Chapter 3

_Enter the_ King _crown’d_, Philip, Mendozo, Queen, Leonora, Florella, Elvira, Alonzo, Roderigo, Ordonio, Sebastian, Antonio, _Officers and Guards; met by_ Abdelazer _follow’d by_ Osmin, Zarrack, _and Moors attending. He comes in with Pride, staring on_ Philip _and_ Mendozo, _and takes his stand next the_ King.

_Phil_. Why stares the Devil thus, as if he meant From his infectious Eyes to scatter Plagues, And poison all the World? Was he not banish’d? How dares the Traitor venture into th’ Presence?-- Guards, spurn the Villain forth.

_Abd_. Who spurns the _Moor_ Were better set his foot upon the Devil-- Do, spurn me, and this Hand thus justly arm’d, Shall like a Thunder-bolt, breaking the Clouds, Divide his Body from his Soul--stand back-- [_To the Guards_. Spurn _Abdelazer_!--

_Phil_. Death, shall we bear this Insolence?

_Alon_. Great Sir, I think his Sentence was unjust. [_To the_ King.

_Men_. Sir, you’re too partial to be judge in this, And shall not give your Voice.

_Abd_. Proud Cardinal--but he shall--and give it loud. And shall not!--who shall hinder him?

_Phil_. This--and cut his Wind-pipe too. [_Offers to draw_. To spoil his whisp’ring. [Abd. _offers to draw, his Attendants do the same_.

_King_. What means this Violence? Forbear to draw your Swords--’tis we command.

_Abd_. Sir, do me Justice, I demand no more. [_Kneels, and offers his Sword_. And at your Feet we lay our Weapons down.

_Men_. Sir, _Abdelazer_ has had Justice done, And stands by me banish’d the Court of _Spain_.

_King_. How, Prince Cardinal! From whence do you derive Authority To banish him the Court without our leave?

_Men_. Sir, from my Care unto your royal Person, As I’m your Governor--then for the Kingdom’s Safety.

_King_. Because I was a Boy, must I be still so? Time, Sir, has given me in that formal Ceremony, And I am of an age to rule alone; And from henceforth discharge you of your Care. We know your near relation to this Crown, And wanting Heirs, that you must fill the Throne; Till when, Sir, I am absolute Monarch here, And you must learn Obedience.

_Men_. Pardon my zealous Duty, which I hope You will approve, and not recal his Banishment.

_King_. Sir, but I will; and who dares contradict It, is a Traitor.

_Phil_. I dare the first, yet do defy the last.

_King_. My hot-brain’d Sir, I’ll talk to you anon.

_Men_. Sir, I am wrong’d, and will appeal to _Rome_.

_Phil_. By Heav’n, I’ll to the Camp--Brother, farewel, When next I meet thee, it shall be in Arms, If thou can’st get loose from thy Mistress’ Chains, Where thou ly’st drown’d in idle wanton Love.

_Abd_. Hah--his Mistress--who is’t Prince _Philip_ means?

_Phil_. Thy Wife, thy Wife, proud Moor, whom thou’rt content To sell for Honour to eternal Infamy-- Does’t make thee snarl?--Bite on, whilst thou shalt see, I go for Vengeance, and ‘twill come with me. [_Going out, turns and draws_.

_Abd_. Stay! for ‘tis here already--turn, proud Boy. [Abd. _draws_.

_King_. What mean you, _Philip_?--[_Talks to him aside_.

_Qu_. Cease, cease your most impolitick Rage. [_To_ Abd. Is this a time to shew’t?--Dear Son, you are a King, And may allay this Tempest.

_King_. How dare you disobey my Will and Pleasure? [_To_ Abd.

_Abd_. Shall I be calm, and hear my Wife call’d Whore? Were he great _Jove_, and arm’d with all his Lightning, By Heav’n, I could not hold my just Resentment.

_Qu_. ‘Twas in his Passion, noble _Abdelazer_-- [King _talking to_ Phil. _aside_. Imprudently thou dost disarm thy Rage, And giv’st the Foe a warning, e’er thou strik’st; When with thy Smiles thou might’st securely kill. You know the Passion that the Cardinal bears me; His Pow’r too o’er _Philip_, which well manag’d Will serve to ruin both: put up your Sword-- When next you draw it, teach it how to act.

_Abd_. You shame me, and command me.

_Qu_. Why all this Rage?--does it become you, Sir? [_To_ Men. _aside_. What is’t you mean to do?

_Men_. You need not care, whilst _Abdelazer’s_ safe.

_Qu_. Jealousy, upon my Life--how gay it looks!

_Men_. Madam, you want that pitying Regard To value what I do, or what I am; I’ll therefore lay my Cardinal’s Hat aside, And in bright Arms demand my Honour back.

_Qu_. Is’t thus, my Lord, you give me Proofs of Love? Have then my Eyes lost all their wonted Power? And can you quit the hope of gaining me, To follow your Revenge?--go--go to fight, Bear Arms against your Country, and your King, All for a little worthless Honour lost.

_Men_. What is it, Madam, you would have me do?

_Qu_. Not side with _Philip_, as you hope my Grace-- Now, Sir, you know my Pleasure, think on’t well.

_Men_. Madam, you know your Power o’er your Slave, And use it too tyrannically--but dispose The Fate of him, whose Honour, and whose Life, Lies at your Mercy-- I’ll stay and die, since ‘tis your gracious Pleasure.

_King. Philip_, upon your Life, Upon your strict Allegiance, I conjure you To remain at Court, till I have reconcil’d you.

_Phil_. Never, Sir; Nor can you bend my Temper to that Tameness.

_King_. ‘Tis in my Power to charge you as a Prisoner; But you’re my Brother--yet remember too I am your King--No more.

_Phil_. I will obey.

_King. Abdelazer_, I beg you will forget your Cause of Hate Against my Brother _Philip_, and the Cardinal; He’s young, and rash, but will be better temper’d.

_Abd_. Sir, I have done, and beg your royal Pardon.

_King_. Come, _Philip_, give him your Hand.

_Phil_. I can forgive without a Ceremony.

_King_. And to confirm ye Friends, I invite you all to Night to banquet with me; Pray see you give Attendance--Come, Brother, You must along with us.

[_Exeunt all but_ Abd. Queen _and Women_.

_Qu_. Leave me-- [_To the Women, who go out_. Now my dear Moor.

_Abd_. Madam.

_Qu_. Why dost thou answer with that cold Reserve-- Is that a Look--an Action for a Lover?

_Abd_. Ah, Madam--

_Qu_. Have I not taken off thy Banishment? Restor’d thee to thy former State and Honours? Nay, and heap’d new ones too, too mighty for thy Hopes; And still to raise thee equal to this Heart, Where thou must ever reign.

_Abd_. ‘Tis true, my bounteous Mistress, all this you’ve done-- But--

_Qu_. But what, my _Abdelazer_?

_Abd_. I will not call it to your Memory.

_Qu_. What canst thou mean?

_Abd_. Why was the King remov’d?

_Qu_. To make thy way more easy to my Arms.

_Abd_. Was that all?

_Qu_. All!

_Abd_. Not but it is a Blessing Gods would languish for-- But as you’ve made it free, so make it just.

_Qu_. Thou mean’st, marry thee.

_Abd_. No, by the Gods-- [_Aside_. Not marry thee, unless I were a King.

_Qu_. What signifies the Name to him that rules one?

_Abd_. What use has he of Life, that cannot live Without a Ruler?

_Qu_. Thou wouldst not have me kill him.

_Abd_. Oh, by no means, not for my wretched Life! What, kill a King!--forbid it, Heaven: Angels stand like his Guards about his Person. The King! Not so many Worlds as there be Stars Twinkling upon the embroider’d Firmament! The King! He loves my Wife _Florella_, shou’d he die-- I know none else durst love her.

_Qu_. And that’s the Reason you wou’d send him hence.

_Abd_. I must confess, I wou’d not bear a wrong: But do not take me for a Villain, Madam; He is my King, and may do what he pleases.

_Qu_. ‘Tis well, Sir.

_Abd_. Again that Frown, it renders thee more charming Than any other Dress thou could’st put on.

_Qu_. Away, you do not love me.

_Abd_. Now mayst thou hate me, if this be not pretty.

_Qu_. Oh, you can flatter finely--

_Abd_. Not I, by Heaven: Oh, that this Head were circled in a Crown, And I were King, by Fortune, as by Birth! And that I was, till by thy Husband’s Power I was divested in my Infancy-- Then you shou’d see, I do not flatter ye. But I, instead of that, must see my Crown Bandy’d from Head to Head, and tamely see it: And in this wretched state I live, ‘tis true; But with what Joy, you, if you lov’d, might guess.

_Qu_. We need no Crowns; Love best contented is In shady Groves, and humble Cottages, Where when ‘twould sport, it safely may retreat, Free from the Noise and Danger of the Great; Where Victors are ambitious of no Bays, But what their Nymphs bestow on Holy-days; Nor Envy can the amorous Shepherd move, Unless against a Rival in his Love.

_Abd_. Love and Ambition are the same to me, In either I’ll no Rivals brook.

_Qu_. Nor I: And when the King you urge me to remove, It may be from Ambition, not from Love.

_Abd_. Those Scruples did not in your Bosom dwell, When you a King did in a Husband kill.

_Qu_. How, Sir, dare you upbraid me with that Sin, To which your Perjuries first drew me in?

_Abd_. You interrupt my Sense; I only meant A Sacrifice to Love so well begun Shou’d not Devotion want to finish it; And if that stop to all our Joys were gone, The envying World wou’d to our Power submit: But Kings are sacred, and the Gods alone Their Crimes must judge, and punish too, or none-- Yet he alone destroys his Happiness.

_Qu_. There’s yet one more--

_Abd_. One more! give me his Name, And I will turn it to a Magick Spell, To bind him ever fast.

_Qu. Florella_.

_Abd. Florella_! Oh, I cou’d gnaw my Chains | That humble me so low as to adore her: | [_Aside_. But the fond Blaze must out--while I erect | A nobler Fire more fit for my Ambition. | --_Florella_ dies--a Victim to your Will. I will not let you lose one single Wish, For a poor Life, or two; Tho I must see my Glories made a Prey, And not demand ‘em from the Ravisher; Nor yet complain--because he is my King: But _Philip’s_ Brow no sacred Ointment deifies, If he do wrong, stands fair for the Revenger.

_Qu. Philip_! instruct me how t’ undo that Boy I hate; The publick Infamy I have receiv’d, I will revenge with nothing less than Death.

_Abd_. ‘Tis well we can agree in our Resentments, For I have vow’d he shall not live a day; He has an Art to pry into our Secrets: To all besides our Love is either hid, Or else they dare not see--But this Prince Has a most dangerous Spirit must be calm’d.

_Qu_. I have resolv’d his Death, And now have waiting in my Cabinet, Engines to carry on this mighty Work of my Revenge.

_Abd_. Leave that to me, who equally am injur’d; You, like the Gods, need only but command, And I will execute your sacred Will-- That done, there’s none dare whisper what we do.

_Qu_. Nature, be gone, I chase thee from my Soul, Who Love’s almighty Empire does controul: And she that will to thy dull Laws submit, In spite of thee, betrays the Hypocrite. No rigid Virtue shall my Soul possess, Let Gown-men preach against the Wickedness; Pleasures were made by Gods, and meant for us, And not t’ enjoy ‘em, were ridiculous.

_Abd_. Oh perfect, great and glorious of thy Sex! Like thy great self ‘twas spoke, resolv’d and brave-- I must attend the King--where I will watch All _Philip’s_ Motions.

_Qu_. And--after that--if you will beg Admittance, I’ll give you leave to visit me to Night.

_Abd_. Madam, that Blessing now must be defer’d. [_Leads her to the Door_. My Wrongs and I will be retir’d to Night, And bring forth Vengeance with the Morning’s Light.

_Enter_ Osmin, Zarrack.

_Osm_. My gracious Lord.

_Abd_. Come near--and take a Secret from my Lips; And he who keeps not silent hears his Death.-- This Night the Prince and Cardinal--do you mark me-- Are murder’d.

_Osm_. Where, Sir?

_Abd_. Here in the Court.

_Osm_. By whom, great Sir?

_Abd_. By thee--I know thou darst.

_Osm_. Whatever you command.

_Abd_. Good!--then see it be perform’d. _Osmin_, how goes the Night?

_Osm_. About the hour of Eight, And you’re expected at the Banquet, Sir: Prince _Philip_ storms, and swears you’re with the Queen.

_Abd_. Let him storm on; the Tempest will be laid-- Where’s my Wife?

_Osm_. In the Presence, Sir, with the Princess and Other Ladies.

_Abd_. She’s wondrous forward!--what the King-- (I am not jealous tho)--but he makes court to her. --Hah, _Osmin_! He throws out Love from Eyes all languishing;-- Come tell me,--he does sigh to her,--no matter if he do-- And fawns upon her Hand,--and kneels;--tell me, Slave!

_Osm_. Sir, I saw nothing like to Love; he only treats her Equal to her Quality.

_Abd_. Oh, damn her Quality.

_Zar_. I came just now From waiting on his Person to the Banquet, And heard him ask, if he might visit her to Night, Having something to impart to her, that concern’d his Life.

_Abd_. And so it shall, by Heav’n! [_Aside_.

_Zar_. But she deny’d, and he the more intreated-- But all in vain, Sir.

_Abd_. Go, _Osmin_, (you the Captain of my Guard of Moors) Chuse out the best affected Officers, To keep the Watch to Night-- Let every Guard be doubled--you may be liberal too-- And when I gave the Word, be ready all.

_Osm_. What shall the Word be? [_Ex_. Zarrack.

_Abd_. Why--Treason--mean time make it your Business, To watch the Prince’s coming from the Banquet; Heated with Wine, and fearless of his Person, You’ll find him easily to be attack’d.

_Osm_. Sir, do not doubt my Management nor Success. [_Ex_. Osmin.

_Abd_. So, I thank thee, Nature, that in making me, Thou didst design me Villain; Hitting each Faculty for active Mischief: Thou skilful Artist, thank thee for my Face, It will discover nought that’s hid within. Thus arm’d for Ills, Darkness, and Horrour, I invoke your aid; And thou dread Night, shade all your busy Stars In blackest Clouds, And let my Dagger’s Brightness only serve To guide me to the Mark--and guide it so, It may undo a Kingdom at one Blow.

[Exit.