Piz.  I the gold. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.—­A Prison.

CORTEZ discovered bound: ALMERIA talking with him.

Alm.  I come not now your constancy to prove; You may believe me when I say I love.

Cort.  You have too well instructed me before In your intentions, to believe you more.

Alm.  I’m justly plagued by this your unbelief,
And am myself the cause of my own grief: 
But to beg love, I cannot stoop so low;
It is enough that you my passion know: 
’Tis in your choice; love me, or love me not;
I have not yet my brother’s death forgot. [Lays hold on the dagger.

Cort.  You menace me and court me in a breath:  Your Cupid looks as dreadfully as death.

Alm.  Your hopes, without, are vanished into smoke:  Your captains taken, and your armies broke.

Cort.  In vain you urge me with my miseries:  When fortune falls, high courages can rise; Now should I change my love, it would appear Not the effect of gratitude, but fear.

Alm.  I’ll to the king, and make it my request,
Or my command, that you may be releast;
And make you judge, when I have set you free,
Who best deserves your passion, I, or she.

Cort.  You tempt my faith so generous a way,
As without guilt might constancy betray: 
But I’m so far from meriting esteem,
That, if I judge, I must myself condemn;
Yet having given my worthless heart before,
What I must ne’er possess, I will adore: 
Take my devotion then this humbler way;
Devotion is the love which heaven we pay. [Kisses her hand.

Enter CYDARIA.

Cyd.  May I believe my eyes! what do I see! 
Is this her hate to him, his love to me! 
’Tis in my breast she sheaths her dagger now. 
False man, is this thy faith? is this thy vow? [To him.

Cort.  What words, dear saint, are these I hear you use?  What faith, what vows, are those which you accuse?

Cyd.  More cruel than the tyger o’er his spoil;
And falser than the weeping crododile: 
Can you add vanity to guilt, and take
A pride to hear the conquests, which you make? 
Go, publish your renown; let it be said,
You have a woman, and that loved, betrayed.

Cort.  With what injustice is my faith accused!  Life, freedom, empire, I at once refused; And would again ten thousand times for you.

Alm.  She’ll have too great content to find him true;
And therefore, since his love is not for me,
I’ll help to make my rival’s misery. [Aside. 
Spaniard, I never thought you false before:  [To him. 
Can you at once two mistresses adore? 
Keep the poor soul no longer in suspence,
Your change is such as does not need defence.

Cort.  Riddles like these I cannot understand.