[A Traverse is drawn discovering Amadis in Chains.
Arcabon advancing hastily to stab him, starts and stops.
Thou dy'sWhat strange and what resistless Charm,
With secret Force, arrests my lifted Arm?
What art thou, who with more than Magick Art
Dost make my Hand unfaithful to my Heart?"
Amad. One, who disdaining Mercy, sues to die;
I ask not Life, for Life were Cruelty.
Of all the Wretched, search the World around,
A more unhappy never can be found;
Let loose thy Rage, like an avenging God,
Fain wou'd my Soul encumber'd cast her Load.
Arcab. In ev'ry Feature of that charming Face,
The dear Enchanter of my Soul I trace:
Nay, my whole Race, his Blood should not be spill'd.
The Tyes of Nature do but weakly move,
The strongest Tye of Nature, is in Love.
Amad. O Florestan! I see those Chains with Shame,
Which I cou'd not preventO Stain to Fame!
O Honour lost for ever! Theseus fell,
But Hercules remain'd unconquer'd still,
