Lyndar. Because I’ve seen,
This day, what ’tis to hope to be a queen.—­
Heaven, how you all watched each motion of her eye! 
None could be seen while Almahide was by,
Because she is to be—­her majesty!—­
Why would I be a queen?  Because my face
Would wear the title with a better grace. 
If I became it not, yet it would be
Part of your duty, then, to flatter me. 
These are but half the charms of being great;
I would be somewhat, that I know not yet:—­
Yes!  I avow the ambition of my soul,
To be that one to live without controul! 
And that’s another happiness to me,
To be so happy as but one can be.

Abdal. Madam,—­because I would all doubts remove,—­ Would you, were I a king, accept my love?

Lyndar. I would accept it; and, to shew ’tis true, From any other man as soon as you.

Abdal. Your sharp replies make me not love you less;
But make me seek new paths to happiness.—­
What I design, by time will best be seen: 
You may be mine, and yet may be a queen. 
When you are so, your word your love assures.

Lyndar. Perhaps not love you,—­but I will be yours.—­
                           [He offers to take her hand, and kiss it.
Stay, sir, that grace I cannot yet allow;
Before you set the crown upon my brow.—­
That favour which you seek,
Or Abdelmelech, or a king, must have;
When you are so, then you may be my slave.
                               [Exit; but looks smiling back on him.

Abdal. Howe’er imperious in her words she were,
Her parting looks had nothing of severe;
A glancing smile allured me to command,
And her soft fingers gently pressed my hand: 
I felt the pleasure glide through every part;
Her hand went through me to my very heart. 
For such another pleasure, did he live,
I could my father of a crown deprive.—­
What did I say?—­
Father!—­That impious thought has shocked my mind: 
How bold our passions are, and yet how blind!—­
She’s gone; and now,
Methinks, there is less glory in a crown: 
My boiling passions settle, and go down. 
Like amber chafed, when she is near, she acts;
When farther oft, inclines, but not attracts.

  Enter ZULEMA.

Assist me, Zulema, if thou wouldst be
That friend thou seem’st, assist me against me. 
Betwixt my love and virtue I am tossed;
This must be forfeited, or that be lost. 
I could do much to merit thy applause,—­
Help me to fortify the better cause;
My honour is not wholly put to flight,
But would, if seconded, renew the fight.

Zul. I met my sister, but I do not see
What difficulty in your choice can be: 
She told me all; and ’tis so plain a case,
You need not ask what counsel to embrace.

Abdal. I stand reproved, that I did doubt at all;
My waiting virtue staid but for thy call: 
’Tis plain that she, who, for a kingdom, now
Would sacrifice her love, and break her vow,
Not out of love, but interest, acts alone,
And would, even in my arms, lie thinking of a throne.