[Exit.

Mont.  Here, in the heart of all the town, I’ll stay; And timely succour, where it wants, convey.

A noise within.  Enter ORBELLAN, Indians driven in, CORTEZ after them, and one or two Spaniards.

Cort.  He’s found, he’s found! degenerate coward, stay:  Night saved thee once, thou shalt not scape by day.

[Kills ORBELLAN.

Orb.  O, I am killed—­

[Dies.

Enter GUYOMAR and ODMAR.

Guy.  Yield, generous stranger, and preserve your life; Why chuse you death in this unequal strife?

[He is beset.

[ALMERIA and ALIBECH fall on ORBELLAN’S body.

Cort.  What nobler fate could any lover meet?  I fall revenged, and at my mistress’ feet.

[They fall on him, and bear him down, GUYOMAR takes his sword.

Alib.  He’s past recovery; my dear brother’s slain, Fate’s hand was in it, and my care is vain.

Alm.  In weak complaints you vainly waste your breath:  They are not tears that can revenge his death.  Despatch the villain strait.

Cort.  The villain’s dead.

Alm.  Give me a sword, and let me take his head.

Mont.  Though, madam, for your brother’s loss I grieve, Yet let me beg—­

Alm.  His murderer may live?

Cyd.  ’Twas his misfortune, and the chance of war.

Cort.  It was my purpose, and I killed him fair: 
How could you so unjust and cruel prove,
To call that chance, which was the act of love?

Cyd.  I called it any thing to save your life: 
Would he were living still, and I his wife! 
That wish was once my greatest misery: 
But ’tis a greater to behold you die.

Alm.  Either command his death upon the place, Or never more behold Almeria’s face.

Guy.  You by his valour once from death were freed:  Can you forget so generous a deed?

[To MONTEZUMA.

Mont.  How gratitude and love divide my breast! 
Both ways alike my soul is robbed of rest. 
But—­let him die—­Can I his sentence give? 
Ungrateful, must he die, by whom I live? 
But can I then Almeria’s tears deny? 
Should any live whom she commands to die?

Guy.  Approach who dares:  He yielded on my word;
And, as my prisoner, I restore his sword. [Gives his sword. 
His life concerns the safety of the state,
And I’ll preserve it for a calm debate.

Mont.  Dar’st thou rebel, false and degenerate boy?  That being, which I gave, I thus destroy.

[Offers to kill him, ODMAR steps between.

Odm.  My brother’s blood I cannot see you spill,
Since he prevents you but from doing ill. 
He is my rival, but his death would be
For him too glorious, and too base for me.