Boab. Fall on; take; kill the traitor.
                        [The Guards fall on him; he makes at the King
                         through the midst of them, and falls upon
                         him; they disarm him, and rescue the King.

Almanz. —­Base and poor,
Blush that thou art Almanzor’s conqueror.
                           [ALMAHIDE wrings her hands, then turns and
                            veils her face.
Farewell, my Almahide! 
Life of itself will go, now thou art gone,
Like flies in winter, when they lose the sun.
                           [ABENAMAR whispers the King a little, then
                            speaks aloud.

Aben. Revenge, and taken so secure a way, Are blessings which heaven sends not every day.

Boab. I will at leisure now revenge my wrong;
And, traitor, thou shalt feel my vengeance long: 
Thou shalt not die just at thy own desire,
But see my nuptials, and with rage expire.

Almanz. Thou darest not marry her while I’m in sight: 
With a bent brow thy priest and thee I’ll fright;
And in that scene,
Which all thy hopes and wishes should content,
The thought of me shall make thee impotent.
                                           [He is led off by Guards.

Boab. As some fair tulip, by a storm oppressed, [To ALMAH. 
Shrinks up, and folds its silken arms to rest;
And, bending to the blast, all pale and dead,
Hears, from within, the wind sing round its head,—­
So, shrouded up, your beauty disappears: 
Unveil, my love, and lay aside your fears. 
The storm, that caused your fright, is passed and done.
                          [ALMAHIDE unveiling, and looking round for
                           ALMANZOR.

Almah. So flowers peep out too soon, and miss the sun.
          
                                        [Turning from him.

Boab. What mystery in this strange behaviour lies?

Almah. Let me for ever hide these guilty eyes,
Which lighted my Almanzor to his tomb;
Or, let them blaze, to show me there a room.

Boab. Heaven lent their lustre for a nobler end;
A thousand torches must their light attend,
To lead you to a temple and a crown. 
Why does my fairest Almahide frown? 
Am I less pleasing then I was before,
Or, is the insolent Almanzor more?

Almah. I justly own that I some pity have, Not for the insolent, but for the brave.

Aben. Though to your king your duty you neglect,
Know, Almahide, I look for more respect: 
And, if a parent’s charge your mind can move,
Receive the blessing of a monarch’s love.

Almah. Did he my freedom to his life prefer,
And shall I wed Almanzor’s murderer? 
No, sir; I cannot to your will submit;
Your way’s too rugged for my tender feet.