,
Not for my own, but Almahide's sake.

_Aben._ But when he heard it was the queen who sent,
That her command repealed his banishment,
He took the summons with a greedy joy,
And asked me how she would his sword employ:
Then bid me say, her humblest slave would come,
From her fair mouth with joy to take his doom.

_Boab._ Oh that I had not sent you! though it cost
My crown! though I, and it, and all were lost!

_Aben._ While I, to bring this news, came on before,
I met with Selin--

_Boab._ I can hear no more.

_Enter_ HAMET.

_Hamet._ Almanzor is already at the gate,
And throngs of people on his entrance wait.

_Boab._ Thy news does all my faculties surprise;
He bears two basilisks in those fierce eyes;
And that tame daemon, which should guard my throne,
Shrinks at a genius greater than his own.
[_Exit_ BOAB. _with_ ABEN. _and Guards._

_Enter_ ALMANZOR; _seeing_ ALMAHIDE _approach him, he speaks._

_Almanz._ So Venus moves, when to the Thunderer,
In smiles or tears, she would some suit prefer;
When with her cestus girt,
And drawn by doves, she cuts the liquid skies,
And kindles gentle fires where'er she flies:
To every eye a goddess is confest,
By all the heavenly nation she is blest,
And each with secret joy admits her to his breast.--
Madam your new commands I come to know,
If yet you can have any where I go. [_To her bowing._
If to the regions of the dead they be,
You take the speediest course to send by me.

_Almah._ Heaven has not destined you so soon to rest:
Heroes must live to succour the distrest.

_Almanz._ To serve such beauty all mankind should live;
And, in our service, our reward you give.
But stay me not in torture, to behold
And ne'er enjoy. As from another's gold
The miser hastens, in his own defence,
And shuns the sight of tempting excellence;
So, having seen you once so killing fair,
A second sight were but to move despair.
I take my eyes from what too much would please,
As men in fevers famish their disease.

_Almah._ No; you may find your cure an easier way,
If you are pleased to seek it,--in your stay.
All objects lose by too familiar view,
When that great charm is gone, of being new;
By often seeing me, you soon will find
Defects so many, in my face and mind,
That to be freed from love you need not doubt;
And, as you looked it in, you'll look it out.

_Almanz._ I rather, like weak armies, should retreat,
And so prev