Almanz. I, in the shape of love, despair did see; You, in his shape, would show inconstancy.

Lyndar. There’s no such thing as constancy you call;
Faith ties not hearts; ’tis inclination all. 
Some wit deformed, or beauty much decayed,
First constancy in love a virtue made. 
From friendship they that land-mark did remove,
And falsely placed it on the bounds of love. 
Let the effects of change be only tried;
Court me, in jest, and call me Almahide: 
But this is only counsel I impart,
For I, perhaps, should not receive your heart.

Almanz. Fair though you are
As summer mornings, and your eyes more bright
Than stars that twinkle in a winter’s night;
Though you have eloquence to warm and move
Cold age, and praying hermits, into love;
Though Almahide with scorn rewards my care,—­
Yet, than to change, ’tis nobler to despair. 
My love’s my soul; and that from fate is free;
’Tis that unchanged and deathless part of me.

Lyndar. The fate of constancy your love pursue! 
Still to be faithful to what’s false to you.
                              [Turns from him, and goes off angrily.

Almanz. Ye gods, why are not hearts first paired above,
But some still interfere in others’ love! 
Ere each for each by certain marks are known,
You mould them up in haste, and drop them down;
And, while we seek what carelessly you sort,
You sit in state, and make our pains your sport.
                                              [Exeunt on both sides.

ACT IV.  SCENE I.

Enter ABENAMAR, and Soldier.

Aben. Haste and conduct the prisoner to my sight.
                    [Exit Soldier, and immediately enters with SELIN
                     bound.

Aben. Did you, according to my orders, write? [To SELIN And have you summoned Ozmyn to appear?

Selin. I am not yet so much a slave to fear,
Nor has your son deserved so ill of me,
That by his death or bonds I would be free.

Aben. Against thy life thou dost the sentence give; Behold how short a time thou hast to live.

Selin. Make haste, and draw the curtain while you may;
You but shut out the twilight of my day. 
Beneath the burden of my age I bend: 
You kindly ease me ere my journey’s end.
                      [To them a Soldier with OZMYN; OZMYN kneels.

Aben. to Selin. It is enough, my promise makes you free; Resign your bonds, and take your liberty.

Ozm. Sir, you are just, and welcome are these bands; ’Tis all the inheritance a son demands.

Selin. Your goodness, O my Ozmyn, is too great;
I am not weary of my fetters yet: 
Already, when you move me to resign,
I feel them heavier on your feet than mine.