It is indeed so difficult to write verse, that the adversaries of it

have a good plea against many, who undertook that task, without
being formed by art or nature for it. Yet, even they who have
written worst in it, would have written worse without it.
MAHOMET
BOABDELIN, the
last
king
Prince ABDALLA, his
ABDELMELECH, chief
of
the
ZULEMA, chief
of
the
ABENAMAR, an
old
SELIN, an
old
OZMYN, a
brave
young
Abencerrago,
son
HAMET, brother
to
Zulema,
GOMEL, a
ALMANZOR.
FERDINAND, king
of
Duke
of ARCOS, his
Don ALONZO D'AGUILAR, a Spanish Captain.
ALMAHIDE, Queen
LYNDARAXA, Sister
BENZAYDA, Daughter
ESPERANZA, Slave
HALYMA, Slave
ISABELLA, Queen of Spain.

of
of ZULEMA, a
to

'Tis you have raised that tempest in my will.

I wonnot love you; give me back my heart;
But give it, as you had it, fierce and brave.
It was not made to be a woman's slave,
But, lion-like, has been in desarts bred,
And, used to range, will ne'er be tamely led.
Restore its freedom to my fettered will,
And then I shall have power to use you ill

of

Granada.
brother.
Abencerrages.
Zegrys.
Abencerrago.
Zegry.
to
Abenamar.
a
Zegry.
Zegry.
Spain.
General.

Granada.
Zegry
Lady.
to SELIN.
the
Queen.
to LYNDARAXA.

What your injustice lost you, theirs restore.

I must be brief, though I have much to say.

First that I love at all; then, loved too late!

Almah. What sadness sits upon your royal heart?

Have you a grief, and must not I have part?
All creatures else a time of love possess;
Man only clogs with cares his happiness:
And, while he should enjoy his part of bliss,
With thoughts of what may be, destroys what is.
When hearts are loose, thy chain our bodies ties;
Love couples friends, but marriage enemies.
If love like mine continues after thee,
'Tis soon made sour, and turned by jealousy;
No sign of love in jealous men remains,
But that which sick men have of lifetheir pains.