How now? from whence proceed these new alarms?
Mess. The two fierce factions are again in arms;
And, changing into blood the day's delight,
The Zegrys with the Abencerrages fight;
On each side their allies and friends appear;
The Macas here, the Alabezes there:
The Gazuls with the Bencerrages join,
And, with the Zegrys, all great Gomel's line.
Boab. Draw up behind the Vivarambla place;
Double my guards,—these factions I will face;
And try if all the fury they can bring,
Be proof against the presence of their king. [Exit Boab.
The Factions appear: At the head of the Abencerrages, Ozmyn; at the head of the Zegrys, Zulema, Hamet, Gomel, and Selin: Abenamar and Abdelmelech, joined with the Abencerrages.
Zul. The faint Abencerrages quit their ground:
Press them; put home your thrusts to every wound.
Abdelm. Zegry, on manly force our line relies;
Thine poorly takes the advantage of surprise:
Unarmed and much out-numbered we retreat;
You gain no fame, when basely you defeat.
If thou art brave, seek nobler victory;
Save Moorish blood; and, while our bands stand by,
Let two and two an equal combat try.
Ham. 'Tis not for fear the combat we refuse,
But we our gained advantage will not lose.
Zul. In combating, but two of you will fall;
And we resolve we will dispatch you all.
Ozm. We'll double yet the exchange before we die,
And each of ours two lives of yours shall buy.
Almanzor enters betwixt them, as they stand ready to engage.