Guy.  Thou shalt not conquer in this noble strife: 
Alas, I meant not to defend my life: 
Strike, sir, you never pierced a breast more true;
’Tis the last wound I e’er can take for you. 
You see I live but to dispute your will;
Kill me, and then you may my prisoner kill.

Cort.  You shall not, generous youths, contend for me: 
It is enough that I your honour see: 
But that your duty may no blemish take,
I will myself your father’s captive make:  [Gives his sword to MONTEZUMA. 
When he dares strike, I am prepared to fall: 
The Spaniards will revenge their general.

Cyd.  Ah, you too hastily your life resign, You more would love it, if you valued mine!

Cort.  Despatch me quickly, I my death forgive;
I shall grow tender else, and wish to live;
Such an infectious face her sorrow wears,
I can bear death, but not Cydaria’s tears.

Alm.  Make haste, make haste, they merit death all three: 
They for rebellion, and for murder he. 
See, see, my brother’s ghost hangs hovering there
O’er his warm blood, that steams into the air;
Revenge, revenge, it cries.

Mont.  And it shall have;
But two days respite for his life I crave: 
If in that space you not more gentle prove,
I’ll give a fatal proof how well I love. 
’Till when, you, Guyomar, your prisoner take;
Bestow him in the castle on the lake: 
In that small time I shall the conquest gain
Of these few sparks of virtue which remain;
Then all, who shall my headlong passion see,
Shall curse my crimes, and yet shall pity me.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.—­A prison.

Enter ALMERIA and an Indian; they speak entering.

Ind.  A dangerous proof of my respect I show.

Alm.  Fear not, Prince Guyomar shall never know: 
While he is absent let us not delay;
Remember ’tis the king thou dost obey.

Ind.  See where he sleeps.

[CORTEZ appears chained and laid asleep.

Alm.—­Without, my coming wait; And, on thy life, secure the prison gate.

[Exit Indian.

[She plucks out a dagger, and approaches him.

Spaniard, awake:  thy fatal hour is come: 
Thou shalt not at such ease receive thy doom. 
Revenge is sure, though sometimes slowly paced: 
Awake, awake, or, sleeping, sleep thy last.

Cort.  Who names revenge?

Alm.—­Look up, and thou shalt see.

Cort.  I cannot fear so fair an enemy.

Alm.  No aid is nigh, nor canst thou make defence:  Whence can thy courage come?

Cort.—­From innocence.