Would leave no ground I ever could be true.

_Alm_. You construed me aright--I was in jest:
And, by that offer, meant to sound your breast;
Which since I find so constant to your love,
Will much my value of your worth improve.
Spaniard, assure yourself you shall not be
Obliged to quit Cydaria for me:
'Tis dangerous though to treat me in this sort,
And to refuse my offers, though in sport. [_Exit_.

_Cort_. In what a strange condition am I left?
More than I wish I have, of all I wish bereft!
In wishing nothing, we enjoy still most;
For even our wish is, in possession, lost:
Restless, we wander to a new desire,
And burn ourselves, by blowing up the fire:
We toss and turn about our feverish will,
When all our ease must come by lying still:
For all the happiness mankind can gain
Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
[_Goes in, and the scene closes upon him_.

SCENE II.--_Chamber-royal_.

_Enter_ MONTEZUMA, ODMAR, GUYOMAR, _and_
ALIBECH.

_Mont_. My ears are deaf with this impatient crowd.

_Odm_. Their wants are now grown mutinous and loud:
The general's taken, but the siege remains;
And their last food our dying men sustains.

_Guy_. One means is only left. I to this hour
Have kept the captive from Almeria's power;
And though, by your command, she often sent
To urge his doom, do still his death prevent.

_Mont_. That hope is past: Him I have oft assailed;
But neither threats nor kindness have prevailed;
Hiding our wants, I offered to release
His chains, and equally conclude a peace:
He fiercely answered, I had now no way
But to submit, and without terms obey:
I told him, he in chains demanded more
Than he imposed in victory before:
He sullenly replied, he could not make
These offers now; honour must give, not take.

_Odm_. Twice have I sallied, and was twice beat back:
What desp'rate course remains for us to take!

_Mont_. If either death or bondage I must chuse,
I'll keep my freedom, though my life I lose.

_Guy_. I'll not upbraid you, that you once refused
Those means, you might have then with honour used;
I'll lead your men, perhaps bring victory:
They know to conquer best, who know to die.
[_Exeunt_ MONTEZUMA _and_ ODMAR.

_Alib_. Ah me, what have I heard! stay, Guyomar,
What hope you from this sally you prepare?

_Guy_. A death, with honour, for my country's good:
A death, to which yourself designed my blood.

_Alib_. You heard, and I well know the town's distress,
Which swor