Almah. It therefore yields the only pure content;
For it, like angels, needs no nourishment. 
To eat and drink can no perfection be;
All appetite implies necessity.

Almanz. ’Twere well, if I could like a spirit live;
But, do not angels food to mortals give? 
What if some demon should my death foreshow,
Or bid me change, and to the Christians go;
Will you not think I merit some reward,
When I my love above my life regard?

Almah. In such a case your change must be allowed:  I would myself dispense with what you vowed.

Almanz. Were I to die that hour when I possess, This minute shall begin my happiness.

Almah. The thoughts of death your passion would remove; Death is a cold encouragement to love.

Almanz. No; from my joys I to my death would run,
And think the business of my life well done: 
But I should walk a discontented ghost,
If flesh and blood were to no purpose lost.

Almah. You love me not, Almanzor; if you did, You would not ask what honour must forbid.

Almanz. And what is honour, but a love well hid?

Almah. Yes, ’tis the conscience of an act well done,
Which gives us power our own desires to shun;
The strong and secret curb of headlong will;
The self-reward of good, and shame of ill.

Almanz. These, madam, are the maxims of the day,
When honour’s present, and when love’s away. 
The duty of poor honour were too hard,
In arms all day, at night to mount the guard. 
Let him, in pity, now to rest retire;
Let these soft hours be watched by warm desire.

Almah. Guards, who all day on painful duty keep, In dangers are not privileged to sleep.

Almanz. And with what dangers are you threatened here? 
Am I, alas! a foe for you to fear? 
See, madam, at your feet this enemy; [Kneels.
Without your pity and your love I die.

Almah. Rise, rise, and do not empty hopes pursue; Yet think that I deny myself, not you.

Almanz. A happiness so high I cannot bear: 
My love’s too fierce, and you too killing fair. 
I grow enraged to see such excellence!—­
If words, so much disordered, give offence,
My love’s too full of zeal to think of sense. 
Be you like me; dull reason hence remove,
And tedious forms, and give a loose to love. 
Love eagerly; let us be gods to-night;
And do not, with half yielding, clash delight.

Almah. Thou strong seducer, opportunity! 
Of womankind, half are undone by thee! 
Though I resolve I will not be misled,
I wish I had not heard what you have said! 
I cannot be so wicked to comply;
And, yet, am most unhappy to deny! 
Away!

Almanz. I will not move me from this place:  I can take no denial from that face!