John Dryden

“ Enter Montezuma; his eldest son, Odmar; his daughter, Cydaria; Almeria, Alibech, Orbellan, and Train. They place themselves.
High Pr. On your birthday, while we sing
To our gods and to our king,
Her, among this beauteous quire,
Whose perfections you admire,
Her who fairest does appear,
Crown her queen of all the year,
Of the year and of the day,
And at her feet your garland lay. ”

“ Almeria to Orbellan and Alibech, who are this while whispering to her.
Alm. No, he shall ever love, and always be
The subject of my scorn and cruelty.
Orb. To prove the lasting torment of his life,
You must not be his mistress, but his wife. ”

“ Enter Montezuma, Odmar, Guyomar, Alibech, Orbellan, Cydaria, Almeria, as pursued by Traxallans.
Mont. No succour from the town?
Odm. None, none is nigh.
Guy. We are enclosed, and must resolve to die.
Mont. Fight for revenge, now hope of life is past;
But one stroke more, and that will be my last.
Enter Cortez, Vasquez, Pizarro, to the Traxallans: Cortez stays them just falling on. ”

“ While Vasquez speaks, Cortez spies the ladies and goes to them, entertaining Cydaria with courtship in dumb show.
Vasq. Spain's mighty monarch, to whom heaven thinks fit,
That all the nations of the earth submit,
In gracious clemency, does condescend
On these conditions to become your friend:
First, that of him you shall your sceptre hold ”

“ He gives Ambech the wreath.
As I am sure fair Alibech is she.
Mont. You, Guyomar, must next perform your part.
Guy. I want a garland, but I 'll give a heart:
My brother's pardon I must first implore,
Since I with him fair Alibech adore.
Odm. That all should Alibech adore, 'tis true;
But some respect is to my birthright due.
My claim to her by eldership I prove.
Guy. Age is a plea in empire, not in love.
Odm. I long have stayed for this solemnity, To make my passion public.
Guy. So have I.
Odm. ”

“ But from her birth my soul has been her slave;
My heart received the first wounds which she gave:
I watched the early glories of her eyes,
As men for daybreak watch the eastern skies.
Guy. It seems my soul then moved the quicker pace ”