Odm.  Then take thy wish—­

Guy.  Hold, Odmar, hold: 
My right in Alibech I will resign;
Rather than see her die, I’ll see her thine.

Alib.  In vain thou wouldst resign, for I will be,
Even when thou leav’st me, constant still to thee: 
That shall not save my life:  Wilt thou appear
Fearful for her, who for herself wants fear?

Odm.  Her love to him shows me a surer way: 
I by her love her virtue must betray.—­[Aside. 
Since, Alibech, you are so true a wife, [To her. 
’Tis in your power to save your husband’s life: 
The gods, by me, your love and virtue try;
For both will suffer, if you let him die.

Alib.  I never can believe you will proceed To such a black, and execrable deed.

Odm.  I only threatened you; but could not prove
So much a fool, to murder what I love: 
But in his death I some advantage see: 
Worse than it is I’m sure it cannot be. 
If you consent, you with that gentle breath
Preserve his life:  If not, behold his death. [Holds his sword to his breast.

Alib.  What shall I do!

Guy.  What, are your thoughts at strife
About a ransom to preserve my life? 
Though to save yours I did my interest give,
Think not, when you were his, I meant to live.

Alib.  O let him be preserved by any way: 
But name not the foul price which I must pay. [To ODM.

Odm.  You would, and would not,—­I’ll no longer stay. [Offers again to kill him.

Alib.  I yield, I yield; but yet, ere I am ill,
An innocent desire I would fulfil: 
With Guyomar I one chaste kiss would leave,
The first and last he ever can receive.

Odm.  Have what you ask:  That minute you agree
To my desires, your husband shall be free. [They unbind her, she goes to her husband.

Guy.  No, Alibech, we never must embrace. [He turns from her. 
Your guilty kindness why do you misplace? 
’Tis meant to him, he is your private choice;
I was made yours but by the public voice. 
And now you leave me with a poor pretence,
That your ill act is for my life’s defence.

Alib.  Since there remains no other means to try, Think I am false; I cannot see you die.

Guy.  To give for me both life and honour too,
Is more, perhaps, than I could give for you. 
You have done much to cure my jealousy,
But cannot perfect it unless both die! 
For since both cannot live, who stays behind
Must be thought fearful, or, what’s worse, unkind.

Alib.  I never could propose that death you chuse;
But am, like you, too jealous to refuse. [Embracing him. 
Together dying, we together show
That both did pay that faith, which both did owe.

Odm.  It then remains I act my own design: 
Have you your wills, but I will first have mine. 
Assist me, soldiers—­ [They go to bind her:  She cries out.