nwealth is popular;
But there the people their own tyrants are.

_Boab._ But kings, who rule with limited command,
Have players' sceptres put into their hand.
Power has no balance, one side still weighs down,
And either hoists the commonwealth or crown;
And those, who think to set the scale more right,
By various turnings but disturb the weight.

_Aben._ While people tug for freedom, kings for power,
Both sink beneath some foreign conqueror:
Then subjects find too late they were unjust,
And want that power of kings, they durst not trust.

_To them_ ABDELMELECH.

_Abdelm._ The tumult now is high, and dangerous grown:
The people talk of rendering up the town;
And swear that they will force the king's consent.

_Boab._ What counsel can this rising storm prevent?

_Abdelm._ Their fright to no persuasions will give ear:
There's a deaf madness in a people's fear.

_Enter a Messenger._

_Mess._ Their fury now a middle course does take;
To yield the town, or call Almanzor back.

_Boab._ I'll rather call my death.--
Go and bring up my guards to my defence:
I'll punish this outrageous insolence.

_Aben._ Since blind opinion does their reason sway,
You must submit to cure them their own way.
You to their fancies physic must apply;
Give them that chief on whom they most rely.
Under Almanzor prosperously they fought;
Almanzor, therefore, must with prayers be brought.

_Enter a second Messenger._

_2 Mess._ Haste all you can their fury to assuage:
You are not safe from their rebellious rage.

_Enter a third Messenger._

_3 Mess._ This minute, if you grant not their desire,
They'll seize your person, and your palace fire.

_Abdelm._ Your danger, sir, admits of no delay.

_Boab._ In tumults people reign, and kings obey.--
Go and appease them with the vow I make,
That they shall have their loved Almanzor back. [_Exit_ ABDEL.
Almanzor has the ascendant o'er my fate;
I'm forced to stoop to one I fear and hate:
Disgraced, distressed, in exile, and alone,
He's greater than a monarch on his throne:
Without a realm, a royalty he gains;
Kings are the subjects over whom he reigns.
[_A shout of acclamations within._

_Aben._ These shouts proclaim the people satisfied.

_Boab._ We for another tempest must provide.
To promise his return as I was loth,
So I want power now to perform my oath.
Ere this, for Afric he is sailed from Spain.

_Aben._ The adverse winds