ed on a grudge,
Which all our generous Zegrys just did judge:
Thy villain-blood thou openly didst place
Above the purple of our kingly race.

_Boab._ From equal stems their blood both houses draw,
They from Morocco, you from Cordova.

_Ham._ Their mongrel race is mixed with Christian breed;
Hence 'tis that they those dogs in prisons feed.

_Abdelm._ Our holy prophet wills, that charity
Should even to birds and beasts extended be:
None knows what fate is for himself designed;
The thought of human chance should make us kind.

_Gom._ We waste that time we to revenge should give:
Fall on: let no Abencerrago live.
[_Advancing before the rest of his party._ ALMANZOR
_advancing on the other side, and describing a
line with his sword._

_Almanz._ Upon thy life pass not this middle space;
Sure death stands guarding the forbidden place.

_Gom._ To dare that death, I will approach yet nigher;
Thus,--wert thou compassed in with circling fire. [_They fight._

_Boab._ Disarm them both; if they resist you, kill.
[ALMANZOR, _in the midst of the guards, kills_
GOMEL, _and then is disarmed._

_Almanz._ Now you have but the leavings of my will.

_Boab._ Kill him! this insolent unknown shall fall,
And be the victim to atone you all.

_Ozm._ If he must die, not one of us will live:
That life he gave for us, for him we give.

_Boab._ It was a traitor's voice that spoke those words;
So are you all, who do not sheath your swords.

_Zul._ Outrage unpunished, when a prince is by,
Forfeits to scorn the rights of majesty:
No subject his protection can expect,
Who what he owes himself does first neglect.

_Aben._ This stranger, sir, is he,
Who lately in the Vivarambla place
Did, with so loud applause, your triumphs grace.

_Boab._ The word which I have given, I'll not revoke;
If he be brave, he's ready for the stroke.

_Almanz._ No man has more contempt than I of breath,
But whence hast thou the right to give me death?
Obeyed as sovereign by thy subjects be,
But know, that I alone am king of me.
I am as free as nature first made man,
Ere the base laws of servitude began,
When wild in woods the noble savage ran.

_Boab._ Since, then, no power above your own you know,
Mankind should use you like a common foe;
You should be hunted like a beast of prey:
By your own law I take your life away.

_Almanz._ My laws