free from force, and have full power
To go, and kill my hopes and me, this hour.--
I see, then, you will go; but yet my toil
May he rewarded with a looking while.

_Almah._ Almanzor can from every subject raise
New matter for our wonder and his praise.
You bound and freed me; but the difference is,
That showed your valour; but your virtue this.

_Almanz._ Madam, you praise a funeral victory,
At whose sad pomp the conqueror must die.

_Almah._ Conquest attends Almanzor every where;
I am too small a foe for him to fear:
But heroes still must be opposed by some,
Or they would want occasion to o'ercome.

_Almanz._ Madam, I cannot on bare praises live:
Those, who abound in praises, seldom give.

_Almah._ While I to all the world your worth make known,
May heaven reward the pity you have shown!

_Almanz._ My love is languishing, and starved to death;
And would you give me charity--in breath?
Prayers are the alms of churchmen to the poor:
They send's to heaven, but drive us from their door.

_Almah._ Cease, cease a suit
So vain to you, and troublesome to me,
If you will have me think that I am free.
If I am yet a slave, my bonds I'll bear;
But what I cannot grant, I will not hear.

_Almanz._ You will not hear!--You must both hear and grant;
For, madam, there's an impudence in want.

_Almah._ Your way is somewhat strange to ask relief
You ask with threatening, like a begging thief.--
Once more, Almanzor, tell me, am I free?

_Almanz._ Madam, you are, from all the world,--but me!--
But as a pirate, when he frees the prize
He took from friends, sees the rich merchandize,
And, after he has freed it, justly buys;
So, when I have restored your liberty--
But then, alas, I am too poor to buy!

_Almah._ Nay, now you use me just as pirates do:
You free me; but expect a ransom too.

_Almanz._ You've all the freedom that a prince can have;
But greatness cannot be without a slave.
A monarch never can in private move,
But still is haunted with officious love.
So small an inconvenience you may bear;
'Tis all the fine fate sets upon the fair.

_Almah._ Yet princes may retire, whene'er they please,
And breathe free air from out their palaces:
They go sometimes unknown, to shun their state;
And then, 'tis manners not to know or wait.

_Almanz._ If not a subject then, a ghost I'll be;
And from a ghost, you know, no place is free.
Asleep, awake, I'll haunt you every where;
From my white shroud groan love into your ea