dly on her._]
Well; my fierce visage shall not murder you.
Speak quickly, woman; I have much to do.

_Almah._ Where should I find the heart to speak one word?
Your voice, sir, is as killing as your sword.
As you have left the lightning of your eye,
So would you please to lay your thunder by.

_Almanz._ I'm pleased and pained, since first her eyes I saw,
As I were stung with some tarantula.
Arms, and the dusty field, I less admire,
And soften strangely in some new desire;
Honour burns in me not so fiercely bright,
But pale as fires when mastered by the light:
Even while I speak and look, I change yet more,
And now am nothing that I was before.
I'm numbed, and fixed, and scarce my eye-balls move:
I fear it is the lethargy of love!
'Tis he; I feel him now in every part:
Like a new lord he vaunts about my heart;
Surveys, in state, each corner of my breast,
While poor fierce I, that was, am dispossessed.
I'm bound; but I will rouse my rage again;
And, though no hope of liberty remain,
I'll fright my keeper when I shake my chain.
You are-- [_Angrily._

_Almah._ I know I am your captive, sir.

_Almanz._ You are--You shall--And I can scarce forbear--

_Almah._ Alas!

_Almanz._ 'Tis all in vain; it will not do: [_Aside._
I cannot now a seeming anger show:
My tongue against my heart no aid affords;
For love still rises up, and choaks my words.

_Almah._ In half this time a tempest would be still.

_Almanz._ 'Tis you have raised that tempest in my will.
I wonnot love you; give me back my heart;
But give it, as you had it, fierce and brave.
It was not made to be a woman's slave,
But, lion-like, has been in desarts bred,
And, used to range, will ne'er be tamely led.
Restore its freedom to my fettered will,
And then I shall have power to use you ill.

_Almah._ My sad condition may your pity move;
But look not on me with the eyes of love:--
I must be brief, though I have much to say.

_Almanz._ No, speak; for I can hear you now all day.
Her sueing sooths me with a secret pride: [_Softly._
A suppliant beauty cannot be denied: [_Aside._
Even while I frown, her charms the furrows seize;
And I'm corrupted with the power to please.

_Almah._ Though in your worth no cause of fear I see,
I fear the insolence of victory;
As you are noble, sir, protect me then
From the rude outrage of insulting men.

_Almanz._