Benz. Blind queen of Chance, to lovers too severe,
Thou rulest mankind, but art a tyrant there! 
Thy widest empire’s in a lover’s breast: 
Like open seas, we seldom are at rest. 
Upon thy coasts our wealth is daily cast;
And thou, like pirates, mak’st no peace to last.

  To them LYNDARAXA, Duke of Arcos, and Guards.

D.  Arcos. We were surprised when least we did suspect, And justly suffered by our own neglect.

Lyndar. No; none but I have reason to complain! 
So near a kingdom, yet ’tis lost again! 
O, how unequally in me were joined
A creeping fortune, with a soaring mind! 
O lottery of fate! where still the wise
Draw blanks of fortune, and the fools the prize! 
These cross, ill-shuffled lots from heaven are sent,
Yet dull Religion teaches us content;
But when we ask it where the blessing dwells,
It points to pedant colleges, and cells;
There shows it rude, and in a homely dress,
And that proud Want mistakes for happiness. [A trumpet within.

  Enter ZULEMA.

Brother! what strange adventure brought you here?

Zul. The news I bring will yet more strange appear. 
The little care you of my life did show,
Has of a brother justly made a foe;
And Abdelmelech who that life did save,
As justly has deserved that life he gave.

Lyndar. Your business cools, while tediously it stays On the low theme of Abdelmelech’s praise.

Zul. This I present from Prince Abdalla’s hands.
                                [Delivers a letter, which she reads.

Lyndar. He has proposed, (to free him from his bands) That, with his brother, an exchange be made.

D.  Arcos. It proves the same design which we had laid. 
Before the castle let a bar be set;
And when the captives on each side are met,
With equal numbers chosen for their guard,
Just at the time the passage is unbarred,
Let both at once advance, at once be free.

Lyndar. The exchange I will myself in person see.

Benz. I fear to ask, yet would from doubt be freed,—­ Is Selin captive, sir, or is he dead?

Zul. I grieve to tell you what you needs must know,—­
He is a prisoner to his greatest foe;
Kept with strong guards in the Alhambra tower;
Without the reach even of Almanzor’s power.

Ozm. With grief and shame I am at once opprest.

Zul. You will be more, when I relate the rest. 
To you I from Abenamar am sent, [To OZMYN. 
And you alone can Selin’s death prevent. 
Give up yourself a prisoner in his stead;
Or, ere to-morrow’s dawn, believe him dead.

Benz. Ere that appear, I shall expire with grief.

Zul. Your action swift, your counsel must be brief.