Zul. I’ll not one tittle of my right resign.—­
Sir, your implicit promise made her mine;
When I, in general terms, my love did show,
You swore our fortunes should together go.

Abdal. The merits of the cause I’ll not decide,
But, like my love, I would my gift divide. 
Your equal titles then no longer plead;
But one of you, for love of me, recede.

Almanz. I have receded to the utmost line,
When, by my free consent, she is not mine: 
Then let him equally recede with me,
And both of us will join to set her free.

Zul. If you will free your part of her, you may;
But, sir, I love not your romantic way. 
Dream on, enjoy her soul, and set that free;
I’m pleased her person should be left for me.

Almanz. Thou shalt not wish her thine; thou shalt not dare To be so impudent, as to despair.

Zul. The Zegrys, sir, are all concerned to see How much their merit you neglect in me.

Hamet. Your slighting Zulema, this very hour Will take ten thousand subjects from your power.

Almanz. What are ten thousand subjects such as they?  If I am scorned—­I’ll take myself away.

Abdal. Since both cannot possess what both pursue, I grieve, my friend, the chance should fall on you; But when you hear what reason I can urge—­

Almanz. None, none that your ingratitude can purge.  Reason’s a trick, when it no grant affords; It stamps the face of majesty on words.

Abdal. Your boldness to your services I give:  Now take it, as your full reward,—­to live.

Almanz. To live! 
If from thy hands alone my death can be,
I am immortal, and a god to thee. 
If I would kill thee now, thy fate’s so low,
That I must stoop ere I can give the blow: 
But mine is fixed so far above thy crown,
That all thy men,
Piled on thy back, can never pull it down: 
But, at my ease, thy destiny I send,
By ceasing from this hour to be thy friend. 
Like heaven, I need but only to stand still. 
And, not concurring to thy life, I kill. 
Thou canst no title to my duty bring;
I’m not thy subject, and my soul’s thy king. 
Farewell.  When I am gone,
There’s not a star of thine dare stay with thee: 
I’ll whistle thy tame fortune after me;
And whirl fate with me wheresoe’er I fly,
As winds drive storms before them in the sky. [Exit.

Zul. Let not this insolent unpunished go;
Give your commands; your justice is too slow.
                     [ZULEMA, HAMET, and others are going after him.

Abdal. Stay, and what part he pleases let him take: 
I know my throne’s too strong for him to shake. 
But my fair mistress I too long forget;
The crown I promised is not offered yet. 
Without her presence all my joys are vain,
Empire a curse, and life itself a pain. [Exeunt.