Almahide, Queen of Granada.
Lyndaraxa, Sister of Zulema, a Zegry Lady.
Benzayda, Daughter to Selin.
Esperanza, Slave to the Queen.
Halyma, Slave to Lyndaraxa.
Isabella, Queen of Spain.
Messengers, Guards, Attendants, Men, and Women.
SCENE.—Granada, and the Christian Camp besieging it.
ALMANZOR AND ALMAHIDE,
OR, THE
CONQUEST OF GRANADA.
THE FIRST PART.
ACT I. SCENE I.
Enter Boabdelin, Abenamar, Abdelmelech, and Guards.
Boab. Thus, in the triumphs of soft peace, I reign;
And, from my walls, defy the powers of Spain;
With pomp and sports my love I celebrate,
While they keep distance, and attend my state.—
Parent to her, whose eyes my soul enthral, [To Aben.
Whom I, in hope, already father call,
Abenamar, thy youth these sports has known,
Of which thy age is now spectator grown;
Judge-like thou sit'st, to praise, or to arraign
The flying skirmish of the darted cane:
But, when fierce bulls run loose upon the place,
And our bold Moors their loves with danger grace,
Then heat new-bends thy slacken'd nerves again,
And a short youth runs warm through every vein.