mournful objects from our eyes,
And see performed their funeral obsequies. [The bodies are carried off.
Enter Almanzor and Almahide, Ozmyn and Benzayda; Almahide brought in a chair; Almanzor led betwixt Soldiers. Isabella salutes Almahide in dumb show.
D. Arcos. (Presenting Almanzor to the King.)
See here that son, whom I with pride call mine;
And who dishonours not your royal line.
K. Ferd. I'm now secure, this sceptre, which I gain,
Shall be continued in the power of Spain;
Since he, who could alone my foes defend,
By birth and honour is become my friend;
Yet I can own no joy, nor conquest boast, [To Almanz.
While in this blood I see how dear it cost.
Almanz. This honour to my veins new blood will bring;
Streams cannot fail, fed by so high a spring.
But all court-customs I so little know,
That I may fail in those respects I owe.
I bring a heart which homage never knew;
Yet it finds something of itself in you:
Something so kingly, that my haughty mind
Is drawn to yours, because 'tis of a kind.
Q. Isabel. And yet that soul, which bears itself so high,
If fame be true, admits a sovereignty.
This queen, in her fair eyes, such fetters brings,
As chain that heart, which scorns the power of kings.
Almah. Little of charm in these sad eyes appears;
If they had any, now 'tis lost in tears.
A crown, and husband, ravished in one day!—
Excuse a grief, I cannot choose but pay.