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[_Exeunt_ ALMAHIDE _and_ ESPERANZA. She goes, and I like my own ghost appear; It is not living when she is not here. _To him_ ABDALLA _as King, attended._ _Abdal._ My first acknowledgments to heaven are due; My next, Almanzor, let me pay to you. _Almanz._ A poor surprise, and on a naked foe, Whatever you confess, is all you owe; And I no merit own, or understand That fortune did you justice by my hand: Yet, if you will that little service pay With a great favour, I can shew the way. _Abdal._ I have a favour to demand of you; That is, to take the thing for which you sue. _Almanz._ Then, briefly, thus: when I the Albayzyn won, I found the beauteous Almahide alone, Whose sad condition did my pity move; And that compassion did produce my love. _Abdal._ This needs no suit; in justice, I declare. She is your captive by the right of war. _Almanz._ She is no captive then; I set her free; And, rather than I will her jailor be, I'll nobly lose her in her liberty. _Abdal._ Your generosity I much approve; But your excess of that shows want of love. _Almanz._ No, 'tis the excess of love which mounts so high, That, seen far off, it lessens to the eye. Had I not loved her, and had set her free, That, sir, had been my generosity; But 'tis exalted passion, when I show I dare be wretched, not to make her so: And, while another passion fills her breast, I'll be all wretched rather than half blest. _Abdal._ May your heroic act so prosperous be, That Almahide may sigh you set her free. _Enter_ ZULEMA. _Zul._ Of five tall towers which fortify this town, All but the Alhambra your dominion own: Now, therefore, boldly I confess a flame, Which is excused in Almahide's name. If you the merit of this night regard, In her possession I have my reward. _Almanz._ She your reward! why, she's a gift so great, That I myself have not deserved her yet; And therefore, though I won her with my sword, I have, with awe, my sacrilege restored. _Zul._ What you deserve I'll not dispute, because I do not know; This only I will say, she shall not go. _Almanz._ Thou, single, art not worth my answering: But take what friends, what armies thou canst bring; What worlds; and, when you are united all, Then will I thunder in your ears,--She shall. _Zul._ I'll not one tittle of my right resign.-- Sir, your implicit promise made her mine; When I, in general terms, my love did show, You swor
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