The Works of Aphra Behn, Vol. II by Aphra Behn

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_Abd_. Me, dost thou mean?

_Phil_. Yes, Villain, thee, thou Hell-begotten Fiend,
'Tis thee I mean.

_Qu_. Oh most unnatural, to dishonour me!

_Phil_. That Dog you mean, that has dishonour'd you,
Dishonour'd me, these Lords, nay, and all Spain;
This Devil's he, that--

_Abd_. That--what--Oh pardon me if I throw off
All Ties of Duty:--wert thou ten King's Sons,
And I as many Souls as I have Sins,
Thus I would hazard all.
[Draws, they all run between.

_Phil_. Stand off--or I'll make way upon thy Bosom.

_Abd_. How got you, Sir, this daring?

_Phil_. From injur'd _Philip's_ Death,
Who, whilst he liv'd, unjustly cherish'd thee,
And set thee up beyond the reach of Fate;
Blind with thy brutal Valor, deaf with thy Flatteries,
Discover'd not the Treason thou didst act,
Nor none durst let him know 'em--but did he live,
I wou'd aloud proclaim them in his Ears.

_Abd_. You durst as well been damn'd.

_Phil_. Hell seize me if I want Revenge for this--
Not dare!
Arise, thou injur'd Ghost of my dead King,
And thro thy dreadful Paleness dart a Horror,
May fright this pair of Vipers from their Sins.

_Abd_. Oh insupportable! dost hear me, Boy?

_Qu_. Are ye all mute, and hear me thus upbraided?
[_To the Lords_.

_Phil_. Dare ye detain me whilst the Traitor braves me?

_Men_. Forbear, my Prince, keep in that noble Heat
That shou'd be better us'd than on a Slave.

_Abd_. You politick Cheat--

_Men. Abdelazer_--
By the Authority of my Government,
Which yet I hold over the King of _Spain_,
By Warrant of a Council from the Peers,
And (as an Unbeliever) from the Church,
I utterly deprive thee of that Greatness,
Those Offices and Trusts you hold in _Spain_.

_Abd_. Cardinal--who lent thee this Commission?
Grandees of Spain, do you consent to this?

_All_. We do.

_Alon_. What Reason for it? let his Faith be try'd.

_Men_. It needs no tryal, the Proofs are evident,
And his Religion was his Veil for Treason.

_Alon_. Why should you question his Religion, Sir?
He does profess Christianity.

_Men_. Yes, witness his Habit which he still retains
In scorn to ours--
His Principles are too as unalterable.

_Abd_. Is that the only Argument you bring?
I tell thee, Cardinal, not thy Holy Gown
Covers a Soul more sanctify'd than this
Moorish Robe.

_Phil_. Damn his Religion--he has a thousand Crimes
That will yet better justify your Sentence.

_Men_. Come not within the Court; for if you do,
Worse mischief shall ensue--you have your Sentence.
[_Ex_. Phil, _and_ Men.

_Alon_. My Brother banish'd! 'tis very sudden;
For thy sake, Sister, this must be recall'd. [_To_ Flor.

_Qu. Alonzo_, join with me, I'll to the King,
And check the Pride of this insulting Cardinal.
[_Exeunt all, except_ Abdelazer, Florella.

_Abd_. Banish'd! if I digest this Gall,
May Cowards pluck the Wreath from off my Brow,
Which I have purchas'd with so many Wounds,
And all for Spain; for _Spain_! ingrateful _Spain_!--
Oh, my _Florella_, all my Glory's vanish'd,
The Cardinal (Oh damn him) wou'd have me banish'd.

_Flor_. But, Sir, I hope you will not tamely go.

_Abd_. Tamely!--ha, ha, ha,--yes, by all means--
A very honest and religious Cardinal!

_Flor_. I wou'd not for the World you should be banish'd.

_Abd_. Not Spain, you mean--for then she leaves the King. [_Aside_.
What if I be?--Fools! not to know--All parts o' th' World
Allow enough for Villany; for I'll be brave no more.
It is a Crime--and then I can live any where--
But say I go from hence--I leave behind me
A Cardinal that will laugh--I leave behind me
A _Philip_ that will clap his Hands in sport--
But the worst Wound is this, I leave my Wrongs,
Dishonours, and my Discontents, all unreveng'd--
Leave me, _Florella_--prithee do not weep;
I love thee, love thee wondrously--go leave me--
I am not now at leisure to be fond--
Go to your Chamber--go.

_Flor_. No, to the King I'll fly,
And beg him to revenge thy Infamy. [_Ex_. Flor.
_To him_ Alonzo.

_Alon_. The Cardinal's mad to have thee banish'd Spain.
I've left the Queen in angry Contradiction,
But yet I fear the Cardinal's Reasoning.

_Abd_. This Prince's Hate proceeds from Love,
He's jealous of the Queen, and fears my Power. [_Aside_.

_Alon_. Come, rouse thy wonted Spirits, awake thy Soul,
And arm thy Justice with a brave Revenge.

_Abd_. I'll arm no Justice with a brave Revenge.
[_Sullenly_.

_Alon_. Shall they then triumph o'er thee, who were once
Proud to attend thy conqu'ring Chariot-Wheels?

_Abd_. I care not--I am a Dog, and can bear wrongs.

_Alon_. But, Sir, my Honour is concern'd with yours,
Since my lov'd Sister did become your Wife;
And if yours suffer, mine too is unsafe.

_Abd_. I cannot help it--

_Alon_. What Ice has chill'd thy Blood?
This Patience was not wont to dwell with thee.

_Abd_. 'Tis true; but now the World is chang'd you see.
Thou art too brave to know what I resolve-- [_Aside_.
No more--here comes the King with my _Florella_.
He loves her, and she swears to me she's chaste;
'Tis well, if true--well too, if it be false: [_Aside_.
I care not, 'tis Revenge
That I must sacrifice my Love and Pleasure to.
[Alon. _and_ Abd. _stand aside_.

_Enter King, _Lords, Guards passing over the Stage_,
Florella _in a suppliant posture weeping_.

_King_. Thou woo'st me to reverse thy Husband's Doom,
And I woo thee for Mercy on my self,
Why shoud'st thou sue to him for Life and Liberty,
For any other, who himself lies dying,
Imploring from thy Eyes a little Pity?

_Flor_. Oh mighty King! in whose sole Power, like Heav'n,
The Lives and Safeties of your Slaves remain,
Hear and redress my _Abdelazer's_ Wrongs.

_King_. All Lives and Safeties in my Power remain!
Mistaken charming Creature, if my Power
Be such, who kneel and bow to thee,
What must thine be,
Who hast the Sovereign Command o'er me and it?
Wou'dst thou give Life? turn but thy lovely Eyes
Upon the wretched thing that wants it,
And he will surely live, and live for ever.
Canst thou do this, and com'st to beg of me?

_Flor_. Alas, Sir, what I beg's what you alone can give,
My _Abdelazer's_ Pardon.

_King_. Pardon! can any thing ally'd to thee offend?
Thou art so sacred and so innocent,
That but to know thee, and to look on thee,
Must change even Vice to Virtue.
Oh my _Florella_!
So perfectly thou dost possess my Soul,
That ev'ry Wish of thine shall be obey'd:
Say, wou'dst thou have thy Husband share my Crown?
Do but submit to love me, and I yield it.

_Flor_. Such Love as humble Subjects owe their King.
[_Kneels, he takes her up_.
And such as I dare pay, I offer here.

_King_. I must confess it is a Price too glorious:
But, my _Florella_--

_Abd_. I'll interrupt your amorous Discourse. [_Aside_.
[Abd. _comes up to them_.

_Flor_. Sir, _Abdelazer's_ here.

_King_. His Presence never was less welcome to me;--
[_Aside_.
But, Madam, durst the Cardinal use this Insolence?
Where is your noble Husband?

_Abd_. He sees me, yet inquires for me. [_Aside_.

_Flor_. Sir, my Lord is here.

_King. Abdelazer_, I have heard with much surprize,
O' th' Injuries you've receiv'd, and mean to right you:
My Father lov'd you well, made you his General,
I think you worthy of that Honour still.

_Abd_. True--for my Wife's sake. [_Aside_.

_King_. When my Coronation is solemnized,
Be present there, and re-assume your wonted State and Place;
And see how I will check the insolent Cardinal.

_Abd_. I humbly thank my Sovereign--
[_Kneels, and kisses the_ King's _Hand_.
That he loves my Wife so well. [_Aside_.
[_Exeunt_.
_Manent_ Abdelazer, Florella.

_Flor_. Wilt thou not pay my Service with one Smile?
Have I not acted well the Suppliant's part?

_Abd_. Oh wonderfully! y'ave learnt the Art to move.
Go, leave me.

_Flor_. Still out of humour, thoughtful and displeas'd?
And why at me, my _Abdelazer_? what have I done?

_Abd_. Rarely! you cannot do amiss you are so beautiful.
So very fair--Go, get you in, I say--
[_Turns her in roughly_.
She has the art of dallying with my Soul,
Teaching it lazy softness from her Looks.
But now a nobler Passion's enter'd there,
And blows it thus--to Air--Idol Ambition,
_Florella_ must to thee a Victim fall:
Revenge,--to thee--a Cardinal and Prince:
And to my Love and Jealousy, a King--
More yet, my mighty Deities, I'll do,
None that you e'er inspir'd like me shall act;
That fawning servile Crew shall follow next,
Who with the Cardinal cry'd, banish _Abdelazer_.

_Like Eastern Monarchs I'll adorn thy Fate,
And to the Shades thou shalt descend in State.

[Exit_.

ACT II.

SCENE I. _A Chamber of State_.

_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.

SCENE II. _A Banqueting Hall_.

_A Banquet, under a Canopy the_ King, Leonora, Florella,
_Ladies waiting_; Philip, Mendozo, Alonzo, Ordonio,
Antonio, Sebastian, _Lords and Attendants: As soon as
the Scene draws off, they all rise, and come forward_.

_King_. My Lords, you're sad to Night; give us loud Musick--
I have a double Cause to mourn;
And Grief has taken up his dwelling here--
Beyond the Art of Love, or Wine to conquer--
'Tis true, my Father's dead--and possibly
'Tis not so decent to appear thus gay;
But Life, and Death, are equal to the wretched,
And whilst _Florella_ frowns--'tis in that Number [_To_ Flor.
I must account her Slave--_Alonzo_,
How came thy Father so bewitch'd to Valour,
(For _Abdelazer_ has no other Virtue)
To recompense it with so fair a Creature?
Was this--a Treasure t' inrich the Devil with?

_Alon_. Sir, he has many Virtues, more than Courage,
Royally born, serv'd well his King, and Country;
My Father brought him up to martial Toils,
And taught him to be brave; I hope, and good;--
Beside, he was your Royal Father's Favourite.

_King_. No, _Alonzo_, 'twas not his Love to Virtue,
But nice Obedience to his King, and Master,
Who seeing my increase of Passion for her,
To kill my Hopes, he gave her to this _Moor_.

_Alon_. She's now a virtuous Woman, Sir.

_King_. Politick Sir, who would have made her other?
Against her Will, he forc'd her to his Arms,
Whilst all the World was wondring at his Madness.

_Alon_. He did it with her Approbation, Sir.

_King_. With thine, _Florella!_ cou'dst thou be so criminal?

_Flor_. Sir, I was ever taught Obedience;
My humble Thoughts durst ne'er aspire to you,
And next to that--Death, or the Moor, or any thing.

_King_. Oh God! had I then told my Tale
So feebly, it could not gain Belief.
Oh my _Florella_! this little Faith of thine
Has quite undone thy King--_Alonzo_,
Why didst not thou forbid this fatal Marriage,
She being thy only Sister?

_Alon_. Great Sir, I did oppose it with what Violence
My Duty would permit; and wou'd have dy'd
In a just Quarrel of her dear Defence;
And, Sir, though I submitted to my Father,
The Moor and I stand on unequal Terms.

_Phil_. Come, who dares drink Confusion to this Moor?

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