Zul. The Zegrys at old Selin’s house are met,
Where, in close council, for revenge they sit: 
There we our common interest will unite;
You their revenge shall own, and they your right. 
One thing I had forgot, which may import: 
I met Almanzor coming back from court,
But with a discomposed and speedy pace,
A fiery colour kindling all his face: 
The king his prisoner’s freedom has denied,
And that refusal has provoked his pride.

Abdal. ’Would he were ours!—­ I’ll try to gild the injustice of his cause, And court his valour with a vast applause.

Zul. The bold are but the instruments o’the wise;
They undertake the dangers we advise: 
And, while our fabric with their pains we raise,
We take the profit, and pay them with praise. [Exeunt.

ACT III.  SCENE I.

  Enter ALMANZOR and ABDALLA.

Almanz. That he should dare to do me this disgrace!—­
Is fool, or coward, writ upon my face? 
Refuse my prisoner!—­I such means will use,
He shall not have a prisoner to refuse.

Abdal. He said, you were not by your promise tied; That he absolved your word, when he denied.

Almanz. He break my promise, and absolve my vow! 
’Tis more than Mahomet himself can do!—­
The word, which I have given, shall stand like fate;
Not like the king’s, that weather-cock of state. 
He stands so high, with so unfixed a mind,
Two factions turn him with each blast of wind: 
But now, he shall not veer! my word is past;
I’ll take his heart by the roots, and hold it fast.

Abdal. You have your vengeance in your hand this hour;
Make me the humble creature of your power: 
The Granadines will gladly me obey;
(Tired with so base and impotent a sway)
And, when I shew my title, you shall see,
I have a better right to reign than he.

Almanz. It is sufficient that you make the claim;
You wrong our friendship when your right you name. 
When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause;
But friendship will admit of no such laws: 
That weighs by the lump; and, when the cause is light,
Puts kindness in to set the balance right. 
True, I would wish my friend the juster side;
But, in the unjust, my kindness more is tried: 
And all the opposition I can bring,
Is, that I fear to make you such a king.

Abdal. The majesty of kings we should not blame,
When royal minds adorn the royal name;
The vulgar, greatness too much idolize,
But haughty subjects it too much despise.

Almanz. I only speak of him, Whom pomp and greatness sit so loose about, That he wants majesty to fill them out.

Abdal. Haste, then, and lose no time!—­ The business must be enterprised this night:  We must surprise the court in its delight.