 | Abdelazer, or the Moors Revenge |  |
ACT. III.
SCENE I.
Enter Abdelazer, and Zarrack.Zar.
Osmin (my Lord) by this has done his task,
And Philip is no more among the living.—
Will you not rest to Night?
Abd.
Is this a time for sleep and idleness?—dull Slaves—
Zar.
The bus'ness we have order, Sir, to doe,
We can without your aid.
Enter Osmin.
Abd.
Osmin!
Thy ominous looks presage an ill success;
Thy Eyes no joyful news of Murders tell:
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Speak! Speak thy News!—
Say that he lives, and let it be thy last.—
Osm.
Yes Sir, he lives—
Abd.
Lives! thou ly'st, base Coward,—lives!—renounce thy Gods!
It were a sin less dangerous!—speak again.
Osm.
Sir, Philip lives.
Abd.
Oh treacherous Slave!
Osm.
Not by my fault, by Heav'n!
Abd.
By what curst chance,
If not from thee, could he evade his Fate?
Osm.
By some intelligence from his good Angel.
Abd.
From his good Devil!
Gods! must the Earth another day at once
Bear him and me alive!
Osm.
Another day!—an Age for ought I know;
For Sir, the Prince is fled, the Cardinal too.
Abd.
Fled! Fled!—sayst thou?
Oh I cou'd curse the Stars, that rule this Night:
'Tis to the Camp they're fled; the only refuge
That Gods, or men cou'd give 'em.—
Where got you this intelligence?
Osm.
My Lord, enquiring for the Prince
At the Apartment of the Cardinal, (whither he went)
His Pages answer'd me, he was at his Devotions:
A lucky time (I thought) to do the deed;
And breaking in, found only their empty Habits,
And a poor sleeping Groom, who with much threatning,
Confess'd that they were fled, in Holy Robes.
Abd.
That case of Sanctity was first ordain'd,
To cheat the honest world:
'Twas an unlucky chance;—but we are idle.—
Let's see, how from this ill, we may advance a good:—
(pawses:
'Tis now dead time of Night, when Rapes, and Murders,
Are hid beneath the horrid Veil of darkness;—
I'le ring through all the Court, with doleful sound,
The sad alarms of Murder,—Murder.—Zarrack.
Take up thy standing yonder;—Osmin, thou
At the Queens Apartment;—cry out, Murder!
Whilst I, like his ill Genius, do awake the King.
Perhaps in this disorder I may kill him.
(aside.
—Treason—Murder—Murder—Treason.
Enter Alonzo, and Courtiers.
Alon.
What dismal crys are these?—
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Where is the King?—Treason!—Murder!—
Where is the sleeping Queen?—arise!—arise!
Osm.
The Devil taught him all his arts of falshood.
(aside.
Enter King in a Night-Gown, with Lights.
King.
Who frights our quiet slumbers with this noise?
Enter Queen and Women, with Lights.
Qu.
Was it a dream, or did I hear the sound
Of Treason, call me from my silent griefs?
King.
Who rais'd this rumour, Abdelazer, you?
Abd.
I did, Great Sir.
King.
Your Reasons.
Abd.
Oh, Sir, your Brother Philip, and the Cardinal,
Both animated by a sense of wrongs,
(And envying, Sir, the fortune of your Slave)
Had laid a Plot, this Night, to murder you;
And 'cause they knew it was my waiting Night,
They would have laid the Treason, Sir, on me.
King.
The Cardinal, and my Brother! bring them forth,
Their lives shall answer it.
Abd.
Sir, 'tis impossible;
For when they found their Villany discover'd,
They in two Friers Habits made escape.
King.
That Cardinal is subtle, as Ambitious,
And from him Philip learnt his dangerous Principles.
Qu.
The Ambition of the one, infects the other,
And they are both too dangerous to live.—
But might a Mothers counsel be obey'd,
I wou'd advise you, send the valiant Moor
To fetch 'em back, e're they can reach the Camp:
For thither they are fled,—where they will find
A welcome fatal to us all.
King.
Madam, you counsel well; and Abdelazer,
Make it your care to fetch these Traytors back,
Not only for my safety, and the Kingdoms,
But for they are your Enemies; and th' envious world
Will say, you made this story to undoe 'em.
Abd.
Sir, I'le obey; nor will I know repose,
Till I have justify'd this fatal truth.
(Abd. goes to the Queen, and talks to her.
King.
(aside).
Mean time I will to my Florella's Lodging,
Silence, and Night, are the best Advocates
To plead a Lover's cause.—Abdelazer,—haste.
Madam, I'le wait on you to your Chamber.
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Sir, that's my duty.
King.
Madam, good night;—Alonzo, to your rest.
(Ex. all but Qu. and Abd.
Qu.
Philip escap'd!
Oh that I were upon some Desart shore,
Where I might only to the waves and winds
Breath out my sense of Rage for this defeat.
Abd.
Oh 'tis no time for Rage, but Action, Madam.
Qu.
Give me but any hopes of blest Revenge,
And I will be as calm, as happy Lovers.
Abd:
There is a way! and is but—that alone;
But such a way, as never must be nam'd.
Qu.
How! not be nam'd! Oh swear thou hat'st me rather,
It were a torment equal to thy silence.
Abd.
I'le shew my passion rather in that silence.
Qu.
Kind Torturer, what mean'st thou?
Abd.
To shew you, Madam, I had rather live
Wrong'd and contemn'd by Philip,
Than have your dearer Name made Infamous.
Qu.
Heav'ns! dost thou mock my Rage! can any sin
I cou'd commit, undoe my Honour more
Than his late Insolence!
Oh name me something may revenge that shame!
I wou'd encounter killing Plagues, or fire
To meet it.—Come, oh quickly give me ease.
Abd.
I dare no more reveal the guilty secret,
Then you dare execute it when 'tis told.
Qu.
How little I am understood by thee:—
Come, tell me instantly, for I grow impatient;
You shall obey me,—nay I do command you.
Abd.
Durst you proclaim—Philip a Bastard, Madam.
Qu.
Hah! proclaim my self.—what he wou'd have me thought!
What mean'st thou?—
Abd.
Instruct you in the way to your Revenge.
Qu.
Upon my self, thou mean'st.—
Abd.
No;—
He's now fled to th' Camp, where he'l be fortify'd
Beyond our power to hurt, but by this means;
Which takes away his hopes of being a King,
(For he'd no other aim in taking Arms)
And leaves him open to the Peoples scorn;
Whom own'd as King, numbers would assist him,
And then our lives he may dispose,
As he has done our Honours.
Qu.
There's reason in thy words, but oh my Fame.
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Which I, by Heav'n, am much more tender on,
Then my own life or Honour; and I've a way
To save that too, which I'le at leisure tell you.
In the mean time, send for your Confessor,
And with a borrow'd penitence confess,
Their Idol Philip is a Bastard;
And zealously pretend you're urg'd by Conscience:
A cheap pretence to cozen fools withall.
Qu.
Revenge, although I court thee with my fatal ruine,
I must enjoy thee! there's no other way,
And I'm resolv'd upon the mighty pleasure;
He has prophan'd my purer flame for thee,
And merits to partake the Infamy.—
(he leads her out.
Abd.
Now have at my young King:—
I know he means to Cuckold me to night,
Whilst he believes, I'le tamely step aside,—
No, let Philip and the Cardinal gain the Camp,
I will not hinder 'em:—
I have a nobler Sacrifice to make
To my declining Honour; shall redeem it,
And pay it back with Interest:—well, then in order to't,
I'le watch about the Lodgings of Florella,
And if I see this hot young Lover enter,
I'le save my Wife the trouble of allaying
The Amorous heat:—this—will more nimbly do't,
Snatches out his Dagger.
And do it once for all.—
Enter Florella in her Night-cloaths.
Flor.
My Abdelazer,—why in that fierce posture,
As if thy thoughts were always bent on Death:—
Why is that Dagger out?—against whom drawn?
Abd.
Or stay,—suppose I let him see Florella,
And when he's high with the expected bliss,
Then take him thus,—Oh 'twere a fine surprize!
Flor.
My Lord,—dear Abdelazer—
Abd.
Or say—I made her kill him,—that were yet
An action much more worthy of my vengeance.
Flor.
Will you not speak to me? what have I done?
Abd.
By Heaven it shall be so.—
Flor.
What shall be so?—
Abd.
Hah!—
Flor.
Why dost thou dress thy Eyes in such unusual wonder?
There's nothing here that is a stranger to thee;
Or what is not intirely thine own.
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Mine!
Flor.
Thou canst not doubt it.
Abd.
No,—and for a proof thou art so,—take this Dagger.
Flor.
Alas, Sir!—what to do?
Abd.
To stab a heart, Florella, a heart that loves thee.—
Flor.
Heaven forbid!
Abd.
No matter what Heaven will, I say it must—
Flor.
What must—
Abd.
That Dagger must enter the heart of him
That loves thee best, Florella;—guess the man.
Flor.
What means my Moor?—
Wouldst thou have me kill thy self?
Abd.
Yes,—when I love thee better then the King.
Flor.
Ah Sir! what mean you?
Abd.
To have you kill this King,
When next he does pursue thee with his love;—
What do you weep?—
By Heav'n they shall be bloudy tears then.—
Flor.
I shall deserve them,—when I suffer love
That is not fit to hear;—but for the King,
That which he pays me, is so innocent—
Abd.
So innocent!—damn thy dissembling tongue;
Did I not see, with what fierce wishing Eyes
He gaz'd upon thy face, whilst yours as wantonly
Return'd, and understood the Amorous language.
Flor.
Admit it true, that such his Passions were,
As (Haven's my witness) I've no cause to fear;
Have not I Virtue to resist his flame,
Without a pointed Steel?
Abd.
Your Virtue!—Curse on the weak defence;
Your Virtue's equal to his Innocence.—
Here,—take this Dagger, and if this Night he visit thee,
When he least thinks on't,—send it to his heart.
Flor.
If you suspect me, do not leave me, Sir.
Abd.
Oh—I'm dispatch'd away,—to leave you free,—
About a wonderful affair:—mean time,
I know you will be visited;—but as you wish to live,
At my Return, let me behold him dead.—
Be sure you do't.—'tis for thy Honours safety.—
I love thee so, that I can take no rest,
Till thou hast kill'd thy Image in his breast.
—Adieu, my dear Florella—
Exit.
Flor.
Murder my King!—the man that loves me too!—
What Fiend, what Fury such an act wou'd do?
My trembling hand, wou'd not the weapon bear,
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(pointing to her breast.
No! though of all I am, this hand alone
Is what thou canst command, as being thy own;
Yet this has plighted no such cruel vow:
No Duty binds me to obey thee now.
To save my King's, my life I will expose,
No Martyr dies in a more Glorious Cause.
Exit.
SCENE II.
Enter the Queen in an undress alone, with a Light.Qu.
Thou grateful Night, to whom all happy Lovers
Make their devout and humble Invocations;
Thou Court of Silence, where the God of Love,
Lays by the awfull terrour of a Deity,
And every harmfull Dart, and deals around
His kind desires; whilst thou, blest Friend to joys,
Draw'st all thy Curtains made of gloomy shades,
To veil the blushes of soft yielding Maids;
Beneath thy covert grant the Love-sick King,
May find admittance to Florella's arms;
And being there, keep back the busie day;
Maintain thy Empire till my Moor returns,
Where in her Lodgings he shall find his Wife,
Amidst her Amorous dalliance with my Son.—
My watchful Spyes are waiting for the knowledge;
Which when to me imparted, I'le improve,
Till my Revenge be equal to my Love.
Enter Elvira.
—Elvira, in thy looks I read success;—
What hast thou learnt?
Elv.
Madam, the King is gone as you imagin'd,
To fair Florella's Lodgings.
Qu.
But art thou sure he gain'd Admittance?
Elv.
Yes, Madam;
But what welcome he has found, to me's unknown,
But I believe it must be great, and kind.
Qu.
I am of thy opinion.—
But now, Elvira, for a well-laid Plot,
To ruine this Florella;—though she be innocent,
Yet she must dye; so hard a Destiny
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But 'tis the way, I stop at.—
His Jealousie already I have rais'd;
That's not enough, his Honour must be toucht:
This meeting 'twixt the King, and fair Florella,
Must then be render'd Publick;
'Tis the disgrace, not Action, must incense him:—
Go you to Don Alonzo's Lodging strait,
Exit Elvira.
Whilst I prepare my story for his Ear.—
Assist me all that's ill in Woman-kind,
And furnish me with sighs, and feigned tears,
That may express a grief, for this discovery.—
My Son, be like thy Mother, hot and bold;
And like the Noble Ravisher of Rome,
Court her with Daggers, when thy Tongue grows faint,
Till thou hast made a Conquest o're her Virtue.
Enter Alonzo, Elvira.
—Oh Alonzo, I have strange News to tell thee!
Alon.
It must be strange indeed, that makes my Queen
Dress her fair eyes in sorrow.
Qu.
It is a Dress that thou wilt be in love with,
When thou shalt hear my story.—
You had a Sister once.
Alon.
Had!
Qu.
Yes, had—whilst she was like thy self, all Virtue;
Till her bewitching Eyes kindled such flames,
As will undoe us all.
Alon.
My Sister, Madam! sure it cannot be:—
What eyes? what flames?—inform me strait.
Qu.
Alonzo, thou art honest, just, and brave,
And should I tell thee more—
(Knowing thy Loyalty's above all Nature)
It would oblige thee to commit an outrage,
Which baser Spirits will call cruelty.
Alon.
Gods, Madam! do not praise my Virtue thus,
Which is so poor, it scarce affords me patience
To attend the end of what you wou'd deliver.—
Come Madam, say my Sister—is a Whore;
I know 'tis so you mean: and being so,
Where shall I kneel for Justice?
Since he that shou'd afford it me,
Has made her Criminal.—
Pardon me, Madam, 'tis the King I mean.
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I grieve to own, all thy Prophetick fears
Are true, Alonzo, 'tis indeed the King.
Alon.
Then I'm disarm'd,
For Heaven can only punish him.
Qu.
But Alonzo,
Whilst that Religious patience dwels about thee,
All Spain must suffer; nay Ages that shall ensue,
Shall curse thy Name, and Family;
From whom a Race of Bastards shall proceed,
To wear that Crown.
Alon.
No, Madam, not from mine,
My Sister's in my power, her Honour's mine;
I can command her life, though not my Kings.
Her Mother is a Saint, and shou'd she now
Look down from Heaven upon a deed so foul,
I think even there, she wou'd invent a Curse,
To thunder on her head.—
But Madam, whence was this intelligence?
Qu.
Elvira saw the King enter her Lodgings,
With Lovers haste, and joy.
Alon.
Her Lodgings!—when?
Qu.
Now, not an hour ago,—
Now, since the Moor departed.
Alon.
Damnation on her! can she be thus false?—
Come, lead me to the Lodgings of this Strumpet, to Elvira.
And make me see this truth,
Or I will leave thee dead, for thus abusing me.
Qu.
Nay dear Alonzo, do not go inrag'd,
Stay till your temper wears a calmer look;
That if, by chance, you shou'd behold the Wantons,
In little harmless Dalliance, such as Lover
(Aided with silence, and the shades of Night)
May possibly commit,
You may not do, that which you may repent of.
Alon.
Gods! should I play the Pander!
And with my patience, aid the Am'rous sin?—
No, I shall scarce have so much tameness left,
To mind me of my Duty to my King.
Ye Gods! behold the Sacrifice I make
To my lost Honour: behold, and aid my justice.
Exit Alonzo.
Qu.
It will concern me too, to see this wonder,
For yet I scarce can credit it.
Exeunt.
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SCENE III.
Florella's Lodgings.Enter the King, leading in Florella all in fear.
Flor.
Ah Sir, the Gods and you would be more merciful,
If by a death less cruel than my fears,
You would preserve my Honour; begin it quickly,
And after that I will retain my Duty,
And at your feet breath thanks in dying sighs.
King.
Where learnt you, Fairest, so much cruelty,
To charge me with the Pow'r of injuring thee?
Not from my Eyes, where Love and languishment
Too sensibly inform thee of my heart.
Flor.
Call it not injury, Sir, to free my soul
From fears which such a Visit must create,
In dead of Night, when nought but frightful Ghosts.
Of restless souls departed walk the Round.
King.
That fleeting thing am I; whom all repose,
All joys, and every good of life abandon'd,
That fatal hour thou gavest thy self away;
And I was doom'd to endless desperation:
Yet whilst I liv'd, all glorious with my hopes,
Some sacred Treasures in thy breast I hid,
And near thee still my greedy soul will hover.
Flor.
Ah rather like a Ravisher you come,
With love and fierceness in your dangerous Eyes;
And both will equally be fatal to me.
King.
Ah do not fear me, as the fair Lucretia
Did the fierce Roman Youth; I mean no Rapes,
Thou canst not think that I wou'd force those joys,
Which cease to be so, when compell'd, Florella:—
No, I wou'd sooner pierce this faithful heart,
Whose flame appears too Criminal for your mercy.
Flor.
Why do you fright me, Sir? methinks your looks
All pale; your eyes thus fixt, and trembling hands,
The awfull horrour of the dark and silent night,
Strikes a cold terrour round my fainting heart,
That does presage some fatal Accident.
King.
'Tis in your cruel Eyes the danger lies:—
Wou'd you receive me with that usual tenderness
Which did express it self in every smile,
I should dismiss this horrour from my face,
And place again its Native calmness there;
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And with a new, and grateful Ardour beat.
Flor.
Sir, all my soul is taken up with fear,
And you advance your Fate, by staying here:—
Fly, fly, this place of death;—if Abdelazer
Shou'd find you here,—all the Divinity
About your Sacred Person, could not Guard you.
King.
Ah my Florella, cease thy needless fear,
And in thy soul let nothing reign but Love!
Love! that with soft desires may fill thy Eyes,
And save thy Tongue the pain t'instruct my heart,
In the most grateful knowledge Heav'n can give me.
Flor.
That knowledge, Sir, wou'd make us both more wretched,
Since you, I know, wou'd still be wishing on,
And I shou'd grant, till we were both undone.
And Sir, how little she were worth your care,
Cou'd part with all her honourable fame,
For an inglorious life,—short and despis'd.—
King.
Canst thou believe a flame thy Eyes have kindled,
Can urge me to an infamous pursuit?—
No, my Florella, I adore thy Virtue,
And none prophane those Shrines, to whom they offer;
—Say but thou lov'st,—and I thus low will bow,—
(kneels.
And sue to thee, to be my Soveraign Queen;
I'le circle thy bright Forehead with the Crowns
Of Castile, Portugal, and Aragon;
And all those petty Kingdoms, which do bow
Their Tributary knees to thy Adorer.
Flor.
Ah Sir! have you forgot by Sacred vow
All that I am, is Abdelazers now.
King.
By Heav'n it was a Sacrilegious theft!
But I the Treasure from his breast will tear,
And reach his heart, though thou art seated there.
Flor.
A deed like that, my Virtue wou'd undoe,
And leave a stain upon your Glories too;
A sin, that wou'd my hate, not passion move;
I owe a Duty, where I cannot love.
King.
Thou think'st it then no sin to kill thy King;
For I must dye, without thy love, Florella.
Flor.
How tamely, Sir, you with the Serpent play,
Whose fatal Poison must your life betray;
And though a King, cannot Divine your Fate;
Kings only differ from the Gods in that.—
See, Sir, with this—I am your Murderer made;
(holds up a Dagger.
By those we love, we soonest are betray'd.
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How! can that fair hand acquaint it self with death?
—What wilt thou do, Florella?
Flor.
Your Destiny divert,
And give my heart those wounds design'd for yours.
—If you advance, I'le give the deadly blow.
King.
Hold!—I command thee hold thy impious hand,
My heart dwels there, and if you strike—I dye.
Enter Queen, Alonzo, and Elvira.
Qu.
Florella! arm'd against the King!—
Snatches the Dagger and stabs her; the King rises.
Oh Traitress!—
King.
Hold!—hold, inhuman Murdress;
What hast thou done, most barbarous of thy Sex!
(takes Flor. in his arms.
Qu.
Destroy'd thy Murdress,—and my too fair Rival.
(aside.
King.
My Murdress!—what Devil did inspire thee
With thoughts so black and sinfull? cou'd this fair Saint
Be guilty of a Murder!—No, no, too cruel Mother,
With her Eyes, her charming lovely Eyes,
She might have kill'd; and her too virtuous cruelty.
—Oh my Florella! Sacred lovely Creature!
Flor.
My death was kind, since it prevented yours!
And by that hand, which sav'd mine from a guilt:
(points to the Queen.
—That Dagger, I receiv'd of Abdelazer,
To stab that heart—he said, that lov'd me best;
But I design'd to overcome your Passion,
And then to have vanquisht Abdelazer's Jealousie:
But finding you too faithfull to be happy,
I did resolve to dye,—and have my wish.
—Farewell—my King,—my soul begins its flight,
—And now—is hovering—in eternal—Night.
(dyes.
King.
She's gon,—she's gone,—her sacred soul is fled
To that Divinity, of which it is a part;
Too excellent to inhabit Earthly bodies.
Alon.
Oh Sir, you grieve too much, for one so soul
King.
What propbane breath was that pronounc'd her soul!
Thy Mothers soul, though turn'd into a Cherubin,
Was black to hers:—Oh she was all Divine.
—Alonzo,—was it thou?—her Brother!
Alon.
When she was good, I own'd that title, Sir.
King.
Good!—by all the Gods she was as chaste as Vestals!
As Saints translated to Divine abodes.
—I offer'd her to be my Queen, Alonzo!
To share the growing Glories of my Youth;
But uncorrupted she my Crown contemn'd,
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(Alon. weeps.
—Oh my Florella! let me here lie fix'd,
(kneels.
And never rise, till I am cold and pale,
As thou fair Saint art now:—but sure
She cou'd not dye;—that noble generous heart,
That arm'd with love and honour, did rebate
All the fierce sieges of my Amorous flame,
Might sure defend it self against those wounds
Given by a Womans hand,—or rather 'twas a Devils.
(rises.
—What dost thou merit for this Treachery?
Thou vilest of thy Sex—
But thou'st a thing I have miscall'd a Mother,
And therefore will not touch thee,—live to suffer
By a more shamefull way;—but here the lyes,
Whom I, though dead, must still adore as living.
Alon.
Sir, pray retire, there's danger in your stay;
When I reflect upon this Nights disorder,
And the Queens Art to raise my Jealousie;
And after that my Sisters being murder'd,
I must believe there is some deeper Plot,
Something design'd against your Sacred Person.
King.
Alonzo! raise the Court, I'le find it
(Exit Alonzo.
Though 'twere hid within my Mothers soul.
Qu.
My gentle Son, pardon my kind mistake,
I did believe her arm'd against thy life.
King.
Peace Fury! Not ill-boding Raven shrieks,
Nor Midnight cries of murder'd Ghosts, are more
Ungratefull, than thy faint and dull excuses.
—Be gone! and trouble not the silent griefs,
Which will insensibly decay my life,
Till like a Marble Statue I am fixt,
kneels, and weeps at Flor.'s feet.
Dropping continual tears upon her Tomb.
Abd.
within.
Guard all the Chamber doors!—fire and confusion
Consume these Spanish Dogs!—was I for this
Sent to fetch back a Philip, and a Cardinal,
To have my Wife abus'd?
Enter Abdelazer.
Qu.
Patience! dear Abdelazer!
Abd.
Patience and I am Foes! where's my Florella?—
The King! and in Florella's Bed-Chamber!
—Florella! dead too!—
Rise! thou Eternal Author of my shame;
Gay thing!—to you I speak!
(King rises.
And thus throw off Allegiance.
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Oh stay your fury, generous Abdelazer!
Abd.
Away! fond woman.
(throws her from him.
King.
Villain! to me this language!
Abd.
To thee, young Amorous King!
How at this dead and silent time of Night,
Durst you approach the Lodgings of my Wife?
King.
I scorn to answer thee.
Abd.
I'le search it in thy heart then.
They fight, Qu. and Elv. run out crying Treason.
And will not claim his due:—Oh I am wounded!
(falls.
Abd.
No doubt on't, Sir, these are no wounds of Love.
King.
Whate're they be, you might have spar'd 'em now,
Since those Florella gave me were sufficient:
—And yet a little longer—fixing thus—
Thou'dst seen me turn to Earth, without thy aid.
—Florella!—Florella!—is thy soul fled so far
It cannot answer me, and call me on?—
And yet like dying Ecchoes in my Ears,
I hear thee cry, my Love!—I come—I come, fair Soul!
—Thus at thy feet—my heart shall—bleeding—lye,
Who since it liv'd for thee,—for thee—will—dye.
(dyes.
Abd.
So—thou art gone;—there was a King but now,
And now a senseless, dull, and breathless nothing.
[A noise of fighting without.
Enter Queen running.
Qu.
Oh Heav'ns! my Son—the King! the King is kill'd!—
Yet I must save his Murderer:—Fly, my Moor;
Alonzo, Sir, assisted by some Friends,
Has set upon your Guards,
And with resistless fury is making hither.
Abd.
Let him come on,
Enter Alonzo and others, led in by Osmin, Zarrack, and Moors.
—Oh are you fast?—
(takes away their Swords.
Alon.
What mean'st thou, Villain!
Abd.
To put your Swords to better uses, Sir,
Then to defend the cause of Ravishers.
Alon.
Oh Heavens! the King is murder'd!
Abd.
Look on that Object,—
Thy Sister! and my Wife! who's doubly murder'd,
First in her spotless Honour, then her life.
38
Heaven is more guilty then the King in this!
Qu.
My Lords, be calm; and since your King is murder'd,
Think of your own dear safeties; chuse a new King
That may defend you from the Tyrants Rage.
Alon.
Who shou'd we chuse? Prince Philip is our King.
Abd.
By Heaven but Philip shall not be my King!
Philip's a Bastard, and Traytor to his Country:
He braves us with an Army at our Walls,
Threatning the Kingdom with a fatal ruine.
And who shall lead you forth to Conquest now,
But Abdelazer, whose Sword reapt Victory,
As oft as 'twas unsheath'd;—and all for Spain!
—How many Lawrels has this Head adorn'd?
Witness the many Battels I have won;
In which I've emptied all my Youthfull Veins,
And all for Spain!—ungrateful of my favours!
—I do not boast my Birth,
Nor will not urge to you my Kingdoms ruine;
But loss of bloud, and numerous wounds receiv'd,
And still for Spain!—
And can you think, that after all my Toy's
I wou'd be still a Slave!—to Bastard Philip too!
That dangerous Foe! who with the Cardinal
Threatens with Fire and Sword.—I'le quench those flames,
Such an esteem I still preserve for Spain.—
Alon.
What means this long Harangue! what does it aim at?
Abd.
To be Protector of the Crown of Spain,
Till we agree about a lawful Successor.
Alon.
Oh Devil!—
Qu.
We are betray'd, and round beset with horrours;
If we deny him this,—the Power being his,
We're all undone, and Slaves unto his mercy.—
Besides,—Oh give me leave to blush when I declare,
That Philip is—as he has rendred him.—
But I in love to you, love to my Spain,
Chose rather to proclaim my Infamy,
Than an Ambitious Bastard should be Crown'd.
Alon.
Here's a fine Plot,—
What Devil reigns in Woman, when she doats!
(aside.
Rod.
My Lords, I see no remedy but he must be Protector.
Alon.
Oh treachery!—have you so soon forgot
The noble Philip, and his glorious Heir
The murder'd Ferdinand!—
—And Madam, you so soon forgot a Mothers name,
That you wou'd give him Power that kill'd your Son!
39
The modesty wherewith I'le use that Power,
Shall let you see, I have no other Interest
But what's intirely Spains.—Restore their Swords,
And he amongst you all who is dissatisfy'd,—
I set him free this minute.
Alon.
I take thee at thy word,—
And instantly to Philips Camp will fly.
Exit.
Abd.
By all the Gods my Ancestors ador'd,
But that I scorn the envying World shou'd think
I took delight in bloud,—I wou'd not part so with you.
—But you, my Lords, who value Spains Repose,
Must for it instantly with me take Arms:—
Prince Philip, and the Cardinal, now ride
Like Jove in Thunder; we in Storms must meet them:
To Arms! to Arms! and then to Victory,
Resolv'd to Conquer, or resolv'd to dye.
Exeunt.
| Abdelazer, or the Moors Revenge | |