reason I through love's false optics view.

_Zul._ Love's mighty power has led me captive too;
I am in it unfortunate as you.

_Abdal._ Our loves and fortunes shall together go;
Thou shalt be happy, when I first am so.

_Zul._ The Zegrys at old Selin's house are met,
Where, in close council, for revenge they sit:
There we our common interest will unite;
You their revenge shall own, and they your right.
One thing I had forgot, which may import:
I met Almanzor coming back from court,
But with a discomposed and speedy pace,
A fiery colour kindling all his face:
The king his prisoner's freedom has denied,
And that refusal has provoked his pride.

_Abdal._ 'Would he were ours!--
I'll try to gild the injustice of his cause,
And court his valour with a vast applause.

_Zul._ The bold are but the instruments o'the wise;
They undertake the dangers we advise:
And, while our fabric with their pains we raise,
We take the profit, and pay them with praise. [_Exeunt._

ACT III. SCENE I.

_Enter_ ALMANZOR _and_ ABDALLA.

_Almanz._ That he should dare to do me this disgrace!--
Is fool, or coward, writ upon my face?
Refuse my prisoner!--I such means will use,
He shall not have a prisoner to refuse.

_Abdal._ He said, you were not by your promise tied;
That he absolved your word, when he denied.

_Almanz._ He break my promise, and absolve my vow!
'Tis more than Mahomet himself can do!--
The word, which I have given, shall stand like fate;
Not like the king's, that weather-cock of state.
He stands so high, with so unfixed a mind,
Two factions turn him with each blast of wind:
But now, he shall not veer! my word is past;
I'll take his heart by the roots, and hold it fast.

_Abdal._ You have your vengeance in your hand this hour;
Make me the humble creature of your power:
The Granadines will gladly me obey;
(Tired with so base and impotent a sway)
And, when I shew my title, you shall see,
I have a better right to reign than he.

_Almanz._ It is sufficient that you make the claim;
You wrong our friendship when your right you name.
When for myself I fight, I weigh the cause;
But friendship will admit of no such laws:
That weighs by the lump; and, when the cause is light,
Puts kindness in to set the balance right.
True, I would wish my friend the juster side;
But, in the unjust, my kindness more is tried:
And all the opposition I can bring,
Is, that I fear to make you such a king.

_Abdal._ The m