Boab. You ask the only thing I cannot grant.
                            [The King and ABENAMAR look amazedly on
                             each other.
But, as a stranger, you are ignorant
Of what by public fame my subjects know;
She is my mistress.

Aben. —­And my daughter too.

Almanz. Believe, old man, that I her father knew: 
What else should make Almanzor kneel to you?—­
Nor doubt, sir, but your right to her was known: 
For had you had no claim but love alone,
I could produce a better of my own.

Almah. [softly to him.]
Almanzor, you forget my last request: 
Your words have too much haughtiness expressed. 
Is this the humble way you were to move?

Almanz. [to her.]
I was too far transported by my love. 
Forgive me; for I had not learned to sue
To any thing before, but heaven and you.—­
Sir, at your feet, I make it my request—­ [To the King.
                   [First line kneeling:  second, rising, and boldly.
Though, without boasting, I deserve her best;
For you her love with gaudy titles sought,
But I her heart with blood and dangers bought.

Boab. The blood, which you have shed in her defence,
Shall have in time a fitting recompence: 
Or, if you think your services delayed,
Name but your price, and you shall soon be paid.

Almanz. My price!—­why, king, you do not think you deal
With one who sets his services to sale? 
Reserve your gifts for those who gifts regard;
And know, I think myself above reward.

Boab. Then sure you are some godhead; and our care Must be to come with incense and with prayer.

Almanz. As little as you think yourself obliged,
You would be glad to do’t, when next besieged. 
But I am pleased there should be nothing due;
For what I did was for myself, not you.

Boab. You with contempt on meaner gifts look down;
And, aiming at my queen, disdain my crown. 
That crown, restored, deserves no recompence. 
Since you would rob the fairest jewel thence. 
Dare not henceforth ungrateful me to call;
Whate’er I owed you, this has cancelled all.

Almanz. I’ll call thee thankless, king, and perjured both: 
Thou swor’st by Alha, and hast broke thy oath. 
But thou dost well; thou tak’st the cheapest way;
Not to own services thou canst not pay.

Boab. My patience more than pays thy service past;
But now this insolence shall be thy last. 
Hence from my sight! and take it as a grace,
Thou liv’st, and art but banished from the place.

Almanz. Where’er I go, there can no exile be;
But from Almanzor’s sight I banish thee: 
I will not now, if thou wouldst beg me, stay;
But I will take my Almahide away. 
Stay thou with all thy subjects here; but know,
We leave thy city empty when we go. [Takes ALMAHIDE’S hand.