ACT III., SCENE 1.

_Enter_ QUEEN-MOTHER _with a torch_.

QUEEN-M. Fair eldest child of love, thou spotless night, Empress of silence, and the queen of sleep, Who with thy black cheeks' pure complexion, Mak'st lovers' eyes enamour'd of thy beauty, Thou art like my Moor; therefore will I adore thee For lending me this opportunity, O, with the soft-skinn'd negro. Heavens, keep back The saucy staring day from the world's eye, Until my Eleazar make return: Then in his castle shall he find his wife Transform'd into a strumpet by my son: Then shall he hate her, whom he would not kill; Then shall I kill her, whom I cannot love. The king is sporting with his concubine. Blush not, my boy; be bold like me thy mother. But their delights torture my soul like devils, Except her shame be seen: wherefore awake! Christophero! Roderigo! raise the court; Arise, you peers of Spain; Alvero, rise; Preserve your country from base infamies.

_Enter at several doors, with lights and rapiers drawn_, ALVERO, RODERIGO, _and_ CHRISTOPHERO, _with others_.

ALL. Who rais'd these exclamations through the court?

QUEEN-M. Sheathe up your swords; you need not swords, but eyes To intercept this treason.

ALV. What's the treason? Who are traitors? ring the larum-bell; Cry _Arm_ through all the city: once before The horrid cry of treason did affright Our sleeping spirits.

QUEEN-M. Stay; You need not cry _Arm, arm!_ for this black deed Works treason to your king, to me, to you, To Spain, and all that shall in Spain ensue. This night Maria (Eleazar's wife) Hath drawn the king by her lascivious looks Privately to a banquet; I (unseen) Stood and beheld him in her lustful arms; O God! shall bastards wear Spain's diadem? If you can kneel to baseness, vex them not; If you disdain to kneel, wash off this blot.

ROD. Let's break into the chamber, and surprise her.

ALV. O miserable me! do, do, break in; My country shall not blush at my child's sin.

QUEEN-M. Delay is nurse to danger, follow me; Come you and witness to her villany.

ALV. Hapless Alvero, how art thou undone In a light daughter and a stubborn son!

[_Exeunt_ OMNES.