Mor. Besides a willing titt, that will venture her corps with you.  Come, I know you long to have a parting blow with me; and therefore, to shew I am in charity—­ [He kisses her.

Ant. Once more for pity, that I may keep the flavour upon my lips till we meet again.

Mor. No, frequent charities make bold beggars; and, besides, I have learned of a falconer, never to feed up a hawk when I would have him fly.  That’s enough; but, if you would be nibbling, here’s a hand to stay your stomach. [Kissing her hand.

Ant. Thus conquered infidels, that wars may cease, Are forced to give their hands, and sign the peace.

Mor. Thus Christians are outwitted by the foe;
You had her in your power, and let her go. 
If you release my hand, the fault’s not mine;
You should have made me seal, as well as sign.
                      [She runs off, he follows her to the door; then
                       comes back again, and goes out at the other.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.—­BENDUCAR’S Palace, in the Castle of Alcazar.

BENDUCAR solus.

Bend. My future fate, the colour of my life,
My all, depends on this important hour: 
This hour my lot is weighing in the scales,
And heaven, perhaps, is doubting what to do. 
Almeyda and a crown have pushed me forward: 
’Tis fixed, the tyrant must not ravish her;
He and Sebastian stand betwixt my hopes;
He most, and therefore first to be dispatched. 
These, and a thousand things, are to be done
In the short compass of this rolling night;
And nothing yet performed,
None of my emissaries yet returned.

  Enter HALY, first Servant.

Oh Haly, thou hast held me long in pain. 
What hast thou learnt of Dorax? is he dead?

Haly. Two hours I warily have watched his palace;
All doors are shut, no servant peeps abroad;
Some officers, with striding haste, passed in,
While others outward went on quick dispatch. 
Sometimes hushed silence seemed to reign within;
Then cries confused, and a joint clamour, followed;
Then lights went gliding by, from room to room,
And shot, like thwarting meteors, cross the house. 
Not daring further to inquire, I came
With speed, to bring you this imperfect news.

Bend. Hence I conclude him either dead, or dying. 
His mournful friends, summoned to take their leaves,
Are thronged about his couch, and sit in council. 
What those caballing captains may design,
I must prevent, by being first in action.—­
To Muley-Zeydan fly with speed, desire him
To take my last instructions; tell the importance,
And haste his presence here.—­ [Exit HALY. 
How has this poison lost its wonted way? 
It should have burnt its passage, not have lingered
In the blind labyrinths and crooked turnings
Of human composition; now it moves
Like a slow fire, that works against the wind,
As if his stronger stars had interposed.—­