Chapter 13

_Enter_ Abdelazer, Roderigo, Osmin, Zarrack, _and some others of his Party_.

_Rod_. Oh, fly, my Lord, fly, for the Day is lost.

_Abd_. There are three hundred and odd Days i’th Year, And cannot we lose one? dismiss thy Fears, They’ll make a Coward of thee.

_Osm_. Sir, all the noble _Spaniards_ have forsook you; Your Soldiers faint, are round beset with Enemies, Nor can you shun your Fate, but by your Flight.

_Abd_. I can--and must--in spite of Fate: The Wheel of War shall turn about again, And dash the Current of his Victories.-- This is the Tent I’ve pitched, at distance from the Armies, To meet the Queen and Cardinal; Charm’d with the Magick of Dissimulation, I know by this h’as furl’d his Ensigns up, And is become a tame and coward Ass. [_A Retreat is sounded_. --Hark--hark, ‘tis done: oh, my inchanting Engine! --Dost thou not hear Retreat sounded?

_Rod_. Sure ‘tis impossible.

_Abd_. She has prevail’d--a Woman’s Tongue and Eyes Are Forces stronger than Artilleries. _Enter_ Queen, Cardinal, _Women, and Soldiers_. --We are betray’d--

_Qu_. What means this Jealousy? lay by your Weapons. And embrace--the sight of these beget Suspicion: --_Abdelazer_, by my Birth he comes in peace; Lord Cardinal, on my Honour so comes he.

_Abd_. Let him withdraw his Troops then.

_Qu_. They’re Guards for all our Safeties: Give me your Hand, Prince Cardinal--thine, _Abdelazer_-- [_She brings them together, they embrace_. This blest Accord I do behold with Joy.

_Card. Abdelazer_, I at the Queen’s Command have met you here, To know what ‘tis you will propose to us.

_Abd_. Peace and eternal Friendship ‘twixt us two. How much against my Will I took up Arms, Be witness, Heav’n: nor was it in revenge to you, But to let out th’ infected Blood of _Philip_, Whose sole aim Is to be King--which Spain will never suffer; Spain gave me Education, though not Birth, Which has intitled it my native Home, To which such Reverence and Esteem I bear, I will preserve it from the Tyrant’s Rage. The People who once lov’d him, now abhor him, And ‘tis your Power alone that buoys him up: And when you’ve lifted him into a Throne, ’.is time to shake you off.

_Card_. Whilst I behold him as my native Prince, My Honour and Religion bids me serve him; Yet not when I’m convinc’d that whilst I do so, I injure _Spain_.

_Abd_. If he were so, the Powers above forbid We should not serve, adore, and fight for him; But _Philip_ is a Bastard:--nay, ‘twill surprize ye, But that ‘tis Truth, the Queen will satisfy you.

_Qu_. With one bold Word he has undone my Honour. [_Weeps_. Too bluntly, _Abdelazer_, you repeat That which by slow Degrees you shou’d have utter’d.

_Abd_. Pardon my Roughness, Madam, I meant well.

_Card. Philip_ a Bastard! If by such Arts you wou’d divide me from him, I shall suspect you wou’d betray us both.

_Qu_. Sir, he informs you Truth; and I blush less To own him so, than that he is a Traitor.

_Card. Philip_ a Bastard! oh, it cannot be-- Madam, take heed you do not for Revenge, Barter your dearer Honour, and lose both.

_Qu_. I know what’s due to Honour, and Revenge, But better what I owe to _Spain_, and you-- You are a Prince o’th’ Blood, and may put off The Cardinal when you please, and be a Monarch.

_Card_. Though my Ambition’s equal to my Passion, Neither shall make me act against those Principles My Honour ever taught me to obey. --And, Madam-- ’.is less a Sin, not to believe you her, Than ‘tis to doubt your Virtue.

_Qu_. I wish it were untold, if it must forfeit The least of your Esteem--but that ‘tis Truth, Be witness, Heav’n, my Shame, my Sighs, and Tears. [_Weeps_.

_Card_. Why, Madam, was’t so long conceal’d from me?

_Qu_. The Circumstances I shall at leisure tell you: And for the present, Let it suffice, he cannot rule in _Spain_, Nor can you side with him, without being made As much incapable to reign as he.

_Card_. Though Love and Honour I have always made The Business of my Life; My Soul retains too so much of Ambition, As puts me still in mind of what I am, A Prince, and Heir to Spain: Nor shall my blinded Zeal to Loyalty, Make me that glorious Interest resign, Since _Philip’s_ Claims are not so great as mine. --Madam, tho I’m convinc’d I’ve done amiss In taking Arms for _Philip_, Yet ‘twill be difficult to disengage my self.

_Abd_. Most easily-- Proclaim it in the head of all your Troops, The Justice of your Cause for leaving him; And tell ‘em, ‘tis a Work of Piety To follow your Example. The giddy Rout are guided by Religion, More than by Justice, Reason, or Allegiance. --The Crown which I as a good Husband keep, I will lay down upon the empty Throne; Marry you the Queen, and fill it--and for me, I’ll ever pay you Duty as a Subject. [_Bows low_.

_Card_. On these Conditions all I am is yours; _Philip_ we cannot fear, all he can do Is to retire for refuge into _Portugal_.

_Abd_. That wou’d be dangerous-- Is there no Arts to get him in our Power?

_Card_. Perhaps by Policy, and seeming Friendship, For we have reason yet to fear his Force; And since I’m satisfy’d he’s not my lawful Prince, I cannot think it an Impiety To sacrifice him to the Peace of _Spain_, And every Spirit that loves Liberty: First we’ll our Forces join, and make ‘em yours, Then give me your Authority to arrest him; If so we can surprize him, we’ll spare the hazard Of a second Battel.

_Abd_. My Lord, retire into my inner Tent, And all things shall be instantly perform’d.

[_Exeunt all_.