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.
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