By your own law I take your life away.

_Almanz._ My laws are made but only for my sake;
No king against himself a law can make.
If thou pretend'st to be a prince like me,
Blame not an act, which should thy pattern be.
I saw the oppressed, and thought it did belong
To a king's office to redress the wrong:
I brought that succour, which thou ought'st to bring,
And so, in nature, am thy subjects' king.

_Boab._ I do not want your counsel to direct
Or aid to help me punish or protect.

_Almanz._ Thou want'st them both, or better thou would'st know,
Than to let factions in thy kingdom grow.
Divided interests, while thou think'st to sway,
Draw, like two brooks, thy middle stream away:
For though they band and jar, yet both combine
To make their greatness by the fall of thine.
Thus, like a buckler, thou art held in sight,
While they behind thee with each other fight.

_Boab._ Away, and execute him instantly! [_To his Guards._

_Almanz._ Stand off; I have not leisure yet to die.

_To them, enter_ ABDALLA _hastily._

_Abdal._ Hold, sir! for heaven's sake hold!