Alonzo. Their king himself did their last sally guide;
I saw him, glistering in his armour, ride
To break a lance in honour of his bride:
But other thoughts now fill his anxious breast;
Care of his crown his love has dispossest.
To them Abdalla.
Q. Isabel. But see, the brother of the Moorish king:
He seems some news of great import to bring.
K. Ferd. He brings a spacious title to our side:
Those, who would conquer, must their foes divide.
Abdal. Since to my exile you have pity shown,
And given me courage yet to hope a throne;
While you without our common foes subdue,
I am not wanting to myself or you;
But have, within, a faction still alive,
Strong to assist, and secret to contrive,
And watching each occasion to foment
The people's fears into a discontent;
Which, from Almanzor's loss, before were great,
And now are doubled by their late defeat:
These letters from their chiefs the news assures. [Gives letters to the King.
K. Ferd. Be mine the honour, but the profit yours.
To them the Duke of Arcos, with Ozmyn and Benzayda, Prisoners.
K. Ferd. That tertia of Italians did you guide,
To take their post upon the river side?
D. Arcos. All are according to your orders placed:
My chearful soldiers their intrenchments haste;
The Murcian foot hath ta'en the upper ground,
And now the city is beleaguered round.
K. Ferd. Why is not then their leader here again?