Alm.  From innocence? let that then take thy part. 
Still are thy looks assured—­have at thy heart! [Holds up the dagger. 
I cannot kill thee; sure thou bear’st some charm, [Goes back. 
Or some divinity holds back my arm. 
Why do I thus delay to make him bleed? [Aside. 
Can I want courage for so brave a deed? 
I’ve shook it off; my soul is free from fear. [Comes again. 
And I can now strike any where—­but here: 
His scorn of death, how strangely does it move! 
A mind so haughty who could chuse but love! [Goes off. 
Plead not a charm, or any god’s command,
Alas, it is thy heart that holds thy hand: 
In spite of me I love, and see, too late,
My mother’s pride must find my mother’s fate. 
—­Thy country’s foe, thy brother’s murderer,—­
For shame, Almeria, such mad thoughts forbear: 
It w’onnot be,—­if I once more come on, [Coming on again. 
I shall mistake the breast, and pierce my own.

[Comes with her dagger down.

Cort.  Does your revenge maliciously forbear
To give me death, ’till ’tis prepared by fear? 
If you delay for that, forbear or strike,
Foreseen and sudden death are both alike.

Alm.  To show my love would but increase his pride: 
They have most power, who most their passions hide. [Aside. 
Spaniard, I must confess, I did expect
You could not meet your death with such neglect;
I will defer it now, and give you time: 
You may repent, and I forget your crime.

Cort.  Those, who repent, acknowledge they do ill:  I did not unprovoked your brother kill.

Alm.  Petition me, perhaps I may forgive.

Cort.  Who begs his life does not deserve to live.

Alm.  But if ’tis given, you’ll not refuse to take?

Cort.  I can live gladly for Cydaria’s sake.

Alm.  Does she so wholly then possess your mind? 
What if you should another lady find,
Equal to her in birth, and far above
In all that can attract, or keep your love,
Would you so doat upon your first desire,
As not to entertain a nobler fire?

Cort.  I think that person hardly will be found,
With gracious form and equal virtue crowned: 
Yet if another could precedence claim,
My fixed desires could find no fairer aim.

Alm.  Dull ignorance! he cannot yet conceive: 
To speak more plain, shame will not give me leave. [Aside. 
—­Suppose one loved you, whom even kings adore:  [To him. 
Who, with your life, your freedom would restore,
And add to that the crown of Mexico: 
Would you, for her, Cydaria’s love forego?

Cort.  Though she could offer all you can invent, I could not of my faith, once vowed, repent.